The present application relates to mobile devices and in particular mobile devices which allow installed applications to connect to the Internet. The application addresses the problems associated with limited battery life and network congestion by controlling access to the Internet on each mobile device. The method intercepts requests to transmit IP data from applications and then determines whether they should be granted access.

The development of smart phones in association with development of 3G and 4G networks has meant that users are now able to use applications on their phones which access the Internet, including basic functionality such as web browsing. Apart from applications which may be provided by the manufacturer of the phone, a user may also download and install other applications, commonly referred to as "Apps". Other applications provide for social media interactions including for example FACEBOOK™ and TWITTER™, navigation for example GOOGLE MAPS™, games and auction facilities such as eBay™.
Whilst these applications improve the user functionality on smart phone, they can lead to negative consequences on the telecommunications networks from the increase in data being transmitted.
The present application seeks to ameliorate these negative effects.

Method for the reduction of signalling traffic on mobile devices


Systems and methods are described for a wireless instrumented silicon wafer that can measure temperatures at various points and transmit those temperature readings to an external receiver. The device has particular utility in the processing of semiconductor wafers, where it can be used to map thermal uniformity on hot plates, cold plates, spin bowl chucks, etc. without the inconvenience of wires or the inevitable thermal perturbations attendant with them.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of integrated circuit fabrication. More particularly, the present invention relates to temperature measurement of a wafer in a simulated wafer processing environment, such as, for example, on a heating plate in a vacuum chamber. Specifically, a preferred implementation of the present invention relates to a temperature measurement device wherein a plurality of temperature sensors and an associated signal transmitter are attached to a face of the wafer in the form of a set of integrated circuits.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In the semiconductor industry, many phases of wafer processing, particularly operations involving photoresist, require extraordinary levels of temperature control and uniformity. It is often necessary that the temperature distribution across a 6" wafer be known and controlled to within a fraction of a degree Centigrade. Wafers are fitted with temperature measurement equipment and placed in the processing equipment under simulated wafer processing conditions. Commercially available measurement tools, such as those made by Sensarray Corporation, rely on hard-wired thermocouples, thermistors, or resistive thermal detectors. The resulting device, therefore, is a silicon wafer with a large number of wires affixed to its surface. These wires are brought into a common sheathed lead and a multipin connector, which plugs into an interface module. The entire setup is fragile, because the wires are extremely thin. Conversely, making the wires thicker has an adverse effect on the accuracy because each lead wire acts as a miniature "cold finger" and thus perturbs the very thermal environment that one seeks to measure. Furthermore, the wires interfere with the placement of probes that might be used if one were measuring temperatures in a wafer test bench. Lastly, it is obvious that a hard-wired wafer cannot be used to measure temperatures in a rotating environment such as an operating photoresist spin bowl.
For example, FIG. 1 shows a commercially available wafer temperature measurement metrology product made by Sensarray. The product consists of a "standard" silicon wafer 110 with temperature sensors 120 attached to or embedded in it at various places. The sensors 120 are then attached to sensor leads 130 that are routed through a stress relief clamp 140. The sensor leads 130 continue on to form an unsheathed high compliant lead section 145 and then a sheathed lead section 150. The sensor leads 130 terminate at a connector 160. The connector 160 can carry the signals from the sensors 120 to an external measurement system (not shown).
FIG. 2 shows a commercially available construction for low pressure bake. In this design the leads 130 form a high compliance flat cable vacuum feedthrough 210.
FIG. 3 shows a thermocouple junction 310 conventionally bonded to a silicon wafer 320 with ceramic 330. The thermocouple junction 310 is located in a re-entrant cavity 340 and connected to a pair of thermocouple wires 350.
FIG. 4 shows a thermocouple junction 410 conventionally bonded to a silicon wafer 420 with high temperature epoxy 430. The thermocouple junction 410 is located in a spherical cavity 440 and connected to a pair of thermocouple wires 450.
FIG. 5 shows a resistance temperature detector (RTD) 510 conventionally bonded into a cylindrical cavity 520 of a silicon wafer 530 with high temperature epoxy 540. The RTD 510 includes current source leads 550 and measurement leads 560.
FIG. 6 shows a thermistor 610 conventionally bonded to a silicon wafer 620 with high temperature epoxy 630. The thermistor 610 includes platinum thermistor leads 640 and is located in a tapered thermistor cavity 650. A pair of copper lead wires 660 is located in a tapered lead cavity 670.
All of the designs shown in FIGS. 1-6 include a number of lead wires. All of the designs are fragile and none can be used when the wafer is being rotated.
Therefore, what is needed is a wafer temperature measurement system that is robust, does not interfere with the placement of probes and can be used in a rotating environment. Heretofore, the requirements referred to above have not been fully met.

Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation


A system and method for recovering messages in a multi-node system that incorporates an active-active architecture with replicated databases is disclosed. The system comprises two or more computing nodes where each computing node includes brokers for processing local messages and a recovery broker for recovering messages from the replicated database when another node in the system fails. Each recovery broker competes with brokers on another node to acquire locks on database information. The recovery broker is successful if the network of brokers on the other node are unavailable and fail to obtain or retain locks on the database information. In this situation, the recovery broker can retrieve messages from the database information and pass the messages to other brokers on the same computing node for processing and completing any ongoing transactions.

An active-active system is a computing architecture comprised of multiple independent processing nodes that have access to a common replicated database so that the different nodes may participate in a common application. In applications using messaging services (such as Java Messaging Services) failure at one node in the system may require messages to be recovered and processed at another node. Existing solutions for recovering messages require messaging brokers to be on the same network, or for the system to have network visibility at the broker level.
However, network policies applied in a production environment may restrict network visibility at different levels. For example, network policies used with banking and other financial applications may restrict network visibility at the application level, due to security concerns. This limitation makes existing JMS disaster recovery solutions unusable in such contexts. Moreover, in applications that deal with financial transactions, losing messages or having transactions fail (or expire) can be extremely costly.
There is a need in the art for a system and method that addresses the shortcomings of the prior art discussed above.

Message recovery system for computing nodes with replicated databases


To stabilize an emission current of cold cathode electron gun and extend its product life. A cold cathode electron gun comprises a cold cathode for emitting electrons by field-emission, a gate electrode for controlling the field-emission, a Wehnelt electrode which surrounds the cold cathode and the gate electrode, a first anode for accelerating electrons, and a second anode for constructing an electron lens together with the first anode. An inner diameter of the first anode is greater than a radius of flow of electrons which are emitted in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the electron lens.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cold cathode electron gun, such as a field emitter array, which can supply a stable electron flow for a long time period by avoiding collisions of electrons against an inner wall of anode.
2. Description of the Prior Art
So far, designing methods concerning hot cathode electron gun have been applied also for designing structures of anode of cold cathode electron guns.
For example, in case of a traveling wave tube, a value of electron current, a radius of electron beam in a slow wave circuit, an inner diameter of helix, a pitch of the helix must be decided on the basis of a product specification such as operating frequency and output power. The radius of electron beam, for example, is set to be about 60% of the inner diameter of helix, taking into consideration manufacturing factors such as a degree of off-axis between the electron lens and the slow wave circuit, and a distortion and curvature of the helix.
In the hot cathode electron gun, the value of electron current is put to be a value of V3/2 multiplied by a perveance which is decided on the basis of shapes of cathode, anode and Wehnelt near the cathode. Here, V is an anode voltage.
Then, on the basis of the decided value of current, the radius of electron beam is calculated by tracking the electrons. Further, shapes of the electrodes are decided to introduce electron beam into the slow wave circuit.
The above-mentioned designing procedures are employed with minute modifications for the cold cathode electron gun.
Some modifications in the designing are necessary, because electrons are emitted with an initial velocity and a divergence angle.
For example, Spindt type cold cathode comprises a cone emitter, and a gate which is provided with a hole which surrounds the pointed end of the cone. Electrons are emitted from the pointed end of the cone by the field-emission under the application of voltage of several tens V to about a hundred V between the emitter and the gate.
Therefore, the electron emitted from the above-mentioned cold cathode has an initial velocity corresponding to the applied voltage, while the initial velocity of the electron emitted from the hot cathode is equivalent merely to thermal energy usually smaller than 1 eV or several eV at most.
Further, in the Spindt type cold cathode, electrons are emitted not only from the pointed end of the cone, but also from micro projections formed on the surface of the cone. Therefore, the emitted electron beam has a divergence angle, because the electric field near the pointed end of the cone is great enough to emit electrons by the field-emission.
The divergence angle indispensable for the electron beam tracing is reported to be 25xc2x0 to 30xc2x0 by P. R. Schwoebel and I. Brodie, in J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 13 (4) 1391, 1995.
Thus, it is assumed that the emitted electron has an initial velocity of several tens eV and a divergence angle of 25xc2x0 to 30xc2x0, in the electron beam tracing in the electron lens of the cold cathode electron gun and RF circuit such as the slow wave circuit of the traveling wave tube or a resonance cavity of klystron.
An electron gun of which electron flow is stabilized is disclosed for example in JP 10-106430 A (1998). The cold cathode electron gun as shown in FIG. 10, gate electrodes 100 surrounding emitters and cathode electrodes 101 are divided into a plurality of groups. Electrons are extracted from focus electrode 102 at a constant value of current by compensating the surface condition of pointed end of the emitters.
Further, another cold cathode electron gun disclosed in JP 8-106848 A (1996) avoids the collision of electrons against the side wall of focus electrode 13. This cold cathode electron gun as shown in FIG. 11 comprises substrate 14, emitter 15, cathode 11, extracting electrode 12, and focus electrode 13. Insulating film 16b between extracting electrode 12 and focus electrode 13 is over-etched to reduce the width of focus electrode 13 and to avoid the electron collision.
However, the conventional designing procedures for the cold cathode electron gun are not consistent, because merely the design method for the hot cathode is diverted, wherein the initial velocity of the emitted electron is negligibly small.
Further, the emission current decreases after long term operation of the cold cathode electron gun which is designed by the conventional method.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to stabilize the emission current of the cold cathode electron gun in a long term operation.
A cold cathode electron gun of the present invention comprises: a cold cathode for emitting electrons by field-emission; a gate electrode for controlling the field-emission; a Wehnelt electrode which surrounds the cold cathode and the gate electrode; a first anode for accelerating electrons; and a second anode for constructing an electron lens together with the first anode. In the cold cathode electron gun of the present invention, an inner diameter of the first anode is made greater than a radius of flow of electrons which are emitted in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the electron lens.
According to the present invention, the emission current is maintained at the initial value for a long period.
Further, according to the present invention, a product life of the electron gun is extended, because contamination of emitter is reduced.


