An omni-directional camera array that is very small and unobtrusive and allows for higher pixel resolution for the face of meeting participants sitting or standing around a conference room table, as would be typical in a video conferencing situation. The camera system of the invention uses N cameras and an N sided mirror to capture images of the surrounding scene. The cameras are arranged to have a small distance between their virtual centers of projection. The images from the N cameras are stitched together to create a 360-degree panorama using a calibration surface. To stitch the images together in real-time, a static image stitcher is used, which stitches images together perfectly for objects on a calibration surface. The calibration surface is typically defined by the boundary of the table the camera is sitting on.

1. Technical Field
This invention is directed toward a new camera design. More specifically, this invention is directed toward a new omni-directional camera design that provides an improved viewpoint for video capture of meetings compared to prior camera designs.
2. Background Art
Video conferencing systems have had limited commercial success. This is due to many factors. In particular, there are numerous technical deficiencies in the video conferencing systems to date. Poor camera viewpoints and insufficient image resolution make it difficult for meeting participants to see the person speaking. This is compounded by inaccurate speaker detection (especially for systems with pan-tilt-zoom cameras) that causes the camera not to be directed at the person speaking. Additionally, poor video compression techniques often result in poor video image quality and a "choppy" image display.
Three common methods exist to capture video data: pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras, mirror-based omni-directional cameras, and camera arrays. While PTZ cameras are currently the most popular choice, they have two major limitations. First, they can only capture a limited field of view. If they zoom in too closely, the context of the meeting room is lost; if they zoom out too far, people's expressions become invisible. Second, because the controlling motor takes time to move the camera, the camera's response to the meeting (e.g., switching between speakers) is slow. In fact, PTZ cameras cannot move too much or too fast, otherwise people watching the meeting can be quite distracted by the noise and motion of the camera as it adjusts its viewpoint.
Given these drawbacks and recent technological advances in mirror/prism-based omni-directional vision sensors, researchers have started to rethink the way video is captured and analyzed. For example, BeHere™ Corporation provides 360° Internet video technology in entertainment, news and sports webcasts. With its interface, remote users can control personalized 360° camera angles independent of other viewers to gain a "be here" experience. While this approach overcomes the two difficulties of limited field of view and slow camera response faced by the PTZ cameras, these types of devices tend to be too expensive to build given today's technology and market demand. In addition, these mirror prism-based omni-directional cameras suffer from low resolution (even with 1 MP sensors) and defocusing problems, which result in inferior video quality.
In another approach, multiple inexpensive cameras or video sensors are assembled to form an omni-directional camera array. For example, one known system employs four National Television System Committee (NTSC) cameras to construct a panoramic view of a meeting room. However, there are disadvantages with this design. First, NTSC cameras provide a relatively low quality video signal. In addition, the four cameras require four video capture boards to digitize the signal before it can be analyzed, transmitted or recorded. The requirement for four video capturing boards increases the cost and complexity of such a system, and makes it more difficult to manufacture and maintain. Another issue with these types of cameras is that they tend to be larger and when placed in the middle of a conference table they can be obtrusive and block the meeting participants views of each other due to their larger size.
Other camera systems have employed mirrors to achieve 360 degree coverage of a meeting room by creating camera arrays wherein the cameras are disposed in a back-to-back circular fashion directed at a number of mirrors which results in a common virtual center of projection. That is, the effective distance D between the centers of projections of all of the cameras in the array, is zero. The distance D can be modified by varying the angle at which a given mirror is positioned relative a given camera. The center of projection of a camera is defined as point of which one can rotate the camera around and only get a rotational transformation, and no translational transformation. For camera systems employing mirrors, the virtual center of projection corresponds to where the center of projection of the camera would have to be if there was no mirror to capture the same portion of the surrounding scene. When the virtual center of projection for all cameras in the array is common, there is no parallax error, no matter how far or how close the surrounding objects to be captured are from the camera. The goal for these camera arrays employing mirrors is to provide a seamless panorama. In this type of camera array, images must be stitched together to create a panoramic view of the area photographed. Having no parallax error allows the images to be readily stitched with no ghosting or other errors. When the common virtual center of projection is zero, however, these camera systems are usually quite large, because in order to obtain the aforementioned common center of projection it is typically necessary to employ very large mirrors. This makes this type of camera undesirable for video conferencing applications because when placing it in the center of a conference room table it is obtrusive and annoying to meeting participants. An example of such a camera system employing mirrors with a common virtual center of projection was Circarama™, a special presentation system that was used at Disneyland®. The spectators stood in the middle of a circle viewing a 360-degree panorama on a surround screen 8 feet high and 40 feet in diameter made up of eleven panels. The original negatives were made on eleven 16 mm cameras arranged in a concentric circle. The prints were projected by a ring of interlocked 16 mm projectors. In that camera, the mirrors are used to create a virtual center of projection for each camera, which is identical for each camera.

Omni-directional camera design for video conferencing


An electrical connector system includes a cap, a printed circuit board, and a tray. The cap includes a plurality of hinge pins disposed on transverse sides of the cap, a plurality of cap mounting holes that extend through the cap, a cap light cutout portion, and a plurality of cap retention features. The printed circuit board includes a plurality of printed circuit board mounting holes, a printed circuit board light cutout portion, a plurality of printed circuit board electrical contacts, and a plurality of pogo-pins that are electrically connected to the corresponding plurality of printed circuit board electrical contacts. The tray includes a plurality of hinge pin receivers formed in transverse sidewalls of the tray, a tray mounting surface, and a plurality of tray retention features. Each hinge pin receiver includes a first portion separated from a second portion by a pin retention feature.

Tape lighting, sometimes referred to as strip lighting, is typically used for accent, mood, and other indirect lighting applications, but may also be used in direct lighting applications. Conventional tape lighting typically includes a series arrangement of light emitting diodes ("LEDs") disposed on a thin and flexible substrate and an adhesive on the opposing side of the substrate allowing for the peel-and-stick application of the tape lighting to its desired location. Power and optional control signaling is provided to the tape lighting by a multi-conductor cable or electrical connector system. Conventional electrical connector systems for tape lighting include screw down terminals, clamps or fittings, or mated headers and connectors that provide the required electrical continuity between the line side source of electrical power and the electrical loads.

Electrical connector system for LED tape lighting


The invention concerns a light-emitting diode chip comprising a radiation-emitting active region and a window layer. To increase the luminous efficiency, the cross-sectional area of the radiation-emitting active region is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the window layer available for the decoupling of light.

Semiconductor materials for light-emitting diode (LED) chips have a refractive index that in some cases is well above 3. The refractive index of the medium adjacent the chip in conventional LED components—usually air or plastic—is much lower. The associated sharp jump in refractive index at the interface between the LED chip and the adjacent medium makes for a comparatively small critical angle for total reflection, with the result that a large share of the electromagnetic radiation generated in the active region of the chip is reflected back into the chip by this interface.
For this reason, only a very small portion of the radiation generated in the active region is coupled directly out of the chip. In the case of conventional LED chips, the decoupling ratio for each planar decoupling surface is calculated at only a few percent.
To improve the decoupling of light from LED chips, U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,204 proposes a thick, transparent layer that is deposited epitaxially in addition to the light-generating layers and is intended to increase the percentage of light decoupled through the front of the chip.
Also known is the use of high-refractive, transparent casting compounds; however, these have failed to find widespread application because of cost considerations, among other factors. Moreover, the best casting compounds available heretofore have had a refractive index n of no more than 1.6, resulting in too large a jump at the decoupling surface of the light-emitting semiconductor component, and thus high reflection losses. In addition, the highly transparent casting compounds have undesirable chemical and mechanical properties, which also limits their large-scale industrial application.
The object of the invention is to provide an LED chip whose ratio of generated to decoupled radiation is improved over that of conventional chips and which can be mounted in conventional LED package formats. The invention is simultaneously directed to a method of fabricating such a chip that entails only slight additional technical expenditure compared to conventional methods of LED chip fabrication.
This object is accomplished by means of an LED chip and a method disclosed herein.
Advantageous improvements of the LED chip and of the method also follow.
By means of the invention, the radiation yield in an LED chip is increased by reducing the light-emitting region to an area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the LED chip. More than a 30% increase in decoupling is possible, compared to the usual implementation of the light-emitting area over the entire cross section of the LED chip.
Provided according to the invention are an LED chip comprising a radiation-emitting active region of lateral cross-sectional area FL and a radioparent window layer disposed after the radiation-emitting active region in the direction of radiation and having a refractive index nS, and which, for purposes of the decoupling of light, has a lateral cross-sectional area FC and a decoupling surface adjacent a medium having the refractive index nM, the cross-sectional area FL of the radiation-emitting active region being smaller than the cross-sectional area FC of the decoupling surface, such that the relation
      F    L    ≤                    (                              n            M                    /                      n            S                          )            2        ·          F      C      is fulfilled. Said cross-sectional area FC relates to the regions of the window layer that are available for or intended for the decoupling of light. The term "window layer" is to be understood herein both as a single layer and as a multilayer structure which as a whole performs the function of a window layer.
According to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the light-emission-limiting system is implemented such that the flow of current within the LED chip, especially into and/or through the active layer, is limited to the light-emitting region. This makes it possible to limit the emission of light to a smaller region in accordance with the invention in an especially simple manner.

High radiance LED chip and a method for producing same

Abstract: The invention is further directed to a method for fabricating a lens structure on the surface of a light-emitting component.


Methods and computer systems report and track resource performance for business customers. The computer system receives usage data about a resource associated with a customer of a utility, including hourly usage information about the resource metered at a business premises of the customer. The computer system receives operational data associated with the business premises, including hours of operations information describing when the business premises is open to patrons. The computer system determines resource performance data for the business premises using the received usage data and the received operational data, including information about: (i) resource usage at the business premises during the hours when open to patrons, and (ii) resource usage at the business premises during the hours when closed to patrons. The computer system causes a reporting of this information to the customer of the resource.

It is generally known to track energy performance of a business to reduce energy usage and to reduce business expenses relating to the usage of the energy. There are commercially available services and energy management solutions to track the energy performance for businesses. Such services or systems are generally procured by an owner or manager of the business. As such, a business would only benefit once the business initiates the effort to track its energy performance.
There is a benefit for a utility to initiate energy reduction efforts for businesses.

Method of tracking and reporting energy performance for businesses


An electronically operated level apparatus and method to allow the slope of a surface to be easily measured. The apparatus includes a hermetically sealed bladder partially filled with an electrically conductive liquid and partially filled with a gas. The electrically conductive liquid is free to align itself within the bladder in response to the incline of a surface. Current probes placed within the hermetically sealed bladder measure the electrical resistance of the electrically conductive liquid, and electronic circuitry converts this measured resistance into an electrical signal having an amplitude proportional to slope. Electronic circuitry is included to minimize the current drawn from the electronic components while the level is not in use. Other electronic circuitry prevents the level from operating when it is placed in an orientation which is inconsistent with its ability to sense slope.

Devices which are used to indicate the slope of a surface are generally known as levels and are used by various skilled tradesman, particularly those skilled in the construction field. For example, a rough carpenter often needs to know if a wall is perfectly vertical or "plumb." A mason, after laying a course of bricks, needs to know if the newly laid course is horizontal. A plumber often needs to install drainage pipe with a certain prescribed slope so that the contents of the pipe will drain properly. These are all applications in which a skilled tradesman would typically employ the use of a level.
Numerous types of level devices have been available for years. These devices have typically employed as their slope sensor, a hermetically sealed, clear glass tube filled partially with a liquid and partially with a gas. The tube is constructed with a slight arc in its midsection so that when it is properly oriented, the gas contained inside of it will rise to the highest portion of the arched section. This tube is fixed to a member having at least one substantially straight edge, and the face if the tube is indexed so that the gas bubble is centered in the indices when the straight edge of the member lies in a substantially horizontal or vertical plane.
Although the above-mentioned level, typically known as a bubble level or spirit level, has been used for may years, it is not without its drawbacks. For example, it cannot be used in situations where the ambient light is insufficient to allow the operator to view the liquid-filled tube. Another disadvantage of the bubble level is that it typically cannot be used to accurately measure inclines which are not perfectly horizontal or vertical. A number of improvements to the traditional bubble level have been introduced recently in an attempt to overcome its inherent problems. Most of these improvements concentrate in the area of improving the sensor used to sense incline and the use of electronics to condition and present slope information.
One such device which uses electronics to aid in the measurement of sloped surfaces is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,147 issued to Herman on June 3, 1986. This patent uses a pendulum immersed in an oscillation damping liquid as the fundamental sensor for measuring slope. The pendulum is suspended within a light path, thereby causing an electrical output indicating when the pendulum is in a predetermined position. This predetermined condition can be calibrated to represent a vertical, horizontal or any predetermined position. This patent abandons the use of a bubble-filled tube as the fundamental sensor of slope. The device disclosed in Herman suffers from one of the same drawbacks as that of the traditional bubble level inasmuch as it cannot measure graduations of slope such as 1 degree, 2 degrees, etc. Further, the pendulum sensor only has the capability of sensing a single orientation. For example, if the device disclosed in Herman is to be used to measure both a 0 degree slope and a 90 degree slope, two separate sensors would have to be incorporated in the indicating device; one sensor would be used for vertical measurement, and the other would be used for horizontal measurement.
Another level detecting device which employs a device similar to a pendulum as the fundamental sensor of slope is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,846 issued to Klumpp on May 26, 1987. This device is similar to that disclosed in Herman in that it does not use a bubble level for sensing slope. Klumpp teaches a gravity-sensing rotor which has various electrical contacts disposed on the rotor. When the rotor is oriented in certain preselected positions, the electrical contacts provide a current path, thereby switching current to various information output terminals. Klumpp does not teach the use of a chamber, partially filled with liquid, as the fundamental means for detecting surface slope. The device disclosed in Klumpp must be externally illuminated whenever the ambient light conditions are insufficient for viewing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,822 issued to Legris on Jan. 14, 1986 discloses a level device for masonry work which uses a combination of a flexible tube filled with a liquid, a plurality of chambers and diaphragms and needle-type contacts which indicate a point which may be higher or lower than a predetermined level. This device cannot be used to measure vertical slopes in that it is only sensitive to differences in height.
Other level detecting devices of the type which use electronics are disclosed in the May 1989 issue of Popular Science. One such level marketed by Wedge Innovations termed the SmartLevel.TM. uses an advanced digital electronic circuit consisting of a patented microcalculator and gravity-leveling sensor housed in a tough, polycarbonate module. Further details on the gravity-leveling sensor are not disclosed in the Popular Science article. Another level disclosed in the May 1989 issue of Popular Science is one marketed by Zircon International and is called the Anglesensor.TM.. The Anglesensor is built around an optically-sensed pendulum. The pendulum swings in one plane and bisects a path of infrared light. The Anglesensor does not use a cylinder partially filled with a liquid for sensing slope.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an electronic level for sensing the incline of a surface.
A further object of this invention is to provide an electronic level which indicates the incline of a surface in calibrated graduations.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a device which indicates the amount of incline of a surface by monitoring the electrical resistivity of an electrically conductive fluid.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an electronic level which is self-illuminating and provides for an automatic brightness control as a function of ambient light conditions.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an electronic level which detects horizontal and vertical slopes.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an electronic level having a standby mode for conserving battery power.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a digital level having an error display circuit for indicating when the level is oriented in a position which is inconsistent with its ability to detect the slope of a surface.


It is possible to realize an electrostatic discharge protection component having a very small electrostatic capacity suited to a high-frequency equipment and comprising a ceramic insulating substrate, a varistor unit composed of a varistor layer and an internal electrode, which are sintered and integrated on the ceramic insulating substrate, and at least a pair of external electrodes provided on the varistor unit, the varistor unit being formed with a varistor.

In recent years, miniaturization and high-performance in an electronic equipment such as portable telephones, etc. have been rapidly advanced, and keeping with this, an electric circuit in an electronic equipment has been made high packaging density and decreased in withstand voltage. Therefore, there has been increased damage to an electric circuit in an equipment, which is caused by electrostatic discharge pulse generated when the human body and terminals of the electronic equipment contact with each other.
Conventionally, as measures to prevent such damage caused by electrostatic discharge pulse, a method has been carried out to provide a multilayer chip varistor, etc. between the incoming line of electrostatic discharge pulse and the ground so as to bypass the electrostatic discharge to reduce voltage applied to an electric circuit of an electronic equipment.
For example, JP-A-8-31616 is known as prior art document information related to conventional multilayer chip varistors used in measures against electrostatic discharge pulse.
Recently, keeping with high-performance in an electronic equipment, clock frequency, at which an electronic equipment is operated, is increasingly made high. As a result, electronic parts such as the electrostatic discharge protection components have demanded a small electrostatic capacity that has no influence on clock frequency. Frequency for transmission and reception in portable telephones, etc. is as high as 800 MHz to 2 GHz, and electrostatic discharge protection components corresponding to this requires a small electrostatic capacity.
Since a zinc oxide material constituting conventional multilayer chip varistors has a dielectric constant in the order of several hundreds to one thousand and several hundreds, however, it is difficult to realize electrostatic capacity of at most 1 pF with stray capacitance. In case of, for example, a conventional multilayer chip varistor sized to conventionally have a length of 1.0 mm and a width of 0.5 mm, a minimum electrostatic capacity thereof is around 3 pF, a cutoff frequency thereof is in the order of about 1 GHz, and a resonant frequency thereof is about 1.8 GHz. Accordingly, use at a high frequency over 1 GHz is not possible.
The invention has been thought of in view of the problem and has its object to provide an electrostatic discharge protection component having a very small electrostatic capacity.

Static electricity countermeasure component

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A control device includes: a determination unit determining which mode is designated in a single-eye imaging mode in which imaging is performed by using a single imaging unit obtaining an image signal by imaging an object by an imaging device and a compound-eye imaging mode in which imaging is performed by using plural imaging units; and a gain maximum value control unit changing a gain maximum value which is the maximum value of the gain of the image signal based on the determination result by the determination unit.

Recently, a display device for realizing stereoscopic vision of displayed images by displaying left-eye images and right-eye images to be seen by a viewer is becoming popular.
An imaging apparatus provided with plural imaging units for imaging an object by an imaging device is used in order to generate image data displaying the left-eye images and the right-eye images.
There exists an imaging apparatus performing correction processing to an image signal generated by imaging an object to thereby adjust brightness or resolution of an image to be displayed based on the image signal.
As one of the above imaging apparatuses, there is proposed an imaging apparatus in which individual difference of each imaging unit is corrected by taking a luminance level of an image signal obtained by one imaging unit as a reference and controlling the gain of the image signal obtained by another imaging unit to be amplified to the same luminance level as the reference level (for example, refer to JP-A-2010-154478 (Patent Document 1).

Control device, control method and control program


The present invention efficiently processes work pieces by transferring them without bringing them outside. The present invention comprises: a stage 4 for working, which is used when working a work piece D, L by irradiating a focused beam B while observing the work piece D, L in an observation region W of a previously determined range, and possessing a table 10 having plural mount bases 2, 3 on whose upper faces 2a, 3a there can be respectively mounted the work piece D, L; and a rotation slant means 11 rotating respectively the mount base 2, 3 about a Z-axis perpendicular to the upper faces 2a, 3a and slanting the upper faces 2a, 3a to an arbitrary angle, wherein the table 10 is made possible to move so as to dispose respectively the plural mount bases 2, 3 to an inside of the observation region W.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a stage for working, a focused beam working apparatus having the stage for working, and a focused beam working method, which are used when working a work piece by irradiating a focused beam while observing the work piece in an observation region of a previously determined range.
2. Background Information
In recent years, there has been an increased demand in technical developments in a nano-(nm)-region in semiconductor technology. For example, a technique exists in which, for a trial manufacture or an analysis of semiconductor, bio-chip, micro-machine (MEMS) or the like, a sample of a wafer or the like is sectioned to make a very fine section sample (work piece), and the section sample is observed by a transmission electron microscope (TEM) having a high observation resolving power.
Although this section sample for being observed by the TEM, i.e., sample for TEM, is produced by various methods, recently a method of producing it by an FIB device utilizing a focused ion beam (FIB) has become common. In addition, the section sample produced by the FIB device is observed with a high resolving power after being relocated onto a stage of a TEM device.
However, as mentioned above, in order to observe the section sample, it is necessary to relocate the section sample produced by the FIB device to the stage of the TEM device. Therefore, the operation was troublesome and required time between reaching the TEM observation and production of the section sample. In particular, after being observed, if additional re-work of the section sample was attempted, relocation was necessary again, resulting in further trouble and requiring further time. Further, extra care was required such that a loss of the section sample, or the like, did not occur when relocating the section sample.
In order to solve the issues like these, there is known a sample production apparatus in which the operation from the production of the section sample though observation is simple, and the production of the section sample can be performed in one apparatus and the produced section sample can be easily transferred (relocated) to an analysis device (e.g., refer to JP-A-2004-301853 and JP-A-2004-309499).
This sample production apparatus possesses a sample stage fine-movement means attached to a sample chamber whose inside is adjustable to a vacuum state, a first stage that may be inserted into the sample chamber through the sample stage fine-movement means and can mount a sample piece, a second stage capable of mounting an extraction sample (section sample) produced from one part of the sample piece, a transfer means relocating the extraction sample to the second stage from the first stage in the sample chamber, and various constituent articles producing the section sample from the sample piece or forming a deposition film in the sample chamber, and the like.
Further, the second stage is made such that, under a state mounting the extraction sample, it can be inserted into a stage introduction port of other analysis device, e.g., the transmission electron microscope (TEM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) device, or the like.
In this sample production apparatus, first, the first stage is inserted into the sample chamber through the sample stage fine-movement means, and the extraction sample is produced from the mounted sample piece. And, after gripping the produced extraction sample by the transfer means, the first stage is pulled out of an inside of the sample chamber and the second stage is inserted. At this point a vacuum state in the sample chamber is maintained. After the insertion of the second stage, the transfer means mounts the gripped extraction sample mount onto the second stage. Incidentally, the gripping and the mounting, to the second stage, of the extraction sample are performed by utilizing the deposition film. After the extraction sample is mounted to the second stage, the extraction sample can be easily relocated by pulling out the second stage and inserting it to a stage insertion port of another analysis device, e.g., the TEM device, thus reducing labor and time of the operation. Further, since it is unnecessary to directly contact the sample piece with a hand after the sample piece is mounted to the first stage, it is possible to void loss of the sample piece.    Non-Patent Document 1: "Saishin Doukou of MEMS.MEMS Technique" Tore Research Center, 2004, Published in 2005 May
However, in the above conventional method, the following problems are left.
That is, in the sample production apparatus described in JP-A-2004-301853 and JP-A-2004-309499, although the relocation of the extraction sample that is the work piece can be performed in a short time, it is necessary to exchange the first stage and a second stage while being replaced. Therefore, the exchange of the stages is necessary every time the extraction sample is produced. The time taken in the exchange in a cases where plural samples are continuously worked on is inefficient.
The object of the present invention is to provide a stage for working, a focused beam working apparatus and a focused beam working method, in each of which the working can be performed with improved efficiency with the work piece being easily relocated.

Stage for working, focused beam working apparatus and focused beam working method


Electrode foil includes an aluminum alloy having a composition in a region at least 10 μm deep from a surface of the foil. The composition includes aluminum as a main component and zirconium of at least 0.03 at % and at most 0.5 at %.

Examples of capacitors include a solid electrolytic capacitor having low ESR (equivalent series resistance) used in a periphery of a CPU (central processing unit) of a personal computer, an aluminum electrolytic capacitor used for smoothing a power supply circuit, and the like. These capacitors have been strongly demanded to have a smaller size and larger capacity.
For example, a solid electrolytic capacitor includes electrode foil (anode foil) having an oxide film formed on the surface thereof, a solid electrolyte layer made of a conductive polymer and formed on the oxide film, and a cathode current collector formed on the solid electrolyte layer. The solid electrolyte layer and the cathode current collector form a cathode layer.
Electrode foil can be obtained by etching metal foil such as aluminum foil. Thus, the surface area of the electrode foil can be increased and the capacitance can be enhanced.
However, there is a technical limit to making finer by etching. Therefore, recently, use of aluminum alloy foil, which contains different metal in aluminum, as metal foil has been studied. Furthermore, it is also studied to enhance the dielectric constant of an oxide film and to increase capacity by changing a composition of metal foil itself by using aluminum alloy foil.
Examples of the above-mentioned aluminum alloy foil include aluminum-zirconium alloy foil containing zirconium in aluminum. It is thought that, because the dielectric constant of an oxide of zirconium is high, use of the aluminum-zirconium alloy foil enhances the dielectric constant of an oxide film and thus contributes to improve the capacitance.
In this way, conventionally, in the electrode foil made of the aluminum-zirconium alloy, the atomic ratio of zirconium is increased so as to enhance the dielectric constant of the oxide film and thereby to enhance the capacitance.
However, in conventional electrode foil made of the aluminum-zirconium alloy, as the atomic ratio of zirconium is increased, the capacitance is rather reduced even if etching processing is carried out.
This is because zirconium cannot be sufficiently dispersed in aluminum, and zirconium reacts with aluminum to precipitate as an intermetallic compound in electrode foil. When the electrode foil is etched, the intermetallic compound is not etched and remains in a state in which it is exposed on the surface of the electrode foil. As a result, the surface area of the electrode foil cannot be sufficiently enlarged, resulting in lowering the capacitance (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. S60-66806).


A debonding tip for electrothermal debonding device is disclosed. This debonding tip fits around the mesio distal sides and into the saddle slot of a dental bracket. The debonding tip causes rapid heating of the dental bracket and weakens the adhesive bond used to bond brackets to teeth. With the increased viscosity, the bracket is able to be rotated around and pulled off the tooth.

The use of heat to remove dental brackets has become one of the more popular and accepted methods. In order to have successful dental bracket removal using heat, it is necessary to heat the bracket to a temperature where adhesive becomes loose enough in order to become viscous, and such that the user of a heating instrument can pull or pry the dental bracket from the tooth. Of course, the situation requires a very specific amount of heat to be applied to the bracket, in order that the bracket heat to a sufficient level, but that the tooth surface and pulp are not affected.
One such instrument which discloses such heating of dental brackets is Sheridan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,138. In Sheridan, a mechanism is used where the debonding tip is able to be placed within the archwire slot of a dental bracket and a looped cable fits around the tie wings of the dental bracket in order to pry the dental bracket from its position after the application of heat. While Sheridan was the first to demonstrate the use of heat in removing dental bracket adhesives, the Sheridan method had certain drawbacks. Most specifically, in Sheridan, the forces necessary to remove the dental bracket were unacceptable.
In Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,965, I demonstrate that the heating of a dental bracket can be accomplished while simultaneously using a prying instrument acting as a reactive base within the heating instrument. Therefore, a reactive base is placed against the tooth, the tie wings are attached to the pulling instrument attached to a spring, and the debonding tip is attached into the archwire. After heating the adhesive, the nose which creates the reactive base of the instrument pushes against the tooth while the spring pulls off the dental bracket from the tooth, as the now heated adhesive has become viscous.
While my apparatus has been shown to be quite successful, it is felt that methods and devices for removal of the dental brackets could further be refined. It has been found that the stronger the grip of the dental bracket heating mechanism on the dental bracket and the larger the surface area in which the dental bracket is heated, the quicker the adhesive becomes viscous, and therefore the less heat is exerted on the tooth. Of course, this adds to patient comfort, and usefulness of the electrothermal heating device.

Debonding tip for electrothermal dental bracket removal

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing contextual data aided security protection. In one aspect, a method includes automatically parsing an electronic message associated with a user that includes location information, and extracting the location information from the electronic message. The location information can be added to a database (e.g., white list) associated with the user. The location information in the database can be used to authenticate the user's request for access to electronic mail.

This specification relates to providing security protection that is aided by contextual data. Online account takeover, hijacking, and compromises are an issue for online service providers. One way to address security issues is to establish a white list of IP addresses that are permitted to log into each account. White lists may be used to identify trusted IP addresses or other information used to authenticate user credentials.

Contextual data aided security protection


A method, system, and article to manage a backup procedure of one or more backup tasks in a computing system. A backup window within which the backup tasks are to be executed is defined, and the backup tasks within the backup window are scheduled. The process of the backup procedure is controlled during execution. The process of controlling the backup procedure includes calculating the prospective duration of all actually running and all future backup tasks, and cancelling low priority backup tasks in case a higher priority backup task is projected to continue beyond an end time (Tend) of the backup window.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to techniques for managing data backup in computing systems. More specifically, the invention provides a method for planning and controlling the execution of backup tasks in a computing system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Data backup in computing systems are necessary in order to produce additional copies of the data that may be used to restore the original data in case of a data loss within the computing system. Many different techniques have been developed to optimize the backup procedure. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,740 to Colgrove et al. describes a backup method for a multi-class file system, wherein more recently modified data are assigned and/or migrated to higher storage classes and less recently modified data may be migrated at time intervals to lower storage classes. Backup of each of the storage classes may be performed at time intervals. Irrespective of backup method used, crucial questions for system administrators dealing with backup planning/scheduling include: "When will my backup be finished?"—"Will it be finished early enough so that applications will not be constricted?"—"If resources are limited, how can I make sure that at least the most important backups (production backups) will be finished in time?"
In current scheduling systems, users specify a point in time or a time interval when a certain backup is to be started. This specification has to be carried out for every backup. As a rule, the user estimates the probable backup duration to ensure the requested end time is met. Traditional scheduling systems use forward calculation based on expected duration values for executing jobs. Such scheduling systems do not consider general time interval restrictions. Some state of the art backup management systems, such as Veritas, contain a scheduling system which is calendar driven. It calculates the latest start time based on the last backup run and takes the number of files of backup into account. However, current scheduling systems do not control concurrently running backups during backup execution with respect to their workload and execution progress. Improper scheduling of concurrently running backup procedures can result in delays to data backups and a failure of one or more of the backups to meet their expected target end time.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a backup management method with a scheduling process furnishing a reliable backup schedule with reduced the expert knowledge to be provided by the user. Moreover, there is a need of a backup management method which assures that in the case of restricted resources at least the most important backup tasks will be accomplished successfully within a predefined backup window.

Method and system for scheduling and controlling backups in a computer system

International Business Machines Corporation


A portable device includes an imaging unit that captures an image of an object and generates image data of the object, a display unit that displays an image of the image data, an input unit that receives input of an operation instruction on an operation performed by the portable device, a moving-state determining unit that determines a moving state of the portable device when the potable device captures an image, and a control unit that changes a content of the operation instruction received by the input unit, depending on a determination result of the moving-state determining unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable device that captures an image of an object and generates electronic image data, and relates to an operating method and a computer-readable storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, in portable devices, such as digital cameras or portable phones equipped with shooting functions, there has been a technology for an automatic zoom function of maintaining a constant angle of view so that the size of an object can be maintained constant regardless of whether the object goes away from or comes close to the potable devices (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H9-149311).

Portable device, operating method, and computer-readable storage medium


A foldable table is disclosed. The table includes a shaft having a first end and a second end. An auger used for twisting the table into the ground is located at the shaft's first end. A fixed member that houses a handle is located at the shaft's second end. The shaft also includes a slidable member that causes the table to move between open and closed positions. In the open position, upper slats form a tabletop surface. In the closed position, upper slats are folded inwardly such that the table can be easily stowed away or transported. Support members support the weight of the tabletop surface and are coupled to the fixed member, the upper slats, and the slidable member.

Generally, people must walk from their cars to get onto the beach. Oftentimes people carry multiple items to bring with them on the beach, such as: umbrellas, beach chairs, beach towels, beach toys, coolers, food, snacks, etc. Therefore, when going to the beach, it is desirable to bring items that can be transported easily from the car to the beach.
Typically, the only place to set down belongings at the beach is on the sand or beach towel. Items such as food, drinks, phones, keys, money, etc. may be tripped over, kicked, lost, or damaged when left on the ground. Sand tends to inadvertently get inside a person's food and drink and therefore spoil it. Therefore, when going to the beach, it is desirable to bring a table or other elevated surface to protect a person's belongings from the sand and so objects can be placed at a convenient height above the sand or ground.
Most conventional beach tables are bulky, not easily transportable, and not easily secured. There is a need for improved beach tables that are easily transportable.

Portable table with a unique method of collapsing and storage


A compact binary encoding technique for information that is logically hierarchically structured, such as XML data, maintains all of the features of XML data in a useable form, such as the hierarchical structure underlying the data. Hence, data encoded in this format can undergo XML-based processing on-the-fly as it is being received or fetched, as if the data was being processed linearly in its textual character-based format. Processing of data encoded in this format can begin without having to wait for and decode the entire data set. The overhead due to XML tags is significantly minimized. The encoded data can be processed more efficiently because the data is pre-parsed. Values may be stored in their native type formats and, therefore, processing of the encoded data avoids costly type conversions. Further, any available structural constraint information can be effectively exploited.

The eXtensible Markup Language (XML) has become the most popular format for exchanging information between applications. XML content is self-descriptive (i.e., it contains tags along with data), but the standard XML serialization format is text-based, including the numbers and dates. This results in a significant increase in the size of XML documents compared to other proprietary formats for capturing the same data. The increased size of XML documents causes overhead costs during transmission, due to limited network bandwidths, as well as slower performance of storage and retrieval operations, due to limited disk I/O bandwidth.
Processing XML data typically requires parsing the tags to access the values. DOMs (Document Object Models) can be used, but they typically require a lot of memory. Thus, the parsing step can be costly and can cause significant application performance degradation.
Further, the values may need to be converted from the textual representation to their native datatype (e.g., integer, float or date) before the values can be processed by the application. Associated type conversion costs also degrade overall application performance.
Approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Encoding of hierarchically organized data for efficient storage and processing


A system and method for activating a safety system when a vehicle may be involved in a spin, roll, and/or a spin-to-roll condition. The system and method include determining a side slip angle of the vehicle using the arctangent of the ratio of a lateral and longitudinal velocity. The system and method also include receiving a roll rate signal and determining a roll angle using the roll rate signal. The system and method also include determining a roll warning threshold that is a function of a relationship between the roll rate signal and the roll angle. Lastly, the system and method include activating the safety system when a side slip angle threshold and/or the roll warning threshold are exceeded.

1. Technical Field
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and method that may be used to determine when a vehicle is involved in a spin, roll, and/or a spin-to-roll condition that may result in a frontal, side, or roll-over impact crash.
2. Background Art
Vehicle manufacturers have continually worked to improve the advanced crash sensing and warning technologies (i.e., advanced crash systems) incorporated within a vehicle. These crash systems operate to continually monitor and provide advanced warnings about vehicle operation which may result in a potential crash scenario. However, advanced crash systems are typically added in addition to conventional crash systems located within the vehicle. As such, the advanced crash systems typically increase the cost and complexity of the vehicle.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibration, a vibration transmitting member for transmitting the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer, the vibration transmitting member having a proximal end connected to the ultrasonic transducer and a distal end portion used to treat a living organism by means of the transmitted ultrasonic vibration, a grasping member opposed to the distal end portion of the vibration transmitting member and having a grasping surface capable of grasping the living organism in cooperation with the distal end portion, an operating mechanism for moving the grasping member between a closed position in which the grasping member engages the distal end portion of the vibration transmitting member and an open position in which the grasping member is separated from distal end portion, and a follow-up mechanism for driving or allowing the grasping member in the closed position to follow a deflective displacement of the distal end portion of the vibration transmitting member so that the substantially whole surface of the grasping surface of the grasping member contacts with the distal end portion of the vibration transmitting member.

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic treatment apparatus capable of treating an organism with use of frictional heat produced by ultrasonic vibration while grasping the organism.
Conventionally, there are various ultrasonic treatment apparatuses that are used to carry out treatments, such as incision, coagulation, etc., by utilizing the energy of ultrasonic vibration. Among these apparatuses, one that is designed to grasp an organism as it treats it by means of ultrasonic vibration is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,055, for example.
This ultrasonic treatment apparatus comprises a long sheath for use as an insert section. A jaw, a grasping member, is rockably attached to the distal end of the sheath. A vibration transmitting member for transmitting ultrasonic vibration is passed through a first channel that is formed in the sheath. The distal end portion of the transmitting member projects from a distal-end opening of the sheath so as to face the jaw, and serves as an ultrasonic probe that grasps an organism in conjunction with the jaw and treats it by means of ultrasonic vibration.
The jaw is connected to an operating rod that is passed through a second channel in the sheath. As the rod is pushed or pulled, the jaw is rocked between a closed position in which it faces and engages the ultrasonic probe and an open position in which it is separated from the probe.
A mechanism for pushing and pulling the operating rod is provided in an operating section that is situated on the proximal end side of the sheath. More specifically, the operating section is provided with a fixed handle, which is formed integrally therewith, and a movable handle that is rockably attached to the operating section (fixed handle) by means of a pivot. As the movable handle is rocked, the operating rod connected thereto is pushed or pulled. The pivot, a fulcrum for the rocking motion of the movable handle, is situated between a finger plate portion of the movable handle, which serves as a point of application to which an operating force is applied, and a point of action or input portion (junction between the operating rod and the movable handle) for the operating force on the rod. In consideration of the operating efficiency, the jaw is designed to be closed as the movable handle is gripped and moved forward or toward the fixed handle.
Since the ultrasonic probe is formed of the free end of the ultrasonic vibration transmitting member, it is pushed and deflected by the jaw as the organism is held between the probe and the jaw. Accordingly, a gap or noncontact space is formed between the probe and the jaw, so that the coagulation-incision capacity of the apparatus is lowered.
In one case, the jaw is rocked to its closed position by pushing out the operating rod forward. In the other case, it is done by pulling the rod. In the former case, the jaw and the operating rod are connected to each other in a position above a fulcrum for the rocking motion of the jaw or outside the sheath. In the latter case, the jaw and the rod are connected in a position below the fulcrum or inside the sheath. In the latter case, however, a pivot as the fulcrum for the rocking motion of the jaw is inevitably situated on the outer peripheral side portion of the sheath, so that the jaw and the distal end portion of the sheath that supports the jaw cannot maintain high strength and durability. According to the technique described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,055, therefore, the jaw is designed to be closed by pushing out the operating rod forward, so that the pivot for the jaw is situated inside the sheath, whereby the strength and durability of the jaw and the distal end portion of the sheath are maintained. In this arrangement, however, the pivot as the fulcrum for the rocking motion of the movable handle is situated between the finger plate portion of the movable handle, which serves as the point of application to which the operating force is applied, and the point of action or input portion for the operating force on the rod. Further, the operating rod is moved forward to close the jaw in a manner such that the movable handle is gripped and moved forward or toward the fixed handle. It is necessary, therefore, to provide a link mechanism for aligning the operating direction for the movable handle with the moving direction of the operating rod. Thus, when the movable handle (finger plate portion) is moved forward, the point of action, which is situated on the opposite side of the fulcrum for the rocking motion of the movable handle from the finger plate portion, moves rearward. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a link mechanism for converting this rearward movement into a forward movement and transmitting the forward movement to the operating rod. With use of the link mechanism of this type, frictional resistance is produced at the fulcrum of the link and each end of the link by the transmission of force. As the number of kinematic pairs is increased, moreover, regions that require necessary gaps for operation increase, so that backlash enlarges as a whole. As the number of required members increases, furthermore, regions that are subject to elastic deformation also increase, so that various problems are aroused including an increase in the general elastic deformation.
Further, the outer peripheral surface of the vibration transmitting member is provided with a plurality of support pieces that are located corresponding individually to nodes in the ultrasonic vibration. These support pieces serve to hold the transmitting member in the central portion of the first channel and prevent the transmitting member from touching the first channel. If the organism is held between the jaw and the distal end portion of the transmitting member in a manner such that the operating rod is operated to rock the jaw, however, the distal end portion of the transmitting member that is not supported by the support pieces is deflected by a force received from the jaw. In some cases, therefore, the lateral portion of the distal end of the transmitting member that is situated in the sheath may come into contact with the first channel. If the distal end portion is subjected to a substantial lateral force for any reason or other, it is deflected, so that the lateral portion of the distal end of the transmitting member inevitably touches the first channel. In this case, frictional heat is produced as the deflected transmitting member comes into contact with the first channel. Thereupon, some of the vibration energy is wasted in the region concerned, and the temperature of the sheath surface increases. According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,055, therefore, receiving members for receiving the deflection of the lateral portion of the distal end of the transmitting member are provided corresponding individually to the leading node of the ultrasonic vibration and a second node next to it. Since the receiving member that is situated corresponding to the second node is formed of an elastic material, however, it is easily deformed in response to the deflection of the transmitting member. Thus, the deflection of the transmitting member cannot be restrained effectively. Accordingly, a gap is formed between the distal end portion of the vibration transmitting member and the jaw, so that the organism cannot be firmly held between them. In consequence, the organism cannot be treated securely.
Further, both the operating rod and the second channel penetrated thereby have a circular cross section. If the rod and the second channel are thus formed having the same sectional shape, the diameter of the second channel must be increased in order to form a gap for cleaning between the rod and the second channel. (If the rod is too thin, the operating force cannot be satisfactorily transmitted to the jaw.) If the diameter of the second channel (gap between the operating rod and the second channel) is enlarged, however, two problems are aroused. First, the operating rod buckles due to the presence of the gap between the rod and the second channel as the rod is pushed forward in the second channel. The other problem is that if the diameter of the second channel is increased in the case where the first and second channels are arranged in the sheath having a limited size, the diameter of the first channel that is penetrated by the vibration transmitting member must be reduced inevitably, so that the diameter of the transmitting member cannot be large enough to secure satisfactory strength. If the diameter of the second channel is reduced in order to avoid these problems, on the other hand, the gap between the operating rod and the second channel cannot be wide enough, so that it is hard to clean the interior of the second channel. In general, moreover, the distal end portion of the vibration transmitting member has a flat or columnar shape, and a grasping surface of the jaw, which is designed to grasp an organism in cooperation with the distal end portion, is flat. In some cases, therefore, the distal end portion of the transmitting member and the jaw may fail to hold the organism in a stable state between them. In the ultrasonic treatment apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,055, moreover, the flat grasping surface of the jaw is formed having V-shaped notch. If the distal end portion of the vibration transmitting member is eccentric or skewed in this case, however, the state of its contact with the grasping surface of the jaw varies to change the state of the grasped organism when the transmitting member is rotated. Thus, a gap is inevitably formed between the distal end portion of the transmitting member and the grasping surface. In some cases, therefore, the organism may not be able to be accurately treated in a desired state.


An electro-optic device has, on a TFT array substrate, a pixel electrode; a TFT connected thereto; a scanning line and a data line connected to the thin film transistor; a pixel potential side capacitance electrode that is connected to the pixel electrode and constitutes a storage capacitor; and a capacitance line that contains a fixed potential side capacitance electrode that is disposed oppositely via a dielectric film to the pixel potential side capacitance electrode and constitutes the storage capacitor. A width W1 of a portion that projects along the data line in the capacitance line is formed the same as or wider than a width W2 of the data line. Thereby, while realizing a lower resistance capacitance line, or an inhibition of an occurrence of a light leakage current in a TFT, an enhancement of an open area ratio can be satisfied.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an electro-optic device that may be used in an electro-optic device, such as an active matrix drive liquid crystal device, for example. The invention also relates to an electronic instrument provided with the electro-optic device.
2. Description of Related Art
In the related art, an electro-optic device includes a pair of substrates with an electro-optic material, such as liquid crystal, interposed therebetween, and electrodes that are disposed on each of the two of substrates to apply an electric field to the electro-optic material. The electrodes are used to apply an electric field to the electro-optic material and thereby to appropriately alter a state of the electro-optic material. According to this electro-optic device, when light enters the electro-optic device from, for instance, a light source and a state of the electro-optic material is appropriately altered as mentioned above, the transmittance of the light can be controlled, and thereby image display can be realized.
One type of such an electro-optic device is provided such that, when one of the two substrates is provided with pixel electrodes arranged in matrix as the electrode, thin film transistors (hereinafter xe2x80x9cTFTxe2x80x9d) connected to each of the pixel electrodes, and scanning lines and data lines that are connected to each of the TFTs and arranged in parallel with a row and column direction, respectively, so-called active-matrix drive can be realized. Thereby, when a voltage applied to the electro-optic material is controlled for each of the pixel electrodes, or for each of the pixels divided by the scanning lines and the data lines, light transmittance can be controlled for each of the pixels.
Furthermore, in order to display a higher quality image, the electro-optic device can be provided with various configurations other than the above. For instance, typically, a storage capacitor that is formed of a pixel potential side capacitance electrode connected to the pixel electrode and the TFT and a fixed potential side capacitance electrode disposed opposite via a dielectric film to the pixel potential side capacitance electrode can be provided. This is used to hold a voltage applied to an electro-optic material for a predetermined period of time.
However, the following problems are present in the related art electro-optic device. In the electro-optic device as mentioned above, there is a universal demand in that in order to display a brighter image, an area occupied, on the substrate, by the scanning lines and the data lines or the storage capacitors, is made to be smaller, thereby a light transmission region, that is a region where a light that contributes in an actual image display in each of the pixels exits due to transmission or reflection is enlarged, and thereby an open area ratio is enhanced. In addition, in order to attain power saving, higher definition or miniaturization of the electro-optic device is simultaneously demanded. From these points of view, there is a general demand that the various kinds of constituent elements be miniaturized.
It is particularly problematic that to increase the open area ratio, a capacitance line constituting the storage capacitor also has to be miniaturized. When a width of wiring is narrowed to make the capacitance line fine, the resistance of the capacitance line becomes higher, resulting in a larger time constant of the wiring. Thereby, cross-talk or burn-in is caused. In the related art, the pixel potential side capacitance electrode that constitutes the storage capacitor is, in some examples, formed of polysilicon, tungsten silicide (WSi) or the like. However, since these materials are not necessarily low-resistance, the above problem is profoundly problematic.
As mentioned above, when each of the constituent elements is miniaturized and narrowed, sufficient attention has to also be paid to a light incidence on the TFT. That is, because when a light is incident on a channel region of a semiconductor layer that constitutes the TFT, light leakage current is caused, and thereby flicker is generated on an image, resulting in deteriorating the image quality. In particular, when the electro-optic device is used as a light valve in a projection type display device, since a light emitted from a very powerful light source is projected on the light valve, light is even more liable to enter the TFT and to cause a problem.
In the related art, in order to inhibit such light from entering the TFT, the TFT or the like is not formed on one of the two substrates, and a light shielding layer is disposed thereon. However, according to this structure, since a distance between the light shielding layer and the TFT becomes relatively larger, an effective shielding function for an obliquely entering light cannot be expected. In order to address or overcome this, the light shielding layer may be formed to be wider. However, this causes a decrease in the open area ratio. That is, the above-mentioned general demand or problems are almost impossible to address or overcome.
Furthermore, in order to inhibit light from entering the TFT, other than the above, a structure can be provided to utilize the data line as a light shielding layer. However, according to this structure, in order to decrease a signal transmission loss by as small a degree as possible, the data line is generally made of a low resistance material, such as, for instance, aluminum, accordingly the higher light reflectance thereof becomes problematic. This is because it is considered that according to such a structure, light that directly enters a surface on an incidence side of the data line can be certainly shielded, but the light reflected from the data line becomes stray light, or the light reflected from the other surface of the data line becomes stray light, resulting in light reaching the TFT. Even in such a structure, when a width of the data line is made to be wider to enhance a light shielding function, similarly to the above light shielding layer, a decrease in the open area ratio may cause a problem, and in view of the above stray light, the stray light may be contrarily increased, resulting in a rather adverse effect in view of inhibiting the light leakage current from occurring.
The present invention addresses the above and/or other problems, and provides an electro-optic device that, while realizing lower resistance of the capacitance line, or reduction or suppression of a light leakage current in the TFT, can address a general demand, such as enhancing an open area ratio. The invention also provides an electronic instrument provided with the electro-optic device.
In order to address or overcome the above problems, an electro-optic device according to the present invention includes, on a substrate; a scanning line; a data line; a thin film transistor disposed in correspondence with an intersection of the scanning line and the date line; a pixel electrode disposed in correspondence with the thin film transistor; a pixel potential side capacitance electrode that is electrically connected to the pixel electrode and constitutes a storage capacitor; and a capacitance line including a fixed potential side capacitance electrode that is disposed opposite via a dielectric film, to the pixel potential side capacitance electrode and constitutes the storage capacitor. In the above, the capacitance line has a body line portion that extends along the scanning line and a portion that extends along the data line. A width of the portion that extends along the data line in the capacitance line is formed the same as a width of the data line or wider than such a width.
According to the electro-optic device of the present invention, when a scanning signal and an image signal are supplied through the scanning line and the data line to the thin film transistor, a pixel electrode can be active matrix driven. Since a storage capacitor that is formed by oppositely disposing the pixel potential side capacitance electrode and the fixed potential side capacitance electrode is connected to the pixel electrode, a voltage of the image signal written in the pixel electrode can be retained for a long period of time.
In particular, in the present invention, since the width of a portion that extends along the data line in the capacitance line is formed the same width that of the data line or wider than such a width, the capacitance line can be made to be even lower in resistance.
Furthermore, in the present invention, as mentioned above, since the capacitance line can be made to be lower in the resistance thereof, from a viewpoint of the entire device, the capacitance line can be made to be narrower, resulting in realizing a narrower storage capacitance. Accordingly, an enhancement in the open area ratio can be attained. When referring to xe2x80x9cnarrowing the capacitance linexe2x80x9d, the capacitance line itself can be formed to have the same width as the data line, or xe2x80x9cwider than that thereofxe2x80x9d Although this could seem contradictory, since the conception of the wider width and narrower width has to be decided according to the relative relationship between the capacitance line and the data line, in view of an entire device, a xe2x80x9cnarrowing of the capacitance linexe2x80x9d can be attained in comparison with the related art device.
When referring to the wider width and narrower width, or xe2x80x9cwiderxe2x80x9d in the present invention, a specific value of the width can be appropriately and preferably determined according to theories, experiments, experiences or simulations.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, not only the resistance can be lowered as mentioned above, but also a light can be inhibited from entering the thin film transistor, in particular a channel region thereof more effectively than in the related art case. That is because, while as mentioned above, in the related art case, light reflected from a rear surface of the data line or the like becomes stray light and results in entering the thin film transistor, according to the present invention, even such stray light is likely to be blocked from proceeding by the capacitance line having the width that is the same with that of the data line or wider than such a width.
From the above, according to the present invention, due to the lower resistance of the capacitance line, a likelihood of causing problems, such as cross-talk or burn-in that is so far problematic, can be lowered. Furthermore, since a light leakage current in the thin film transistor can be reduced or suppressed from being generated, an image of higher quality can be displayed.
In the present invention, due to the presence of a portion that extends along the data line in the capacitance line, an increase in the storage capacitance can be realized. This also largely contributes in displaying an image of higher quality.
In order to allow more effective utilization of the above-mentioned light shielding function, for a material that constitutes the capacitance line, one excellent in the light shielding properties may be applied. For instance, metal elements, alloys, metal silicides, and polysilicides containing at least one of, for instance, Al (aluminum), Cu (copper), Ti (titanium), Cr (chromium), W (tungsten), Ta (tantalum), and Mo (molybdenum), and laminates thereof can be preferably used. In addition to these, a light absorptive material, such as polysilicon, can be also used.
In one exemplary embodiment of the electro-optic device according to the present invention, a periphery of a portion that extends along the data line in the capacitance line overlaps two-dimensionally with a periphery of the pixel electrode, and at least a part of the periphery of the data line does not overlap two-dimensionally with a periphery of the pixel electrode.
According to this exemplary embodiment, firstly, since the periphery of the portion along the data line in the capacitance line overlaps two-dimensionally with the periphery of the pixel electrode, in this portion, light can be shielded from entering the thin film transistor, resulting in reducing the light leakage current.
Furthermore, since at least a part of the periphery of the data line does not overlap two-dimensionally with the periphery of the pixel electrode, a parasite capacitance between the data line and the pixel electrode can be reduced. Accordingly, an adverse effect in which a potential fluctuation of the data line affects on a potential of the pixel electrode can be reduced.
From the above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, finally, quality of the display image can be heightened.
In another exemplary embodiment of the electro-optic device according to the present invention, the capacitance line is provided with, as a portion that extends along the data line, a projected portion that projects from the body line portion along the data line, and a width of the projected portion is formed to be the same as that of the data line or wider than such a width.
According to the exemplary embodiment, by making use of a region where the capacitance line is not present, in a tip end exemplary embodiment the projected portion, for instance, a contact hole that connects data line and a semiconductor layer can be disposed. That is, a degree of freedom in designing an electro-optic device can be increased.
According to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a width of the body line portion in the capacitance line is formed to be wider than that of the scanning line.
According to this exemplary embodiment, even more assuredly than the above, the capacitance line can be lowered in resistance thereof, and light can be inhibited from entering the thin film transistor. In particular, when a part of the scanning line is used as a gate electrode of the thin film transistor, the light leakage current can be even more effectively inhibited from occurring in the thin film transistor. This is because, in a configuration like this, a channel region where a light should be most effectively inhibited from entering is present below the gate electrode. When the width of the capacitance line is made to be wider than that of the scanning line, a light can be more effectively inhibited from entering the channel region.
In the mode, in particular, the periphery of the body line portion in the capacitance line may be formed so as to overlap two-dimensionally with the periphery of the pixel electrode, and at least a part of the periphery of the scanning line may be formed so as not to overlap two-dimensionally with the periphery of the pixel electrode.
According to this configuration, firstly, since the periphery of the body line portion in the capacitance line overlaps two-dimensionally with the periphery of the pixel electrode, light that enters the thin film transistor can be blocked in the portion, resulting in reducing the light leakage current.
Furthermore, since at least a part of the periphery of the scanning line does not overlap two-dimensionally with the periphery of the pixel electrode, a parasite capacitance between the scanning line and the pixel electrode can be reduced. Accordingly, the potential variation in the scanning line can be reduced in adversely affecting on the potential of the pixel electrode.
From the above, consequently, according to the present exemplary embodiment, finally, the display image quality can be enhanced.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the electro-optic device of the present invention, the capacitance line is disposed in a laminated place between a semiconductor layer that constitutes the thin film transistor and the data line.
According to this exemplary embodiment, since the capacitance line is disposed at the laminated place between the semiconductor layer that constitutes the thin film transistor and the data line, light can be inhibited from entering the semiconductor layer more effectively than the above.
In the exemplary embodiment, in particular, a plurality of the pixel electrodes may be formed in a matrix on the substrate, and the capacitance line may be formed so as to be electrically connected to a lower side light shielding film that is disposed with lattice pattern below the thin film transistor and extends in matrix along the scanning line and the data line.
According to this configuration, the operational effect involving the light shield can be even more enhanced. The reason for this is that light that enters the thin film transistor is inhibited not only by the capacitance line above the thin film transistor, but also inhibited by a lower side light shielding film disposed below the thin film transistor.
Furthermore, according to the configuration, even when damage should be partially inflicted on the capacitance line, since the electrically connected lower side light shielding film may exhibit a substitute operation, the capacitance line cannot be easily made to be higher in the resistance. Furthermore, since the lower side light shielding film extends in lattice pattern along directions of the scanning line and data line, even when any damage or the like is partially inflicted not only on the capacitance line but also on the lower side light shielding film, since many electrically conductive paths can be expected, when the capacitance line is regarded as a whole, it is even more difficult for the capacitance line to become higher in the resistance.
In still another exemplary embodiment of the electro-optic device of the present invention, the capacitance line has, two-dimensionally, a notch portion corresponding to a formation site of the contact hole that electrically connects the pixel electrode and the pixel electrode side capacitance electrode.
According to this exemplary embodiment, an electrical connection between the pixel electrode and the pixel potential side capacitance electrode, regardless of the presence of the capacitance line, can be realized without difficulty, and a requirement ensuing the connection, that is, a decrease of an area of a fixed potential side capacitance electrode that partly constitutes the capacitance line, can be kept to a minimum. Accordingly, the storage capacitance can be maintained to be relatively large.
According to still another exemplary embodiment of the electro-optic device of the present invention, the capacitance line is made of a multi-layered film.
According to this exemplary embodiment, higher functionality of the capacitance line can be realized. That is, for instance, in addition to the function as the fixed potential side capacitance electrode that the capacitance line has, the capacitance line can be provided with other functions. Specifically, in order to address the above problems, when the capacitance line is constituted of a material to obtain a low resistance capacitance line and another material to realize a light shielding function capable of inhibiting light from entering the thin film transistor, the above-mentioned objective can be attained.
As in the invention, when the capacitor line is formed of a multi-layered film, the function as the storage capacitor can be stabilized. That is, for instance, when the above structure is used to realize lower resistance, the capacitance line may be constituted of only one layer of such material. However, in such a case, a function as a capacitor that the storage capacitor should have intrinsically may not be sufficiently fulfilled. By contrast, in the present invention, as mentioned above, since the capacitance line is constituted of a film of two or more layers, even when a material that has any particular function is used in one layer, a material that can work as the storage capacitor can be compensatorily used in another layer. Accordingly, the above-mentioned problems are not caused.
In the exemplary embodiment, particularly, the capacitance line is preferably formed so as to have a film made of a conductive material as an upper layer thereof, and to have a film made of a light absorbing material as a lower layer thereof.
According to this configuration, the capacitance line is allowed to have multi-functionality as described below. Firstly, since an upper layer of the capacitance line is made of a conductive material, metals, such as aluminum, copper, titanium, chromium, tantalum, and molybdenum and others, high electrical conductivity can be attained in the upper layer. In other words, according to the configuration, the narrower capacitance line, that is, the narrower storage capacitance, without further particular restrictions, can be more assuredly realized. From this, cross-talk and burn-in that are caused by the high resistance capacitance line and have been problems in the related art configuration can be more assuredly inhibited from occurring. Furthermore, the fact that the narrower capacitance line can be realized without accompanying a particular problem can largely contribute to enhance the open area ratio.
Since the lower layer of the capacitance line is made of a light absorbing material, such as polysilicon, the so-called stray light that is caused, for instance, when a light, after entering inside of the electro-optic device, is reflected by a lower surface of the data line can be inhibited in advance from reaching the TFT. That is, a total or part of such stray light is absorbed by the lower layer of the capacitance line. Accordingly, the likelihood of the stray light reaching the TFT can be more assuredly reduced.
According to still another exemplary embodiment of the electro-optic device of the present invention, the data line is formed locally wider in a portion that overlaps with the thin film transistor, and a width of a portion that extends along the data line in the capacitance line is formed to be wider than a portion that is not formed wider in the data line and the same as that of a portion that is formed wider in the data line.
According to this exemplary embodiment, a portion that overlaps with the thin film transistor in the data line is formed to be locally wider. This width of the portion that is formed to be wider is same as that of a portion that extends along the data line in the capacitance line. That is, according to this structure, above the thin film transistor, wider formed data line and capacitance line are formed. Accordingly, a light incident from above the thin film transistor can be more assuredly inhibited from entering.
More specifically, for instance, when the capacitance line is made of a refractory metal or the like, the capacitance line can by itself exhibit light shielding performance of substantially 0.1% in transmittance (2 or more in a value of OD (Optical Density)). However, when the capacitance line is subjected to the silicidation, due to a change in the composition thereof, the light shielding performance may be in some cases deteriorated. In this case, it can occur that the light shielding performance of only more than 0.1% in transmittance can be obtained.
However, in this exemplary embodiment, the data line overlapped with the capacitance line made of the refractory metal like this is also provided. Thus, when a configuration in which the overlapping of the capacitance line and the data line performs the light shielding of the thin film transistor is adopted, the light shielding performance corresponding to a multiplication of the transmittances thereof can be obtained. For instance, when the data line is made of aluminum or the like, the light shielding performance of substantially 0.001% or less in the transmittance (4 or more in the OD value) can be exhibited.
In this exemplary embodiment, in particular, the structure of a width of a portion that extends along the data line in the capacitance line is wider means that it is wider than a width of a portion that is not formed wider in the data line.
According to still another exemplary embodiment of the electro-optic device of the present invention, the data line is formed locally wider in a portion that overlaps with the thin film transistor, and a width of a portion that extends along the data line in the capacitance line is formed wider than that of a portion that is not formed wider in the data line and narrower than that of a portion that is formed wider in the data line.
According to this exemplary embodiment, a portion that overlaps with the thin film transistor in the data line is formed to be locally wider. That is, according to this, above the thin film transistor, wider formed data line and capacitance line are formed. Accordingly, light incident from above the thin film transistor can be more certainly shielded.
In the mode, in particular, a width of a portion that extends along the data line in the capacitance line is formed to be narrower than the data line that is formed wider. That is, in the portion, the data line is formed to be narrower than the capacitance line. Thereby, an increase of the stray light by reflection at the data line can be inhibited for instances, such as, when the data line is formed with, for instance, aluminum that is high in reflectance, and stray light that is generated when an incident light is reflected by some element in the electro-optic device; a return light that returns again to the electro-optic device after a light once exited from the electro-optic device is reflected by some element outside of the electro-optic device; or a return light that a light exited from the other electro-optic device returns to the electro-optic device in a projection type display device, such as a color displayable liquid crystal projector in which a plurality of sets of the electro-optic devices is disposed. This is because a portion that is formed to be wider in the data line is formed narrower in width relative to the capacitance line.
In the exemplary embodiment provided with a data line that is formed to be wider in a portion that overlaps with the thin film transistor like this, the capacitance line is disposed at a laminate position between the thin film transistor and the data line, and the data line, in addition to the portion that overlaps with the thin film transistor, may be formed to be wider in a portion where a contact hole for use in connection to the thin film transistor is disposed.
According to this configuration, even when the capacitance line as the light shielding film cannot be disposed for the contact hole, by forming the data line wider, the lowering in the light shielding performance due to the above can be compensated.
Alternatively, the data line for each of the thin film transistors may be formed to be wider continuously from a portion that overlaps with the thin film transistor up to a portion where the contact hole is disposed.
According to this configuration, the light shielding effect to the thin film transistor can be more assuredly attained.
A portion that is formed to be wider in a portion that overlaps with the thin film transistor and a portion that is formed wider in a portion where the contact hole is disposed may be separately formed wider. When a portion that overlaps with the thin film transistor and a portion where the contact hole is disposed are disposed in proximity to each other, and, as in the exemplary embodiment, formed wider continuously, there is no need of needlessly expanding a region that is formed wider. Accordingly, it is advantageous from a viewpoint of not increasing internal reflection.
According to still another mode of the electro-optic device of the present invention, the electro-optic device further includes the other substrate that is disposed opposite via an electro-optic material to the substrate, and a light shielding film disposed on the other substrate, and the width of the data line and a portion that extends along the data line in capacitance line is formed to be narrower than that of the light shielding film.
According to this exemplary embodiment, when a light is assumed to enter from the other substrate, a structure in which in sequence from an incidence side of the light, the light shielding film, the data line and the capacitance line are laminated can be formed. Here, a width of the former one thereof is wider than those of the latter two. That is, the incident light is shielded by a further wider light shielding film, and only the light transmitted therethrough can reach the data line and the capacitance line. Furthermore, when the light transmitted through the light shielding film reaches the data line and the capacitance line, these data and capacitance lines can be expected to exhibit the light shielding function. In essence, according to this exemplary embodiment, since the light shielding properties of the thin film transistor can be further heightened, the likelihood of occurrence of the light leakage current can be further reduced.
The xe2x80x9clight shielding filmxe2x80x9d in the present exemplary embodiment can be formed in a striped pattern or a lattice pattern so as to thread through a gap between the pixel electrodes, for instance, when the pixel electrodes are arranged in matrix. Furthermore, depending on the case, the light shielding film can be formed into a laminate structure in which a light absorptive material, such as chromium or chromina, and a light reflective material, such as aluminum are laminated.
An electronic instrument according to the present invention includes the electro-optic device (including its various modes) according to the present invention.
According to the electronic instrument of the present invention, due to the inclusion of the electro-optic device according to the present invention, the higher resistance of the capacitance line is not caused, and a light entering the thin film transistor can be reduced or suppressed to be as low as possible. As a result, high quality image displayable by various kinds of electronic instruments, such as a liquid crystal projector, a liquid crystal TV, a portable telephone, an electronic diary, a word processor, a viewfinder type or direct-view type video tape recorder, a work station, a video phone, a POS terminal, and a touch panel, for example, can be realized.

Electro-optic device and electronic instrument


The size of attachments to an electronic message are examined before the message is sent to determine if the attachments exceed a size threshold. When the size of the attachments exceed the threshold, one or more of the attachments are uploaded to a shared location that is accessible to the recipients of the message. A link replaces each attachment that was uploaded to the shared location. Permissions are automatically set at the shared location such that each of the recipients of the message are able to access the uploaded attachment.

Users routinely attempt to send large attachments using electronic messages. Many message gateways limit the size of an attachment that may be delivered/received. The message including the attachments is not delivered when the size of an attachment or collection of attachments exceeds these limits. The sender of the message containing the attachment may or may not be notified that the message was not delivered.

Uploading attachment to shared location and replacing with a link


A waste developer collecting device ejects and collects a waste developer used in a developing unit employing a two-component developing system in which a developer that contains toner and carrier is used. The waste developer collecting device includes: an opening and closing section for opening and closing a developer ejection opening formed on a bottom portion of the developing unit; an opening operation prohibiting section for prohibiting the opening operation of the opening and closing section; a collecting container for collecting the developer ejected through the developer ejection opening; and a collecting container fixing section for fixing the collecting container at a position where the developer ejected from the developing unit is collected. The opening operation prohibiting section allows the opening operation of the opening and closing section when the collecting container is coupled to the collecting container fixing section.

With the movement toward smaller developing units in conventional image forming apparatuses, and particularly in image forming apparatuses employing the tandem mode as in color copying machines, it has been difficult to automatically eject the developer. As such, in conventional image forming apparatuses of the tandem mode, the developer is replaced by first removing the developing unit from the main body and then rotating the coupling with the ejection opening facing downward, the coupling being rotated either manually or by rotating the developing unit outside the main body, as disclosed, for example, in Laid-Open Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 71757/1989 (Jitsukaihei 1-71757; Published on May 15, 1989).
Further, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 89061/1994 (Tokukaihei 6-89061; published on Mar. 29, 1994), there has been proposed an automatic ejection technique. However, owning to the fact that an apparatus employing such an automatic ejection technique includes a large developing unit such as a large-sized high-speed machine, automatic ejection of the developer is performed by providing an ejection roller in addition to the stirring roller.
In an image forming apparatus employing the two-component development system, the developer is reused by first ejecting the finished developer from the developing unit and then replenishing the developing unit with a new developer. Here, care must be taken to strictly follow the proper procedure of replenishing the developer, or not to eject the developer before the developer is ready to be collected, because failure to do so results in contamination of the apparatus and its surroundings.

Waste developer collecting device and image forming apparatus provided therewith


To provide a method for producing lanthanum hexaboride-containing composite particles which are capable of forming a formed product having sufficiently high transparency and which are excellent in weather resistance, by a simple operation without calcination treatment at high temperature, and a method for producing a formed product using it. Also provided is a method for producing composite particles, which involves: reacting at least one silica precursor selected from a tetraalkoxysilane, its hydrolysate and its condensate, in the presence of lanthanum hexaboride particles, a volatile base, water and an organic solvent to obtain a first reaction mixture, and reacting the first reaction mixture with at least one silicon compound selected from an amino-modified silicone, an alkylsilane and an aminosilane, or the silicon compound and the silica precursor added, to obtain a second reaction mixture containing lanthanum hexaboride-containing composite particles.

In recent years, in a formed product of a film, particles of an infrared shielding substance are dispersed. As an infrared shielding substance, for example, lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) has been known. However, lanthanum hexaboride particles and a formed product having the particles dispersed have drawbacks such that the infrared shielding property decreases when exposed to water vapor or water (that is, they have low water resistance).
Patent Document 1 discloses a method for producing composite particles, in which to a dispersion of lanthanum hexaboride particles, a tetraalkyl silicate and hydrochloric acid or ammonia are added and further water is added to hydrolyze the tetraalkyl silicate to form amorphous silica, which is fixed to the lanthanum hexaboride particles, the formed slurry is washed with water, subjected to filtration, dried at 120° C., calcined at 500° C. and pulverized to obtain composite particles.
Patent Document 2 discloses composite particles comprising lanthanum hexaboride particles surface-treated with a silicone water repellent treatment agent containing a co-hydrolyzed condensate obtained by co-hydrolyzing and condensing a specific amino group-containing alkoxysilane or its partial hydrolysate and a specific bis(alkoxysilyl) group-containing compound or its partial hydrolysate in the presence of an organic acid or inorganic acid.

Method for producing lanthanum hexaboride-containing composite particles and method for producing formed product