Novel complexes of paramagnetic ions and compounds bearing long acyl chains have been synthesized as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. These novel liposoluble contrast agents may be administered alone, or with lipids, suspending agents or other additives. The lipids may be in the form of liposomes, micelles or lipid emulsions. The contrast agents of the invention have particular use in magnetic resonance imaging of the liver, blood pool and reticuloendothelial system.

Complexes of paramagnetic ions such as gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA) have been developed as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents. While gadolinium is quite toxic alone, the ion complex, Gd-DTPA, has much less toxicity, and has been used in MR imaging. Gd-DTPA, however, has limited use as an imaging agent. Indeed, while Gd-DTPA functions effectively as a contrast agent in the imaging of extracellular spaces, it provides little contrast enhancing effect as a blood pool imaging agent. Investigators have looked to other paramagnetic ions, such as manganese, for the development of similar complexes, such as Mn-DTPA. Such complexes, however. have been largely unstable in the serum, and thus suffer limitations similar to Gd-DTPA. Recently manganese pyridoxal phosphate compounds have been developed as an MR contrast agent. These compounds appear to function effectively as liver imaging agents, but are not thought to have much use as blood pool agents, or for other uses, such as agents for imaging the bone marrow, spleen or lymph nodes.
Liposomes have also been studied as MR contrast agents. Liposomal paramagnetic contrast agents have been shown to be effective in imaging the blood pool, liver, spleen and bone marrow. It has also been shown that small liposomes under 50 nm in size were more effective as MR contrast agents than larger liposomes, when the liposomes were used to entrap paramagnetic complexes such as Gd-DTPA. Even in the case of using small liposomes, however, the entrapped Gd-DTPA has less relaxivity than Gd-DTPA which is free in solution and not entrapped within liposomes. Gd-DTPA entrapped within a lipid membrane has a reduction in relaxivity because of the reduction in water flux that occurs across the intervening lipid bilayer. To improve the relaxivity workers have developed membrane bound paramagnetic ions but these have largely been unstable and usually do not show improved relaxivity.
The need is great for new and/or better contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. The present invention, which provides a new class of liposoluble compounds having characteristics such as improved relaxivity and/or high stability is directed to these important ends.

Liposoluble compounds useful as magnetic resonance imaging agents


A multi-player game platform comprising: at least one mobile electronic device (MED) comprising a processor and configured to execute programmable commands of a control software application; said at least one MED additionally comprising a display configured to provide GUI (Graphical User Interface) means for receiving user input and providing output to a user, a digital camera and communication components configured to communicate with at least one toy, said at least one MED is one of a master MED, wherein said control software application is a master application and a slave MED, wherein said control software application is a slave application; and at least one electro-mechanical toy wirelessly controlled by the control software application, said toy comprising a CPU, a digital memory, a chassis and at least one sensor, said digital memory configured to store a toy software application configured to manage the toy according to commands from the control software application, wherein said digital camera is configured to capture images of said toys and wherein said display is configured to display said captured images, said GUI comprising means for selecting and controlling toys from said displayed image, said processor comprising image processing means configured to process said captured images.

There are many software games on computers or smart-phones that are completely virtual (like Warcraft, C&C, Dune, Farmville). There are many toys that are remote controlled by smart-phones or other controllers (like remote controlled cars, tanks, helicopters etc). The remotely controlled toys enable the players to exploit their skills of nimbleness and let them enjoy a perceptible experience of control. On the other hand, many virtual games enable the players to exploit their skills of strategy, imagination, creativity and let them enjoy an intellectual experience of control. In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a game that enables the players to enjoy a perceptible experience of a game along with the advantages of virtual games. The present invention is in the combined fields of toys controlled by MCD and software games.
US Published Patent Application No. 2009005167 (A1) discloses methods, systems and apparatuses for gaming using one or more mobile communication devices and one or more remotely-controllable drones, the one or more mobile communication devices being adapted to remotely-control the one or more remotely-controllable drones including providing game control software to one or more of the mobile communication devices, the game control software including rules for play affecting the operation of the remotely-controllable drones and operating a remotely-controllable drone using the mobile communication device with remote control within the rules of play of the game.
US Published Patent Application No. 2013109272 (A1) discloses a method for controlling a remote toy by means of a motion sensing device and/or a touch screen on a mobile device. The mobile device can be a standard mobile phone, tablet, or any other device equipped with either a motion sensing device, touch screen, or both for controlling specific movements on a remote toy.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,963 (B1) discloses a plurality of individual toys, at least a first one of which generates acoustic signals and at least a second one of which receives acoustic signals. When the second toy receives acoustic signals from the first toy, it responds, for example, by generating a sound and/or controlling its motion. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the toys flock and/or form a procession of toys which follow a leader toy, for example a mother goose and a plurality of following and preferably quacking goslings.
US Published Patent Application No. 2012238366 (A1) discloses an amusement system comprising a game field and a plurality of robots that are manipulated by a plurality of user interface controllers at a remote location relative to the game field. A network links each of the user interface controllers to one of the robots to cause the robot to perform at least one action. A video camera focuses on the game field to provide a streaming image of the game field through the network. A video display device at the remote location receives the streaming video image from the network and displays the streaming video image of the robots. A method of providing a game that involves controlling a plurality of electronically controlled mechanical robots over a communication network that provides streaming video from a streaming video system to the user interface controllers at a remote location.
PCT Published Patent Application No. WO9853567 (A1) discloses a controllable toy system operative in conjunction with a household audio entertainment player, the system including a controllable toy and an audio entertainment analyzer operative to analyze an audio entertainment signal so as to recognize therewithin predetermined audio entertainment elements and to command the controllable toy (120) to perform at least one action according to the predetermined audio entertainment elements at a time corresponding to a time at which the audio entertainment elements are played by the household audio entertainment player.

Multiplayer game platform for toys fleet controlled by mobile electronic device


A door assembly for an interior component of a vehicle includes a door body movably attached to an interior component of a vehicle. A sensor is adapted to generate a signal that is a function of a desired position of the door body. An actuator is selectively coupled to the door body, and the actuator is operable to enable the door body to move in response to the signal.

This invention relates to a door assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates a door assembly for an interior vehicle component having a sensor for controlling the movement of the door.
Interior vehicle components, such as instrument panels, often include a compartment or glove box that is formed within the interior component and is accessible by passengers within the vehicle passenger compartment. The compartment is generally separated from the passenger compartment by a cover or door that conceals the compartment and restrains the contents of the compartment within the compartment. It is often desirable to a provide a locking mechanism for restraining a door to an interior compartment, for example, restraining a glove box door to an instrument panel. To release the glove box door from the instrument panel, a handle is provided on the door that allows the user to disengage the locking mechanism. The handle and locking mechanism occupy space within the glove box and may reduce the storage space available within the glove box or increase the size of the glove box assembly.
The glove box door is generally pivotably mounted to the instrument panel. The instrument panel and/or the glove box door may experience warping or deformation during installation within the vehicle or due to exposure to varying temperature and moisture levels within the vehicle. The glove box door and instrument panel may not have or maintain the desired fit relative to one another due to such warping.
It would therefore be advantageous to develop an improved structure for restraining and releasing a door relative to an interior component.
It is known to use a Mirus™ detector cell to detect the position of a glove box door for operating a light within a glove box compartment.


A radio frequency (RF) sensor that measures RF current includes a substrate that has an inner perimeter that defines an aperture. A conductor extends through the aperture. Sensor pads are arranged on the aperture and are connected to form two sensor loops. The loops generate an electrical signal that represents RF current flow through the center conductor. Additionally, a plurality of circular conductive rings may be included in the RF sensor to generate a signal representing the voltage of the conductor.

A radio frequency (RF) current sensor, which is also known as a probe, generates a signal that represents the magnitude of current flow through an RF conductor. The current probe can be combined with a voltage probe to form an RF voltage/current (VI) probe that generates a second signal that represents the RF voltage with respect to a reference potential, such as an RF ground or shield conductor.
RF current and VI probes are used in RF control circuits to provide feedback information. The feedback information may be used to control an RF amplifier that provides the RF power that is being measured. In some applications the RF power is employed to generate plasma for semiconductor manufacturing, metal coating, or micromachining processes.

Orthogonal radio frequency voltage/current sensor with high dynamic range


A holding mechanism for a telescopic handle comprising a plurality of telescoping hollow tubes characterized by relative sliding stiffness between each of the tubes and having a similar resistance to rotation comprises a one piece partial sleeve sized to fit snugly about a respective one of the telescoping tubes and having a crimped portion extending radially inward over an axial extent of the sleeve intermediate its opposite circumferential ends. Each tube has an axially extending slot adjacent a first end for receiving the crimped portion of the sleeve when the sleeve is positioned on the tube. The handle is assembled by sliding another tube over the tube and sleeve. The overlaying tube has one end terminating in a necked down portion having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the inner tube and smaller than a diameter of the sleeve when the sleeve is positioned on the inner tube whereby the one end of the outer tube cannot pass over the sleeve on the inner tube.

The present invention relates to golf ball retrievers and, more particularly, to a handle construction for such retrievers.
Golf ball retrievers are well known devices generally constructed of a telescoping handle with a ball trapping or pick-up element attached to an end of the end section of the handle. An exemplary form of such a retriever is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,926 of Frank L. DiNardo. The telescopic handle of such retrievers is formed of a plurality of sections and may be extendable from a collapsed length of about 3 feet to an extended length of about 18 feet. However, there are also other retrievers which may have a collapsed length of about 1 foot and extend to about 8 feet. Obviously, a 1 foot retriever extending to 8 feet requires at least eight telescoping sections.
The larger retrievers, i.e., those having an initial length of about 3 feet, generally use large diameter tubing, e.g., about 1 inch O.D. in the largest handle section, which allows use of various types of camming devices for locking the handle in any position. An exemplary form of handle structure using cam type locking devices is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,125.
While the camming structure is appropriate for larger retrievers, the smaller retrievers are generally constructed with a largest section having an outer diameter of no more than about 0.5 inch and the smallest section having an outer diameter of at least about 0.25 inch. Cam locking structures are difficult to implement in the smaller retrievers due to this reduced diameter.
Another form of handle assembly which is more practical for the smaller handles is one which relies solely on frictional engagement between the telescoping sections and does not use a positive type lock for holding the sections in a fixed position. One particular design forms each handle section with a uniform diameter except for a relatively short necked down (reduced diameter) portion at one end of each section. A pair of diametrically opposite small holes are formed at an opposite end of each section. Each inner section has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of each immediately overlaying section by twice the thickness of one of a pair of bronze shims placed between the sections. Each of the shims has a punched dimple which fits into a respective one of the holes formed in the section to capture the shims in a fixed position at one end of the section. The shims form a tight, sliding relationship between adjacent sections with the bronze material acting as a bearing. Since the reduced diameter end cannot pass over the shims, the shims also function to prevent the sections from being pulled apart when the retriever handle is extended.
One problem with this small handle construction is that a golfer who has to use the retriever is often angry and will attempt to extend the telescopic handle with unnecessary force. As a result, the small dimple can shear away and allow the sections to separate and destroy the retriever. This problem is exacerbated in better quality retrievers made from thin wall, stainless steel tubing since the thin wall has a near knife edge and easily shears the bronze shim material.
Another problem with this small handle construction is that assembly of the handle using two opposing shims is awkward. Both shims must be held in tight juxtaposition on each handle section during assembly and each shim is separately positioned in the assembly orientation. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a mechanism for small retriever handles which is relatively easy to assemble and has better holding power.

Handle construction for golf ball retriever

by Irene A. Dinardo, legal representative


A table saw or other cutting machine includes carrying members on an underside of the work table generally adjacent the flanged table edge in order to provide an increased gripping surface area to be grasped by the operator when lifting and transporting the cutting machine. The machine is preferably equipped with invertible extension support assemblies for supporting a workpiece extending horizontally beyond the work table. Such support assemblies include support members slidably extendable horizontally on rods toward and away from the work table. A dust deflection skirt extends from a lower surface of the work table into the generally hollow dust-receiving cavity portion of a dust shroud located within the saw's enclosed base. This skirt deflects dust or chips into the interior of the hollow dust-receiving cavity. Anti-kickback spacers are preferably sealed-end blind rivets mounted on the anti-kickback pawls at intermediate locations thereon. Such spacers slidably maintain the anti-kickback pawls in a generally parallel relationship with the kerf splitter plate. Also hardened portions of the throat plate keep it from being damaged by serrated edges of the anti-kickback pawls and to prevent binding when the blade is lowered.

The present invention relates generally to workpiece cutting machines and especially to table saws. More particularly, the present invention relates to various anti-kickback apparatuses, dust-deflecting features, machine carrying features, and apparatuses for supporting and handling large workpieces.
A typical cutting machine or table saw generally includes a base that supports a generally flat table top having a longitudinally extending throat slot or opening through which a saw blade or other cutting tool protrudes above the table for engaging a workpiece. A motor is mounted beneath the table top, and the cutting tool, typically a circular saw blade, is mounted for rotation with the output shaft of the motor. The blade or cutting tool is positioned to effect cutting of the workpiece as it is moved longitudinally along the table in a frontward-to-rearward direction generally parallel to the plane of the cutting tool. The blade or other cutting tool can be lowered or raised with respect to the table top to accommodate workpieces of varying thicknesses and can be adjusted to various angular orientations relative to the plane of the table top in order to cut bevels or other such angular cuts on the workpiece. Typically, a kerf splitter or riving knife is adjustably raised or lowered and/or disposed at various angular orientations along with the blade or cutting tool.
Power driven cutting devices, such as table saws, planers, jointers and the like, have frequently been cumbersome and difficult to transport from one work site to another. Or, if made to be readily transportable, such devices have typically been ill-suited for performing cutting operations on large workpieces.
In addition, such prior cutting machines have recently begun to be more frequently equipped with built-in dust or chip extraction apparatuses, but many of these extraction apparatuses still fall short in their ability to effectively convey dust and chips away from the cutting site and to avoid undesirable accumulation of dust or chips inside cabinets or enclosures housing the various drive assemblies and cutter positioning mechanisms of the cutting machine.
Furthermore, the prior art guard mechanisms on such cutting machines have frequently included anti-kickback devices designed to prevent the rotating blade or other cutting tool from grabbing fully or partially cut workpieces and dangerously throwing rearwardly, back toward the operator. A typical example of such anti-kickback devices includes downwardly-biased spring-loaded pivotable anti-kickback pawls spaced apart on opposite sides of the kerf splitter or riving knife, which is positioned rearwardly of the blade or cutting tool and aligned with the cutting plane. Such pawls commonly include toothed or serrated lower edges under which the workpiece slides as it is fed rearwardly past the blade, but which grip the workpiece and prevent it from being kicked back if it tends to move back toward the operator. However, such prior anti-kickback pawls are frequently easily deflected laterally toward the blade or cutting tool, where they can become caught between the splitter and the slot in the saw's throat plate or between the splitter and the edge of a workpiece and thus become rendered ineffective. Additionally, it has been found that the serrated lower edges of such anti-kickback pawls tend to undesirably dig into or abrade the softer metal or plastic material of the throat plate, such as when the blade is raised and then lowered.
In table saws or other cutting machines with the work table having a downwardly-extending flanged edge extending around at least a portion of its periphery, the present invention provides one or more carrying members on an underside of the work table generally adjacent the flanged edge. Such carrying members have a lateral dimension substantially greater than the lateral thickness of the flanged edge in order to provide an increased gripping surface area to be grasped by the operator in order to lift and transport the cutting machine from one work location to another. Such carrying members can be separate and attached to the underside of the table or integrally formed with the table. Such cutting members can be defined by a series of spaced-apart ribs extending downwardly from the underside of the work table and located generally adjacent the flanged edge thereof. In this embodiment, the ribs have downwardly-facing edges that together define the increased gripping surface area.
The table saw or other cutting machines in accordance with the invention are preferably equipped with one or more extension support assemblies for supporting a workpiece extending horizontally outward of the lateral extent of the work table. Such extension support assemblies can be provided at the front (infeed) and/or rear (outfeed) sides of the work table and/or on either or both of the right and left sides. These extension support assemblies include generally horizontal support members and at least one rod or other such extension member slidably extendable horizontally from beneath the work table in directions toward and away from the work table, with the support members being interconnected with the rod for slidable extension toward and away from the work table with the rod.
In this regard, it has been found to be especially advantageous to provide such an extension support assembly on the left side of the work table (as viewed by an operator standing at the front side of the work table). This arrangement, according to the invention, can be combined with a rip or other workpiece feed fence that is capable of being positioned on only the right side of the blade or cutting tool, or with a fence positionable on either the right or the left side of the blade or cutting tool. In such an arrangement the left-side extension support member can be extended leftwardly out to a distance from the work table sufficient to support a common four-foot wide by eight-foot long sheet material workpiece (such as a plywood or particle board sheet or other common four-by-eight sheet materials) on the left side of the blade at or leftwardly beyond the longitudinal centerline of the sheet as it is fed longitudinally into the blade or cutter with its long dimension parallel to the plane of rotation of the blade or cutting tool and with the fence on the right side of the blade or cutter, regardless of how close to the blade or cutter the fence is positioned. Therefore, in such a setup, a four-by-eight sheet workpiece can have a greater amount of its weight supported by the work table and the left-side extension support assembly than the amount of its weight that is leftwardly beyond the extension support member and unsupported, no matter how much of the sheet is being rip-cut off between the right side of the blade and the rightwardly-positioned rip fence. Thus, because the center of gravity of the four-by-eight sheet is always inboard (toward the blade or table) of the leftwardly-extended support member, the operator can more easily maneuver and control such four-by-eight sheet workpieces during longitudinal ripping operations. This arrangement can also be employed in a right-side extension support assembly for rip-cuts made with the fence on the left side of the blade.
Preferably, in at least some forms of the invention, such support members are removably interconnectable with the rod or rods in either of a first or a second reversed or inverted orientation. The upper surfaces of these support members are coplanar with the upper surface of the work table when said support members are in the first orientation in order to support the workpiece flatly extending across the upper surface of the work table and across said upper surface of said support member. However, the upper surfaces of the support members lie in a lower plane, beneath the plane of the upper surface of the work table, when the support members are in the second inverted orientation. In this embodiment, the work table has a second upper table ledge surface adjacent its peripheral edge and coplanar with the lower plane. This allows an auxiliary work support panel adapted to be removably placed upon and supported by the second upper table ledge surface and the upper surface of the support members when in the second inverted orientation.
In addition, the present invention also provides for greater ease of slidably moving the support members inwardly and outwardly, toward and away from the table. This advantage is accomplished by providing one or more brackets under the work table with openings in such brackets for slidably receiving the rod or rods (or other such slidable extension members) and with such openings in at least the outboard of such brackets being enlarged horizontally to afford greater clearance when the rods are deployed inwardly or outwardly. For example, in one preferred embodiment having one or more cylindrical rods, the brackets support openings are somewhat elliptical in shape, with the major axis being oriented horizontally such that greater rod clearance is provided laterally or horizontally than vertically. This substantially eliminates, or at least minimizes, any tendency of the rod to bind during slidable movement, especially if the extension support assembly is not moved inwardly or outwardly in a direction perfectly perpendicular to the side of the work table. Furthermore, such horizontally-elliptical bracket support openings tend to self-center the rods, thus further contributing to their smooth, sliding movement.
Preferably, according to the present invention, the work table also includes a dust deflection skirt extending generally downwardly from a lower surface of the work table at least partially vertically into the generally hollow dust-receiving cavity portion of a dust shroud located within the saw's enclosed base and generally surrounding the lower portion of the blade. This skirt serves to deflect dust or chips produced by the cutting of the workpiece generally inwardly into the interior of the hollow dust-receiving cavity, especially when employed in conjunction with blade/splitter assemblies that can be raised or lowered, and/or angled, such that the blade or cutter directs such dust or chips toward different areas of the dust receiving cavity at different heights and/or angles.
Also, the preferred forms of the invention offer an improvement to the conventional table saws having a kerf splitter plate generally aligned with the cutting plane of the cutter and a pair of anti-kickback pawl pivotally attached at a generally upper end thereof to opposite sides of the kerf splitter plate and spaced laterally therefrom to slidingly engage its lower edge with the workpiece as it is moved past the cutter. The invention provides a generally button-shaped anti-kickback spacer attached to the anti-kickback pawl at an intermediate location thereon between the pivotal attachment to the kerf splitter plate and the lower edge of the anti-kickback pawl. Such spacers slidably engage the kerf splitter plate during pivoting of the anti-kickback pawl and are of thicknesses adapted to maintain the anti-kickback pawl in a generally parallel relationship with the kerf splitter plate. According to the invention, such spacers can be composed of, or coated with, a low-friction synthetic material and can either have a split root attachment portion with barbed ends to allow them to be easily and conveniently snapped into place in mounting holes on the pawls or be of a sealed-end blind rivet construction for ease of mounting on the pawls.
Additionally, the present invention provides hardened portions of the throat plate under the anti-kickback pawls to prevent them from gouging or digging into the softer material of the remainder of the throat plate when the blade and splitter are raised, lowered or angled with respect to the table top plane and to prevent the blade/splitter height and angular adjustment mechanism from binding when such height and angle adjustments are performed.
Additional objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A photoionization detector includes a brittle substrate having a void micromachined therein with a void inlet and a void outlet. First and second electrodes are disposed in the void. An ultraviolet transparent member covers at least a portion of the void in which the electrodes are disposed. A gas sample passes through the void and is exposed to ultraviolet radiation from a UV source. Ionization of the sample is measured as current flowing between the electrodes.

The present invention deals with an ionization detector. More specifically, the present invention deals with a photoionization detector formed on a brittle substrate.
Photoionization detectors are used to detect certain gas species. A gas sample is passed through a chamber with two electrodes disposed in the chamber. A substantial voltage is applied across the chamber and a current detection device is connected in the electrical circuit containing the electrodes.
The chamber is illuminated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation as the gas is passing through the chamber. Certain gas species are ionizable when radiated with UV radiation. If one of those species is present in the chamber, it ionizes under illumination by UV radiation. The ions are collected at the negative electrode, and current is thus generated and measured to detect the gas species of interest.
Conventional photoionization detectors are relatively large and are formed of discrete parts.


A computer in a first vehicle is configured to receive data relating to a second vehicle. The computer may use the data to determine that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously. Further, the computer may cause the first vehicle to take an action to autonomously operate the first vehicle based at least in part on determining that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously.

An autonomous vehicle, e.g., an automobile, bus, truck, watercraft, etc., may include a computing device executing instructions for operating the vehicle either wholly or partially autonomously, i.e., without input from a human operator. For example, the vehicle computing device may receive data from one or more sensors, and then process sensor data to provide input to the computing device for determining autonomous operations of the vehicle. Vehicle sensor data may provide a variety of information concerning a road, road conditions, weather conditions, potential obstacles, other vehicles, etc. However, vehicle sensor data does not provide all of the data that may be useful to an autonomous vehicle computing device for autonomously operating the vehicle. For example, vehicle sensor data cannot always be relied upon to provide useful or even vital information about other vehicles, e.g., whether other vehicles are autonomous.


According to the present invention, it is possible to display an image signal with as a high picture quality as would have been obtained with a solid image pick-up device having color filters arrayed in a mosaic pattern. The image signal obtained from the solid image pick-up device with a Bayer array of the three primary colors of R, G, and B is separated by a color separation circuit 4 into R-color, G-color, and B-color signals. These color signals are attenuated by filters 6, 8, 10 respectively at half a horizontal sampling frequency in order to suppress the occurrence of moire noise. The G-color filter circuit 8 has a narrower attenuation band width than that of the R-color filter circuit 6 and the B-color filter circuit 10. These color signals thus filtered are adjusted in level at a white balance circuit 12 and then mixed by addition at a mixer 14, thus generating a luminance signal. By narrowing the attenuation band width of the G-color signal, the resolution can be kept high while suppressing the occurrence of moire noise.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image signal processor which generates an image signal based on various color signals obtained by an image pick-up device in which pixels of each color are arrayed in a mosaic pattern.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is possible to obtain a color image through one solid image pick-up device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled device) image sensor by arraying a plurality of colors of color filters in a mosaic pattern over a light reception area of the device. One example of the color filter mosaic array is a Bayer array shown in FIG. 1. This array comprises, for example, filters of three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), in which a unitary block consisting of four pixels (2×2) is arranged repeatedly in both row and column directions. Specifically, in each odd-numbered line the G and B colors are arrayed alternately and in each even-numbered line the R and G colors are arrayed alternately, thus giving two G-color pixels and respective one R-color and one B-color pixels in each block.
The image pick-up device gives color signals, that is, image signals each of which corresponds to each color. To display an image, it is necessary to have a luminance signal, that is, an image signal obtained by conducting white-balance compensation on these color signals and then mixing them at a predetermined ratio.
Furthermore, a CCD camera which uses a single CCD image sensor incorporates an optical LPF (Low-Pass Filter) between the CCD image sensor and an image pick-up lens to avoid fold-back distortion caused by sampling. This filter cancels those high-frequency components of an optical image that are made incident upon the CCD image sensor to have at least half a horizontal sampling frequency fH.
If a luminance signal is generated on the basis of color signals obtained by an image pick-up device in which such filters of different colors are arrayed alternately, moire noise occurs in the luminance signal corresponding to an arraying interval of the filters. To cancel the moire noise, the luminance signal must be filtered through a trap filter, which minimizes response at half the horizontal sampling frequency fH.
The conventional technology is effective to suppress moire noise in a luminance signal obtained, for example, when a single-color subject is photographed in a state in which a level balance of the colors is sufficiently adjusted. However, if, for example, the color differs greatly across a boundary line as in a case where a red object exists on a white background, a kind of moire noise called jagged pixellization is liable to occur at the boundary. The jagged pixellization becomes more significant as the attenuation characteristics becomes more steep near fH/2 of the trap filter. Conversely, by moderating the steepness of the trap filter characteristics, that is, by expanding a frequency band width in which the signal is attenuated to thereby suppress response near fH/2, the moire noise can be reduced, including the jagged pixellization. This method, however, has a problem that the resolution of the luminance signal is compromised after it is filtered.


A remote controlled vibratory and auditory awakening device comprising a plurality of parallelepiped pads, vibratory media within each pad, auditory emission mechanism communicating with each pad, a remote control in RF communication with every pad, whereby the variety of commands provided by the invention include choice of pad, choice of vibration or auditory emission or both, choice of intensity of vibration, volume of sound from auditory emission mechanisms, and audio input from the microphone of the remote control. The remote control also provides for duration of auditory and vibratory emissions.

Awakening is not easy for everyone. Many individuals must be personally awakened, even if on a predetermined repetitive schedule. Personally waking an individual not only requires time and foot travel, but also is not always pleasant. What is needed is a remotely operated device for awakening a sleeping person and even several sleeping people, with a variety of choices in how to do so and in the intensity of the waking instrument employed. The present invention provides a unique device for accomplishing this.


A backlight unit includes a light guide plate having opposite side surfaces and a peripheral edge surface. A part of the peripheral edge surface is a light entrance surface, and one of the opposite side surfaces is a light exit surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light entrance surface of the light guide plate. A light deflecting film is disposed adjacent and parallel to the light exit surface of the light guide plate. The light deflecting film has a multilayer construction wherein light reflecting layers and light transmitting layers are stacked one by one alternately. The light reflecting and transmitting layers are tilted at a predetermined angle to the light exit surface.

Recently, display devices using liquid crystal cells have been mounted in a variety of electronic devices, e.g. timepieces, telephones, and personal computers. Of such electronic devices, timepieces, cellular phones, etc. may be used at night or in darkness. Therefore, many of these electronic devices are equipped with a backlight unit for illuminating the liquid crystal cell. Backlight units used for this purpose can be divided into an aligned-light type in which a liquid crystal display panel and a light source are disposed to face each other across a light-diffusing plate, and an edge-light type in which a liquid crystal display panel and a light guide plate are disposed facing each other, and a light source is disposed adjacent to the light guide plate outside the peripheral edge thereof so that light from the light source enters the light guide plate through the peripheral edge surface thereof (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-42529).
The edge-light type backlight unit is more advantageous than the aligned-light type backlight unit in that it is possible to achieve a low profile and to minimize the influence of heat generated from the light source on the liquid crystal display panel.
FIGS. 5(a), 5(b) and 6 show a conventional edge-light type backlight unit. FIG. 5(a) is a plan view, and FIG. 5(b) is a sectional view taken along the line 5b-5b in FIG. 5(a). FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the optical path of light emitted from a light source of the backlight unit.
As shown in the figures, the backlight unit has in a housing 1 a rectangular light guide plate 2 formed from a transparent plastic member, and four light-emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") 3 are provided as a light source adjacent to a peripheral edge surface 2a of the light guide plate 2 that serves as a light entrance surface. Light emitted from the LEDs 3 enters the light guide plate 2 through the peripheral edge surface 2a thereof and travels in the light guide plate 2 while undergoing total reflection therein. The bottom surface 2b of the light guide plate 2 is configured to have a multiplicity of prisms as shown in the figures so that, while the light entered into the light guide plate is undergoing total reflection between the top surface 2c and the bottom surface 2b of the light guide plate 2 during traveling, the incident angle of the light impinging on the top surface 2c, which is a light exit surface, gradually decreases, and the light eventually exits to the outside through the light exit surface. A part of the light emitted from the LEDs 3 exits to the outside through the bottom surface 2b of the light guide plate 2. The light, however, is reflected by a reflecting sheet 4, e.g. a silver- or white-color sheet, back to the light guide plate 2. The light exiting to the outside through the top surface 2c of the light guide plate 2 is directed toward a liquid crystal display panel (not shown) by a prism sheet 5.
It is of course desirable that the backlight unit has a capability to illuminate the back surface of a liquid crystal display panel with high intensity.
Further, for a liquid crystal display panel of, for example, a cellular phone, it is also desirable that the backlight unit illuminates the liquid crystal display panel so that the liquid crystal display panel has high brightness in particular when it is squarely seen from the front thereof.

Backlight unit having multilayer light deflecting film


A method and system for transparently processing a search query by displaying a search query interpretation or restatement inside a search box. Upon receiving a natural language input from a user, the method converts the natural language input to a search query interpretation of the natural language input. Then, the method displays the search query interpretation to the user inside a search box, executes a search based on the search query interpretation and displays a search result to the user. The system includes a user interface to receive a search query input from a user, a restatement engine to convert the search query input into a search query interpretation, a search box to display the search query interpretation to the user, and an execution engine to execute a search based on the search query interpretation and provide a search result for display to the user.

Given the vast amount of digital information available today, computer users are increasingly utilizing search techniques to locate specific information and documents. It is now common for individual websites and application programs to provide a search box so that users can run queries for content on that web site or within that application. Similarly, desktop search techniques allow a user to search for information and documents stored on his or her computer.
An effective search engine is particularly useful when searching a large collection of information, such as the Internet or the World Wide Web. Search engine providers typically present users with an input box for typing in a search query. After the user has typed in his or her query, the search engine processes the query and displays search results to the user that correspond to the search engine's interpretation or restatement of the user's query. However, the search engine typically does not display its interpretation of the search query to the user. Consequently, a user dissatisfied with the search results may submit a different query that is informed by the displayed results from the prior search but without the benefit of the search engine's interpretation of the user's original query. Some search engines offer an "advanced search" option for those users who want to build a more complex search query. However, these advanced search options typically either require the user to be familiar with an advanced query syntax or require the user to fill out a form including a number of checkboxes, dropdown menus and/or fields.
Despite significant advances in search technology, many users still do not understand why correct search results are not returned whenever they type keywords into a search box. If the search query interpretation of the user's search query is not displayed to the user, then the user must resort to trial-and-error to improve the quality of the search results. Even where the search query interpretation is surfaced to the user, that interpretation is typically displayed in a piecemeal fashion utilizing multiple checkboxes, dropdown menus and/or fields. Such excessive use of screen real estate is confusing to users and disfavored by applications, such as media players, that provide a search box but are primarily used for another purpose.
Graphical user interface (GUI) applications perform well in most tasks, in part, because the GUI provides options which relate directly to functionality available within an application and from which the user may select what he/she wants to do. However, GUI applications can sometimes be difficult to use. For example, in some instances, the functionality requires opening many sub-dialog boxes, which may not be intuitive for a user. Additionally, many steps may be required to fill in the GUI elements with the proper information. GUI elements may include pull down or pop up menus, check boxes, radio buttons, text or other types of data input fields, and so on. Moreover, the user may not know where to find available options within the GUI. With small devices (such as hand-held devices, personal digital assistants, wireless phones with networking capabilities, and so on), entry of the information into the GUI may be difficult. Finally, handicapped individuals may have difficulty navigating and completing a GUI form, for example.
To overcome some of the limitations associated with GUIs, natural language (NL) applications have been developed, which can allow a user to easily express concepts that would be fairly complex in a GUI. For example, in natural language, a user may request "Find all emails to Bill that I sent last week", "Change the screen resolution to 1280.times.1024", "where is the web page about Microsoft Corporation", "Please delete all unread emails", and so on. Each such utterance is readily understandable, but may add multiple layers of complexity in completing a GUI form.
However, there are some problems with NL applications, such as discoverability, confusion, dead-end, and training problems. Discoverability refers to situations where the user is unaware of what he/she can do in the program. Confusion refers to problems that arise when users do not understand how the application interpreted a particular text input. A dead-end refers to a situation where the software program provides no option or mechanism for the user to alter what he/she intended. Finally, there is no mechanism to train the user how to utilize NL input.


A card edge connector assembly having: a memory module having a first side portion, an opposite second side portion, and a plurality of conductive pads on a lower portion thereof, the lower portion extending from the first side portion to the second side portion; a card edge connector having an insulative housing having a first end, an opposite second end and a central slot extending from the first end to the second end to receive the lower portion of the memory module; and means identifying the corresponding memory module to be inserted into the central slot, comprising a key notch being defined at the second side portion of the memory module, and an arc pivot extending from the second end to engage with the key notch to guide the memory module to be rotated into the central slot along an anticlockwise direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a card edge connector for receiving a memory module and more particularly to a card edge connector including means to reduce insertion force of the memory module.
2. Description of Related Art
A card edge connector is used to hold a memory module such as a DDR 3 module and to electrically couple such module to a mother printed circuit board on which the card edge connector is mounted. With the high speed development of the memory module, more and more golden pads are added to the module, correspondingly, the number of terminals of the card edge connector is increased, thereby making it difficult to insert the module into the card edge connector via a linear movement of the module along an up-to-down direction. In order to solve this problem, users are advised to insert one end of the module into a pivot end of the card edge connector firstly, and then rotate the other end of the module downwardly and plug the other end of the module into the other end of the card edge connector, an ejector on the other end of the card edge connector lock with the module finally. However, the ejector may happen to disengage from the module under an accidental vibration, and the module may escape from the card edge connector unexpectedly; besides, the module is easily disengaged from the pivot end when another end of the module is free and not limited by the insulative housing in the rotation process.
The memory module generally includes a key notch on a bottom edge thereof to engage with a key in a central slot of the card edge connector and a pair of locking notches on opposite side edges thereof, one of the locking notches mate with the pivot end, the other one of the locking notches lock with the ejector, that is to say, the memory module is formed with at least three notches, such as DDR2 and DDR3. The key notch on the bottom edge of the memory module engages with the key in the central slot of the card edge connector to ensure the memory module be received in the central slot in a correct way and prevent an unmatched memory module from being inserted in the central slot by a mistake. However, the key notch on the bottom edge holds a space which increases a length of the memory module and increases friction between the memory module and the card edge connector, thereby making it difficult to insert the module into the card edge connector.
Hence, an improved card edge connector is desired to overcome the above problems.


Displays, display components, image and video processing apparatus and related methods are described. A method for driving local-dimming displays comprises generating control values for driving pixels of a spatial light modulator from one image data component and generating control values for driving backlight elements from a second image data component. The first and second image data components may respectively comprise a tone map and a ratio image. Control values for the spatial light modulator and/or backlight may be obtained using cost effective hardware.

Some displays incorporate backlights comprising arrays of light-emitters that can be individually controlled. Light from the backlight is modulated by a spatial light modulator ('SLM') such as an LCD panel to display images. Such displays can provide the advantage of increased contrast since the backlight may be locally dimmed in regions where an image is dark.
Some non-limiting examples of displays in which the amount of light incident on a spatial light modulator can be controlled are described in the following patents and patent applications:                U.S. Pat. No. 6,891,672 issued 10 May 2005 and entitled High Dynamic Range Display Devices;        U.S. Pat. No. 7,403,332 issued 22 Jul. 2008 and entitled High Dynamic Range Display Devices;        United States Patent publication No. 2008/0180466 published 31 Jul. 2008 and entitled Rapid Image Rendering on Dual-modulator Displays;        PCT Publication No. WO 2002/069030 published 6 Sep. 2002 and entitled High Dynamic Range Display Devices;        PCT Publication No. WO 2003/077013 published 18 Sep. 2003 and entitled High Dynamic Range Display Devices;        PCT Publication No. WO 2005/107237 published 10 Nov. 2005 and entitled Method for Efficient Computation of Image Frames for Dual Modulation Display Systems Using Key Frames;        PCT Publication No. WO 2006/010244 published 2 Feb. 2006 and entitled Rapid Image Rendering on Dual-Modulator Displays.        PCT Publication No. WO 2006/066380 published 29 Jun. 2006 and Entitled: Wide Color Gamut Displays; and        PCT Publication No. WO 2008/092276 published 7 Aug. 2008 and entitled: Calibration of Displays Having Spatially-Variable Backlight;all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
A backlit local dimming or dual modulator type display needs to have some mechanism for controlling elements of the backlight. It is desirable that the backlight be controlled in a manner that yields good quality images. At the same time, cost is an issue and so it is desirable to achieve control over backlight elements with less expensive hardware.
Ward et al., WO 2005/104035 ("Ward") published on 3 Nov. 2005 and entitled Encoding, Decoding and Representing High Dynamic Range Images describes a format that may be used for encoding high dynamic range images. The format provides a first part that contains a lower dynamic range version of an image and a second part that contains information that can be used to modify the lower dynamic range version of the image to recover a high dynamic range version of the image. Ward is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
There remains a need for efficient ways to display images on displays having local-dimming backlights and for cost-effective local dimming displays that can provide good quality images.
Unless otherwise indicated, the reference to any approach or document in this section is not an admission that the approach or document constitutes prior art.

Displaying images on local-dimming displays

Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation


An output calibration apparatus for an NOx sensor according to the present invention includes a urea addition valve provided in an exhaust passage in an internal combustion engine to allow urea to be added to inside of the exhaust passage, and an NOx sensor provided at least downstream of the urea addition valve, the NOx sensor being capable of detecting not only an NOx concentration but also an ammonia concentration. The output calibration apparatus executes fuel cut on the internal combustion engine, and calibrates a gain of the NOx sensor based on ammonia obtained from the urea added via the urea addition valve during execution of the fuel cut. The ammonia obtained from the urea added during execution of the fuel cut is used as standard gas to calibrate the gain of the NOx sensor.

In general, an NOx catalyst configured to clean NOx (nitrogen oxide) contained in exhaust gas is known as an exhaust purifying apparatus located in an exhaust system in an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine. Various types of NOx catalysts are known. In particular, an NOx catalyst of selective reduction type is well known which continuously reduces and removes NOx by addition of a reducing agent. The reducing agent is commonly used in the form of an aqueous solution of urea. The aqueous solution of urea is ejected and fed from the upstream side of the catalyst. Then, the aqueous solution of urea receives heat from the exhaust and the catalyst and is thus hydrolyzed to generate ammonia. The ammonia reacts with NOx on the NOx catalyst. As a result, NOx is decomposed into N2 and H2O. Such a system configured to continuously reduce and remove NOx by means of the NOx catalyst of selective reduction type using added urea as a reducing agent is called a urea SCR system.
On the other hand, in order to control the amount of reducing agent for example, an NOx sensor is installed downstream of the NOx catalyst to detect the concentration of NOx. The NOx sensor outputs a signal of a magnitude corresponding to the detected NOx concentration. However, temporal changes or the like may cause the output value to deviate gradually from the one obtained when the sensor is new. The deviation may occur particularly in both an offset that is a sensor output value obtained when the NOx concentration is zero and a gain indicative of the degree of an increase in sensor output value which is consistent with the NOx concentration. Hence, the offset and the gain are preferably calibrated at appropriate timings, in order to allow the NOx concentration to be accurately detected even with a deviation in sensor output.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that since NOx is not present in the exhaust gas during fuel cut while the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine is stopped, a reference point for the NOx sensor is learned during the fuel cut.
However, no technique suitable for calibrating the gain of the NOx sensor has been developed, and appropriate measures have been expected to be urgently developed.
Under these circumstances, the present inventors have focused on the NOx sensor's capability of detecting not only the NOx concentration but also an ammonia concentration. The present inventors thus have newly developed a technique to calibrate the gain of the NOx sensor utilizing ammonia obtained from added urea.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide an output calibration apparatus and an output calibration method for an NOx sensor which enable the gain of the NOx sensor to be suitably calibrated.

Output calibration apparatus and output calibration method for NOx sensor


A tissue-sculpting device includes a tube having an aperture at a distal end of the tube, the aperture extending along a side portion of the tube. At least a portion of the aperture is defined by a fixed, sharpened knife edge for cutting tissue and directing the cut tissue into the tube. A fixed support bridge prevents tissue which is adjacent the tissue being cut from entering the aperture. In the method of the invention, the distal end of the tissue-sculpting tube is moved through fatty tissue so as to cut the fatty tissue with the knife edge, and direct the cut fatty tissue into the tube, thereby removing the cut fatty tissue from the animal's body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of cosmetic surgery.
2. Description of the Background Art
Liposuction surgery has become a common method for removing subcutaneous fat in order to alter body contours. However, it has heretofore generally been accepted that liposuction surgery could only be done safely and effectively by removing the subcutaneous fat relatively deep with respect to the undersurface of the skin, utilizing blunt instrumentation and high pressure suction aspirators.
Suction removal that depends on high negative pressure is by its very nature random, since tissue adherence of subcutaneous fat varies considerably in any given area. Furthermore, the high negative pressures associated with liposuction surgery often severely traumatize adjacent tissue, resulting in substantial blood loss, massive post-operative bruising, severe swelling, and long healing time. Additionally, the random fatty tissue removal resulting from liposuction surgery frequently results in post liposuction irregularities, which often require corrective surgery.
There remains a need in the art for new devices and methods for removing fatty tissue without the high blood loss and other disadvantages resulting from conventional liposuction surgery.


A method for planarizing a non-planar layer includes the steps of (a) forming a dielectric layer on top of the non-planar layer, the dielectric layer having protuberances due to the non-planar layer; (b) applying a seed layer on top of the dielectric layer, the seed layer having humps due to the protuberances of the dielectric layer; (c) forming a photoresist layer on top of the seed layer; (d) patterning and partially removing portions of the photoresist layer to thereby expose parts of a top surface of the seed layer; (e) forming a conductive layer on top of each of the exposed parts of the seed layer; (f) removing remaining portions of the photoresist layer until the seed layer thereunder is exposed; (g) removing parts of the photoresist layer still remaining, the seed layers protruding between the conductive layers and parts of the dielectric layer in such a way that the protuberances in the dielectric layer are completely removed; and (h) removing each conductive layer and the seed layer thereunder.

As is well-known, a conductive layer is often formed on a substrate in manufacturing various electronic parts, e.g., thin film magnetic heads or very-large-scale integration (VLSI) chips, to electrically connect components located on the substrate. As the number of components on the substrate increases, a single conductive layer cannot accommodate all the components therein, and it becomes necessary to use a number of multiple conductive layers stacked on top of another, with a layer of insulating material between two successive conductive layers.
However, each conductive layer has a non-negligible finite thickness and in forming the stack of conductive layers, the thickness usually causes forming protuberances on the insulating layer placed on top of the respective conductive layer, the protuberances making it progressively difficult to stack the conductive layers on top of another. Further, there are additional difficulties associated with this method, one of them being that, in order to obtain the protuberances with sides that are not too steep, the respective conductive layer must first be patterned in such a way that sides thereof are not too steep, and this involves a number of difficult processing steps.

Method for planarizing a non planar layer


A tonometer for quickly and efficiently remeasuring intraocular pressure when an intraocular pressure is higher or lower than a predetermined pressure. It is determined whether a predetermined number n of intraocular-pressure measurements have been completed, wherein when n intraocular pressures exist, the n intraocular pressures are compared with a predetermined upper limit and lower limit. When the n intraocular pressures are between the upper limit and the lower limit, it is then determined whether the measurements of left and right eyes have been completed. When the measurements have not been completed, a measuring section is moved to the other eye. When the lateral movement has been completed, the next intraocular-pressure measurement is performed. When, among the n intraocular pressures, at least one intraocular pressure outside the predetermined upper and lower limits exists, a warning is given.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a noncontact tonometer for measuring intraocular pressure by blowing fluid such as air against the cornea of a subject eye to deform it and detecting and analyzing a change in index light projected onto the cornea.
2. Description of the Related Art
Noncontact tonometers have the advantages of no eye contact and requiring no eye-drop anesthetic and so on, thus being broadly used in the field of ophthalmology for screening to detect glaucoma caused by high intraocular pressure. When intraocular pressure is more than a predetermined value, close examinations including an eyeground examination and campimetry are performed.
An automatic positioning system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-84760 assigned to the same assignee as this application, in which an index image projected on a subject eye is sensed to determine the relative position between the eye and a measuring section, and a stage is controlled by motor drive.
Also, noncontact tonometers capable of full automatic measurement are going into practical use in which upon completion of predetermined times of measurements, the measuring section moves automatically to the other eye that has not yet been measured to position it and makes a predetermined number of measurements.
With the related-art noncontact tonometers, however, if eyelashes are caught on the cornea during the measurement, the resistance of the eyelashes prevents the cornea from being sufficiently deformed, so that even when the actual intraocular pressure is within a normal range, the reading sometimes indicates a higher value. Also when the fixation of the subject eye is out of place, the reading shows a lower value than the actual intraocular pressure, but only rarely. Therefore, when the intraocular pressure is higher or lower than a predetermined value, examiners perform remeasurement for confirmation.
In a case with a fully automatic system in which a measuring position is sensed, positioned automatically, and a predetermined number of measurements are sequentially performed for both eyes, when a predetermined number of measurements for one eye have been completed, the measuring section is moved to the other eye that has not yet been measured and performs a predetermined number of measurements. Therefore, the measuring section must be moved again if remeasurement for the first subject eye is necessary, thus preventing the reduction in the time required for measurements. Also, since the measuring operation has been completed, the measurement for confirmation is sometimes forgotten.


The invention novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods useful for preventing or treating cancer in animals and humans. Also, the invention provides novel prodrugs useful for reducing tumor size, and inhibiting the growth of cancers, inhibiting tumor cell growth and tumor cell proliferation, and promoting apoptosis of tumor cells. When used in combination with chemoradiation therapy, the novel compounds, compositions and prodrugs provided herein can improve the effectiveness of chemoradiation therapy. The novel compounds, compositions and prodrugs of the invention inhibit PDK and LDH in unique and effective ways.

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S., accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths. Based on Cancer Facts & Figures. 2014 from American Cancer Society, an estimated 1,665,540 new cancer cases will be diagnosed and 585,720 cancer deaths are estimated in the U.S. in 2014. Solid tumors are a serious human health concern throughout the world, as they comprise the majority of cancer incidences and mortalities.
Currently, there is a need for therapeutic agents that are useful for treating cancer.

Combination uses of dichloroacetate and oxamate, and their prodrugs, for cancer treatment


A technique includes, for each storage drive of a plurality of storage drives, determining a metric associated with the storage drive based at least in part on a plurality of attributes associated with the storage drive; and determining a health of a given storage drive of the plurality of storage drives based at least in part on the metric associated with the given storage drive and the metric associated with at least one other storage drive of the plurality of storage drives.

A storage drive (a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, as examples) may include a self-monitoring, analysis and reporting technology (S.M.A.R.T.) system for purposes of monitoring and reporting various performances and telemetry indicators. A computer system may rely on the indicators provided by a storage drive's S.M.A.R.T. system for purposes of assessing the health of the drive.

Determining the health of a storage drive

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Comprises a vessel (1) containing scented liquid, a wick (2) partially submerged in the liquid, a stopper (3) coupled on the mouth (7) of the vessel (1) and a cap (5) that covers the stopper (3) and has a lower tubular portion (11) provided with two windows (15) and an inner threaded segment that unscrews from a central threaded tubular portion (13) of the stopper (3) as the cap (5) is turned, raising it and gradually revealing the windows (15) so that the wick (2) is exposed to the exterior, facilitating the adjustable evaporation of the scented liquid, the cap (5) being provided with flexible stops (16) that are prolonged externally from the base of its lower tubular portion (11) and as they rise meet a trapezoidal inner peripheral flange (17) defined in a cylindrical body (14) of the stopper (3) to prevent the exit of the cap (5).

Air fresheners of several types are known in the market. Worth mention are those that do not require the use of electricity and consist of a vessel containing the scented liquid or perfume and allow the exit of a wick that is partially in contact with the scented liquid, from where the scent is diffused outwards, and other air fresheners that require electricity to drive an inner fan that helps distribute the scent of the scented liquid in the premises in which it is located.
The invention disclosed herein belongs to the group of non-electrical air fresheners.
Worth mention within the field including this type of air fresheners is the invention patent ES1 051 172, which relates to an air freshener device consisting of a perfume-containing vessel that in position of non-use closes its mouth with a cap that is completed with other means to transfer the perfume in the vessel to the surroundings.
More specifically, the air freshener device incorporates associated to its threaded cap a wick support that hangs internally in the vessel and in its vertical displacement rubs against a guide stopper inserted internally in the mouth of the vessel. The amount of perfume diffused is regulated by changing the portion of the wick that projects above the vessel by pulling the cap manually upwards, stabilising the various possible positions of the wick by its rubbing with the guide stopper. This system for adjusting and stabilising the position of the wick based on mutual continuous friction leads to an early wear of these surfaces that makes the air freshener useless after a short time.
On the other hand, this patent considers the incorporation of hooks on the back end of the wick support, so that when the wick support reaches its position of maximum extraction these act as stops in the rear edge of the stopper to prevent its exit. The repeated contact of the hooks and the stopper causes a deformation of the wick support that results in a reduced positional stability of the wick.
Invention patent ES 2 160 033 belonging to the applicant of the present invention discloses a stopper for vessels containing evaporable liquids having an annular body with a neck for coupling and retention on the opening of a vessel provided with an axial passage for positioning the wick that incorporates means for retaining and immobilising the wick that together prevent the vessel from being refilled.
In the latter invention patent, as well as in the one cited before, the possibility is not considered of a stable system that allows changing the exposed surface of the wick and thus regulating the evaporation, which is the object of the invention described hereunder.

Adjustable non-electric liquid air freshener device


An electronic device includes a drive substrate (a pressure chamber substrate and a vibration plate) including a piezoelectric element and electrode wirings related to driving of the piezoelectric element formed thereon, and a sealing plate bonded thereto, the electrode wirings are made of wiring metal containing gold (Au) on the drive substrate through an adhesion layer which is a base layer, and has a removed portion in which a portion of the wiring metal in a region containing a part bonded to a bonding resin is removed and the adhesion layer is exposed.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electronic device, and a manufacturing method of an electronic device, in which a stacked body is bonded to a drive substrate including a drive element and a wiring related to driving of the drive element formed therein.
2. Related Art
An electronic device includes a drive element such as a piezoelectric element that is deformed in response to an applied voltage, and the electronic device is applied to various types of devices, sensors, or the like. For example, a liquid ejecting apparatus ejects various types of liquid from a liquid ejecting head using the electronic device. Examples of the liquid ejecting apparatus include an image recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer and an ink jet plotter, but in recent years, the liquid ejecting apparatuses has also been applied to various manufacturing apparatus, by taking advantage of features that a very small amount of liquid can be accurately landed at a predetermined position. For example, the liquid ejecting apparatus has been applied to a display manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a color filter for a liquid crystal display, or the like, an electrode forming apparatus that forms electrodes in an organic electro luminescence (EL) display, a field emission display (FED), or the like, and a chip manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a bio-chip (a biochemical element). Then, a recording head for the image recording apparatus ejects liquid ink, and a color material ejecting head for the display manufacturing apparatus ejects respective color material solutions of Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B). Further, an electrode material ejecting head for the electrode forming apparatus ejects liquid electrode materials, and a bio-organic material ejecting head for the chip manufacturing apparatus ejects a bio-organic material solution.
The liquid ejecting head includes an electronic device in which a flow path substrate including a pressure chamber formed thereon in communication with a nozzle, a piezoelectric element (a type of a drive element) causing a pressure fluctuation in liquid inside the pressure chamber, a sealing plate (or also referred to as a protection substrate) provided and spaced from the piezoelectric element, and the like are stacked. In recent years, a technique of providing a drive circuit related to the driving of an actuator such as a piezoelectric element on a sealing plate has also been developed. Then, a technique is proposed in which this substrates are bonded with each other by adhesive (adhesive resin) made of photosensitive resin in a state where there is a space therebetween. In addition, a structure is adopted in which substrates are stacked by a photosensitive resin in order to correspond to the high density and miniaturization of a wiring, in a semiconductor package of a micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) such as various sensors. Moreover, since there is a need for such high accuracy and low power consumption, in addition to the miniaturization of the package in this type of MEMS, gold (Au) having a low electric resistance for wirings related to driving of the drive circuit and having excellent ductility is preferably employed as a material. For example, in an ink jet printer which is disclosed in JP-A-2014-34114, gold is used as a wiring related to driving of a piezoelectric element which is a driving element. Then, a sealing plate is bonded to the substrate on which the piezoelectric element, the wiring, and the like are formed, through an adhesive.
However, there is a problem in that the adhesive strength caused by an adhesive becomes weak in the wiring portion, and the adhesive tends to be peeled off, when employing Au as a wiring in the configuration of bonding the substrates to each other by using an adhesive. In this regard, the configuration of JP-A-2014-34114 secures the adhesive strength by obtaining an effective bonding surface area by the adhesive at a portion other than the wiring. However, if the bonding strength in a wiring portion is weak, a bonding reliability is not sufficient, and in particular, a sufficient adhesive strength is not obtained in a configuration in which wiring is highly densified on the substrate and a large surface area is occupied.

Electronic device, and manufacturing method of electronic device


A discharge amount of ink is corrected so that thinning rates of a discharge amount of ink to be discharged to an end portion on an upstream side in a scanning direction are larger than thinning rates of a discharge amount of ink to be discharged to an end portion on a downstream side in the scanning direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, printing apparatuses which print an image by discharging ink on a printing medium supported by a platen while a printing head having a discharge port array including a plurality of discharge ports which are arrayed is moved in a scanning direction for scanning and conveying the printing medium in a conveyance direction during the scanning have been used.
In such a printing apparatus, when an ink discharge amount per discharge is large, a deviation phenomenon of discharged ink droplets described below is likely to occur. Ink droplets discharged from a printing head drop while involving air existing in a space between the printing head and a printing medium, and accordingly, the space between the printing head and the printing medium becomes in a depressurized state after the discharge of ink. To correct the depressurized state, air in portions in the vicinity of end portions of the discharge port array moves toward the center of the discharge port array, and accordingly, airflows (hereinafter referred to as a "self-airflow" where appropriate) are generated toward the center from the end portions. Due to the self-airflow, a so-called end deviation phenomenon in which ink droplets discharged from discharge ports in end portions of the discharge port array are attracted toward the center of the discharge port array occurs. Note that the larger a discharge amount of ink per discharge is, the larger the self-airflow is, and accordingly, a degree of the end deviation phenomenon of ink droplets is large. Due to the end deviation phenomenon, ink is not attached on regions of the printing medium which is to be printed by discharge ports in the end portions of the discharge port array, and white streaks may appear in a printed image.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-168003 discloses a technique of reducing a conveyance amount of a printing medium relative to a standard amount and reducing a discharge amount of ink from discharge ports in end portions of a discharge port array so that generation of while streaks is suppressed. According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-168003, the printing medium is conveyed such that a discharge port of one end portion of the discharge port array and a discharge port of the other end portion of the discharge port array perform printing on the same region of the printing medium by different scanning operations, and therefore, white streaks generated when a discharge amount of ink is relatively large as described above may be suppressed. Furthermore, when the discharge amount of ink is relatively small, the self-airflow is not generated, and accordingly, black streaks may be generated in a printed image due to the conveyance amount smaller than the standard amount. On the other hand, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-168003, when a discharge amount of ink is relatively small, the generation of black streaks described above is suppressed by performing correction so that a discharge amount of ink from the discharge ports in the end portions is reduced.
Furthermore, in general, droplet landing accuracy of ink may be deteriorated since a printing medium is lifted relative to a platen which supports the printing medium at a time of printing. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-014047 discloses a technique of providing a plurality of suction holes in a platen which supports a printing medium and absorbing the printing medium on the platen by suctioning air through the suction holes.
However, in a printing apparatus having suction means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-014047, even when the printing method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-168003 is used, white streaks and black streaks described above may not be efficiently suppressed.
This problem will be described in detail hereinafter.
FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a state in which strength of an airflow flowing in a space between a printing head 500 and a printing medium 501 obtained when the printing head 500 performs scanning once is changed depending on a position of the printing head 500.
Note that a case where a printing apparatus which prints an image by discharging ink in a vertical downward direction while the printing head 500 having a discharge port array including a plurality of discharge ports arranged in a Y direction (array direction) is moved toward an X direction (scanning direction) is used is illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. Here, a platen 502 which supports the printing medium 501 has a plurality of suction holes 503 formed therein and absorbs the printing medium 501 on the platen 502 by suctioning air through the suction holes 503. Although a platen 2 having only three suction holes 503 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C for simplicity, a larger number of suction holes 503 are formed in general apparatuses.
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a state in which ink is discharged to a region in the vicinity of an end portion on an upstream side of the printing medium 501 in an X direction immediately after a certain scanning operation is performed once in the X direction of the printing head 500. Since the printing head 500 moves in the X direction for the scanning, airflow 504 is generated from a downstream side to the upstream side in the scanning direction of the printing head 500 in a space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501. Furthermore, since air is suctioned through the suction holes 503, an eddy of air is generated toward the suction holes 503 in portions in the vicinity of the suction holes 503. Since the portion in the vicinity of the end portion of the printing medium 501 on the upstream side in the X direction is located near one of the suction holes 503, the portion is affected by the eddy of air, and therefore, an airflow 505 is generated from the downstream side to the upstream side of the scanning direction in the portion between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501. Specifically, immediately after the certain scanning operation relative to the printing medium 501 is started, an airflow obtained by adding the airflow 504 caused by the scanning and the airflow 505 caused by the suction to each other may be generated in the portion between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501.
FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the printing head 500 discharges ink to a center region (also referred to as a "region B" hereinafter) in the middle of the certain scanning operation in the X direction. As with the case of FIG. 1A, the airflow 504 is generated from the downstream side to the upstream side in the scanning direction in the space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501. On the other hand, since the space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501 corresponding to the center region is not in contact with the suction holes 503, the center region is not affected by eddy of air caused by suction through the suction holes 503. Specifically, in the case of FIG. 1B, only the airflow 504 caused by the scanning may be generated in the space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501.
FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating a state when ink is discharged to a region (also referred to as a "region C" hereinafter) in the vicinity of an end portion on the downstream side in an X direction of the printing medium 501 immediately after the certain scanning operation is performed in the X direction. Also in this case, the airflow 504 caused by the scanning is generated in the space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501. Unlike the state illustrated in FIG. 1A, one of the suction holes 503 is formed on the downstream side in the X direction relative to the printing head 500 in the state illustrated in FIG. 1C. Therefore, the region is affected by eddy of air through the suction holes 503, and airflow 506 may be generated from the upstream side to the downstream side in the space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501. In this way, in the state illustrated in FIG. 1C, the airflow 504 caused by the scanning and the airflow 506 caused by the suction are generated in opposite directions. Specifically, immediately before the certain scanning operation performed on the printing medium 501 is terminated, an airflow obtained by subtraction between the airflow 506 caused by the suction from the airflow 504 caused by the scanning may be generated in the space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501.
FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating end deviation phenomena and degrees of the end deviation phenomena corresponding to the positional relationships between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C, respectively.
Note that, in FIGS. 2A to 2C, states in which the space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501 is viewed from the downstream side in the X direction relative to the printing head 500 are illustrated. For simplicity, a case where ink discharge amounts in the states of FIGS. 2A to 2C are substantially the same as one another is described. Furthermore, sizes of circles representing incoming airflows 507 to 509 illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C schematically represent strengths of the incoming airflows 507 to 509.
As described above, in the state illustrated in FIG. 2A, the airflow 507 generated in the space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501 (hereinafter referred to as an "incoming airflow") is obtained by adding the airflow 504 caused by the scanning and the airflow 505 caused by the suction to each other, and therefore, the airflow 507 is relatively strong. Accordingly, even when the space between the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501 becomes a depressurized state, the depressurized state is corrected by the airflow 507 or the space becomes a surge pressure state depending on a strength of the incoming airflow 507. Consequently, ink droplets discharged from one of the end portions of the discharge port array is shifted toward an outside of the discharge port array.
On the other hand, in the state illustrated in FIG. 2B, a strength of an incoming airflow 508 is middle. Therefore, correction of the depressurized state by the incoming airflow 508 is not remarkably performed when compared with the state illustrated in FIG. 2A. Accordingly, an amount of shift of ink droplets discharged from the other of the end portions of the discharge port array is smaller than that in the state of FIG. 2A.
Furthermore, in the state of FIG. 2C, the airflow 506 caused by the suction is generated in the direction opposite to the direction of the airflow 504 caused by the scanning, and therefore, an incoming airflow 509 is relatively weak. Therefore, correction of the depressurized state by the incoming airflow 509 is not remarkably performed when compared with the cases of FIGS. 2A and 2B. However, a depressurized state caused by flowing of air in a portion in the vicinity of the other of the end portions of the discharge port array in the array direction toward the center of the discharge port array is remarkably corrected. Consequently, ink droplets discharged from the other of the end portions of the discharge port array land in positions shifted toward the center of the discharge port array. Note that, since the incoming airflow 504 contributes a little to the correction of the depressurized state, a degree of the shift of the ink droplets toward the center of the discharge port array is small when compared with a case where any airflow is not generated.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an image printed by discharging ink by one scanning operation performed by the printing head 500. For simplicity, a case where printing is performed by one scanning operation on each unit region of the printing medium 501 is described. Furthermore, to suppress generation of white streaks caused by the end deviation phenomenon, the printing medium 501 is conveyed such that a predetermined number of discharge ports Δn may discharge ink in the same regions on the printing medium 501 in different scanning operations. Specifically, positions 511 to 515 in FIG. 3 correspond to first to fifth scanning operations performed on the printing medium 501, and the printing medium 501 is conveyed such that the printing head 500 and the printing medium 501 have these positional relationships in the individual scanning operations.
Here, as described above, in any of the case where printing is performed on the end region on the upstream side (region A) in the X direction of the printing medium 501, the case where printing is performed on the center region (region B), and the case where printing is performed on the end region on the downstream side (region C), influence of an incoming airflow is generated. Therefore, a shift amount toward the end portion of the discharge port array in a Y direction is larger when compared with a case where an incoming airflow is not generated in the region A, the region B, or the region C. Accordingly, even in a case where a discharge amount of ink from discharge ports in the end portions of the discharge port array in the array direction is reduced by a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-168003, black streaks are generated in all the regions A to C.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C, amounts of shift toward the end portion of the discharge port array in the Y direction becomes large in order from the region A, the region B, to the region C. Accordingly, a density of black streaks 517 generated in the region B is higher than that of black streaks 518 generated in the region C. Furthermore, a density of black streaks 516 generated in the region A is further higher than those of the black streaks 517 and 518 generated in the regions B and C, respectively.
As described above, when printing is performed by a printing apparatus having a suction unit, a magnitude of an incoming airflow varies depending on a position of a printing head in a scanning direction. Therefore, densities of boundary streaks generated in regions on a printing medium corresponding to discharge ports in end portions of a discharge port array in an array direction are different from one another depending on the positions.

Printing apparatus, printing method, and program


A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is provided for execution of workflows in response to specified business objectives. The MES system can maintain a library of activity sets representing industry-specific workflows that can be selected and executed in order to satisfy business-driven goals. The activity sets can comprise both business-level and control-level operations, and can be configured using an intuitive graphical interface that mitigates the need for low-level programming by the end user. In response to receipt of a request from a business-level system such as an ERP system, the MES system can match the request to an activity set, and subsequently execute the workflow defined by the activity set to facilitate satisfying the request.

Industrial controllers and their associated control programming are central to the operation of modern industrial automation systems. These controllers interact with field devices on the plant floor to carry out controlled processes relating to such objectives as manufacture of a product, material handling, batch processing, waste water treatment, and other such processes. Industrial controllers store and execute user-defined control programs to effect decision-making in connection with the controlled process. Such programs can include, but are not limited to, ladder logic, sequential function charts, function block diagrams, structured text, or other such platforms.
The various control systems that make up an enterprise are sometimes collectively managed by a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), which monitors real-time data from the plant floor and issues control management instructions in view of higher level business considerations, such as order management, resource management, inventory, scheduling, etc.
Plant floor operations, including control of industrial processes by the industrial controllers described above, represent one component of a larger business enterprise. On a higher level, business operations such as financial analysis, marketing, sales, order management, long term business planning, resource management, inventory management, and the like collectively represent another element of the enterprise. Many organizations employ an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system or similar business system to correlate and manage these business level functions in a cohesive manner.
Although business level and plant floor level operations are related to and dependent upon one another, the two levels are often only loosely integrated, with slow (e.g., non-real-time, non-automated) information exchange between the two. Moreover, efforts to integrate higher level business systems with plant-side control can be hindered by the need for specialized programming code, necessitating involvement of experienced programmers or IT personnel who may have limited understanding of both the business-side and plant-side operations compared with management or factory personnel.
The above-described deficiencies of today's industrial control and business systems are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional systems, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with conventional systems and corresponding benefits of the various non-limiting embodiments described herein may become further apparent upon review of the following description.

Activity set management in a Manufacturing Execution System