Provided is a piezoelectric-film-type electron emitter which enables suppression of reduction of electron emission quantity due to repeated use thereof, and which exhibits high durability. The electron emitter includes a substrate; an emitter section formed of a dielectric material; a first electrode formed on the top surface of the emitter section; and a second electrode formed on the bottom surface of the emitter section. The dielectric material forming the emitter section contains a dielectric composition having an electric-field-induced strain (i.e., percent deformation under application of an electric field of 4 kV/mm, as measured in a direction perpendicular to the electric field) of 0.07% or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electron emitter applicable to electron beam sources for use in various devices and apparatus that utilize electron beams, such as displays (e.g., field emission display (FEDs)), electron beam irradiation apparatus, light sources, electronic-component-manufacturing apparatus, and electronic circuit components.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is generally known, the aforementioned electron emitter is configured such that a predetermined electric field is applied to an emitter section (electron emission section) in a vacuum having a predetermined vacuum level, whereby electrons are emitted from the emitter section. In application to an FED, a plurality of electron emitters are two-dimensionally arrayed on a substrate formed of, for example, glass or ceramic material. In addition, a plurality of phosphors corresponding to the electron emitters are arrayed with a predetermined gap therebetween. Among the two-dimensionally arrayed electron emitters, certain electron emitters are selectively driven so as to emit electrons therefrom. The emitted electrons fly through the aforementioned gap and collide with phosphors corresponding to the driven electron emitters. The phosphors hit by the electrons fluoresce, thereby displaying a desired image.
Conventionally known electron emitters include an electron emitter having an emitter section formed of a dielectric material (piezoelectric material). Such an electron emitter is called a "piezoelectric-film-type electron emitter." This type of electron emitter is produced at low cost, and therefore is suitable for use in an FED, in which, as described above, numerous electron emitters are two-dimensionally arrayed on a substrate having a relatively large area. Conventional piezoelectric-film-type electron emitters are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) Nos. 2004-146365 and 2004-172087.
Such a conventional piezoelectric-film-type electron emitter is configured such that a cathode electrode covers a portion of the top surface of an emitter section formed of a dielectric material, and an anode electrode is provided on the bottom surface of the emitter section, or on the top surface of the emitter section at a position a predetermined distance away from the cathode electrode. Specifically, the electron emitter is configured such that an exposed portion of the top surface of the emitter section at which neither the cathode electrode nor the anode electrode is formed is present in the vicinity of a peripheral edge portion of the cathode electrode (the exposed portion plays an important role for electron emission in the emitter section, and this portion will be called an "electron emission region").
The conventional electron emitter is operated as follows. In the first stage, voltage is applied between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode such that the cathode electrode is higher in electric potential. An electric field induced by the applied voltage brings the electron emission region of the emitter section into a predetermined polarization state. In the second stage, voltage is applied between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode such that the cathode electrode is lower in electric potential. At this time, primary electrons are emitted from the peripheral edge portion of the cathode electrode, and the polarization of the emitter section is inverted. The primary electrons collide with the electron emission region of the polarization-inverted emitter section, whereby secondary electrons are emitted from the electron emission region. The secondary electrons fly in a predetermined direction by means of an externally applied, predetermined electric field; i.e., the electron emitter emits electrons.


Better homogenization of molten glass or the like is achieved by a row of stirrers when greater stirring force is provided in the center portion of the row. Preferred embodiments employ stirrers with blades, and stirrers in the center portion have longer blades than in outboard portions of the row.

This invention relates to homogenizing viscous liquid material, particularly molten glass, by means of a plurality of stirrers. More specifically, the stirring arrangement of the present invention provides more effective homogenization than prior art arrangements.
Homogenization is important in the manufacture of glass because regions of very slight compositional differences can exhibit different indices of refraction from the bulk of the glass, with the result that the differential bending of light rays is visible as distortion of an image viewed through the glass product. Minimizing this effect is desirable for producing glass of high optical quality. The inhomogeneities may be present in the molten glass due to delayed melting of some raw materials or due to erosion of refractory walls with which it is in contact during the melting process. Some glasses develop inhomogeneity by vaporization of volatile constituents from surface portions of the molten mass in the melting furnace. Homogenization of molten glass is also important in those glassmaking processes in which colorants or other substances are added to the glass after melting has been substantially completed.
Various rotated stirrers including spiral types and paddle types have been used to mix and thereby improve the homogeneity of molten glass. A typical arrangement in larger scale, continuous glass producing operations includes one or more rows of stirrers extending across the path of molten glass travel along a channel or through a restricted waist structure. Examples of that type may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,047,918 (Heithoff), 4,339,261 (Walton et al.), and 4,744,809 (Pecoraro et al.). Many particular stirrer structures have been used in the prior art and have potential applicability to the present invention. An example of a stirrer structure that has a particularly powerful stirring action is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,557 (Nayak et al.).
Most stirring arrangements have as their object to divert portions of the molten glass vertically and/or laterally from the overall flow path, thereby intermixing portions of the glass stream. However, it has been found that when a relatively wide row of stirrers is involved (i.e., four or more stirrers in the row), even stirrers having very powerful stirring action tend to have a localized effect such that distinct bands of glass downstream from the stirring zone are produced within which the glass is relatively well mixed but between which insufficient mixing has occurred. Increasing the stirring action seems to have little effect on the existence of these bands. The presence of these bands indicates the possibility that significant inhomogeneity remains in the molten glass which may deteriorate the optical quality of the product glass. It would be desirable to reduce this banding effect so as to assure better homogeneity of the glass.

Center biased stirring for improved glass homogenization


An inertial delay mechanism for use in an explosive projectile is provided. The delay mechanism consists of an inertial delay fuse that is precise, doesn't require sensitive primary explosives and doesn't utilize electronic circuitry. The inertial delay fuse includes a free sliding charge element that strikes an anvil located opposite to the sliding charge element. A delay gap is provided between the sliding charge element and the anvil. Upon impact, the sliding charge element slides forward and impacts the anvil, thereby inducing a shock wave in an initiator charge that subsequently results in detonation of main charges. The design is mechanically simple and robust enough to withstand severe g-loading forces that occur during firing and penetration of a projectile.

The invention is directed to providing a delay mechanism for an explosive projectile. In particular, the invention is directed to providing an inertial delay fuse for use in explosive projectiles.
In many explosive projectile applications, such as projectile based drilling or excavation, the detonation of an explosive payload carried by the projectile preferably occurs after the projectile strikes and penetrates the target. The delay in detonating the explosive payload allows the projectile to penetrate into the target a prescribed distance before detonation, thereby allowing a greater amount of material to be excavated as opposed to having the projectile detonate upon impact. Due to the velocity of the fired projectile, the delay in detonation must be short (on the order of tens or hundreds of microseconds) to allow for the delivery of the explosive payload at an appropriate depth within the target.
Conventional chemical delay elements are not precise enough to be utilized for explosive projectile drilling applications. Chemical delay elements generally provide delays on the order of milliseconds with variances on the order of hundreds of microseconds as opposed to tens of microseconds. In addition, very sensitive primary explosives are required when chemical delay elements are used. The use of such sensitive primary explosives for chemical makes the handling and firing of projectiles fitted with chemical delays inherently dangerous.
Electronic delays can also be utilized in projectiles. Electronic delay elements can be very precise and flexible, however, they also require complex and fragile circuitry that is relatively expensive. In addition, electronic delays require that an energy storage device be incorporated into each projectile. Available energy storage devices are relatively bulky and heavy and are not particularly well suited for use in the relatively small projectiles used for excavation. In addition, energy sources may degrade over time causing problems in the reliability of projectiles that have been stored for long periods
In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide a delay mechanism that can be readily incorporated into an explosive projectile without requiring very sensitive primary explosives of conventional chemical delay devices or the circuitry of conventional electronic delay devices. Accordingly, such a delay mechanism would be less expensive to manufacture, safer to handle and more reliable.

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.


A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display panel includes vertically irradiating a first substrate and a second substrate with ultraviolet light for alignment. An energy compensation device is formed and/or placed in an irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light. An angle difference of pretilt angles between liquid crystal molecules inside the first substrate and liquid crystal molecules inside the second substrate is greater than a preset angle. An energy intensity inside the first substrate or inside the second substrate is controlled by the energy compensation device, so that pretilt angle difference between the liquid crystal molecules inside the first substrate and the liquid crystal molecules inside the second substrate is large.

The present application relates to the field of liquid crystal display technologies, and more particularly to a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display panel.
In a light alignment process of a current curved liquid crystal display panel, ultraviolet light is incident from one side of a substrate, and a first substrate and a second substrate are irradiated by light for the same time and the same light intensity. This results in a small angle difference in pretilt angles between liquid crystal molecules inside the first substrate and liquid crystal molecules inside the second substrate. In the case of a curved surface, a substrate stress will cause uneven display of the liquid crystal display panel and deterioration of image quality.
Technical Problem:
The current liquid crystal display panel has a technical problem that the angle difference in the pretilt angles between an inner side of the first substrate and an inner side of the second substrate is small.

Manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display panel

Shenzhen China Stor Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.


The present disclosure provides a system for opening and closing, in a substantially longitudinal direction, at least one hatch of a landing gear bay of an aircraft. In particular, the system includes: a proximal guide rod and a distal guide rod, each having a first end pivotably attachable to the hatch, and a second end pivotably attachable to a stationary inner structure of the gear bay, and arranged such as to form a deformable parallelogram hinge; and at least one drive rod having a first end that is pivotably attachable to the hatch, and a second end that is pivotably attachable to a landing gear leg.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
A landing gear bay is a housing intended to receive a landing gear of an aircraft.
In most aircraft for transporting merchandise or people, the gear bay is located in the fuselage of the aircraft and is usually closed by an opening and closing system including several hatches.
There are several opening and closing systems.
Typically, an opening and closing system, or hatch system, includes at least two main hatches, for example the front gear hatches, which open for allowing the deployment of the gear and close when the gear is out so as to limit aerodynamic disruptions.
This system also includes at least two secondary hatches, for example the rear gear hatches, which open for allowing the deployment of the gear and remain open as long as the gear is out.
The system may also include a fifth hatch, called central hatch or main leg fairing, which, like the secondary hatches, remains open as long as the gear is out. The main leg fairing is usually secured on the gear, more particularly on a gear leg.
A landing gear hatch, more simply called gear hatch, usually comprises a panel secured on hinge arms, generally goosenecks hinged on the structure of the aircraft, around a pivoting axis shifted inwardly in the gear bay with respect to the panel.
Goosenecks are generally distributed over the length of the hatch and secured, on the one hand, on the hatch and, on the other hand, on the structure of the aircraft.
Depending on the case, at least one gooseneck is connected, by means of a connecting rod, to the structure of the aircraft. Alternatively, the connecting rods may be secured to the hatches by other types of platings.
This connecting rod allows performing a rotational movement of the hatch with respect to the fairing of the aircraft. According to the forms, there may also exist a system of intermediate bell-cranks aiming to limit the load along the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and allowing reducing the size of the platings along this direction.
Thus, during the deployment of the landing gear, the pivoting of the hatch towards the outside of the fuselage is obtained by means of the connecting rod and gooseneck hinges.
While the front hatches are generally displaced by means of at least one actuator (they open before the deployment of the gear), each secondary hatch is connected to the landing gear, for example by means of a connecting rod secured, on the one hand, on the landing gear (for example on the gear leg or on a hinge triangle of the gear) and, on the other hand, on the hatch.
This connecting rod allows maneuvering the hatch directly according to the movements of the landing gear. Thus, during the retracting of the landing gear, the actual fact that the landing gear ascends into the gear bay provides the closing of the hatch. The same can be said for the deployment of the gear and the opening of the hatches. Alternatively, it can also be considered to use a hinge triangle on the gear leg instead of the connecting rod(s).
More particularly, while the gear is deploying, the latter turns about an axis (forming the hinge triangle), causing a movement of the connecting rod which pushes the hatch to its open position.
Such a configuration hence allows controlling the deployment of the landing gear and the opening of the hatch at the same time.
In order to preserve the aerodynamics of the fuselage of the aircraft, the arrangement of the pivoting axis of the landing gear is achieved inside the gear bay. As mentioned before, the front hatches close up after having left the landing gear pass in order to reduce aerodynamic disruptions. Due to the passage of the gear leg, it is difficult and sometimes not possible to close the rear hatches again, thereby causing significant aerodynamic disruptions along the fuselage of the aircraft.
For these aerodynamic reasons, the secondary hatches have a reduced surface and opening which just allow the deployment of the landing gear. The front hatches should allow the passage of the landing gear wheels and are by comparison relatively wider.
A four hatch system generally does not comprise a main leg fairing.
In the case of a four hatch system, there are generally two rear hatches, or secondary hatches, and two front hatches, or main hatches, placed side by side.
The rear hatches may open in several ways.
As described above, the hatches may generally open laterally by pivoting.
Various hatch opening systems are described in Patent Documents: FR 2 911 321, FR 2 922 519, FR 2 886 620, US 2009/0159743 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,542.
French Patent FR 2 886 620 describes a system in which the hatches open laterally on either side of the fuselage, by pivoting. The rear hatches are fastened to the landing gear, by means of a rocker arm. This system is more particularly intended for large planes, of the A380 type, having a vast gear bay allowing housing therein the hinge system and the additional connecting rod. Such a system is difficult to implement on gear bays of smaller aircrafts.
U.S. Patent Publication US 2009/0159743 also describes a hatch system (five hatch system) with a lateral opening and by pivoting, including for the main leg fairing.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,542 describes an opening and closing system in which the front hatches have a double rotational movement, of tilt-and-turn type, such as to adopt an intermediate position in which they serve as aerodynamic cowling upstream of the deployed gear.
French Patent FR 2 922 519 describes a hatch system for gear bay animated by a lateral circular translational movement by means of deformable parallelogram type hinge. A gooseneck provides the detachment of the hatch and the lateral displacement thereof, the deformable parallelogram maintaining the orientation thereof substantially horizontal.
It is worth noting that the driving of these hatches is not carried out by means of the gear leg but by means of independent control means of cylinder type actuating a dedicated gooseneck type hinge.
At the start of its opening movement as well as at the end of closing, the lever arm exerted by this cylinder is extremely reduced, thus making the cylinder able to develop an even more important power and to be dimensioned accordingly. The hinges must also be dimensioned accordingly, thus translating by an unwanted increase of their size, bulk and mass.
It is also worth noting that the deformable parallelogram is constructed from a transversal hinge axis of the landing gear leg, thereby inducing positioning constraints of the hatch hinge system.
As for French Patent FR 2 911 321, it aims some aircrafts, particularly transport aircrafts intended for transporting cargo, in which there are certain constraints as regards the positioning of the floor.
French Patent FR 2 911 321 mentioned above describes a system for opening and closing a landing gear bay including at least one secondary hatch opening not laterally but longitudinally, so as to be in the direction of flow of the fluids. The hatch is further animated by a circular translation movement maintaining it substantially parallel to the fairing of the aircraft and to the flow of the fluid.
The hinge of the hatch is carried out by means of a gooseneck hinge rotatably secured, on the one hand, to the fairing, a stationary part of the aircraft, and on the other hand, to the hatch.
The driving of the hatch is associated to the landing gear leg and is carried out by means of a drive rod stiffly mounted on said gear leg but pivotally mounted on the hatch.
The stationary characteristic of the drive rod allows providing the translational guiding of the hatch and the maintaining thereof in a plane which is substantially parallel to the lines of the aircraft.
However, we have discovered that such a drive architecture is relatively stiff and not adaptable.

System for opening and closing a gear bay


A tow bar apparatus has a pair of socket members adapted to be attached to a towed vehicle and a pair of ball rod end joints adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle. The pair of socket members each includes a girdle around a sidewall, the girdle being adapted to support the sidewall to prevent the sidewall from bending out of shape under the stress of towing; the girdle further including a first bolt aperture opposite the bar slot of the sidewall for pivotal attachment of the socket member to the towed vehicle. The ball rod end joint includes an external ring attached to the second end of one of the tow bars, and an internal ring pivotally mounted within the external ring. The internal ring is adapted to be mounted on a post of the towing vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to tow bars, and more particularly to an A-frame type tow bar apparatus that provides superior strength and durability while maintaining a great range of motion between the towed-vehicle relative to the towing-vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
Tow bars that bolt directly onto a towing vehicle for towing a towed vehicle also well known in the prior art. Examples of such tow bars are shown in Parent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,851, and Johnson, U.S. Re. Pat. No. 35,482, which are described in greater detail below. While these tow bars are superior to a ball hitch, these tow bars are both bulky and relatively expensive to manufacture. To provide the flexibility necessary to allow the towed vehicle a range of motion relative to the towing vehicle, most prior art tow bars include three hinged connections, one hinge providing flexibility in the horizontal plane, a second hinge providing flexibility in the vertical plane, and a third hinge that provides a pivotal point for twisting. While these hinges are functional, they are also weak points in the tow bar that could break under rigorous conditions.
It is also known to substitute at least one of the hinged connections with a ball-and-socket connection. Examples of this are shown in R. E. Moore, U.S. Pat. No. 2,139,970 and J. E. Powell, U.S. Pat. No. 1,185,435.
W. W. Cushman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,916,301, teaches warehouse tractors and the like and has for its primary object to so modify the pusher plate on such vehicles that the latter may be readily connected together as a train and be pulled to and from the place of work by a leading vehicle. While Cushman teaches the use of a pair of bars that terminate in hemispheres that can be joined to form a single unit, the hemispheres of Cushman are not positioned within a call-and-socket connection. In Cushman, the hemispheres are part of a jack mechanism that merely push against a half-socket for the purposes of depressing the drawbar tongue and raising the tractor. Cushman does not teach the combination of two hemispheres within a complete socket to form a ball-and-socket connection that can withstand both pushing and pulling forces.
W. La Hodny, U.S. Pat. No. 2,071,883, teaches a ball-and-socket connection that is used in the field of rear view mirrors. To the extend Hodney is instructive of the present invention, it would not be obvious to apply the teachings of this field to the field of towing vehicles. Rear view mirrors are adapted to bind in a certain xe2x80x9chold position,xe2x80x9d and the connection does not have to be very strong. Designs that might be highly adjustable and functional for rear view mirrors would not often be capable of withstand the rigorous pushing and pulling strains that are placed on a tow bar apparatus.
Parent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,851, teaches a storable self-aligning towing assembly which allows universal pivoting about three axes between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. The towing assembly is self-supporting. A hitching member is releasably attached to a towing vehicle at a first end of the hitching member; a first yoke member is pivotally attached to a second end of the hitching member such that the first yoke member pivots about a first axis which is generally horizontal and is normal an extended longitudinal axis of the hitching member; a second yoke member is connected to the first yoke member such that the second yoke member is free to rotate with respect to the first yoke member about an axis that is generally parallel to an extended longitudinal axis of the hitching member; a towed vehicle attachment means is releasably attached at a first end to a towed vehicle; the towed vehicle attachment means is pivotally attached to the second yoke member such that the second yoke member pivots with respect to the towed vehicle attachment means about a second axis which is generally vertical axis and is normal to the extended longitudinal axis of the hitching member. The configuration allows the towing assembly to pivot from a towing position to a storage position on the rear of the towing vehicle. A latching mechanism secures the self-aligning towing assembly in the storage position on the rear of the towing vehicle. The self-aligning towing assembly may be further converted into a shipping position.
Johnson, U.S. Re. Pat. No. 35,482, teaches a towing hitch including a frame having a forward portion selectively connected to the receiver hitch of a towing vehicle, and a rearward portion having a pair of elongated bars pivotally connected thereto for removable connection to a vehicle to be towed. Each bar has a pivot arm connected to the rearward end thereof said pivot arms and bars all to the rearward end thereof, said pivot arms and bars all pivotal within a single plane, so that the pivot arms may be folded into a storage position adjacent and parallel to the bars. Selective locking apparatus permits the pivot arms to be extended to a towing position aligned with the bars and locked in the towing position. The bars are pivotally connected to a pivot block which is pivotally mounted to the forward portion of the frame, so as to permit the pivot block, and attached bars and arms to pivot from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical storage position. The pivot block is mounted on a rotatable yoke, such that the bars and pivot arms are rotatable, as a unit, along an axis parallel to the direction which a vehicle is being towed.
Hobrath, U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,887, teaches a sulky for a self propelled lawn mower, the sulky being interconnected by a pivot frame and a horizontal pivot to the mower frame, and a vertical pivot between the sulky frame and wheels in order to retain the operator in a constant position in respect to the mower under all operator conditions.
The patents described above are hereby incorporated by reference in full.
The prior art teaches tow bars with flexibility between the towed and towing vehicle. However, the prior art does not teach a tow bar having ball-and-socket connections at one end and a ball joint rod end at a second end that together allow a towed vehicle a great range of motion relative to the towing vehicle, while still providing a strong connection that will not break even under rigorous towing and braking conditions. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.
The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.
The present invention provides a tow bar apparatus that allows a towing vehicle to tow a towed vehicle. The tow bar apparatus includes a pair of tow bars, a means for connecting a first end of each of the pair of tow bars to the towed vehicle, and a means for connecting a second end of each of the pair of tow bars to the towing vehicle. The means for connecting the first end to the towed vehicle may include a pair of socket members adapted to be attached to the towed vehicle. The pair of socket members preferably each includes a girdle around a sidewall. The girdle is adapted to support the sidewall to prevent the sidewall from bending out of shape under the stress of towing. The girdle preferably includes a first bolt aperture opposite the bar slot of the sidewall. An attachment portion has a second bolt aperture through an ear portion and is pivotally connected to the girdle with a pivot bolt. The attachment portion is adapted to be attached to the towed vehicle, thereby enabling the pair of socket members to pivot with respect to the towed vehicle. The means for connecting a second end of each of the pair of tow bars to the towing vehicle preferably includes a pair of ball rod end joints attached to the second ends of the pair of tow bars. Each of the pair of ball rod end joints has an external ring attached to the second end, and an internal ring pivotally mounted within the external ring. The internal ring is adapted to attach securely to the towing vehicle. The internal ring is preferably adapted to be mounted upon a post that is attached to the towing vehicle so that each of the pair of tow bars can rotate and pivot with respect to the towing vehicle.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a tow bar apparatus having advantages not taught by the prior art.
Another objective is to provide a tow bar apparatus that allows the towed vehicle a great range of motion relative to the towing vehicle, without weakening the strength of the tow bar.
Another objective is to provide a tow bar apparatus that allows each of the two tow bars to be attached or removed independently of one another, so that the user does not have to lift both of the tow bars at the same time.
A further objective is to provide a tow bar apparatus that includes a pair of tow bars that each terminate in one of a pair of ball rod joint ends that are adapted to be mounted on a post of the towing vehicle.
A further objective is to provide a tow bar apparatus that includes a pair of socket members that enable a removable ball-and-socket connection between the tow bar and the towed vehicle, each of the pair of socket members having a girdle that surrounds and supports a sidewall of the socket members.
A further objective is to provide a pair of socket members that can pivot with respect to the towed vehicle.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.


The invention provides composition and therapeutic, methods for modulating homeostatic pathways that are useful in treatment, and prevention of diabetes, diabetes associated disorders, metabolic disorders and cancer.

Diabetes is an impaired metabolic response to our body's own insulin so that active muscle cells cannot take up glucose as easily as they should. When diabetes, or reduced insulin sensitivity, exists, the body attempts to overcome this resistance by secreting more insulin from the pancreas. In that physiologic circumstance, the blood insulin levels are chronically higher which inhibits fat cells from releasing their energy stores to allow for weight loss. Diabetes is associated with obesity, hypertension, abnormal triglycerides and glucose intolerance. BCL-2 family proteins, such as BAD, are well known to play critical roles in organism homeostasis by regulating programmed cell death or apoptosis. In recent years, novel non-apoptotic functions have been identified for select BCL-2 family members and these newly identified roles are vital to maintaining organism homeostasis. Deregulation of the apoptotic functions of BCL-2 family members can lead to excessive cell loss or excessive cell survival, giving rise to diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer, respectively. Deregulation of the non-apoptotic functions of BCL-2 family members, such as BAD, can produce a diabetogenic phenotype that is unrelated to BAD's role in cell death physiology. The ability of select BCL-2 family proteins to toggle between distinct functions is a critical aspect of their physiologic activity. The molecular mechanisms by which they achieve dual roles can be mediated by their bioactive BH3 domain and, specifically, its phosphorylation state. Therefore, the ability to generate selective compounds that mimic phosphorylated BH3 domains has significant therapeutic potential in treating human disease.
BCL-2 Family Proteins: Critical Intra-Cellular Checkpoints of Apoptosis
Programmed cell death is a genetically conserved pathway essential for proper embryonic development and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis (Cory, S. and Adams, J. M. 2002. Nat Rev Cancer 2, 647-56). Aberrant regulation of this pathway participates in the genesis of multiple human diseases, including cancer, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders, and diabetes. The mammalian apoptotic pathway provides evidence for the participation of organelles, especially mitochondria (Green, D. R. and Kroemer, G. 2004. Science 305, 626-9). Besides providing most of the cellular ATP, mitochondria participate in apoptosis by releasing cytochrome c and other apoptogenic factors. Once released, cytochrome c is assembled together with APAF-1 and caspase-9 to form the "apoptosome", which in turn activates downstream caspases, leading ultimately to cellular demise (Li, P. et al., 1997. Cell 91:479-89). Mitochondria are also responsible for cellular respiration and coordinate multiple metabolic pathways, yet the interrelationship of these functions with apoptosis has remained uncertain.
The BCL-2 family of proteins constitutes a critical control point in apoptosis residing immediately upstream to irreversible cellular damage, where the members control the release of apoptogenic factors from mitochondria (Danial, N. N. and Korsmeyer, S. J. 2004. Cell 116:205-19). Several Bcl-2 proteins reside at sub-cellular membranes, including the mitochondrial outer membrane, ER and nuclear membranes. The family consists of both death agonists and antagonists, which share sequence homology within one or more segments known as BCL-2 homology (BH) domains (FIG. 1). All anti-apoptotic members, such as BCL-2 and BCL-XL, and a subset of pro-apoptotic family members, such as BAX and BAK, are "multi-domain" proteins sharing sequence homology within 3-4 BH domains. The "BH3-only" subset of pro-apoptotic molecules, including BAD, BID, BIM, NOXA and PUMA show sequence homology only within a single α helical segment, the BH3 domain, which is also known as the critical death domain (Wang, K. et al., 1996. Genes Dev 10:2859-69). BAX and BAK constitute a requisite gateway to the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in that cells doubly deficient for these proteins are resistant to all apoptotic stimuli that signal through the intrinsic pathway (Lindsten, T. et al., 2000. Mol Cell 6, 1389-99; Wei, M. C. et al., 2001. Science 292, 727-30). All BH3-only molecules operate upstream of BAX and BAK connecting proximal death and survival signals to the core apoptotic pathway (FIG. 2) (Cheng, E. H. et al., 2001. Mol Cell 8, 705-11; Zong, W. X. et al., 2001. Genes Dev 15, 1481-86). Upon receipt of death signals, BAX and BAK undergo allosteric activation at the mitochondria, resulting in permeabilization of the outer membrane and release of cytochrome c Wei, M. C. et al., 2000. Genes Dev 14, 2060-71) (FIG. 2).
The balance between anti- and pro-apoptotic sub-classes of BCL-2 molecules sets a "rheostat" that determines death susceptibility (Oltvai, Z. et al., 1993. Cell 74, 609-19). BH3-only pro-apoptotic molecules like BAD, BID, BIM actively adjust this "rheostat" and their function is dynamically regulated by distinct mechanisms, including transcriptional control and post-translational modifications. For example, cytosolic BID is activated upon cleavage by caspase-8, leading to mitochondrial translocation, BAX/BAK activation, and cytochrome c release (Li, H. et al., 1998. Cell 94, 491-501; Luo, X. et al., 1998. Cell 94, 481-90 1998). NOXA and PUMA are transcriptional targets of p53 with select roles in apoptosis induced by genotoxic stress (Nakano, K. et al., 2001. Mol Cell 7, 683-94; #328; Yu, J. et al., 2001. Mol Cell 7, 673-82). Additionally, BAD's pro-apoptotic activity is inhibited by phosphorylation in response to extra-cellular growth or survival factors (Zha, J. et al., 1996. Cell 87, 619-281996).
While in vitro studies show that overexpression of BH3-only molecules leads to apoptosis in a variety of cell lines, loss of function mouse models indicate that individual BH3-only proteins serve as cell death initiators responding to selected signals in restricted cell types. The cell type and signal-specific in vivo function of BH3-only molecules suggest that either the functional redundancy of these molecules is tissue type specific, or that BH3-only molecules may have distinct roles in other pathways. Indeed, recent discoveries have unraveled physiologic roles for BCL-2 family proteins beyond apoptosis. The following are but four examples of the integration of apoptosis with cellular homeostatic pathways.
(i) The BCL-2 Family Proteins and Cellular Metabolism:
We previously conducted a proteomic analysis of liver mitochondria, which revealed that the BCL-2 family protein BAD resides in a glucokinase (GK)-containing complex that regulates glucose driven whole cell respiration (Danial N. N. et al., 2003. Nature 424, 952-6) (FIG. 4). The Bad-null genetic model showed that BAD is needed for complex assembly and the non-phosphorylatable Bad 3SA knockin mouse model provided evidence that phosphorylated BAD is required for full mitochondria-tethered GK activity. Consistent with a role for BAD in supporting GK activity, both the Bad-deficient and the Bad 3SA animals display abnormal glucose homeostasis marked by fasting hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. Because Bad-null and Bad 3SA represent loss and gain of function models for the pro-apoptotic activity of BAD, respectively, the common metabolic abnormalities in these animals suggested that the role of BAD in glucose metabolism may be distinct from its capacity to sensitize cells to apoptosis. Indeed the experiments presented in this application show specific roles for BAD in both pancreas and liver, each with significant physiologic consequences.
(ii) The BCL-2 Family Protein BID and Cellular Response to DNA Damage:
In response to DNA damage, cells either arrest from proliferation to allow sufficient time to repair their DNA or undergo apoptosis. The pro-apoptotic protein BID functions in both apoptosis and in DNA damage checkpoints within cells (Zinkel, S. et al., 2006. Cell Death Differ 13, 1351-9). Loss of BID results in genomic instability and myeloid malignancies (Zinkel, S. et al., 2003. Genes Dev 17, 229-39). BID is a substrate for DNA damage kinase ATM in the nucleus and modulates the intra-S phase checkpoint within cells with damaged DNA (Zinkel, S. et al., 2005. Cell 122, 579-91; Kamer, I. 2005. Cell 122, 593-603). Importantly, while the BH3 domain of BID is required for its apoptotic function at mitochondria, it is dispensable for its cell cycle checkpoint function in the nucleus (Zinkel, S. et al., 2005. Cell 122, 579-91) (FIG. 68).
(iii) The Cross Talk Between Protein Quality Control and Apoptosis:
Proper folding of proteins is essential for the functional integrity of the cells. Consequently, the cells have devised sophisticated mechanisms to ensure proper "protein homeostasis" (Rutkowski, D. T. and Kaufman, R. J. 2004. Trends Cell Biol 14, 20-8). Accumulation of misfolded proteins at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), also known as ER stress, activates a cellular adaptive response referred to as UPR (Unfolded Protein Response). ER stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's Disease and Alzheimer's (Oakes, S. A. et al., 2006. Curr Mol Med 6, 99-109). The BCL-2 family proteins BAX and BAK were recently shown to be required for the proper execution of the signaling pathways involved in UPR by physically associating with several components of this pathway (Hetz, C. et al., 2006. Science 312:572-6). It has been proposed that BAX/BAK serve to link UPR at the ER with the core apoptotic machinery at the mitochondria and thus orchestrate the cellular response to misfolded proteins through either proper execution of an adaptive response or cell death.
(iv) BCL-2 Family Proteins and Regulation of Mitochondrial Morphology During Life and Death:
Mitochondrial shape and reticular structure is dynamically regulated by fusion and fission processes (Griparic, L. and Van der Bliek, A. M. 2001. Traffic 2, 235-44). This ensures exchange of material between different mitochondria and elimination of those organelles unfit for function. The dynamic changes in mitochondrial morphology directly impact the metabolic fitness of the cell. During apoptosis, mitochondria undergo fragmentation prior o caspase activation (Frank, S. et al., 2001. Dev Cell 1, 515-25). Several BCL-2 family proteins are implicated in these processes. Anti-apoptotic molecules BCL-2/BCL-XL have pro-fusion activity that seems to be preserved throughout evolution. This coincides with their capacity to bind mitofusion-2 (Mfn-2), a protein known to govern mitochondrial fusion (Delivani, P. et al., 2005. Mol Cell 21, 761-73). The pro-apoptotic BAX regulate the activity of Mfn-2 directly (Karbowski, M. et al., 2006. Nature 443, 658-62). It is noteworthy that the role of BCL-2 family members in mitochondrial dynamics is also essential in healthy cells that have not received a death stimulus. It has been suggested that the BH3 domain of BAX is required for regulation of mitochondrial dynamics (Karbowski, M. et al., 2006. Nature 443, 658-62). Thus the same domain in BAX has the capacity to regulate two distinct functions; apoptosis and mitochondrial shape.
Glucose Homeostasis, Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multigenetic disease that includes multiple metabolic abnormalities that commonly manifest in a failed glucose tolerance. The basic physiological tenets of T2DM include abnormalities in insulin production and function (Saltiel, A. R. and Kahn, C. R. 2001. Nature 414, 799-806). This involves changes in the function of pancreas, muscle, fat and liver. Pancreatic β-cells and hepatocytes are the main glucose sensors within the body (Accili, D. 2004. Diabetes 53, 1633-42). In response to blood glucose fluctuation, β-cells secrete insulin in a dose responsive manner. Insulin in turn stimulates glucose uptake by peripheral tissues such as muscle and fat and prompts proper storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver. Pancreatic islets are also prone to adapt their mass in order to meet the insulin secretory demands in the body (Bell G. I. and Polonsky K. S., 2001. Nature 414, 788-91; Weir G. C. et al., 2001. Diabetes 50 Suppl 1, S154-9; DeFronzo R. A., 1988. Diabetes 37, 667-87; Accili D. et al., 2001. Curr Mol Med 1, 9-23). The lack of proper glucose sensing and/or mass adaptation by islets contribute to T2DM. Hepatocytes sense fluctuations in blood glucose and adjust their function to either produce glucose during fasting, which helps keep adequate glucose supply to the brain, or to store glucose as glycogen when blood glucose levels exceed their normal range (Cherrington, A. D. 1999. Diabetes 48, 1198-1214). In addition to the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, insulin also impacts fat metabolism by suppressing lipolysis in fat cells (DeFronzo, R. A. 2004. Int J Clin Pract Suppl 143, 9-21). Insulin resistance is a state in which muscle, fat and liver are insensitive to the action of insulin. Metabolic syndrome is defined as a cluster of metabolic deficiencies that include insulin resistance, dyslipidemia (including abnormal levels of plasma triglycerides), obesity and diabetes (Reaven, G. M. 2004. Diabetes Care 27, 1011-12).
Glucose Metabolism and Cancer
Individual cells depend on the availability of growth/survival factors that characteristically regulate both cellular metabolism and cell survival (Plas, D. R. and Thompson, C. B. 2002. Trends Endocrinol Metab 13, 75-8). Cellular metabolism is a term used to describe a group of chemical reactions that take place in a living cell or organism where nutrients like glucose are broken down to yield energy for vital processes. Insulin, insulin-like-growth factor (IGF-1) and multiple cytokines transduce signals via PI3K through the serine/threonine kinase AKT and related kinases to regulate glucose transport and metabolism (Cheatham, B. and Kahn, C. R. 1995. Endocr Rev 16, 117-42). Signaling downstream of AKT impacts glucose metabolism by regulating the levels of glucose transporters (Glut 1 and Glut 4) (FIG. 3). Consequently, mice lacking AKT2 exhibit low levels of Glut4 and develop marked insulin resistance (Cho, H. et al., 2001. Science 292, 1728-31). A second mechanism whereby AKT regulates glucose metabolism is by stimulating recruitment of hexokinase (HK) to mitochondria (Robey, R. B. and Hay, N. 2006. Oncogene 25, 4683-96). Hexokinase is the enzyme that catalyzes the first step in glucose metabolism (glycolysis) converting glucose to glucose-6 phosphate. The molecular mechanism underlying mitochondrial localization of HK is not fully known. As mitochondria-associated hexokinase has immediate access to mitochondrial ATP and escapes product inhibition by glucose 6 phosphate (G6P), this may explain how activated AKT augments glucose-6 phosphorylating activity (Bustamante, E. and Pdersern, P. L. 1977. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 74, 3735-39; Arora, K. K. and Pedersen, P. L. 1988. J Biol Chem 263, 17422-28). Activated AKT further promotes survival by stimulating expression of several anti-apoptotic proteins, such as BCL-XL and MCL-1 as well as phosphorylating several key cellular players, including Forkhead transcription factors, BAD and NFκB (Datta, S. R. et al., 1999. Genes Dev 13, 2905).
Resistance to apoptosis and increased cellular metabolism are common characteristics of tumors. BCL-2 was originally discovered due to its chromosomal translocation in follicular lymphoma. In addition, mouse models of BCL-2 family proteins clearly indicate that defects in apoptosis can be a primary oncogenic event (McDonnel, T. J. et al., 1989. Cell 57, 79-88; McDonnel, T. J. et al., Nature 349, 254-56). The chromosomal translocation in the Bcl-2 gene found in follicular lymphoma in humans juxtaposes the Bcl-2 coding sequence next to immunoglobulin (Ig) gene sequences. Importantly, recapitulating this chromosomal translocation using Bcl-2-Ig transgenic mice was sufficient to cause diffuse large-cell lymphoma over time. Likewise, several findings suggest that the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family members may function as tumor suppressors in that their loss of function contributes to malignancy. Increased incidence of choroid plexus tumors in Bax-null mice expressing a truncated SV40 T antigen and of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) in Bid-deficient mice reflect their importance in neuronal cell survival and myeloid homeostasis, respectively (Zinkel, S. et al., 2003. Genes Dev 17, 229-39; Yin, C. et al., 1997. Nature 385, 637-40). Bad-null mice progress to diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of germinal center origins (Ranger, A. M. et al., 2003. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100, 9324-29). This may reflect a potential role for BAD in regulating the cellular homeostasis of mature B cells as they migrate to germinal centers.
The relevance of cellular metabolism to malignancy was originally recognized by Warburg, who noted that tumors often display high glycolytic rates. Glycolysis accounts for ˜60% of ATP within tumor cells and provides metabolic intermediates for synthesis of macromolecules including nucleic acids needed for DNA synthesis and their rapid proliferation. Indeed several well characterized oncogenes in human cancers, including Ras, Myc, Akt are known to target the glycolytic pathway (Semenza, G. L. 2001. Novartis Found Symp 240, 251-60). Warburg's hypothesis further suggested that high glycolytic rates might be due to impaired mitochondrial respiration; however, this finding has proven somewhat variable in tumors. Recent studies have shown that even in the presence of fully functional oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity by mitochondria, tumor cells preferentially support their bioenergetic demands through glycolysis (Fantin, V. R. et al., 2006. Cancer Cell 9, 425-34). This switch is required for tumor maintenance as interference with glycolysis is associated with a compensatory increase in OXPHOS concomitant with a decline in proliferative capacity of tumor cells. Possible rationale for this "glycolytic switch" in tumors may be that in addition to providing ATP at a faster rate, glycolytic products (mainly pyruvate) are used as intermediates for synthesis of fatty acids (FIG. 3). This ensures that tumor cells have sufficient supply of fatty acids for new membrane synthesis to keep up with the high rate of cellular proliferation. Furthermore, reliance on glycolysis rather than OXPHOS ensures that tumors can grow in the absence of oxygen (hypoxia) prior to vascularization (Gatenby. R. A. and Gillies, R. J. 2004. Nat Rev Cancer 4, 891-99). In several human tumors, multiple key enzymes involved in glucose metabolism exhibit increased activity when compared to normal tissues. These include hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Mechanisms underlying increased activity have been best studied in the case of HK enzymes and include increased expression (secondary to gene amplification and/or promoter activation), increased binding to mitochondria and/or a switch in gene expression from high (hexokinase IV) to low km (hexokinase I-III) isoforms (Rempel, A, et al., 1994. Biochem J 303, 269-74; Klimek, F. et al., 1993. Carcinogenesis 14, 1857-61; Mazurek, S. et al., 1999. J cell Phyisol 181, 136-46). These observations underscore the importance of targeting glycolysis or the use of glycolytic intermediate in specific pathways in tumors as a promising therapeutic strategy.
Recent evidence also suggests that obesity and metabolic syndrome are associated with high risk of cancer, including colorectal cancer (Gunter, M. J. and Leizmann, M. F. 2006. J Nutr Biochem 17, 145-56), breast cancer (Lorincz, A. M. 2006. Endocr Relat Cancer 13, 279-92) and prostate cancer (O'Malley, R. L. and Taneja, S. S. 2006. Can J Urol Suppl 2, 11-7). Although, the molecular links between these metabolic abnormalities and cancer is not fully understood, several studies suggest that elevated levels of plasma insulin, as seen in insulin resistant state, activates cellular proliferation in epithelial cells. Furthermore, insulin can increase the levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), a growth hormone with significant proliferative and anti apoptotic activity (Cowey, S, and Hardy, R. W. 2006. Amer J Pathol 169, 1505-22). Insulin and IGF-1 also regulate the sex steroids, which in turn modulate the activity of estrogen and androgens and consequently development of cancers dependent on sex hormones, including breast and prostate cancers (Calle, E. E. and Kaaks, R. 2004. Nat Rev Cancer 4, 579-91). Furthermore, hormones produced by fat cells, adipokines, have proliferative, angiogenic and pro-inflammatory effects. Adipokines influence cancer cells either directly through these effects or indirectly by causing insulin resistance (and thus hyperinsulinemia) (Cowey, S, and Hardy, R. W. 2006. Amer J Pathol 169, 1505-22).

Methods of modulating cellular homeostatic pathways and cellular survival


A wall mounted luggage stand assembly for supporting a piece of luggage in a hotel room. The luggage stand assembly has a backboard that is mounted to a wall. A shelf is provided that has a bottom surface and a rear edge. The shelf is connected to the backboard with a hinged connection proximate that enables the shelf to rotate between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. At least one damper piston is provided that retards the movement of the shelf from its vertical orientation to its horizontal orientation. A vertical support panel is connected to the bottom surface of the shelf. The vertical support panel rotates with gravity to always remain in a vertical orientation. The vertical support panel contacts the floor when the shelf rotates to its open horizontal position, therein supporting the shelf.

1. Field of the Invention
In general, the present invention relates to luggage stands and similar structures that are designed to hold a suitcase while it is being packed or unpacked.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When people travel and stay in a hotel or similar establishment, they typically bring luggage. The luggage is used to hold the clothes and other personal belongings of the person staying in the room. Many hotels provide each room with at least one luggage stand. The luggage stand is typically a portable piece of folding furniture that can be used to hold a suitcase, trunk, or other piece of luggage at a convenient height.
Most hotels have management that prefer that their customers use the luggage stand provided in a hotel room. If a customer places their luggage on the luggage stand, then that customer will not likely place their luggage on the beds, chairs, table, or other furniture. In this manner, the furniture will not become soiled and/or scratched. Likewise, if the traveler has bedbugs or other pests in his/her luggage, those pests are less likely to be transferred to the beds and furniture.
Similarly, travelers tend to like luggage stands for the same reason. By using a luggage stand, travelers can have a measure of protection to ensure that any bedbugs or other pests that may be in the bed or furniture of a hotel room will not infest their luggage.
Despite the advantages, luggage stands are not always used. The reason that luggage stands are not used more often is simply an issue of room presentation. Luggage stands tend to be bulky and unsightly. The presence of the luggage rack also makes it difficult for a room maid to properly vacuum and clean a room. Accordingly, when a hotel prepares a room for a new traveler, they typically do not leave the luggage stand out in an open position. Rather, the luggage stand is folded into its closed position and is typically stored in the closet or in a corner of the room. Once a traveler enters a room, they may not immediately see the luggage stand. Furthermore, a traveler does not immediately know where the luggage rack is or even if there is a luggage stand. As a result, a traveler often places his/her luggage on the bed or another piece of furniture primarily out of convenience. Once placed in such a position, a traveler is likely not to move his/her luggage to the luggage stand even if the luggage stand is later located.
As is later described in detail, the present invention provides a folding luggage stand that is mounted to the wall of a hotel room. This enables it to be folded up out of the way without being removed from a convenient location. In the prior art, there have been many folding chairs, tables and even beds that have been designed to be folded up into a wall mount. Such prior art devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,574,302 to Turner, entitled Folding Wall Seat. Although many of these prior art devices can be adapted for use as a luggage stand, it is unlikely that any such prior art device will be used in a modern hotel room. One reason is that such prior art devices are mounted in the wall and require that a large depression be cut out of the wall. Modern hotels line room walls with sound insulating materials to prevent sound from traveling between rooms. Hotels want this sound insulation to remain uninterrupted. Furthermore, hotels do not want openings in the walls that may harbor pests. Another reason why such prior art devices are not used is one of room damage control. People travel with luggage that can weigh well over one-hundred pounds. Travelers lift these bags and drop them onto luggage stands. Consequently, luggage stands become damaged quite frequently. A damaged luggage stands is easy to replace in a room. However, if a wall mounted stand becomes damaged, the hotel room is out of service until the unit can be repaired.
A need therefore exists for a baggage stand that folds up against a wall without requiring a depression be formed within the wall. A need also exists for a luggage stand of great strength and durability so that it can safely hold the heaviest of luggage. These needs are met by the present invention as described and claimed below.


A housing for an electric motor includes a tubular wall extending in an axial direction of the housing, and closures at opposite axial ends of the tubular wall to rotatably support opposite axial end portions of a rotor. At least one of the closures is separate from the tubular wall and includes a radially inner portion and a radially outer flange that, in an assembled state, is in physical contact with a radially inner surface of the tubular wall and extends from the radially inner portion of the separate closure towards the opposite axial end of the tubular wall.

Electric motors have gained significant importance in driving systems employed in mobile environments such as in vehicles. In driving systems of this kind, the volume of an electric motor is a key parameter that is subject to permanent optimization. The volumes of electric motors are determined inter alia by their housings.


Electronic equipment which provides an easier-to-use user interface for zoom-in and zoom-out actions has a switch which includes a pressure-sensitive unit, and a processing unit that performs enlargement or reduction processing depending on the output from the pressure-sensitive unit. A computer is provided, which has a controller which has the pressure-sensitive unit a unit which generates a pressure-sensing output signal depending on a pushing pressure of a user, sensed by the pressure-sensitive unit. The computer further has a unit for converting the pressure-sensing output signal to a deformation amount for an object on the screen of the monitor and a unit which deforms the object displayed on the monitor depending on the deformation amount.

The present invention relates to electronic equipment that performs enlargement, reduction and shape-modification processing on images on a monitor, depending on an output from pressure-sensitive means of the electronic equipment, a method therefor and a recording medium recorded with the method.
The so-called zoom-in and zoom-out actions are performed by holding down an ON/OFF switch operated by a user in electronic equipment. For example, if a zoom-in switch is pushed by a user, zoom-in operation mode is entered and if the switch is held down, the magnification of an image on a monitor or a screen continues to increase. On the other hand, if a zoom-out switch is pushed by the user, zoom-out operation mode is entered and if the switch is held down, the image magnification continues to decrease.
In addition, in special-effects apparatus that may modify in realtime a person""s face or the like, for example, the ON/OFF switch of a special controller is operated in order to give instructions for shape modification.
In response to the operation of the ON/OFF switches of these controllers, for example, there has been disclosed a pressure-sensitive type controller in the publication of examined Japanese utility model application No. JP-B-H1-40545, wherein pressure-sensitive output is provided as input to a VCO (variable control oscillator) and the output of the VCO is used for repeated fire in a game. In addition, Japanese patent No. 2524475 discloses making a character perform a jump action in response to a pressure-sensing output and the like.
It is an object of the present invention to make zoom-in and zoom-out actions caused by the continuous pushing by a user of a simple ON/OFF switch into an easier-to-use interface for users. It is another object of the invention to make the modification of objects on the monitor or screen by the operation of a simple ON/OFF switch into an easier-to-use interface for users.
These are other objects of the present invention are attained by electronic equipment comprising a switch having pressure-sensitive means which senses a pushing pressure of a user on the switch and processing means that performs enlargement or reduction processing depending on the output from the pressure-sensitive means.
A recording medium according to the present invention on which is recorded a computer-readable and executable software program that performs processing by taking as instructions an output from a controller which has pressure-sensitive means, wherein the software program comprises a processing program that performs enlargement or reduction of objects within a screen, depending on the output of the controller.
A method of zooming according to the present invention comprises the steps of: sensing a pushing pressure of a user on a switch, and performing image enlargement or reduction processing depending on said sensed pushing pressure.
A recording medium according to the present invention on which is recorded a computer-readable and executable software program that performs processing by taking as instructions the output from a controller which has pressure-sensitive means for sensing a pushing pressure of a user operating the controller, wherein the software program comprises a processing program that modifies shapes of objects within a screen depending on the output of the controller.
A method of deforming an object on a screen of a monitor of a computer, in which according to the present invention an object displayed on monitor by a computer having a controller which has pressure-sensitive means for sensing a pushing pressure on the controller by a user of the computer, the method comprises the steps of: sensing a pushing pressure of a user with said pressure-sensitive means, generating a pressure-sensing output signal depending on said pushing pressure, converting said pressure-sensing output signal to a deformation amount for an object displayed on a monitor of the computer; and means for deforming the object depending on the deformation amount.
A the computer according to the present invention comprises a controller which has pressure-sensitive means, comprising: means of generating a pressure-sensing output signal depending on a pushing pressure of a user on the controller, sensed by said pressure-sensitive means, means for converting said pressure-sensing output signal to a deformation amount for an object displayed on a monitor of the computer; and means for deforming the object displayed on the monitor depending on the deformation amount.

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT THAT PERFORMS ENLARGEMENT, REDUCTION AND SHAPE-MODIFICATION PROCESSING OF IMAGES ON A MONITOR, DEPENDING ON OUTPUT FROM PRESSURE-SENSITIVE MEANS, METHOD THEREFOR AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDED WITH THE METHOD


In an array of single crystal acoustic resonators, the effective coupling coefficient of first and second strained single crystal filters are individually tailored in order to achieve desired frequency responses. In a duplexer embodiment, the effective coupling coefficient of a transmit band-pass filter is lower than the effective coupling coefficient of a receive band-pass filter of the same duplexer. The coefficients can be tailored by varying the ratio of the thickness of a piezoelectric layer to the total thickness of electrode layers or by forming a capacitor in parallel with an acoustic resonator within the filter for which the effective coupling coefficient is to be degraded. Further, a strained piezoelectric layer can be formed overlying a nucleation layer characterized by nucleation growth parameters, which can be configured to modulate a strain condition in the strained piezoelectric layer to adjust piezoelectric properties for improved performance in specific applications.

The present invention relates generally to acoustic resonators and more particularly to controlling the effective coupling coefficient of a single crystal epitaxial film bulk acoustic resonator.
In many different communications applications, a common signal path is coupled to both an input of a receiver and an output of a transmitter. For example, in a cellular or cordless telephone, an antenna may be coupled to the receiver and the transmitter. In such an arrangement, a duplexer is often used to couple the common signal path to the input and the output. The function of the duplexer is to provide the necessary coupling to and from the common signal path, while preventing the signals generated by the transmitter from being coupled to the input of the receiver.
One type of duplexer is referred to as the half duplexer. A half duplexer uses a switch to connect the common signal path to the receiver or the transmitter on a time division basis. The half duplexer has the desired coupling and attenuation properties, but is unacceptable in many telephony applications, since it does not allow parties of a call to speak and be heard simultaneously.
A type of duplexer that is more acceptable for telephony applications is the full duplexer. A full duplexer operates only if the transmit signal has a frequency that is different than the frequency of the receive signal. The full duplexer incorporates band-pass filters that isolate the transmit signal from the receive signal according to the frequencies. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional circuit used in cellular telephones, personal communication system (PCS) devices and other transmit/receive devices. A power amplifier 10 of a transmitter is connected to a transmit port 12 of a full duplexer 14. The duplexer also includes a receive port 16 that is connected to a low noise amplifier (LNA) 18 of a receiver. In addition to the transmit port and the receive port, the duplexer 14 includes an antenna port 20, which is connected to an antenna 22.
The duplexer 14 is a three-port device having the transmit port 12, the receive port 16 and the antenna port 20. Internally, the duplexer includes a transmit band-pass filter 24, a receiver band-pass filter 26 and a phase shifter 28. The passbands of the two filters 24 and 26 are respectively centered on the frequency range of the transmit signal that is input via the power amplifier 10 and the receive signal to which the receiver is tuned.
The requirements for the band-pass filters 24 and 26 of the duplexer 14 are stringent. The band-pass filters must isolate low intensity receive signals generated at the antenna 22 and directed to the input of the low noise amplifier 18 from the strong transmit signals generated by the power amplifier 10. In a typical embodiment, the sensitivity of the low noise amplifier may be in the order of −100 dBm, while the power amplifier may provide transmit signals having an intensity of approximately 28 dBm. It is expected that the duplexer 14 must attenuate the transmit signal by approximately 50 dB between the antenna port 20 and the receive port 16 to prevent any residual transmit signal mixed with the receive signal at the receive port from overloading the low noise amplifier.
One type of PCS that is used in a mobile telephone employs code division multiple access (CDMA). The CDMA PCS wireless bands are centered at approximately 1920 MHz and have an especially stringent regulatory requirement for duplexer performance. Some concerns will be identified with reference to FIG. 2. A passband 30 is defined by several poles and several zeros. The poles and zeros are equidistantly spaced from a center frequency 32. For the transmitter passband 30, the transmitter-to-antenna insertion loss 34 is preferably better than −3 dB over most of the band. The isolation from the transmitter to receiver ports exceeds 50 dB across most of the transmitter band and 46 dB in the receiver band. The crossover between the transmitter and receiver bands occurs around 1920 MHz. The transmitter and receiver bands are approximately 3.0 percent of the carrier frequency, so that extremely sharp filter roll-off 36 and 38 is required. As will be explained more fully below, the lower-frequency poles and zeroes and the roll-off 36 are determined by the characteristics of shunt resonators, while the higher-frequency poles and zeroes and the roll-off 38 are determined by the characteristics of series resonators.
Another challenge for the duplexer is achieving power handling requirements. The power amplifier 10 of FIG. 1 in the transmitter can deliver 1 Watt of power to the transmit port 12 of the duplexer 14. The band-pass filter 24 must be capable of handling such power without being destroyed and without its performance being degraded.
The duplexer 14 will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3. The duplexer includes a transmit film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) array 40 and a receive FBAR array 42. The transmit FBAR array is a two-stage ladder circuit having two series FBARs 44 and 46 and two shunt FBARs 50 and 52. The series FBARs are connected in series between the transmit port 12 and the antenna port 20, while the shunt FBARs are connected between electrical ground and nodes between the series FBARs. Each full stage of an FBAR array is composed of one series FBAR and one shunt FBAR. In order to handle the high power generated by the power amplifier at the filter input of the transmit filter, power bars are used for each of the series elements 44 and 46.
The receive FBAR array is a 3½-stage ladder circuit. A half stage is limited to either one series FBAR or one shunt FBAR. In the exemplary array 42, the half stage is a shunt FBAR 60. The FBAR array includes three series FBARs 54, 56 and 58 and four shunt FBARs 60, 62, 64 and 66. The series FBARs are connected in series between the ninety degree phase shifter 28 and the receive port 16. The shunt FBARs are connected between electrical ground and nodes between the series FBARs.
Circuits suitable for use as the ninety degree phase shifter 28 are known in the art. As examples, the phase shifter may be composed of inductors and capacitors or may be a .lambda./4 transmission line.
Within the transmit FBAR array 40, each series FBAR 44 and 46 may have the same resonant frequency (f.sub.r.sup.Tx), which may be centered at 1880 MHz. Similarly, the shunt FBARs 50 and 52 may have the same resonant frequency, but the resonant frequency of the series FBARs is approximately 1.0 percent to 3.0 percent (typically 1.6 percent) greater than that of the shunt FBARs. As a result, the poles that were described with reference to FIG. 2 are provided.
The receive FBAR array 42 of the receive band-pass filter 26 may also be composed of series FBARs 54, 56 and 58 having the same frRx and shunt FBARs 60, 62, 64 and 66 having the same resonant frequency that is 3.0 percent different than the resonant frequency frRx of the series FBARs. Here, frRz is centered at 1960 MHz.
Other considerations that affect the shape of the response shown in FIG. 2 are the figure of merit, which is referred to as Q, and the effective coupling coefficient, which is also referred to as kt2. The effective coupling coefficient may be considered as being the ratio of electrical energy to acoustic energy in the operation of a particular FBAR. It has been the goal to maximize both Q and the effective coupling coefficient. As a result of the fabrication process, the effective coupling coefficient can be as high as 8.0 percent. It has been experimentally determined that Q is dependent upon kt2 and, in some cases, that it is better to decrease kt2 in order to significantly increase Q. The Q determines the roll-off of the response.
In addition the considerations discussed above, acoustic resonators.
What is needed is a fabrication method and a resulting duplexer which provide a very steep roll-off in the operation of an array of acoustic resonators further improved with single crystal piezoelectric materials.

Effective coupling coefficients for strained single crystal epitaxial film bulk acoustic resonators


Snowblower adjustable deflector control devices, systems, and methods can include a control cable connected at one end to a movable deflector of a discharge chute of a snowblower, a control lever pivotably connected to a machine handle of the snowblower, and a lever guide connected to the machine handle. The control lever can have a first end comprising a grip portion, a second end connected to the control cable, and at least one protrusion extending from the control lever, and the lever guide can be configured to selectively retain the at least one protrusion in any of one or more angular positions corresponding to one or more deflector positions.

Snowblowers are known having upright chutes through which a snow stream can be thrown. It is common for the chute to be designed such that it can be rotated from one side to the other to direct where the snow stream is deposited laterally relative to the snowblower. In addition, most snowblowers having rotatable chutes also usually have a pivotal deflector on the top of the chute. The angle of inclination of the deflector on the chute can be adjusted to control the trajectory of the snow stream.
For example, a common configuration for such an adjustable deflector is shown in FIG. 1. In this configuration, a movable deflector D is connected to a discharge chute DS at a hinged connection H. A deflector position control 10 is integrally connected to deflector D. Deflector position control 10 is provided with a handle 12 such that the user can grab the handle to manually move the deflector to a desired angular position. This system is generally designed such that the friction between deflector D and discharge chute DS is strong enough to retain deflector D in the desired position.
Such a configuration can lead to a variety of operation problems, however, depending on the specific implementation. If deflector position control 10 is relatively short, a user may be required to come around from the usual operating position behind the handle of the snowblower to one side of the snowblower in order to be near to deflector D to be able to reach handle 12 of deflector position control 10. Alternatively, if deflector position control 10 is long enough that the user can manipulate it while still behind the handle of the snowblower, the long length of such a simple mechanism can suffer from a lack of precise control over the position of deflector D, and the associated weight can make it difficult to maintain deflector D in the desired angular position.
In yet a further alternative, other configurations for an adjustable deflector can include a control handle that can be provided on the handle of the snowblower. For example, a joystick type control handle can be provided to control the deflector. In known joystick designs of this type, however, the operation of the joystick generally involves complex mechanical systems, such as electric motors, multiple cables for different directions of pivoting, complex linkages, and/or gear systems. These features can raise the cost to manufacture and sell the snowblower. Such complex mechanical systems can also introduce multiple possible failure modes, especially in the extremely cold conditions in which snowblowers are often operated and stored.
As a result, it would be desirable for a snowblower adjustable deflector control device, system, and method to be durable, reliable, and simple to use while still providing effective operation of the snowblower chute.


A method of preparing an oil-soluble composition is disclosed. The method comprises preparing a dihydrocarbyl monothiophosphoric acid characterized by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently hydrocarbyl groups of from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms and X is oxygen or sulfur, with the proviso that one X is sulfur comprising reacting. (A) a phosphite ester of the structure ##STR2## with (B) a sulfur source, in the presence of PA1 (C) a catalytic amount of an amide of the structure R.sub.3 CONR.sub.4 R.sub.5 wherein R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group containing from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms or an ethoxylated amide of the structure ##STR3## wherein the sum of x and y is from 1 to about 50; and isolating the reaction product obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the preparation of oil-soluble dihydrocarbyl monothiophosphoric acid compositions, and the use of such compositions in lubricants, fuels and greases.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,448 (Lippsmeier, Oct. 5, 1976) relates to a process for making metal dialkylthiophosphates of the general formula: ##STR4## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 stand for identical or different linear and/or branched alkyl radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, M stands for a metal cation and n indicates the valence of the metal cation concerned, wherein O,O-dialkylphosphites of the general formula ##STR5## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have the meanings given hereinabove, are reacted with a compound yielding the metal cation M, in the presence of pulverulent sulfur and one or more organic solvents at elevated temperature.
The organic solvents are selected from alcohols, ethers, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Method of preparing monothiophosphoric acid by sulfurizing a phosphite in the presence of an amide


A conductive coil arrangement, in particular for electrode catheters for cardiac therapy, including a multipolar conductive coil having a plurality of coradially interwoven individual coil wires and a contact zone in which at least one individual coil wire from the conductive coil can be connected to a contact element for electrical contacting. The at least one individual coil wire to be contacted is routed outwardly out of the wire interconnection of the conductive coil with a radial direction component. The remainder of the conductive coil is routed further centrally axially through the contact zone.

Regarding the background of the invention, it should be noted that a complex, rigid mechanism has been used over a long distance, as is known, to electrically and mechanically connect the individual coil wires of coradial, multipolar conductive coils. An example thereof is a connection of individual coil wires to a ring electrode of an electrode catheter, as shown in an older application published under U.S. Publication No. 2012/0053668, with simultaneous passage of a single coil wire through said ring electrode.
Furthermore, electrode supply leads having a so-called multiple-lumen design are known, wherein the supply leads are designed as so-called cords. They are connected to a multipolar plug, such as the type used by the Applicant herein, as known, having the name "DF-4". The electrode catheters are based on a multiple-lumen tube which guides electrically conductive cords or coils from the top electrodes and ring electrodes to the connecting plug in a plurality of axes extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The contact ends of the cords or coils, which extend toward one another, and the contact elements in the plug have an axial orientation with respect to one another, and are therefore relatively easily accessible for a related electrical connection.
The connection of conductive coils to components to be contacted has previously been carried out preferably by placing the particular coil end or individual wires on shoulders or projections of contact sleeves, wherein the electrical connection is achieved by way of form-fitting or bonding methods such as, for example, crimping, welding, soldering, etc. It is also known to weld the coil in a bore extending through the sleeve. According to a further known connection type—preferably for non-weldable material combinations—the coil end is connected between two sleeves, by way of crimping, for example. The structure comprises a lower sleeve (rigid), contact wires located there between, and a crimping sleeve over it, which is plastically deformed to achieve a form-fit connection and, therefore, an electrical contact. This connection principle also functions with individual wires or cords. In this case, a coil is not located between the sleeves and, instead, radially or axially incoming wires or cords, which extend out of the coil connection of the catheter body, are folded and/or deformed to fit. Likewise, it is possible to insert these individual wires or cords into bores or sleeves for contacting, and to connect them in a bonded or form-fit manner (e.g., by welding or crimping).
The usability of these usual techniques for the connection of coil wires is limited in many regards, in particular with regard to the connection of the individual coil wires of coradial multiple coils at axially extending contact elements of plugs.
Proceeding from the problems of the prior art mentioned above, an objective of the present invention is to improve a conductive coil arrangement of the initially stated type in such a way that a structurally simple, universally applicable connection to contact elements of highly diverse types is made possible.
The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the above-identified problems.

Conductive coil arrangement and electrode catheter arrangement, in particular for cardiac therapy


A memory device and methods for operating the same are provided. The memory device includes an array of memory cells, and a controller configured to receive a data word to be stored at an address in the array and to store, at the address in the array, the data word and a location indicia corresponding to the address. The controller can be further configured to command the array to read the data word from the address, to receive response data from the array, and to verify that a location indicia of the response data corresponds to the address. If the location indicia of the response data does not correspond to the address, the controller can be further configured to indicate an error.

Memory devices are frequently provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits and/or external removable devices in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory, including volatile and non-volatile memory. Volatile memory, including random-access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), among others, may require a source of applied power to maintain its data. Non-volatile memory, by contrast, can retain its stored data even when not externally powered. Non-volatile memory is available in a wide variety of technologies, including flash memory (e.g., NAND and NOR), phase change memory (PCM), resistive random access memory (RRAM), and magnetic random access memory (MRAM), among others.
Memory devices can include large arrays of memory cells for storing data, frequently organized into rows and columns. Individual memory cells and/or ranges of memory cells can be addressed by their row and column. When a memory array is addressed, there may be one or more layers of address translation, to e.g., translate between a logical address utilized by a host device and a physical address corresponding to a location in the memory array. Although uncommon, it is possible for the address information provided to a memory device on a command/address bus thereof to be corrupted by an error, such that an internal operation of the memory device (e.g., a read operation, a write operation, an erase operation, etc.) can be performed on a different physical address than was targeted by a host device or a controller of the memory device. Accordingly, a way to verify that a memory operation has been performed at the intended address is required.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods of memory address verification and memory devices employing the same


A technique for optimizing the number of terms in a profile used for information extraction. This optimization is performed by estimating the number of terms which will substantively affect the information extraction process. That is, the technique estimates the point in a term weight curve where that curve becomes flat. A term generally is important and remains part of the profile as long as its weight and the weight of the next term may be differentiated. When terms"" weights are not differentiable, then they are not significant and may be cut off. Reducing the number of terms used in a profile increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the information retrieval process.

The present invention relates generally to the field of information retrieval. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selecting the optimal number of terms for retrieving documents using a vector space analysis technique.
Advances in electronic storage technology have resulted in the creation of vast databases of documents stored in electronic form. These databases can be accessed from remote locations around the world. As a result, vast amounts of information are available to a wide variety of individuals. Moreover, information is not only stored in electronic form but it is created in electronic form and disseminated throughout the world. Sources for the electronic creation of such information include news, periodicals, as well as radio, television and Internet services. All of this information is also made available to the world through computer networks, such as the worldwide web, on a real time basis. The problem with this proliferation of electronic information, however, is how any one individual may access useful information in a timely manner.
When a user wants to search for information, she may provide a computer system with a query or description of her interest. For example, a user interested in sport may type the query xe2x80x9cbasketball from Olympics ""96xe2x80x9d (the query is a phrase) or may just type the terms xe2x80x9cbasketballxe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cOlympic ""96xe2x80x9d. Using grammar rules and a lexicon, a search engine may extract the terms from the query and construct its internal representation of the query, called a profile. In the above examples, the profile will contain the terms xe2x80x9cbasketballxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cOlympics ""96xe2x80x9d.
Profile training is the process of improving the formulation of a profile using a set of documents that the user considers representative for her interest (training data). The search engine extracts new terms from the training data and adds them to the initial profile. For example, after entering the query xe2x80x9cbasketball from Olympics ""96xe2x80x9d, the user may point the system to an article that describes a basketball game from two days ago. From this article, the system extracts the terms xe2x80x9cbasketballxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cgamexe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cballxe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cscorexe2x80x9d. Then the profile will contain the terms xe2x80x9cbasketballxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cOlympics ""96xe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cgamexe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cballxe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cscorexe2x80x9d. The user may even not provide any initial description of her interest (in which case, the initial profile is empty), but just give the system some training data to extract terms from. In the above example, without an initial description, the profile will contain only the terms extracted from the article, xe2x80x9cbasketballxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cgamexe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cballxe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cscorexe2x80x9d.
The main input components of profile training are the initial description, the training database, the reference database, and the terms extraction algorithm. The training database contains articles that match the user""s interest (training data). The terms extraction algorithm extracts terms from the training data and adds them to the profile. The reference database contains information that helps the extraction algorithm to decide whether or not to include in the profile a term from the training data. This is because the training data may contain terms that are not related to the user""s interest and if included in the profile, may return non-relevant documents. In the above example, if the training article mentions that a basketball player likes piano, then adding the term xe2x80x9cpianoxe2x80x9d to the profile will make the search engine retrieve articles related to music, which do not correspond to the user""s interest in basketball. The assumption in using a reference database is that the terms extraction algorithm differentiate between the terms in the training data that are linked to the user""s interest and the terms that are not.
Typically, the training documents contain a large number of terms. Selecting only the most representative terms from this set can improve efficiency and effectiveness of the retrieval process. To make use of training documents, a terms extraction algorithm creates a list of all the terms from the training data. To every term it attaches a weight based on the information in the reference database. The terms are then sorted in decreasing order of their weights, such that the term with the highest weight is the first. If the search engine wants to add to the profile n terms from the training data, then the first n terms from the sorted list of terms are added to the profile. Therefore, to train a profile we need two important elements: (1) a method to assign weights to the terms, and (2) a cut-off method to determine the number of terms to be added in a profile.
There have been may term selection methods proposed in literature based on the vector space and probabilistic models. Regardless of the method, the number of terms in a profile is generally the value for which experiments show a reasonable behavior (e.g., the first 30 or 50 terms) and it is a constant for all the profiles. There are also methods that associate a different number of terms to each profile. One example is to compute the number of terms with the formula 10+10 log(T), where (T) is the number of training documents per profile. However, the number of terms chosen according to such a formula is generally too large and there are many cases when more flexibility is needed. For example, there are document collections in which many profiles achieve best average precision with just one term. Another method is to compute the sum of the weights for all the terms and add terms in a profile until a specified fraction of the sum is achieved. This approach, again, may not detect the situations when profiles need very few terms.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus to effect improved information extraction from a variety of data sources.
It is a further object of the present invention to improve information extraction by selecting the appropriate number of terms in creating a profile.
It is a further object of the present invention to improve information extraction by minimizing the number of terms in a profile.

Method and apparatus for database retrieval utilizing vector optimization


A method for controlling a co-presence virtual environment for a first user and a second user includes: determining a first avatar's restricted space in the co-presence virtual environment, the first avatar correspond to the first user of the co-presence virtual environment; receiving user position data from a first computing device associated with the first user and determining the first avatar's location within the co-presence virtual environment; when the first avatar's location is within the first avatar's restricted space, communicating first co-presence virtual environment modification data to the first computing device; and communicating second co-presence virtual environment modification data to a second computing device associated with the second user.

A virtual reality (VR) system can generate a three-dimensional (3D) immersive virtual environment. A user can experience this 3D immersive virtual environment through interaction with various electronic devices, such as, for example, a helmet or other head mounted device including a display, glasses or goggles that a user looks through when viewing a display device, gloves fitted with sensors, external handheld devices that include sensors, and other such electronic devices. Once immersed in the 3D virtual environment, the user can move through the virtual environment and move to other areas of the virtual environment, through physical movement and/or manipulation of an electronic device to interact with the virtual environment and personalize interaction with the virtual environment.
In a co-presence virtual environment more than one user inhabits the virtual environment. Users see virtual representations, or avatars, of the other players in the co-presence virtual environment. Users in a co-presence virtual environment can interact with avatars similar to how users interact with people in the real world. For example, a user can move close to an avatar, touch the avatar, talk to the avatar or gesture toward the avatar to communicate as they would a live person. Co-presence can enhance the realism of virtual environments and provide experiences that might not be available to users in the real world.


An object of the present invention is to provide a urethane adhesive composition excellent in adhesion durability for an olefin resin. The present invention is a urethane adhesive composition containing a urethane prepolymer having an isocyanate group, an isocyanurate compound of pentamethylene diisocyanate and/or hexamethylene diisocyanate, and a secondary aminosilane compound.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of reducing the weight of automobiles, a material of a vehicle body (body) has been changed from a steel plate to a resin material (for example, a resin material containing at least an olefinic resin).
On the other hand, as an adhesive composition that can be applied to an 15 adherend formed from a material such as an olefin resin, there has been proposed, for example, a two-part curable urethane adhesive composition including a main agent containing a urethane prepolymer (A), an isocyanurate group-containing polyisocyanate (B), and isocyanate silane (C), and a curing agent containing a compound (D) having two or more active hydrogen groups 20 per molecule and an aromatic compound (E) represented by a specific formula