A semiconductor device is manufactured by forming an epitaxial layer (22) insulated from a silicon substrate (2), and forming a device in the epitaxial layer (22). On the semiconductor substrate (2), a silicon dioxide layer (4) is formed (FIG. 2A). Then the silicon dioxide layer (4) is provided with openings (14) (FIG. 2D). Silicon carbide is grown until it protrudes from the openings (14) to thereby form a silicon carbide seed crystal layer (16) (FIG. 2E). Next, oxidation is carried out, allowing a field oxide layer (20) to be bonded at the portion under the openings (14) and the silicon carbide seed crystal layer (16) to be insulated from the silicon substrate (2). Thereafter, epitaxial growth is effected from the silicon carbide seed crystal layer (16), thus obtaining an epitaxially grown layers (22). The device is formed in this epitaxially grown layer (22). The silicon carbide grown layer (22) is isolated from the silicon substrate (2) and has the uniform plane bearing, thus allowing no electrostatic capacitance to be caused due to pn junction with the silicon substrate (2) and high-speed operation to be realized. Moreover, the unique plane bearing facilitates control during the manufacturing process.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices and, more particularly, to a method for manufacturing structures having a semiconductor layer on an insulating layer.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Semiconductor microchips or integrated circuits in general are provided in a structure in which an epitaxially grown layer is formed on a silicon substrate, and circuits are then formed in the epitaxially grown layer. The silicon substrate and the epitaxially grown layer are joined together to form a pn junction. The resulting capacitance of the pn junction, however, is such that it reduces the operating speed of the device. Accordingly, this structure was not suitable for forming devices requiring high-speed operation.
In the last few years, to solve this problem, a way of forming an additional silicon monocrystal layer to overlie the insulating layer on the silicon substrate (Semiconductor on Insulator, or SOI, technique) has been sought. This is to eliminate the pn junction between the semiconductor device formed on the silicon monocrystal layer and the silicon substrate, by insulating the silicon monocrystal layer from the silicon substrate.
FIGS. 1A-1B illustrates the conventional SOI technique using the ELO (Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth) method ("Lateral Epitaxial Overgrowth of Silicon on SiO.sub.2," by D. D. Rathman et. al., JOURNAL OF ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY SOLID-STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, October, 1982, p. 2303). First, a silicon dioxide layer 4 is grown on top of a semiconductor substrate 2. Then, the silicon dioxide layer 4 is etched using photoresist to thereby open seed windows 6 (see FIG. 1A). This is followed by selective epitaxial growth of silicon in the longitudinal direction from the seed windows 6 and, subsequently, lateral epitaxial growth, to form an epitaxial layer 8 on the silicon dioxide layer 4 (see FIG. 1B). By these processes, the pn junction between the epitaxial layer 8 and the silicon substrate 2 can be reduced in area to the size of the seed window 6, thus allowing the pn junction capacitance to be reduced and high-speed operation of the device to be realized.
Another method available is the SENTAXY method ("New SOI-Selective Nucleation Epitaxy," by Ryudai Yonehara et. al., Preliminary Bulletin for the 48th Fall Academic Lecture 1987 by the Applied Physics Society, 19p-Q-15, p. 583). In this method, a plurality of crystal-grown silicon nuclei are formed on an insulating layer of silicon dioxide or the like, further effecting epitaxial growth from each of the nuclei. Methods of forming the nuclei which are under discussion include formation of a small-area silicon nitride layer composed of the nuclei, or employment of the FIB (Focused Ion Beam) method. Using this method allows the epitaxial layer and the silicon substrate to be isolated from one another by an oxide layer, which will solve the aforementioned problems.
However, the conventional SOI technique described above would involve the following problem.
In the ELO method shown in FIG. 1, the junction, although reduced indeed, is not wholly eliminated. This would arrest further increase of the operating speed of the device.
In the SENTAXY method, on the other hand, the epitaxial layer and the silicon substrate are isolated from one another, thus overcoming the above problem. However, the SENTAXY method involves differentiation in the plane bearing of the epitaxial layer that grows from each of the nuclei. This differentiation in the plane bearing of the epitaxial layer will cause variation in oxidation rate and other characteristics, with the result that a device having desired characteristics cannot be formed uniformly.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device having grown layer on insulating layer


A computer-implemented method and system for implementing a software agent control architecture. The method includes the step of generating a plurality of agents, wherein the agents are respectively configured to implement a rule-based behaviour. Respective rule sets for each of the agents are accessed, wherein the rule sets are configured for processing using respective rule engines of each of the agents. Respective incoming messages are received and delivered to the agents. The rule-based behaviour for each of the agents is implemented by processing the incoming messages using the rule engines.

Software based agents are increasingly being used to provide a variety of sophisticated functions and services to users. Generally, the term "agent" refers to a software routine that executes on one or more computer system platforms, usually in the background, and performs an action when a specified event occurs. For example, in a business setting, agents could transmit a summary file on the first day of the month or monitor incoming data and alert the user when a certain transaction has arrived. Software agents can also be designed to roam a distributed network, such as the Internet, in order to gather or distribute information. Depending upon the context of their use and the complexity of the functions they perform, agents are also referred to as "intelligent agents" or "personal assistants."
Although software based agents can provide a variety of sophisticated functions and services, there exists a number of problems in using them efficiently. One such problem involves the fact that the design and implementation of sophisticated agent based systems for particular problems is a difficult, work intensive task. For example, when initially developing new agent-based systems, there are often specific needs which if they can be addressed will facilitate the development effort (e.g., avoiding the need to completely restart system development with each new problem). One particular need is the fact that prior art agent development environments do not provide adequate agent prototyping. There currently exists no prior art agent development environment that provides for ease of prototyping multiple, heterogeneous agents. Such agents can be used to construct agent-based applications where each has its own specialization and capabilities. There currently exists no prior art agent development environment that efficiently supports behaviour reuse. For example, behaviour reuse is needed not only to facilitate prototyping but also to allow modular construction of new composite behaviours for the different agent instances. Additionally, there currently exists no prior art agent architecture that adequately supports goal directed task processing. Goal-directed task processing among multiple concurrent goals is essential for the particular agent systems of interest. As used herein, the term "goal" is used to mean a goal-directed task in which there is a goal is to be achieved and there are already known methods for satisfying the goal which may be hierarchical.
Therefore, clearly there is a need for a better approach for implementing a software agent control architecture.

Method and system for a software agent control architecture

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The invention provides a construction machine control system comprising a working tool (7), a working arm (5) for supporting the working tool and for operating the working tool as required, a machine body (2) for supporting the working arm and for being rotatable, a rotating direction acquiring unit (13, 14) provided on the machine body, a control unit having a storage unit and a display unit, wherein the working arm is configured by two or more links with length already known respectively which are connected in a bendable manner, wherein there are further provided a two-axis tilt sensor on the machine body for detecting a horizontal position, a working arm tilt sensor for detecting a tilting of each links of the working arm, and a working tool tilt sensor for detecting a tilting of the working tool, wherein the control unit displays a guidance screen on the display unit based on a working data stored in the storage unit and where a working position and a design gradient are set, based on a direction of the machine body acquired from the rotating direction acquiring unit, and based on detection results of the two-axis tilt sensor, the working arm tilt sensor and the working tool tilt sensor, and the guidance screen displays a guiding information for guiding the working tool to the working position.

The present invention relates to a construction machine control system, which has a guidance screen to guide buckets with respect to an excavating surface in a case where civil engineering operation is carried by using a construction machine, e.g. a construction machine having a bucket.
When civil engineering operation is carried out by using a construction machine, for instance, in a case where excavation of civil engineering operation such as excavation or formation of slope face is carried out by an excavator, as disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-2012-255286, an operator identifies working data from a guidance screen displayed on a display unit, completes an approximate working operation based on the guidance of the guidance screen, then excavates and forms the face of slope while measuring, and coincides these data with the working data.
FIG. 18 shows a guidance screen 51 disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-2012-255286 as displayed on the display unit (not shown). The guidance screen 51 displays a position and a posture of a bucket 54 in three-dimensional display with respect to a working data 52.
Of the guidance screen 51, the position and the posture of the bucket 54, which are guiding information for guiding the bucket 54 to target height, are displayed on a window 55, an azimuth, which is the guiding information for making the bucket 54 face directly toward the excavating surface, is displayed on a window 56, and on windows 57 and 58, a moving direction, which is the guiding information for guiding the bucket 54 to target gradient is displayed. Further, the working data 52 are stereoscopically displayed on a window 59.
An operator carries out an excavation operation by controlling the position, the posture, the azimuth, and the moving direction, etc. of the bucket 54 according to the guide, while identifying the present situation based on various types of guiding information displayed on the windows 56 to 59.
However, in the guidance screen 51 as taught in the Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-2002-181538, since the various types of guiding information are individually displayed on the windows 56 to 59, the operator had to connect the various types of information by himself and to identify the guiding information.
It is to be noted that, in the Japanese Patent Publication JP-A-2012-255286 discloses a structure that two GPS antennas are used on the construction machine for civil engineering operation, a three-dimensional position coordinates of a rotation center position of an arm is obtained, and a three-dimensional coordinates of a blade edge of a bucket is obtained based on the three-dimensional position coordinates and an directional angle of the arm.


The present invention is directed toward a method for reducing pattern distortions in imprinting layers by reducing gas pockets present in a layer of viscous liquid deposited on a substrate. To that end, the method includes varying a transport of the gases disposed proximate to the viscous liquid. Specifically, the atmosphere proximate to the substrate wherein a pattern is to be recorded is saturated with gases that are either highly soluble, highly diffusive, or both with respect to the viscous liquid being deposited. Additionally, or in lieu of saturating the atmosphere, the pressure of the atmosphere may be reduced.

The field of invention relates generally to imprint lithography. More particularly, the present invention is directed to reducing pattern distortions during imprint lithography processes by reducing the presence of gases in imprinting layers.
Micro-fabrication involves the fabrication of very small structures, e.g., having features on the order of micro-meters or smaller. One area in which micro-fabrication has had a sizeable impact is in the processing of integrated circuits. As the semiconductor processing industry continues to strive for larger production yields while increasing the circuits per unit area formed on a substrate, micro-fabrication becomes increasingly important. Micro-fabrication provides greater process control while allowing increased reduction of the minimum feature dimension of the structures formed. Other areas of development in which micro-fabrication has been employed include biotechnology, optical technology, mechanical systems and the like.
An exemplary micro-fabrication technique is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,960 to Willson et al. Willson et al. disclose a method of forming a relief image in a structure. The method includes providing a substrate having a transfer layer. The transfer layer is covered with a polymerizable fluid composition. A mold makes mechanical contact with the polymerizable fluid. The mold includes a relief structure, and the polymerizable fluid composition fills the relief structure. The polymerizable fluid composition is then subjected to conditions to solidify and polymerize the same, forming a solidified polymeric material on the transfer layer that contains a relief structure complimentary to that of the mold. The mold is then separated from the solid polymeric material such that a replica of the relief structure in the mold is formed in the solidified polymeric material. The transfer layer and the solidified polymeric material are subjected to an environment to selectively etch the transfer layer relative to the solidified polymeric material such that a relief image is formed in the transfer layer. The time required and the minimum feature dimension provided by this technique is dependent upon, inter alia, the composition of the polymerizable material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,905 to Chou discloses a lithographic method and apparatus for creating ultra-fine (sub-25 nm) patterns in a thin film coated on a substrate in which a mold having at least one protruding feature is pressed into a thin film carried on a substrate. The protruding feature in the mold creates a recess of the thin film. The mold is removed from the film. The thin film then is processed such that the thin film in the recess is removed, exposing the underlying substrate. Thus, patterns in the mold are replaced in the thin film, completing the lithography. The patterns in the thin film will be, in subsequent processes, reproduced in the substrate or in another material which is added onto the substrate.
Yet another imprint lithography technique is disclosed by Chou et al. in Ultrafast and Direct Imprint of Nanostructures in Silicon, Nature, Col. 417, pp. 835–837, June 2002, which is referred to as a laser assisted direct imprinting (LADI) process. In this process. a region of a substrate is made flowable, e.g., liquefied, by heating the region with the laser. After the region has reached a desired viscosity, a mold, having a pattern thereon, is placed in contact with the region. The flowable region conforms to the profile of the pattern and is then cooled, solidifying the pattern into the substrate. A concern with this technique involves pattern distortions attributable to the presence of gases in the flowable region.
It is desired, therefore, to provide a system to reduce distortions in patterns formed using imprint lithographic techniques.

Single phase fluid imprint lithography method

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System


A conveyor assembly is provided, which includes a link belt formed of a plurality of overlapping belt links. A plurality of engagement elements are attached to the link belt to form an upper surface. In one embodiment, the link belt includes a plurality of apertures and the engagement elements comprises connectors that cooperate with the apertures to connect the engagement elements to the link belt. The upper surface of the engagement elements may be configured in a variety of forms. In one embodiment, the engagement elements comprise a protuberance that projects upwardly to form a point of limited contact.

Interlocking link belts are used in a variety of applications. In some applications, a material being conveyed requires special handling. For instance, in some applications it is desirable to minimize the contact between the belt and the material being handled. It can become cost prohibitive to design a different link belt for each different application. Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a link belt system that can be readily modified to address the varying requirements of different applications.


An optical device, has

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical device for use in an optical communication system, a method of manufacturing the optical device, an optical communication component and an optical transmission apparatus.
2. Related Art of the Invention
In recent years, the optical fiber communication system has remarkably been developed, and has been applied and put into practical use in public communication, CATV, a computer network and the like. In the optical fiber communication system, there are used optical communication components for partially separating signals transmitted through optical fiber or attenuating signal strength.
There is, for example, an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer in the wavelength multi-optical transmission system for transmitting a multi-channel signal through one optical fiber cable. The optical multiplexer wavelength multiplexes signals of each channel from an optical transmitter through the use of optical signals having different wavelength to transmit to an optical receiver through one optical fiber cable. The optical receiver divides the optical signal having desired wavelength by an optical demultiplexer having a wavelength selecting function for demodulation. Further, there is an optical add/drop component for tapping only optical signals having specific wavelength, and on the other hand, allowing other optical signals to pass as they are.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are an external view and a structural cross-sectional view respectively showing one of conventional examples for the optical multiplexer, which is an optical communication component. A wavelength multi-signal from an input fiber 71 is collimated by a lens 83 and is incident on an optical filter 86 for separating signals. Light within a specific wavelength range is reflected or is allowed to pass therethrough by this optical filter 86, and those light is combined through lens 93 and 88 and is taken out at an output fiber 73 and an optical fiber 76. The optical fiber and the lens are fixed to a holder, and the optical filter and the optical axis are adjusted and are fixed by adhesion or welding.
In the structure of such a conventional optical communication component as described above, however, in order to minimize the combination loss, it is necessary to perform optical axis adjustment for the input fiber and output fiber through each lens with accuracy at micron level. For this reason, it takes time to adjust the assembly.
Also, after the optical axis adjustment, it is necessary to fix the holders 74 by adhesion through members, but misregistration may occur at the time of this fixing. Therefore, the yield is reduced.
Also, since the optical communication component manufactured as described above has been increased in cost, an optical communication transmission apparatus and system using the same would be increased in cost, and as a result, low-priced communication service has been difficult to be realized.
It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems and to provide an optical device, optical communication components and optical communication transmission apparatus system easier to assemble, having simpler structure at lower manufacturing cost than the conventional example.
The 1st invention of the present invention is an optical device, comprising:
at least two first optical components;
a second optical component placed between said first optical components, or at an intersection point of optical axes to be formed by said first optical components; and
a placement member for placing said first optical component and said second optical component,
wherein said placement member has at least a groove portion for placing said first optical component, and
each portion of said first optical component and each portion of said groove portion have such a shape and size that optical axes to be formed by said first optical components are positioned within the same plane respectively in a state in which said first optical components are all placed on said groove portion.
The 2nd invention of the present invention is the optical device according to 1st invention, wherein optical axes of said first optical components are formed to become parallel said groove portion on which said first optical component is placed.
The 3rd invention of the present invention the optical device according to 1st invention, wherein said first optical components and an inner wall of said groove portion are at least in point-contact at least at two points at cross-sectional view direction of said groove portion.
The 4th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to 1st invention,
wherein a convex portion or a concave portion having a predetermined shape is formed at a position on said placement member whereat said second optical component is placed, and
on a base of said second optical component, there is formed a concave portion or a convex portion having a shape, which corresponds to said convex portion or concave portion having said predetermined shape of said placement member.
The 5th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to 4th invention, wherein said predetermined shape is any of shapes of a polygon pyramid, a cone, a polygon pillar, and a column or substantially hemispherical shape.
The 6th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to 4th invention, wherein said convex portion or concave portion having said predetermined shape is formed when each of said grooved portions is extended, and is intersected each other at a position whereat said second optical component is placed.
The 7th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to any one of 1st to 4th inventions, further comprising a clamping member for fixing said first optical components and said second optical component in cooperation with said placement member,
wherein said first optical components and said second optical component are fixed in such a manner as to be sandwiched between said clamping member and said placement member, and
said first optical component is fixed in a state where it can be freely inserted and removed.
The 8th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to any one of 1st to 4th inventions, further comprising a clamping member for fixing said first optical components and said second optical component in cooperation with said placement member,
wherein said first optical components and said second optical component are fixed in such a manner as to be sandwiched between said clamping member and said placement member,
an upper portion of said first optical components are exposed on a principal surface of said placement member other than said groove portion in a state where said first optical components are placed on said groove portion, and
said clamping member is fixed by contact with said exposed upper portion of said first optical components.
The 9th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to any one of 1st to 4th inventions, wherein said first optical components or said second optical component include at least a lens and/or an optical fiber.
The 10th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to any one of 1st to 4th inventions, wherein said first optical components or said second optical component include at least a ferrule provided at an end portion of said optical fiber.
The 11th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to 9th inventions, wherein within said groove portion, an end surface of said lens and an end surface of said optical fiber are in point-contact or plane-contact.
The 12th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to 9th invention, wherein a focus of said lens is positioned on an end surface of said optical fiber.
The 13th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to 12th invention, wherein said lens is a bi-convex or single convex cylindrical lens.
The 14th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to 12th invention, wherein said lens is a graded-index lens.
The 15th invention of the present invention is the optical device according to 12th invention, wherein said lens is a spherical lens having a refractive index of 2 or closest thereto.
The 16th invention of the present invention is an optical communication component using the optical device according to any one of 1st to 15th inventions, wherein said second optical component includes at least an optical functional device.
The 17th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has wavelength separating and/or combining functions.
The 18th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has polarization separating and/or synthesizing functions.
The 19th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has an optical attenuation function.
The 20th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has an optical isolator.
The 21st invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has an optical circulator.
The 22nd invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has an optical terminating function.
The 23rd invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has an optical modulating function.
The 24th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has optical branching and/or synthesizing functions.
The 25th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has an optical switching function.
The 26th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 14th invention, wherein said optical functional device has a light amplifying function.
The 27th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has a wavelength converting function.
The 28th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has a light emitting function.
The 29th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has a light receiving function.
The 30th invention of the present invention is the optical communication component according to 16th invention, wherein said optical functional device has a polarization converting function.
The 31st invention of the present invention is an optical transmission apparatus, comprising:
The optical communication component according to any of 16th to 30th inventions;
optical transmission means; and
optical receiving means,
wherein said optical transmission means and said optical receiving means are connected to each other through said optical communication component.
The 32nd invention of the present invention is a manufacturing method of an optical device having at least two first optical components; and a second optical component placed between said first optical components, or at an intersection point of optical axes to be formed by said first optical components, comprising the steps of:
forming a groove portion on a placement member body;
forming a placement portion on said placement member body;
placing and fixing said first optical components on said groove portion;
placing said second optical component on said placement portion;
adjusting said second optical component to set an optical path for said second optical component and said first optical components; and
fixing said second optical component adjusted.

Optical device, optical communication component and optical transmission apparatus

Abstract: An optical device, has

Abstract: at least two first optical components;

Abstract: a second optical component placed between the first optical components, or at an intersection point of optical axes to be formed by the first optical components; and

Abstract: a placement member for placing the first optical component and the second optical component,

Abstract: wherein the placement member has at least a groove portion for placing the first optical component, and

Abstract: each portion of the first optical component and each portion of the groove portion have such a shape and size that optical axes to be formed by the first optical components are positioned within the same plane respectively in a state in which the first optical components are all placed on the groove portion.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method for forming a contact well for a semiconductor device (10) is disclosed. According to this method, a first insulator layer (24) comprising an insulating material is formed around a gate (20). A contact well filler (32) is then formed adjoining the first insulator layer (24). A second insulator layer (34) comprising the insulating material is formed around the first insulator layer (24) and the contact well filler (32). The contact well filler (32) is then removed to form the contact well (36) in the second insulator layer (34). This method allows the use a non-hazardous selective etchant to form the contact well. The semiconductor device (10) formed in accordance with the present invention also exhibits low parasitic gate capacitance, high switching speed and low power consumption.

In the art of field effect transistor (FET) fabrication, it is often desirable to perform processes which are self-aligning. For example, techniques for implanting self-aligned source and drain pockets in a substrate after a gate has been deposited on the substrate are well known.
In addition, a technique for forming a self-aligned contact to a source or drain pocket has been established. This technique typically involves forming an insulating shield layer of silicon nitride over and around the gate. Another insulator layer of silicon dioxide is then deposited on the gate and substrate. A hole is then patterned and etched into the silicon dioxide layer, forming a self-aligned contact well that adjoins the silicon nitride barrier layer and exposes an area of the source or drain pocket. A contact material may then be deposited in the contact well to form an electrical contact to the source or drain pocket.
Formation of a self-aligned source or drain contact using the above-described technique requires, in the contact well formation step, an etchant that removes silicon dioxide but is selective against silicon nitride. The etchant typically used for this purpose is carbon monoxide gas, which is hazardous to store and dispose of due to its poisonous nature.
Moreover, the relatively high dielectric constant of the silicon nitride layer surrounding the gate results in a high parasitic gate capacitance. Consequently, a FET fabricated according to this technique exhibits the undesirable properties of high power consumption and low switching speed.

Method for forming a self-aligned contact


A jointed mechanical device is provided. The device includes at least one element (204) having a fixed end and a deflectable end. The device also includes at least one actuating structure (206) having a first end coupled to at least the deflectable end of the element, where the actuating structure includes at least one elastic element (214) in series with at least one non-elastic element. The device further includes at least one force actuator (202) configured to apply an actuator force to a second end of the actuating structure. Additionally, the device includes a control system (315) for adjusting an operation of the force actuator based at least one actuation input, an amount of the actuator force, and an amount of displacement generated by the force actuator.

In general, the motion of jointed mechanical devices, such as robotic hand prosthetic devices, can be controlled with control signals and/or sensors monitoring the motors within the jointed mechanical device. However, fine motor control of such devices is typically difficult to achieve, as the amount of feedback sensory information available in natural limbs and appendages greatly exceeds the amount of feedback information typically avail able in conventional jointed mechanical devices. Although some jointed mechanical devices have been constructed to include additional feedback sensors, the additional costs, complexity, and weight associated with such feedback sensor systems are generally impractical.
Additionally, the number of signals available for controlling such devices is fairly limited, resulting in only a few types of inputs being available for a relatively large number of components. For example, in some types of robotic prosthetic devices, a measurement of the electric potential generated by the muscles in a residual limb, commonly referred to as an electromyogram (EMG) signal, is used to control the movements of the prosthesis. In such devices, EMG signals can be used to command the forward and/or reverse velocity of one or more electric motors configured to actuate the prosthesis. One common type of robotic prosthetic device using EMG signals is a myoelectric hand and/or arm prosthetic device.
Hand and/or myoelectric prosthetic devices typically operate based on EMG signals generated by the muscles of the residual forearm or upper arm. However, a residual limb typically only produces a few usable EMG signals. Consequently, even though such prosthetic devices can be designed to be anthropomorphic to provide a visually pleasing prosthesis, the limited number of EMG signals generally results in limited utility. In the case of conventional myoelectric hand prostheses, only a sophisticated claw is generally provided. That is, these prosthetic devices are generally designed to provide a "pinch-type" operation, permitting the user to grasp an object but little else. Although, the ability to grasp and hold objects can be a significant improvement in the lifestyle of a hand and/or arm amputee, the utility of such devices is limited. Although more sophisticated designs are available, the additional costs, complexity, and weight associated with such devices are generally impractical.


The invention relates to a modular pod mattress used for sleeping. The mattress includes a structural frame having bottom rails, guide rails and a dividing rail. A plurality of modular pods are secured to the frame to form the customized mattress that relates directly to the height and eight distribution of an individual's body parts to provide the maximum quality sleep environment unique to that individual. The modular pods include a plurality of spring members, which may have varying elasticity or resistant levels. The modular pods are supported by a support platform that prevents the pods from sagging or deflecting during use of the mattress. A horizontal scale system may be utilized to determine the specific weight of a particular body part, e.g., head, shoulders, thorax, buttocks, thighs, calves and feet, of the user.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a modular pod mattress, and more particularly, this invention relates to a mattress comprising a structural frame for securing modular pods in a predetermined arrangement depending upon on the height and the weight distribution of the user's body.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional sleeping mattress is typically limited in levels of comfort, and similarly limited to options customizable to the user's individual health, support and comfort needs. A conventional mattress is generally a uniform composition across the entire mattress. For instance, the mattress may have all firm pocket coils, or all soft pocket coils across the entire mattress. Although conventional mattresses may be chosen from limited options based upon consumer preference, i.e. firm, medium, or soft, they are usually not correctly fitted for differing distribution of the type of coils across the mattress corresponding with the type of coil needed for a particular portion of the user's body. For example, a person with back pain may need firmer or softer pocket coils in the area of the mattress supporting the back, as compared to the pocket coils supporting the leg portion of the body.
Further, when two people share a bed, it is difficult to customize a conventional mattress for both of the users' comfort needs. For instance, when a larger person shares a bed with a smaller person, a mattress is usually not fitted for both users' needs.
Further yet, over time conventional mattresses become worn, soiled and tend to sag. Once a mattress becomes worn, even if only in one portion, then the entire mattress is in need of being replaced and discarded. Conventional mattresses are large and heavy and therefore moving and replacing the mattress can be burdensome and difficult, as well as expensive. Further, disposing of the entire mattress can be wasteful and environmentally unsound.
Although prior patents have disclosed mattresses attempting to solve the above described problems they still fall short. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,493,668 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,689 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,757,322 each disclose a mattress with divisional support; however, they are limited to more generalized adjustable regions offering a limited amount of adjustability and particularity of support for each region of the body. With large general regions, the mattresses of the prior art cannot be customized or particular enough to provide adequate support in precise regions.
It is therefore desirable to provide a modular pod mattress that allows for support and elasticity that corresponds to the user's height and weight distribution and provides adequate support in particular and precise regions.
It is also desirable to provide a modular pod mattress that allows for adjustable corresponding support and elasticity to the user's height and weight distribution when the user's height and weight change over time.
It is also desirable to provide a modular pod mattress that allows for concurrent use by two different users of varying weight and height.
It is further desirable to provide a modular pod mattress that allows for easy and eco-friendly replacement.
It is yet further desirable to provide a modular pod mattress that allows for replacing only the portions of the mattress that needs to be replaced.
It is further desirable to provide a modular mattress that is easy to move and transfer from site to site by allowing for removal of associated parts separately, reducing the overall total weight of the mattress.


A controller, a first voltage detector, a second voltage detector, . . . and an nth voltage detector are connected together in series in this order via a common communication line. In ID setting operation, the controller transfers a unique ID of the first voltage detector to the first voltage detector via the communication line, and transfers a unique ID of the (i+1)th voltage detector to the (i+1)th voltage detector via the first to ith voltage detectors and the communication line (where in is a natural number equal to or less than (n−1)).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to voltage detection devices.
2. Description of Related Art
In hybrid electric vehicles and the like, to obtain a high voltage for driving, a battery pack is used in which a plurality of unit batteries composed of secondary battery cells are connected in series. To achieve proper charge/discharge control through monitoring of the state of the battery pack, it is necessary to correctly recognize the voltage states of the individual unit batteries. However, since a large number of unit batteries are connected in series to obtain a high voltage, the battery pack is often managed in a form divided into a plurality of blocks, with voltage detection ICs provided on a block-by-block basis. Each voltage detection IC detects the terminal voltages of the unit batteries in the corresponding block, and transmits the results of the detection to a main IC (MPU) which manages the entire battery pack. The plurality of voltage detection ICs are, with a view to reducing wiring and terminals needed, connected via a common communication line to the main IC (that is, they are connected to the main IC in a daisy-chain configuration).
To achieve exchange of signals between the main IC and the plurality of voltage detection ICs via a common communication line, unique address numbers (unique IDs) need to be assigned to the voltage detection ICs respectively.
According to one known method (hereinafter referred to as the first conventional method), an address setting terminal is added, as an external terminal, to a voltage detection IC, and by feeding a digital signal to the address setting terminal, an address number is set. For example, in a case where eight voltage detection ICs are connected to a main IC, three bits' worth of address setting terminals (that is, three address setting terminals) are added to each voltage detection IC. For another example, in a case where 16 voltage detection ICs are connected to a main IC, four bits' worth of address setting terminals (that is, four address setting terminals) are added to each voltage detection IC.
Also proposed is a second conventional method as follows (see, for example, JP-A-2009-156633). First, a main IC transmits the address number "0" to a voltage detection IC directly coupled to the main IC. Each voltage detection IC, on receiving an address number via a communication line on the main IC side, takes as its own address number an address number obtained by incrementing the received address number by one, and delivers the address number obtained by incrementing the received address number by one to a communication line on the side away from the main IC. In this way, for example, in a case where a first to a fifth voltage detection IC are connected in this order starting from the main IC, the first to fifth voltage detection ICs are assigned the address numbers "1" to "5" respectively.
With the first conventional method, terminals dedicated to address setting need to be provided on each voltage detection IC. As the number of voltage detection ICs connected increases, the number of dedicated terminals needed increases. It is however undesirable to add such dedicated terminals, because doing so restricts the package of voltage detection ICs, increases the size of voltage detection ICs, or invites other inconveniences.
With the second conventional method, each voltage detection IC needs to set an address on a voltage detection IC in the next stage (a voltage detection IC on the side away from the main IC). That is, each voltage detection IC needs to be additionally furnished with a function for address setting. Inconveniently, this complicates the entire system.


A deterioration determination method in a deterioration determination device configured to determine deterioration of an X-ray detector of an industrial X-ray imaging apparatus, the deterioration determination method including: an acquisition step of acquiring a captured image generated by the X-ray detector; a statistical processing step of generating statistical processing information of the captured image; and a determination step of determining whether or not the X-ray detector has been deteriorated, based on the statistical processing information.

The present invention relates to a deterioration determination method and a deterioration determination device for an industrial X-ray imaging apparatus.
An X-ray imaging apparatus that images, using X-rays, an internal structure of a subject is known (See, for example, JP 2020-27101 A).
The X-ray imaging apparatus described in JP 2020-27101 A includes an X-ray generator, an X-ray detector, and a rotary table which is disposed between the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector and on which a subject is placed. That is, the X-ray imaging apparatus is configured as a so-called "industrial X-ray imaging apparatus".
The X-ray imaging apparatus automatically adjusts a tube current value following a change in one pixel size of the acquired image and a tube voltage value.

Deterioration determination method and deterioration determination device for industrial x-ray imaging apparatus


Methods, computer programming and devices for transferring heat to and/or from a body portion of a mammal are provided. One approach includes directly determining a state of vasoconstriction or vasodilation in a portion of a body, and supplying heat to the portion of the body when vasoconstriction is determined, and removing heat from the portion of the body when vasodilation is determined. The body portion preferably includes specific heat exchange vasculature. In another approach, a transition of the body portion from a state of vasodilation to vasoconstriction is determined and the body portion is then actively kept in a state of vasodilation while removing heat therefrom.

Mammalian body temperature is normally controlled by an internal autonomic regulatory system referred to herein as the thermoregulatory system. One important effector in this system is by controlled by blood flow to specialized skin areas of the body at non-hairy skin surfaces (i.e., at the palms, soles of the feet, cheeks/nose regions). Subcutaneous to these areas, there are unique anatomical vascular structures called venous plexuses. These structures serve to deliver large volumes of blood adjacent the skin surface. By this delivery of blood, significant heat transfer is enabled for the maintenance of internal organs within a functional temperature range. Blood is permitted to pass through the venous plexuses "radiator" structures by way of arterio venous anastamosis, or AVAs that gate or control the arterial input side of the venous plexuses. Thus, the AVA's serve an integral part of the heat transfer system, providing thermoregulatory control. Together, the AVA's and venous plexuses comprise a body's relevant heat exchange vasculature.
Normally, when body and/or environmental temperatures are high, dilation of certain blood vessels favors high blood flow to the noted heat exchange surfaces, thus increasing heat loss to the environment and reduction in the deep body core region temperature. As environmental and/or body temperatures fall, vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to these surfaces and minimizes heat loss to the environment.
There are situations, however, in which it would be desirable to manipulate the transfer of heat across skin surfaces to lower and/or raise the core body temperature. Such core body cooling or heating would be useful in a number of applications, including therapeutic treatment regimens and as a component of improving athletic or industrial performance.
The present invention is geared to improvement implementation of these goals. It does so in various ways by specifically taking natural vasoconstriction tendencies into account in order that unintended vasoconstriction (during an intended procedure) will not adversely effect blood flow in the region of a heat transfer surface so as to prevent adequate heat transfer.

Controlled heat transfer with mammalian bodies

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


A computer-implemented method for managing fuel costs, along with a corresponding apparatus, and a corresponding medium are described. The method includes receiving transaction information at a Network Administrator, the transaction information being associated with: (a) a shipper who has arranged for a shipment of goods from an origin to a destination; and (b) a corresponding carrier that has agreed to transport the shipment using a pre-determined maximum number of eligible units of fuel, where the fuel is purchased by the carrier at a pre-set base price per eligible unit, and where the fuel is purchased from pre-selected fueling locations. The maximum number of eligible units of fuel and the base price per eligible unit for the shipment are established between the shipper and the carrier, while the fueling locations are established by the Network Administrator. The actual price paid for the fuel is set by the market. Carrier fuel purchase information associated with fuel purchases made by the carrier at the pre-selected fueling locations is then transmitted to the Network Administrator.

The economic impact of high fuel costs for shippers is significant. In 2004, the fuel bill for the U.S. trucking industry (collectively referred to as "carriers") was greater than $90 billion. In the immediately preceding year, 2003, the fuel bill for carriers was $76 billion. See Transport Topics, Jun. 17, 2005 print edition, "Trucking Fuel Tab Soars," (Transport Topics Publishing Group, Alexandria, Va.). That is a one-year cost increase of greater than 18%. The trend going forward is no less startling, as shown by FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is graph depicting U.S. retail "on-highway" diesel fuel prices from September 2003 to January 2006 (statistics compiled by the U.S Department of Energy). The long-term trend is clearly pointing in the direction of ever-increasing fuel prices. With continuing political instability in oil-producing countries (such as Nigeria, Venezuela, Iran, and Saudi Arabia), continuing military operations in Iraq, and political opposition to drilling in known reserves on U.S. soil (such as in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge), fuel prices are likely to continue their meteoric rise.
Political instability in oil-producing regions and hurricanes impacting U.S. ports on the Gulf of Mexico also contribute mightily to short-term volatility in fuel prices. As shown in FIG. 1, hurricane Katrina (which made land fall on the gulf coast of the United States on Aug. 29, 2005) caused an immediate and severe spike in fuel prices at the pump. Managing such price volatility (to the extent possible) is key for the efficient movement of goods to market. In short, bottom line profit margin for shippers (i.e., the margin of companies moving their goods to market, as opposed to the profit margin of the trucking companies themselves) is inversely proportional, dollar-for-dollar, to shipping costs. In an efficient marketplace, the actual cost of shipping should be closely related to fuel costs. In other words, every dollar saved on fuel costs should be a dollar that goes to the bottom line of the shipper (not the carrier). However, that is not the current situation.
In the United States, common freight carriers (companies such Federal Express, UPS, DHL, etc.), truckload segment carriers (companies such as Schneider, Swift, J.B. Hunt, etc.) and a huge number of other local, regional, national, and international carriers) manage the fluctuating cost of fuel by assessing a "fuel surcharge." Airlines (both passenger and cargo lines) likewise assess fuel surcharges. The surcharge is based upon a formula that uses the average retail cost of fuel (the average cost of diesel for ground carriers; the average cost of jet fuel for air carriers) for a preceding period of time and multiplies it by a sliding scale to arrive at a fuel surcharge that is added to actual cost to ship the goods from the origin to the destination. (The scale can be based on, for example, a percentage of the fuel cost, or per mile traveled, etc.) As a general rule, every surcharge protocol currently in use is based on the average, full retail price of fuel. But the carriers' actual cost for fuel is significantly less because the carriers receive volume discounts for large fuel purchases. Thus, at the time the cost for a shipment is estimated, the carrier provides the estimate based upon the current actual cost, plus the current fuel surcharge. The surcharge functions to inflate the cost of fuel, thereby guaranteeing the carrier a profit (or, at an absolute minimum, preventing the carrier a loss). In essence, by using a sliding scale based on historical and average fuel costs, the surcharge increases the carriers' revenue, based upon the actual amount the carrier paid for fuel. The fuel price spread (that is, the fuel surcharge levied by carriers as compared to the carriers' true cost for the fuel) is a major flaw that financially harms shippers. In short, in the event a carrier's actual fuel costs are higher at the time a shipment is made, the surcharge limits the carrier's costs by assessing the shipper an addition additional fee in excess of the actual cost the carrier paid for the fuel.
The fuel surcharge arrangement, while not calculated in the same fashion from carrier to carrier, has been implemented industry-wide. All of the surcharge protocols follow the same basic approach: a sliding scale is compiled linking the historic cost of fuel to a multiplier. The fuel surcharge is, quite literally, wholly disconnected from the actual price a carrier pays for the fuel required to complete any given shipment. It is simply a charge based upon the national average, full retail, at-the-pump cost for fuel during some pre-set time period preceding the date when the shipment is made. As a result, the fuel surcharge system produces both a cost inflation to shippers (because carriers generally do not pay full retail prices for fuel) and a time distortion (because the surcharge is based on historic average fuel costs, rather than contemporaneous fuel costs at the time the shipment is made). In practice, the amount of fuel required to complete any given movement is computed using the distance in miles between the origin and the destination, multiplied by an agreed upon miles-per-gallon for the vehicle(s) used to transport the freight. For example, in calculating the surcharge for diesel fuel, DHL (a domestic and international carrier) currently utilizes an indexed fuel surcharge based upon the fuel prices published by the U.S. Department of Energy. DHL's diesel fuel surcharge calculation is based upon the spot price for diesel fuel.
For jet fuel, however, DHL uses a different calculation to determine the "appropriate" fuel surcharge. DHL's air shipment fuel surcharge is linked to the monthly rounded average of the U.S. Gulf Coast (USGC) price for a gallon of kerosene-type jet fuel, as published by the U.S. Department of Energy. DHL currently applies the monthly rounded average from the period two months prior to calculate the applicable fuel surcharge percentage. For example, the March 2006 fuel surcharge percentage as calculated by DHL is based on the USGC monthly rounded average from January 2006.
In contrast, UPS (another domestic and international common carrier) uses an index-based surcharge for diesel fuel. UPS's surcharge scale is adjusted monthly. In the current arrangement, changes to the surcharge schedule are effective the first Monday of each month and posted approximately two weeks prior to the effective date. UPS calculates its fuel surcharge based on the National U.S. Average On-Highway Diesel Fuel Prices reported by the U.S. Department of Energy for the month that is two months prior to the adjustment. (See FIG. 1, which is a graph depicting the recent history of this fuel price index.) Thus, for example the surcharge for March 2006 is based on the January 2006 National U.S. Average On-Highway Diesel Fuel Price. In UPS' current schedule (March 2006), the fuel surcharge for diesel ranges from 0% for diesel costing less than $1.50 per gallon, to 5.25% for diesel costing from $3.02 to $3.10 per gallon.
UPS uses an analogous schedule for air freight, the air freight surcharge schedule being linked the USGC price for kerosene-type jet fuel. In UPS' current schedule (March 2006), the fuel surcharge for jet fuel ranges from 0% for jet fuel costing less than $0.66 per gallon, to 12.5% for jet fuel costing more than $1.62 per gallon.
A host of other methods of calculating the surcharge are known. For example, Schneider National (Green Bay, Wis.; currently the largest truckload carrier in North America) bases its surcharge on the Average On-Highway Diesel Prices, adjusted weekly. Thus, for the first week in March 2006, Schneider's fuel surcharge was based on the then-average on-highway price for diesel, $2.545 per gallon. Using the then-standard base cost for fuel ($1.20 per gallon, the cost factored into the charge for the movement itself) yields a differential of $1.345 per gallon in the first week of March 2006. This value is then divided by 5 mpg (the estimated average mileage of Schneider's trucks) to arrive at a surcharge of $0.269/mile. Thus, for a shipment of 1,500 miles, taking place in early March 2006, Schneider National would have levied a fuel surcharge of $403.50.
Literally all US common carriers reserve the right to change their fuel surcharge percentages and thresholds without prior notice. The result is that the fuel costs paid by shippers are not controlled by the shippers. Instead, fuel costs are set by historical rates and the surcharge percentages and price thresholds established (unilaterally) by carriers. As matters presently stand, shippers (for whose benefit the fuel is purchased and consumed) have no control over the cost at which that fuel is purchased. Likewise, shippers have no control over where and when that fuel is purchased. Shippers are therefore paying more than they should to move their goods to market.
Like many businesses, common carriers and shippers alike, are increasing using the internet and other network arrangements, to wring greater efficiencies from their operations. The exponential growth of the internet in the late 1990's, and the continued growth in commerce transacted over the internet, has thus witnessed a corresponding rise in the number of patents addressing methods for conducting commerce via a computer interface. Many of these patents touch on methods for managing fuel costs or for hedging the future cost of fuel (and other commodities). For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,885,996; 6,375,539; and 6,332,128, all to G. R. Nicholson, describe a process for granting price-per-unit discounts on fuel costs. The fuel price discount is linked to the buyer purchasing other, cross-marketed items from the same vendor or from a different vendor.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,872, to Grdina, describes a subscription-based service wherein a consumer can purchase fuel in advance, at an agreed upon price, and the seller must deliver the fuel at the agreed upon price. In essence, the system is a debit card arrangement for hedging the purchase price of fuel.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,772, to Walker et al., and assigned to Walker Digital, LLC, describes the process behind the "name-your-price" web auctioneer Priceline.com. In this pricing protocol, there is a middleman (the "central controller" in the terms used by the patent) who links buyers and sellers in a double-blind fashion. The buyer is unaware of the seller's asking price, and the seller is unaware of the buyer's offering price. The asking price and the offering price are matched by the "central controller." If the buyer's offered price is higher than the seller's asking price, the sale is consummated, and the difference is pocketed as revenue by the "central controller," i.e., Priceline. But if the buyer's offered price is too low, the sale is not consummated. In either instance, the buyer is never informed of the seller's actual asking price, and vice-versa. The "central controller" makes the decision on whether to make the sale or not, without transmitting the asking price to the buyer, or transmitting the offered price to the seller.
There are a host of other internet commerce selling protocols described in the recent U.S. Patents. To get a flavor of the overall increase in internet-based commerce, see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,999,949; 6,970,837; 6,901,376; 6,868,394; 6,868,393; 6,839,683; 6,754,636; 6,745,190; 6,587,827; 6,016,504; 5,966,697; and 5,970,474.

Method for shippers to manage fuel costs


In a radial-direction gap type magnet motor, when an energy density increases, a direction change Mθ/φp of a static magnetic field with respect to a mechanic angle between different poles increases in an exponential manner and thus to decrease a cogging torque of the motor is not compatible to increase a torque density. In order to solve the problem, assuming that φt denotes a mechanic angle of a stator iron core teeth, φp denotes a mechanical angle of a magnetic pole, and Mθ denotes an angle of a static magnetic field with respect to a circumferential tangential line of a radial magnetic pole center, a radial-direction type magnet motor in which φt<φp, Mθ in a magnetic pole center region is 75 to 90°, and Mθ/φp≦7 is satisfied in the magnetic pole end region of φp×0.1°, and further, a static magnetic field generating source is configured as a magnetic anisotropic magnetic pole having an energy density (BH) max≧150 kJ/m3 is provided.

A motor can be regarded as a multi-functional component which includes a rotor, a shaft, a bearing, a stator, and the like obtained by highly precisely processing various materials such as steel, non-ferrous metal, and polymer and which converts electric energy into mechanic energy by the combination thereof. In recent years, a so-called permanent magnet type motor which uses a magnet capable of attracting or repelling other magnetic materials and of permanently generating a static magnetic field without an external energy is widely used. From the viewpoint of physics, the magnet is different from other magnetic materials in that an effective magnetization remains even after removing an external magnetic field. When a heat or a comparatively large inverse magnetic field is applied, a magnetization inversion (demagnetization) eventually occurs and then the magnetization reduces with the demagnetization. An important characteristic value of the magnet is an energy density (BH) max. The energy density (BH) max shows potential energy of the magnet by the unit of volume.
Incidentally, the performance of the strong attracting or repelling capability of the magnet does not contribute to improve the high performance of every type of the motor. However, in Non-patent Document 1, on the basis of a relationship between a residual magnetic flux density Br corresponding to one of basic characteristics of the magnet and a motor constant KJ (KJ is a ratio between an output torque KT and a square root √R of a resistance loss) corresponding to an index of a motor performance, it is described that an increase in energy density (BH) max of the magnet induces a higher torque density in the radial-direction gap type magnet motor, which is a target of the invention, in the state where a motor diameter, a rotor diameter, a gap, a soft magnetic material, a magnet dimension, and the like are fixed.
However, the increase in energy density (BH) max of the magnet induces the higher torque density in the radial-direction gap type magnet motor, which is a target of the invention, but since a stator iron core of the motor is provided with teeth forming a part of a magnetic circuit and a slot accommodating wound wires, the permeance changes with the rotation. For this reason, the increase in energy density (BH) max of the magnet increases a torque pulsation, that is, a cogging torque. The increase in cogging torque causes bad influences such as the disturbance of a smooth rotation of the motor, the increase in vibration or noise of the motor, and the deterioration in rotation control performance.
In order to avoid such bad influences, many studies on the cogging torque reduction of the radial-direction gap type magnet motor have been carried out in the past.
First, regarding the magnetic pole having an even thickness in a magnetization direction, making the thickness of the magnet uneven is considered. For example, in Non-patent Document 2, it is described that the cogging torque becomes minimum when the radial-direction gap type magnet motor shown in FIG. 9A including magnetic pole 1 of an uneven thickness, stator iron core 2, stator iron core slot 3, and stator iron core teeth 4 is allowed to have the 12-pole-18-slot uneven-thickness magnetic pole with a residual magnetization Br of 1.2 T, a maximum thickness at the magnetic pole center of 3 mm, and a minimum thickness at both magnetic pole ends of 1.5 mm. Additionally, in this case, the thickness is unevened from the outer diameter side of the magnetic pole. However, it is known that the cogging torque can be reduced even in the magnetic pole whose thickness is unevened from the inner diameter side of the magnetic pole.
In addition, in Non-patent Document 2, in order to minimize the cogging torque by making the thickness of the magnetic pole uneven as shown in FIG. 9A, the minimum thickness of both magnetic pole ends is required to be unevened so that the thickness is about a half of the maximum thickness of the magnetic pole center. Accordingly, if the thickness of the magnetic pole, that is, the magnetization direction (thickness) becomes thinner, a sufficient advantage cannot be obtained even when the thickness of the magnetic pole is unevened so as to minimize the cogging torque. In addition, the magnetic pole is mechanically weak in general, and thus the processing thereof becomes difficult.
Meanwhile, regarding the magnetic pole whose thickness is thin in the magnetization direction, there is known a method of skewing the magnetic pole as disclosed in FIG. 9B in Non-patent Document 3 or a method of continuously removing a magnetic pole area between magnetic poles as disclosed in FIG. 9C in Non-patent Document 4.
According to the summary of the known techniques described above, the magnetic pole end of the thick magnetic pole is thinned by about a half so as to broaden a gap between itself and the stator iron core or the area between the magnetic poles of the thin magnetic pole is reduced. Accordingly, the amount of the static magnetic field Ms, generated from the magnetic pole and flowing through the stator iron core in the form of the magnetic flux Φ, is suppressed. As a result, in theses methods, the torque density decreases by 10 to 15% in general due to the reduction in cogging torque. Accordingly, the cogging torque reduction methods using the known techniques shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are contrary to the technique in which the increase in energy density (BH) max of the magnet induces the increase in torque density in the radial-direction gap type magnet motor.
Meanwhile, as in Non-patent Document 5, a cogging torque reduction method of the radial-direction gap type magnet motor is reported which adopts an Nd2Fe14B-based rare-earth sintered magnet whose thickness in the magnetization direction is as thin as 1.2 mm and the residual magnetization Mr has a high energy density of 1 T. In this cogging torque reduction method, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, the thickness in the magnetization direction or the magnetic pole area is not decreased. That is, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, a so-called Halbach Cylinder is shown each magnetic pole of which is formed of two to five divided sections, and the magnetization direction (anisotropic direction) for each divided section is adjusted stepwisely. Here, in the drawing, the suffixes (2) to (5) indicate the number of two to five divided sections of one magnetic pole. In addition, the direction indicated by the arrow of each divided section indicates a direction of the magnetization vector M along the oriented magnetization easy axis (C-axis), that is, the anisotropic direction.
When the 12-pole-18-slot radial-direction gap type magnet motor is manufactured by adopting the magnetic pole having the above-described configuration, the plotted cogging torque with respect to the number of divided magnetic pole sections of the magnetic pole is shown in FIG. 11. That is, the number N of the divided magnetic pole sections of the magnetic pole and the cogging torque Tcog satisfy the exponential approximation as Tcog=61.753 exp (−0.1451 N). In addition, FIG. 11 shows that the state where Mθ/φp minutely and continuously changes in a specific direction particularly between different poles is ideal when Mθ denotes an angle formed between the magnetization vector M at an arbitrary mechanic angle φ. However, in the Nd2Fe14B-based rare-earth sintered magnet whose thickness is 1.2 mm and whose residual magnetization Mr has the high energy density of 1 T, it is difficult to prepare plural magnetic pole sections having different anisotropic directions, to minutely and regularly arrange the magnetic pole divided sections, and to form the magnetic pole with high dimensional precision. For this reason, it is very difficult to manufacture a multi-pole rotor having an integer number of the magnetic poles and a radial-direction gap type magnet motor adopting the multi-pole rotor. In addition, it is easily supposed that manufacturing such multi-pole rotor or a radial-direction gap type magnet motor is not compatible with economical efficiency.
An object of the invention is to provide a new cogging torque reduction method of a radial-direction gap type magnet motor which does not reduce the volume or area of the magnetic pole of, for example, a magnetic anisotropic magnetic pole whose thickness is as thin as 1.5 mm, and is difficult to be unevened, and whose energy density is high.
More specifically, the present invention took note of the disclosure in Non-patent Document 5 that the number N of divided sections of the magnetic pole and the cogging torque Tcog satisfy the exponential approximation as Tcog=61.753 exp (−0.1451 N). Particularly, when φp denotes the mechanic angle of the magnetic pole and Mθ denotes an angle formed between the circumferential tangential line of the magnetic pole and the magnetization vector M in the region of φp×0.1° at a position between different poles in which N and S poles are switched, it is an object of the invention to simultaneously obtain the contrary advantages, that is, the suppression of the cogging torque and the increase in torque density using the magnetic anisotropic magnetic pole having the high energy density by specifying the continuous change Mθ/φp of the magnetization vector angle Mθ with respect to the mechanic angle φp of the magnetic pole. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the radial-direction gap type magnet motor which adopts the magnetic anisotropic magnetic pole having the energy density (BH) max≧150 kJ/m3 and which simultaneously realizes the contrary advantages, that is, the suppression of the cogging torque and the increase in energy density.
A radial-direction gap type magnet motor according to the invention includes a magnetic anisotropic magnetic pole in which assuming that φt denotes a mechanic angle of a stator iron core teeth of the radial-direction gap type magnet, φp denotes a mechanical angle of a magnetic pole, and Mθ denotes an angle of a magnetization vector with respect to a circumferential tangential line of the magnetic pole, Mθ of a mechanical angle region φp=φt of a magnetic pole center region facing φt is set to be 75 to 90° and more desirably 90° so as to have an average error within 5°, and Mθ/φp≦7 is satisfied in the region of φp×0.1° at a position of a circumferential magnetic pole end, that is, a position between different poles. The Mθ and φp have precision at which the linear approximation having the correlation coefficient of 0.99 or more is satisfied.
In the magnetic anisotropic magnetic pole, when Hθ denotes an angle formed between the direction of the homogeneous external magnetic field Hex and the tangential line of the mechanic angle φp at the inner and outer surfaces of the magnetic pole, first, a deformed magnetic pole having the inner and outer circumferential sections causing the angle change Hθ/φp is prepared by the application of the orientated magnetic field using the homogeneous external magnetic field Hex. Next, the deformed magnetic pole is subjected to a heat and an external force to thereby obtain a predetermined circular arc magnetic pole. Then, the obtained circular arc magnetic pole is applied with the homogeneous external magnetic field Hex again in the same direction as the oriented direction so as to be magnetized. At the time when the homogeneous external magnetic field Hex is applied to the circular arc magnetic pole, the respective parts of the magnetic pole are magnetized in the direction of the magnetization easy axis (C-axis). Accordingly, the magnetization vector angle Mθ with respect to the circumferential tangential line of the circular arc magnetic pole is equal to Hθ with a certain degree of error.
In order to minimize the error between the Mθ and Hθ, the shape of the deformed magnetic pole is desirably obtained in such a manner that a rigid body forming the deformed magnetic pole and having the arbitrary Hθ/φp moves in rotation, only the direction of the magnetization easy axis (C-axis) changes without breaking down the anisotropic degree, and the nonlinear structure analysis of the rigid body aggregation is carried out. In addition, the rotary movement of the rigid body aggregation having the arbitrary Hθ/φp, where only the direction of the magnetization easy axis (C-axis) changes without breaking down the anisotropic degree, is carried out by using the rheology of the molten linear polymer such as a shear flow action, an extension flow action, a viscous deformation having the shear flow action and the extension flow action caused by the heat, the external force, and the like. In addition, it is desirable that the magnetic pole has the magnetic performance such of the residual magnetization Mr≧0.95 T, the intrinsic magnetic coercive force HcJ≧0.9 MA/m, and the energy density (BH) max≧150 kJ/m3.
As a configuration of the magnetic anisotropic magnetic pole suitable for ensuring the magnetic performance of the energy density (BH) max≧150 kJ/m3 and plastic workability, for example, a macro structure is provided in which Nd2Fe14B-based rare-earth magnet particles each having an average particle diameter of 150 μm or less are isolated by a matrix (continuous phase) of a bonding agent and Sm2Fe17N3-based rare-earth magnet fine powders each having an average particle diameter of 3 to 5 μm. Desirably, the volume ratio of a magnet material having an energy density (BH) max≧270 kJ/m3 to the magnetic pole is set to be 80 vol. % or more.
A magnetic isotropic magnet can be freely magnetized in a direction of a magnetization field and in any direction in accordance with a magnetic field strength distribution. For this reason, it is possible to provide a magnetization pattern indicated by the circular arc arrow in magnetic pole 1 of FIG. 12 by optimization of the shape of a magnetization yoke and a magnetomotive force. Accordingly, it is possible to easily adjust a gap magnetic flux density distribution between a magnetic pole and a stator iron core to a sine wave shape. Thus, the cogging torque reduction in the radial-direction gap type magnet motor can be easily carried out compared with the case where a thin magnetic pole is formed of a magnetic anisotropic magnet material.
A study on the isotropic rare-earth magnet material seems to be started by R. W. Lee and others who reported that an isotropic Nd2Fe14B-based bond magnet having the energy density (BH) max of 72 kJ/m3 can be formed when a rapidly-solidified ribbon having the energy density (BH) max of 111 kJ/m3 is fixed by a resin (see "Hot-pressed Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets" written by R. W. Lee, E. G. Brewer, and N. A. Schaffel, IEEE Trans. Magn., Vol. 21, 1958 (1985)). Since then, studies on the isotropic rare-earth magnet material mainly obtained by the rapid solidification of the rare-earth-iron-based molten alloy have been actively carried out from the late in 1980s. For example, there are many isotropic magnetic materials of different powder shapes to be industrially usable, such as Nd2Fe14B, Sm2Fe17N3, or a nanocomposite magnet material obtained by using an exchange bonding based on a microscopic structure of αFe, FeB, and Fe3B with Nd2Fe14B and Sm2Fe17N3, in addition to isotropic magnet materials obtained by the micro control of various alloy structures. For example, see Non-patent Documents 6 to 10. Particularly, in Non-patent Document 10, H. A. Davies et al. proposed a material having an isotropy and an energy density (BH) max of 220 kJ/m3.
However, the energy density (BH) max of the isotropic magnet materials which can be used in industries is 134 kJ/m3 at best. The energy density (BH) max of the isotropic Nd2Fe14B-based bond magnet which is generally used in the magnet motor represented as a small-sized radial-direction gap type magnet motor having a power of 50 W or less is approximately 80 kJ/m3 or less. That is, although more than 20 years have passed since the isotropic Nd2Fe14B-based bond magnet having the energy density (BH) max of 72 kJ/m3 was formed from the ribbon having the energy density (BH) max of 111 kJ/m3 by R. W. Lee and others in 1985, the improvement in energy density (BH) max is less than 10 kJ/m3.
Accordingly, it cannot be expected to increase the energy density and torque density of the radial-direction gap type magnet motor which is a target of the invention by depending on the slow improvement of isotropic magnetic materials.
Meanwhile, changing of an isotropic magnet to an anisotropic magnet is usually accompanied with the increase of energy density (BH) max. For this reason, in the radial-direction gap type magnet motor which is a target of the invention, a higher torque density can be obtained, but the cogging torque increases.    Non-patent Document 1: "Application of high performance magnets for small motors" written by J. Schulze, Proc. of the 18th international workshop on high performance magnets and their applications, 2004, pp. 908-915    Non-patent Document 2: "Comparison of brushless motors having halbach magnetized magnets and shaped parallel magnetized magnets" written by Y. Pang, Z. Q. Zhu, S. Ruangsinchaiwanich, and D. Howe, Proc. of the 18th international workshop on high performance magnets and their applications, 2004, pp. 400-407    Non-patent Document 3: "Properties and applications of high performance magnets" written by W. Rodewald, W. Rodewald, and M. Katter, Proc. of the 18th international workshop on high performance magnets and their applications, 2004, pp. 52-63    Non-patent Document 4: "Investigation of Increase in Performance of Blowing Brushless DC Motor" written by Atsushi Matsuoka, Togo Yamazaki, and Hitoshi Kawaguchi, Rotating Equipment Seminar of Electric Association, The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan (IEEJ), RM-01-161, 2001    Non-patent Document 5: "Application of halbach cylinders to electrical machine" written by D. Howe and Z. Q. Zhu, Proc. of the 17th int. workshop on rare earth magnets and their applications, 2000, pp. 903-922    Non-patent Document 6: "Development Tendency of High-performance Rare-earth Bond Magnet" written by Takahiko Iriyama, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Innovation Creation Project/Symposium of Efficient Usage of Rare-earth Resource and Advanced Material, 2002, pp. 19-26    Non-patent Document 7: "Recent developments in Nd—Fe—B powder" written by B. H. Rabin, and B. M. Ma, 120th Topical Symposium of the Magnetic Society of Japan, 2001, pp. 23-28    Non-patent Document 8: "Recent powder development at magnequench" written by B. M. Ma, Polymer Bonded Magnets 2002, 2002    Non-patent Document 9: "Structure and magnetic properties of Nd2Fe14B/FexB-type nanocomposite permanent magnets prepared by strip casting" written by S. Hirasawa, H. Kanekiyo, T. Miyoshi, K. Murakami, Y. Shigemoto, and T. Nishiuchi, 9th Joint MMM/INTERMAG, FG-05, 2004    Non-patent Document 10: "Nanophase Pr and Nd/Pr based rare-earth-iron-boron alloys" written by H. A. Davies, J. I. Betancourt, and C. L. Harland, Proc. of 16th Int. Workshop on Rare-Earth Magnets and Their Applications, 2000, pp. 485-495


The ink set for inkjet recording includes: a first liquid which contains at least a water-soluble solvent, water, and pigment particles dispersed and retained in a medium including the water-soluble solvent and the water; and a second liquid which does not contain coloring material but contains at least a water-soluble solvent, water, and a liquid composition which enhances printing characteristics, wherein: an image is formed by making the first liquid and the second liquid come into contact with each other on a recording medium; and a ratio of pigment particles having a particle diameter of not less than 150 nm is not greater than 2 volume percent with respect to a whole of the pigment particles contained in the first liquid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink set for inkjet recording, and an image recording method and apparatus, and more particularly to an ink set for inkjet recording, an image recording method and apparatus which satisfy the requirements of achieving high fixing characteristics, increasing the reproduction range of secondary colors, and ensuring optical density and preventing bleeding in the case of high-speed printing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various recording media have come to be used as inkjet recording media, and there are demands for high-quality image formation even when using standard commercial paper. On the other hand, with regard to the ink, a pigment is desirable as an ink material which ensures good image fastness, such as waterproofing or light resistance, and various investigations have been carried out in this respect. However, if recording is carried out onto normal paper, then problems may arise in the form of significant bleeding, and inadequate coloring density and fixing properties. There have also been demands from users for higher speed operation in inkjet recording, and high-speed printing capability is also demanded in single pass methods which are capable of recording by means of a single scan of the head, as well as in shuttle scanning systems.
As a means for preventing bleeding and improving coloration density on normal paper, a method is known which brings a liquid composition that reacts with the ink into contact with the ink (i.e., mixes the liquid composition with the ink), on the recording medium. Two typical examples of this are shown below.
(1) A method has been proposed in which, in order to mix a liquid composition that reacts with the ink, on the recording medium, and to improve image density, improve water resistance and suppress bleeding, a liquid composition which ensures a satisfactory image is applied to the recording medium before or after spraying ink for recording the recorded image. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-10633 discloses an ink set having excellent optical density, bleeding characteristics, color mixing characteristics, and drying time, by using a liquid composition which has an action of causing the pigment to aggregate. However, it has been found that this cannot be regarded as satisfactory from the viewpoint of fixing characteristics and color reproduction (especially in respect of the reproduction of secondary colors).
(2) As a method for mixing an ink and a liquid composition containing very fine particles, on the recording medium, it has been proposed to use a combination of an ink containing a very fine particle pigment and an aqueous liquid composition containing very fine particles having their surfaces charged to the opposite polarity with respect to the ink, in a dispersed state. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-39810 discloses a method which achieves a broad color reproduction range on normal paper, and eliminates color non-uniformities or bleeding, by using a pigment having an average particle size of 60 nm or less and a cumulative 90% particle size in the volume particle diameter distribution of 100 nm or less. However, it has been judged that this is not of a satisfactory level from the viewpoint of optical density or bleeding in the case of high-speed printing involving consecutive ejections of adjacent dots, which is essential in single pass recording.
Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-3095, for example, discloses forming a pigment to a very fine particle size in order to achieve good coloration characteristics in an aqueous pigment-based ink, and to improve the scratching resistance of the image portion, in other words, to improve fixing characteristics. It is proposed that the average particle size of the pigment should be in the range of 50 to 100 nm, and that 50% or more of the dispersed pigment in the particle size distribution should be in the range of 50 to 150 nm.
In view of this background, the present inventor used the pigment-based ink according to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-3095 in the method (1) described above, which mixes an ink with a liquid composition that reacts with the ink on the recording medium; however, it was found that this was not of a satisfactory level from the viewpoint of the fixing characteristics and color reproduction (and in particular, reproduction of secondary colors).

Ink set for inkjet recording, and image recording method and image recording apparatus


Disclosed are an information transmission method and device, and a computer readable storage medium. The method comprises: an edge node sends a radio capability exposure request to a target transmission node at a radio access network side; the edge node receives radio capability exposure response information responded by the target transmission node. Specifically, the edge node sends the radio capability exposure request to the target transmission node at the radio access network side by means of an Xm interface, and receives the radio capability exposure response information responded by the target transmission node by means of the Xm interface or User Plane Functionality (UPF). In the solution of the present invention, the edge node can directly send the radio capability exposure request to the target transmission node at the radio access network side, and the target transmission node can also directly send the capability exposure response information to the edge node without the need of a core network, and thus better solving the problems in the related art that an information transfer delay exists in a radio capability exposure mode and the burden of core network processing is increased.

In order to effectively satisfy the requirements for high bandwidth and low delay of the rapid development of the mobile Internet and the Internet of Things and to reduce the network load, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) proposed the concept of mobile edge computing (MEC) in 2014. The MEC technology provides the capability of IT and cloud computing for the radio access network mainly by deploying a universal server at the radio access side, so the MEC can also be referred to as the edge cloud. In 2017, in order to better support 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and non-3GPP systems, the ETSI renamed the MEC from Mobile Edge Computing to Multi-access Edge Computing.
In the next-generation network architecture research project (TR23.799, TR: Technical Report) and the 5th Generation fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) system architecture standard (TS23.501, TS: Technical Specification), the 3GPP has defined that the MEC is the main target of the 5G network architecture. The 5G network architecture standard research of the 3GPP focuses on the requirements of the 5G network service and the evolution trend of the architecture and aims to achieve the objectives of the MEC through user plane distributed sinking and flexible routing.
The MEC platform can integrate the 5G user plane function (UPF) to implement data forwarding for a service flow, and can also implement cross-layer information interaction and joint optimization between the radio side and the application layer by means of radio information exposure. Since the MEC is located at the edge of the network, closer to the radio network and the user, the MEC naturally has the advantage that the MEC can easily sense and utilize the network context information and easily obtain real-time radio network information. If the exposure interface transfers such information to a third-party application, the user experience can be improved, the service can be optimized, both the network and the service can be satisfied, and the deep convergence of the network and the service can be promoted, thereby creating more business opportunities. The combination of MEC and 5G architectures in the capability exposure is a key factor in the landing of MEC technology.
The 5G system architecture standard, 3GPP TS23.501, has determined a service-based network architecture (SBA) and defined the network, application function (AF), and network exposure function (NEF) which are used for the exposure of radio network capabilities. The NEF collects network capabilities including policy control capability and communicates with applications through the MEC platform. The NEF is a network function of a core network (CN) and needs to perform capability exposure through the 5G CN. FIG. 1 illustrates a service-based 5G system architecture defined by 3GPP in TS23.501. In the system architecture, the user equipment (UE) and the radio access network (RAN) node belong to the radio access side network function. DN refers to the data network, and UPF is the user plane functionality of a core network and can sink to the RAN side and connect to a local data network. Other network functions belong to the core network function. The network logic functional network elements of these core networks specifically are: session management functionality (SMF) which is responsible for session access and management, including UPF selection/reselection; access and mobility management function (AMF) which responsible for UE access and mobility management; authentication server function (AUSF) which is responsible for UE authentication; network repository function (NRF) which is responsible for establishing network function mutual discovery; policy control function (PCF) is responsible for policy rules of the control plane; unified data management (UDM) which is responsible for information management such as user ID management; network exposure function (NEF) which is responsible for network capability exposure; application function (AF) which is responsible for App control and deployment and may be either operator trusted domain or third-party untrusted domain. The AF of the trusted domain can directly access corresponding functions in the network while the AF of the non-trusted domain may access the network after passing through the NEF. In the architecture shown in FIG. 1, the radio network information needs to be sent to the core network and exposed to applications through the NEF.
Since the information provision of the RAN is not based on the service architecture, it cannot be used directly for the MEC. The exposure of radio network capabilities in the current 5G system architecture requires that the radio information is first transmitted to the core network and then transferred to the MEC by the core network. This means that even if the MEC is closer to the radio network and the user in terms of location deployment, the radio network information must first detour to the core network and then becomes available to the MEC. According to this mechanism, regardless of whether the core network needs RAN-side information, when the MEC needs the exposure of such information, the information must also be transferred and processed in the core network. Some low-delay scenarios such as the Industrial Internet, Internet of Vehicles and the like have extremely severe requirements for the delay of the radio information. Moreover, the radio information on the RAN side is numerous and disorder, and the use of the current network capability exposure mechanism not only increases the delay of information transfer but also increases the processing burden of the core network.

Information transmission method, device, and computer readable storage medium


Systems, methods, and computer program products for managing and prioritizing record events. A priority manager includes an event list that lists scheduled record events. Each event in the event list has a priority that is different from the other events in the event list. If some of the events conflict, then those events with the highest priority in the event list are recorded. A user can assign priority to events when they are scheduled or at a later time. This enables event conflicts to be resolved by the user when the events are initially scheduled. When an event conflict arises later, the conflict is resolved by the priority manager according to the relative priority of the events in the event list.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to managing and scheduling events. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems, methods, and computer program products for managing record events using a priority manager to resolve conflicts that occur between some of the recording events.
2. Background and Relevant Art
Today, many devices have the ability to digitally record a video stream such as a television program. The recorded video streams are often stored on a hard drive where they may be viewed at the leisure of a user. In fact, some homes have more than one device that is able to record video streams. In addition to viewing and recording video streams, these devices often provide other functionality to users, such as browsing the Internet.
Even though a network may have more than one device that can view and record video streams, the number of video streams that can be concurrently recorded is often limited by the number of tuners that are present in the recording devices. Tuners are effectively a limited resource and users encounter situations where they want to concurrently record more video streams than they have tuners. Because of these conflicts, there is a need to determine which video streams or programs should be recorded.
There are many situations that can create an event conflict such as a recording conflict. For example, a recording conflict can occur when one of the programs to be recorded is rescheduled to broadcast at a different time that coincides with an already scheduled event. The rescheduled program is often reflected, for instance, in the guide data that is supplied to the recording device. Recording conflicts can also occur when a program runs longer than its scheduled time. In other words, a particular program may not end at its scheduled time, it may be interrupted by a breaking news story, and the like. Sporting events are a typical example of a program that may not end at a scheduled time. The ability to record beyond the scheduled ending time may conflict with another event that is already scheduled. Another situation where a recording conflict occurs is when a user schedules too many programs to record concurrently.
The complexity of managing these conflicts increases because of the flexibility the user has in scheduling recording events. A user, for example, can schedule an entire season of a particular program to be recorded. However, future guide data is limited in scope and potential conflicts cannot be determined when the record event is scheduled. Some of the future programs, for example, may not air on the same day or the week or they may be special episodes that last longer than normal episodes.
In another example, the user may schedule record events that are dependent on characteristics of the programs. For example, the user may want to record all programs that have a particular actor, which is determined by searching the guide data. These types of events cause conflicts that become known at a later time after these programs have been identified and scheduled. For at least these reasons, recording conflicts are practically inevitable.