Abstract: A method and system for producing cranial remodeling devices to correct for head deformities in infants as described. The system operates on three dimensional digital captured data of a head to automatically provide trim line information for each cranial remodeling device.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for constructing a virtual three-dimensional model of an object using a data processing system, and at least one machine-readable memory accessible to said data processing system. A set of at least two digital three-dimensional frames of portions of the object are obtained from a source, such as a computing system coupled to an optical or laser scanner, CT scanner, Magnetic Resonance Tomography scanner or other source. The at least two frames comprise a set of point coordinates in a three dimensional coordinate system providing differing information of the surface of the object. The frames provide a substantial overlap of the represented portions of the surface of the object, but do not coincide exactly for example due to movement of the scanning device relative to the object between the generation of the frame. Data representing the set of frames are stored in the memory.

Abstract: A color conversion apparatus performs color conversion of input image data in which the number of a plurality of colors used in the input image data is changed to the number of a plurality of colors used in a display device for displaying an image. The apparatus includes a predetermined-point color-conversion-value calculator that calculates color conversion values corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined points at least including a point outside a color reproduction region that can be displayed by the display device in a color space; and an interpolation calculator that performs the color conversion by performing interpolation calculation on the input image data using the color conversion values corresponding to each of the predetermined points.

Abstract: A color temperature conversion method and apparatus having a luminance correction conversion function are provided. The color temperature conversion method controls a color temperature of an image display device. In the color temperature conversion method, a user-set color temperature is compared with a pre-stored basic color temperature for each sample luminance, thus converting a color temperature of an input pixel. A luminance scale factor corresponding to the user-set color temperature is calculated with respect to the converted input pixel, and a luminance correction conversion function is performed using the calculated luminance scale factor. Accordingly, a color temperature conversion method and apparatus having a luminance correction conversion function corrects luminance using a preset luminance scale factor, thus preventing distorted gray scale representation that may occur in the conversion and correction of color temperature.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to take an image of a subject; a histogram producing unit configured to produce a histogram of image data of the image; a tone correction unit configured to make a tone correction on the image data; a feature histogram table including a plurality of feature histograms respectively corresponding to a plurality of reference image patterns; an input-output characteristic table including a plurality of input-output characteristics respectively corresponding to the plurality of feature histograms; an input-output characteristic adjustment unit configured to calculate the similarity of the histogram produced by the histogram producing unit with respect to each feature histogram, to select an input-output characteristic according to the calculated similarity, and to adjust the selected input-output characteristic in accordance with the similarity, wherein the tone correction unit is configured to make the tone correction based on the input-output characteristi

Abstract: Frequency distributions are particularly difficult to analyze by means of image processing systems if the digital images to be processed are divided into disjoint image areas and signal processors associated with each image area perform pre-processing of the pixel data. To determine a total frequency distribution, a large number of corresponding table entries must be transferred to a central processor. The invention accordingly proposes that the individual signal processors perform summation of the individual entries in a frequency distribution to obtain a cumulative frequency table. To find a p-quantile, not all the entries of the cumulative frequency tables need to be transferred to the central processor. If the latter in particular performs interval nesting, a value from the cumulative frequency tables only needs to be interrogated a manageable number of times in order to obtain a single entry in the total image cumulative frequency table.

Abstract: The invention is a process for identifying an unknown object. In detail, the process includes the steps of: 1) compiling data on selected features on a plurality of segments of a plurality of known objects; 2) illuminating the unknown object with a laser radar system; 3) dividing the unknown object into a plurality segments corresponding to each of the segments of the known objects; 4) sequentially measuring selected features of each of the plurality of segments of the unknown object; and 5) comparing the sequentially measuring selected features of each of the plurality of segments of the unknown object to the selected features on the plurality of segments of the plurality of known objects.

Abstract: A system and method for validating an image segmentation algorithm are provided. The method for validating an image segmentation algorithm comprises: determining a region of interest in an image; segmenting the image from a first point in the region of interest by using a computer-based segmentation algorithm to obtain a first segmentation result; segmenting the image from a second point in the region of interest by using the computer-based segmentation algorithm to obtain a second segmentation result; and comparing the first segmentation result with the second segmentation result to determine a consistency of the computer-based segmentation algorithm.

