The present invention relates to a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: (I) wherein: n is 0 or 1; R1 is selected from H, alkyl and aralkyl, wherein said alkyl and aralkyl groups may be optionally substituted by one or more OH groups; X is a group selected from —C≡C—(CH2)p—; —C(R5)═C(R6)—(CH2)q—; and —C(R5)(R6)C(R7)(R8)—(CH2)r-; where each of R5, R6, R7 and R8 is independently H or alkyl, and each of p, q and r is independently 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; Y is a group selected from: CN; COOR2; CONR3R4; SO2NR9R10; NR12COR13; NR14SO2R15; and a heterocyclic group selected from oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, iso-thiazolyl, oxazolyl, iso-oxazolyl, pyrazolyl and imidazolyl; where each of R2, R3 and R4 is independently H or alkyl; or R3 and R4 are linked, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, to form a 5 or 6-membered heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl group, said heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl group optionally containing one or more further groups selected from O, N, CO and S, and where each of R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 is independently H or alkyl. Further aspects of the invention relate to the use of such compounds in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a muscular disorder, pain, or for controlling spasticity or tremors, for example, spasticity in MS.

Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Spasticity is a motor disorder clinically defined as a velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone resulting from hyperexcitable stretch reflexes, spasms and hypersensitivity to normally innocuous sensory stimulations. The intermittent or sustained involuntary muscle hyperactivity that characterises spasticity is associated with upper motor neurone lesions that can be located anywhere along the path of the corticospinal (pyramidal) tracts. This includes the motor pathways of the cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, brainstem or spinal cord.
Spasticity in MS is characterised by stiffness in one or more muscle groups, due to over excitation. It may be accompanied by spasms, which are often painful, and controlled movement becomes difficult. Spasticity is a common feature of MS with 40-84% of patients reporting mild to severe spasticity in different studies (Barnes M P, Kent R M, Semlyen J K, McMullen K M (2003), Neurorehabil Neural Repair 17:66-70; Hemmett L, Holmes J, Barnes M, Russell N (2004), QJM 97:671-676; Rizzo M A, Hadjimichael O C, Preiningerova J, Vollmer T L (2004), Mult Scler 10:589-595; Collongues N, Vermersch P (2013), Expert Rev Neurother 13:21-25, 2013; Oreja-Guevara C, Gonzalez-Segura D, Vila C (2013), Int J Neurosci 123:400-408). Spasticity in MS is associated with a decrease in patient life quality. Current drugs used to treat spasticity include Baclofen, a GABAA agonist, Tizanidine, an alpha2 adrenergic agonist, Dantrolene, a drug that acts on muscle sarcolamella and Sativex, a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) agonist. All these drugs show less than optimal control of symptoms and are accompanied by moderate to severe side effects such as sedation, muscle weakness or have the potential for abuse. Thus poor tolerance and under-treatment result in unmet needs in MS spasticity management.
Mechanisms of Spasticity
The aetiology of spasticity in MS has been relatively little studied. This is in contrast to spasticity caused by spinal cord injury, where the control of chloride homeostasis has recently been invoked as a key mechanism mediating spasticity (Boulenguez P, Liabeuf S, Bos R, Bras H, Jean-Xavier C, Brocard C, Stil A, Darbon P, Cattaert D, Delpire E, Marsala M, Vinay L (2010), Nat Med 16:302-307). A complex system of channels and transporters controls neuronal excitability versus inhibitory signalling in the spinal cord. Low intracellular chloride ion concentrations are thought to mediate inhibitory signalling and concentrations of chloride are maintained at a low level by the potassium/chloride ion transporter KCC2. At these low concentrations of chloride opening of GABAA channels and glycine channels serve to increase chloride concentrations and cause a hyperpolarising current. Following spinal cord injury KCC2 becomes downregulated, chloride levels increase and glycine mediates depolarization. While many details remain to be elucidated, the overall effect is to diminish the inhibitory signal to the muscles leading to excessive excitability, contraction and spasticity. As such, deficiency in the glycine receptor in mice leads to neurological abnormalities in early juvenille life in a mouse called the Spastic mouse (von Wegerer J, Becker K, Glockenhammer D, Becker C M, Zeilhofer H U, Swandulla D (2003), Neurosci Lett 345:45-48).
To study MS related spasticity, a chronic relapsing EAE model has been developed (Baker D, Pryce G, Croxford J L, Brown P, Pertwee R G, Huffman J W, Layward L (2000), Nature 404:84-87). Efficacy in this system was demonstrated by Baclofen, endocannabinoids and cannabinoids, and has been translated to the treatment of MS. Intriguing new evidence now points to modulatory sites on glycine channels (GlyRs) for endocannabinoids (Yevenes G E, Zeilhofer H U (2011), PLoS One 6:e23886) and these may contribute to the effect on spasticity. The functions of glycine signalling have been primarily studied in pain, however it has been shown that methanandamide, the synthetic analogue of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide, can alleviate spasticity in the chronic relapsing EAE model (Brooks J W, Pryce G, Bisogno T, Jaggar S I, Hankey D J, Brown P, Bridges D, Ledent C, Bifulco M, Rice A S, Di Marzo V, Baker D (2002), Eur J Pharmacol 439:83-92). Studies on analogues of anandamide have identified molecules with notable anti-spastic activity in the chronic relapsing EAE model, such as VSN16 (see Visintin C, Aliev A E, Riddall D, Baker D, Okuyama M, Hoi P M, Hiley R, Selwood D L (2005), Org Lett 7:1699-1702, 2005; Hoi P M, Visintin C, Okuyama M, Gardiner S M, Kaup S S, Bennett T, Baker D, Selwood D L, Hiley C R (2007), Br J Pharmacol 152:751-764).
VSN-16 was first disclosed in WO 2005/080316 (in the name of University College London). Initial studies demonstrated that VSN16 exhibits a marked effect on spasticity in CREAE mice, providing strong evidence that a selective inhibition of spasticity is achieved without producing significant adverse CNS effects.
With regard to the involvement of glycine in spasticity mechanisms, mutations in the glycine receptor demonstrate an important role in the control of muscle tone as shown by studies in mouse strains (Oscillator, Spasmodic and Spastic). The archetypal glycine antagonist, strychnine causes severe muscle cramps. A hyperekplexic response (an exaggerated startle response to tactile or acoustic stimuli) is observed in humans with similar mutations. Similar responses have now been shown in humans with mutations in the glycine transporter GlyT2a (Rees M I, Harvey K, Pearce B R, Chung S K, Duguid I C, Thomas P, Beatty S, Graham G E, Armstrong L, Shiang R, Abbott K J, Zuberi S M, Stephenson J B, Owen M J, Tijssen M A, van den Maagdenberg A M, Smart T G, Supplisson S, Harvey R J (2006), Nat Genet 38:801-806).
The present invention seeks to provide new compounds that have therapeutic applications in the treatment of muscular disorders, particularly for controlling spasticity and/or tremors.

Benzamide derivatives useful in the treatment of muscular disorders and pain and for controlling spasticity and tremors


The present invention relates to a new polyazamacrocyclic compound or a salt thereof and its uses as a tissue specific chelator. The compound has the formula ##STR1## where x is 2, 3 or a combination of p 2(s) and q 3(s) where p +q=y;. y is 3 or 4; PA0 R is (CH.sub.2).sub.z P(.dbd.O)OR.sup.1 OR.sup.2 ; PA0 R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3 ; PA0 R.sup.2 is C.sub.n H.sub.1+2n ; PA0 n is 4 to 6; PA0 z is 1 to 3. PA0 M is a metal ion, including a lanthanide, a heavy metal, or a radionuclide metal.. In one important embodiment, this compound may be complexed with a metal to be a polyazamacrocyclic compound-metal complex having the formula ##STR2## where r is 2 or 3; and

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for enhancing contrast in imaging internal structures and functions of living subjects.
2. Imaging Modalities
Imaging of internal structures and functions of living subjects may be accomplished by applying electromagnetic radiation from external sources (as in conventional x-rays and computerized axial tomography) or internal sources (as in PET or positron emission tomography and radionuclide scans). Use of ionizing radiation is avoided in imaging with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and untrasonography, making these methods advantageous for many applications.
Whatever the imaging modality, consideration is given to means of increasing image contrast through localization of contrast agents in the region to be imaged. Such agents are frequently metals which emit, absorb, or scatter energy or, as in the case with NMR agents, increase the image signal strength locally. For best effect, agents must be localized. This may be accomplished, for example, by direct injection of contrast agent (as in myelograms or retrograde urethrograms), through metabolic uptake of an agent (as in PET), and by conjugation of contrast agents with monoclonal antibodies which tend to accumulate in certain tissues. The latter process in particular has been used in NMR image enhancement with chelated metal ions. Though well known, the process has several shortcomings:
1 preparation of the antibody is complex; PA1 2 diminished immunoreactivity of the antibody occurs following conjugation; PA1 3 there is limited uptake of the conjugate by the target tissue; and PA1 4 there may be unfavorable interactions between the chelated ion and the antibody. PA1 y is 3 or 4; PA1 R is (CH.sub.2).sub.z P(.dbd.0)OR.sup.1 OR.sup.2 ; PA1 R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3; PA1 R.sup.2 is butyl, pentyl or hexyl; and PA1 z is 1 to 3. PA1 y is 3 or4; PA1 R is (CH.sub.2).sub.z P(.dbd.O)OR.sup.1 OR.sup.2 ; PA1 R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3; PA1 R.sup.2 is butyl, pentyl or hexyl; PA1 z is 1 to 3; PA1 r is 2 or 3; and PA1 M is a metal ion. PA1 y is 3 or 4; PA1 R is (CH.sub.2).sub.z P(.dbd.O)OR.sup.1 OR.sup.2 ; PA1 R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3; PA1 R.sup.2 is butyl, pentyl or hexyl; PA1 z is 1 to 3; PA1 r is 3; and PA1 M is gadolinium.
Because of the advantages of NMR imaging (good resolution and avoidance of ionizing radiation), an NMR contrast agent capable of greater localization would be clinically important. Such an agent would offer significant advantages over contrast agents of the prior art.
3. NMR Contrast Agents
The quality of the images obtained from an NMR scan is based on two properties: the proton densities of the various tissues and differences in proton relaxation rates. The proton density of tissues cannot be readily altered. Proton relaxation rates can be adjusted by adding a paramagnetic relaxation agent, more commonly known as a "contrast agent." Contrast agents enhance the contrast in NMR images between magnetically similar but histologically dissimilar tissues.
Gadolinium, which has strong paramagnetic properties because of its seven unpaired electrons, has been tested as a contrast agent. It has a large magnetic moment which efficiently relaxes magnetic nuclei and increases tissue contrast in the region of the gadolinium.
One drawback of gadolinium as a contrast agent is its toxicity to animals, although a possible remedy for this problem is incorporation of gadolinium in a compound that would pass through the body and be excreted without releasing toxic gadolinium ions. Unfortunately, the rare earth elements (including gadolinium) do not form stable covalent bonds with organic molecules, so such molecules can decompose in vivo and release the toxic ions.
Thus, there is a need for effective contrast agents which avoid the toxicity problems inherent in using gadolinium or another metal ion. Further, it is desirable that a contrast agent control or influence the distribution of chelated ions in the body.
A even more desirable approach to the site-specific delivery of metal ions would be through use of stable chelates having inherent affinity for various tissue types. Inherent tissue affinity built into the organic chelating agent through modifications in both ionic charge and degree of lipophilic character would offer substantial advantages over currently available agents.

Phosphorylated polyazamacrocyclic compounds for complexation of metal ions

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System


A hydrodynamic seal (10) for use with a rotating shaft (24) is disclosed. The seal includes a face seal (20) and a mating ring (22) fixed or connected to rotate with the shaft. A clamping nut (30) is adjacent to the mating ring and includes threads to secure a portion of the clamping nut to the shaft via a threaded interface (32). Embodiments of the seal and related assembly include at least one of: a spring component (140) with or on the clamping nut; a clamping surface (150) on an interface between the mating ring and the clamping nut, the clamping surface being substantially parallel to a thread pitch on the threaded interface; and a pilot surface (250) on the clamping nut.

This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspects of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure.
As more customers in the aircraft industry require extended maintenance service intervals, manufacturers and suppliers have been converting many sealing applications to hydrodynamic sealing technology. Historically, standard service intervals were roughly 10,000 hours. However, some recent requirements have been as high as 40,000 hours, or more. Higher service intervals typically require sealing reliability to be significantly increased, which has led to increasing interest in hydrodynamic sealing technology.
Hydrodynamic seals generally include a seal assembly or face seal, and a rotor or mating ring. The seal components operate on a hydrodynamic air film during normal operation and generally operate in the contact mode only during start-up and shutdown. To be effective, hydrodynamic seals typically involve precise control of the sealing surfaces—i.e., a seal face on a face seal and on a mating ring.
Mating rings are often attached to a shaft, which is a rotating element. It is common design practice to allow for a slip fit between the mating ring and rotating shaft. The mating ring may be positioned in such a way that the clamping load is applied through the adjacent components and into the mating ring. The surfaces on adjacent components can influence the sealing surface of the mating ring. These adjacent component surfaces, commonly referred to as interface control surfaces, are generally controlled through tolerancing or geometric features.
In assemblies in which a clamping nut is an adjacent component providing clamping force or load against a mating ring, the sealing surface of the mating ring may become distorted, since the primary guide of the clamping nut will be the threads of the clamping nut. However, in instances, the threads on the clamping nut may not provide a sufficient precision guide for applying a desired clamping load to a corresponding mating ring.
With the design of a hydrodynamic mating ring and assembly, a great deal of analysis may be involved to better ensure the appropriate coning of the sealing surface once the hydrodynamic mating ring is installed. The analysis can involve a number of assumptions as to the coning value, particularly in instances in which a clamping nut is in direct contact with a hydrodynamic rotor. With such instances, the coning values may vary greatly.
There is therefore a desire for solutions/options that better control clamping surfaces or interfaces, and/or minimize or eliminate one or more of the above-described challenges. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate the present field and should not be taken as a disavowal of scope.

Hydrodynamic seal assembly with interface control


A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device has a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells, and a source power supply circuit. Each of the nonvolatile memory cells is formed of a MIS transistor disposed at each intersection of the word lines and the bit lines, and a threshold voltage of the MIS transistor is externally electrically controllable. The source power supply circuit, which is connected to sources of the nonvolatile memory cells, is used to apply a first voltage to the sources of the nonvolatile memory cells to negate an influence caused by an over-erase phenomenon at the time of a reading operation. In the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of the present invention, the selected memory cell is surely switched ON, and the non-selected memory cells are surely switched OFF, even though some of the non-selected memory cells are over-erased, because the influence caused by the over-erase phenomenon of the memory cells can be negated by applying the first voltage to the sources of the memory cells. Consequently, in the flash memory of the present invention, the non-selected memory cells are never erroneously selected, and thus the reliability of a flash memory becomes increased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, and more particularly, to a flash type EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, and hereafter called a flash memory). In this flash memory, stored information (data) is electrically and collectively erasable, and then the stored information can be rewritten.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, in accordance with popularization of computers, word processors, and the like, a plurality of semiconductor memory devices, typically nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices, e.g., flash memory, used in such information processors, have been developed and produced.
The flash memory, which is one kind of nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, can be made programmable by the user. Further, the flash memory can be rewritten by electrically and collectively erasing the stored data, and then by programming. Note, in the flash memory, it is known that an over-erase phenomenon (which will be explained in detail later) may be caused by repeatedly carrying out write/erase operations over a long period of use.
Therefore, in a normal read operation, even though a cell is in a non-selection state, a gate voltage of the over-erased and non-selected cell is increased until the gate voltage exceeds a threshold voltage thereof, and the over-erased and non-selected cell may be erroneously selected, so that erroneous data is read out and a reliability of the flash memory may become low.

Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device for preventing erroneous operation caused by over-erase phenomenon


A data communication device comprises a connection device for connection with an external terminal, a receiving device for receiving data, a decipher device for deciphering information sent from a companion when the receiving device receives data, a notifying device for notifying the external terminal through the connection device of predetermined information, and a selecting device for selecting information to be notified by the notifying device, according to a decipher result of the decipher device. A control method for controlling an information processing terminal connected to the data communication device, the control method comprises a reception step of receiving data received by the data communication device and information concerning a sender of the received data, from the data communication device, a determination step of determining a priority of the received data, based on the information concerning the sender, received in the reception step, and a control step of performing such control as to vary a method of notification of reception according to a determination result in the determination step.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data processing system having an external terminal, such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC), and a data communication device, such as a facsimile device, having an interface with the external terminal, and to a data processing method in the same system.
2. Related Background Art
It is conventionally known that in such a system, for example, when the facsimile device receives data through a telephone line, the facsimile device notifies the PC connected thereto through the interface of the reception of data.
The data received may be data to be checked by its recipient as soon as possible, data that does not have to be checked soon, or other data, and the conventional technology was susceptible to improvement in making the recipient properly handling the data received.
An object of the present invention is to provide a data communication device and a data processing method that overcome the above issue.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a data communication device and a data processing method that are so adapted that when the data communication device receives data with high urgency, it can make an operator of an external terminal properly handle the received data.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a data communication device and a data processing method that permit an operator of an external terminal to readily select desired data out of plural data items received by the data communication device.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a data communication device and a data processing method that permit easy execution of highly urgent communication with a specific companion.
The above objects and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description based on the drawings, which follows.

Data processing system having external terminal and data communication device connected to the same external terminal, and data processing method in the same system


By providing a configuration for calculating motor control constants to be set in a motor control apparatus automatically on the basis of a target response time constant obtained from a target response time constant input unit, waveform parameters obtained from a waveform parameter input unit, a normalized time constant obtained from a normalized time constant calculation unit, and a motor load inertia obtained from a motor load inertia input unit, it is possible to obtain a motor control constant calculation device that can determine appropriate motor control constants for obtaining a desired response characteristic by automatic calculation while avoiding variation and an increase in the number of steps due to differences in the abilities of users.

During motor speed control, a control gain must be increased in order to improve a speed response and a robustness with which speed variation accompanying load variation is suppressed. However, a motor speed signal obtained from an encoder or a resolver includes noise, and therefore, when the control gain is increased, the noise is amplified, leading to a reduction in the stability of the motor speed. Hence, there is a limit to the control performance that can be achieved simply by increasing the control gain.
To avoid this situation, means for reducing the noise included in the motor speed signal by inserting a low pass filter (an LPF) is typically employed. However, when a cutoff frequency of the LPF is reduced in order to improve the noise reduction effect, a phase of the motor speed signal is retarded such that the speed response deteriorates.
To improve the control performance, therefore, appropriate motor control constants to be set in a motor control apparatus must be determined in consideration of the tradeoff between the control gain and the cutoff frequency of the LPF.
Here, a method of determining motor control constants through automatic calculation simply by applying a single parameter defining a desired response speed, thereby ensuring that the motor control constants are not determined by trial and error due to the tradeoff described above, has been proposed in the prior art (see PTL 1, for example).
More specifically, in the conventional technique described in PTL 1, the motor control constants are determined automatically by applying a target response frequency ωf as the parameter defining the desired response speed. Note that the motor control constants serving as the subject of this conventional technique include a position loop gain of a position control unit of the motor control apparatus, a speed loop gain and a speed integration time constant of a speed control unit, a filter constant of a torque filter unit, a current loop gain and a current integration time constant of a current control unit, and a filter time constant of a speed signal creation unit (in other words, an LPF).
Further, in PTL 1, a speed control loop is considered as a secondary system represented only by the speed loop gain and a motor load inertia, and the speed loop gain is determined so that a characteristic equation of a transfer function having a range that extends from a target speed (a speed command) to the motor speed (an actual speed) has a repeated root. Furthermore, a calculation expression for determining the filter time constant is defined by trial and error on the basis of a stability condition of a control system and a repeatedly performed experiment.

Motor control constant calculation device


A method includes receiving a data object for storage in a storage system. The storage system includes a number of datacenters (s) interconnected by a first network. Each of the datacenters is located in a geographic location that is different than any geographic locations of any other of the datacenters. The method includes creating secondary copies of the data object. A number of secondary copies is equal to at least s−1. The method includes, in accordance with a placement map of at least one of the datacenters, storing a primary copy of the data object in one of the datacenters. The method also includes, in each other of the datacenters, storing at least one of the secondary copies. The method also includes monitoring, via a plurality of data monitors, an accessibility of data stored in the storage system. The data includes the primary copy and the secondary copies of the data objects.

Enterprise cloud computing may deploy in a few large datacenters. This approach may offer economies of scale in centralizing operations, building supply lines, and focusing resources to harden physical plants against failures, disasters, attacks, or other vulnerabilities. However, centralizing operations has performance costs, particularly for the many users remotely located from the few datacenters, which can introduce undesirable network latency.
One proposed solution to the performance and latency problems is the use of smaller, more geographically dispersed datacenters. However, it may be cost prohibitive to invest the same resources to protect more datacenters the same way large datacenters are protected. Thus, there is a need for providing more reliable data management when data is being stored in datacenters that individually have lower reliability than traditional, larger datacenters.

Reliable data storage for decentralized computer systems


A bus system is proposed, which includes M (M is a natural number) master ports, N (N is a natural number) slave ports, a bus, A (A is a natural number) masters, B (B is a natural number) salves, and an internal memory. The bus system includes P (P is a natural number, P≤M) master ports, a traffic monitoring unit, Q (Q is a natural number, Q≤N) slaves, a port traffic monitoring unit, and a memory clock scaling unit. Accordingly, in a system-on-chip using a low-power processor, a memory clock of an internal memory connected to a plurality of slave ports is scaled so as to distribute bus traffic.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a technology of distributing bus traffic of a system-on-chip using a low-power processor.
2. Description of the Related Art
The information disclosed in this section is only for understanding the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art.
A system-on-chip (SoC) is formed by embodying various functional components as one chip. The SoC includes a digital circuit. The digital circuit uses 0 (low) or 1 (high) indicating a logical value that is embodied by generating an electrical pulse. In addition, various components may have different processing speeds. In order to appropriately operate the digital circuit, electrical pulses of various components need to be synchronized. To this end, a generating period of a clock pulse or a clock frequency is used. Each component is operated based on each clock frequency. In addition, an operation of each component is synchronized according to one clock frequency.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a general bus system of a SoC. Various components are broadly classified into a master and a slave. Referring to FIG. 1, the bus system may include a master 110, a slave 120, an arbiter 130, and a decoder 140.
The master 110 may be a device that transmits a control signal, an address, data, and so on to the slave 120 and permits the slave 120 to perform an operation such as read and write. The slave 120 may be a device that has an address area and performs read, write, etc. on the address area. The slave 120 may transmit a signal indicating a state of the slave 120 to the master 110. To this end, the master 110 may recognize the state of the slave 120. Then, the master 110 may command the slave 120 to perform a next operation.
The arbiter 130 may be a device that selects one master 110 among a plurality of masters 110. This is because two or more masters are not capable of simultaneously reading or writing in one slave. Accordingly, priority of an order in which two or more masters access one slave needs to be determined.
The decoder 140 is a device that selects an appropriate slave 120 using an address signal received from the master 110. In order to select a slave, the decoder 140 may use the received address. The address may be configured with bits. An address may be determined using some bits.
A path for transmitting a control signal, an address, data, or the like between the master 110 and the slave 120 is needed. A bus functions as the path.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a master, a slave, and a bus of a SoC.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a general bus system of a SoC may include a plurality of masters and a plurality of slaves. The bus system includes a plurality of master ports 230 to 233, a plurality of slave ports 240 to 243, a bus 205 for connection therebetween, a plurality of masters 210 to 213 connected to the plurality of master ports, respectively, and a plurality of slaves 220 to 223 connected to the plurality of slave ports, respectively.
The bus 205 is operated based on a bus clock frequency. In general, the bus clock frequency is set as one master clock frequency. For example, a bus clock may be set as a reference of a clock of a CPU.
The main reason for degrading performance of a product with a CPU embedded therein is the bottleneck phenomenon of bus traffic. In particular, the bottleneck phenomenon of bus traffic mainly occurs in a memory controller for access to a main memory.
To overcome this, a method of enhancing a bus clock frequency and a method of expanding a bus bandwidth is used. In the method of enhancing the bus clock frequency, a problem occurs in that power consumption of an entire system is increased. This is because that power consumption is proportional to frequency. A SoC mainly uses a low-power processor and, in this regard, power consumption is inevitably increased when a bus clock is matched with a CPU clock. The method of expanding a bus bandwidth has a limit in terms of hardware design and configuration.

Memory time-sharing method and apparatus capable of distributing bus traffic of system-on-chip


A method for the nondestructive measurement of the moisture content of single grain kernels, seeds, nuts, or fruits which is independent of their weight, thickness, and projected area. At least two independent parameters of complex electrical impedance or admittance of a single grain kernel, seed, nut, or fruit are measured at two different frequencies and the moisture content is calculated therefrom.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to the nondestructive measurement of the moisture content of individual single grain kernels, seeds, nuts, or fruits.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The moisture in cereal grains, seeds, nuts, and fruits is presently measured in bulk samples, and most of the available grain moisture meters are suitable for bulk samples only. The bulk values thus measured do not always represent the moisture content of every kernel in the bulk sample and do not provide any information on the range of moisture contents of the individual kernels within the sample. Kandala [M. S. Thesis, The University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. (1987)] reported earlier that single kernel moisture content in corn (maize), Zea mays L., can vary as much as .+-.0.8% on a wet basis (w.b.) from the bulk value as obtained by air-oven drying tests on single kernels and bulk samples from well-conditioned corn samples. Larger variations are expected in unconditioned samples. Grain with high levels of moisture, when blended with grain of permissible levels for safe storage, can be conducive to the growth of microorganisms and may lead to spoilage. Concern has developed that spoilage of grain in transit or storage may be related to the practice of blending (mixing) of grain lots of different moisture levels.
Nelson [J. Microwave Power 13 (2): 213-218 (1978)] investigated the moisture dependence of the dielectric constant of shelled, yellow-dent field corn (maize) at different frequencies from 1 MHz to 11 GHz. Relationships established between the dielectric constant and moisture content of corn from the experimental data are shown in FIG. 1.
Measurements of capacitance and dissipation factor of a small parallel plate capacitor with single kernels of corn between and in contact with the plates have shown promise for rapidly and nondestructively measuring the moisture content of single kernels. Kandala et al. [International Agrophysics 4 (1-2): 3-12 (1988)] measured the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor, with and without a kernel of corn between the plates, at 1.0 and 4.5 MHz. These values were used along with the kernel weight, thickness, and projected area in an equation to predict kernel moisture content within .+-.1% moisture on 78 to 90% of the kernels measured from different lots in the moisture range from 11 to 24%. Later, another equation was developed [Kandala et al., Trans. ASAE 31 (6): 1890-1895 (1988)] which used the dissipation factor as well as capacitance values at the same two frequencies and eliminated the need for kernel thickness and capacitance of the parallel plates without the kernel. However, measurements of the weight and projected area of the kernel were still required. This equation enabled the prediction of moisture contents over a wider range (9.5 to 26%), and predicted the moisture contents for 89% of the kernels within .+-.1% of the air-oven values.
Electrical resistance of single kernels between crushing roller electrodes is also used for single kernel moisture measurement, but this is a destructive process.

Single kernel, seed, nut, or fruit dielectric moisture content measurement

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture


In the case where a single user selectively uses plural wireless communication terminals by mounting and demounting a subscriber identification card thereon and therefrom, user convenience in such selective use of the plural terminals can be enhanced by synchronizing user data among those plural terminals. For this purpose, at least updated portion of the data stored in the memory in terminal is uploaded from the first terminal 10a on which SIM card (subscriber information card) 12 is mounted, to a server 50 via a communication network 20, according to a user's request or automatically. After the SIM card 12 demounted from the first terminal is mounted on the second terminal 10b or 10c, data to be downloaded to the second terminal from the server 50 is determined according to the user's request or automatically, and the data is downloaded to the second terminal from the server 50. In the second terminal, thus downloaded data is used to update the contents in the memory.

Conventionally, call contract information (hereinafter, referred to as "subscriber information") such as a phone number, user ID, and calling rate, is stored in the memory of a mobile phone terminal. In making a call, an exchange receives a notification about the phone number, and authentication of the subscriber and billing process are performed by using this phone number.
In recent years, there has been developed a system which employs a subscriber information card referred to as SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card which stores the subscriber information in an IC memory card. The SIM may also be referred to as UIM (User Identity Module). This system is configured such that the subscriber information is not stored in the mobile phone terminal in itself and calling is disabled with the mobile phone terminal alone. By mounting a SIM card provided by contract onto the mobile phone terminal, the subscriber is allowed to use the mobile phone terminal with the phone number that is recorded in the card. With the configuration above, even when the mobile phone terminal is replaced with a new one, the SIM card can be mounted on the new mobile phone terminal, thereby allowing the user to make a call immediately with the new one. It is further possible to record on the SIM card, a list of phone numbers of callees in addition to the subscriber information.
On the other hand, the mobile phone terminal is growing and expanding in functionality, installing multifunction such as a standby screen, ringing tone replay, Web browsing, E-mail, built-in electronic camera, moving picture player/recorder, scheduler, execution of downloaded applications such as games. Therefore, a flash memory in the mobile phone, which is a non-volatile memory being rewritable, is designed to store a large volume of data, such as address book data including phone number and mail address, E-mail data, bookmark of browser, photo, sound, moving picture, downloaded application data, schedule data, and various set-up data.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-57807

Wireless communication terminal synchronization method, wireless communication system, wireless communication terminal, and server


Some embodiments provide surface mount devices that include a first electrode comprising a chip carrier part, a second electrode disposed proximate to the chip carrier part, and a casing encasing a portion of the first and second electrodes. The first electrode can extend from the chip carrier part toward a perimeter of the casing, and the second electrode can extend away from the chip carrier part and projects outside of the casing. In extending away from the chip carrier part the first electrode divides into a plurality of leads separated by an aperture that join into a single first joined lead portion with a first width before projecting outside of the casing and maintains the first width outside of the casing. The second electrode can attain a second width prior to projecting outside of the casing and maintains the second width outside the casing.

Over the last several decades there has been a dramatic increase in the number and types of devices that are implemented utilizing circuit boards. The frequency with which devices and/or chips are mounted onto circuit boards has similarly grown. Improving the mounting of devices improves the final product incorporating the mounted devices and can significantly reduce the cost and complexity of the product.
The mounting of devices can be achieved through soldering, bonding and other similar methods. Further, devices can be mounted in many different configurations and/or orientations. Some devices are configured to allow one or more orientations for mounting. It can be difficult to mount some of these devices, and further the mounting of some of these devices may deteriorate over time. As a result, the accuracy of the operation of the product incorporating these mounted devices can degrade and/or fail to operate.

Apparatus and method for use in mounting electronic elements


A control mechanism adapter for a game console having a circular base with an upper surface, an under surface, and a central opening, wherein the central opening allows a user's finger to rest directly on the control mechanism of a game console. There are legs on the under surface of said base, and attachment elements on the legs to attach the base to a control mechanism of a game console. The base has two raised control elements on the upper surface and on opposing sides of the base. The open center allows the user's thumb to rest on the same standard control geometry that the user is accustomed to using. The user has the option to press against the raised elements, either laterally or with the tip of the thumb. The raised element feature allows the user to manipulate the control lever with less downward muscular force and with improved dexterity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to game consoles and, more particularly, to adapters for control sticks on a game console to improve hand and finger comfort and to improve game performance.
2. Technical Background
The gaming market is rapidly growing with game console production reaching new levels each year. Although the controllers on the game consoles are becoming more ergonomic, they are still lacking in key comfort, fit and performance. One particular drawback is the design of the current main input stick control, often referred to as a thumb stick. This stick, which normally has a tip formed as a rounded button top approximately 10-30 mm in diameter, can get slippery from perspiration through extended use. In addition the user must apply constant downward force on the thumb stick while playing. These two problems cause increased muscular tension, joint stress and can result in muscle soreness and ultimately repetitive stress-type injuries. Joystick covers are known which fit over the top of a joystick to cover the thumb or to improve contact with the joystick. These devices either do not support the thumb or they restrict its movement. What is needed is a variety of different adapters that can attach to existing thumb sticks, allowing the user to choose the particular shape and/or material combination which best fits the user's particular gaming needs.


Disclosed is a method and instrumentation for predictive and adaptive controllers devised to ensure uninterrupted operation of standalone electrical supply systems powered by sustainable energy sources. The device hereby referred to as SelfMaster™ is an expert system that manages the energy conversion, storage, and consumption in an isolated electric grid based on data collected during past and current operation of the system and predicted future states of the primary energy sources, storage level, and demand. The sustainable primary energy sources managed by SelfMaster™ may include, but not limited to, wind force, solar radiation, and biofuels. The energy storage system is a combination of batteries, hydrogen, biofuel, and hot water tanks. Electric demand consists of critical, non-critical, and deferrable loads identified according to the activities supported by the supply system.

This application includes material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Intelligent control of energy generation, storage, and usage is indispensable for use in a standalone supply system powered by local and renewable energy resources intended to provide uninterrupted power for mission-critical infrastructures. The probabilistic nature of wind and solar energy sources requires weather forecast information to manage and prioritize the available storage level, critical loads, non-critical loads that need to be fed on a certain time schedule, and deferrable loads. This is especially important since these local power generation systems will need to be able to provide power during seasonal and daily adjustments of anticipated renewable resource availability. For example, not only may there be seasonal adjustments to the amount of sunlight available to a specific location, there may also be daily fluctuations in the clarity of the atmosphere due to fog, smog and other variables that can impact the availability of solar energy on a particular day.
The Sustainable Energy Load Flow Management System (SelfMaster™) is outlined in FIG. 1. SelfMaster™ is a microcomputer-based controller. User input defines a schedule of activities and priority of energy usage. SelfMaster™ receives forecast data from a weather service and input data from sensors monitoring generated power, storage levels, and electric demand in real time. The computer software continuously updates a database of actual component input-output characteristics. The near-future performance of the system is simulated using estimated states of the generated and stored energy, scheduled activities, and forecast data within a reasonable time interval. The storage level is assessed and optimal load distribution is determined for critical, deferrable, and non-critical loads. Computer interface circuits turn the loads on or off and provide output for variable frequency drives (VFD) that control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) devices.

Method and instrumentation for sustainable energy load flow management system performing as resilient adaptive microgrid system


A vehicle and method for controlling a vehicle having a variable displacement engine with an auxiliary machine connected directly to the engine crankshaft and to an energy storage device includes switching from a cylinder disablement (VDE) mode to a normal mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie outside an outer range defined by a first threshold (Tout), and switching from the normal mode to the VDE mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie within an inner range, which lies within the outer range and defined by a second threshold (Tin). When operating in a band between the two thresholds, the auxiliary machine draws energy from the energy storage device and supplements the output torque from the engine if operating in the VDE mode, and derives torque from the engine crankshaft to recharge the energy storage device if operating in the normal mode.

The term "variable displacement engine" is used herein to refer to an engine having cylinder disablement, that is to say an engine of which one or more of the cylinders may selectively be prevented from firing and from contributing to the output power. Cylinder disablement can be performed in a variety of ways in both spark ignited and diesel engines by controlling the fueling and in some cases by also modifying the valve timing. The manner in which the displacement of the engine is varied is not of fundamental importance to the present invention and need not be described herein in detail.
When a vehicle is equipped with a variable displacement engine, there are only specific regions of the speed/load map within which it is more efficient to operate with cylinder disablement.
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a graph of engine speed versus engine torque on which there is marked out a range within which operating in a cylinder disablement (VDE) mode is more efficient. Within the range in which the VDE mode is more efficient, the fuel efficiency improvement is not constant and, as shown in FIG. 1, the improvement in efficiency reduces with increasing torque demand.
Under dynamic driving conditions, especially when the engine is operating around the threshold for the VDE deactivation mode, i.e. the perimeter of the range marked out in FIG. 1, frequent switching may occur between the VDE and normal (i.e. all cylinders firing) modes. Aside from such frequent mode changes being disconcerting to the driver, they subject the engine components to wear and affect the durability of the engine. The counter measures needed to improve robustness would have an impact on the system cost.

Vehicle and method of controlling a vehicle


In various embodiments, methods and systems for erasure coding with enhanced local protection groups are provided. An erasure coding scheme can be defined based on a Vertical Local Reconstruction Code (VLRC) that achieves high storage efficiency by combining the Local Reconstruction Code and conventional erasure coding, where the local reconstruction code (LRC) is carefully laid out across zones. Thus, when a zone is down, remaining fragments form an appropriate LRC. Further, an inter-zone erasure coding scheme—Zone Local Reconstruction Code (ZZG-2 code)—is provided having both local reconstruction within every zone and a-of-b recovery property across zones. An inter-zone adaptive erasure coding (uber code) scheme is provided, the uber code is configurable to produce near optimal performance in different environments characterized by intra and inter-zone bandwidth and machine failure rates. It is contemplated that embodiments described herein include functionality for recognizing correctable patterns and decoding techniques for coding schemes.

Data centers may use fault-tolerant storage techniques for proficient and dependable storage of data. In particular, erasure coding techniques may be employed to reduce storage overhead. Erasure coding may be implemented across storage nodes (e.g., disk, servers and rack). Erasure coding can provide efficient recovery of missing data (e.g., data fragments) based on local protection groups that define local dependencies between code data fragments. Local protection groups can be implemented without much complexity but simple rigidly structured local protection groups can limit the recovery operation capabilities of erasure coded data when recovering missing data.

Flexible erasure coding with enhanced local protection group structures


A multi-layered information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers, a user data area for recording user data, provided in at least two of the plurality of recording layers, and a defect list storing area for storing a defect list. When at least one defective area is detected in the user data area, the defect list is used to manage the at least one defective area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-layered information recording medium comprising at least two recording layers, a reproduction apparatus, a recording apparatus for use with the multi-layered information recording medium, a reproduction method for reproducing information from the multi-layered information recording medium, and a recording method for recording information in the multi-layered information recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical information recording medium which has a sector structure is an optical disc. In recent years, AV data, such as audio data, video data, and the like, has been digitalized, and accordingly, an optical disc having a higher recording density and a larger capacity has been demanded. Providing a plurality of recording layers is useful in increasing the capacity of a disc. For example, the capacity of a read-only DVD has been increased about two times by providing two recording layers to the DVD.
FIG. 1 shows a structure of a typical optical disc medium 1 including a track 2 and sectors 3. On the optical disc medium 1, the track 2 is turned multiple times in a spiral arrangement. The track 2 is divided into a large number of small sectors 3. Regions formed on the disc medium 1 are roughly classified into a lead-in area 4, a user data area 8, and a lead-out area 6. Recording or reproduction of user data is performed on the user data area 8. The lead-in area 4 and the lead-out area 6 are provided as margins such that an optical head (not shown) can appropriately follow a track even if overrunning of the optical head occurs when the optical head approaches an end portion of the user data area 8. The lead-in area 4 includes a disc information area which stores parameters necessary for accessing the disc medium 1. Physical sector numbers (hereinafter, abbreviated as "PSN(s)") are assigned to the sectors 3 in order to identify the respective sectors 3. Further, consecutive logical sector numbers (hereinafter, abbreviated as "LSN(s)") which start with 0 are assigned to the sectors 3 included in the user data area 8 such that a high level apparatus (not shown) such as a host computer identifies the respective sectors 3.
FIG. 2 illustrates a principle of reproduction of data from a read-only optical disc 30 having two recording layers. Here, production of the read-only optical disc 30 of FIG. 2 is briefly described. Grooves are formed on transparent substrates 31 and 32 so as to form spiral tracks. Over the grooved surfaces of the substrates 31 and 32, recording layers 33 and 34 are attached so as to cover the grooved surfaces, respectively. The substrates 31 and 32 are attached together so as to sandwich a transparent light-curable resin 35 between the recording layers 33 and 34, thereby obtaining a single read-only optical disc 30. In this specification, for convenience of description, in FIG. 2, a recording layer 34 closer to the incoming laser light 38 is referred to as a first recording layer 34; whereas the other recording layer 33 is referred to as a second recording layer 33. The thickness and composition of the first recording layer 34 are adjusted such that the first recording layer 34 reflects a half of the incoming laser light 38 and transmits the other half of the incoming laser light 38. The thickness and composition of the second recording layer 33 are adjusted such that the second recording layer 33 reflects all of the incoming laser light 38. An objective lens 37 for converging the laser light 38 is moved toward or away from the read-only optical disc 30 such that the convergence point (beam spot) 36 of the laser light 38 is placed on the first recording layer 34 or the second recording layer 33.
FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show tracks of two recording layers 41 and 42 of a read-only DVD, which are called parallel paths, and the reproduction direction and sector numbers. FIG. 3A shows a spiral groove pattern of the second recording layer 42. FIG. 3B shows a spiral groove pattern of the first recording layer 41. FIG. 3C shows the reproduction direction in user data areas 8 provided on the recording layers 41 and 42. FIG. 3D shows sector numbers assigned to the recording layers 41 and 42.
Now, consider the read-only DVD disc is rotated clockwise when it is viewed from the back face side of the disc in the direction along which laser light comes onto the disc, i.e., when it is viewed from the back side of the sheets of FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this case, the laser light moves along the track 2 from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the recording layers 41 and 42. In the case where user data is sequentially reproduced along the reproduction direction shown in FIG. 3C, reproduction is first performed from the innermost periphery to the outermost periphery of the user data area 8 of the first recording layer 41. Then, reproduction is performed from the innermost periphery to the outermost periphery of the user data area 8 of the second recording layer 42. The user data areas 8 of the first and second recording layers 41 and 42 are sandwiched by the lead-in area 4 and the lead-out area 6 such that an optical head can appropriately follow the track 2 even if overrunning of the optical head occurs. As shown in FIG. 3D, the PSNs and LSNs of each of the recording layers 41 and 42 are incrementally assigned along the reproduction direction. The PSNs do not necessarily need to start with 0 in view of convenience of disc formation. Further, the PSNs do not necessarily need to be continuously assigned between the first and second recording layers 41 and 42 (for example, a value corresponding to the layer number may be provided at the first location of each sector number). As LSNs, consecutive numbers which start with 0 are assigned to all of the user data areas 8 included in the optical disc. That is, in the user data area 8 of the first recording layer 41, the LSN at the innermost periphery is 0, and increases by ones toward the outermost perimeter. The LSN at the innermost periphery of the user data area 8 of the second recording layer 42 is a number obtained by adding 1 to the maximum LSN of the first recording layer 41. The LSN of the second recording layer 42 also increments by ones toward the outermost perimeter.
FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show tracks of two recording layers 43 and 44 of a read-only DVD, which is called an opposite path arrangement, and the reproduction direction and sector numbers. FIG. 4A shows a spiral groove pattern of the second recording layer 44. FIG. 4B shows a spiral groove pattern of the first recording layer 43. FIG. 4C shows the reproduction direction in user data areas 8 provided on the recording layers 43 and 44. FIG. 4D shows sector numbers assigned to the recording layers 43 and 44.
Now, consider the read-only DVD disc is rotated clockwise when it is viewed from the back face side of the disc in the direction along which laser light comes onto the disc, i.e., when it is viewed from the back side of the sheets of FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this case, the laser light moves along the track 2 from the inner periphery to the outer periphery in the first recording layer 43, but from the outer periphery to the inner periphery in the second recording layer 44. In the case where user data is sequentially reproduced along the reproduction direction shown in FIG. 4C, reproduction is first performed from the innermost periphery to the outermost periphery of the user data area 8 of the first recording layer 43, and then, reproduction is performed from the outermost periphery to the innermost periphery of the user data area 8 of the second recording layer 44. The user data area 8 of the first recording layer 43 is sandwiched by the lead-in area 4 and a middle area 7 such that an optical head can appropriately follow the track 2 even if overrunning of the optical head occurs. The user data area 8 of the second recording layer 44 is sandwiched by the middle area 7 and the lead-out area 6. The function of the middle area 7 is the same as that of the lead-out area 6. As shown in FIG. 4D, the PSNs and LSNs of each of the recording layers 43 and 44 are incrementally assigned along the reproduction direction as in the above-described parallel paths, except that the relationship between the sector numbers and the radial direction is changed because the spiral direction of the track 2 of the second recording layer 44 is inverse to the spiral direction of the track 2 of the first recording layer 43. In the user data area 8 of the first recording layer 43, the LSN is 0 at the innermost periphery, and increments by ones toward the outer periphery. The LSN at the outermost periphery in the user data area 8 of the second recording layer 44 is a number obtained by adding 1 to the maximum LSN in the user data area 8 of the first recording layer 43, and increments by ones toward the innermost perimeter.
Above, read-only optical discs have been described. Now, features specific to a rewritable optical disc are described. Such features result from the fact that requirements on a margin for a recording operation are more severe than that for a reproduction operation.
FIG. 5A shows an area layout of a typical rewritable disc 45. The rewritable disc 45 includes only one recording layer. A lead-in area 4 of the rewritable disc 45 includes a disc information area 10 and an OPC (Optimum Power Calibration) area 11, and a defect management area 12. The lead-out area 6 includes another defect management area 12. A user data area 8 and a spare area 13 are provided between a lead-in area 4 and a lead-out area 6.
A disc information area 10 stores disc information regarding a parameter(s) or a format necessary for recording/reproduction of data of the optical disc. The disc information area 10 is also included in a read-only optical disc, but the disc information area 10 of the read-only optical disc includes nothing important other than a format identifier used for identifying the optical disc. On the other hand, in a rewritable optical disc, specific recommended values for the characteristics of the laser light used for recording, such as laser power, pulse width, and the like, are stored for each generated mark width. The disc information area 10 is a read-only area in which information is typically written at the time of production of the disc. In the rewritable disc 45, pits are formed in the disc surface as in a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM. (There is a recording principle different from such a "pit" recording principle. For example, in a CD-RW, information is embedded in a meandering pattern (called "wobble") of a groove.)
The OPC area 11 is provided for optimally adjusting the recording power of laser light. A disc manufacturer stores recommended laser parameters for a recording operation in the disc information area 10. However, a laser element used by the disc manufacturer for obtaining the recommended values is different from a laser element incorporated in an optical disc drive apparatus, in respect to laser characteristics, such as the wavelength, the rising time of the laser power, and the like. Further, even a laser element of the same optical disc drive, the laser characteristics thereof vary because of a variation of the ambient temperature or deterioration which occurs over time. Thus, in an actual case, test recording is performed on the OPC area 11 while increasingly and decreasingly changing the laser parameters stored in the disc information area 10 so as to obtain an optimum recording power.
A defect management area 12 and a spare areas 13 are provided for defect management, i.e., provided for replacing a sector of the user data area 8 in which recording/reproduction cannot be appropriately performed (referred to as a "defective sector") with another well-conditioned (i.e., sufficiently usable) sector. In a rewritable single-layer optical disc, such as a 650 MB phase-change optical disc (called a PD) defined in the ECMA-240 format, or the like, defect management is generally performed.
The spare area 13 includes a sector for replacing a defective sector (referred to as a spare sector). A sector which is already employed in place of a defective sector is referred to as a replacement sector. In a DVD-RAM, spare areas 13 are placed at two positions, one at the inner periphery and the other at the outer periphery of the user data area 8. In the above-described PD, spare areas 13 are provided at 10 positions, and their arrangement varies depending on the medium. In the example of FIG. 5, for the sake of simplicity, a spare area 13 is provided at only one portion at the outer periphery of the user data area 8.
The defect management area 12 includes: a disc definition structure (DDS) storing area 20 storing a format designed for defect management, which includes the size of the spare area 13 and the position where the spare area 13 is placed; a defect management sector (DMS) storing area 21 storing data for managing the defect of the defect management area 12 itself; a defect list (DL) storing area 22 storing a list of defects containing the positions of defective sectors and the positions of replacement sectors; and a spare defective list (spare DL) storing area 23 which is used to replace the defect list (DL) storing area 22 when it is not usable. In view of robustness, many discs are designed based on a specification such that each of the inner perimeter portion and outer perimeter portion of a disc has one defect management area 12, and each defect management area 12 duplicately stores the same contents, i.e., the defect management areas 12 of the disc have the four copies of the same contents in total.
FIG. 5B shows data stored in a DMS 21. The data stored in the DMS 21 are the number of DL sectors 30 which indicates the number of sectors storing a defect list, and a list of DL sector addresses 31 each of which indicates the address of a sector. For the sake of simplicity, DL storing areas 22 each are herein assumed to include only one sector. If it is determined that a DL storing area 22 is defective when updating a defect list because of detection of a new defective sector, the following spare DL storing area 23 is used to record the defect list. In this case, the DL sector address list 31 is updated so as to indicate the sector address of the spare DL storing 23.
FIG. 5C shows data stored in a DL storing area 22. The data stored in the DL storing area 22 area DL identifier 32 which is a unique identifier for identifying a defect list, and the number of defective sectors 33 registered on the defect list. The DL storing area 22 further includes a plurality of defect entry areas 34 each including the address of a defective sector and the address of a replacement sector. It is now assumed that there are n defects registered (n is an integer greater than or equal to 3). In this case, the number of defective sectors 33 indicates n.
A first defect entry area 34 stores a replacement status 40, a defective sector address 41, and a replacement sector address 42. In other words, a single defect entry area stores information relating to a process for replacing a single defective sector. The replacement status 40 is a flag indicating whether or not replacement is applied to a defective sector. When replacement is performed, a value 0 is set in the replacement status 40. When replacement is not applied, a value 1 is set in the replacement status 40. When the value 1 is set in the replacement status 40, an optical disc drive apparatus accesses a defective sector. In this case, even if an error occurs in a read out process, the error is ignored and the read out process is continued while data contains the error. Such a process may be applied for recording and reproduction of video and audio data requiring continuous recording or reproduction. This is because interruptions in reproduction of video or audio due to replacement of a defective area with a distant spare area appears more significant than disturbances in video or audio due to the erroneous data itself. The defective sector address 41 contains the address of a sector which is determined to be defective. The replacement sector address 42 contains the address of a sector in a spare area 13, which sector replaces a defective sector indicated by the defective sector address 41. The n defect entry areas are arranged in ascending order of the address of a defective sector.
As described above, defect management is essential for rewritable optical discs to obtain substantially the same data reliability as that of read-only optical discs.
Although there are read-only optical discs having a plurality of recording layers, all existing rewritable optical discs have only a single recording layer. The above-described defect management for a rewritable optical disc is directed to management of only one recording layer.
If defect management as described above was simply applied to an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers, a defect management area would be provided for each recording layer. A defect management is separately performed for each recording layer. A typical recording/reproduction apparatus for rewritable optical discs transfers a defect list into a memory within the apparatus when the apparatus is actuated (initial process). This is because defect management information can be accessed at high speed, which is constantly referenced in recording and reproduction of user data. Therefore, when a recording/reproduction apparatus handles an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers, the apparatus needs to read all defect management areas in all recording layers when loading a disk into the apparatus. This poses a problem such that it takes a long time before starting actual recording or reproduction of a disc. Moreover, defect management is separately performed for each recording layer, and therefore, if a finite defect list storing area is exhausted in a certain recording layer, any defect list storing areas of other recording layers are not available for that exhausted recording layer. This poses a problem such that defect list storing areas cannot be efficiently used.
As used herein, the term "initial process" for an optical disc refers to a process in which defect management information or the like is read out before recording or reproduction user data or the like on the disc when a recording/reproduction apparatus is actuated.

Multi-layered information recording medium, reproduction apparatus, recording apparatus, reproduction method, and recording method


A fitting adapter for standing floor lamps which include a C-shaped body having axially positioned threaded members. At the lower end of the C-shaped body there is provided a first female lower threaded member which screws into the the electrical socket of the lamp stand. A male upper threaded member of the lower end of the C-shaped body screws into the finial for holding the lamp shade therebetween. At the upper end of the C-shaped body there is provided a further female threaded portion engagable with a coupling attached to the lamp stand base. With the present invention, a lamp shade for a table lamp can be adapted to fit a standing floor lamp.

The prior art generally include brackets for lampshades, but do not include adapters designed for utilizing a conventional table lamp shade with a floor lamp.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,027 of Kleppin discloses a display stand, wherein light bulb sockets hang from a horizontal frame cross member.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,672,794 of Tizley discloses an adjustable bracket for lamps with a frictionally movable curved bracket member. See the abstract and drawings.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,834 of Kao discloses an electrical coupling plug.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,299,278 of Paiste discloses at FIG. 4 therein a lamp shade and supporting mechanism which includes a curved gooscheck member, disposed to an electrical socket, and a lamp shade frame disposed to a threaded exterior of the socket. However, such an arrangement, which requires that the socket bear a threaded exterior surface, is obsolete, since most electric light sockets are conventionally made without any exterior threading. Moreover, Paiste discloses at FIG. 6 a yoke engageable to a lamp shade by a finial, but the yoke still requires attachment to the socket through the use of exterior threading, in order to use this lamp shade for a suspension lamp or a floor lamp.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,930,926 of Doane describes at FIG. 9 a C-shaped member connected at one end to an engaging member and at another end to a socket. This invention was the C-shaped member to assemble an illustrated smoking stand.
Swiss Patent GE 154257 of Muller discloses armatures for lamp shades, but it does not disclose adaptors for using a table lamp shade with a standing floor lamp.
The Doane, Kao and Paiste patents generally disclose an extension member between a lamp socket and a base or connecting member. Moreover, in Doane and Paiste the extension members are C-shaped.
A significant distinction, however, between the inventions disclosed in Doane, Kao and Paiste and that of the present invention is that the curved C-shaped extension member is C-shaped not for decoration only, but also to accommodate the lamp shade spider arms.
The fitting adapter of the present invention for standing floor lamps includes a C-shaped body having axially positioned threaded members. The lower threaded member screws into the portion of the lamp stand usually suited for an electrical socket. The upper threaded member screws into a finial for holding the lamp shade therebetween. A further threaded element at an upper end of the C-shaped extension is provided for coupling with the upright portion of the standing lamp. With the present invention, a lamp shade for a table lamp can be adapted to fit a standing floor lamp.


A method of handling a collision event between a first and second transmission includes detecting a collision event between the first and second transmissions while processing the first transmission at a receiver. The method further includes halting decoding of the first transmission in response to detecting the collision, adjusting receive parameters to receive the second transmission, and detecting a preamble portion of the second transmission using the adjusted receive parameters.

In some wireless circuits, such as meter reading circuits and various passive receivers, transmitting devices can transmit data packets at any time. Collisions occur when the receiver receives a second data packet from a device during a period of time that it is processing a previously received first data packet. The second data packet causes the collision, which can corrupt the first data packet. In some instances, both packets may be lost as a result of the collision.

Receiver with collision detection and method therefor


The present invention provides a method for displaying medical images and a medical image display system that do not require a medical practitioner to move his/her line of sight at the time of comparing/interpreting images and that can improve accuracy in diagnosis. According to the medical image display system of the present invention: an X-ray imaging device captures an image of a subject according to a first imaging mode by a fringe-scanning imaging device or a second imaging mode by a Fourier transform imaging device; a controller creates at least two images from among an X-ray absorption image, a differential phase image, and a small-angle scattering image on the basis of the captured moir image; and said at least two images that have been created are displayed in turn in the same position on a display section.

Most of medical X-ray images for use in a diagnosis are images by the absorption contrast method. The absorption contrast method forms a contrast by an attenuation difference in X-ray intensity when an X-ray transmits through a subject. Meanwhile, the phase contrast method is proposed, which obtains the contrast not by the absorption of the X-ray but by a phase change of the X-ray. For example, phase contrast imaging is performed, which obtains an X-ray image with high visibility by edge enhancement using refraction of the X-ray at the time of magnification imaging (for example, refer to Patent Literatures 1 and 2).
The absorption contrast method is effective for imaging of a subject such as a bone, in which the absorption of the X-ray is large. As opposed to this, the phase contrast method is capable of also imaging a mammary tissue, an articular cartilage, and a soft tissue on the periphery of a joint, which have small X-ray absorption differences and are less likely to appear as images by the absorption contrast method, and is expected to be applied to the x-ray image diagnosis.
As a device for the phase contrast imaging, the Talbot interferometer using the Talbot effect is also examined (for example, Patent Literatures 3 to 5). The Talbot effect refers to a phenomenon that, when coherent light transmits through a first grating in which slits are provided in a constant cycle, a grating image of the light is formed in the constant cycle in a traveling direction thereof. This grating image is called a self-image, and the Talbot interferometer arranges a second grating at a position where the self-image is formed, and measures interference fringes generated by slightly shifting the second grating. When an object is arranged in front of the second grating, moire is disturbed. Accordingly, if X-ray imaging is performed by the Talbot interferometer, then the subject is arranged in front of the first grating, a coherent X-ray is irradiated thereonto, and a moire image thus obtained is arithmetically operated, whereby it is possible to obtain a reconstructed image of the subject.
Moreover, a Talbot-Lau interferometer is also proposed, which places a multi-slit between an X-ray source and the first grating, and increases an exposure dose of the X-ray (for example, refer to Patent Literature 6). The conventional Talbot-Lau interferometer is a meter that images a plurality of moire images at a constant cycle interval while moving the first grating or the second grating (while relatively moving both of the gratings), and the multi-slit is provided in order to increase an X-ray dose.
Moreover, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-214483 (PCT/JP2010/53978), the applicant of this application has filed a system in the Talbot-Lau interferometer, which enables scanning with good machine accuracy by moving the multi-slit with respect to the first grating and the second grating, and is capable of obtaining a high-definition image. Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-061993 (PCT/JP2011/053904), the applicant of this application has filed a system in the Talbot-Lau interferometer, which is capable of obtaining the high-definition image.
As a method of creating the reconstructed image from the moire image, a method of creating the reconstructed image from one moire image by using the Fourier transform method is also known (for example, refer to Non-Patent Literature 1), as well as such methods as mentioned above, each of which creates the reconstructed image by the fringe scanning method from the plurality of moire images at the constant cycle interval, which are obtained by the Talbot interferometer or the Talbot-Lau interferometer. In comparison with the reconstructed image obtained by the fringe scanning method, in the reconstructed image obtained by the Fourier transform method, a spatial resolution thereof is inferior; however, the Fourier transform method does not require the plurality of moire images as the fringe scanning method requires. Therefore, reduction of an imaging time can be achieved, and suppression of an influence of a body motion of the subject at intervals among plural times of the imaging can be achieved. Moreover, mechanical operations at the time of the imaging are eliminated, and accordingly, a false image owing to an error of a feeding mechanism for the grating or the multi-slit is also eliminated.
Incidentally, in the case of following up one patient by using the X-ray images, the following operations are frequently performed, which perform the imaging at the same positioning and the same imaging conditions as those for the past image of the patient concerned, and array and display both of such a diagnostic image imaged this time and the past image so that a physician can be facilitated to compare both with each other and interpret the same (for example, refer to Patent Literature 7).
Moreover, at the time of diagnosing the existence of a certain lesion, for example, the existence of a tumor, a cancer, or calcification in the mamma, the following operation is also performed, which arrays and displays a typical case image, a teaching image, a normal image and the like with regard to a suspected lesion together with the X-ray image of the patient as a diagnosis target, and thereby enhances diagnostic accuracy.
An extent to which the diagnostic accuracy is enhanced when a reference image such as the past image and the case image is arranged at a best position with respect to the diagnostic image differs depending on a type of the lesion. Moreover, in some case, the reference image to be taken as a comparison target is plural. In any case, on a display screen, the diagnostic image and the reference image are displayed in parallel while being physically apart from each other. Accordingly, in the case of performing such comparison and interpretation, a line of sight is moved left and right or up and down between the diagnostic image and the reference image, a movement of the line of sight is increased, and this causes a fatigue. Moreover, every time of moving the line of sight between the respective images, the physician must make a diagnosis while paying attention to a positional relationship in region of interest between the images, and this is also a cause of the fatigue.
Accordingly, in order to reduce the movement of the line of sight at the time of the comparison and the interpretation, there is proposed a technology for repeatedly displaying such a comparison target image on a screen of one display means at a display speed ranging from one frame to five frames per second (for example, refer to Patent Literature 8).

Method for displaying medical images and medical image display system


Organic isocyanates are continuously prepared by reacting primary organic amines with phosgene in the presence of an inert, organic solvent, with the reaction mixture being circulated by means of a bubble column at a temperature of from 60.degree. to 100.degree. C. and with the ratio of the quantity of the circulated amine reaction products to the quantity of the amine supplied of from 100:1 to 5:1.

The present invention relates to a continuous process for the preparation of organic isocyanates by reacting primary organic amines with phosgene in an organic solvent at temperatures of from 60.degree. to 100.degree. C., wherein the reaction mixture is circulated by means of a bubble column.
The continuous preparation of organic isocyanates by reacting primary organic amines with phosgene in an organic solvent is frequently described and is carried out on a large scale (see, for example, Ullmanns Enzyklop adie der Technischen Chemie, 4th Edition, Volume 13; Kunststoffhandbuch, Volume 7 (Polyurethane), 3rd revised Edition, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich, Vienna, page 76 (1993). The course of the reaction is, in most cases, separated into two temperature steps, the cold and the hot phosgenation. In the first step, the amine is reacted with phosgene in a rapid exothermic reaction at low temperatures to form a mixture of carbamic acid chloride and amine hydrochloride. This reaction mixture is then "completely phosgenated" at elevated temperatures, until the evolution of gas has stopped. A satisfactory yield is achieved in this process through the large excess of phosgene, through the dilution of the co-reactants using a large amount of an organic solvent, and through the two-step reaction procedure (cold and hot phosgenation).
The disadvantage of this process is the high energy consumption, which is necessary due to the recovery and purification of the solvent and the excess phosgene. For this reason, there have been many attempts to improve the phosgenation process.
Thus, in the patent literature a series of processes is described in which the purpose is to ensure a very efficient, thorough mixing of the starting components reacted together--primary amine and phosgene--with circulation apparatus and/or dynamic or static mixers being used. By this means, it is possible to operate at a higher concentration (less solvent) and using a lower phosgene excess, with the same yield being obtained. For example, German Offenlegungsschrift 2,212,181 describes a process in which intimate mixing is achieved by pumping the liquid reaction mixture together with the gaseous reaction products cocurrently in a recycle loop through a packed column at a rate such that a so-called transition flow having turbulent properties develops in the packed column. German Offenlegungsschrift 2,624,285 describes a process whereby the reaction mixture together with the liquid phosgene are pumped in a recycle loop through a jet nozzle, with a solution of the amine being fed to this nozzle in such a way that a reaction and mixing zone having a high energy dissipation density is formed. Another circulation process is described in German Offenlegungsschrift 3,212,510. In this patent, the process is operated under pressure at a temperature such that 30 to 70% of the carbamic acid chloride formed in the first reaction step is decomposed into isocyanate, so a low-viscosity mixture is produced, which can be pumped around at a high velocity. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,320, a circulation apparatus is described for the preparation of organic isocyanates from primary amines and phosgene, wherein a mixing unit having a higher shearing action is employed.
The process for the phosgenation of amines in a circulation apparatus is described in the German patent 1,037,444. Here, the mixing of the co-reactants takes place under pressure and at a temperature higher than the decomposition temperature of the carbamic acid chloride. Since the separation of hydrogen chloride and excess phosgene occurs at low pressure, a pump having a suitable delivery head is used. Several of the previously known processes using circulation apparatus have the disadvantage, however, that they are operated at temperatures at which the carbamic acid chloride formed in the first reaction step is to a great extent partially or completely decomposed into isocyanate and hydrogen chloride and where the free isocyanate competes so strongly with phosgene during the reaction of the amine that ureas are formed. These formed ureas are no longer completely converted to isocyanate but lead to by-products which diminish the yield of isocyanate and/or impair the quality of the product.
In other phosgenation processes, attempts are made to achieve the desired intensive, thorough mixing by means of dynamic or static mixers in a single passage, that is, without circulation. Thus, German Offenlegungsschrift 2,153,268 describes the reaction of primary amines with phosgene in organic solvents in multistage centrifugal pumps and German Offenlegungsschrift 3,121,036 describes the same reaction in a smooth jet nozzle.
Another way, at least of lowering the phosgene excess used, is phosgenation under pressure. To ensure an economic production output, all large-scale processes for the preparation of organic isocyanates by phosgenation of primary amines operate at elevated temperatures. The solubility of the phosgene in the reaction mixture and with it, the active phosgene excess are decreased in this process. An increased reactor pressure counteracts this. Apart from the fact that the high dilution necessary for a good yield is not decreased during these processes, large-scale pressure apparatuses are very expensive and present problems due to the high toxicity of phosgene.
The carrying out of the phosgenation reaction under pressure also has the disadvantage that, besides the phosgene concentration, the HCl concentration also increases in accordance with Henry's law and the formation of amine hydrochloride is thereby favored. The advantage of the higher phosgene concentration in connection with the reaction rate is completely or partially offset thereby, as the reaction of amine hydrochloride with phosgene is the rate-determining step in any phosgenation process for the preparation of isocyanates.
All the previously known processes for the reaction of primary amines with phosgene in circulation apparatus have moreover the disadvantage that pumps are required for the circulation.

Continuous process for the preparation of organic isocyanates


Thread twist system for twisting and spinning machines which comprises means (12) for measuring and/or calculating directly or indirectly the rotation speed (11) of the runner (5), in such a way that the working movements and parameters of the machine keep real twisting constant throughout the process of filling the reel (2) in a dynamic and instantaneous way, by acting on the angular speed (10) of the spindles (1) and/or the feeding (9) speed of the thread (6), with the objective of correcting the theoretical twisting on the thread itself (6) and converting it into real twisting.

In the thread twisting industry, one of the most traditional machines that provides the torsion for one or more threads or fibres is the twister and the spinner.
The twisting and rolling or folding process on the reel of these machines is carried out by a rotating spindle system and the ring that guides the runner, the rocker that distributes the thread along the spindle, filling the reel, and the thread feeding. The ratio of the spindle speed to the thread feed speed is constant throughout the reel filling process and corresponds to the theoretical torsion of the programmed thread.
These conventional machines work (amongst others) with some working parameters such as torsions per meter of thread, thread feed speed and spindle revolutions per minute, and fulfills the theoretical expression:Torsions per meter (THEORETICAL)=spindle speed (rpm)/spindle lineal speed (m/min)
This means that in the case of wanting to increase or reduce the spindle lineal speed, the spindle rotation speed increases or reduces by the same proportion, without varying the torsion, for the purpose of keeping constant the theoretical programmed tension value.
Therefore, even though it is known that on these machines the working speeds can be varied during the reel filling for the purpose, amongst others, of reducing the thread breakages, they have always fulfilled this formula and have always changed in the same proportion and at the same time the spindle rotational speed and the thread lineal speed and the (theoretical) torsion per meter value has always been kept constant.
Owing to the imperfect working principle of the system, during this twisting and reel filling process, actually a series of torsion divergences are produced on the thread compared to the programmed theoretical torsion. This means that having a programmed theoretical torsion on the machine, the real torsion on the thread once twisted is always different and variable depending on the portion of thread chosen from the reel.
These torsion variations depend on the runner that moves at a different turning speed to that of the spindle and which is variable throughout the reel filling. Said runner speed depends and is basically related to the spindle speed, the thread feed speed, the speed and the direction (up-down) of the rocker movement and the thread rolling diameter at a specific moment.
This variation of runner speed makes the thread roll onto the reel along the formation of the reel with a real torsions per meter value different to that which is theoretically programmed, as on the conventional machines it is always fulfilled the expression:Torsions per meter (THEORETICAL)=spindle speed (rpm)/thread lineal speed (m/min)
Certainly with this 'conventional' working system, actually when the machine operator programmes the torsions per meter of thread to be processed, to a large extent it is unknown that actually the real torsions on the thread will be different to those programmed (theoretical). This ignorance and the ever increasing need to process threads with greater twist quality, less torsion variation, and as a consequence the improved mechanical properties that are the result once having been twisted have brought about the development of this invention.


A tester for power operated vehicle antennas is designed to be inserted serially within the power antenna's operating circuit and utilizes light emitting diodes to indicate proper circuit operation. A flexibly positionable fiber optic cable can also be utilized to permit the viewing of illuminated diodes from a remote location.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to circuit testing devices and more particularly pertains to a tester operable to confirm the proper functioning of vehicle antennas which are power operated.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of circuit testers for power operated vehicle antennas is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,172, which issued to William Strand on Jun. 13, 1978, discloses a vehicle antenna tester that is particularly useful in testing antenna wire assemblies before and after installation in a vehicle. The tester utilizes a plurality of selectively operable lamps which can be utilized to indicate faulty grounding of a shielding conductor, breaks in continuity in a feed wire and antenna proper, and leakage passing between the antenna and an isolated conductor either to chassis ground or the shielding conductor.
Another prior art patent of interest is U.S Pat. No. 2,476,509, which issued to Lovell Bryant et al on Jun. 30, 1981. The Bryant et al patent is direct to a probe for testing the conductor of an antenna windshield. The continuity of antenna wires is tested by connecting the wires to a signal generator and when the probe moves over a break in a wire, no signal is picked up by the probe which then provides for an indication of such loss of signal.
While both of these prior art devices are functional for their intended purposes, both are rather complex in construction so as to make them potentially deficient from a commercial marketing standpoint and further, neither of these prior art devices provide for an easy and reliable means of remotely receiving tester information when the use thereof is possibly necessitated beneath the dashboard of a vehicle.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved vehicle antenna testers which can be cheaply manufactured and reliably used, especially in situations where a user must receive tester information from a remote and inconvenient location. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

Power antenna quick tester with optical remote indicator


The present invention relates to a carbon fiber bundle comprising a regular coil-shaped fiber bundle and having excellent stretch characteristic. A process for producing a coil-shaped carbon fiber bundle according to the present invention comprises the steps of compositing at least two kind of pitches to spin them as single fibers, bundling the thus spun single fibers to form a fiber bundle, then infusibilizing the resulting fiber bundle under tension and carbonizing the fiber bundle.

This invention relates to a carbon fiber and, more particularly, to a process for producing a pitch carbon fiber bundle adjusted in the form of a coil.
In general, carbon fibers are roughly divided into a PAN system and a pitch system. PAN carbon fibers are produced by firing polyacrylonitrile fiber under specific conditions. Pitch carbon fibers are produced by melt spinning an anisotropic pitch or isotropic pitch and thereafter infusibilizing and carbonizing it.
These carbon fibers are applied to products adapted for features depending upon raw materials and characteristics and widely utilized as materials for aerospace industry, sports or leisure products.
The carbon fibers which have heretofore been produced have excellent physical and chemical properties such as light-weight, high strength, heat resistance and chemical resistance. However, the carbon fibers generally exhibit a behavior as brittle materials and have low elongation and inferior softness. Accordingly, the prior art carbon fibers are not necessarily suitable as materials for which these characteristics are required. Further, in the prior art process for producing carbon fibers, it is difficult to produce fibers or fiber bundles having excellent elongation and elasticity.
In view of such prior art, we have already proposed a process for producing a curl-shaped fiber comprising an isotropic texture and an anisotropic texture and having excellent elasticity by separately feeding an isotropic pitch and an anisotropic pitch and spinning these pitches from a spinneret at the same time (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 90626/1991).
According to this process, carbon fiber materials having excellent elasticity can be obtained with relatively low cost. However, the softening point of the isotropic pitch is different from that of the anisotropic pitch and their attenuation behaviors after discharge are different. Accordingly, it is not necessarily easy to spin the isotropic and anisotropic pitches at the same time. Further, in the case where the isotropic and anisotropic textures only coexist or coexisted these fibers are merely infusibilized and carbonized, the resulting fibers are randomly curled every single yarn and therefore bulky and wavy fibers are obtained, but fibers having good stretchability cannot be obtained. Thus the fibers are not entirely satisfactory.

Process for producing a coil-shaped carbon fiber bundle