The invention relates to a ferroelectric memory device comprising at least one layer comprising a ferroelectric polymer, and at least two electrodes either side thereof, the ferroelectric polymer being of general formula P(VDF-X-Y), wherein VDF is vinylidene fluoride motifs, X is trifluoroethylene or tetrafluoroethylene motifs, and Y is motifs from a third monomer, the molar proportion of Y motifs in the polymer being less than or equal to 6.5%.

The ability to store information is an essential property for many applications of organic electronics. RFID chips, for example, have to be able to receive and emit stored information, which is communicated by radio signal. In point of fact, the storage of information is based on the use of memory devices, in which advantage is taken of the hysteretic behavior of a physical property of a material in response to an applied electric field. The information stored is read by measuring the physical property in question.
A disadvantage of conventional means for the storage of information, such as capacitors, is the tendency of the latter to run down over (the term used is volatility of the memory); it is thus necessary to restore the information stored at regular time intervals, which is not possible for devices, such as RFID chips, which do not have available a permanent energy source.
Consequently, it is important to have available nonvolatile and rewritable memory devices. One of the possible routes for achieving this is to resort to a ferroelectric polymer. This is because the latter exhibits a zero-field remanent polymerization which it is possible to reverse by the application of an appropriate voltage.
Many authors have provided for the use of the polyvinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene copolymer, or P(VDF-TrFE), for this type of application.
Thus, the document WO 02/43071 describes ferroelectric memory circuits based on the use of ferroelectric polymers of the polyvinylidene fluoride family and in particular P(VDF-TrFE). The document plans to make available a contact layer comprising a conducting polymer, in contact with the layer of ferroelectric polymer, in order to improve the performance of the circuits.
The document High-performance solution-processed polymer ferroelectric field-effect transistors by Naber et al. in Nature Materials, 4 243-248 (2005), describes the use of a P(VDF-TrFE) polymer as gate insulator, in combination with poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylene-vinylene] as semiconducting material, for the preparation of a ferroelectric field-effect transistor.
The document Printed non-volatile memory for a sheet-type communication system by Sekitani et al. in IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 56, 1027-1035 (2009), describes the use of printing technologies for the manufacture of nonvolatile memory devices with a ferroelectric ink based on P(VDF-TrFE).
The document Organic nonvolatile memory devices based on ferroelectricity by Naber et al. in Adv. Mater., 22, 933-945 (2010), is a review of the different types of nonvolatile memory devices using a ferroelectric polymer. Only PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) are mentioned as suitable ferroelectric polymers.
The document Recent advances in ferroelectric polymer thin films for memory applications by Furukawa et al. in Current Applied Physics, 10, e62-e67 (2010), is a review of the properties of P(VDF-TrFE) copolymers in the context of their applications in memory devices.
The document Compression of cross-linked poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) films for facile ferroelectric polarization by Shin et al. in ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 3, 4736-4743 (2011), describes a process for crosslinking P(VDF-TrFE) and is concerned with the effects of the pressure on the ferroelectric properties of the polymer.
The document Organic ferroelectric memory devices with inkjet-printed polymer electrodes on flexible substrates, by Bhansali et al. in Microelectronic Engineering, 105, 68-73 (2013), describes the manufacture of a matrix ferroelectric memory device by printing semiconducting electrodes made of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate on a P(VDF-TrFE) layer.
However, P(VDF-TrFE) copolymers have the disadvantage of exhibiting a high coercitive field strength (of more than 50 V/μm). The coercitive field strength is the threshold electric field value which makes possible the cooperative switching of the dipoles of the material and thus the inversion of its polarization. When the coercitive field strength is high, it is necessary to apply high voltages to the memory devices, which results in an excessive consumption of energy, risks of electrical breakdown of the material and also the need to use very thin layers of ferroelectric material.
The document P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) terpolymer thin-film for high performance nonvolatile memory by Chen et al. in Applied Physics Letters, 102, 063103 (2013), suggests the use of a terpolymer comprising a molar proportion of 60.3% of VDF, 32.6% of TrFE and 7.1% of chlorofluoroethylene for the manufacture of ferroelectric memory devices.
This terpolymer, which belongs to the category of "relaxer" polymers, exhibits a lower coercitive field strength than P(VDF-TrFE) copolymers, of the order of 20 V/μm. On the other hand, the document does not specify that the remanent polarization of the terpolymer is low, which makes it difficult to use it for nonvolatile memories, and neither does it specify that its Curie temperature is low and close to ambient temperature. In point of fact, above the Curie temperature, the material loses is ferroelectric properties. The use of this polymer in memories thus cannot be envisaged in practice.
Thus, there exists a need to develop ferroelectric memory devices simultaneously exhibiting a relatively low coercitive field strength, a relatively high remanent polarization and a relatively high Curie temperature.


A disk drive for information storage having at least one disk for recording data and a head actuator which includes a read/write head for reading and writing data to the disk. The disk drive includes an accessory member, such as a filter or spoiler, which is formed with an attaching part. A cabinet is used for housing therein the disk, head actuator, and accessory member. The cabinet is divided into a first cabinet part and a second cabinet part, such that the attaching part of the accessory member is sandwiched or interposed between the first and second cabinet parts and located in position inside the cabinet when the two cabinet parts are joined together. Thus, the accessory member can be attachably positioned to the disk drive inside the cabinet without using screws or other timeconsuming and costly assembly techniques.

This invention relates to a disk drive for information storage, such as a magnetic disk drive and an optical disk drive. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for attaching an accessory member, such as a spoiler or filter, to a cabinet of the disk drive.
The magnetic disk drive and optical disk drive are used as external information storages of a computer system. In recent years, the recording density of disk media has increased, and if dust enters the cabinet of the disk drive, trouble may occur, such as a head crash or disable data recovery. Therefore, since fixing of parts for the disk drive in the cabinet, such as by screws, will cause dust generation, it is desirable to employ a different method other than attaching by screws the parts into the cabinet. Conventionally, an accessory member, such as a spoiler or a filter, is attached inside the cabinet of the disk drive. The spoiler regulates the flow of air generated by rotation of the disks and equalizes temperature differences in air flow between the disks. Meanwhile, the filter collects dust generated within the cabinet of the disk drive.
FIG. 1 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional disk drive illustrating integration of an accessory member in a disk drive cabinet. In this figure, a filter integrating spoiler 2 includes a spoiler 25 and a filter 26. The filter integrating spoiler 2 is included within a cabinet 1 of the disk drive in combination with a plurality of disks 3 and a head actuator (not illustrated). The spoiler 25 has a plurality of parallel fins 27 located between the plurality of disks 3. The cabinet 1 is composed of a cover 11 and a base 12. When the various parts of the disk drive and accessory member are attached to the cover 11 and base 12 the cover 11 and base 12 are then joined together, by fastening means, such as by screw 6.
Conventionally, the filter integrating spoiler 2 is fixed to the base 12 by screws 9. Specifically, through holes 5 are formed at the filter integrating spoiler 2 fixing position of the base 12 and the screws 9 are then used to fix the filter integrating spoiler 2 to the inside of the base 12 through the through holes 5.
In this type of disk drive, an accessory member such as the filter integrating spoiler 2 has been fixed within the base 12 by the screws 9. Fixing by screws 9 are effective for obtaining sufficient fixing strength, but the through holes 5 must be bored through the base 12 for use in fixing the spoiler 2 by the screws 9. Therefore, dust generated when the screw holes 5 are formed still remains even after cleaning efforts. This dust will enter the cabinet 1 through the through holes 5 and, moreover, it is probable that dust is also generated during the screwing assembly step.


A technique for calibrating a transceiver of a wireless communication device includes selectively coupling an output node of a transmitter of the transceiver to an input node of a receiver of the transceiver. A calibration signal is provided, from the output node of the transmitter, to the input node of the receiver. The calibration signal is down-converted, with the receiver, to provide a down-converted calibration signal. A discrete Fourier transform is performed on the down-converted calibration signal. Finally, one or more correction factors are determined based on an analysis of the discrete Fourier transform of the down-converted calibration signal. At least one of the correction factors is utilized to facilitate substantial cancellation of a direct current offset associated with the transceiver.

