A method for automatic auction extension and user controlled standardized bid increment/decrement. The method is implemented in an electronic commerce exchange. The auction method implements automatic extension of an auction in response to bidding activity from auction participants. The method includes the step of setting an end time for concluding the auction. Bids are received from remote bidders via a distributed computer network. The received bids are analyzed to determine whether a predetermined number of bids are received within a predetermined time of the auction end time. If a greater number of bids are received within the predetermined time, the duration of the auction is automatically extended and a new auction end time is set. The auction participants are notified of the new auction end time. Standardized bid increments can be set defining a minimum amount at which a subsequent bid differs from a previous bid. Similarly, standardized bid decrements can be set defining a minimum amount at which a subsequent bid subsequent bid differs from a previous bid. A total number of possible extensions can be set defining a number of times the auction can be extended due to bidding activity. The settings can be changed dynamically during the auction by the auction operator/user.

Buyers and sellers use a variety of techniques to ensure goods and services meet their mutual expectations. However, traditional procurement systems have been proven to be error prone, labor intensive, and costly operations. For example, often times, when a buyer is looking to purchase a batch of articles, a buyer might negotiate terms for the purchase prior to making the purchasing decision. The negotiation allows the buyer and seller to ensure the articles and terms (e.g., price, quantity, delivery conditions, etc.) will meet any specific requirements. As is generally known, it is advantageous to consider many alternative buyers/sellers when negotiating terms. A larger number of buyers and sellers available, for example, to bid on articles of manufacture, usually leads to a more efficient matching of requirements between buyers and sellers (e.g., getting the best deal). Traditional buying and selling mediums, such as auctions, catalog based purchasing, and selling, and the like, do not always facilitate the most efficient matching of requirements. Alternatively, when prior inspection of an article is not possible or practical, the seller may provide the buyer with specifications describing the properties of the articles. The recent ascendancy of electronic commerce provides a means of avoiding, or at least reducing, the problems presented by the use of traditional buying and selling mediums.
In many respects, the Internet and the World Wide Web based network technologies have largely eliminated the most labor intensive and costly portions of the buying and selling type commerce operations (e.g., the use of mass mailings, printed specifications, catalogs, updating preprinted product information, etc.). However, many of the old problems still remain. For example, the fact that a buyer may find a seller from whom to purchase a batch of articles "on-line", does not change the fact that the buyer might not be aware of a more favorable purchase opportunity from a different seller prior to making the purchasing decision. Even when negotiation and/or inspection of all articles from all possible sellers is not practical, the buyer would find very helpful a comprehensive system for gathering offers from a large, widely distributed number of sellers.
To avoid these problems, a variety of electronic commerce facilitating schemes were developed. One such scheme involved the use of business-to-business buying and selling exchanges implemented on the Internet. The term "electronic commerce" or "e-commerce" originally evolved from remote forms of electronic shopping to mean all aspects of business and market processes enabled by wide area communications networks, namely, the Internet and the World Wide Web based network technologies. E-commerce is a rapidly growing field, and is generally understood to mean doing business on-line or selling and buying products and services through Web (e.g., Internet based) storefronts or through other similar distributed computer networks. In general, electronic commerce is substantially similar to the more traditional catalog based commerce schemes. The business-to-business e-commerce exchanges, or simply "B2B exchanges" have evolved to focus on the specific needs and requirements of buying and selling between businesses.
As the use of B2B exchanges has proliferated, the implementation of electronic commerce auctions has become increasingly common. The use of electronic commerce facilitated auctions, or simply electronic auctions, has become a preferred method of efficiently matching buyers and sellers of goods and services. Electronic auctions provide a convenient means for aggregating large numbers of buyers or sellers and efficiently disseminating market information among them.
Auctions are different from traditional catalog based commerce schemes. Auctions generally aggregate buyers or sellers to purchase or sell items/services through the respective submission of competitive bids. Generally, the most competitive bid is designated the winner of the auction. For example, in an auction amongst multiple competing buyers, the most competitive bid is usually the bid offering the most money for the specified item or service. In an auction amongst multiple competing sellers, the most competitive bid is usually the bid offering the specified item or service for the lowest price.
Thus, buyers and sellers participating in an auction compete with one another on the basis of the terms of their bids. Auctioneers have an interest in making the bidding process as competitive as possible to effect the most efficient matching of requirements between sellers and buyers (e.g., getting the best deal). Large numbers of buyers or sellers competitively trying to outbid one another usually leads to the most favorable terms.
Buyers and sellers have an interest in ascertaining the competitiveness of their respective bids with respect to the conditions/rules of a given auction. For example, in a highly competitive auction for the purchase of a specified item (e.g., a batch of automobile parts), many competing bids are submitted from the various competing buyers. The auction has specified time limits. The auction begins at a specified time and ends at a specified time. Theses times can be specified by the seller. The buyers try to win the auction on the basis of the relative competitiveness of their respective bid. The buyers may try to judge interest in the specified good or service in order to determine the parameters of a new bid. Generally, buyers attempt to win the auction for the good or service without excessively overbidding. The sellers try to encourage the auction, soliciting successive bids from the buyers, with each bid being "better" for the seller than the previous bid. Generally, sellers attempt to encourage new bids from the buyers that are significantly better than previous bids. If the auction is highly competitive, the status of the bids for the specified item, as they are made, is important information regarding respective chances of a particular buyer being designated the winner of the auction. For example, buyers may judge the end time of the auction with respect to the competitiveness of the auction, attempting to make a final winning bid just before the conclusion.
There is a problem, however, in that the use of electronic commerce facilitated auctions creates problems for the buyers and sellers with respect to tracking the status of the bidding process. Electronic commerce is generally enabled by wide area communications networks, namely, the Internet and the World Wide Web based network technologies. As such, for example, auction participants are typically coupled to the auction event (e.g., exchange, etc.) via a web browser client communicating with auction event servers over the Internet. As is common with Internet and World Wide Web based technologies, there exists a significant amount of lag in two way communication between the electronic commerce exchange hosting the auction and the buyer's web browser. For example, as new bids are entered, an auction participant determines the status her respective bid by hitting "refresh" in the browser GUI to query the exchange server for the status of all the bids. This is often the only way a winning bidder can ensure he/she is still in possession of the winning bid. There is a certain amount of lag in the bid update process attributable to the Internet and World Wide Web network technologies.
Hence, buyers often take advantage of the lag due to the Internet and World Wide Web technologies by making frivolous bids in an attempt to win the auction by as small an amount as possible over competing buyers. For example, at times near the end of the auction, a buyer might continuously submit new bids, each bid being slightly higher than the previous high bid, in an attempt to take advantage of the lag. The buyer can steal the auction from genuine bidders by concealing interest until the closing moments of the auction since, due to the lag, the status of the bids is not efficiently disseminated to all auction participants. This leads to a large degree of uncertainty at the end of the auction as to which of the auction participants has won the auction. For example, several participants might believe they are in possession of the winning bid only to find that at some instant prior to the close of the auction they were outbid by some frivolous amount (e.g., one dollar). The seller has no means of ascertaining the emergence of such frivolous bidders since the winner of the auction is usually determined by the high bid at the expiration of the allotted time.
Another problem is the fact that the seller cannot alter terms of the auction dynamically as the auction is under way. Arbitrarily changing parameters of the auction after the start of the auction risks confusion among the buyers. Although a seemingly sufficient amount of time may be allocated (e.g., several days), the seller often finds that serious bids and serious competition only emerges in the closing moments of the auction.
Thus, what is required is a solution for controlling frivolous bidding activity. The required solution should be user configurable in accordance with the circumstances of the auction and the particular requirements of the user. The required solution should reduce the inefficiencies associated with lag. What is further required is a solution for dynamically altering the terms of the auction without risk of confusion to the auction participants. Additionally, the required solution should be compatible with widely used electronic commerce enabling technology. The present invention provides a novel solution to the above requirements.

Method and system for implementing automatic auction extensions and adjustable bid increments in an electronic exchange


An electrical test circuit includes a bridge configuration having two paths between two nodes, a buffer, and a capacitor. An output of the buffer is coupled to one of the paths, the buffer is adapted to either provide a defined potential or a high impedance, the capacitor is connected to the output of the buffer, and a signal of a device under test is adapted to be coupled to another one of the paths. One of the nodes of the bridge configuration can be supplied with a first current, and the other one of the nodes of the bridge configuration can be supplied with a second current.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an active load circuit for testing digital and analog signals.
2. Brief Description of Related Developments
So-called active-load circuits are often used within test systems for terminating signals of a device under test with a programmable current. Such test circuits are present e.g. on a plug-in card of the test systems. Such plug-in cards, however, are usually only applicable for digital signals of the device under test, and if an analog signal of the device under test is to be tested, different plug-in cards have to be applied.

Electrical test circuit with an active-load and an output sampling capability


A housing for enclosing an electronic control unit is constructed of a resinous cover and a metallic case having heat conductivity higher than that of the resinous cover. An air intake module is mounted on an engine inside an engine compartment. The air intake module forms an air passage through which air flows from an air inlet toward the engine. The electronic control unit is mounted on the air intake module such that the metallic case is exposed to the air passage in the air intake module and the resinous cover is exposed to the outside of the air intake module, that is, exposed in the engine compartment.

