The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of compounds of Formula (I):

The present invention relates to a process for alkylating 2-hydroxyphenyl-benzotriazoles, which are effective in absorbing ultra violet radiation. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to novel alkylated 2-hydroxyphenyl-benzotriazoles, to novel cosmetic or dermatological sunscreen compositions containing alkylated 2-hydroxyphenyl-benzotriazoles, and to their use as UV screening agents.
Winter et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,346 discloses a process for alkylating 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazoles by reaction with alkene compound ions in the presence of a catalyst. The process produces random mixtures of isomers.
UV screening compositions containing 2-hydroxyphenyl-benzotriazoles are described in European Patent Publications EP 0711778 A (Herve et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,451), EP 0392883 A (Gerard et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,250), Ching, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,316,033 and 4,349,602, and International Patent Application WO 94/06404 (Hansenne et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,250).
It has been found that alkylated 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazoles can be obtained in substantially pure form. Further, it has been found that certain novel 2-hydroxyphenyl-benzotriazoles have improved solubility and extinction coefficients, and are more economical to prepare than those of the prior art quoted above.
The present invention is a process for the preparation of compounds of the formula:
wherein
R1 is alkyl; R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are, independently, hydrogen, alkyl or alkenyl; X is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl or alkoxy; and the dotted bond is an optional bond,
which includes the steps of
a) reacting a compound of the formula:
with a compound of the formula:
to obtain a compound of the formula:
b) heating the compound of formula II obtained in step a) to yield a compound of the formula
and if desired,
c) hydrogenating the double bond between R2 and R3 in the compound of formula I A to obtain a compound of formula I wherein the dotted bond is absent;
wherein in the above formulae IA, II, III and IV, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X and the dotted line are as defined in formula I, and Y is a leaving group.
The following compounds are novel, and are also part of the present invention: compounds of formula I above, wherein X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and the dotted bond are as defined in claim 1, with the proviso that if the dotted bond is present, one of R2, R4, R5, and R6 is alkenyl, and if the dotted bond is absent, one of R2 and R6 is alkenyl or branched alkyl. In addition, the following compounds are also novel:
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(1-octen-3-yl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3-octen-2-yl)-phenol
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-(1-hexen-3-yl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(1-decen-3-yl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(1-hexen-3-yl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(1-dodecen-3-yl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6- (1-hexadecen-3-yl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3-octyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-(3-hexyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3-hexyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3-decyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3-dodecyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3-hexadecyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3,7-dimethyl-3-octyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3,7-dimethyl-1-octen-3-yl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3,7-dimethyl-3-octyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3,7-dimethyl-3-octen-2-yl)-phenol, and
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3,7-dimethyl-2-octyl)-phenol.
Further examples of novel compounds of the present invention are:
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3,7-dimethyl- 1,6-octadienyl)-phenol, and
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3,7-dimethyl-3,6-octadienyl)-phenol.
Another aspect of the invention relates to novel cosmetic or dermatological UV light screening compositions containing a 2-hydroxyphenyl-benzotriazole of formula I above, wherein X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and the dotted bond are as defined in claim 1, with the proviso that either R4 or R5 is an alkyl having at least 2 carbon atoms, or is alkenyl. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to novel UV light screening compositions containing a 2-hydroxyphenyl-benzotriazole of formula I above, wherein X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and the dotted bond, are as defined in claim 1, with the proviso that either R4 or R5 is an alkyl having at least 2 carbon atoms or is an alkenyl; and at least one additional UV-A and/or UV-B screening agent. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for protecting hair or skin from damage caused by UV-radiation comprising administering to the hair or skin prior to exposure to a UV-radiation source a composition comprising an UV-radiation blocking amount of the novel 2-hydroxyphenyl-benzotriazoles as defined earlier, as UV light screening agents.
Especially preferred compounds of formula I for use as UV light screening agents are:
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(1-octen-3-yl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-(1-hexen-3-yl)-phenol,
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(3-octyl)-phenol, and
2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-(3-hexyl)-phenol.
The most preferred compound is 2-(Benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(1-octen-3-yl)-phenol.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9calkylxe2x80x9d denotes saturated straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups containing 1 to 21, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec. butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, 2-ethyl-hexyl, and octyl. Similarly, the term xe2x80x9calkoxyxe2x80x9d denotes saturated straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups which are bound through an oxygen atom and which contain 1 to 21, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, sec. butoxy, isobutoxy, pentyloxy, neopentyloxy, hexyloxy, 2-ethyl-hexyloxy and octyloxy. The term xe2x80x9calkenylxe2x80x9d denotes straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups containing at least one double bond and 2 to 21, preferably 2 to 8, carbon atoms. Examples of such alkenyl groups are propen-2-yl, propen-3-yl, buten-3-yl, buten-4-yl, penten-4-yl, and penten-5-yl. The term xe2x80x9chalogenxe2x80x9d denotes fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.
A preferred group of compounds within formula I are those wherein the dotted bond is present. Also preferred are compounds of formula I wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen. Further preferred are compounds wherein one of R2, R3, or R4 is an alkyl having at least three carbon atoms, and the other two are hydrogen. The total number of carbon atoms in R2 to R6 is preferably 3 to 21, more particularly 3 to 9 carbon atoms, most preferably 3 to 5. Especially preferred are compounds of formula I wherein R2 and R3 are hydrogen and R4 is an alkyl having 3 to 5 carbon atoms. R1 is preferably methyl or 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl. X is preferably hydrogen, methoxy or chloro, and most preferably hydrogen.

2-hydroxyphenyl benzotriazoles as UV-A/B filters

Abstract: wherein R1 is alkyl; R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are, independently, hydrogen, alkyl or alkenyl; X is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl or alkoxy; and the dotted bond is an optional bond. The present invention also relates to novel light screening compositions containing certain of the compounds of Formula (I) and to certain novel compounds of Formula (I), as well as other novel 2-substituted phenyl-benzotriazole compounds.


High aspect ratio openings in excess of 3, such as trenches, via holes or contact holes, in a dielectric layer are voidlessly filled employing a pulse or forward-reverse pulse electroplating technique to deposit copper or a copper-base alloy. A leveling agent is incorporated in the electroplating composition to ensure that the opening is filled substantially sequentially from the bottom upwardly.

The escalating requirements for high density and performance associated with ultra large scale integration semiconductor wiring require responsive changes in interconnection technology, which is considered one of the most demanding aspects of ultra large scale integration technology. Such escalating requirements have been found difficult to satisfy in terms of providing a low RC (resistance capacitance) interconnect pattern, particularly wherein submicron vias, contacts and trenches have high aspect ratios due to miniaturization.
Conventional semiconductor devices comprise a semiconductor substrate, normally of monocrystalline silicon, and a plurality of sequentially formed dielectric interlayers and conductive patterns. An integrated circuit is formed containing a plurality of conductive patterns comprising conductive lines separated by interwiring spacings, and a plurality of interconnect lines, such as bus lines, bit lines, word lines and logic interconnect lines. Typically, the conductive patterns on different layers, i.e., upper and lower layers, are electrically connected by a conductive plug filling a via opening, while a conductive plug filling a contact opening establishes electrical contact with an active region on a semiconductor substrate, such as a source/drain region. Conductive lines formed in trench openings typically extend substantially horizontal with respect to the semiconductor substrate. Semiconductor "chips" comprising four or more levels of metallization are becoming more prevalent as device geometries shrink to submicron levels.
A conductive plug filling a via opening is typically formed by depositing a dielectric interlayer on a conductive layer comprising at least one conductive pattern, forming an opening through the dielectric interlayer by conventional photolithographic and etching techniques, and filling the opening with a conductive material, such as tungsten (W). Excess conductive material on the surface of the dielectric interlayer can be removed by chemical-mechanical polishing. One such method is known as damascene and basically involves the formation of an opening which is filled in with a metal. Dual damascene techniques involve the formation of an opening comprising a lower contact or via opening section in communication with an upper trench opening section, which opening is filled with a conductive material, typically a metal, to simultaneously form a conductive plug in electrical contact with a conductive line. In copending application Ser. No. 08/320,516 filed on Oct. 11, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,423, prior art single and dual damascene techniques are disclosed, in addition to several improved dual damascene techniques simultaneously forming a conductive line in electrical contact with a conductive plug for greater accuracy in forming fine line patterns with minimal interwiring spacings.
High performance microprocessor applications require rapid speed of semiconductor circuitry. The control speed of semiconductor circuitry varies inversely with the resistance and capacitance of the interconnection pattern. As integrated circuits become more complex and feature sizes and spacings become smaller, the integrated circuit speed becomes less dependent upon the transistor itself and more dependent upon the interconnection pattern. Thus, the interconnection pattern limits the speed of the integrated circuit.
If the interconnection node is routed over a considerable distance, e.g., hundreds of microns or more, as in submicron technologies, the interconnection capacitance limits the circuit node capacitance loading and, hence, the circuit speed. As integration density increases and feature size decreases in accordance with submicron design rules, the rejection rate due to integrated circuit speed delays approaches and even exceeds 20%.
One way to increase the control speed of semiconductor circuitry is to reduce the resistance of a conductive pattern. Conventional metallization patterns are typically formed by depositing a layer of conductive material, notably aluminum (Al) or an alloy thereof, and etching, or by damascene techniques wherein trenches are formed in dielectric layers and filled with a conductive material. Excess conductive material on the surface of the dielectric layer is then removed by chemical-mechanical polishing. Al is conventionally employed because it is relatively inexpensive, exhibits low resistivity and is relatively easy to etch. However, as the size of openings for vias/contacts and trenches is scaled down to the sub-micron range, step coverage problems have arisen involving the use of Al which has decreased the reliability of interconnections formed between different wiring layers. Such poor step coverage results in high current density and enhanced electromigration. Moreover, low dielectric constant polyimide materials, when employed as dielectric interlayers, create moisture/bias reliability problems when in contact with Al.
One approach to improved interconnection paths in vias comprises the use of completely filled plugs of a metal, such as W. Accordingly, many current semiconductor devices utilizing VLSI (very large scale integration) technology employ Al for a wiring metal and W plugs for interconnections at different levels. However, the use W is attendant with several disadvantages. For example, most W processes are complex and expensive. Moreover, W has a high resistivity. The Joule heating may enhance electromigration of adjacent Al wiring. Furthermore, W plugs are susceptible to void formation and the interface with the wiring layer usually results in high contact resistance.
Another attempted solution for the Al plug interconnect problem comprises the use of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or physical vapor deposition (PVD) at elevated temperatures for Al deposition. The use of CVD for depositing Al has proven expensive, while hot PVD Al deposition requires very high process temperatures incompatible with manufacturing integrated circuitry.
Copper (Cu) and Cu alloys have recently received considerable attention as a replacement material for Al in VLSI interconnect metallizations. Cu exhibits superior electromigration properties and has a lower resistivity than Al. In addition, Cu has improved electrical properties vis-a-vis W, making Cu a desirable metal for use as a conductive plug as well as conductive wiring. However, there are also disadvantages attendant upon the use of Cu. For example, Cu metallization is very difficult to etch. Moreover, Cu readily diffuses through silicon dioxide, the typical dielectric interlayer material employed in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, and adversely affects the devices.
One conventional approach in attempting to form Cu plugs and wiring comprises the use of damascene structures employing chemical mechanical polishing, as in Chow et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,648. However, due to Cu diffusion through dielectric interlayer materials, such as silicon dioxide, Cu interconnect structures must be encapsulated by a diffusion barrier layer. Typical diffusion barrier metals include tantalum (Ta), tantalum nitride (TaN), titanium nitride (TiN), titanium tungsten (TiW), and silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) for encapsulating Cu. The use of such barrier materials to encapsulate Cu is not limited to the interface between Cu and the dielectric interlayer, but includes interfaces with other metals as well.
Electroless deposition has been suggested as a technique for forming interconnect structures. See, for example, "Electroless Cu for VLSI," Cho et al., MRS Bulletin, June 1993, pp. 31-38; "Selective Electroless Metal Deposition For Integrated Circuit Fabrication," Ting et al., J. Electrochem. Soc., 136, 1989, p. 456 et seq.; "Selective Electroless Metal Deposition For Via Hole Filling in VLSI Multilevel Interconnection Structures," Ting et al., J. Electrochem. Soc., 136, 1989, p. 462 et seq.; and Shacham et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,497.
Electroless Cu deposition is attractive due to low processing costs and high quality Cu deposits. In addition, equipment for performing electroless metal deposition is relatively inexpensive vis-a-vis other semiconductor processing equipment for depositing metals. Electroless deposition also offers the advantageous opportunity for batch processing of wafers, thereby further reducing the cost of electroless deposition and increasing production throughput. However, electroless deposition requires a catalytic surface, i.e., seed layer, for the autocatalytic action to occur. See, for example, Baum et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,095 and "Electroless Copper Deposition on Metals and Silicides," Mak, MRS Bulletin, August 1994, pp. 55-62. It is difficult to obtain reliable and reproducible electroless Cu deposition, since the seed layer surface must maintain catalytic activity for effective electroless deposition of Cu.
Copending application Ser. No. 08/587,264, filed Jan. 16, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,599, discloses a method of electrolessly depositing Cu in an interconnect structure, which method comprises initially depositing a barrier layer in an opening, depositing a catalytic seed layer, preferably of Cu, on the barrier layer, and then depositing a protective layer the catalytic layer encapsulating and protecting the catalytic layer from oxidation. The preferred protective material is Al which forms an Al-Cu alloy at the interface of the catalytic and protective layers, thereby encapsulating the underlying Cu. Subsequently, Cu is electrolessly deposited from an electroless deposition solution which dissolves the overlying protective alloy layer to expose the underlying catalytic Cu layer.
As the aspect ratio of openings for trenches, contacts and vias for interconnect patterns approaches 2:1 and greater, e.g., greater than 3:1, it becomes increasingly more challenging to voidlessly fill such openings employing conventional technology, such as magnetron sputtering techniques involving either direct current or radio frequency sputtering. Conventional attempts to improve sputtering capabilities comprise the use of a collimator as in Sandhu et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,587.
A more recent approach in the evolution of high aspect ratio contact/via interconnection technology involves the ionization of sputtered metals by a high density plasma. See S. M. Rossnagel et al., "Metal ion deposition from ionized magnetron sputtering discharge,"J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 12(1), January/Febuary 1994, pp. 449-453 and J. Hopwood et al., "Mechanisms for highly ionized magnetron sputtering," J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 78, No. 2, Jul. 15, 1995, pp. 758-765. Further attempts to improve RF induced plasma processing by generating a greater percent of ionized sputtered material employing a coil having a generally flattened surface defined by parallel conductors is disclosed by Cuomo et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,154.
Although electroless deposition and electroplating offer the prospect of low cost, high throughput, high quality plated films and efficient via, contact and trench filling capabilities, the requirement for a catalytic seed layer becomes problematic, particularly in filling high aspect ratio openings. Electroless plating generally involves the controlled autocatalytic deposition of a continuous film on the catalytic surface by the interaction in solution of a metal salt and a chemical reducing agent. Electroplating comprises the electrodeposition of an adherent metallic coating on an electrode employing externally supplied electrons to reduce metal ions in the plating solution. A seed layer is required to catalyze electroless deposition or to carry electrical current for electroplating. For electroplating, the seed layer must be continuous. However, for electroless plating, very thin catalytic layers, e.g., less than 100 .ANG., can be employed in the form of islets of catalytic metal.
In copending application Ser. No. 08/857,129 filed on May 15, 1997 (Our Docket No. 1033-226/150100-301, a method of electroless plating or electroplating copper or a copper alloy to fill high aspect ratio openings is disclosed, wherein a seed layer comprising an alloy of a refractory metal and one or more additive metals is initially deposited.
There is a continuing need for improvements in electroplating Cu or Cu alloys, particularly in voidlessly filling high aspect ratio openings, e.g., aspect ratios greater than 3:1 and with improved uniformity. There is also a need to develop methods for electroplating copper and copper alloys to voidlessly fill high aspect ratio openings so that the deposited copper or copper alloy exhibits a large grain size for improved reliability and increased electromigration resistance.

Pulse electroplating copper or copper alloys


The invention provides an organic EL device that includes light-transmitting portions having a high transmittance factor and is suitable to light display units, a method for readily manufacturing such an organic EL device with a high yield, and a display unit including the organic EL device. An organic electroluminescent device includes a support substrate and an element region, disposed on the support substrate, including emissive portions and openings. The emissive portions each include an anode, an emissive layer containing an organic electroluminescent material, and a cathode that are arranged in that order and emit light rays to an irradiated body. The openings extend through the element region, and the emitted rays are reflected by the irradiated body to pass through the openings to form an image.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to organic electroluminescent (EL) devices, methods for manufacturing such devices, and display units. The present invention particularly relates to an organic EL device that is placed at the front area of an irradiated body and that is suitable to display an image using light rays reflected by the irradiated body, a method for manufacturing such an organic EL device, and a display unit including the organic EL device.
2. Description of Related Art
The related art includes non-emissive displays, such as reflective liquid crystal panels, having an organic EL device functioning as a front light (lighting device). Such an organic EL device can be used not only as a lighting device, but also as an emissive display. The organic EL device has a basic configuration in which a transparent electrode (anode), an emissive layer, and a metal electrode (cathode) are disposed on, for example, a glass substrate, in that order. The anode includes a material having a large function, the cathode includes a material having a small function, and the emissive layer includes an organic EL material. Holes and electrons supplied from the anode and the cathode, respectively, to the emissive layer are coupled in the emissive layer, thereby emitting light.

Organic electroluminescent device, method for manufacturing the same, and display unit


A safe device for a squeezable container includes a protective cover, a body, and a bottom cap. The protective cover includes an idle cap, an inner cap, and a mouthpiece. The idle cap is rotatably mounted around the inner cap. The body includes a compartment for receiving a squeezable container. A plurality of non-return blocks are formed on an outer periphery defining an upper opening of the body and meshable with non-return blocks on the mouthpiece to prevent the mouthpiece from disengaging from the container. The bottom cap is engaged in and seals a lower opening of the body. A rotational force applied to the idle cap can only be transmitted to the inner cap when a force greater than a predetermined magnitude is applied to move the idle cap downward to tightly engage with the outer periphery of the inner cap.

