A wireless classroom response system includes multiple wireless networks, each serving a different classroom. Each network has a computer located proximate to the classroom that the wireless network serves. The computer executes a communications server and an application program, wherein the application program facilitates classroom activities. The system also includes a wireless access point located proximate to the classroom. The wireless access point is communicatively linked to the computer. The system also has a plurality of handheld units. Each handheld unit displays, to a user, a list of the networks, and receives a user input indicating which one of the wireless networks the handheld unit should connect. The handheld unit connects to the chosen wireless network, thereby becoming a node in the wireless network. It also transmits data to the application program via the wireless access point and the communications server.

When a lesson is presented to a class of students it is often difficult to gauge whether the students are absorbing or even paying attention to the lesson. Wireless classroom response systems address this difficulty. Some currently-existing systems are deficient however, in that they do not permit the student to choose from multiple wireless networks. Others use proprietary communication schemes, thereby inhibiting the development of hardware and software by third-party vendors.

Wireless classroom system allowing user to access a particular classroom by selecting corresponding network from a list of wireless networks


It is an object of the invention to provide a disk cartridge having a substantially identical form to that of a disk cartridge that accommodates a disk-shaped recording medium having a first recording capacity and accommodating a disk-shaped recording medium having a second recording capacity, which is higher than the first recording capacity, wherein the disk cartridge includes a write protect mechanism, which is different from a write protect mechanism for the disk cartridge accommodating the disk-shaped recording medium having the first recording capacity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disk cartridge including a write protect mechanism for one disk having a recording capacity that is different from a recording capacity of another disk but having an identical external form to that of the other disk, with a write protect mechanism for the other disk having the different recording capacity held at a write disable state.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, a disk cartridge includes a disk-shaped recording medium such as an optical disk and a magneto-optical disk rotatably accommodated within a cartridge body thereof and includes a write protect member provided on one side of the cartridge body for preventing improper writing and/or erasing of data to and/from the disk-shaped recording medium. FIGS. 21 to 23B show a write protect mechanism of a disk cartridge 10 called mini disk (MD) as that kind of disk cartridge. Here, FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the disk cartridge 10 where a write protect member 101 is attached. FIGS. 22A and 22B are internal plan views of a lower half 103 where the write protect member 101 is at a write enable position. FIGS. 23A and 23B are internal plan views of the lower half 103 where the write protect member 101 is at a write disable position.
The write protect member 101 is a molded product made of a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene and is assembled in a storage section 104 at one corner of the lower half 103. The storage section 104 includes a write enable/disable detecting hole 105 into which a write protect detecting plug of a writer/reader side enters for detecting whether writing to the disk-shaped recording medium is enabled or disabled. In the storage section 104, the write protect member 101 is operated to selectively move to a write enable position that closes the write enable/disable detecting hole 105 or a write disable position that opens the write enable/disable detecting hole 105 through an operation guiding hole 106 provided by butting an upper half 102 and the lower half 103 against each other.
A writer/reader determines that the recording medium is write-enabled if the write protect detecting plug of the writer/reader entered into the write enable/disable detecting hole 105 is restricted by the write protect member 101. On the other hand, the writer/reader determines that the recording medium is write-disabled when the write protect detecting plug can enter into the write enable/disable detecting hole 105 without restriction.
As shown in FIGS. 22B and 23B, the mini disk cartridge 10 has a spare hole 107 adjacent to the write enable/disable detecting hole 105. The spare hole 107 has a circular opening part of a substantially equal diameter to that of the write enable/disable detecting hole 105.
In recent years, increases in recording density and recording capacity of a disk-shaped recording medium have been demanded. For example, for the disk cartridge 10 mainly for music application, a disk cartridge having a disk-shaped recording medium with a recording capacity high enough for writing video data of moving images, for example, and writers/readers therefor have been developed. Like an existing disk cartridge having a low recording capacity, the disk cartridge having a high recording capacity includes a write protect member for protecting the disk-shaped recording medium from improper writing and/or erasing thereto and/or therefrom. Furthermore, for the convenience of use, a writer/reader compliant thereto has been also developed which has a function of reading from an existing disk cartridge having a low recording capacity.
Documents of related art of the invention are:                JP-A-63-184953 and        JP-A-9-245460
However, a disk cartridge having a high recording capacity and the disk cartridge 10 having a low recording capacity largely differ in track density and so on. Thus, even when a writer/reader compliant with a disk cartridge having a low recording capacity tries to write data to a disk cartridge having a high recording capacity, proper writing cannot be performed since the width of the magnetic head of the recorder/writer is wide across multiple tracks.
Especially, when a writing operation is improperly performed on a disk cartridge having a high recording capacity with the disk cartridge installed to a writer/reader compliant with a disk cartridge having a low recording capacity, an operation of a magnetic head and optical head may be come unstable, which may cause a failure in the recorder/writer, or the operation is stopped with the magnet head or optical head facing toward the disk surface, which may prevent the ejection of the cartridge, since the disk recording surfaces differ in specification and construction.


A surrounding vehicle display device includes: a surrounding information detection device that obtains information on surroundings of a host vehicle; a virtual image generation unit that uses the information obtained by the surrounding information detection device to generate a virtual image that indicates the surroundings of the host vehicle as being viewed from above the host vehicle; and a controller that starts examination of whether to perform the auto lane change before performing the auto lane change. The controller starts the examination of whether to perform the auto lane change before performing the auto lane change and then makes a display region of the surroundings of the host vehicle on the virtual image wider than a display region before the examination is started.

Conventionally, there is known a method of displaying an image of the surroundings of a host vehicle being looked down from a virtual viewpoint (Patent Literature 1). The invention according to Patent Literature 1 sets a position and a direction of the virtual viewpoint to widen a front region around the host vehicle as a vehicle speed of the host vehicle increases, and generates a display image based on the set position and direction of the virtual viewpoint.

Surrounding vehicle display method and surrounding vehicle display device


A sealing gasket for a ventilation duct system includes an annular gasket body and a pair of annular sealing flanges extending radially outwardly from the gasket body. The sealing gasket has, in axial cross-section, a generally flat top wall and a curved or, alternatively, a radiused bottom wall. One of the sealing flanges is positioned adjacent one circumferential edge of the sealing gasket and the other sealing flange is positioned axially spaced from or offset from the opposite circumferential edge of the sealing gasket. The sealing gasket is provided to form a generally air-tight seal between overlapping ends of first and second components of a ventilation duct system.

In ventilation duct systems, sealing gaskets are oftentimes used to provide a generally air-tight seal at the joints of the various ventilation duct components. In known sealing systems, an elastic sealing gasket or ring, typically made of rubber, is positioned in a groove about one or both connection ends of a fitting, and the fitting is then inserted into receiving ends of the duct runs for connecting and branching the ventilation duct system. The sealing gasket has one or more sealing flanges that extend radially outwardly from the connection end of the fitting and engage the inside surface of the receiving end of a duct run into which the fitting is inserted to form a seal.
One example of a known sealing gasket used in ventilation duct systems comprises a double-lip seal having a U-shaped cross-section. The sealing gasket is anchored in a circumferential groove formed in one or both ends of the fitting. The sealing gasket has a central web that is applied against the outside surface of the fitting and is fastened by a clamping ring that is placed onto the web of the sealing gasket and then tightened. The clamping ring is then anchored by spot welding. The sealing gasket has two sealing flanges that project radially outwardly on opposite sides of the clamping ring. The sealing flanges are bent sideways when the fitting is inserted into the end of the duct run so that a sealing effect is achieved by engagement of the sealing lips with the inside surface of the duct run end. Fasteners, such as screws, are driven through the receiving ends of the duct runs and the connection ends of the fittings to secure the components together.
While the double-lip seal described above provides an effective seal at the joints of the ventilation duct system, this sealing system is oftentimes difficult and labor intensive to install on the ends of the fittings and requires multiple parts to form and anchor the sealing gasket to the fitting which increases cost.
Another problem oftentimes encountered in known ventilation ducts systems is leakage of air at the locations of the fasteners which then escapes from the joints. While the fasteners typically include washers or gaskets so as to form an air-tight seal at the holes formed though the outer ends of the duct runs, the holes formed through the inner connection ends of the fitting are susceptible to air leakage. Air leaking through these holes migrates through the annular gap formed between the components and then escapes from the joint. Thus, while the sealing gaskets provide a generally air-tight seal at the joints of the ventilation duct components, the sealing gaskets are not positioned to provide any sealing effect to minimize or eliminate air leakage from the joints caused by the fastener holes.
Thus, there is a need for an improved sealing gasket that overcomes these and other shortcomings and drawbacks of known sealing gaskets for use in ventilation duct systems.

Sealing gasket for ventilation duct system


According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of electrode structures above a substrate. The method includes forming an insulating film on the plurality of electrode structures to make a gap between mutually-adjacent electrode structures. The method includes forming a silicon nitride film having compressive stress above the insulating film. The method includes forming a planarization film above the silicon nitride film. The method includes planarizing a surface of the planarization film by polishing by CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) method.

