A golf ball includes a hollow core formed of a material having a specific gravity of 1.05-1.25 and having a concentric spherical inner cavity, a cover formed on the outer surface of the hollow core, and a resin layer applied onto the inner surface of the hollow core and having a thickness of 1-3 mm. The resin layer is preferably formed of a material having an Izod impact resistance of 50 J/m or greater. The hollow core preferably has a wall thickness of 7-11 mm. The Shore D hardness of the resin layer is preferably greater than that of the hollow core by at least 10. The golf ball does not suffer breakage of the hollow core due to an impact acting on the golf ball upon being hit, and has proper degrees of hardness and resilience in order to increase travel distance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hollow golf ball having a concentric spherical inner cavity.
2. Related Art
Solid golf balls, such as two-piece golf balls, three-piece golf balls, etc. are usually produced by a process which comprises compression or injection molding for enclosing a solid core with a cover material and for forming dimples on the cover material, and finishing processing such as coating, mark stamping, etc. In this case, a solid core lacking an inner cavity has conventionally been used as a core of the solid golf ball.
The present inventors have conceived a new structure of a golf ball which includes a hollow core having a spherical inner cavity and a cover formed on the outer surface thereof, and have reasoned that with this structure, the mass of the golf ball is concentrated at its outer peripheral portion, and consequently, the moment of inertia of the golf ball during travel considerably increases, so that spin motion during travel continues for a longer period of time, resulting in increased travel distance. Based on the above-described concept, the present inventors conducted a study in order to obtain such a hollow golf ball.
As a result, the present inventors found that since the impact resistance of a hollow core having a spherical inner cavity is lower than that of a solid core, when the golf ball is hit, the hollow core is broken due to an impact acting on the golf ball if only the outer surface of the hollow core is covered with a cover material. They also found that if the material of the hollow core does not have a proper specific gravity, the hollow core cannot have proper degrees of hardness and resilience, resulting in decreased travel distance.

273DIG1
XCL 273DIG6
XCL 273DIG10
XCL 273DIG22


This invention provides a process for producing rigid polyurethane foams by reacting A) a polyol component with B) a polyisocyanate component in the presence of C) water, D) at least one catalyst, and, optionally, E) at least one blowing agent. This process specifically requires A) a polyol component which comprises: 1) a polyol containing at least two isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms and comprising: a) a mixture of i) an addition product having a OH number of at least 500 of diamines or polyamines containing primary and/or secondary amino groups with alkylene oxides, and ii) castor oil, and/or b) one or more reaction products obtained by reacting i) an addition product having a OH number of at least 500 of diamines or polyamines containing primary and/or secondary amino groups with alkylene oxides, and ii) castor oil; and 2) at least one compound containing at least two isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms. Suitable polyisocyanates B) for the present invention are those containing an NCO group content of from 20 to 48% by weight.

The present invention relates to a new process for the production of substantially closed-cell polyurethane foams.
Processes for producing substantially closed-cell rigid foams containing urethane, urea and biuret groups are generally known.
A review of the production of corresponding rigid foams is given for example in Kunststoff-Handbuch, (Handbook of Plastics), Vol. 7, 1st Edition 1966, edited by R. Vieweg and A. Hochtlen and 2nd Edition 1983, edited by G. Oertel, (Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich).
Rigid foams such as these are normally produced by reacting aromatic polyisocyanates with polyols, preferably polyether polyols or polyester polyols, in the presence of blowing agents, catalysts, and, optionally, auxiliaries and additives.
The fluorochlorohydrocarbons such as R11 that were previously preferably used as blowing agents have been replaced. In particular, these conventional fluorochlorohydrocarbons were replaced due to their ozone-destructive properties, by blowing agents such as, for example, partially halogenated fluorochlorohydrocarbons such as, for example, R141b (1,1,1-dichlorofluoroethane), fluorohydrocarbons, as well as low boiling point alkanes such as, for example, n-pentane, isopentane and cyclopentane.
Rigid polyurethane foams are used, for example, in the production of composite elements or sandwich elements, or in filling cavities in household appliances such as domestic refrigerating equipment, for example, refrigerators or freezers, or insulating storage water heaters.
In the past, the renewable raw material castor oil, a triglyceride widely used in the chemical industry, was used in the production of polyurethanes. Castor oil is suitable for this purpose since it has about three hydroxyl groups per molecule. Castor oil, however, could not previously be used in large amounts (i.e., more than 20 parts by weight of the polyol formulation) in the production of rigid polyurethane foams since its OH number is too low and the resultant rigid foams have an insufficient mechanical stability, particularly in the case of rigid foams having bulk densities below 50 kg/m.sup.3. The use of large amounts of the renewable raw material castor oil in the production of rigid polyurethane foams is, however, of interest for both economic and ecological reasons.
Thus, the object of the invention was to provide a process for the production of rigid polyurethane foams wherein more than 20 parts by weight of castor oil may be present in the polyol formulation, and that yields products which can be used industrially without any problem.
It has now surprisingly been found that these objects can be achieved by using the polyol formulations according to the invention.

Process for the production of rigid polyurethane foams


In a reproducing operation, scanning information is detected while scanning an information string with a probe such that a density of the scan lines is higher than a density of the recorded information, and a logical-sum signal of the plurality of scanning information is used as a reproduced signal. It is thereby possible to prevent deterioration during information processing of the S/N ratio and the like produced due to a positional error of a recording-medium control mechanism caused by various factors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the technical field of high-density and large-capacity memory devices which use, for example, the principle of a scanning tunneling microscope (hereinafter termed an STM).
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, semiconductor memories comprising semiconductors and magnetic memories comprising magnetic materials have been mainly used as memories. Recently, however, in accordance with the development of laser techniques, inexpensive high-density recording media comprising optical memories which use organic thin films made of organic dyes, photopolymers or the like have appeared.
In addition, STM's which can directly observe the electronic structure of surface atoms of a conductor have been developed (G. Binnig et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 49, 57 (1982)). The STM has the advantages that a real-space image of a material, irrespective of crystalline or amorphous, can be measured with high resolution, a sample can be observed at low power without damaging it by current, and since the apparatus operates even in air, it can therefore be used for various materials. Accordingly, a wide range of applications is expected. The STM utilizes the phenomenon that a tunnel current flows when a metal probe (probe electrode) and a conductive substance are brought as close as about 1 nm (nanometer) while applying a voltage between them. The tunnel current is very sensitive to a change in the distance between the probe and the substance. By scanning the probe so as to maintain the tunnel current at a constant value, it is even possible to read various kinds of information with respect to the entire electronic cloud of a real space. At that time, resolution in the direction of the plane of the substance is about 0.1 nm.
Accordingly, by applying the principle of the STM, it is possible to sufficiently record and reproduce high-density data in the atomic order (in the order of sub-nanometers). For example, in a recording/reproducing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Public Disclosure (Kokai) No. 61-80536 (1986), a writing operation is performed while removing atomic particles adsorbed on the surface of a medium using an electronic beam or the like, and the written data is reproduced using an STM.
Methods exist in which an STM performs recording and reproducing operations using a thin-film recording layer of a material having a memory effect with respect to voltage-current switching characteristics. Examples of recording layer materials include a .pi.-electron-type organic compound, a chalcogenide compound or the like, and are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Public Disclosures (Kokai) Nos. 63-161552 (1988) and 63-161553 (1988). According to such methods, large-capacity recording and reproducing operations on the order of 10.sup.12 bits/cm.sup.2 become possible assuming the size of recording bits of 10 nms.
In using such recording/reproducing methods, in order to reproduce data with an excellent S/N ratio, it is in general necessary to perform so-called tracking control wherein a probe electrode is moved along a recorded signal string while performing feedback control, since recording bits are very small. For example, a method has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Public Disclosure (Kokai) No. 1-107341 (1989) wherein a V-shaped groove is previously formed on the surface of a recording medium, and a probe electrode is controlled so as to be always situated in the center of the groove. On the other hand, methods which do not require a tracking operation have been proposed. For example, a method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Public Disclosure (Kokai) No. 2-50333 (1990), wherein, in a reproducing operation, information is read by scanning a recorded signal string with a probe electrode with a density higher than the recording density without performing a tracking operation, and recorded information is reproduced using a pattern recognition technique.
However, control is complicated in the above-described methods which use a tracking operation, and a complicated pattern recognition process requiring a long processing time is necessary in the above-described method which uses pattern recognition without using a tracking operation.

