The liquid crystal display device of the invention includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates. A plurality of pixel electrodes is arranged in matrix on the surface facing the liquid crystal layer of at least one of the pair of substrates. A plurality of signal lines and a plurality of two-terminal nonlinear elements are formed. An individual one of the two-terminal nonlinear elements is connected to one of the pixel electrodes associated with the individual two-terminal nonlinear element and one of the signal lines associated with the individual two-terminal nonlinear element. The two-terminal nonlinear element includes: a lower electrode connected to the associated signal line, an insulator formed so as to cover the lower electrode, and an upper electrode connected to the associated pixel electrode. The insulator includes a first insulating film exhibiting non-linearity, a second insulating film formed so as to cover etching edges of the lower electrode, and a slit electrically connecting the upper electrode to the first insulating film. The size of the two-terminal nonlinear element is determined by an opening width of the slit of the second insulating film and a line width of the upper electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a switching element. More particularly, the present invention relates to a two-terminal nonlinear element as an exemplary switching element, a liquid crystal display device including such an element and a method for fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, liquid crystal display devices have been used for display applications in personal computers, word processors, office automation terminal units, television receivers and the like, because a liquid crystal display device is a small-sized light-weight device consuming little power. As liquid crystal display devices become more and more popular, it becomes more and more necessary for them to display an image of higher quality and to increase the display capacity thereof.
A conventional liquid crystal display device has been driven in a simple matrix manner by a voltage averaging method in Twisted Nematic (TN) mode or Super Twisted Nematic (STN) mode. However, since such a method requires a larger number of scanning lines, the contrast ratio thereof may become unsatisfactory. Thus, such a method is not suitable for large-capacity display.
In order to deal with such a problem, active driving has been developed by providing a switching element for each of the pixels on a display screen. Switching elements used for such a purpose include thin-film transistors and two-terminal nonlinear elements. Comparing these two types of elements, the two-terminal nonlinear elements are more advantageous in respects of the simplified configuration and the reduced fabrication costs thereof. Thus, a liquid crystal display device using such two-terminal nonlinear elements is expected to be a mainstream product in the near future. Reflecting these tendencies, a nonlinear element having a metal-insulator-metal structure (hereinafter, such an element will be simply referred to as an "MIM element") has already been in practical use.
The MIM element exhibits current-voltage characteristics following a so-called Poole-Frenkel rule. More specifically, when the voltage of an input signal is low, the resistance of such an element becomes high. On the other hand, when the voltage of the input signal is sufficiently high for driving liquid crystal molecules, the resistance of such an element becomes low.
In a liquid crystal display device including the MIM elements, such nonlinear current-voltage characteristics are applied to switching the ON/OFF states of the elements.
FIG. 23 is a plan view of a conventional liquid crystal display device 1 including MIM elements. In FIG. 23, a substrate 2 on which MIM elements are formed (hereinafter, such a substrate will be referred to as an "element substrate") in the figure, while a substrate 3 on which counter electrodes are formed (hereinafter, such a substrate will be referred to as a "counter substrate"), wherein the substrate 3 overlaps the substrate 2. This liquid crystal display device 1 is a reflective liquid crystal display device having a so-called H-VGA pixel arrangement of 480 dots (H).times.320 dots (V) for displaying a monochromatic image.
FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a pixel formed at an arbitrary position A (see FIG. 23) on the element substrate 2 within a display region of the liquid crystal display device 1. FIG. 25 is a plan view of the counter substrate 3 to be opposed to the element substrate 2. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device 1 taken along the line 26--26 shown in FIG. 24.
As shown in FIG. 24, one pixel includes: a pixel electrode 7 formed on the surface 2a of the element substrate 2 made of glass or the like; a signal line 5; and an MIM element 4.
Each of the signal lines 5 is connected to an associated element terminal 15 formed at the end of the element substrate 2. On the other hand, each of the counter electrodes 9 formed in a stripe shape on the surface 3a of the counter substrate 3 so as to cross the signal lines 5 at a right angle, is connected to an associated counter terminal 16 formed at the end of the counter substrate 3. The liquid crystal display device 1 is driven by applying a signal waveform to the element terminals 15 and the counter terminals 16.
Moreover, the MIM element 4 shown by cross-hatching in FIG. 24 should be designed so as to have a capacitance represented by an appropriate capacitance ratio with respect to the capacitance of the liquid crystal layer. A standard MIM element 4 is generally designed such that the ratio of the capacitance of the liquid crystal layer to that of the element 4 becomes approximately 10:1.
The lower electrode of the MIM element 4 is made of a material such as tantalum (Ta); the upper electrode thereof is made of titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr) or the like; and t,e insulating film thereof is made of tantalum oxide (TaO.sub.x), for example.
An exemplary method for fabricating the element substrate 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 27A to 27D showing the cross section of the MIM element 4.
First, a Ta thin film is deposited on the surface 2a of the element substrate 2 made of glass or the like, by a sputtering method and then patterned by a photolithography method, thereby forming a signal line 5 and a lower electrode 5a (FIG. 27A).
Next, an insulating film 8 made of TaO.sub.x is formed on the Ta thin film by an anodization method or the like (FIG. 27B).
Subsequently, a thin film made of Ti or the like, is formed over the substrate 2, thereby forming a pattern for an upper electrode 6 (FIG. 27C).
Finally, a thin film made of a transparent conductive material such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO) is further formed thereon and then patterned by a photolithography method, thereby forming a pixel electrode 7 (FIG. 27D).
In such a configuration, the insulating film 8 exhibits nonlinear resistance properties and the MIM element 4 is formed at a site where the lower electrode 5a, the insulating film 8 and the upper electrode 6 are stacked.
As shown in FIG. 26, in order to control the orientations of liquid crystal molecules 14, an alignment film 10 (e.g., a polyimide film) is formed on the glass substrate (element substrate) 2 on which the MIM elements 4 are formed for the respective pixels, and the alignment film 10 is subjected to a rubbing treatment.
On the other hand, an alignment film 11 is also formed over the counter substrate 3 with the counter electrodes 9 formed on the surface 3a thereof. The alignment film 11 is subjected to a rubbing treatment in a direction perpendicular to the rubbing direction of the alignment film 10 of the element substrate 2.
The element substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 are attached to each other via a seal member 17 (see FIG. 23) such that the alignment films 10 and 11 face each other and that a gap of about 10 .mu.m is provided therebetween. Next, liquid crystal material is injected into the gap and then sealed, thereby forming a liquid crystal cell.
Finally, as shown in FIG. 26, polarizers 12 and 13 are disposed on the outer surfaces of the liquid crystal cell (i.e., on the outer surface of the element substrate 2 and that of the counter substrate 3, respectively) such that the polarization axis of the polarizer 12 is perpendicular to that of the polarizer 13, thereby completing the liquid crystal display device 1. Herein, a polarizer with a reflector is used as the polarizer 12.
However, if a transmission type polarizer is attached as the polarizer 12 onto the outer surface of the element substrate 2 and a back light is provided, then a transmission type liquid crystal display device can be obtained. Furthermore, if a micro color filter layer is formed on the counter substrate 3, then color display can be performed.
Herein, the reflective liquid crystal display device 1 performs display by reflecting the externally incident light. Since a back light is unnecessary, the power consumption, the size and the weight of such a liquid crystal display device can be reduced. Thus, a reflective liquid crystal display device is expected to be widely used as a display device for portable information terminal units. A high-resolution large-capacity reflective liquid crystal display device allowing for the display of a so-called "paper white" type bright image is particularly suitable as a display device for portable information terminal units.
However, in such a reflective liquid crystal display device 1, since the incident light is absorbed by the polarizer 13, the reflectance thereof is generally decreased to about 50% or less. Thus, the brightness realized by such a liquid crystal display device is unsatisfactory.
In order to solve such a problem, liquid crystal display devices operating in a display mode in which the entire incident light can be efficaciously utilized without using polarizers have been proposed. Such liquid crystal display devices include, for example, a phase-change type liquid crystal display device operating in Guest Host (GH) mode.
FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the element substrate 2 of a phase-change type liquid crystal display device operating in GH mode. FIG. 29 is a plan view of the counter substrate 3 thereof. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device taken along the line 30--30 shown in FIG. 28.
It is noted that the basic planar configuration of the liquid crystal display device is similar to that shown in FIG. 23. Since this liquid crystal display device also has a similar H-VGA arrangement, the plan view thereof will not be depicted. However, in this liquid crystal display device, micro color filters 18a for cyan and micro color filters 18b for red are alternately provided in a checkerboard pattern on the counter substrate 3 for performing color display. Thus, the number of the element terminals necessary for the liquid crystal display device of this type becomes twice as large as that of the reflective liquid crystal display device: that is to say, 480.times.2=960.
In this liquid crystal display device, the pixel electrodes 7 also function as a reflector. In order to improve the luminance and the contrast ratio of the liquid crystal display device, the pixel electrodes 7 are formed on the upper surface of an organic insulating layer 19 on which uneven portions (i.e., the circles of various sizes drawn by the solid lines in FIG. 28) are formed. As a result, the upper surface of the pixel electrodes 7 becomes a diffusive reflective surface having a high reflectance. In other words, the reflector formed on the outer surface of the liquid crystal cell in the conventional reflective liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 23 is formed inside the liquid crystal cell in the GH mode liquid crystal display device. The pixel electrodes functioning as a reflector is made of aluminum (Al) or the like.
Moreover, the upper electrode 6 of the MIM element 4 is electrically connected to a corresponding pixel electrode 7 via a through hole 20 provided through the organic insulating layer 19.
The ON/OFF states of the display are switched by controlling the orientation states of the Guest Host liquid crystal molecules including dichroic dyes upon an application of a voltage to the gap between the pixel electrodes 7 and the counter electrodes 9. As shown in FIG. 30, the molecules 21 of the dichroic dyes tend to be aligned with the liquid crystal molecules 22. Thus, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal molecules 22 and the dichroic dye molecules 21 are arranged in a direction substantially vertical to the inward surfaces of the substrates so that the light incident from above the counter substrate 3 is passed through the liquid crystal layer without being absorbed into the dichroic dyes, reflected by the pixel electrodes 7 functioning as a reflector, passed through the liquid crystal layer again and then is emitted outward. On the other hand, when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal molecules 22 and the dichroic dye molecules 21 are arranged irregularly so that the incident light is absorbed and cut off by the dichroic dye molecules 21. Since bright display (white display) or dark display (black display) is realized by selectively reflecting or cutting off the incident light, respectively, a bright image can be displayed without using any polarizers.
The basic equivalent circuit of such a phase-change type liquid crystal display device is similar to that of the reflective liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 23. Thus, the phase-change type liquid crystal display device is also designed such that the ratio of the capacitance of the liquid crystal layer to that of the MIM element becomes an appropriate value (about 10:1).
FIG. 31A is an equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to one pixel of the liquid crystal display device using such MIM elements. An MIM element is represented as a parallel circuit formed by a nonlinear resistance R.sub.MIM and a capacitance C.sub.MIM, while the liquid crystal layer is represented as a parallel circuit formed by a resistance R.sub.LC and a capacitance C.sub.LC.
FIGS. 31B through 31E illustrate the basic waveforms of driving signals and the variations in voltages applied to the liquid crystal layer along the passage of time.
Assuming that a selection waveform having an amplitude V.sub.p is applied to the scanning lines (the counter electrodes) for a time period T.sub.ON every time a cycle T has passed as shown in FIG. 31B and that a data signal determining the display states of the liquid crystal layer is applied to the signal lines (lower electrodes) as shown in FIG. 31C. Then, the waveform of the actually applied voltage is obtained by combining the waveforms shown in FIG. 31B and 31C. Consequently, the waveform of the actually applied voltage becomes the waveform shown in FIG. 31D.
In general, in order to maintain the reliability of the liquid crystal molecules, an alternate current drive is performed by alternately inverting the polarities of the voltages to be applied.
Assuming that a selection voltage is applied to a scanning line (counter electrode), a voltage (V.sub.P .+-.V.sub.D) applied to the selected pixel is capacitance divided and a voltage V.sub.MIM applied to an MIM element is given by: EQU V.sub.MIM =C.sub.LC /(C.sub.LC +C.sub.MIM).multidot.(V.sub.P .+-.V.sub.D)
If the capacitance C.sub.MIM of the MIM element is set to be sufficiently small (i.e., C.sub.MIM <<C.sub.LC), almost all the voltage is applied to the MIM element. Since the MIM element has nonlinear current-voltage characteristics (i.e, the resistance of the element becomes low when an applied voltage is high), the MIMI element is turned ON so that charge corresponding to the display state is written onto the capacitance C.sub.LC of the liquid crystal layer.
When such a selection time T.sub.ON terminates at the trailing edge of the selection waveform, C.sub.LC and C.sub.MIM are capacitance coupled so that the voltage V.sub.LC applied to the liquid crystal layer is abruptly decreased by a difference .DELTA.V to be described later (see FIG. 31E). As a result, the voltage V.sub.LC is continuously discharged via the OFF resistance of the MIM element until the next selection time starts. EQU .DELTA.V=C.sub.MIM /(C.sub.LC +C.sub.MIM).multidot.(V.sub.P .+-.V.sub.D)
The display is performed while repeatedly applying similar signal waveforms from then on. During this display period, the ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM of the capacitance CLC of the liquid crystal layer to the capacitance C.sub.MIM of the MIM element is desirably as large as possible. This is because if the value of the ratio is small, then a sufficient amount of voltage cannot be applied to the MIM element during the selection time so that the element can not be perfectly turned ON. Furthermore, since the abrupt decrease .DELTA.V of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer becomes larger at the trailing edge of the selection waveform, several problems including a decrease in effective voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer are additionally caused. Thus, in order to display a satisfactory image, it is desirable to secure a standard capacitance ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM of about 10.
Furthermore, if the capacitance ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM becomes different among the respective pixels, then the displayed image becomes adversely non-uniform. Thus, it is necessary to eliminate a variation in capacitances of the MIM elements. If a thin insulating film having non-linearity is formed by an anodization method, then an insulating film having a satisfactorily uniform finish thickness can be obtained. Thus, in such a case, the variation in capacitances of the MIM elements substantially depends upon the finish area of each element. Consequently, in order to prevent an image from being non-uniformly displayed, it is important to fabricate elements of a uniform size.
FIG. 32 is a graph representing a relationship between a ratio of the capacitance C.sub.LC of the liquid crystal layer to the capacitance C.sub.MIM of the MIM element (hereinafter, simply referred to as a capacitance ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM) and the contrast ratio of the liquid crystal display device. Exemplary results obtained by measuring the characteristics of a phase-change type reflective liquid crystal display device operating in GH mode are represented in FIG. 32. Liquid crystal display devices having various capacitance ratios of about 5.98, about 7.82, about 10.84, about 12.88 and about 21.68 were modeled by intentionally varying the size (or the area) of an element while setting the electrode area of a pixel (i.e., the capacitance of the liquid crystal layer) to be constant.
The contrast ratio is saturated when the capacitance ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM is approximately 10 and tends to decrease as the capacitance ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM becomes smaller. The decrease in contrast ratio becomes remarkable particularly when the capacitance ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM is smaller than about 8. Thus, it is desirable to secure a capacitance ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM of about 8 or more, more preferably about 10.
Moreover, as the capacitance ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM becomes smaller, an element cannot be sufficiently turned ON unless the driving voltage is set to be high. Therefore, in view of the breakdown voltage of a driving LSI and the power consumption, a low driving voltage is desirable. Consequently, the capacitance ratio C.sub.LC /C.sub.MIM is preferably large.
In this case, since the thickness of the insulating film 8 of the MIM element 4 is about 40 nm to about 70 nm, the insulating film 8 has a low electric breakdown voltage and an insulation breakdown is easily caused by the static electricity generated during the fabrication process. As a result, the upper and the lower electrodes of the MIM element 4 are short-circuited and the MIM element can no longer normally function as a switching element. Since a pixel including such a short-circuited MIM element appears as a point defect on the screen, the display definition of the liquid crystal display device is degraded and the fabrication yield of the liquid crystal display device is adversely decreased.
A high-resolution large-capacity liquid crystal display device is required for portable information units in particular. Thus, the number of pixels or elements required for such a liquid crystal display device is necessarily increased. Furthermore, in the case of performing color display, even if the same number of pixels as that of the pixels used for monochromatic display are used, the number of the elements is further increased because a micro color filter layer is additionally provided.
Moreover, if a micro color filter layer is provided, then the point defects are displayed as colored points. As a result, since the point defects become more recognizable, the display definition is disadvantageously decreased. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress such point defects.
Various measures are taken for preventing the generation of static electricity. For example, the humidity during the fabrication process is monitored, and/or a ground or an ionizer is provided for the operator, thereby controlling the environment during the fabrication of a liquid crystal display device. Hc ever, it is currently impossible to completely prevent the insulation breakdown of an MIM element.
In consideration of these circumstances, measures for improving the breakdown voltage itself of an MIM element have also been taken. If the thickness of an insulating film 8 is increased, then it is surely possible to improve the electric breakdown voltage thereof. However, in such a case, the characteristics of such a switching element are deteriorated and the current-voltage characteristics thereof become less abrupt. Thus, the structure of an element has been reexamined instead of increasing the thickness of an insulator.
In an MIM element in general, an insulation breakdown is likely to be generated, because an electric field is likely to be concentrated on an insulator located over the etching edges of a lower electrode pattern or because another insulator has a poor step coverage when the insulator is formed. In an MIM element having a conventional structure, not only the insulator located on a flat portion of a lower electrode but also the insulator located over the etching edges are naturally used as insulators for the MIM element. Thus, the insulation breakdown of the MIM element itself is easily generated. Such an insulation breakdown generated along the periphery of the lower electrode makes defective an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device.
Thus, it has been proposed to further cover the insulator over the etching edges of a lower electrode, in which an insulation breakdown is easily generated, with an intermediate layer having insulation properties. In accordance with such a method, the insulation breakdown of an element is reduced by using only the insulator over the flat portion of the lower electrode as the insulator for an MIM element. MIM elements of this type are described, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publications Nos. 1-270027, 3-160420, 4-367827 and 5-119353.
In general, an MIM element having such an intermediate insulating layer is fabricated by performing the steps of: forming a lower electrode; forming an insulator having non-linearity (or a first insulator); forming an intermediate insulating layer (or a second insulator); and forming an upper electrode. A so-called "top contact structure" in which the upper electrode and the lower electrode are connected to the insulator having non-linearity via an aperture-shaped opening (contact hole) provided in a part of the intermediate insulating layer is employed.
FIG. 33A is a plan view showing an MIM element in which a contact hole is provided through such an intermediate insulating layer. FIGS. 33B through 33D are cross-sectional views of the element substrates having various structures taken along the line 33B-D--33B-D shown in FIG. 33A. The cross section may have any of various kinds of layered structures depending upon the methods for fabricating the element. In any case, the cross section is characterized in that the etching edges of the lower electrode 5a are not used as a part of the element.
For example, the element shown in FIG. 33B can be fabricated by performing the following process steps.
First, a lower electrode 5a is formed on the surface of the element substrate 2 and then the surface of the lower electrode 5a is anodized, thereby depositing an insulator 8 having non-linearity thereon.
Next, an intermediate insulating layer 24 is deposited over the entire surface of the substrate 2 and an opening 23 to be a contact hole is provided through the insulating layer 24. In general, the intermediate insulating layer 24 is often made of a metal oxide or a metal nitride. It should be noted that the intermediate insulating layer 24 is required to be deposited at a low temperature. This is because if the previously deposited insulator 8 is exposed to a high temperature during a thermal process for depositing the intermediate insulating layer 24, the characteristics of the resulting MIM element are adversely deteriorated.
After the contact hole 23 has been provided, the upper electrode 6 is formed on the insulating layer 24, thereby forming an MIM element. Next, a pixel electrode 7 is formed thereon and is connected to the upper electrode 6. As a result, an MIM element is formed of the lower electrode 5a, the insulator 8 and the upper electrode 6. The area of the element becomes equal to the area of the contact hole 23.
In this case, in order to prevent the characteristics of the MIM element from being deteriorated owing to the heat applied when the intermediate insulating layer 24 is deposited, the order in which the insulator 8 and the intermediate insulating layer 24 are formed can be inverted.
For example, the element shown in FIG. 33C can be fabricated by performing the following process steps.
First, a lower electrode 5a is formed on the surface of the element substrate 2, an intermediate insulating layer 24 is deposited over the surface of the substrate 2 and an opening 23 to be a contact hole is provided through the insulating layer 24. Next, an insulator 8 having non-linearity is deposited on the surface of the insulating layer 24 by a sputtering method or the like and then patterned into a predetermined shape. Furthermore, an upper electrode 6 and a pixel electrode 7 are formed in the same way as in the case of forming the insulator 8 before the intermediate insulating layer 24 is formed.
In the thus-obtained MIM element shown in FIG. 33C, the area of the element is also equal to the area of the contact hole 23.
However, in the case of depositing the insulator 8 by a sputtering method, pin holes are likely to be generated. In addition, since the thickness of the insulator 8 becomes less uniform, a variation is adversely caused in capacities of the elements. Thus, it is possible to make the thickness of the insulator 8 more uniform if the insulator 8 having non-linearity is deposited by methods other than the method used in the process for fabricating the MIM element shown in FIG. 33C. For example, an anodization method, a thermal oxidization method or the like may be used instead of the sputtering method. In such a case, since the insulator 8 is deposited only over a part of the surface of the lower electrode 5a corresponding to the contact hole 23, the cross section of the MIM element has a structure shown in FIG. 33D.
As described above, an MIM element using a contact hole does not use the etching edges of the lower electrode, in which an insulation breakdown is likely to be caused, as a part of the element so that it is possible to suppress the possibility of the insulation breakdown. Thus, such a structure is effectively applicable to dealing with the defects.

LCD device having a switching element with reduced size and capacitance and method for fabricating the same


A method and a system of displaying a frame are provided. The method is applicable for an electronic apparatus, and the method includes: obtaining capability information of each client apparatus in a subnet where the electronic apparatus is located, so as to obtain total capability information; connecting a server system and receiving a capability inquiring instruction from the server system; reporting the total capability information to the server system in response to the capability inquiring instruction, so that the server system sends a drawing instruction; co-generating the frame with the client apparatuses according to the drawing instruction sent by the server system.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a mechanism of displaying a frame, and more particularly, to a method and a system of displaying a frame of a virtual desktop.
2. Description of Related Art
A virtual desktop infra-structure (VDI) enables a user to store and run workloads in a centralized, server-based virtual machine (VM) in a data center. At present, the VDI display mechanism may be substantially categorized into client-side rendering and host-side rendering. The host-side rendering allows display frames to be transmitted to a user's computer according to the remote desktop protocol (RDP) after the display frames of the VM are generated by the remote server. According to the mechanism of the host-side rendering, only the display frames of the VM are transmitted, and thus the system requirements for the user's computer are relatively low. By contrast, the client-side rendering allows the remote server to transmit the drawing instructions relative to the display frames of the VM to the user's computer, and the user's computer itself generates the display frames of the VM. Hence, the mechanism of the client-side rendering is conducive to the reduction of power consumption of the remote server.
Nonetheless, the mechanism of the host-side rendering leads to the increase in the computation amount of the remote server and thus results in significant power consumption; by comparison, under the mechanism of the client-side rendering, system resources of the client apparatuses are likely to be fully consumed.


The invention relates to topical formulations comprising: a galactooligosaccharide; 0.01% to 10% w/w xylitol; and a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier. The invention also relates to use of the formulations, and methods for their preparation.

The largest organ of human body is the skin, which plays a pivotal role in protecting the host from pathogenic infections and penetration of harmful agents. Before birth, the skin is completely sterile but after birth, environmental microbes that are in homeostasis with the host colonize it. Moreover, after a vaginal delivery, fecal and vaginal microbes belonging to the mother's bacterial microflora also colonize the skin of infants. The microbial community living on the human skin is called skin microbiota, and it is constituted by over 100 distinct species of bacteria. The skin is the body's interface to the outside world, and it harbors populations of non-pathogenic, commensal microorganisms have an important function in skin health and disease.
Our skin hosts about 106 bacteria per square centimeter which form our skin microflora. A healthy balanced skin biota is the microbial shield against pathogenic microorganisms and it can prevent dry skin conditions and improve skin health.
Alterations in the skin microbiome are an important component of the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis. Skin affected by atopic dermatitis is often colonized by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), particularly during a disease flare, whereas the abundance of other commensal bacteria is markedly decreased. These changes in the skin microbiome negatively affect the epidermal barrier and initiate inflammation. When bacteria such as S. aureus, attach to the skin surface, they form biofilms which act as a scaffold for further bacterial growth. Antibiotics are not the optimal treatment for removing bacteria from the skin of atopic dermatitis patients due to issues such as skin irritation and bacterial resistance.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a topical formulation for treating a skin disease or disorder, for example atopic dermatitis.

Antibacterial activity of galactooligosaccharide and xylitol in dermatological treatments


A modular apparatus comprising a neck band and a variety of inserts to provide different functional capabilities useful and beneficial for the treatment of an injury to the neck and the rehabilitation associated therewith. The neck band is provided with a pocket for receiving the interchangeable insertion of the various inserts. One of the inserts in conjunction with the neck bank provides an apparatus for immobilizing or limiting movement of the neck. A cylindrical insert in conjunction with the neck band provides an apparatus beneficial for improving articular motion of the joints of the neck. An insert filled with a medium that may be either heated or cooled in conjunction with the neck band provides either a hot pack or a cold pack. The neck band is of an elastic material and has formed loops on each of its ends to facilitate utilization of the neck band for exercise routines, either by using the band by itself or using the band with one of the inserts inserted in the pocket. The neck band has self adhering fasteners affixed at each of its looped ends for ease of fitting the band to the neck of an individual.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices used in the treatment of neck injuries and particularly it relates to modular apparatus that is convertible to provide a variety of functions for the treatment of neck injuries and rehabilitation associated with the treatment.
Neck injuries, whether they be severe or mild, are a discomfort to one who suffers such a malady. An individual suffering a neck injury will, for a rapid and most complete recovery, progress through a series of different treatments during recovery and rehabilitation. The treatment of neck injuries including rehabilitation generally is accomplished by use of many different devices to aid in the recovery process, provide comfort to the individual and as aids in exercising.
The treatment of the injury and the rehabilitation required may include, for example, the application of cold packs, immobilization of the neck, the application of hot packs, and various forms of exercises. Each of the treatment routines is accomplished or at least assisted by the use of separate devices or implements. The application of cold packs is accomplished by placing ice or a chilled liquid in an ice bag or similar device and applying the bag to the area of the injury. Hot packs are similarly applied to an area of the injury by using a device such as a hot water bottle or the like which is most often filled with heated water. The neck is most often immobilized by the use of a collar fitted around the neck. The collar is usually a semi-rigid elongate member covered with a cloth material which is configured to have a height to fit under the chin and the rear of the head with the bottom of the collar resting generally on the shoulder area of the individual. Fasteners are provided at each of its ends for fastening the collar in position once it is wrapped around the neck. There are numerous exercising devices utilized to provide exercise routines for increasing the strength of the muscles and mobility of the joints associated with neck movement.
Each phase or routine in the treatment and rehabilitation of the neck is thus enhanced or aided by the employment of a variety of different devices or implements. An individual, in order to fully benefit from each phase of the treatment, must then have at his/her disposal all of the different implements or devices to affect the best results of each phase or routine utilized in the treatment and/or rehabilitation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular apparatus that is convertible to provide an apparatus arranged for each phase or routine.


The invention relates to a method of arranging roaming in a telecommunications system comprising a local network, at least one public land mobile network, and a terminal equipment. In the telecommunications system, public land mobile network identifiers and network element identifiers linked therewith are defined. These public land mobile network identifiers and the network element identifiers linked therewith are transmitted to the terminal equipment. The terminal equipment selects a public land mobile network by means of a comparison of the received public land mobile network identifiers and public land mobile network identifiers stored in the terminal equipment. Access is arranged for the terminal equipment via the local network to the network element determined by the network element identifier linked with the identifier of the selected public land mobile network.

The invention relates to arranging roaming in a telecommunications system comprising a wireless local access network and a public land mobile network (PLMN).
There has been considerable development in recent years in data services provided for mobility-enhancing PLMNs with large coverage areas. The general packet radio service (GPRS) provides GSM networks with efficient data transmission, where radio capacity is only reserved during transfer of packets. A 3G universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), standardized by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), will provide even higher data transmission capacity than GSM/GPRS networks. A radio interface provided by a UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is based on enhanced WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) technology, and a core network is based on the GSM/GPRS core network.
In addition to data services provided by PLMNs, various wireless local area networks have been developed to provide wideband wireless data transmission from a very limited coverage area. An example of such technology is a wireless local area network (WLAN) based on IEEE 802.11. These local networks provide high-speed data transmission and access to the Internet in different hot spots, such as offices or airports. There has also been some convergence of local area networks and PLMNs. For example GSM-based base stations can be used in an office data system to provide a wireless connection to the local area network of the office. On the other hand, WLANs have also been provided with network elements, with which the WLAN can utilize a PLMN. For example WLANs according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, and GSM networks have been provided with network elements for accessing GSM authentication and billing services via a WLAN.
Roaming can also be arranged in a WLAN, i.e. a user can be authenticated in the local network where he is roaming (and with which he typically has no service contract made in advance) by means of the PLMN, a subscriber identification module (in the GSM a subscriber identity module SIM) provided by the home PLMN (HPLMN), and subscriber data located in the subscriber's home network. However, a mobile station can also be located for example abroad in the area of a local network with no direct connection to the subscriber's HPLMN but only to one or more networks of other PLMN operators. In order to provide successful roaming in such a situation, PLMN operators must have mutual roaming agreements determining how a roaming subscriber is to be charged. When a roaming mobile station contacts a local network, it is not necessarily aware of the PLMNs that are available via the local network in question. In such a case, the mobile station must provide the local network with the network identifier (PLMN ID) of its HPLMN operator. Based thereon, the local network should select the PLMN that the roaming user should use. For this purpose, the local network should store data about the PLMNs where the user can roam, and preferably also data on the preferred PLMNs. This would require additional functionality and increase the need for memory capacity in the local network, and it might also cause conflicts of interest between the PLMN operators and the operators of local area networks.


A device having an anchor block having orifices therethrough, each accommodating a tendon of the cable and a means of immobilizing the tendon. The device further includes a bearing piece for the anchor block, and means of guiding the tendons between the anchor block and a running part of the cable. The guide means are connected to the bearing piece and include an individual guide passage for each tendon of the cable, allowing angular deviation thereof. Each guide passages have, in the direction of the anchor block, a transverse layout aligned with that of the orifices in the anchor block.

The present invention relates to the devices used to anchor structural cables used in construction work. It applies in particular to stays, pre-stressing cables and suspension cables of suspension bridges.
The stays are cables generally designed to transmit tensile loads between two points of a structure to which they are anchored. They are therefore in theory straight, if external effects which tend to curve their path are neglected.
The catenary effect due to the self-weight of the stay, the effect of the wind (external transverse pressure), the slight rotational movements of the building elements supporting the stay anchors, the effects of variations in temperature are factors which lead to angular deflections at the ends of the stays, i.e. where they emerge from the anchor points.
In other cables, significant deflections as they emerge from the anchor point are also possible because of the line they are forced to follow or because of transverse action to which they are subjected.
The construction of anchor points is generally such that only tensile loading is reacted satisfactorily. Local bending moments brought about by the abovementioned angular deflections that may be applied to the anchor point are filtered by means of a continuous or insulated guide at the anchor point exit and located a suitable distance away to ensure that they are sufficiently effective.
The principle of anchoring is based on the individual wedging of each of the tendons of which the cable is made. This entails a certain transverse spacing of the tendons at the anchor block so as to have enough space to fit the individual wedging means which are generally jaws with frustoconical wedges.
In the case of stays, a deflector brings the tendons together into a compact arrangement a certain distance away from the anchor point so as to minimize the overall cross section of the stay in the running part. In general, the guide which filters out the bending moments lies at the deflector which collects the tendons together into a compact formation (see, e.g., EP-A-0 323 285). The relatively long distance between the guide and the anchor block (typically more than one meter) is needed to limit excessive angular deflections of each tendon which would carry the risk of damaging it and would result in additional bending moments at the anchor block. In addition, taking up bending moments too close to the anchor point would leave significant transverse loadings at the anchor block.
GB-A-2 157 339 discloses a stay anchoring device wherein a deflector is mounted in two parts in a tube secured to the anchor block. The part furthest from the anchor block prevents contact between the external strands and the tube, while the part closest to the anchor block prevents the strands from rubbing together when cyclic loadings are applied to the stay. The bending moments, to which the document pays no particular attention, are essentially reacted at the part of the deflector furthest from the anchor block.
In other arrangements, the stay downstream of the anchor block passes through an orifice which widens toward the running part, and which allows the whole of the stay an angular deflection by reacting the bending moments along the length of the zone over which the stay bears against the orifice (see, e.g., GB-A-2 097 835).
An object of the present invention is to propose an anchoring system which limits the bending stresses of the cable to permissible value as soon as the cable leaves the anchor point. Another object is possibly to make it possible to dispense with an additional external device for reacting the bending moments that are due to the variations in the path of the cable.
The invention thus proposes a device for anchoring a structural cable, comprising an anchor block having orifices therethrough, each accommodating a tendon of the cable and a means of immobilizing said tendon, a bearing piece for the anchor block, and means of guiding the tendons between the anchor block and a running part of the cable, wherein the guide means are connected to the bearing piece and comprise an individual guide passage for each tendon of the cable. Each guide passage widens toward the running part of the cable so as to allow angular deflection of the tendon accommodated in said passage. The guide passages have, in the direction of the anchor block, a transverse layout aligned with that of the orifices in the anchor block.
The overall design of the anchor point is greatly simplified by associating the guide means directly with the anchoring device. The tendons of the cable are individually guided, which means that the inertia of the flexing element is significantly lower than the overall inertia of the cable. This results in effective filtering of the bending moments at the anchor block, even if the distance between the anchor block and the guide means is relatively short. Individual guidance of the tendons avoids the cumulative effect of the transverse loads of the layers of tendons on one another.
Advantageously, each guide passage widens toward the running part of the cable with a radius of curvature that is substantially constant in a plane passing through the axis of said passage.
In a preferred arrangement of the device, the guide means comprise at least one guide member housed in a tube connected to the bearing part, through which the tendon-guiding passages are formed.
The guide member may lie just behind the anchor block, or be spaced a certain distance away from the anchor block. In the latter case, it is possible to make provision for the tendons of the cable to be strands individually protected in the running part, the individual protection of each tendon being interrupted in a chamber lying between the guide member and the anchor block, with sealing means placed between said chamber and the guide member so as to form a sealed separation between the chamber and the running part of the cable, and to contain a filling and protective product injected into the chamber. The device possibly comprises a second guide member lying between the anchor block and the sealing means.
The guide member may be made of a rigid or deformable material. In the latter case, it is advantageous to leave a clearance, in the direction of the running part of the cable, between the circumference of the guide member and the tube in which it is housed, so as to allow the collection of tendons of the cable an angular deflection by deformation of the material of the guide member. The shape of this clearance is optimized so as to provide uniform curvature. When the guide member has a cylindrical periphery, the clearance may result from a widening of the inner face of the tube toward the running part of the cable, with a radius of curvature that is substantially constant in a plane passing through the axis of the tube. When the tube has a cylindrical inner face, the clearance may result from a narrowing of the periphery of the guide member toward the running part of the cable, with a radius of curvature that is substantially constant in a plane passing through the axis of the tube. Another possibility is that the clearance results partly from a narrowing of the periphery of the guide member toward the running part of the cable and partly from a widening of the inner face of the tube toward the running part of the cable.
Advantageously, the deformable guide member has a viscosity, so as to damp the cable when the latter oscillates. This viscosity may be intrinsic to the deformable material of the member and/or may result from a viscous substance contained in cavities formed in this member.
The deformable guide member may comprise, between the guide passages, inserts of an inertia that decreases toward the running part of the cable, which makes it possible to control the curvature experienced by the cable through the member. As an alternative, the tube in which the deformable guide member is housed may have an inertia that decreases toward the running part of the cable.


A rolling-element bearing includes inner and outer rings and a cage between the rings, the cage having a plurality of cage segments with lateral boundary walls defining a receiving pocket for a rolling element having a diameter Dw, the pockets being dimensioned such that in a load-free state the rolling elements are positionable in the receiving pockets with a circumferential clearance (c) on the pitch circle between adjacent boundary walls of the pocket such that the clearance satisfies the relationship: cmax≧c≧Cmin, where: cmin=0.01*Dw−0.5 mm and cmax=0.02*Dw−0.4 mm, and wherein the diameter (Dw) of the rolling-element bearing is at least 50 mm.

A rolling-element bearing of the above-described type is known from WO 2012/076583 A2. Instead of a classical one-piece bearing cage, here the cage is formed by a number of cage segments. This has the advantage that there is a particularly good suitability for large tapered roller bearings, and the loads occurring here can be particularly well supported. Furthermore, the individual cage segments can be installed well; a low cage weight can simultaneously be achieved. The formation of the cage segments makes possible a secure receiving of the rolling element and a reliable guiding of the cage segment on the rolling element. In intended usage here the cage segments do not come into contact; they are not connected to one another.
US 2012/0082409 A1, DE 10 2006 022 951 A1, DE 11 2009 002 624 T5, DE 20 2008 017 091 U1, DE 102 46 825 A1, DE 31 14 325 A1, and JP 2012 026 534 A disclose further similar and also different solutions.
Here the mentioned segmented cages have been proven in particular in large bearings. In operation, forces arise between the cage segments and the adjacent rolling elements. They are both dynamic and also static forces depending on the operating state of the rolling-element bearing.
The cage segments should be as thin-walled as possible in order to be able to use as many rolling elements as possible, which, however, is limited because the cages should not be damaged by the forces mentioned.

Rolling bearing with rolling bodies disposed in a plurality of cage segments


A device for forming a union of pipe ends includes two pipe connectors, each configured for attachment to an end of a length of pipe at one end and for joining to the other of the two connectors at the other end and a nut having a bore with internal threads configured to mate with outer threads on the outer surface of one or both of the two pipe connectors. The outer lateral surface of the nut includes a plurality of handle connection structures. The device includes a handle for increasing the amount of manually-generated torque on the nut during tightening or loosening of the nut with respect to the outer threads. The handle has a nut attachment end configured to engage the handle connection structures, and is provided with a mechanism for reversibly locking the handle to any of the plurality of handle connection structures of the nut.

Hammer unions are well known couplings used in the oil, gas and mining industries for fastening pipe together. For example, pipe carrying high-pressure fluids such as drilling mud, fracturing fluids and oil and gas produced in drilling activities may be coupled using hammer unions. Hammer unions generally comprise an annular metal body having a thread end and a nut end with one or more lugs or wing nuts extending outwardly from the annular body which can be struck with a hammer to rotate the hammer union in order to tighten or loosen it.
U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2012/0048069, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a hammer union wrench comprising a tool head having a substantially circular or disk shaped tool head body with an opening there through axially and transversally. The axial opening also includes slots which receive tabs associated with the hammer union. Although this is a useful arrangement, it requires the engagement of at least two of the tabs or bosses of the hammer union and fairly specific alignment of the tool head relative to the hammer union.
Other tools used with hammer unions are spanner wrenches. An example of one such arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,830,480, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This wrench has a semicircular tool head with a series of recesses and projections positioned on the tool head. The recesses and projections mate in registration with similarly configured recesses and projections in the tubing union.
U.S. Pat. No. 464,084, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a curved jaw tool head with a tooth positioned within the jaw and guiding ears associated therewith.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,691,912 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes an anvil type wrench. The wrench effectively comprises a body suitable for use in pipe union fittings.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,528,892, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a wrench which has an internally-directed U-shaped head.
Japan Patent document JP 477315462, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a pipe fitting with a cam lever for locking pipes together.
Japan Patent document JP 09049592A, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a pipe joint with a handle-operated nut coupler.
Japan Patent document JP 2010169166A, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a bite type pipe connection structure with a cam surface to which a distal end of a ferrule is pressed is provided on a joint body.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,417,025, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a hammer lock union which is locked in place using a lateral pin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,830, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a guide system for protecting threads and seals when joining lengths of production tubing. The system includes removable handles secured by large bolts.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,118,528, and 8,657,547, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, each describe variations of a field replaceable hammer union wing nut with removable hammer pads.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0226355, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a hammer union connector which includes male and female pipe connectors, a threaded nut and load segments for insertion between the nut and the male sub.
There continues to be a need for improving pipe union systems for use in the oil, gas and mining industries for fastening pipes together.


A system of detecting and adjusting the normal force exerted by a web material around the circumferential surface of a cylinder is provided. Sensors associated with the cylinder surface are wired to a processor that compares detected normal web forces with a set value. An actuation device is activated by the processor to adjust the normal force exerted by the web by, e.g., adjusting the tension in the web material. A positioning device that preferably translates a web-wound spool is also provided as an option for the actuation device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital printing apparatus and methods, and more particularly to an apparatus for continuously supplying lithographic printing material to the plate cylinder of a planographic printing press or a plate-material imager.
2. Description of the Related Art
Traditional techniques of printing an image onto a recording medium, such as paper, include letterpress printing, gravure printing and offset lithography. All of these printing methods require the use of plate material. This plate material is usually loaded onto a rotating plate cylinder that is brought into pressurable contact with the recording/printing medium.
In letterpress printing, the image is represented on the plate material as raised surfaces that accept ink and transfer it onto the medium. Gravure plates, in contrast, define a series of wells or indentations that accept ink for deposit onto the recording medium. Excess ink is removed from the plate material using a doctor blade or another similar device prior to contact between the plate and the recording medium.
In offset lithography, an image is defined on a printing plate defined by ink-accepting (oleophilic) areas surrounded by ink-repellent (oleophobic) surfaces. Two different lithographic systems are generally employed in offset lithography. In a dry printing system, the plate material is simply inked, and the image is transferred onto a recording/printing medium. First, the plate material makes contact with a compliant intermediate surface called a blanket cylinder which, in turn, applies the image to the paper or other medium. The paper is typically pinned to an impression cylinder in rolling contact with the blanket cylinder, which applies ink to the paper in accordance with the image.
In a wet lithographic system, the non-image areas are hydrophilic, and the necessary ink-repellency is provided by an initial application of a dampening (or "fountain") solution to the plate material prior to inking. The fountain solution prevents ink from adhering to the non-image areas but does not affect the oleophilic character of the image areas.
Different techniques have been developed for affixing plate material to underlying plate cylinders. Basic offset printing systems involve stationary clamping of a flexible length of plate material to the plate cylinder, while more advanced systems such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,355,795 and 5,727,749 (both co-owned with the present application, and expressly incorporated herein by reference) use a relatively long length of plate material or web material stored in the form of rolls within a well or cavity in the plate cylinder. In these systems, a new segment of the plate or web material is advanced around the plate cylinder following completion of a print job. The new segment is imaged by an electronically controlled print head, which applies a print pattern to the surface.
Friction between the web material and the cylinder surface keeps web material stationary relative to the cylinder surface during each print job. As long as the force that tries to move the web does not exceed a critical value of the friction between the web and the cylinder surface, Fc, the web remains stationary against the cylinder surface without slipping. On one hand, a sufficiently high value of Fc is especially important when the same length of the web is printed multiple times, e.g., each time with a different color, to complete an image. Slight movements will cause error in registration, e.g., misalignment between colors. On the other hand, too high an Fc value hinders the smooth and quick advancement of the web material between print jobs. Therefore, an optimal Fc needs to be balanced. Fc is given by the formula Fc=μs×N, where μs is the static friction coefficient and N is the normal force exerted by the web on the cylinder surface.
Meanwhile, there are various forces that may cause the web to slip against the cylinder surface. For example, the web material experiences significant tangential forces as a result of contact with the blanket cylinder, the forces resulting primarily from slight differences in the rolling diameters of the mating cylinder surfaces, which are in contact at sufficient pressure to compress the compliant blanket cylinder surface. These forces tend to alter the orientation of the web material or dislodge it completely unless the critical value of the friction, Fc, remains high enough that it is not exceeded.
Various approaches have been taken to maintain proper friction between the web and the plate cylinder's surface during and between print operations. The static friction coefficient μs is normally constant during printing. The normal force N exerted on the cylinder surface, however, can be changed in order to adjust the friction. One approach is to ensure the amount of the web wrapped around the cylinder remains constant so that the normal force exerted by the web on the cylinder surface remains constant. In the '749 patent mentioned above, a mechanical tensioning mechanism is incorporated into the web-advancing system to ensure that the same amount of web material is dispensed from a supply spool, wrapped around the cylinder circumference, and wound up by an uptake spool. As fresh web material is needed, the uptake spool may be rotated under the action of a clutching motor while a lock (typically a ratchet and pawl assembly) is released on the supply spool to allow fresh web material to be drawn therefrom. After sensing or calculating the radius of at least one of the spools, the device in the '749 patent uses that information to adjust the amount of supply spool rotation allowed by a lock/brake system during each advancing cycle in order to compensate any effect on the amount of web payout that might result from changes in spool radius.
A different approach is to measure or detect changes in the traveling tension of the web and use that information to adjust the normal force exerted against the cylinder. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0006029 by Ogawa et al. describes use of an angular displacement arm that swings as the web traveling tension changes. The angular displacement of the arm is used to calculate the traveling tension of the web, which is, in turn, used to adjust rotor speed of the spools. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,031 to Ringbom et al., pressure sensors are arranged between air nozzles adjacent the web to calculate the web tension.
None of these devices directly measures or detects the normal force exerted by the web material on the circumference of the cylinder. Therefore, a more precise, direct and immediate sensing system is needed to provide reliable and constant feedback to an actuation system that maintains an optimal web force against the cylinder circumference.

Web handling with tension sensing and adjustment


In a fishing reel, on the surface of a fishline winding barrel portion (10a) of a spool (10) around which a fishline (5) is wound in accordance with the rotational movement of a handle 7, a display portion (10b) is provided which can be visually recognized through the fishline wound around the winding barrel portion of the spool. As a result, a reel user is able to visually recognize with ease the quantity of fishline wound around the spool and the amount of fishline that has been played out.

The present invention relates to a fishing reel.
In using a fishing reel, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-57489 of Showa, a technique is known for recognizing the quantities of play-out of a fishline wound around a spool. The technique disclosed in this publication is illustrated in FIG. 13 and relates to a spinning reel in which, on at least one of mutually opposing inner surfaces 31, 32 of a fishline winding portion of a spool, 30 there are provided a plurality of scale portions 34 which extend from the neighborhood of the barrel portion 36 of the spool to the outer peripheral portion 38 of the spool and have different scale distances. As the fishline is played out, a user of the spinning reel sees the displays of the scale portions 34 becoming visible successively, to thereby be able to recognize the quantity of play-out of the fishline at the current time.
However, according to the above-mentioned structure, when the scale portions 34 are provided on the inner surface 31 of the spool 30 on the reel main body side, the reel user has to move around to the rod top side to view the scale portions. Alternatively, when the scale portions 34 are provided on the inner surface 32 of the spool 30 on the rod top side, the reel user has to view the scale portions over a reel leg portion or a handle. That is, either location for the scale portions 34 results in poor visibility of the scale portions and is cumbersome to use as a practical matter.
Also, the inner surface of the spool on the rod top side provides a small angle with respect to the horizontal surface and the depth of a groove formed in the spool is also shallow. In the case of a long throw spool, which is referred to as a shallow groove spool, the scale distances become smaller, which makes it difficult to see the scales clearly.


A phase change memory cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode located over the first electrode, a vertical pillar structure located between the first and second electrodes, the pillar structure containing a first phase change memory (PCM) material portion, a second PCM material portion and an intermediate electrode located between the first PCM material portion and the second PCM material portion, and a resistive liner containing a first segment electrically connected in parallel to the first PCM material portion between the first electrode and the intermediate electrode, and a second segment electrically connected in parallel to the second PCM material portion between the intermediate electrode and the second electrode. The first PCM material portion has a different electrical resistance than the second PCM material portion, and the first segment of the resistive liner has a different electrical resistance than the second segment of the resistive liner.

A phase change memory (PCM) device (also known as a phase change random access memory "PCRAM" or "PRAM") is a type of non-volatile memory device that stores information as a resistive state of a material that may be in different resistive states corresponding to different phases of the material. The different phases may include an amorphous state having high resistivity and a crystalline state having low resistivity (i.e., a lower resistivity than in the amorphous state).

Multi-level phase change memory cells and method of making the same


Chuck for use with manual or powered driver having rotatable shaft, the chuck including a bearing thrust ring fixed on the body and a self-contained anti-friction bearing assembly disposed adjacent the thrust ring. The chuck further includes a nut rotatably mounted on the bearing assembly in engagement with the threads on the jaws, and a generally cylindrical front sleeve in driving engagement with the nut and overlying the nose section of the body so that when the front sleeve member is rotated with respect to the body, the jaws will be moved thereby.

The present invention relates generally to chucks for use with drills or with electric or pneumatic power drivers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chuck of the keyless type which may be tightened or loosened by hand or by actuation of the driver motor.
Both hand and electric or pneumatic tool drivers are well known. Although twist drills are the most common tools used with such drivers, the tools may also comprise screwdrivers, nut drivers, burrs, mounted grinding stones and other cutting or abrading tools. Since the tools may have shanks of varying diameter or the cross-section of the tool shank may be polygonal, the device is usually provided with a chuck which is adjustable over a relatively wide range. The chuck may be attached to the driver by a threaded or tapered bore.
A wide variety of chucks have been developed in the art. In the simplest form of chuck, three jaws spaced circumferentially approximately 120 degrees apart from each other are constrained by angularly disposed passageways in a body attached onto the drive shaft and configured so that rotation of the body in one direction with respect to a constrained nut engaging the jaws forces the jaws into gripping relationship with the cylindrical shank of a tool, while rotation in the opposite direction releases the gripping relationship. Such a chuck may be keyless if it is rotated by hand. One example of such a chuck is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,673 entitled "Non-Impact Keyless Chuck" commonly assigned to the present assignee, and whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.
Despite the success of keyless chucks such as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,673, varying configurations of keyless chucks are desirable for a variety of applications. Existing bearing arrangements in chucks are designed to take the thrust load of a bearing and to eliminate friction between the nut and the body in the axial direction. These bearings are sometimes caged and have separate top and bottom thrust races. The body or the nut, if hard enough, can serve as the bottom or top thrust race, respectively.
It would be desirable to have a chuck configuration whereby radial as well as axial thread stresses were minimized when the chuck was operated. Further, it would be desirable to have a chuck whereby frictional contact between the chuck body and nut was minimized and further whereby the nut was maintained as centrally as possible during tightening to provide for more even loading of the individual jaws. It would also be desirable to have a keyless chuck that requires fewer components or lower manufacturing cost.


A multi-node collaboration network can include multiple computing nodes communicatively coupled to a collaboration server. A computing node can be joined to the multi-node collaboration network for sharing data corresponding to a current project among a set of project team members. Current project data can be compared, using computer hardware, with previous project data stored in a data storage device communicatively coupled to the collaboration network. A previous project corresponding to the current project can be determined, using the computer hardware, based on the comparing the current project data with the previous project data. Using the computer hardware and responsive to detecting a nonconforming decision, an electronic notification of the nonconforming decision is provided.

The present disclosure relates to computer networking, and more particularly, to a collaboration network and server.
Completing a complex project of virtually any kind frequently involves multiple professionals working through multiple phases. A computer network can facilitate collaboration among a team of professionals by enabling the members to exchange ideas and make decisions without each being present at the same time at the identical location. The convenience and efficiency gained by allowing team members to exchange ideas and make decisions over such a network can enhance the team's creativity and productivity.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


Selecting the nutrition for an animal or animal group comprises performing a diagnostic test to obtain first data. A data base that comprises first data relating a genomic analysis of a bodily fluid or tissue sample from an animal to a physiological condition and optionally the genotype of the animal is accessed. A data base that comprises second data relating to effects of nutrition on genomic analysis is accessed. The first and second data are processed with input data defining the physiological condition and optionally the genotype of the animal or animal group to derive the nutrition for an animal or animal group.

1. Field
This disclosure is concerned with animal health diagnosis. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to the testing, diagnosis and prediction of diseases and disorders of animal companions, for instance dogs and cats.
Further this disclosure relates to a method, system and apparatus for the management of comprehensive and cumulative genetic and health assessment databases in relation to animals worldwide. In particular, the disclosure relates to a bioinformatics system and its implementation in relation to animal biological data.
More specifically the disclosure is directed to animal health care, well-being and nutrition, and methods and systems for enhanced determination of these factors.
2. General Background
There is a need for a new database management bioinformatics scheme and relational database, together with computerized networks that manage, analyze, and/or integrate comprehensive and cumulative animal health assessment data and genetic identifier, genomic mapping, and genetic assessment data. A comprehensive approach to animal health and genetic selection or management of animals, and their clinical care is the subject of the present disclosure.
Current laboratory and research systems and computerization have not achieved this, nor have communication protocols been used effectively in this technological area to facilitate such a relationship or relational bioinformatics database system for management and dissemination of this comprehensive and cumulative information.
More specifically, it is necessary in animal health diagnosis and care that appropriate predictive testing for diseases and disorders of animals be achieved in order to reduce morbidity and mortality, and improve the quality of life and lifespan. Currently this is not done in relation to the health assessment data of an animal together with the genetic data related to that same animal. Current tests do not provide as much data as possible to attain correct diagnosis and disorder predictions with the net result of an improvement in the quality of life and increased longevity.
More so, currently available testing is unnecessarily complex and expensive in relation to the ability to be an accurate predictor of diseases and disorders in animals, and hence their likely longevity.
Additionally there is a difficulty of easily obtaining, reading, diagnosing and reporting to clients the diagnosis in a fast and effective means. Many systems are too complicated and have been premised on the basis of total automation. There is a need for permitting the effective human interaction in computerized data for achieving effective diagnosis, and reporting of that diagnosis in a user-friendly manner.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for determining a nutritional diet for a canine or feline animal


A scintillation detector, especially one for a radiometric measuring device for measuring and/or monitoring a measured variable, especially a fill level of a fill substance located in a container, for covering a predeterminable measuring range as flexibly as possible in shape and length. To this end, the scintillation detector comprises two or more scintillators arranged in series relative to one another for converting thereon falling, radioactive radiation into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillator toward its ends. Arranged between the scintillators are optical coupling elements, which establish light transmitting connections between adjoining pairs of scintillators. Connected at an end of the series is a photoelectric transducer, which converts light occurring in the series into an electrical signal corresponding to a radiation intensity striking the scintillators. According to the invention, at least one of the coupling elements is a mechanically flexible element, which includes a bundle of light conducting fibers, via which transmission of the light between the two scintillators connected with one another via the fibers occurs.

Radiometric measuring devices are usually applied when conventional measuring devices cannot be used due to especially rough conditions at the measuring location. Existing very frequently at the measuring location are e.g. extremely high temperatures and pressures or chemically and/or mechanically very aggressive environmental influences, which make the use of other measuring methods impossible.
Such devices typically include a radioactive radiator, which during operation sends radioactive radiation through the container, and, arranged on a side of the container lying opposite the radiator, a detector, which serves to receive a measured variable dependent, radiation intensity penetrating through the container and to convert such into an electrical signal.
In radiometric measurements technology, a radioactive radiator, e.g. a Co60 or Cs137 preparation, is placed in a radiation protection container at a measuring location, e.g. a container containing a fill substance. The container containing the fill substance can be e.g. a tank, a vat, a pipe or tube, a conveyor belt or any other form of containment.
The radiation protection container has a window, through which radiation emitted from the radiator positioned at a measuring location leaves the radiation protection container for the fill substance container.
Usually, the window is sized to provide a radiation direction such that the radiation penetrates that region of the container that needs to be registered for the measuring. On the oppositely lying side of the fill substance container, the emerging radiation intensity, changed by the fill substance at its fill level, respectively by a change in the density of the fill substance, is registered quantitatively with a detector. The emerging radiation intensity depends on the geometric arrangement and on the absorption. The latter in the case of fill level measurement is dependent on the amount and density of the fill substance in the container located in the path of the radiation. As a result, the emerging radiation intensity is a measure for the current fill level, respectively the current density, of the fill substance in the container.
Currently usually applied as a detector are scintillation detectors having a solid, rigid, scintillation rod, at whose one end a photoelectric transducer, e.g. a photomultiplier, is arranged. The scintillation rod is composed of a special synthetic material, such as e.g. polystyrene (PS) or polyvinyl toluene (PVT), which is optically very pure. Gamma radiation leads to the occurrence of light flashes in the scintillation material. The light of these light flashes is registered by the photomultiplier and converted into electrical pulses. Connected to the photomultiplier is a measuring device electronics, which, based on the electrical pulses, determines a pulse rate, with which the pulses occur. The pulse rate depends on the radiation intensity arriving at the photoelectric transducer and, thus, is a measure for the measured variable to be determined.
Scintillation rods are obtainable today in lengths of about 0.4 m up to 2 m. If a length of 2 m is not sufficient to cover the region to be measured, radiometric measuring devices comprising two or more detectors can be provided, each of which covers a portion of the region to be measured.
An example of this is presented in German Patent DE 10 2004 007 680 A1. The radiometric measuring device described there provides that detector is equipped with a scintillation rod and a photomultiplier connected terminally thereto. Each detector produces a pulse rate corresponding to the radiation intensity striking thereon, and, based on the pulse rates of the individual detectors, a sum signal is derived, which corresponds to the total radiation intensity striking the detectors over the measuring range metrologically registered by the detectors.
This solution has the advantage that the individual detectors can be flexibly arranged and, thus, can be matched to the spatial conditions at the location of use, especially to the container geometry. Disadvantageous, however, is that each detector requires its own photoelectric transducer.
An alternative solution is known from German Gebrauchsmuster (utility model) DE 201 03 881 U1. Such describes a scintillation detector for a radiometric measuring device for measuring a fill level of a fill substance located in a container, comprising:                two or more scintillators arranged in a series relative to one another for converting thereon falling, radioactive radiation into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillator toward its ends;        optical coupling elements arranged between the scintillators for establishing light transmitting connections between adjoining pairs of scintillators; and,        connected to an end of the series, a photoelectric transducer, which converts light occurring in the series into an electrical signal corresponding to a radiation intensity striking the scintillators.
The scintillators are placed in a protective tube constructed of segments.
In a first variant described in the above-noted DE 201 03 881 U1, the scintillators are straight rods, which are arranged end to end in a straight line with interpositioning of a material effecting optical coupling, especially a material in the form of silicone disks or silicone oil. In such case, there arises the problem that the different thermal expansions of the scintillators and the segments of the protective tube must be absorbed, respectively cancelled, in order to prevent a degrading of the optical coupling between the aligned scintillators. This is effected in the described variant by a spring, which presses the scintillators toward one another and the straight rod composed of the scintillators, as a whole, toward the photoelectric transducer.
Additionally, a second variant is described, in the case of which there is constructed from the individual scintillators a sectionally angled, total scintillator. For this, wedge shaped, intermediate pieces are inserted between individual scintillators. Described examples of the intermediate pieces are a wedge shaped silicone disk and a wedge shaped light conductor. In such case, the end faces of the light conductors are optically coupled via silicone oil to the end faces of the adjoining scintillators.
Also here, there arises naturally the problem of the different thermal expansions of the scintillators and the segments of the protective tube, a problem that, in spite of the sectionally angled shape, must be solved, in order to assure the optical coupling, especially when silicone oil is being used.
Moreover, there arises here the problem that, at the wedge shaped intermediate pieces, due to the basically straight line light propagation, a certain part of the light to be transmitted to the adjoining scintillators escapes to the exterior. A part of this light escape arises due to the directional change directly outside the intermediate piece. A further part is lost, because, after the directional change through the intermediate piece, the outer surfaces of the following scintillator are no longer at the angle for total reflection, and, thus, light escapes to the exterior from the following scintillator. The lost light is greater, the more strongly the angling caused by the particular intermediate pieces. This lost light does not get to the photoelectric transducer and, thus, is not registered. Light losses act directly disadvantageously on the measuring sensitivity of the measuring device. An as high as possible light efficiency is, however, exactly especially important for these detectors, in the case of which light travels a greater path length through a number of individual scintillators arranged in series. Accordingly, here, both the angle sizes and also the number of the angles are limited. Correspondingly, also the options for matching the spatial conditions at the location of use, for instance round container shapes, are greatly limited.


Various arrangements for monitoring and controlling operation of a HVAC system are provided. Battery-operated temperature monitoring devices may be situated within the structure and connected with a network. A user command may be received that includes a selection of at least one of the battery-operated temperature monitoring devices. An offset may be calculated based on an evaluation of a first temperature reading of the selected battery-operated temperature monitoring device relative to a second temperature reading of the thermostat. The offset may be overridden when an override condition is present.

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system situated in a residential or commercial building has a thermostat associated therewith. The building includes at least a first area (e.g., a room) and a second area and the thermostat is located in the first area. A user sets the thermostat to a desirable temperature, and the thermostat regulates the HVAC system based on the difference between the user-defined temperature and the temperature of the first area as sensed by the thermostat. Even when the user primarily occupies the second area, the thermostat continues to regulate the HVAC system in view of the sensed temperature of the first area notwithstanding that the temperature of the second area is different from the temperature of the first area.

Self-learning temperature monitor and control system and methods for making and using same


An intelligent electronic device (“IED”) includes at least one function module that performs a specified function or feature. The function module operates to perform a power management function in conjunction with IED. The IED operates with a one key code corresponding to the power management function. The key code operates to enable or disable the power management function.

The present invention generally relates to Intelligent Electronic Devices ("IED's") and more specifically, to the design and manufacture of an electric meter. In a typical electrical distribution system, electrical energy is generated by an electrical supplier or utility company and distributed to consumers via a power distribution network. The power distribution network is the network of electrical distribution wires which link the electrical supplier to its consumers. Typically, electricity from a utility is fed from a primary substation over a distribution cable to several local substations. At the substations, the supply is transformed by distribution transformers from a relatively high voltage on the distributor cable to a lower voltage at which it is supplied to the end customer. From the substations, the power is provided to industrial users over a distributed power network that supplies power to various loads. Such loads may include, for example, various power machines.
At the customer's facility, there will typically be an electrical measurement meter connected between the customer and the power distribution network so as to measure the customer's electrical demand and usage. The meter accurately measures the amount of electrical energy flowing to the customer from the supplier or from the customer to the supplier. The amount of electrical energy measured by the meter is then used to determine the amount for which the energy supplier should be compensated.
Manufacturing multiple devices with only slight hardware or software differences can increase overall production cost, order management costs and inventory costs. Further, stocking or storing multiple device types with similar but not identical functionality can cause capital to be tied up at the consumer or retail level. Further, upgrading devices to add increased functionality can become cumbersome as the device must physically be removed and replaced.
A further disadvantage of some existing devices is that consumers may be required to upgrade their electrical measurement systems to meet expanded electricity utilization requirements, more stringent electrical reporting needs or simply a change in business focus. Presently, customers are faced with two alternatives. Firstly, they can expend the additional capital on devices more advanced than current needs dictate in anticipation of their future requirements. Secondly, they can purchase a device which meets present requirements but which will necessitate the expense of subsequent upgrade or replacement. Neither option is desirable.
The deregulation of the electric utility industry has created a larger need for electrical power measurement devices with a wide range of functionality. Additionally, as technology advances and consumers become more reliant on electricity for their business needs, the need for devices that perform more complex functions and contain more features, and thus circuitry, is imposed upon the manufacturers. To keep up with the deregulation, many consumers are required to replace and install new complex devices in existing cutouts or enclosures, and further these cutouts are often cut to pre-defined standard sizes. These standard enclosure or cutout sizes are often old as they have generally been in place for several years, if not several decades. Thus the rapidly advancing technology has had to conform to the older standards.
Previously hardware keys have been used to protect specific software programs running on a generic computing platform such as a Personal Computer. Typically these devices known as dongles, allowed the user full access or no access at all. When a dongle is attached to a generic computer, it does not control access or change the capabilities of the computer hardware. It is specifically concerned with controlling access to specific software program. Much of the functionality of dongles has been replicated and replaced in recent years by the use of floating network software licenses.
Furthermore, hardware keys or other types of dongles were solely utilized in conjunction with specific software programs with the express purpose of ensuring only those authorized to use or copy the software were doing so. Providing dongle based security is typically more expensive than other anti-piracy solutions, therefore dongles are typically reserved for more expensive software programs. Ensuring only authorized users are accessing these expensive programs is often a key motivator for the software companies. The use of hardware keys has been restricted to the field of adapting to a general piece of hardware or computer that the software is installed on, the computer or other hardware being generally available from multiple manufacturers in the marketplace.

Multi-featured power meter with feature key


A method for reducing acoustic noise in a medical imaging system is described. The method includes attaching a material to an area affected by an acoustic noise generated by the imaging system. The material is configured to bend upon receiving an electrical signal.

This invention relates generally to medical imaging systems, and more particularly, to methods and systems for reducing acoustic noise in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system.
High magnetic field strength generated by a main magnet and high-speed gradient coil current switching are becoming common in MRI scanners. An interaction of the magnetic field and the current results in vibrations of a gradient coil. The vibrations of the gradient coil, and their support structure in the MRI system, create sound waves. High acoustic Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs) are created in and around the MRI systems due to these sound waves. The quest to produce high-quality images with very fast scan times results in the acoustic noise being of a substantially high level.
In the present state of the technology, various methods are used to reduce the SPLs heard by the patient during MRI scans. Disposable earplugs, headphones, noise-canceling systems, and special earphones for the patient are generally recommended in high magnetic field systems.

Methods and systems for reducing acoustic noise in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system


A method for improving the availability and reliability of a computer clustering system having first and second servers that are connected to each other by a communication link and that each have an associated mass storage device. In one implementation, the method begins when the first server detects a loss of communication over the communication link from the second server to the first server that prevents the servers from communicating with each other. The first server then analyzes the communication link to determine if the communication link is functioning properly. If the communication link is functioning properly, then the first server continues operation, assuming a right to survive without communicating with the second server or with the mass storage device of the first server or with the mass storage device of the second server, and the first server services network requests that would otherwise be serviced by the second server.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to computer clustering systems and in particular to methods for improving the availability and reliability of computer clustering system resources and data in the event of loss of communication between computer clustering system servers.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical computer cluster includes two or more servers and one or more network devices in communication with each other across a computer network. During normal operation of a computer cluster, the servers provide the network devices with computer resources and a place to store and retrieve data. In current computer cluster configurations the computer cluster data is stored on a shared computer disk that is accessed by any of the network servers.
A typical computer cluster is illustrated in FIG. 1, which illustrates two network servers 110 and 120 in communication with network devices 130, 140, and 150 across computer network 101. Both network server 110 and network server 120 communicate with shared disk 104 across communication lines 105 and 106, respectively.
When using a computer cluster, it is often desirable to provide continuous availability of computer cluster resources, particularly where a computer cluster supports a number of user workstations, personal computers, or other network client devices. It is also often desirable to maintain uniform data between different file servers attached to a computer clustering system and maintain continuous availability of this data to client devices. To achieve reliable availability of computer cluster resources and data it is necessary for the computer cluster to be tolerant of software and hardware problems or faults. Having redundant computers and a mass storage device generally does this, such that a backup computer or disk drive is immediately available to take over in the event of a fault.
A technique currently used for implementing reliable availability of computer cluster resources and data using a shared disk configuration as shown in FIG. 1 involves the concept of quorum, which relates to a state in which one network server controls a specified minimum number of network devices such that the network server has the right to control the availability of computer resources and data in the event of a disruption of service from any other network server. The manner in which a particular network server obtains quorum can be conveniently described in terms of each server and other network devices casting "votes". For instance, in the two server computer cluster configuration of FIG. 1, network server 110 and network server 120 each casts one vote to determine which network server has quorum. If neither network server obtains a majority of the votes, shared disk 104 then casts a vote such that one of the two network servers 110 and 120 obtains a majority, with the result that quorum is obtained by one of the network servers in a mutually understood and acceptable manner. Only one network server has quorum at any time, which ensures that only one network server will assume control of the entire network if communication between the network servers 110 and 120 is lost.
The use of quorum to attempt to make network servers available in the event of a disruption will now be described. There are two general reasons for which server 110 can detect a loss of communication with server 120. The first is an event, such as a crash, at server 120, in which server 120 is no longer capable of providing network resources to clients. The second is a disruption in the communication infrastructure of network 101 between the two servers, with server 120 continuing to be capable of operating within the network. If server 110 can no longer communicate with server 120, its initial operation is to determine if it has quorum. If server 110 determines that it does not have quorum, it then attempts to get quorum by sending a command to shared disk 104 requesting the disk to cast a vote. If shared disk 104 does not vote for server 110, this server shuts itself down to avoid operating independently of server 120. In this case, server 110 assumes that network server 120 is operating with quorum and server 120 continues to control the computer cluster. However, if shared disk 104 votes for network server 110, this server takes quorum and control of the computer cluster and continues operation under the assumption that network server 120 has malfunctioned.
While the use of quorum to enable one of a plurality of network servers to continue providing network resources in the event of a disruption in the network is often satisfactory, the use of a shared disk places the entire network and the data stored on the disk at risk of being lost. For instance, if the shared disk 104, rather than one of the network servers 110 and 120 malfunctions, neither of the servers can operate, and the data may be permanently lost. Moreover, in a shared disk configuration the computer cluster servers are typically placed in close proximity to each other. This creates the possibility that natural disasters or power failures may take down the whole computer cluster.

Method of improving the availability of a computer clustering system through the use of a network medium link state function