A low profile touch display can be provided, namely one including an optical detection system with the bulk of the electronics and optics positioned partially or completely below the detecting plane surface. The light source and optical detection system components can be configured so that the exit and entry apertures for light being directed to and/or received from the detection plane are the only members above the touch surface. For instance, a reflective or refractive member at the edge of the touch surface can direct light to detection optics and/or from illumination sources via a pinhole aperture, with the light moving between the detection optics and illumination sources in one or more detection planes above the touch surface. Consequently, the touch screen can have a thin cross section that is more suitable for devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, and other portable computing devices for which minimal device thickness is a priority.

Digitizers and tablets can be incorporated as a coordinate input apparatus in processing units. For instance, the digitizer or tablet can be used alongside one or more display devices (e.g. CRT, LCD, or other display technology) in a touch enabled display assembly. Generally speaking, various systems for detecting an angle (direction) or a position of an object relative to the display area can be used, such as pressure sensitive resistance membrane systems, capacitance systems, electromagnetic induction systems, and the like. As another example, optical systems capable of detecting the angle or the position of the object can be used.
More particularly, touch screen input devices include resistive, surface capacitive, surface acoustic wave (SAW), infrared (IR), Frustrated Total Internal Reflection (FTIR), Projected capacitive, optical and bending wave. Often, the foregoing touch screen devices (aside from some optical and infrared technologies) require use of a touch enabled transparent cover layer that adds height to the display assembly.
Certain optical and infrared systems rely on detection of light traveling in optical paths that lie in one or more detection planes in an area ("touch area" herein) above the touched surface. For example, optical imaging for touch screens can use a combination of line-scan or area image cameras, digital signal processing, front or back illumination, and algorithms to determine a point or area of touch. Components used to emit and detect light in the detection plane(s) can be positioned along one or more edges of the touch screen area as part of a bezel surrounding the touch screen area. Optical touch technology often uses line-scanning or area cameras orientated along one or more edges of the touch surface to image the bezel and track the movement of any object close to the surface of the touch screen by detecting the interruption of an infrared light source.
In some systems, the light can be emitted across the surface of the touch screen by IR-LED emitters aligned along the optical axis of the camera to detect the existence or non existence of light reflected by a retro-reflective border. If an object is interrupting light in the detection plane, the object will cast a shadow in the retroreflected light. Based on the direction of the shadow as cast toward multiple detectors and the spatial arrangement of the detectors, the object's location in the detection area can be triangulated. As another example, light can be emitted across the touch area in a grid pattern, with the object's location determined based on where the grid is interrupted.
For instance, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary touch detection system 10 in which an optical detection and illumination system 12 and illuminated bezel 14 both extend above a touch surface 18. In this particular example, the optical detection system and illumination system are combined into a single unit as is known in the art. The plane of touch surface 18 in this example corresponds to the top of display screen 16 or a protective layer positioned above the display screen. Light is emitted from illumination source 20 and is directed along an outgoing optical path 20. The light is then retroreflected along return optical path 24, passing into optics 28 (a lens in this example) and detector 26. In this example, the profile of the touch detection system is 3.2 mm.
As is known to those of skill in the art, the triangulation principle can be used to calculate the position at which an object impinges on a detection plane via measurements from two or more detection systems. FIG. 2 provides a top view of an exemplary touch detection system 29 which can identify coordinates within a detection plane 31. In this example, two optical detection and illumination systems 30 are provided, with respective exemplary paths 34 and 36 showing the route of light emitted from and returned to the illumination/detection systems 30 via reflective components positioned along edges 32. For example, retroreflective components can be positioned along edges 32 covered by or included in a bezel.
When an object interrupts the beams as represented at 33, the location of the interruption can be triangulated based on the change in optical paths across detection plane 31. For example, an object may cast shadows which are detected by illumination/detection systems 30, with location 33 triangulated from the direction of the shadows and the known spatial relationship between illumination/detection systems 30.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of another exemplary touch detection system 40. In this example, illuminated stylus 42 is used to intersect detection plane 44. Light traveling in detection plane 44 may be collected via optics 46 and directed via reflector 48 to detector 50. In this example, detector 50 is interfaced with detector electronics 52 mounted above the touch surface. For example, detector 50, electronics 52, lenses 46, and reflector 58 may all be built into a bezel surrounding screen 58.
The relative complexity of the optical components used to emit and detect light can lead to a profile height of the bezel that is not suitable for all applications. For example, the bezel height may be too large for use in a handheld computing device, such as a mobile phone, or personal digital assistant (PDA).
RPO Pty Ltd of Australia, attempts to provide a low profile by having the IR emitters and receivers optically connected by wave guides. In the example of FIG. 4, touch-enabled display 60 comprises an LCD display 62 surrounded by a plurality of transmit side waveguides 64 and receive side waveguides 66. Transmit side waveguides provide an optical path from light source 68, while receive side waveguides provide an optical path to detection electronics (ASIC) 70. Light from transmit side waveguides 64 forms a grid pattern across display 62 which can be detected by electronics 70. An object's location on the detection plane can be determined based on interruptions or other disruptions in the expected grid pattern. For example, source 68 may emit infrared or other light, and interruption of the grid may result in a shadow that diminishes the light received at one or more receive side waveguides 66.
Although waveguides 64 and 66 allow for source 68 and electronics 70 to be positioned below the screen surface, the waveguides add cost and complexity to the touch-enabled display. For example, the waveguides may be fragile and require careful handling. As another example, each of several waveguides must be connected to the touchscreen at one end and to electronics 70 at the other end. In short, use of the waveguides can complicate assembly and repair and may lead to a less durable product


A system includes a method and apparatus suitable for measuring planar drop sizes in a liquid spray. Measurement may involve illuminating the spray with multiple lasers and measuring the scattered intensities at several view angles using linear arrays. The system may use inverse calculation of the measured scattered intensity to estimate the local drop sizes across the entire plane in a spray. The system includes radiation detectors containing sensing elements, a lens systems, and analog to digital conversion board to convert scattered intensities to drop sizes. In addition, the system may include choppers including at least two unique filters. The filters may be selectively placed in a path between the spray and the sensing elements. By selectively placing a single array may measure both a scattered intensity and an extinction of laser light emitted from the spray.

Measuring drop sizes in sprays consisting of liquid or solid particles is a useful endeavor in a variety of capacities. The techniques are useful in estimating drop sizes in sprays that are used in a variety of applications such as consumer goods, fuel injectors, coating applicators, spray dryers, and pharmaceutical nebulizers.


Hybrid image format techniques are described in which multiple resolution images are concatenated to a standard bitmap image to create a hybrid image file. The hybrid image file is created through combining a relatively low resolution image with the additional images in a multi-frame format having higher resolution. The hybrid image file may contain data detectable to signal that higher resolution images are available in the hybrid image file. A hybrid aware application may be configured to detect and output a higher resolution image from the hybrid image file based on detection of the data. A legacy application that is not configured to detect the data may be unaware of higher resolution images contained in the hybrid image file, and accordingly outputs the relatively low resolution image.

High resolution displays are becoming more prevalent. As the ability of displays to render higher and higher resolution images has increased, application developers have responded by providing images that take advantage of the higher resolution (e.g., increasing DPI). However, enabling an existing application to use high-resolution images may involve significant redevelopment of the application. This may be quite time consuming and costly for the developer. Further, errors may be encountered when an existing application that has not been enabled to use a high-resolution image attempts to load such an image. Such image loading errors may be quite frustrating to users who may not understand why the error occurred.


A heat pump apparatus includes an outdoor heat exchanger, a fan configured to introduce outdoor air into the outdoor heat exchanger, and a control device configured to control a defrosting operation of the outdoor heat exchanger. The fan rotates at a first rotational speed within a first period, after the defrosting operation is finished and the fan starts rotating. The fan rotates at the first rotational speed within a second period, after a non-defrosting operation is finished and the fan starts rotating. The first period is shorter than the second period.

Conventionally, an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit is known. When the air conditioner performs a heating operation in a state in which outdoor air temperature is low, there arises a frosted state in which frost forms on an heat exchanger of the outdoor unit. Since heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit is reduced in the frosted state, a defrosting operation for melting the frost on the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit is performed. However, in spite of the fact that the heating operation is performed, room temperature is decreased due to the defrosting operation.
For example, when an air conditioner described in PTL 1 finishes a defrosting operation and performs a heating operation, the air conditioner utilizes an amount of heat stored in a heat exchanger of an outdoor unit. Thus, the air conditioner stops driving of an outdoor fan until the temperature of the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit becomes lower than outdoor air temperature. Then, when the temperature of the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit becomes lower than the outdoor air temperature, the air conditioner accelerates rotation of the outdoor fan at the same acceleration as that used when it starts an operation such as the heating operation.

