A display device includes a display panel having a plurality of selective light transmitting regions through which light can be controllably transmitted and one or more light blocking regions. It further includes a backlighting unit disposed and configured to supply backlighting light to the display panel and a backlighting light changing layer configured to change one or more optical characteristics (e.g., polarization) of light passed therethrough. The display device further includes a reflection pattern layer disposed between the backlighting light changing layer and the backlighting unit and including a plurality of light-passing regions configured to let light pass therethrough and one or more reflection portions configured to reflect light, where the reflection portions are disposed to intercept, and reflect light coming from the backlighting unit and heading forward to a corresponding one or more of the light blocking regions of the display panel back to the backlighting unit.

(a) Technical Field
The present disclosure of invention relates to a display device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display device including a backlighting unit and to a method of improving energy efficiency of providing backlighting.
(b) Description of Related Technology
Thin panel displays (e.g., flat panel or curved panel displays) may be categorized as self-lighting ones and externally illuminated ones. Examples of self-lighting ones include direct light emitting diode displays (LEDD's), electric field emission displays (EFED's), vacuum fluorescent displays (VFD's), and plasma display panels (PDP's). Examples of externally illuminated thin panel displays include reflective and/or transmissive liquid crystal displays (LCD's), electrically-displaceable dye displays (EDDD's) and electrophoretic displays (EPD's).
The externally illuminated thin panel displays may passively rely on ambient light or they may actively provide their own light for example form an attached backlighting unit (also referred to here as a light source unit). The light source unit may include one or more different types of light sources for generating its light. Examples of the light sources are a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), a flat fluorescent lamp (FFL), and a light emitting diode (LED—colored and/or white). Recently, it has become desirable to use light emitting diodes (LED's) in a manner that reduces power consumption and generates less heat.
It is desirable for the backlight unit to provide uniform irradiation to a rear surface of the display panel. Backlighting units may be classified into edge illuminating types, direct backlighting types and hybrid types according to positionings of their respective light sources. The edge illuminating types typically employ a light guide plate (LGP) for redirecting edge-sourced light to be directed uniformly toward the back side of the to-be-backlit display panel.
The display panel includes a plurality of pixels, a plurality of switching elements for selectively driving the pixel electrodes and a plurality of signal lines for supplying control and data signals. The signal lines typically include a plurality of spaced apart gate lines extending in a first lateral direction for transmitting corresponding gate signals to respective rows of switching elements and a plurality of data lines extending in a different second lateral direction for transmitting respective data signals to corresponding columns of switching elements. At least one switching element in each pixel unit is connected to an adjacent gate line and to an adjacent data line for thereby receiving corresponding gate and data voltages.
In more detail, the typical display panel includes controlled light transmission regions (aperture regions) through which light is controllably transmitted, and light blocking regions through which transmission of light is undesirable because light in those regions cannot be appropriately controlled to form a desired image. Accordingly, when light is uniformly emitted from a backlighting unit to a display panel that has light blocking regions, the portions of the output light that fall on the light blocking regions are not transmitted through to form an image and their energy is lost (wasted).
The signal lines of the display panel are typically made of conductive metals, and light may be reflected from lower surfaces of such signal line so as to be reflected back the backlight unit for reuse and attempted transmission through the transmission regions of the display panel. However, when an attempt is made to reuse light in such manner by reciprocating it between not only various metal layers (e.g., signal lines) of the display panel and the backlight unit but also through interposed optical processing layers (e.g., polarizing sheets etc.), much of it may be lost when trying to get through the optical processing layers in the reuse round and it is therefore not efficaciously transmitted back through the display panel for forming a desired image.
As an example of a transmissive and actively illuminated thin panel display, the liquid crystal display (LCD) is that is now widely used and it typically has two spaced apart panels in which respective, electric field generating electrodes are placed, such as pixel electrodes and counterfacing parts of a common electrode. A liquid crystal material layer is interposed between the spaced apart panels. In the liquid crystal display, a voltage is applied to the field generating electrodes to generate an electric field extending into or through the liquid crystal layer. The generated electric field determines the direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer, and an image is displayed by controlling the polarization of incident light.
The liquid crystal display typically includes at least one polarizer for polarizing the light from the backlight unit before such light enters the LCD panel. The polarizer may be attached to the outside of the LCD panel. In the case of a display device including the polarizer, since light incident inside the display panel is once-polarized light, if that light is reflected from the lower surfaces of the various metal layers inside the display panel back to the backlight unit, the polarization state of the light is changed by the reflection process, and the light with the modified polarization is again passed through the polarizer and its transmittance through the polarizer is decrease due to the reflection-induced change in polarization. Whatever once-reflected light does get through, that light has its polarization state changed by the reflection process in the backlighting unit before it comes back to the backside polarizer of the display panel. In other words, because the above-described process is serially repeated, light efficiency for back-reflected light may substantially drop to effectively become about 0.
It is to be understood that this background of the technology section is intended to provide useful background for understanding the here disclosed technology and as such, the technology background section may include ideas, concepts or recognitions that were not part of what was known or appreciated by those skilled in the pertinent art prior to corresponding invention dates of subject matter disclosed herein.


The present invention relates to a method of making a coated substrate that requires a polyurethane/urea contact adhesive, and the coated substrates produced by this method. This invention requires a) a polyisocyanate with a functionality of less than about 4, b) optionally, a polyol blend consisting of about 95 to 100% polyether polyols with molecular weights from about 1800 to 12000 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 4 and up to about 5% of chain extenders with molecular weights from about 60 to 400 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 3, and c) polyethers having at least two isocyanate reactive groups and a molecular weight of from about 1800 to about 12000 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 4 in which at least 50% of the isocyanate reactive groups are primary and/or secondary amino groups. The weight ratio of components b) to component c) ranges from about 95:5 to about 0:100, and the amounts of components a), b), and c) are such that the equivalent ratio of isocyanate groups to isocyanate-reactive groups is from about 85:100 to about 115:100 and the sum of the urethane group content plus the urea group content is from about 1 to about 12%.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a coated substrate with an adhesive composition. This invention requires a contact adhesive which is a polyurethane/urea composition consisting essentially of a) a polyisocyanate with a functionality of less than about 4, optionally, b) a polyol blend consisting of 1) about 95 to 100% polyether polyols with molecular weights from about 1800 to 12000 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 4, and 2) up to about 5% of chain extenders with molecular weights from about 60 to 400 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 3, and c) polyethers having at least two isocyanate reactive groups and a molecular weight of from about 1800 to about 12000 in which at least 50% of the isocyanate reactive groups are primary and/or secondary amino groups. The weight ratio of components b) to component c) ranges from about 95:5 to about 0:100, and the amounts of components a), b), and c) are such that the equivalent ratio of isocyanate groups to isocyanate-reactive groups is from about 85:100 to about 115:100 and the sum of the urethane group content plus the urea group content is from about 1 to about 12%. Substrates suitable for use in the present invention are preferably porous, flexible substrates. Coated substrates produced by this method are also the subject of the present invention.
Polyurethane adhesives and sealants of various types are well known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,779,794, 4,156,064, 4,624,996, and 4,625,012.
In certain applications, it is desirable to provide an elastomeric material that can be applied to a flexible substrate in the liquid state and cured to provide an adhesive layer. This allows this flexible substrate to be attached to and in some cases subsequently removed from another surface.
Materials of this type are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,102,714 and 5,227,409. These patents relate to adhesives for adhering carpet onto flooring based on a) a polyol mixture having an average functionality of 2.2 or less and equivalent weight of at least 500 and containing from 10 to 70 mole percent of monoalcohol and optionally up to 10% of a chain extender with an equivalent weight of from about 30 to 500, with b) a polyisocyanate mixture having an average functionality of about 2.2 or less.
Adhesives of this type are not useful for certain flexible substrates that are porous, such as, for example, textiles and other woven or nonwoven natural or synthetic fibers, paper and paper products, leather, or wood. When applying the adhesive materials in the liquid state onto these porous substrates, the reacting adhesives have a tendency to soak into the interior of the substrate before the adhesive can be cured. Because most of the applied adhesive is thus not on the surface of the substrate, the effectiveness of the cured adhesive is severely limited.
Adhesives containing high molecular weight amine terminated polyethers (ATPEs) are known. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,743,672, 4,994,540 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,439 describe reactive polyurethane/urea adhesive compositions that do not sag when applied onto vertical surfaces. Like most polymeric materials containing urea linkages, these materials are somewhat brittle. These structural adhesives have a relatively high urethane plus urea content and are too brittle for use as contact adhesives for flexible, porous substrates.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,364 relates to caulking and sealants that do not sag when applied to vertical surfaces. Materials of this type are typically have a high content of mineral fillers, and are not useful as contact adhesives. The use of low molecular weight (i.e. 400-1500) amine terminated polyethers gives the desirable increase in viscosity upon combining the reactive components, but leads to solid gel particles that are undesirable in contact adhesives.
The polyurethane/urea contact adhesives of the present invention have several advantages. They can be applied to the substrates in liquid form and cured to form a permanently tacky elastomeric layer useful as a contact adhesive. The viscosity of the reacting adhesives is sufficiently high so that the compositions do not soak into porous substrates and thus remain on the surface of the substrate where they maintain their effectiveness as adhesive layers. The adhesives have sufficient flexibility so that they are useful on flexible substrates. Another advantage of the present invention is that the contact adhesives can be attached to and removed from a substrate, and are reusable.

