A seat back comprises a support bracket in which a stay of a head rest is inserted, a guide bracket for supporting a rear surface of a vertically intermediate portion of the support bracket on the seat back frame, a head rest tilt mechanism, and a pressure receiving member which moves rearward when pushed by the body of an occupant. The head rest tilt mechanism includes slotted brackets each having a guide hole and slide members which individually movably engage the respective guide holes of the slotted brackets along the longitudinal direction thereof. The head rest tilt mechanism drives the sub-frame so that the head rest body tilts forward while moving upward as the slide members are moved upward along the guide holes when the pressure receiving member is moved rearward.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a vehicle seat having a head restraint apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Proposed is a movable head restraint apparatus in which a head rest can be moved forward to restrain the head of an occupant in case of a rear-end collision of a vehicle or the like. A vehicle seat structure described in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-163099 (patent document 1), for example, comprises guide pins that are arranged under stays of a head rest and slots in which the guide pins are fitted individually. The slots extend in the vertical direction. This prior art example is provided with passive means that is actuated by an inertial load of the occupant's body at the time of collision. The passive means causes guide pins to move upward along the slots. In this arrangement, the head rest tilts forward as it moves upward.
In a seat back described in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-210155 (patent document 2), moreover, a pressure receiving member is provided at the back of a pad. In case of collision, an armature pipe is pushed up by the pressure receiving member. In this prior art example, a vertically intermediate portion of the armature pipe moves forward and upward at the time of collision. Thus, the head rest tilts forward as it moves upward.
In the structures described in the patent documents 1 and 2, that part of the head rest which corresponds to the under-neck region of the occupant's body moves forward the moment the occupant's body is pressed against the seat back at the time of collision. Accordingly, the under-neck region tends to be restrained before the occupant's head is restrained by the head rest. Thus, the head rest is hindered from moving in a desired direction (or forward and upward). Besides, the under-neck region is inevitably restrained earlier than the head, so that the effect of the head restraint cannot be fully enjoyed.
In the conventional movable head restraint apparatus described above, moreover, the stays of the head rest are easily returned back by a load (horizontal rearward load) from the occupant's head that acts on the head rest after the head rest abuts against the head. Thus, the head restraint is inadequate.


An engine for a two-wheeled vehicle includes at least one cylinder comprising a combustion chamber and a cylinder head positioned adjacent the combustion chamber. The engine further includes a crankcase coupled to the at least one cylinder which includes a crankshaft. Additionally, the engine includes a valve train operably coupled to the crankshaft which includes at least one intake valve fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber, at least one exhaust valve fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber, at least one pushrod operably coupled to at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve, at least one camshaft operably coupled to the at least one pushrod and the crankshaft, and a cam phaser assembly operably coupled to the at least one camshaft and positioned generally outside an envelope of the cylinder head.

The present disclosure relates to an engine for a vehicle, such as a two-wheeled vehicle, and, more particularly, to an engine configured with variable valve timing for a motorcycle.
Conventional engines may be tuned and designed for various applications. For example, in one application, an engine may be tuned and designed for high-speed and high-horsepower performance, while in another application, an engine may be tuned and designed for fuel efficiency and lower emissions output. Such differences between these performance parameters of the engine may be at least partially controlled through the opening and closing timing of the intake and exhaust valves. The valve timing for opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves may be fixed, such that the intake and/or exhaust valves open at only one predetermined time and close at only one predetermined time, regardless of the performance parameters of the engine. However, depending on the vehicle, type of terrain, and other driving conditions, it may be desirable to vary the valve timing to allow opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves at different crank angle position.
Various engines may use control devices which provide the ability to vary at least some parameters of the intake and/or exhaust valves. However, the location of such control devices may interfere with other engine or powertrain components and/or the user's ability to comfortably sit on and use the vehicle. For example, on a motorcycle, the user straddles the engine and any control device coupled to the engine for controlling the valve timing must be positioned at a location that does not interfere with operation of other engine components or the user's ability to use the foot controls and/or floorboard.
In this way, there is a need for a motorcycle engine configured with a variable valve timing system which is able to control the timing, duration, and amount of opening of the intake and/or exhaust valves.

Variable valve timing system for an engine


Universal garage door opener and appliance control system operable to facilitate garage door opener and appliance control with a fob or other wireless device operable to wirelessly communicate corresponding instructions to a vehicle other device for subsequent relay to the garage door opener or controlled appliance.

Home appliances, such as garage door openers, security gates, home alarms, lighting, and the like, may conveniently be operated from a remote control. In some cases, the remote control may be purchased together with the appliance. The remote control transmits a radio frequency activation signal which is recognized by a receiver associated with the appliance, such as for use in controlling the operation thereof. Aftermarket remote controls are gaining in popularity as such devices can offer functionality different from the original equipment's remote control. Such functionality includes decreased size, multiple appliance interoperability, increased performance, and the like. Aftermarket controllers are also purchased to replace lost or damaged controllers or to simply provide another remote control for accessing the appliance.
An example application for aftermarket remote controls are remote garage door openers integrated into an automotive vehicle. These integrated remote controls provide customer convenience, appliance interoperability, increased safety, and enhanced vehicle value. One problem with such devices is the potential of one remote control being used without regard to the use of another remote control, which for example, can be problematic in the event one person attempts to control the application with the remote control purchased with the application while another person attempts to control the application with the remote control integrated into the vehicle. This could lead to a scenario where one remote control operator thwarts a previously executed operation of the other remote control operator simply from being unaware of the other's intentions.


A polyester container particularly adapted for hot fill applications having an improved base configuration. The container base has an outer circular ring defining a support plane for the container with a central outwardly concave dome portion therein. The dome portion includes a number of reinforcing rings formed along concentric tangent lines. In accordance with several embodiments, the circular rings are uninterrupted, whereas in other embodiments, the rings are interrupted at regular angular intervals with relatively smooth zones or hemispherical pockets therebetween. The containers provide excellent mechanical stability in response to positive and negative pressure within the container, and also in response to unrelaxed retractive stresses within the container material which tend to cause deformation of the container, particularly when exposed to elevated temperatures during demolding of the container and during the hot fill cycle.

This invention relates to a polyester container and particularly to such a container having an improved base configuration.
Polyester containers have been replacing metal and glass containers with increasing frequency. The popularity of these products stems in part to improvements in resin composition, manufacturing processes, and container designs. Typical polyester containers such as those made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material are formed in a process in which an elongated tubular preform made by injection molding or other processes is heated and placed into a blow molding cavity. A pressure differential is applied which causes it to expand to conform to the inside surface of the mold cavity, thus providing a semi-rigid thin-walled container. Since the container is exposed to various pressures and forces during processing and use as will better be explained below, it must be designed to respond to such physical influences while maintaining a designed configuration. Random or asymmetrical buckling or deformation of the container would produce an esthetically and commercially unacceptable product.
Containers must be designed to be stable when set on a horizontal surface. In the past, many polyester containers were designed to have a rounded bottom which required a separate base component which was glued to the container to provide a flat support plane. More recent polyester container designs, however, are integral structures having a bottom which forms an outer support ring with a central outwardly concave depressed center, often referred to as a "champagne bottom". In addition to the requirements of maintaining a desired configuration, there is a further need to design the container to minimize the quantity of material needed to form it. In the past, polyester containers were designed with a reinforced base having ribs or webs of increased thickness of polyester material which tended to increase the mass of raw material needed to form the product.
During the production cycle of a blow molded polyester container, the preform is typically axially stretched and inflated to impart radial elongation to the material. In the art, such forming is known as biaxial elongation. Such elongation imposes retractive stresses in the material which, if not relaxed or physically restrained, tend to cause the article to shrink and deform in certain conditions in the directions of elongation. The influence of such unrelaxed retractive stresses is particularly significant during certain phases of the production cycle of the container. Immediately after demolding of the container, the elevated temperature of the material causes it to be less rigid than the final product. Accordingly, such unrelaxed retractive stresses tend to have more influence during this phase of the production cycle.
In the past, most polyester containers were used to contain liquids that are initially dispensed into the container at room temperature or chilled. Presently, however, there is more interest in using polyester containers for so-called "hot-fill" applications where the beverage or product is dispensed in the container initially at an elevated temperature and is then immediately sealed. Hot-fill applications impose additional mechanical stress inputs to the container structure. Immediately after the hot liquid is dispensed into the container, its temperature decreases the rigidity of the polyester material, thus making it more subject to the unrelaxed retractive stresses mentioned previously. The container must sustain internal pressure changes while maintaining its configuration. For example, as the hot-filled liquid cools, it shrinks in volume which has the effect of producing a negative pressure in the container. In use, the container must also be resistant to deformation when being handled or dropped which causes sudden increases in internal pressure.
In accordance with this invention, a polyester container is provided having an improved design base structure which provides structural rigidity and resistance against random deformation and shrinkage in response to the previously mentioned mechanical and thermal stresses.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Polyester container for hot fill liquids


A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a chamber that is capable of accommodating therein a plurality of semiconductor substrates. A gas supply part supplies process gas to the chamber. A top exhaust port is connected to a top portion of the chamber and exhausts gas within the chamber. A bottom exhaust port is connected to a bottom portion of the chamber and exhausts gas within the chamber. A controller controls a timing of supplying process gas from the gas supply part and a timing of switching between exhaust from the top exhaust port and exhaust from the bottom exhaust port.

Among semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses such as a film formation device, there is a batch-type semiconductor manufacturing apparatus that processes a plurality of semiconductor wafers simultaneously. A conventional batch-type semiconductor manufacturing apparatus introduces source gas, reactant gas, or the like in a vacuum chamber and exhausts these gas from a bottom portion of the chamber.
However, in such a case, a gas retention time in a top portion of the chamber is longer than that in the bottom portion thereof. That is, gas concentration in the top portion of the chamber is higher than that in the bottom portion thereof. For this reason, the film thickness of a material formed on a semiconductor wafer varies depending on the position of the semiconductor wafer within the chamber. For example, a relatively thin film is formed on a semiconductor wafer arranged in the bottom portion of the chamber, and a relatively thick film is formed on a semiconductor wafer arranged in the top portion of the chamber.
To suppress such a variation in the film thickness, it is conceivable that temperatures of respective portions in the chamber are adjusted. However, when process temperatures are changed, the film quality (for example, stress and the like) also changes. Accordingly, in the conventional batch-type semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, it has been difficult to uniformize the film thickness and the film quality among semiconductor wafers.

Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of semiconductor device


A reduced-noise switching power supply includes a conductive surface disposed transversely in an air space between a line filter system component and a switching system component. The conductive surface does not encase either the line filter system component or the switching system component.

Many modern computers and other electronic devices make use of switching power supply circuits in order to reduce weight and to improve the efficiency of the power supply. In switching power supply circuits, current is switched on and off at a relatively high frequency-on the order of 20 to 500 kHz, for example. Often such circuits produce significant noise signals in the switching frequency range.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A display panel being bendable around a bending axis to form a bendable portion, includes a support film, a display module disposed on a side of the support film. An outer edge of the display module is distant from an outer edge along the first direction of the support film, to form a step portion between the outer edge of the display module and the outer edge of the support film. A polarizing layer and a touch layer are disposed on the other side, facing away the support film, of the display module. An outer edge of the polarizing layer and an outer edge of the touch layer are distant from the outer edge of the display module to form a step portion between the outer edge of the polarizing layer, the outer edge of the touch layer and the outer edge of the display module.

The bendable display panel is an unstopped trend in the development of display technology and has bright market future. The flexible active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display is the key technology to achieve a bendable display panel. However, in the current flexible display panel, a large shear force of film is often caused in the bending process such that the inorganic film layer on the edges of the display panel are then cracked. Therefore, the product yield of display panel is reduced.

Display panel and display device having a step portion

Everdisplay Optronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd


A flapper valve assembly including a tubular forming an interior passageway; a valve seat forming a portion of the interior passageway; a flapper plate that is pivotably mounted to the tubular at a pivot point such that the flapper plate is pivotable between a valve closed and a valve open position; and a spring engaging the flapper plate such that the flapper plate is biased towards the valve closed position; wherein, when the flapper plate is in the valve open position, the spring engages a top of the flapper plate at a first distance from the pivot point; wherein, when the flapper plate is in the valve closed position, the spring engages the top of the flapper plate at a second distance from the pivot point; and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

Surface controlled, subsurface safety valves are commonly used to shut in oil and gas wells in the event of a failure or hazardous condition at the well surface. Such safety valves are typically fitted into the production tubing and operate to block the flow of formation fluid upwardly therethrough. The subsurface safety valve provides shutoff of production flow in response to a variety of out-of-range safety conditions that can be sensed or indicated at the surface. For example, the out-of-range safety conditions may include a fire on the platform, a high or low flow line temperature or pressure condition, or operator override.
During production, a hydraulically operated subsurface safety valve is typically held open by the application of hydraulic fluid pressure via an auxiliary control conduit that extends along the tubing string within an annulus between the tubing and the well casing. Flapper type subsurface safety valves utilize a closure plate which is actuated by longitudinal movement of a hydraulically actuated operator tube system, which can be a rod-style piston, a concentric tubular piston, or in the case of an electrically operated subsurface safety valve, an electro-mechanical operator. The flapper valve closure plate is maintained in the valve open position by an operator tube which is extended by the application of hydraulic pressure onto the piston. Upon removal of the operator tube from the flapper plate, the flapper plate is then rotated to the valve closed position by a torsion spring or tension member.
Typically, the flapper closure plate is supported for rotational movement by a hinge assembly that includes a hinge pin and a torsion spring or tension member. Generally, the torsion spring is looped around the hinge pin to urge the flapper valve to the valve closed position. These valves generally require clearance near the pivot pin of the flapper to allow for the torsion spring to be positioned about the pivot pin. Providing this clearance near the pivot pin reduces the size of the hinge pin or surrounding elements of the flapper valve.
The present disclosure is directed to subsurface equipment, such as a flapper valve with a beam spring and methods that overcome one or more of the shortcomings in the prior art.


A floating-disk type brake system that includes floating disk assemblies placed respectively in spaces between a rotating member, such as a wheel of a transportation machine or a rotating shaft of a machine tool, and a stationary member to reduce differences in the rotating speed of adjacent sliding surfaces of the floating disk assemblies in frictional sliding engagement. The floating-disk type brake system includes a first floating disk assembly and a first disk assembly that are arranged between the ring gear and the planet carrier of a planetary gear built in a transmission or the like, and the first floating disk assembly and the first disk assembly are pressed together into frictional engagement to brake a rotating shaft.

The inventors of the present invention previously developed a brake system for braking a rotating shaft of transportation vehicles including automobiles and railroad cars, and machine tools, and filed a patent application for the grant of patent for the brake system (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
The construction of this prior brake system will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 34. A first rotating member 2 is mounted on a shaft 1 so as to be axially slidable and to be rotatable together with the shaft 1. A first gear 3 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 1 for rotation together with the shaft 1. A second gear 6 is supported for rotation by a support shaft 5 on a support arm 4, and is engaged with the first gear 3. A third gear 7 is supported on the support shaft 5 for rotation together with the second gear 6 and is engaged with a fourth gear 8 supported on the shaft 1 for rotation relative to the shaft 1. A second rotating member 9 is combined with the fourth gear 8 for free rotation together with the fourth gear 8 on the shaft 1. The revolving speed N1 of the first rotating member 2 is equal to that of the shaft 1. The rotating speed N2 of the second rotating member 9 is different from the revolving speed N1 of the first rotating member 2 because of the step-up or step-down ratio of the gear train of the first gear 3, the second gear 6, the third gear 7 and the fourth gear 8.
When the first rotating member 2 is axially pushed toward the second rotating member 9, as indicated by the arrows P in FIG. 34, to bring a frictional surface 2a of the rotating member 2 into frictional contact with a frictional surface 9a of the second rotating member 9, a frictional force acts between the rotating members 2 and 9. This frictional force slows the rotation of the first gear 3 and the second gear 6. When the first gear 3 and the second gear 6 are locked together, the second gear 6 tends to revolve about the axis of the shaft 1. Since the second gear 6 is supported by the support shaft 5 on the fixed support arm 4, the second gear 6 is unable to revolve about the axis of the shaft 1. Consequently, the shaft 1 is braked to a stop. In this brake system previously applied for patent, the support arm is, namely, a stationary member, and the support shaft 5 brakes the rotating shaft 1. The magnitude of the braking force is controlled by regulating the frictional force acting between the first rotating member 2 and the second rotating member 9.
For example, the second rotating member 9 can be rotated at 1100 rpm when the first rotating member 2 rotates at 1000 rpm by properly adjusting the step-up or step-down ratio of a gear train including the first gear 3, the second gear 6, the third gear 7 and the fourth gear 8. When a braking force is applied to the first rotating member 2 rotating at 1000 rpm by the stationary support arm 4 or the support shaft 5, the rotating speed difference of 1000 rpm needs to be reduced to zero. When a frictional force acts between the first rotating member 2 rotating at 1000 rpm and the second rotating member 9 rotating at 1100 rpm, only a rotating speed difference of 100 rpm needs to be reduced to zero. Therefore, an impulsive force resulting from braking by the frictional force, and a quantity of heat generated in the latter from rotating speed absorption is far lower than those in the former. The brake system previously applied for patent not only can moderate impulsive force generated during braking, but also can suppress frictional heat generation.    Patent Document 1: JP 2003-222167 A    Patent Document 2: JP 2003-222166 A


Provided is a method of controlling an electric vehicle capable of preferably performing a regenerative control when a plurality of forward driving ranges are shifted to each other. During travelling on a downhill road, the vehicle executes a downhill regenerative control for adjusting the regenerative amount of an electric motor so that acceleration obtained when an accelerator is closed becomes a downhill acceleration according to a road surface slope. The vehicle also executes an acceleration increase control in which the downhill acceleration obtained when the forward driving ranges are shifted from a second forward driving range to a first forward driving range during travelling on the downhill road is at least temporarily set to an acceleration exceeding the downhill acceleration obtained on the assumption that the vehicle continuously travels on the same road surface slope as that of the currently travelling downhill road in the first forward driving range.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0112386 (hereinafter referred to as "US 2009/0112386 A1") discloses a regenerative control process for an electric motor on an electric vehicle while the electric vehicle is driving on a downhill road. More specifically, US 2009/0112386 A1 has the task of operating the electric motor in a regenerative mode while the electric vehicle is driving on a downhill road, in order to cause the vehicle to generate an acceleration suitable for the gradient of the road surface while at the same time minimizing the influences of disturbance factors (see Abstract and paragraph [0007]). In order to carry out the task, according to US 2009/0112386 A1, the electric vehicle has a device 25 for determining, depending on the gradient of the road surface, a target acceleration of the vehicle 1 if the operational states of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of the vehicle 1 are an OFF state when the vehicle 1 is driving on a downhill road, a device 26 for determining a correction quantity ΔTrd of a regenerative torque for bringing the actual acceleration of the vehicle 1 close to the target acceleration, a device 21 for determining a basic target torque Trs of an electric motor 2 , which becomes a regenerative torque at the time the operational state of the accelerator pedal is the OFF state, depending on the operational state of the accelerator pedal, and a device 27 for determining a target torque Trc by correcting the basic target torque Trs with at least the correction quantity ΔTrd, wherein the output torque of the electric motor 2 is controlled depending on the target torque Trc (see Abstract).
Electric vehicles include an electric vehicle that is capable of driving forward in a plurality of modes, or stated otherwise, an electric vehicle having a plurality of forward driving ranges {International Publication No. 2010/110098 (hereinafter referred to as "WO 2010/110098 A1")}. WO 2010/110098 A1 shows a D position and a B position as corresponding to forward driving positions among the shift positions of a shift lever 32 (see FIG. 2). The D position corresponds to a D range which is a forward driving range for transmitting the drive force for moving the vehicle forward to the drive wheels, whereas the B position corresponds to a decelerated forward driving range (engine braking range) for generating an engine braking effect to decelerate the drive wheels by causing the electric motor to generate a regenerative torque, for example, in the D range (see paragraphs [0049] and [0050]).


A method of treating concentrated produced water derived from a steam assisted gravity discharge oil recovery process is described. The method includes utilizing a double drum dryer to dry a concentrated slurry and produce a dried concentrate for deposition in a landfill.

Recovery of oil from oil-bearing geologic formations in many instances requires the use of large quantities of water. Water is injected into such formations to facilitate moving the oil from the formation and delivering it to the surface where the oil and water are separated. In some applications, the water is used one time, cleaned appropriately for stream discharge, and discharged. Waste cleaned from the water is commonly placed in a landfill. The cost and environmental concerns have provided impetus for both reusing the water and reducing the volume or waste material to be landfilled.
In the well-known "Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage" approach to heavy oil recovery, two horizontal wells are drilled into a formation. One of the wells, known as the injection well, is disposed above and spaced apart from the other well, known as the collection well. Water in the form of steam is directed into the injection well where the steam condenses and gives off sensible heat that warms the oil in the formation. The warming of the oil reduces the oil viscosity and adhesion to rock in the formation. A mixture of oil and water flows into the collection well from whence it is removed to the surface. The oil and water are separated, and the separated water, commonly referred to as produced water, is prepared for reuse. Reuse, of course, entails making steam, in many cases high quality steam. So, preparing the produced water for reuse requires removing contaminants from the produced water. Such contaminants include those that can lead to scaling and fouling steam generation equipment. Present means of preparing the produced water for reuse produces significant quantities of wet waste, and landfilling such wastes is both expensive and environmentally challenging. Improved means are needed to reduce the volume of wastes in such applications.

Method of recovering oil and producing produced water that is concentrated and dried by a double drum dryer


A laminated color change device which exhibits an irreversible color change upon delamination. The device comprises two layers capable of generating a color by a light interference and absorption phenomenon that requires direct and intimate contact between the two layers. One of the layers is a color-generating metal, such as a valve metal (e.g. tantalum), and the other is an overlying light-transmitting film thin enough to cause light interference effects. The film is produced by coating the color generating metal with aluminum or an aluminum alloy and then anodizing (preferably porous anodizing) the aluminum to consumption in the presence of an adhesion-reducing agent, e.g. fluoride, that reduces the strength of attachment between the layers so that the laminate can be uniformly and reliably separated at the interface between the adjacent two layers. An overlying layer of transparent or translucent material is normally adhered to the laminate to facilitate the separation of the layers. When the thin film is detached from the color-generating metal, the generated color is lost, thus providing a color change that is in effect irreversible. The device can be incorporated into a variety of closable articles or products to provide evidence of opening or tampering, or can be used for other purposes.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to color change devices incorporating thin anodic films capable of generating colors by light interference effects, to methods of making such devices, and to closures and other articles incorporating such devices.
By the term "color change device" we mean a laminated structure which exhibits a first color over a suitably large surface area but which is capable of exhibiting a noticeably different second color over the whole or a part of the surface area when the structure is physically disturbed in some way, e.g. when the constituent layers are peeled apart or when the device is punctured or cut.
II. Description of the Prior Art
There is currently a growing need for color change devices incorporating structures which undergo some kind of irreversible and readily-observable change when the constituent structures are peeled apart or otherwise disturbed. Such devices may be incorporated, for example, into the closures of containers or packages in such a way that an irreversible visible change is observable when the containers or packages are opened. Alternatively, when identity documents or cards are laminated for security, devices of the above type may be incorporated into their structures to warn of tampering. Furthermore, there is a growing market for "instant win" type lottery tickets which contain a message concealed beneath a peelable or scratchable obscuring layer and it would be advantageous to incorporate color change devices into such tickets to discourage unauthorized viewing of the message prior to sale.
Various types of structures which undergo irreversible visual changes are already known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,505 issued on Dec. 10, 1985 to Richard M. Schaefer, et al discloses a transparent tape which becomes opaque when subjected to stress, e.g. when peeling or tearing of the tape is attempted, and similar "stress whitening" properties of plastics materials are utilized in the devices of U.S. Pat. No 4,489,841 issued on Dec. 25, 1984 to Mortimer S. Thompson and U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,317 issued on May 15, 1984 to Mortimer S. Thompson. Another approach to the problem has been the use of micro-encapsulated dyes which change color upon exposure to air when the capsules are ruptured (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,515 issued on May 28, 1985 to Milton Schonberger; U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,760 issued on Nov. 6, 1984 to Milton Schonberger; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,911 issued on Jan. 10, 1984 to Joseph A. Resnick). Additionally, much attention has recently been directed to the use of holograms having a three dimensional visual effect, and iridescent optical multilayer films, made by vacuum deposition, which exhibit a distinctive color change with viewing angle, such effects being easily destroyed when the structures are damaged.
The disadvantages of the known devices are that they are either expensive to produce (e.g. the holograms and optical multilayer films), release contaminating chemicals (e.g. microencapsulated dyes) or can be defeated or replaced if sufficient care is taken (e.g. the stress-whitening plastics).
We have previously found that color change devices can be made from a peelable laminate that relies on direct and intimate contact between at least two layers to generate an intense non-dichroic interference color. When the layers are peeled apart, the generated color disappears (or changes to a different color depending on the structure of the device) and is difficult or impossible to regenerate because the required direct and intimate contact cannot be restored by normal means (e.g. pressing or gluing the layers back together again). In a preferred form, the device of this kind comprises a thin layer of a so-called "valve" metal (e.g. Ta, Nb, Ti, Zr and Hf) having a very thin non-porous overlying anodic layer of the valve metal oxide. Such a structure generates an intense color by a light interference and absorption effect (i.e. interference takes place between light reflected at the metal and oxide surfaces and some light absorption takes place at the metal-oxide interface). Normally, anodized oxide layers adhere strongly to the underlying metal, but we have found that the presence of certain adhesion-reducing agents (e.g. fluoride ions) during anodization reduce this adhesion in a uniform and reliable way and hence make the structure peelable at the metal-oxide interface. This invention is the subject of our prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,061 issued on June 6, 1989 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference).
Tamper-evident structures of the above kind undergo a substantially irreversible color change when the two adjacent layers are separated from each other because the direct and intimate contact required for color generation is difficult or impossible to restore once the adjacent layers have been peeled apart, and the substantially irreversible color change acts as evidence that the layers have been separated and consequently that the structure has been disturbed. Since the color change is based on a light interference and absorption phenomenon, which is a physical rather than a chemical phenomenon, the operability of the structure is substantially unaffected by heat, humidity, aging etc.
While tamper-evident devices of the above kind are extremely effective and useful, they suffer from the disadvantage that the materials capable of generating the desired intense colors are inconvenient to anodize as they require high voltages (i.e. anodizing to high voltage at constant current). Our prior devices also require the use of quite large amounts of expensive materials, such as tantalum. Moreover, only very thin oxide layers can be produced and this limits the colors that can be generated, generally precluding dichroic films which would be realized by thicker layers. A dichroic film is one which exhibits a particular color when viewed from one angle, say at normal incidence, but a different color when viewed from another angle. In general, for such films the color changes continuously through several hues as the viewing angle is varied and the films have accordingly also been called optically variable films. Dichroism is a desirable feature for some applications due to consumer appeal. Also, since the dichroic feature can not be reproduced by color photocopiers, it confers an additional element of security to a color change device used in tamper evident structures. In some cases though, dichroism is to be avoided since it may confuse the consumer as to which color change is to be taken as evidence of tampering, and so it would be desirable to have the option of making the color change device either dichroic or non-dichroic.

Color change devices incorporating thin anodic films


A first panel element and a second panel element, each having at least one display layer, are positioned and opposed to each other. The elements are progressively adhered from a staring position with an adhesive material supplied beforehand. Examples of the adhesive material include those which are in a liquid state before curing (such as photo-curing adhesive materials), and also include adhesive sheets. The adhesive material having fluidity can be spread between the two panel elements in the adhering step.

This invention is based on patent application Nos. 2000-96620 Pat., 2000-96614 Pat., 2000-98095 Pat., 2000-96542 Pat., 2000-96545 Pat. and 2000-96546 Pat., filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a display panel for display of images. This invention also concerns with a method for adhering an adhesive sheet and with a method for adhering plates, these methods being applicable to the methods for producing a display panel.
2. Description of the Background Art
A wide variety of image display panels are available, and include liquid crystal display panels, electroluminescence display panels, display panels comprising a combination of these panels, and the like.
Such image display panels include those comprising a layer of panel element and those comprising layered panel elements.
For example, display panels for display of color images are available which are formed by layering a plurality of panel elements for display of images in different colors.
Liquid crystal display panels for display of images in multi-colors include, for example, those formed by layering a panel element for blue display, a panel element for green display and a panel element for red display to give a display panel which can perform display of images in full colors.
In any case, when an image display panel is formed by layering a plurality of panel elements, it is required to adhere together adjacent panel elements for performing the desired image display. More specifically, it is necessary to meet at least one of the requirements: (1) adjacent panel elements should be adhered to each other after alignment, (2) the panel elements should be adhered together in close contact, and (3) the panel elements should be adhered together in a manner to avoid creation of wrinkles.
Generally an adhesive sheet is often used to fix two plates. When a display panel is produced by layering a plurality of panel elements, adjacent panel elements may be adhered together by interposing an adhesive sheet between these elements.
When panel elements or other plates are fixed to each other with an adhesive sheet interposed therebetween as in the above case, an adhesive sheet having separators each on respective sides may be used as follows. After removing a separator from one side of the adhesive sheet, the adhesive sheet is fixed to a first plate placed on a flat plate. Thereafter, a second plate is fixed to the adhesive sheet after removing the other separator from the other side of the adhesive sheet.
In this operation, however, when the adhesive sheet is fixed to the first plate on the flat plate, air bubbles may be readily generated therein. It is difficult to eliminate the air bubbles once generated therein. The fixing operation may be conducted in a chamber having a reduced pressure to prevent the inclusion of air bubbles, but this procedure incurs a high cost.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing a display panel for display of images, the method and apparatus being capable of adhering the adjacent panel elements in the required state and capable of producing a display panel which can perform the display of better images.
Stated more specifically, another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing a display panel by layering panel elements for forming a display panel for display of images, the method and apparatus being capable of producing a display panel in such manner that adjacent panel elements are adhered together as accurately aligned, so that the display of better images can be performed.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing a display panel for display of images by layering panel elements for forming a display panel for display of images, the method and apparatus being capable of producing a display panel in such manner that adjacent panel elements are adhered together in a state free of air bubbles between the two panel elements so that they can be adhered together in a state free of wrinkles and the display of better images can be performed.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing a display panel by layering panel elements for forming a display panel for display of images, the method and apparatus being capable of producing a display panel in such manner that adjacent panel elements can be firmly adhered to each other so that the display panel can stably perform the display of better images for a prolonged period.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a method for adhering an adhesive sheet and a method for adhering plates, the methods being applicable to the production of display panels and for other purposes, the methods in which the adhesive sheet can be adhered to the plate in a manner to prevent the entry of air bubbles therebetween and the plates can be adhered together with the adhesive sheet interposed between the plates in a manner to prevent entry of air bubbles therebetween.
The present invention basically provides the following first to fourth types of methods and the following apparatus for producing a display panel. The present invention also provides the apparatuses to be described later. This invention also provides the following first to third types of methods for adhering an adhesive sheet and the following first to third types of methods for adhering plates.
(1) Methods for Producing a Display Panel
(1-1) First Type Method for Producing a Display Panel
The first type method for producing a display panel for display of images comprises the steps of:
opposing a first panel element and a second panel element, each having at least one display layer, with positioning the first and second panel elements relatively to each other (panel-opposing step); and
progressively adhering, after the panel-opposing step, the first and second panel elements from a starting position with an adhesive material (panel-adhering step).
(1-2) Second Type Method for Producing a Display Panel
The second type method for producing a display panel for display of images comprises the steps of: bringing a first panel element and a second panel element, each having at least one display layer, to an opposed position; adhering the first and second panel elements with an uncured adhesive material; relatively moving the first and second panel elements to position them; and curing the adhesive material after positioning the panel elements.
(1-3) Third Type Method for Producing a Display Panel
The third type method for producing a display panel for display of images comprises the steps of: supplying an adhesive material on at least one of first and second panel elements; positioning the first and second panel elements and placing them in an opposed position; splicing under pressure (pressure-splicing) the first and second panel elements with the adhesive material interposed between them under a first condition (first pressure-splicing step); and splicing under pressure (pressure-splicing) the first and second panel elements with the adhesive material under a second condition different from the first condition (second pressure-splicing step).
(1-4) Fourth Type Method for Producing a Display Panel
The fourth type method for producing a display panel for display of images comprises the steps of: causing a first stage to hold a first panel element; causing a second stage to hold a second panel element; placing the first and second panel elements held on the first and second stages, respectively in opposed positions; positioning the first and second panel elements relative to each other; supplying an adhesive material to at least one of the first and second panel elements; splicing under pressure (pressure-splicing) the positioned first and second panel elements held by the first and second stages with an adhesive material interposed between the panel elements under a first condition in such manner that the first and second panel elements are pressure-spliced as interposed between the first and second stages (first pressure-splicing step); and splicing under pressure (pressure-splicing) the first and second panel elements with the adhesive material under a second condition different from the first condition in such manner that the first and second panel elements are pressure-spliced as interposed between the first and second stages (second pressure-splicing step).
(2) Apparatus for Producing a Display Panel
The apparatus for producing a display panel comprises: a first stage for holding a panel element; a second stage for holding another panel element; a stage-driving device for driving at least one of the first and second stages to relatively move the first and second stages to positions closer to each other or away from each other with panel element-holding surfaces of the stages as opposed, wherein at least one of the first and second stages has an elastic pad having a panel element-holding surface, and the panel element-holding surface of the pad has a convex curved face, and wherein the stage-driving device is such that when the first and second stages are relatively moved closer to each other, the panel element held by the first stage and the panel element held by the second stage are spliced to each other under a first pressure and are further spliced to each other under a specific second pressure higher than the first pressure.
(3) Method for Adhering an Adhesive Sheet
(3-1) First Type Method for Adhering an Adhesive Sheet
A first type method for adhering an adhesive sheet is a method for adhering an adhesive sheet to a plate, the method comprising the steps of: relatively positioning one end of a plate and one end of an adhesive sheet at which through-holes are formed; and adhering the adhesive sheet to the plate progressively from the end toward the other end of the sheet while holding the other end of the adhesive sheet as spaced away from the plate.
(3-2) Second Type Method for Adhering an Adhesive Sheet
The second type method for adhering an adhesive sheet is a method for adhering an adhesive sheet to a plate, the method comprising the steps of: relatively positioning one end of a plate and one end of an adhesive sheet having through-holes and wound into a roll; and rollingly moving the wound adhesive sheet from the end of the plate toward the other end thereof on the plate to adhere the adhesive sheet to the Plate
(3-3) Third Type Method for Adhering an Adhesive Sheet
The third type method for adhering an adhesive sheet is a method for adhering an adhesive sheet to a plate, the method comprising the steps of: providing an adhesive sheet having a groove on one surface of the sheet, at least one end of the groove extending to one side of the sheet; adhering the adhesive sheet to a plate in a manner such that the surface of the sheet having the groove is opposed to the plate; and pressing the adhesive sheet as adhered to the plate.
(4) Method for Adhering Plates
(4-1) First Type Method for Adhering Plates
The first type method for adhering plates comprises the steps of: relatively positioning one end of a first plate and one end of an adhesive sheet having through-holes; adhering the adhesive sheet to the first plate from the end toward the other end of the sheet while holding the other end of the adhesive sheet as spaced away from the first plate; and adhering a second plate to the adhesive sheet with the adhesive sheet.
(4-2) Second Type Method for Adhering Plates
The second type method for adhering plates comprises the steps of: relatively positioning one end of a first plate and one end of an adhesive sheet having through-holes and wound into a roll; rollingly moving the wound adhesive sheet on the first plate from the end of the first plate toward the other end thereof to adhere the adhesive sheet to the first plate; and adhering a second plate to the adhesive sheet via the adhesive sheet.
(4-3) Third Type Method for Adhering Plates
The third type method for adhering plates comprises the steps of: providing an adhesive sheet having a groove on one surface of the sheet, at least one end of the groove extending to one side of the sheet; adhering the adhesive sheet to a first plate in a manner so that the surface of the sheet having the groove is opposed to the plate; adhering a second plate to the adhesive sheet; and applying pressure to the adhesive sheet fixed to the first plate.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method and apparatus for producing a display panel, method for adhering an adhesive sheet and method for adhering plates


A balancing station includes a vertical spindle having a collet for frictionally engaging the center hole of a wheel. A motor driven drum is mounted on an arm which is moved by an actuator to urge the drum against the wheel with a radial force so that it can frictionally drive the wheel. An idler drum or a second driven drum mounted on a similar arm on the opposite side of the wheel is moved by an actuator to engage the wheel at a location diametrically opposite the driven drum to apply a radial force to the wheel equal and opposite to the force from the driven drum. The arms are symmetrically mounted with respect to the spindle so that the two drums will contact diametrically opposite locations on the wheel for any size wheel over a large size range.

In the production of automotive vehicles it is a known practice to assemble tires and wheels at high rates of assembly and then to balance the tires and wheels on an automated machine which also operates at a high rate, say 9 or 10 seconds per tire. Such machines have a station to center a tire/wheel assembly, a balance measuring station, and a marking station where the position and amount of unbalance is marked on the tire, and a transfer mechanism for sequentially moving the wheel assembly (hereinafter called a "wheel") from one station to another.
The balance measuring station typically includes a rotatable spindle having an air pressure operated collet which holds the wheel hub attachment plate or spider at its central opening, a motor driven drum which is pressed against the outer periphery of the tire to spin the wheel, and a vibration sensor for detecting the effect of unbalance. In addition, a balance measuring circuit determines from the detected vibration the amount and position of the unbalance.
It is known, as shown in FIG. 1, to impart rotation to the wheel 10 on the spindle 24 by engaging the tire periphery by a motor driven wheel or drum 12. Typically the drum 12 is mounted on one end of an arm which pivots about the other end for movement of the drum from a home position to an operating position against the tire 14 where it presses radially against the tire with sufficient force F to sustain a transfer of torque from the rotating drum to the tire. That radial force F is transferred by the tire to the wheel rims 18 as forces F' and thence through the hub attachment plate 20 to the spindle 24. Since the rims 18 are spaced from the hub attachment plate 20 which engages the collet 22 on the spindle 24, the force F' on each rim creates a moment about the spindle. Because the wheel usually has its hub attachment plate 20 offset from the mid-plane of the wheel, the forces F' are unequally spaced from the plate 20 and hence the moments are not equal. The differential of the moments creates a net moment M on the wheel which tends to tilt the wheel from its desired attitude which is normal to the axis of the spindle. The air operated collet 22 which frictionally engages the center hole of the attachment plate must overcome the net moment M if the wheel is to be secure on the spindle. Experience with such machines proves that where the net moment is significant, the wheel can overcome the collet force and walk up the collet during tire rotation.
It is also known, as shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,055 to Orem et al entitled "Dynamic Balance Determining System", to rotate the wheel by two powered rotating drums pressed against the outer tire periphery. There, the drums are located on opposite side of the conveyor that carries the wheels and are supported by arms pivoted at positions downstream of the drums; that is the pivot points of the arms are both at one side of the wheel in the direction of conveyor movement. As a result, the drums move in arcuate paths between home positions and tire driving positions. For one wheel size the drums will contact the wheel at diametrically opposite points. In that particular case the radial force of each drum against the wheel will offset the force of the other drum and there will be no net moment tending to lift the wheel from the collet. However, for larger or smaller wheels, the contact points of the drums with the wheel will not be at diametrically opposite locations and the radial forces will not offset one another; rather, both drums will contribute to a moment tending to lift the wheel from the collet.

Tire balance measuring machine for various tire sizes


In one embodiment, a method of defining an array of extractor elements configured to extract light from a light guide, and thereby produce a desired spatial light pattern ET quantifying optical output at a plurality of locations across the light guide is provided. The method comprises calculating a first spatial light pattern produced by a first array of extractor elements. The first spatial light pattern quantifies optical output at the plurality of locations across the light guide. The method further comprises determining a ratio R of the optical output of the desired spatial light pattern to an optical output of the first spatial light pattern. The method further comprises determining a modified ratio R′, wherein R′=Rα and |α|<1. The method further comprises determining a characteristic of a second array of extractor elements by scaling a characteristic of the first array of extractor elements by the modified ratio R′.

Light guides are used in a wide variety of applications to transmit light from one location to another. Light guides having a variety of different geometries have been developed for different applications. For example, a light guide configuration that is particularly useful in display applications is a planar light guide. In a typical display configuration, a light source is positioned along an edge of a planar light guide that is configured to receive light generated by the light source. The light propagates within the light guide by total internal reflection, and is extracted from one of the planar surfaces of the light guide. The extracted light, which is usable to illuminate a display field, is optionally passed through subsequent optical components, such as diffusers, light recycling films, and/or spatial modulators.
Light is extracted from a planar surface of the light guide using one or more of a wide variety of extraction elements. Generally, the extraction elements comprise a feature that causes light to propagate out of the light guide instead of being totally internally reflected within the light guide. Typical extraction elements comprise, for example, raised or recessed surface features such as protrusions or dimples, as well as localized material differences or other surface or volume perturbations in the light guide. Often the extraction elements are arranged to extract a substantially uniform light field from the light guide, which is particularly advantageous in the context of providing a uniform illumination field for a display surface.
When light is extracted from a planar light guide, nonuniformities in the illumination of the light guide are manifested in a nonuniform illumination field extracted from the light guide. In the context of a planar light guide used to illuminate a display field, such nonuniformities are manifested as brightly illuminated regions and poorly illuminated regions of the display field. A more uniform illumination can be produced by modifying the spatial distribution of extraction elements on the light guide, such that more light is extracted from the light guide in poorly-illuminated regions, and less light is extracted from the light guide in well-illuminated regions. While this approach is usable to provide a more uniform field of light extracted from the light guide, it fails to provide a generalized approach for producing a desired illumination field, such as a spatially nonuniform illumination field.

Methods for manipulating light extraction from a light guide


Embodiments of the invention may provide a personalized fit prediction to a particular consumer about a particular product. Personalization of the fit prediction may be accomplished by processing various types of data, including data about consumers, products, and previous purchases by consumers. For example, this data may be used to generate a model (e.g., set of rules), which can then be applied to predict whether and/or how well a particular product will suit a particular consumer.

With the proliferation of e-commerce sites on the World Wide Web, a growing population of consumers purchases products online rather than in a store. Purchasing products online is different from purchasing products in a store for a number of reasons, including that the consumer purchasing a product online may be somewhat limited in what he/she can learn about the product prior to purchase from the information presented online. For example, the consumer may be able to read about the product, see pictures of the product, view reviews of the product submitted by other consumers, etc. However, the consumer may not be able fully appreciate certain aspects of the product, such as its aesthetics (e.g., how it looks from certain angles), size, color, texture, etc. Often, after ordering and receiving the product, a consumer may discover that the product is not what he or she expected, and may return the product. The somewhat limited ability of consumers to evaluate products online prior to purchase can result in higher rates at which some products are returned, as compared to in-store purchases.
An entity that sells products online may incur costs in processing returns from consumers. For example, the entity may be obligated to refund the purchase price, pay for shipping to and/or from the consumer's address, repackage the product, and/or restock the product. These costs may be decreased by decreasing the number of products returned by consumers.

System and method for providing customers with personalized information about products


Techniques are described for machine learning-based generation of target segments is leveraged in a digital medium environment. A segment targeting system generates training data to train a machine learning model to predict strength of correlation between a set of users and a defined demographic. Further, a machine learning model is trained with visit statistics for the users to predict the likelihood that the users will visit a particular digital content platform. Those users with the highest predicted correlation with the defined demographic and the highest likelihood to visit the digital content platform can be selected and placed within a target segment, and digital content targeted to the defined demographic can be delivered to users in the target segment.

Digital analytics systems are implemented to analyze "big data" to gain insights that are not possible to obtain, solely, by human users. In one such example, digital analytics systems are configured to analyze big data to predict user attributes, which may support a wide variety of functionality. Prediction of user attributes, for instance, may be used to determine whether a user is likely to perform a certain action, to improve operational efficiency of devices to address unnecessary provision of events (e.g., to avoid unnecessary resource usage), resource allocation, and so forth.
In one particular example, prediction of user attributes may be used to manage provision of digital content and resource allocation by service provider systems and thus improve operation of devices and systems that leverage these predictions. Examples of techniques that leverage prediction of user attributes include digital content delivery systems, recommendation systems, digital marketing systems (e.g., to cause conversion of a good or service), systems that rely on a user propensity to consume certain types and instances of resources, and so forth. Thus, prediction of user attributes may be used by a wide variety of service provider systems for personalization, targeted content delivery, customer relation/success management (CRM/CSM), and so forth for a variety of different entities, e.g., devices and/or users.
Techniques used by conventional digital analytics systems to predict user attributes, however, are faced with numerous challenges that limit accuracy of the predictions as well as involve inefficient use of computational resources. One such challenge is the off-target delivery of digital content due to inaccurate predictions of user attributes. For example, certain instances of digital content are generated to be delivered to consumers that match a particular set of consumer attributes, known as a "demographic." A demographic generally represents a category of consumers with a particular defined set of attributes, such as a specific age range, gender identity, educational status, income status, and so forth.
In efforts to deliver an instance of digital content to consumers in a targeted demographic, digital content delivery systems utilize predictive models that attempt to predict consumer attributes and that categorize consumers into different demographics based on the predicted attributes. Using such predictive models, a digital content delivery system can endeavor to deliver digital content that is targeted to a particular demographic to consumers that are predicted to be in the targeted demographic. Predictive models used by conventional digital content delivery systems, however, exhibit a number of drawbacks and inaccuracies that result in high percentages of targeted digital content deliveries to consumers outside of a target demographic, i.e., "off-target deliveries." Such off-target deliveries waste computational resources across the digital content delivery pipeline, including the system resources that generate the inaccurate predictive models, system resources used to deliver to digital content, and system resources of the consumer used to present the digital content since the consumer is outside of the target demographic and is thus less likely to benefit from the targeted digital content.
To enable targeted digital content to be delivered to consumers in specific demographics, conventional digital content delivery systems attempt to identify exposure points where the targeted digital content can be successfully delivered to such consumers. By way of example, targeted digital content represents "supplemental" digital content that can be delivered supplementary to primary digital content. Primary digital content, for instance, represents digital content that can be delivered to a consumer based on an action by the consumer to access the primary digital content, such as a television show, a movie, a web page, streaming content, and so forth. Accordingly, supplemental digital content can be delivered in conjunction with delivery of primary digital content, such as in the form of advertisements for products and services, public service announcements, supplemental informational content related to instances of primary digital content, and so forth.
In some conventional scenarios, digital content delivery systems attempt to optimize delivery of supplemental digital content to consumers in a key demographic by delivering the supplemental digital content along with primary digital content that is estimated to have a high likelihood of being consumed by consumers in the key demographic. However, conventional digital content delivery systems typically identify such primary digital content based on data models generated using data from third party analysis of primary digital content viewing patterns. This third party data is very low on consumer attribute specificity (e.g., is based on small number of consumer attributes) and often has a high error rate in terms of consumer demographic placement. In some cases, this is due to faulty data collection strategies and/or incorrect assumptions about consumer attributes. For instance, errors can be introduced into this data due to human involvement in data gathering and data categorization. Thus, since the data used to generate such models is typically inaccurate in its assumptions, the models generated based on this data by conventional digital content delivery systems are typically unreliable and are unable to be validated since the input data lacks the requisite specificity to enable proper model validation. This often results in excessive delivery of supplemental digital content to consumers that are outside of a target demographic. Accordingly, a lack of accurate training data for training such models provides inaccurate data models that result in high percentages of off-target supplemental digital content delivery, thus wasting resources that are used for delivery of the supplemental digital content.
Another drawback to conventional predictive models that attempt to predict consumer attributes for targeted digital content delivery is that the predictive models typically fail to consider the likelihood that individual consumers will visit a particular digital content delivery platform at a future time. A digital content delivery platform, for example, represents a digital medium by which digital content is deliverable, such as a digital television station, an application, a digital content streaming service, a website, and so forth. As described above, a conventional predictive model may leverage a conventional predictive model to identify a segment of consumers that are more than likely within a target demographic. However, absent some indication of whether the segment of consumers will visit a particular digital content delivery platform at a future time, conventional systems are not able to predict with any level of certainty that the identified consumers will actually visit (e.g., view and/or consume in some way) the particular content delivery platform at some future time such that digital content targeted to the demographic can actually be delivered to consumers within the segment.
Thus, predictive models employed by conventional systems that simply predict that a segment of consumers are within a particular demographic do not provide an indication that an opportunity to deliver targeted digital content to the consumers will indeed occur, e.g., via user presence at a suitable digital content delivery platform. Without this, a digital content delivery system may simply deliver targeted digital content in conjunction with primary digital content that is identified by a conventional predictive model as being correlated with a target demographic. As explained above, however, such conventional predictive models are typically generated using faulty data sets, and thus often present an unreliable indication of whether the individuals consuming an instance of primary digital content at a particular time are actually within a target demographic. As a result of the aforementioned challenges, conventional ways for delivering targeted digital content typically result in high percentages of off-target digital content delivery, thus wasting computational and network resources across a digital content delivery pipeline.

Machine learning-based generation of target segments


A drive unit with a spindle drive and a spindle-drive drive motor, which comprises a rotor, is characterized in that a spindle of the spindle drive is arranged inside the rotor acting as a spindle nut and comprising a hollow shaft. As a result, a particularly compact construction for the drive unit can be realized, which can serve, in particular, as a linear drive of tool sleeve.

Linear drives in drilling sleeves, with which the linear feed motion of the drilling tools is realized, are generally embodied by means of combinations of toothed rack and pinion driven by electric motor. Such drilling sleeves have the disadvantage of relatively large external dimensions. Alternatively, hydraulic or pneumatic linear drives for drilling sleeves are also known, which are, however, relatively effort-intensive as a result of the necessary provision of a hydraulic or pneumatic energy source, and also in design terms.


Methods are provided to form and stabilize high-κ dielectric films by chemical phase deposition processes using metal-source precursors and cerium-based β-diketonate precursors according to Formula I: Ce(L)x (Formula I) wherein: L is a β-diketonate; and x is 3 or 4. Further provided are methods of improving high-κ gate property of semiconductor devices by using cerium precursors according to Formula I. High-κ dielectric films are also provided comprising hafnium oxide, titanium oxide or mixtures thereof, and further containing a permittivity maintaining or increasing amount of cerium atoms.

Various organometallic precursors are used to form high-κ dielectric thin metal films for use in the semiconductor industry. Various deposition processes are used to form the metal films, such as chemical vapor deposition ("CVD") or atomic layer deposition ("ALD"), also known at atomic layer epitaxy.
CVD is a chemical process whereby precursors are deposited on a substrate to form a solid thin film. In a typical CVD process, the precursors are passed over a substrate (wafer) within a low pressure or ambient pressure reaction chamber. The precursors react and/or decompose on the substrate surface creating a thin film of deposited material. Volatile by-products are removed by gas flow through the reaction chamber. The deposited film thickness can be difficult to control because it depends on coordination of many parameters such as temperature, pressure, gas flow volumes and uniformity, chemical depletion effects and time.
ALD is a chemical process which separates the precursors during the reaction. The first precursor is passed over the substrate producing a monolayer on the substrate. Any excess unreacted precursor is pumped out of the reaction chamber. A second precursor is then passed over the substrate and reacts with the first precursor, forming a second monolayer of film over the first-formed film on the substrate surface. This cycle is repeated to create a film of desired thickness. ALD film growth is self-limited and based on surface reactions, creating uniform depositions that can be controlled at the nanometer-thickness scale.
Govindarajan, S., et al. reports rare earth doping (Ge, Er, Dy) of HfO2. Hf, Zr and rare earth dopant were deposited with physical vapor deposition. ["Higher permittivity rare earth doped HfO2 for sub-45-nm metal insulator-semiconductor devices," Applied Physics Letters. 2007. 91:062906]
Yashima M., et. al. report zirconia-ceria solid solutions and lattice in an abstract presented at the Fall Meeting of the Ceramic Society of Japan, Kanazawa, Japan, Sep. 26-28, 1990 (Paper No. 6-3A07), and at the 108th Annual Meeting of the Japan Institute of Metals, Tokyo, Japan, Apr. 2-4, 1991 (Paper No. 508).
Scott, H. G. reports metastable and equilibrium phase relationships in zirconia-yttria system. ["Phase Relationships in the zirconia-yttria system," J. Mat. Science. 1975. 10:1527-1535].
International Publication No. WO 02/27063 reports vapor deposition processes using metal oxides, silicates and phosphates, and silicon dioxide.
Zirconia, hafnia and TiO2 have been used to create dielectric films, generally to replace silicon dioxide gates for use in the semiconductor industry. Replacing silicon dioxide with a high-κ dielectric material allows increased gate capacitance without concomitant leakage effects.
Therefore, methods are needed to create and improve high-κ dielectric films by either increasing the dielectric constant, or stabilizing the film to maintain a high dielectric constant, or both.

Methods of producing high-K dielectric films using cerium-based precursors


The operability of a user when reusing a vectorized illustration is improved. An image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises an illustration region specifying component configured to specify an illustration region within an input image, a color region extracting component configured to extract a color region from the specified illustration region, a contour line extracting component configured to extract a contour line from the extracted color region, a vector data generating component configured to generate vector data from image data of the illustration region, a kind discriminating component configured to discriminate a kind of the generated vector data, and a circumscribed rectangle coordinate deriving component configured to derive circumscribed rectangle coordinates in accordance with the kind discriminated by the kind discriminating component.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing system, a method, and programs for reusing vectorized illustrations and figures.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a method is performed, which divides scanned image data into individual objects, such as character, figure, and illustration, according to their attribute and vectorizes the image data for each region of the divided object (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H05-67186 (1993) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-18522). Then, the illustration etc. vectorized for each object is frequently reused when an illustration etc. is newly created. In a reusing method, for example, it is possible to enlarge or reduce a desired illustration by performing an operation (dragging a mouse on an application etc.) of a circumscribed rectangle of a divided object. Further, by splitting up the group of the vectorized object regions, it is also possible to reuse an object by enlarging/reducing it in units of elements (vector data) constituting the object region.
However, there is a problem that when object image data to be reused is a part of an illustration image created by graphics software etc., it is more difficult to reuse the object image data compared to the case where an original illustration image itself is reused as it is. This is because if the group of vectorized illustration image data is split up, its circumscribed rectangle remains as it is and an appropriate circumscribed rectangle in accordance with the shape etc. of the part of an illustration image to be reused is not displayed.
FIG. 18 shows an example of a case where the group of illustration images vectorized by the above-mentioned prior art is split up. Reference number 1801 of FIG. 18(a) denotes a circumscribed rectangle, showing a range into which the region is divided and cut out as an illustration region. The circumscribed rectangle (region) includes three elements and a combination of these elements forms one illustration region. That is, three rings 1805, 1806, and 1807 are drawn and one illustration region is configured in such a manner that each ring is almost in contact with the other two rings substantially the same distance apart from one another. FIG. 18(b) shows a state where the group is split up after they are vectorized. As shown in FIG. 18(b), circumscribed rectangles 1802, 1803, and 1804 having the same size as that of a circumscribed rectangle 1801 of the overall illustration region are attached to respective elements 1805, 1806, and 1807. Further, these circumscribed rectangles 1802, 1803, and 1804 are displayed overlapped on one another (in FIG. 18(b), those which are originally overlapped on one another are shown separated).
In such circumstances, when operating vector data in units of components after splitting up the group, it is difficult to grasp whether desired vector data is selected appropriately. Further, there is a problem that an appropriate circumscribed rectangle in accordance with each vector data after the group is split up is not displayed, and therefore, the visual recognizability is deteriorated when it is enlarged or reduced and the operability is also deteriorated as a result.


An information management system for writable optical discs, includes a disc (7) on which data (7a) and management information (7b) are recorded; an operating system (1) in which data in a read only optical disc can be managed by means of files, the operating system (1) having a read instruction (2) and a write instruction (3); read control portion (5) for changing the read instruction directed to the read only optical disc into a read address instruction directed to the disc (7), the read control portion (5) having modifying and loading portion (5b) for changing the management information (7b) into mutual information having a format of the read only optical disc; internal storage (5c) for storing the mutual information; and access changing portion (5d) responsive to the read instruction (2) for switching an access target such that the access target is the disc (7) when the read instruction (2) is directed to the data recorded on the disc ( 7), and that the access target is the internal storage (5c) when the read instruction (2) is directed to the management information (7b) recorded on the disc (7); and write control portion (6) for renewing the address modifying information in the read control portion (5) in response to the write instruction (3) when new data is written in the disc (7).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a data processing system, and particularly to an information management system for writable optical compact discs.
2. Prior Art
Recently, compact discs originally developed for recording music have also been used for recording large amounts of information. In a compact disc information management system, a standard format for the file structure of read-only compact discs or CD-ROMs is produced as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9660, which is disclosed in "Volume and File Structure of CD-ROM for Information Interchange" ISO 9660, Apr. 1988. However, there is no information management system for writable optical discs. Accordingly, the writable optical discs cannot be managed in a similar manner to an information management system generally used for rewritable magnetic disks, such as floppy disks and hard disks.

Write once read many optical disc storage system having directory for storing virtual address and corresponding up-to-date sector address

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An electronic lock, system and method for dynamic controlled access, without the lock communicating with or connected to a code server, are provided. The lock includes a locking mechanism, a clock, a microprocessor, and a memory storing a hash function and programmed instructions for the microprocessor to perform certain operations. The microprocessor and memory may be comprised in a microcontroller. When an access code is entered into the lock, the lock microcontroller hashes currently valid access start date/duration combinations with lock identifying data to return valid access codes. If the entered access code equals any of the valid access codes, the locking mechanism is opened. The lock identifying data may include data stored by a lock manufacturer and/or data created by a lock owner. Static access codes may also be programmed into the lock if desired. Caching of valid access codes may be used to reduce processing time.

Electronic locks are widely used in situations in which it is desired to provide a guest or customer (termed generically "guest" herein) with secure access to something (e.g., a hotel room, a locked bicycle or motor vehicle, or a safe or storage locker) for an agreed upon period of time, as they can typically be programmed to accept a certain code, radio frequency, magnetic card or other entry means for the time period and then reprogrammed at the end of the time period to no longer accept the entry means. Electronic locks may be grouped into two basic categories, namely, coded locks having some type of manual code-entry interface (e.g., keypad, touch screen, microphone, etc.) and keyed locks coupled with a physical electronic key such as a magnetic card or RFID device, for example. Some locks provide both coded access and keyed access. In turn, both types of locks may be considered to fall into two subcategories, namely, un-networked locks, and networked locks.
Un-networked coded locks allow the owner to program in a number of static (i.e., not automatically changing) codes to open the lock. These locks, being self-contained, are relatively simple to design and install. However, static access codes have a serious security flaw in that an unauthorized user who has obtained the static access code will have access to the lock until the code is manually changed. Therefore, to reduce the potential of a security breach, the lock owner must establish a tedious routine of regular manual reprogramming of lock codes at the locus of the lock. This burden is multiplied when the lock owner has several locks to maintain. In the case of keyed, un-networked locks, systems do exist in which a centrally located device encodes a key device with an old lock code and instructions to reprogram the lock with a new lock code, such that when the key device is presented to the lock, the old lock code is deactivated and the new lock code is activated. The same key device then provides access to the lock until the lock is similarly reprogrammed by the presentation of another key device with another new lock code. This type of system has the disadvantage of requiring electronic key devices, which must be physically transferred from a manager to a guest, for example in person or by mail, and may be lost, stolen or damaged. Also, additional specialized hardware is required in the form of some type of central device that communicates with or otherwise operatively connects to a key device to program the key device, introducing another expense and complicating setup and operation of the system.
Networked locks, on the other hand, allow one or more locks in communication with a network to be reprogrammed remotely from a central network command terminal. This type of system has the benefit of reducing reprogramming time and effort, especially where multiple locks require reprogramming, when automatic reprogramming of multiple locks can be initiated by a single human command, eliminating the need for a repetitive human task. Remote administration of a plurality of locks widely disbursed around a geographic area is also made possible, as is useful in managing summer home rentals, for example. Alternatively, the command terminal can be programmed to automatically reprogram the locks in the system at certain times, for example at predetermined time intervals, thus eliminating altogether the need for a human reprogramming action. However, networked systems have the disadvantage of requiring additional wiring or wireless lock hardware, and are potentially subject to network connectivity failures.
In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that existing electronic lock systems are either unduly complex in their operation and/or installation or insufficiently secure. A need therefore exists for a lock, system and method that provide dynamic controlled access to un-networked locks without requiring regular human maintenance.


A switchgear system includes rail structure having a base coupled to an interior sidewall of a frame. A first member extends from the base and has an upwardly facing surface. The first member has a second surface extending generally transversely to the upwardly facing surface to oppose a surface of the base. A second member extends from the base and has a downwardly facing surface spaced from the upwardly facing surface so as to define a wheel receiving channel there-between. A circuit breaker tuck includes wheels on exterior sidewalls. The wheels are received in the wheel receiving channel to be slidable along the upwardly facing surface, with the upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces limiting movement of the circuit breaker truck about the horizontal axis and the surface of the base and the second surface of the first member limiting movement of the circuit breaker truck about the vertical axis.

The present invention relates to an electrical switchgear and, more particularly, to a wheel/rail structure of a drawout circuit breaker truck assembly for restraining the circuit breaker truck assembly under fault conditions in a frame of the switchgear.
With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional switchgear, generally indicated at 10, includes a circuit breaker truck assembly, generally indicated at 11. The truck assembly 11 includes a circuit breaker truck 12 that carries racked-in power circuit breaker 13 so that the circuit breaker 13 can be withdrawn from a frame 14 of the switchgear 10 for maintenance. In particular, the frame 14 includes at least one rail 15. Wheels 16 (only one shown in FIG. 1) are mounted to at least one side of the circuit breaker truck 12. The wheels 16 are supported by the rail 15 such that an inside portion of each wheel 16 of the circuit breaker truck 12 slides on the rail 15. Under short circuit conditions, there are moments on the circuit breaker poles that cause the circuit breaker truck assembly 11 to twist about its horizontal and vertical axes. This movement may force the circuit breaker truck assembly 11 to jump off the rails 15 and raises the possibility of an arc initiation if the primary contacts separate from the bushings.
Thus, there is a need to provide an improved rail and breaker wheel arrangement so as to restrain the circuit breaker truck assembly in place under fault conditions.

Restraint system for switchgear drawout breakers