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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light guide, an illuminating device having said light guide, and an image reading device and an information processing apparatus having said illuminating device, and more particularly an information processing apparatus such as copying machine, facsimile apparatus, scanner or electronic blackboard, an image reading device adapted for use in such information processing apparatus, an illumination device adapted for use in such image reading device, and a light guide adapted for use in such illumination device.
2. Related Background Art
For illuminating the image reading device of the information processing apparatus such as the facsimile apparatus, electronic copying machine or the like, there has conventionally been employed a discharge tube such as a fluorescent lamp or an LED array consisting of an array of a plurality of LED's. Particularly in recent years, the LED arrays are being used more widely, because compact and inexpensive products are requested for home-use equipment such as the facsimile apparatus.
An example of the illumination device utilizing such LED array will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, wherein shown are an LED array 41, a plane 42 to be illuminated, such as the surface of an original document, and LED chips 43. FIG. 1A shows the schematic structure of the illumination device employing an LED array, together with the original to be illuminated, while FIG. 1B shows an example of the illumination intensity distribution of the surface of the original when it is illuminated with the illumination device shown in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1B, a substantially uniform and high illumination intensity can be obtained by increasing the number of the LED chip, namely by densely arranging the LED chips. However, because of the increased number of the LED chips, it is difficult to achieve a sufficiently low cost, and to reduce the power consumption beyond a certain limit even though the power required for individual LED is quite low.
A reduced number of the LED chips, or a less dense arrangement of the LED chips, for the purpose of cost reduction, will result in an uneven illumination intensity distribution on the illuminated surface, due to the increase gap between the LED chips, as will be explained in the following with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, wherein same components as those in FIGS. 1A and 1B are represented by same numbers.
FIG. 2A shows the schematic structure of the illumination device utilizing an LED array, together with the illuminated original, as in FIG. 1A, while FIG. 2B shows an example of the illumination intensity distribution when the original is illuminated with the illumination device shown in FIG. 2A. If the number of LED's in the array is decreased, there results, as shown in FIG. 2B, an extremely uneven illumination state in which the illumination intensity on the original surface is high in positions corresponding to the LED chips but is low in positions corresponding to the gaps between the LED chips. The precise original reading becomes difficult under such illumination intensity distribution, and there is required a circuit for compensating the unevenness in the illumination intensity distribution, eventually leading to a higher cost.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the details of a linear light source similar to that explained above.
As shown in FIG. 3, such linear light source is composed of LED chips 43, individually constituting a point light source, mounted linearly on a substrate 45 bearing electric wirings 49, and a voltage is applied between input terminals 48 of said wirings 49 to cause light emission from the LED chips 43, thereby constituting a linear light source.
FIG. 4 shows an elevation view of the light source, seen from a direction C shown in FIG. 3, and the light amount distribution on an illuminated surface (not shown), schematically illustrating the variation of the light amount corresponding to the positions of the LED chips 43. A curve 44 indicating the distribution of the light amount becomes higher in positions directly above the LED chips 43 but lower in positions corresponding to the gaps between said LED chips 43, because of the linear arrangement thereof. As a result, there is formed unevenness in the light amount corresponding to the arrangement of the LED chips 43. In reading image information with such a linear light source, the reflected light from the illuminated surface also involves unevenness in the light amount similar to that shown in FIG. 4, so that a large burden is required in the post-process such as image processing for improving the tonal rendition.
On the other hand, there is conceived a linear light source of the configuration as shown in FIG. 5, in which a light bulb such as a tungsten lamp or a halogen lamp is employed as the light source and the light emitted from said light source is developed into a linear form. In FIG. 5 there are shown an electric light bulb 1 such as a halogen lamp; a mirror 2 of a light condensing form such as spherical or elliptical form; a translucent member 3 with a circular cross section, such as a quartz rod; an entrance face 4 where the light beam emitted from the light bulb 1 enters the translucent member 3; an area 5 for taking out the light beam, propagating in the translucent member 3, from said member by reflection or scattering, said area 5 being formed on a part of the translucent member 3 by forming a coarse surface or coating the surface thereof with light diffusing/reflecting paint; and a reflective face 6 provided at an end of the translucent member 3 opposite to the bulb 1 and formed either by evaporating a metal such as aluminum or applying light diffusing/reflecting, paint on the end face of the translucent member 3 itself, or as a separate member. The translucent member 3 may also have a square or rectangular cross section.
The light beam L, emitted from the light bulb 1 and entering the translucent member 3 through the entrance face 4 thereof propagates in said member 3 by repeated reflections on the internal walls thereof, then is reflected by the end face opposite to the entrance face 4, and propagates again in the interior of the translucent member 3. In the course of repeated reflections, upon entering the above-mentioned area 5, the light beam is scattered therein and a part 1.sub.1 of said light beam is released to the exterior through an exit face opposite to said area 5. The remaining part 1.sub.2 of the diffused light beam, entering said exit face diagonally, is totally reflected thereon and propagates in the translucent member. The light reaching the entrance face 4 after repeated propagations is released therethrough to the exterior.
When the light bulb 1 is used as the light source, as the amount of light emission can be increased by the use of a larger electric power, there can be obtained a considerably high illumination intensity despite of the light loss by the light emission to the exterior through the entrance face 4.
However the use of the light bulb is associated with the drawbacks of a large electric power consumption in return for a high illumination intensity, difficulty in compactization of the device because of the larger heat generation, and lack of maintenance-free character as in the case of LED, since the electric light bulb has a service life considerably shorter than even that of the fluorescent lamp and has to be replaced when the light amount becomes low or when the filament is broken.
Consequently, the illumination device to be employed as the image reading light source for an information processing apparatus such as facsimile apparatus preferably employs LED's as the light source and is adapted to emit the light beam from said LED's in a linear form. As another example of the illumination device employing the LED chips as the light source, there has been conceived a configuration shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, which respectively are a schematic view-of the illumination device together with an original to be illuminated, and a chart showing an example of the illumination intensity distribution on the illuminated surface 42 when the original is illuminated with the device shown in FIG. 6A. More specifically, the illumination device shown in FIG. 6A is similar to that shown in FIG. 5 except that the light source is replaced by an LED light source 71. In FIG. 6A, the components equivalent to those in FIG. 5 are represented by same numbers.
The LED light source is available in various types, among which there is known so-called surface mounting LED chip convenient for compactization and actual mounting. FIG. 7 illustrates such surface mounting LED light source, wherein shown are an LED chip 81; a substrate 82; a reflecting frame 83; translucent resin 84 and electrodes 85, 86 formed on the substrate 82. Such LED light source is already available in a compact form, with the size of the light source itself of 2-3 mm and the height of 2 mm or less. As the electrodes 85, 86 are extended to the rear side of the substrate 82 through the lateral faces thereof, the light source can be efficiently mounted on the mounting substrate, merely by placing on said mounting substrate printed with cream solder and heating in a reflow oven. Consequently the use of such LED light source is more desirable for constructing a linear light source.
However, since such LED light source has a directionality in the light emission as shown in FIG. 7, in illuminating the original in combination with the translucent member 3 as shown in FIG. 6A, there will result an unevenness in the illumination intensity distribution, which is higher at the side of the LED light source 71 and is lower in the remaining part, as shown in FIG. 6B.
This is because the lights diagonally emitted from the LED light source 71 directly enter the area 5 of the translucent member 3 are scattered in said area 5 and released from the translucent member 3.
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of another example of the conventional linear light source, in which light sources are provided on both ends of an oblong translucent member constituting a light guide 3. In FIG. 8, the light is emitted in a direction 1.sub.1. The oblong translucent member 3 has a constant cross section, and the faces thereof are formed as mirrors except for the light-emitting face. The light is introduced from LED chips 71 provided on substrates 45 into the oblong translucent member 3 through the end faces thereof, and is released to the exterior either directly or after reflection by the mirror faces of said translucent member 3. FIG. 9 shows an elevation view, seen from a direction D shown in FIG. 8 and the illumination intensity distribution on the illuminated surface (not shown). As shown in FIG. 9, there is obtained a uniform light amount within an area a-c but the level of light amount is low and is considerably different from that in the vicinity of the light source. 10a, 10b and 10c are cross sections at the positions a, b and c of the oblong translucent member 3, and 44a, 44b and 44c indicate the illumination intensity distributions at the corresponding positions. Also hatched portions represent mirror faces (except for the light emitting face and light entering faces of the oblong translucent member 3). | {
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Various techniques are available for carrying out copy operations on files in file systems. One conventional copy technique copies files from one storage disk to another when the disks are connected via a high-speed connection. One copy technique directs a processor to read a page of memory into cache. The technique then adjusts the cached page to simulate a write operation. Another copy technique aims to reduce memory copies by dealing with the write cache directly. Still another copy technique performs a simple copy where data from a source file are read into a buffer in memory and written out to a destination file.
In some arrangements, storage systems permit deduplication operations. A deduplication operation frees up storage space by using pointers for duplicate copies of a file that point to data stored for an original copy and then deleting the redundant data stored for the duplicate copies. | {
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The quest for higher performance, increased functionality and lower cost of digital switching circuits has led to high integration density of integrated circuits where more circuit elements are formed at smaller sizes and in greater proximity so that more such elements can be included on a chip of a given size for increased functionality while increasing the number of circuit elements formed by a given sequence of processes and interconnected with shorter connections of reduced capacitance for faster signal propagation and reduced susceptibility to noise. It follows that integrated circuits having the highest performance currently available will also be designed at the limit of the ability to lithographically form features of circuit elements and interconnections with acceptable manufacturing yield. Therefore scaling to smaller sizes is limited by the ability to achieve shorter wavelength or higher numerical aperture exposure systems.
The properties of radiation (e.g. visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, etc.) that can be used to expose a pattern on a lithographic resist and properties of lithographic resists cause some effects such as diffraction at mask aperture edges, reflection and scattering of radiation in the resist and, since resist exposure is cumulative, tend to reduce fidelity of the exposed pattern to the exposure mask. These effects are collectively known as optical proximity effects which can sometimes be exploited to improve larger shapes but may unavoidably distort small, closely spaced features produced. In general, optical proximity effects can only be partially compensated.
While not admitted to be prior art in regard to the present invention, to avoid optical proximity effects to the extent possible, so-called pitch split processes have been developed which essentially divide the features to be produced between a plurality of lithographic masks to expose a like plurality of applications of lithographic resist to expose a layer of material on the chip known as a hard mask with the overlaid exposures and then use the in-situ hard mask to form the closely spaced features. Pitch split processes thus allow fewer and more separated features to be formed on each lithographic mask and thus provide possibly the best technique for avoiding or at least reducing optical proximity effects. However, pitch split processes are, by their nature, extremely critical in regard to positioning of the sequence of lithographic exposures and inaccuracy of positioning, known as overlay error must be held to very small distances, often within a few nanometers. Further, each exposure of the exposure sequence must be followed by an etching step, generally reactive ion etching (RIE), for transferring the resist pattern into the hard mask with yet another etching process (also generally RIE) to transfer the hard mask pattern into the desired layer or substrate. Accordingly, a pitch split process is often referred to as a double exposure, double etch process although the number of exposure and etch process can exceed two. The term multiprocess patterning is also used and is more accurately descriptive.
Etching processes are complex and critical (e.g. possibly requiring a sequence of etchants at critical concentrations and temperatures in reaction chambers that may be specific to particular etchants and etching conditions) with relatively small process windows and must be performed to provide especially consistent results in pitch split processes. Such additional complexity cannot be accommodated within the lithography track of current semiconductor manufacturing lines which are generally limited to applying, exposing and developing patterns in a resist. Multiprocess patterning thus requires substantial additional complexity and cost to perform in currently available facilities while the adaptation of manufacturing lines is not feasible due to cost and the different number of pitch split exposures that may be required for different device designs. | {
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The present invention relates to a polishing apparatus and a method of polishing a work piece, e.g., silicon wafer.
In conventional polishing apparatuses for polishing work pieces, e.g., silicon wafers, atmospheric conditions of the apparatuses or their polishing sections, e.g., pressure, temperature, humidity, are not specially controlled. Therefore, especially in chemical-mechanical polishing apparatuses, stable machining characteristics cannot be gained. To solve the problem, the inventors of the present invention have invented a pressure vessel type polishing apparatus, which has a pressure vessel whose atmosphere can be controlled (see Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2003-225859). The polishing apparatus is capable of improving polishing efficiency.
In case of chemical-mechanical polishing, a pH value of slurry greatly influences polishing rate and quality of products. In a conventional open-type polishing apparatus, a pH value of slurry delicately changes according to the atmospheric conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to precisely control the pH value of the slurry.
Further, in the case of chemical-mechanical polishing, it usually takes 2–7 minutes to gain normal machining characteristics after dressing a polishing pad. After dressing the polishing pad, a surface of the polishing pad is cleaned by pure water, so it takes a long time to completely remove used slurry therefrom. Especially, in case of changing to different type slurry during the chemical-mechanical polishing process, it takes 10 minutes or more to completely exchange slurry.
Especially, in the pressure vessel type polishing apparatus, polishing conditions must be rapidly changed without exchanging slurry. | {
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Acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) are often used to split and/or modulate a laser beam. The basic principle of AOMs is that a transparent medium subject to a stress undergoes a change in the index of refraction. When the stress is high frequency sound waves, such as might be produced by a piezoelectric transducer, the change in refraction is periodic. The periodic refraction pattern can act as a diffraction grating producing what is called Bragg diffraction. The undiffracted beam is called the zeroth order beam and the primary diffracted beam is called the first order beam.
Amplitude modulation of laser beams is another requirement for many applications. The amount of light diffracted in an AOM is a function of the acoustic power being applied and can, therefore, be modulated by varying the applied power. Generation of a second modulated beam from one original incident beam using prior art techniques requires a second AOM in series with the first. The second modulated beam created this way may vary significantly from the first modulated beam in intensity or size and may contain an admixture of the modulation characteristics of the first modulated beam.
Many laser applications require the use of beam splitters to derive two equal intensity beams from an original beam. Conventional spatial beam splitting techniques such as partial reflective/transmissive lens coatings can produce two continuous beams of at most approximately 50% intensity. Another disadvantage with conventional beam splitters is that they are not available for all wavelengths. Mechanical splitting or chopping techniques such as rotating polygon mirrors have all of the disadvantages associated with moving parts such as speed variations and limitations. | {
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In self-cleaning filters, the state of the art has experienced fast growth in recent years essentially due to the development of their use in irrigation applications.
The entire professional sector is aware of the advancement made for the purpose of making better use of water resources, especially in regions having natural water shortages, and in this sense drip irrigation and micro-sprinkler irrigation can be mentioned as examples of the aforementioned techniques.
All these modern techniques achieve a high degree of efficiency with utilization of water, and in addition, it is also obvious that the utilization of lower-quality water is becoming increasingly frequent, and this operation frequently implies using water with impurities which, though not constituting a drawback for traditional irrigation techniques, they can be a serious problem in drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation installations.
Due to the foregoing, it is necessary to place filters which prevent, as much as possible, impurities entrained by the flow of water from reaching the mentioned drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation installations.
The subsequent problem with the use of filters results from the necessary cleaning and maintenance operations associated with their operation to eliminate impurities accumulated therein.
In relation to the foregoing, it must be indicated that self-cleaning filters have been known and used for a long time in which two coaxial chambers are arranged inside a substantially cylindrical casing, one chamber being perimetral and the other axial, connected together through a plurality of filtering discs provided with grooves on their faces, which grooves are sometimes radial and other times oblique, such that when these discs are placed one on the other, the mentioned grooves become low-caliber conduits, affording these filters the filtering effect.
In this type of filters, the chamber, encasing or exterior is coupled to the corresponding, generally radial, water inlet, whereas the axial chamber is in turn connected to the filtered water outlet pipe, generally axially arranged, such that the duly pressurized water first reaches the perimetral chamber so that through the discs it reaches the axial chamber, causing the filtration thereof, and finally leaves the filter through the axial outlet thereof.
The mentioned filtering conduits obviously collect dirt and over time, and it is necessary to periodically wash or clean them, for which purpose the operation of reversing the water flow direction is also known such that clean water penetrates through the inlet that was once the outlet pipe, passes between the discs and entrains the dirt deposited therein to what is normally the inlet opening.
It is also known that to facilitate this operation, the discs are separated during the self-cleaning operation to facilitate the release and entrainment of dirt located on their surface.
By knowing the operations and processes which make the reversal of the flow of water traversing it for cleaning, the water passage is closed, allowing it to pass only through perforated pipes acting on the rings and making them rotate due to the orientation of the holes, this operation facilitating the expulsion of particles.
The flow reversal is also known by means of a three-way valve coupled at the water inlet into the filter.
This particularity means that these filters are widely used, essentially in countries where the cost of manual labor needed for cleaning the filter is high, those installations having self-cleaning filters therefore being preferred.
However, this structure involves wide-spread and varied drawbacks, basically focused on the following aspects, namely: During the cleaning or self-washing phase, the water passage is closed, allowing the water to pass only through the perforated pipes, the filter being forced to clean the rings by means of pressure jets, which causes very little particle entrainment rate, making it difficult for all the particles to exit. In water with a high degree of particles in suspension, the number of necessary cleanings is very high due to the previously mentioned fact that the entire cleaning of the particles in suspension is not carried out, causing water expenditure to be greater than needed. When the particles in the water are lightweight or floating matter, such as alga residue for example, the cleanings are more complicated due to the previously mentioned fact that there is no cleaning flow rate, and accordingly the flow rate is lower in the entire cleaning phase, which forces using more water to shorten cleaning operations. Due to the complexity of the mechanisms used in these self-cleaning filters, they require high maintenance control for their operation and therefore a periodically added cost. The structure of the components of these filters and the many parts, gaskets and different accessories make manufacture expensive and therefore means the filters are used less frequently by users.
The present invention's solution to the drawbacks existing today in this field would be to have a self-cleaning filter for agricultural irrigation water in which the self-cleaning is carried out by means of the temporary reversal of the flow of water going through it, reducing consumption of the water used in these maintenance operations.
However, the applicant is not aware of the current existence of an invention having the features described in this specification. | {
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1. Field of Art
The disclosure relates generally to a method and/or system of transmitting media items from a media source to a media player, and more specifically, to transmitting the media items which provides a continuous media experience even when a communication channel is disrupted or does not have sufficient bandwidth to transmit the media item.
2. Description of Related Art
Many households have multiple media sources and media players (hereinafter collectively called “media devices”). Although some media sources can allow a user to experience media items without separate media players, many media sources must be hooked up to the media players for the user to experience the media items. Commonly used media sources include set-top boxes (STB), videocassette recorders (VCR), personal computers, and digital video recorders (DVR). Some media sources (e.g., a set-top box) receive streaming data from external sources whereas other media sources (e.g., a DVD player) read data stored on storage devices (e.g., a DVD disk). The media players coupled to the media sources include personal computers, televisions, and audio systems.
Conventionally, the media devices were connected by one or more dedicated lines. For example, RCA type connectors or S-Video connectors were often used to transmit video signals between the media devices. These dedicated lines are often shielded from interferences and has sufficient bandwidth to transmit necessary signals between the media sources and the media players. Such connectors, however, are compatible with a limited number of compatible devices. Moreover, such connectors can provide communication only if the media devices are in close proximity, typically within 10 yards.
Accordingly, the media devices in close proximity form an island separated from other islands consisting of other sets of media devices. For example, one island may consist of an audio system, and a large screen TV in a living room. Another island may consist of a personal computer and a LCD monitor in a bedroom. Generally, the devices of the two islands remain isolated from each other and do not communicate.
Various attempts have been made to provide interoperability between the islands of the media devices. For example, Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) published a set of industry design guidelines to allow the interoperability between the various media devices. The DLNA attempts to remove the island effect by allowing media devices to communicate through common communication channels. The DLNA uses various wired or wireless communication channels along with IPv4 protocol suites to provide connection between the various media devices.
The available bandwidth of the common communication channels, however, can fluctuate as a result of external interferences. A wireless communication channel can be interfered by other radio signals or other wireless stations using the same channel. Power line communication (PLC) channels also can be interfered when appliances requiring high electric consumption are turned to an on state. Sometimes the whole communication channel may become unavailable due to overloaded traffic or extreme interferences.
Sometimes a broadband communication channel is required between the media sources and the media players to transmit media items such as high-definition (HD) video files across the media devices. This broadband communication channel may have reduced capacity due to other communication traffic or interferences. In such cases where the broadband communication channel is unavailable or its capacity significantly reduced, the media item played on the media players may be severely distorted or fragmented. Rather than viewing distorted or fragmented media items in a high-quality format, the user may prefer to view the media item in a standard definition (SD) or a lower definition format. In conventional systems and methods, however, the user must manually perform conversion of the file or configure the media source so that the data from the media source may be transmitted over the communication channel with a reduced bandwidth.
Using conventional methods of transmitting media items, the media items cannot be experienced in real time unless the communication channel between the media sources and the media players has a sufficient bandwidth. Even if multiple communications channels are available between the media sources and the media players, conventional methods do not leverage the combined bandwidth of each communication channel.
Therefore, the present art lacks, inter alia, a method and/or system of transmitting media items across media devices that allows the user to experience the media item even when there are disruptions or interferences in a communication channel. Further, it lacks, inter alia, a method and/or system of transmitting media items that allows the user to experience media items requiring a bandwidth larger than the bandwidth of one communication channel provided between the media devices. | {
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This invention relates to the field of electronic design automation, and more specifically, to optimization of digital circuits whose design is based on cell libraries.
Integrated circuits are important building blocks of the information age and are critical to the information age, affecting every industry including financial, banking, legal, military, high technology, transportation, telephony, oil, medical, drug, food, agriculture, education, and many others. Integrated circuits such as DSPs, amplifiers, DRAMs, SRAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, Flash memories, microprocessors, ASICs, and programmable logic are used in many applications such as computers, networking, telecommunications, and consumer electronics.
Consumers continue to demand greater performance in their electronic products. For example, higher speed computers will provide higher speed graphics for multimedia applications or development. Higher speed Internet web servers will lead to greater on-line commerce including on-line stock trading, book sales, auctions, and grocery shopping, just to name a few examples. Higher performance integrated circuits will improve the performance of the products in which they are incorporated.
Large modern day integrated circuits have millions of devices including gates and transistors and are very complex. As process technology improves, more and more devices may be fabricated on a single integrated circuit, so integrated circuits will continue to become even more complex with time. To meet the challenges of building more complex and higher performance integrated circuits, software tools are used. These tools are in an area referred to as computer aided design (CAD), computer aided engineering (CAE), or electronic design automation (EDA). There is a constant need to improve these electronic automatic tools in order to address the desire for higher integration and better performance in integrated circuits.
Therefore, there is a need for improved techniques for electronic design automation. | {
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This invention relates to a support for preventing deflection of internal combustion engine valve components. In particular it pertains to such a support which prevents deflection of a rocker arm shaft.
In operation of high performance internal combustion engines, maintenance of valve train clearance is of critical importance. However, in operation as a valve is opened the compression of the associated valve spring causes loading on the rocker arm which in turn results in deflection of the rocker arm mounting hardware. Thus, the clearance of that particular valve is increased. Also repeated cyclic deflection of the mounting hardware causes it to fail prematurely.
In engines where each rocker arm is carried by individual upstanding studs, supports are known for eliminating deflection. One such support, for example, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,024.
However, no such support has been developed for internal combustion engines having rocker arms which are carried rotatably on a transverse rocker arm shaft. The outermost rocker arms in particular are subject to displacement in this class of engine, as the extremities of the rocker arm shaft are unsupported outwardly of the outwardmost rocker arm. | {
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The present invention relates to a capacitor having a capacitor insulating film composed of a ferroelectric film or a high dielectric constant film and in particular a capacitor used for a ferroelectric memory or a high dielectric memory, and a method for fabricating the same.
As for ferroelectric memories, mass-production has started for ferroelectric memories of a planer structure having a capacity of 1 to 64 Kbits. In recent years, ferroelectric memories of a stack structure having a large capacity of 256 Kbits to 4 Mbits have become dominant in development. To implement stack-type ferroelectric memories, it is indispensable to substantially improve the scale of integration and hence provide finer ferroelectric memories. To achieve this, it is important to secure conformity among the step of forming ferroelectric capacitors, the step of forming transistors and the wiring step.
In relation to the above, the following problem arises. That is, ferroelectric capacitors must keep their ferroelectric films from being reduced to maintain the polarization property of the ferroelectric films in a semiconductor process, in which processing is often performed in a hydrogen atmosphere, as is typified by processing of embedding contacts using W-CVD and heat treatment in a hydrogen atmosphere for recovery of the properties of transistors, for example.
FIG. 18 shows the degree of degradation of the polarization observed when heat treatment at a temperature of 400° C. in a hydrogen atmosphere, which is normally adopted in the wiring step for semiconductor devices, is performed for a ferroelectric capacitor having a bottom electrode made of Pt, a capacitor insulating film made of SBT and a top electrode made of Pt. In FIG. 18, the y-axis represents the polarization 2Pr (μC/cm2) and the x-axis represents the hydrogen mixture ratio.
As is apparent from FIG. 18, degradation of the polarization begins when the hydrogen mixture ratio is 0.001%, and a complete short circuit occurs when it is 0.5% or more. From these results, it is found how a ferroelectric film is sensitive to hydrogen.
Conventionally, a technique of coating a ferroelectric capacitor with a hydrogen barrier film is generally adopted, as is described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-8355, for example. By this coating, diffusion of hydrogen generated in a semiconductor process after formation of a ferroelectric capacitor is blocked with a hydrogen barrier film, which is typically an Al2O3 film, and thus degradation of the polarization of the ferroelectric film is prevented. This effect is provided most greatly for a structure of the ferroelectric capacitor completely covered with the hydrogen barrier film. In this way, degradation of the polarization property of the ferroelectric capacitor due to hydrogen is prevented, and thus a highly integrated ferroelectric memory or high dielectric memory is realized.
A conventional ferroelectric capacitor of a completely covered structure will be described with reference to FIG. 19.
Referring to FIG. 19, a first interlayer insulating film 201 is formed on a semiconductor substrate 200 on which a memory cell transistor (of which illustration is omitted) is formed, and a first hydrogen barrier film 202 is formed on the first interlayer insulating film 201. On the first hydrogen barrier film 202, formed is a ferroelectric capacitor having a bottom electrode 203, a capacitor insulating film 204 composed of a ferroelectric film, and a top electrode 205. The top surface and side faces of the ferroelectric capacitor are covered with a second hydrogen barrier film 206. Thus, the ferroelectric capacitor is completely covered with the first hydrogen barrier film 202 and the second hydrogen barrier film 206.
A second interlayer insulating film 207 is formed covering the second hydrogen barrier film 206, and a metal interconnection 209 is formed on the second interlayer insulating film 207 via a barrier layer 208. A first contact plug 211 extends through the first interlayer insulating film 201 and the first hydrogen barrier film 202, for connecting the memory cell transistor with the bottom electrode 203. A second contact plug 212 extends through the second interlayer insulating film 207 and the second hydrogen barrier film 206, for connecting the top electrode 205 with the metal interconnection 209.
Since the conventional ferroelectric capacitor is completely covered with the first and second hydrogen barrier films 202 and 206, diffusion of hydrogen into the capacitor insulating film 204 is suppressed even when the ferroelectric capacitor is subjected to heat treatment in a reducing atmosphere. In this way, degradation of the polarization property of the ferroelectric film constituting the capacitor insulating film 204 can be reduced.
In the prior art described above, the ferroelectric capacitor was completely covered with the hydrogen barrier films. For reducing the number of steps, reducing the cost and facilitating the integration, there is also known a structure of the ferroelectric capacitor of which only the top surface is covered with a hydrogen barrier film.
The conventional ferroelectric capacitor described above however has the following problem. The inventors of the present invention performed heat treatment for a ferroelectric capacitor covered with hydrogen barrier films as described above in a reducing atmosphere, and found that it was not possible to prevent completely the degradation of the polarization property of a ferroelectric film constituting the capacitor insulating film.
FIG. 20 shows the results of the properties of a ferroelectric capacitor covered with hydrogen barrier films, measured before and after heat treatment performed for the ferroelectric capacitor in a hydrogen atmosphere. In this experiment, heat treatment in a 4% hydrogen atmosphere was performed for a ferroelectric capacitor having the structure shown in FIG. 19, in which a Pt/IrOx/Ir/TiAlN laminated film was used as the bottom electrode 13, an SBTN film was used as the capacitor insulating film 14, a Pt film was used as the top electrode 15, a plasma silicon nitride film was used as the first hydrogen barrier film 12, and an aluminum titanium oxide film was used as the second hydrogen barrier film 16. In FIG. 20, 2Pr represents the polarization (μC/cm2), Pnv represents the saturated polarization (μC/cm2) observed when the no-voltage applied state continues sufficiently long, and BVF represents the breakdown voltage (V) observed when a current of 10−7 A/cm2 flows to the ferroelectric capacitor.
Considering the experiment results shown in FIG. 18, it is found that in the experiment shown in FIG. 20, 0.001% or less of hydrogen entered the ferroelectric film and the concentration of hydrogen entering the ferroelectric film was reduced to 4000/1 or less thanks to the hydrogen barrier films. From the experiment results shown in FIG. 20, it is also found that degradation of the ferroelectric film cannot be completely prevented even when the ferroelectric capacitor is covered with the hydrogen barrier films.
In view of the above, the present inventors have examined paths through which hydrogen enters the ferroelectric film, and found that hydrogen diffuses into the ferroelectric film via a first diffusion path passing via the first contact plug 211 and the second contact plug 212, a second diffusion path composed of an interface between the first hydrogen barrier film 202 and the second hydrogen barrier film 206, and a third diffusion path composed of grain boundaries of the first hydrogen barrier film 202 poor in crystallinity due to a step formed on a layer underlying the first hydrogen barrier film 202.
As for the first diffusion path via the contact plugs, conductive hydrogen barrier films may be provided right above the top electrode and right below the bottom electrode. However, for the remaining diffusion paths, there exist problems considerably difficult to solve that the crystallinity must be improved at the step and that the cohesion between the dense hydrogen barrier films must be improved.
As described above, even when a ferroelectric capacitor is completely covered with hydrogen barrier films, it is not possible to prevent completely degradation of the polarization property of a ferroelectric film constituting the capacitor insulating film of the ferroelectric capacitor when the ferroelectric capacitor is subjected to heat treatment in a reducing atmosphere. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
Furnace waste gas heat recovery device and method of using same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the past operation of glass furnaces and the like, little or no effort has been made to recover heat from the waste gases of combustion. However, with the recent drastic increase in the cost of fuel, particularly gas and oil, it is highly desirable that heat in waste gases be utilized to the maximum extent possible to minimize the quantity of fuel required to operate the furnace. Minimizing fuel requirements for operation of a furnace is not only desirable from an economics standpoint, but also in the national interest to conserve fuel. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Many of today's processors are implemented as multi-core processors in which multiple or many cores are present on a single semiconductor die. Oftentimes, the cores include a first level cache, and are associated with other cache levels to store frequently or recently accessed data. One possible cache hierarchy for multi-core chips is to have one or more levels of private cache per core, and a distributed tag directory (TD) to maintain coherence between the different cores' private caches. To reduce off-die accesses to shared data, the TD may support cache-to-cache transfers between different cores' private caches. However, concurrent reads for the same cache line are serialized, and the throughput of handling requests for those shared lines is limited by the latency of pending cache-to-cache transfers. In contrast, shared cache hierarchies in which one or more cache levels are shared by multiple cores may directly respond to read requests for data being read-shared by other cores; by the nature of a shared cache, it can hold a copy of read-shared lines. The line will never move to a pending state as in the above private cache situation, so the throughput of such read requests is limited only by the shared cache request throughput.
