A screw includes a shank portion including a tapered bottom section having a tip, a head on top of the shank portion, and first and second helical threads. The first helical thread extends helically around the shank portion in a first direction between the tip and the head, and has a first end distal from the head, and a second end opposite to the first end. The second helical thread extends helically around the shank portion in a second direction between the first helical thread and the tip, and has a third end proximate to the second end of the first helical thread. The first and second directions are opposite to each other. A non-helical ridge extends around the shank portion between the first and second helical threads.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a screw, more particularly to a screw for fastening wooden materials.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional screw 13 used for coupling overlapping first and second wooden materials 11, 12 includes a head 131, a shank portion 132 extending from the head 131 and having a tip opposite to the head 131, and a helical thread 133 extending helically around the shank portion 132 between the head 131 and the tip. To use the screw 13, a rotating torque is applied to the head 131 by a tool (not shown) so as to drive the shank 132 through the first wooden material 11 and into the second wooden material 12, thereby coupling tightly the first and second wooden materials 11, 12.
Since the first and second wooden materials 11, 12 have strong fiber textures, when the screw 13 is rotated, the helical thread 133 rotates destructively into the first and second wooden materials 11, 12, and cuts through the fiber textures so as to facilitate extension of the shank portion 132 therethrough. However, since the single-direction rotation of the helical thread 133 cannot completely cut the fiber textures of the first and second wooden materials 11, 12, the shavings 14 produced thereof are rough, and are easily tangled around the screw 13, so that the shavings 14 are stuck either inside or at the surface of the first wooden material 11. Thus, not only is a tightening resistance of the screw 13 large and a penetrating force thereof low, but also, the screw 13 cannot completely and tightly interconnect the first and second wooden materials 11, 12. Moreover, when the first and second wooden materials 11, 12 are subjected to an external force, the conventional screw 13 tends to rotate in a reverse direction of the helical thread 133 so as to be loosened.


A visual axis detector includes an illumination device for illuminating an eye; an optical device for guiding light from the eye; the light being in a form of a light intensity distribution having first and second portions; a photo-sensing device, having an array of photo-cells, for receiving the light guided by the optical device, and for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity distribution; an arithmetic operation device for calculating a visual axis of the eye in accordance with the electrical signal generated by the photo-sensing device; and a control device for controlling the photo-sensing device to have different sensitivities for sensing the first and second portions of the light intensity distribution.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a direction of visual axis of an eye of an observer, and more particularly to an apparatus which can effectively obtain data for calculating the visual axis The present apparatus is applicable, for example, to a single lens reflex type camera or a video camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
An apparatus for detecting a visual axis has been developed as a means for studying a physiological function of an eye or checking an effect of an advertisement, and it has recently been proposed to use it as a means for inputting a photographing condition of a camera to a controller. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 1-274736 discloses a single lens reflex camera having a visual axis detector equipped therein
An example of a prior art visual axis detector is shown in FIG. 8 to explain problems in the prior art.
A light beam is irradiated to an eyeball of an observer (photographer) to form a first Purkinje image (cornea reflected image) based on a reflected light from the eyeball and a front eye part image on an image sensor plane in order to detect a visual axis of the eyeball by using positional coordinates of images on the image sensor plane.
Numeral 81 denotes a microprocessing unit (MPU) which carries out various arithmetic operations such as the calculation of the visual axis by using the positional information of the first Purkinje image and the front eye part. Numeral 82 denotes a memory and numeral 83 denotes an interface circuit having an A/D conversion function. Numeral 87 denotes a light projection means which projects an infrared light, which is not visually detectable by to an observer, emitted by an infrared light emitting diode 87a to an eyeball (not shown) of the observer through a projection lens 87b. Numeral 85 denotes a light emission control circuit which controls the light emission of the infrared light emitting diode 87a. Numeral 86 denotes a position sensor which detects a vertical/horizontal position of a camera when the visual axis detector is mounted on the camera.
Numeral 84 denotes detection means having an image sensor 84a, a driver 84b and a lens 84c. It focuses a first Purkinje image based on a reflected light from the eyeball and a front eye part image on a plane of the image sensor 84a through the lens 84c.
A method for detecting a visual axis of an eye has been proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2-209125 or Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2-264632. In the prior art, the visual axis is detected by using information corresponding to two positions, namely the position of first Purkinje image (corneal reflect image of the light source) and the center of the pupil calculated by plural portions surrounding the pupil.
The infrared ray is irradiated to the eyeball of the observer from the light projection means and a position at which a virtual image of the infrared light emitting diode 87a created by the reflection by the front part of the cornea, that is, the first Purkinje image, is formed is detected by the image sensor 84a. The position at which the first Purkinje image is formed corresponds to the position of the pupil center when a rotation angle of the eyeball is zero (the visual axis of the eyeball) and the position deviates from the pupil center as the eyeball rotates.
The deviation (distance) between the first Purkinje image and the pupil center is substantially proportional to sine of the rotation angle of the eyeball. Thus, the distance is determined based on the positional information of the first Purkinje image and the pupil center. The rotation angle of the eyeball and the correction of the visual axis, (that is, compensation for an error of the visual axis relative to the optical axis) are calculated to determine the visual axis of the photographer.
An integration time of the image sensor when it senses the light beam is set by taking into consideration various conditions such as a light emission intensity of the infrared light emitting diode, a sensitivity of the image sensor, an S/N ratio, and a usually anticipated external light in photographing. Thus, the image sensor integrates the light beam for the preset integration time period.
As a result, various problems may arise depending on the illumination intensity of the front eye part of the eyeball. For example, if the illumination intensity is low, a contrast (a difference between output values) between the pupil and an iris is small and it is difficult to detect a contour of the pupil. On the other hand, if the illumination intensity is very high, the image sensor saturates and a difference between the output signals of the first Purkinje image and the iris image, which inherently has a difference, is lost, and it is impossible or difficult to detect the first Purkinje image.

Visual axis detecor having a high sensitivity to a light from an eye


A superfine multi-core Nb3Al superconductive wire is produced by getting a Nb3Al superconductive wire ready which was obtained by subjecting a precursor wire having a superfine multi-core structure in which a plurality of Nb/Al complex cores are embedded in Nb, Ta, a Nb based dilute alloy, or a Ta based dilute alloy as the matrix to a rapid heating and quenching treatment comprising rapidly heating to a temperature range near 2,000° C. in 2 seconds,                (A) coating the Nb3Al superconductive wire with Cu or Ag as the stabilizing material; then        (B) subjecting to a hot isostatic press (HIP) process for 10 minutes or more in a inert gas environment with a pressure of 40 atmospheres or more; and then        (C) subjecting heat treatment for 1–200 hours in temperature range of 680–850° C., to thereby obtain a method for producing Nb3Al superconductive wire and the Nb3Al superconductive wire obtained from said method in which: the cost is comparatively low; the wire may be produced to be either round or flat; and the superconductive characteristics is more stabilized.