In recent years, technology to make a gap between interconnects without filling an insulating film has been developed to suppress the electrical interference between the interconnects as the downscaling of semiconductor devices progresses. However, because there is a tendency for the mechanical strength to decrease for the device structure in which such a gap is formed, there are cases where the occurrence of damage is problematic when planarizing the upper portion of the device structure by CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) technology in the manufacture of the semiconductor device.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device


An aqueous agrochemical composition comprises an agrochemical active ingredient such as glyphosate, paraquat or fomesafen and an adjuvant of formula (I): Xxe2x80x94(R3O)axe2x80x94R4xe2x80x94NR2R1 and salts thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or a lower alkyl group or a group Xxe2x80x94(R3O)axe2x80x94R4xe2x80x94 wherein X is xe2x80x94OH or a lower alkoxy group; R3O is an ethoxy, propoxy or butoxy group or a random or block mixture thereof; R4 is a linear or branched chain alkylene bridging group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X is (IA)xe2x80x94OH or a lower alkyloxy group; or (IB) a group R5R6Nxe2x80x94 or R5R6Nxe2x80x94R7xe2x80x94; or (IC) a group (I) wherein a, is from 1 to 400 or if X is of formula IC, the sum of a, b and c is from 3 to 400 and d is 0 or 1.

This invention relates to an agrochemical composition and in particular to an agrochemical composition containing an activity-enhancing adjuvant.
An agrochemical is generally used with an adjuvant or combination of adjuvants to provide optimum biological activity. Much has been published on the selection of adjuvants to achieve particular effects with individual agrochemicals and classes of agrochemical. In general it has been assumed that activity-enhancement results from surfactant properties of the adjuvant and most such activity-enhancing adjuvants are surfactants in that they contain within the molecule both a hydrophobic portion and a-lypophobic-portion. We have now found that a class of alkoxylated amines provides excellent activity enhancement when used in an agrochemical formulation. Surprisingly certain members of the class have either no surfactant properties or low surfactant properties. Furthermore, unlike many surfactants used as conventional agrochemical adjuvants, the alkoxylated amines of the present invention generally exhibit an exceptionally low toxicological profile and in particular excellent ecotoxicological characteristics and provide compositions which are especially benign to the environment. It is exceptional to find adjuvants which combine a high level of activity enhancement with low toxicity.
According to the present invention there is provided an agrochemical composition comprising an agrochemical active ingredient and an adjuvant of formula (I) and salts thereof
Xxe2x80x94(R3O)axe2x80x94R4xe2x80x94NR2R1xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or a lower alkyl group or a group Xxe2x80x2xe2x80x94(R3xe2x80x2O)axe2x80x2xe2x80x94R4xe2x80x2xe2x80x94 wherein R3xe2x80x2 and R4xe2x80x2 respectively may take any of the values of R3 and R4 as hereinafter defined and wherein Xxe2x80x2 is xe2x80x94OH or a lower alkoxy group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and axe2x80x2 is from 0 to 400
R3O is an ethoxy, propoxy or butoxy group or a random or block mixture thereof,
R4 is a linear or branched chain alkylene bridging group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X is
(IA) xe2x80x94OH or a lower alkoxy group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms
or X is
(IB) a group R5R6Nxe2x80x94 or R5R6Nxe2x80x94R7xe2x80x94
wherein R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen or a lower alkyl group or a group Xxe2x80x2xe2x80x94(R3xe2x80x2O)axe2x80x2xe2x80x94R4xe2x80x2xe2x80x94 as hereinbefore defined wherein Xxe2x80x2 is xe2x80x94OH or a lower alkoxy group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
and R7 is a linear or branched chain alkylene bridging group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms
or X is
(IC) a group
wherein R10, R11, R14 and R15 are independently hydrogen or a lower alkyl group or a group Xxe2x80x2xe2x80x94(R3xe2x80x2O)axe2x80x2xe2x80x94R4xe2x80x2xe2x80x94 as hereinbefore defined wherein Xxe2x80x2 is xe2x80x94OH or a lower alkoxy group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
and R8 and R12, are independently alkyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R9 and R13 and R21 are independently a linear or branched chain alkylene bridging group containing from 1to 6 carbon atoms, R16, R17, R18, R19 and R20 are independently hydrogen or a lower alkyl group and d is 0 or 1
and wherein a, is from 1 to 400 or if X is of formula IC, the sum of a, b and c is from 3 to 400.
A considerable number of salts of the compound of formula (I) suitable for use in agrochemical applications will occur to one skilled in the art. Examples of salts include phosphate, sulphate, carboxylate, acetate, formate and chloride although many other suitable salts will occur to one skilled in the art. Alternatively the compound of formula (I) may form a salt with an acidic agrochemical such as glyphosate. Salts of the compound of formula (I) can also be prepared from acidic surfactants, for example optionally ethoxylated alkyl or alkylene ester derivatives of phosphoric acid or phosphonic acid, or optionally ethoxylated alkyl or alkylene carboxylic acids or sulphonic acids. It will be appreciated that where more than one amine functionality is present in the compound of formula (I) or the relevant acid has more than one functional group, the option for different salt stoichiometries and mixed salts exists and all such variations are included herein.
As used herein, the term lower alkyl means a linear or branched chain primary or secondary alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Preferred lower alkyl groups contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and methyl, ethyl and propyl or isopropyl groups are especially preferred.
R1, R2, R5, R6, R10, R11, R14 and R15 are preferably methyl or hydrogen. Hydrogen is especially preferred.
Thus it is preferred that in a compound of formula (I):xe2x80x94
X is xe2x80x94OH or a lower alkoxy group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or
X is R5R6Nxe2x80x94 wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen or a lower alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or
X is a group of formula ICxe2x80x2
wherein R8O and R12O are independently ethoxy, or propoxy, in particular isopropoxy, or a random or block mixture thereof, R9 and R13 are independently a linear or branched chain alkylene bridging group containing 2 or 3 carbon atoms and R21 is a linear or branched chain alkylene bridging group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R18 is hydrogen or lower alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and d is 0 or 1,
R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or a lower alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R3O is ethoxy, or propoxy, in particular isopropoxy, or a random or block mixture thereof, R4 is a linear or branched chain alkylene bridging group containing 2 or 3 carbon atoms and a is from 1 to 400 or if X is of formula ICxe2x80x2, the sum of a, b and c is from 3 to 400.
The compounds for use in the composition of the present invention are alkoxylated monoamines (X is of Formula IA), diamines (X is of Formula IB) or triamines (X is of Formula IC). Alkoxylation typically takes place to introduce ethoxy groups or propoxy groups, although butoxy groups may sometimes also be used. The propoxy group is preferably an isopropoxy group, xe2x80x94OCH2xe2x80x94CH(CH3)xe2x80x94. Mixed alkoxylation may also take place to introduce for example both ethoxy and propoxy or butoxy groups which may be present as a mixture in either random or block arrangement. Thus each of xe2x80x94(OR3)axe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(OR8)bxe2x80x94 and xe2x80x94(OR12)c)xe2x80x94 in the above formulae independently represent alkoxy groups, for example ethoxy and propoxy groups or a mixture thereof. Thus the definition of group xe2x80x94(OR3)a for example includes a group
xe2x80x94(OC2H4xe2x80x94)xxe2x80x94(OCH2xe2x80x94CH(CH3)xe2x80x94)y
wherein a is represented by the sum of x and y. Other combinations of for example ethoxy propoxy and butyoxy groups in any desired order are similarly included in the definition of xe2x80x94(OR3)axe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(OR8)bxe2x80x94 and xe2x80x94(OR12)cxe2x80x94 respectively.
The process of alkoxylation may produce a mixture of products having different degrees of alkoxylation. Thus the values of a, b, c and axe2x80x2 represent an average degree of alkoxylation over the product as a whole. Preferred values of a, b, and c, respectively are from 1 to 100, for example from 1 to 50 and especially from 1 to 30 . Thus when X in formula (I) is of formula IC, the sum of a+b+c is preferably from 3 to 90. In the group Xxe2x80x2xe2x80x94(R3xe2x80x2O)axe2x80x2xe2x80x94R4xe2x80x2xe2x80x94 if present, axe2x80x2 is preferably from 0 to 50 and especially from 0 to 30.
An especially preferred alkoxylated monoamine (wherein X is of formula IA) for use in the present invention has the formula II wherein X is methoxy, xe2x80x94(R3Oxe2x80x94)a represents a mixture of ethoxy and propoxy groups R4 represents a propylene bridging group.
CH3xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(xe2x80x94CH2CH2Oxe2x80x94)xxe2x80x94(xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH(CH3)xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94)yxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH(CH3)xe2x80x94NH2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
The average degree of ethoxylation (x) may vary from 0 to about 45 or more preferably from 0 to about 40, for example from 0 to about 20 and the average degree of propoxylation (y) may vary from 0 to about 90 and more preferably from about 1 to about 35, for example from about 2 to about 30, provided that x and y are not both 0 at the same time. Products are commercially available wherein x is about 1 and y is about 9; x is about 19 and y is about 3, x is about 6 and y is about 29 and x is about 32 and y is about 10. As specific examples of commercially available products there may be mentioned JEFFAMINE M600 (JEFFAMINE is a trade mark of Huntsman Limited) having an approximate molecular weight of 600 and a propoxy to ethoxy ratio of 9 to 1, JEFFAMINE M1000 having an approximate molecular weight of 1000 and a propoxy to ethoxy ratio of 3 to 19, JEFFAMINE M2005 having an approximate molecular weight of 2000 and a propoxy to ethoxy ratio of 29 to 6 and JEFFAMINE M2070 having an approximate molecular weight of 2000 and a propoxy to ethoxy ratio of 10 to 32.
Also included in the scope of the present invention is
(i) diethylene glycolamine wherein in Formula I, X is OH, (R3O) is ethoxy, a is 1 and R4 is an ethylene bridging group and R1 and R2 are hydrogen:
HOxe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94NH2 and
(ii) a compound of formula
wherein in Formula I, X is xe2x80x94OH, R3 and R4 are isopropyl, R1 and R2 are Xxe2x80x2xe2x80x94(R3xe2x80x2O)axe2x80x2xe2x80x94R4xe2x80x2xe2x80x94, Xxe2x80x2 is xe2x80x94OH, R3xe2x80x2 and R4xe2x80x2 are ethyl and x, y and z respectively take any of the values defined for a or axe2x80x2 as the case may be and
(iii) a compound of formula
wherein in Formula I, X is R5R6Nxe2x80x94, R3 and R4 are isopropyl, R1, R2, R5 and R6 are Xxe2x80x2xe2x80x94(R3xe2x80x2O)axe2x80x2xe2x80x94R4xe2x80x2xe2x80x94, Xxe2x80x2 is xe2x80x94OH, R3xe2x80x2 and R4xe2x80x2 are ethyl and v, w, x, y and z respectively take any of the values defined for a or a as the case may be.
Also included in the scope of the present invention is
tris 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethylamine wherein in formula I, X is OCH3, (R3O) is ethoxy, a is 1 and R4 is an ethylene bridging group and wherein R1 and R2 are each a group xe2x80x94R4xe2x80x2xe2x80x94(OR3xe2x80x2)axe2x80x2xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x2 wherein (R3xe2x80x2O) is ethoxy, axe2x80x2 is 1, R4xe2x80x2 is an ethylene bridging group and Xxe2x80x2 is OCH3.
An especially preferred propoxylated diamine (wherein X is of formula IB) for use in the present invention has the formula III wherein X is a group H2Nxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(R3Oxe2x80x94)a represents propoxy groups R4 represents a propoxy bridging group:
H2Nxe2x80x94(CH(CH3)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94O)wxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH(CH3)xe2x80x94NH2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
wherein w is an average of from about 1 to about 80. Products are commercially available wherein w is an average of about 2.6, 5.6, 33.1 and 68. As Examples of commercially available products of formula III, there may be mentioned JEFFAMINE D230 having an approximate molecular weight of 230 and a value of w of about 2.6, JEFFAMINE D400 having an approximate molecular weight of 400 and a value of w of about 5.6, JEFFAMINE D2000 having an approximate molecular weight of 2000 and a value of w of about 33.1, and JEFFAMINE D4000 having an approximate molecular weight of 4000 and a value of w of about 68. An especially preferred value for w is from about 2 to about 35, for example from about 2 to about 30.
An alternative diamine (wherein X is of formula 1B) having a mixture of ethoxylation and propoxylation for use in the present invention has the formula IV wherein X is a group H2Nxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(R3Oxe2x80x94)a represents a mixture of ethoxy and propoxy groups R1 and R2 are hydrogen and R4 represents a propylene bridging group:
H2Nxe2x80x94(CH(CH3)xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94O)rxe2x80x94(CH2CH2xe2x80x94O)sxe2x80x94(CH2xe2x80x94CH(CH3)xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94)txe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH(CH3)NH2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(IV)
wherein the sum of r+t (total propoxy content) is an average of from 1 to 20 propoxy groups, for example from about 1 to 10 propoxy units and s is an average of from 2 to 50 for example from 5 to 50 ethoxy units. Commercial products are available wherein the sum of r+t is about 3.6 and s represents an average of about 9, or 15.5 respectively or wherein r+t is about 6 and s represents an average of about 38.7. As examples of commercially available products of formula (IV) there may be mentioned JEFFAMINE ED 600 having an approximate molecular weight of 600 and an propoxy to ethoxy ratio of 3.6 to 9, JEFFAMINE ED 900 having an approximate molecular weight of 900and an propoxy to ethoxy ratio of 3.6 to 15.5 and JEFFAMINE ED 2003 having an approximate molecular weight of 2000 and an propoxy to ethoxy ratio of 6.0 to 38.7. It is especially preferred that the value of (r+t) is from about 2 to about 15 and s is from about 3 to about 20.
An especially preferred propoxylated triamine (wherein X is formula IC) has the formula (V)
wherein the sum of d+e+f is an average of from about 5 to 90 and R22 is hydrogen or lower alkyl containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl or ethyl, R2l is a linear or branched chain alkylene bridging group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and d is 0 or 1. Products are available commercially wherein the sum of d+e+f is about 5.6, about 50 and about 85 respectively. Thus as examples of commercially available products of formula (V) there may be mentioned JEFAMINE T403 having an approximate molecular weight of 440 and a value of d+e+f (total propoxy content) of 5.6, JEFAMINE T3000 having an approximate molecular weight of 3000 and a value of d+e+f (total propoxy content) of 50 and JEFAMINE T5000 having an approximate molecular weight of 5000 and a value of d+e+f (total propoxy content) of 85.
We have found that the activity enhancing effect of the adjuvants in the composition of the present invention is particularly and surprisingly marked when the agrochemical active ingredient is water-soluble. The agrochemical for use in the composition of the present invention is preferably a water-soluble electrolyte such as an agrochemical salt and in particular a herbicidally active agrochemical salt for example a salt of glyphosate, paraqua or fomesafen. Typical of the commonly available salts of glyphosate are the isopropylamine, trimethylsulphonium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and ethanolamine salts. Paraquat is generally sold in the form of paraquat dichloride. Fomesafen is generally formulated as the sodium salt.
The proportion of adjuvant of formula (I) to agrochemical, for example glyphosate (expressed as the acid) may vary within wide ranges depending on the desired level of activation. Typically the proportion of adjuvant of formula (I) to agrochemical will be from 1:40 to 3:1 for example from 1:20 to 3:1 by weight and especially from 1:10 to 1:1 by weight.
The compositions of the present invention may be used on their own but are preferably used in the form of a composition containing a carrier comprising a solid or liquid diluent.
Compositions of the invention include both dilute compositions, which are ready for immediate use, and concentrated compositions, which require to be diluted before use, usually with water. The concentration of the composition will depend on the nature of the active ingredient. Typically, and especially for example if the active ingredient is a herbicide, the compositions contain from 0.01% to 90% by weight of the active ingredient. Dilute compositions ready for use preferably contain from 0.01 to 2% of active ingredient, while concentrated compositions may contain from 20 to 90% of active ingredient, although from 20 to 70 is usually preferred.
The solid compositions may be in the form of granules, or dusting powders wherein the active ingredient and adjuvant are mixed with a finely divided solid diluent, e.g. kaolin, bentonite, kieselguhr, dolomite, calcium carbonate, talc, powdered magnesia, Fuller""s earth and gypsum. In some instances, and in particular when the active ingredient is glyphosate, inorganic salts such as ammonium sulphate may be used both as adjuvant and solid support. They may also be in the form of dispersible powders or grains, comprising a wetting agent to facilitate the dispersion of the powder or grains in liquid. Solid compositions in the form of a powder may be applied as foliar dusts.
The rate of application of the compositions of the invention will depend on a number of factors depending in particular on the nature of the active ingredient. When the active ingredient is a herbicide, such factors include, the compound chosen for use, the identity of the plants whose growth is to be inhibited, the formulations selected for use and whether the compound is to be applied for foliage or root uptake. As a general guide, however, an application rate of from 0.001 to 20 kilograms active ingredient per hectare is suitable while from 0.025 to 10 kilograms per hectare may be preferred.
The adjuvant of formula (I) or a mixture of different adjuvants of formula (I) may be used as the sole adjuvant to enhance the biological activity or physical properties of the agrochemical or may alternatively be used in conjunction with one or more additional adjuvants. The adjuvant of formula (I) may for example be combined with cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants or non-ionic surfactants. Such surfactants are well known in the art but as surfactants which are particularly well suited to be combined with an adjuvant of formula (I) there may be mentioned alkyl glycosides (mono and poly), alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl phenol ethoxylates, alkyl ester ethoxylates, sorbitan ester ethoxylates, siloxane ethoxylates, acetylenic diol ethoxylates, optionally alkoxylated tertiary or quaternary alkyl amines, optionally alkoxylated alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines optionally alkoxylated alkyl phosphate esters and sucrose alkyl esters. The adjuvant of formula (I) may also be combined with other activity-enhancing adjuvants, for example ammonium sulphate, urea or humectants, such as glycerol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and lactate salts.
Certain of the adjuvants for use in the composition of the present invention have surprisingly low surface activity (high surface tension) as compared with conventional agrochemical adjuvants. These adjuvants with low surface activity generally exhibit a more favourable toxicological profile. Surface tension of the adjuvants for use in the present invention was measured as a 0.2% w/v solution in deionised water adjusted to pH 4 with hydrochloric acid at 20xc2x0 C., and preferred adjuvants such as JEFFAMINE ED600 ED900 and D400 have a surface tension measured by this method of greater than 50 mNmxe2x88x921 as compared with AGRIMUL PG2067 alkylpolyglycoside which has a surface tension measured by this method of 28 mNmxe2x88x921. Adjuvants having a surface tension of less than 50 mNmxe2x88x921 also give excellent results and JEFFAMINE D2000 for example having a surface tension measured by this method of 42 mNmxe2x88x921 may even provide advantages on certain weed species as discussed below.
Compositions of the present invention generally exhibit excellent low-foaming properties when the composition is incorporated in the spray tank and during transportation and spraying.
When the active ingredient is a herbicide and in particular a water-soluble herbicide, adjuvants of formula (I) generally provide excellent and effective enhancement of activity in respect of most important weed species encountered in the field. Enhancement may however be less marked on certain xe2x80x9cdifficultxe2x80x9d weed species. We have found that the use of a mixture of an adjuvant of formula (I) with a surfactant and in particular with an alkylpolyglycoside surfactant may provide excellent enhancement of activity both against normal weed species and against xe2x80x9cdifficultxe2x80x9d species. Indeed in certain circumstances synergy may be observed and greater enhancement of control of xe2x80x9cdifficultxe2x80x9d species may be obtained than when using either the adjuvant of formula (I) or the alkylpolyglycoside alone. The ratio of the adjuvant of formula (I) to the alkylglycoside is preferably from 1:40 to 4:1, for example 1:20 to 4:1, especially from 1:6 to 2:1 and most preferably about 1 to 1.
When the active ingredient is a herbicide, the invention provides, in a further aspect, a process for severely damaging or killing unwanted plants, which process comprises applying to the plants, or to the growth medium of the plants, a herbicidally effective amount of a composition as hereinbefore defined.
The invention is illustrated by the following Examples in which all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise stated.


A paving apparatus is arranged to pave a supporting surface by casting individual paving stones on site on a mobile frame and placing the cast paving stones directly onto the supporting surface in an uncured state adjacent previously placed paving stones as the apparatus is displaced along the supporting surface. Molds are supported by a conveying mechanism of the paving apparatus for movement between a casting position in alignment with a hopper dispensing castable material into the molds and a placing position in which the uncured paving stones are dispensed from the mold directly onto the supporting surface to be paved.

The use of paving stones placed on a mortar bed, a sand or gravel foundation or other suitable supporting surfaces is known for forming various paved surfaces such as roads, driveways, patios and the like. Typically the paved surface is formed by preparing the paving stones off site in a factory, transporting the cured stones to the paving site, and then manually placing the paving stones individually on a prepared foundation bed. The additional steps of manufacturing and transporting of the paving stones and the subsequent manual labor required for installation results in paved surfaces formed with paving stones being very costly in comparison to paved surface formed as a single slab poured on site for example.
In an effort to make the installation of paving stones more efficient, U.S. Pat. No. 2,184,906 by Buhrmann proposes a machine for assisting the placement of paving stones on a prepared mortar bed. The machine only assists in placing previously prepared stones so that the offsite manufacture and transportation of the paving stones is still quite costly compared to many other types of paved surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,990 by Kalns, U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,617 by Dick Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,431 by Colvard, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,719 disclose various devices for paving and related castings. The devices rely on a slip-form in each instance such that the devices are not suitable for preparing individual paving stones as desired in many instances.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,991 by Clark et al discloses a roadway marking machine in which markers are formed in respective disposable molds on a mobile frame. The molds are required to be left in placed when the markers are deposited on the roadway. Accordingly the roadway marking machine would not be suitable for use in forming paving stones as the placement of the paving stones directly adjacent one another would prevent the subsequent removal of the disposable molds described.


An apparatus, comprising a rack and a cooler. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of electronic circuit boards located in corresponding slots of the rack, each of the electronic circuit boards being held against a portion of the cooler by a corresponding force, some of the electronic circuit boards having a localized heat source thereon The apparatus also comprises a plurality of heat spreaders, each heat spreader configured to form a heat conducting path over and adjacent to one of the electronic circuit boards from one or more of the localized heat sources thereon to the portion of the cooler. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of compliant thermal interface pads, each of the pads being compressed between end of one of the heat spreaders and the portion of the cooler to form a heat conduction path therebetween.

This section introduces aspects that may be helpful to facilitating a better understanding of the inventions. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.
Presently, cooling is known to make a substantial contribution to the operating cost of electronic and/or optical systems that are located in telecom central offices. In addition, such central offices are typically crowded so that the availability of space for devices and cooling equipment is limited.

Board-level heat transfer apparatus for communication platforms


A task execution method for executing a plurality of tasks while switching the tasks from one to another by time-sharing, wherein an allocated time is allocated for each of the plurality of tasks, and the plurality of tasks includes a plurality of first-type tasks and a single second-type task, and the task execution method includes a task selection step which selects a task from among the plurality of tasks according to a predetermined sequence, a correction step which corrects an allocated time for the second-type task so that execution of the plurality of tasks completes within the cycle time, when the task selected is a second-type task, which is the total allocated time for the plurality of tasks, and a task execution control step which causes the selected task to be executed so that the execution of the selected task completes within the allocated time or the corrected allocated time.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a task execution device which allocates execution time to tasks to be executed in a Central Processing Unit (CPU), in other words, relates to an Operating System (OS).
(2) Description of the Related Art
The main functions of the OS are "hardware management", "task management", "data management" and "input/output management". Above all, "task management" refers to the management of the task execution sequence, and is an important function for making a CPU, a memory, an input/output device, and so on, operate effectively. Here, a "task" is a unit of control which manages a series of flows, such as the start-up, execution and completion of a program, as a batch. A program which operates under the OS's management is handled as a task. The tasks in every OS operation related to the execution of a program are performed as units.
The time-sharing scheduling method is well-known as an example of an algorithm which determines a task execution sequence. The time-sharing scheduling method is a task scheduling method which allocates an execution time for each task, applies the allocated times to tasks in the CPU which have execution permission, and when the times allocated for the tasks elapse, transfers execution permission to other tasks. By doing so, execution permission is assigned for every task by an equal and determined time.
There are methods for the determination of the allocated time such as a method of fixed allocation according to a task's properties, and a method of dynamic determination according to the task's execution conditions, and for instance, methods such as adjusting the allocated time for the execution permission, based on task priority, are well known (see for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2005-18560 Publication).
However, in the case where a task is shifted to a waiting state when it must wait for an event, conventional OSs will transfer execution permission to a subsequent task, or execute no processes until the allocated time has expired for the task shifted to the waiting state. Also, in an execution environment where tasks which need a guarantee of process performance, and tasks for which processes are generated asynchronously, such as an event driven process, co-exist, asynchronous processes must be executed while continuously distributing process performance and maintaining the cycle for the entire process is maintained. As a result there are the problems that overhead occurs, and processing power drops due to the continuous adjustment and execution of the allocated time.


An electrical system includes a power electronics system and a bus bar coupled to the power electronic system. The power electronics system includes a switching device configured to selectively connect and disconnect. The bus bar includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is disposed directly adjacent a first insulation layer, wherein the first conductive layer is configured to conduct a first polarity of electrical power to, from, or both the power electronics system. The second conductive layer is disposed directly adjacent the first insulation layer, and is configured to conduct a second polarity of electrical power opposite the first polarity to, from, or both the power electronics system. The first conductive layer comprises a first thickness half a second thickness of the second conductive layer.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to electrical systems and, more specifically, bus bars utilized in an electrical system.
Generally, an electrical system may include a bus bar to facilitate electrically connecting electrical devices. For example, a bus bar may be implemented to enable supplying DC electrical power from a power module that includes one or more switching devices (e.g., semiconductor switch, transistor, or power device) to an electrical load. In some instances, operation of switching devices may generate high levels of overvoltage in the bus bar structure due to the parasitic stray inductance. For example, when a switching device opens, the current in the bus bar changes, thereby resulting in a voltage spike, which may lead to voltage stress and/or affect operation of electrical devices (e.g., components).