Method of making a coated substrate with polyurethane/urea contact adhesive formulations and the coated substrate by this method


This invention relates to signalling of control information related to retransmissions in a wireless communication network. According to one aspect of the invention, a method for controlling transmission over a wireless communication link is provided. The method comprises the step of indicating on a transmission resource control channel whether a HARQ retransmission process in a mobile station should be activated or deactivated.

A communication system is a facility that enables communication between two or more entities such as user terminal equipment and/or network entities and other nodes associated with a communication system. The communication may comprise, for example, communication of voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, data, multimedia and so on.
The communication may be provided by fixed line and/or wireless communication interfaces. A feature of wireless communication systems is that they provide mobility for the users thereof. An example of a communication system providing wireless communication is a public land mobile network (PLMN). An example of the fixed line system is a public switched telephone network (PSTN).
A cellular telecommunication system is a communications system that is based on the use of radio access entities and/or wireless service areas. The access entities are typically referred to as cells. Examples of cellular telecommunication standards includes standards such as GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), GPRS (General Packet Radio Servers), AMPS (American Mobile Phone System), DAMPS (Digital AMPS), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) and CDMA 2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000).
A communication system typically operates in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various elements of a system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. For example, the standard of specification may define if the user, or more precisely user equipment is provided with a circuit switched service or a packet switched service or both. Communication protocols and/or parameters which should be used for the connection are also typically defined. For example, the manner in which communication shall be implemented between the user equipment and the elements of the communication network is typically based in a predefined communication protocol. In other words, a specific set of "rules" on which the communication can be based needs to be defined to enable the user equipment to communicate via the communication system.
At the time of writing of this patent application, enhancements of the uplink DCH (Enhanced DCH, EDCH) are being standardized for packet data traffic for release 6 of the 3GPP standards. Some of the associated 3GPP standards are at least (but not limited to) the following: 3GPP TR 25.896, 3GPP TR 25.808, and 3GPP TS 25.309.
Enhancements are reached according to currently discussed standard versions by distributing some of the packet scheduler functionality to the Node B network nodes in order to have faster scheduling of bursty non real-time traffic than the layer 3 mechanisms in RNC facilitate. The idea is that with faster link adaptation it is possible to more efficiently share the uplink power resources between packet data users: when packets have been transmitted from one user the scheduled resource can be made available immediately to another user. This avoids the peaked variability of noise rise, when high data rates are being allocated to users running bursty high data-rate applications.
In the currently specified architecture, the packet scheduler is located in the RNC and therefore is limited in its ability to adapt to the instantaneous traffic, because of bandwidth and delay constraints on the RRC signalling interface between the RNC and the UE. Hence, to accommodate the variability, the packet scheduler must be conservative in allocating uplink power to take into account the influence from inactive users in the following scheduling period—a solution which turns out to be spectrally inefficient for high allocated data rates and long release timer values.
In current specifications for EDCH, much of the packet scheduler functionality is transferred to the Node B, i.e. there is a Node B scheduler that takes care of allocating uplink resources. For transmission of data, the UE selects a E-TFC that suits the amount of data to be transmitted in its RLC buffer, subject to constraints on the maximum transmission power of the UE and the maximum allowed power. If needed, UE can request for higher bit rate by sending Rate Request messages (RR) in the uplink, and the Node B decides whether to grant or not additional resources by answering with rate grant messages in the downlink. The grant messages are of two kinds: Relative Grants (RG) and Absolute Grant (AG). Relative grants are relative to the actual used resource by the UE. The absolute grant allocates resources to the UE in an absolute manner in terms of power. When to use AG or RG to adjust the resources allocated to the UE is fully subject to the decision done in the network. The AG and RG messages are transmitted in the downlink using specific physical channels designed for this purpose, namely E-AGCH and E-RGCH.
Also the current EDCH specifications bring a similar L1/MAC layer HARQ retransmission mechanism between UE and Node B in the uplink as in HSDPA for the downlink. The fast HARQ is be based on N-process SAW (Stop-And-Wait) HARQ, where HARQ combining is performed at Node B L1 (layer 1). For the 2 ms TTI (transmission time interval), 8 SAW HARQ processes are defined in the current standard versions, and for the 10 ms TTI 4 processes are defined in the current standard versions.
According to certain current proposals, each HARQ process is to be scheduled independently for the 2 ms TTI. There is a fixed timing relationship between the DL (downlink) and the UL (uplink) which tells to which HARQ process the received AG or RG command (AG/RG) applies as shown in FIG. 1. For each AG or RG command received, the UE knows exactly to which HARQ process it applies due to the known timing relationship.
These proposals have certain problems. For example, scheduling each HARQ process independently requires a lot of signalling and can be considered more susceptible to signalling errors.
It has been proposed to have an 8 bit process allocation string defined at Layer 3: each bit tells whether the UE is allowed to transmit in uplink for that particular HARQ process or not. This known proposal would enable considering the scheduling commands applicable to all active HARQ retransmission processes and thus reduce required amount of signalling and susceptibility to signalling errors and still have the means for the network to control which HARQ retransmission processes are allowed to transmit. However, layer 3 signalling is too slow to allow a fast activation. Besides the Node B scheduler is located at Layer 2 in the Node B. Interaction with Layer 3 at RNC for scheduling issues is not optimal.


A display device according to the proposed embodiment includes a broadcasting signal receiving unit that receives a broadcasting signal; a broadcasting signal) separation unit that separates the broadcasting signal received through the broadcasting signal receiving unit into video, audio, and data signals; a controller that analyzes the data signal separated through the broadcasting signal separation unit to comprehend whether data broadcasting is serviced and the kind of the data broadcasting; and a memory that stores information on a channel on which the data broadcasting is serviced according to a control signal of the controller and information on the kind of the serviced data broadcasting, wherein the broadcasting receiving unit sequentially receives and outputs broadcasting signals of an entire channel according to the control signal of the controller.

As a real digital broadcasting period has recently started, video signals and audio signals in a digital shape have been provided to allow viewers to enjoy clearer and more vivid image quality and multi-channel sound.
Also, data broadcasting constituted by graphics and characters-centered additional data has been recently provided to provide diverse information to viewers. Here, the data broadcasting is provided separately from the present broadcasting program that is currently viewed by a user.
By way of one example of the data broadcasting, program information to be processed, time information, and caption information for hearing-impaired person are provided for all channels. Also, a two-way communication is available to provide diverse additional functions that enable for the user to enjoy shopping while viewing the program.
In such data broadcasting, an update process of the data broadcasting according to an Advanced Common Application Platform (ACAP) standard is performed in real time through Application Information Table (AIT) and Digital Storage Media-Command and Control (DSM-CC) data transmitted from a broadcasting station.
The AIT and DSM-CC are data transmitted to a transport stream of DTV. The AIT has information on whether the data broadcasting exists and updates information. DSM-CC has data (for example, picture and font) control information of the substantial data broadcasting.
As the data broadcasting is provided as described above, a broadcasting view type is changed from a type that a user views a program transmitted one-sidedly from a broadcasting station to a selective broadcasting view type that a user selects and views the provided programs.
Also, the data broadcasting includes diverse sorts of additional information such as news, weather, home shopping, stock information, games and traffic situations, such that the user can select only his or her desired specific additional information of the diverse sorts of additional information and obtain the information thereof.

Display device and method for providing data broadcasting thereof


An applicator assembly for supplying lipstick or like substance to the lips of the user by first coating opposite surfaces of an applicator sheet with the substance to be applied and then applying the coated applicator sheet to the mouth of the user. The assembly comprises a housing having substance supply containers movable into and out of opposite surfaces of individual applicator sheets entering the housing in an operative position and further wherein a supply of such applicator sheets may be considered a part of the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an assembly designed to apply a substance coating such as but not limited to lipstick to the lips or applicable portions of the user's body by first coating individual applicator sheets and then transferring the coated sheets to the lips for transfer of the substance thereto.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the application of lipstick or any like material to the lips of the user's body, it is most common to utilize a "stick" of such substance normally housed in an elongated tube wherein the applicator end of such substance stick may be adjusted inwardly or outwardly of the two depending upon the amount of material previously utilized. There are, of course, other structures and methods for applying lipstick such as brushes wherein the lipstick is effectively painted on the lips from a separable supply or the like. In addition, other structures and methods of application include templates and other type applicators designed to apply a lipstick type substance or material to the lips in a more effective manner.
Representative of such prior art methods, structures, assemblies, etc. include the following U.S. Patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 203,917 discloses a combined lipstick holder and lip rouge applicator. Milton et al. also discloses an alternate design of a lip rouge applicator in U.S. Pat. No. 201,168.
The Smith U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,879, is directed to a cosmetic device for the application of rouge to the lips using an applicator which facilitates the application emphasizing a delineated outline hopefully rendering the appearance of the user more attractive. The Smith device comprises a head member having upper and lower peripheral edges of contours corresponding respectively to the longitudinally contracted upper and lower outlines of the sections of the lips. The head member is substantially flat and terminates in a pointed tip and includes front and rear convex faces with borders tapering to relatively sharp upper and lower edges corresponding to the contracted outline of a symmetrical half of the lips.
The Girbert U.S. Pat. No. 2,248,533, discloses a mouth beautifier comprising a device having a concave, partly cylindrical surface and an outline of the combined lip shape of the upper and lower lips. Rouge is applied to the surfaces and spread so that the device may then be pressed against the closed mouth to apply the lip rouge to the lips in accordance with the shape of the aforementioned surfaces.
While it is assumed that the structures of the types disclosed above are operable for their intended function, it is obvious that there still exists a need for a more efficient applicator assembly and/or structure for applying lipstick or any other substance to the lips of the user in a more efficient manner and in a manner which quickly adds to the overall aesthetic appearance of such application.

Applicator assembly for a lipstick or like substance


A video recording method includes: detecting an intrusion of a person into a predetermined monitoring area based on the video information from the monitoring camera; recording the intrusion time when the intrusion of the person into the monitoring area is detected; detecting a left-behind object after the person has passed through the monitoring area based on the video information from the monitoring camera; generating alarm information in response to the detection of the left-behind object; overwriting so as to record the video information by every given amount of information until the alarm information is received. The method further includes receiving and recording, of the video information recorded in the first video recording step, video information from the intrusion time of the person to a time corresponding to the alarm information in accordance with the intrusion time of the person in a case in which the alarm information is generated.

In a monitoring camera system which includes a monitoring camera and a video recording apparatus configured to record video information from the monitoring camera, recording operation includes: alarm recording which starts to record video information when an intruder is detected; and prerecording which always records video information in a recording medium such as a memory and which stores video information recorded in the recording medium as a pre-alarm record when an alarm is generated.
In the case of prerecording, for a prerecording time, a given time set in advance is generally used, but the prerecording time may be changed depending on the type of alarm. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a stored motion image selection device. The stored motion image selection device selectively stores, for a long term, motion image data of a partial range of the motion image including a portion prior to a trigger when the trigger is detected. The trigger is a trigger for storing, for a long term, a part of the motion image data which is obtained by capturing a predetermined scene and which is temporarily stored. The stored motion image selection device includes: a separation setting storage unit which stores a separation condition as a candidate of the range of motion image data for long term storage for each type of trigger in advance; a trigger type discrimination unit which discriminates the type of the detected trigger; and a separation selection unit which selects the separation including the trigger based on the discriminated type of the trigger with reference to the separation setting storage unit and which sends motion image data for the selected separation to a long-term storage memory. In the stored motion image selection device, the type of a trigger is substantially the same as the type of alarm.

Monitoring camera system, video recording apparatus and video recording method


A multiple channel earphone is provided with an external tube disposed on the earphone main body. The earphone includes a case, a case extension unit, and a cover. A main sound field is formed in an interior chamber enclosed by the case, the case extension unit and the cover. By adjusting the space in the external tube, the spatial effect of the sound field is significantly increased. The proposed multiple channel earphone selectively has a mechanism for sound field balancing by the sounds generated from these two sub-speakers spaced apart from each other for better sound quality. The sound field of the proposed multiple channel earphone can also be spaced apart into two physically separated sound fields by disposing an external chamber on the earphone main body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiple channel earphone, and more particularly, to a multiple channel earphone having an extended sound field.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with continuous progress of digital technology, the entertainment of the ordinary people had been gradually digitalized. For example, the DVD (Digital Video Disc, also known as Digital Versatile Disc) player is very popular in many households nowadays. Since DVD player has basically provided decoding functions such as Dolby Digital or Digital Theater System (DTS), it is capable of decoding digital signals and outputting analog signals to the speakers.
The multiple channel speaker is an inevitable device for enjoying the high quality digital AV entertainment program, and the 5.1 channel speaker is a fundamental component of the multiple channel speaker.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a diagram of a home theater with a 5.1 channel speaker. Referring to FIG. 1, when the DVD player 100 is playing an AV program, the DVD player 100 provides different audio signals to a front left speaker 102a and a front right speaker 102b, a center speaker 104, a left surround speaker 106a and a right surround speaker 106b, and a subwoofer 108, so as to create a 3D spatial sound effect for providing a realistic setting for the listener.
However, it is required to use an earphone to listen music under the circumstance of not suitable for using the speaker (for example, using speaker may disturb others). Referring to FIG. 2A, since a typical earphone 200a only has one speaker 210 in its both sides, respectively, it is not possible for the listener to enjoy the multiple channel sound effect provided by the DVD player.
Therefore, an earphone having a plurality of speakers in its main body had been proposed in the prior art. The conventional earphone 200b has a main channel speaker 202, a center speaker 204, and a surround speaker 206 in its both sides, respectively. By cooperated with a special design plug 208, the DVD player provides different channel's audio signal to different speaker through the plug 208, so as to further create the spatial sound effect of the 5.1 channel speaker in home theater environment. Since the delaying output of the audio signal is controlled in a digital way (e.g. with a circuit design) in the conventional earphone 200b, the spatial sound effect provided by it is not so good. It is far behind when compared with the spatial sound effect provided by the 5.1 channel speaker in home theater environment as shown in FIG. 1, and it cannot present the quality and function of the multiple channel surrounding sound effect.


A chlorosulfonated polyethylene polymer composition is disclosed, comprising a chlorosulfonated polyethylene polymer having incorporated therein (a) from 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of a metal salt of an organic acid, (b) from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a phenylamine and/or a phenylenediamine, (c) from 1 to 30 parts by weight of an acid acceptor, and (d) from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a vulcanizing agent, per 100 parts by weight of the chlorosulfonated polyethylene polymer. The composition provides a vulcanized product excellent in ozone resistance as well as mechanical strength.

Chlorosulfonated polyethylene polymers are special elastomers excellent in ozone resistance, weather resistance, heat resistance, oil resistance, and chemical resistance, and these excellent characteristics have been taken advantage of in extruded articles, such as wire coatings and hoses, or calendared articles, such as coated fabric.
In recent years, higher performance properties have been required of rubber parts, particularly automobile parts, to stand use under very severe conditions. Chlorosulfonated polyethylene polymers have also been demanded to have improved performance, particularly ozone resistance for use, e.g., as coating materials of various automotive hoses.
Known methods for improving ozone resistance include compounding of a vegetable oil having an unsaturated bond. However, a vegetable oil is extracted on contact with fuel oil or grease to reduce its effect. JP-A-63-57654 (the term "JPA" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application") proposes a chlorosulfonated polyethylene polymer composition free from permanent set and excellent in ozone resistance, comprising a chlorosulfonated polyethylene polymer having incorporated therein an amine maleimide compound, nickel dithiocarbamate, a metal oxide, and a polysulfide compound, but the effect of improving ozone resistance is still insufficient.

Chlorosulfonated polyethylene polymer composition


A radio network node (12) notifies wireless communication devices (14) in a wireless communication system (10) about an upcoming change of broadcasted system information. In this regard, the radio network node (12) broadcasts current system information (16A). The radio network node (12) also generates a notification (18) indicating that the radio network node (12) will broadcast changed system information (16B). This notification (18) is generated to indicate how the changed system information (16B) will differ from the current system information (16A). The radio network node (12) moreover transmits the notification (18) and, after transmitting the notification (18), broadcasts the changed system information (16B).

A wireless communication system broadcasts so-called system information to wireless communication devices in order to assist those devices with operating in the system. System information includes, for example, parameters that describe general information about the system, including the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) ID, the system bandwidth, and the like. System information also includes parameters that describe information specific to certain cells in the system, such as the allocation of control channels, paging channel information, cell selection information, and so on.
System information may change from time to time. Known approaches effectively inform devices about such a change by embedding one or more tags in the system information itself. A device reads the system information in order to check the tag(s). If the tag(s) have changed, the device considers the system information to have changed and continues on with reading the system information.
Systems with scarce radio resources and/or devices with limited battery power complicate these known approaches for informing devices about changed system information. Embedding change tags in the system information itself requires devices to consume battery power in order to read the tags. Furthermore, the tags themselves consume radio resources.

Broadcasting system information in a wireless communication system


An optical modulator includes an optical splitter splitting input optical signals into a first optical signal and a second optical signal and transmitting the first optical signal and the second optical signal to a first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide, respectively, an optical combiner generating an output optical signal by combining the first and second optical signals transmitted from the first and second optical waveguides respectively, and including three output ports including a main output port, a first auxiliary output port, and a second auxiliary output port, three output optical waveguides connected to the three output ports, respectively, and transmitting the output optical signal, and an optical detector connected to at least one of the three output optical waveguides.

The inventive concept relates to optical modulators, and more particularly, to optical modulators including a Mach Zehnder interferometer (MZI).
An apparatus for transmitting data signals by using optical signals has been used in various fields, in addition to an electrical transmission apparatus. An optical modulator is a device for transmitting electrical signals by converting the electrical signals into optical signals.
The MZI, which is a type of optical modulator, may convert electrical signals into optical signals in such a way that when a phase of at least one of the lights passing through different optical waveguides is changed due to an electrical signal, an intensity of an interference optical signal changes.

