An apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc includes a memory. The information signal is written into the memory. The information signal is read out from the memory. An optical head generates a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applies the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc. A test signal is recorded on a position of the optical disc near a recording position thereof via the optical head during the writing of the information signal into the memory. The test signal is reproduced from the optical disc. The reproduced test signal is evaluated to generate an evaluation result. An intensity of the laser beam is optimized in response to the evaluation result.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from an optical disc. In addition, this invention relates to a method of recording and reproducing information on and from an optical disc. Furthermore, this invention relates to an optical disc.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical discs contain an MD (Mini Disc). MD players include shock-proof memories having a capacity of 4 MB which corresponds to a playback time of about 10 seconds. During the playback mode of operation of the MD player, a pickup sequentially accesses sectors on an MD and reproduces data therefrom. In the MD player, the reproduced data are temporarily stored in the shock-proof memory and are read out therefrom so that the contents of the data are played back. When the pickup jumps from a sector to a next sector, the pickup does not reproduce any data from the MD. Thus, during the playback mode of operation of the MD player, the reproduction of data from the MD by the pickup is sometimes interrupted for a short time. The shock-proof memory absorbs such an interruption of the reproduction of data from the MD, thereby providing continuous playback of the contents of the data. Specifically, data remain read out from the shock-proof memory and playback of the contents of the data continues even for a time during which the pickup jumps from a sector to a next sector while kicking across recording tracks on the MD and waiting for disc rotation to meet the next sector.
During the recording mode of operation of the MD player, a pickup sequentially accesses sectors on the MD and records data thereon. In the MD player, compressed data to be recorded are temporarily stored in the shock-proof memory. The compressed data are intermittently read out from the memory before being fed to the pickup and being recorded on the MD thereby. Thus, during the recording mode of operation of the MD player, the feed of data to the pickup is intermittently executed. The absence of data feed to the pickup is synchronized with jump of the pickup from a sector to a next sector. Accordingly, during the absence of data feed, the pickup jumps from a sector to a next sector while kicking across recording tracks on the MD and waiting for disc rotation to meet the next sector.
Optical discs contain a DVD (Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc). DVD players include shock-proof memories similar in function to those in the MD players. Typical shock-proof memories in the DVD players have a capacity of 16 MB which corresponds to a playback time of about 2 seconds. Advanced shock-proof memories in the DVD players have a capacity of more than 16 MB which corresponds to a playback time of longer than 2 seconds. Optical discs are of a read only type (a playback only type), a recordable type (a write once type), and a rewritable type. A CD (Compact Disc), a VCD (Video CD), and a DVD are optical discs of the read only type. A CD-R and a DVD-R are optical discs of the recordable type. A CD-RW, a DVD-RAM, and a DVD-RW are optical discs of the rewritable type.
Optical discs of the rewritable type have thin recording films which are reversibly changed between two or more different states in accordance with conditions of laser beams applied thereto. Rewritable optical discs include magneto-optical discs and phase change discs.
In the case of a phase change optical disc, while a recording film is scanned by a laser beam, the recording film is reversibly changed between an amorphous state and a crystalline state by changing conditions of the laser beam in response to a signal to be recorded. Thus, the signal is recorded on the recording film as a pattern of amorphous portions and crystalline portions of the recording film. The signal is reproduced from the phase change optical disc as follows. The surface of an amorphous portion of the disc and the surface of a crystalline portion thereof are different in reflectivity with respect to a laser beam. While the phase change optical disc is scanned by a laser beam, a change in reflectivity of the disc surface with respect to the laser beam is optically detected so that the signal is reproduced from the disc.
The phase change optical disc is similar to a read only optical disc and a recordable optical disc in the point that signal reproduction is implemented by detecting a change in the disc surface reflectivity with respect to a laser beam. Signal overwriting on the phase change optical disc can be performed by use of only one laser beam when the laser power is modulated between an erasing level Pe and a recording level Pw. Therefore, the structure of a drive device for the phase change optical disc can be simple.
It is conceivable to use a PWM (pulse width modulation) system to record a signal on a rewritable optical disc at a high density. According to the PWM system, the positions of the front and rear edges of every recording mark on the disc correspond to xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d in a digital signal.
In the PWM system, the width of every recording mark represents information. Thus, a desirable shape of the recording mark is free from distortion. Specifically, it is desirable that the shapes of the front and rear halves of the recording mark are symmetrical with each other. During the PWM-based recording of a signal on the disc, the disc is exposed to a laser beam while being rotated and moved relative thereto. In addition, the intensity of the laser beam is changed between strong and weak levels in response to the signal to be recorded. Recording marks are formed on portions of the disc which are exposed to the stronger laser beam. Regarding every recording mark, the heat accumulation effect causes the stronger-beam-application ending point on the disc to be higher in temperature than the stronger-beam-application starting point on the disc. As a result, the rear end of the recording mark is wider than the front end thereof. Thus, the shape of the recording mark is distorted.
Japanese published unexamined patent application 3-185628 discloses a method of reducing distortion in the shape of a recording mark. The method in Japanese application 3-185628 is an overwriting method in which one recording mark is formed by the application of a train of short pulses (narrow pulses) of a laser beam to a disc.
Japanese published unexamined patent application 6-12674 discloses a method of correcting the waveform of a train of electric pulses fed to a laser source. According to the method in Japanese application 6-12674, an input signal repetitively changes between a high level state and a low level state. The input signal being continuously in the high level state corresponds to one recording mark. The input signal being continuously in the high level state is converted into a train of electric short pulses (electric narrow pulses). The first pulse in the train is wider than the second and later pulses therein. The number of the pulses in the train is determined by a desired length of the recording mark. The electric pulse train is fed to the laser source. The electric pulse train is converted by the laser source into a corresponding train of short pulses (narrow pulses) of a laser beam. The laser beam pulse train is applied to a disc. One recording mark is formed on the disc in response to the laser beam pulse train. Since the first pulse in the train is relatively wide, the temperature of the beam-train-application starting point on the disc quickly rises. On the other hand, since the second and later pulses in the train are relatively narrow, the temperature of the beam-train-application ending point on the disc is prevented from excessively rising. Therefore, it is possible to compensate for the heat accumulation effect which would cause distortion of the recording mark.
The shape-distortion reducing technique in Japanese application 6-12674 is less effective as the linear velocity related to the scanning of a disc increases. In the method of Japanese application 6-12674, a train of short pulses (narrow pulses) of a laser beam is applied to the recording film of a disc to form a recording mark thereon. The pulsative laser beam results in decreased energy applied to the recording film of the disc. Accordingly, a required instantaneous power of the laser beam is relatively high. In addition, a required instantaneous power of the laser beam rises as the linear velocity related to the scanning of the disc increases. A high-power laser source is expensive.
In the method of Japanese application 6-12674, the input signal being continuously in the high level state is converted into a train of electric short pulses. It is necessary to use a clock signal in the conversion of the high-level input signal into the electric pulse train. The period of the clock signal is equal to the period of the input signal which is divided by a given integer. As the frequency of the input signal rises, the required frequency of the clock signal increases. An excessively high frequency of the clock signal causes difficulty in circuit designing. Modulation of the laser power at a higher frequency causes greater distortion in the waveform of the laser beam.
In a CAV (constant angular velocity) disc drive system, a disc is rotated at a constant angular speed. In this case, the linear velocity related to the scanning of an outer portion of the disc is higher than that of an inner portion of the disc. According to a proposed method, the length of a recording mark on an inner portion of a disc and the length of that on an outer portion of the disc are set the same to increase the recording density. In the proposed method, the recording frequency at a position on the disc increases as the position is closer to the outer edge of the disc.
In a CLV (constant linear velocity) disc drive system, a disc is rotated at a constant linear speed. A conceivable CLV recording apparatus is able to record signals on discs of different types. The conceivable CLV recording apparatus is required to change the linear velocity and the recording frequency depending on the disc type.
Optimal recording conditions of a disc having a high recording density vary from disc to disc. In addition, the optimal recording conditions depend on the number of times of signal recording on the disc, the ambient temperature, and other factors. According to a conceivable method of detecting optimal recording conditions of a disc, signal recording on the disc is interrupted, and a recording head is moved to a test area of the disc. Then, a test signal is recorded on the test area, and the test signal is reproduced therefrom. The quality of the reproduced test signal is measured. Optimal recording conditions of the disc are detected on the basis of the measurement results. After the optimal recording conditions are detected, the recording of a main information signal on the disc is started. The recording of the main information signal is implemented under the optimal recording conditions. In the conceivable method, the detection of optimal recording conditions takes a long time. Thus, there is a long wait until the recording of the main information signal on the disc is started.
The power of a laser beam depends on the ambient temperature and the aging of a laser source. To maintain accurate signal recording on a disc, it is necessary to compensate for such a variation in the power of the laser beam. In a conceivable method, signal recording on the disc is interrupted, and the power of a laser beam is measured. Optimal drive conditions of a laser source are decided on the basis of the measurement results. In the conceivable method, the decision as to optimal drive conditions of the laser source takes a long time.
A prior-art method of detecting optimal recording conditions of a CD-R has a step of measuring the asymmetry of a reproduced signal. A DVD-R, a DVD-RW, other organic-dye recordable optical discs, other phase change rewritable optical discs, and other recordable and rewritable optical discs having high recording densities are made from various selections of materials in various fabrication methods. Therefore, if the prior-art method is applied to such a high-recording-density disc, the results of the detection of optimal recording conditions are unreliable.
A phase change optical disc has the following problem. As a same signal is repetitively recorded on a same position on the disc at a same timing, the jitter-related quality of a signal reproduced therefrom deteriorates.
It is a first object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from an optical disc.
It is a second object of this invention to provide an improved method of recording and reproducing information on and from an optical disc.
It is a third object of this invention to provide an improved optical disc.
A first aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc. The apparatus comprises a memory; means for writing the information signal into the memory; means for reading out the information signal from the memory; an optical head for generating a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applying the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc; means for recording a test signal on a position of the optical disc near a recording position thereof via the optical head during the writing of the information signal into the memory; means for reproducing the test signal from the optical disc; means for evaluating the reproduced test signal to generate an evaluation result; and means for optimizing an intensity of the laser beam in response to the evaluation result.
A second aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc. The apparatus comprises a memory; means for writing the information signal into the memory; means for reading out the information signal from the memory; an optical head for generating a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applying the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc; means for changing a power of the laser beam among a plurality of different levels; means for measuring the laser beam to generate measurement result values during the change of the power of the laser beam among the plurality of the different levels; and means for optimizing an intensity of the laser beam in response to the measurement result values.
A third aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus wherein the test signal comprises a test pattern signal, and the recording means comprises means for recording the test pattern signal on the optical disc via the optical head while changing an intensity of the laser beam among a plurality of different levels for a testing purpose, and wherein the reproducing means comprises means for reproducing the test pattern signal from the optical disc, and the evaluating means comprises means for evaluating at least one of asymmetry and jitter of the reproduced test pattern signal to generate the evaluation result.
A fourth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus further comprising means for repetitively measuring the laser beam to repetitively generate a measurement result value, means for calculating a difference between a current measurement result value and an immediately preceding measurement result value, and means for enabling the optimizing means to optimize the intensity of the laser beam when the calculated difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus further comprising means for repetitively measuring a temperature to repetitively generate a measured temperature value, means for calculating a difference between a current measured temperature value and an immediately preceding measured temperature value, and means for enabling the optimizing means to optimize the intensity of the laser beam when the calculated difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus further comprising means for measuring a lapse of time since a moment of the last optimization of the intensity of the laser beam, and for deciding whether or not the measured lapse of time exceeds a predetermined time to generate a decision result, and means for optimizing the intensity of the laser beam in response to the decision result.
A seventh aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus further comprising means for measuring a distance between a current recording position and a next recording position on the optical disc, and deciding whether or not the measured distance exceeds a predetermined distance to generate a decision result, and means for optimizing the intensity of the laser beam in response to the decision result.
An eighth aspect of this invention provides a method of recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc. The method comprises the steps of writing an information signal into a memory; reading out the information signal from the memory; generating a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applying the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc; recording a test signal on a position of the optical disc near a recording position thereof via the optical head during the writing of the information signal into the memory; reproducing the test signal from the optical disc; evaluating the reproduced test signal to generate an evaluation result; and optimizing an intensity of the laser beam in response to the evaluation result.
A ninth aspect of this invention provides an optical disc having an area storing information of an intensity of a laser beam which has been optimized by the apparatus of the first aspect of this invention.
A tenth aspect of this invention provides n apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc. The apparatus comprises a memory; means for writing the information signal into the memory; means for reading out the information signal from the memory; an optical head for generating a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applying the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc; means for recording a test signal on a position of the optical disc near a recording position thereof via the optical head during the writing of the information signal into the memory; means for reproducing the test signal from the optical disc; first optimizing means for measuring asymmetry of the reproduced test signal, and optimizing an intensity of the laser beam in response to the measured asymmetry; second optimizing means for measuring jitter of the reproduced test signal, and optimizing the intensity of the laser beam in response to the measured jitter; third optimizing means for measuring the laser beam to generate a measurement result, and optimizing the intensity of the laser beam in response to the measurement result; means for detecting a type of the optical disc; and means for selecting at least one of the first, second, and third optimizing means in response to the detected type, and enabling the selected one of the first, second, and third optimizing means.
An eleventh aspect of this invention is based on the tenth aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus wherein the type detecting means comprises means for deciding whether the type of the optical disc is an organic-dye type or a phase change type to generate a type decision result, and the selecting means comprises means for selecting at least one of the first, second, and third optimizing means in response to the type decision result, and enabling the selected one of the first, second, and third optimizing means.
A twelfth aspect of this invention is based on the tenth aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus wherein the type detecting means comprises means for reproducing disc information from the optical disc, and means for deriving a disc maker from the reproduced disc information, and wherein the selecting means comprises means for selecting at least one of the first, second, and third optimizing means in response to the disc maker, and enabling the selected one of the first, second, and third optimizing means.
A thirteenth aspect of this invention is based on the tenth aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus wherein the type detecting means comprises means for reproducing disc information from the optical disc, and means for deriving a disc article number from the reproduced disc information, and wherein the selecting means comprises means for selecting at least one of the first, second, and third optimizing means in response to the disc article number, and enabling the selected one of the first, second, and third optimizing means.
A fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the tenth aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus wherein the type detecting means comprises means for reproducing disc information from the optical disc, and means for deriving a disc production lot number from the reproduced disc information, and wherein the selecting means comprises means for selecting at least one of the first, second, and third optimizing means in response to the disc production lot number, and enabling the selected one of the first, second, and third optimizing means.
A fifteenth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc. The apparatus comprises a memory; means for writing the information signal into the memory; means for reading out the information signal from the memory; an optical head for generating a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applying the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc; means for repetitively recording a test signal on a place on the optical disc via the optical head, the place being near a recording position of the optical disc which is subjected to signal recording next; means for reproducing the test signal from the optical disc; means for evaluating the reproduced test signal to generate an evaluation result; means for optimizing an intensity of the laser beam in response to the evaluation result; and means for changing the test signal on a recording-by-recording basis.
A sixteenth aspect of this invention is based on the fifteenth aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus wherein the changing means comprises means for generating a random signal providing a random timing, and means for shifting the test signal in response to the random timing to change the test signal on the recording-by-recording basis.
A seventeenth aspect of this invention is based on the fifteenth aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus wherein the changing means comprises means for time-positionally exchanging signal segments of the test signal to change the test signal on the recording-by-recording basis.
An eighteenth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc. The apparatus comprises means for generating a laser beam in response to a first time segment of the information signal, and applying the laser beam to a first place on the optical disc to record the first time segment of the information signal on the first place on the optical disc; means for generating a laser beam in response to a test signal, and applying the laser beam to a second place on the optical disc to record the test signal on the second place on the optical disc while changing the laser beam among a plurality of conditions different from each other, the second place immediately following the first place; means for reproducing the test signal from the optical disc; means for evaluating the reproduced test signal to generate evaluation results corresponding to the respective different conditions of the laser beam; means for deciding a best of the evaluation results; and means for generating a laser beam in one of the different conditions which corresponds to the best evaluation result and in response to a second time segment of the information signal, and applying the laser beam to the second place on the optical disc to write the second time segment of the information signal over the test signal on the second place on the optical disc, the second time segment immediately following the first time segment.
A nineteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eighteenth aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus wherein the different conditions of the laser beam comprise different conditions of pulses in pulse trains of the laser beam.
A twentieth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc. The apparatus comprises a memory; means for writing the information signal into the memory; means for reading out the information signal from the memory; an optical head for generating a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applying the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc; means for recording a test signal on the optical disc via the optical head while changing the laser beam among a plurality of conditions different from each other for a testing purpose during the writing of the information signal into the memory; means for reproducing the test signal from the optical disc; means for evaluating the reproduced test signal to generate evaluation results corresponding to the respective different conditions of the laser beam; means for deciding a best of the evaluation results; and means for controlling the laser beam into one of the different conditions which corresponds to the best evaluation result.
A twenty-first aspect of this invention is based on the twentieth aspect thereof, and provides an apparatus wherein the different conditions of the laser beam comprise different conditions of pulses in pulse trains of the laser beam.

Method and apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from optical disc


Method and reagent composition for covalent attachment of target molecules, such as nucleic acids, onto the surface of a substrate. The reagent composition includes groups capable of attracting the target molecule as well as groups capable of covalently binding to the target molecule, once attracted. Optionally, the composition can contain photoreactive groups for use in attaching the reagent composition to the surface.

The immobilization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) onto support surfaces has become an important aspect in the development of DNA-based assay systems as well as for other purposes, including the development of microfabricated arrays for DNA analysis. See, for instance, "The Development of Microfabricated Arrays of DNA Sequencing and Analysis", O'Donnell-Maloney et al., TIBTECH 14:401-407 (1996). Generally, such procedures are carried out on the surface of microwell plates, tubes, beads, microscope slides, silicon wafers or membranes. Certain approaches, in particular, have been developed to enable or improve the likelihood of end-point attachment of a synthetic oligo to a surface. End-point attachment (i.e., with the nucleic acid sequence attached through one or the other terminal nucleotide) is desirable because the entire length of the sequence will be available for hybridization to another nucleic acid sequence. This is particularly advantageous for the detection of single base pair changes under stringent hybridization conditions.
Hybridization is the method used most routinely to measure nucleic acids by base pairing to probes immobilized on a solid support. When combined with amplification techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or ligase chain reaction (LCR), hybridization assays are a powerful tool for diagnosis and research. Microwell plates, in particular, are convenient and useful for assaying relatively large numbers of samples. Several methods have been used for immobilization of nucleic acid probes onto microwell plates. Some of these involve adsorption of unmodified or modified oligos onto polystyrene plates. Others involve covalent immobilization. Various methods have also been used to increase the sensitivity of hybridization assays. Polymeric capture and detection probes have been synthesized and used to obtain sensitivities down to 10.sup.7 DNA molecules/ml. Another method used branched oligos to increase the sensitivity of hybridization assays. Yet another method used a multi-step antibody-enhanced method. Other types of nucleic acid probes such as ribonucleic acid (RNA), complementary DNA (cDNA) and peptide nucleic acids (PNA's) have also been immobilized onto microwell plates for hybridization of PCR products in diagnostic applications. Furthermore, PCR primers have been immobilized onto microwell plates for solid phase PCR.
Only a relative few approaches to immobilizing DNA, to date, have found their way into commercial products. One such product is known as "NucleoLink.TM.", and is available from Nalge Nunc International (see, e.g., Nunc Tech Note Vol. 3, No. 17). In this product, the DNA is reacted with a carbodiimide to activate 5'-phosphate groups which then react with functional groups on the surface. Disadvantages of this approach are that it requires the extra step of adding the carbodiimide reagent as well as a five hour reaction time for immobilization of DNA, and it is limited to a single type of substrate material.
As another example, Pierce has recently introduced a proprietary DNA immobilization product known as "Reacti-Bind.TM. DNA Coating Solutions" (see "Instructions--Reacti-Bind.TM. DNA Coating Solution" 1/1997). This product is a solution that is mixed with DNA and applied to surfaces such as polystyrene or polypropylene. After overnight incubation, the solution is removed, the surface washed with buffer and dried, after which it is ready for hybridization. Although the product literature describes it as being useful for all common plastic surfaces used in the laboratory, it does have some limitations. For example, Applicants were not able to demonstrate useful immobilization of DNA onto polypropylene using the manufacturer's instructions. Furthermore, this product requires large amounts of DNA. The instructions indicate that the DNA should be used at a concentration between 0.5 and 5 .mu.g/ml.
Similarly, Costar sells a product called "DNA-BINDTM" for use in attaching DNA to the surface of a well in a microwell plate (see, e.g., the DNA-BIND.TM. "Application Guide"). The surface of the DNA-BIND.TM. plate is coated with an uncharged, nonpolymeric, low molecular weight, heterobifunctional reagent containing an N-oxysuccinimide (NOS) reactive group. This group reacts with nucleophiles such as primary amines. The heterobifunctional coating reagent also contains a photochemical group and spacer arm which covalently links the reactive group to the surface of the polystyrene plate. Thereafter, amine-modified DNA can be covalently coupled to the NOS surface. The DNA is modified by adding a primary amine either during the synthesis process to the nascent oligomer or enzymatically to the preformed sequence. Since the DNA-BIND.TM. product is polystyrene based, it is of limited use for those applications that require elevated temperatures such as thermal cycling.
These various products may be useful for some purposes, or under certain circumstances, but all tend to suffer from one or more drawbacks and constraints. In particular, they either tend to require large amounts of oligo, render background noise levels that are unsuitably high and/or lack versatility.
It would be highly desirable to be able to attach molecules such as oligos to a surface in a manner that avoids some or all of the drawbacks of these previous approaches.

Reagent and method for attaching target molecules to a surface


A method for remediating a hydrocarbon-contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of hydrocarbon contaminants. A plurality of mutually spaced wells are provided intersecting the groundwater region, and the existence of acceptable continuity and well interflow paths for the said region is determined by generating a test flow of a solution of hydrogen peroxide from one of the wells and monitoring pH changes at each other of the wells as a function of time to detect a pH drop of at least 0.2. Subsequent to detecting the pH drop, a treating flow of the hydrogen peroxide solution is provided from one or more of the wells. A system to enable the foregoing is also disclosed.

This invention relates generally to the beneficial treatment of organics-contaminated water, and more specifically relates to method and apparatus for remediating groundwater which has become contaminated with hydrocarbons.
Groundwater contamination, typically arising from petroleum storage tank spills or from intentional or accidental discharge of liquid hydrocarbons or compositions containing same, has become a problem of increasing concern in virtually all areas of the world where human activities occur. Aside from contamination of this type which results from industrial complexes, it has unfortunately been found that even suburban neighborhoods which would appear to be havens from such phenomena, have increasingly been found to the consternation of the residents to harbor pools of hydrocarbon pollutants, the source of which is very commonly automobile service station sites at which antiquated or abandoned storage tanks have released gasoline, fuel oils, lubricants and the like into the local groundwater. Other common sources of such noxious material can include dry cleaning establishments and/or manufacturers or distributors of the tetrachloroethane which is used in dry cleaning. Other well-known hazardous hydrocarbon materials include polychlorinated phenols (e.g. PCB's), pentachlorophenols (PCP's), and various aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, as for example gasoline, benzene, naphthalene and various petroleum and petroleum derivative products. Certain particularly pernicious compounds of this type are often considered under the grouping "BTEX", which is understood by those familiar with the art to refer to benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and the xylenes (m-, p-, and o-). The BTEX content of groundwater or other contaminated sites is frequently regarded as a principle measure of the acceptability of the water in question for human consumption and use and other purposes.
Various remediation techniques have been utilized in the past for treatment of groundwater which has been thus contaminated. Among the most predominate type of systems in present use are those based on so-called "pump and treat" technology. In this method the contaminated groundwater and possibly a phase-separated product is withdrawn from a recovery well sunk into the groundwater and pumped to an above ground treatment facility. Various treatment techniques are thereupon used, such as diffused air treatment and air stripping. Inline filters can also be used; and similarly carbon adsorption can serve to remove contaminants from the displaced groundwater. Systems of the pump and treat type are considered expensive to install and operate. In many instances they basically result in separation or adsorption of the contaminants, and while purified water may result from the treatment, the problem often remains of disposing of the contaminants which have thus been separated.
In recent years increasing interest has also been evidenced in bioremediation technology. The technology has been of great interest, but its effective use in treating groundwater has been limited. The procedures are very complex, involving the use of expensive and complex reactors, and can cause adverse geochemical reactions, and can even introduce new toxic compounds beyond those which are being treated.
Pursuant to the foregoing, techniques have been sought which would serve to directly treat the contaminated groundwater in both effective and economical fashion.
It has long been recognized that the hydrocarbons representing the source of contamination in the subject matter of interest, can by ordinary chemical reactions be oxidized to harmless constituents. In principle, all such hydrocarbons can under proper conditions be oxidized to harmless end products, such as water and carbon dioxide. To date, practical methodology to achieve such results, however, have not been widely adopted. Among the strong oxidizing agents which in principle could serve these purposes is hydrogen peroxide, a composition which is readily available and at reasonable cost. Some efforts have indeed been made to utilize this oxidizing agent for these purposes. In Brown et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,443, for example, an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide, together with a compound for controlling the mobility of the aqueous solution by modifying the viscosity or other flow properties, is introduced into a permeable subterranean formation. It is not contemplated that the groundwater can be treated directly in this disclosure.
Forte et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,973, discloses the use of strong oxidizing agents, which can include hydrogen peroxide, for treating contaminated water and the like which has been withdrawn from an underground source and is thereupon treated in a mixing device. The methodology is therefore of the pump and treat system type, and the treatment of the groundwater is not in situ.
Other patents of interest include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,927,293 to Campbell, and 4,978,508 to Hansen et al.
Among the other deficiencies of the prior art, is the failure to define a system wherein a strong oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide may be directly injected into groundwater in a manner such that it can react in situ with the hydrocarbon contaminants present in same, while at the same time providing techniques to assure the efficacy of the said method.
Pursuant to the foregoing it may be regarded as an object of the present invention to provide a method and system which enable economical, effective and rapid treatment of groundwater contaminated with hydrocarbons, so as to destroy the said hydrocarbons or reduce same to a level below that which is considered detrimental to human use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus of the foregoing character, which utilizes safe and readily available treatment chemicals, and which moreover results in output products which are harmless and safe.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus which can be practiced with use of relatively simple equipment, and by relatively unskilled personnel.

Method and system for remediation of groundwater contamination


A method of controlling an ink transfer roller is provided. This method achieves stabilized printing quality by evenly distributing ink transfer actions of the ink transfer roller for the number of rotation of a plate cylinder. The ink transfer action of an ink transfer roller is controlled based on the fact whether a value obtained by setting the value of C after calculation as a hysteresis value and adding the number ratio thereto exceeds a predetermined basic value or not, thereby allowing the ink transfer roller to perform ink transfer actions evenly at the number ratio set by an operator. With this method, unevenness in printing quality can be prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing press that uses an ink transfer roller disposed between an ink fountain and an ink roller to transfer ink stored in the ink fountain to the ink roller and a method of controlling the ink transfer roller.
2. Related Art
In conventional printing presses (e.g., sheet-fed printing presses), when ink stored in an ink fountain is supplied to a plate cylinder via an ink transfer roller, an ink fountain key provided in the ink fountain is opened to transfer the ink to the ink fountain roller (source roller) and the ink is transferred to the ink transfer roller disposed between the ink fountain roller and an ink roller, thereby transferring the ink from the ink transfer roller to the ink roller. In this arrangement, the ink transfer roller is reciprocated (moved back and forth) once every predetermined number of rotations of the plate cylinder. This arrangement may pose a problem that, for example, when an image having a small image area ratio (i.e., an image having a small image area to which ink is applied) is printed, etc., it is difficult to adjust particularly the amount of ink transfer and thus even if the ink fountain key is set at a minimum gap, an excessive amount of ink may be transferred. In light of this, there was proposed a technique to stop a reciprocating action of the ink transfer roller at a certain timing, as well as adjusting the opening degree of the ink fountain key, such as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei-05-147200.
In an ink supply unit of the above conventional printing press, when the adjustment of the amount of ink to be transferred cannot be achieved merely by adjusting the opening degree of the ink fountain key, the reciprocating action of the ink transfer roller is intermittently stopped. For example, with the arrangement where the ink transfer roller is to be reciprocated only once for two rotations of the plate cylinder, once the reciprocating action of the ink transfer roller has been completed, the ink transfer roller is kept stopped until the next action, which action is made after a predetermined number of rotations of the plate cylinder.
In the above conventional printing press, the ink transfer roller is designed to be simply reciprocated once for a predetermined number of rotations of the plate cylinder and the ink transfer roller is kept stopped thereafter until the plate cylinder has been rotated a predetermined number of times. With this arrangement having the ink transfer roller kept stopped, a rotation ratio between the ink transfer roller and the plate cylinder cannot be set in the middle range between 1/1 (1 to 1) and 1/2 (1 to 2). Accordingly, it is necessary to greatly change the opening degree of the ink fountain key. In addition, since it takes time to reflect the change of the opening degree of the ink fountain key to the density of ink on a print, the relevant operation is difficult to perform and the printing quality is hardly stabilized.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing press and a method of controlling an ink transfer roller that are able to stabilize printing quality.

Printing press and method of controlling ink transfer roller


A control unit as a hybrid device is provided on a right side deck of an upper slewing body. The control unit has a quadrangular shape in a plan view thereof, and both electric wires and liquid pipelines for cooling or heating the control unit are connected to the control unit. Connection terminals and pipeline connection openings of the control unit are provided on surfaces that form the sides of the quadrangle in a plan view of the casing and that are oriented in different directions.

The background art will be described by way of an example of a hybrid excavator.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, a hybrid excavator includes a crawler-type lower traveling body 1, an upper slewing body 2 mounted on the lower traveling body 1 so as to slew about an axis perpendicular to the ground surface, and various facilities and devices such as a cabin 4 mounted on an upper frame 3 provided in the upper slewing body 2 as a base. Moreover, a working attachment A including a boom 5, an arm 6, and a bucket 7 is mounted on a front portion of the upper frame 3.
In this specification, the directions "front-rear direction" and "left-right direction" are defined when the position of the cabin 4 is on the left front side.
As illustrated in detail in FIG. 6, the upper frame 3 includes a center section C having a pair of left and right vertical plates 8 serving as a reinforcing member and an attachment mounting member and side decks D1 and D2 provided on both left and right sides of the center section C. An engine 9 as a power source is provided in a rear portion of the center section C.
Moreover, the hybrid excavator includes an generator motor 10 and a hydraulic pump 11 provided on the right side, for example, of the engine 9. The generator motor 10 as a hybrid device operates as a generator and a motor and the generator motor 10 and the hydraulic pump 11 are arranged in the left-right direction.
A cooler 14 and a cooling pump 15 for cooling the hybrid device are provided on the left side of the engine 9 in addition to a radiator 12 and a cooling fan 13 for cooling the engine.
On the other hand, a control unit (inverter) 16 that controls the operation of the generator motor 10 and an electric storage device (not illustrated) as a hybrid power source are provided in a front portion of the right side deck D2. The control unit 16 and the electric storage device are disposed in a vertically stacked state so that the control unit 16 is positioned above and the electric storage device is positioned below, for example. A tank (for example, a fuel tank) 17 is provided on the rear side of the electric storage device and the control unit 16 of the right side deck D2.
The electric storage device may be disposed at a position different from the control unit 16. Moreover, an operating oil tank may be provided instead of the fuel tank 17 and both tanks may be arranged in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction.
Moreover, a slewing motor 18 as a slewing drive source is provided approximately in a central portion of the center section C.
Hereinafter, the generator motor 10, the control unit 16, the electric storage device, and the slewing motor 18 each are sometimes referred to as hybrid device.
In such a hybrid excavator, the hybrid devices (the generator motor 10, the control unit 16, and the electric storage device) are connected by an electric wire such as a power cable for transferring electric power or a signal cable for exchanging a control signal (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-184586).
Moreover, since it is necessary for these hybrid devices require to be cooled and to be heated, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2012-154092, the hybrid devices (the generator motor 10, the control unit 16, and the electric storage device) are connected by liquid pipelines (in the following description as well as the embodiment of the present invention, water pipelines which uses water as a cooling/heating medium is used). Moreover, the hybrid device, the cooler 14, and the cooling pump 15 are also connected by liquid pipelines.
In a hybrid excavator in which water pipelines and electric wires are wired on the upper frame 3 in a state where the water pipelines and the electric wires are mixed together, the following problems may occur in a hybrid device to which both a water pipeline and an electric wire are connected.
For example, the control unit 16 may have a casing that is quadrangular in a plan view thereof and a pipeline connection opening and a connection terminal formed on a side surface of the casing. A water pipeline may be connected to the pipeline connection opening and electric wires (a power cable and a signal cable) may be connected to the connection terminal.
In this case, when connection portions of the pipelines and the electric wires are disposed close to each other on the same surface of the casing, if water leaks from the pipeline connection portion or the vicinity thereof due to a connection failure, or cracks, ruptures or the like in the pipeline, the leaking water may fall directly on the electric wire or the connection terminal.

Hybrid device and hybrid construction machine including same

KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.


The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein permit encrypted media content to be displayed by an apparatus for a restricted time period. The apparatus may comprise a communication interface configured to couple to a controlling device to transmit a first nonce and to receive the encrypted media content and an association encryption envelope. The association encryption envelope may comprise at least a second nonce and a first time restriction expressed as a first time interval. The apparatus may further comprise a counter, a storage configured to store a value of the counter representing a time of when the first nonce is transmitted, and an engine configured to perform operations according to the first time restriction.

The problem of media content misuse and digital rights management (DRM) is both well-known and significant. At the present time, there is no reliable way to provide both video and audio content to end-users while preventing them from making unauthorized, digital copies of the media. To make things worse, digital copies of the media can often be produced without any loss in quality. Furthermore, individuals who acquire a temporary license to use digital media content (i.e., "rent" digital media content) are often capable of circumventing any time restrictions placed on the content. One known weak point in the dissemination of media content from an internet store to a local device, such as a desktop computer, laptop or a smartphone, is the operating system of the local device. Both the operating system and/or the applications running under it, can be easily attacked by the end-user to circumvent any time or duplication restrictions.
What is needed are systems, methods and apparatuses for precluding software-based methods of evading usage restrictions, including time restrictions and content duplication limitations. While other methods of illicit use (e.g., hardware-based or server side software-based) may still exist (due to the very nature of content delivery), these attacks are much more technically complicated than software replication, and fewer numbers of individuals engage in these. Thus, precluding software-only attacks, which is the most widespread form of media content misuse, will severely limit numbers of the individuals capable of such misuse.

Systems, methods and apparatuses for the secure transmission and restricted use of media content


Provided are graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), methods of making GNRs, and uses of the GNRs. The methods can provide control over GNR parameters such as, for example, length, width, and edge composition (e.g., edge functional groups). The methods are based on a metal catalyzed cycloaddition reaction at the carbon-carbon triple bonds of a poly(phenylene ethynylene) polymer. The GNRs can be used in devices such a microelectronic devices.

Graphene nanoribbons, which are narrow strips of single-layer graphene, are one of the most promising alternatives to silicon in MOSFETs. However, two-dimensional (2D) graphene is a semimetal with no inherent bandgap. Opening a bandgap in graphene in a practical way is one of the most important milestones for the future of nanoelectronics. One approach to do so involves narrowing large-area graphene to create nanoribbons (GNRs) of width <10 nm, which provides band gaps in the range of 1 eV.
The potential of GNRs remains unrealized because of synthetic limitations. Top-down subtractive patterning approaches have been demonstrated to produce GNRs from large area graphene, graphite, or carbon nanotubes. A variety of patterning techniques, including subtractive lithography, electron beam lithography, the use of nanowire etch masks, chemical etching of graphene, chemical vapor deposition, sonicating graphite or graphene, spatially resolved reduction of graphene oxide, and unzipping carbon nanotubes produce GNRs, but do not simultaneously control the width, edge structure, or pendant functionality of the ribbons. These methods all fail to control the atomic structure of the edges of the GNRs, particularly in ribbons <10 nm wide. Methods to form GNRs by oxidatively "unzipping" single-wall or multiwall carbon nanotubes have been previously reported. However, solution-based oxidative unzipping strategies produce insulating graphene oxide ribbons that show inferior conductivity when reduced back to GNRs.
Bottom-up syntheses have produced impractically short ribbons thus far. Two approaches have been demonstrated to-date. Polymerized bis(anthracene) monomers that were sublimed onto crystalline metal surfaces into perfect GNR structures have been previously reported. This method requires formation of the GNRs on the metal surfaces. These GNRs are produced in minute quantities as insoluble submonolayers and are unlikely to be relevant for nanoelectronic devices. Bulk synthesis of GNRs from linear polymer precursors has also been reported. A linear polymer is prepared, which is oxidized to form the ribbon's remaining carbon-carbon bonds. The major disadvantage of this approach is that the polymers are quite sterically hindered and high molecular weight samples were not obtained. Thus, the ribbons are 2.7 nm wide (including alkyl groups) but are only an average of 9.2 nm long. The inability to obtain higher molecular weight polymers combined with the difficulty of elaborating the polymer structure severely limit the utility of this approach.

Graphene nanoribbons derived from poly(phenylene ethynylene) polymer, methods of making same, and uses thereof


Disclosed is the compound (+)-(2S,3S)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinol and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and processes for their preparation and use; also disclosed is a method of treating depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, migraine, pain, sexual dysfunction, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or addiction to cocaine or nicotine-containing (especially tobacco) products using such compound, salts, solvates or compositions.

Bupropion hydrochloride, (±)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]-1-propanone hydrochloride, is the active ingredient of Wellbutrin® which is marketed in the United States for the treatment of depression. It is also the active ingredient of Zyban® which is marketed in the United States as an aid to smoking cessation. Bupropion is a relatively weak inhibitor of the neuronal uptake of noradrenaline (NA), serotonin and dopamine (DA), and does not inhibit monoamine oxidase. While the mechanism of action of bupropion, as with other antidepressants, is unknown, it is presumed that this action is mediated by noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanisms. Available evidence suggests that Wellbutrin® is a selective inhibitor of noradrenaline (NA) at doses that are predictive of antidepressant activity in animal models. See Ascher, J. A., et al., Bupropion: A Review of its Mechanism of Antidepressant Activity. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 56: p. 395–401, 1995.

Bupropion is extensively metabolized in man as well as laboratory animals. Urinary and plasma metabolites include biotransformation products formed via hydroxylation of the tert-butyl group and/or reduction of the carbonyl group of bupropion. Four basic metabolites have been identified. They are the erythro- and threo-amino alcohols of bupropion, the erythro-amino diol of bupropion, and a morpholinol metabolite. These metabolites of bupropion are pharmacologically active, but their potency and toxicity relative to bupropion have not been fully characterized. Because the plasma concentrations of the metabolites are higher than those of bupropion, they may be of clinical importance.
The morpholinol metabolite (+/−)-(2R*,3R*)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinol hydrochloride is believed to be formed from hydroxylation of the tert-butyl group of bupropion.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A filter for absorbing odoriferous matter from ambient air has a single body with a line of weakness that extends across at least a portion of the body and divides the filter element into at least two separately usable sub-filters. The line of weakness permits the separation of the single filter element into the sub-filters without the use of a tool. The filter element can be used in combination with varying size air purification units. The filter element can be placed in the filter housing of a large air purifier or after separation the sub-filters can be used in multiple correspondingly sized smaller air purifiers.

The present invention relates to air filters and, more particularly to a filter for absorbing odoriferous matter from ambient air.
Conventional air filters are common in the air purification art for absorbing odors. A typical filter is often manufactured for use in a specific air purifier. Since air purifiers come in different sizes, multiple filters must be manufactured and purchased to accommodate the varying sizes of the filters in the air purifiers on the market. Some attempts have been made to make more versatile filters, however such designs are inefficient and/or complex.
Prior art filters which have been developed for use in one larger filter housing maybe adjusted to fit a smaller filter housing, however none have been developed that can be used in a larger filter housing or multiple smaller filter housings. Current attempts at versatile filters are often complex, one requires a sliding saw tooth rack design, similar to window blinds. Other filter assemblies have been developed for combining smaller filters together by the frames, creating a filter to fit a larger sized filter housing. Such combined filters require the use of frames and excess attachment features to combine the smaller filters together. Further prior art filters require destructively removing part of the filter to fit a smaller size filter housing. The removed sections are not functional and must be discarded. All of the prior air filters are less desirable because of their complexity and/or inefficiency.
It would be advantageous to develop an air filter that could be placed in the housing of a large air filter or multiple smaller filters quickly and by hand. A simpler design could also reduce productions costs. It would be further desirable to develop a filter that is versatile between smaller and larger sized filter cavities and easily used. Currently filter manufacturers and dealers must carry larger inventories to service the requirements of different air purifiers. It would be further desirable to have a filter that can accommodate multiples sizes and reduce the number of filters manufacturers and dealers must have available.

Filter for absorbing odoriferous matter from ambient air


Two-dimensional materials, particularly graphene-based materials, having a plurality of apertures thereon can be formed into enclosures for various substances and introduced to an environment, particularly a biological environment (in vivo or in vitro). One or more selected substances can be released into the environment, one or more selected substances from the environment can enter the enclosure, one or more selected substances from the environment can be prevented from entering the enclosure, one or more selected substances can be retained within the enclosure, or combinations thereof. The enclosure can for example allow a sense-response paradigm to be realized. The enclosure can for example provide immunoisolation for materials, such as living cells, retained therein.

Drug and cell delivery in both immune competent and immune incompetent organisms is a problem in medical research and practice today. Recent studies use polymeric devices and hydrogels as a delivery vehicle. Some examples include polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., expanded PTFE) with a backing of unwoven polyester mesh, silicone, hydrogels, alginate, cellulose sulfate, collagen, gelatin, agarose, chitosan and the like. Current delivery vehicles and devices are challenged by biofouling, biocompatibility issues, and delayed response. The thickness of current state devices can limit efficacy, due in part to limited diffusion of nutrients into the devices and/or impeded transfer of substances into and out of the device. Low permeability, at least in part, due to thickness and mechanical stability in view of physical stress and osmotic stress can also be problematic. Moreover, replicating the cellular walls, selective channels, and the semi-permeance that biological membranes provide has long proven to be a challenge for synthetic membranes or semi-permeable walls, especially when integrating those membranes in vitro or in vivo. In addition, current membranes insufficiently achieve immunoisolation, especially in the context of xenogenic, allogenic, and autogenic transplants.
In view of the foregoing, improved techniques for transportation, delivery, separation, and forming selective barriers of substances under a variety of conditions, including in a biological environment, would be of considerable benefit in the art.

Methods for in vivo and in vitro use of graphene and other two-dimensional materials


Ethylene and allyl- or vinylsilanes are efficiently copolymerized by certain late transition metal complexes containing selected bidentate or tridentate ligands. The resulting novel polymers may be crosslinked by moisture when vinylsilane contains groups bound to silicon which are hydrolyzable. The polymers are useful for wire coating, crosslinked foams, pipes, and other uses.

Ethylene (co)polymers, which contain groups derived from vinylsilanes, are used commercially for many purposes, for example for electrical wire coating (jacketing and/or insulation layer(s)) of various types, pipes, adhesives, gasketing, and crosslinked foams. In many of these applications the silicon atom has attached to it one or more groups which can hydrolyze and then react to form a crosslinked polymer or a covalent bond to a surface.
Generally speaking the vinylsilane groups are "attached" to the ethylene polymers by one of two methods. In the first method ethylene and the vinylsilane are copolymerized at high temperature and pressures, often in the presence of a free radical generator to form a copolymer. See for instance U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,018, which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth. Some of the repeat units derived from the vinylsilane in such a copolymer are
wherein Si≡ is a silyl group, and most of the rest are present as ends of chains or there are typically 2 or 4 or more methylene groups between the silicon atom and the methine carbon atom. Since this polymerization process is very similar to the so-called high pressure homopolymerization of ethylene, these copolymers have structures similar to low density polyethylene (LDPE). For an analysis of branching in LDPE, see Usami, et al., Macromolecules, vol. 17, p. 1756 et seq., (1984).
The other method of making ethylene polymers is to graft an allyl- or vinylsilane onto a preexisting polyethylene (PE). See for instance U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,155, which is also incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth. Grafting has the advantage that any type of PE, such as LDPE or high density polyethylene (HDPE) may be grafted. The disadvantage is that the grafting step requires the use of free radical catalysts, and is an extra step in the manufacturing process of the vinylsilane containing PE. Too little free radical catalysis and the vinylsilane is not grafted or only partly grafted, while too much free radical catalysis can result in crosslinking of the PE by conventional free radical methods. The grafted vinylsilane is usually considered to be present as a side chain on the PE having the formula —CH2CH2Si≡ (XIV), where the free bond to the carbon atom is the attachment point to a carbon atom of the PE chain. Similarly, one would expect that grafted allylsilanes would be present as a side chain of the formula —CH2CH2CH2Si≡ (XIX).
PEs containing attached vinylsilanes are particularly useful because they are thermoplastics which may be formed by normal thermoplastic processing techniques until they are exposed to water, and usually also one or both of heat and catalysts for the crosslinking reactions (see for instance previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,155 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,018). Once they are crosslinked they typically behave as thermoset materials. More importantly certain properties, such as resistance to treeing (failure brought on by exposure to high voltage electrical fields), and/or stress crack resistance, and/or creep resistance, are usually improved. Thus new methods of preparing allyl- or vinylsilane containing polyolefins, especially polyethylenes, and new vinylsilane containing polyolefin compositions, are constantly being sought.