A liquid crystal display with multi cell gaps includes first and second panels facing each other, and a pixel electrode, a common electrode and a storage electrode formed at one of the first and the second panels. A liquid crystal capacity is formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode where a liquid crystal material is interposed, and a storage capacity being formed between the pixel electrode and the storage electrode where an insulating layer is interposed. The storage capacity is differentiated depending upon the cell gaps. The gray voltages applied to the pixel electrode have positive and negative gray voltages. The reference value of the positive and the negative gray voltages is varied depending upon the grays. With this structure, flicker correction is uniformly made even in a liquid crystal display where the kick-back voltage is varied per the respective grays.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (referred to hereinafter simply as the "LCD") and, more particularly, to a flicker-free LCD and a device for driving the same.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Generally, a thin film transistor (TFT) LCD is a display device where an electric field is applied to a liquid crystal material injected between two panels with a property of dielectric anisotropy, and controlled in its strength while varying the light transmission through the panels, thereby displaying the desired picture image.
A plurality of gate lines are formed on the TFT-LCD panel while proceeding parallel to each other, and a plurality of data lines cross the gate lines in an insulating manner. Each region surrounded by the gate and the data lines makes formation of a pixel. A TFT is formed at the crossed area of the gate and the data lines within each pixel.
With the TFT-LCD, the TFT at each pixel is formed with a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode, which are connected to a gate line, a data line and a pixel electrode, respectively. A liquid crystal capacitor is formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. A storage capacitor is formed between the pixel electrode and the front gate line. A parasitic capacitance is made between the gate electrode and the drain electrode due to the misalignment thereof.
The operation of the TFT-LCD will be now explained in detail.
First, a gate-on voltage is applied to the gate electrode connected to the target gate line to turn on the TFT. Then, a data voltage expressing the picture image signal is applied to the source electrode, which in turn applies the data voltage to the drain electrode. Consequently, the data voltage is applied to the liquid crystal capacitor and the storage capacitor via the pixel electrode, and an electric field is formed due to the potential difference between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. When one-directional electric fields are continuously applied to the liquid crystal material, the liquid crystal material is liable to be deteriorated. In order to prevent deterioration of the liquid crystal material, with the driving of the LCD panel assembly, positive and negative picture image signals are alternately applied to the common electrode in a repeated manner. Such a driving technique is called the "inversion driving."
Meanwhile, in case the TFT turns on, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal capacitor and the storage capacitor should be maintained continuously even after the TFT turns off. However, due to the parasitic capacitance between the gate electrode and the drain electrode, the voltage applied to the pixel electrode suffers distortion. The distorted voltage is called the "kick-back voltage." The kick-back voltage ΔV can be obtained based on the mathematical formula 1.ΔV=(Cgd/(Cgd+Cst+Clc))ΔVg  (1)
The ΔVg indicates the variation in the gate voltage (Vgon-Vgoff).
The voltage distortion is always made in the direction of lowering the voltage of the pixel electrode irrespective of the polarity of the data voltage.
With the ideal TFT-LCD, the data voltage is applied to the pixel electrode when the gate voltage turns on, and maintained at that state even when the gate voltage turns off. By contrast, with the practical TFT-LCD, the pixel voltage is influenced by the kick-back voltage ΔV, and lowered by the amount as much as the kick-back voltage at the area where the gate voltage is inverted.
Meanwhile, the effective value of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal is determined by the area between the pixel voltage and the common voltage. In case the LCD is driven by way of the inversion driving, it is necessary to control the common voltage level such that the areas of the pixel voltages with respect to the common voltage are symmetrical to each other. For this purpose, conventionally, a predetermined common voltage is applied to the common electrode such that the areas of the pixel voltages with respect to the common voltage are symmetrical to each other.
In case the areas of the pixel voltages with respect to the common voltage are not symmetrical to each other, the amount of the pixel voltages charged at the respective pixels is differentiated per the respective frames. As a result, a flicker phenomenon where the screen is flickered with the inversion of the pixel voltage occurs.
With the occurrence of the flicker phenomenon, serious problems such as increased fatigue stress applied to the user and generation of afterimages are made. Particularly with the multi-cell-gap structure where the RGB cell gaps differ from each other as well as with the case of the liquid crystal material bearing a high dielectric constant, the flicker phenomenon occurs more seriously.
With the multi-cell-gap structure, the liquid crystal capacity is differentiated depending upon the RGB cell gaps. Therefore, the kick-back voltages made at the respective pixels differ from each other by way of the mathematical formula 1. When it is established that the occurrence of the flicker phenomenon is reduced to a minimum with respect to a predetermined gray, other grays become to be free of the flicker.
With most of the LCDs, the liquid crystal capacity varies depending upon the grays, and hence, the kick-back voltage also varies depending upon the grays. Consequently, the occurrence of flickers cannot be corrected in a uniform manner.

Liquid crystal display and driving device thereof


A colour photographic material which contains at least one pyrrolo[1,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole cyan coupler of the formula (I) ##STR1##. in which R.sub.1, X and Y have the meaning stated in the description, is distinguished by excellent reproduction of blue and cyan tones if a 2-equivalent yellow coupler is added to the layer containing the couplers of the formula (I).