Generally, an electronic control unit, which performs a vehicle engine control, has a circuit board on which a microcomputer, an input-output circuit and a power circuit are printed. The circuit board is housed in a housing that is for example constructed of a case and a cover.
The electronic control unit includes electronic parts generating heat such as a driving element. If the temperature of the parts increases excessively, it causes problem to the operation. Further, the electronic control unit has been recently mounted inside of an engine compartment to shorten a vehicular harness.
To address the heating problems, the electronic control unit is for example encased in a special box having a fan for cooling. However, preparing the special box increases costs for manufacturing vehicles. Thus, it is difficult to cool the electronic control unit effectively at low costs.
Alternatively, the printed circuit board is installed in a space that is defined in an air cleaner separately from an intake air. However, this requires an additional housing to encase the printed circuit board because it is difficult to mount the printed circuit board directly on a mounting portion such as on a vehicle body. Also, it is difficult to change a mounting position of the printed circuit board while developing the vehicle.

Housing structure of electronic control unit and mounting structure of the same


An interlining comprising a non-woven substrate with a single or double bar ripple weft stitch knitted therethrough.

In the manufacture of various types of cloth products having an outer fabric substrate and an inner lining, it is a time-honored practice to place an insert, which is normally referred to as an interlining, between the outer fabric substrate and the inner lining. This can be found in garments such as suits, shirts, blouse shoulders, fronts, collars, cuffs, etc.
Normally, the interlining is conventionally adhered or fused to the outer fabric substrate by bonding of a thermoactive adhesive material which can be applied by coating or by printing in spaced deposits or dot patterns, the latter being accomplished by use of a roller. The adhesive is applied to one side of the interlining fabric which is then placed in contact with the outer fabric substrate. The adhesive material in contact with the outer fabric substrate is subjected to heat, as, for example, through ironing or pressing, all of which has the effect of softening the thermoactive adhesive material and causing the interlining fabric to adhere to the outer fabric substrate.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,396, a composite fusible interlining fabric is disclosed. The fabric comprises a non-woven layer and a fibrous layer stitched together. Thus, it can be seen that in this patent the interlining is composed of two different fabrics. Moreover, the stitching runs both lengthwise of the fabric and widthwise thereof.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,227, a fusible interlining fabric is disclosed consisting of a layer of rayon in the warp and filling, this being the woven embodiment, and in a knit embodiment a high wet modulus rayon in a weft-inserted yarn. The stitching does not extend through the interlining.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,196, an interlining fabric is disclosed which is formed of a layer of non-woven fabric, a layer of fibrous material and stitching that extends lengthwise and widthwise of the interlining.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,144, a fusible interlining having a high wet modulus rayon in the warp filling is disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,661, a composite interlining material is disclosed that includes outside layers of fabric with a sheet of foam sandwiched therebetween. The foam material provides bulk and resiliency to the interlining, while the outside layers of fabric provide smooth and non-abrasive surfaces to the interlining.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,249, a waistband assembly is provided that includes a waistband construction having a woven strip 12 for stiffening the construction and preventing the waist portion of the garment from rolling over. Stiffening strip 12 is stitched to a fabric 18.
Commercially, a popular type of interlining finding widespread acceptance is a weft-inserted knit made from polyester and rayon or rayon components. This prior art interlining material, while extensively used commercially, had drawbacks which diminished its desirability. One prominent drawback that comes to mind with the prior art interlining of the type discussed herein is that there was a relatively high rate of shrinkage, which, of course, was undesirable. Still further, it was difficult to make the interlining soft, which is desirable when the interlining is used in certain types of clothing products where drapability is a requirement. A further drawback with the prior art interlining that is described herein and was comprised of a weft-inserted knit was that the process for making this product was a two-step process wherein one of the steps included knapping. Knapping creates severe environmental problems in that fiber lint is created during the knapping process which has a tendency to fly away. This can create a potential safety hazard and often requires expensive equipment to minimize the potentially deleterious effects of the flyaway lint. For this reason alone, the prior art interlining which was made with a knapping process had severe drawbacks.
It is, of course, desirable that interlining, which is often used as part of clothing, be washable and dry-cleanable, whereas frequently with the prior art the interlining was not washable. Also because interlining is frequently used as part of clothing, it is important that it have a drapable feel.


An offshore vessel capable of installing and removing a subsea well control device and a riser string includes a hoisting device having a travelling block for connecting a load. The travelling block is displaceable along a firing line which extends through a moonpool and a heave compensation system. The vessel further includes a working deck supported by the hull of the vessel which covers at least a portion of the moonpool to allow the assembly of a riser string. The working deck is provided with a riser string suspension device that allows to suspend a top end of a string of risers. A heave compensation connection system is adapted to connect the working deck to the travelling block, such that the hoisting device can move the working deck when the working deck is connected to the travelling block between a lowered riser assembly position and a raised heave compensated position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an offshore vessel capable of installing and removing a subsea well control device and a riser string, the vessel comprising                a hull having a moonpool;        a mast having a top side and a base connected to the hull of the vessel, which mast is provided above or adjacent the moonpool;        a hoisting device supported by the mast for raising and lowering a load, such as a riser string, comprising a travelling block for connecting the load to the hoisting device, which travelling block is displaceable along a firing line which extends through the moonpool;        a heave compensation system associated with the hoisting device, for damping the effect of the movement of the vessel as a result of sea-state induced vessel motion on the load attached to the travelling block;
a working deck supported by the hull of the vessel which covers at least a portion of the moonpool to allow the assembly of a riser string, and wherein the firing line extends through an opening in said working deck, such that the hoisting device can raise and lower a load, such as the riser string, through the opening in the working deck, wherein said working deck is provided with a riser string suspension device that allows to suspend a top end of a string of risers, preferably with a subsea well control device attached to the lower end of the riser string, from the working deck in the firing line.
2. Description of Background Art
Such offshore vessels comprising a heave compensated hoist system supported by a mast having a working deck provided over the moonpool are generally well known. The working deck is used to handle risers, which are connected and lowered by the hoist system to form a riser string. The heave compensated hoisting device is used to provide heave compensation for loads suspended from the travelling block.
The riser string, connected subsea well control device, and optionally connected well entry equipment form a stiff entity extending between the vessel and the bottom of the sea. Therefor, generally a riser tensioner is provided to manage the differential movements between the riser string and the vessel. If there were no riser tensioner and the vessel moves downward, the riser string would buckle; if the vessel rises then high forces would be transmitted to the riser string and it would stretch and be damaged. The riser tensioner may be a direct acting riser tensioner device, or to a riser tensioner ring of a cable type riser tensioner system is arranged on board of the vessel. As is known in the art these procedures may include the attachment of a slip joint or telescopic joint to the top end of the riser string.
Hence, it is common to provide a riser tensioner as a primary heave compensator between the vessel and the riser string, and use the heave compensation system associated with the hoisting device as auxiliary heave compensator when well entry equipment is to be attached to the riser string. For example, the injector head of a coiled tubing installation is connected to the heave compensated travelling block.
A disadvantage of such a vessel is that in order to operate the injector head, personnel needs to be brought at the level of the travelling block, generally using tuggers etc. This operation is disadvantageous.

Offshore vessel and method of operation of such an offshore vessel


A polarizing monochromator comprising a uniaxial birefringent crystal prism, the prism has the geometry of a triangular block having a triangular base, a face including a side of the hypotenuse is an input-output face, where light enters and exits, and a face including the longer side of the right angle is a reflection face, the optic axis of the prism is perpendicular to the base of the prism, the angle of the input-output face of the prism with respect to light coming from a collimator optical system is determined in such a manner that ordinary light and extraordinary light exit from the input-output face of the prism in opposite directions with respect to an optical axis connecting the collimator optical system and the prism, and a light-collecting optical system is disposed to collect either extraordinary light or ordinary light exiting from the input-output face of the prism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to polarizing monochromator for selecting linearly polarized light having a certain wavelength range, and more specifically, to an improvement of a stray-light rejection system thereof.
2. Prior Art
With the increase in the degree of semiconductor integration, the wavelength of light sources used in optical lithography has been shortened to the vacuum ultraviolet range, as a means for improving resolution. As the popularity of polarized illumination using s-polarization to increase the degree of contrast and exposure to polarized light sources increases, polarizing monochromator for producing monochromatic, linearly polarized light with a high throughput down to the vacuum ultraviolet range have become indispensable for analysis of materials.
A general configuration used to produce monochromatic, linearly polarized light lets light output from a general monochromator pass through a polarizer. This type of configuration, however, would result in a loss due to the throughput of the polarizer. In order to avoid such a loss and stray light, a monochromator based on a double monochromator design has been used. One monochromator performs wavelength dispersion, and the other monochromator performs the functions of a wavelength dispersion element and a polarizer. This polarizing monochromator provides monochromatic, linearly polarized light by using a crystal prism functioning as a wavelength dispersion element and a polarizer simultaneously. In other words, linearly polarized light can be obtained through separation of ordinary light and extraordinary light by double refraction in the crystal prism.
The crystal prism used as the wavelength dispersion element has much higher wavelength dispersion on shorter wavelength side. Accordingly, the slit width can be widened, which results in increased optical throughput and provides measurement data with an improved signal-to-noise ratio.
However, because of the small separation angle between ordinary light and extraordinary light, the polarizing monochromator described above cannot sufficiently eliminate one linearly polarized light component working as a stray light component. For instance, the slit width cannot be widened at longer wavelengths because of small dispersion. If the slit width is widened at the expense of wavelength resolution, stray light would get in. A slit width widened for short-wavelength light would also cause stray light to get in.


A driving mechanism configured to turn a plate member with respect to a frame member around a predetermined turning axis includes a pair of supporting members supporting the plate member, a pair of actuators provided on both sides with respect to the turning axis and on the same surface side of the plate member. Each of the actuators includes a fixed electrode unit fixed to the frame member and a movable electrode unit fixed to the plate member. The fixed electrode unit includes a substrate, a pair of fixed comb electrodes provided on both surface sides of the substrate. The movable electrode unit includes a pair of movable comb electrodes, each of which engages with the corresponding fixed comb electrode with a gap therebetween. Both pairs of the fixed comb electrode and the corresponding movable comb electrode are configured such that a voltage can be applied therebetween independently.

The present invention relates to a micro-mirror device that is configured to scan light and a driving mechanism that is incorporated in the micro-mirror device.
Conventionally, an electrostatic capacity type micro-mirror (hereinafter, simply referred to as a micro-mirror) is used in various technological fields such as an optical switch for telecommunication, a measuring instrument, and a scanner. The micro-mirror device is provided with a driving mechanism that is located on the opposite side of a mirror surface scanning incident light. The mirror-device is designed such that the mirror surface is tilted by electrostatic attractive force which is generated by applying voltage to the driving mechanism. Recently, the micro-mirror device is required to be more downsized while generating greater electrostatic attractive force for tilting the mirror surface. An example of a micro-mirror device that meets such requirements is disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publications No. P2000-147419.
A micro-mirror device disclosed in this publication (JP P2000-147419) is provided with movable comb electrodes and fixed comb electrodes on the opposite side of a mirror surface, which engage with each other. To be more concrete, there are provided two pairs of a movable comb electrode and a fixed comb electrode that face each other across a turning axis on the opposite side of the mirror surface. The structure of the device disclosed in this publication enables to downsize the entire device.
However, if a micro-mirror device is designed as disclosed in this publication (JP P2000-14179), there is a problem that a mirror surface may be translated in a vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to the mirror surface) by electrostatic attractive force generated by a bias voltage that is previously applied to fixed electrodes. If the mirror surface is translated, misalignment of a light incident point on the mirror surface will occur. Such misalignment results in a problem that light incident on the mirror surface scans an area out of a predetermined scanning area Further, the translation of the mirror surface could cause a so-called pull-in phenomenon and/or a phenomenon in which undue stress is applied to a hinge that rotatable supports the mirror, thereby damaging inside the device.

Driving mechanism and micro-mirror device provided with the same


A computer-based system and method to enable a benefit plan sponsor to design benefit plans for a given participant population by enabling the plan designer to select the plan design options that maximize the perceived benefit to the participant population subject to a cost constraint. The system prioritizes plan design options of such plans according to the costs of these options and the perceived benefits of these options for the participant population. Estimates of perceived benefit are based upon survey data from a sample of the given population or from historical survey data from population samples exhibiting analogous demographic characteristics to the given participant population regarding potential plan design options or analogous benefit plan design options.

Benefit plans that provide partial or complete reimbursement of expenditures incurred by participants in the plan are commonly offered by employers, associations, commercial entities and the like, that sponsor such plans as fringe benefits for employees or members or as a commercial service available to the general public. Potential sponsors of benefit plans are often constrained by resource limitations when making decisions about plan design options in the plans they offer to their participants. Lack of understanding of the relative perceived benefits attributed by the participants to the particular plan design options frustrates the efforts of sponsors to provide participants the most desirable plan design options within given cost constraints.

System and method for optimizing benefit plan designs


Multilayer ceramic chip capacitors which satisfy Y5V requirements and which are compatible with reducing atmosphere sintering conditions so that non-noble metals such as nickel, copper, and alloys thereof may be used for internal and external electrodes are made in accordance with the invention. The capacitors exhibit desirable dielectric properties (high capacitance, low dissipation factor, high insulation resistance), excellent performance on highly accelerated life testing, and very good resistance to dielectric breakdown. The dielectric layers comprise BaTiO3 doped with other metal oxides such as MgO, CaO, ZnO, MnO2, ZrO2, SiO2, Nd2O3, Nb2O5, and Y2O3.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a barium titanate-based dielectric composition, and more particularly to a barium titanate-based dielectric composition that can be used to form multilayer ceramic chip capacitors having internal base metal electrodes formed of nickel or nickel alloys.
2. Background of the Invention
Multilayer ceramic chip capacitors have been widely utilized as miniature-sized, high capacitance, and high reliability electronic components. In accordance with increasing demands for high-performance electronic equipment, multilayer ceramic chip capacitors also have encountered marketplace demand for smaller size, higher capacitance, lower cost, and higher reliability.
Multilayer ceramic chip capacitors generally are fabricated by forming alternating layers of an internal electrode forming paste and a dielectric layer-forming paste. Such layers are typically formed by sheeting, printing, or similar techniques, followed by concurrent firing.
Generally, the internal electrodes have been formed of conductors such as palladium and palladium alloys. Although palladium is expensive, it can be partially replaced by the use of relatively inexpensive base metals such as nickel and its alloys. A "base metal" is any metal other than gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. Base metal internal electrodes can become oxidized if fired in ambient air, so the dielectric layers and internal electrode layers must be co-fired in a reducing atmosphere. Firing in a reducing atmosphere, however, causes the dielectric layers to be reduced, which decreases resistivity. Multilayer ceramic chip capacitors using non-reducible dielectric materials have been proposed, however, such devices typically have a shorter life of insulation resistance (IR) and low reliability.
When the dielectric material is subject to a DC electric field, its relative dielectric constant (K) decreases with time. If thinner dielectric layers are used in order to provide chip capacitors of a smaller size and greater capacitance, application of DC voltages across the capacitor causes the dielectric layers to receive a more intense electric field, resulting in a greater change of dielectric constant with time, that is, a greater change of capacitance with time. Such changes are undesirable in most applications.
The Electronic Industry Association (EIA) prescribes a standard for the temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) known as the Y5V characteristic. The Y5V characteristic requires that the change of capacitance be within +22% and −82% of its value at the reference temperature, 25° C., over the temperature range −30° C. to 85° C.