The present invention relates to a safe device for a container and, more particularly, to a safe device for a squeezable container receiving adhesive or the like.
A typical tube of adhesive is shown in FIG. 6 and includes a body 1′ for receiving liquid adhesive. The body 1′ can be tubular or of other shapes. Formed on an end of the body 1′ are a neck 11′, a throat 12′, and a mouth 13′ that is sealed by a film 15′ that can be pierced. The other end 14′ of the body 1′ is open and can be sealed by folding or other conventional methods to a line. Since the end 14′ is rectilinear, the tube can not stand in an upright position with the end 14′ at the bottom. Namely, the tube is often placed flatly on a surface after being squeezed for dispensing adhesive such that the adhesive may flow outward from the mouth 13′, which is particularly true for a tube made of soft metal such as aluminum alloy. To avoid leakage, a mouthpiece 21′ having inner threading 211′ threadedly engaged with outer threading 16′ on the throat 12′ and a cap 2′ having inner threading 20′ threadedly engaged with outer threading on the mouthpiece 21′ are provided to seal the mouth 13′. The cap 2′ includes a needle 22′ for piercing the film 15′ to allow outflow of the liquid adhesive in the body 1′. However, the threading engagement between the cap 2′ and the mouthpiece 21′ and between the mouthpiece 21′ and the mouth 13′ are liable to be disengaged by children. As a result, the children may be injured or eat the adhesive.
A need exists for a safe device preventing children from accessing the tube of adhesive.

Safe device having dual caps for a squeezable container


An injector has a sample chamber for retaining a small amount of sample, wherein a position of the sample chamber is controlled by transmitting light through the sample chamber and detecting the transmitted light so as to recognize the position of the sample chamber. It is possible to reduce detection error compared to the conventional injectors that indirectly control the position of the sample chamber by transmitting light through the light passage which is adjacent to the sample chamber. A method for injecting a sample comprising the steps of: providing an injector which has a sample chamber for retaining a sample with an open month; transmitting light through the sample chamber; detecting the transmitted light so as to recognize a position of the sample chamber; and controlling the position of the sample chamber by using the detection result to connect the open month of the sample chamber to an open month of a sample receiving member in order to inject the sample into the sample receiving member.

This invention relates to an injector, for example, of a rotary type, especially used in chromatography.
Japanese Patent Application Publication Laid-Open No. 2000-186985, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses a micro-injector which is generally used in liquid chromatography.
As shown in FIG. 7, the above type of injector, which is a rotor 21, includes a sample chamber 22 (a flow channel) for a sample eluent to pass through and a light passage 23, both of which are provided in the rotor 21. The position of the sample chamber 22 is recognized by transmitting light through the light passage 23 and detecting the transmitted light with a light detector and, thus, the position of the sample chamber 22 is indirectly controlled.
However, since the internal diameter of the sample chamber 22 is so small, it is required to control the position of the sample chamber 22 with accuracy down to the micrometer in order to connect the sample chamber 22 to an open mouth of a capillary column at the downstream end of the sample chamber 22.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an injector that has an accurately position-controllable sample chamber.


Gamma rays obtained from radioisotope administered to an examinee are detected by a gamma ray information-detecting unit so that a first tomographic image obtained therefrom is formed on a CRT. Further, a second tomographic image of the examinee detected by using an ultrasonic wave information-detecting unit juxtaposed with respect to the gamma ray information-detecting unit is formed while making the second tomographic image overlap on the first tomographic image. Thus, it is possible to obtain a tomographic image in which relative positional relationship of tissue is clear.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a medical imaging apparatus in which a gamma camera apparatus and an ultrasonic apparatus are integrated into one unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
An ultrasonic apparatus is used in the medical field, for example, in which an ultrasonic wave is emitted onto an examinee and a tomographic image of the examinee is obtained on the basis of a reflected wave therefrom. The ultrasonic apparatus generates the tomographic image based on a time difference required for the arrival of the reflected wave caused by a difference in acoustic impedance among respective tissues of the examinee. The ultrasonic apparatus is widely utilized since it is compact and excellent in portability and can recognize the cross-sectional shape of the tissue while keeping out of contact with the examinee.
However, it is impossible to recognize a living tissue having a high acoustic impedance, for example, the internal structure of a bone tissue. Further, the acoustic impedance is low in the blood and the lymph as compared with other living tissues. Therefore, it is also difficult to recognize a state of the blood and the lymph.
In the meantime, there have recently been developed gamma camera apparatus (Anger camera apparatus) for detecting gamma rays emitted from a radioisotope (RI) administered to an examinee with a plurality of detectors arranged in a plane and a scintillator, and constructing two-dimensional internal information of the examinee based on the detected gamma rays. When the gamma camera apparatus is used, it is possible to obtain a vivid image of a specified tissue which has absorbed the radioisotope.
One gamma camera apparatus that has been proposed has a coded aperture plate having a number of apertures defined therein according to given rules and disposed in front of a scintillator, and constructs three-dimensional internal information of an examinee based on the information obtained from the coded aperture plate. For details, reference should be made to "Coded Aperture Emission CT Using M-array", Transactions of the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers, Vol. 28, No. 4,426/432 (1992), and "Three dimensional reconstruction of 99mTc distribution by using coded aperture CT", Instrument department of the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers, 17th sensing forum (2000).
When the gamma camera apparatus described above is used, it is possible to obtain information of the tissue where the radioisotope is distributed. However, a considerably skillful technique is required in order to recognize the arrangement relationship between the tissue and other tissues of the examinee.

Medical imaging apparatus for detection of gamma rays and reflected ultrasonic waves


Logging tools, methods, and computer programs for use in borehole logging are described. The logging tool includes three or more tensors, each tensor including one or more coils. Each coil is characterized by coil parameters including an axis orientation, a cross-sectional area, a number of turns, and a location. At least one of the coil axes is disposed at an angle to the borehole axis. One or more of the coil parameters are selected to minimize sensitivity to borehole current.

Tensor induction tools may increase the amount of information that may be gathered during logging. Tensor induction tools with one or more elements whose magnetic axes are disposed at an angle to the borehole axis, however, may experience a borehole-current effect. The borehole-current effect refers to current induced in the borehole that distorts measurements of current induced in the formation.

Minimizing the effect of borehole current in tensor induction logging tools


The various aspects provide a dynamic compilation framework that includes a machine-independent optimization module operating on a computing device and methods for optimizing code with the machine-independent optimization module using a single, combined-forwards-backwards pass of the code. In the various aspects, the machine-independent optimization module may generate a graph of nodes from the IR, optimize nodes in the graph using forwards and backwards optimizations, and propagating the forwards and backwards optimizations to nodes in a bounded subgraph recognized or defined based on the position of the node currently being optimized. In the various aspects, the machine-independent optimization module may optimize the graph by performing forwards and/or backwards optimizations during a single pass through the graph, thereby achieving an effective degree of optimization and shorter overall compile times. Thus, the various aspects may provide a global optimization framework for dynamic compilers that is faster and more efficient than existing solutions.

Generally, the compilation of a software application program may be performed in two steps: the first step before distribution and the second step after distribution, such as at the time of execution. This two-part compilation allows the software application to be distributed as bytecode (e.g., Dalvik bytecode) so that an optimizer may optimize the code for the specific machine on which the code is to be executed. As an example, Dalvik is a process virtual machine (VM) on the Google™ Android operating system that converts Dalvik bytecode to ARM executable object code prior to execution. This system allows the software applications to be easily ported to any computing device having virtualization software (e.g., Dalvik) that supports the instruction set architecture used by the first compiler, regardless of the device's underlying hardware and operating system interface.
Currently, an off-line compiler may parse an entire software application program and generate an intermediate representation (IR) to represent the program structure. This IR typically carries extra information, such as annotations on the abstract syntax tree, which may be used at code generation time by a dynamic or just-in-time (JIT) compiler to analyze and optimize the program, such as by determining the parts of the program that will not be executed in the current environment and removing such code (i.e., identifying code that will never be executed because it is not reachable on any path from start to end of the program in the current implementation or activation circumstance).
In dynamic languages, such as JavaScript, the parsing and compilation occurs at run-time, just before program execution. Parsing is the process of analyzing a text to determine its grammatical structure with respect to a given formal grammar, and in the interpretation of programs, parsing includes reading in the source script and converting it into an intermediate representation based on the language semantics of the program language. For most dynamic and/or scripting languages, parsing generates a bytecode representation of the program that is fed into an interpreter, which may invoke a just-in-time compiler to generate machine code for selected portions of the code.
Thus, for both static and dynamic languages, a just-in-time (JIT) compiler may analyze and optimize the program to generate more-performant binary or machine code. Since such optimizations are performed at runtime, the compilation processing time becomes part of the overall program execution time.
Modern JIT compilers may implement any of a number of machine-independent, global compiler optimizations to generate the more-performant binary code. Such optimizations include Dead Code Elimination (DCE), Sparse Conditional Constant Propagation (SCCP), Algebraic Simplification (AS), and Global Value Numbering (GVN), each of which may be classified as being either a "forwards pass" optimization or a "backwards pass" optimization.
Many JIT compilers implement each of these optimizations as individual passes over the Internal Representation (IR) of the input program. Another approach is to combine these optimizations into a single framework and have an iterative (i.e., multiple forwards followed by backwards passes or vice versa) fixed-point solution.
However, current solutions are not suitable for use in constrained computing environments, such as in mobile devices, which have limited processing and/or battery resources. Iterative point solutions may also take so long to complete that the user's experience is adversely affected when the user attempts to launch an application. For example, while the iterative solution has been shown to produce highly optimized code, the iterative solution suffers from the drawback of potentially taking a large number of iterations over the IR. As such, this solution is not very appropriate for a JIT compiler in the mobile domain where speed of compilation (and responsiveness to an application) is very important.

