The present invention provides a semiconductor element mounting substrate 101 including: a base substrate 1 having a region 2 for mounting a semiconductor element 11, the region 2 being set on the major surface of the base substrate 1; a plurality of wiring patterns 3 formed on the base substrate 1 and connected to the semiconductor element 11; and a dummy pattern 8 formed like a frame in the region 2 for mounting the semiconductor element 11 and not connected to the wiring patterns 3.

Some conventional substrates for mounting semiconductor elements include semiconductor element mounting regions set on the major surfaces (hereinafter, will be referred to as front sides) and a plurality of wiring patterns on the front and back sides.
Generally, substrates for mounting semiconductor elements have been reduced in thickness in response to demand for thin semiconductor devices. Thus the influence of a difference in wiring density between both sides of the substrate considerably increases and causes greater warpage, so that it is difficult to stably apply an adhesive over a semiconductor element mounting region. Further, an unevenly applied adhesive reduces the bonding strength of a semiconductor element and thus reduces the reliability of a semiconductor device.
In order to evenly apply an adhesive, a technique has been proposed in which warpage is suppressed by radially forming wiring patterns from the center of a semiconductor element mounting portion to the outer periphery of a substrate. In the semiconductor element mounting portion, warpage is suppressed by regulating the formation of the wiring patterns on the front side of the substrate and equalizing the wiring densities of the front and back sides of the substrate (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-153823).
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for thin semiconductor devices and accordingly, semiconductor elements and substrates for mounting semiconductor elements have been reduced in thickness and adhesives have been reduced in viscosity to improve the stability of assembly. Moreover, in response to demand for semiconductor devices including a larger number of pins with smaller sizes, it has been necessary to form wiring also immediately under semiconductor elements, on substrates for mounting the semiconductor elements.
As substrates for mounting semiconductor elements are reduced in thickness, an amount of deformation such as warpage increases. In the above-mentioned method of radially forming wiring, when a semiconductor element is pressed onto an applied adhesive, the adhesive is likely to leak out of the semiconductor element through a gap between the semiconductor element and a wire and a gap between wires. Further, air is likely to be entrained immediately under the semiconductor element from a surrounding part through the gaps.
When the adhesive leaks out of the semiconductor element, the adhesive becomes thin and uneven immediately under the semiconductor element, causing an insufficient bonding strength. When air is entrained directly under the semiconductor element, the air expands due to a thermal stress applied when the semiconductor device is mounted on a mounting board, so that the semiconductor device may be broken or the reliability may be reduced.

Substrate for mounting semiconductor element and method of manufacturing the same


A dial gauge (1A) has stem bush (20) having a fitting (21) fitted to an inner wall of a stem (5) and having a predetermined clearance between a spindle (3), a holder (22) for slidably holding the spindle (3) while securing a predetermined clearance against the inner wall of the stem (5), and an elastically deformable connector (23) for connecting the fitting (21) and the holder (22), whereby an influence of deformation of the stem (5) and the fitting (21) on the holder (22) during clamping can be minimized, so that the dial gauge (1A) can be fixed to a supporting stand without deteriorating slidability of the spindle (3).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dial gauge. More specifically it relates to a dial gauge for detecting a displacement of a spindle to measure a dimension of a workpiece.
2. Description of Related Art
A dial gauge 1 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is known as a measuring instrument for measuring a dimension of a workpiece.
The dial gauge 1 has a spindle 3 having a probe 2 to be in contact with the workpiece at a distal end thereof, a body 4 having a display 4B for displaying a measured value by a pointer 4A, and a cylindrical stem 5 provided to the body 4 for slidably holding the spindle 3 through a stem bush 10, the dimension of the workpiece is measured by detecting a displacement of the spindle 3 relative to the body 4. Among the above components, the stem bush 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape having outer circumference being fixed to an inner wall of the stem 5 and inner circumference slidably holding the spindle 3. A predetermined clearance is formed between the inner circumference of the stem bush 10 and the outer circumference of the spindle 3. The stem bush 10 is located on the probe 2 side of the stem 5.
The dial gauge 1 sometimes is used to measure the workpiece while being mounted to a supporting stand 6 as shown in FIG. 7.
The supporting stand 6 has a base 6B having a measuring table 6A on an upper surface thereof, a column 6C standing of the base 6B, and a bracket 6D vertically movable along the column 6C with the dial gauge 1 held thereon. The bracket 6D has a clamp hole 61 for the stem 5 of the dial gauge 1 to be inserted, a slitting groove 62 extending from the clamp hole 61 to an end (an end remote from the column 6C) of the bracket 6D, and a clamp screw 63 for elastically deforming the end of the bracket 6D to narrow the width of the slitting groove 62.
In use, after the stem 5 of the dial gauge 1 is inserted to the holding hole 61 of the bracket 6D, the dial gauge 1 is fixed to the bracket 6D by clamping the clamp screw 63. At this time, a clamp position 5A (outline arrow in FIG. 8) of the stem 5 by the clamp screw 63 is remote from the stem bush 10 by a predetermined distance along an axial direction of the spindle 3. In this state, after the spindle 3 of the dial gauge 1 is once lifted, the workpiece is set on the measuring table 6A. Subsequently, the spindle 3 is lowered so that the probe 2 abuts the workpiece. The height of the workpiece is measured by reading the dial gauge at the time.
However, since the above-described dial gauge 1 is mounted to the bracket 6D of the supporting stand 6 by clamping the stem 5 with the clamp screw 63, the stem 5 can be slightly deformed on account of the clamp force of the clamp screw 63 for clamping the stem 5. When the stem 5 is deformed, the stem bush 10 fitted to the inner wall of the stem 5 also deforms. The deformation of the stem bush 10 can bring the inner circumference of the stem bush 10 into contact with the outer circumference of the spindle 3, so that the inner circumference of the stem bush 10 holds the outer circumference of the spindle 3, thus deteriorating slidability of the spindle 3.
In order to overcome the above disadvantage, the clearance between the spindle 3 and the stem bush 10 may be set wide. However, when the clearance is enlarged, shaky movement of the spindle 3 relative to the stem bush 10 can be magnified, so that the measurement accuracy can be deteriorated.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a dial gauge includes: a spindle having a probe to be in contact with a workpiece at a distal end thereof; a body; and a stem provided to the body for slidably holding the spindle through a stem bush, the stem bush having: a fitting fitted to an inner wall of the stem while securing a predetermined clearance against the spindle; a holder for slidably holding the spindle, and having a predetermined clearance against the inner wall of the stem; and an elastically deformable connector for connecting the fitting and the holder, the clearance between the fitting and the spindle being larger than the clearance between the holder and the spindle.
When the dial gauge is mounted to the supporting stand by clamping the stem, the stem can be deformed by the clamping force. Since the clearance between the fitting and the spindle is set large in the stem bush, the inner circumference of the fitting is not in contact with the outer circumference of the spindle even when the fitting secured to the inner wall of the stem is deformed in accordance with deformation of the stem. On the other hand, since the clearance between the stem and the holder is large, the inner wall of the deformed stem is not in contact with the outer circumference of the holder. In other words, the inner circumference of the holder is not pressed against the outer circumference of the spindle by the stem.
Further, since the fitting and the holder of the stem bush is connected by the elastically deformable connector, even when the fitting is deformed in accordance with the deformation of the stem, most of the deformation is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the connector, so that the deformation of the fitting is not directly transferred to the holder, thus minimizing the deformation of the holder. In other words, deterioration of slidability of the spindle relative to the stem bush can be minimized. Accordingly, even when the stem is deformed in fixing the dial gauge to the supporting stand, the deterioration of slidability of the spindle relative to the stem bush can be prevented.
Further, since the deformation of the holder in accordance with deformation of the stem is smaller than the conventional arrangement, the clearance between the holder and the spindle can be made smaller than the conventional arrangement without influencing on the slidability of the spindle. Accordingly, the shaky movement of the spindle and the holder can be made smaller than the conventional arrangement, thus improving the measurement accuracy.
In an arrangement of the present invention, the fitting may preferably be formed in a cylinder, and the holder may preferably be formed in a cylinder having a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the spindle.
Accordingly, since the fitting is cylindrically formed, bonding area of the fitting against the inner wall of the stem can be enlarged, thus securely fixing the fitting to the inner wall of the stem. Further, since the holder is cylindrical, the slide movement of the spindle in axial direction can be stabilized.
In an arrangement of the present invention, the fitting and the holder may preferably be spaced apart along an axial direction of the spindle, and the connector may preferably be a tapered cylinder connecting the fitting and the holder, one end of the connector having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the fitting and the other end of the connector having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the holder.
Accordingly, since the fitting and the holder are connected by the cylindrical connector having diameters of both ends corresponding to the diameter of the fitting and the holder respectively, the fitting can be strongly connected to the holder.
In the above arrangement, the holder may preferably located in the cylinder of the fitting, and the connector may preferably connect mutually adjacent ones of ends of the fitting and the holder, the thickness of the connector being smaller than the respective thickness of the fitting and the holder.
Accordingly, since the holder is provided in the cylinder of the fitting, the stem bush of the present invention can be used to a stem of short length. Further, since the thickness of the connector is smaller than respective thickness of the fitting and the holder, the connector is more easily deformed than the fitting and the holder, thus more effectively absorbing the deformation of the fitting by the connector.
In an arrangement of the present invention, the fitting and the holder may preferably be spaced apart along an axial direction of the spindle, and the connector may preferably connect a part of mutually opposing ends of the fitting and the holder, the connector being thinner than the respective cylinders of the fitting and the holder.
Accordingly, since a part of mutually opposing ends of the fitting and the holder is connected by the connector, the size of connecting portion of the fitting and the holder can be reduced, thus reducing transmission of the deformation of the fitting toward the holder. Further, since the connector is thinner than the fitting and the holder, the connector is more easily deformed than the fitting and the holder, thus more effectively absorbing the deformation of the fitting by the connector.