Still further, application performance may be limited by throughput in a private cache hierarchy if the application uses many threads and the cores on which those threads run have frequent misses to the same cache line. A number of applications exhibit this behavior, and thus have lower performance on private caches than on a shared cache. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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There is an abundance of information available on the Internet through content on web pages, social networks, user generated content, as well as other sources of information, which are accessible via the world-wide web (WWW). Search systems make the access to such information speedy and generally cost effective. However, there are also certain disadvantages, one of which is the fact that even targeted searches to generally available information result in large amounts of ‘hits’ requiring the user to sift through a lot of unwanted information. The search is static by nature and over time, as more and more irrelevant data is available, the more difficult it is to get to meaningful information.
Various users of information are interested in more elaborate analysis of the information available through the Internet as well as the time-value of such information. That is, older information may be less important than newer information and the trends relating to the information may be more interesting than the data relating to the information at any given point in time. Current solutions monitor online behavior, rather than attempting to reach intents. For example, today advertisers attempting to target customers can merely do so based on where they go, what they do, and what they read on the web. For example, a user reading about the difficulties of a car manufacturer might be targeted for an advertisement to purchase that manufacturer's car, which would not necessarily be appropriate. In other words, today's available solutions are unable to distinguish this case from an article where the same company presents a new model of a car. Likewise, the prior art solutions are unable to correlate items appearing in such sources of information to determine any kind of meaningful relationship.
Today, advertising is all about demographics and does not handle true intent. Advertisers are trying to target people based on, for example, their age and music preferences, rather than capturing the target audience's true intentions. In search advertising, for example, when searching for “Shoes” the age and/or the gender of the user submitting the search query cannot necessarily affect the content of the advertisements displayed to the user. Advertisements for shoes are provided merely because searchers have the intent for shoes. However, this intent based approach is limited in scope and inaccurate in targeting the required audiences.
An ability to understand human trends dynamically and in real-time, as they are expressed, would be of significant advantage to advertisers, presenters, politicians, chief executive officers (CEOs) and others who may have an interest in deeper understanding of the information and the target of an audience's intent. Tools addressing such issues are unavailable today. Hence it would be therefore advantageous to provide such tools. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Motion video cameras and electronic still cameras have been utilized for several years in applications involving image data transmission. Electronic image data generated from a video camera, for example, can be transmitted by a conventional broadcast television station and received by any television in the broadcast area tuned to the appropriate channel. It is not possible, however, for the transmitter to select which receivers will obtain the image data, as selection is controlled at the receiver. Image data from electronic still cameras has been transmitted via conventional telephone lines to selected receivers through the use of a computer equipped with a modem. The image data must first be downloaded from the electronic still camera to the computer, which then transmits the image data to a second modem equipped computer via the telephone line where it can be viewed or printed. Unfortunately, the requirement for a telephone line to transmit image data does not allow images to be quickly and easily transmitted from remote field locations to receiver units. While systems have been proposed that utilize radio frequency transmission to transmit image data from an electronic camera to an individual base unit, none of these systems have the capability of selectively transmitting image data to a plurality of receiver units.
In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide an electronic camera system that includes a programmable transmission capability for selectively transmitting electronic image data to a plurality of remote receiver units. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to imidazole derivatives, a process for the production thereof, and antitumor agents comprising the imidazole derivatives as active ingredients.
There is little difference between tumor cells and normal cells in respect of physiological properties. For this reason, antitumor agents thus far provided for clinical applications tend to pro more serious side effects if the antitumor activities thereof are higher and thus cannot always attain satisfactory therapeutic effects. Under such situation, an enhanced therapeutic effect on tumors can be obtained only by a proper combination of chemotherapy with a surgical treatment or radiotherapy.
As indicated above, antitumor agents thus far provided for clinical applications are accompanied by problems in respect of therapeutic effects and side effects and thus are not very acceptable.
A imary object of the present invention is to provide novel compounds having remarkable antitumor activities. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to taxidermy and, more particularly, to a taxidermy form and method.
2. Description of Prior Art
Taxidermy typically involves the preservation of animal hides and mounting them onto forms which replicate the sub-dermal structures of the animal to be preserved. Conventional taxidermy forms are molded in one piece which is then prepared to display the particular mount. One piece forms, however, often lack detail in particular facial features due to the difficulties in molding eyes, eyelids, noses, nostrils, and septa. Some prior art forms attempt to remedy these shortcomings by providing receptacles for separate eye pieces or the like which can be glued into a preformed socket.
Prior art forms often require the use of additional parts which must be further attached to the form to give the final mount more realistic detail in the eye and nose areas. For example, glass eyes may be set into the form and clay added to recreate the proper eyelid and muscle definition. Other forms use preformed eye capsules which still must be adhered to the form. Shaping these features is time consuming, tough to master, and the additional pieces can become displaced when the animal skin is stretched over the form.
Conventional taxidermy forms are also difficult to detail. Typically, a taxidermist must apply detail paint to areas such as the nostril and septum through the smaller-sized, preformed nostrils. Additionally, an entirely new taxidermy head must be cast for each mount, depending on the size of the head of the particular animal to be displayed.
3. Objects and Advantages
It is a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a taxidermy form which results in more realistic facial features.
It is an additional object and advantage of the present invention to provide a taxidermy form which is easier to prepare than state of the art forms.
It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a taxidermy form which can be used with different sized animals.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field
Embodiments relate to a nanocrystalline diamond thin film and a method for fabricating same. More particularly, embodiments relate to a uniform nanocrystalline diamond thin film with minimized voids formed on a silicon oxide-coated substrate and a method for fabricating the same. Such nanocrystalline diamond thin film is formed by performing hydrogen plasma treatment, hydrocarbon plasma treatment or hydrocarbon thermal treatment on the substrate surface to maximize electrostatic attraction between the substrate surface and nanodiamond particles during the following ultrasonic seeding such that the nanodiamond particles are uniformly distributed and bound on the silicon oxide on the substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
The nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) or ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) thin film has opened an innovative route for a wide variety of applications. In particular, nanocrystalline diamond (less than 100 nm in thickness) formed on a silicon oxide (SiO2)— coated silicon (Si) substrate is important for nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) applications. Also, the nanocrystalline diamond thin film is used as a hermetic coating over the 3-dimensional geometry of the microelectrode arrays for implanted retinal prosthesis or as a dielectric layer of a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor.
Meanwhile, it is very difficult to grow a void-free nanocrystalline diamond thin film on the silicon oxide surface due to low nucleation density and long pretreatment time when compared to the growth on the pristine silicon substrate (Bhattacharyya, S.; Auciello, O.; Birrell, J.; Carlisle, J. A.; Curtiss, L. A.; Goyette, A. N.; Gruen, D. M,; Krauss, A. R.; Schlueter, J.; Sumant, A.; Zapol, P. Applied Physics Letters 2001, 79, 1441.).
When a hydrogen-rich, rather than argon (Ar)-rich, precursor gas is used to grow the nanocrystalline diamond thin film, the nucleation rate is decreased due to the etching action of the high-concentration hydrogen. Nonetheless, hydrogen-rich precursor gas is still prevailing for nanocrystalline diamond synthesis due to better plasma stability in microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MWCVD) or direct current plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (DC-PACVD) or due to a much wider gas composition window in hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD).
Bias enhanced nucleation (BEN) technique has been widely adopted for enhancing nucleation for diamond synthesis on a silicon substrate. However, although it is appropriate for an electrically conducting substrate, the technique is not suitable for a non-conducting substrate such as an oxide-coated substrate and is limited in large-area diamond deposition.
Ultrasonic treatment of a substrate immersed in a diamond powder suspension is also widely adopted for nucleation enhancement. Initially, it was argued that the nucleation was enhanced by scratching on the substrate surface by microdiamond particles when the suspension of microdiamond particles was used for ultrasonic treatment. It was subsequently discovered that the diamond particles remaining on the substrate was responsible for the enhancement of nucleation.
By contrast, for growth of the nanocrystalline diamond thin film, a suspension of nanodiamond particles is used. The nanodiamond particles are transferred from the suspension to the substrate by ultrasonic seeding. In this context, various efforts were made to enhance the dispersion efficiency of the nanodiamond particles onto the substrate, including functionalization of the seed particle surface, addition of a surfactant to the suspension or adjustment of the pH of the suspension. Furthermore, ball-milling of the nanodiamond particles using ceramic beads or thermal treatment of the nanodiamond particles under hydrogen atmosphere is also employed to increase the dispersion efficiency of the nanodiamond particles.
However, such efforts are directed exclusively to the diamond particles, not to the substrate onto which the diamond particles are transferred. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to signal splitters, more particularly the invention relates to splitters with multiple branch circuits suitable for splitting signals over a very wide frequency range.
In distribution systems, such as CATV (community antenna television) systems, a television signal originating at one location is split, often many times, between the originating location and the destination locations. In the simplest form a split may be accomplished by an input signal line connecting to a center tap on a winding of a distribution transformer with the end leads of the winding constituting the two new signal lines. This results in the characteristic impedance at each of the new signal lines being twice that at the input signal line. It is known to utilize a matching transformer at the input signal line before the distribution transformer to appropriately reduce the characteristic impedance at the signal line intermediate the transformers to half that at the input signal line. Then the doubling effect of the characteristic impedance at the distribution transformer results in each of the output signal lines with the same characteristic impedance as at the input signal line. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,245 to Wright, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
In splitters for use with CATV, and the like, it is important to have excellent return loss characteristics at the ports as well as reasonable insertion loss characteristics and port isolation characteristics, all of which should be maintained throughout the frequency spectrum of the device. The wider the operable frequency spectrum, the better.
Prior art splitters have attempted to provide favorable performance characteristics over a wide range of frequencies but have generally proved deficient, particularly in the higher frequencies, i.e. 500 to 750 mhz.
A multiple output port splitter device is needed that provides excellent performance characteristics from 5 mhz. to 750 mhz. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Many orthopaedic procedures require the use of bone cement. Bone cement is used to, for example, secure a prosthetic implant to the patient's natural bone. Most bone cements include a self-curing resin formed from the blending of a liquid monomer or co-monomer with a powdered polymer or copolymer. A typical liquid monomer for use as the liquid component of bone cement is a monomeric methyl methacrylate. A typical copolymer powder for use as the powder component of bone cement is a methylmethacrylate-styrene copolymer. Curing of the bone cement composition occurs as the liquid and powder components polymerize and crosslink.
Bone cement is typically mixed in the surgical area just prior to its use. The curing of a bone cement composition is characterized by three operating points. The first of which is dough time. Dough time is distinguished qualitatively as the point in time where the bone cement no longer adheres to latex gloves. Dough time is measured relative to the initial mixing of the liquid and powder components. Dough time signifies the starting point of the working time of the bone cement composition. In other words, once dough time is reached, the bone cement composition has achieved a desired viscosity and flowability to allow for the delivery of the composition into the surgical or implant site.
The end-of-work time is the second operating point of a bone cement composition. It is distinguished qualitatively as the point in time where bone cement no longer adheres to itself. The end-of-work time is also measured relative to the initial mixing of the liquid and powder components. The end-of-work time signifies when the working time of the composition has ended. In other words, the end-of-work time indicates when the bone cement should no longer be used in the surgical procedure.
The third operating point of bone cement is setting time. It, too, is measured relative to the initial mixing of the liquid and powder components. The setting time signifies when the bone cement has cured sufficiently enough to maintain the prosthetic implant in the implant site (e.g., in the prepared bone). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to reduction of power consumption by a semiconductor memory device and in particular to that by a semiconductor memory device in which a layered I/O system is installed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, capacity of a semiconductor memory device is becoming larger, and wiring length in the devices is becoming longer. As a natural result, reading/writing speed to semiconductor memory devices tends to become slower. The layered I/O system is one of the techniques for improving the reading/writing speed.
According to the layered I/O system, a sub-amplifier is arranged on an I/O line connecting between a main amplifier and a sense amplifier in order to compensate the potential of the I/O line and consequently to prevent reduction of the reading/writing speed.
On the other hand, according to a conventional semiconductor memory device, other kinds of problems have occurred. Based on miniaturization of wiring in the memory device, leak current from a MOS transistor with a low threshold becomes larger. Based on increasing capacity of semiconductor memory devices, the number of elements increases, and as a result, standby current of the semiconductor memory device increases. Particularly, a semiconductor memory device with a layered I/O system includes sub-amplifiers, which cause the leak current and the standby current.
In recent years, for DRAMs, it has been more required to increase the capacitance, enhance the processing speed, and reduce the employed voltage. Moreover, the DRAMs have been applied in various new fields, e.g., field of mobile devices. Especially, it is intensively required to reduce power consumption of DRAMs.
According to a technique effective in suppressing the standby current, and thus, can cope with the above-described requirements, a substrate bias effect is applied. According to this technique, the substrate is set at a more negative potential, so that the leak current (sub-threshold current) can be reduced. However, when the potential of the substrate is decreased, the threshold voltage of the transistor increases, so that the operation speed of the transistor is reduced. Accordingly, this technique is not suitable for the case in which high-speed operation is required.
According to another technique for reducing the standby current, a sub-threshold current reduction circuit (SCRC) is used. A SCRC controls a source potential of a transistor when the transistor is on off-state, so that the bias voltage between the gate and the source of the transistor can decrease, and thus, the sub-threshold current is reduced.
Conventionally, various kinds of circuits have been proposed as the target of a SCRC for reducing a sub-threshold current; various kinds of signals are proposed for controlling a SCRC; and timings of inputting a control signal to a SCRC are proposed.
For example, according to the technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 2000-30443 (hereinafter referred to as a cited reference 1), while switching a standby state to an active state, a SCRC is not applied to a circuit of which the operation starts at relatively early time, although the SCRC is applied to a circuit of which the operation starts at relatively early time when the circuit is in the standby state. Switching between activation and inactivation is made in response to a standby command. According to this technique, a SCRC is inapplicable to a circuit of which the operation starts at relatively early time, for example, to a sub-amplifier on a standby state.
Moreover, according to the technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 2000-113670 (hereinafter referred to as a cited reference 2), a SCRC is applied to an X decoder while the X decoder is being switched from a standby state to an active state. In a paragraph 0012 of the cited reference 2, it is described “a hierarchic electric source control signal SCRC is activated (high or H level) prior to the activation of the row system operation”. However, it is not described in the cited reference 2 that which signal activates the signal SCRC prior to the activation of the row system operation. | {
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Electronic data security has become an area of great focus for development as more daily transactions become computerized. Computing devices are constantly being utilized to exchange financial data, personal identification data, etc. As a result, hackers may attempt to compromise computing devices to gain access to this valuable information. For example, malicious software (e.g., malware) may be loaded to passively or actively attack computing devices. Passive attacks may comprise malware observing data being passed between a processor and a memory to obtain passwords or other sensitive or confidential data. Active attacks may involve altering data stored in memory to trigger an atypical result such as allowing an unpermitted user to gain access to the computing device. In either instance, plaintext (unencrypted) data in the memory of a computing device, that is exchanged with a processor in the computing device, etc. is a major vulnerability.
Device manufacturers, component manufacturers, software developers, etc. continue to try to develop protective measure to combat vulnerabilities. Software-based malware detection and elimination solutions typically operate at the privilege level of an operating system (OS) in the computing device. These solutions may be effective against lower privilege attacks, but may not be able to combat higher-privileged malware like rootkits. Some hardware-based protective solutions are now emerging that are instituted very early during boot-up of a computing device, and thus may establish protective measures before malware even becomes active. Known-good protection firmware may be loaded early on during boot-up that may perform various functions such as checking whether subsequently loaded software comports with known-good versions, establishing protected areas of memory wherein data may be protected from being accessed by hostile software, etc. While the benefits of these protective measures may be apparent, at least one issue that hardware protection systems may introduce is additional processing overhead at a very low level resulting in, for example, slower overall performance for the computing device.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. | {
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In test equipment utilized for many purposes, such as measuring DC voltages over a plurality of ranges with a digital volt meter, measuring AC voltages over a plurality of ranges with a digital volt meter, counting frequencies, supplying a visual display of input signals on an oscilloscope, etc., it is generally necessary to supply a separate input for each function. Further, each input is generally connected through separate circuits which prepare the input signal for the function to be performed. In some prior art circuitry it is necessary to remove modules and substitute different modules before certain of these tests can be performed. Because it is necessary to change input terminals and/or modules when making a series of various test measurements, testing certain circuitry is cumbersome and tedious. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate provided with a single crystal semiconductor layer over a base substrate having an insulating surface. In addition, the present invention relates to a semiconductor device manufactured using the semiconductor substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an integrated circuit using an SOI (silicon on insulator) substrate in which a thin single crystal semiconductor layer is formed on an insulating surface, instead of a bulk silicon wafer has been developed. By utilizing characteristics of a thin single crystal silicon layer formed over an insulating film, transistors formed in the integrated circuit can be electrically separated from each other completely. Further, each transistor can be formed as a fully-depleted transistor, and thus a semiconductor integrated circuit with high added value such as high integration, high speed driving, and low voltage consumption can be realized.
As a method for manufacturing an SOI substrate, a hydrogen ion implantation separation method in which hydrogen ion implantation and separation are combined is known. A method for manufacturing an SOI substrate using a hydrogen ion implantation separation method is briefly described below. First, by implantation of hydrogen ions into a silicon wafer serving as a substrate for separation by an ion implantation method, an ion-implanted layer is formed at a predetermined depth from the surface. Then, the silicon wafer into which the hydrogen ions are implanted is bonded to another silicon wafer with a silicon oxide film interposed therebetween (bonding). Then, through heat treatment, the ion-implanted layer serves as a cleavage plane and separation into a thin film occurs in the silicon wafer to be separated into which hydrogen ions are implanted. Accordingly, a single crystal silicon film can be formed over the silicon wafer to be separated. The hydrogen ion implantation separation method is also called a Smart Cut (registered trademark) method.
A method in which a single crystal silicon film is formed over a base substrate made of glass by a hydrogen ion implantation separation method has been proposed. For example, in Reference 1, a separation plane is mechanically polished in order to remove a defect layer formed by ion implantation or a step which is several to several tens of nanometers in height in the separation plane. In Reference 2, after a separation process, heat treatment such as irradiating a single crystal semiconductor layer with a laser beam or the like is performed, whereby planarity of the single crystal semiconductor layer is improved. In Reference 3, after a separation process, by irradiation with a laser beam, crystal quality of a semiconductor thin film layer is improved, and the semiconductor thin film layer and a transparent insulating substrate are strongly bonded to each other. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to optical-electrical conversion modules, particularly to an optical-electrical conversion module and an optical transmission connecting assembly using the optical-electrical conversion module.
2. Description of Related Art
Optical communication is popular due to its higher speed and larger capability. An optical-electrical conversion module may include a plurality of optical components (such as an optical signal emitting member or an optical signal receiving member) mounted on a circuit board. When assembling the optical-electrical conversion module, the optical components may be bonded on the circuit board by colloidal silver, and a plastic cover may be mounted on the circuit board by UV glue, for covering the optical components. An optical waveguide is inserted into the cover, for transmitting optical signals. Because the optical components are precisely designed of higher degree of complexity, thus an automatic assembling thereof may be difficult to be realized. Therefore, a manual assembling of the optical-electrical conversion module may be suitable. However, the manual assembling of the optical-electrical conversion module may increase the costs and decrease the assembling efficiency.
Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This patent of invention pertains to natural or synthetic agalmatolite containing narrow particle distribution range, which can be used as mineral load or titanium dioxide extender, or precipitated calcium carbonate or calcined kaolin in the manufacture of industrial, or architectural, or automotive, or printing or demarcation paints, as well as in the production of plastic, rubber and cellulose. More particularly, the advantage of using natural agalmatolite, whose particle distribution is controlled, is in the end appearance of the paint, maintaining the texture, silky luster, fineness, opacity, wet scrub resistance and whiteness.
Dispersion paints are coating materials, which are used for protection and optical embellishment of civil engineering structures. There are groups interested in protective paints for construction, as well as their performance characteristics.
The desire is to have walls coated with a silky sheen. The objective of the paints is to provide such an appearance. To guarantee that the paints have a minimum sheen, semi-sheen agents should be added to the paints, which very substantially supply the directional reflection of light.
Semi-sheen agents are classified as mineral loads and are characterized by special grain-size properties which contribute to reduce the silky luster of a painted surface. The reduction of the silky luster is caused by the appearance of a micro roughness on a painted surface, in which the dispersed light is increased and the directional reflection is reduced. The semi-sheen agents, widely used for dispersion paints are silicates and carbonates. These can be extracted from natural deposits or produced synthetically. The most common natural products in the application of semi-sheen paints are kaolin, agalmatolite, talc, quartz, dolomite and calcite. For the synthetics, there is zinc oxide, precipitated calcium carbonate and calcined kaolin.
Micro roughness may arise by various manners. In the case of paints, the binding agent creates a surface similar to that of human skin. This is the result of incorporating a quantity of particles coarser than the rest of the components, whereby presenting a rough and homogenous surface. In this sense, the size distribution of the grains of all the solid components promotes this effect. If there is an insufficient quantity of the coarse fraction, there will be an “islands effect”, which is characterized as individual grains projected like islands on a smooth, homogenous film. Low sheen grains in the structure in the shiny film can be detected by the naked eye.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,688 describes the process of producing calcined kaolin having a well-defined particle distribution, which impacts the optical properties of the paints, improving opacity, whiteness, silkiness, texture and luster control. This product is used as titanium dioxide extender.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,611,575, the properties of the calcined kaolin for a particle distribution less than 10 μm show an improvement in opacity, whiteness, silkiness, texture and luster control, as well as the use thereof as titanium dioxide extender.
Generally, the particle size distribution has little influence on the optical properties of agalmatolite. The commercially known finer agalmatolite product has an average particle diameter of 12 μm and d98 of 35 μm. This particle distribution confers this agalmatolite a whiteness of 77%, yellowness of 4, contrast ratio 92%, L*93 and wet scrub resistance of 17. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication device, such as a personal computer, a portable phone and a PDA, equipped with a means for transferring data via a public network and a means for transferring data locally instead of using the public network.
2. Related Background Art
With the advent of the Internet, mails can be exchanged and information can be obtained by accessing Web sites. From this reason, personal computers (hereinafter called a PC) with a public network connection function are prevailing.
Some wireless phones can provide a text mail function and a simple Web browser function. Recently, phone services compatible with the Internet standard protocols are commercially available. It is expected that wireless phones will prevail which have the functions similar to an e-mail function and a Web access function implemented in a PC.
A large amount of image data is used by e-mails and Web sites. Generally, image data to be transferred is taken with a scanner or a digital still camera and loaded in a PC and thereafter, it is appended to an e-mail or uploaded to a home page. In loading image data, a dedicated digital interface, a universal serial bus (USB) and the like are used conventionally. In order to avoid cumbersome cable connections, a local wireless interface for locally transferring data in a wireless manner is now studied instead of using cables.
Image data taken with an imaging device such as a digital still camera is loaded in a PC or a communication device having a public network connection function such as a portable phone, and thereafter transferred to a desired site. In this case, the digital camera automatically generates the file name of image data independently from the contents of the image. Therefore, the receiver of the image data via the public network cannot infer the contents of the image from the file name of image data.
The file name of image data taken with an imaging device is automatically given by an imaging device. This file name is generated in accordance with a number automatically assigned by the imaging device. Image data is stored in a removable memory of the imaging device in correspondence with the file names having the file structure such as shown in FIG. 4.
When the receiver stores the image data, it is necessary for the receiver to change the file name to the file name suitable for the contents of the image, or to the file name from which the image contents can be intuitively inferred. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to a connector which is mateable with a mating connector comprising a mating contact, wherein the connector comprises a contact to be brought into contact with the mating contact at two points.
For example, this type of connector is disclosed in each of JP-U S63-61774 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A 2010-272320 (Patent Document 2), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
As shown in FIG. 24, a first connector (connector) 900 of Patent Document 1 is mateable along a mating direction with a second connector (mating connector) 920 comprising contacts (mating contacts) 930. Each of the mating contacts 930 has two contact portions, namely, a first mating contact portion 932 and a second mating contact portion 934. The connector 900 comprises contacts 910. Each of the contacts 910 has two contact portions, namely, a first contact portion 912 and a second contact portion 914. Under a mated state where the connector 900 and the mating connector 920 are mated with each other, the first contact portion 912 is brought into contact with the second mating contact portion 934 while the second contact portion 914 is brought into contact with the first mating contact portion 932.
As shown in FIG. 25, a second connector (connector) 960 according to a second embodiment of Patent Document 2 is mateable along a mating direction with a first connector (mating connector) 950 comprising first contacts (mating contacts) 952. The connector 960 is a floating connector. In detail, the connector 960 comprises a cylindrical portion 962, a mating portion 964 and second contacts (contacts) 966. The mating portion 964 is supported by the cylindrical portion 962 to be movable in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction. The contacts 966 are held by the mating portion 964. Each of the contacts 966 is to be brought into contact with the corresponding mating contact 952 at two points.
As can be seen from FIG. 24, the first contact point 912 of the connector 900 is supported to be substantially unmovable while the second mating contact portion 934 of the mating connector 920 is resiliently supported to be movable in an up-down direction perpendicular to the mating direction. When the connector 900 is moved relative to the mating connector 920 in the up-down direction, a contact force between the first contact point 912 and the second mating contact portion 934 or a contact force between the second contact point 914 and the second mating contact portion 932 might be weakened. Thus, according to the structure of Patent Document 1, contact reliability between the contacts might be degraded.
As can be seen from FIG. 25, the contacts 966 of Patent Document 2 are moved when the mating portion 964 is moved relative to the cylindrical portion 962. Accordingly, contact reliability between the contact 966 and the mating contact 952 might be degraded. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Means to measure pressure in the human blood stream by a number of techniques are known. However, blood pressure alone fails to provide answers to many questions, such as: whether sufficient volume of blood to satisfy body needs is flowing, the condition of arteries and veins, and the existence of partial blockages that reduce blood flow to critical areas of the body. It is only by determining actual rate and volume of flow that the medical practitioner is provided with greater insight into the actual condition of the circulatory system.
The present invention provides means whereby fluid flow in vivo may be readily determined and in general, the invention comprises one or more fiber optic differential fluid-pressure measuring devices each comprising a first optical fiber sensor and means for positioning the first optical fiber sensor in the flow path at the measurement point. If the devices further consist of several optical fiber sensors, each includes a means for positioning the sensor relative to the measuring position and to each other. In each case, a means for forming a fixed or variable constriction in the flow path of the fluid may be employed. Means are associated with the constriction for positioning the associated optical fiber sensor in the flow path of the fluid at the constriction. The device further includes one or more fiber optic interferometers having either a single leg or a pair of legs with means connecting each of the optical fiber sensors in a leg of an interferometer. Radiant energy is directed into the legs of the interferometers and through each of the sensors; and radiant energy detecting means are connected to the interferometers. The fiber optic probe described may be used in a wide range of veins and arteries (large and small). One specific example chosen for illustration will be the measurement of total cardiac output. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The invention set forth in this specification pertains to both a new and improved method and a new and improved apparatus for manufacturing stress-skin panels.
Such panels normally consist of two so-called "skins" such as flat sheets or substantially flat sheets of aluminum or another material separated by and bonded to a so-called core which is normally of a comparatively rigid, cellular character. Frequently such cores have consisted of rigid, porous polymer compositions such as cellular polystyrene, porous polyurethane and the like, although on many occasions such cores have also been of a number of different types. Although such stress-skin panels have been manufactured in many different ways it is considered that most conventionally they have been manufactured by conventional laminating techniques serving to laminate the two skins of such a panel on opposite sides of the core of such a panel.
Although such laminating techniques are unquestionably utilitarian it is not considered that they are as inexpensive as desired in connection with the manufacture of stress-skin panels. Also it is considered that such laminating techniques are disadvantageous for use in manufacturing stress-skin panels because normally side edges of the panels produced using these techniques are not especially shaped as as to be capable of being directly interlocked with the side edges of other panels in forming a joint such as is used in connection with various types of building applications. The cost of shaping such side edges so that they can be used in forming such joints is undesirably expensive. Further, on occasion it is considered that such laminating techniques are disadvantageous as not providing stress-skin panels in which the skins are satisfactorily and uniformly bonded to the cores of such panels.
As a result of the recognition of such factors a number of efforts have been made at providing stress-skin panels constructed using other techniques than laminating techniques as briefly indicated in the preceding discussion. It is not considered that an understanding of the present invention requires a detailed discussion of such alternate manufacturing techniques. Although such alternate techniques can be considered desirable in some respects, they are also considered entirely undesirable in others for a wide variety of different reasons.
Among such reasons are problems in producing stress-skin panels having substantially uniform characteristics between their sides and having adequately uniform dimensions in which the skins of such panels are effectively bonded to the cores of such panels. In connection with both of these matters it is noted that a stress-skin panel should employ a core having substantially uniform physical properties between its sides if it is to be acceptable in many applications. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Many modern television receivers include a channel labelling feature in which a user is asked to enter a suitable label for each channel. This may be done by selecting individual letters from a running display of letters, or by entering letters from an alphabetical keyboard on a remote control unit. Such a channel labelling feature is known from, for example, RCA CTC-140 type television receivers manufactured by Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated, Indianapolis, Ind.
Unfortunately, this process can take an inordinate amount of time and patience on the user's part given that modern cable television services may deliver as many as 125 channels. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates generally to an automatic retractable shade and more particularly to a new and novel shade unit for use in automobiles to protect the inside of a parked automobile from the deleterious effect of solar radiation, with the unit also being adaptable to other uses in the automobile during its operation.
It is known that solar heat buildup in a closed automotive vehicle can cause the inside of the vehicle to reach extremely high temperatures. This heat buildup places a heavy load on the vehicle's air conditioner and is very uncomfortable to occupants as they enter the closed vehicle.
Solar damage from ultraviolet light coming through the windshield also causes damage to the dashboard and can destroy plastic and fabric most often used in a vehicle. Once the vehicle is being operated, the heat buildup can usually be removed by the vehicle's air conditioner or by opening the vehicle's side windows.
However another problem then becomes readily apparent. On long trips in a vehicle with children or other adults in addition to the driver, the solar radiation may also be undesirable through the vehicle's side windows, especially when the vehicle is travelling north or south in the early mornings and late afternoon.
Various devices have been tried in the past with some degree of success. The modern trend is to use a folded or pleated piece of cardboard which is positioned on the inside of the front windshield of the vehicle and leans on the dashboard, being held at the top by the vehicle's sun visors. Because of the many various sizes and shapes of windshields, this solution is only partly effective since the cardboard is usually only made in one size. In addition, the cardboard does not generally reflect solar heat but instead tends to absorb it causing additional heat transfer by conduction.