Optical modulators and data processing systems using the same


Disclosed are compounds of the general formulas:

Catalyzed reporter deposition (CARD) is a novel method of signal amplification which constitutes the subject matter of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,731,158; 5,583,001 and 5,196,306. These patents, and all other patents referred to herein, are incorporated by reference. Assays employing this technique are also described in Bobrow et al., Journal of Immunological Methods, 125:279-285 (1989) and in Bobrow et al., Journal of Immunological Methods, 137-103-112 (1991).
The CARD method utilizes an analyte-dependent enzyme activation system ("ADEAS") to catalyze the deposition of reporter or hapten groups, collectively referred to as "labels," onto a receptor, the receptor being part of or added to a surface in contact with the components of the assay. These enzymatically deposited labels are detected directly or indirectly, resulting in signal amplification and improved detection limits. In the previously disclosed references, a peroxidase was the preferred enzyme. While peroxidase enzymes give reliable assay results, the kinetics of the peroxidase reaction are, in some instances, overly rapid. Such rapid kinetics can decrease the dynamic range of the assay, making it difficult to collect quantitative data over broad ranges. Hydrolytic enzymes, also referred to as hydrolases, generally have slower kinetics, and it is desirable to incorporate them in these assays.
In the CARD method, an enzyme reacts with a conjugate consisting of a labeled compound incorporated into an enzyme substrate. When the enzyme and the substrate react, a reactive intermediate, also termed an "activated conjugate," is formed which binds covalently wherever receptor for the reactive intermediate is immobilized. Examples of such compounds which have been described for use with peroxidase enzymes include substituted phenols such as biotinyl-tyramide, fluorescein tyramide and p-hydroxycinnamoyl-containing substrates disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,748, as well as the 4-(4-hydroxystyryl)pyridine substrates disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,443.
In other analyses of the prior art, enzyme substrates have been used to generate products which become colored, fluorescent or chemiluminescent. These products either remain soluble or become insoluble and precipitate on a surface. The CARD method differs in that the reactive intermediates become covalently bound to the receptor, which may be part of, or separately, immobilized on a surface.
2-difluoromethylphenyl and p-hydroxymandelic acid compounds are well known for use as, for example, activity-based probes, Zhu et al., (2003) Tetrahedron Letters, 44, 2669-2672, Lo et al., (2002) J. Proteome Res., 1, 35-40; screening of antibody libraries, Cesaro-Tadic et al., (2003) Nature Biotechnology, 21, 679-685, Janda et al., (1997) Science 275, 945-948; and suicide substrates, Halazy et al., (1990) Bioorganic Chemistry 18, 330-344, Betley et al., (2002) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 41, 775-777. However, none of these references teaches the use of these compounds as substrates for detection and amplification in analyte-dependent assays such as immunoassays, nucleic acid hybridization assays, microarray assays, immunohistochemical applications, in-situ hybridization applications and the like.

Hydrolytic substrates for an analyte-dependent enzyme activation system

Abstract: wherein Y is a moiety capable of being cleaved by a hydrolytic enzyme; L is a detectable label; X is a linking group; Z is a halogen; and R is hydrogen, an alkyl, or a halogen. Compounds of this general formula can be used as substrates in an analyte-dependent enzyme activation system, such as that employed in connection with catalyzed reporter depositions. Also disclosed are assays using the compounds, and kits for carrying out the assays.


The present invention relates to water swellable, water insoluble superabsorbent materials having controlled variable gel-bed friction angles. Controlling the gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the superabsorbent material. The present invention relates to treatments for superabsorbent materials to manipulate friction angle and new superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics. The present invention also relates to absorbent composites employing superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics.

People rely on absorbent articles in their daily lives.
Absorbent articles, including adult incontinence articles, feminine care articles, and diapers, are generally manufactured by combining a substantially liquid-permeable topsheet; a substantially liquid-impermeable backsheet attached to the topsheet; and an absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet. When the article is worn, the liquid-permeable topsheet is positioned next to the body of the wearer. The topsheet allows passage of bodily fluids into the absorbent core. The liquid-impermeable backsheet helps prevent leakage of fluids held in the absorbent core. The absorbent core is designed to have desirable physical properties, e.g. a high absorbent capacity and high absorption rate, so that bodily fluids may be transported from the skin of the wearer into the disposable absorbent article.
The present invention relates to water swellable, water insoluble superabsorbent materials, which are often employed in an absorbent core (also referred to as an absorbent composite), in part to help "lock up" fluids entering the core. More specifically, the present invention pertains to superabsorbent materials having a modified friction angle measured in a gel-bed of the superabsorbent material. The gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials of the present invention is controllable and follows a predetermined pattern. The present invention also relates to use of the controlled gel-bed friction angle superabsorbent materials in absorbent composites and absorbent articles incorporating such absorbent composites. Controlling the gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials may allow control of phenomena including, but not limited to: the swelling of the superabsorbent material, stresses experienced by the superabsorbent material and/or other ingredients (e.g., fibers) in an absorbent composite; the permeability of an absorbent composite containing the superabsorbent material; and/or, the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite. The present invention relates to treatments for superabsorbent materials to manipulate gel-bed friction angle and new superabsorbent materials having the desired gel-bed friction angle characteristics.
Absorbent composites used in absorbent articles typically consist of an absorbent material, such as a superabsorbent material, mixed with a composite matrix containing natural and/or synthetic fibers. As fluids enter the absorbent composite, the superabsorbent material swells as it absorbs the fluids. The superabsorbent material contacts the surrounding matrix components and possibly other superabsorbent material as it swells. The full swelling capacity of the superabsorbent material may be reduced due to stresses acting on the superabsorbent materials (e.g., stresses imposed by the matrix on superabsorbent material; external stresses acting on the absorbent composite that comprises a matrix and superabsorbent material, including, for example, stresses imposed on an absorbent composite by a wearer during use; stresses imposed by one portion of the superabsorbent material on another portion of the superabsorbent material, whether directly or indirectly; etc.). Furthermore, stresses acting on an absorbent composite comprising the superabsorbent material may act to reduce interstitial pore volume, i.e., space between superabsorbent material, fibers, other ingredients, or some combination thereof (without being bound to a particular analogy, and for purposes of explanation only, think of a force acting on some unit area of a sponge-like material with pores, with the force per unit area—i.e., stress—acting to reduce the thickness of the sponge-like material, and, therefore, the volume of the pores).
As the superabsorbent material swells, it may rearrange into void spaces of the absorbent composite matrix as well as expand readily against the matrix to create additional void space. Also, as the superabsorbent material swells, stresses acting within and/or on the absorbent composite may increase due—at least in part—to expansion of the superabsorbent material, thereby reducing the pore volume between: fibers, superabsorbent material, other ingredients in the absorbent composite, or some combination there of. The ability to rearrange within the composite matrix, and the magnitude and extent of the stresses acting within and on the composite matrix, depend on several factors specifically including a gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent material. In addition, as the superabsorbent material moves within the composite matrix, the superabsorbent material may contact the components, such as fibers and binding materials, of the surrounding matrix. Thus, the frictional properties of the superabsorbent material may influence the ability of the material to swell and rearrange or move within the matrix, as well as the magnitude and extent of the stresses acting within and on the composite matrix.
It is often desired that the superabsorbent material be able to rotate and translate within the voids of the absorbent composite to allow the superabsorbent material to swell as close to full swelling capacity as is possible within the matrix. There is a need for a superabsorbent material which may more easily rearrange within the void space of the absorbent composite matrix. There is a need for a way to control the physical mechanics that: allow the superabsorbent material to rearrange within the absorbent composite matrix; reduce or minimize the stresses acting within or on the absorbent composite or its ingredient(s); and/or reduce the reduction in pore volume that may accompany the build up of said stresses.

Superabsorbent materials having low, controlled gel-bed friction angles and composites made from the same


A method of stabilizing pressure and flow conditions in a screening apparatus for treating a pulp is described, the pulp being supplied continuously to the screening apparatus through an inlet and passed through a pulp space along a screen of a screen body and discharged continuously through an outlet, said screen body being moved axially with a forward-going movement during an extraction phase and a backward-going movement during a backflushing phase. The flowrate of the pulp through, and the pressure conditions in, the treating zone of the screening apparatus are controlled by altering the volume at the inlet end and outlet end of the screening apparatus during the movement of the screen body. A screening apparatus for carrying out the method is also described, which comprises a cylinder housing with a piston movable to and fro therein by means of a drive device, said piston defining a first chamber filled with liquid and a second chamber filled with pulp, said pulp chamber being in direct communication with the pulp inlet. Furthermore, a connection channel filled substantially with liquid is disposed between the liquid chamber and an outlet zone of the pulp space located at the outlet for treated pulp.

The present invention relates to a method of stabilizing pressure and flow conditions in a screening apparatus for treating a pulp of fibrous cellulosic material. The invention also relates to a screening apparatus for performing this method.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,509 describes a screening apparatus of pressure diffuser type with a screen moving in a cycle to and fro and being journalled on two cylindrical support bodies having different diameters at the inlet and outlet sides of the displacement zone. At the return movement of each cycle the screen executes a rapid return stroke, the volume of the filtrate or extraction space being reduced as a result of said differences in the diameters of the support bodies. The screen is thus backflushed with a liquid volume corresponding to the difference in cross-sectional areas of the two cylindrical support bodies multiplied by the stroke length of the screen minus the quantity of displaced liquid removed from the screening apparatus during the return stroke. During the rest of the cycle, i.e. the extraction phase, the screen moves in the same direction, and at substantially the same speed, as the pulp. In this known method the pulp is moved at the correct speed in relation to the screen at the same time as clogging of the screen holes is prevented. However, the distribution of backflushing is not satisfactory. One solution to this problem is to design the screen as a truncated cone, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,628.
In the known screening apparatus described in the above-mentioned patents, the pulp flows continuously into and out of the displacement zone at the same time as displacement liquid is supplied radially from the outside in the direction to the screen surface and extracted or displaced liquid is allowed continuously to leave the apparatus. As a result of the in and out flow of the pulp the pressure in the pulp will increase at the inlet end of the screen or displacement zone and drop at its outlet end during the return stroke of the screen.
A pressure gradient thus exists between the inlet end and outlet end of the displacement zone. This circumstance may prevent the backflushing from being correctly distributed since no corresponding pressure gradient occurs in the space for the displaced liquid. Most of the backflushing will therefore occur close to the outlet end of the displacement zone, whereas little or no backflushing will occur in the direction to the inlet end of the screen.

Stabilizing pressure and flow conditions in a screening apparatus


Alkenyl aromatic thermoplastic synthetic resinous elongate foam bodies having a machine direction, a traverse direction and closed noninterconnecting gas-containing cells are prepared using at least 70 percent by weight of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane and or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane as a blowing agent or part of a blowing agent mixture. These foam bodies have an average cell size of 0.01 to 0.3 millimeters, a density of from about 0.75 to about 6.0 pounds per cubic foot, an absolute dimensional stability of less than 4 percent in any direction when measured by the test designated ASTM D2126/C578, and preferably a minimum cross-sectional dimension of at least 0.25 inch, a cross-sectional area of at least 8 square inches, a water vapor permeability not greater than 1.8 per inch.. A cell size enlarger agent may be necessary for cell sizes in the 0.2-0.3 range.

This invention relates to a dimensionally stable insulating alkenyl aromatic polymer foam extruded in large cross sections employing specific blowing agents or specific blowing agent mixtures.
One major application for alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, such as styrene polymer foams, is in the field of thermal insulation. Desirably a styrene polymer foam for thermal insulation has an average cell size of less than about 0.3 millimeters and excellent dimensional stability.
One manner in which the thermal insulation value of styrene polymer foams is increased is by the addition of certain fully-halogenated compounds, such as dichlorodifluoromethane, into the styrene polymer foam as a blowing/insulating agent. Such a compound, when contained in the cells of the extruded styrene polymer foam, increases the thermal insulation value.
Another major consideration for extruded styrene polymer foam is dimensional stability. Dimensional stability is particularly important when the extruded styrene polymer foam is employed in construction uses or is laminated to a cementitious layer. For most commercial applications regular rectangular forms are required and while a distorted shape can be cut into a rectangular form, considerable product is lost in cutting and must be discarded as scrap. Another consideration is that if an extruded styrene polymer foam product is not dimensionally stable, then the foamed polystyrene must be maintained in storage for a sufficient length of time until substantially all dimensional instability, such a shrinking, swelling, warping or bulging has stopped.
Still another important consideration is the choice of a blowing/insulating agent. Certain of these agents, particularly fully-halogenated compounds such as dichlorodifluoromethane, when released to the atmosphere upon extrusion of the styrene polymer foam or upon aging of the foam are believed to cause harm to the atmosphere. Thus, it is desirable to reduce or eliminate these fully-halogenated compounds.
Some of these considerations concerning extruded foams and their manufacture are discussed at great length in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,409,910; 2,515,250; 2,669,751; 2,848,428; 2,928,130; 3,121,130; 3,121,911; 3,770,688; 3,815,674; and 3,960,792, the teachings of which are herein incorporated with reference thereto.
Canadian Patent No. 1,086,450, hereby incorporated by reference, refers to this problem and proposes a variety of low permeability, insulating/blowing agents, or mixtures of those agents, having a permeability through an alkenyl aromatic resinous polymer of not greater than 0.017 times the permeability of nitrogen through the body, a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.10 British Thermal Units-inch per hour per square foot per degree Fahrenheit and having the following formula: EQU R1-CF2-R2
herein R1 is a methyl, ethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, difluoromethyl, chlorofluoromethyl, fluoromethyl, or trifluoromethyl radical and R2 is hydrogen or a chloro, fluoro, methyl or trifluoromethyl radical with the further characterization that the compound contain no more than 3 carbon atoms and if the compound contains as halogen only 2 fluorine atoms, the compound must have 3 carbons.
1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a) is specifically listed in the Canadian patent as being one of a number of low-permeability blowing agents useful in the practice of that invention and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) is contemplated as being within the scope of the formula defining low-permeability blowing agents. Also chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) is listed as a secondary or high-permeability blowing agent useful in the preparation of the foam of the Canadian patent.
However, in Table I of the Canadian patent, it can be seen that polystyrene foam prepared from certain of the low-permeability blowing agents, particularly 1,1-difluoro-1-chloroethane (HCFC-142b), have a dimensional stability which is excessive, although the cell size is 0.20 mm (millimeters) This is particularly noted in Example 16. Examples 14 and 15 of the same Table I appear to solve the dimensional stability problem by using 50/50 and 40/60 (weight of each component by total blowing agent weight) blowing agent mixtures of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) and HCFC-142b while retaining a cell sizes of 0.12 mm and 0.14 mm respectively.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,792, previously incorporated by reference, teaches how to prepare a dimensionally stable expanded closed cell polystyrene foam body while employing as the fluid foaming agent a volatile material which has a diffusion rate through the polystyrene resin about 0.75 to 6 times the diffusion rate of air through polystyrene resin with the foaming agent being a mixture of at least two compounds having carbon chemically combined therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,527, hereby incorporated by reference, teaches how to prepare an expanded closed cell polystyrene foam body while employing as the fluid foaming agent a mixture of carbon dioxide and ethyl chloride. Optionally dichlorodifluoromethane, 1,1-difluoro-1-chloroethane and mixtures thereof may also be included as part of the blowing agent mixture.
There is a need to be able to produce a dimensionally stable extruded polystyrene foam body with a non-fully halogenated insulating/blowing agent.
More particularly there is a need to be able to produce a dimensionally stable extruded polystyrene foam body with 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or 1,1,1-trifluoroethane as the only or major insulating/blowing agent.

Insulating alkenyl aromatic polymer foam


Embodiments of the present invention encompass graft assemblies, and methods for their use and manufacture. An exemplary bone graft assembly includes first and second bone pieces having respective mating features which, when combined, define non-uniform press fit. Related embodiments encompass graft assemblies having enclosed or hidden mating features.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed in general to the field of medical grafts, and in particular to multi-piece graft compositions, and methods of their use and manufacture.
Medical grafting procedures often involve the implantation of autogenous, allograft, or synthetic grafts into a patient to treat a particular condition or disease. The use of musculoskeletal allograft tissue in reconstructive orthopedic procedures and other medical procedures has markedly increased in recent years, and millions of musculoskeletal allografts have been safely transplanted. A common allograft is bone. Typically, bone grafts are reabsorbed and replaced with the patient's natural bone upon healing. Bone grafts can be used in a variety of indications, including neurosurgical and orthopedic spine procedures for example. In some instances, bone grafts can be used to fuse joints or to repair broken bones.
Allograft and autogenous bone are both derived from humans; the difference is that allograft is harvested from an individual (e.g. donor) other than the one (e.g. patient) receiving the graft. Allograft bone is often taken from cadavers that have donated their bone so that it can be used for living people who are in need of it, for example, patients whose bones have degenerated from cancer. Such tissues represent a gift from the donor or the donor family to enhance the quality of life for other people.
Hence, bone graft compositions and methods are presently available and provide real benefits to patients in need thereof. Yet many advances may still be made to provide improved bone graft systems and methods for treating patients. The bone graft systems and treatment and manufacture methods described herein provide further solutions and answers to these outstanding needs.

Multi-piece machine graft systems and methods


A variable resistor (102) for varying a resistance between first and second terminals (145, 150) includes a substrate (200) having formed thereon a resistor network (205) for providing the resistance, wherein the resistor network (205) is electrically coupled between the first and second terminals (145, 150). The variable resistor (102) further includes an elastomeric actuator (300) having opposing upper and lower surfaces (310, 305), wherein the lower surface (305) is conductive. The lower surface (305) electrically couples the first terminal (145) to successive portions of the resistor network (205) as an increasing force is applied to the upper surface (310) of the elastomeric actuator (300), in response to which the resistance between the first and second terminals (145, 150) varies.

Resistive devices are well known in the art. Resistors typically comprise a resistive material, such as a thick film resistor element or a resistive wire, to which terminations are attached for electrically coupling the resistor to other circuit elements. One type of resistor is a variable resistor for varying the resistance provided between the terminations. This variable resistance can be utilized in a number of applications, such as in volume controls for stereos and dimmers for lighting purposes.
Variable resistors are typically manufactured in a configuration in which a resistive element is terminated in at least one fixed terminal. A moveable terminal is attached to an actuator, such as a rotary knob, thumbwheel, or slideable member, such that the moveable terminal contacts different regions of the resistive element as a user manipulates the actuator. In this manner, the resistance between the fixed terminal and the moveable terminal varies as the actuator is manipulated.
More specifically, in one conventional variable resistor utilizing a thumbwheel, an insulating substrate is imprinted with a resistor network. The substrate and a cover form a housing containing the thumbwheel, terminals embedded in the cover, and conductors carried by the thumbwheel which selectively connect portions of the resistor circuit to the terminals such that the resistance between the terminals is determined by the thumbwheel position.
As can be seen from the above description, conventional variable resistors utilize a relatively large number of parts, e.g., actuator, cover, terminals, conductors, substrate, and resistor network. During manufacturing of the variable resistor, these parts must be cataloged, ordered, and stocked separately. Additionally, the parts must be assembled in labor intensive processes involving the use of fasteners such as screws, pins, or rivets for fastening the actuator to the terminals. Once the variable resistor is assembled, wear and tear can occur which can interrupt the operation of the resistor. For instance, in variable resistors having a terminal which slides across a resistive element, the resistive element and/or the terminal can become worn after repeated use. If the terminal is very small or fragile, as in smaller variable resistors, it can even break entirely from the forces applied thereto by the actuator and the resistive element.
Thus, what is needed is a variable resistor which includes a relatively small number of parts that can be easily assembled. Furthermore, parts included in the variable resistor should not become worn with repeated use.

Variable resistor utilizing an elastomeric actuator


A skin cooling method for a dermatologic treatment procedure, by which a skin target region is exposed for a specified duration to irradiation with electromagnetic energy emitted from an electromagnetic energy exit opening of a skin treatment applicator and the target region is cooled at least during part of the duration of the exposure to electromagnetic energy irradiation, wherein a cooling procedure is performed including an air cooling step comprising ejection of a directional flow of cooling air towards the skin treatment region, said directional cooling air flow having a temperature T in the interval 0° C.<T≦15° C. In an apparatus according to the invention this method may be combined with one or more contact cooling steps.

In the field of skin cooling for dermatologic treatment procedures it is generally known to provide skin cooling during treatment by the use of cryogen cooling air.
From JP 203000334 A2 it is for instance known to provide air cooling by the use of a cooling arrangement in which the cooling air is provided from the cold side of a Peltier-element, where the warm side of said Peltier-element is water cooled. The cooled air having a temperature in the range of −15-−10° C. is blown out through a handheld applicator, which is connected with the Peltier-element through an air hose.
It is also known from WO 99/05978 to use supercooled tetrafluoroethane having a temperature of −26° C. to cool an area of treatment during a surgical procedure.
Furthermore it is known from WO 00/23018 to use a supercooled airflow to cool a skin-contacting surface.
These prior art skin cooling methods have several drawbacks. First of all the use of sub-zero cooling air temperatures to achieve sufficient skin cooling generally provide an inconvenient risk of inflicting chill damage to the skin undergoing treatment. Also there is risk of a formation of ice crystals in the flow of cooling air, potentially inflicting damage on the treatment apparatus and skin undergoing treatment.
Moreover when a transparent skin-contacting surface is placed in the beam path for cooling the skin undergoing treatment this imposes a loss of electromagnetic energy as the emitted electromagnetic energy must pass through the skin-contacting surface on its way to the treatment region. Therefore, the prior art methods are relatively energy consuming, and the applicators used in connection with the known methods are rather complicated and impractical in use.
Hence it is the object of the invention to provide a skin cooling method and a skin cooling apparatus by which the abovementioned drawbacks are eliminated or reduced significantly and that will simplify dermatologic treatment procedures considerably.

Skin cooling for a dermatologic treatment procedure


An anesthetic tank (1) of an anesthetic dispensing unit is used especially for desflurane and has improved reliability of operation by mutually complementing level monitoring devices. The anesthetic tank (1) is equipped with a level tube (3) arranged in or on the outer wall with a connection line (6) into the interior space as well as with an optical level sensor (4). The optical axis (5) of the level sensor (4) is located at the same level as a mark (33) on the level tube (3).

Various dispensing systems, in which the anesthetic is fed from an associated anesthetic tank, are known for dispensing anesthetics. To monitor the ability to operate uninterruptedly for dispensing anesthetics, it is, furthermore, known that a level tube, for example, one corresponding to DE 41 06 756 A1, which communicates with the interior space of the anesthetic tank, is arranged on the outer wall of the anesthetic tank, so that the level in the anesthetic tank can be read on the outside. Capacitive level sensors for such an anesthetic tank are disclosed, for example, in DE 35 23 948 C2.

Anesthetic tank of an anesthetic dispensing unit


Method and apparatus are presented for the mass production manufacturing of planar mirrors inside transparent micro balls circumscribed by lubricated bearings for solar energy concentration and related applications such as optical switches, etc. These bearings permit rotational alignment of the balls with minimal friction. The preferred mass production process utilizes photolithography in an optical microlithographic photoresist process. The micro-balls are in the size range of ˜1 micron (1×10-6 m) to 1000 microns (1 mm). The micro-balls vary in geometry from spheres to cylinders to oblate ellipsoids to disks. The term “elements” is used to encompass all these shapes, which have one thing in common—a flat specularly reflecting mirrored surface. An important aspect of the manufacturing process is the containment of the mirrored micro-balls in the interior of lubricated bearings which are preferably concentric with the balls, which circumscribed concentricity can also be preferably accomplished by a microlithographic process.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates to method and apparatus for the mass production of planar mirrors inside transparent micro balls circumscribed within lubricated spheroidal bearings for solar energy concentration and other optical functions. The preferred mass production process utilizes photolithography in an optical microlithographic photoresist process. The micro-balls are in the size range of 1 micron (1×10−6 m) to 1000 microns (1 mm), and preferably less than 100 microns (0.1 mm). An important preferred aspect of the manufacturing process is the circumscription of the mirrored micro-balls in the interior of lubricated spherical bearings which are concentric with the balls, which can also be preferably accomplished by a microlithographic process. These lubricated circumscribing bearings permit rotational alignment of the balls with minimal friction.
In one form the micro-balls are transparent in both hemispheres, and have a mid-plane mirror. In another form the micro-balls are transparent in one hemisphere with the other hemisphere being opaque or translucent, and have a mid-plane mirror. In other embodiments the micro-balls vary in geometry from cylinders to oblate ellipsoids to disks. The term "element" is used to encompass all these shapes, which have one thing in common—a flat specularly reflecting mirrored surface. These elements can track the light source, and aim and focus the reflected light as taught in the incorporated references below. The term "bearing" is used to denote the lubricated housing that circumscribes (encloses) these various elements.
2. Incorporation by Reference
In a solar energy application (as well as other functions), these elements in the form of transparent reflecting micro-balls and other shapes are a critical feature of a unique solar concentrator which directs sunlight to a receiver as described in the following patents and copending patent applications related to this case. The following U.S. patents, allowed patent applications, pending patent applications, and Solar Journal publication are fully incorporated herein by reference.    1. U.S. Pat. No. 7,133,183 by Mario Rabinowitz, "Micro-Optics Solar Energy Concentrator" issued on Nov. 7, 2006.    2. U.S. Pat. No. 7,130,102 by Mario Rabinowitz, "Dynamic Reflection, Illumination, and Projection" issued on Oct. 31, 2006.    3. U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,881 by Mario Rabinowitz and Mark Davidson, "Positioning and Motion Control by Electrons, Ions, and Neutrals in Electric Fields" issued on Oct. 3, 2006.    4. U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,253, by Mario Rabinowitz, "Manufacturing Transparent Mirrored Mini-Balls for Solar Energy Concentration and Analogous Applications" issued on Sep. 26, 2006.    5. U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,361, by Mario Rabinowitz, "Micro-Optics Concentrator for Solar Power Satellites" issued on Jul. 18, 2006.    6. U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,809 by Mario Rabinowitz, "Advanced Micro-Optics Solar Energy Collection System" issued on Jan. 24, 2006.    7. U.S. Pat. No. 6,987,604 by Mario Rabinowitz and David Overhauser, "Manufacture of and Apparatus for Nearly Frictionless Operation of a Rotatable Array of Micro-Mirrors in a Solar Concentrator Sheet" issued on Jan. 17, 2006.    8. U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,445 by Mario Rabinowitz, "Dynamic Optical Switching Ensemble" issued on Dec. 13, 2005.    9. U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,486 by Mario Rabinowitz, "Alignment of Solar Concentrator Micro-Mirrors" issued on Nov. 15, 2005.    10. U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,894 by Mario Rabinowitz and Felipe Garcia, "Group Alignment    11. U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,73 by Mario Rabinowitz and Mark Davidson, "Mini-Optics Solar Energy Concentrator" issued on Jan. 18, 2005.    12. U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,176 by Mario Rabinowitz and Mark Davidson, "Dynamic Multi-Wavelength Switching Ensemble" issued on May 18, 2004.    13. U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,693 by Mark Davidson and Mario Rabinowitz, "Solar Propulsion Assist" issued on Mar. 2, 2004.    14. U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,705 by Mark Davidson and Mario Rabinowitz, "Mini-Optics Solar Energy Concentrator" issued on Sep. 2, 2003.    15. Solar Energy Journal, Vol. 77, Issue #1, 3-13 (2004) "Electronic film with embedded micro-mirrors for solar energy concentrator systems" by Mario Rabinowitz and Mark Davidson.    16. U.S. Publication 2005-003750-A1 by Mario Rabinowitz, "Spinning Concentrator Enhanced Solar Energy Alternating Current Production" is Pending.    17. U.S. Publication 2006-0150968-A1 by Mario Rabinowitz, "Induced Dipole Alignment of Solar Concentrator Balls" is Pending.
3. Description of the Prior Art
The manufacturing processes as taught herein are distinct and different from the prior art. First, except for my own work, none of the prior art is concerned with the manufacture of mirrors in transparent micro-balls, or as part of the various elements described in the instant invention. Applications of the instant invention primarily relate to a Solar Concentrator, and secondarily to Optical Switching, Solar Propulsion Assist, and Active Reflection, Illumination, And Projection. Second none of the prior art (including my own) teaches the build up of spheres and circumscribing bearings from disks, such as can be done at the micron range by photolithography in an optical microlithographic photoresist process as taught in the instant invention.
The U.S. Patent Application #2003/0117424 A1 of Kinoshita, Hayashi, and Ozaki, entitled COLORED ROTATION SPHERICAL MATERIAL, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR, AND DISPLAY DEVICE is concerned with enhancing the degree of whiteness of a ball in a display device. They have no transparent hemisphere and there is no specular mirror, both of which are key aspects of the instant invention. As stated in their Abstract: "A colored rotation spherical material is configured so as to have two parts different from each other in color, such as a white part and a black part, and an optically reflective region between the two parts, such as a reflective layer. With this constitution, since the reflective layer reflects light which is usually absorbed in the black part, and the white part scatters the reflected light again, whiteness degree and reflectance increase." Their objective is just to enhance the white color in a display device. That is clearly why they are not trying to manufacture a mirror.
The U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,253, by Mario Rabinowitz, "Manufacturing Transparent Mirrored Mini-Balls for Solar Energy Concentration and Analogous Applications" details many different approaches to the manufacture of mirrored balls. However none of these anticipate the instant invention. This is also the case for all the issued and pending patent applications of Rabinowitz. Furthermore I am not aware of any prior art that anticipates the instant invention.

