The present invention relates to a hall electromotive force signal detection circuit and a current sensor thereof each of which is able to achieve excellent wide-band characteristics and fast response as well as high accuracy. A difference calculation circuit samples a component synchronous with a chopper clock generated by a chopper clock generation circuit, out of an output voltage signal of a signal amplifier circuit, at a timing obtained from the chopper clock, so as to detect the component. An integrating circuit integrates an output from the difference calculation circuit in the time domain. An output voltage signal from the integrating circuit is fed back to a signal amplifier circuit via a third transconductance element.

A magnetic sensor using a hall element is widely used not only as a proximity sensor, a linear position sensor, a rotation angle sensor, or the like, each of which is a sensor for detecting positional information of a magnet, but also as a current sensor for measuring, in a non-contact manner, the amount of current flowing in a current conductor by detecting a magnetic field induced by the current flowing in the current conductor.
Particularly, it is required for the current sensor used to detect an inverter current of a motor, to highly precisely detect the inverter current that is switched at a high-speed frequency, for the purpose of improving the efficiency of motor control.
Since the hall element has a magnetoelectric conversion function to generate a hall electromotive force signal depending on an intensity of an input magnetic field, the hall element is widely used as a magnetic sensor. However an offset voltage (unbalanced voltage) exists in the hall element. The offset voltage is a non-zero finite voltage and is output even in a state where the magnetic field is zero, i.e., in a state of no magnetic field.
In view of this, in regard to the magnetic sensor using a hall element, in order to cancel an offset voltage of the hall element, there is a driving method for the hall element, which is generally known as spinning current method or connection commutation method. In this method, switching between a position of a terminal pair for flowing a driving current to the hall element and a position of a terminal pair for detecting a hall electromotive force signal is periodically performed synchronized with clock called chopper clock (see, for example, Non Patent Document 1).
The spinning current method for the purpose of cancelling the offset voltage is configurable by use of a switching circuit in a CMOS semiconductor circuit, and therefore, a hall electromotive force detecting circuit to realize a highly-accurate magnetic sensor generally includes a switching circuit in order to implement the spinning current method.
Further, since a hall electromotive force signal generated in the hall element is generally feeble, the hall electromotive force signal detection circuit includes an signal amplifier circuit so as to amplify the hall electromotive force signal. Here, in a case where there is a finite offset voltage in this signal amplifier circuit, it is also necessary to perform the offset cancellation of the offset voltage included in the signal amplifier circuit.
Under these circumstances, as for the hall electromotive force signal detection circuit for detecting and amplifying the hall electromotive force generated by the hall element, there has been a known circuit configuration of signal amplifier circuit using a current feedback amplifier circuit that is suitable for the combination with the spinning current method of the hall element. Among these current feedback amplifiers, the circuit configuration in which the offset voltage of the amplifier circuit is modulated by using a chopper clock to the chopper clock frequency is generally known as chopper amplifier.
It is known that, with the use of a hall electromotive force detecting circuit in which the circuit for implementing the spinning current method in the hall element is combined with the circuit configuration of the chopper amplifier in the signal amplifier circuit, it is possible to modulate both the offset voltage of the hall element and the offset voltage of the signal amplifier circuit at the frequency of the chopper clock (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non Patent Document 2).
The offset cancellation of the hall element by the spinning current method is described below.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the hall electromotive force detection at the time when the direction of the driving current biasing the hall element is switched between 0 degree and 90 degrees every time the phase of the chopper clock is switched between two values, i.e., ϕ1 and ϕ2. FIG. 1A illustrates a case where the phase of the chopper clock is ϕ1 and the driving direction of the hall element is 0 degree, and FIG. 1B illustrates a case where the phase of the chopper clock is ϕ2 and the driving direction of the hall element is 90 degrees. Note that the hall element is modeled as a four-terminal element including four resistors, and is driven by a constant current.
In FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the driving direction of the hall element is switched between 0 degree and 90 degrees, voltage signals Vhall (ϕ1) and Vhall (ϕ2) measured in the hall element are represented as the sum of the hall electromotive force signal Vsig(B) corresponding to the target magnetic field B to be detected by the magnetic sensor using the hall element and the offset voltage Vos (Hall) of the hall element, as represented by Expression 1.
By periodically switching the direction of a bias current of the hall element between 0 degree and 90 degrees synchronized with the chopper clock, it is possible to switch the polarity of the hall electromotive force signal Vsig (B) corresponding to the target magnetic field to be detected between inverted polarity and non-inverted polarity, thereby making it possible to perform frequency modulation of the hall electromotive force signal Vsig(B) corresponding to the target magnetic field to be detected, at the frequency f_chop of the chopper clock. On the other hand, as for the DC offset voltage Vos(Hall) of the hall element, even if the driving direction of the hall element is switched between 0 degree and 90 degrees, the DC offset Vos(Hall) retains its polarity. Therefore, Vos(Hall) is not frequency-modulated by the chopper clock.
               [           Math      .               1          ]                                    Signals                  Generated                  in                  the                  Hall                  Element                                    {                                                                                Vhall                          (             ϕ1             )                        =                                       +                             Vsig                              (               B               )                                        +                                                                                Vos                          (             Hall             )                                                                (                                          Chopper                                                Clock                            =              ϕ1                          )                                                                                Vhall                          (             ϕ2             )                        =                                       -                             Vsig                              (               B               )                                        +                                                                                Vos                          (             Hall             )                                                                (                                          Chopper                                                                C                                lock                                           =              ϕ2                          )                                                                                Expression                  1
Based on the foregoing, in a case where the driving current of the hall element is switched between 0 degree and 90 degrees synchronized with the chopper clock, the signal Vhall generated in the hall element exhibits a waveform as illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2D. Further, the spectrum of the signal generated in the hall element exhibits a spectrum as illustrated in FIG. 3. Accordingly, it is understood that the hall electromotive force signal Vsig(B) corresponding to the target magnetic field to be detected and the offset voltage Vos(Hall) of the hall element are separated in the frequency domain. This is the principle of the offset cancellation using the spinning current method.
It is noted that the above description deals with an example in which the driving direction of the hall element having four terminals is switched between two directions, i.e., 0 degree and 90 degrees. Similarly, when the driving direction of the hail element is switched among four directions, i.e., 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees, it is also possible to separate the hall electromotive force signal and the offset voltage in the frequency domain.
Furthermore, a technique described in Patent Document 2 relates to a hall electromotive force signal detecting apparatus which is able to effectively minimize a pattern noise generated in a ΔΣ modulator used to detect a hall electromotive force signal of a hall element. Furthermore, a technique described in Patent Document 3 relates to a hall electromotive force signal detecting apparatus which performs a signal processing by use of a ΔΣ modulator and which is able to effectively minimize settling errors.
Furthermore, a technique described in Patent Document 4 relates to a current sensor, and discloses a method for reducing ripple-shaped noise by use of a filter called a Notch filter or a COMB filter having a zero point at the frequency of a chopper clock, in association with a circuit technique called chopper amplifier.
Furthermore, a technique described in Patent Document 5 relates to a chopper stabilized amplifier, and discloses a circuit configuration that suppresses the occurrence of ripple-shaped noise in an output of a signal amplifier circuit by feedback means.
Furthermore, a technique described in Patent Document 6 relates to an amplifier circuit that compensates an offset, in which a feedback circuit is prepared for the purpose of offset cancellation, and the feedback circuit herein is coupled to a signal node before the signal node in which the hall electromotive force signal modulated by the chopper clock is demodulated by a demodulator.
Further, a technique described in Patent Document 7 relates to, for example, a magnetic field sensor, which is provided with a sensor element for outputting a sensor signal including an interfering signal, an evaluation apparatus coupled to this sensor element, and a subtractor for subtracting the interfering signal from the sensor signal. The technique also relates to an interfering signal compensation method of the sensor and discloses an example in which a ΔΣ AD converter is used for signal processing of a hall element.
Further, a technique described in Patent Document 8 relates to a current measuring device for measuring a current flowing in the target object by means of measuring the magnetic field induced by the current flowing in the target object, and discloses an example in which double integral AD conversion is used for signal processing of a hall element.

Hall electromotive force signal detection circuit having a difference calculation circuit and current sensor thereof


A silver halide photo-sensitive material having at least one silver halide emulsion layer on a support, characterized by that said silver halide emulsion layer contains at least one magenta-forming coupler of 1H-pyrazolo[ 3,2-c]-s-triazole type which is substituted by a tertiary alkyl group at the 3-position and, by another releasable group than a hydrogen atom at the 7-position.

