text:
Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed; 4th Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies kicks off
Under the Theme "World peace and Fear of Islam";
Scholars advocate the culture of peace and tolerance
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates-Monday, December 11th 2017 [ AETOS Wire ]
Over 700 of the world's leading Islamic scholars, academics, intellectuals and researchers attended the opening of the fourth 'Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies', under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The ground-breaking event is attended by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, and led by H.E Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah, President of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies. Also present were H.E Dr. Dr Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, the forum's secretary general and chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments; H.E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League; Dr. Ahmed Tawfiq, Moroccan Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs; Dr. Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Indonesian Minister of Islamic Affairs; Dr. Sardar Mohammad Yusuf, Pakistani Minister of Islamic Affairs; and Undersecretary-General Adama Dieng, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
H.H Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
H.H Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance welcomed the esteemed guests and honored their congregation. In setting the stage he eloquently set the tone for the conversation of the first day:
"Studying human behavior has shown that throughout history, people have long regarded ignorance as the greatest source of fear and a threat that must be averted, sometimes by force. Some people even consider ignorance as the devil's tool, which needs to be countered by all means possible. Unfortunately, we have noticed that fear of Islam bears some of these factors in many countries around the world. Throughout history, there were unsuccessful attempts of bonding between the different people and cultures. This unfortunate occurrence is still prevalent in this day and age, despite the widespread use of information and telecommunication technologies and mobility. The vast majority of people around the world are unable to see anything outside of their own narrow local interests, and have little or no knowledge of other people or cultures. Hypocrites and ill-intentioned people often take advantage of this peculiarity to spread lies about Islam and Muslims (claiming that Muslims and immigrants are behind their economic hardships); while others see that attacking Islam and Muslims is their way to defend democracy and human rights. They falsely accuse Islam of not being compatible with these values, which results in an increasing fear of Islam in several communities, as well as in discrimination and prejudice against them. We also witness discrimination against Muslims in western media, publications, books or websites, which attack Islam and Muslims and intentionally conjure up false facts about them; citing the challenges and impacts of globalization, and the consequent marginalization of certain segments of society; as well as immigration, refugees and terrorist attacks, carried out by extremists that are not associated with Islam, in these countries."
In light of these problems he ended his speech with seeds of hope:
"I am hoping that your discussions will yield suitable solutions and ways to eschew the negative stereotypes about Islam and Muslims around the world. I also hope that this conclave will pave the way to effective communication with non-Muslims, through mutual visits, public diplomacy efforts; and also through writers, thinkers, universities and the media; to allow the fruitful exchange of ideas with Muslims and allow everyone to live together in peace and harmony."
On concluding, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan expressed the Ministry of Tolerance's readiness to spread knowledge and awareness about the different civilizations and cultures, to promote the deep-rooted human values and spread the culture of tolerance.
H.E Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah
For his part, H.E Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah, President of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, engaged the members of the audience with the theological premises by which the Forum was making its contributions towards global peace with Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide:
"We need people of intellect and wisdom to unify under one umbrella to tackle the global issues of today. These people need to provide the true narrative of peace in Islam. This conglomeration is an opportunity in crystallizing this narrative and presenting it to the world at large. The Forum for Promoting peace, despite its characterization as being exclusive to Muslim societies, also regards the Muslim relationship with others within non-Muslim majority societies to be from among its concerns. This is due to the negative impact a strained relationship between the two has upon Muslim and non-Muslim societies alike. For we believe that the means which we adopt for promoting peace within Muslim societies, they are the very same means which spread peace within all other societies. Since the obstacles and impediments of peace are universal, regardless of location, and are a key reason for the growth of islamophobia. We must concede that the craft of religiosity, which is a human craft, although originally possessing the capacity to manufacture peace, can also be manipulated and transformed to produce the likes of 'dirty bombs', destroying both life and property.
In light of this goal, the first venture is to correct the language and conceptual notions used within Islam that have been distorted and manipulated to suit personal and political agendas. For these reasons the Forum is launching an encyclopedic project whereby the precise notions of Islamic terms can be preserved and safeguarded from alienation. The second issue is dealing with rigid rules and concepts needs to be reflected by reality. The temporal dynamics of man and communities need to be captured by the Shariah to help deliver localized solutions that are inspired by its universal framework. In the absence of such knowledge, reflection and practice Islamophobia and radicalism will prevail. However, since Islamophobia is the twin side of radicalism, the eradication of one will automatically relieve us of the other.
We need to implement a three stage process where each stage is not a static process in of itself but are rather continuous cycles that evolve alongside each other. The first cycle involves setting up the internal home in which we as Muslims unite under the reincarnation of peace in knowledge and practice. Let us start by first cleaning our own house. The second is critical dialogue with wider community where the interface of Islam and other narratives is made accessible and permeable. Without such activities Islam and Muslims will remain in an existential vacuum. The third is making alliance with these wider communities as a collective force in combatting global problems that infiltrate the Muslim world. We should acknowledge that we have mutual values through which we can build our relationships on and help pave the way towards global peace. It is with this in mind that I would like to like to update you our new project called the American Peace Caravan. In this endeavor we are selecting local community leaders, imams, rabbis and priests who have come together here in the Emirates and have fostered strategies whereby the correct message of Islam can be distilled back in their communities. This Abrahamic project is expanding and will eventually be actively shaping the Muslim image in 50 American cities, with the blessing of God.
Through the process of positive rapprochement and corroboration in doing good we hope will manifest the opening of a new era for relations between the family of Abrahamic religions. Likewise, that it may serve as a new period of cooperation between people of luminous minds for the correct realignment of mankind's trajectory. When religions make peace and reconcile then this establishes the spirit of peace in the world, facilitating the prospects of achieving justice, virtue and treating injustices. For just as the Swiss theologian, Hans Kung said: 'there will be no peace among nations without peace among religions'."
H.E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al Issa
H.E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, followed through with his insights:
"Peace and harmony are common in the Islamic terminology, and consistent with Muslims' behavior and worship. However, political and media interests have often undermined and impeded peace, fueled by human souls fabricated hatred and the absence of communication skills. Peace involves tranquility, hope and intellectual harmony. Our inability to communicate or to conduct civilized dialogue causes us to stray from peace."
Al Issa referred to misinterpretations mentioned by His Excellency Shaykh Bin Bayyah, which marred the real concept of Islam:
"Jihad has never been anything else than self-defense to protect freedom of worship. These concepts have been distorted and falsified, and led to terrorist regimes, which caused what is now known as 'Islamophobia'; while it is well-known that extremism and terrorism often appear and disappear across all religions and cultures."
Dr. Ahmed Tawfiq
Dr. Ahmed Tawfiq, Moroccan Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, praised the forum and the United Arab Emirates for hosting this prestigious event. Elaborating on "Islamophobia", he indicated that political approaches to peace should not be absent from the intellectual perspective: "Religious scholars have an important duty to acquaint people with their responsibility in times of peace and war, and are in charge of advocating patience, respect for rights and nonviolent means." He also lauded the efforts exerted by the Forum for promoting Peace in Muslim Societies to correct concepts and the image of Islam, which would prevent the discourse on sedition and spread peace and tranquility.
Dr. Abbas Shoman
H.E. Dr. Abbas Shoman, Deputy of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, led by H.E Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah, in promoting a culture of peace and for choosing this important topic. He cited the similarity between this forum and the Alliance that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sponsored, despite the differences, in terms of the time, place and people. He also highlighted how Islamophobia is caused by the repulsive practices of some Muslims. Another reason is the refusal of some Muslims to integrate into those communities they live in. This fear of Islam is also evident in racist and violent positions of the West towards Islam and Muslims, as evidenced by the recent decision regarding Jerusalem and Palestine. The decision, which was unanimously rejected by the world's scholars, undermines efforts to achieve world peace.
Dr. Lukman Hakim Saifuddin
Dr. Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Indonesian Minister of Islamic Affairs, lauded the UAE, under the wise leadership of H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, for hosting this forum to promote peace and tolerance. "This timely forum plays a significant role, and is highly needed in both the Islamic and international community," he said. He also denounced the American decision, to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, stressing that such a decision will undermine world peace. He also expressed the Indonesian government's strong condemnation of this unfair decision, which is in violation of the United Nation's resolution. He highlighted the challenges of this critical stage in history and pointed to the difficult task that is bestowed on the country's scholars, to defuse potential conflicts. He acknowledged that extremism is often the result of misconceptions among some Muslims, and stressed the need to address the problem of hatred against Islam and Muslims, which falls within the 'clash of civilizations' concept. He called upon scholars to spread awareness in people, to correct the true image of Islam, and to foster communication between Muslims and non-Muslims to promote bonds of love and tolerance between the different communities. "We need to put an end to hegemony in the world, and promote respect between religions and civilizations, which would ultimately contribute to achieving peace," he continued.
H.E. Adama Dieng
H.E. Adama Dieng, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, lauded peace efforts exerted around the world and informed the public about the new integrations between the UN and the Forum:
"I am thankful to Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah who has courageously paved the passage towards transforming the Muslim world towards a trajectory of peace and tolerance. Additionally, the UAE has become a driving force for the promotion of peace in this region and beyond. More than ever, the world needs to learn how to live together again and display the growth it needs with love and compassion. It seems that humanity has forgotten its roots of existence; what unites us is far more great then what divides us. It is with this in mind that I am pleased to announce that The Forum is a ray of hope in determining what can unite us and building peace harmony instead of fostering hate and conflict. The UN has no doubt that the Forum has and will keep on playing a big part in shaping the trajectory of the Muslim world in its goal towards global peace.
Accordingly, The UN and the Forum will be integrating together in building Islamic educational curricula that will be implemented across the Muslim worlds. It is in this context that we can show leaderships and create leaders whereby our collective efforts can sustain the dignity of human beings in light of the many travesties and difficulties the world is facing. Whatever our ethnicity or religion, we are all human beings, desiring peace, security, happiness and a good life for our children. We have a responsibility to accept that we can belong to different ethnic groups, follow different religions, but listen to one another and learn from each other."
H.E Dr. Dr Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi
Towards the end of the opening ceremony, H.E Dr. Dr Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, the forum's secretary general and chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments, ended the day with a conclusive summary of the day's insights:
"Peace in modern times has become a desire of many people but has become strangulated due to much turmoil of the intellectual and political planes that has plagued of the Muslim worlds. Unless we educate, respect and protect our values and our citizens, internally and externally, we will forever be in a perpetual state of unrest in which terrorism and fundamentalism brews with more strength. We need to foster a language of Islam by which Muslims and non-Muslims do not fear our values, our heritage nor our religion in its comprehensive scope and application. The goal of Islam is to maintain a state of happiness that nurtures a valued society in which brothers and sisters accommodate one another with peace and respectful recognition."
In his remarks, Pastor Bob Roberts, Founding & Senior Pastor of Northwood Church, USA shed light on two main points; the first is that we are afraid of one another and the second is that we don't know what to do about it and how to build bridges that will allow us be together. He noted that if we are going to do something different in this world for our children and grandchildren then we need to learn new ways of how to relate.
He mentioned that he is often asked if he was afraid being among all these Muslims, and his answer would be 'NO.' He noted that just like Muslim scholars say that there are extremists that call themselves Muslims who hijacked Islam there are also some extremists who hijacked Christianity and he won't accept this anymore. He stressed that the biggest challenge is not how we intellectually discuss the differences we have in our religions, but how to relate to one another and how to learn to love one another.
Amani Mohamad, Media Office, +971503366878


R and I have been playing quite a few board and dice games now that he has got the number concepts 1-30 down pat.
We each get an ice cube tray (these ones are from Ikea), a bowl of pom poms, tweezers for R and a dice. You roll the dice and add that number of pom poms to your tray. Winner is the first one to fill their tray.
I am looking for some ice cube trays with more holes in them so we can add two dice and practice some addition and subtraction with this game. I am thinking about making some "+" and "-" inserts to use with our education cubes when playing this game.
R loves this game and requests it quite often. It is a quick game that requires little set up.


There's news of a large coronal hole on the Sun, which just goes to show how good astronomers are at making the mundane sound terrifying. In turns out coronal holes are neither dangerous nor uncommon, but what exactly are they?
The corona is an outer region of diffuse plasma surrounding the Sun. At a basic level, the Sun can be grouped into three parts: the interior, the photosphere, and the corona. If you you think of the photosphere as the surface of the Sun, then you can think of the corona as the Sun's upper atmosphere. It was first discovered due to its halo or "crown" effect during a total solar eclipse, hence it's name. When we finally had space-based x-ray telescopes in the 1970s it was noticed that there were sometimes dark regions in the corona, similar to the way sunspots appear in the photosphere. These "holes" in the corona seemed to be caused by a lack of hot ionized material in the region.
We now know that these coronal holes are due to an interaction between the charged plasma of the corona and the Sun's magnetic field. Typically the solar magnetic field loops back on itself near the Sun's surface. The plasma tends to follow along magnetic field lines, so the material of the corona tend to stay trapped near the Sun's surface. But sometimes the magnetic field tends to weaken in some areas, and the field lines tend to be directed away from the Sun. When that happens the material of the corona is pushed outward by solar wind, creating a coronal hole.
Like sunspots, coronal holes tend to follow an 11 year cycle. If a coronal hole happens to face Earth we generally get more aurora, but that's about it. So the appearance of a large coronal hole on the Sun is somewhat interesting for astronomers, but it's nothing we haven't seen before.
Is is just me or does anyone else think geomagnetism holds the answer to our energy future?
Not me. How do you think geomagnetism could substitute for current energy sources?


text:
Q: Row Level Security on Multiple tables/Views I'm looking for some guidance on implementing multiple row level security policies for different use cases on the same tables/views. Basically, I have a view "ReportView" used for a report which has a column which identifies who the owner of that data is (ADUserName).  Depending on who runs the report, only the owner or their manager etc should be able to see the data.  I also have a view called "Userdetails" which holds all the user details information:
Username, Team, TeamLeaderUserName, Department, Subdepartment, Region etc.
I have created a table value function which accepts a username and returns 1 if the username matches the logged on username.
I've then created a security policy which references the tvf, against the UserDetails view passing in the Username Column.
Now if I select from the ReportVeiw and join it to the Userdetails view, then only the rows associated with the user are shown. Brilliant!  Just what I want.
However, the person running the report could be a team leader and so they will want to view the data for all their team. So I created a new security policy that used the same tvf but passed in the TeamLeaderUserName column of the Userdetails view.  Again, this worked and did what I wanted!
However, the problem is, I have multiple use cases for these reports – A single user, a team leader, a manager of a department, sub department, region etc.
I can't have multiple security policies on the same table/view. I can't use a lot of "OR" commands in the function as this causes performance issues, so I'm a little confused about how best to implement this.
Should I have lots of views for all the different permutations and I assume, multiple reports for the different use cases?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
9 discarded ballots weren't fraud, Pa. election chief says
Mark Scolforo
In this April 14, 2020 photo, mail-in ballots are ready to be mailed. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
It appears that an election worker's decision to throw out nine military ballots in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, amounted to a mistake and not "intentional fraud," the state's top elections official said Wednesday.
Workers in the elections office in Luzerne County are getting training on handling mailed-in military and overseas ballots, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said during an online news conference.
"The investigation is still going on, but from the initial reports we've been given, this was a bad error," said Boockvar, a member of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's administration. "This was not intentional fraud. So training, training, training."
President Donald Trump has repeatedly brought up the nine ballots as what he calls evidence of election fraud in the past week, including two mentions during Tuesday night's presidential debate.
Feds, in unusual statement, announce they're investigating discarded ballots
Federal authorities working in Pa. say they were asked to look into the discovery of some mailed ballots described as thrown away, but many aspects of the story are unclear.
The president first mentioned the ballots during a radio show appearance Thursday, hours before the Trump-nominated U.S. attorney in Harrisburg, Dave Freed, put out a news release about the investigation.
Jonathan Marks, the Pennsylvania deputy secretary for elections, said that in some cases, military and overseas ballots arrived in Luzerne County inside envelopes that do not clearly mark them as ballots.
The usual process when those types of ballots arrive is to immediately reseal them and store them securely with other mail-in and absentee ballots to await canvassing, he said.
"So it sounds like it was confusion," Marks said.
What you need to know about voter rights, fraud and suppression for the 2020 election
The 2020 presidential election itself feels like a fight to ensure the right to a free, fair vote. Here's what you need to know.
The Department of State is working on training for Luzerne County elections workers on what to do when they find balloting material inside an unmarked envelope.
"That's what needs to be tightened up," Marks said.
The unidentified worker, who officials have said was fired as a result, did not consult with others in the elections office, Marks said.
Investigators have not explained who recovered the ballots, described by Freed as "discarded," or the process by which two of them were resealed. Freed said the other seven were all cast for Trump.