1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to techniques for calibrating a communication device and, more specifically, to techniques for calibrating a transceiver of a communication device.
2. Related Art
Electronic devices may use various modulation schemes, such as quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation, for communication. In QPSK, original data that is to be transmitted is separated into two signals (i.e., an in-phase (I) signal and a quadrature (Q) signal). The I signal is typically up-converted by mixing a sine wave of a particular frequency with the I signal and the Q signal is typically up-converted by mixing a cosine wave of the same frequency with the Q signal and, as such, the I and Q signals are ideally phase shifted by ninety degrees. The modulated I and Q signals are then combined following the up-conversion to a higher radio frequency (RF) signal, which is transmitted to and ideally down-converted and demodulated (by a receiver) to provide the original data. Transmitters/receivers may convert a signal to/from an RF signal in a single stage (direct conversion) or in multiple stages. In general, direct conversion architectures may experience relatively large direct current (DC) offsets in the differential I and differential Q baseband signals. The DC offsets, when present, may result in carrier (local oscillator (LO)) leakage and, thus, reduce a range over which a gain of a transmitter can be controlled. The DC offsets may also adversely impact transmitted signal quality, which may be defined in terms of error vector magnitude (EVM) and adjacent channel noise power measurements.
In communication systems such as wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) communication systems, the range over which transmitter gain is required to be controlled is relatively large. For example, for transmitters operating under third generation (3G) WCDMA specifications, gain control range is required to be at least eighty decibel (dB). To achieve the gain control range for WCDMA, acceptable DC offset (DC imbalance) in the differential I and differential Q baseband signals should generally be less than about one millivolt (0.001 V).
As noted above, transmit LO feed-through may be, for example, attributed to DC imbalance. In a typical case, a DC imbalance at an input of an in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) mixer is converted to RF by a transmit LO (in the I/Q mixer). In this manner, DC imbalance may appear at an output of the I/Q mixer as LO feed-through. According to one known approach for addressing transmit LO feed-through attributable to DC imbalance, a DC offset correction (DCOC) loop has been employed to minimize baseband (BB) transmit path DC offsets at inputs of an I/Q mixer by adjusting digital-to-analog converter (DAC) inputs of a transmitter. Unfortunately, the DCOC loop approach typically requires the BB signal to be set to zero during a calibration sequence prior to transmit and does not remove transmit LO feed-through that is attributable to parasitic coupling directly to an output of an I/Q mixer (which may be a significant component to the overall transmit LO feed-through).
Another known approach to reducing transmit LO feed-through employs an RF detector that is connected (in a transmit path) following a transmitter I/Q mixer. In this case, the RF detector can be used to detect LO feed-through if a BB signal is set to zero during calibration. In general, the RF detector approach facilitates analysis of LO feed-through that is attributable to both DC imbalance (in the transmit path) and parasitic coupling of the transmit LO directly to an output of an I/Q mixer. Unfortunately, when BB gain control is employed (i.e., when varying BB signal levels are applied during actual transmission), an average DC imbalance across inputs of an I/Q mixer changes. In this case, LO feed-through (and the RF output level) varies when BB gain control is employed. As such, the RF detector approach is generally incompatible in situations where variable BB signals are applied and typically cannot discriminate between undesired LO feed-through tones and undesired image tones that are present. Another known approach to reducing LO feed-through has utilized a power detector (e.g., employed to monitor and feedback transmit power levels for output power control) to detect LO feed-through when a BB transmit signal is set to zero. Unfortunately, the power detector approach also does not facilitate minimizing undesired LO feed-through or image tones when a varying BB signal is applied to an input of a transmitter.
An electrical signal may be represented in the time-domain (as a variable that changes with time) or may be represented in the frequency-domain (as energy at specific frequencies). In the time-domain, a sampled digital signal includes a series of data points that correspond to an original physical parameter, e.g., light, sound, temperature, and velocity. In the frequency-domain, a sampled digital signal is represented as discrete frequency components, e.g., sinusoidal waves. A sampled digital signal may be transformed from the time-domain to the frequency-domain using a discrete Fourier transform (DFT). Conversely, a sampled digital signal may be transformed from the frequency-domain to the time-domain using an inverse DFT (IDFT).
As is well known, a DFT is a digital signal processing transformation that is employed in various applications. DFTs and IDFTs facilitate signal processing in the frequency-domain, which can provide efficient convolution integral computation (which is, for example, useful in linear filtering) and signal correlation analysis. As the direct computation of a DFT requires a relatively large number of arithmetic operations, the direct computation of a DFT is typically not employed in real-time applications. Various fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithms have been created to perform real-time tasks, such as digital filtering, audio processing, and spectral analysis for speech recognition.

Techniques for calibrating a transceiver of a communication device


A method of forming conductive contacts to drain and source regions of a semiconductor device such as a field effect transistor (FET). A gate structure is formed over a portion of a semiconductor substrate, wherein the gate structure includes: a gate dielectric on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a conductive gate aligned on the gate dielectric, a silicide layer aligned on the conductive gate, and a silicon nitride cap aligned on the silicide layer. Insulative spacers are formed on sidewalls of the gate structure, and the insulative spacers contact the semiconductor substrate. A drain region and a source region are formed within the semiconductor substrate, wherein a channel region is disposed between the drain region and the source region, and wherein the gate structure is over the channel region. After an insulative region containing a photosensitive material, such as boro-phoso-silicate glass, is formed over the gate structure and the semiconductor substrate, a cavity over the drain region and a cavity over the source region are formed photolithographically. The cavities are filled with conductive material such as tungsten, forming a conductive contact to the drain region and a conductive contact to the source region. The top surfaces of the conductive contacts and the top surface of the gate structure are coplanar.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method of forming a conductive stud self-aligned to a gate structure of a semiconductor device (e.g., a field effect transistor), wherein the conductive stud is conductively coupled to a drain region, or a source region, of the semiconductor device.
2. Related Art
Operation of a semiconductor device (e.g., a field effect transistor) that has a gate structure over a channel that is disposed between a drain and a source, requires conductive contacts (e.g., conductive studs) which conductively contact the drain and the source, such that the conductive contacts are insulatively separated from each other. In order to improve performance of the semiconductor device, gate structures are becoming smaller in size and this trend is expected to continue. As gate structure size diminishes, however, reliably aligning the conductive contacts with respect to the gate structure becomes increasingly difficult due to limited availability of space into which the conductive contacts may be positioned. As a result, conductive contacts may be placed in such close proximity of each other that undesired electrical shorting may occur.
A method is needed for positioning conductive contacts with respect to a gate structure, such that there is little risk of electrical shorting between the conductive contacts.

Symmetric device with contacts self aligned to gate

International Business Machines Corporation


A projection type image display apparatus is provided which includes a housing to hold an optical system including multi-lenses, a polarized-light conversion element and the color separation portion. The housing operates to provide an optical path between a light source, located outside the housing, and penetration-type image display elements and an optical synthesizing portion also located outside of the housing.

The present invention relates to a projection-type image display apparatus, for modulating light intensity of lights irradiated from an illumination optic system, through liquid crystal image display elements (i.e., panels) for use of lights of R, G and B, in particular, applying polarization effect therein, thereby forming an optic image, and projecting said optic image upon a screen through a projection optic system.
Conventionally, the projection-type image display apparatus was already known by a name, such as, a liquid crystal projector or the like, for example, i.e., containing an optical unit, as well as, an electric source circuit and/or a video driver circuit within a housing thereof, for projecting the optic image that is formed through modulating the light intensity upon the lights from a light source, with applying polarization effect thereto, so as to vary the density for each of pixels, depending on an image signal through light valve elements for use of R-, G- and B-lights, and thereby projecting the said optic image formed onto the screen or the like, by means of a projection lens. Further, at present, as such the light valve element mentioned above is also widely known and practically used, for example, so-called a transmission or a transparent-type liquid crystal panel, or a reflection-type liquid crystal panel, etc.
As the optic unit of such the projection-type image display apparatus is also already known an optic unit, as is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-126496 (2004) or Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-184889 (2004), for example, wherein the optic image is formed through cross dichroic prisms, functioning as a color synthesizing element, after conducting the light-intensity modulation on the lights, which are divided with applying the polarization functions, by means of the reflection-type liquid crystal panels for use of the R-, G- and B-lights, and thereby projecting the optical image formed onto the screen or the like, through the projection lens.
Also, an optical unit is already known, in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-12303 (2005), for example, (in particular, in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) wherein the optic image is formed also through the cross dichroic prisms, as the color synthesizing element, but conducting the light intensity modulations of R, G and B lights, with applying the transparent-type liquid crystal panels (or, the transparent-type light valves) therein, in the place of such the reflection-type liquid crystal panels as mentioned above, and thereby projecting the optic image formed onto the screen or the like, through the projection lens.
Also further is already known a cooling structures within the optic unit of projecting the optic image on the screen or the like, which is formed through the cross dichroic prisms while conducting the light intensity modulations of R, G and B lights with applying the reflection-type liquid crystal panels (or, the reflection-type light valves) or the transparent-type liquid crystal panels (or, the transparent-type light valves) therein.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A steering column assembly includes a modular plug-in characteristic. A receiver is rigidly secured on a vehicle cross-car beam. A modular main housing assembly is slidably received by the receiver. Docking of electrical and mechanical connectors occurs as the modular main housing assembly is inserted into the receiver. A lower steering column shaft portion is supported within the receiver. The modular main housing assembly includes an upper steering column shaft portion for mating with the lower steering column shaft portion. The modular main housing assembly is installed in the receiver at any stage in a vehicle assembly after the instrument panel is installed.

Traditionally, installing a steering column assembly in a vehicle is a time consuming, expensive process due to design complexity and structural requirements. In prior art designs, the size and complexity of steering column assemblies creates numerous problems in vehicle assembly lines.
Steering column assembly configurations generally require a large opening in the instrument panel for installation of the steering column assembly. This large opening significantly reduces instrument panel structural integrity. Special handling or tie straps are required to prevent damage to the instrument panel because of this reduction in structural integrity.
Prior art designs require steering column assembly installation at a specific step in the vehicle assembly process. The steering column assembly is typically installed immediately after the instrument panel is installed in the vehicle. The cumbersome installation process generally requires trim line workers to attach a shift cable to the column along with at least five electrical plug connections, the PRNDL cable and its anchor screw, as well as adjusting the gear selector pointer, and attaching the intermediate shaft to the upper steering column shaft. This operation requires the installer to work in uncomfortable positions underneath the installed instrument panel. Additionally, once the steering column assembly has been installed, interior trim line workers must work around the steering column assembly and steering wheel which makes it more difficult to avoid infliction of cuts, scrapes, nicks or gouges in the steering wheel, horn cover, or shroud.
These prior art designs allow very little room for assembly flexibility. The steering column assembly is generally required to be inserted at a specific stage of the assembly process. Furthermore, the number of connections required and the awkward body positioning of the installer result in a time consuming and expensive assembly operation.
Another major problem experienced in prior art steering column assemblies is that these designs encroach into valuable impact absorption areas. Support arms which traditionally hold steering columns in position extend into impact areas. Vacating these impact areas adjacent the steering column assembly is essential for additional cushioning and energy absorption. Commonly, support arms, skid plates, TK yolks, and bird cage armor extend directly into impact areas and reduce the space available for energy absorption and cushioning equipment.
Until the present invention, there has been no known steering column assembly which avoids the above-referenced problems experienced by prior art steering column designs. No known design provides a flexible steering column assembly which may be installed in a vehicle as early as the instrument panel buildup line, or as late as the final assembly finish line, or anywhere in between. No known assembly has few connections to be made when installing the steering column assembly, or does not require the installer to assemble the column from awkward positions underneath the installed instrument panel. Furthermore, no known prior art steering column assembly provides the advantages of a tilting and telescoping steering column, while not requiring support hardware occupying areas adjacent the steering column assembly normally reserved for a knee bolster or other uses.


Methods are described that include reacting a starting nanocrystal that includes a starting nanocrystal core and a covalently bound surface species to create an ion-exchangeable (IE) nanocrystal that includes a surface charge and a first ion-exchangeable (IE) surface ligand ionically bound to the surface charge, where the starting nanocrystal core includes a group IV element.

Size-tunable optical properties and the ability to process thin films using scalable, cost-efficient printing techniques make colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) an attractive candidate for solar cells, light-emitting devices, transistors, photodetectors, and batteries. Colloidal synthesis of conventional NCs using metal-based compound semiconductors (groups III-V, II-VI, and IV-VI) yields non-polar or polar ligands bound to the NC surface through labile Lewis acid-base or ionic surface bonds. Progress in NC materials, and electronics that utilize them, may be advanced by developing methods that enable the manipulation of NC surfaces through displacement of labile native insulating ligands.
Whereas surface manipulation has launched metal-based NCs to the forefront of NC-based optoelectronics research, similar strategies using non-toxic and earth-abundant group IV (e.g. Si, Ge) NCs have largely been unsuccessful owing to the covalent bonds that dominate these nanostructures. Though functionalization of group IV NCs with covalent Si—C or Ge—C bonds (primarily through reaction with an alkene via hydrosilylation or hydrogermylation) can minimize the impacts of oxidation as well as enhance photoluminescence, these group IV-C bonds are kinetically inert and typically do not undergo exchange.
Some advances have been made towards functionalizing group IV NCs to provide ligand exchange surface reactions. However, most studies have resulted in irreversible, incomplete, and/or only quasi-reversible ligand exchange reactions. Thus, there remains a need for methods that provide reversible and complete ligand exchange chemistry to occur on the surfaces of group IV NCs.

Group IV nanocrystals with ion-exchangeable surface ligands and methods of making the same


A small-sized super wide-angle lens for a solid-state image sensor that is suitable for a digital input apparatus such as a monitoring camera and an onboard camera, which is excellent in terms of optical performance and is low in terms of cost. The super wide-angle lens includes, in order from an object side thereof: a first lens with a negative refractive power; a second lens with a negative refractive power; a third lens with a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens with a positive refractive power. The first lens is a meniscus lens including a convex surface facing the object side. Each of the second lens and the fourth lens includes at lest one rotational-asymmetric surface.

There have been proposed many super wide-angle lenses for solid-state image sensors, to be used for a device such as a monitoring camera and an onboard camera.
In Patent Publications (see Patent Literatures 1 and 2), there are disclosed super wide-angle lenses in which an imaging area of about 150 degrees in terms of a total angle of view is secured.
Further, there is disclosed a super wide-angle lens in which an aspect ratio is changed by using a rotationally-asymmetric surface (see Patent Literature 3).
Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-307674
Patent Literature 2: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-227426
Patent Literature 3: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-011093


Digital graphic novel content is received and features of the graphic novel content are identified. At least one of the identified features includes text. Contextual information corresponding to the feature or features that include text is generated based on the identified features. The contextual information is used to aid translation of the text included in the feature or features that include text.

1. Technical Field
The subject matter described herein generally relates to digital graphic novels, and in particular to providing automatic translation of digital graphic novel content.
2. Background Information
Electronic books ("ebooks") come in a variety of formats, such as the International Digital Publishing Forum's electronic publication (EPUB) standard and the Portable Document Format (PDF). Ebooks can be read using a variety of devices, such as dedicated reading devices, general-purpose mobile devices, tablet computers, laptop computers, and desktop computers. Each device includes reading software (an "ereader") that displays an ebook to a user.
Graphic novels are a form of visual storytelling traditionally delivered through print media. However, publishers are increasingly providing this content for digital consumption using ereaders, especially on phones and tablets. Such digital graphic novel content is available in a wide range of jurisdictions and there is demand for graphic novels in many languages. Typically, providing translated versions of graphic novels requires altering the underlying images. Consequently, bootleggers often make unlicensed translations available before publishers and authors can get official translated version to market.

Automatic translation of digital graphic novels


A quick set hydraulically actuated clamping table assembly including a base supporting at least one pair of companion flat horizontal platens movable toward and away from each other having apertures for variably fixing jaw pieces thereon for holding workpieces thereon of various shapes. A pair of laterally adjacent elongated slide plates are located beneath and fixed respectively to the platens for sliding guided contact with the base and have shaped cam follower recesses in adjacent confronting edges receiving a pair of semi-cylindrical bearing segment members and a pair of shaped bearings abutting flat faces of the segment members. Resiliently biased concave face bearing blocks provide bearing faces against which the convex faces of the segment members work providing a centralizing mechanism correlating movement of the slide plates to equal and opposite movement, and hydraulic piston devices at the opposite ends of the slide plates oppositely move the slide plates in directions to carry the platens through said approaching and withdrawing strokes to clamp and release the workpiece.

The present invention relates in general to a plural platen clamping table assembly for securing workpieces on the table or platen of a metal working machine, and more particularly to a clamping table assembly having plural platens provided with patterns of tapped holes and reamed holes adapted to have securing bars or blocks fixed thereto and to be quick set by hydraulic actuating means to provide any size vise up to the maximum size of the table for securing regular and irregular shaped workpieces in a desired position on a metal working machine.
Heretofore, many types of removable workpiece supporting vise or fixture assemblies have been provided to provide a predetermined workpiece positioning assembly on a metal working machine. One of the traditional problems in such workpiece positioning assemblies has been the considerable amount of so-called "set-up" time to properly position the workpiece prior to each forming operation. This problem has been particularly acute where it is desired to provide the workpiece supporting assembly with sufficient flexibility to permit it to secure in proper position irregular shaped workpieces as well as regular shaped workpieces such as cubes, rectangular solids or cylinders. Also, such workpiece positioning tables or assemblies have frequently been quite limited in the variety of sizes of workpieces which can be accommodated.
An object of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a novel multiple platen quick set hydraulic clamping table assembly for securing workpieces on a metal working machine or the like, having drilled and threaded platens arranged in at least one pair of platens which can be hydraulically moved toward and away from each other, each providing a large rectangular area providing a wide variety of positions for mounting securing bars or blocks thereon to provide a workpiece holding vise accommodating workpieces up to the maximum size of the table. Another object of the present invention is the provision of multiple platen hydraulically actuated clamping table assembly of the type described in the preceding paragraph, wherein the securing bars or blocks may be secured in such positions that irregular shaped workpieces may be easily secured thereon.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel multiple platen clamping table assembly of the type described in either of the preceding paragraphs, having a centralizing device for each relatively movable correlated pair of platens, whereby the centralizing device may be selectively engaged to effect securing of round or symmetrical workpieces with reference to their centerline, either by engagement of the outside surfaces or the inside surfaces, in the case of hollow workpieces.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel multiple platen clamping table assembly as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, having means for locking the platens in position to enable the clamping table to be used as a an ordinary grid plate for the use of vertical clamping devices.
The clamping table assembly generally comprises a left-hand pair of drilled and threaded platens and a right-hand pair of drilled and threaded platens each tapped to receive mounting screws for supporting upright abutment bars or blocks to engage the periphery of the workpiece and secure it on the clamping table. The first or left-hand pair and second or right-hand pair of relatively movable platens are secured to slides for movement toward and away from each other, and include a centralizing device formed of semicircular bearing segments which bear upon cylindrically concave surfaces of bearing blocks and retainer blocks to coordinate approaching movement of the platens of a selected pair toward each other so that round or symmetrical pieces may be secured with reference to their centerline. Hydraulic drive means are provided arranged so that when hydraulic pressure is applied to one port, the two platens of a selected pair will be moved apart and when pressure is applied at another port they will move together in coordinating relation. In practice, a workpiece to be supported on the clamping table is placed on the platens so that it overlaps each one of at least a pair, or if necessary each one of both pairs, whereupon the abutment bars or blocks forming jaw pieces are secured to each platen, using shims with the jaws in open position interposed between the jaws and the workpiece to provide clearance when the jaws are open. When the shims are removed, the workpiece is then clamped by application of hydraulic pressure by a suitable manually operated valve to the appropriate port to move the two platens of a pair or the four platens, as the case may be, toward each other to effect quick clamping of the workpiece in proper position. Alternatively, when it may be suitable to merely have the rear platen move forwardly without movement of the front platen toward the rear, means are provided for adjusting the centralizing mechanism to allow movement of the bearings without transfer of force which would coordinate the movement of the two platens relative to each other, and hydraulic controls are operated to supply hydraulic pressure to the rear platen only.
Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Quick set hydraulically actuated clamping table


The present invention provides a simply constructed, improved pulse combustor realizing stable pulse combustion with less noise and vibration. The pulse combustor includes: a combustion chamber; a mixing chamber coupled with the intake side of the combustion chamber via a first opening provided with a flame trap; and an air chamber connecting to the mixing chamber via second opening. The second opening is eccentric with respect to the first opening. The fuel gas and air are simultaneously supplied through the second opening to the mixing chamber, sufficiently mixed in the mixing chamber, and fed into the combustion chamber. The exhausted gas flown back through the flame trap is diluted with the air/fuel mixture in the mixing chamber and again fed into the combustion chamber for continuous combustion while the reverse pressure is efficiently reduced by the mixing chamber and the air chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pulse combustor for continuously combusting mixture of air and fuel gas supplied to a combustion chamber thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
An example of a conventional pulse combustor for pulsative ignition and continuous combustion of air/fuel mixture is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open Gazette No. Sho-64-23005. The prior art pulse combustor, as shown in FIG. 6, includes: a nozzle plate NP with plural gas nozzles GN and air nozzles AN; and a resistant plate RP disposed opposite to the nozzle plate NP via a narrow space S. Both the nozzle plate NP and the resistant plate RP are fixed in a combustion chamber R. Rich fuel gas is supplied through a gas conduit GP, the plural gas nozzles GN into the combustion chamber R while air is supplied through the plural air nozzles AN into the combustion chamber R by a fan F. The rich fuel gas and the air are mixed in between the resistant plate RP and the nozzle plate NP and ignited and combusted with spark of an ignition plug SP in the combustion chamber R. Large portion of hot combustion byproducts are exhausted through a tail pipe TP. Although the high explosion pressure in the combustion chamber R tends to cause a back flow of the combustion byproducts to the supply source, the resistant plate RP in the combustion chamber R prevents this undesirable back flow. Exhaustion of the combustion byproducts makes the pressure in the combustion chamber R negative, so that the rich fuel gas and air are again fed into the combustion chamber R and spontaneously ignited and combusted by the residual hot exhausted gas in the combustion chamber R. Ignition and combustion are periodically repeated in the above manner to heat an object like oil in an oil tank.
In the system of the prior art pulse combustor, however, combustion byproducts flown back to the supply source can not efficiently be mixed with the rich fuel gas and air in the combustion chamber R. Relatively high supply pressures of the rich fuel gas and air as well as the resistant plate RP are required to efficiently prevent the back flow of combustion byproducts. More concretely, the pulse combustor requires a high-pressure fan F or a compressor for supplying the high-pressure air and a complicated gas supply unit for supplying the high-pressure fuel gas. These structures unfavorably increase the noise and vibration.
Furthermore, in the prior art system, the fuel gas and air are mixed in the narrow space S between the resistant plate RP and the nozzle plate NP, and this causes non-uniform mixing and thereby unstable combustion.


This disclosure relates generally to data processing, and more particularly, to methods and systems for real-time message-based information generation. In one embodiment, a system for real-time message-based information generation is provided. The system comprises one or more hardware processors, and a memory storing instructions executable by the one or more hardware processors that support multiple-thread processing for: receiving a plurality of input data files, each input data file comprising a plurality of records; extracting, from each input data file, the plurality of records on a record-by-record basis; transforming each extracted record from among the plurality of extracted records to comply with a messaging format; constructing a unique message for each transformed record according to the messaging format; and transferring, immediately upon construction, the message to a second system using an Application Programming Interface (API), wherein the message enables the second system to generate information based on a transformed record.

Data analytics, such as in the field of complex event processing (CEP), may require real-time performance in order for responses generated from received data to remain timely and relevant. For example, in the field of retail, a system operated by vendor can generate shopping information (e.g., advertisement of a product, locate a product in a shop, etc.) for a potential customer based on location information of the person. Often times, the system must provide the shopping information to the customer in a timely manner (e.g., while the person remains at the retail location) to avoid the shopping information becoming stale and/or irrelevant.
Also, real-time processing of data from multiple, different sources may be needed to generate a response. Using the retail example above, the system may receive identification information, preference information, location information of the potential customer, product advertisement information, etc. from different data sources, and process the information in real-time to generate the afore-mentioned shopping information. Each of the data sources typically stores multiple records, with each record representing an association among at least some of the information. For example, one of the data sources may store records that associate customers with their location information, while another data source may store records that associate location information with product information. To generate the additional information (e.g., the response with shopping information) as described above, the system may need to acquire these records from different data sources in real-time.
A conventional system typically accumulates records before generating additional information. For example, in the retail environment above, a conventional system may accumulate records for all of the potential customers at a specific location before passing the accumulated records on for further shopping information generation.
The inventors here have recognized several technical problems with such conventional systems. First, by delaying generation of additional information until the records are accumulated, response time is increased. Further, these delays can also depend on the number of records to be accumulated, adding unpredictability to response times. Moreover, such an arrangement fails to leverage multi-thread computing resources efficiently by forcing thread execution (e.g., for transmitting the records or for generation of additional information) to be put on hold until the records are accumulated, even when there are other threads available for execution of the transmission of the record and/or the generation of the additional information.

Real-time message-based information generation


A digital photographing apparatus, a tracking method, and a recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the tracking method are provided which effectively determine a target image as a partial image corresponding to a reference image in a frame image. The digital photographing apparatus includes: an image pickup device; a mask preparer which prepares a mask having the same size as a reference image that is smaller than a current frame image; a matching data obtainer which obtains a plurality of pieces of matching data by applying the mask to a plurality of matching images having the same size as the reference image; and a target image determiner which determines one of the matching images as a target image by using the matching data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital photographing apparatus, a tracking method, and a recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the tracking method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a digital photographing apparatus which can effectively determine a target image that is a partial image corresponding to a reference image in a frame image, a tracking method, and a recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the tracking method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional digital photographing apparatus obtains data from light that is incident on an image pickup device and stores the data in a storage medium or displays an image of the data on a display unit. Specifically in the case of a digital photographing apparatus, such as a closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance camera, movement of a certain subject may be tracked by obtaining data from light incident on a image pickup device, analyzing the obtained data, and determining a target image as a partial image corresponding to a reference image in a frame image from the obtained data.
However, in various cases, such as when it is difficult to classify a background and the subject, a conventional digital photographing apparatus may fail to properly track the subject and mistakenly recognize the background as an object to be tracked, instead of the subject.

Digital photographing apparatus, tracking method, and recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the tracking method


In the described system, one or more base stations transmit a signal to a mobile station. The signal is transmitted using polarisation diversity, whereby the signal is transmitted in one direction using two signal beams, each signal beam being differently polarised. A method of beam-hoping may be employed whereby the polarisation of the transmitted beams during hand off is varied according to predefined sequence. The sequence may be determined according to the data loading within the respective transmission cells. Also disclosed is a method of soft or softer hand off within a wireless communication system where the total number of signal beams transmitted from two base stations to a single mobile station during hand off is kept constant.

A number of different access methods an which wireless cellular communication networks are based are known. In a typical wireless cellular network, the area covered by a cellular network is divided into a plurality of cells or cell sectors. Each cell is served by a base station which transmits signals to, and receives signals from, mobile stations located in the cell or cell sector associated with the respective base station. In a system using antenna arrays with analogue or digital beamforming, the base transceiver station will not transmit signals intended for a given mobile station throughout the cell or cell sector but will only transmit the signal in one or more beam directions from which a signal from the mobile station is received. In other words, a signal intended for a given mobile station is not transmitted throughout the cell or cell sector but rather only to the part of the cell or cell sector in which the mobile station is located.
As the signal, which is transmitted by the base transceiver, station is usually only be transmitted in a particular direction, the resulting transmission may have a relatively narrow angular spread with the transmission power concentrated into that narrow angular spread. This results in a better signal to noise ratio. Additionally, as a result of the directionality of the base transceiver station, an improvement in the signal to interference ratio of the signal received by the base transceiver can be achieved. The interference caused to other mobile stations in the same cell or adjacent cells by the signal transmitted by the base station to the mobile station is also reduced. This increases the capacity of the system and/or increases the quality of communications.
A signal from the base transceiver station to a mobile station will generally follow several different paths. Those pluralities of paths are generally referred to as multi-path. As each multi-path follows a different route from the base transceiver station to the mobile station, the length of each multi-path differs. Consequently a signal following a first multi-path will arrive at the mobile station at a different time from a signal following a second multi-path. The signals received via each of the multi-paths may be out of phase with respect to each other at the mobile station. If the signals are out of phase with respect to each other, it is possible that these signals may interfere with each other destructively, thereby reducing the signal to noise ratio of the transmitted signal transmitted by the base station: In other words, due to this destructive interference, the signal may not be received successfully by the mobile station.
It has been proposed to use beam diversity in systems using beamforming techniques to address the difficulties caused by multi-path interference in such communication system. Examples of such beam diversity schemes are discussed in PCT/EP99/03093. Beam diversity involves transmitting the signal from the base transceiver station to the mobile station in more than one beam direction using for example a main beam and a diversity beam. The principal is that it is unlikely that both the main and diversity beams will suffer severe multi-path interference for a given signal. The mobile station is then arranged to select for processing the signal having the largest signal to noise ratio, or to combine the signal from both the main beam and diversity beam, resulting in an improved overall signal to noise ratio.
One of the access methods which is used in the IS-95 standard of the USA and which is currently proposed for the next generation standard is code division multiple access (CDMA). In CDMA mobile stations are distinguished by the spreading codes which they apply to the information to be transmitted. Likewise, signals intended for a given mobile station from a base station can be identified by the mobile station from the spreading codes applied to the signals. As a mobile station moves from one cell to another "soft handoff" is possible. Soft handoff is where a mobile station is in communication with two or more base stations at the same time. Typically, this will occur when a mobile station is in the region of two cells.
It is possible that a large number of mobile stations may be in soft handoff at any one time. In some situations, it is envisaged that, for example, 50% of the mobile stations will be in soft handoff.
It is known that a cell which is likely to contain a large number of mobile users, for example, a cell located within a densely population urban area, can be sub divided into a number of sectors. Although the cell has a single base transceiver station, separate antenna arrays are provided such that each sector of the cell is associated with a particular antenna array. Effectively each cell sector is analogous to a cell except that the base stations for adjacent cell sectors are in a single location. In this situation it is possible for a mobile station to be located on or near to the boundary between different sectors, in an analogous fashion to a mobile station which is located on the boundary between two different cells. In this case, the mobile station may receive simultaneous signals transmitted from each antenna array associated with the respective neighbouring sectors. The base stations at the same location may share information received from different antenna arrays. This is referred to as "softer handoff".
Clearly if a relatively large number of mobile stations are in soft or softer handoff, difficulties can arise if beamforming base stations are used as the number of beams transmitted by each base station may be increased. In CDMA systems code orthogonality is usually employed in the downlink signal from the base station to the mobile station in order to minimise the interference from other users in the same cell. However, this orthogonality is preserved only if the delay spread of the downlink channel is sufficiently small so that the channel can be characterised as a one-tap channel (this type of channel is often referred as a flat fading channel). This requirement means that in CDMA systems the delay spread must be much smaller than the chip duration. In one-tap channels the downlink diversity techniques give the best possible gains. In practice, especially in macro cells, the delay spread is often much greater than the chip duration and this leads to significant loss of orthogonality between the co-channel users. Such multitap channels already possess multipath diversity and therefore, increasing the number of downlink diversity beams from two to four does not produce significant excess diversity gain. On the contrary, increasing downlink beams in multitap channels severely destroys code orthogonality and results in performance loss. Accordingly, it is beneficial to reduce the number of downlink beams in soft or softer handover cases. It is therefore an aim of embodiments of the present invention to address this problem.

Method of reducing transmission power in a wireless communication system


An array substrate, a display panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate comprises: an active area, a package area and a drive circuit area, wherein the drive circuit area is located between the active area and the package area. A package metal layer is provided at the package area, and at least one groove structure is provided on a side of the package metal layer in a proximity to the drive circuit area. At least one drive unit is provided at the drive circuit area and comprises at least one element, wherein the element is provided in the groove structure.

A narrow-frame display product refers to that a ratio of an active area (AA) to a peripheral area is relative large, and a user can acquire a better experience when watching image display. In addition, when a narrow-frame display product, such as a display panel, is applied to a splicing screen, because a frame of a single display panel is very narrow, a width of a spliced seam at a spliced position can be reduced, and an overall display effect of the splicing screen can be remarkably improved. Thus, a demand for the narrow-frame display product in a current market becomes more and more urgent.

Array substrate, display panel and display device


This invention relates to a portable, ruggedized, impact resistant appliance for brewing a beverage having a water tank system, a water delivery system, a brewing system, electronics capable of brewing a beverage, and a user interface for controlling said electronics.

The invention relates to a device that serves as a portable coffee brewer. More specifically it relates to a portable coffee brewer that is rugged, compact, and can embody multiple configurations based on a user's need.
Single serve coffee brewers have become extremely popular in home settings. Some of the best known examples are seen in the Keurig®, Senseo®, and Tassimo® systems. The systems each use a specially designed cup, sometimes described as a pod, to be placed within the brewer to brew a beverage when water is run through the pod. Over the past few years, the market for these brewers has grown so much that it is now one of the fastest growing segments of the home market. Consumers enjoy the convenience of brewing a single cup of coffee or tea rather than a whole pot and individuals within the same household can enjoy hot beverages of their own individual preference. While this market has become increasingly popular in the home setting, there is now a demand to take this convenience outside the home.
The problem with conventional coffee brewers is that they are designed for household or office use only. They are designed to only operate in indoor environments where they remain stationary, usually placed on a table or countertop. However, many people (construction workers and campers, for example) spend much of their day outdoors or in environments that are much harsher and require products that are specially designed to operate in a multitude of environments with extreme conditions. These devices need to anticipate frequent transportation, storage with other gears and supplies, frequent impact, weather conditions, various terrains, dirt, debris and various other outdoor environmental conditions. Conventional household appliances would not be practical for these environments. For example, many single serve coffee brewer have water tanks that would easily spill water it the device was carried to another location. Their designs do not anticipate operating in outdoor environments where there is a need to be extremely rugged, portable, stowable, and preventing the ingress of water, dirt or debris. This invention solves the problem by providing a more rugged, sealed, portable, and stowable system for brewing a beverage suitable for outdoor use. The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.


The no-sew fabric wrap tables of the invention comprise a pair of forms of semi-soft foam which are covered by fabric through a wrap and tuck process. Each form incorporates a straight slit cut into an exterior surface running along its entire length, and each form additionally incorporates a cross-shaped slot running through its center, also along its entire length. The fabric employed is wrapped around each form, cut to the length desired, with its ends fitted into the straight slit. The sides of the fabric are then tucked into each cross-shaped slot. Once so completed, the forms are slid over the angled edges of a metal stem which is joined to the base and cap of the table being made. Each fabric wrapped form then covers half the stem, being joined together side by side, and providing a seamless finish as the included slits become undetectable when they meet side-by-side.

My U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,331, issued Oct. 6, 1992, describes a no-sew window treatment in which a form of semisoft foam is covered by fabric through a wrap and tuck process. In particular, the form incorporated a straight slit cut into an exterior surface running along its entire length, and additionally incorporated a cross-shaped slot running through its center, also along its entire length. As there described, the fabric employed was wrapped around the form, cut to the length desired, and with its ends then fitted into the straight slit. With the sides of the fabric then tucked into the cross-shaped slot, the result was to provide a form which held the fabric in place, and one which was easy to install, cover and assemble, and without the need for any sewing to give a customized look.
As will be seen from the description that follows, this invention is directed to the design of tables, pedestals and accessories which can be custom matched and coordinated with such window treatments, using the same no-sew concept of my earlier patent.


A portable chair includes a frame and a sling for accommodating a seated user. The frame includes an upper back pair of bars, a lower back pair of bars, a hub configured to couple the upper back pair of bars to the lower back pair of bars, a middle pair of bars configured to be coupled to a corresponding one of the lower back pair of bars, a front pair of bars configured to be coupled to a corresponding one of the middle pair of bars, and a front joint configured to couple the front pair of bars to each other.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for portable furniture. In particular, the invention relates to portable, lightweight and collapsible stable chairs and rests that are well suited for camping and travelling.
Conventional portable chairs are not truly portable for outdoor use and cannot accommodate sitting on a hillside or uneven terrain. An example of one such portable chair is a "stadium seat" which consists of two flat pads with a hinge in the middle, rigid posts along their outer lateral edges and adjustable straps that run on each side of the pads from the top corner to the bottom corner. In a stadium seat, when a user leans back, the sides of the pads and posts are pulled in towards the body along with the straps, and generally, the heavier the user is, the more uncomfortable the stadium seat is. Further, the user cannot use this chair to sit comfortably on a hillside or on uneven terrain.
In addition to uneven terrain, outdoor ground surfaces can either be hard or soft. If the ground surfaces are too soft, such as a sandy beach, then the feet of the furniture can sink in to the ground when the user attempts to sit on the chair or lay back on the rest.
Thus, there is a need in the furniture field to create new, useful, portable, stable and comfortable chairs and rests. These improved portable chairs and rests are strong, lightweight and collapsible, and are well suited for use on uneven terrain often encountered outdoors.

System and methods for portable furniture


An air amplifier is provided for use in pneumatic control systems that can operate over a wide range of flow and pressure characteristics, and can additionally operate against a back pressure. The air amplifier utilizes a tapered shim that causes the pressurized air to follow a Coanda profile over a wider range (and against a back pressure) than is possible when using only a slotted, non-tapered shim. The shim is ring-shaped with a planar surface and includes inwardly directed tangs that are cut-off to provide an open central area. Some or all of the tangs are tapered along either one or both sides of the tang.

Nozzles which act as fluid amplifiers have been available in the past, some of which operate by using the Coanda effect. The Coanda effect is the tendency of a gas or liquid coming out of a jet to travel close to the wall contour even if the wall's direction of curvature is away from the jet's axis. One nozzle that uses the Coanda effect has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,039 (by Mocarski), in which the nozzle has a through passageway in which the cross-sectional opening at the inlet is quite large, then tapers down to a much narrower cross-sectional area at the throat of the nozzle.
In the Mocarski nozzle, ambient fluid is introduced into the inlet at the large cross-sectional area. A pressurized fluid is introduced from the side of the nozzle into an annular passageway. The fluid is further directed into a slot which contains a washer or shim. The washer or shim has rectangular spokes that are directed inward, but terminate before reaching the center portion of the shim to allow an open area through which ambient fluid can pass through the nozzle without any restriction from the spoked washer. As the pressurized fluid enters the slot area, some of the fluid travels along the surface of the spoked washer forming a jet at the center portion of the washer where the spokes terminate. At that point, the pressurized fluid flow gives up velocity to induce mass flow of ambient fluid. This pulls fluid through the inlet at the large cross sectional area and it mixes with the pressurized air to exit at the discharge end.
The Mocarski nozzle controls its slot width precisely by the spoked washer's thickness. In addition, by controlling the ratio of blocked area to open area (where the washer has spokes or no spokes), the open area of the slotted washer is precisely controlled, which is important for controlling the pressurized fluid flow. Unfortunately, an air amplifier nozzle constructed according to Mocarski operates effectively at some air pressures and washer thicknesses, but at other air pressures and other washer thicknesses it is ineffective. In some circumstances, the pressurized air flow can blow out both ends (both the inlet and discharge ends) of the nozzle, or the pressurized air flow will not follow the Coanda profile to provide the proper performance as an air amplifier. In addition, at low compressed air supply pressures, the Mocarski nozzle has very little ability to work against a back pressure, which makes it ineffective for use in most air amplifier applications. At high compressed air supply pressures, the Mocarski nozzle can have its pressurized air flow blow out both ends and have little ability to work against a back pressure. It has been determined that the high velocity air flow through a nozzle constructed according to the Mocarski patent does not follow the Coanda profile because of entrainment of ambient air in areas of the nozzle where the ambient air flow is blocked, while no compressed air flow is available to overcome that problem.

Fluid amplifier with improved operating range using tapered shim


A shower rose or head assembly includes a supply device (16) and a pair of shower roses or heads (10). Each head includes a chamber into which water can be supplied from a common water supply via the supply device, and at least one wall through which a plurality of outlet apertures (38) are provided and from which water can issue from the chamber in a plurality of narrow streams. A valve assembly (28) is also provided serving to close off the supply of water to the shower head (11). The chamber of each shower head has an internal cross-sectional dimension smaller than for a conventional shower head thus providing a constriction in the flow path through the assembly, whilst the supply device contains a branch conduit (17) which serves to provide a further constriction in the flow path through the assembly. The constrictions serve to reduce the rate of flow of water through the assembly.

Water authorities are ever increasingly encouraging conservation of water supplies as populations expand and the demand for water increases. One course of action adopted is the imposition of standards as to the maximum volume of water to pass through a shower system in a given period of time, which most systems using conventional shower roses or heads exceed and thus cannot achieve the required standard.
It is therefor a primary object of the present invention to provide a shower rose assembly which reduces the volume of water passing through the assembly but maintains a relatively high water pressure in the spray and a high spray area.
There is also a need for such shower systems in situations where two or more persons may wish to shower together in the same shower enclosure for reasons of water conservation, or other reasons, or in clubs or institutions, where a plurality of shower roses are connected to a single inlet and a number of persons shower at the same time. The invention is also applicable to circumstances where the quantity of hot water available at any one time may be limited and thus water for showering needs to be conserved if a relatively large number of persons, such as a large family, or a sporting team, all need to shower over a time span in which the supply of hot water is likely to be exhausted and a relatively long time is necessary to generate replacement hot water at the supply, and which time delay may be inconvenient. To date there are no shower systems known to me that meet these needs.


The water-repellent mixture comprises i) a halogenated dispersant chosen from the group constituted by a totally halogenated molecule and a partially halogenated molecule with at least one atom of hydrogen and ii) a copolymeric silicone having a hydrophilic function, for drying solids by the movement of water, the copolymeric silicone preferably being a polyalkylineoxide modified polydimethylsiloxane of formula: ##STR1##. with 0.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.100,. 4.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.50 and. R being a radical chosen from the group of radicals constituted by a hydrogen atom, an alcohol group, an amine group and a polyalkyl group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

At the time of the mass manufacture of numerous types of objects it is frequently necessary to clean and dry the latter at the end of the production line. For example one can think of optical, mechanical or other parts. The cleaning operations terminate in washing and rinsing with water, but it is then necessary to eliminate the droplets of water which remain attached to the surface, in order to prevent the formation of an oxide and deposits of impurities or traces which would occur if the water was not eliminated or simply eliminated by evaporation.
In order to limit the labour costs, drying machines are used in which the objects are immersed in a bath of a product which detaches the droplets of water from the surface of the objects.
This product has low surface tension, so that it spreads by wetting over the entire surface of the objects and thus detaches the droplets of water attached to the latter. The droplets then rise to the surface of the bath, due to the difference in density, from which they are removed mechanically.
The products used hitherto for this drying operation have the drawback of being chlorinated products or chlorofluorocarbons of the CFC-113 type with the addition of a surface active agent having the effect of repelling water. It is the solvent which, having a greater wetting capacity due to the presence of the surface active agent, moves the water by detaching it from the object and without dissolving it.
Now, the use of chlorofluorocarbons is prohibited today in order to preserve the ozone layer. The applicant has thus sought to formulate a new bath free from CFC or HCFC.

Mixture for drying solids by the movement of water


New propanone derivatives, useful for treating allergic diseases, the pharmacologically allowable salts thereof, their manufacturing process and pharmaceutical composition containing at least one of them as the active ingredient.

The present invention relates to new propanone derivatives, the pharmacologically allowable salts thereof, their manufacturing process and pharmaceutical composition containing at least one of them as the active ingredient.
It is known that a so-called "chemical mediator", i.e., biochemical substance in a living body such as histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, acetylcholine or SRS-A plays an important role in the appearance of various allergic symptoms in the human body.
Thus something which antagonizes such biochemical substance and/or inhibits its release would be useful for treating allergic diseases and from this standpoint, various compounds have been synthesized and clinically tried so far.
Discovering that a certain propanone derivative exhibits a prominent anti-SRS-A effect, inhibitory effect on histamine release, inhibitory effect on experimental atopic asthma and/or inhibitory effect on homo PCA reaction, the present inventors have accomplished the present invention.
The object of the present invention is to offer new propanone derivatives useful for treating allergic diseases. Another object of the present invention is to offer the manufacturing process of this derivative. Still another object of the present invention is to offer pharmaceutical composition containing at least one of the compounds according to the present invention as the active ingredient and to give directions to use this pharmaceutical composition.

Treatment of allergic symptoms with propanone derivatives


In one example, an omnidirectional wireless power transfer system includes high frequency power generator configured to generate a supply of high frequency oscillating power, a number of transmitter-side resonant tank circuits electrically coupled to the high frequency power generator, a receptacle including a number of coils arranged for omnidirectional power transfer to an electronic device placed in the receptacle, and a controller configured to activate individual ones of the transmitter-side resonant tank circuits to wirelessly transmit power to the electronic device through near-field resonant inductive coupling. In one example, the receptacle can be embodied as a bowl, and the controller can activate individual ones of the transmitter-side resonant tank circuits over time to generate an omnidirectional field distribution for wireless power transmission. In other aspects, various transmitter-side and receiver-side tank circuits for coupling independent resonance and ZVS operation are described.

Wireless power or energy transfer is directed to the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without the use of conductors. Wireless power transfer can be achieved using a various power transmission technologies using time-varying electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields. Wireless power transfer can be particularly useful in situations where the use of conductors is inconvenient or dangerous, for example, to transfer power.
For near-field (i.e., non-radiative) wireless power transfer, inductive coupling is widely used and its applications include providing power to charge electric toothbrushes, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, smartcards, and implantable medical devices. Recently, more emphasis has been placed on the development of wireless power transfer systems for charging mobile and handheld computing devices.

Omnidirectional wireless power transfer system

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.


The invention relates to the synthesis of D-chiro-inositol from glucodialdose comprising the steps of condensing glucodialdose by a acylon condensation reaction, protecting the carbon atoms of the 1,2,5 and 6 position, epimerizing the protected carbon atom at position 5, reducing the ketone of the condensed compound and removing the protect groups.

DCI has shown promise as a therapeutic agent to treat insulin resistance and those conditions associated with the disease such as NIDDM. Studies on primate models indicate that 1 gram per day is a reasonable dose upon which to base initial forecasts. There are 14 million diagnosed NIDDM patients in the United States. It is estimated that 20% of the general population is genetically predisposed to insulin resistance and therefore it is expected that daily manufacturing capacities for DCI will need to approach megagram quantities.
DCI can be isolated in kilogram quantities from natural sources. One of these sources is the California sugar pine. It has been shown that a 15 weight percent of pinitol (the 3-0 methyl ether of DCI) can be extracted from the sawdust of this tree's stump. Pinitol can easily be converted to DCI in quantitative yield. With a yield of 1 kg/stump, an estimated 35 million stumps per year will be needed to supply the United States market demand with DCI (this calculation does not incorporate the fact that the stump ideally should be aged 5 years or more). Therefore, it is unlikely that the projected demand of DCI will be satisfied through this source.
DCI is also 40% of the antibiotic kasugamycin and is easily cleaved and purified from the antibiotic. Sources for kasugamycin have yet to prove to be economical. Attempts to produce a viable strain of S. kasugaensis either by natural selection techniques or fermentation process modifications have yet to yield a desirable result.
There have been several reported syntheses of chiroinositol (or its easily converted methyl ether) and they either entail a series of exhaustive protection/deprotection steps or fail to give the pure D-chiro isomer in a reasonable fashion. Martin-Lomas, et. al., reported a synthesis of 1-0-methyl-D-chiroinositol from methyl glucopyranose (compound 1) utilizing the well-known Ferrier rearrangement. This approach required that the glucose molecule be subjected to a 4-step protection sequence leading to compound 2 which when rearranged yielded the key intermediate compound 3. Converting compound 3 to 1-0-methyl-D-chiroinositol involved four synthetic steps. Demethylation, as described above, would require an additional step for a total synthesis of DCI in 10 steps.
Ozaki and coworkers devised an approach to DCI starting from glucuronolactone (a.k.a. glucurone, compound 4). This synthesis involves a total of 17 steps, involving seemingly unnecessary manipulations and utilizes exotic reagents such as titanium tetrachloride which is the key reagent in the sequence shown in entry 2 of FIG. 1. In 1990, Shen and coworkers synthesized DCI from myoinositol by selectively epimerizing the 3-D position of myoinositol as shown in entry 3 of FIG. 1. This was done in 5 steps, however, one of the steps yielded a relatively small amount of product and another step involved a labor intensive separation of diastereomers.
The last two syntheses of DCI (entry 4 of FIG. 1) reported are similar in that the key step is a Pseudomonas putida oxidation of benzene) which generates a meso compound) or chlorobenzene (which generates an optically active compound) to the cyclohexadienediol derivatives 10 and 11. Hudlicky imparted a novel approach to convert 11 to DCI in 4 steps for a total of 5 steps; the final product, however, was contaminated with alloinositol, another of the nine isomers of inositol.

Method for the production of D-chiroinositol


A liquid crystal display device and a method of driving the same is disclosed, which can decrease the number of source drive integrated circuits ICs used to supply data, and can also decrease a flexible printed circuit and a printed circuit board to supply signals to the source drive integrated circuits ICs in size. The liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of data lines formed along a long-axis direction of substrate, and a plurality of gate lines formed along a short-axis direction of substrate, wherein each gate line is orthogonal to each data line; a data driving circuit to supply data voltages to the data lines; a gate driving circuit to supply scan pulses to the gate lines; and a timing controller to supply digital video data to the data driving circuit, and to control the data driving circuit and the gate driving circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device which can decrease the number of source drive integrated circuits ICs used to supply data, and also can decrease a flexible printed circuit and a printed circuit board to supply signals to the source drive integrated circuits ICs in size, and a method of driving the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display device displays picture images by controlling light transmittance of liquid crystal cells according to video signals. Particularly, an active matrix type liquid crystal display device is suitable for displaying moving pictures since it is provided with switching devices formed in the liquid crystal cells, respectively. In this case, the switching devices are generally formed of thin film transistors (hereinafter, referred to as "TFT").
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of illustrating an active matrix type liquid crystal display device according to the related art. FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a thin film transistor TFT array substrate with a 4×4 matrix type of 'liquid crystal cells in a liquid crystal panel of the type shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram illustrating signals supplied to signal lines of a matrix type of liquid crystal cells shown in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an active matrix type liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel 14 provided with a plurality of gate lines G1 to Gn, a plurality of data lines D1 to Dm, and a plurality of thin film transistors TFTs for driving liquid crystal cells Clc Each gate line is orthogonal to each data line, and each thin film transistor is formed adjacent to a crossing portion of the gate and data lines. A data driving circuit 12 is provided to drive the data lines D1 to Dm of the liquid crystal panel 14. A gate driving circuit 13 is provided to drive the gate lines G1 to Gn of the liquid crystal panel 14. A timing controller 11 is provided to control the data driving circuit 12 and the gate driving circuit 13.
The data driving circuit 12 is provided with a plurality of source drive integrated circuits ICs. Under the control of a timing controller 11, the data driving circuit 12 converts digital data to analog data voltages R1 to R4, G6 to G4 and B1 to B4 by using an analog gamma compensation voltage, and supplies the analog data voltages to the data lines D1 to Dm. Also, the gate driving circuit 13 includes a plurality of gate drive integrated circuits ICs. Under the control of the timing controller 11, the gate driving circuit 13 supplies scan pulses SP1 to SP4 to the gate lines G1 to Gn in sequence.
The respective scan pulses SP1 to SP4 are generated in about one horizontal period. Also, the data voltages R1 to R4, G1 to G4 and B1 to B4 are supplied to the data lines D1 to Dm in synchronization with the scan pulses SP1 to SP4. Then, the thin film transistors TFTs are turned-on in response to the scan pulses SP1 to SP4, whereby the data voltages output from the data lines D1 to Dm are supplied to pixel electrode PIX of the liquid crystal cells Clc. The liquid crystal cells Clc are arranged between the pixel electrode PIX supplied with the data voltage and a common electrode supplied with a common voltage Vcom. In this case, liquid crystal molecules are aligned based on an electric field generated by the pixel electrode PIX and the common electrode COM, to thereby modulate polarizing elements of incident light.
The timing controller 11 generates a gate control signal GDC to control the gate driving circuit 13 and a data control signal DDC to control the data driving circuit 12 by using horizontally and vertically synchronized signals H and V and clocks CLK. In this case, the data control signal DDC includes a source start pulse SSP, a source shift clock SSC, a source output enable signal SOE, and a polarity control signal POL. Also, the gate control signal GDC includes a gate shift clock GSC, a gate output enable GOE, and a gate start pulse GSP.
In FIG. 1, 'Cst' connected to the liquid crystal cell Clc corresponds to a storage capacitor to maintain the voltage of liquid crystal cell Clc. The storage capacitor Cst may be formed in Storage-On-Gate method or Storage-On-Common method. In case of the Storage-On-Gate method, the storage capacitor Cst is connected between the preceding gate line and the pixel electrode PIX. In case of the Storage-On-Common method, the storage capacitor Cst is connected between the additional common electrode COM and the pixel electrode PIX. Also, the source drive integrated circuits ICs and gate drive integrated circuits ICs are bonded on a substrate by a Tape Automated Bonding (hereinafter, referred to as "TAB") method shown in FIG. 4, or by a Chip On Glass (hereinafter, referred to as "COG") method shown in FIG. 5.
In the TAB method of FIG. 4, the source drive integrated circuits ICs 51 and gate drive integrated circuits ICs 55 are respectively mounted on Tape Carrier Packages (hereinafter, referred to as "TCP") 52 and 56. In this case, output pads of the TCPs 52 and 56 are adhered to data pads or gate pads of a glass substrate by anisotropic conductor film ACF. Also, input pads of the source TCPs 52 are adhered to output pads of the source PCB 53 on which the timing controller 11 and gamma reference voltage generation circuits (not shown) are mounted. Also, input pads of the gate TCPs 56 are adhered to output pads of the gate PCB 57. Then, the source PCB 53 is connected to the gate PCB 57 by an FPC 54. Through the FPC 54, driving voltages and control signals required for the gate drive integrated circuits ICs are supplied to the gate PCB 57 from the source PCB 53. In the COG method, the source drive integrated circuits ICs 61 and gate drive integrated circuits ICs 65 are directly adhered to a glass substrate by using conductive bumps, as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, '62' corresponds to the FPC which is adhered to the glass substrate and supplies the voltage and signal required for the source drive integrated circuits ICs 61 and gate drive integrated circuits ICs 65 and generated from the source PCB 63.
In FIGS. 4 and 5, '50' and '60' correspond a pixel array where each of the data lines D1 to Dm is orthogonal to each of the gate lines G1 to Gn, and the liquid crystal cells Clc are arranged in the matrix configuration. In the liquid crystal display device, since the data lines D1 to Dm are arranged along the long-axis direction (X-axis) of liquid crystal panel 14, the number of data lines is larger than the number of gate lines. As a result, the number of the source drive integrated circuits ICs 51 and 61 for driving the data lines is increased. Also, since the unit cost of source drive integrated circuits ICs 51 and 61 is higher than the unit cost of gate drive integrated circuits ICs 55 and 65, it increases the cost of fabrication of the liquid crystal display device. Recently, in case of the liquid crystal panel 14 having XGA resolution (1024*768), if the source drive integrated circuits ICs 51 and 61 have 618 output channels, it necessarily requires five source drive integrated circuits ICs. Also, the fabrication cost of liquid crystal display device is further increased due to the relatively large size of PCBs and FPC.
Liquid crystal display devices have the disadvantage of low picture quality since the common voltage Vcom is changed. This problem of low picture quality is caused by the load generated with the crossing of the common electrode 71, 81 supplied with the common voltage Vcom and the data lines D1 to Dm supplied with the data voltages.
FIG. 6 is the example of illustrating the crossing of the data lines and the common electrode 71 in the Storage-On-Common method. FIG. 7 is the example of illustrating the crossing of the data lines and the common electrode 81 in an In-Plane Switching mode (hereinafter, referred to as "IPS") where the pixel electrode PIX and the common electrode COM are formed on the same substrate. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, if the data lines D1 to Dm are orthogonal to the common electrode 71, 81, an electric coupling occurs between the crossing of the data lines D1 to Dm and the common electrode 71, 81. Due to the electric coupling between the data lines D1 to Dm and the common electrode 71, 81, the common voltage Vcom becomes inconstant by the data lines supplied with the data voltage by the unit of one horizontal period.

Liquid crystal display device and method of driving the same


Disclosed is a refrigerator including an illumination unit that prevents glare and provides sufficient light inside the storage chamber. The refrigerator includes a storage chamber having an opening formed at a front thereof and an illumination unit mounted in the storage chamber. The illumination unit includes a light emitting member to emit light and an optical member to guide light emitted from the light emitting member to travel within a predetermined range of angles. Light emitted from the light emitting member is prevented from proceeding forward by the reflecting member and proceeds to the rear of the storage chamber.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-26678 discloses a refrigerator having a refrigerating chamber in which a loading shelf to load food is mounted, and a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed on the ceiling side in the refrigerating chamber to emit light. The plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged so that optical axes of the light emitting diodes are directed toward the front side of the refrigerating chamber while crossing the uppermost loading shelf.
The refrigerator is provided with an illumination unit for illuminating the inside of a storage compartment. Conventionally, even if an illumination unit is provided inside the refrigerator, the inside of the storage compartment may be felt dark. Also, when the luminance of the illumination unit provided inside the storage compartment is increased, there is a possibility that a user may feel dazzled. In such cases, the user may find it difficult to see food or the like inside the storage compartment.


In a process for producing a high impact styrene resin by continuously polymerizing a styrene monomer in bulk in the presence of a rubbery polymer, the improvement wherein. a polymerization line is used which is comprised of an initial-stage polymerization line (II) following a material feed line (I) and consisting of one or more tubular reactors having fixedly set therein a plurality of mixing elements having no moving parts, a main polymerization line (III) following the initial-stage polymerization line (II) and consisting of one or more tubular reactors having fixedly set therein a plurality of mixing elements having no moving parts, and a recycle line (IV) which branches between the initial-stage polymerization line (II) and the main polymerization line (III) and returns to the initial-stage polymerization line (II), and PA0 a minor part or a major part of a flow of the initial-stage polymer solution leaving the initial-stage polymerization line (II) is recycled through the recycle line (IV) while the remaining non-recycled initial-stage polymer flow is polymerized in the main polymerization line (II).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for producing a high impact styrene resin by continuous bulk polymerization, and to a high impact styrene resin obtained by this process. More specifically, it relates to a process for producing by continuous bulk polymerization a high impact styrene resin having excellent strength in which a grafted rubbery polymer in the resin has a narrow particle size distribution, and to a high impact styrene resin obtained by this process.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the production of a high impact styrene resin by graft polymerizing a styrene monomer in the presence of a rubbery polymer, how to control the dispersion of the rubbery polymer uniformly as fine particles and the stabilization of the rubbery polymer particles during the graft polymerization is especially important in determining the quality of the resulting resin. The particle size and particle size distribution of the grafted rubbery polymer particles dispersed in the final resin, and the grafting ratio of styrene greatly affect the impact strength and gloss of the final resin.
For the industrial production of high impact styrene resin, a batchwise bulk-suspension polymerization method and a continuous bulk polymerization method have generally been employed. The continuous method, however, has been found to be superior in productivity and economy, and has gained widespread acceptance.
Usually, in the continuous bulk polymerization method, it is general practice to provide a plurality of stirred tank reactors and to perform polymerization while continuously feeding a starting material solution.
More specifically, there was proposed a method in which in an initial polymerization step, the rubbery polymer is divided into fine particles and dispersed by dynamic mixing in a stirred tank reactor with a stirrer, and thereafter, the polymer solution is continuously transferred to a plurality of stirred tank reactors, and the polymerization is allowed to proceed with stirring.
It has been pointed out however that the continuous bulk polymerization using the tank reactors has the defects attributed to the dynamic mixing by the stirrer. Specifically, when the viscosity of the polymer solution in the tank rises as the polymerization proceeds, the power or the strength of the stirring vanes has to be increased. To avoid it, the polymerization conversion of the styrene monomer in the tank must be inhibited as the polymerization proceeds. Alternatively, if excessive stirring and mixing is carried out an excessive shearing force is exerted on the rubbery polymer dispersed as fine particles. Consequently, the dispersed fine particles of the rubbery polymer are broken, and the particle size distribution of the rubbery polymer particle becomes broad. As a result, the strength of the final product decreases. Another defect is that since the stirred tank reactor has an excessive capacity because of its structure, a long period of time is required, for example, in switching from one brand to another in the production of resins in which the rubbery polymer has different particle diameters. In an attempt to remove these defects of the stirred tank reactor, there have been made some suggestions including the structure of stirring vanes, the performance of pre-polymerization, or the combination of it with a tubular reactor or a tower-type reactor. But these suggestions have not proved to be sufficient for removing the above defects.
Some proposals, for example the improvement of stirring blades, the use of a tubular reactor having a stirrer and the use of a recycle line, were made in an attempt to remove these defects of the stirred tank reactor, but no entirely satisfactory improvement has yet been achieved.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,535, the dispersion of the rubbery polymer and the formation of fine particles are controlled by stirring and recycling the initial-stage polymer solution by using a vertical tubular reactor (towered reactor) having a stirrer and a recycle line. If, however, the amount of the initial-stage polymer solution recycled is increased in this method in an attempt to disperse the rubbery polymer uniformly, the rubbery polymer tends to have an increased average particle size and a broadened particle size distribution. Hence, to obtain a resin having a small average particle size and a narrow particle size distribution, it is necessary to decrease the amount of the initial-stage polymer solution recycled and consequently, the dispersion of the rubbery polymer is not effected well. Thus, it is difficult in this method to produce a resin having a small average particle size and a narrow particle size distribution with uniformly dispersed rubbery polymer particles, namely a resin having excellent gloss and impact strength. Furthermore, it may be possible in this method to increase the rotating speed of the stirrer as means for uniformly dispersing the rubbery polymer and decreasing its average particle size. This, however, results in an excessive shearing force on the rubbery polymer, a broadening of its particle size distribution and further in a reduction in its impact strength, and a resin having excellent gloss and impact strength is difficult to produce.
In view of this state of the art, the present inventors studied a method of continuously producing high-impact polystyrene in tubular reactors having fixedly set therein a plurality of mixing elements having no moving parts.
On the utilization of a tubular reactor in a continuous polymerization, U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,177 proposes a process which uses a tank reactor having a stirrer for carrying out an initial-stage polymerization and a tubular reactor having fixedly set therein a plurality of mixing elements having no moving parts for carrying out the main polymerization. In this process, however, the defects attributed to the dynamic mixing by the stirrer within the tank cannot be removed, and an excessively high shear owing to the intense stirring and mixing is exerted to broaden the particle size distribution of the rubbery polymer particles. The grafting ratio of styrene is not increased, and the results are still unsatisfactory.

Process for producing high impact styrene resin by continuous bulk polymerization