Abstract: A method for regulating an object segmentation result to conform a shape of the object segmentation result to a pseudo-round type of shape includes: calculating a set of shape-constraint measures at each point on a boundary of an object segmentation result; searching for one or more matched point pairs on the boundary of the object segmentation result; and replacing a boundary segment between a selected matched point pair with a smooth curve.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.

Abstract: A novel method of precision measurements of sizes and line width roughness of small objects in accordance with their images obtained in scanning electron microscope, which is improvement of the existing methods and which realizes the new strategy of the measurements. This method has a higher stability with respect to noises of the video signal.

Abstract: A data input apparatus, medium, and method detecting a selected data key input. The data input apparatus may include an image output module, an image input module, and a control module, with the image output module generating an input image having a predetermined number of input keys for the input of data. The image input module may capture the generated input image, and the control module may then binarize the captured images of the respective input keys, e.g., using a predetermined threshold value. Accordingly, the proper selection of input keys can be determined by comparing the binarized images with previously stored binarized images.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a target image storage unit operable to store a plurality of target images as objects to be searched; an area selection receiving unit operable to receive a selection of a predetermined area corresponding to one of the plurality of target images; a template image generating unit operable to generate as a template image the image of the predetermined area; an image reducing unit operable to reduce the template image and the one target image at a reduction ratio corresponding to a vertical height and a horizontal width of the template image; and a similar image searching unit operable to search the reduced target image containing an image similar to the reduced template image in accordance with a genetic algorithm.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus according to the present invention comprises a conversion table for recording therein a rearrangement rule for the encoded data where the encoded data is divided into a plurality of data and a restart marker is intervened between the adjacent divided data, an encoder for generating the encoded data by encoding image data based on the JPEG method using the restart marker, and a scramble converter for dividing the encoded data outputted from the encoder into the plurality of data using the restart marker and rearranging the divided data based on the rearrangement rule recorded in the conversion table.

Abstract: Disclosed are technologies for compressing moving pictures. In particular, the present invention relates to a high efficient and simple method of compressing moving pictures for mobile devices. According to the method, it is possible to efficiently compress moving pictures because the method determines whether motion happened or not through a motion estimation process using macro blocks without obtaining motion vectors, and provides various choices in selecting size of blocks to be determined on whether motion happened or not. Further, the method performs P-frame coding based on previously existing P-frame as reference frame, so that the method may omit other previous P-frame and does not need any extra buffering, when transmitting moving pictures over networks. Thus, it has advantages of easy network support and great adaptability to data loss.

Abstract: A coding and decoding apparatus is constructed so that the coding side transmits coded data together with identifying information for identifying the device of decoding the coded data, and the decoding side is capable of storing a number of decoding schemes so as to perform decoding based on one of the previously stored schemes. The apparatus further has devices for storing the received tools and tool-correspondent information which numerically represents the capacities of the tools so that it can make a comparison between the decoding capacity and the processing capacities of the tools to determine the possibility of the operations of the received tools. Further, a set of the tools are hierarchized so that the coded data produced by the n-ranked tool can be decoded by the (n+1)-ranked tool.

Abstract: In order to process image data including a plurality of pixels, a plurality of pixel groups, each of which includes a plurality of pixels, are extracted from the image data sequentially. Next, it is judged whether each of the pixel groups includes only at least one of a white pixel and a black pixel. At least one first pixel group in the pixel groups is binarized in accordance with an arrangement of the at least one of the white pixel and the black pixel therein, in a case where it is judged that the first pixel group includes only at least one of the white pixel and the black pixel, thereby generating at least one first data item. A first resolution of at least one second pixel group in the pixel groups is reduced to a second resolution, in a case where it is judged that the second pixel group includes at least one pixel other than the white pixel and the black pixel, thereby generating at least one second data item.

Abstract: Close approximations of ideal linear transforms, such as the forward and inverse discrete cosine transformation (DCT), are formed with minimum complexity using fixed-point arithmetic. The transformation is decomposed into a smaller set of transformations (e.g., the LLM decomposition of the DCT). The multiplication factors of the decomposition are then approximated by a fixed-point representation. However, instead of simply applying scaling and rounding operations to produce fixed-point approximations closest to the multiplication factors themselves, fixed-point multiplication factors are chosen that have the effect (after the cascaded operations of the various stages of decomposition) of being the closest feasible approximations of the entries in the resulting complete ideal transformation matrix.