This invention relates to a colour photographic print material containing at least one pyrrolo[1,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole as the cyan coupler.
Colour photographic print materials are in particular materials for producing colour reflection prints or display images which most frequently have a positive image. They are thus not recording materials like colour photographic films.
Pyrrolo[1,2-b]-1,2,4-triazoles are cyan couplers known, for example from EP 628 867, which yield very clear cyan dyes having a relatively short-wave absorption band and very high absorbance and thus allow economies of silver halide to be made. The cyan dyes of these couplers additionally exhibit very good stability when stored in darkness.
A disadvantage is that these couplers result in distorted colour reproduction of blue and cyan tones.
The object of the invention is to remedy this disadvantage so that the advantages of these couplers may be exploited.
It has surprisingly now been found that this object may be achieved in a material of the above-stated type having at least one red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing at least one cyan coupler, at least one green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing at least one magenta coupler and at least one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing at least one yellow coupler, which material contains in the red-sensitive layer, of which there is at least one, at least one pyrrolo[1,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole cyan coupler of the formula (I) ##STR2##
in which
R.sub.1 means hydrogen or a substituent, PA1 X means a hydrogen atom or a leaving group and PA1 Y means OR.sub.2 or ##STR3## PA1 R.sub.2 means ##STR4## PA1 R.sub.3 means alkyl, PA1 R.sub.4 means hydrogen or R.sub.3, PA1 R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9 mean hydrogen or a substituent, PA1 R.sub.7 means a substituent and PA1 Z means the remaining non-metallic members of a 3- to 8-membered ring, wherein Z may be further substituted, if a two-equivalent yellow coupler is associated with the red-sensitive layer, of which there is at least one. PA1 R.sub.31 means alkyl, preferably having 1 to 4 C atoms, in particular methyl, PA1 R.sub.32 means alkyl, preferably having 1 to 4 C atoms, in particular methyl, PA1 R.sub.33 means a hydrogen atom or alkyl, preferably having 1 to 4 C atoms, in particular methyl or PA1 R.sub.32 and R.sub.33 together mean the remaining members of a cyclopropyl residue, PA1 R.sub.34 means chlorine or alkoxy, PA1 R.sub.35 means --NHCO--R.sub.37, --SO.sub.2 NH--R.sub.37, --NHSO.sub.2 --R.sub.37, --COOR.sub.37, Cl, Br or alkoxy PA1 R.sub.36 means a hydrogen or chlorine atom, PA1 R.sub.37 means a substituent, in particular a ballast group and PA1 Q means the remaining members of a substituted imidazole, imidazolidinedione, oxazolidinedione or triazolidinedione ring, PA1 wherein the alkyl groups may be further substituted. PA1 R.sub.21 means an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, PA1 R.sub.22 and R.sub.23 mutually independently mean a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkoxy group having up to 16 C atoms, PA1 R.sub.24 means a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, in particular a methyl group, PA1 R.sub.25 means a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylene group and PA1 X.sub.1 means an oxygen atom or a free electron pair, PA1 wherein alkyl groups may be further substituted. PA1 in a common emulsion in at least one coupler solvent, PA1 in three separate emulsions each optionally having at least one coupler solvent and PA1 in two emulsions, wherein the preferred arrangement is that in which the cyan coupler and the p-aminophenol ether are present together in one emulsion and the yellow coupler in the other emulsion.
wherein
or alkyl,
The yellow coupler is preferably used in the red-sensitive layer, of which there is at least one. The quantity of yellow coupler in the red-sensitive layer is in particular 1 to 10 mol. % of the quantity of the cyan coupler of the formula (I).
The two-equivalent yellow coupler used in the red-sensitive layer preferably has a coupling rate which is no more than five times the coupling rate of the pyrrolotriazole cyan coupler. The coupling rate is determined using a method described in J. Phot. Sci. 36, 1988, page 14.
Two-equivalent couplers almost always couple substantially faster than cyan couplers. It would have been expected that a cyan layer of the structure according to the invention would exhibit a colour change from the lower to higher densities, with the low densities exhibiting a strong shift towards yellow or green.
Surprisingly, however, this does not occur.
Preferred two-equivalent yellow couplers are acetanilides, in particular pivaloylacetanilides and malonic anilides, the leaving groups of which are attached to the coupler molecule via O or N and which are substituted by chlorine, alkoxy or aryloxy in the ortho position of the anilide portion.
Very particularly preferred two-equivalent yellow couplers are of the formula (III): ##STR5##
in which
In a preferred embodiment, the red-sensitive layer, of which there is at least one, additionally contains at least one N,N-disubstituted p-aminophenol ether of the formula (II) ##STR6##
in which
Addition of the compounds of the formula (II) also improves the reproduction of skin tones.
There are various possible arrangements for the combined incorporation of the cyan coupler, yellow coupler and p-aminophenol ether according to the invention in a single layer: the compounds may be present
Suitable pyrrolo[1,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole cyan couplers of the formula (I) are:
Nr. R.sub.1 X Y I-1 ##STR7## H ##STR8## I-2 ##STR9## ##STR10## ##STR11## I-3 t-C.sub.4 H.sub.9 ##STR12## ##STR13## I-4 ##STR14## ##STR15## ##STR16## I-5 ##STR17## H ##STR18## I-6 ##STR19## H ##STR20## I-7 ##STR21## H ##STR22##
Suitable compounds of the formula (II) are compounds of the following formula:
 ##STR23## Nr. R.sub.21 R.sub.22 R.sub.23 R.sub.24 II-1 --OC.sub.12 H.sub.25 (n) H H H II-2 --OC.sub.14 H.sub.29 (n) H H H II-3 --OC.sub.16 H33(n) H H H II-4 ##STR24## H H II-5 ##STR25## H H H II-6 --OC.sub.12 H.sub.25 (n) CH.sub.3 H H II-7 --OC.sub.12 H.sub.25 (n) OCH.sub.3 H H II-8 --OCH.sub.3 --OC.sub.12 H.sub.25 (n) H H II-9 --OC.sub.14 H.sub.29 (n) H H CH.sub.3 II-10 ##STR26## H H H II-11 --OC.sub.3 H.sub.7 (i) --OC.sub.3 H.sub.7 (i) --C.sub.3 H.sub.7 (i) H
The compounds of the formula (II) are in particular used in a quantity of 0.01 to 10 mol./mol. of the cyan coupler of the formula (I), preferably 0.04 to 2 mol./mol. of the cyan coupler.
Up to 25 wt. % of the cyan couplers of the formula (I) may be replaced by other cyan couplers.
Further preferred embodiments of the invention are to be found in the subordinate claims.
Suitable yellow couplers of the formula (III) are ##STR27## ##STR28## ##STR29##
Examples of colour photographic print materials are colour photographic paper, colour reversal photographic paper and semi-transparent display material. A review is given in Research Disclosure 37038 (1985), Research Disclosure 38957 (1996) and Research Disclosure 40145 (1997).
The photographic print materials consist of a support onto which at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer is applied. Thin films and sheets are in particular suitable as supports. A review of support materials and the auxiliary layers applied to the front and reverse sides of which is given in Research Disclosure 37254, part 1 (1995), page 285 and in Research Disclosure 38957, part XV (1996), page 627.
The colour photographic print materials conventionally contain at least one red-sensitive, one green-sensitive and one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, optionally together with interlayers and protective layers.
Depending upon the type of the photographic print material, these layers may be differently arranged. This is demonstrated for the most important products:
Colour photographic paper and colour photographic display material conventionally have on the support, in the stated sequence, one blue-sensitive, yellow-coupling silver halide emulsion layer, one green-sensitive, magenta-coupling silver halide emulsion layer and one red-sensitive, cyan-coupling silver halide emulsion layer; a yellow filter layer is not required.
The number and arrangement of the photosensitive layers may be varied in order to achieve specific results. For example, colour papers may also contain differently sensitised interlayers, by means of which gradation may be influenced.
The substantial constituents of the photographic emulsion layers are binder, silver halide grains and colour couplers.
Details of suitable binders may be found in Research Disclosure 37254, part 2 (1995), page 286 and in Research Disclosure 38957, part II.A (1996), page 598.
Details of suitable silver halide emulsions, the production, ripening, stabilisation and spectral sensitisation thereof, including suitable spectral sensitisers, may be found in Research Disclosure 37254, part 3 (1995), page 286 and in Research Disclosure 37038, part XV (1995), page 89 and in Research Disclosure 38957, part V.A (1996), page 603.
Pentamethinecyanines having naphthothiazole, naphthoxazole or benzothiazole as basic terminal groups, which may be substituted by halogen, methyl or methoxy groups and be 9,11-alkylene, in particular 9,11-neopentylene linked, may be used as red sensitisers for the red-sensitive layer. The N,N' substituents may be C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 alkyl groups. The methine chain may additionally also bear substituents. Pentamethines having only one methyl group on the cyclohexene ring may also be used. The red sensitiser may be supersensitised and stabilised by the addition of heterocyclic mercapto compounds.
The red-sensitive layer may additionally be spectrally sensitised between 390 and 590 nm, preferably at 500 nm, in order to ensure improved differentiation of red tones.
The spectral sensitisers may be added to the photographic emulsion in dissolved form or as a dispersion. Both solution and dispersion may contain additives, such as wetting agents or buffers.
The spectral sensitiser or a combination of spectral sensitisers may be added before, during or after preparation of the emulsion.
Photographic print materials contain either silver chloride-bromide emulsions containing up to 80 mol. % AgBr or silver chloride-bromide emulsion containing greater than 95 mol. % AgCl.
Details relating to colour couplers may be found in Research Disclosure 37254, part 4 (1995), page 288, in Research Disclosure 37038, part II (1995), page 80 and in Research Disclosure 38957, part X.B (1996), page 616. The maximum absorption of the dyes formed from the couplers and the developer oxidation product is preferably within the following ranges: yellow coupler 440 to 450 nm, magenta coupler 540 to 560 nm, cyan coupler 640 to 670 nm.
The yellow couplers conventionally used in print materials associated with a blue-sensitive layer are almost without exception two-equivalent couplers of the pivaloyl-acetanilide and cyclopropylcarbonylacetanilide series.
The magenta couplers conventional in print materials are almost without exception those from the series of anilinopyrazolones, pyrazolo[5,1-c]-(1,2,4)triazoles or pyrazolo[1,5-b]-(1,2,4)triazoles.
The non-photosensitive interlayers generally located between layers of different spectral sensitivity may contain agents which prevent an undesirable diffusion of developer oxidation products from one photosensitive layer into another photo-sensitive layer with a different spectral sensitisation.
Suitable compounds (white couplers, scavengers or DOP scavengers) may be found in Research Disclosure 37254, part 7 (1995), page 292, in Research Disclosure 37038, part III (1995), page 84 and in Research Disclosure 38957, part X.D (1996), pages 621 et seq.
The photographic material may also contain UV light absorbing compounds, optical brighteners, spacers, filter dyes, formalin scavengers, light stabilisers, anti-oxidants, D.sub.min dyes, plasticisers (latices), biocides and additives to improve the stability of dyes and couplers, to reduce colour fogging and to reduce yellowing and others. Suitable compounds may be found in Research Disclosure 37254, part 8 (1995), page 292, in Research Disclosure 37038, parts IV, V, VI, VII, X, XI and XIII (1995), pages 84 et seq. and in Research Disclosure 38957, parts VI, VIII, IX and X (1996), pages 607 and 610 et seq..
The layers of colour photographic materials are conventionally hardened, i.e. the binder used, preferably gelatine, is crosslinked by appropriate chemical methods.
Suitable hardener substances may be found in Research Disclosure 37254, part 9 (1995), page 294, in Research Disclosure 37038, part XII (1995), page 86 and in Research Disclosure 38957, part II.B (1996), page 599.
Once exposed with an image, colour photographic materials are processed using different processes depending upon their nature. Details relating to processing methods and the necessary chemicals are disclosed in Research Disclosure 37254, part 10 (1995), page 294, in Research Disclosure 37038, parts XVI to XXIII (1995), pages 95 et seq. and in Research Disclosure 38957, parts XVIII, XIX and XX (1996), pages 630 et seq. together with example materials.


A method of improving the color of tall oil rosin esters comprising the sequential steps of (a) recrystallizing a tall oil rosin from a solvent, (b) purifying the crystalline portion by distillation, and (c) esterifying the resultant rosin with a polyol.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of improving the color of tall oil rosin esters.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
The prior art literature is replete with descriptions of methods for esterifying rosin with a polyol. Representative of such literature are the U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,696,337; 1,697,530; 1,734,987; 1,893,982; 2,327,009; 2,369,125; 2,409,332; 2,420,926; 2,434,168; 2,440,242; 2,536,600; 2,572,086; 2,590,910; 2,736,664; 2,864,810; and 3,780,012.
The large number of prior art references describing the esterification of rosin with a polyol is a reflection of the need in the art for improvements in methods of preparation. The method of the present invention is such an improvement, resulting in a more efficient process and a unique product composition.
As described by Sanderson in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,847 (1987), the use of a selective solvent refining process to improve the color of rosin by removing certain visible dark color bodies and latent color bodies from the rosin is disclosed in the earlier U.S. Pat. No. 1,715,085. The process comprises the formation of a solution of gasoline, rosin and furfural (C.sub.5 H.sub.4 O.sub.2), its cooling or refrigeration with resultant separation of furfural and coloring bodies, and the recovery of high grade rosin from the remaining solution. The wood rosin may be subjected to distillation prior to the solvent extraction.
Tall oil rosin contains color bodies or coloring matter visible to the naked eye and certain color bodies which are not normally visible to the naked eye, usually referred to as latent color bodies. The visible coloring matter in a tall oil rosin determines its grade and hence its value. The darker the rosin, the lower its grade and value. The presence of invisible or latent color bodies, while not affecting the apparent grade, is highly disadvantageous in the case of tall oil rosin since they render the polyol esters produced therefrom undesirable for use in the production of products where palest color of the product and stability of color are desired. In tall oil rosin, latent color bodies contained therein do not color the tall oil rosin until the rosin is esterified with pentaerythritol or like polyols to form an ester, or treated in the presence of oxygen, such as in the manufacture of hot melt adhesives.
The method of the present invention provides esters of rosin having improved, lighter colors which are stable, with a minimum of labor and cost.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,770 (Matsuo et al, 1981) discloses a method for preparing a stabilized tall oil rosin ester which comprises subjecting a rosin to disproportionation followed by purification and then esterification of the resulting purified disproportionated rosin with a polyol. The purification can be by distillation, crystallization or extraction.

Method of improving the color of tall oil rosin esters by recrystallizing and distilling rosin followed by esterifying


Object of the present invention is to provide a lens driving unit in small size and perform a high ratio optical zooming and a lens driving device. To achieve the object, the lens driving unit in which the lens group holding frame supported to be able to slide by connecting to a guide pole arranged in parallel with the optical axis; and a drive transmission unit consisting of a pinion mounted on the output shaft of the motor and a rack formed in the lens group holding frame is adopted, and a driving force of the motor is transmitted to the lens group holding frame by gearing the pinion with the rack to make the lens group holding frame slide along the guide pole, and a lens driving device comprising the lens driving unit is adopted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens driving unit for sliding a lens group holding frame used in an imaging device, and a lens driving device for independently driving two lens groups.
2. Description of the Related Art
For a optical zooming system of an imaging device, a system in which two lens groups (a zooming lens group and a focusing lens group) are provided, and the system in which these lens groups are made to move in the optical axis direction has been applied. These two lens groups held in holding frames for holding the lens groups respectively are arranged in series so as to be able to slide in the optical axis direction.
To reduce size and weight of imaging device, for a lens driving device provided in a lens tube as well, a technology for reducing the size has been required. For example, in any of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-17782, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-292358, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-154373, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-271777, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-64838, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-131611 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-140396, size reduction in the width direction of the lens tube is achieved by gathering two driving mechanism parts (motor, lead screw) for driving two lens groups together on one side of the outside boundary of lens.    Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-17782    Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-292358    Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-154373    Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-271777    Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-64838    Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-131611    Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-140396
In recent years, for a high-performance lens having higher zooming ratio, size reduction has been required as well. However, to achieve a higher optical zooming ratio, the moving distances of a focusing lens and a zooming lens should be made long in general. Therefore, in reducing the size and weight of a lens having a high zooming ratio, the length in the optical axis direction of the lens driving device is physically restricted.
For example, in the technologies disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-17782, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-292358 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-154373, a lead screw is provided in the driving mechanism part directly driven by a motor, and the motors and the lead screws are opposed to each other in parallel and coaxially with the optical axis, and it makes the total length in the optical axis direction long.
In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-271777, the motor and the lead screw are connected to each other by a transmission mechanism using a plurality of members, and it makes arrangement of the transmission mechanism difficult. Also, since the number of parts increases, it makes reduction of the size and weight difficult.
Also, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-64838 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-131611, driving force generation parts for driving two lens holders are arranged in parallel, and a motor, a drive shaft, and driving force transmission part (screw shaft, screw rod, etc.) are arranged coaxially. Therefore, the members are arranged in series in the optical axis direction, it is hard to make the length in the optical axis direction short.
That is to say, for the lens driving device in the conventional art, although the size in the width direction of the lens tube can be reduced, it has been difficult to reduce the size in the optical axis direction in the high ratio optical zooming. Also, to achieve size reduction, the number of parts for drive transmission may be increased and/or the arrangement of driving mechanism may be restricted.

Lens driving unit and lens driving device


The temperature-storing cup/pot structure mainly comprises a cup/pot and a seat. The bottom face of the cup/pot is disposed with a temperature-storing conducting element. A temperature-storing acting body of the seat is fixed by an insulating member and is pushed by a resilient member. The temperature-storing acting body should be preheated to a desired temperature and then is moved on the seat. The resilient member will make the temperature-storing acting body close contact with the temperature-storing conducting element of the cup/pot to keep the cup/pot hot or cold for a period of time. It does not need the plug. It has no electrical wire connection problem. And, it can be used for a hot or cold drink.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a temperature-storing cup/pot structure. It does not need the plug. It has no electrical wire connection problem. And, it can be used for a hot or cold drink.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is a conventional detachable insulating cup. It mainly comprises a ceramic cup 91 and a ceramic seat 92. They are detachable. When they are assembled, the electrical circuit is close (ON) to activate the heating process. Once the ceramic cup 91 is taken out, the electrical circuit is open (OFF). An electrical heater 93 is disposed on the bottom of the cup 91. The electrical heater 93 includes an outer electrical ring 931, an insulating seat 932, a large outer electrical plate 933, an inner electrical ring 934, a small inner electrical ring 935 and an ceramic electrical resistance 936. The outer electrical ring 931 and large outer electrical plate 933 form the first electrical route. The inner electrical ring 934 and the small inner electrical ring 935 form the second route. These two routes are connected with the ceramic electrical resistance 936 so that it will produce heat. And, the ceramic insulating seat 932 is used for separated these two routes and avoid the electrical short circuit.
Although the detachable insulating cup can keep the drink hot, it must have certain electrical wire connection to provide power. There must be some socket for plug, and the wire connection cannot be too long. In addition, it only can be used for hot drinks. It is impossible to used for a cold drink.


An outboard motor includes a cooling water passage that guides cooling water to cool an exhaust passage and a cylinder unit. A cooling water intake port draws external cooling water into the cooling water passage. A water pump draws cooling water into the cooling water intake port and supplies the cooling water to the cooling water passage. A thermostat is arranged in the cooling water passage downstream of the catalytic converter and the cylinder unit. A first bypass passage is connected to a first connecting section provided on the cooling water passage. The first connecting section is provided along the cooling water passage at a position farther downstream than the catalytic converter and farther upstream than the thermostat.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an outboard motor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, outboard motors equipped with catalytic converters have been introduced to improve environmental performance. When a catalytic converter is installed in an outboard motor, it is necessary to provide a cooling structure to cool the catalytic converter. It is also necessary for the catalytic converter to be warmed to a prescribed temperature or higher to activate the catalyst. Therefore, in the outboard motor exhaust apparatus disclosed in Laid-open Japanese Patent Application 2008-169707, a thermostat is arranged in a cooling water flow passage downstream of the catalytic converter. The thermostat opens the cooling water flow passage when a temperature of the cooling water reaches or exceeds a prescribed temperature. The thermostat closes the cooling water passage when the temperature of the cooling water is below the prescribed temperature. Thus, the cooling water is stagnant until the catalytic converter reaches the prescribed temperature and, as a result, early activation of the catalyst is promoted.
Additionally, in the outboard motor exhaust apparatus disclosed in Laid-open Japanese Patent Application 2008-169707, a thermostat is arranged in the cooling water flow passage at a position downstream of the cylinder block. As a result, it is possible to warm up the cylinder block. Thus, when the cooling water passage is branched into two systems, the warming state of each of the systems can be controlled individually by providing a thermostat in each of the systems and opening and closing the thermostats according to the temperatures of the respective systems.
When the cooling water passage is branched into a plurality of systems, the total cross sectional area of the cooling water passage increases. Consequently, a larger water pump is necessary to feed the cooling water. A larger water pump is a problem because it requires a larger bottom casing to house the water pump.
Conversely, if the cooling water passage is not branched, then the total cross sectional area of the cooling water passage is not so large and a larger water pump can be avoided. However, when the cooling water passage is not branched, it is necessary to arrange a thermostat downstream of both the catalytic converter and the engine in order to warm up the catalytic converter and the engine. In such a case, the passage length of the cooling water passage from the water pump to the thermostat is long and it is easy for an uneven temperature distribution to occur along the cooling water passage. For example, when the engine is operated with a fully open throttle after starting, a situation occurs in which the cooling water temperature is high near the catalytic converter but low near the thermostat. In such a case, the thermostat will remain closed and the cooling water will be stagnant even though the catalytic converter is at a high temperature. Consequently, it is difficult to sufficiently cool the catalytic converter.


An ophthalmic illumination system is provided that emits a light that is controllably variable in color. Because the light originates from LEDs, less heat is generated from the emitted light as compared to conventional ophthalmic illumination systems using tungsten or discharge sources.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to illumination systems that are used in conjunction with ophthalmic surgery for illuminating ocular tissue. More specifically, this invention provides an illumination system that can provide varying color and intensity.
2. Related Art
Currently, illumination systems for illuminating ocular tissue use tungsten, discharge, or fluorescent lamps. These light sources give off a great deal of heat. This heat must be removed by adding cooling fans to the equipment. In addition, because the tungsten and fluorescent lamps convert a significant fraction of the incoming power to heat, a large power supply is required to drive the lamps. The added cooling fans and larger power supply increases the cost of the illumination system.
A tungsten light source has a longevity of approximately 50 hours and produces an extremely bright, hot light.
Ophthalmic surgeons conduct anterior and posterior segment surgery. In general, ophthalmic surgeons will specialize by performing only anterior segment surgery, or by performing only posterior segment surgery. Not surprisingly, due to the variation in tissue and due to the depth of surgery, ophthalmic surgeons have varying preferences on the color of light provided by an illumination system. Ophthalmic surgeons conducting anterior segment surgery have a tendency to prefer an illumination system that will deliver a yellow-red light, while ophthalmic surgeons conducting posterior surgery have a tendency to prefer an illumination system that provides a white-blue light.
In order to accommodate these varying preferences, a rather extensive offering of light filters has been devised to vary the color output of a light source. Thus, one or more light filters must be selected and installed proximate the light source of an illumination system. However, there is variation in the initial color outputs between illumination systems. One tungsten light source may put out an unfiltered light that is slightly different in color from another tungsten light source from the same manufacturer. Thus, what may be the correct filtering choice for a first illumination system may not achieve similar results when the same light filters are installed in a second illumination system. Accordingly, the selection of light filters might not result in the desired color output without some experimentation.

Variable multiple color LED illumination system


An apparatus and method is provided for minimizing frequency distortion in the transmit path of an XDSL modem implementing digital multi-tone (DMT) line code. The current invention provides a means for both determining and correcting for distortion in the frequency domain. The apparatus may be incorporated in an existing X-DSL architecture without additional circuitry. In an embodiment of the invention the apparatus may include a calibration phase which may be implemented using the existing analog-to-digital (ADC) conversion and demodulation capabilities on the receive path of the modem. This calibration phase takes place before the training phase associated with establishing communications with a remote site. During the calibration phase a calibration sequence with known spectral characteristics in the frequency domain is injected digitally at the beginning of the transmit path into each of the tone bins of the inverse Fourier Transform engine (IFFT). The receive path is configured to receive feedback of a resultant analog output signal from the transmit path. A frequency analyzer is used to determine the spectral properties of the feedback from the analog output signal and a normalizer is used to compute a local gain table with gain factors for each tone bin which effect the required normalization.

1. Field of Invention
The field of the present invention relates in general to communication systems and more particularly to pre-compensation systems for the transmit path of an XDSL modem.
2. Description of the Related Art
Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) technology and improvements thereon including: G.Lite, ADSL, VDSL, HDSL all of which are broadly identified as X-DSL have been developed to increase the effective bandwidth of existing subscriber line connections. An X-DSL modem operates at frequencies higher than the voice band frequencies, thus an X-DSL modem may operate simultaneously with a voice band modem or a telephone conversation. Currently there are over ten discrete X-DSL standards, including: G.Lite, ADSL, VDSL, SDSL, MDSL, RADSL, HDSL, etc.
One of the factors limiting the bandwidth or channel capacity of any of the above discussed X-DSL protocols is distortion. The components on the transmit path of a modem inherently distort signals as they transmit them. Amplitude modulation causes distortion to become dependent on the input signal with a result of the amplified output signal is no longer simply an amplified replica of the input signal. Unfortunately if linear modulation with a fluctuating envelope is used in conjunction with nonlinear amplification, spectral spreading may occur thereby interfering with communications.
What is needed are approaches to reducing in band distortion for X-DSL modems.

Method and apparatus for pre-compensation of an XDSL modem


A lock nut having a plurality of sides having a radius crimp which is consistent with the radius of the threaded bore in the lock nut. Preferably, the lock nut is crimped using a three sided die, each die having a radius crimp with relief angles. The relief angles are provided at a desired angle to result in the desired amount of contact area between the lock nut and the die. The device includes a housing, and the housing includes at one end a threaded bore which is configured to mount on a ram. An opposite end of the housing provides a tapered die section in which the three sided die is disposed. The three sided die is engaged with a locking die base which is movable within the housing.

This invention generally relates to lock nuts designed to have low on/high off characteristics, as well as relates to devices and methods for providing that a lock nut has low on/high off torque characteristics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a crimped lock nut, and a device and method for crimping a lock nut, such that the crimped lock nut has low on/high off torque characteristics.
In many applications, such as in automobile applications, it is desirable to provide that a lock nut has low on/high off torque characteristics (i.e., the lock nut is easy to thread on, but resists threading off or is difficult to remove).
In the past, one way in which lock nuts have been provided with high torque off characteristics is through a Stover crimp. In a Stover crimping process, flats are applied to either two or three sides of a lock nut, and the flats are pushed toward the axial center of the lock nut. The pushing causes the geometry of the threaded bore in the lock nut to distort. While the distortion provides that the lock nut has higher torque off characteristics, the distortion provides that the contact and torque between the lock nut and the structure on which the lock nut is to be threaded (hereinafter assumed to be a threaded bolt) is not optimum—i.e., due to narrow contact points. The distortion may result in the lock nut having such high torque requirements that the threaded bolt is subject to breaking (i.e., due to galling between the lock nut and threaded bolt) as the lock nut is installed or removed. Crimping using flats may also cause burrs to form on the lock nut.
Another way in which lock nuts have been provided with high torque off characteristics is by providing a nylon insert in the lock nut. While lock nuts with nylon inserts typically have slightly better on-torque to off-torque ratios than do lock nuts without nylon inserts, the fact that the inserts are nylon provides that such lock nuts are not practical for use in hot applications—i.e., in applications where the nylon insert will be subject to a significant amount of heat, as the nylon inserts are subject to melting in such an environment.
In order to hold the nylon insert, a lock nut must be formed with a barrel at one end. As such, lock nuts which are designed for use with nylon inserts are typically more difficult to manufacture (i.e., require more assembly, more man hours, and more floor space to manufacture) than are lock nuts which are not designed for use with nylon inserts. Furthermore, nylon inserts are subject to popping out during assembly.
Still another way in which lock nuts have been provided with high torque off characteristics is through a cone crimp. In a cone crimping process, a cone is applied to the top of the lock nut in order to collapse the threads at the top of the nut. While this generally increases the torque required to install or remove the nut, it also causes distortion of the thread pitch. The distortion may result in the lock nut having such high torque requirements that the threaded bolt is subject to breaking (i.e., due to galling between the lock nut and threaded bolt) as the lock nut is installed or removed. Typically, with regard to a cone crimp, the on-torque to off-torque range is not as forgiving. In other words, the on torque must be great to provide a significant off torque. As such, any slight variation may cause galling, low off torque, or broken bolts.

Lock nut with low on/high off torque control


A switching voltage regulator is described which provides multiple independently regulated outputs. A switch control independently monitors two or more voltage outputs and generates control signals for driving a main switch and two or more auxiliary switches to charge selective ones of the outputs which have fallen below their target voltages. Time sequencing techniques are utilized to control the switching of the auxiliary switches such that energy stored in an inductor is transferred to the appropriate voltage outputs. The switching voltage regulator may be implemented as an integrated circuit and may have various topologies, such as boost, buck, flyback or SEPIC.