Fast, combined forwards-backwards pass global optimization framework for dynamic compilers


A removable fixing device includes a first elongated mating member, a second elongated mating member designed to be inserted in the first elongated mating member, and an elastic member adapted to lock the two elongated mating members axially relative to each other and retractable radially on insertion of the second elongated mating member into the first elongated mating member. One elongated mating member includes an actuator mobile axially relative to the elongated mating member between a first position in which the elastic member locks the two elongated mating members axially and a second position in which the actuator unlocks the elongated mating members by radial retraction of the elastic member.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to connection devices and specifically to connection devices for cables which include a two-part connector, made of two parts designed to be assembled on either side of a support wall, the cables passing through the wall.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Connectors are conventionally employed for connecting electrical cables, but could serve to connect other types of cables, like optical cables.
These connectors can be used to connect a bundle of cables between the interior and the exterior of equipment delimited by the support wall, and can be used in vehicles, for example in aircraft, for the supply of power and exchange of data for onboard electrical or electronic units.
Connectors of this type generally include two matching connector parts that are assembled to each other, trapping a portion of the support wall between them.
In order to ensure that the connection of the cables is properly made, the connectors are often provided with polarizer means so that an operative person can assemble a connector part only to the associated connector part, and can assemble them in only one position relative to each other.
These polarizer means may also include means for fastening the two connector parts to each other, as in French patent application FR 2 814 967, for example.
In that document, the polarizers include a hexagonal head that is inserted into a hexagonal receiving cavity of one of the connector parts, and includes an elongated mating member provided with a polarizing shape protruding from this connector part. A fixing screw engages directly into the first polarizer element, aligned with it, the screw being guided by a second polarizer element having a complementary shape to the first polarizer element. An appropriate tool is necessary for fastening the screw, and the screwing operation may be time consuming. The device described necessitates handling at least three different parts: a first polarizer portion, a second polarizer portion, and a fixing screw.
French patent application FR 2 887 079 proposes to use a quarter-turn screw and to pre-assemble the quarter-turn screw into the second polarizer element.
Assembly must then proceed by trial and error to be sure that the correct movement has been executed in order for the quarter-turn screw to be properly locked. If the operative person is not used to manipulating this type of fastening means, he may not lock the quarter-turn screw correctly.

Rapid fixing device for rapid disconnection two-part connector


A control unit for a medical instrument is provided. The control unit includes a housing having a curved top surface capable of accommodating a hand of the user, the housing being attachable to the medical instrument. The control unit further includes a first interface engageable by a purlicue of the hand for controlling a first function of the medical instrument and a second interface engageable by one or more fingers of the hand for operating at least a second function of the medical instrument.

The present invention relates to a control unit for a medical device and, more particularly, to a control unit and integrated user interface which enable translation of natural hand movements to an attached medical tool such as a laparoscopic tool to thereby enable precise and fine control over the position and function of the medical device.
Medical devices such as endoscopes and catheters are widely used in minimally invasive surgery for viewing or treating organs, cavities, passageways, and tissues. Generally, such devices include an elongated device body which is designed for delivering and positioning a distally-mounted instrument (e.g. scalpel, grasper or camera/camera lens) within a body cavity, vessel or tissue.
Since such devices are delivered through a delivery port which is positioned through a small incision made in the tissue wall (e.g. abdominal wall), and are utilized in an anatomically constrained space, it is desirable that the medical device or at least a portion thereof be steerable, or maneuverable inside the body using controls positioned outside the body (at the proximal end of the medical device). Such steering enables an operator to guide the device within the body and accurately position the distally-mounted instrument at an anatomical landmark.
Various interfaces for endoscopic instruments have been described in the prior art, see, for example, U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2008/0255420 and 2012/0041450 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,253.
However, there remains a need for a control unit having an interface that allows the surgeon to easily and intuitively maneuver and control an attached surgical tool.


A system and method performs real-time subscriber management and accounting for a wireless device by detecting predetermined events within the wireless device and communicating information pertaining to such events from the wireless device to a real-time subscriber management platform in association with each communication session. The information received by the real-time subscriber management platform is used to control the behavior of the wireless device and/or to update accounting information pertaining to the subscriber.

The present invention pertains to a system and method for controlling the operation of a wireless device in a communication network and more specifically to a system and method that controls the operation of the wireless device using controls disposed within the wireless device that are cooperative with a subscriber management platform or server.
Wireless communication networks have been widely deployed for over a decade. Over time, telecommunications networks have evolved from switch-based networks, in which switches included both data and control plane capability, to networks known as Intelligent Networks (IN), in which the control plane is separated from the data plane. In an IN, the intelligence and control functions are removed from the switches and reside in SS7 control elements, such as Service Switching Points, Signal Transfer Points and Service Control Points, as known in the art.
In conventional wireless communication networks, a call detail record is generated at the serving switch at the conclusion of each call. The call detail records are forwarded to a central database before being communicated to the serving or billing carrier or accounting service. As a consequence, delays in performing accounting are introduced.

Subscriber management and accounting using event detection in a wireless device


A gamma ray detector is a detector detecting gamma rays and includes a photomultiplier tube having an entrance window and a photoelectric surface. The entrance window is a Cherenkov radiator. The photoelectric surface is formed on a vacuum side of the entrance window via an intermediate layer. The thickness of the intermediate layer is equal to or less than the wavelength of Cherenkov light emitted by an interaction of the gamma rays with the entrance window.

Conventionally, a gamma ray detector including a photomultiplier tube having an entrance window and a photoelectric surface, and a Cherenkov radiator adhered to the outer surface of the entrance window with an optical adhesive is known (see, for example, R. Dolenec et al., "The Performance of Silicon Photomultipliers in Cherenkov TOF PET", Trans. Nucl. Sci., vol 63, NO 5, 2016, p. 2478-2481).


Disclosed is an AC characteristics measurement system that includes a flip-flop arranged in a loop of a ring oscillator; a clock generating circuit that receives a signal propagated in said loop of said ring oscillator and generates a clock signal to be supplied to said flip-flop; a delay adjustment circuit that receives a signal propagated in said loop of said ring oscillator and generates a data signal to be supplied to said flip-flop and that receives a control signal and variably controls the time difference between a transition edge of said data signal to be supplied to said flip-flop and an effective edge of said clock signal to be supplied to said flip-flop, based on said control signal; and a setup-hold changeover circuit that is provided at a preceding stage of said flip-flop and that switches the temporal before and after relation between a transition edge of said data signal supplied to said flip-flop and an effective edge of said clock signal, responsive to a control signal for performing changeover between the measurements of setup time and hold time. An AC measured value is derived from the value of the control signal at a time point of cessation of oscillation of a preset node of the loop.

In a digital LSI having a latch or flip-flop that samples data responsive to a clock signal, it is necessary for the setup time and hold time to be within preset time widths in order for the data to be sampled correctly by the latch or flip-flop. Prescribed values relating the setup time and hold time of a latch or flip-flop need to be taken into account in the design of an LSI. The setup time is the time interval during which a data signal to be sampled by a latch, for example, needs to be kept stabilized before the timing of an effective edge, such as a rising edge, of the clock. The hold time is the time interval during which the data signal must be retained as from the effective edge of the clock. Meanwhile, the setup time and hold time of the latch or flip-flop is prescribed with a margin to have time ranges larger than actual ones and the operation range of the latch or flip-flop is set so that the operation speed will be lowered than that corresponding to the actual performance of the latch or flip-flop.
It is necessary to measure the setup time and hold time of e.g. the latch and to suitably decide the time range to be met in the design of an LSI. Accordingly, it is desired that whether or not e.g. a latch meets the requirements for setup time and hold time can be measured with ease and more comprehensively.
As a system for measuring AC characteristics of an LSI, in particular a system for measuring the setup time and the hold time of a digital LSI, reference is made to Patent Document 1, as an example. FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a system disclosed in this Patent Document 1. Referring to FIG. 10, the system includes, outside an LSI 4 under measurement, a clock supply means 1, for supplying a clock signal CLK, a pulse generating means 2, and a pulse delaying means 3. The pulse generating means 2 repeatedly generates pulses for measurement, each of a preset pulse width, in synchronization with the clock signal. The pulse delaying means 3 operates for delaying the pulse for measurement to supply the so delayed pulse to the LSI 4 under measurement. The pulse delaying means 3 also operates for changing the amount of delay, at each repetition of the pulses for measurement, based on a changeover control signal, in a direction of decreasing the phase difference of the clock signal as compared to that at the previous repetition. There is provided, within the LSI 4 under measurement, an input latch decision means 43 for deciding whether or not an input latch circuit 41 as a device under measurement has correctly taken in the pulse for measurement, for each repetition of the pulse for measurement, and for outputting a changeover control signal for varying the amount of delay as long as the pulse for measurement is taken in correctly.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-A-7-84000

Semiconductor integrated circuit device, measurement method therefore and measurement system for measuring AC characteristics thereof


A method and apparatus for tunnel packet optimization is provided. A method for communications node operation where the communications node is at a beginning of a tunnel includes receiving a message from a communications device at an end of the tunnel, processing a packet having a first source address and a first destination address, and encapsulating the packet with an outer header having a second source address and a second destination address, thereby producing a tunnel packet. The message includes a flow label related to the first source address and the first destination address. The method also includes compacting the tunnel packet based on a tunnel optimization (TO) state, and transmitting the tunnel packet towards the second destination address. The second destination address includes an address of the communications device at the end of the tunnel.

