A stored-power system operating method includes: providing a human-input power-up signal from a stored-power source; turning on power for a power-using-system in response to the human-input power-up signal; and waiting for a predetermined power-down signal provided by the power-using system and determined by current to turn off power to the power-using-system to zero power consumption.

Most stored-power systems include some form of power monitoring and management.
For example in some computer and cell phone systems, the system notifies the user that the rechargeable batteries are running down to give the user an opportunity manually shut-down or to connect the device to a re-charger to complete use and save data.
In other systems, a user is given options regarding features that should be enabled or disabled while continuing operation.
In still other systems, the user may specify how long to wait before turning the display off during periods of inactivity, how long to wait before placing the system in a low-power standby mode, at what power level to issue a warning, at what power level to turn the system off, etc.
Some systems include pre-defined profiles, with descriptive names, such as "Power Saver", "Miser", "Long Play", etc. When the user selects one of these profiles, the device is configured using predefined parameters for each of the profiles.
For example, in the "miser" profile, the parameter for turning of an inactive display may be set to several minutes, whereas, in another profile, the parameter may be set to at least an hour. In like manner, a disk drive may be set to turn off during periods of inactivity when the device is operated on battery power, but remain on when the device is connected to an electrical outlet.
A common problem in conventional power management systems is the fixed nature of the criteria used to effect power savings.
For example, when a personal computer is operated in the "miser" power-saving mode, the display is turned off within several minutes of inactivity, regardless of other factors. In like manner, the disk drive is turned off during periods of inactivity whenever the device is on battery power, regardless of other factors.
Further, in other systems, when the power level drops below the specified minimum, the entire system is turned off, or placed in a standby mode, again regardless of other factors.
Further, in still other systems, the power management is based on available power level, and a rapid dissipation of power can induce a power failure that occurs before the power manager can react to the decreased power level.
The personal computer market has evolved dramatically in terms of portability and user access. Portable laptop computers have garnered increasing shares of the market. With this increased emphasis on portability, more stringent demands have been placed on batteries and power saving features to extend battery life.
Even with peripheral pointing devices, portability has become an issue for both laptops and desktop computers.
Wireless optical pointing devices such as mice have also grown in popularity. One drawback to the use of wireless optical mice is continued power consumption even during sleep modes.
Conventional wireless or cordless mice include a power saving circuit that is initiated after a predetermined period of inactivity. These circuits are conventionally designed to cause the mouse to emerge from the power saving mode upon initiation of activity.
Unfortunately, the determination that mouse activity has commenced requires that the mice consume battery power in a standby state.
For example, to determine that mouse activity has recommenced, a series of optical pulses are sent periodically. Although the frequency of these emitted pulses is considerably less than the corresponding frequency during the active mode, the pulses are still emitted at several times per second and result in depletion of the battery.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Stored-power system including power management


A multi-functional completion tool which may be lowered into a wellbore coupled to a length of tubing, and then utilized to test various lengths of the tubing at pressure. The tool may also function as a positive plug and may also be used to set the packer, and is also useable as a tubing self-filling tool. Various retention elements are disposed within the tool and configured to release at predetermined pressures, or within predetermined ranges of pressure, thereby transforming the tool from a first configuration to a second configuration depending on the desired function. The tool may also contain a pressure-regulating assembly for regulating the differential pressure across the assembly. The tool may also include an indicator assembly for confirming that the tool has entered a plugging configuration, typically by altering a pressure within the tubing, such alteration being detectible at a surface location.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a downhole oil and gas well completion tool which is operatively connectible to a lower section of tubing or a packer and configured to perform multiple completion-related functions.
2. Background Art
The harvesting of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation involves the deployment of a drilling tool into the earth. The drilling tool is driven into the earth from a drilling rig to create a wellbore through which hydrocarbons are passed. Once a predetermined well depth is reached, the formation is tested to evaluate and determine whether the well will be completed for production, or plugged and abandoned.
Completion of a well generally refers to the operations that prepare a well bore for producing oil or gas from the reservoir. The goal of these operations is to optimize the flow of the reservoir fluids into the well bore, up through the producing string, and into the surface collection system.
The well bore is typically lined (cased) with steel pipe, and the annulus between well bore and casing is filled with cement. Properly designed and cemented casing prevents collapse of the well bore and protects fresh-water aquifers above the oil and gas reservoirs from becoming contaminated with oil and gas and the oil reservoir brine. Similarly, the oil and gas reservoir is prevented from becoming invaded by extraneous water from aquifers that were penetrated above or below the productive reservoir.
The nature of the reservoir, evaluated from a core analysis, cuttings, or logs, or from experience with similar productive formations, determines the type of completion to be used. In a barefoot completion, the casing is set just above the producing formation, and the latter is drilled out and produced with no pipe set across it. Such a completion can be used for hard rock formations which are not friable and will not slough, and when there are no opportunities for producing from another, lower reservoir. Set-through and perforated completions are also employed for relatively well-consolidated formations from which the potential for sand production is small. However, the perforated completion is used when a long producing interval must be prevented from collapse, when multiple intervals are to be completed in the one borehole, or when intervening water sands within the oil-producing interval are to be shut off and the oil-saturated intervals selectively perforated.
A string of steel tubing is lowered into the casing string and serves as the conduit for the produced fluids. The tubing may be hung from the well-head or supported by a packer set above the producing zone. The packer is used when it is desirable to isolate the casing string from the produced fluids because of the latter's pressure, temperature, or corrosivity, or when such isolation may improve production characteristics. The string, which may be referred to herein as a tubing string, may comprise any number of components known in the art. Such components, in addition to tubulars, may include tools, joints, packers, etc.
To complete the well, casing is installed and cemented in the wellbore, then production tubing is installed in the casing, which is perforated so that hydrocarbons may pass from the formation into the wellbore, and up to the tubing string to the surface for collection. Often a series of tests are conducted as a part of this process, to confirm the integrity of the casing and tubing.
When carrying out testing or other operations in a wellbore, test equipment or other apparatus may be mounted on an end portion of a string of tubular sections, known as tubulars to form a tubing string. The equipment is lowered into the bore on the end of the string, the length of the string being increased by the addition of further tubulars, which are threaded together to define a continuous internal bore between the apparatus and the surface.
A number of traditional methods exist for testing completion of a well and tubing.
The most commonly used method involves the use of a wire-line retrievable plug. This process typically involves the hiring of a wire-line contractor to both run and pull the plug. The overall process is time-consuming, typically taking about 3-4 hours to set up the wire-line unit, and lower and set the plug by the wire-line. After setting the hydraulic packer and testing the completion and tubing, the wire-line operator will run the wire-line into the tubing again to retrieve the plug which might consume another 3-4 hours if no delays are encountered. Debris and impurities in the completion fluid and/or pressure trapped around the plug often result in sticking of the plug in the well. Retrieving a stuck plug can greatly increase the length of the process and may also lead to a loss of wire-line in the well, which will require the hiring of additional specialists to perform a fishing operation.
The use of the above-mentioned wire-line operation is typically feasible only if the well deviation is no greater than 70 degrees. If the testing location where the plug will need to be set is at a greater deviation, the wire-line method may not be practical and the operator must use another method of running the plug such as coiled tubing. A coiled tubing operation, once on location, takes about 5 hours to set up. Once all of the equipment is set up, running the plug by means of the coiled tubing can easily take at least 4 hours, depending on depth. The coiled tubing operation may easily cost tens of thousands of dollars in addition to the total time used to run and retrieve the plug which may exceed 10 hours, if no problems are encountered.
A more recently developed method for setting a hydraulic packer and testing the completion and tubing involves the use of a glass disc which is run inside a special pipe attached to the bottom of the tubing string. When using the glass disc method, the tubing cannot be self filled, which will require that the completions operator either manually fill the tubing via a water hose from the surface, requiring significant time, or the operator will need to add another piece of equipment to the tubing string known as a self-filling tool.
After setting the packer and testing the tubing the completions operator needs to break the glass disc in order to have the tubing opened and ready for production. If the well is not highly deviated, the wire line contractor can set up his equipment and run into the well with his tool string and break the glass disc. This operation will take around 4-5 hours.
If the well is highly deviated (more than 70 degrees) then the completions operator may need to use a coil tubing contractor to break the glass disc. Also this operation will take around 5 to 6 hours in addition to the coil tubing set up/rental cost.
Another method of setting the packer and testing the tubing is to use a pump out plug which is a special short pipe with a ball seat fixed in a seat with a number of shear screws. After running the tubing completely, a ball is dropped from the surface. It takes around 40-60 minutes until the ball seats on the ball seat, then surface pressure is applied against the ball to set the packer and test the tubing. After testing the tubing the surface pressure is increased to shear the ball seat shear screws and pump the seat and the ball down into the well bottom. This method holds pressure from above only and can not hold pressure from below. For this reason another plug/barrier is needed to be run at the bottom of the tubing while dismantling the rig blow out preventor (BOP) and mounting the Christmas tree. Also some problems can happen when shearing the shear screws of the pump out plug due to completion fluid pressure differential across the ball, that leads to inaccurate shear value (either more or less than the predetermined pressure for shearing).
Accordingly, a need exists for a tool capable of performing various completion-related operations without requiring repeated pulling of the tool, or hiring of one or more specialists.


A reusable, substantially airtight, and insulated container system, assembly and method include detachable assembled top, side, and bottom panels to enclose a plurality of pallets of chilled, perishable products for transport. The top panel includes a plurality of pouches positioned within horizontal chambers within the inside top panel surface. Hook and loop closures secure and seal the panel assemblies. Thermoplastic polyurethane nylon fabric panel inner and outer surfaces are bonded to an internal insulation layer with thermal-welded edges. The system, assembly, and method include internal temperature control elements for a real time thermostatically controlled container environment of circulating chilled air protecting perishable products housed within the cover assembly during transport. An embodiment of the cover assembly is configured to a standard LD-7 air transport container base pallet, providing a thermostatically controlled container environment of approximately 745 cubic feet. The assembled top, side, and bottom panels are collapsible for easy storage and transport when not in use.

Several methods and associated apparatus for protecting perishable products during transport have been used including insulated cargo quilts, refrigerated carts, plastic wrapped pallets, and vacuum. These methods and related apparatus either include dedicated, one-time use materials or hardware items that are bulky and difficult to return for re-use or re-shipment.
Further, these methods and associated apparatus are limited in their thermal insulation qualities and as such are unsuitable for extended transport logistics which may include off-loading to land based delivery transportation.
The thermally insulated, collapsible cover assembly and method of using to transport perishable products of U.S. Pat. No. 8,250,835 provides an insulated container collapsible for after use for protective storage and transport for shipping and reuse. The collapsible insulated Jet Pod® cover assembly breaks down to allow it to be stored or boxed and shipped, by having some or all the jet pod cover assembly sidewalls and sidewall edges foldable to collapse and fit with the cover bottom and top portions into a shipping box for return after use. Rigid portions of the jet pod cover assembly likewise can be contained with the jet pod cover assembly bottom and top portions within the shipping box. All components of the thermally insulated, collapsible cover assembly and method of using to transport perishable products of U.S. Pat. No. 8,250,835 are recyclable in keeping with the green initiatives being introduced in and favored by the product transport protection industry. Likewise, the cooler box of U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,119 provides an insulated container collapsible for smaller storage or shipping for reuse. The collapsible insulated cooler box breaks down to allow it to be stored or boxed and shipped, by having some or all the container sidewalls and sidewall edges foldable to collapse and fit within the container bottom and top surfaces. Rigid portions of the cooler box likewise can be contained within the container bottom and top surfaces and collapsed side walls. All components of the cooler box of U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,119 are recyclable in keeping with the green initiatives being introduced in and favored by the product transport protection industry.
The Refrigerated, Thermally Insulated, Collapsible Cover System, Assembly and Method of Using to Transport Perishable Products of U.S. Pat. No. 10,619,967 provides apparatus, system and methods for keeping large shipments of perishable products within a desired temperature range over extended periods of time, but lacks the integrated and refined assembly and system elements disclosed in this application.
Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 8,250,835, entitled Thermally Insulated, Collapsible Cover Assembly and Method of Using to Transport Perishable Produce, Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,119, entitled Cooler Box, and Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 10,619,967, entitled Refrigerated, Thermally Insulated, Collapsible Cover System, Assembly and Method of Using to Transport Perishable Products are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The inventions of U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,250,835 and 8,292,119, while demonstrably overcoming the limitations of the prior art and suitable for their intended utility, are not capable for keeping large shipments of perishable products within a desired temperature range over extended periods of time. The invention of U.S. Pat. No. 10,619,967, while demonstrably overcoming the limitations of the prior art and suitable for its intended utility, does not include the novel aspects and features of this disclosure for keeping large shipments of perishable products within a desired temperature range over extended periods of time.
The refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover assembly and method of using to transport perishable products includes, without limitation, these examples of products which would benefit from the disclosed embodiments in this application: diagnostic and clinical specimen, blood serums, pharmaceuticals, and non-frozen produce or food items. Often, multi-governmental regulations govern the transport of these products.
For instance, in the non-frozen food and produce arena, on Jan. 4, 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law. The FSMA was prompted after many reported incidents of foodborne illnesses during the first decade of this century and was largely crafted by members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Tainted food has cost the food industry billions of dollars in recalls, lost sales and legal expenses. The FSMA is the first major piece of federal legislation addressing food safety since 1938. It is also the first piece of legislation to address intentional adulteration and food defense. The standards and requirements for perishable food transport are heightened by this legislation, requiring better systems to handle producing, processing, transporting, and preparing foods to insure a safer food supply. The FSMA Final Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food went into effect on Apr. 16, 2017. For transporting perishable foods, the FMSA now demands carriers' strict adherence when planning temperature requirements for shipments. If temperatures during transport go outside of the requirements and the food is deemed adulterated, the consequences can be serious, including refusal at receiving, waste, and possible litigation. Shippers must communicate, in writing, their food safety requirements to carriers in equipment, operations and training. Many aspects of the FSMA reflect harmony with international efforts to handle producing, processing, transporting, and preparing foods to insure a safer food supply.
Response by produce shippers to the FMSA, and other governmental standards for medical and biologic safe transport, is to increase use of bubble wrap insulation and glycol-based gel cool packs. This approach presents non-reusable waste or toxic by-products. For example, each LD-7 container requires at least 500 square feet of bubble wrap insulation and nearly 50 pounds of glycol-based gel cool packs. For air transport of products between Hawaii and the mainland United States, the annual use of these non-re-usable products would generate 2.5 million square feet of bubble wrap, and 500,000 pounds of non-biodegradable glycol. Other approaches are use of individual packs of dry ice in a single shipment, which does not provide a scalable economic model for large scale transport over long distances.
Thus, an objective of an embodiment of the refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover assembly and method of using to transport perishable products provides a lightweight and durable product container and temperature control system capable of keeping large volumes of products at a desired temperature from point of shipping to point of delivery over extended periods of time within the new strictures of the FSMA, and similar regulations.
Yet another principal objective of an embodiment of the refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover assembly and method of using to transport perishable products provides an efficient and inexpensive design, from the stand point of both the cost of the materials and the quantity of materials used in manufacture of the refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover system, assembly, and method of use to transport products. The refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover system, assembly and method of use to transport perishable products is easily manufactured. And the refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover system, assembly and method of use to transport perishable products is readily assembled so thermal problems are minimized during set-up and use. The refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover system, assembly and method of use is provided for transport and delivery of perishable products across many time zones and over thousands of miles.
A further objective of an embodiment of the refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover system, assembly and method of use to transport perishable products provides reusable and/or recyclable components which allow easy and low-cost transport when not in use. The reusable and/or recyclable components are made from light weight, strong materials where component structural integrity is a factor, and recycled or environmentally safe disposable products where component replacement is a factor.
Another objective of an embodiment of the refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover system, assembly and method of use to transport perishable products provides a thermally stable cover sized to conveniently and economically house a plurality of product packs arranged in a three-dimensional array upon a LD-7 container. The standard dimensions of the LD-7 metal base plate are 125 inches in length by 96 inches in width. Adding a 64-inch product packed pallet loading height specification provides a refrigerated, thermally insulated container volume of approximately 745 cubic feet to air transport perishable products and provide uniform thermal stability for the product packs from a point of shipping the product packs to a point of receiving the product packs.

Refrigerated, thermally insulated, collapsible cover assembly and method of using to transport perishable products


An articulated wing (20) is readily deployable from a stowed configuration that occupies minimal volume to an extended configuration for flight. The wing (20) includes a frame (24) having a pair of beams (30) spaced by one or more ribs (36), and a flexible covering material (26) over the frame (24) that defines the surface of the wing (20). Each beam (30) typically has multiple segments (40), and each segment (40) is pivotally connected to an adjacent segment (40) at a joint (42). A flexible actuation line (52) extends past each joint (42) and is attached to a portion of the beam beyond the joint. The beam (30) also includes portions that act as stops (46). The stops (46) limit the range of angular motion through which the respective segments (40) can rotate relative to one another. Consequently, when tension is applied to the line (52), the segments (40) rotate until respective stops (46) prevent further rotation. Tension in each line (52) keeps the wing (20) in its extended configuration.

An aerial vehicle, such as a missile, projectile or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), typically is launched from either a tube or a rail. Such a vehicle is very difficult to launch ballistically (i.e. without wings functioning as primary lifting surfaces), and then later in the flight to deploy wings that can function as primary lifting surfaces for non-ballistic flight.
Past attempts to provide wings or wing structures that can be deployed during flight have included traditional wing structures that unfold or swivel out from an envelope within a fuselage portion of the vehicle. Other past attempts include dividing traditional wing structures into folding sub-panels, either spanwise or chordwise, for more volumetrically efficient storage in the space available within the fuselage. These wing structures are typically retracted into the fuselage of the vehicle using various pivots, hinges and sliding mechanisms, and generally also require intricate mechanisms for folding, deploying and operating the wing structure. In general, these past attempts often have resulted in wing structures that are complex, have problems with reliability, are expensive, and due to volume constraints in the fuselage these wing structures are limited in the maximum wing surface that they can provide. This latter problem is most evident when relatively low flight speeds are desired.
Relatively low flight speeds generally require larger wing surfaces to provide enough lift to sustain the aerial vehicle's flight. Because of these size requirements, it is often difficult to store these wing structures within the fuselage. When stored, these wing structures generally consume a volume that is the same as or greater than the volume they consume when they are deployed. As the size of the aerial vehicle is reduced, it becomes increasingly difficult and inefficient to store the wing structures within the fuselage.
Since the wing size is limited by the available storage space within the fuselage, these collapsible wing structures generally only support aerial vehicles traveling at relatively high flight speeds. These higher flight speeds result in greater forces acting on the wing structures during flight, however, which in turn increases the structural requirements necessary to support the increased forces acting on the wing structures.
Previous attempts at making folding wings for non-ballistically launched aerial vehicles typically required traditional reinforcing structures such as trusses and spars inside the wing structure, while also using hinges or pinned joints for folding or stowing the wing structure. This often was due to the larger wing area required for a non-ballistic take-off from the ground. In many cases these wing structures were deployed by personnel on the ground using equipment that was not part of the vehicle. The vehicle typically was then activated to take off from a runway like a conventional airplane.

Articulated folding wing structure and method


An adhesive is applied in a shape having a straight line portion and protruding portions protruding in the direction crossing the straight line portion to the surface of one of a first substrate where organic electroluminescence elements have been formed and a second substrate for sealing the organic electroluminescence elements, and the first and second substrates are pressed together in such a manner that the first and second substrates face and approach each other, and thereby, the adhesive is spread between the first and second substrates so that the organic electroluminescence elements are sealed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for sealing electroluminescence elements capable of manufacturing electroluminescence elements having excellent display quality.
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a plurality of light emitting panels having a light emitting portion by forming a layered body where a plurality of light emitting portions are sealed between a mother substrate and a mother sealing plate, and after that, dividing the layered body into pieces, each of which has a light emitting portion, as well as to a method for manufacturing a plurality of light emitting panels having a display portion by forming a layered body where a plurality of display portions are sealed between a mother substrate and a mother sealing plate, and after that, dividing the layered body into pieces, each of which has a display portion.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, attention has been paid to organic electroluminescence (hereinafter referred to as organic EL) elements as self-luminous type light emitting elements, and the development of organic EL displays using such organic EL elements has been progressing. Organic EL elements are characterized by having quick response speed that is appropriate for animation display, low voltage and drive with low consumed power, and therefore, organic EL displays are expected to be next generation displays for next generation cellular phones, portable terminals (PDA's) and the like.
Organic EL displays are provided with an organic EL panel having a plurality of organic EL elements for displaying images, a drive circuit, a drive power supply and the like.
The light emitting properties of organic EL elements deteriorate when making contact with moisture, and therefore, it is necessary to seal organic EL elements so that the organic EL elements do not make contact with moisture in an organic EL panel. Therefore, organic EL panels are manufactured by pasting together an organic EL substrate where organic EL elements have been formed, and a sealing substrate for sealing using an adhesive for sealing.
As a conventional method for sealing EL elements, a method in which an EL substrate and a sealing substrate are sealed with a hardening resin in liquid form that has been dropped onto one of the substrates so as to form protrusions on the substrate is known (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2000-10506). In accordance with this prior art, however, as shown in the plan diagram of FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), a hardening resin in liquid form 42 spreads into circular shapes on an EL substrate 41 (FIG. 2(a)), and at the time of pasting, this hardening resin in liquid form 42 further spreads into concentric circular shapes, creating spaces 43 surrounded by resin 42, and bubbles are created, due to these spaces (FIG. 2(b)).
When bubbles are created in the adhesive layer between the organic EL substrate and the sealing substrate, the index of refraction in the bubble portions is different from the index of refraction of the surrounding adhesive layer, and therefore, the color of the bubble portions is seen as a different color from that of the surroundings. Thus, a problem arises, such that the shapes of the bubbles can be seen with the human eye when the organic EL display is displayed, and thus, the display quality is lowered. Furthermore, moisture that is included in the bubbles seeps into the organic EL elements so as to cause the light emitting properties to deteriorate, and therefore, the reliability of the organic EL elements is lowered. Accordingly, in order to provide an organic EL display having excellent display quality and high reliability, it is necessary to seal the organic EL elements without creating bubbles between the organic EL substrate and the sealing substrate.
Therefore, a method for sealing organic EL elements without creating closed spaces such as the above described spaces 43 by dropping a hardening resin 42 in liquid form onto one substrate along lines so as to prevent the above described spaces from being created in the resin 42 is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2000-10506.
Meanwhile, a manufacturing method that is referred to as multiple panel taking is frequently adopted in the process for manufacturing organic EL display panels, in order to increase production efficiency (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2001-126866). Multiple panel taking is a method for manufacturing a plurality of organic EL display panels by pasting one mother substrate of which the size is sufficiently greater than that of one organic EL display panel and where a plurality of organic EL display portions are provided, and one mother sealing plate of which the size is sufficiently greater than that of one organic EL display panel together, and after that, dividing the resulting layered body into pieces, each of which has an organic EL display portion.
When the dropping method that is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2000-10506 is adopted in multiple panel taking, it is necessary to drop a hardening resin in liquid form 42 for each of the number of organic EL display portions on the above described mother substrate, and therefore, the hardening resin in liquid form 42, 42 . . . spreads and is integrated, as shown in FIG. 2, in such a manner that air is left in closed spaces that are surrounded by the hardening resin 42 in liquid form. In the case where such closed spaces are created, air in the closed spaces cannot escape, even when pressure is applied to spread the hardening resin in liquid form 42, and these closed spaces restrict the distance between the mother substrate and the mother sealing plate, and therefore, the hardening resin in liquid form 42 cannot be uniformly spread in the organic EL display portions, and the distance between the two plates cannot be narrowed. Further, even if the closed spaces are compressed so as to uniform the distance between the mother substrate and the mother sealing plate, the area occupied by the closed spaces increase due to the constant volume of the closed spaces. Due to the existence of such closed spaces, as described above, a problem arises, such that the display quality of the organic EL display panels is lowered. In addition, the portions where the above described closed spaces exist in the organic EL display portions are not covered with the hardening resin in liquid form 42, and in the case where the plate is divided into respective organic EL display portions, a problem arises, such that the above described portions are exposed to the open air, and moisture in the open air seeps into the organic EL elements, making the light emitting properties deteriorate, and thus, the reliability of the organic EL elements is lowered.
In addition, when closed spaces are created, as described above, the distance between the mother substrate and the mother sealing plate cannot be reduced so as to be smaller than the height of these closed spaces, and therefore, the distance between the mother substrate and the mother sealing plate becomes greater than a predetermined distance. In the manufacture of light emitting panels or display panels, in some cases, the color chromaticity of light that is emitted is adjusted by setting the distance between the mother substrate and the mother sealing plate to a predetermined distance, and in such a case, when closed spaces as those described above are created in such a manner as to prevent the distance between the mother substrate and the mother sealing plate from being reduced to the height of these closed spaces or smaller, and therefore, the distance between the mother substrate and the mother sealing plate cannot be set to the predetermined distance, and a problem arises, where the color chromaticity of light that is emitted becomes different from that desired, and thus, the display quality is lowered.
A problem arises, such that the manufacture yield is lowered due to the reduction in the display quality and in the reliability, as described above.
As described above, in the case where the manufacturing method for an organic EL display panel that is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2000-10506 is applied to multiple panel taking, a problem arises, such that the display quality of organic EL display panels becomes low and the yield also becomes low.

Method for sealing organic electroluminescence elements and manufacturing method for light emitting panel and display panel


A piezoelectric actuator A has an oscillator 10 that has a flat base layer 32 and piezoelectric elements 30, 31 layered on the base layer 32 and oscillates as a result of a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric elements 30, 31, and a rotor 100 driven by vibrations from the oscillator 10. The piezoelectric actuator A includes a fastening part 11 for securing the oscillator 10, and lead substrates 14A, 14B that are secured to the fastening part 11 for applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric elements from a drive circuit 500 for driving the piezoelectric elements 30, 31. The lead substrates 14A, 14B have connecting parts 17A–17C extending to the power supply electrodes 33A, 33C and a detection electrode 34.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a piezoelectric actuator having a piezoelectric element, a timepiece having this piezoelectric actuator, and an electronic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Piezoelectric elements feature excellent response and high conversion efficiency converting electrical energy to mechanical energy. As a result, various types of piezoelectric actuators using the piezoelectric effect of such piezoelectric elements have been developed in recent years and are used in such applications as piezoelectric buzzers, ultrasonic motors, and inkjet heads for printers. Piezoelectric actuators have also been proposed for use in applications with a strong need for miniaturization, such as driving the calendar display mechanism in wristwatches. (See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. 2001-286166.)
However, a problem is that wiring must be provided to the piezoelectric elements using wire leads, for example, in order to supply a drive signal to the piezoelectric elements, and this wiring task is complex.

Piezoelectric actuator, timepiece, and electronic device


A vandal-proof vending machine includes a rigid frame housed within an opening of a building with a cabinet of the dispensing machine being housed entirely within the building and thereby being rendered inaccessible from the exterior. A front opening of the frame to which products housed in an interior of the cabinet can be viewed is protected by a laminate of tough transparent material and tough metal mesh. The cabinet has rollers at a bottom thereof and one corner is secured by pivots to a side of the frame. The cabinet can thereby be rolled between a closed dispensing position and an opened servicing position.

Vending machines have been used for many years to dispense a variety of different products, as evidenced by any one or all of the patents to J. T. Schuller (U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,055), Donald C. Rockola et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,325), Charles L. Casey (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,316,315 and 2,352,471), and Leonard A. Ficken (U.S. Pat No. 4,823,984).
Typically, a conventional vending machine includes a housing for storing the articles which are to be dispensed and a conventional dispensing mechanism which can be accessed through conventional coin/token/card/paper money acceptors. Such vending machines can be filled through either a front or a rear access door and the dispensed articles are normally dispensed through a front dispensing guide and/or dispensing opening. Usually, the products or articles can be containers or soft drinks or the like, food products, candy bars, snack foods, or specific products associated with specific activities which occur at the dispensing area, such as vending machines for dispensing automobile protectant, such as Armor All.RTM., towels, glass cleaner, and similar products at vehicle car washes. No matter the specific type of vending machine involved or its area of location, one major problem is vandalism and theft. It is not uncommon for vending machines to be left unattended and thus they are subject to theft and/or damage. Even if vandals do not successfully steal the products/articles and/or money from within a vending machine, the unsuccessful theft is emotionally disconcerting to a thief and his/her unsuccessful effort at theft turns into malicious assaults upon the associated vending machine. Vending machines have been beaten with sledge hammers, torn with crow bars, axed, tipped over, dragged for miles and discarded, etc., all resulting in loss of time, money and effort to the vendor.
A variety of vending machine securing cages/systems are known, such as the vending machine security cage of U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,551 and the vending machine security system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,166, and the numerous patents cited in the first column of the latter patent. More pertinent to the present invention is the vending machine of U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,416 which includes a vending machine whose product display/storage area is conventionally closed by a door, but the latter is covered by an impact panel in the form of a separate translucent window which is internally mounted to the door frame adjacent the viewing area. The transparent panel is a sheet of Lexon.RTM. which is essentially indestructible and is designed to prevent access to the dispensable product/articles through the viewing area of the dispensing machine. Though this vandal-proof door generally prevents access to the vending machine interior and the products therein through the viewing area, the protection afforded to the viewing area has no consequence insofar as the overall vending machine integrity is concerned. Thus, a thief might choose not to attempt to break the impact panel but instead "jimmy" the access door or, failing in the latter, allow frustration to dictate subsequent vending machine destruction/damage in the manner earlier described.


A device and method are described for identifying the size of a disposable diaper or absorbent article which is appropriate in terms of proper fit for a potential wearer of the article. The device and method employ information regarding at least two different selected characteristics of potential wearers and an association between such information and a size of the article which is fit-appropriate for a potential wearer. The size identification is more reliable than an identification which is based solely upon a single characteristic of the potential wearer.

The present invention is directed to a device and method for identifying a size of a disposable diaper or other article which is appropriate in terms of proper fit for a potential wearer of the article.
Disposable diapers and other absorbent articles are designed to absorb and contain liquid and other discharges from the human body to prevent body and clothing soiling. Disposable diapers, as one example, have a variety of designs, each typically available in a range of sizes. The size of the diaper typically affects, for example, the size of the diaper waist opening, the size of the openings around the thighs, and the length or xe2x80x9cpitchxe2x80x9d of the diaper. If a person such as a consumer selects a diaper which is size-inappropriate for a potential wearer, the waist opening, thigh openings or pitch of the diaper, for instance, may be too large for proper fit on the wearer, potentially leading to slipping, sliding, sagging, drooping, or a loss of gasketing effects that are designed to inhibit leakage. Alternatively, the waist opening, thigh opening or pitch of a size-inappropriate diaper may be too small for proper fit, potentially leading to wearer discomfort or skinmarking of the wearer""s skin.
Currently, disposable diapers are typically sold in packages which are labeled with a xe2x80x9csize numberxe2x80x9d and a recommended wearer weight range. For example, a package labeled xe2x80x9cSize 3xe2x80x9d may include information that the recommended wearer weight range for the diapers included in the package is from about 16 to 28 pounds (about 7 to 13 kg). As a result, weight is often the sole criteria used to identify a diaper size and thereby select a particular-sized diaper for a potential wearer. This is the case even though other characteristics and anthropometric attributes of potential wearers (for example, age, height, waist circumference, thigh circumference, and rise) may vary widely within the recommended weight range, and may result in an ill-fitting diaper even though a wearer""s weight falls within that range.
Further complicating the typical situation with respect to the identification and selection of size-appropriate disposable diapers is the presence of a significant overlap, from one xe2x80x9csize numberxe2x80x9d to the next, of the recommended weight ranges on the associated packages. For example, a xe2x80x9cSize 2xe2x80x9d diaper may have a recommended weight range from about 12 to 18 pounds (about 5 to 8 kg), a xe2x80x9cSize 3xe2x80x9d diaper may have a recommended weight range from about 16 to 28 pounds (about 7 to 13 kg), and a xe2x80x9cSize 4xe2x80x9d diaper may have a recommended weight range from about 22 to 37 pounds (about 10 to 17 kg). A xe2x80x9cSize 5xe2x80x9d or greater diaper may have a recommended weight range with no upper limit. Such overlaps or lack of upper weight limits may lead to consumer confusion or a lack of faith that the recommended weight ranges alone are reliable means of identifying the size of a diaper which is fit-appropriate for the potential wearer.
Thus, there is a need for a device and method which can more reliably identify the size of a disposable diaper or other absorbent article which is fit-appropriate for a potential wearer.
The present invention is directed to a device and method for identifying a size of a disposable diaper or other absorbent article which is fit-appropriate for a potential wearer of the article.
The device of the invention employs information regarding a size or sizes of a disposable diaper or other absorbent article and an association between the size information and information regarding at least two different selected characteristics of potential wearers to identify a disposable diaper or other article which is sized appropriately in terms of proper fit for potential wearers who possess particular values for such characteristics. By way of example, the device of the invention can be a chart, graphic, table or list which includes size information associated with information regarding two or more selected characteristics of potential wearers in a manner which identifies, or which allows a person such as a consumer to identify, a size of disposable diaper or other absorbent article which is appropriate for a potential wearer possessing particular values for each of the selected characteristics. As another example, the device can be a computer or other interactive device which includes size information associated with information regarding selected potential wearer characteristics, and which allows a person to input values for the selected characteristics and then provides information identifying the size of disposable diaper or other absorbent article which is fit-appropriate for a wearer possessing characteristics having such values. Apparatus which enables a person such as a consumer to readily ascertain such values relative to a particular wearer are also described.
The method of the invention, in one aspect, involves selecting at least two different characteristics possessed by potential wearers of a disposable diaper or other absorbent article, developing an association between values for each of the characteristics and a size of the absorbent article which is fit-appropriate for potential wearers who possess particular values for such characteristics, and providing a medium which conveys information identifying or which allows a person such as a consumer to identify the size of disposable diaper or other absorbent article which is fit-appropriate for a wearer who possesses particular values for each of the characteristics. The medium can convey such size information visually, audibly or otherwise.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for identifying a fit-appropriate size of a disposable diaper or other absorbent article for potential wearers based upon the values of at least two wearer characteristics which are preferably known or readily ascertained by a person such as a consumer and which also takes into account at least two, and more preferably at least three, underlying anthropometric attributes of the wearers as well as attributes of the diaper or other article itself which are important to fit. The method can also be employed in developing a device which can be used to reliably identify an appropriately sized disposable diaper or other absorbent article.
The devices and methods of the invention can be utilized to provide meaningful guidance to a person such as a consumer, enabling the person to identify and select size-appropriate disposable diapers or other absorbent articles more reliably than an identification or selection based solely upon a single wearer characteristic such as a wearer""s weight. Certain aspects of the invention can also be utilized to develop simplified relationships between anthropometric attributes of potential wearers which are important to article fit and other selected wearer characteristics. The foregoing devices and methods can be employed relative to disposable diapers and other absorbent articles having a range of sizes and a variety of designs.

Device and method for identifying a size of an absorbent article which is fit-appropriate for a potential wearer


‘Duraant’ is a distinctive variety of Tillandsia hybrid which is characterized by the combination of dark green foliage, striking pink bracts and highly branched inflorescences, as well as the stability and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Tillandsia hybrid, which has been given the variety denomination of 'Duraant'. Its market class is PLT/370.
Parentage: The Tillandsia hybrid variety 'Duraant' is the result of a controlled pollination breeding program carried out in April of 2006 in Alajuela, Costa Rica. 'Duraant' is a progeny of said breeding program which resulted from the cross pollination of male parent Tillandsia laxissima (unnamed and unpatented) and a female parent breeding line of Tillandsia cyanea (unnamed and unpatented), owned and previously bred by the inventor, which exhibits a branched inflorescence. Progeny of said cross were observed for desired commercial characteristics and, in September of 2010, 'Duraant' was observed in bloom and selected for its high degree of branching of the inflorescence.
Asexual Reproduction: 'Duraant' was first asexually propagated by tissue culture in February of 2009 at a laboratory in Alajuela, Costa Rica under the control of the inventor. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive 'Duraant' variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.


A method of detecting fraudulent or erroneous data from a transaction data set is provided. A first transaction record having a plurality of key values is selected from a transaction record database. One of the key values is selected from the selected transaction record. The transaction record database is then queried for transaction records having the selected key value. A second database is compiled of transaction records that contain the selected key value. At least one other key value is then selected from the originally selected transaction record, and the transaction record database is again queried for transaction records also having the second key value. The results of the fist, second and any subsequent queries are added to a second or a suspect transaction database. Then, using the uncovered records, the transaction database is queried for the use of key values common to the uncovered set of transactions to see if additional records are suspect. A list of queried key values is maintained to prevent the unnecessary or redundant use of the same query of the transactions. Risk coefficients of levels of fraud or mistake are assigned to the transaction records which have one or more common key values to the records uncovered as a consequence of the database queries.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to data analysis and more specifically to the analysis of data for possible or probable fraud or error and for correspondingly minimizing the liability and exposure of individuals and/or entities as a consequence of compromised credit card information. A single data field taken from a suspected fraudulent transaction or entry is used to track all related transactions or entries and in the case of credit card transactions used to minimize liability to the credit card company and the proper credit card holder. The invention can detect additional fraudulent or "hidden" entities which may have used a common (and probably compromised) data key value and/or element to the originally suspected fraudulent or error-containing transaction or entry. This helps to search for transactions, identities and information that otherwise wish to remain hidden. The present method can help with maintaining financial records, eliminating or reducing money laundering, tracking fraud and/or terrorism and preventing the use of compromised information in the same or other databases by those who otherwise wish to conceal their improper transactions, entries and/or identities.
2. Description of Related Art
Nearly every business and individual in the United States and around the globe depends on the accurate and secure maintenance of data such as financial and identity-related data. Data is compiled in many different formats, but one format of particular interest in remaining uncompromised and unused by unauthorized individuals is transactional data, e.g., the use of a person's credit card to purchase goods or services. It is crucial to ensure that credit card information does not become stolen, compromised or erroneously recorded. In these situations, the consumer and the credit card company suffer the loss while the thief or thieves of the information improperly use it to effectively pillage and loot (and to hide from authorities). In the case of the erroneous, in contrast to fraudulent, recordation of credit card information, while inadvertently assigning a transaction (and debiting an account) to the wrong person may be a malice-free mistake, it still causes great consternation for all parties concerned. Errors in credit card transactions have economic costs, too, and, therefore, the elimination or reduction of errors as well as fraud is desirably sought.
The review of transactional data such as on-line credit card based-purchases for error or fraud has become an important tool in rooting out terrorist operations. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has recently begun a program alternatively called Total Information Awareness and the less draconian-sounding Terrorism Information Awareness (TIA) program or plan, the purpose of which is to detect and defeat a terrorist attack before it occurs by using and analyzing available databases, financial and other forms of information. One of the proposed goals of TIA is to "connect the dots" of terrorism-related activity so that the ultimate result of the activity (i.e., an attack) is not realized. The project, currently in its nascent stages, depends or will depend at least in part on analyzing data, especially transactional and credit card transactional data, to discover patterns of activity that will lead the authorities to the whereabouts and identities (and possibly their plans and objects) of terrorists and their organizations. Of course, the present invention is also applicable to matters of lesser importance than national security, e.g., determining if a stolen credit card has been used or its number compromised and unauthorizedly used one or more times by another or many others. These thieves often try to establish new transactions with the same credit card number, and/or identity. Identity theft is today a serious problem. The present invention seeks to minimize the use of key information obtained by one who improperly gains access to a credit card transaction and uses the information, not just the credit card number, to his unlawful advantage.
Transactional data can be analyzed, one transaction at a time for indications of possible fraud or error. As used herein, fraud occurs when incorrect information is deliberately included in a credit card-type or identify verifying-like transaction, typically to deceive the recipient of the data into releasing goods, services or information. The most common example is when a stolen card or number is used to buy goods over the internet (or telephone) with the goods being sent to a different address than that normally associated with the credit card holder. Error occurs when incorrect information is inadvertently included in the transactional record. For example, a single credit card transaction over the phone or internet can include a name, a billing address (including street, city, state, zip code, country, etc.), an e-mail address, a credit card number, a shipping address; and an expiration date for the credit card. The actual residence or business location for billing purposes corresponding to the zip code of the shipping address can be compared. The business address (number and street, along with town or city) can also be compared to the actual city and state corresponding to the given zip code. If there is a discrepancy, an error or fraud can be suspected. If the given zip code in the transaction corresponds to the actual zip code of the information on a database, then there is a greater possibility that the transaction is legitimate. If the transaction is being done online, the host name or number of the Internet Protocol ("IP") source address can be used with a reverse IP lookup utility database to determine if the recorded host name in the database is associated with the now given source address. This, too, can be useful in detecting error or possible fraud. Information corresponding to the automatically transmitted host name can also be compared with information manually entered in the online transaction. For example, if the host is located in Croatia and the address submitted in the transaction is Japan, then the transaction seems suspect.
Examining the information in a single transaction, as just discussed, can be useful in determining the risk of fraud or error within that transaction. However, certain transactions that contain fraudulent or erroneous information are, nevertheless, internally consistent. For example, even though a city and state address is deliberately incorrect and thus fraudulent (i.e., as entered by the thief/terrorist), the provided zip code corresponds to that city and state. Hence, there is no discrepancy between the zip code and the city and state, so the purely internal detection method discussed above would not indicate fraud or error. Likewise, the reverse IP lookup of an online transaction can reveal a host located in the same location/country as is indicated in the city and country manually submitted in the transaction, again, even though such information is fraudulent. A method is believed needed to detect possible fraud or error in transaction information, even when it is internally consistent, one record considered at a time. By linking known fraud (as when a credit card has been reported as stolen) with possible or potential fraud, eliminating or reducing fraud can be accomplished.
This, according to the present invention, is basically accomplished by connecting all of "the dots" by using information in the database in a thorough and scientific way (vs. random).

Method and system for determining presence of probable error or fraud in a data set by linking common data values or elements


An electronic device is moved into a first position such that terminals of the electronic device are adjacent probes for making electrical contact with the terminals. The electronic device is then moved horizontally or diagonally such that the terminals contact the probes. Test data are then communicated to and from the electronic device through the probes.

Although the present invention is generally applicable to probing any device, the present invention is particularly suited for probing an integrated circuit to test the circuit. As is known, integrated circuits are typically manufactured as a plurality of dies on a semiconductor wafer. FIG. 1 illustrates a typical test system 100 for testing such a semiconductor wafer 124. The exemplary test system shown in FIG. 1, includes a tester 102, a test head 118, a probe card 106, and a prober 120.
A semiconductor wafer 124 is placed on a chuck (also commonly referred to as a stage) 114, which typically is capable of movement in the "x," "y," and "z" directions. The chuck 114 may also be capable of being rotated (e.g., in the "θ" direction) and tilted and may be further capable of other motions as well. Once the semiconductor wafer 124 is placed on the chuck 114, the chuck is typically moved in the "x," "y," and/or "θ" directions so that terminals on the dies (not shown) of the wafer 124 align with probes 108 on the probe card 106. The chuck 114 then typically moves the wafer 124 upward in the "z" direction, bringing the terminals into contact with the probes 108. One or more cameras 122 may aid in aligning the terminals and the probes and determining contact between the probes 108 and the terminals.
Once the terminals of the dies (not shown) are in contact with the probes 108, a tester 102, which may be a computer, generates test data. The test data is communicated through one or more communication links 104 to a test head 118. The test data is communicated from the test head 118 through interconnections 116 (e.g., pogo pins) to the probe card 106 and finally to the terminals of the dies (not shown) through probes 108. Response data generated by the dies are communicated in reverse direction from the probes 108, through the probe card 106, through interconnections 116, through the probe head 118, through a communication link 104, to the tester 102.
FIGS. 2A–2C illustrate movement of the wafer 124 into contact with the probe card 106. As mentioned above and shown in FIG. 2A, terminals 220 of one or more dies 2O2a, 202b of wafer 124 are aligned with probes 108 of the probe card 106. The chuck 114 them moves the wafer upward such that the terminals 220 of the die 202a contact probes 108, as shown in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2C, the chuck 114 typically moves the wafer 124 beyond first contact with the terminals 220. (Movement beyond first contact is often referred to as "over travel.") This typically compresses the probes 108. The resulting spring force exerted by the probes 108 against the terminals 220 helps to create a reasonably low resistance electrical connection between the probes and the terminals. In addition, the probes 108 often wipe across the surface of the terminals 220 as the probes are being compressed. The wiping action tends to cause the tips of the probes 108 to break through any oxide or other build up on the terminals 220, again helping to create a reasonably low resistance electrical connection between the probes and the terminals.
As might be expected, compression of the probe 108 and the wiping action induce forces and stresses in the probe, which may break, damage, or reduce the useful life of a probe 108. In addition, the force exerted by the probe 108 against the terminal 220 may damage the terminal 220 and/or the wafer 124. A wafer 124 comprising material with a low "k" dielectric may be particularly susceptible to such damage. Generally speaking, the greater the friction between a probe 108 and a terminal 220, the greater such forces and stresses are likely to be. Indeed, it is possible for frictional forces to prematurely stop the wiping of the probe 108 tip across the terminal 220. This may happen, for example, if the probe 108 tip digs too deeply into the terminal 220 or if the probe tip gets caught in an irregularity on the surface of the terminal. If the probe 108 tip stops its wiping motion prematurely, the forces and stresses that build up on the probe may become particularly large (and therefore particularly likely to cause damage to the probe, terminal, and/or wafer). Although a probe 108 may dig into any type of terminal 220, a probe 108 is particularly susceptible to digging into a terminal made of a soft material (e.g., solder ball or aluminum terminals) or a terminal with a rough surface (e.g., copper terminals). Embodiments of the present invention, among other things, may reduce stresses in a probe and forces exerted by and against a probe. One nonlimiting advantage of the invention is in reducing or replacing the vertical component of relative movement between the probe and the terminal as they are brought into contact by a wiping action, which reduces the forces on and stresses in the probe.

Method and apparatus for probing an electronic device in which movement of probes and/or the electronic device includes a lateral component


The present invention provides a method for reducing the visual impact of defects present in a matrix display comprising a plurality of pixels, said pixels comprising at least three sub-pixels, each sub-pixel intended for generating a sub-pixel color which cannot be obtained by a linear combination of the sub-pixel colors of the other sub-pixels of the pixel, the method comprising: providing a representation of a human vision system, characterizing at least one defect sub-pixel present in the display, the defect sub-pixel intended for generating a first sub-pixel color, the defect sub-pixel being surrounded by a plurality of non-defective sub-pixels, deriving drive signals for at least some of the plurality of non-defective sub pixels in accordance with the representation of the human vision system and the characterizing of the at least one defect sub-pixel, to thereby minimize an expected response of the human vision system to the defect sub-pixel, and driving at least some of the plurality of non-defective sub-pixels with the derived drive signals, wherein minimizing the response of the human vision system to the defect sub-pixel comprises changing the light output value of at least one non-defective sub-pixel for generating another sub-pixel color, said another sub-pixel color differing from said first sub-pixel color. The present invention also provides a corresponding system for reducing the visual impact of defects present in a matrix display, and a matrix display with reduced visual impact of defects present in the display.

At present, most matrix based display technologies are in its technological infancy compared to long established electronic image forming technologies such as Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT). As a result, many domains of image quality deficiency still exist and cause problems for the acceptance of these technologies in certain applications.
Matrix based or matrix addressed displays are composed of individual image forming elements, called pixels (Picture Elements), that can be driven (or addressed) individually by proper driving electronics. The driving signals can switch a pixel to a first state, the on-state (at which luminance is emitted, transmitted or reflected), to a second state, the off-state (at which no luminance is emitted, transmitted or reflected)—see for example EP-117335—or for some displays, one or any intermediate state between on or off (modulation of the amount of luminance emitted, transmitted or reflected)—see for example EP-0462619 and EP-117335.
Since matrix addressed displays are typically composed of many millions of pixels, very often pixels exist that are stuck in a certain state (on, off or anything in between). Where pixel elements comprise multiple sub pixels, individually controllable or not, then one or more of the sub-pixel elements may become stuck in a certain state. For example, a pixel structure may comprise three sub-pixel elements for red, green and blue colours respectively. If one of these sub-pixel elements becomes stuck in a certain state, then the pixel structure has a permanent colour shift. Mostly such problems are due to a malfunction in the driving electronics of the individual pixel (for instance a defect transistor). Other possible causes are problems with various production processes involved in the manufacturing of the displays, and/or by the physical construction of these displays, each of them being different depending on the type of technology of the electronic display under consideration. It is also possible that a pixel or sub-pixel element is not really stuck in a state, but shows a luminance or colour behaviour that is significantly different from the pixels or sub-pixels in its neighbourhood. For instance, but not limited to: a defective pixel shows a luminance behaviour that differs more than 20% (at one or more video levels) from the pixels in its neighbourhood, or a defective pixel shows a dynamic range (maximum luminance/minimum luminance) that differs more than 15% from the dynamic range of pixels in its neighbourhood, or a defective pixel shows a colour shift greater than a certain value comparing to an average or desired value for the display. Of course other rules are possible to determine whether a pixel or sub-pixel is defective or not (any condition that has a potential danger for image misinterpretation can be expressed in a rule to determine whether a pixel is a defective pixel). Bright or dark spots due to dust for example may also be considered as pixel defects. The exact reason for the defective pixel is not important for the present invention.
Defective pixels or sub-pixels are typically very visible for the user of the display. They result in a significantly lower (subjective) image quality, can be very annoying or disturbing for the display-user and for demanding applications (such as medical imaging, in particular mammography) the defective pixels or sub-pixels can even make the display unusable for the intended application, as it can also result in wrong interpretation of the image being displayed. For applications where image fidelity is required to be high, such as for example in medical applications, this situation is unacceptable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,504 describes a method and display system for reducing the visual impact of defects present in an image display. The display includes an array of pixels, each non-defective pixel being selectively operable in response to input data by addressing facilities between an "on" state, whereat light is directed onto a viewing surface, and an "off" state, whereat light is not directed onto the viewing surface. Each defective pixel is immediately surrounded by a first ring of compensation pixels adjacent to the central defective pixel. The compensation pixels are immediately surrounded by a second ring of reference pixels spaced from the central defective pixel. The addressing circuit-determined value of at least one compensation pixel in the first ring surrounding the defective pixel is changed from its desired or intended value to a corrective value, in order to reduce the visual impact of the defect. In one embodiment, the value of the compensation pixels is selected such that the average visually defected value for all of the compensation pixels and the defective pixel is equal to the intended value of the defective pixel. In another embodiment, the values of the compensation pixels are adjusted by adding an offset to the desired value of each compensation pixel. The offset is chosen such that the sum of the offset values is equal to the intended value of the defective pixel.
It is a disadvantage of the solution proposed in the above document that a trial and error method is required for every other display in order to obtain a reasonable correction result.
From WO 03/100756 it is known to mask a faulty pixel having a defect sub-pixel for a display system with pixels having a set of primary sub-pixels with an additional redundant sub-pixel. The masking is performed by reducing an error between a desired perceptive characteristic of said faulty pixel and modified perceptive characteristics of said pixel. In other words, the method is focussed on obtaining a desired perceptive characteristic for the faulty pixel, whereby the use of a redundant sub-pixel is required. It is a disadvantage of the method of the above document that a redundant sub-pixel is necessary for each and every pixel. The document does not describe how to mask defects in a display system without additional redundant pixel.

Method and device for visual masking of defects in matrix displays by using characteristics of the human vision system


A processor having asymmetric secondary processing resources. One disclosed embodiment includes a first execution resource to perform a first function and a second execution resource that also performs the second function, although the second processing resource is asymmetric to the first resource in that it has a lower throughput than the first processing resource. Switching logic switches execution from the first processing resource to the second processing resource in a reduced power consumption mode.

1. Field
The present disclosure pertains to the field of processing systems, and particularly the use of a secondary processing resource to execute instructions under some conditions.
2. Description of Related Art
Several techniques are presently used to control temperature and power consumption of electronic components such as processors. Typically, maintaining a temperature of a component at an acceptable level is important to avoid damaging the component as well as to ensure safety. On e way to control or reduce temperature is to limit power consumption. Additionally, with the popularity of mobile computing and communications devices, limiting power consumption to preserve battery life is an increasingly important goal as well. Thus, power conservation may be advantageous to limit heat generation, to preserve battery power, or both.
Dynamic clock disabling is one prior art technique to reduce power consumption. Dynamic clock disabling is the temporary or intermittent stopping of the clock or clocks of a processor. During the period in which the clock is stopped, clearly less power is consumed; however, no work can be performed if all of the clocks are stopped. In some cases, a reduced level of functionality may be provided by periodically stopping clocks; however, during "on" periods large and power-hungry high performance logic structures are used. Another variation is to recognize when there is no work to be done, and to stop the clocks at that point in time. Another variation is to stop clocks to a particular functional unit (e.g., a floating point unit) when that unit is idle. However, when a unit or processor is idled, no work is accomplished.
Dynamic frequency scaling is the change of processing frequency, typically effectuated by altering a clock frequency of the processor. While reduction of operating frequency decreases power proportionately, dynamic frequency scaling may in some cases require that a phase locked loop re-acquire lock, which can be a relatively time consuming proposition. Moreover, dynamic frequency scaling also still keeps large power-hungry structures active.

Techniques for utilization of asymmetric secondary processing resources