[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Thin Film Transistor Substrate And Display Panel Comprising The Same

Technical Field and Background:
1. Technical Field The disclosure relates to a thin film transistor, and in particular it relates to a thin film transistor substrate and a display apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art In the conventional process of manufacturing a thin film transistor substrate, an active layer is defined to correspond to a gate electrode and serve as a channel layer after forming the gate electrode and a gate line. Another metal layer is then formed, which includes a source electrode and a drain electrode on two sides of the active layer, and a data line connecting to the source electrode. Only a gate dielectric layer is disposed between the data line and the gate line at their overlapping location. The thickness of the gate dielectric layer should be reduced to reduce the driving current of the thin film transistor. However, the capacitance between the data line and the gate line will be larger with a thinner gate dielectric layer, thereby increasing the loading of the overlapping location of the data line and the gate line. In other words, the conventional structure cannot simultaneously reduce the driving current of the thin film transistor and reduce the capacitance between the data line and the gate line. Accordingly, a novel thin film transistor substrate is called for to simultaneously reduce the driving current of the thin film transistor and reduce the capacitance between the data line and the gate line.

Invention Disclosure:
A display panel is provided, which includes a substrate and a first metal layer on the substrate. The first metal layer includes a gate electrode and a gate line connecting to the gate electrode. A first insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer. A planarization layer is disposed on the first insulation layer. An opening, overlapping the gate electrode, is defined by sidewalls of the planarization layer and a surface of the first insulation layer. An active layer is disposed on the opening and the planarization layer. A second metal layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, and includes a source electrode contacting the active layer and a data line connecting to the source electrode. The planarization layer and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line.

[Assistant]
1. A display panel, comprising:
a substrate;
a first metal layer on the substrate, wherein the first metal layer includes a gate electrode and a gate line connecting to the gate electrode;
a first insulation layer on the first metal layer;
a planarization layer on the first insulation layer;
an opening defined by sidewalls of the planarization layer and a surface of the first insulation layer, wherein the opening overlaps the gate electrode;
an active layer on the planarization layer and covering the opening; and
a second metal layer on the active layer, wherein the second metal layer includes a source electrode contacting the active layer and a data line connecting to the source electrode,
wherein the planarization layer and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line,
an etch stop layer on the active layer and the planarization layer, wherein the etch stop layer includes a plurality of contact vias to expose parts of the active layer on the opening, the source electrode contacts the active layer through one of the contact vias, and the etch stop layer, the planarization layer, and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line;
a second insulation layer on the planarization layer, wherein the active layer is disposed on the second insulation layer, and the etch stop layer, the second insulation layer, the planarization layer, and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line.

2. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second metal layer contacts the active layer on the opening.

3. The display panel as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a second insulation layer on the planarization layer, wherein the active layer is disposed on the second insulation layer, and the second insulation layer, the planarization layer, and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line.

4. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the active layer comprises a first part on a surface of the first insulation layer and a second part on the planarization layer, wherein the second metal layer contacts the second part of the active layer.

5. The display panel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the planarization layer is composed of silicon nitride or hydrogen-rich insulation material.

6. The display panel as claimed in claim 4, further comprising an etch stop layer on the active layer and the planarization layer, wherein the etch stop layer includes a plurality of contact vias to expose the second part of the active layer, the source electrode contacts the second part of the active layer through one of the contact vias, and the etch stop layer, the planarization layer, and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line.

7. The display panel as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:
an etch stop layer on the first part of the active layer; and
a protection layer on the etch stop layer, the second part of the active layer, and the planarization layer,
wherein the protection layer includes a plurality of contact vias to expose the second part of the active layer, the source electrode contacts the second part of the active layer through one of the contact vias, and the protection layer, the planarization layer, and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line.

8. The display panel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the protection layer is composed of silicon nitride or hydrogen-rich insulation material.

9. The display panel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the etch stop layer is also disposed on the planarization layer, and the protection layer, the etch stop layer, the planarization layer, and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line.

10. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an opposite substrate; and
a display medium disposed between the substrate and the opposite substrate.

11. A display panel, comprising:
a substrate;
a first metal layer on the substrate, wherein the first metal layer includes a gate electrode and a gate line connecting to the gate electrode;
a first insulation layer on the first metal layer;
a planarization layer on the first insulation layer;
an opening defined by sidewalls of the planarization layer and a surface of the first insulation layer, wherein the opening overlaps the gate electrode;
an active layer on the planarization layer and covering the opening; and
a second metal layer on the active layer, wherein the second metal layer includes a source electrode contacting the active layer and a data line connecting to the source electrode,
wherein the planarization layer and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line,
wherein the active layer comprises a first part on a surface of the first insulation layer and a second part on the planarization layer, wherein the second metal layer contacts the second part of the active layer,
an etch stop layer on the first part of the active layer; and
a protection layer on the etch stop layer, the second part of the active layer, and the planarization layer,
wherein the protection layer includes a plurality of contact vias to expose the second part of the active layer, the source electrode contacts the second part of the active layer through one of the contact vias, and the protection layer, the planarization layer, and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line.

12. The display panel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the protection layer is composed of silicon nitride or hydrogen-rich insulation material.

13. The display panel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the etch stop layer is also disposed on the planarization layer, and the protection layer, the etch stop layer, the planarization layer, and the first insulation layer are disposed between the data line and the gate line.

14. The display panel as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:
an opposite substrate; and
a display medium disposed between the substrate and the opposite substrate.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Antifuse-Type One Time Programming Memory Cell And Array Structure With Same

Technical Field and Background:
As is well known, a non-volatile memory is able to continuously retain data after the supplied power is interrupted. Generally, after the non-volatile memory leaves the factory, the user may program the non-volatile memory in order to record data into the non-volatile memory. According to the number of times the non-volatile memory is programmed, the non-volatile memories may be classified into a multi-time programming memory (also referred as a MTP memory), a one time programming memory (also referred as an OTP memory) and a mask read only memory (also referred as a Mask ROM). Generally, the MTP memory may be programmed many times, and the stored data of the MTP memory may be modified many times. On the contrary, the OTP memory may be programmed once. After the OTP memory is programmed, the stored data fails to be modified. Moreover, after the Mask ROM leaves the factory, all stored data have been recorded therein. The user is only able to read the stored data from the Mask ROM, but is unable to program the Mask ROM. Moreover, depending on the characteristics, the OTP memories may be classified into two types, i.e. a fuse-type OTP memory and an antifuse-type OTP memory. Before a memory cell of the fuse-type OTP memory is programmed, the memory cell has a low-resistance storing state. After the memory cell of the fuse-type OTP memory is programmed, the memory cell has a high-resistance storing state. On the other hand, the memory cell of the antifuse-type OTP memory has the high-resistance storing state before being programmed, and the memory cell of the antifuse-type OTP memory has the low-resistance storing state after being programmed. With increasing advance of the semiconductor manufacturing process, the process of manufacturing the OTP memory is compatible with the CMOS semiconductor manufacturing process. Since the CMOS semiconductor manufacturing process is continuously in progress, there is a need of providing an improved structure of an OTP memory in order to achieve more reliable performance of the OTP memory.

Invention Disclosure:
An antifuse-type OTP memory cell has following structures. A first doped region, a second doped region, a third doped region and a fourth doped region are formed in a well region. A gate oxide layer covers the surface of the well region. A first gate is formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the first doped region and the second doped region. The first gate is connected with a word line. A second gate is formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the second doped region and the third doped region. The second gate is connected with an antifuse control line. A third gate is formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the third doped region and the fourth doped region. The third gate is connected with an isolation control line.

[Assistant]
1. An array structure connected with a first bit line, a first word line, a second word line, a first antifuse control line, a second antifuse control line, a first isolation control line and a second isolation control line, the array structure comprising:
a well region;
a first doped region, a second doped region, a third doped region, a fourth doped region, a fifth doped region, a sixth doped region and a seventh doped region formed in a surface of the well region;
a gate oxide layer covering the surface of the well region;
a first gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the first doped region and the second doped region, wherein the first gate is connected with the first word line;
a second gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the second doped region and the third doped region, wherein the second gate is connected with the first antifuse control line;
a third gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the third doped region and the fourth doped region, wherein the third gate is connected with the first isolation control line;
a fourth gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the seventh doped region and the sixth doped region, wherein the fourth gate is connected with the second word line;
a fifth gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the sixth doped region and the fifth doped region, wherein the fifth gate is connected with the second antifuse control line;
a sixth gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the fifth doped region and the fourth doped region, wherein the sixth gate is connected with the second isolation control line; and
a first metal layer connected with the first doped region through a first via and connected with the seventh doped region through a second via, wherein the first metal layer is the first bit line.

