The present invention relates to an in vitro diagnostic method for the determination of specific dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase activity for the evaluation of the sympathetic nervous system function of a patient from a serum sample; which comprises the steps of: a) filtering the serum sample to substantially remove drugs and endogenous inhibitors of dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase; b) incubating the filtered sample of step a) with a substrate of dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase for conversion in a detectable compound; c) determining the amount of detectable compound to evaluate dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase activity and comparing with a normal sample; whereby an amount lower than a normal sample is indicative of a reduced sympathetic nervous system function and an amount higher than a normal sample is indicative of an increased sympathetic nervous system function. A reduction in the sympathetic nervous system function is indicative of neurodegenerative, neuroendocrine, psycho-affective and cardiovascular diseases, burn-out, and chronic fatigue, and the effects of stress such as panic syndrome. An increased in the sympathetic nervous system function is indicative of the effects of stress.

(a) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to diagnostic methods and kits for the evaluation of the sympathetic nervous system function based on the detection of dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase specific activity by photometrically determining the formation of octopamine from tyramine.
(b) Description of Prior Art
Dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase DBH: 3,4-di-hydroxyphenylethylamine, ascorbate: oxygen oxydoreductase (.beta.-hydroxylating) EC 188.8.131.52! as a mixed copper-dependent enzyme catalyses the hydroxylation of dopamine to norepinephrine (or noradrenaline) and its presence in the blood of humans and animals results from its localization within the catecholamines containing vesicules in the central and sympathetic nervous system and in the chromaffin granules of the adrenal medulla (Stewart LC et al., Ann Rev Bioch, 1988, 57:551-592). ##STR1##
The properties and characterization of the serum purified enzyme have been well described in human and rate (Ikeno T et al., Mol Cell Biochem, 1977, 18(23):117-123). Serum DBH activity is biochemically and immunochemically similar to that present in other tissues whatever the species used and the existence of dissociated dimeric forms of DBH has been detailed in enzyme from purified human plasma or pheochromocytoma as glycoprotein and as copper-dependent enzymes. DBH is secreted with noradrenaline in the blood during a stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. The secretion of DBH, noradrenaline and adrenaline is also repressed during an immunosuppressive situation. The dopamine-adrenaline pathway is affected in cases of neurodegenerative, neuroendocrine, psycho-affective and cardiovascular diseases, and in cases of burn-out, chronic fatigue as well as stressful situations such as panic syndrome.
The discovery of DBH in human blood led to the proposal that the serum activity may provide an index of sympathetic nervous system function in man (Geffen LB, Life Sci, 1974, 14(9):1593-1604). However, there exist no diagnostic assay for the direct determination of DBH to serve as a tool to evaluate the sympathetic nervous system function or the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis plays an important role in the body's ability to cope with stress such as infection, hypotension, immunodeficiency, surgery, psychoaffective disorders, neurodegenerative disorders. The hypothalamus pituitary couple is the "exit door" of the brain. The hypothalamus itself is subject to regulatory influences from other parts of the brain especially the mesolimbic system. The hypothalamic hormones corticotropin-releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin are important stimulants of corticotropin secretion by the anterior pituitary.
To date, clinical tests of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adreno-sympathetic (HPAS) axis and of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are based on the stimulation of pituitary adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) release or adrenocorticol release of ACTH-dependent steroids to evaluate suspected adrenocortical insufficiency. Basically, none of the test available to date can evaluate the HPA axis. The most widely applied tests of the HPA axis are invasive and use short ACTH injection test (SAT), the insulin hypoglycemia test (IHT), the short metapyrone test (SMT) and the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) test. Presently, the reliability of these tests in clinical settings is questioned under the aspect of dose-response relationship between plasma ACTH and cortisol in normal patient or subject excluding all relationship between cortisol and both noradrenaline and adrenaline involved in both HPA and HPAS axis themselves. The conventional clinical method of assessment of the HPA axis present the disadvantages, such as lack of sensitivity related to an indirect means of detection, costly and time consuming assay, circulating antibodies, not sensitive enough to allow for the detection of mild degrees of secondary adrenal insufficiency, and inappropriate for adrenal atrophy. There exist no clinically reliable test to measure an enzymatic activity involved in the dopamine-adrenaline pathway.
The reliability of these previous test in special clinical settings are questioned under several aspects such as dose-response relationships, specificity in respect to any form of adrenal insufficiency, for instance, sensitivity, complications, side-effects etc.. Until recently, clinical catecholamine neurochemistry has been used mainly to examine release of catechloamines as effector chemicals in order to indicate activities of peripheral neuronal system but a new approach based on understanding the clinical significance of catecholamine phenotypic changes such as serum DBH specific activity described in the present invention will be more and more in demand in order to provide potentially important clues to the diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology of neurogenetic disorders. In this respect, it is necessary to develop clinical tool based on proteins participating in the synthesis, storage, release, metabolism and recycling of catecholamines and all related and in all related metabolic compounds involved in their homeostasis or biochemical balance.
It would be highly desirable to be provided with a clinical tool for the diagnostic of sympathetic nervous system function.
It would be highly desirable to be provided with a clinical tool for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative, neuroendocrine, psycho-affective and cardiovascular diseases, burn-out, chronic fatigue and panic syndrome.

Diagnostic methods and kits for the evaluation of the sympathetic nervous system function


To inhibit surface reflection of a display device. A display device which includes a reflective electrode layer 110; a partition 118 formed to surround the reflective electrode layer; a layer 120 containing a light-emitting organic compound and formed over the partition and the reflective electrode layer; a semi-transmissive electrode layer 122 formed over the layer containing the light-emitting organic compound; and a coloring layer 162 formed over the semi-transmissive electrode layer. The coloring layer overlaps with the reflective electrode layer and the partition. The partition does not overlap with the reflective electrode layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to display devices and electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 11 illustrates a conventional EL panel with a structure (WTC structure) including what is called a microcavity (micro optical resonator) and a color filter.
The EL panel illustrated in FIG. 11 includes a first substrate 2102; a reflective electrode layer 2110 formed as an anode over the first substrate 2102; a first transparent electrode layer 2112 formed as an anode over the reflective electrode layer 2110 in a B pixel region 2172; a second transparent electrode layer 2114 formed over the reflective electrode layer 2110 in a G pixel region 2174; a third transparent electrode layer 2116 formed over the reflective electrode layer 2110 in an R pixel region 2176; a partition layer 2118 formed over the first transparent electrode layer 2112, the second transparent electrode layer 2114, and the third transparent electrode layer 2116; an EL layer 2120 formed over the partition layer 2118, the first transparent electrode layer 2112, the second transparent electrode layer 2114, and the third transparent electrode layer 2116; a semi-transmissive electrode layer 2122 formed as a cathode over the EL layer 2120; and a second substrate 2152 facing the first substrate 2102 (for example, see Patent Document 1).
On the second substrate 2152, a color filter (blue) (denoted as CF(B) in FIG. 11), a color filter (green) (denoted as CF(G) in FIG. 11), and a color filter (red) (denoted as CF(R) in FIG. 11) are formed, as well as a black matrix BM provided between the CF(B), CF(G), and CF(R).
Note that in FIG. 11, a portion where the black matrix BM is formed is denoted as an area 2201; the central portion (light-emitting region) of the B pixel region 2172 where the partition layer 2118 is not formed is denoted as an area 2202; the central portion (light-emitting region) of the G pixel region 2174 where the partition layer 2118 is not formed is denoted as an area 2204; the central portion (light-emitting region) of the R pixel region 2176 where the partition layer 2118 is not formed is denoted as an area 2206; an end portion (non-light-emitting region) of the B pixel region 2172 where the partition layer 2118 is formed is denoted as an area 2203; an end portion (non-light-emitting region) of the G pixel region 2174 where the partition layer 2118 is formed is denoted as an area 2205; and an end portion (non-light-emitting region) of the R pixel region 2176 where the partition layer 2118 is formed is denoted as an area 2207.
In the EL panel illustrated in FIG. 11, the display quality of the panel suffers due to reflection of external light in the areas 2201 to 2207 (for example, contrast or NTSC ratio is reduced).
FIG. 12 shows measurement results of reflectances in the areas 2201 to 2207 when external light enters the EL panel illustrated in FIG. 11. The results show the following relationship: the reflectances in the non-light-emitting areas (areas 2203, 2205, and 2207)>the reflectances in the light-emitting areas (areas 2202, 2204, and 2206)>the reflectance in the BM (area 2201). In the areas 2203, 2205, and 2207, the reflectance in the area including the color filter (green) (CF(G)) is particularly high. Although depending on panel design, the display quality of the panel is considered to become more adversely affected as the sizes of the regions occupied by the areas 2203, 2205, and 2207 increase.

Display device including light-emitting element and electronic device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


According to one embodiment, a heating device includes a cylindrical belt, a heat generating member, and a support member. The heat generating member is disposed in an interior region surrounded by the belt and in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the belt. The support member is provided in the interior region surrounded by the belt and contacts and supports the heat generating member.

An image processing apparatus of a known type includes a heating device that fixes toner to a sheet by heat from a rotating belt. The heating device may heat the belt by electromagnetic induction. Such a heating device may also include a heat generating member to contact the inner peripheral surface of the belt to make up for any lack of heat generation by the belt alone. The heat generating member functions to concentrate magnetic flux during electromagnetic induction heating to increase the amount of heat generated.
The heating device may also include a shielding member connected to the heat generating member to block magnetic flux during electromagnetic induction heating. The heating device may also include a support member that supports the shielding member.
When the support member is also used to support the heat generating member via connection to the shielding member, the dimensions of the heat generating member with respect to a supporting position requires incorporation of a tolerance amount accounting for the possible variations in two different members (the shielding member and the heat generating member). When a tolerance for two members is required to be provided, it may not be possible to improve the dimensional accuracy of the heat generating member.

Heating device and image processing apparatus


A binary search tree is provided for efficiently organizing values for a set of items, even when values are duplicated. In generating the binary search tree, the value of each item in a set of values is determined. If a particular value is unique and is found only once in the set, than that unique value is used as a node in the binary search tree. If a value is duplicative and is found two or more times in the set, then the duplicative value is used as a hook in the binary search tree. The hook element has a list branch that is used to identify items having a value equal to the duplicative value. A node tree may be extended from a second branch of the hook, with the node tree having a base node equal to the duplicative value. The base node may have a first branch for holding a value less than the duplicative value, and a second branch for holding a value greater than the duplicative value.

The field of the present invention is automated sorting and selection processes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for generating and using a binary search tree.
A binary search is a technique for locating an item in an organized arrangement. Typically, items in the arrangement are organized according to the values of the items, for example, in a sequential list. In a binary search, the search constraint, or key, is compared to the value of one of the items in the arrangement. If a larger value is desired, then the search may continue in the portion of the arrangement having larger values, and if a smaller value is desired, then the search may continue in the portion of the arrangement having smaller values. In this way, each comparison reduces the number of potential matches, until the desired value is found.
A binary search tree is a particularly useful arrangement for organizing items. In generating the tree, the value of each item becomes a "node" on the binary search tree. A "node" is a decision point on a tree, and is set at the value of one of the items. Nodes may have up to two branches, with one branch receiving values that are less than the node value, and the other branch receiving values that are larger than the node value. The first value added to a branch becomes a node on that branch. As additional values are added, the branch grows by adding additional nodes and branches, and thereby becomes a subtree. By convention, a node with one or two branches may be referred to as a "parent" node, and the value added to each branch may be referred to as a "child" node. A node with no branches may be referred to as a leaf, and represents the terminal node on a particular subtree.
A binary search tree is arranged by first selecting a root value. Preferably the root value is about in the middle of the range of expected values. The root value becomes the first node on the tree, and also represents the first comparison value for a search. As values are added to the tree, values that are larger than the root value become nodes on a subtree extending from one branch of the root value, while values that are smaller than the root value become nodes on a subtree extending from a second branch of the root value. In a similar manner, each node (except a leaf node), enables a decision point representing one "greater than" path and one "less than" path.
Once the tree has been arranged, a search routine is able to efficiently locate a desired value by making a series of simple comparisons at each of the nodes. If the tree has been typically arranged, each comparison will eliminate about half of the remaining items from consideration. After the search routine has located the desired value, that value is no longer available and is removed from the tree. Accordingly, the tree is rearranged to reflect the removal of the node. In a similar manner, the tree is rearranged as new values are added to the set of available items.
The usefulness and benefits of the binary search tree increase as the number of elements in the tree grows. Typically, in a well-balanced tree, the usual number of comparisons ("m") is proportional to the equation "logbase 2(n)", where "n" is the number of elements to be arranged. This relationship can be more particularly described by the equation:m=k*logbase—2(n)where "k" is a proportionality constant. Since "k" is a constant, its value does not affect the proportional increase in search time as the number of nodes is increased. Accordingly, for purposes of explanation and simplicity, the value of "k" can be assumed to be "1". The efficiency of locating a particular element increases logarithmically according to the total number of elements. Take for example a well balanced binary search tree having 256 (log2=8) elements. The typical search would include about 8 comparisons, with each comparison representing one level in the height of the tree. If the number of elements is increased to 1024 (log=10), then the number of comparisons only increase to about 10. As illustrated, the number of comparisons and the logarithm of the elements only increased by 2 when the elements increased by a factor of 4 from 256 to 1024. Since the search time will be directly related to the number of comparisons, search time is also proportional to "log n". It will be understood that in the illustrative examples above, "n" was selected for simplicity to have a whole number log2 result, and that "n" may be otherwise provided.
The binary search tree efficiently arranges values, provided each value is unique. However, the known binary search tree is quite inefficient in accounting for duplicate values. Since each node of the tree is configured only to accommodate a "greater than" or "less than" comparison, a more complex process is used to account for duplicate values. For example, known binary search trees may provide pointers that direct the search routine away from the search tree for duplicate values.
Many common applications routinely generate duplicate vales, and therefore do not generally benefit from the use of a binary search tree arrangement. If a binary search tree is used, the tree arrangement causes undesirable overhead or inefficiencies. For example, a memory manager generally implements a search routine for locating available memory blocks at a desired minimum size. More particularly, the memory search routine attempts to find the smallest available memory block that will accommodate a memory allocation request. In one example, each memory block is defined to be 256 bytes long. In this way, an available block of 2 kb would have a value of 8 blocks, while an available block of 25 kb would have a value of 100 blocks. If the memory manager receives an allocation request for 1.9 kb, then the memory manager would preferably find a memory block with a value of 8, and if 8 is not available, then the smallest number greater than 8.
However, in the typical implementation, it is highly likely that several blocks of value 8 could be available. The search arrangement and routine must account for such duplication, and if a binary search tree is used, provide additional processor and memory resources to handle duplicated values. As memory is released and is returned to the available memory pool, it is also highly likely that the size of released blocks will be duplicative of sizes already in the pool. In practice, there are often several blocks of a particular size, and several sizes with duplications. In this way, the process used to update the binary search tree also must account for duplicative values. With such substantial duplication, the binary search tree, if used in a memory manager application, typically adds an undesirable level of overhead and inefficiency.


A rotary-plug wall lamp, which comprises a socket body having a seat hole to be mounted with a ring-shaped copper piece and a contact copper piece riveted in place; the outer ends of the two contact copper pieces are in contact with the power copper pins of the rotary disk respectively; the inner edge thereof is in contact with the contact points of the circuit board; the rotary disk and the socket body are connected electrically through a shaft contact point therein and a ring-shaped contact point so as to supply power for the wall lamp, which can be turned freely within an angle of 270 degrees.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a wall lamp, and particularly to a rotary-plug wall lamp.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the conventional wall lamp, the two copper plugs and the socket body are made into one piece; such copper plugs are usually limited with the installation direction of the power outlet, i.e., an ornament on the upper end or outer end of the socket body is unable to set upwards as it should.
There is a conventional plug structure, which was used in a liquid type of mosquito smudge heated with an electric heater. The heater is mounted in an upper body portion and a lower body portion; each of the two body portions has semi-circular opening. A plug base has two copper plugs and a disk-shaped member, which is fitted in an opening formed with the two semi-circular openings. The plug base and body portion can be turned at an angle of 90 degrees relatively. When the liquid type of mosquito smudge is inserted in a power outlet on a wall, the plug structure would not affected by the position of the power outlet so as to maintain the mosquito smudge always in vertical position.
In a conventional art as mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,254, the swivel plug structure with a bulb socket, in which the bottom surface of the socket body has two symmetrical semi-circular slots; one end of each semi-circular slot has a through slot, while other end of the semi-circular slot has a stop flange. One end of the swivel base has two copper plugs, while the other end thereof has two symmetrical hook members on the disk member thereof; the hook members are to be plugged through two through slots respectively in the socket body so as to have the swivel base and the socket body connected together. An outer cover has two symmetrical stop posts, of which the lower ends are set on the semi-circular slot nearing the through slots respectively; the stop post is used for stopping of, and limiting the turning angle of the hook member.
The prime object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-plug wall lamp, in which the center of the socket body has a seat hole for receiving a rotary disk to be turned at a limited angle; the power copper pins mounted on the rotary disk are in contact with a contact copper piece and a ring-shaped copper piece through angle plates respectively; after the wall lamp is plugged in a power receptacle on wall, the socket body thereof can be turned freely within an angle of 270 degrees.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-plug wall lamp, in which the center of the socket body of the wall lamp has a seat hole, of which the outer edge has symmetrical fastening flanges for holding the rotary disk in place; the center thereof and the inner wall plate in the seat hole are connected together by means of a hollow rivet so as to have the power copper pins and the contact copper pieces in the socket body maintained in close contact; when the rotary disk turns along the round surface of the seat hole, the contact points between them do not loosen or separate from each other.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-plug wall lamp, in which the center of the socket body of the wall lamp has a seat hole, and the inner wall surface thereof has a round channel and a through rectangular hole for receiving the round contact plate of the ring-shaped copper piece, and having a flat plate extended from the stop plate of the round contact plate passed through and reached the other end of the socket body; the round contact plate and another power copper pin can be in close and flexible contact upon the rotary disk turning at a given angle.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-plug wall lamp, in which the round channel of the seat hole in the socket body is mounted with a ring-shaped copper piece, and the inner edge of the round contact plate of the ring-shaped copper piece has a stop plate to be placed across the guide channel; a positioning block furnished in the rotary disk moves along the guide channel on the wall surface of the socket body; the positioning block will be stopped by the stop plate so as to limit the same to turn within an angle of 270 degrees.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-plug wall lamp, in which the two power copper pins of the rotary disk are in contact with a contact piece riveted in the center thereof and a ring-shaped copper piece respectively; the flat plates on the other ends of the center contact copper piece and the ring-shaped copper piece pass through the wall surface of the seat hole respectively, and extend into the positioning channels respectively so as to have the flat plates contacted with the contact points of the circuit board firmly, and to supply the circuit board with power.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-plug wall lamp, in which the power copper pins of the rotary disk, the contact copper pieces in the seat hole of the socket body, the circuit board and the bulb-contact copper pieces are all mounted in place by means of plug connection, and the copper pieces are in contact each other in a flexible and good conduct condition.


According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a receiver, a processor and a transmitter. The receiver receives a reception signal including a value indicating a physical quantity related to operation of a control target object at a communication destination. The processor determines a state of wireless communication between the electronic apparatus and the communication destination. The processor calculates a target value for instructing operation of the control target object. The processor generates a transmission signal including a value obtained by modifying the target value. The transmitter transmits the transmission signal to the control target object.

There has been known a wireless communication apparatus that can transmit an instruction for an operation (a position, speed, a rotation angle, the number of rotations, and the like) of an electronic apparatus such as a robot at a communication destination. Depending on a state of wireless communication between the wireless communication apparatus and the electronic apparatus, communication of a transmission signal including the instruction for the operation is delayed and the electronic apparatus does not operate as instructed. Therefore, there is a demand for a wireless communication apparatus capable of instructing the operation of an electronic apparatus which is less affected by the state of wireless communication.


A toy vehicle control mechanism for performing stunts includes a rod coupled to a connection piece that permits a user to selectively manipulate a toy vehicle. The rod includes a rod-tip and a shaft, and the connection piece is formed as a loop or arch shaped structure that is secured to a toy vehicle as an interface for the rod-tip. The rod-tip has an interior opening and an exterior notch with a solid section separating the notch from the opening. The rod-tip and connection piece are configured so that the connection piece can travel around within the opening and be manipulated by selectively engaging the rod-tip's notch with various portions of the connection piece.

Many children and adults enjoy playing with toy vehicles. Most toy vehicles are relatively inexpensive and built to be manually controlled through pushing and/or pulling, by hand or at the end of a string or a stick with minimal control or direction. The manually-controlled toy vehicles on the market today have limited play value because their inability to simulate realistic stunts often performed by full-scale vehicles. Consequently, the users of these vehicles often lose interest with them after a short period of time.
Radio-controlled toy vehicles provide better control and are capable of performing realistic stunts. However, radio-controlled toy vehicles are expensive and difficult for some users; especially when attempting stunts. Also, radio-controlled toy vehicles easily break when they are crashed. This often results in the radio-controlled toy vehicle being thrown away or needing costly repairs. Thus, radio-controlled toy vehicles also have a limited play value.

Toy vehicle control mechanism for performing stunts


A reactor for producing a nitrile compound from a carbon ring or heterocyclic compound having organic substituents by a gas phase reaction using a fluidized catalyst bed with ammonia and a gas containing oxygen. In a cylindrical fluidized catalyst bed having a diameter of 2.0 meters or greater, partial vaporization-type cooling tubes (the cooling medium is partially vaporized in the tubes) and complete vaporization-type cooling tubes (the cooling medium is completely vaporized in the cooling tubes) are disposed in a specific arrangement. Water containing ionic SiO2 in 0.1 ppm or smaller and having an electric conductivity of 5 μS/cm or smaller is used as the cooling medium for the complete vaporization-type cooling tubes. The temperature of the reaction is easily stabilized and uniform distribution of temperature is obtained in the fluidized catalyst bed. Stable continuous operation is achieved for a long time in a commercial scale apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reactor for producing a carbon ring nitrile compound or a heterocyclic nitrile compound by ammoxidation of a carbon ring compound or a heterocyclic compound having organic substituents with ammonia and a gas containing oxygen in accordance with the gas phase reaction using a fluidized catalyst bed.
2. Description of the Related Arts
Carbon ring nitrile compounds are useful as raw materials for synthetic resins and agricultural chemicals and as intermediate compounds for amines and isocyanates. Heterocyclic nitrile compounds are useful as intermediate compounds for drugs, additives for feedstuffs and additives for foods.
The process of reacting an organic compound such as carbon ring compounds and heterocyclic compounds having organic substituents with ammonia and a gas containing oxygen is called ammoxidation and, in general, nitrile compounds are produced by a gas phase reaction using a fluidized catalyst.
It is known that catalysts containing vanadium, molybdenum or iron are used for the ammoxidation. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Heisei 11(1999)-209332, a process for ammoxidizing aromatic compounds and heterocyclic compounds having alkyl groups as substituents in the presence of a catalyst containing oxides of V, Cr, B and Mo is described. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Heisei 9(1997)-71561, a process for producing dicyanobenzene by ammoxidation of xylene in the presence of a catalyst containing oxides of Fe, Sb and V is described.
As for the reactor of the gas phase reaction using a fluidized catalyst bed for ammoxidation, it is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Heisei 10(1998)-152463 that, in ammoxidation of methanol, a gas containing oxygen is introduced at a bottom portion of a vertical reactor, ammonia and a carbon ring compound is introduced at a side portion and the ranges of the density of the fluidized bed and the flow rates of the gases and the position of supply of the raw material are defined so that the contact between the gas of the raw material and the particles of the catalyst is improved.
It is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Heisei 10(1998)-120641 that, in a process for producing an aromatic nitrile by the gas phase ammoxidation, the position of the inlet of the raw material is decided in a manner such that, in the reaction zone, the ratio Wb/Wa of the amount by weight of the catalyst fluidized at the portion above the inlet for supplying the carbon ring compound (Wb) to the amount by weight of the catalyst fluidized at the portion above the inlet for supplying the gas containing oxygen (Wa) is in the range of 0.01 to 0.95. It is described that the yield and the selectivity of the aromatic nitrile of the object compound decrease when Wb/Wa exceeds 0.95.
In general, it is considered that the distribution of the temperature in the fluidized bed is kept approximately uniform when the fluidized condition within the bed is excellent. However, the distribution of the temperature is frequently not uniform when the reaction is a rapid exothermic reaction such as ammoxidation and a cooling tube is disposed for removal of heat. In particular, when the amount of heat generation per the unit volume of the fluidized bed (the density of heat generation) is great and the heat capacity of the catalyst particles is relatively small in comparison with the heat capacity of the gas phase, the distribution of the temperature is markedly uneven in an apparatus of the industrial scale having a fluidized bed and a column having a diameter exceeding 2 m. When the distribution of the temperature is uneven, drawbacks such as a decrease in the conversion and formation of byproducts arise at portions where the temperature is not optimum.
Moreover, with a reactor of the industrial scale having a fluidized bed and a column having a diameter exceeding 2 m. it is difficult that the uniform distribution of the temperature is achieved especially at the start of the operation, so it takes a long time to stabilize the temperature. As another problem, it is mentioned that the heat transfer efficiency of cooling tubes disposed in the reactor decreases when it operates for a long period time. Because of the problems mentioned above, it is difficult to achieve a stable and a long time operation.

Reactor for producing a nitrile compound and method for operating the reactor


A television includes a display, a first network interface to a packet-based network, and a decoder operable to process a multimedia data stream received via the first network interface. The television is operable to display content of the multimedia data stream on the display promptly upon receipt of a user request to power up the television. A method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a network interface of a television, processing the multimedia data stream to generate content, and providing the video content to a display of the television.

Television has become integral to the daily experience of most consumers. Until recently, television content was provided only as an analog signal either by means of a wireless transmission (e.g., network television) or via coaxial cable (e.g., cable television). However, as viewers turn to higher-quality video and begin to demand additional features, such as video-on-demand, content providers have begun to rely on digital solutions, such as video streaming over networks or digital cable transmissions. While these digital solutions often provide many of the features sought by consumers, they typically require the consumer to invest in expensive and complex equipment.
To illustrate, consumers typically must utilize a personal computer (PC) to receive and display video content streamed or otherwise provided via a computer network. However, PCs are designed to support a wide variety of functions, from Internet browsing and word processing to the processing of detailed scientific data. As such, PCs implement complex hardware architectures and sophisticated operating systems in order to be capable of supporting the widely divergent tasks expected of them. The complexity of PCs results in a user experience that is different from the traditional television experience in that they often require a substantial amount of time to "boot up" before they can be operated by a user, whereas conventional televisions typically are ready to provide video content almost immediately. Moreover, with their multitude of exposed cables and constant fan noise, PCs often present an aesthetically unappealing solution for television viewing. Similarly, the set-top boxes typically required for receiving and processing digital cable transmissions often detract from the visual appeal of the television setting. Moreover, as opposed to PCs, conventional set-top boxes typically are of limited functionality in that they typically interface only with coaxial cable connections and provide functions directed to processing video and audio content of a cable television transmission.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Detection information is obtained from captured-image information of an imaging element array. An area is provided in an image capturing region in the imaging element array. In response to the obtained detection information, a pattern is generated which defines a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in the area. The imaging element array is driven in accordance with the generated pattern. Interpolation responsive to a first picture signal generated by the used photosensor pixels in the area is implemented to generate a second picture signal corresponding to unused ones among all the photosensor pixels in the area. The first picture signal and the second picture signal are combined into a captured-image signal. The captured-image signal is outputted at a prescribed frame rate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for taking pictures which are suited for use in video cameras such as high-definition television cameras.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is an HDTV (high-definition television) camera including a solid-state imaging element array having a matrix of 1920 photosensor pixels in a horizontal direction and 1080 photosensor pixels in a vertical direction. To output signals from all the photosensor pixels of the imaging element array in a 1-frame interval ( 1/30 second), it is necessary to drive the imaging element array at a frequency equal to 74 MHz or higher.
As the number of photosensor pixels constituting an imaging element array increases, a necessary frequency of drive of all the photosensor pixels in a 1-frame interval is higher. As the necessary drive frequency is higher, the rate of electric power consumed by a signal processing circuit following the imaging element array and a clock circuit for the drive of the imaging element array increases and also the number of gates in the signal processing circuit increases. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an apparatus capable of outputting a high-definition picture signal while driving an imaging element array at a relatively low frequency.
Japanese patent application publication number 2004-180240 discloses first and second imaging apparatuses. The first imaging apparatus includes an imaging element array having a matrix of photosensor cells arranged at a high density. The photosensor cells are separated into groups each of neighboring ones. During low-resolution scanning mode of operation, the cell groups are driven to generate low-resolution video data representing a 1-frame picture extending over the whole of the imaging element array. In this case, signals outputted from the photosensor cells in each group are averaged to form a corresponding segment of the low-resolution video data. During high-resolution scanning mode of operation, only ones selected among the photosensor cells which extend in a partial area within the imaging element array are driven to generate high-resolution video data representing a partial-frame picture. The low-resolution scanning mode of operation and the high-resolution scanning mode of operation are sequentially implemented in every 1-frame interval. The generated low-resolution video data and the generated high-resolution vide data are sequentially outputted at higher than a video rate. For every frame, the generated low-resolution video data is processed. The result of the processing of the generated low-resolution video data is used in deciding the place of the partial area relative to the imaging element array for the next frame. Both an output line for a low-resolution video data segment and an output line for a high-resolution video data segment extend from each photosensor cell in the imaging element array.
The second imaging apparatus in Japanese application 2004-180240 is a modification of the first one. In the second imaging apparatus, only a single output line extends from each photosensor cell in an imaging element array. During low-resolution scanning mode of operation, only photosensor cells in equally-spaced selected rows and equally-spaced selected columns of the imaging element array are driven to generate low-resolution video data representing a 1-frame picture substantially extending over the whole of the imaging element array.
The first and second imaging apparatuses in Japanese application 2004-180240 provide only two different fixed picture resolutions.

Method and apparatus for taking pictures


An aircraft dining system and method are configured to allow a passenger for a scheduled flight of an aircraft to order one or more items from restaurants within an airport. The aircraft dining system includes an order fulfiller including an order fulfillment control unit that is configured to receive an order for an item from a restaurant within the airport from the passenger for the scheduled flight so that the item is delivered to the aircraft or an area proximate to the aircraft prior to the aircraft departing the airport. In at least one embodiment, an ordering device includes an ordering control unit that is configured to allow the passenger to submit the order.

Commercial aircraft transport passengers between locations. For example, an aircraft departs from a first airport and arrives at a second airport. During a flight, passengers may be provided food and beverage items, including meals, canned or bottled drinks, and the like. Typically, the aircraft operator provides a limited number of items for passengers to consume during a flight. As an example, flight attendants may offer passengers peanuts or other such snacks, along with a limited number of beverages. During certain longer flights, passengers may even be offered full meals.
Typically, catering companies contracted by airlines prepare meals for flight and transport them onto an aircraft. Passengers typically have limited food options and levels of customization onboard an aircraft. Flight attendants prepare the meals in galleys of the aircraft during a flight. For example, flight attendants may consult guidelines posted in galleys to prepare the meals and deliver them to certain passengers. The meals are generally served at pre-determined times during a flight.
A passenger onboard an aircraft may be given a very limited choice of meal options. For example, a flight attendant may ask passengers their choice of two or three meal options. If a desired meal is no longer available, the passenger is left to choose a less desirable meal.
As can be appreciated, passengers onboard an aircraft may not always be excited, enthused, or otherwise satisfied with the meal options being offered by the aircraft operator. Further, a flight attendant may take a considerable amount of time during a flight asking passengers their meal preferences, keeping track of such meal preferences, and subsequently preparing and serving the meals.


A closure or fastener is provided for apparel, shoes, equipment, and other applications. The closure may have a female component having a receiving area and a male component having a locking portion. Either or both the male component and female component may have a notched appearance to provide additional flexibility and comfort to the closure. Flanges on the male components and the female components may facilitate off-registration engagement of the closure system. Textures present or absent in the closure system may permit or prevent sliding by the male components and female components when the closure is engaged.

Fasteners for clothing include zippers, buttons, hook-and-eye fasteners, snap closures, and hook-and-loop fasteners. While these conventional fasteners are adequate for some applications, they have physical limitations that reduce their usefulness and applicability to some clothing and apparel. On the other hand, clothing without fasteners, for example pants with an elastic waistband, relies on the elasticity of the clothing but may sacrifice fit and durability as a result.


With some ophthalmological instruments, the patient to be examined or treated needs to gaze in a defined direction. Accordingly, the operator needs the most objective possible information as to whether the patient actually fixates the fixating target or when this may no longer be the case. The invention makes it possible to monitor fixation economically with a short reaction time and with high accuracy. Monitoring of the fixation of an eye is accomplished in an economical manner with a short reaction time and high accuracy through spectroscopic detection of fixation, particularly by identifying a reflection at the fovea or foveola based on different reflectance factors compared to the rest of the retina.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a fixation monitoring device for an ophthalmological instrument, having a fixating light source for visible light and optics for imaging the fixating light source on a fundus of an eye and to a method for monitoring fixation of the eye.
2. Description of Related Art
With some ophthalmological instruments the patient to be examined or treated needs to gaze in a defined direction. As a rule, this orientation is decisive for the correctness of measurement or therapy and, therefore, for successful treatment. This is particularly true for refractometers, wavefront aberrometers and refractive lasers.
Usually, a visible fixating target which is to be visually fixated by the patient is displayed in the visual field of the patient. Without further action, the operator of the device (i.e., the person performing the examination or treatment) would have to trust the patient to comply with this direction. However, particularly over longer periods of time, there is an increasing likelihood that the patient will fail to maintain the state of fixation. In particular, the human eye can carry out saccadic movements at a speed of up to about 600° per second so that drastic deviations of eye gaze direction can occur within a short time. Lack of certainty with regard to fixation often leads to dispersions in diagnostic or therapeutic findings. It is particularly problematic to maintain and monitor fixation in children, blind persons and persons with other kinds of disabilities. Accordingly, the operator needs the most objective possible information as to whether the patient actually fixates the fixating target or when this may no longer be the case.
To this end, different approaches are known from the prior art. For example, US 2006/0142742 A1 describes a device for ophthalmological treatment having a UV laser in which an additional light beam is provided for visual fixation which generates a light spot on the patient's retina. A camera records an image of a plane of the retina in the region of the fovea centralis (abbreviated as fovea hereinafter). In order to monitor fixation, this image is used for checking whether or not the light spot lies on the fovea. Further, an image of the pupil can be recorded in order to monitor fixation based on the centroid of the pupil or on the relative position of the light spot in relation to the pupil. This type of fixation monitoring has a number of disadvantages. First of all, a two-dimensional image sensor with a high pixel count is obligatory in order to achieve a sufficient accuracy in monitoring. Consequently, the image-taking frequency has an upper limit, for one, because of the lengthy readout of the sensor and, for another, because the subsequent evaluation of at least portions of the image is relatively long owing to the amount of data. The result is a relatively slow reaction to a loss of fixation with the consequent risks during a fast eye movement.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,216 describes a method for monitoring fixation in which the fundus is illuminated and radiation that is backscattered from the fundus is picked up by a polarization-sensitive detector. Based on changes in polarization between the illumination light and the backscattered light, it is determined whether the backscattering takes place at the fovea or on the rest of the retina. Backscattering on the fovea is used as an indicator of visual fixation on the part of the patient. It is disadvantageous that polarization-sensitive detection is complicated. In addition, the changes in polarization are minor compared to unwanted influences such as depolarization in the cornea and eye lens so that distinguishing between backscattering on the fovea and on the rest of the retina is fraught with relatively great uncertainty.

Fixation control device and method for controlling the fixation of an eye


An optionally connectable four-wheel drive vehicle provided with an engine having a drive shaft, two main drive wheels, a main power train permanently connecting the drive shaft to the main drive wheels, and in turn comprising a transmission and a main differential, two normally driven secondary drive wheels, and an optionally connectable secondary power train for also connecting the drive shaft to the secondary drive wheels, and in turn presenting a gear drive, at least one secondary clutch, which is connected on one side to the drive shaft upstream from the transmission, and on the other side to the secondary drive wheels, and a unit for the reversal of the motion, which is controlled to reverse or not to reverse the direction of the motion.

A high-performance sports car normally has a rear-wheel drive, and a self-locking differential to maximize torque transmission by the rear wheels to the road surface in any driving condition.
A rear-wheel drive with a self-locking differential has advantages when driving in racing mode in good (dry-road) or fairly good (wet-road) grip conditions, but, in conjunction with high torque and wide tyres, makes for extremely difficult, potentially hazardous driving in poor grip conditions (flooded or icy roads). To improve handling of sports cars in poor grip conditions, a permanent or optionally connectable four-wheel drive has been proposed.
A permanent four-wheel drive greatly improves vehicle performance in poor grip conditions, but has the drawback of permanently increasing torque loss of the drive system and so resulting in good-grip vehicle performance which is not always popular with drivers.
An optionally connectable four-wheel drive, on the other hand, enables the driver to switch between a rear-wheel drive in good grip conditions, and a four-wheel drive in poor grip conditions.
Patent Application WO2005080117A2 describes an optionally connectable four-wheel drive vehicle comprising an engine with a drive shaft; two main drive wheels connected permanently to the drive shaft via a transmission with a first clutch; and two secondary drive wheels selectively connectable to the drive shaft by an optionally connectable drive system having a second clutch which is connected on one side with a fixed velocity ratio to the drive shaft upstream from the transmission, and is connected on the other side with a fixed velocity ratio to the secondary drive wheels.
Patent Application WO2006100585A1 describes a refinement of the optionally connectable four-wheel drive vehicle in Patent Application WO2005080117A2. More specifically, the percentage value of the torque to be transmitted to the secondary drive wheels by the second clutch is determined instant by instant as a function of dynamic vehicle parameters detected by respective sensors.
In the solutions proposed in Patent Applications WO2005080117A2 and WO2006100585A1, the four-wheel drive can only be engaged in low gears (typically, first, second, and third), and not at all in the other gears. Patent Application WO2008120097A1 describes a refinement of the optionally connectable four-wheel drive vehicle in Patent Applications WO2005080117A2 and WO2006100585A1, in which the optionally connectable secondary power train for connecting the drive shaft to the secondary drive wheels comprises a gear drive with at least two different, alternatively selectable velocity ratios. In this way, the optionally connectable secondary power train in Patent Application WO2008120097A1 is engageable (i.e. permits torque transfer to the front wheels) in substantially all the gears of the transmission.
Though, none of the connectable four-wheel drives described in the above mentioned patent applications is engageable (i.e. permits torque transfer to the front wheels) when the reverse gear is selected; this limitation can cause problems for the driver, since the reverse gear can be used to steer the car in bad drive conditions (e.g. to drive in reverse along a wet or icy ramp).
U.S. Pat. No. 1,853,058A1 describes a four-wheel drive vehicle comprising: an engine presenting a drive shaft; a pair of rear driving wheels; a rear power train connecting the drive shaft to the rear driving wheels and comprising a rear electromagnetic clutch, an electric motor, a rear transmission and a rear differential; a pair of front driving wheels; and a front power train connecting the drive shaft to the front driving wheels and comprising a front electromagnetic clutch, a front transmission, and a front differential. The front transmission and the rear transmission are controlled in a common and synchronized way by means of a mechanical interconnection and comprise a plurality of forward gears; though, the front and rear transmissions are not provided with a reverse gear.
Overview
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an optionally connectable four-wheel drive vehicle that is inexpensive and easy to produce, eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks, and at the same time provides for improving performance, stability, and drive in all grip conditions.
According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an optionally connectable four-wheel drive vehicle, as claimed in the attached claims.

Optionally connectable four-wheel drive vehicle


To provide a lens array sheet capable of efficiently condensing diffuse light such as the light from a LED light source or EL light source. The lens array sheet comprises a transparent base material, a plurality of light-receiving sections each consisting of a transparent right frustum which is provided on the surface of the base material and is tapered outwardly from the base material, and a plurality of condensing lenses disposed on the back of the base material so as to face the respective light-receiving sections. The side face of the right frustum forms a taper angle larger than 0° and less than 15° with the central axial line of the right frustum, and an aspect ratio (H/D) which is a proportion of the height (H) of the right frustum to the minimum length (D) of the cut surface of the right frustum is larger than 0, and no more than 10.

In an imaging section of an image-forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer, a scanning system using a polygon mirror, or a LED head system performing high speed writing by using a head provided with a light emitting diode (LED) light source or an electro-luminescence (EL) light source is used. The latter system is preferred because it increases the copying speed and/or printing speed. However the latter system is inferior in an effective use of light because a LED light source or EL light source is generally a diffuse-light source. That is, in the imaging section generally consisting of a light source, an image-forming lens system, and a photosensitive drum, such a diffuse-light source is inferior in the amount of light to be applied to the image-forming lens system, thereby causing wasted power consumption. Furthermore, a diffuse-light source inferior in the amount of light to be applied to the image-forming lens system results ineffective use of light at the last photosensitive drum. For this reason, in order to increase the amount of light to be applied to the photosensitive drum, the effective area of the image-forming lens system (a self-focusing lens array which is a kind of rod lens array, called "SLA" hereinafter) is generally increased (that is, the number of SLAs is increased). However, since a SLA is costly, it is not economical to increase the number of SLAs.
On the other hand, there is a member which is not used for an image-forming apparatus such as a copying machine or printer, but is used to utilize diffuse light effectively. Such member is a lens array sheet for a liquid crystal display having optical elements which collimate the light supplied through a light transmission plate from the backlight device of the liquid crystal display toward the front side of a person viewing the liquid crystal display (see, for example, patent literatures 1 and 2).
When this member is used for an image-forming apparatus using a LED head system, since the light source is a diffuse-light source such as a LED light source or EL light source and has a distribution of light emission angles different from that of the light supplied through a light transmission plate from a backlight device, solid and minute optical elements tapered in an angle between 15° and 45° as specifically described in the above patent literature 1 can not apply light to SLAs effectively. For this reason, in case of a LED head system, a lens array sheet capable of applying the light from a LED light source or EL light source to SLAs more effectively, that is, in higher amount, is desired. Furthermore, the image-forming apparatus can be downsized by reducing the number of SLAs and the diameters of lenses constituting the SLAs.
On the other hand, a molded object such as a lens array sheet is required to have minute protrusions having a high aspect ratio, along with the requirement of miniaturizing a light source and/or increasing the amount of light to be utilized. It is becoming difficult to manufacture such a molded object with high accuracy by conventional technology.
As an existing method of manufacturing a precision plastic lens, there is what is called an injection molding method of injecting hot-melt resin into a metallic female mold under a certain temperature and pressure condition and cooling it (see, for example, patent literature 3). In addition, there is a photopolymer method of charging photosetting polymer, which is the material of a product, into a metallic mold, sealing it with material transparent to light for setting it, applying the light to the photosetting polymer through the transparent material to set it, and then releasing the product from the mold. At present, as a method of manufacturing a lens array with plastic, a plastic lens manufacturing method utilizing the above injection molding method or photopolymer method is used.
However, when optical elements constituting a lens array are minute structures which are arranged in high density and have a high aspect ratio, the above manufacturing method can not be used from resin-charging and product-releasing points of view. That is, when optical element lenses are not typical spherical lenses or non-spherical lenses, or when optical elements are shaped like a tapered corn and are minute structures which are sized in nanometers to microns and have a high aspect ratio, the viscosity of charged resin is still high even if the temperature of it is increased, and the resin and the metallic mold grapples together like a fastener after molded, and thereby it is difficult to release the whole of the molded resin from the mold. In order to release the molded resin from the mold easily, it has been tried that fluorinated resin or silicon resin is coated on the surface of the mold as release agent, but it has not been easy to release a lens array having protruded minute elements which are flexible, have a small taper angle and a high aspect ratio, and are arranged in high density.


A pivotable gutter assembly for mounting below the bottom edge of a roof that uses a conventional gutter mounted for pivoting about a pivot axis from a normal upright position for receiving runoff from the roof to a downwardly inclined discharge position for discharge of leaves and other debris. The pivot axis is at or above the level of the rear wall of the gutter so that the rear wall can pivot rearwardly downwardly without being obstructed by the adjacent fascia of the building. The pivot axis is also located to the rear of the gutter from the center of front-to-rear weight distribution so that the gutter is urged against an attaching bracket to maintain the gutter in the normal upright position. The gutter is pivoted from the normal to the discharge position by a rod manipulated by an operator standing on the ground below the gutter.

Cleaning leaves and other debris from roof gutters is a bothersome, and often a difficult and dangerous, but necessary, task. Conventionally, gutters are stationary and it is necessary to climb a ladder or crawl down a roof to the level of the gutter to gain access for cleaning, and repositioning along the gutter is required every few feet.
Various attempts have been made to alleviate this problem, such as covering gutters with perforated or slotted covers, which are not completely satisfactory as some water will flow over the covers without entering through the perforations or slots, especially when leaves or other debris become lodged on the covers. This problem of water flowing over the covers is particularly troublesome during heavy rain storms. Further, over time, roof materials and small debris eventually build up inside the gutters sufficiently to cause the need to remove the covers and clean out the gutters.
There have also been attempts to mount gutters so that they can be pivoted to position the open top of the gutter downwardly to discharge accumulated leaves and debris or allow cleaning of leaves and debris from below. However, none of these are known to have been commercially successful because they require significant modification of an existing gutter or involve positive manipulating mechanisms that add to the complexity and cost of installation and operation. Most of these involve hinging gutters for pivoting from either their bottom outer or inner corners, with the gutters simply hanging loosely from the bottom corners.
One known rotatable gutter system that does not involve pivoting from one of the bottom corners is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,719, issued Oct. 25, 1994 to Eric E. Lewis. As disclosed in this patent the gutter is mounted on a pivot rod located at or below the top of the gutter and in vertical alignment with the center of mass of the gutter. A cam is mounted on the pivot rod. A cable is attached to the cam and extends over a pulley and downwardly between the gutter and the adjacent building surface for manipulation from below. This arrangement of the pulley and cable requires undesirable spacing of the gutter from the building. Pulling on the cable causes the gutter to pivot until the front corner of the gutter is stopped against a bracket attached to and extending from the adjacent building surface. In this stopped position the open top of the gutter faces generally downwardly to discharge leaves and debris. Return of the gutter to its normal upright position is accomplished by releasing the cable, allowing the gutter to return to its upright position in which it hangs in balance by gravity without mechanical stops. Any uneven disposition of leaves and debris in the bottom of the gutter can result in a relocation of the center of mass with an undesirable displacement of the gutter from its normal upright position.
In contrast, the pivotable roof gutter assembly of the present invention utilizes an uncomplicated and inexpensive assembly for mounting a roof gutter for pivoting from a normal upright position to a downwardly facing discharge position with return to the upright position being facilitated by the weight distribution of the gutter, and with the weight distribution causing the gutter to be seated against a stop in the normal upright position.
In essence, the roof assembly of the present invention comprises a mounting over the rear wall of a gutter for pivoting the gutter about a pivot axis that is spaced rearwardly from the front-to-rear center of weight distribution so that the rear wall of the gutter is urged into a normal upright position against a stationary gutter support member, with the pivot axis also being located at a position so as to maintain clearance of the gutter from contact with the surface of the adjacent building as the rear of the gutter moves downwardly along the building surface when the gutter is pivoted to a downwardly facing discharge position. In one embodiment the weight distribution of the gutter in the discharge position is on the building side of the pivot axis, resulting in the gutter being urged and retained in the discharge position. The mounting for the gutter is attached to the side of the building. The gutter upright position stop is the stationary gutter support member, and the gutter discharge position stop may be the roof of the building.


In the static dissipative resin composition of the present invention, fundamentally, at least semiconductor fillers are dispersed in a resin and at least a part of the semiconductor fillers are brought into electrical contact with each other, thereby forming a conductive path. The .alpha. value representing the degree of the nonlinearity of the V-i characteristics at the contact between the semiconductor fillers should be 2-150, and the volume resistivity of the semiconductor filler is desirably 10.sup.5 -10.sup.10 .OMEGA..cm, whereby on the employment of a conductive filler or a solid lubricant together with the semiconductor filler, various physical properties of the resin composition are improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a static dissipative resin composition, and more particularly, to a resin composition having the resistivity (surface resistivity 1.0.times.10.sup.5 -1.0.times.10.sup.12 .OMEGA./.quadrature.) defined as the static dissipative property according to the U.S. standard ANSI/EIA-541-1988, or a resin composition having the resistivity (surface resistivity 1.0.times.10.sup.5 -1.0.times.10.sup.9 .OMEGA./.quadrature.) defined as the static dissipative property according to the U.S. standard DOD-HOBK-263.
The resin composition of the present invention is used in the form of pellets or powders as a resin compound for injection molding or extrusion molding, etc. and is also offered as a final molded product like a part, a plate, a sheet, a film, etc. Moreover, the resin composition may be offerred as a paint, coating paste or putty or a coated film.
For examples of the aforementioned molded final product, there are wall or floor materials (floor tile, floor surfacing and the like), antistatic packaging products for semiconductors (e.g., IC trays, IC magazines, IC carrier tapes, boxes, containers, cabinets, substrate holders, printed board stands and the like), and the other antistatic products, earthing products and sliding parts or the like in the OA, AV, FA fields such as computers, copying machines, facsimiles, printers, VTRs, video cassette tapes, compact disk recorders, etc. More specifically, tape guides and guide rollers for the tapes of the AV devices can be manufactured of the resin composition, and such sliding parts as bearings and gears are formed of the resin composition of the present invention. Likewise, the resin composition is useful not only for the components of liquid crystal displays, particularly, TFT liquid crystal displays, but for the supporting or holding members in the manufacturing process of the displays. The resin composition may be employed to coat the floor and equipments in a clean room.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Resin has been widely employed as a material having a superior insulation property (for instance, 10.sup.15 .OMEGA./.quadrature. or higher).
In recent years, however, the static electricity generated from the insulative resin has been noticed as a problem of the semiconductors, OA or FA devices, and accordingly a resinous material with static dissipative properties (10.sup.5 -10.sup.12 or 10.sup.5 -10.sup.9 .OMEGA./.quadrature.) has attracted people's enthusiastic attention. Although a highly conductive resin (smaller than 10.sup.5 .OMEGA./.quadrature.) is effective to some degree so long as the prevention of static build-up and static electricity are concerned, it is an imperfect resin since, because of the highly conductive properties thereof (smaller than 10.sup.5 .OMEGA./.quadrature.), a discharge spark is brought about by the static electricity or a short-circuiting occurs with the general use electricity.
The static dissipative material has a proper resistance by itself, and therefore the static electricity, if it is generated, can be easily and promptly let outside, without accompanying discharge spark. In addition, the static dissipative material has little possibilities for an electric shock or short-circuiting in a general electric circuit, etc. In other words, the static dissipative material is regarded as "statically conductive and electrically insulative".
Therefore, various developments have targeted a superior static dissipative material, but a fully satisfactory result has not been achieved yet.
For instance, conventionally, an organic and ionic antistatic agent has been mixed into ABS resin or the like. But this resinous material is strongly dependent on humidity, and it hardly functions in the highly dried condition. Even worse, the antistatic agent may ooze out of the surface of the resin with time, and only a relatively high resistance (e.g., (10.sup.10 -10.sup.12 .OMEGA./.quadrature.) is achieved by this resinous material. The resinous material of this kind is therefore instable. Moreover, this method is applicable to a limited kind of resins.
On the other hand, an inorganic conductive filler having more stable characteristics than the above-described antistatic agent has been mixed in some of the resinous materials.
In general, the following has been known about the resinous material of this type. When the conductive filler is mixed into a resin thereby to turn the resin conductive, the phenomenon in this case is often explained by the "Percolation Theory". The relation between the mixing amount (wt. %) of the filler and resistance of the resinous material is schematically represented in a diagram of FIG. 1. More specifically, as the conductive filler is mixed, the resinous material is initially in the originally insulative state (area (I)). When the mixing amount exceeds a certain level, a slight conductivity appears immediately (although the conductivity is instable) (area (II)). Even if the mixing amount of the filler is increased over the certain level, the conductivity Rs is not changed so much, that is, it enters a stable area (III). Therefore, a stable conductive resinous composition is designed in the area (III).
Meanwhile, a stable point Rso of the conductivity of the resinous composition is greatly dependent on the conductivity of the conductive filler. Rso becomes not higher than 10.sup.-1 .OMEGA./.quadrature. in the case of a metallic conductive filler; and also becomes (10.sup.0 -10.sup.4 .OMEGA./.quadrature. in the case of carbon filler.
As is apparent from FIG. 1, although it is not impossible to obtain the resinous material having the static dissipative level which exists between insulation level and Rso, in the middle of the insulation properties if the resinous material is designed in the area (II), the resultant resinous material is instable in conductivity with poor reproducibility.
As such, in order to obtain especially a static dissipative resinous composition, such a conductive filler that has the conductivity to bring the stable point Rso in the static dissipative level is desirable and strongly recommended. However, as mentioned before, the stable point Rso is too low in the case of conventional inorganic conductive fillers (either metallic or carbon filler) to be used for the static dissipative resin composition. If those conductive fillers are nevertheless used and the static dissipative resin compositions are designed in the area (II), the resin compositions are turned instable in conductivity and poor in reproducibility.
In the meantime, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 1-225663 (225663/1989) reveals a resin composition with high conductivity (the 10.OMEGA..cm mark) having highly conductive zinc oxide whiskers mixed into a resin. This prior art is also disadvantageous in its extraordinary low Rso and is unable to achieve the stable static dissipative level, similar to the above-described resinous composition having the inorganic conductive filler mixed therein.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The high order mode electromagnetic wave coupler and coupling method uses one or more Y-shaped bifurcated waveguides to divide the wave to one or more order, so as to divide the target electromagnetic wave proportionally into equal shares. The waveguide is used to inject the electromagnetic wave to a main waveguide, so that the electromagnetic wave is converted into high order mode in the main waveguide. For example, a rectangular waveguide TE10 mode can be converted to a circular TE01 mode, wherein this conversion can also be applied to higher order modes and microwave guide-shaped modes. The coupling method includes a electromagnetic wave power dividing section and mode converting section, of which the power divider and dividing method can divide the electromagnetic wave proportionally. The coupler and coupling method feature high converting efficiency, high mode purity, high bandwidth, and convenient operation.

The TE01 mode, having advantages of field azimuthal symmetry and low propagating loss, is widely used in microwave applications, such as in gyrotron microwave sources. When applied to microwave plasma heating, the symmetrical distribution of the circular TE01 mode is expected to make heating more evenly.
Two methods have been classified to generate the TE01 mode with a cylindrical waveguide. One method is in-line coupling, and another is sidewall coupling. The former uses a deformed waveguide structure to convert a wave into the desired mode gradually. The transition length is generally long, and multiple modes could be excited during the converting process, wherein a Tantawi converter is commonly used. The latter, sidewall coupling, often uses a long and straight waveguide with coupling holes on the sidewall. Like the in-line converter, this type of converter needs converter components with longer lengths so that the electric wave can be converted slowly to the desired mode. However, during the converting process, the waves of the unwanted modes will interact with the electron beam, which will result in serious mode competition. Therefore, shortening the transition length and improving the mode purity could effectively lower the possibility of mode competition.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
To this end, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

High order mode electromagnetic wave coupler and coupling method using proportional distributing waves


Aspects of the present invention provide an approach for optimizing a presentation of content on a display of a user device for n identified user. Application behavior metrics and user behavior metrics are tracked over time for the particular user based on the applications executing on the user device and the users interactions with the content presented by each application. Sections of content are assigned a priority based on the collected metrics which identify content sections (i.e., focus areas) most likely relevant to the user. Based on the assigned priorities, content from one or more applications is presented to the user in an optimal manner (e.g., not overlaid or obscured).

In the information technology (IT) environment of today, computer technology is continuously advancing, resulting in modern computer systems which provide ever-increasing performance. One result of this improved performance is an increased use of computer systems by individuals in a wide variety of business, academic, and personal pursuits. The increased performance of computer systems, as well as a reduced cost of certain hardware components, has allowed individual computer systems to execute multiple applications concurrently. One or more of these multiple applications can be displayed to a user concurrently using separate windows on a display device. Each of these multiple applications can also have multiple content sections displayed on the display device.
The benefits of concurrent display of multiple windows on a display device are numerous. Among these benefits is the ability of the user to look at different content from different applications at the same time. For example, a display device user could have content displayed which correspond to a word processing document, and a spreadsheet document, at the same time that a video conference is in progress, allowing the user to view and switch between the different content.

Optimizing an arrangement of content on a display of a user device based on user focus

International Business Machines Corporation


A power saving method in a wireless LAN system is disclosed for permitting a terminal station to promptly transition to a doze state irrespective of the presence or absence of data destined to the terminal station in a base station. Upon receipt of a PS-Poll signal from a terminal station subordinate to a base station for prompting a transmission of data destined to the terminal station, the base station transmits an ACK signal to the terminal station for indicating a successful reception of the PS-Poll signal. Further, the base station transmits a data frame including data destined to the terminal station when there is such data, or transmits an empty data frame when there is no data destined to the terminal station. Then, upon receipt of the data frame (including the empty data frame), the terminal station transmits an ACK signal to the base station, and then transitions to the doze state in which a transmission/reception function is made inoperative.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power saving method in a wireless LAN system, and more particularly, to a power saving method in a wireless LAN system conforming to IEEE802.11.
2. Description of the Related Art
Power saving in a wireless LAN system conforming to IEEE802.11 is performed in sequences illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, for example, as disclosed in IEEE Std 802.11, 9.7 Frame exchange sequences Table 21 Frame sequence.
FIG. 1A is a sequence chart illustrating a sequence of operations when no data destined to a terminal station is stored in a base station. The terminal station transmits PS-Poll, which is a control packet for prompting the base station to transmit data, to the base station for requesting the base station to transmit downlink data destined thereto after the terminal station has transitioned to an active mode, in which a transmission/reception function turns on (step 101). Upon receipt of PS-Poll without error, the base station transmits a successful reception notification signal ACK (step 102). The terminal station transitions to a doze state in which the transmission/reception function turns off after it has completed the transmission of ACK.
FIG. 1B is a sequence chart illustrating a sequence of operations when data destined to the terminal station has been stored in the base station. The terminal station transmits PS-Poll to the base station, after it has transitioned to the active mode, for requesting the base station to transmit downlink data destined thereto (step 111). Upon receipt of PS-Poll without errors, the base station transmits a data frame (step 112). Upon receipt of the data frame without errors, the terminal station transmits ACK (step 113). The terminal station transitions to the doze state after it has completed the transmission of ACK.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the terminal station in the foregoing situation. As the terminal station starts a receiving operation, it transitions to an active state (step 201). Next, the terminal station transmits PS-Poll to the base station for requesting the base station to transmit data destined to the terminal station (step 202). Next, the terminal station determines whether a response to PS-Pall from the base station is ACK or data (step 203). If the terminal station fails to receive either ACK or data, the terminal station again transmits PS-Pall (step 202). Upon receipt of ACK, the terminal station determines that there is no data destined thereto stored in the base station, and transitions to the doze state (step 205). Upon receipt of data, the terminal station transmits ACK to the base station (step 204), and transitions to the doze state (step 205), followed by termination of the receiving operation.
In the foregoing sequence of operations, when data destined to the terminal station is stored in the base station, the base station returns a data frame when it receives the PS-Poll signal from the terminal station without errors. However, conventional general wireless LAN base stations are often configured to return ACK to a terminal station in response to PS-Poll from the terminal station irrespective of the presence or absence of data to the terminal station. This is because it takes long time to complete the transmission of the data frame so that the base station informs, as a temporary measure, the terminal station that the PS-Poll signal has been received without errors. IEEE802.11 also approves that ACK is returned.
FIGS. 3A, 3B illustrate sequence charts when a base station returns ACK to a terminal station in response to PS-Poll from the terminal station irrespective of the presence or absence of data destined to the terminal station.
FIG. 3A is a sequence chart when no data destined to a terminal station is stored in the base station. The terminal station transmits PS-Poll to the base station after it has transitioned to the active mode for requesting the base station to transmit downlink data destined thereto (step 301). Upon receipt of PS-Poll without errors, the base station transmits ACK (step 302).
FIG. 3B is a sequence chart when data destined to a terminal station is stored in a base station. The terminal station transmits PS-Poll to the base station after it has transitioned to the active mode for requesting the base station to transmit downlink data destined thereto (step 311). Upon receipt of PS-Poll without errors, the base station transmits ACK to the terminal station (step 312). When data destined to the terminal station is stored in the base station, the base station further transmits a data frame to the terminal station (step 313). Upon receipt of the data frame without errors, the terminal station transmits ACK (step 314).
In this way, data communications in a power save mode in a general wireless LAN differs in a frame sequence chart between the terminal station and base station depending on the presence or absence of data destined to the terminal station stored in the base station. Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, when the base station returns ACK to the terminal in response to PS-Poll from the terminal station irrespective of the presence or absence of data destined to the terminal station, the terminal station experiences difficulties in determining whether to transition to the doze state when no data is stored in the base station, resulting in difficulties in a reduction in power consumption. This is because the terminal station cannot determine the presence or absence of data destined thereto at the time it receives ACK, and therefore cannot promptly transition to the doze state. This is because the terminal station does not know whether or not data destined thereto is present in the base station at the time it receives ACK. Therefore, even if there is no data destined to the terminal station, the terminal station cannot transition to the doze state immediately after the receipt of ACK.

Power saving method in wireless LAN system for permitting terminal station to promptly transition to doze state by transmitting empty data frame


A waveguide structure having a cross-sectional structure wherein Si is in the center and it is surrounded by a peripheral material, which is either SiO2 or a polymer material. The above-mentioned peripheral material functions as a cladding.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new structure and manufacturing method of a waveguide, and more particularly, to a structure and manufacturing method of a waveguide that can be used for an optical integrated circuit.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, waveguide structures used for optical integrated circuits include, (i) silica-based waveguides, as shown in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 2002-14242A and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 2001-133648A (hereinafter referred to respectively as Reference 1 and Reference 2), (ii) polymer-based waveguides, as shown in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (JP-A) No. H10-3013A (hereinafter referred to as Reference 3), and (iii) Si-wire waveguides, as shown in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (JP-A No. 2002-323633 (hereinafter referred to as Reference 4).
The above-mentioned (i) silica-based waveguides each have a core and a cladding layer made of silica glass (SiO2) formed on a substrate; they guide light by means of the core section doped with Ge or the like so as to have a difference in refractive index between the core and the cladding layer of about 0.2 to 5%. They are widely used for a planer lightwave circuit (PLC).
An arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), which is widely used for communications, is achieved using this technique.
The above-mentioned (ii) polymer-based waveguides each have a core and a cladding layer, both made of a polymer material, such as PMMA or polyimide; they guide light by means of a minute difference in refractive index between the material forming the core and the material forming the cladding layer.
On the other hand, the above-mentioned (iii) Si-wire waveguides each comprise a SiO2 substrate whereon a core made of Si and a cladding layer made of air or partially made of a silica glass material are formed.
The above-mentioned conventional waveguides each have strengths and weaknesses. Firsty, despite the above-mentioned (i) silica-based waveguides being used widely as a PLC technique, the radius of curvature needs to be about 1 mm, and this is comparatively small (the propagation loss is small for that part) compared to the difference in refractive index between the core and the cladding layer of less than or equal to 1%. Therefore, the confinement effect of light to the core by the difference in refractive index is weak, and a large bending loss occurs when the waveguide is tried to be bent at a radius of curvature of about less than or equal to 1 mm. Accordingly, when used in an optical integrated circuit, there is a restriction on the bending size of the waveguide and there was the problem that the optical circuit could not be made very small.
Also, although research development has been actively being undertaken towards practical use in recent years, the above-mentioned (ii) polymer-based waveguides cannot be bent at a small radius of curvature, like silica-based optical waveguides, because the difference in the refractive index between the core and the cladding layer is less than or equal to 1%.
Correspondingly, for the above-mentioned (iii) Si-wire waveguides, because the core is Si with a refractive index of about 3.5 and the cladding layer is air or SiO2 glass with a refractive index from 1 to 1.5, there is an extremely large refractive index difference between the core and the cladding layer. For this reason, in Si-wire waveguides, it is possible to bend the waveguide at an extremely small radius of curvature of several μm.
However, the cross-sectional area of the core is small at 0.2 μm×0.5 μm, and it was difficult to effectively insert light from the outside. For this reason, normally, coupling loss with a single mode optical fiber is greater than or equal to 10 dB. Also, because fundamentally the structure of the cross section differs horizontally and vertically, in Si-wire waveguides, there is polarization dependence, and it was not possible to insert and use partway through a waveguide not having polarized wave dependence, such as optical fiber. Furthermore, when a waveguide device, such as an AWG, is formed using these types of waveguide structures, because the equivalent refractive index of the waveguide is temperature dependent, the characteristics of these devices are also temperature dependent. Therefore, a temperature adjusting mechanism was necessary when using these devices. Furthermore, when a coupled waveguide is made using a conventional waveguide structure, the complete coupling length is at least several hundred μm. Therefore, when a directional coupler or optical switch is made using this, it essentially becomes as long as several mm. Furthermore, there is already known that the conventional silica-based waveguide is caused to function as a wavelength filter by being provided with a distributed reflector mechanism. In this situation, normally, a method of forming a refractive index distribution in order for Bragg reflection to occur by forming uneven grooves on the cladding layer or by using the change in refractive index by ultraviolet light is common practice. For this reason, it was necessary to have a special process in order to add a distributed reflector mechanism.

Waveguide structure and method of manufacturing the same


To reduce the length of the lens barrel, a vibration actuator has a vibrating element, a rotor, a pressing portion, a rotor holder that restricts a position of the rotor in the thrust and radial direction, and a bearing of which a rotation axis is coaxial with the axis of the vibrating element. The rotor holder includes an outer flange to receive the pressure force from the rotor portion, and an inner flange to serve as a first track face of the bearing.

As a conventional art, for example, a vibration actuator for driving a moving element by using an electromechanical conversion element has been known (Patent Document 1), in which, however, a bearing is arranged on an outer circumference, involving a problem that the sliding sound of the bearing is loud.
Meanwhile, the use of a plastic bearing has been proposed for the purpose of attenuating the sound of such a vibration actuator (Patent Document 2).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. S63-103675
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2011-10539

Vibration actuator and optical apparatus


Provided is a method of forming a thin film of a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a precursor layer on a surface of a substrate by supplying a precursor gas into a chamber, discharging the precursor gas remaining in the chamber to an outside of the chamber by supplying a purge gas into the chamber, supplying a reactant gas into the chamber, generating plasma based on the reactant gas, forming a thin film by a chemical reaction between plasma and the precursor layer and radiating extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light into the chamber, and discharging the reactant gas and the plasma remaining in the chamber by supplying a purge gas into the chamber.

Field
Example embodiments of the inventive concepts relate to methods of forming a thin film of a semiconductor device.
Description of Related Art
An atomic layer deposition (ALD) process is a process of forming a thin film by sequentially supplying a precursor gas, a purge gas, a reactant gas, and a purge gas. As a reactant gas, an oxidant, such as ozone or oxygen plasma, can be used. However, when ozone is used as the oxidant, yield may be low since a large amount of ozone should be injected into a chamber in order to fully react with precursors. When oxygen plasma is used as the oxidant, oxygen radicals generated by oxygen plasma may be recombined, resulting in occurrence of anisotropic deposition.

Method of forming thin film of semiconductor device

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University