Another problem with the cardboard device is the large unprotected side areas of the windshield caused by nonparallel windshield posts. Most modern vehicle windshields are constructed in an isosceles trapezoid shape with equal length nonparallel sides and unequal length parallel top and bottom edges. Such a shape requires an acceptable device to be able to conform to the shape without extensive complicated mounting brackets.
The problem of side window solar radiation while the vehicle is being operated is oftentimes minimized by hanging a towel or large handkerchief along the window after opening the window and positioning the top of the handkerchief in the closed window. Some solar radiation is blocked by this method but the solution also is aesthetically unappealing.
Various window shade devices are known in the art as typified by the U.S. Pat. No. 289,573, to W. C. Scott, issued on Dec. 4, 1883. This device is simply a pleated window shade with a pull cord to raise and lower the shade in the window. A modified type window shade is taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,289,281, to W. S. Shaft, issued on Dec. 31, 1918. This pleated window shade is adjustable by cords at the top and bottom to various positions on the window. The modifications of these window shades to an automotive vehicle would result in a device which would be very cumbersome to operate, especially where two shades were mounted on opposite sides of the windshield.
A temporary curtain for covering a home window is taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,655, issued on Oct. 21, 1975. This device is a pleated paper drapery that is used temporarily by a new homeowner or renter until he can purchase the more expensive pre-made fabric materials. This device, while satisfactory for its intended use, would not be acceptable for use on an automotive windshield since no spring bias retraction device is incorporated which would result in cumbersome and bulky ties being needed to hold the device in an open position which would not obstruct the driver's normal vision while operating the vehicle.
Various spring biased mounting devices are known for use with home window shades as typified by the U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,816, to C. L. Yu, issued on June 3, 1980. Mounting such a device parallel to an angled windshield post would cause the shade to come out of the roller at an angle to the vehicle's dashboard. In order to compensate, the roller must be mounted perpendicular to the dashboard which would require bulky mounting brackets that would cause vision obstruction to the driver.
Side curtains or shades have been used in older automobiles of the early vintage type having no side windows. One typical side shade is taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,168,343, to E. Smith, issued on Jan. 18, 1916. This curtain is a pleated device with transparent panels 19 which are designed to presumably prevent rain, snow or air from entering the open sides of the vehicle while it is being operated. The curtain is pulled along a wire 14 or cable and is swung upwardly to clear the door space when not used. The transparent panels 19 would admit solar radiation and as such this device would not be acceptable as a windshield cover. Other problems with this device also make it unacceptable to solve the before mentioned problems.
Another type of side curtain or shade is taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,409,541, to E. R. Jaeger, issued Mar. 14, 1922. The device uses a pleated shade which moves on vertical rods and would be impossible to adapt to a front windshield. Transparent slits 23 or sections are designed to let in light which would negate their use on a front windshield to prevent the effects of solar radiation.
A horizontally mounted roller glare shield for use on a vehicle windshield is taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,648,994, issued to E. F. Pitman on Nov. 15, 1927. A semitransparent curtain is used and is held in an open position by a vacuum cup 11. To adapt this device to a modern automotive vehicle would expose a major portion of the dashboard to solar radiation since a modern vehicle generally has an outwardly sloped windshield at the bottom thereof. The patented device would be usable on a vintage automobile with a generally vertical windshield but could not be easily adapted to a sloped windshield.
A detachably outside mounted protective curtain for windshields to prevent accumulation of ice, snow or frost is taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,723,714, issued to M. R. Moore on Nov. 15, 1955. A conventional window shade roller with a plastic planar surface on the curtain functions as designed but could not be adapted for inside mounted solar radiation prevention on nonparallel side post windshields of modern construction as previously discussed.
A modern device to attempt to solve the solar radiation problem is taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,245, issued on Dec. 24, 1985, to P. I. Sarver. This device is an internally positioned heat transfer inhibiting curtain that is positioned folded on the dashboard when not used and is lifted upwardly when in use, being held by fastener strips 28 and 30 of the knit loop and hook type commonly known as Velcro brand types. This device will partially or totally obstruct the vehicle's defroster vents on the top of the dashboard. Should the vehicle windshield quickly fog up, as often happens while being driven, a dangerous situation would present itself as the driver tries to remove the device to allow the defroster vents to operate. Also referred to in this patent is a completely removable curtain that is externally stored. U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,957 apparently is a device for solar radiation prevention which is constructed of cloth material to reduce solar radiation.
The effectiveness of any device to protect against solar radiation is only as good as the person who uses the device. The simplicity of any device may be useful in getting the driver to discipline himself or herself to position the device every time one leaves the vehicle. The modern folded cardboard devices can often be seen lying on the back seat of the vehicle after the driver has left without the device being positioned in the windshield area, thus destroying the effectiveness of the device.
The best device would than be one that can be closed in place across the windshield, quickly and with very little effort and one that can also be opened quickly without effort so that its use is as simple as the buckling of a seat belt. Such a device would then be used more often by the driver and accordingly the interior of the vehicle would be better protected. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and more particularly to an electrical connector for receiving an electrical plug.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional electrical connector for receiving an electrical plug in a front-to-rear direction are often mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in a variety of electronic equipment such as telecommunications equipment, computers and the like. Such electrical connector usually comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals coupled thereto, and a shell shielding the insulative housing. The terminals are stamped and formed of conductive sheet metal materials. The terminal has a vertical flat base portion retained in the insulative housing and extending along the front-to-rear direction, a tail portion extending from a lower edge of the base portion to be mounted on the PCB, and a contacting portion extending from an upper edge of the base portion to electrical contact with the electrical plug.
However, the contacting portion and the tail portion extending from different edges of the base portion will increase the width in a height direction of the sheet metal materials which stamp out the terminals, and the material costs will be increased.
Hence, an improvement over the prior art is required to overcome the problems thereof. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to equipment for supporting and handling articles, particularly meat products, in manufacturing and for supporting pork bellies during processing to form slabs of bacon.
In the slaughtering or butchering of hogs the various portions or cuts into which the animal carcass is divided are prepared for marketing by meat packers and processors according to the type of cut and the form in which it is desired to present it to the consumer. Generally, cuts known as pork bellies are processed by suspending them for a predetermined time in a processing area, such as a smoke house, or similar curing area, where they are converted into slabs of bacon which may be supplied to the consumer in a solid piece or cut into slices after sizing and packaged to provide the familiar sliced bacon package.
In the conventional slaughtering and processing operation, pork bellies are transported from the receiving or cutting area to an area where they are located onto bacon hangers, which serve to support the bellies on a tree or rack while they are being processed. When the processing or curing is completed, the bacon slabs are removed from the hangers enabling reuse of the latter.
The bacon hangers which have been provided heretofore have been formed with pointed prongs or teeth arranged as in a comb on a common plane and mounted on a frame depending from a bracket member which is shaped or otherwise formed for engaging an overhead rail, track bar, smokestick or the like. Generally, the hangers have been constructed so that the hanger teeth or prongs can be readily inserted into the relatively soft area along the top ends (typically called the brisket end) of the bellies by pressing the prongs into the same. Some portion of the frame may serve as a handle for gripping the hanger while guiding the prongs into the meat and lifting the hanger and pork belly onto the rail, track bar, rack or tree. The end points of pointed prongs of the previous bacon hangers were generally in the same plane.
Bacon hangers provided heretofore mostly consisted of hangers fabricated from stainless steel rods. These hangers were welded together introducing a possible weak point at the point of weldment if not properly welded or the weld was fatigued.
The top end of the pork bellies consists mostly of fat, some muscle identified as lean, and at a lower level there is a muscle called the cutaneous trunci (CT) muscle. This muscle extends through a substantial part of the length of the pork belly. The CT muscle is relatively small at the top portion of the belly becoming larger as it extends down the length of the belly. The amount of the CT muscle that appears in the final sliced product determines whether or not the product meets a lean specification. Most often, the prongs of the present hangers are arranged in a common plane such that when they are inserted into the top end of the pork belly they fail to engage the CT muscle, engaging mostly fat and minimal lean. Because the CT muscle extends for most of the length of the pork belly and is stronger and denser than fat, it is desirable that at least one pair of prongs penetrate the CT muscle thus providing additional support for the entire belly. Additionally, during processing, the CT muscle shrinks affecting the amount of muscle in the final product, thus affecting yield. Without engaging and supporting the CT muscle, the pork bellies elongate on the hangers as they are processed. This elongation is undesirable because it causes a higher percentage of fat in the top section. This higher density of fat causes this top section to fail to meet the lean specifications established for the final processed product, resulting in a section with minimal or no commercial value, therefore, reducing product yield. Further, the elongation of the pork bellies on the hanger causes physical clearance problems as the bellies move along during processing.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a hanger such that the device is not disposed to the disadvantages of the prior art. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital camera, more specifically, to a system that verifies a data transmission status.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known a digital camera that is able to transmit a captured image swiftly to an external device via a recording medium that is provided with wireless communication functionality. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 8,411,152 discloses a method for swiftly transmitting image data that are stored according to the Design rule for Camera File system (DCF) in a memory card provided with wireless communication functionality. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention is generally in the field of detachable wheeled supporting devices for the goal frame in a field game.
2. Description of Related Art
Goals for a field game, such as soccer, lacrosse, or hockey, are not readily moveable, especially by a single person. Traditionally, wheels or caster assemblies are attached by welding or screwing to the bottom of a heavy object to make the object movable. However, welding or screwing wheels or caster assemblies to a goal frame would damage the body of the goal. Mounting the wheels or caster assemblies to the goal frame may also change the measure of the goal, making the dimension incompliant to the official measure for that game, if the goal is not designed to accommodate the wheels or caster assemblies.
So as to reduce the complexity and length of the Detailed Specification, and to fully establish the state of the art in certain areas of technology, Applicant(s) herein expressly incorporate(s) by reference all of the following materials identified in each numbered paragraph below.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,292 (1993) describes a portable soccer goal assembly that comprises a plurality of rollers or wheels mounted on the outrigger to facilitate the movement of the goal frame. The rollers or wheels may be retractable when the goal is in use. However, these rollers or wheels are part of the design of the portable soccer goal, rather than detachable devices accommodated to goals made by different manufactures.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,678 (1989) describes a caster pad that is attachable to the bottom of a receptacle and adapted to receive and hold a replaceable caster assembly. The caster pad comprises a rectangular base with a flange at each of its four edges and a U-shaped rod. The rectangular base is attached to the bottom of the receptacle with screws, bolts or rivets. With the U-shaped rod entering the holes of one flange and extending out of the holes of the opposite flange, the plate of the replaceable caster assembly is captured between the rectangular base and the arms of the U-shaped rod.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,584 (1998) describes a releasable caster holder that is welded to a heavy, unwieldy object with a frame and is mounted to a removable caster. The frame of the caster holder comprises two end walls and two side walls. The caster holder does not have a pad portion in order to reduce its weight.
Applicant(s) believe(s) that the material incorporated above is “non-essential” in accordance with 37 CFR 1.57, because it is referred to for purposes of indicating the background of the invention or illustrating the state of the art. However, if the Examiner believes that any of the above-incorporated material constitutes “essential material” within the meaning of 37 CFR 1.57(c)(1)-(3), Applicant(s) will amend the specification to expressly recite the essential material that is incorporated by reference as allowed by the applicable rules. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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During childbirth, both the strength and frequency of the mother's labor contractions are monitored. To monitor labor contractions, medical personnel typically utilize force-type strain gauges held against the mother's abdomen by an elastic belt placed around the mother's waist. In use, such monitors are, however, bulky and extremely uncomfortable. Further, conventional monitors are generally highly cumbersome and fail to provide the mother with mobility outside the bed during the birthing process. More specifically, a mother is normally restricted to the bed during childbirth and if the mother needs to exit the bed and move about, she must first remove the attached monitor. Another limitation of presently employed monitoring devices is the limited range of mobility afforded the mother due to the signal cables connecting the monitoring device to a contraction recording system.
The problems described above are not intended to be exhaustive but are merely a few of those tending to reduce the effectiveness of the monitors presently used to detect labor contractions. These problems demonstrate that presently used monitors are not satisfactory and illustrate further the need for an improved device for detecting labor contractions. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates generally to picture hanging devices and particularly an improved frame hanging and frame component joining device which mounts the frame on a wall and allows for height adjustment of one end of the frame with respect to the other.
Various devices currently exist that attempt to facilitate the process of hanging picture frames or similar types of frames. One type of picture hanging product are "nail-less" hangers which comprise an adhesive fabric with a hook attached thereto. However, not only do such devices considerably affect the appearance of the wall when no longer needed and/or removed, but such a single hook arrangement requires that the hook engage virtually the exact center of the back of the frame to be mounted in order to be straight, which is often quite difficult to achieve.
Furthermore, another type of picture hanging or mounting product are the sets that include wire, screw eyes, hook-shaped hangers and nails. However, such sets require that the screw eyes first be affixed to the back of the frame, the wire threaded and tied therethrough and the hook-shaped hangers affixed to the wall by the nails. Hence, the relative elevation of the screw eyes, length of wire and position of the hook-shaped hangers can all have a substantial effect on the final elevation and inclination of the frame, thereby making it at times a tedious process to hang a picture at precisely the desired elevation and without undesired inclination.
Yet another form of picture hanging or mounting device is double-faced adhesive tape which not only has relatively low weight support limits, but also often visually damages a wall if removed. Also, the picture mounting systems employing a plate having teeth along its bottom edge affixed to the rear of a frame which rest upon a nail inserted in the wall, allow for undesired rotation of the picture frame about the nail which serves as a pivot point.
It should also be noted that devices of various shapes exist for joining together and maintaining in assembled fashion the corners of the picture frames. The foregoing include devices that are telescopically received within rescesses formed in the picture frames.
Clearly, there is a need for an improved method of hanging, or mounting and picture frames on other such items.
Consequently, the present invention has as an object of accomplishing the dual purposes of holding a frame together and mounting it at a desired elevation and orientation.
In addition the present invention has as an object the allowance for adjustment for discrepancies in the height of one end of the frame from the other when mounted.
Another object of the present invention is to provide the additional load carrying capacity and security of a dual wall protruding nail, screw or other pin-like support arrangement.
Yet another object of the present invention is to prevent the undesired rotation of the frame about the pin-like member supporting the frame on the wall.
Yet another object of the present invention is to minimize the effect that the frame mounting device will have on the wall.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent in light of the present specification and drawings. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical systems. The present invention relates more particularly to electrical wiring systems suitable for use in roofing applications.
2. Technical Background
The search for alternative sources of energy has been motivated by at least two factors. First, fossil fuels have become increasingly expensive due to increasing scarcity and unrest in areas rich in petroleum deposits. Second, there exists overwhelming concern about the effects of the combustion of fossil fuels on the environment due to factors such as air pollution (from NOx, hydrocarbons and ozone) and global warming (from CO2). Moreover, the very discovery and exploitation of fossil fuels carries significant environmental risk. In recent years, research and development attention has focused on harvesting energy from natural environmental sources such as wind, flowing water, and the sun. Of the three, the sun appears to be the most widely useful energy source across the continental United States; most locales get enough sunshine to make solar energy feasible.
Accordingly, there are now available components that convert light energy into electrical energy. Such photovoltaic elements are often made from semiconductor-type materials such as doped silicon in either single crystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous form. The use of photovoltaic elements on roofs is becoming increasingly common, especially as device performance has improved. They can be used to provide at least a significant fraction of the electrical energy needed for a building's overall function; or they can be used to power one or more particular devices, such as exterior lighting systems.
Often perched on an existing roof in panel form, these photovoltaic elements can often be quite visible and generally not aesthetically pleasant. Moreover, the electrical cables used to interconnect the photovoltaic elements can be another source of aesthetic dissonance. Nonetheless, to date, installations have appeared to have been motivated by purely practical and functional considerations; there appears to have been little coordination between the appearance of the photovoltaic system and the roofing materials (e.g., tiles or shingles) and buildings upon which they are mounted. Lack of aesthetic appeal is especially problematic in residential buildings with non-horizontally pitched roofs; people tend to put a much higher premium on the appearance of their homes than they do on the appearance of their commercial buildings.
Accordingly, there remains a need for photovoltaic systems having more controllable and desirable aesthetics for use in roofing applications while retaining sufficient efficiency in electrical power generation, and for aesthetically appropriate building elements for use with photovoltaic systems. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Energy-curable coating compositions, especially glossy coatings such as produced by crosslinking polymerization of monomers by actinic and non-actinic radiation (ultraviolet, electron beam, gamma, or microwave radiation) are used primarily for their ability to provide a protective layer with high gloss, typically above 85% (60° gloss) at 2 microns thickness. Numerous sectors of graphic arts, especially the packaging industry, require that in addition to coatings having high gloss, such coatings also must have a low coefficient of friction (“COF”), in the order of 0.3 and below, or a slide angle below 15°. The COF and slide angle are measured by placing two surfaces in contact with each other and measuring the ratio of the forces to start or continue movement of one surface onto the other.
Two major alternatives are known in the art to bring about low COF in energy-curable compositions. Soluble additives, such as silicone or fluorinated surfactants may reduce COF as well as dispersed solid or semi-solid materials, such as waxes. However, both of the additives have major disadvantages.
The most efficient coating additives are typically soluble in the coating mixture, therefore providing stable transparent coatings with the highest possible gloss. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,551 alkoxylated silicones are disclosed as coating additives. While careful selection of silicones can actually improve gloss of base coating formulas and they may lower the coating's COF, they also exhibit major inconveniences such as migration into the package contents (food, juices, milk, etc), migration and then contamination of rollers and other areas of the printing press or unwanted areas of the print such as flaps, hot sealing areas, and others, and also not being re-writable nor gluable. As a result, silicones are undesirable in many industrial printing processes. It is also known in the art that non-migrating silicones are typically much less efficient in electron beam coatings than in ultra-violet (“UV”) coatings to reduce COF. Even with excessive amounts of silicone, a plateau in COF is reached that cannot be overcome by further addition of surfactants.
In order to reach the lowest COF, waxes and silicones are often combined together. The waxes known in the art for such use are insoluble particulates of varying size and shape. They can be of animal origin (i.e. beeswax), vegetable (i.e. carnauba), synthetic ((i.e. polyolefins, PTFE) or derived from petroleum ((i.e. paraffins). Certain waxes also increase scuff resistance and other surface properties of coatings. The major drawback of all waxes is the dramatic impact on coating gloss. Typical waxes show a linear reduction in 60° gloss of about 10 points per percent used. Multiple attempts have been made by wax producers to overcome this feature through control of the wax shape, average particle size and breadth of distribution, and surface modifications, all leading to rather small effects. Compounding in a liquid carrier (energy curable or not) is today the most efficient way of obtaining some gloss retention with conventional wax products.
In paper web manufacturing and sizing, for example, one known alternative to common waxes are water-repellent insoluble metal salts of fatty acids. Such salts are obtained from the reaction of a fatty acid preferably selected from a group of stearic, oleic, linoleic, or palmitic acids, combined with a metal that is a member of Group I, II or III on the periodic table. For example, fatty acid derivatives are described as adequate dispersants for PTFE in non-aqueous systems, such as petroleum distillates and solvent-based and powder coatings. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,863,875 and 6,066,601 for instance, describe lubricant compositions (concentrates) containing in a suitable solvent the combination of fatty amides which are made with multifunctional amines and monoacids in order to obtain non-crosslinked amide, and at least one fluoropolymer.
The use of waxes in combination with a hydrocarbyl succinamic acid or amine or ammonium salt thereof has been described in GB 1,465,175 as useful for improving the low temperature flowability of petroleum middle distillate fuels but no mention is made in this field of the effect of such compounds on the tribology of such oils.
Multiple patents describe aqueous lubricant dispersions containing calcium stearate and a fatty acid-derived lubricant component, either non-ionic such as polyethylene glycol mono-esters of fatty acids (U.S. Pat. No. 2,425,828), ethylene oxide adducts of fatty amides, sorbitan esters of fatty acids, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide adducts of sorbitan esters of fatty acids, lower alkyl mono ethers of polyethylene glycol mono esters of fatty acids (U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,589), or anionic such as water-soluble ammonium, substituted ammonium or alkali metal salt of sulfated fatty acid and esters, fatty acid soaps, and sulfated glycerides of unsaturated fatty acids (U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,836). Exhaustive references to the existing art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,383. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,544, stearic acid salts with alkali metal oxide or hydroxide including ammonia produced in-situ are put in presence of calcium oxide, forming a water dispersion of calcium stearate with controlled particle size and without any other surfactant. However, none of these materials are described to be used outside of water-based paper sizing compositions.
Alternates to calcium stearate are also described, using fatty acids and derivatives as a dispersed phase. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,015 a lubricant for paper coatings is described comprising a fatty acid, a surfactant and a crude lecithin component as the dispersed phase. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,933, surfactantless compositions are described, using fatty esters instead of acids, providing superior lubrication during the paper coating application. These lubricant compositions are again described as merely being dispersable in water or water-based paper coating compositions.
Thus, there exists a need for a wax-free composition for use in energy-curable coating compositions to reduce the COF while still maintaining and improving gloss of the coating. | {
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As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional twin roll strip caster 100 feeds molten metal via an immersion nozzle 4 to form molten metal pool 5 in a space surrounded by two casting rolls 1 and 1a and edge dams 2 attached to both ends of the casting rolls 1 and 1a. Then, the strip caster 100 counter-rotates the casting rolls 1 and 1a so as to rapidly cool molten metal via heat flux into the casting rolls 1 and 1a owing to contact between the casting rolls 1 and 1a and molten metal, thereby producing a strip 6.
A meniscus shield 9 is disposed above the molten metal pool 5 for shielding molten metal from the open air. Gas inlets 8 are provided at both lateral portions of the meniscus shield 9 to feed inert gas to a surface of the molten metal pool 5. Brush rolls 7 are installed beyond the gas inlets 8 to brush the surface of the casting rolls 1 and 1a to remove foreign materials therefrom.
The strip 6 produced by the above strip caster 100 has a cross-sectional profile which is closely related to contours of the rolls in a casting space. It is most preferable that the strip 6 has a quadrangular cross section or a configuration with a slightly convex central portion so that it is finely rolled in a cold rolling or an after treatment to obtain a fine flatness of a final article. In order that the strip 6 may have such a fine configuration, edges of the rolls are straight or slightly concave at a-roll nip where the two casting rolls 1 and 1a are most adjacent to each other in the casting space.
In practice, however, the casting rolls 1 and 1a are heated to a high temperature during casting so that heat expansion causes the casting rolls 1 and 1a to be convex at their central outer peripheries although the central outer peripheries are straight when cooled down. Because the frozen strip has a cross sectional profile which accurately reproduces a cross sectional configuration of the casting space at the nip of the casting rolls 1 and 1a, the cross sectional profile of the produced strip is increased in thickness around the edges compared to the central portion.
Such a cross sectional profile acts a factor of a defective strip, which causes rolling defects in cold rolling, thereby degrading the quality and yield of a final article.
In order to compensate such heat expansion of casting rolls, as shown in FIG. 3, a casting roll 1, 1a is generally provided with roll crowns so that a middle portion b of the casting roll 1, 1a is flat or concave and both ends e thereof are concave. Although the crowns are formed in the casting roll 1, 1a, a strip 6 may be flat at a central portion B thereof but thicker at both edges E thereof, as shown in FIG. 4, owing to hot banding or bulging of molten metal from a central region of the strip 6 in a thickness direction. These edges of the strip 6 have a temperature higher than that of the central portion B. When a hot strip camera is used to photograph the hot strip under the roll nip between the casting roll 1, 1a, the edges are observed bright against the central portion as shown in FIG. 2.
If bulging or hot banding occurs at the both edges E of the strip 6 as described above, the quality and yield of the strip is disadvantageously degraded.
For the purpose of commercializing the Strip Casting (S/C) process, it is essential to develop a technology which can prevent the both edges E of the strip 6 from bulging or hot banding, thereby stabilizing the strip casting process while improving the quality and yield of the strip 6.
The above described methods for preventing the bulging of the both edges E in the strip 6 have been examined in various aspects by a number of inventors. In an early development stage of the S/C process, the inventors tried to prevent hot banding or bulging by adjusting the initial crowns of the casting roll and transversely differentiating the cooling ability of the casting roll since they believed that hot banding or bulging is caused by relative degradation in the freezing ability at the roll edges E.
For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Serial Nos. H6-297108 and H6-328205 disclose methods of adjusting the cooling ability by providing a plurality of cooling channels which are divided in a transverse direction. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Serial No. H9-103845 discloses a method of adjusting the quantity of roll crowns so that a central region in a thickness direction of a strip edge in a roll nip can have a solid fraction at a designated value or more. As yet another approach, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Serial No. H9-327753 discloses a method of adjusting the cooling ability in a transverse direction of rolls via differential procedures during surface treatment of the rolls.
The above conventional methods can more or less prevent bulging at both edges E of a strip in some casting conditions where casting roll 1, 1a of a strip caster 100 has identical specifications, steel are of equal type, or strips have the same thickness. However, there are drawbacks in that operating factors should be changed in response to variation of steel category, strip thickness, heat size and so on.
The assignee of the invention previously proposed to prevent hot banding owing to delayed solidification at strip edges as disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Application Serial Nos. 1998-57611 which pertain to methods of adjusting the cooling ability of roll edges by feeding nitrogen gas, 1999-42986 which pertains to a method of regulating the thickness and composition of gas films on the surface of casting rolls, and 2000-79600 which pertains to a method of preventing inflow of abraded edge dam powder to lateral portion of casting rolls.
However, these conventional methods of adjusting the roll crowns, differentiating the cooling ability in a roll width direction and differentiating the surface treatment in a roll width direction have a fundamental problem in that they cannot actively cope with variation of steel types to be cast. These conventional methods also cannot overcome problems in that the aspect of hot banding is remarkably varied at both the strip edges according to the material of the edge dams or the type or composition of atmospheric gas and hot banding at both the strip edges becomes more severe even under equal casting conditions as casting time lapses, which is also called time dependency of hot banding.
In the meantime, FIG. 5 illustrates behavior of fluid existing around the casting roll. While this behavior is a typical phenomenon applicable to all kinds of fluid which can perform mass transfer under weak driving force, FIG. 5 illustrates factors which have direct influence on hot banding at both edges E of the strip 6 during actual strip casting. Those factors include an atmospheric gas such as nitrogen, externally introduced gas such as oxygen, ceramic powder abraded from the edge dams 2 due to friction between the edge dams 2 and end faces 14 of the casting roll 1, 1a, and fine oxide scale peeled off from the surface of the casting roll 1, 1a and the strip 6. FIG. 6 illustrates variation in build-up of abraded edge dam powder and oxide, which are deposited on edges and central portions of the casting roll surfaces upon completion of actual casting.
FIG. 5 schematically shows in its left part a simulation result of typical fluid behavior around the casting roll 1, 1a during rotation of the casting roll 1, 1a. Where the casting roll 1, 1a is rotated during casting, three different kinds of forces F1, F2 and F3 act on fluid around the roll surface, roll sides and a roll shaft 25 owing to centrifugal force. The driving force of these three forces are determined according to the rotation rate of a rotating body, physical properties of fluid and surface characteristics of the roll. Fluid concentration to the ends of the casting roll 1, 1a seems a general phenomenon in the rotating roll. Whereas, experimental results show that the quantity and the width W of fluid concentrating to the edges are determined owing to interaction among the driving forces F1, F2 and F3 having different directions from one another.
That is, the driving force F2 does not exist where fluid is not fed along the sides of the casting roll 1, 1a. Then, the driving force F3 gradually drives fluid on the roll surface toward the edges adjacent to the roll-sides so that fluid is built up around the edges. In case that fluid is continuously fed along the roll sides, the relatively large force F2 is generated so that fluid is concentrated to the edges. Then, the position or width of concentrated fluid is determined based upon the force balance between the driving forces F2 and F3.
The following will summarize influences of fluid to hot banding at both ends of the strip in strip casting:
First, the gas film thickness of nitrogen or atmospheric gas at the surface of the rotating body such as the casting roll 1, 1a, is not uniform in a width direction of the roll so that the both ends of the roll are relatively thicker than a central portion thereof to remarkably deteriorate the cooling ability of the roll. As a result, hot bands are created at the both ends of the roll where molten metal is not sufficiently frozen.
Second, the air directly contacts with the side of the rotating roll 1, 1a and the roll shaft 25, from which oxygen gas moves along a path b shown in FIG. 5 to the edge surface where it is built up. Because oxygen is expansible gas with a low solubility, it degrades close contact between a solidification shell and the roll as well as accelerates oxidation of the solidification shell. As a result, an oxide scale layer is additionally formed to degrade freezing ability.
Third, fluid having a large value of heat transfer resistance is continuously fed as fine ceramic powder is produced owing to friction between the edge dams 2 and the end faces 14 of the rotating casting rolls 1, 1a, a large quantity of roll surface oxide scale is formed by the brush rolls 7 which are mounted to remove roll surface pollutants, and oxide scale is detached from the strip. Such fluid is built up in the end portions of the casting roll 1, 1a to remarkably degrade the cooling ability between solidification shell and the roll.
As generally known, the boundary layer thickness 5 of fluid formed on a floating plate is proportional to the square root of a Reynolds number of gas as expressed in Equation 1,δ∝(υx/Vp)1/2 Equation 1,wherein υ is the kinetic viscosity of gas, x is the length of the plate from a leading end, and Vp is the moving rate of the plate.
The type of fluid existing between the casting roll 1, 1a and molten metal and the thickness of a film have greater influence on formation of the solidification shell. In casting of a thin film, heat transfer resistance controlling the heat flux between molten metal and the casting roll includes a casting roll body, a gas curtain between the roll and molten metal and oxide film or ceramic powder. The overall heat transfer coefficient between molten metal and the casting roll at a summit is expressed as in Equation 2,h=1/(dr/kr+dg/kg+ds/ks+dc/kc) Equation2,wherein d is thickness, k is heat transfer ratio, subscript r is casting roll, subscript g is gas, subscript s is oxide film on the surface of molten metal, c is ceramic powder such as-oxide scale powder or abraded edge dam powder having a large value of heat transfer resistance.
It can be understood from Equations 1 and 2 that the overall heat transfer coefficient is varied by large values according to the type or composition of gas existing between the casting roll and molten metal, the thickness of gas layers, the type and thickness of oxide film and the type or thickness of abraded ceramic powder. The overall heat transfer coefficient rapidly decreases as the thickness δ of the gas film increases or the accumulation degree of an oxide layer or abraded ceramic powder increases.
That is, it is judged that bulging or hot banding owing to insufficient solidification occurs since fluid accumulating portions 16 at the both ends e of the roll have a heat transfer resistance between the roll and the solidification shell which is remarkably larger than that of the lateral middle portion b of the roll. The foregoing simulation result of typical fluid behavior tends to coincide with hot banding at both the strip edges in actual strip casting.
