Provided is a super twist nematic (STN) liquid crystal display (LCD) driver which reduces power consumption. The STN LCD driver includes a reference voltage generating unit, a voltage boosting unit, a voltage control unit, a first common voltage generating unit, and a second common voltage generating unit. The reference voltage generating unit generates a reference voltage in response to an external voltage. The voltage boosting unit generates a boosting voltage by boosting the external voltage. The voltage control unit generates a first segment voltage and a second segment voltage which drive a segment electrode of the STN LCD panel in response to the reference voltage and the boosting voltage. The first common voltage generating unit drives a common voltage of the STN LCD panel in response to the external voltage, a ground voltage, and the first segment voltage and generates a first common voltage, the voltage level of which is higher than the voltage level of the first segment voltage, using a predetermined resistance ratio. The second common voltage generating unit drives a common voltage STN LCD panel in response to the external voltage, the ground voltage, and the first segment voltage and generates a second common voltage, the voltage level of which is lower than the voltage level of the first segment voltage, using a predetermined resistance ratio.

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2002-71390, filed on 16 Nov. 2002, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a super twist nematic (STN) liquid crystal display (LCD) driver, and more particularly, to a driver for driving a STN LCD panel by using a multi-line selection method and an Alt-Pleshko technique (APT).
2. Description of the Related Art
In a super twist nematic (STN) liquid crystal display (LCD), a character or a picture is displayed on a screen by a liquid crystalline polymer twisted to reflect light. The liquid crystalline polymer is called nematic. The STN LCD is used to display simple numbers or characters in a calculator, a display unit of a mobile phone, and so on.
The STN LCD presents colors through contrast in gray scale. A screen using 16 shades of gray can present colors through 16 different contrasts, thus there is no problem in presenting text files inputted, outputted, or edited in the screen. The STN LCD basically uses white and black inversion and can improve visibility by presenting black characteristics on a white background or white characteristics on a black background in a text mode.
The method of driving the STN LCD includes a multi line selection method and a single line selection method. If the response time of the STN LCD is increased, a so-called frame response occurs causing flickering or a deterioration of contrast.
The multi-line selection method is used to solve such problems. The multi-line selection method selects a plurality of scan electrode lines at one time.
The multi-line selection method includes a three-line selection method and a four-line selection method.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an STN LCD driver 100 using the four-line selection method.
The STN LCD driver 100 requires at least seven voltage levels to drive a STN LCD panel (not shown).
A first common voltage V3 and a second common voltage −MV3 are applied to a row line of the STN LCD panel (not shown). The number of transitions of the first common voltage V3 and the second common voltage −MV3, i.e., voltages applied to the row line, is smaller than that of first through fifth segment voltages VC, V1, V2, MV1, and MV2 which are applied to a column line. Thus, the width of the voltage swing of the voltages applied to the row line becomes great, which means that the voltage level applied to the row line is high.
The first through fifth segment voltages VC, V1, V2, MV1, and MV2 are applied to the column line of the STN LCD panel (not shown) as described above. The first segment voltage VC, the second segment voltage V1, the third segment voltage V2, the fourth segment voltage MV1, and the fifth segment voltage MV2 are generated from a reference voltage generating unit 130 and a voltage control circuit 140. The relationship between the voltage levels of the first through fifth segment voltages VC, V1, V2, MV1, and MV2 is V2>V1>VC>MV1>MV2. The differences between two voltage levels, for example, V2 and V1, or V1 and VC, are equal to one another.
A supply voltage VDD is applied to the reference voltage generating unit 130 and a first boosting circuit 150. The reference voltage generating unit 130, which receives the supply voltage VDD, generates the third segment voltage V2 by using the voltage control circuit 140. Voltage levels between the third segment voltage V2 and a ground voltage GND are divided by resistances R into the first segment voltage VC, the second segment voltage V1, and the fourth segment voltage MV1. A boosting voltage VCSL outputted from the first boosting circuit 150 is applied to voltage followers 160, 170, and 180. The voltage followers 170, 160, and 180 stabilize the first segment voltage VC, the second segment voltage V1, and the fourth segment voltage MV1, respectively.
The first common voltage V3 is generated from a second boosting circuit 110. The second boosting circuit 110 receives the third segment voltage V2, boosts the level of the third segment voltage V2 to twice the level of the third segment voltage V2, and outputs the first common voltage V3.
A second common voltage −MV3 is generated from the second dropping circuit 120. The second dropping circuit 120 receives the third segment voltage V2, boosts the level of the third segment voltage V2 to twice the level of the ground voltage GND, and outputs the second common voltage −MV3.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an STN LCD driver 200 using a three-line selection method.
The STN LCD driver 200 using the three-line selection method requires at least five voltage levels to drive a STN LCD panel (not shown).
A first common voltage +VR and a second common voltage −VR are applied to a row line of the STN LCD panel (not shown). The number of transitions of the first common voltage +VR and the second common voltage −VR, i.e., the voltages applied to the row line, is smaller than voltages V1, VM, and GND applied to a column of the STN LCD panel. Thus, the width of the voltage swing of the voltages applied to the row line becomes great.
First through third segment voltages VM, V1, and VSS are applied to the column line of the STN LCD panel (not shown). The relationship between voltage levels of the first through third segment voltage VM, V1, and VSS is V1>VM>VSS. The differences between two voltage levels, e.g., V1 and VM, or VM and VSS, are equal to one another.
An external voltage VCI is applied to a reference voltage generating unit 230 and a first boosting circuit 260 differently from the STN CLD driver 100 using the four-line selection method of FIG. 1. The reference voltage generating unit 230 which receives the external voltage VCI generates the second segment voltage V1 by using a voltage control circuit 240 and an electric volume 250. The voltage levels between the second segment voltage V1 and the third segment voltage VSS are divided by resistances R and an adjustable resistance RV into the first segment voltage VM.
A random voltage VX is required to generate the second common voltage −VR. The level of the random voltage VX is determined by the adjustable resistance RV. The second common voltage −VR is generated by boosting the random voltage VX to three through five times its original value.
The first common voltage +VR is generated by boosting the second common voltage −VR to twice the second common voltage −VR.
Both the STN LCD drivers 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2 require a boosting circuit and a dropping circuit to generate a common voltage at a high level. The boosting circuit and the dropping circuit require an external capacitor to boost and drop voltages.
A bias capacitor is required to avoid the effect of loads of the STN LCD panel to the segment voltages and common voltages. An external capacitor is presented as C in FIG. 2, and a bias capacitor is presented as C1 in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 1, the first boosting circuit 150 requires at least two external capacitors to boost the supply voltage VDD to twice the supply voltage VDD and at least three external capacitors to boost the supply voltage VDD to three times the supply voltage VDD. The second boosting circuit 110 requires at least two external capacitors to boost and drop voltages to twice the voltages. The second dropping circuit 120 requires at least two external capacitors to boost and drop voltages to twice the voltages. At least four bias capacitors are required to stabilize the first through fourth segment voltages VC, V1, V2, and MV1. Thus, the STN LCD driver 100 requires at least 11 total capacitors.
Referring to FIG. 2, the first boosting circuit 260 requires at least two external capacitors to boost the external voltage VCI to twice the external voltage VCI, and the second boosting circuit 210 requires at least two external capacitors to boost voltages to twice the voltages. The second dropping circuit 220 requires at least three through five external capacitors to boost the random voltage VX to three through five times the random voltage VX. At least three bias capacitors are required to stabilize the first segment voltage VM, the second segment voltage V1, and the random voltage VX. Thus, the STN LCD driver 200 requires 10–12 capacitors.
When a number of external capacitors are included in an STN LCD driver, module manufacturers have to bear increases in the production cost and the number of defective modules, and the volume of the module increases as well. In addition, since the boosting circuit and the dropping circuit have to operate continuously, power consumption increases accordingly.

Super twist nematic liquid crystal display driver for reducing power consumption


A splint for flexing or straightening a joint of a hand or foot. The splint includes a support plate including a planar portion to be mounted on the hand or foot in a stationary position relative to one of the distal bone and proximal bone of the joint. A rod is mounted above the support plate and serves as a pivot axis for one or more elongated bent bars. A finely threaded, adjustable screw is mounted at one end of each bar and has a tip which bears against the support plate. A support pad is adjustably mounted at the other end of each bar and engages the hand or foot along the other of the proximal bone and distal bone of the joint. The pivotal angle of the bar relative to the support plate is vernierly adjusted by turning the adjustment screw. As a result of adjustment of this pivotal angle, the joint can be gradually flexed or straightened. The splint is particularly well-suited for flexing a metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint of hand.

The present invention relates generally to splints, and more particularly relates to a device for flexing or straightening one or more joints of a hand or foot.
When the flexion of the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints of a hand is limited as a result of injury or illness, it is known to use a spring-type flexion splint, such as the knuckle splint described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,002, in order to induce flexion of the joints. However, known devices of this type do not provide for individual control of the pressure exerted on each individual joint. Furthermore, the tension or force exerted by such devices on a joint cannot be readily adjusted in very small increments.

Device for flexing or straightening a joint


The present invention relates to an analog optical transmission system having a construction for expanding an analog transmittable distance. The analog optical transmission system includes: a light transmitter outputting analog optical signals such as image signals modulated in accordance with electrical signals multiplexed on a frequency domain; a transmission line including a SMF of 20 km or less in the total length; and a light receiver. A dispersion compensating fiber compensating for the chromatic dispersion of the transmission line is arranged on the transmission line, and the dispersion compensating fiber satisfies one of the first condition that the chromatic dispersion is set at −250 ps/nm/km or less and a length is set at 1.1 km or less, and the condition that the chromatic dispersion is set at −330 ps/nm/km or less and a length is set at 1.2 km or less. Optical suppressing devices reducing the MPI noise are arranged at the end portion of the dispersion compensating fiber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an analog optical transmission system adapted to broadband communication, more specifically, FTTH (Fiber To The Home) service, that enables multiplication of digital data signals used in data communication service such as internet and analog signals used for broadcasting service.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, users for the broadband communication that multiplexes the data communication service such as internet and electric mail, video broadcasting service, and so on continue to increase rapidly.
In particular, the number of users of the FTTH (Fiber To The Home) service increases remarkably, the FTTH service drawing from an end station that is the last repeating station of an existing communication network to a subscriber's home via optical fibers in a variety of broadband communication systems. The FTTH service is not only an excellent system from a point of view of communication speed, communication quality, and so on, but also excellent for a service extension such as wavelength multiplexing; thus, it is expected as a main communication system to be in charge of enlarged growth of the broadband communication. That is, the current FTTH service is only used for transmission/reception of digital data signals, while the optical fiber has the great feature that enables simultaneous transmission of wavelength multiplexing. Accordingly, it is expected to further develop to wavelength multiplying services founded on an optical fiber network currently under maintenance. In this way, it is pointed out that various services such as distributions of not only the digital signals used in the internet and the like, but also the image signals based on an analog transmission system may be achieved without great plant and equipment investments.
So far, when an analog transmission such as the CATV system is employed, there are many cases that light from a DFB laser is modulated externally, in order to enhance the transmission length, to achieve an excellent linearity and avoid the distortion by chirps by DFB laser. However, an use of such an external modulator may cause an increase of the number of components and/or an increase at manufacturing cost. On the other hand, when the DFB laser is directly modulated, a system can be achieved with low cost, but easily causes a distortion due to an FM response in the laser, and further is subject to effects of the chromatic dispersion to be occurred in the transmission line; consequently, a transmittable distance is restricted (currently, at most several kilometers).
In the aforementioned analog optical transmission system, it is necessary to reduce the effect of the chromatic dispersion by means of a dispersion compensating device arranged at a predetermined position of the transmission line. For example, patent references 1–3 disclose constitutions enabling dispersion compensation on analog transmission. Additionally, the patent reference 2 discloses an technique utilizing a dispersion compensating fiber as a dispersion compensating device to multiple branched transmission lines, which is not suitable for analog transmission.
For example, the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. JP-A-2003-152646 (patent reference 1), JP-A-07-135493(patent reference 2), JP-A-2001-144354 (patent reference 3), JP-A-04-260007 (patent reference 4) disclose various dispersion-compensating technique in conventional analog optical transmission system, respectively.


A flat panel display has a faceplate structure, a backplate structure, a focusing structure, and a plurality of spacers. The backplate structure includes an electron emitting structure which faces the faceplate structure. The focusing structure has a first surface coupled to the electron emitting structure, and a second surface which extends away from the electron emitting structure. The electrical end of the combination of the focusing structure and the electron emitting structure is located at an imaginary plane located intermediate the first and second surfaces of the focusing structure. A spacers is located between the focusing structure and the light emitting structure. The spacer is typically located within a corresponding groove in the focusing structure such that the electrical end of the spacer is coincident with the electrical end of the combination of the focusing structure and the electron emitting structure. In other embodiments, the electrical end of the spacer is located above the electrical end of the combination of the focusing structure and the electron emitting structure. In these embodiments, a face electrode on the spacer compensates for the resulting voltage distribution.

Flat cathode ray tube (CRT) displays include displays which exhibit a large aspect ratio (e.g., 10:1 or greater) with respect to conventional deflected-beam CRT displays, and which display an image in response to electrons striking a light emissive material. The aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the diagonal length of the display surface to the display thickness. The electrons which strike the light emissive material can be generated by various devices, such as by field emitter cathodes or thermionic cathodes. As used herein, flat CRT displays are referred to as flat panel displays.
Conventional flat panel displays typically include a faceplate structure and a backplate structure which are joined by connecting walls around the periphery of the faceplate and backplate structures. The resulting enclosure is usually held at a vacuum pressure, typically around 1.times.10.sup.-7 torr or less. To prevent collapse of the flat panel display under the vacuum pressure, a plurality of electrically resistive spacers are typically located between the faceplate and backplate structures at a centrally located active region of the flat panel display.
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional and schematic view of a portion of a conventional flat panel display 100. Flat panel display includes faceplate structure 120, backplate structure 130, spacer 140 and high voltage supply 150. Although only one spacer 140 is shown in FIG. 1, it is understood that flat panel display 100 includes similar additional spacers which are not shown.
Faceplate structure 120 includes an insulating faceplate 121 (typically glass) and a light emitting structure 122 formed on an interior surface of the faceplate 121. Light emitting structure 122 typically includes light emissive materials, such as phosphors, which define the active region of the display 100. Light emitting structure 122 also includes an anode (not shown) which is connected to the positive (high voltage) side of voltage supply 150.
Backplate structure 130 includes an insulating backplate 131 and an electron emitting structure 132 located on an interior surface of backplate 131. Electron emitting structure 132 includes a plurality of electron-emitting elements 161-165 which are selectively excited to release electrons. Electron emitting structure 132 is connected to the low voltage side of voltage supply 150. Because light emitting structure 122 is held at a relatively high positive voltage (e.g., 5 kV) with respect to electron emitting structure 132, the electrons released by the electron-emitting elements 161-165 are accelerated toward corresponding light emissive elements on the light emitting structure 122, thereby causing the light emissive elements to emit light which is seen by a viewer at the exterior surface of the faceplate 121 (the "viewing surface").
Spacer 140 is connected between the substantially planar lower surface of light emitting structure 122 and the substantially planar upper surface of electron emitting structure 132. If spacer 140 is made of a uniform material having a constant resistivity, the voltage distribution along spacer 140 is approximately equal to the voltage distribution in free space between electron emitting structure 132 and light emitting structure 122.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional and schematic diagram of another conventional flat panel display 200. Because flat panel display 200 is similar to flat panel display 100, similar reference elements in flat panel displays 100 and 200 are labeled with similar reference numbers. Flat panel display 200 additionally includes focusing structures 133a-133f. One edge of spacer 140 contacts focusing structure 133a, and the opposite edge of spacer 140 contacts light emitting structure 122.
Focusing structures 133a-133f are electrically connected to the low voltage side of voltage supply 150. As a result, focusing structures 133a-133f assert repulsive forces on the electrons emitted from electron emitting elements 161-165. These repulsive forces tend to direct or focus stray electrons toward the appropriate light emitting elements on light emitting structure 122.
However, combining focusing structures 133a-133f with electron emitting structure 132 results in a substantially non-planar equal potential surface. That is, the upper surface of electron emitting structure 132 and the upper surfaces of focusing structures 133a-133f are at approximately the same potential, e.g., 0 Volts. This non-planar equal potential surface can cause the voltage distribution along spacer 140 to be different from the voltage distribution in free space between electron emitting structure 132 and light emitting structure 122. These unequal voltage distributions can result in undesired deflection of electrons emitted from electron emitting elements adjacent to spacer 140 (e.g., electron emitting elements 161 and 162).
It would therefore be desirable to have a method and structure for locating a spacer between a light emitting structure and a focusing structure which maintains a voltage distribution along the spacer which is equal to the voltage distribution in free space between the electron emitting structure and the light emitting structure.

Spacer locator design for three-dimensional focusing structures in a flat panel display


Expandable reamers comprise a housing and at least one blade supported by the housing. The at least one blade is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The at least one blade is in the retracted position when a travel sleeve is in a first sleeve position and a trigger sleeve is in an unobstructed position. The at least one blade is movable to the extended position when the travel sleeve is in a second sleeve position and the trigger sleeve is in the unobstructed position. The at least one blade is in the retracted position when the travel sleeve is in the second sleeve position and the trigger sleeve is in an obstructed position.

Expandable reamers are generally employed for enlarging boreholes in subterranean formations. In drilling oil, gas, and geothermal wells, casing is usually installed and cemented to prevent the walls of the borehole from caving in while providing requisite shoring for subsequent drilling to greater depths. Casing is also installed to isolate different formations, to prevent cross flow of formation fluids, and to enable control of formation fluids and pressure as the borehole is drilled. To increase the depth of a previously drilled borehole, new casing is laid within and extended below the original casing. The diameter of any subsequent sections of the well may be reduced because the drill bit and any further casing must pass through the original casing. Such reductions in the borehole diameter may limit the production flow rate of oil and gas through the borehole. Accordingly, a borehole may be enlarged in diameter when installing additional casing to enable better production flow rates of hydrocarbons through the borehole.
One approach used to enlarge a borehole involves employing an extended bottom-hole assembly with a pilot drill bit at the end and a reamer assembly some distance above the pilot drill bit. This arrangement permits the use of any standard rotary drill bit type (e.g., a rolling cone bit or a fixed-cutter bit), as the pilot bit and the extended nature of the assembly permit greater flexibility when passing through tight spots in the borehole as well as the ability to stabilize the pilot drill bit so that the pilot drill bit and the following reamer will traverse the path intended for the borehole. This aspect of an extended bottom-hole assembly is particularly significant in directional drilling. Expandable reamers are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,717 issued Mar. 8, 2011, to Radford et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,767 issued Oct. 4, 2011, to Radford et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2011/0073371 published Mar. 31, 2011, to Radford, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. The blades in such expandable reamers are initially refracted to permit the tool to be run through the borehole on a drill string, and, once the tool has passed beyond the end of the casing, the blades are extended so the bore diameter may be increased below the casing.

Expandable reamers and methods of using expandable reamers


An audio-based system may perform automatic noise reduction to enhance speech intelligibility in an audio signal. Described techniques include initially analyzing audio frames in the time domain to identify frames having relatively low power levels. Those frames are then further analyzed in the frequency domain to estimate noise. For example, the initially identified frames may be analyzed at each of multiple frequencies to detect the lowest exhibited power at each of those frequencies. The lowest power values are used as an estimation of noise across the frequency spectrum, and as the basis for calculating a spectral gain for filtering the audio signal in the frequency domain.

Audio devices are often used in noisy environments in which received signals from microphones can be degraded by background noise and interference. In particular, background noise and interference can degrade the fidelity and intelligibility of speech.
There are many speech enhancement techniques that attempt to attenuate the noise, increase signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), and improve speech perception. However, speech enhancement processing under adverse conditions is still challenging. In particular, when the SNR is low or noise is non-stationary (i.e., time-varying), the results are plagued by speech distortions and unnatural sounding or fluctuating residual background noises. Thus, many noise reduction techniques make speech sound less pleasant, although they have improved SNR.

Cross-domain filtering for audio noise reduction


A reflector for a reflection-type LCD device is provided, which reflects efficiently incident light to the viewer's side and that suppresses the change of color tone. The reflector comprises a roughened surface having a protrusion pattern. The protrusion pattern gives inclination angle to the surface according to a specific distribution where a first component with an inclination angle value of 0° is 15% or less in area and a second component with an inclination angle value from 2° to 10° is 50% or greater in area. The protrusion pattern gives a variation range of chromaticity coordinates (x, y) on a chromaticity diagram dependent on an angle of view. The variation range is limited in a circle on the chromaticity diagram. The circle has a radius of approximately 0.05 and a center at a point corresponding to white color.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reflection-type Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) device. More particularly, the invention relates to a reflector for a reflection-type LCD device that forms its light source by reflecting external incident light, and a LCD device using the reflector.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, reflection-type LCD devices are known well. Reflection-type LCD devices have an advantage that the power consumption is low and the body is thin and light, compared with transmission-type LCD devices. This is because external light can be used for their light source by reflecting it with a built-in reflector, which eliminates the backlight. Thus, reflection-type LCD devices are mainly used for portable electronic terminals such as portable telephones.
The reflection-type LCD device comprises various modes or types, such as the twisted-nematic (TN) mode, the single polarizer type, the super twisted-nematic (STN) mode, the guest-host mode, the polymer-distributed liquid crystal (PDLC) type, and the cholesteric phase type. The basic configuration of the reflection-type LCD device comprises a liquid crystal layer, switching elements for driving the liquid crystal in the layer, and a reflector plate provided inside or outside the LCD cell.
With the LCD devices of these modes or types, the active-matrix addressing method using Thin-Film Transistors (TFTs) or Metal/Insulator/Metal (MIM) diodes as the switching elements is employed along with the reflector. This is because it generates high resolution and high quality of image.
An example of the reflection-type LCD devices is as follows:
An organic dielectric film is formed on a plate and then, the film is patterned by photolithography and etching processes, forming isolated protrusions on the surface of the plate. The protrusions are formed by the remaining organic film. An interlayer dielectric film is formed on the plate to cover the protrusions, making protrusions on the surface of the interlayer dielectric film, in other words, making a bumpy surface of the interlayer dielectric film. Thus, a reflector plate having protrusions on its surface is obtained.
The Japanese Patent No. 2825713 issued on Sep. 11, 1998, discloses another example of the reflection-type LCD devices. In this example, an organic dielectric film is formed over a plate and then, the film is patterned by photolithography and etching processes, forming protrusions on the surface of the film. Thereafter, a patterned metal film serving as a reflector electrode is formed on the dielectric film to cover the protrusions. Thus, a substrate with the reflector electrode whose surface is smoothly roughened is formed.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a prior-art plate-shaped reflector 101, in which protrusions 102 are formed on the surface of the reflector 101. As shown in FIG. 1, all the protrusions 102 are circular in plan shape and arranged to be isolated front each other.
The prior-art reflector 101 has a purpose of reflecting incident light while diffusing the same at a certain extent and therefore, the reflected light has large dispersion. Thus, the incident light is reflected in such a way that the reflected light is diffused within a conical region approximately uniformly, as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the incident light and the reflected light by the prior-art reflector plate 101. As seen from FIG. 2, the incident light LIN (e.g., a fluorescent lamp or the sunlight) is irradiated to the plate 101 in the viewing direction of a viewer. The light LIN irradiated is reflected by the plate 101, forming reflected light beams LREF. The reflected beams LREF are approximately uniformly diffused by the reflector 101. Accordingly, the prior-art reflector 101 with the circular protrusions 102 has the following disadvantages.
First, when the prior-art reflector 101 is located in a situation (e.g., in a room) where direct light is dominant and indirect light is weak, part of the incident light LIN that propagates in a specific direction is not reflected efficiently toward the viewer. Here, the "direct light" is strong light emitted from a light source, such as a fluorescent lamp, and directly irradiated to the reflector 101 without reflection. The "indirect light" is light emitted from a light source, such as a fluorescent lamp, and indirectly irradiated to the reflector 101 after reflection at some positions (e.g., a wall). This means that the incident light LaIN is not utilized effectively. As a result, the intensity of the reflected right LREF toward the viewer decreases resulting in the viewer's feeling that images on the displaying screen is dark or is not sufficiently light.
Second, if the protrusions 102 of the reflector 101 have a specific geometric shape or arrangement pattern, there is a possibility that the color tone of images on the screen changes outstandingly according to the angle with respect to the LCD panel, the incident light LIN, and the position of the viewer. This is due to the optical interference caused by the difference between the optical path lengths of the beams of the reflected light LREF (i.e., which positions of the roughening pattern for the reflector 101 the incident light beam is reflected at). As a result, there is a possibility that the displaying performance of the LCD device of this type degrades.

Reflection-type LCD device using the same


In one example embodiment, an apparatus includes a power electronics switching circuit having a semiconductor switch and a device in communication with the power electronics switching circuit. The device includes a processor configured to estimate a current through the power electronics switching circuit based on a first voltage across the semiconductor switch, a control signal controlling the semiconductor switch and a first voltage-current characteristic of the semiconductor switch.

Conventional low cost current sensing methods deploy open loop current sensors in high power inverter and converter applications. An open loop current sensor is an integrated potted plastic-case assembly of Hall element, silicon-iron magnetic core, electronic circuit and connectors. Such open loop current sensors encounter significant temperature rise due to iron losses in their magnetic core. Therefore, open loop sensors pose constraints in handling the current flowing through the power electronics switches being monitored and/or sensed by them.
In addition, there is a direct proportionality between cost and level of performance of such current sensors. Moreover, assembly, packaging, reliability and thermal issue are also of concern. Volumetric space occupied by current sensors render many surrounding areas, in the power electronic assembly, unusable. Such unused spaces may negatively impact power density (kW/Kg) and/or energy density (kW/liter) of power electronics assemblies with added vulnerabilities in the design such as thermal failure modes in the current sensor that are difficult to detect and remedy in a fast and timely manner.

Sensorless current sensing methods for power electronic converters


A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of phase change memory cells connected to the same bitline and different respective word lines. A read operation is performed on one of the memory cells by selecting the bitline and a corresponding wordline. While the read operation is performed, leakage current produced by non-selected memory cells is detected by a leakage detecting circuit and compensated by a leakage current supply circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a semiconductor memory device. More particularly, the invention relates to a phase change memory device adapted to compensate for leakage current in a read operation.
A claim of priority is made to Korean Patent Application No. 2005-0012746 filed on Feb. 16, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
2. Description of Related Art
Phase change memory devices store data using phase change materials, such as chalcogenide, which are capable of stably transitioning between amorphous and crystalline phases. The amorphous and crystalline phases (or states) exhibit different resistance values, which are used to distinguish different logic states of memory cells in the memory devices. In particular, the amorphous phase exhibits a relatively high resistance, and the crystalline phase exhibits a relatively low resistance.
At least one type of phase change memory device—phase change random access memory (PRAM)—uses the amorphous state to represent a logical '1' and the crystalline state to represent a logical '0'. In a PRAM device, the crystalline state is referred to as a "set state", and the amorphous state is referred to as a "reset state". Accordingly, a memory cell in a PRAM stores a logical '0' by "setting" a phase change material in the memory cell to the crystalline state, and the memory cell stores a logical '1' by "resetting" the phase change material to the amorphous state. Various PRAM devices are disclosed, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,487,113 and 6,480,438.
The phase change material in a PRAM is converted to the amorphous state by heating the material to above a predetermined melting temperature and then quickly cooling the material. The phase change material is converted to the crystalline state by heating the material at another predetermined temperature below the melting temperature for a set period of time. Accordingly, data is written to memory cells in a PRAM by converting the phase change material in memory cells of the PRAM between the amorphous and crystalline states using heating and cooling as described.
The phase change material in a PRAM typically comprises a compound including germanium (Ge), antimony (Sb), and tellurium (Te), i.e., a "GST" compound. The GST compound is well suited for a PRAM because it can quickly transition between the amorphous and crystalline states by heating and cooling.
The memory cells in a PRAM are called "phase change memory cells". A phase change memory cell typically comprises a top electrode, a chalcogenide layer, a bottom electrode contact, a bottom electrode, and an access transistor. In the phase change memory cell, the chalcogenide layer is the phase change material. Accordingly, a read operation is performed on the phase change memory cell by measuring the resistance of the chalcogenide layer, and a write operation is performed on the phase change memory cell by heating and cooling the chalcogenide layer as described above.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a conventional phase change memory cell 100 in two different states. In particular, FIG. 1A shows phase change memory cell 100 with a phase change layer (e.g., a chalcogenide layer) in the crystalline state, and FIG. 1B shows phase change memory cell 100 with the phase change layer is in the amorphous state.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, phase change memory cell 100 comprises a top electrode 12 formed on a phase change layer 14, and a bottom electrode contact (BEC) 16 connecting top electrode 12 to a bottom electrode 18 through phase change layer 14.
In FIG. 1A, memory cell 100 is in the "set state", and therefore stores a logical '0', and in FIG. 1B, memory cell 100 is in the "reset state", and therefore stores a logical '1'.
Memory cell 100 further comprises an access transistor N20 to control the flow of current through phase change layer 14. When current flows through phase change layer 14, bottom electrode contact 16 acts as a heater to heat phase change layer 14 and change its state. Access transistor N20 typically comprises a negative metal-oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistor.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of memory cell 100 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, top electrode 12, phase change layer 14, BEC 16, and bottom electrode 18 are represented as a phase change resistance element "R".
Referring to FIG. 2, memory cell 100 is controlled by a word line WL and a bit line BL. Wordline WL controls whether access transistor N20 is turned on and bitline BL provides a voltage for a current "ICELL" flowing through access transistor N20. Current "ICELL" flows through memory cell 100 when wordline WL and bitline BL are both activated. Wordline WL and bitline BL are used for both programming and reading memory cell 100.
FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating a programming operation of memory cell 100. In particular, FIG. 3 shows how time and a temperature applied to phase change layer 14 are used to program memory cell 100.
Referring to FIG. 3, a first curve 35 shows a time/temperature combination used to place memory cell 100 in the "reset state", and a second curve 36 shows a time/temperature combination used to place memory cell 100 in the "set state".
As shown in curve 35, phase change layer 14 is heated above a melting point "Tm" and then quickly cooled to change it to the amorphous state. As shown in curve 36, phase change layer 14 is heated to an intermediate temperature between melting point "Tm" and a crystalline temperature "Tx" for a predetermined amount of time, and then cooled to change it to the crystalline state. In FIG. 3, melting point "Tm" is set to 610° C. and crystalline temperature "Tx" is set to 450° C. However, these temperatures can be varied within reasonable ranges and still perform their desired function.
FIG. 4 illustrates a relationship between the voltage across phase change layer 14 and the amount of current flowing through phase change layer 14. Typically, the voltage across phase change layer 14 is varied by changing the voltage on bitline BL.
Referring to FIG. 4, phase change layer 14 performs very differently in the set state and the reset state. In FIG. 4, a symbol □ labels a curve showing the amount of current passing through phase change layer 14 in the reset state, and a symbol □ labels a curve showing the amount of current flowing through phase change layer 14 in the set state. A symbol □ labels a curve showing the amount of current flowing through phase change layer 14 when it is being programmed.
As seen in FIG. 4, a program voltage above a predetermined threshold voltage Vth is applied to bitline BL to program memory cell 100, and a read voltage below threshold voltage Vth is applied to bitline BL to read memory cell 100.
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary voltage level "Vread" used to read memory cell 100. When the voltage across phase change layer 14 has voltage level Vread, the current passing through phase change layer 14 has a level "Iread". A typical value for Vread is 0.4 to 0.6 times Vth.
Unfortunately, whenever a read voltage is applied to memory cell 100, leakage current escapes through non-selected memory cells that share bitline BL. As a result, the resistance of phase change layer 14 may be incorrectly read. Leakage currents become increasingly problematic as the size and power consumption of phase change memory devices becomes smaller, because as they do, their margin of error also decreases.

Phase change memory device providing compensation for leakage current


A process for producing L-lysine by fermentation includes the steps of culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium having a resistance to iodothyronine in a nutrient medium to form and accumulate L-lysine in the resulting culture and recovering the L-lysine therefrom.

The present invention relates to a process for producing L-lysine by fermentation.
L-lysine is one of the essential amino acids, which is widely used for various purposes such as for the preparation of medicines, additives to feedstuffs and foodstuffs and the like.
Heretofore, as processes for producing L-lysine by fermentation using a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium, there have been known processes of using strains having a nutritional requirement for various amino acids such as homoserine (U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,395), strains having a resistance to S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine (U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,395), strains having a resistance to an aspartic acid analogue or a sulfur drug (U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,763), strains having a resistance to .beta.-naphthoquinoline (FR-A-2,601,035), strains having a resistance to a purine analogue or a pyrimidine analogue (U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,860) and strains having a resistance to an iturin-related substance (EP-A-0,327,945).
As a result of various studies for obtaining strains having an improved L-lysine productivity in view of recently increased demand for L-lysine, it has been found that a strain having a resistance to iodothyronine has a remarkably improved ability to produce L-lysine.

Process for producing L-lysine by iodothyronine resistant strains of Mucorynebacterium glutamicum


The object of this invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of providing a high-quality image optimum for medical diagnosis or the like by an arrangement for preventing any degradation in image quality due to the influence of electromagnetic noise and vibration caused by grid movement. In order to achieve this object, as operation control in receiving radiation transmitted through an object by an image sensing element through a movable grid and reading the accumulated signal from the image sensing element, a control device stops moving drive movement of the grid after the end of radiation irradiation for the object, and after the stop of moving drive stopping the movement, starts reading the accumulated signal from the image sensing element.

Conventionally, a radiation method of irradiating an object with radiation such as X-rays and detecting the intensity distribution of the radiation transmitted through the object to acquire the radiation image of the object is widely used in the field of industrial non-destructive inspection or medical diagnosis.
In the most popular radiation imaging method, a combination of a so-called "screen" which emits fluorescent light by radiation and a silver halide film is used.
In the above radiation imaging method, first, an object is irradiated with radiation. The radiation transmitted through the object is converted into visible light by the screen to form a latent image on the silver halide film. After that, the silver halide film is chemically processed to acquire a visible image.
A thus obtained film image (radiation image) is a so-called analog picture and is used for medical diagnosis or inspection.
A computed radiography apparatus (to be referred to as a "CR apparatus" hereinafter) which acquires a radiation image using an imaging plate (to be referred to as an "IP" hereinafter) coated with a stimulable phosphor as a phosphor is also being put into practice.
When an IP primarily excited by radiation irradiation is secondarily excited by visible light such as a red laser beam, light called stimulable fluorescent light is emitted. The CR apparatus detects this light emission using a photosensor such as a photomultiplier to acquire a radiation image and outputs a visible image to a photosensitive material or CRT on the basis of the radiation image data.
Although the CR apparatus is a digital imaging apparatus, it is regarded as an indirect digital imaging apparatus because the image formation process, reading by secondary excitation, is necessary.
The reason for "indirect" is that the apparatus cannot instantaneously display the radiation image, like the above-described apparatus (to be referred to as an "analog imaging apparatus" hereinafter) which acquires an analog radiation image such as an analog picture.
In recent years, a technique has been developed, which acquires a digital radiation image using a photoelectric conversion device in which pixels formed from small photoelectric conversion elements or switching elements are arrayed in a matrix as an image detection means for acquiring a radiation image from radiation through an object.
Examples of a radiation imaging apparatus employing the above technique, i.e., having phosphors stacked on a sensor such as a CCD or amorphous silicon two-dimensional image sensing element are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,418,377, 5,396,072, 5,381,014, 5,132,539, and 4,810,881.
Such a radiation imaging apparatus can instantaneously display acquired radiation image data and is therefore regarded as a direct digital imaging apparatus.
As advantages of the indirect or direct digital imaging apparatus over the analog imaging apparatus, a filmless system, an increase in acquired information by image processing, and database construction become possible.
An advantage of the direct digital imaging apparatus over the indirect digital imaging apparatus is instantaneity. The direct digital imaging apparatus can be effectively used on, e.g., a medical scene with urgent need because a radiation image obtained by imaging can be immediately displayed at that place.
When the radiation imaging apparatus described above is used as a medical apparatus to detect the radiation transmission distribution of a patient as an object to be examined, a scattering ray removing member called a "grid" is normally inserted between the patient and a radiation transmission distribution detector (to be also simply referred to as a "detector" hereinafter) to reduce the influence of scattering rays generated when radiation is transmitted through the person to be examined.
A grid is formed by alternately arranging a thin foil of a material such as lead which hardly passes radiation and that of a material such as aluminum which readily passes radiation perpendicularly to the irradiation direction of radiation.
With this structure, radiation components such as scattering rays in the patient, which are generated when the patient is irradiated with radiation and have angles with respect to the axis of irradiation, are absorbed by the lead foil in the grid before they reach the detector. For this reason, a high-contrast image can be obtained.
If the grid stands still during imaging, the radiation reaching the lead in the grid is wholly absorbed including both the scattering rays and the primary rays of radiation. Since a distribution difference distribution corresponding to the array in the grid is formed at the detection section, a striped radiation image is detected, resulting in inconvenience in reading at the time of image diagnosis or the like.
A radiation imaging apparatus having a mechanism for moving the grid during imaging has already been placed on the market.
However, in the above-described conventional radiation imaging apparatus having a grid, a light receiving scheme using a sensor such as a CCD or amorphous silicon two-dimensional image sensing element is not used, and a signal read by a two-dimensional solid-state image sensing element is real-time electrical processing. For this reason, unlike an analog imaging apparatus or an indirect digital imaging apparatus such as a CR apparatus, the influence of vibration of the imaging section or the electromagnetic influence of the driving motor due to grid movement poses a problem.
More specifically, the vibration of the imaging section due to grid movement also vibrates the capacitor and signal lines. The weak electric capacitance varies, and noise is superposed on the radiation image.
Additionally, in the signal read by the sensor, when the motor is driven near the sensor to move the grid, the signal potential or control power supply potential varies due to the influence of electromagnetic noise, and noise is superposed on the radiation image.
The radiation image with noise superposed thereon may deteriorate, e.g., the medical diagnostic performance.
On the other hand, in the sensor such as a two-dimensional solid-state image sensing element, the amount of charges accumulated in the sensor increases in proportion to the signal accumulation time due to the influence of a dark current even in an unexposed state. The larger the amount of charges that do not contribute to an image signal becomes, the larger the noise added to the output image signal becomes.
Hence, imaging control is preferably optimized to make the accumulation time in the sensor as short as possible while eliminating the influence of grid vibration. Neither an apparatus nor system that implement such control are conventionally available.
In the conventional X-ray imaging apparatus, an X-ray beam is projected from an X-ray source through an object such as a medical patient to be analyzed. After the X-ray beam passes through the object to be examined, normally, an image intensifier converts the X-ray radiation into a visible light image, a video camera generates an analog video signal from the visible image, and the video signal is displayed on a monitor. Since an analog video signal is generated, image processing for automatic luminance adjustment and image enhancement is performed in an analog domain.
A solid-state X-ray detector having high resolving power has already been proposed, which is constructed by a two-dimensional array using 3,000 to 4,000 detection elements represented by photodiodes for each dimension. Each element generates an electrical signal corresponding to a pixel luminance of an X-ray image projected to the detector. The signals from the respective elements are individually read and digitized. Then, the signals are subjected to image processing, stored, and displayed.
A medical X-ray image need needs to have 4,096 or more grayscale levels. In addition, since the X-ray dose is preferably suppressed to reduce the exposure amount, the image signal amount is also limited. For this reason, an extremely noise-free system is required as compared to a general image sensing element.
In medical X-ray imaging, a grid is used to suppress the influence of X-ray scattering. A fixed grid is generally unsuitable to with a solid-state X-ray image sensing element and poses a problem of aliasing, a system may be built using a movable grid.
As described above, a medical X-ray image sensing apparatus is required to be noise-free. A vibration caused by the movable grid can be a new noise source. The noise is generated by, e.g., the piezoelectric effect of a high-permittivity capacitor used in a circuit for generating a reference potential or simply because the parasitic capacitance in the read circuit varies due to the vibration.
To obtain the highest image quality, grid drive control, X-ray detector movement control, and X-ray detector driving method must be appropriately executed.

Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and storage medium


Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized, in whole or in part, to facilitate or support one or more operations or techniques for a modified present signal mode for use in or with a mobile communication device.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to position or location estimates of mobile communication devices and, more particularly, to a modified present signal mode for use in or with mobile communication devices.
2. Information
Mobile communication devices, such as, for example, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, electronic book readers, portable navigation units, laptop computers, or the like are becoming more common every day. As geographic barriers to personal travel decrease, mobile communication devices play a significant role in allowing society to maintain its mobility. Continued advancements in information technology, communications, mobile applications, etc. help to contribute to a rapidly growing market for mobile communication devices, which have become ubiquitous and may already be viewed as "extensions of the hand" altering the manner in which society communicates, does business, or creates value.
Certain mobile communication devices, such as location-aware cellular telephones, smart telephones, or the like may, for example, assist in estimating their geographic locations by communicating with one or more wireless transmitters or receivers over a suitable communications network. For example, mobile communication devices may assist in estimating their relative locations based, at least in part, on wireless signals received or acquired from one or more base stations, access points, location beacons, femtocells, or the like via a cellular telephone or like wireless network using known techniques. In some instances, however, such as in an emergency situation or like event (e.g., a natural disaster, etc.), for example, a functioning or active cellular or like wireless communications network may not be available.

Modified present signal mode for mobile device


Detergent and conditioning compositions having a washing base and a conditioning system with an oil nanoemulsion.

The present invention relates to new cosmetic compositions with improved properties intended simultaneously for cleaning and for conditioning keratinous substances, such as hair, and comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable aqueous vehicle, a washing base composed of surface-active agents with a detergent power in which is also present, as conditioning agent, a nanoemulsion defined below. The invention also relates to the use of the said compositions in the abovementioned cosmetic application.
Detergent compositions (such as shampoos) based essentially on conventional surface-active agents of, in particular, anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric type, but more particularly of anionic type, are commonly used for cleaning and/or washing keratinous substances, such as hair. These compositions are applied to wet hair and the foam generated by massaging or rubbing with the hands makes it possible, after rinsing with water, to remove the various types of dirt initially present on the hair.
These base compositions certainly have a good washing power but the intrinsic cosmetic properties which are attached to them remain fairly weak, however, in particular because of the fact that the relatively aggressive nature of such a cleaning treatment can, in the long term, result in more or less marked damage to the hair fibre, in particular with the gradual removal of the lipids or proteins held in or at the surface of the hair fibre.
Consequently, in order to improve the cosmetic properties of the above detergent compositions, and more particularly of those which are called upon to be applied to sensitized hair (i.e. hair which is found to be damaged or embrittled, in particular under the chemical action of atmospheric agents and/or of hair treatments, such as permanent waves, dyings or bleachings), it is now usual to introduce into the latter additional cosmetic agents, known as conditioning agents, intended mainly to repair or limit the harmful or undesirable effects induced by the various treatments or attacks to which the hair fibres are more or less repeatedly subjected. These conditioning agents can, of course, also improve the cosmetic behaviour of natural hair.
It has already been proposed to use vegetable or animal oils for this purpose. On account of the insoluble nature of the oils which can be used in washing and conditioning compositions, the aim is to maintain the oils as an even dispersion in the medium without, however, causing a fall in the viscosity and a decline in the detergent and foaming properties of the compositions. The oils must also be carried to the keratinous substances treated with a view to conferring on them, depending on the application, properties of softness, of gloss and of disentangling, without conferring a greasy nature.
Thus, following considerable research carried out on the question, it has now been found by the Applicant Company that, while using (A) a washing base and (B) a conditioning system comprising at least one oil-in-water emulsion having oil globules with a mean size of less than 150 nm and comprising an amphiphilic lipid phase which comprises at least one non-ionic amphiphilic lipid which is liquid at an ambient temperature of less than 45xc2x0 C., it is possible to obtain stable detergent compositions exhibiting excellent cosmetic properties, in particular the ease of styling, the form retention, the liveliness and the body of the treated hair, while retaining their good intrinsic washing power and in particular their foaming power.
These new compositions make it possible to deposit a larger amount of oil on hair than with a conventional emulsion but without a greasy feel or visual appearance.
The compositions in accordance with the invention confer on hair, after rinsing, a notable treating effect which is displayed in particular by an ease of disentangling and a contribution of body, lightness, sleekness, softness and suppleness, without any feeling of greasiness.
Thus, the subject of the present invention is new detergent and conditioning compositions, characterized in that they comprise, in a cosmetically acceptable aqueous medium, (A) a washing base and (B) a conditioning system comprising at least one oil-in-water emulsion having oil globules with a mean size of less than 150 nm and comprising an amphiphilic lipid phase, this amphiphilic lipid phase comprising at least one non-ionic amphiphilic lipid which is liquid at an ambient temperature of less than 45xc2x0 C.
Another subject of the invention is the use in cosmetics of the above compositions for cleaning and/or removing make-up from and/or conditioning keratinous substances, such as hair and skin.
As indicated above, the essential components forming part of the composition of the products according to the invention are (A) a washing base and (B) a conditioning system comprising at least one oil-in-water emulsion having oil globules with a mean size of less than 150 nm and comprising an amphiphilic lipid phase, characterized in that the amphiphilic lipid phase comprises at least one non-ionic amphiphilic lipid which is liquid at an ambient temperature of less than 45xc2x0 C.
Axe2x80x94WASHING BASE:
The compositions in accordance with the invention necessarily comprise a washing base, generally an aqueous washing base.
The surfactant or surfactants forming the washing base can be chosen without distinction, alone or as mixtures, from anionic, amphoteric, non-ionic and cationic surfactants.
However, according to the invention, the washing base preferably comprises anionic surfactants or mixtures of anionic surfactants and of amphoteric surfactants and, more preferentially still, contains only this type of surfactant or mixture of surfactants.
The minimum amount of washing base is that just sufficient to confer a satisfactory foaming and/or detergent power on the final composition, whereas excessively large amounts of washing base do not really contribute additional advantages.
Thus, according to the invention, the washing base can represent from 4% to 50% by weight, preferably from 10% to 35% by weight and more preferentially still from 12% to 25% by weight of the total weight of the final composition.
The surfactants which are suitable for implementing the present invention are in particular the following:
(i) Anionic surfactant(s):
Their nature does not assume a really critical character within the context of the present invention.
Thus, by way of example of anionic surfactants that can be used, alone or as mixtures, in the context of the present invention, there may be mentioned in particular (nonlimiting list) the salts (in particular alkali metal, especially sodium, salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, aminoalcohol salts or magnesium salts) of the following compounds: alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphates, alkylamido ether sulphates, alkylarylpolyether sulphates, monoglyceride sulphates; alkylsulphonates, alkyl phosphates, alkylamidesulphonates, alkylarylsulphonates, xcex1-olefinsulphonates, paraffinsulphonates; alkyl sulphosuccinates, alkyl ether sulphosuccinates, alkylamidesulphosuccinates; alkyl sulphosuccinamates; alkyl sulphoacetates; alkyl ether phosphates; acylsarcosinates; acylisethionates and N-acyltaurates, the alkyl or acyl radical of all these different compounds preferably containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and the aryl radical preferably denoting a phenyl or benzyl group. Among the anionic surfactants which are further usable, there may also be mentioned the salts of fatty acids such as the salts of oleic, ricinoleic, palmitic and stearic acids, the acids of copra oil or of hydrogenated copra oil, and acyllactylates in which the acyl radical contains 8 to 20 carbon atoms. It is also possible to use weakly anionic surfactants, like alkyl-D-galactosideuronic acids and salts thereof, as well as the polyoxyalkylenated (C6-C24)alkyl ether carboxylic acids, the polyoxyalkylenated (C6-C24)alkylaryl ether carboxylic acids, the polyoxyalkylenated (C6-C24)alkylamido ether carboxylic acids and salts thereof, in particular those containing from 2 to 50 ethylene oxide groups, and mixtures thereof.
Among the anionic surfactants, it is preferable to use, according to the invention, alkyl sulphate and alkyl ether sulphate salts and mixtures thereof.
(ii) Non-ionic surfactant(s):
The non-ionic surface-active agents themselves are also compounds which are well known per se (in this respect see in particular the xe2x80x9cHandbook of Surfactantsxe2x80x9d by M. R. Porter, published by Blackie and Son (Glasgow and London), 1991, pp. 116-178) and, in the context of the present invention, their nature does not assume any critical character. They can thus be chosen especially from (nonlimiting list) polyethoxylated, polypropoxylated or polyglycerolated fatty alcohols, alpha-diols, alkylphenols or acids, which have a fatty chain containing, for example, 8 to 18 carbon atoms, it being possible for the number of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide groups to range especially from 2 to 50 and it being possible for the number of glycerol groups to range especially from 2 to 30. Mention may also be made of the copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxide, the condensates of ethylene and propylene oxide with fatty alcohols; the polyethoxylated fatty amides preferably having from 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide, the polyglycerolated fatty amides on average containing 1 to 5 glycerol groups and in particular 1.5 to 4; the polyethoxylated fatty amines preferably having 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide; the oxyethylenated esters of sorbitan fatty acids having from 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide; the sucrose esters of fatty acids, the polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids, alkylpolyglycosides, the N-alkylglucamine derivatives, amine oxides such as the oxides of (C10-C14)alkylamines or the N-acylaminopropylmorpholine oxides. It will be noted that alkylpolyglycosides constitute non-ionic surfactants which enter particularly well into the scope of the present invention.
(iii) Amphoteric surfactant(s):
The amphoteric surface-active agents, the nature of which does not assume any critical character in the context of the present invention, may be especially (nonlimiting list) derivatives of aliphatic secondary or tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical is a linear or branched chain containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms and containing at least one water-solubilizing anionic group (for example carboxylate, sulphonate, sulphate, phosphate or phosphonate); (C8-C20)alkylbetaines, sulphobetaines, (C8-C20)alkylamido(C1-C6)alkylbetaines or (C8-C20)alkylamido(C1-C6)alkylsulphobetaines may further be mentioned.
Among the amine derivatives, there may be mentioned products sold under the name Miranol, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,528,378 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,781,354 and with structures:
R2xe2x80x94CONHCH2CH2xe2x80x94N(R3)(R4)(CH2COOxe2x80x94)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
in which: R2 denotes an alkyl radical derived from an acid R2xe2x80x94COOH present in hydrolysed copra oil, a heptyl, nonyl or undecyl radical, R3 denotes a beta-hydroxyethyl group and R4 a carboxymethyl group;
and
R2xe2x80x94CONHCH2CH2xe2x80x94N(B) (C)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(3)
in which:
B represents xe2x80x94CH2CH2OX"", C represents xe2x80x94(CH2) zxe2x80x94Y"", with z =1 or 2,
X"" denotes the xe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94COOH group or a hydrogen atom
Y"" denotes xe2x80x94COOH or the radical xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CHOHxe2x80x94SO3H
R2, denotes an alkyl radical of an acid R9xe2x80x94COOH present in copra oil or in hydrolysed linseed oil, an alkyl radical, in particular C7, C9, C11 or C13, a C17 alkyl radical and its iso form or an unsaturated radical C17.
These compounds are classified in the CTFA dictionary, 5th Edition, 1993, under the names Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Disodium Caprylamphodiacetate, Disodium Capryloamphodiacetate, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Disodium Lauroamphodipropionate, Disodium Caprylamphodipropionate, Disodium Capryloamphodipropionate, Lauroamphodipropionic acid and Cocoamphodipropionic acid. By way of example, there may be mentioned the cocoamphodiacetate sold under the trade name Miranol C2M concentrated by the company Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc.
In the compositions in accordance with the invention, use is preferably made of mixtures of surface-active agents and in particular mixtures of anionic surface-active agents and of amphoteric or non-ionic surface-active agents. A particularly preferred mixture is a mixture composed of at least one anionic surface-active agent and of at least one amphoteric surface-active agent.
Use is preferably made of an anionic surface-active agent chosen from sodium, triethanolamine or ammonium (C12-C14)alkyl sulphates, sodium (C12-C14)alkyl ether sulphates oxyethylenated with 2.2 mol of ethylene oxide, sodium cocoylisethionate and sodium alpha-(C14-C16) olefinsulphonate and mixtures thereof with:
either an amphoteric surface-active agent, such as the amine derivatives named disodium cocoamphodipropionate or sodium cocoamphopropionate sold in particular by the company Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc under the trade name xe2x80x9cMiranol C2M Concxe2x80x9d as an aqueous solution containing 38% of active material or under the name Miranol C32;
or an amphoteric surface-active agent of zwitterionic type, such as alkylbetaines, in particular the cocoylbetaine sold under the name xe2x80x9cDehyton AB 30xe2x80x9d, as an aqueous solution containing 32% of AM by the company Henkel.
(iv) Cationic surfactants:
Among the cationic surfactants, there may be mentioned in particular (nonlimiting list): the salts of optionally polyoxyalkylenated primary, secondary or tertiary fatty amines; quaternary ammonium salts, such as tetraalkyammonium, alkylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium, trialkylbenzylammonium, trialkylhydroxyalkylammonium or alkylpyridinium chlorides or bromides; imidazoline derivatives; or amine oxides of cationic nature. It will be noted that the cationic surfactants, the use of which is not ruled out, do not constitute preferred surfactants for making use of the present invention.
Bxe2x80x94CONDITIONING SYSTEM
The compositions according to the invention necessarily comprise, as conditioning system, an oil-in-water emulsion having oil globules with a mean size of less than 150 nm and comprising an amphiphilic lipid phase, characterized in that the amphiphilic lipid phase comprises at least one non-ionic amphiphilic lipid which is liquid at an ambient temperature of less than 45xc2x0 C.
The non-ionic amphiphilic lipids of the invention are preferentially chosen from silicone surfactants and esters of at least one polyol chosen from the group formed by polyethylene glycol containing from 1 to 60 ethylene oxide units, sorbitan, glycerol containing from 2 to 30 ethylene oxide units or polyglycerols containing from 2 to 15 glycerol units and of at least one fatty acid containing at least one saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C8-C22 alkyl chain. It is also possible to use mixtures of the above compounds.
The silicone surfactants which can be used according to the present invention are silicone compounds containing at least one oxyethylenated xe2x80x94OCH2CH2xe2x80x94 and/or oxypropylenated xe2x80x94OCH2CH2CH2xe2x80x94 chain. Mention may be made, as silicone surfactants which can be used according to the present invention, of those described in the documents U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,633 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,744.
The silicone surfactant used according to the present invention is preferably a compound of formula (I):
in which: R1, R2 and R3, independently of one another, represent a C1-C6 alkyl radical or a xe2x80x94(CH2)xxe2x80x94(OCH2CH2)yxe2x80x94(OCH2CH2CH2)zxe2x80x94OR4 radical, at least one R1, R2 or R3 radical not being
an alkyl radical, R4 being a hydrogen, an alkyl radical or an acyl radical;
A is an integer ranging from 0 to 200;
B is an integer ranging from 0 to 50; provided that A and B are not simultaneously equal to zero;
x is an integer ranging from 1 to 6;
y is an integer ranging from 1 to 30;
z is an integer ranging from 0 to 5.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the compound of formula (I), the alkyl radical is a methyl radical, x is an integer ranging from 2 to 6 and y is an integer ranging from 4 to 30.
Mention may be made, as example of silicone surfactants of formula (I), of the compounds of formula (II):
in which A is an integer ranging from 20 to 105, B is an integer ranging from 2 to 10 and y is an integer ranging from 10 to 20.
Mention may also be made, as example of silicone surfactants of formula (I), of the compounds of formula (III):
HOxe2x80x94(OCH2CH2)yxe2x80x94(CH2)3xe2x80x94[(CH3)2SiO]Axe2x80x2xe2x80x94(CH2)3xe2x80x94(OCH2CH2)Yxe2x80x94OH xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
in which Axe2x80x2 and y are integers ranging from 10 to 20.
It is possible to use, as compounds of the invention, those sold by the company Dow Corning under the names DC 5329, DC 7439-146, DC 2-5695 and Q4-3667. The compounds DC 5329, DC 7439-146 and DC 2-5695 are compounds of formula (II) where, respectively, A is 22, B is 2 and y is 12; A is 103, B is 10 and y is 12; and A is 27, B is 3 and y is 12.
The compound Q4-3667 is a compound of formula (III) where A is 15 and y is 13.
Mention may more particularly be made, among non-ionic amphiphilic lipids, by way of example, of:
polyethylene glycol isostearate, the glycol having a molecular weight of 400,
diglyceryl isostearate,
polyglycerol laurate containing 10 glycerol units,
sorbitan oleate,
sorbitan isostearate,
xcex1-butylglucoside cocoate or xcex1-butylglucoside caprate.
The ratio by weight of the amount of oil contained in the emulsion in accordance with the invention to the amount of the amphiphilic lipid phase preferably varies from 2 to 10 and more preferentially from 3 to 6.
A specific form of emulsion in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the amphiphilic lipid phase additionally comprises one or more ionic amphiphilic lipids.
The ionic amphiphilic lipids used in the nanoemulsions of the invention are preferably chosen from the group formed by anionic lipids, amphoteric lipids and cationic lipids and mixtures thereof.
The anionic amphiphilic lipids are more particularly chosen from the group formed by:
alkaline salts of dicetyl and dimyristyl phosphate;
alkaline salts of cholesterol sulphate;
alkaline salts of cholesterol phosphate;
lipoamino acids, such as mono- and disodium acylglutamates;
sodium salts of phosphatidic acid;
phospholipids;
alkylsulphonic derivatives, such as those of formula:
in which R represents C16-C22 alkyl radicals, in particular C16H33 and C18H37 radicals, taken as a mixture or separately, and M is an alkali metal, such as sodium.
The cationic amphiphilic lipids used in the nanoemulsions of the invention are preferably chosen from the group formed by quaternary ammonium salts, fatty amines and salts thereof.
The quaternary ammonium salts are, for example:
those which exhibit the following general formula (VIII):
in which the R1 to R4 radicals, which can be identical or different, represent a linear or branched aliphatic radical containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or an aromatic radical, such as aryl or alkylaryl. The aliphatic radicals can contain heteroatoms, such as, in particular, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur or halogens. The aliphatic radicals are, for example, chosen from alkyl, alkoxy, polyoxy(C2-C6)alkylene, alkylamide, (C12-C22) alkylamido(C2-C6)alkyl, (Cl2-C22)alkyl acetate or hydroxyalkyl radicals containing approximately from 1 to 30 carbon atoms; X is an anion chosen from the group of the halides, phosphates, acetates, lactates, (C2-C6)alkyl sulphates, or alkyl- or alkylarylsulphonates,
imidazolinium quaternary ammonium salts, such as, for example, that of following formula (IX):
in which R5 represents an alkenyl or alkyl radical containing from 8 to 30 carbon atoms, for example derivatives of tallow fatty acids, R6 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl radical or an alkenyl or alkyl radical containing from 8 to 30 carbon atoms, R7 represents a C1-C4 alkyl radical, R8 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl radical and X is an anion chosen from the group of the halides, phosphates, acetates, lactates, alkyl sulphates, or alkyl- or alkylarylsulphonates. R5 and R6 preferably denote a mixture of alkenyl or alkyl radicals containing from 12 to 21 carbon atoms, for example derivatives of tallow fatty acids, R7 preferably denotes methyl and R8 preferably denotes hydrogen. Such a product is, for example, sold under the name xe2x80x9cRewoquat W 75xe2x80x9d by the company Rewo,
quaternary diammonium salts of formula (X):
in which R9 denotes an aliphatic radical containing approximately from 16 to 30 carbon atoms, R10, R11, R12, R13 and R14, which are identical or different, are chosen from hydrogen or an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X is an anion chosen from the group of the halides, acetates, phosphates, nitrates and methyl sulphates. Such quaternary diammonium salts comprise in particular propanetallowdiammonium dichloride,
quaternary ammonium salts containing at least one ester functional group.
The quaternary ammonium salts containing at least one ester functional group which can be used according to the invention are, for example, those of following formula (XI):
in which:
R15 is chosen from C1-C6 alkyl radicals and C1-C6hydroxyalkyl or dihydroxyalkyl radicals;
R16 is chosen from:
the
radical,
saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C1C22 hydrocarbon radicals R20,
the hydrogen atom,
R18 is chosen from:
the
radical,
saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C1-C6 hydrocarbon radicals R22,
the hydrogen atom,
R17, R19 and R21, which are identical or different, are chosen from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C7-C21 hydrocarbon radicals;
n, p and r, which are identical or different, are integers having values from 2 to 6;
y is an integer having a value from 1 to 10;
x and z, which are identical or different, are integers having values from 0 to 10;
X is an organic or inorganic, simple or complex anion;
with the proviso that the sum x+y+z has a value from 1 to 15, that when x has a value of 0, then R16 denotes R20, and that when z has a value of 0, then R18 denotes R22.
The R15 alkyl radicals can be linear or branched and more particularly linear.
R15 preferably denotes a methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl or dihydroxypropyl radical and more particularly a methyl or ethyl radical.
The sum x+y+z advantageously has a value from 1 to 10.
When R16 is an R20 hydrocarbon radical, it can be long and have from 12 to 22 carbon atoms or short and have from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
When R17 is an R22 hydrocarbon radical, it preferably has 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
R17, RL19 and R21, which are identical or different, are advantageously chosen from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C11-C21 hydrocarbon radicals and more particularly from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C11-C21 alkyl and alkenyl radicals.
Preferably, x and z, which are identical or different, have the value 0 or 1. Advantageously, y is equal to 1. Preferably, n, p and r, which are identical or different, have a value of 2 or 3 and, more particularly still, are equal to 2.
The anion is preferably a halide (chloride, bromide or iodide) or an alkyl sulphate, more particularly methyl sulphate. However, it is possible to use methanesulphonate, phosphate, nitrate, tosylate, an anion derived from organic acid, such as acetate or lactate, or any other anion compatible with ammonium containing an ester functional group.
The X anion is more particularly still chloride or methyl sulphate.
Use is more particularly made of the ammonium salts of formula (XI) in which:
R15 denotes a methyl or ethyl radical,
x and y are equal to 1;
z is equal to 0 or 1;
n, p and r are equal to 2;
R16 is chosen from:
the
radical methyl, ethyl or C14-C22 hydrocarbon radicals
the hydrogen atom;
R18 is chosen from:
the
radical
the hydrogen atom;
R17, R19 and R21, which are identical or different, are chosen from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C13-C17 hydrocarbon radicals and preferably from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C13-C17 alkyl and alkenyl radicals. The hydrocarbon radicals are advantageously linear.
Mention may be made, for example, of the compounds of formula (XI), such as diacyloxyethyldimethylammonium, diacyloxyethyl(hydroxyethyl)methylammonium, monoacyloxyethyl(dihydroxyethyl)methylammonium, triacyloxyethyl (methyl)ammonium or monoacyloxyethyl(hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium salts (chloride or methyl sulphate, in particular) and mixtures thereof. The acyl radicals preferably have 14 to 18 carbon atoms and more particularly originate from a vegetable oil, such as palm oil or sunflower oil. When the compound contains several acyl radicals, the latter can be identical or different.
These products are obtained, for example, by direct esterification of triethanolamine, of triisopropanolamine, of alkyldiethanolamine or of alkyldiisopropanolamine, which are optionally oxyalkylenated, with fatty acids or mixtures of fatty acids of vegetable or animal origin or by transesterification of their methyl esters. This esterification is followed by a quaternization using an alkylating agent, such as an alkyl (methyl or ethyl preferably) halide, a dialkyl (methyl or ethyl preferably) sulphate, methyl methanesulphonate, methyl para-toluenesulphonate, or glycol or glycerol chlorohydrin.
Such compounds are, for example, sold under the names Dehyquart by the company Henkel, Stepanquat by the company Stepan, Noxamium by the company Ceca or Rewoquat WE 18 by the company Rewo-Witco.
The composition according to the invention preferably contains a mixture of quaternary ammonium mono-, di- and triester salts, with a majority by weight of diester salts.
Use may be made, as mixture of ammonium salts, of, for example, the mixture containing 15 to 30% by weight of acyloxyethyl(dihydroxyethyl)methylammonium methyl sulphate, 45 to 60% of diacyloxyethyl(hydroxyethyl)methylammonium methyl sulphate and 15 to 30% of triacyloxyethyl(methyl)ammonium methyl sulphate, the acyl radicals having from 14 to 18 carbon atoms and originating from optionally partially hydrogenated palm oil.
It is also possible to use the ammonium salts containing at least one ester functional group described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,554 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,180.
Preference is given, among the quaternary ammonium salts of formula (VIII), to, on the one hand, tetraalkylammonium chlorides, such as, for example, dialkyldimethylammonium or alkyltrimethylammonium chlorides in which the alkyl radical contains approximately from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, in particular behenyltrimethylammonium, distearyldimethylammonium, cetyltrimethylammonium and benzyldimethylstearyl-ammonium chlorides, or alternatively, on the other hand, stearamidopropyldimethyl(myristyl acetate)ammonium chloride sold under the name xe2x80x9cCeraphyl 70xe2x80x9d by the company Van Dyk.
According to the invention, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride is the most particularly preferred quaternary ammonium salt.
The amphiphilic ionic lipids are present in the nanoemulsions of the invention preferably in concentrations ranging from 0 to 60% by weight and more particularly from 10 to 50% by weight with respect to the total weight of the amphiphilic lipid phase.
The nanoemulsions in accordance with the invention contain an amount of oil ranging preferably from 5 to 40% by weight with respect to the total weight of the emulsion and preferably from 10 to 30% by weight.
The oils which can be used in the emulsions of the invention are preferably chosen from the group formed by:
animal or vegetable oils formed by esters of fatty acids and of polyols, in particular liquid triglycerides, for example sunflower, avocado, maize, soybean, gourd, grape seed, sesame and hazelnut oils, fish oils or glycerol tricaprocaprylate, or vegetable or animal oils of formula R9COOR10, in which R9 represents the residue of a higher fatty acid containing from 7 to 29 carbon atoms and R1O represents a branched hydrocarbon chain containing from 3 to 30 carbon atoms, for example Purcellin oil;
natural or synthetic essential oils, such as, for example, eucalyptus, lavandin, lavender, vetiver, litsea cubeba, lemon; santal, rosemary, camomile, savory, nutmeg, cinnamon, hyssop, caraway, orange, geraniol, cade and bergamot oils;
hydrocarbons, such as hexadecane and liquid paraffin;
halocarbons, in particular fluorocarbons, such as fluoroamines, for example perfluorotributylamine, fluorinated hydrocarbons, for example perfluorodecahydronaphthalene, fluoroesters and fluoroethers;
esters of an inorganic acid and of an alcohol;
ethers and polyethers;
silicones as a mixture with at least one of the oils defined above, for example decamethylcyclopentasiloxane or dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane.
The mean size of the oil globules is generally between 30 and 150 nm, preferably between 40 and 100 nm and more particularly still between 50 and 80 nm.
The compositions of the invention can contain water-soluble or fat-soluble active ingredients having a cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical activity. The fat-soluble active ingredients are in the oily globules of the emulsion, whereas the water-soluble active ingredients are in the aqueous phase of the emulsion. Mention may be made, as examples of active ingredient, of vitamins, such as vitamin E and its derivatives, provitamins, such as panthenol, moisturizers, ceramides, pseudoceramides and sunscreening agents.
The compositions according to the invention generally contain an emulsion as defined above in concentrations of between 2 and 50% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
The oil or oils can be used in the compositions in accordance with the invention in concentrations generally of between 0.1 and 15% and preferably between 0.2 and 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
The cosmetically acceptable aqueous medium can be composed solely of water or of a mixture of water and of a cosmetically acceptable solvent, such as a lower C1-C4 alcohol, such as ethanol, isopropanol, tert-butanol or n-butanol; alkylene glycols, such as propylene glycol, or glycol ethers.
The detergent compositions according to the invention exhibit a final pH generally of between 3 and 10. This pH is preferably between 5 and 8. The pH can be conventionally adjusted to the desired value by addition of a base (organic or inorganic) to the composition, for example aqueous ammonia or a primary, secondary or tertiary (poly)amine, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanolamine or 1,3-propanediamine, or alternatively by addition of an acid, preferably a carboxylic acid, such as, for example, citric acid.
The compositions in accordance with the invention can contain, in addition to the combination defined above, viscosity regulating agents, such as electrolytes, or thickening agents. Mention may in particular be made of sodium chloride, sodium xylenesulphonate, scleroglucans, xanthan gums, fatty acid alkanolamides, alkyl ether carboxylic acid alkanolamides optionally oxyethylenated with up to 5 mol of ethylene oxide, such as the product sold under the name xe2x80x9cAminol A15xe2x80x9d by the company Chem Y, crosslinked poly(acrylic acid)s and crosslinked acrylic acid/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate copolymers. These viscosity regulating agents are used in the compositions according to the invention in proportions which can range up to 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
The compositions in accordance with the invention can also contain up to 5% of pearlescent or opacifying agents well known in the state of the art, such as, for example, sodium or magnesium palmitates, sodium or magnesium stearates and hydroxystearates, or acylated derivatives containing a fatty chain, such as ethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol monostearates or distearates.
The compositions in accordance with the invention can in addition optionally contain other agents having the effect of improving the cosmetic properties of hair or of the skin without, however, detrimentally affecting the stability of the compositions. Mention may be made, in this respect, of cationic surface-active agents, anionic or non-ionic or cationic or amphoteric polymers, proteins, protein hydrolysates, ceramides, pseudoceramides, fatty acids containing linear or branched Cl6-C40 chains, such as 18-methyleicosanoic acid, hydroxy acids, vitamins, panthenol, volatile or non-volatile silicones, which are soluble and insoluble in the medium, and mixtures thereof.
The conditioning agents of cationic polymer type which can be used in accordance with the present invention can be chosen from all those already known per se as improving the cosmetic properties of hair treated with detergent compositions, namely, in particular, those described in Patent Application EP-A-0,337,354 and in French Patent Applications FR-A-2,270,846, 2,383,660, 2,598,611, 2,470,596 and 2,519,863.
In a still more general way, within the meaning of the present invention, the expression xe2x80x9ccationic polymerxe2x80x9d denotes any polymer containing cationic groups and/or groups which can be ionized to cationic groups.
Among all the cationic polymers capable of being used in the context of the present invention, preference is given to the employment of quaternary derivatives of cellulose ether, such as the products sold under the name xe2x80x9cJR 400xe2x80x9d by the company Union Carbide Corporation, cyclopolymers, in particular diallyldimethylammonium salt homopolymers and copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium salt and of acrylamide, in particular the chlorides, sold under the names xe2x80x9cMerquat 100xe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cMerquat 550xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cMerquat Sxe2x80x9d by the company Merck, or cationic polysaccharides and more particularly guar gums modified by 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, sold, for example, under the name xe2x80x9cJaguar C13Sxe2x80x9d by the company Meyhall.
According to the invention, the cationic polymer or polymers can represent from 0.001% to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.005% to 5% by weight and, more preferentially still, from 0.01% to 3% by weight of the total weight of the final composition.
The compositions according to the invention can also contain foam synergists, such as C10-C18 1,2-alkanediols or fatty alkanolamides derived from mono- or from diethanolamine.
Of course, a person skilled in the art will take care to choose this or these possible additional compounds and/or their amounts so that the advantageous properties intrinsically attached to the combination (washing base + oil nanoemulsion) in accordance with the invention are not, or not substantially, detrimentally affected by the envisaged addition or additions.
These compositions can be provided in the form of more or less thickened liquids, of creams or of gels and they are mainly suitable for washing or caring for the hair.
When the compositions in accordance with the invention are employed as conventional shampoos, they are simply applied to wet hair and the foam generated by massaging or rubbing with the hands is then removed, after an optional period of rest, by rinsing with water, it being possible for the operation to be repeated one or more times.
Another subject of the invention is a process for washing and for conditioning keratinous substances, such as, in particular, hair, which consists in applying, to the said wetted substances, an effective amount of a composition as defined above and in then rinsing with water, after an optional period of rest.
The compositions according to the invention are preferably used as shampoos for washing and conditioning the hair and they are applied, in that case, to wet hair in amounts which are effective for washing them, this application being followed by rinsing with water.
The compositions in accordance with the invention can also be used as shower gels for washing and conditioning the hair and/or the skin, in which case they are applied to the wet skin and/or hair and are rinsed after application.
Concrete but in no way limiting examples illustrating the invention will now be given.

Detergent cosmetic compositions and use thereof


In a friction engagement device of an automatic transmission, a brake piston is actuated by an oil pressure and a friction disc is pressed by the brake piston. The friction engagement device of an automatic transmission includes an oil pressure chamber extending in an annular shape and a main oil pressure supply path and a secondary oil pressure supply path each extending separately to supply oil to the oil pressure chamber. Each of the main oil pressure supply path and secondary oil pressure supply path connects to the oil pressure chamber in a position different from each other in a circumferential direction of the oil pressure chamber. With a construction as such, a friction engagement device of an automatic transmission is provided which prevents a load to the friction disc from locally increasing and attains a smooth speed-changing operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a friction engagement device of an automatic transmission. More specifically, the present invention relates to a friction engagement device used as a brake or a clutch of an automatic transmission.
2. Description of the Background Art
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-141662, for example, discloses a conventional friction engagement device of an automatic transmission which ensures a rigidity of a brake piston without causing interference with a car body floor. The automatic transmission disclosed in this publication includes friction discs on a fixed side and a rotation side which form a multiple disc brake, and a ring-like brake piston for pressing the friction discs. An oil pressure chamber is formed in a position adjacent to the brake piston, and an oil hole connecting to an oil pressure control valve unit is formed in a bottom portion of the oil pressure chamber.
In the automatic transmission disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-141662, an oil pressure is supplied from the oil pressure control valve unit to the oil pressure chamber through the oil hole. With this, the brake piston strokes and allows friction discs of the fixed side and the rotation side to engage with each other. Since the oil hole is provided only in the bottom portion of the oil pressure chamber, however, the brake piston may press the friction discs in an inclined state. In this situation, a load to the friction discs becomes uneven, which degrades durability of the friction discs. In addition, a force applied to the friction disc varies in a circumference of the friction disc, which disturbs a smooth speed-changing operation. Such phenomenon occurs more frequently at a lower temperature with an increased viscosity of oil, and therefore reliability of the automatic transmission decreases particularly when it is used in cold climates.

Friction engagement device of automatic transmission


An area-light source outputs uniform area light on a sample. A wedge diaphragm is placed between the area-light source and the sample. The wedge diaphragm has a notch. The wedge diaphragm is moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the area light so as to adjust an amount of the area light passing through the sample.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a microscope apparatus and, more particularly, relates to a fluorescent stereomicroscope.
2) Description of the Related Art
Stereomicroscopes are widely used in the field of biochemistry; because, the stereomicroscopes enable stereoscopic observation of samples of various sizes and even living specimens.
However, if the sample is thin and, particularly, if a lot of such samples are present in a culture medium, because there is no visible contrast between the samples and the background, it becomes difficult for an observer to identify individual samples.
One approach is to provide a shade between an area-light source, which emits uniform area light on the sample, and the sample and continuously adjust the light of the area-light source that is incident directly on an object lens (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. H11-133308).
Other approach is use a fluorescent stereomicroscope. In the case of the fluorescent stereomicroscope, a GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) dye that emits fluorescence is applied on the sample so that the sample itself becomes fluorescent and emits light.
The eel worm is the example of thin sample. The eel worms are useful for the research of expression pattern of genes because cell lineage for all cells of the eel worm is already known. By applying a GFP dye on a specific ones (dyed eel worms) of a plurality of living eel worms (non-dyed eel worms), it becomes possible to carry out ecological observation of the dyed eel worm.