An optical device of the present invention includes a photonic crystal having a two-dimensional or three-dimensional lattice structure in which a plurality of materials with different refractive indexes are arranged periodically, wherein a two-dimensional lattice structure composed of a group of primitive lattice vectors has a lattice structure having no rotation axis with more than 3-fold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical device used for optical communication. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical device such as an optical separator, an optical filter, a light transmitting/receiving module for WDM (wavelength division multiplexing), an optical inductor, a bend waveguide, and an optical deflector.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 17 shows an example of an optical separator utilizing a Y-separation waveguide, which is a conventional optical device. Light is incident upon a Y-separator 184 having an optical waveguide structure through an ingoing optical fiber 181. Light propagating through a Y-shaped core 186 is separated to outgoing optical fibers 182 and 183. The Y-separator 184 has a configuration in which a Y-shaped core 186 is formed on a substrate 185.
In a conventional optical device, in order to couple light in the ingoing optical fiber 181, the Y-separator 184 with an optical waveguide structure and the outgoing optical fibers 182 and 183, it is necessary to conduct the alignment of optical axes and matching in mode shapes with high precision, which requires a high skill for assembling such an optical separator. In addition, since a separation angle of the Y-separator 184 is at most about 4xc2x0, when the length of the Y-separator 184 is set to be too small, there is insufficient light separation, which makes it difficult to miniaturize the optical separator.
A conventional transmitting/receiving module for WDM will be described with reference to FIG. 18. The transmitting/receiving module for WDM is composed of an optical waveguide and a multi-layer filter.
On a substrate 191, an optical waveguide 197, a photodiode (1.3 xcexcm) 193, a laser diode (1.55 xcexcm) 194, a photodiode (1.55 xcexcm) 195, and a optical fiber 192 are placed.
The optical waveguide 197 is provided with a cladding 197d, a first core 197a, a second core 197b, a third core 197c, and a WDM dielectric multilayer filter (1.3/1.55 xcexcm) 198. The first core 197a, the second core 197b, and the third core 197c constitute a Y-shaped core, and the WDM dielectric multi-layer filter (1.3/1.55 xcexcm) 198 is formed so as to divide these cores.
The photodiode (1.3 xcexcm) 193 is disposed on the substrate 191 so as to be coupled to the first core 197a. Furthermore, the optical fiber 192 is fixed in a V-groove 196 formed on the substrate 191 so as to be coupled to the second core 197b. Furthermore, the laser diode (1.55 xcexcm) 194 and the photodiode (1.55 xcexcm) 195 are disposed on the substrate 191 so as to be coupled to the third core 197c.
When signal light of 1.3/1.55 xcexcm WDM is incident upon the second core 197b from the optical fiber 192, the signal light is separated by the multi-layer filter 198. Then, light (1.3 xcexcm) propagates to the first core 197a, and light (1.55 xcexcm) propagates to the third core 197c. The light propagating to the first core 197a is received by the photodiode (1.3 xcexcm) 193. Similarly, the light propagating to the third core 197c is received by the photodiode (1.55 xcexcm) 195. Furthermore, signal light emitted from the laser diode (1.55 xcexcm) 194 propagates to the third core 197c. Then, the signal light is guided to the second core 197b by the multi-layer filter 198 and sent to the optical fiber 192. An arrow 199a represents a propagation direction of the light (1.3 xcexcm), and an arrow 199b represents a propagation direction of the light (1.55 xcexcm).
As described above, by using the WDM transmitting/receiving module, bidirectional communication can be conducted with light (1.55 xcexcm), and communication of receiving only can be conducted with light (1.3 xcexcm).
However, the conventional WDM transmitting/receiving module requires the optical waveguide 197 having a Y-shaped core and the multi-layer filter 198 for separation of a wavelength. This increases the number of components, making it difficult to achieve a low cost.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, constituting an optical device such as an optical separator and an optical filter with a photonic crystal has drawn attention. For example, JP11(1999)-271541 discloses a wavelength separating filter using a photonic crystal with a two-dimensional triangular lattice.
In the present specification, the term xe2x80x9cphotonic crystalxe2x80x9d refers to an artificial multi-dimensional periodic structure substantially having a period of a light wavelength.
FIGS. 19A and 19B show a configuration of the wavelength separating filter using a photonic crystal disclosed by JP11(1999)-271541. In this configuration, materials with different refractive indexes are arranged periodically, whereby strong deflection dispersion characteristics (which are not found in general optical crystal) are obtained to control wavelength deflection. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19A, the wavelength separating filter has a configuration in which a substrate 200, which has atomic media 204 embedded in a background medium 203 in a two-dimensional triangular arrangement, is interposed between a first cladding 201 and a second cladding 202. As shown in FIG. 19B, an incident surface 208 of a light signal is tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to an incident direction 207 of the light signal, and the light signal is output from an output surface 209. The interval between the adjacent atomic media 204 is designed in accordance with the wavelength of a light signal. The thickness of the substrate 200 is designed in such a manner that a light signal is confined sufficiently in the substrate 200, and a light traveling direction does not deviate largely from the surface of the substrate 200.
The above-mentioned photonic crystal with a two-dimensional triangular lattice has a structure in which lattice vectors are matched with reciprocal lattice vectors. Even if light is incident upon a photonic crystal with such a structure in a lattice vector direction, strong deflection dispersion characteristics cannot be obtained. In order to obtain strong deflection dispersion characteristics, it is required to set a light incident surface of the photonic crystal so as to be non-vertical to a lattice vector direction or to tilt the light incident surface with respect to an incident surface vertical to the lattice vector direction, thereby allowing light to be incident upon the photonic crystal. Therefore, the incident surface 208 is tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the incident direction 207 of a light signal in FIG. 19B.
Next, a relationship between primitive lattice vectors (a1, a2) and basic reciprocal lattice vectors (b1, b2) will be described. FIGS. 20A to 20C respectively show a relationship between a lattice and a Brillouin zone. FIG. 20A shows a tetragonal lattice, and FIG. 20B shows a triangular lattice. In each of FIGS. 20A to 20C, the upper stage shows a lattice space, whereas the lower stage shows a reciprocal lattice space. Reference numeral 211 denotes atomic media constituting a lattice, and 212 denotes a Brillouin zone. The tetragonal lattice and the triangular lattice respectively have a symmetric structure (for example, an interior angle equal to or smaller than 90xc2x0 between the primitive lattice vectors is 45xc2x0, 60xc2x0, 90xc2x0, or the like). Important symmetric points of the Brillouin zone 212 in the tetragonal lattice and the triangular lattice shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B are two points (X, M) and (M, K), respectively. With such a structure, incident light to the primitive lattice vectors (a1, a2) does not exhibit deflection characteristics because the direction of the incident light is matched with the direction of the important symmetric point of the Brillouin zone 212.
On the other hand, in the case of an oblique lattice with low symmetry as shown in FIG. 20C, for example, when an interior angle xcex8 between the primitive lattice vectors (a1, a2) is larger than 60xc2x0 and smaller than 90xc2x0, the important symmetric points of the Brillouin zone become three points (H1, H2, H3). In this case, the direction of the incident light in the primitive lattice vectors (a1, a2) is not matched with the direction of important points of the Brillouin zone, so that deflection dispersion is exhibited. Therefore, even if light is allowed to be incident vertically upon an incident surface vertical to the primitive lattice vectors (a1, a2), strong deflection dispersion characteristics are exhibited.
JP11(1999)-271541 describes lattice arrangements such as a tetragonal lattice, in addition to the triangular lattice. In the case of the other lattice arrangements, an optical system is varied in a complicated manner due to the relationship between the Brillouin zone and the lattice vectors. Accordingly, in the lattice arrangements other than those with high symmetry such as a tetragonal lattice, useful deflection dispersion characteristics cannot be obtained in an optical system similar to that of a triangular lattice.
That is, in the case of forming the optical separator 184 shown in FIG. 17, and the multi-layer filter 198 constituting the WDM transmitting/receiving module shown in FIG. 18, using a photonic crystal with high symmetry, it is required to set an incident surface of the photonic crystal so as to be non-vertical to the primitive lattice vectors (a1, a2), or to tilt the incident surface with respect to an incident surface vertical to the primitive lattice vectors (a1, a2).
Therefore, not only treatment precision for producing a photonic crystal, but also higher incident angle precision of an optical system are required. This makes it difficult for an optical device to be formed of a photonic crystal with high symmetry.
Therefore, with the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical device that can be miniaturized using a simple optical system with a small number of components without requiring a complicated optical system, a high-degree Y-shaped waveguide, and a multilayer filter.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an optical device of the present invention includes a photonic crystal having a two-dimensional or three-dimensional lattice structure in which a plurality of materials with different refractive indexes are arranged periodically, wherein a two-dimensional lattice structure composed of a group of primitive lattice vectors has a lattice structure having no rotation axis of more than 3-fold. Because of this, an optical device having strong deflection dispersion characteristics can be realized.
The above-mentioned optical device may include an incident portion for allowing light to be incident in a direction of the primitive lattice vector of the photonic crystal.
Furthermore, the photonic crystal may have an incident surface vertical to the direction of the primitive lattice vector, and the incident portion may be disposed so as to allow light to be incident vertically to the incident surface.
Furthermore, in the photonic crystal, an angle equal to or smaller than 90xc2x0 between at least two different primitive lattice vectors among a plurality of primitive lattice vectors may be larger than 60xc2x0 and smaller than 90xc2x0.
Another optical device of the present invention includes a photonic crystal containing a first material and a plurality of columnar materials, wherein the plurality of columnar materials have a refractive index different from a refractive index of the first material and are disposed in the first material, and central axes of the plurality of columnar materials are parallel to each other, whereby a two-dimensional crystal lattice arrangement having a constant periodicity is formed, and a two-dimensional lattice structure composed of a group of primitive lattice vectors has a lattice structure having no rotation axis of more than 3-fold. According to this configuration, since a photonic crystal with low symmetry is used, an optical device having strong deflection dispersion characteristics can be realized.
Furthermore, another optical device of the present invention includes a photonic crystal containing a first material and a plurality of columnar materials, wherein the plurality of columnar materials have a refractive index different from a refractive index of the first material and are disposed in the first material, and central axes of the plurality of columnar materials are parallel to each other, whereby a two-dimensional crystal lattice arrangement having a constant periodicity is formed, and an angle equal to or smaller than 90xc2x0 between two primitive lattice vectors is larger than 60xc2x0 and smaller than 90xc2x0. Because of this, a plurality of columnar materials can be arranged periodically without interference, so that an optical device having strong deflection dispersion characteristics can be realized.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the photonic crystal is in a slab shape, the optical device further comprises a first cladding and a second cladding that have a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the first material of the photonic crystal, and the first cladding and the second cladding are disposed so as to be in contact with either side of the photonic crystal in the slab shape in a thickness direction. Because of this, an optical device can be realized in which light propagating through the photonic crystal does not leak.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the above-mentioned optical device includes an incident portion for allowing light to be incident in a direction of the primitive lattice vector of the photonic crystal. Because of this, an optical device can be formed easily in which light with a predetermined wavelength can be deflected at a large angle.
Furthermore, the photonic crystal may have an incident surface vertical to the direction of the primitive lattice vector, and the incident portion may be disposed so as to allow light to be incident vertically to the incident surface.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a lattice constant of a two-dimensional lattice of the photonic crystal is 0.4 to 0.6 times a wavelength of a light source to be used. Because of this, high deflection dispersion characteristics can be obtained.
Furthermore, each of the columnar materials may have a cylindrical shape, and a radius thereof may be 0.2 to 0.5 times a lattice constant.
Furthermore, a refractive index of the first material may be 1.4 to 1.6, and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be 0.9 to 1.1.
Furthermore, a difference between a refractive index of the first material and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be at least 1.0.
Furthermore, the first material may be made of a resin material, and the columnar materials may be made of air.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the above-mentioned optical device includes an ingoing optical waveguide for allowing light to be incident in a direction of a primitive lattice vector of the photonic crystal, and a first outgoing optical waveguide and a second outgoing optical waveguide for receiving an output from the photonic crystal. Because of this, a miniaturized optical filter can be formed easily at a low cost, in which light with a desired wavelength can be separated from a plurality of light beams.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the above-mentioned optical device includes: an ingoing optical fiber for allowing light to be incident in a direction of a primitive lattice vector of the photonic crystal; a first outgoing optical fiber and a second outgoing optical fiber for receiving an output from the photonic crystal; and grooves for positioning the ingoing optical fiber, the first outgoing optical fiber, and the second outgoing optical fiber. Because of this, an optical filter capable of easily conducting alignment of optical axes and matching in mode shapes can be realized even using an optical fiber.
Furthermore, an optical axis of the first outgoing optical fiber substantially may be matched with an optical axis of the ingoing optical fiber, and an optical axis of the second outgoing optical fiber may be different from an optical axis of the ingoing optical fiber.
Furthermore, a distance between the optical axis of the second outgoing optical fiber and the optical axis of the ingoing optical fiber is proportional to a length of the photonic crystal in a direction of a primitive lattice vector.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned optical device may include a substrate having the grooves, wherein the substrate is integrated with the photonic crystal.
Furthermore, the grooves may be provided in the first cladding or the second cladding.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the above-mentioned optical device includes: an optical fiber allowing light with a first wavelength and light with a second wavelength to propagate; a first light-receiving portion for receiving the light with the first wavelength; a light-emitting portion for emitting the light with the first wavelength; a second light-receiving portion for receiving the light with the second wavelength; and a substrate for fixing the optical fiber, the first light-receiving portion, the light-emitting portion, and the second light-receiving portion on a flat surface, wherein the optical fiber is disposed at one end of the photonic crystal, and an optical axis of the optical fiber is in parallel with a direction of a primitive lattice vector of the photonic crystal, the first light-receiving portion and the light-emitting portion are disposed in the same straight line as that of an optical axis of the optical fiber at the other end of the photonic crystal, and the second light-receiving portion is disposed at the other end of the photonic crystal. Because of this, a miniaturized WDM transmitting/receiving module can be realized easily at a low cost.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a lattice constant of a two-dimensional lattice of the photonic crystal is 0.4 to 0.6 times the second wavelength. Because of this, high deflection dispersion characteristics can be obtained.
Furthermore, each of the columnar materials may have a cylindrical shape, and a radius thereof may be 0.2 to 0.5 times a lattice constant.
Furthermore, a refractive index of the first material may be 1.4 to 1.6, and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be 0.9 to 1.1.
Furthermore, a difference between a refractive index of the first material and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be at least 1.0.
Furthermore, the first material may be made of a resin material, and the columnar materials may be made of air.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned optical device may include: an optical fiber allowing light with a first wavelength and light with a second wavelength to propagate; a first light-receiving portion for receiving the light with the first wavelength; a light-emitting portion for emitting the light with the second wavelength; a second light-receiving portion for receiving the light with the second wavelength; and a substrate for fixing the optical fiber, the first light-receiving portion, the light-emitting portion, and the second light-receiving portion on a flat surface, wherein the optical fiber is disposed at one end of the photonic crystal, and an optical axis of the optical fiber is in parallel with a direction of a primitive lattice vector of the photonic crystal, the first light-receiving portion is disposed in the same straight line as that of an optical axis of the optical fiber at the other end of the photonic crystal, and the second light-receiving portion and the light-emitting portion are disposed at the other end of the photonic crystal.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a lattice constant of a two-dimensional lattice of the photonic crystal is 0.4 to 0.6 times the second wavelength. Because of this, high deflection dispersion characteristics can be obtained.
Furthermore, each of the columnar materials may have a cylindrical shape, and a radius thereof may be 0.2 to 0.5 times a lattice constant.
Furthermore, a refractive index of the first material may be 1.4 to 1.6, and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be 0.9 to 1.1.
Furthermore, a difference between a refractive index of the first material and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be at least 1.0.
Furthermore, the first material may be made of a resin material, and the columnar materials may be made of air.
Furthermore, another optical device of the present invention includes a composite photonic crystal in which two kinds of photonic crystals are bonded to each other so that respective primitive lattice vectors are aligned in the same direction, wherein each of the photonic crystals contains a first material and a plurality of columnar materials, the plurality of columnar materials have a refractive index different from a refractive index of the first material and are disposed in the first material, central axes of the plurality of columnar materials are parallel to each other, whereby a two-dimensional crystal lattice arrangement having a predetermined periodicity is formed, and an angle equal to or smaller than 90xc2x0 between the two primitive lattice vectors is larger than 60xc2x0 and smaller than 90xc2x0. Because of this, a miniaturized optical separator can be realized at a low cost.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the composite photonic crystal is in a slab shape, the optical device further comprises a first cladding and a second cladding that have a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the first material of the two kinds of photonic crystals of the composite photonic crystal, and the first cladding and the second cladding are disposed so as to be in contact with either side of the composite photonic crystal in a thickness direction. Because of this, an optical device can be realized in which light propagating through the photonic crystal does not leak.
Furthermore, primitive lattice vectors that are not in the same direction among primitive lattice vectors of the two kinds of photonic crystals may be axisymmetric with respect to a bonding surface between the two kinds of photonic crystals.
Furthermore, it is preferable that lattice constants of both two-dimensional lattices of the two kinds of photonic crystals are 0.4 to 0.6 times a wavelength of a light source to be used. Because of this, high deflection dispersion characteristics can be obtained.
Furthermore, each of the columnar materials may have a cylindrical shape, and a radius thereof may be 0.2 to 0.5 times a lattice constant.
Furthermore, a refractive index of the first material may be 1.4 to 1.6, and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be 0.9 to 1.1.
Furthermore, a difference between a refractive index of the first material and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be at least 1.0.
Furthermore, the first material may be made of a resin material, and the columnar materials may be made of air.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned optical device may include: an ingoing optical waveguide for allowing light to be incident upon a bonding portion of the composite photonic crystal in a direction of a primitive lattice vector of the two kinds of photonic crystals; a first outgoing optical waveguide for receiving an output from one photonic crystal of the composite photonic crystal; and a second outgoing optical waveguide for receiving an output from the other photonic crystal of the composite photonic crystal, wherein the ingoing optical waveguide is disposed at one end of the composite photonic crystal, and the first outgoing optical waveguide and the second outgoing optical waveguide are disposed at the other end of the composite photonic crystal.
It is preferable that the above-mentioned optical device includes: an ingoing optical fiber for allowing light to be incident upon a bonding portion of the composite photonic crystal in a direction of a primitive lattice vector of the two kinds of photonic crystals; a first outgoing optical fiber for receiving an output from one photonic crystal of the composite photonic crystal; a second outgoing optical fiber for receiving an output from the other photonic crystal of the composite photonic crystal; and grooves for positioning the ingoing optical fiber, the first outgoing optical fiber, and the second outgoing optical fiber, wherein the ingoing optical fiber is disposed at one end of the composite photonic crystal, and the first outgoing optical fiber and the second outgoing optical fiber are disposed at the other end of the composite photonic crystal. Because of this, an optical separator capable of easily conducting alignment of optical axes and matching in mode shapes can be realized even using an optical fiber.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned optical device may include a substrate having grooves, wherein the substrate is integrated with the composite photonic crystal.
Furthermore, the grooves may be provided in the first cladding or the second cladding.
Furthermore, it is preferable that parallel composite photonic crystals including a plurality of the composite photonic crystals in parallel with each other are disposed in tandem in multiple stages. Because of this, a separator capable of separating light into a plurality of beams as well as two beams can be formed.
Furthermore, another optical device of the present invention includes: a plurality of photonic crystals each containing a first material and a plurality of columnar materials, in which the plurality of columnar materials have a refractive index different from a refractive index of the first material and are disposed in the first material, central axes of the plurality of columnar materials are parallel to each other, whereby a two-dimensional crystal lattice arrangement having a predetermined periodicity is formed, and an angle equal to or smaller than 90xc2x0 between the two primitive lattice vectors is larger than 60xc2x0 and smaller than 90xc2x0; an ingoing optical waveguide and an outgoing optical waveguide; and a substrate on which the plurality of photonic crystals, the ingoing optical waveguide, and the outgoing optical waveguide are disposed. The plurality of photonic crystals are bonded in tandem in a direction of a primitive vector, each of the photonic crystals is disposed so that output light deflected by an adjacent photonic crystal is in the direction of the primitive lattice vector, and the ingoing optical waveguide and the outgoing optical waveguide are bonded to each of the photonic crystals positioned at both ends. Because of this, an optical deflector that changes a traveling direction of incident light and outputs it can be formed easily.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a lattice constant of a two-dimensional lattice of the plurality of photonic crystals may be 0.4 to 0.6 times a wavelength of a light source to be used. Because of this, high deflection dispersion characteristics can be obtained.
Furthermore, each of the columnar materials may have a cylindrical shape, and a radius thereof may be 0.2 to 0.5 times a lattice constant.
Furthermore, a refractive index of the first material may be 1.4 to 1.6, and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be 0.9 to 1.1.
Furthermore, a difference between a refractive index of the first material and a refractive index of the columnar materials may be at least 1.0.
Furthermore, the first material may be made of a resin material, and the columnar materials may be made of air.
Furthermore, a size, a shape, and a position of the plurality of photonic crystals may be determined so that a propagation distance of light in each of the plurality of photonic crystals becomes equal to each other.
Furthermore, an angle formed by incident light from the ingoing optical waveguide and output light from the outgoing optical waveguide may be equal to a sum of angles at which light is deflected in the plurality of photonic crystals.
Furthermore, another optical device of the present invention includes a photonic crystal obtained by pressing a slab-shaped first material formed on a substrate with a die having columnar projections whose central axes are parallel to each other and which have a constant periodicity, in a thickness direction of the first material, and removing the die from the slab-shaped material to open columnar holes in the first material. Because of this, the photonic crystal can be formed easily.
Furthermore, the first material may be formed by coating the substrate with a material having flowability, uniformly dispersing the material to adjust a thickness thereof, and curing the material.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the columnar holes provided in the first material are filled with another material having a refractive index different from that of the first material. Because of this, the characteristics of the photonic crystal can be changed easily.
Furthermore, another optical device of the present invention includes a photonic crystal obtained by forming a mask with a predetermined periodicity on a slab-shaped first material formed on a substrate, and etching an exposed portion of the mask to open columnar holes in the first material. Because of this, the photonic crystal can be formed easily.
Furthermore, the first material may be formed by coating the substrate with a material having flowability, uniformly dispersing the material to adjust a thickness thereof, and curing the material.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the columnar holes provided in the first material are filled with another material having a refractive index different from that of the first material. Because of this, the characteristics of the photonic crystal can be changed easily.
Furthermore, another optical device of the present invention includes a photonic crystal obtained by forming a mask with a predetermined periodicity on a slab-shaped first material formed on a substrate, irradiating the first material with an ion beam to form track portions in exposed portions of the mask, and corroding the track portions by soaking the first material in an alkali solution, thereby opening columnar holes in the first material. Because of this, the photonic crystal can be formed easily.
Furthermore, the first material may be formed by coating the substrate with a material having flowability, uniformly dispersing the material to adjust a thickness thereof, and curing the material.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the columnar holes provided in the first material are filled with another material having a refractive index different from that of the first material. Because of this, the characteristics of the photonic crystal can be changed easily.
Furthermore, another optical device of the present invention includes a photonic crystal obtained by forming convex portions with a predetermined periodicity on a substrate, coating regions between the convex portions with a material having flowability, dispersing the material on the substrate to adjust a thickness of the material, curing the material, removing the convex portions to open columnar holes, and filling the columnar holes with another material having a refractive index different from that of the material having flowability. Because of this, the photonic crystal can be formed easily.
Furthermore, another optical device of the present invention having a horizontal surface vertical to a stack direction, includes a substrate in which a predetermined periodic pattern is formed in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional structure in a horizontal direction on a stack surface tilted from the horizontal surface, and a photonic crystal having a two-dimensional periodic stack structure in which at least two kinds of materials with different refractive indexes are stacked alternately on the substrate. Because of this, the photonic crystal can be formed easily.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a periodicity of the predetermined periodic pattern is 0.4 to 0.6 times a wavelength of a light source to be used. Because of this, a photonic crystal having large deflection dispersion characteristics can be formed.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a tilt of the stack surface with respect to the horizontal surface is 5xc2x0 to 25xc2x0. Because of this, a photonic crystal with low symmetry can be formed easily.
Furthermore, another optical device of the present invention includes a substrate on which a predetermined periodic pattern is formed in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional structure so that an angle equal to or smaller than 90xc2x0 between two primitive lattice vectors of a two-dimensional lattice is larger than 60xc2x0 and smaller than 90xc2x0, and a photonic crystal having a two-dimensional or three-dimensional periodic stack structure in which at least two kinds of materials having different refractive indexes are stacked alternately on the substrate. Because of this, a photonic crystal with low symmetry can be formed easily.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a periodicity of the predetermined periodic pattern is 0.4 to 0.6 times a wavelength of a light source to be used. Because of this, a photonic crystal having large deflection dispersion characteristics can be formed.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method and an inspection system may be provided. The inspection system may include (a) a hybrid sensor that may include a monochromatic portion that is arranged to obtain a monochromatic image of a first area of an object; a multiple-color portion that is arranged to obtain a multi-colored image of a second area of the object; wherein the monochromatic portion comprises monochromatic sensing elements that sense radiation of a same frequency band; wherein the multiple-color portion comprises color sensing elements of different types, wherein different types of color sensing elements are associated with different frequency bands; (b) a storage element arranged to store the monochromatic image and the multiple-color image; and (c) a defect detection module arranged to detect defects by processing at least one of the monochromatic image and the multiple-color image.

Various articles are inspected by inspection systems such as automatic optical inspection (AOI) systems. The AOI systems are required to be fast and accurate.
There may be a trade off between the throughput of the AOI system and the manner in which the AOI system images articles. For example, multi-color sensors can provide more detailed information than monochromatic sensors but the processing of multi-color information and the retrieval of such multi-color information can consume more time and be more complex than the retrieval and/or processing of monochromatic information.

System and a method for insepcting an object using a hybrid sensor


A hand region is detected in a captured image, and for each part of the background area, a light source presence degree indicating the probability that a light source is present is determined according to the luminance or color of that part; on the basis of the light source presence degree, a region in which the captured image is affected by a light source is estimated, and if the captured image includes a region estimated to be affected by a light source, whether or not a dropout has occurred in the hand region in the captured image is decided; on the basis of the result of this decision, an action is determined. Gesture determinations can be made correctly even when the hand region in the captured image is affected by a light source at the time of gesture manipulation input.

Many devices, such as car navigation devices, audio devices, and air conditioners (air conditioning devices) which are mounted in vehicles and there has been a problem for the driver, namely the increased amount of gaze movement made to manipulate buttons, check control panel displays, and perform other tasks that are necessary when these devices are operated.
To mitigate this problem, use of gesture manipulation input has been considered.
For example, a device for gesture manipulation input has been proposed (in patent reference 1, for example) that extracts an image of a hand from an image taken by an imaging means, determines the intended manipulation from the shape and movement of the hand, and notifies the user by displaying a menu item selected on the basis of the determined manipulation.
Patent reference 1 also teaches providing a visible light camera and an infrared camera as imaging means, using the visible light camera in bright surroundings, and using the infrared camera in dark surroundings.
When the infrared camera is used, in consideration of the susceptibility of infrared cameras to outdoor light effects, a method of obtaining the image of the hand by periodically switching the infrared light on and off at short intervals and calculating a difference image has been proposed (in patent reference 2, for example).

Gesture manipulation device and method, program, and recording medium


A biochemical reaction cassette comprises: a substrate carrying probes immobilized thereon, the probes being adapted to be specifically bound to a target substance; a reaction space forming member for forming a reaction space with the substrate; an elastic member; and an anchor member for supporting the substrate so as to keep it movable relative to the reaction space forming member by way of the elastic member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a biochemical reaction cassette, a detection apparatus to be used for such a biochemical reaction cassette and a detection method for detecting a target substance caught by the probes of such a biochemical reaction cassette.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, massive research efforts are being paid in a short period of time to look into the polymorphism and the expression amount of genes in conjunction with the progress of the technology of analyzing genomic information. DNA micro-arrays are being popularly used as means for analyzing genomic information under the circumstances where genomic information is required to be analyzed with such a high degree of throughput. A DNA micro-array is prepared by highly densely immobilizing a large number of probes that can specifically be bound to a biomolecule such as DNA on a substrate such as a glass slide. Genes are extracted from a specimen such as blood taken from a subject, then amplified and labeled typically by a fluorescent dye. As the labeled genes are developed on a DNA micro-array by an appropriate means and the reaction conditions including the temperature are adjusted, a hybridization reaction takes place between the developed genes and the probes. When the specimen contains genes that can specifically be bound to the probes, they are bound to the corresponding probes. Since the genes are labeled in advance, it is possible to determine the type and the quantity of the genes contained in the specimen from the positions on the DNA micro-array where the labels emit a signal and the intensity of the signal.
Known specimen analyzing apparatus adapted to use a DNA micro-array include those for extracting genes from a specimen, those for amplifying the extracted genes and those for labeling genes with a fluorescent dye as well as those for developing the genes labeled by means of any of above listed apparatus and causing a hybridization reaction to take place and those for detecting the positions of fluorescent labels and the intensities of fluorescence on the DNA micro-array after the reaction. However, the operation of any of such apparatus is time consuming and cumbersome because the genes extracted from the specimen have to be moved from apparatus to apparatus by hand. Additionally, a huge space is required to install all such apparatus. Currently, such specimen analyzing apparatus are mostly for research applications. In other words, the time-consuming and cumbersome operation and the requirement for a large space may not raise a particular problem for the present. However, as the performance of DNA micro-arrays is improved in the near future, specimen analyzing apparatus of the type under consideration will find applications in the field of clinical practice for the purpose of examinations. Then, the time-consuming and cumbersome operation and the requirement for a large space will constitute a barrier against quick examinations.
A compact biochemical reaction cassette realized by integrally combining such apparatus other than a fluorescence detection apparatus has been developed to dissolve the problem of cumbersomeness operation and the requirement for a large space (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-505410). The DNA micro-array that is arranged in such a biochemical reaction cassette is downsized as compared with the micro-arrays arranged in known apparatus. To accurately detect signals of fluorescence by means of such a downsized DNA micro-array, the DNA micro-array has to be arranged in parallel with the detection surface of the detection apparatus and secured there. Then, a highly precise adjustment mechanism is required to accurately place the DNA micro-array in position. Additionally, in the analysis of genomic information that utilizes a specific binding of DNA, a denaturing process (of heating to a temperature level higher than the melting temperature Tm) for the purpose of reducing a double-stranded DNA to a single-stranded DNA and/or a hybridization reaction or some other reaction that needs to be conducted at high temperature are often required. Then, the biochemical reaction cassette itself can be deformed by heat applied to it. Thus, even if the DNA micro-array is successfully arranged in parallel with the detection surface of the detection apparatus and secured there initially, the plane of the DNA micro-array may not be kept in parallel with the detection surface of the detection apparatus. In such a case, it may not be able to accurately define the focal point of the detection apparatus. The net result will be that the operation of detecting signals of fluorescence may not reliably be conducted.
In view of the above-identified circumstances, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of using a biochemical reaction cassette comprising a DNA micro-array and keeping the plane of the DNA micro-array in parallel with the detection surface of a detection apparatus in order to make it possible to accurately detect a desired target substance such as genes by way of a simple operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a biochemical reaction cassette and a detection apparatus to be used for such a biochemical reaction cassette to which the method of the present invention is applicable.
It may be needless to say that the scope of application of the present invention is by no means limited to DNA micro-arrays and the present invention can be applied to probe arrays where biomolecules of any of various types are arranged on a substrate as probes.

Biochemical reaction cassette and detection apparatus for biochemical reaction cassette


An electronically controlled oscillator capable of operating in the rf/microwave frequency range, and using a stacked crystal filter as the frequency determining element in the oscillator. A non-linear element including an appropriately biased high frequency amplifier has the stacked crystal filter connected in its feedback path and provides a loop gain of greater than 1 to meet one aspect of the Barkhausen criteria. An electronically variable impedance, such as a hyperabrupt junction varactor, is connected in the feedback loop along with the stacked crystal filter to controllably insert a phase adjustment into the feedback path, to be compensated by a phase adjustment by the stacked crystal filter, thereby to controllably maintain a loop phase shift which is an integral number of 2.pi. radians at the oscillator frequency, and to vary the oscillator output frequency about the frequency of the stacked crystal filter in a controllable fashion. In a further implementation of the electronically controlled oscillator, an overmoded stacked crystal filter is utilized which has a comb response, and a second delay stacked crystal filter is also employed in the feedback path for providing an adjustable phase delay for causing the oscillator to controllably operate at the respective responses in the comb of responses of the overmoded stacked crystal filter.

Thin film resonators (TFR's) have been and are currently being investigated as feedback elements in rf/microwave frequency oscillators. (See, for example, "UHF Oscillator Performance Using Thin Film Resonator Based Topologies", by Burns et al., 41st Annual Frequency Control Symposium--1987, pp. 382-387.) One form of thin film resonator is the overmoded stacked crystal filter (SCF) which has been investigated as the feedback element in an oscillator to produce an oscillator output in the form of a comb of frequencies normally associated with the overmoded stacked crystal filter itself. Such a device is described in "Design and Performance of Oscillators Using Semiconductor Delay Lines" by Burns et al., 1987 Ultrasonics Symposium, pp. 369-373. Insofar as applicants are aware, investigation of thin film resonators in oscillators, and particularly in stacked crystal filter oscillators, has not heretofore progressed to the stage where automatic electronic tuning of individual frequencies has been accomplished.
In other contexts, however, voltage control of oscillators has proven to be useful. Voltage control is accomplished by utilizing means such as a varactor in conjunction with an oscillator of the type normally considered tunable, with the varactor being the control element which serves to tune the oscillator to a frequency related to the voltage applied to the varactor.
Insofar as applicants are aware, and at least in large part because of the many complexities involved, the voltage control techniques have not been applied to thin film resonators particularly those of the stacked crystal filter variety.

Electronically-tuned thin-film resonator/filter controlled oscillator

Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.


A system for passing suture through biological tissue using a cannula, introducer or other minimally invasive means, to approximate, ligate, fixate and/or close biological tissue. The system includes a hand grip in operative communication with an elongated tubular member having a jaw mechanism disposed on the tubular member distal end. The elongated tubular member housing a deformable tubular needle therein having a curvilinear portion and an internal lumen. The jaw mechanism includes a needle shield that is configured to deflect and flex when the tubular member is slidably translated into the needle shield.

Suturing apparatus in the past have had an elongate shaft and a low profile distal clamping mechanism to facilitate their use through cannulas in less invasive surgery. These devices have typically included opposing jaws which clamp onto the tissue to be sutured. The end segment of the suture is pre-positioned and secured at the distal end of one jaw member. Beyond the clamping motion, the mechanism for passing a suture between the jaws and through the tissue incorporates a bendable flat needle. The bendable needle advances distally within the jaw member, bringing it in contact with a segment of the suture. The needle has a notch which engages and secures the suture to carry it forward.
This distal advancement of the bendable needle also results in the leading end of the needle to approach and engage a ramp in the jaw member, deflecting the bendable needle in a direction toward the opposing jaw. The bending of the needle requires a high force and results in excess strain on the notched needle component. Fracture and failure of the bendable needle is a concern.
Additionally, capturing suture reliably after being passed through the tissue is also a feature not currently offered by the existing technologies. The ability to throw a horizontal mattress stitch with the desired stitch width without having to remove and reload the instrument is currently an unmet need. Another area of improvement is the need to clamp onto thick tissue and reliably pass suture.
Further, extension of the needle beyond the opposing jaw member and potentially puncturing tissue or bone is also a safety concern with existing technologies. This limits the versatility of existing technologies to create desired stitch patterns, such as the modified Mason-Allen stitch.
It is thus desirable to provide improved systems and methods for passing suture through biological tissue that substantially reduces or eliminates the disadvantages and drawbacks associated with conventional, known systems and methods for the advancement and retention of suture through tissue.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for passing suture through biological tissue that shields local biological tissue and bone from damage.
It is another object of the invention provide systems and methods for passing suture through biological tissue that allows a needle and/or suture to be driven into and through body tissue in an antegrade and retrograde direction during endoscopic procedures.

Apparatus and method for passing suture through soft tissue


In implementations of a visitor engagement detection and control system for online sessions with a listing platform, a computing device implements a visitor engagement system to monitor user actions by the visitors with items listed by the listing platform, and map the user actions and the items listed by the listing platform to a timeline of the online session. An engagement module determines levels of visitor engagement in the online session based on the mapping of the user actions and the items, and initiates communication with a low-engagement visitor during the online session to increase an engagement level of the low-engagement visitor. In some cases, a communication is then established between the low-engagement visitor and a different low-engagement visitor, an engaged visitor, or an administrator of the listing platform.

A listing platform may provide items to a large group of people via an online session with the listing platform, such as an online shopping session where visitors can interact with and purchase items listed by the listing platform via a web page. In many cases, multiple different visitors may be "online" at any given time. For instance, a visitor may be considered to be "online" when the visitor has navigated to the listing platform via a computing device, such as by navigating to a web page of the listing platform via a web browser, interacting with the platform via a dedicated application (e.g., an "app"), or accessing the platform in any other way. However, because such sessions are online (e.g., over a network, such as the Internet) visitors in the online session are usually remote from each other and from an administrator (e.g., a seller of an item on the listing platform or an owner of a website of the listing platform) of the online session. Hence, the administrator is not able to observe engagement levels of the visitors in the online session, like the administer would be able to do in a traditional physical store setting where the seller and the potential buyers are collocated. Moreover, such sessions are online, an online session with the listing platform may include large numbers of visitors (e.g., thousands of visitors) who have diverse backgrounds, such as from different cultures, geographies, and time zones, speaking different languages, having various educational backgrounds, and the like. For these reasons, it is not humanly possible to adequately track visitor engagement in an online session with the listing platform, and it can be difficult or impossible to adequately prevent or discourage visitors from dropping out of or disengaging from an online session, such as by closing a web browser or dedicated application of the listing platform or navigating to a different web page. Accordingly, without use of a computer system, the engagement levels of visitors in an online session with the listing platform cannot be accurately determined, along with appropriate corrections that may be used to maintain visitor engagement.

Visitor engagement detection and control for online sessions with a listing platform


An integrated circuit (IC) package, assembly tool and method for assembling an IC package are described herein. In a first example, an IC package is provided that includes a package substrate, at least a first integrated circuit (IC) die and a cover. The first integrated circuit (IC) die is mechanically and electrically coupled to the package substrate via solder connections. The cover is bonded to the package substrate. The cover encloses the first IC die and is laterally offset from a peripheral edge of the package substrate.

An integrated circuit (IC) package can include multiple IC dies disposed on a substrate. A heat spreader, also known as a cover or lid, can be mounted to the substrate to cover the multiple IC dies. A thermal interface material can be disposed between the IC dies and the cover. An assembly process for attaching the cover to an IC package includes the application of a mechanical force to the cover at an elevated temperature. The IC packages typically have some warpage at room temperature prior to mounting the cover. After heating while mounting the cover, the warpage of the IC packages may by exasperated. Further, there are variations in the flatness of the cover, the assembly tools used while mounting the cover to the IC package, and the force applied to the cover during assembly. These variations in flatness, when combined with the change in curvature of the IC packages during assembly, result in application of non-uniform force to the IC packages and non-uniform heating of the IC packages. The non-uniform application of force and heating can cause mechanical stresses in the IC packages, which may result in cracking and/or delamination. Further, the amount of thermal interface material disposed between the IC dies and the cover may not be uniform due to the aforementioned variations, thus creating areas of higher thermal resistance, i.e., hot spots, in certain locations of the IC packages.
Thus, there is a need for an improved IC package, along with methods and tools for fabricating the same.

Integrated circuit package, and methods and tools for fabricating the same


A system for acquiring surface data from one of the surfaces of a curved panel having a specular surface and developing a surface definition of the panel includes a conveyor for conveying the panel in a first direction, at least one display projecting a preselected multi-phase non-repeating contrasting pattern, and at least one camera, each one of the cameras uniquely paired with one of the displays. The system may also include a control programmed to execute logic for controlling each of the camera/display pairs to acquire the desired images, and logic for analyzing and combining the data acquired by the cameras to construct a definition of the surface of the panel.

Manufacturers of sheets or panels having specular surfaces and formed into various curved shapes for use in a variety of manufactured products, such as automobiles, are interested in measuring the shape of the formed panel in order to make various assessments of the characteristics of the panels, such as, for example, conformity of the actual formed shape to design specification, and/or evaluating the amount of optical distortion in the formed sheets that might be perceived by a human observer.
Thus, it is desirous for at least the above purposes to develop a system and method for quickly acquiring data corresponding to the surface of a curved panel, particularly as the panel is being transported on a conveyor between or after assembly or other processing operations, and thereafter developing an accurate three-dimensional mathematical description of the surface of the panel.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for developing three-dimensional surface information corresponding to a contoured sheet


A device for applying rotational torque to a fastener (such as a nut) on a fastening member (such as a threaded rod) to maintain the tight fastening. One specific embodiment of the device uses a recoil spring to apply such torque directly to the fastener; the device enables continued tightening of the fastener long after the initial fastening occurs.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a device to maintain tightness betweenone or more substrata or structural elements and a fastener, often associated with afastening member running through or anchoring one or more of the structural elements. More particularly, this invention relates to a self-tightening nut system or to a system for rotating a nut or other rotary fastener on the threaded tip of a rod, bolt or similar fastening member, to maintain the tight structural integrity of the fastened structural elements.
(2) Background of Invention
There are many situations requiring application of rotational torque upon a fastener, to maintain the tightness of the fastening long after the initial fastening. One example of such a situation involves the need to tighten a nut fastening two structural elements together after one or both structural elements have shrunken from dehydration. For example, lumber used for construction materials typically contains higher moisture when the structure is first constructed, compared to the moisture content after the structure has been constructed for a period of time. This is especially true when the lumber has been newly treated with preservatives and chemicals to withstand moisture. The internal moisture content of the wood construction elements decreases with the passage of time. This process, along with the compression caused by the weight of the structure bearing down on the wood units, eventually results in the shrinkage of the wood units (sometimes called "settling"). The process is most active during the first couple of years, and can result in a 5-6% decrease in the dimensions of wood units; then the process continues for several more years at a slower rate. As a result, many wooden units attached to each other lose their tight connections, thereby potentially creating a danger during the occurrence of catastrophic events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, strong wind and storms, or earthquakes. Maintenance of the tight connections will reduce or prevent damage caused by the repetitive shaking of the structures during the aforementioned catastrophic events.
Typical construction methods include anchoring the wooden frame of a structure to the footing or foundation of the structure. One such method includes a rod, anchored to the foundation and extending upward through the lower horizontal bottom plate of the wall frame, then continuing upward through the uppermost wooden top plate of the wall frame and terminating in a washer and nut tightened atop the top plate. As the structural frame dries over time, shrinkage/shortening of the wall studs and top plates often results in a gap of at least three-eighths (⅜) inch per floor between the top plate and the once-tight nut. (The weight of the roof and sheetrock also contributes to this gap.) Such gaps enable high winds to vibrate or move the structure or its walls on its foundation; such "play" can damage the structure or, in extreme instances, eventually result in destruction of the structure.
A wide variety of tie-down or take-up systems have been developed to assure that the structural elements remain tightly connected. Known in the art are the following patents and published applications, arguably related to the patentability of the present invention:
U.S. Pat. 1st NamedDate ofNo./application Ser. No.InventorPatent/Publication3,806,992ReimerApr. 30, 19744,721,306ShewchukJan. 26, 19885,364,214FazekasNov. 15, 19945,522,688RehJun. 4, 19965,540,530FazekasJul. 30, 19967,037,060 B2ComminsMay 2, 20062007/0001451 A1StruvenJan. 4, 20072009/0324364SmithDec. 31, 20097,905,066PryorMar. 15, 20112011/0113711 A1EspinosaJul. 20, 2010
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,364,214 and 5,540,530 issued to Fazekas disclose a self-adjusting tie-down system having a spring as a retainer, rather than to tighten the nut. These patents disclose a pair of opposing wedges that slide relative to each other, to increase in height to occupy any gap that arises between the nut and the top plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,060 issued to Commins discloses a shrinkage compensator assembly having an internal compression spring interposed between an innermost base cylinder and an outer sliding cylinder, to urge the sliding cylinder upward to increase the height of the assembly.
U.S. patent application Publication Ser. No. 11/447,637 filed by Stuven discloses a spring loaded nut for retaining a tubing connection with the tapered end of a vessel fitting. A compression spring within the nut housing biases a ferrule to maintain the tubing in tight engagement with the tapered end of the vessel fitting, to prevent leakage from the vessel through the fitting.
U.S. patent application Publication Ser. No. 12/309,547 issued to Smith discloses a self-adjusting shrinkage compensation device having four nut segments around a threaded rod, and coiled spring members flexibly holding the segments against the rod.
None of the above listed patents expressly discloses a device for tightening the rotary fastener (such as a nut) on the threaded tip of the fastening member (such as a threaded rod), for maintaining a tight connection between the structural element(s) associated with the rotary fastener and the fastening member, wherein said device includes a spring-powered tightening means applying rotational force directly to a coupling means for rotating the rotary fastener.


A secondary battery that can induce an internal short circuit in accordance with a stimulus, for example, excessive internal pressure or temperature, is provided. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a collecting plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly and having a short circuit hole, a short circuit member including a short circuit plate installed in the short circuit hole, a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the collecting plate and having an opening, and a cap assembly including a cap plate sealing the opening of the case. The short circuit plate faces the cap plate.

1. Field
Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a secondary battery.
2. Description of Related Art
Unlike primary batteries, which are not designed to be recharged, secondary batteries can be repeatedly charged and discharged. A low capacity secondary battery that uses a single battery cell packaged in a battery pack is used as a power source for various portable small-sized electronic devices such as cellular phones and camcorders. A high capacity secondary battery that uses tens of battery cells connected to each other in a battery pack is widely used as a power source for driving motors such as in electric scooters or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
Secondary batteries may be classified into different types, for example, cylindrical and prismatic types. A unit battery includes an electrode assembly having positive and negative electrodes and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes, a case for receiving the electrode assembly with an electrolyte, and a cap assembly having an electrode terminal installed in the case.
The secondary battery may catch fire or explode due to an increase in the internal pressure when, for example, excessive heat is generated. This may take place due to, for example, overcharging the battery or when the electrolyte decomposes. Accordingly, there is a need for a secondary battery with improved safety capabilities.


An apparatus comprises a first and a second input and a processor coupled to the inputs. The processor estimates peak and minimum levels of each of the first and second input signals. A first signal regulator is coupled to the first input and to a first output for delivering a first output signal from the first signals. A second signal regulator is coupled to the second input and to a second output for delivering a second output signal from the second audio signals. A gain adjustment device is coupled to the processor and the first and second signal regulators. The gain adjustment device provides control signals to the first and second signal regulators to adjust an output signal level of the first output signal in response to minimum and peak levels of the first and second input signals. The output signal level is continuously variable over a range.

A voice broadcasting system which includes gain requires some means for preventing feedback from output to input in order to avoid unwanted echoes and/or oscillation. Conventional telephones achieve this by placing the speaker and microphone such that they are acoustically de-coupled from one another. As such, conventional telephones operate in the "full duplex" mode, i.e., both parties may speak at once and if both parties do speak at once, each party may hear what the other party is saying.
Speakerphones cannot acoustically de-couple the microphone and the speaker from one another. It is thus desirable operate speakerphones in the half-duplex mode, i.e., to switch the speakerphone from transmit mode to receive mode such that the speakerphone is either transmitting or receiving, but not both, at any one time. This is often accomplished by a voice-operated switch or VOX. Operation of such switches sometimes provides a "choppy" sound to the conversation by switching with inappropriate frequency or in response to background noise.
What are needed are methods and apparatus for providing hands-free conversation capabilities for speakerphones which operate well despite presence of background noise and which switch smoothly from transmit to receive and vice-versa in response to speech signals.

Method and apparatus for volume switched gain control


Disclosed are novel compositions for the preparation of void-containing articles comprising a polymer matrix and a voiding agent The voiding agent comprises at least one first polymer and at least one second polymer, which are selected on the basis of physical properties such as glass transition temperature, tensile modulus, melting point, surface tension, and melt viscosity. Shaped articles such as sheet, film, bottles, tubes, labels, and sleeves may prepared from these compositions. Also disclosed are polyester shrink films prepared using a voiding agent comprising a novel blend of cellulosic and olefinic polymers. The resulting shrink films have better opacity, lower density, reduced shrink force, and improved printability as compared with most standard voiding agents. The films are useful for sleeve label and other shrink film applications and their lower density allows them to be readily separated from soft drink bottles, food containers and the like during recycling operations.

Shaped articles such as, for example, sheet, film, tubes, bottles, sleeves, and labels, are commonly used in various packaging applications. For example, film and sheet produced from polymers such as polyolefins, polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), polyesters and the like are used frequently for the manufacture of shrink labels for plastic beverage or food containers. It is desirable in many packaging applications that the shaped article exhibit properties such as, for example, good printability, high opacity, low density, low shrink force, good texture, recyclability, and high stiffness. For example, during recycling of the plastic material, labels are often separated from the rest of the container because of the presence of inks, glues, and other substances which can contaminant and discolor the recycled polymer. If the density of the label polymer is sustantially different from that of the container polymer, the separation of the label polymer may be carried out by a simple and economical flotation process in which the label polymer floats or sinks away from the other polymers. Unfortunately, the label and container, materials used in packaging often have similar densities that prevents the use of such flotation processes.
One approach for reducing the density is to introduce many small voids or holes into the shaped article. This process is called "voiding" and may also be referred to as "cavitating" or "microvoiding". Voids are obtained by incorporating about 5 to about 50 weight % of small organic or inorganic particles or "inclusions" (referred in the art as "voiding" or "cavitation" agents) into a matrix polymer and orienting the polymer by stretching in at least one direction. During stretching, small cavities or voids are formed around the voiding agent. When voids are introduced into polymer films, the resulting voided film not only has a lower density than the non-voided film, but also becomes opaque and develops a a paper-like surface. This surface also has the advantage of increased printability; that is, the surface is capable of accepting many inks with a substantially greater capacity over a non-voided film. Typical examples of voided films are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,426,754; 3,944,699; 4,138,459; 4,582,752; 4,632,869; 4,770,931; 5,176,954; 5,435,955; 5,843,578; 6,004,664; 6,287,680; 6,500,533; 6,720,085; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.'s 2001/0036545; 2003/0068453; 2003/0165671; 2003/0170427; Japan Patent Application No.'s 61–037827; 63–193822; 2004–181863; European Patent No. 0 581 970 B1, and European Patent Application No. 0 214 859 A2.
Although voided films are known, they frequently suffer from a number of shortcomings and often show inferior properties to the corresponding non-voided counterparts such as, for example, poor stiffness, insufficient opacity, high shrink force, and high surface roughness which make them less desirable for many packaging applications. For packaging labels, for example, it is often desirable for aesthetic purposes to have a high concentration of voids such that the voided film is opaque. Increasing the number of voids, however, can increase the surface roughness to the point that the printing quality, texture and feel, and seamability of the label are reduced. To address this problem, many voided films have multiple layers in which a non-voided surface layer is affixed to a void-containing core layer (by adhesion or coextrusion). The non-voided layer is applied because it provides a smoother surface than the voided layer. While this approach solves many of the above problems, production of such multilayer films is expensive and requires additional coextrusion or lamination equipment. Multilayered films also typically have a higher overall film density because of the lack of or decreased voiding on the surface and are not as desirable as monolayer films. It is also possible to introduce voids into containers such as, for example, a bottle or thermoformed tray. Voided containers are lightweight, require less polymer, and can be printed upon directly, thus eliminating the need for a label.
Conventional voiding agents suffer from several disadvantages. Inorganic agents like calcium carbonate, talc, silica, and the like may be used as voiding agents but, because inorganic substances are typically dense materials, the final density of the shaped article is often too high. In the case of voided films, for example, the reduction in density imparted by voiding is frequently offset by the weight of the inorganic agents.
Polyolefins such as, for example, polypropylene may be used as a voiding agents. Polyolefins, however, often do not disperse well and may require a compatibilizer such as, for example, a carboxylated polyethylene to obtain a uniform distribution of voids. When used with polyester polymers to produce voided films, polyolefins also tend to lower the polyester film surface tension and thereby reduce the printability of the film. Polyolefins are softer than the polyester at room temperature which sometimes lowers the overall film modulus to unacceptable levels. Finally, polyolefins are relatively inefficient voiding agents and large amounts are required to achieve the necessary density reduction. As discussed earlier, this leads to poor surface roughness and printing problems, thus making it difficult to use in single layer films.
Other polymeric voiding agents such as, for example, styrenics, polymethylpentene, polycarbonate, nylons, cellulosics, and the like, suffer from some of the same voiding efficiency problems as polyolefins. High modulus styrenics, like atactic polystyrene, are efficient voiding agents, but suffer from outgassing problems when mixed and processed at higher temperatures and, therefore, are useful only at low levels. Styrenics also tend to embrittle the film. Crosslinked styrene beads may be used to circumvent this problem, although these beads tend to be expensive. Cellulosics tend to be hygroscopic and require a separate drying and moisture removal step before incorporation into the polymer matrix. For voided shrink films, cellulosics also tend to produce undesirably high shrink forces.
There is a need, therefore, for a composition that would enable the production of voided, shaped articles such as, for example, film, sheet, bottles, tubes, fibers, and rods, having a lower density, good printability, lower shrink force, high opacity, and other desirable physical properties such as high stiffness and good texture and feel. In the case of films, there is a also need for a composition that would permit the preparation of single layer, void-containing films with acceptable printability, stiffness, and lower densities. Such a composition would have utility in the beverage and food packaging industry for the production of void-containing shrink labels.

Compositions for the preparation of void-containing articles


A stereoselective fusion glycosylation process for preparing beta-anomer enriched 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleosides and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoronucleosides is provided which requires reacting an alpha-anomer enriched 2-deoxy-2,2-difluorocarbohydrate or 2-deoxy-2-fluorocarbohydrate with at least 3 molar equivalents of a nucleobase derivative at a temperature sufficient to fuse the carbohydrate and nucleobase; in the absence of a catalyst and a solvent.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to the field of pharmaceutical chemistry and provides a stereoselective fusion glycosylation process for preparing 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleosides and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoronucleosides.
2. State of the Art
The continued interest in the synthesis of 2'-deoxynucleosides and their analogues is reflected in their successful use as therapeutic agents in viral and cancerous diseases. A critical step in the synthesis of 2'-deoxynucleosides is the condensation of the nucleobase and carbohydrate to form the N-glycosidic bond. When the carbohydrate possesses a 2-hydroxy substituent, the substituent provides a substantial degree of 1,2-anchiomeric assistance, which facilitates stereoselective glycosylation. However, processes for synthesizing of 2'-deoxynucleosides are typically non-stereoselective and form a mixture of aloha and beta nucleosides.
Another type of condensation is fusion glycosylation, which is carried out in the absence of a solvent and at reaction temperatures sufficient to convert the carbohydrate and nucleosides base reactants to a molten phase. The original fusion glycosylation process was used to prepare purine nucleosides and involved reacting a peracylated sugar with a fusible purine base under vacuum and in the presence of a catalyst, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. However, the glycosylation was not effective in condensing pyrimidine nucleosides because of their high melting points. In addition, the yields would vary widely and a broad range of anomerically mixed nucleoside products were produced.
T. Shimadate, et al., in Nippon Kagaku Zasshi, 81, 1440-1444 (1960) and Chem. Abstracts, 56, 11692 (1962), described a fusion glycosylation process involving reacting a peracetylated arabinofuranose and a purine base in the molten phase, under vacuum, in the presence of a p-toluenesulfonic acid catalyst. T. Shimadate, Nippon Kagaku Zasshi, 82, 1268-1270 (1961), described a similar fusion glycosylation process using an anhydrous zinc dichloride catalyst.
R. P. Hodge, et al., J. Org. Chem., 56, 1553-1564 (1991), described the preparation of deoxythymidine, deoxycytidine, deoxyadenosine and deoxyguanosine nucleosides containing deuterium at the C-1' position of the carbohydrate 1-chloro-3,5-ditoluoylribofuranose. The glycosylation was based on the synthesis described in Hubbard, et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 12, 6827 (1984). The preparation of 2'-deoxycytidine required converting a silylated uridine derivative to a silylated cytidine derivative by one of the three different methods. In each, substantial quantities of undesirable alpha-anomer nucleoside product formed. Also, isolating the small quantity of beta-anomer nucleoside obtained from the anomeric mixture proved to be difficult.
The synthesis of purine deoxynucleosides was carried out by the procedure described in Robbins, Nucleic Acids RES., 12, 1179 (1984), and involved reacting a sodium salt of a halopurine with 1-chloro-3,5-ditoluoylribofuranose. The sodium salts of purine bases were found to be much better nucleophiles than silylated pyrimidine bases.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,988, Hertel, illustrated a fusion glycosylation process for preparing 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleosides which involves reacting a 3,5-bis(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-1-methanesulfonyloxy-2-deoxy-2,2-difluoro ribofuranose with 5-methyl-2,4-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-pyrimidine at 150.degree. C.
Vorbruggen, et al., J. Org. Chem., 41, 2084 (1976) provided an outstanding development in the field of glycosylation and showed how nucleosides may be obtained from the Friedel-Crafts catalyzed reaction of a peracylated carbohydrate and silylated heterocycles in a solvent such as, 1,2-dichloroethane and acetonitrile. But when this process was applied to the synthesis 2'-deoxynucleosides, a 1:1 alpha to beta-anomeric mixture of nucleoside products was produced. Recent reports, for example, Grienyl, et. al., J. Med. Chem,, 28, 1679 (1985), have indicated that condensation reactions carried out in chloroform show a preference for beta-anomer nucleosides in a 3:1 beta to alpha ratio.
Some deoxynucleosides have been prepared in high yield from deoxyhalogenose with Friedel-Crafts catalysts, notably, 1-chloro-2-deoxy-3,5-di-p-toluoyl-alpha-D-erythropentofuranose; see, M. Hofer, Chem. Ber, 93, 2777 (1960). However, halogenoses are less stable thermally than peracylated carbohydrates and produce a 1:1 alpha to beta-anomeric mixture of nucleoside products. Walker, et al., Nucleic Acid Research, 12, 6827 (1984), used halogenose in condensation reactions to study the factors controlling the atomeric ratio of nucleoside products and found that beta-anomer nucleosides were formed exclusively from alpha-halo-carbohydrates via SN.sub.2 displacement. The corresponding alpha-anomer nucleoside contamination was determined to result from the anomerization of alpha-halo carbohydrate to beta-halo carbohydrate before the SN.sub.2 displacement reaction. Walker et al., found that by changing the solvent or catalyst higher yields of the desired beta-anomer nucleoside were produced.
R. P. Hodge et al., J. Org. Chem., 56, 1553 (1991), described preparing pyrimidine and purine nucleosides containing deuterium at the C-1' position by the method described by Walker, et al. 1'-Deuterium-2'-deoxycytidine was prepared by reacting a carbohydrate and silylated cytosine derivative but the reaction gave poor yields. However, the yield was significantly improved when silylated uridine derivatives were used.
The synthesis of 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoronucleosides advanced rapidly when a procedure for synthesizing 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-3,5-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-arabinosyl bromide was made available: see Tann, et. al., J. Org. Chem., 50, 3644 (1985) and Howell, et. al., J. Org. Chem., 53, 85 (1988). It was discovered that 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-3,5-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-arabinosyl bromide did not anomerize in dry acetonitrile over extended periods. Therefore, high yields of beta-nucleosides could be obtained from 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-3,5-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-O-arabinosyl bromide via SN.sub.2 displacement. Also, stereoselectivity of the nucleoside products could be achieved if either carbon tetrachloride or chloroform solvents was employed.
The formation of the N-glycoside bond in 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleoside synthesis is much more difficult than in instances where the carbohydrate is 1,2-anchiomericly assisted or contains 2-deoxy-2-fluoro groups. The traditional carbohydrate leaving groups, such as those used in the Vorbruggen condensation method, acetate, chloride and bromide, render the carbohydrate inactive. In order to overcome this problem, Hertel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,988, described a modified version of the Vorbruggen condensation method that relied on more reactive sulfonate leaving groups attached to the carbohydrate to affect its reactivity. For example, hydroxy protected carbohydrates, such as 2-deoxy-2,2-difluoro-D-ribofuranose, containing a methanesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, isopropanesulfonate or 4-methoxybenzenesulfonate leaving group at the C-1 position, were reacted with a protected nucleobase at temperatures of 50.degree. C. to 220.degree. C., in the presence of a high boiling solvent, such as dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and hexamethylphosphoramide. Hertel teaches that when carrying out the glycosylation reaction at elevated pressures, any convenient inert solvent, such as ethers, halogenated alkanes, and aromatics, can be used since the elevated pressure eliminates the loss of low boiling inert solvents due to evaporation. However, at reaction temperatures from room temperature to 100.degree. C., a catalyst such as trifluoromethanesulfonyloxysilane, is required. U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,374, Chou, et al. reports that Hertel's condensation method provides alpha-anomer stereoselectively and therefore forms a 4:1 alpha to beta atomeric ratio of nucleoside products and goes on to describe an improved procedure, based on the Vorbruggen condensation method, that employs a pivotal intermediate of 2-deoxy-2,2-difluoro-3,5-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-arabinosyl methanesulfonate. However, Chou's condensation method forms a 1:1 alpha to beta anomer mixture of nucleoside products.
Despite the preceding advances in nucleoside synthesis, there continues to be a need for a stereoselective fusion glycosylation process capable of efficiently producing beta- or alpha-anomer enriched 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleosides and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoron in increased yields.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a stereoselective fusion glycosylation process for preparing beta or alpha-anomer enriched 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleosides and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoronu
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stereoselective fusion glycosylation process for preparing beta or alpha-anomer enriched 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleosides and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoronucleosides without the use of a catalyst.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stereoselective fusion glycosylation process for preparing beta- or alpha-anomer enriched 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleosides and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoronucleosides in yields higher than those produced by conventional fusion glycosylation procedures.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stereoselective fusion glycosylation process for preparing beta or alpha-anomer enriched 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleosides that offers a means for isolating intermediates of the beta- or alpha-anomer enriched nucleosides as a crude product or acid addition salt such as a hydrochloride salt.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments.

Stereoselective fusion glycosylation process for preparing 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoronucleosides and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoronucleosides


Provided are a timer-based bandwidth part (BWP) switching method, a terminal device, and a network device. The method is applied to a terminal device. A BWP and a non-dynamic scheduling resource are configured for the current serving cell of the terminal device, and a BWP deactivation timer is configured for the currently activated BWP. The method includes: after receiving indication information, the terminal device determines whether to stop, start, or adjust the BWP deactivation timer, the indication information being used for indicating that the terminal device activates or deactivates the non-dynamic scheduling resource.

In the 100th meeting of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Radio Access Network (RAN) 2, a timer for deactivating bandwidth part (Bandwidth Part timer, BWP timer) was introduced at a Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The BWP timer can be configured for each non-default downlink BWP, to switch a UE from a currently activated non-default BWP to a default BWP or an initial BWP, thereby saving energy consumption. Specifically, regarding a behavior of the BWP timer, a current MAC protocol (TS 38.321) provides as follows.
Start or restart condition: receiving a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for scheduling downlink allocation, or receiving a PDCCH for switching of a BWP.
Stop condition: starting a Random Access process.
Time-out behavior: switching a currently activated BWP to a default downstream BWP, or an initial BWP.
In addition, the RAN2 #100 meeting also provided that: Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) may be configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC) with some basic parameters (for example, cycle), and then activates or deactivates a SPS resource through a SPS-RNTI PDCCH. Only after activation, a User Equipment (UE) can receive downlink transmission on the SPS resource. However, during switching of a currently activated downlink BWP, from the MAC's perspective, a corresponding SPS resource needs to be cleared.

Timer-based bandwidth part switching method, terminal device, and network device

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


A rotation limiting means for a steer-by-wire steering system comprises a fixedly arranged outer housing and a steering column which is received at least partially in the outer housing and can be rotated relative to the outer housing. Furthermore, at least one actuating member is provided which is arranged between the outer housing and the steering column and can be rotated to a limited extent relative to the outer housing and relative to the steering column, in order to mechanically limit a rotation of the steering column relative to the outer housing. Furthermore, a steering system and a method for limiting a rotational movement in a steering system are described.

Electromechanical power steering systems which are also called "Electric Power Steering" (EPS) systems are known from the prior art. Here, the steering wheel of the steering system is coupled mechanically via a steering column to a rack. The translational movement of the rack is limited mechanically here, which automatically limits the rotation of the steering wheel.
This is important, since, inter alia, electric lines are provided on the steering wheel, which electric lines lead to operating elements on the steering wheel, the electric lines running along the associated steering column or steering shaft, with the result that the electric lines are likewise turned or twisted when the steering wheel is rotated. The electric lines can follow only a limited rotational movement, however, before they break or snap. In this respect, the rack or its mechanical limiting means assumes a protective function for the electric lines.
In the case of what are known as steer-by-wire steering systems (SBW steering systems), the steering wheel is no longer connected mechanically via the steering column to a rack, but rather is connected to a steering wheel actuator which has no mechanical connection to the rack. In this respect, there is precisely no mechanical limiting of the rotational movement of the steering wheel in the case of a steer-by-wire steering system on account of the absence of a mechanical coupling to the rack. In addition, in the case of many SBW steering systems, the steering wheel angle is detected via a steering angle sensor, the calibration of which is valid in the steering system only as long as the steering wheel cannot be rotated beyond a certain steering angle range.

Rotation limiting means, steering system, and method for limiting a rotational movement in a steering system


A spray nozzle has a main rod extended from a handle. The main rod is formed with a locking hole. A fixing hole is formed aside the locking hole. A spring and a rolling ball are pre-mounted in the fixing hole. A second half dome shape joint of a nozzle is protruded with an annular locking seat. A periphery of the annular locking seat is formed with an annular recess which is exactly communicated to the water inlet of the nozzle. A center of the annular locking seat is formed with a pivotal hole which is coupled to the locking hole of the main rod. The annular locking seat of the nozzle has a plurality of limiting holes; thereby, the rolling balls in the fixing hole of the main rod being confined in the limiting holes. The orientation of the nozzle is adjustable with respect to the main rod.

The present invention relates to nozzles, and particularly to a spraying nozzle in that the orientation of the nozzle is adjustable with respect to a main rod so that the user can operate the nozzle easily.
A prior art spraying nozzle includes a handle, a main rod extended to an upper side of the handle, and a nozzle, wherein the main rod is directly connected to the nozzle. In use, the nozzle cannot rotate with respect to the main rod. Thereby, the user cannot spray the water easily and conveniently. Many places cannot be sprayed with a pose to be comfortable to the user. Thereby, the operation is inconvenient.
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a spraying nozzle, in that the orientation of the nozzle is adjustable with respect to a main rod so that the user can operate the nozzle easily.
To achieve above objects, the present invention provides a spray nozzle. A main rod is extended to an upper side of a handle. A first half dome shape joint at a front end of the main rod has a groove communicated to the water outlet of the main rod. A center of the groove is formed with a locking hole. A fixing hole is formed aside the locking hole. A spring and a rolling ball are pre-mounted in the fixing hole. A nozzle is locked to the locking hole of the main rod by a stud. A second half dome shape joint of the nozzle is protruded with an annular locking seat. A periphery of the annular locking seat is formed with an annular recess which is exactly communicated to the water inlet of the nozzle. A center of the annular locking seat being formed with a pivotal hole which is coupled to the locking hole of the main rod. The annular locking seat of the nozzle has a plurality of limiting holes; thereby, the rolling balls in the fixing hole of the main rod being confined in the limiting holes. The orientation of the nozzle is adjustable with respect to the main rod.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following, detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.