2. The array structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gate oxide layer under the second gate is thinner than the gate oxide layer under the first gate, and the gate oxide layer under the fifth gate is thinner than the gate oxide layer under the fourth gate.

3. The array structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an eighth doped region, a ninth doped region, a tenth doped region, an eleventh doped region, a twelfth doped region, a thirteenth doped region and a fourteenth doped region formed in the surface of the well region;
a seventh gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the eighth doped region and the ninth doped region, wherein the seventh gate is connected with the first word line;
an eighth gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the ninth doped region and the tenth doped region, wherein the eighth gate is connected with the first antifuse control line;
a ninth gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the tenth doped region and the eleventh doped region, wherein the ninth gate is connected with the first isolation control line;
a tenth gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the fourteenth doped region and the thirteenth doped region, wherein the tenth gate is connected with the second word line;
an eleventh gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the thirteenth doped region and the twelfth doped region, wherein the eleventh gate is connected with the second antifuse control line;
a twelfth gate formed on the gate oxide layer and spanned over the twelfth doped region and the eleventh doped region, wherein the twelfth gate is connected with the second isolation control line; and
a second metal layer connected with the eighth doped region through a third via and connected with the fourteenth doped region through a fourth via, wherein the second metal layer is a second bit line.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Display Apparatus And Manufacturing Method Thereof

Technical Field and Background:
In recent years, with the fast development of display technology, touch control display technology, three-dimensional display technology, and electrochromic display technology are also rapidly developed. Generally, it is usually required to set a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) on an out-cell device such as a touch control device, a three-dimensional device and an electrochromic device in an existing display apparatus, which is electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit board on the display panel, to enable conduction between the out-cell device and an external signal and finally realize the normal display function of the display apparatus. However, in some cases, a small number of signal channels are required by the flexible printed circuit board connected to the out-cell device in the display apparatus. For example, referring to FIG. 1 , a naked-eye three-dimensional liquid crystal display is taken as an example. The display panel of the display mainly comprises a first substrate 01 , a second substrate 02 and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) sandwiched between the first substrate 01 and the second substrate 02 . A liquid crystal barrier as the out-cell device of the display mainly comprises a third substrate 03 , a fourth substrate 04 and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) sandwiched between the third substrate 03 and the fourth substrate 04 . Furthermore, the display panel and the out-cell device are both provided with their respective FPCs, i.e., an FPC 1 electrically connected to the first substrate 01 and an FPC 2 electrically connected to the third substrate 03 , as shown in FIG. 1 . However, with respect to such out-cell liquid crystal barrier, in order to achieve black-white display effect, only two electrode signal channels are usually required to obtain stripes alternating between brightness and darkness, thereby realizing three-dimensional display effect. However, the display structure as shown in FIG. 1 needs to additionally make an FPC 2 connected to the three-dimensional liquid crystal barrier. This would cause an increase in the cost of manufacturing the display and does not facilitate simplification of the structure of the out-cell device. Therefore, on the premise of guaranteeing the conduction between the out-cell device in the display apparatus and the external signal, how to simplify the structure of the out-cell device and reduce the cost of manufacturing the display apparatus are problems to be solved by those skilled in the art.

Invention Disclosure:
The present invention discloses a display apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof. The display apparatus comprises a display device, an out-cell device and a flexible printed circuit board for being connected to an external signal. The display device has a first category of leads and a second category of leads; the out-cell device has reserved leads, and the reserved leads are electrically connected to the second category of leads; and the flexible printed circuit board has a first category of pins and a second category of pins, the first category of leads are electrically connected to the first category of pins, and the second category of leads are electrically connected to the second category of pins. In this way, the reserved leads are electrically connected to the second category of leads, while the second category of leads are electrically connected to the second category of pins, thereby enabling conduction between the out-cell device and the external signal. As compared with the prior art in which the out-cell device and the display device are provided with their respective flexible printed circuit boards, the display apparatus as provided in the embodiments of the present invention omits the step of separately making a flexible printed circuit board of the out-cell device, thereby reducing the cost of production of the display apparatus and at the same time further simplifying the structure of the out-cell device of the display apparatus.

[Assistant]
1. A display apparatus comprising:
a display device;
an out-cell device;
a flexible printed circuit board for being connected to an external signal;
wherein a binding area of the display device has a first category of leads and a second category of leads;
wherein a binding area of the out-cell device has reserved leads, the reserved leads being electrically connected to the second category of leads;
wherein the flexible printed circuit board has a first category of pins and a second category of pins, the first category of leads being electrically connected to the first category of pins, and the second category of leads being electrically connected to the second category of pins; and
wherein the out-cell device is an electrochromic device.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reserved leads are electrically connected to the second category of leads via a conductive glue.

3. The display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conductive glue is further covered with a layer of protective glue.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conductive glue is a silver colloid.

5. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the binding area of the display device, the first category of leads and the second category of leads are arranged in parallel, and the second category of leads are located at two sides or one side of the first category of leads.

6. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional device is a liquid crystal barrier, an electrochromic grating or a liquid crystal lens.

7. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the out-cell device comprises a transparent electrode, the transparent electrode being an interdigitated structure or a laminated structure.

8. A method for manufacturing the display apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:
forming, in the binding area of the display device, a first category of leads and a second category of leads;
forming, in the binding area of the out-cell device, reserved leads;
electrically connecting the reserved leads of the out-cell device to the second category of leads of the display device; and
electrically connecting the first category of leads of the display device to the first category of pins of the flexible printed circuit board, and electrically connecting the second category of leads of the display device to the second category of pins of the flexible printed circuit board.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of electrically connecting the reserved leads of the out-cell device to the second category of leads of the display device comprises electrically connecting the reserved leads to the second category of leads via a conductive glue.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising after electrically connecting the reserved leads to the second category of leads via a conductive glue, covering the conductive glue with a layer of protective glue.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the conductive glue is a silver colloid.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein in the binding area of the display device, the first category of leads and the second category of leads are arranged in parallel, and the second category of leads are located at two sides or one side of the first category of leads.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the out-cell device is a three-dimensional device, a touch control device or an electrochromic device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the three-dimensional device is a liquid crystal barrier, an electrochromic grating or a liquid crystal lens.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein the out-cell device comprises a transparent electrode, the transparent electrode being an interdigitated structure or a laminated structure.

16. The method according to claim 8, wherein a conductive glue is used to electrically connect the reserved leads of the out-cell device to the second category of leads of the display device.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:
after electrically connecting the reserved leads of the out-cell device to the second category of leads of the display device using a conductive glue, coating a layer of protective glue on the conductive glue.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Optoelectronic Component Device, Method For Producing An Optoelectronic Component Device And Method For Operating An Optoelectronic Component Device