In general, tunneling in computer networks involves the encapsulation of transmissions or packets in a first communications protocol within transmissions or packets of a second communications protocol. The first communications protocol and the second communications protocol may be the same communications protocol or they may be different. Tunneling may be used in a computer network to convey a payload over an incompatible delivery network or to provide a secure path through an untrusted network.
Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6) is an implementation of IPv6 that supports the exchange of data in a packet switched internetwork. MIPv6 allows an IPv6 node to be mobile, i.e., arbitrarily move about an IPv6 network while maintaining existing connections as well as reachability using an IPv6 address. FIG. 1 illustrates an internetwork 100. Internetwork 100 includes a mobile node (MN) 105 that communicates to a host 110, for example. Communications between MN 105 and host 110 go through a home agent (HA) 115, with an access router AR1 120 serving to allow MN 105 to connect to HA 115. All traffic to and from MN 105 should go through HA 115. For example, traffic between MN 105 and a host 110 go through HA 115. Tunneling is used for all traffic flowing between MN 105 and HA 115 (shown as tunnel 130), including traffic that originated at sources other than HA 115 and destined for destinations other than HA 115.
FIG. 2 illustrates a typical IPv6 packet 200. IPv6 packet 200 includes a header 205 and a payload 210. Header 205 may be used in the delivery of IPv6 packet 200 to its destination as well as to provide identification information, such as version 215, traffic class 217, flow label 219, payload length 221, next header 223, transmission hop limit 225, and so forth. Header 205 also includes a source address 227 and a destination address 229. Source address may be an IPv6 address of a source of IPv6 packet 200, while destination address may be an IPv6 address of its intended destination.
FIG. 3 illustrates a tunnel packet 300. As discussed previously, the use of tunneling results in the encapsulation of a transmission or packet of a first communications protocol within a transmission or packet of a second communications protocol. Tunnel packet 300 includes an IPv6 packet 200 comprising header 205 and payload 210. Header 205 may be referred to as an inner header. Tunnel packet 300 also includes an outer header 305. Outer header 305 may include information such as version, traffic class, flow label, payload length, next header, transmission hop limit, and so forth. Furthermore, outer header 305 may also include a source address 310 and a destination address 315. Depending on the source of IPv6 packet 200, the source address and destination address contained in inner header 205 may be the same as source address 310 and destination address 315. Tunnel packet 300 may also include additional extension headers 320.
Given that a standard IPv6 header is 40 bytes (one byte is equal to eight bits) in size, tunnel packet 300 has at least 40 bytes dedicated to headers (assuming that outer header is also an IPv6 header). When large numbers of tunnel packets are transmitted between a source-destination pair, a significant amount of information transmitted is wasted in header overhead.
A prior art technique for reducing tunnel packet overhead is proposed in "IP Tunneling Optimization in a Mobile Environment," by W. Haddad, M. Naslund, and P. Nikander, draft-haddad-mipshop-tunneling-optimization-01, Jul. 13, 2008. However, the proposed solution limits a care of address (CoA) to a single correspondent node (CN). Therefore, if a MN is communicating with multiple CNs, then multiple CoAs are required, which also require multiple binding cache (BC) entries in a HA. Multiple CoA address configurations and BC entries increases memory consumption and may counteract the benefits introduced through reduced packet size. Furthermore, multiple CoAs may also introduce increased accounting complexity.

Method and apparatus for tunnel packet optimization


Techniques are disclosed for securely distributing entropy in a distributed environment. The entropy that is distributed may be quantum entropy that is generated by a quantum entropy generator or source. The true random entropy generated by a trusted entropy generator can be communicated securely among computer systems or hosts using secure communication channels that are set up using a portion of the entropy. The distribution techniques enable computer systems and hosts, which would otherwise not have access to such entropy generated by the trusted entropy source, to have access to the entropy.

Entropy (also referred to as entropy information) is used for various different purposes. For example, entropy is vitally important for cryptographic systems that use the entropy to generate cryptographic keys for various purposes. The trust that can be placed in these cryptographic systems and the keys generated by these systems is however limited by the trust that can be placed on the quality of the entropy that is used by these systems to generate the keys. Firstly, generating true random entropy or finding a trusted source capable of generating true random entropy is difficult. Even if such a source is found, communicating the entropy from the entropy source to a computer where the entropy is to be used (e.g., by a cryptographic system for generating a cryptographic key) while ensuring that the entropy has not been tampered with is a non-trivial problem. Poor quality of tampered-with entropy can lead to weak or compromised cryptographic keys that are susceptible to a variety of collision and side-channel attacks. As a result, most computing devices and applications (e.g., programs, virtual machines) do not have access to truly randomized high quality entropy.


Systems and methods for motion capture of a subject, suitable for use in an underground mining environment.

Positioning of drills and other machinery in an underground environment, such as in mining, is often challenging. Precision and accuracy are often required when positioning and carrying out drilling processes, in order to reduce costs and danger, to operators, crew and machinery.
One method of mining is known as drift mining, in which longitudinal tunnels are drilled into hard rock underground. The tunnel may be created by tunnel boring machines, which grind away at the face of the tunnel until the desired tunnel is formed. Alternatively, the tunnel may be created by blasting. This involves drilling blastholes into the face to a known depth, filling the blastholes with explosives and creating the tunnel by detonating the explosives. In the blasting method, the positioning of the end locations, or "toes" of the blastholes affects how cleanly the tunnel is excavated. Even positioning of the toes helps to ensure that the tunnel is excavated with little or no remaining debris or "bootleg". The presence of bootleg in a newly excavated tunnel may be dangerous and may be time-consuming and/or costly to remove, typically costing about $3000-$4000 per foot. However, positioning of the toes is often challenging since the blastholes typically are drilled 10-15 ft deep into the face and only 2-3 inches in diameter, with the result that a skew of as little as 1 degree during drilling can result in significant error in positioning of a toe.
In the blasting method, typically a drill machine referred to as a jumbo is used. The jumbo drill includes booms with drills mounted at the end. These booms are maneuvered to position and orient the drills for creating the blastholes in the rock. The positioning and orientation of the booms may directly affect the accuracy of the positioning of the toes. Most conventional jumbo drills typically rely on the judgment of the operator to place the drills and drill the blastholes accurately based on visual observation of the booms from the cab of the drill machine. The operator typically marks the drill face with paint and uses his subjective judgment to attempt to get the booms positioned and oriented to correctly place the resulting toes. There are typically no optical, video or visual guidance or feedback provided to the operator to assist in this process. The result is typically inconsistent toe placement, and an average of 5% bootleg is typically present in the excavated tunnel.
A small number of conventional jumbo drills may use a series of cables to measure distance traveled by the boom, and may also use gyros and accelerometers mounted on the drill slide to generate the same data for the operator. Such machines may also automate the process of drilling to reduce the reliance on the operator and to improve the accuracy of the process. However, such machines are often cost-prohibitive and unreliable. For example, such machines may be vulnerable to the hazards of the environment, such as moisture, temperature and vibration. Such machines often require extensive maintenance, are often complex and expensive to maintain, and often require long down-times for maintenance.
It would be useful to provide a solution for measuring and capturing the motion of machinery and other processes in an underground environment, to provide feedback to an operator. It would be useful to provide a solution that may be retrofitted to conventional jumbo drills or other machinery or apparatus. I would also be useful to provide a system that would require little maintenance.

Systems and methods for motion capture in an underground environment


Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.

Boost control may be used at various engine operating conditions to improve engine performance. For example, various approaches may be used to control turbine speed and exhaust manifold pressure at varying operating conditions to manage boost.
One example approach is shown by Styles et al. in US 2011/0302917 wherein the boosted engine system includes a twin-scroll turbocharger. Therein, flow through the different scrolls of the turbocharger is separated or combined, via valve adjustments, based on operating conditions to provide boost and engine speed control.
However, the inventors herein have identified potential issues with such an approach. Specifically, turbocharger actuator adjustments used to provide engine control may have a torque impact on the engine. For example, an actuator adjustment that combines flow through the different scrolls results in a decrease in exhaust manifold pressure upstream of the turbine inlet(s). This decrease in exhaust manifold pressure results in additional fresh air being drawn into, and trapped within, engine cylinders on subsequent engine cycles. When the increase in airflow is matched by fuel to maintain a constant air-fuel ratio and constant ignition timing, a transient torque disturbance results which leads to poor engine driveability. Likewise, an actuator adjustment that separates flow through the different scrolls results in an increase in exhaust manifold pressure upstream of the turbine inlet(s). This increase in exhaust manifold pressure reduces the drawing in of fresh air into the engine cylinders on subsequent engine cycles. When the decrease in airflow is matched by reduced fuel to maintain a constant air-fuel ratio and constant ignition timing, a torque dip results which also leads to poor engine driveability. In both cases, the torque disturbance may degrade the drive experience of the vehicle operator.
The inventors herein have recognized the above issues and provided methods of overcoming the torque disturbances by operating a boosted engine system having a binary flow turbine. In one example, the torque impact can be reduced by a method for an engine comprising: transitioning a restriction in exhaust upstream of a first scroll of a multi-scroll exhaust turbine based on operating conditions, while adjusting an engine actuator during the transition to maintain engine torque. In addition, a timing of the transitioning may be adjusted based on a transmission event. In this way, the torque impact may be better masked.
In one example, an adjustment to a scroll valve coupled to only an outer scroll of a multi-scroll exhaust turbine may be determined based on engine operating conditions. For example, during conditions where turbine spool-up is required, the scroll valve may be scheduled to be closed for a duration. A torque impact associated with the scroll valve may be determined. Then, adjustments to one or more engine actuators that may compensate for the torque impact may be concurrently scheduled. For example, during conditions where the scroll valve is closed to increase exhaust manifold pressure, the drop in airflow to the engine cylinders (and resulting torque dip) may be counteracted by a transient increase in intake throttle opening. As another example, during conditions where the scroll valve is opened to decrease exhaust manifold pressure, the rise in airflow to the engine cylinders (and resulting torque disturbance) may be counteracted by a transient decrease in intake throttle opening. Other engine actuators that may be adjusted include, for example, VCT, valve timing, valve overlap, fuel injection, spark timing, wastegate opening and EGR valve opening. As such, this helps to overcome at least a part of the torque impact of the scroll valve adjustment.
In addition, a timing of the scroll valve transition may be adjusted based on the shift schedule of a transmission coupled to the engine. For example, if an upcoming transmission event is expected (e.g., a transmission upshift or downshift), the scroll valve transition may be timed to at least partially overlap (if possible) the transmission event. For example, the scroll valve may be transitioned during a transmission upshift or immediately after the upshift. By timing the scroll valve transition based on the transmission event, the torque impact is better masked. In addition, one or more transmission clutches may be slipped during the scroll valve transition to further reduce the torque impact of the scroll valve adjustment.
In this way, scroll valve adjustments may be advantageously used to provide engine speed control and improve boost response at various engine operating conditions. By adjusting one or more engine torque operators based on the scroll valve adjustment, the torque impact of the scroll valve adjustment is reduced. By also timing the scroll valve adjustment to coincide with a transmission event, the torque impact is better masked. Overall, the torque impact of the scroll valve adjustment experienced by the vehicle operator is reduced and vehicle driveability is improved.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Method and system for binary flow turbine control


Compounds having anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity are disclosed. The compounds are useful in preventing and treating inflammatory disorders through several mechanisms. Methods of treatment employing these properties of the compounds and corresponding pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed.

The present invention is directed to the provision of compounds having potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity. The invention is further directed to compositions containing the compounds of the present invention for use in pharmaceutical applications. The invention is also directed to methods of using the compounds and compositions of the present invention to prevent and treat inflammatory disorders including ocular inflammation associated with ophthalmic disease and ophthalmic surgery.
Inflammation from cellular stress can cause excessive tissue damage. Numerous biochemical pathways are known to lead to inflammation. In general, the cyclooxygenase system produces prostaglandins, while the lipoxygenase system produces leukotrienes, "HETEs" and "HPETEs." Such agents have been associated with inflammation. See generally, Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, pages 600-617, Pergman Press, NY (1990). Therapies designed to inhibit the production of these types of agents are therefore of great interest.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIA) have been used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. The following references may be referred to for further background concerning this use of NSAIAs:
Ophthalmoscope, volume 8, page 257 (1910); PA1 FASEB Journal, volume 1, page 89 (1987); and PA1 Inflammation and Mechanisms and Actions of Traditional Drugs, vol. I Anti-inflammatory and Anti-rheumatic drugs. Boca Raton, Fla., CRC Press, (1985). PA1 Archives of Pharmacology, volume 325, pages 129-146 (1992); PA1 Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, volume 8, pages 211-224 (1991); PA1 Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine, volume 11, pages 215-232 (1991); and PA1 European Journal of Pharmacology, volume 210, pages 85-90 (1992). PA1 R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl; PA1 R' is (CH.sub.2).sub.m X'; PA1 m is 1 to 6; PA1 X' is OH, OR, NH.sub.2, NHR or H; PA1 n is 1 to 2; and PA1 X is O, S or NC(O)R. PA1 R is CH.sub.3 ; PA1 m is 1 to 2; PA1 X' is H or OH; and PA1 X is O.
However, there are some problems associated with NSAIA treatment including delivery to the appropriate site of action and side effects (Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, pages 638-669, Pergman Press, NY (1990)).
Free radical molecules also play a major role in inflammation. These unstable chemical moieties lead to the oxidation of tissue resulting in damage. Such oxidative stress and damage has been described in Biochemical Pharmacology, 32(14), pages 2283-2286 (1983) and Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine, 4, pages 225-261 (1988). Agents that act as anti-oxidants can protect against oxidative damage. Such protection has been the subject of numerous scientific publications, including the following:
The combination of anti-oxidant activity with other pharmacologically significant activities in a single molecule is discussed in JP 64-40484 and EP 387771 A2; and compounds with cyclooxygenase/5-Lipoxygenase and anti-oxidant activity are discussed in Drug Research, 39(II) Number 10, pages 1242-1250 (1989). However, these references do not disclose the compounds of the present invention.
The present invention is directed to the provision of new compounds that have both potent anti-inflammatory activity and potent anti-oxidant activity in a single molecule. The use of a single chemical entity with potent anti-inflammatory and potent anti-oxidant activity provides increased protection relative to the use of a compound with singular activity. The use of a single agent having both activities over a combination of two different agents provides uniform delivery of an active molecule, thereby simplifying issues of drug metabolism, toxicity and delivery.

Anti-oxidant esters of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents


Apparatus and methods of generating magnetization transfer contrast images in which signal to noise ratios are improved and/or in which image acquisition times are reduced. In certain embodiments, apparatus and methods which utilize sensitivity and/or non-sensitivity to magnetization transfer effects to improve the contrast of images which are generated. In certain additional embodiments, apparatus and methods for generating magnetization transfer contrast images which exhibit sensitivity to longitudinal and transverse relaxation times of bound and free proton pools, respectively.

Since its introduction in 1977 as an alternative (or as supplementation) to invasive surgical procedures and/or x-rays, the utilization of magnetic resonance imaging (hereinafter "MRI") in medical diagnosis and treatment has increased dramatically. In this regard, modem MRI imaging techniques produce images with exceptional contrast and which can be rendered in any plane as well as three-dimensionally. Moreover, apart from their imaging quality, MRI imaging techniques are believed to be very safe. For example, MRI techniques do not utilize harmful ionizing radiation but instead rely on the application of magnetic fields and radio frequencies which induce atomic level energy changes which are detectable for assimilation into highly detailed, accurate body (or other object type) images. In contrast, imaging techniques such as computerised tomography scanning (CT scanning) expose patients to significant doses of ionizing radiation which is believed to increase incidences of malignancy. Furthermore, CT techniques cannot reproduce the relative high contrast of an MRI image and have the additional shortcoming of not being able to adequately differentiate between similar but otherwise distinct tissue types (e.g., in particular, if the tissues have similar densities).
Although, conventional MRI has proven to be a dramatic leap forward in the medical arts, MRI is somewhat limited by long image acquisition times and low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), difficulties in certain spatial resolutions, and in differentiating between lipid based and water based tissues. Although modem, specialized MRI techniques, such as steady state free precession (SSFP), ameliorate, at least to a degree, such issues, such techniques exhibit greater than desired signal loss as a result of the transfer of magnetization between free and bound protons in tissues (henceforth called magnetization transfer ot MT), for example. This, as a result, limits the techniques usefulness in certain clinical applications such as, for example, in the imaging of the brain for evaluation of white matter type diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need in the art for imaging methods and/or apparatus which solve or at least ameliorate one or more of the above drawbacks of the prior art. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this need in the art as well as other needs which will become more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.