Heat pump apparatus, air conditioner, and water heater


A method and apparatus for facilitating data exchange between a utility meter and a host device includes a first wireless interface device coupled to the meter via a first hardwired connection and a second wireless interface device coupled to the host device via a second hardwired connection. The first wireless interface device and the second wireless interface device are operative to wirelessly exchange data therebetween. According to one embodiment, gateway software is provided within the first wireless interface device to allow the first wireless interface device to initiate on behalf of the host computer a request for the meter to provide predetermined information, acknowledge on behalf of the host computer receipt of data containing the predetermined information, purge data containing the predetermined information of information unrelated to the predetermined information and encrypting and decrypting packets exchanged between the meter and host computer.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for wirelessly communicating information between a utility meter and a host device. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for facilitating data exchange between the meter and the host device.
Utility meters such as gas meters, water meters, and electric meters are commonly used to monitor utility consumption at homes, businesses, and the like. In order to gather consumption information, utility companies routinely send workers to take periodic readings from such meters. Based on the meter reading, the utility company calculates the amount of resources consumed by each customer for the given period and bills the customer for the appropriate amount.
The cost to obtain meter readings from each establishment on an ongoing basis is both expensive and time consuming. For example, not only must a utility company employ a sufficient number of workers to read meters from each geographic region within their service area, but also there is a significant amount of resources involved with transferring and storing the information read into a central computer. Additionally, there is a chance a worker may incorrectly read one or more meters thereby providing incorrect data to the utility company. With deregulation in the electric industry, there has also been a recent trend towards time variant pricing. This, in turn, necessitates more frequent readings to be taken at industrial or commercial establishments (for example hourly readings) and further adds to the transactional costs of obtaining such information.
In order to avoid having to send a worker to read each meter, it is known to establish a wireless communication link between each meter and a host computer located at, for example, a utility company. In this way, the host computer may communicate with the meter at desired times to obtain information related to consumed utilities.
One type of wireless network across which a host computer and meter may exchange information is a cellular digital packet data (CDPD) network. The CDPD network enables wireless transmission of data over existing cellular systems, such as the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS). CDPD networks are designed to provide data communications in the cellular frequency range without impeding voice communications. This is accomplished by transmitting data over cellular channels which are free of voice communications. If a channel which is initially free of voice communication later becomes selected to service a telephone call, the CDPD network switches data communication to another free channel. It will also be appreciated that some CDPD service carriers provide dedicated channels to handle CDPD data communication.
In order to interface the meters to the wireless network, a modem is used. For example, when communicating over a CDPD network, a CDPD modem is used to assemble and de-assemble packets passing between the wired and wireless networks. Thus, CDPD modems interfaces with the meter to allow data to be exchanged across the wireless network. The CDPD modems provide no further processing to the data passing therethrough. The host computer typically is provided access to the CDPD network via an internet connection to a commercial cell site. The commercial cell site allows for communicating data between the internet and the CDPD network thereby providing a path through which data can be communicated between the host computer and the meters.
While the use of wireless technology has improved the ability to gather and store information in a cost effective and timely manner from utility meters, several drawbacks still exist. For example, CDPD technology is based on the premise that some voice communication channels will be available to send the desired data communication. However, the availability of voice channels is not controllable and it often may take a significant amount of time to find a free channel upon which to communicate the desired data. Consequently, there are often undesired delays associated with communicating information over a wireless network.
The delays associated with communicating over the wireless network further affect data exchange between the host computer and meter since each meter typically is configured to retransmit a data packet if an acknowledgment packet is not received from the host computer within a predetermined period of time (e.g. a time-out period). Unfortunately, due to communication delays which could occur in obtaining a wireless communication channel using CDPD technology, such time-out periods often expire. This, in turn, causes the meter to re-transmit data which leads to added wireless traffic and overall system delays.
Additionally, the cost of communicating over CDPD network typically is measured in terms of the number of data bits transmitted. Unfortunately, under current industry standards set forth by the American Meter Reading Association (AMRA), each meters must respond to electronic queries for information in a standardized format which includes a large amount of information which may not be necessary for responding to the request made. When communicating over a wireless network the additional data bits significantly add to the cost of transacting and also increases the amount of information which must be communicated over the limited wireless communication channels.
Still further, the electronic communication of data from meter creates a concern for security with respect to unauthorized individuals viewing or tampering with such data. Such security concerns apply equally for communication of data over both the wireless network and hardwired network since the data could be intercepted, tampered, or viewed during transmission across any such medium.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a method and apparatus of facilitating the electronic exchange of communication between a meter and a host computer which overcomes the drawbacks described above and others.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for facilitating electronic data communication between a utility meter and a host computer. The utility meter may, for example, be an electric meter, gas meter, water meter or the like. The host computer may, for example, be a host computer located at a utility company. Communication between the meters and the host computer occurs over a wireless network using, for example, cellular digital packet data (CDPD).
According to the present invention, gateway software is imbedded within a device coupled to the meter to facilitate data communication between the meter and the host computer. For instance, the gateway software may be programmed into a processor and memory associated with the CDPD modem thereby more effectively utilizing existing hardware components to run the gateway software. This in turn provides a significant cost savings since additional hardware components are not necessary to implement the features discussed herein. Alternatively, the gateway software may be included in a dedicated processor coupled along a connection between the meter and the CDPD modem or within a processor associated with the meter itself.
The gateway software is configured to reduce the amount of data bits wirelessly transmitted over the network as well as provide an added layer of security with respect to data communicated over the hardwired network. In particular, according to one feature of the present invention, the gateway software is configured to initiate communication with the meter to obtain utility data and then forward such data to the host computer. Therefore the host computer does not need to transmit a request for such information over the wireless network as in conventional device. Thus, less data bits are wirelessly transmitted thereby saving cost and more effectively utilizing available bandwidth.
Additionally, according to the present invention the gateway software monitors for data transmissions from the meter and acknowledges receipt of such transmissions on behalf of the host computer. In this way, delays typically involved in receiving an acknowledgment from the host computer due to an inability of the host computer to obtain a free wireless channel is not of significant consequence. Accordingly, the present invention is able to better avoid time outs from occurring at the meter since transmission made by the meter can be acknowledged in a timely manner.
In order to further reduce the amount of data which is transmitted over the wireless network, the gateway software also is configured to purge data packets of unnecessary data bits prior to wireless transfer. In this manner, additional cost savings are obtained since fewer data bits are transmitted over the wireless network.
Further, as a security measure, the gateway software and host computer are each configured to encrypt and de-crypt data communication occurring over the hardwired and wireless networks In this manner, there is a lower possibility of data being viewed or tampered by unauthorized individuals.
Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, a method of facilitating data exchange between a utility meter for monitoring utility consumption and a host device is provided. The meter is coupled to a first wireless interface device through a first hardwired connection and the host device is coupled to a second wireless interface device through a second hardwired connection. The first wireless interface device and the second wireless interface device are operative to wirelessly exchange data therebetween. The method includes the steps of initiating a request for the meter to provide predetermined information, the request originating from a device coupled to the first hardwired connection, and transmitting from the meter data containing the predetermined information in response to the request.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of facilitating data exchange between a utility meter for monitoring utility consumption and a host device is provided. The meter is coupled to a first wireless interface device through a first hardwired connection and the host device is coupled to a second wireless interface device through a second hardwired connection. The first wireless interface device and the second wireless interface device are operative to wirelessly exchange data therebetween. The method includes the steps of receiving at a device coupled to the first hardwired connection data transmitted from the meter and destined for the host computer, and transmitting an acknowledgment packet to the meter by the device, the acknowledgment packet indicating to the meter that the data was received by the host computer.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of facilitating data exchange between a utility meter for monitoring utility consumption and a host device is provided. The meter is coupled to a first wireless interface device through a first hardwired connection and the host device is coupled to a second wireless interface device through a second hardwired connection. The first wireless interface device and the second wireless interface device are operative to wirelessly exchange data therebetween. The method includes the steps of receiving at a device coupled to the first hardwired connection data transmitted from the meter and destined for the host computer, and processing the data received by the device to remove at least a portion of information stored in the data.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method of facilitating data exchange between a utility meter for monitoring utility consumption and a host device is provided. The meter is coupled to a first wireless interface device through a first hardwired connection and the host device is coupled to a second wireless interface device through a second hardwired connection. The first wireless interface device and the second wireless interface device are operative to wirelessly exchange data therebetween. The method includes the steps of receiving at a device coupled to the first hardwired connection data transmitted from the meter and destined for the host computer, encrypting at least a portion of the data by the device, transmitting to the host device the at least a portion of the encrypted data via the first wireless interface device and the second wireless interface device, receiving at the host computer the at least a portion of the encrypted data, and decrypting the at least a portion of the encrypted data by the host computer.
In accordance with yet still another aspect of the present invention, a wireless system for facilitating data exchange between a utility meter and a host device is provided. The system includes a first wireless interface device coupled to the meter via a first hardwired connection, a second wireless interface device coupled to the host device via a second hardwired connection, the first wireless interface device and the second wireless interface device operative to wirelessly exchange data between the meter and the host device, and means for initiating a request for information from the meter, the means coupled to the first hardwired connection.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a wireless system for facilitating data exchange between a utility meter and a host device is provided. The system includes a first wireless interface device coupled to the meter via a first hardwired connection, a second wireless interface device coupled to the host device via a second hardwired connection, the first wireless interface device and the second wireless interface device operative to wirelessly exchange data between the meter and the host device, and means for removing at least a portion of information stored in the data by the meter prior to receipt by the host device, the means coupled to the first hardwired connection.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a device for facilitating wireless data exchange between a utility meter for monitoring utility consumption and a host device is provided. The device includes a means for acknowledging receipt on behalf of the host computer of data transmitted by the meter and destined for the host computer.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a device for facilitating wireless data exchange between a utility meter for monitoring utility consumption and a host device is provided. The device includes means for removing at least a portion of information stored in data transmitted by the meter and destined for the host device prior to receipt of the data by the host device.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a device for facilitating wireless data exchange between a utility meter for monitoring utility consumption and a host device is provided. The device includes a means for initiating on behalf of the host computer a request for the meter to provide predetermined information.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the present invention is intended to include all such embodiments and their equivalents. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.


A method for heat treatment of a plurality of semiconductor wafers horizontally placed on a supporting member coated with SiC in a vertical heat treatment furnace includes performing heat treatments while switching the supporting member and a heat treatment condition such that the supporting member is continuously used in a heat treatment under either one of a first condition and a second condition for a certain period of time and then continuously used in a heat treatment under the other condition for a certain period of time, wherein the heat treatment under the first condition is performed at 1000° C. or higher in an atmosphere containing a rare gas and not containing oxygen, and the heat treatment under the second condition is performed at 1000° C. or higher in an atmosphere containing oxygen and not containing a rare gas. As a result, slip dislocation can be inhibited.

A heat treatment technique is a fundamental and important technique which has been used for various semiconductor processes. For example, the heat treatment is performed on a silicon single crystal wafer used as a semiconductor substrate to modify a crystal quality, diffuse impurities, or form a film structure in a surface layer portion.
As a heat treatment apparatus for performing a heat treatment, a batch type apparatus capable of simultaneously processing multiple wafers at predetermined intervals has been widely used. In particular, an apparatus in which wafers are placed in a vertical direction while holding each wafer horizontally is called a vertical furnace. An apparatus in which wafers are placed in a horizontal direction while holding each wafer nearly upright is called a horizontal furnace.
The vertical furnace is often used for wafers which progress toward having larger diameter in recent years. A supporting member for holding wafers in the heat treatment furnace is also referred to as boat, and a boat made of quartz (quartz boat) and a boat made of SiC (SiC boat) in which the surface of SiC material is subjected to CVD-SiC coating are generally used.
Especially, a SiC supporting member, which has high resistance to heat, has been widely used in a heat treatment at high temperature. The supporting member varies in shape. A common supporting member for the vertical furnace has three or four vertical columns coupled by two plate members (a top plate and a bottom plate), and grooves are horizontally formed on parts of the columns. Wafers are placed on horizontal planes of the grooves and thereby held.
The silicon single crystal wafers placed on such a supporting member are subjected to a heat treatment, for example, under an argon or oxygen atmosphere. It has been known that a defect called slip dislocation is generated from a contact portion with the supporting member in this heat treatment (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).


A layout pattern generating apparatus and a layout pattern generating method for an element used for layout design of a semiconductor integrated circuit (LSI) provide a reduction in time for generating a layout pattern with high versatility. The layout pattern generating apparatus for generating a layout pattern of each of elements included in a semiconductor integrated circuit, includes, for example, a storage, a basic figure generator, an additional figure generator, a display unit and an operation input unit. The apparatus and method also utilize at least terminal figure relative position information, figure adjustment value information, and additional figure relative position information, the additional figure being a figure other than the basic figure. The basic figure generator generates the effective area figure and the terminal figure of the layout pattern generation target element, and the additional figure generator generates the additional figure of the layout pattern generation target element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a layout pattern generating apparatus and a layout pattern generating method for an element used for layout design which is a part of a manufacturing method of a semiconductor integrated circuit (LSI).
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in designing LSI, when a layout of basic elements such as a transistor and a resistor, which constitutes an LSI, is generated, a layout pattern is manually described on a layout drawing layer for masking process by using a drawing machine or a layout pattern is automatically described by using a layout pattern generating apparatus for generating a layout pattern by designating in advance detailed numeric values (design standard) which indicate a mask layer to be used, its structure and a relative positional relationship in the structure. A variety of layout pattern generating apparatuses have been developed, as described in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 2006-330970 (Patent Document 1), for example.
However, it takes much time to manually describe a layout pattern by using the drawing machine. Moreover, drawing errors frequently occur and it takes much time to analyze the drawing errors.
Further, the conventional layout pattern generating apparatus has little versatility. Therefore, when masking process (a drawing layer to be used) varies with each process or when a different element structure or a design standard is used for each process, it is required to develop a new layout pattern generating apparatus and the development takes much time. To solve the problem, the above-identified Patent Document 1 provides a suggestion that different definition data are used in the layout pattern generating apparatus when layouts having different processing rules from each other are generated. However, there are some cases where the problem cannot be solved by changing definition data, and moreover, it takes much labor and time to generate such definition data.

Semiconductor integrating circuit layout pattern generating apparatus and method


A display or other radiation-emitting device has an array of vertical ballistic transistors which produce electrons that flow into overlying phosphor regions. Light produced by the phosphors is focussed by an array of convex lenses above the phosphor regions to provide a high intensity display with limited viewing angle.

This invention relates to radiation-emitting devices.
Currently available radiation-emitting devices, such as a display, take various different forms. In cathode-ray tube displays (CRT's) electrons produced by a source are accelerated by an applied voltage across a vacuum onto a phosphor screen. The beam of electrons is scanned over the screen magnetically or electrostatically, to produce the desired display representation. CRT's suffer from various disadvantages. They require high drive voltages, they are relatively bulky and are not very robust.
Alternative displays generally comprise a matrix array of light-emitting or reflecting devices, such as light-emitting diodes or liquid crystal elements. These can provide more compact and robust displays than CRT's but also suffer from various disadvantages such as relatively slow response times, lower resolution, reduced visibility or limited viewing angle.
In GB 2252857 there is described a solid-state display comprising a glass plate on which is deposited an upper layer of parallel conductive tracks interrupted by recesses containing a conductive or semiconductive phosphor. An array of vertical ballistic transistors within a semiconductor layer is in alignment on one side with the phosphor regions and on the other side with respective conductive tracks which extend at right angles to the tracks in the upper layer. When a voltage is applied to one of the tracks in the upper layer which is positive with respect to the voltage applied to one of the lower tracks, it causes one of the transistors to emit electrons upwardly into the phosphor region. This causes fluorescence of the region and the emission of light.
While this form of display can be used satisfactorily for normal viewing by the unaided eye, there are circumstances where an improved resolution and maximum radiation flux are required such as, for example, where images need to be formed in printing devices.

Radiation-emitting devices having an array of active components in contact with a fluorescent layer

Smiths Industries Public Limited Company


The present invention provides a method and a device, for use in a network over which data may be exchanged among devices, for providing data (executable code unit) for controlling other devices. To achieve this, a DCM Manager of a controller FAV first collects device control data from configROMs of the devices. The DCM Manager uses this information to search for the newest DCM for a new controlled device BAV that has been connected to a network. The DCM Manager reads the newest BAV1_DCM_b from the configROM of the BAV to install the DCM.