Technical Field and Background:
Optoelectronic components on an organic basis, for example an organic light emitting diode (OLED), are being increasingly widely used in general lighting. An OLED includes an anode and a cathode with an organic functional layer structure therebetween. The organic functional layer structure may include one or a plurality of emitter layer(s) in which electromagnetic radiation is generated, one or a plurality of charge generating layer structure(s) each composed of two or more charge generating layers (CGL) for charge generation, one or a plurality of hole injection layer(s), one or a plurality of electron injection layer(s), and one or a plurality of electron blocking layer(s), also designated as hole transport layer(s) (HTL), and one or a plurality of hole blocking layer(s), also designated as electron transport layer(s) (ETL), in order to direct the current flow. The luminance of an OLED is limited, inter alia, by the maximum current density that can flow through the diode. In order to increase the luminance of an OLED, it is known to combine one or a plurality of OLEDs one on top of another in series—so-called stacked OLED or a tandem OLED. An OLED can age by the influence of harmful environmental influences and/or the diffusion of organic constituents. As a result, the optoelectronic properties of the OLED can vary in the course of operation. During the aging of an OLED, for example, a gradual decrease in luminance and increase in the voltage drop across the OLED can take place. In other words: the efficiency of a conventional OLED decreases during regular operation—illustrated in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B . FIG. 10A illustrates a measured voltage drop 1002 and a measured, normalized luminance 1006 as a function of the normalized operating duration 1004 of a conventional OLED. The luminance 1006 is normalized to the luminance of an unused OLED, i.e. at 0% operating duration 1004 . The operating duration 1004 is normalized to the time at which the luminance 1006 has fallen to 70% of the original luminance (at 0% operating duration). Furthermore, the lifetime of an OLED can be limited by a change in the voltage drop across the OLED, a change in the uniformity or homogeneity of the luminous area and/or a shift in the color locus. FIG. 10B illustrates the luminous fields 1010 , 1020 , 1030 of a conventional OLED. The initially homogeneous luminous image—illustrated in 1010 in FIGS. 10A and 10B —of a conventional OLED becomes only slightly inhomogeneous during the gradual aging on account of the slight current and temperature inhomogeneities during operation. During the production of an OLED, however, particles 1008 can be included in the layers of the OLED. On account of these particle inclusions 1008 , a failure of the OLED can occur during operation, said failure being manifested as a short circuit (short). Almost the entire current can flow away via the included particles 1008 —illustrated as a dark spot 1008 in 1020 in FIG. 10B . As a result, the OLED can greatly heat up locally around the short circuit, as a result of which breaking (cracking), melting and/or further degradation of the component can occur. As a result, an abrupt failure of the OLED can occur, as a result of which the operating voltage falls toward zero, illustrated in 1030 in FIGS. 10A and 10B . As is illustrated in 1020 in FIG. 10A , no unambiguous indication of the developing short circuit can be discerned in the voltage drop 1002 and the luminance 1006 . In the luminous image, by contrast, a dark spot is clearly formed around the particles 1008 , which dark spot can increase further in size and can ultimately lead to the abrupt failure 1030 of the OLED. Adequate countermeasures against particle inclusions that can limit the lifetime of a conventional OLED as a result of a spontaneous failure have not been available heretofore. Following preliminary tests of an OLED, for example direct or indirect methods for particle screening, for example optical microscopy or thermal measurements, a residual uncertainty with regard to a particle inclusion can nevertheless remain. Furthermore, in conventional methods, OLEDs are operated with simple driver circuits which enable specific brightnesses to be set. These circuits supply the required electrical power for the operation of the OLED without taking account of changes in the optoelectronic properties in the OLED.

Invention Disclosure:
Various embodiments may relate to an optoelectronic component device, including a first optically active structure, which is configured to provide an electromagnetic radiation, a measuring structure, which is configured to determine the luminance distribution of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the measuring structure is configured to determine the luminance distribution in the first optically active structure, and wherein the measurement structure has a plurality of second optically active structures, wherein the plurality of second optically active structures are configured as optoelectric components and/or optoelectronic components, which receive the provided electromagnetic radiation.

[Assistant]
1. An optoelectronic component device, comprising a first optically active structure designed for providing an electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first optically active structure is formed as or comprises one first organic optoelectronic component or a plurality of first organic optoelectronic components, wherein the first optoelectronic component is formed as a surface lighting component;
a measuring structure designed for determining the luminance distribution of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the measuring structure comprises a plurality of second optically active structures, wherein the second optically active structures are configured as optoelectric devices and/or opoelectronic devices which take up the electromagnetic radiation provided and provide a photocurrent, respectively;
a waveguide designed for guiding the electromagnetic radiation provided;
wherein the first optically active structure is optically coupled to the waveguide in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation provided is provided at least partly into the waveguide, and wherein the measuring structure is optically coupled to the waveguide in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation provided is taken up by the measuring structure at least partly from the waveguide;
wherein the measuring structure is designed to determine the luminance distribution in the first optically active structure by determining the photocurrents provided by the second optically active structures and determining a deviation of these photocurrents from a mean photocurrent.

2. The optoelectronic component device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring structure is formed in such a way that in a first operating mode the measuring structure provides a further electromagnetic radiation from an electrical voltage or an electric current applied to the measuring structure, and that in a second operating mode the measuring structure generates generates an electric current or an electrical voltage from the electromagnetic radiation that is provided by the first optically active structure and is taken up by the second optically active structure.

3. The optoelectronic component device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein at least one second optically active structure comprises or is formed as a photoconductor, a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, a photodiode, an organic photodiode, a solar cell, and/or an organic solar cell.

4. The optoelectronic component device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the waveguide is formed as transparent or translucent.

5. The optoelectronic component device as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising an optical coupling structure between the waveguide and the first optically active structure and/or between the waveguide and the measuring structure.

6. A method for producing an optoelectronic component device, the method comprising:
forming a first optically active structure for providing an electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first optically active structure is formed as or comprises one first organic optoelectronic component or a plurality of first organic optoelectronic components, wherein the first optoelectronic component is formed as a surface lighting component;
forming a measuring structure for determining the luminance distribution of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the measuring structure comprises a plurality of second optically active structures, wherein the second optically active structures are configured as optoelectric devices and/or opoelectronic devices which take up the electromagnetic radiation provided and provide a photocurrent, respectively;
providing a waveguide designed for guiding the electromagnetic radiation provided;
wherein the first optically active structure is optically coupled to the waveguide in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation provided is provided at least partly into the waveguide, and wherein the measuring structure is optically coupled to the waveguide in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation provided is taken up by the measuring structure at least partly from the waveguide;
wherein the measuring structure is formed in such a way that the luminance distribution in the first optically active structure is determinable by determining the photocurrents provided by the second optically active structures and determining a deviation of these photocurrents from a mean photocurrent.

7. A method for operating an optoelectronic component device,
the optoelectronic component device, comprising
a first optically active structure designed for providing an electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first optically active structure is formed as or comprises one first organic optoelectronic component or a plurality of first organic optoelectronic components, wherein the first optoelectronic component is formed as a surface lighting component;
a measuring structure designed for determining the luminance distribution of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the measuring structure comprises a plurality of second optically active structures, wherein the second optically active structures are configured as optoelectric devices and/or opoelectronic devices which take up the electromagnetic radiation provided and provide a photocurrent, respectively;
a waveguide designed for guiding the electromagnetic radiation provided;
wherein the first optically active structure is optically coupled to the waveguide in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation provided is provided at least partly into the waveguide, and wherein the measuring structure is optically coupled to the waveguide in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation provided is taken up by the measuring structure at least partly from the waveguide;
wherein the measuring structure is designed to determine the luminance distribution in the first optically active structure by determining the photocurrents provided by the second optically active structures and determining a deviation of these photocurrents from a mean photocurrent,
the method comprising:
measuring the measurement parameters of the measuring structure while the first optically active structure is optically inactive;
measuring the measurement parameters of the measuring structure while the first optically active structure is optically active;
determining the respective differences between the measurement parameters of the plurality of second optically active structures of the measuring structure with the first optically active structure being optically active and the measurement parameters with the first optically active structure being optically inactive; and
setting at least one operating parameter of the optically active structure on the basis of the measurement parameter differences among the plurality of second optically active structures.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7,
wherein setting the at least one operating parameter comprises changing the at least one operating parameter from a first operating parameter set to a second operating parameter set if the plurality of second optoelectronic component have a difference in the signal differences that is greater than a first trigger absolute value.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8,
wherein setting the at least one operating parameter comprises changing the at least one operating parameter from a first operating parameter set to a third operating parameter set if the plurality of second optoelectronic component have on average a signal difference that is less than a second trigger absolute value.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7,
wherein an operating parameter set comprises an operating current, an operating voltage and/or a luminance of the first optically active structure.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the second operating parameter set overdrives the first optically active structure in such a way that the operating current, the operating voltage and/or the luminance are/is increased.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Method And System For Processing Information

Technical Field and Background:
1. Field The present application relates to a method and system for discovering and grouping users of a service. More specifically, this application relates to a method and a system that groups users based on the location and orientation of a mobile device. 2. Related Art With the rapid development of mobile computing technology, usage of mobile applications (commonly referred to as apps) has become increasingly prevalent across mobile phone users. Many marketers have turned to mobile apps when they try to reach a large audience. Accordingly, many apps have been developed for marketing purposes. For example, WeChat (a mobile text and voice messaging communication service developed by Tencent Inc. of China) provides a red envelope function that allows marketers to give away cash or coupons to users in order to promote their brand. Taobao and Tmall (Taobao and Tmall are the online shopping websites operated by Alibaba Group of China) also provide similar mobile apps that can be used as a promotion platform for marketers. One popular function of the red envelope app is the “red envelope fission,” which allows a user to turn a received red envelope (which may contain a predetermined amount of cash reward) into multiple red envelopes that can be distributed to other users. A marketer can effectively reach a larger audience through the propagation of the red envelopes. Similarly, a marketer may want to distribute promotional materials (e.g., cash rewards or merchandise coupons) to a selected group of users. These aforementioned apps and other similar apps require the ability of the server to select, from a large number of users, a group of users, and to allow the selected users to exchange information with the server as a group. To ensure successful and reliable information exchange, the number of users within the group needs to be limited. If the number of users in a particular group exceeds a predetermined threshold, information transmission errors may occur. Conventional approaches, such as the “red envelope fission” app, rely on geographic range to group users and to limit the number of users in a group. For example, the “red envelope fission” app typically requires that the receiver of a red envelope share fissioned red envelopes with users in his vicinity. Similarly, a marketer may distribute a merchandise coupon to users at a particular geographic location, such as within a one-mile radius. Because only a limited number of users can co-exist in a particular geographic location, that location information can be used to limit the user number in a group. The geographic or spatial information of users can be extracted from the global positioning system (GPS) modules in the mobile devices carried by the users. Because most civilian GPS modules have limited accuracy, some apps may place users having the same GPS reading in a group. For example, the precision range of the GPS in a typical mobile device can be around 15 meters; users within the 15-meter radius will have the same GPS readings and will, thus, be assigned to the same group. However, grouping users in the same geographic location has limitations. Some applications may require a group to include users at different geographic locations. For example, a user using the “red envelope fission” app may wish to distribute the fissioned red envelopes to his friends living in a different city. Moreover, a marketer may want to distribute promotional materials to a group of users randomly selected from different cities. The conventional location-based grouping approaches do not provide sufficient flexibility in these situations.

Invention Disclosure:
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for transmitting information. During operation, the system receives, by a server from an initial mobile device, a request for transmitting information. The request does not specify a recipient for the information. The system obtains location and/or orientation information associated with the initial mobile device and location and/or orientation information associated with a plurality of mobile devices. The system selects from the plurality of mobile devices a subset of mobile devices based on the location and/or orientation information associated with the initial mobile device and the location and/or orientation information associated with the plurality of mobile devices, and transmits the information to the selected subset of mobile devices.

[Assistant]
1. A computer-executable method, comprising:
receiving, by a server from an initial mobile device, a request for distributing resources, wherein the request does not specify a mobile device for receiving the distributed resources;
obtaining location information, orientation information, or both, associated with the initial mobile device;
obtaining location information, orientation information, or both, associated with a plurality of mobile devices;
selecting from the plurality of mobile devices a subset of mobile devices based on the obtained location information, orientation information, or both, associated with the initial mobile device and the obtained location information, orientation information, or both, associated with the plurality of mobile devices; and
distributing the resources to the selected subset of mobile devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the subset of mobile devices involves:
defining a region based on the location and orientation of the initial mobile device; and
identifying mobile devices located within the defined region.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein defining the region involves:
using the location of the initial mobile device as an origin;
defining a first ray that starts from the origin and aligns to the orientation of the initial mobile device; and
defining the region in a such a way that an angle formed between the first ray and a straight line connecting any point in the region and the origin is less than a predetermined threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the subset of mobile devices involves:
using the location of the initial mobile device as an origin;
defining a plurality of zones having a common vertex at the origin; and
identifying mobile devices located within one or more defined zones.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the subset of mobile devices further involves determining an association between a respective mobile device and the initial mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the subset of mobile devices involves identifying mobile devices whose orientation is substantially same as the orientation of the initial mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes information for distributing resources, and wherein the method further comprises:
placing the selected subset of mobile devices into a group;
provisioning resources for the group based on a total number of mobile devices in the group; and
provisioning resources for each mobile device in the group.

8. A computer server system, comprising:
a processor;
a receiving module configured to receive, from an initial mobile device, a request for distributing resources, wherein the request does not specify a mobile device for receiving the distributed resources;
an obtaining module configured to obtain location information, orientation information, or both, associated with the initial mobile device and location information, orientation information, or both, associated with a plurality of mobile devices;
a selection module configured to select from the plurality of mobile devices a subset of mobile devices based on the obtained location information, orientation information, or both, associated with the initial mobile device and the location information, orientation information, or both, associated with the plurality of mobile devices; and
distributing the resources to the selected subset of mobile devices.

9. The computer server system of claim 8, wherein while selecting the subset of mobile devices, the selection module is configured to:
define a region based on the location and orientation of the initial mobile device; and
identify mobile devices located within the defined region.

10. The computer server system of claim 9, wherein defining the region involves:
using the location of the initial mobile device as an origin;
defining a first ray that starts from the origin and aligns to the orientation of the initial mobile device; and
defining the region in a such a way that an angle formed between the first ray and a straight line connecting any point in the region and the origin is less than a predetermined threshold.

11. The computer server system of claim 8, wherein while selecting the subset of mobile devices, the selection module is configured to:
use the location of the initial mobile device as an origin;
define a plurality of zones having a common vertex at the origin; and
identify mobile devices located within one or more defined zones.

12. The computer server system of claim 8, wherein while selecting the subset of mobile devices, the selection module is configured to determine an association between a respective mobile device and the initial mobile device.

13. The computer server system of claim 8, wherein while selecting the subset of mobile devices, the selection module is configured to identify mobile devices whose orientation is substantially same as the orientation of the initial mobile device.

14. The computer server system of claim 8, wherein the information includes information for distributing resources, and wherein the server system further comprises:
a grouping module configured to place the selected subset if mobile devices into a group; and
a provisioning module configured to:
provision resources for the group based on a total number of mobile devices in the group; and
provision resources for each mobile device in the group.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computing device cause the computing device to perform a method, the method comprising:
receiving, by a server from an initial mobile device, a request for distributing resources, wherein the request does not specify a mobile device for receiving the distributed resources;
obtaining location information, orientation information, or both, associated with the initial mobile device;
obtaining location information, orientation information, or both, associated with a plurality of mobile devices;
selecting from the plurality of mobile devices a subset of mobile devices based on the obtained location information, orientation information, or both associated with the initial mobile device and the location information, orientation information, or both, associated with the plurality of mobile devices; and
distributing the resources to the selected subset of mobile devices.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein selecting the subset of mobile devices involves:
defining a region based on the location and orientation of the initial mobile device; and
identifying mobile devices located within the defined region.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein selecting the subset of mobile devices involves:
using the location of the initial mobile device as an origin;
defining a plurality of zones having a common vertex at the origin; and
identifying mobile devices located within one or more defined zones.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein selecting the subset of mobile devices further involves determining an association between a respective mobile device and the initial mobile device.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein selecting the subset of mobile devices involves identifying mobile devices whose orientation is substantially same as the orientation of the initial mobile device.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the information includes information for distributing resources, and wherein the method further comprises:
placing the selected subset of mobile devices into a group;
provisioning resources for the group based on a total number of mobile devices in the group; and
provisioning resources for each mobile device in the group.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Information Processing Device And Method, And Program

Technical Field and Background:
In the background art, vector base amplitude pannning (VBAP) is known as a technique of controlling the localization of a sound image using a plurality of loudspeakers (see, for example, Non-Patent Literature 1). In VBAP, a target position where a sound image is to be localized is represented by a linear combination of vectors pointing to two or three loudspeakers placed around the target position. Also, gain adjustment is performed so that a sound image is to be localized at the target position, where coefficients multiplied by the respective vectors in the linear combination are used as the gains of sound signals output from the respective loudspeakers.

Invention Disclosure:
The present technology relates to an information processing device and method for allowing a sound image to be localized with higher precision, and a program. When a target sound image is outside a mesh, the target sound image is moved in a vertical direction while a position in a horizontal direction of the target sound image remains fixed, so that the target sound image is present on a boundary of the mesh. Specifically, a mesh detection unit detects a mesh including a position in the horizontal direction of the target sound image. A candidate position calculation unit calculates a position that is a movement target of the target sound image, based on loudspeaker positions that are at opposite ends of an arc of the detected mesh that is a destination, and the position in the horizontal direction of the target sound image. As a result, the target sound image can be moved onto a boundary of the mesh. The present technology is applicable to a sound processing device.

[Assistant]
1. An information processing device comprising:
circuitry including a processing device and a memory encoded with instructions that, when executed by the processing device, implement:
a detection unit configured to detect at least one mesh including a horizontal direction position of a target sound image in a horizontal direction, of meshes that are a region surrounded by a plurality of loudspeakers, and specify at least one mesh boundary that is a movement target of the target sound image in the mesh;
a calculation unit configured to calculate a movement position of the target sound image on the specified at least one mesh boundary that is the movement target, based on positions of two of the loudspeakers present on the specified at least one mesh boundary that is the movement target, and the horizontal direction position of the target sound image, wherein the target sound image is outside all of the meshes and wherein the horizontal direction position of the target sound image is fixed and the target sound image is moved only in a vertical direction from a vertical direction position of the target sound image to the calculated movement position on the specified at least one mesh boundary that is the movement target in response to calculating the movement position of the target sound image on the specified at least one mesh boundary; and
a gain adjustment unit configured to adjust a sound signal and to output adjusted sound signals to respective ones of the plurality of loudspeakers based on the calculated movement position of the target sound image.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1,
wherein the movement position is a position on the boundary having a same position as the horizontal direction position of the target sound image in the horizontal direction.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2,
wherein the detection unit detects the mesh including the horizontal direction position of the target sound image in the horizontal direction, based on positions in the horizontal direction of the loudspeakers forming the mesh, and the horizontal direction position of the target sound image.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2,
wherein the calculation unit calculates and records a maximum value and a minimum value of the movement position for each of the horizontal direction positions in advance, and
wherein the information processing device further comprises a determination unit configured to calculate a final version of the movement position of the target sound image based on the recorded maximum value and minimum value of the movement position, and a position of the target sound image.

5. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the instructions further implement:
a determination unit configured to determine whether or not it is necessary to move the target sound image, based on at least either of a position relationship between the loudspeakers forming the mesh, or positions in a vertical direction of the target sound image and the movement position.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the instructions further implement:
a gain calculation unit configured to, when it is determined that it is necessary to move the target sound image, calculate a gain of a sound signal of sound, based on the movement position, and positions of the loudspeakers of the mesh, in a manner that a sound image of the sound is to be localized at the movement position.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6,
wherein the gain calculation unit adjusts the gain based on a difference between a position of the target sound image and the movement position.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7,
wherein the gain calculation unit further adjusts the gain based on a distance from the position of the target sound image to a user, and a distance from the movement position to the user.

9. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the instructions further implement:
a gain calculation unit configured to, when it is determined that it is not necessary to move the target sound image, calculate a gain of a sound signal of sound, based on a position of the target sound image and positions of the loudspeakers of the mesh, in a manner that a sound image of the sound is to be localized at the position of the target sound image, the mesh including the horizontal direction position of the target sound image in the horizontal direction.

10. The information processing device according to claim 5,
wherein the determination unit determines that it is necessary to move the target sound image, when a highest position in the vertical direction of the movement positions calculated for the meshes is lower than a position of the target sound image.

11. The information processing device according to claim 5,
wherein the determination unit determines that it is necessary to move the target sound image, when a lowest position in the vertical direction of the movement positions calculated for the meshes is higher than a position of the target sound image.

12. The information processing device according to claim 5,
wherein the determination unit determines that it is not necessary to move the target sound image downward, when the loudspeaker is present at a highest possible position in the vertical direction.

13. The information processing device according to claim 5,
wherein the determination unit determines that it is not necessary to move the target sound image upward, when the loudspeaker is present at a lowest possible position in the vertical direction.

14. The information processing device according to claim 5,
wherein the determination unit determines that it is not necessary to move the target sound image downward, when there is the mesh including a highest possible position in the vertical direction.

15. The information processing device according to claim 5,
wherein the determination unit determines that it is not necessary to move the target sound image upward, when there is the mesh including a lowest possible position in the vertical direction.

16. An information processing method comprising:
detecting at least one mesh including a horizontal direction position of a target sound image in a horizontal direction, of meshes that are a region surrounded by a plurality of loudspeakers, and specifying at least one mesh boundary that is a movement target of the target sound image in the mesh;
calculating a movement position of the target sound image on the specified at least one mesh boundary that is the movement target, based on positions of two of the loudspeakers present on the specified at least one mesh boundary that is the movement target, and the horizontal direction position of the target sound image, wherein the target sound image is outside all of the meshes and wherein the horizontal direction position of the target sound image is fixed and the target sound image is moved only in a vertical direction from a vertical direction position of the target sound image to the calculated movement position on the specified at least one mesh boundary that is the movement target in response to calculating the movement position of the target sound image on the specified at least one mesh boundary; and
adjusting a sound signal and outputting adjusted sound signals to respective ones of the plurality of loudspeakers based on the calculated movement position of the target sound image.

17. A non-transitory computer readable storage device encoded with computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processing device, perform a process comprising:
detecting at least one mesh including a horizontal direction position of a target sound image in a horizontal direction, of meshes that are a region surrounded by a plurality of loudspeakers, and specifying at least one mesh boundary that is a movement target of the target sound image in the mesh;
calculating a movement position of the target sound image on the specified at least one mesh boundary that is the movement target, based on positions of two of the loudspeakers present on the specified at least one mesh boundary that is the movement target, and the horizontal direction position of the target sound image, wherein the target sound image is outside all of the meshes and wherein the horizontal direction position of the target sound image is fixed and the target sound image is moved only in a vertical direction from a vertical direction position of the target sound image to the calculated movement position on the specified at least one mesh boundary that is the movement target in response to calculating the movement position of the target sound image on the specified at least one mesh boundary; and
adjusting a sound signal and outputting adjusted sound signals to respective ones of the plurality of loudspeakers based on the calculated movement position of the target sound image.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Multi-Band Isolator Assembly

Technical Field and Background:
Antennas for computing devices present challenges relating to receiving and transmitting radio waves at one or more select frequencies. These challenges are magnified by the current trend to include several different antennas operating at various frequencies in a single computing device. If not properly spaced from one another, antenna signals can couple together and reduce system performance. Small computer electronics offer fewer antenna spacing possibilities, limiting design options.

Invention Disclosure:
An isolator assembly is configured to provide isolation in each of multiple non-overlapping frequency bands and includes a selection network to select one of the multiple non-overlapping frequency bands for an isolation operation. During the isolation operation, the isolator assembly prevents signal coupling between antennas that are positioned on opposite sides of the isolator assembly.

[Assistant]
1. Apparatus comprising:
an isolator assembly that provides isolation between two antennas in multiple frequency bands, the isolator assembly including a resonating conductive isolation element and including a selection network configured to select one of the multiple frequency bands for an isolation operation, wherein the length of the conductive resonating isolation element measures less than ¼ of the wavelength of the frequency band selected for the isolation operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the isolator assembly is configured to provide isolation in two different frequency bands.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selection network is a choke element that presents a short circuit for a first frequency band and an open circuit for a second frequency band.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the isolator assembly includes multiple isolator elements separated from one another, each isolator element configured to isolate in a different, frequency band.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of the multiple isolator elements provides isolation in two frequency bands.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the selection network is a circuit that deselects at least one of the multiple isolator elements based on frequency of a received surface current.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the isolator assembly includes one or more tunable capacitors to adaptively tune a mode of resonance of the isolator assembly.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selection network prevents coupling between separate isolation elements of the isolation assembly.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a first isolator element that provides isolation in a first frequency band, the first isolator element being separated from a second isolator element that provides isolation in a second frequency band, the selection network being configured to deselect the second isolator element responsive to receipt of surface current oscillating in the first frequency band.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the selection network presents a high impedance in the first frequency band.

