An optical scanning apparatus includes a semiconductor laser and a first optical element that are fixed on a single continuous member. A second optical element, which is a diffraction optical element, has a diffracting surface in which a plurality of elliptical grooves is formed and which includes a diffracting portion power such that a change in the beam waist position in a main scan direction and a sub-scan direction due to temperature variation in the optical scanning apparatus becomes substantially zero. The member on which the semiconductor laser and the first optical element are fixed has a linear coefficient of expansion such that the change in the beam waist position becomes substantially zero even when there is temperature variation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to optical scanning apparatuses for forming a latent image on an image carrier, and image forming apparatuses, such as copiers, printers, facsimile machines, plotters, and multifunction peripherals, having such an optical scanning apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical scanning apparatuses are widely known in connection with image forming apparatuses such as optical printers, digital copiers, and optical plotters. In recent years, there is a demand for an optical scanning apparatus that is more affordable, less subject to the influence of ambient variations, and capable of forming fine-resolution images.
By forming the various lenses used in an optical scanning apparatus with resin material, light weight and cost reduction can be achieved. Further, because a special surface profile, such as an aspheric surface, can be formed easily with resin, improved optical characteristics can be obtained and the number of lenses of which an optical system is composed can be reduced.
Thus, the adoption of resin lenses greatly contributes to the reduction of size, weight, and cost of an optical scanning apparatus. However, it is also well known that a resin lens is subject to ambient changes, particularly a temperature change, as a result of which the shape or refractive index of the lens may vary. Consequently, the optical characteristics of a resin lens, particularly its power, may vary from its design values, resulting in a change in the beam spot size on a scanned surface.
Such a change in the power of a resin lens due to temperature variation occurs inversely between a positive lens and a negative lens. Thus, it is known to employ positive and negative resin lenses in an optical system of an optical scanning apparatus so that the optical characteristics changes produced in the positive and negative resin lenses due to ambient variation can cancel each other out.
Semiconductor lasers, which are generally used as a light source in an optical scanning apparatus, have characteristics such that as the temperature rises, the wavelength of emitted light shifts to the longer wavelength side (wavelength change due to temperature variation). The change in wavelength of the light source causes a characteristics change in the optical system of the optical scanning apparatus due to chromatic aberration. Such characteristics change is also a cause of the beam spot size change.
Thus, in an optical scanning apparatus that includes resin lenses in its optical system and that employs a semiconductor laser as a light source, the optical system needs to be designed by taking into consideration the optical characteristics change associated with a wavelength change in the light source as well as the optical characteristic change associated with temperature variation.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2006-235069 discloses an optical scanning apparatus (laser scan apparatus) in which the optical characteristics change associated with temperature variation and the wavelength change in the light source are taken into consideration, wherein a diffracting surface is adopted to stabilize optical characteristics.
This optical scanning apparatus includes a coupling lens for converting laser light emitted by a laser light source into a desired form, and a cylindrical lens for condensing the light in the vicinity of a deflecting/reflecting surface of an optical deflector only in a sub-scan direction, wherein the cylindrical lens has a concentric diffracting surface and a linear diffracting surface.
In this way, it becomes possible to cancel power changes in the main scan direction and the sub-scan direction caused by temperature variation in the optical scanning apparatus as a whole, so that a stable beam spot size can be obtained at all times.
However, this type of apparatus requires at least two diffracting surfaces. One problem associated with the use of multiple diffracting surfaces is the drop in diffraction efficiency, i.e., a decrease in optical transmission efficiency due to the development of diffracted light other than diffracted light of desired diffraction orders. Such a problem would not occur if the optical element is molded as per its design values; however, in actual molding process, processing variations are inevitable, and so is the decrease in diffraction efficiency. Generally, resin is a poorer transmitter of light than normal glass. If the transmission efficiency of the resin lens additionally decreases due to the drop in diffraction efficiency, a situation may develop where a photoconductor placed on a scanned surface fails to be developed even though the light beam has reached the photoconductor.
The simplest solution is to increase the output of the semiconductor laser. However, this may induce other problems, such as an increase in power consumption and the development of excess heat.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications No. 2006-154701 and 2007-11113 disclose that elliptical grooves are used so that multiple diffracting surfaces can be consolidated in one plane.
In the above Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications No. 2006-154701 and 2007-11113, the aforementioned problem of the decrease in diffraction efficiency is solved. However, the elliptical grooves are associated with the problem of processability.
Namely, an elliptical shape, as opposed to a circular shape, has a constantly changing partial curvature, which takes a maximum value at the edge of the ellipse on its major axis. Normally, such a planar shape is created by machining a metal mold piece using a tool bit.
Tool bits naturally have finite dimensions due to their strength, lifetime, etc. Thus, when the curvature of an elliptical shape on the metal mold piece is very large, it is possible that the metal mold piece cannot be processed in principle.
Because the greater the curvature of the elliptical shape, the more difficult it becomes to process it, possibly resulting in situations where an existing cutting machine is incapable of performing sufficiently, or processing accuracy decreases, resulting in a decrease in the accuracy of the diffracting surface of the optical element (thereby causing a decrease in diffraction efficiency, deterioration in wavefront aberration, or development of scattered light, for example).
While equipment capable of highly difficult processing could be introduced, this leads to an increase in equipment cost and the optical element manufacturing cost.
Because the curvature of an elliptical shape depends on its ellipticity (minor axis/major axis), processability of a metal mold can be ensured by setting the ellipticity value appropriately.
By thus insuring processability, the accuracy of the diffracting surface of an optical element can be improved, whereby a low-cost and reliable optical element can be realized.

Optical scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus


A pivot interlock for a fiber management tray is disclosed. The pivot interlock is configured for pivotally coupling the fiber management tray to a tray mount. The pivot interlock includes a pivot guide portion and a pivot detent portion.

Telecommunications systems typically employ a network of telecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. The telecommunications cables can include fiber optic cables, electrical cables, or combinations of electrical and fiber optic cables. A typical telecommunications network also includes a plurality of telecommunications enclosures integrated throughout the network of telecommunications cables. The telecommunications enclosures are adapted to house and protect telecommunications components such as splices, termination panels, power splitters and wavelength division multiplexers. Optical fibers with the telecommunications enclosures are often managed on trays. The trays are often arranged in a stack and are pivotally mounted to a tray mount. Access to the trays is enhanced by the ability to pivot the trays with respect to each other and with respect to the tray mount.
Improvements are desired.

Pivot interlock for a fiber management tray


The present application discloses a wearable computing device having a plurality of components, with the weight of the components being evenly distributed on the wearable computing device. One embodiment may include a frame having a front portion and at least one side-arm extending therefrom. The at least one side-arm has a first end and a second end. The wearable computing device further includes a lens connected to the front portion of the frame and at least one display element mounted to the lens and to the first end of the at least one side-arm of the frame by a tensile member. An electronic device is mounted to the second end of the at least one side-arm of the frame to counterbalance the mass located at the front portion of the frame. The electronic device may include batteries, circuitry, processors, computers, and other electronic components.

Some systems for displaying information may utilize "heads-up" displays. A heads-up display is typically positioned near the user's eyes to allow the user to view displayed images or information with little or no head movement. To generate the images on the display, a computer processing system may be used. Such heads-up displays have a variety of applications, such as aviation information systems, vehicle navigation systems, and video games.
One type of heads-up display is a head-mounted wearable display or computing device. Various technologies can be incorporated into wearable electronics and displays such as music players integrated into the frames of eyewear, eyewear radio devices, as well as wearable computers. A wearable display or computing device can be in the form of a pair of eyeglasses or a helmet that the user can wear. These eyeglasses may contain computing components, input devices, display elements (such as a monitor or projector), as well as glass lenses, making them significantly heavier than typical eyeglasses. Typical eyeglasses weigh in the range of about 7 g-50 g. The wearable display, however, can weigh anywhere from 75 g-120 g, which is about 2 to 3 times (or more) the weight of normal eyeglasses. Attempts to reduce the mass of the wearable display have included the use of lighter materials where possible in order to reduce the overall mass of the device.

Weight distribution for wearable computing device


The invention presents methods and systems for plating conductive patterns which at least result in a high uniformity and avoid parasitical plating effects. A plating system is disclosed for plating conductive patterns formed at a first surface of a substrate. The system is such that exposure surfaces not to be plated is inhibited. A first electrode of the system is immersed in the plating solution while the second electrode is in contact with another than the first surface of the substrate. The conductive patterns to be plated are temporarily electrically connected with the second electrode.

The invention relates to methods and systems for plating conductive patterns.
In the solid state electronics industry, a plurality of components being active devices as well as passive devices are processed on a surface of a semiconductor wafer for instance to form an integrated circuit. To form these integrated circuits metallization structures are requested both as a part of the aforementioned devices and to interconnect these devices. The formation of such metallization structures includes the plating of a conductive pattern, being part of a metallization structure and being formed at a first surface of a substrate, such as a wafer. Particularly this first surface can be the front side or the back side of the wafer.
One of the issues involved is the plating of this first surface of a substrate without exposing a second surface of a wafer, opposite to the first surface, to a plating solution. Particularly, exposure, even partly, would result in unwanted wetting, plating and/or corroding of other surfaces. Furthermore to be able to deposit a material by electroplating, the plating solution must be in contact with the first surface of the substrate comprising the conductive patterns to be plated and two electrically connectable electrodes have to be provided. Usually, the first electrode is immersed in the plating solution, while the second electrode has to be electrically connected to the conductive patterns to be plated. State-of-the-art plating techniques usually contact peripheral regions of the first surface of a substrate, comprising the conductive patterns to be plated. These peripheral contact regions are electrically connected to the second electrode as well as to the conductive patterns to be plated.
A problem is that often long metal lines are required to connect each conductive pattern to be plated with the contact in the peripheral region. Particularly, this is a problem when one wants to perform plating on wafer scale because the differences in distance between conductive patterns to be plated being located near the edges of the wafer and in the center of the wafer are huge. These differences are typically in the centimeter range. Consequently also the differences in resistance of the metal lines connecting the respective conductive patterns can be huge. This often results in a highly non-uniform plating process. All these metal connections between the conductive patterns to be plated and the peripheral regions can not be easily removed after the plating process and moreover, a lot of wafer-area is required to provide these connections thereby inhibiting dense integration. Another problem is that the contact means in the peripheral regions are exposed to the plating solution. These contact means become parasitically plated and have to be cleaned regularly. A further problem can arise if the contact means do not simultaneously can be used as sealing means, then extra sealing means are required. These sealing means should then be positioned between the contact means and the edges of the wafer in order to avoid leakage of the plating solution to another surface of the wafer. Consequently, this leads again to a further decrease of the available area which can be plated.
The invention presents methods and systems for plating conductive patterns which at least result in a high uniformity and avoid parasitical plating effects.
In an aspect of the invention a plating system is disclosed for plating on a plurality of conductive patterns formed at a surface of a substrate. A plating solution is applied on this surface and the exposure of other surfaces of the substrate to the plating solution is inhibited. A first electrode of the system is immersed in the plating solution while the second electrode is in contact with another surface of the substrate. The conductive patterns to be plated are temporarily electrically connected with the second electrode resulting in a uniform and selective deposition over the exposed surface of the substrate. Particularly, according to this aspect of the invention, a system is disclosed for plating on at least one conductive pattern, said conductive pattern being positioned at a first surface of a substrate having at least a first surface and a second surface, said system comprising:
a support with an electrically connectable electrode thereon;
a sealing element to inhibit the exposure of the second surface of the substrate to a plating solution; and
wherein said substrate is placeable on said support such that said electrode is in contact with said second surface of said substrate and wherein a contact to said first surface of said substrate is provided, said conductive pattern being temporarily electrically connected with said contact and said contact being electrically connected with said electrode.
In another aspect of the invention, a substrate is disclosed having at least a first surface and a second surface opposite to said first surface, said first surface being exposable to a plating solution, said substrate comprising
a conductive pattern being positioned at said first surface of a substrate;
a contact to the first surface of the substrate; and
said conductive pattern being temporarily electrically connected by a polysilicon or an amorphous silicon conductor with said contact and said contact being electrically connected with said second surface.
In a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for plating on at least one conductive pattern formed at a surface of a substrate, said substrate having at least a first surface and a second surface, said method comprising the steps of:
placing the substrate on an electrode being part of a plating holder such that said second surface of said substrate is in contact with said electrode and said conductive pattern is temporarily electrically connected to said conductive pattern; and
applying a plating solution on said first surface of said substrate thereby inhibiting exposure of said second surface to said plating solution.

System and a method for plating of a conductive pattern


Total heat exchange element paper having excellent moisture resistance and gas barrier properties, comprising a substrate sheet and a moisture absorbent and colloidal silica both of which are adhered to the substrate sheet, wherein the substrate sheet contains natural pulp which has been beaten to a freeness specified in JIS P 8121-1:2012 of not lower than 80° SR and the colloidal silica is cationic colloidal silica.

As ventilation means having excellent heating/cooling efficiency in indoor air-conditioning, there is well known total heat exchange that carries out temperature (sensible heat) exchange and humidity (latent heat) exchange at the same time between a supply air flow for supplying fresh outside air and an exhaust air flow for discharging dirty inside air.
In a total heat exchange element for carrying out total heat exchange, a supply air flow and an exhaust air flow are formed in independent channels with total heat exchange element paper therebetween, and total heat exchange is carried out between them. Therefore, when indoor ventilation is carried out with a total heat exchanger having this total heat exchange element, it is possible to greatly improve heating/cooling efficiency.
Along with the spread of a total heat exchanger, the total heat exchanger is being installed at various places and in various environments. There is no problem when a temperature difference and a humidity difference between a supply air flow and an exhaust air flow are small. However, for example, in an environment where condensation occurs as in a cold region having a low outside air temperature and an environment where a temperature difference and a humidity difference between a supply air flow and an exhaust air flow are large as in a bath room having a high indoor humidity, at the time of carrying out total heat exchange, total heat exchange element paper may be exposed to high humidity. When this state continues, the total heat exchange element paper cannot hold a large amount of water and so-called "water dripping" that water is dripped from the total heat exchange element paper may occur. When water dripping occurs, a metal outer frame used as a reinforcement is rusted according to the type of a moisture absorbent. When water dripping continues, the total heat exchange element deforms. In either case, the total heat exchanger does not function at all.
While conventional total heat exchange element paper has both thermal transferability and moisture permeability, it has the permeability of a dirty gas component such as carbon dioxide as it is made from a porous material. Therefore, it has a disadvantage that ventilation efficiency lowers due to the mixing of a supply air flow and an exhaust air flow in the element at the time of total heat exchange. The mixing of a supply air flow and an exhaust air flow is a fatal defect for a total heat exchanger. A total heat exchanger in which a supply air flow and an exhaust air flow are mixed together may be evaluated such that inside air and outside air are not exchanged while they are collected by energy and dirty inside air is merely circulated. Even when thermal transferability and moisture permeability are high, if inside air and outside air are mixed together, the total heat exchanger does not achieve the purpose of ventilation and does not function at all.
For this reason, total heat exchange element paper which has excellent moisture resistance without the occurrence of water dripping and excellent gas barrier properties without the mixing of a supply air flow and an exhaust air flow is desired. To meet this, there is disclosed a heat exchanger in which air flow paths in first and second elements are exchanged periodically by turning a columnar heat exchanger formed by alternately laminating together the first and second elements in a circumferential direction (Patent Document 1). However, even when the paths were exchanged periodically, moisture resistance and gas barrier properties could not be improved regardless of the moisture resistance and gas barrier properties of the total heat exchange element paper itself. There is also disclosed total heat exchange element paper which contains metal copper or copper alloy (Patent Document 2). Although the growth of mold was suppressed to a certain degree by containing metal copper or copper alloy, moisture resistance and gas barrier properties could not be improved. There is further disclosed total heat exchange element paper in which a substrate sheet is coated with a moisture absorbent and gas permeability, moisture permeability and the ratio of orientation strength in a vertical direction to orientation strength in a horizontal direction fall within certain ranges (Patent Document 3). However, water dripping occurred at a high humidity as the total heat exchange element paper could not hold water and gas barrier properties were not improved.
Further, there is disclosed a total heat exchanger including a moisture-permeable gas-barrier material produced by containing a chemical comprising a surface treatment agent in a fibrous porous member (Patent Documents 4 and 5). Patent Document 4 discloses a total heat exchanger characterized in that two different air flows to be totally heat exchanged are partitioned by using a moisture-permeable gas-barrier material produced by impregnating or coating a polymer material containing at least a moisture absorbent out of a moisture absorbent and flame retardant into or on a fibrous porous member produced by mixing white carbon and cellulose fibers. Patent Document 5 discloses a total heat exchanger characterized in that two different air flows to be totally heat exchanged are partitioned by using a moisture-permeable gas-barrier material produced by containing a chemical comprising a surface treatment agent in a fine porous member and teaches colloidal alumina and colloidal silica having a particle diameter of 0.01 to 0.1 μm as the surface treatment agent. However, even when the porous member containing a chemical disclosed by Patent Documents 4 and 5 is used, there is room for the great improvement of flame retardancy, especially gas barrier properties. Since the chemical comprising a surface treatment agent is dispersed in the moisture-permeable gas-barrier material in the porous members of Patent Documents 4 and 5, there is room for the improvement of moisture resistance as well.

Total heat exchange element paper and total heat exchange element


The plasma torch (10; 11, 12, 14) comprises an electrical power supply (20) with an arc circuit (21) and a coil circuit (22) which are mounted in series and with means (30) for controlling the level of the current flowing in the coil (22) consisting, inter alia, mounted in parallel with this coil (14), of a chopper consisting of a battery of capacitors (31) and of at least one electronic power switch (32) which may be placed distant from the coil. The electronic switch is preferably of the thyristor diode (321, 322) type, with a resonant turn-off circuit (31, 323).. A variant of this chopper uses at least one electronic switch of the GTO thyristor type, controllable in triggering and in switching off, or at least one conventional thyristor equipped with an auxiliary extinction circuit.. Application to high-power torches, for industrial, for example metallurgical, use.

The present invention relates to plasma torches and, more particularly, high-power plasma torches for which the life span of at least one of the electrodes is prolonged.
Plasma torches or arc plasma blowlamps are known in technology. This type of torch consists essentially of two tubular and coaxial electrodes, one upstream and one downstream as identified with respect to the direction of outflow of the plasma, which are separated by a chamber. An arc is established between the electrodes and, simultaneously, a plasma-generating gas is injected into the chamber which separates the electrodes. The arc which is struck between the electrodes is maintained and carries the gas at very high temperature and ionises it. At the outlet of one of the electrodes, the downstream electrode, this gas is driven at a high speed and the plasma which it constitutes forms the heat-carrying agent.
Certain types of plasma torch deliver powers lying between 100 and 500 kW and those to which the invention applies more particularly may produce several megawatts as is necessary for certain industrial, for example metallurgical, applications.
In this type of plasma torch, the electrodes are consumable components. The life span of the electrodes is a function of numerous parameters. Contributory factors are, for example, the power of the torch and, more particularly, the value of the arc current, the nature of the plasma-generating gas injected, since, due to its decomposition, reactions may take place with the constituent materials of the electrodes. The life span of the electrodes is, also, the function of the tasks performed by the torch, according to whether they are continuous or discontinuous.
The life span of the electrodes may vary from a few tens of hours for relatively low-power torches, to several hundreds of hours for those of high power to which the invention more particularly relates.
This relatively short life span of the electrodes is a significant drawback, particularly in an industrial context.
In order to attempt to remedy this drawback, it has been proposed to equip this type of torch with at least one magnetic field coil which locally surrounds preferably the upstream electrode, and to supply the latter with power with the aid of means which make it possible to control the displacement of the upstream foot of the arc on the upstream electrode in such a way as to make it describe an alternating longitudinal course, on which is superimposed preferably an oscillation or a vibration of the arc foot during the sweeping proper.
One solution of this type is, for example, disclosed by the document FR 2 609 358. According to the solution provided by this document, the field coil which locally surrounds the upstream electrode is supplied with power with the aid of a particular electrical circuit, which is specific to it and which is supplied with variable direct current whose level changes in steps or progressively and whose level furthermore preferably has a pulsating ripple whose frequency is significantly higher than that of the variation in the direct current on which it is superimposed. It can be imagined that the use of a special, independent, electrical power supply circuit for the field coil which is added to the main power supply circuit necessary for striking and maintaining the arc proper, technically complicates and financially increases the cost of the installation,

Method for equalizing wear to prolong the lifespan of a plasma torch electrode

Electricite de France - Service National


An apparatus for heating gas utilizes a series of chambers through which a gas volume is advanced, and a gradational heat transfer element which enables incremental heat transfer to the gas volume as the gas volume is advanced through the chambers.

When using refrigerant in different contexts, it's often desirable to transfer the heat from a fluid to another without physically mixing the fluids. This may be because one is dirty or that it is simply different types of cold media. Counter-flow heat exchangers (CFHEs) are among the most energy efficient.
This type of flow arrangement allows the largest change in temperature of both fluids and is therefore most efficient (where efficiency is the amount of actual heat transferred compared with the theoretical maximum amount of heat that can be transferred).
Referring to ex FIG. 27, one can see that cold fluid automatically gets exposed to hotter sections the hotter the fluid gets, and it is possible for the heated cold fluid to have an output temperature (TcOut) to be close to the Hot fluid input temperature (ThIn).
Attempting to accomplish the same result with two gases, alternatively warming up a gas using a liquid with a CFHE, raises a number of problems.
Referring to FIG. 27, given two gases pumped counter flowingly in a heat exchanger, in the flow moving from cold to warm, the gas at the front would be hottest and thus get higher pressure. Due to the pressure difference in the cold and hot gas, some of the hot gas will tend to move/expand backwards against the intended flow direction (se arrows pointing right in flow B), resulting in some mixing of the cold gas and hot gas and counteracting the flow. Furthermore, the expansion will cool down the gas that is supposed to be heated. To summarize you tend to get an output temperature TcOut lower than, if it had been liquid, due to expansion and mixture of cold and hot gas in the heated flow (B), also often with lower output density (DcOut) which often can be un-preferred.
The interest in developing an apparatus that performs something functionally similar to a counterflow heat exchanger that works well on gas should be of interest. To show that this is a real and hard-to-solve problem, and not "obvious to a person skilled in the art", refer to Wikipedia, where at some point it was said that "counterflow heat exchangers do not work well when heating gas" In addition, for the purpose of explaining the difficulty of the problem, a number of solutions to the problem will be described which at first glance may seem to work well, describing the disadvantages of these solutions. Wikipedia is not a scientific journal or the like, but at least it gives an indication that an effective equivalent of a counterflow heat changer for heating gas is difficult to create.
The following problems also occurs in when trying to perform the same task with a small amount of liquid flowing counterflowly against a gas being heated up (referring to FIG. 27, this would mean that flow A is liquid).
1. Referring to FIG. 32, if you were to use a fan (F) to press the cold gas towards a high pressure flow, (assuming the density Dcin=Dcout) work has to be added by the fan since the pressure (Pcout) will increase with constant density and increased temperature
2. Referring to FIG. 27, if you, when using a fan, allow the heated gas to expand to such an extent that the heated gas has the same pressure as the cold gas (Dcin>Dcout), you might not have to add, the above described, extra work, and the gas might not counteract the desired flow, but we are then talking about isobar heating of the gas, which requires more energy for the same degree of heating compared to isochor heating. Furthermore, the heated gas will have lower density than the cold gas, which in some cases aren't desirable.
3. Separating the different parts, each with a different temperature with check valves, only allowing movements from cold to hot, the gases will not be mixed. However, the warmer parts will have high pressure and, as in point 1, work must be added to press in the cold gas towards the warmer gas. Furthermore, check valves usually have a certain cracking pressure, which means you have to apply force to overcome that cracking pressure.
4. Another problem which would interfere with this procedure is that gas has low mass compared with the heat exchanger. To heat up the gas one must, at least, warm up the wall between the gas and liquid to be able to lead the heat to the gas. If a certain position of a walls are cooled/heated interchangedly, this energy has to be added, and the mass of the wall is probably large compared to the gas.
In order to describe this problem (4), a few less appropriate solutions to problem 1 and 3 are described,
Assume you try to address the problem colder gas mixing with hotter while heating by moving a whole volume of gas. The whole volume having substantially the same temperature at given point in time. Referring to FIG. 33, assume that the cup (C) in the FIG. 33 contains a gas to be heated and that gas volume is sealingly enclosed on the board (T). The board (T) comprises temperatures gradationally increasing from position A (coldest) to B (hottest). By sliding the cup along the board from A to B, the gas will be exposed to incrementally higher temperatures, as in a counterflow heat exchanger, still without having to apply any work on the gas to move it towards hotter sections, except for friction. The drawback is off course that you heat up the cup at the same time, and the mass of the cup is likely bigger than the gas.
In another solution the gas is stationary, and a fluid of varying temperature is flushed through the container, taking the heat from one gas and transferring it to another gas. This solves the problem of the gas counteracting the flow since the gas is stationary and instead liquid is flowing through the container. This raises a number of other issues instead due to the fact that you have to warm up the container while warming up the gas. The disadvantages of this solution are described below:
Referring to FIG. 28: A half bad solution for an optimal heat exchanger is a long flow of liquid refrigerant with a maximum temperature of =<Tmaxgas−Tt (the minimum temperature difference required for heat transfer) continuously declining to a minimum gas temperature, Tmingas.
With the temperature falling decrementally, depending on the position in the liquid flow will automatically adjust to the optimum temperature difference Td for current flow rate.
If hot gas container GC1 is to transfer heat to a cold gas container GC2 this can be accomplished by this long fluid passing through a container with incrementally decreasing (or increasing depending on which direction you flow the liquid) temperatures. Assume the long fluid have temperatures varying from close to Tcg1 (hot) decreasingly down to Tcg2 (cold).
Let's assume this fluid is flushed through CG1 exposing it to colder and colder temperatures as CG1 loses its heat, as it would if it was cooled in a Counterflow Heat exchanger. In every position of the fluid, the fluid will increase slightly in temperature, unless the temperature difference is less than Tt. Assume the max temperature after the flushing to be Tcg1max−Td, meaning it was less or equal to this when it started.
This extra heat in the fluids different positions is then to be transferred to the cold gas container GC2. This gas container ('the containers are also assumed to be a heat exchangers) is the flushed with the same fluid backwards. Meaning it gets exposed to fluid of increasing temperatures in small steps, as if the gas was heated in a CFHE, without the turbulence/mixing/added work-problems described above. Assume Tt=0.5, meaning that the temperature of the gas in GC2 (with the above assumption) will maximally be Tcg1max−(2*Tt). The problem is that the container GC2, or at least part of the container will also be heated. To heat up the gas in GC2 to be Tgc1max, you also have to heat up the container GC2 or at least part of the container (minimum the wall between gas and liquid).
So to heat up GC2 you need to add the energy (Mass of GC2+Mass of Gas)*specific heat capacity*1. Had we "only" cooled down and warmed up the gas, i.e. completely isolated the heat exchanger from heat change, the energy needed would "only" have to be: (Mass of Gas)*specific heat capacity*1. But how can that be done? At least the heat-conducting wall between gas and liquid in a heat exchanger must be warmed up, otherwise it does not transfer the heat from the fluid to the gas.
If instead each position in a heat exchanger have a target temperature, which it reaches at equilibrium; this position loses energy to the gas that is heated, the lost energy in the heat exchanger is then added by the warmer refrigerant, i.e. only the same energy which is delivered to the gas (heated) needs to be added to the container and no more. That means that because the walls with mainly fixed temperature are still, gas need to be moved toward the warmer positions instead, with the problems that this entails.
The problem remains on how to move the gas towards positions exposing it to higher temperatures, without gas turbulence and mixing of cold and hot gas, without having to add force to pump it there, without having to heat the elements responsible for the movements.
The present invention will solve these problems and also display an appropriate method to transfer the heated gas to another device or a tank.


Systems and methods for providing customized renewable fuels are disclosed. The present invention can provide customized renewable fuels to users after communicating with users and receiving the information regarding the fuel requirements and their preference. The present invention also provides quality control mechanisms to maintain the qualities of renewable fuels and heat exchangers to improve the energy efficiency of the whole system. The system of the present invention includes: a first storage tank for storing a first renewable fuel; a second storage tank for storing a second renewable fuel; a communicator for receiving a first set of information from the user; a controller for receiving the first set of information from the communication device and generating a second set of information by analyzing the first set of information; and a dispenser for dispensing the first and the second renewable fuels to the user according to the second set of information.

Vehicles including marine vessels operated around the world play an important role in energy consumption. By adopting renewable fuel systems, these vehicles or vessels can effectively reduce the energy consumption and thus improve energy efficiency. Having a friendly renewable-fuel-filling environment is crucial to achieve this goal, because it lowers the inconvenience that users may have when they commit to use renewable fuels. Thus, convenient fuel filling systems for renewable fuels and corresponding methods are advantageous to promote energy efficiency.
One problem is that, renewable fuel users may have different fuel requirements depending on various types of vehicles or vessels. For example, different types of fuel cells (e.g., with different working temperatures) require different hydrogen purity and thus have different demands on fuel qualities. Systems and methods that can provide users customized renewable fuels can resolve the problem mentioned above. Another problem comes with the objectionable constituents generated during the process of preparing renewable fuels. Such objectionable constituents can contaminate the environment, decrease the purity of renewable fuels, or cause dysfunction of catalysts. Therefore, finding a way to deal with this problem would be valuable. Further, the energy efficiency of the renewable fuel filling systems is also important. Sustainable designs for renewable fuel-filling systems that utilize energy efficiently can help minimize the total energy consumption and thus achieves the goal of energy conservation.
Like reference symbols and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

System and method for providing customized renewable fuels


To provide an aqueous ink for a liquid jetting device, containing: (A) a fluorosurfactant; and (B) N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone, wherein an alkyl group contained in the (B) N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone is a C4-10 alkyl group.

One of the characteristics expected for an aqueous ink for a liquid jetting device is an appropriate wetting ability. The appropriate wetting ability increases the penetration speed of the ink into a recording medium, which can improve abrasion resistance or problems such as bleeding.
It is common to add a surfactant to an ink for improving the wetting ability of the ink. Especially, because a surfactant having a fluoroalkyl group has a function of significantly reducing a surface tension of a fluid to which the surfactant is added, and thus this surfactant is widely used for an aqueous ink for a liquid jetting device. However, high surface activeness easily causes formations of micelles between the surfactants. As a result, the ink containing such surfactant has a demerit such that air bubbles are easily generated (i.e. formed).
The generation of air bubbles causes various troubles in a recording system. For example, in case of a printer equipped with a movable printing head, an ink stored in a subtank is foamed by vibration caused by a printing operation, which causes troubles such as ink leakage due to errors in detection of the ink. In addition, bubbles remain on an absorption cap as a result of an ink absorbing operation for maintenance, which may cause troubles such that meniscus is destroyed the next time a maintenance operation is performed.
Patent Literature 1 discloses that a silicone defoaming agent is added to an ink containing a fluorosurfactant, as the ink containing the fluorosurfactant tends to generate air bubbles (PLT1). Here, the defoaming agent enters and is scattered in lamella layers of bubbles so that the surfactant is replaced with the defoaming agent. As a result, the bubbles disappear. In this defoaming system, the defoaming agent needs to be incompatible to the ink system. As the defoaming agent used in an aqueous system, hydrophobic silica or polyurea is generally used. However, if the defoaming agent is not dissolved, and is present as particles in the system due to its hydrophobicity, clogging of a filter may occur. For this reason, it is desirable that such defoaming agent be not added. Moreover, the addition of the silicone defoaming agent does not provide a sufficient defoaming effect.
Patent Literature 2 discloses an ink containing N-octyl-2-pyrrolidone together with a pigment and a water-soluble resin. However, surface activeness of N-octyl-2-pyrrolidone is not sufficient, and thus the resulting ink has undesirable penetration ability to a recording medium. Specifically, the ink has deteriorated fixing ability just after printing, undesirable coloring performance, and low image quality.

Aqueous ink for liquid jetting device and ink cartridge containing the same


A plurality of a first conductive layers are provided at a certain interval L in a vertical direction, with a dielectric sandwiched therebetween. The certain interval L is set so that the first dielectric has an equivalent oxide thickness DEOT that satisfies the following relation (1).Dsio2<DEOT<Dk  (1)

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrically rewritable non-volatile semiconductor storage device and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, LSIs are formed by integration of devices in a two-dimensional plane on the silicon substrate. Although the dimension for each device are commonly reduced (refined) to increase memory storage capacity, recent years are facing challenges in such refinement from the viewpoint of cost and technology. Such refinement requires further improvements in photolithography technology. However, the costs of lithography process are ever increasing. In addition, if such refinement is accomplished, it is assumed that physical improvement limit, such as in breakdown voltage between devices, would be reached unless driving voltage can be scaled. That is, it is likely that difficulties would be encountered in device operation itself.
Therefore, such semiconductor storage devices have been proposed recently where memory cells are arranged in a three-dimensional manner to achieve improved integration of memory devices (see, Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-266143).
One of the conventional semiconductor storage devices where memory cells are arranged in a three-dimensional manner uses transistors with a cylinder-type structure (Patent Document 1). Those semiconductor storage devices using transistors with the cylinder-type structure are provided with multiple conductive layers corresponding to gate electrodes and pillar-like columnar semiconductors. Interlayer insulation layers of silicon oxide (SiO2) are provided above and below respective conductive layers. Each columnar semiconductor layer serves as a channel (body) part of a respective transistor. Memory gate insulation layers are provided around the columnar semiconductor layers. Such a configuration including these conductive layers, columnar semiconductor layers, and memory gate insulation layers is referred to as a "memory string".
However, in each memory string, the columnar semiconductor layer comprises polysilicon with little impurities. Thus, it is difficult to reduce the resistance of the columnar semiconductor layer to a desired value taking a leakage electric field from the conductive layers into consideration. That is, conventional techniques suffer from insufficient current in reading.
As such, attempts are made to reduce the resistance value of columnar semiconductor layers by reducing the film thickness of each interlayer insulation layer between respective conductive layers. However, another problem arises that the voltage in memory writing can exceed the breakdown voltage of the interlayer insulation layers. This means that an improved technology is desired that increases cell currents during read operation, while obtaining the breakdown voltage of the interlayer insulation layers.

Non-volatile semiconductor storage device including a dielectric with low permittivity in memory cells arranged in a three dimensional manner

Abstract: Dsio2 denotes a thickness of the dielectric when the dielectric is composed of silicon oxide with a minimum thickness that can withstand a maximum voltage to be applied to the first conductive layers. Dk denotes such an equivalent oxide thickness of a first dielectric that provides the resistance value Rsio2. The resistance value Rsio2 being defined as a resistance value of the first semiconductor layer for each of the first conductive layers when the dielectric is composed of silicon oxide and has a film thickness of Dsio2.


A display apparatus that includes a mask layer composed of transparent portions and opaque portions, the mask layer being superimposed over a pattern layer comprising light portions and dark portions. The mask layer can be moved relative to the pattern layer between a first position, whereby certain portions on the pattern layer are selectively obscured, and a second position whereby other portions on the pattern layer are selectively obscured. The mask layer can be moved relative to the second level by the movement of an actuating member coupled thereto as a function of ambient physical conditions. The ambient conditions may include, for example, temperature, pressure, humidity, acidity, voltage, fill level and the like.

In many industrial, domestic or other situations, it is desirable to present a clear message concerning ambient physical conditions. Such physical conditions may include temperature, pressure, and humidity. It is desirable to convert detected values into a form that is readily comprehensible to a human viewer.
JP2006194366A2 discloses a temperature indicator for use with water pipes with a low temperature and high temperature display connected to either end of a movable component that is connected to temperature reaction component inside a case. The temperature indicator comprises a case attached to an object to be measured; a temperature responsive actuating member of which one end side is attached to the inside of the case and which is contracted or expanded depending on temperature change. The indicator further comprises a movable actuating member attached to the other end side of the temperature responsive actuating member and displaced in the axial center direction of the case by contraction or extension of the temperature responsive actuating member; a low-temperature display part attached to one end side of the movable actuating member, and protruded from the case when the temperature becomes below predetermined low temperature. The indicator further comprises a high-temperature display part attached to the other end side of the movable actuating member, and protruded from the case when the temperature exceeds predetermined high temperature. The temperature indicator also comprises a partition wall (excessive expansion preventive member) preventing expansion of the temperature responsive actuating member above a certain level.
EP0126983A1 discloses an encapsulated thermometer. The thermometer comprising an expansion box which acts on one of two connecting rods of a parallelogram linkage and thus moves an indicator plate along the inside of a transparent calibrated lid. The individual temperature regions to be displayed are represented by coloured symbols which form an optical translation of the movement of the pointer.
A drawback of these described approaches is the graphical poverty of the information presented to the viewer and the inherent need to divide the display area as a whole into separate areas for each possible display value.
Other prior art solutions may be based on temperature sensitive liquid crystal pattern. However, these are associated with prohibitive limitations in terms of temperature range, size, etc.

International Business Machines Corporation


Discrete and diffuse defects in a surface are detected. Discrete defects that may compromise the performance may be repaired.

Defects form in materials through a variety of mechanisms and can dramatically affect the performance of those material. Crystal defects such as vacancies are inherent in metals and semiconductors and affect conductivity and other properties. Dislocations and grain boundaries form where there are interruptions to the periodicity of crystalline structures. Larger defects, such as cracks, or chemical defects, such as variations in the composition of a material, also affect the everyday performance of the material and can also lead to dramatic failures. Specificity is a hallmark of biological interactions. In natural systems, biomolecules are able to differentiate individual target molecules from thousands of competitors. Mimicking this specificity represents a challenge in some inorganic systems where the target is diffuse and inseparable from a large, competing background. Thus, it is desirable to exploit the specificity of biological interactions to detect defects and other inhomogeneities in a surface before the material is put into service or before it fails while in service.

Biomolecular recognition of crystal defects


A computer simulation system adapted for simulating a telephony call center comprises individual software modules simulating separate entities of the call center in the simulated call center, and a graphical user interface (GUI). In the GUI the individual software modules are presented as icons movable and connectable on the screen to alter characteristics of the simulated call center. In a preferred embodiment the simulation system is adapted for testing computer telephony integration (CTI) applications. In this embodiment one of the software module icons comprises a (CTI) link interface library adapted to provide communication between the simulated call center and the CTI application in a manner that the simulated call center will behave as a specific switch type in a specific instance. Also in a preferred embodiment one of the individual software modules is a telephony objects module representing a telephony switch and connected telephony devices, agents, and associated behavior. In this aspect individual telephony objects are represented in the GUI as icons that may be selected and added to or subtracted from the telephony objects module to alter the behavior repertoire of the module.

Telephone call processing and switching systems, including call centers of many sorts and having varied architecture, are, at the time of the present patent application, relatively sophisticated, computerized systems. Development and introduction of new systems continues at a rapid pace in an attempt to keep pace with heated demand. Much information on the nature of such telephony hardware and software is available in a number of publications accessible to the present inventor and to those with skill in the art in general. For this reason, much minute detail of known systems is not reproduced here, as to do so would obscure the descriptions of the inventive subject matter.
One document which provides considerable information on intelligent networks is "ITU-T Recommendation Q.1219, Intelligent Network User's Guide for Capability Set 1", dated April, 1994. This document is incorporated herein by reference.
At the time of filing the present patent application there continues to be remarkable growth in telephone routing and call center systems, and in computer integration applied to such systems. Many such systems are known to the present inventor and many have been patented. More and better systems are being developed at the time of the present application, and the present patent application pertains most particularly to methods for simulating telephony systems and CTI with such systems as an aid in development and testing of systems with new and enhanced functionality.
There are many, many different arrangements of equipment for providing telephony and call center functions, and many more functions that may be provided by CTI. There are also, however, a number of commonalties among such systems. For example, all call centers employ some sort of telephony switch for receiving and routing telephone calls. Such switches are made by a number of manufacturers, and, generally speaking, all such switches can function at some level with telephone communication from one to another. That is, a switch from one manufacturer at one location will function with a switch from another manufacturer at another location.
Even though different types and manufacture of switches may operate in conjunction with one another, it is also true that enhanced functionality provided with one switch from one manufacturer may not be operable through a switch from another manufacturer. For this reason, CTI has taken on added importance as a means to provide greatly enhanced functionality, and also, in some instances as a means to integrate different types of switches in advanced systems.
In CTI, typically, given a switch in a system of interest, integration is accomplished by connecting a relatively powerful processor by what is known as a CTI link to the switch, and executing applications on the added processor. The applications can be of many and varied sorts, providing enhanced agent-level routing, for example, and the use of relatively sophisticated databases with telephone switching. Typically, data received with a telephone call at a CTI-enhanced switch may be provided to the CTI processor, and used in a variety of ways. Also typically, after functional manipulation, the CTI processor may command the switch in its various functions, such as routing incoming calls to agents at stations connected by lines having directory numbers. Calls may also be queued, rerouted, routed to remote destinations through dialing functions, and so forth.
Given the relative sophistication of telephony systems, particularly with CTI, the proliferation of switches and other hardware from different manufacturers, and a great demand presently experienced for faster and better systems with new functions, there is a serious impediment to rapid development. This impediment is the need to test new systems, which are in the main software enhancements, in many and varied situations. For example, having developed a new application to run on a CTI processor to serve and command a telephony switch, the developer needs to test and debug the new application in widely varied circumstances. Given the nature of hardware for such systems testing and debugging can become an expensive nightmare requiring arranging and rearranging hardware platforms and software applications to provide the extreme range of conditions that must be tested to be sure a new application may be released with a reasonable expectation of success.
What is clearly needed is method and apparatus which allows a developer to simulate switching and call center systems over a broad range of variables, and to simulate as well a CTI interface for connecting the CTI processor with the simulated system. Such a simulation ability needs to be provided in a way that variables may be easily and conveniently manipulated for thorough testing and debugging of CTI applications.

Methods in computer simulation of telephony systems

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.


An arrangement for detecting a load bearing failure includes a primary load-carrying system for bearing axially translatably a coaxial load, said primary load-carrying system having a rotor portion and an axially displaceable stator portion. A plurality of bearing balls is interposed between the rotor and axially displaceable stator portions. A detector, which may include any of a laser measuring, an ultrasonic measuring, or a linear variable transformer or electrical contact detects wear or actual or impending failure of the primary load-carrying system. A secondary load-carrying system may be provided for bearing the coaxial load upon the event of a failure of the primary load-carrying system. The primary load-carrying system is a recirculating ball screw arrangement wherein the plurality of bearing balls is disposed in part in respective helical grooves of the rotor and axially displaceable stator portions. Wear or escape of the bearing balls is detected.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to ball screw drive arrangements, and more particularly, to an arrangement that provides an indication of failure resulting from the escape of the balls or the diminution in the size of the balls as a result of excessive wear.
2. Description of the Related Art
Primary load path failure is the type of malfunction most desired to be detected in flight controls today. Due to the vital role of ball screws in the safety of a flight, the monitoring of the integrity of the primary load path and the early and accurate detection of failures have became a requirement in modern aircraft.
It is an advantageous characteristic of ball screw drive arrangements at that they are capable of exerting very large loads while achieving high rates of reliability. However, in applications where a failure of a primary drive system might yielded disastrous results, a secondary drive system can be configured to assume the load. In some unknown arrangements, a secondary drive system is coupled axially to the primary load system. It is a problem with such known arrangements that there is no indication provided to the operator that the primary load system has failed. Although rare, a principal mode of failure of the principal drive system is the escape of the recirculating balls. Additionally, there is the possibility that the balls within the system do not escape, but become worn to the point that the primary load system can be deemed to have failed. There is, therefore, a need for an arrangement that provides indication of primary load system failure.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an arrangement that provides indication of failure of the primary load carrying system of a ball screw drive arrangement.
It is another object of this invention to provide an arrangement that provides indication of the absence of the load bearing balls.
It is also another object of this invention to provide an arrangement that provides indication that a secondary load bearing system has assumed to a load.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a change in the electrical characteristics of an electrical element upon the occurrence of a failure in a primary load bearing system.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a change in the optical characteristics of an optical element upon the occurrence of a failure in a primary load of bearing system.

Bearing balls escape and wear annunciator arrangement for ball screw


A heavy metal oxide glass selected from germanate, tellurite and bismuth oxide glasses provides a host for highly efficient Thulium doped 2 μm oxide glass and fiber lasers. The concentration of Thulium ions is high enough that energy transferred by the phenomenon of cross-relaxation will enhance laser emission at 2 μm and suppress emission at 1.5 μm so that 2 μm emission is dominant.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to glasses and fibers for laser applications and more specifically to Thulium-doped heavy metal oxide glasses for near 2 μm lasers with high quantum efficiency.
2. Description of the Related Art
2 μm lasers are highly transmissive in air, relatively eye-safe, and highly absorptive in many natural substances such as organic tissue and water. Applications such as LIDAR, range finder, materials processing, and biomedical require low cost, robust and efficient 2 μm, e.g. typically 1.7-2.1 μm, lasers. As used herein the term "2 μm" laser refers to laser emission across the range of 1.7-2.1 μm.
Most 2 μm Thulium doped lasers use a crystalline host material. Crystalline materials exhibit good mechanical strength and chemical durability and through a phenomenon known as "cross-relaxation" exhibit high quantum efficiency. Unfortunately crystalline materials are expensive and cannot be pulled into fibers, hence can only be used for free space solid-state lasers.
Glass hosts, namely silica and fluoride glass, which can be pulled into fiber, have been developed for 2 μm fiber lasers. Unfortunately, neither glass is a good host for Thulium doped laser applications. Silica glass has high phonon energy, approximately 1100 cm−1, and can only support limited doping concentrations, and thus exhibits poor quantum efficiency. Although fluoride exhibits low phonon energy of about 700 cm−1 and accept high rare-earth doping concentrations, fluoride glass is physically weak and chemically not durable, which limits the output power of the laser and seriously restricts practical application.

Thulium-doped heavy metal oxide glasses for 2UM lasers


A photosensitive insulating paste composition comprising: an organic component comprising the components of (A) a water-soluble cellulose derivative, (B) a photopolymerizable monomer, (C) an acrylic resin having a hydroxyl group, and (D) a photopolymerization initiator; and an inorganic powder.

This invention relates to a photosensitive insulating paste composition and a photosensitive film made therefrom. More particularly, the invention relates to a photosensitive insulating paste composition comprising an organic component and an inorganic powder which has high sensitivity for precise patterning even when formed into a thick film and a photosensitive dry film made from the composition.
Thick film multilayer circuit boards and various display panels have been produced by thick film screen printing techniques in which a photocuring insulating paste containing inorganic particles is screen printed on a substrate to form a pattern or photolithographic techniques in which a photocuring insulating paste composition is applied to a substrate, irradiated with ultraviolet rays, etc., and developed to form a relief pattern on the substrate. In particular, considerable attention has been devoted to plasma display panels (PDPs) for their relatively simple structure, large screen capability, self-luminescent high display quality, and color feasibility. A large number of proposals on PDPs have been made seeking for a larger scale and higher precision. APDP is a flat display panel composed a pair of glass substrates between which a vast number of cells are arrayed, being separated by barrier ribs made of an insulating material. Each cell, acting as a pixel, contains a phosphor, which is excited by ultraviolet rays generated by a plasma discharge to emit visible light. Electrodes, resistors, dielectrics, etc. for generating plasma are provided on the substrates and in the cells. In order to increase the precision of PDPs it is necessary to form the elements constructing the panel, i.e., barrier ribs, electrodes, resistors, dielectrics, phosphors, a color filter array, and a black matrix (hereinafter referred to as barrier ribs, etc.) with high precision. A higher precision patterning technique is still demanded therefor. Conventional thick film screen printing techniques, which involve repetition of printing a paste composition, have poor pattern position accuracy and difficulty in forming highly precise barrier ribs, etc. With photolithographic techniques, the film for forming barrier ribs, etc. is too thick for assuring sufficient photosensitivity over the whole thickness, which has been a bar to realization of high precision patterning. Besides, development involves use of expensive organic solvents such as trichloroethane, which not only leads to an increase of production cost but gives rise to such issues as environmental pollution and harm to human bodies. In an attempt to provide solutions for the problems associated with the development with an organic solvent, JP-A-63-265238 (The term xe2x80x9cJP-Axe2x80x9d as used herein means an xe2x80x9cunexamined published Japanese patent applicationxe2x80x9d) discloses a water-developable photocuring insulating paste composition comprising a water-soluble cellulose such as methyl cellulose, a photopolymerizable polymer, a photopolymerization initiator, and an inorganic powder. However, the proposed composition has insufficient resistance against development so that the image areas are liable to be dissolved on developing. Moreover, because the composition is patternwise applied by screen printing, the pattern position accuracy is poor. The composition cannot therefore be seen as capable of high precision patterning in fabricating barrier ribs, etc.
In the light of these circumstances, the inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive investigations. They have found as a result that a photosensitive insulating paste composition comprising a water-soluble cellulose derivative, a photopolymerizable monomer, an acrylic resin having a hydroxyl group, a photopolymerization initiator, and an inorganic powder is easily aqueous- or alkaline-developable, free from the organic solvent problems such as environmental pollution or harm to human bodies, and exhibits high sensitivity enough to be formed into a thick film which is fit for fabricating barrier ribs, etc. and thick film multilayer circuits with high precision. The present invention has been reached based on this finding.
An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive insulating paste composition which is easily aqueous- or alkaline-developable, capable of forming a thick and yet highly sensitive photosensitive insulating paste composition layer, and capable of forming a pattern with high precision.
Another object of the invention is to provide a photosensitive dry film made of the above-described photosensitive insulating paste composition.
The above objects of the invention are accomplished by a photosensitive insulating paste composition comprising an organic component comprising the components of (A) a water-soluble cellulose derivative, (B) a photopolymerizable monomer, (C) an acrylic resin having a hydroxyl group, and (D) a photopolymerization initiator and an inorganic powder and a photosensitive film made of the composition.
Containing a water-soluble cellulose derivative as a binder resin, the photosensitive insulating paste composition of the invention exhibits higher transmittances of radiations for exposure, such as ultraviolet radiation, excimer laser beams, X-rays, and electron beams, and capability of forming patterns with higher precision than conventional photosensitive insulating paste compositions containing acrylic resin binders.
Any known water-soluble cellulose derivatives can be used as component (A) with no particular limitation. Examples of useful water-soluble cellulose derivatives are carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. They may be used either individually or as a mixture of two or more thereof.
The photopolymerizable monomer which can be used as component (B) is not particularly limited, either. Suitable photopolymerizable monomers include ethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, trimethylolethane triacrylate, trimethylolethane trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol diacrylate, pentaerythritol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, pentaerythritol trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, dipentaerythritol tetraacrylate, dipentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentamethacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexamethacrylate, glycerol acrylate, glycerol methacrylate, carboepoxy diacrylate; fumaric esters, itaconic esters and maleic esters corresponding to these (meth)acrylic esters.
The acrylic resin having a hydroxyl group which can be used as component (C) includes polymers mainly comprising an acrylic ester monomer and a hydroxyl-containing monomer and, if necessary, other copolymerizable monomers. Suitable acrylic ester monomers include acrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters with monohydric alcohols having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Suitable hydroxyl-containing monomers include monoesters of glycols having 1 to 10 carbon atoms with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, such as hydroxymethyl acrylate, hydroxymethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl acrylate, and 4-hydroxybutyl methacrylate; glycerol acrylate, glycerol methacrylate, dipentaerythritol monoacrylate, dipentaerythritol monomethacrylate, xcex5-caprolactone-modified hydroxyethyl acrylate, xcex5-caprolactone-modified hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and epoxy ester compounds such as 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate.
The other monomers copolymerizable with the hydroxyl-containing monomers include xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, maleic acid, and fumaric acid, and anhydrides or half esters thereof; xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters, such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, sec-butyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, sec-propyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, sec-butyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexylmethacrylate, stearylmethacrylate, 2,2,2-trifluoromethyl acrylate, and 2,2,2-trifluoromethyl methacrylate; styrene and derivatives thereof, such as xcex1-methylstyrene and p-vinyltoluene. Also included are acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, acrylamide, methacrylamide, vinyl acetate, glycidyl acrylate, and glycidyl methacrylate. These comonomers may be used either individually or as a combination thereof.
Containing the hydroxyl-containing acrylic resin, the photosensitive insulating paste composition of the invention exhibits improved development resistance to provide high precision images.
The photosensitive insulating paste composition preferably comprises 10 to 50 parts by weight, particularly 20 to 40 parts by weight, especially 25 to 35 parts by weight, of water-soluble cellulose derivative as component (A) and 50 to 90 parts by weight, particularly 60 to 80 parts by weight, especially 65 to 75 parts by weight, of the photopolymerizable monomer as component (B) per 100 parts by weight of the total of components (A) and (B). Where the amounts of these components are less or more than the respective preferred ranges, the composition tends to fail to assure sufficient patterning precision and have a reduced transmittance of radiation for exposure. For example, if the proportion of component (B) is less than 50 parts, photopolymerization of the composition tends to be insufficient so that the image area dissolves in developing, resulting in a failure of image formation. If the proportion of component (B) exceeds 90 parts, fine line resolution reduces.
The photosensitive insulating paste composition preferably comprises 50 to 90 parts by weight, particularly 60 to 80 parts by weight, especially 60 to 70 parts by weight, of water-soluble cellulose derivative as component (A) and 10 to 50 parts by weight, particularly 20 to 40 parts by weight, especially 30 to 40 parts by weight, of the hydroxyl-containing acrylic resin as component (C) per 100 parts by weight of the total of components (A) and (C). Where the amounts of these components are less than or more than the respective preferred ranges, the composition tends to fail to assure sufficient precision in patterning and have a reduced transmittance of active radiation. For example, a proportion of component (C) less than 10 parts is insufficient for development resistance, leading to a failure of image formation. If the proportion of component (C) exceeds 50 parts, developability reduces to cause some part of non-exposed area to remain.
Any known photopolymerization initiator can be used as component (D). Included are benzophenones, benzoins, benzoin alkyl ethers, acetophenones, aminoacetophenones, benzils, benzyl alkyl ketals, anthraquinones, ketals, and thioxanthones. Examples are 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(3-bromo-4-methoxy)phenyl-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(2-bromo-4-methoxy)phenyl-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(3-bromo-4-methoxy)styrylphenyl-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(2-bromo-4-methoxy)styrylphenyl-s-triazine, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide, 1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propan-1-one, 2,4-diethylthioxanthone, 2,4-dimethylthioxanthone, 2-chlorothioxanthone, 1-chloro-4-propoxythioxanthone, 3,3-dimethyl-4-methoxybenzophenone, benzopheneone, 1-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one, 1-(4-dodecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one, 4-benzoyl-4xe2x80x2-methyldimethyl sulfide, 4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid, methyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, butyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, 2-isoamyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, 2,2-diethoxyacetophenone, benzyl dimethyl ketal, benzyl-xcex2-methoxyethyl acetal, 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione-2-(O-ethoxycarbonyl)oxime, methyl o-benzoylbenzoate, bis(4-dimethylaminophenyl)ketone, 4,4xe2x80x2-bisdiethylaminobenzophenone, benzil, benzoin, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, benzoin n-butyl ether, benzoin isobutyl ether, p-dimethylaminoacetophenone, p-t-butyltrichloroacetophenone, p-t-butyldichloroacetophenone, thioxanthone, 2-methylthioxanthone, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, dibenzosuberone, xcex1,xcex1-dichloro-4-phenoxyacetophenone, pentyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, and 2-(o-chlorophenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazolyl dimer. They may be used either individually or as a combination of two or more thereof.
The photopolymerization initiator is suitably used in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 0.2 to 5 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the total of components (A) and (B). Where the amount of the initiator is less than 0.1 part, the composition has reduced curability. Where it is more than 10 parts, absorption by the initiator tends to cause undercure in the vicinity of the substrate.
If desired, the photosensitive insulating paste composition can comprise additives, such as ultraviolet absorbers, sensitizers, sensitization assistants, polymerization inhibitors, plasticizers, thickeners, organic solvents, dispersants, defoaming agents, and organic or inorganic suspension stabilizers.
Examples of useful sensitizers, which can be added to improve the sensitivity, are 2,4-diethylthioxanthone, isopropylthioxanthone, 2,3-bis(4-diethylaminobenzal)cyclopentanone, 2,6-bis(4-dimethylaminobenzal)cyclohexanone, 2,6-bis(4-dimethylaminobenzal)-4-methylcyclohexanone, 4,4-bis(dimethylamino)benzophenone (Michler""s ketone), 4,4-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone, 4,4-bis(dimethylamino)chalcone, 4,4-bis(diethylamino)chalcone, p-dimethylaminocinnamylideneindanone, p-dimethylaminobenzylideneindazone, 2-(p-dimethylaminophenylvinylene)isonaphthothiazole, 1,3-bis(4-dimethylaminobenzal)acetone, 1,3-carbonyl-bis(4-diethylaminobenzal)acetone, 3,3-carbonyl-bis(7-diethylaminocoumarin), N-phenyl-N-ethylethanoamine, N-phenylethanolamine, N-tolyldiethanolamine, N-phenylethanolamine, isoamyl dimethylaminobenzoate, isoamyl diethylaminobenzoate, 3-phenyl-5-benzoylthiotetrazole, and 1-phenyl-5-ethoxycarbonylthiotetrazole. These sensitizers may be used either individually or as a combination of two or more thereof.
Examples of useful polymerization inhibitors, which are added to improve heat stability during storage, include hydroquinone, hydroquinone monoesters, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, phenothiazine, p-t-butylcatechol, N-phenylnaphthylamine, 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-methylphenol, chloranil, and pyrogallol.
Examples of suitable plasticizers which are added to improve conformability to a substrate include dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), polyethylene glycol, glycerol, and dibutyl tartrate.
Examples of defoaming agents, which can be added to reduce air bubbles in the paste or film thereby to reduce void formation on baking, include alkylene glycols (e.g., polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 400 to 800), silicone defoaming agents, and higher alcohols.
The inorganic powder which can be used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is transparent to light used for exposure. Included are glass, ceramics (e.g., cordierite), and metals. Examples are powder of borosilicate lead glass, borosilicate zinc glass or borosilicate bismuth glass (i.e., PbOxe2x80x94SiO2 glass, PbOxe2x80x94B2O3xe2x80x94SiO2 glass, ZnO-SiO2 glass, ZnOxe2x80x94B2O3xe2x80x94SiO2 glass, BiO-SiO2 glass, and BiOxe2x80x94B2O3xe2x80x94SiO2 glass); powdered oxides of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, Ti, Zr, Al, etc., such as cobalt oxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, nickel oxide, copper oxide, manganese oxide, neodymium oxide, vanadium oxide, ceriumoxide, titaniumdioxide (Tipaque Yellow), cadmium oxide, ruthenium oxide, silica, magnesia, and spinel; fluorescent powders, such as ZnO:Zn, Zn3(PO4)2:Mn, Y2SiO5:Ce, CaWO4:Pb, BaMgAl14O23:Eu, ZnS:(Ag, Cd), Y2O3:Eu, Y2SiO5:Eu, Y3Al5O12:Eu, YBO3:Eu, (Y, Gd)BO3:Eu, GdBO3:Eu, ScBO3:Eu, LuBO3:Eu, Zn2SiO4:Mn, BaAl12Ol9:Mn, SrAl13O19:Mn, CaAl12O19:Mn, YBO3:Tb, BaMgAl14O23:Mn, LuBO3:Tb, GdBO3:Tb, ScBO3:Tb, Sr6Si3O3Cl4:Eu, ZnS:(Cu, Al), ZnS:Ag, Y2O2S:Eu, ZnS:Zn, (Y, Cd)BO3:Eu, and BaMgAl12O23:Eu; powdered metals, such as iron, nickel, palladium, tungsten, copper, aluminum, silver, gold, and platinum. Glass and ceramic powders are particularly preferred for their high transparency. Glass powders (glass frits) are the most effective. It is desirable that the inorganic powder be free from silicon oxide, aluminum oxide or titanium oxide. Presence of these impurities reduces light transmittance.
A suitable particle size of the inorganic powder is usually 1 to 10 xcexcm, preferably 2 to 8 xcexcm, while varying according to the pattern configuration to be formed. Particles greater than 10 xcexcm in average cause surface unevenness, which is unfavorable for high precision patterning. Particles smaller than 1 xcexcm in average cause formation of microvoids on baking, which can cause an insulation failure. The inorganic powder can have a spherical form, a block form, a flaky form, a dendritic form, or a mixture thereof.
The photosensitive insulating paste composition can contain an inorganic pigment of black, red, blue, green, etc. as an inorganic powder to provide a colored pattern, which is fit for the manufacture of color filter arrays, etc. for PDPs. The inorganic powder may be a mixture of particles different in physical properties. For example, a combined use of glass particles or ceramic particles having different thermal softening points is effective to control the shrinkage on baking. The shapes and the physical properties of inorganic powders are combined appropriately according to the characteristics required of barrier ribs, etc.
In order to prevent secondary agglomeration or improve dispersibility of the inorganic powder, being in the range of particle size of 1 to 10 xcexcm, the particles can be surface treated with organic acids, inorganic acids, silane coupling agents, titanate coupling agents, aluminum coupling agents, surface active agents, or the like in such a range that does not impair the properties of the inorganic powder. The surface treatment is conveniently carried out by dissolving a treating agent in an organic solvent or water, adding the inorganic powder thereto, and removing the solvent by heating the mixture with stirring at about 50 to 200xc2x0 C. for 2 hours or longer. Otherwise, the treating agent may be added in preparing paste.
The photosensitive insulating paste composition preferably comprises 10 to 35 parts by weight, particularly 15 to 30 parts by weight, especially 20 to 25 parts by weight, of the organic component comprising components (A) to (D) and 65 to 90 parts by weight, particularly 70 to 85 parts by weight, especially 75 to 80 parts by weight, of the inorganic powder per 100 parts by weight of the total composition. Where the proportion of the organic component is less than 15 parts, photopolymerization would be insufficient so that image areas would dissolve in developing, resulting in a failure to form images. Where it exceeds 35 parts, the pattern tends to separate on baking.
The photosensitive insulating paste composition is prepared by dissolving and/or dispersing the above-described components in a solvent. Any solvent that has good affinity to the inorganic powder, sufficient dissolving power for the organic component, capability of imparting moderate viscosity to the paste composition, and easy removability by evaporation can be used. Suitable solvents include ketones, such as diethyl ketone, methyl butyl ketone, dipropyl ketone, and cyclohexanone; alcohols, such as n-pentanol, 4-methyl-2-pentanol, cyclohexanol, and diacetone alcohol; ether alcohols, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and diethylene glycol diethyl ether; saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid alkyl esters, such as n-butyl acetate and amyl acetate; lactic esters, such as ethyl lactate and n-butyl lactate; and ether esters, such as methyl cellosolve acetate, ethyl cellosolve acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-methoxybutylacetate, 3-methoxybutylacetate, 4-methoxybutyl acetate, 2-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-ethyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, 2-ethoxybutyl acetate, 4-ethoxybutyl acetate, 4-propoxybutyl acetate, and 2-methoxypentyl acetate. These solvents can be used either individually or as a combination of two or more thereof.
A preferred amount of the solvent to be used for maintaining the paste composition in a suitable viscosity range is 300 parts by weight or less, particularly 10 to 70 parts by weight, especially 25 to 35 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the organic component and the inorganic powder.
The photosensitive insulating paste composition of the invention can be applied as liquid onto a substrate by spread coating or screen printing according to the use. Where high precision is demanded as in the formation of barrier ribs, etc. of PDPs, it is convenient to use a photosensitive dry film made of the paste composition to secure higher precision in patterning. A dry film is prepared by applying the photosensitive paste composition to a carrier film to a dry thickness of 10 to 100 xcexcm and drying the coating layer. The carrier film includes 15 to 125 xcexcm thick flexible films of synthetic resins, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and polyvinyl chloride. If necessary, release treatment may be given to the carrier film to facilitate film transfer. Application of the composition can be carried out by means of an applicator, a bar coater, a wire bar coater, a roll coater, a curtain flow coater, etc. A roll coater is preferred for film thickness uniformity and efficiency of thick film formation. The dry film is protected until use by a cover sheet. An about 15 to 125 xcexcm thick film of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. having a silicone release (baked) coating is suitable as a cover sheet.
Pattern formation by the use of the photosensitive insulating paste composition can be carried out as follows. A layer of the photosensitive insulating paste composition formed on a substrate by coating or transfer is imagewise exposed to ultraviolet radiation, excimer laser radiation, X-rays or electron beams through a mask and developed with an alkaline developer or water to remove the unexposed area. If necessary, the relief pattern thus formed is baked. It is also possible that the entire area of the photosensitive layer is exposed to light and then patterned without developing, followed by baking if desired. Where a pattern of the highest precision is desired, the above-described photosensitive dry film is employed. The cover sheet is stripped off, and the dry film is transferred onto a substrate. The dry film is exposed to light either imagewise or all over, and the carrier film is then removed. The imagewise exposed film is developed to form a pattern. The entirely exposed film provides a cured film without developing, which is then baked if desired. The substrate includes a glass plate, a glass plate having electrodes (e.g., bus electrodes) formed thereon, and a ceramic plate. The dry film can conveniently be transferred to the substrate by thermal lamination using a hot-roll laminator, etc. Thermal lamination with a hot-roll laminator is performed under conditions of substrate surface temperature: 80 to 140xc2x0 C.; roll pressure: 1 to 5 kg/cm2; and running speed: 0.1 to 10.0 m/min. The substrate can be preheated, e.g., to 40 to 100xc2x0 C. Radiation emitters which can be used for exposure include ultraviolet emitters generally used in photolithography and aligners used in the manufacture of semiconductors and liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
The alkali component of the alkaline developer which can be used for developing includes hydroxides, carbonates, hydrogencarbonates, phosphates or pyrophosphates of alkali metals, e.g., lithium, sodium, and potassium; primary amines, such as benzylamine and butylamine; secondary amines, such as dimethylamine, dibenzylamine, and diethanolamine; tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, and triethanolamine; cyclic amines, such as morpholine, piperazine, and pyridine; polyamines, such as ethylenediamine and hexamethylenediamine; ammonium hydroxides, such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, trimethylbenzylammonium hydroxide, and trimethylphenylbenzylammonium hydroxide; sulfonium hydroxides, such as trimethylsulfonium hydroxide, trimethylsulfonium hydroxide, diethylmethylsulfonium hydroxide, and dimethylbenzylsulfonium hydroxide; choline; and silicate-containing buffers. A proper choice is to be made according to the characteristics of the insulating composition as to the developing method (e.g., dip development, rocking development, shower development, spray development or paddle development), the development unit, and the developing conditions, such as type, composition, and concentration of the developer, and developing time and temperature.
The baking temperature is selected so as to burn out any organic matter of the cured composition. For example, baking is performed at 400 to 600xc2x0 C. for 10 to 90 minutes.
The photosensitive insulating paste composition of the invention is useful to form thick film multilayer circuits and various displays including PDPs and plasma-addressed LCDs. It is particularly suited for the formation of barrier ribs, etc. of PDPs, especially dielectrics of PDPs, which demand highly accurate patterning.

Photosensitive insulating paste composition and photosensitive film made therefrom


Provided is a tablet packing method including: a step of conveying a long sheet material that is a material of a packing bag in a longitudinal direction; a step of introducing all of a same kind of tablets of the tablets prescribed to each patient to a packing space formed by the conveyed long sheet material; a step of sealing the long sheet material to form a section in which the packing space provided with the tablets is airtight; and a step of cutting the long sheet material provided with one or a plurality of the sections, in predetermined units in the longitudinal direction.

Conventionally, there is a method of filling tablets prescribed to a patient in a vial bottle (for example, see Patent Literature 1). In the method, one vial bottle is filled with one kind of tablets. Therefore, when there are a plurality of kinds of tablets prescribed to each patient, the same number of vial bottles as the number of kinds of tablets are necessary.

Tablet packing method and tablet packing apparatus


According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for echocardiogram view classification is provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises: obtaining a plurality of video images of a subject; aligning the plurality images; using the aligned images to generate a motion magnitude image; filtering the motion magnitude image using an edge map on image intensity; detecting features on the motion magnitude image, retaining only those features which lie in the neighborhood of intensity edges; encoding the remaining features by generating, x, y image coordinates, a motion magnitude histogram in a window around the feature point, and a histogram of intensity values near the feature point; and using the encoded features to classify the video images of the subject into a predetermined classification.

The present invention relates to image classification problems, and more specifically, to techniques for classifying echocardiogram videos.
Echocardiography is an important diagnostic aid in cardiology for the morphological and functional assessment of the heart. During an echocardiogram exam, a sonographer images the heart using ultrasound by placing a transducer against the patient's chest. Reflected sound waves reveal the inner structure of the heart walls and the velocities of blood flows. Since these measurements are typically made using 2D slices of the heart, the transducer position is varied during an echo exam to capture different anatomical sections of the heart from different viewpoints.
In current clinical practice, transducer positioning and viewpoint capture requires manual intervention in both imaging and in interpretation. The sonographer manually delineates major anatomical structures like Left Ventricle (LV) and computes numerical quantities like ejection fraction from the images. This data is examined further by a cardiologist who makes the diagnosis based on the interpretation made from the echocardiogram. The knowledge of the probe viewpoint plays a crucial role in the interpretation process as it tells the examiner what exactly is he or she looking at.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Echocardiogram view classification using edge filtered scale-invariant motion features


An imaging device of the present invention comprises a facial organ detection section for detecting facial organs within a face from an image that has been taken by an imaging section, an eye selection section for comparing sizes of eyes and selecting the largest eye, an eye size comparative determination section for comparatively determining the size of the eye with respect to a specified value, and an AF region setting section for setting an AF region in accordance with size and position of the selected eye when it has been determined that the size of the eye is larger than a specified value, and setting an AF region in accordance with position and size of a face to which the selected eye belongs when it has been determined that the size of the eye is smaller than a specified value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an imaging device and an AF control method for a camera or the like that is capable, when a person is being photographed, of automatically focusing on the eyes of the person.
2. Description of the Related Art
With a conventional imaging device of a camera etc. an automatic focus adjustment unit is installed, and adjustment of a photographing lens is carried out automatically so as to focus on a subject. In recent years, it has become general practice to carry out face-priority AF, where a face within a subject is detected, and then focus adjustment is carried out so as to achieve the highest contrast at the position of the face.
However, with this face-priority AF, since focusing is carried out for the entire face, in a case where it is desired to focus on the eyes it is necessary to temporarily cancel face-priority AF, and manually focus on the eyes. There have therefore been various proposals for an automatic focusing unit that automatically focuses on the eyes, without canceling face-priority AF. For example, Japanese patent laid-open No. 2001-215403 (laid-open Aug. 10, 2001), Japanese patent laid-open No. 2005-128156 (laid-open May 19, 2005), Japanese patent laid-open No. 2010-054587 (laid-open Mar. 11, 2010), Japanese unexamined patent application No. 2010-186098 (Aug. 26, 2010), and Japanese unexamined patent application No. 2008-281733 (Nov. 20, 2008).


Provided is a driving assistance apparatus configured to determine whether or not an own vehicle driving lane is a merging lane based on a result of identifying the merging lane from a lane reduction sign detected in a vehicle front image and a result of identifying a merged lane direction with respect to the own vehicle driving lane from separation lines on both sides of the own vehicle driving lane that are detected in the vehicle front image, and to control driving of an own vehicle in accordance with the determination result and vehicle condition information of the own vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving assistance apparatus and a driving assistance method for providing appropriate driving assistance to a driver of a vehicle traveling on a merging lane.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, there have been proposed a large number of driving assistance technologies for avoiding traffic accidents of automobiles by giving assistances to drivers' function such as recognition, decision, or operation (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-352636 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2014-44744). Specific examples of the above-mentioned driving assistance technologies include the following control.
First, there is known Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) control, in which a camera or the like installed in a vehicle is used to keep a distance between an own vehicle and a forward vehicle at a certain length or longer and at the same time maintain a vehicle speed at a set speed. Secondly, there is known Lane Keep Assist (LKA) control, in which separation lines of a driving lane on which the vehicle is traveling are detected and a driver's steering wheel operation is assisted based on the detection result. Thirdly, there is known Lane Departure Warning (LDW) control, in which the driver is warned of a possibility of the vehicle departing from the driving lane when such a possibility exists.

Driving assistance apparatus and driving assistance method