The invention relates to a silver halide color photo-sensitive material which is highly color developable, and forms a magenta dye image improved in preservability, and especially improved in light resistance. Further detailedly, the invention relates to a silver halide color photo-sensitive material which contains a novel magenta-forming coupler of 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-C]-s-triazole type.
In general, a silver halide color photo-sensitive material exhibits a dye image by that exposed silver halide grains are reduced by a color developing agent of aromatic primary amine type, and that therewithal produced oxidation product of said color developing agent is coupled with yellow-, magenta-, and cyan-forming couplers.
While the coupler conventionally used to form said magenta dye has been of pyrazolone type, it has shortcomings of exhibiting undesirable secondary absorptions, and of being poor in preservability, and especially in formaldehyde gas resistance.
For the purpose to overcome such shortcommings as the above, various magenta-forming couplers of 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-s-triazole type have been proposed so far. These couplers, which have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,725,067, and British Patent Nos. 1,252,418 and 1,334,515, for example, surpass magenta-forming couplers of pyrazolone type in terms of elimination of secondary absorptions, but are still insufficient in improvement of formaldehyde resistance and are little improved in light resistance of dye image. Compounds described in Research Disclosure, No. 12443 also can not be put to practical use of the art in terms of color developability at all. Magenta-forming couplers of 1H-pyrazolo [3,2-c]-s-triazole type, described in Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 2045/1983, is considerably improved in formaldehyde resistance of dye image, and in color developability, but is still little in terms of light resistance of dye image.
Couplers described in Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication Nos. 99437/1984 and 125732/1984 also are improved in color developability, but less improved in light resistance of dye image. In case of those described in the latter Publication No. 125732/1984, the light resistance of dye image is not improved without combined use of another certain additive. Only the coupler of Compound No. 19 in the specification of the former Publication No. 99437/1984 is somewhat improved in light resistance of dye image, but still unsatisfactory.
Thus, while magenta-forming couplers of 1H-pyrazolo [3,2-c]-s-triazole type have been paid attention to because of their elimination of secondary absorptions, and high formaldehyde resistance, it should be noted that they have been little improved in terms of light resistance of dye image so far.
The object of the invention is to present a silver halide color photo-sensitive material which is not only excellent in both light resistance, and formaldehyde resistance, but also high in color developability.
The above object of the invention is attained by a silver halide color photo-sensitive material having at least one silver halide emulsion layer on a support, characterized by that said silver halide emulsion layer contains at least one magenta-forming coupler of 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-s-triazole type which is substituted by a tertiary alkyl group at the 3-position, and by another releasable group than a hydrogen atom at the 7-position.
As a result of keen studies aiming at solution of aforementioned problems, the inventors came to find magenta-forming couplers of 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-s-triazole type which were excellent in both formaldehyd resistance, and light resistance of image, and high in color developability.
They are couplers of 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-s-triazole type each of which is substituted by a tertiary alkyl group at the 3-position, and by another releasable group than a hydrogen atom at the 7-position, In other words, it was found that 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-s-triazole compounds were made to largely improve in light resistance of image, and were given a high color developability by having been substituted by a tertiary alkyl group at the 3-position, and by another releasable group than a hydrogen atom at the 7-position.
As for said releasable group, the 7-position of a 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-s-triazole compound is the position where said compound couples with the oxidation product of a color developing agent to form a magenta dye, and said releasable group at the 7-position is released through said coupling reaction
Said 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-s-triazole compound which is substituted by a tertiary alkyl group at the 3-position, and by another releasable group than a hydrogen group at the 7-position, is represented the following general formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is a tertiary alkyl group; R.sub.2 is an alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group. X is another releasable group than a hydrogen atom, which is released through coupling reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a color developing agent.
The tertiary carbon atom of said tertiary alkyl group represented by R.sub.1 is allowed to be substituted by, instead of an alkyl group, such an aryl group as a phenyl group; an alkoxy group an aryloxy group, an alkylthio group or the like. In addition, said tertiary carbon atom is allowed to participate also in the formation of another cyclic group. Furthermore, an alkyl group attached to said tertiary carbon atom is allowed to be substituted by a halogen atom; such an aryl group as a pheny group; a cyano group; a substituent group which links through a carbonyl group, such as an alkoxycarbonyl, acyl, or carbamoyl group; or a substituent group which links through a hetero atom, such as a nitro,alkoxy, alkylthio, arylthio, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, or dialkylamio group. Such a substituent group is especially preferably selected from among alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, and arylsulfinyl groups.
Further, needless to say, magenta-forming couplers in the invention include also bis-type 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-s-triazole compounds, which are formed when the heterocyclic residue is a 1H-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-s-triazol-3-yl residue.
Such tertiary alkyl groups as above substantially include tert-butyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-methoxyethyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-cloroethyl, 1-methyl-1-phenylethyl, 1,1-di-n-amylhexyl, 7,7-dimethylnorbornan-1-yl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, and adamantyl groups.
The alkyl group represented by R.sub.2 is allowed to be either primary, or secondary or tertiary, and to be substituted by a cyclic group, or any of the same substituent group as those for R.sub.1 cited above.
The aryl group represented by R.sub.2 is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group. Substituent groups for said substituted group include alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, alkoxy, acylamino, sulfonamido, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, and carboxy group.
The heterocyclic group represented by R.sub.2 is substantially a furyl, thienyl, or pyridyl group, or the like. Such a heterocyclic group is allowed to be substituted by any of the same substituent groups as those for the above aryl group as R.sub.2.
The releasable group represented by X is allowed to be a halogen atom, or an organic group linked through an oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atom.
Among such releasable groups, those liked through an oxygen atom include alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, and heterocyloxy groups. Those linked through an nitrogen atom include acylamino, diacylamino, and sulfonamido groups, and said-nitrogen-containing 5- or 6- membered heterocyclic groups. Those linked through an sulfur atom include thiocyano, alkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclothio, arylsulfonyl, and alkylsulfonyl groups.
Exemplary compounds embodied based on the invention are listed below, but the invention is not limited thereto: ##STR2##
Description of typial synthetic processes of the above couplers of the invention is given below. The experimental synthesis was carried out on referring to the description in Research Disclosure, No. 12443; Journal of the Chemical Society I, 1977, P. 2047-2052; U.S. Pat. No. 3,725,067; and Japanese Patent C.P.I. Publication No. 99437/1984.

Silver halide color photo-sensitive material


A subject position determination method includes: generating a plurality of binarized images of a target image based upon color information or brightness information of the target image; calculating an evaluation value used to determine a subject position in the target image for each of the plurality of binarized images; and determining a subject position in the target image based upon the evaluation value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a subject position determination method, a program product for determining a subject position, and a camera.
2. Description of Related Art
There is an imaging device known in the related art that performs focusing processing for an AF area selected by the user (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2004-205885).

Subject position determination method, program product for determining subject position, and camera


A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural member configured to support a vehicle body and a subframe member configured to support at least one of a vehicle suspension and an engine. The structural member includes a cavity and the subframe member includes a support section and an extension that extends transversely from the support section. The extension is received in the cavity to connect the subframe member with the structural member.

Exemplary embodiments herein relate to a mounting structure, and more particularly to frame mounting structures for vehicles.
As new vehicles are being developed, there is an increased desire to improve their fuel efficiency. One way to accomplish this goal is to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle. As the curb weight of the vehicle is largely comprised of the frame mounting structure, there are numerous opportunities to reduce the curb weight by improving the frame structure. However, these improvements to the frame assembly should not adversely affect the handling or performance of the vehicle.
A conventional vehicle frame assembly is shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle frame assembly 10 includes a frame member 12 that supports a vehicle body and a subframe 16 that could support a vehicle engine, transmission, or suspension component. The frame member 12 and the subframe 16 are joined together by placing the subframe 16 between the frame member 12 and a bolt stay 26. A first fastener 18 extends through the bolt stay 26, the subframe 16, and into the frame member 12. The first fastener 18 provides attachment between the frame member 12 and the subframe 16.
Further, a bushing 20 is coaxially disposed on the first fastener 18 with an upper bushing stopper 22 and a lower bushing stopper 24 surrounding the bushing 20. A second fastener 28 attaches the bolt stay 26 to the frame member 12. Finally, the frame member 12 defines a neutral axis 14. The neutral axis 14 is an axis in which there are no longitudinal stresses or strains. The greater the distance between the neutral axis and the attachment point of the subframe to the structural member, the larger the moment arm will be. It is desirable to minimize the length L between the neutral axis 14 and the subframe 16. By minimizing the distance L, handling of the vehicle can be better controlled.
Because of the layout of the traditional frame assembly 10, the bushing stoppers 22, 24 are positioned horizontally. Thus, the bushing stoppers 22, 24 are preloaded by the vehicle weight, thereby degrading vehicle handling. Further, the bolt stay 26 of the frame assembly 10 is used for stiffness purposes. The presence of the bolt stay 26 contributes to the curb weight. Additionally, because of the positioning of the bolt stay 26, it is only effective in one direction. Specifically, the bolt stay 26 is only effective in either the lateral or longitudinal direction. Thus, the handling of a vehicle with the traditional frame assembly 10 suffers.