11. A method comprising:
selectively resonating an isolator assembly including a resonating conductive isolation element in a frequency band, the isolator assembly including a selection network configured to select the frequency band from multiple frequency bands, wherein the length of the conductive resonating isolation element measures less than ¼ of the wavelength of the frequency band selected for the isolation operation.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the isolator assembly is configured to provide isolation in two different frequency bands.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the selection network is a choke element that presents a short circuit for a first frequency band and an open circuit for a second frequency band.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the isolator assembly includes multiple isolator elements separated from one another, each isolator element configured to isolate in a different one of the multiple frequency bands.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the multiple isolator elements provides isolation in two frequency bands.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the selection network is a circuit that deselects at least one of the multiple isolator elements based on frequency of a received surface current.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the isolator assembly includes one or more tunable capacitors to adaptively tune a resonant mode of the isolator assembly.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the isolator assembly further includes a first isolator element that provides isolation in a first frequency band, the first isolator element separated from a second isolator element that provides isolation in a second frequency band, the selection network being configured to deselect the second isolator element responsive to receipt of surface current oscillating in the first frequency band.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the selection network presents a high impedance in the first frequency band.

20. Apparatus comprising:
an isolator assembly that provides isolation between two antennas in multiple frequency bands, the isolator assembly including multiple interconnected conductive branches, each of the interconnected branches having a length measuring less than ¼ of the wavelength of one of the multiple frequency bands.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Electronic Brake System

Technical Field and Background:
1. Field Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic brake system, and, more particularly, to an electronic brake system capable of simplifying a structure and precisely controlling pressure. 2. Description of the Related Art A brake system for the braking is necessarily mounted on a vehicle, and in recent years, a variety of systems for providing stronger and more stable braking have been proposed. For example, there are brake systems including an anti-lock brake system (ABS) for preventing a wheel from being slid while braking, a brake traction control system (BTCS) for preventing a driving wheel from being slipped when a vehicle is unintendedly or intendedly accelerated, an electronic stability control system (ESC) for stably maintaining a driving state of a vehicle by combining the ABS with a traction control to a control hydraulic pressure of a brake, and the like. Such an electronic brake system includes multiple solenoid valves for controlling brake hydraulic pressure delivered to wheel cylinders mounted on wheels of a vehicle, a pair of a low-pressure accumulator and a high-pressure accumulator for temporarily storing oil discharged from the wheel cylinders, a motor and a pump for forced pumping of oil in the low-pressure accumulator, multiple check valves for preventing a backflow of oil, and an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling the solenoid valves and driving of the motor, and these components are compactly installed in a hydraulic block made of aluminum. Also, a hydraulic pressure supply device is provided and used for delivering pressure to the wheel cylinders by receiving a driver's request for a braking force in the form of an electrical signal from a pedal displacement sensor that measures a displacement of a brake pedal when the driver steps on the brake pedal. An electronic brake system provided with such a hydraulic pressure supply device is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0091787. According to the publication, the hydraulic pressure supply device is made to operate a motor depending on a pedal effort of a brake pedal to thereby generate a rotational force of the motor into a linear motion to pressurize a piston. However, the electronic brake system with such a structure has a problem in that it is difficult to realize a rapid pressure generation and perform a precise control due to a simple structure of the hydraulic pressure supply device in which a pressurized piston must be returned again to the original position in order to be operated when regenerating a pressure or boosting a generated pressure. Further, for controlling pressure flow according various control modes, the structure with multiple solenoid valves and a fluid path become complicated for sure, and a separate low-pressure accumulator as well as a motor and a pump for operation thereof need to be provided. Consequently, problems of increased weight and size of the system arise that cause degradations in mounting and space utilization as well as increased vibration and noise due to the operations of the motor and the pump.

Invention Disclosure:
An electronic brake system may be capable of providing a required hydraulic pressure continuously and constantly as well as a precise pressure control through a gear pump provided in a hydraulic pressure supply device. Also, the electronic brake system may be capable of minimizing a number of valves controlling hydraulic pressure flows to implement a simplified configuration and providing the braking by a pedal effort of a driver even when the brake system is abnormally operated.

[Assistant]
1. An electronic brake system, which includes a reservoir storing oil, a master cylinder having first and second hydraulic ports and coupled to the reservoir so as to receive the oil, a pedal displacement sensor measuring a displacement of a brake pedal, and a simulation device connected to the master cylinder to provide a reaction force corresponding to a pedal effort of the brake pedal, comprising:
a hydraulic pressure supply device having a motor configured to be rotated by receiving an electrical signal from the pedal displacement sensor when the brake pedal is operated, a gear pump configured to discharge and suction a hydraulic pressure depending on a rotational force of the motor, and a power transmission unit configured to deliver the rotational force of the motor to the gear pump;
a hydraulic control unit having first and second hydraulic circuits configured to receive the hydraulic pressure by a force generated by the hydraulic pressure supply device to control hydraulic pressure flows delivered to wheel cylinders provided on wheels; and
an electronic control unit configured to control the motor and valves based on hydraulic pressure information and pedal displacement information,
wherein the gear pump is connected to the first hydraulic circuit through a first hydraulic passage and to the second hydraulic circuit through a second hydraulic passage connected to a branch passage that is branched off from the first hydraulic passage, and
the electronic brake system further comprising:
a release valve provided on a passage connecting the branch passage with the reservoir and opened to discharge the hydraulic pressure to the reservoir through the first hydraulic passage and the second hydraulic passage, and
wherein one end of the gear pump is connected to the reservoir and the other end of the pump is connected to the first hydraulic circuit to provide a common pressure to the first and second hydraulic circuits.

2. The electronic brake system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first reserving valve provided at a rear (in a direction of the first hydraulic circuit) of a position at which the branch passage of the first hydraulic passage is branched off to control a hydraulic pressure flow between the first hydraulic circuit and the gear pump; and
a second reserving valve provided on the second hydraulic passage to control a hydraulic pressure flow between the second hydraulic circuit and the gear pump.

3. The electronic brake system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second reserving valves are made of a normally closed type solenoid valve that is closed in a normal operating state and is opened when an opening signal is received.

4. The electronic brake system according to claim 2, wherein the second reserving valve is provided at a rear (in a direction of the second hydraulic circuit) of a position at which the second hydraulic passage is branched off from the branch passage.

5. The electronic brake system according to claim 2, wherein the release valve is provided between the first and second reserving valves and the gear pump.

6. The electronic brake system according to claim 2, wherein the release valve is provided with a normally closed type solenoid valve that is closed in a normal operating state and is opened when an opening signal is received.

7. The electronic brake system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first backup passage configured to connect the first hydraulic port with the first hydraulic circuit so as to directly provide the oil to the wheel cylinder when the electronic brake system is abnormally operated;
a second backup passage configured to connect the second hydraulic port with the second hydraulic circuit;
a first cut valve provided on the first backup passage to control an oil flow; and
a second cut valve provided on the second backup passage to control an oil flow.

8. The electronic brake system according to claim 7, wherein the first and second cut valves are provided with a normally opened type solenoid valve that is open in a normal operating state and is closed when a closing signal from the electronic control unit is received.

9. The electronic brake system according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic control unit includes inlet valves each of which is provided on an upstream side of each of the wheel cylinders so as to control the hydraulic pressure flowing into the wheel cylinder installed on each of the wheels.

10. The electronic brake system according to claim 9, wherein the hydraulic control unit further includes a plurality of outlet valves configured to independently control hydraulic pressure flows discharged from the wheel cylinders,
wherein each of the outlet valves are connected to the reservoir.

11. The electronic brake system according to claim 9, wherein the inlet valves are provided with a normally opened type solenoid valve that is open in a normal operating state and is closed when a closing signal from the electronic control unit is received.

12. The electronic brake system according to claim 10, wherein the outlet valves are provided with a normally closed type solenoid valve that is closed in a normal operating state and is opened when an opening signal is received.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Method And Apparatus For Controlling Gas Flow From Cylinders

Technical Field and Background:
Gas cylinders are widely used in medical and industrial settings for the dispensing of gases and mixtures of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, helium, nitrous oxide, heliox, etc. While often cylinders included a visible means to indicate current cylinder contents with either mechanical or electronic manometers, the information is not transmitted to users as it relates to the current usage situation and often requires further processing of the information by the user to produce useful information. In the medical setting, the determination of time remaining relative to the current use rate of the gas cylinder is performed from tables and charts that are not always readily accessible leading to the non-continuous monitoring of patients and reduced patient safety. In industrial settings, cylinders are often used to provide calibration gases for critical process equipment where calibrations take extended periods of time with operators often stepping away to conduct other activities. An objective of the present invention is to alleviate some or all of the challenges in linking the use state of gas cylinders to the relevant information the user requires from the cylinder.

Invention Disclosure:
A device that can be attached to the outlet of a gas cylinder, which can monitor and display in digital or analog form the pressure of the gas in the cylinder and the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the cylinder will reach a predetermined lower threshold at a given flow.

[Assistant]
1. A device for controlling the flow of a gas from a gas container, comprising:
a gas flow passageway through the device and having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is configured to be sealingly attached to the gas container to receive the gas from the gas container;
a gas flow valve disposed in the passageway and capable of controllably closing or opening the passageway to the flow of gas therethrough;
a manually operable selector operatively connected to the valve to enable adjustment of the position of the valve to a closed position and one or more open positions by movement of the selector;
a pressure sensor capable of detecting the pressure of the gas in the gas container when the device is sealingly attached to the container and further capable of generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected pressure;
an electronic display capable of displaying information in digital and/or analog form;
an electronic alarm capable of being actuated to signify the presence of an alarm state audibly, visibly, or both audibly and visibly during the administering of the gas from the gas container; and
an electronic control connected to the gas flow control, the pressure sensor, the electronic display, and the electronic alarm, the electronic control configured to detect the position setting of the valve, detect from the pressure sensor at periodic predetermined time frequencies the pressure of the gas in the gas container;
the electronic control configured to determine whether the device is in an active use state or a passive use state based on the position setting of the valve and the pressure of the gas in the gas container;
the electronic control further configured to deactivate the electronic alarm when the device is in a passive use state;
the electronic control configured to calculate as a function of the detected position setting and the detected periodic pressures the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the gas container will reach a predetermined lower threshold, generating one or more signals causing the display to concurrently display the interval of time remaining and the detected pressure;
the electronic control further configured to generate a signal actuating the electronic alarm when the device is in an active use state amount of gas in the gas container reaches the predetermined lower threshold.

2. A device according to claim 1 which further comprises a manually operable switch, operatively connected to the electronic control, for temporarily deactuating a signal actuating the alarm, and wherein the electronic control is further capable of calculating as a function of the detected position setting and the detected periodic pressures the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the container will reach each of one or more intermediate predetermined thresholds each greater than the predetermined lower threshold and generating a subsequent signal actuating the alarm when each of the one or more intermediate predetermined threshold have been reached.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the electronic alarm and the electronic control are embodied in a single electronic apparatus that is detachable from the device.

4. A device for controlling the flow of a gas from a gas container, comprising
a gas flow passageway through the device and having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is configured to be sealingly attached to the gas container to receive the gas from the gas container;
a valve in the passageway capable of controllably closing or opening the passageway to the flow of gas therethrough;
a manually operable selector operatively connected to the valve to enable adjustment of the position of the valve to a closed position and one or more open positions by movement of the selector;
a pressure sensor capable of detecting the pressure of the gas in the gas container when the device is sealingly attached to the gas container and of generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected pressure;
an electronic alarm capable of being actuated to signify the presence of an alarm state audibly, visibly, or both audibly and visibly; and
an electronic control configured to determine whether the device is in an active use state or a passive use state based on the position setting of the valve and the pressure of the gas in the gas container;
the electronic control further configured to deactivate the electronic alarm when the device is in a passive use state;
the electronic control configured to calculate as a function of the detected position setting and the detected periodic pressures the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the gas container will reach a predetermined lower threshold;
the electronic control further configured to generate a signal actuating the electronic alarm when the device is in an active use state and the amount of gas in the gas container reaches the predetermined lower threshold.

5. A device according to claim 4 further comprising an electronic control connected to the pressure sensor, which is: (1) capable of detecting the position setting of the valve; is (2) capable of repeatedly at periodic predetermined time frequencies (i) detecting from the pressure sensor the pressure of gas in the container, and (ii) calculating as a function of the detected position setting and the repeatedly detected periodic pressures the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the container will reach a first predetermined threshold; and is (3) capable of generating an alarm signal to actuate the electronic alarm when the amount of the gas in the gas container reaches a preset threshold which is the same as or higher than the first predetermined threshold.

6. A device according to claim 5 further comprising an electronic display that is capable of displaying information in digital and/or analog form, and that is electronically connected to the electronic control to receive the information signal and display the information corresponding to one or more states of the gas in the gas container.

7. A method for controlling the flow of a gas from a gas container, comprising the steps of:
administering the gas from the gas container via a device that is sealingly attached to the gas container to receive the gas from the gas container; the device comprises a gas flow passageway through the device, a gas flow valve disposed in the passageway and capable of controllably closing or opening the passageway to the flow of gas therethrough, a manually operable selector operatively connected to the valve to enable adjustment of the position of the valve to a closed position and one or more open positions by movement of the selector, a pressure sensor capable of detecting the pressure of the gas in the gas container, and an electronic control configured to determine whether the device is in an active use state or a passive use state based on the position setting of the valve, the pressure of the gas in the gas container;
periodically calculating during the active use state the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the gas container will reach a predetermined lower threshold as a function of the position setting of the valve and the detected pressure of the gas in the gas container;
displaying the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the gas container will reach the predetermined lower threshold on an electronic display;
concurrently displaying the detected pressure of the gas in the gas container on the electronic display in digital or analog form concurrent with the display of the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the gas container will reach the predetermined lower threshold; and
wherein the electronic control is configured to activate an electronic alarm when the detected pressure is below the predetermined lower threshold when the device is in the active use state; and
wherein the electronic control is configured to deactivate the electronic alarm when the device is in a passive use state.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Hybrid Vehicle, And Control Method For Hybrid Vehicle

Technical Field and Background:
1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a hybrid vehicle including an engine and a motor or motor generator as driving force sources, and a control method for the hybrid vehicle. Particularly, the invention relates to a hybrid vehicle configured to be able to separate an engine from a driving force transmission system, and a control method for the hybrid vehicle. 2. Description of Related Art A hybrid vehicle including a motor or a motor generator (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as motor) as a power source together with an engine has various advantages. For example, the hybrid vehicle is able to stop the engine (stop the engine at idle), is able to regenerate energy with the use of the motor during deceleration, and is able to operate the engine at an operating point at which energy efficiency is high. Particularly, by extending a time in which the hybrid vehicle travels with the use of the motor, the effect of improving the fuel economy of the vehicle as a whole increases. This is because the engine is stopped and no fuel is consumed in the case of motor running. In this case, in order to reduce a power loss resulting from rotation together with the engine, it is desirable to separate the engine from the motor that outputs driving force for propelling the vehicle or from a power transmission system that transmits the driving force to wheels. When such a clutch for separating the engine is provided, an operation mode in which the engine is stopped or driven is selected during motor running. The hybrid vehicle including the clutch for separating the engine is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-295140 (JP 08-295140 A). The configuration will be simply described. A generator is coupled to a first rotating element in a differential mechanism, such as a planetary gear mechanism, including three rotating elements, a second rotating element serves as an output element, and a third rotating element is coupled to braking means. The engine is coupled to the third rotating element via the clutch. Thus, with the configuration described in JP 08-295140 A, the differential mechanism functions as a speed reducer or a speed increaser when the third rotating element is fixed by the engine or the braking means, so it is possible to cause the generator coupled to the first rotating element to function as the motor and to transmit the torque to the output element. That is, the hybrid vehicle is able to travel by using power that is output from the generator and the motor. When a one-way clutch that is engaged to fix the third rotating element when torque in a direction to rotate the third rotating element in the reverse direction acts on the third rotating element is employed as the braking means, the third rotating element is allowed to be fixed not by the engine but by the one-way clutch during motor running, and the clutch is also allowed to be separated from the third rotating element. Therefore, it is possible to continue driving the engine or stop the engine. During engine running, that is, when the hybrid vehicle travels by transmitting the output torque of the engine as driving force, it is possible to control the rotation speed of the engine coupled to the third rotating element via the clutch by controlling the rotation speed of the generator coupled to the first rotating element. That is, the differential mechanism is allowed to function as a continuously variable transmission. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-023024 (JP 2013-023024 A) describes a hybrid vehicle including a differential mechanism having one rotating element to which an engine is coupled and the other rotating element to which a motor generator is coupled. The hybrid vehicle is configured to crank the engine by using the output torque of the motor generator and to control the output torque of the motor generator such that the output torque acts on the differential mechanism as reaction force after the engine is started. Specifically, when a required driving force after the engine is started is relatively small, a target rotation speed of the engine is also low. Therefore, in order for the engine rotation speed to quickly follow the target rotation speed after an engine start, the output torque of the motor generator is configured to rapidly increase. When a required driving force after the engine is started is relatively large, the target rotation speed of the engine is also high.

Invention Disclosure:
At the time of changing from an EV mode, in which a hybrid vehicle travels with the use of a second motor provided on an output side of a differential mechanism while torque that acts on any one of rotating elements of the differential mechanism is interrupted by a clutch, to an HV mode, in which the hybrid vehicle travels while transmitting output torque of an engine to a drive wheel, when the engine is started in a state where the clutch is slipped and torque is transmitted from the engine so as to increase the rotation speed of the first rotating element while the clutch is slipped, torque starts being output from a first motor such that torque input from the first rotating element to the differential mechanism to increase the rotation speed of the drive wheel is output from the third rotating element.

[Assistant]
1. A hybrid vehicle comprising:
an engine;
a drive wheel;
a first motor;
a second motor transmitting torque to the drive wheel;
a differential mechanism including
a first rotating element transmitting torque of the engine,
a second rotating element transmitting torque of the first motor, and
a third rotating element transmitting torque to the drive wheel;
a clutch controlling a capacity of torque that acts on any one of the first rotating element, the second rotating element and the third rotating element; and
a control unit configured to change from an EV mode, in which the hybrid vehicle travels in a state where the clutch is released and an output torque of the second motor is transmitted to the drive wheel, to an HV mode, in which the hybrid vehicle travels in a state where the clutch is engaged and an output torque of the engine is transmitted to the drive wheel, in the following manner,
(a) starting the engine in a state where the clutch is slipped, and
(b) increasing a rotation speed of the drive wheel by outputting torque from the first motor such that torque input from the first rotating element to the differential mechanism is output from the third rotating element, when torque is transmitted from the engine while a rotation speed of the first rotating element is rising in a state where the clutch is slipped,
wherein the control unit is further configured to control an output torque of the first motor to zero when the control unit starts the engine.

2. The hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the control unit is further configured to increase the rotation speed of the drive wheel by outputting torque from the first motor such that torque input from the first rotating element to the differential mechanism is output from the third rotating element, when a rotation speed of the engine becomes higher than or equal to the rotation speed of the first rotating element.

3. A control method for a hybrid vehicle including
an engine,
a drive wheel,
a first motor,
a second motor transmitting torque to the drive wheel,
a differential mechanism including
a first rotating element transmitting torque of the engine,
a second rotating element transmitting torque of the first motor, and
a third rotating element transmitting torque to the drive wheel;
a clutch controlling a capacity of torque that acts on any one of the first rotating element, the second rotating element and the third rotating element; and
a control unit, the control method comprising:
changing from an EV mode, in which the hybrid vehicle travels in a state where the clutch is released and an output torque of the second motor is transmitted to the drive wheel, to an HV mode, in which the hybrid vehicle travels in a state where the clutch is engaged and an output torque of the engine is transmitted to the drive wheel, by the control unit in the following manner,
(a) starting the engine in a state where the clutch is slipped, and
(b) increasing a rotation speed of the drive wheel by outputting torque from the first motor such that torque input from the first rotating element to the differential mechanism is output from the third rotating element, when torque is transmitted from the engine while a rotation speed of the first rotating element is rising in a state where the clutch is slipped, and
controlling an output torque of the first motor to zero when the control unit starts the engine.

4. The control method according to claim 3, further comprising:
increasing the rotation speed of the drive wheel by outputting torque from the first motor such that torque input from the first rotating element to the differential mechanism is output from the third rotating element, when a rotation speed of the engine becomes higher than or equal to the rotation speed of the first rotating element.


[System] You are an expert US patent attorney. Draft a set of independent and dependent claims based on the provided invention description. Use correct USPTO formatting.

[User]
Title: Device For Immobilizing An Object

Technical Field and Background:
The invention relates to a device for securing an object, in particular a seat in a vehicle, on a rail by means of at least one fastening element which is disposed on a reinforcement which is inserted into the rail. In many instances of daily life a device for securing the object on an arbitrary rail is required. The present invention relates above all to securing seats in a vehicle, and herein in particular to fastening seats of the second and subsequent rows in vans and minibuses. There are two approaches to this: Displaceable seat position: The passenger is able to longitudinally adjust the seat/the seat row in a stepless or stepped manner in the vehicle using a handle. A respective device is shown in DE 102 01 622 A. The rail here is fixedly connected to the vehicle floor. Said rail for guiding a slider has an undercut region which extends in the longitudinal direction, as well as a plurality of cutouts on a longitudinal groove, which are disposed at regular spacing. The slider here contains an elongate pair of strip elements which are fixedly interconnected and which for being guided in a sliding manner in the undercut region of the rail have a sliding element of plastics. Fixed seat position: The seats/seat rows are fixedly screwed to rails or by way of stud bolts; displacement if at all can only be implemented in a complex manner. The constructions which are known in each case are very complex since they have to meet higher crash requirements. A longidutinal adjustment device for a vehicle seat, having an upper rail and a lower rail which are mutually separable, is known from DE 10 2010 063 615 A1. Here, a rail profile on which a locking element of an upper rail may be secured sits in a lower rail. A device of the type mentioned above is known from DE 100 36 553 A1. Here, an insert element for securing seats is displaceably disposed in a rail. It is an object of the present invention to develop a very simple and cost-effective variant for the objects in order for them to be secured.

Invention Disclosure:
A device for immobilizing an object, in particular a seat in a vehicle, on a rail (1) by at least one securing element (4.1, 4.2). The securing element (4.1, 4.2) is arranged on a reinforcement (2) which is inserted into the rail (1).

[Assistant]
1. A device for securing an object, in particular a seat in a vehicle, comprising
a rail ( 1 ) having a base ( 6 ), two vertical side flanges ( 5. 1, 5. 2 ) extending upwardly from the base ( 6 ), and horizontal side flanges ( 7. 1, 7. 2 ) extending laterally from the vertical side flanges ( 5. 1, 5. 2 ), the vertical side flanges ( 5. 1, 5. 2 ) defining downwardly opening grooves ( 11. 1, 11. 2 ), and
at least one fastening element ( 4. 1, 4. 2 ) disposed on a reinforcement ( 2 ) which is inserted into the rail ( 1 ), wherein the reinforcement ( 2 ) has a base ( 10 ) and two free legs ( 9. 1, 9. 2 ) extending upwardly into and guided by the downwardly opening grooves ( 11. 1, 11. 2 ), wherein the free legs ( 9. 1, 9. 2 ) extend straight upwardly into the downwardly opening grooves, and the base ( 10 ) of the reinforcement is adjacent to the base ( 6 ) of the rail, and wherein the reinforcement ( 2 ) is fixed in the rail ( 1 ) against longitudinal movement along the rail ( 1 ).

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement ( 2 ) is composed of a bent sheet steel panel.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement ( 2 ) has a U-shaped profile.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail ( 1 ) in the cross section is a U-shaped design.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fastening ( 12 ) is inserted into the rail ( 1 ) through a clearance of the reinforcement ( 2 ).

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one receiving bolt ( 4. 1, 4. 2 ) is assigned to the reinforcement ( 2 ) as a fastening element for the object.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rail ( 1 ) has incorporated longitudinal grooves ( 13. 1, 13. 2 ) for partially receiving the at least one receiving bolt.