Method and apparatus for generation of magnetization transfer contrast in steady state free precession magnetic resonance imaging


A high dielectric polymeric optical recording medium for recording information by heating the portions of the recording medium corresponding to the information to be recorded by being exposed to a beam of light, followed by the application of a reverse electric field to the recording medium, thereby selectively reversing the polarity of the heated portions in the recording medium, is disclosed, which comprises a high dielectric polymeric recording layer containing a high dielectric polymeric composition comprising a high dielectric polymeric material and a nonionic dye serving as a light-absorption agent which is compatible with or dispersible in the high dielectric polymeric material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved polymeric reversible optical recording medium having high dielectricity, which comprises a recording layer containing a high dielectric polymeric material and a nonionic dye, and is employable for devices, such as a photosensor, a pyroelectric sensor and a display, which utilize the pyroelectric property of high dielectric polymeric materials.
2. Discussion of Background
Recording media using high dielectric polymeric materials are widely known, and recording methods by which information is recorded in such recording media can be classified into the following three types.
The first type of the recording method is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 59-215096, 59-215097 and 61-105792. According to this method, information is recorded in a high dielectric optical recording medium by impressing an electric field to the recording medium using crossed-type electrodes, and polarizing it. The recorded information is reproduced by applying a light beam to the recorded area, and detecting whether a pyroelectric current is generated or not. The portion where the pyroelectric current is generated corresponds to the recorded bit.
The second recording method is such that information is recorded by depolarizing a once polarized portion of a high dielectric recording medium. The thus recorded information can be reproduced by applying a light beam weaker than the one used for information recording, and detecting whether a pyroelectric current is generated or not. The portion where no pyroelectric current is generated corresponds to the recorded bit; this is contrary to the first method. Such a recording method is disclosed, for instance, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 59-215096 and 59-215097.
The third recording method, reported in the "IEEE Trans. Electr. Ins." El-21, 539 (1986) and the "KOBUNSHI KAKO" 35, 418 (1986), is as follows. In general, a coercive electric field in a dielectric hysterisis curve, which curve is obtained when an alternating current field is impressed to a high dielectric material, decreases as a rise in temperature. A high dielectric recording medium is polarized because of such a property of high dielectric materials. While impressing a reverse electric field which is too weak to diverse the polarization, a light beam is applied to the polarized recording medium. The temperature of the light-beam-applied portion rises to the Curie temperature, and the polarization of this portion is diversed. Thus, information is recorded in the recording medium. The recorded information can be reproduced by applying a light beam which is weaker than the one used for information recording, and detecting the phase difference (positive and negative) in the pyroelectric current generated.
The maximum amount of the pyroelectric current generated in the first information recording method corresponds to Pt, the one generated in the second method also corresponds to Pr, and the one generated in the third method corresponds to 2Pt, where "Pt" denotes the residual polarized amount at room temperature. This means that the C/N ratio in the third method is much better than those in the first and second methods.
In order to improve the recording density in the first information recording method, it is necessary to employ finely processed electrodes; this requires higher manufacturing cost. In the second method, the recorded information cannot be partially erased. The third method is therefore considered the best one so far.
However, the most desirable structure of an optical recording medium for use in the third recording method has not yet been fixed. Recording and reproduction of information is performed by heat which is generated by a light applied to the recording medium, so that the light absorption efficiency of the recording medium is a very important factor when the third recording method is employed.
The conventional optical recording medium comprising a recording layer made of a high dielectric polymer, especially polyvinylidene (hereinafter referred to as PVD), has high light-transmission, so that it has low sensitivity. It is therefore required to use a high out-put laser for information recording. The above conventional optical recording medium is thus impractical.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 63-46638 discloses a high dielectric polymeric optical recording medium comprising a dye, dispersed in a recording layer, which absorbs a light having a wavelength in the vicinity of the wavelength of a semiconductor laser beam. When information is recorded in the above recording medium, the medium is exposed to the severe conditions of high temperature and high voltage. Consequently, the dye contained in the recording medium is dissociated or decomposed after the repeated use of the recording medium, and decolored. For this reason, the recording medium of this type is also unpractical.
As described above, the high dielectric polymeric optical recording medium is exposed to the conditions of high heat and strong electric field, much severer than the conditions to which any other heat-mode optical recording media are exposed.
Since ionic dyes cannot stand such severe conditions, it is improper to employ ionic dyes in the high dielectric polymeric optical recording medium. For instance, when a cyanine dye, one of cationic dyes, is employed as a laser beam-absorbing material, it is dissociated or decomposed due to high heat and strong electric field, and decolored, resulting in a loss of the semiconductor-laser-beam absorptibity. The results of elementary analysis of the decolored dye, which was carried out by means of the secondary ion mass spectrometric analysis, are shown in FIG. 7. The chart in FIG. 7 demonstrates that chlorine ions, counter ions of the dye employed, are distributed near the electrodes with high density.
In order to utilize the pyroelectric current generated in high dielectric polymeric materials, it is necessary to impress a high electric field, irrespective of the recording methods as described above, in the course of both information recording and erasing processes. Therefore, if the recording layer contains defects or electrically chargeable impurities therein, it is easily damaged by electric discharge. It is however very difficult, from the technical and economical points of view, to prepare a recording layer which is perfectly free from such impurities or defects.
Furthermore, it is essential to employ electrodes in the recording method which utilizes the pyroelectric current generated. In general, materials for the electrode have a thermal conductivity higher than that of the materials for the recording layer. Consequently, thermal fusion at the interface between the electrode and the recording layer becomes high, and information recording with high density cannot be expected.
The conventional high dielectric polymeric optical recording media have the above-described shortcomings, so that they cannot be used practically.

High dielectric polymeric optical recording medium


A drupe which is infested with a larva of a moth or larvae of other insects, and is contaminated with related excretions, referred to as a "frass", in a central zone within the drupe, is cleansed with a longitudinally bored pitting knife mounted in the pitting head of a conventional pitting machine. A source of cleansing fluid is connected to the bore within the knife and fluid is discharged through radial passages in the knife, which radial passages communicate with the longitudinal bore. In operation, while the knife pits the drupe, fluid discharged from within the knife contacts the walls of the passage left by the ejected pit, and removes the frass. If desired, the drupe may be first pitted, then decontaminated or washed, and/or dried sequentially, in separate stages. The invention is particularly effective with dates, prunes, olives, cherries, nectarines, peaches and avocados.

Machines which automatically pit a drupe have laid the foundation for an agribusiness which makes it possible for a person with even less than average income to enjoy fruits and vegetables which would otherwise be consumed only by the wealthy. Such machines are the subject of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,157,518; 2,219,832; 2,630,205; and 2,688,352 to Ashlock, Jr.; of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,153,473; and 3,556,281 to Margaroli et al.; and of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,090,439 and 5,577,439 to Chall et al. and Cimperman et al., inter alia. Such machines have successfully achieved in the U.S. what is still done manually in countries where human labor is relatively inexpensive.
In the aforementioned pitting machines, a pitting knife or an assembly of plural pitting knives in a pitting head, cuts through the skin and flesh of the drupe being pitted, ejects the stone, and is then retracted leaving a substantially central passage in the drupe.
When a moth chooses a drupe to nurture its progeny, it lays its eggs on or near the drupe, typically on its upper surface. The eggs progress to the larva stage. The time it takes an egg to get to the larva stage typically corresponds uncannily to the period during which the drupe ripens. As the drupe ripens, a portion of its skin immediately surrounding its stem, tends to pull away from the stem and at some stage, may do so, leaving a narrow passage through which a larva burrows its way into the flesh of the ripe drupe. The larva feeds on the ripe flesh of the drupe, and as the larva matures, its excretions, referred to as "frass", build up within the now contaminated drupe. When the contaminated drupe is harvested and pitted, the frass, if not the larva itself, is left behind in the passage within the pitted drupe because a pitting knife cannot remove the frass even if it successfully ejects the larva with the pit.
United States Standards for Grades of Dates specifies a defect when an unacceptable percentage of dates are "affected by insect infestation--presence of dead insects, insect parts, or excreta "frass" (no live insects are permitted)."
A typical harvest may include from relatively few, to an economically disastrous percentage of contaminated fruit, and the extent of contamination can only be estimated by inspecting a large number of individual fruits. To date, when contamination is extensive, contaminated fruit has been disposed of as garbage, because there is no economical method of decontaminating the fruit. Worse, since it is currently impractical to sort contaminated fruit from uncontaminated fruit, marketable fruit is discarded along with the contaminated fruit.
When contamination is not extensive, the problem of removing the contaminants from within a pitted drupe has been addressed, unsuccessfully for the most part, by soaking the fruit in water, or passing the pitted fruit under a cascading stream of water, with the faint expectation that some of the water will enter the pit-free passage and flush away the frass. Besides being only marginally effective, both methods result in dissolving or otherwise sacrificing an unacceptably large portion of a fruit, such as a date or a prune, which typically has a relatively high water-soluble sugar content.
A pitting knife is usually made from hard stainless steel. Typically, plural pitting knives are mounted in a knife assembly held within the confines of a pitting head which houses the driving mechanism for timing and thrusting the knives into rows of fruit individually held in chucks, which are in turn, mounted on carriers carried by a conveyor belt. One does not expect to use a pitting knife for any purpose other than its designated purpose. One does not consider boring a pitting knife. Nevertheless, this invention does so; and thereby provides for contacting the S walls of the passage of a pitted drupe with a decontaminating quantity of a decontaminant fluid, thus providing an effective solution to the problem of drupes internally contaminated with contaminants such as "frass".


A golf club interchanging connection structure for interchanging a club head and a shaft includes a tube seat, a club sleeve, a positioning mechanism, a screw, and a tapered gasket. The tube seat in the club head includes a tapered slot. The club sleeve placed in the tube seat has one end being fixed with the shaft and the other end being configured into a tapered shape and having a nut hole. The club sleeve has at least one positioning slot on its exterior. The positioning mechanism placed into the club head includes at least one positioning block corresponding to the positioning slot for positioning and fixing the club sleeve. The screw is screwed with the nut hole of the club sleeve, so as to lock the club sleeve. The tapered gasket is placed between the tapered end of the club sleeve and the tapered slot of the tube seat.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf club interchanging connection structure, and more particularly to an interchanging connection structure for interchanging a club head and a shaft of a golf club.
2. Related Art
As the golf sport develops vigorously, the structure and material of the golf club have also developed accordingly. In order to cater to each golfer, and to enable the golfer to select a suitable combination of a club head and a shaft according to the specific state during striking, golf-club manufacturers exert their efforts in developing a golf club with a quick head-shaft interchanging function.
Referring to FIG. 1, it is a schematic view of a conventional golf club interchanging connection structure. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,529, a golf club 10 with a quick interchanging function is proposed, which includes a club head 12 and a shaft 14, and the club head 12 and the shaft 14 are interchanged quickly through an interchanging connection structure 16. The interchanging connection structure 16 includes a club sleeve 18, a tube seat 20, and a screw 22. One end of the club sleeve 18 has an opening 24, the shaft 14 is placed into the opening 24 and bonded in the club sleeve 18. The tube seat 20 is embedded into the club head 12 and bonded in the club head 12. After the club sleeve 18 is placed into the tube seat 20, the screw 22 is used to lock the club sleeve 18 to the tube seat 20, so as to quickly interchange the club head 12 and the shaft 14.
However, when the club sleeve 18 is placed into the tube seat 20, it is merely positioned through a blank of the tube seat 20, so pseudo-locking phenomenon easily occurs due to the blank variation. In addition, an outer surface of the club sleeve 18 closely contacts with an inner surface of the tube seat 20, so as to achieve the rotation-resistant effect. However, if the outer surface of the club sleeve 18 cannot closely contact with the inner surface of the tube seat 20 as expected due to the poor processing precision, the rotation-resistant force of the club head 12 and the shaft 14 of the conventional golf club 10 will be severely deteriorated.

Golf club interchanging connection structure (II)

Advanced International Multitech Co., Ltd


Disclosed are a power supplying apparatus, a backlight assembly and an LCD apparatus having the same. A control section outputs a switching signal so as to control an output of a constant current supplied to a lamp unit in response to on and/or off signals and a dimming signal and a switching section controls an output of a direct current voltage source in response to the switching signal. A power outputting section provides an alternating current voltage source having a constant voltage to the lamp unit. A sensing section senses variation of a power supplied to the lamp unit and a detecting section compares a sensing signal with a predetermined reference signal to output a detecting signal to the control section, thereby maintaining the constant current to be supplied to the lamp unit. Accordingly, the LCD apparatus may prevent deterioration of an image and damage of circuit thereof.

An LCD apparatus is a non-emissive display apparatus receiving light from an external to display an image, so that the LCD apparatus separately needs a backlight assembly that supplies the light to the LCD apparatus. The backlight assembly generally requires characteristics such as a high brightness, a high light efficiency, a uniform brightness, a long life, a light weight, a low cost or the like. For example, a backlight assembly used to an LCD for a laptop computer needs a lamp having the high light efficiency and the long life so as to reduce a power consumption thereof and a backlight assembly used to an LCD for a monitor or a television set needs a lamp having the high brightness.
Particularly, the LCD for the television set demands the higher brightness and longer life than that of the LCD for the laptop computer. However, a CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) is not appropriate to satisfy the demands of the LCD for the television set, so that an external electrode fluorescent lamp has been developed as a substitute for the CCFL. The external electrode fluorescent lamp is classified into an EEFL (External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp) having an external electrode disposed at both outer end portions of the lamp and an EIFL (External Internal Fluorescent Lamp) having an external electrode disposed at one outer end portion.
Recently, a parallel driving method that drives a plurality of lamps using only one inverter has been developed. When driving the lamps in parallel, a feedback circuit is needed to prevent-an image from being deteriorated and a circuit of the LCD apparatus from being damaged.

Apparatus for supplying power, backlight assembly and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same


An embodiment fuel cell includes a cell stack including a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction, a plate disposed at one of two end portions of the cell stack, the plate including a first terminal unit protruding in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a heating element including a second terminal unit engaged with the first terminal unit of the plate in the second direction, the heating element being disposed between the one of the two end portions of the cell stack and the plate, and an insulation part disposed at at least one of the first terminal unit or the second terminal unit, wherein one of the first terminal unit and the second terminal unit includes a pair of male heater terminals protruding in the second direction, and the other includes a pair of female heater terminals.

In general, a fuel cell includes a cell stack and a heater assembly. In winter, water freezes inside an end cell of the cell stack when the outdoor air temperature is low, and thus electricity is not generated in the end cell, thereby deteriorating the initial startability and power generation efficiency of the fuel cell. In order to solve this problem, the heater assembly serves to heat the end cell during initial startup. However, when the heater assembly is incorrectly assembled with other components of the fuel cell, various problems may occur, for example, inability to heat the end cell.


A buckle for a watch band has a housing connected to the watch band, a pair of push plates provided in the housing so as to be moved in a lateral direction, and a pair of springs for urging the push plates. A pair of stopper pins are provided for stopping the push plates urged by the springs. A cover having a lock pin is pivotally connected to an end of the housing. The cover is provided such that the lock pin is inserted into an opening of the housing and engaged with hooks of the push plates. An opening spring is provided between the housing and the cover for urging the cover to an open position.

The present invention relates to a buckle for a watch band, and more particularly to a buckle having a lock mechanism and a pair of push plates for releasing the locking of the buckle by the lock mechanism.
Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 4-54215 discloses a buckle for a watch band. FIGS. 10 to 12 show the buckle. The buckle comprises an engaging member 20 and a rotatable clasping member 21 rotatably mounted on an end of the engaging member 20. The engaging member 20 comprises a frame member 26, a first operating member 22 as a lock lever, and a second operating member 23 as a pressing-up lever. The rotatable clasping member 21 comprises a cover plate 24 rotatably engaged with the frame member 26, and an engaging plate 25 projecting from the underside of the cover plate. The engaging plate 25 comprises a downward slant 25a, a hook portion 25b and a spherical projection 25c.
As shown in FIG. 11, the first and second operating members 22 and 23 are slidably mounted in the frame member 26 so as to be moved in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band (not shown), and outwardly urged by a spring 28. Two stopper pins 26b are provided, each of which is slidably engaged with a slit of the operating member 22 (23) so as to prevent the member from removing from the frame member 26. The inner end portions of the first and second operating members are partially overlapped with each other. The first operating member 22 has a lock portion 22a. The second operating member 23 has an upward slant 23a as a pressing-up slant to be abutted on the downward slant 25a of the engaging plate 25.
Referring to FIG. 10, a connecting link 27 having an engaging rod 29 is connected to another band (not shown).
Method of coupling the buckle is as follows.
The cover plate 24 is inserted into an opening behind the engaging rod 29 of the connecting link 27, and is rotated about a connecting portion 24a. The engaging plate 25 is inserted into an opening 26a of the frame member 26. The downward slant 25a of the engaging plate 25 engages with the locking portion 22a of the first operation member 22 so that the operating member 22 is inwardly moved. When the slant 25a passes the lock portion 22a, the operating member 22 is returned to the home position by the elastic force of the spring 28. Thus, the lock portion 22a engages with the hook portion 25b.
In operation for disengaging the buckle, the operating members 22 and 23 are pushed at the same time to release the lock portion 22a from the hook portion 25b, while the upward slant 23a of the second operating member 23 pushes the downward slant 25a of the engaging plate upward, so that the cover plate 24 is pushed up. The released cover plate 24 is rotated about the connecting portion 24a and removed from the connecting link 27.
In such a buckle, the cover plate must be rotated by fingers in order to release it from the engaging member 20. In other words, the releasing operation is complicated.
On the other hand, it may occur that the cover plate 24 is accidentally released, if the operating members 22 is pushed. In order to prevent the accident, the spherical projection 25c is provided on the engaging plate 25 as an additional locking structure. The projection 25c is adapted to abut on the periphery of the opening 26a when the hook portion 25b engages with the lock portion 22a. Thus, the cover plate 24 is prevented from releasing. In such a device, it is necessary to ensure a constant engaging force of the projection 25c against the periphery of the opening 26a. However, the projection 25c wears with time to reduce the engaging force, which may cause the releasing of the cover plate.


A method and apparatus to determine readiness of a complex instruction for retirement includes decoding a complex instruction into a plurality of helper instructions; executing the plurality of helper instructions using an execution unit; indicating the plurality of helper instructions that are alive using a live instruction register; and maintaining a complex instruction identification for the complex instruction using a complex instruction identification register.

As shown in FIG. 1, a computer (24) includes a processor (26), memory (28), a storage device (30), and numerous other elements and functionalities found in computers. The computer (24) may also include input means, such as a keyboard (32) and a mouse (34), and output means, such as a monitor (36). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these input and output means may take other forms.
The processor (26) may be required to process complex instructions. A complex instruction may require a large amount of hardware and system complexity to support the processing of the complex instruction. An alternative is to support the complex instruction with a software trap.
A software trap may map a complex instruction into a plurality of instructions readily supported by the processor (26). A reduced amount of hardware may be needed to support the plurality of instructions; however, mapping a complex instruction into a plurality of instructions may take time.

Method and apparatus for processing a complex instruction for execution and retirement