According to the foregoing three reasons, that is, thickness increase of the nitrogen gas layer at the both ends e of the roll, introduction of oxygen from the sides of the casting roll 1, 1a and local build-up of the heat transfer resistant particles such as oxide scale or abraded powder between the edge dams 2 and the end faces 14 of the casting roll 1, 1a, the cooling ability at the ends e of the roll are remarkably degraded compared with the middle portion b of the roll leading to bulging or hot banding owing to insufficient solidification. As the casting time lapses, the particles having high heat transfer resistant are increasingly built up at the ends e of the roll, thereby accelerating hot banding or bulging owing to delayed solidification.
The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems of the prior art and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling the gas layer thickness on casting rolls, which blocks introduction of heat transfer resistant particles in order to prevent bulging or hot banding owing to insufficient solidification or non-solidification at strip edges as well as compares the thickness of the gas layer at a central barrel portion of a casting roll with the thickness of the gas layers at the both ends of the casting roll, thereby effectively adjusting the cooling ability of the casting roll in a width direction of the strip. | {
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The present invention generally relates to robots for industrial use having an arm mechanism of a horizontal multiple articulated type.
Generally, robots called a horizontal multiple articulated type are used as robots for industrial use so as to automate an assembling operation and other operations.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show the construction principles of conventional robots of this type. FIG. 7 is a serial arm type robot as a first conventional robot. FIG. 8 is a parallelogram link arm type robot as a second conventional robot.
In FIG. 7(a), the serial arm type robot of the first conventional type includes a first prime mover 38, a second prime mover 39, arms 40, a grasping mechanism 41 to grasp an object 42 to be grasped, and a robot control unit 43. One end of a first arm 40a is mounted on the driving shaft of the first prime mover 38. The second prime mover 39 is disposed on the other end of the first arm 40a, and a second arm 40b is mounted on the driving shaft of the second prime mover 39. The grasping mechanism 41 is provided on the other end of the second arm 40b so as to grasp the object 42 ith the grasping mechanism 41. The first prime mover 38, the second prime mover 39 and the grasping mechanism are adapted to be controlled during action by the robot control apparatus 43.
The operation of the robot constructed as described hereinabove will be described hereinafter. The action instructions are given to the first prime mover 38, the second prime mover 39 and the grasping mechanism 41 from the robot control apparatus 43 in accordance with the operation data stored in advance within the memory (not shown) of the robot control apparatus 43 to cause the arms 40 to effect the desired actions so as to effect pick and place operations with respect to the object 42 to be grasped.
FIG. 7(b) shows the torques T1, T2 to be caused in the first prime mover 38 and the second prime mover 39 when the pick and place operations are effected. In FIG. 7(b), the revolution center of the first prime mover 38 conforms to the origin on the absolute coordinates axis (x-y), the angle formed by the first arm 40a and the y positive axis is .THETA.1, the angle to be formed by the second arm 40b and the first arm 40a is .THETA.2, the length of the first arm 40a, the mass, the inertial moment round the gravity center position, the force such as the frictional force to be caused in the bearing portion are respectively l1, m1, I1, F1, the length of the second arm 40b, the mass, the inertial moment round the gravity position, the force such as frictional force to be caused in the bearing portion are respectively l2, m2, I2, F2, the inertial moments of the first prime mover 38 and the second prime mover 39 are respectively Is1, Is2, the distance from the revolution center of the first prime mover 38 to the gravity center position (shown by the X mark in the drawing) of the second arm 40b is h2, the mass of the motor provided on the revolution central portion of the second prime mover 39 is considered a material point (shown by the .cndot. mark in the drawing) w1, the mass of the grasping mechanism 41 provided on the tip end portion of the second arm 40b is considered a material point (shown in the .cndot. mark in the drawing) w2. The production torque T1 of the first prime mover and the production torque T2 of the second prime mover are given by the following dynamic formula of Lagrange. ##EQU1##
As the coefficient (m2l1h2+w2l1l2) of the angle .THETA.2 formed by the first arm 40a and the second arm 40b cannot be made "0" in the respective formula, the size of the coefficient of the J11 is changed by a change in the .THETA.2. This shows the dynamic interference between the first prime mover 38 and the second prime mover 39 by the operation of the arm 40. A compensation control for avoiding the dynamic interference is necessary to be effected with respect to the first prime mover every time the second arm 40b operates, so that the control portion becomes composite and expensive.
The second conventional robot shown in FIG. 8 is provided in an effort to overcome the above described problem. In FIG. 8(a), the parallelogram link arm type robot provided as the second conventional robot includes a first prime mover 44, a second prime mover 45, arms 46, a grasping mechanism 47 to grasp an object 48 to be grasped, and a robot control apparatus 49. One end of the first arm 46a is mounted on the driving shaft of the first prime mover 44. Also, a second prime mover 45 is provided on the same shaft as the rotary shaft of the first prime mover 44, with one end of the second arm 46b being mounted on the driving shaft of the second prime mover 45. One end of a third arm 46c which is equal in length to the first arm 46a is coupled to the other end of the second arm 46b. A fourth arm 46d is coupled to the other end of the third arm 46c and to the other end of the first arm 46a so that the arm 46 constitutes the parallelogram link construction with four arms. A grasping mechanism 47 is provided on the other end of the fourth arm 46d so as to grasp the object 48 by the grasping mechanism 47. The first prime mover 44, the second prime mover 45 and the grasping mechanism 47 are adapted to be controlled in operation by the robot control unit 49.
The operation of the robot constructed as described hereinabove is the same as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be described.
FIG. 8(b) shows the torques T1, T2 to be caused in the first prime mover 44 and the second prime mover 45 when the robot effects a pick and place operation. In FIG. 8(b), the revolution center of the first and second prime movers conforms to the origin on the absolute coordinates axis (x-y), an angle to be formed with a first arm 46a and the y positive axis is .THETA.1, an angle to be formed by a second arm 46b and the x negative axis is .THETA.2, the length of the first arm 46a, the mass, the inertial moment round the gravity center, the force such as frictional force and to be caused on the bearing portion are respectively l1, m1, I1, F1, the length of the second arm 46b, the mass, the inertial moment round the gravity center, the force such as frictional force to be caused in the bearing portion are respectively l2, m2, I2, F2, the length of the third arm 46c, the mass, the inertial moment round the gravity center are respectively m3, I3 (the length is l1 as in the first arm 44), the length of the fourth arm 46d, the mass, the inertial moment round the gravity center are respectively (l2+l4), m4, I4, the inertial moments of the first and second prime movers are respectively Is1, Is2, the distance from the revolution center of the first prime mover 44 to the gravity center position (shown by the X mark in the drawing) of the first arm 46a from the revolution center of the first prime mover 44 and the distance to the gravity center position (shown by the X mark in the drawing) are respectively h1, h2, the distance from the tip end position of the second arm 46b to the gravity center position (shown by the X mark in the drawing) of the third arm 46c from the tip end position of the second arm 46b is h3, the distance from the tip end position of the first arm 46a to the gravity center position (shown by the X mark in the drawing) of the fourth arm 46d is h4, the mass of the grasping mechanism 47 which are provided in the tip end portion of the fourth arm 46d is considered the material point (shown by the .cndot. mark in the drawing) w1. The production torques T1 and T2 are given by the following dynamic formula of Lagrange. ##EQU2## where J11=m1h1.sup.2 +m3h3.sup.2 +m4l1.sup.2 +w1l1.sup.2 +I1+I3+Is1
J12=J21=(w4l1.sup.h 4-m3l2h3+w1l1h4).times.sin(.theta.1-.theta.2) PA1 J22=m2h2.sup.2 +m3l2.sup.2 +m4h4.sup.2 +w1l4.sup.2 +I2+I4+Is2 PA1 E11=E22=0 PA1 E12=-E21=-(m4l1h4-w3l2h3+w1l1hr)cos(.theta.1-.theta.2)
As .THETA.1 and .THETA.2 are included in respective formulas of J12, J21, E12 and E21, and the coefficients of .THETA.1 and .THETA.2 become (m4l1h4-w3l2h3+w1l1h4) in the (2) formula, dynamic interference is caused between the first and second prime movers during the operation of the arm 46 as in the first conventional embodiment if the coefficient is not "0". But a negative term is included in the coefficient (m4l1h4-m3l2h3+w1l1h4), so that it may be made "0" by devising a proper design of the arm. The terms J12, J21, Ell, E12, E21 and E22 all become "0" in the (2) formula, and J11 and J22 which do not include .THETA.1 and .THETA.2 have only constant values, with a large advantage that the robot may be operated comparatively stably with simple and inexpensive control apparatus without any dynamic interference between the first and second prime movers accompanied by the operation of the arm 46.
The parallelogram link arm type robot in the second conventional embodiment poses no problem when the robot arms alone are independently operated and the pick and place operation is effected with respect to an extremely light object. When an object as heavy as the mass of one arm or heavier than such mass is grasped, moved and placed, the arm tip end mass is changed greatly between the condition in which the weight is grasped and the condition in which the weight is not grasped. As the term w1 of the coefficient (m4l1h4-m3l2h3+w1l1h4) given in the description in the second conventional embodiment undergoes large changes, the above described coefficient which has been made "0" purposely in the condition where the object is not grasped is adapted to have a value other than "0" when the object has been grasped, thus causing the dynamic interference between the first prime mover of the robot and the second prime mover accompanied by the operation of the arm, which causes a serious problem in the stable operation of the robot. | {
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This invention relates to gymnastic equipment and, in particular, to apparatus for rigidly supporting one or more horizontal exercise bars above the floor of a gymnasium without having to secure the equipment to the floor with tie-down wires, weights and the like.
Most gymnastic devices of the parallel bar type that are in use today require some means to physically secure the equipment against the floor in order to provide the performer with a stable platform upon which to work. In many cases the apparatus is physically tied to the floor by means of a complex system of tie-down cables and turnbuckles. The cables are typically attached to the vertical posts supporting the bar and are lagged to the floor by means of bolts. By use of the turnbuckles, the wires are placed in tension to continually pull the equipment against the floor. When forces are exerted upon the bar, more tension is placed upon some of the cables while others become relatively slack. As a consequence, part of the equipment tends to lift from the floor creating a disturbing, unstable condition that can adversely affect the performer. Similarly, loading and unloading of the cables tends to stretch the cables and requires constant adjusting of the turnbuckles.
Large weights are sometimes used to secure this type of equipment to the floor. Here again, the idea is to statically load the gymnastic device against the floor with sufficient holding power to prevent it from unduly moving during a performance. These weights are typically large and thus difficult to transport and store. More important, the large weights pose a constant danger to a person using the equipment or to any one performing exercises in the surrounding area.
Nissen et al in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,232,609 and 3,473,801 disclose a bracing arrangement for providing added stability to a parallel bar system. Braces are connected at one end to the pistons supporting one of the bars and at the other end to the base of the apparatus. The braces extend outwardly to one side of the bar and are designed to prevent the apparatus from tipping over when overstressed in this one particular direction. | {
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Movable barriers, including garage doors, raise entrapment and entanglement concerns. In particular, open spaces in and around the door and close to the moving parts of the door may allow an object to enter this open space and be entangled or entrapped by the moving parts of the door. In the past, objects within the garage including tool handles, clothing, and body parts, such as hands or fingers have been entrapped or entangled by the door. Such entanglement is a safety concern to its users and may interfere with operation of the door. To provide safer door systems, attempts have been made to prevent such entrapment.
In endeavoring to prevent entanglement or entrapment, focus has been placed on the gaps between door sections, guide rollers, and guide tracks. For example, one design available in the art provides a shield that guards the gap between the door sections to prevent entrapment of objects into the gap that forms at the sections as the door moves between the elevated open position and the lowered closed position. The shield, in this case, is configured as an outer and inner shield to prevent insertion from either side of the door. The shield is constructed of a resilient sheet material. The outer portion of the shield is formed into an L-shaped cross-section along its length with a foot portion being mounted to the upper edge of the lower door section, such that the leg portion of the L-shape extends upwardly across the gap between lower and upper door sections. A water diversion channel is formed into the foot to divert water to the ends of the door and prevent water from dripping from the door as it is raised to the open position. A pair of double faced tapes are used to secure the shield apparatus to the top edge of the lower door section. The inner shield is configured as a strip of resilient material that is mounted to the lower edge of the interface of the upper door section so that it extends downwardly across the gap between the door sections. The resiliency of the inner shield allows the inner shield to slidingly cooperate with the interface of the upper edge of the lower door section as the sectional door closes. While this device offers protection along the sectional interfacing edges of the door, it does not provide protection in the guide roller and guide track areas.
One existing roller shield design is used in connection with a sectional door. The sectional door includes a plurality of door sections hinged together in edge-to-edge relationship. Support rollers are attached to each door section and confined within a pair of support tracks located on either lateral side of the door. To prevent entrapment between the roller and the track, a circular or rectangular roller shield is mounted on the axle of each support roller outside the track. The shield is placed proximate to the track to prevent fingers from entering the track near the support rollers. In addition to the roller shields, protective shield wings are provided to enclose the support track and prevent objects from interfering with the roller as well as to provide transport guidance within the support track where the sections meet. The outer edge of the shield is blunted or protected to prevent harm during operation. Similarly, the edge of the support track includes a folded single hem used to prevent fingers from being cut as they are brushed aside by the roller shield.
To shield the area between the track and the jamb, one approach employs a track shield inserted between the track and the jamb and held in place by fasteners. Since, as is common in the art, the space between the track and the jamb varies with the height of the track, the shield must be custom fit to the particular door in order to fill the space between the track and the jamb. In this instance, the track shield has a somewhat triangular shape that narrows as it extends downwardly toward the bottom of the track. Disadvantageously, this shield design requires production and stocking of a separate custom shield for each door of varying thickness and differing track and roller designs.
In another design, track shields are used to cover the gap between the jamb and the track. Track shields have a reverse angle, such that, an inner leg lies flat against the jamb with an outer leg extending rearward from the inner leg and at a right angle. This leg extends parallel to the track between the jamb and track. While the rearwardly extending leg projects from the jamb and has tabs mounting the track, there still may be an appreciable gap between the track and the shield. Moreover, since it is a flat structure, it may have less resistance to forces that would separate the shield from the track in some areas. Since the track shields carry the weight of the tracks and door, they must be constructed of solid metal. Since they must mount the tracks, the shields are installed before hanging the door and thus, retrofitting track shields to existing doors is not a viable option with this design. Moreover, like the previously described shield, due to its construction, individual shields would have to be designed for doors of varying thickness and differing track and roller designs. Therefore, these designs do not provide a shield which adapts to all door system configurations. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a ceramic blade for a cutting tool, in particular a knife.
2. Description of the Invention
Until now the available blades of a cutting tool, in particular a knife, have been made almost exclusively of steel. They comprise a cutting edge, which transitions into two side surfaces, and an upper surface running opposite to the cutting edge. Further, securing means in the form of cover plates or link plates or the like are provided, via which it is possible to secure to the grip or handle. In the case of pocket knives a bore hole is provided, through which a mounting bolt anchored in the handle passes, so that the blade can be folded in.
The upper surface of the blade is formed as a planar surface and is relatively broad by design, so that by placement of the index finger or, as the case may be, by application of the palm of the hand, the user can exercise force from above and the cutting edge can be pressed into the material to be cut and/or drawn through it. The transition to the sides is designed to be sharp-angled.
Occasionally cutting tools in the form of knives have been available in commerce, of which the blades are made of a ceramic material. In comparison to the steel blades described in the introductory part above, these possess the advantage of a higher wear resistance, which translates into a substantially higher usable life. A re-sharpening or re-grinding is not necessary following conditions of normal use.
These ceramic blades do not differ from the conventional steel blades with respect to their geometric design, of which the shape has remained unchanged.
Although ceramic blades represent an excellent alternative to the hitherto employed steel blades, a series of disadvantages has come to light in daily conventional use, which until now have hindered their broad acceptance. So it has been found, that this type of blade is highly liable to breakage as soon as a certain bending strain is exceeded. In particular, with very hard ceramic materials, such as for example aluminum oxide, this results as a rule in the premature termination of the usable life, since bending forces can hardly be avoided in daily use. The end of the useful life is thus frequently reached early as a result of an unintentional bending force, although the cutting edge remains fully functional as necessary for the cutting function. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Elevator cages usually have a brake device which is designed as a safety brake device for cases of emergency. This safety brake device is triggered by a speed limiter and stops the elevator cage by means of wedge braking at the guide rails if a nominal speed is exceeded. In normal operation, on the other hand, use is made of a brake device which is coupled with a drive and, for example, ensures that the elevator cage is stopped precisely at the level of the respective story door.
The drive of the elevator cage is in turn usually carried out by means of a drive pulley around which the supporting and drive means are guided. The brake device for normal operation is coupled with the drive and when required brakes the drive pulley so that the elevator cage—for example at a story stop—is held by the braking device.
Precise stopping of the elevator cage at the level of the respective story is not always guaranteed with elevator installations having substantial conveying heights, since the supporting and drive means are subject to stretching, in which case this stretching has to be corrected for stopping of the elevator cage flush with a story.
An elevator installation with an elevator cage with two vertical lateral guide structures and with two counterweights movable along the guide structures and with an own drive has become known from PCT/EP2009/059077. The elevator cage is connected by support means with the counterweights. Flat drives serve as independent drives. The flat drives are attached to mutually opposite cage sides of the elevator cage, wherein each flat drive has a rim gear engaging in complementary toothings provided at the guide structures. A rotational movement of the rim gear is thus converted into a vertical movement of the elevator cage. The rim gear is connected with the brake disc on which a disc brake acts. | {
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An organic EL device having an organic light emitting layer is known conventional. Moreover, in order to use for lighting etc., it is in the tendency that a plane area of an organic EL device enlarges. In such the case, there was a problem that a mottle of a luminance distribution occurred within a surface of a light emitting surface in an organic EL device. Accordingly, it is proposed the technology for reducing the mottle of the luminance distribution of such the organic EL device.
Patent Literature 1 discloses an organic EL lighting device having a substrate, an anode formed on the substrate, an organic light emitting layer, and a cathode. In the organic EL lighting device, the anode is formed by a plurality of band-shaped transmissible electrodes. Then, the wiring from external connected to an edge part of the anode is connected alternately to an end of a different side.
Moreover, Patent Literature 2 discloses an organic EL device unit in which a plurality of organic EL devices is formed on one substrate. In the organic EL device unit, a gap is formed between adjoining organic EL devices so that the adjoining anode and cathode of the organic EL device may not electrically be connected.
Also, an organic EL device having a light transmissible electrode and an organic light emitting layer is known.
Patent Literature 3 discloses an organic EL device having: a substrate; a first electrode that can transmit the light formed on the substrate; an organic light emitting layer formed on the first electrode; a second electrode formed on the organic light emitting layer; an auxiliary electrode for supplying an electric charge to the second electrode on a central part of the organic light emitting layer. The first electrode is formed in surface shape or band shape in the organic EL device. Then, an electric charge is injected into the first electrode from a peripheral part or an edge part. In the organic EL device of Patent Literature 3, the light which emitted by the organic light emitting layer transmits the first electrode and the substrate, and is irradiated to external.
Patent Literature 4 discloses an organic EL device having: a substrate; a first feed unit formed on the substrate; a first planar electrode that can transmit light, the first feed unit is connected to the central part of the first electrode; a organic light emitting layer formed on the first electrode; and a second planar electrode formed on the organic light emitting layer. In the organic EL device of Patent Literature 4, the light which emitted by the organic light emitting layer transmits the first electrode and the substrate, and is irradiated to external.
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open Publication No. 2007-173519
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open Publication No. 2007-173564
Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open Publication No. 2006-127916
Patent Literature 4: Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open Publication No. 2007-311159 | {
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Magnetic resonance tomography (MR) requires ECG signals of the patient to be recorded in order to synchronize the triggering of MR measurement sequences to the heartbeat of the patient. The information relating to the current heart phase can likewise be obtained by the ECG signal recorded during an MR examination. If the ECG signals and the triggering and/or activation of the measurement sequence are not synchronized, there is a risk that the MR images contain movement artifacts.
In practice however, recording ECG signals is associated with difficulties, since the electrical and magnetic fields which take effect during the MR sequences are coupled into the ECG electronics system in a considerably interfering manner, thereby negatively affecting the reliable determination of the heart phase. Aside from these unwanted couplings into the ECG electronic system, the so-called magneto-hydrodynamic effect occurs in the case of higher magnetic flow densities, which result in an excessive rise in the T-wave of the heartbeat. In the field of electrocardiography, the different phases of the heart cycle are identified with letters, by the sequence P-Q-R-S-T for instance. In this process, the R-wave shows the greatest deflection, and is the reference point of the triggering and must consequently be determined in a reliable fashion.
A method for the ECG triggering of a measurement sequence of a magnetic resonance device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,097, but the ECG signals of a patient are recorded there by way of a single channel.
WO 99/04688 proposed the recording of two ECG channels, from which a vector representation in a coordinate system is derived. It should be possible to infer the R-wave of the heart cycle from this representation. It is however doubtful whether this method is sufficiently reliable, since this vector projection is dependent on many influences, for instance it changes if the patient holds his breath.
US 2004/0225210 A1 discloses an electrode arrangement, in which a number of lines are guided in parallel to each other.
DE 10 2005 004 859 A1 describes an ECG electrode arrangement for MR applications, in which each electrode line is assigned a correction line, which is insulated therefrom, in order to avoid unwanted induction voltages.
A typical conventional arrangement for recording ECG signals is shown schematically in FIG. 1. The arrangement includes three electrodes 1, which are each connected to a line 3 by way of clasps 2, the individual lines 3 are guided to an amplification unit 4, in which they are amplified for further processing purposes. The electrodes 1 are positioned on the thorax of a patient, it being possible for the cables 3 to be laid in any fashion. It is also possible to use more than three electrodes.
The recording of voltages U1 and U2 shown in FIG. 1 is carried out by way of two loops, which are each formed by two lines 3 and a path 5 in the body, shown with a dashed line. The ECG signal to be derived can be regarded as the voltage source U1 or UAVF.
A voltage for each loop can be measured on the amplification unit 4, said voltage being the sum of the derived ECG signal and an induced voltage part. The induced voltage part effects the interfering couplings into the ECG signal and can be calculated according to the law of induction. The surfaces S1 and S2 in this process correspond in each instance to the loop, which is formed by two lines and the path lying therebetween in the body of the patient. The larger this surface, the greater also the unwanted induced voltage.
If the ECG signals are recorded in order to trigger the measurement of a magnetic resonance device, the problem arises that the changing magnetic fields cause interferences to be coupled into the ECG signal. In the prior art, it has been proposed to filter out or suppress these interferences by means of a complex signal processing method. This procedure nevertheless requires a significant outlay for the signal processing. | {
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The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla, commercially referred to as a mophead-type Hydrangea and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Hokomagrejo’.
The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventors in Boskoop, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to create new potted Hydrangea plants with large showy inflorescences with numerous attractive and unique sterile flowers and good postproduction longevity.
The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventors on May 6, 2012 in Boskoop, The Netherlands, of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Green Shadow’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hokomasugre’, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected by the Inventors as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Boskoop, The Netherlands in June, 2014.
Asexual reproduction of the new Hydrangea plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled environment in Boskoop, The Netherlands since August, 2014 has shown that the unique features of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations. | {
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Corrugated fiberboard containers have been used for many years as shipping and storage containers for a large variety of products. Corrugated fiberboard generally refers to a multi-layer sheet material comprised of sheets of linerboard bonded to central corrugated layers of medium. Single-wall corrugated fiberboard involves two sheets of linerboard bonded on alternate sides of one corrugated medium while double-wall corrugated fiberboard involves three linerboards bonded alternatively to two corrugated mediums. Corrugated fiberboard containers may vary greatly in size and weight depending on the intended usage of the container.
The distribution of products in large containers is common in a wide variety of industries, ranging from automotive to food. Corrugated semi-bulk containers (“CBCs”) and “combo bins” are examples of containers common in the meat industry for storing and shipping beef, pork, chicken, other animal products, and/or animal protein products between processing facilities and from those processing facilities to customers.
Existing CBCs and combo bins often require local horizontal zones of reinforcement for containment to prevent container failure resulting in product loss and to ensure the products are saleable when they arrive at the end of the distribution process and any auxiliary processes. Given the dense, flowable, and frequently “wet” nature of the products often shipped in the CBCs and combo bins, containment of the product in a thin-gauge plastic bag within a paper-based, economical, single-use container is often challenging.
A single container failure may result in a loss costing several times more than the cost of the contents of the container, For example, all of the contents on a truck may be rejected if just one of the containers being shipped on the truck fails. The product contained therein may then be lost due to perishability. Other losses resulting therefrom may also be accrued such as penalties, consequential losses, combinations thereof, and the like.
Reinforcement methods are often used to increase the performance of existing CBCs and combo bins. For example, some existing CBCs and combo bins are constructed of multi-wall combinations to increase the strength of the containers. Moreover, existing CBCs and combo bins may utilize heavy linerboards to assist in preventing leakage of the product being shipped.
Alternatively or additionally, existing CBCs and combo bins may utilize embedded filament-reinforcing tapes, internal reinforcement, and/or externally applied tensioned strapping. Internal reinforcement may include polymeric straps located between one of the sheets of linerboard and one of the corrugated mediums to enhance the bulge or tear resistance of the structure, thereby increasing the performance of the overall container. External reinforcement is most often accomplished by the use of multiple horizontal bands of strapping material. These reinforcements generally reinforce the container and protect against static hydraulic forces and dynamic forces resulting from transportation and handling.
Existing reinforcement methods have several disadvantages associated therewith. For example, existing reinforcements are often costly to purchase and to apply to the containers. The process of adding reinforcements to containers often requires significant manual labor. Furthermore, the placement and/or tension levels often vary, depending, for example, on the operator. Although the process may be automated on a conveyor, extensive capital expense and a dedicated manufacturing line are often required to do so. Additionally, because the reinforcements are often polymeric, metallic, or the like, the reinforcements are more difficult to recycle and generally have a greater negative impact to the environment than a fiberboard container alone.
Thus, a container that addresses one or more of the above-described disadvantages would be desirable. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Identification cards are commonly used as a vehicle for identifying the bearer of the card (e.g., driver's licenses) for access control, and other purposes. These identification cards are produced using identification card manufacturing systems.
Identification card manufacturing systems generally include an identification card printer and laminator, such as the HDP and DTC line of identification card printers and laminators produced by Fargo Electronics, Inc. of Eden Prairie, Minn. Other card processing devices that can be utilized in identification card manufacturing systems include, for example, a card flipper and a data encoder. These devices are generally operated under the control of host applications running on a computer.
Identification card printers are configured to handle and print on rigid or semi-rigid card substrates, a function traditional paper sheet feed printers are incapable of performing. Identification card printers generally include a card supply, a card transport mechanism, a printhead, and a controller for controlling the components in response to print job instructions received from the host application. The card supply contains a stack of identification cards that are individually delivered to the printhead by the card transport mechanism. The printhead prints an image to a surface of the card in accordance with the print job.
Identification card laminators are generally configured to apply an overlaminate material to printed surfaces of cards. Such card laminators generally include a supply of overlaminate material, a card transport mechanism, and a laminating mechanism. The card transport mechanism is configured to transport individual cards between the laminating mechanism and a platen roller. The supply of overlaminate material extends between supply and take-up rolls and between the laminating mechanism and the card. The laminating mechanism includes a heating element, such as a heated roller, and applies pressure and heat to the overlaminate material, which causes a portion of the overlaminate material to transfer to the surface of the card. The transferred overlaminate material protects the surface of the card from the environment. Additionally, the overlaminate material can include security markings such as holograms, that can be used to authenticate the card and deter counterfeiting.
Some card laminators include swing arm assemblies, to which the heated roller of the laminating mechanism is mounted. The swing arm can be raised to an open position, and lowered to an operating position. This allows the user to gain access to the interior of the laminator so that a supply of overlaminate film can be installed or other items can be serviced. Additionally, the laminating roller is configured for movement between a laminating position, in which it is positioned proximate to the platen roller for laminating a card, and a recessed position, in which the laminating roller is displaced from the platen roller. A drive motor, usually mounted to a side wall of the frame of the laminator adjacent the swing frame, is configured to drive the laminating roller between the laminating and recessed positions through engagement with a drive mechanism that is mounted to the swing frame. The drive mechanism drives a cam, which in turn moves a laminating roller between the laminating and recessed positions. When the swing frame is open, the drive is disengaged from the motor. When the swing frame is closed, the drive is designed to reengage the motor to allow for the driving of the laminator between the laminating and recessed positions.
Unfortunately, the position of the drive mechanism upon reengagement with the motor can change from its previous position. Such a change can affect the position of the cam and, thus, the position of the laminating roller relative to the platen roller and a card that is to be laminated. This can result in inaccurate positioning of the laminating roller relative to the platen roller or card, which prevents the desired pressure and heat from being accurately applied to the overlaminate material and the card. As a result, laminating defects, card jams, and other laminator malfunctions can occur.
The present invention provides a solution to these and other problems and offers advantages over the prior art. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to a communication base station, and more specifically, to a base station system and a radio unit and a baseband processing unit therein.
Wireless communication technology develops rapidly in recent years, and a base station system can provide users with various enhanced services via wireless communication.
FIG. 1 shows a structural diagram of a typical base station system. As shown in FIG. 1, the base station system comprises a radio unit 10 and a baseband processing unit 20. Generally, the radio unit 10 is remote from the baseband processing unit 20, and is therefore referred to as Remote Radio Unit. The base station system transmits and receives radio signal via the radio unit 10 so as to communicate with mobile terminals. Specifically, the radio unit 10 receives uplink data signal from mobile terminals via an antenna and a receiver, and converts analog uplink signal to digital signal via an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). Then, the radio unit 10 transmits digitalized uplink data signal to the baseband processing unit 20 for further processing. In general, an adapter is also disposed between the radio unit 10 and the baseband processing unit 20 for exchanging and forwarding of data. The radio unit 10 transmits uplink data to the baseband processing unit via that adapter, which is not shown herein for brevity.
Since the baseband processing unit 20 typically performs baseband processing on signal in frequency domain, whereas what is directly obtained by the radio unit 10 is often signal in time domain, the baseband processing unit 20 usually comprises a Fourier Transformation Unit (DFT) for transforming uplink data signal in time domain obtained from the radio unit 10 into uplink data signal in frequency domain. Then, after the transformation by the DFT unit, the baseband processing unit 20 can conduct further baseband processing on uplink data signal in frequency domain. The above is the brief description for processing procedure of uplink data signal in the radio unit 10 and the baseband processing unit 20.
As to downlink processing, the downlink data signal after baseband processing is first obtained in the baseband processing unit 20, and transformed from frequency domain to time domain via an Inverse Fourier Transformation Unit (IDFT), and then the downlink data signal in time domain is sent to the radio unit 10. After obtaining the downlink data signal in time domain, the radio unit 10 first converts it into analog signal via a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), then transmits the modulated signal to mobile terminals via the transmitter and antenna. Thus, via the above uplink and downlink, mobile terminals are capable of exchanging data with the base station system to realize communication.
As mentioned above, generally, the radio unit 10 is remote from the baseband processing unit 20, and therefore, the two usually communicate with each other via communication media such as optical fiber that is suitable for long-range communication. However, with the rapid development of communication technology in recent years, service provided and data traffic processed by the base station system increase exponentially. In particular, with the emergence of third and fourth generation mobile communication technology such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A), radio spectrum width becomes larger and larger. Meanwhile, due to the ability of supporting advanced technology such as Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO), bandwidth required to transfer baseband signal between the baseband processing unit 20 and the remote radio unit 10 becomes larger and larger. Specifically, under LTE technology supporting spectrum width of 20 MHz and 2*2 MIMO, 2 Gbps transmission bandwidth is needed between the baseband processing unit and the radio unit. If the above technology is made to support 8*4 MIMO, then the bandwidth needed will be increased to about 8 Gbps. It can be anticipated that, with further improvement in Quality of Service, baseband signal traffic between the baseband processing and the radio unit will be further increased, which will bring huge pressure on communication bandwidth. Therefore, it is desirable to propose a solution that reduces communication bandwidth pressure between the baseband processing and the radio unit without reducing Quality of Service. | {
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A golf set includes various types of clubs for use in different conditions or circumstances in which a ball is hit during a golf game. A set of clubs typically includes a “driver” for hitting the ball the longest distance on a course. A fairway “wood” can be used for hitting the ball shorter distances than the driver. A set of irons are used for hitting the ball within a range of distances typically shorter than the driver or woods.
An iron has a flat face that normally contacts the ball whenever the ball is being hit with the iron. Irons have angled faces for achieving lofts ranging from about 18 degrees to about 60 degrees.
Every club has a “sweet spot” that represents the best hitting zone on the face for maximizing the probability of the golfer achieving the best and most predictable shot using the particular club. Most golfers strive to make contact with the ball inside the sweet spot to achieve a desired trajectory. However, a golf club head may have a tendency to cause undesirable sounds and vibrations upon impact. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates generally to a fixing device for an image forming apparatus, such as an electrophotographic copying machine and a laser-beam printer. More specifically, the invention relates to a fixing device for fusing and fixing a toner image to a sheet by heat and pressure.
2. Description of The Prior Art
Conventionally, image forming apparatuses, such as copying machines and laser-beam printers, are provided with a fixing device for fixing to a sheet a toner image transferred thereto. Such a fixing device comprises, for example, a fixing roller for fusing a toner on a sheet by heat, and a pressing roller for pressing the sheet against the fixing roller so as to nip the sheet therebetween. The fixing roller is cylindrical, and has a heating element which extends along the central axis of the fixing roller and which is retained therein by retaining means. The heating element is composed of, for example, a halogen lamp or the like which generates heat when a given voltage is applied thereto. Since this heating element is positioned at the central axis of the fixing roller, the heat generated by the heating element is evenly radiated to the inner wall of the fixing roller, so that the temperature distribution of the outer wall of the fixing roller is even in the circumferential direction thereof. The outer wall of the fixing roller is heated until the temperature thereof reaches a temperature suitable for fixing, for example, 150.degree. to 200.degree. C. In this condition, the fixing roller and the pressing roller rotate in the reverse directions so as to nip therebetween a sheet to which a toner has been adhered. At a contact portion where the fixing roller contacts the pressing roller, which will be hereinafter referred to as a "nip portion", the toner on the sheet is fused by the heat of the fixing roller and is fixed thereto. After fixing, the sheet is carried to a paper discharging roller by the rotations of the fixing roller and the pressing roller, and is discharged to a paper discharge tray by means of the paper discharging roller.
However, in conventional fixing devices, a lot of time is necessary for the temperature of the fixing roller to reach a temperature suitable for fixing after electric power of the apparatus, such as a laser-beam printer, has been turned on. Therefore, there is the disadvantage in that the operator can not use the apparatus for the aforementioned time, and must wait for a long time.
In this case, it is possible to decrease the time necessary to heat the fixing roller by increasing the temperature of the heating element. However, there is another disadvantage in that the demand current of the heating element increases, so that the temperature within the apparatus also increases.
Since the heating element evenly heats the inner wall of the fixing roller so that the temperature of the nip portion is the same as those of portions surrounding the nip portion, there is also the following disadvantages when the sheet is removed from the nip portion in accordance with the rotation of the fixing roller.
That is, since the toner on the sheet is not adhered and remains fused due to the heat of the fixing roller at the surrounding portion, it is difficult for the sheet to be removed from the surrounding portion other than the nip portions of the fixing roller. Consequently, there is the disadvantage in that the sheet is wound onto the fixing roller and causes jamming. | {
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The field of wireless communication has seen dramatic growth the last few years. In today's world, most people use their mobile devices, be it cellular phones, PDA' s, laptops, media players and/or other devices for business and personal use on a constant and daily basis. Often multiple users within a local environment operate on a plurality of wireless interfaces. In addition to voice and data communication such as email and internet browsing, these devices may enable high speed data transfer such as video streaming or multi-user gaming wherein multiple users interact with one or more video display applications. Wireless service providers may offer links via various wireless technologies such as GSM, CDMA or WIMAX for wide area communications while links utilized within a local region or interior space may comprise technologies such as wireless local area networks (WLAN) and wireless personal area networks (WPAN).
Many service providers offer location based services for hand held wireless devices. These location based services may utilize satellite reference systems such as the Global Positioning system (GPS). The GPS system comprises 24 medium orbit satellites that enable devices comprising GPS receivers to determine position and time. The devices may calculate their position by measuring their distance from three or more GPS satellites. In some instances, the GPS system may be utilized as a clock reference for a plurality of devices that depend on a known time reference.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to certain halo stabilizer precursors in photothermographic elements, compositions and processes to provide improved stability. In one of its aspects it relates to a photothermographic element comprising (a) photosensitive silver halide in association with (b) an oxidation-reduction image-forming combination comprising (i) a heavy metal salt oxidizing agent with (ii) an organic reducing agent, (c) a polymeric binder, and (d) a certain halo organic stabilizer precursor as described herein. In another of its aspects it relates to a photothermographic composition comprising the described stabilizer precursors. A further aspect relates to a method of developing a stable image in a photothermographic element comprising the described oxidation-reduction image-forming combination with photosensitive silver halide and the described halo organic stabilizer precursors by overall heating the exposed photothermographic element.
2. Description of the State of the Art
It is known to obtain an image in a photosensitive element by so-called dry processing with heat. The photothermographic element employed for providing such an image can contain a reducing agent, a light-insensitive silver salt of an organic acid, such as silver behenate, as an oxidizing agent and a low concentration of photographic silver halide. Such photothermographic elements are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,457,075 of Morgan et al., issued July 22, 1969; U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,904 of Sorensen et al., issued Oct. 13, 1964; British Pat. Specification No. 1,161,777 published Aug. 20, 1969; U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,377 of Tiers et al., issued Dec. 26, 1972 as well as in Research Disclosure, January, 1973, pages 16-21.
In a photothermographic material one of the main difficulties involves post-processing stability. Because heat developable photographic elements are suitable for so-called dry processing with heat and are designed to eliminate a fixing step which normally would remove undeveloped silver, it is necessary that a means be provided for post-processing stabilization to enable room-light handling.
Several means have been proposed to answer the need for post-processing stability of photothermographic elements, such as (1) washing with water to remove undeveloped silver salts, (2) heating to release Bronstead or Lewis acid such as HCL, fluoride or HF from incorporated compounds such as m-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride, para-toluenesulfonic acid urea addition complex or p-acetamidobenzenediazonium fluoroborate and (3) chelation of the oxidizing agent with, for example, salicylaldoxime or benzotriazole as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,904 of Sorensen et al., issued Oct. 13, 1964. Another method proposed for solving the problem of post-processing instability is to provide a photothermographic combination in which the oxidation-reduction image-forming combination is on one sheet of material and the latent image forming photographic silver halide is on a separate sheet. The sheets are separated after exposure such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,904. A further means proposed for stabilization involves swabbing a 1% solution of phenylmercaptotetrazole onto the surface of the overall heated photothermographic material or rubbing benzotriazole into the surface of the coating. These proposed means for stabilization are not useful for large volume handling of heat developable photographic materials.
It has also been proposed to provide stabilized images in heat developable materials by treating the developed image with a solution containing certain thiol or thione compound stabilizers. This is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,289 of Ohkubo et al., issued Nov. 2, 1971. One of the compounds proposed for this solution stabilization is 1-phenyl-5-mercaptotetrazole. Unfortunately, the addition of this compound to photographic silver compositions provides undesired desensitization at concentrations which produce stabilization and toning of a developed image.
Another means of stabilization of an image in a photothermographic material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,041 of Hiller, issued Oct. 1, 1974. Certain stabilizer precursors which are azole thioethers or blocked azolinethiones are employed in photothermographic materials according to the description in these applications. An example of a stabilizer precursor proposed in photothermographic materials is 5-methoxycarbonylthio-1-phenyltetrazole. Unfortunately, this compound does not always provide the desired increased stability of a heat developed image.
Another means for post-processing stabilization of certain photothermographic materials is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,377 of Tiers et al., issued Dec. 26, 1972. Certain polyhalogenated organic oxidizing agents, such as tetrabromobutane, are described in certain heat developable photographic materials to provide post-processing stabilization. Unfortunately, multihalogenated image stabilizer precursors, such as tetrabromobutane, do not stabilize certain photothermographic materials as efficiently as monohalo compounds. This is illustrated by comparing the results in following Example 7 with results in following Example 11. Certain monohalo compounds can provide surprisingly improved stabilization without providing significantly decreased maximum density.
Halogenated organic compounds have been employed in photographic materials for various purposes, such as antifoggants. Monohalogenated organic antifoggants for photographic emulsions are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,187 of Sagal et al., issued Apr. 7, 1964; U.S. Pat. No. 3,232,762 of Ford et al., issued Feb. 1, 1966; U.S. Pat. No. 2,732,303 of Morgan et al., issued Jan. 24, 1956; U.S. Pat. No. 2,835,581 of Tinker et al., issued May 20, 1958 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,154 of Dersch, issued Sept. 6, 1966.
There has been a continuing need for photothermographic materials, especially photothermographic materials comprising an image-forming combination containing photosensitive silver halide in association with an oxidation-reduction image-forming combination comprising an oxidizing agent comprising a silver salt of a long-chain fatty acid with an organic reducing agent and a polymeric binder, which has improved post-processing image stability, that is reduced background density and desired maximum density, when employing a halogen containing stabilizer precursor. There has also been a need to provide improved incubation antifoggants for such silver halide photothermographic materials. | {
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The present invention relates generally to the field of integrated circuits, and more particularly, to a wafer-interposer assembly apparatus and method.
Semiconductor die have traditionally been electrically connected to a package by wire bonding techniques, in which wires are attached to pads of the die and to pads located in the cavity of the plastic or ceramic package. Wire bonding is still the interconnection strategy most often used in the semiconductor industry today. But the growing demand for products that are smaller, faster, less expensive, more reliable and have a reduced thermal profile has pushed wire bonding technology to its limits (and beyond) thereby creating barriers to sustained product improvement and growth.
The high-performance alternative to wire bonding techniques are flip chip techniques, in which solder balls or bumps are attached to the input/output (I/O) pads of the die at the wafer level. The bumped die is flipped over and attached to a substrate xe2x80x9cface down,xe2x80x9d rather than xe2x80x9cface upxe2x80x9d as with wire bonding. Flip chips resolve many if not all of the problems introduced by wire bonding. First, flip chips have fewer electrical interconnects than wire bonding, which results in improved reliability and fewer manufacturing steps, thereby reducing production costs. Second, the face down mounting of a flip chip die on a substrate allows superior thermal management techniques to be deployed than those available in wire bonding. Third, flip chips allow I/O to be located essentially anywhere on the die, within the limits of substrate pitch technology and manufacturing equipment, instead of forcing I/O to the peripheral of the die as in wire bonding. This results in increased I/O density and system miniaturization.
Despite the advantages of the flip chip, wide spread commercial acceptance of the flip chip has been hindered by testing issues. To ensure proper performance, the die should be adequately tested before it is assembled into a product; otherwise, manufacturing yields at the module and system level can suffer and be unacceptably low. Under some circumstances, a defective die can force an entire subassembly to be scrapped. One attempt to address this testing issue has been to perform a wafer probe, followed by dicing the wafer and temporarily packaging each die into a test fixture of some sort. Performance testing is subsequently executed. Burn-in testing is often included in this process to eliminate any die having manufacturing process defects. Following the successful completion of these tests, the die are removed from the test fixture and either retailed as a Known Good Die (xe2x80x9cKGDxe2x80x9d) product or used by the manufacturer in an end product, such as a Multichip Module (xe2x80x9cMCMxe2x80x9d). The Multichip Module may constitute a subassembly in a larger system product. This Known Good Die process is inherently inefficient due to its complexity.
Accordingly, there is a need for a wafer-interposer assembly apparatus and method that is simple, allows testing at the wafer level before dicing, and eliminates the need for temporarily packaging the die in a carrier.
The present invention provides a wafer-interposer assembly apparatus and method that is simple, allows testing at the wafer level before dicing, and eliminates the need for temporarily packaging the die in a carrier. As a result, the number of manufacturing operations are reduced, thereby improving first pass yields. In addition, manufacturing time is decreased, thereby improving cycle times and avoiding additional costs.
More specifically, the present invention provides several possible test systems, apparatus and method of interfacing multiple semiconductor wafer to the testing equipment through the use of interposer assemblies, which enhances economies of scale. The interposer revolutionizes the semiconductor fabrication process enabling testing and burn-in of all die at the wafer level. For example, the interposer eliminates the need to singulate, package, test, then unpackage each die individually to arrive at a Known Good Die product stage. Furthermore, the interposer may remain attached to the die following dicing, thereby providing the additional benefit of redistributing the die I/O pads to a standard Joint Electrical Dimensional Electronic Commnittee (xe2x80x9cJDECxe2x80x9d) interconnect pattern for Direct Chip Attachment (xe2x80x9cDCAxe2x80x9d) applications.
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a wafer-interposer assembly including the steps of providing a semiconductor wafer and an interposer. The semiconductor wafer including one or more semiconductor die, each semiconductor die having one or more first electrical contact pads. The interposer having one or more communication interfaces and a second electrical contact pad corresponding to each of the one or more first electrical contact pads on each semiconductor die of the semiconductor wafer, and at least one of the second electrical contact pads electrically connected to the one or more communication interfaces. The wafer-interposer assembly is formed by connecting each first electrical contact pad of the semiconductor wafer to the corresponding second electrical contact pad of the interposer with a conductive attachment element.
The present invention also provides a wafer-interposer assembly having an interposer connected to a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer includes one or more semiconductor die, each semiconductor die having one or more first electrical contact pads. The interposer includes one or more communication interfaces and a second electrical contact pad corresponding to each of the one or more first electrical contact pads on each semiconductor die of the semiconductor wafer, at least one of the second electrical contact pads electrically connected to the one or more communication interfaces, and each first electrical contact pad of the semiconductor wafer connected to the corresponding second electrical contact pad of the interposer with a conductive attachment element.
In addition, the present invention provides an interposer having a multi-layer sheet having a first surface and a second surface, a first pattern of electrical contact pads disposed on the first surface, one or more communication interfaces and a set of conductors. The first pattern of electrical contact pads correspond to a second pattern of electrical contact pads disposed on a surface of a semiconductor wafer. The one or more communication interfaces are attached to the multi-layer sheet. The set of conductors each of which connect at least one electrical contact pad disposed on the first surface to the one more communication interfaces.
Moreover, the present invention provides wafer-interposer assemblies having various types of communication interfaces, such as integral edge connector(s) with pins and/or sockets, integral bayonet connector(s) with pins and/or sockets, one or more connectors added to the wafer-interposer assembly, one or more soldered connections, one or more ribbon connectors, one or more RF connectors, one or more optical or infrared connectors, one or more transmit/receive antennas, or one or more clamps or quick release devices.
Other features and advantages of the present invention shall be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interface between a data link layer and a physical layer. In particular, the present invention relates to a serial interface that conforms to SMII (Serial Media Independent Interface).
2. Description of Related Art
In a computer system utilizing the Ethernet (registered trademark), an interface that conforms to such as MII (Media Independent Interface) defined by IEEE 802.3, RMII (Reduced Media Independent Interface) or SMII defined by a vendor is widely used as an interface between MAC (Media Access Control) and PHY (Physical layer device).
The SMII as the MAC/PHY interface specification is used preferably in a processor, an FPGA, an Ethernet (registered trademark) transceiver and the like. In the vendor-defined SMII, signal lines in the MII are serialized in order to reduce the number of signals related to transmission/reception of data and control information. Techniques related to the SMII are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,385,208, 7,227,869, Non-Patent Document 1 (“Serial-MII Specification”, Revision 2.1 ENG-46080, Feb. 9, 2000, CISCO SYSTEMS <http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/sharads/protocols/MII_Protocols/smii.pdf>), Non-Patent Document 2 “PE-SMII Serial MII I/F for Inventra's Ethernet MACs datasheet”, Mentor <http://www.mentor.com/products/ip/ethernet/10—100_mb ps/upload/pe_smii_pd.pdf>), and Non-Patent Document 3 KSZ8041TL/FTL Data sheet Rev.1.1, April 2007, pp 24-26, Micrel <http://download.siliconexpert.com/pdfs/2008/03/06/semi_ap/manual/mcl/ds/ksz8041t1-ftl.pdf>).
Among the MII specification, the SMII is the smallest in the number of pins per a port. For example, the number of pins per a port is six (two for data and four for control signals). Moreover, in the case of the SMII, two operation speed modes of 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps are prepared and can be switched. It should be noted that in either mode (10 Mbps, 100 Mbps), the same reference clock of 125 MHz is used for data transfer.
FIG. 1 is a timing chart showing a data transmission operation (10 Mbps) between the MAC and the PHY that conforms to the SMII according to the related technique. Here, as an example, let us explain an operation of transferring data from the MAC to the PHY at a transmission rate of 10 Mbps. A clock signal TX_CLK is generated in synchronization with a reference clock generated on a system board, and is input to the PHY and the MAC. It should be noted that the reference clock may be generated by the MAC. The clock signal TX_CLK is a successive 125 MHz clock and serves as a basis for transmission timing of a transmission data TX.
A synchronization signal TX_SYNC is generated by the MAC based on the reference clock and is input to the PHY. The synchronization signal TX_SYNC indicates a boundary between segments in a transmission data or a reception data. Each segment has a 10-bit width. That is, the synchronization signal TX_SYNC is generated every ten cycles of the clock signal TX_CLK.
The transmission data TX output from the MAC to the PHY within one segment includes byte data TXD0 to TXD7 and transmission control information (error information TX_ER and enable information TX_EN). The data transmitted within one segment is hereinafter referred to as a segment data DATA. In the case of the 10 Mbps mode, an update cycle of the segment data DATA is once per ten segments. Therefore, the MAC outputs an identical segment data DATA to the PHY in synchronization with the synchronization signal TX_SYNC, until the segment data DATA (byte data) is updated. That is, the identical segment data DATA is output repeatedly for ten times from the MAC to the PHY. In the case of the 10 Mbps mode, the PHY can extract the segment data DATA just by sampling any one of the ten segments.
On the other hand, in the case of the 100 Mbps, the segment data DATA is updated for each segment. That is, the segment data DATA is updated in synchronization with the synchronization signal TX_SYNC, and the data sampling in the PHY is performed at a timing in synchronization with the synchronization signal TX_SYNC.
The inventor of the present application has recognized the following points. As described above, the segment data is updated every segment in the case of the 100 Mbps mode, while the segment data is updated once per ten segments in the case of the 10 Mbps mode. Therefore, in the case of the 10 Mbps mode, one segment data among the identical ten segment data just needs to be sampled. However, the segment data other than the sampled one are wasted. In FIG. 1, for example, only the segment data #S1 among ten segment data #S1 to #S10 is sampled in the PHY, and the other segment data #S2 to #S10 become ineffective data. In this case, a period used for transferring the ineffective segment data #S2 to #S10 is nine-times longer than a period required for transferring the effective segment data #S1. During the ineffective period, power is unnecessarily consumed in both of the MAC and the PHY for driving circuits and buffers.
This results from the specification that the PHY as the receiving side just needs to sample either one of the ten segments (refer to the above-mentioned Non-Patent Document 1). To put it the other way around, since the sampling timing in the PHY can be set arbitrarily, the MAC needs to output the identical segment data until the next data update timing.
Moreover, according to the related technique, the frequency of the clock signal TX_CLK is the same 125 MHz in both the 10 Mbps mode and the 100 Mbps mode. In general, power consumption increases in proportion to the driving frequency. In the case of the interface that conforms to the SMII, the driving frequency does not vary even when the transmission rate is changed. Therefore, in the case of the 10 Mbps mode, the clock frequency is relatively high and thus the power consumption for outputting the above-mentioned ineffective data further increases. | {
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The invention relates to a sealing roller, particularly for a device for producing a tampon for feminine hygiene as well as a method for producing a tampon.
Friese, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,100 discloses a method and a device for producing a tampon for the feminine hygiene. The method includes sectioning a fluid permeable and at least partially thermoplastic material and heat sealing it onto an absorbent nonwoven fiber material or fleece web. Individual sections of the absorbent are severed from the fleece web supply and are wound onto themselves to form a tampon blank having a withdrawal cord. Thereby the fluid permeable cover material is positioned on the circumference of the tampon blank and surrounds it essentially completely. Finally, the tampon blank is pressed radially into the final shape of the tampon. Friese also employs a sealing roller to heat sealing the cover material onto the fleece web or the fleece web section. The sealing roller of Friese comprises heatable sealing elements that are spaced apart around the circumference of the sealing roller. Insulating means are arranged between these sealing elements. Thus, the sealing roller sealing elements and insulating elements alternate about the surface of the sealing roller in the direction of rotation.
Wilkes et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,914, discloses multilimbed regenerated cellulose fibers which patentee claims provide high absorbency and a cotton-like handle. These tampons are described as having good stability and absorbency. Longitudinally-expanding tampons having these fibers are described as having less expansion than conventional longitudinally-expanding tampons.
Finally, Nguyen et al., WO97/23185 discloses tampons that can expand in the presence of high humidity after insertion into a user""s body to prevent early bypass leakage from occurring. This tampon is a substantially cylindrical mass of compressed fibers enclosed within a fluid-permeable cover. The tampon has a stability of at least about 15 N, and is capable of radially expanding upon exposure to a humid environment. The radius increases by at least about 10% after 15 minutes to 90% relative humidity at 40xc2x0 C. Particularly useful in this tampon are multilimbed fibes such as those in Wilkes et al. These fibers are relatively stiff to help the early expansion of the tampons.
Unfortunately processing these fibers causes difficulty, especially when a fibrous web having stiff fibers, such as the multilimbed fibers of Wilkes, are exposed to unexpected or undesired delays during manufacture. Such delays can allow previously calendered or compressed fibrous webs to bloom or expand, possibly due to humidity, as described in Nguyen et al. This expansion can cause jams or other undesirable process interruption.
Therefore, what is needed is a device and process to produce a high-quality tampon that secures a sufficient calendering of the fibrous fleece web for fibers that are otherwise hard to maintain in a compressed condition at a low cost.
An apparatus for thermally bonding a cover material onto an absorbent, fibrous web has a substantially cylindrical, rotatable sealing roller and a rotatable anvil roller disposed adjacent the sealing roller to provide a nip therebetween. The cover material and fibrous web can be sealed and calendered in the nip of this apparatus. The sealing roller includes a sealing element and an ironing element, and both of these elements have thermally conductive material and a leading and a trailing end in the direction of rotation. The sealing roller has at least one pair of sealing and ironing elements positioned sequentially on the circumferential surface of the sealing roller in the direction of rotation. At least one end of the ironing element is thermally insulated from an adjacent end of an adjacent sealing element.
The process for producing a tampon includes the following steps: a) applying a cover sheet to a fibrous web; b) passing the fibrous web and cover sheet combination through the nip of a sealing roller and an anvil roller; c) applying heat to a first portion of the combination at a first temperature range sufficient to bond the cover sheet to the absorbent web; and d) applying heat to a second portion of the combination at a second temperature range insufficient to bond the cover sheet to the absorbent web and sufficient to calender the fibrous web. The sealing roller provides heat at both the first and second temperature ranges to the cover sheet and fibrous web combination.
Again, it is an object of the invention to provide a device and a process to produce a high-quality tampon that secures a sufficient calendering of the fibrous fleece web for fibers that are otherwise hard to maintain in a compressed condition at a low cost device for producing a high-quality tampon which secures a sufficient calendering of the fleece web for fibers which are hard to calender at low cost. This object is solved by the apparatus including the sealing roller and the process of the present invention. | {
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Arsine, AsH.sub.3, is commonly used in the manufacture of semiconductors and semiconductor devices. For example, arsine, usually entrained in hydrogen as a carrier gas, is used in so-called chemical vapor deposition processes for producing epitaxial coatings on compound semiconductors such as gallium arsenide.
Because arsine is a highly toxic gas, safe handling and disposal of gaseous effluents containing residual arsine is essential. | {
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Poorly soluble drug substances have been formulated in pharmaceutically acceptable carriers by finely dividing them, by grinding, into nanoparticles having an effective average particle size of less than 400 nm in order to achieve satisfactory bioavailabiity. However, to keep the nanoparticles from coagulation various surface active agents were used. Such agents may not be desirable and they also reduce the overall amount of the drug which otherwise could be contained in an effective dosage formulation.
Solid dispersions have also been used to increase the dissolution rate and bioavailability of drugs that are poorly water soluble. The carriers used have been physiologically inert compounds that are readily water soluble, such as polyethylene glycols. Two techniques which have been used to prepare solid dispersions are the fusion technique and the solvent technique. In the fusion technique, the drug substance is dissolved in a molten carrier and the mixture cooled to form a solid. In the solvent technique, drug substance and carrier are dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of the solvent by evaporation or freeze drying.
The preparation of solid dispersions featuring good pharmaceutical properties is difficult. Problems which frequently occur during preparation include: degradation of drug substance at the temperature of the molten carrier; reaction of the drug with the molten carrier; and incomplete solidification of the product, e.g., the carrier remaining largely amorphous. Solid dispersions prepared from esters of p-aminobenzoic acid and xylitol are disclosed, for example, by Sirenius et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 66, No. 6, Jun. 1979.
The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical formulations containing poorly soluble drug substances and particularly to SR 48692 which has shown considerable promise as an NT-antagonist for the treatment of psychosis. SR48692 and a method for the preparation thereof are described by Boigegrain et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,141 (Example 13). SR48692 has the structural formula: ##STR1##
SR48692 has proven to be unusually difficult to formulate into pharmaceutical compositions, due in part to its very low solubility, even in organic solvents.
PCT/US87/02629 discloses a solvent system for enhancing the solubility of an acidic, basic or amphoteric pharmaceutical agent to produce a concentrated solution suitable for soft gelatin capsule filling. The solvent system comprises polyethylene glycol containing 0.2-1.0 mole equivalents of an ionizing agent per mole equivalent of pharmaceutical agent and 1-20% water. Attempts to formulate SR48692 in such a solvent system were not successful.
Sheen et al. in Int. J. Pharm., 118(2), 221-7, 1995, disclose a solid dispersion of a poorly water-soluble drug, RP69698 prepared by a melting method with water-soluble carriers in which RP69698 is highly soluble. When incorporated into a solid dispersion, the formulation contains PEG 3350, Transcutol and Labrasol. | {
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There often exists a need to deposit a substantially thick layer of copper upon copper as where a previously copper cast article is to be rebuilt or repaired. For example, in the casting of large industrial anodes molten copper is fed into a precasted, relatively cool mold which itself is made of copper. As copper anodes are made from the molds they become repetitively subjected to severe stresses caused by thermal cycling. In addition, some diffusion of metal occurs between the copper molds and the copper anodes being casted. As a result, some portions of the molds become rapidly degraded or depleted. In fact, it is not uncommon for the copper molds to have to be discarded after some ten days usage due to structural degradation or reshaping of the molds.
In some cases it is preferable to repair rather than to discard damaged molds due to considerations of availability, purchase lead time, and remoteness of location. Unfortunately, it has not heretofore been known how to effect repair since it has not been known how to deposit a relatively thick layer of copper upon a copper base so as to produce a structurally sound, unitary body.
There have heretofore existed methods of applying a thin layer of copper upon a copper substrate. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,585 teaches one such method wherein copper metal powder is sprayed in an inert atmosphere with a plasma gun onto a substrate of copper foil while the foil is in intimate contact with a cooling element. Methods have also been devised for depositing thin layers of copper on non-copper bases. U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,607, for example, teaches a method of forming copper on an aluminum alloy piston by spraying copper from an electric arc spray gun that produces molten particles of a size, velocity and heat content sufficient to produce an effective metallurgical reaction with the piston alloy so that the copper material becomes bonded thereto.
Although a layer of copper may be deposited on a non-copper metallic base with a spray gun, such method is not effective in depositing a thick layer of copper such as one greater than film sizes on a copper base. Where molten copper is sprayed onto a surface area of a copper base larger than the spray impact area itself to an appreciable thickness, it is soon discovered that the deposited material lacks structural integrity and can easily become broken off from the base material. Upon examination it can be determined that this is due to the presence of appreciable quantities of copper oxides within the layer of deposition. The formation of these oxides could, of course, be avoided by carrying out the deposition process in an inert atmosphere as done in the film deposition process described in the first mentioned patent. Environmentally controlled chambers, however, are often unavailable in the field just as casting facilities are not available as previously mentioned. The present invention thus is directed at alleviating these problems by providing a method of effectively depositing copper on copper bases which may be conducted without casting facilities or environmentally controlled chambers. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to beverage making devices and methods and, in specific embodiments, to a beverage making device comprising an outer housing for holding a mixture of a liquid and a beverage making material, an inner housing configured to be received within the outer housing and configured to slide within the outer housing, and a filter member having at least an outer peripheral edge coupled to the inner housing, where the filter member is configured to filter the mixture to provide a beverage as the inner housing slides within the outer housing.
2. Related Art
Beverage making devices, such as French press beverage makers, press pots, and the like, have been in use for several decades and are extremely popular among many coffee and tea aficionados. Traditional press pots allow for filtering a mixture of a liquid and a beverage making material using a central rod plunger in order to provide a filtered beverage. However, various problems may arise when using traditional press pots, such as: (i) unfiltered portions of the beverage making material may escape into the filtered beverage; (ii) the filtered beverage may lose its temperature quickly due to poor insulation; and (iii) it may take a long time to clean a residue of the beverage making material off of walls of a container of a press pot after serving the filtered beverage.
FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a traditional press pot 10 comprising a container 16, a plunger assembly 20, and a lid 30. The plunger assembly 20 comprises a rod 22 and a filter 24. The rod 22 is attached to the filter 24 at a center of the filter 24, and the rod 22 is not attached to any outer peripheral edge of the filter 24. When making a beverage 47 with the traditional press pot 10, a beverage making material, such as coffee grinds, tea leaves, or the like is placed into the container 16, and then a liquid, such as boiling water or the like, is poured into the container 16 to provide a mixture 45 of the liquid and the beverage making material. Then, the mixture 45 of the liquid and the beverage making material is filtered by the filter 24 as a downward pressure is applied to the rod 22, so as to provide the beverage 47. The beverage 47 may then be poured out of a spout 52 of the container 16 in order to serve the beverage 47.
Examples of related art press pots are disclosed in the following references: (i) U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,583 entitled “Infusion Filter”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein; (ii) U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,299 entitled “Beverage Infusion Making Apparatus”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein; (iii) U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,833 entitled “Automatic French Press Beverage Maker”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein; and (iv) U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,133 entitled “French Press Coffee Maker with Assembly to Reduce Contact of Grounds with Liquid Coffee after Termination of Steeping Period”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
In the related art press pots, the only support for a filter or strainer is a central rod that is attached at a center of the filter. When using press pots that have a filter supported only at a center by a central rod, various problems may be encountered, such as the filter being misaligned when inserted into a container, the plunging rod slipping sideways when pressure is applied to the rod, the filter wiggling around in the container when pressure is applied to the rod, and the like.
If a filter that is connected to a central rod is put in crooked or is misaligned within a container of a traditional press pot, unfiltered beverage making material may escape around a side of the filter and contaminate a filtered beverage. Similarly, if the filter wiggles around in the container when a downward pressure is applied, more unfiltered beverage making material may escape around the side of the filter and contaminate the filtered beverage. In addition, if a lid is not placed on the container of the press pot, and the plunging rod slips sideways when a downward pressure is applied, then a mixture of a liquid and the beverage making material may splatter out of the container.
FIG. 2 illustrates a problem with the traditional press pot 10 when the plunger assembly 20 is misaligned as it is placed into the container 16. The rod 22 of the plunger assembly 20 is placed through the lid 30 and is attached at a center of the filter 24. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the filter 24 is inserted into the container 16, the filter 24 may be misaligned such that the filter 24 is tilted with respect to the container 16. The misalignment of the filter 24 allows the unfiltered mixture 45 of the liquid and the beverage making material to escape around an edge of the filter 24 and to contaminate a provided beverage. For example, if the beverage making material comprises coffee grinds, then some of the unfiltered coffee grinds may escape into the filtered coffee, and the coffee would then be served with a residual sludge or grit of the coffee grinds.
A further disadvantage with traditional press pots is that a filtered beverage that is desired to be served hot may get lukewarm or cold when sitting in a container or brewing chamber of a press pot that is not insulated. For example, if a container of a press pot is made of glass and filtered coffee in the press pot contacts the glass, then the coffee may quickly become lukewarm or cold due to a lack of insulation with respect to the container. Thus, a filtered beverage that is desired to be served hot may lose its temperature quickly in traditional press pots. Some related art press pot designs attempt to solve the insulation problem by adding insulation to the press pots, but such designs have increased costs and may not be cost effective.
A yet further disadvantage of traditional press pots is that it may be tedious and time consuming to clean the press pots after serving a filtered beverage. For example, a residue of a beverage making material may remain on a side wall of a container of a traditional press pot after use, and the residue may harden, which may increase a time required to clean the container. Also, it may be time consuming to disassemble a filter from a plunging rod in order to clean the filter in the traditional press pots.
Another disadvantage of traditional press pots is that they are typically made from expensive materials, such as metal and glass, which increases a cost of production. As a consequence, a retail price for the manufactured traditional press pots may not be reasonable to end consumers.
In light of the above mentioned problems, there is a need for beverage making devices and methods that allow for reducing a likelihood that a plunger will slip or tilt when pressure is applied and, thus, reduce a likelihood that a beverage will splatter out of the beverage making device or that a filtered beverage will be contaminated with unfiltered beverage making material. Also, there is a need for beverage making devices and methods that allow for keeping a filtered beverage warm before it is served, that allow for easy cleaning of a container and a filter after a beverage is served, and that permit the use of inexpensive materials in the manufacturing of the beverage making devices. | {
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Wireless communication devices have become smaller and more powerful in order to meet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience. Consumers have become dependent upon wireless communication devices such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, and the like. Consumers have come to expect reliable service, expanded areas of coverage, and increased functionality. Wireless communication devices may be referred to as mobile stations, stations, access terminals, user terminals, terminals, subscriber units, user equipment, etc.
A wireless communication system may simultaneously support communication for multiple wireless communication devices. A wireless communication device may communicate with one or more base stations (which may alternatively be referred to as access points, Node Bs, etc.) via transmissions on the uplink and the downlink. The uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the wireless communication devices to the base stations, and the downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the base stations to the wireless communication devices.
Wireless communication systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., bandwidth and transmit power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems.
As indicated above, the present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for diversity combining of repeated signals in orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to circuit design. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for reducing PECL voltage variation.
2. Background Art
In electronic circuits, the system power supply can be shown as an equivalent circuit 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, the equivalent circuit 10 includes: a system power supply source 12; a system resistance (Rs) 14; a system inductance (Ls) 16; and a chip capacitance (Rc) 18. Each of these system components 12, 14, 16, and 18 represent an equivalent value of all of the combined respective components in the power supply system. The performance of the circuit 10 is frequency dependent. As shown in the graph of FIG. 2, as the frequency of the system increases, the resistance of the circuit increases as well. This increase in resistance continues until a peak 20 is reached at a resonance frequency. Finally, the resistance will subside at even higher frequencies.
The rate of increase in the resistance of the circuit as the frequency approaches its resonance value is quantified as a xe2x80x9cQxe2x80x9d value. The xe2x80x9cQxe2x80x9d value is calculated as Q=((L/C))/R; where L is the system inductance value; where C is the system capacitance value; and where R is the system resistance value. As shown in FIG. 2, under normal operations, the equivalent circuit 10 has a very high Q value 24 near the resonance frequency. A high current transient with the high Q region of the frequency band causes significant noise in the power supply system. Supply noise can result in such problems as voltage variation, signal jitter, signal stability, component or logic malfunction, signal interference, etc. For instance, a PLL circuit will have more jitter in the presence of power supply noise, which effectively leads to a reduction in the speed at which a chip can operate. Voltage variation is a significant problem because the indeterministic distribution of power to system components can lead to a loss of system performance.
It would be advantageous to decrease the Q value of the power supply system and thereby reduce voltage variation. A reduced Q value 26 is also shown in FIG. 2. This Q value 26 would have the advantage of substantially reducing the voltage variation of the respective system. FIG. 3 shows a prior art method of reducing the Q value for a positive emitter coupled logic (xe2x80x9cPECLxe2x80x9d) power supply system. PECL involves standard emitter coupled logic devices running off a positive power supply. Thus, components powered by PECL usually operate of partial swing signals as opposed to full swing signals. Typically, PECL is used for a receiver circuit 32 that inputs a partial swing system clock and outputs a full swing system clock to a phase locked loop (xe2x80x9cPLLxe2x80x9d) (not shown). However, although PECL is fast, the use of PECL for the receiver circuit to the PLL introduces jitter on the clock signal from the receiver circuit to the PLL.
The receiver circuit 32 is just one of many types of components that are commonly included in an integrated circuit. Each of these components often has a dedicated power supply that is unique and separate from the power supplies of other components. The prior art method used in FIG. 3 involves inserting a de-coupling capacitor 34 across the power supply in parallel with the receiver 32. However, the capacitor 34 takes up a significant amount of space on the chip. With chip space at a premium, a space efficient method of reducing voltage variation for a circuit using PECL voltage is needed.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for reducing voltage variation in a PECL based component comprises supplying power to the PECL based component and connecting a resistance in parallel with the PECL based component.
According to another aspect, a method for reducing voltage variation in a PECL based component comprises a step of supplying power to the PECL based component and a step of shunting a resistance in parallel with the PECL based component.
According to another aspect, an apparatus for reducing voltage variation in PECL based component comprises means for supplying power to the PECL based component and means for connecting an impedance in parallel with the PECL based component.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. | {
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In video graphics applications, many techniques are used to render graphical images of different shapes and sizes. Typically, graphical images are made up of thousands, or even millions, of primitive shapes such as triangles. Each triangle is defined by the coordinates of its vertices. In order to enhance the three-dimensional aspects of a graphical rendering, texture may be added to each of the triangles or other drawing units. Texture coordinates are used to assign texture maps to each object as it is rendered on a display device. A texture map is an array of texture elements (texels) combined to form a standard block of texture.
Mapping textures to rendered objects can be complicated by the depths (i.e., distances relative to the viewer) of the various objects in a rendered scene. The orientation of the rendered objects can also affect the complexity of mapping the textures to the rendered objects. Furthermore, applying texture to a single object can be complicated if the object varies in depth and orientation on the display device.
In order to map a texture to an object, one or more texture maps may be arrayed across the surface area of the object. Different type of array patterns such as texture wrapping and texture mirror can be used. In each case, however, the coordinates for each texture map are calculated so that the several texture maps are rendered in the correct areas of the display.
Conventional techniques for implementing non-power of two texture coordinate wrapping and mirror patterns use a divider to divide a texture coordinate in texture space by a non-power of two texture map size to get the result. As an example, the following conventional equations are used:U′=(int(S*width))% width, andI=(int(S*width))/widthwhere S designates the floating-point texture coordinate, U′ designates an intermediate texture coordinate, I designates a fixed point integer component, and width designates a dimension of a texture map. The computation of the intermediate texture coordinate, U′, implements a remainder division operation (e.g., a modulo, or mod, operation), and the computation of the fixed point integer component, I, implements a quotient division operation.
For a texture coordinate wrapping pattern, the final texture coordinate, U, is calculated, according to the following:U=U′
For a texture coordinate mirror pattern, the final texture coordinate, U, is calculated, according to the following:U=U′ for I % 1=0, andU=width−U′ for I % 1=1,
In other words, the texture map is reversed, or mirrored, for alternating instances of the texture map in the array of texture maps across the surface area of the rendered object. Similar equations are implemented in the vertical direction, using the height of the texture map, instead of the width of the texture map.
Unfortunately, the implementation of the division operations—the remainder division operation to compute the intermediate texture coordinate, U′, and the quotient division operation to compute the fixed point integer component, I—is computationally expansive. Additionally, this configuration is expensive to implement in hardware because of the surface area consumed to implement these division operations | {
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Factor XIa is a plasma serine protease involved in the regulation of blood coagulation. While blood coagulation is a necessary and important part of the regulation of an organism's homeostasis, abnormal blood coagulation can also have deleterious effects. For instance, thrombosis is the formation or presence of a blood clot inside a blood vessel or cavity of the heart. Such a blood clot can lodge in a blood vessel blocking circulation and inducing a heart attack or stroke. Thromboembolic disorders are the largest cause of mortality and disability in the industrialized world.
Blood clotting is a process of control of the blood stream essential for the survival of mammals. The process of clotting, and the subsequent dissolution of the clot after wound healing has taken place, commence after vascular damage, and can be divided into four phases. The first phase, vasoconstriction or vasocontraction, can cause a decrease in blood loss in the damaged area. In the next phase, platelet activation by thrombin, platelets attach to the site of the vessel wall damage and form a platelet aggregate. In the third phase, formation of clotting complexes leads to massive formation of thrombin, which converts soluble fibrinogen to fibrin by cleavage of two small peptides. In the fourth phase, after wound healing, the thrombus is dissolved by the action of the key enzyme of the endogenous fibrinolysis system, plasmin.
Two alternative pathways can lead to the formation of a fibrin clot, the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathway. These pathways are initiated by different mechanisms, but in the later phase they converge to give a common final path of the clotting cascade. In this final path of clotting, clotting factor X is activated. The activated factor X is responsible for the formation of thrombin from the inactive precursor prothrombin circulating in the blood. The formation of a thrombus on the bottom of a vessel wall abnormality without a wound is the result of the intrinsic pathway. Fibrin clot formation as a response to tissue damage or an injury is the result of the extrinsic pathway. Both pathways comprise a relatively large number of proteins, which are known as clotting factors. The intrinsic pathway requires the clotting factors V, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII and also prekallikrein, high molecular weight kininogen, calcium ions and phospholipids from platelets. The activation of factor XIa is a central point of intersection between the two pathways of activation of clotting. Factor XIa has an important role in blood clotting.
Coagulation is initiated when blood is exposed to artificial surfaces (e.g., during hemodialysis, “on-pump” cardiovascular surgery, vessel grafts, bacterial sepsis), on cell surfaces, cellular receptors, cell debris, DNA, RNA, and extracellular matrices. This process is also termed contact activation. Surface absorption of factor XII leads to a conformational change in the factor XII molecule, thereby facilitating activation to proteolytic active factor XII molecules (factor 25 XIIa and factor XIIf). Factor XIIa (or XIIf) has a number of target proteins, including plasma prekallikrein and factor XI. Active plasma kallikrein further activates factor XII, leading to an amplification of contact activation. Alternatively, the serine protease prolylcarboxylpeptidase can activate plasma kallikrein complexed with high molecular weight kininogen in a multiprotein complex formed on the surface of cells and matrices (Shariat-Madar et al., Blood, 108:192-199 (2006)). Contact activation is a surface mediated process responsible in part for the regulation of thrombosis and inflammation, and is mediated, at least in part, by fibrinolytic-, complement-, kininogen/kinin-, and other humoral and cellular pathways (for review, Coleman, R., “Contact ActivationPathway”, Hemostasis and Thrombosis, pp. 103-122, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2001); Schmaier, A. H., “Contact Activation”, Thrombosis and Hemorrhage, pp. 105-128 (1998)). The biological relevance of the contact activation system for thromboembolic 5 diseases is supported by the phenotype of factor XII deficient mice. More specifically, factor XII deficient mice were protected from thrombotic vascular occlusion in several thrombosis models as well as stroke models and the phenotype of the XII deficient mice was identical to XI deficient mice (Renne et al., J Exp. Med., 202:271-281 (2005); Kleinschmitz et al., J Exp. Med., 203:513-518 (2006)). The fact that factor XI is downstream from factor XIIa, combined with the identical phenotype of the XII and XI deficient mice suggest that the contact activation system could play a major role in factor XI activation in vivo.
Plasma kallikrein is a zymogen of a trypsin-like serine protease and is present in plasma. The gene structure is similar to that of factor XI. Overall, the amino acid sequence of plasma kallikrein has 58% homology to factor XI. Proteolyticactivation by factor XIIa at an internal I 389-R390 bond yields a heavy chain (371 amino acids) and a light chain (248 amino acids). The active site of plasma kallikrein is contained in the light chain. The light chain of plasma kallikrein reacts with protease 15 inhibitors, including alpha 2 macroglobulin and Cl-inhibitor. Interestingly, heparin significantly accelerates the inhibition of plasma kallikrein by antithrombin III in the presence of high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK). In blood, the majority of plasma kallikrein circulates in complex with HMWK. Plasma kallikrein cleaves HMWK to liberate bradykinin. Bradykinin release results in increase of vascular permeability and vasodilation (for review, Coleman, R., “Contact Activation Pathway”, Hemostasis and Thrombosis, pp. 103-122, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2001); Schmaier A. H., “Contact Activation”, Thrombosis and Hemorrhage, pp. 105-128 (1998)).
Patients presenting genetic deficiency on Cl-esterase inhibitor suffer from hereditary angioedema (HAE), a lifelong disease that results in intermittent swelling throughout the body, including the hands, feet, face, throat, genitals and gastrointestinal tract. Analysis of blisters arising from acute episodes have been shown to contain high levels of plasma kallikrein, and treatment with a protein-based reversible plasma kallikrein inhibitor, Ecallantide (Kalbitor), has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of acute attacks of HAE (Schneider, L, et al., J. Allergy Clin. Immunol., 120: p. 416 (2007)).
Additionally, the plasma kallikrein-kinin system is abnormally abundant in patients diagnosed with advanced diabetic macular edema (DME). Recent publications have shown that plasma kallikrein contributes to observed retinal vascular leakage and dysfunction in diabetic rodent models (A. Clermont, et al., Diabetes, 60:1590 (2011)), and that treatment with a small molecule plasma kallikrein inhibitor ameliorated the observed retinal vascular permeability and other abnormalities related to retinal blood flow.
Factor XIa inhibitor compounds are described in WO2014160592, WO2013022814, WO 2013022814, WO 2013022818, WO 2013055984, WO2013056034, WO2013056060, WO2013118805. WO2013093484. WO2002042273, WO2002037937, WO2002060894, WO2003015715, WO2004002405, US20040180855, WO2004080971, WO2004094372, US20050228000, US20050282805, WO2005123680, US20090036438, US20120088758, US20060074103, WO2006062972, WO2006076246, US20060154915, US20090062287, US20060183771, WO2007070818, WO2007070816, WO2007070826, WO2008076805, WO2008157162, WO2009114677, WO2011100402, and WO2011100401. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to animal feeding and watering devices and more particularly pertains to tip-resistant outdoor pet feeding or watering dishes which may be adapted for providing an outdoor pet food or water dish that is secured upright whereby preventing loss of food or water due to the pet tipping over the dish.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of tip-resistant outdoor pet feeding or watering dishes is know in the prior art. More specifically, pet feeding or watering dishes heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of providing pet food or water are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
The present invention is directed to improving devices for providing and outdoor pet food or water dish that is secured upright whereby preventing loss of food or water due to the pet tipping over the dish in a manner which is safe, secure, economical and aesthetically pleasing.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,337 to Mayer discloses a pet water container including a plastic drinking bottle having a drinking tube extending therefrom and a metal enclosure for supporting and protecting the drinking bottle. The invention disclosed is unsuitable for use by pets normally fed and watered with a dish.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 244,216 shows a design for a pet feeding dish having a removable bowl inserted into a ring-shaped holder.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 278,371 depicts a pet watering dish to similar article.
Neither of the devices shown provides a positive tip-resistant construction.
The prior art discloses a spill-resistant pet animal dish as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,056 to MacLeod which includes a water holding dish or bowl having sloping sides in combination with a snap-in lid having a central aperture large enough to allow all sizes of animals access to the liquid in the bowl.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,546 to Moore describes a dog watering dish including a water holding dish or bowl having straight sides in combination with an apetured disc which floats upon the liquid carried therein.
The two inventions described above provide no specific way to secure the dish upright and may be readily tipped by a pet animal; moreover, neither of these devices are suitable for use with solid or semi-solid food.
In this respect, the tip-resistant outdoor pet feeding or watering dish according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing an outdoor pet food or water dish that is secured upright whereby preventing loss of food or water due to the pet tipping over the dish.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved tip-resistant outdoor pet feeding or watering dishes which can be used for providing an outdoor pet food or water dish that is secured upright whereby preventing loss of food or water due to the pet tipping over the dish. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
As illustrated by the background art, efforts are continuously being made in an attempt to improve pet food or water dishes. No prior effort, however, provides the benefits attendant with the present invention. Additionally, the prior patents and commercial techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements arranged and configured as disclosed and claimed herein.
The present invention achieves its intended purposes, object, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method steps and component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functions parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved process and a device for the recovery of certain elements from used nuclear reactor fuels, and, more specifically, this invention relates to an improved process and a device to recover minor actinides and transuranic elements from spent nuclear fuel in an electrolytic salt bath.
2. Background of the Invention
Typical electrochemical processes to recover uranium from spent nuclear fuel result in the accumulation of minor actinides (americium (Am) and curium (Cu)) and transuranic elements (plutonium (Pu) and neptunium (Np)). These accumulated elements usually occur as metal chlorides in the molten electrolytic salt. They must periodically be removed from the electrolyte for the fuel reprocessing to continue.
The simplest method to recover the target elements is via chemical or electrochemical reduction. Electrochemical reduction has two advantages over chemical reduction. The first advantage is that the site of reduction is localized to the cathode surface forming a cathode deposit affording easy removal from the process equipment. The second advantage is that the use of electrons as the reducing agent does not add to the waste volume. Deposition of the transuranic elements and minor actinides on a solid cathode is well-known. Accompanying anode reactions include the oxidation of chloride ions to chlorine gas, oxidation of a sacrificial alloy, and oxidation of metallic uranium or reduced light water reactor (LWR) feed material.
Some electrorefiner pyroprocessing methods for MA's and, in particular, TRU's include the use of liquid cadmium (Cd) electrodes to reduce TRU's along with some uranium (U). FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the basic concepts of a cadmium electrode electrorefining system depicted as numeral 10. Chopped spent fuel 12 is placed in a ferric metal anode basket 14 which rests in an eutectic salt bath mixture of LiCl—KCl 16. Uranium and TRU's are anodically dissolved via oxidation with some uranium being reduced to metal 18 at a solid cathode 20. The remaining uranium and the TRU's are reduced and collected in/at a liquid cadmium cathode 22. The TRU's are stabilized in the liquid cadmium cathode 22 due to their low activity coefficients. Fission products such as alkali, alkaline earth and rare earth metals are dispersed within the salt bath 16. Noble metal fission products typically remain in the anode basket 14. Other electrorefining pyroprocessing methods for MAs and TRUs use ferric metals such as carbon steel as cathodes. Preferential deposition of MAs and TRUs over uranium at the cathode would eliminate many processing steps to separate the uranium from the MAs and TRUs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,743 awarded to Fuji, et al. on Apr. 25, 1989 discloses an ion-exchange porous, secondary battery separation membrane.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,908 awarded to Philips on Aug. 9, 1983 discloses an electrically neutral non-permselective porous membrane which can transmit negatively and positively charged ions between electrodes.
None of the aforementioned patents disclose a method for the electrorefining of minor actinides and transuranics which uses only solid electrodes and has nonvolatile, noncorrosive products.
A need exists in the art for a method and device for more efficient, safer, and more facile electrorefining of minor actinides and transuranic elements. In addition, a need exists for a method and device which uses only solid electrodes and gives only nonvolatile, noncorrosive products. | {
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The present invention relates to a spring manufacturing apparatus and to a wire guide used for the apparatus and, more particularly, to a spring manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a spring by forcibly bending, curving, or winding a wire to be formed into a spring in a spring forming space near the distal end of a wire guide with a tool while continuously feeding the wire.
In a conventional spring manufacturing apparatus, a pair of feed rollers for feeding a wire are fixed, and a cutting tool for cutting the wire in cooperation with a mandrel is slidably mounted in the vertical direction. The distance between the rotation center of the feed rollers and the cutting tool is constant owing to the structure of the apparatus, and the length of a wire guide for feeding a wire is also constant.
In the conventional spring manufacturing apparatus, no problem arises even if there is a slight space between the wire guide and the feed rollers or between the wire guide, the mandrel, and the tool as long as the diameter of a wire is 1 mm or more. In forming a very thin wire with a diameter of 100 xcexcm or less, however, the wire protrudes from this slight space, and hence the wire guide must be accurately manufactured so as not to form such a space. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, if a wire guide is divided in the wire feed direction, the distance from the inlet side to the outlet side of the wire guide or from the feed rollers to the tool increases, and wire insertion holes formed through the wire guides must be accurately aligned with each other.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problem, and has as its object to provide a spring manufacturing apparatus which can easily adjust the positional relationship between the feed direction of a wire fed from a wire guide and a tool.
In order to solve the above problem and achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a spring manufacturing apparatus which has wire feed means for feeding a wire to be formed into a spring from an end portion of a wire guide toward a spring forming space, and tool means placed to retractably move into the spring forming space, and which manufactures a spring by forcibly bending, curving, or winding the wire with the tool means while feeding the wire from the wire feed means into the spring forming space near the distal end portion of the wire guide, wherein the wire feed means is supported to allow a position of the wire feed means relative to the tool means to-be variable. Since the wire feed means is supported to make the position of the wire feed means relative to the tool become variable, the positional relationship between the feed direction of a wire-fed from the wire feed means and the tool can be easily adjusted.
Furthermore, the wire glide is integrally formed in the wire feed direction. As a result, protrusion of a wire can be prevented, the structure of the guide is simplified, and mounting of the wire is facilitated.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof. | {
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This disclosure relates to wearable devices made of or partially made of thermoset shape memory polymers for improved comfort, stability and overall wearability.
Commercially available wearable devices are typically offered in standard sizes to fit a majority of consumers rather than each individual consumer. Since such wearable devices are not customized to fit each person's unique anatomical features, they are not suitable for all day comfort. While custom-fitted products are generally considered to achieve the best fit, existing methods of customization can be costly, time consuming, and/or complicated. Some customization strategies rely on using thermoplastics, such as polycaprolactone, in their softened state, which leads to cosmetic issues and temperature stability concerns. Other customization solutions rely on UV-curable silicones with a catalyst and a curative embedded in a preform. Unfortunately, these materials tend to cure even in the absence of UV. Also, these solutions provide a single non-reversible impression. If the user makes a mistake during the curing process, a new product is required. Furthermore, these customizable products are designed for a single end user. Sharing between multiple users is not possible.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for inexpensive, fast, easy, and reversible systems and methods for customizing wearable devices that allow for repeated customization in case an initial molding is not successful or two or more different users desire to share a single customizable device. | {
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Recently, it is required to enhance the operation speed and reduce noise for signal transmission between LSI chips in mobile communication devices such as personal computers or mobile phones. In accordance with such circumstances, much attention is paid to optoelectronic interconnection attained by combining optical interconnection and electrical wires and having a feature of a high-speed operation and low noise.
As the optoelectronic interconnection, an optoelectronic interconnection array configured by bundling optical fibers and electrical wires, a flexible optoelectronic interconnection board configured by forming an optical waveguide on a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or the like is provided. An optoelectronic interconnection module having electronic parts such as optical semiconductor devices and driver ICs mounted on a flexible optoelectronic interconnection board has a feature that the number of parts used therein is small and the assembling process is easy (for example, JP-A 2008-159766 (KOKAI)). Therefore, the optoelectronic interconnection module is advantageous in cost over the optoelectronic interconnection array module comprising electronic parts such as optical semiconductor devices and driver ICs combined with an optoelectronic interconnection array. | {
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1. Field
This disclosure relates to audio signal processing and, in particular, to methods for decomposing audio signals into direct and diffuse components.
2. Description of the Related Art
Audio signals commonly consist of a mixture of sound components with varying spatial characteristics. For a simple example, the sounds produced by a solo musician on a stage may be captured by a plurality of microphones. Each microphone captures a direct sound component that travels directly from the musician to the microphone, as well as other sound components including reverberation of the sound produced by the musician, audience noise, and other background sounds emanating from an extended or diffuse source. The signal produced by each microphone may be considered to contain a direct component and a diffuse component.
In many audio signal processing applications it is beneficial to separate a signal into distinct spatial components such that each component can be analyzed and processed independently. In particular, separating an arbitrary audio signal into direct and diffuse components is a common task. For example, spatial format conversion algorithms may process direct and diffuse components independently so that direct components remain highly localizable while diffuse components preserve a desired sense of envelopment. Also, binaural rendering methods may apply independent processing to direct and diffuse components where direct components are rendered as virtual point sources and diffuse components are rendered as a diffuse sound field. In this patent, separating a signal into direct and diffuse components will be referred to as “direct-diffuse decomposition”.
The terminology used in this patent may differ slightly from terminology employed in the related literature. In related papers, direct and diffuse components are commonly referred to as primary and ambient components or as nondiffuse and diffuse components. This patent uses the terms “direct” and “diffuse” to emphasize the distinct spatial characteristics of direct and diffuse components; that is, direct components generally consist of highly directional sound events and diffuse components generally consist of spatially distributed sound events. Additionally, in this patent, the terms “correlation” and “correlation coefficient” refer to a normalized cross-correlation measure between two signals evaluated with a time-lag of zero.
Throughout this description, elements appearing in figures are assigned three-digit reference designators, where the most significant digit is the figure number where the element is introduced and the two least significant digits are specific to the element. An element that is not described in conjunction with a figure may be presumed to have the same characteristics and function as a previously-described element having the same reference designator. | {
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There are known bearing units which include a ball retaining cage composed of two symmetrical half-cages coupled together, wherein each half-cage has means for mutual connection with the opposite half-cage, and provides a plurality of partially hemispherical cavities which axially face the hemispherical cavities of the opposite half-cage so as to form, together with the latter cavities, the ball retaining pockets. | {
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1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to a method and system to drive game player choices and actions in real world settings to achieve virtual world benefits.
2. Related Art
Online and mobile gaming in a virtual world is well now as our first person RPG (role playing games). In 2014 online gaming was estimated as a 40 Billion USD industry. AS such, online gaming contributes significantly to the US economy. Conversely, excessive immersion in an online gaming environment has, by some, been identified as a possible cause of fatigue, obesity and reclusion. Others note improvement in coordination, vision and problem solving may be associated with immersive gaming. | {
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A distributed data communication network is a hierarchical system of hardware components arranged so that each hardware device is connected, directly or indirectly, to every other device. At the lowest level are user terminals or hosts, which form part of the access network. These terminals are linked to one or more concentrators, a statistical multiplexer often with protocol converters and several low data rate output lines and a fewer number of high data rate output data lines. The concentrators form the second level of the hierarchy and, together with the terminals, form the access network.
The concentrators, which may be connected to other concentrators in a hierarchical fashion, are ultimately connected to the backbone, which forms the highest level in the hierarchy. The backbone consists of high speed, high capacity links that terminate at backbone nodes. A backbone node consists of one or more devices, and includes a switching device for routing traffic within the backbone. The data traffic from the concentrators enters the backbone at a backbone node.
Existing methods for utilizing a distributed data communication network have deficiencies that are overcome by the present invention. Some of these methods were only capable of evaluating each level of the hierarchy independently of all the others. For example, the topology of the backbone links connecting the backbone nodes would be arranged for optimal performance independently of the access network. This method, whereby each level of the hierarchy is optimized independently of all the others, does not necessarily produce a distributed data communication network that operates most economically or efficiently.
Other so called vendor-specific methods can only be used to design a distributed data communication network with equipment provided by a limited number of vendors, and in many cases with equipment provided by only a single vendor. Still other generic methods, while not limited to specific vendors' hardware, do not address the hardware capabilities with sufficient detail to permit the selection of particular hardware components. Finally, other existing methods can only be used to design backbone links composed of T1 links or 56 Kbps links, but not a hybrid of both. | {
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The overall efficiency and the power output of an intercooled gas turbine engine typically may depend in part on the ambient temperature. The performance of the intercooled gas turbine engine in increased ambient temperature environments may suffer without the use of a cooling cycle, such as one providing inlet chilling and sufficiently low intercooler temperatures. A compressor intercooler combined with a high turbine pressure ratio and with low exhaust temperatures may improve overall efficiency. To provide such cooling, inlet chillers, cooling towers, dry coolers, and the like may be provided. The addition of these cooling components, however, often results in a periphery of the engine that is large, costly, and consumes parasitic power and quantities of water. Likewise, low ambient temperatures may cause ice to form in or upstream of the compressors. An air extraction may be used to heat the incoming air flow. Such an extraction, however, also may be considered a parasitic loss. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the technical field of optical materials and devices. In particular, the invention relates to a dye loaded zeolite material; the invention further relates to a pigment material, a luminescent optical device, an optical sensor device, a light emitting device and a photonic energy harvesting device, all the afore-said comprising a dye loaded zeolite material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The structural, morphological, physical, and chemical variety of zeolites has led to applications in different fields like catalysis, ion exchange, membranes, and chemical sensors where dynamic processes involving ions or adsorbate molecules play an important role (Thomas, J. M. Spektrum der Wissenschaft, June 1992, 88). Situations where the zeolites mainly serve as host for supramolecular organization of molecules, ions, complexes and clusters to prepare materials with new properties such as nonlinear optical (Cox, S. D.; Gier, T. E.; Stucky, G. D. Chem. Mater. 1990, 2, 609), quantum-size (Stucky, G. D.; MacDougall, J. E. Science 1990, 247, 669; Brühwiler, D.; Seifert, R.; Calzaferri, G. J. Phys. Chem B 1999, 103, 6397), micro laser (Vietze, U.; Krauss, O.; Laeri, F.; Ihnlein, G.; Schüth, F.; Limburg, B.; Abraham, M. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1998, 81, 4628) and artificial antenna characteristics are new fields of growing interest (Wöhrle, D.; Schulz-Ekloff, G. Adv. Mater. 1994, 6, 875; Schüth, F. Chemie in unserer Zeit 1995, 29, 45; Ozin, G. A.; Kuperman, A.; Stein, A. Angew. Chem 1989, 101, 373.).