The present invention relates to a control system in which a controller and a plurality of controlled devices are connected via a network. In particular, the present invention relates to a controller, controlled devices, a control method, and a control system in which the controlled devices store data used by the controller to control the controlled devices.
A study is under way for a system in which AV devices and data processing devices are interconnected with an IEEE1394 serial bus, which allows data transmission via isochronous communication and control signal transmission via asynchronous communication, for communication among those devices. The IEEE1394 serial bus is defined in xe2x80x9cIEEE Std 1394-1995xe2x80x9d under the title xe2x80x9cIEEE Standard for a High Performance Serial Busxe2x80x9d.
In addition, xe2x80x9cSpecification of the Home Audio/Video Interoperability (HAVi) (hereinafter abbreviated as HAVi specification)xe2x80x9d is disclosed as a communication protocol for controlling AV devices on a 1394 serial bus. Also described in this specification is a method for devices to provide a code unit that is data for controlling them from other devices.
A device conforming to the HAVi specification has xe2x80x9cSelf Describing Device Data (hereinafter abbreviated as SDD data)xe2x80x9d for describing its own function to other devices. SDD data, which is detailed in the HAVi specification, is stored in the configROM in the HAVi_Unit_Directory to allow other devices to reference it via the 1394 serial bus. The format of the configROM, an address space that may be referenced using asynchronous communication via the 1394 serial bus, is defined in xe2x80x9cISO/IEC 13213:1994 Control and Status Register (CSR) Architecture for Microcomputer Buses (IEEE Std 1212-1994xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cIEEE P1212 Draft 1.0, Draft Standard for a Control and Status Registers (CSR) Architecture for Microcomputer Buses, Oct. 18, 1999xe2x80x9d. In addition to the data structures defined by these specifications, directories and leaves of the vendor specific Vendor_Info (vendor information) may be defined.
The HAVi specification classifies AV devices into two types: controllers and controlled devices. A xe2x80x9cBase AV(BAV) Device (hereinafter abbreviated as BAV)xe2x80x9d, a typical controlled device, has SDD data and a DCM and uploads them to a controller. A xe2x80x9cFull AV (FAV) Device (hereinafter abbreviated FAV)xe2x80x9d, a typical controller, provides the HAVi system components and a Java run-time environment.
A BAV, which conforms to the HAVi specification, has a Device Control Module (hereinafter abbreviated as DCM) code unit stored in its SDD data. When an FAV downloads a DCM code unit and installs it in itself, a DCM is generated. The DCM is a program module for controlling the corresponding device. In addition, a Functional Control Module (hereinafter abbreviated FCM), which controls the sub-unit(s) of the corresponding unit, is also generated in some cases. An application on the FAV uses the DCMs and the FCMs to control the devices in the network system.
The xe2x80x9cDevice Control Module Manager (hereinafter abbreviated DCM Manager)xe2x80x9d in the FAV manages the DCMs on a HAVi-compliant network system as well as their installation. When the network is reset on the 1394 serial bus, the DCM Managers on the network system negotiate with each other to select the DCM Manager, called a final leader, which performs DCM processing on behalf of the DCM Managers.
In the HAVi network system described above, a plurality of AV devices (FAVs) on which HAVi system components are running are connected via the network. The devices on this network work together under control of the HAVi protocol to execute the functions of the devices.
On the other hand, a device (BAV) on which the HAVi system components are not running stores therein a DCM code unit to allow other devices to access this device. This allows a FAV to download the DCM code unit of the BAV and to install it into the FAV.
In the system described above, the DCM must be sometimes updated to increase the performance of the BAV function or to fix bugs. In this case, if the URL for obtaining the DCM is specified in the SDD data of the BAV, a newer DCM may be downloaded from a wide area network such as the Internet.
In this situation, if a device that is connectable to an external network is not in the HAVi network, a newer DCM is not available for use.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for making a newer DCM available in the HAVi network without connecting to an external network.
To solve this problem, the method according to the present invention has typically a configuration as described below.
That is, in a control system in which one or more controllers and a plurality of controlled devices are connected by a network, a controlled device (BAV) includes, in an externally readable memory area (SDD data), data for use by a controller (FAV) to control via the network a second controlled device (BAV) connectable to the network, and the controller (FAV) obtains the data from the controlled device (BAV) to generate a program for controlling the second controlled device.
To solve the above problem, the method according to the present invention uses a typical configuration described above. An updated DCM for controlling some other device, if stored in the configROM of a device, allows the updated DCM to be made available on an HAVi network even when no device can be connected to an external network.

Controller, controlled device, control method, and control system


A computerized method for simulating a high-viscosity fluid in a chamber is disclosed, wherein a model of the fluid is set in a model of the chamber and a flow calculation is performed. In the flow calculation, with respect to a contact surface of a wall of the chamber model with which the fluid model contacts, a slip velocity of the fluid model is defined by specific equations.

The present invention relates to a computerized method for simulating a high-viscosity fluid.
In recent years, there have been proposed various computerized simulation methods including such a method in which a flow state of a plastic fluid such as uncrosslinked rubber or resin composite which is knead in a camber of a mixer such as banbury mixer is computed or simulated by calculating Navier-stokes equation.    [patent document 1] JP-A-2011-27593    [non-patent document 1] "Numerical and Experimental study of Dispersive Mixing of Agglomerates" V. Collin, E. Peuvrel-Disdier et al.
In the case of a flow calculation for a low-viscosity fluid such as air, the flow velocity of the fluid may be set at zero on the surface of a wall of a space where the fluid flows. However, in the case of a flow calculation for a high-viscosity fluid such as an uncrosslinked rubber composite not yet vulcanized, on the surface of a wall of a space where the fluid flows, the fluid may have a certain value of the flow velocity in the flow direction. Thus, the fluid slips on the wall. When making a computerized simulation for such a high-viscosity fluid, such slip phenomenon on a wall has to be taken into consideration.
Heretofore, the fluid velocity on a wall surface (hereinafter, slip velocity) is defined by a function of a shear stress on the wall surface. When the slip velocity is linear, the shear stress TW in accordance with Navie's Law is given by the following equation (1):TW=Fslip[vslip−vwall]  (1)    and, when the slip velocity is nonlinear, the shear stress TW is given by the following equation (2):TW=Fslip[vslip−vwall]|vslip−vwall|eslip-1  (2)wherein    "vslip" is the velocity of the fluid on the wall surface in a direction parallel with the wall surface,    "vwall" is a component of the moving velocity of the wall surface in a direction parallel with the wall surface,    "Fslip" is a user-defined invariable, and    "eslip" is a user-defined invariable.
The value set to the invariable "Fslip" is specific to the fluid concerned and relates to the easiness of causing slip. Usually the value is determined through an experiment employing a device as disclosed in the patent document 1 for example. Through such experiment, the shear stress TW on a wall surface of a space in which the fluid flows, the slip velocity "vslip" on the wall surface, and the moving velocity"vwall" of the wall surface are measured.
Then, the value of "Fslip" is determined therefrom. More specifically, a double logarithmic chart, in which the slip velocity "vslip" is plotted on the x-axis and the shear stress TW is plotted on the Y-axis, is prepared, and then a power approximation curve to the plotted points is found asy=a·xb.
The "Fslip" and "eslip" are determined by the coefficient "a" and the power "b", respectively.
Then, the slip velocity (vslip) on the wall surface is obtained by the following equation (3):vslip=vwall+TW/Fslip  (3)
The obtained slip velocity (vslip) is given to a solver, and according thereto, the solver performs a convergent calculation to obtain solution.
If the value of the invariable "Fslip" is small or the value of the shear stress TW is abnormal, then the value of the slip velocity "vslip" obtained from the equation (3) and given to the solver becomes abnormal.
Thus, if the slip velocity is introduced in the conventional fluid simulation method, there is a possibility that the computation becomes uncertain such that the iterative calculation is not converged or diverges.

Method for simulating high-viscosity fluid


The present disclosure provides, in part, a microfluidic apparatus for detecting target molecules. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a protein microarray-integrated microfluidic system for detecting target molecules.