Information reproducing method and information reproducing apparatus which uses the method


The invention employs at least three chromatic colored inks as well as a chromatic colored ink that has a lower spectral reflectance at each wavelength region in which the spectral reflectance of these three colored inks is greater. The chromatic colored ink is added to the at least three colors to enable printing with minimal differences between colors seen under a certain standard light source and the same colors seen under another light source. It is thus possible to ensure printing with fewer changes in color as a result of changes in light source, such as the ability to produce colors having a generally constant spectral reflectance across all wavelengths by combining inks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing device, printing method, and printing control program product.
2. Description of the Related Art
The way humans see colors when colors are represented by ink on printing paper can be expressed as the product of the color-matching function (including the characteristics of the human eye), the reflectance of the ink and printing paper, and the spectral distribution of the light source. Printing devices normally represent colors through a combination of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) or similarly colored inks such as lc (light cyan) and lm (light magenta), and colors can therefore be said to look different as a result of changes in the spectral distribution of the ink in the product of the elements which govern the way colors appear, as described above. The CMY colors are combined as needed and printed onto printing paper to represent achromatic grays or any other color.
In such printing devices, colors are printed with reference to a predetermined relationship between combinations of ink and image data based on colors measured under a certain light source. Although colors must be measured under a certain light source since they are represented as the aforementioned product, when the printed results are seen under a different light source than the light source under which the colors were measured, the colors end up looking different. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced with low chromatic or achromatic grays. For example, colors that look gray in sunlight can appear to be imbued with color under indoor lamp light. Techniques have thus been proposed to minimize such changes in color as a result of changes in the light source (such as Japanese Unexamined Patent Application (Kokai) 2002-225317). Changes in the way colors appear are more pronounced with pigment-based inks.

Printing device, printing method, and printing control program product


The present invention relates to an adsorbent being capable of efficiently adsorbing and removing interleukins in a body fluid and to a method for adsorbing and removing, if necessary, and recovering interleukins in a body fluid with the above-mentioned adsorbent. According to the present invention, there are provided an adsorbent of interleukins which comprises a water-insoluble carrier having an anionic functional group, a method for adsorbing, removing and recovering interleukins using the same and an adsorber using the same.

A cytokine is a greatly important proteinous substance as a biophylactic factor which closely relates to various kinds of antigen-specific, non-specific immune inflammatory responses. The existance thereof is necessary and indispensable for maintaining biological homeostasis and the cytokine is produced excessively in a disease with inflammation, relating to the formation and the prolongation of pathology of the disease.
"IL-8" is one kind of cytokine purified as a monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MDNCF) by Matsushima et al. and gene thereof has also been cloned in 1987. IL-8 is a neutrophile-activation migration regulatory factor produced by various kinds of cells.
It is known that IL-8 acts on a neutrophil to enhance functions for inhibiting growth of Candida albicans and Mycobacterium which the neutrophil has, and it is anticipated that IL-8 has an effect as an immunoactivation agent (Nipponigakukan, Cytokine--From Foundation to The Latest Information--, 1991, pages 65-72). Therefore, there has been desired a method for efficiently purifying IL-8 in a large amount from a body fluid or a culture medium.
On the other hand, the continuous administration of IL-8 in a large amount is remarkably harm to tissues, and causes the destruction of tissues of adult respiratory distress syndrome in an alveolus and the destruction of tissues with the infiltration of lymphocytes in a large amount in an arthrosis. Experimentally, it is shown that IL-8 relates essentially to the infiltration of neutrophils in dermatitis derived from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and during reperfusion after ischemia. This has been proved by the fact that the destruction of tissues accompanied by the above-mentioned infiltration of lymphocytes or neutrophils can be inhibited almost completely by administrating a neutralizing antibody against IL-8. Further, an abnormally higher concentration of IL-8 has been detected in an inflammatory site or in peripheral blood of patients with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gouty arthritis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, septicemia, idiopathic fibroid lung, adult respiratory distress syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, immune angiitis, glomerular nephritis, urinary tract infection, cardiac infarction, asthma, respiratory tract infection, perinatal infectious disease and rejection in organ transplantation, than that of a normal human (refer to Menekiyakuri, 12, No. 1, pages 15-21 (1994)). And, it is considered that IL-8 relates to these diseases. At present, however, an efficient method to inhibit the function of IL-8 in these diseases has not been established.
Then, "IL-1.beta." is an inflammatory cytokine which is produced mainly by a monocyte and/or a macrophage with stimulation by a foreign matter such as bacteria, and in 1984, the gene of human has been cloned by Auron et al.
As seen from the fact that IL- 1.beta. has been discovered as an endogenious pyrogen (EP), a leukocytic endogenious mediator (LEM), a lymphocyte activation factor (LAF), a B cell-activating factor (BAF) and the like until the standardized name of interleukin 1 (IL-1) was determined as the same substance at The 2nd International Lymphokine Workshop in 1979, the bioactivity thereof is shown in various functions.
Though IL-1.beta., which is a main mediator of an inflammation, plays an important role in various kinds of reactions including homeostasis of a living body in the ordinary state, it has been clear that IL-1.beta. induces the destruction of tissues or the formation and/or deterioration of pathology in the inflammatory diseases when IL-1.beta. is produced excessively or conteniously for a long term in some mechanism (Biomedica, 9, 1993, pages 703-707). The relation of IL-1.beta. to each of pathological conditions such as toxic syndrome including septicemia, RA, Lyme disease, osteoporosis, Kawasaki disease, gout, glomerulonephritis, ectatic cardiomyopathy, endometritis, premature labor, granuloma, acute myelogenous leukemia, Alzheimer disease, Down syndrome, hepatic fibrosis, hepatoma, further, alcoholic hepatitis is strongly suggested (Nipponigakukan, Cytokine--From Foundation to The Latest Information--, 1991, pages 13-20 and pages 177-187), and a method of specific inhibition of IL-1.beta. is hoped for and researched enthusiastically.
Though, as the representative, an antiIL-1.beta. antibody, an antiIL-1.beta. receptor antibody, an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and the like were developed (Igakunoayumi, 167, 1993, pages 432-435) and a part thereof was subjected to a clinical testing of septicemia as an objective disease, each did not give an effect to be expected and has not yet been put into practice.
Also, "IL-6" was originally isolated as a differentiating factor of a B cell and the structure of the gene thereof was determined by Hirano, Kishimoto et al. in 1986. It is recognized that IL-6 has a function as a main mediator of inflammation, for instance, to work as a proliferating factor of myelocytoma, and to derive an acute phase protein in liver.
It is shown by the production of a transgenic mouse that the abnormal production of IL-6 brings about a polyclonal activation of a B cell and causes plasmocytoma Also, in general, it has been observed that IL-6 in blood shows a high value in many acute inflammatory diseases or bacterial infection, virus infection, scald, myocardial infarction and the like. An example has been reported wherein IL-6 level was actually raised at the time of infestation such as scald or surgical operation and, in a cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with acute bacterial meningitis (by pneumococcus, staphylococcus, Listeria), up to 500 ng/ml of IL-6 was detected. On the other hand, IL-6 was detected in local inflammatory tissues or a general body of chronic hepatitis. In an autoimmune disease such as RA, Castleman disease or atrial myxoma, there is the abnormal production of IL-6 and it is considered that this triggers the production of proteins in hypergammaglobulinemia. In addition, it is suggested that the involvement of IL-6 to the diseases such as cancer of the uterine cervix, AIDS, alcoholic hepatitis, multiple myeloma, Lennert T lymphoma, mesangial proliferative nephritis, renal cytoma psoriasis and septicemia (Nipponigakukan, Cytokine--Foundation to The Latest Information--, 1991, pages 177-187). For the time being, however, an effective method for inhibiting specifically the function of IL-6 in these diseases has not yet been established.
Further, "IL-2" is a glycoprotein having a molecular weight of approximately 15 kDa which was conventionally called a T cell growth factor (TCGF) and is a cytokine of which gene was cloned by Taniguchi et al. in 1983. It is intended that the application of IL-2 as a remedy for cancer according to single therapy or local adoptive immunotherapy since IL-2 has a proliferation facilitating activity against T cell.
On the other hand, the opinion was obtained, suggesting that IL-2 continuously produced at a locality (in this case, at pancreas) is one of potent pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes mellitus from an experiment using a transgenic mouse (Heath W. R., Allison J. et al.: Nature, 359, page 547, 1992). Also, it was also reported that the administration of IL-2 caused the development of both systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and RA (Chazerain P., Meyer O., Kahn M.-F., Ann. Intern. Med., 116, page 427, 1992 and Wandl U. B., Nagel-Hiemke M., May D. et al.: Clin. Immunol. Immunopathol., 65, page 70, 1992). Further, the possibility is suggested that IL-2 together with TNF-.alpha. relates closely to the pathologic conditions in the septic shock (Endo S., Inada K., Inoue Y. et al.: Circulatory Shock, 38, page 264, 1992). For the time being, however, an effective method for inhibiting the function of IL-2 in these diseases has not yet been established.
By considering the above-mentioned situation, the inventors of the present invention researched with respect to a method for adsorbing and removing IL-8, IL-1.beta., IL-6 and/or IL-2 as a pathogenic substance from a body fluid of a patient and, if necessary, a method for recovering the same. As the result of repeating whole-hertedly investigation, the inventors discovered that a water-insoluble carrier having an anionic functional group, when in contact with a body fluid, adsorbs strongly IL-8, IL-1.beta., IL-6 and IL-2 in the body fluid and proceeded the investigation to reach the completion of the present invention.
An object of the present invention is to selectively adsorb and remove IL-8, IL-1.beta., IL-6 and/or IL-2 from a body fluid, particularly, blood, plasma and serum and, if necessary, to recover the same.

