A method of updating one or more target website data content items comprises providing one or more links, each of which associates one or more target content items with one or more original content items. The method further includes storing the links in a data storage device, and accessing the links in the storage device, and updating the target data content items according to the links. The method may update the target data content items at predetermined intervals, or on demand. Updating the target data content may further include initiating workflow to update the target data content.

The present invention generally relates to data processing. The invention relates more specifically to methods and apparatus for automatically updating website content. One common technique for providing website content is via hypertext systems, although other techniques for providing website content are also known to those skilled in the art. Hypertext systems are used herein for exemplary descriptions, however other suitable techniques known in the art for providing website content may also be used and are equally applicable. For example, database records may be used to provide the content, without the use of hypertext links.
One particularly popular system involves the combination of hypertext information technology and distributed network technology and is known as the World Wide Web. A "site" on the World Wide Web ("Web site") is a set of hypertext information stored on a server that is coupled to the global, packet-switched set of internetworks known as the Internet. The hypertext information typically is created and stored in one or more electronic documents that are prepared using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). The server and the network operate according to agreed-upon protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP). A networked end station such as a personal computer, workstation, or other device ("client") connects to the Internet using the same protocols, executes a browser program that can interpret and display HTML documents, and requests one or more pages of the Web site. The server locates the requested pages and delivers them over the network to the client, which displays them.
Any number of clients may access the server. When most of the clients are located geographically close to the server, or are within the region served by the server, this approach works adequately. However, when a significant number of clients are located geographically distant from the server, or outside a region that is served by the server, delays in the intermediate networks, nodes, and telecommunications systems that make up the Internet may cause unacceptably long delays in receiving pages from the server at the clients. This problem, along with rapid expansion of the international economy and the globalization of online business, has led many enterprises to establish multiple geographically distributed Web sites.
In one approach, a first Web site (often located in the United States or created using the English language) is established in a first location. One or more "mirror" Web sites are established in one or more other locations. Alternatively, the mirror sites are co-located but logically separated and serve different audiences within the same location or region. Each mirror Web site stores and serves an exact copy of the content of the first Web site. Periodically the mirror sites are updated by copying changed content from the first Web site to all the mirror sites. However, a significant disadvantage of this approach is that the mirror sites are not localized or customized according to the clients that they serve. Often the mirror sites are not rendered in the language used for communication by clients in the region served by the mirror sites. This results in an undesirable end user experience.
In a related approach, in a process called "localization," each local or regional Web site is customized according to local practices. Localization may also involve translation, in which each regional or local Web site is translated into the language of the region served by the site. However, the process of updating a large Web site that is mirrored and localized for multiple countries is complicated and time-consuming.
A related problem is that many Web sites now store and serve dynamic content. First generation Web sites generally consisted of a collection of static HTML pages; every client on every connection received the same pages from the server. Many Web sites now use HTML templates that are filled in with content from a database by the server dynamically just before delivery to a client. When the database is updated, pages delivered to clients automatically reflect the updates. Further, enterprises that still rely on static content often update the static pages frequently to reflect changes in information, products and services.
Content management systems have been developed to address this problem. A content management system seeks to organize Web site content and automate processes of data input, editing and revision, quality control review, and publication to multiple Web site. Some content management systems also provide personalization services, decision support services, and integration with other systems and applications. An example of a content management system is Vignette StoryServer, commercially available from Vignette Corporation, of Austin, Tex.
A drawback of known content management systems, however, is that they do not adequately address the problem of how to automatically update a translated or localized Web site when source documents or other source information underlying the translation or localization changes. In one approach, all Web site content is stored in a database. Translators access the database and translate content from the database into other languages for use in regional or localized Web sites. The databases tend to require storage of content in a highly structured form. This approach is adequate when an entire Web site is translated, but it is inadequate for carrying out selective changes on a site, or for translating a site that has extensive dynamic content.
In another approach, updated content of a first site is copied to a second site and then translated. This approach is best suited to making country by country modifications. However, it often results in inconsistent, ad hoc changes.
Based on the foregoing, there is a clear need in this field for an improved method or apparatus that provides automated updating of website content, in conjunction with, or without, a content management system.
There is a specific need for a method or apparatus that provides automated updating of translated Web sites or localized Web sites having highly dynamic, complicated and extensive site content.
There is also a need for such a method or apparatus that can automatically detect changes in a first set of hypertext information and automatically propagate the changes to a second set of hypertext information, with further changes that are appropriate for or associated with the context of the second set of hypertext information.

Method and apparatus for automatically updating website content


This invention relates to a method and apparatus for secure traffic light interruption. A purpose of this invention is to allow for the use of a secure system to allow the interruption of the traffic light signals by emergency (and other authorized) vehicles. An objective of this invention is to allow for the use of a more secure system than the currently installed strobe only traffic light interruption (changing) systems. This invention integrates additional wireless technologies to assure that only authorized users trigger the traffic light changes that typically make it safer for emergency vehicles when they approach a traffic light.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for secure traffic light (emergency vehicle changing) interruption. More particularly, the techniques according to the presently described embodiments provide a secure system to allow the interruption of traffic light signals by emergency (and other authorized) vehicles. This is an improvement over the conventional strobe only traffic light interruption (changing) systems. In one form, the presently described embodiments integrate wireless technologies to assure that only authorized users can trigger the traffic light changes that make it safer for emergency vehicles when they approach a traffic light.
While the invention is particularly directed to the art of traffic light interruption, and will be thus described with specific reference thereto, it will be appreciated that the invention may have usefulness in other fields and applications. For example, the invention may be used in other applications where emergency interruption of a system is desired.
By way of background, emergency interruption systems operative to control traffic signals, by permitting interruption by emergency (and other authorized) vehicles, are known. Typically, a system of installed traffic light sensors operate by detecting a rapidly strobing light source approaching from a line of sight distance of up to almost 1,800 feet. The detection devices are normally mounted on the cross bar of the traffic light poles. Once the sensor detects an approaching device, the sensor locks onto the device to determine if preemption should occur.
Some systems simply look for a strobe in any pattern. More advanced systems look for specific strobe patterns before initiating the sequence to change the light.
Referring to FIG. 1, an example of an emergency vehicle 12 entering an area of a traffic light system 10 with an emergency interruption system follows. The system 10 includes a traffic light 14 and a strobe unit or flood lamp system 16, both supported by a structure 18. The vehicle 12 includes a signaling unit 20.
In operation, if the vehicle 12 already has a green light, the light 14 will remain green. Any other direction that also has a green light (usually the opposite direction) will first get a yellow light, then a red light.
When all of the lights of the traffic light 14 facing other directions are turned red, and the vehicle's direction is the only light that is green, the left turn arrow will illuminate (if one exists). A brilliant white flood lamp 16 mounted near the traffic signal 14 will then begin to flash. This flood lamp 16 tells the driver of the fire truck that he now has control of the intersection and, thus, a complete right-of-way.
If the vehicle 12 sees a red light, any other direction that has a green light will transition to a yellow light, then a red light. When the lights facing all the directions (including the fire truck's) are red lights, the traffic signal facing the fire truck will then turn to a green light, along with the left turn arrow (if one exists), and the brilliant white flood lamp 16 will begin to flash.
Once the vehicle 12 has passed through the intersection, optical communication with the preemption detector (on the traffic signal) is lost. At that time, the traffic signal will default back to normal operation. Conversely, until the fire truck passes through the intersection, it will have a green light, regardless of the time duration.
Of course, this is merely one example of a conventional system. Other variations exist.
No matter the form, however, current technology is often circumvented by persons who use a strobe to trick lights into the pass through mode, which is usually reserved for law enforcement or fire personnel. This is a danger to the community and represents a hazard.
More specifically, it has become not too uncommon for non-authorized individuals to purchase emitting devices from online and other retailers. The users install the devices in their cars or other vehicles to change the lights when they do not want to be delayed by the regular sequence of the traffic light. Although this is illegal, it is difficult to identify the person or vehicle. Of course, it could have severe consequences. There have been several accidents across the country already.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved traffic light interruption system that resolves the above-referenced difficulties and others.

Method and apparatus for secure traffic light interruption


The object of this invention is to provide a relay unit and a housing for that unit to be used when a number of relay switches are installed side by side in a circuit to switch a power supply circuit on and off. A number of compartments are provided in a case with an open top such that one relay fits into each compartment. The relays are placed into these compartments, and a cover is fitted onto the open top of the case. Slits are provided along the upper edge of the case and/or in the cover, through which the connectors attached to the terminals of the various relays can pass. The cover is placed on top of the case with the connectors attached to the terminals of the various relays running through the various slits. With this invention, a number of relay switches are put into a single package (housing), thus making the relays easier to handle. The package makes it easier to mount and wire multiple relay switches. Because the positions of the connectors are controlled by the slits in the case, the connectors cannot rotate if they receive an accidental impact. This prevents accidental short circuits.

This invention concerns a relay unit used to make or break a power supply circuit. More particularly, this invention relates to a relay unit and a housing unit which combines a number of relay switches in a single package in which a number of relay switches are combined in a single package, and the housing used in the relay unit for the packaging.
In many electrical automobiles the motor, which runs the automobile, is driven by a power supply consisting of a built-in battery. A power supply circuit is actuated by a relay switch which turns the power supply on and off.
Such a power supply circuit is shown in FIG. 11. The DC power of battery E is converted to AC power by inverter IN to drive motor M. In front of inverter IN are capacitor C and resistor R, which constitute a charging circuit.
Relay switch X1 turns the positive electrode on and off. Relay switch X2 turns the positive electrode of charging circuit CR on and off. Relay switch X3 turns the negative electrode on and off. (Since both the positive and negative sides of the power supply can be switched on and off, it would be possible to switch both or to switch only the positive side. If only the positive side is switched, the third relay switch, X3, can be omitted.)
To drive motor M, relay switches X2 and X3 are turned on to charge charging circuit CR. When capacitor C is fully or almost fully charged, motor M is driven by turning relay switch X1 on, and relay switch X2 off.
If relay switches X1, X2 and X3 are all used, each is mounted separately in a fitting such as a relay mounting platform. However, mounting two or three relay switches individually is a difficult task, and the wiring can be extremely troublesome.
When two or three relay switches are to be installed side by side, since the same type of switch is used for all three, the connector terminals will all be at the same height. If their wiring is connected by a bus bar tightened down by a screw, an accidental shock can rotate the bar and cause adjacent connections to short.
The object of this invention is to provide a relay unit and a housing for the unit to be used when a number of relay switches are installed side by side in order to switch a power supply circuit on and off. Such a relay unit would be easy to install and wire, and would prevent accidental short circuits from occurring.
This invention is a relay unit to switch a power supply circuit which comprises the following. A number of compartments are provided in a case with an open top such that one relay fits into each compartment. The relays are placed into these compartments, and a cover is fitted onto the open top of the case. Slits are provided along the upper edge of the case and/or in the cover, through which the connectors attached to the terminals of the various relays can pass. The cover is placed on top of the case with the connectors attached to the terminals of the various relays running through the various slits. On the sides of the exterior of the case mounting, slits are provided through which the case can be fastened to its mounting location.
The relays are relay switches. They may be of the sealed or open type. A number of slits formed by the cut out portion are provided for the connectors to guide out. These slits may be positioned along the upper edge of the case, in the cover, or extending from the case to the cover, or some of them may be in the case and others in the cover.
This configuration serves to improve the isolation by ensuring that the edges of adjacent connectors are separated by a given distance. Because the connectors are fed out through the slits, they cannot be rotated. This configuration thus prevents shorting between adjacent connectors when the relay experiences an accidental impact from the exterior.
Placing one of the mounting slits on the bottom of the case allows the relay to be mounted vertically; placing one of the slits on the side of the case allows it to be mounted sideways. Mounting the relay sideways can be an effective way to use a space requiring a low-height component.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the common connector terminal for the relays in the case can be wired inside the unit. This will simplify the wiring that must be done on site.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the interior of the unit can be filled with insulating resin. In addition to improving the isolation, this will allow the heat generated by the relays to be transmitted to the case and the cover, where it can be radiated effectively via the large surface area.
The housing according to this invention is distinguished by the following. It encloses a relay unit for switching a power supply circuit. It has a case with an open top, which is provided with a plurality of compartments to enclose a plurality of relays, and a cover to be fitted onto the open top of the case. A plurality of cut out portions are provided on at least one upper edge of the case and lower edge of the cover. Through the cut out portion, a plurality of connectors are connected to terminals on relays enclosed in the compartments to guide out from the case when the case is enclosed by the cover. It also has a mounting tab provided on an outer surface of the case for fixing the relay unit.
This design produces a relay unit housing whose isolation is improved by the fact that the edges of adjacent connectors are separated by a given distance. Because the connectors are fed out through the slits, adjacent connectors will not short out when the relay experiences an accidental impact from the exterior.
According to this invention, a number of relay switches are put into a single package (housing), thus making the relays easier to handle. The package makes it easier to mount and wire multiple relay switches. Because the positions of the connectors are controlled by the slits in the case, the connectors cannot rotate if they receive an accidental impact. This prevents accidental short circuits. The case and the cover protect the contacts of the relays"" connectors from water.


A system and method for persisting object pointers in a computing system. Subsequent to initiating an operation to store a plurality of memory resident objects from a memory to persistent storage, a first object of the objects is accessed. Each of the objects may include pointers to other objects in memory. An object identifier is created for the object and stored within the first object. References within the first object to other objects are replaced with object identifiers created for the referenced objects. When an object identifier is created and stored within an object, existing data within the object is replaced by the identifier. The replaced data is stored in a data structure along with a pointer to the object in memory. Subsequent to storing the objects to persistent storage, the data structure is used to restore the replaced data to the objects in memory.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly, to managing objects in a computing system.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Computing systems are widely used to managing and manipulating large amounts of data. In such systems data may be represented in a variety of ways. Often times various collections of data may be identifiable as distinct units or types of data. For example, in large database systems data items may be represented as records of various types. In other systems, data may be represented as objects or various types. Irrespective of the particular way data items are represented, data items typically have particular relationships to other data items in the system. For example, in object oriented systems, objects often include references to other objects within the system. When such objects are resident in memory, these references to other objects often takes the form of references or pointers which identify locations in memory where a referenced object resides. As memory used for storing such objects may be dynamically allocated, the references themselves may be dynamically generated and typically only persist as long as the object remains in memory. Consequently, if the objects in memory are to be stored to persistent storage (e.g., a storage array) and later restored to memory, the references will no longer be valid. This is due to the fact that as the objects are restored to memory from persistent storage, memory is again dynamically generated for their storage and the references which are also dynamically generated will differ from the original references.
In view of the above, methods must be used to maintain an identification of the proper relationships between objects when the objects are stored to persistent storage and restored to memory.

System and method for persisting object pointers


An absorbent panel structure, for use in a disposable diaper or the like, comprising at least about 400 percent by weight of superabsorbent material and at least one wicking layer of hydrophilic fiber particles. The absorbent panel has an average Taber stiffness value in the machine direction of less than about 7 and an absorptive capacity of at least about 300 ml.

Disposable absorbent products have been known for some time, including such products as disposable diapers, sanitary wound dressings, bandages, incontinent pads, and the like. These products incorporate an absorbent batt that is used to absorb and hold or contain body fluids. In years past, in many of these products, especially diapers and sanitary napkins, the absorbent batt comprised what is termed "wadding" or plies of tissue. The wadding was disposed between an impermeable backing sheet and a permeable facing sheet and the plies of tissue were used to absorb and contain the liquid within the product.
The wadding type of batt was replaced, for the most part, by an improved absorbent batt comprised of fluffed wood pulp fibers. This absorbent batt comprises a layer of individualized wood pulp fibers with the layer having substantial thickness. This diaper has improved absorbent capacity and somewhat better containment than a diaper using a wadding layer. Also the fluffed wood pulp layer is quite soft, flexible and conformable and hence, produces an improved diaper over diapers using wadding as the absorbent layer.
Though the fluffed wood pulp absorbent batts have improved capacity, the efficiency with which the capacity is used in a diaper or sanitary napkin is poor. The reason for this, is that the fluid to be absorbed is generally deposited in a localized area within the absorbent batt and the ability for the fluid to wick along the plane of the batt is poor. The fluid follows the path of least resistance and consequently moves to the closest edge of the batt where it generally is no longer contained and the product leaks. Furthermore, the wood pulp batts lack stability, e.g., when a diaper is being worn, the batt tends to sag and/or break up thereby creating bunching.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,017,304 discloses an absorbent product which incorporates in the batt a densified, paper-like layer. This paper-like layer acts as a wick, i.e., liquid which contacts the layer tends to move rapidly along the plane of the layer. When incorporated in combination with fluffed wood pulp fiber, the resultant product uses the absorbent capacity of the fluffed wood pulp much more efficiently. Diapers which incorporate this paper-like layer combined with fluffed wood pulp are disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,612,055 and 3,938,522. Even though these products make much greater use of the capacity of the absorbent batt, they still do not totally contain the absorbed liquid.
A number of years ago "superabsorbent materials", i.e., materials which will absorb many times their weight of liquid, were developed. Since the development of such materials, various different approaches have been suggested to incorporate them in absorbent products such as diapers and sanitary napkins to enhance the absorptive performance of these products. Perhaps one of the first proposals to incorporate such a superabsorbent material in a disposable diaper is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,731. This patent discloses an absorbent dressing comprising an absorbent layer sandwiched between a permeable facing sheet and an impermeable backing sheet. The absorbent layer contains water insoluble cross-linked hydrocolloid polymer as the superabsorbent material.
In order for a superabsorbent material to function the liquid being absorbed must be transported to the superabsorbent material. In other words, the superabsorbent material must be placed in a position to be contacted by liquid discharged onto the absorbent body. Furthermore, as the superabsorbent material absorbs the liquid, it must be allowed to swell. If the superabsorbent is prevented from swelling, it will cease absorbing liquid. Hence, if the superabsorbent material is to function in diapers and sanitary napkins wherein the liquid to be absorbed is discharged in a small void area, the structure of the absorbent layer containing superabsorbent materials appears to be critical. Over the years a number of techniques have been disclosed in an attempt to provide structures which make efficient use of the superabsorbent material. Such products are typified by those in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,103,062, 4,102,340, and 4,235,237. In addition, methods have been proposed for incorporating superabsorbents into suitable layers or suitable configurations which can be placed in an absorbent product, and examples of such proposals are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,186,165, 4,340,057, and 4,364,992.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,500,315, 4,537,590, 4,540,454, 4,573,988, 4,596,567 and 4,605,402 particularly useful absorbent products are disclosed that include superabsorbent materials and utilize a substantial portion of such absorptive capacity of such superabsorbent materials. These products include a nonwoven fibrous web, such as polyester, which has associated with it at least 200 percent by weight, dry basis, of superabsorbent material to the dry basis weight of the web, to form an absorbing layer. In such products, in order to provide a product which will not only absorb liquid but also transport liquid, a wicking layer of wood pulp fibers or other suitable wicking materials are formed in a layer on at least one side of the absorbing layer. The product is then compressed to yield a relatively thin absorbing product with very substantial liquid absorbing capacity. However, the resulting compressed composite product is quite stiff, and hence it is preferred to soften the product to provide enhanced flexibility for utilization in products such as disposable diapers and the like. One method of reducing the stiffness of these products is to subject them to microcorrugating and then to perfembossing to reduce the stiffness in the manner as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,402.
Fluff and wadding absorbent panels that have been used since the early 1970's were considered by those skilled in the art as being semi-rigid, at least when compared to more flexible portions of a diaper, such as a side flap. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 such known semi-rigid panels are characterized as a panel that has a Taber stiffness value of greater than 7. Efforts to develop suitable absorbent panels having a Taber stiffness value of less than 7 that function in disposable diaper constructions having side flaps have been attempted, but not met with success. Heretofore it was not thought possible to provide an absorbent panel that would provide adequate absorptive capacity, and yet have a Taber stiffness value less than about 7.
The present invention provides a new and improved absorbent structure that is thin and has a Taber stiffness value in the machine direction of less than about 7 and more preferably less than about 6. More specifically, the invention provides a new and improved superabsorbent containing absorbent panel structure for use in a disposable diaper, or the like, that is thin and has a Taber stiffness value less than about 6 and yet, surprisingly, has an absorptive capacity of at least about 300 ml and more preferably at least about 400 ml.


A method of determining properties of an optical communications path between a first optical network node (A) and a second optical network node (B) determines, at the second optical network node (B), a time difference between respective first and second optical test signals received on different wavelengths (λ1, λ2) from the first optical network node. The method also determines, at the second optical network node (B), a real-time chromatic dispersion parameter for each of the wavelengths using a respective coherent receiver at the second optical network node. The method can be used to determine length of the path between the nodes (A, B). The method can be used to determine propagation delay between the nodes (A, B), or asymmetry in propagation delay between the nodes (A, B). Where separate paths are used for forward and reverse transmission directions, measurements can be made of each path.

There are a number of applications requiring accurate frequency and/or time synchronisation references in order to properly operate, for example mobile technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) and Long Term Evolution (LTE). In case of frequency synchronisation the traditional solution is to get synchronisation from a synchronous stream of data, as for instance in case of Time-Division Multiplexed (TDM) based networks, but the migration of networks from TDM to packet-based technologies (such as Ethernet) requires a different approach.
One solution is to use a packet based method, where the timing is carried across a packet network by sending packets containing timestamp information. The timestamps are generated by a master (server) that has access to an accurate reference, such as Global Positioning System (GPS).
It is possible to provide time synchronisation between a pair of nodes by using a timing protocol such as the Network Time Protocol (NTP) or Precision Time Protocol (PTP), defined in IEEE 1588. A master node with access to an accurate time source (e.g. GPS) provides a timestamp and the protocol determines the transfer delay between the master node and the slave node. One fundamental assumption with this approach is that the delay from master to slave and from slave to master shall be identical. This means that any asymmetry in the network would significantly impact the performance of the delivered time synchronisation reference.
If the delay asymmetry of the path connected to the ingress port is known, the corrections can be made as specified by the PTP protocol. In particular IEEE 1588 defines an attribute "delayAsymmetry".
In order to handle the packet delay variation and the asymmetries in the network the "Boundary Clock" or "Transparent Clock" functions have been specified by IEEE 1588. The IEEE 1588 transparent clock is a function that provides a means of measuring the delay that has been added by the network element and of measuring the delays on links connected to the network element. The end-equipment can use this information to recover the time reference. The boundary clock, by contrast, terminates and regenerates timestamp packets. While any asymmetry in the node is effectively removed by means of the HW timestamping at the ingress and egress ports, still asymmetries may be present in the links connecting two nodes.
This may happen in case of forward and reverse traffic (and therefore PTP flow) in the same fibre but over different wavelength (e.g. WDM-PON) or in case of forward and reverse traffic in two different fibres (and using the same wavelength), where the fibres may have different transmission characteristics and different lengths.
A known solution to correct for asymmetries in the links is to manually calibrate the links. If the delay asymmetry of the path connected to the ingress port is known, the corrections can be made as specified by the PTP protocol. However, this must be performed node-by-node and can be an extremely costly and time consuming process. Moreover, at any change in the network (e.g. adding transmission equipments) the compensation has to be updated. This can be a too complex and costly task creating a significant obstacle in the deployment of IEEE 1588 technology.

Determining properties of an optical communications path in an optical communications network


A method of preparing silicon carbide powder is provided, which includes mixing first silicon carbide powder with a liquid silicon carbide precursor, annealing the mixture at a first temperature and converting the silicon carbide precursor to a β-phase silicon carbide particulate material, and annealing the material at a second temperature and grain-growing the first silicon carbide powder to second silicon carbide powder using the β-phase silicon carbide particulate material.

Silicon carbide (SiC) has a high temperature strength, and excellent wear resistance, oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance and creep resistance. Silicon carbide is present in a β phase having a cubic crystal structure and in an α phase having a hexagonal crystal structure. The β phase is stable at a temperature of 1400 to 1800° C., and the α phase is formed at 2000° C. or more.
Silicon carbide is widely used for industrial structures, and has recently been applied in the semiconductor industry. To use silicon carbide in single crystal growth, granular silicon carbide powder having uniform size distribution is needed. The granular silicon carbide powder may be obtained by annealing fine silicon carbide powder under predetermined conditions.
However, when the fine silicon carbide powder is annealed at a temperature lower than 2000° C., β-phase silicon carbide powder having uniform size distribution may be obtained, but granular silicon carbide powder having a size of 40 μm or more is difficult to obtain.
However, when the fine silicon carbide powder is annealed at 2000° C. or more, α-phase silicon carbide powder having a size of 100 μm or more may be obtained, but it has non-uniform size distribution due to the fine silicon carbide powder mixed therein.

Method of preparing silicon carbide powder comprising converting a liquid SiC precursor to a B-phase SiC particulate material


In a short message service (SMS) wireline/wireless message system, a separate SMS exchange subsystem implements value-added service capability. The value addition service may range, for example, from simple data insertion in the SMS message to the more complex initiation of a teleconference call using inter-exchanged SMS messages.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to wireless networks and, more particularly, to a methodology and a concomitant system whereby a short message service exchange effects value-added functionality, including teleconferencing, based on the contents of a short message.
2. Description of the Background Art
A Short Message Service (SMS) enables a mobile subscriber in a mobile wireless network to send and receive short alphanumeric messages through his/her mobile station. The mobile station in the modern wireless networks can be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or any portable device capable of communicating with the wireless network equipment and having an alphanumeric display. With the advent of integration of some of the functionalities of wireless communication services with the Internet, it is also possible to send and receive short messages from a fixed communication station such as an Internet-connected computer.
A high-level block representation of a conventional SMS communication system 100 is shown in FIG. 1. A short message (SM) can originate from a wireless device such as a cell phone 120, a computer 105 connected to the Internet 110, or any similar device. A SM originating from a wireless device 120 is received by a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 115 via the wireless medium 121 and other entities such as a base station not shown in the figure for simplicity. The MSC then sends the SM to the applicable SMSC (Short Message Service Center) 135 through the network cloud 130 comprising PSTN, wireless cellular, and other specific networks such as the well-known signaling system 7 (SS7) or even proprietary networks. SMSC 135 then determines the destination of the SM (in this example, mobile station 145), and routes it to the appropriate MSC 140, which then delivers the SM to the destination device 145. While two distinct MSCs are shown in FIG. 1 for generality, in cases where the destination device is in the same area as the SM originating device, the SM is handled by a single MSC. Similarly, it is also clear that computer 105 connected to the Internet 110 can transmit the SM to SMSC 135 for handling as outlined above for delivery to mobile station 145. Moreover, the above description of a conventional SMS system is highly simplified to bring out the underlying processes. However, even in the simplified form, it is readily appreciated that in current SMS systems the SM is just delivered to the destination device in the same form it is sent from the originating device. But, with further reflection, it is soon realized that there exists a great potential for using SMs in a SMS system to initiate different operations based on the contents of the SMs. Also, an SM can be preprocessed and valuable information may be added before delivery to the final recipient. These features are not utilized in the state-of-the-art SMS systems. Furthermore, SMs can be used to initiate specific operations at the destination. Keeping this in view, the subject matter of the present invention relates to an SMS exchange that performs value-addition functions based on the contents of SMs.
Another aspect of the subject matter of the present invention relates to initiating a teleconference from a cell-phone through the SMS exchange utilizing the value-added functionality of SMs. Teleconferencing among three or more individuals with cellular phones is a very useful communication service in the today's environment. People on the move are greatly helped by such a service in making decisions and planning future activities. However, in the current state-of-the-art, a person initiating a teleconference or, e.g., that person's secretary, is required to call each of the participants and conduct the teleconference. There is now a need for an automated system that can manage a teleconference without the intervention of the person initiating the teleconference. Also, other automated functions such as reminding a user about some event or providing the user with some information at a time pre-selected by the user are possible with such a telecommunication service. A major benefit of such a system is that a user can coordinate activities such as teleconferencing, tele-reminding or timed tele-messaging even when the user is on the move without physical access to a computer with connection to the Internet.
Discussed below are representative references that provide a backdrop for the subject matter of the present invention. The SMS exchange with value-addition features and the SMS-based teleconferencing system in accordance with the present invention are not taught or suggested by this art.
U.S. Patent Application No. 20010003094 by Foll describes a method and mobile communications system for controlling a short message service. In this invention, on the basis of the fact that short messages are sent by a communication terminal of a mobile subscriber into a mobile radio network and are routed to a switching facility responsible for the mobile subscriber, a short message together with an address that identifies a service facility responsible for dealing with the short message service for a mobile subscriber is received by the switching facility. The short messages are routed for temporary storage in the service facility and for transmission to a communication terminal of another subscriber if the received address is contained in an address table of the switching facility.
U.S. Patent Application No. 20010011020 by Nahm pertains to a method for transferring and reflecting message by using short message service in a portable digital phone. In this invention, a method for operating an SMS in a portable digital phone, more particularly a method for transferring and responding to a message using an SMS in a portable digital phone, is described. The method according to the invention includes the steps of drafting a message with a plurality of optional messages by a sending party, transferring the optional messages as an SMS message during a transferring mode, and receiving and responding to the sender's message by selectively responding to the optional messages.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,212 issued to Ross et al. describes a short message service center. The short message service center allows processing characteristics to be modified for service users within a given type so that the storage and delivery of short messages to one service user of a given type may be different for another service user within the same given type. The short message service center alleviates some of the potential "jams" associated with the processing of large distribution lists and closed user groups. The short message service center further allows for distributed administration. Additionally, the short message service center receives a short message in one standard format and delivers the short message in another standard format. The short message service center utilizes both a table routing method and a global title translation method for routing messages to a recipient. It allows a complete transmission of short messages between service entities having differing short message length definitions and has capability for dynamic system re-configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,726 issued to Donovan et al. describes a system using portion of a short message payload to identify short message service types and delivering the message if user subscribes to the services. A system and method for providing enhanced short-message service options in PCS systems is described. The generic short-message service is split into unbundled short-message service applications (e.g., emergency messaging, voice mail alert, etc.). Each of these unbundled short message services is recognized at short-message systems, home location registers, and subscriber terminals.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,357 issued to Salin pertains short message processing in a mobile exchange. In this invention, a method is described for processing a short message received at a mobile exchange in a cellular radio network, for delivering one short message at a time to a B subscriber. An operation controller is used for observing the operation of the B subscriber so as to detect the delivery of the short message and to prevent the delivery of another short message when the delivery of the preceding short message is in progress. A memory is used for storing rejected short messages and a queue control is adopted responsive to the B-subscriber operation controller for reading the rejected short message from the memory so as to initiate the delivery of the short message to the B subscriber when the delivery of the preceding short message is completed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,103 issued to Foti describes a method of providing service information from a subscriber service profile to subscribers in a cellular telecommunications network using the short message service. The network includes a mobile station having a visual display, a mobile switching center, and a home location register for storing the subscriber service profile. A request for the service profile information is transmitted from the mobile station to the mobile switching center and the home location register. The mobile switching center retrieves the service profile information from the home location register. The service profile information is appended to an SMS message that is transmitted from the mobile switching center to the mobile station. The service profile information is then provided in a voice message or displayed on the visual display of the mobile station. Thus, this invention provides only basic additional processing of an SMS message before delivery to the final recipient.
While the above representative art deals with various aspects of SMS message systems, the art is devoid of a separate SMS exchange with value-addition capability in accordance with the present invention. Moreover, the art is devoid of value addition service involving initiation of a teleconferencing system by using SMS messages such as described herein.

Method and system for short message service exchange and teleconferencing


Techniques are disclosed for facilitating the selection of a color using a computer-based user interface. In one embodiment, the user interface includes a hue-saturation-brightness (HSB) color field and a luminosity slider. The HSB color field can be a two-dimensional field of a selected hue, with varying degrees of saturation displayed in one dimension, and varying degrees of brightness displayed in the other dimension. The luminosity slider can be a control element that adjusts the luminosity of a color having a selected hue and saturation. In such an embodiment, the HSB color field and the luminosity slider can be operatively coupled, such that modifying the luminosity of a selected color using the luminosity slider causes the resulting modified color to be indicated in the HSB color field. This provides the user with a better sense of how a selected color relates to other similar colors, thereby facilitating color selection.

Computerized display and publishing systems are capable of generating an increasingly large number of unique colors. As a result, color selection tools, sometimes referred to as "color pickers", have become more sophisticated. For example, a color picker configured for use with a rudimentary display capable of generating only sixteen colors can simply display an array containing the sixteen possible colors. However, a color picker configured for use with a modern display capable of generating sixteen million colors generally cannot display an array containing all sixteen million possible colors. Moreover, even if it were possible to display all sixteen million possible colors, or even if a subset of the available colors were displayed, the colors in such an array would tend to blend into one another and it would be difficult for the user to easily visualize, pick and/or adjust a discrete color. To address these challenges, textual and graphical color pickers have been developed. Textual color pickers allow a user to enter parameters that define a particular color, such as red, green and blue parameters that define a color according to the red-green-blue (RGB) color model. Graphical color pickers employ user interface elements such as sliders and/or color fields that establish numerical parameters based on a user's manipulation of the sliders and/or selection from the color field.


A display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged across a display area of a display device, and a black matrix configured to block a portion of light outputted by each pixel of the plurality of pixels. The black matrix is configured to allow light from the second pixel having a first output intensity distribution having a peak intensity corresponding to a first direction to pass through, and to allow light from the first pixel having a second output intensity distribution having a peak intensity corresponding to a second direction to pass through.

Certain types of display devices have limited viewing angles. For example, certain types of display devices suffer from a decrease in brightness or a shift in color as the viewing angle increases. Moreover, as the size of the display device increase, or as the viewing distance of a display device decreases, the difference in viewing angle at which a person views different portions of the display device increases. That is, as the size of the display device increases, the angle at which a person views a pixel located near the edge of the display device compared to the angle at which the person views a pixel located near the center of the display device increases. Similarly, as the viewing distance of the display device decreases, the angle at which a person views a pixel located near the edge of the display device compared to the angle at which the person views a pixel located near the center of the display device increases. This may result in a reduction in quality of the images observed by the viewer.

Off-axis pixel design for liquid crystal display devices


The invention relates to a fitting for a liquid-tight cable leadthrough in an opening (1) in a solid surface (2), which solid surface can be gripped from the back, wherein said fitting comprises an upper boundary plate (4) that covers the opening (1), an elastic moulded element (3) that flatly contacts and is connected to the upper boundary plate (4) and can be at least partially inserted into the opening (1), a lower boundary plate (8) that can be lead through the opening (1), wherein the lower boundary plate flatly contacts and is connected to the elastic moulded element (3) on the opposite side of the elastic moulded element (3) referred to the upper boundary plate (4), a locking plate (9) that can be moved relative to the lower boundary plate (8) and is providable with at least two pivoted locking elements (17), wherein said locking elements are supported between pairs of mounting limbs (20) by element of a bolt (22) and can be pivoted between a position in which the locking plate (9) can be lead through the opening (1) and a stopping position which they enables a gripping from the back of the solid surface (2), at least one clamping element for adjusting the spacing between the upper boundary plate (4) and the locking plate (9) against forces generated during a deformation of the elastic moulded element, and opening (10) that extends through the locking plate (9), the boundary plates (4, 8) and the elastic moulded element (3) and serves for accommodating a cable (7) to be lead through the solid surface (2).

Fittings of this type are used, for example, in the construction of aircraft, in which not only the fulfillment of stricter safety requirements is of the utmost importance, but also an effective weight reduction.
When installing cables in aircraft, the required cable lengths can sometimes be significantly reduced by installing such cable leadthroughs. However, the cable leadthrough mostly is also subject to strict requirements.
In addition to the installation of various cables in the vicinity the frame, the utilization of cable leadthroughs frequently makes it possible to realize new installation routes, which may require a modification of the cable mounting. A cable leadthrough frequently needs to fulfill the function of a mounting element for cables to be installed.
The requirements to be fulfilled by a cable leadthrough can be elucidated particularly well on the example of supply lines for appliances in on-board kitchens. Several on-board kitchens are typically arranged in central regions of the aircraft fuselage. Since kitchen supply cables have a comparatively large conductor cross section due to high supply currents, it is common practice to realize such kitchen supply cables in the form of a bunched adapter cable. Such adapter cables connect individual distribution panels to one another. One preferred location for accommodating central distribution panels is the region of the cross members in the interior of the fuselage. The on-board kitchens are equipped with a separate distribution panel. Such a distribution panel was usually arranged in the ceiling of the on-board kitchen until now in order to install all supply lines leading from the distribution panel to the individual kitchen appliances through the kitchen ceiling. This provides the advantage that the needed cable leadthroughs in the ceiling area are not affected by possibly spilled liquids in the kitchen area and that such liquids cannot reach the installation areas. Consequently, the risk of liquid-related short circuits can be maintained low. However, one significantly disadvantage of this installation principle can be seen in the long installation routes that sometimes need to be bridged between the central distribution panel and the kitchen distribution panel with heavy adapter cables. For example, if a central distribution panel is situated in the cross member region, above which a kitchen cell is arranged, the adapter cable needs to be installed from the central distribution panel to the outer wall of the fuselage, then, to a location above the ceiling of the kitchen, between the frames along the outer wall and then to the distribution panel above the ceiling of the kitchen cell. In case that the adapter cable has a weight between approximately 160 g and more than 300 g per meter, the required cable lengths have a significant weight. In case that the kitchen distribution panel would be arranged in the lower region of the kitchen cell, the utilization of a suitable cable leadthrough in the floor of the on-board kitchen would make it possible to significantly reduce the length of the adapter cables between the distribution panels and to simultaneously reduce the weight accordingly.
However, the design of the cable leadthrough needs to fulfill certain requirements in order to allow its utilization at such a sensitive location.
It should be possible to install the cable leadthrough in a relatively simple fashion, in particular it is of the utmost importance that individual cable components do not become damaged under any circumstances because the possible fire hazard associated with such damages represents a safety risk of the first order on board of aircraft. In addition, it must be securely prevented that liquids leaking through the opening in the floor of the kitchen that is used for installing the cable leadthrough. This aspect is also very important because on the one hand the handling of meals and beverages in the kitchen area increases the risk of spilling liquids, for example, as a result of turbulences. On the other hand, safety-relevant installations that are sensitive to liquids may be arranged directly underneath the on-board kitchen in the region of the cross members. It is absolutely imperative to protect such installations from being unintentionally affected by liquids. It also needs to be taken into account that the properties of the cable leadthrough may not vary, namely even under extreme accelerations for components of this type. For example, an effective strain relief needs to occasionally absorb forces in the region of the cable leadthrough that can amount to a multiple of the loads generated by the weight of the cable. Possibly separating objects should not be able to cause any changes in the seating of the installed cable. Abrupt loads during intense turbulences and possibly required emergency landings also may not affect the electrical installations because the full functionality of all important operating systems needs to be ensured, particularly in such instances. A cable leadthrough also may not impair the cleaning and maintenance of the aircraft.
There may be a need for a fitting that may realizing a liquid-tight cable leadthrough that only requires a low installation expenditure, may ensure a sufficient strain relief and/or may conform to the high safety standards in aircraft construction.

Fitting for a liquid-tight cable leadthrough


A urethane rubber cleaning blade, wherein a surface of a contact portion of the cleaning blade that comes into contact with a member to be cleaned has a Young's modulus (Y0) of 10 mgf/μm2 or more and 400 mgf/μm2 or less, the ratio (Y50/Y0) of the Young's modulus (Y50) of an internal portion of the cleaning blade 50 μm spaced apart from the surface of the contact portion to the Young's modulus (Y0) is 0.5 or less, and the average rate of change in Young's modulus from the surface to an internal portion of the cleaning blade 20 μm spaced apart from the surface is greater than or equal to the average rate of change in Young's modulus from the internal portion of the cleaning blade 20 μm spaced apart from the surface to an internal portion of the cleaning blade 50 μm spaced apart from the surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cleaning blade, a method for manufacturing the cleaning blade, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each including the cleaning blade.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, even after a toner image formed on a surface (outer peripheral surface) of an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter also referred to simply as a "photosensitive member") is transferred to a transfer medium or an intermediate transfer member or even after the toner image is further transferred from the intermediate transfer member to a transfer medium, a portion of toner tends to remain on the photosensitive member and/or the intermediate transfer member. Thus, residual toner on the photosensitive member or the intermediate transfer member must be removed, for example, with a cleaning blade. An existing cleaning blade may be of a plate-like shape and may have a thickness of 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. The longitudinal length of a face of the existing cleaning blade opposite a member to be cleaned (such as a photosensitive member or an intermediate transfer member) may be greater than the thickness.
A cleaning blade may be fixed to a metallic holder in an electrophotographic apparatus such that an edge (front ridgeline) of the cleaning blade comes into contact with a member to be cleaned.
Urethane rubber is commonly used in cleaning blades because of its high wear resistance and resistance to permanent deformation.
One known toner that has been developed to meet the recent demand for high image quality has a small particle size and a high degree of sphericity (close to spherical). This toner having a small particle size and a high degree of sphericity advantageously has relatively high transfer efficiency and can meet the demand for high image quality.
However, it is difficult to properly remove such a toner having a small particle size and a high degree of sphericity with a cleaning blade from the surface of a member to be cleaned, thus often resulting in faulty cleaning. This is because a toner having a small particle size and a high degree of sphericity more easily slips between the cleaning blade and the member to be cleaned than other toners.
It is effective to increase the contact pressure and reduce the gap between a cleaning blade and a member to be cleaned to prevent the passing of toner.
However, a higher contact pressure between a cleaning blade and a member to be cleaned tends to result in a higher friction force between the cleaning blade and the member to be cleaned. A higher friction force between the cleaning blade and the member to be cleaned increases the likelihood that the cleaning blade is drawn in the movement direction of the surface of the member to be cleaned and the edge of the cleaning blade catches on the surface of the member to be cleaned (turning over). The cleaning blade may make an abnormal noise when the cleaning blade returns to its original position against the drawing force. Continuous cleaning with a cleaning blade having a turned-over edge tends to cause local wear in the vicinity of the edge of the cleaning blade (several to several tens of micrometers separated from the edge). Further continuous cleaning increases the local wear, and consequently toner cannot be properly removed.
From the perspective of extended-life of a cleaning blade and a member to be cleaned and energy conservation, it is necessary to reduce the rotation torque of the member to be cleaned during cleaning (torque reduction). For torque reduction, it is effective to reduce the friction on the surface of a portion of a cleaning blade in contact with a member to be cleaned.
Regarding torque reduction, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-268670 discloses a technique for including fine particles having an average particle diameter of 3 μm or less in a surface layer of a urethane rubber (urethane elastomer) cleaning blade that comes into contact with a member to be cleaned.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-150203 discloses a technique for providing a contact portion of a cleaning blade that comes into contact with a member to be cleaned with a surface layer having higher hardness than a base layer of the cleaning blade.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-025451 discloses a technique for continuously increasing the nitrogen concentration of a contact portion of a cleaning blade that comes into contact with a member to be cleaned from the interior to the surface of the contact portion.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-075451 discloses a technique for increasing the isocyanurate group concentration on the surface of an edge of a urethane rubber (urethane elastomer) cleaning blade as compared with the isocyanurate group concentration of the interior of the edge.
However, studies of the present inventors showed that these techniques of the related art have the following problems.
In such a two-layer cleaning blade having a surface layer and a base layer as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2008-268670 and 2012-150203, the surface layer and the base layer behave differently when the cleaning blade is in contact with a member to be cleaned. Thus, the surface layer sometimes peeled off or chipped because of concavities and convexities (typically 1 μm or more and 2 μm or less) or foreign substances (including toner) on the surface of a member to be cleaned. In the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-268670, it is difficult to uniformly disperse the fine particles in the surface layer. Nonuniform dispersion of the fine particles sometimes caused variations in characteristics in a contact portion, local chipping, or faulty cleaning.
The technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-025451 increases the cross-linking concentration on the surface of a contact portion of a urethane rubber (urethane elastomer) cleaning blade that comes into contact with a member to be cleaned to form a hard segment. However, the technique sometimes insufficiently reduced the torque.
The technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-075451 involves applying a liquid mixture of an isocyanate compound and an isocyanurating catalyst to an inner surface of a die to increase the isocyanurate group concentration on the surface of a urethane rubber (urethane elastomer) cleaning blade. An increase in the isocyanurate group concentration to achieve substantially constant hardness and a sufficient torque reduction in the vicinity of the surface of the cleaning blade sometimes resulted in poor adaptability to concavities and convexities or foreign substances on the surface of a member to be cleaned. Poor adaptability to concavities and convexities or foreign substances on the surface of a member to be cleaned tends to result in the passing of toner.
In these techniques of the related art, a cleaning blade often has insufficient adaptability to toner particles or particles having the size of toner particles between the cleaning blade and a member to be cleaned. More specifically, a contact portion of a cleaning blade that comes into contact with a member to be cleaned sometimes changed its shape at a very large curvature radius on a particle between the cleaning blade and the member to be cleaned. Thus, toner particles around the particle sometimes passed between the cleaning blade and the member to be cleaned.

Cleaning blade, method for manufacturing cleaning blade, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus


The disclosed internal combustion engine has an electric water pump and a water temperature sensor that detects coolant water temperature. An electronic control device stops the driving of the water pump when the coolant water temperature is lower than a baseline temperature. Meanwhile, the electronic control device drives the water pump in accordance with the coolant water temperature when the coolant water temperature is higher than the baseline temperature. When the driving of the water pump is stopped, the internal combustion engine forbids at least one engine control until the water pump is driven.

In recent years, a type of cooling device has been put into practical use that uses a pump, such as an electric water pump, which is capable of varying the discharge amount independently of the operating state of an engine. In an internal combustion engine equipped with such a pump, the discharge amount of the pump is limited when the coolant temperature is relatively low, for example, during a warm-up to suppress the heat exchange between the whole engine and coolant, thereby promoting the warm-up (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Device for controlling internal combustion engine


A good way to avoid extreme current levels when supplying large amounts of power is to increase the voltage. The easiest way to do this is connecting the radiation elements (e.g. laser diode pixels) in series (La1 to La-n). In such a pixelated driver, the amount of components and complexity per pixel are reduced by connecting as many radiation elements as possible in series, supplying the string by one current controlled driver (Is), shortening pixels which should be in off state by a switch in parallel (40-1 to 40-n) to the radiation element, storing binary on/off information (30-1 to 30-n) for each pixel locally, creating a floating supply (20-1 to 20-n) for the switches, and managing information transfer to the floating storage and switches.

In many printing and processing applications lasers or laser diodes are used to heat or illuminate a target using a scanning and modulated beam. The beam is scanned in two dimensions while the power is modulated at high frequency to achieve the required patterns on the target.
As an example, a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is a type of semiconductor laser diode with laser beam emission perpendicular to the top surface, contrary to conventional edge-emitting semiconductor lasers (or in-plane lasers) which emit from surfaces formed by cleaving the individual chip out of a wafer.
Application of VCSEL technology allows a new approach to increase the total speed while even reducing the costs of the laser source. As an example, a line of separately controlled pixels can be built, while scanning is done in one dimension only, similar to the scanning process used in document flatbed scanners. Such pixelated sources have been implemented and next steps are to increase size and power according to desired requirements.
However, when using such concept to full extend, a large number of separately controlled VCSELs is required. At the same time, increasing operation speed also means that total power of each laser diode needs to remain very high. As an example, if a pitch of 100 μm and a current level of 0.5 A at 2V are required for each pixel, this adds up to 1500 A of total current for 30 cm of line length. The sheer number and diameter of such wiring would make the solution impossible to be built. Conventional approaches to solve this problem suggest using multiplexed wiring, e.g., 55 positive and 55 negative connections for the 3000 pixels. For such a solution the on time of one pixel is limited to 1/55 of the time and the current during this time is 55 times the average. It can easily be seen that such an extreme pulsing is not within the capabilities of VCSEL chips and that also here the wiring of 110 wires at a current of 27.5 A is still demanding a lot of diameter.
In display solutions a local transistor adds a separate control to each pixel. In that way only the control status signal needs to go separately (or by serial or multiplexed ways) to each pixel and power is applied globally. Still also this solution can not easily be scaled to the high power density used in VCSEL arrays.

Separately controllable array of radiation elements


A novel composition is disclosed comprising about 80 to about 99 weight percent based on the composition, of a linear ultra low density polyethylene (LULDPE) and about 1 to about 20 weight percent of a propylene polymer comprising 0 to about 40 weight percent olefin comonomer units having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent propylene, based on the propylene polymer, the propylene polymer having a Brookfield Thermosel viscosity of about 1 to about 30,000 mpaxc2x7s at 190xc2x0 C. and a needle penetration of about 5 to about 300 dmm at 23xc2x0 C. Also disclosed are films produced from the composition, both blown and cast, and both monolayer and multilayer. Also disclosed are processes for stretch wrapping and forming blown and cast film.

The present invention relates to compositions having particular utility in the production of film. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions comprising a blend of a linear ultra low density polyethylene (LULDPE) and a propylene polymer, having particular utility in the production of film, especially stretch wrap cling film.
Blown film is preferable over cast film where high strength films are required. Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and linear ultra low density polyethylene (LULDPE) are the most suitable for blown stretch film. However, for commercial applications, in the stretch wrapping industry, neither blown LLDPE nor blown LULDPE film has enough peel cling strength when stretched to 200 percent elongation, the commercially acceptable amount of stretching commonly required in stretch wrapping processes. Propylene polymer cling additives have been blended with LLDPE to provide monolayer blown stretch wrap film having commercially adequate cling at 200 percent elongation. The term xe2x80x9ccommercially adequate clingxe2x80x9d is hereinafter defined as a peel cling strength of at least 100 g/2.54 cm, for convenience and clarity.
Multilayer blown stretch film is more versatile than monolayer film for many purposes. In an A/B/A or A/B/C type multilayer film, the core layer is typically about 80 weight percent of the film, with each of the two skin layers making up about 10 weight percent of the film.
Blown LLDPE and LULDPE have been found to be inadequate skin layers in multilayer stretch wrap film. They do not provide enough peel cling strength when the multilayer film is stretched to 200 percent elongation. Propylene polymer cling additives have been blended with LLDPE for use in multilayer blown stretch film. However, LLDPE skin layers require a relatively high concentration of propylene polymer cling additive to be effective.
In light of the above, it would be desirable to provide a new blown film composition suitable for use in making both monolayer blown stretch cling film and multilayer blown stretch cling film. It would be further desirable if a stretched multilayer film comprising a skin layer formed from such new composition would provide adequate cling.
The present invention relates to a composition of matter which comprises a blend of about 80 to about 99 weight percent based on the composition of a linear ultra low density polyethylene having a density of less than about 0.916 g/cm3, and about 1 to about 20 weight percent based on the composition of a propylene polymer comprising 0 to about 40 weight percent based on the copolymer of olefin comonomer units having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent propylene, based on the copolymer, said propylene polymer having a Brookfield Thermosel viscosity of about 1 to about 30,000 mPaxc2x7s at 190xc2x0 C. and a needle penetration hardness of about 5 to about 300 dmm at 23xc2x0 C.
The applicant was surprised to find that particular propylene polymers can be usefully blended with LULDPE to form a composition useful in making both monolayer and multilayer blown stretch cling film and cast film. Film formed from the LULDPE composition of the present invention provides unexpectedly effective cling when used as a skin layer of a multilayer stretch cling film.
The composition of the present invention comprises about 80 to about 99 weight percent LULDPE component based on the composition, and about 1 to about 20 weight percent propylene polymer based upon the total weight of the composition. More particularly, the present composition comprises LULDPE having a density of less than about 0.916 g/cm3, and about 1 to about 20 weight percent propylene polymer containing 0 to about 40 weight percent olefin comonomer units having 2 to 10 carbon atoms. The propylene polymer has a Brookfield Thermosel viscosity of about 1 to about 30,000 mPaxc2x7s at 190xc2x0 C., and a needle penetration of about 5 to about 300 dmm at 23xc2x0 C.
LULDPE has excellent direction (MD) elongation, good tear resistance, good tensile strength, and good puncture resistance. LULDPE is a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha olefin comonomer, with density of less than about 0.916 g/cm3, preferably from about 0.88 to about 0.916 g/cm3, more preferably about 0.9 to about 0.914 g/cm3. LULDPE has a melt index (MI) of about 0.4 to about 8 g/10 min., preferably about 0.5 to about 4 g/10 min. The LULDPE used is more preferably an ethylene-octene or ethylene-hexene LULDPE copolymer. A minor amount of other film-forming polyolefins such as LDPE, LLDPE, polypropylene, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) may also be present in the film-forming component. The present composition comprises preferably about 85 to about 99 weight percent LULDPE, and from about 1 to about 15 weight percent propylene polymer, based on the composition.
The alpha olefin comonomer of the ethylene alpha olefin copolymer preferably has from 3 to 20 carbon atoms per molecule and is present in an amount of from about 2 to about 20 weight percent based on the ethylene alpha olefin copolymer. Examples of the alpha olefin comonomer include 1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, a terpolymer of ethylene, a terpolymer of 1-butene, a terpolymer of 1-hexene, and mixtures and derivatives thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the alpha olefin is selected from 1-butene, 1-hexene and 1-octene.
The LULDPE component of the composition may be prepared readily by any conventional technique known in the art.
The present propylene polymer comprises 0 to about 40 weight percent C2 to C10 olefin comonomer unit content and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent propylene, based upon the total propylene polymer. The propylene polymer preferably comprises 0 to about 25 weight percent comonomer unit content, and from about 75 to about 100 weight percent propylene, based upon the polymer, more preferably 0 to about 20 weight percent comonomer unit content and from about 80 to about 100 weight percent propylene. The olefin comonomer units are preferably ethylene units.
A particularly surprising aspect of the present invention is the broad range of molecular weights and hardness levels possible for a suitable propylene polymer. The molecular weight is evidenced by the viscosity at 190xc2x0 C., determined by the Brookfield Thermosel viscosity method. The viscosity range of the propylene polymer of the present invention is from about 1 to about 30,000 mPaxc2x7s, at 190xc2x0 C. The viscosity is preferably from about 1 to about 15,000 mPaxc2x7s, at 190xc2x0 C., more preferably from about 1 to about 7,000 mPaxc2x7s, at 190xc2x0 C. with about 1 to about 5,000 mPaxc2x7s, at 190xc2x0 C. being most preferred. A composition comprising a propylene polymer having a viscosity of from about 1 to about 2,000 mPaxc2x7s at 190xc2x0 C. is most suitable for use in producing blown film.
The propylene polymer of the present invention can contain a measurable amount of crystallinity, more than 1 weight percent by a hexane extraction method such as ASTM D5227, or can be totally amorphous. The propylene polymer has a needle penetration range of about 5 to about 300 dmm, determined by ASTM (test method modified to 23xc2x0, instead of 25xc2x0 C.). The propylene polymer preferably has a needle penetration of about 5 to about 200 dmm at 23xc2x0 C., with about 5 to about 100 dmm at 23xc2x0 C. being more preferable.
The propylene polymer component of the composition utilized herein may be produced by a process disclosed in Canadian Patent 1,296,484 entitled xe2x80x9cProcess for the Direct Synthesis of Highly Amorphous Propylene Homopolymers and Propylene-Ethylene Copolymers.xe2x80x9d Some of the propylene copolymer components within the scope of the present invention may also be purchased from Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, Tenn. under the Eastman Chemical Company Trademark, EASTOFLEX.
The exact amounts of the LULDPE component and the propylene polymer component of the compositions herein are determined by the application for which film produced therefrom is to be employed. Variation of the amounts of each component is within the scope of one skilled in the art.
For many purposes, it may be desirable to incorporate other conventional additives with the compositions of the present invention. For example, there may be added antioxidants, heat and light stablilizers, dyes, antistatic agents, preservatives, processing aids, pigments, flame retardants, and the like.
The compositions of the LULDPE component defined hereinabove and the propylene polymer defined hereinabove are readily prepared by any method known in the art. For example, the components of the composition may be blended together by melt extrusion or may be admixed together on a conventional mixing machine such as an extruder or a continuous mixer.
The composition of the present invention has good peel cling strength for use in forming stretch wrap film. For purposes of the present application, commercially adequate peel cling strength has been determined to be at least 100 g/2.54 cm, measured at 200 percent elongation. It is now commonplace for stretch wrap film to be elongated to 200 percent and higher, during a stretch wrapping process. Peel strength generally decreases with more elongation. Therefore, it is important to determine that the peel cling strength of a film be adequate at 200 percent elongation, instead of being measured only when unstretched, as has been past practice. At 200 percent elongation, a film (both monolayer and multilayer films) formed from the composition of the present invention preferably has a peel cling strength of about 100 to about 500 g/2.54 cm, preferably abut 100 to about 400 g/2.54 cm, with about 100 to about 300 g/2.54 cm being more preferable, determined using ASTM Method D5458-95 xe2x80x9cStandard Test Method for Peel Cling of Stretch Wrap Film.xe2x80x9d
The composition of the present invention can be formed into stretch wrap film using any technique known in the art, such as a cast method or blown film method. The present invention includes a blown film process wherein an extruder having an annular die is used for extruding the composition of the present invention. Air is blown in through the extruder die to form a bubble of the present polymer blend having a blow-up ratio of 1 to 3.5 times the die diameter. After a cooling air stream cures the film, the film is wound onto rolls. More particularly, a composition, as defined hereinabove is introduced into the feed hopper of an extruder that is water-cooled and resistance heated. The films were produced using an annular die having a die gap, of about 2.24 mm having a dual orifice nonrotating, nonadjustable air ring. The film is extruded through the die into a film that is cooled by blowing air onto the surface of the film in a blowing manner. The film is drawn from the die typically forming a cylindrical film that is cooled, collapsed, optionally slit, and wound to form a roll of film.
In preparing cast film, any of the well known cast film forming procedures may be utilized. For example, a composition, as defined hereinabove, is introduced into the feed hopper of an extruder that is water cooled and resistance heated. The films were produced using a slot-type die where a sheet of the polymer is extruded onto chilled rolls. After cooling by the chilled rolls, the resulting film is wound onto film cores. Optionally, the film may be slit prior to winding the film onto the film cores.
The present invention further includes a film of the composition of the present invention. The preferable film is a blown stretch wrap cling film. The film generally has higher puncture strength and a higher gloss than the neat LULDPE. The film made from the composition of the present invention generally also has a high speed unwinding noise not greater than the unwinding noise of neat LULDPE. This is important in light of the OSHA noise workplace restrictions. The present invention also includes articles of manufacture comprising a film of the composition of the present invention. Such articles include monolayer films and multilayer films in which the film of the composition of the present invention is at least one layer.
The present invention further includes a process for stretch wrapping, using a film of the composition of the present invention. The process comprises wrapping the film of the present invention about the girth of a unitized plurality of goods so that the film is in a stretched condition and the end region of the film is attached to a previous area of film by cling force.
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples. There are, of course, many other forms of the invention which will become obvious to one skilled in the art, once the invention has been fully disclosed, and it will accordingly be recognized that these examples are given for the purpose of illustration only, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention in any way.

Compositions of linear ultra low density polyethylene and propylene polymers and films therefrom


Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems to detect actuation of a switch using vibrations and vibration signatures. One aspect of the method comprises sending an actuation signal to a switch, receiving a vibration signal associated with the switch, and determining from the vibration signal whether the actuation occurred.

In many instances, utility providers desire to electronically communicate with the utility service meters for numerous purposes including scheduling disconnection or connection of utility services to the metered loads, automatic meter reading (AMR), load shedding and load control, automatic distribution and smart-grid applications, outage reporting, providing additional services such as Internet, video, and audio, etc. In many of these instances, to perform these functions the meters must be configured to communicate with one or more computing devices through a communications network, which can be wired, wireless or a combination of wired and wireless, as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
In many instances, such meters are equipped with an electromechanical switch that can be actuated remotely to perform functions such as disconnection or connection of utility services to the metered loads, load shedding and load control, and the like. Generally, determination of switch actuation is accomplished by detecting the presence, or absence, of the utility service on the load side of the meter. For example, if the utility service provided is electricity, then operation of the switch is determined through electronic acknowledgement of switch actuation by means of detection of current flow (or detecting absence of current flow) on the load side meter terminals. Similarly, services such as gas or water can be detected by detecting flow (or absence of flow) on the load side of the meter. However, by using only a single method of feedback i.e. electronic, errors are possible, exposing field technicians and property owners to dangerous situations and meter manufactures to safety liability.
Therefore, systems and methods are desired that provide reliable acknowledgment of switch actuation that overcome challenges present in the art, some of which are described above.

Method and system to detect actuation of a switch using vibrations or vibration signatures