Many diagnostic or other procedures suffer from the need to transport samples great distances from the point of collection to facilities where the sample can be analyzed. It would be useful to provide analytical devices that can be used closer to sample collection locations and generate analytical results in a timely fashion, for example for target molecules present in minute amounts within complex matrices.
For improved sensitivity, quantitation and throughput, ELISA has been a frequently used format, based on coating an antibody onto the solid phase of a sorbent 96-well plate, and limiting the ELISA assay to a single analyte. A large percentage of diagnostic testing is still conducted on manual or semi-automated ELISA titer plates. ELISA is extremely labor intensive and users would welcome a streamlined alternative technology. Currently, aside from cost considerations, ordering test results for two or more assays to obtain test results for multiple markers, even when requested from the same testing laboratory, tends to incur additional delays. Ordering two assays at the same time could mean sending more samples and often to different laboratories. This also incurs higher costs than the standard practice of ordering one test and waiting for results to assess if further testing is required. Multiplexing is a paradigm shift which allows more economic savings using tests that produce more diagnostic information. Multiplexing assays also improves the diagnostic power of disease markers. Often, single markers have clinical sensitivity and/or specificity limitations.
The smaller spots used in microarray surfaces, compared to those for ELISA surfaces, result in the reduced likelihood of an analyte in a test sample for a microarray assay, to be depleted or altered in the assay (Ekins, 1989). This difference also means that microarray assays have better accuracy and sensitivity, especially in low-analyte samples. Microarray assays are also associated with faster kinetics as diffusion constraints are minimized. Thus, this technology platform is much more efficient in throughput and evaluation of biomarker panels than traditional approaches.
Recently, immunoassays have been integrated with microfluidic systems. Microfluidic systems are usually referred to as "lab-on-a-chip (LOC)" or "biochips". These LOC microfluidic system miniaturize the assay in comparison with conventional lab systems. There are several advantages to integrating immunoassays into a LOC including but not limited to, less sample/reagent consumption, enhanced sensitivity, reduced risk of contamination, less unit cost, lower power consumption and higher reliability and functionality (Dong and Uede, 2017; Lin et al., 2010). A typical immunoassay performed in the lab take a large amount of time mostly due to long incubation time attributed to inefficient mass transport of the reagents to move from the solution to the surface where the immunoreaction occurs. Liquid transport during microfluidic immunoassays can assist mass transport of reagents and increase the efficiency of immunoreactions. The reagents used in immunoassays can be quite costly. Integration of immunoassays into microfluidics can greatly reduce the consumption of reagents due to miniaturization.


A three-dimensional photonic crystal has periodic-refractive-index structures including a first layer having a periodic structure based on a first rectangular lattice having a period of A along a first axis and a period of B along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis in the plane direction, a second layer having a periodic structure disposed at a position shifted by +3B/8 along the second axis with respect to the position of the first rectangular lattice, a third layer having a periodic structure disposed at a position shifted by A/2 along the first axis and B/2 along the second axis with respect to the position of the periodic structure in the first layer, and a fourth layer having a periodic structure disposed at the same position as the periodic structure in the second layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional photonic crystal having a three-dimensional periodic-refractive-index structure and to functional devices, such as a waveguide, a resonator, a filter, a laser, and a polarizing device, including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The concept of controlling transmission and reflection characteristics of electromagnetic waves with structures having a size equal to or smaller than the wavelength of the waves has been proposed by Yablonovitch (Physical Review Letters, Vol. 58, p. 2059, 1987). According to this document, transmission and reflection characteristics of electromagnetic waves can be controlled by periodic structures having a period equal to or smaller than the wavelength.
Such a structure is known as a photonic crystal. It has been suggested that photonic crystals can be used to realize a reflective mirror having a reflectance of 100% in a certain wavelength range.
Thus, a certain wavelength range in which a reflectance of 100% can be realized is referred to as a photonic bandgap, by analogy with the energy gap of semiconductors.
In addition, when the structures having a size equal to or smaller than the wavelength have a three-dimensional fine periodic structure, the photonic bandgap can be realized for electromagnetic waves such as light incident from all directions. Hereinafter, this is referred to as a complete photonic bandgap.
When the complete photonic bandgap is realized, various applications, such as a suppression of spontaneous emission in a light-emitting device, can be performed to realize new functional devices. In order to realize a functional device that operates over a wider frequency range, a structure having a wider complete photonic bandgap has been desired.
Some structures exhibiting such a photonic bandgap have been proposed (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,335,240, 5,440,421, and 6,597,851).
FIG. 18A shows a woodpile structure proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,240. In this structure, a plurality of columnar structures disposed in parallel are stacked, the alignment of each layer rotated by 90 degrees with respect to that of adjacent layers.
FIG. 18B is a schematic view of a structure exhibiting a photonic bandgap disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,421. In this structure, a plurality of holes have been made in a direction perpendicular to a plurality of columnar structures that are disposed in parallel so that parts of the columnar structures overlap in the stacking direction.
FIG. 18C is a schematic view of a structure exhibiting a photonic bandgap disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,597,851. In this structure, layers having holes provided in the form of a triangular lattice and columnar structures provided in the form of a triangular lattice are stacked with a shift of ⅓ of the fundamental period between adjacent layers.
In the woodpile structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,240, since four layers constitute one period, the structure is simple and is easily produced. However, the structure has a strong anisotropy, resulting in a strong directional dependence of the photonic bandgap.
The structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,421 also has a complete photonic bandgap. However, a plurality of very deep holes must be formed, and it is very difficult to produce the structure.
The structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,597,851 has an anisotropy smaller than that of the woodpile structure and has a relatively large photonic bandgap. However, since six layers constitute one period, the fabrication process is complex, for example, high accuracy is necessary for the alignment of layers. Thus, it is difficult to produce the structure.

Three-dimensional photonic crystal and functional device including the same


A method for determining the presence or amount of a metal-labelled species in a sample may include causing the metal of the metal-labelled species in the sample to form a soluble electrochemically-active complex which is stable relative to moieties present or potentially present in the sample which will form an insoluble and/or electrochemically-inactive complex with the metal, and electrochemically measuring the formed complex to provide an indication of the presence or amount of the metal-labelled species.

Specific binding species, such as antibodies, that are conjugated to a label are routinely employed as reagents for rapid assays in the detection of analytes. One such assay is described in EP0291194A1, incorporated herein by reference. In this assay, a lateral flow porous carrier is provided with a mobilisable particulate-labelled antibody specific to the analyte of interest. It is further provided with a second antibody which is also specific for the analyte but which is immobilised in a detection zone. Analyte binds with the labelled mobilisable antibody to form a first complex which is subsequently captured by the second immobilised antibody in the detection zone. The extent of label present in the detection zone provides an indication of the amount of analyte present in a sample. The label may be a particulate species such as gold and its presence in the detection zone may be detected either visually or optically.
Another method for the detection of a labelled specific binding species is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2003/0186274-A1, incorporated herein by reference. In this method, the extent or presence of a metal-labelled binding species is detected by dissolving the label in the presence of an oxidising agent, such as a strong acid, to form metal ions. The ions are then deposited onto an electrode surface by electrochemical reduction in the presence of a suitably negative potential. The potential is then varied to reoxidise the metal which then returns to solution, producing a current response. The intensity of this response provides an indication of the amount of metal ions deposited at the electrode surface and hence the amount of label initially present. This type of electroanalytical technique is known as stripping voltammetry and can be used for the measurement of low amounts of metal ions (e.g. parts per million or less). The method may be used to detect the presence or extent of any analyte having a binding specificity for the labelled binding species.
The method of US2003/0186274-A1 is exemplified using gold as the label. However, silver can in many ways be considered to be a better label for use in electrochemical detection, mainly because it is easier to oxidise silver to form silver ions than it is gold. For example, the oxidising agents required for the formation of silver ions from silver are less powerful than those required for forming gold ions from gold and hence more appropriate for use in diagnostic kits.
Although silver is disclosed in US2003/0186274-A1 as a metal particle which can be detected, the methods described therein cannot be used for the electrochemical detection of silver and similar metals in biological samples. This is because the oxidised forms of these metals will react with species found in biological samples, such as blood, plasma and urine, to form insoluble electrochemically-inactive complexes. For example, the concentration of chloride ions in urine is typically 150 mM and therefore any silver ions formed by oxidation will immediately precipitate as AgCl and will thus be prevented from being oxidised at the electrode surface. Similarly, bromide ions and sulphur-containing species such as cysteine also present in biological samples will form insoluble electrochemically-inactive complexes with silver ions.

