O-isopropyl-isourea hydrogen sulfate or sulfate represented by the formula (I):

In the part, O-isopropyl-isourea hydrochloride is known in the art and the physical properties thereof are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-9-12530. In addition, regarding the O-methyl-isourea sulfate and hydrogen sulfate, the physical properties thereof are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,316 and JP-B-52-24007.
However, 1) O-isopropyl-isourea sulfate and 2) O-isopropyl-isourea hydrogen sulfate both according to the present invention are not described in the above patent publications and chemical Abstract and, since these compounds are not described in other publications as long as the present inventors know, these compounds are believed to be novel.
Further, many production methods regarding the production of salts of O-alkyl-isourea are proposed. For example, salts, such as hydrochloride, hydrogen sulfate, sulfate, acetate, organic sulfonate, etc., of O-methyl-isourea are obtained from, for example, methanol, cyanamide and various acids.
Similarly, regarding O-ethyl-isourea, the hydrochloride, hydrogen sulfate and organic sulfonates are obtained.
However, regarding O-isopropyl-isourea, only the hydrochloride and organic sulfonates are reported, but the production methods thereof are not satisfied as the industrial methods.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,316 and British Patent No. 1194313 disclose that, when a concentrated hydrogen chloride is added to an isopropyl alcohol solution of cyanamide to thereby be reacted, O-isopropyl-isourea hydrochloride is reported to be obtained. However, the yield thereof is as extremely low as 38% and, therefore, this method is not suitable as an industrial process.
Furthermore, JP-A-9-12530 discloses a production method of O-isopropyl-isourea hydrochloride using chloroform amidinium chloride. According to this method, a high purity crystalline O-isopropyl-isourea hydrochloride is obtained at a yield of 82% by the reaction of chloroform amidinium chloride, cyanamide and isopropyl alcohol.
However, since chloroform amidinium chloride is very expensive and since the yield of the production thereof from cyanamide is low, the above-production is not suitable as an industrial process.
Furthermore, JP-A-10-29983 discloses that O-isopropyl-isourea hydrochloride is obtained by reacting cyanamide and isopropyl alcohol in the presence of hydrogen chloride.
However, the use of hydrogen chloride requires the use of the special equipments and produces isopropyl chloride as a by-product. This substance has mutation inducing characteristics and has a high volatility. Accordingly, this production method has a possibility to impart an adverse affect to environment and therefore is not industrially preferable.
Furthermore, in JP-A-62-22751, it is disclosed that O-isopropyl-isourea dodecylbenzene sulfonate is obtained from isopropyl alcohol, cyanamide and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid at a yield of 97.6%.
However, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid is also very expensive, this method is not industrially preferable.

O-isopropyl isourea salt and production method thereof

Abstract: wherein X represents HSO4 or ½ SO4 and the production method thereof, wherein O-isopropyl-isourea hydrogen sulfate is obtained by reacting cyanamide and isopropyl alcohol in the presence of sulfuric acid and is neutralized with an alkali metal hydroxide to produce O-isopropyl-isourea sulfate.


Freeze-dried polymer latices, which can be reconstituted in water to give aqueous polymer dispersions having high polymer solids content, are described. The reconstituted polymer dispersions are useful in preparing sustained-release drug formulations, particularly of water-soluble drugs, by the wet granulation method without over wetting.

It is well known to produce solid oral dosage forms of a type commonly referred to as sustained-release systems in which a pharmacologically active ingredient contained therein is released in a controlled manner in order to elicit the desired biological response. For instance, such formulations are used to provide delayed action of a drug for an interval of time or until it encounters certain physiological conditions. An example of the latter is a medication which is resistant to the acidic gastric juices but breaks down in the alkaline environment of the intestines with concomitant release of the active component.
Sustained-release properties of orally administered pharmaceutical compositions can be attained by means of diffusional systems in which the release rate of a drug is governed by its migration through a polymer membrane. There are two techniques whereby this can be effected. In one of these, a core of drug is encapsulated by a polymeric membrane. In the other technique and the one with which the invention is particularly concerned, the drug components are uniformly distributed throughout an inert polymeric matrix.
In preparing the matrix type of solid dosage forms, for example, granules, pellets and tablets, the wet granulation method is widely employed. The steps included are (1) weighing, (2) mixing, (2a) sieving, (2b) mixing, (3) granulation, (4) wet screening, (5) drying, (6) dry screening, (6a) addition of other desired ingredients, (7) lubrication and if tablets are desired, and (8) compression. Granules of the matrix containing drug are produced by wetting the powdered mass with a solution/suspension of the polymer followed by screening and drying of the wet granulation. After the drying step, the granulation is screened to the desired particle size.
The matrix containing a predetermined amount of polymer can be formed by adding to the dried powdered ingredients, a specific volume of a solution of the polymer in an organic solvent. A variation in such matrix formation, utilizes the polymer in the form of an aqueous dispersion. When carrying out the granulation, mixing of the liquid and solid component must be carefully controlled. The general rule of thumb is to add the liquid to the powdered mass until it takes on the consistency of damp snow or brown sugar. If the liquid component is an aqueous polymer dispersion, over wetting of the powdered mass may occur while attempting to deposit the desired weight of polymer. This will result in difficulties in the further processing of the over wetted granulation. On the other hand, insufficient wetting produces granules that are too soft, and generates excessive quantities of fines. This results in poor drug distribution and unsatisfactory flow and compression properties.
The trend to water based polymer systems is receiving increased attention owing to the implementation in recent years of stronger government safety regulations limiting solvent emissions from commercial chemical operations. The usual hazards, that is, toxicity and flammability are also associated with solvent use.
A class of aqueous polymer dispersions that are highly suitable in formulating pharmaceutical products are those in which the polymer particles are formed of at least one water-insoluble polymer of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,338 to Gilbert S. Banker. The aqueous polymer dispersions described therein are pseudolatices produced by dissolving the polymer in a water-immiscible solvent, forming an emulsion of the solvent solution in water and removing the water leaving very small particles of the polymer in the aqueous vehicle. Surfactants can be employed to facilitate emulsion formation.
The aqueous polymer dispersions of the cited patent were developed as coatings for solid pharmaceutical dosages and to this end were admixed with selected additives. These included annealing agents in the form of water-soluble polymers; emulsion stabilizers, particularly cetyl alcohol and n-decane; polishing agents, release agents, etc.
The water-insoluble polymer in the Banker aqueous dispersions can be of various types as exemplified by chemically modified, solvent soluble cellulose derivatives such as cellulose ethers and esters illustrative members of which are ethylcellulose and cellulose acetate phthalate. Other water-jnsoluble polymers may be used alone or added to the cellulosic polymer.
Although having wide application in formulating coating materials, the aqueous polymer dispersions of Banker are not readily amenable to the manufacture of pharmaceuticals by the wet granulation method. The main problem in this regard, is producing the Banker dispersions with sufficient polymer levels to provide matrix formation for sustained release without causing over wetting. Simply increasing the amount of polymer solvent solution to be emulsified in forming the pseudolatices is ineffective due to excessively high viscosities. Another possible approach is to use a more concentrated polymer solvent solution but this tends to promote formation of large polymer particles or clumps instead of a stable dispersion. Nor does raising polymer levels by removing some of the aqueous phase provide the answer since it leads to excessive foaming and unstable dispersions. Because of these deleterious effects, it is difficult to prepare Banker's dispersions in which the polymer content is much above about 30% by weight. At this level of polymer content, attendant over wetting would be a problem, particularly where the sustained-release composition produced from the dispersions contains a water-soluble drug substance and where the high ratio of the polymer to soluble drug is intended.

Freeze-dried polymer dispersions and the use thereof in preparing sustained-release pharmaceutical compositions


A system includes an intervening server, an information processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus i) sends debug command information including a debug command and a first identifier to the intervening server, ii) periodically requests for operation log information including an operation log and a second identifier to the intervening server, iii) receives the operation log information, and iv) stores the operation log associated with the debug command, if the first identifier matches with the second identifier. The image forming apparatus i) periodically requests for the debug command information to the intervening server, ii) receives the debug command information, iii) acquires the operation log of an application in response to the debug command, and iv) sends, to the intervening server, the operation log information including the operation log and the second identifier included in the debug command information.

An application in an image forming apparatus is tested before it is delivered to a user. Since the image forming apparatus has been provided with more functions, and the configurations of applications have thereby become complex, an application error often occurs under a particular condition due to a bug after the image forming apparatus has been delivered to a user. When the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus attempts to reproduce the particular condition to investigate the cause of the application error, the particular condition may not be able to be reproduced.

System and method for remote debugging of an application in an image forming apparatus over a network


In a fluid control device, a check valve includes a first valve housing and a first diaphragm. The first diaphragm defines a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber. An exhaust valve includes a second valve housing and a second diaphragm. The second diaphragm defines a third valve chamber and a fourth valve chamber. The check valve is opened and closed by a difference in pressure between the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber. The exhaust valve is opened and closed by a difference in pressure between the third valve chamber and the fourth valve chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a valve suitable for a fluid control device that charges compressed air into an air reservoir and exhausts the air from the air reservoir, and relates to the fluid control device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional electronic sphygmomanometer is disclosed in Japanese Examined Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-32645. This electronic sphygmomanometer is connected to a cuff through an armband rubber tube. This electronic sphygmomanometer stores in a body case: a pressure pump that sends air out to the cuff; a pressure sensor that converts a cuff pressure into an electronic signal; an electromagnetic valve that is opened according to the electric signal, and rapidly reduces the cuff pressure; a constant speed reducing pressure valve that reduces the cuff pressure at a constant speed; and a driver circuit that generates an electric signal and transmits the electric signal to the electromagnetic valve. The pressure sensor, the pressure pump, the electromagnetic valve, and the constant speed reducing pressure valve are connected to one another by one rubber tube, and this one rubber tube is connected to an arm band rubber tube that communicates with the cuff.
In this structure, the electronic sphygmomanometer, when starting blood pressure measurement, sends out air to the cuff by the pumping operation of the pressure pump, and increases the pressure in the cuff. Then, after the blood pressure measurement is completed, the electronic sphygmomanometer energizes the electromagnetic valve, opens the electromagnetic valve, and makes air in the cuff exhaust rapidly. Accordingly, the cuff will be in a state in which the next blood pressure can be measured.
The electronic sphygmomanometer of Japanese Examined Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-32645 requires an electromagnetic valve that is difficult to be miniaturized and a driver circuit that drives the electromagnetic valve. Therefore, the manufacturing costs may become higher, and the main body of the electronic sphygmomanometer may become larger, and the power consumption may increase.
Accordingly, for example, in order to simplify the structure, a typical piezoelectric pump might be connected to a cuff directly. For example, a piezoelectric pump having a pump housing with a pump chamber, a discharge hole, and a suction hole formed inside is prepared; and the discharge hole is connected to the armband rubber tube of the cuff. Then, the piezoelectric pump, when starting blood pressure measurement, performs a pumping operation, sends out air from the discharge hole to the cuff, and increases the pressure in the cuff. Subsequently, after the blood pressure measurement is completed, the piezoelectric pump stops the pumping operation and exhausts the air in the cuff from the suction hole.
However, the volume of the air that can be stored in the cuff is extremely large as compared with the volume of the pump chamber of the piezoelectric pump. Then, the exhaust speed of the piezoelectric pump is extremely slow as compared with the amount of the air that can be stored in the cuff. Therefore, in a case in which the piezoelectric pump is directly connected to the cuff, the air in the cuff cannot be exhausted rapidly.


A totally solid polymer electrolyte composition with high ionic conductivity and enhanced mechanical properties is provided. This electrolyte composition is produced by polymerizing a monomer composition comprising a molten quaternary ammonium salt having a polymerizable functional group introduced therein and a charge transfer ion source in the presence of a polymeric reinforcing material. The polymeric reinforcing material can be formed into a composite of polymer blend morphology by dissolving the monomer composition and the reinforcing material in an appropriate organic solvent and polymerizing the solution. Alternatively, the composite can be obtained by impregnating a porous sheet or film as the reinforcing material with the monomer composition and effecting polymerization. An electrolyte for lithium ion battery can be obtained by selecting a lithium salt as the charge transfer ion source; an electrolyte for fuel cell by selecting a proton donor; and an electrolyte for dye sensitized solar cell by selecting a redox ion pair. A polymer electrolyte composition not containing the charge transfer ion source is also useful as an electrolyte for electrolytic capacitor.

Non-aqueous electrolyte solutions containing a lithium salt are generally used in lithium ion batteries. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprises an aprotic polar solvent and a lithium salt dissolved therein. Carbonates such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate or methyl ethyl carbonate; lactones such as γ-butyrolactone, or ethers such as tetrahydrofuran are examples of the solvent. These organic solvents are generally volatile and inflammable. Therefore, their use can develop safety concern when the battery is overly charged and discharged or short-circuited. Also liquid electrolyte solutions must encounter some difficulties when sealing the battery in liquid tight manner. The electrolyte solution may be solidified into a gel but problems of volatilization and inflammability of the organic solvent as well as leakage of liquid electrolyte separated from gel still remain unsolved.
Recently a lithium ion battery has been proposed which utilizes a non-aqueous electrolyte comprising a room-temperature molten quaternary ammonium salt and a lithium salt dissolved therein. See, JP-A-10/92467, JP-A-10/265674, JP-A-11/92467 and JP-A-2002/11230. The molten salt is liquid at room temperature which is safe by virtue of its non-volatility and non-inflammability. The molten salt electrolyte may be solidified with a suitable polymer into a gel. However, the resulting gel possesses poor mechanical properties and often suffers from phase separation into liquid. Thus problems remain unsolved with respect to handling of electrolyte and battery design utilizing such a molten salt electrolyte.
JP-A-10/83821 and JP-A-2000/11753 propose a total solid polymer electrolyte prepared by polymerizing an ion conductive molten salt monomer having a vinyl group introduced into an imidazolium salt. This polymer electrolyte does not possess a sufficient mechanical strength.
Accordingly, a need exists for a polymer electrolyte which is safe and having both high ion conductivity and satisfactory mechanical strength.

Composite polymer electrolyte composition


A method for forming a thin film pattern includes the step of ejecting a plurality of liquid droplets of a function liquid at predetermined pitches between banks, wherein each of the predetermined pitches is larger than a diameter of the liquid droplet and the predetermined pitches are set so that adjacent liquid droplets coalesce with each other when wetting and spreading within a groove formed between the banks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for forming a thin film pattern, to a device and a production method therefore, to an electro-optical apparatus and electronic apparatus, and to a production method for an active matrix substrate.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-139190, filed May 16, 2003, Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-153201, filed May 29, 2003, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-112062, filed Apr. 6, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
Up to now, as a production method for fine wiring patterns of a semiconductor integrated circuit and the like, a photolithography method is frequently used. On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 11-274671 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2000-216330 disclose methods of using liquid droplet ejecting systems. The technology currently disclosed in these documents disposes (applies) a material on a pattern formation surface by ejecting a function liquid, containing a pattern forming material, on a substrate from a liquid droplet ejecting head, to form a wiring pattern. Hence, it is said that this is very effective since this technology is applicable to multi-product and small scale production system.
The high densification of circuits constituting devices in recent years is increasingly advancing, and further miniaturization and thinning is demanded also for, for example, wiring patterns.
However, when it is intended to form such a fine wiring pattern by a method according to the above-mentioned liquid droplet ejecting systems, it is especially difficult to fully achieve the accuracy of the wiring width. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 09-203803 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 09-230129 disclose techniques of providing on a substrate banks which are partition members, and performing surface finishing so that upper portions of the banks may become liquid-repellent and the other portions may be made to have liquid-affinity.
By using this technology, even if a line is thin, it is possible to form a thin line by regulating the width of a wiring pattern with the width between the banks.
On the other hand, since the banks are formed by using a photolithography method, there is a possibility of cost increase. Hence, it is also proposed to selectively eject a liquid material (function liquid) on liquid-affinity sections of the substrate where liquid-repellent sections and the liquid-affinity sections are patterned beforehand by a liquid droplet ejecting system. In this case, since a liquid material where, for example, conductive fine particles are dispersed tends to collect on the liquid-affinity sections, it is possible to form a wiring pattern while maintaining positional accuracy without forming the banks.
Nevertheless, the following problems exist in the prior art mentioned above.
When the width of a groove formed between banks is reduced so as to perform thinning, each diameter of ejected liquid droplets may become larger than the width of the groove. In this case, there is a possibility that liquid droplets reaching targets may overflow on the surfaces of the banks and may remain, and there is a possibility of a short circuit when a liquid droplet remains on a bank between adjacent wirings, which greatly reduces the quality of a device.
On the other hand, if the substrate where liquid-repellent sections and liquid-affinity sections are patterned is used, each diameter of liquid droplets ejected may become larger than each width of the liquid-affinity sections when the width of each liquid-affinity section is reduced so as to perform thinning. Also in this case, a liquid droplet reaching a target overflows on the surface of the liquid-repellent section and remains, and there is a possibility of short circuiting.
The present invention is created in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a method for forming a thin film pattern which can form wiring without allowing a liquid droplet to remain on a bank, a device and a production method therefor, an electro-optical apparatus and an electronic apparatus, and a production method for an active matrix substrate.
In addition, the present invention aims to provide a method for forming a thin film pattern which can form wiring without allowing a liquid droplet to remain on a liquid-repellent section, a device and a production method therefor, an electro-optical apparatus and an electronic apparatus, and a production method for an active matrix substrate.

Method for forming thin film pattern, device and production method therefor, electro-optical apparatus and electronic apparatus, and production method for active matrix substrate


A modular keel or stem for use as a tibial implant has a central stem portion including a tongue-like coupling portion for insertion into a grooved portion in a bone contacting portion of a tibial baseplate. The modular keel or stem may also include a pair of anti-rotation fins or ribs which extend medially and posteriorly on the medial side and laterally and posteriorly on the lateral side. Proximal portions of the ribs or fins may engage receptacles in the bone contacting of the tibial baseplate. A locking element is provided for engaging the keel or stem coupling portion and the baseplate after the coupling portion of the keel is inserted into the groove to prevent the disassembly the keel from the baseplate. In one embodiment, the baseplate is capable of being inserted in a direction offset from the anterior-posterior direction, such as a medial-lateral direction, after the keel has been implanted. A polymeric bearing insert is provided for placement onto the baseplate in a standard manner.

This invention relates to a modular tibial component for use in total knee arthroplasty. More particularly, it relates to a modular tibial component for use in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) wherein all the modular tibial components can be installed through an incision on either the medial side or lateral side or on an anterior-lateral or anterior-medial location on the knee.
As used herein, when referring to bones or other parts of the body, the term "proximal" means closer to the heart and the term "distal" means more distant from the heart. The term "inferior" means toward the feet and the term "superior" means towards the head. The term "anterior" means towards the front part of the body or the face and the term "posterior" means towards the back of the body. The term "medial" means toward the midline of the body and the term "lateral" means away from the midline of the body.
In the past, resurfacing of a knee joint was performed with the implantation of prosthetic femoral and tibial components through an incision extending proximally to distally along the anterior surface of the knee adjacent the lateral or medial sides of the patella. This required a comparatively long incision to be made in order to install the prosthetic femoral and tibial component. Recently, there has been progress towards shortening the incision and moving the incision either medially or laterally from the prior art anterior incision. While direct medial or lateral approaches are possible, it is preferred to have an anterior-medial or anterior-lateral approach.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0171757 relates to such a minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty method and instrumentation used therefor. In addition, in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/768,520 assigned to the assignee of the present invention discloses instrumentation for use with such a minimally invasive method.
Incisions size, while of secondary importance to not everting or subluxing the patella, has been reduced and may be in the range of 7-9 cm. Consequently it has been found necessary to utilize femoral and tibial prosthetic implants which are adapted to be inserted through this reduced incision. One way of producing such an implant is to make the typical parts of the implant modular so that they may be inserted into a prepared knee in series. For example, with respect to the tibia, a typical tibial implant includes a stem or a keel, a baseplate and a modular bearing insert typically made of a polymeric material such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Such a modular tibial component is shown in COPENDING U.S. application Ser. No. 11/133,014 assigned to the Assignee of the present invention.
In the present invention, the stem or keel has been made a separate element from the tibial baseplate which supports the polymeric bearing component. The stem and keel includes a coupling feature in the form of a flanged portion which acts as a tongue for insertion into a grooved receptacle on the inferior surface of the tibial baseplate.
Modular prosthetic knee components are known and are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,796, U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,359, U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,127, U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,216, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,605. These patents relate to methods of attaching modular stems or keels to a femoral or tibial component.


An on-die termination apparatus guarantees a desirable spec margin by separately controlling pull-up transistors and pull-down transistors provided in a main on-die termination block. The on-die termination circuit includes an extended mode register set decoding unit for decoding an inputted address to output a plurality of decoding signals to set a termination impedance; an ODT control unit for selectively activating a plurality of pull-up control signals and a multiplicity of pull-down control signals by logically combining the plurality of decoding signals, pull-up test signals and pull-down test signals; and an ODT unit including a plurality of main termination units to test the termination impedance by separately activating the plurality of main termination units based on the plurality of pull-up control signals and the multiplicity of pull-down control signals.

Recently, various new technologies have been developed for improving a data transferring speed of a double data rate (DDR) memory device. For instance, an off chip driver (OCD) calibration technology has been introduced to a specification of the DDR memory device by the JEDEC (Joint Electron Engineering Council) in order to adjust an impedance of a data output unit of the DDR memory device.
That is, the optimum impedance of a data output driver for a current system is detected by measuring a voltage, or a current which flows from an external circuit such as a chip set to the data output driver, so that an impedance of the data output driver is adjusted to the optimum impedance. For this purpose, a DDR2 synchronous semiconductor memory device additionally includes an OCD control unit for adjusting an impedance of the data output driver.
A termination impedance is needed for stably transferring a signal between circuits. If the termination impedance is not appropriately matched, a signal reflection error can occur, i.e., a transferred signal can be reflected back. However, if an external fixed resistor is provided, an appropriate matching may not be obtained due to aging of an integrated circuit, temperature variations or manufacturing process variations.
Therefore, a technology for adjusting the termination impedance has been developed in order to obtain an impedance match with an external reference impedance by controlling the number of turned-on transistors among a plurality of transistors connected in parallel.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional on-die termination (ODT) control device.
As shown, the conventional ODT control device includes first to third driving control units 10, 20 and 30.
The first driving control unit 10 includes a first inverter I1, first and second PMOS transistors P1 and P2, and first and second NMOS transistors N1 and N2. The first PMOS transistor P1 and the first NMOS transistor N1, connected in series between a source voltage and a ground voltage, have a common gate for receiving a first decoding signal S0 and a common drain for outputting a first pull-up control signal PU_S0. The second PMOS transistor P2 and the second NMOS transistor N2, connected in series between the source voltage and the ground voltage, have a common gate for receiving an inverted first decoding signal and a common drain for outputting a first pull-down control signal PD_S0.
The second driving control unit 20 includes a second inverter I2, third and fourth PMOS transistors P3 and P4, and third and fourth NMOS transistors N3 and N4. The third PMOS transistor P3 and the third NMOS transistor N3, connected in series between the source voltage and the ground voltage, have a common gate for receiving a second decoding signal S1 and a common drain for outputting a second pull-up control signal PU_S1. The fourth PMOS transistor P4 and the fourth NMOS transistor N4, connected in series between the source voltage and the ground voltage, have a common gate for receiving an inverted second decoding signal and a common drain for outputting a second pull-down control signal PD_S1.
The third driving control unit 30 includes a third inverter I3, fifth and sixth PMOS transistors P5 and P6, and fifth and sixth NMOS transistors N5 and N6. The fifth PMOS transistor P5 and the fifth NMOS transistor N5, connected in series between the source voltage and the ground voltage, have a common gate for receiving a third decoding signal S2 and a common drain for outputting a third pull-up control signal PU_S2. The sixth PMOS transistor P6 and the sixth NMOS transistor N6, connected in series between the source voltage and the ground voltage, have a common gate for receiving an inverted third decoding signal and a common drain for outputting a third pull-down control signal PD_S2.
In the conventional ODT control device including the first to the third driving control units 10 to 30, if the first decoding signal S0 is a logic level 'HIGH', a termination impedance becomes 150Ω. If the first and the second decoding signals S1 and S2 are a logic level 'HIGH', the termination impedance becomes 75Ω. If all of the first to the third decoding signals S1 to S3 are a logic level 'HIGH', the termination impedance becomes 50Ω.
The conventional ODT control device further includes an ODT block (not shown) having a plurality of main termination units whose PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors are simultaneously turned on or off. Accordingly, in the conventional ODT control device, it is possible to adjust the termination impedance by controlling a pull-up impedance and a pull-down impedance of each PMOS transistor and each NMOS transistor provided in the plural main termination units based on the first to the third pull-up control signals PU_S0 to PU_S2, and the first to the third pull-down control signals PD_S0 to PD_S2.
However, during adjusting the termination impedance, the termination impedance is varied because the pull-up impedance and the pull-down impedance are varied according to other PMOS transistors or NMOS transistors which are simultaneously turned on or off. Accordingly, it is difficult to accurately detect an error occurring in the pull-up impedance of the PMOS transistors and the pull-down impedance of the NMOS transistors.
In addition, when there are changes in process, voltage and temperature, the PMOS transistors and the NMOS transistors exhibit different physical properties. As a result, operation of the PMOS transistors and the NMOS transistors should be appropriately varied according to the process, the voltage and the temperature. However, in the conventional ODT control device, it is difficult to test the operation so as to modify the termination impedance as intended.


The supply of consumables and other materials to production machines in a system for the manufacture of tobacco products is managed using a method whereby, once a nominal target number of products has been programmed at a master control unit, a tally is kept of the number of products emerging from the machine located farthest downstream, and a corresponding signal relayed back to the master control unit, together with a signal indicating the consumption of the various types of material. On the basis of the information received, the master control unit will process an output message indicating the requirement for at least one given type of consumable or wrapping or other auxiliary material to be supplied, whereupon the message is sent to an operator entrusted with the task of replacing the depleted material.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for managing the supply of wrapping and/or additional and/or auxiliary materials in a system for the manufacture of tobacco products.
Manufacturing systems for tobacco products generally comprise a plurality of machines linked one to another along a common production line. In particular, such machines will include a cigarette maker at the upstream end of the line and, arranged in succession proceeding toward the downstream end, a filter tip attachment, a packer, a cellophaner, a cartoner and finally a machine by which pluralities of cartons are packed into boxes and transferred to an end-of-line palletizer, ready for dispatch. The system may also comprise a temporary storage unit of variable capacity associated with one or more of the machines, serving to compensate any differences in operating speeds, and possibly a filter plug maker associated with the filter tip attachment.
In systems of the type in question, each machine needs to be supplied periodically with consumables and packaging materials, including tobacco filler, filter plugs, rolls of cigarette paper, metal foil paper and thermoplastic material, packet blanks and finally coupons and revenue stamps.
To this end, each machine is equipped with at least one sensor monitoring the consumption of the relative materials, as well as a counter positioned at the outfeed stage of the machine and serving to indicate the number of items turned out during the respective production cycle.
Currently, the demands of the market dictate that production be organized in limited runs dedicated in each instance to a given type (brand) of tobacco product, with the result that the machines have to be shut down and the various consumables replaced entirely or in part. Moreover, these systems are subject to somewhat frequent and lengthy stoppages so that scheduled maintenance work can be carried out, and this in turn requires the removal of any unused consumable materials from the machine.
Conventionally, the task of renewing the supply of consumables to the various machines is carried out by production line operators, relying on an approximate and empirical approach that obviously causes the materials in question to be wasted, and especially during the final stage of the production run. This waste of material results in an unwanted overproduction of the particular brand of tobacco product, creating the problem of a stock surplus to the actual requirement, which must then be sold or possibly recycled.
It happens also, in view of the current criteria adopted for the management and supply of materials, that following a production run dedicated to one particular type of product, a relatively lengthy period of time is needed to set up the system in readiness for the manufacture of another type of product, since the materials remaining from the previous run must be replaced with new materials.
The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the problems mentioned above by seeking to minimize waste.

Method and a device for managing the supply of wrapping and/or additional and/or auxiliary materials in a system for the manufacture of tobacco products


An access communication system provides access between a user system and a plurality of communication networks. The plurality of communication networks provide services to a user in the user system. An access communication system includes a database system and an access server that is connected to the user system and the plurality of communication networks. The access server receives an alias selection from a user for a network shell that includes alias selections associated with actions. The access server then processes the alias selection to execute an action associated with the alias selection.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of communication networks, and in particular, to an access communication system that provides access to multiple service provider systems. More particularly, this invention relates to a system that processes an alias selection to execute an action associated with the alias selection.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Communication networks have seen dramatic development over the past several years so that today, there are multiple diverse communication networks providing services. The current technical challenge is to develop interfaces between the networks to provide seamless service across multiple networks. Unfortunately, today's interfaces lack the ability to offer the user with easy access to services from multiple systems. These interfaces do not customize operations for the user.
FIG. 1 illustrates the conventional public telephone network. User telephones and computers are connected to local switches. The local switches are coupled to a local database. The user places calls through the local switch. The local switch processes the called number to provide an end-point connection or access to other networks. The local switch may connect the call to another telephone in the local calling area. In a Local Number Portability (LNP) situation, the local switch exchanges information with the local database to obtain the appropriate routing number for a ported call. The local switch may also connect the call to an Internet Service Provider. If a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is used, DSL equipment may be used to bypass the local switch. The local switch may also connect the call to a long distance switch. To provide access to the long distance switch, the local switch first exchanges information with the local database. The local database identifies the long distance network for either the user or the dialed number.
The long distance switch processes the called number to route the call to another system or network. Prior to routing, the long distance switch validates the call by checking the caller's number. The long distance switch may also exchange information with the long distance database to provide special call-handling. One example is a calling card call, where the long distance database validates an account number for billing the call. Another example is a toll-free call, where the long distance database processes external information customized by the called party to route the call. Toll-free routing information includes items such as time and date, caller location, and call center status. Many long distance calls are simply routed through the long distance network to another local network for call completion. Other calls are routed from the long distance network to a call center. Call centers offer a concentration of call-handling capabilities for operations, such as order entry, customer service, and promotions. Call centers include automatic call distribution equipment to route calls to the appropriate destination within the call center.
Both local and long distance networks exchange calls with mobile switches. The mobile switches are connected to base stations that communicate over the air with wireless telephones. When a mobile user places a call, the mobile switches exchanges information with a mobile database to validate the mobile caller. The call is then routed to another mobile caller, the telephone network, or to an ISP. When a mobile caller moves around, their wireless phone logs-in with the physically proximate mobile network, and that mobile network updates the mobile user's location in the mobile databases. When a call is placed to that mobile user, their home mobile switch obtains a routing number from the mobile databases to route the call to the mobile network currently in communication with the mobile user.
FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional data network that transfers packets of user data to a destination based on address information carried in the packets. Users are connected to Local Area Networks (LANs) that are connected to Wide Area Networks (WANs). A common LAN is an Ethernet system. A common WAN is an intranet. WANs are inter-connected by data networks, such as IP, T1, frame relay, or Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). WANs are connected to the Internet through ISPs. WANs are connected to the public telephone network through telephony gateways. A common telephony gateway is a Private Branch Exchange (PBX).
FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional ISP. The public telephone network is coupled to a telephony interface that converts between telephony analog and digital protocols and the Internet Protocol (EP). Some telephony interfaces also handle DSL traffic that may already use EP. The telephony interface transfers EP traffic through an access server and firewall to a router. Some ISPs combine the firewall and the access server into one system. Also, the position of the firewall may vary, and traffic shapers may be present. The router exchanges EP traffic with the Internet.
In operation, the user calls the ISP over the telephone network and logs-in at the access server. The access server collects and forwards the user name and password to the ISP database. The ISP database validates the user name and password and returns an EP address to the access server. The IP address is for the user's terminal connection. Using the EP address, the user may communicate through the firewall to the router for transmissions to an IP address. The user now has Internet access through the router and exchanges packets with various Internet servers.
EP addresses are referred to as network addresses and include a network ID and a host ID. Network IDs are unique across the Internet and host IDs are unique within a given network. EP addresses are lengthy numerical codes, so to simplify things for the user, service addresses are available that are easier to remember. The service addresses are often the name of the business followed by ".com". Domain Name Service (DNS) is hosted by servers on the Internet and translate between service addresses and network addresses. The browser in the user computer accesses the DNS to obtain the desired network address.
FIG. 4 illustrates conventional network access. A current proposal for communication network access is provided by the Telecommunication Information Network Architecture Consortium (TINA-C). TINA-C proposes the use of agents in the user domain and the service provider domain. The service provider domain could be a telephone network, data network, or ISP. The agents negotiate access service rights. Once the service is negotiated, the user receives the service from the service provider network during a service session. Unfortunately, the access session occurs between the user domain and a particular service provider domain. At present, the service provider domain provides limited access capability beyond simply handing off communications to another network based on a called number or network address. As a result, the ability to customize services for a particular user across multiple service providers is inadequate.


A method and apparatus remove color noise of an image signal in which a distortion of a YCbCr color space caused by noise is corrected using correlations between color channels in the YCbCr color space of low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of an image signal while maintaining the HF component. The apparatus includes: a separator separating the image signal including a luminance signal and a chrominance signal into an LF component and an HF component; an LF noise remover removing noise of the LF component from the image signal; an HF noise remover applying a linear variation rate of the chrominance signal with regard to the luminance signal of the noiseless LF component to the HF component separated from the image signal and generating a new HF component; and a combiner combining the noiseless LF component and the new HF component.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing an image signal, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for removing color noise of an image signal in which a distortion of YCbCr color space caused by noise is corrected using correlations between color channels in the YCbCr color space of low and high frequency components of an image signal while maintaining the high frequency component of the image signal.
A conversion of RGB signals, which are continuous signals having different wavelengths, into digital signals causes aliasing in each channel due to sampling if not performed at an optimal sampling frequency. This also causes color noise due to a distortion of correlations between RGB image values.
Conventionally, a smooth variation of R-G and B-G values is used to remove noise. However, the smooth variation of R-G and B-G values is not necessarily maintained in high frequency components of image signals with regard to color noise that occurs due to sampling of image signals at an inappropriate sampling frequency. Furthermore, since an intermediate value of R-G and B-G values is used as a reference value without color noise, edge components that are important in image quality vary when the smooth variation of R-G and B-G values is used to remove color noise, thus resulting in a failure to obtain desired images.

Method and apparatus for removing color noise of image signal


A liquid crystal display device includes a display section which enables color display in each of pixels, and a gradation control unit which controls a gradation level in each of the pixels. The display section includes a first white display structure which is configured to combine primary colors and to display white, and a second white display structure which is configured to include a color with a chromaticity different from a chromaticity of the primary color of the first white display structure and to display white. The gradation control unit has a first control mode in which the gradation level of each pixel is controlled by one of the first white display structure and the second white display structure, and a second control mode in which the gradation level of each pixel is controlled by a combination of the first white display structure and the second white display structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a dot-matrix-type liquid crystal display device which can perform color display.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display device has various features such as thickness in size, light weight, and low power consumption. The liquid crystal display device is applied to various uses, e.g. OA equipment, information terminals, timepieces, and TVs. In particular, a liquid crystal display device comprising thin-film transistors (TFTs) has high responsivity and, therefore, it is used as a monitor of a mobile TV, a computer, etc., which displays a great deal of information.
In recent years, with an increase in quantity of information, there has been a strong demand for higher image definition and higher display speed. Of these, the higher image definition is realized, for example, by making finer the array structure of the TFTs.
On the other hand, in order to increase the display speed, consideration has been given to, in place of conventional display modes, an OCB (Optically Compensated Bend) mode, a VAN (Vertically Aligned Nematic) mode, a HAN (Hybrid Aligned Nematic) mode and a π alignment mode, which use nematic liquid crystals, and an SSFLC (Surface-Stabilized Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal) mode and an AFLC (Anti-Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal) mode, which use smectic liquid crystals.
Of these display modes, the VAN mode, in particular, has a higher response speed than in the conventional TN (Twisted Nematic) mode. An additional feature of the VAN mode is that a rubbing process, which may lead to a defect such as an electrostatic breakage, can be made needless by vertical alignment. Particular attention is drawn to a multi-domain VAN mode (hereinafter referred to as "MVA mode") in which a viewing angle can be increased relatively easily.
In the MVA mode, for example, mask rubbing and pixel electrode structures are devised, or a protrusion is provided within a pixel. Thereby, the inclination of an electric field, which is applied to the pixel region from the pixel electrode and counter-electrode, is controlled. The pixel region of the liquid crystal layer is divided into, e.g. four domains such that the alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules are inclined at 90° to each other in a voltage-on state. This realizes improvement in symmetry of viewing angle characteristics and suppression of an inversion phenomenon.
In addition, a negative retardation plate is used to compensate the viewing angle dependency of the phase difference of the liquid crystal layer in the state in which the liquid crystal molecules are oriented substantially vertical to the major surface of the substrate, that is, in the state of black display. Thereby, the contrast (CR) that depends on the viewing angle is improved. Besides, more excellent viewing angle/contrast characteristics can be realized in the case where the negative retardation plate is a biaxial retardation plate having such an in-plane phase difference as to compensate the viewing angle dependency of the polarizer plate, too.
In the conventional MVA mode, however, the compensation of the viewing angle at the time of displaying intermediate gradations or white is insufficient, and the gradation characteristics are different between a case in which the liquid crystal display device is observed in its normal direction and a case in which the liquid crystal display device is observed in an oblique direction to the normal direction. Consequently, in a case where the liquid crystal display device, which performs multi-color display, is observed in an oblique direction, intermediate gradations are degraded and become generally whitish. For example, in a MVA mode liquid crystal display device in which one pixel is divided into four domains, the luminance at the time when intermediate gradations are displayed and observed in an oblique direction would become substantially equal to the luminance at the time of white display, and the intermediate gradations are visually recognized as generally whitish display.
To cope with this problem, there has been proposed a technique in which one frame, which displays an image, is divided into a plurality of sub-frames, and the gradation levels are controlled on the basis of the luminances in the respective sub-frames (see, e.g. N. kimura et al., "60.2: Invited Paper: New Technologies for Large-Sized High-Quality LCD TV", SID'05 DIGEST, pp. 1734-1737 (2005)). In addition, there has been proposed a technique in which each pixel is divided into a plurality of sub-pixels, and the gradation levels are controlled on the basis of the luminances in the respective sub-pixels (see, e.g. Sang Soo Kim, "66.1: Invited Paper: The World's Largest (82-in.) TFT-LCD", SID'05 DIGEST, pp. 1842-1847 (2005)).

Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.


A hydraulic actuator for vibration testing equipment includes a double-acting piston having a coaxial floating piston assembly coupled to one end of the piston rod. The floating piston assembly has a preload piston pressurized to allow the overall length of the actuator to adjust for small changes in distance between the mating surfaces of the vibration test equipment when the equipment tilts or rotates.

Various methods and systems have been adopted in the vibration testing industry to simulate vibration and shock environments. There is a wide range of potential uses for such methods and systems, from earthquake simulators to the development of vibration-tolerant product designs. For example, a number of industries use vibration testing for determining their products' effectiveness and longevity when subjected to these environmental extremes. Vibration testing may be conducted to verify that a specific design will survive in its intended vibration environment, or to screen out defective parts at an early stage in the manufacturing process.
Vibration testing has traditionally been done with the test article restrained to move in a single axis. However, it has been shown that vibration testing in three mutually exclusive axes simultaneously can simulate real world conditions better than single axis testing. Therefore, to better simulate real world conditions, it is often desirable to use multiple-axis, multiple degree-of-freedom vibration test fixtures.
One such multiple-axis, multiple-degree-of-freedom vibration test fixture is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,752 to Woyski et al., and illustrated herein as FIGS. 1 and 2. The fixture 10 includes a normally horizontal upper fixture base 12, supported by three sets of upwardly extending pairs of rigid support arms 14, 16, 18. The support arms are mounted to a rigid stationary lower base 20 so as to accommodate vibration motion of the upper base in both the vertical plane and the horizontal plane. A hydraulic vibration actuator module 22 is affixed to each support arm, each module having a double-acting piston actuator assembly 24 reciprocating along a horizontal axis and a double-acting piston actuator assembly 26 reciprocating along a vertical axis. This permits the vibration table to be vibrated along orthogonal x and y-axes and rotated with a z-axis rotation in the horizontal plane by corresponding combinations of vibration of the three horizontal piston actuator assemblies. Separately, components of vertical forces are induced by the three sets of vertical piston actuator assemblies to oscillate the table in various combinations of pitch, yaw or heave orientations in the vertical plane, combined with horizontal plane movement.
Each of the hydraulic piston actuator assemblies has a split-piston design, wherein a pair of pistons are aligned along a common axis of vibration, and opposite end portions of the pistons project outwardly from opposite sides of the actuator housing. The pistons each reciprocate in a corresponding cylinder contained internally within the actuator housing as hydraulic fluid acts on ends of the pistons.
Although the split-piston actuator design has certain advantages, it has been found that there are some disadvantages associated with this design, especially in longer stroke applications (i.e. greater than 4 inches). Longer strokes often create higher side or bending loads on the actuator when used in multi-degree of freedom machines. Various features of the split-piston actuator design result in relatively poor side load capability in the longer stroke applications. For example, in order to accommodate such longer strokes, the overall length of the actuator must be increased, and the side loads on the actuator become extremely difficult to handle. Additionally, the split-piston actuator design does not allow the piston rod diameter to be changed in order to improve the side load capability of the actuator. Since the hydraulic fluid acts on one end of the piston rod, the diameter of the piston rod is determined by the required actuator force. Moreover, the bearings supporting each of the pistons in the split-piston actuator design are relatively close together, thus intensifying the existing problems associated with the side load capability of the actuator.
Consequently, a need exists for an improved hydraulic vibration actuator capable of addressing the disadvantages associated with the prior art actuator designs identified above. More specifically, a need exists for a hydraulic vibration actuator having increased side load capability for use in long stroke vibration testing applications.


Provided are a non-volatile memory system and a programming method thereof. The programming method of the non-volatile memory system includes adjusting a program-verify-voltage of a selected memory cell referring to program data to be written in an interfering cell configured to provide interference for the selected memory cell and programming the selected memory cell depending on the adjusted program-verify-voltage.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to a semiconductor memory device, and more particularly, to a non-volatile memory system and a programming method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A semiconductor memory device may be categorized into a volatile semiconductor memory device and a non-volatile semiconductor memory device. The volatile semiconductor memory device has a faster read and write speed, but has a disadvantage that if an external power supply is disconnected, stored contents may be cleared. On the other hand, the non-volatile semiconductor memory device preserves the stored contents, even though an external power supply may be disconnected. Thus, the non-volatile semiconductor memory device may be utilized to store contents that should be preserved regardless of the supply of a power source.
Out of the non-volatile memory, for example, flash memory can electrically and collectively erase the data stored in cells, and may be widely used in, for example, a computer and a memory card. The flash memory may be categorized into a NOR type and NAND types depending on the connection state between the cells and the bit line. The NOR type flash memory may be a memory in which two or more cell transistors are connected in parallel to a one-bit line, and may store data using a Channel Hot Electron (CHE) scheme and erase the stored data using a F-N tunneling (Fowler-Nordheim tunneling) scheme. In addition, the NAND type flash memory may be a memory in which two or more cell transistors are connected in a series to a one-bit line, and may store data and erase the stored data using an F-N tunneling scheme.
Each memory cell in the flash memory device stores one-bit data or multi-bit data. When one-bit data is stored in one memory cell, the memory cell has two threshold voltage states, e.g., threshold voltages corresponding to any one of data "1" and data "0". On the other hand, when 2-bit data is stored in one memory cell, the memory cell has a threshold voltage corresponding to any one of four threshold voltage states. Further, when 3-bit data is stored in one memory cell, the memory cell may have a threshold voltage corresponding to any one of eight threshold voltage states. Developments have been made in various techniques that store 4-bit data or more in one memory cell.

Memory system and programming method thereof


Methods and systems for facilitating electronic transactions on a user device are described. User-friendly graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are provided with minimal text and more pictures and images. The GUIs detect or receive various gesture inputs, such as swiping, tapping, and dragging and dropping, and display a corresponding screen or page. The gesture inputs allow a user to select or specify payers/payees, transaction amounts, and funding sources, without having to type numbers or letters.

Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to user interfaces that facilitate electronic transactions on user devices, and more specifically to graphical user interfaces that detect gesture inputs and use minimal text and more pictures and images.
Related Art
Mobile payment services are popular among consumers because of their convenience. Typically, the mobile payment service is provided through a graphical user interface generated as a result of executing a service application and displayed on user devices. Such a graphical user interface typically shows various types of information on a merchant, a desired purchase, and payment instruments.
Most graphical user interfaces require a lot of reading and clicking to process payment requests, which can be inconvenient for a consumer. Thus, a need exists for a simpler, more intuitive way to make payments on user devices.
Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, wherein showings therein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same.


A system and method for providing fast and efficient conversation navigation via a hierarchical structure (structure skeleton) which fully describes functions and services supported by a dialog (conversational) system. In one aspect, a conversational system and method is provided to pre-load dialog menus and target addresses to their associated dialog managing procedures in order to handle multiple or complex modes, contexts or applications. For instance, a content server (web site) (106) can download a skeleton or tree structure (109) describing the content (page) (107) or service provided by the server (106) when the client (100) connects to the server (106). The skeleton is hidden (not spoken) to the user but the user can advance to a page of interest, or to a particular dialog service, by uttering a voice command which is recognized by the conversational system reacting appropriately (as per the user's command) using the information contained within the skeleton. The skeleton (109) provides the necessary information to allow a user to quickly browse through multiple pages, dialog components, or NLU dialog forms to find information of interest without having to follow and listen to every possible page or form leading to a desired service or conversational transaction.

1. Technical Field
The present application relates generally to conversational systems and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing fast and efficient conversational navigation of, e.g., pages of CML (conversational markup language) of a particular site (e.g., Web site) or a conversational service using a skeleton or tree structure that describes the site, a portion of the site, or a service when the user first connects to a service provider, or complex dialog associated with a given service.
2. Description of Related Art
In the near future, conversational systems such as NLU (natural language understanding) and NLG (natural language generation) as well as dialog management are poised to become an essential component of human/machine interfaces. To make such conversational systems more functional, such systems should allow a user to express queries as naturally as the user would in a normal conversation. Indeed, such systems should afford mixed or directed initiatives in which the user may complete, correct, modify or disambiguate his/her queries based on the reaction of the system, as well as the capability of using queries to shortcut complex hierarchical menus.
Conventional instantiations of natural dialog systems, however, are designed such that the user follows a relatively narrow logic in the sequence or the elements that constitute his or her query. This is true with FSG (Finite State Grammar) or pure statistical NLU systems. Indeed, NLU is concerned with the understanding of the input for a given context, application or query mode.
Moreover, with conversational systems, it is difficult to present a complex service to a user (e.g., a web page, hierarchical DTMF menu, NLU/NLG systems with multiple options and a form-based implementation) when a voice output is only available as output. Typically, the user must navigate through multiple web pages or DTMF menus to find the information of interest. Accordingly, a system and method for providing the necessary information to allow a user to quickly browse through a site or available dialog service without having to follow and listen to every possible page or menu leading to the desired service or transaction is highly desirable.

Structure skeletons for efficient voice navigation through generic hierarchical objects

International Business Machines Corporation


A process execution apparatus and method is disclosed by which a process can be executed significantly simply and readily. The process execution apparatus includes a direction recognition section for recognizing a housing member shaking direction in which a housing member is shaken, and a process execution section for executing a process in response to the housing member shaking direction recognized by the direction recognition section. The direction recognition section recognizes the housing member shaking direction with respect to a direction of the gravity detected when the housing member is held by a person.

This invention relates to a process execution apparatus, a process execution method and a process execution program and can be suitably applied to a process execution apparatus which executes a process, for example, in response to a shaking direction of a housing member which is moved by shaking.
A process execution apparatus of the type described is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2004-334642 which recognizes in which direction a housing member is shaken as viewed from the housing member and executes a process in response to the recognized housing member shaking direction. For example, if the housing member is shaken in the rightward direction as viewed from the housing member, then the process execution apparatus executes a process corresponding to the rightward direction.

Process execution apparatus, process execution method and process execution program


A zoom lens system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of lens units, in order from an object side to an image side, including at least: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein magnification change is performed by changing an interval between the individual lens units, wherein the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a lens element A having negative optical power; a lens element B that has an aspheric surface and has negative optical power; and a lens element C having positive optical power, and wherein the second lens unit satisfies the following conditions (1): 1.85<NdA<2.20 and (2): 1.88<NdC<2.20, where NdA is the refractive index to the d-line of the lens element A and NdC is the refractive index to the d-line of the lens element C.

In recent years, imaging optical devices represented by digital still cameras and digital video cameras (simply referred to as "digital cameras", hereinafter) have spread rapidly. For example, a large number of such digital cameras are commercialized that have the number of recorded-image pixels greater than 5 million. Among these, digital cameras of reduced size and weight are desired in particular.
According to demand for such further size and weight reduction of the imaging optical devices, recently, the following lens systems are proposed (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-212616, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-252204 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-24844).
Each of the lens systems described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-212616, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-252204 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-24844 is a zoom lens system, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; a third lens unit having positive optical power; and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power. Then, the second lens unit is, in order from the object side to the image side, constructed from three lens elements of a first lens element having negative optical power, a second lens element having negative optical power and a third lens element having positive optical power. As such, in each of the lens systems described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-212616, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-252204 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-24844, the second lens unit is constructed from minimum lens elements, and size and weight are reduced.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-212616
Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-252204
Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-24844

Zoom lens system and imaging optical device employing the same


A circuit for synchronously selecting either a first or a second input clock signal as an output clock signal includes first and second logic means. The first logic means outputs a first clock signal when an internal control signal is at a first predetermined logic level, while the second logic means outputs a second input clock signal when the internal control signal is at a second predetermined logic level. A control logic means is utilized to select either the first or the second input clock signal as the output of the circuit by coupling the first input clock signal from the first logic means to the output when an input select signal is in a logic state. The second input clock signal is coupled to the output when the input select signal is in a second logic state. The control logic means generates the internal control signal in response to the input select signal. A transition of the input select signal from the first logic state to the second logic state causes the internal control signal to transition from the first predetermined logic level to the second predetermined logic level synchronous with the output clock signal. At the same time, the transition causes the control logic means to freeze the output before synchronously coupling the second input clock signal to the output such that the switching of the output clock signal from the first input clock to the second input clock signal occurs without glitching.

Many digital electronic circuits rely upon a clock signal to synchronize the operation of the internal and external output signals. These circuits are commonly referred to as synchronous sequential networks. The clock signal consists of a periodic series of pulses that is used to control the operation of the internal circuit elements. (e.g., gates, flip-flops, latches, etc. By way of example, clock signals are typically used in computer or digital systems to synchronize the operation of logic gates in integrated circuits to avoid the possibility of generating spurious output values. Spurious output values are caused by extrinsic hazards such as a difference in switching times between various gates, or race conditions between the internal switching components.
Most often, clock pulses are distributed throughout a computer or digital system, with the clock pulses usually being supplied from a central clock generator. To insure proper operation, it is important that the clock pulses be distributed with equal time delays to different places in a computer, because if the time delays are different, the computer may malfunction. Another way that a computer or microprocessor can malfunction is when it is supplied a clock signal which includes random or spurious oscillatory signals. These signals--commonly referred to as "glitches"--can cause a microprocessor to enter undefined modes which are catastrophic to normal program execution.
The problem of glitching clock signals is particularly acute in portable or low power computer systems. For example, laptop computers often include specialized power management circuitry for reducing the frequency of the input clock signal at times when the computer is either inactive or otherwise in a reduced power state. Because glitches are commonly generated in the clock input signal during the switching of the clock signal from a high frequency to a low frequency, and, visa versa, the computer's microprocessor can enter an undefined mode. Such undefined modes can result in the corruption of customer data as well as possible damage to the disk drive itself.
Thus, there is a need for a clock switching circuit which provides glitch-free switching between clock signals having different frequencies. As will be seen, the present invention provides a synchronous, no-glitch, clock switching apparatus which is ideally-suited for use in low-power computer and digital systems.

Circuit for synchronous, glitch-free clock switching


The present disclosure relates to a current collector production apparatus for producing a current collector. The current collector includes a current collector substrate, a conductive layer disposed on at least one surface of the current collector substrate. The current collector production apparatus includes an oven having a space where the current collector is to be heated, and a passivation ozone knife having a current collector injection port. The current collector injection port is configured to release ozone in such a manner that the ozone reacts with a surface material of the conductive layer, so as to form a passivation layer. The passivation ozone knife is disposed inside the oven. The current collector produced in the present disclosure can prevent HF in electrolyte from reacting with Al, so as to solve a problem of detachment of active material from the current collector and maintain the performance of lithium-ion battery.

Lithium-ion batteries are widely applied in electronic apparatuses such as mobile phones and notebook computers due to their advantages of high energy density and environmental friendliness. In recent years, in order to solve problems of environmental pollution and the increasing gasoline price and energy storage problems, the application range of lithium-ion batteries has rapidly expanded to hybrid electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
A lithium-ion battery includes a housing, an electrode assembly accommodated in the housing, and electrolyte. The electrolyte is required to sufficiently infiltrate electrode plates of the electrode assembly, so as to ensure energy of the lithium-ion battery. However, the current collector of the existing electrode plate is an aluminum foil or a copper foil, and the current collector is coated with an active material. Once the electrolyte is injected into the housing, HF in the electrolyte reacts with Al on the current collector, and generates AlF3 and H2. AlF3 can directly result in a detachment of the active material from the current collector, which would cause serious loss on the performance of the lithium-ion battery.

CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED


The present disclosure provides a pixel array and a fabrication method thereof. The pixel array includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines which are arranged intersected and insulated and a pixel unit disposed at a position where each of the plurality of gate lines and each of the plurality of data lines are intersected. The pixel unit includes a thin film transistor (TFT). The width-to-length ratios of channels of the TFTs are sequentially increased in such a manner that the width-to-length ratios of the channels of the TFTs in the pixel units positioned in a same row (and/or a same column) are sequentially increased along a scanning direction of the gate line coupled to gate electrodes of the TFTs in the same row (and/or along a data writing direction of the data line coupled to the source electrodes of the TFTs in the same column).

A pixel array generally includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines which are arranged intersected and insulated. When the gate lines are scanned line by line, thin film transistors (TFTs) on each row are turned on one by one. At this time, data voltage signals written into the data lines will be stored in storage capacitors. When the scanning of the gate lines is stopped, the storage capacitors are used to supply voltages across liquid crystal capacitors electrically coupled thereto, so that the voltage across the liquid crystal capacitors remain unchanged after the scanning is stopped, so as to achieve a purpose of displaying screens.

Pixel array and fabrication method thereof

HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A photographic printing apparatus is provided in which a plurality of film cartridges X stored in a cartridge storage 1 are unloaded and transferred one by one to a film table 5 and after reading image data from a film of the cartridge with a scanner module 6 using light from a light source module 4, and printing it on a photosensitive material PC placed on an exposure bed 3c by exposure of light through a lens unit 4b, returned back to the cartridge storage 1.

Conventional photographic printing apparatuses for printing color images of a film on photosensitive materials are known comprising a scanner unit, a printing exposure means, and film conveying means. In action, printing requirements including image gray levels are optically read by the scanner and used for controlling exposure light emitted to the film from a light source by means of light modulating filters of three primary colors to yield desired gray levels on a photosensitive material.
More particularly, the scanner unit reads image data and its gray levels with an optical sensor detecting rays of light emitted from a light source which is different from the light source for the printing exposure means, and converts it into an electric signal which is then transmitted to the printing exposure means.
The film of which data of image gray levels has been read is conveyed by the film conveying means to the printing exposure means where it is subjected to printing process. The printing requirements are determined by reading the gray level data of all images of the film, and calculating an average gray level from the gray level data of all the images of the film. An optimum printing data of each frame to be printed is hence obtained with reference to the average gray level.
It is common with the conventional photographic printing apparatus that the films are loaded in the apparatus by manually feeding one by one or automatically feeding a chain of the films which have been spliced with one another and wound on a reel of a film feeder. The film is scanned by the scanner unit disposed along a path of the conveying means and its data is used for the printing procedure through exposure of light.
The manual one-by-one feeding of films is a labor concentrated task in which one film is loaded only after the printing procedure of the preceding film is completed, thus requiring at least one operator for engaging a succession of the feeding actions and not allowing a fully automatic mode of the feeding action.
The spliced film feeding also requires an additional time for splicing the films to one another and causes the printing apparatus to be bulky in size.
With the conventional photographic printing apparatus, the film is separated from its patrone before subjected to the printing process and then, handed back to a user in the form of several separated sheets, each having a small number of frames, stored in a known film holder. This will contribute to no efficient business. If the film is not separated but rolled in the patrone, its storage and handling will be much facilitated for the user.
It is an object of the present invention, for overcoming the foregoing disadvantage of the conventional photographic printing apparatus, to provide an improved photographic printing apparatus capable of storing a plurality of film loaded cartridges in a drum, unloading and transferring them one by one to a printing exposure means for printing, and after the printing, returning and loading back without films being separated from their cartridges or spliced with one another, whereby a sequence of the films in their cartridges can be subjected to the printing and handed back to their owners with ease.


A process for the asymmetric reduction of carboxylic acids of the formula ##STR1## or the amine salts thereof, where R and R.sub.1 are the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or haloalkyl and Ar is aryl or substituted aryl is disclosed.

Enantioselective catalysis using chiral metal complexes provides one of the most general and flexible methods for achieving asymmetric organic reactions. Metallic elements possess a variety of catalytic activities, and permutations of organic ligands or other auxiliary groups directing the steric course of the reaction are practically unlimited. Efficient ligands must be endowed with, for example, suitable functionality, appropriate chirality, a structure capable of differentiating space either electronically or sterically and skeletal rigidity or flexibility.
Among the asymmetric organic reactions catalyzed by chiral transition metal complexes, asymmetric hydrogenation has been one of the best studied, due in large part to the fact that it is the basis for the first commercialized catalytic asymmetric process. See, for example, ApSimon, et al., Tetrahedron, 1986, 42, 5157.
Some of the more interesting of the asymmetric hydrogenation catalysts are those derived from BINAP 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl]. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,691,037; 4,739,084; 4,739,085; 4,764,629; 4,994,607; and 4,766,227. Unlike the more classical models of chiral (asymmetric) molecules, chirality in the case of the BINAP-type compounds arises from the restricted rotation about the single bond joining the naphthalene rings. Isomers arising from this type of asymmetry are termed atropisomers.
BINAP-based Ru(II) and Rh(I) complexes induce high enantioselectivity in catalytic reactions. See Noyori and Takaya, Acc. Chem. Res., 1990, 23, 345.
The BINAP ruthenium complexes are dramatically different from the rhodium ones. They have been used to catalyze a variety of asymmetric hydrogenations, including the hydrogenation of enamides and alkyl and aryl-substituted acrylic acids. See Noyori, et al., Modern Synthetic Methods, 1989, 5, 115, incorporated herein by reference. Unlike the rhodium catalyzed reductions, ruthenium(II) carboxylate complexes possessing the BINAP ligand are efficient catalysts for the enantioselective hydrogenation of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acids. According to Ohta, et al, J. Org. Chem, 52, 3174 (1982), the carboxyl moiety of the substrate, and not other oxygen containing groups, is responsible for the stereoselective reaction. Asymmetric reductions of noncarboxyl-containing substrates by ruthenium complexes are inefficient.
The preparation of the BINAP-bearing ruthenium complexes, while not only sophisticated, is time consuming and expensive. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to carry out these enantioselective transformations using more readily prepared catalysts. In rhodium catalyzed asymmetric reactions, in situ methods of preparing the active catalysts are well established. However, such an in situ method to prepare ruthenium catalysts is not generally successful. See, for example, B. Heiser, et al., Tetrahedron Asymmetry, 2, 51 (1991). The necessity of synthesizing the catalyst in an extra step and complications due to catalyst instability are avoided by in situ catalyst generation.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic-substituted olefins using organoruthenium catalyst


A bichromic bipodal triphenyl amine based dye of the following formula:

Dyes for a DSSC have often been ruthenium-based (for example N-719) due to their good power conversion efficiencies. More recently, porphyrin dyes have gained popularity having exceeded 12% power conversion efficiency and organic dyes have gained notoriety due to their tunable properties.
Performance of the DSSC is limited because of dye performance and existing dyes have poor panchromatic absorption, poor redox stability, short lifetime and poor electronic communication between interfaces.
Some triphenylamine dye architectures have been investigated to address the problems mentioned above. These dyes have multiple triphenylamine donor units instead of just one appended to the ends of a central triphenylamine and a single cyanoacetic acid group present opposite to the triphenylamines. A drawback of these architectures is that single redox active donors are employed and donor units are modified with alkyl chains that increase the hydrodynamic volume which ultimately limits efficiencies and reduces dye loading in a DSSC. Furthermore, this architecture has only one binding group present limiting adhesion and communication with the interface.
There is a need for a dye for use in DSSCs with 1) increased panchromatic absorption into the near-IR; 2) improved redox stability and dye lifetime; and 3) improved electronic communication between interfaces.

Bichromic bipodal triphenylamine-based dyes with high photo-electron conversion at low light intensities

Abstract: n01022201333301 2m00101222012333 3

Abstract: Wherein R=


A solar canopy structure mounted in ground to receive solar energy and convert the solar energy to electrical energy. The solar canopy structure has support columns, solar canopies retained in opposition by the support column, photovoltaic material retained by the solar canopies, and a block of material establishing a point of fixation along the body portion of the support column spaced from the first and second ends of the support column. At least approximately one-half of the support column can be embedded in the ground with the block of material fixed to the support column adjacent to the ground surface. The solar canopies can be have decking supported by wing arms that are joined by a central portion to form a unified, continuous wing arm structure, and the central portion can be received in and secured to a channel in the support column by first and second brackets.

Solar panels placed atop free standing structures combine power generation with, for example, shade production, which results in the maximization of the value and use of the airspace. Freestanding structures that generate electric or wind power from rooftop devices to electrically charge and run vehicles are known in the art. See for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 09-002259, U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,363 and United States Patent Publication No. 2010/0000596 published Jan. 7, 2010. More specifically, JP 09-002259 discloses a photovoltaic power generation apparatus and a cartridge-type storage battery for a vehicle, for example a train, which can be exchanged when the vehicle is parked in a charging station having the photovoltaic power generation mounted on its roof. U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,363 discloses a charging station having a duct, a wind power generator and a battery in which the duct is formed from upper and lower panels that include a solar panel. The battery stores the power generated by the wind power generator and the solar panel and the duct is formed to collect wind blowing toward the wind power generator and to increase the speed of the collected wind. United States Patent Publication No. 2010/0000596 discloses a dual-inclination support structure having an array of photovoltaic modules mounted on its roof and having multiple uses, such as advertising, water collection, energy transmission, and the ability to place the solar cells at different angles to improve yields. Still further, United States Patent Publication No. 2010/0108113 discloses an aero-elastic solar power-generating canopy that can be formed over supporting structures without requiring an existing roof.
Certain problems are associated with the foregoing and similar approaches. The rigid solar panel installations known in the art typically are mounted atop already existing roof structures. This makes them not readily accessible, often compromises roof integrity, and results in a rigid and expensive assembly. In addition, conventional rooftop solar arrays are typically designed and disposed along a single slope plane, which may not be ideal in some locales. Further, such installations are problematic when there is snow or ice buildup in the winter. Still further, inclined, fixed plane canopies with mono-planar wings cannot maximize solar collection capability without adjustment to the wing angle.
In view of the foregoing, the present inventor recognized that it would be advantageous to have a lightweight, multi-purpose solar canopy that can be assembled and disassembled easily and that maximizes solar collection capability at times associated with air-conditioning needs and peak utility needs without the need to adjust the wing angle. It was further recognized to be advantageous if the assembly was constructed of low-maintenance materials with integral finishes and if the downstream replacement or upgrade of the solar generation element represented minimal waste disposal costs and issues.
The present inventor thus proposed solutions to the foregoing and further issues and needs with his application Ser. No. 12/873,174. There, a solar canopy was disclosed with photovoltaic film or laminate panels mounted atop arcuate, curved canopy arcuate wings that met in a central trough along a structural spine of the wings. The opposed wings were supported by support columns with lower ends thereof embedded in the ground. Footings of, for example, concrete were disclosed to embed the lower ends of the columns. As such, the footings were of necessity buried relatively deep below the ground surface. In certain embodiments, water containment vessels were disclosed as being in fluidic association with the columns for receiving water collected by the wings and passed from the troughs.
This originally disclosed solar canopy structure has proven to accomplish plural advantages and, indeed, to be inventive over the prior art. However, further research and experimentation led the inventor to appreciate a number of challenges presented by the originally-conceived canopy structure, and this disclosure seeks to present inventive and structurally advantageous solutions to those challenges.
Under the teachings of the parent application, a major concrete footing was necessary under each column following the typical method of supporting a free standing column on grade. While such major footings presented a stable structure, the approach is now considered deficient in that major excavation work is necessary to accommodate the footings and, where applicable, the water containment vessels. The required excavation for such foots is significant and disruptive to the work site. Rather than being a more desirable efficient and direct installation of the solar canopy, the nature of the work came to approximate a major civil engineering project. Moreover, with the footing effectively establishing the base of the solar canopy, it required substantial use of concrete to provide the necessary weight and overall structural characteristics to resist displacement of the columns and the overall solar canopy structure in adverse weather conditions. Still further, the concrete required to form the footings has a large carbon footprint, is relatively expensive to make and transport, and has a very long and negative energy tail such that it is not environmentally benign. Even further, installation of the footings required tons of gravel as a backfill and as a drainage element enveloping the subsurface elements, again having negative energy repercussions. The large concrete footings also demanded substantial formwork, cost, and cure time during the installation process.
Witnessing the foregoing, the inventor appreciated a tangible need for an improved installation structure and method even beyond that disclosed in his original patent application. In particular, a need was appreciated for an installation method and structure that required reduced excavation and that exhibited a smaller need for retaining material and, in so doing, established a smaller carbon footprint and that could be installed with greater efficiencies in material and time.
The inventor has also come to be aware of issues and limitations relating to the original canopy wings. According to the inventor's original disclosure, each of the opposed canopy wings was founded on supportive wing arms with arcuate profiles and structurally reinforced cross-sections, such as I-shaped cross sections. The proximal ends of the wing arms are formed with or connected to semi-circular pipe sections with projected mating flanges aligned with the column axis. The flanges were bolted together to surround but not penetrate the column.
After additional structural and fabrication review, it was determined that, to be structurally effective, the flanges of the primary wing section would have to carry around the column with significant structural projection in each instance. Disadvantageously, forming such structurally supportive projections demands very deep composite casting forms at the proximal end of the wings. Milling such casting forms has proven to be complicated and awkward, and the creation of the resulting proximal ends to be time and labor intensive. Additionally, it has been found that the resulting semi-circular sections and flanges results in an undesirable aesthetic solution and that the structural integrity and durability of the formed dual wing arm structure is dependent, potentially disadvantageously so, on the performance of the fastening mechanism coupling the flanges. Still further, as a result of the protruding proximal ends where the flanges laterally project, the resulting wing arms prove difficult to stack for storage and transport.
A further avenue for desirable improvement over the inventor's original structure has thus been realized in the formation of wing arms that are efficient in construction, storage, and transportation, consistent and stable in performance, and aesthetically improved in appearance.