Neither Freed nor the FBI has said whether criminal charges are possible, and it's unclear whether those nine votes will be counted.
Which way will Pa. vote?
Sign up for Swing Status 2020, a free email newsletter covering Pa. election news and the national consequences.
Coverage of the 2020 elections.
Pennsylvania statewide row officers sworn for 4-year terms
Pennsylvania's top prosecutor, its elected fiscal watchdog and the official who handles billions in state money were sworn in on Tuesday to serve for the next four years.
Trump pressured Georgia to 'find the fraud' in earlier call
The December call preceded Trump's Jan. 2 call to Georgia Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger where he asked election officials to "find" enough votes to overturn Biden's win.
After excusing violence, Trump acknowledges Biden transition
Trump's acknowledgement came after a day of chaos and destruction on Capitol Hill as a mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol building.
About Associated Press

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Justia Patents InductiveUS Patent for Electromagnetic digitizer sensor array structure Patent (Patent # 7,875,814)
Electromagnetic digitizer sensor array structure
Jul 21, 2006 - TPO Displays Corp.
An electromagnetic digitizer having a sensor segment that includes a generally longitudinal network of conductive lines. Two or more conductive lines are coupled in parallel. To enhance sensitivity, the adjacent lines are interconnected along the longitudinal structure, using interconnections in the form of short lines, oriented at an angle. The sensor segments may be miniaturized, to facilitate integration into a display module using semiconductor fabrication processes. Various sensor array structures may be implemented using the sensor segment structures. The sensor array may include longitudinal sensor segments arranged in a parallel array. To further enhancing sensitivity of the sensor array, additional lines may be provided between adjacent longitudinal sensor segments. The sensor array may also include half loop (or U-shaped) sensor segments arranged in an overlapping parallel array, or full loop sensor segments arranged in an overlapping parallel array.
Latest TPO Displays Corp. Patents:
Drive circuit
Systems for displaying images
System for display images
Liquid crystal display having sub-pixels provided with three different voltage levels
Display device with UV detecting function and electronic apparatus equipped with the same
This application claims the benefits of the priority of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/701,160, which was filed Jul. 21, 2005, and the priority of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/701,297, which was filed Jul. 21, 2005. These provisional applications are fully incorporated by reference, as if fully set forth herein. All other publications and U.S. patent applications disclosed herein below are also incorporated by reference, as if fully set forth herein.
The present invention relates generally to flat panel displays, and particularly to a two-dimensional position-detecting user input device, and more particularly to an electromagnetic digitizer for a flat panel display.
2. Description of Related Art
Flat panel displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCD), are becoming ubiquitous for displaying images. One type of LCD is provided with a two-dimensional position-detecting user input device (i.e., a digitizer) to allow user input, such as user interactivity with respect to images displayed (e.g., selecting an icon), handwriting recognition, drawing, cursor control, etc. This type of LCD is often referred to as a "touch panel" LCD. The digitizer may be based on sensing mechanisms such as resistive sensing, capacitive sensing, infrared sensing, acoustic wave sensing, force sensing, electromagnetic sensing, etc.
For an electromagnetic touch panel, the underlying operational principle is magnetic induction. There are three main components for magnetic inductive input, including a two dimensional sensor array, an electromagnetic pen, and a controller operatively coupled to the sensor array and the electromagnetic pen. The electromagnetic pen acts as a signal transceiver, the sensor array acts as a signal receiver, and the controller determines the two-dimensional coordinates of the pen with respect to the sensor array by detecting the current change as a result of magnetic induction in the sensor array caused by a change in magnetic flux brought about by the pen. As a result, as the pen is moved about with respect to the sensor array, the two-dimensional coordinates of the pen (i.e., X-Y coordinates) relative to the display surface can be determined by the controller. Electromagnetic digitizers provide relatively accurate position detection of the pen, in relatively good resolution compared to some of the other forms of sensing mechanisms.
Heretofore electromagnetic digitizers have been implemented in a flat panel display by simply by assembling a discrete digitizer module with a display module. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a conventional flat panel display 500 having a flat panel display module 502 (e.g., an LCD module) and a separate electromagnetic digitizer board 504 assembled in a stack. For example, the digitizer board 504 is attached to one planar surface of the display module 502. A controller 508 is operatively coupled to the digitizer board 504 and a complementary electromagnetic pen 506. The digitizer board 504 includes a sensor array, which is formed by conventional printed circuit technology, with sensor array structures fabricated by printing technology. Printed circuit technology involves relatively large physical sizes and low resolution, as compared to semiconductor circuit fabrication technology. The sensor array includes metal conductive lines with a line width on the order of several hundred micrometers, as compared to semiconductor fabrication technology, involving line width on the order of micrometers. To achieve the desired sensitivity, the physical dimension of the sensor array tends to be relatively bulky. Further, given that the conventional electromagnetic digitizer board 504 is a separate and discrete component attached to the display module 502, it adds to the thickness and weight of the overall flat panel display 500.
It is therefore desirable to design and develop an electromagnetic digitizer that can be implemented in a relatively low form factor in a flat panel display, with improved sensitivity.
The present invention overcomes the drawback of the prior art electromagnetic digitizers by providing a novel structure for the sensor segments in the sensor array. The sensor segment structure may be adapted to configure sensor arrays that can be integrated into the display module of a display device (e.g., an LCD module of an LCD device).
In one aspect of the present invention, a sensor segment comprises a generally longitudinal structure that includes a two-dimensional network of conductive lines, traces or wires. In one embodiment, two or more conductive traces are structured in parallel. The number of parallel traces depends on the signal sensitivity desired. To further enhance the sensitivity to induced magnetic signals, the adjacent traces are interconnected at one or more locations along the longitudinal structure. The interconnections may be in the form of short traces, oriented at an angle between adjacent parallel traces. All the interconnections between two adjacent longitudinal traces may be at the same angle, and interconnections between different adjacent longitudinal traces may be at different angles. The width of the conductive structures in the sensor segments has a dimension on the order ranging from less than one micrometer, to several hundred micrometers.
In another aspect of the present invention, the sensor segments are miniaturized, so that they can be integrated into the display module using semiconductor fabrication processes (i.e., formed into one or more layers within the display module, as opposed to attached to the outside of the display module as practiced in the prior art).
In another aspect of the present invention, various sensor array structures are provided to take advantage of the novel sensor segment structures. In one embodiment, the sensor array comprises longitudinal sensor segments arranged in a parallel array. To further enhancing sensitivity of the sensor array, additional lines may be provided between adjacent longitudinal sensor segments, which additional lines may be at the same voltage potential (e.g., connected to a fixed reference voltage or ground), or electrically isolated or floating. In another embodiment, the sensor array comprises half loop (or U-shaped) sensor segments arranged in an overlapping parallel array. In a further embodiment, the sensor array comprises full loop sensor segments arranged in an overlapping parallel array.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, like reference numerals designate like or similar parts throughout the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a conventional flat panel display.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a display device, including a display module incorporating the inventive electromagnetic digitizer, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a sensor segment, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic representations of sensor segments, in accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic representations of sensor arrays for X and Y coordinates, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a sensor array in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a sensor array in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 8A to 8C are schematic representations of sensor arrays in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an electronic device incorporating the display device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
The present description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. This invention has been described herein in reference to various embodiments and drawings. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and improvements may be accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.
The present invention overcomes the drawback of the prior art electromagnetic digitizers by providing a novel structure for the sensor segments in the sensor array. The sensor segment structure may be advantageously adapted for integration into the display module of a display device. By way of illustration and not limitation, the present invention will be described in connection with a flat panel display device having an LCD module as the display module, which relies on LC elements as the display elements that can be controlled to render an image. As will be evident from the disclosure below, the electromagnetic digitizer of the present invention may be incorporated in other types of display devices, flat panel or otherwise, having display modules comprising other types of display elements, such as cathode ray tubes (CRT), organic light emitting diode light emitting elements (OLED), field emission display (FED) elements plasma light emitting elements, fluorescence light emitting elements, chemiluminescent light emitting elements, and other types of light emitting elements. The reference to "flat panel" displays herein includes displays having rigid, semi-rigid and flexible substrates and/or panels.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flat panel type display device 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, which includes an LCD module 12, and a backlight module 14 optically coupled to the LCD module 12. The LCD module 12 includes an LC layer 16, supported between two substrates 20 and 22, which can be controlled to regulate and/or filter light transmission to render a composite image based on pixilated image elements. Additional components have been omitted from FIG. 2, to simplify the structure for purpose of disclosing the inventive concept. For example, typically there are layers such as electrode layers, pixel transistor layers (e.g., an array of TFTs, corresponding to display pixels), masking layers, LC alignment layers, color filter layers, and reflection layers within the LCD module 12, and other layers such as diffuser layers, brightness enhancement layers and protective layers, which are position relative to the LCD module 12 within display device 10, which have been omitted for the sake of simplicity. Such layers in and by themselves are well known in the art, and will not be elaborated herein. The backlight module 14 may comprise a light source (not shown) that is positioned at an edge or at a planar side. In operation of the LCD module 10, light from the backlight module 14 is regulated, modulated and/or filtered by the LC layer, to render an image in accordance with an image data. A controller 26 controls the operation of the LCD module 10 (i.e., effecting control of the LC layer 16 via electrodes and drivers (not shown)). The controller 26 may be a part of the display device 10, and/or a part of a computing device to which the display device 10 is operatively attached.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electromagnetic digitizer 18 having the novel sensor segment structure of the present invention is supported between the LC layer 16 and the substrate 20, which is operatively coupled to the controller 26. Alternatively, the digitizer 18 may be positioned at other locations within the LCD module 12, for example between the LC layer 16 and the substrate 22, or at another intermediate layer location between the substrates 20 and 22 of the LCD module 12. As can be appreciated, the digitizer 18 is integrated into the layers of the LCD module 12 of the display device 10, as opposed to the prior art display devices in which the digitizer panel is provided as a separate component outside the display module (e.g., outside the substrates of the LCD module as shown in FIG. 1). The overall size of the display device 10 is therefore reduced.
To complement the operation of the electromagnetic digitizer 18, a stylus 24 (e.g., in the shape of a pen) is provided. The stylus 24 is operatively coupled to the controller 26, either wirelessly or by a wire. The stylus 24 may include one or more button switches, which may be used to select certain input related modes or functions when pressed by a user (e.g., handwriting recognition mode, point and click mode, etc.) The stylus includes a magnetic element, which may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. As the stylus is moved across the substrate 20, its relative positional coordinates can be determined by the controller 26, based on a change in magnetic flux detected by the sensor segments within the electromagnetic digitizer. The basic operational principles of electromagnetic digitizers are well known in the art, and such would not be necessary to be disclosed here.
The controller 26 controls and synchronizes the operations of the display module 12 including the digitizer, and the stylus. Images are controlled to be displayed by the display module 12, which may require user input by using the stylus to interact with the displayed image (e.g., making a selection by tapping on the display module, drawing or handwriting input by moving the stylus on the display module). Reference is made to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/311,986, filed Dec. 20, 2005, which has been commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention, for further disclosure of the implementation of an electromagnetic digitizer within a display module such as an LCD module, and the control thereof. Further, reference is also made to concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/490,835, directed to a process of integrating an electromagnetic digitizer within a display module, such as an LCD module.
In one aspect of the present invention, the sensor segment of the electromagnetic digitizer 18 comprises a generally longitudinal structure that includes a network of conductive lines, traces or wires. FIG. 3 illustrates the general structure of one embodiment of a sensor segment 30, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The sensor segment 30 includes a network of a plurality of parallel conductive lines 32. The number of parallel lines depends on the signal sensitivity desired and the overall width of the sensor segment 30, which may vary between two to two hundred lines. The width of each trace 32 may range on the order of about 500 nm to 500 micrometers. The spacing between the lines 32 may range on the order of about 10 micrometers to 20 micrometers. The thickness of the lines 32 may range on the order of about 50 nm to 10 micrometers. The appropriate dimensions of the conductive lines 32 may be selected depending on factors such as the size of the display area of the display module 12, the desired spatial resolution, pixel density, available areas and locations for placement of the sensor segments within the LCD module 12, etc. The overall width of the sensor segment 30 may be wide enough to correspond to the distance across several display pixels (e.g., the traces 32 are spaced apart to cover a distance corresponding to several display pixels).
While FIG. 3 illustrates the spacing to be similar for each pair of adjacent lines 32, such spacing may vary between different pairs of adjacent lines 32 (not shown).
To further enhance the sensitivity to induced magnetic signals, interconnections are provided between adjacent lines, to form an interconnecting network, resembling a somewhat honeycomb-like structures. Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C, various embodiments of sensor segments 34, 36 and 38 are illustrated, which are essentially the sensor segment 30 in FIG. 3, provided with interconnections 40 at one or more locations along the generally longitudinal sensor segment structure. The interconnections 40 may be in the form of short or shunt lines, oriented at an angle between adjacent parallel lines 32. All the interconnections 40 along and between the same pair of adjacent longitudinal lines 32 may be at the same angle and/or orientation (as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C), or at different or mixed angles and/or orientations (not shown; e.g., in a zigzag fashion along the pair of adjacent lines 32). All the interconnections 40 for all the pairs of adjacent lines 32 may be at the same angle and/or orientation, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 4A and 4B, or some of the pairs of adjacent lines 40 may have interconnections 40 at different or mixed angles and/or orientations. The angle that an interconnection 40 makes with respect to a trace 32 is preferably not perpendicular (e.g., greater than 0 degree, and less than 90 degrees, and is preferred to be small), to provide a longer interconnection for a particular spacing between a pair of adjacent lines 32. In general, the electromagnetic sensitivity of the sensor segments is increased with an increase in available length of the lines within the network in the sensor segment.
In another aspect of the present invention, the sensor segments are miniaturized, so that they can be integrated into the display module using semiconductor fabrication processes (i.e., formed into one or more layers within the display module (e.g., between the display element 16 and substrate 20 or substrate 22), as opposed to attached to the outside of the display module as practiced in the prior art). The details of the steps in these processes have been omitted, as they may involve conventional patterning and photolithographic steps well known in semiconductor processing, such as masking, exposure, doping, deposition, etching, etc., to form structures having desired patterns and conductive properties (including the digitizer sensor arrays). Given the network of conductive lines in the sensor segments, the sensitivity of the sensor array can be maintained at a desired level even with significantly smaller overall dimension of the sensor segments. Accordingly, a display module can effectively be provided with integrated sensor arrays, thereby reducing the size of the display module.
The miniaturized sensor segments facilitates integration of electromagnetic digitizers within display modules such as LCD modules, in accordance with the inventive concept disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/311,986, filed Dec. 20, 2005, which has been commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The process of integrating electromagnetic digitizers within display modules such as LCD modules may be referenced to concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/490,835, directed to a process of integrating an electromagnetic digitizer within a display module, such as an LCD module.
In another aspect of the present invention, various sensor array structures that incorporate the novel sensor segment structures are used to configure the electromagnet digitizer, which is suited for integration into display modules such as LCD modules. FIG. 5A illustrates the embodiment of a sensor array 46, which comprises longitudinal sensor segments 50 arranged in a parallel array. The sensor segments 50 include sensor segments that have a generally longitudinal structure that includes a network of conductive lines, traces or wires, disclosed above in accordance with the present invention. For example, the sensor segments 50 may have one or more of the structures of sensor segments 30, 34, 36 and 38 shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C, respectively. The number of sensor segments 50 would depend on the resolution and/or sensitivity desired to be achieved. In the particular illustrated embodiment, the sensor segments 50 comprise eight segments A1 to A8, arranged in a parallel array. The segments A1 to A8 may have the same sensor segment structure or different sensor segment structures. For example, segments A1 to A8 may each have a structure similar to the sensor segment 34 disclosed in FIG. 4A, or segments A1, A3, A5, A7 and A2, A4, A6, A8 may alternate between the structures of the sensor segments 34 (FIG. 4A) and 36 (FIG. 4B), etc. The choice of the particular sensor segment structure would depend on the sensitivity and/or resolution desired to be achieved. The overall width of each sensor segment 50 may be wide enough to correspond to the distance across several pixels.
As schematically illustrated in FIG. 5A, the parallel sensor segments 50 are operatively coupled to a controller or processor 48. One end of each sensor segment 50 is connected in common to ground and/or a terminal of the processor 48. Another end of each segment 50 is connected to another set of terminals of a processor 48. The processor 48 "scans" each sensor segment 50 in sequence to determine which sensor segment has experienced a change in current caused by a change in magnetic induction in the presence of the stylus 24. FIG. 5A represents an X-array, allowing determination of the X-position of the stylus 24 across the sensor array 46.
To complement the sensor array 46, FIG. 5B represents a sensor array 54, which functions as a Y-array, allowing determination of the Y-position of the stylus 24. The sensor array 54 may be similar in structure to the sensor array 46 in FIG. 5B. The sensor array 54 comprises longitudinal sensor segments 52 arranged in a parallel array. The sensor segments 52 include sensor segments that have a generally longitudinal structure that includes a network of conductive lines, traces or wires, disclosed above in accordance with the present invention. As for the sensor array 46, the sensor segments 52 may have one or more of the structures of sensor segments 30, 34, 36 and 38 shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C, respectively. In the particular illustrated embodiment, the sensor segments 52 comprise eight segments B1 to B10, arranged in a parallel array. The segments B1 to B10 may have the same sensor segment structure or different sensor segment structures. For example, segments B1 to B10 may each have a structure similar to the sensor segment 34 disclosed in FIG. 4A, or segments B1, B3, B5, B7, B9 and B2, B4, B6, B8, B10 may alternate between the structures of the sensor segments 34 (FIG. 4A) and 36 (FIG. 4B), etc.
As schematically illustrated in FIG. 5B, the parallel sensor segments 52 are operatively coupled to a controller or processor 56. One end of each sensor segment 52 is connected in common to ground and/or a terminal of the processor 56. Another end of each segment 52 is connected to another set of terminals of the processor 56. The processor 56 "scans" each sensor segment 52 in sequence to determine which sensor segment has experienced a change in current caused by a change in magnetic induction in the presence of the stylus 24.
The sensor arrays 46 and 54 are stacked in a spaced apart configuration, in an orthogonal manner, as schematically shown in FIG. 5C, to form the complete electromagnetic digitizer 18, which may be implemented on the inside surface of the top substrate 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The two sensor arrays 46 and 54 may be separated by a dielectric material (not shown in the simplified view in FIG. 5C), in a thickness, for example, ranging between 5 to 10000 nm. The sensor arrays 46 and 54 may be commonly grounded by interconnecting at 58 the grounding ends of the sensor segments in the sensor arrays through a via in the dielectric material (not shown). The sensor arrays 46 and 54 are operatively coupled to the controller 26, which includes the X-processor 48 and Y-processor 56. Further, the X-processor 48 and Y-processor 56 may be a single processor having dual functions for controlling X sensor array 46 and Y sensor array 54.
It is noted that the X sensor array 46 and the Y sensor array 54 do not need to have sensor segments that each have a network of conductive lines in accordance with the present invention. For example, the X sensor array 46 may have sensor segments each having a network of conductive lines in accordance with the present invention, but the Y sensor array 54 may have sensor segments that each has a single wire structure found in the prior art, or vice versa. In other words, the X sensor array and the Y sensor array may be mixed and matched with different types of sensor segment structures for the respective sensor arrays.
FIG. 6 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a sensor array 60, which comprises half loop or U-shaped sensor segments 62 arranged in an overlapping parallel array. The overlapping U-shaped sensor segments 62 are separated by dielectric layers (not shown), such that that the U-shaped sensor segments 62 are electrically insulated from one another. The U-shaped sensor segments 62 include segments that have a generally longitudinal structure that includes a network of conductive lines, traces or wires, disclosed above in accordance with the present invention. The U-shaped sensor segments 62 may have one or more of the structures of sensor segments 30, 34, 36 and 38 shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C, respectively. The parallel-connected sensor segments 62 are operatively coupled to a controller or processor 64. One end of each U-shaped sensor segment 62 is connected in common to ground and/or a terminal of the processor 64. Another end of each U-shaped sensor segment 62 is connected to another set of terminals of the processor 64. The processor 64 "scans" each U-shaped sensor segment 62 in sequence to determine which sensor segment has experienced a change in current caused by a change in magnetic induction in the presence of the stylus 24. FIG. 6 represents an X-array, allowing determination of the X-position of the stylus 24 across the sensor array 60.
As in the previous embodiment, to complement the X sensor array 60, a Y sensor array (not shown) is provided to allow determination of the Y-position of the stylus 24. The Y sensor array may have an array configuration and sensor segments that are similar in structure to those in the sensor array 60 in FIG. 6, but with the longitudinal sensor segments configured orthogonal to the longitudinal segments 62. Alternatively, the Y sensor array may take on a configuration similar to the Y sensor 54 in FIG. 5B. Further, the Y sensor array may have sensor array and sensor segments that are similar to conventional sensor array and sensor segment. The X sensor array 60 and the Y sensor array (not shown) are stacked in a spaced apart configuration, in an orthogonal manner, as in the previous embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 5C, to form a complete electromagnetic digitizer 18.
In a further embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the sensor array 70 comprises full loop sensor segments 72 arranged in an overlapping parallel array. As referenced herein, each full loop sensor segment is not in a closed loop, but in a spiral loop. In the illustrated embodiment, each full loop sensor segment spirals counterclockwise in a direction into the X-Y plane (i.e., in the −Z direction). (In another embodiment, each full loop sensor segment could spiral clockwise, in a direction into the X-Y plane (i.e., in the −Z direction). The overlapping full loop sensor segments 72 are separated by dielectric layers (not shown), such that the full loop sensor segments 72 are electrically insulated from one another. Further, overlapping sections within a full loop sensor segment are also separated by a dielectric layer.
The full loop sensor segments 72 include segments that have a generally longitudinal structure that includes a network of conductive lines, traces or wires, disclosed above in accordance with the present invention. The full loop sensor segments 72 may have one or more of the structures of sensor segments 30, 34, 36 and 38 shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C, respectively. The parallel-connected sensor segments 72 are operatively coupled to a controller or processor 74. One end of each full loop sensor segment 72 is connected in common to ground and/or a terminal of the processor 74. Another end of each U-shaped sensor segment 72 is connected to another set of terminals of the processor 74. The processor 74 "scans" each U-shaped sensor segment 72 in sequence to determine which sensor segment has experienced a change in current caused by a change in magnetic induction in the presence of the stylus 24. FIG. 7 represents an X-array, allowing determination of the X-position of the stylus 24 across the sensor array 70.
As in the previous embodiments, to complement the X sensor array 70, a Y sensor array (not shown) is provided to allow determination of the Y-position of the stylus 24. The Y sensor array may have an array configuration and sensor segments that are similar in structure to those in the sensor array 70 in FIG. 7, but with the longitudinal sensor segments configured orthogonal to the longitudinal segments 72. Alternatively, the Y sensor array may take on a configuration similar to the Y sensor 54 in FIG. 5B, or a configuration similar to the X sensor array 60 in FIG. 6 (but arranged in an orthogonal manner). Further, the Y sensor array may have sensor array and sensor segments that are similar to conventional sensor array and sensor segment. The X sensor array 60 and the Y sensor array (not shown) are stacked in a spaced apart configuration, in an orthogonal manner, separated by a dielectric layer, as in the previous embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 5C, to form a complete electromagnetic digitizer 18.
To further enhancing sensitivity of the sensor arrays, additional sensor lines or traces may be provided between adjacent longitudinal sensor segments. FIG. 8A shows a sensor array 80 that includes a similar structure as the X sensor array 46 in FIG. 5A, having sensor segments 50, and further additional sensor lines 82 between adjacent sensor segments 52. The additional sensor segments 82 may have one or more of the structures of sensor segments 30, 34, 36 and 38 shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C, respectively. The additional sensor lines 82 may be at the same voltage potential (e.g., connected to a fixed reference voltage or ground), or electrically isolated or floating. An X processor 84 is operatively coupled to the sensor array 80.
The X sensor array 80 may be used with a Y sensor array that can take a structure similar to the sensor array 54 in FIG. 5B, or the configuration similar to the X sensor array 60 in FIG. 6, or the X sensor array 70 in FIG. 7 (but arranged in an orthogonal manner). Alternatively, the Y sensor array may take on a structure similar to the X sensor array 80 in FIG. 8, but arranged in an orthogonal manner, as shown in FIG. 8B. The Y sensor array 86 is essentially the sensor array 54 in FIG. 5B, with further additional sensor lines 88 in between adjacent sensor segments 52. The additional sensor segments 88 may have one or more of the structures of sensor segments 30, 34, 36 and 38 shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C, respectively. The additional sensor lines 88 may be at the same voltage potential (e.g., connected to a fixed reference voltage or ground), or electrically isolated or floating. The Y sensor array 86 is operatively coupled to a Y processor 89.
Referring to FIG. 8C, the X sensor array 80 and the Y sensor array 86 are stacked in a spaced apart configuration, in an orthogonal manner, separated by a dielectric layer, as in the previous embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 5C, to form a complete electromagnetic digitizer 18. The sensor arrays 80 and 86 may be commonly grounded by interconnecting at 58 the grounding ends of the sensor segments in the sensor arrays through a via in the dielectric material (not shown). The sensor arrays 80 and 86 are operatively coupled to the controller 26, which includes the X-processor 84 and Y-processor 89. Further, the X-processor 84 and Y-processor 89 may be a single processor having dual functions for controlling X sensor array 80 and Y sensor array 86.
It can be appreciated that the configurations of the sensor arrays shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 may be mixed and combined in a single sensor array, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Depending on the particular application of the electromagnetic digitizer, by combining different sensor array components over the entire digitizer planar area (e.g., using parallel straight sensor segments at certain area of the digitizer, using parallel half-loop sensor segments in another area of the digitizer, using parallel full looped sensor segments in a further area of the digitizer, and using additional floating conductive lines between adjacent sensor segments in yet another area of the digitizer), different desired sensitivities may be achieved at different areas of the digitizer. For example, for a PDA or a tablet PC incorporating a flat panel display system that includes an electromagnetic digitizer in accordance with the present invention, the sensitivity at certain areas of the display (e.g., areas display certain defined or fixed icons for user selection, such as "soft" keys) may not be required to be as high as the sensitivity at another area of the display (e.g., the area designated for hand writing recognition).
FIG. 9 schematically shows an embodiment of an electronic device 100, which includes a display system 102 for displaying images, and an input/output (I/O) controller 103 for providing image data to the display system 102 and instructing the display system 102 to render an image in accordance with the image data. The display system 102 includes the display device 10 (e.g., an LCD device) in accordance with the present invention and an interface controller 106 exchanging image data and user input data (from the digitizer 18) with the I/O controller 103. The display device incorporates a display module (e.g., an LCD module) having an integrated electromagnetic digitizer 18 of the present invention and a controller 26 (e.g., drivers). The electronic device 100 may include a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a desktop computer, a television, a car display or a portable DVD player.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous variations of the details, materials, and arrangements of parts may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
1. A sensor array for an electromagnetic digitizer, comprising a plurality of sensor segments, each having a generally longitudinal structure that includes a network of at least two conductive lines spaced apart along a longitudinal direction, wherein adjacent conductive lines are interconnected by a plurality of interconnection lines at a plurality of locations along the conductive lines other than at the ends of the conductive lines, and wherein the interconnection lines are shunt lines shorting the adjacent conductive lines at the plurality of locations.
2. A sensor array as in claim 1, wherein the conductive lines are spaced apart in parallel.
3. A sensor array as in claim 2, wherein the conductive lines are commonly coupled at one end.
4. A sensor array as in claim 3, wherein the conductive lines are commonly grounded at said one end.
5. A sensor array as in claim 1, wherein adjacent conductive lines are interconnected by at least two interconnection lines at least two locations along the conductive lines other than at the ends of the conductive lines.
6. A sensor array as in claim 5, wherein the interconnection lines are at an angle to the adjacent conductive lines.
7. A sensor array as in claim 1, wherein the network of conductive lines is configured in a generally honeycomb structure.
8. A sensor array as in claim 1, wherein the sensor segments are arranged in parallel.
9. A sensor array as in claim 8, wherein at least two of the sensor segments include parallel longitudinal sections.
10. A sensor array as in claim 9, further comprising additional conductive lines disposed between adjacent parallel longitudinal sections of sensor segments.
11. A sensor array as in claim 10, wherein the additional conductive lines are maintained at the same electrical potential.
12. A sensor array as in claim 8, wherein at least two of the sensor segments include generally half-looped or U-shaped sections, or generally full looped sections.
13. A sensor array as in claim 12, wherein the half looped or U-shaped sections or full looped sections are configured in an overlapping manner separated by a dielectric material.
14. An electromagnetic digitizer, comprising:
a first sensor array for determining a first coordinate of a stylus input in a first direction;
a second sensor array for determining a second coordinate of a stylus input in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,
wherein at least one of the first sensor array and the second sensor array is as claimed in claim 1.
15. An electromagnetic digitizer as in claim 14, further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the first sensor array and the second sensor array to determine the first and second coordinates based on changes in current induced by changes in magnetic flux at the first and second sensor arrays.
16. A display device, comprising:
a display module, which comprises: a display element; and an electromagnetic digitizers as claimed in claim 14; and
a controller operatively coupled to the display module including the electromagnetic digitizer, to synchronize operation of the display element and the electromagnetic digitizer.
17. A display device as in claim 16, further comprising a stylus operatively coupled to the controller.
18. A display system, comprising:
a display device as in claim 16; and
an interface controller coupled to the display device, exchanging image data and user input data from the electromagnetic digitizer with a controller in an electronic device.
19. An electronic device, comprising:
a display system as in claim 18; and
a controller operatively coupled to the interface controller of the display system, to exchange image data and user input data from the electromagnetic digitizer.
20. A sensor array as in claim 5, wherein the at least two interconnection lines are at the same angle with respect to the adjacent conductive lines.
4672155 June 9, 1987 Naruse
4859813 August 22, 1989 Rockwell
5136125 August 4, 1992 Russell
5214427 May 25, 1993 Yano
20050133279 June 23, 2005 Thacker
Foreign Patent Documents
2480920 March 2002 CN
Filed: Jul 21, 2006
Date of Patent: Jan 25, 2011
Patent Publication Number: 20070018076
Assignee: TPO Displays Corp. (Chu-Nan)
Inventors: Dinguo Chen (Taipei), Yingchih Lee (Shengan Township)
Primary Examiner: Sumati Lefkowitz
Assistant Examiner: Jonathan Horner
Attorney: Liu & Liu
Current U.S. Class: Inductive (178/18.07); Position Coordinate Determination For Writing (e.g., Writing Digitizer Pad, Stylus, Or Circuitry) (178/18.01); Having Shield (178/18.08); Touch Panel (345/173)
International Classification: G06F 3/046 (20060101); G06F 3/041 (20060101);


text:
The Andersons, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results and Announces Business Structure and Organizational Changes
MAUMEE, Ohio, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE) announces financial results for the second quarter ended June 30,…
MAUMEE, Ohio, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE) announces financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 and business structure and organizational changes.
Second Quarter Highlights:
Company reported net income attributable to The Andersons of $30.4 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, and adjusted net income of $29.3 million, or $0.88 per diluted share.
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the company was $70.7 million for the quarter.
Trade Group reported pretax income of $0.4 million and adjusted pretax income of $1.4 million despite a tough operating environment.
Ethanol Group reported pretax income attributable to the company of $0.9 million due to its timely maintenance shutdowns and improved ethanol margins.
Plant Nutrient Group recorded pretax income of $19.4 million driven by a strong planting season.
Rail Group earned $2.6 million of pretax income due to lower car sale income.
Company announced a reorganization of its business groups and several leadership changes.
«I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in the second quarter, as all four of our business groups were profitable,» said President and CEO Pat Bowe. «We are focused on transforming The Andersons into a more cost-efficient company positioned for scalable growth. Our vision is to be the most nimble and innovative North American ag supply chain company. The steps we are taking to transform the organization should ensure that we have the right vision at the right time to continue to serve our customers.»
«Our Plant Nutrient Group's income was up more than 20 percent due to an excellent spring planting season,» continued Bowe. «Our Ethanol Group's navigation of the unprecedented decrease in demand due to the COVID-19 crisis helped produce good results under those difficult conditions. The Trade Group continued to feel the effects of a small 2019 corn crop in the East. Both the Trade Group and the Rail Group both felt the persistent negative impact of the pandemic on customer demand. Both groups were profitable for the quarter.»
«I want to again thank our employees, particularly those working in our plants and operations, for continuing to demonstrate their commitment to the company and to our customers and communities by keeping our businesses running safely and effectively during this time. We have maintained as our top priority, the health and safety of our employees, who have performed admirably in these difficult circumstances. We also extend our thanks to the health and safety personnel in our communities who have helped respond to the pandemic.»
$ in millions, except per share amounts
YTD 2020
Pretax Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company1
Adjusted Pretax Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company1
Trade Group
Ethanol Group1
Plant Nutrient Group
Rail Group
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company1
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company1
Diluted EPS
Adjusted Diluted EPS
Adjusted EBITDA Attributable to the Company
1 Reflects amounts attributable to the company and excludes losses attributable to the noncontrolling interests of $10.4 in Q2 2020, $0.5 in Q2 2019, $23.9 for year-to-date 2020 and $0.6 for year-to-date 2019. See non-GAAP reconciliations in the accompanying tables.
Company Continues to Actively Manage COVID-19 Pandemic
The company's executive-level response team has continued to closely monitor the crisis, share information and best practices across the company's operations and manage its coordinated response. It has also implemented policies for remote work and supplemental sick time for those employees who have been impacted by the virus. Employees continue to practice appropriate social distancing and follow protocols for sanitation and good hygiene developed in conjunction with the pandemic.
Strategic Business Structure and Senior Leadership Changes Announced
The company announced strategic business structure and senior leadership changes. Among the changes were the following:
The Trade Group and Ethanol Group will be combined and led by President Bill Krueger, who was formerly president of the Trade Group. Jim Pirolli, who was the Ethanol Group president, has been appointed senior vice president of the combined group, which will enable him to assume expanded responsibilities.
The Plant Nutrient Group and Rail Group will be combined and led by Joe McNeely, who was formerly the president of the Rail Group.
«This new structure will enable us to focus on increasing gross profit and enhancing service to our customers, while also managing our cost structure,» said Bowe. «The combination of the Trade and Ethanol Groups will allow for greater strategic alignment, risk management and integrated service to our customers. This restructuring of our business will also result in a leaner cost environment.»
Liquidity and Cash Management
«We generated strong operating cash flows and continued to manage capital expenditures during the second quarter,» said Executive Vice President and CFO Brian Valentine. «As the pandemic persists, we remain very focused on overall liquidity, including expense and cash management.»
In May, the company announced that it was targeting total expense reductions of $30 million in 2020, with approximately half of those savings expected to be permanent in nature. The company anticipates further general and administrative cost reductions that will be realized beginning in early 2021.
The company still expects to spend approximately $100 million on capital projects in 2020 after averaging more than $200 million over the last three years. This reduction prudently preserves working capital and supports our continued strong financial position.
Second Quarter Segment Overview
Trade Group Records Lower Adjusted Results Driven by Low Income from Storage Assets
The Trade Group recorded pretax income of $0.4 million and adjusted pretax income of $1.4 million for the quarter compared to pretax income of $22.6 million and adjusted pretax income of $25.8 million in the second quarter of 2019. The 2019 results were positively impacted by corn and wheat basis appreciation caused by the poor 2019 planting season and concerns about adequate grain supplies.
The merchandising business continued to perform well, with comparable year-over-year results.
The group's return on its Eastern Corn Belt assets was hurt by the small 2019 harvest and COVID-related decreases in demand, which resulted in compressed margins, minimal basis appreciation and lower originations.
The group adjusted its reported pretax income by $1.0 million for stock compensation expense associated with the 2019 acquisition of Lansing Trade Group.
The group's second quarter adjusted EBITDA was $17.5 million compared to second quarter 2019 adjusted EBITDA of $46.8 million.
The group anticipates a large corn harvest, which should improve profitability during the latter part of the year and into 2021.
Ethanol Group Records a Profit Due to Timely Maintenance Shutdowns and Improving Margins
The Ethanol Group reported pretax income attributable to the company of $0.9 million in the second quarter compared to the $3.7 million of pretax income attributable to the company it earned in the same period in 2019.
Margins began to improve in early May and were strong by the end of the quarter as improving demand outpaced increases in industry production.
As expected, a significant portion of the non-cash mark-to-market losses recorded in the first quarter reversed during the second quarter.
The group's five plants operated at approximately 50 percent of capacity during the quarter as planned. The group safely completed extended maintenance shutdowns using largely its own employees.
The group recorded adjusted EBITDA attributable to the company of $11.0 million in the second quarter of 2020 compared to 2019 second quarter adjusted EBITDA attributable to the company of $4.5 million.
Plant Nutrient Group Pretax Income Increases 22 Percent Driven by a Strong Planting Season
The Plant Nutrient Group improved its results year over year, recording pretax income of $19.4 million compared to pretax income of $15.9 million in the same period of the prior year. This was the fifth consecutive quarter that the group posted improved year-over-year results.
Volumes were up substantially due to a strong planting season.
Improved Engineered Granules results continued to be driven by better procurement and operating expenses controls.
The group's current quarter EBITDA was $27.2 million compared to 2019 second quarter EBITDA of $24.9 million.
The group's near-term outlook is guarded, as low corn prices and COVID-related demand decreases in the industrial sector may offset the positive impacts of continuing cost reductions, which have improved results over the last several quarters, and new business opportunities in Engineered Granules.
Rail Group Results Down Slightly on Lower Car Sale Income
The Rail Group earned second quarter pretax income of $2.6 million compared to $3.2 million in the same period of the prior year.
Railcar leasing results were flat year over year. Cars on lease, average lease rate and utilization were all lower as railcar loadings continued to decrease.
Income from cars sales was negligible.
Service and other pretax income was unchanged.
The group's second quarter 2020 EBITDA of $15.3 million was comparable to its second quarter 2019 EBITDA.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the idling of nearly one-third of the North American railcar fleet and has driven year-to-date railcar loadings 16 percent lower year over year through June. These conditions are expected to continue until the general economy returns to normal levels, and will continue to negatively impact lease renewals, lease rates and demand for railcar repairs.
Provision for Income Taxes Includes CARES Act Benefits
The company's second quarter income tax provision included additional CARES Act tax benefits of approximately $3.7 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in the current quarter and approximately $10.3 million, or $0.31 per diluted share year to date. As with the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and CARES Act benefits recognized in the first quarter of 2020, the company has excluded the current quarter benefits from its adjusted net income. This quarter's additional benefits are expected to result in cash refunds of nearly $14 million, bringing the total expected CARES Act refunds in 2020 to approximately $32 million. In addition, the company's reported effective income tax rate is substantially impacted by the income or loss earned by the noncontrolling interests and may result in highly variable effective tax rates in future periods.
The company will host a webcast on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, to discuss its performance and provide its updated outlook for 2020. To access the call, please dial 866-439-8514 or 678-509-7568 (participant passcode is 3588432). It is recommended that you call 10 minutes before the conference call begins.
To access the webcast, click on the link: http://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/r7mauxjq. Complete the four fields as directed and click Submit. A replay of the call can also be accessed under the heading «Investors» on the company's website at www.andersonsinc.com.
Investor Day Rescheduled
The company has rescheduled its investor day for the morning of Tuesday, December 8, 2020. The event will be presented in a virtual format. The company will share more details about the event at a later date.
This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Without limitation, these risks include economic, weather and regulatory conditions, competition, the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk factors set forth from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the company believes that the assumptions upon which the financial information and its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct.
This release contains non-GAAP financial measures. The company believes that pretax income attributable to The Andersons, adjusted pretax income attributable to the company, net income attributable to the company, adjusted net income attributable to the company, adjusted diluted earnings per share, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA attributable to the company provide additional information to investors and others about its operations, allowing an evaluation of underlying operating performance and better period-to-period comparability. The above measures are not and should not be considered as alternatives to pretax income, net income or net income per share as determined by generally accepted accounting principles. Reconciliations of the GAAP to non-GAAP measures may be found within this press release and the financial tables provided herein.
Founded in 1947 in Maumee, Ohio, The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE) is a diversified company rooted in agriculture that conducts business in the commodity trading, ethanol, plant nutrient and rail sectors. Guided by its Statement of Principles, The Andersons strives to provide extraordinary service to its customers, help its employees improve, support its communities and increase the value of the company. For more information, please visit www.andersonsinc.com.
The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
Sales and merchandising revenues
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
Operating, administrative and general expenses
Asset impairment
Other income, net:
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates, net
Other income, net
Income tax (benefit) provision
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests
Net income (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
Per common share:
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders
Reconciliation to Adjusted Net Income (unaudited)
Items adjusted for certain gains and charges:
Transaction related stock compensation
Loss (gain) from remeasurement of equity method investments
Severance costs
Income tax impact of adjustments (a)
Total adjustments
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
Impact on diluted earnings (loss) per share
Adjusted diluted income (loss) per share
(a) Income tax adjustments include $(4.5) million and $(11.5) million due to CARES Act benefits and certain discrete items in the current quarter and year to date, respectively, and $(0.8) million and $(3.7) million due to certain discrete items in the prior year quarter and year to date, respectively.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Accounts receivable, net
Commodity derivative assets – current
Other assets:
Other intangible assets, net
Right of use assets, net
Equity method investments
Other assets, net
Total other assets
Rail Group assets leased to others, net
Customer prepayments and deferred revenue
Commodity derivative liabilities – current
Current maturities of long-term debt
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Long-term lease liabilities
Long-term debt, less current maturities
Segment Data (unaudited)
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Revenues from external customers
Equity in earnings of affiliates
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests
Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc. (a)
Adjustments to income (loss) before income taxes (b)
Adjusted income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc. (a)
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates
(a) Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc. for each operating segment is defined as net sales and merchandising revenues plus identifiable other income less all identifiable operating expenses, including interest expense for carrying working capital and long-term assets and is reported net of the noncontrolling interest share of income.
(b) Additional information on the individual adjustments that are included in the adjustments to income (loss) before income taxes can be found in the Reconciliation to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA table.
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Reconciliation to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA attributable to non-controlling interests
EBITDA attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
Adjusting items impacting EBITDA:
Total adjusting items
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
Loss from remeasurement of equity method investment
View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-andersons-inc-reports-second-quarter-results-and-announces-business-structure-and-organizational-changes-301105979.html
SOURCE The Andersons, Inc.


text:
The Mix / News and Research / News / Dixons Carphone & The Mix shortlisted in the Third Sector's Business Charity Awards
by Ollie Drackford
Head of Marcoms
Dixons Carphone has been shortlisted in the Third Sector's Business Charity Awards 2017 for their ongoing support of The Mix. Now in their eighth year, the awards recognise the outstanding contributions made by UK businesses to the charity sector.
With the support of Dixons Carphone, The Mix has been able to provide life changing help to two million young people in the UK over the past year. The Mix and Dixons Carphone have a shared belief that digital technology can and should be used for good.
Through our joint work with Heads Together, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry's campaign, we are also tackling the stigma surrounding mental health and well-being. With Dixons Carphone's support, The Mix is working to become the first point of contact for any young person seeking help or information on any subject wherever and whenever they need it.
"We're really pleased that our work with Dixons Carphone has been recognised in this way – it's a ground breaking partnership born out of a shared vision – to make digital a force for good in the lives of young people. We want to thank everyone at Dixons Carphone for being #thereforus and for all those brilliant people who have walked, trekked, run, or jumped to raise money for us this year. Together we can ensure that every young person who needs help, on whatever topic, whenever they are, and whenever they want it, gets it." Donna Holland, Director of Fundraising & Development at The Mix.
Find out more about the organisations supporting The Mix.
Published on 24-Mar-2017
Prince William and Lady Gaga get their Heads Together on men...
The Mix launches 'Guys, it's okay to talk…' campaign
The Mix launches #GuysItsOkayToTalk campaign to ...
We've launched our first fundraising campaign ...
The Mix's #SexTakeover on BBC Radio 5 Live
Our brand director Zoe Bailie took part in the ...
On Sunday 18th November, The Mix's debut Music ...
Racist Abuse Lead Me to a Career in Anti-Oppression Activism
We speak to the inspiring Vanessa Faloye about her ...
How to Handle Body Shaming
What exactly is body shaming and how can we protect ...
Young Dads: Caring for Your Mental Health
Becoming a parent is simultaneously amazing and ...


The Barrel and Bottle is a full bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails + a beer and wine carryout offering an eclectic mix of Ohio craft beer, cider, Belgian specialty beers and wines from around the world. Have a drink at our bar or take it with you onto the patio or upstairs seating area. We can't wait to help you find the perfect drink!


Any personal information we collect from this website will be used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and other applicable laws. The details we collect will be for the following; To process your order, to provide after sales service (we may pass your details to another organisation to supply/deliver products or services you have purchased and/or to provide after-sales service) In certain cases we may use your email address to send you information on our other products and services. In such cases you will be offered the option to opt in/out before completing your purchase. We may need to pass the information we collect to other companies for administrative purposes. We may use third parties to carry out certain activities, such as processing and sorting data, monitoring how customers use the Website and issuing our e-mails for us. Third parties will not be allowed to use your personal information for their own purposes.
How do I disable cookies? If you want to disable cookies you need to change your website browser settings to reject cookies.


text:
Things To Do in Fort Worth, TX
1989 Colonial Pkwy
Fort Worth, TX Local Resources
Forth Worth Skyline photo by Jonathan Davison
in Fort Worth, TX
There's nothing better than breathing fresh air and getting in touch with nature. State parks, botanical gardens, trails, lakes, and farms are exactly the place to do it – and this area is full of them.
Take a look at all the options within driving distance – you'll be surprised at how close your next adventure is. We provide the driving directions, but the sunscreen's on you!
Beaumont Ranch in Grandview
10736 County Rd 102
Grandview, TX 76050 Directions
Beaumont Ranch is an 800 acre working cattle ranch, specializing in corporate and private client entertainment, with a herd of Texas longhorns, horses, two 20,000 sq. ft. event barns, a Bed & Breakfast, an Outdoor Adventure Park and Real Texas Cowboys. Nestled in the hills of beautiful Grandview, Texas the location is 30 minutes south of the Dallas, Fort Worth metroplex.
Benbrook Lake
7001 Lakeside Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76132 Directions
Camping, fishing, birdwatching, hiking and boating are just some of the popular recreational activities at Benbrook Lake. The area's natural beauty and pristine vistas mean you're in a for an outdoor treat like no other. Camping reservations and pre-paid fishing licenses are highly recommended. The park area reaches its limit quickly on weekends.
Burger's Lake
1200 Meandering Rd
Why bother driving to South Padre Island when you've got sand and sun in downtown Fort Worth? Take a dip in the spring-fed Burger's Lake, a well-kept oasis that features a filtration system, lifeguards on duty, a sandy beach and picnic tables and grills.
Burger's Lake is a 30-acre park with a spring-fed lake on site for family fun and swimming. The lake is chlorinated, filtered and chemically maintained by a state-of-the-art purification system. Burger's Lake employs a lifeguard staff for swimmers' safety. Other amenities the park offers are two sandy beaches, over 300 picnic tables, charcoal grills for cooking, six diving boards, a 20-foot slide and a 25-foot trapeze. Pack a picnic and don't forget the towels and sunscreen, Burger's Lake is a perfect spot for some quality summer fun.
Burnett Park
Burnett Park helps deliver a little relaxation and recreation, right in the middle of downtown Fort Worth. Land for the park was donated by cattle baron Samuel Burk Burnett and today features sculptures, water features and granite walkways.
3220 Botanic Garden Blvd
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
9601 Fossil Ridge Rd
Get away from the city and take a deep breath of fresh air at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. The 3,261 acres is a preservation of the area's forests, prairies, and wetlands. The outdoor destination has over 20 miles of hiking trails, leading the way to all the flora, fauna and natural wonders the land has to offer.
Gateway Park
750 Beach St
This 7 mile trail is comprised of two sections. One on the west side of the trinity river and the other on the east side. The west side is a 3.5 mile loop on flat terrain. Access the west side at the main trail head. The east side is about 3.5 miles over a hilly terrain. This section can be ridden as an out and back or a loop using East 1st as a connector. Access the east side at the top of the Beach Street low water crossing.
Marion Sansom Park
2501 Roberts-Cut-Off
The 11 mile trail at Marion Sansom Park is comprised of several interconnecting loops that wind through a wooded area with scenic vistas over looking Lake Worth. The main rim loop is intermediate level (white). Expert sections (red) feed off the main loop.
2401 University Dr
Get back to nature at Trinity Park, home to a duck pond, a miniature train, playgrounds and other outdoor recreation fun. Lingering is encouraged, and the park includes picnic pavilions, restroom and water fountains throughout.
Enjoy the challenge of a new recreation trail among the 40 miles of running and biking trails at Trinity Trails, in Trinity Park. The area boasts 17 trail heads where you'll find picnic areas and rest stops. There's also boat launches, horseback riding trails and plenty of fishing spots.
The Law Office Of Daniel Swayze Jr
Business & Commercial Litigation Law AttorneysCopyrightPatent & Trademark Law Attorneys
• Experienced Patent & Trademark Attorney
• Copyrights & Licensing
• Helping inventors protect their intellectual property.
Explore Fort Worth
Arlington, TXDallas, TXWaco, TXAustin, TXOklahoma City, OKShreveport, LAHouston, TXSan Antonio, TXTulsa, OK