The present invention relates to an automatic retrieval method of a wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) ring network to the normal state after recovery of a failure. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic retrieval method of a WDM ring network to the normal state after recovery of a failure by inducing a lasing by making the gain of the closed loop larger than 1 using the fact that the recovered section in the ring network forms a closed loop immediately after the recovery of the failure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic retrieval method of a wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) ring network to the normal state after recovery of a failure. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic retrieval method of a WDM ring network to the normal state after recovery of a failure by inducing a lasing by making the gain of the closed loop larger than 1 using the fact that the recovered section in the ring network forms a closed loop immediately after the recovery of the failure.
2. Description of the Related Art
The development of wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technology and high speed electronic devices are enabling the era of ultra-high speed optical communication whose transmission capacity exceeds several Tb/s, and due to this extraordinary increase in the speed of communication networks, the importance of reliability in an optical communication network has newly been surfaced.
For example, a 400 Gb/s optical transmission system allows 5 million simultaneous calls through a pair of optical fibers; a communication failure of such system can cause chaos for a city or a nation as a whole.
Accordingly, it is very important to improve the reliability of a communication network along with the increase in the network capacity. In order to improve the reliability, a communication network should be equipped with a self-healing function.
Since a WDM communication network can transmit data or information without O/E or E/O conversion, it improves the transparency and reliability of the network as well as it can increase the transmission capacity.
There are several types of WDM networks that have self-healing capability. They are two-fiber unidirectional ring network, four-fiber bi-directional ring network, all-optical mesh network, and so forth.
A ring network is the simplest topology in which any pair of nodes has two separate paths between them. This makes a ring network flexible to failures. The WDM self-healing ring networks can provide consistent communication service through extra optical links by automatic restoration even if a failure occurs in the network.
FIG. 1 shows an example of four-fiber bi-directional WDM self-haeling ring network according to a prior art.
The network consists of four nodes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d in total. Each of the nodes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d is connected to working fiber links 10 and protection fiber links 12. Also, each of the nodes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d is composed of an Add/Drop Multiplexer (ADM) for transmission (Add) and reception (Drop), space switches (SW), optical tap couplers (C) for monitoring of the state of the working fiber link 10, photodetectors (PD) for failure detection and control circuits (CC) for passing communication signals from the working fiber link 10 to the protection fiber link 12.
The working fiber link 10 is used when the network is in the normal state and the protection fiber link 12 is used when a failure occurs in the network.
If a failure such as a fiber cut occurs in the working fiber link 10, then a node switch (SW) adjacent to the failed fiber link 10 changes its state and detours the signal from the working fiber link 10 to the protection fiber link 12.
Previously, an automatic retrieval method using xe2x80x9cbridge and switch methodxe2x80x9d after recovery of the failure is proposed (Tesuya Miyazaki and Shu Yamamoto, A proposal of the optical switch circuit architecture with bridge and switch function for WDM four-fiber ring network, Third OptoElectronics and Communication Conference (OECC 98) Technical Digest Series, paper 16A4-4, July, 1998). However, it has a complex structure and requires additional components such as switch, optical power splitter, photodetectors, and electrical control circuits. They bring additional signal loss. Also, it can be used only for the four-fiber bi-directional WDM self-healing ring network.
The present invention is designed to overcome the above problems of the prior art. The object of the invention is to provide an automatic retrieval method of a WDM ring network to the normal operation condition after recovery of a failure by using a lasing in a closed loop, which is made of a working fiber and a protection fiber between two adjacent nodes where the loop gain of the closed loop should be larger than unity.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an automatic retrieval method of a WDM ring network to the normal operation condition after recovery of a failure that comprises; a detection step where the photodetectors in the nodes detect a failure that occurs during the normal operation state, a control step where the control circuit controls the space switches in the node adjacent to the failed fiber section, a recovery step where the signals which have been transmitted along the working path is bypassed along the protection fiber, a closed-loop formation step in which a closed loop is formed with the working fiber and the protection fiber, a lasing step in which a lasing arises by making the loop gain of the newly formed closed loop exceeds 1, a retrieval step where the transmission signal returns to the working fiber link by monitoring the optical power in the failed section.

Automatic retrieval of wavelength-division multiplexed ring networks

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology


The invention relates to an OLEEC component and to a production process therefor. This component has an active layer including a novel emitter complex. This complex is formed by the coordination of low molecular weight semiconductors around a central cation. The complexation allows wet-chemical processing of low molecular weight semiconductors. This also allows formation of emitter complexes from effective hole or electron transport materials.

In the field of organic semiconductors, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) in particular have become known to date as light-emitting components. A distinction is drawn between OLEDs formed from low molecular weight compounds and OLEDs formed from polymers. While the OLEDs formed from low molecular weight compounds, better known by the term "small molecules", give rise to very efficient components with the aid of multilayer systems, the advantage of polymeric OLEDs lies in the simpler and less expensive manufacturing operations.
The novel component type of light-emitting electrochemical cells shares the inexpensive mode of manufacture of the polymer OLEDs. An OLEEC in the simplest case has only a single active layer comprising various ionic compounds. Only in operation of the component, i.e. only after application of a component voltage, are the negatively charged moieties of the ionic compounds aligned in the direction of the anode, while the positively charged moieties of the ionic compounds are aligned in the direction of the cathode. By means of this ion migration, what is called a p-i-n structure thus forms in the operation of the component, like that which has to be implemented, for example, in the OLED by a multilayer deposition. In this context, p stands for p-conductive, i for intrinsic and n for n-conductive. Predominantly the ions of the so-called matrix material are responsible for the formation of this p-i-n structure. The matrix materials used are preferably ionic liquids. These ions make more of a contribution to the buildup of the internal electrical field in operation than they do to the direct transport of charge.
As well as the matrix material, there is a second ionic component in the active layer. This is usually referred to as the emitter, but, as well as the task of emitting light, equally fulfills the task of the charge transport component. For this purpose, the so-called emitter is present in the active layer in very high concentration, usually well above 50%. The accomplishment of these two tasks, light emission and current transport, places high demands on the emitter material. The latter is very highly stressed in operation, which distinctly shortens its lifetime. Moreover, especially at high luminances, there is triplet-triplet annihilation which greatly lowers the efficiency of the emitter. One reason for the triplet-triplet annihilation can be derived from the knowledge gained in the OLED sector, that it is attributable to the high emitter concentration. However, this cannot be reduced arbitrarily by the present concept.

Complexation of low-molecular semiconductors for the application as an emitter complex in organic light-emitting electrochemical cells (OLEECs)


An organic electroluminescent device comprising one or more organic thin film layers, at least one of the organic thin film layers containing a compound having a cyclohexylidenemethine group. This device has improved light-emitting properties such as luminance and luminous efficiencies, and no limitations on film deposition method in fabrication processes.