Adsorbent of interleukins, process for removing the same, and adsorber for the same

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


A small electronic apparatus that transmits mechanical energy obtained by rotational or reciprocating motion of a rotary weight to a power genetrator rotor to produce electrical energy so as to operate itself. The apparatus includes a power transmission mechanism for accelerating the rotation of the rotary weight; a power generator rotor driven by the power transmission mechanism; and a generator coil block inducing voltage based on the driving of the power generator rotor, wherein at least one shock-absorbing spring is provided between the rotary weight and the power generator rotor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a small electronic apparatus equipped with a generator which converts mechanical energy obtained by the rotational or reciprocating motion of a rotary weight to electrical energy, especially to a small electronic apparatus equipped with a generator, which exhibits improved impact resistance in a mechanical power transmission mechanism in the generator and exhibits improved generating efficiency.
2. Description of the Background Art
An electronic wristwatch is one of small electronic apparatuses in which mechanical energy obtained by rotary motion or reciprocating motion of a rotary weight is converted into electric energy, enabling the apparatuses to be operated.
In a generator of such an electronic wristwatch, there is a problem that when the rotary weight is hit by a strong impact caused by dropping the wristwatch or the like, support materials, gears, and pinion gears for the mechanical power transmission mechanism of the rotary weight are damaged or the ICs are broken.
There have been methods disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 128286/1988 aiming to avoid damages to the mechanical power transmission mechanism of the rotary weight to improve the impact resistance.
Specifically, a device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 128286/1988 comprises a slip device which transfers motive force to the power transmission mechanism by a frictional force. The slip device slips to avoid transfer of a strong impact load torque applied to the power transmission mechanism when a strong impact is applied to the rotary weight. Also, the rotational velocity transferred to the rotor is restrained by the slip action of the slip device to protect the charge control circuit from damages caused by a high voltage induced in a coil for a generator because of high rotation of a generator rotor due to an impact on the rotary weight.
Almost the same method as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 128286/1988 is disclosed in International Patent Application Laid-open No. W089/06833.
Also, as prior art, FIG. 5 described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 91992/1991 shows the provision of a rotary weight itself provided with a spring structure which is resistant to an impact on the rotary weight. By this prior art, the effect of absorbing an impact torque in the direction along the rotation of the rotary weight can be expected.
However, in the prior art of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 128286/1988 and International Patent Application laid-open No. W089/06833, in which the slip device is provided in the power transmission mechanism of the rotary weight, it is necessary to reduce the slip torque to less than the mechanical strength limit of tenons, gears, or the like. The slip torque must be designed to have a considerably small value taking safety into consideration.
If the rotational force transferred to the power transmission mechanism of the rotary weight is higher than the slip torque, the slip device assembled in the power transmission mechanism slips to run idle with the rotation of the rotary weight. Therefore, the rotor does not follow the rotation, resulting in a reduction in generating efficiency.
In the prior art shown in FIG. 5 in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 91992/1991, in which the rotary weight itself is provided with the spring structure, if it is intended to provide the rotary weight with an appropriate spring structure to prevent the power transmission mechanism from destructive impact, the stiffness of the rotary weight itself is reduced. When the rotary weight is subjected to a strong impact, it tends to be deformed.
This invention has been achieved in view of this situation and has an object of providing a small electronic apparatus equipped with a generator having a high generating efficiency without slip, differing from the conventional power transmission mechanism.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a small electronic apparatus provided with a generator which protects the power transmission mechanism from destructive impact, differring from the conventional power transmission mechanism, even if such destructive impact is applied to a rotary weight.

Small electric apparatus equipped with generator


A projection-type image display apparatus includes a body including an air inlet and an air outlet and accommodating a heating element; a lamp unit including a light-source lamp and a housing that accommodates the light-source lamp and that includes an air intake and an exhaust opening communicating with the air outlet; a duct unit including a first end adjacent to the air inlet, a second end adjacent to the air intake, and a flow channel connecting the first and second ends; a radiating unit thermally connected to the heating element, at least part of the radiating unit being disposed inside the flow channel of the duct unit; and a fan, drawing air from the air inlet through the first end of the duct unit and sending the air to the air intake through the second end, disposed between the radiating unit and the second end.

1. Field
The present invention relates to projection-type image display apparatuses projecting enlarged images shown on display devices onto screens, and in particular, relates to projection-type image display apparatuses including structures for cooling the display devices, light-source lamps, or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Projection-type image display apparatuses enlarge images shown on display devices such as small cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) or light valves (small display devices capable of storing and removing the images in real time) through projection lenses and project the images onto screens.
Among such display devices, liquid-crystal devices as well as the small CRTs are in widespread use. The projection-type image display apparatuses including the liquid-crystal devices serving as the display devices are often referred to as liquid-crystal projectors.
The display devices can be grouped under a reflective type and a transmissive type. In the projection-type image display apparatuses including the reflective display devices, light beams from light sources are incident on the front surfaces of the display devices, and are reflected from the display devices. The projection-type image display apparatuses enlarge the reflected light beams through optical systems such as lenses, and project the light beams onto screens.
On the contrary, in the projection-type image display apparatuses including the transmissive display devices, light beams from light sources are incident on the rear surfaces of the display devices, and are transmitted through the display devices. The projection-type image display apparatuses enlarge the transmitted light beams through optical systems such as lenses, and project the light beams onto screens.
Both the reflective and transmissive types of liquid-crystal display devices have been already put into practice.
Additionally, display devices referred to as digital micromirror devices (DMD) have also been developed, and are employed in the projection-type image display apparatuses. The DMDs include minute mirrors on the front surfaces of the display devices, and the number of mirrors is the same as that of the pixels. The light beams entering the front surfaces of the DMDs are modulated and reflected by electronically and mechanically changing the angles of the individual mirrors. That is to say, the DMDs are of a reflective type.
The projection-type image display apparatuses that apply light beams from the light sources to the front surfaces of the DMDs and that project the modulated light beams reflected from the surfaces of the DMDs onto screens through the optical systems such as the lenses are often referred to as digital light processing (DLP™) projectors. The DLP is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated in the United States of America.
The recent development in high-brightness technology in addition to high-resolution technology of the projection-type image display apparatuses including the liquid-crystal devices or the DMDs has been remarkable. Up to now, in order to use the projection-type image display apparatuses, the brightness in rooms needed to be reduced by, for example, closing curtains. However, due to the high-brightness technology, the projection-type image display apparatuses are available under ordinary indoor brightness substantially without trouble.
The high-brightness technology is achieved by a technology of a reduction in loss of light transmission systems and by an increase in the amount of emission of the light sources themselves.
Due to the increase in the amount of emission of the light sources, the amount of heat generated in the interiors of the projection-type image display apparatuses is increased. Meanwhile, components in the projection-type image display apparatuses must be highly densified due to user demands for compact profiles.
Therefore, the development in technology for efficiently cooling the increasing heat even with the highly densified layout of the components has become essential.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,644,817, 6,402,324, and 6,350,033 disclose technologies for cooling projection-type image display apparatuses including transmissive liquid-crystal devices serving as display devices.
The projection-type image display apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,644,817 or 6,402,324 includes two intake fans for drawing outside air disposed at the front left and the front right of the casing of the apparatus, and two exhaust fans for discharging the air disposed at the rear. The apparatus further includes three air intakes, two of which are formed in front of the intake fans and the rest is formed in the bottom center.
The fans and the air intakes form first and second flow channels in which air flows from the front to the rear along the left and right side surfaces of the casing of the projection-type image display apparatus, and also form a third flow channel in which air flows from the bottom center to the rear.
Moreover, in the projection-type image display apparatus, two separate power-supply units are disposed at the left and the right of the casing. These two power-supply units are cooled by the first and second flow channels.
A light-source unit generating the most heat is disposed in the rear of the casing adjacent to the exhaust fans, and cooled by the third flow channel in addition to the first and second flow channels.
Furthermore, a structure for cooling three transmissive liquid-crystal devices corresponding to red, green, and blue (RGB) colors included in the projection-type image display apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,033. The transmissive liquid-crystal devices generate heat since part of the optical energy of the transmitted light beams is converted into the thermal energy as a transmission loss. Accordingly, an additional intake fan for cooling the transmissive liquid-crystal devices forcedly circulates the air inside a sealed space accommodating the transmissive liquid-crystal devices so as to cool the air.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,197 discloses a technology for cooling a projection-type image display apparatus including reflective liquid-crystal devices.
According to an embodiment of the projection-type image display apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,197, the projection-type image display apparatus includes one large exhaust fan and two relatively small intake fans. Furthermore, three separate reflective liquid-crystal devices are disposed at three remote positions.
One of the intake fans is disposed adjacent to one of the three reflective liquid-crystal devices so as to cool this reflective liquid-crystal device substantially exclusively.
The other intake fan and the large exhaust fan cool the other two reflective liquid-crystal devices and a light-source unit generating the most heat.
The light-source unit includes a light-emitting element and a substantially paraboloidal metallic reflector covering the light-emitting element. The cooling air cools the reflector and the light-emitting element whose heat is transferred to the reflector by flowing along the rear surface of the metallic reflector.
The two reflective liquid-crystal devices and the reflector of the light-source unit are not arranged in a line, but a duct structure is formed by appropriately disposing casing members and guiding plates for the cooling air. Thus, the two reflective liquid-crystal devices and the light-source unit are cooled by the intake fan and the exhaust fan disposed at the inlet and the outlet of the duct structure.
Since light-source units generate the most heat in projection-type image display apparatuses, extra high cooling capacity for the units is required for high-brightness projection-type image display apparatuses.
Also, display devices such as DMDs and liquid-crystal devices generate heat when semiconductor elements drive pixels. In addition to the self-heating, reflective display devices generate heat due to a reflection loss, and transmissive display devices generate heat due to a transmission loss.
The heat due to the reflection loss or the transmission loss is increased relative to the amount of emission of the light sources. Accordingly, the cooling of the display devices as well as the cooling of the light-source units is essential as the brightness of the projection-type image display apparatuses is increased.
On the other hand, as the resolution of the recent projection-type image display apparatuses has been improved, there has been an increasing need for viewing not only slides and still images as in conventional art but also movies and music videos. Thus, a technology for reducing noise generated by, for example, fans is also required in addition to the cooling technology.
According to the cooling technologies disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,644,817, 6,402,324, and 6,350,033, not only optical components such as the light-source units and the transmissive display devices but also the power-supply units and control circuit boards are arranged suitable for cooling. However, the arrangements are not applicable to projection-type image display apparatuses having different circuit configurations or modes.
Furthermore, since four or five intake and exhaust fans are required for cooling, improvements in terms of the noise must be introduced.
According to the cooling technology disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,197, the duct structure is formed of the casing members and the guiding plates for the wind direction. The light-source unit and the reflective liquid-crystal devices disposed inside are efficiently cooled by the cooling air passing through the duct structure.
However, since the projection-type image display apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,197 includes the intake fan and the exhaust fan at the front left and the front right thereof, the duct structure connecting the intake fan and the exhaust fan is not linear, and includes a plurality of bending portions and wind-direction guides at certain positions thereof.
As a result, it is estimated that the pressure loss of this duct structure will be high compared with that of a linear duct structure. Therefore, if the heat generated by the light-source unit and the display devices is increased due to the high brightness, there is a possibility of insufficient cooling capacity caused by insufficient air volume unless the number of the fans or the power of the fans is increased. In addition, noise is increased with the number of the fans or the power of the fans.


A method for determining a triggering decision for restraint device of a motor vehicle, in response to a preceding skidding maneuver. A yaw rate, a first driving dynamics parameter set and a context parameter set are made available. The triggering decision being determined using the yaw rate, the first vehicle parameter set and the context parameter set.

German Patent Application No. DE 101 49 112 A1 describes a method for determining a triggering decision for a restraint device in a vehicle. In this method, a triggering decision is determined as a function of a sideslip angle, a vehicle transversal speed and a vehicle tilt angle. The vehicle tilt angle, in this case, is characterized by a vehicle transversal acceleration and/or a vehicle transversal speed. In addition, in this method, passenger detection features may also be used.

Method for determining a triggering decision for means of restraint of a motor vehicle


An improved conductor shielding composition for power cables is disclosed. The composition includes a base polymer, conductive carbon black and a waxy additive. Cable shields prepared from the composition exhibit improved aging performance in accelerated cable life tests (ACLT).

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to compositions useful in the preparation of semiconductive conductor shields in power cables and to semiconductive conductor shields and power cables utilizing the composition.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical insulated electric power cable generally comprises a conductor in a cable core that is surrounded by several layers of polymeric materials including an inner semiconducting shield layer (conductor or strand shield), an insulating layer, an outer semiconducting shield layer (insulation shield), a metallic wire or tape shield used as the ground phase, and a protective jacket. Additional layers within this construction such as moisture impervious materials, are often incorporated. The invention pertains to the inner semiconducting shield layer, i.e., the conductor shield.
Semiconductive shields have been used in power cables as shields for the cable conductor and insulation for many years. The conductor shield is typically extruded over the cable conductor to provide a layer of intermediate conductivity between the conductor and cable insulation in the power cable. Conventional compositions for these conductor shields include a base polymer as the predominant component of the composition compounded with, carbon black to provide conductivity for the composition and various additives.
The primary purpose of the semiconducting conductor shield between the conductor and insulation in an electrical power cable is to ensure the long term viability of the primary insulation. There is always a need for improved semiconductive conductor shield compositions that balance cost and performance.
Examples of polymer compositions used as shields in power cables are found in the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,612,139 and 4,305,846 to Kawasaki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,232 to Burns, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,333 to Lloyd et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,889,117 to Flenniken, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,792 to Reid et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
It would be desirable to have a conductor shield material with improved performance that does not require the use of expensive additives, complex polymer formulations, or specially prepared carbon black, as performance must always be balanced with cost in the manufacture of electric cable.
The invention provides a conductor shield material with improved performance without the need for expensive additives, complex polymer formulations, or specially prepared carbon black.
In particular, the composition of the invention, conductor shields and cables made with conductor shields in accordance with the invention exhibit superior performance over time as demonstrated by accelerated cable life testing (ACLT) as compared to conventional high performance conductor shield compositions.
In particular, the invention provides a conductor shield comprising a base polymer selected from the group consisting of copolymers of ethylene and a mono-unsaturated ester, copolymers of ethylene and one or more alpha olefins having three to six carbon atoms, EPR and EDPM rubbers, low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene; conductive carbon black; and a waxy additive selected from the group consisting of at least one amide wax, at least one ethylene vinyl acetate wax and mixtures of at least one amide wax and at least one ethylene vinyl acetate wax.
The invention also provides a conductor shield consisting essentially of a base polymer selected from the group consisting of copolymers of ethylene and a mono-unsaturated ester, copolymers of ethylene and one or more alpha olefins having three to six carbon atoms, EPR and EDPM rubbers, low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene; conductive carbon black; and a waxy additive selected from the group consisting of at least one amide wax, at least one ethylene vinyl acetate wax and mixtures of at least one amide wax and at least one ethylene vinyl acetate wax.
In addition to the composition matter, the invention includes a semiconductive shield for the conductor or insulation in a power cable formed by extruding the composition over the conductor or insulation of the power cable and the resulting power cable that employs the composition as a conductor shield.
The base polymer of the composition of the invention can be selected from a variety of polymers including various homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers known in the art, the selection being based upon the ultimate desired use of the polymer composition. For example, the polymers used in the polymeric compositions of the present invention may include, but are not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers and graft polymers of ethylene where the co-monomers are selected from butene, hexene, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, esters of acrylic acid, esters of methacrylic acid, maleic anhydride, half esters of maleic anhydride, carbon monoxide and the like; elastomers selected from natural rubber, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, random styrene butadiene rubber, polychloroprene, nitrile rubbers, ethylene propylene copolymers and terpolymers and the like; homopolymers and copolymers of styrene, including styrene-butadiene, styrene-butadiene-styrene linear and radial polymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, styrene acrylonitrile and the like; linear and branched polyether or polyester polyols; crystalline and amorphous polyesters and polyamides; alkyd resins, rosin acids or rosin esters; hydrocarbon resins produced from thermal or Friedal Crafts polymerization of cyclic diene monomers such as dicyclopentadiene, indene, cumene and the like; ethylene/silane copolymers; ethylene/.alpha.-olefin/diene terpolymers such as ethylene/propylene/1,4-hexadiene, ethylene/1-butene/1,4-hexadiene and the like; mixtures thereof and the like. Additionally, the polymer used in compositions of the present invention may include copolymers and terpolymers containing the above-identified polymers as major components of the copolymer or terpolymer.
Preferably, the base polymer of the composition of the invention is selected from a variety of polymers including copolymers of ethylene and a mono-unsaturated ester such as ethylene-ethyl acrylate, ethylene-methyl acrylate, ethylene-methyl methacrylate and ethylene-vinyl acetate, copolymers of ethylene and one or more alpha olefins having three to six carbon atoms, as well as EPR and EDPM rubbers, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Of these copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is more preferred. More particularly, EVA having a vinyl acetate content between 18 and 20% is most preferred for use as the base polymer of the invention. The base polymer of the composition of the invention is present in amounts from about 30% to about 99.4% by weight, based upon the weight of the of the total composition.
In the present invention, commercially available, conventional carbon black is added to the polymer compositions to impart semi-conductive properties to the composition. The ability to use such commercially available, conventional carbon blacks to achieve improved ACLT results is an advantage of the invention. The carbon black added to the polymer may be one of the various available conventional carbon blacks, including finely divided carbon such as lamp black, furnace black, or acetylene black, i.e. carbon black made by pyrolyzing acetylene. Ketjin black may be used in the compositions of the invention as well as many of the commercial carbon black grades described in ASTM D 1765 98b, for example, N351, N293 and N550. Preferably, to avoid problems associated with carbon black dust, the carbon black is pelletized, although non-pelletized carbon black, such as in its fluffy form, may also be used with equal success. The carbon black is generally present in the composition in the amount of from about 0.1% to about 65% by weight of the polymer composition. Preferably the carbon black is present in an amount of from about 10% to about 50% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition.
A tremendous number of compounds have been suggested for use as additives in semiconducting shield compositions. Typically, these compounds fall into the category of antioxidants, curing agents, vulcanizing agents, crosslinking agents, boosters and retardants, processing aids, pigments, dyes, colorants, fillers, coupling agents, ultraviolet absorbers or stabilizers, antistatic agents, nucleating agents, slip agents, plasticizers, lubricants, viscosity control agents, tackifiers, anti-blocking agents, surfactants, extender oils, acid scavengers, and metal deactivators.
The present invention is based upon the discovery that certain polar waxes produce a shield composition having enhanced electrical aging performance as measured by accelerated cable life testing (ACLT). The polar waxes of the invention, i.e., the waxy additive, are selected from the group consisting of at least one amide wax, at least one ethylene vinyl acetate wax and mixtures of at least one amide wax and at least one ethylene vinyl acetate wax. In embodiments of the invention the amide wax is selected from stearamide, oleamide, erucamide, ethylene bis-stearamide, ethylene bis-oleamide, ethylene bis-erucamide and mixtures thereof. Oleamide and erucamide are preferred. Oleamide is commercially available from Croda Universal, Inc. under the designation CRODAMIDE OR(copyright) and euracamide is commercially available from Croda Universal, Inc. under the designation CRODAMIDE ER(copyright). In other embodiments of the invention, the waxy additive is an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) wax and has a molecular weight from about 15,000 Daltons to about 40,000 Daltons and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2% to about 28%, preferably from about 10% to about 20%. In more preferred embodiments, the EVA wax has a molecular weight from about 15,000 Daltons to about 30,000 Daltons and a vinyl acetate content of from about 12% to about 15%. The waxy additive may be at least one amide wax, at least one EVA wax, or a mixture of at least one amide wax and at least one EVA wax. The waxy additive is from about 0.5% to about 5.0% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.8% to about 2.0% by weight of the composition.
Examples of antioxidants are as follows, but are not limited to: hindered phenols such as tetrakis[methylene(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydro-cinnamate)] methane; bis[(beta-(3,5-ditert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-methylcarboxyethyl)]sulphide, 4,4xe2x80x2-thiobis(2-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4xe2x80x2-thiobis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol), 2,2xe2x80x2-thiobis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), and thiodiethylene bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy)hydrocinnamate; phosphites and phosphonites such as tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite and di-tert-butylphenyl-phosphonite; thio compounds such as dilaurylthiodipropionate, dimyristylthiodipropionate, and distearylthiodipropionate; various siloxanes; polymerized 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (TMQ), n,nxe2x80x2-bis(1,4-dimethylpentyl-p-phenylenediamine), alkylated diphenylamines, 4,4xe2x80x2-bis(alpha, alpha-demthylbenzyl)diphenylamine, diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, mixed di-aryl-p-phenylenediamines, and other hindered amine antidegradants or stabilizers. Antioxidants can be used in amounts of about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition.
Examples of curing/crosslinking agents are as follows: dicumyl peroxide; bis(alpha-t-butyl peroxyisopropyl)benzene; isopropylcumyl t-butyl peroxide; t-butylcumylperoxide; di-t-butyl peroxide; 2,5-bis(t-butylperoxy)2,5-dimethylhexane; 2,5-bis(t-butylperoxy)2,5-dimethylhexyne-3; 1,1-bis(t-butylperoxy)3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane; isopropylcumyl cumylperoxide; di(isopropylcumyl) peroxide; or mixtures thereof. Peroxide curing agents can be used in amounts of about 0.1 to 5 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition.
The polymer compositions of the present invention may be manufactured using conventional machinery and methods to produce the final polymer product. The compositions may be prepared by batch or continuous mixing processes such as those well known in the art. For example, equipment such as Banbury mixers, Buss cokneaders, and twin screw extruders may be used to mix the ingredients of the formulation. The components of the polymer compositions of the present invention may be mixed and formed into pellets for future use in manufacturing electrical cable.
The composition of the invention, and conductor shields and cables made with conductor shields in accordance with the invention exhibit superior performance over time as demonstrated by accelerated cable life testing (ACLT) as compared to conventional high performance conductor shield compositions. Specifically, as described below in the Example, the composition of the invention when used in a conductor shield has an accelerated cable life testing Weibull Beta value of 1.5 or more, preferably 3.0 or more. While the connection between smoothness of the conductor shield may or may not be related to the improved ACLT values, nonetheless, the composition of the invention when used in a conductor shield may achieve a count of surface imperfections/m2 of 500 or less, preferably a count of surface imperfections/m2 of 200 or less.


