Author: claimsbot

1. A light irradiation apparatus comprising:
a light modulation element which has at least one unit phase modulation area having at least one basic pattern for modulating a light beam;
an illumination system which illuminates the unit phase modulation area of the light modulation element with a light beam; and
an image formation optical system which causes a light beam having on an irradiation target surface a light intensity distribution having an inverse-peak-shaped pattern formed based on the light beam phase-modulated by the phase modulation element to fall on an irradiation target object,
wherein dimensions of the basic pattern of the unit phase modulation area are not greater than a point spread function range of the image formation optical system converted in terms of the light modulation element, and
the unit phase modulation area is configured in such a manner that a phase distribution in a light complex amplitude distribution on the irradiation target surface becomes a saw-tooth-like distribution along a line segment in a lateral direction.
2. The light irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit phase modulation area is configured in such a manner that an amplitude distribution along the line segment in the light complex amplitude distribution becomes substantially constant except for an area corresponding to a step portion in the saw-tooth-like distribution of the phase distribution.
3. The light irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit phase modulation area is configured in such a manner that the amplitude distribution in the light complex amplitude distribution increases in accordance with a distance from the line segment.
4. The light irradiation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unit phase modulation area comprises areas having at least three types of phase modulation values.
5. The light irradiation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illumination system illuminates the unit light modulation element with an illumination light inclined along the inside of a surface including the line segment.
6. The light irradiation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the illumination system illuminates the light modulation element along a direction corresponding to a direction including a component directed from a phase advance side to a phase delay side in a step portion of the saw-tooth-like distribution in the phase distribution.
7. A crystallization apparatus comprising: the light irradiation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and a stage which holds a non-single-crystal semiconductor film on the irradiation target surface, wherein the crystallization apparatus forms a crystallized semiconductor film by irradiating at least a part of the non-single-crystal semiconductor film on the irradiation target surface with the light beam having the light intensity distribution.
8. A crystallization method which forms a crystallized semiconductor film by irradiating at least a part of a non-single-crystal semiconductor film on the irradiation target surface with a light beam having the light intensity distribution by using the light irradiation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
9. A semiconductor device manufactured by using the crystallization apparatus according to claim 7.
10. A light modulation element having at least one phase modulation area,
wherein the phase modulation area is configured in such a manner that a phase distribution in a light complex amplitude distribution formed on a surface which is optically substantially conjugate with the light modulation light becomes a saw-tooth-like distribution along a line segment in a lateral direction.
11. The light modulation element according to claim 10, wherein the phase modulation area is configured in such a manner that an amplitude distribution along the line segment in the light complex amplitude distribution becomes substantially constant except for an area corresponding to a step portion of the saw-tooth-like distribution in the phase distribution.
12. The light modulation element according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the phase modulation area is configured in such a manner that an amplitude distribution along the line segment in the light complex amplitude distribution increases in accordance with a distance from the line segment.
13. The light modulation element according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the phase modulation area comprises areas having at least three types of phase modulation values.

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 microwave circuit comprising:
a first substrate;
a first ground plate disposed on a bottom surface of said first substrate;
a second substrate attached to a top surface of said first substrate and adapted to cover a portion of said first substrate;
a second ground plate disposed on a top surface of said second substrate;
a pattern of metallization disposed between said first and second substrates to form a stripline circuit;
one or more ground paths disposed on the top surface of said first substrate and including a plurality of vias connected to said first ground plate; and
one or more openings cut into said second substrate and second ground plate, wherein each opening follows and is aligned over a portion of a ground path and is filled in with conducting material, such that said second ground plate is connected to said first ground plate.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first substrate is fabricated from high dielectric constant ceramic.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first substrate has a relative dielectric constant greater than or equal to 40.
4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said second substrate is fabricated from high dielectric constant ceramic.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said second substrate has a relative dielectric constant greater than or equal to 40.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein one or more regions of said first substrate are not covered by said second substrate.
7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said microwave circuit further includes a pattern of metallization disposed on the top surface of said first substrate in one of said regions to form a microstrip circuit coupled to said stripline circuit.
8. A multi-chip module comprising:
a first substrate of high dielectric constant ceramic;
a first ground plate disposed on a bottom surface of said first substrate;
a second substrate of high dielectric constant ceramic attached to a top surface of said first substrate and adapted to cover a portion of said first substrate, wherein the portion covered by said second substrate forms a stripline region and the portion or portions not covered by said second substrate form a microstrip region;
a second ground plate disposed on a top surface of said second substrate;
a pattern of metallization disposed between said first and second substrates to form a stripline circuit;
one or more integrated circuit chips attached to said first substrate in said microstrip region; and
one or more transmission lines disposed on the top surface of said first substrate and adapted to couple said integrated circuit chips with each other andor with said stripline circuit.
9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said multi-chip module further includes one or more ground paths disposed on the top surface of said first substrate and including a plurality of vias connected to said first ground plate.
10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said multi-chip module further includes one or more openings cut into said second substrate and second ground plate, wherein each opening follows and is aligned over a portion of a ground path and is filled in with conducting material, such that said second ground plate is connected to said first ground plate.
11. The invention of claim 8 wherein said first substrate has a relative dielectric constant greater than or equal to 40.
12. The invention of claim 8 wherein said second substrate has a relative dielectric constant greater than or equal to 40.
13. A switched filter bank comprising:
a first substrate of high dielectric constant ceramic;
a first ground plate disposed on a bottom surface of said first substrate;
a second substrate of high dielectric constant ceramic attached to a top surface of said first substrate and adapted to cover a portion of said first substrate, wherein the portion covered by said second substrate forms a stripline region and the portion or portions not covered by said second substrate form a microstrip region;
a second ground plate disposed on a top surface of said second substrate;
a predetermined number of transmission line filters disposed between said first and second substrates;
an input port;
an output port;
a first circuit adapted to receive a control signal and in accordance therewith couple said input port with one of said filters; and
a second circuit adapted to receive a control signal and in accordance therewith couple said filter selected by said first circuit to said output port.
14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said first circuit is implemented as a single integrated circuit.
15. The invention of claim 14 wherein said first circuit is attached to said first substrate in said microstrip region.
16. The invention of claim 13 wherein said second circuit is implemented as a single integrated circuit.
17. The invention of claim 16 wherein said second circuit is attached to said first substrate in said microstrip region.
18. The invention of claim 13 wherein said first circuit is implemented using microelectromechanical components.
19. The invention of claim 13 wherein said second circuit is implemented using microelectromechanical components.
20. The invention of claim 13 wherein said first circuit is a first single pole multiple throw switch.
21. The invention of claim 20 wherein said switched filter bank further includes a plurality of transmission lines disposed on the top surface of said first substrate, each transmission line adapted to couple one of the outputs of said first switch with one of said filters.
22. The invention of claim 13 wherein said second circuit is a second single pole multiple throw switch.
23. The invention of claim 22 wherein said switched filter bank further includes a plurality of transmission lines disposed on the top surface of said first substrate, each transmission line adapted to couple the output of one of said filters to one of the inputs of said second switch.
24. The invention of claim 13 wherein said switched filter bank further includes a plurality of ground paths disposed on the top surface of said first substrate and including a plurality of vias connected to said first ground plate.
25. The invention of claim 24 wherein said ground paths are adapted to isolate said filters and transmission lines.
26. The invention of claim 24 wherein said switched filter bank further includes one or more openings cut into said second substrate and second ground plate, wherein each opening follows and is aligned over a portion of a ground path and is filled in with conducting material, such that said second ground plate is connected to said first ground plate.
27. The invention of claim 13 wherein said first substrate has a relative dielectric constant greater than or equal to 40.
28. The invention of claim 13 wherein said second substrate has a relative dielectric constant greater than or equal to 40.
29. The invention of claim 13 wherein at least one of said filters is an interdigital structure.
30. The invention of claim 13 wherein at least one of said filters is a zig-zag edge coupled filter comprising a plurality of open-ended transmission line resonators, wherein half of a resonator line is coupled to an adjacent line on one side and the other half of the resonator line coupled to an adjacent line on the other side, and each resonator is bent at a predetermined angle.
31. The invention of claim 30 wherein said predetermined angle is 90 degrees.
32. An edge coupled filter comprising:
a dielectric substrate and
a plurality of open-ended transmission line resonators disposed on a top surface of said substrate, wherein half of a resonator line is coupled to an adjacent line on one side and the other half of the resonator line coupled to an adjacent line on the other side, and each resonator is bent at a predetermined angle.
33. The invention of claim 32 wherein said predetermined angle is 90 degrees.
34. A switch comprising:
a substrate;
an input transmission line disposed on a top surface of said substrate;
a predetermined number of output transmission lines disposed on the top surface of said substrate, wherein said predetermined number is greater than two; and
a predetermined number of microelectromechanical switching units disposed on said substrate, each switching unit adapted to receive a control signal and in accordance therewith couple said input transmission line to one of said output transmission lines.
35. The invention of claim 34 wherein said switch is configured as a single pole multiple throw switch.
36. The invention of claim 34 wherein said predetermined number is four.
37. The invention of claim 36 wherein said input transmission line is coupled to a first port of a four port junction.
38. The invention of claim 37 wherein second and third opposing ports of said four port junction are coupled to the inputs of a first switching unit and a second switching unit, respectively.
39. The invention of claim 38 wherein a fourth port of said four port junction, opposite said first port, is coupled to a first port of a three port junction by a transmission line.
40. The invention of claim 39 wherein second and third opposing ports of said three port junction are coupled to the inputs of a third switching unit and a fourth switching unit, respectively.
41. The invention of claim 40 wherein each switching unit includes a switch input line and a switch output line disposed on said substrate, and an armature attached to said substrate at one end and a switch transmission line disposed on a second end, wherein said second end is positioned above said switch input and switch output when said switching unit is open, and said second end is lowered such that said switch transmission line couples said switch input to said switch output when said switching unit is closed.
42. The invention of claim 41 wherein each switching unit further includes a substrate electrode disposed on said substrate under said armature, and an armature electrode disposed on said armature above said first electrode.
43. The invention of claim 42 wherein said first and second electrodes are adapted to receive a bias voltage and in accordance therewith open or close said switching unit.
44. The invention of claim 43 wherein said switch further includes a plurality of bias pads for supplying said bias voltages to said switching units.
45. The invention of claim 44 wherein a single bias pad is connected to an electrode of said third switching unit and an electrode of said fourth switching unit.
46. The invention of claim 45 wherein a single bias pad is connected to the substrate electrodes of said third and fourth switching units.
47. The invention of claim 45 wherein a single bias pad is connected to the armature electrodes of said third and fourth switching units.
48. The invention of claim 34 wherein said switch has an isolation of greater than about 25 dB over the frequency range of about 0 to 20 GHz.
49. The invention of claim 34 wherein said switch has an insertion loss of less than about 0.6 dB over the frequency range of about 0 to 20 GHz.
50. A method for switching an input signal to a selected output port from a plurality of output ports comprising the steps of:
applying said input signal to a monolithic microelectromechanical switch comprising:
a substrate;
an input transmission line disposed on a top surface of said substrate;
a predetermined number of output transmission lines disposed on the top surface of said substrate, wherein said predetermined number is greater than two; and
a predetermined number of microelectromechanical switching units disposed on said substrate, each switching unit adapted to receive a bias voltage and in accordance therewith couple said input transmission line to one of said output transmission lines;
connecting each of said output transmission lines to one of said output ports; and
applying a bias voltage to each of said switching units such that a switching unit coupled to said selected output port is closed and the other switching units are open.
51. A method for fabricating a microwave circuit including the steps of:
attaching a first ground plate to a bottom surface of said first substrate;
etching a pattern of metallization on a top surface of said first substrate to form a desired circuit;
drilling a plurality of vias through said first substrate and filling them with conductive material to form one or more ground paths on the top surface of said first substrate;
attaching a second ground plate on a top surface of a second substrate adapted to cover a portion of said first substrate;
cutting one or more openings into said second substrate and second ground plate, wherein each opening follows a portion of a ground path;
attaching said second substrate to said first substrate such that said openings are aligned over said ground paths; and
filling in said openings with conductive material, such that said second ground plate is connected to said first ground plate.

1. A self-supporting pet barrier, comprising:
at least two front panels configured to be coupled to form a front barrier, wherein a first front panel of the at least two front panels is configured to be coupled to a second front panel of the at least two front panels to allow adjustment of an extent to which the first front panel and the second front panel overlap such that the width of the front barrier is adjustable;
at least one leg configured to be coupled to the front barrier, wherein the at least one leg is configured to assist with maintaining the self-supporting pet barrier in a vertical position, wherein the self-supporting pet barrier is configured to form an open configuration that is self-supporting in use, and wherein a plan view of the self-supporting pet barrier in the open configuration defines a non-enclosing figure; and
at least one side barrier configured to be coupled to the front barrier, wherein the front barrier comprises a first side and a second side, and wherein the at least one side barrier is configured to extend beyond the front barrier on the first side of the front barrier and the at least one leg is configured to extend beyond the front barrier on the second side of the front barrier.
2. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 1, further comprising a gate formed in the front barrier.
3. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 1, wherein the front barrier comprises a floor contacting surface, and wherein the front barrier has a height of 65 cm or less.
4. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one leg is configured to extend from only one side of the front barrier in use, and wherein the at least one leg is configured to not obstruct a path of a pet.
5. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 1, wherein the front barrier defines an open space interrupted by substantially vertical members with only the substantially vertical members in a central three-fifths portion of the open space.
6. A self-supporting pet barrier, comprising:
a front barrier comprising a circumferential frame defining an open space interrupted by substantially vertical members with only the substantially vertical members in a central three-fifths portion of the open space, wherein the front barrier comprises a plurality of front panels, and wherein a first front panel of the plurality of front panels is configured to be coupled to a second front panel of the plurality of front panels to allow adjustment of an extent to which the first front panel and the second front panel overlap such that the width of the front barrier is adjustable;
at least one leg configured to be coupled to the front barrier, wherein the at least one leg is configured to assist with maintaining the self-supporting pet barrier in an upright position, wherein the self-supporting pet barrier is configured to form an open configuration to stabilize the self-supporting pet barrier without securing the pet barrier to a structure external to the self-supporting pet barrier, and wherein a plan view of the self-supporting barrier in the open configuration defines a non-enclosing figure; and
at least one side barrier, wherein the at least one side barrier is configured to be coupled to the front barrier and the at least one leg.
7. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 6, wherein the substantially vertical members are wires.
8. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 6, wherein the open space is further interrupted by at least one substantially horizontal member in a bottom or top one-fifth of the open space.
9. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 6, wherein the at least one leg is configured to not impede a path of a pet.
10. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 6, further comprising a gate formed in the front barrier, wherein the gate is configured to open so as to allow a pet or a person to pass through the gate.
11. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 6, wherein the circumferential frame is substantially rectangular.
12. The self-supporting pet barrier of claim 11, wherein the front barrier comprises a circumferential frame defining an open space interrupted by substantially vertical members with only the substantially vertical members in a central three-fifths portion of the open space, and wherein the open space is further interrupted by at least one substantially horizontal member in a bottom or top one-fifth of the open space.
13. A self-supporting pet barrier, comprising:
a plurality of panels configured to be coupled to form a front barrier, wherein a first front panel of the plurality of front panels is configured to be coupled to a second front panel of the plurality of front panels to allow adjustment of an extent to which the first front panel and the second front panel overlap such that the width of the front barrier is adjustable;
a gate formed in the front barrier, wherein the gate is configured to open so that a pet can pass through the gate; and
a plurality of stabilizing members configured to be coupled to the front barrier, wherein the plurality of stabilizing members comprise at least one leg and at least one side barrier, wherein the at least one side barrier is configured to be coupled to one of the plurality of front panels and the at least one leg, wherein the plurality of stabilizing members are configured to assist with maintaining the self-supporting pet barrier in a vertical position, wherein the self-supporting pet barrier is configured to form an open configuration that is self-supporting in use, and wherein a plan view of the self-supporting pet barrier in the open configuration defines a non-enclosing figure.

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 utility vehicle comprising:
a hood which is flexible and is configured to cover a space between a pair of right and left front wheels from above;
a pair of head lamp devices which are mounted to the hood on a space side; and
a support member provided to extend between the pair of head lamp devices;
wherein the support member is configured to support the pair of head lamp devices and the hood.
2. The utility vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein the hood has a pair of openings at right and left sides thereof;
wherein the pair of head lamp devices are disposed in the pair of openings, respectively; and
wherein the support member has right and left end portions supporting the pair of head lamp devices, respectively, and a portion of the support member between the right and left end portions is mounted to the hood.
3. The utility vehicle according to claim 2,
wherein the hood has a fastened portion provided on a surface thereof on the space side between the pair of openings;
wherein the support member has a fastened portion provided between the right and left end portions; and
wherein the fastened portion of the hood and the fastened portion of the support member are fastened to each other by a fastener member.
4. The utility vehicle according to claim 3,
wherein the fastened portion of the hood is a mounting plate portion having a mounting hole and the fastened portion of the support member is a mounting plate portion having a mounting hole;
wherein the fastener member is a rivet; and:
wherein the rivet is inserted into the mounting holes of the mounting plate portion of the hood and the mounting plate portion of the support member in a state where the mounting plate portions of the hood and the support member are joined to each other and the mounting holes conform to each other.
5. The utility vehicle according to claim 2,
wherein the hood has an engaged portion on a surface thereof on the space side between the pair of openings;
wherein the support member has an engagement portion between the right and left end portions; and
wherein the engagement portion of the support member is engaged with the engaged portion of the hood.
6. The utility vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein the support member is a support bar extending in a rightward and leftward direction along a surface of the hood on the space side.
7. The utility vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein the support member includes a metal-made pipe.
8. The utility vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein each of the head lamp devices includes a light emitting unit and a non-light-emitting unit; and
wherein each of respective end portions of the support member is fastened to the light emitting unit.
9. The utility vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein the hood has a flange portion protruding toward the space at a peripheral portion of an opening;
wherein each of the head lamp devices has a flange portion which is joined to the flange portion of the hood in a state where the head lamp device is disposed in the opening; and
wherein the flange portion of the hood and the flange portion of the head lamp device are retained and fastened by a clip.
10. The utility vehicle according to claim 9,
wherein the clip has a pair of retaining plate portions which are opposite to each other and a back plate portion connecting base end portions of the pair of retaining plate portions;
wherein the pair of retaining plate portions respectively have a pair of retaining portions which are closer to each other toward a tip end of the clip and taper portions respectively extending from the retaining portions so as to be away from each other toward the tip end; and
wherein the clip has wedge portions each of which is provided at a boundary between the retaining portion and the taper portion, the wedge portions protruding in a direction in which the retaining plate portions are opposite to each other and toward the back plate portion.
11. The utility vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein each of the head lamp devices has a peripheral plate portion which is joined to a surface of a portion of the hood which is located on the space side and surrounds an opening in a state where the head lamp device is disposed in the opening; and
wherein the hood has a press rib which is configured to contact a surface of the peripheral plate portion on the space side.