Low inductance busbar systems and methods


An electro-optical patternable mask is provided which is controllable by way of a processor for presenting a variety of patterns to electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment of the mask, the electro-optical mask includes an electrochromic layer that works in conjunction with deposited electrode layers (at least one with an x-y pixel array) to present a pattern of non-transmission (colored) and transmission (bleached clear) pixel cells. The sandwiched electrochromic material is supported in one embodiment with a UV grade support substrate with the electrochromic cells of the mask being individually (e.g., individual cells or small groups of individual cells in an array) controlled by a processor and interface to achieve a sequence of different or the same patterns to achieve desired ablation volume upon transmitting ultraviolet energy through the mask such as in conjunction with an opthalmic laser surgery process. In an alternate embodiment a substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material is used in the mask as the means for controlling the transmission of electromagnetic energy such as ultraviolet light of a pulsed laser. An electro-optical device featuring a stacked, preferably monolithic multiple substrate dispersed liquid crystal layer member is also described to ensure blockage of ultraviolet light that hits a pixel cell. The multi-series or multi-stacked substrate dispersed liquid crystal material cell has its field states controlled with electric field generating device which mainains an intermediate substrate-dispersed layer with an electric field across it while the outer substrate dispersed liquid crystal layers can be switched from a no field-blockage mode to an electric-field on full transmission through cell mode. The multi-stack or series electro-optical device is useful as a mask pixel cell as well as in a variety of other field involving wavelength across the visible and ultraviolet spectrum, for example. The various mask embodiments provide a reusable controllable mask well suited for ablation processes such as corneal resurfacing using an opthamological laser surgery (e.g., LASIK) system. The electro-optical mask of the present invention provides for rapid large beam application with a smooth and high precision ablation.

The present invention relates to a controllable electro-optical patternable mask for controlling electromagnetic energy, particularly an electro-optical mask which utilizes electrochromic or substrate-dispersed liquid crystal cells for transmission control, and a system which involves the use of the controllable mask for use in, for example, an ophthalmic surgical system such as an excimer laser system using ultraviolet electromagnetic energy for contouring the cornea through controlled ablation of the cornea, a photoresist system, a microelectronics system, or a photolithography system, as well as other types of ablation systems.
Prior art electrochromic devices are known that include a layer of an electrochromic material, such as MoO3, sandwiched between two transparent electroconductive electrode layers, for example, of indium-tin oxide(ITO). A layer of an Hxc2x1 or Lixc2x1 ion-conducting material is present between an electrode and the electrochromic material. Electrochromic devices also include devices having an ion-storage layer for storing ions. The application of an electric potential of a few volts across the electrodes causes the color of the layer stack to change. The color change is reversible.
Electro-optical devices containing an electrochromic material layer have been used in conjunction with an anti-dazzling mirror, a light control window and various kinds of display devices as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,619 to Kamimari et al. Electro-optic devices utilizing the electrochromic action (i.e., induced color changes in material such as, e.g., WO3, MoO3 and V2O5) have also been studied with regard to communication systems using visible or near visible electromagnetic radiation as a message carrier. An example can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,883. Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,187 describing an electrochromic optical switching device and referring to use of the switching devices in rear view mirrors, sun roofs, architectural glass, vision control glass, displays and display screen with variable transmission. These patents are incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,362 discloses a process for forming photosensitive material for the manufacture of wiring board which features an exposure apparatus comprising a liquid crystal display for displaying a mask pattern and memory means storing a transmissivity pattern with the transmissivity of each cell of the liquid crystal display element being adjusted in accordance with the transmissivily pattern. Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,215 entitled xe2x80x9cLiquid Crystal Programmable Photoresist Exposure System.xe2x80x9d These two patents are incorporated by reference.
Electrochromic displays are also known and feature devices that employ a reversible electrochemical reaction to cause a change in color of segments patterned to form alphanumeric characters. Electrochromic displays are passive devices that only modulate ambient light, in contrast to an active liquid crystals that twist ambient polarized light or active light-emitting diode displays that do not modulate light but instead produce light. Hence, the electrochromic displays operate at low voltages, and have a low enough energy requirement that a watch-size display can be operated for about 1 year from a small commercial battery. In the off state, the segments are typically colorless; in the on state, they are brightly colored, for example, blue or purple.
The structure of an electrochromic display package typically consists of two substrate glass pieces, two transparent voltage electrodes, two electrochromic electrodes and one hydrophobic Li electrolyte. All pieces are held together with a solder-glass, or epoxy, seal. To operate the device, a dc potential of 1-1.5 V is applied to the voltage electrodes to activate, the electrochemical electrodes for the electrochromic oxidation and reduction process (redox reaction).
Electrochromic displays can be categorized in two types, bistable, which means that once the color has been switched, the state of the device remains, even in the absence of applied voltage. Limitations of these types of systems includes the slowness of the color change, due to the low migration ratio and the difficulties to obtain strong color changes. In the second type, two complementary electrochromic molecules are dissolved in a solvent. One becomes colored by oxidation and the other by reduction. Thus, this type of system is relatively simple to build, reacts very fast and produces dark colors.
Single layer electro-optical polymer dispersed cells have recently gained attention in the display field and work on the principle of very fine microbubbles trapped into a substrate. When no voltage is applied, the bubbles will take on a random polar orientation. Thus, if a voltage is applied to the cell the bubbles will orientate and align with the electric field, if the substrate carefully matches the index and the director for polarized light of the bubbles, the light will propagate all the way through the material without being reflected at the bubbles and without the need for polarizers.
In the field of laser surgery efforts have been made to ablate an exposed cornea in an effort to achieve a pre-determined volumetric ablation pattern to the exposed cornea. In this regard, various surgical techniques for reprofiling of the corneal surface have been proposed as described in, for example, L""Esperance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,14; J. T. Lin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,679; David F Muller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,513; Kristian Hohla, U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,679, these patents are also incorporated by reference herein.
In practice there are two basic techniques to ablate and remove a set volume of tissue in the cornea and they are:
1) a scanning technique that uses a small flying laser spot between 1-2 mm in diameter and requires thousands of pulses to do the surgery; and
2) a large spot beam technique wherein a laser beam of around 8 mm in cross-section is used in conjunction with an erodible mask or a moving, blocking mask to ablate and which generally requires, on average, a few hundred pulses to achieve the desired ablation.
The main advantage of a flying laser spot technique is the ability to readily execute irregular patterns. However, the flying laser spot technique suffers from the drawback of generally requiring longer surgical times to execute the desired ablation pattern both from the standpoint of the number of pulses required and the overlapping requirement to ensure coverage of the ablated area. Any increase in the length of time required to carry out the laser ablation process can lead to longer corneal exposure time and corresponding medical concerns such as cornea dehydration which can lead to poorer healing, poorer visual acuity and, in general, longer post operative recovery times. A longer time period in which a laser is operated per patient also leads to a decrease in the useful life of the laser and an increase in service requirements. Flying laser spot techniques place greater stress on the laser cavity and the optical train components due to high repetition and rate requirements.
A flying laser spot technique also leaves ridges and valleys as a result from overlapping and the resultant ablated surface will not be a highly smooth and polished ablation.
A large beam spot system does allow for more rapid application of the desired energy (including the avoidance of the degree of overlapping involved in a randomly or non-randomly applied, partially overlapping flying spot system) and typically places less strain on the laser equipment, but does not have the irregular pattern versatility provided with a flying spot system. Also, if mechanically moving components are relied upon as the means for blocking or allowing through the laser beam (e.g., an iris or rotating or sliding aperture plate, then the problems of mechanical wear, potential jamming or breakdown arise).
Attempts have been made to provide masks that operate with a large beam application including EP 0 417 952 to Rose et al. which uses a stacked set of binarily weighted masks (A to H) on a cornea intended for sculpturing. A proposed system such as this one suffers from a variety of drawbacks such as the time consumption involved in stacking and developing the mask sets and the increased potential for error brought about by a system using so many different stacked mask components.
Another example of the use of large beam application is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,058 which describes a supported or contact type mask presenting a predetermined resistance to the beam such as through use of a different height erodible mask or by varying the composition of the plastic material making up the mask. A mask arrangement such as this avoids the complications of a scanning laser, but is very limited from the standpoint of having to prepare a new mask for each patient and, with respect to an erodible mask, not having the benefit of being able to test the pattern on a test strip or the like without destroying the mask. In use of an erodible mask there is also heavy reliance on chosen material consistency.
The present invention is directed at providing a controllable, patternable electro-optical mask which preferably utilizes electrochromic or substrate-dispersed liquid crystal pixel cells for transmission control of ultraviolet electromagnetic energy applied thereto. The mask of the present application has utility in a variety of fields such as use in photo refractive surgery, photoresist systems, microelectronics systems or photolithography systems. The mask is particularly well suited for use with ultraviolet electromagnetic energy utilized in an ophthamological surgical procedure such as a photo refractive keratectomy (PRK); a photo therapeutic karatectomy (PTC); or a laser in-site keratomileusis (LASIK) surgical procedure for resculpturing the exposed cornea of an eye.
Under an ophthamological application, the mask features a controllable electro-optical patternable mask system, an ophthalmic laser surgery system with said controllable mask system, and a method of using the same. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited for ablating a corneal surface using a laser in the ultraviolet spectrum and achieves extremely smooth and precise ablation surfaces with a mask system that can be repeatedly used for different patient ablation requirements. The mask is used with a large beam spot (e.g., 6-8 mm) which covers the entire projected surface on a cornea and thus avoids the time delays associated with a flying spot beam as well as ridge and valley formation. In addition to multi-patient use, the present invention avoids the delays associated with the prior art with respect to forming or assembling the mask.
Moreover, the present invention provides a system which can achieve repeated high precision or registration between the planned or predetermined ablation volume to be removed and the actual ablation volume removed so as to enable a surgeon to achieve desired levels of eyesight corrections. Also, the volumetric ablation patterns to be removed can involve highly irregular or regular configurations as an object of the present invention is to provide a system which facilitates the execution of a surgical procedure on highly irregular individual customized patterns on a patient""s cornea in addition to more regular volumetric patterns. Furthermore, the electro-optical system of the present invention can be free from the requirement of polarizing. Thus, helping to avoid the drastic 50% power loss of energy when using polarized light, and providing greater flexibility as to the power levels of the ultraviolet electromagnetic source relied upon as there is avoided the power loss which a polarizer can invoke.
The arrangement of the present invention provides a system that can achieve a customized volumetric ablation pattern based on, for example, a stored, ophthamological patient data set (e.g., a volumetric ablation data set as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/267,926 filed Mar. 10, 1999 by Dr. Luis Ruiz which application is incorporated herein) which data set is developed by a measuring instrument such as a topographer and/or aberrometer. Under the present invention, the volumetric ablation data set is provided to a processor for input to the mask system via a digital interface, for example. The matrix mask system of the present invention includes a mask which receives expanded laser energy and, based on the processed patient data, controls the energy pattern that exits in the mask for sculpturing the desired ablation pattern on the cornea or other substrate being subjected to the ultraviolet electromagnetic energy. In one embodiment of the invention, the mask of the present invention features an electro-optical component having electro-optical material which, in conjunction with other components of the mask, such as electric field generating means, is controllable to produce a pixel pattern to the applied energy so as to control the transmission of energy therethrough, and hence the ablation pattern produced on the projected surface such as the cornea of an eye.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the mask comprises a substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material component (e.g., encapsulated liquid-crystal micro-bubbles, within a substrate) which in conjunction with other components of the mask system such as electric field generating means, is controllable to produce a pixel pattern to the applied energy so as to control the transmission of energy therethrough and hence the ablation pattern produced on the projected surface such as the cornea of and eye. Preferably a layered sequence of first electrode layer/first substrate dispersed liquid crystal layer/second electrode layer/second substrate-dispersed liquid crystal layer/third electrode layer/third substrate dispersed liquid crystal layer/and fourth electrode layer (preferably also with outer support substrates) is provided with the orientation of the intermediate substrate-dispersed liquid crystal layer being maintained with an electric field across while the outer (first and third) electrode layers are switched between field off (full blocking mode) and field on (full transmission mode).
The multi sequence substrate-dispersed liquid crystal arrangement described above can be utilized in a variety of other devices in addition to the transmission pixel cell mask described above with a variety of electromagnetic energy spectrum levels including the visible (e.g., as a projector, anti-dazzle, rear view mirror, display device, etc.) in its ability to block and allow through the desired electromagnetic energy by, for example, manipulation of electric field generating means which preferably provides a continuous field across an intermediate substrate-dispersed liquid crystal layer while the outer substrate layers are switched between field xe2x80x9coffxe2x80x9d and field xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d settings to achieve the desired blocking/non-blocking state.
When ablation is desired with a transmission mask under the present invention, the ablation pattern data set produced is processed by a processor such as the main computer which communicates with the mask via an interface or the like to provide corresponding commands to activate the electro-optical matrix mask. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the transmission pixel pattern of the mask is individually controlled by the computer and is synchronized with the pulse rate of a main excimer laser. In this way, any regular or irregular ablation volume can be removed by ablating with each pulse of the large beam a set depth (based to the laser characteristics such as laser energy and density) corresponding with the matrix pattern set for that pulse. By changing the matrix pixel pattern with each large beam pulse a different ablation configuration (or the same) can be removed to achieve the desired total pattern, volume and depth.
With an excimer laser working in the ultraviolet energy spectrum, the components of the optical train are subjected to relatively high energy flux levels. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a large beam is expanded with a beam expander or the like positioned upstream from the active electro-optical matrix mask to lower the energy density per area received by the pixels of the mask. This avoids premature destruction of the mask. The non-blocked, transmitted portions of the large beam containing the latent image determined by the active mask are then preferably compressed with a focusing lens or the like to achieve the desired ablation profile on the projected surface being ablated.
Thus, the present invention preferably features a controlled ablation of the cornea, using ultraviolet laser radiation to achieve a sculpturing action derived from a computer driving a programmable (preferably digital based) distribution of excimer flux density across an ultraviolet computer controllable electro-optical mask as to achieve a desired volume and shape of ablation for the correction of the curvature of the cornea or for some other application as in the noted photoresist, microelectronics or photolithography fields.
The computer controllable electro-optical mask is based on a matrix array (matrix is used in a broad sense to involve any pattern suited for forming a desired ablation pattern on the ablation plane or surface) of individual electro-optical pixels with optical states between fully transparent to fully opaque or mirror like to the UV light. As noted, the ultraviolet computer controllable electro-optical matrix mask is based on transmission of electromagnetic energy passed through the mask device, with the transmission or non-transmission of light through each individual pixel being preferably controlled by an electrical voltage and a time duty cycle. In one embodiment of the invention the voltage is switched or adjusted to have the pixels either in a fully transparent or fully blocking mode with the pixel switching timing being synchronized with the laser pulse rate. In addition thereto, the frequency duty cycle per pixel can be adjusted or varied with relation to the laser pulse cycle (or with respect to the applied energy in a non-pulse situation) of the main energy source to achieve multiple on and off states of transmission during the main laser pulse cycle (or a set period of applied energy) so as to control the maximum state of ablation during that main pulse (or energy application) cycle from pixel to pixel in the mask.
In one embodiment of the invention, the electro-optical mask is an electrochromic electro-optical mask which features a plurality of controllable electrochromic cells that provide for a patternable mask system for controlling the transmission of electromagnetic radiation therethrough, The plurality of individual pixel cells are individually adjustable to different states of transmission with respect to electromagnetic radiation, and with the pixel cells including electrochromic material. The cells"" color states are determined by determining means such as a processor interfaced with said patternable mask for controlling relative transmission states between the individual electrochromic material pixel cells. In one embodiment, the electrochromic material is supported by opposite cell side UV grade support substrates for the passage of UV electromagnetic radiation to the electrochromic material of the pixel cells of said mask The pixel cells are also preferably formed from the outer pair of UV grade substrates, a pair of electrode layers and a solid layer of electrochromic material sandwiched between the electrode layers with the UV grade substrates preferably being a material selected from a group consisting of UV grade synthetic fused silica, sapphire or quartz.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a patternable mask system is provided for controlling the transmission of electromagnetic radiation which features a patternable electro-optical mask having a plurality of individual pixel cells with individually adjustable states of transmission with respect to electromagnetic radiation, and said pixel cells including substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material having a substrate material encapsulating dispersed liquid crystal bubbles or droplets. The mask system preferably further comprising a processor interfaced with said patternable mask for controlling relative transmission states between the individual substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material pixel cells.
The substrate dispersed liquid crystal material includes solid encapsulating substrate material (e.g., a polymer) supporting thousands of dispersed liquid-crystal droplets. The mask is also preferably comprised of an outer pair of UV grade support substrates, a pair of electrode layers and an intermediate solid layer of substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material (with the bubbles preferably being less than 5xcexc in maximum width) with one of the electrodes formed in a pixel array.
In this embodiment, as in the above noted electrochromic embodiment, the UV grade support substrate is preferably a material selected from a group consisting of UV grade synthetic fused silica, quartz and sapphire. The mask system of the present invention preferably further comprises a processor interfaced with said mask for controlling relative transmission states between said individual pixel cells and said processor which comprises means for shifting a pattern formed in said mask in conjunction with a monitored shift in a substrate to receive electromagnetic energy transmitted through said mask.
The present invention also features a mask that comprises pixel cells each with multiple substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material members (preferably solid state layers) with an electrode layer dispersed between said members and to opposite, free sides of the preferably stacked substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material members. In one embodiment, the mask system includes pixel cells having, in series, a first outer support substrate, a first electrode, a first substrate dispersed liquid crystal member, a second electrode, a second substrate-dispersed liquid crystal member, a third electrode, a third substrate-dispersed liquid crystal layer, a fourth electrode, and a second outer support substrate all of which are transparent and assembled as a monolithic unit. This embodiment also preferably includes electric field generating means for maintaining an electric field across said second, intermediate substrate dispersed layer and for switching between an off electric field state for said first and third substrate-dispersed layers and an on electric field state for said first and third substrate-dispersed layers so as to place, in the latter mode state, said first, second and third substrate-disperse layers in a transmission state.
The present invention also features a laser system for ophthamological surgery, comprising a laser and an electro-optical mask having a plurality of individual pixel cells positioned for receiving a laser beam output by said laser with said individual pixel cells having adjustable transmission states for forming a refreshable transmission pattern with respect to the laser beam received from said laser. In one embodiment of the laser system, the pixel cells include an electrochromic component with said electrochromic component being a solid layer of electrochromic material sandwiched between two electrode layers. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the laser system comprises a mask with pixel cells that include a substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material component with a preferred embodiment featuring a plurality of substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material members arranged in series with respect to a path of laser beam travel.
The laser system also preferably features pixel cells that include first, second and third multiple substrate-dispersed liquid crystal members arranged in a stacked, integral relationship and means for generating an electric comprising means for generating an electric field across said second substrate-dispersed member and means for switching between electric field on and electric field off across each of said first and third substrate dispersed layers while said second substrate dispersed member has an electric field thereacross. The laser system also preferably includes pixel state directing means that includes a processor and an interface linking said processor and mask, and said directing means refreshes a pattern in said mask on a refresh cycle of 100 ms or less. The interface device preferably includes means for converting digital information to individual pixel voltage signals.
The present invention also includes a method for ablating a substrate such as the cornea of an eye which includes directing electromagnetic radiation to a mask having a plurality of controllable, electrochromic or a plurality of one layer or more preferably multi-layer substrate-dispersed pixel cells arranged in a predetermined pattern. The method further includes directing transmitted portions of said electromagnetic radiation exiting said mask onto the substrate for ablating the substrate. In a preferred embodiment the method also includes altering a first pattern defined by said pixel cells into a second pattern between pulses of the laser. In addition the method further features the processing of acquired volumetric ablation pattern data to provide pixel cell transmission state control signals to said pixel cells of said mask. The volumetric ablation data can include that of a cornea of an eye whereby the method includes directing laser beam energy through said mask and onto a cornea of an eye for sculpturing the cornea of an eye. The method of the present invention also preferably includes shifting an ablation pattern formed in said mask to conform to an eyetracker monitored shift in position of an eye being ablated.
The present invention also features an electro-optical device, comprising, in series with respect to electromagnetic radiation travel (e.g., visual or ultraviolet light) a first electrode, a first substrate-dispersed liquid crystal member with the first electrode layer deposited thereon (e.g. a pixel array electrode if used in a transmission mask or some other device wherein individually variable cells are desired or a solid sheet if the entire device is to switch from one state to another as in a window), a second electrode layer, a second substrate dispersed liquid crystal member sandwiching the second electrode layer, a third electrode layer, a third substrate dispersed liquid crystal member sandwiching the third electrode layer in conjunction with the second substrate dispersed liquid crystal member, and a fourth electrode deposited on the free side of the third substrate-dispersed liquid crystal member. The electro-optical device further preferably comprises electric field generating means which maintains an electric field across said second substrate-dispersed liquid crystal member and which provides means for switching between on and off electric field states for said first and third substrate-dispersed liquid crystal members. For example, a first voltage source between the second and third electrode layers and a second independent voltage source connected with the first and fourth electrode layers and switchable between voltage on and off states while the first voltage source maintains an electric field across the second substrate-dispersed liquid crystal member This electro-optical device with its presentment of multiple, controlled layers of substrate-dispersed liquid crystal layers with the control preferably being by way of a maintained voltage application to an intermediate layer and a switched voltage application to the layers external to the more intermediate layer also provides an electro-optical device usable in the visible and ultraviolet spectrum for a wide variety of devices such as those presently being used with electrochromic material.
In one embodiment of the invention, the individually adjustable states of transmission are limited to fully transmitting xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d and fully blocking xe2x80x9coff.xe2x80x9d In another embodiment of the invention, the mask, which is designed for receipt of laser pulses from an excimer laser or the like, further comprises pixel switching timing means for controlling the timing of pixel switching between different on and off states (when desired). In one embodiment, switching takes place in a one-to-one relationship with respect to laser pulses received by the mask. That is, at some time between each pulse, pixel switching activity takes place to alter the pattern presented to the incoming beam of the next pulse.
The mask system of the present invention further includes a pixel switching timing means for timing individual pixel switching between different states and which sets a duty cycle for individual pixels at a duty cycle of from 0% (off for full pulse transmission period) to 100% (on for full transmission period) with at least one or more set pixel duty cycle(s) being at an intermediate value(s) falling between 0 to 100% with respect to the applied or pulse cycle of the main laser beam.
Particularly with electro-optical electrochromic material, it is also possible to change the degree of coloration per pixel by controlling the amount of charge passed through the cell with the degree of color change being fixed upon the switching off of the voltage applied. However, a time based switch over during a particular laser beam pulse cycle with a fixed voltage level can allow for a higher degree of control and is thus more preferable.
The present invention is also directed at a laser system for ophthamological surgery which comprises a laser, and an electro-optical mask having a plurality of individual pixel cells positioned for receiving a laser beam output by the laser. The individual pixel cells of the mask have relatively adjustable transmission states for forming a transmission pattern with respect to the laser beam output by the laser.
The laser system of the present invention further preferably has an expander/collimator assembly that is positioned upstream with respect to the electro-optical mask together with a focusing member positioned downstream from the mask.
The focusing member is designed to focus a latent image pattern formed by the mask onto a projected surface wherein transmitted UV energy of adjacent transmitting pixels is compressed into a minimum overlap relationship (e.g., one involving less than 5% or and more preferably less than 1% overlap) or a minimized spacing relationship (e.g., one involving less that 5% spread apart and more preferably less than 1% spread), or an essentially abutting relationship (of xc2x10.75% overlap/spacing apart). Preferably the focusing lens is adjustable with respect to the mask and to the focusing plane.
The laser system of the present invention preferably includes directing means for directing pixel transmission state controls to said mask wherein said directing means includes a processor and an interface linking said processor and mask. The processing means preferably further comprises means for processing acquired volumetric ablation volume data and basing pixel control outputs to the mask matrix on the processed acquired volumetric ablation volume data. The laser system also further includes means for acquiring three dimensional volumetric ablation pattern data such as means for receiving corneal ablation data based on topographical and/or aberrometer measurements.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processor further includes means for segmenting acquired corneal volumetric ablation pattern data into a plurality of matrix segments and means for determining a desired individual pixel transmission status arrangement for respective segments of said acquired volumetric ablation pattern. Preferably all processor functions are handled by a central computer in the laser system of the present invention although sub-processor(s) or sub-processor group(s) are also suited for use in the present invention. The system of the present invention also preferably comprises means for sequentially changing a pixel array pattern based on respective, determined pixel transmission statuses for said segments such as a top to bottom or bottom to top sequence with respect to the ablation segments derived from the acquired volumetric ablation pattern data.
The processor of the laser system is in communication with the mask via an interface device such as a digital interface device for converting digital information to individual pixel voltage signals. The laser system of the present invention preferably also includes means for determining a transmission switching rate for individual pixels of said array based on a duty cycle correlated with a laser pulse period of the laser. For example, individual pixels of the mask are assigned one of two states, either a duty cycle of 0% (no transmission) state during the pulse period state or a 100% (full transmission) state during the pulse period state. In an alternate embodiment, at least some of the individual pixels of the mask are assigned a duty cycle that is intermediate the 0% (no-transmission) state during the pulse period and a 100% (full transmission) state during the pulse period.
A preferred embodiment of the laser system further includes an eyetracker and a processing device which is in communication with both the eyetracker and the mask, and the processing device includes means for implementing a switch or changeover in a transmission state of individual pixel shells to shift a pattern defined by pixel cells in said mask form a first pattern position to a second pattern position in correspondence with a shift in location of a projected surface of an eye being monitored by said eyetracker. A similar means can be provided for monitoring and adjusting pixel positions for different types of substrates other than an eye that are subject to movement between laser pulses or refresh states in the mask.
The present invention is also directed at a method for ablating a substrate that comprises directing electromagnetic radiation through an electro-optical mask having a plurality of pixels with individually controllable pixel states, and directing through the electro-optical mask transmitted portions of the electromagnetic radiation onto a substrate such as a corneal surface which receives UV electromagnetic radiation for sculpturing the cornea. The energy is preferably directed through an electro-optical cell that features an electrochromic material to alter the transmission state in a controlled, patterned fashion or through use of a substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material which is preferably a multi-stack of substrate-dispersed layers which block or allow light through depending on the electric field state of the liquid crystal bubbles in each stacked layer.
The method of the present invention further includes altering a first pattern defined by said pixels into a second pattern between pulses of the laser or refreshed states of the mask to alter the ablation pattern on the cornea or exposed substrate. A preferred method of the invention further comprises processing acquired volumetric ablation pattern data to provide pixel transmission state control signals to the individual pixels of the mask. Moreover, the present invention further comprises a method of monitoring any movement of a substrate to be ablated with means for monitoring and, with information obtained from the means for monitoring, shifting the pattern formed in the mask to compensate for a shifting in position of the projected surface prior to the next ablation energy application.

Controllable electro-optical patternable mask, system with said mask and method of using the same

Centro Oftalmologico Colombiano, Carrera 20 No. 85-11, Pisos 5o-6o


Methods for managing an interactive streaming image system are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for generating, encoding, and transmitting image frames to an interactive client are disclosed. One embodiment provides a method for streaming images from a server to a client. Embodiments may include receiving from the client via a network client information and generating a new image frame based on the received client information. Embodiments may also include comparing the new image frame and a previous image frame and setting a new compression level based on the comparison between the new image frame and the previous image frame. Embodiments may also include encoding the new image frame based on the new compression level and transmitting the encoded new image frame and an indication of the new compression level to the client via the network.

The ability to stream images or other content from a server to multiple clients is a quickly-growing need. Multi-media applications that utilize streaming images continue to increase in popularity and include video games, navigation software, streaming movies or video, and the like. These applications, however, often are network-resource intensive and result in bandwidth bottlenecks and network slowdowns when content providers use them to distribute content, particularly to large numbers of users. As the popularity of streaming image applications continues to increase, the network performance problems associated with them will be exacerbated.
To reduce the impact of streaming image content on a network, content providers often compress their images before transmission. The client system must then decompress the image upon receipt before displaying the image to a user. Depending on the level of compression, network traffic can be significantly decreased by utilizing compression. One compression scheme for video images is motion-JPEG which extends the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) digital image compression standard to videos by encrypting each frame in the JPEG format. The JPEG group created the ISO/IEC International Standard 10918-1 ITU-T Recommendation T-81 (hereinafter 'JPEG') to create a decoding/encoding standard. JPEG and Motion-JPEG are lossy compression standards and thus information is lost during the compression process. Motion-JPEG provides good per-frame compression levels but some of its compression steps, such as Huffman coding, are not always necessary and can slow performance.
The Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) created another family of compression standards that include MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 (ISO/IEC International Standards 11172, 13818, and 14496, respectively). The MPEG working group designed the MPEG standards to work for multi-media streaming and utilize block-based motion compensated prediction (MCP) to assist in compression. For many applications, MPEG improves upon the performance of motion-JPEG. For interactive streaming image applications, however, MPEG is not optimal. MPEG requires a server to generate multi-frame movies to achieve good compression levels, making it less useful for interactive applications that have frame-by-frame interactions. Instead, MPEG is designed and optimized for streaming predictable content, such as movies or other videos, to client or other user devices.
Interactive streaming image systems provide significant challenges to content providers desiring to distribute content from a server to multiple clients. Interactive streaming image systems typically receive user input for each frame so that each image frame is customized based on the latest user information. A map-based application, for example, might provide an image frame based on user position and heading so that the application could create an image showing the user what they would see at that position and heading. In another example, an application that displays a virtual view of what is behind an automobile may base its image on the current position, direction, and speed of the automobile. Because each frame must be recalculated based on new information, MPEG does not provide an efficient method as it does not achieve its best compression rates when working with single frames. Similarly, motion-JPEG does not provide any advantage when used with interactive streaming image systems as it applies a compression method that may be too resource-intensive for each image frame.
There is, therefore, a need for an effective mechanism for managing an interactive streaming image system. There is an even greater need for such a mechanism when a content provider desires to provide interactive image content to multiple client systems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods and apparatus are provided for credit-based flow control. Techniques allow a receiver to provide buffer characteristic information to a sender using a single extended receiver ready signal. Multiple credits can be allocated using a single extended receiver ready signal as well. Counters and registers are used to allow for the accidental loss of extended receiver ready signals while still maintaining an accurate reflection of the types and numbers of buffers available.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to credit-based flow control. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for efficiently and effectively providing buffer characteristic information to a sender using a credit-based transmission mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art
Many conventional network protocols use packet dropping to alleviate congestion at a network node. In one example, a network node in an IP based network receives input data from multiple sources at a rate exceeding its output bandwidth. In conventional implementations, selected packets are dropped to allow transmission of remaining packets within the allocated output bandwidth. The dropped packets are ultimately retransmitted under the control of a higher level protocol such as TCP.
In networks such as fibre channel networks, packet dropping is generally not allowed. Instead, networks such as fibre channel networks implement end-to-end and buffer-to-buffer flow control mechanisms. End-to-end and buffer-to-buffer flow control mechanisms do not allow a first network node to transmit to a second network node until a second network node is ready to receive a frame. The second network node typically indicates that it is ready to receive a frame by granting credits to the first network node. When frames are transmitted, credits are used. When no credits remain, the first network node can no longer transmit to the second network node. However, end-to-end and buffer-to-buffer flow control mechanisms provide only a very rough technique for providing credit information.
It is therefore desirable to provide methods and apparatus for improving credit-based flow control at network nodes in a network such as a fibre channel network with respect to some or all of the performance limitations noted above.

Methods and apparatus for credit-based flow control


The application provides a pixel driving method, a pixel driving device and a display device. The method includes steps of: obtaining a brightness sum of a frame according to a brightness of each of pixels in the frame; inquiring a data voltage compensation value corresponding to the obtained brightness sum from a preset first correspondence relationship, the first correspondence relationship including a one-to-one correspondence relationship between the brightness sum and the data voltage compensation value for one frame; compensating a data voltage of the frame according to the data voltage compensation value to generate a compensated data voltage; and outputting the compensated data voltage to a display panel.

An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display device is a display screen made with organic electroluminescent diodes. Since the OLED display device includes self-luminous OLEDs and has the excellent characteristics of not requiring backlight source, high contrast, thin thickness, wide viewing angle, fast response speed, applicability to flexible panels, wide operating temperature range, simple structure and process, and the like all together, the OLED display device is considered as the next generation of flat panel display technology.
The OLED display device may have a pixel external compensation driving circuit, and display a picture under the driving and compensation of the pixel external compensation driving circuit, and light is emitted throughout the picture during the compensation time except for the sensing row. In the process of switching the picture of the display device, especially in the process of circularly switching between pictures with a large gray scale difference, such as black and white pictures, due to power supply interference, TFT hysteresis, poor light stability and the like, the sensing voltages on the sense lines generated by charging the sense lines through the driving thin film transistors (TFTs) under the driving of the same data voltage are nonuniform, resulting in mura in the displayed picture.

Pixel driving method, pixel driving device and display device


An airbag that includes an inner bag having a facing surface configured to face a passenger of a vehicle in the deployed state, an outer bag that surrounds the outer periphery of the inner bag with the facing surface exposed, and two protrusion parts which are provided in the outer bag and are respectively disposed on the left and right sides in the width direction of the vehicle with respect to the facing surface so as to protrude rearward. The inner bag and the outer bag may be partitioned by a common partition wall, with a ventilation port formed in the partition wall. Moreover, the inner bag and the outer bag may each be independent bag bodies, a ventilation port may be formed in both the inner bag and the outer bag, and the inner bag and the outer bag may be coupled around the ventilation port.

Airbag systems for detecting impact upon the collision of a vehicle, generating gas from an inflator, injecting the gas into an airbag, and inflating and deploying the airbag have gained popularity. An inflated and deployed airbag can prevent a passenger from colliding with structures in a vehicle.
Patent Document 1 describes an airbag for protecting a passenger having a left half airbag and a right half airbag. In this airbag, the seam allowance for stitching each inner panel of the left and right half airbags is provided in at least one of the left and right inner panels, with this seam allowance suppressing inflation of the airbag in the perpendicular direction.
Patent Document 2 describes a passenger protection apparatus including: an airbag for a driver seat to be inflated in front of the driver seat; an airbag for a passenger seat to be inflated in front of the passenger seat; and a central airbag to be inflated between the airbag for the driver seat and the airbag for the passenger seat.


An apparatus includes a fluid dynamic bearing and means for dynamically adjusting the stiffness or damping of the fluid dynamic bearing.

An electric motor may use stators, magnets, and/or coils to rotate an object. For example, a motor may rotate data storage disks used in a disk drive storage device. The data storage disks may be rotated at high speeds during operation using the stators, magnets, and/or coils. For example, magnets and coils may interact with a stator to cause rotation of the disks relative to the stator.
In some cases, electric motors utilize a spindle motor with a fluid dynamic bearing to support the hub and disks for rotation. The fluid dynamic bearing reduces friction while maintaining the alignment between the spindle and the shaft during operation of the motor.

Dynamically adjustable fluid dynamic bearing stiffness