Determining the presence or amount of a metal-labelled species


Systems and methods including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory storage devices storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processors and perform receiving item data for items from a catalog, assigning a task for evaluation of the item data, storing a plurality of task jobs to a task queue, repeatedly setting, in real time, a respective processor to perform a respective evaluation model, processing the plurality of task jobs stored to the task queue by determining, in real time, whether a first evaluation model set to be performed on a first processor is capable of meeting the first evaluation criteria of the first task data, performing, on the first processor, the first evaluation model on the first task data, and transmitting first first-evaluation-model-output instructions, and repeatedly updating, in real time, the task queue. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Large data sets, such as for example images in an online retail catalog, can be processed according to different inference processing models to extract information from the image that can be useful in classifying such images. For example, images in a catalog can be processed according to inference or other models to provide for the detection of non-compliant or otherwise undesirable content in the catalog images, so as to allow for deletion and/or blocking of such material from a viewer of the catalog.
However, the processing of such large data sets with inference models can be subject to high latency, making processing very time intensive and inefficient. This result can be particularly true when a large number of different inference or other models are being applied for processing of multiple images in the retail catalog, as such processing is extremely computationally intensive and can require constant human invention to guide the processing workflow for each image with respect to each of the plurality of inference models. Accordingly, it can be difficult to efficiently analyze images in a catalog to provide information that allows for classification and/or identification of such images in a reasonable amount of time.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "include," and "have," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms "couple," "coupled," "couples," "coupling," and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. "Electrical coupling" and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types. The absence of the word "removably," "removable," and the like near the word "coupled," and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.
As defined herein, two or more elements are "integral" if they are comprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or more elements are "non-integral" if each is comprised of a different piece of material.
As defined herein, "real-time" can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event. A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information. Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term "real time" encompasses operations that occur in "near" real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event. In a number of embodiments, "real time" can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data. The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc. However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, two seconds, five seconds, or ten seconds.
As defined herein, "approximately" can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments, "approximately" can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value. In further embodiments, "approximately" can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments, "approximately" can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.

Systems and methods for processing of catalog items with a plurality of models


An arrangement is provided having a superconductive cable (SK) which consists of a superconductive conductor (1) and a superconductive screen (3) that encloses the latter with the interposition of a dielectric (2) and which is enclosed, with the inclusion of a free space (FR) for conveying a refrigerant, by a cryostat (KR) which consists of two metal tubes (4,5) arranged mutually concentrically, between which vacuum insulation (6) is arranged. Outside the screen (3), a tubularly closed layer (7, 8) of a ferromagnetic material is provided over the entire length of the cable (SK). It is preferably arranged on the outer circumference of the cryostat (KR).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an arrangement having a superconductive cable which consists of a superconductive conductor and a superconductive screen that encloses the latter with the interposition of a dielectric and which is enclosed, with the inclusion of a free space for conveying a refrigerant, by a cryostat which consists of two metal tubes arranged mutually concentrically, between which vacuum insulation is arranged (WO 03/052775 A1).
2. Description of Related Art
A superconductive cable in modern technology has electrical conductors made of a composite material, which contains a ceramic material that enters the superconducting state at sufficiently low temperatures. With sufficient cooling, the electrical DC resistance of a correspondingly constructed conductor is zero so long as a particular current strength is not exceeded. Suitable ceramic materials are for example YBCO (yttrium-barium-copper oxide) or BiSCCO (bismuth-strontium-calcium-copper oxide). Sufficiently low temperatures to bring such a material into the superconductive state lie, for example, between 67 K and 110 K. Suitable refrigerants are for example nitrogen, helium, neon and hydrogen or mixtures of these substances.
In the arrangement according to WO 03/052775 A1, which was mentioned in the introduction, a superconductive cable with a cold dielectric is used. It consists of an inner conductor applied onto a tubular carrier, and a screen arranged concentrically therewith, which are mutually separated and kept at a distance from one another by the dielectric (insulation). The conductor and the screen consist for example of bands of superconductive material, such as YBCO or BiSCCO, which are wound with a long pitch around a support while lying tightly together. This known superconductive cable is constructed so that the superconductive screen externally screens the magnetic field of the superconductive conductor during unperturbed operation. In the event of a short-circuit, the screen changes its impedance so that the magnetic field of the conductor is no longer fully screened. Not only can such a short-circuit therefore lead to destruction of the cable (burn-out), but electromagnetic perturbations can also occur outside the cryostat.

Arrangement having a superconductive cable


An alumina fiber aggregate comprising alumina short fibers whose average diameter is 4.0 to 10.0 xcexcm and smallest diameter is not less than 3.0 xcexcm, and a method of producing an alumina fiber aggregate which comprises spinning a spinning solution containing basic aluminum chloride, a silicon compound, an organic polymer and water by the blowing method, and calcining the obtained aggregate of alumina short fiber precursor, the spinning solution being one in which the aluminum/silicon ratio is 99/1 to 65/35 calculated as Al2O3/SiO2 ratio by weight, the concentration of basic aluminum chloride is 180 to 200 g/L and the concentration of the organic polymer is 20 to 40 g/L. The alumina short fibers in the alumina fiber aggregate are enlarged in diameter to suppress scattering of the fibers.

The present invention relates to an alumina fiber aggregate and its production method.
Alumina fiber aggregates, by making use of their excellent heat resistance, are worked into alumina fiber blankets, etc., and used as heat insulator, etc. Such alumina fiber blankets can be produced, for instance, in the following way.
Spinning is carried out with a spinning solution containing basic aluminum chloride, a silicon compound, an organic polymer and water by the blowing method and the obtained alumina short fiber precursor aggregate (laminated sheet) is subjected to calcining, if necessary after needling. In the calcining step, the volatiles are removed and at the same time crystallization of alumina and silica is advanced to convert them into alumina fibers. Consequently, an alumina fiber aggregate comprising alumina short fibers is obtained. This production method is generally called precursor fiberizing method.
It is to be noted that when the diameter of alumina short fibers is small, these fibers tend to scatter and are bad in handling characteristics and also undesirable for the working environmental hygiene. It is pointed out that the fibers with a diameter of less than several xcexcm have the problems such as easy entrance into pulmonary alveoli of the human body through respiration.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an alumina fiber aggregate comprising alumina short fibers having their diameter enlarged to suppress scattering of the fibers, and a method of producing such an alumina fiber aggregate.
As a result of earnest studies, the present inventors have found that the diameter of alumina short fibers varies depending on the properties of the spinning solution used, and it is possible to obtain alumina short fibers with a large diameter and a narrow distribution of fiber diameter by using a spinning solution of specific properties and optimizing the spinning conditions. This finding has led to the attainment of the present invention.
The present invention have been completed on the basis of the above finding, and in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alumina fiber aggregate comprising alumina short fibers having an average diameter of 4.0 to 10.0 xcexcm, with the smallest diameter being not less than 3.0 xcexcm.
In the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing an alumina fiber aggregate comprising alumina short fibers having an average diameter of 4.0 to 10.0 xcexcm, with the smallest diameter being not less than 3.0 xcexcm, which method comprises carrying out spinning with a spinning solution containing basic aluminum chloride, a silicon compound, an organic polymer and water by the blowing method, and calcining the obtained alumina short fiber precursor aggregate, the said spinning solution being one in which the aluminum/silicon ratio is from 99/1 to 65/35 calculated as Al2O3/SiO2 ratio by weight, the concentration of basic aluminum chloride is 180 to 200 g/L, and the concentration of organic polymer is 20 to 40 g/L.
Hereinafter, the present invention is explained in detail. Firstly, for the convenience of explanation, the method of producing an alumina fiber aggregate according to the present invention is explained.
The production method of the present invention comprises carrying out spinning with a spinning solution containing basic aluminum chloride, a silicon compound, an organic polymer and water by the blowing method, and calcining the obtained alumina short fiber precursor aggregate (precursor fiberizing method). The method comprises essentially a spinning solution preparation step, a spinning step and a calcining step, with a needling step incorporated optionally between the spinning step and the calcining step.
Spinning Solution Preparation Step
Basic aluminum chloride Al(OH)3xe2x88x92XClX can be prepared, for example, by dissolving metallic aluminum in hydrochloric acid or an aluminum chloride solution. The value of X in the above chemical formula is usually 0.45 to 0.54, preferably 0.50 to 0.53. As the silicon compound, silica sol is preferably used, but water-soluble silicon compounds such as tetraethyl silicate and water-soluble siloxane derivatives are also usable. As the organic polymer, water-soluble high-molecular compounds such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol and polyacrylamide are preferably used. The polymerization degree of these polymers is usually 1,000 to 3,000.
In the present invention, as the said spinning solution, it is important to use a solution in which the aluminum/silicon ratio is 99/1 to 65/35 calculated as Al2O2/SiO2 ratio by weight, the concentration of basic aluminum chloride is 180 to 200 g/L, and the concentration of organic polymer is 20 to 40 g/L.
When the amount of the silicon compound is below the above-defined range, alumina composing the short fibers tends to convert into xcex1-alumina and also the short fibers tends to be weak due to coarsening of the alumina grains. On the other hand, when the amount of the silicon compound exceeds the above-defined range, the amount of silica produced with mullite (3Al2O3.2SiO2) is increased to reduce heat resistance of the product. The aluminum/silicon ratio, calculated as Al2O3/SiO2 ratio by weight, is usually 99/1 to 65/35, preferably 99/1 to 70/30, more preferably 98/2 to 72/28.
When the concentration of basic aluminum chloride is less than 180 g/L or when the concentration of the organic polymer is less than 20 g/L, appropriate viscosity can not be obtained, resulting in a reduced fiber diameter. That is, because of too much free water in the spinning solution, the drying speed in spinning by the blowing method is low, causing excessive advance of drawing and variation of diameter of the spun out precursor fibers, making it impossible to obtain the short fibers enlarged in diameter and narrow in distribution of diameter. Further, productivity lowers when the concentration of basic aluminum chloride is less than 180 g/L. On the other hand, when the concentration of basic aluminum chloride exceeds 200 g/L or when the concentration of the organic polymer exceeds 40 g/L, the desired spinning solution can not be obtained because of too high viscosity. The preferred concentration of basic aluminum chloride is 185 to 195 g/L and the preferred concentration of the organic polymer is 30 to 40 g/L.
The said spinning solution is prepared by adding a silicon compound and an organic polymer in a basic aluminum chloride solution so that the concentrations of the basic aluminum chloride and the organic polymer will fall in the above-defined ranges. The viscosity of the spinning solution at normal temperature is usually 1 to 1,000 poises, preferably 10 to 100 poises.
Spinning
Spinning (fiberization of the spinning solution) is carried out by the blowing method in which the spinning solution is supplied into a high-speed spinning air stream, whereby alumina short fiber precursor with a length of several ten to several hundred mm can be obtained.
The spinning nozzle used for the said spinning operation is not specifically restricted structurally, but it is preferably of a structure in which, as for instance described in European Patent No. 495,466 (Japanese Patent No. 2,602,460), the air stream blown out from the air nozzle and the flow of spinning solution forced out from the spinning solution supply nozzles are parallelized to each other, and the parallel flow of air, after having been well rectified, is brought into contact with the spinning solution. In this case, the diameter of the spinning nozzle is usually 0.1 to 0.5 mm, the amount of the solution supplied from the spinning solution supply nozzles is usually 1 to 120 ml/h, preferably 3 to 50 ml per nozzle, and the gas flow rate from the air nozzle is usually 40 to 200 m/s per slit.
According to the spinning nozzle described above, the spinning solution forced out from the spinning solution supply nozzles won""t be atomized and the formed fibers are, therefore, sufficiently drawn and hardly attached to each other, so that by optimizing the spinning conditions, it is possible to obtain alumina fiber precursors with a narrow and uniform distribution of fiber diameter.
In carrying out spinning, it is preferable that the sufficiently drawn fibers are formed from the spinning solution under a condition which can suppress evaporation of water or decomposition of the spinning solution, and these fibers are dried quickly. For attaining this, it is preferable to change the spinning atmosphere from a state of suppressing evaporation of water to a state of promoting it in the process from formation of the fibers from the spinning solution until they reach the fiber collector. It is therefore preferable that the temperature around which the contact of the spinning solution with the air stream is begun is set at 10 to 20xc2x0 C., the temperature of the air stream near the fiber collector is set at 40 to 50xc2x0 C., and the relative humidity (RH) is made less than 30%.
When the ambient temperature is too high at the stage when the sufficiently drawn fibers are to be formed from the spinning solution, there can hardly be formed the sufficiently drawn fibers because of rapid evaporation of water and other causes. Also, defects are produced in the formed fibers and the finally obtained inorganic oxide fibers become weak. On the other hand, in case where the fibers are formed from the spinning solution at a low temperature or in a high-humidity atmosphere for suppressing evaporation, there is a tendency to cause adhesion of the fibers to each other or formation of droplets of the solution due to recovery of resilience to produce shots, since the same atmosphere is maintained even after formation of the fibers.
The aggregate of alumina short fibers is led into an accumulating apparatus comprising a wire gauze endless belt arranged to become substantially vertical to the spinning air stream, and with this endless belt being moved rotationally, the spinning air stream containing the alumina short fiber precursor is let impinge against the said endless belt, whereby to form and recover a continuous sheet (thin-layer sheet).
The thin-layer sheet recovered from the said accumulating apparatus is continuously drawn out and transferred into a folding device whereby the sheet is folded to a predetermined width and laminated while continuously moved in the direction substantially vertical to the folding direction to thereby form a laminated sheet. By this operation, since both ends of the thin-layer sheet in its width direction are positioned inside of the formed laminated sheet, the basis weight of the laminated sheet is uniformized throughout the sheet. As the folding device, the one disclosed in European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 971057 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (KOKAI) No. 2000-80547) can be used.
Needling Step
By conducting needling on the alumina short fiber precursor aggregate (laminated sheet), it is possible to obtain an alumina fiber aggregate having high mechanical strength and oriented in the thickness direction, too. Needling is carried out at a rate of usually 1 to 50 punches/cm2. Generally, the higher the rate of needling, the higher the bulk density and peel strength of the obtained alumina fiber aggregate.
Calcining Step
Calcining is carried out at a temperature of usually not lower than 500xc2x0 C., preferably at 700 to 1,400xc2x0 C. When the calcining temperature is below 500xc2x0 C., the crystallization is insufficient to obtain weak low-strength alumina short fibers, and when the calcining temperature exceeds 1,400xc2x0 C., the growth of the fiber crystal grains advances to produce only the weak low-strength alumina short fibers.
Next, the alumina short fiber aggregate of the present invention is explained. The alumina fiber aggregate according to the present invention can be obtained, for example, by the method described above, and structurally comprises alumina short fibers. The alumina short fibers composing the alumina fiber aggregate are large in diameter and have a narrow distribution of diameter. That is, the alumina fiber aggregate of the present invention has a characteristic feature that the average diameter of the alumina short fibers in the said aggregate is 4.0 to 10.0 xcexcm, with the smallest diameter being not less than 3.0 xcexcm. The lower limit of average diameter of the alumina short fibers is preferably 4.0 xcexcm, more preferably 5.0 xcexcm. The average diameter of the alumina short fibers is preferably 5.0 to 8.0 xcexcm, more preferably 6.0 to 8.0 xcexcm.
Increase of the fibers with a small diameter leads to an enhanced tendency for the fibers to scatter, which adversely affects the handling qualities of the fibers and is also undesirable for the working environmental hygiene. Also, too large fiber diameter is undesirable since generally it reduces heat insulating properties or resilience of the alumina short fiber aggregate. The above frequency distribution means the values determined according to the fiber diameter distribution measuring method described later. The length of the alumina short fibers obtained here is usually 10 to 500 mm.
The alumina fiber aggregate of the present invention, which has the characteristic features such as explained above, is capable of minimizing scattering of the fibers during handling in the production process of, for example, alumina fiber blankets, and thus excels in handling qualities and working environmental hygiene.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
Hereinafter, the present invention is described in further detail with reference to the examples thereof, but the present invention is not limited to these examples but can be embodied in other forms without departing from the scope of the invention. In the following Examples and Comparative Examples, the diameter distribution of the alumina single fibers was determined according to the following procedure.
Determination of Fiber Diameter Distribution
(1) A earpickful of fibers are nipped off from an alumina fiber mat by forceps.
(2) The fibers nipped off in (1) are placed, in such a manner as will not overlap each other as much as possible, on a carbon-made conductive tape pasted to an observation specimen holder of a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
(3) A platinum-palladium film is deposited to a thickness of 1 to 3 nm on the specimen surface to provide conductivity to the surfaces of the individual fibers of (2).
(4) The deposited specimen for analysis is placed in a measuring chamber of SEM and observed at a magnification suited for measuring the fiber diameter, and the observed image is photographed. There was used a scanning electron microscope xe2x80x9cJSM-6320Fxe2x80x9d mfd. by Nippon Electron Co., Ltd., and as the observation conditions, an acceleration voltage of 15 KV and a work distance (WD) of 15 mm were used. The magnification was properly selected from within the range of X1,000 to X3,000.
(5) The fiber diameter is measured to the unit of 0.1 mm by a slide caliper or a straightedge from the SEM photograph obtained in (4). The diameters of the randomly collected 100 pieces of fiber are measured.
(6) The average fiber diameter is calculated from the following equation. The calculated values are rounded to one decimal.
(7) Here, in case where a doubt is produced on the lower threshold fiber diameter in view of the tendency of frequency distribution of fiber diameter, measurement is repeated usually 2 to 4 times and the diameter whose frequency distribution is greater than 1% on the average is reckoned as the minimum fiber diameter.
Average fiber diameter (xcexcm)={total of measured values of diameter of 100 fibers/(100xc3x97observation magnification)}xc3x971,000

Alumina fiber aggregate and its production method

Mitsubishi Chemical Functional Products, Inc.