Some of these new materials can be considered as static and stable arrangements of guests in the zeolite host under a broad range of conditions (Lainé, P.; Lanz, M.; Calzaferri, G. Inorg. Chem. 1996, 35, 3514). In other cases, however, the adsorption, desorption or ion exchange of molecules or ions are reversible processes which lead to a wide range of phenomena (Seifert, R.; Kunzmann, A.; Calzaferri, G. Angew. Chem. Inst. Ed. 1998, 37, 1521; Brühwiler, D.; Gfeller, N.; Calzaferri, G. J. Phys. Chem. B 1998, 102 ,2923; Ramamurthy, V.; Sanderson, D. R.; Eaton, D. F. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 10438.).
Plants are masters of efficiently transforming sunlight into energy. In this process, every plant leaf acts as a photonic antenna system, wherein photonic energy in the form of sunlight is transported by chlorophyll molecules for the purpose of energy transformation. Accordingly, the synthesis, characterization and possible application of an artificial photonic antenna for harvesting light within a certain volume and for transport of the resultant electronic excitation energy to a specific location of molecular size has been the target of research of several laboratories. Imaginative attempts to build an artificial photonic antenna have been reported, including multinuclear luminescent metal complexes, multichromophore cyclodextrines, Langmuir-Blodgett films, and dyes in polymers. Sensitization processes in silver halide photographic materials as well as the spectral sensitization of semiconductor oxides also bear in some cases aspects of artificial photonic antenna systems (“Energy Migration in Dye-Loaded Hexagonal Microporous Crystals”, Gfeller, N.; Calzaferri, G,. J. Phys, Chem. B 1997, 101, 1396-1408 and references cited therein).
However, to our knowledge, the system reported by us in “Fast Energy Migration in Pyronine-Loaded Zeolite L Microcrystals”, Gfeller, N.; Megelski, S.; Calzaferri, G. J. Phys. Chem B 1999, 103, 1250-1257, is the first artificial photonic antenna that works well enough to deserve this name. In this artificial system, zeolite cylinders are adopted for forming a bi-directional photonic antenna wherein the light transport is made possible by specifically organized dye molecules that mimic the natural function of chlorophyll. Zeolites are materials with different cavity structures. Some of them occur in nature as a component of the soil. We use zeolite L crystals of cylindrical morphology which consist of a continuous channel system and we have succeeded in filling each individual channel with chains of joined but noninteracting dye molecules. Light shining on the cylinder is first absorbed and the energy is transported by the dye molecules inside the channels to the cylinder ends (J. Phys. Chem. B 1997, 101, 1396-1408; “Transfer of Electronic Excitation Energy between Dye Molecules in the Channels of Zeolite L”, Gfeller, N.; Megelski, S.; Calzaferri, G. J. Phys. Chem B 1998, 102, 2433-2436; “Zeolite Microcrystals as Hosts for Supramolecular Organization of Dye Molecules”, Calzaferri, G. Chimia 1998, 52, 525-532; “Fast Energy Migration in Pyronine-Loaded Zeolite L Microcrystals”, Gfeller, N.; Megelski, S.; Calzaferri, G. J. Phys. Chem B 1999, 103, 1250-1257; “Dye Molecules in zeolite L nano crystals for efficient light harvesting”, Calzaferri, G. in Photofunctional Zeolites, Nova Science Publishers NY, Editor. M. Anpo, 2000, 205-218; Pauchard, M.; Deveaux, A.; Calzaferri, G. “Dye-Loaded Zeolite L Sandwiches”, CHEMISTRY a Eur. J. 2000, 6, 3456-3470).
We have previously synthesized nanocrystalline zeolite L cylinders ranging in length from 300 nm to about 3000 nm. A cylinder of 600 nm consists of, for example, about 100,000 channels arranged essentially parallel to each other. A typical zeolite L material of this kind is shown in FIG. 1. Single molecules of the luminescent dye oxonine, which is capable of emitting light in the red wavelength range, were inserted into ends of the zeolite's channels that had previously been filled with the luminescent dye pyronine, which is capable of emitting light in the green wavelength range. By means of this arrangement, experimental proof was furnished that efficient light transport is possible in such zeolite systems. Light of appropriate wavelength impinging on the zeolite is absorbed by pyronine molecules only. After such an absorption process, the energy moves along the molecules in the zeolite channel until it reaches a terminal oxonine molecule. The oxonine absorbs the energy by a radiationless energy transfer process, but is not able to send the energy back to the pyronine. Instead, it emits the energy in the form of red light, visible to the naked eye.
We have developed two methods for preparing suitable dye loaded zeolite materials, one method working at a solid/liquid interface and the other method working at a solid/gas interface. Other approaches for preparing similar materials are in situ and crystallization inclusion synthesis. In our previous work, cationic dyes have been inserted into the channels of zeolite L via ion exchange from a suspension, thus leading to zeolite L materials with donor molecules located in the middle and acceptor molecules at the channel ends. After selective electronic excitation of the donor molecules, fast energy migration along the c-axis and energy transfer at the channel ends to the acceptor molecules was observed. Subsequently, we have succeeded in preparing three-dye-loaded zeolite L sandwiches. The general concept of the preparation method of these materials is illustrated in FIG. 2 and a selection of molecules that have been studied is given in FIG. 3. First, a neutral dye molecule is inserted e.g. from the gas phase, filling the channels to the desired degree. Provided that the inserted molecules are not rapidly displaced by water, this material can then be ion exchanged with a second dye. This can be well controlled, so that a specifically desired space is left for the third dye, which is either inserted in a next ion exchange process, or from the gas phase. We have shown that by these means a bi-directional antenna for light collection and transport can been prepared so that the whole light spectrum can be used, transporting light energy from blue to green to red.
Within the context of this work several reactions and equilibria play a role and have been discussed: Insertion reaction of neutral dyes, adsorption at the outer surface, hydration, displacement and reinsertion reactions, and cation exchange. Many data have been obtained for p-terphenyl (pTP). The size of pTP and its chemical properties make it an excellent model for studying relevant parameters and for developing new preparation methods. The first bi-directional three-dye-zeolite L sandwich antenna has been realized with DPH as first luminescent dye. We have observed that the energy of near UV light that is absorbed in the middle part of the antenna by DPH is transferred to adjacent pyronine molecules, i.e. to the second luminescent dye, along which it migrates until it reaches the pyronine/oxonine interface, where a further energy transfer occurs from pyronine to oxonine, i.e. to the third luminescent dye (Calzaferri, G.; Brühwiler, D.; Megelski, S.; Pfenniger, M.; Pauchard, M.; Hennessy, B.; Maas, H.; Déveaux, A.; Graf, U. “Playing with Dye Molecules at the Inner and Outer Surface of Zeolite L”, Solid State Sciences, 2000, Volume 2, 421-447, incorporated herein by reference).
Beyond being usable for a light harvesting system, the principles described are expected to be exploitable in numerous other applications. However, the dye loaded zeolite materials and any devices made thereof that have so far been described, exhibit a number of significant shortcomings and disadvantages. In particular, the stability of such systems is still unsatisfactory, mainly because of an undesirable migration of the luminescent dye molecules out of the zeolite channels resulting in a depletion of the dye loaded zeolite material.
Moreover, the tasks of external trapping of excitation energy or—conversely—of injecting energy at a specific point of the photonic antenna, the realization of a mono-directional photonic antenna and the coupling of such photonic antennae to specific devices have not been solved so far. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal having a direct dial function using a call history and a method for performing the function, and more particularly, to a mobile communication terminal having a direct dial function in accordance with a call type selected by a user and a method for performing the function.
2. Discussion of the Background
In the conventional latest call history providing function provided by a mobile communication terminal, if the mobile communication terminal sends or receives a voice call, a video call, or a message, information about the call, for example, sender information, receiver information, call connecting time, call time, message send time, and message reception time may be stored in a memory. Then, in response to a latest call history search, the latest call history stored in the memory is read to provide the latest call history to the terminal user.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional latest call history displayed on a mobile communication terminal. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the latest call history displays call distinguishing icons that have an appearance to match the call characteristics, for example, an icon 101 that represents a sent voice call, an icon 102 that represents a received voice call, an icon 103 that represents a missed voice call, an icon 104 that represents a sent video call, an icon 105 that represents a received video call, an icon 106 that represents a missed video call, an icon 107 that represents a sent message, and an icon 108 that represents a received message, can be displayed in. In addition, the nickname or telephone number of the counterpart who sent the call or to whom the call was sent is displayed.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, however, since the latest call history is sequentially displayed chronologically, information about calls to or from the same counterpart may be spaced apart.
Further, in the conventional mobile communication terminal, if the user selects the telephone number (or nickname) of a counterpart from the latest call history and then presses a button for responding, the conventional mobile communication terminal dials the number of the counterpart's terminal corresponding to the selected telephone number (or nickname).
However, if the user wishes to perform a video call, not a voice call, or tries to send a message, the user has to select a menu item for performing video call dialing or a menu item for creating a message.
Therefore, in the related art, the user cannot directly perform the video call with the desired counterpart and cannot directly send a short message service (SMS) message or a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message using the latest call history.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background and therefore it may contain information that does not form the existing art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Menthol is well known for its physiological cooling effect on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth and has been extensively used as a flavouring agent (menthol being a major constituent of oil of peppermint) in foodstuffs, beverages, dentifrices, mouthwashes, etc. and as a component in a widge range of toiletries, liniments and lotions for topical application. Menthol is also a well known tobacco additive for producing a `cool` sensation in the mouth when smoking.
It is well established that the `cooling` effect of menthol is a physiological effect due to the direct action of menthol on the nerve endings of the human body responsible for the detection of hot or cold and is not due to latent heat of evaporation. It is believed that the menthol acts as a direct stimulus on the cold receptors at the nerve endings which in turn stimulate the central nervous system.
Although menthol is well established as a physiological coolant its use, in some compositions, is circumscribed by its strong minty odour and its relative volatility.
A few other compounds have been reported in the technical literature as having an odour or flavour similar to menthol and from time to time have been proposed as flavourants or odourants in a variety of topical and ingestible compositions. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 39-19627 reports that 3-hydroxymethyl-p-methane (menthyl carbinol) has a flavour closely resembling that of 1-menthol and suggests its use as a flavourant in confectionery, chewing gum and tobacco. In Swiss Pat. No. 484,032 certain saccharide esters of menthol are proposed as additives to tobacco. In French Pat. No. 1,572,332 N,N-dimethyl 2-ethylbutanamide is reported as having a minty odour and refreshing effect, and the minty odor of N,N-diethyl 2,2-dimethylpropanamide is also referred to. A similar effect is reported for N,N-diethyl 2-ethylbutanamide in Berichte 39, 1223, (1906). A minty odour has also been reported for 2,4,6-trimethylheptan-4-ol and 2,4,6-trimethyl-hept-2-en-4-ol in Parfums-Cosmetiques-Savons, May 1956, pp. 17-20. The cooling effect of menthol and other related terpene alcohols and their derivatives has also been studied and reported in Koryo, 95, (1970), pp. 39-43. 2,3-p-menthane-diol has also been reported as having a sharp cooling taste (Beilstein, Handbuch der Organischen Chemie, 4th Ed. (1923) Vol. 6, p, 744.). Still other substituted p-menthanes having a physiological cooling effect are disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift Nos. P 22 02 535, P 22 03 947, P 22 03 273 and P 22 05 255.
Despite this knowledge of other compounds having an odour and flavour similar to that of menthol, menthol is still extensively used in topical, ingestible and other compositions notwithstanding the disadvantages mentioned above, namely its very strong odour and its relative volatility. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to an automatic reverse tape recorder, more particularly to an automatic reverse cassette tape recorder using cassette tapes.
Conventionally known are automatic reverse cassette tape recorders for use with car stereos which can perform the reproduction in both forward and reverse directions with use of compact cassettes. This conventional automatic reverse cassette tape recorders generally employ a side capstan system in which a plurality of magnetic heads are arranged in the center and capstan shafts are disposed on both sides of the magnetic heads, respectively. Stereo-system cassette tape recorders such as car stereos include 4-channel magnetic heads. However, the conventional microcassette tape recorders generally adopt a center capstan system in which a capstan shaft is disposed in the center, and are unsuitable for automatic reverse. Hereupon, the side capstan system may be applied also to the microcassette tape recorders. In this case, 4-channel heads are needed for the performance of stereo operations. However, it is hard to manufacture 4-channel heads that can be utilized for the microcassette tape recorders in consideration of their size. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to shoes having sound generating devices either attached to the shoe or designed into the structure of the shoe. The present invention also relates to cap triggering mechanisms that are used to explode toy caps of the type used in cap guns.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Toy caps contain small amounts of explosive powder sealed within a plastic housing or in between layers of paper. As the cap is struck, the explosive powder explodes making a loud popping sound. In the prior art record, there is a wide variety of different mechanisms used to fire toy caps. Typically, the mechanism used to fire the cap is a cap gun. Cap guns typically have a hammer mechanism controlled by the trigger of the gun. When the trigger is squeezed, the hammer falls against a cap, thereby causing the cap to fire. The firing of the cap therefore gives the toy gun a loud sound effect that enhances the toy's play value.
Toy caps are fired in a plurality of mechanisms other than cap guns. For example, there are toy rockets that hold caps in their noses. The rockets are thrown through the air, wherein the cap explodes when the rocket's nose strikes the ground. The key to the popularity of toy caps and toys that use toy caps is that children enjoy making loud noises using caps. This is evidenced by the fact that many children fire caps just by hitting them with rocks or heating them with a magnifying glass.
Another way that children like to make noise is by stomping their feet on surfaces, such as hard floors, that produce noise. However, since an appropriate flooring surface is not always available, different types of shoes have been created in the prior art that produce noise regardless to the surface upon which they are placed. In many such shoes, the force of the shoe hitting the ground is transferred to a hammer that strikes a noise producing element within the structure of the shoe. Such shoes are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 1,943,222 to Landi, entitled MUSICAL TAP DANCING SHOE and U.S. Pat. No. 2,753,220 to Miles, entitled NOISE MAKING TOY DEVICE.
It is the intention of the present invention to introduce a cap firing mechanism into the structure of a shoe. As such, when a child jumps and lands on the ground, that energy can be used to fire a cap, thereby producing a loud sound. Such a mechanism would be novel to a child and would promote play that involved the physical activity of running and jumping. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Software running on a computer system (i.e., a data source) may replicate data stored at the data source to other computer systems with unused disk storage (i.e., storage systems) for the purpose of backup and/or data distribution. Many information technology (IT) departments of corporations have data retention policies that require the periodic backing up of various data stored in employees' corporate-issued personal computers (e.g., documents, spreadsheets, email, etc.) as well as data stored in the data centers of such enterprises (e.g., company financials, back-end systems, etc.). Maintaining a sufficient amount of dedicated enterprise-grade storage to support such data retention policies can be a significant cost to a corporation. In the aggregate, unused portions of local storage in employees' corporate-issued personal computers and existing corporate servers, at any particular point in time, may comprise a significant amount of storage that simply lies fallow. While, in theory, such unused storage could alleviate the storage pressures of a corporation's data retention policies, obvious issues regarding (1) the reliability of such local storage, and (2) the possibility of using up local storage that was originally provided for a different purpose (e.g., for use by an employee to accomplish his job duties if in the employee's corporate-issued personal computer, etc.) deter corporations from trying to leverage such local storage to satisfy data retention policies.
In a different use case for replication of data, content distribution networks, such as a nation-wide television network, may include one or more clusters of video servers at a network operations center and a hierarchy of regional and local caching servers throughout the network to facilitate faster distribution of video data when requested by a consumer's media center computer system. In this use case, content distribution software running on the video servers may replicate video data out to the regional and local caching servers in anticipation of high demand in order to minimize bandwidth consumption across the network and also to reduce latency experienced by the end user at the moment when they request the video data. Such media center computer systems regularly include large local storage drives to store video data, which also present potentially significant amounts of available storage space (as well as similar issues with respect to utilizing that available storage space). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to flat panel display systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for backlighting a liquid crystal display (LCD). Even more particularly, the present invention relates to backlighting a LCD on a laptop computer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional laptop computer, such as the laptop computer shown in FIG. 1, utilizes a “fliptop” display to display computer data. The fliptop display is generally perpendicular to the body of the laptop computer when the laptop is in use, allowing the user to view the displayed computer data. When the laptop computer is not in use, the fliptop display is folded down into a closed position so that it is substantially parallel to the body of the computer.
The prior art fliptop display assemblies include a LCD housing. The LCD housing is typically hinged to the body of the laptop computer and generally operates as a protective cover for the LCD module.
Prior art fliptop displays also include an LCD module. The LCD module includes an LCD and a means for “backlighting” the LCD. Backlighting refers to generating light behind the LCD and uniformly projecting it through the LCD. Prior art backlighting techniques generally involve the use of a light source and a light pipe composed of light transmissive material located adjacent to the LCD. United U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,946, which is incorporated herein by reference, discusses various light source and light pipe designs.
A cross sectional view of a conventional fliptop display 2 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional fliptop display 2 includes an LCD housing 10 and an LCD module 15. The LCD housing 10 is composed of an opaque material (usually plastic) and protects the LCD module 15. The LCD module 15 is secured within the LCD housing 10 by various common securing means, such as screws, clips, or other frictionally engaging or interlocking means (not shown). Referring again to FIG. 2, the LCD housing 10 has a rear portion 12 and top and bottom portions 11.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the LCD module 15 includes an LCD 20, a light source 25, and a light pipe 30. The aperture 26 of the light source 25 is aligned adjacent to an end of the light pipe 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the light pipe 30 is adjacent to the back surface 21 of the LCD 20. The LCD 20 is backlit when light generated by the light source 25 is conducted through the light source aperture 26 and coupled into an end of the light pipe 30. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,946, the coupled light may be uniformly diffused throughout the light pipe 30, and projected toward the back surface 21 of the LCD 20. Some conventional LCD modules utilize a light pipe 30 with a light-reflective coating applied to the back side 31 of the light pipe 30 (not shown). In this manner, light incident upon the back surface 31 of the light pipe 30 will be reflected back into the light pipe 30 for projection toward the LCD 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the top and bottom portions 11 of the LCD housing 10, and hence the depth D of the fliptop display 2, are roughly defined by the combined thickness of the rear portion 12 of the LCD housing 10 and the LCD module 15.
As shown in FIG. 3, the depth D of the fliptop display 2 is at least the sum of the thickness d1 of the rear portion 12 of the LCD housing 10, the diameter d3 of the light source 25, and some fractional portion of the thickness d5 of the LCD 20. In situations where the diameter d3 of the light source 25 is equal to the thickness d4 of the light pipe 30, the depth D may be the sum of the thicknesses d1, d3 (or d4), and d5.
For example, thickness d1 of the rear portion 12 of the LCD housing 10 may be 4 mm, the diameter d3 of the light source 25 may be 4 mm and the thicknesses d4 and d5 of the light pipe 30 and the LCD 20 may be 2 mm. As shown in FIG. 3, these dimensions will result in the light source 25 extending 1 mm on either side of the light pipe 30. It can be seen that for this configuration of components, the depth D of the fliptop display 2 will be at least 9 mm and the thickness d2 of the LCD module 15 will be 5 mm. In situations where the diameter d3 of the light source 25 is equal to the thickness d4 of the light pipe 30, the depth D of the fliptop display 2 will be 8 mm and the thickness d2 of the LCD module 15 will be 4 mm.
In the laptop computer industry, it is always desirable to reduce the size and weight of the laptop computer and its component parts. It is also desirable to minimize the number of parts. Thus, there exists a need for a thinner, less complex, and lighter fliptop display. | {
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Pre-flight checks are often performed by flight crews to verify that conventional aircraft are safe to fly prior to taking off. For example, crews of commercial airplanes may perform pre-flight checks of various structures and systems to confirm the aircraft is functional and adequately safe for flight. As part of such pre-flight checks, the center-of-gravity (CG) of an aircraft is typically calculated based upon the weight and placement of payload within the aircraft, such as passengers and cargo. CG calculations are typically static calculations that are often done by humans. Other checks may also be performed, such as power or engine status based on battery charge levels or motor run life. Based on such calculations during pre-flight checks, the payload may be repositioned and passengers may be moved to different seats while the aircraft is on the ground so that the CG is adjusted to promote stable, safe flight.
The use of affordable autonomous aircraft (e.g., aerial drones) is rapidly increasing, and thus the likelihood of commercial shipping via autonomous aircraft is becoming increasingly more likely. In particular, autonomous aircraft may be used for shipping payloads, such as boxes or small items from warehouses or distribution centers to recipients. Since the configuration of a payload may significantly affect the CG and thus the stability of autonomous aircraft, CG management is an important consideration for autonomous aircraft. For example, the CG of a drone carrying a box for delivery can be affected by how the box or the items within the box are positioned with respect to the drone. | {
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5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is mainly used in industries of medicines, pesticides, etc. Methods for synthesizing 5-ASA currently reported in literatures mainly include four types of process routes: aniline process, salicylic acid method, p-aminophenol carboxylated and p-acetaminophenol carboxylated solid phase synthesis method. They are respectively outlined as follows:
1. Synthetic Process from Aniline
In the patent JP 6340600 disclosed in Japan, the aniline process uses aniline as a starting material to obtain an aniline diazonium salt, which is then coupled with salicylic acid, and then the azo bond is cleaved by reduction to obtain one molecule of 5-ASA while removing another molecule of aniline (see reaction (1) below). Moreover, in another literature (Zhu Zhi-qing et al., Preparation of mesalamine by catalytic hydrogenolysis, Chinese Journal of Pharmaceuticals, 1999, 30(1):8˜9), the azo bond is reduced by hydrogen gas using Raney-Ni as catalyst, to obtain 5-ASA (see reaction (2) below), and the yield of this route reported by the literature is no more than 50%. Although the method is easy to operate, it is not suitable for the production because the process route is long, and aniline and azo compounds are toxic, and are environmentally hazardous to some extent, and are easily introduced into the final product by raw materials, thus seriously affect the purity of the product and thereby resulting in increased costs for the purification.
The synthetic route of this process is as follows:
2. Synthetic Process from Salicylic Acid
The salicylic acid process is disclosed in China Patent Application Publication No.: CN 1053229A and the literature (Yan Ting-ren et al., Improved Preparation of Mesalamine, Chinese Journal of Pharmaceuticals, 1994, 25(14):539˜540), in which salicylic acid is used as a starting material and is nitrified by conc. nitric acid to obtain 5-nitrosalicylic acid, and then the nitro group is reduced to an amino group under an acidic condition using iron powder as reducing agent (a preferred condition is hydrochloric acid and iron powder), and 5-ASA is precipitated in a weak acidic condition after treatments (see reaction 3). The total yield of this route is about 50%, and the advantages of this route are that the raw materials are easily available, and the route is simple, so that this route has certain practical values. The disadvantages are that the method suffers from the considerable amount isomers impurity formed by the nitration, which resulted in difficulties for the purification of the product and low yield. Meanwhile, the nitro compounds produced during the Intermediate process are introduced into the final product, so that it is difficult for the amount of nitro compound impurity in 5-ASA product to achieve the requirements for medical applications. In addition, serious environmental pollution will also be caused due to the great amount of nitric acid and iron powder employed in the reactions.
The synthetic route of this process is as follows:
3. p-Aminophenol Carbon Dioxide Carboxylated Solid Phase Synthesis Method
It is reported by MO Fen Zhu, et al. in “A New Method for Synthesis of Mesalamine that p-aminophenol”, Chinese Journal of Pharmaceuticals (1997, 28(8):341˜342) that 5-ASA is prepared by reacting p-aminophenol as a starting material with carbon dioxide in a gas phase condition under high pressure and high temperature. This literature simply reports the preparation of 5-ASA by this process and the total yield is over 80%. This process is short in process route, less pollution, and harsh in reaction conditions. However, since the gas-solid carboxylation is performed under high pressure and high temperature, aminophenol is easily oxidized and polymerized. In a addition to the above literature, no any further related patent applications or papers have been published.
The synthetic route of the process of carboxylation of p-aminophenol is as follows:
Conventional synthetic process from aniline or salicylic acid method are still employed in the majority of production processes for 5-aminosalicylic acid, both at home and abroad.
4. Process of Solid Phase Carboxylation of p-Acetaminophenol
It is disclosed in Indian patent IN 2004MU01242 by Kumar et al. that 5-ASA is prepared by performing carboxylation reaction in the presence of a solid base and CO2 under high pressure and high temperature, using p-acetaminophenol as a starting material, but the yield is not reported in this patent. This method has the advantage of simple process and shows certain prospects for industrial applications, but the method reported by this patent is carried out in a condition without a catalyst, thus the reaction rate is slow and the reaction time is as long as 12˜24 h. Also, the energy consumption is high and the gas-solid reaction has a poor contact, and is easily overheated locally, causing side reactions such as oxidation and polymerization, resulting in high amount of impurities in the crude product, which is difficult for the purification. So far, no research reports and application examples associated with this process have been found yet.
The synthetic route of this process is as follows:
| {
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Communications systems and particularly wireless communications systems have become relatively more complex and have greater system capacities and higher operating frequencies. There are many more variations in such systems and more adaptations of those systems to provide service to differing user groups. Many of these systems now use communications protocols having variable data rates. For example Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems such as IS-95 or CDMA 2000 uses variable data rate signals to account for such observations as that most people do not talk while they are listening. Thus the transmit data rate can be reduced when the user is listening thereby lowering potential interference for other users and increasing system capacity.
Systems that are now being discussed and deployed such as GPRS, 2.5G and 3G systems are often packet switched rather than circuit switched and most include provisions for variable data rates. These variable data rates allow large data transfers in reasonable time periods when required and when the channel conditions allow. Typically in CDMA systems variable data rates are accommodated by employing different spreading factors. Basically this can be viewed as how many channel symbols or chips a given information symbol is spread over. For example in one CDMA system commonly referred to as wideband CDMA or WCDMA the channel symbol or chip rate is 3.84 million chips per second (Mcps) and spreading factors from 4 to 256 can be used thus enabling data rates or data symbol rates from 960 Kilo symbols per second (Ksps) down to 15 Ksps depending on bandwidth required and channel conditions.
Often the receiving unit for these variable data rate signals does not know the data rate or spreading factor that is being used and must therefore make a blind rate determination before a signal may be properly decoded, etc. This is further complicated where as in one proposed WCDMA system this data rate can be changed with every data frame which has been defined as 10 milliseconds in duration or 38,400 chips. Many of these systems are also taking advantage of more complex antenna structures thus taking advantage of transmitting and thus receiving a signal over multiple paths. The net of all of this is huge quantities of data that must be transported and processed and this is exacerbated in an uplink receiver such as at a base receiver where the receiver may be simultaneously receiving several tens of users. Needless to say this quantity of data and the resultant bandwidth problems can be dramatically reduced by reducing the data at the chip rate to data at an information symbol rate
Various techniques have been used for this blind data rate determination. One basically compares the power for all symbols on a control channel with the power on the data channel. This technique while simple is not accurate except in the case of determining that no signal is present. Another approach is to receive a string of data that is sufficiently large to include a CRC error check code and attempt look for a correct CRC considering each possible spreading factor. While this may work reasonably well given a reasonably stable channel large amounts of data must be buffered and complex computations must be repetitively undertaken until, if ever, a correct CRC is found. Another approach amounts to performing an autocorrelation with each possible symbol stream for each possible spreading factor and choosing the spreading factor that results in the largest autocorrelation over some number of symbols at the highest spreading factor. While it is claimed that this process works it still requires significant amounts of data and a large number of complex calculations before a comparison of each possible spreading factor based signal can be undertaken.
What is needed is a method and apparatus that can efficiently determine a data rate for a variable data rate signal in an expeditious fashion without incurring the problems observed with the prior art. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A known hybrid vehicle has an engine, a motor/generator (MG) used for driving, starting of the engine and power generation, and a clutch that is disposed between the engine and the motor/generator. When such a hybrid vehicle coasts, a fuel supply to the engine is stopped and the clutch is disengaged so the engine is isolated from a drive transmission and the motor/generator. With this operation, there is no loss of electrical energy regeneration due to engine friction during a deceleration regenerative power generation by the motor/generator, and a regenerative power amount is secured fully and efficiently. In such a hybrid vehicle, for instance, when the hybrid vehicle coasts down a long hill with an accelerator pedal released by a driver, the MG is used as the generator, and a frequency or the number of occurrences of recovering electricity by performing the regenerative power generation increases.
In this situation, it is conceivable that a situation will often occur in which a battery that stores the regenerative power or electricity becomes fully charged. That is, it is conceivable that a case will often occur where a state of charge (SOC) of the battery exceeds a specified value, and regeneration becomes impossible. Thus, in the case where the SOC exceeds the specified value, in order to prevent an overcharge of the battery, a regenerative braking by the MG is controlled or restrained (or suppressed). For this case where the regenerative braking is restrained even though the driver releases the accelerator pedal, there are systems such as those taught in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 2004-162534 and 2006-306328 in which a clutch arranged between the engine and the motor is engaged, and the deceleration is performed by the engine friction. In addition, a system with a stepped transmission in such hybrid vehicle provided with two clutches has also been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2005-221073. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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With the proliferation of mobile devices, particularly mobile communication devices such as cellular telephones, personal data assistants (PDAs), tablet devices etc., backup and restore operations have increasingly become an integral part of daily use of these mobile devices. However, as working environments, mobile applications and/or network storage infrastructures continue to evolve, new challenges accompanied by constantly changing requirements on the mobile devices also emerge to support such capabilities.
For example, conventional backup/restore operations may be based on complicated interactions with backup/restore software and hardware using high bandwidth network connections. Mobile devices, however, are often used in transit with wireless network connections which may be unreliable, bandwidth limited and/or unpredictable from one location to another location. Therefore, lengthy time and/or multiple attempts may be required to complete the backup/restore operations for the mobile devices. Furthermore, additional security risk may be found in the openness of most wireless networks for these operations.
As such, existing mechanisms may not back up and/or restore mobile devices in a reliable, secure and user friendly manner. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the amount of ink supplied for use in a printing press.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In presses such as offset printing presses, an impression is in general made by mounting a form plate on a plate cylinder and by supplying ink to the printing area on the form plate by a form roller rotated in a state wherein it is in contact with the form plate while feeding dampening water to the area on the form plate other than the printing area by a dempening roller rotated in a state wherein it is in contact with the form plate. The printing area on the form plate has dots formed on it at fixed intervals over a predetermined area of the form plate with a printing image having a high density represented by larger dots and a printing image of a low density represented by smaller dots. Therefore, the amount of ink supplied to the printing area on the form plate is determined by the ratio of dots of various sizes to the predetermined area of the form plate, i.e., the value of the area ratio of the printing area.
In this press, the amount of ink supplied to the form plate by the form roller is adjusted by an ink amount adjusting device such as that shown in FIG. 7. The ink amount adjusting device includes an ink blade 1, ink adjusting screws 2, ink blade position detectors (potentiometers or the like) 3, ink blade position control motors 4, and a housing 1A. The ink blade 1 is desposed along the longitudinal direction of an ink fountain roller 5. The ink adjusting screws 2 are respectively disposed for each of the longitudinal divided areas of the ink blade 1, these areas of the ink blade 1 being moved toward or away from the ink fountain roller 5 by the corresponding ink adjusting screws 2 so as to adjust the gap between the ink blade 1 and the ink fountain roller 5 through which ink is supplied to the form plate. The position of the ink blade 1 relative to the ink fountain roller 5 which is adjusted by the ink adjusting screws 2 is detected by the corresponding ink blade position detectors 3. The position of the ink blade 1 is controlled by the corresponding control motors 4 through the ink adjusting screws 2 on the basis of the values detected by the corresponding ink blade position detectors 3.
The rotation of each of the control motors 4 is transmitted to the corresponding ink adjusting screw 2 through a gear 4A fixed to the output shaft of the control motor 4 and a gear 2A fixed to the ink adjustig screw 2. The position of the ink blade 1 is transmitted to each of the ink blade position detectors 3 through the ink adjusting screw 2, the gear 2A, a gear 3A, a clutch 6 and a disk 3B to the ink blade position detector 3. The gear 3A is mounted on the input shaft of the ink blade position detector 3 in such a manner that it can race thereon. The disk 3B is fixed to the input shaft of the ink blade position detector 3.
In the known ink amount adjusting device of the above-described type, the position of the ink blade 1 is manually zeroed approximately once a week by a large number of ink adjusting screws 2 which may be incorporated in a printing press, the total number thereof being, for example, 120. Reference numeral 7 denotes an adjusting knob provided on each of the ink adjusting screws 2.
Such a known ink amount adjusting device, however, involves a disadvantage is that it requires zero adjustment of each of the ink blade position detectors 3 which is conducted after the position of the ink blade 2 has been zeroed by the ink adjusting screws 2. Each ink blade position detector 3 is zeroed by disengaging the clutch 6, by manually adjusting the ink blade position detector 3 so that its indicator rests exactly on "a position which represents zero", and by engaging the clutch 6 after the position of the ink blade 1 has been zeroed by the ink adjusting screws 2.
More specifically, in the known ink amount adjusting device, it is necessary to zero the ink blade position detectors separately after the position of the ink blade has been zeroed by the ink adjusting screws. Thus, a great deal of time is required for zero adjustment. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Primer extension reactions are widely used in modern molecular biology. For example, in Sanger sequencing, an oligonucleotide primer is annealed to a 5′ end of a template, and deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs), polymerase, and four dideoxynucleotide terminators are added to form a reaction composition (the four teminators are either added to separate reactions or together in one reaction), and the reaction composition is incubated under appropriate conditions to achieve primer extension and termination.
Analysis of microsatellites, including Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTRs) and Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), is another widely used method employing a primer extension reaction. STRs are sequences of two to seven nucleotides that are tandemly repeated at one or more locations in the genome. The number of tandem repeats varies from individual to individual. For certain genetic analysis techniques, STRs are amplified by PCR using specific primers flanking the repeat region and the number of repeats is determined. In certain techniques, the determination is made using size differentiation, e.g., by electrophoresis, mass spectroscopy, or chromatography. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The present invention relates to bag dispensing systems, and particularly to a bag and system for dispensing thermoplastic bags or the like from a stack of bags. The present system is configured for point of use dispensing to a customer, such as in the produce section of a grocery store or market.
The preferred, exemplary embodiment of the present system teaches a free standing bag dispensing stand configured to hold at least a single pack of produce bags, but which may include as many as four or produce bag packs of equal or different sizes. Each bag pack is dispensed from a station which includes an underlying, medially situated, angled bag pack support, configured to provide optimal support for the user in opening and removing the bag to be dispensed from the bag pack.
Further contemplated is a unique cover which is placed over the bag pack to be dispensed, the cover having an opening formed therethrough for the dispensing of bags therethrough, the opening configured to provide optimal dispensing of the bags while maintaining the remaining bags in a uniform bag pack. The cover may include advertising, and may include a pocket or retaining means for allowing the placement of notices, advertising thereupon, or holding means for allowing the dispensing of coupons or bag ties therefrom. The cover not only facilitates uniform dispensing of bags from the pack, but also holds the pack down when the system is used in windy conditions.
Produce bags are dispensed directly to customers at produce counters or the like, where the customer can bag the produce as it is chosen for purchase. A common problem with dispensing produce bags is providing the bag to the consumer in a convenient, simple, and reliable fashion. Further considerations relate to ease of replenishing the supply, uniformity of dispensing, ease of opening, and providing closure means such as bag ties or the like. Prior art patents have contemplated various dispensers for produce bags, including rolls of unfolded or folded bags, dispensing boxes, and stands, which may be wall mounted for free standing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,833 issued 1998 teaches a free standing plastic bag dispenser for dispensing packs of produce bags or the like, wherein the bag packs are hung on folded plastic tab members and supported by a single, wide, medially situated hook (18A). A horizontally situated backing bar (16) for maintaining the packs xe2x80x9cin a substantially planar condition which is pleasing to the eyexe2x80x9d. FIG. 8 illustrates a bag pack having a perforated tab which is heat sealed at insertion points (22e), the tab having formed therein first and second apertures (27) for receiving first and second support hooks (18xe2x80x2).
While the prior art has contemplated a free standing produce bag stand for dispensing individual bags from a pack of produce bags, it would appear that the prior art has failed to teach a produce bag dispensing system which includes an angled medial support member to aid in removing the top most bag from the stack.
Unlike the prior art, the present invention provides a bag dispenser system which is comparatively strong and reliable, while being inexpensive to manufacture, requiring little in the way of custom manufacturing equipment, while being consistent in performance and quality.
Prior art systems for produce bag dispensers for dispensing individual bags from a pack of bags are found to have shortcomings relating to the expense of manufacture and the ease of use. Specialized tabs for supporting the bag packs add material and labor costs to the product, as well as requiring specilized racks for holding the packs. Hanging the bag pack presents additional problems in dispensing the top most bag, as the hanging pack lacks support, and a user pressing against the top most bag in an attempt to retrieve same must pinch and grab the bag to pull it, as applying pressure to the bag simply results in the bag pack being pushed back. When the user must pinch and grab the bag, all to often more than one bag at a time is dispensed, and the additional bags often end up on the floor, resulting in waste and a potential safety hazard.
What is therefore required is a bag rack which is provides a stable platform for the dispensing of produce bags, so that a user may easily and with little instruction dispense a single, top bag from the pack.
The present invention provides the stability lacking in the prior art by adding an angled support member medially situated between first and second support hooks, the support member providing a stable platform upon which a user may apply pressure to the top bag of the pack, and pulling toward the user, the bag is dispensed without the necessity of pinching the bag pack and pulling the pack toward the user, which, as above disclosed, can result in more than one bag being dispensed.
In order to further aid dispensing of the top most bag from the bag pack, a cover having some mass is provided to provide a weighted top layer over the bag pack, the cover having formed therein a dispensing aperture which guides the user to the optimal portion of the bag for dispensing same, wherein the user contacts the top most bag within the confines of the aperture formed in the cover, and, by pressing down upon the top most bag and directing said pressure toward the consumer, the bag pack is supported by the underlying medial support member, and the top most bag is detached from the pack and dispensed through the aperture to the customer consistently as a single bag with relative reliability and ease. The cover has the additional purpose of preventing the bag pack from blowing in wind, while securing the bag pack in a flat, uniform fashion.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for dispensing individual thermoplastic bags or the like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a perforated, solid fused tab having a first and second handle support apertures formed therein for accepting first and second support hooks on the rack.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bag dispensing system which requires little significant equipment modification, while providing a consistent quality, strong and aesthetically acceptable product.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bag rack which includes a medial support member for providing angled support of the dispensing area of the pack.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cover configured to be used with the bag pack and rack of the present invention, wherein the support cover has formed therethrough a dispensing aperture configured to guide the user to the optimal portion of the top bag for dispensing from the bag rack.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a cover which protects the bag pack while maintaining the bag pack in a flat, uniform, fashion even under windy conditions.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bag pack which is easily loaded upon a rack, providing a consistent and reliable dispenser for produce bags or the like. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Numerous surgical procedures, such as coronary bypass surgery, reverse or in-situ femoral-popliteal or femoral-tibial bypass procedures and the like, may involve accessing and/or harvesting the saphenous vein or other blood vessel of a patient. For example, in coronary bypass surgery, a vein may be harvested from elsewhere in the patient's body and grafted into place between the aorta and a coronary artery. It is generally preferred to use a vein taken from the patient undergoing the surgery, as the patient is a ready source of suitable veins that will not be rejected by the body after grafting. In particular, the saphenous vein in the leg is often used for this procedure, for example, because the saphenous vein is typically 3-5 mm in diameter and comparable in size to the coronary arteries. Furthermore, the venous system of the leg is sufficiently redundant that the saphenous vein may be removed and the remaining veins in the leg will continue to provide adequate return blood flow. Alternatively, the cephalic vein in the arm may sometimes be used.
Traditionally, to harvest the saphenous vein, an open surgical procedure has been used to expose and remove the vein from the leg. Because of wound morbidity and patient pain often encountered in such procedures, however, minimally invasive access has become increasingly preferred.
For example, instead of an open procedure, an interrupted incision method may be used in which a series of incisions with skin bridges between them are made between the groin, the knee and/or the ankle. Through the incisions, the surgeon dissects the vein from the surrounding tissues, lifts the vein from the tissues, and divides and ligates the various tributary veins that feed into the saphenous vein. Once the vein is completely mobilized, the surgeon cuts the ends of the vein and removes it from the leg. The incisions in the leg are closed, and the vein is prepared for implantation.
During an interrupted incision procedure, a retractor may be used to assist in visualization of the vein. The retractor typically includes a wide, flat shaft with a handle on its proximal end made from stainless steel. The retractor may be inserted into an incision and directed along a previously dissected path over a section of vein to be harvested. The handle of the retractor may then be lifted away from the surface of the leg, thereby maintaining the space created by dissection under the shaft adjacent the vein in an open condition. Such retractors may include a source of light connected to the proximal end, and light from the light source may be projected into the space to facilitate visualization of the vein.
In an alternative method, vein harvesting may be accomplished using an endoscopic procedure. One or more small incisions may be made at selected locations for providing access to the vein being harvested. For example, to harvest the saphenous vein, an incision may be made at the groin, at the knee, and/or at the ankle. A tunneling instrument, such as a blunt or soft-tipped dissector, may be utilized to dissect subcutaneous tissue along the anterior surface of the vein being harvested. Such instruments generally include an elongate member, which can be fabricated from transparent, opaque or other material, having a rounded distal end and a passage therein for receiving an endoscope, the endoscope providing visualization within or beyond the walls of the instrument.
The tunneling instrument is inserted into the incision and advanced or pushed along between tissue layers to dissect and expose the saphenous vein. The tip of the instrument is generally kept near or in contact with the vein as the instrument is advanced along, thereby creating a small tunnel adjacent the anterior surface of the vein. An inflatable balloon (alternatively provided in a collapsed condition on the tunneling instrument prior to insertion into the incision) may be introduced into the tunnel, and inflated to further dissect the tunnel to an appropriate size for surgery.
Once the desired length of vein is exposed and an appropriate tunnel developed, the balloon and/or tunneling instrument may be removed, and a retractor, typically a wide flat shaft with a handle on its proximal end, may be inserted into the incision and directed along the dissected path over the section of vein to be harvested. The handle of the retractor may then be lifted away from the surface of the leg, thereby maintaining the working space created by dissection under the shaft adjacent the vein in an open condition. Surgical instruments may then be inserted into the working space to dissect the tissues surrounding the vein, ligate tributary veins, and mobilize the vein. An endoscope may be provided in a passage in the retractor or inserted directly into the working space to allow visualization during the harvesting procedure.
Retractor devices in vein harvesting procedures often have limitations. For example, such retractors typically require external support to hold the retractor away from the surface of the vein and maintain the working space. The surgeon or physician's assistant may have to hold a handle on the retractor, preventing both hands from being free for the procedure or may even require an assistant. Alternatively, an external mechanical support may be provided to hold the retractor, but such a support may interfere with access to the operative site.
Some retractors include a distal hood capable of maintaining a working space thereunder. These hoods, however, only create a limited self-supported working space, requiring that the retractor be moved when it is desired to work in a new location. Such retractors also generally require external support to provide access along the retractor shaft between the incision and the hooded space.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device for retracting subcutaneous tissues and/or for holding open a working space during surgical procedures that provides improved illumination and/or visualization within the space. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) refer to several conditions in which lymphocytes are produced in excessive quantities. They typically occur in patients who have compromised immune systems. Examples of LPDs include, but are not limited to, follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, lymphomas, multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, autoimmune lymphoproliferatieve syndrome (ALPS), lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, and CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders. Examples of CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders include lymphomatoid papulosis and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
Lymphomatoid papulosis (LYP) is characterized by multiple papules and nodules, which regress spontaneously. Three histologic subtypes have been described, which represent a spectrum with overlapping features and do not carry prognostic significance. Type A lesions have a few tumor cells in a background of inflammatory cells including neutrophils, eosinophils, and histiocytes. Type B lesions are characterized by epidermotropic lymphocytes with cerebriform nuclei mimicking mycosis fungoides. Type C lesions have sheets of large atypical lymphoid cells with only a few admixed inflammatory cells. The large atypical lymphoid cells are thought to be of T cell origin. Various histologic types may be present in individual patients at the same time. In LYP types A and C the large atypical cells express CD30, CD3, and CD4. CD2 and CD5 are usually expressed. These cells also express the cytotoxic markers TIA-1 and granzyme. The large atypical cells do not express CD8, CD7, or CD56. The cells may lose expression of CD3. In LYP type B the atypical cells are usually CD30 negative. Five year survival rates for LYP are 100%; however up to 20% of patients develop LYP-associated malignant lymphomas (e.g., mycosis fungoides, Hodgkin lymphoma, systemic or cutaneous CD30+ large T-cell lymphoma), which result in a fatal outcome of 2% of patients.
Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is composed of large atypical to anaplastic appearing lymphoid cells. This disease mainly affects adults with a peak in the sixth decade, but cases have been reported in children. It usually presents as a solitary rapidly growing nodule. The skin overlying the lesion may ulcerate. Histologically the cells grow in sheets. Mitotic figures are frequent. Clusters of small reactive lymphocytes are found within and around the tumor cells. The malignant cells express CD2, CD3, CD4, CD30, and cytotoxic markers including TIA-1, granzyme, and perforin. Loss of T-cell antigen expression is not infrequent. The malignant cells do not express EMA or ALK. Five year survival rates approach 90%. Interestingly, up to 40% of C-ALCL show spontaneous regression similarly to LYP.
Improved methods for detecting, investigating, and treating CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders (e.g., lymphomatoid papulosis; primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma) are needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a data writing control device, a data writing control method, and a data writing control program.
2. Description of Related Art
When writing data to an optical disc such as a CD or DVD, the host computer first converts and stores the data to be recorded to the optical disc to disc image data on a hard disk drive. Then in response to requests from the optical disc drive, the host computer reads and supplies the disc image data from the hard disk to the optical disc drive. This process repeats until all of the data is written.
Disc publishers that have a plurality of optical disc drives and print prescribed information on the printing side of the optical discs (the label side) to which data is written by the plural optical disc drives are also known from the literature. See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2007-188548.
When writing the data to the optical disc, the host computer must repeat a process of reading and storing the data from the hard disk drive into a buffer, and then once the data is buffered reading and supplying the data from the buffer to the optical disc drive, but data cannot be supplied to the optical disc drive while data is being read from the hard disk drive. The host computer also cannot read data from the hard disk drive while supplying data to the optical disc drive. The actual data writing speed is therefore slower than the theoretical writing speed of the optical disc drive.
A further problem with a disc publisher is that because the process reading data from the hard disk drive and the process supplying the data to the optical disc drive must be repeatedly executed for each of the optical disc drives, the optical disc writing speed drops even more. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to medical insertion devices, and more particularly to a flexible chest tube insertion apparatus with a hardened insertion tip, video camera, fluid lumen and stiffening balloon that is inserted within the chest tube and expanded during use.
2. Description of Related Art
The inside of the mammalian chest cavity is lined with two layers of pleural tissue (visceral and parietal) that are separated by the pleural space. The interior of the chest is kept at a negative pressure to keep the lungs inflated. The presence of air in the pleural space (pneumothorax), blood in the pleural space (hemothorax) or fluid (pleural effusion) are commonly occurring conditions arising from chest trauma, diseases or surgical procedures that can be potentially lethal without prompt treatment.
Chest tubes are typically placed into the pleural space of patients who have air and/or fluid around the lung that can collapse the lung. The chest tube is normally placed more anteriorly around the second or third intercostal space (ICS) in the anterior axillary or midclavicular line when air is the expected product to be drained. When blood or fluid is to be drained, the tube is typically inserted around the fifth to seventh ICS.
A conventional chest tube is usually a pre-packaged sterile plastic tube with a central metal trochar. These tubes currently are placed in the body either by making a surgical incision between adjacent ribs and making a hole into the chest crudely with a clamp or by a “Seldinger” technique which is to place a wire in the chest and then blindly pass dilators over the wire until the tube can be inserted into the opened space.
However, surgical dissection through the chest wall can result in complications. For example, over penetration during insertion can puncture major organs such as the lungs, liver, heart and spleen as well as produce vascular system injuries, diaphragm perforation and insertion site infections. These methods can produce problems with excessive pain as well as poor tube positioning since there is no visual feedback as to the location of the tubes during insertion thereby leading to unnecessary risks for patients.
Accordingly, there is a need for a chest tube insertion system and apparatus that will allow accurate placement of the chest tube while avoiding internal injuries and complications from the insertion procedure. The present invention satisfies that need as well as others and is generally an advancement in the art. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
With the advancement of information communication technologies, various wireless communication technologies have recently been developed. Among the wireless communication technologies, a wireless local area network (WLAN) is a technology whereby Internet access is possible in a wireless fashion in homes or businesses or in a region providing a specific service by using a portable terminal such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a portable multimedia player (PMP), etc.
Ever since the institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802, i.e., a stan-dardization organization for WLAN technologies, was established in February 1980, many standardization works have been conducted. In the initial WLAN technology, a frequency of 2.4 GHz was used according to the IEEE 802.11 to support a data rate of 1 to 2 Mbps by using frequency hopping, spread spectrum, infrared communication, etc. Recently, the WLAN technology can support a data rate of up to 54 Mbps by using orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM). In addition, the IEEE 802.11 is developing or commercializing standards of various technologies such as quality of service (QoS) improvement, access point protocol compatibility, security enhancement, radio resource measurement, wireless access in vehicular environments, fast roaming, mesh networks, inter-working with external networks, wireless network management, etc.
In the IEEE 802.11, the IEEE 802.11b supports a data transfer rate of up to 11 Mbps by using a frequency band of 2.4 GHz. The IEEE 802.11a commercialized after the IEEE 802.11b uses a frequency band of 5 GHz instead of the frequency band of 2.4 GHz and thus significantly reduces influence of interference in comparison with the very congested frequency band of 2.4 GHz. In addition, the IEEE 802.11a has improved the data transfer rate to up to 54 Mbps by using the OFDM technology. Disadvantageously, however, the IEEE 802.11a has a shorter communication distance than the IEEE 802.11b. Similarly to the IEEE 802.11b, the IEEE 802.11g implements the data transfer rate of up to 54 Mbps by using the frequency band of 2.4 GHz. Due to its backward compatibility, the IEEE 802.11g is drawing attention, and is advantageous over the IEEE 802.11a in terms of the communication distance.
The IEEE 802.11n is a technical standard relatively recently introduced to overcome a limited data transfer rate which has been considered as a drawback in the WLAN. The IEEE 802.11n is devised to increase network speed and reliability and to extend an operational distance of a wireless network. More specifically, the IEEE 802.11n supports a high throughput (HT), i.e., a data processing rate of up to 540 Mbps or higher, and is based on a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) technique which uses multiple antennas in both a transmitter and a receiver to minimize a transmission error and to optimize a data rate. In addition, this standard may use a coding scheme which transmits several duplicate copies to increase data reliability and also may use the OFDM to support a higher data rate.
With the widespread use of the WLAN and the diversification of applications using the WLAN, there is a recent demand for a new WLAN system to support a higher throughput than a data processing rate supported by the IEEE 802.11n. However, an IEEE 802.11n medium access control (MAC)/physical layer (PHY) protocol is not effective to provide a throughput of 1 Gbps or higher. This is because the IEEE 802.11n MAC/PHY protocol is designed for an operation of a single station (STA), that is, an STA having one network interface card (NIC), and thus when a frame throughput is increased while conforming to the conventional IEEE 802.11n MAC/PHY protocol, a resultant additional overhead is also increased. Consequently, there is a limitation in increasing a throughput of a wireless communication network while conforming to the conventional IEEE 802.11n MAC/PHY protocol, that is, a single STA architecture.
Therefore, to achieve a data processing rate of 1 Gbps or higher in the wireless communication system, a new system different from the conventional IEEE 802.11n MAC/PHY protocol (i.e., the single STA architecture) is required. A very high throughput (VHT) WLAN system is a next version of the IEEE 802.11n WLAN system, and is one of IEEE 802.11 WLAN systems which have recently been proposed to support a data processing rate of 1 Gbps or higher in a MAC service access point (SAP). The VHT system is named arbitrarily. To provide a throughput of 1 Gbps or higher, a feasibility test is currently being conducted for the VHT system using 4?4 MIMO and a channel bandwidth of 80 MHz.
A method using a band of 6 GHz or lower and a method using a band of 60 GHz are currently discussed as a method for achieving a throughput of 1 Gbps or higher in a very high throughput (VHT) wireless local access network (WLAN) system. Herein, the throughput of 1 Gbps or higher is used as a criterion, and is a value measured by a medium access control (MAC) service access point (SAP). An access point (AP) supporting a VHT and a non-AP station (STA) may have a MAC/physical layer (PHY) protocol operating in a band of 6 GHz or lower and/or in a band of 60 GHz. An STA that can operate in both the band of 6 GHz or lower and the band of 60 GHz, that is, an STA that supports a VHT protocol in both the band of 6 GHz or lower and the band of 60 GHz is referred to as a multi-band VHT STA.
The band of 6 GHz or lower shows a relatively wide service coverage but disadvantageously has a small available channel bandwidth. On the other hand, the band of 60 GHz advantageously has a great available channel bandwidth, but disadvantageously has a narrower service coverage than the channel using the band of 6 GHz or lower according to a channel property. The two bands may be both used in a method of effectively using the advantages and disadvantages of the two bands. That is, in this method, a multi-band VHT STA is used.
For example, when communication is performed between multi-band VHT STAs located close to each other, a channel using the band of 60 GHz is used, whereas when communication is performed between multi-band VHT STAs located relatively far from each other, a channel using the band of 6 GHz or lower is used. In this manner, when located close to each other, a high throughput can be achieved by using a relatively wide channel bandwidth in the channel using the band of 60 GHz, whereas when located far from each other, reliable communication can be achieved by using the channel using the band of 6 GHz or lower even if a throughput is slightly decreased. In the latter case, instead of the VHT protocol, communication can be performed by utilizing the conventional WLAN protocol, e.g., institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11a/b/g/n or the like.
In order for the multi-band VHT STA to communicate in both the band of 60 GHz and the band of 6 GHz or lower in this manner, there is a need to define a band switching procedure. However, such a band switching procedure is not defined in the currently available WLAN technology. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The present invention relates generally to power tools, and more particularly to a drilling tool or a drilling and driving tool.
Power tools of the above mentioned general type are known in the art. One of the main requirements for such a power tool is to design it so that the tool itself held in the power tool can be located as close as possible to an outer contour of the power tool housing to allow drilling or driving in limited clearance areas. In known power tools of this type the motor is conventionally arranged immediately behind a chuck sometimes with a clutch therebetween. In this construction the outer diameter of the motor and/or the clutch determines the diameter of the housing which accommodates the same. A power tool is also known in which a motor is located on a separate shaft and faces rearwardly, and the transmission is performed through toothed gears which determine the diameter of the housing. In both cases the diameter of the housing is quite substantial, and the outer contour of the housing projects radially beyond the outer contour of the chuck, thus limiting manipulations with the power tool in narrow clearance spaces. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
When a car is carrying a heavy load or climbing a steep sloping surface, it will require a greater horse power for driving the engine. However, when the car is air conditioned, the car engine will also be subject to a load for driving a compressor of the air conditioner built in the car, causing a slow-down of the car running even deeply treadling the accelerator pedal, especially for a small car with lower horse power.
The recently developed high-class car may even be provided with computer-controlled switch which will be actuated to stop the compressor running of a car air conditioner when subject to a heavy engine load. However, such a computer-controlled switch is quite expensive and not feasible popularly.
The present inventor has found the drawbacks of the conventional car and invented the present vacuum-controlled switch means. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
In recent years, a refrigeration cycle device has been attracting attentions that uses, as a refrigerant, carbon dioxide, which has zero ozonosphere rupture potential and a markedly small global warming potential as compared with those of chlorofluorocarbons. The critical temperature of the carbon dioxide refrigerant is as low as 31.06 degrees C. When a temperature higher than this temperature is used, the refrigerant at a high-pressure side (from the outlet of a compressor, to a radiator, and then to the inlet of a pressure-reducing device) of the refrigeration cycle device becomes a supercritical state in which the refrigerant is not condensed, thereby decreasing operating efficiency (coefficient of performance, COP) of the refrigeration cycle device as compared with a conventional refrigerant. Hence, means for increasing COP is important for the refrigeration cycle device using the carbon dioxide refrigerant.
As such means, there is suggested a refrigeration cycle including an expander instead of the pressure-reducing device and recovering pressure energy during expansion to use the pressure energy as power. Meanwhile, in a refrigeration cycle device with a configuration in which positive-volume compressor and expander are coupled with one shaft, when VC is a stroke volume of the compressor and VE is a stroke volume of the expander, a ratio of circulation volumes of the refrigerants respectively flowing through the compressor and the expander is determined by VC/VE (a design volume ratio). When DC is a density of the refrigerant at the outlet of an evaporator (the refrigerant which flows into the compressor) and DE is a density of the refrigerant at the outlet of the radiator (the refrigerant which flows into the expander), a relationship of “VC×DC=VE×DE,” that is, a relationship of “VC/VE=DE/DC” is established since the circulation volumes of the refrigerant flows respectively flowing through the compressor and the expander are equivalent. VC/VE (the design volume ratio) is a constant that is determined when the device is designed. The refrigeration cycle tends to keep balance so that DE/DC (the density ratio) is always constant. (Hereinafter, the phenomenon is called “constraint of constant density ratio.”)
However, use conditions of the refrigeration cycle device may not be constant, and hence if the design volume ratio expected at the time of the design differs from the density ratio in the actual operating state, it is difficult to adjust the high-pressure-side pressure to an optimal pressure due to the “constraint of constant density ratio.”
Owing to this, there is suggested a configuration and a control method for adjusting the high-pressure-side pressure to the optimal pressure by providing a bypass passage that bypasses the expander and controlling the amount of refrigerant which flows into the expander (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
Also, there is suggested a configuration and a control method for adjusting the high-pressure-side pressure to the optimal pressure by providing a compression bypass passage that bypasses a phase from an intermediate position of a compression process of a main compressor to completion of the compression process and a sub-compressor provided in the compression bypass passage, and controlling the amount of refrigerant which flows into the sub-compressor (for example, see Patent Literature 2). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to frequency standards based on mode-locked fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers and fiber-based ultra-broad bandwidth light sources, and applications of the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Mode-locked fiber lasers have several advantages over both mode-locked bulk solid state lasers and mode-locked diode lasers. Mode-locked fiber lasers offer typically superior noise properties compared to mode-locked diode lasers and can be packaged in smaller spaces than mode-locked bulk solid state lasers. Mode-locked fiber lasers can be produced with excellent thermal and mechanical stability. Passively mode-locked fiber lasers in particular can be constructed with few and inexpensive optical components, suitable for mass production, as disclosed in patent publication US 2004/0213302 to Fermann et al.
The dispersion compensated fiber lasers as disclosed by Fermann et al. allow the construction of low noise frequency comb sources. The incorporation of highly nonlinear Bi-fibers was further suggested to minimize the noise of such sources. In addition Fermann et al. disclosed the design of fiber lasers operating at repetition rates in excess of 1 GHz.
Low-noise operation of fiber lasers minimizes their timing jitter, allowing optimized control of the timing of the pulses. In contrast, other prior art modelocked fiber lasers are either limited in repetition rate or achievable timing jitter.
Generally, the noise background in fiber lasers can be minimized by operating well above threshold. Hence, modelocked fiber lasers enabling the oscillation of high energy pulses are very beneficial. Such high pulse energy fiber lasers were previously described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/109,711 to Fermann et al. based on the oscillation of near parabolic pulses inside a positive dispersion fiber laser cavity. An optimum in pulse stability is then obtained by the incorporation of bandpass filters into the cavity. As mentioned in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/109,711 the bandpass filtering action can also come from the gain medium. The benefits of using parabolic pulses inside modelocked fiber lasers were later reiterated in US patent application 2005/0169324 to Ilday et al. The lack of any bandpass filters in these systems restricts the operation of such systems to parabolic fiber lasers operating close to the zero dispersion point and can lead to pulse stability problems.
The '302 publication constituted the first low noise fiber-based frequency comb source. Here low noise operation was obtained by controlling the fiber cavity dispersion in a certain well-defined range. Low noise operation of fiber frequency comb sources is generally required in order to enable stable locking of the carrier envelope offset frequency fceo of the laser. For example, early work on fiber frequency comb lasers as disclosed in F. Tauser, A. Leitenstorfer, and W. Zinth, “Amplified femtosecond pulses from an Er:fiber system: Nonlinear pulse shortening and self-referencing detection of the carrier-envelope phase evolution,” Opt. Express 11, 594-600 (2003) did not allow locking of fceo of the laser. Other related work by Tauser et al. in US patent publication 2004/0190119 also does not teach a method of producing a low noise frequency comb source. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
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