Manufacture of micro mirror balls and circumscribing bearings for solar energy concentration and other optical functions


An alternator rotor assembly 30 is provided, including a rear pole piece 34 having a rear pole base portion 58 and a plurality of rear pole finger portions 60 each having a rear pole fingertip 62. The plurality of rear pole finger portions 60 are positioned to form a plurality of rear pole finger gaps 64. The alternator rotor assembly 30 further includes a front pole piece 32 having a front pole base portion 50 and a plurality of front pole finger portions 52 each having a front pole fingertip 54. The plurality of front pole finger portions 52 are positioned to form a plurality of front pole finger gaps 56. The rear pole piece 34 and the front pole piece 32 are assembled such that the rear pole finger portions 60 are positioned within the front pole finger gaps 56 and the front pole finger portions 52 are positioned within the rear pole finger gaps 64. The alternator rotor assembly 30 further includes a plurality of link elements 70. The link elements 70 are positioned within the finger gaps 56, 64 and connect the front pole fingertips 54 to the rear pole base portion 58 and the rear pole fingertips 62 to the front pole base portion 50.

The present invention relates generally to an alternator assembly and more particularly to an alternator rotor assembly with improved RPM and output capabilities.
Alternators are utilized in a wide variety of applications within a wide variety of fields. The automotive industry makes frequent usage of these systems within their vehicles. A popular style of alternator within the automotive field utilizes a Lundell style alternator rotor to provide the magnetic field. The use of this traditional style alternator rotor, however, has come into conflict with industry trends calling for increased electrical power, improved power density, and increased speed capability from their alternators.
The apparent conflict arises from well known methods of increasing electrical power output from a Lundell alternator design. One method commonly involves spinning the rotor faster within the alternator since the power output of the alternator increases with rotor speed. The increase in rotor speed is commonly accomplished through a reduction in the size of the alternator pulley on creating a high pulley ration between the engine""s crank pulley and the alternator pulley. Another well-known approach to increasing electrical power output is to reduce the air-gap between the outside diameter of the rotor and the inside diameter of the stator. However, this air-gap can serve to limit the speed capability of the rotor.
Centrifugal forces act on the rotor and deflect the fingers of the pole toward the stator, effectively closing the air-gap between the two. The pole fingers deflect outwardly due to the centrifugal forces until they contact the stator core inside diameter causing an immediate alternator failure. FIG. 2 illustrates the movement of the fingers of one pole from low to high RPMs. The pole fingers deflect outwardly due to the cantilever nature of the design under the influence of both centrifugal force and magnetic attraction between the rotor outside and the stator inside. Therefore, when the air-gap is reduced, the RPM capability must be reduced to insure the fingers do not deflect into the stator. Thus, the rotor RPM and the air-gap can work against each other in a traditional Lundell style design.
There are several known methodologies for attempting to increase RPM while minimizing air-gap. One such approach has been to increase the strength of the fingers. The fingers can be strengthened by increasing their cross-sectional thickness. This method, however, can result in less room for the field coil windings yielding less field strength. The field strength capability of the rotor is proportional to the amount of room dedicated for the field wire winds. Therefore, increasing the thickness of the fingers results in decreased field strength and lower electrical output for the alternator. Additionally, the thicker fingers decrease the air-gap between features on opposing magnetic poles resulting in additional leakage flux, lowering the electrical output ability. Thus the approach of increasing finger cross-section alone is often not a satisfactory approach to increasing alternator output.
An alternate known approach attempts to restrain the fingers from flexing outward during high RPM operation. This approach utilizes bands around the outside diameter of the rotor to restrain such deflection. The bands, however, are generally positioned in the air-gap between the rotor and the stator and thereby requiring an increase in the air-gap resulting in a diminished output of the alternator. This is often true whether the bands are simply wrapped around the outside diameter or if they are placed in cut grooves. The band material must be non-magnetic (since they touch fingers of both pole pieces having opposite magnetic polarities during operation) and therefore any portion of the air-gap taken up by the bands acts effectively as additional air-gap. If the bands were to be magnetic they would provide a direct leakage path for flux to xe2x80x9cshort circuitxe2x80x9d between the two poles.
Materials known to be utilized for such bands include stainless steel, fiber reinforced wound composites, and aluminum. Stainless steel and fiber reinforced wound compounds are both expensive and can be difficult to process. Aluminum bands need to be large to sustain the mechanical stress from the fingers. The increase dimensions of the aluminum bands further increases the amount of the air-gap taken up my non-magnetic bands and can result in inferior performance. Additionally the use of any bands wrapped around the outside diameter of the rotors can add a substantial amount of rotating inertia to the rotor assembly. Rotating inertia can limit the pulley ratio between the alternator and the engine due to the potential for belt slip. In addition, the fingers and bands often still deflect under high RPM and therefore require additional air-gap spacing.
Finally, an additional undesirable aspect of traditional Lundell style alternator designs arises from the vibration of the fingers during operation. Finger vibration amplitude is excited due to magnetic forces acting on the finger face and the ends of the stator teeth. These attraction forces causes the rotor to excite when a natural frequency is reached and can cause undesirable audible noise.
It would, therefore, be highly desirable to have an alternator rotor assembly with improved capacity for increased RPM usage, a capacity for a decreased air-gap, and that provided a reduction in audible noise caused by finger vibration.
In accordance with the present invention, an alternator rotor assembly is provided. The alternator rotor assembly includes a rear pole piece having a rear pole base portion and a plurality of rear pole finger portions each having a rear pole fingertip. The plurality of rear pole finger portions are positioned to form a plurality of rear pole finger gaps. The alternator rotor assembly further includes a front pole piece having a front pole base portion and a plurality of front pole finger portions each having a front pole fingertip. The plurality of front pole finger portions are positioned to form a plurality of front pole finger gaps. The rear pole piece and the front pole piece are assembled such that the rear pole finger portions are positioned within the front pole finger gaps and the front pole finger portions are positioned within the rear pole finger gaps.
The alternator rotor assembly further includes a plurality of link elements. The link elements are positioned within the finger gaps and connect the front pole fingertips to the rear pole base portion and the rear pole fingertips to the front pole base portion. In this fashion the deflection of the fingertips due to centrifugal forces is reduced.
Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims.


A reproducing device includes a ROM card, a file control data RAM, a control circuit, and a general purpose computer. The control circuit is a peripheral device of the computer, and the ROM card and the file control data RAM are connected to the control circuit. The ROM card stores a format by which the general purpose computer reads data. The file control data RAM stores file control data of the magnetic disk. Image data recorded in a magnetic disk is read by the control circuit and temporarily stored in the buffer RAM. File control data recorded in the magnetic disk is transferred and stored in the file control data RAM in accordance with the format stored in the ROM card, and the computer reads the file control data from the file control data RAM, and the image data from the magnetic disk, in accordance with that format.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for reproducing images obtained by, for example, an electronic still camera, by using a general-purpose computer (hereafter, personal computer).
2. Description of the Related Art
The adoption of a magnetic disk as a recording medium for an electronic still camera is well known. Such a magnetic disk uses an analog recording signal which is frequency-modulated or DPSK-modulated (differential-phase-shift-keying-modulated) to be reproduced.
However, the data recorded on such a magnetic disk, (i.e., images, etc. to be reproduced by a personal computer) uses an analog recording format, which does not conform to the data reading format of the operating system (hereinafter called "OS") of the personal computer. Thus, the personal computer cannot read the images.

Device for reproducing a recorded still image with a general-purpose computer


A fluid detector system for identifying a fluid or detecting presence of a substance in a fluid. The fluid detector includes at least two optical conductors, optical detectors coupled to outputs from the optical conductors; and a comparer for comparing the outputs from the detectors. Each optical conductor has an outer reflective surface. A first one of the optical conductors has a section with at least a portion of its outer reflective surface removed. The comparer can determine an optical refraction index of fluid at the section of the first optical conductor which has the portion of the outer reflective surface removed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to detecting in fluids and, more particularly, to a fluid detector which uses optical conductors and reflectance of fluids to obtain measurements.
2. Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,871 discloses a fiber optic coupling and measurement apparatus using a flexible liquid filled bladder. Various different physical and electrical systems are known for detecting, selecting or verifying the presence or absence of fluids, liquids or components in fluids and liquids. However, there is a desire for a new type of detecting system which preferably has no moving parts and no electrical contact with the fluids or liquids.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fluid detector system is provided for identifying a fluid or detecting presence of a substance in a fluid. The fluid detector includes at least two optical conductors, optical detectors coupled to outputs from the optical conductors; and a comparer for comparing the outputs from the detectors. Each optical conductor has an outer reflective surface. A first one of the optical conductors has a section with at least a portion of its outer reflective surface removed. The comparer can determine an optical refraction index of fluid at the section of the first optical conductor which has the portion of the outer reflective surface removed.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a fluid detector is provided comprising a light source; at least two main light conductors coupled to the light source by a branching light conductor; a fluid container having the first light conductor extending therethrough; and optical sensors couple to ends of the main light conductors for separately sensing light transmissions from the light source through the main light conductors. A first one of the light conductors has an outer lateral side having a section without a reflective surface. The outer side section without the reflective surface is located in the fluid container.
In accordance with one method of the present invention, a method of determining a fluid or presence of a substance in a fluid is provided comprising steps of transmitting optical energy into two optical conductors, a first one of the optical conductors having a side section without a reflective outer surface; reflecting optical energy at the side section back into the first optical conductor by fluid located against the first optical conductor at the side section; and comparing transmission levels of the optical energy transmitted through the two optical conductors.


A general purpose register circuit that stores and outputs desired data as required by a program stored in a storage device, has a memory cell which is connected to a word line and a bit line for writing and reading of the data; and a multiplexer circuit which is connected to the bit line at an input thereof and to a control line for transmitting an output selection signal and selectively outputs one of the value of the data read from the memory cell and input thereto via the bit line and a fixed value, according to the output selection signal input thereto.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a general purpose register circuit that stores and outputs desired data.
2. Background Art
Data memories include readable and writable memories dedicated to data storage, which are to be provided independently of program memories.
The data memories are generally classified into the following two types, both of which are readable and writable.
One type is a special function register (SFR) that stores data for specifying functions and operations of the central processing unit (CPU) and peripheral devices.
The other is a general purpose register (GPR) that serves as a general purpose data area and is used as a variable data area or a buffer.
When a circuit, such as a microprocessor, that has such a conventional general purpose register uses a particular value, the circuit first reads a value from the general purpose register circuit to create the particular value. Then, a computing unit processes the value by a calculation. Then, the result of the computational processing is written to the general purpose register circuit. Then, the circuit reads the written value for use. The circuit may use the value before the value is written to the general purpose register circuit.
However, as described above, in order to obtain a desired output from the general purpose register circuit, the value read from the general purpose register circuit has to be processed by performing a calculation, and therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the signal output rate to a desired level.
A conventional register has a multiplexer, a D-type flip flop that receives the output of the multiplexer at the D terminal thereof, and an AND gate that outputs a signal for selecting the output of the multiplexer based on a signal for selecting a register circuit to be modified and a signal for selecting the output of the multiplexer. The multiplexer receives the output signal of the D-type flip flop and a signal that defines the final state of the register circuit.
With such a configuration, when states of a plurality of registers have to be modified, a single command can be written to modify the status of multiple bits. In this way, when the status of a plurality of register circuits has to be modified, the software overhead is reduced (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 7-210382, for example).
However, even the conventional register described above still has to process the value read from the D-type flip flop by a calculation in order to provide a desired output. Thus, it is difficult to increase the signal output rate to a desired level.


The invention provides an aqueous composition that can alleviate at least one of the problems that conventional aqueous compositions for cosmetics have (e.g., insufficient temporal stability, insufficient viscosity increase, being incapable of being used in a variety of pH ranges and being incapable of providing sufficient thixotropy). The aqueous composition for cosmetics includes: (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of a cross-linked product of a hydroxyalkyl modified starch with a carbon number of 2 to 5, a cross-linked product of a hydroxyalkyl modified starch with a carbon number of 2 to 5 and an acyl modified starch with a carbon number of 2 to 18 and a cross-linked product of an acyl modified starch with a carbon number of 2 to 18; and (B) a water-soluble polymer material. When the water-soluble polymer material (B) is an association type poly(meth)acrylate polymer, a nonionic or cationic cellulose polymer, a poly(meth)acrylic acid polymer or xanthan gum, the aqueous composition exhibits excellent viscosity increase ratio and temporal stability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to aqueous compositions that can be used for cosmetics and to cosmetics containing the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, a variety of polymer materials have been added to cosmetics for the purpose of increasing or modifying the viscosity of cosmetics and improving the feeling upon application of cosmetics. However, the addition of polymer materials leads to formation of films after drying and thus may cause the problem of a feeling of stiffness, so that it is desired to decrease the used amount of polymer materials.
As viscosity increasing agents capable of alleviating the above-described problems, viscosity increasing agents using semi-synthetic polymers such as cellulose polymers have been reported. These viscosity-increasing agents, however, do not provide a sufficient viscosity increase ratio, and the use of them may result in other problems of insufficient temporal stability and insufficient thixotropy.
On the other hand, it has been reported that the viscosity can be increased by combining a specific quaternary amine polymer (polyquaternium 6, which is classified as a cationic synthetic polyvinyl polymer) and a specific cross-linked starch product. This combination, however, yields an insufficient viscosity increase of about four times and can only be used in a specific pH range (see, e.g., JP2000-514435A (pp. 48-51)).
The present invention was achieved in order to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an aqueous composition that can alleviate, or preferably substantially solve at least one of the problems of the conventional aqueous compositions for cosmetics, i.e., insufficient temporal stability, insufficient viscosity increase, being incapable of being used in a variety of pH ranges and being incapable of providing sufficient thixotropy. More preferably, the aqueous composition of the invention can alleviate all of the above-described problems, and most preferably, it can substantially solve all of the above-described problems. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an aqueous composition with superior overall performance that can appropriately adjust the above-described properties.

Aqueous composition for cosmetics and cosmetic including the same


A pulse generating unit including a delay unit for delaying an input signal of the pulse generating unit and a comparator unit for comparing an output signal of the delay unit with the above mentioned input signal, wherein the delay unit comprises one inverter for inverting the above mentioned input signal and for delaying the pulse fall time of the pulse fall edge of the inverted input signal, whereby the pulse generator generates an output pulse signal with a constant pulse duration even in the case where the pulse duration of the input pulse signal is shorter than the delay time of the delay unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pulse generator for use in an integrated circuit arrangement.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional pulse generator comprises a delay circuit unit 11 having three inverters 10 connected in series and a comparator unit consisting of a NAND gate unit 12 with dual input terminals, wherein the output terminal 11a of the delay unit 11 is connected to one input terminal 12a of the dual input NAND unit 12, and the input terminal 11b of the delay unit 11 is coupled with the other input terminal 12b of the dual input NAND unit 12. The coupled common terminal of both said input terminals 11b and 12b is used as a signal input terminal 13 of the pulse generator and an output terminal 12c of the dual input NAND unit 12 is used as a signal output terminal 14 of the pulse generator.
In the conventional pulse generator as described above, if a pulse signal P1 with a sufficiently long pulse duration is entered as an input signal for the pulse generator, a pulse signal P2 is generated from the signal output terminal 14 of the pulse generator with a constant pulse duration rising up at the time of the rising edge of the pulse signal P1. At this time, the pulse duration of the output pulse signal P2 is equal to the delay time t.sub.3 of the delay unit 11.
Therefore, if it is necessary to generate an output pulse signal with a long pulse duration, the delay unit is constituted with an odd number of inverters connected in series according to the necessity of the pulse duration. Moreover, in FIG. 2, the signal P3 is an output pulse signal of the delay unit 11 which is applied to the other input terminal 12a of the dual input NAND gate 12.
However, as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2, there has been a problem in the conventional pulse generator mentioned above that, when the pulse duration of the input pulse signal P1 is shorter than the delay time t.sub.3 of the delay unit 11, the pulse duration of the output pulse signal P2 becomes equal or shorter than that of the input pulse signal P1, and furthermore it occasionally occurs that an output pulse signal can not be obtained in a specific delay unit 11 with a specific delay characteristic.

Pulse generator for use in an integrated circuit