The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device having an excellent light-emitting property such as high luminance efficiency.
An organic electroluminescent device (which will hereinafter be called xe2x80x9corganic EL devicexe2x80x9d) is a light-emitting device which makes use of the principle that when an electric field is applied, a fluorescent material emits light in response to the charge recombination of holes injected from an anode and electrons injected from a cathode. After C. W. Tang et al. of Eastman Kodak Company reported a low-voltage-driven organic EL device using a double layered structure (C. W. Tang, S. A. Vanslyke, Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 51, 913 (1987) and the like), studies on an organic EL device and materials have been briskly carried out. Tang et al. reported a multi-layered organic EL device using tris (8-hydroxyquinolinol aluminum) in a light-emitting layer and a triphenyldiamine derivative in a hole-transporting layer. This stacked structure gives such advantages as an improvement in the injection efficiency of holes into the light-emitting layer; blocking of electrons injected from a cathode; and confinement of the excitons into the light-emitting layer.
A double layered structure composed of a hole-injecting and transporting layer and an electron-transporting and light-emitting layer or a triple layered structure composed of a hole-injecting and transporting layer, a light-emitting layer and an electron-injecting and transporting layer is well known as an organic EL device. In order to increase the recombination efficiency of injected holes and electrons, various improvements in the device structure or fabrication process have been introduced to such multi-layered devices.
As a hole transporting material, triphenyl amine derivatives and aromatic diamine derivatives such as 4xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x3-tris(3-methylphenylphenylamino)-triphenyl amine which is a star burst molecule and N,Nxe2x80x2-diphenyl-N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(3-methylphenyl)-[1,1xe2x80x2-biphenyl]-4,4xe2x80x2-diamine are well known (for example, Patent Publications JP-A-8-20771, JP-A-8-40995, JP-A-8-40997, JP-A-8-53397, and JP-A-8-87122). As an electron transporting material, oxadiazole derivatives, triazole derivatives and the like are well known.
Chelate complexes such as tris(8-quinolinolate)aluminum complex, coumarin derivatives, tetraphenylbutadiene derivatives, bisstyrylarylene derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives and the like are known as light emitting materials. Since various color lights in a visible region from blue to red are obtained from these light emitting materials, there is increased expectation for industrialization of a full color organic EL device (refer to, e.g., JP-A-8-239655, JP-A-7-138561, and JP-A-3-200889).
Besides, various materials for the electroluminescent devices have been reported. However, in the case of some compounds, we can not use most method for film fabrication due to excessively strong intermolecular interactions. In addition, for such compounds having a strong intermolecular interaction, concentration quenching is observed when they are used as a light emitting material, which has decreased the luminance and luminous efficiency of the device.
Moreover, the materials used for the organic EL devices are required to have good charge transporting injecting properties. In recent days, organic EL devices with high brightness and long lifetime have been disclosed or reported, but any of them are not enough in these properties. It has been, therefore, desired to develop materials having a high performance.
In view of the above problems, an objective of this invention is to provide an organic EL device with an improved luminance luminous efficiencies and little limitation on to film fabrication method.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an organic electroluminescent device with improved luminance by using a compound having improved charge injecting properties.
The present inventors have repeated experiments to solve above problem, and found that an organic EL device having superior emission properties is obtained by using a compound having at least one substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexylidenemethine group. The compounds have the intermolecular interactions reduced by the steric hindrance of the cyclohexylidenemethine group. Thus, the concentration quenching is decreased when the compounds are used as a light emitting material, and the film comprising the compounds can be fabricated with ordinary method.
Some conventional compounds with aryl amine moety or styryl moety don""t have enough hole injection properties because their energy level of their highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is too low. It has been known that some substituents shift the HOMO level slightly, but it is not enough to improve their hole injection properties. Then, there has been no method to shift the HOMO of such compounds to higher without effects on energy gap between HOMO and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), light emitting properties and carrier transpoting properties. The present inventors also found that the cyclohexylidenemethine group shifts the energy level of HOMO of the compounds to higher, which improves the hole injecting properties, without effect on the energy gap between HOMO and LUMO. Thus, the present invention was achieved.
An organic electroluminescent device according to the present invention comprises an anode, a cathode, and one or more organic thin film layers between the said anode and the said cathode, the organic thin film layer(s) including a light-emitting layer, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layers contains one or more compounds having a cyclohexylidenemethine group, either singly or as a mixture.
The present inventors have found that an organic EL device using bis(diarylamino)arylene compound having a cyclohexylidenemethine group has improved light-emitting properties.
An organic electroluminescent device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an anode, a cathode, and one or more organic thin film layers placed between said anode and said cathode, the organic thin film layer(s) having a light-emitting layer, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layers contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula [A], either singly or as a mixture:
wherein
Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 42 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group having 4 to 42 carbon atoms;
each of Ar2 to Ar5 independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms;
each of X1 and X2 independently represents a divalent linking group; and
each of R1 to R20 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group, provided that two of R1 to R1 or R1 to R may form a ring and that Ar2 and Ar3 or Ar4 and Ar5 may be bonded to each other to form a ring.
In the general formula [A], it is preferable that at least one of the linking groups represented by X1 and X2 is a substituted or unsubstituted styryl group.
An organic electroluminescent device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises an anode, a cathode, and one or more organic thin film layers placed between said anode and said cathode, the organic thin film layer(s) having a light-emitting layer, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layers contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula [B], either singly or as a mixture:
wherein
Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 42 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group having 4 to 42 carbon atoms;
each of Ar2 to Ar5 independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms;
each of R21 to R76 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group, two of R21 to R30, R31 to R40, R41 to R50, R51 to R60, and R61 to R76 may form a ring and Ar2 and Ar 3 or Ar 4 and Ar5 may be bonded to each other to form a ring.
The present inventors have found that an organic EL device using a compound having two 2,2-bis[4-(cyclohexylidenemethine)phenyl]vinyl groups linked to each other through a linking group has improved light-emittng properties. The diphenyl vinyl group improves the charge injection properties and cyclohexylidenemethine group gives improved charge injection properties. This significantly improves the luminous efficiency.
Therefore, an organic electroluminescent device according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises an anode, a cathode, and one or more organic thin film layers between said anode and said cathode, the organic thin film layer(s) having a light-emitting layer, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layers contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula [C]; either singly or as a mixture:
wherein
each of R77 to R116 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group; any two of R77 to R86, R87 to R96, R97 to R106 and R107 to R116 may form a ring;
each of R117 to R132 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, nitro group, cyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted styryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group, or carboxyl group; any two of R117 to R132 may form a ring; and
X3 represents a divalent linking group.
An organic electroluminescent device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises an anode, a cathode, and one or more organic thin film layers between said anode and said cathode, the organic thin film layer(s) having a light-emitting layer, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layers contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula [D]; either singly alone or as a mixture:
wherein
each of Ar6 to Ar8 independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 42 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group having 4 to 42 carbon atoms; Ar6 to Ar8 may be bonded to each other to form a ring;
each of X4 and X6 independently represents a divalent linking group;
each of R133 to R162 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group; any two of R133 to R142, R143 to R152 and R153 to R162 may form a ring;
l, m and n are each independently 0 or 1; and
l plus m plus n is an integer between 1 and 3, both inclusive.
An organic electroluminescent device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises an anode, a cathode, and one or more organic thin film layers between said anode and said cathode, the organic thin film layer(s) having a light-emitting layer, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layers contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula [E]; either singly or as a mixture:
wherein
each of Ar9 to Ar15 independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 42 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group having 4 to 42 carbon atoms; Ar10 and Ar11, Ar12 and Ar13, and Ar14 and Ar15 may be bonded to each other to form a ring;
each of X7 and X12 independently represents a divalent linking group;
each of R163 to R192 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group; any two of R163 to R172, R173 to R182 and R183 to R192 may form a ring;
o, p and q are each independently 0 or 1; and
o plus p plus q is an integer between 1 and 3, both inclusive.
An organic electroluminescent device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention comprises an anode, a cathode, and one or more organic thin film layers placed between said anode and said cathode, the organic thin film layer(s) having a light-emitting layer, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layers contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula [F]; either singly or as a mixture:
wherein
each of Ar16 to Ar24 independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 42 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group having 4 to 42 carbon atoms, provided that Ar16 and Ar17, Ar18 and Ar19, Ar20 and Ar21, and Ar22 and Ar23 may be bonded to each other to form a ring;
each of X13 and X20 independently represents a divalent linking group;
each of R193 to R232 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, provided that two of R193 to R202, R203 to R212, R213 to R222 and R223 to R232 may form a ring;
r, s, t and u are each independently 0 or 1; and
r plus s plus t plus u is an integer between 1 and 4, both inclusive.
It has been found that the compounds represented by the compound represented by the general formulae [A] to [F] having a cyclohexylidenemethine group has a good carrier transporting property. It has been also found that an organic EL device prepared by using the compound as a hole- or electron-transporting material, or by using a mixture layer of the above material and another hole- or electron-transporting material, have a higher luminance than a conventional one. The organic electroluminescent device of the present invention thus contains these compounds alone or as a mixture as a light-emitting material and/or an electron transporting material and/or a hole transporting material. More specifically, an organic electroluminescent device according to the present invention may have an electron transporting layer, as one of the organic thin film layers, containing one or more compounds represented by the general formulae [A] to [F] having a cyclohexylidenemethine group. An organic electroluminescent device according to the present invention also may have a hole transporting layer, as one of the orbanic thin film layers, containing one or more compounds represented by the general formulae [A] to [F] having a cyclohexylidenemethine group.
The organic electroluminescent device of the present invention may contain the compound(s) represented by the general formula or the compound(s) having a cyclohexylidenemethine group at least on the terminal thereof in at least one organic thin film layer. The above-mentioned advantages are obtained particularly when the light-emitting layer is adjacent to the anode. An organic EL device of the present invention may have the light-emitting layer adjacent to the anode.
The present inventors have found that an organic EL device using anode which has been exposed to ultraviolet light at a wavelength of lower than 200 nm or oxygen plasma before fabrication of the organic thin film layer(s) in the case of the device having the light-emitting layer adjacent to the anode. Therefore, it is preferable to use such an anode when the light-emitting layer is adjacement to the anode.
It also has been found that an organic EL device with the organic thin film layer adjacent to the cathode containing a metal at the interface with the cathode has much better light emitting properties.


A circular stapling instrument is provided which includes a reciprocating drive shaft and a firing bar. The reciprocating drive shaft has a first engagement member at a tip of the reciprocating drive shaft and a threaded adjustment member at a base of the reciprocating drive shaft. The firing bar is movably connected at a first end with a firing trigger and movably connected at a second end with a stapling head assembly through a second engagement member. The firing bar forms a first engagement surface which faces a respective second engagement surface formed on the reciprocating drive shaft. The circular stapling instrument also includes a frictional reducing member located in between the first and second engagement surfaces in order to reduce friction between the reciprocating drive shaft and the firing bar.

Circular stapling instruments are well known in the surgical art for bowel surgery. An example of such a device is the Endopath ILS ECS 25 Endoscopic Curved Intraluminal Stapler made by Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc. Many circular stapler patents exist, for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,898 to Becht, U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,466 to Noiles, U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,053 to Bilotti et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,059 to Green et. al.
Currently, many circular stapling instruments employ a design which includes a movable reciprocating drive shaft for adjusting a distance between an anvil assembly and a stapling head assembly and a movable firing bar for engaging the stapling head assembly and firing staples from the stapling head assembly. Both the reciprocating drive shaft and the firing bar slidably engage each other. Therefore, movement between the reciprocating drive shaft and the firing bar results in friction between the reciprocating drive shaft and the firing bar. Sometimes the friction between the reciprocating drive shaft and the firing bar is so high that movement of either the reciprocating drive shaft or the firing bar is deterred or prevented, rendering the circular stapling instrument at least partially inoperable. This is even more relevant in a curved circular stapling instrument wherein the instrument is reusable. Friction can be mitigated in disposable circular stapling instruments by utilizing polymeric materials for components requiring a lower coefficient of friction, or by utilizing lubricants. However, in reusable circular stapling instruments the components are preferably metallic due to the anticipated wear experienced during reuse. Friction-reducing lubricants, if used, will be removed during subsequent cleaning and sterilization steps. Current curved reusable circular stapling instruments do not operate effectively due to increased friction after lubricants wash out after a few reuses, and are a source of malfunction.
As a result it would be desirable to reduce the friction between the reciprocating drive shaft and the firing bar within a circular stapling instrument.

Circular stapler with frictional reducing member


A method of dissipating heat from a surface of a first thermoplastic composite (TPC) being inductively welded with a second thermoplastic composite (TPC) includes flexing a heat sink during placement to conform to the surface of the first TPC, cooling the heat sink, applying inductive heat to a weld interface area between the first TPC and the second TPC, and drawing off heat via the heat sink from the surface of the first TPC.

Induction welding may be used to fuse or join thermoplastic composite (TPC) parts together. TPC parts generally include a thermoplastic which are reinforced with non-plastic materials, such as carbon fibers. TPC parts offer high damage tolerance as well as moisture and chemical resistance and do not degrade in hot or wet conditions. Moreover, TPC parts can be re-melted, providing benefits in repair and end-of-life recyclability as well as reduced handling and storage costs when compared to other alternatives.
Induction welding involves moving an induction coil along a weld line of the TPC parts. The induction coil induces eddy currents in the inherently conductive carbon fibers disposed within the TPC parts, which generate heat and melt the thermoplastic with the intention to particularly melt the thermoplastic at the weld interface. Compression of the TPC parts together creates a fusion bond or weld joint. Induction welding produces a weld joint that is considered to be one solid piece such that two or more parts become one part.
While induction welding is effective, the induction coil generates heat throughout the TPC parts and not just at the weld joint. For example, heating is higher in the portions of the TPC parts closer to the induction coil than at the weld joint. Thus, there is a need in the art for systems and method of induction welding TPC parts that concentrate heating at the weld joint.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Induction welding using a heat sink and/or cooling


A device (10, 100) for supplying notes of pecuniary value (24) to a thin-walled transport container (12) includes a stacking unit (20) for stacking the notes of pecuniary value (24) to be supplied to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value in a stacking region (26). In addition, the device (10, 100) has a closure unit (40) which, in a closed position, is arranged in such a manner that it closes the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12) and which, in an open position, is arranged in such a manner that notes of pecuniary value (24) are suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12)

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for filling a thin-walled transport container comprising an opening with notes of pecuniary value, wherein the device includes a stacking unit for stacking the notes of pecuniary value to be supplied to the thin-walled transport container in a stacking region, which is arranged outside the transport container, to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value. In addition, the invention relates to a method for filling a thin-walled transport container by means of said device.
2. Description of the Related Art
For receiving notes of pecuniary value, in particular for receiving notes of pecuniary value which do not have to be paid out again, in cash machines, automatic teller machines and/or automatic safes, more and more use is made of thin-walled transport containers, so-called safebags, in which the notes of pecuniary value are received similar to a plastic bag. Once the safebag has been filled with the notes of pecuniary value, the safebag is closed in a tamper-proof manner, preferably fully automatically, such that the notes of pecuniary value are able to be transported in a simple manner by means of the safebag without much space being required for this.
Document DE 10 2009 015 047 A1 makes known a device for filling a thin-walled transport container which comprises a stacking unit. By means of stacker wheels, in which the notes of pecuniary value are received, the notes of pecuniary value are stacked on a displacement unit to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value. By means of the displacement unit, the stack of notes of pecuniary value is then displaced at least by such an amount that between the opening of the transport container and the note of pecuniary value supplied the last there is a predetermined minimum spacing such that the transport container is able to be closed.
The problem with said known device is, on the one hand, that the notes of pecuniary value are stacked directly inside the opening of the transport container such that errors can easily occur during stacking, for example notes of pecuniary value not being deposited correctly on their edge. In addition, depositing using stacker wheels is problematic to the effect that on account of different speeds between a supplying unit for supplying the notes of pecuniary value and the stacker wheels as well as different spacings between the notes of pecuniary value, secure depositing of the notes of pecuniary value to form the stack of notes is only possible with difficulty.
It is the object of the invention to provide a device and a method for filling a thin-walled transport container comprising an opening with notes of pecuniary value, by means of which the notes of pecuniary value are reliably suppliable in a simple manner to the transport container.

Apparatus and method for filling a thin-walled transport container


Provided is a semiconductor device including high-frequency interconnect and dummy conductor patterns (second dummy conductor patterns). The dummy conductor patterns are disposed in a interconnect layer different from a interconnect layer in which the high-frequency interconnect is disposed. The dummy conductor patterns are disposed so as to keep away from a region overlapping the high-frequency interconnect in plan view. The semiconductor device further includes dummy conductor patterns (first dummy conductor patterns) in the interconnect layer in which the high-frequency interconnect is disposed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device having a high-frequency interconnect and dummy conductor patterns.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 7 and 8 are plan views each showing a semiconductor device according to a related art. In a semiconductor device 100, dummy conductor patterns 102 and 103 are disposed near a high-frequency interconnect 101. FIG. 7 shows a layer in which the high-frequency interconnect 101 is formed, and FIG. 8 shows another layer. In FIG. 8, a region overlapping the high-frequency interconnect 101 in a plan view is indicated by the dotted line.
The dummy conductor patterns 102 are disposed in the same layer as that of the high-frequency interconnect 101, and the dummy conductor patterns 103 are disposed in a layer different from the layer in which the high-frequency interconnect 101 is disposed. The dummy conductor patterns are disposed for the purpose of preventing a dishing, which is called erosion, from being easily generated in a region, in which a interconnect pattern density is low, during a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. In other words, when the dummy conductor patterns 102 are disposed, a layer containing the high-frequency interconnect 101 is easily processed at the time of production of the semiconductor device 100. The dummy conductor patterns 103 are also disposed for the same reason. Further, the high-frequency interconnect 101 functions as an inductor.
The related arts of the present invention are disclosed in JP 2005-285970 A and Ali Hajimiri et al., "Design Issues in CMOS Differential LC Oscillators", IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS, Vol. 34, No. 5, May 1999, pp. 717-724.
However, in the semiconductor device 100, in a case where a high-frequency current flows through the high-frequency interconnect 101, the following problem arises. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, due to a magnetic field generated by the high-frequency interconnect 101, an eddy current is generated in the dummy conductor patterns 102 which are positioned near the high-frequency interconnect 101. FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing a portion surrounded by the dotted line of FIG. 7. In FIG. 9, an arrow A1 indicates a direction of the current flowing through the high-frequency interconnect 101, and an arrow A2 indicates a direction of the eddy current flowing through each of the dummy conductor patterns 102.
When the eddy current is generated as described above, according to Lenz's law, a magnetic field is generated in a direction in which the above-mentioned magnetic field is offset. Accordingly, a circuit constant of the high-frequency interconnect 101 fluctuates, which results in a change in transmission characteristics of the high-frequency interconnect 101.
The eddy current generated due to an effect of the magnetic field of the high-frequency interconnect 101 is generated not only in each of the dummy conductor patterns 102 disposed in the same layer as that of the high-frequency interconnect 101, but also in each of the dummy conductor patterns 103 disposed in another layer different from the layer in which the high-frequency interconnect 101 is disposed. The dummy conductor patterns 103 which are positioned closest to the high-frequency interconnect 101, that is, the dummy conductor patterns 103 (indicated by oblique lines of FIG. 8) which are positioned immediately above or immediately below the high-frequency interconnect are most significantly affected by the magnetic field of the high-frequency interconnect 101 in the different layer.

Semiconductor device having high-frequency interconnect


Means is disclosed for washing the inside of a pelletizing machine containing a bag filter which is capable of being raised and lowered within the body of the machine. A vertically movable, upright means to spray washing liquid in three dimensions is provided above the bag filter. A horizontally movable spraying means is provided below the bag filter. This horizontal spraying means can be retracted from inside the pelletizing machine during pelletizing operations, but is capable of spraying washing liquid upwardly into the open end of the bag filter during washing operations.

The present invention relates to a washing apparatus for a fluidized bed pelletizing and drying machine, capable of simultaneously washing a bag filter and the inner surface of the body of the fluidized bed pelletizing and drying machine.
As shown in FIG. 7, solid particles 65 stacked on a sintered metal net unit 64 installed at the lower end of a product container 63 are sprayed with a binder liquid or coating liquid from a nozzle 66 for pelletization or coating while they are fluidized by a fluidizing gas 62 introduced from the bottom section 61 of a fluidized bed pelletizing and drying machine 60 which is closed.
The gas 67 used for fluidization moves up in the body 69 as a gas containing fine solid particles. After having its solid particles removed by a bag filter 70 disposed in the upper region, the gas is discharged as the spent gas 72 from an exhaust duct 71. The bag filter 70 comprises a filter body 68 in the form of a bowl turned bottom upward, filter elements 73 projecting in the form of bottomed socks and disposed in concentric circles in the filter body 68, and a substantially cylindrical skirt portion 74 downwardly extending from the filter body 68. During treatment of powder particles, the bag filter is kept hoisted to the upper region of the body 69 by a wire 76 connected to a winch 75. Further, during treatment of powder particles, a seal tube 77 mounted on the inner surface of the body 69 closely contacts the skirt portion 74. Therefore, the bag filter 70 is held in the sealed state in the body 69 during said treatment.
When it is desired to wash the fluidized bed pelletizing and washing machine 60 first, the product container 63 and nozzle 66 are removed and then the fluid is discharged from the seal tube 77 to allow the bag filter 70 collapse. Subsequently, lowering and raising means 75 is driven to lower the bag filter 70, whereupon the latter is taken out and inner surface of the body 69 and the bag filter 70 are separately washed. However, with such washing method used, the bag filter 70 has to be taken outside the body 69, a fact which means that dust of particles stuck to the inner and outer surfaces of the bag filter 70 is scattered outside the body, and since the body 68 and the bag filter 70 are separately washed, the washing load is high, decreasing the washing efficiency. Further, since the removal of the bag filter has to be manually effected, full automation of washing operation is difficult to realize.
To solve such problem, for example, a washing apparatus as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 62395/1984 is suggested. This washing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8, is constructed by adding the following technical means to the washing apparatus described above: Upper and lower washing water spouting nozzles 78 and 79 are disposed above and below a vertically movable bag filter 70. The upper nozzle 78 is vertically movable by lifting means 80, while the lower nozzle 79 is fixed below a sintered metal net unit 64.
In the washing apparatus of such arrangement, upon completion of the treatment of powder particles, the bag filter 70 is lowered until it is close to the lower nozzle 79, while the upper nozzle 78 is lowered until it is close to the upper surface of the bag filter 70 now lowered. Then, washing water is spouted from the upper and lower nozzles 78 and 79 to wash the bag filter 70 and the inner surface of the body 69.
Such washing operation makes it possible to simultaneously wash the bag filter 70 and the inner surface of the body 69 without removing the bag filter 70 from inside the body 69. Therefore, there is no possibility of dust being scattered during the washing of the bag filter 70, and the washing load is light, increasing the washing efficiency. Further, by making the lifting means for the bag filter 70 and upper nozzle 78 in the form of an automatic lifting device and automatically controlling the supply of washing water to the upper and lower nozzles 78 and 79, it becomes possible to completely automate the washing operation on the bag filter 70 and the inner surface of the body 69; this will also enhance automation of the factory.
The washing apparatus described in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 62395 mentioned above has the following problems.
(1) Since the range of washing water spouting from the upper and lower nozzles is limited, it is difficult to uniformly wash every area. Further, the washing liquid hardly reach the inner surface of the filter elements in the form of bottomed socks; thus, the washing is liable to be insufficient. PA1 (2) Since the upper nozzle is in the lowered position during washing, the washing of the inner surface of the portion of the body above the upper nozzle is insufficient. PA1 (3) Since the lower nozzle is disposed below the sintered metal net unit, the washing liquid spouted from the lower nozzle reaches the areas to be washed only after it passes through the sintered metal net unit. This means that the washing water pressure at the areas to be washed is decreased and hence the washing of the inner surface of the body and the inner surface of the bag filter effected by the lower nozzle is insufficient. In addition, if the sintered metal net unit is removed prior to washing, such problem can be solved. In this case, however, attachment and detachment of the sintered metal net unit have to be manually effected, making it difficult to completely automate the washing operation. PA1 said washing apparatus being characterized in that the washing apparatus comprises an upright three-dimensional rotary nozzle unit capable of vertically moving in a space above said bag filter, a horizontal three-dimensional rotary nozzle unit capable of horizontally advancing and retracting between a position in the body below the uppermost position of the bag filter and a position outside the body, and a washing container in which is disposed a multiple two-dimensional horizontal rotary nozzle unit adapted to spout washing liquid from below toward the inner surface of the bag filter,
The present invention, accomplished with the above in mind, is intended to provide a washing apparatus for a fluidized bed pelletizing and drying machine which is capable of simultaneously washing the bag filter and the inner surface of the body without removing the bag filter from inside the body, achieving complete automation of the washing operation and which solves the problems (1) through (3) described above so as to ensure reliable washing of areas to be washed.

Washing apparatus and method for fluidized bed pelletizing and drying machine


A network device may receive two different sets of authentication information from a user device over a ZigBee network. The network device may authenticate the user device based on the received two different sets of authentication information and permit, in response to authenticating the user device, the user device to obtain a service by exchanging information between the network device and the user device over the ZigBee network.

More and more of the devices in today's homes and businesses are connected via wireless networks. Connecting new devices to an existing wireless network can be challenging for individuals who are not technically savvy. In addition, connecting headless devices (i.e., devices that do not include a display) to an existing wireless network or providing services to headless devices can be challenging for even technically savvy individuals.

Providing services to devices using a ZigBee network


The invention relates to a device for a wireless power transfer system. The device comprises a housing and a coil arranged inside the housing. The coil comprises a first conductor wire forming a first sub coil having a plurality of windings and a second conductor wire forming a second sub coil having a plurality of windings. The housing comprises a first holder for accommodating and holding the first sub coil and a second holder for accommodating and holding the second sub coil. The first holder and the second holder are attached to each other such that the first sub coil and the second sub coil together form the coil being arranged between the first holder and the second holder.

Electric vehicles and plug in hybrid vehicles can be charged wirelessly through induction coils. Usually a first coil of a transmitter is arranged on the floor or the ground under the vehicle and a second coil of a receiver is arranged underneath the vehicle. There is a lot of different coil topologies that can be used for transferring power. In addition to transfer power efficiently, often small sized coils and coils enabling a large positioning tolerance between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil are preferred. This in turn makes the manufacturing and assembling of the coil into a casing relatively complicated. Since the power to be transferred by wireless charging is increasing there are more coils for wireless power transfer systems that are made by two sub coils arranged electrically connected in parallel. The use of such bifilar coils makes the production of wireless power transfer system even more complex.

Device for a wireless power transfer system

NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.


First and second spoke cores are arranged linearly through the boss plate so that most of the lower ends of the first and second spoke cores are located above a middle line. A third spoke core is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first and second spoke cores. A pair of tine portions are provided in the third spoke core so as to be connected to the first and second spoke cores, thereby the tine portions and the first and second spoke cores intersect each other obliquely. In the tine portions, through holes and reception seats are provided so that the air bag module is fixed with screws and the through holes while the air bag module abuts on the reception seats.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steering wheel and particularly to a steering wheel provided with an air bag apparatus.
The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-308860, which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a steering wheel of this type is formed by a core member, as a base material, covered with resin or the like. As the core member, for example, one shown in FIG. 5 is used.
This core member 100 is constituted by a boss plate 101 connected to a steering shaft not shown, an annular rim 102 with the boss plate 101 as a center, and a plurality of spokes 103 connecting the boss plate 101 and the rim 102.
In the case where the spokes 103 are provided by three, for example, these spokes may be provided in the following mode.
That is, of these three spokes 103, a first spoke 103a and a second spoke 103b are disposed to be arranged substantially linearly through the boss plate 101 when those spokes are viewed from the front of the steering wheel. On the other hand, the third spoke 103c is provided in such a position that, with the boss plate 101 as a center of rotation, the first and second spokes 103a and 103b are respectively rotated by about 90 degrees counterclockwise and clockwise respectively. The end portion of the third spoke 103c at the boss plate 101 side is made to branch off into two tines the ends of which are connected to the first and second spokes 103a and 103b respectively.
Further, an air bag module 104 provided with a not-shown inflator, an air bag, or the like, is disposed above the boss plate 101 of the core member 100 configured thus. Here, with the steering shaft in a neutral state, where rotating operation is not carried out, a middle line m, which intersects a center axis line of the steering shaft so as to divide the steering wheel into upper and lower portions, is defined as follows. The air bag module 104 in the steering wheel is fixed by means of screws and through holes 105. The through holes 105 are formed in the first and second spokes 103a and 103b and are substantially on the above-mentioned mentioned middle line m. When an impact exceeding a predetermined range acts on the vehicle, the air bag accommodated in the air bag module 104 is deployed to receive a passenger. In the conventional steering wheel, however, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a large load in the vehicle forward direction as indicated by an arrow in the drawing may act on the lower end portion of the rim 102 of the core member 100 due to a change in posture of the passenger. If such a large load acts on the rim 102 of the steering wheel, the rim 102 may be deformed.
However, the air bag module 104 is attached to the first and second spokes 103a and 103b and on the middle line m of the steering wheel as described above. Here, for example, a case where a large load acts on the lower side of the steering wheel, while in the neutral state, in which the steering wheel is not rotated, is considered. In such a case, because the first and second spokes 103a and 103b of the core member 100 are very rigid, the steering wheel is deformed and bent with respect to the axial line of the first and second spokes 103a and 103b. Hence, it might occur that the air bag module 104 is not displaced in accordance with the deformation of the rim 102, and the lower end of air bag module 104 may separate from the steering wheel. This situation changes the direction of the air bag deployment with respect to the advancing direction of the passenger, and there is a fear that the impact absorption effect will be lowered.
The present invention has been achieved by paying the attention to such a problem in the background art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel in which the development direction of the air bag is changed in accordance with deformation of the steering wheel.
In order to achieve the above object, the invention has a gist in that a steering wheel is constituted by: a boss portion connectable to a steering shaft; a rim portion provided to surround the boss portion; a spoke portion connecting the boss portion and the rim portion to each other; and an air bag module; wherein the spoke portion include a first, a second and a third spoke cores, the first and second spoke cores being arranged substantially linearly through the boss portion so as to continue uninterruptedly with each other when the steering wheel is viewed from a front side thereof, the third spoke core being arranged so as to connect the first and second spoke cores to the rim portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to an extending direction of the first and second spoke cores; and wherein the air bag module is provided with a fixing position at a position apart from a center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the first and second spoke cores.
In the invention, even if the steering wheel is deformed due to large load acting on the steering wheel, the air bag module is easily displaced in accordance with the deformation of the steering wheel. Further, in accordance with the displacement of the air bag module, the direction of developing the air bag received in the air bag module is changed.
In the invention, lower ends of the first and second spoke cores may be located substantially above a middle line which passes on a center axis of the steering shaft so as to divide the steering wheel into the upper and lower portions, in the neutral state of the steering wheel.
By the above structure, the difference in rigidity between respective portions of the rim portion becomes small, so that the difference in displacement between rotation positions of the steering wheel can be reduced.
In the invention, a branch portion bifurcated to provide two tines may be formed at an end of the third spoke core in a manner so that forward ends of said two tines are connected respectively to said first and second spoke cores and so that, when said steering wheel is viewed from the front side thereof, said two tines and said first and second spoke cores intersect each other obliquely in plane view.
By the above structure, the difference in rigidity between respective portions of the rim portion can be reduced, and the quantity of material for the third spoke core can be reduced so that the weight of the steering wheel can be reduced.
In the invention, the air bag module may be fixed to the branch portion in the third spoke core.
The air bag module can be displaced surely in accordance with the deformation of the steering wheel.
In the invention, in an air bag module fixing portion in the spoke cores, a reception seat on which the air bag module abuts partly may be provided.
In the above structure, when the air bag module is attached to the spokes, the air bag module abuts on the reception seat so that the air bag module can be attached stably.


A soldier carries a weapon on which a laser device (1) is mounted, which is used for illuminating a harness device (6) on the body of another soldier. This harness device is provided with sensors (61, 62, 63, . . . ), which perform detection tasks for several applications in connection with arbitrary simulation scenarios in the course of exercises and battles. The laser device (1) has a laser target illumination element which is designed for transmitting tightly bundled laser beams (11), as well as chopper means for transmitting laser beams which are not only coded, but also chopped at a predeterminable frequency. The sensors contain tuning means for obtaining an alternating electrical signal from the received chopped laser beams, which is supplied to a pre-amplifier connected upstream of a discriminator. A very sensitive laser identification system results due to the fact that the electrical signal obtained in this manner can be very strongly amplified.

Events on the battlefield are becoming more and more complex and take place at increasing speed. It is necessary to make decisions in fractions of seconds, even though the consequences of errors are enormous. It is therefore necessary to convey relevant information to the decision makers succinctly and easily comprehensible in order to make rapid and error-free decisions possible. Among the most important information from the battlefield actually is the determination whether or not an object or a person is hostile.
Very advanced systems have been developed for the identification of aircraft and some other large devices capable of being used on the battlefield. Such systems are called IFF--(Identification-Friend or Foe) systems. But the problem of identifying individual soldiers taking part in the battle has up to now remained unsolved to a large degree, but is all the more pressing, since parties to a conflict can no longer be differentiated by the clothing of the soldiers and a clear definition of the front. It is therefore necessary to equip ground troops with systems which, prior to initiating an attack on a target, provide them with assurance regarding its identity.
A disadvantageous consequence of the increasing complexity of the technical systems employed on the battlefield is the increasing burdening of the individual soldier by the size and weight of the equipment which must be carried. For example, in some cases the weight of the equipment already has negative effects regarding the availability and flexibility of the individual soldier, so that an IFF-system should not be allowed to considerably increase the burden of the soldier with equipment. Since in modern concepts of fighting the soldiers often do not operate in larger groups, the IFF-system must make possible the identification not only of groups, but also of individual soldiers. In fact, the solitary soldiers, not distributed in groups on the battlefield, need the protection from the effects of the weapons of their own party the most.
Furthermore, combat events are conceivable today wherein individuals of many different cultures, languages and races fight as allies against a foe who is just as heterogeneous. Identification by means of appearance or language therefore contains high risks. Combat in modern war usually takes place at night and constitutes a considerable additional difficulty of identification by sight, furthermore, time also plays an important role. Therefore an IFF-system must provide the relevant information extremely rapidly. To be useful for ground troops, IFF-devices therefore must combine extreme sensitivity and accuracy as their properties and must be easy to carry or to transport.
In general, lasers emit a strongly collimated, quasi-monochromatic light beam. Semiconductor lasers made of various materials include a light spectrum extending from the ultraviolet to the infrared range in their emissions. Lasers available at this time are very dependable and become smaller and more efficient practically from one day to the next. For example, the semiconductor chip of a GaAs diode laser has extremely small dimensions, comparable with the size of a pinhead (without taking its power supply into consideration). Semiconductor lasers can be embodied to emit in pulses or continuously. With an appropriate power supply, modern gain-producing laser media make possible the generation of pulses of a length of a few nanoseconds by means of a laser embodied to emit continuously.
Semiconductor lasers emitting in the infrared range are ideally suited for applications in IFF-systems. Light beams emitted by infrared diode lasers cannot be detected by the unaided eye. Such light beams can only be detected by using special viewing aids, such as night-vision goggles.
Using an optical device which must be appropriately designed, the light emitted by an infrared laser diode can be collimated into a tightly bundled beam, which is ideally suited for illuminating point targets. Accordingly, collimated light beams from infrared laser diodes have a beam diameter of approximately 5 cm at a distance of 100 m, so that it is possible to illuminate practically every point target in a very accurately isolated manner. Furthermore, because of the narrow beam angle of the laser beam used, there is great security from countermeasures.
Laser diodes which presently are commercially available already have outstanding efficiency, more than 70% of the electrical output provided the semiconductor laser are converted into light output. Among other things, lasers have the exceptional quality of emitting light in the form of a single, narrow and almost diffraction-limited beam. In comparison with this, a 100 Watt light bulb may radiate a considerably greater light output than a comparatively low output laser, but the light radiated by the glowing wire is spatially and chronologically incoherent, because of which it has, on the one hand, a broad optical spectrum, but on the other hand it is radiated over a large spatial angle in spite of the relatively large surface of the glowing wire.
A high-quality lens can completely capture the light radiated by a laser and can focus nearly its entire optical output on an almost diffraction-limited spot of a diameter within an order of magnitude of a few millimeters. The optical power densities which can be achieved by focusing the light of a continuously emitting diode laser of moderate output with a light output of, for example 25 mW, are more than 50 kW/cm.sup.2. The power density at an oxyacetylene flame can be cited for comparison, which is approximately 1 kW/cm.sup.2.
An IFF-system requires a very good detection system. In this sense the basis for an IFF-system is an extremely sensitive detection system, which also operates dependably under difficult light conditions on open ground with bushes.
In order to be able to optimally detect the emission of the already described infrared laser, corresponding infrared detectors would be very important in a detection system for the IFF-system. So-called PIN photodiodes consist of a p- as well as an n-doped zone, both of which are separated by a zone of non-doped intrinsic material. Usually these photodiodes are designed in such a way that the major part of the incident radiation is absorbed in the non-doped intrinsic region, by means of which it is assured that all charged particles generated by the light are caught in the internal electrical field of the photodiode and add to the photo-electric current. Since the non-doped intrinsic zone separates the positive and negative volume charge, a PIN photodiode furthermore has a lesser capacitance in comparison with a PN photodiode, because of which the reaction time of a detection system becomes very short. A short reaction time is ideal in connection with IFF-systems based on the transmission of high rates of short pulses.
Because of their excellent stability in respect to environmental effects as well as their capability of being used over a wide range of temperatures, PIN photodiodes are suitable for use with IFF-systems employed in the open. A further important point for their application in connection with such systems is the minimal effects of sunlight on the detection system. Several manufactures produce photodiodes with special filters applied directly to the surface of the chip, which suppress undesired spectral ranges. These filters can be used to eliminate a large part of the light of the sun or other interfering sources existing in the vicinity, such as that of street lights or moving lights. The stability of modern PIN photodiodes over a long time assures that no measurable decrease of their sensitivity will occur over their lifetime.
Since pulsed lasers have inherent jitter (the period between two pulses is not constant), fluctuations of the pulse output (typically several percent), as well as large fluctuations in the pulse length (often around 50%), there are only limited possibilities for detection and achieving high sensitivity. Therefore the use of continuously emitting lasers is preferred for IFF-systems. As can be seen from the application entitled "Continuous Wave Laser Battlefield Simulation System" with U.S. Ser. No. 08/565,960, which is connected with this application and is cited as a reference here, permits the use of PPM (pulse position modulation) and PCM (pulse code modulation) as a method for coding "lock-in" and other detection methods for achieving high sensitivity. The light source emits a signal of a chronological progression, which is assured by the accuracy of quartz oscillators, wherein the receiver is also equipped with quartz oscillators of corresponding frequencies. Sensitivities, which cannot be achieved with pulsed lasers, are achieved by using continuously emitting lasers. In connection with the invention described here, these are in the range of nanoWatts. An extremely long effective range is made possible by means of this, and the realization of a system is permitted, which assures absolute safety even for unprotected eyes, and whose efficiency is not considerably diminished by leaves, fog and rain.
The already mentioned "Continuous Wave Laser Battlefield Simulation System" (SIMLAS) of applicant uses laser and light emitting diodes (LEDs) for simulating weapons including, but not limited to rifles, pistols, hand grenades, tanks and land mines. In every case the weapon is normally used by soldiers, and their effect is represented by a light beam as realistically as possible, be it that of a rifle or pistol projectile, an exploding hand grenade, etc. All participants in such an exercise (both persons and objects, such as tanks, aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, trucks, etc.) are equipped with detectors which register a possible effect of a weapon on the participant (for example a direct hit or near miss).
For example, the laser light source transmits a narrow infrared light beam, whose divergence is only 0.2 mrad. From this a beam diameter of only approximately 4 cm results after 100 m, because of which this laser can be used as an aiming aid together with night vision devices. However, the divergence can also lie between 0.1 and 5 mrad, or between 0.2 and 2 mrad, for example. Assembly and alignment of the laser can be made so permanently, that the system meets military standards in respect to shock resistance. The laser light beam being used with the SIMLAS is modulated by a code in such a way that both the acting person and the type of weapon used can be identified. By using signals in accordance with well-defined rules, all phases of training can be simulated by SIMLAS, including: a., registration of direct hits, near misses, injuries, putting out of action, etc., b., identification of troops and their status; c., registration of all events, including time and acting person; and d., compilation of all action-related data of individual persons or groups. To perform these tasks, continuously emitting laser diodes are used with SIMLAS. The light beam is coded in PCM and PPM, since these types of modulation combine great exactness with high sensitivity and immunity against interference signals and noise. The function of SIMLAS represents the technical basis of the IFF-system in accordance with the instant invention.


The present invention provides a system for producing vibratical unification of components of a musical instrument comprised of a soundboard, a plurality of strings, a bridge system, a neck, and a body. The system acoustically interconnects the major sound components of the musical instrument in a time-correct sound transfer loop. An acoustically high sound conductivity material selected from the group comprising minerals, ceramics, metals, and combinations thereof, is employed as an interconnect member to produce a balanced, compressed, and naturally equalized sound, with extreme clarity and sustain, and with minimal distortion. The low end sound that is produced by the unified components are coherent, tight, and well defined. The acoustically high sound conductivity material has a specific gravity on the order of at least 2, and preferably at least the specific gravity on the order of the specific gravity of granite. Advantageously, the specific gravity is at least four, and can be six or higher.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a stringed musical instrument having a soundboard and/or other enhancements made of a dense material, in particular, granite, and more particularly, to a music generating device including acoustic instruments and electrically amplified musical instruments, with further particularity, the invention relates to a high density veneer and/or other stone enhancements for a string instrument such as a guitar, bass, banjo, viola, cello. Dobro™ and lapsteel guitar, and the like.
2. Related Art
It is well recognized that wood, in particular aged wood, makes an ideal material for such musical instruments such as a piano, violin, guitar, or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 3,769,871 to Cawthorn for a "Stone Guitar With A Tuned Neck", issued in 1973. The patent discloses a heavy stone slab, typically 1 to 1.125 inches thick for use in guitars. According to the patent, the flat stone body is of a mineral or petrified matter such as granite, marble, onyx, rose quartz, petrified wood, or agate. It can have a hollowed out cavity for the electric pickups. It is a solid body guitar except for the cavity for the electrifying of the guitar. It is further disclosed that the cavity can be covered with a conventional pick guard.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,499 to Othon, discloses a method of enhancing and modifying the visual and aural characteristics of a stringed instrument wherein the flat surfaces of a stone and the body of a stringed instrument are adhesively secured together. The stone is worked while the stone is bonded to the instrument to reduce the thickness of the stone and produce a stone laminate. According to the disclosure of the patent, the stone employed may be extremely dense and hard, extremely soft (soapstone being an example), or anywhere in between in order to provide the desired effect. An extremely hard rock, for example, will give the musical instrument great sustain properties. A softer rock or stone, on the other hand, may be used to affect the sound in other ways, such as "softening" the tone and resonance. The patent further discloses that when the stone laminate is positioned at the pick guard of an electric stringed instrument, the aural characteristics are affected due to shielding of the instrument's electronic components.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,514 for an Equilateral Tetrahedral Speaker discloses that the enclosure can be constructed of dense material such as a CORIAN™ material to minimize enclosure coloration. CORIAN™ is Dupont's registered trademark for its premium quality brand of solid surface product that is a solid, homogeneous, filled material containing methyl methacrylate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,739 for High-Fidelity Stereo Sound System discloses that in an actual embodiment of a surface, marble gravel was glued across the surface of a parabolic surface like the parabolic surface of well-known microwave antennas.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,221 for the Construction of Sound Converter in Sound Guide Especially for Loudspeakers, for Example Speaker Boxes, discloses that the conventional technology for attaining this object consists in providing the sound guide and housing with sufficiently thick walls, adding braces and reinforcements, and/or selecting a material which has high internal clamping. Examples of this are speaker boxes made of concrete, marble, ceramic Plexiglas, and aluminum.

High density sound enhancing components for stringed musical instruments