A photosensitive printing element having an overall layer of powder material and a process for making a flexographic printing plate from such an element are disclosed. The photosensitive element includes a support, a photopolymerizable layer, and a layer of powder material on the photopolymerizable layer. The layer of powder material can be opaque or transparent depending upon desired use.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a photosensitive element having a layer of powder material, and in particular to a photopolymeric element useful in flexographic printing having an overall layer of powder on a surface of the photopolymerizable layer. The invention also relates to methods for making a flexographic printing plate from the photosensitive element.
2. Description of Related Art
Flexographic printing plates are well known for use in printing, particularly on surfaces which are soft and easily deformable, such as packaging materials, e.g., cardboard, plastic films, etc. Flexographic printing plates can be prepared from photopolymerizable compositions, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,323,637 and 4,427,759. The photopolymerizable compositions generally comprise an elastomeric binder, at least one monomer and a photoinitiator. Photosensitive elements generally have a photopolymerizable layer interposed between a support and a coversheet or multilayer cover element, and a release layer on the photopolymerizable layer to prevent adherence of a phototool. Upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation, polymerization, and hence, insolubilization of the photopolymerizable layer occurs in the exposed areas. Treatment with a suitable solvent removes the unexposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer leaving a printing relief which can be used for flexographic printing.
Imagewise exposure of a photosensitive element requires the use of a phototool which is a mask having clear and opaque areas covering the photopolymerizable layer. The phototool prevents exposure and polymerization in the opaque areas. The phototool allows exposure to radiation in the clear areas so that these areas polymerize and remain on the support after the development step. The phototool is usually a photographic negative of the desired printing image.
In some applications, it is desirable to eliminate the phototool by directly recording information on a photosensitive element, e.g., by means of a laser beam. In particular, digitized imaging without a phototool is well-suited for making seamless, continuous printing forms. The image to be developed could be translated into digital information and the digital information used to place the laser for imaging. The digital information can be transmitted from a distant location, corrected easily and quickly by adjusting the digitized image, and precisely controlled by a machine during imaging. Digitized imaging can also reduce storage space and costs by eliminating the need for positive- and negative-working photosensitive materials or positive and negative phototools.
In general, it has not been very practical to use lasers to image the photopolymerizable layer of the elements which are used to prepare flexographic printing plates. The elements have low photosensitivity and require long exposure times even with high powered lasers. In addition, most of the photopolymerizable materials used in these elements have their greatest sensitivity in the ultraviolet range. While UV lasers are known, economical and reliable UV lasers with high power, such as the ion laser, are generally not available. In UV lasers, such as the excimer laser, the laser cannot be modulated quickly enough to create a precise image at high write speeds. However, non-UV lasers are available which are relatively inexpensive, and which have a useful power output and which can be utilized to form a mask image on top of flexographic printing elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,275 and pending U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 08/130,610 and Ser. No. 08/341,731, describe a photosensitive element and processes for making flexographic plates which use laser radiation to form an image on a layer on the element. The element comprises a support, a photopolymerizable layer, at least one barrier layer, and at least one layer of infrared radiation sensitive material. The process includes the step of imagewise ablation of the layer of infrared radiation sensitive material with infrared laser radiation to form an in-situ mask. The element is then exposed to actinic radiation through the mask and treated with developer solution. The infrared-sensitive layer includes an infrared-absorbing material, a radiation-opaque material (which can be the same as the infrared-absorbing material) and optionally, a binder. The infrared-sensitive layer can be prepared by coating the infrared-sensitive material onto a temporary coversheet or directly onto the barrier layer on the photopolymerizable layer. If the infrared-sensitive layer is on the temporary coversheet, the infrared sensitive layer is placed on the photopolymerizable layer (barrier layer) of a second element and the layers are pressed together.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,275 and the related applications disclose coating (i.e. materials in solution) as a method to form the infrared sensitive layer. The infrared sensitive layer can be formed by coating the infrared radiation sensitive material in one pass or in multiple passes. However, the various methods of coating do not always provide the necessary high covering power for the infrared sensitive layer. Covering power relates to the ability of a composition to form a layer relative to density (optical) and coating thickness, i.e., coating weight, of the layer. High covering power of a composition, e.g., infrared radiation sensitive material, achieves high optical density with a minimum coating thickness of the layer. Generally, a composition having poor covering power provides a thick coating layer in order to reach desired optical density. Poor covering power results in lower ablation sensitivity, detrimentally affecting ablation performance and thus the ultimate print productivity of the plate. Further, when the infrared sensitive layer is coated from an infrared sensitive material in solvent solution, the infrared sensitive layer may develop cracking or crazing appearance on the photosensitive element. This can particularly occur when the infrared sensitive layer is coated onto a cylindrically-shaped photopolymeric layer directly.
The process of desolvation-removing solvent from the coating layer, may result in plates or cylindrical plates which develop cracks or weaknesses in the coating layer over time. There is a need, therefore, for a flexographic printing element which does not have such problems. The present invention meets this need by providing flexographic printing elements and plates wherein an infrared ablatable composition which forms a mask or a release composition is manufactured or produced which does not have a discrete film-like infrared ablatable layer or release layer. This invention also provides seamless coverage for the cylindrical flexographic printing plate having an IR ablatable layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,518 describes a photohardenable element useful for color proofing which contains a protective topcoat. The protective topcoat comprises a layer of a tacky material dusted with a powdered material capable of rendering the layer non-tacky and the element suitable for further handling. The tacky material includes unexposed photohardenable monomer and plasticizer. The application of the topcoat is a final step in the formation of a toned image-bearing element. Thus the image-bearing element having a layer of powdered material as a topcoat is not subjected to any additional process treatments such as laser ablation of the layer, overall exposure of the element to actinic light, and washout to remove unexposed areas. Also the image bearing element does not form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing.

Method for making a flexographic printing plate from a flexographic printing element having a powder layer


A material, in particular an active material, for an electrode of a galvanic element, and a method for the production of the material, a mixture for the production of an electrode for a galvanic element, and a galvanic element, in particular a battery, and a medical implant comprising such a battery.

As the power supply for a medical implant comprising electronic components (e.g., a cardiac pacemaker having wireless, and preferably bidirectional remote data transmission), galvanic elements such as, for example, batteries are required that have a large capacity and permit a high discharging current (e.g., in the mA range) to be drawn. High battery capacity extends the service life of the medical implant, thereby reducing the number of surgeries required to replace the battery and/or the implant. Additionally, a high discharging current (current pulse) must be drawn at least briefly for remote data transmission.
Implants used in human medicine for cardiac therapy are typically programmed during the implantation procedure. The programming is usually performed using a programming head which must be positioned directly over the implant. Since said programming head cannot be sterilized for use in the operating room, it must be embedded in a sterile casing. To avoid the effort required to bring a programming head into the operating room in a sterile manner, a new generation of medical implants for cardiac therapy will permit the implant to be programmed using radio signals. The battery of the implant must have a particularly high power density at the beginning of the discharge for said programming, which is carried out wirelessly. To attain said high power densities, the voltage of the battery used for the power supply should be as high as possible, and the internal resistance thereof should be as low as possible.
Galvanic elements such as, for example, batteries are electrochemical energy accumulators and energy converters. The basic components of a galvanic element are: a first electrode which comprises or is composed of a first active material; a second electrode which comprises or is composed of a second active material; and an electrolyte which connects the two electrodes. In the discharge process, the stored chemical energy is converted to electrical energy by an electrochemical redox reaction involving the oxidation of the first active material with release of electrons at a first electrode (e.g., anode, negative electrode in terms of the discharge process), and the reduction of the second active material with acquisition of electrons at a second electrode (e.g., cathode, positive electrode in terms of the discharge process), thereby enabling current to be drawn from the galvanic element.
The capacity (the quantity of electricity that can be drawn), voltage, internal resistance, and other parameters of galvanic elements are influenced to a considerable extent by the composition of the active materials used in the electrodes. "Active materials" refers exclusively to those components of the electrodes of the galvanic element that are oxidized (at the anode) or reduced (at the cathode) upon discharge of the galvanic element, and that deliver electrical current via said electrode reactions. The active material of the cathode can comprise one or more reducible substances, and/or the active material of the anode can comprise one or more oxidizable substances.
In addition to the active materials defined above, the electrodes of galvanic elements typically contain further components that do not participate in the current-sourcing electrode reactions, and therefore do not contribute to the capacity of the galvanic element, but that are required for the reliable operation of the galvanic element, such as, for example, electronically conductive additives for increasing electronic conductance within the electrode, and/or binding agents to increase the robustness of the electrode.
Foreign patent application documents DE 10 2006 021 158 A1, DE 10 2005 059 375 A1, and EP 2 017 910, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,668 make known a battery comprising a positive electrode which contains copper oxyphosphate as the active material. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,864 discloses a lithium-manganese dioxide battery, the positive electrode of which contains manganese dioxide and copper oxyphosphate. Such batteries are suited, inter alia, for use to supply power to medical implants. Due to the above-described trends in the development of medical implants for, in particular, cardiac therapy, it is necessary to increase the voltage of such galvanic elements, in particular in the initial stage of the discharge process, and to increase the loadability upon discharge using current pulses.
The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the above-identified problems.

Active material for an electrode of a galvanic element


Apparatuses and methods determine positional information from a reflected optical signal for an object on a per pixel basis. A spread spectrum imaging system includes a transmitting module transmitting a transmitted optical signal that illuminates a target space and contains a transmitted pulse that is modulated with a first pseudo-noise (PN) code. The imaging system includes a receiving module that receives a reflected optical signal from an object. The reflected signal is processed by an optical array that detects a detected signal from the reflected optical signal, where the detected signal contains a plurality of pixels spanning a target space. When the determined PN code corresponds to the selected PN code, image information and the positional information is presented for the object. When different positional information is obtained for different pixels in the image, the imaging system may determine that different objects appear in the received image.

The United States military has designated mobile robotics and autonomous vehicle systems having a high priority for future combat and warfare, and consequently there is a strong demand for more intelligent and reliable vision sensor subsystems in today's tactical vehicles. Future combat vehicles will be highly dependent upon a wide variety of robust sensor technologies both inside the vehicle (monitoring occupant presence and position) as well as external to the vehicle (monitoring vehicle orientation, relative closing velocities, and potential obstacles).
Prior art multi-camera vision systems typically used in military applications incorporate high resolution, silicon-based day-cameras, as well as infrared (EOIR) focal plane arrays. The far-infrared (FIR and LWIR) cameras typically operate in the 6 to 14 micrometer range and are usually based upon micro-bolometer devices, while the near infrared systems (NIR and SWIR) are designed for ˜850 nm to 1600 nm and use Si-photodiodes or narrow-bandgap materials. For most applications, time-critical, image computing is crucial. Moreover, imaging systems have applications that span both military and commercial applications. Studies have shown, for example, that with conventional automobiles, an extra 0.5 second of pre-collision warning time, nearly 60% of all highway accidents could be avoided altogether. For military combat vehicles, the time-critical requirements are even more demanding.
Current optical light detection and ranging (LIDAR) cameras are typically deployed along with conventional millimeter wave (mmW)-based RADAR throughout the future combat system (FCS) fleet, including applications for internal inspection, weapons targeting, boresighting, indirect driving, obstacle/enemy detection, and autonomous and semi-autonomous navigation. LIDAR cameras typically have a separate LIDAR detector since the imaging arrays have integration times that are too long for LIDAR data capture.
LIDAR systems have proven to be relatively reliable even when incorporated in low cost systems. Multifunctional LIDAR systems are capable of measuring not only distance but can be pulsed and beam multiplexed to provide triangulation and angular information about potential road obstacles and targets and about environmental and situational awareness. LIDAR imaging systems offer a number of advantages over other conventional technologies. These advantages include:                Good target discrimination and range resolution        Capability of scanning both azimuthally and vertically using electronic monopulsing techniques        Capability of imaging both near and far range objects using telescopic optics assuming a clear optical path        Fast update and sampling rate (100 MHz is typical and is limited by the carrier frequency of 25 THz (3 psec/m pulse transit time)        Good temperature stability over a relatively wide range (−50° to 80° C.)        The technology is highly developed and commercially expanding in optical communications, leading to both cost and technology windfalls.
Consequently, there is a real market need to provide LIDAR imaging systems that provide imaging and associated positional information (e.g., velocity and/or range of another vehicle) in an expeditious and efficient manner.

Full-field light detection and ranging imaging system

Science Applications International Corporation


A digital hydraulics valve includes a plurality of digitally switchable individual valves, which are connected in parallel with respect to a load, and at least one equalizing valve for generating intermediate values between the opening cross-section stages that can be implemented by the digitally switchable individual valves. The equalizing valve is a poppet valve, which provides a partial opening cross-section smaller than the nominal opening cross-section thereof by actuation using a time switching pattern. The time switching pattern is preferably based on the principle of a pulse width modulation. The equalizing valve is further preferably a valve selected from the plurality of individual valves of the digital hydraulics valve.

The present disclosure relates to a digital hydraulic valve stage having a sub-digit accuracy function and in particular a digital hydraulic valve.
A consumer is controlled in a digital hydraulic valve stage by means of one or a plurality of parallel arrangement(s) of one or a plurality of switching valve(s). One or a plurality of proportional valve(s) is/are typically replaced by this/these arrangement(s). A parallel arrangement of this type of a plurality of switching valves is described by the relevant scientific world as a digital hydraulic valve.
The individual switching valves of the digital hydraulic valve are typically characterized by two switching positions, namely open and closed. Accordingly, the through-flow of a digital hydraulic valve of this type that can be achieved thereby is a result approximately of the total of the (individual) through-flows of the currently open individual switching valves (also referred to as individual valves). Different magnitudes of through-flow can be achieved by selectively opening and closing the individual valves, which through-flow follow, one after the other, a specific characteristic curve of the digital hydraulic valve as illustrated in the attached FIG. 1B.
FIG. 1B illustrates the (stepped) correcting variables/through-flow characteristic curve of a digital hydraulic valve that is typically achieved. By way of comparison, FIG. 1A likewise illustrates a corresponding (continuous) characteristic curve of an analog proportional valve. The maximum number of through-flow openings illustrated in FIG. 1B and/or the self adjusting values for the respective difference through-flow openings dQ in the case of a digital hydraulic valve is also described as quantization. However, this quantization represents a disadvantageous limitation for control procedures, since the correcting variables/through-flow characteristic curve of a digital hydraulic valve always represents only a more or less close approximation to the continuous characteristic curve of a proportional valve. The limitation is consequently reflected in the control quality, i.e. the deviation of the actual values of said variables (actual values) from the desired values (setpoint values).
A fundamental option of improving said control quality of the digital hydraulic valve resides in reducing the intervals between the dQ steps illustrated in FIG. 1B. These intervals can be reduced in the simplest manner by increasing the number of individual valves and thus increasing the number of dQ steps. However, this results in complex digital hydraulic valves that are not only expensive and voluminous but are also extremely susceptible to faults. As an alternative or in addition thereto, there is also the option of maintaining the through-flow openings in the individual valves in different magnitudes in order in this manner to come closer to a specific characteristic curve.
A control system of this type and also a method for controlling a consumer by means of a number of parallel-connected switching valves have been disclosed in the prior art, for example in accordance with WO 02/08 63 27 A1, wherein said valves are combined to form a digital hydraulic valve of this generic type and are digitally controlled.
On the basis of this prior art, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a digital hydraulic valve of this generic type that has a substantially continuous or almost continuous Q/V characteristic curve, but does not require the arrangement of a high number of individual valves.
This object is achieved by means of a digital hydraulic valve as described herein.


A battery unit includes a case accommodating an electrode assembly, the case having an opening and a cap plate for covering the opening, the cap plate having a terminal insertion portion. The battery unit further includes a terminal member inserted into the case through the terminal insertion portion from an outside of the case and coupled to the electrode assembly, the terminal member including a current collector electrically coupled to the electrode assembly; a terminal portion extending parallel to an upper surface of the cap plate to an outside of the cap plate; and a connection portion electrically coupled to the current collector and to the terminal portion. The battery unit further includes a fixing member in the terminal insertion portion and fixing the terminal member to the cap plate, the fixing member including injection-molded plastic resin in the terminal insertion portion and surrounding the terminal member.

1. Field
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a battery unit and a battery module using a plurality of the battery units coupled with each other.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, secondary batteries can be discharged and recharged repeatedly, unlike primary batteries that are not designed to be recharged. Secondary batteries are used as energy sources for mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid cars, electric bikes, uninterruptable power supplies, etc. Also, secondary batteries are used in the form of a single battery or a battery module in which a plurality of batteries are electrically coupled in a single unit by using a bus bar, in accordance with the type of external device adopting the secondary battery.
A compact mobile device such as a mobile phone with output and capacity of a single battery may operate for a predetermined time. However, when longer duration operations or high power operations are needed, as in electric vehicles or hybrid cars, a battery module is often used to prevent an output or capacity problem. The battery module may increase an output voltage or an output current according to the number of batteries included in the battery module. The battery module may reach a desired output voltage or output current by coupling a plurality of batteries in series or in parallel.

Battery unit and battery module using the same


To provide a detaching method capable of detaching a first substrate and a second substrate bonded together through a pressure-sensitive adhesive film, while minimizing the physical external load imposed on these substrates. A method for detaching a first substrate and a second substrate bonded together by a pressure-sensitive adhesive film comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive polymer having dispersed therein a thermally decomposable metal hydroxide or metal salt hydrate filler, the method comprising a step of heating the pressure-sensitive adhesive film to a temperature capable of causing decomposition and dehydration of the metal hydroxide or metal salt hydrate, thereby accelerating the detachment.

Conventionally, a pressure-sensitive adhesive film has been used for bonding a first substrate, for example, a display panel such as plasma display panel, to a second substrate, for example, a chassis for disposing a display. At present, it is demanded that after a product comprising bonded substrates is used for a long time, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film is easily and clearly removed to separate the parts constituting each substrate. For example, a display panel and a chassis are separated by the following methods.
(1) The display panel and the chassis are detached by applying a physical external load, for example, by reducing the cohesive force of the pressure-sensitive adhesive under heating at around 200° C. or with use of an organic solvent and giving a twist.
(2) The display panel and the chassis are separated by inserting a wire, a thread or the like therebetween and cutting the pressure-sensitive adhesive film.
(3) The display panel and the chassis are separated by disposing pressure-sensitive adhesive pieces in the form of a long strip and withdrawing these from the side surface.
(4) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2004-69766 and Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2004-309551 disclose a display device where a display panel and a support plate are supported by a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape disposed therebetween and the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape can be pulled at its end part and thereby detached from the support plate.
In the case of the method (1), not a small load is imposed on the display panel and the chassis and this may cause breakage of the display or deformation of the chassis at the detachment. Also, there is a temporal restriction that the detaching operation must be performed within a time where reduction in the cohesive force due to heat or an organic solvent is effective. In the case of the method (2), when the adhesive has a high cohesive force and the resisting power is large, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film cannot be sometimes cut. In the methods (3) and (4), the film itself may be cut in the middle during the operation of removing the pressure-sensitive adhesive film, failing in successfully withdrawing the pressure-sensitive adhesive film. Furthermore, these methods have a problem such as failure in obtaining a stable effect due to change in the adhesive force with the lapse of time. In this way, on trying to detach a first substrate and a second substrate bonded together, when these substrates are a rigid substrate, the detachment is very difficult.
On the other hand, a pressure-sensitive adhesive film or sheet having also an ability of dissipating heat in an electronic device is known. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-294192 discloses a thermally conducting flame-retardant pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising aluminum hydroxide as the flame retardant and aluminum oxide as the thermally conducting filler. However, how to detach the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet after using such an adhesive as the thermally conducting pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is not disclosed.