Abstract: There is provided with an image coding method including: splitting an image into a plurality of block images each having plural pixels; performing a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) processing on the block image to calculate DCT coefficients from the block image; determining whether the block image is in a flat state or non-flat state depending on the DCT coefficients calculated from the block image; specifying as quantization step sizes for first DCT coefficients which are DCT coefficients equivalent to one-dimensional DCT coefficient out of the calculated DCT coefficients, adjusting step sizes equal to or smaller than values of the first DCT coefficients and as quantization step sizes for second DCT coefficients other than the first DCT coefficients out of the calculated DCT coefficients, standard step sizes given beforehand, when the block image is in the flat state; and quantizing the calculated DCT coefficients with respective quantization step sizes specified.

Abstract: The method provides the identification, in a succession of acquired images each formed from a matrix of pixels, of a following sub-image extracted from a following acquired image corresponding to a prior sub-image extracted from a prior acquired image. The method comprises the steps of: —calculating, for the prior sub-image, at least one distribution of a characteristic quantity of each pixel for blocks forming a predefined partitioning of the sub-image; —calculating the same distribution for at least two would-be sub-images of the second format extracted from the following acquired image; and—determining the corresponding following sub-image from among the would-be sub-images, as the sub-image where the or each calculated distribution has the highest correlation with the same calculated distribution for the prior sub-image.

Abstract: An image processing system provides image enhancement and anti-clipping units. The anti-clipping unit for image sharpness enhancement, operates such that any shoot artifacts in the enhanced image that go beyond pixel value lower/upper bounds are properly adjusted back within the lower and upper bounds, without causing prominent edge jaggedness artifacts in the final resulting output image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing threshold stamping are disclosed. A pixel intensity value for a first pixel may be determined. A pixel value for the first pixel may be retrieved from a memory location corresponding to the first pixel. A threshold delta value may then be determined based on the pixel value and added to a base threshold value to produce a threshold value. If the pixel intensity value exceeds the threshold value, a plurality of pixel values corresponding to a plurality of pixels may be updated. The plurality of pixels may include the first pixel and one or more second pixels. Otherwise, the pixel value for the first pixel may be updated.

Abstract: A method of modifying text or images on a display having defective pixels, in order to make the text or images more legible. The image or text is shifted away from nonfunctioning pixels, moving the picture to a suite of pixels that are functioning. Second, the image or text is resized to prevent the nonfunctioning pixels from interfering with the readability of the displayed picture. Resizing the image or text effectively enlarges or miniaturizes the display on an array of functioning pixels. Third, the system is programmed to select different wording or a different picture having the same meaning or effect as the original display. The selected replacement picture display is formatted and shifted to accommodate an array of functioning pixels, or at least more functioning pixels than the original display.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to provide image capture and manipulation. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes receiving an input stream including image data from a source, displaying the input stream in real-time including displaying a plurality of instantiations of the stream at a same time, each stream different, the step of displaying including applying a filter to each instantiation of the input stream, and receiving a prompt to select one of the instantiations of the stream.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for image analysis for picture loss detection in fields or frames in video or film content makes use of different correlation characteristics of picture images and non-picture images to detect picture loss. A measure of self correlation of a plurality of image data samples, and a measure of the correlation of the plurality of image data samples with a mean value are determined, and a positive detection of picture loss is based on a comparison between the two correlation measures.

Abstract: A method of measuring an area of an micro object has the steps of introducing in a scanning electron microscope an object to be measured, so as to obtain an image of the object; on a print or in a memory; separating a first line from the image; localizing a left edge and a right edge on the first line of the separated image; calculating a distance between the left edge and the right edge of the first line of the object separating further lines and repeating the steps of localization and calculation to obtain the distances between the left edge and the right edge of subsequent lines of the object calculating a total length of the distances; and calculating an area of the object as a product of the total length L and a distance ?Y between the lines of the image:

Abstract: An image interpolation apparatus includes: a frequency component detecting part detecting a frequency component in the unit of pixel data included in an input image signal; a coefficient storing part storing a plurality of interpolation coefficients corresponding to a plurality of frequency component sections; a coefficient controlling part selecting a certain interpolation coefficient corresponding to the frequency component detected in the unit of pixel data at the coefficient storing part; and an interpolation filtering part filtering the pixel data with the selected interpolation coefficient and outputting the interpolated pixel data. Accordingly, an interpolation adaptive to images in high and low frequency areas are performed to output enhanced picture quality.

Abstract: An index is provided that holds information about each image content item in a collection of items, For each image content item, a first information item identifying the image content item and its location on a network, and at least one of (i) a second information item identifying a signature value of an object in the image content, or (ii) identification of a recognized object in the image content.

Abstract: Described is a gusseted bag or flat bag (200,201,212,214,217), which is produced and filled by a form-fill-seal (FFS) machine and which has a tear-open perforation (207,208,216) at least in the area of at least one of the corners of the bag. The invention is characterized in that the bag has a corner weld seal (206) in the area of at least one corner.

Abstract: A parallel spacer for a linear guideway comprises a plurality of parting portions, connecting portions and a retaining portion. Each of the parting portions is a thin member disposed between each pair of neighboring rollers. The connecting portions are employed to connect the parting portions and the retaining portion, and the retaining portion is arranged at a side of the respective rollers and located in an axial direction thereof, the retaining is integrally formed with the respective connecting portions and the parting portions.

Abstract: An earth boring bit has thrust faces with one of the thrust faces being at least partially tilted relative to the other. The bit has a cone rotatably mounted to a bearing pin of the bit body. The thrust faces are in the cone and on an end of the bearing pin. One of the thrust faces is completely flat and perpendicular to the axis of the bearing pin. The other thrust face has a tilted portion that is at a skewed angle relative to the axis. The tilted portion creates converging and diverging zones between the thrust faces.

Abstract: A tab bearing is provided that includes a body having a first outside edge, a second outside edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface. At least one tab projects outwardly from the outer surface at the first outside edge. The tab may only extend partially around the first outside edge such that less than half of the first outside edge is traversed by the tab.

Abstract: Bearing apparatuses (e.g., thrust bearings and radial bearings) are disclosed. Such bearing apparatuses may comprise a rotor including a rotor surface comprising a first superhard material and a stator surface comprising a second superhard material. In one embodiment, the first superhard material may be structured differently than the second superhard material. In another embodiment, the first superhard material may exhibit an average grain size that is smaller than an average grain size of the second superhard material. Mechanical systems including such a bearing apparatus are disclosed, such as, for example, a motor for use in subterranean drilling. Methods of operating and designing bearing apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: Bearing caps and methods for manufacturing bearing cap are disclosed. Bearing cap includes a body that comprises an abutment surface, a bearing surface, an exterior surface, and a recess portion. The abutment surface provides for the bearing cap to be coupled to an engine along a flat and even surface. The bearing surface provides for the bearing cap to at least partially capture the bearing shaft to secure the bearing shaft when the bearing cap is abutted to the engine. The recess portion extends into the body of the bearing cap from the exterior surface to reduce the weight of the bearing cap. The recess portion can be located anywhere along the exterior surface and be any shape and dimension that retains sufficient structural integrity of the bearing cap to secure the balance shaft to the engine.

Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange at one end and a cylindrical portion axially extending from the wheel mounting flange. At least one inner ring is fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring is formed with a double row inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumferential surface. The double row inner raceway surfaces are arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, via cages. Seals are mounted in openings or annular spaces formed between the outer member and the inner member. At least an inner-side seal of the seals has a slinger and an annular sealing plate. Each has a substantially “L” shaped cross-section arranged opposite to one another.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus for a wheel of a vehicle for rotatably supporting a wheel of a vehicle relative to a suspension system. The bearing apparatus improves the durability of an inner ring fit onto a wheel hub. The bearing apparatus for a wheel of a vehicle has an inner member which includes a wheel hub with an integrally formed wheel mounting flange at one end a cylindrical portion axially extending from the wheel mounting flange. An inner ring is fit onto the cylindrical portion. An outer member is arranged around the inner member. Double row rolling elements are freely rollably contained between the inner and outer members. The inner ring is secured in an axial direction relative to the wheel hub by a caulked portion. The caulked portion is formed by radially outwardly deforming the end of the portion of the wheel hub. A chamfer is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a back side of the inner ring. The chamfer is formed as a cut surface machined after heat treatment of the inner ring.

Abstract: A self-aligning roller bearing is provided which includes an inner ring having a double-row raceway, an outer ring having a double-row integral and spherical raceway, a plurality of rollers incorporated between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway on a double-row basis, and a retainer for rotatably retaining the rollers. Processing marks crossing each other are formed on a raceway surface of the spherical raceway of the outer ring. The processing marks are cut substantially straightly at a predetermined crossing angle to the circumferential direction of the raceway surface. The surface roughness of the raceway surface is substantially constant in the axial direction and the circumferential direction thereof at least in a part in contact with the roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuating apparatus for moving relatively rotatable components. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises: a bearing (30) including first (34) and second (36) relatively rotatable bearing elements for mounting respective first (18) and second (12) rotatable components for relative rotation about a common axis; a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator having a pair of co-acting parts (44, 54), including a first part (54) fixed with respect to the said first rotatable element and a second part (44) fixed with respect to the said second rotatable element; and, means (110) for energising and/or de-energising said actuator means to effect movement of the said co-acting parts and thereby relative rotation of the said first and second bearing elements about the said bearing axis.

Abstract: An optical modulator using a thin plate including a portion having 20 ?m or less thickness, capable of selecting a specific polarized wave from a light wave which propagates in an optical waveguide in the modulator without reduced productivity. The modulator includes an X-cut or Y-cut thin plate of a material having an electrooptic effect; an optical waveguide formed in a top or bottom surface of the plate; and a control electrode on the top surface of the plate to modulate light which propagates in the waveguide. An attenuating means which absorbs light having a specific polarization plane of a light wave which propagates in the waveguide is disposed in the vicinity of the waveguide. The attenuating means includes light absorbing members disposed at a gap L which is 0.5 to 2 times the mode-field diameter of the light wave which propagates in the waveguide with the waveguide interposed therebetween.

Abstract: In order to provide a Mach-Zehnder optical modulator capable of feed-back compensating a change due to an optical coupling loss, and the characteristic change peculiar to functional devices, and a control method therefor, a control method for a semiconductor Mach-Zehnder optical modulator using a laser device as a light source according to the present invention includes: a step for modulating light emitted from the laser device, and extracting the light as output light; a step for detecting monitor light separate from the output light, among the optically modulated light; and a step for feed-back controlling an optical output intensity of the laser device based on the monitor light.

Abstract: The depolarizer utilizes a commonly available BK7 glass corner cube to transform linearly polarized light into depolarized light with 100% conversion efficiency. The low-cost corner cube is a unique optical element that greatly simplifies the means for producing completely depolarized light as compared to other current methods and techniques. The corner cube is irradiated uniformly, but at non-normal incidence for a tilt angle of about 9° with respect to the input light beam path. The polarization orientation angle of the input beam in combination with the tilt angle and tilt-axis orientation of the corner cube must be optimized in order to make the Stokes polarization parameters equal to zero, and thereby generating the depolarized light beam A bidirectional beam director steers the retro-reflected depolarized light beam from the corner cube to the output port of the depolarizer.

Abstract: An optical waveguide type biochemical sensor chip includes a light beam transmittable substrate having at least a first optical element that allows light beam to be impinged to the inside and a second optical element that emits light beam from the inside, an optical waveguide layer that is formed on a main surface of the substrate on which at least one of the first and second optical elements is formed, has a thickness of 3 to 300 ?m and is made of a polymer resin material having a higher refractive index than that of the substrate material, and a sensing membrane that is formed on the optical waveguide layer and creates a reaction product having the ability of absorbing the light beam or an evanescent wave of the light beam in response to an introduced specimen.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid media such as a dynamic biological system in a biological reactor containing developing culture fluid media. The method includes the step of directing light into the fluid media by way of one or more optical fibers to produce an illuminated fluid media and then measuring the intensity of light reflected from the illuminated fluid media by way of one or more optical fibers, the optical fibers being partitioned from the fluid media by a transparent window having inner and outer surfaces; the fibers having ends terminating adjacent to and confronting the inner surface of the window and extending in a direction away from the window, the corresponding ends of the fibers being radially and circumferentially spaced from one another, the corresponding ends of the fibers having converging and intersecting longitudinal projections therefrom, the intersecting longitudinal projections from the fibers being entirely within the window. Additionally, a fiver optic probe is discussed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for embedding a laser source on a semiconductor substrate and an optical interconnect to couple the laser source to internal components of the semiconductor substrate. An on-die waveguide is integrated on the semiconductor substrate. A package waveguide is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and evanescently coupled to the on-die waveguide. The laser source is embedded within the packaged waveguide to provide an optical signal to the on-die waveguide via the package waveguide.

Abstract: A fully integrated microelectromechanical (MEMS) 1×K wavelength selective switch (WSS) includes an array of N solid-immersion micromirrors (SIMs) and a K+1 dispersion waveguide arrays that are integrally fabricated together. In one embodiment, the WSS is fabricated in Silicon. In another embodiment, the N actuators of the SIMs are etched in the Silicon layer of a Silicon-on Insulator (SOI) wafer. Thereafter, a Silica layer is deposited on the Silicon layer and the K+1 waveguide arrays and the mirrors for the N SIMs are etched in that Silica layer.

Abstract: An optical switch comprises a prism for changing the direction of travel of incident light to be directed toward a further optical fiber; a switching mirror placed to be insertable and removable into and from between a lens block and the prism; and an actuator for driving the mirror, in which incident and emitting optical fibers are placed in the same facing, i.e. on one surface side, of the device body. This structure makes it possible for components to be used in common and integrated, and for the coupling surfaces between the lens block and the optical fibers to be gathered together in one place, thereby enabling cost reduction and size reduction.

Abstract: A reflective optical switch for use in optical systems, such as fiber optic communications networks, is disclosed. The optical switch includes not only signal transmission characteristics, but also signal reflection capability. The optical switch includes a semiconductor substrate having first and second optical signal waveguides disposed thereon. The two waveguides intersect one another at a selected angle to form an intersection region. A thermal element is disposed atop the intersection region and can be activated to alter the index of refraction of a portion of the intersection region. An optical signal passing through the intersection region is diverted from one waveguide to another according to the heating of the intersection region by the thermal element. A reflective component disposed in a terminal end of one of the waveguides reflects selected optical signals back to the source from which they came.

Abstract: A multimode fiber system includes a transmitter for transmitting an optical signal and a receiver that receives the optical signal. At least one mode filter is coupled between the receiver and the transmitter and passes only a specific set of fiber modes from the transmitter to be received by the receiver. The at least one mode filter comprises a tapered core section that includes a double taper configuration joined at the narrowest regions and in which each end of the two tapers has dimensions compatible with the fiber at that end.

Abstract: A package structure of a WDM device is disclosed. The package structure disclosed here can effectively reduce the amount of the adhesive leaking during the manufacturing process and increase the yield of the manufacturing process. The package includes: a tubular fixing unit having a low thermal expansion coefficient; a first collimator partially embedded in the tubular fixing unit; a second collimator partially embedded in the tubular fixing unit and a filter located between the first and second collimators inside the tubular fixing unit. The first and second collimators are fixed to the tubular fixing unit through an adhesive, respectively. Besides, an external metal tube encompasses the tubular fixing unit. In cooperation with the two metal caps positioned at the two ends of the external metal tube, the disclosed package structure can be protected from the damage otherwise caused by heat, electromagnetic waves or vibration of the ambient environment.

Abstract: A voltage is applied on a first branch 3a by a first ground electrode 10 and a signal electrode 11, and a voltage is applied on a second branch 3b by a second ground electrode 12A and the signal electrode 11. A first gap 13 is formed between the first ground electrode 10 and the signal electrode 11, and a second gap 14 is formed between the second ground electrode 12A and the signal electrode 11. The first gap 13 and the second gap 14 are divided into voltage applying portions 13a, 14a, feed-through portions and connection portions 13b, 14b therebetween, respectively, and satisfy the formula: G12/G11?G22/G21<G32/G31.