Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A circuit for preventing corruption of battery-specific data transferred from a battery-specific data element to a battery charger when a battery is electrically coupled to both the battery charger and to a load, comprising:
a. a charger connection sensor that is capable of sensing when the battery is connected to the battery charger; and
b. an interrupter circuit, responsive to the charger connection sensor, that electrically couples the battery-specific data element to a load side battery-specific data node when the charger connection sensor indicates that the battery is not connected to the battery charger and that electrically uncouples the battery-specific data element to the battery-specific data node accessible by the load when the charger connection sensor indicates that the battery is connected to the battery charger.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery charger comprises a pull-up resistor that electrically couples a pull-up node to a reference voltage when the battery is connected to the battery charger and wherein the charger connection sensor comprises:
a. a first resistor that electrically couples the pull-up node to a ground, so that the pull-up node has a first voltage when the first resistor is electrically coupled to the pull-up resistor and so that the pull-up node has a second voltage, different from the first voltage, when the first resistor is not electrically coupled to the pull-up resistor; and
b. a control switching element, having a gate electrically coupled to the pull-up node and a control node electrically coupled to the interrupter circuit so that the interrupter circuit electrically uncouples the battery-specific data element from the load side battery-specific data node when the pull-up node has the first voltage and so that the interrupter circuit electrically couples the battery-specific data element to the load side battery-specific data node when the pull-up node has the second voltage.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first resistor comprises a negative coefficient thermistor.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charger connection sensor generates a charger connection sensor output that is in a first state when the battery is connected to the battery charger and that is in a second state when the battery is not connected to the battery charger.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the interrupter circuit comprises:
a. a first field effect transistor having a first gate, a first source and a first drain, a first parasitic diode existing between the first source and the first drain, the first field effect transistor being biased so that parasitic current may flow though the first parasitic diode in only a first direction, the first drain being in series with a first selected one of the load side battery-specific data node or the battery-specific data element, the first gate being electrically coupled to the charger connection sensor output and the first field effect transistor being biased so that current is allowed to flow between the first source and the first drain when the charger connection sensor output is in the second state; and
b. a second field effect transistor having a second gate, a second source and a second drain, a second parasitic diode existing between the second source and the second drain, the second field effect transistor being biased so that parasitic current may flow through the second parasitic diode in only a second direction, different from the first direction, the second drain being in series with a second selected one of the load side battery-specific data node or the battery-specific data element, the second selected one of the load side battery-specific data node or the battery-specific data element being different from the first selected one of the load side battery-specific data node or the battery-specific data element, the second gate being electrically coupled to the charger connection sensor output and the second field effect transistor being biased so that current is allowed to flow between the second source and the second drain when the charger connection sensor output is in the second state.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for manufacturing an optical device having an optical block, through which a light is transmitted, the method comprising steps of:
forming a plurality of silicon oxide members, which is disposed on a silicon substrate, wherein the silicon oxide members are arranged in parallel each other by a predetermined clearance between two adjacent silicon oxide members; and
pouring a super critical fluid into the clearance so that the clearance is filled with a product formed from a predetermined compound for forming the optical block, wherein the predetermined compound is dissolved in the super critical fluid.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the predetermined compound is resolved so that the product is formed.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the predetermined compound is chemically reacted so that the product is formed.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the step of forming the silicon oxide members includes a step of etching the silicon substrate by using a mask having a predetermined pattern.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein
the step of forming the silicon oxide members further includes a step of oxidizing an etched silicon substrate so that the silicon oxide members are provided.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein
in the step of forming the silicon oxide members, each clearance between the silicon oxide members has a width, which becomes narrower as it goes to a bottom of the clearance.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein
in the step of forming the silicon oxide members, each clearance between the silicon oxide members has two parts, one of which has a constant width, and the other one of which has a width that becomes wider as it goes to a top of the clearance, and
the width of the top of the clearance is largest among the width of the clearance.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein
each silicon oxide member has a thin plate shape extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to an optical axis of the optical block, and
the thin plate shape has a sidewall extending in the longitudinal direction, the sidewall providing an inner wall of the clearance.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the step of forming the silicon oxide members includes steps of:
forming a plurality of silicon members, which is disposed on the silicon substrate, wherein the silicon members are arranged in parallel each other by a predetermined clearance between two adjacent silicon members; and
thermally oxidizing the silicon members so that the silicon oxide members are provided, and

in the step of thermally oxidizing the silicon members, the clearance remains between two neighboring silicon members without being filled with a silicon oxide layer.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein
each silicon member has a width,
each clearance has a width, and
the width of the silicon member and the width of the clearance are determined in such a manner that the clearance remains between two neighboring silicon members in the step of thermally oxidizing the silicon members.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the product formed from the compound is made of silicon oxide.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the product formed from the compound has a refraction index, which is substantially equal to a refraction index of silicon oxide.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the silicon substrate has a surface with a (110)-surface orientation.
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the step of forming the silicon oxide members includes a step of etching the silicon substrate by a reactive ion etching method so that a trench is formed as the clearance.
15. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the super critical fluid includes a main component of carbon dioxide.
16. The method according to claim 1, wherein
the optical block is a micro lens.

1. A bar lock mechanism for releasably securing a door in a closed position wherein said door extends across an opening defined by a walled enclosure, with said door being swingable about a generally vertical axis disposed adjacent a first vertical marginal edge of said opening and having a lock carried thereon, said bar lock mechanism comprising:
an elongated member defining an elongated axis extending between opposed ends thereof and about which said bar lock mechanism swingably moves, with said elongated member having a plurality of vertically spaced, free ended brackets secured thereto and radially extending from said elongated member, with each of said brackets operably extending to only one side of said elongated axis for moving into and out of operable engagement with an outer surface on said door;
a manually operated locking handle connected to said elongated member through one of said brackets disposed proximately midlength of said elongated member, with said handle being connected to said one of said brackets for rotation about an axis extending generally normal to said elongated axis whereby allowing said handle to be manipulated into an operable locking relation with said lock on said door; and
hinge structure operably associated with the opposed ends of said elongated member for pivotally securing said bar lock mechanism to the walled enclosed adjacent a second vertical marginal edge of said opening, said hinge structure including a pair of axially spaced hinge pieces, with one hinge piece being disposed in operable association with each end of said elongated member, and with each hinge piece being configured to secure a respective end of said elongated member for rotation about said elongated axis whereby allowing said bar lock mechanism to swingably move toward and away from the door.
2. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 1 further including compressible structure arranged in operable association with the free end of at least two of said vertically spaced brackets and in laterally spaced relation from said elongated axis about which said bar lock mechanism swingably moves in confronting relation relative to the outer surface of the door, when said door is in the closed position, for urging said door toward said closed position.
3. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 1 wherein each hinge piece of said hinge structure includes a base portion and a mounting portion integrally interconnected to each other, with the base portion of each hinge piece being configured to facilitate mounting said hinge piece to the walled enclosure, and with said mounting portion having a cup-like configuration for rotatably accommodating one end of said elongated member.
4. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 3 further including bearing structure interposed between said elongated member and said mounting portion of each hinge piece.
5. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said elongated member comprises an elongated tubular shaft having open ends.
6. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 5 wherein each hinge piece of said hinge structure includes a base portion and a pin, with the base portion of each hinge piece being configured to facilitate mounting said hinge piece to the walled enclosure, and with said pin being adapted to project into the open end of said tubular shaft whereby mounting said elongated member for rotation.
7. A bar lock mechanism for releasably securing a pivoted door relative to a walled enclosure, said bar lock mechanism comprising:
an elongated shaft structure connected to said walled enclosure for rotation about an axis spaced from and extending parallel with a vertical edge of the door and arranged opposite to a pivotal axis about which door moves, with said elongated shaft structure having a plurality of vertically spaced, free ended brackets secured thereto and radially extending from said elongated shaft structure, with each of said brackets operably extending to only one side of said axis for moving into and out of operable engagement with an outer surface on said door
a locking handle connected to said shaft structure through one of said brackets disposed proximately midlength of said shaft structure for rotating said shaft structure and releasably securing said door in a closed position;
and a pair of axially spaced hinge pieces disposed toward opposed ends of said shaft structure, with each hinge piece having a base portion for allowing said hinge piece to be secured to said walled enclosure and a mounting portion for journalling a respective end of said shaft structure for rotation about its axis whereby allowing said bar lock mechanism to swingably move relative to said walled enclosure.
8. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 7 further including compressible structure arranged in operable association with the free end of at least two of said vertically spaced brackets and in laterally spaced relation from and movable with said shaft structure, with said compressible structure being in confronting relation relative to the outer surface of the door, when the door is in the closed position, for urging the door toward said closed position.
9. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the mounting portion of each hinge piece has a cup-like configuration for accommodating a respective end of said shaft structure for rotation about its axis.
10. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 9 wherein the cup-like configuration of each hinge piece is apertured to facilitate draining of the cup-like configuration.
11. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 9 further including bearing structure interposed between the cup like configuration of each hinge piece and the shaft structure.
12. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said elongated shaft structure comprises an elongated tubular shaft having open ends.
13. The bar lock mechanism according to claim 12 wherein the mounting portion of each hinge piece has a pin adapted to project into the open end of said tubular shaft whereby mounting said elongated shaft structure for swinging movements.
14. A closure mechanism for releasably closing and securing a door swingably movable between open and closed positions relative to an opening in a body of a vehicle, said closure mechanism comprising:
hinge structure including a pair of axially spaced, generally coaxial pivot elements secured to the body of a vehicle adjacent a marginal edge of said opening;
an axially elongated shaft for selectively coupling said door to said pivot elements, with said shaft being mounted between and journalled for rotation by said pivot elements and defining an elongated axis about which said shaft pivots, with said elongated shaft having a plurality of vertically spaced, free ended brackets secured thereto and radially extending from said elongated shaft, with each of said brackets operably extending to only one side of said elongated axis for moving into and out of operable engagement with an outer surface on said door; and
a locking handle pivotally mounted toward the free end of one of said brackets disposed proximately midlength between opposed ends of said elongated shaft for manual movement, with said handle being movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a lock mounted on said door.
15. The closure mechanism according to claim 14 further including compressible structure arranged in operable association with the free end of at least two of said vertically spaced members and in laterally spaced relation from and movable with said elongated shaft, with said compressible structure being in confronting relation relative to the outer surface of the door, when the door is in the closed position, for urging the door toward said closed position.
16. The closure mechanism according to claim 14 wherein each pivot element includes a base portion and a mounting portion, with said base portion being configured for attachment to the body of the vehicle, and with said mounting portion of the pivot element having a cup-like configuration for accommodating a respective end of said elongated shaft for rotation about the elongated axis about which said shaft pivots.
17. The closure mechanism according to claim 16 further including bearing structure operably interposed between the cup-like configuration of each pivot element and the shaft end rotatably accommodated by said cup-like configuration.
18. The closure mechanism according to claim 14 wherein said elongated shaft comprises an elongated hollow member having open ends.
19. The closure mechanism according to claim 18 wherein the mounting portion of each pivot element has a pin adapted to project into the open end of said hollow member whereby mounting said elongated shaft for rotation.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A universal serial bus on-the-go (USB-OTG) power source of a USB-OTG device, the power source comprising:
a direct-current to direct-current (DC-to-DC) converter for generating a source voltage when coupled to a battery;
a pulse generator for generating an oscillating signal when a USB-OTG enable signal is asserted by a USB controller of the USB-OTG device when the USB-OTG device is in a host mode; and
a power supply module for generating a supply voltage from the oscillating signal and the source voltage.
2. The USB-OTG power source of claim 1 wherein the power supply module includes:
a first rectifier having an input node that is coupled to the oscillating signal and the source voltage and an output node that is operably coupled to the supply voltage; and
a second rectifier having an input node coupled to the source voltage and an output node that is coupled to the input node of the first rectifier.
3. The USB-OTG power source of claim 1 wherein the oscillating signal includes a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.
4. The USB-OTG power source of claim 1 wherein the dc-to-dc converter is implemented on an integrated circuit.
5. The USB-OTG power source of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit includes an output pad for coupling the oscillating signal to the universal serial bus on-the-go (USB-OTG) power supply when a USB-OTG enable signal is asserted and for coupling an alternative output signal to an alternative off-chip circuit when the USB-OTG enable signal is deasserted.
6. An integrated circuit comprising:
an output pad for coupling an oscillating signal to a universal serial bus on-the-go (USB-OTG) power supply when a USB-OTG enable signal is asserted and for coupling an alternative output signal to an alternative off-chip circuit when the USB-OTG enable signal is deasserted, wherein the oscillating signal includes a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.
7. An integrated circuit comprising:
an output pad for coupling an oscillating signal to a universal serial bus on-the-go (USB-OTG) power supply when a USB-OTG enable signal is asserted and for coupling an alternative output signal to an alternative off-chip circuit when the USB-OTG enable signal is deasserted; and
a multiplexer module, operably coupled to the output pad for generating a multiplexed output that includes the oscillating signal when the USB-OTG signal is asserted and that includes the alternative output signal when the USB-OTG signal is deasserted.
8. The integrated circuit of claim 7 further comprising:
a pad driver module, operably coupled to the output pad and to the multiplexer module, for driving the multiplexed output on the output pad.
9. A method comprising:
converting a battery voltage to a substantially stable source voltage;
producing an oscillating signal; and
generating a supply voltage from the oscillating signal and the source voltage when a USB-OTG enable signal is asserted.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the oscillating signal includes a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.
11. A method comprising:
coupling an oscillating signal to a universal serial bus on-the-go (USB-OTG) power supply through an output pad of an integrated circuit when a USB-OTG signal is asserted, wherein the oscillating signal includes a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal; and
coupling an alternative output signal to an alternative off-chip circuit through an output pad of an integrated circuit when the USB-OTG signal is deasserted.
12. A method comprising:
coupling an oscillating signal to a universal serial bus on-the-go (USB-OTG) power supply through an output pad of an integrated circuit when a USB-OTG signal is asserted;
coupling an alternative output signal to an alternative off-chip circuit through an output pad of an integrated circuit when the USB-OTG signal is deasserted; and
generating a multiplexed output that includes the oscillating signal when the USB-OTG enable signal is asserted and that includes the alternative output signal when the USB-OTG enable signal is deasserted.