A neural network-controlled automatic tracking and recognizing system includes a fixed field of view collection module, a full functions variable field of view collection module, a video image recognition algorithm module, a neural network control module, a suspect object track-tracking module, a database comparison and alarm judgment module, a monitored characteristic recording and rule setting module, a light monitoring and control module, a backlight module, an alarm output/display/storage module, and security monitoring sensors. The invention relates also to the operation method of the system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to intelligent safety monitoring technology and more particularly, to a neural network-controlled automatic tracking and recognizing system comprised of a fixed field of view collection module, a full functions variable field of view collection module, a video image recognition algorithm module, a neural network control module, a suspect object track-tracking module, a database comparison and alarm judgment module, a monitored characteristic recording and rule setting module, a light monitoring and control module, a backlight module, an alarm output/display/storage module, and security monitoring sensors.
2. Description of the Related Art
Following development of human civilization, people have strong demand for security. The developing trend of intelligent security technology has been changed from investigation after event to "preserving before event, prohibiting in the event and rapid dissolving after the event".
Many safety monitoring and control systems are known. However, conventional safety monitoring and control systems are still not satisfactory in function and have the following common drawbacks: 1. Fixed monitoring images, not able to catch characteristics of suspect object clearly, having dead corner in catching images, making after event investigation difficult; 2. No capability in preserving before event, no intelligent algorithm, no self-learning ability, no ability in detecting behavior of moving object against rule (such as detection on cross border, direction, cluster, etc.), no ability to identify identity of suspect object by means of biological recognition technology to achieve a preserving measures; 3. Not able to track the motion track and detail characteristics of suspect object; 4. Requiring a big amount of cameras, storage devices and main power to achieve monitoring operation.
There are advanced systems capable of recognizing behaviors of violation of moving object against rule, stealing behavior and properties left. However, these systems simply use sensing cameras to match with a computer for recognition and alarm, they cannot eliminate the problems of dead corner in catching images, being unable to track the motion track of suspect object and non-clearness detail characteristics of suspect object. More particularly, the small suspect object image scale causes recognition of identity of suspect object difficult.

Neural network-controlled automatic tracking and recognizing system and method


A transportation passenger suite, including first and second spaced-apart end walls that define an at least partial enclosure adapted to be positioned along a longitudinal axis of a passenger cabin. A first seating assembly is positioned in the enclosure adjacent the first end wall of the passenger suite and facing in a first direction. A second seating assembly is positioned in the enclosure adjacent the second end wall of the passenger suite and faces in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. A first table is positioned in the enclosure for use by an occupant seated in the first seating assembly, and a second table is positioned in the enclosure for use by an occupant seated in the second seating assembly.

The present invention relates to a premium class aircraft passenger suite that includes several unique features that provide enhanced passenger comfort, weight savings and efficient space utilization. The passenger suite includes a separate seat and bed that permit the seat and bed structures to be optimized for sitting and sleeping, respectively. Other features permit the passenger suite to be efficiently used by the passenger for sleeping, working, dining and video viewing.
Conventional prior art aircraft passenger suite tables are typically provided as a unit that deploys from a storage area in the seat arm rest or in a separate storage area proximate the seat. This application discloses dining and work tables that deploy from an area of the suite away from the main passenger seat and instead are used in combination with a separate dining and work chair positioned at right angles to the main passenger seat. Part of the invention also includes the provision of a bed that is a separate and distinct structure from the passenger seat and that deploys into a flat sleeping surface having a proper firmness, and that is already covered with a sheet or other bed covering. An integral tensioning system assists in deploying and stowing and deploying the bed.
The table arrangement provides tables that are a sufficiently large size to serve a full meal service within the confines of the airline passenger suite. They are able to operate completely independent of each other, making the space more flexible for the passenger and giving the airline the opportunity to market more sophisticated experiences to their premium class customers.
The novel table arrangement disclosed in this application provides two completely separate seating positions within the passenger suite. These separate seat positions enable each to be designed for its specific function without the need to compromise with the demands of the other seat position.
By creating separate positions for the premium class passengers within their space, it encourages them to get up and move about within the suite, which may reduce the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) caused by sitting in the same position for long periods time.
Furthermore, by offering two separate tables, two passengers may dine in the same suite without the need to share one dining table or perch on a small buddy seat.
Conventional prior art aircraft passenger suite tables are typically provided as a unit that deploys from a storage area in the seat arm rest or in a separate storage area proximate the seat. This application discloses an automatically-extending dining table that stows horizontally in a space shorter than its deployed length. It is mounted on a pivoting arm which moves the table from its stowed position to its deployed position. As the table pivots to its deployed position, a cable that connects the pivot point of the table arm to a rack and pinion arrangement in the arm drives the table leaf from its stowed position to its extended position. This results in the table being deployed to the centerline of the main passenger seat. A second pivot point beneath the leaf of the table allows the table to be positioned parallel to the passenger at any point of its movement. This gives a range of positions so that people of all sizes can find a comfortable position for the table.
The suite includes, in addition to the table arrangement described above, a second table that is used by the occupant of a work/dining chair and operates completely independently of the main passenger seat table, making the space more flexible for the passenger and giving the airline the opportunity to market more sophisticated experiences to their customers.
The novel table arrangement provides two completely separate seated positions, both with a proper chair, within the passenger suite. These separate seat positions enable each to be designed for its specific function without the need to compromise with the demands of the other seat position.
Conventional prior art aircraft passenger suite tables are typically provided as a unit that deploys from a storage area in the main passenger seat arm rest or in a separate storage area proximate the seat. This means, of course, that the main passenger seat is also the seat used for dining and working. This arrangement is most often necessary because of space requirements, but is not ideal. Premium class passenger seats are typically relatively soft and place the seat occupant in a somewhat reclined seated position even when the seat back is in the upright taxi, takeoff and landing position. This position is suitable for reading, relaxing, and watching video entertainment but requires the occupant to lean forward slightly to eat or work. Prior art premium class suites have not addressed this issue in a completely suitable manner. This application discloses a passenger suite that provides the premium class passenger with both a main passenger seat for "relaxation" and a separate chair and table for dining and working, with both the table and chair specially designed for those functions. Thus, the suite includes, in addition to table for use with the main passenger seat, a work/dining table that is used by the occupant of a work/dining chair and operates completely independent of the main passenger seat table, making the space more flexible for the passenger and giving the airline the opportunity to market more sophisticated experiences to their premium class customers.
Premium class aircraft passenger suites typically provide the premium class passenger with a large, comfortable seat that has a number of motor-actuated adjustments for various purposes. Controls are also provided for electronic entertainment devices and the like. As the number of passenger operated controls increases, the control consoles are typically either made larger or the individual control buttons and switches made smaller. As a result, the controls take up additional space that could otherwise be used for other purposes, or become more difficult to operate.
As disclosed in this application, the passenger seat controls are contained in a console mounted in a rotating pivot mechanism used for deploying the main passenger seat dining table. This rotating pivot mechanism overlaps its space with the passenger seat controls. When the table is deployed, it rotates around the seat control console. Sharing mechanism space between the electronic seat control unit and the dining table deployment mechanism compacts the space in which these mechanisms function. The benefits of this arrangement include permitting the same amount of space to be used to fit more features into the same footprint on board the aircraft and freeing up space for the passengers to utilize for the items they bring on board with them.
This application discloses an automatically-extending dining table that stows horizontally in a space shorter than its deployed length. It is mounted on a pivoting arm which moves the table from its stowed position to its deployed position. As the table pivots to its deployed position, a cable that connects the pivot of the table arm to a rack and pinion arrangement in the arm drives the table leaf from its stowed position to its extended position. This results in the table being deployed to the centerline of the main passenger seat.
A second pivot beneath the leaf of the table allows the table to be positioned parallel to the passenger at any point along its range of movement. This gives a range of positions so that seat occupants of all sizes can find a comfortable position for the table.
The suite includes, in addition to the table arrangement described above, a second table that is used by the occupant of a work/dining chair and operates completely independent of the main passenger seat table, making the space more flexible for the passenger and giving the airline the opportunity to market more sophisticated experiences to their customers.

Premium class aircraft passenger suite with separate seating areas


An SDARS receiver includes an analog front end configured to receive a composite signal. An A/D converter is coupled to the analog front end and converts the signal to a digitized signal. A digital down converter (DDC) is coupled to the A/D converter and down converts the digitized signal to a down converted signal. A demodulator demodulates the down converted signal. The receiver includes a digital automatic gain control (DAGC) coupled to an output of the A/D converter and before the demodulator. An automatic gain controller is coupled to the DAGC for providing an automatic gain control signal.

The latest in high-tech broadcast radio, Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service or System (SDARS), is capable of providing a new level of service to the subscribing public. SDARS promises to overcome several perceived limitations of prior broadcast forms. All such prior forms are "terrestrial," meaning that their broadcast signals originate from Earth-bound transmitters. As a result, they have a relatively short range, perhaps a few hundred miles for stations on the AM and FM bands. Therefore, mobile broadcast recipients are often challenged with constant channel surfing as settled-upon stations slowly fade out and new ones slowly come into range. Even within range, radio signals may be attenuated or distorted by natural or man-made obstacles, such as mountains or buildings. Radio signals may even wax or wane in power or fidelity depending upon the time of day or the weather.
Additionally, broadcast radio is largely locally originated. This constrains the potential audience that will listen to a particular station and thus the money advertisers are willing to pay for programming and on-air talent. While the trend is decidedly toward large networks of commonly-owned radio stations with centralized programming and higher-paid talent, time and regulatory change are required to complete the consolidation.
Finally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defined the broadcast radio spectrum decades ago, long before digital transmission and even digital fidelity were realizable. The result is that the bandwidth allocated to a FM radio station is not adequate for hi-fidelity music, and the bandwidth allocated to an AM radio station is barely adequate for voice. This is especially true in a mobile environment.
SDARS promises to change all of this. A user who has an SDARS receiver in his vehicle (or home) can tune into any one of a hundred or more nationwide stations with the promise of near compact disc (CD) quality digital sound. Satellite redundancy and transcontinental coverage substantially provide immunity to service interruption both locally and on long trips.
While SDARS uses satellites for broad-area coverage, SDARS providers typically complement their satellite signals with gap-filling redundant broadcasts using terrestrial stations located in regions having poor or no satellite reception, such as cities with tall buildings, bridges and tunnels. The signals broadcast from the satellite and by the terrestrial stations contain the same audio data, and are typically on adjacent frequencies but use different coding techniques. The terrestrial signals are also typically broadcast at significantly higher signal strength, primarily because terrestrial stations have easy access to electrical power while satellites are limited to the electrical power available from their solar panels.
To promote competition in SDARS, the U.S. Government has divided the 25 MHz S-band allocated to SDARS into two equal 12.5 MHZ subbands and licensed those subbands to two independent service providers: Sirius Satellite Radio of NY, N.Y. and XM Satellite Radio of Washington, D.C. Each service provider operates its own independent transmission system, including its own constellation of satellites and its own network of terrestrial repeaters. The repeaters are located mostly, of course, in urban areas. FIG. 1 shows the relative frequencies and power levels of the signals in the Sirius system. Two geo-synchronous satellites transmit S band (2.3 GHz), time division multiplexed (TDM) signals directly to the end user's receiver. The terrestrial stations broadcast a coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (CODFM) signal containing the same audio data. The terrestrial COFDM signals are also broadcast at an S band frequency, lying between the frequencies of the two satellite TDM signals, and at a significantly higher power level.
The terrestrial repeater signals tend to be stronger than the satellite signals and because the Sirius and XM SDARS services occupy proximate subbands, the signals of one provider can interfere with the signals of the other causing degradation of the audio quality. A particular concern arises when a terrestrial repeater of one service introduces noise into the satellite signals of the other service. The noise plays havoc with the way SDARS receivers interpret the signals they are trying to receive.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a prior art SDARS receiver 100 designed to receive and decode audio channels contained within the SDARS signals. The receiver 100 includes two decoding circuits 111 and 138, the former for decoding TDM signals directly from the satellites and the latter for decoding COFDM terrestrial signals. The combined signals—COFDM, TDM1 and TDM2—are received at a common antenna/low noise amplifier (LNA)/cable unit 102. TDM2 is a delayed version of TDM1. The receiver includes some front end processing before the decoding circuits 111, 138, including RF filter 104, such as a ceramic filter, a variable gain RF amplifier 106, an image rejection filter 108 and an RF mixer 112. Amplifier 106 amplifies the combined signal—COFDM, TDM1 and TDM2—centered at 2326.25 MHz. RF power detector 110 reports the RF power level to the TDM AGC controller 136 and to COFDM AGC controller 158, which will adjust the gain of the RF Amplifier 106 accordingly. RF Mixer 112 down-converts the combined signal to a first IF frequency, such as 315 MHz, which is bandpass filtered by first IF filter 114 and then split into two paths by splitter 116. One output of splitter 116 is applied to the TDM path. It is first applied to the TDM first IF amplifier 118, which is a variable gain amplifier. Following the TDM first IF amplifier 118, the TDM IF mixer 120 downconverts the combined signal to a second IF frequency, such as 75 MHz, which is bandpass filtered by TDM second IF filter 122 and applied to TDM second IF amplifier 124, which is also a variable gain amplifier. The output of the TDM second IF amplifier 124, which contains a downconverted and filtered version of the combined signal, is sampled by the TDM analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter) 126, at a TDM A/D sample rate, such as 60 MHz, with a TDM bit width, such as 10 bits.
The digitized signal from the TDM A/D converter 126 is then split and applied to both the TDM1 digital downconverter (DDC) 128 and the TDM2 digital downconverter (DDC) 130. With appropriate filtering, the TDM1 DDC 128 selects only the TDM1 signal and digitally downconverts it to a baseband signal of TDM1 bandwidth such as 4.5 MHz, and a TDM1 baseband sampling rate such as 30 MHz. With appropriate filtering, the TDM2 DDC 130 selects only the TDM2 signal and digitally downconverts it to a baseband signal of TDM2 baseband bandwidth such as 4.5 MHz, and a TDM2 baseband sampling rate such as 30 MHz. The TDM1 and TDM2 baseband signals are then demodulated with TDM1 Demodulator 132 and TDM2 Demodulator 134, respectively.
In the COFDM path, the other output of splitter 116 is first applied to the COFDM first IF amplifier 142, which is a variable gain amplifier. Following the COFDM first IF amplifier 142, the COFDM IF mixer 144 downconverts the combined signal to a second IF frequency, such as 75 MHz, which is bandpass filtered by COFDM second IF filter 146, which has a bandwidth narrow enough to filter out most of the TDM1 and TDM2 signals. The downconverted COFDM signal is then applied to COFDM second IF amplifier 148, which is also a variable gain amplifier. The output of the COFDM second IF amplifier 148, which contains a downconverted and filtered version of the COFDM signal, is sampled by the COFDM analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter) 150, at a COFDM A/D sample rate, such as 60 MHz, with a COFDM bit width, such as 10 bits.
The digitized signal from the COFDM A/D converter 150 is applied to the COFDM digital downconverter (DDC) 152. With appropriate filtering, the COFDM DDC 152 selects the COFDM signal and digitally downconverts it to a baseband signal of COFDM bandwidth such as 4.1 MHz, and a COFDM baseband sampling rate such as 30 MHz. The COFDM baseband signal is then demodulated with COFDM demodulator 156.
The A/D converters 126 and 150 each have a limited dynamic range. For a 10-bit A/D converter the dynamic range is about 60 dB. The size of the dynamic range plays an important role in digital radio reception. As long as the digitized signal is an accurate representation of the incoming analog signal, digital filtering techniques make it possible to extract very weak signals, such as those received from a satellite, even in the presence of a significant amount of noise. Accurate digitization requires that the incoming signal is amplified sufficiently to fill as much of the A/D converter's dynamic range as possible. It is, however, also very important not to over amplify the incoming signal since, when the A/D is overdriven and overflows, a small signal in a noisy background can be completely lost. This happens because the A/D converter simply truncates any excess signal.
The appropriate gain settings for IF variable gain amplifiers 118 and 124 of the TDM stage 111 that amplify the incoming signal to the optimal level for A/D converter 126 are controlled by TDM Automatic Gain Controller (AGC) 136. TDM AGC 136 controls the amplifiers 118 and 124 in response to the input signal level determined by the RF Power Detector 110 and the demodulated output signal levels from TDM1 Demodulator 132 and TDM2 Demodulator 134, labeled "TDM1 Post-filter" and "TDM2 Post-filter" in FIG. 3. TDM AGC 136 essentially monitors the two demodulated TDM signals and uses the stronger of the two demodulated TDM signals to set the gain of the amplifiers so that the portion of the received signal containing the best TDM signal is amplified appropriately, and a constant output level is obtained. TDM AGC 136 provides a control signal (labeled "TDM IF Gain") for controlling the gain of amplifiers 118 and 124 to amplify components of TDM 1 and TDM2 according to the algorithm of TDM AGC 136.
IF Variable gain amplifiers 142 and 148 of the COFDM stage 138 are controlled by COFDM AGC 158. Likewise the gain of RF amplifier 106 is controlled by COFDM AGC 158. The control signals "COFDM IF Gain" and "RF Gain" are provided by COFDM AGC 158 in response to the input signal levels from RF Power Detector 110, demodulated signal "COFDM Post-filter" from COFDM Demodulator 156 and digital down converted signal "COFDM Pre_filter" from COFDM DDC 152.
TDM AGC 136 and COFDM AGC 158 are incorporated within a microcontroller that monitors the digitized signal strength levels from the RF and IF elements, as well as the real and imaginary values from the matched filter within the demodulators, to calculate the desired gain control signals to maintain the signal levels in the linear region of the A/D converters 126, 150. The update rate of the IF automatic gain control (i.e. signals TDM IF Gain and COFDM IF Gain) is set at an IF gain update rate, such as 100 Hz. The update rate of the RF automatic gain control (i.e., signal RF gain) is set at an RF gain update rate, such as 50 Hz.
The prior art SDARS receiver 100 utilizes two analog front ends and at least two A/D converters, both of which undesirably consume power and contribute to implementation expense. Further, the receiver 100 tracks the overall TDM signal level instead of individual TDM1 and TDM2 levels separately, which results in sub-optimal performance for TDM reception. The receiver is also inefficient in that it includes separate TDM and COFDM AGC algorithms.
It is desirable to have a receiver with a single path to the analog-to-digital conversion, particularly from a power consumption concern. Practical implementation of a single front-end circuit of the type shown in FIG. 3 is not, however, simple. A major problem in such a circuit is that the amplifier gain settings for the two types of signals may be incompatible with each other. This causes difficulties if the amplifier gain is controlled using a simple, two-state AGC, with one state to optimize the gain for a COFDM signal and one state to optimize the amplifier gain for a TDM signal. In such a system, an amplifier gain that is optimal for the weak TDM signals from the satellite will typically over-amplify the incoming COFDM signal from the terrestrial stations, resulting in the COFDM signal overflowing the A/D converter's dynamic range. This overflow of the A/D converter's dynamic range results in demodulated COFDM audio data of very poor quality, and may even result in not being able to demodulate the COFDM audio at all. This overflow may also "blind" the receiver to the presence of the TDM signals.
Similarly, if the amplifier gain setting is optimal for the A/D converter to digitize the portion of the signal containing the stronger, COFDM signal, the portion of the signal containing the TDM signal will be under-amplified and poorly digitized by the A/D converter. The result is that if the receiver does lock on to a terrestrial COFDM signal, it may stay locked onto the terrestrial signal even if there is a better satellite signal available.
Therefore, improvements are desired in order to realize the power and cost savings attainable with an SDARS receiver using a single analog path and A/D.

Single path architecture with digital automatic gain control for SDARS receivers


A linear object manipulation assisting device is provided which allows easy manipulation of a linear object. A wire manipulation assisting device as a linear object manipulation assisting device assists manipulation of a delivery wire penetrating through a Y connector. The Y connector includes a main branch through which the delivery wire penetrates, and a side port that branches off from the main branch. A microcatheter having the delivery wire inserted therein is connected to one end of the main branch. The wire manipulation assisting device includes a fixing portion for fixing the Y connector and a placement portion attached to the fixing portion. A portion of the delivery wire that protrudes from the other end of the main branch can be manipulated with at least the first and second fingers of the right hand with the carpal portion of the right hand being placed on the placement portion.

A cerebral aneurysm is an area in which a cerebral artery is partially ballooned to cause subarachnoid hemorrhage. Known treatment for a cerebral aneurysm includes, for example, coil embolization. In the treatment using coil embolization, two catheters in a double-tube structure are inserted from the femoral artery in the groin, passed through the main artery, and introduced to a cerebral aneurysm in the head. Then, for example, an embolization material such as a platinum coil is pushed into the cerebral aneurysm through the two catheters in a double-tube structure. As a result, the embolization material blocks blood from flowing into the cerebral aneurysm thereby preventing rupture of the cerebral aneurysm.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a medical instrument 100 for use in coil embolization.
Referring to FIG. 9, medical instrument 100 includes Y connectors 110 and 120, a guiding catheter 130, a microcatheter 140, and a delivery wire 150. Microcatheter 140 and guiding catheter 130 form a double-tube catheter with guiding catheter 130 as an outer tube and microcatheter 140 as an inner tube. Guiding catheter 130 accommodates microcatheter 140. Delivery wire 150 is inserted through microcatheter 140. A coil (not shown) for embolizing a cerebral aneurysm is connected at the tip end of delivery wire 150.
Guiding catheter 130 is connected at the left end in FIG. 9 of Y connector 120. Microcatheter 140 and delivery wire 150 are inserted through the inside of Y connector 120. Microcatheter 140 is connected at the left end in FIG. 9 of Y connector 110. Delivery wire 150 is inserted through the inside of Y connector 110.
When coil embolization is performed using medical instrument 100, guiding catheter 130 is inserted into an artery of the human body until the tip end thereof reaches the vicinity of a cerebral aneurysm. Microcatheter 140 is pushed forward from the tip end of guiding catheter 130 into the cerebral aneurysm. A coil is pushed out of microcatheter 140 reaching the inside of the cerebral aneurysm and is pushed into the cerebral aneurysm.
A conventional manipulation method using medical instrument 100 shown in FIG. 9 will now be described.
Medical instrument 100 is manipulated by one or two operators. In the case where a single operator manipulates medical instrument 100 (which case is called "two hands"), the operator grips a grip portion 161 in the vicinity of the right end in FIG. 9 of Y connector 120 with the left hand while gripping a grip portion 162 in the vicinity of the right end in FIG. 9 of Y connector 110 with the right hand. The operator manipulates advancement/retraction of microcatheter 140 while gripping Y connector 120 with the left hand. On the other hand, the operator manipulates advancement/retraction of delivery wire 150 while gripping Y connector 110 with the right hand.
In the case where two operators manipulate medical instrument 100 (which case is called "four hands"), an operator manipulates advancement/retraction of delivery wire 150 with the right hand while gripping Y connector 110 with the left hand. Another operator, who is an assistant, manipulates advancement/retraction of microcatheter 140 with the right hand while gripping Y connector 120 with the left hand.
A conventional method of manipulating a medical instrument for use in coil embolization is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 below. Patent Document 1 discloses an insertion device operated to insert a delivery wire into a human body through a blood vessel. The insertion device includes a foot switch for generating and outputting a signal to control starting/stopping a drive device moving the delivery wire in its longitudinal direction, an insertion force sensor operative to measure longitudinally compressive force exerted to the delivery wire, and a speaker and a display for informing an operator of the compressive force measured by the insertion force sensor.

Linear object manipulation assisting device


A recording material for producing high contrast images comprising at least one thermosensitive element, comprising a layer comprising a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt in at least one binder and in thermal working relationship therewith an organic reducing agent therefor, on a support, characterized in that the recording material is light-insensitive and the layer contains colloidal particles comprising silicon dioxide at a coating weight given by expression (1): ##EQU1## wherein B represents the total weight of all binders in the layer, AGOS represents the total weight of organic silver salt in the layer and S represents the weight of the colloidal particles in the layer; and wherein a protective layer is optionally applied to the thermosensitive element being thereby an outermost layer of the recording material.

Thermal imaging or thermography is a recording process wherein images are generated by the use of imagewise modulated thermal energy.
A survey of "direct thermal" imaging methods is given e.g. in the book "Imaging Systems" by Kurt I. Jacobson-Ralph E. Jacobson, The Focal Press--London and New York (1976), Chapter VII under the heading "7.1 Thermography". Direct thermal thermography is concerned with materials which are substantially not photosensitive, but are sensitive to heat or thermosensitive. Imagewise applied heat is sufficient to bring about a visible change in a thermosensitive imaging material.
Most of the "direct" thermographic recording materials are of the chemical type. On heating to a certain conversion temperature, an irreversible chemical reaction takes place and a coloured image is produced.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 3,080,254 a typical heat-sensitive (thermographic) copy paper includes in the heat-sensitive layer a thermoplastic binder, e.g ethyl cellulose, a water-insoluble silver salt, e.g. silver stearate and an appropriate organic reducing agent, of which 4-methoxy-1-hydroxy-dihydronaphthalene is a representative. Localized heating of the sheet in the thermographic reproduction process, or for test purposes by momentary contact with a metal test bar heated to a suitable conversion temperature in the range of about 90.degree.-150.degree. C., causes a visible change to occur in the heat-sensitive layer. The initially white or lightly coloured layer is darkened to a brownish appearance at the heated area. In order to obtain a more neutral colour tone a heterocyclic organic toning agent such as phthalazinone is added to the composition of the heat-sensitive layer. Thermo-sensitive copying paper is used in "front-printing" or "back-printing" using infra-red radiation absorbed and transformed into heat in contacting infra-red light absorbing image areas of an original as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,074,809.
In direct thermal imaging the image quality is strongly dependent upon the tone response of the direct thermal recording material to the heating pulses image-wise applied to the heat source and in particular the dependence of image density upon the power input to the heat source. Fine tuning of the response of the material enables image quality to be obtained whether continuous tone images are desired, for which a fairly large number of grey levels are required and therefore a moderately flat response is necessary, or graphics imaging is desired, requiring a single image tone and a very strong dependence of image density upon the power input to the heat source.
In EP-A 687 572 the incorporation of certain ingredients is disclosed, which enable the tone response (=image density) of a direct thermal recording material to the power input to the heat source to be made flatter thereby enabling a fairly large of grey levels to be attained, as required for continuous tone images. However, a means of steepening the response of direct thermal recording materials is equally desirable, but has not yet been found.

Thermographic recording material with improved tone reproduction


The present invention relates to a rubbing device and a rubbing method. The rubbing device includes: a substrate carrier, an aligning roller having a surface that is rubbing fabric, a driving mechanism that drives the substrate carrier and the substrate that is to be subjected to alignment treatment carried thereby to undergo a translational movement, and an elevation arm. The lower surface of the aligning roller is made suitable to contact and rub the upper surface of the substrate that is to be subjected to alignment treatment and side edges of the upper surface of the substrate that is to be subjected to alignment treatment are made suitable to scrape the lower surface of the aligning roller. The substrate carrier is provided in a top thereof with channels corresponding to two opposite side edges of the substrate that is to be subjected to alignment treatment in the translational movement direction. The channels are arranged to be suitable to have the two side edges of the substrate that is to be subjected to alignment treatment respectively suspending in the channels. The present invention also provides a rubbing method. The rubbing device and the rubbing method of the present invention use a substrate that is to be subjected to alignment treatment to scrape PI chips from the aligning roller into channels so as to prevent the PI chips from moving with the aligning roller to spread over an AA zone of the substrate that is to be subjected to alignment treatment, thereby improving the defects of bright spots and mura generated in a rubbing process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing technology of liquid crystal displays, and in particular to a rubbing device and a rubbing method.
2. The Related Arts
A rubbing process for alignment is an important step of a manufacturing process of a thin-film transistor liquid crystal display and is carried out before a boxing operation and is generally used in a twisted nematic (TN) mode, an in-plane switching (IPS) mode, and a fringe field switching (FFS) mode as an operation for alignment applied to a TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) array substrate or a CF (Color Filter) substrate that has already been coated with an aligning agent.
A rubbing process, specifically speaking, is a process of rubbing a surface of an alignment film in a fixed direction by using a soft rubbing fabric so as to form grooves that force liquid crystal to align in a predetermined direction. The rubbing process also generates a pre-tilt angle to ensure the liquid crystal to stand in the same direction. Thus, the rubbing process is a vital part of a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal display.
A rubbing device that is employed in the rubbing process is generally composed of a rubbing roller, a piece of fabric, an elevation arm, and a substrate carrier. The rubbing fabric is set in advance on a surface of the rubbing roller and the elevation arm controls a vertical distance between the rubbing roller and the substrate carrier. By adjusting the vertical distance, the rubbing fabric set on the rubbing roller can be put into contact with the substrate carried on the substrate carrier with a proper aligning pressure in order to carry out rubbing. Generally, parameters that affect the rubbing process include a moving speed of the substrate carrier, the radius of the aligning roller, a rotational speed of the aligning roller, times of aligning, and the aligning pressure, among which the rotational speed and the moving speed are process control parameters and the selection of the material of the rubbing fabric is closely related to the yield rate of the alignment-completed substrate. The material of the rubbing fabric is generally divided into cotton, artificial fiber (such as Rayon), and Nylon.
Heretofore, before the rubbing process is applied to an alignment film, the rubbing fabric is first attached to the surface of the rubbing roller. The rubbing roller with the rubbing fabric attached to the surface thereof is then subjected to pre-rubbing of the rubbing fabric on the surface of the rubbing roller in a rubbing device that comprises a pre-rubbing substrate placed therein so as to have fuzzes of the rubbing fabric aligning in the same direction for being used in the rubbing process to form grooves that aligns liquid crystal in a predetermined direction.
Rubbing is a vital link of the current manufacturing technology of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). However, it is inevitable that rubbing will generate some tiny dust powders (namely PI (Polyimide) chips and flakes). Such dust powders may causes defects of fragmented bright spots and mura. Thus, it is a challenge for panel workshops to reduce the dust powder induced by the rubbing process.
Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view is given to illustrate the principle of generating dust powders in a conventional rubbing process. A substrate carrier 11 undergoes translation in the direction indicated by the arrow. A substrate 12, which is to be subjected to alignment, is placed on the substrate carrier 11 to undergo the translation with the substrate carrier 11 in a direction toward a rubbing roller 13. The rubbing roller 13 comprises a piece of rubbing fabric 14 attached to a surface thereof. The rubbing fabric 14 rubs a surface of the substrate 12 and PI chips 15 are generated. Due to a height difference between the substrate carrier 11 and the substrate 12, the PI chips 15 on the rubbing roller 13 will get accumulated in the located circled by phantom lines in FIG. 1 and may have a great chance to be rebounded to the top of the substrate 12, leading to defects of fragmented bright spots and mura.
Referring to FIG. 2, photos of scanning electron microscopes are given to show various types of defect generated in a conventional rubbing process. A substrate carrier 21 and a substrate 22 placed thereon are moved in a direction indicated the arrow toward an aligning roller 23. The aligning roller 23 comprises a piece of rubbing fabric 24 attached to a surface thereof. After the rubbing process is completed, a portion 221 of the substrate 22 is subjected to photographing by means of a scanning electron microscope and various types of defect generated in the conventional rubbing process can be obtained and displayed, such as PI settling, irregular scratching, PI scratching, and ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) collapsing.
A process of generation of defects of fragmented bright spot and mura will be described with reference to FIG. 2: (1) When the rubbing roller 23 is rotated in a clockwise direction with respect to the translation direction of the substrate carrier 21 and the substrate 22, due to cliff effect, PI chips on the right side of the rubbing roller 23 will be carried by the rubbing fabric 24 to get accumulated at the left side; (2) due to slit effect, the carried PI chips will gather in slits of the rubbing fabric 24 and the substrate 22 or will be carried away later; (3) due to distance effect, the carried PI chips are moved backed to a different site on the substrate 22 without being subject to alignment; (4) PI chips that are left in the AA zone (an effective displaying zone) cause fragment bright spots; and (5) PI chips that are away from the rubbing roller 23 form mura.

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd