A negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: a lithium silicate phase including lithium silicate particles; silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase; and a low-melting point inorganic oxide that has a lower melting point than lithium silicate forming the lithium silicate particles, and that is solid at room temperature. The lithium silicate particles and the silicon particles form a particle agglomerate, and the low-melting point inorganic oxide is filled in at least a portion of voids included in the particle agglomerate.

Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, in particular, lithium ion secondary batteries have a high voltage and a high energy density, and thus are attracting attention as the power sources for compact consumer devices, power storage apparatuses, and electric vehicles. With an increasing need for higher energy density for the batteries, materials containing silicon, which can form an alloy with lithium, are expected to be used as negative electrode active materials having a high theoretical capacity density.
PTL 1 proposes improving the cycle characteristics of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery by dispersing a lithium compound and a metal compound other than a silicon oxide in a lithium silicate phase in a negative electrode active material including a lithium silicate phase represented by Li2zSiO2+z(0<z<2), and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase.
A lithium silicate has a smaller number of sites that can react with lithium, as compared with SiOx, which is a composite of SiO2 and fine silicon, and thus is less prone to cause an irreversible capacity due to charge/discharge. In the case of dispersing silicon particles in a lithium silicate phase, an excellent charging/discharging efficiency can be achieved at the initial period of charge/discharge.
Note that SiOx is a composite of SiO2 and fine silicon having a crystallite size of about 5 nm, and contains a large amount of SiO2. Accordingly, for example, the following reaction occurs during charge/discharge.SiOx(2Si+2SiO2)+16Li++16e−→3Li4Si+Li4SiO4  (1)
Resolving the formula (1) for Si and 2SiO2 results in the following formulas:Si+4Li++4e−→Li4Si  (2)2SiO2+8Li++8e−→Li4Si+Li4SiO4  (3)
The reaction of SiO2 in the formula (3) is an irreversible reaction, and the production of Li4SiO4 can be a main cause of a reduced initial charging/discharging efficiency.
PTL 2 teaches that, as the raw materials of a silicon oxide having a continuous lithium silicate phase, it is possible to use, in addition to the lithium raw material and the silicon oxide raw material, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, rubidium oxide, cesium oxide, diphosphorus pentaoxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, lead oxide, magnesium oxide, boron oxide, and the like. The raw materials are mixed at a composition ratio at which a spinodal separate phase is formed, heated to a temperature greater than or equal to a temperature at which the raw materials change into a liquid phase, quenched to a temperature lower than a temperature at which spinodal decomposition occurs, and heated in a temperature range in which a spinodal separate phase is formed.

Negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A lighting system having at least one light source for supplying artificial light and a control unit for controlling the light source. The light source is of the type having an adjustable color temperature. The control unit is provided with a control signal form a signal from a signal generator. The signal generator is dependent on the mean daylight level. The control unit is arranged to adjust the color temperature of the light source in dependence on a predetermined relationship between the mean daylight level and the color temperature of the artificial light. The lighting system will provide artificial light which will when the daylight level, as measured on an office desk, increases from approximately 400 lux to approximately 800 lux, increase the color temperature from approximately 3300 K to approximately 4300 K.

The invention relates to a lighting system, comprising at least one light source for supplying artificial light and a control unit for controlling the light source, the control unit comprising means for forming a control signal which is dependent on the daylight level. The invention also relates to a control unit for use in such a lighting system.
A lighting system of this kind is widely used, notably for the lighting of office buildings. In known systems the means for forming a control signal which is dependent on the daylight level generally comprise a light sensor for measuring the daylight level. The control unit is then arranged to switch on the artificial light when the measured daylight level drops below a predetermined minimum or, conversely, to switch off the artificial light when the measured daylight level exceeds a predetermined maximum. Systems of this kind are also known as street lighting systems. It is known in particular that in office lighting systems the control unit adjusts the intensity of the artificial light mainly inversely proportionally to the level of the daylight.
A large-scale study has revealed that for 85% of the office workers good lighting highly contributes to office comfort Harris Louis: Office lighting, comfort and productivity-how the workers feel. Lighting Design and Application No. 10, July 1980!. It is known that in this respect light plays a visual as well as a non-visual role. As regards the visual role, it is important, evidently, that the appropriate amount and type of lighting are used to perform a given task. As regards the non-visual role it is known that various processes within the human body are influenced by light. Examples of such processes are the 24-hour rhythm (circadian rhythm) of the sleeping-activity cycle and of the production of some hormones. The non-visual aspects of light, consequently, have an indirect effect on the performance and effectiveness of humans.
The foregoing emphasizes the important role of light. In many environments, such as offices, factories but also living rooms, light is formed by a combination of incident daylight and added artificial light. In many cases the daylight cannot be influenced, or only to a limited extent, by the user, for example by opening or closing a blind. This makes control of the artificial light all the more important.
It is an object of the invention to provide a lighting system of the kind set forth which takes into account human preferences.
To this end, the lighting system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the light source is of the type having an adjustable colour temperature, and the control unit is arranged to adjust the colour temperature of the light source in dependence on a predetermined relationship between the daylight level and the colour temperature of the artificial light.
The invention is based on the insight, gained by tests, that test persons demonstrate a preference for a given colour temperature of the artificial light, which colour temperature is dependent on the intensity of the incident daylight. For example, by utilizing a light sensor for measuring the level of the incident daylight, the control unit can adjust the colour temperature of the artificial light in dependence on the measured daylight level.
An embodiment of the lighting system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the means for forming the control signal comprise a day calendar unit for determining the day of the year and are arranged to form the control signal in dependence on a predetermined relationship between the day of the year and the mean daylight level. In a simple version of this embodiment the daylight level is estimated while utilizing a day calendar unit for determining the day of the year. On the basis of a predetermined relationship between the day of the year and the mean daylight level, the daylight level can be estimated so as to be used to adjust the colour temperature.
A less simple version of said embodiment is characterized in that the means for forming the control signal also comprise a clock and are arranged to form the control signal in dependence on a predetermined relationship between on the one hand the day of the year and the time of day and on the other hand the mean daylight level. As a result of the use of a clock, the daylight level at any time of day can be simply estimated better, resulting in a better adjustment of the colour temperature of the artificial light.
An even more advanced version of said embodiment is characterized in that the means for forming the control signal also comprise a light sensor for measuring the actual daylight level, that the control unit stores at least two different, predetermined relationships between the daylight level and the colour temperature, and that the control unit is arranged to select one of said relationships in dependence on the measured actual daylight level. For example, by storing different relationships for different types of weather, such as clear, overcast or mixed, and by selecting the most appropriate relationship on the basis of the measured daylight level, an even better adjustment of the colour temperature of the artificial light is achieved.
An embodiment of the lighting system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the control unit stores at least two different, predetermined relationships between the daylight level and the colour temperature, and that the control unit comprises a first control member which is arranged to select one of said relationships. Human tastes, generally speaking, are very diverse. This also becomes apparent in the form of different preferences for light settings. Some people prefer "warmer" light whereas others prefer "cooler" light. In order to satisfy these various preferences in a simple manner, the latter embodiment of the system offers the user a selection from at least two predetermined relationships.
An embodiment of the lighting system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the control unit comprises modification means which are arranged to modify the predetermined relationship between the daylight level and the colour temperature. In order to comply even better with the user's preferences, this embodiment of the system offers the possibility of modification of the predetermined relationship. Like in the foregoing embodiment, on the one hand this enables optimization of the control system for a given office building, for example taking into account the situation and general layout of the building. On the other hand, if the offices can be individually controlled, per office a relationship can thus be adapted to the individual wishes of the user. An improved version of this embodiment of the lighting system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the control unit comprises a second control member which is arranged to readjust the adjusted colour temperature and to operate the modification means. As opposed to the foregoing embodiments, where the user influences the control only indirectly by selection or modification of a relationship, in this embodiment the user can readjust the colour temperature directly. On the basis of this readjustment, the system also modifies the desired relationship between the daylight level and the colour temperature. The individual preferences of persons can thus be satisfied even better.
An embodiment of the lighting system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the predetermined relationship between the daylight level and the colour temperature of the artificial light, adjusted by the user, constitutes mainly an increase of the colour temperature as the daylight level increases. Tests have shown that a positive correlation exists between the daylight level and the colour temperature of the artificial light, so that a lighting system satisfying these requirements can satisfy the wishes of the average user.
An embodiment of the lighting system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the predetermined relationship between the daylight level and the colour temperature of the artificial light means that when the daylight level, measured on an office desk, increases from a proximately 400 lux to approximately 1800 lux, the colour temperature increases from approximately 3300 K to approximately 4300 K. Tests have demonstrated that such a relationship is a suitable representation of the wishes of the average test person. A lighting system utilizing such a relationship as a basis can highly satisfy user wishes concerning the adjustment of the colour temperature.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Lighting system for controlling the color temperature of artificial light under the influence of the daylight level


It is made possible to control RAMs of a plurality of kinds differing in control system by using a single memory controller (LSI). A memory control circuit having an LSI configuration receives a RAM access request signal, which does not depend on a classification of a RAM device, from a high rank control unit such as a CPU (not shown), and transmits a RAM control signal & data group to a subordinate RAM device to control it. Upon receiving the RAM access request signal, the memory access RAM busy management circuit generates RAM control command & data suitable for the currently connected RAM device, and transmits it to the memory access common control circuit. Upon receiving the RAM control command & data, the memory access common control circuit generates RAM control signal & data group and transmits it to the RAM device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for controlling memories such as DRAMs and its memory control circuit. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for making it possible to control memories of a plurality of kinds differing in control system by using the same controller (memory control circuit).
2. Description of the Related Art
In the DRAM (dynamic random access memory) which is a representative memory, an SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) which conducts operation in synchronism with a clock supplied from the outside has become general. At present, however, the DDR (double data rate)-SDRAM based on the SDRAM which conducts data transfer not only at timing of a rising edge of the clock but also at timing of a falling edge has become the main stream (see, for example, JP-A-2000-173267). This DDR-SDRAM is also being gradually replaced by DDR2-SDRAM which is an improved version of the DDR-SDRAM. Furthermore, the FC (fast cycle)-DRAM which takes in a row address and a column address simultaneously (at consecutive clocks) is also proposed and provided for the market (see, for example, WO98/56004). Typically, the memory such as the DRAM executes an instruction issued by a high rank control unit such as a CPU via an LSI called controller.
On the other hand, in an application device such as a personal computer having a DRAM mounted thereon, it is necessary to provide a device obtained by mounting DRAMs differing in control system, such as the DDR-SDRAM and the FCRAM, on a device of the same device kind in order to meet various needs of users. In such a case, it becomes necessary to develop separate controllers respectively for the DDR-SDRAM and the FCRAM differing from each other in control system.
However, controllers must be developed respectively for different kinds of DRAMs in the same application device. When developing a device with RAMs that are different in control system mounted thereon in order to, for example, increase variations in the same device kind, therefore, the total time and labor required for the development is increased. Furthermore, in the conventional method, design and development of the controllers must be started after the specifications of the DRAMs have been completely fixed. In situations where the development cycles of application devices become short, like the present, therefore, a fear that the development will be delayed occurs. In addition, in the conventional method, it is difficult to flexibly cope with an alteration in DRAM specifications after the controllers have been developed once.

Method for controlling memories of a plurality of kinds and circuit for controlling memories of a plurality of kinds


A cylinder lock device including: a body housing having a bore, with a direction of elongation defining an axial direction for the device; a rotatable cylindrical plug in the bore, the plug having an axially extending key slot from at least one end of the plug; a plurality of driver pins configurable substantially perpendicular to the key slot and located within the body housing and substantially outside of the plug; a plurality of tumbler pins corresponding to and positionable substantially collinear with each one of the plurality of driver pins and substantially inside the plug, the tumbler pins displaceable by a key to bias the driver pins to enable rotation of the plug, the driver pins adapted to displace the respective tumbler pins; and a displacement mechanism being deployed within the body housing and adapted to displace the plurality of driver pins thereby selectively enabling rotation of the plug when no key is present in the slot.

The present invention relates to cylinder locks and, in particular, it concerns a cylinder lock apparatus that can be operated with or without a key.
In a conventional mechanical cylinder lock, when an appropriate matching key is inserted into the cylinder lock, the key serves to mechanically align tumbler pins, and thereby allowing the cylindrical plug to be rotated freely to open the lock. Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1. B, which are representations of a prior art cylinder lock 10, with a key 12 inserted into the cylinder lock, and a door lock 15. Door lock 15 includes, inter alia, a shaped slot 16 for receiving cylinder lock 10 and a door lock bolt hole 17 through which a bolt (not shown) is inserted to secure the cylinder lock inside a door. Typically, door lock 15 is inserted into a hollowed-out edge of the door (not shown) and cylinder lock 10 is inserted through prepared holes in the door (not shown in the figure) and perpendicularly into and through shaped slot 16, substantially along axis 18. Door lock further comprises a locking tongue 19. Typically, cylinder lock 10, when unlocked, serves to translate locking tongue 19 allowing the tongue to alternately inhibit and allow opening of the door. Typically, other cylinder locks having a cross-sectional profile and length substantially matching cylinder lock 10 may be replaced or retrofitted instead of cylinder lock 10. Typical names/manufacturers of such cylinder locks include, but are not limited to: Euro Cylinders; Oval Cylinders; Asec 6-pin Euro profile; and Chubb M3. Overall lengths of such cylinders typically vary from approximately 70-95 mm.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which are cross sectional side views A-A of the cylinder lock shown in FIG. 1A. The cylinder lock has a body housing 20, which is bored from one end to the other end and a cylindrical plug 22, which is fitted into the bore, and which may be rotated, as described hereinbelow. A set hole 23 is located approximately in the middle of cylinder lock 10 to receive a bolt which is inserted into door lock bolt hole 17, to secure the cylinder lock within door lock 15, as described hereinabove in FIG. 1B. Cylindrical plug 22 has a key slot 25 formed axially in cylindrical plug. Key 12 is inserted into slot 25. A pin-tumbler set 30 is located in body housing 20 and in cylindrical plug 22 to serve to lock and unlock rotational movement of cylindrical plug 22. Cylindrical plug 22 and a second cylindrical plug 31 may be mechanically coupled and uncoupled to a rotating tongue 35 by means of a selector mechanism (not shown in the figure), which allows either cylindrical plugs to rotate the rotating tongue, which in turn serves to move the locking tongue of the door lock (refer to FIG. 1B). The cylinder lock shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is called a "blind cylinder", meaning that a key can be inserted into only one side of the lock, with only one pin-tumbler set present, and that the other side of lock cannot accept a key. However, cylinder lock 10 may also comprise pin-tumbler sets in respective cylindrical plugs at both ends.
FIG. 2B, which is a detailed view of FIG. 2A, shows in greater detail pin-tumbler set 30. Pin-tumbler set 30 includes tumbler pins 32 and driver pins 34, both of which are constrained to move generally perpendicularly to key 12. Springs 33 typically serve to preload the driver pins and the tumbler pins, displacing them towards slot 25, thereby advancing part of one or more of driver pins 34 into cylindrical plug 22 through openings in the plug (not shown in the figure) and thereby locking rotation of cylindrical plug 22 when no key is present in the slot. Typically, key 12 is formed to fit the pattern and respective lengths of tumbler pins 32. When key 12 is fully inserted into slot 25, the key presses tumbler pins 32 and driver pins 34 against springs 33, alignedly inserting driver pins 34 into body housing 20, and thereby enables rotation of the cylindrical plug. Whereas key 12 is shown inserted, with its wider traverse edge contacting the tumbler pins, another inserted orientation of key 12 may include its thinner traverse edge contacting the tumbler pins. Also, one or more additional sets of collinearly arranged tumbler pins (not shown) may be present, in the case of a master key, which is used to lock and unlock a number of such specially configured cylinder locks.
A number of prior art electronic or combination electrical/mechanical lock systems allow a user to open a locked cylinder in a number of ways. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,501 by Fort, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, a combination electrical and mechanical system is described. The system includes a lock having a fixed lock cylinder and a rotatable key slug. A first solenoid is employed in the current system to drive a lock pin, which is normally extended to lock the key slug. Upon insertion of an appropriately aperture-encoded key, light sources and detectors mounted in the lock are used in concert with appropriate circuitry to operate to the first solenoid to unlock key slug. A second solenoid is operable, in response to an electrical power failure, to extend a latch pin. When the latch pin is extended a proper mechanical key is inserted and rotated, extension of the lock pin is prevented. A proper mechanical key can be inserted to move a plurality of spring loaded pin tumblers in the lock to enable rotation of the key slug during an electrical power failure.
Aston, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,305 whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an electrically operable cylinder lock device, which includes a body with a bore housing a rotatable barrel, having a key slot. The device has an electromagnet, which is employed to interact with a detent bar, the detent bar positioned to alternately inhibit or enable, with the aid of the electromagnet, rotation of the rotatable barrel. Another embodiment disclosed by Aston has a microswitch which interacts with an inserted key and controls the supply of electrical power.
While the prior art includes an array of combination electrical/mechanical lock systems of varying complexity, there is a need for an electronic or combination electrical/mechanical cylinder lock that, taking advantage of the inherent cylinder pin tumbler mechanism, can be unlocked or unlocked without the insertion of a key, while also functioning as a conventional lock operated with a key in case of an electrical power failure.

Electronic cylinder lock apparatus and methods


A method and system for data protection for applications that includes registering applications with a storage cleaning mechanism so that the registered applications can receive notification of impending storage cleaning operations. Upon receiving notification of an impending cleaning operation, the registered applications can release or unreference storage so it can be cleaned of data.

The present invention relates to data protection for applications on mobile electronic devices.
A mobile electronic device will typically include a number of applications for performing various functions on the device. These applications may store sensitive data on the memory of the device. A mobile electronic device may also include a memory cleaning mechanism through which memory on the device is periodically cleaned. However, the memory cleaning mechanism may not be aware of sensitive data stored by various applications on the device, and thus may riot clean the memory of sensitive data that it would be desirable to remove from the device for data protection reasons. Protection of sensitive application data is particularly a concern in respect of software applications that are developed for the mobile electronic device by third parties other than the provider of the base operating system and/or virtual machine software used by the mobile electronic device.
Thus, a method and system of memory management for applications that assists the memory cleaning mechanism in cleaning sensitive data associated with applications is desired.

Data protection for applications on a mobile electronic device


According to an embodiment of the invention, a chip package is provided, which includes: a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a hole extending from the upper surface toward the lower surface; an insulating layer located overlying a sidewall of the hole; and a material layer located overlying the sidewall of the hole, wherein the material layer is separated from the upper surface of the substrate by a distance and a thickness of the material layer decreases along a direction toward the lower surface.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a chip package and formation method thereof, and in particular relates to a chip package having a through substrate hole and formation method thereof.
Description of the Related Art
Recently, conducting structures (such as TSVs) perpendicular to a surface of a package substrate are commonly being formed in chip packages to form a conducting path along a vertical direction. As a result, space may be employed more effectively, such that the size of the chip package is further shrunk, which helps to improve performance of the chip package.
Typically, a conducting layer is formed on a sidewall of a hole perpendicular to a surface of a package substrate. However, the formed conducting layer may suffer from problems such as cracking or high stress at a bottom corner in the hole, such that the performance of the chip package is affected. In addition, in the conventional chip packaging technique, a complex patterning process needs to be applied, such that a plurality of photoresist application processes, patterning processes, and photoresist stripping processes need to be performed, increasing fabrication cost and time.
In addition, the conducting structure perpendicular to the surface of the package substrate is typically formed in a through substrate hole. The through substrate hole may not only be filled with a conducting material, but many other material stacking layers may also be formed therein. However, during the deposition process of these material stacking layers, these layers are usually also formed on the surface of the substrate outside of the hole. Thus, a following patterning process (usually including an etching process) often needs to be performed to remove undesired material stacking layers on the surface of the substrate. Not only is fabrication cost and time increased, but also, due to the additional patterning process, the elements or structures already formed on the surface of the substrate are at risk of being damaged.
Therefore, a chip packaging technique capable of reducing or resolving the problems mentioned above is desired.

Chip package and method for forming the same


Provided are a method and a system for inventorying batteries. In exemplary embodiments, a computer assisted method for inventorying batteries includes identifying a battery string at a location and reading battery identification data associated with one or more batteries in the battery string which includes a battery voltage. After reading the battery identification data and aggregating the magnitudes of the battery voltages in the battery string, if the aggregate of the magnitudes of the voltages is not equal to a required voltage then an error message is generated. If the aggregate of the voltages of the batteries is equal to the required voltage then the process may be repeated for the next string, if any, at the location.

Since its inception, analog telephone service ("Plain Old Telephone Service" or "POTS") providers have utilized a DC line voltage ("DCLV") equal to −48V. The DCLV is generated from the telephone system Central Office or from a relay station and is supplied to customers as a constant −48V when the phone is on hook. The DCLV has various purposes including initiating a telephone call and corrosion control along the POTS twisted pair telephone lines.
During occasions of a municipal power outage, telephone service providers use batteries as a backup −48 VDC voltage source in order to maintain telephone service to customers until normal power sources can be restored. Direct current batteries are installed at a myriad of Central Offices and Digital Loop Electronics ("DLE") Remote Terminal ("RT") locations along the telephone system in what may be called wire centers. Each wire center may have multiple RT sites, which could be a cabinet or other structure type such as a hut or Controlled Environmental Vault ("CEV"). Each RT site may have a string or multiple strings of batteries in series capable of providing −48 VDC to its segment of the POTS network.
Telephone networks today are extremely large and may consist of tens of thousands of remote sites spread across a number of states. Those remote sites may contain hundreds of thousands if not millions of batteries of different voltages, makes and models. All of those batteries must be tracked to ensure that depleted batteries are replaced, that all sites have a full complement of batteries installed, that installed batteries are compatible with each other and that the proper DCLV is produced when required. Difficulties have arisen in monitoring such a large inventory of batteries by a widely dispersed force of technicians with varying levels of training. Further, manufacturer recalls of defective batteries has also proven problematic as the defective batteries must be culled from the inventory in a timely manner and replaced with compatible substitutes. Failure to maintain battery strings with the requisite −48 VDC DCLV may negatively impact the performance of a telephone system and the cost of holding depleted batteries may be large. Therefore a standardized, computer assisted inventory method is needed to maximize the performance and minimize the cost of maintaining a battery back up system.

Method and system for managing battery inventory


A method for correlating discarded network traffic with network policy events in a network includes receiving a flow record. The flow record includes initial network flow information in a standard flow record format. Discarded network traffic information associated with each network policy is received from a network policy enforcement device. Network traffic is discarded based on a network traffic policy. The received flow record is correlated with the received discarded network traffic information. The discarded network traffic information is encoded into the received flow record based on the correlation while maintaining the initial network flow information to yield an enhanced flow record.

Various network management systems are used to monitor networks. These systems can exist as stand-alone, dedicated systems or be embedded in network communications devices such as routers and switches. Other tools include special-purpose systems, such as firewalls and other network security devices that are typically used to manage the communications at boundaries between the networks. One source of information for monitoring networks is flow information. A "flow" is defined as "a unidirectional sequence of packets with some common properties that pass through a network device." Internet Engineering Task Force, RFC 3954. More recently, another type of network metadata, referred to by various vendors as NetFlow, jFlow, sFlow, etc., has also been introduced as a part of standard network traffic (hereafter generally referred to as "flow records"). Flow records are often generated by the network devices. These are often digested information concerning individual network flows or groups of network flows sharing some common characteristic(s). The flow records often include, for example, internet protocol (IP) addresses, packet and byte counts, timestamps, Type of Service (ToS), application ports, input and output interfaces, to list a few examples. This information is available from Netflow technology, for example. Generally, computer network devices that generate flow records include, for example, routers, switches, firewalls, and hubs. In other examples, packet scanners/analyzers (e.g., Arbor Networks PEAKFLOW® threat management system (TMS)) are used. Flows may be collected and exported for analysis. Flow analysis is a central component of large-scale network management and service systems.
Additionally, the expansion of the Internet has led to improvements in packet traffic management. One such advancement is the use of policy rules for determining how packet traffic may be managed, such as limiting or blocking traffic matching certain patterns from entering a protected network. However, as the packet traffic and network applications have increased in volume and complexity, effective policy rules have also become more difficult to define and manage. Furthermore, the impact of modifications made to such policies is often visible to network operators only in a general sense.

Correlating discarded network traffic with network policy events through augmented flow


The present invention relates to a novel class of androgen receptor targeting agents (ARTA) which demonstrate androgenic and anabolic activity of a nonsteroidal ligand for the androgen receptor. The agents define a new subclass of compounds which are selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) which are useful for male hormone therapy such as oral testosterone replacement therapy, treating prostate cancer, imaging prostate cancer.

The present invention relates to a novel class of androgen receptor targeting agents (ARTA) which demonstrate androgenic and anabolic activity of a nonsteroidal ligand for the androgen receptor. The agents define a new subclass of compounds which are selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) which are useful for mate hormone therapy such as oral testosterone replacement therapy, treating prostate cancer, imaging prostate cancer.
The androgen receptor (xe2x80x9cARxe2x80x9d) is a ligand-activated transcriptional regulatory protein that mediates induction of male sexual development and function through its activity with endogenous androgens. Androgens are generally known as the male sex hormones. The androgenic hormones are steroids which are produced in the body by the testis and the cortex of the adrenal gland, or synthesized in the laboratory. Androgenic steroids play an important role in many physiologic processes, including the development and maintenance of male sexual characteristics such as muscle and bone mass, prostate growth, spermatogenesis, and the male hair pattern (Matsumoto, Endocrinol. Met. Clin. N. Am. 23:857-75 (1994)). The endogenous steroidal androgens include testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (xe2x80x9cDHTxe2x80x9d). Testosterone is the principal steroid secreted by the testes and is the primary circulating androgen found in the plasma of males. Testosterone is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase in many peripheral tissues, DHT is thus thought to serve as the intracellular mediator for most androgen actions (Zhou, et al., Molec. Endocrinol. 9:208-18 (1995)). Other steroidal androgens include esters of testosterone, such as the cypionate, propionate, phenylpropionate, cyclopentylpropionate, isocarporate, enanthate, and decanoate esters, and other synthetic androgens such as 7-Methyl-Nortestosterone (xe2x80x9cMENTxe2x80x9d) and its acetate ester (Sundaram et al., xe2x80x9c7 Alpha-Methyl-Nortestosterone(MENT): The Optimal Androgen For Male Contraception,xe2x80x9d Ann. Med., 25:199-205 (1993) (xe2x80x9cSundaramxe2x80x9d)). Because the AR is involved in male sexual development and function, the AR is a likely target for effecting male contraception or other forms of hormone replacement therapy.
Worldwide population growth and social awareness of family planning have stimulated a great deal of research in contraception. Contraception is a difficult subject under any circumstance. It is fraught with cultural and social stigma, religious implications, and, most certainly, significant health concerns. This situation is only exacerbated when the subject focuses on male contraception. Despite the availability of suitable contraceptive to devices, historically, society has looked to women to be responsible for contraceptive decisions and their consequences. Although health concerns over sexually transmitted diseases has made men more aware of the need to develop safe and responsible sexual habits, women still often bear the brunt of contraceptive choice. Women have a number of choices from temporary mechanical devices such as sponges and diaphragms to temporary chemical devices such as spermicides. Women also have at their disposal more permanent options such as physical devices like IUDs and cervical caps as well as more permanent chemical treatments such as birth control pills and subcutaneous implants. However, to date, the only options available for men include the use of condoms and a vasectomy. Condom use, however is not favored by many men because of the reduced sexual sensitivity, the interruption in sexual spontaneity, and the significant possibility of pregnancy caused by breakage or misuse. Vasectomies are also not favored. If more convenient methods of birth control were available to men, particularly long term methods which required no preparative activity immediately prior to a sexual act, such methods could significantly increase the likelihood that men would take more responsibility for contraception.
Administration of the male sex steroids (e.g., testosterone and its derivatives) has shown particular promise in this regard due to the combined gonadotropin-suppressing and androgen-substituting properties of these compounds (Steinberger et al., xe2x80x9cEffect of Chronic Administration of Testosterone Enanthate on Sperm Production and Plasma Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, and Luteinizing Hormone Levels: A Preliminary Evaluation of a Possible Male Contraceptive, Fertility and Sterility 28:1320-28 (1977)). Chronic administration of high doses of testosterone completely abolishes sperm production (azoospermia) or reduces it to a very low level (oligospermia). The degree of spermatogenic suppression necessary to produce infertility is not precisely known. However, a recent report by the World Health Organization showed that weekly intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate result in azoospermia or severe oligospermia (i.e., less than 3 million sperm per ml) and infertility in 98% of men receiving therapy (World Health Organization Task Force on Methods Ar Regulation of Male Fertility, xe2x80x9cContraceptive Efficacy of Testosterone-Induced Azoospermia and Oligospermia in Normal Men,xe2x80x9d Fertilily and Sterility 65:821-29 (1996)).
A variety of testosterone esters have been developed which are more slowly absorbed after intramuscular injection and, thus, result in greater androgenic effect. Testosterone enanthate is the most widely used of these esters. While testosterone enanthate has been valuable in terms of establishing the feasibility of hormonal agents for male contraception, it has several drawbacks, including the need for weekly injections and the presence of supraphysiologic peak levels of testosterone immediately following intramuscular injection (Wu, xe2x80x9cEffects of Testosterone Enanthate in Normal Men: Experience From a Multicenter Contraceptive Efficacy Study,xe2x80x9d Fertility and Sterility 65:626-36 (1996)).
This invention provides a novel class of androgen receptor targeting agents (ARTA). The agents define a new subclass of compounds which are selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) which are useful for oral testosterone replacement therapy which have an unexpected in-vivo activity for an androgenic and anabolic activity of a nonsteroidal ligand for the androgen receptor.
The present invention relates to a selective androgen receptor modulator compound having in-vivo androgenic and anabolic activity of a nonsteroidal ligand for the androgen receptor selective androgen receptor modulator compound having the formula (Compound I):
where X is a O, CH2, NH, Se, PR, or NR;
Z is a hydrogen bond acceptor, NO2, CN, COR, CONHR;
Y is a lipid soluble group, I, CF3, Br, Cl, SnR3;
R is an alkyl group or OH; and
Q is acetamido-, trifluroacetamido-, alkylamines, ether, alkyl, N-sulfonyl, O-sulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, carbonyl, or a ketone.
The present invention relates to a selective androgen receptor modulator compound having in-vivo androgenic and anabolic activity of a nonsteroidal ligand for the androgen receptor selective androgen receptor modulator compound having the formula (Compound II):
The present invention also relates to a selective androgen receptor modulator compound having in-vivo androgenic and anabolic activity of a nonsteroidal ligand for the androgen receptor having the formula (compound III):
where
X is a O, CH2, NH, Se, PR, or NR;
Z is NO2, CN, COR, or CONHR;
Y is I, CF3, Br, Cl, or SnR3;
R is an alkyl group or OH; and
Q is acetamido or trifluroacetamido.
The present invention also relates to a method of binding a selective androgen receptor modulator compound to a androgen receptor which includes contacting the androgen receptor with the selective androgen receptor modulator compound under conditions effective to bind the selective androgen receptor modulator compound to the androgen receptor.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of suppressing spermatogenesis in a subject which includes contacting an androgen receptor of the subject with a selective androgen receptor modulator compound under conditions effective to suppress spermatogenesis.
The present invention also relates to a method of hormone therapy which comprises administrating to the subject an effective amount of the selective androgen receptor modulator compound. In one embodiment, the selective androgen receptor modulator compound is selective for androgen or testosterone receptor. The present invention also relates to a method of oral administration of the selective androgen receptor modulator compound.
The present invention also relates to a method of hormone therapy which includes contacting an androgen receptor of a patient with a selective androgen receptor modulator compound under conditions effective to bind the selective androgen receptor modulator compound to the androgen receptor and effect a change in an androgen-dependent condition.
The present invention also relates to composition and a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a selective androgen receptor modulator and a suitable carrier or diluent.
Still another aspect of the present relates to a method of producing a selective androgen receptor modulator or a non-steroidal AR agonist compound of the present invention.
The novel selective androgen receptor modulator compounds of the present invention, either alone or as a composition, are useful as a male contraceptive or in the treatment of a variety of hormone-related conditions, such as hypogonadism, sarcopenia, erythropoiesis, and osteoporesis. Further, the selective androgen receptor modulator compounds are useful for oral testosterone replacement therapy.
The selective androgen receptor modulator compounds of the present invention offer a significant advance over steroidal androgen treatment because the selective androgen receptor modulator compounds of the present invention have been shown in-vivo to have an androgenic and anabolic activity of a nonsteroidal ligand for the androgen receptor. Thus, the selective androgen receptor modulator compounds have an androgenic and anabolic activity of a nonsteroidal ligand for the androgen receptor and will not be accompanied by serious side effects, inconvenient modes of administration, or high costs and still have the advantages of oral bioavailability, lack of cross-reactivity with other steroid receptors, and long biological half-lives.

Selective androgen receptor modulators and methods of use thereof

The University of Tennessee Research Corporation


A method for suppressing the generation of an event includes checking an in-kernel cache to determine if data relating to a file is within the in-kernel cache. Determining whether the file has been modified since a last time an event was generated for the file where data relating to a particular file is found to be within the in-kernel cache. Suppressing the generation of an event for the file where it is determined that the file has not been modified since the last time an event was generated for the file.

1. Technical Field
This application relates generally to antivirus products, and particularly to improving antivirus product performance using in-kernel cache of file states.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many anti-virus products include a kernel-level component that intercepts an attempt to access a file and passes information about that attempt as an event to a user-space component that makes a decision whether the file has to be scanned for viruses. Processing an event is an expensive operation that involves multiple context switches. For example, a substantial latency exists between the time file access is identified and the time the operation is allowed to proceed.
In the traditional approach, events for a file will be generated even when that file has been previously scanned and it is known to be safe to let the operation proceed. The latency experienced when processing an event may be multiplied owing to the fact that a single file may have linked libraries that may also generate events when the single file is processed. For example, even for a simple program that works with one file, there may be multiple hidden events generated for each of the libraries with which the executable is linked.

Antivirus product using in-kernal cache of file state


A model for simulating the electrical behavior of a thyristor includes a model of an NPN bipolar transistor whose emitter forms the cathode of the thyristor and the base forms a low-side control terminal of the thyristor, and a model of a PNP bipolar transistor whose emitter forms the anode of the thyristor and the base forms a high-side control terminal of the thyristor, the collector of the PNP transistor being connected to the low-side control terminal and the collector of the NPN transistor being connected to the high-side control terminal. The transistor models are present a small signal behavior over the entire range of anode currents of the thyristor, whereby the transistor models exhibit a gain drop when the anode current exits the small signal range.

FIG. 1A shows an equivalent circuit diagram of a conventional thyristor. It comprises an NPN bipolar transistor whose emitter forms the cathode C of the thyristor, and the base forms a low-side control terminal Pw. The collector of the NPN transistor is connected to the base of a PNP transistor. The base of the PNP transistor forms a high-side control terminal Nw. The emitter of the PNP transistor forms the anode A of the thyristor and the collector of the PNP transistor is connected to the base of the NPN transistor.
The thyristor is triggered (turned on) by drawing a current from the base of the PNP transistor through terminal Nw, or by injecting a current into the base of the NPN transistor through terminal Pw. Once the thyristor is triggered, it remains conductive even if the current through terminals Pw and Nw is canceled. Indeed, when the thyristor is on, the anode current is divided into two paths, one from the base of the PNP transistor to the collector of the NPN transistor, thereby maintaining the PNP transistor in its conductive state, and the other through the collector of the PNP transistor to the base of the NPN transistor, which maintains the NPN transistor in its conductive state.
FIG. 1B schematically shows a semiconductor structure of a conventional thyristor. A substrate Psub comprises two wells in lateral contact, a P-doped well Pwell, and an N-doped well Nwell. The top surface of well Pwell comprises an N+ doped region forming the cathode contact C, and a P+ doped region forming the low-side control terminal Pw. The top surface of well Nwell comprises, adjacent the cathode region C, a P+ doped region forming the anode contact A. The high-side control terminal Nw is formed by an N+ doped region of well Nwell. The N+ and P+ regions are separated by deep-trench insulations STI. Beneath the wells, there is a buried insulating layer Niso, and the remainder of substrate Psub.
The thyristor is formed in this structure by the junctions P-N-P-N going from the anode A to the cathode C. The NPN and PNP equivalent bipolar transistors are shown. Note that the two base-collector links between the transistors are actually formed in the single PN junction between the wells.
Thyristors are often used to protect integrated circuits against electrostatic discharges, and thus form part of the components that the designer may include in an integrated circuit. It may therefore be desirable that the electrical behavior of these thyristors can be simulated, as for the other components of the circuit, before finalizing the circuit for production.
The simulation of a thyristor involves difficulties. Indeed, in the case of a protection component, it is likely to be subjected to voltages and currents that are beyond the usual ranges of other circuit components.
In the so-called "small-signal" range, i.e. with currents and voltages within the normal circuit operation, the thyristor can be modeled by the two coupled transistors of the diagram of FIG. 1A.
However, once the thyristor is triggered, it is capable of short-circuiting low impedance terminals or deriving a voltage surge to ground, causing a current beyond the small signal range, i.e. beyond the validity limits of the original model. In the conventional small signal model of a bipolar transistor, the gain drops rapidly when the injection current, or collector current, exceeds a threshold. As a result, self-maintenance of the thyristor in its conducting state is no longer guaranteed beyond this threshold current.
FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating an exemplary evolution of the anode current IA as a function of the anode voltage VA (assuming the cathode voltage is zero) for a thyristor as it triggers.
The dotted curve corresponds to a real thyristor: upon triggering, the anode voltage falls rapidly to a minimum value while the anode current increases slightly. The thyristor then behaves as a low value resistance: the anode voltage increases slowly in proportion to the current.
The solid curve corresponds to a conventional small signal model: shortly after reaching the minimum anode voltage, the gains of the transistors fall rapidly. The right part of the figure shows the evolution of the gain βNPN of the NPN transistor. Initially, the gain is about 3.3. When this gain has fallen to a value close to 1, the transistors can no longer mutually maintain their conduction. The model tends to behave incorrectly as a low-value resistor in series with the voltage source supplying the anode.
The article ["Characterization and Modeling of SCR from DC down to CDM time domain", Pascal Fonteneau et al., IEW 2008] discloses a model with two bipolar transistors, modified so that there is no gain degradation. Small signal behavior of this model is unsatisfactory, however.
Others have studied "binary" models, where switching is implemented between a small signal model and a strong current model, such as the papers (1) "A Novel Physical Model for the SCR ESD Protection Device", Alexandru Romanescu et al., Electrical Overstress/Electrostatic Discharge Symposium (EOS/ESD), 2010 and (2) "Scalable Modeling Studies on the SCR ESD Protection Device", Alexandru Romanescu et al., EOS/ESD Symposium, 2011 33rd.
FIG. 3 schematically shows base elements of a model as described in the above Romanescu articles. Between the anode A and the cathode C, are successively connected: an anode resistor RA, an anode-N-well diode DANw (forward biased for a current which would flow from the anode to the cathode), a reverse biased N-well-P-well diode DNwPw, a forward biased P-well-cathode diode DPwC, and a cathode resistor RC. Between the anode A and the low-side control terminal Pw, are successively connected: resistor RA, a current source ITp, and a resistor RCTp. Between the high-side control terminal Nw and the cathode C, are successively connected: resistor RCTn, a current source ITn and resistor RC. A variable resistor RBp connects the cathode of diode DANw to resistor RCTn. A variable resistor RBn connects the anode of diode DPwC to resistor RCTp. A current source Ibk is connected in parallel with diode DNwPw.
Except for the diodes, FIG. 3 uses the same component designations as article (2), so direct reference to the equations of this article may be made for more detail on the model behavior. Article (2) actually provides two diodes in parallel for each diode in FIG. 3, i.e. diodes designated IBFp and IREp for diode DANw, diodes designated IBC and IRC for diode DNwPw, and diodes designated IBFn IREn for diode DPwC.
The diodes model the PN junctions of the structure of FIG. 1B. The current amplifying function of the bipolar transistors is modeled by equations governing the current sources ITp and ITn based on the Gummel-Poon equations. In these equations, modifier functions were introduced, denoted HCCFn for the NPN transistor and HCCFp for the PNP transistor. Each function HCCF is adjusted to switch the gain to a higher value when it reaches a value too low to maintain the thyristor on.
This approach requires the definition of several new parameters that have no physical meaning, e.g. the threshold, the slope and the magnitude of the gain switching. These parameters must be adjusted empirically, on a case-by-case basis. Since the switching function further introduces a discontinuity, simulations using this type of model may have convergence problems.


A vacuum-assisted pole sander includes a sanding means attached at the end of the main pole, which in turn is supported in its middle section by a support pole. Both the support pole and the main pole are hollow and adjustable in length. The vacuum is transmitted from the sanding means of the device through the main pole to the vacuum connector in the supporting pole such that a vacuum can be attached on to ensure dust removal during operation. The combination of the support pole and the main pole is designed in such a way that the entire device is supported on the floor of the building under construction while allowing the operator to move it easily back and forth to achieve sanding of the ceiling. The support pole has a non-slip cap on its lower end and an angle connector on the other end. The angle connector is rotatably attached to the main pole such that it ensures the ability to swivel and at the same time provides a fluid communication between the inside portions of both the main pole and the support pole. The support pole is equipped with a vacuum attached for connecting to the suction means. The lower end of the main pole is equipped with vacuum strength adjustment means.

The present invention relates generally to abrading or grinding devices. More particularly, the device of the invention relates to a ceiling vacuum-assisted grinding apparatus for use in surfacing of drywall and concrete ceilings.
Drywall and concrete have now become very popular materials used in the construction of buildings, mainly because of their strength and durability and because molding and casting technology has advanced greatly in recent years. However, in most cases after a concrete structure, such as a ceiling has been cast and the mold removed therefrom, the surface of the concrete ceiling is rough due to inconsistencies in the surface of the molds and indentations formed by the seams between adjacent molds. Thus, it is necessary to dress or smooth poured concrete ceilings by grinding the exposed surfaces of the ceiling. The same is generally true about the drywall ceilings although they require substantially less grinding to smooth the surface.
Although there have been ceiling grinding machines known in the prior art, these machines have been unsatisfactory in various manners. First, typically these grinding machines utilize abrading discs, cups or belts which wear out quickly, necessitating expensive and time consuming replacement, and do not provide a very strong abrading force to the concrete. Additionally, these ceiling grinding machines typically drive the abrading device by means of the flexible cable coupled to an electrical motor. However, this flexible cable is subject to intense frictional forces and therefore wears out quickly. Moreover, the use of single-phase electrical motors to run such abrading devices restricts the device to one rotational speed, thereby reducing the versatility of the device.
Another problem with prior art machines is their poor maneuverability. In most buildings under construction, both plumbing stubs and electrical conduit stubs protrude from the floor approximately 8 to 18 inches above the floor's surface and the prior art grinders have transverse axles and low horizontal framing which are well below the average height of the plumbing and electrical conduit stubs. This obviously causes interference and makes it difficult to maneuver the machine while trying to grind the ceiling above the floor.
A further problem is controlling the apparatus during the grinding operation. In the prior art devices, the grinding mechanism must be manually manipulated against the ceiling by the operator, while the operator moves the entire apparatus over the area to be grinded. This distracts the operator from safely traversing the floor upon which the apparatus is guided and also forces the operator to stand quiet close to the grinding assembly, increasing the chance of injury to the operator from flying concrete chips.
Examples of grinding machines of the prior art can be found in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,670,577; 2,755,606; 3,268,935; 3,948,005, and 4,381,911, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Pole-mounted sanders have also been described in the prior art for the purpose of reaching the ceiling in a manner more convenient then with a hand-held sander. U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,796 describes an exemplary standard pole-mounted sander.
For many years carpenters, sheet-rockers, auto body sanders, tapers, etc. have attempted to cope with the problem of disposing conveniently of the remains of a sanding operation. Of course, a sanding operation typically ends with a large volume of sanding remains in the work area, both on the work surface and in the air. One of the common methods of disposing of the sanding remains related to a separate, after-operation vacuuming process for the work surface and the floor around the work surface. For this purpose, a large variety of "industrial-strength" vacuum system have been designed and developed. After all, the vacuum system had to cope with more then the usual dust and the like found in the home environment. Most importantly, such "industrial-strength" vacuum system did a fine job on the work surface and other proximate surfaces, but did nothing for the sanding remains spread throughout the air in the work place. Commonly, this subjected the person doing the sanding to lung and other health hazards, both during the sanding operation and thereafter.
Dust evacuation has been finally accomplished by various powered or manual sanders equipped with vacuum and suction means. More recently, inventors such as Shaw, U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,155 (incorporated herein in its entirety by reference) have developed methods and apparatus, which involve a plurality of holes in a sanding plate underlying the sand paper, which was designed with a porous material. In this way, the sanding remains are vacuumed during the sanding operation into a vacuum plenum, and this prevents, for the most parts, the dispersing of sanding remains into the air of the work place. However, the pattern of openings to the plenum and vacuum system in the underlying plate prove less efficient than it could be in gathering all of the sanding remains as the sanding operation proceeds. Also, the plenum tends to clog up.
In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,099 by Yanner there is disclosed a sanding and dust collecting apparatus. A housing assembly is attachable to and supported by a pneumatic sander. An impeller blade creates a vortex-like suction and thereby propels the particulate matter generated by the sander towards a collection bag.
Next is U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,984 issued to Thomas F. Taranto. This patent discloses a vacuum sander wherein a housing that forms a vacuum manifold communicating with an abrasive sheet at one end, the sheet being supported by an air permeable foam pad. Both a hand-held and a handle-held embodiment are described and it is explained that the source of the vacuum could be a standard household vacuum cleaner or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,895 by Roestenberg discloses a block sander vacuum wherein a plurality of ports are disposed proximate a removably attached abrasive surface. These ports are connected to a coupling means for connection with a conventional vacuum cleaner. Additionally, on opposite sides of the body of the device are disposed depending skirts to aid in the collection and directing of the particulate matter generated by the sanding process.
Next in this discussion is U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,385 by Reiter. A gypsum board sanding apparatus is described wherein a paddle adapted to support a sheet of sandpaper includes a plurality of apertures both through and about it to allow for the passage of air and dust particles into a plenum that is connected to a conventional vacuum cleaner.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,243 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) also by Reiter discloses a vacuum pole sander. A sanding head includes a number of pedestals for supporting the abrasive material. The head member is configured to be attached to a universal joint and, to a pole for sanding hard to reach areas.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,193,313; 5,540,616; 5,624,305; and 6,468,141 (incorporated herein by reference in their entirety) describe various other useful variations of vacuum-assisted sanders mounted on a pole and having a universal swiveling joint between the sanding pad and the pole. U.S. Pat. No. 689,464, shows a power brush supported by a central pole.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,292 shows a portable powered scrubbing tool with vacuum assist and supported by two supporting poles: the main pole and the auxiliary pole extending from the mid portion of the main pole. It is adapted to be held by the operator using both hands.
Despite the above described advances in the sanding device, the need still exists for a low weight vacuum sander allowing sanding of a ceiling with minimal effort, while providing for excellent maneuverability and for effective removal of the dust and sand particles.


On manufacturing a low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus (10) which includes an anode (6) having a principal surface and enclosed in a vacuum chamber (1, 2, and 3), a phosphor film (7) formed on the principal surface, and a cathode (9) enclosed in the vacuum chamber opposite to the phosphor film, a phosphor is prepared which consists essentially of an oxisulfide and an oxide which is inevitably formed on a surface of the oxisulfide on preparing the phosphor. The oxisulfide is represented by Ln.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:R, where Ln is at least one selected from a group consisting of Gd, La, Y, and Lu and where R is a rare-earth element. The oxide is removed from the phosphor to produce an oxide-removed phosphor. A pasts comprising a mixture of the oxide-removed phosphor, a conductive material, and an autolytic type binder is coated on the principal surface of the anode which is formed on an insulating substrate (1) constituting the vacuum chamber. The binder of the paste is heated in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to form, on the principal surface of the anode, the phosphor film which has the oxide-removed phosphor and the conductive material. The anode and the cathode are enclosed in the vacuum chamber to obtain a manufactured low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus. The oxide may be Ln.sub.2 O.sub.3 into which a component Ln.sub.2 O.sub.2 S of the oxisulfide is changed.

This invention relates to a low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus and to a method of manufacturing the same.
A low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus of the type described, comprises a single electron gun or a plurality of electron guns of a hot-cathode or a cold-cathode type arranged within the apparatus kept at a vacuum. Each electron gun (or a cathode) is for emitting a low voltage electron beam with an accelerating voltage of about 500V or less to irradiate each phosphor film (formed on each anode by mixing and heating a phosphor and a conductive material) so that the phosphor film performs high-luminance light emission to provide monochromatic or multi-color (several colors to full color) display of characters, designs, and moving pictures with an excellent balance in brightness.
In recent years, practical use has been made of various display apparatuses for displaying a condition of a device or information by means of a video image of characters, designs, and moving pictures. For example, there are widely known a cathode ray tube (CRT) extensively used as a television including a high definition television (HDTV) or as a display terminal of a personal computer, a liquid crystal display (LCD) used in a notebook-type personal computer or the like, a fluorescent indicator panel (FIP) used in a device such as a domestic (or home) video tape recorder and an on-vehicle meter to display the condition of the device or an automobile, and a plasma display panel (PDP) recently developed into a color display as a wall-hanging television. In recent years, a field emission display (FED) is proposed as a novel display apparatus and is being actively developed for practical use.
The above-mentioned display apparatuses are advantageous in that the condition and the information varying from time to time can be visually displayed and transmitted immediately under electrical control, and find a more and more increasing demand as transmitting means in the information society. The CRT has wide spread from an early time as an excellent display apparatus for a television and a personal computer and is still extensively used at present.
In the meanwhile, the CRT requires a depth corresponding to the size of a display screen. As the display screen becomes larger, the depth increases. This results in an increase in installation area and weight. In addition, the larger screen decreases the brightness of the display screen. In order to avoid the above-mentioned problems, there arises a demand for various display apparatuses in place of the CRT which requires a higher voltage and a greater electric power and lacks portability. Such demand is particularly noticeable in recent years. As such display apparatuses, so-called flat panel displays, such as the LCD, the FIP, the PDP, and the FED, capable of providing display with a small depth have been proposed and put into practical use (or involved in the process of development), as well known in the art.
Among the above-mentioned known display apparatuses, description of the prior art will hereafter be made restrictedly about those display apparatuses (CRT, FIP, FED) in which the phosphor is irradiated by the electron beam to be excited for light emission.
The CRT has a structure comprising an electron gun, a phosphor film containing a phosphor, a shadow mask arranged in an inside space kept at a vacuum. The electron gun produces an electron beam (high voltage electron beam) accelerated with a high voltage not lower than 1 kV to irradiate the phosphor so that the phosphor is made to emit light. In a color display CRT, the phosphor film has a structure such that three kinds of phosphors having emission colors corresponding to three primary colors (R, G, B) are applied in a fine stripe or dot pattern onto a panel portion to serve as a display screen. By means of the shadow mask and a deflection yoke arranged inside the apparatus, the high voltage electron beam is electrically deflected in irradiation direction to irradiate a desired part of the phosphor film so that light emission in R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is effected. The brightness (luminance) of the light emission is changed in R, G, and B by controlling the beam intensity of the electron beam to provide color mixtures as full-color display. As well known, the CRT is practically used in a television, an HDTV, and the like.
Currently, the CRT is extensively used because the ratio of display quality to the cost (namely, cost effect) is high. For example, high-brightness (for example, on the order of 300 cd (candela)/m.sup.2 or more) display is possible. Color reproducibility is excellent. Even after the use for a long time (for example, twenty or thirty thousand hours or more), brightness balance is not disturbed and color offset is suppressed. As also well known, in the past technical development leading to an excellent display quality which the CRT has at present, development of a high-brightness emission phosphor and development and improvement of a manufacturing process have taken a great role. This is described in detail, for example, in Reference (1) ("Phosphor Handbook", edited by Keikotai Dogakkai and published by Ohm Corporation, 1987). The above-mentioned reference describes the following. For a certain period of time in the past, (Zn,Cd)S has been used as a matrix composition for a green or a red phosphor. As a result of a number of trials in development of phosphors, an improved phosphor containing no cadmium but having at least an equivalent emission characteristic has been developed and used up to now. For the CRT, use is currently made of, for example, ZnS:Ag (representing the phosphor having a matrix composition of ZnS with Ag added as an activating agent for obtaining a desired emission color: similar representation will be used in the following) as a blue-emitting phosphor, ZnS:Au,Cu,Al or ZnS:Cu,Al as a green-emitting phosphor, and Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Eu as a red-emitting phosphor.
Although the CRT has widely been put into practical use, it has a heavy weight and therefore lacks portability as described above. Furthermore, use of the fast electron beam requires a high voltage which in turn requires electrical parts having a high breakdown characteristic. This makes it difficult to reduce the size and weight. Thus, various problems are revealed. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the FIP is put into practical use. On the other hand, the FED is being developed. In the following, the prior art will be described.
Each of the FIP and the FED is an electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus which is a so-called flat panel display having a small depth and which does not require a high voltage. Because the irradiation direction of the electron beam is not deflected, a beam deflection space along the depth is no longer required so that a thin structure can be achieved. By development and improvement of a phosphor and a phosphor film capable of performing high-brightness emission even with an electron beam produced at a low accelerating voltage and having small energy as compared with the electron beam in the CRT, it is possible to obtain a small-sized and light-weight display apparatus because an electric design for a high breakdown voltage is unnecessary. This is well known and described, for example, in Reference (1) mentioned above, Reference (2) ("Electroceramics", Vol. 24, No. 122, 1993: published by Gakukensha), Reference (3) (Takao Kishino "Vacuum Fluorescent Display", Sangyo Tosho, published in 1990), Reference (4) (Nikkei Electronics, Jan. 29, 1996, pp. 85-102), and Reference (5) (M. Urayama et al "International Electron Devices Meeting, Technical Digest, p. 16-7-1, 1995).
A light-emission display mechanism of the FIP or the FED will be briefly described. Within the display apparatus kept at a vacuum so as to allow the flight of the electron beam, a cathode (electron gun) and an anode are arranged. An electric voltage (accelerating voltage) is applied between the electron gun and the anode so that the electron beam emitted from the electron gun (of a hot-cathode type or a cold-cathode type) is made to hit or impinge upon the anode. The phosphor film is adhered to the surface of the anode. The electron beam flying towards the anode impinges upon the phosphor film so that the phosphor film is excited to emit light. The flight of the electron beam is locally controlled so that a desired part of the phosphor film alone is controllably made to emit light. Thus, characters and designs are displayed by means of light emission. The phosphor film and the anode are adhered to each other so as to be electrically conductive. As well known, adhesion is carried out by heat treatment at 400.degree.-500.degree. C. in a manufacturing process of the display apparatus.
A low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus having an external appearance as the flat panel display is extensively put into practical use as the FIP. Specifically, the FIP provides light-emission display in response to the low voltage electron beam accelerated at a low voltage on the order of several tens of volts (in other words, having small energy) and is widely put into practical use as a character and design display apparatus, for example, as a display apparatus incorporated into electric products for domestic (or home) use such as a video tape recorder or as a display apparatus in a speedometer of an automobile. In addition, research and development are energetically carried out at present for the purpose of practization of the FED as a display apparatus for displaying a fine image comparable to that of the television. In fact, however, the prior art relating to the low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus has the following problems (1) and (2) inherent to low voltage electron beam excitation as described also in the above-mentioned references.
(1) An irradiation electron beam has small energy because it is the low voltage electron beam. The penetration depth of the electron beam into the phosphor is restricted to the extreme vicinity of the surface of the phosphor. Although depending upon the accelerating voltage, the penetration depth is at most about 10 nm. Light emission can be caused from a restricted region corresponding to the penetration depth. Therefore, the total quantity of the activating agent contained in the phosphor can not be completely excited for light emission. Thus, high-brightness light emission is inherently difficult to obtain.
(2) The lower the accelerating voltage of the irradiation electron beam is, the easier the phosphor is electrically charged (negative). Even if the irradiation electron beam is increased in quantity for the purpose of providing the high-brightness light emission, the irradiation electron beam is subjected to repulsive force by the phosphor electrically charged negative and can not reach the phosphor. As a result, high brightness can not be achieved although the electron beam is increased in quantity.
Because of occurrence of the above-mentioned phenomenon inherent to the low voltage electron beam, it is difficult to obtain the high-brightness light emission by the use of the low voltage electron beam. In view of the above, various developments and improvements described in the following are energetically carried out at present in connection with not only the phosphor and the method of producing the same but also the method of manufacturing the display apparatus as the FIP and the FED.
Consideration will be made about the phosphor. Those phosphors put into practical use for the low voltage electron beam are restricted. For example, the above-mentioned References (2) and (3) describe that the phosphors ZnO:Zn, ZnS:Cl, ZnS:Au,Al, (Zn,Cd)S:Ag,Cl are put into practical use for green emission, blue emission, greenish-yellow emission, red-based emission, respectively.
Specifically speaking about the red-based phosphor, the red emission has much demand because it is highly visible and excellent as a display color. The phosphor (Zn,Cd)S:Ag,Cl is extensively put into practical use because the high-brightness light emission is possible. As described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 104684/1989 (phosphor composition), improvement such as stabilization of the brightness is being made. However, the above-mentioned phosphor comprises cadmium which is specified as a harmful substance. As well known, there is a demand for a red phosphor containing no cadmium but performing high-brightness light emission of a comparable level. If the above-mentioned phosphor Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Eu currently widely used in the CRT with the fast electron beam is used with the low voltage electron beam as the red phosphor containing no cadmium, the brightness sufficient in practical use can not be obtained. Under the circumstances, the phosphor containing cadmium has been practically used. This is well known as described in the above-mentioned references. However, development of the phosphor containing no cadmium is still continued. Disclosure is made of a composition (Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Eu.aY.sub.2 O.sub.3 :1.times.10.sup.-4 .ltoreq.a.ltoreq.2.times.10.sup.-3) which comprises Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Eu and oxide (Y.sub.2 O.sub.3) in a specific concentration range and which performs high-brightness light emission (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 310073/1995: red-emitting composition), or a composition which is obtained by partially substituting an element La for an element Y as one of main components of Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Eu and which performs high-brightness light emission (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 310074/1995: red-emitting composition).
In addition to the development and the improvement of the phosphor adapted for the low voltage electron beam, a conductive material is added and mixed in order to suppress the electric charge of the phosphor which is the problem inherent to the low voltage electron beam. For example, admixture of In.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZnO, SnO.sub.2, or a combination (In.sub.(2-x-y) Sn.sub.x M.sub.y O.sub.x (where M is at least one member of Sb, Cd, Zn, W, Ti, and Mo) thereof is disclosed (see Japanese patent Publication (JP-B) No. 55172/1982 "Method of Producing a Fluorescent Layer for a Vacuum Fluorescent Display", Japanese Patent Publication (JP-B) No. 23912/1977 "Blue-Emitting Low Voltage Electron Beam Excitation Vacuum Fluorescent Display", Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 168683/1994 "Vacuum Fluorescent Display", and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 33185/1991 "Fluorescent Material and Method of Producing the Same").
On the other hand, in manufacture of the low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus, various approaches for improving the brightness are introduced in respective processes. For example, in a screen printing process of printing a phosphor paste (the mixture of the phosphor, the conductive material, and a binder) onto the anode site, a different material such as ZnO particles, is added as a buffer in order to avoid deterioration in crystallinity of the surface of the phosphor as a result of mechanical friction with the screen (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 168683/1994 "Fluorescent Display Tube"). Alternatively, in order to effectively adhere fine particles of, for example, the conductive material onto the surface of the phosphor, a water-soluble polymer or a solvent-soluble polymer is selectively used as a binder for preparing the phosphor polymer in dependence upon a solvent used in a different process (see Japanese Patent Publication (JP-B) No. 33266/1987 "Slow Electron Beam Excitation Fluophor and Method of Producing the Same".
Furthermore, disclosure is made of another method wherein, in a heating process (for example, at about 400.degree.-500.degree. C.) carried out to decompose and remove the binder of the phosphor paste printed on the anode site so that the phosphor film is adhered, prebaking is at first carried out in air at a lower temperature in order to avoid transformation and deterioration of the phosphor (sulfide such as ZnS, (Zn,Cd)S or oxisulfide such as Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S) and then baking is carried out in a nonoxidizing atmosphere (see Japanese Patent Publication (JP-B) No. 58618/1989 "Method of Manufacturing a Display Apparatus"). It is also disclosed that, in the low voltage electron beam excitation light emission using an oxide phosphor ZnO:Zn widely used as a high-brightness green-emitting phosphor, deterioration and fluctuation in brightness can be avoided by the use of an admixture such as tungsten oxide because the admixture such as tungsten oxide is supposed to absorb a brightness deteriorating substance (supposed to be a gas component such as H.sub.2 O, CO.sub.2) (see Japanese Patent Publication (JP-B) No. 9580/1991 "Vacuum Fluorescent Display and Method of Manufacturing the Same"). Also well known is a technical disclosure (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 106848/1992: Phosphors for Use in a Vacuum Fluorescent Display) teaching that, in order to more effectively obtain the similar effect, an admixture-free ZnO:Zn phosphor and an admixture-containing ZnO:Zn phosphor are admixed rather than simply admixing the admixture such as tungsten oxide. Likewise, as another approach for positively removing the brightness deteriorating factor to improve the brightness, various trials are disclosed. For example, treatment by active oxygen is followed by heat treatment in order to gasify and remove pollutants present on the surface of the phosphor as the brightness deteriorating factor (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 35086/1991 "Treatment of Fluorescent Layer").
In multi-color display, use is made of a plurality of kinds of phosphors having different emission colors. If brightness balance among those emission colors is disturbed, color offset is observed. In this event, display quality is noticeably degraded. As known in the art, various modifications and improvements in manufacture have been proposed in order to keep the brightness balance within a predetermined range (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 152782/1980: Fluorescent Material and Low Voltage Electron Beam Excitation Vacuum Fluorescent Display). In addition, various modifications and improvements have been proposed to prolong a lifetime inherent to the phosphor (taking into account the fact that the phosphor is transformed and degraded in brightness as a result of light-emission display for a long time, the term "lifetime" is defined as a time period after which the brightness is reduced to a half of an initial emission brightness) to at least several thousand hours. For example, a thin coating film or protection coating is formed on the surfaces of phosphor particles.
In the foregoing, description has been made in detail as regards the prior art relating to the low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus in conjunction with the FIP by way of example. The FED being currently developed has similar problems resulting from the low voltage electron beam. For example, the above-mentioned Reference (4) describes current FED-related techniques including an approach to achieve high-brightness display at a low accelerating voltage (50V, 350V) by development and improvement of the phosphor, and another approach to achieve high-brightness display at a relatively high accelerating voltage (4-6 kV) using the phosphor for the high voltage electron beam for the CRT in order to avoid the problems arising from the low voltage electron beam. Unlike the FIP for displaying characters and designs (display colors typically ranging from several colors to ten colors at most), the FED is intended to display a moving picture and a video image in full color in the manner similar to the television. Therefore, the phosphor causing less color offset, in other words, excellent in brightness balance is particularly desired.
Summarizing, in the prior art relating to the low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus, those phosphors performing light emission with a relatively high brightness are restricted and small in number. Even if the display apparatus is manufactured by simply using a phosphor having a desired composition, it is impossible to obtain the display apparatus which performs light emission display with a brightness of a practical level and which minimizes nonuniformity in brightness. In the state of the art, technical development and improvement of various kinds of manufacturing methods and conditions are energetically carried out in correspondence to the types of the phosphors (for example, sulfide, oxisulfide, oxide), as described in the foregoing.
As well known, the prior art relating to the low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus as the FIP or the FED does not reach a technical level of the phosphor display apparatus using the high voltage electron beam, such as the one used in the television. As described above, in terms of the fineness or purity of the picture quality, the FIP has a level sufficient to display the characters and the designs. On the other hand, the FED intended to display the video image as fine as that provided in the television or the HDTV is still in the process of energetic development throughout the world and is not yet widely put into practical use. As regards multi-color display, the FIP can display several colors, at most ten colors, as described in the foregoing. On the other hand, in the FED being developed for full-color display comparable to the television, the development of the phosphor is a major technical problem as described in Reference (4) mentioned above.
The conventional red-based phosphor comprises a matrix composition of (Zn,Cd)S known as a highest-brightness (in red-based emission) phosphor and an activating agent added thereto in correspondence to a desired emission color and is extensively put into practical use. However, this phosphor disadvantageously includes cadmium which is a specific chemical substance. As described above, proposals have recently been made for the purpose of replacement of the phosphor (Zn,Cd)S (the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications (JP-A) Nos. 310073/1995 and 310074/1995). In either publication, the red phosphor Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Eu, which is well known but has been regarded impractical in view of the brightness, is used as a main component. The former publication (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. 310073/1995) proposes a composition containing oxide (Y.sub.2 O.sub.3) in a predetermined concentration range (1.times.10.sup.-4 to 2.times.10.sup.-3 in mol number) and describes that the the brightness is 1.5 times higher than that of a phosphor having a composition beyond the above-mentioned concentration range. The latter publication (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 310074/1995) teaches a composition ((Y.sub.1-x-y La.sub.x Ln.sub.y).sub.2 O.sub.2 S): where Ln being Eu and/or Sm, 0<x.ltoreq.0.035; 0.01.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.1) obtained by replacing a part of the element Y by La and describes that the composition achieves a brightness 1.5 times that of a composition containing no La. As apparent from the description in each of the above-mentioned publications, it is revealed, by varying the mixing ratio of a plurality of materials required to synthesize the phosphor and the synthesizing condition (specifically, the heating and baking temperature and the holding time for the synthesis within a crucible) and examining resultant phosphors for brightness and composition, that a relatively high brightness is achieved in a particular composition range. Thus, the above-mentioned publications are noticeable in that those phosphors having been neglected as being impractical can be improved with slight modification in composition to exhibit a high brightness. However, as described in conjunction with the prior art, those skilled in the art often experience that, even if the low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus is manufactured by the use of the phosphor within the particular composition range, a desired light-emission characteristic is not obtained. If it is assumed that the desired light-emission characteristic is obtained by specifying the composition range, then a great problem is still present for practization. Specifically, it is necessary to find what manufacturing method or manufacturing condition is to be adopted in order that the composition of the phosphor finally obtained in the display apparatus via the manufacturing process falls within the above-mentioned particular composition range. In the above-mentioned two publications, no mention is made about the manufacture of the display apparatus. This leaves the problem in practization of the display apparatus. Admittedly, each publication is novel in that the composition of the phosphor contains no cadmium. However, comparison in brightness with the conventional red-based phosphor (ZnCd)S is not disclosed. It is therefore presumed that the emission brightness sufficient for replacement can not be obtained.
The prior art has following problems.
(a) In the prior art, (Zn,Cd)S containing cadmium which is a special chemical substance is widely used as the red-based phosphor. Thus, the prior art has problems such as environmental pollution. In recent years, cadmium-free phosphors have been disclosed. Such disclosure is useful in producing the phosphor. On the other hand, no disclosure is made about a practical method of manufacturing the display apparatus. Thus, the problem is left in manufacture of the display apparatus. In addition, the above-mentioned technical disclosure does not include any comparison in brightness with the conventional phosphor (Zn,Cd)S. Consequently, it is judged that the effect of the high-brightness emission sufficient for replacement is not yet achieved. Thus, the prior art does neither disclose a highly practical novel phosphor free from cadmium and capable of performing high-brightness red-based emission nor disclose the method of manufacturing the low voltage electron beam excitation phosphor display apparatus using the novel phosphor. PA1 (b) In order to perform multi-color display using a plurality of emission colors (for example, R, G, and B) with high brightness, use is made of phosphors exhibiting different emission colors, as will readily be understood. In the prior art, those phosphors performing high-brightness light emission in response to the low voltage electron beam are restricted. As a result, use has been made of a plurality of types of the phosphors which are different compounds. Therefore, in manufacture of a multi-color display apparatus, it is impossible to individually determine an optimum manufacturing process or condition corresponding to each phosphor. Instead, pilot run is experimentally carried out in the common manufacturing process and condition or in several kinds of settings close thereto. Evaluation is then carried out and fluctuation factors are considered to determine a final setting. PA1 (c) In the display apparatus for providing multi-color display by mixture of a plurality of emission colors, difference in emission characteristic resulting from fluctuation factors in manufacture, particularly, slight difference in emission brightness results in occurrence of color offset in display, as known in the art. In this event, the display apparatus is extremely poor in color reproducibility. In the prior art using the low voltage electron beam in which different phosphors are inevitably required and result in a great problem in manufacture, variation in emission brightness is different in dependence upon each type of the phosphor because of difference in chemical nature of the phosphors, even if subjected to the same fluctuation factor during manufacture. Thus, color offset is inherently easy in this structure. The above-mentioned problem in manufacture is particularly serious in the FED for displaying a full-color video image as a mixture of the three emission colors (R, G, B) in the manner similar to the television. PA1 (d) As described above, the phosphor is degraded in emission brightness by lighting for a long time and has a so-called emission lifetime (desirably, at least several thousand hours, more desirably, at least twenty or thirty thousand hours). The different types of the phosphors do not have the same lifetime. In the phosphor technique related to the fast electron beam such as for the television, the above-mentioned problem has been solved. On the other hand, in the phosphor technique related to the low voltage electron beam, no solution has been reached yet, as described above. In the prior art, the multi-color display apparatus using different phosphors for mixture of the emission colors from the respective phosphors inherently has a following problem. During a long time usage (for example, for several years), phosphors are degraded their light emission ability due to the electron bombardment of long term, and diminish the brightness. Moreover, the degradation generally differs in phosphors of a different compound. A brightness unbalance, thus caused, among R, G, B colors are easily observed, in the case of video movies, as pictures with a poor color balance.
As mentioned above, in multi-color display in the prior art, different phosphors are inevitably required. It is therefore difficult to determine the setting in manufacture so as to achieve an optimum light-emission characteristic for each phosphor. As a result, it is impossible to manufacture the display apparatus fully utilizing the light-emission characteristics (brightness, color tone, emission efficiency, lifetime) of each phosphor.

Low voltage electron beam display apparatus having brightness increased by reducing an oxide inevitably formed on a surface of an oxisulfide phosphor on manufacture