The present invention provides a method for making an electrophotographic printing plate by reversal development which comprises uniformly charging the surface of an organic photoreceptor comprising an electrically conductive support and, provided thereon, an organic photoconductive compound bound with a resin binder, exposing the surface to a light image to form a static latent image corresponding to the light image on the surface of the organic photoreceptor and then, subjecting the static latent image to reversal development with an electrophotographic liquid developer containing charged toner particles, characterized in that the reversal development is carried out with the electrophotographic liquid developer having an electrodeposition potential set within the range of 0-80 V in absolute value.

The present invention relates to a method for making an electrophotographic lithographic printing plate by reversal development, according to which a printing plate can be obtained by directly writing an image information output from electronic editing system and the like on an organic photoreceptor and carrying out reversal development.
Many methods have been known for making lithographic printing plates. For example, an original prepared by silver salt photography is allowed to contact with a light-sensitive material for printing plate and the light-sensitive layer of the material is directly exposed to ultraviolet rays thereby to form a hardened area corresponding to the image of the original and an unhardened portion corresponding to non-image. The unhardened portion is washed off with alkalis or water and the hardened portion is used as ink-receptive area. The printing plate made by this method is so-called PS plate and is widely used.
Recently, with progress of computer image processing techniques, and techniques for development of memory of high capacity data and data transmission techniques, electronic editing systems in which input, correction, editing, layout and composing of originals are all performed by computer controlling and the original can be immediately output to terminal plotters in a remote place by high speed communication networks or satelite communication have been put to practical use. Especially, in the fields of newspaper printing, not only the electronic editing systems, but also plate making systems by which printing plates can be directly obtained by the data coming from the electronic editing systems are being put to practical use. At present, in such plate making systems, those which carry out exposure to laser beam sources (such as semiconductor laser, He-Ne laser, etc.) utilizing electrophotographic process are expected from various aspects.
Furthermore, in such systems, electrophotographic lithographic printing plates of washing-off type mentioned below can be used for printing under the same printing conditions as for the conventionally employed PS plates and hence, the systems can be advantageously used. The main plate making steps are as follows: Electrophotographic material for printing plate is charged, exposed and developed to form images with toners and the non-image portion on which toners are not deposited is removed by dissolution solution to expose the surface of the support which has been previously subjected to hydrophilization treatment. Since the image portion protected with toners is oleophilic, offset printing can be performed.
An electrophotographic lithographic printing plate is made from an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electrically conductive support such as aluminum and a photoconductor layer containing a photoconductive substance provided on the support. As materials which constitute the photoconductor layer of this electrophotographic photoreceptor, organic photoconductive compounds.cndot.binder resin systems as described in the following patent publications are excellent in practical sensitivity and printing endurance. Japanese Patent Kokoku Nos. 37-17162, 38-7758 and 46-39405 and Japanese Patent Kokai Nos. 52-2437, 57-161863, 58-2854, 58-28760, 58-118658, 59-12452, 59-49555, 62-217256, 63-226668 and 1-261659.
In the steps of making electrophotographic lithographic printing plates, the photoconductive layer is first subjected to a desired charging to apply uniform charge thereto and then a static latent image corresponding to the image is formed by exposing. This static latent image is developed with an electrophotographic developer and is fixed to produce a toner image corresponding to the static latent image. The non-image area other than the toner image is dissolved and removed (decoated) with a solution containing an alkali agent or the like and successively, the surface of the plate is subjected to treatment for adjustment of apparent pH with water or an acidic rinsing solution and, if necessary, coated with a surface protective solution (protective gum solution) to obtain a final printing plate.
If in the above developing step the toner image is to be obtained by so-called reversal development, good image free from fog and thinning in lines can be obtained owing to the development characteristics. Recently, image reproducibility with high resolution and high quality is demanded and the method for making electrophotographic lithographic printing plates by reversal development meets the demand for quality.
In carrying out the reversal development, first the portion to which toners are to adhere (line image portion) is irradiated with light and the potential of the light irradiated portion is decayed to nearly zero V in the exposing step. In this case, the portion which is not irradiated with light (the portion corresponding to non-image portion) retains the initial charge potential as it is. A given developing bias is applied in the developing step region through electrodes and a given developing electric field is formed by this developing bias. On the other hand, toner particles in the developer have a charge of the same polarity as in the photoreceptor side charged by a given method. Under such state, when the photoreceptor having the static latent image enters into the developing electric field of the developing step region, the toner particles in the developer are migrated to the photoreceptor side by the developing electric field and the toner particles deposit on the portion of 0 V in potential of the photoreceptor which is the portion irradiated with light. In this case, the non-image portion in which the initial potential remains repels the toner particles and toner particles do not deposit on this portion.
Either of a dry developer or a liquid developer can be employed as the developer used for such reversal development, but in the case of the liquid developer, toner particles can be made fine and hence, good image reproducibility with high resolution can be obtained.
The liquid developer is prepared by dispersing pigment (dye) or polymer particles in a highly insulating medium to carry out coloration and adding a charge control agent thereto to impart a desired charge.
Amount of the deposited toner in the developing step, namely, image density is determined depending on the various image forming conditions and the charge quantity of the toner particles mentioned above is an extremely important condition for determination of image qualities such as image density. That is, as aforementioned, in the reversal development, a portion of 0 in potential is formed by partial exposure of the initially uniformly charged area of photoreceptor side and this portion of 0 in potential is filled with the charge of the toner particles and thus the toner particles are allowed to adhere to or deposit on this portion. Therefore, amount of the deposited toner particles varies depending on charge quantity possessed by individual particle and in general, with increase in charge quantity of individual toner particles, amount of the deposited toner particles decreases and image density reduces and with decrease in charge quantity of the individual toner particle, amount of the deposited toner particles increases and image density enhances.
On the other hand, the charge quantity of the toner particles not only varies the image density, but also causes the following phenomena to occur.
First, consideration will be given to the case where a non-image portion in which the initial potential remains as it is, is continuously fed into a developing zone. If the developing bias potential applied from opposing electrodes is lower than the charged potential in this case, the toner particles charged in the same polarity as of the charge potential of the non-image portion are subjected to repelling power of the non-image portion and are forced back to the opposing electrode side. Therefore, when the non-image portion is continuous, the toner particles are electrically deposited and accumulated on the surface of the electrodes or localization of the toner particles gradually becomes conspicuous.
On the other hand, sometimes an additional electric field occurs from the toner particle which are electrically deposited and accumulated on the opposing electrodes or which are in densely localized state. The electric field generated from the toner particles is added to the bias voltage as an additional electric field in addition to the inherent developing bias electric field. When this additional electric field increases, a certain amount of toner particles sometimes abruptly begins to migrate to the photoreceptor side at a certain timing. This phenomenon occurs irrespective of non-image portion or image portion, resulting in deposition of the toner particles in a large amount. The inventors named this phenomenon "toner avalanching phenomenon".
If the above-mentioned toner avalanching phenomenon occurs in the developing step of electrophotographic lithographic printing plates, toner particles deposit on the non-image portion other than the desired image portion and prevent decoating of the non-image portion. When printing is carried out using the electrophotographic lithographic printing plate in which this phenomenon has occurred, reduction of resolution of prints and stain of prints are brought about. Thus, the toner avalanching phenomenon conspicuously deteriorates the quality as printing plate.
Furthermore, developing speed in development with liquid developer, namely, deposition amount of toners (image density) is determined by various conditions for image formation, but concentration of toner particles which is solid concentration in the liquid developer is a very important condition in determination of image quality based on the developing speed and image density. As aforementioned, in reversal development, a portion of nearly 0 in potential is partially formed by exposure in the initially uniformly charged area and deposition of the developer is performed by filling up the portion of nearly 0 in potential with the charge of toner particles. Therefore, developing speed (deposition amount of toners) varies depending on concentration of toner particles and generally, when concentration of toner particles is low, developing speed lowers and deposition amount of toner particles (image density) decreases and when concentration of toner particles is high, developing speed increases and deposition amount of toner particles (image density) increases.
However, as mentioned in detail below, in such liquid developing step, image reproducibility of so-called line image and that of solid image are contrary to each other and there is the problem that it is difficult to obtain well-balanced images.
First, in the case of line image, low potential portions (nearly 0 in potential) of thin width are formed in the form of lines in the high potential area formed by initial charging and high potential portions are arranged on both sides of the low potential portions of thin width in such a manner that the former are placed between the latter. Thus, line of electric force of high density is formed in the whole of the linear low potential portions due to the high potential portions arranged on both sides of the linear low potential portions. This line of electric force of high density very strongly forms an electric field, which is considerably greater than the inherent developing electric field formed by developing bias. Therefore, deposition of toners in this developing step of line images occurs along the line of electric force of high density and thus, development by so-called edge effect is carried out. In general, owing to this edge effect, the line images are protuberantly formed at the surface.
Therefore, in order to obtain faithfully a highlight portion including the line images, it is preferred to reduce the solid concentration, namely, toner particle concentration in the liquid developer than usual and to lower the developing speed.
On the other hand, for formation of solid images, a low potential portion (nearly 0 in potential) of large area is formed in the high potential area formed by the initial charging. The high potential portion is present around the low potential portion of large area, but the edge effect by the high potential portion affects only the portion along the periphery and only the inherent developing field is formed in most of the low potential portion.
Accordingly, in the case of forming the solid image, developing action of the developing bias electric field is main and in order to obtain faithfully a dot shadow portion including the solid image, it is preferred to increase solid concentration, namely, toner particle concentration in the liquid developer than usual and to increase developing speed. However, if the toner particle concentration is too high, defect of gradation may occur in the dot shadow portion.
As explained above, developing condition for obtaining faithfully the highlight portion including line image (low toner concentration) and developing condition for obtaining faithfully the dot shadow portion including solid image (high toner concentration) are contrary to each other and when the highlight portion is to be faithfully obtained, black solid portion in the dot shadow portion cannot be satisfactorily reproduced and especially when black lines in the highlight portion are to be obtained, white portion in the dot shadow portion disappears. When the dot shadow portion is to be faithfully obtained, black lines in the highlight portion disappear.
In the case of the printing plate of the present invention, non-image portion other than the toner image portion formed by reversal development is decoated with an alkali solution and the exposed surface of a hydrophilized aluminum base is rendered water-receptive and the image portion is rendered ink-receptive. The interface between the toner image portion and the non-image portion has very important influences on properties of printing plate formed by the dissolution with alkali, for example, not only image sharpness, but also printing endurance. That is, unless the interface is sharply formed, the boundary formed by dissolution with alkali is not clear and sometimes whisker-like blot is generated from the interface when the printing plate is completed after decoating of the non-image portion or image edge becomes irregular and thus, good prints cannot be obtained.
Therefore, for the printing plate it is necessary to keep balance between the highlight portion and the shadow portion and it is necessary to obtain high image sharpness in reversal development.

Method for making electrophotographic lithographic printing plate by reversal development


A laminated polyester film comprising a coating layer formed on at least one side of a polyester film, this coating layer comprising a polymer binder and inorganic-organic composite particles having an average particle diameter of 200 to 2,000 nm. This film has excellent scratch resistance, adhesion, transparency and slipperiness and is useful as an adhesive film for optical use.

A polyester film, especially a biaxially oriented film made of polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate is widely used as a material for magnetic tapes, ferromagnetic thin film tapes, photo films, package films, films for electronic parts, electric insulating films, films to be laminated on a metal plate, films to be put on the surface of a glass display and films for protecting various members because it has excellent mechanical properties, thermal resistance and chemical resistance.
The polyester film is now frequently used in various optical films. For example, it is used as a base film for prism lens sheets, touch panels and back lights which are members of a liquid crystal display, base film for anti-reflection films, electromagnetic shielding film for plasma displays, base film for organic EL displays or base film for preventing the explosion of a display. The base films for use in the above optical films need to have excellent transparency. Further, they need to have excellent adhesion to a prism lens layer, hard coat, pressure sensitive adhesive, anti-reflection treatment and sputter layer.
Since the base films for optical use need to have transparency, the amount of a filler generally added must be minimized. To improve the bonding force of an adhesive layer, a resin having a low glass transition point is used in the adhesive layer. As the film for optical use contains a minimum amount of a filler or does not contain a filler at all, the surface of the film is flat. Further, as a resin having a low glass transition point is used in the adhesive layer, when the film is rolled or overlapped with another film, blocking occurs, whereby these films do not slide over each other, resulting in reduced handling ease or a cracked surface in the film forming step or processing step. Although lubricity and scratch resistance can be improved by adding fine particles to the adhesive layer to solve these problems, the haze of the adhesive layer may increase and transparency may lower. Further, when the base film is highly transparent, a small change in the thickness of an adhesive coating layer becomes a coating defect, thereby deteriorating the appearance of the film. To improve scratch resistance and lubricity, the use of fine particles having a particle diameter larger than 200 nm is proposed (JP-A 2001-96696 and JP-A 2000-229395). However, these technologies have a problem that the film is scratched by its contact with a hard object such as a metal roll due to the fall of fine particles or the low scratch resistance of the film.
It is proposed that an adhesive layer such as a polyester resin, acrylic resin or urethane resin adhesive layer is formed on the surface of a polyester film because a biaxially oriented polyester film generally has low adhesion to another material, for example, a prism lens layer or hard coat essentially composed of an acrylic resin (JP-A 10-119215 and JP-A 2000-246855). However, a biaxially oriented polyester film having an adhesive layer made of one of these resins may be unsatisfactory in bonding force. For example, a CRT film is unsatisfactory in adhesion to a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and therefore has low general applicability though it is satisfactory in adhesion to a hard coat layer on the opposite side.

Laminated polyester film and manufacturing process thereof


A bipolar membrane comprising a cation exchange mat of one or more cation exchange polymers, an anion exchange mat of one or more anion exchange polymers, and an internal 3D bipolar interface, disposed between the cation and anion exchange layers, including a mixture of at least one cation exchange polymer and at least one anion exchange polymer, such that an interface of the at least one cation exchange polymer and the at least one anion exchange polymer is the internal 3D bipolar interface that has a large area, and the at least one cation exchange polymer in the 3D bipolar interface is connected to the one or more cation exchange polymers of the cation exchange layer, and the at least one anion exchange polymer in the 3D bipolar interface is connected to the one or more anion exchange polymers of the anion exchange layer.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present invention. The subject matter discussed in the background of the invention section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background of the invention section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background of the invention section or associated with the subject matter of the background of the invention section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background of the invention section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in the background of the invention section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.
A bipolar membrane (BPM), typically a laminate of anion-exchange and cation-exchange membranes, has the unique capability to split water at a potential as low as 0.8 V while conventional electrolysis requires at least 1.2 V. BPMs are employed in a number of important industrial processes, including the production of mineral acids, the recovery of organic acids from fermentation processes, pH control, and ion-exchange resin regeneration. The use of BPMs in electrodialysis separations eliminates unwanted salt efflux and disposal problems and offers significant savings in electrical energy consumption. Recently, BPMs have also been examined for use in self-humidifying hydrogen/air fuel cells, where the recombination of electrochemically generated hydroxide ions and protons at the bipolar junction produces water that improves membrane and electrode binder hydration, with higher power output at reduced feed gas humidity conditions.
In spite of their technological and commercial importance, present-day bipolar membranes suffer from a number of structural and performance deficiencies. Bipolar membranes are fabricated by physically attached pre-fabricated anion-exchange and cation-exchange ionomer films, with water splitting at the planar 2D interface of the two membrane sheets. Delamination (ballooning) can occur at this interface due to pressure build-up during start-ups and shut-downs of batch-type electrodialysis separations. Poor coion permselectivity, the poor chemical stability of anion exchange membrane polymer layers, and membrane dehydration, where the rate of water splitting at the bipolar junction exceeds the water diffusion flux to the junction, are additional issues that lead to poor current utilization and significant product contamination when PBMs are used in electrodialaysis separations.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

Nanofiber-based bipolar membranes, fabricating methods and applications of same


What is disclosed is a system and method for automatically removing undesirable periodic or random background noise from heart rate measurement signals obtained from a video camera, ambient illuminator and other unknown electromagnetic sources to improve the overall reliability of biomedical measurements. In one embodiment, a time varying video image acquired over at least one imaging channel of a subject of interest is received. The video images are then segmented into a first region comprising a localized area where plethysmographic signals of the subject can be registered and a second region comprising a localized area of the environment where the plethysmographic signals cannot be registered. Both of the regions are exposed to the same environmental factors. The segmented video signals are pre-processed and the processed signals are subtracted from each other to generate an environmentally compensated signal. The environmentally compensated signal is then communicated to a computer system.

Current Electro-Cardio Graphic (ECG) systems require the patient to be located in close proximity to the ECG machine obtaining measurements via electrodes attached to the skin. The adhesive electrodes can cause skin irritation, infection, discomfort, and other issues to the patient. This can especially be a problem to newborns with sensitive skin. Methods for non-contact cardiac pulse measurement based on imaging patients using RGB and/or multi-spectral infrared (IR) cameras have arisen in this art. By recording video images of the region of exposed skin where concentrations of blood vessels exist, small changes in pulsating inside blood vessels are registered as blood volume signals on detector arrays. These signals can comprise a mixture of patient plethysmographic signals (i.e., blood volume signals) along with other artifacts from the environment. The detector arrays also may register involuntary and voluntary bodily motions and muscle fluctuations. Biomedical signals can be corrupted by fluctuations in illumination source, electronic power line noise, periodic signals manifested by camera auto calibration, and the like. Unwanted signals are difficult to separate from desired signals when these have frequency components that are within the bandwidth of the frequency of the human heart rate. Therefore, a need exists to automatically compensate video images to enhance the signal quality required during estimation.
Accordingly, what is needed in this art are sophisticated systems and methods for removing undesirable periodic signals and random background noise from video images obtained from a RGB camera or an infrared (IR) camera for improved accuracy and reliability of biomedical measurements obtained from those captured signals.

Removing environment factors from signals generated from video images captured for biomedical measurements


The present invention discloses a tool, kit and method for applying loading, torsional/twisting, oscillatory or vibration induced forces to a bond line established between a tooth root surface and an associated bone defined socket within which the tooth is held. Forces are applied typically for a given number of cycles or iterations in order to adequately pre-loosen the tooth from the bone. In a most basic variant, a body is adapted to being engaged by an output portion of a force applying tool. The body includes a pair of tooth engaging portions adapted to being inserted into contact with opposite surfaces of the tooth root surface and opposing surfaces associated with the bone receiving socket. The tool introduces loading forces to the engaging portions, causing the tooth to displace within the socket sufficiently to fracture the bond with the bone, thereby facilitating tooth removal.

The prior art is documented with various types of tooth removal tools, such as dental pliers for grasping both sides of the tooth during a removal procedure in which the tooth is bent or twisted. Examples of such devices include the ergonomic tool for a-traumatic tooth extraction set forth in US 2013/0045459 to Vale. Other tooth removal devices include such as depicted in the dental fulcrum wrench of Katz, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0256502 and the dental plier device for assisting in removal of upper and lower teeth set forth in Golden, U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,890.

Force applying attachment, kit and method for pre-loosening a tooth in order to facilitate removal thereof


A system and apparatus for obtaining medical quality images of a body under stress, such as a body in motion, are disclosed. The apparatus preferably consists of a harness into which the imaging device may be removably placed and securely positioned with respect to a body part, even when the body is in motion. The system preferably further comprises a small, light weight gamma camera. The imaging device is preferably supported by a mechanism which is separate from the harness. In each embodiment of the invention, movement of the imaging device relative to the body is minimized, yet the body is permitted to move relatively freely. Methods for use of the apparatus and system to obtain medical images of a body are also described.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to devices for use in imaging organs and tissues of a body. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus for securing such an imaging device to a body so the imaging device will remain in a fixed position relative to the body yet the body will be able to move freely during the imaging process.
2. History of the Prior Art
Imaging devices are routinely used in medicine to obtain images of body organs and tissues. Such devices include conventional "X-ray" devices, positron emission tomography (PET) detectors, single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) detectors, fast computed tomography (cine-CT) detectors, gamma cameras, and the like. Although used in different contexts and with different organs, all imaging devices presently used in medical applications share the requirement that the body to be imaged remain as stationary as possible with respect to the device so an accurate image may be obtained.
However, it is not possible to completely immobilize the human chest and abdomen for imaging of organs such as the heart due to involuntary movement (e.g., heartbeat). To compensate for such movement, several images may be obtained from which a composite image of the organ may be extrapolated. For example, cine-CT scanners typically obtain multiple images of organs in a matter of seconds. Through mathematical calculations and image manipulation, the series of images is combined into a single image. However, the utility of the image is limited by loss of information during the image combination step and dissipation of contrast agent from spaces within the organ (e.g., cardiac ventricles).
The problem of movement is particularly acute when evaluating heart function under stress. For example, radioisotopic imaging of the heart is a routine diagnostic procedure used to evaluate patients for coronary artery disease (CAD). In patients with CAD, ventricular function and myocardial perfusion (arterial blood flow) rates may be within normal ranges at rest, but become abnormal during physical stress. For that reason, CAD is commonly evaluated immediately after the patient has exercised (e.g., the treadmill stress test) or after the patient has received drugs to simulate the effects of exercise.
However, because the heart cannot be adequately imaged while the patient is in motion, patients may be instructed to stop moving before the images are taken. Under this approach, no information is obtained directly from the heart at peak stress or while stress on the heart develops. In an effort to obtain such information, patients may be instructed to grip or press their chest against the imaging device while exercising.
The difficulties inherent in attempting to stabilize a moving body against a stationary imaging device are apparent. Not only is the patient's freedom of movement compromised, but it is not uncommon for the patient to collide with the device during motion, thus potentially compromising the latter's accuracy. Yet the alternative of moving the imaging device with the patient's body is made difficult, if not impossible, by the weight and size of such devices. Indeed, conventional Anger gamma cameras (so named after their inventor) are typically so heavy that they must be attached to a motorized gantry to allow the camera to be moved into position for imaging.
In an effort to obtain information for use in evaluating ventricular function during stress on the heart, several researchers have attempted to use radioisotopic probes to assess heart function without imaging. For example, one approach strapped such a probe directly onto the patient's chest, presumably over the position of the left ventricle. However, without images to use for confirmation, it proved difficult to be certain that the probe was properly positioned. Moreover, although such a probe could (if properly positioned) assess ventricular function in terms of ejection fraction (EF), it cannot be used to assess regional movement of the ventricular wall. Therefore, although easily moved and attached to a body, radioisotopic probes have proven to have limited usefulness.
Thus, a need exists for an apparatus which will allow medical quality images to be obtained of body organs while the body is in movement or otherwise under stress. The present invention addresses that need.

Apparatus for securing a medical imaging device to a body


A process is provided for preparing a dispersion of a polyamide in water, said process comprising:. dissolving a polyamide having an amine value of greater than about 2 in an organic solvent to form a solution of said polyamide in said solvent, said polyamide and said solvent being at a temperature below the softening point of said polyamide during said dissolving, said solution further comprising a surfactant and an inorganic alkaline material, PA1 adding sufficient water containing an acid to said solution with mixing to form an oil-in-water dispersion, the temperature of said solution and said water being below the softening point of said polyamide during said adding, the amount of said acid being sufficient to neutralize a portion of said inorganic alkaline material, but insufficient to coagulate said polyamide from the resulting oil-in-water dispersion, and PA1 removing at least a major amount of said organic solvent from said oil-in-water dispersion. The resulting dispersion is useful in preparing a coating of the polyamide, which coating is useful as an adhesive.

Polyamide resins are well known as a class of resins, as are numerous methods for their preparation. Polyamide resins are typically manufactured by reacting a di- or polyfunctional amine with a di- or polyfunctional acid. Most of the commonly-employed diacids and diamines yield polyamide resins which are essentially linear.
The properties of polyamide resins will vary considerably, depending upon the particular synthetic reactants employed. Polyamide resins which are prepared from relatively short chain diacids and diamines having, for example, 5-10 carbon atoms will tend to be relatively crystalline and have excellent fiber forming properties. These types of polyamide resins are typically referred to as nylons.
Polyamide resins are also prepared from relatively long chain polyfunctional acids and diamines. A particularly important class of polyamide resins of this type are referred to as polymerized fatty acid polyamide resins. The polymerized fatty acid polyamide resins are especially useful in products such as hot melt adhesives, water resistant coatings, and binders for printing inks, because of their physical properties, including high strength, excellent flexibility, water and solvent resistance, and the ability to form smooth, non-tacky coatings and films.
The polyfunctional acids used in the preparation of polymerized fatty acid polyamide resins are derived from higher molecular weight unsaturated fatty acids by polymerization. In the polymerization process, the fatty acids having double bond functionalities combine to produce mixtures of higher molecular weight polymeric acids. Saturated fatty acids can also, under certain reaction conditions, polymerize to form polycarboxylic acids.
The polymerized fatty acid polyamide resins are, in turn, typically prepared by reacting one or more suitable diamines-most commonly relatively short chain diamines-with the polymerized fatty acid. Often, another diacid is also reacted to increase the softening point, tensile strength, or other properties. The polymerized fatty acid polyamide resins which are obtained tend to be more amorphous than the nylon types of polyamides resins and are generally more flexible. The differences in the physical properties of the polymerized fatty acid polyamide resins as compared to the nylon types of polyamide resins are related to the long chain length and structural variations of the polymerized fatty acid component.
One of the issues associated with the use of polyamide resins, particularly the polymeric fatty acid polyamides, relates to the methods used to apply the resins to substrates. One method which has been used involves heating the polyamide resins above their melting point and then applying the molten resins to the substrate. This technique, however, has certain inherent problems. For example, polyamide resins typically have high melting points, often higher than the distortion temperatures of the substrates onto which they are to be applied. Accordingly, the hot melt method can only be used in certain limited applications which require relatively expensive application equipment.
It has been recognized that it would be advantageous if the polyamides could be applied at ambient temperatures as solutions or dispersions. For many applications, however, solutions of polyamide resins are unsatisfactory. Polyamide resins as a class have excellent resistance to solvents; even with respect to those solvents in which the polyamide resins are soluble, the solubility typically is relatively low. Furthermore, the solvents which have been used to make polyamide resin solutions often adversely react with the substrates to which the polyamide resin solutions are applied. Further problems associated with solvent solutions are that most solvents used are relatively expensive, often difficult or impossible to remove from the applied coatings, and present fire, toxicity, and environmental pollution problems.
To overcome or at least reduce the problems associated with such solvent-based systems, it has been suggested to prepare emulsions or dispersions of the polyamide resins in water. Early emulsions were prepared by initially dissolving the polyamide resin in an organic solvent and then using selected emulsification agents to form an emulsion of the solvent solution and water. However, the resulting solvent/water/polyamide resin emulsions still had the problems associated with the presence of solvents and were relatively unstable. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that instability is manifested in aqueous resin emulsions or dispersions by phenomena such as phase separation, creaming, coalescence, flocculation, or gelation. Films formed from solvent-containing emulsions also tended to have an undesirable tackiness.


A computer disconnect device that may have an external communications cable connector; a jumper communications cable connector; a switch; external wiring for connecting the external communications cable connector to the external side of the switch; and jumper wiring for connecting the switch to the jumper communications cable connector. The external communications cable connector may be adapted to be connected to an external communications cable, and a jumper communications cable may be connected between the jumper communications cable connector and a computer. The switch may be used to selectively connect and disconnect the computer and the external communications cable. The computer disconnect device may include a housing, a lock and a status indicator. The external communications cable may be connected to any suitable network, such as the Internet or an intranet, or to any other suitable communications device.

The computer disconnect device of the present invention relates to computer accessory devices. More particularly relates to a computer accessory device that may be used to selectively connect and disconnect a computer from an external communications cable that may provide external communications for the computer with any suitable network or other communications device.


Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a notification from a serving base station regarding a communication device over a mobile network indicating discovery of a target base station, and obtaining a device type of the communication device and a first cell identifier of the target base station. Further embodiments include providing instructions to the serving base station to request the communication device to obtain a second cell identifier of the target base station, and obtaining the second cell identifier of the target base station from the serving base station over the mobile network. Additional embodiments include providing instructions to the serving base station to generate a communication link between the serving base station and the target base station based on the second cell identifier. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Traditionally, a user end device can be communicating with a serving base station exchanging control information, user data, or consuming media content. When the user end device moves away from the serving base station and toward another base station (e.g., neighboring base station or target base station), the user end device may obtain the physical cell identifier (PCI) from the target base station and provide it to the serving base station. Further, the serving base station may consult a neighbor list (NL) stored in its memory to look up the information regarding the target base station based on the PCI. In addition, the serving base station can utilize the information in performing a handover for the user end device to the target base station.

Methods, systems, and devices for detecting a neighboring base station to perform a handover for an unmanned aerial vehicle in a mobile network


The invention concerns a hydraulic steering (1) comprising a supply connection arrangement, a steering motor (2), a high pressure supply (P), and a steering unit (3) arranged between the supply connection arrangement (S) and the steering motor (2), the supply connection arrangement comprising a steering valve (9), and a valve arrangement (27). The task of the hydraulic steering is to improve the safety and faults detection over the state of the art. For this purpose, the steering valve (9) is only deflectable if the valve arrangement (27) is deflected.

Such a hydraulic steering is, for example, known from DE 10 2007 053 024 B4. A vehicle equipped with such a steering can either be steered via the steering unit comprising a directional section, or via the steering valve. The driver will then usually activate a steering member, for example a steering hand wheel. When the driver steers the vehicle by means of the steering unit, in many cases a so called reaction behavior is desired, that is, the driver must feel through the steering hand wheel that forces are acting upon the steering motor.
However, this reaction behavior causes problems, if the vehicle is steered by means of the steering valve. Thus, in the state of the art for each steering direction the directional section comprises a first outlet, which is connected to the steering motor by means of a first pipe, and a second outlet, which is connected to the steering motor by means of a second pipe, the first pipe being, in the neutral position of the directional section, connected to a measuring section, and the first pipe being interruptible by means of the valve arrangement.
With this solution a reaction of the steering motor is achieved both if the directional section is activated and if the directional section is in a neutral position. Forces acting upon the steering motor are transferred via the first pipe to the first outlet and via the directional section to the measuring motor.
In some cases it happens that a valve gets stuck, that is, in spite of an activation signal the valve does not change its position as specified by the activation signal. If now, for example, the valve arrangement gets stuck in a closed position and interrupts the first pipe the second pipe will bypass the valve arrangement. This way the hydraulic steering can still be operated via the steering unit. The disadvantage of this solution is that the steering resistance will be higher if the valve arrangement gets stuck. At the same time such a wrong valve position cannot be directly detected during normal operation within a hydraulic steering according to the state of the art.

Hydraulic steering and method for detecting a valve position


Disclosed is a pool chair 10 adapted to be partially submerged in water in a swimming pool 11. It includes a frame 12 having a seat 72 and an upper cross member 22 adapted to rest along the perimeter 11a of the pool 11 to hold the pool chair 10 upright in the pool in a stationary position which enables a user to sit on the seat with the user's lower torso and legs submerged in the water and the user's head above the water.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a pool chair adapted to be submerged in an upright, stationary position along the perimeter of a swimming pool, allowing the user to sit in the chair with his or her body partially submerged in the pool water.
2. Background Discussion
There are a wide variety of pool accessories available. Some of these are floating devices which allow an individual to sit in the device and float with his or her body partially submerged in the water. Many swimmers, however, would prefer to sit in a more upright position similar to that of a conventional chair. This would allow the individual to have most of his body in the water, but the head above the water surface.


A display device and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the display device includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area. The display device also includes a first insulating layer formed in the non-display area, a first metal layer formed over the first insulating layer, and a second insulating layer formed over the first metal layer. A plurality of openings are formed in each of the first and second insulating layers and the first metal layer. The display device further includes a sealing member formed over the second insulating layer. The sealing member includes a plurality of coupling portions filling the openings and a groove is formed in a side wall of each of openings.

Field
The described technology generally relates to a display device and a method of manufacturing the same.
Description of the Related Technology
Examples of display devices include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) (OLED) displays, field effect displays (FEDs), electrophoretic displays, and the like.
OLED displays include two electrodes and an organic emission layer positioned therebetween. Electrons injected from one electrode and holes injected from the other are recombined with each other in the organic emission layer to generate excitons and the excitons emits energy in the form of light.
Since OLED displays have self-luminance characteristics, they do not require a separate light source and the thickness and weight thereof can be reduced. Further, since OLED displays have favorable characteristics such as low power consumption, high luminance, and a fast response speeds, OLED displays have been receiving attention as next-generation displays.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Display device including a sealing member and method of manufacturing the same


Image data taking the form of a plurality of image pixels is processed. A three dimensional representation of color-space is displayed and the color of pixels within the processed image are analysed such that said analysed pixels are displayed at color related positions within the displayed color-space.

The present invention relates to the processing of image data, wherein said data takes the form of a plurality of image pixels.
Many procedures for the modification of image data after the data has been recorded are known and are collectively referred to as post production. It is known to use analogue circuitry for modifying television and video signals, in which said signals may be represented as red, green and blue components or as luminance plus chrominance components. When working with video signals, part of the information may be removed or keyed out at particular times or positions within the image, defined by a synchronised key, matte or alpha signal. Alternatively, parts of the video signal may be suppressed to black in response to a suppression signal. These keying or suppression signals may be derived from part of the video image itself, often with reference to particular colours within the image in accordance with a process generally referred to as chroma-keying.
It is also known to modify digital representations of video images derived by sampling an image to produce an array of picture elements (pixels) in which each of said pixels may represent a colour defined by three colour components stored as three numerical values. Thus, it is known to represent each of red, green and blue colour components by respective eight-bit words representing the colour of the pixel at particular positions within the image array.
When chroma-keying techniques are to be employed, it is preferable for the production process to record the information in such a way as to facilitate the chroma-keying process. Thus, it is preferable for foreground talent to be recorded against a saturated blue or green background for example, thereby allowing any portions of the image which are perceived as being saturated blue or green as belonging to part of the keying signal. However, in many situations where it would be desirable to employ post-production techniques, the original source material will have been recorded under less than favourable conditions. Under these circumstances, it can become difficult to accurately define those colours which are to constitute part of the full key, those colours which are to constitute part of the full key-off and those colours which are used to generate a blending between the two extremes, in an area which may be considered as the key softness.
In many situations it may be possible to define a first set of colours for full key-on in combination with a second set of colours for full key-off. However, an appropriate interface has to be provided to a user to enable a selection to be made and in many known environments, although distinctive sets of colours do exist, it is possible that the controls available to an operator would not be sufficiently sophisticated in order for these regions to be clearly defined. In these circumstances, it is known for the key to be generated in several passes or for part of the image to be dealt with in a different way, possibly by the generation of an appropriate garbage mask. All of these known approaches tend to increase the expertise and time required in order to generate an appropriate chroma-key, thereby significantly limiting the availability of the technique.
A system in which each pixel is represented by three colour components defining a position within colour-space is disclosed in International patent publication WO 98/11510. A base colour is identified and a distance in colour-space between an input colour and said base colour is calculated. The control value, which may be used as a basis for a chroma suppress or a chroma-key etc, is produced in response to the calculated distance.
The system disclosed in the aforesaid patent publication provides improved procedures for producing a chroma-key thereby achieving improved chroma-keying results. However, the problem with the system disclosed in this publication is that it is difficult for users to control operational parameters so as to make optimum use of the processing facilities available.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of processing image data wherein said data takes the form of a plurality of image pixels, comprising steps of displaying a three dimensional representation of colour-space; analysing the colour of pixels within said image; and displaying said analysed pixels at colour related positions within said displayed colour-space.
In a preferred embodiment, the pixels have a unifying property and this property may be that the pixels belong to a background area which is to be replaced by a new background area. The background area may be selected by viewing an image, manually adjusting a cursor in response to activation of an interface device and selecting example pixels of the background image.
In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of determining the position of a volume in colour-space that contains the displayed pixels and displaying said bounding volume. The bounding volume may be a cuboid, a minimised convex hull or an ellipsoid. The geometry of the displayed bounding volume may be adjusted by manual operation of an interface device.
In a preferred embodiment, pixels displayed in colour-space are displayed substantially in their original colour.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided image processing apparatus configured to process data taking the form of a plurality of image pixels, comprising display means configured to display a three-dimensional representation of colour-space; analysing means configured to analyse the colour of pixels within said image; and processing means configured to supply analysed pixels to said display means at colour related positions within said displayed colour-space.

Facilitating the compositing of video images


An electronic device includes an audio sensor, an audio output unit, a pulse width modulation (PWM) unit connected to the audio output unit, and a control chip. When the audio output unit outputs the audio signal, the audio sensor detects a volume level of the environment sound. The control chip determines a volume level of the audio signal according to the volume level of the environment sound and preset associations between volume levels of the audio signal outputted by the audio output unit and volume levels of the environment, and determines a duty cycle of the PWM unit according to the determined volume level and the maximum volume level. The control chip then outputs the duty cycle to the PWM unit, to adjust a current volume level of the audio signal outputted by the audio output unit to the determined volume level.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to device controlling systems and methods, and more particularly to an electronic device and a method for adjusting volume levels of an audio signal outputted by the electronic device.
2. Description of Related Art
When users use electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, computers) to enjoy audio programs, such as listening to music or broadcast programs, due to changes in ambient noise the users may have to frequently adjust volume levels of the electronic devices. Therefore, there is room for improvement.

Electronic device and method for adjusting volume levels of audio signal outputted by the electronic device

ShenZhen Goldsun Network Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd.


A projector is equipped with: a light emitting diode for emitting light; an image display element to which the light emitted from the light emitting diode is incident and which modulates the incident light and emits the light as image light; and an ultraviolet light incidence preventing member disposed between the light emitting diode and the image display element for preventing ultraviolet light from being incident to the image display element.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projector for projecting light supplied with information such as an image or the like onto a screen to display the image on the screen.
2. Description of the Related Art
A projector using a liquid crystal panel or DMD (digital micro-mirror device) has been known as a projector for projecting light supplied with information such as an image or the like to a screen to display the image on the screen. According to a liquid crystal projector using a liquid crystal panel, light irradiated to the liquid crystal panel is transmitted through the liquid crystal panel or light irradiated to the liquid crystal panel is reflected by the liquid crystal panel, whereby image information displayed on the liquid crystal panel is projected to the screen. The image information displayed on the liquid crystal panel is displayed on the screen while being enlarged.
The liquid crystal projector is equipped with an illumination device for illuminating light to the liquid crystal panel, and an illumination optical system for uniformly irradiating light from the illumination device onto the liquid crystal panel is provided in front of the illumination device. The illumination optical system contains a lens, a polarization converting element, etc., and the light irradiated from the illumination device is irradiated through the illumination optical system to the liquid crystal panel. It is preferable that the liquid crystal panel is illuminated with bright and uniform light, and thus it is desired that the light irradiated from the illumination device has high brightness and the light flux thereof is uniform. Accordingly, it has been general to use as the illumination device a high-luminance discharge lamp which can light having brightness (high luminance) needed to project an image on the liquid crystal panel such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp or the like.
The high-luminance discharge lamp is heated, and thus it is necessary to provided a large-scale cooling device for cooling the lamp. However, when the cooling device is provided, there is a problem that the illumination device must be designed in a large size and further the manufacturing cost of the projector is increased. Furthermore, it has been required to reduce the cost when the projector is used, for example, to reduce the power to be consumed to irradiate high-brightness light and further to lengthen the period for which the high-luminance discharge lamp can be used.
Therefore, it has been recently considered that a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as "LED") is used as an illumination device in place of the ultra-high discharge lamp. LED has advantages that it is more compact in size, lighter in weight, smaller in power consumption and longer in lifetime, it can be driven with a low voltage and it has a high response speed when it is subjected to turn-on control as compared with the ultra-high discharge lamp described above. However, light emitted from LED is diffused over a broad range, and thus JP-A-2003-186110 has proposed a method of focusing light emitted from LED by a lens. Furthermore, a while-color LED for emitting white light is used as LED used for the illumination device.
There are some types of LEDs for emitting white light. One of these types of LEDs comprises a combination of an element for generating ultraviolet light and a white fluorescent material for emitting light upon reception of ultraviolet light (a mixture of plural kinds of primary color fluorescent materials). With this type, the whole ultraviolet light thus generated is not necessarily converted to white light, and a part of the light may leak to the outside. Even in other types of LEDs, leakage of ultraviolet light is unavoidable in some constructions. Furthermore, orientation film of the liquid crystal panel is weak to ultraviolet light, and the lifetime of the present liquid crystal panel is greatly affected by a total irradiation amount of ultraviolet light. Accordingly, when a liquid crystal projector is constructed by using LED as an illumination device, it is important to treat ultraviolet light thus leaking, and the JP-A-2003-186110 and other techniques have hardly paid attention to the above matter.


A method of fabricating a textile structure of varying thickness including using a loom to weave a fiber texture in the form of a strip extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis and widthwise along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and causing the texture to be wound under tension onto a mandrel. The texture includes a portion presenting extra thickness. During the winding of the texture, a spacer element is interposed between adjacent turns of the fiber texture onto the mandrel. Each spacer element extends in the width direction of the texture over a portion thereof situated outside the portion of extra thickness and presenting, over the portion of the texture situated outside the portion of extra thickness, a thickness that corresponds at least to the difference between thicknesses of the portion of extra thickness and of the portion of the texture situated outside the portion of extra thickness.

As shown in FIG. 1, such a textile structure is made from a fiber texture 500 obtained by three-dimensional weaving between a plurality of layers of warp yarns or strands extending in the longitudinal direction of the texture, the warp yarns or strands being interlinked by weft yarns or strands extending in the transverse direction of the texture. On leaving the loom, the fiber texture presents a portion 501 of extra thickness, and a portion 502 of smaller thickness. The fiber texture 500 is woven to have a "shape", i.e. the ratio between the lengths of the warp yarns or strands is adapted to the profile of the final part. The portion 501 of extra thickness is made using warp yarns or strands having a size or weight that is greater in this portion of the fiber texture than in the portion 502. On leaving the loom, the fiber texture is wound on a storage mandrel 550 so as to be transported subsequently to a winding machine for winding the fiber texture once more, this time onto an injection mold.
The fiber texture 500 is wound under tension on the mandrel 550. This winding under tension serves firstly to apply low take-up tension on the warp yarns or strands for weaving, and secondly to apply high tension for the winding as is needed for compacting the preform. The tension exerted by the mandrel 550 on the fiber texture 500 should preferably be constant throughout weaving so as to avoid undesirable stresses and deformations in the texture.
In order to keep a constant and uniform tension on the fiber texture throughout weaving, it is necessary to have control over the length of the warp yarns or strands that are taken up in the weaving. Unfortunately, when the fiber texture for winding presents varying thickness, it becomes difficult to control the lengths of the warp yarns or strands as winding continues. As shown in FIG. 2, the take-up length of the warp yarns or strands 510a present in the portion 501 of extra thickness increases more quickly with increasing number of winding turns than does the take-up length of the warp yarns or strands 510b present in the portion 502 of smaller thickness. Consequently, the ratio L510a/L510b between the length L510a of the warp yarns or strands 510a situated in the portion 501 of extra thickness and the length L510b of the warp yarns or strands 510b situated in the portion 502 does not remain constant throughout weaving and winding the fiber texture 500.

Method of fabricating a textile structure of varying thickness


Improved method and apparatus are provided for performing parallel and pipeline processing of data sequences. The apparatus includes a plurality of memory circuits and a plurality of data processors wherein each data processor is constructed for parallel and pipeline processing of data sequences. Address controllers are provided for routing data between the memory circuits and the pixel processors. The address controllers are capable of directly coupling any memory circuit to any pixel processor so that data may be simultaneously transferred from a plurality of memory circuits to a plurality of pixel processors. Further, the pixel processors are provided with processing elements for performing data processing on neighboring data words of a data sequence. The address controller is constructed for providing data from the memory circuits in a plurality of sequences so that the data may be provided to the pixel processor first and second times in respective first and second sequences to enable two dimensional processing of the data sequence. A feature processor is provided for extracting specific information from the processed image data, relating to features of objects contained therein.

Many systems have been developed for processing data sequences representing images. Several such systems, referred to herein as image enhancement systems, have been provided for obtaining data representing images, i.e., image data, wherein the image may represent physical features of a biological specimen. As examples, image enhancement systems have been developed for obtaining images of internal organs of a patient in a non-intrusive manner, for example, nuclear magnetic resonance devices, ultrasound imaging, CAT scan imaging, etc. These devices are typically used for capturing and processing data to provide an image of a functional system of a patient, as for example, the patient's heart, lungs, etc. The processing of the image data performed by these devices is primarily to insure the accuracy and clarity of the resulting image.
Other systems, referred to herein as image analysis systems, have been provided for obtaining image data of specimens taken from a patient. As examples, devices have been provided for obtaining image data representing blood cells, bone marrow cells, brain cells, etc. These systems are typically designed to capture and process image data to determine characteristics of the specimen, as for example, blood cell count. The processing of the image data performed by these systems are primarily to analyze the image data for determining whether the specimen exhibits the characteristic.
In any of the foregoing imaging systems, a large amount of data is typically required to accurately represent the image. Also, in order to obtain meaningful information from the captured image data, a large number of data processing steps must be performed. This is true whether the processing is performed to enhance the image data, as is done in image enhancement systems, or whether the processing is performed to analyze the image data, as is done in image analysis systems.
Due to the large number of data processing operations required, designers of these systems have attempted to provide circuits for processing the image data in a pipelined and parallel fashion, i.e., continuously and simultaneously, so that data throughput can be increased and thereby the time required to perform the image enhancement or image analysis can be reduced. However, the effectiveness of prior pipelined and parallel processing circuits has been limited due to the inability of prior circuitry to adequately route data between the memory devices and the processing circuits. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide method and apparatus for effectively routing data between memory devices and a plurality of processing circuits to enhance the throughput of pipelined and parallel image processing circuitry.
With particular respect to image analysis systems, it is often desirable to be able to process segments of the image data stored in memory, wherein the segments represent a portion of the image. It is further desirable to be able to provide image data in a manner so that the boundary of the image is clearly defined. Providing image data in this manner enables faster evaluation of the image data. Accordingly it is desirable to provide apparatus for routing image data between memory devices and a plurality of processing circuits wherein the apparatus is constructed to select any portion of the stored image data and to clearly identify the boundary of the image portions selected.

Method and apparatus for rapidly processing data sequences


An antenna duplexer includes a piezoelectric substrate having a surface, a grounding terminal to be grounded, first and second surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters mounted on the piezoelectric substrate, first and second terminals connected to the first and second SAW filters, respectively, and a line mounted on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate between the first SAW filter and the second SAW filter. A stray coupling path is produced between the first and second terminals. A first end of the line is connected to the grounding terminal. A second end of the line opens and is coupled capacitively to the stray coupling path. The antenna duplexer has a large isolation characteristic between the surface acoustic wave filters.

A conventional antenna duplexer is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-330057 includes surface acoustic wave filters different from each other. Each of the filters includes comb-shaped electrodes provided on a single piezoelectric substrate.
Such a conventional antenna duplexer requires isolation between the surface acoustic wave filters for allowing the surface acoustic wave filters to exert their characteristics effectively. To meet this requirement, the arrangement of these filters on the piezoelectric substrate is optimized, and a groove is provided in the substrate between a transmitting filter and a receiving filter so as to increase the isolation between the filters.
In the conventional antenna duplexer, the filters may be coupled with each other due to a surface acoustic wave coupling for coupling the filters by surface acoustic waves on the piezoelectric substrate and to a high-frequency coupling form coupling the filters by a transmitting signal and a received signal interfere with each other. The groove provided in the substrate cannot suppress the high-frequency coupling, hence not improving the isolation between the surface acoustic wave filters.


A method for performing a medical procedure, includes coupling a tip of a probe to tissue in an organ of a patient in order to apply the medical procedure using the probe. A force exerted by the tip on the tissue and a displacement of the tip created by the force are measured. A dependence of the force on the displacement is calculated. Based on the calculated dependence, a risk level of perforation of the tissue is estimated.

Minimally-invasive intracardiac ablation is the treatment of choice for various types of arrhythmias. To perform such treatment, the physician typically inserts a catheter through the vascular system into the heart, brings the distal end of the catheter into contact with myocardial tissue in areas of abnormal electrical activity, and then energizes one or more electrodes at or near the distal end in order to create tissue necrosis.
A number of systems for probe-based medical procedures, such as, for example, intracardiac ablation therapy, are commercially available, such as the CARTO™ system offered by Biosense Webster Inc. (Diamond Bar, Calif.). CARTO tracks the position and operating parameters of the distal end of the catheter and displays this information electronically on a three-dimensional (3D) anatomical map of the heart. CARTO enables the system operator to electronically tag locations that have been ablated on the map and thus to keep track of the progress of the procedure.
To apply a catheter-based procedure, the physician typically forces the catheter towards the heart inner surface tissue (myocardium). If during the medical procedure (e.g., ablation) the catheter exerts a force upon the tissue that is higher than the force the tissue can tolerate, the catheter may eventually perforate the tissue. As a result, blood or other fluids filling the heart chamber may flow through the perforated tissue to fill up the space between the heart and the pericardium (i.e., the pericardial cavity), a situation referred to as cardiac tamponade.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,667, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes an apparatus for detecting pericardial effusion that includes a measurement apparatus connected to a wire probe to be anchored on the right heart ventricle and to two other wire probes to be anchored in different regions of the pericardial sac. The measurement apparatus measures and displays the change in impedance between the individual wire probes.
European Patent Application Publication EP 2248480, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes various embodiments that predict the volume, area and/or depth of lesions created through the use of a force-time integration technique. Other embodiments control the energy delivered to the ablation probe based on the contact force between the ablation probe and the target tissue to prevent steam popping. In another aspect, various embodiments of the invention reliably visualize the predicted volume, area and/or depth of lesions created during ablation procedures. One embodiment visualizes the predicted lesions created utilizing a force contact density mapping procedure. Another embodiment visualizes the predicted lesions through the use of a force-time integration technique. Yet another embodiment visualizes the predicted lesions through the use of a force time and power (and/or current) integration technique. Other embodiments predict the occurrence and locations tissue damage such as perforation that occurred during the ablation process. Still other embodiments predict the occurrence and location of isolation gaps that may occur during or after the procedure.
European Patent EP 1229829, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a system for detecting the presence of a perforation in a body cavity. The system includes a fluid pressure source; a medical device insertable into a body cavity, the medical device fluidly coupled to the fluid pressure source for delivery of fluid to the body cavity; and a pressure sensor positioned to detect a pressure of the fluid delivered to the body cavity.

Real-time estimation of tissue perforation risk during minimally invasive medical procedure


To provide a labeling device for moved objects, comprising a stamp which is displaceably guided and by means of which a label is positionable on an object, with which a high reproducibility of the labeling operation on moved objects is achieved, a measuring device for detecting a stamp displacement time is provided, and the stamp displacement time is determined by the length of time of the movement of the stamp towards the object.

The invention relates to a labeling device for moved objects, comprising a stamp which is displaceably guided and by means of which a label is positionable on an object.
The invention further relates to method of labeling moved objects by means of a stamp.
Such devices and methods are known, for example, from EP 0 846 074 B1 or from DE 199 52 375 A1.

Labeling device for moved objects and method of labeling moved objects


A circuit for synchronizing symbols of a received OFDM signal includes a unit configured to detect cross-correlation of a received signal to generate a value of the cross-correlation, a unit configured to obtain synchronous summation of the value of the cross-correlation performed at predetermined intervals, a unit configured to obtain received electric power of the received signal, an autocorrelation electric power obtaining unit configured to obtain autocorrelation electric power of the received signal, a threshold obtaining unit configured to obtain a synchronous summation threshold responsive to the received electric power, and a symbol timing detecting unit configured to identify timing of a peak of the synchronous summation as symbol timing in response to detecting, at the timing of the peak, that the autocorrelation electric power is smaller than the received electric power multiplied by a predetermined factor and that the synchronous summation is larger than the synchronous summation threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to symbol synchronizing circuits for synchronizing symbols of received signals, and particularly relates to a symbol synchronizing circuit for synchronizing symbols of received OFDM signals.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplex) transmission, carrier waves that are arranged at constant frequency intervals and orthogonal to each other are subjected to digital modulation at symbol frequency, thereby achieving the allocation of data. Modulation and demodulation in the OFDM are achieved by performing the IFFT with respect to a plurality of symbol data items at the transmission end, and by performing the FFT with respect to the received signal at the reception end. To this end, the reception apparatus needs to detect the window timing at which the FFT is applied to the received signal. This necessitates highly accurate detection of symbol timing with respect to the OFDM symbols.
FIG. 1 is an illustrative drawing showing the format of a preamble portion of an OFDM signal according to IEEE802.1a. As shown in FIG. 1, the beginning of a frame is provided with 10 short training symbols t1-t10 that are identical to each other and arranged at a predetermined interval (a 16-data-sample length, which is referred to as a symbol sample interval), followed by a guard interval GI2 of a 32-data-sample length and long training symbols T1 and T2 that are identical to each other and 64-data-sample long. In order to detect the symbol timing of OFDM symbols, it suffices to detect the timing of an end of t10, i.e., the timing of an end of the short-training-symbol portion.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a related-art apparatus for detecting symbol timing. The construction shown in FIG. 2 is disclosed in Non-patent Document 1, and includes a symbol timing detecting unit 10, an A/D converter 11, and a signal detecting unit 12. The symbol timing detecting unit 10 includes a matched filter 13, an autocorrelation electric power computing unit 14, a synchronous summation unit 15, a moving average unit 16, and a symbol-start detecting unit 17. The A/D converter 11 performs A/D conversion on the received OFDM signal for provision to the signal detecting unit 12, the matched filter 13, and the autocorrelation electric power computing unit 14. The matched filter 13 performs a matched-filter process on the signal supplied from the A/D converter 11 based on a signal waveform supplied from a known-signal memory circuit, which stores therein a signal waveform identical to that of a short training symbol. As a result, the output of the matched filter 13 ends up having a peak at the boundary of each short training symbol. This output signal is subjected to synchronous summation performed at symbol-sample intervals by the synchronous summation unit 15, and is also subjected, on a separate path, to the generation of moving averages by the moving average unit 16. The outcome of synchronous summation and the obtained moving averages are supplied to the symbol-start detecting unit 17, respectively. The autocorrelation electric power computing unit 14 computes the autocorrelation electric power of a signal supplied from the A/D converter 11, and supplies the computed autocorrelation electric power to the symbol-start detecting unit 17.
The symbol-start detecting unit 17 detects a provisional start point based on the outcome of synchronous summation, and makes a final determination as to the position of an end of the short-training-symbol portion by checking the levels of autocorrelation electric powers and moving averages. This achieves highly accurate detection of symbol timing with respect to OFDM symbols.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-168446
[None-Patent Document 1]
Tomoya Tandai, Kazumi Sato, and Minoru Namekata, "A Study of frame synchronization method for IEEE802.11a system," Proceedings of the 2002 IEICE General Conference, Mar. 7, 2002, Communication 1, p. 704
The related-art construction shown in FIG. 2 has a drawback in that it is sensitive to noise because fixed thresholds are used for the checking of levels of synchronous summations, autocorrelation electric powers, and moving averages. The synchronous detection of symbols by use of fixed thresholds suffers a significant drop in accuracy, especially in a multi-path configuration where multi-path delay waves are superimposed on a received signal, thereby creating large fluctuation in received electric power. Since the multi-path configuration is almost always required in the field of radio communication, some countermeasures need to be devised to prevent receivers from suffering a significant drop in their performance.
As a measure to cope with the fluctuation of a received signal level in the multi-path environment, there is a technology (Patent Document 1) that changes a threshold for use in checking when detecting a null period in a set of synchronous symbols based on received-signal electric power. Such a change in the threshold is made in response to the moving average of received-signal electric power. This technology, however, is only directed to the threshold-based checking of signal electric power, and is silent about synchronous detection based on other signals. That is, only the threshold of signal electric power used at the time of null-period detection is adjusted based on the signal electric power itself, and there is no teaching or suggestion of threshold-based checking using other signals. This technology thus cannot be applied to the OFDM format as shown in FIG. 1.
Accordingly, there is a need for an OFDM symbol synchronizing circuit which achieves highly accurate threshold-based checking of a plurality of signals in the synchronizing of OFDM symbols.

Circuit for synchronizing symbols of OFDM signal


The present invention provides an electronic device consisting of a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) having its transmit data output connected to a triggered timer and a computing means that computes the transmitted baud rate from the time measured by the timer for transmitting the known data byte.

Data communications is an essential part of a large number of electronic systems today. One of the most common data communication methods utilizes asynchronous serial data transfers in which the data is transferred serially one bit at a time without the help of a synchronizing clock and without incorporating an embedded clock in the serial data stream. This mode of data communication is particularly common in applications based on microcontrollers. The rate at which the bits are transferred is termed the baud rate. The timing for transmitting and receiving the data, is supplied by "Baud rate generators" that are provided separately at both the transmitting and the receiving ends. Correct communication requires the transmission baud rate and reception baud rates to be matched reasonably closely. Component tolerances lead to variations in actual baud rates achieved. This variation makes it necessary to have a mechanism that can determine the baud rate automatically and provide suitable corrective action.
Existing solutions for providing automatic baud rate detection utilize considerable external hardware to achieve automatic baud rate determination. U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,961 for instance, utilises a second communication device to verify the baud rate on the basis of transmitting and than receiving the same data byte.