The inventors of this invention have carried out diligent research on the various methods for producing superconductive wire. For Nb3Al superconductive wire which has excellent magnetic field characteristics and which is excellent in warp resistance, the inventors have already been successful in producing a long superconductive wire having a superfine multi-core structure which is excellent in stability and alternating current characteristics, without losing the above-described characteristics of the wire (Japanese Patent No. 2021986).
However, generally when current flows through a superconductive wire, the current starts to flow from the surface of the wire and does not flow evenly. Therefore, there is the problem that the energy in the wire is released locally, and the superconductivity at that portion is destroyed to generating joule heat, and thus the destruction of the superconductive state spreads through the entire wire. This problem is particularly serious in the case of multi-core wires, and a complex of a stabilizing material for speeding up the cooling of the joule heat of the wire by bypassing the current at the portion where superconductivity has been destroyed, is necessary for practical use of the above-described Nb3Al superconductive wire. Also, in order to more effectively act this stabilizing material, it is desirable that the electrical resistance and thermal resistance at the border of the stabilizing material and the matrix material are extremely low.
In addition, a metal that has low electrical resistance and large thermal conductivity such as Cu, Ag and the like is generally used as the stabilizing material of the Nb3Al superconductive wire which is prepared by above-described the rapid heating and quenching and transformation method. The metal is complexed with a superconductive wire using (1) the Cu ion plating method (2) the internal Ag complex stabilization method or (3) the external Cu pressure contact complexing method.
In (1) Cu ion plating method, extremely thin Cu is disposed by the ion plating method on the Nb3Al superconductive wire which is obtained by carrying out the rapid heating and quenching process, and a strong connection is formed between the matrix material and the Cu, and the resultant wire is stabilized by further disposing Cu of a desired thickness using a plating method. In this method a favorable interface between the matrix material and stabilizing material is obtained. On the other hand however, there are problems in that many processes have to be carried out, and the method is very costly because processing is done in a vacuum chamber.
(2) The internal Ag complex stabilization method is one in which matrix material and Ag which has low reactivity are incorporated into the Nb3Al precursor as the stabilizing material. In this method, when Ag is subjected to the rapid heating and quenching process, it is necessary to support the Ag with matrix material so that the Ag wire does not break as a result of being exposed to a temperature in excess of the melting point. The Ag ratio cannot be too high and realistically the complex is prepared such that the Ag ratio is 0.4 or less. With this ratio, there is the problem that sufficient stability cannot be obtained for use as a superconductive wire. In addition, Ag is expensive and thus this method is costly. It is possible to use Cu whose melting point is high as the stabilizing material in this method, but because Cu reacts with the matrix material, there is the problem that it becomes necessary to deal with this.
n addition, (3) the external Cu pressure-contact complexing method is one in which the Nb3Al superconductive wire which is obtained by carrying out the rapid heating and quenching process is covered with copper tape, and then the round wire is machined to be flat and thus cause wire section deformation between the Cu and Nb (matrix material) and is thus a method in which there is pressure-contact of the matrix material and the Cu. (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-113748). This method has the advantages of being very inexpensive and at the portions where there is much wire section deformation, an excellent connection can be obtained at the interface of the matrix material and the Cu. However, the ratio of Cu which is used as the stabilizing material is limited to the range of about 0.3˜0.6, and excellent connection is obtained for only about 60% of the entire interface and thus it is unsatisfactory in view of stability. The most notable disadvantage is that the superconductive wire is obtained as a flat wire, and it cannot be produced as a round wire for which demand is the highest.
As a result, the invention of this application was conceived in view of the above-described situation and solves the problems of the prior art by providing a method for producing Nb3Al superconductive wire as well as the Nb3Al superconductive wire obtained from said method in which: cost is comparatively low; both round and flat type wires can be produced; and superconductivity is more stable.

National Institute for Materials Science


Multi-sample resolution of a re-projection of a two-dimensional image is disclosed. One or more samples of a two-dimensional image are identified for each pixel in the three-dimensional re-projection. One or more sample coverage amounts are determined for each pixel of the re-projection. Each coverage amount identifies an area of the pixel covered by the corresponding two-dimensional sample. A final value is resolved for each pixel of the re-projection by combining each two-dimensional sample associated with the pixel in accordance with its weighted sample coverage amount.

The ability to perceive two-dimensional images in three-dimensions by way of numerous different technologies has grown quite popular over the past few years. Providing an aspect of depth to two-dimensional images potentially creates a greater sense of realism to any depicted scene. This introduction of three-dimensional visual representation has greatly enhanced viewer experiences, especially in the realm of video games.
A number of techniques exist for the three-dimensional rendering of a given image. Most recently, a technique for projecting a two-dimensional image(s) into three-dimensional space known as depth-image-based rendering (DIBR) has been proposed. In contrast to former proposals, which often relied on the basic concept of "stereoscopic" video, i.e., the capturing, transmission, and display of two separate video streams—one for the left eye and one for the right eye-, this new idea is based on a more flexible joint transmission of monoscopic video (i.e., single video stream) and associated per-pixel depth information. From this data representation, one or more "virtual" views of the 3-D scene can then be generated in real-time at the receiver side by means of so-called DIBR techniques. This new approach to three-dimensional image rendering presents several advantages over previous approaches.
There are generally two ways to present two separate images to a viewer to create the illusion of depth. In a system commonly used for projection of 3D images onto a screen there are two separate synchronized projectors for the left-eye and right-eye images. The images for both eyes are projected onto a screen simultaneously but with orthogonal polarizations, e.g., vertical polarization for the left-eye image and horizontal polarization for the right eye image. The viewer wears a special pair of polarized 3D-viewing glasses having appropriately polarized lenses for the left and right eyes (e.g., vertically polarized for the left eye and horizontally polarized for the right eye). Because of the polarization of the images and the lenses, the viewer perceives only the left eye image with the left eye and only the right eye image with the right eye. The degree of the illusion of depth is partly a function of the offset between the two images on the screen.
In 3D video systems, the left-eye and right eye images are displayed by a video display screen but not exactly simultaneously. Instead, the left-eye and right-eye images are displayed in an alternating fashion. The viewer wears a pair of active shutter glasses that shutter the left eye when the right-eye image is displayed and vice versa.
The experience of 3-D video can depend somewhat on the peculiarities of human vision. For example, the human eye has a discrete number of light receptors, yet humans do not discern any pixels, even in peripheral vision. What is even more amazing is that the number of color-sensitive cones in the human retina can differ dramatically among individuals—by up to a factor of 40. In spite of this, people appear to perceive colors the same way—we essentially see with our brains. The human vision system also has an ability to ascertain alignment of objects at a fraction of a cone width (hyperacuity). This explains why spatial aliasing artifacts (i.e., visual irregularities) are more noticeable than color errors.
Realizing this fact, graphics hardware vendors put significant efforts in compensating for aliasing artifacts by trading color accuracy for spatial continuity. Multiple techniques are supported in hardware, based on mixing weighted color samples, similar to the integrating property of digital cameras.
Of course, any aliasing artifact will eventually disappear with an increase in display resolution and sampling rates. Aliasing artifacts can also be handled at lower resolutions, by computing and averaging multiple samples per pixel. Still, for most image-rendering algorithms these solutions might not be very practical, given hardware constraints.
It is within this context that embodiments of the present invention arise.

Multi-sample resolving of re-projection of two-dimensional image

Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC


Chassis assemblies for children's ride-on vehicles, children's ride-on vehicles including said chassis assemblies, and methods for configuring a children's ride-on vehicle for operation are disclosed. The chassis assembly may include a chassis configured to at least partially define a passenger region sized for a child, a gearbox coupled to the chassis, and an electric motor coupled to the gearbox. The gearbox may be configured to be selectively moved with respect to the chassis, along a path of movement, from a storage configuration to an operating configuration. A greater portion of the gearbox may extend beneath a lower plane defined by the chassis when the gearbox is in the operating configuration than when the gearbox is in the storage configuration.

Children's ride-on vehicles are reduced-scale vehicles that are designed and sized for use by children. For example, children's ride-on vehicles include a seat adapted to accommodate one or more children, as well as steering and drive assemblies that are adapted to be operated by a child sitting on the seat. The drive assembly is adapted to drive the rotation of one or more of the vehicle's wheels.
One type of drive assembly that is often used in children's ride-on vehicles includes a battery-powered motor assembly that is adapted to drive the rotation of one or more of the vehicle's wheels. Typically, the vehicle will include an actuator, such as a foot pedal, push button or other user input device, which enables a child to select when power is delivered to the motor assembly. Some drive assemblies further include other user input devices, such as a speed selector and/or a direction selector, which are operated by a child sitting on the vehicle's seat to select the speed and/or direction at which the motor assembly is powered, and thus the speed and/or direction at which the vehicle travels.
The packaging and shipment of such children's ride-on vehicles can be a considerable expense for the manufacturers, and thus for purchasers of the children's ride-on vehicles. Shipping companies may charge based on size of a package and/or on the weight of a package. Accordingly, there is an incentive for toy manufacturers to reduce the size of a package as much as reasonably possible. One way in which a package size may be reduced is to package the children's ride-on vehicle in an unassembled condition; however, parents tend to dislike extensive assembly requirements. Moreover, the greater extent of assembly that is required by a parent, the more opportunity there is for parts to be assembled incorrectly or even broken. Even if caused by user error, these assembly errors often result in product returns and/or poor customer satisfaction.

Chassis assemblies with repositionable gearbox for children's ride-on vehicles, and assembly methods


A mechanism for limiting torque transmission between rotating bodies to prevent equipment damage due to torque overload. A shaft has a drive collar which is adjacent to a ring carried by a sleeve supported on the shaft by a bearing. The ring has axial passages that carry balls. A spring loaded thrust bearing normally maintains the balls seated in pockets on the collar so that torque is normally transmitted between the shaft and sleeve. When the applied torque is sufficient to overcome the spring force, the balls unseat from the pockets and disengage the transmission of torque. The balls and pockets are circumferentially arranged in a special pattern assuring that reengagement occurs only after a complete rotation and also assuring that the balls are able to support the spring load when they are unseated.

It is common for torque limiting devices to be provided on machinery which is subject to mishaps that can damage the equipment. By way of example, packing machinery which packages bottles or other containers in cartons typically includes folding arms for folding the carton flaps. It is not unusual for a container to be mispositioned in the carton, and this can prevent the folding arms from completing the folding operation. In order to prevent the arms from being forced and possibly damaged in this situation, a torque limiter can be provided in the drive system for the arms. The torque limiter is normally set to slip or otherwise release the components of the drive system at a torque level above the normal torque level that is applied when the equipment is operating properly. Thus, the torque transmission is stopped when undue torque is applied, and damaged to the arms and other equipment is avoided.
More complicated devices known as single position torque limiters are often required. If the equipment includes a conveyor or other machinery which must be synchronized with the operation of the folding arms, it is necessary for the torque limiter to reengage the drive system a single rotation after disengagement in order to preserve the proper timing relationship. Random reengagement or reengagement at a time other than when a complete cycle has occurred would throw off the synchronization required for proper operation of the equipment. Devices which reengage properly after a cycle has been skipped are referred to as single position torque limiters.
While there have been single position torque limiting devices available in the past, they have not been altogether satisfactory. The mechanisms that are required are typically somewhat complicated and thus costly and subject to expensive maintenance and repair requirements. In addition, torque limiting devices tend to be large and bulky. This not only leads to space requirements that create problems in many applications, but it also results in high costs due to the need for larger parts.


A method for manufacturing LCD panels includes providing upper and lower substrates; interposing a liquid crystal material composed of at least one liquid crystal molecule and at least two photosensitive monomers between the upper and lower substrates, at least one first photosensitive monomer having an absorption peak larger than 300 nm and at least one second photosensitive monomer having an absorption peak smaller than 300 nm; applying a voltage between the upper and lower substrates and irradiating with ultra-violet radiation having a first wavelength larger than 300 nm for a first time interval for polymerizing most first photosensitive monomers to provide an alignment polymer; and separately irradiating with ultra-violet radiation having a second wavelength for a second time interval, the second wavelength being larger than the first wavelength. The Irradiating steps are separate and, when irradiating with the first wavelength precedes irradiating with the second wavelength, residual monomers are reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to an LCD panel using polymer-stabilizing alignment technology and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, alignment technology such as polymer-stabilizing alignment (PSA) technology is used in manufacturing LCD panel. According to the PSA technology, photosensitive monomers are mixed in a liquid crystal layer, and after the photosensitive monomers are arranged, an energy source such as ultra-violet or heat is applied to allow photosensitive monomers to be polymerized as a polymer to guide the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules.
However, the LCD panel using PSA technology is susceptible to the problems such as Mura or image sticking. Mura refers to the problem which occurs when local image has low contrast or non-uniformed luminance. Image sticking refers to the problem which occurs if previous image stays for a long duration of time and is overlapped with the subsequent image when an image displayed on the LCD panel displays over a long duration is switched to another image.
The current solution is to dope a light initiator in the liquid crystal layer to initiate polymerization reaction and make polymerization reaction more complete. However, despite the light initiator is added during the manufacturing process, the manufactured LCD panel still has image sticking problem.

Method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel


An image forming method exposes image bearing members by simultaneously reflecting light beams corresponding to different colors by different reflection surfaces of a polygon mirror, transforms electrostatic latent images formed on the image bearing members into toner images for correction, transfers the toner images in an overlapping manner onto a transfer body, and calibrates overlapping positions of the toner images based on an optical detection of the toner images. The toner images are arranged at positions on the transfer body such that the toner images of different colors have no overlap therebetween, even if the toner images shift in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction due to a color registration error. Two first toner images simultaneously formed by two corresponding light beams reflected by one reflection surface of the polygon mirror are arranged adjacent to each other in a transport direction of the transfer body, and are sandwiched by two second toner images simultaneously formed by the two corresponding light beams reflected by the one reflection surface of the polygon mirror along the transport direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to image forming methods, image forming apparatuses and toner image patterns, and more particularly to an image forming method for calibrating a color registration error caused by a positional error of a plurality of color toner images that are formed on a transfer body, an image forming apparatus which employs such an image forming method, and a toner image pattern suited for use by such an image forming method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image forming apparatuses typified by color copying machines and color laser printers include tandem type image forming apparatuses. In one example of the tandem type image forming apparatus, 4 color toner images of yellow, cyan, magenta and black are successively transferred from respective photoconductive bodies onto a transfer body, such as a transfer belt or a transfer sheet or medium (for example, paper). For this reason, a color registration error may occur if an error is generated in relative positions of the 4 color toner images. Because the color registration error greatly affects the quality of the color image that is formed by fixing the 4 color toner images on the transfer medium, it is important to minimize the color registration error in the tandem type image forming apparatus.
One example of a conventional method of calibrating the color registration error is proposed in a Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-65208. According to this conventional method, toner images tmnY, tmnC, tmnK and tmnM (n=1, 2) for correction of the 4 colors yellow, cyan, black and magenta, are formed on a transport belt which transports a transfer medium in a transport direction A, as shown in FIG. 1. The toner images tmnY, tmnC, tmnK and tmnM are detected by an optical detection means, and positional errors among the toner images tmnY, tmnC, tmnK and tmnM are obtained from a detection result of the optical detection means. An exposure unit is controlled based on the obtained positional errors, by changing an exposure start time of the exposure unit, for example.
In the exposure unit which exposes a photoconductive body that is provided with respect to each of the 4 colors, laser beams from 4 laser light sources are reflected by reflection surfaces of a polygon mirror which rotates. An outer peripheral surface of each photoconductive body, which has a cylindrical shape, is exposed in an axial direction of the photoconductive body by a main scan of a corresponding laser beam. In addition, the photoconductive body rotates about its axis, which causes the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive body to be exposed in a circumferential direction (that is, the transport direction A) by a sub scan of the corresponding laser beam. For example, in the exposure unit, the laser beams for exposing the photoconductive bodies that are provided with respect to the colors yellow and cyan are simultaneously reflected by one reflection surface of the polygon mirror, and at the same time, the laser beams for exposing the photoconductive bodies that are provided with respect to the colors black and magenta are simultaneously reflected by another reflection surface of the polygon mirror.
The toner images tmnY, tmnC, tmnK and tmnM for correction include first toner images tm1Y, tm1C, tm1K and tm1M made up of strips that have a linear portion forming an angle of 45 degrees with respect to both a main scan direction and a sub scan direction, and second toner images tm2Y, tm2C, tm2K and tm2M made up of strips that are arranged at predetermined intervals in the sub scan direction and have a linear portion parallel to the main scan direction, as shown in FIG. 1. However, because the toner images tmnY, tmnC, tmnK and tmnM for correction are arranged at both ends of the transfer belt along the main scan direction, the effects of errors, such as an error in an optical system of the exposure unit, appear conspicuously in terms of the positions where the toner images tmnY, tmnC, tmnK and tmnM are formed. Particularly, the first toner image tm1Y or tm1C that is formed by reflecting the corresponding laser beam by one reflection surface of the polygon mirror and the first toner image tm1K or tm1M that is formed by simultaneously reflecting the corresponding laser beam by another reflection surface of the polygon mirror shift in the main scan direction due to the effects of the errors. Consequently, depending on the error, the first toner image tm1C and the first toner image tm1K may be formed in an overlapping manner as shown in FIG. 2, for example, and in such a case, it becomes impossible to detect the first toner images tm1C and tm1K in a normal manner.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Image forming method, image forming apparatus and toner image pattern


Embodiments provide techniques for using data from a select set of wells to develop correlations between surface-measured properties, downhole coring parameters, and properties typically determined from subsurface measurements (e.g., from logging tool responses, core analysis, or other subsurface measurements). When new wells are drilled, the surface data acquired while drilling and coring parameters used downhole may be used as an input to these correlations in order to predict properties associated with subsurface measurements.

Modern petroleum drilling and production operations demand a great quantity of information relating to parameters and conditions downhole. Such information typically includes characteristics of the earth formations traversed by the wellbore, in addition to data relating to the size and configuration of the borehole itself. Oil well logging has been known in the industry for many years as a technique for providing information to a formation evaluation professional or driller regarding the particular earth formation being drilled. The most sought-after information relates to the location and accessibility of hydrocarbon liquids and gases. In other words, logs may be used to make operational decisions about the well, to correlate formation depths with surrounding wells, and to make interpretations about the quantity and quality of hydrocarbons present.
The collection of information relating to conditions downhole, which commonly is referred to as "logging," can be performed by several methods. These methods include measurement while drilling (MWD) and logging while drilling (LWD), in which a logging tool is carried on a drill string during the drilling process. The methods also include wireline logging. Generally, during the well-drilling process, or shortly thereafter, instruments are passed through the wellbore to collect information about the formations through which the wellbore passes.
In conventional oil well wireline logging, a probe or "sonde" is lowered into the borehole after some or all of the well has been drilled, and is used to determine certain characteristics of the formations traversed by the borehole. The sonde may include one or more sensors to measure parameters downhole and typically is constructed as a hermetically sealed cylinder for housing the sensors, which hangs at the end of a long cable or "wireline." The cable or wireline provides mechanical support to the sonde and also provides electrical connections between the sensors and associated instrumentation within the sonde, and electrical equipment located at the surface of the well. Normally, the cable supplies operating power to the sonde and is used as an electrical conductor to transmit information signals from the sonde to the surface. In accordance with conventional techniques, various parameters of the earth's formations are measured and correlated with the position of the sonde in the borehole as the sonde is pulled uphole.
A chart or plot of an earth parameter or of a logging tool signal versus the position or depth in the borehole is called a "log." The depth may be the distance from the surface of the earth to the location of the tool in the borehole or may be true depth, which may be the same only for a perfectly vertical straight borehole. The log of the tool signal or raw data often does not provide a clear representation of the earth parameter which the formation evaluation professional or driller needs to know. The tool signal must usually be processed to produce a log which more clearly represents a desired parameter. The log is normally first created in digital form by a computer and stored in computer memory, on tape, disk, etc. and may be displayed on a computer screen or printed in hard copy form.
The sensors used in a wireline sonde usually include a source device for transmitting energy into the formation, and one or more receivers for detecting the energy reflected from the formation. Various sensors have been used to determine particular characteristics of the formation, including nuclear sensors, acoustic sensors, and electrical sensors.
Porosity, permeability, and fluid content have proven to be particularly useful for determining the location of hydrocarbon gases and fluids. Porosity is the proportion of fluid-filled space found within the rock. It is this space that contains the oil and gas. Permeability is the ability of fluids to flow through the rock. The higher the porosity, the higher the possible oil and gas content of a rock reservoir. The higher the permeability, the easier for the oil and gas to flow toward the wellbore. Logging tools provide measurements that allow for the mathematical interpretation of these quantities.
Beyond just the porosity and permeability, various logging measurements allow the interpretation of what kinds of fluids are in the pores (e.g., oil, gas, brine). In addition, the logging measurements may be used to determine mechanical properties of the formations. These mechanical properties determine what kind of enhanced recovery methods may be used (e.g., tertiary recovery) and what damage to the formation (such as erosion) is to be expected during oil and gas production.
There are risks involved with utilizing logging tools downhole, particularly in deviated or horizontal wells. For example, logging tools are sometimes trapped downhole by collapsing wellbore walls. In the case of radioisotopic source tools, the trapping of a tool poses particular cause for concern. Moreover, by the time operational decisions about a well are made based on information from logging tools, the well may already be completed. Traditionally, samples from coring tools are taken to a laboratory for determining parameters such as porosity and permeability. By the time that decisions are made based on these parameters, it may be too late to make changes in the drilling of the well. Utilizing logging tools may also drive up the cost of a well.

Methods and systems for determining reservoir properties from motor data while coring


A method and apparatus for delaying asynchronous writes in a distributed file system, wherein the file system includes a unique identifier (“UID”). The method comprises buffering a page of dirty data with the unique identifier upon writing to the server; changing the unique identifier (“UID”) to create a current unique identifier upon a failure of the server; comparing the buffered unique identifier with the current unique identifier when the page is requested while the page is in a written state; and handling the request responsive to the comparison. In other aspects of the invention, the invention comprises a computer programmed to perform the method and a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for asynchronous file writes in a distributed file system and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for delaying asynchronous file writes in such a system.
2. Description of the Related Art
As information technology has matured, computing systems have evolved into what are now known as "enterprise computing systems." An enterprise computing system is typically a large number of computing and storage devices, all of which are employed by users from a single concern, or "enterprise." One popular type of enterprise computing system is an "intranet," which is a computing system that operates like the Internet, but requires special authorization to access. Such access is typically only granted to employees and/or contractors of the enterprise. However, not all enterprise computing systems are intranets or operate along the principles of the Internet. One of the defining characteristics of the Internet is that communications among the computing devices utilize the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ("TCP/IP") as do intranets. However, there are many protocols, some of them proprietary, that may instead be employed in enterprise computing systems for, among other reasons, security purposes.
One common characteristic of enterprise computing systems is that they employ a "client/server architecture." A client/server architecture is one in which each computing device or process is either a "client" or a "server." Servers usually are powerful computing devices or processes dedicated to providing services such as managing disk drives (file servers), printers (print servers), or traffic (general servers). Clients usually are personal computers or workstations on which users run applications. Clients rely on servers for resources, such as files, devices, and even processing power. For instance, if two networked users send a print job to the same printer, they will go to the printer through the server and the server may decide the order in which they are printed. While this example is simplistic, it demonstrates the role of the server. The server also manages the use of processing resources, shared memory, and shared software.
Another common characteristic of enterprise computing systems is that they may be conceptualized as groups, or "clusters," of constituent computing systems. In an enterprise computing system, the number of users is typically so large that several, sometimes dozens or hundreds, of servers are necessary to manage all the computing resources of the system. These computing resources are grouped into clusters. Each cluster has at least one server that administers the cluster's computing resources. Some enterprise computing systems might also have a "master" server that controls operations across the entire computing system.
Frequently, the system's architects imbue an enterprise computing system with "single system semantics." This means that, ideally, the network structure is transparent to the user so that the user is completely unaware they are working in any particular system or cluster, or even that the network is grouped into clustered systems. All the users will know is that they are interfaced with a network of computing resources at their disposal.
One feature found in a clustered enterprise computing system is a "distributed file system." In such a computing system, users typically do not read and/or write directly to long-term, or "disk" storage. In this context, "files" constitute data stored in a predefined format, structure, or model. A file system ("FS") usually organizes data currently being used or that has been recently used into various files in temporary storage, or "cache." When a user needs new or more data, the FS provides it from cache or, if the data is not in cache, from disk storage. The FS also decides when to write data from the cache to disk storage. One important quality for a FS is efficient use of storage. It is therefore important for a FS to efficiently organize the cache, retrieve from. disk storage to cache, and to store from cache to disk storage. Note that data is typically manipulated in groups called "pages," so that reads and writes between cache and disk storage are usually done in pages.
A distributed file system ("DFS") is simply a FS in which the various files that may be accessed may be shared simultaneously by the other computing resources. Thus, multiple users can use the data at the same time. Files in a DFS may be distributed across the entire computing system. More commonly, however, files are grouped and segregated into the clusters into which the rest of the computing resources are grouped. Such a cluster-wide DFS shall, for present purposes, be referred to as a cluster FS ("CFS").
Thus, one or more of the computing resources in a cluster will usually be running an "application" at any given time. The application(s) operate(s) on the data in the files of the CFS. The CFS manages the reading and writing of data between the computing resources and the cache and between the cache and the disk storage. Applications may also sometimes reach beyond their cluster into the CFS of another cluster. The grouping of files into a particular CFS is generally predicated on the commonality of their use by application(s) running in a cluster. In a system employing single system semantics, the users are unaware of all this activity. in the computing system that executes the various tasks directed by the user.
Because multiple applications may access the same file, and even the same page in the same file, a computing system employing a DFS dedicates a lot of effort to ensuring data integrity, i.e., that the data is up to date and accurate. Applications frequently retrieve a page and alter the data on the page. This data alteration must be tracked and stored at some point so that further use of the page will involve the "correct" data. The computing system includes a "virtual memory subsystem" ("VMS") that cooperates with the DFS to track what applications are accessing what pages of what files. The VMS keeps two lists of pages that have been accessed by applications. The first list is of "dirty pages" and the second of "clean pages."
More particularly, in a typical scenario, an application will request a page from a server, i.e., read the page. The VMS places the page on the clean list. Sometimes, the application alters data on the page. Once the data is altered, the page is considered "dirty" and the VMS deletes it from the clean list and adds it to the dirty list. At some point, the dirty page is written back to the server. This write might result from the application finishing with the dirty page. Alternatively, another application on a different computing system might request the dirty page, whereupon the server will force the client on which the first application resides to flush its dirty page to the server. Either way, the server writes the dirty pages to disk immediately upon receipt. Once the dirty page is written to disk, it is then "clean." The VMS deletes the page from the dirty list and adds it to the clean list.
However, the dirty page is typically written to disk, i.e., "cleaned," before the file is closed. This "forced write" is very inefficient because it requires the applications to be put on hold while the write occurs. Furthermore, the write occurs regardless of how many pages need to be written.
In an enterprise computing system, therefore, an inordinate amount of time is spent writing dirty pages to disk for the sole purpose of meeting requests by applications. The inefficiency is tolerated, however, to ensure information integrity in the event the server fails. If the server fails, it will invariably fail in the middle of some operation. When the server is brought back and proceeds through its state recovery, knowing which data is dirty and which is clean is very important. Hence, the importance of the forced write to data integrity. Some alternative approaches have attempted to mitigate these inefficiencies by employing "write behinds" that require the altered data be on disk before the file is closed. However, these attempts have achieved minimal improvements in efficiency relative to the forced writes. These attempts have also not adhered to the strict guidelines for single system semantics with respect to out of space handling or cache consistency or modification time handling.
The present invention is directed to resolving, or at least reducing the effects of, one or all of the problems mentioned above.

Method and apparatus for asynchronous file writes in a distributed file system

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention provides a powder-liquid type denture base liner comprising: a powder material including (A) uncrosslinked resin particles, (B) an organic peroxide, (C) a pyrimidine trione derivative, and (D) an organic metal compound; and a liquid material including (E) a radical polymerizable monomer and (F) an aromatic amine compound, wherein the powder-liquid denture base liner is characterized in that the (C) pyrimidine trione derivative is 0.0002-1.0 mass parts per 100 mass parts of (E) radical polymerizable monomer.

A powder-liquid type denture base lining material is a material used for repairing a denture that has become unfit for the oral mucosa of a patient through long-term use and mending the denture into a reusable state. Generally, a powder-liquid type denture base lining material is composed of a liquid material including a radical polymerizable monomer as a main component and a powder material including, as a main component, a non-crosslinked resin that is soluble in the liquid material, and a mechanism by which the two materials are mixed and then a radical polymerization initiator comes into action is applicable thereto. Examples of the radical polymerization initiator include a chemical polymerization initiator (normal temperature Redox initiator), a photopolymerization initiator, and a thermal polymerization initiator.
The powder-liquid type denture base lining material is used after being cured outside the oral cavity or after being cured directly inside the oral cavity; however, the powder-liquid type denture base lining material is frequently used by a technique that involves inserting the material is inserted directly into the oral cavity of a patient, fitting the material to an oral mucosal surface, and then polymerizing and curing the material while being retained inside the oral cavity to perform mending. Therefore, a chemical polymerization initiator is generally used as the radical polymerization initiator.
Regarding the chemical polymerization initiator, a combination of an organic peroxide and an aromatic amine compound has been widely used as the radical polymerization initiator for powder-liquid type denture base lining materials (see Non Patent Literature 1).
An advantage of a powder-liquid type denture base lining material obtained by using a chemical polymerization initiator including a combination of the organic peroxide/aromatic amine compound as a radical polymerization initiator, may be the unique change over time in the viscosity of the material. That is, in such a powder-liquid type denture base lining material, when a powder material and a liquid material are mixed, the non-crosslinked resin slowly swell and dissolves in the radical polymerizable monomer, and the mixture becomes a resin sludge. Therefore, immediately after mixing, the swelling and dissolution of the non-crosslinked resin component in the radical polymerizable monomer component occurs to a less extent, and the sludge is highly flowable; however, as the radical polymerizable monomer component further penetrates into the non-crosslinked resin component, swelling and dissolution proceed, and the viscosity increases. Thus, the mixture goes through a state that allows plastic deformation and then is brought into a state that does not allow plastic deformation. Since the radical polymerization initiator is mixed in simultaneously with the mixing of the powder material and the liquid material, radicals are generated, and thus, the material has a function in which polymerization and curing proceed after a lapse of a predetermined period of time from the mixing.
Furthermore, a powder-liquid type denture base lining material using a chemical polymerization initiator is used by a procedure including: 1) an operation of placing a denture base lining material on the mucosal surface of a denture base; 2) an operation of inserting the denture base lining material into the oral cavity of a patient and shaping the denture base lining material; furthermore, when there is a risk that the denture base may become unremovable if the lining material is cured directly, due to the presence of undercuts or the like, 3) an operation of performing a removal adjustment from the inside of the oral cavity of the patient; and subsequently, 4) final curing. Here, at the time of carrying out the 2) operation of inserting the denture base into the oral cavity of the patient and shaping the lining material, when shaping is attempted in a state of having low viscosity, a sufficient thickness cannot be secured. In contrast, when the viscosity increases too high, conformity to the mucosal surface cannot be obtained. Furthermore, when the 3) operation of performing a removal adjustment from the inside of the oral cavity of the patient, which is an optional operation, is carried out, the removal from the inside of the oral cavity is carried out after the denture base lining material is brought into a state in which even though the lining material is removed at a higher viscosity than the viscosity at the time of shaping, the lining material does not undergo plastic deformation. Therefore, in a powder-liquid type denture base lining material used for the repair of a denture, the affinity between the powder and the liquid in the early stage of mixing, as well as the rate of viscosity increase of the resin sludge, and the manipulability to the state of final curing are considered important.
The operation of 4) final curing, that is, polymerization operation, may be performed outside the oral cavity. In a case in which the polymerization operation is performed outside the oral cavity, the surface of the cured composition is exposed to air, and an unpolymerized layer (surface unpolymerized layer) is produced. This is because at the air-exposed surface of a curable material, oxygen in air is bonded to the curable material and thereby inhibits the progress of polymerization.
When these surface unpolymerized layers are present, a decrease in the surface hardness or colorability occurs. Furthermore, in a case in which the denture base lining material has a surface unpolymerized layer, when polishing and cutting of the cured polymer are performed, the surface unpolymerized layer becomes entangled with the polishing bar, and thereby polishability is deteriorated.
In regard to the organic peroxide/aromatic amine compound-based chemical polymerization initiators that are currently widely used for powder-liquid type denture base lining materials, it has been considered that nothing can be the surface unpolymerized layer produced after curing and problems associated therewith are unavoidable.
Regarding the chemical polymerization initiators that are widely used for dental materials, combinations of a pyrimidinetrione derivative, an organic halogen compound, and an organometallic compound (these are also referred to as pyrimidinetrione-based polymerization initiators) are known in addition to the above-mentioned organic peroxide/aromatic amine compound-based chemical polymerization initiators.
In a pyrimidinetrione-based polymerization initiator, hydrogen atoms of the pyrimidinetrione derivative are extracted by the organometallic compound, and a radical species is produced. Furthermore, this radical species reacts with oxygen in air as under a catalytic action of the organic halogen compound, and as the result, a radical species in which oxygen is bonded to the 5-position carbon of the pyrimidinetrione derivative is produced. Such two radical species produced from a pyrimidinetrione derivative serve as points of initiation, and thereby, radical polymerization of radical polymerizable monomers happens to proceed.
Since oxygen is used as a trigger of a reaction, even if the polymerization operation is carried out in air, a cured product having satisfactory curability of the surface and having a diminished surface unpolymerized layer is obtained.
In Patent Literature 1, a normal temperature polymerized resin for dental use having enhanced curing characteristics has been suggested, the resin being obtained by incorporating a pyrimidinetrione derivative, an organometallic compound, a quaternary halogenated ammonium compound as an organic halogen compound, and an aromatic tertiary amine as an aromatic amine compound into a catalyst system without including an organic peroxide. However, when this catalyst system is used for a powder-liquid type denture base lining material, the surface unpolymerized layer is decreased; however, there is a defect that the curing time is short, and a desired viscosity increase as required from a denture base lining material may not be obtained.
Furthermore, in Patent Literature 2, a composition for a normal temperature polymerized resin for dental use has been suggested, which is obtained by using a pyrimidinetrione derivative, a halogen ion-forming compound as an organic halogen compound, and a cupric ion-forming compound as an organometallic compound in the catalyst system without including an organic peroxide and an aromatic tertiary amine, and further incorporating 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene, the resin composition capable of producing a cured product having satisfactory physical properties and having appropriate controllability for the curing time. However, in the present embodiment the surface unpolymerized layer is decreased, and there is no problem with the curing time for the composition to be used as a denture base lining material; however, there is a defect that a sufficient time cannot be secured for the shaping operation and the removal operation, which are important for a denture base lining material, and a viscosity increase required from a denture base lining material is not obtained.
In Patent Literature 3, a powder-liquid type curable material kit for dental use has been suggested as a normal temperature polymerized resin for dental use, the curable material kit including a pyrimidinetrione compound as a pyrimidinetrione derivative, an organic halogen compound, an organometallic compound, and an organic peroxide in combination in the catalyst system without including an aromatic tertiary amine, for which heat generation upon curing can be reduced, and excessive prolongation of the curing time is not likely to occur even through a brush-on technique. However, although the mixing ratio of those pyrimidinetrione derivative and organic peroxide is described, when the catalyst system is used for a powder-liquid type denture base lining material, the amount of incorporation of the pyrimidinetrione derivative is large, and the surface unpolymerized layer is decreased. However, there is a defect that the curing time is short, and a desired viscosity increase as required from a denture base lining material may not be obtained.
Under such circumstances, there has been a strong demand for the development of a powder-liquid type denture base lining material that exhibits a diminished surface unpolymerized layer, enhanced curability, a desired viscosity increase as required from a denture base lining material, and excellent manipulability.

Powder-liquid type denture base lining material


A high intensity light projector for stage, architectural and similar applications includes a controllable image quality projection gate providing advanced visual effects. The projection gate, capable of selectively scattering or transmitting incident light, may be constructed of an array of scattering liquid crystal material in combination with infrared and ultraviolet reduction means which provide in the high intensity beam, a stable thermal environment by minimizing the absorption of light by the projection gate. Additional thermal efficiency is provided by supplemental cooling means. Color control is also provided in the form of dichroic filter wheels forming cooperating adjustable low, high and band width filters including saturation control. A color measuring feedback sensor is also provided. An intensity measuring feedback sensor controls a spatially-modulated, variable-density, reflectively-coated dimming wheel. A programmable gobo system has provisions for gobo selection, orientation, and rotation.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to light projectors used for various illumination and lighting applications and in particular to projectors that are used to obtain visual effects, light pattern generation and projection in stage illumination and in architectural, display and similar applications.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Lighting projectors, e.g., those used in stage lighting, are typically equipped with one or more control devices for controlling intensity or focusing or dimensioning the beam, changing its color, or changing the beam's direction. Modern multiple parameter (automated) projectors include controls for all of these parameters and more.
Although such projectors perform effectively in many applications, they suffer from a number of limitations which, if overcome, could greatly expand the visual effects achievable by the lighting instruments and extend their utility to other environments. To achieve such advances, improvements are required in the beam forming mechanism, in the projection of patterns, in the management of heat associated with the light source, in the control of beam color, and in the noise levels which derive from present cooling techniques. To be effective, these improvements must function in a densely packed, compact and sometimes highly mobile structure housing both very fragile optical and electronic components together with a light source capable of producing oven-like temperatures. (An exemplary application involving a nominal image size of 10 ft. by 10 ft. (100 square feet) calls for brightness in the neighborhood of 100 foot candles thus requiring the projector to produce about 10,000 Lumens.) Moreover, certain types of lighting instruments go on "tour" and must withstand truck transport abuses and the vagaries of the weather.
A number of lighting control applications call for controllable beam shapes and patterns. Performance lighting in stage productions, for example, often requires a variety of different beam patterns and/or shapes. For this purpose, a projection gate is often used to form the desired image across the beam of light. Typically, the projection gates are embodied as shutters or etched masks that function like stencils in the beam path to project a particular beam configuration. Known arrangements, "gobos" for example, often include rotary assemblies that incorporate several pattern generating elements encircling the axis of rotation, along with a drive mechanism for rotating a selected pattern into the beam path.
In such arrangements only a limited number of patterns are available, there is no grey scale, and resolution is also limited. Another inherent limitation in this type of system, associated with its dependence on physical motion, is the rapidity with which a desired pattern can be selected and implemented.
Arrays of liquid crystal pixels are potentially useful as projection gates because of their electro-optic effect, and because a virtually unlimited number of high resolution images may theoretically be synthesized quickly and easily.
Such liquid crystal arrays can be used to create images by selectively placing each individual pixel of the array in a relaxed (light blocking) state, or in an aligned (light transmitting) state, or in a state intermediate between the two extreme positions according to a "grey scale". Selection of a grey level may be obtained by controlling the voltage or other control stimuli that is applied to the pixel, thus controlling the alignment or transmissivity of the associated liquid crystals. Over certain ranges there is a predictable relationship between the applied control stimulus and the extent of alignment among the liquid crystals in the pixels, thus providing grey scale control. Whether used in this manner or in a two-state, on-off mode, pixellated liquid crystal arrays have the potential to be used in a "light valve" capacity to create a complete picture across a beam of light.
Pixels in an array of liquid crystals may be relatively densely packed thus offering opportunities for higher resolution and transmission efficiency. Also, they may be individually controlled by a addressing scheme capable of selectively placing each pixel of the array in a desired state. Thus a virtually limitless range of images may be rapidly varied. In many applications pixels are arranged in a row and column configuration and activated by applying a potential to a particular control element associated with each of the pixels. Alternatively, a multiplex or other addressing scheme can be employed to reduce the number of elements necessary to address the pixels. Both active and passive matrices may be utilized.
Certain types of liquid crystal arrays have been previously used with some success in image projection applications. Arrays of twisted nematic liquid crystal (TNLC) have been used and have provided several advantages over other image forming techniques. However, TNLC devices typically require pre-polarization of incident light. Since a polarizer has to be placed in the optical path to polarize the light before it reaches the TNLC gate, there is a loss of intensity of more than fifty percent before it even reaches the array. In high intensity projectors for stage lighting and the like, this loss is far beyond acceptable levels.
There have been efforts to address the light loss problem. An improved method of illuminating a TNLC light valve with linearly polarized light is discussed in "Large-screen Projection Displays II" by William P. Bleha, Jr. (S.P.I.E. Vol. 1255, 1990). The disclosed method for converting unpolarized light into linearly polarized light is said to double the intensity realized by conventional polarizers.
The disclosed polarization method uses a polarization convertor consisting of a polarizing beam splitter, a polarization direction rotator and a synthesizer to significantly improve the illumination efficiency. The polarizing beam splitter separates the incident light into two mutually perpendicular linearly polarized beams (transmitted p-polarized light and reflected s-polarized light). The polarization direction rotator effectively recaptures much of the light that was lost in previous polarizing systems by rotating the polarization direction of the p-polarized light ninety degrees to equalize both polarization directions. Thereafter, the two components of the light are combined on the liquid crystal by the synthesizer.
The polarization convertor may ultimately provide a conversion efficiency approaching 100%. However, reflection and absorption losses in the polarization convertor components, plus the losses in the contrast-enhancing sheet polarizer, presently result in an overall 20% loss of intensity as the unpolarized light is converted to a linearly polarized beam.
There are other formidable barriers in addition to excessive light loss. Conventional polarizers typically associated with liquid crystal arrays lose light intensity through an absorption process. Unfortunately, absorption converts light energy into heat causing the temperature of the gate and surrounding optics to rise to intolerable levels. In performance and display applications, where projector temperatures can reach combustible levels, this process of heat absorption causes a thermal buildup which would greatly exceed the temperature limits of the liquid crystal array.
Various cooling techniques have been proposed which have attempted to alleviate the destructive thermal effects of radiant energy absorption. U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,396 to Gilbert Hyatt, particularly columns 50 through 62 of this patent, discusses numerous cooling techniques which have been proposed for use in light projectors. See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,993 issued to James H. Vogeley, et al.
Cooling by forced air is thought to be effective in some applications because it is theoretically transparent to incident light and does not reduce the amount of transmission. Unfortunately however, heat dissipation techniques which depend on fan operation and other forced air cooling techniques can create noise levels which make this technique unacceptable for many performance and display applications. Air cooling also exposes optical elements to atmospheric contaminants which can compromise optical clarity and cause other problems.
Other heat control arrangements for use in lamp environments are known which might serve to protect a liquid crystal gate. For example, improvements in the maintenance of a stable thermal environment in stage projectors have also been proposed by providing a heat exchanger that circulates a cooled fluid through a component of the lamp system for additional cooling. The cooled fluid acts in a heat sink capacity to absorb heat and conduct it away from the heat intolerant devices.
These and related techniques for improving the thermal environment of an optical projector system have been described by George Izenour in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,843,529 and 4,890,208. In those references, a multi-layer dielectric interference filter, otherwise known as a dichroic "hot mirror", and a liquid cell are placed in the light path between the light source and the mechanical projection gate to remove energy in the infrared region from the beam of light. The hot mirror aids the process of infrared filtering by reflecting "near" infrared energy having wavelengths in the range of about 700 to 1500 nanometers while passing light in other regions. The water in the liquid cell is effective in absorbing the "far" infrared energy in the 1.5 to 10 micrometer region that is not reflected by the dichroic filter. The water cell is effective because it displays good transmission characteristics for energy having shorter wavelengths (i.e., visible light).
The combination of the infrared-absorbing liquid cell and the infrared-reflecting "hot mirror" removes infrared radiation from the beam before it reaches the projection gobo. This process reduces the heating effects of the infrared energy and results in an overall increase in the temperature stability of the optical apparatus.
These and other methods of cooling which can include combinations of radiation, convection, and conduction have been employed in reducing the heating effects in some lighting applications. However, the practical utility of these techniques to protect heat absorbing, temperature sensitive liquid crystal light valves in the oven-like environment of a high-intensity projector, has not been demonstrated.
Because of these environmental obstacles and the loss of substantial light through the use of polarizers, the full potential of liquid crystal optics in the projection fields of interest has not heretofore been realized.
A second class of liquid crystal devices is available which will scatter, rather than absorb incident light while in a blocking mode. These scattering liquid crystal arrays thus offer the potential for use in high-intensity projectors having high heat environments.
Descriptions of liquid crystal devices that will scatter incident light are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,618 to Wu et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,900 to Doane et al. These patents disclose the us of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) arrays which are essentially microdroplets of nematic liquid crystals dispersed in a polymer matrix. The PDLC material is formed by a process known as phase separation. This type of device will scatter incident light when the light encounters a mismatch between the indices of refraction at the media boundaries that are encountered by the light traveling through the matrix. This occurs when the liquid crystals are in a non-aligned state; the mismatch at the boundary of the polymer matrix and liquid crystal material causes the incident light to be reflected, refracted, and thereby scattered.
A similar type of scattering material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,047, to James L. Fergason, which discloses a liquid crystal material encapsulated in a containment medium. This device allows for transmission of incident light when the indices of refraction are matched and the liquid crystals in the capsules are in an ordered alignment. Scattering or absorption of incident light results from the mismatch of the indices of refraction and the distorted or curvilinear alignment of the liquid crystals in the containment medium.
When light-scattering liquid crystals are placed in an ordered state, e.g., by application of an electric field, the incident light traveling in a direction parallel to the electric field will encounter a virtual match between the indices of refraction at the interface of the liquid crystals and the matrix. The matched indices allow for unimpeded transmission of the incident light in this ordered state. (Thermal, magnetic, optic and other energy sources may also serve to control the alignment of the liquid crystals in an array.) Over a range, the degree of transmission is proportional to the intensity of the applied field, thus affording a grey scale mode of operation.
In addition to offering the ability to scatter rather than absorb incident light, light scattering gates offer the vitally important property of not requiring pre-polarization of the light incident upon the projection gate. This eliminates a light intensity loss which is prohibitive for many applications.
Although there is reduced absorption of light in the visible region, the absorption characteristics for these light scattering gates are not as favorable at longer wavelengths. They are thus subject to thermal damage from absorption of infrared energy in the high-intensity environment of certain projectors. Accordingly, unless provided with an effective cooling technique, the resolution, speed and image forming abilities of scattering liquid crystal arrays can not be exploited in the environment of high-intensity production lighting devices.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a thermally protected lighting projector gate having the resolution, programmability and response time of a liquid crystal array.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a light projection system which exploits the considerable advantages of light-scattering liquid crystal arrays while protecting such arrays from heat damage.
It is a further object of the invention to provide precise beam pattern control for use in lighting and animation applications by utilizing a dynamically variable projection gate with a diverse assortment of patterns for high speed image projection.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide improved projector cooling techniques that provide more stable thermal environments thereby permitting a broader range of beam control devices to be used in high intensity light projectors. Improved cooling to minimize the potential discomfort that is ordinarily experienced by a performer under bright lights is another object.
A further object of the invention is to create innovative and unusual visual lighting effects by jointly and individually utilizing a dynamically variable liquid crystal projection gate and a gobo unit.
An additional aim of the invention is to provide a lighting projector that operates in a closed environment, thereby improving reliability, decreasing the risk of contamination and reducing the noise emanating from the system.
Another goal of the invention is to provide color control assemblies capable of controlling color parameters in a graduated manner in order to accommodate the special characteristics of human color perception.
A further object of the invention is to provide improved color control systems employing feedback supplied by a beam spectrum sensor.
It is another object of the invention to provide improved gobo utilization including a wider range of effects incorporating both static and dynamic patterns.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved dimming means coupled with an intensity level feedback sensor.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description which follows.


Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for evaluating treatment parameters for a patient undergoing radiotherapy. The method includes the step of generating a portal dosimetry image showing differences between a planning image obtained prior to a treatment session and a portal image obtained during the treatment session. A database of prior portal dosimetry results is accessed, and a processor is used to perform a similarity measurement between the portal dosimetry image and the prior portal dosimetry results. Based on the similarity measurement, the system determines whether radiation was delivered as planned during the treatment session.

Portal dosimetry is a technique used in radiation therapy for comparing a planned radiation dose with an actual or delivered radiation dose. Prior to a treatment session (i.e., during a planning phase), a planning image of a treatment area within a patient is generated. The planning image represents a prediction of a portal image that will be obtained during the treatment session. When the actual portal image has been obtained, the planning image and the portal image are compared to identify any differences between the two images. Such differences may be characterized as being either true positive differences or false positive differences. A true positive difference occurs when the radiation dose was not delivered as intended, and adjustments to a treatment plan are likely required. On the other hand, a false positive difference occurs when the radiation dose was delivered as intended, and adjustments to the treatment plan are probably not required.
Unfortunately, due to the large number of variables involved in generating and interpreting the planning images and the portal images, it can be difficult and/or time consuming for a physicist or other user of a portal dosimetry system to distinguish between true positive differences and false positive differences. For example, a gas bubble within the patient may cause a false positive difference, but the physicist may have difficulty recognizing the gas bubble and that the radiation was likely delivered as planned. Likewise, it may be difficult for the physicist to distinguish between a true positive difference caused by displacement of the patient and a false positive difference caused by displacement of an imaging device. Such analyses can take considerable time and incur significant expense.
There is a need for improved systems and methods for interpreting portal dosimetry results. In particular, needs exist for systems and methods that allow physicists to distinguish between true positive differences and false positive differences.


A carousel cart for efficiently transporting tape cartridge packs. A wheeled cart includes a rotatable housing unit. The housing unit includes a plurality of peripheral recesses. Engaging members extend angularly upward and outward from the rear wall of each of the recesses. A guide surface is attached to the rear and upper wall of each of the recesses. Tape cartridge storage packs having rear engaging slots are inserted into the recesses so the slots engage the engaging members.. The design of the present invention enables the tape cartridge packs to be transported in a compact carousel cart. This allows access in crowded conditions as typically occurs. The tape cartridge packs are securely held in the recesses.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of mobile carts and particularly to the field of mobile carts for transporting tape cartridge storage packs.
2. Statement of the Problem
Automatic tape cartridge libraries are often utilized in information processing centers. Data tape cartridges must frequently be loaded and unloaded into these libraries. The tape cartridge library loading and unloading operations normally use tape cartridge packs which hold ten to twenty tape cartridges. The tape cartridge packs enable the tape cartridges, such as 3480/3490-style tape cartridges, to be moved more easily in large quantities as well as maintain the cartridges in a selected order.
The tape cartridge packs, such as the ten-pack distributed by Storage Technology, Inc., Louisville, Colo. for use in the Storage Technology, Inc. Automated Cartridge Library System, must still be transported to and from the library systems. These library systems typically have limited aisle space surrounding them. Therefore the size of the carts used in transporting these tape cartridge packs is limited. Also, the access to the tape cartridge packs on the carts is limited as well. Additionally, the tape cartridge packs must be supported in a stable manner to prevent accidental spillage. Damage to the tape cartridges can result in loss of critical data.
Prior tape cartridge mobile carts, such as the tape cartridge truck disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,860; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 299,577; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 300,072; all assigned to Engineered Data Products, Inc., Broomfield, Colo., use shelves to contain rectangular-shaped tape cartridge packs. While suitable for use in transporting some styles of tape cartridge packs, these trucks are unable to adequately transport certain styles of tape cartridge packs.
One such style of tape cartridge pack that can not be adequately transported by the prior trucks is the above-described tape cartridge pack distributed by Storage Technology Inc. This particular style of tape cartridge pack stores ten cartridges in vertical alignment. These packs are inserted directly into a port of the Automated Cartridge Library System. This minimizes the problems and time of loading individual tapes into the system. However, at present there is no efficient process for transporting these or other similarly styled packs to the tape storage area or to tape cartridge library systems.
These tape cartridge packs are at present carried by hand or loaded into shopping cart style carts when being stored or loaded into a library system. This handling leads to damage to the tape cartridges and to disorganized ordering of the tape cartridges. The existing carts are unable to securely and efficiently handle this style of packs.
Thus, a problem exists in the inability to easily and efficiently transport tape cartridge packs to tape cartridge library systems or other storage facilities.

Mobile cart for transporting tape cartridge storage packs and method therefore


A method and a system for achieving communication between a mobile device and an electronic device are disclosed. The system includes a mobile device, having a lighting unit, which modulates light beams therefrom with a message signal by a communicating mode; a light beam receiver, connected to or embedded in an electronic device, for receiving the modulated light beams and transforming the modulated light beams into an electric signal; and a demodulator, equipped in the electronic device, for demodulating the electric signal to get the message signal. Light beams are used as media to transmit signal from the mobile device to the electronic device.

Mobile phones have played a very important role in daily life. Not like other electronic devices, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) which may die out as time goes by, a mobile phone incorporates lots of functions with components embedded. It looks not only like a phone, but a camera, a micro-computer, a music player, or even a projector. Moreover, a mainstream of mobile phone design is to be able to co-work with other electronic devices. For example, a smart phone can connect to a television or a refrigerator so that controls of these electronic devices are available by finger touching on the touch screen. Applications of mobile phones are diversified and functions of the mobile phones are keeping increasing.
A mobile phone is a standalone device. Therefore, in order to connect to other electronic devices, a suitable connecting media is very important for different application. The media may be wired. A USB cable can be used to link the mobile phone with a desktop computer. The media may be wireless. Electromagnetic wave is the most applied one. Thus, the mobile phone can use a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module to achieve communication with other electronic devices. The media mentioned above are common ways which utilize existing I/O modules. However, there is also an I/O module which can play the connecting media but ignored. This is a lighting module in the mobile phone.
The lighting module is usually used to provide light beams for a camera module when a photographed target is located in a dark environment. For consideration of power consumption, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or a LED module is often employed. Light beams from the lighting module may have different aspects. Hence, a message or command can be transmitted. However, applications of the lighting module as a connecting media are hardly seen in the prior arts.
An invention related to the application of the lighting module in the mobile phone is disclosed in the China Utility Model Patent No. 200620017306.9. Please refer to FIG. 1 along with the description below. The Utility Model patent is about a mobile phone communication system. The mobile phone communication system includes a first mobile phone 1 which has a first central processing unit 2 and a flash lamp 3. The first central processing unit 2 converts a massage with a pre-set coding rule into a corresponding control signal, and further controls the flash lamp 3 to send out a flashing signal. On the other hand, the mobile phone communication system further includes a second mobile phone 4 which has a second central processing unit 5 and a light sensor 6. The light sensor 6 receives the flashing signal and the second central processing unit 5 decodes the flashing signal. With the system mentioned above, messages can be sent through a camera module in a mobile phone along with a coding method, such as the Morse code. A novel communication style used for sight distance is available.
Although the China Utility Model Patent No. 200620017306.9 has indicated a way to apply the lighting module in the mobile phone, there are some problems needed to be improved. First, there is no explanation in what format the flashing signal is sent. Second, the application is only workable within two mobile phones. A wider application should be available. Therefore, a method and a system for achieving communication between a mobile phone and an electronic device to improve the above problems are desired. In addition, the method and system should be applied to other mobile devices, such as a tablet.

Method and system for achieving communication between mobile device and electronic device


An optical recording system includes a laser light source that provides an incident recording light signal for recording information on an optical recording medium, an optical detector for detecting a reflected write pulse from the optical recording medium, and a light source controller for controlling recording laser beam power of the laser light source according to a mark formation effectiveness signal generated by a signal generating device. The signal generating device includes an analog peak value detector for detecting a peak value of the reflected write pulse from the optical detector, at least one sample-hold circuit for sampling the reflected write pulse to obtain at least one amplitude value, and a processor for generating the mark formation effectiveness signal according to the peak value and the amplitude value.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an optical recording system with optimal recording laser beam power control, more particularly to an optical recording system using a method and device for generating mark formation effectiveness signals to optimally control the power of a recording laser beam.
2. Description of the Related Art
To record information on an optical recording medium, a light source of an optical recording system, such as a laser diode that is driven by a laser driver circuit according to a write control signal, generates an incident recording light signal on the optical recording medium. To assure that data is correctly recorded, it is important that the laser output must be maintained at an appropriate power level. The optimal power control (OPC) technique is widely employed in determining the initial laser power of incident recording light signals. In an optical recording medium, there is a section called Power Calibration Area (PCA) which is reserved for power testing and calibration. Before the actual data is recorded on the medium, a predetermined data stream is written on the PCA using a series of laser light signals at different power levels. Then, the recorded records in the PCA are read back using normal read power and are analyzed to determine the optimum power. The recording power level that yielded the best recording quality in the PCA is selected as the optimum power level of incident recording light signals for recording the actual data on sections of the optical recording medium. In practice, for most optical recording systems, due to various factors affecting optical recording systems and optical recording media, such as changes in the thickness of recording dye layer and substrate characteristics of optical recording media, changes in recording points due to shifting in laser optical path length, the spatial position relationship of recording media with respect to the optical recording system, changes in recording characteristics of recording media due to temperature variations, etc., the optimum power level for generating the best incident recording light signal is prone to vary as well. Therefore, when the recording signal power is too low, information cannot be completely recorded. Furthermore, when the recording signal power is too high, damage to recorded tracks can occur.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,660 discloses an optical recording system that addresses the aforesaid problem. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical recording system 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,660 includes a laser light source 10, an optical detector 11, a first sample-hold circuit 12, a second sample-hold circuit 13, a timing controller 14, a first analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 15, a second analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 16, a processor 17, a laser driver circuit 18, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 19. The laser light source 10 provides an incident recording light signal (IRL) (see FIG. 2A) for recording information on an optical recording medium 2. The laser light source 10 is generally a laser diode mounted on an optical pickup head (OPU) and is driven by the laser driver circuit 18 according to a write control signal. The optical detector 11 detects a reflected write pulse (WRF) (see FIG. 2B) that is a reflection of the incident recording light signal from the optical recording medium 2. The reflected write pulse (WRF) is provided to the first and second sample-hold circuits 12, 13 for sampling. With further reference to FIGS. 2C and 2D, the timing controller 14 provides first and second sampling pulses (tA, tB) to the first and second sample-hold circuits 12, 13, respectively, to control the time and duration of sampling by the sample-hold circuits 12, 13. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2B, the first sample-hold circuit 12 can be used to detect a higher power level (VA) of the reflected write pulse (WRF), whereas the second sample-hold circuit 13 can be used to detect a lower power level (VB) of the reflected write pulse (WRF) Thereafter, the higher and lower power levels (VA, VB) are converted into digital form by the first and second A/D converters 15, 16 for processing by the processor 17 to obtain the value of VA/(VA−VB). The value of VA/(VA−VB) is then subtracted from a target value Ma, and the resulting difference is converted into an analog control signal by the D/A converter 19 for controlling the laser driver circuit 18 to drive the laser light source 10 so that, when the effective output power of the laser light source 10 reaches a value Mb, VA/(VA−VB) is equal to Ma, as shown in FIG. 3. Through this closed-loop control scheme, the laser light source 10 outputs an optimal effective power Mb.
The following are some of the drawbacks of the aforesaid conventional optical recording system 1:
1. Ideally, the first sample-hold circuit 12 samples a maximum power level of the reflected write pulse (WRF). In practice, the timing of occurrence of the peak value of the reflected write pulse (WRF) is not fixed, and is actually subject to change according to various factors, such as changes in the thickness of recording dye layer and substrate characteristics of optical recording media, skewing of the optical recording medium, etc. Since the time of sampling by the first sample-hold circuit 12 is fixed, and since the actual occurrence of the peak value of the reflected write pulse (WRF) is instantaneous, the first sample-hold circuit 12 is usually unable to detect the peak value of the reflected write pulse (WRF).
2. The first and second sample-hold circuits 12, 13 are coupled to the first and second A/D converters 15, 16, respectively. When additional sample-hold circuits are installed to increase the number of sampled values of the reflected write pulse (WRF), a corresponding increase in the number of the A/D converters will be required as well. This not only results in increased manufacturing costs, but also complicates the entire circuit configuration.

Optical recording system with optimal recording laser beam power control, and method and device for generating a mark formation effectiveness signal in an optical recording system