This invention relates to a switching voltage regulator circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a switching voltage regulator circuit that can provide multiple independently regulated voltage outputs using time sequencing techniques.
There are increasing demands in the electronics industry for power supplies that provide multiple regulated outputs. In the past, most integrated circuits operated at 5 volts. Now, the standard operating voltage for an integrated circuit is 3.3 volts. In the future, newer integrated circuits are expected to operate at 2.5 volts and below. With various integrated circuits and electronic devices operating at different voltages, the ability to supply efficiently regulated multiple voltage outputs from a single power supply has become increasingly more important.
One approach to obtaining multiple regulated voltages from a conventional power supply has been to construct several independent regulators, each controlling its corresponding output. Another approach has been to connect to the outputs of a first stage regulator separate "post-regulators" (usually linear regulators) for each different voltage output desired. However, both of these approaches require additional components, which add cost and consume power and space, and thereby lower the efficiency of the power supply. A further approach has been to use a multiple winding technique or charge pump circuit to generate additional voltage outputs from a single regulated output. Here, the disadvantage is that the auxiliary outputs are not directly regulated. As a result, the auxiliary outputs may fluctuate depending on load and line variations.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a switching voltage regulator circuit having multiple independently regulated outputs, which is capable of efficient operation.
It would also be desirable to provide a switching voltage regulator circuit having multiple independently regulated outputs, which operates over a broad range of input voltages and output requirements.

Multiple output regulator with time sequencing


An apparatus wherein a framework is arranged to pivotally mount a bed structure including a mattress to permit an individual to elevate the feet portion of the individual relative to the head. The feet of the individual are secured within a strap structure, with the strap structure rotatably mounted relative to a rotary support. The tilting bed apparatus allows a person to sleep in a tilted position, whereby beneficial effects of gravity, such as increased blood flow to the brain and reduced spinal column compression, may be obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to tilting bed apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new tilting bed apparatus arranged for the ease of elevating an individual's feet relative to the head portion of the individual.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tilting bed structure of various types are indicated in the prior art and exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,996,731; 4,873,731; 4,942,633; and 4,847,929. The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by providing a tilting bed structure arranged for the ease of tilting and positioning thereof of the mattress structure of a bed and to further provide for sleeping in a partially inverted position. In these respects, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


The present invention relates to a method for the sustained release in vivo of a biologically active agent comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment an effective amount of a sustained release composition comprising a biocompatible polymer having the biologically active agent incorporated therein, and a bisphosphonate wherein the bisphosphonate compound is present in an amount sufficient to modify the release profile of the biologically active agent from the sustained release composition. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the method of the invention are also disclosed.

Many illnesses or conditions require administration of a constant or sustained level of a medicament or biologically active agent to provide the most effective prophylactic or therapeutic. This may be accomplished through a multiple dosing regimen or by employing a system that releases the medicament in a sustained fashion.
Attempts to sustain medication levels include the use of biodegradable materials, such as polymeric matrices, containing the medicament. The use of these matrices, for example, in the form of microparticles or microcarriers, provides sustained release of medicaments by utilizing the inherent biodegradability of the polymer. The ability to provide a sustained level of medicament can result in improved patient compliance.
However, these sustained release devices can exhibit high release of active agent over the first twenty-four hours, often referred to as a burst. In some instances this burst can result in an undesirable increase in the levels of biologically active agent and minimal release of agent thereafter. In addition, due to the high solution concentration of medicament within and localized around these sustained release devices, the medicament can aggregate thereby increasing immunogenicity in vivo and interfering with the desired release profile for the medicament.
Therefore, a need exists to exert additional control over the release profile of sustained release compositions by, for example, reducing the burst of agent and/or providing an improved release such as a longer period of release.
The present invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that the release profile of a biologically active agent from a sustained release composition comprising a biocompatible polymer and the biologically active agent incorporated therein can be modified such as by prolonging the period of release of agent when a bisphosphonate compound is co-administered.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method for the sustained release in vivo of a biologically active agent comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment an effective amount of a sustained release composition comprising a biocompatible polymer having the biologically active agent incorporated therein, and a bisphosphonate wherein the bisphosphonate is present in an amount sufficient to modify the release profile of the biologically active agent from the sustained release composition.
In one embodiment, the bisphosphonate compound can be co-incorporated into the sustained release composition comprising the biocompatible polymer and the biologically active agent incorporated therein.
In another embodiment, the bisphosphonate compound can be separately incorporated into a second biocompatible polymer. The biocompatible polymer can be the same or different from the first biocompatible polymer which has the biologically active agent incorporated therein.
In yet another embodiment, the bisphosphonate compound can be present in an unencapsulated state but comingled with the sustained release composition. For example, the bisphosphonate can be solubilized in the vehicle used to deliver the sustained release composition. Alternatively, the bisphosphonate compound can be present as a solid suspended in an appropriate vehicle. Further, the bisphosphonate can be present as a powder which is comingled with the sustained release composition.
The invention described herein also relates to pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the invention. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a sustained release composition comprising a biocompatible polymer having an effective amount of a biologically active agent incorporated therein, and an amount of bisphosphonate compound sufficient to modify the release profile of the biologically active agent from the sustained release composition.
In one embodiment, the bisphosphonate compound can be co-incorporated into the sustained release composition comprising the biocompatible polymer and the biologically active agent incorporated therein.
In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises the sustained release composition comprising a first biocompatible polymer having incorporated therein an effective amount of a biologically active agent and a second biocompatible polymer having incorporated therein an amount of bisphosphonate which modifies the release profile of the biologically active agent from the first polymer. In a particular embodiment, the first and second polymers are the same type of polymer. In another embodiment, the first and second polymers are different.
In yet another embodiment, the bisphosphonate compound can be present in the pharmaceutical composition in an unencapsulated state. For example, the bisphosphonate compound can be comingled with the sustained release composition. In one embodiment, the bisphosphonate can be solubilized in the vehicle used to deliver the pharmaceutical composition. Alternatively, the bisphosphonate compound can be present as a solid suspended in an appropriate vehicle useful for delivering the pharmaceutical composition. Further, the bisphosphonate can be present as a powder which is comingled with the sustained release composition.
Without being bound by a particular theory, it is believed that at least in part the effects of the bisphosphonates can be related to a reduction in the amount of inflammatory cellular reaction which can occur in the area of administration of the sustained release composition. This reaction, although clinically insignificant, is well characterized as a foreign body response, and can be realized with most foreign materials.
The present invention also relates to a composition for the sustained release of bisphosphonates. The sustained release composition comprises a biocompatible polymer matrix having a therapeutically effective amount of bisphosphonate incorporated therein. Further, the invention relates to a method for the sustained release in vivo of a bisphosphonate compound comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a sustained release composition comprising a biocompatible polymer and a bisphosphonate compound.
In a particular embodiment, administration of the sustained release composition comprising a biocompatible polymer and a bisphosphonate can be to a joint, for example, the articular space of a joint. For example, the sustained release composition can be administered to the articular space of the knee, shoulder, ankle, hip etc . . .
The sustained release composition of the invention comprising a biocompatible polymer and a bisphosphonate compound can be used for the treatment of diseases associated with bone resorption or joint inflammation. For example, the sustained release composition having a biocompatible polymer and a bisphosphonate compound incorporated therein can be suitable for use as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis or Paget""s disease.

Method of modifying the release profile of sustained release compositions


A first stream of compressed, cooled air is introduced into a higher pressure rectification column through an inlet and is separated into nitrogen vapour and oxygen-enriched liquid. At least some of the nitrogen vapor is condensed in a condenser and one stream of the resulting liquid nitrogen is used as reflux in the column and another stream as reflux in a lower pressure rectification column. Oxygen enriched liquid withdrawn from the column through an outlet is separated in the column. Impure liquid oxygen product is withdrawn from the column through an outlet. A less pure stream of liquid oxygen is withdrawn from the column through an outlet, is reboiled in a condenser-reboiler by indirect heat exchange with a second stream of air and is reintroduced into the column at its bottom through an inlet.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating air.
The most important method commercially of separating air is by rectification. The most frequently used air separation cycles include the steps of compressing a stream of air, purifying the resulting stream of compressed air by removing water vapour and carbon dioxide, and cooling the stream of compressed air by heat exchange with returning product streams to a temperature suitable for its rectification. The rectification is performed in a so-called "double rectification column" comprising a higher pressure and a lower pressure rectification column i.e. one of the two columns operates at higher pressure than the other. Most if not all of the air is introduced into the higher pressure column and is separated into oxygen-enriched liquid air and liquid nitrogen vapour. The nitrogen vapour is condensed. A part of the condensate is used as liquid reflux in the higher pressure column. Oxygen-enriched liquid is withdrawn from the bottom of the higher pressure column, is sub-cooled, and is introduced into an intermediate region of the lower pressure column through a throttling or pressure reduction valve. The oxygen-enriched liquid is separated into substantially pure oxygen and nitrogen products in the lower pressure column. These products are withdrawn in the vapour state from the lower pressure column and form the returning streams against which the incoming air stream is heat exchanged. Liquid reflux for the lower pressure column is provided by taking the remainder of the condensate from the higher pressure column, sub-cooling it, and passing it into the top of the lower pressure column through a throttling or pressure reduction valve.
Conventionally, the lower pressure column is operated at pressures in the range of 1 to 1.5 atmospheres absolute. Liquid oxygen at the bottom of the lower pressure column is used to meet the condensation duty at the top of the higher pressure column. Accordingly, nitrogen vapour from the top of higher pressure column is heat exchanged with liquid oxygen in the bottom of the lower pressure column. Sufficient liquid oxygen is able to be evaporated thereby to meet the requirements of the lower pressure column for reboil and to enable a good yield of gaseous oxygen product to be achieved. The pressure at the top of the higher pressure column and hence the pressure to which the incoming air is compressed are arranged to be such that the temperature of the condensing nitrogen is a degree or two Kelvin higher than that of the boiling oxygen in the lower pressure column. In consequence of these relationships, it is not generally possible to operate the higher pressure column below a pressure of about 5.5 bar.
Improvements to the air separation process enabling the higher pressure column to be operated at a pressure below 5.5 bar have been proposed when the oxygen product is not of high purity, containing, say, from 3 to 20% by volume of impurities. U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,343 (Ziemer) discloses that when such lower purity oxygen is required, rather than having the above-described link between the lower and higher pressure columns, air is employed to boil oxygen in the bottom of the lower pressure column in order both to provide reboil for that column and to evaporate the oxygen product. The resulting condensed air is then fed into both the higher pressure and the lower pressure columns. A stream of oxygen-enriched liquid is withdrawn from the higher pressure column, is passed through a throttling valve and a part of it is used to perform the nitrogen condensing duty at the top of the higher pressure column.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,210,951 also discloses a process for producing impure oxygen in which air is employed to boil oxygen in the bottom of the lower pressure column in order both to provide reboil for that column and to evaporate the oxygen product. In this instance, however, oxygen-enriched liquid from an intermediate region of the lower pressure column is used to fulfil the duty of condensing nitrogen vapour produced in the higher pressure column. This process is at least in theory capable of reducing the operating pressure of the higher pressure column to below 5 bar.


An alignment system that uses a single optical sensor to enable the end of an optical fiber to be aligned with the input of an optical waveguide of an optical device. In accordance with the present invention, it has been determined that the output of a single optical sensor can be processed and converted into digital signals, which are then further processed in accordance with an alignment algorithm to generate feedback signals that enable precise alignment to be achieved. The alignment system includes the single optical sensor, a lens and processing logic. The processing logic includes an electrical processing circuit that generates an amplified, filtered signal with low noise and a wide dynamic range, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts the output of the processing circuitry into digital signals and a computer, which processes the digital signals in accordance with the alignment algorithm being executed by the computer to generate the feedback signals that enable the end of the optical fiber to be aligned with the input of the optical waveguide. The feedback signals are sent to a motion control system that is configured to adjust the spatial positioning of the end of the optical fiber in accordance with the feedback signals.

When optical fibers are directly coupled to an input of an optical device in a non-pigtailed configuration, the end of the input optical fiber is secured to an input of an optical waveguide formed in the optical device. Likewise, an end of an output optical fiber is secured to an output of the optical waveguide. The optical fiber ends typically are secured to the input and output of the optical waveguide by adhesive. With these types of optical devices, the ends of the optical fibers are typically directly secured to the inputs and outputs of the optical waveguides.
In the past, alignment of the waveguides of an optical device under test (DUT) was generally performed by injecting light into the input optical fiber secured to the input of the optical waveguide and then measuring the output of the optical fiber secured to the output of the optical waveguide. If the measured output was determined to be correct (i.e., to provide the expected or desirable results), the optical waveguide was deemed to be operating properly. On the other hand, if the measured output did not provide the correct or expected results, the optical waveguide was deemed to be operating improperly. One of the problems associated with this manner of testing is that securing the optical fibers to the waveguide input and output is a waste of time if it is subsequently determined during testing that the waveguide does not function properly.
Currently, alignment systems exist that test the optical device before the ends of the optical fibers are secured to the optical device. Such systems place an end of the input optical fiber in very close proximity to the optical waveguide input, detect the light propagating out of the optical waveguide output, and determine, based on the detected light, whether the optical waveguide is aligned. Once the waveguide is aligned, light propagating out of the output of the optical waveguide can be processed to determine whether the waveguide is operating properly. Thus, the input and output optical fibers are not secured to the inputs and outputs of the optical waveguides of an optical device until after all of the optical waveguides have been tested and a determination has been made that the optical waveguides are operating properly. If a determination is made that one or more optical waveguides are not functioning properly, the optical fibers are not secured to the optical device, and thus no time is wasted securing optical fibers to a defective optical device that will not be shipped to a customer.
The known alignment systems utilize an infrared (IR) camera that is positioned to view the outputs of one or more optical waveguides of the optical device. The IR camera converts the IR signals into electrical signals, which are then processed and displayed on a display device. Based on the displayed information, the optical fiber end is moved with respect to the optical device until it is determined that alignment of the optical fiber end and the input of the optical waveguide has been achieved. As the end of the optical fiber is moved, the output from the IR camera is processed to determine whether alignment has been achieved.
In some of these types of alignment systems, the process of adjusting the position of the optical fiber end until alignment is achieved is performed manually by a human operator who looks at the display device and determines, based on the displayed information, whether alignment has been achieved or whether the position of the fiber end needs to be spatially adjusted. Generally, the operator moves the fiber end until the operator is satisfied that the fiber end is aligned with the optical waveguide. In other alignment systems, the process of moving the end of the optical fiber until alignment is achieved is automated. Some of the disadvantages of the manual alignment approach are that it is prone to human error, subjective, difficult to teach and time consuming to perform.
One of the advantages of the known manual and automated alignment systems is that, because the camera has many optical detector elements (i.e., pixels), the camera sees both spatial resolution as well as light intensity distribution. However, one of the disadvantages of using a camera for this purpose is that it must first be calibrated to the optical fiber before the alignment process can begin. A calibration algorithm must be performed to detect the end of the optical fiber in order to ensure that the camera is viewing the correct object area. Because performing this type of detection is relatively complicated, the calibration algorithm is processing intensive. Once the calibration is complete, then the alignment algorithm can begin being executed.
During the alignment algorithm, at least a thousand pixels per frame must be processed, and many frames must be processed. Processing this much information further increases processing overhead of the computer that executes the alignment algorithm. Furthermore, the frame rate of the IR camera is relatively slow (e.g., about 30 frames per second), which limits the speed at which the alignment information is output to and processed by the computer. All of these factors limit the speed at which the alignment process, both manual and automated, can be performed.
In addition, the costs associated with purchasing the IR camera, developing the calibration and alignment software, and integrating the software with the IR camera is relatively expensive. Accordingly, a need exists for an alignment system that enables precise alignment to be consistently achieved without requiring a large amount of processing overhead. A need also exists for an alignment system that is well suited for automation and that enables the automation process to be performed at relatively high speeds. A further need exists for an alignment system that is relatively inexpensive compared to known alignment systems.

Method, apparatus and system for aligning an optical fiber end with an optical waveguide


An improvement in a method for manufacturing a composite safety glass wherein one or more silicate glass panes is bonded to a plasticized synthetic resin film at an elevated temperature, the improvement residing in employing as the plasticized synthetic resin film a soft film of a polymer of ethylene and/or propylene and effecting the bonding under pressure at a temperature of at least 120.degree. C. and up to 200.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the production of composite safety glass by unilateral or bilateral bonding of one of more silicate glass panes to a plasticized soft film of an ethylene or propylene mono-, co- or terpolymer. More especially, this invention is directed to the manufacture of laminated safety glass by the bonding together of one or more sheets of silicate glass to a soft film of a polymer of ethylene or propylene.
2. Discussions of the Prior Art
There are many applications for laminated safety glass. It is used, for example, in the building industry for the production of doors or windows, bullet-proof glass and skylights, and in the automotive industry especially for the manufacture of windshields.
The term "laminated safety glass", as used herein, is to be understood to means a sandwich consisting of one or more silicate glass sheets bonded together in one unit with a film of organic material. If the glass is broken, the fragments adhere to the film. Loose, sharp-edged splinters are not formed (cf. DIN 1259, Sheet 2).
Laminated safety glass must satisfy certain quality requirements according to the purpose for which it is to be used. In the case of motor vehicles, these quality requirements are laid down in the "Strassenverkehrszulassungsordnung" of the German Federal Republic, Section 22, No. 29, in "Motor Vehicle Safety Standards" Nos. 205 and 208, and in U.S.A. Standard Z 26.1-1966. Quality requirements for use in the building industry are established in "American National Standard Institute" Standard Z 97.1-1966, and for use as bullet-proof material they are specified in "Underwriters Laboratories" Standard 752.
In practice, the use of laminated safety glasses on the basis of silicate glass sheets bonded together with films of plasticized polyvinyl butyral has become widespread. However, the use of polyvinyl butyral films containing plasticizers makes the production of laminated safety glass very expensive.
Polyvinyl butyral films cannot generally be manufactured on the commonly available equipment such as is used for the production of other plastic films, and apparatus especially designed for this type of film must be used not only for the production of such films, but also for their incorporation into laminated safety glass. Certain special requirements must be satisfied. For example, the films have to be adjusted to certain specific moisture contents and to precise free hydroxyl group contents in order that the optimum adhesive strength desired for the particular application can be consistently achieved. On account of their sensitivity to moisture, polyvinyl butyral films must be handled under controlled atmospheric conditions in most cases, not only during their manufacture and storage, but also immediately prior to their incorporation into the laminated safety glass. It is also disadvantageous that polyvinyl butyral film containing plasticizer sticks to itself and therefore must first be provided with a parting means if they are to be stored or transported in the form of stacks of die-cut blanks or in the form of rolls.
It has been proposed to replace the plasticized polyvinyl butyral film with other organic adhesive materials. For example, it is proposed in German No. "Offenlegungsschrift" 1,421,142 that films of highly polymerized vinyl chloride be used as fire-retardant intermediate layers, to which vinyl chloride of a low degree of polymerization (K values under 50, preferably between 30 and 40) has been added for the achievement of adhesion to glass. The low polymers can also be applied to the surfaces of the glass sheets in the form of a thin, viscid coating before they are joined together. With adhesive films of this kind, approximately the same problems are encountered as in the preparation and use of polyvinyl butyral films.
In co-pending application Ser. No. 738,402, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, it is proposed to obviate the afore-mentioned problems by employing as the film to which the silicate glass layers are bonded a plasticized polyvinyl chloride film. It has been discovered, in accordance with our invention as disclosed therein, that improved adhesion and shatter resistance are provided using a plasticized polyvinyl chloride film. The strength of adhesion is remarkably superior, according to the procedure therein, than has been obtained heretofore for composite safety glasses utilizing polyvinyl butyral. It has become desirable, however, to provide other forms of composite safety glass employing films other than those containing polyvinyl chloride. It has become particularly desirable to provide composite safety glass which is not only useful in the vehicle sector, but can be used in the construction sector as well for window panes, bullet-proof glass, window railings, partitions and the like. It has become especially desirable to provide such laminated safety glass which can take advantage of the properties of other synthetic resin films.

Process for the production of composite safety glass


A method and device for switching between networks, where the method includes, if a notification that a signal of a first operator network is lost is received from a user equipment (UE), sending a temporary operational profile (OP) request to a remote management platform of a second operator network; receiving a temporary OP and a validity period of the temporary OP; instructing the UE to detect signal strength of the first operator network, and accessing the second operator network using the temporary OP; and before the validity period of the temporary OP expires, if it is determined according to the signal strength of the first operator network that the signal of the first operator network is recovered, re-accessing the first operator network.

When using a network of a mobile network operator (MNO), subscribers may encounter the following situation: when a subscriber that belongs to an MNO1 (for example, China Mobile) but does not belong to an MNO2 (for example, China Unicom) moves to a location (for example, a blind area of the MNO1) not covered by an MNO1 signal but covered by an MNO2 signal, the subscriber cannot continue to use a network of the MNO1 to perform communication, which causes great inconvenience to the subscriber especially if the subscriber has an important call.
To deal with this situation, the prior art puts forward a solution for temporarily using another MNO. When a user equipment (UE) detects a loss of contact with the current MNO network, the UE notifies an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) that is embedded in the UE about another available MNO detected by the UE, where the other available MNO may be referred to as a second operator network, and the network with which the UE has lost contact may be referred to as a first operator network. The eUICC learns a remote management platform of the second operator network according to information about the second operator network provided by the UE, where the remote management platform includes a subscription manager-secure routing unit (SM-SR) and a subscription manager-data preparing unit (SM-DP). Then, the eUICC instructs the UE to send a request for temporary operational profile (OP) to the SM-SR, where the OP is a series of files required for using an MNO network. The SM-SR of the second operator network requests a temporary OP from the SM-DP after the eUICC is authenticated by an SM-SR of the first operator network. The SM-DP allocates a temporary OP, and sends the temporary OP to the eUICC through the SM-SR of the second operator network. The eUICC instructs the UE to access the second operator network using the temporary OP, so that the UE begins to use the second operator network without having to miss important calls.
There is a need for a method whereby the UE can switch from the second operator network back to the first operator network when network signals of the first operator network are recovered.

Method and device for switching between networks


A line head, includes: a plurality of luminous elements grouped into a plurality of luminous element groups; and a lens array which includes a plurality of lenses each of which faces the luminous element group, focuses light beams emitted from the luminous element group on an image plane, and accordingly forms a spot group, wherein the plurality of luminous element groups are arrayed in M×N in a first direction and in a second direction which are different from each other, where M and N are integers equal to or greater than two, and spot groups adjacent to each other in a direction corresponding to the first direction are so formed on the image plane as to partly overlap in a direction corresponding to the second direction.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a line head including a plurality of luminous elements and adapted to focus light beams emitted from the respective luminous elements on an image plane and an image forming apparatus using the line head.
2. Related Art
A line head using a luminous element array, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-2000-158705 has been proposed as a line head of this type. In this luminous element array, a plurality of luminous elements are linearly arrayed at constant pitches in the longitudinal direction corresponding to a main scanning direction. Further, a plurality of thus constructed luminous element arrays are provided and lenses are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the respective luminous element arrays. In each luminous element array, light beams are emitted from the plurality of luminous elements belonging to this array, and the emitted light beams are focused on an image plane by the lens arranged in conformity with this array. In this way, spots are formed in a line in the main scanning direction on the image plane.

Line head and an image forming apparatus using the line head


Changes in performance in a Java program are deduced from information related to garbage collection events of the program. Assumptions are made about the system, the application and garbage collection, and changes in performance that will result from modifying the program are deduced.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to program performance management, and particularly to estimating the effect on performance of a Java program due to modification of the program.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, the use of the Java platform, a product available from Sun Microsystems, Inc., has greatly increased. Particularly, with the rise of the Internet, the Java programming language became a popular language used by programmers for various types of applications, such as Web applications, enterprise applications, etc. The reason behind this popularity is the characteristics that Java programming language provides, for example, platform-independence and multi-threading support.
Platform-independence is enabled in Java through the use of a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The JVM first translates a program written in the Java programming language into standard bytecodes, as defined in the JVM specifications. When the program runs, the JVM interprets the bytecodes and executes each bytecode. Another technology that was introduced in Java is "Just-in-Time" (JIT) compilation. In this case, the bytecodes are compiled into native code before they are executed. The native code is comprised of machine instruction that are specific to the platform in which the JVM is running. Thus, any computer platform may run Java applications as long as it contains a Java runtime environment, which interprets the bytecode and optionally compiles them into native code at runtime (hence the name) for a specific operating system.
The JVM specification uses garbage collection for memory management. The Java programming language enables programmers to create objects without having to destroy them explicitly when they are no longer needed. The language ensures that memory allotted to unused objects will be reclaimed eventually and put back to the heap. An object is unused if there are no other objects that reference it. The heap is a portion of the JVM runtime environment from where memory needed to create an object is taken. Thus, the JVM maintains the free memory in the heap so it knows where to get them when needed. The JVM has a default size for a heap although users can specify the minimum and maximum size when invoking the JVM runtime. The heap starts at a minimum size and it continues to grow when more and more memory is needed by the program. However, it cannot exceed the maximum. The heap can also shrink in size when it is determined that it is too big and there are not a lot of objects being created, and when it has been specified that heap shrinking is allowed to happen.
Garbage collection (GC) is an event that takes place when an object needs to be created but there is not enough free memory to create that object. A garbage collector thread executes to detect all unused objects and return them to the heap as free memory. The goal is to be able to collect enough free memory for the object that is being created. Garbage collection events suspend all running threads (except the garbage collection thread). Garbage collection events can be a performance bottleneck when they happen very frequently since during this time, no other threads can run and therefore no actual work can be done, thus, reducing throughput and increasing response time.
There are two major concerns with garbage collection: (1) the duration of a GC event—the longer a GC event takes place, the longer the other threads are suspended. Thus, a very long GC event can be noticeable through poor response time. The duration of a GC event depends on the footprint and the size of the heap. The footprint is the amount of used memory (or active objects); (2) the frequency of GC events—the more often a GC event takes place, the more time threads are being suspended and therefore throughput is reduced. The frequency of GC events depends also on the footprint, size of the heap and the allocation rate, that is, how fast is the program creating objects.
Programmers often attempt to reduce this burden on the system by minimizing GC events which can be achieved by creating objects conservatively. Having said this, the use of objects is a key factor for optimizing performance of Java programs. The use of objects affects the footprint required for an application. The smaller the footprint, the better the performance. Thus, the questions often asked are: Can we reduce the footprint of a Java application? How can we reduce it? Do we know how much improvement we will get if we reduce the footprint? The answer to the first question is easy to determine as programmers can investigate in their programs if they can still optimize the use of objects. For the second question, there are known ways to reduce footprint—object pools, object reuse, etc. For the last question, the actual benefit manifests itself in terms of improvement in throughput, more so than response time. however, quantifying the actual benefit can be done only by actually rewriting the program to reduce footprint, running the program, and comparing the throughput with previous runs. Thus, programmers use a 'trial and error' approach in optimizing garbage collection. A utility called verbosegc in Java allows programmers to gather garbage collection statistics such as the number of garbage collection events, duration of the garbage collection, etc. However, there is no systematic way to determine change in performance immediately without modifying the program and obtaining measurements until a desired result is reached. This trial and error approach can be time consuming, as a program may need to be modified several times and tested each time to see if the performance target has been reached.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved method and apparatus for determining a close approximate benefit of reducing footprint of a Java application in a systematic manner without using an iterative 'trial and error' approach. This is very useful in situations where there is a target performance throughput and so by knowing the gap between the current throughput and the target throughput, getting an idea of how much reduction in memory footprint is needed to close the gap will facilitate the whole process.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Determining a benefit of reducing memory footprint of a Java application

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A wearable accessory having an embedded processor in a substrate for creating a synchronously presented lighting effect at a controlled access venue and a method for creating a synchronously presented lighting effect at a controlled access venue while controlling access to the venue, simultaneously using a wearable accessory that coordinates with the performance allowing each audience member with a wearable accessory to synchronously perform with the performance.

A need exists for a plurality of wearable accessories that can provide for tracking of admissions, controlling access of admissions, as well as enabling a wearer to interact with a performance at a controlled access venue, thereby enabling the wearer to more fully become involved in a performance.
A need exists for a method of using a plurality of wearable accessories that can provide for tracking of admissions, controlling access of admissions, as well as enabling a wearer to interact with a performance at a controlled access venue, thereby enabling the apparatus holder to more fully become involved in a performance.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.


Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors are provided of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 is H, OH, halo or O(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl; R.sup.2 is OH, halo or O(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl; R.sup.1 is ##STR2## wherein R.sup.4 is H, OH, halo, CH.sub.2 OH, C(O)CH.sub.3, C(O)N(R).sub.2 wherein each R is H or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl; or C(O)R wherein R.sup.6 is OH or O(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl; and R.sup.5 is OH, CH.sub.2 OH, C(O)CH.sub.3, C(O)N(R).sub.2 or C(O)R.sup.6 ; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which inhibit the pathological proliferation or growth of mammalian cells, such as cancer cells.

Cell growth is controlled, to a large degree, by extracellular ligands which bind to specific receptors on the surface of cells. Cross et al., Cell , 64, 2172 (1991). A number of these receptors, including the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, have intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity. Yarden et al., Ann. Rev. Biochem., 57, 443 (1988). Ligand-dependent activation of receptor associated tyrosine kinases or unregulated synthesis of tyrosine kinase oncoproteins results in tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular substrates which have a critical role in the control of mitogenesis, cell cycle regulation, cell survival and cellular transformation. Ullrich et al., Cell, 61, 203 (1990).
Among the cellular enzymes that are involved in signal transduction, the protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) appear to play key roles in the initiation of various signaling cascades. PTKs can be divided into two major groups on the basis of their predicted structures. The first PTK group, which contains those that possess extracellular domains which generally function to bind peptide hormones, are the receptor PTKs. Examples of PTKs included in this group are the receptors for epidermal growth factor, the nerve growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor.
The second PTK group comprises those that lack the extracellular domains and are referred to as nonreceptor PTKs, even though many members of this group appear to be associated, albeit noncovalently, with some type of cell surface ligand-binding protein. Members of this group include the Src family of PTKs as well as the members of the fes/fps and abl gene families. The nonreceptor class of PTKs is growing with regard to the number of enzymes it includes, which are also demonstrating surprising diversity in predicted structure.
The Src family of nonreceptor PTK enzymes currently contains nine members: Src, Yes, Fyn, Lyn, Lck, Hck, Fgr, Blk, and Yrk. The Src, Yes, Fyn, and Lyn proteins are expressed in a variety of cell types, whereas the Lck, Hck, Fgr and Blk proteins are expressed primarily in different types of hematopoietic cells. Also, Src is expressed by the cells associated with colon cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer as well as virtually all other forms of human cancer. Likewise, Fyn and Lyn are expressed in virtually all forms of human cancer.
Tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity is also known to be associated with oncogene products of the retroviral Src gene family. Hunter et al., Annu. Rev. Biochem., 54, 897 (1985). This kinase activity is strongly correlated with the ability of retroviruses to transform cells, since mutants with reduced kinase activity have lower transforming efficiency, and mutants which lack tyrosine kinase activity are transformation defective. Bishop, Annu. Rev. Biochem., 52, 301 (1983). Similar kinase activity is also associated with the cellular receptors for several growth factors such as EGF, platelet derived growth factor, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I. Ushiro et al., J. Biol. Chem., 255, 8363 (1980); Ek et al., Nature, 295, 419 (1982); Kasuga et al., Nature, 298, 667 (1982); Jacobs et al., J. Biol. Chem., 258, 9581 (1983). Therefore, it is likely that tyrosine phosphorylation plays an important role for cell proliferation and malignant cell transformation, and a drug capable of PTK inhibition would be likely to exhibit desirable antiproliferative, pro-differentiating effects. Therefore, PTKs represent potential targets for the development of anti-cancer drugs or drugs intended to control pathologies associated with abnormal cellular proliferation.
A number of PTK inhibitors have been investigated as potential anticancer reagents. They include isoflavones (genistein), tyrphostins (erbstatin), lavendustin analogues, staurosporine analogues (dianilinophthalmides), polyhydroxylated stilbene analogues of piceatannol, dithiobis (indole-alkanoic acid), dihydroxyisoquinolines and others. For example, see T.R. Burke, Jr., "Protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors," Drugs of the Future, 17, 119 (1992); P. Workman et al., Seminars in Cancer Biology, 3, 369 (1992); and D.W. Fry, Exp. Opin. Invest. Drug, 3, 577 (1994).
For the purpose of obtaining highly specific inhibitors, bicyclic compounds as ring-constrained inhibitors of PTK have recently been introduced. They are expected to interact with the flat, cleft-like catalytic cavity of the kinase domain with high specificity. Iminochromenes belong to this type of compound. For example, several 3-carbamoyl-2-iminochromenes with weak PTK inhibitory activity toward p56.sup.lck have been reported by T.R. Burke et at., J. Med. Chem., 36, 425 (1993). These compounds are of general formula (1): ##STR3## wherein X is 6-, 7- or 8-hydroxy or 6,7 or 7,8-dihydroxy. Earlier, C. N. O'Callaghan et al., Proc. R.I.A., 79, 87 (1979) reported that compounds of formula (1) wherein X is 6- or 8-methoxy, 6-chloro, 6-nitro or 8-ethoxy exhibited anti-tumor activity against P388 murine lymphocytic leukemia. G. Keri et al. (published PCT application WO 93/16084) disclose compounds of formula (1) wherein X represents up to four benzo-substituents, including trihydroxy or trialkoxy. These compounds are generally disclosed to be anti-tumor agents due to their ability to inhibit TK enzymes. However, no biological data was reported for these compounds.
Therefore, a need exists for selective TK inhibitors which broadly inhibit the pathological division of cells, such as tumor cells, without exhibiting undesirable cytotoxicity to normal cells.

2-iminochromene derivatives as inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase