A hand-held, portable apparatus has been disclosed to facilitate the viewing of an object by the human eye. The apparatus provides an electronic camera unit disposed on a holder mechanism and in electrical communication with an image processor module to capture the image of an object and format the image for display on a display device also disposed on the holder mechanism. At least one user-interfaced control mechanism is also disposed on the holder mechanism and in electrical communication with the image processor module for controlling the operations of the module to regulate display of the image by the display device. In this way the viewing of an object by the human eye is facilitated by the use of camera and the image enhancing features of the image processor module.

The use of viewing aids for the human eye has long been known in the art. Presently, a number of viewing aids utilize various image magnification and enhancement to better aid the human eye in viewing of a desired object, person or text. These existing devices, however, suffer from several shortcomings that hinder their effectiveness or a viewer's desire to use them.
Generally, in their most common form, these devices utilize an optical lens such as a magnifying glass to enlarge the view of an object as perceived by the human eye. Due to the convex nature of the lens, however, only a small portion of the lens may be effectively utilized for focusing on an object without undesirable shifting of the object from view, resulting in image stabilization problems that can be quite distracting to the user. Achieving focusing is also an issue which requires the user to physically move the glass in order to obtain a focused image. The optical lens also requires ample lighting for proper viewing. In addition, a typical magnifying glass only magnifies, and provides no additional features such as color contrast or other forms of image enhancement.
Other forms of magnifying glasses have tried to address the illumination issue by use of a lamp installed on some frame portion of the magnifying glass. This however, suffers from the shortcomings of loss of brightness from the light source as the gain to the image size increases. Furthermore, the provided illumination oftentimes lacks uniformity and typically cannot be adjusted in intensity. In addition, the foregoing problems of achieving focusing and lack of additional features such as color contrast or other forms of image enhancement still remain at issue.
A third form of visual aid is the use of electronic camera in conjunction with a separate video monitor. Disadvantages associated with this approach are the lack of portability of the whole system, complicated connections and setups, and excessive cost. In addition, human physiology may also be compromised in form of neck and back strain, and even nausea from visual disorientation as a user is required to constantly shift focus from the camera to the video monitor. In addition, the camera unit in this setting is fixed in orientation, thus requiring that the object be brought to the instruction, which may not always be possible or convenient.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is small in size, portable, and capable of providing illumination and a variety of image enhancement and magnification features to facilitate the viewing of an object by human eye.

Apparatus for facilitating viewing by human eye


In construction of an iron-type golf club head provided with a face side shooting board, the shooting board is fitted into a recess formed in the face of a main body and an elastic intermediate is interposed between the shooting board and the recess. At shooting a ball, the shooting hoard is allowed to perform elastic displacement within the recess opposite to the direction of back-spin impartation to the ball, thereby mitigating ill influence of excessive back-spin and assuring good control on ball rolling on the field, in particular on a putting green.

The present invention relates to a golf club head, and more particularly relates to improvement in back-spin behaviour of an iron-type golf club head at shooting balls.
A conventional iron-type golf club head is generally accompanied with a substantially flat shooting board affixed to the face of its main body via bonding or screwing. Such an attachment to the face by fixation, however, tends to impart excessive back-spin to a ball shot by the club-head. In particular when a ball is shot with such an iron-type club head towards a pin hole on a putting green, the ball rolls back beyond expectation after fall on the putting green. In other words, excessive back-spin imparted to a ball at shooting allows the ball to act beyond control by a golfer.


A semiconductor integrated circuit device related to an embodiment of the present invention includes an address register which includes an internal selection circuit connected with a control circuit, a signal generation instruction circuit which instructs the control circuit so that a predetermined internal control signal is generated, a latch circuit, a plurality of which are arranged corresponding to a number of bits of test parameter data, the latch circuit latching test result data which is provided from the data program/read circuit and outputting the test result data to the selection circuit and externally, the control circuit generating an internal control signal which activates the selection circuit at a timing at which a fixed value data of the test parameter data is changed, and the selection circuit controlling a test so that a fixed value data of the test parameter data is changed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a semiconductor integrated circuit device and also to a semiconductor integrated circuit device in which a test by parameters can be performed efficiently.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a broad range of tests for semiconductor integrated circuit devices before product shipment have been developed together with progress in large scale capacity and high speed while test times are becoming longer.
There are also a broad ranged of testing methods, however, the manufactured semiconductor integrated circuit device is set with a test device (below referred to as a tester), test parameter data are input from the tester and a problem occurs when specific parameters are set in a test which examines data output from the semiconductor integrated circuit device. That is, while the test parameter data are the data formed from a plurality of bits, a problem occurs in the case where, for a certain address, the test parameter data are formed from a bit of a parameter which must be set to an optimal value (below this process is referred to as trimming), and a bit of a parameter with a fixed value. When the bit of a parameter with a fixed value is changed in this type of test parameter data, the bit of a parameter which has already been trimmed for this address is deleted together with the change. As a result, even in the case where a test is performed when only the bit of a parameter with a fixed value of the test parameter data is changed for the same address in which a trimming process has already been performed, it is necessary to repeat the trimming process which increases the time required for testing significantly. Japanese Laid Open Patent 2003-0344500 is used as a reference.
In a test performed using parameters at the time of product shipment, in the case of testing for each address using parameters formed by combining a bit of a parameter which must be trimmed and a bit of a parameter with a fixed value where only the bit of the parameter with a fixed value is changed, the present invention proposes a semiconductor integrated circuit device in which deletion of the bit with the parameter which has been optimally trimmed together with the change of the bit with the parameter with a fixed value for the same address can be prevented, and controlled so that only the bit of a parameter with a fixed value is changed.


A self-boosting electromechanical friction brake for a motor vehicle in which, with an electromechanical actuator, a friction brake lining can be pressed against a brake disk, and the friction brake lining is braced in the brake caliper via a wedge mechanism, which effects a self boosting. A friction brake lining which is pressed by the actuator has with a lower coefficient of friction, and in particular with less relative fluctuation in the coefficient of friction, than another friction brake lining positioned fixedly in the brake caliper. An operation-dictated fluctuation in the coefficient of friction and thus a change in the self boosting is reduced, and as a result the disk brake, with a low coefficient of friction, can be actuated with less actuation force and less actuation energy.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an improved self-boosting electromechanical friction brake for a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The invention is explained below in terms of a disk brake, because known friction brakes of this generic type are typically disk brakes, and because the invention can be explained clearly in terms of a disk brake. However, the invention is not limited to this type of brake.
Known electromechanical friction brakes have a friction brake lining, which for braking can be pressed by an electromechanical actuator against a brake body. In the case of a disk brake, the brake body is a brake disk. The actuator typically has an electric motor and a rotation-to-translation conversion gear, which converts a rotary driving motion of the electric motor into a translational motion for pressing the friction brake lining against the brake body. A step-down gear, such as a planetary gear, is often interposed between the electric motor and the rotation-to-translation conversion gear. As rotation-to-translation conversion gears, helical gears are known; because there is less friction, rolling threaded drives such as roller threaded drives are preferably used. However, a rotatable cam can also be used, for instance, as the rotation-to-translation conversion gear for converting the rotating driving motion of the electric motor or of the step-down gear into a translational motion for pressing the friction brake lining against the brake body.
Electromechanical disk brakes moreover have a further friction brake lining, which is pressed against the brake body by a reaction force, which is caused by the pressing of the one friction brake lining against the brake body. For generating the reaction force, so-called floating calipers are known, in which the friction brake linings are placed on both sides of a brake disk. The floating caliper is supported displaceably transversely to the brake disk. When the one friction brake lining is pressed by the actuator against the one side of the brake disk, the floating caliper is displaced transversely to the brake disk and presses the further friction brake lining against the other side of the brake disk.
To attain a self boosting, in known electromechanical disk brakes, self-boosting devices with a wedge mechanism are used. In them, a friction brake lining is movable in the rotary or circumferential direction of the brake disk and has a wedge on a side facing away from the brake disk. Via the wedge, the friction brake lining is braced on a counterpart wedge face in the brake caliper, which forms an abutment for the wedge. If the friction brake lining is pressed for braking against the brake disk, the latter exerts a frictional force in the direction of rotation of the brake disk on the friction brake lining, which urges the latter in the direction of an increasingly narrower wedge gap between the counterpart wedge face and the brake disk. Because of the wedge principle, the wedge mechanism exerts a force on the friction brake lining that has a component that is transverse to the brake disk. This transverse component forms a contact pressure, which presses the friction brake lining against the brake disk in addition to a contact pressure exerted by the actuator. As a result, the braking force is boosted. The self-boosting device converts the frictional force, exerted by the rotating brake disk against the friction brake lining pressed against it, into the additional contact pressure. The wedge mechanism may have a wedge angle that is either constant or varying over a displacement travel of the friction brake lining, and as a result the self boosting is either constant or varies with the displacement of the friction brake lining. The wedge mechanism is a mechanical self-boosting device. As a mechanical self-boosting device, a lever mechanism is for instance also known, in which the friction brake lining, on being pressed against the brake body, is braced via an obliquely positioned lever stressed for tension or pressure and as a result brings about the self boosting. A support angle at which the lever supports the friction brake lining obliquely to the brake disk corresponds to the wedge angle of the wedge mechanism. Nonmechanical self-boosting devices are also possible, such as a hydraulic self-boosting device. Typically, the self-boosting device acts on the friction brake lining that is acted upon by the actuator, but this is not compulsory; the self-boosting device may also act on a friction brake lining not acted upon by the actuator.
A coefficient of friction between the friction brake lining and the brake body varies with operating conditions, such as a rotary speed of the brake body or in other words a relative speed between the brake body and the friction brake lining, the temperature, soiling, and wetness; at a constant actuation force of the actuator, the contact pressure exerted by the self-boosting device of the friction brake lining against the brake body, and thus a braking force or braking moment, therefore also vary to the same extent. As a consequence, at a low coefficient of friction resulting from a fluctuation in the coefficient of friction, a major actuation force and thus high actuation energy must be exerted by the actuator in order to generate a defined braking force. To overcome this problem, a self-boosting device with a wedge mechanism with an adjustable wedge angle, that is, a settable self boosting, has been proposed. The present invention discloses a different course.

Self boosting electromechanical friction brake


A card collection may include a box-shaped card storing portion having an open top, in which the collected cards are stacked. The the card storing portion may include a front portion configuring, a rear portion configuring, two side portions, and a plate-shaped placement board having a placement surface on which the cards are to be placed. The placement surface is inclined upward toward a front side. A rear end of the placement board is connected to the rear portion, a front end of the placement board is separated from the front portion and at least front portions at the left and right ends of the placement board are separated from the side portions, and the placement board, the front side of which moves in the top-bottom direction, can be elastically deformed.

Conventionally known is a card issuing device which is equipped with a card issuing function and a card collecting function (Patent Reference 1, for example). A card issuing device disclosed in Patent Reference 1 is equipped with a card reader, a card issuing unit which issues cards, and a card collection storage for collecting un-needed cards. The card collection storage is formed in a rectangular box shape with the top open and secured to the device frame of the card issuing device. The card collection storage is arranged below the card issuing unit. Also, the card collection storage is positioned at the diagonally lower back of the card reader.
In the card issuing device disclosed in Patent Reference 1, the un-needed cards ejected to the back side from the card reader are taken diagonally from upper front and stored in a card collection storage. In the card collection storage, cards are stored in a stack. The bottom portion configuring the bottom surface of the card collection storage is inclined upwardly toward the front side so that the collected cards may be stored in the card collection storage in an orderly manner. Therefore, the front portion of the cards (the end portion [of the cards] on the card reader side) collected in the card collection storage will be higher than the rear portion of the card.

Card collection storage and card processing device


Camping apparatus for heating an interior of a portable habitation. The apparatus comprises an interior heater for heating the interior of the portable habitation. A heat transfer device uses fumes emitted by a fire to provide heated air. Transporting apparatus transports the heated air from the heat transfer device to the interior heater. The interior heater is disposed at a first location and the fire is disposed at a second location. The first and second locations are disposed sufficiently apart from one another to prevent the fire at the second location from spreading to the portable habitation at the first location. The transporting apparatus has a length sufficient to extend between the first and second locations.

This invention relates to camping apparatus for heating the interior of a portable habitation and, more particularly, to such camping apparatus that a fire to provide heated air to an interior heater in the portable habitation.
Hunters, explorers, geologists and other campers commonly use a portable habitation, such as a tent, for resting and sleeping. Sometimes during cold weather, these individuals find fuel, such as wood from trees, near the campsite to provide an open fire in the habitation to make themselves comfortable. Sometimes a camp stove is brought along with the habitation primarily for cooking food and secondarily for heating the habitation.
The use of an open fire in the habitation is extremely dangerous because the open fire inside can envelop the material used to make the habitation and destroy it. In which event, the people in the habitation can be injured by the ensuing fire or by the cold weather existing outside of the habitation. Also, it is extremely dangerous because an open fire inside the habitation may emit harmful or deadly gases, such as carbon monoxide, directly into the habitation. In which event, the people in the habitation can be asphyxiated.
A combination heater and catalytic converter is available to provide heat within a habitation. However, the heat generated from a catalytic converter can be sufficiently hot to cause the material of the habitation to burn. In which event, the fire could envelop the material used to make the habitation and destroy it with the people in the habitation being injured by the ensuing fire or by the cold weather existing outside of the habitation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for heating the interior of a portable habitation.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for heating the interior of a portable habitation that uses a fire, which is positioned away from the habitation by a distance sufficient to prevent damage to the habitation from the fire.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of providing heat to the interior of a portable habitation.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of providing heat to the interior of a portable habitation by using a fire that is positioned away from the habitation by a distance sufficient to prevent damage to the habitation from the fire.

Camping apparatus for heating a portable habitation and method


An air bag device includes a folded air bag, an inflator for supplying air to the air bag to inflate the bag, and a bag holder for holding the air bag and the inflator. Protrusions are formed on the outer surface of the inflator. The bag holder has a bottom wall with an insertion hole. The inflator is inserted into the insertion hole from the lower side of the bag holder. Pawls are upwardly extended from the circumferential edges of the insertion hole in the inward direction. The inflator is held by the bag holder in a state that the pawls retain the lower surface of the protrusions.

By convention, this type of the air bag device includes a folded air bag, an inflator for supplying gas to the air bag to inflate the bag, a pad for covering the folded air bag, and a bag holder for holding the air bag, the inflator, and the pad as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei. 4-138953 and the like. The bag holder has a bottom wall with an insertion hole into which the inflator is inserted from the lower side of the bag holder. The inflator is provided with a flange that is in contact with a location on the bottom wall of the bag holder that is close to the insertion hole of the bottom wall.
A plural number of mounting holes are formed in the bottom wall of the bag holder and the flange of the inflator. To couple the inflator into the bag holder, those holes of the holder and the inflator are aligned with each other, bolts are inserted into the holes, and nuts are applied to the bolts.
As described above, in the conventional air bag device, the flange is formed on the inflator. The plural number of mounting holes are formed in the flange. The mounting holes must be large enough to receive the bolts. Therefore, the flange must be wide so as to allow the large holes to be formed therein. This results in increase of the weight of the inflator.
The conventional inflator of which the outer surface is made of metallic material, e.g., aluminum alloy, is formed by mold forging of the metallic material. The flange of the inflator is also formed in a hammering manner, during the mold forging process. Therefore, several kinds of molds are required. Further, mounting holes are formed in the thus formed flange. Thus, the manufacturing work of the conventional inflator requires a number of manufacturing process steps and a high cost to manufacture.
Before the vehicle is disused, the inflator must be removed. In this case, a worker unscrews a number of nuts and removes the bolts. Thus, much work is required for the inflator removal.
Another inflator-bag holder coupling structure is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei. 4-26654. In the structure, the bolts and nuts are not used, while a retainer with clamping pawls is used. The clamping pawls are caulked to couple the inflator with the bag holder. Much labor is required to remove the inflator thus clamped.


The computer keyboard template selector is an apparatus which attaches to a computer keyboard to hold a plurality of computer keyboard templates. The apparatus includes a body and a lid, wherein the lid is urged upwardly to an open position by a wrap spring and held in a closed position by a detent structure. Several rotatable separator sheets with staggered laterally extending tabs are enclosed in the apparatus. Each separator sheet holds a computer keyboard template. The staggered laterally extending tabs form an inverted stair structure so that a lifting device can be positioned under a laterally extending tab so as to lift a number of separator sheets when the detent structure is released and the lid is opened thereby exposing a selected computer keyboard template.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a device for holding multiple computer keyboard templates and/or reference guides in a secure and organized configuration on a computer keyboard, allowing for the rapid selection of a desired computer keyboard template and/or reference guide for the application program chosen by the user.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, it is well-known that different programs for the personal computer assign different and unique functions to the function keys (typically known as F1 through F12 keys, or even F1 through F15 keys on some computers). Moreover, each function key is typically assigned four possible different functions, these functions being chosen by depressing a function key either alone or in combination with one of three other keys (e.g., the "shift" key, the "alt" key, or the "control" key). In order to indicate these possible choices to the user, computer programs are typically provided with a template or reference guide to be positioned above or around the row of function keys on a standard computer keyboard.
However, particularly with use of "Windows".RTM., even the novice personal computer user can easily use several computer programs--word processing, spreadsheets, data base, drafting, utility, hard disk management, communications, games, etc.--each with its own particular use of the function keys and each requiring its own template or reference guide (hereinafter the term "template" shall include similar reference guides). Switching between these programs is readily performed by typing the appropriate instructions into the keyboard or by means of a pointing device such as a mouse. However, to the user's dismay, he or she may find that the desired function key template or reference guide is not easily located when needed. Therefore, the user has to stop working to locate the template among other loose templates and place the template on the keyboard, making sure to align the template properly.


Screening methods for determining pro-apoptotic compounds or anti-apoptotic compounds comprise measuring the interaction between p53 and NEDL1 in the presence and in the absence of a test compound, and comparing the strength of interaction between p53 and NEDL1 in the presence and in the absence of the test compound.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with poor prognosis, wherein muscular atrophy occurs by degeneration and deficit of motor neurons in the spine, motor cortex and brainstem. Familial ALS (Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: FALS) currently accounts for 5-10% of all ALS cases. The responsible gene in some families with FALS has been identified as the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene, with approximately 20% of FALS cases being attributed to genetic mutation in SOD1.
SOD1 inactivates superoxide, an active oxygen species produced in cells during the course of aerobic metabolism. The aggregate theory, which holds that mutated SOD1 forms aggregates in cells and thereby exhibits cellular toxicity, has recently become the prevailing theory as the cause of FALS (Non-patent document 1).
The present inventors have identified NEDL1, a gene coding for E3 ubiquitin ligase having a HECT domain, as a novel gene that is highly expressed in human neuroblastoma groups with good prognosis and natural regression, compared to groups with poor prognosis. It has been demonstrated that NEDL1 has a function of physically binding with mutant SOD1, one of responsible gene products in FALS, inducing its ubiquitination and thus promoting degradation of mutant SOD1. The binding strength between NEDL1 and mutant SOD1 depends on the severity of the condition, while no binding is detected with wild SOD1. In addition, experiments in model mice and immunostaining of actual case patient cells have indicated that ubiquitinated mutant SOD1 and NEDL1 are accumulated in the aggregates. This strongly suggests that interaction between NEDL1 and mutant SOD1 plays an important role in the onset and progression of FALS, although the detailed molecular mechanism of neural cell death (apoptosis) by NEDL1 are still unclear (Patent document 1, Non-patent document 2).    [Patent document 1] International Patent Publication No. WO03/018842    [Non-patent document 1] Rosen DR et al., Nature, 364: 59-62 (1993)    [Non-patent document 2] Miyazaki K et al., J. Biol. Chem., 279: 11327-11335 (2004)

Method of screening apoptosis accelerating compound or anti-apoptotic compound and method of determining malignancy of neurodegenerative disease


The present disclosure relates to substrates having laser-induced scattering features located either on the surface of the substrate or within the substrate, along with methods of making such scattering substrates. The disclosed scattering substrates provide improved light extraction properties and may be useful in a variety of applications, such as lighting and electronic displays.

The demand for new types of electronic displays, such as LCD-based displays, has resulted in a continuing need for improvements to the technologies incorporated into these devices. For example, in conventional LCD backlight units (BLU), light is extracted from the light guide at a high angle and multiple diffusers and turning (brightness enhancing) films are used to achieve the desired angular emission required for the display. These films not only add cost, light loss, and system complexity, but also suffer from a number of material deficiencies that make them less than ideal for electronics. Current polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) light guides have high transparency, but suffer from poor moldability, which limits use in small devices, and have high moisture absorption, leading to undesirable mechanical performance in large sizes (e.g., warp and material swelling). Other polymers, polycarbonate (PC) and cyclic olefin copolymer (COP), are typically used in handheld devices due to better moldability and less moisture absorption, but suffer from high light attenuation.
Further, even if the material, technological and engineering difficulties of current designs for backlight extraction are overcome, these polymeric materials are not idea for next generation, transparent displays as they are opaque. There is clearly a need for an improved backlight with high transparency which also emits light nearly perpendicular to the light guide as this would not only enable transparent displays, but could also simplify the BLU stack in conventional displays. The disclosed glass sheets provide these advantages and have better attenuation than PC and COP while maintaining good mechanical performance attributes, such as low CTE, low- to no-water absorption, and higher dimensional stability.

Laser featured glass for display illumination


The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for performing data decoding.

Various data processing systems have been developed including storage systems, cellular telephone systems, and radio transmission systems. In such systems data is transferred from a sender to a receiver via some medium. For example, in a storage system, data is sent from a sender (i.e., a write function) to a receiver (i.e., a read function) via a storage medium. As information is stored and transmitted in the form of digital data, errors are introduced that, if not corrected, can corrupt the data and render the information unusable. Layered data decoding techniques have been developed to overcome any corruption. In some cases, however, such layered decoding fails to properly decode.
Hence, for at least the aforementioned reasons, there exists a need in the art for advanced systems and methods for data decoding.

Systems and methods for reusing a layered decoder to yield a non-layered result


A roof construction-suspended ceiling system consists of a watertight outer layer and a layer of thermal insulation beneath it resting on a metal roof-supporting surface that has a vapor barrier. Below this there is a suspended ceiling system that has insulation placed thereon. The suspended ceiling has openings that will vent the area between the roof construction and the suspended ceiling and the above-said openings may be quickly closed in the event of a fire below the suspended ceiling system.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to roof construction and suspended ceiling system and, more particularly, to a fire rated suspended ceiling system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
This invention concerns a roof structure and suspended ceiling system consisting of a roof with a watertight outer layer and a layer of thermal insulation beneath it, resting on a metal roof-supporting surface that has a vapor barrier, plus a suspended ceiling that is suspended from the roof-supporting surface with the ceiling tile supported by suspended rails.
There is already a known roof structure and suspended ceiling system in which the rails that support the ceiling tiles of the suspended ceiling are suspended from a metal corrugated roof-supporting surface. The roof-supporting surface has a layer of sheet gypsum on its upper side and a layer of thermal insulation such as mineral wool above it, and this is sealed by a watertight outer layer. The roof-supporting surface forms a vapor barrier (German Patent Application No. 2,705,032). It is also known that a layer of asphalt can be applied to the roof-supporting surface to form the vapor barrier.
It has been found that in the event of fire, the fire resistance of this system does not meet the 90-minute requirement, despite the layer of sheet gypsum on the roof-supporting surface that forms a heat sink, because the metal roof-supporting surface reaches excessively high temperatures too rapidly.
To prevent this rapid heating of the metal roof-supporting surface in the space beneath the suspended ceiling in the event of fire, a layer of mineral wool could be appplied as thermal insulation to the ceiling tiles of the suspended ceiling, but the disadvantage of this arrangement is that in unfavorable weather conditions, the dew point in the space between the suspended ceiling and the roof-supporting surface could shift, so the suspended ceiling would be exposed to moisture, and this must be avoided at all costs.
To keep the dew point outside the space, even in very cold weather, the layer of thermal insulation on the roof-supporting surface would have to be increased considerably, so that increased cost due to this method would result in a very expensive roof structure and suspended ceiling system.


An optical measuring system has a first optical measuring instrument and a second optical measuring instrument. The optical measuring system includes a first optical path to guide a first beam from a measuring region to the first optical measuring instrument, a second optical path to guide a second beam from the measuring region to the second optical measuring instrument, an optical system through which the first and second optical paths extend and in which the first and second optical paths are paraxial, a reflection area to change the direction of the first optical path, the second optical path crossing the reflection area, and a light transmission area arranged at a position where the reflection area and second optical path cross each other, the light transmission area having a higher light transmittance than the reflection area.

Melanoma (malignant melanoma) is a superficial tumor occurring on the surface of a human body. It looks like a mole. However, if it is assumed as an ordinary mole and is touched or surgically operated, it metastasizes to the whole body and leads to death. It is known that the melanoma metastasizes even by irradiating it with ultraviolet rays of blue wavelength or shorter. Namely, only diagnosing it has a risk of metastasis. Even now, it is said that such a diagnosis relies on experienced doctors and their instinct. It is strongly desired, therefore, to provide a measuring apparatus capable of objectively diagnosing a skin problem such as melanoma without experienced doctors.


According to an approach for storing digital content onto a DVD, digital content is received from a source, such as a DirecTV link, an over the air (OTA) broadcast, over a cable television link, or any other type of communications link, including the Internet. The digital content is formatted to comply with the MPEG standard to create MPEG digital content and stored on a non-volatile storage. Text-based information is received that describes one or more attributes of the received digital content. A set of DVD subpicture graphics is generated based upon the text-based information. The set of DVD subpicture graphics may represent a structure that can be navigated by a user when the DVD is played. The MPEG digital content is retrieved from the non-volatile storage, converted to DVD format and stored on the DVD with the DVD subpicture graphics.

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, the approaches described in this section may not be prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Digital versatile discs, sometimes also referred to as digital video discs (DVDs), have become as popular as VCR tapes and may soon replace VCRs. The manufacturers of DVDs envision the DVD to replace not only VCR tapes, but CDs, laserdiscs, and video game cartridges. Currently, DVDs offer a platform that can store up to 15.9 GBs of audio and video (A/V) data on a single disc. However, a typical recordable DVD can only store approximately 4.7 GBs of data.
More recently, digital video recorders (DVRs) have emerged in the marketplace. There are a number of technology trends that are continuing to expand the opportunities for DVR functionality. These trends, whose initial existence directly led to the invention of the DVR, include the increasing density of gates on semiconductor media and the increasing density of magnetic storage on hard drive platters.
As content broadcasters transition to pure digital broadcasts, the entire pathway from the broadcast station to the viewer will be digital. DVRs are on the forefront of offering digital storage and display solutions to the viewer. DVRs offer the viewer increased control of the storage and playback of recorded broadcast programs. The user has the ability to pause and rewind through live broadcast programs which was never feasible using VCRs.
Even though the hard disks in a DVR can be very large (hundreds of gigabytes), the ability to backup and play stored program material using a DVD player/recorder was not considered until recently. This combination offers the DVR user the advantage of creating a large library of program material stored on DVDs. One problem is how to store content onto a DVD that may be received in a non-DVD compliant format. Another problem is how to store content onto a DVD in a manner that allows a user to use the functionality provided by DVRs. For example, when a DVD that conforms to the DVD standard is played, it is very difficult to perform special effects such as fast forward and rewind through the program material with the same granularity as with program material stored on a DVR. Moreover, it is impossible to go to arbitrary positions within the DVD content without having to perform multiple reads of the content. Each read contributes a high latency. To perform the same type of DVR special effects on a standard DVD player requires expensive reads of sections of the DVD disc and the granularity would not be up to the standards of a DVR. In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an approach for creating DVDs containing A/V content that addresses the problems above.

Approach for storing digital content onto digital versatile discs (DVDs)


An anisotropic conductive adhesive film contains a first insulating adhesive layer, a second insulating adhesive layer whose modulus of elasticity after curing is less than the modulus of elasticity of the cured first insulating adhesive layer, and electrically conductive particles which are dispersed in at least either the first insulating adhesive layer or the second insulating adhesive layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to anisotropic conductive adhesive films which are used in electrical and mechanical connections between electronic components such as semiconductor chips and circuit boards, and in particular relates to anisotropic conductive adhesive films which are suitable for use when flip-chip mounting semiconductor chips on polyester-based flexible circuit boards.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, anisotropic conductive adhesive films (ACF) have been used to effect electrical and mechanical connections between electronic components such as semiconductor chips and circuit boards, or between circuit boards; recently, however, in such applications as mobile telephones and IC cards in particular, anisotropic conductive adhesive films have come into wide use for flip-chip mounting (COF) IC chips on flexible circuit boards (FPC).
Anisotropic conductive adhesive films generally have a single layer structure, in which electrically conductive particles are dispersed in a single epoxy resin-based insulating adhesive layer. Other known structures include dual-layer structures comprising one insulating adhesive layer in which the electrically conductive particles have been dispersed and the other insulating adhesive layer of the same composition in which they are not so dispersed, or comprising an insulating adhesive layer in which the electrically conductive particles have been dispersed and a layer of that insulating adhesive with one or any components of the composition having been changed.
On the other hand, in mobile telephones, IC cards, and other applications there is a strong demand to keep costs low in order to provide a competitive price. Accordingly, in these applications polyester-based flexible circuit boards tend to be used instead of conventional polyimide-based ones.
However, polyester-based flexible circuit boards have poorer adhesion than polyimide-based ones, because of affection of the surface properties thereof. Conversely, if polyimide-based flexible circuit boards are replaced by polyester-based ones, the adhesion between the electronic component and the circuit board shall lower, owing to the high modulus of elasticity in anisotropic conductive adhesive films in which conventional epoxy resin-based insulating adhesives are employed.
In response to the above drawback, acrylate-based adhesives, which have high adhesion and a low modulus of elasticity, have been tested as insulating adhesives for anisotropic conductive adhesive films. However, another drawback has arisen in that the continuity reliability lowers, despite increased adhesion.
For these reasons, it has not been possible to achieve the required specifications with regard to adhesion and continuity reliability when using conventional anisotropic conductive adhesive films for mounting IC chips and other electronic components on polyester-based flexible circuit boards.
With the foregoing problems of the prior art in view, it is an object of the present invention to realize high adhesion and continuity reliability using anisotropic conductive adhesive films, even when mounting IC chips and other electronic components on polyester-based flexible circuit boards.
The present inventors perfected the present invention by discovering that by using an anisotropic conductive adhesive film when mounting IC chips and other electronic components on polyester-based flexible circuit boards, forming the insulating adhesive layer which constitutes the anisotropic conductive adhesive film into a multiple-layer configuration with one layer on the electronic component side and the other layer on the flexible circuit board side, and by making the modulus of elasticity after the insulating adhesive layer on the flexible circuit board side has been cured lower than the modulus of elasticity after the insulating adhesive layer on the electronic component side has cured, adhesion and continuity reliability will simultaneously increase.
In other words, the present invention provides an anisotropic conductive adhesive film comprising a first insulating adhesive layer and a second insulating adhesive layer whose modulus of elasticity after curing is less than the modulus of elasticity of the cured first insulating adhesive layer, in which electrically conductive particles have been dispersed in at least one of the first insulating adhesive layer and the second insulating adhesive layer.
Moreover, the present invention provides a method for electrically and mechanically connecting semiconductor chips with circuit boards by using the aforementioned anisotropic conductive adhesive film, in which the first insulating adhesive layer is disposed on the semiconductor chip side of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film and the second insulating adhesive layer is disposed on the circuit board side.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a connected structure assembly having a semiconductor chip and a circuit board electrically and mechanically connected thereto by using the aforementioned anisotropic conductive adhesive film, in which the semiconductor chips is bonded to the cured first insulating adhesive layer of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film and the circuit board is bonded to the cured second insulating adhesive layer.


Electro-optical apparatus for locating the surface of an object. A laser projects a beam along one axis. Light from the beam which is reflected by an impinged object is viewed along another axis, and is transmitted to a linear (straight-line) photodetector array. The array is specially oriented angularly relative to the viewing axis and to the laser beam axis, whereby, within the selected dynamic range of the apparatus, reflected light transmitted to the array is, under all circumstances, in sharp focus along the plane of the array.

This invention pertains to electro-optical distance-measuring apparatus, and more particularly, to a unique positional and attitudinal arrangement of components in such apparatus which promotes a high degree of accurate performance over a relatively wide dynamic range of distances.
There are many instances, such as for example in a plywood mill, where it is desired to make an accurate measurement of the distance between a known location and a particular object, so as to locate the object (or more particularly, the object's near surface) as precisely as possible in space. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described herein in conjunction with a block centering operation, wherein it is important to be able to position a log in a closely controlled position relative to a veneer peeler blade.
According to this preferred embodiment a small-diameter laser beam is projected along one axis toward what might be thought of as a viewing zone, in which logs are expected to appear prior to a block centering operation. "Looking", so-to-speak, along another and intersecting axis is an optically sensitive viewer which looks for light from this beam which is reflected from a log's surface.
It is known, and expected, that logs appearing within this zone will have different diameters. For example, it might be typical to expect logs having diameters in the range of about 8-inches to about 48-inches. Obviously, the distance-measuring system of the invention must be capable of monitoring logs within such diameter range. As will be more fully explained below, the angle between the beam-projection axis and the viewing axis is selected both to accommodate the "dynamic range" of expected log-diameter differences, and to maximize the resolution accuracy of viewed reflected light, so that such accuracy does not vary, in any appreciable sense, over the entire selected dynamic range.
Employed in the "viewing" portion of the apparatus are a lens and a linear (straight-line) photodetector array. When the laser beam strikes the surface of a log, the lens focuses onto the array an image of the reflected light. The position of such image, along the length of the array, is directly interpretable to indicate the distance to the impinged log surface. Throughout the dynamic range of the apparatus, and as logs of different diameters are observed, imaged reflected light will strike the photodetector array at different specific points along its length.
A unique and important feature of the present invention is the discovery that the angular positioning of the photodetector array is critical to assuring that, throughout the dynamic range which is contemplated, a reflected image on the array will always be in sharp focus thereon. In other words, with proper attention to such angular positioning, the focus of the image is independent of log-surface distance. If attention is not paid to this important angular positioning of the array, the focus of a reflected image thereon will change throughout the dynamic range, and will thus cause significant resolution accuracy differences.
These and various other objects and advantages which are attained by the invention will become more fully apparent as the description which now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.


A configurable vehicle computer is enabled based on identification information associated with a driver. Updates to the configurable vehicle computer are stored at a remote location. The updates are downloaded upon an authorized vehicle start-up.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to systems and methods for updating vehicle computing platform configuration information.
2. Discussion
A vehicle may have a computer that communicates with the internet. Sensitive information may reside with the computer. Unauthorized use of the vehicle may lead to unauthorized access of the information.

System and method for updating vehicle computing platform configuration information


A process for recovering light Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons from a rich tail gas produced from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis operation which comprises: (a) recovering separately from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis operation a Fischer-Tropsch condensate and a hydrocarbon rich Fischer-Tropsch tail gas; (b) cooling the Fischer-Tropsch condensate and Fischer-Tropsch tail gas; (c) using the cooled Fischer-Tropsch condensate as a lean oil to adsorb at least a portion of the light Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons present in the Fischer-Tropsch tail gas, whereby a rich oil mixture comprising Fischer-Tropsch condensate and light Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons is formed; and (d) collecting the rich oil mixture.

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis operations produce hydrocarbons having a wide range of molecular weights. In general, Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons as recovered from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor may be divided up into three categories based roughly upon their boiling ranges. However, it should be understood that there is considerable overlap between the individual boiling ranges of each of the three categories. The heaviest fraction includes hydrocarbons boiling above about 680° F. and generally is referred to as Fischer-Tropsch wax. Fischer-Tropsch wax is usually solid at ambient temperature. An intermediate fraction boiling between ambient temperature and about 700° F. is referred to as condensate. The condensate fraction is a liquid at ambient temperature and contains hydrocarbons boiling within the range of naphtha and diesel. The lightest fraction is normally gaseous at ambient temperature and contains light hydrocarbons, i.e., hydrocarbons containing less than about five carbon atoms. Tail gas which represents an overhead product from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis operation contains the light hydrocarbon fraction plus carbon oxides, hydrogen, and water vapor. Tail gas is generally considered a low value product which may be recycled to the reactor or burned locally as fuel. Although much of the hydrocarbons present in the tail gas are low value hydrocarbons, such as methane, ethane, and propane, the tail gas will also contain significant amounts of butane and propane, as well as some hexane, pentane, and octane. These C4 to C8 hydrocarbons represent commercially valuable products which it would be desirable to recover from the tail gas if an economically attractive means to do so is available. Unfortunately, there are few economically attractive methods for recovering these heavy ends from the tail gas.
Two conventional approaches are available for recovering the heavy ends from the tail gas. Cryogenic cooling may be used to condense and remove the heavy ends from Fischer-Tropsch tail gas. A second approach is to use a circulating lean oil in an adsorption tower to adsorb the hydrocarbons in the tail gas to form rich oil. However, conventional lean oil recovery methods require a regeneration loop where the valuable hydrocarbon products are extracted from the rich oil prior to re-circulating the regenerated lean oil back to the adsorption tower.
The present invention is directed to an integrated process for recovering the heavy ends present in the Fischer-Tropsch tail gas by using the Fischer-Tropsch condensate fraction as a once through lean oil to adsorb the commercially valuable hydrocarbons. The process of the present invention does not require a regeneration loop because the Fischer-Tropsch condensate is not re-circulated. When combined with a stripper, the present process provides an integrated and efficient process for economically recovering the most valuable hydrocarbons from the tail gas while also removing carbon oxides, i.e., carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, which are also present and are known to cause problems in downstream hydroprocessing operations.
As used in this disclosure the words "comprises" or "comprising" are intended as open-ended transitions meaning the inclusion of the named elements, but not necessarily excluding other unnamed elements. The phrases "consists essentially of" or "consisting essentially of" are intended to mean the exclusion of other elements of any essential significance to the composition. The phrases "consisting of" or "consists of" are intended as a transition meaning the exclusion of all but the recited elements with the exception of only minor traces of impurities.

Use of Fischer-Tropsch condensate as a lean oil for heavy ends recovery from Fischer-Tropsch tail gas


Output voltage of a switching regulator is rectified and adjusted by the internal body diode of an FET. When the output voltage exceeds a reference voltage, the FET is gated off, causing the internal body diode to reduce the output voltage by a diode drop. When the FET is turned on, the diode is shorted and, as a result, the output voltage is increased by a finite amount of additional energy. This adjustment range, a diode drop, is significant for low voltage, wide bandwidth power supplies.

This invention relates in general to power supplies and in particular to output stages for switching regulators.
Power supplies are classified under linear regulators, switching regulators and resonant converters. Linear regulators are relatively inefficient at converting an input voltage to an output voltage, delivering up to 25 watts at 30-50% efficiency. Resonant converters are far more efficient, delivering up to 150 watts with an efficiency of 85-90%. At the higher wattages, however, switching regulators are preferred, delivering up to 2000 watts with an efficiency between 70 and 90%.
Switching regulators include buck regulators and flyback regulators. The buck regulator converts a high input voltage to a lower output voltage. A power output switch chops up the input voltage into a stream of pulses which are rectified into direct current by an output stage. Although low in cost, weight and size, the buck regulator does not provide isolation between the input and output. Further, it usually provides only one output.
The flyback regulator, in contrast, can provide multiple outputs per circuit with full isolation. A power input switch chops up the dc voltage across the primary winding of a main switching transformer. A series of output stages are inductively coupled to the primary winding, each rectifying and filtering the induced voltage to provide an output voltage.
A basic output stage 2 for a switching regulator is shown in FIG. 1. The output stage 2 includes a choke 4, a diode 6 and a capacitor 8, which form a main loop. Energy is stored in the choke 4. In a flyback regulator, the choke 4 is physically part of the main switching transformer. Through half-wave rectification, the diode 6 provides a direct current with large ripple. The ripple is greatly reduced by the capacitor 8, which stores charge during most of the period when the diode 6 is conducting and releases charge during the rest of the period. The voltage across the capacitor 8 is the output voltage V.sub.out.
However, a substantial increase in load will cause a significant increase in voltage drop through the diode 6 and any other resistance components. Thus, the output voltage will also change significantly.
Most integrated circuits do not function properly unless the output voltage is maintained within a certain range. For example, a five volt supply for bipolar logic usually must be regulated between 4.75 and 5.25 volts.
Supplies capable of such regulation are presently available. The output voltage is regulated by a control loop (usually in the input stage), typically including a reference, integrator, attenuator (if needed), loop stability compensator and feedback signal. The feedback signal is supplied to an integrator (which provides negative feedback for stabilization) where it is effectively compared with the reference signal. The output of the integrator is compared to an oscillatory signal (usually a triangular waveform) by a comparator. The comparator functions as a pulse width modulator and controls the power input switch duty cycle, which controls the amount of energy stored in choke 4.
However, modern power supplies cannot easily be regulated to meet the accuracy and bandwidth required by the newer integrated circuits which, due to closer spacing of internal components, operate at lower voltages. Integrated circuits rated at 3.3 volts are presently available, and technology forecasts are predicting that the newer integrated circuits will be operated between two and three volts.

Synchronous rectification and adjustment of regulator output voltage


A system and method for wireless power transfer. The system includes a transmit coil having a first magnetic field having a first magnitude. The system also includes a receive coil, magnetically coupled to the transmit coil, having a second magnetic field having a second magnitude. The system also includes an electronic processor electrically coupled to the transmit coil and communicatively coupled to the receive coil. The electronic processor is configured to determine the first magnitude of the first magnetic field. The electronic processor is further configured to receive the second magnitude of the second magnetic field. The electronic processor is further configured to determine an efficiency based on the first magnitude and the second magnitude, and determine a power level for the transmit coil based on the efficiency.

Battery-powered, portable electronic devices are used for a variety of purposes. For example, public safety personnel (for example, police officers or other first responders) may use, for example, communication devices and recording devices that are useful to them during the performance of their duties. In another example, people engaging in hiking, mountain or rock climbing, hunting, or similar outdoor recreational activities may use a portable electronic device (for example, a navigation device) to enhance their recreational experience.
Wireless power transfer systems have been implemented to recharge the batteries of such devices. Wireless power transfer systems transfer electrical power, without wired connections, using, for example, inductive or resonant magnetic coupling.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Systems and methods for controlling wireless power transfer


The advent of graphene and related 2D materials has recently led to a new technology: heterostructures based on these atomically thin crystals. The paradigm proved itself extremely versatile and led to rapid demonstration of tunnelling diodes with negative differential resistance, tunnelling transistors, photovoltaic devices and so on. In the present invention, the complexity and functionality of such van der Waals heterostructures is taken to the next level by introducing quantum wells (QWs) engineered with one atomic plane precision. We describe light-emitting diodes (LEDs) made by stacking metallic graphene, insulating hexagonal boron nitride and various semiconducting monolayers into complex but carefully designed sequences.

Graphene is a two-dimensional allotrope of carbon, in which a planar sheet of sp2 hybridised carbon atoms is arranged in a 'honeycomb pattern' of tessellated hexagons. Essentially graphene is a single layer of graphite. Graphene is a semi metal with high room temperature charge carrier mobility. It is stable in ambient conditions and its electronic properties can be controlled through application of an electric field as with traditional silicon transistors (K. S. Novoselov, A. K. Geim, S. V. Morozov, D. Jiang, Y. Zhang, S. V. Dubonos, I. V. Grigorieva and A. A. Firsov, "Electric field Effect in Atomically Thin Carbon Films"Science, Vol. 306, No. 5696, pp. 666-669, 2004).
The advent of graphene and subsequent discovery of its multitude of superior properties, has led to the identification of many other two-dimensional crystals through both chemical modification of graphene and exfoliation of other layered compounds. Other two dimensional materials which have been isolated include NbSe2, bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSCCO) and MoS2. These are also stable and can exhibit complementary electronic properties to graphene, such as being insulators, semiconductors or superconductors.
Graphene's properties are typically encumbered by its proximity to most substrates. Although it is possible to suspend graphene, this is technologically unfavourable due to the fragile nature of these devices. However, boron nitride (BN); a two-dimensional layered material which is a good insulator) provides a good substrate which has a much smaller effect on graphene's properties than previously reported materials. This is manifest in the increase in electron mobility and decrease in charge inhomogeneity of graphene. It has also become possible to achieve very clean and precise transfer of thin crystal flakes to the surfaces of one another and devices can be prepared which involve two electrically isolated graphene layers.
This new area of research and progress in precise transferring of the crystals whilst maintaining their quality has resulted in the emergence of a new class of materials: two-dimensional-crystal based heterostructures. More specifically, there is the possibility to create hybrid materials, by stacking combinations of two-dimensional crystals with differing properties. These structures are interesting from both a fundamental and an application based point of view. It has, for instance, been shown that a trilayer stack of graphene/boron nitride/graphene is operable as a tunnelling transistor. This means that the size of the barrier (BN) for electrons to flow between the two separate graphene layers can be varied by a gate electrode. These tunnelling devices are intrinsically fast and may be suitable for high frequency applications. The on/off ratio was enhanced by replacing the boron nitride layer with that of a material with a smaller band gap such as MoS2.
As well as allowing the operation of tunnelling transistors, this layering of sheets of graphene and boron nitride or molybdenum disulfide has permitted the observation of phenomena such as Coulomb drag. Coulomb drag is where the flow of electrons in one graphene layer of the graphene/BN/graphene heterostructures were observed to 'drag' along electrons in the other layer. These effects have previously been seen in GaAlAs heterostructures but in the case of graphene-based heterostructures an important feature is the ability to make the separation so small that electrons are closer to their counterparts in the other layer than within their own layer. There is also the possibility to tune between electrons and holes, which is not possible in conventional semiconductors.
Graphene can now be synthesised and transferred onto a substrate with roll-to-roll processing, enabling the possibility of industrial production of devices such as touch screens (S Bae, H. Kim, X. Xu, J.-S. Park. Y Zheng, J. Balakrishnan, T. Lei, H. R. Kim, Y. I. Song. Y-J. Kim. K. S. Kim, B. Özyilmaz, J.-H. Ahn, S. ljima Roll-to-roll production of 30-inch graphene films for transparent electrodes; Nature Nanotechnology, 5, 574-578, 2010).
Graphene is also intrinsically very strong. It has been found to be one of the strongest materials ever measured. This means that graphene is inherently able to withstand large deformation forces. Combined with graphene's ability to elastically stretch up to 20% this makes it suitable for flexible electronic applications. This is likely to be particularly important in the field of display technologies and opens the way to flexible displays based on graphene. Such materials may find utility in a number of hand-held and small portable devices in which a flexible display would be advantageous.
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are a group of layered materials that have been found to exfoliate to monolayer by both mechanical and chemical methods. Many of these various materials—MoS2, WS2, TaS2 to name a few—are structurally similar but have an array of electronic properties ranging from semiconducting to metallic depending on their exact composition and thickness. Tungsten disulfide (WS2) has various applications including solid state lubrication and industrial surface protection.
It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a heterostructure containing quantum wells. A further aim is to provide a vertical heterostructure. In certain embodiments it is an aim to produce multiple quantum well (MQW) devices which are easier to fabricate and/or have improved properties relative to conventional quantum well (QW) structures. Another aim of the invention is to provide a novel single quantum well (SQW) heterostructure. It is also an aim of certain embodiments to provide a heterostructure having a high electroluminescent quantum efficiency relative to currently available materials. It is a further aim of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a vertical heterostructure capable of incorporation into an electronic device such as an LED. It is an aim to provide a device having a quantum efficiency which is sufficient to produce a viable LED device. A further aim of the invention is to prepare LEDs having a higher quantum efficiency and/or which are capable of emitting a broader range of visible radiation compared with current LEDs.
It is a further aim of embodiments of the invention to provide a device which converts a higher percentage of the input energy into visible or near infra red radiation than those of the prior art. In other words it is an aim to provide a cell or device which has a higher energy conversion efficiency than those of the prior art. Yet another aim is to provide a heterostructure or an electronic device incorporating such a heterostructure which is more robust and/or more flexible and/or which has a greater longevity than those of the prior art.
This invention generally relates to new applications of graphene. Specifically, the invention relates to new graphene heterostructures, applications of graphene heterostructures and methods of making graphene heterostructures.
It is an aim of the invention to provide methods of making graphene heterostructures which are more energy efficient than existing methods. The methods may be quicker than existing methods. They may generate less waste than existing methods.
It is an aim of this invention to provide methods which allow access to graphene heterostructures which it is not possible to make using existing methods.
It is an aim of this invention to provide methods which allow the efficient production of graphene heterostructures on a larger scale than existing methods.
A further aim of the invention is the provision of new graphene heterostructures.
These heterostructures may have similar properties to existing graphene heterostructures but be easier to produce. The new graphene heterostructures may have improved properties compared to known graphene heterostructures, or they may have improved properties compared to known non-graphene based materials. The graphene heterostructures may have new properties not previously observed in graphene heterostructures. In particular, the new heterostructures may have new combinations of properties not previously observed in a single material, whether that material is graphene based or not graphene based.
Another aim of the invention is to provide heterostructures for use in new photonics devices, such as LEDs. Further advantages and aims of the invention will be apparent from the following description.
Embodiments of the following invention may achieve at least one of the above aims.

Heterostructures and electronic devices derived therefrom


A shutter opening/closing control device is proposed which can reduce an operation noise of the shutter without increasing the manufacturing cost. The shutter opening/closing control device includes a grille shutter for opening and closing a grille opening which introduces the outside air into the engine compartment, a shutter opening and closing operating portion having a drive source for operating the shutter to be open or to be closed, a closing operation judging portion for judging whether or not the grille shutter is operated in a closing direction based on the vehicle information and a drive source torque controlling portion for controlling the drive source of the shutter opening and closing operating portion to operate the shutter by a low torque when the grille shutter is operated in a closing direction under the engine being stopped. The low torque is lower than a high torque by which the drive source operates the grille shutter in an opening direction.

In a vehicle, a grille opening is provided at a front face of the vehicle for introducing outside air to the front side of a radiator installed in an engine compartment of the vehicle. A grille shutter is provided at the grille opening for opening or closing the grille opening to allow or interrupt the introduction of the outside air into the engine compartment. As such conventional devices, the Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose conventional technology for such devices.

Grille shutter opening/closing control device


A fault tolerant addressing arrangement for a solid-state disk comprising partially defective memory devices is provided. The addressing technique increments both row and column addresses when establishing locations for the storage of symbols so that the same rows and columns are not addressed for any two symbols. The technique also complements certain portions of the symbols' address to ensure addressing of different locations within each memory device.

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices constitute the main memories of most modern computers because their performance characteristics, e.g. the ability to quickly store and access information, are crucial to the efficient operation of the computer. A DRAM device is organized as one or more rectangular matrices, each of which is addressed in terms of rows and columns of storage elements. Specifically, each matrix consists of an array of storage elements, each holding one (1) bit of data that can be loaded into, or retrieved from, each storage element as required. The access time is generally the same for any bit in the DRAM regardless of its location.
Magnetic disks have traditionally dominated as secondary mass storage devices. Data is stored on magnetic disks in groups of blocks or sectors, which are the smallest units accessed in read or write operations. Access time to the data depends upon the location of a sector on the disk and is at least an order of magnitude longer than that of a DRAM. However, DRAM storage is more expensive than magnetic storage.
An alternative to magnetic disks for secondary storage is solid-state disks. A solid-state disk composed of an array of DRAMs provides high transfer rates, i.e. block transfers to and from memory, and fast access times. The block-access nature of the solid-state disk allows .error correction to be spread over more than one word, which translates into greater error recovery. Greater error recovery, provided by powerful error correction codes (ECC) such as Reed-Solomon codes, allows the "disk" to be constructed from less reliable, and thus less expensive, DRAMs without sacrificing product availability.
Reed-Solomon codes provide effective correction for the types of errors experienced on secondary storage media. Prior to storing data on a disk, a block of data is converted into error correction code symbols consisting of data and check symbols. More specifically, the check symbols are appended to the data symbols and the resulting "code block" is stored. When the code block is retrieved, the check symbols are used in the detection and correction of errors in the data symbols. The Reed-Solomon codes correct the errors on a symbol basis.
Less reliable DRAMs may be purchased at considerable price advantage because they have internal defects that are poorly defined; that is, certain groups of DRAMs, having failed the manufacturer's tests, are characterized as "partially bad" devices. The defects in those devices may be random or they may be correlated, i.e. in the same locations in the respective devices in an entire batch. The defects are manifested by the recording of erroneous data values in the storage elements. Unfortunately, when they are correlated, the number of erroneous symbols in a block of data exceeds the correction capability of a reasonable number of check symbols.
One approach to organizing data in a memory to optimize the memory's tolerance for system faults is described in patent application Ser. No. 376,357, filed Jul. 6, 1989, titled FAULT TOLERANT MEMORY, by Francis Reiff and assigned to the assignee of this invention. As described therein, 10-bit symbols in each block of data are organized vertically in RAM devices so that the same bit positions of ten different bytes of a given RAM device contain the ten bits of a symbol. With this technique, failure of one of the data lines connected to the memory affects only 32 symbols out of a total of 512 in a code block, and the resulting errors are thus correctable by the ECC. Moreover, each block is distributed among 32 RAM devices and failure of two RAM devices causes errors in only 32 symbols, again correctable by the ECC. The disclosed method does not, however, address the problem of data errors resulting from a correlated defect, such as an entire row defect, in each of an array of memory devices. In that case, there would be an error in a very large number of symbols in a code block, resulting in an uncorrectable set of errors.

Addressing technique for a fault tolerant block-structured storage device


In order to effectively transfer heat from inner layers of an actuator coil to an area external to the coil, heat transfer elements, located proximate to the actuator coil, can be used. In an embodiment, a heat transfer apparatus for the actuator coil can include one or more heat transfer elements located proximate to one or more layers or one or more windings of the actuator coil and a cooling surface located proximate to the one or more heat transfer elements and to the actuator coil. In this configuration, the heat transfer apparatus can transfer heat from inner layers of the actuator coil to the cooling surface, which in turn transfers the heat to an area external to the actuator coil.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of heat dissipation in electromechanical devices and, more particularly, to the cooling of actuator coils.
2. Background
Motor coils are used in a wide array of applications including, for example, hard disk drives and lithography tools. In general, a motor coil includes an actuator coil that contains numerous windings of a wire and a magnetic device. The magnetic device can include one or more permanent magnets. As electric current is passed through the actuator coil, an electromagnetic field is established, which interacts with a magnetic field produced from the magnetic device to cause a force to be exerted on the actuator coil. This force causes the actuator coil to move. In the alternative, the magnetic device can move, while the actuator coil remains stationary, when the electromagnetic field is established between the magnetic device and the actuator coil.
The movement of the actuator coil can be controlled by adjusting the electric current flowing through the actuator coil, where a force on the actuator coil is proportional to the electric current. To increase the force, the electric current must also be increased. However, as the current is increased, the operating temperature of the actuator coil also increases in the form of electrical energy dissipating as heat energy within the actuator coil. The resistance of the actuator coil, in turn, increases and the magnitude of the current flowing through the actuator coil is limited, thereby adversely affecting the performance of the motor coil.
One common solution for applications requiring a rapidly moving motor coil is the use of heat transfer elements. Current heat transfer elements are placed on top, bottom, and side surfaces of the actuator coil and configured to cool the outside layers of the coil. However, these heat transfer designs do not effectively transfer heat away from the inner layers of the coil, where coil temperature can be at its highest.


Fine and stable silicone-in-water emulsions, well suited for cosmetic applications, e.g., for the treatment of hair (shampoo, rinse, etc.) or skin (skin care, dermatology, etc.), include (a) a VHV polydiorganosiloxane having a viscosity of at least 9.times.10.sup.4 mPa.s at 25.degree. C., (b) at least one fluid silicone having a viscosity no greater than 50,000 mPa.s. at 25.degree. C. and (c) a sugar glyceride nonionic surface-active agent, and wherein the percentage by weight of such VHV polydiorganosiloxane (a) in the total silicone content (a)+(b) ranges from 5% to 50% and the ratio parts by weight of surface-active agent (c)/parts by weight of water is no greater than 0.7.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel cosmetic compositions especially well suited for the care of hair or of the skin and comprising certain silicone-in-water emulsions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The silicones have long been used as raw materials having a wide variety of properties (feel, spreading, inertness and the like) which can advantageously be formulated into cosmetic compositions.
The application of silicone-based aqueous emulsions results in the formation of an invisible hydrophobic film and this property is particularly advantageous for application to skin (providing a non-tacky, nongreasy and soft feel) and for application to hair (untwisting or disentangling effect). In this instance, because of their easy dispersibility, silicone oils are typically used, of low molecular weights and which have a dynamic viscosity at 25.degree. C. well below 5.times.10.sup.4 mPa.s. However, because of their superior persistence or longevity, silicone compounds of higher molecular weights and viscosities have appeared to be the silicones of choice, such as oils and resins which have a viscosity at 25.degree. C. of at least 9.times.10.sup.4 mPa.s.
Hereinafter, by the expression "VHV compounds" (very high viscosity compounds) are intended the oils and resins exhibiting at 25.degree. C. a viscosity as high as at least 9.times.10.sup.4 mPa.s.
Nevertheless, when using VHV silicone compound starting materials, the preparation of aqueous emulsions which are at the same time finely divided and stable presents certain difficulties, which can be overcome, as described in EP-A-0,200,916, on condition, on the one hand, that the VHV compound is used in the form of solution in a volatile silicone, said solution having a viscosity advantageously ranging from 30,000 to 2.times.10.sup.6 mPa.s or more and, on the other, that a judicious mixture of three surface-active agents of nonionic type is selected, these having HLB values of 7 to 9 in the case of the first of such agents, from 13 to 15 in the case of the second and equal to or higher than 16 in the case of the third of such agents.

Cosmetic compositions comprising aqueous emulsions of organopolysiloxanes


A transparent face temperature sensor 3 for measuring temperature comprises a transparent insulating substrate 7 for the sensor, a transparent electrically conductive film 9 for the sensor provided on at least either one of the surfaces of the substrate, a pair of terminals 11 connected to the film. The wires 13 are made of copper and constantan, respectively. The sensor 3 is bonded in electrical insulation conditions, to the a transparent face heater 5, via a insulating sheet 25 and a silicone resin, and hold in a housing 27. Temperature-measuring point is not one point, but an entire surface. Accordingly, the face temperature sensor 3 can detect the average temperature over the entire surface of the sensor film 9.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a transparent face temperature sensor and a transparent face temperature control apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a transparent face temperature sensor adapted to control the temperature of a specimen or specimens laid thereon to a desired temperature and a transparent face temperature control apparatus including such sensor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the case of artificial insemination for breeding of a stock, it is often necessary to keep the temperature of the specimen such as sperm or ova to observe under the microscope. In order to satisfy such requirement, a heater for microscope had been provided. Some apparatus are recited in the Japanese patent application serial No. 6-113540 (Japanese patent No. 2835422) (1994), and Japanese utility model application serial No. 7-2714 (Japanese utility model No. 3016894) (1995).
Generally, the heater for microscope comprises a transparent plate for heater, transparent electrically conductive film deposited on the surface of the plate, for example, through deposition methods, electrodes electrically connected to the film, a transparent protective plate spaced away by a given distance from the plate, a body of a transparent insulating material such as silicone for filling the space defined between the plates, a thermocouple as a temperature sensor in which the temperature measuring junction of which is disposed between the plates, and a housing bearing the outer peripheral edge of the plates.
If it is intended to observe or examine the specimen, the heater for microscope is at first attached on the stage of the microscope, the specimen laid over the slide glass is then placed on the heater, and energizing the film to generate heat energy to warm the specimen. The current to be delivered to the heater can be controlled on the basis of the temperature detected through the thermocouple.
Various types of the heaters are available. The types of the heaters depend on the kind of microscope (e. g. an inverted microscope, an erecting microscope, or a stereomicroscope, etc.), and/or the structure (shape) of the stages of the microscopes.
The above described heater for microscope is required to keep the specimen at predetermined temperatures for all types, since this is the performance required for the heater for microscope.
The temperature-measuring junctions of the thermocouple or sensor are disposed on the end portions of the plate for heater in order not to interfere with the observation. The apparatus of this arrangement, however, tend to heat excessively on the center of the plate. Thus the temperature detected by the thermocouple is often lower than that of the central portion. In this connection the control of the temperature on the basis of the information obtained through the thermocouple may lead to the overshooting of the temperature of the central portion relative to that set.
The problem of overshooting is common with the apparatus in which the portion to be sensed in its temperature has a predetermined surface area and the temperature sensor should be insured not to interfere with the observation.

Transparent face temperature sensor and transparent face temperature controller


According to an embodiment, an image encoding apparatus includes a background control information generator, a background image generator, and an image encoder. The background control information generator generates background control information based on an input image. The background control information is used for generating a first background image from at least one first image. The background image generator generates the first background image, based on the background control information and at least one first image. The image encoder encodes the input image using the first background image to generate encoded data.

In general, where images (video) photographed by a camera are transmitted to a remote plate, the images are encoded (compressed) to reduce the amount of data transmitted. Typically, a high coding rate is enabled in image encoding by referring to previously encoded images and predicting a present image. If the images are transmitted by way of a narrow-band channel, however, the high image qualities are hard to maintain.

Image encoding apparatus, image decoding apparatus and image transmission method


Systems and methods for preparing a bone for a surgical procedure are provided. In general, the described techniques use a surgical guide device including a cannula having first and second parallel elongate channels adjacent to one another, and first and second elongate sleeves configured to be removably and replaceably received in the first and second channels, respectively. The first sleeve has a plurality of openings formed therein, each being in communication with a respective wire-receiving lumen extending through the first sleeve. Each of the openings defines a different offset distance between the wire-receiving lumen in communication with that opening and a wire-receiving lumen extending through the second sleeve. The surgical device can be manipulated so as to define positions of first and second openings in a bone, such as a glenoid or other bone, to receive bone screws or other elements for attaching a bone graft to the bone.

The shoulder joint has the largest range of motion of any joint in the human body. It is a ball-and-socket joint having three bones: a shoulder blade (scapula), a collarbone (clavicle), and an upper arm bone (humerus). A rounded head of the upper arm bone (humeral head) fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder blade called a glenoid. The humeral head is usually much larger than the glenoid, and together they have little inherent stability. The shoulder joint is thus prone to instability and dislocation. A soft fibrous tissue rim called a labrum surrounds the glenoid to form a cup for the humeral head to move within the glenoid. The labrum thus helps maintain stability of the shoulder, while allowing for a very wide range of motion. When the labrum of the shoulder joint is damaged, the stability of the shoulder joint is compromised, leading to subluxation and dislocation of the joint. Recurrent dislocations may cause damage to the bones of the joint—the humeral head and the glenoid. In particular, damage to the anterior-inferior part of the glenoid will cause a decrease in the area of contact with the humeral head.
Surgical procedures intended to address the shoulder instability are typically divided into soft tissue and bony procedures. Surgical reconstruction targeting the shoulder joint's soft tissues (which typically involves labral repairs) can be adequate to address certain shoulder instability problems. However, in cases where significant bone deficiency is present (e.g., when greater than 20% of the glenoid's surface area is missing), addressing only the soft tissue issues is typically not sufficient. Bone deficiency can result from trauma, overuse, congenital deformity, or recurrent dislocation.
Reestablishment of shoulder stability requires recognition and treatment of bone defects. When bone deficiencies or lesions reach certain dimensions, reconstruction of these deficits is typically performed using a bone graft. Although existing techniques have been used with some success, the bone graft may not be properly aligned with the glenoid or other bone structure being reconstructed. In particular, when the bone to be reconstructed is being prepared for receiving the graft, it may be challenging to identify proper locations for attachment elements (e.g., screws) that are to be inserted into the bone when the graft is attached thereto.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved techniques and devices for preparing a bone for a surgical procedure, such as a procedure involving use of a bone graft.

Methods and systems for preparing bone for a surgical procedure


Provided herein are methods of treatment and/or prevention of cancer by manipulation of commensal microflora. In particular, the amount, identity, presence, and/or ratio of microflora (e.g., gut microflora) in a subject is manipulated to facilitate one or more co-treatments.

Harnessing the host immune system constitutes a promising approach for the treatment of cancer because of its potential to specifically target tumor cells while limiting harm to normal tissue, with durability of benefit associated with immunologic memory. Enthusiasm has been fueled by recent clinical success, particularly with antibodies that block immune inhibitory pathways, specifically CTLA-4 and the PD-1/PD-L1 axis (Hodi et al. The New England journal of medicine 363, 711-723 (2010); Hamid et al. The New England journal of medicine 369, 134-144 (2013); herein incorporated by reference in their entireties). Early data have indicated that clinical responses to these immunotherapies are more frequent in patients who show evidence of an endogenous T cell response ongoing in the tumor microenvironment at baseline (Tumeh et al. Nature 515, 568-571 (2014); Spranger et al. Science translational medicine 5, 200ra116 (2013); Ji et al. Cancer immunology, immunotherapy: CII 61, 1019-1031 (2012); Gajewski et al. Cancer journal 16, 399-403 (2010); herein incorporated by reference in their entireties). Despite the functional and clinical importance of this T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment, the mechanisms that govern the presence or absence of this phenotype have not been well understood. Theoretical sources of inter-patient heterogeneity include germline genetic differences at the level of the host, variability in patterns of somatic alterations in tumor cells, and environmental differences with the potential to impact on systemic immunity.

Treatment of cancer by manipulation of commensal microflora


In order to recover or dispose of ammonia or ammonia compounds from mixtures of dust that occur during combustion processes, during subsequent gas cooling, or during subsequent gas scrubbing, the dust that is created is mixed in batches with water in a closed system at a temperature that is lower or equal to the temperature at which the dust leaves the combustion, cooling or scrubbing process, and the resulting vapors are drawn off in a vacuum.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for extracting or disposing of ammonia or ammonia compounds that occur during combustion processes and subsequent gas cooling and/or gas scrubbing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
During the treatment of exhaust gases that result from combustion processes, in order to reduce the concentration of nitrous oxide, either ammonia is added to the flow of gas ahead of a reduction (SCR process) or else ammonia or a substance that forms ammonia under the effects of temperature (e.g., urea, ammonium carbonate) is sprayed into the gas flow at a temperature range that is above 700.degree. C. (SNCR process). In both cases, some of the ammonia will not be used up during the process that reduces the NO.sub.x and will be carried out in the exhaust gases in the form of so-called ammonia slip [Ammoniakschlupf--Tr.]. This contaminates not only the atmosphere, but also any subsequent exhaust gas scrubbing systems, if ammonia or ammonia compounds (ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium bisulfite) are flushed out with the dust from a filter system.
It is true that the ammonium salts, which are formed in the exhaust-gas section at temperatures in excess of 300.degree. C., can be removed effectively with cloth filters; however, problems are encountered when such filter dusts are subjected to further processing. These problems lie in the fact that the filter dust is dampened with water in order to make it easier to handle. When this is done, the ammonium salts give up their ammonia, which then escapes into the atmosphere. In order to prevent this uncontrolled escape of ammonia, which can also occur during subsequent dumping, according to the state of the art, the filter dusts can now be subjected to a stripping process in which the ammonia is to a large extent driven off. However, during this stripping process, the filter dust is heated with steam or electrically, and subsequently moistened, which means that in addition, heavy metals and their compounds, in particular mercury, can escape in the form of gas, which leads to further environmental problems.

Process for extracting of disposing of ammonia or ammonia compounds from dust mixtures

Martin GmbH fur Umwelt- und Energietechnik