A contact tray for use in a mass transfer or heat exchange column and having multiple baffles walls that cause the liquid flowing on an upper surface of a tray deck tray to change its direction of flow and narrow its flow path width and extend the length of the flow path when the liquid flows from an inlet area to an outlet on the tray deck. By narrowing the flow path, the volumetric flow rate of the liquid at any portion of the deck increases and reduces the opportunity for vapor entrainment of the liquid at low liquid flow rates. A downcomer extends downwardly from the outlet to receive liquid when it enters the outlet and then convey it downwardly to a discharge outlet located at a lower end of the downcomer. The downcomer includes an inclined or horizontal portion that causes the discharge outlet to be positioned beneath and in vertical alignment with the inlet area on the tray deck.

The present invention relates generally to columns in which mass transfer and heat exchange occur and, more particularly, to contact trays for use in such columns to facilitate interaction between fluid streams flowing within the columns and to a method of using the contract trays for mass transfer and/or heat exchange.
Mass transfer columns are configured to contact at least two incoming fluid streams in order to provide product streams of specific composition and/or temperature. The term "mass transfer column," as used herein is intended to encompass columns in which mass and/or heat transfer is the primary objective. Some mass transfer columns, such as those utilized in multicomponent distillation and absorption applications, contact a gas-phase stream with a liquid-phase stream, while others, such as extraction columns, may be designed to facilitate contact between two liquid phases of different densities. Oftentimes, mass transfer columns are configured to contact an ascending vapor or liquid stream with a descending liquid stream, usually along multiple trays or other mass transfer surfaces disposed within the column.
Various types of trays are commonly used in mass transfer columns to promote the desired contact and mass transfer between ascending and downwardly flowing fluid streams. Each tray normally extends horizontally across substantially the entire horizontal cross section of the column and is supported around its perimeter by a support ring welded to the inner surface of the circular column wall or shell. A number of trays are positioned in this manner with a uniform vertical spacing between adjacent trays. The trays may be located in only a portion of the column to perform one part of a multi-step process occurring with the column. Alternatively, the trays may be positioned along substantially the entire vertical height of the column.
Trays of the type described above contain one or more downcomers that are positioned at outlet openings in the tray deck to provide passageways for liquid to descend from one tray to an adjacent lower tray. Prior to entering the downcomer, the liquid on the tray deck interacts with ascending vapor that passes through apertures provided in selected portions of the tray deck and then flows over an outlet weir into the outlet opening on the tray deck. Those areas of the tray deck containing vapor apertures are commonly referred to as "active" areas because of the vapor and liquid mixing and frothing that occurs above those areas of the tray.
Under low liquid flow rates, such as rates less than 25 U.S. gallons per minute per foot of the width of the liquid flow path (25 gpm/ft of flow path width), a significant portion of the liquid flowing across the active area of the tray may become entrained as droplets in the ascending vapor and be carried with the vapor to the overlying tray. The smaller entrained droplets may be carried with the vapor through the vapor apertures in the overlying tray deck, while the larger droplets may impact against and form a film on the undersurface of the overlying tray deck. Portions of the film may then be carried by the vapor through the vapor apertures in the overlying tray. As this entrained liquid is carried by the vapor through the vapor apertures, it restricts the cross-sectional area available for vapor flow and increases the pressure drop across the tray. The entrained liquid also bypasses the desired interaction with vapor on the lower tray and leads to reduced operating efficiencies.
A need has thus developed for an improved tray that reduces the entrainment of liquid in the ascending vapor during low liquid flow rates.

Contact tray having baffle wall for concentrating low liquid flow and method involving same


p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) has antiseptic, antibiotic, fungicidal and bactericidal properties. It is used for these purposes in the form of compositions and method comprising the PMD and optionally a carrier. A method of treating acne, folliculitis body, scalp folliculitis, Hydradinitis suppuritiva dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis (scalp or body), pityriasis versicolor, pityrosporun folliculitis, tinea corporis, tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea capitis, tinea unguum, tinea folliculitis or rosacea in a patient including administering an effective amount of PMD.

It is known that a number of natural products have insect repellent properties. Citronella oil, which is obtained from certain grasses is one example of such a natural product, and oil from the Neem tree is another. We have previously investigated certain insect repellent natural products and have found that the insect repellent properties are in a fraction rich in p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD). This is described in our GB-A-2282534. In GB-A-1315625, there is described the use of certain p-menthane diols, but not PMD, to provide a physiological cooling effect.


A developing roller for use in an image-forming apparatus includes a substrate, a silicone-based elastic layer formed on the substrate, and a surface-coating layer formed at the outermost surface. The surface-coating layer has a thickness of not less than 3.5 μm with an amount of detection of silicon-atom-containing substances on the surface of the developing roller being set to not more than 2.5, and a developing device equipped with the developing roller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a developing roller that is incorporated into a developing device for use in an image-forming apparatus so as to transport and supply toner to an opposing area to a photosensitive member (a developing area), and more particularly, concerns a mono-component-developing-use developing roller.
2. Description of the Related Art
The mono-component-developing-use elastic developing roller, which is a developing roller to be incorporated into a developing device of a mono-component developing system, charges toner in a gap between it and a toner-regulating blade, and transports and supplies the charged toner to a developing area while supporting the charged toner.
Conventionally, with respect to the mono-component-developing-use elastic developing roller, those having a silicone-based elastic layer and a surface-coating layer formed on a substrate have been well known, from the viewpoint of charge-applying capability to toner and durability.
However, when the above-mentioned developing roller is used for a long time, problems are raised in that the toner charging property is lowered, in that the toner transport quantity to a developing area between the developing roller and the photosensitive member fluctuates and in that toner is fixed on the toner regulating blade. The toner fixing to the blade is conspicuous in the low-temperature, low-humidity environment. The degradation in the charging stability is conspicuous in the standard environment as well as in the high-temperature, high-humidity environment.

Developing roller for use in image-forming apparatus and developing device equipped with the same

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


A method of revoking a descrambling privilege for copy controlled content to a host device is provided. The method includes receiving copy controlled content at a conditional access module. A revocation list is also received at the module. The method includes determining whether the host device associated with the module is on the list. If so, the conditional access module will not descramble the content.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a copy management system and method for controlling the reproduction and recording of digital content on and from at least one digital device.
2. General Background
Analog communication systems are rapidly giving way to their digital counterparts. Digital television is currently scheduled to be available nationally to all consumers by the year 2002 and completely in place by the year 2006. High-definition television (HDTV) broadcasts have already begun in most major cities on a limited basis. Similarly, the explosive growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web have resulted in a correlative growth in the increase of downloadable audio-visual files, such as MP3-formatted audio files, as well as other content.
Simultaneously with, and in part due to, this rapid move to digital communications system, there have been significant advances in digital recording devices. Digital versatile disk (DVD) recorders, digital VHS video cassette recorders (D-VHS VCR), CD-ROM recorders (e.g., CD-R and CD-RW), MP3 recording devices, and hard disk-based recording units are but merely representative of the digital recording devices that are capable of producing high quality recordings and copies thereof, without the generational degradation (i.e., increased degradation between successive copies) known in the analog counterparts. The combination of movement towards digital communication systems and digital recording devices poses a concern to content providers such as the motion picture and music industries, who desire to prevent the unauthorized and uncontrolled copying of copyrighted, or otherwise protected, material.
In response, there is a movement to require service providers, such as terrestrial broadcast, cable and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) companies, and companies having Internet sites which provide downloadable content, to introduce protection schemes. Two such copy protection systems have been proposed by the 5C group of the Data Hiding Sub Group (DHSG) (5C comprising representatives of Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba, Matsushita, and Intel) and the Data Transmission Discussion Group (DTDG), which are industry committee sub-groups of the Copy Protection Technical Working Group (CPTWG). The CPTWG represents the content providers, computer and consumer electronic product manufacturers.
The DTDG Digital Transmission Copy Protection (DTCP) proposal is targeted for protecting copy-protected digital content, which is transferred between digital devices connected via a digital transmission medium such as an IEEE 1394 serial bus. Device-based, the proposal uses symmetric key cryptographic techniques to encode components of a compliant device.
This allows for the authentication of any digital device prior to the transmission of the digital content in order to determine whether the device is compliant. The digital content is itself encoded prior to transmission so that unauthorized copying of the content will result in copy having an unintelligible format.
Thus, even today, the functionality of digital devices such as set-top boxes, digital televisions, digital audio players, and similar such digital devices extends beyond their historical role of conditional access (CA), i.e., merely descrambling content to a CA-clear format for real-time viewing and/or listening, and now include constraints and conditions on the recording and playback of such digital content. For example, currently, copying of scrambled content for subsequent descrambling and viewing or listening may be permitted with the appropriate service/content provider authorization or key provided to the digital device.

Method and apparatus for implementing revocation in broadcast networks


Human skin is depigmented or bleached by applying thereto a compound of formula (1): ##STR1## wherein X represents COOH or the ring: ##STR2## wherein Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2 and Z.sub.3, independently of each other, are H, OR or R, R representing an optionally substituted saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 -alkyl radical, or a salt, a metal complex or an ester of the compound.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the use of N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid derivatives in a composition for topical application, as depigmenting and/or bleaching agents for human skin.
2. Description of the Background
The color of the skin depends on different factors and, in particular, the seasons of the year, race and sex, and it is mainly determined by the concentration of melanin produced by the melanocytes. In addition, at different periods in their lives, certain individuals develop dark and/or colored blemishes on the skin and more especially on the hands, making the skin non-uniform. These blemishes are also due to a large concentration of melanin in the keratinocytes at the skin surface.
For several years, attempts have been made to decrease and/or slow down the production of the melanin in order to depigment or bleach the skin, by acting on one or more of the points of the intracellular biochemical synthesis of melanin. In this regard, for many years, various molecules have been used and tested as depigmenting or bleaching agents.
The mechanism for the formation of skin pigmentation, that to say the formation of melanin, is particularly complex and schematically involves the following main steps:
Tyrosine.fwdarw.Dopa.fwdarw.Dopaquinone.fwdarw.Dopachrome.fwdarw.Melanin
Tyrosinase is the essential enzyme involved in this reaction sequence. It especially catalyses the reaction in which tyrosine is converted into dopa (dihydroxyphenylalanine) and the reaction in which dopa is converted into dopaquinone. Tyrosinase acts only when it is in the mature state, under the action of certain biological factors.
A substance is recognized as being depigmenting if it acts directly on the viability of the epidermal melanocytes in which melanogenesis takes place and/or if it interferes with one of the steps in the biosynthesis of melanin either by inhibiting one of the enzymes involved in melanogenesis or by becoming intercalated as a structural analogue of one of the chemical compounds in the melanin synthesis chain, whereby this chain may be blocked and ensure the depigmentation.
The substances most commonly used as depigmenting agents in compositions are, in particular, compounds such as vitamin C, vitamin C derivatives or vitamin E derivatives, arbutin, hydroquinone, kojic acid, placental derivatives and glutathione and its derivatives. These various compounds are known to act on the synthesis and/or activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in the synthesis of melanin, or to reduce the amount of melanin formed or alternatively to stimulate the removal of melanin via the keratinocytes. Unfortunately, they are either toxic, as in the case of hydroquinone, or unstable in solution, as in the case of vitamin C and kojic acid, which complicates the manufacture of the composition somewhat, or else they may emit unpleasant odors and in particular sulfur odors in the case of glutathione, which consequently limits their use. Furthermore, these compounds are very limited in number.
Thus, there continues to be a need for a skin-bleaching agent which is as effective as the known agents, but which does not have their disadvantages, that is to say that it is stable in a composition, is non-toxic to the skin and has no unpleasant odor and especially insofar as this agent is applied to the skin.
In this regard copper-chelating agents have been used for a long time as depigmenting agents. Indeed, these chelating agents act on the copper ions present at the active site of tyrosinase, the key enzyme in melanogenesis. For example, it has been reported that L-mimosine, which is a natural hydroxypyridinone which forms very stable complexes with copper, is a good inhibitor of tyrosinase (Hider et al, Biochem. J. 1989, 257:289), as is kojic acid which also interacts strongly with copper. However, these chelating agents have the drawback of being toxic, especially L-mimosine, and of having side-effects associated with interference with the metabolism of certain metals.
On the other hand, much less work has been carried out with iron-chelating agents as depigmenting agents. Certain chelating agents are described as being capable of depigmenting mink skin (Blumenkrantz et al, Acta Agric. Scand. 1987, 37:375). However, the compounds described in this publication are toxic to a certain extent, which does not permit their topical use on human skin.
Moreover, lactoferrin hydrolysates have been patented as depigmenting agents (Morinaga, JP-A-04059714 and EP-A-438,750). However, the use of products of animal origin is to be avoided.
It is noted, however, that compounds, which are known as iron-chelating agents and which are commonly used in the cosmetic or dermatological field, have never been used to date to depigment or bleach the skin.

Use of N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid derivatives as depigmenting agents


A fuel injection valve with a valve body in which a valve needle that has a longitudinal axis can slide in the longitudinal direction in a bore. The combustion chamber end of the bore is provided with a conical valve seat between the valve needle and the wall of the bore a pressure chamber is formed, which can be filled with fuel and extends to the valve seat. The valve needle has a valve sealing surface that cooperates with the valve seat in order to control at least one injection opening leading from the valve seat and contains an annular groove that extends in a radial plane of the valve needle. The downstream edge of the annular groove is embodied as a sealing edge and is hydraulically connected to the pressure chamber on a continuous basis.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to an improved a fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A fuel injection valve of the type with which this invention is concerned is known from WO 96/19661. A fuel injection valve of this kind contains a valve needle that can slide in the longitudinal direction in a bore; the combustion chamber end of the bore is provided with a conical valve seat. The valve needle is guided in a section oriented away from the combustion chamber and, between the wall of the bore and the section of the valve needle oriented toward the combustion chamber, a pressure chamber is formed, which can be filled with highly pressurized fuel. The pressure chamber here extends to the valve seat, which is conical and contains at least one injection opening. At the end oriented toward the valve seat, the valve needle has an essentially conical valve sealing surface so that when the valve sealing surface is lifted away from the valve seat, fuel can flow from the pressure chamber, between the valve seat and the valve sealing surface, and to the injection openings. The valve needle is acted upon by a closing force that presses the valve sealing surface against the valve seat and, in the absence of other forces, prevents fuel from being injected through the injection openings.
The valve sealing surface has a first conical region whose opening angle is smaller than the opening angle of the conical valve seat. Downstream of the first conical surface in the flow direction of the fuel, the valve sealing surface has another conical surface whose opening angle is greater than the opening angle of the valve seat. Between the two conical surfaces of the valve sealing surface, an annular groove is formed, which extends in a radial plane of the valve needle and borders on both conical surfaces.
In order to inject fuel into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, highly pressurized fuel is conveyed into the pressure chamber of the injection valve. As a result, a valve needle pressure surface and part of the valve sealing surface are subjected to a hydraulic force that acts in opposition to the closing force. If the closing force is reduced, then the hydraulic forces move the valve needle away from the valve seat so that fuel can flow into the injection openings. The hydraulic pressure generated by the fuel pressure in the pressure chamber acts on the entire cross section of the valve needle when it is open. In order to overcome this force, the closing force must be correspondingly high since modern fuel injection systems require short closing times of the fuel injection valve in order to permit rapid sequences of precisely metered injections. As soon as the valve needle comes back into contact with the valve seat, this eliminates the hydraulic pressure on part of the valve sealing surface so that there is then a powerful excess of closing force in relation to the hydraulic force on the valve needle. This means that the valve needle is pressed against the valve seat with a large amount of force, which leads to increased wear at this point over time and can significantly reduce the service life of the fuel injection valve. Particularly in the newest fuel injection systems that operate with pressures of up to 200 MPa, the materials are being pushed to the limits of their load capacities.

Fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines


A sensing method and system for generating an output signal indicative of an estimated mean value of an input signal is provided. A sensor samples the input signal for N (N=2, 4, 8, 16, . . . ) input signal samples and determines a current twice mean value of the N input signal samples. The current twice mean value is equal to one-half of the summation of two terms, the first being twice the mean value of the first N/2 input signal samples (called the previous twice mean value) and the second being twice the mean value of the last N/2 input signal samples. The sensor then compares the current twice mean value to a previous twice mean value. The sensor then stores the current twice mean value as the previous twice mean value, increments N by a power of two, samples the input signal sample for the next N/2 input signal samples, determines the current twice mean value of the incremented N input signal samples, and compares the current twice mean value to the previous twice mean value until the current twice mean value is within a predetermined tolerance of the previous twice mean value a consecutive number of times. The sensor then generates an output signal indicative of an estimate of the mean value of the input signal. The estimated mean value is one-half of the current twice mean value.

A mean value filter outputs a signal indicative of the mean value of an input signal. A proper mean value filter determines an unbiased estimate of the mean value of the input signal. An unbiased estimate is obtained when samples of the input signal are weighted equally. Mean value filters are used in a variety of applications such as bias washout, digital filter initialization, and diagnostic testing.
Bias Washout
In computerized real-time control systems, sensors provide an outputted sensor signal indicative of a sensed parameter to a controller such as a computer. Typically, the sensor signal is made up of two components. The first component is responsive to the sensed parameter. The second component is an unknown steady-state value referred to as bias. The bias component is a baseline or static value. To obtain a proper reading on the sensed parameter, the bias component must be subtracted from the sensor signal. Subtracting the bias component is referred to as DC or static value washout. For proper washout, an accurate estimate of the mean value of the bias is needed to be determined.
Digital Filter Initialization
Electronic controllers typically use digital filters for conditioning of inputted sensor signals. A digital filter analyzes discrete samples of a sensor signal. The settling time of a digital filter is minimized upon start up if the initial condition of the filter is set to the present value of the sensor signal. Due to the settling time of external filters and the possibility of electrical noise on the sensor signal, a single sample of the signal may produce a biased initial condition for the digital filter. This problem can be remedied with an unbiased estimate of the mean value of the sensor signal. Unbiased mean value estimates provide the best initial condition for digital filters.
Diagnostic Tests
The progressive deterioration of parts, such as automotive parts, may be identified by a persistent shift in the mean value of a sensor signal. While the mean value of the sensor signal is indicative of deterioration, the actual sensor signal may have superimposed on the mean value other components. For instance, with automotive parts, the other components may be related to the present vehicle operating point (i.e., accelerating, braking, turning, surface conditions, etc.) or caused by other noise sources. An unbiased estimate of the mean value of the sensor signal which filters off the operating point related components is necessary for sensing mean value shifts for proper diagnostic testing.
Conventional approaches for estimating the mean value of a real-time signal include low pass (continuous offset estimating) filters, fixed size interval batch averaging; and comparison testing of contiguous batch averages. Low pass filters continuously update an approximation of the mean value, but place more emphasis on historically recent data. In diagnostic applications, placing a greater emphasis on historically recent data is undesirable because faults are detectable only as slow shifts in the mean value of a signal. Furthermore, to approximate a long term average, a low pass filter must have an extremely low frequency pole. The low frequency pole prolongs the settling time of the filter thereby delaying the response of the diagnostic systems.
With fixed interval batch averaging, a short interval of data may provide a biased estimate of the mean value of a signal if the variance of the samples of the signal is large. A long interval of data may provide an unbiased estimate of the mean value, but unnecessarily delays the estimation when the variance of the samples is small.
A disadvantage with comparison testing of contiguous batch averages is that agreement of mean values of neighboring batch average intervals is not sufficient to guarantee that each mean value provides an unbiased mean value estimate. Additionally, in the search for contiguous batch averages whose mean values agree, historical data is forgotten rather than used for increasing the accuracy of the mean value estimation.
Disclosure Of The Invention
A general object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for generating the mean value of a signal such that a minimum signal sample size is analyzed if the sample variance is small and a larger signal sample size is analyzed if the sample variance is large.
In carrying out the above object and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, a method for use with a sensor for generating an output signal indicative of an estimated mean value of an input signal is disclosed.
The method includes repeating the following until a current twice mean value is within a predetermined tolerance of a previous twice mean value a consecutive number of times. First, the input signal is sampled for N (N=2, 4, 8, 16, . . . ) input signal samples. A current twice mean value of the N input signal samples is then determined. The current twice mean value is equal to one-half of the summation of two terms, the first being twice the mean value of the first N/2 input signal samples (called the previous twice mean value) and the second being twice the mean value of the last N/2 input signal samples. The current twice mean value is then compared to the previous twice mean value to determine if the current twice mean value is within a predetermined tolerance of the previous twice mean value. The current twice mean value is then stored as the previous twice mean value. The N input signal sample variable is then incremented by a power of two.
An estimate of the mean value of the input signal is generated when the current twice mean value is within a predetermined tolerance of the previous twice mean value a consecutive number of times. The estimate of the mean value is one-half of the current twice mean value.
The present invention includes a number of attendant advantages. The mean value filtering system and method iteratively extends the sample data averaging interval size until a designated consistency is found between consecutive mean estimates. This is advantageous because for inputs which have a small variance the mean value is quickly determined. For inputs which have a large variance more samples are automatically used to determine the mean value.
The above object and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Self-adapting interval mean value filter


The invention is directed to reduction of torque by reduction of an outside diameter of a mounting head. A cylindrical cam rotation motor is provided under a nozzle rotation motor. A first rotation axis member as a rotor of the nozzle rotation motor is provided along an axis line of a nozzle holder and penetrates into the nozzle rotation motor and the cylindrical cam rotation motor. A second rotation axis member as a rotor of the cylindrical cam rotation motor is provided along an axis line of a cylindrical cam member and penetrates into the cylindrical cam rotation motor. A suction nozzle to be used protrudes from a lower end surface of the nozzle holder at a protrusion position.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a mounting head of an electronic component mounting apparatus for mounting a picked electronic component on a board.
2. Description of the Related Art
A mounting head of an electronic component mounting apparatus in which a suction nozzle has a long life without affecting its operation, i.e., not having to change a suction nozzle is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-53492.
However, although a nozzle selection motor for selecting any one from a plurality of suction nozzles provided on the mounting head, and a cam rotation motor for rotating the suction nozzle by θ angle are disposed on the upper and lower sides, since stators (electromagnet) of the motors are set on an outer circumference of a nozzle holder mounted with a plurality of suction nozzles capable of protruding and retracting, an outside diameter of the mounting head is large, thereby requiring a large amount of torque.

Mounting head of electronic component mounting apparatus


A method and apparatus for testing a hydrocarbon sample. The apparatus includes a sheath disposed about the hydrocarbon sample container and at least one set of acoustic sensors, wherein the at least one set of acoustic sensors is secured to the sheath, and further wherein at least one set of acoustic sensors produces an acoustic signal having a velocity through the hydrocarbon sample. In addition, the velocity is measured to provide information about the hydrocarbon sample. In other embodiments, the at least one set of acoustic sensors is disposed radially about the hydrocarbon sample.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of testing fluid samples and more specifically to testing hydrocarbon samples using acoustic signals.
2. Background of the Invention
There are pressing needs for inexpensive real time interpretation of hydrocarbon samples collected in bottom hole samplers. Typically, a hydrocarbon sample is collected from an underground reservoir primarily for establishing its pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) and flow assurance properties such as the onset of solids.
PVT information about a hydrocarbon sample can include many different types of information. An important type of information is constant composition expansion (CCE) study, which is sometimes referred to as constant mass expansion (CME). In a typical laboratory conducted CCE study, a sample at reservoir temperature or any secondary temperature is taken to a pressure considerably above reservoir and saturation pressures. The sample is then equilibrated, and the pressure is lowered at constant temperature. As the pressure is lowered, the pressure/volume behavior of the sample is recorded. The sample composition does not change during the exercise. The CCE study typically provides the following data about the sample. In the single phase region, the fluid phase compressibility is established, the saturation pressure (bubble/dew point) is recorded at a lower pressure, and the relative volumes of the various phases are reported at pressures below the saturation pressure. The data generated during a CCE study can be important in that it provides a data set that can be effectively used to tune a compositional Equation of State (EOS), which can improve the complete PVT predictions generated. The collection of CCE data at different temperatures can be even more valuable for tuning purposes.
From a flow assurance standpoint, other important information includes the onset of solids formation in the well string and transport lines. Solids primarily take the form of wax and/or asphaltene particles. Wax particles are high molecular weight paraffinic species that precipitate primarily due to temperature drop and can curtail production operations by agglomeration, sticking to pipe walls, congealing in flow lines, and the like. Asphaltenes tend to have a more complex chemical nature than wax and form primarily due to a disruption in a fine balance of interactions that keep them in suspension/solution in the bulk crude. Asphaltene precipitation is usually preceded by a drop in system pressure that leads to gas release and subsequent disruption of the inter-molecular balance needed to keep them stabilized. Once formed, asphaltenes are typically at least as disruptive to flow operations as wax formation. Consequently, measuring wax and asphaltene formation conditions can be an important step to mitigating their flow reduction tendencies.
These PVT and flow assurance properties are typically measured in the laboratory. Drawbacks to the typical laboratory measurements include the time delay involved in laboratory testing and the costs involved with such a delay. For instance, such measurements may not take place for weeks or months after the samples have been collected. Costs for storing and transporting the samples for the laboratory testing can be significant. In addition, the expense of collecting samples can be significant as well for most exploratory environments such as offshore or remote locations. In such environments, only a single opportunity may be available for collecting a sample. Due to such costs and time delay, there is a strong interest in knowing some fundamental PVT and flow assurance characteristics of a freshly captured sample in real time. Other drawbacks include not knowing the quality of a sample or whether a sample was even collected until the expense and delay of laboratory testing has been conducted. The conventional methods of saturation pressure determination in the laboratory include a plot of pressure as a function of sample volume change, with the pressure at which a sharp change in the compressibility occurs defining the saturation pressure. Drawbacks to such conventional methods include the system pressure typically having to be dropped significantly below the saturation pressure in order to define a clear transition point. For some systems, a significant pressure drop below the saturation pressure may result in asphaltene precipitation taking place, which is very difficult to reverse.
Consequently, there is a need for real time testing of hydrocarbon well samples. Other needs include quickly determining whether a sample was collected and its quality. Further needs include a quicker and more cost efficient way to determine PVT information and flow assurance properties of hydrocarbon well samples. In addition, needs include a non-intrusive and non-destructive way to quickly test bottomhole samples.

Testing of bottomhole samplers using acoustics


A multiplex driving method is provided for a liquid crystal cell device having a liquid crystal layer disposed between a pair of substrates, a plurality of row electrodes arranged on one of the substrates and a plurality of column electrodes arranged on the other substrate. The method comprises the steps of sequentially selecting a group of the plurality of row electrodes during a selection period, simultaneously selecting the row electrodes comprising the group, and dividing and separating the selection period into a plurality of intervals within one frame period.

Matrix liquid crystal displays such as, twisted nematic (TN) and super twisted nematic (STN), are known in the art. Reference is made to FIGS. 21(a)–(e) and 22 in which a conventional matrix liquid crystal display is provided. A liquid crystal panel generally indicated as 1 is composed of a liquid crystal layer 5, a first substrate 2 and a second substrate 3 for sandwiching the liquid crystal layer 5 therebetween. A group of column electrodes Y1–Ym are oriented on substrate 2 in the vertical direction and a plurality of row electrodes X1–Xn are formed on substrate 3 in substantially the horizontal direction to form a matrix. Each intersection of column electrodes Y1–Ym and row electrodes X1–Xn forms a display element or pixel 7. Display pixels 7 having the open circle indicate an ON state and those pixels having a blank indicate an OFF state.
A conventional multiplex driving based on the amplitude selective addressing scheme is known to one of ordinary skill in the art as one method of driving the liquid crystal cells mentioned above. In such a method, a selected voltage or non-selected voltage is sequentially applied to each of row electrodes X1–X2 individually. That is, a selection voltage is applied to only one row electrode at a time. In the conventional driving method, the time period required to apply the successive selected or non-selected voltage to all the row electrodes X1–Xn is known as one frame period, indicated in FIGS. 21(a)–(e) as time period F. Typically the frame period is approximate 1/60th of a second or 16.66 milliseconds.
Simultaneously to the successive application of the selected voltage or the non-selected voltage to each of the row electrodes X1–Xn, a data signal representing an ON or OFF voltage is applied to column electrodes Y1–Ym. Accordingly, to turn a pixel 7 e.g, the area in which the row electrode intersects the column electrode, to the ON state, an ON voltage is applied to a desired column electrode when the row electrode is selected.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 21(a)–(e), a conventional multiplex drive method of a simple matrix type liquid crystal and more specifically the amplitude selective addressing scheme are shown therein. FIGS. 21(a)–(c) show the row selection voltage waveforms that is applied in sequence to row electrodes X1, X2 . . . Xn, respectively. More particularly, in time period t1, a voltage pulse having a magnitude of V1 is applied to row electrode X1, and a voltage of zero is applied to electrodes X2–Xn; in time period t2, a voltage pulse having a magnitude of V1 is applied to row electrode X2 and a voltage of zero is applied to electrodes X1 and X3–Xn; and in time period tn, V1 is applied to row electrode Xn and a voltage of zero is to electrodes X1–Xn-1. In other words, a voltage pulse having a magnitude of V1 is applied to only one row electrode X1 in time t1. Typically, t1 is approximately 69 μseconds and V1 is approximately 25 volts. As will be apparent to one who has read this description, all of the row electrodes are sequentially selected in time periods t1–tn or one frame period F.
FIG. 21(d) shows the waveform applied to column electrode Y1, and FIG. 21(e) shows the synthesized voltage waveform applied to the pixel 71,1 formed at the intersection of the column electrode Y1 and the row electrode X1. As shown therein, during time period t1, a voltage pulse having a magnitude of V1 is applied to row X1 and a voltage pulse of −V2 is applied to column electrode Y1. Typically, V2 is approximately 1.6 volts. The resultant voltage at pixel 71,1 is −(V1–V2). This synthesized voltage is sufficient to turn pixel 71,1 to its ON state.
One known problem with this method is that in order to select and drive the one line of the row electrodes, a relatively high voltage is required to provide good display characteristics, such as, contrast and low distortion. These conventional displays, requiring such a high voltage, also consume relatively more energy. When such displays are used in portable devices, they are supplied with electrical energy by, for example, batteries. As a result of the higher energy consumption, the portable devices have relatively shorter times of operation before the batteries require replacement and/or recharging.
Various attempts have been made to overcome this problem. For example, it has been suggested in "A Generalized Addressing Technique for RMS Responding Matrix LCDs," 1988 International Display Research Conference, pp. 80–85. to simultaneously applying a row selection voltage to more than one row electrode.
As shown in FIGS. 23(a)–(d), a conventional method for driving a liquid crystal display by simultaneously selecting a group of more than one row electrode is shown. As shown therein, the n row electrodes are divided in j groups of row electrodes, each group comprising, for example, two row electrodes. In this example, row electrodes X1, X2; X3, X4; and Xn-1, Xn, each form a group of row electrodes.
Referring again to FIG. 23(a), that figure illustrates row selection voltage waveforms applied simultaneously to both row electrodes X1 and X2 in time periods t1 and t2 and a voltage of zero is applied to row electrodes X1 and X2 in the remaining time periods of frame period F. Similarly, FIG. 23(b) indicates the row selection voltage waveforms applied to row electrodes X3 and X4, during time periods t3 and t4 and a voltage of zero is applied to row electrodes X3 and X4 in the other time periods of frame period F. FIG. 23(c) illustrates the voltage waveform applied to column electrode Y1, and FIG. 23(d) indicates the synthesized voltage waveform applied to the pixel 71,1. Generally, t1, t2, . . . tn=69 μseconds, V1 is approximately 17.6 volts and V2 is approximately 2.3 volts.
As shown in the example of FIGS. 23(a)–(d) every two row electrodes are selected in sequence. In the first selection sequence, two row electrodes, X1 and X2, are selected and row selection voltage waveforms such as that shown in FIG. 23(a) are applied to each row electrode. At the same time, the designated column voltage, which is described below, is applied to each column electrode, Y1 to Ym. Next, row electrodes X3 and X4 are simultaneously selected with substantially the same type of waveform voltages as that described above. At the same time, the column voltages Y1 to Ym are applied to each column electrode. One frame period represents the selection of all row electrodes, X1 to Xn. In other words, a complete image is displayed during one frame.
As will be explained hereinbelow, when h row electrodes are simultaneously selected, the voltage waveforms that apply the row electrodes described above use 2h row-select patterns. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 23(a)–(d), the number of row electrodes simultaneously selected is two, thus the number of row select patterns is 22 or 4.
Moreover, the column voltages applied to each column electrode Y1 to Ym provide the same number of pulse patterns as that of the row select pulse patterns. That is, there are 2h pulse patterns. These pulse patterns are determined by comparing the states of pixels on the simultaneously selected row electrodes i.e., whether the pixels are ON or OFF, with the polarities of the voltage pulses applied to row electrode.
In this example, as shown in the previously described FIGS. 23(a)–(d), when row electrodes X1 and X2 are selected and row voltages such as those in FIG. 23(a) and FIG. 24(a) are applied thereto and when the pixels on row electrodes X1 and X2 are ON and OFF, respectively, the voltage waveform applied the column electrode is voltage waveform Ya shown in FIG. 24(b). When the pixels are OFF and ON, respectively, the column voltage waveform Yb is applied to the column electrode. In another example, when the pixels are both ON, a voltage waveform Yc is applied to the column electrode. Finally, when both pixels are OFF, the a column voltage waveform Yd is applied to the column electrode.
The above-mentioned column voltage waveforms Ya–Yd are determined as follows. At first, each pixel simultaneously selected is defined to have a first value of 1 when the voltage applied by the row electrode to the corresponding selected pixel is positive or a first value of −1 when the row electrode is negative. Each of the selected pixels is defined to have a second value of −1 when the display state is ON or a second value of 1 when display state is OFF. The first value is compared to the second value bit-by-bit, the difference between the number of matches, i.e., when the first value equals the second value, and the number of mismatches, i.e., when the first value does not equal the second value, is calculated. When the difference between the number of matches and mismatches for the simultaneously selected rows is two, V2 is applied; when 0, V0 is applied; and when −2, −V2 is applied.
For example, when the pulse waveforms shown in FIG. 23(a) are applied to row electrodes X1 and X2, a column voltage having the waveform of Ya is applied. This column voltage is determined as follows. The pixels formed at the intersections of column electrode Y1 and rows electrodes X1 and X2 are in the ON and OFF states, respectively. For the purposes of this discussion, these pixels will be referred to as the first and second pixels, respectively. In other words, the first pixel has a second value of −1 and the second pixel has a second value of 1. During the period ta, the first pixel has a first value of −1 and the second pixel has a first value of −1, since the row voltages X1 and X2 are both −V1. Referring to the first pixel, since the first value is −1 and the second value is −1, there is a match. With regard to the second pixel, the first value is −1 and the second value is 1, thereby forming a mismatch. The difference between the number of mismatches and matches is 1—1 or zero. Therefore, a voltage of 0 (zero) is applied to the column electrode in time ta. Next, concerning the pulse waveforms of the time interval tb, the applied voltage of row electrode X1 is positive and the applied voltage of row electrode pulse X2 is negative. Using a similar analysis as described above, the number of matches is zero and the number of mismatches is 2. Thus, −V2 volts will be applied to the second half of time interval t1.
As should now be apparent, the first values in time interval tc in FIG. 23(a) are −1 and 1 because the applied voltage of row electrode X1 is negative and the applied voltage of row electrode X2 is positive. When these are compared with the second values of the first and second pixels of −1 and 1, the number of matches is two and the number of mismatches is zero. The difference between the number of matches and the number of mismatches is 2. Thus, the column voltage of V2 volts will be applied in time interval tc.
In time interval td, the applied voltage of row electrodes X1 and X2 are both positive. Thus, the first values are 1 and 1. When compared to the pixel states of −1 and 1, the number of matches is 1 and the number of mismatches is 1, thus the difference between the number of matches and the number of mismatches is zero. Accordingly, zero volts will be applied to Ya for the time interval td.
A summary of this analysis for time periods ta, tb, tc and td, is shown in Table A below:
TABLE Apixeltatbtctd1 - ONfirst value−1  1−1  1second value−1−1−1−1matchyesnoyesnomismatchnoyesnoyes2 - OFFfirst value−1−1  1  1second value  1  1  1  1matchnonoyesyesmismatchyesyesnonono. of matches  1  0  2  1no. of mismatches  1  2  0  1difference  0−2  2  0column voltage  0−V2  V2  0
As is readily apparent, the column voltage Ya corresponds to the column voltage pattern and is applied to the column to place the first pixel in its ON state and the second pixel in its OFF state.
As for the other column voltage waveforms, Yb to Yd, the voltages are selected under the same criteria as described above and are summarized in Tables B, C and D hereinbelow:
TABLE Bpixeltatbtctd1 - OFFfirst value−1  1−1  1second value  1  1  1  1matchnoyesnoyesmismatchyesnoyesno2 - ONfirst value−1−1  1  1second value−1−1−1−1matchyesyesnonomismatchnonoyesyesno. of matches  1  2  0  1no. of mismatches  1  0  2  1difference  0−2  2  0column voltage  0−V2  V2  0Column Voltage Applied = Yb
TABLE Cpixeltatbtctd1-ONfirst value−11−1  1second value−1−1  −1  −1  matchyesnoyesnomismatchnoyesnoyes2-ONfirst value−1−1  11second value−1−1  −1  −1  matchyesyesnonomismatchnonoyesyesno. of matches  2110no. of mismatches  0112difference  200−2  column voltageV200−V2Column Voltage Applied = Yc
TABLE Dpixeltatbtctd1-OFFfirst value−1  1−1  1second value1111matchnoyesnoyesmismatchyesnoyesno2-OFFfirst value−1  −1  11second value1111matchnonoyesyesmismatchyesyesnonono. of matches0112no. of mismatches2110difference−2  002column voltage−V200V2Column Voltage Applied = Yd
In the examples above, the first value is 1 when the row-select voltage has a positive polarity or the first value when the row-select voltage has a negative polarity. Additionally, the second value is −1 when the display state of the pixel is ON, or 1 when the display state is OFF. The column voltage waveforms were selected by means of the difference between the number of matches and the number of mismatches. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the sign conventions may be inverted. Moreover, it also is possible to set the column voltage waveforms with only the number of matches or the number of mismatches, without having to calculate the difference between the number of matches and the number of mismatches as explained below.
FIGS. 25(a)–(d) illustrate another example of the prior art in which a plurality of row electrodes are divided into groups of row electrodes. The groups of row electrodes are selected in sequence and the row electrodes within each group are simultaneously selected. In this example, each group comprises three row electrodes that are simultaneously selected in order to generate a display pattern, as shown in FIG. 26.
In other words, initially three row electrodes, X1, X2 and X3, are selected and row selection voltages such as those shown in FIG. 25(a) are applied to these row electrodes, X1, X2 and X3, respectively. At the same time, the designated column voltages, to be discussed later, are applied to each column electrode Y1 to Ym. Next, row electrodes X4, X5 and X6, shown in FIG. 26, are selected and row selection voltages such as that in FIG. 25(b) are applied to these electrodes in the same manner as described above. At the same time, column voltages are applied to each column electrode, Y1 to Ym. As with the previous example, one frame period F is defined as the selection of all of the row electrodes, X1 to Xn. One image is completely displayed in one frame period, and plural images can be display by repeating this cycle continuously.
When each row voltage waveform described above has h as the number of row electrodes that are simultaneously selected, as in previous example, the number of 2h row-select pattern are used. In this example, the number of 23 or 8 patterns are used.
Moreover, as in the previous example, the column voltages applied to each column electrode, Y1 to Ym, are the same as the number of row-select patterns. Also, the voltage level of each pulse is such that the voltage that corresponds to the numbers of the ON state and the OFF state of the selected row electrodes is applied. In other words, the column voltage level is determined by comparing the row-select pattern and display pattern. Thus, for example, when the row voltage waveforms applied to row electrodes X1, X2 and X3, which are selected simultaneously in this example, have a positive pulse, they are ON, and when they have a negative pulse, they are OFF. The ON and the OFF of the display data are compared at each pulse and the column voltage waveforms are set according to the number of mismatches.
In other words, in the example of FIGS. 25(a)–(d), when the number of mismatches is zero, −V3 volts are applied; when it is 1, −V2 volts are applied; when it is 2, V2 volts are applied; and when it is 3, V3 volts are applied. The voltage ratios for V2 and V3 above are preferably such that V2: V3=1:3
In specific terms, in the case of the voltage waveforms applied to row electrodes X1, X2 and X3 in FIG. 25(a), those waveforms are ON when the V1 volts are applied and OFF when the −V1 volts are applied. Referring to FIG. 26, the pixel is indicated as ON when there is a closed circle and OFF when there is a open circle. As shown in FIG. 26, the display states of the pixels that cross with column electrode Y1 and row electrodes X1, X2 and X3 are ON, ON and OFF, respectively. In contrast to this, the initial pulse pattern of the voltage applied to each row electrode, X1, X2 and X3, is OFF, OFF and OFF, respectively. Comparing both in sequence, the number of mismatches is 2. Therefore, V2 volts are applied to the initial pulse pattern of the voltage applied to each row electrode Y1, as shown in FIG. 25(c). Using a similar analysis, the second pulse pattern of the voltage that is applied to each row electrode, X1, X2 and X3, is OFF, OFF and ON, respectively. When compared in sequence the voltage pattern with the ON, ON and OFF sequence of the aforesaid pixel display pattern, all are mismatching. Since the number of mismatches is 3, voltage V3 is applied to the second pulse of column electrode Y1. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, by applying the above described analysis to the third and fourth time intervals, column voltages −V2 and −V2 are applied therein. Thus, a column voltage of −V3, V2, −V2 and −V2 is applied to provide the pixel states as shown in FIG. 26.
In the next time period, the next three row electrodes X4 to X6, are selected by applying selection voltages thereto, as shown in FIG. 25(b). In accordance with the analysis described above, column voltages have the voltage levels that corresponds to the number of mismatches between the ON and OFF display states of the pixels formed at the intersection of the row electrodes X4 to X6 and the column electrode, and the ON and OFF states of pulse patterns of the synthesized voltages. FIG. 25(d) illustrates the resultant voltage waveforms that are applied to the pixels at the intersection of the row electrode X1 and column electrode Y1. That is, the synthesized waveform is resultant of the voltage waveform applied to row electrode X1 and the voltage waveform applied to column electrode Y1.
As indicated above, the method that simultaneously selects a plurality of row electrodes in a group and the selection of each group in sequence, has the advantage of the reducing the drive voltage level.
Referring now to FIG. 27, the relationship between the transmissitivity of a pixel of a liquid crystal display and the applied voltage is shown therein. In a liquid crystal display driven in a conventional manner, after the selection voltage has been applied to a particular pixel, during the period until the next selection voltage is applied to that pixel, the brightness gradually decreases during the time t. This reduces the transmissitivity T in the ON condition and, on the other hand, slightly increase the transmissitivity T in the OFF condition. As shown in FIG. 21, such conventional displays have poor contrast between the ON condition and the OFF condition.
The following is a general discussion regarding the conventional method for simultaneously selecting multiple row electrodes.
A. Requirements
(a) The N number of row electrodes to be displayed are divided up into N/h non-intersecting subgroups.
(b) Each subgroup has h number of address lines.
(c) At a particular time, the display data on each column electrode is composed of an h-bit words, e.g.:dk*h+1, dk*h+2 . . . dk*h+h; dk*h+j=0 or 1Where 0≦k≦(N/h)−1 (k: subgroup)In other words, one column of display data is:                d1, d2 . . . dh . . . Subgroup 0        dh+1, dh+2 . . . dh+h . . . Subgroup 1        dN−h+1, dN−h+2 . . . dN−h+h . . . Subgroup N/h−1        (d) The row-select pattern has 2h cycle and is represented by an h-bit words, e.g.:ak*h+1, ak*h+2 . . . ak*h+h; ak*h+j=0 or 1
B. Guidelines
(1) One subgroup is selected simultaneously for addressing.
(2) One h-bit word is selected as the row-select pattern.
(3) The row-select voltages are:                −Vr for a logic 0,        +Vr for a logic 1,        0 volts or ground for the non selected period.
(4) The row-select patterns and the display data patterns in the selected subgroup are compared bit by bit such as with digital comparators, viz. exclusive OR logic gates.
(5) The number of mismatches i between these two patterns is determined by counting the number of exclusive-OR logic gates having a logical 1 output.
Steps 1–4 are summarized by the following equation:
  i  =            ∑              j        =        1            h                          a                              k            *            h                    +          j                    ⊕                        d                                    k              *              h                        +            j                                                                              (                      0            ≤            i            ≤            h                    )                                    (where ⊕ is an exclusive OR logic operation)
(6) The column voltage is chosen to be V(i) when the number of mismatches is i.
(7) The column voltages for each column in the matrix is determined independently by repeating the steps (4)–(6).
(8) Both the row voltage and column voltage are applied simultaneously to the matrix display for a time duration Δt, where Δt is minimum pulse width.
(9) A new row-select pattern is chosen and the column voltages are determined using steps (4)–(6). The new row and column voltages are applied to the display for an equal duration of time at the end of Δt.
(10) A frame or cycle is completed when all of the subgroups (=N/h) are selected with all the 2h row-select patterns once.1 cycle=Δt·2h·N/h
C. Analysis
The row select patterns in a case in which there are i number of mismatches will now be considered. The number of h-bit row-select patterns which differ from and h-bit display data pattern by i bits is given byhCi=h!/{i! (h−i)!}=Ci
For example, when the case for h=3 and row electrode selection pattern=(0,0,0) is considered, the results would be as shown in the table below:
Mismatching numberDisplay Data patternCii = 0(0, 0, 0)1 wayi = 1(0, 0, 1) (0, 1, 0) (1, 0, 0)3 waysi = 2(1, 1, 0) (1, 0, 1) (0, 1, 1)3 waysi = 3(1, 1, 1,)1 way
These are determined by the number of bits of a word, not the row electrode selection patterns.
If the amplitude Vpixel of the instantaneous voltage that is applied to the pixel had a row voltage of Vrow and column voltage of Vcolumn, the synthesized voltage would be as follows:Vpixel=(Vcolumn−Vrow) or (Vrow−Vcolumn)
Where, if Vrow=±Vr and Vcolumn=V(i), then Vpixel=+Vr−V(i) or −Vr−V(i).
If Vrow=±Vr and Vcolumn=±V(i), then Vpixel=Vr−V(i), Vr+V(i), −Vr−V(i) or −Vr+V(i).
That is:Vpixel=|Vr−V(i)| or |Vr+V(i)|
As a consequence, the specific amplitude to be applied to the pixel is either −(Vr+V(i)) or (Vr−V(i)) in the selection row and is V(i) in the non-selection row.
In general, in order to achieve a high selection ratio, it is desirable that the voltage across a pixel should be as high as possible for an ON pixel and as low as possible for an OFF pixel.
As a result, when a pixel is in the ON state, the voltage |Vr+V(i)| is favorable for the ON pixel, and the voltage |Vr−V(i)| is unfavorable for the ON pixel. On the other hand, when a pixel is in the OFF state, the voltage |Vr−V(i)| is favorable for the OFF pixel, and the voltage |Vr+V(i)| is unfavorable for the OFF pixel.
Here, it is favorable for the ON pixel to increase the effective voltage and unfavorable for the ON pixel to decrease the effective voltage. The number of combinations that selects i units from among the h bits is:Ci=hCi={h!}/{i!(h−i)!}
The total number of mismatches provides the number of unfavorable voltages in the selected rows in a column. The total number of mismatches is i·Ci in Ci row select patterns considered are equally distributed over the h pixels in the selected rows. Hence the number of unfavorable voltages per pixel (Bi) when number of mismatches is i can be obtained as given following;Bi=i·Ci/h(units/pixel)
The number of times a pixel gets a favorable voltage during the Ci time intervals considered is:Ai={(h−i)/h}·Ci
In addition:{(h−i)/h}·Ci+(i/h)·Ci=(h/h)Ci=Ci
Accordingly, the following is obtained:Ai=Ci−Bi={(h−1)!}/{i!·(h−i−1)!}
Where: h≦i+1
To summarize the above:
            V              on                          (          rms          )                      =                  {                              (                          S1              +              S2              +              S3                        )                    /          S4                }                    1        /        2                        V              off                          (          rms          )                      =                  {                              (                          S5              +              S6              +              S3                        )                    /          S4                }                    1        /        2                        S      1        =                  ∑                  i          =          0                h                                                Ai                                      (                                                V                  r                                +                                  V                                                        (                    i                    )                                                              )                                2                                                                    (          favorable          )                                S      2        =                  ∑                  i          =          0                h                                                Bi                                      (                                                V                  r                                -                                  V                                                        (                    i                    )                                                              )                                2                                                                    (          unfavorable          )                                S      3        =                  {                              (                          N              /              h                        )                    -          1                }                                    ∑                      i            =            0                    h                                              (                          Ai              +              Bi                        )                                                        V                                            (                i                )                                      2                                          S      4        =                  2        h            ·              (                  N          /          h                )                        S      5        =                  ∑                  i          =          0                h                                                Ai                                      (                              Vr                -                                  V                                                        (                    i                    )                                                              )                                2                                                                    (          favorable          )                                S      6        =                  ∑                  i          =          0                h                                                Bi                                      (                              Vr                +                                  V                                                        (                    i                    )                                                              )                                2                                                                    (          unfavorable          )
In addition:Vr/Vo=N1/2/h . . . row selection voltageV(i)/V0=(h−2i)/h={1−(2i/h)} . . . column voltage, andR=(Von/Voff)max={(N1/2+1)/(N1/2−1)}1/2
As noted above and as shown in FIG. 27, however, a liquid crystal display driven according to such a method has poor contrast between its ON and OFF states.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 25, in such conventional driving methods, the pulse width applied to the row electrodes and the column electrodes narrows as the number of simultaneously selected row electrodes increases, and this increases the amount of crosstalk due to the distortion of the waveforms. This results in, for example, poor image quality. This problem becomes even more serious, for example, in a case in which gray shade display, which is caused by the pulse width modulation (PWM), takes place.

Drive method, a drive circuit and a display device for liquid crystal cells


The present invention is directed to an arrangement by which the image field of the illumination components and irradiation components of ophthalmic instruments for diagnosis and therapy is improved. In the arrangement according to the invention, one or more diffractive optical elements is/are arranged additionally in the illumination beam path for deliberate shaping of the image plane in the eye to be irradiated. These diffractive optical elements can be located on the surface of other optical elements, swiveled into the illumination beam path, and their wavelength changed by filters. The image plane can be adapted to the spherical contour of the eye so that the projected characters and structures have a uniformly high image quality in the center and in the edge area of the eye. The present invention is applicable for variable illumination for diagnosis and treatment of the eye, in particular for irradiation of the eye lens and other parts of the eye such as the cornea or retina. The arrangement can be used in a great variety of ophthalmic instruments such as fundus cameras, slit lamps, laser scanners, OPMI instruments or surgical microscopes.

a) Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an arrangement by means of which the image field of the illumination components and irradiation components of ophthalmic instruments for diagnosis and therapy is improved. The arrangement is suitable in particular for ophthalmic instruments in which it is important to achieve a uniformly high image quality over broad regions of the eye.
b) Description of the Related Art
This is the case, for example, in slit lamps. A light section is generated in the interior of the eye being examined by means of slit image projection. To ensure an exact evaluation of the section images generated in this way, a sharp imaging of the slit image is required on the visual axis as well as in the edge areas of the eye.
The present arrangement for improving the image field is usable, in principle, wherever a uniformly high image quality must be ensured over a broad area. Other applications apart from ophthalmology include, for example, laser medicine, refractive surgery and irradiation of an optical lens that is changeable by means of light according to Patents WO 00/41650 and WO 01/71411.
In this type of lens comprising a matrix of different plastics, polymerization processes are triggered by irradiation resulting in a change in the refractive index or in the shape of the lens. Intraocular lenses (IOL) of this type can be changed after implantation through directed irradiation in such a way that defective vision can be improved.
In slit lamps such as those described in [1], mechanical/optical elements such as slit diaphragms are used predominantly for generating slit images. It is difficult to achieve the variable, very small slit widths that are required for high optical detail resolution within the optical section. Further, the alignment of the mechanical subassemblies is very complicated and is made even more difficult by the thermal expansion of the subassemblies. It is almost impossible to reproduce exact slit widths. Since the slit image projection entails optical imaging with a physically limited depth of field, the image must always be focused strictly on the point of examination. A section bundle that is focused over the entire extent of the human eye cannot be achieved by the previously known solutions.
DE 198 12 050 A1 describes a method and an arrangement for the illumination in an ophthalmic microscope. A wide variety of light mark geometries is generated by means of optoelectronic components. The light field geometries are projected on the anterior and posterior portions of the eye and are used for general examination of the eye.
DE 199 43 735 A1 describes a method and an arrangement for directed irradiation of an eye by means of light from the visible and/or near infrared wavelength range. The irradiation produces irreversible chemical changes in the eye lens substance resulting in a change in the refractive index and/or in the transmission characteristics for the visible effective radiation so that it is possible to improve defective vision. For successful treatment, the distribution of the refractive power of the eye to be treated must be determined as continuously and completely as possible. The desired refractive power distribution following treatment and the data about the irradiation which is required for this are determined from these values. In this solution, it is disadvantageous that the irradiation can generally only be carried out successively point by point so that the treatment process is time-consuming. Therefore, fixation of the eyeball for the duration of treatment is indispensable.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,404,884; 5,139,022; and 6,275,718 describe methods and arrangements for the illumination of the anterior eye segments in which a laser with a planar configuration is used as light source. These solutions are disadvantageous in that the variability of the light field geometries is limited. Further, the system for receiving the scattered light from the eye has a physically limited depth of field which cannot fully acquire the area over which the sharp laser section image extends.
Reference:
    [1]Rassow, B., et al., "Ophthalmologisch-optische Instrumente [Ophthalmic optical instruments]", 1987, Ferdinand Enke Verlag Stuttgart, pages 99 ff. and 137 ff.
In current ophthalmic instruments, the straight or even oppositely curved image planes of the illumination components and irradiation components have a disadvantageous effect. The structures projected in or on the eye have the required image sharpness at the visual axis only in the center of the image field. In the outer areas and edge areas, the fine structures fan out, become blurred and lose intensity to an appreciable extent. Accordingly, evaluation of the distortion of the structures is made harder or is only possible within a limited area.

Arrangement for improving the image field in ophthalmological appliances


A transparent manhole safety cable shield isolator includes a front enclosure having openable doors positioned therein to gain access to cables behind the shield. The isolator also includes shelving to isolate different tiers of cables thus minimizing the fault blast risk to workers in the manhole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an arrangement to protect utility workers from explosions in manholes by isolating cables from personnel with a transparent structure.
2. Prior Art
Heretofore those of skill in the art have attempted to protect personnel with blankets of various forms and materials. Barrday Guard.RTM. produces a hydro blanket to cover live cables while others are being repaired. The blanket is made of an aramid material which is a carbon type of fiber. The hydro blanket can inhibit a fault blast once it is in place. Similar to the hydro blanket is the ArcSafe.TM. suppression blanket by workrite. The materials used in the ArcSafe.TM. blanket are Kevlar.RTM. and Nomex III.RTM. in thin layers. Thin layers make the blanket light and portable. Moreover, ArcSafe.TM. includes hook & loop fasteners to simplify holding the blanket in place. While being effective in containing most blasts from faults in the cabling, workers utilizing this type of protection are still subject to risks while installing the blankets prior to beginning repair work.
Alternative protection which theoretically protects a worker from electric shock and heat is protective clothing designed particularly for exposure to such hazards. Wearing this type of clothing eliminates the completely unprotected situation of the worker while installing a cover, but is necessarily cumbersome and does not protect the worker from impact and percussion force caused by a blast.
Theoretically a worker could protect himself fairly well by wearing a suit while installing a safety blanket, but a blast while entering or exiting a manhole could still be seriously detrimental to the workers well being. Furthermore, using both a suit and a blanket is impractical and compliance with regulations mandating such a combination of equipment would be unlikely. Therefore a strong need exists for a system which provides safety from blasts and yet allows inspection and repair of utility cables in a manhole. This need is compounded by Occupational Safety and Hazards Administration regulations and the criteria used to determine if a violation has occurred.


A liquid discharging apparatus includes a modulation portion that generates a modulation signal obtained by pulse-modulating a source signal; a switching element that generates an amplification modulation signal obtained by amplifying the modulation signal; a low-pass filter that generates a driving signal by demodulating the amplification modulation signal; a piezoelectric element that is displaced by applying the driving signal; a selection portion that is configured to include a transistor and selects whether or not the driving signal is applied to the piezoelectric element; and a detection portion that detects lowering of a power source voltage supplied to the selection portion. The detection portion performs control for lowering a voltage of the driving signal if lowering of the power source voltage is detected.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a liquid discharging apparatus, a head unit, a capacitive load driving circuit, and a control method of a capacitive load driving circuit.
2. Related Art
In a liquid discharging apparatus, such as an ink jet printer, which discharges ink and prints an image or a document, an apparatus which uses a piezoelectric element (for example, a piezo element) is known. The piezoelectric elements are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of nozzles in a head unit, and each of the piezoelectric elements is driven in accordance with driving signals. Accordingly, a predetermined amount of ink (liquid) is discharged from the nozzle at a predetermined timing, and a dot is formed. Since the piezoelectric element is a capacitive load, such as a capacitor, in terms of electricity, it is necessary to supply sufficient amount of current in order to operate the piezoelectric elements of each nozzle.
For this reason, in the above-described liquid discharging apparatus, the piezoelectric elements are driven as a driving signal which is amplified by an amplifying circuit is supplied to a head unit (ink jet head). An example of the amplifying circuit includes a type which performs current amplification with respect to a source signal before the amplification by using a class-AB amplifier, but since energy efficiency is not excellent, in recent years, a type in which a class-D amplifier is used has been suggested (refer to JP-A-2010-114711).
In the class-D amplifier of JP-A-2010-114711, there has not been a way to cope with a case where abnormality occurs, for example, in a power source voltage and the like.

Liquid discharging apparatus, head unit, capacitive load driving circuit, and control method of capacitive load driving circuit


An amusement article for a domestic animal comprising an outer textile casing defining a shape in the form of a small article which can be carried by a domestic animal, an inner filling, and a microbe-inhibiting agent or property applied to at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling. The toys may be fabricated in various shapes, designs and styles, e.g., animals, bones, hearts, geometric shapes, etc. A process for applying the microbe-inhibiting agent or property to at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling is provided. Application methods include spraying, dipping, brushing, and rolling the microbe-inhibiting agent or property onto at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling.

1. Field of The invention
This invention relates to an amusement article, principally for domestic animals, and more particularly, to an amusement article having a microbe-inhibiting agent or property that substantially inhibits the proliferation of microbes on, within, or around the amusement article. The term "microbe" herein refers broadly to classes of bacteria, viruses, germs, molds, mildews, fungi, allergens, and other microorganisms. An article of the present invention provides both comfort and health benefits to both pets and people involved with the use of such an article.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some conventional amusement articles for pets generally comprise a textile-based outer material and a filler material, e.g., fiberfill, foam, beads, etc. In addition, various types of noisemakers or materials such as catnip have also been associated with amusement articles.
The prior art amusement articles do not include a microbe-inhibiting agent or property, and therefore, do not address the problems that can arise if microbes are allowed to grow or proliferate on, within, or around the articles. A damp environment often encourages the proliferation of microbes. Because it is common for pets, especially dogs, to salivate upon, deposit partially digested food upon, urinate upon, or otherwise soil their amusement articles; and because such articles are generally porous and absorbent, microbial proliferation is especially problematic. The fact that the articles can remain at favorable incubation temperatures (e.g., in a dog's mouth or close to a dog's body while sleeping) further aggravates the problem. These conditions can also make the articles attractive to other pests such as fleas and ticks. Pets using such articles, as well as their owners, can thus be exposed to an increased health hazard. The environment to which such articles are exposed is unique; and the difficulty in designing and developing a product which is efficacious, safe, non-toxic, and economical is not easy to produce. This may explain why amusement articles for pets have not included a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.
Although the exteriors of pet articles can be washed, it is difficult to effectively wash the interior stuffed or filled articles. This is due to the difficulty of diffusing the cleaning agents into and out from the materials which comprise the article. Organic and inorganic nutrients for microbes, as well as microbes themselves, often remain after washing. Accordingly, there is a demand in the pet products industry for amusement articles which are microbe inhibiting in nature, promote good hygiene, are economical to manufacture, and are at the same time usable in their usual manner by the pets.

Amusement articles possessing microbe-inhibiting properties


An authenticated secure network communication link is established between an alert message generating computer 2 and a destination data processing system 6. The alert message sent specifies a risk threat level and a suggested countermeasure amongst other data. The destination computer 6 automatically responds to the alert message as controlled by its local response configuration parameters to trigger security actions of one or more security mechanisms, such as malware scanners, firewall scanners, security policy managers and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of data processing systems. More particularly, this invention relates to the control of security mechanisms, such as, for example, malware scanners, Internet firewalls, email scanners etc.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Security threats to data processing systems are becoming increasingly common and increasingly potentially damaging. Accordingly, it is known to provide one or more security mechanisms for carrying out security actions within data processing systems. Examples of such security mechanisms are malware scanners, email scanners, internet firewalls and the like. To at least some extent these security mechanisms are reactive in the sense that as new security threats emerge these security mechanisms require configuration changes or updates in order to deal with the new security threats. As an example, when a new computer virus is discovered, this may be of a type which is not identified and can evade the existing computer virus scanners. These computer virus scanners need updating with an additional computer virus signature for the newly released computer virus before they can identify and counteract that new computer virus.
A trend within the field of security threats to data processing systems is that such threats to data processing systems can propagate and become serious at an increasingly rapid rate. As an example, computer virus writers may try to specifically design their computer viruses to spread rapidly such that they can cause significant damage before the providers of computer virus scanning programs can react and develop the appropriate necessary updated computer virus signature files and the data processing systems users download and install those new computer virus signatures. A modern mass mailer computer virus may propagate at such a rate that a significant and damaging world-wide outbreak of a computer virus can arise within a matter of a few tens of minutes after the computer virus is first released.
It is known to provide alert messaging to users in the form of emails to inform them of newly arising computer security threats. As an example, a computer virus scanner provider may provide a service for registered users whereby, if they so wish, they will receive notification emails when the computer virus scanner provider becomes aware of a new computer virus outbreak. The user upon reading this email notification can then decide what security measures they wish to take for their own system to deal with the newly arising threat.
A problem with the existing alerting mechanisms is that they require the user to open, read and act upon the alerting email message. This takes a finite amount of time that may be too long to forestall a damaging security breach. Furthermore, computer virus writers are aware of the issue of security counter measure response times and tend to release their computer viruses at times of day when they believe a large number of users will be out of office hours such that security counter measures will not be taken until the following day by which time significant damage will have been caused. Computer viruses may be released during the night-time of the target victim users or perhaps at the start of a holiday weekend for the target victim users.

Alert message control of security mechanisms in data processing systems