A pico projection fixing module includes a bracket main body, plural color light sources, and plural collimator lenses. The bracket main body includes plural assembling seats. The plural assembling seats are arranged side by side. Each of the plural assembling seats includes a first assembling part and a second assembling part beside the corresponding first assembling part. The plural color light sources are installed on the first assembling parts of the plural assembling seats, respectively. The plural collimator lenses are installed on the second assembling parts of the plural assembling seats and aligned with the plural color light sources, respectively. Moreover, plural color light beams from the plural color light sources are projected out through the corresponding collimator lenses. Moreover, plural concave spaces are arranged around bottoms of the plural second assembling parts, respectively, wherein the plural concave spaces are separated from each other.

Projectors are widely used in many circumstances. Recently, with increasing development of science and technology, a pico projector (also referred as a micro display) has been introduced into the market. The pico projector is designed to have small size and light weightiness. Generally, the pico projector is embedded into a portable electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant), so that the pico projector may be directly utilized. Alternatively, the pico projector is separated from the portable electronic device, and thus the pico projector may be operated after the pico projector is in communication with the portable electronic device. By means of the pico projector, a corresponding projection image may be projected on a flat projection surface to be viewed by the user. In such way, the image to be shown may be projected in a maneuverable and real-time manner.
Generally, the pico projector uses light sources to emit light beams, and projects the light beams on the projection surface through a projection module. In a conventional pico projector, the projection module is for example an LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) panel, a reflective LCD (liquid crystal display) panel, a DMD (digital Micro-mirror device) or a micro scanning mirror (i.e. according to a MEMS technology). Before the light beams are projected out through the projection module, the light beams are homogenized, focused or shaped by associated optical elements of the pico projector. After the light beams are homogenized, focused or shaped, the adjusted light beams are projected out. Generally, the light sources used in the pico projector are for example LED light sources or laser light sources.
FIG. 1 is a schematic planar view illustrating a portion of a conventional pico projector. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional pico projector 1 comprises three primary color light sources 11, 12 and 13. For example, the color light source 11 is a red light source, the color light source 12 is a green light source, and the color light source 13 is a blue light source. The three primary color light sources 11, 12 and 13 are laser light sources. The pico projector 1 further comprises three collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130 corresponding to the three primary color light sources 11, 12 and 13, respectively. The color light beams from the three primary color light sources 11, 12 and 13 are adjusted by the collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130. The pico projector 1 further comprises two dichroic mirrors 141 and 142. The color light beams from the three primary color light sources 11, 12 and 13 are selectively transmitted through or reflected by the dichroic mirrors 141 and 142, so that the three color light beams are mixed with each other. Afterwards, the mixed light beam is converted into a scanning line by a scanning mirror 15. The scanning line is swept across projection surface along a horizontal axis and a vertical axis in order to produce a planar image on the projection surface.
For assembling the conventional pico projector 1, the color light sources 11, 12 and 13 and the scanning mirror 15 are firstly fixed on predetermined position, and then the three collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130 are fixed on positions corresponding to the color light sources 11, 12 and 13. For achieving an optimal projecting performance, the positions of three collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130 should be elaborately determined to adjust the angles of the color light beams and mix the color light beams. For example, after UV curing adhesives are coated on the predetermined positions of the three collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130, the three collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130 are placed on the predetermined positions, and then the UV curing adhesives are exposed to UV light. After the UV curing adhesives are solidified, the three collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130 are securely fixed on the predetermined positions.
However, the conventional pico projector still has some drawbacks. For example, specified spaces should be retained at the positions near the collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130. These spaces are open to each other and in communication with each other in order for the manufacturer to assemble, install or adjust the collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130. That is, these collimator lenses 110, 120 and 130 are not separated from each other in the space. Moreover, the scanning mirror 15 or other optical elements are all in these spaces which are in communication with each other.
During the process of dispensing adhesives, some drawbacks may occur. Before the adhesives are solidified, the adhesives have flowability. Once the adhesives flow to other components, these components are adversely affected. Moreover, when the color light beams from the color light sources 11, 12 and 13 are directed to these open spaces, the scattering phenomenon or the diffusion phenomenon of the color light beams may be interfered with each other. Under this circumstance, the projection image contains obvious stray light.


A photopolymer useful in preparing water-developable, solid printing plates is prepared by (A) preparing a urethane prepolymer by reacting a polyoxyalkylene diol (optionally carboxylic acid grafted) with an excess of diisocyanate, followed by chain extending the resulting prepolymer mixture with a dialkylolpropionic acid and preferably with additional diols(s) such as alkane diol(s) and (meth)acrylate-containing diol(s). Use of a new (meth)acrylate-containing diol in such chain extension completes the formation of photopolymer. However, in a third operation (B) hydroxyalkylmethacrylate may be reacted with the result of (A) whether or not (meth)acrylate-containing diol is used in (A). The carboxylic acid groups of the photopolymer may also be partially neutralized with a base. The photopolymer is suitably formulated with additional photoactive (meth)acrylate monomers or oligomers and photoinitiator for casting on a substrate or extruding to form a flexographic printing plate. Following UV exposure of the plate through a negative, unexposed areas can be removed by washing with an aqueous alkaline solution to give a plate with a desirable relief image. The use of the aqueous alkaline washout solution as opposed to organic solvents minimizes pollution problems.

Photocurable prepolymers and compositions are well known in the art for forming printing plates and other photosensitive or radiation sensitive articles. In the field of radiation sensitive flexographic printing plates, the plates typically comprise a support and a photosensitive surface or layer from a photocurable composition. Additional layers or surfaces on the plate include slip and release films to protect the photosensitive surface. Prior to processing the plate, the additional layers are removed, and the photosensitive surface is exposed to radiation in an imagewise fashion. The unexposed areas of the surface are then removed in developer baths.
Removal of unexposed surfaces comprising solid photocurable compositions such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,760,863 require the use of developer baths comprising environmentally unsafe, organic solvents such as tetrachloroethylene, 2-butanone, benzene, toluene, xylene, trichloroethane and solvent mixtures such as tetrachloroethylene/n-butanol However, due to the toxicity, high volatility and low flash point, their use gives rise to hazardous conditions and creates pollution problems. Thus, recently there has been a strong interest in the field to develop photosensitive layers in non-organic solvent developing solutions, e.g. aqueous, surfactant-aqueous or alkaline-aqueous solutions. However, the compositions resulting from recent attempts to achieve aqueous developable plates demonstrate deficiencies in mechanical properties, e.g. flexibility. See European Application 261,910.
For instance, in addition to possessing an aqueous developable photosensitive surface, a flexographic printing plate must have sufficient flexibility to wrap around a printing cylinder, yet be strong enough to withstand the rigors experienced during typical printing processes. Further, the printing plate should possess a low hardness or softness to facilitate ink transfer during printing.
Previous aqueous developable compositions have not possessed all the desirable features such as flexibility, softness and solvent resistance to inks typically used in printing. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,973 describes a photosensitive composition comprising a maleic anhydride adduct of a 1,2-polybutadiene. However, because the 1,2 content of this material is very high, i.e. 70% or more, this composition has an undesirably high rubber hardness.
Furthermore, other water-developable photosensitive compositions which contain as the main component a high molecular weight polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, polyethylene oxide, or the like, are insufficient in flexibility and possess a high degree of rubber hardness and hence are unsuitable for use in flexographic printing plates.
Finally, it is also important that the photosensitive surface of the printing plate be dimensionally stable during storage. For example, some compositions used for making plates have shown inferior stability properties when used in solid flexographic printing plates in that the compositions become tacky and pasty during storage. Those inferior properties have been attributed to the low molecular weight of the polymers used to prepare the printing plates. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,892 to Koch et al. and discussion of low molecular weight polymers disclosed in Japanese Kokoku 57-23693.
Carboxyl-modified urethane prepolymers are known, and the aqueous dispersibility of several has been studied. One type of aqueous dispersible composition known in the art is a carboxylated urethane. The following disclose representative examples. A paper by R. C. Hire and S. C. Cohen, "Carboxyl Modified Polyols in Urethane Applications", in Proceedings of the SPI-32d Annual Conference, Oct. 1-8, pp. 118-125 (1989), discloses the preparation and certain reactions of carboxyl modified polyols ("CMP"). For example, the starting CMP (which can be like the base polymer of the instant invention) is treated with MDI to provide an isocyanate terminated prepolymer. The latter is then treated with a diol to form a urethane terminated prepolymer. Thus, "Slide 8" of the paper shows various ratios of starting polyol, diisocyanate, and butane diol. Slide 21 shows reacting MDI-capped base polymer with dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) to form ionomer, followed by chain extension with triethylamine or ethylene diamine. Acrylate-diol chain extenders are not disclosed, nor is chain-termination with an acrylate. In no case is there sufficient diisocyanate to give a final chain extended polymer. The final product is either terminated with --OH at both ends or with --OH at one end and --NCO at the other, or with --NH.sub.2 (when extended with a polyamine). My process differs inter alia in that I use an excess of diisocyanate, so that the final chain-extended prepolymer is totally capped with --NCO. The latter consequence is necessary in my process, since in my final step, I add a hydroxy acrylate, the hydroxyl of which must react with the prepolymer --NCO's in order to form the final acrylate terminated photopolymer.
R. C. Hire also offered a similar paper, "Carboxyl Modified Polyols in Water-Borne Urethane Coatings," at the Water-Borne and Higher-Solids Coatings Symposium, Feb. 1-3, 1989, in New Orleans; pp. 357-358 disclose end-capping the carboxyl-grafted base polymer with a diisocyanate, followed by reaction with DMPA. This ionomer is capped with a polyamine and is then ready for water dispersion.
The two papers above are based on research at the Olin Corporation, of New Haven, Conn.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,738, Jul. 17, 1988, to Frentzel et al (assigned to Olin Corporation) discloses substantially the same process described in the above papers, including treating the acid grafted polyol with, e.g., MDI, and chain-extending with, e.g., butane diol. Acrylate diol chain extenders are not disclosed. The grafted --COOH reacts at least partially with --NCO to form amide. In Col. 7, lines 22-25, the ratio of --NCO groups to --OH groups in the reactants (i.e., in the acid-grafted polyols) is stated as 0.5-5:1. This will of course cap all --OH groups in the polyol, including at least partial amide formation. The product is "neutralized", e.g., with a diol. The urethane prepolymer product can be chain extended with a diamine, a diol or mixtures (Col. 7, lines 54-55). Neither dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) nor a (meth)acrylate(s) containing diol is mentioned as chain extenders. The chains so extended are apparently not terminated with --NCO. Example 43 of the patent discloses reacting together acid-grafted polyol, diisocyanate, and dipropylene glycol (as hardener). Again, my process differs from that of the patent, inter alia, in that the diol chain extenders used contain carboxylic acid groups optionally with photoactive (meth)acrylate groups. In my process, after the polyol-diisocyanate reaction is complete, a chain-extending diol such as DMPA is added, so that the resulting chain-extended prepolymer terminates first with hydroxyls, and then on further reaction with the excess diisocyanate present, the result is a diol chain-extended --NCO capped prepolymer. The latter class of compounds is apparently not taught in the referenced literature.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,255 O'Connor and Frentzel (assigned to Olin Corporation) has a disclosure similar to that in their prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,738. However, there is no mention of (meth)acrylate(s) containing diol chain extenders, DMPA, or hydroxyalkylmethacrylate. The final product is neither UV-curable nor water-developable.
A paper by N. Barskby and R. M. Gerkin, "Acid Grafted Polyethers: Reactive Intermediates for Use in Low VOC Coatings Applications," Proceedings of the Southern Society for Coatings Technology, 17th Annual Water-Borne and High-Solids Coatings Symposium, Feb. 21-23, 1990, discloses (in the section, "Water-Borne Polyurethanes") preparation of waterborne polyurethanes by reacting together diisocyanate, acid-grafted polyether polyol, and chain extender at 80.degree. C. to form an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer. The chain-extender in this section is 1,4-butanediol (Table 12, Column 3). Amine is added to form a salt, and then the result is reacted with an amine chain extender or cross-linker. A water dispersion is made up and the result further chain extended, again apparently with an amine. In Table 12, Formulation 3 reacts together 100g (0.1 mole) acid-grafted polyoxypropylene diol ("PWB-1200:), 89.9 g (0.4 moles) isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and 24.3 g (0.27 moles) 1,4-butanediol (BDO). Since the 0.1 mole PWB1200 reacts with 0.2 mole IPDI, 0.2 mole IPDI is left for chain extension reactions, 1:1, with BDO. The BDO is thus in excess and the chain will terminate with --OH, not --NCO.
A technical brochure, "UCarmod", available from Union Carbide Corporation (1990) discloses that "Ucarmod acid-grafted polyether PWB-1200" (as used in the below examples) is "specially designed for use in water-dispersible polyurethane coatings and adhesives", but no directions are given.
Other references include:
Knopf, J. K. and Drake, K.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,334, "Carboxylated Poly(oxyalkylenes)", July 1985. This patent describes the preparation of acid-grafted polyether polyols that can be used as the base polymer in the instant invention.
Japanese Application 02 46460, Tomita, A. and Kawahara, K. "Photosensitive resin compositions for flexographic plates." February 1990 (Toyobo). The compositions disclosed in this reference lack carboxylic acid groups on the base polymer (a polyether polyol). Furthermore, acrylates, though present, are merely used as diluents (or fillers) and are not attached on the polyurethane polymer.
Satomi, H. et al., Japanese HEI Application 2-4255, "Light Sensitive Resin Composition", January 1990 (Toyobo). The base polymer disclosed therein to prepare a polyurethane is not a poly(oxyalkylene) and lacks carboxylic acid.
Gersdorf, J. and Kroggel, M.; European Patent Applications 374706 and 374707. June 1990 (Hoechst, A. G.) "Photocurable elastomer mixture containing esterified graft polyurethane, unsaturated monomer and initiator, useful for printing plate and photoresist production." The compositions disclosed in this patent lack carboxylic acid groups and acrylate groups on polyurethane. Acrylates are used as diluent (or fillers). Water dispersibility is obtained by grafting vinyl carboxylates on the polyurethane and then converting to --OH groups.
Gersdorf, J. et al. European Application 0351628. July 1989 (Hoechst AG.) "Photosetting elastomer mixture and recording material obtained from it for the production of relief printing plates." The polyurethane lacks carboxylic acid and acrylate groups. Acrylates are used as diluents (or fillers). Water dispersibility is obtained from --OH groups pendant on polyurethanes. In my invention water-dispersibility is obtained from carboxylic acid groups pendant on polyurethanes.
Joerg, K. and Zertani, R. West German Patent 3841025. June 1990 (Hoechst AG.) "Radiation polymerizable mixture containing saturated polyurethane-urea binder unsaturated compound and photopolymerization initiator, e.g., for photoresist or printing plate." The --COOH containing diols used for reaction with diisocyanates are not polymers. The compositions disclosed in this reference lack acrylates on the polyurethane. Acrylates are used as diluents or fillers to obtain UV curability. In one embodiment a polyether diol is used as a base polymer, but the compound is free from acid groups.
Japanese Patent Application 02077748. March 1990. (Fuji Photo Film KK.). "Photosensitive composition used for printing plate, etc., based on polyurethane resin that is insoluble in water but soluble in aqueous alkaline solution." In this reference, the polyurethane has an imide group, --CO--NH--CO that forms a ring with the polyurethane main chain. The polymer disclosed in this reference lacks both carboxylic acid groups and acrylate groups on polyurethane.
Aoai, T. et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,582, "Light-sensitive Composition," March 1988 (Fuji Photo Film). This reference describes polyurethane made from base polymer that has N-sulfonyl amido groups. The base polymer lacks carboxylic acid groups and the final polyurethane lacks both carboxylic acid groups and acrylates.
In summary, the above compositions lack a major feature of my invention. In particular, this feature is a combination of three elements:
(1) the base polymer which can be a conventional polyether diol (herein base polymer Ia); an acid-grafted polyether diol (herein base polymer I) or a mixture of acid grafted polyether diol with a conventional polyether diol;
(2) the chain that extends the base polymer, which is a mixture of diols containing carboxylic acid groups and optionally photoactive (meth)acrylate groups; and
(3) the hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate, which is used to terminate the chain ends, and is optional when photoactive (meth)acrylate groups are used in (2).

Photocurable polyurethane-acrylate ionomer compositions for aqueous developable printing plates


The systems and methods provided herein use a rolling voice identifier in a multi-factor authentication system to avoid the security problems present in prior voice activated control systems. By implementing a rolling voice identifier in an access control platform, users may no longer need to be concerned with being overheard or recorded when providing voice authentication commands to an access control platform because the rolling voice identifier that the user will be prompted to speak will be specific to the particular instance of control of an access control platform. An access control platform is a platform that controls operation of a movable barrier by, for example, controlling the state of a movable barrier using a remote control. An access control platform may cause a movable barrier to become opened, closed, locked, or unlocked to permit or prevent access to a physical space by a physical object.

Access control platforms are employed to open, close, lock, unlock, and/or otherwise control a state/status of a movable barrier such as a garage door or a door of a house. Some access control platforms move a movable barrier, such as a garage door opener, while other access control platforms secure movable barriers, such as lock of a door. Conventionally, control of some movable barriers such as garage doors and gates are provided by remote controls that employ radio frequencies to transmit control signals. Often, these remote controls are utilized in a vehicle and entail the operator of the vehicle to take her hands off the steering wheel to operate the remote control. A voice-activated control system can eliminate the need to manually actuate the remote control to control the access control platform in order to operate a movable barrier, such as a garage door or control the state a lock of a door to the interior of a house.
However, many traditional access control platforms operated by a remote control, whether by operated voice or actuation of a transmitter's push button, have the same fundamental problem. Specifically, if an unauthorized third party gains possession of or access to the remote control, the third party will be able to operate the access control platform to operate the associated movable barrier.
One prior voice-activated system attempts to solve the problem of unauthorized third-party use of a voice-activated remote control by using a static or single-factor verification method to authenticate a user. For example, a user speaks a command to an access control platform that includes a personal identification number (PIN). However, the use of a PIN is problematic in voice-activated systems for a number of reasons. For example, if a third party is present when you speak PIN, the PIN becomes known to the third party which decreases the security of the access control platform. Similarly, active microphones and other recording devices have become ubiquitous in our society and may be used by a third party to obtain the PIN. Active microphones and other recording devices can be found in our homes, our vehicles, and in our personal telecommunication devices.
In today's connected world where humans interface directly with their electronic devices through voice commands, a more robust user authentication would be useful to secure access control platforms and prevent unwanted intrusion in the home or other secured areas.

Systems and methods for voice-activated control of an access control platform


The leather-like sheet substrate of the invention comprises a nonwoven fabric of three-dimensionally entangled superfine fibers (A) of at most 0.5 dtex in fineness and a polymer elastomer (B) filled in the entangled interspaces of the nonwoven fabric, in which the superfine fibers (A) comprise an organophosphorus component-copolymerized polyester and the polymer elastomer (B) contains a metal hydroxide or is copolymerized with an organophosphorus component.

Because of their good dimensional stability, weather resistance, mechanical properties and durability, synthetic fibers especially polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, etc. are heretofore indispensable for the materials for clothing, interior decoration, etc. Depending on their use, however, the fibers are required to have some additional specific functions. For example, for the fibers in the field of interior decoration, especially in the field of artificial leather for the facing materials for seats for railroad coaches, seats for automobiles, seats for airplanes, etc., it is extremely important to be resistant to flames.
Heretofore, a substrate of nonwoven fabric that has a binder of a polymer elastomer in the interspaces of entangled fibers therein is used for the substrate layer for artificial leather. When the surface of the substrate is coated with a resin layer, it gives grain-leather-like artificial leather; and when napped, it gives suede-like artificial leather. For making the artificial leather substrate layer resistant to flames, generally employed are a method of adhering a flame retardant to the surfaces of the fibers and the binder that constitute the substrate layer, through post-treatment or the like; a method of lining the back of the substrate layer with a flame-retardant sheet; a method of using fibers spun from a thermoplastic polymer kneaded with flame-retardant particles thereinto, etc.
Of those methods, the method comprising such post-treatment is problematic in that the feel of the artificial leather produced is not good and, especially when the artificial leather is a suede-like one having a napped surface, its dense naps pill through the post-treatment for flame retardancy and the surface pills worsen the appearance of the suede-like artificial leather. On the other hand, the method of lining the back of the substrate layer with a flame-retardant sheet is also problematic in that there often occurs a difference of the flame retardancy between the face and the back and the feel of the artificial leather thus produced is not good.
One concrete embodiment generally employed for the method of kneading a thermoplastic polymer for fibers with a flame retardant thereinto comprises kneading a flame retardant having an active ingredient of a phosphorus or halogen compound into a shaping material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer, polystyrene, etc., to thereby make the resulting polymer fibers resistant to flames. On the other hand, the method of kneading the flame retardant into a polyamide-type polymer such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 610, etc., or into a polyester-type polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, etc. is problematic in that the spinning temperature must be specifically controlled and the polymer and the flame retardant to be used must be specifically selected from the viewpoint of the stability of the flame retardant and the polymer at the melt-spinning temperature and the method gives low productivity.
Still another problem with the method of kneading a flame retardant to the fibers is that the method is applicable to flame-retardant fibers having a regular fineness, or that is those thicker than 0.5 dtex in fineness, but could not to superfine fibers. In this connection, for example, for suede-like artificial leather for which the fineness of the fibers is a matter of importance, the fineness of the fibers constituting it is preferably at most 0.5 dtex for raising a dense and high-quality fibrous nap on it and for making it have a good feel, and for further making it have a natural leather-like excellent appearance. However, when flame-retardant particles are kneaded into such superfine fibers, then the physical properties of the fibers greatly worsen because of the relationship between the particle size of the flame-retardant particles and the area of the cross section of each fiber, and, as a result, the resulting artificial leather made of such fibers could be no more practicable.
Even when a flame-retardant organic substance or the like could be dispersed in such superfine fibers not worsening the physical properties of the fibers, the flame-retardant organic substance will drop off from the fibers in the subsequent wet treatment of forming the binder into a porous substrate through solvent removal for coagulation; or for a sheet of superfine fibers-forming fibers, especially those having a sea-island structure, the flame-retardant organic substance will also drop off from the fibers in the step of removing the sea component from the fibers that is generally employed in forming the intended superfine fibers. In most cases, therefore, the substrate or the sheet produced could not attain the intended flame retardancy level.
Even when superfine fibers are produced through direct spinning or the like and when an organic flame retardant is applied thereto, the flame retardant will bleed out on the surfaces of the fibers. If so, while the products of the fibers are used, the flame retardant will also bleed out on their surfaces. In particular, when they are used for seats for vehicles, the flame retardant thus having bled out on their surfaces will vaporize to often cause a problem of windshield or windowpane fogging, etc.
On the other hand, the flame retardant that may be dispersed in a polymer elastomer in producing a flame-retardant leather-like sheet substrate may be any known flame retardant for ordinary resins including, for example, halogen, phosphorus or nitrogen-containing organic flame retardants, and inorganic compounds such as metal hydroxides, red phosphorus, silicon compounds, etc. Anyhow, the requirements for the flame retardant are that it does not promote the degradation of the polymer elastomer and the superfine fibers to which it is applied, and it does not substantially dissolve and decompose in the coagulation bath to be used in producing the intended leather-like sheets and also in the processing solutions to be used in the step of forming the superfine fibers, etc. On the other hand, in case where the leather-like sheets produced contain a halogen substance, they release harmful substances such as dioxins, etc. when they are fired, and will give some load to the environmental problem.
The object of the invention is to provide a halogen-free and durable flame-retardant leather-like sheet substrate having a soft feel, which is produced by imparting flame retardancy to superfine fibers having a single-fiber fineness of at most 0.5 dtex, preferably those obtained through removal of at least one component from conjugate or mixed spun fibers of at least two or more components of thermoplastic polymers, not so much worsening the properties of the resulting superfine fibers, and by imparting flame retardancy also to the polymer elastomer to be in the substrate not promoting the degradation of the polymer elastomer.

Flame-retardant leather-like sheet base and process for producing the same

Abstract: The leather-like sheet substrate of the invention and artificial leather obtained from it contain no halogen and are resistant to flames. These have a soft feel and are suitable to applications in the interior field that requires flame retardancy, especially to seats for vehicles, etc.


A process and system for depicting a combination of process colors and spot colors on a radiant light source such as a computer monitor screen. The invention provides a user-definable “meta-ink” color which is made up of the components of the process colors and the spot colors. Shade values are assigned to each of these components to create the meta-ink color. This meta-ink color then replaces the document color for visual depiction on the radiant light source. This process and system provides a more accurate depiction of the representation of the printed image.

Electronic publishing has become the standard for developing documents for publication. Publication in this day and age includes not only printed publication but multi-media publications such as CD-ROM or World Wide Web documents as well. Thus, electronic publishing includes content preparation, such as text articles, images and even audio or video in multi-media documents, pre-press layout, proofing and printing.
Color is an important feature in designing documents for publication, whether for print or electronic publication. There are a number of concerns with the integration of color into electronic publishing, not the least of which is the accurate depiction of color on a computer monitor during the design and layout of the document relative to the final printed version. This concern is dependent upon a number of factors, including the spectral qualities relating to how the colors are displayed on a computer monitor screen as compared to the printed colors.
Another concern with color in electronic publishing is the limitations on the definition of colors. Presently, colors must be defined in terms of the components of a single traditional color model. Colors may be converted between these traditional color models, but may not be defined from more than one color model at a time.
A number of traditional color models are currently used in electronic publishing, depending on the document to be created and the printing process to be used. These color models normally fall into two categories, "spot" colors and "process" colors. Spot colors require a separate plate, that is, an image of a page, for each spot color used in the document. Spot colors are typically used for documents that only use one to three colors or for documents using special colors such as fluorescent colors, metallic colors or proprietary colors, such as a company color. Thus, spot colors are normally used for simple documents or for special colors.
Process colors are colors which are created by using percentages of primary color components, such as tints of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) that are blended together to create other colors. Process colors provide many more colors than spot colors for printing purposes and are normally used with documents containing color photography or other items using more than three colors. A document using process colors is separated into separate plates, each containing one of the component colors, such as four separate plates containing differing tints of four primary colors (CMYK). The process of splitting a composite document into its constituent plates and generating an image for each plate is called "separation".
One of the problems occurring with existing electronic publishing systems occurs when a document is created using process colors, but also requiring a spot color as well. For instance, a special color such as a fluorescent color or a metallic color may be used which can not be created using the process colors. Many documents may also require proprietary colors, such as in a company logo. For instance, a magazine having photography and a company logo may require both color models. Also, many high end publications may use a "varnish" or other special color layer to be applied over an image to create an added effect. A "varnish" may be a translucent color which tints an overall image or document to add a surface effect on the printed image. The addition of spot colors to a document using process colors is not a problem for the actual printing process. An additional plate is created for that particular spot color during the separation.
However, the adding of a spot color onto a document process color is a problem during the electronic design process. Presently, when such a spot color is applied during the design or layout phase of the publishing process, it is difficult to accurately depict on screen. Typically, during the design phase, the process document colors are converted to a color model which can be depicted on a computer monitor screen, such as RGB or LAB. However, the existing algorithms are unable to convert process colors which have been combined with spot colors or with the combination of arbitrary inks. If an on-screen image using process colors is overlayed by the spot color, then that image is blocked from view. Typically, the designer will create two duplicate boxes, one containing the image and the other containing the spot color to be applied. The final image to be printed is not able to be accurately displayed prior to the actual printing of the image. This is of concern since neither the designer nor others later working with the document are sure of the final image.
Since process colors are normally used in most higher end documents, this is an important issue in the publishing industry. Thus, a problem exists in accurately depicting color documents during the electronic design of such documents.
Another problem with the prior electronic publishing systems is the definition of colors digitally. The prior electronic publishing systems utilize standard color models to define colors used in the document and the depiction of the document on a computer screen. These standard color models, such as RGB, LAB, CMYK, Hexachrome, Pantone and others, each use defined color components. For instance, a color defined in the RGB color model uses differing percentages of Red, Green and Blue, the color components of the RGB color model. A color defined in the CMYK color model only uses percentages of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and/or Black. A color defined in the Hexachrome color model only uses percentages of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Orange and Green. Each of the color models use only their respective components in defining a color.
These electronic publishing systems are unable to define a color using "arbitrary" color components. These color components, often referred to as "inks", are limited for use only within their respective color model. Colors defined in terms of inks in one color model may be converted into the inks of another color model, but a color has not been able to be previously digitally defined in the inks of more than one color model at a time. Thus, a problem exists in the inability to define a color with color components or inks outside of a particular color model.

Process and system for defining and visually depicting colors from the components of arbitrary color models


A setting method relating to measurement of measuring apparatus that minimizes the modification locations in an application program when the setting functions are modified, analyzing system, data processing apparatus, and storage medium are provided. When an application program is executed, setting data are processed to setting item data, setting parameter data, and setting value data. A data tree is generated in which setting item data are the root nodes, setting parameter data are the intermediate nodes, and setting value data are the leaf nodes, and the settings of the application program and measuring apparatus are accomplished using this data tree.

Measuring apparatuses for measuring blood specimens, urine specimens, and the various shapes of particle specimens and the like are known as blood analyzers, urine analyzers, and particle analyzers. Since this type of measuring apparatus must process measurement data and manage measurement results and analysis results, a data processing apparatus configured by a computer on which is installed application programs used for such processing and data management is provided separately from the measuring apparatus, and the data processing apparatus is configured so as to process the measurement data and display and manage the measurement results (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-202346).
The application programs are generally multi user type software programs, that have environmental settings for each user. The setting data are stored in a database, and are read by the CPU when the application program starts, such that the application program operates in accordance with the setting data. Setting parameter data and setting value data are associated and stored as data sets in the database. For example, in the case of [display units of the item HGB are g/dL], a data set is created in which the setting parameter data are [item=HGB], and the setting value data are [display units=g/dL]. In the case of the setting content [username "Admin" has data change authority], a data set is created in which the setting parameter data are [username=Admin], and setting value data are [data change authority=YES].
After the data sets are read from the database, the CPU develops a data tree. FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data tree used by a conventional application program. As shown in FIG. 42, in conventional application programs, data trees t1 and t2 are established for each associated data set, and the respective data trees t1 and t2 store setting value data at leaf nodes, and store setting parameter data at intermediate nodes between a root node and the leaf nodes. Using the above example, a data tree t1 is constructed by the intermediate node [item=HGB] and leaf node [display units=g/dL] from the data set in which the setting parameter data are [item=HGB], and setting value data are [display units=g/dL]; and a data tree t2 is constructed by the intermediate node [username=Admin] and the leaf node [data change authority=YES] from the data set in which the setting parameter data are [username=Admin], and the setting value data are [data change authority=YES]. Thus, when an application program is executed and [item=HGB] is the setting parameter, the data tree t1 is searched from the root node, [display units=g/dL] is retrieved as setting value data, and [display units of the item HGB are g/dL] is set as the setting content. When [username=Admin] is the setting parameter, the data tree t2 is searched from the root node, [data change authority=YES] is retrieved as setting value data, and [username "Admin" has data change authority] is set as the setting content.
In such conventional application programs, the previously described tree structures must be greatly changed when the functions of the application program are changed by version upgrades and the like for the reasons described below.
An example in which the function [display units for each item are modifiable by each user] is added is described below. FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data tree when a function is added to a conventional application program. Using the example, when the setting content is changed to [display units are "g/dL" for display item "HGB" of username "Admin"], a data set is created in which the setting parameters are [username=Admin] and [item=HGB], and the setting value data are [display units=g/dL]; when the setting content is changed to [display units are g/L for the display item [HGB] in [username=User1], a data set is created in which the setting parameters are [username=User1] and [item=HGB], and the setting value data are [display units=g/L]. In this case, since the setting parameter [username] is in both data sets, the [username] node is directly linked to the root node, and the [item] node and [data change authority] node are linked at lower levels, as shown in FIG. 43. Furthermore, the [display units] leaf node is linked at a tier below the [item] node. Thus, the data tree t1 and data tree t2 shown in FIG. 42 are merged to create a larger data tree t3.
When the setting functions of an application program are modified in this way, the change in the tree structure extends to the part of the setting function that were not changed (in the example, setting functions related to data modifying authority) in conjunction with the substantial changes to the tree structure of the setting values. Accordingly, in a design revision of the application program, it is necessary to change not only the parts of the application program related to the modified function settings, but also the parts related to the unmodified function settings. Thus, when a setting function is modified in conventional application programs, many development processes are necessary, which leads to the problem of increased development cost.

Setting method of measuring apparatus, analyzing system, data processing apparatus, and storage medium


A perforating gun having a charge case with a boss element partially circumscribing Optionally the pair of bosses may be included that are substantially symmetric about the axis of the charge case. Forming a shaped charge with such a charge case allows for gun strips to be formed with increased web material between adjacent shape charges in the gun strips. The increased web material provides for a more structurally sound gun tube, especially when dealing with high density charges. Notches may be provided in the gun tube on the outer radius of the holes formed to receive the shape charges, the notches are to be aligned with the bosses on the outer periphery of the shaped charge case. This also may orient the charge cases so they are pre-aligned for ready connection to an associated detonation cord.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of oil and gas production. More specifically, the present invention relates to a perforating system. Yet more specifically, the present invention relates to a shaped charge having a modified boss for use in a perforating gun system.
2. Description of Prior Art
Perforating systems are used for the purpose, among others, of making hydraulic communication passages, called perforations, in wellbores drilled through earth formations so that predetermined zones of the earth formations can be hydraulically connected to the wellbore. Perforations are needed because wellbores are typically completed by coaxially inserting a pipe or casing into the wellbore. The casing is retained in the wellbore by pumping cement into the annular space between the wellbore and the casing. The cemented casing is provided in the wellbore for the specific purpose of hydraulically isolating from each other the various earth formations penetrated by the wellbore.
Perforating systems typically comprise one or more perforating guns strung together, these strings of guns can sometimes surpass a thousand feet of perforating length. In FIG. 1 an example of a perforating system 4 is shown. For the sake of clarity, the system 4 depicted comprises a single perforating gun 6 instead of a multitude of guns. The gun 6 is shown disposed within a wellbore 1 on a wireline 5. The perforating system 4 as shown also includes a service truck 7 on the surface 9, where in addition to providing a raising and lowering means, the wireline 5 also provides communication and control connectivity between the truck 7 and the perforating gun 6. The wireline 5 is threaded through pulleys 3 supported above the wellbore 1.
Perforating guns typically include a cylindrical gun strip 16 coaxially housed within a gun body 14. Shaped charges 8 are provided within the gun strip 16 and aimed generally perpendicular to the axis of the wellbore 1. FIG. 2 provides an example of a shaped charge 8 that includes a housing 18, a liner 22, a quantity of high explosive 24 inserted between the liner 22 and the housing 18, and a booster charge 26 adjacent the base of the high explosive 24.
The shaped charges 8 are typically connected to a detonating cord 27 which is affixed to the shaped charge 8 by a case slot 25 proximate to the booster charge 26. Igniting the detonation cord 27 creates a compressive pressure wave along its length that initiates the booster charge 26 that in turn ignites the high explosive 24. When the high explosive 24 is detonated, the force of the detonation collapses the liner 22 and ejects it from one end of the charge 8 at very high velocity in a pattern called a "jet" 12. The jet 12 perforates the casing and cement lining the wellbore 1 and creates a perforation 10 that extends into the surrounding formation 2.
Shaped charges 8 also include a boss 20 protruding outward from the case 18 perpendicular to the axis ASC of the case 18. The boss 20 fully circumscribes the case 18 outer circumference. A perspective example of the gun strip 16 is provided in FIG. 3 illustrating holes 28 formed through the gun strip 16 for receiving shaped charges 8 therein. The shaped charge 8 is inserted into the hole 28 until the boss 20, whose outer diameter extends past the hole 28 outer diameter, contacts the outer surface of the gun strip 16. Thus the boss 20 supports the shaped charge 8 in the gun strip 16 and vertically aligns the shaped charge 8 in the gun strip 16. However, because the boss 20 is generally planar but the gun strip 16 outer diameter is curvilinear, the entire radius of the boss 20 does not lie above the hole 28, but instead the hole 28 outer diameter is shaped to accommodate the shaped charge 8 placement. Accordingly although the shaped charge 8 outer diameter is substantially circular, the typical gun tube 16 hole 28 is not. This can be a problem in certain perforating guns employing a "high density" shot pattern. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a gun tube 16 having high density shot pattern wherein adjacent holes 28 are sufficiently close that a web portion 30 between the holes 28 is too narrow to provide adequate structural support.

Perforating system with shaped charge case having a modified boss


A thermoelectric material (and a method for producing the same) is essentially formed of an Mg2Si-based compound represented by the chemical formula Mg2-x-y-zAlxZnyMnzSi (x≠0, y≠0, z≠0, 0.04≦y/x≦0.6, and 0.013≦z/x≦0.075) wherein the total amount of Al, Zn, and Mn is 0.3 at % to 5 at %. Mg2-x-y-zAlxZnyMnz is provided in the form of an Mg alloy.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermoelectric material essentially formed of an Mg2Si-based compound, and to a method for producing the thermoelectric material. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermoelectric material essentially formed of an Mg2Si-based compound synthesized from an Mg alloy containing Al, Zn, and Mn, which serve as alloy components and also as dopant elements; and to a method for producing the thermoelectric material, the method employing the liquid-solid phase reaction process in combination with sintering.
2. Background Art
Hitherto, there have been known thermoelectric conversion devices realizing conversion between thermal energy and electric energy. A thermoelectric module of such a device has a structure in which two types (P-type and N-type) of thermoelectric material (thermoelectric conversion materials) elements are connected in series electrically and arranged in parallel thermally. In such a thermoelectric module, when a difference in temperature is provided between two terminals, holes and electrons migrate respectively in the P-type and N-type materials on the basis of the Seebeck effect, whereby electromotive force is generated between the two terminals.
The figure of merit (Z:1/K) of a thermoelectric material is calculated by the following formula:Z=α2/(ρκ)(wherein ρ represents electrical resistivity (Ω·m), α represents Seebeck coefficient (V/K), and κ represents thermal conductivity (W/mK)).
Attempts have been made to utilize the aforementioned phenomenon in devices for power generators making use of waste heat discharged from various heat generating systems. Also, attempts have been made to utilize waste heat from automobile engines for power generation, since a considerably large amount of waste heat is discharged from automobile engines.
Hitherto, Bi2Te3, PbTe, or the like has been put into practice as a thermoelectric material for forming a thermoelectric conversion device. However, the element Bi, Te, or Pb, which forms such a thermoelectric material, has high toxicity, and thus may cause environmental pollution. Therefore, demand has arisen for a thermoelectric material having reduced environmental burden (i.e., a thermoelectric material having no toxicity). Also, demand has arisen for a lightweight, resourceful thermoelectric material, from the viewpoint that the material is used for recovery of waste heat from automobiles.
Mg2Si (specific weight: about 2) has been known as a nontoxic, lightweight N-type thermoelectric material for use under mid to high temperature. For improvement of its thermoelectric performance, Mg2Si is doped with a dopant. Known dopants added to Mg2Si include an element which provides Mg2Si with N-type semiconductor properties, such as Al or Sb, and an element which provides Mg2Si with P-type semiconductor properties, such as Ag or Cu. However, since Mg is an active metal and may cause the risk of, for example, ignition, Mg2Si thermoelectric materials have been less developed.
One method for producing such an Mg2Si-based compound is based on the direct melting process. Specifically, a powder mixture of Mg powder and Si powder (atomic ratio of Mg:Si=2:1) and powder of a dopant element, or a powder mixture of preliminarily produced Mg2Si powder and powder of a dopant element is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of Mg2Si (1,085° C.), and subsequently an Mg2Si-based compound is produced under cooling. However, in this production method, a high-pressure inert gas must be loaded for suppressing evaporation of Mg, high cost is required for, for example, apparatuses or production steps, and the risk of explosion of Mg may be involved during heating. In addition, segregation of Mg or Si is likely to occur, and thus the resultant product may have a non-uniform composition (i.e., a difference in shrinkage between a center portion of the product and a portion thereof at the vicinity of a crucible), resulting in occurrence of cracking in the product.
In another method for producing an Mg2Si-based compound, a powder mixture of Mg powder and Si powder (atomic ratio of Mg:Si=2:1) and powder of a dopant element, or a powder mixture of preliminarily produced Mg2Si powder and powder of a dopant element is placed into a carbon crucible contained in a pressurized container filled with an inert gas, and the powder mixture is melted through high-frequency heating. However, similar to the case of the method employing the direct melting process, cracking may occur in a product produced through the method involving high-frequency heating. In addition, the method involving high-frequency heating possesses a problem in that high cost is required for producing a product of interest, since an expensive heating apparatus is employed, and the method per se is not suitable for large-scale production.
Yet another method for producing an Mg2Si-based compound employs the mechanical alloying process. In this method, Mg powder and Si powder are weighed so that the atomic ratio of Mg to Si is adjusted to 2:1, and these powders are milled by means of iron or ceramic balls for a long period of time (e.g., 300 h), to thereby mechanically synthesize Mg2Si powder. The thus-synthesized Mg2Si powder is mixed with a dopant element, and the mixture is thermally treated, to thereby produce an Mg2Si-based compound. In the production method employing the mechanical alloying process, conceivably, balls may be ground through long-term mixing and milling, and the resultant alloy powder may be contaminated with components of the balls (i.e., impurities), resulting in low purity of the powder. In addition, there must be taken into consideration the risk of explosion of Mg powder, which would otherwise occur when the powder is removed from a pot.
Still another method for producing an Mg2Si-based compound employs the discharge plasma process. In this method, Mg powder and Si powder (atomic ratio of Mg to Si=2:1) are mixed with powder of a dopant element; the resultant powder mixture is heated and retained at a temperature of 650° C. (melting point of Mg) to 800° C. for a specific period of time, to thereby form Mg2Si through reaction of molten Mg and Si particles, while the dopant element is dissolved in molten Mg so as to form a solid solution through substitution of the dopant element for a portion of Mg or Si contained in an Mg2Si crystal structure, to thereby produce an Mg2Si-based compound having a non-equilibrium composition.
As a technique relating to this production method, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2002-285274 proposes an invention relating to "Mg—Si-based thermoelectric material and production method therefor". This patent document discloses that an Mg—Si-based thermoelectric material is produced through a method including a step of mixing Mg powder and Si powder (atomic ratio of Mg to Si=2:1) with powder of a dopant element; a step of heating the powder mixture obtained through the mixing step at a temperature of Tm (melting point of Mg) to 1073 K for a specific period of time, to thereby form Mg2Si through reaction of molten Mg and Si particles, while dissolving the dopant element in molten Mg so as to form a solid solution through substitution of the dopant element for a portion of Mg or Si contained in the aforementioned Mg2Si crystal structure, to thereby produce an Mg2Si-based compound; and a cooling step for stopping the heating step after the elapse of the aforementioned specific period of time so that unreacted Si particles remain.
Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2006-128235 discloses that an Mg2Si-based compound is melted and doped with two dopant elements (Al and Zn) in an inert gas, to thereby synthesize an N-type thermoelectric semiconductor; and the semiconductor is crushed and then sintered by spark plasma sintering. The invention disclosed in this patent document overcomes problems in that doping of only Al causes considerable segregation, and doping of only Zn forms a P-type thermoelectric semiconductor, but fails to form an N-type thermoelectric semiconductor. This patent document describes that the total amount of the dopant elements Al and Zn is 0.21 at % to 2 at %.
The method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2002-285274 can produce products of uniform quality and keep safety in manufacturing, and thus is useful for improvement of the thermoelectric performance of a product of interest and for reducing production cost, as compared with any of the aforementioned other production methods. However, there is still a question regarding the necessity of the cooling step for stopping heating so that unreacted Si particles remain.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2002-285274 also discloses an Mg2Si-based compound represented by the chemical formula Mg66.667-xSi33.333-yAx+y (wherein A represents any dopant element selected from among Al, P, Ga, As, In, Sb, Ag, Cu, Au, Ni, Fe, Mn, Co, Zn, and Pb; and 0.017≦x≦0.192 and y=0, or x=0 and 0.017≦y≦0.192). However, in the Examples of this patent document, the material used for forming the compound is limited only to MgAlSi, and materials other than MgAlSi are not described. Thus, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2002-285274 does not suggest a thermoelectric material formed of Mg2-x-y-zAlxZnyMnzSi (i.e., an Mg2Si-based compound doped with a specific combination of the three elements Al, Zn, and Mn). The Mg2Si-based compound disclosed in this patent document is doped with only a single dopant element (0.017 at % to 0.192 at %).
The method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2006-128235 realizes production of Mg2Si devices of uniform quality with reduced segregation. However, this method still fails to overcome a problem in terms of the performance deterioration of an Mg2Si device in air at high temperature. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2006-128235 discloses only an MgAlZnSi compound wherein the total amount of Al and Zn added is 0.21 at % to 2 at %, and does not suggest a thermoelectric material formed of Mg2-x-y-zAlxZnyMnzSi.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY


A hydraulic control device for work machine includes: a driving device that generates a driving force for traveling of the work machine; a park braking device that parks the work machine; an operating unit that is provided in a cab of the work machine and operated by an operator for driving a work device; a hydraulic brake device that generates a braking force according to operation of a brake pedal; a hydraulic lock unit that hydraulically locks the hydraulic brake device to cause the hydraulic brake device to be continuously operated; a work device drivable state judging unit that judges whether or not the work device is in a work device drivable state in which the work device can be driven; and a park brake control unit that brings the park braking device into operation when the hydraulic lock unit hydraulically locks the hydraulic brake device and the work device drivable state judging unit judges that the work device drivable state has not been established.

A work machine such as a wheeled hydraulic excavator or a wheel loader includes a work braking device that is operated upon working and a park braking device that is operated upon parking. The work braking device and the park braking device are operated or released according to the changeover position of a brake switch that changes over the operating state of the brake.

Hydraulic control device for work machine

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.


An ambient light is produced by transmitting light from a light source through an optical diffusion layer and then through a wood veneer. The optical diffusion layer obscures the light source and distributes the light transmitted through the wood veneer. The light then filters through the wood veneer via the color and grain of the wood. The light emitted from the wood veneer has natural colors that produce a warm ambient light.

Various lighting systems have been developed for room lighting that include a light source and a lamp shade made of a translucent layer which transmits some of the light from the light source. The lamp shade reduces the intensity of light emitted by the light source so that people can look at the light without discomfort to the eyes. Although lamp shades filter the light, they do not conceal the source of the light.


A multiple-document detection system for an insertion machine comprises a plurality of document detectors, each detector being preset to a successive maximum allowable document-group-thickness measurement; a group of documents whose measured thickness exceeds the preset maximum allowable size for a particular detector will cause that detector's input line to change from a "normal" level to a "tripped" level. A processing means then determines the actual number of documents in a measured group of documents according to which of the successively preset detectors was the first to be "tripped". The processing means also receives a signal indicative of an expected number of documents for the particular measured group. The expected-number signal is sent, for example, by a reader, upstream of the plurality of detectors, which reads the expected number from a master document in the group. The processing means sends an error signal to a machine control means if the measured number exceeds the expected number; the machine control means executes certain error-correction steps upon receiving an error signal from the processing means. The machine control means may, for example, be a second processing means for alerting a machine operator or a remediation device for actuating a diversion of the measured group of documents, or a combination thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a mail-handling machine which processes a series of documents in order to produce a series of groups of documents, and particularly to an apparatus for determining whether a group of documents fed onto a processing track in pile form contains the correct number of documents.
2. Related Art
Mail-handling machines are well-known for automating accumulation of a group of inserts along an insertion track and insertion of the accumulated group of inserts into a series of envelopes. Such machines are taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,185 to Haas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,246 to Zemke, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,882 to Stocker, which are incorporated herein by reference. In mail-handling machines of this type, it is known to provide a detector for sensing whether a document or group of documents which is fed onto an insertion track for insertion in an envelope contains more documents than expected (a "double document" situation) or less documents than expected (a "missed document" situation). Such situations might arise, for example, when there has been a misfeed at a feeder station along the group's insertion track, resulting in too few or too many documents being fed to a particular group. A detector for sensing such situations is commonly known as a "double/miss detector", and such detectors are generally positioned proximal to a feeder along the insertion track so as to perform measurements upon a document during its ejection from the feeder but before it is added to its respective group of documents along the insertion track. When a "double document" or "missed document" situation is detected, an error signal is sent to a machine control device which then performs a remedial operation, such as ejection of the error-causing document or documents or alerting of a machine operator so that the situation can be remedied manually.
In the device according to Zemke a Hall Effect type double/miss detector is employed to sense a double or miss situation in a document as the document is engaged by a feeder for feeding onto an insert track. The feeder comprises a gripper arm for grasping a single document and pulling it from the bottom of a stack of documents. The gripper arm further comprises a set of jaws between which the document-to-be-fed is grasped. A field-generating means is mounted on one jaw, while a Hall Effect sensor is mounted on the other jaw for sensing the flux density of the generated field, the flux density being a function of the relative displacement of the two jaws.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,954 to Bourg, which is incorporated herein by reference, teaches a document-handling machine employing a second type of double/miss detector. The machine according to Bourg utilizes an infrared type double/miss detector mounted in a passage through which a sheet being ejected from a feeder passes. An infrared light source is mounted on one wall of the passage, while an infrared detector is mounted on an opposite wall. As a sheet is ejected from the feeder, the measurement signal from the infrared detector is compared with a reference signal, and if the measurement signal differs from the reference signal beyond a predetermined deviation, an alarm signal indicating a double or miss situation is generated.
The document-handling machines of the prior art provide double/miss detection at a sheet-feeder output, and that detection is limited to sensing of whether a feeder is ejecting a single sheet, more than a single sheet, or no sheets at all. While the machines of the prior art perform their intended purpose admirably, they cannot detect a double/miss situation in a group of multiple documents wherein the expected number of documents in a particular group being detected may vary from that of other groups in a series of groups.

Insertion machine having multiple document detector


The present invention provides a novel network controller that does not need extensive development resources to add and expand functions of a communications protocol with maintaining high communication quality, does not generate waste of resources, is easy to maintain, and can be applied to embedded systems. More specifically, the present invention provides a network controller that includes a network interface that communicates with a plurality of terminals via a network, an upper application interface that communicates with upper applications that utilizes a plurality of communications protocols, a protocol procedure controller that controls a plurality of protocol procedures to communicate with a plurality of terminals via a network using a plurality of communications protocols, and a protocol analyzing unit that analyzes a plurality of communications protocols and further includes a protocol header analyzing unit that analyzes a plurality of protocol headers of a plurality of communications protocols individually.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a network controller, method, and medium, and more particularly to a network controller that facilitates expanding functions of a communications protocol.
2. Description of the Background Art
Recently, there has been a growing trend to provide new added value by linking devices in a network. Accordingly, adding network functions and improving connectivity have become necessary. To cope with this kind of expansion, a technology that reduces development costs and facilitates adding functions by providing an API that modularizes communications protocol processing independent of application is well known.
A technology of creating protocol- and device-independent applications and contents and converting the contents into content data supported by any protocol and device using a resource description framework (RDF) has been proposed (e.g., JP-2004-506977-A.) Also, a technology of shared modularization of processes and its configuration in order to facilitate developing and adding applications that provide Web services has been proposed (e.g., JP-2004-005503-A.)
However, the technologies described in JP-2004-506977-A and JP-2004-005503-A entail substantial development resources to add and expand functions of a communications protocol. In addition, in case of running development independently for each communications protocol and diverting from existing resources such as OSS, there are many redundant processes across the whole of a communications protocol, and that leads to generate waste of resources such as ROM and RAM. This issue is especially prominent where there are limited usable resources for embedded systems.
Furthermore, the many modifications such as bug fixing required due to so many redundant processes complicate maintenance. Also, with so many ambiguous boundaries between communications protocol and application layer, in a case in which a plurality of applications exist there is a waste of development resources caused by containing a part of communication process in the applications.


A communication device generates a physical layer (PHY) data unit that includes a PHY preamble and one or more PHY midambles. The communication generates the PHY preamble of the PHY data unit to include i) a signal field having a subfield that indicates that the PHY data unit includes one or more PHY midambles, ii) a short training field (STF) for automatic gain control (AGC) training and synchronization at a receiver, and iii) one or more long training fields (LTFs) for determining a channel estimate at the receiver. The communication generates a data payload of the PHY data unit having i) a set of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and ii) one or more PHY midambles. Each of the one or more PHY midambles includes one or more LTFs for determining an updated channel estimate. The communication device transmits the PHY data unit via a wireless communication channel.

Wireless local area network (WLAN) technology has evolved rapidly over the past decade. Development of WLAN standards such as the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n Standards has improved single-user peak data throughput. For example, the IEEE 802.11b Standard specifies a single-user peak throughput of 11 megabits per second (Mbps), the IEEE 802.11a and 802.11g Standards specify a single-user peak throughput of 54 Mbps, and the IEEE 802.11n Standard specifies a single-user peak throughput of 600 Mbps. A new standard, IEEE 802.11ac, currently being developed, promises to provide even greater throughput. Other new standards being developed, such as the IEEE 802.11af and IEEE 802.11ah Standards, provide for, among other things, greater range.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


In a projector to which the present invention is applied, a distance sensor measures distances between the projector and a plurality of points on a screen. An angle calculation unit obtains a formula representing a screen surface, based on plural pieces of distance data representing results of measurement by the distance sensor, and obtains inclination angles θV and θH of the screen with respect to the light axis of a projection light. The angle calculation unit supplies the obtained inclination angles θV and θH to a trapezoidal correction unit. The trapezoidal correction unit performs trapezoidal correction by using the supplied inclination angles θV and θH.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projector apparatus, a method for obtaining an inclination angle of a projector, and a method for correcting a projection image.
2. Description of the Related Art
A projector is an apparatus for displaying an image on a screen. It projects a light toward a screen and displays an image on the screen.
When the projector is not inclined with respect to the ground planar surface and the screen stands perpendicular to the ground planar surface, an image is undistortedly displayed on the screen.
However, if the projector is inclined with respect to the ground planar surface, an image on the screen is distorted. To prevent this, some conventional projectors have an acceleration sensor inside. The acceleration sensor detects the inclination angle of the projector with respect to the ground planar surface. The projector performs trapezoidal correction based on the detected inclination angle. Such a projector is disclosed in, for example, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication No. 2001-339671 page 3 and FIG. 1.
However, actually, the screen is not necessarily perpendicular to the ground planar surface.
Therefore, to determine the correction amount for trapezoidal correction, not only the inclination angle of the projector with respect to the ground planar surface, but also the inclination angle of the projector with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to the screen are needed. If these inclination angles can be measured, trapezoidal correction can be performed.
Conventional projectors correct the distorted outline of an image to a correct outline in this manner.
However, conventional projectors have the following problems.
First, as described above, inclination angles needed for trapezoidal correction of an image are an inclination angle of the projector with respect to the ground planar surface, and an inclination angle of the projector with respect to the axis that is perpendicular to the screen. Therefore, even if the inclination angle of the projector with respect to the ground planar surface is detected but if the inclination angle of the projector with respect to the screen cannot accurately be measured or the measured result cannot be supplied to the projector, trapezoidal correction cannot accurately be performed.
Second, conventional projectors employing an acceleration sensor ignore the inclination angle of the screen with respect to the projector in a direction parallel to the ground planar surface. Actually, there can possibly be an inclination angle of the screen with respect to the projector in the horizontal direction. The acceleration sensor cannot detect the inclination angle of the screen with respect to the light axis of a projected light. Therefore, conventional projectors employing an acceleration sensor cannot perform trapezoidal correction based on the inclination angle of the screen with respect to the projector in the horizontal direction.
The disclosure of the above-indicated document is incorporated herein.

Projector apparatus, inclination angle obtaining method, and projection image correction method


There is provided a test apparatus for testing a device under test. The test apparatus includes an instruction storing section that stores thereon a test instruction sequence, a pattern generating section that sequentially reads and executes an instruction from the test instruction sequence, and outputs a test pattern associated with the executed instruction, a test signal output section that generates a test signal in accordance with the test pattern, and supplies the generated test signal to the device under test, and a result register that stores thereon a value having a predetermined number of bits. Here, the instruction storing section stores thereon the test instruction sequence including therein a result register update instruction to update a value of a designated bit position in the result register with a predetermined value, and when executing the result register update instruction, the pattern generating section updates, with the predetermined value, the value of the bit position in the result register which is designated by the result register update instruction.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a test apparatus and an electronic device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a test apparatus for testing a device under test and an electronic device including therein a test circuit for testing a circuit under test.
2. Related Art
A test apparatus is known which tests a device under test (DUT) such as a semiconductor. The test apparatus supplies a test signal having a predetermined logical pattern to the DUT, detects a signal output from the DUT in response to the supplied test signal, and compares tie detected signal with an expected value, to judge whether the DUT is acceptable.
The test apparatus includes therein a pattern generator for sequentially generating a test pattern and a test signal output section for outputting a test signal having a logical pattern corresponding to the test pattern. The pattern generator sequentially reads an instruction from sequence data (a test instruction sequence) stored on a memory, and executes the read instruction. The pattern generator then reads from the memory pattern data corresponding to the executed instruction, and sequentially outputs the read pattern data as the test pattern. In this way, the test apparatus can supply the test signal having a predetermined logical pattern to the DUT.
The pattern generator has been capable of executing a test instruction to receive a result of comparing tie output signal from the DUT with the expected value and determine a next operation based on the received comparison result, as disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publications No. 2004-264047 and No. H07-73700, for example. However, the pattern generator has difficulties in stocking the results of a plurality of tests conducted on the DUT, so as to generate different test patterns for subsequent tests with reference to the results of the tests or evaluate the DUT based on the results of the tests.

Test apparatus for updating a value of the bit position in result register by executing a result register update instruction with predetermined value to generate test pattern


An adaptive polarization mode dispersion compensator including a polarization controller and a differential polarization delay unit. The polarization controller converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a controller output signal having a desired state of polarization. The differential polarization delay unit is optically coupled to receive the controller output signal from the polarization controller. The differential polarization delay unit includes a polarization beam splitter element and a first and a second birefringent optical waveguide.

The present application is related to the co-pending, commonly assigned application entitled, xe2x80x9cMethod for All Order Dispersion Compensationxe2x80x9d, Ser. No. 10/037,024 filed co-currently with the present application, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to a method and system for polarization mode dispersion compensation of optical signals. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for polarization mode dispersion compensation using at least two linearly chirped Bragg gratings to selectively tune the reflection points of two polarization resolved signals, creating a variable polarization dependent delay.
Present day telecommunication systems require that optical signals be conveyed over very long distances. In an optical communications signal, data are sent in a series of optical pulses. Real signal pulses are composed of a distribution of wavelengths and polarizations, each of which travels at its own characteristic velocity. This variation in velocity leads to pulse spreading and thus signal degradation. Degradation due to the wavelength dependence of the velocity is known as chromatic dispersion, while degradation due to the polarization dependence is known as polarization mode dispersion.
Mathematically, the speed of light v in a waveguide is given by                     v        =                  c          n                                    (        1        )
where c is the velocity of light in free space and n is the effective index of refraction in the waveguide. Normally, the effective index, n, of the optical mode is dependent upon the wavelength. Thus components of light having different wavelengths will travel at different speeds. In addition to being dependent upon wavelength, the effective index in a waveguide may also be dependent upon the polarization of the optical signal. Even in xe2x80x9csingle-modexe2x80x9d fiber, two orthogonal polarizations are supported, and, in the presence of birefringence, the polarizations travel at different speeds. Birefringence in the fiber may arise from a variety of sources including both manufacturing variations and time-dependent environmental factors. The speed difference results in a polarization-dependent travel time or xe2x80x9cdifferential group delayxe2x80x9d (DGD) between the 2 different polarization modes within the birefringent fiber. In real systems, the degree of birefringence, and the orientation of the birefringent axes, varies from place to place along the fiber. This results in a more complex effect on the optical signal, which is characterized by the concept of xe2x80x9cprincipal states of polarizationxe2x80x9d or PSPs. PSPs are defined as the two polarization states that experience the maximum relative DGD, and they uniquely characterize the instantaneous state of the system
Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is the distortion arising from the statistical sum of the different group velocities of the two components of polarization as the signal propagates through the different sections of the optical communications system. PMD includes first order PMD and higher order PMD and is non-deterministic. First order PMD is the differential polarization group delay at a given wavelength. The instantaneous value for a long fiber can vary over both long time intervals (due to slow variations, such as temperature drift) and short time intervals (due to fast variations, such as mechanical vibration induced polarization fluctuations). The coefficient describing the mean value of first order PMD can vary from  greater than 2 ps/km1/2 for relatively poor PMD performance fiber to  less than 0.1 ps/km1/2 for relatively good PMD performance fiber.
Second order PMD arises from two sources: i.) a first order PMD that varies with wavelength; ii.) a change of the system PSP (principal state of polarization) orientation with wavelength, which results in a variation of PMD with wavelength. Second order PMD results in a wavelength dependent group delay, which is equivalent in effect to variable chromatic dispersion, and, can have either a negative or positive sign. The speed of fluctuation is similar to that of first order PMD.
Dispersion imposes serious limitations on transmission bandwidth, especially across long distances, such as in transoceanic routes. Dispersion issues become much more important at higher bit rates, where the separation between the optical pulses is less and where shorter pulses result in a wider signal spectral bandwidth, exacerbating chromatic and second order PMD effects. At bit rates greater than or equal to 40 Gb/s, even for good fiber ( less than 0.1 ps/km1/2 PMD) long length links are deemed to require PMD compensation. PMD can become an inhibiting factor either limiting overall system length or increasing system costs due to the need for additional optical-to-electrical-to-optical signal conversion sites to permit electrical signal regeneration.
One approach to compensation for first order PMD is to introduce a DGD of equal magnitude and opposite sign to the first order PMD in the system. In general, time delays in an optical system can be described in terms of optical path length (OPL) defined by
xcex94=nLxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
where xcex94 is the OPL, L is the physical length of the medium, and n is the index of refraction of the material.
As may be appreciated from equation (2) above, the OPL of an optical waveguide may be lengthened by increasing the index of refraction of the medium or by increasing the physical length of the waveguide. Similarly, the OPL of an optical waveguide may be shortened by decreasing the index of refraction or by decreasing the physical length of the waveguide. Thus, to generate a DGD for PMD compensation, the two orthogonal PSPs of the signal can be sent down two separate paths with different OPLs. If the delayed polarization of the signal is sent down a path with a shorter path length than the leading polarization of the signal, the amount of differential group delay between the two polarizations will be reduced.
A variety of alternatives have been presented to attempt to compensate for first order PMD effects. One proposed system includes a polarization controller and a length of high birefringence polarization maintaining (PM) fiber. A photodetector samples the output signal and attempts to drive the controller using control loop techniques. A long coil of PM fiber (e.g., 50 meters) is necessary to achieve adequately large DGD for dispersion compensation. More importantly, the amount of PMD correction is fixed because of the fixed DGD of the PM fiber, limiting the adaptability and applicability of the system.
Another proposed system attempts to address the problem of adaptability by employing a movable prism element, which generates a variable DGD by varying the distance traveled by one polarization. There are a number of disadvantages to this scheme. For example, optical path losses must be very closely balanced to prevent polarization-dependent loss (PDL). In addition, the overall speed of the variable delay element will be slow due to the mechanical movement of the optics. Furthermore, since the variable delay is created outside of fiber there may be issues of cost and stability due to the complexity associated with the required active alignment of the optical beam.
Another proposed approach to a variable DGD element consists of a single non-linearly chirped grating in a PM fiber. Chirped gratings are gratings in which the spacing of the grating elements varies with position along the grating, so that the effective position at which a signal is reflected depends on its wavelength. In this case, the application of axial strain to the fiber changes the reflection location of each polarization at a different rate, thus changing the delay between them. However, such a design can only achieve a limited range of delays because the differential delay is proportional to the small birefringence of the fiber, and is limited by the small range of strain that the fiber can withstand before breaking. Additionally, this approach induces a varying chromatic dispersion that must be separately compensated
Yet another proposed approach to generating a differential group delay (DGD) consists of a polarization beam splitter coupled to a pair of single-mode (SM) optical fibers each having a linearly chirped Bragg reflection grating and a controllable extension means for differentially axially straining the fibers. This dual grating approach has the advantage that the two polarization components experience the same chirp when reflected, thereby experiencing matched chromatic dispersion so that polarization-dependent chromatic dispersion is not introduced. However, such a system does not account for polarization fading effects which will require dynamic polarization control in each of the SM fiber grating paths to assure that all light returns properly through the polarization splitter; this will substantially add to the complexity and cost of the system. Furthermore, such a system does not address the difficulty of balancing the two legs during manufacturing, or of properly biasing the system when the compensator is first turned on.
The need remains for a reliable, wide-dynamic range, dynamically tunable PMD system.
The present invention relates to a dynamically tunable polarization dispersion compensator including a polarization controller and a variable differential polarization delay unit. The polarization controller converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a controlled output signal having a desired state of polarization. The differential polarization delay unit is optically coupled to receive the controller output signal. The differential polarization delay unit includes a polarization beam splitter element, a differential delay element, and a polarization combiner element. The polarization beam splitter has a first input port coupled to receive the controller output signal, a split point, and a first and a second output port, where at the split point the controller output signal is split into a first and a second orthogonal polarization signals. The first and the second polarization signals are directed to the first and second output ports of the splitter respectively. The differential delay element includes a first waveguide and a second waveguide. The waveguides are birefringent, thereby suppressing coupling between the two polarization modes in each. The first waveguide and the first output port of the splitter are optically coupled and aligned by matching their cores and polarization axes. The first waveguide has a first chirped grating tuned to reflect the first polarization signal at a first reference reflection point. The second waveguide is optically coupled and aligned to the second output port of the splitter. The second waveguide has a second chirped grating tuned to reflect the second polarization signal and has a second reference reflection point. The chirp of the gratings may be linear, or may have a more complex spatial dependence.
At least one tuning mechanism is coupled to at least one of the gratings. The tuning mechanism is capable of variably adjusting the optical path length of one or both of the reference points, with respect to the split point. The tuning mechanism may include: applying axial mechanical stress to stretch the gratings, applying electric fields to electro-optically control the grating index, applying heat to thermo-optically control the grating index, or using other tuning mechanisms known in the art. In one embodiment, the tuning mechanism includes a first tuning device and a second tuning device. The first tuning device is coupled to both the first and second gratings and tunes both gratings generally simultaneously and in equal amounts. The second tuning device independently tunes only one of the gratings.
The initial position of the first and second reference reflection points with respect to the split point (i.e., the optical path length of the segment) may be tailored to the particular application. In applications where the expected DGD does not exceed the range of the tuning mechanism, the first and second reference reflection points may be at substantially the same optical path length with respect to the split point. Alternatively, one or the other reference reflection points may be biased, that is, have a different optical path length, to compensate for all or part of the PMD. A combiner element recombines the two reflected orthogonal polarization signals into a delay line output. In a preferred embodiment, a splitter/combiner performs the functions of both the splitter and the combiner elements.
A circulator may be used to route the input and output signals. The circulator has an input port optically coupled to receive the polarization controller output signal, a recirculation port optically coupled to transmit the polarization controller output signal to the differential polarization delay unit and to receive the delay unit output, and an output port optically coupled to transmit the delay unit output.
An optical tap coupler may be coupled to the output port of the circulator to provide a signal analyzer with a sample of the output signal. The analyzer evaluates the quality of the delay line output signal and provides control signals to the polarization controller and the differential polarization delay unit.
Different components of the present invention may be integrated into an integrated optical device, such as a LiNbO3 chip, which contains birefringent waveguides. In one embodiment, the polarization controller and the differential polarization delay unit are integrated onto a single LiNbO3 chip. In another embodiment, the polarization dispersion compensator components from neighboring channels in a WDM system may be integrated onto a single LiNbO3 chip. Obviously, integrated optical devices based on other materials systems could also be used.
The present invention further relates to a method for compensating for polarization mode dispersion of an incoming optical communications signal. The incoming optical communications signal is first passed through a polarization controller, which aligns the states of the signal polarization to the optical axes of a differential polarization delay unit. In the delay unit, the communications signal is split into a first and second orthogonal principal state of polarization at a split point. The first polarization state is directed to a first waveguide having a first chirped grating having a first reference reflection point. The second polarization state is directed to a second waveguide having a second chirped grating having a second reference reflection point. The first and second reflections of the optical communications signal are recombined at the polarization combiner. The output signal may be sampled using a signal analyzer to determine its quality. The state of polarization of the incoming signal and/or the optical path length location of the reflection points may then be variably adjusted to optimize the quality of the output signal.
In exemplary embodiments, the waveguides of the differential polarization delay unit are birefringent single-mode optical fiber, or birefringent waveguides in an integrated optical device. Birefringent single mode fiber includes polarization maintaining fiber, polarizing fiber, shaped birefringent fiber, and photonic band gap optical fiber.
In a particular embodiment, the fibers are polarization-maintaining (PM) or polarizing (PZ) single mode silica-based optical fibers and the gratings are linearly chirped and have substantially similar length and chirp patterns. In a specific embodiment for compensation of PMD in the range of 100 ps (for up to one bit period at 10 Gb/sec data rate) in a single wavelength channel of a dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) telecommunications system, the first and second gratings measure at least five (5) cm long, with an optical chirp rate that may be set to accommodate the level of chromatic dispersion of the incoming signal. A specific exemplary embodiment for polarization delay of 100 ps includes first and second gratings having a length of 5 cm and a chirp rate of 680 ps/nm for a signal of wavelength 1550 nm.
The optical path length location of one or both of the reference reflection points is adjustably varied to compensate for polarization dispersion between the first and second orthogonal states of polarization. In an alternative embodiment, prior to the step of adjustably varying the optical path length from the second reflection point, the optical path length of at least one of the gratings may be pre-tuned such that one of the reflection points is either at substantially the same optical path length as the other reflection point or slightly ahead or behind (shorter or longer optical path length).

System for polarization mode dispersion compensation

Abstract: At least one tuning mechanism is coupled to at least one of the gratings, wherein the tuning mechanism variably adjusts one of the reference reflection points with respect to the other reference reflection point. A combiner element recombines the two reflected orthogonal polarization signals into a delay line output. A signal quality analyzer evaluates the quality of the differential polarization delay unit output signal and provides a control signal to the polarization controller and the differential polarization delay unit.