A luminescent-film-coated product includes a substrate, a first layer of a transparent resin matrix containing a phosphorescent material and/or a fluorescent material, and a second layer of a transparent resin matrix containing a shiny pigment made of glass flakes coated with a high-refractive-index metal oxide. Another luminescent-film-coated product includes a substrate and a layer of a transparent resin matrix containing a phosphorescent material and/or a fluorescent material and a shiny pigment. Another luminescent-film-coated product includes a substrate, a first layer of a transparent resin matrix containing a shiny pigment made of glass flakes coated with silver, gold, nickel, or a high-refractive-index metal oxide, and a second layer of a transparent resin matrix containing a phosphorescent material and/or a fluorescent material, in which the shiny pigment has a maximum visible light reflectance of 30% or more. A product coated with a luminescent film, for example, warning/safety signs, position signs, and ornaments having good visibility and design can be provide by suitably combining a phosphorescent or fluorescent material and a shiny pigment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to products coated with a highly shiny film containing a phosphorescent material and/or a fluorescent material. The luminescent-film-coated products according to the present invention are used for, for example, warning/safety signs, position signs, and ornaments.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are conventionally known shiny pigments, including aluminum flake powder, graphite flake particles, glass flakes, silver-coated glass flakes, and mica flake particles or glass flakes coated with a metal oxide such as titanium dioxide and iron oxide. Such shiny pigments show shininess, sparkling with light reflected on their surfaces. Paintwork using paints containing the shiny pigments, line drawings or prints using inks containing the shiny pigments, or resin products produced by molding resin compositions containing the shiny pigments provide a wide variety of beautiful, distinctive appearances in combination with the color tone of a base material (or a substrate for the film). Thus the shiny pigments have a wide range of applications, including automobiles, motorcycles, office automation equipment, cellular phones, household electrical appliances, various printed matters, and writing instruments.
On the other hand, products coated with a film containing a phosphorescent or fluorescent material have a wide variety of applications. Examples of the applications include glow-in-the-dark signs; switches and outlets; flashlights; darkroom items; non-slip stair treads; handrails; baseboards; tiles; floor faces; wall signs; phosphorescent signs; direction signs; various signs for shelter items, survival kits, fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, fire alarms, life preservers, smoke control systems, and so forth; markings for indicating the number of stairs; ornaments such as ashtrays, lighters, cigarette cases, necklaces, earrings, tablecloths, door curtains, lampshades, wallpaper, and fibers; toys; angling gear; stationery; novelties; and fishing gear.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-158867 discloses an ink composition produced by mixing a phosphorescent or fluorescent material, a shiny pigment, and a resin to improve the design of handwriting. In this publication, glass flakes coated with nickel or silver are used as the shiny pigment.
The technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-158867, however, has difficulty in achieving sufficient improvements in brightness and design because the shiny pigment, which has the light-shielding metal coating, tends to block light emitted from the phosphorescent or fluorescent material. This problem also occurs if the shiny pigment is replaced with, for example, a metal powder pigment such as an aluminum powder pigment.
On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-130992 discloses techniques for improving the visibility of films using a coating material containing a reflective agent made of glass particles or resin beads and a luminescent agent (fluorescent material). Examples of the techniques disclosed include (1) a monolayer luminescent film containing a reflective agent and a luminescent agent, (2) a bilayer luminescent film including a basecoat containing a luminescent agent and a topcoat containing a reflective agent, and (3) a bilayer luminescent film including a basecoat containing a reflective agent and a topcoat containing a luminescent agent.
Such films, however, exhibit almost no shininess. The techniques disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-130992 therefore have difficulty in improving the design of films.


A computer accessory tray assembly adapted for mounting to a chair. The tray assembly includes individual left and right mouse trays mounted by horizontal arms to respective arms of the chair. A keyboard tray is engageable with the left and right mouse trays to prevent lateral movement of the keyboard tray, but allows the keyboard tray to be lifted up from engagement with both mouse trays and moved out of the entry/exit position of the chair so that the user can have access to the chair. When removed from engagement from both mouse trays, the keyboard tray can be stowed by hanging it from either of the mouse trays. The mouse trays are adjustable vertically, forwards and backwards, and can be titled to provide ergonomic access to a mouse resting on either mouse tray.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to computer accessories, and in particular to a tray assembly adapted for supporting a computer keyboard tray and one or more accessory trays, where the tray assembly is mountable to a chair, and the computer keyboard tray is easily removed and separated from other accessory trays to allow easy access to the chair.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computers of all types are necessary for both personal and business purposes. Desk top computers can be found in about every home and office to carry out routine communications as well as provide computational functions. Software is available for the many types of computers to provide almost any function, including word processing, tax preparation, bookkeeping, billing, mathematics, etc. The desk top computer generally involves the use of a monitor or display, a separate keyboard and often a mouse, all electrically connected to the computer via wires or by wireless means. In contrast, a laptop computer integrates the display, the keyboard and the mouse function into the unit itself, although many laptop computers can be operated by a separate mouse and/or keyboard.
In the office environment, and in many homes, desk top computers and laptop computers are supported on a table or desk, as are the associated keyboard and mouse. This arrangement functions well, but is often not ergonomically efficient. In many situations, the keyboard is too high or low with respect to the user who is seated in a chair. Should the person shift or turn in the chair, especially when the chair swivels, when answering a telephone or speaking to another person, then the keyboard and mouse may no longer be in an ergonomically comfortable range of the user.
The problem of maintaining the computer accessories, such as the keyboard and mouse, within the ergonomic range of the user, there are available various tray arrangements that fasten to the chair so that the computer accessories can be laid on the tray. In this manner, when the swivel chair moves, the tray and computer accessories move with the chair. In addition, the trays are mounted to chairs by various arrangements so that the tray is adjustable to and away from the user, up and down with respect to the user's arms, and can swivel about a horizontal axis to allow the tray and accessories laid thereon to be tilted for easy and comfortable use.
Many of the trays known in the prior art mount to a single arm of a chair. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,065,319; 7,131,688 and published patent applications 2006/0103180; 2004/0206277; and 2008/0073946 illustrate trays of such type. This has the advantage that the tray can be swung out and away from the seat of the chair to allow the user to be seated, or to get up out of the seat without the tray impeding such action. The disadvantage of the single mounting arm for a tray is that it becomes unstable and prone to inadvertent movement should it be bumped by the user, or if an object such as a coffee cup, book or tablet is laid on the tray next to the keyboard. In addition, it is difficult to construct such an arm for the tray that is both swiveled about the arm of the chair, but yet remains stable when swung in front of the chair and used by the user.
Other tray configurations are designed to be fastened to both arms of a chair, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,045,179; 6,354,658 and 6,773,060. While the dual supported tray provides enhanced stability, as both sides of the tray are fastened to the respective arms of the chair, the movement of the tray out of the way to enter or exit the chair becomes more difficult and complicated. In some designs, the entire tray and support arms must be removed from the chair to sit in the chair. Such structure becomes more complicated and less adapted for easy use by the user. When one has to remove the tray from the chair, then the computer accessories often must also be removed from the tray. It can be seen that this type of accessory tray is less attractive to the user, and is often more costly.
It can be seen from the foregoing that a need exists for a computer accessory tray that is supported by both arms of a chair, but is nevertheless easy to be moved out of the way to sit in the chair. It can be seen that a need exists for a computer accessory tray that has support arms that are rigidly fastened to the chair arms to enhance stability to the tray. Another need exists for a computer accessory tray that is mounted to both arms of a chair by rigid, non-swivel supports, but nevertheless allows easy displacement of the tray to allow access to the chair by the user. Another need exists for a computer accessory tray that is rigidly mounted to the arm supports of a chair, but where the tray is adjustable to provide ergonomic use of the computer accessories laid on the trays.

Computer keyboard and mouse tray assembly