Method for detaching pressure-sensitive adhesive film


A fusing system for use in an image forming apparatus has a fusing temperature control unit having a controller which controls the surface temperature ‘T’ of the fusing roller by detecting the surface temperature ‘T’ in accordance with a predetermined temperature control period ‘t0’; comparing the surface temperature ‘T’ with a preset target temperature ‘Tt’; turning on and off the heater in accordance with a maximum power supply time ‘Max ON-time’ and a minimum power cutoff time ‘Min OFF-time’ when the surface temperature ‘T’ is lower than the target temperature ‘Tt’; and turning on and off the heater in accordance with a preset minimum power supply time ‘Min ON-time’ when the surface temperature ‘T’ is higher than the target temperature ‘Tt’.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fusing system of an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a facsimile machine or a copier, and a temperature control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fusing system of an image forming apparatus and a temperature control method thereof, which provide stable fusing of an image on a recording medium such as a paper by minimizing the temperature change of the surface of a fusing roller of a fusing unit of the image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A general electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copier or a laser printer prints images on a recording medium such as a paper sheet by a series of processes. These processes include an electrifying process which charges the surface of a photosensitive drum with a predetermined electric potential by rotating an electrostatic charging roller near the photosensitive drum. Other processes are a light exposure process which irradiates laser beams from a laser scanning unit (LSU) onto the surface of the photosensitive drum, thereby forming a desired electrostatic latent image and a developing process which develops the latent image on the photosensitive drum into a visible toner image by use of powder toner. Still another process is a transfer process which transfers the toner image of the photosensitive drum onto a paper sheet passing through the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller contacting the photosensitive drum with a predetermined pressure, by applying a predetermined transfer voltage to the photosensitive drum. Another process is a fusing process which fuses the toner image to the paper sheet by heating the paper sheet through a fusing unit which includes a fusing roller.
For the fusing process, a heater such as a halogen lamp is generally used, while being mounted inside the fusing roller and/or the fusing backup roller. Accordingly, the surface of the fusing roller is heated to a predetermined temperature by the radiant heat from the heater. Referring to FIG. 1, a fusing system 10 of an electrophotographic portion of a conventional image forming apparatus is described. A conventional fusing system 10 generally includes a cylindrical fusing roller 11 and a halogen lamp 12 mounted approximately at the center of the inside of the fusing roller 11. The halogen lamp 12 generates heat from within the fusing roller 11, and therefore, the fusing roller 11 is heated by the radiant heat from the halogen lamp 12.
A fusing backup roller 13 is mounted at the lower part of the fusing roller 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the fusing backup roller 13 is elastically supported by a spring device 13a to urge a paper sheet 14 passing between the fusing roller 11 and the fusing backup roller 13 toward the fusing roller 11.
Accordingly, a powder toner image 14a formed on the paper sheet 14 is pressed and heated by the pressure and heat while it is passed through the fusing roller 11 and the fusing backup roller 13. As a result, the powder toner image 14a is melted onto the paper sheet 14 by the heat and pressure applied from the fusing roller 11 and the fusing backup roller 13.
The fusing roller 11 has a thermistor 15 to detect the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 in the form of an electric signal, a thermostat 16 to cut off a power supply to the halogen lamp 12 when the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 exceeds a predetermined threshold, and a power switching part 19 (FIG. 1) such as a thyistor to switch a power supply of an AC power source 18 to the halogen lamp 12 in accordance with the signal received from a controller 20.
The thermistor 15 detects and transmits the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 to the controller 20, and the controller 20 controls the power supply to the halogen lamp 12 through the power switching part 19 by comparing the detected temperature with a predetermined reference temperature, and thereby controls the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 to a certain temperature suitable to fuse the image on the paper sheet 14.
The controller 20 generally uses a temperature control process which includes an initial heating stage in which the surface of the fusing roller 11 is heated to a print standby temperature (such as 165° C.), and a print standby stage in which the image forming apparatus waits for the print command while maintaining the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 at the print standby temperature. The temperature control process also includes a print stage in which, with the input of a print command, the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 is maintained higher than the print standby temperature in consideration of heat loss at the time of the fusing operation.
Referring to FIG. 4, in each of the temperature control stages, the controller 20 controls the power supply to the halogen lamp 12 to be on or off to maintain the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 within a predetermined temperature range.
The on/off control by the controller 20 determines whether the current time 't' has exceeded a predetermined temperature control period 't0' (S1). If so, the controller 20 reads the surface temperature 'T' of the fusing roller 11, which is detected through the thermistor 15 and compares the read temperature 'T' with a predetermined target temperature 'Tt' in operation (S2). If the surface temperature 'T' is lower than the predetermined target temperature 'Tt', power is supplied to the halogen lamp 12 from the AC power source 18 to turn on the halogen lamp 12 (S3), and if the surface temperature 'T' is higher than the predetermined target temperature 'Tt', a power supply from the AC power source 18 is cut off so that the halogen lamp 12 is turned off (S4).
The thermostat 16 operates as an overheat prevention unit to protect neighboring components and the fusing roller 11 from unexpected temperature change when the temperature control by the thermistor 15 and the controller 20 fail s.
Because the conventional fusing system 10 controls the halogen lamp 12 by on/off control, the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 is, irrespective of certain circumstances and conditions, controlled either by print standby temperature or in print temperature. This approach increases the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 to the print standby temperature rapidly in the initial heating stage (S1). However, after reaching the print standby temperature, the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 changes greatly and problems such as over-shoot are experienced. Additionally, power supply to the halogen lamp 12 is not optimized, and power consumption thereby increases.
When the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 changes greatly, print temperature cannot be controlled in stable manner. As a result, image fusing on the paper becomes unstable.
FIG. 5 shows proportional integral derivative (PID) control in the respective temperature control stages intended to overcome the above-mentioned problems. The PID control keeps the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 within a predetermined temperature range by controlling the power supply to the halogen lamp 12.
In the PID control, the controller 20 determines whether the current time 't' has exceeded the predetermined temperature control period 't0' (S1′). If so, the controller reads out the surface temperature 'T' of the fusing roller 11, which is detected through the thermistor 15 and compares the read temperature with a predetermined target temperature 'Tt' (S2′). If the detected surface temperature 'T' is lower than the target temperature 'Tt', the controller calculates a lamp "on time" in accordance with the equation (1) below. In operation S3′, the controller turns on the halogen lamp 12 by supplying power to the halogen lamp 12 from the AC power source 18 (S4′ and S5′). If the detected surface temperature 'T' is higher than the target temperature 'Tt', the controller turns off the halogen lamp 12 (S6′).On time(ms)=t0xα0x(Tt−T)/100  (1)where, α0 is a proportional coefficient.
The PID control is advantageous as compared to the on/off control when considering a stable temperature control with little over shoot. However, according to the PID control, the temperature control period 't0' must be shorter.
Meanwhile, the fusing roller 11 of the conventional fusing system 10 is generally formed as an aluminum cylinder which has a rubber layer 11a of lower heat conductivity formed around the outer surface (see FIG. 2).
The rubber layer 11a keeps a uniform contact area between the fusing roller 11 and the fusing backup roller 13 (a so-called 'nip area') when the paper sheet 14 is passed therethrough such that a sufficient time is given for the heat transfer to the paper sheet 14. Additionally, the rubber layer 11a keeps the heat supplied from the halogen lamp 12 such that the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 is prevented from dropping abruptly when the paper sheet 14 is passed therethrough. However, due to its low heat conductivity, the rubber layer 11a of the fusing roller 11 requires more time for the heat transfer from the halogen lamp 12.
To describe the above in more detail, FIG. 6 shows one example of temperature distribution of the fusing roller 11 measured upon activation of the halogen lamp 12 and varying with time. As shown in FIG. 6, temperature does not vary much along the entire thickness of the aluminum cylinder, but toward the outer surface where the rubber layer 11a is located, temperature decreases due to low heat conductivity.
More specifically, approximately 90 seconds after the switch-on of the halogen lamp 12, the temperature of the aluminum cylinder of the fusing roller 11 stays at approximately 230° C. At this time, the rubber layer 11a has the temperature at approximately 180° C., which is 50° C. lower than the temperature of the aluminum cylinder. Accordingly, if the halogen lamp 12 is turned off when the surface temperature of the rubber layer 11a of the fusing roller 11 reaches the fusing temperature such as 180° C., the surface temperature of the rubber layer 11a rises beyond the fusing temperature due to the temperature of the aluminum cylinder, which has already been heated to 230° C. On the contrary, if the halogen lamp 12 is turned on when the surface temperature of the aluminum cylinder of the fusing roller 11, which is further increased over the fusing temperature due to the heat of the aluminum cylinder of the fusing roller 11, is cooled below the fusing temperature, the surface temperature of the rubber layer 11a keeps dropping until the heat applied to the aluminum cylinder of the fusing roller 11 is transmitted to the surface of the rubber layer 11a.
As described above, while the fusing roller 11 having the rubber layer 11a does not suffer abrupt temperature change due to the low heat conductivity of the rubber layer 11a, due to a rather great difference in conductivity between the rubber layer 11a and the aluminum cylinder, the temperature gap therebetween grows as the halogen lamp 12 is frequently turned on and off, or driven for a long period of time.
Additionally, considering that the paper sheet absorbs the heat of the surface of the fusing roller 11 when the paper sheet is fed to the fusing roller 11 of the fusing system 10, the temperature gap between the aluminum cylinder and the rubber layer 11a is widened.
As the temperature gap between the aluminum cylinder and the rubber layer 11a grows, the change in the surface temperature of the fusing roller 11 increases, subsequently causing an overshoot phenomenon. As a result, the fusing temperature cannot be controlled stably, and the image is unstably fused onto the paper sheet.

Fusing system of image forming apparatus and temperature control method thereof


Systems and methods for building video sequences using intermediate videos are provided. In one or more embodiments, an intermediate video can be specified in a linear editlist-style video editing system and assigned an identifier. An editlist builder included in the video editing system can then be used to define a video sequence that includes a reference to all or a portion of the intermediate video. The intermediate video can be referenced as many times as needed within a given video sequence. The video editing system can also allow effects or other video processing operations to be applied to the intermediate video independently of the video sequence definition.

Linear video editing systems allow clients to combine multiple videos into a single video presentation. Using such video editing systems, a user can specify video clips to be joined in a sequence, such that the resulting sequence plays the specified video clips in a defined order. Video clips can also be selected for simultaneous playback using such systems, e.g., as a split-screen or picture-in-picture presentation.
In addition to sequencing videos, some video editing systems allow effects or other video processing operations to be applied to the video sequence. Such effects can include, but are not limited to, cross-fading, stabilization, image rotation, contrast or color adjustments, or other such video processing operations. Some effects can be applied in a frame-wise manner. That is, the effects are applicable to a single frame or a range of frames, and can be applied in a frame-by-frame manner. Such frame-wise effects can include, for example, contrast or color adjustments. Other effects must be applied to a multi-frame video segment as a whole. For example, a stabilization operation, which smoothes video motion by reducing the effects of camera shake, may analyze an entire video segment so that suitable stabilization algorithm can be performed on the moving image (e.g., by applying a motion averaging algorithm over the video segment).
Since some linear video editing systems only allow effects to be applied separately to each defined clip of a video sequence, problems can arise when applying certain effects to a video sequence comprising multiple video clips. For example, if the last half second of a first video is to be cross-faded with the first half second of a second video, and the second video is to be stabilized, it is necessary to apply the stabilization operation separately to (a) the cross-faded portion of the second video (i.e., the first defined video clip), and (b) the remaining portion of the second video after the cross-fade (i.e., the second defined video clip). Thus, rather than applying a seamless stabilization operation to the second video as a whole, it is necessary to segment the stabilization operation between two different sections of the second video—the section within the cross-fade and the section outside the cross-fade. This non-seamless stabilization can cause undesired video artifacts in the resulting video sequence.
Moreover, in some video sequencing applications, it is necessary to duplicate operations performed on a common video clip. For example, consider a video sequence to be created that demonstrates the effect of a particular video operation (e.g., a contrast increase). The sequence may comprise a side-by-side comparison of two video clips derived from the same source video, in which a contrast increase is applied to one of the video clips for comparison purposes. If another video operation (e.g., a rotate operation) is to be applied to both the left-side and right-side video clips, it is necessary to apply this common video operation separately to both video clips. This duplication of work can reduce processing speed and performance.
The above-described is merely intended to provide an overview of some of the challenges facing conventional systems. Other challenges with conventional systems and contrasting benefits of the various non-limiting embodiments described herein may become further apparent upon review of the following description.

Temporary intermediate video clips for video editing


A diagnostic system for a combustion chamber is provided which comprises a diagnostic element which can be inserted into a wall of the combustion chamber. A plurality of light guides penetrates the diagnostic element for detecting electromagnetic radiation occurring in the combustion chamber. A plurality of detection units is also provided, each detection unit being associated with a corresponding light guide. Each light guide guides the electromagnetic radiation from a spatial segment of the combustion chamber associated with that light guide. The spatial segments are different respective segments of the combustion chamber which are arranged so as not to overlap. Each detection unit detects the electromagnetic radiation from a corresponding light guide for combustion analysis.

The invention relates to a combustion diagnosis system for a combustion chamber of a combustion system, comprising a diagnostic element which can be inserted into a combustion chamber wall, communicates with the combustion chamber and is penetrated by a light guide, by means of which electromagnetic radiation occurring in the combustion chamber can be detected.
Such a combustion diagnosis system is known from the state of the art. With this combustion diagnosis system, a light guide is guided centrally through an ignition plug in order to detect electromagnetic radiation in the combustion chamber.
It has, however, been shown that the electromagnetic radiation detected does not provide a complete picture of the combustion occurring in the combustion chamber.
The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve a combustion diagnosis system of the generic type in such a manner that the course of combustion in the combustion chamber can be detected even better.
This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention, in a combustion diagnosis system of the type described at the outset, in that the diagnostic element is penetrated by several light guides and that with each of the several light guides the electromagnetic radiation from a spatial segment of the combustion chamber associated with this light guide is detectable and that the spatial segments are different respective segments of the combustion chamber.
The advantage of the inventive solution is to be seen in the fact that as a result it is possible, due to the use of a plurality of light guides and due to the allocation of different spatial segments to the individual light guides, to analyze the combustion occurring in the combustion chamber in spatial resolution and thus to detect the propagation of the combustion in the combustion chamber considerably better. The spatial propagation of combustion in the combustion chamber may, for example, be analyzed advantageously as a result.
In principle, it would be conceivable to dimension and arrange the spatial segments such that these overlap one another so that the electromagnetic radiation detected in the individual light guides could originate, at least partially, from the same combustion process.
However, in order to obtain a clear, spatial resolution it is preferably provided for the spatial segments of the combustion chamber to be arranged therein so as not to overlap, i.e. the electromagnetic radiation from one spatial segment is detected only by one light guide and the other light guides cannot detect this electromagnetic radiation.
The position of the spatial segments may, in principle, be selected in any optional manner. It is particularly favorable when the spatial segments of the combustion chamber are arranged around a central axis so that the development of the combustion around this central axis can be analyzed advantageously in spatial resolution.
A particularly favorable solution provides for the central axis to represent a central axis of the diagnostic element so that the spatial segments are in a position to cover areas of the combustion chamber located around this central axis.
In the case of an ignition plug designed as diagnostic element, it is preferably provided for the ignition spark generated by this to be located close to the central axis, preferably approximately concentric to it, so that the combustion originating from the ignition spark can be analyzed advantageously.
In addition, in the case of an injection nozzle designed as diagnostic element it is preferably provided for the injection channel to be located close to the central axis, preferably approximately concentric to this, so that the combustion forming around the injected fuel can likewise be analyzed advantageously due to the individual spatial segments.
In this respect, it is particularly favorable when the spatial segments are arranged symmetrically around the central axis so that with the sum of the spatial segments it is possible to analyze a considerable area of the combustion chamber around the central axis in spatial resolution.
It is particularly favorable when the sum of all the spatial segments covers a subsection of the combustion chamber extending around the central axis to a considerable proportion so that it is possible to follow the propagation of the combustion and the resulting electromagnetic radiation connected thereto in the direction of all the radial directions relative to the central axis in spatial resolution.
With respect to the arrangement of the light guides themselves, no further details have so far been given.
One advantageous embodiment, for example, provides for the light guides to be arranged in a passage in a member of the diagnostic element.
It is particularly favorable when one light-guide end of the light guides is located in the passage in front of an opening thereof facing the combustion chamber. The advantage of this solution is to be seen in the fact that with it the light-guide end is arranged so as to be protected in the passage in relation to the combustion chamber.
In this respect it is particularly advantageous when a section of the passage located between the light-guide end and the opening of the passage facing the combustion chamber forms an aperture stop for the electromagnetic radiation entering the light guide.
In order to obtain as large an aperture as possible, it is preferably provided for the cross section of this section to be designed to broaden from the light-guide end as far as the opening of the passage facing the combustion chamber.
In principle, it is conceivable within the scope of the inventive solution to provide the diagnostic element as a separate element, wherein in this case the combustion chamber wall must have an opening for the insertion of the diagnostic element. In this respect, the diagnostic element can preferably be fixed detachably on the combustion chamber wall, for example, be screwed into a threaded opening of the combustion chamber wall.
However, a particularly favorable solution provides for a functionally necessary element of the combustion system to be designed as diagnostic element, i.e. for an element necessary in any case for the functioning of the combustion system, such as, for example, an ignition plug or a spark plug or an injection nozzle, to be designed in addition as diagnostic element.
With respect to the evaluation of the electromagnetic radiations coming from the individual spatial segments, no further details have so far been given. One advantageous embodiment provides for the light guides to be connected to a diagnosis generating unit, preferably guided to it.
Such a diagnosis generating unit could be designed, for example, such that it detects and evaluates the electromagnetic radiation in the individual light guides serially.
It is, however, particularly favorable when each light guide is guided to its own detection unit, wherein this solution is advantageous on account of its constructional simplicity which makes it unnecessary to connect a single detection unit to each individual light guide.
In addition, a further development of this solution is advantageous to the effect that it is possible to detect the electromagnetic radiation in all the light guides simultaneously by means of respective detection units.
The inventive diagnostic system is particularly advantageous when the detection unit detects the electromagnetic radiation in spectral resolution so that it is possible to detect the intensity of individual spectral components.
In this respect, it would be conceivable, in principle, to detect one spectral component with regard to its intensity for each detection unit. Since, however, absolute measurements of the intensity are difficult to evaluate to obtain results concerning an optimum combustion it is preferably provided for the detection unit to detect several spectral components of the electromagnetic radiation so that it is possible to put the intensity of the individual spectral components in relation to one another.
With respect to the evaluation of the intensities detected by the detection units, it is preferably provided for all the detection units to be coupled to a common evaluation unit which then detects the intensities in the individual detection units and puts these in relation to one another on account of the spatial resolution in order to provide a diagnosis of the combustion taking place in the combustion chamber.
In order to detect the combustion processes as extensively as possible it is preferably provided for the diagnostic element to be provided, in addition, with a pressure sensor detecting the pressure in the combustion chamber. Such a pressure sensor enables the state of the combustion to be detected in addition and thus the electromagnetic radiation to be placed in relation to the state of the combustion and evaluated.
A further, advantageous solution provides for the evaluation unit to be coupled to the pressure sensor in order to place the measured pressure in relation to the spatial resolution of the electromagnetic radiation.
Furthermore, it is preferably provided for the evaluation unit to detect, in addition, a mechanical state of the combustion system, in the case of a piston engine the mechanical position of the piston, via a separate sensor.
Additional features and advantages of the inventive solution are the subject matter of the following description as well as the drawings illustrating several embodiments.

Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft -und Raumfahrt e.V.


A method and apparatus securely transmit data between a client and a server over a communications network. The secure data transmission includes, after the client is initially authenticated, (a) transmitting a series of client connection messages from the client to the server at least while the data is being transmitted, (b) transmitting a series of server connection messages from the server to the client at least while the data is being transmitted; (c) monitoring the client connection messages at the server; (d) monitoring the server connection messages at the client; (e) if a disturbance is found either in the client connection messages or the server connection messages, terminating the data transmission between the client and the server, re-authenticating the client, and re-transmitting the data; and (f) if the encrypted data is successfully transmitted to the server, storing the data in a database associated with the recipient.

Secure data exchange over a communications network is one of the most important issues in may businesses and industries. Various encryption methods and key schemes (public and private) have been used to securely transmitting electronic data. For example, an electronic mail exchange system is typically protected by a username and password, and usually offers an encryption function for contents and attachments for outgoing messages. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocols are typically used for encrypted communications in data exchange systems. Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols may also used. An electronic certificate (digital ID) is also used to identify the user in electronic transactions. While data to be transmitted is encrypted and access to a data exchange server is restricted using passwords and certificates, such a conventional data exchange system does not protect the "communications path" during the transmission. For example, once the encrypted data was sent out from a source/sender, the encrypted data in he form of data packets may be hacked or altered before reaching the destination/recipient. After a user is allowed access to a data exchange server and starts downloading or uploading data, the data may be intercepted, eavesdropped, or filtered to hack information contained therein. In addition, in electronic transactions such as on-line shopping and on-line banking, a user is only initially authenticated and authorized (typically using the username and password) to log on to a secured site. During such an electronic transaction, a disguised user may log on to access the secured site, or the user may be led to an unintended site which tries to obtain personal information from the user. However, the conventional system does not provide means to confirm that the user is still the same authenticated user, and that the server is still the same server.

Secure transmission of data between clients over communications network


An infinite network polymer containing fluorine as a coating or cladding material for optical fibers. Fluoropolymers, such as silicone amine C.sub.0 -C.sub.16 fluoroepoxy resin and cis-trans fluoropolyol polyacrylate, reduce water permeability because of the bonding between the fluoropolymer and the substrate. The fluoropolymers exhibit substantially increased moisture resistance when compared to conventional fiber coating materials. Variations in chemical structure effect physical properties of the polymer and different compounds can be chosen for their desired physical properties, such as moisture resistance or abrasion resistance. Incorporation of fluorine into the polymer structure lowers the index of refraction such that the polymer can be used as a cladding for silica glass in an optical fiber. One fluoropolymer formulation allows in-line coating of the optical fiber in a oxygen environment.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to infinite network polymers for coating and cladding optical fibers, specifically, to infinite network polymers containing fluorine for coating and cladding optical fiber.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Organic polymer coatings on optical fibers improve protection of the silica glass surface from abrasive damage and environmental effects, such as corrosion due to stress and moisture permeation. In addition, they act as a buffer in reducing the sensitivity of the optical fiber to microbending loss.
Small external forces due to an irregular surface of the optical fiber are sufficient to cause lateral deformation, mode coupling and optical loss. Polymer coatings can be designed to reduce static fatigue and microbending loss. The elastic or relaxation modulus of the polymer is a good indicator of how effective the coating is in protecting the clad fiber from these effects. It has been observed that coatings with relaxation modulus values less than 10.sup.8 dyn/cm.sup.2 are effective in reducing microbending loss.
Stress-induced corrosion by water is associated with stress concentrations at surface flaws under tensile deformation. The only ways to protect the glass fiber against stress corrosion are to limit the applied stress that it experiences or to prevent the buildup of water and hydroxyl ions at the fiber surface. Moisture may permeate through a polymer coating while it is being stored under tension, as found in material wound on drums, or during deployment on hydrous terrain.
Determining the chemical and physical effects of moisture vapor permeability on the optical fiber requires balancing several conflicting factors, such as effects of polar groups, fluorinated substituents, symmetry and segmental mobility. Polar groups that improve adhesion to glass and prevent buildup of water at the interface also increase moisture vapor permeability. This is due to the strong localized interaction between the small polar water molecule and polar groups within the polymer. Both low moisture vapor permeability and good adhesion are important factors in preventing stress corrosion of the optical fiber.
The process of permeation of water through a polymer film involves wetting of the polymer surface, sorption of water into the polymer matrix, diffusion through the film along a concentration gradient and desorption of water from the polymer surface. Incorporation of fluorine into the polymer chain reduces surface wettability and sorption of water. Halogenated polymers have the lowest moisture vapor permeabilities of all polymers.
Coating optical fibers in-line with a polymer resin requires resolution of certain problems that may arise in the formulation of the resin and in the direct coating of the resin onto the glass fiber. Problems which may arise in formulation of the resin are lumps, high viscosity and low polymerization rate. To avoid these problems,
1) the initiator must be thoroughly dissolved into the resin in such a manner to avoid lumps, PA1 2) the viscosity of the resin must be adjusted to within a desirable range PA1 3) an optimum amount of photoinitiator must be employed since too high a photoinitiator concentration can cause a lower polymerization rate because of the generation of an uneven distribution of free radicals and PA1 4) precautions must be taken to prevent oxygen inhibition. PA1 1) the critical surface energy of the solid glass core (.gamma..sub.s) must be greater than the critical surface energy of the liquid prepolymer resin (.gamma..sub.1) for a smooth and continuous coating, PA1 2) film thickness must be properly adjusted because too thin a coating results in reduced scratch and solvent resistance, whereas a coating that is too thick will result in an undercure at the coating/substrate interface.
Application of the coating in-line with the drawing of the glass fiber requires low viscosities (10.sup.3 -10.sup.4 centipoises), rapid solidification and fast cross-linking reactions. Ultraviolet (UV) cures are preferable but rapid thermal cures are possible.
Problems that may arise during in-line coating and curing of the optical fiber include poor wetting of the substrate, rapid shrinkage of the resin resulting in the creation of internal stresses in the coating material and incomplete overall film curing as evidenced by a tacky surface. To avoid these problems,
Hermetic coatings have been developed which require chemical vapor deposition. These hermetic coatings of silicone oxynitride, silicon carbide and titanium carbide do not allow any moisture to permeate and thus provide protection against stress corrosion and resist to attack by acid and alkali. However, the application of a hermetic coating results in a loss in dynamic fatigue strength as compared to the strength of an uncoated fiber.
A polymer coating having a low index of refraction (less than that of the silica glass core, n.sub.r =1.458, or other optical fiber) may be used as a cladding. As taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,209, a fluoropolymer coating/cladding system has been developed by Ensign-Bickford utilizing aliphatic fluoropolymers, which are linear polymers. These fluoropolymer coatings have a water permeability and water vapor transmission rate of about an order of magnitude better than comparable commercial polymer coatings. The coating are not hermetic but protect against static fatigue and adhere to the glass surface.
Infinite network polymers have some advantages over linear polymers in that they are stronger as defined by tensile modulus, have no melting points but thermally decompose, have little or no solubility in solvents, have less defined glass transition temperatures and as thermosetting, not thermoplastic, polymers are capable of a UV cure. It is believed that there has been no reported use of an infinite network polymer containing fluorine used as a coating or cladding for an optical fiber.

Epoxy-functional fluoropolyol polyacrylate coating of optical fibers

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy