A liquid crystal compound having high stability to heat, light and so forth, a high clearing point, a low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large negative dielectric anisotropy, a suitable elastic constant and excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, a liquid crystal composition containing the compound, and a liquid crystal display device including the composition. The compound is represented by formula (1-1):

A liquid crystal display device is widely used for a display of a personal computer, a television and so forth. The device utilizes optical anisotropy, dielectric anisotropy and so forth of a liquid crystal compound. As an operating mode of the liquid crystal display device, a variety of modes are known, such as a phase change (PC) mode, a twisted nematic (TN) mode, a super twisted nematic (STN) mode, a bistable twisted nematic (BTN) mode, an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode, an optically compensated bend (OCB) mode, an in-plane switching (IPS) mode, a vertical alignment (VA) mode, a fringe field switching (FFS) mode and a polymer sustained alignment (PSA) mode.
Among the modes, the IPS mode, the FFS mode and the VA mode are known to improve narrowness of an angle of visibility, which is a disadvantage of operating modes such as the TN mode and the STN mode. In the liquid crystal display device having the mode of the kind, a liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy is mainly used. In order to further improve characteristics of the liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal compound contained in the composition preferably has physical properties described in items (1) to (8) below.                (1) High stability to heat, light and so forth,        (2) a high clearing point,        (3) a low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase,        (4) a small viscosity (η),        (5) a suitable optical anisotropy (Δn),        (6) a large negative dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈),        (7) a suitable elastic constant (K33: bend elastic constant), and        (8) an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds.
An effect of physical properties of the liquid crystal compound on the characteristics of the device is as described below. A compound having a high stability to heat, light and so forth as described in (1) increases a voltage holding ratio of the device. Thus, a service life of the device becomes longer. A compound having a high clearing point as described in (2) extends a temperature range in which the device can be used. A compound having a low minimum temperature of the liquid crystal phase such as a nematic phase and a smectic phase, as described in (3), in particular, a compound having a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, also extends a temperature range in which the device can be used. A compound having a small viscosity as described in (4) decreases a response time of the device.
A compound having a suitable optical anisotropy as described in (5) improves a contrast of the device. In accordance with a design of the device, a compound having a large optical anisotropy or a small optical anisotropy, mare specifically, a compound having a suitable optical anisotropy, is required. When decreasing the response time by decreasing a cell gap of the device, a compound having a large optical anisotropy is suitable. A compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy as described in (6) decreases a threshold voltage of the device. Thus, an electric power consumption of the device is decreased.
With regard to (7), a compound having a large elastic constant decreases a response time of the device. A compound having a small elastic constant decreases the threshold voltage of the device. Therefore, a suitable elastic constant is required according to characteristics that are desirably improved. A compound having an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds as described in (8) is preferred because physical properties of a composition are adjusted by mixing a liquid crystal compound having different physical properties.
A variety of liquid crystal compounds having a negative dielectric anisotropy have so far been prepared (for example, patent literature Nos. 1 to 3). Patent literature No. 1 discloses compound (A). Patent literature No. 2 discloses compound (B) and compound (C). However, the compounds are not fully suitable for a mode of a liquid crystal display device in recent years.

Excellent physical properties that are not found in a conventional compound can be expected from a new compound. The new compound is expected to have a suitable balance between two physical properties required upon preparing a liquid crystal composition. In view of such a situation, development is desired for a compound having excellent physical properties and a suitable balance between the physical properties with regard to (1) to (8) as described above.

Liquid crystal compound having vinyloxy, liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device

Abstract: wherein, for example, R1 is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, alkoxy having 1 to 9 carbons or alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons; R2 is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, alkoxy having 1 to 9 carbons or alkenyl having 3 to 10 carbons; ring A1 is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; ring A2 is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z1 and Z2 are single bonds; L1 and L2 are fluorine; and 1 is 0, 1 or 2.


A radio network controller connected to a first exchange and a second exchange which manage a same location registration area. The radio network controller includes a manager configured to manage a mobile station under control of the radio network controller, in association with the first exchange or the second exchange; a transfer configured to transfer a signal transmitted from the mobile station to the first exchange or the second exchange which is associated with the mobile station; and a monitor configured to monitor state of the first exchange and the second exchange. The transfer is configured to transfer a signal from the mobile station associated with the first exchange, to the second exchange, when the monitor detects inaccessibility to the first exchange.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication method which is performed by a radio network controller, a first exchange and a second exchange which manages one location registration area.
Also, the present invention also relates to a radio network controller which can be used in the mobile communication method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a mobile communication system in which a location registration area is managed by a plurality of exchanges so that processing load in each exchanges can be dispersed is known. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, this type of mobile communication system will be explained.
In this mobile communication system, as shown in FIG. 1A, a radio network controller RNC is connected to a first exchange for a packet switched service (SGSN: serving GPRS support node) #1 and a second exchange for a packet switched service (SGSN) #2, which manage a same location registration area via predetermined interfaces (e.g. Iu-flex interfaces).
When receiving a location registration request from the mobile station UE under the control of the radio network controller RNC, the radio network controller RNC determines an SGSN to which location registration of the mobile station UE is performed, in accordance with the status of load in each SGSNs.
The radio network controller RNC transfers the location registration request from the mobile station UE to the determined SGSN.
In FIG. 1A, the location registration of the mobile station UE #1 is performed to the first SGSN #1, and signals for each type packet switched service are transmitted via the first SGSN #1.
On the other hand, the location registration of the mobile station UE #2, which is located in the same location registration area as the mobile station UE #1, is performed to the second SGSN #2, and signals for each type of packet switched service are transmitted via the second SGSN #2.
However, in the conventional mobile communication system, there has been a problem in that, in the case where congestion or failure occurs in one of a plurality of SGSNs managing the same location registration area, not only mobile stations UE which has performed the location registration to the SGSN but also mobile stations UE which has performed the location registration to other SGSNs fails to transmit signals for each type of packet switched service to the registered SGSNs, that is, those mobile stations UE cannot used the packet switched services in that situation.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1B, in step S1, congestion or failure occurs in the first SGSN #1. In step S2, the first SGSN #1 transmits a state signal to the radio network controller RNC for notifying the occurrence of the congestion or the failure.
In step S3, the radio network controller RNC broadcasts an access restriction signal, which restricts accesses to the packet switched service domain, to the mobile stations UE.
Here, in the conventional mobile communication system, the radio network controller RNC cannot specify the first SGSN #1 where the congestion or the failure occurs in the access restriction signal.
Therefore, in step S4, the mobile station UE #1 stops transmitting signals for each type of packet switched service addressed to the first SGSN #1 in accordance with the received access restriction signal.
In step S5, the mobile station UE #2 also stops transmitting signals for each type of packet switched service addressed to the second SGSN #2 in accordance with the received access restriction signal.

Mobile communication method and radio network controller


An antenna assembly includes a column substrate having a plurality of sides. The column substrate defines a cavity extending from a first end of the column substrate to a second end of the column substrate. The antenna assembly includes a monopole antenna disposed within the cavity. The monopole antenna is configured to communicate over a first frequency band ranging from about 5000 Megahertz to about 5900 Megahertz. The antenna assembly includes a circularly polarized antenna. The circularly polarized antenna includes a plurality of isolated magnetic dipole elements. Each of the isolated magnetic dipole elements is coupled to a different side of the column substrate. The circularly polarized antenna is configured to communicate over a second frequency band and a third frequency band. The second frequency band ranges from about 1560 Megahertz to about 1620 Megahertz. The third frequency band ranges from about 2400 Megahertz to about 2500 Megahertz.

Antenna assemblies can include a circularly polarized antenna. The circularly polarized antenna can include a plurality of isolated magnetic dipole elements. Each of the plurality of isolated magnetic dipole elements can be coupled to a radio frequency (RF) phase shifter circuit. In this manner, a RF signal the RF phase shifter circuit provides to one isolated magnetic dipole element of the circularly polarized antenna can be out-of-phase relative to a RF signal provided to every other isolated magnetic dipole element of the circularly polarized antenna.

Antenna assembly having a monopole antenna and a circularly polarized antenna

KYOCERA AVX Components (San Diego), Inc.


Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing customized “haptic messaging” to users of handheld communication devices in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, a method of providing haptic messaging to a hand communication device includes: associating an input signal with an event; determining a source of the event and selecting the control signal based on the determination; and outputting a control signal to an actuator coupled to the hand communication device. The control signal is configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the event. An event in the above may be a connection event.

As handheld communication devices become part of everyday life, device manufactures and service providers strive to enhance the versatility and performance of such devices.
Handheld communication devices in the art (e.g., mobile phones, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like) typically use auditory and visual cues to alert a user when incoming messages, such as voice calls and emails, are received. Such auditory and visual alerts, however, have the disadvantages of being distracting in some situations (e.g., during driving), or annoying in others (e.g., during a meeting or a concert). Likewise, they are insufficient in other situations such as a noisy environment (e.g., at a pub or in a crowd) or when a call is dropped and the user continues talking without realizing that nobody is still listening.
Although vibratory alerts are made available in some communication devices such as cellular phones, such vibratory effects cannot in accordance with the known prior art be customized or personalized according to applications, and thus are capable of conveying little information to the user. A need, therefore, exists in the art for a new sensory modality that delivers information to users of handheld communication devices in a personalized fashion.
Such sensory modality would help cut through communication clutter by prioritizing, categorizing, or highlighting messages and content as they are received. It would provide mobile phone users with better control over their handset and communications through greater flexibility, accuracy, and speed.
Moreover, engaging the sense of touch would enhance the reality of user experience. Touch unifies the spatial senses; those you use to navigate your way through the world—sight, sound, and touch. Touch produces reflex-rate response in milliseconds and supplies a completeness that sight and sound together can't replace. In short, touch makes an experience truly personal.

Methods and systems for providing haptic messaging to handheld communication devices


A noise shaping quantizer having a first noise shaping quantization unit for applying a first noise shaping operation on an input signal. The first noise shaping quantization unit includes a local quantizer that quantizes the input signal and outputs an output signal; an error accumulator that accumulates at least a part of a value based on the output signal based on at least one of a value based on the input signal and the value based on the output signal, outputs the remaining part, and outputs at least a part of the accumulated value based on the output signal based on at least one of a value based on another input signal and a value based on another output signal at a later clock; an adder to which the output signal and the output of the error accumulator are inputted; a subtractor to which the input signal and the output of the adder are inputted; a delay element to which an output of the subtractor is inputted; and another adder that adds an output of the delay element and an input from external, and outputs the sum to the first local quantizer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a quantizer, and more particularly, relates to a noise shaping quantizer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The quantizer is a major component of any digital signal processing system. Quantization error unavoidably occurs during quantization by the quantizer. Various methods have therefore been used to reduce quantization error, at least in the frequency range of signals of necessary. One method of reducing quantization error is called noise shaping.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi stage noise shaping quantizer 101 having multiple stages of loops as taught in Patent Reference 1 (Japanese Patent Gazette No. 8-2024-B2). Adders 111 and 113, a first local quantizer 115, a limiter 117, a subtractor 119, and a delay element 121 render a main loop 103 in this multi stage noise shaping quantizer 101. The main loop 103 functions as a single integration noise shaping quantizer implementing first-order noise shaping. Another adder 123, a second local quantizer 125, a subtractor 127, and a feedback circuit 129 render a sub-loop 105. The sub-loop 105 functions as a multi-integration noise shaping quantizer implementing first, second, or higher order noise shaping.
Another delay element 131 and a subtractor 133 render a differentiator 107. The differentiator 107 differentiates the output of the sub-loop 105 corresponding to the noise shaping order of the main loop 103. The output of the main loop 103 and the output of the sub-loop 105 differentiated by the differentiator 107 are added by an adder 109 and outputted. Thus, a multi stage noise shaping quantizer is implemented of which noise shaping order is equal to "the noise shaping order of the sub-loop 105 plus 1." The transfer function H(z) of the feedback circuit 129 in this example provides the sub-loop 105 with a second-order or higher noise shaping characteristic. The output of the feedback circuit 129 in the sub-loop 105 is inputted to the adder 113 of the main loop 103. As a result, the output of the feedback circuit 129 is added to the input to the first local quantizer 115 (that is, the output of the adder 111). The multi stage noise shaping quantizer 101 thus can suppress the quantization error inputted to the sub-loop 105 by adding or subtracting a specific value to or from the input to the first local quantizer 115 based on the output of the feedback circuit 129, and thus enables the sub-loop 105 to operate normally. The first local quantizer 115 then performs quantizing operation to the input, which is equal to the output of the adder 111 plus the output of the feedback circuit 129, and outputs the resultant to the limiter 117. The limiter 117 checks the condition of the differentiator 107, and limits the value of the signal outputted from the limiter 117 based on the condition of the differentiator 107.
The magnitude of the quantization error occurred in the main loop 103 is less than or equal to the range of values of signals inputted to the first local quantizer 115 at the clock (clock cycle) when the limiter 117 does not operate. At the clock when the limiter 117 operates, however, the magnitude of the quantization error occurred in the main loop 103 is greater than the quantization error inferred to occur at the clock when the limiter 117 does not operate. Therefore, the value of the signal inputted to the first local quantizer 115 by way of the delay element 121 and the adder 111 at the clocks after the limiter 117 operates increases, and as a consequence, the first local quantizer 115 may overflow.
FIG. 2 describes the relationship between the value range which may be inputted to the first local quantizer 115 and the actual signal examples actually inputted to the first local quantizer 115. How the first local quantizer 115 in the multi stage noise shaping quantizer 101 in FIG. 1 overflows is described with reference to FIG. 2. The input range 151 of values that can be inputted to the first local quantizer 115 includes the input signal portion 163 such as an audio signal, quantization error portion 161, the feedback output portion 159 from the sub-loop 105, and a signal margin portion 157. The signal margin portion 157 is provided to allow for limit error in the operation of the limiter 117. On the other hand, the input signal 165 to the first local quantizer 115 includes the input signal portion 163, the quantization error portion 161, the feedback output portion 159 of the sub-loop 105, and the limit error portion 155. As a result, the actual input signal 165 to the first local quantizer 115 may exceed the input range 151 of the first local quantizer 115, and an overflow portion 153 may result. This overflow portion 153 is also fed back after one clock. The overflow portion 153 that is fed back is then gradually eliminated over a number of clocks.
The likelihood of an overflow occurring can obviously be suppressed by increasing the size of the margin 157. However, the other portions 159, 161, and 163 must be decreased as the signal margin portion 157 is increased. This narrows the bandwidth that can be used for the input signal portion 163. As a result, the dynamic range of the first local quantizer 115 is also reduced.
Patent Reference 1: Japanese patent gazette No. 8-2024-B2
Non-Patent Reference 1: "A 17-bit oversampling D-to-A conversion technology using multistage noise shaping", Matsuya, Yasuyuki et al., IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuit, Vol. 24, No. 4, August, 1989, pp. 969-975

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A waterborne coating composition for metal containers, a method of coating a metal container, and a metal article useful as a food or beverage container are disclosed. The waterborne coating compositions are thermoplastic and self-crosslinkable materials and comprise: (a) an epoxy resin; (b) a water-dispersible acrylic resin; (c) an optional solid filler; (d) a fugitive base; and an aqueous carrier, wherein the waterborne coating composition contains 450 grams or less of volatile organic compounds per kilogram of nonvolatile material.

An aqueous solution in contact with an untreated metal substrate results in corrosion of the untreated metal substrate. Therefore, a metal article, such as a metal container for a water-based product, like a food or beverage, is rendered corrosion resistant in order to retard or eliminate interactions between the water-based product and the metal article. Generally, corrosion resistance is imparted to the metal article, or to a metal substrate in general, by passivating the metal substrate, or by coating the metal substrate with a corrosion-inhibiting coating.
Investigators continually seek improved coating compositions that: (a) have good barrier properties to reduce or eliminate corrosion of a metal article, and (b) do not adversely affect an aqueous product packaged in the metal article. For example, investigators have sought to improve the imperviousness of the coating in order to prevent corrosion-causing ions, oxygen molecules, and water molecules from contacting and interacting with a metal substrate. Imperviousness can be improved by providing a thicker, more flexible, and more adhesive coating, but often, improving one particular advantageous property is achieved at the expense of another advantageous property.
In addition, practical considerations limit the thickness, adhesive properties, and flexibility of a coating applied to a metal substrate. For example, thick coatings are expensive, require a longer cure time, can be esthetically unpleasing, and can adversely affect the process of stamping and molding the coated metal substrate into a useful metal article. Similarly, the coating should be sufficiently flexible such that the continuity of the coating is not destroyed during stamping and molding of the metal substrate into the desired shape of the metal article.
Investigators also have sought coatings that possess chemical resistance in addition to corrosion inhibition. A useful coating for the interior of a metal container must withstand the solvating properties of a product packaged in the metal container. If the coating does not possess sufficient chemical resistance, components of the coating can be extracted into the packaged product and adversely affect the product. Even small amounts of extracted coating components can adversely affect sensitive products, like beer, by imparting an off-taste to the product.
Conventionally, organic solvent-based coating compositions were used to provide cured coatings having excellent chemical resistance. Such solvent-based compositions include ingredients that are inherently water insoluble, and thereby effectively resist the solvating properties of water-based products packaged in the metal container. However, because of environmental and toxicological concerns, and in order to comply with increasingly strict governmental regulations, an increasing number of coating compositions are water based. The water-based coating compositions include ingredients that are water soluble or water dispersible, and, therefore, cured coatings resulting from water-based coating compositions can be more susceptible to the solvating properties of water.
Epoxy-based-coatings and polyvinyl chloride-based coatings have been used to coat the interior of metal containers for foods and beverages because these coatings exhibit an acceptable combination of adhesion to a metal substrate, flexibility, chemical resistance, and corrosion inhibition. However, epoxy-based coatings and polyvinyl chloride-based coatings have serious disadvantages that investigators have not overcome.
Coatings based on polyvinyl chloride or related halide-containing vinyl polymers, like polyvinylidene chloride, possess the above-listed advantageous properties of chemical resistance and corrosion inhibition, and are economical. However, curing a polyvinyl chloride or related halide-containing vinyl polymer can generate toxic monomers, such as vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen. In addition, the disposal of a halide-containing vinyl polymer, such as by incineration, also can generate toxic monomers. The generated vinyl chloride thereby poses a potential danger to workers in metal can manufacturing plants, in food processing and packaging plants, and at disposal sites. Disposal of polyvinyl chloride and related polymers also can produce carcinogenic dioxins and environmentally harmful hydrochloric acid.
Government regulators, therefore, are acting to eliminate the use of polyvinyl chloride-based coating compositions that contact food, and thereby eliminate the environmental and health concerns associated with halide-containing vinyl polymers. Presently, however, polyvinyl chloride-based compositions are still high-volume coatings used to coat the interior of food and beverage containers.
To overcome these environmental concerns, epoxy-based coating compositions have been used to coat the interior of food and beverage containers. However, epoxy-based coatings also possess disadvantages. For example, epoxy-based coating compositions are more expensive than polyvinyl chloride-based coating compositions.
A greater disadvantage of epoxy-based coating compositions is the presence of relatively high amounts of a crosslinking agent, such as a phenolic resin or an aminoplast in the composition. Phenolic resins and aminoplasts typically are condensates of formaldehyde with a phenol, a urea, a melamine, or benzoguanamine. Both types of crosslinking agents include free residual formaldehyde or generate free formaldehyde during cure of the epoxy-based composition. The amount of free formaldehyde often is sufficient to adversely affect the taste of various products packaged in a container coated with a cured epoxy-based composition. For example, a product such as beer is very sensitive to low concentrations of free formaldehyde, and taste of the beer is adversely affected. In addition, free formaldehyde poses a health hazard in the work place. Presently, strict exposure limits are set to protect workers from exposure to formaldehyde.
Various patents and publications disclose waterborne coating compositions for metal cans. In general, prior patents disclose coating compositions including waterborne thermoset resins for use as can coatings. The thermoset resins are formulated with a crosslinking agent to provide crosslinked films during cure, as demonstrated by the resistance of the cured coating to the effects of organic solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone. These waterborne resins include significant amounts of organic solvents, i.e., have a high VOC. The organic solvents often are essential to help emulsify the thermoset resin and to improve emulsion stability. The presence of organic solvents in a coating composition also improve film coalescence, film flow-out, and substrate wetting.
Waterborne phenoxy resins having a low VOC have been disclosed. These waterborne phenoxy resins are high molecular weight thermoplastic resins that are difficult to process and are too expensive for practical commercial use. In addition, because these phenoxy resins are thermoplastic resins, cured coatings derived therefrom are not resistant to organic solvents, although the cured coatings often provide sufficient barrier properties to water-based compositions for use as can coatings.
Investigators, therefore, have sought a waterborne coating composition for the interior of food and beverage containers that retains the advantageous properties of adhesion, flexibility, chemical resistance, and corrosion inhibition, and that is economical and does not adversely affect the taste or other esthetic properties of sensitive food and beverages packaged in the container. Investigators especially have sought a waterborne coating composition that demonstrates these advantageous properties and also reduces the environmental and toxicological concerns associated with organic solvents.
Investigators prefer a thermosetting coating composition because such compositions are easier to handle, require a lower VOC, and provide better chemical resistance than thermoplastic coating compositions. A thermosetting coating composition, however, typically requires the presence of a crosslinking agent in order to provide a cured coating having a sufficient molecular weight. Generally, the crosslinking agent is a phenolic resin, an aminoplast or a similar resin. Therefore, investigators have sought a low VOC coating composition for food and beverage containers (1) that meets increasingly strict environmental regulations, i.e., has a low VOC and is free of a formaldehyde-containing crosslinking agent, and (2) has corrosion inhibition properties at least equal to existing organic solvent-based or high VOC coating compositions. Such a waterborne coating composition would satisfy a long felt need in the art.
A present waterborne coating composition comprises an epoxy resin, a water-dispersible acrylic resin, an optional solid filler, and a fugitive base. A present waterborne coating composition is self-crosslinkable, and, therefore, is free of a crosslinking agent, like a phenolic resin or an aminoplast. Accordingly, the waterborne coating compositions can be used as a can coating composition for taste-sensitive products, like beer. A present waterborne coating composition contains 450 g or less VOC/kg NVM, yet demonstrates excellent storage stability, composition flow out, substrate wetting, and cured coating properties, such as adhesion, hardness and flexibility.
A waterborne coating composition of the present invention has a very low VOC, and substantially overcomes the environmental and toxicological problems associated with an organic solvent-based coating composition or a high VOC coating composition (i.e., a composition containing greater than 450 g VOC/kg NVM). A present waterborne coating composition also is free of a crosslinking agent, like a phenolic resin or an aminoplast, thereby eliminating the environmental and toxicological concerns associated with formaldehyde, and eliminating an ingredient that can adversely affect the taste of a food or beverage that contacts the cured coating composition.
Prior investigators have studied waterborne epoxy resin-based compositions for application to metal substrates. Many of these investigators sought epoxy resin-based aqueous compositions that provide a sufficiently flexible cured coating such that the coated metal substrate can be deformed without destroying film continuity. Often, conventional epoxy resins provide a rigid cured film thereby making it difficult to impossible to coat the metal substrate prior to deforming, i.e., shaping, the metal substrate into a metal article, like a metal can. Coating a metal substrate prior to shaping the metal substrate is the present standard industrial practice.
For example, Johnson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,553 discloses an aqueous coating composition comprising a carboxyl-bearing phenoxy resin and a resin that is soft in comparison to the phenoxy resin, like a polyester. The carboxyl-bearing phenoxy resin is prepared by grafting ethylenically unsaturated monomers to the phenoxy resin. The coating composition provides flexible cured coatings. Fan U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,355,122 and 4,374,875 disclose a waterborne phenoxy composition wherein an ethylenically unsaturated monomer including a carboxyl group is grafted onto a phenoxy resin by standard free radical polymerization techniques, then the carboxyl groups are neutralized by a base.
Chu et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,258 discloses an aqueous coating composition comprising: (1) the neutralized reaction product of an epoxy resin with a preformed addition polymer containing carboxyl groups, and (2) an acrylic or vinyl polymer, which is prepared either in situ or added to the composition, and which is different from the preformed addition polymer. Evans et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,212,781 and 4,308,185 disclose grafting an acrylic monomer or monomer blend to an epoxy resin to provide a polymeric blend including unreacted epoxy resin, an acrylic resin and a graft polymer of the acrylic resin and epoxy resin. Steinmetz U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,373 discloses a waterborne coating composition consisting essentially of the neutralized reaction product of a modified polyepoxide (e.g., an ester or ether) and a carboxyl-functional polymer.
Patel U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,602 discloses aqueous coating compositions including an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a phenoxy resin, a novolac resin, and a resol resin. Wu U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,943,187 and 3,997,694 disclose coating compositions consisting essentially of a blend of an acrylic polymer having hard and soft segments and an epoxy resin. Wu U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,396 discloses an aqueous coating composition containing an acrylic polymer having at least two reactive sites per chain and an epoxy resin having an epoxy group in combination with at least one hydroxyl or epoxy group. Salensky U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,038 discloses modified phenoxy resins wherein anhydrides or polycarboxylic acids are grafted onto a phenoxy resin. Morinaga et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,132 discloses a coating composition for a metal can comprising: (1) fine particles of a polyester resin including terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid, and (2) a surfactant.
Other patents disclosing coating compositions including an epoxy resin and an acrylic resin include Matthews et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,439; Parekh et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,625; McCarty U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,923; Ting et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,058; Brown et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,813; and Vasta U.S. Pat. No. 3,338,860.
Publications disclosing a water-based coating compositions including an epoxy resin and an acrylic resin are:
J. T. K. Woo et al., "Synthesis and Characterization of Water-Reducible Graft Epoxy Copolymers," J. Coat. Tech., 54 (1982), pp. 41-55; and
R. N. Johnson et al., "Water-Borne Phenoxy Resins Low VOC Coatings with Excellent Toughness, Flexibility and Adhesion," presented at the Water-Borne and Higher-Solid Coatings Symposium, Feb. 3-5, 1988 in New Orleans, La.
Although the above-identified patents and publications disclose coating compositions for the interior of a food or beverage container, the patents and publications do not disclose a self-crosslinkable, low VOC waterborne coating composition that is free of a phenolic or an aminoplast crosslinking agent, and which, after curing, demonstrates: (1) excellent flexibility; (2) excellent adhesion; (3) excellent chemical resistance and corrosion inhibition; and (4) reduced environmental and toxicological concerns.
As an added advantage, it is envisioned that a present waterborne coating composition can be used both on can ends and on can bodies, thereby obviating the use of two different coating compositions by container manufacturers. Furthermore, a present waterborne coating composition exhibits sufficient clarity, hardness, and mar resistance after curing for use as a coating on the exterior of a metal container. Accordingly, because of improved chemical and physical properties, and because of the wide range of cure temperatures, a waterborne coating composition of the present invention has a more universal range of applications, such as for the interior coating of a metal container for food or beverage products or for the exterior coating of a metal container; overcomes the environmental and toxicological concerns associated with a solvent-based or a high VOC coating composition; and overcomes disadvantages, such as adversely affecting the taste of a beverage, presented by prior epoxy-based coatings that contained a phenolic resin or an aminoplast crosslinking agent.

Waterborne coating compositions for metal containers


A method and system for providing product information, which can retrieve an advertising shopping mall that has suggested a bidding price for an upper display area, and can sort product information of the retrieved advertising shopping mall according to a predetermined standard, and display the sorted product information in the upper display area and also can sort product information according to various types of standards, such as a popularity, a sales volume, and the like, and display the sorted product information in a remaining area excluding the upper display area, when sorting and displaying product information on a product search result page.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for providing product information in a shopping product search service. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for providing product information, which can receive a bidding price to purchase an advertising item from a plurality of shopping malls, sort product information of a plurality of advertising shopping malls that has successfully purchased the advertising item according to the received bidding price, and display the sorted product information on a product search result page.
2. Description of Related Art
As many users use the Internet due to developments of information communication, and a use rate of the Internet increases, various types of Internet services are being provided. Thus, Internet users may utilize various types of online services, such as shopping, games, movies, music, and the like. Specifically, since online shopping helps users to purchase a product without restriction to a time and a location, while not visiting a store in person, a great number of Internet users are using Internet shopping.
Also, as Internet shopping users increase, shopping mall relay systems for providing information about products of a plurality of shopping malls also increase. As described above, due to developments of online shopping systems, different types of products that are being sold or managed in shopping malls or shopping mall relay systems also geometrically increase. Thus, methods of providing a user with product information are being diversified.
In the conventional online shopping mall or shopping mall relay system, when a user desires to purchase a product, the user must search through products and check product information until a desired product is found.
Specifically, unlike offline shopping, in online shopping, a user may not acquire information about a product from a seller, for example, information about a brand new product or a hot item. Thus, the user may not acquire very helpful information to purchase a desired product.
To overcome the above-described disadvantages, recently, an online shopping mall or a shopping mall relay system sorts and provides product information in an order of a latest product, a hot item, and the like. As an example, when a user enters "dress pants", the online shopping mall or the shopping mall relay system may determine a display order of the retrieved "dress pants" and provide the user with the retrieved "dress pants" according to the determined display order. However, in this case, since hot items are retrieved based on only a sales volume, it may not satisfy an advertiser who desires to advertise "dress pants". Also, when determining only advertising, paid with a certain amount of money, as a hot item, product information satisfying the user's desire may not be provided to the user.
Thus, a new technology which can retrieve an advertising shopping mall that has suggested a bidding price for an upper display area, and can sort product information of the retrieved advertising shopping mall according to a predetermined standard, and display the sorted product information in the upper display area and also can sort product information according to various types of standards, such as a popularity, a sales volume, and the like, and display the sorted product information in a remaining area excluding the upper display area, when sorting and displaying product information on a product search result page, is required.
Also, when a shopping search service retrieves only advertising, paid with a certain amount of advertising fee, to provide product information, the product information desired by the user may not be appropriately provided to the user.
Also, when the shopping search service unconditionally provides product information of an advertising shopping mall that has paid a certain amount of advertising fee, while not reflecting a reliability about product information of the advertising shopping mall, the reliability about the product search service may be deteriorated.
Also, when the shopping search service provides product information according to a search keyword, and in this status, unconditionally provides product information of a plurality of advertising shopping malls that has paid a certain amount of advertising fee without considering an accuracy about a search result, the accuracy of the product search service may be decreased.
Thus, a new technology which can retrieve an advertising shopping mall that has suggested a bidding price for an upper display area, and can sort product information of the advertising shopping mall according to a predetermined standard, and display the sorted product information in the upper display area, when sorting and displaying product information on a product search result page, is required.

Method and system for providing commodity information in shopping commodity searching service


An antireflection article of manufacture has host material and a nanoparticulate filler dispersed in the host material to form an optically modified material. The optically modified material is coated with a quarter wave coating to form an antireflection article having zero percent reflection.

The invention relates generally to antireflection articles of manufacture. More particularly, the invention concerns polymeric materials modified with nanoparticulate fillers resulting in an improved optical performance.
The use of coatings to reduce the reflection from optical surfaces, such as ophthalmic lenses, is well known in the industry. Quarter wave coatings are known as the simplest and lowest cost option for reducing reflection since only a single layer is required. The term xe2x80x9cquarter wavexe2x80x9d applies to the optical thickness of the coating relative to the wavelength of light of interest as shown in Equation 1.
n2t=xcex/4xe2x80x83xe2x80x83Equation 1
The reflection (%) that occurs when light is incident on a quarter wave coated optical surface is given by the equation:
Reflection (%)=100(n22xe2x88x92n0n)2/(n22+n0n)2 is zero;xe2x80x83xe2x80x83Equation 2
Where n0 is the index of refraction for the ambient air; n2 is the index of refraction of the quarter wave coating material; n is the index of refraction of the optical material; t is the thickness of the coating and xcex is the wavelength of light of interest.
Optical plastics, such as polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate and polystyrene, typically have refractive indices of 1.451-1.62. When combined with a quarter wave antireflection coating, such as magnesium fluoride that has an index of refraction of 1.37, the reflection is 1.2%. Considering that magnesium fluoride has the lowest index of refraction of all the optical coatings typically used, this combination represents the best that can be obtained with a quarter wave coating. To obtain lower levels of reflection, more expensive multilayer antireflection coatings are required. Consequently, antireflection coatings are either not used with plastic optics and the optical performance suffers, or multilayer coatings are used and the cost of coating becomes the dominant cost of the plastic optic.
However, an examination of Equation 2 shows there exists an opportunity to obtain zero reflection exists n22=n0n. This condition is satisfied for a magnesium fluoride coated optic if the refractive index of the plastic can be increased to approximately 1.9.
Nanoparticulate fillers have been used to increase the index of refraction of plastics. By using a filler small enough that it is well below the wavelength of visible light (400-700 nm), the filler will not scatter the light and the filled plastic can retain its transparency. High refractive index powders are available in nm particle sizes that are well below the wavelength of visible light. Dispersing high refractive index nanopowders into optical plastics at specific loadings will enable the index of the plastic to be increased to 1.9 so that the magnesium fluoride coated optical article produced will have zero reflection at a given wavelength.
There have been numerous attempts in the prior art to make antireflection coatings. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,485, titled xe2x80x9cMulti-Layer Anti-Reflection Coatings Using Intermediate Layers Having Monotonically Graded Refractive Indexxe2x80x9d by Fawcett, et al., Dec. 19, 1972, discloses a series of quarter wave coatings to produce a broadband antireflection coating. While this coating structure provides excellent antireflection properties, the need for multiple layers makes the overall cost very high for a plastic lens.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,581, titled xe2x80x9cMethod For The Production Of Anti-Reflection Coatings On Optical Elements Made Of Transparent Organic Polymersxe2x80x9d by Dobler et al., Oct. 5, 1976, a method is disclosed for applying antireflection coatings to plastic optical elements without thermal treatment. While the method disclosed does improve the manufacturing process for applying antireflection coatings to plastic optics, it does not improve the performance of the antireflection coatings themselves.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,183, titled xe2x80x9cProcess For The Surface Treatment Of A Synthetic Resin Lens And The Product Thereofxe2x80x9d by Fujiwara et al., Dec. 2, 1980, a process is disclosed for treating the surface of a plastic lens to improve the adhesion and durability of antireflection coatings such as magnesium fluoride. This patent does not discuss methods for improving the performance of the antireflection coating.
Further, PCT Application No. WO97/10527, titled xe2x80x9cStructured Index Optics And Ophthalmic Lenses For Vision Correctionxe2x80x9d by Toeppen, Filed Sep. 10, 1996, discloses the use of nanoparticles in ophthalmic lenses to increase the refractive index of the lens material such that the thickness of the ophthalmic lens can be reduced. While this patent does discloses the use of nanoparticles to modify the refractive index of plastics, it does not disclose the modification of refractive index of plastics to improve the performance of antireflection coatings. Likewise, the concept of increasing the refractive index of the plastic to a specific value as dictated by a quarter wave antireflective coating to deliver zero reflection at a specified wavelength is not disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,522, titled xe2x80x9cComposite Adhesive For Optical And Opto-Electronic Applicationsxe2x80x9d by Schmidt et al., Jun. 8, 1999, the use of nanoparticles in an optical adhesive to improve the thermal stability of the adhesive is disclosed. The use of the nanoparticles in the lens material to effect reflection is not discussed.
Finally, in PCT Application No. WO009446A1, titled xe2x80x9cCompositions For Forming Transparent Conductive Nanoparticle Coatings And Process Of Preparation Thereforxe2x80x9d by Aikens, et al., Filed Aug. 16, 1999, the incorporation of nanoparticles into a coating to form a transparent conductive coating is disclosed. Antireflection attributes of the coating are not discussed.
Therefore, a need persists in the art for a method of making an antireflection article of manufacture having zero percent reflection enabling improved optical performances.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing antireflection articles having zero percent optical reflection at a specified wavelength.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing optically modified materials having a nanoparticulate dispersion for improved optical performance.
It is a feature of the present invention to disperse a nanoparticulate filler into a host material and coat the resulting product with an antireflection coating which produces a surface with zero percent optical reflection.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, an antireflection article of manufacture comprises a polymeric host material, a nanoparticulate filler dispersed in said polymeric host material forming an optically modified material and a quarter wave coating layer coated on said optically modified material to form said antireflection article having a percent reflection of zero as defined by the equation
Reflection (%)=100(n22xe2x88x92n0n)2/(n22+n0n1)2=0;
Wherein n0 is the index of refraction for ambient air; n2 is the index of refraction of said quarter wave coating layer; and, n1 is the index of refraction of said optically modified material.
The present invention has numerous advantages over prior art developments, including: articles made with the optically modified materials of the invention cost considerably less to coat while having far superior optical properties; the index of refraction of the host material can be readily modified resulting in less complex optical system designs and substantial cost reductions of the overall optical system; and, high loadings of nanofillers could improve adhesion and durability of optical coatings in general.


An apparatus for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and wireless smart card is provided. The apparatus includes a mode detection circuit, a switching block, a controller, an antenna, and a wired interface. Furthermore, an apparatus for a triple-mode smart card is also provided herein. The apparatus for the triple mode smart card includes a mode detection circuit, a switching block, a controller, an antenna, and a wired interface. The apparatus for the triple mode smart card operates in one of a wireless mode, a USB mode and an International Standards Organization 7816 mode or other wired mode. Furthermore, the apparatus for any of these smart cards could operate in both the wireless and wired mode(s) without conflict, and without switching power off and on to change configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to smart card ("SC") devices, and in particular but not exclusively, relates to a smart card device supporting both wireless and wired modes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Smart cards are plastic cards having an embedded integrated circuit ("IC"). That IC may be a logic circuit with its associated memories, a controller with its associated memories and software, or other type of intelligence. The IC of an SC is typically coupled to external pads, which allow the SC to communicate or perform transactions with external devices using some type of protocol. These external devices can include an SC reader, a host personal computer ("PC"), SC adapters and connectors, and the like.
The mechanical and electrical specifications of SCs are published by the International Standard Organization ("ISO") and other organizations. For instance, the ISO 7816 protocol supports "wired" or "contact modes" for SCs. In the contact mode, the SC physically contacts with the SC reader such that both the SC and SC reader can communicate with each other. The ISO 7816 protocol uses a smart card that has external pads including at least a voltage supply pad ("VCC"), a ground pad ("GND"), a reset pad ("RST"), a clock pad ("CLK"), and an input/output pad ("I/O"). This ISO 7816 protocol is characterized by an answer-to reset (ATR) sequence when a power-on process or reset is applied in the smart card.
On the other hand, "wireless" or "contact-less" SC standards cover a variety of protocol types such as ISO 10536 (Close-coupled cards), ISO 14443 (Proximity cards), and ISO 15693 (Vicinity cards). Based on these contact-less standards, the contact-less SC and contact-less SC reader communicate with each other without physical connection by placing the SC closely to the SC reader. There is a small loop or antenna inside the contact-less SC, which makes electromagnetic induction contact with the SC reader. After the contact-less SC is placed closely to the contact-less SC reader, the contact-less SC will be activated by the electromagnetic field emitted from the SC reader.
In some implementations, the SC is used with the SC reader connected to the host computer through a USB cable. The USB standard has become firmly established and has gained wide acceptance in the PC marketplace. The USB standard was developed in response to a need for a standard interface that extends the concept of "plug and play" to devices external to a PC. It has enabled users to install and remove peripheral devices external to the PC without having to open the PC case or to remove power from the PC (e.g., without having to "reboot"). The USB standard provides a low-cost, high-performance serial interface that is easy to use and readily expandable, and is supported by an increasing number of SCs that are available in the marketplace. Based on the USB standard, the USB cable connected between the USB device and the host computer includes a voltage supply wire ("VBUS"), a ground wire ("GND"), a D-minus wire ("D−"), and a D-plus wire ("D+").
A single mode smart card can separately support only one of a contact protocol (e.g., ISO 7816), contact-less protocol (e.g., ISO 14443), or the USB standard protocol. Furthermore, a dual mode smart card has the possibility to switch from an ISO 7816 protocol to a USB protocol or vice versa (such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,464, assigned to the same assignee as the present application and incorporated by reference herein). The configuration of the smart card is chosen at power-on-reset depending on a hardware mode selection. A contact/contact-less dual mode smart card can operate in ISO 7816 mode or in ISO 14443 mode. Although there is a dual mode smart card available, such as the smart card supporting the USB protocol and the ISO 7816 protocol, or supporting the ISO 14443 protocol and ISO 7816 on the same chip, such kinds of smart cards can support only one mode at a time and not two modes simultaneously, and typically require turning power to the smart card on or off.

Method and apparatus for a USB and contactless smart card device


A laser surface treatment for reducing reflection loss on the surface of an optical material is provided. A metal film is formed on the surface of the optical material, and then the metal film is removed from the optical material by irradiation of an ultra-intense short-pulse laser beam having a pulse width of 1 femtosecond to 100 picoseconds, so that a fine periodic structure is formed on the surface of the optical material exposed by the removal of the metal film. The obtained fine periodic structure has asperities with a periodic interval of preferably 50 to 1000 nm, which can be controlled by changing the laser energy density.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser surface treatment using an ultra-intense short-pulse laser beam, and particularly for forming a fine periodic structure, which is effective to reduce reflection loss on the surface of an optical material.
2. Disclosure of the Prior Art
As a technique of forming a fine periodic structure on a surface of transparent substrate by use of a laser beam, for example, Japanese Patent Early Publication [KOKAI] 2003-57422 discloses a method of forming a periodic microstructure by irradiation of femtosecond-pulse laser beams. This method is essential to use two femtosecond-pulse laser beams interfered with each other, which are irradiated to a substrate to form a hologram diffraction grating on the substrate. The obtained diffraction grating has a periodic structure with a minimum average size of 5 to 200 nm. In this case, however, there is an inconvenience that the positional adjustment of an optical system must be performed with high accuracy such that the two femtosecond-pulse laser beams are interfered to each other. In addition, there is a problem that a large area treatment is difficult because of using the interference phenomenon.
By the way, when light propagating in an optical medium having a refraction index is incident on another optical medium having a different refraction index, reflection loss is generally caused at the interface between these optical mediums. The reflection loss increases as a difference of refraction index between the optical mediums becomes larger. In addition, under the condition that the light is incident on the optical medium having a small refraction index from another optical medium having a large refraction index, when the incident angle exceeds a threshold value (total reflection angle), total reflection occurs, so that the light can not propagate into the optical medium having the small refraction index. For example, under the condition that the light propagates from sapphire having the refraction index of 7.7 to the air having the refraction index of 1, when the incident angle is at right angle, the reflection loss is 7.7%. On the other hand, when the incident angle exceeds 34.4 degrees, the total reflection occurs. Thus, it is a subject to be solved to reduce the reflection loss in optical members using the optical transparency.


Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved shallow trench isolation structure and method of fabrication. The shallow trench isolation cavity includes an upper region having a sigma cavity shape, and a lower region having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The lower region is filled with a first material having good gap fill properties. The sigma cavity is filled with a second material having good stress-inducing properties. In some embodiments, source/drain stressor cavities may be eliminated, with the stress provided by the shallow trench isolation structure. In other embodiments, the stress from the shallow trench isolation structure may be used to complement or counteract stress from a source/drain stressor region of an adjacent transistor. This enables precise tuning of channel stress to achieve a desired carrier mobility for a transistor.

Transistors are commonly used in the integrated circuits (ICs). Today's transistors with scaled critical dimensions (CD) demand higher carrier mobility for device performance. To improve carrier mobility (e.g., electrons or holes), strain engineering has been applied since the 90 nm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) node. Generally, inducing a tensile strain in the channel of n-type transistors improves electron mobility while a compressive strain in the channel of p-type transistors improves hole mobility. Various techniques have been proposed to induce the desired stress in the channel region of transistors. As transistors are scaled to smaller dimensions, there is a need for higher carrier mobility for switching speeds. Thus, stress/strain engineering has become increasingly important in recent years. It is therefore desirable to have improvements in the inducement and control of stressors for transistors.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Shallow trench isolation structure with sigma cavity


This invention is directed to a security system for wireless access points which includes a clamp assembly and a locking device. The clamp assembly is clamped around I/O panel connectors, and then secured to the access point enclosure frame via a metal capture plate. The metal capture plate extends from an end of the clamp assembly and engages the lower half of the access point enclosure frame, securing the clamp assembly to the access point. Additionally, the locking device locks the clamp assembly halves in a closed position, thus preventing removal of the access point and blocking any unauthorized users from accessing the I/O ports.

This invention is directed to physical security systems for wireless access points. More particularly, this invention is directed to a physical security system for wireless access points which is comprised of a clamp assembly and a locking device.
Users of wireless access points are concerned about the physical security of distributed access points throughout their facilities. These security concerns include theft of the access points and hacking into the user's network via unauthorized access to the access point's I/O panel connectors, such as the Ethernet, fiber and/or console port connectors.
To address these security problems, access point users are placing the access points in metal security boxes to secure the access points. However, this solution results in other problems, such as degradation of the thermal design due to excessive heating of the access point which leads to lowered reliability, early product failure, and high warranty return costs. This solution also causes degradation and compromise of the electrical, electromagnetic compatibility, and regulatory certification of the access point. Further, it leads to destruction of the branding and esthetic design of the access point's standard enclosure as the brand name and design are hidden inside the metal box. In addition, the access point's visual indicators, such as the status indicators and the Ethernet indicators are hidden from the user. Furthermore, the installation of the security boxes is expensive and time consuming.
There is a need for a security system for wireless access points which overcomes these limitations.

System for physically securing an access point and preventing the removal of associated connectors


A software use method control system including a storage device and an access controller. The storage device stores information for designating a right to access system resources of operating systems which are to be executed in the software use method control system. The access controller controls access to the system resources of the operating systems. The system also includes a privilege protecting section. The privilege protecting section includes an input receiver for receiving an execution request made by a software user, a program-executing device for executing a program having a right to access all system resources of the operating systems, and a program-execution inhibiting device for determining whether the program-executing device is allowed to executed the program, from the execution request which the input receiver has received, and for inhibiting the program executing device from executing the programs when the programs are not allowed to be executed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a software use method control system for controlling a method of using software.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, personal computers (hereinafter abbreviated as "PCs") have become increasingly used. In accordance with this trend, more and more software items, such as electronic books and digital video movies, have become increasingly accessible through PCs, in addition to video games and business-related software. Furthermore, software items prepared by individuals are distributed in increasing numbers.
In view of this trend it is essential to protect copyrights pertaining to software items. Various methods have been devised to prevent illegal use of software.
One of the copyright-protecting methods is to employ a system architecture called "super-current architecture." Super-current architecture is a system which is designed to levy charges on the use of software, to give permission to use software upon payment of the charges, and to determine whether or not to permit the use of software in accordance with various conditions under which the software will be utilized.
Owners of software may use any data item contained in the software as a reference, may revise or edit the software in part or wholly, may copy and distribute the software in part or wholly--only in the specific manner which the copyright owner has designated. A software use method control system has yet to be developed, however, which can prohibit the software owners from exploiting the software in any manner other than the designated manners.
Such a software use method control system may be provided in the form of a special operating system (abbreviated as "OS") or a program that can be executed on an OS. It is difficult to devise a control system of this type, simply because software can be used in countless ways, whatever kind it is. For the copyright owner it is impossible to predict every way in which the software owners may exploit the software, in an effort to design a software use method control system which can prohibit the software owners from exploiting the software in any possible manner other than those designated by the copyright owner.
The copyright owner may revise the software use method control system every time he or she thinks of new ways in which the software owners may utilize the software but which are prohibited by the copyright owner. For the copyright owner it is difficult to modify the control system so often since a great cost is required to do so. Even if the copyright owner can afford to and does modify the software use method control system as frequently as needed, there are problems on the part of the copyright owner.
A variety of OSs have been developed for use in PCs which are now used in increasing numbers. Each of these OSs can be applied to many different programs, each reflecting the originality of the programmer. Therefore, a plurality of OSs, for example a first OS and a second OS, can be executed on the same PC which is designed to execute a particular software use method control system. The PC user has access to system resources of either OS. Thus, he or she can get a system resource from the second OS, though unable to obtain the identical protected system resource from the first OS. In other words, the PC user can illegally acquire a system resource from the second OS, which is protected in the first OS. Further, the PC user can acquire any protected system resource of the first OS from the second OS, can modify the protected system resource and can, thereafter, make unauthorized access to the protected resource of the first OS. Still further, malfunction of the first OS, if it occurs, destroys the protected system resource which corresponds to any system resource of the second OS.
A PC user may use any existing OS, thereby acquiring the right to access the system resources of the OS. Then, he or she can gain unauthorized access to any system resource, not only one not protected, but also one protected by a software use method control system. Also he or she can achieve unauthorized access to the protected system resources corresponding to all programs being executed on the OS, by making use of the right to access the system resources of the OS.
In order to operate a software use method control system of the above-described type on a programmable system such as a PC, it is necessary to protect system resources from unauthorized access. In the existing OS circumstances, however, it is impossible to protect system resources though they should be protected by means of a software use method control system.
To develop a software use method control system in the form of a special OS, it is necessary to develop novel circumstances in which to prepare and use software. The cost of developing the control system is huge. In addition, it is very hard to attract PC users to the newly developed OS, away from an existing OS, if any, which is predominant on the market.
Instead of attempting to develop a full-scale software use method control system, an OS of minimum scale, having a structure of a software use method control system, may first be designed and used to control an existing OS, thereby to utilize the features of the existing OS in which to prepare and use software. To utilize the existing OS features, some program items must be transplanted to the existing OS. Here arises a problem. The copyright owner of the existing OS may not permit the software use method control system developer to transplant the program. If the owner permits the control system developer to do so, he or she will likely demand a huge royalty of the control system developer.
The problems with the conventional software use method control systems, which have been discussed, can be summarized as follows:
(1) The software use method control system cannot prohibit software owners from exploiting the software in any manner other than those designated by the owner of the copyright to the software.
(2) Since software can be used in countless ways which can hardly be predicted, a software use method control system can hardly be designed which can prohibit the use of software in every possible way other than that which the copyright owner has designated. The copyright owner may revise the control system every time he or she thinks of new ways in which software owners may exploit the software illegally, but cannot afford to revise the control system so often since a great cost is required to do so.
(3) To operate the software use method control system of the above-described type on a programmable system such as a PC, the system resources must be protected from unauthorized access. The system resources of the control system cannot be protected in S the existing OS circumstances, however. They cannot be protected in the ordinary multi-OS circumstances, either.
(4) The software use method control system may be developed in the form of a special OS. In this case, novel circumstances in which to prepare and use software need to be developed, as well. The cost of developing the control system is inevitably huge.
(5) An OS of minimum scale, having a structure of a software use method control system may first be designed and used to control the conventional OS, thereby to utilize the circumstances of the existing OS in which to prepare and use software. To utilize the existing OS circumstances, some program items must be transplanted to the existing OS. However, the copyright owner of the existing OS is likely not to permit the program transplantation. If the owner permits the program transplantation, a huge royalty must be paid to the copyright owner.


The disclosure relates to an electronic device, method for controlling cell density in a wireless communication system and a non-transitory computer readable medium. The electronic device includes a circuitry configured to determine a target density of cells and a target energy efficiency based on current network status. The circuitry is further configured to control adjusting operating states of a plurality of cells to fit the target density of cells. A current density of cells of the plurality of cells is different with the target density of cells.

Recently, the sustainable development strategy based on green energy conservation technology has become a general consensus of national governments, business circles and academia. While the growing communication technology brings convenience for people's life, the proportion of carbon component to the global greenhouse gas emission is not small due to the power consumption of the core network apparatus, the access network apparatus and the terminal for supporting communication, where the power consumption of the base station takes 60% to 70% of that of the whole communication system. It is desirable to reduce the power consumption of the communication system from the view of energy saving. On the other hand, the power consumption should not be reduced at the expense of a significant reduction in the user communication quality. Therefore, it becomes a key problem how to improve the energy efficiency of the base station apparatus. The cell density, as a key indicator for the network planning, has a vital effect on the energy efficiency of the whole communication system.

Apparatus and method for controlling cell density, cell controlling apparatus and wireless communication system


Provided is a light scanning apparatus, including a light source, a light source controller to control an on/off operation of the light source, a light deflector deflecting light emitted from the light source, an image formation optical system to direct light deflected by the light deflector on a scan area of a to-be-scanned surface, a synchronous signal detector to receive the light emitted from the light source and to detect a synchronous signal for light scanning, and a light path changer changing a path of light emitted from the light source and incident upon the light deflector.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-79962, filed on Oct. 7, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light scanning apparatus for scanning light emitted from a light source. More particularly, the present invention relates to a light scanning apparatus having a relatively compact structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, light scanning apparatuses such as laser scanning units, are applied to image forming apparatuses for printing an image on paper. Examples of image forming apparatuses include copiers, laser printers, and the like. In light scanning apparatuses, light emitted from a light source scans a photosensitive medium to form an electrostatic latent image.
FIG. 1 is a construction diagram of an example of a conventional light scanning apparatus. FIG. 2 illustrates an angle at which a beam of light is incident upon a rotational multi-sided mirror 7.
Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional light scanning apparatus includes a light source 2 formed of a laser diode. A light source controller controls an on/off operation of the light source 2 and a collimating lens 3 to convert divergent laser light emitted from the light source 2 into parallel light or convergent light. The light source controller also controls a cylinder lens 5 for making laser light which passes through the collimating lens 3 to have a bar-shaped cross-section. Additionally, the light source controller controls the rotational multi-sided mirror 7 for deflecting laser light, an f-θ lens 9 disposed between the rotational multi-sided mirror 7 and a to-be-scanned surface 20, a reflection mirror 11 reflecting laser light for use in synchronous signal detection, a synchronous signal detection lens 13 collecting the laser light reflected by the reflection mirror 11, and a photodetector 15 to receive laser light for use in synchronous signal detection. The light source controller is comprised of a semiconductor device installed on a circuit board 1 and a control circuit formed in a predetermined pattern. The light source 2 and the photodetector 15 are generally installed on the circuit board 1 in order to minimize the size of the light scanning apparatus and to reduce manufacturing costs.
Referring to FIG. 2, laser light beam A1 is incident upon the rotational multi-sided mirror 7 at an angle θ1 with a normal line N1 of a mirror side 7a. The rotational multi-sided mirror 7 is hexagonal. A length L1 of each side of the rotational multi-sided mirror 7 is proportional to the incidence angle θ1. Thus, as the incidence angle θ1 increases, the length L1 of each side of the rotational multi-sided mirror 7 increases. Consequently, the rotational multi-sided mirror 7 is enlarged. Enlarging the rotational multi-sided mirror 7 leads to increased costs for manufacturing the light scanning apparatus. Also, noise generated due to rotation of the rotational multi-sided mirror 7 is increased.
As shown in FIG. 1, in order to solve the above-described problems, the light source 2 and the circuit board 1 may be disposed so that a light beam is incident upon the rotational multi-sided mirror 7 at an angle to the to-be-scanned surface 20 instead of being parallel thereto. However, in this case, the photodetector 15 is rendered aslant. Consequently, the laser light used in synchronous signal detection is incident aslant upon a light receiving surface of the photodetector 15. Consequently, the reliability of synchronous signal detection degrades.
Accordingly, there is a need for a light scanning apparatus in which light is incident upon a side of a rotational multi-sided mirror at an angle smaller than that in a conventional light scanning apparatus.


An integrated circuit package system comprising: providing a package substrate; attaching a base package having a portion of the base package substantially exposed over the package substrate; forming a cavity through the package substrate to the base package; and attaching a device partially in the cavity and connected to the portion of the base package substantially exposed.

With virtually all functions and purposes for which we use electronic products, there continues to be demand for new features, higher speed, larger data, or improved portability. These demands continually drive the electronics industry to reduce size, improve utility, and increase performance of integrated circuit devices contained within these products to which we have become accustomed.
Electronic products have become such an integral part of our daily lives. Notably, many portable electronics with complex integrated circuits are not only common but also used without the slightest thought about the underlying technology. Many products such as cell phones, portable computers, voice recorders, cars, planes, etc. include very sophisticated electronic technology to which we have become accustomed.
There has been constant pressure within the semiconductor industry to reduce dimensional footprints as well as increase quality, reliability, and performance fueled by consumer demands for smaller, higher quality computers and electronic devices that operate faster, with more information, and more reliably under broader operating conditions and environments.
The smaller and smaller integrated circuits are commonly assembled into integrated circuit packages for protection and interconnection to other integrated circuits, integrated circuit packages, printed circuit boards, or other subsystems. The development of integrated circuit packages requires not only compatibility with a wide range of integrated circuits but can also provide integration or combinations not available to a single integrated circuit device.
Many electronic products have taken advantage of including multiple integrated circuit devices or integrated circuit packages within a larger integrated circuit package. The larger integrated circuit package provides protection from operating conditions, intraconnection between components, and interconnection to a next level subsystem. Modular components can also reduce defects lowering overall costs of the integrated circuit package.
While stacking integrated circuits within integrated circuit packages has improved dimensional densities and footprints it has not been without problems. Integrated circuit and integrated circuit package component dimensions have been limited and restricted by manufacturing methods and equipment. Component features and performance are all too often compromised by the restrictive limits of the available space.
Attempts to provide additional space for multiple components have also suffered from poor connectivity between the integrated circuits and integrated circuit packages within the larger package. Attempting to alleviate limited and restricted connectivity has commonly resulted in increasing size and complexity.
Despite the advantages of recent developments in integrated circuit and integrated circuit package manufacturing, there is a continuing need for improving integrated circuit device and integrated circuit package connectivity and stacking to provide improved dimensional size of available space and as well as structural integrity, manufacturing yield, and product reliability.
Thus, a need still remains for an integrated circuit package system to provide improved package-in-package stacking integration. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is critical that answers be found for these problems.
Additionally, the need to save costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures, adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Integrated circuit package system with package integration


A process for the separation of a gas from a gas stream using metal organic framework that is reversibly switchable between a first conformation that allows the first gas species to be captured in the metal organic framework, and a second conformation that allows the release of the captured first gas species, using light as the switching stimulus. The metal organic framework may comprise a metal and one or more ligands, in which the ligands contain an isomerizable group within the molecular chain that forms a link between adjacent metal atoms in the metal organic framework.

In order for post-combustion carbon dioxide capture technology to realize widespread viability, the energy cost of this technology must be drastically reduced. Current adsorbent technologies that rely on pressure, temperature or vacuum swing adsorption consume as much as 40% of the power plant's production capacity, most of which is associated with the liberation of the CO2 from the capture medium. Ultimately this penalty, or parasitic energy load, must be brought closer to the thermodynamic minimum of about 4% to avoid prohibitive cost increases. Given that the triggers for release of adsorbed carbon dioxide are so energy intensive and are based on energy from the power plant, there is strong motivation to develop new, low energy release triggers, utilising renewable energy sources. In conjunction with this, adsorbents with maximum performance can further reduce the cost compared to the conventional energy intensive CO2 gas separation process.
A range of different types of materials have been considered for use in separation materials for the separation of selected gases, and notably CO2 from a gas stream. Materials include porous organic polymers and metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), amongst others. MOFs are an important class of 3D crystalline porous materials comprised of metal centres and organic ligands, joined periodically to establish a crystalline porous array. The large internal surface areas can be used to adsorb large quantities of gases, such as hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide.
Methods for the incorporation of light responsive groups within MOFs include use of pendant groups pointing into the pores, and filling of pores with light responsive guest molecules. The responsive groups within these materials may then change their conformation when exposed to filtered light which results in a change in adsorption capacity (in static conditions). Whilst these initial results are exciting, there are inherent limitations in the approaches reported to date. Firstly there is a requirement for specific wavelengths of light to trigger the conformational change. Second, the mode of regeneration in materials studied to date has involved mechanisms that take considerable time to achieve removal of the adsorbed species. Some mechanisms require the application of considerable energy in the form of heat.
An adsorbent that can respond to a broad light spectrum similar to solar radiation, and/or possess relatively fast photo-switching that directly releases CO2 would offer enhanced, lower energy routes to light-triggered CO2 release.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation


A game having a magnetically permeable game board areas, each of the areas having a magnet associated therewith and a plurality of magnetic game pieces to be propelled by a player by a repeller toward the game board in an effort to position the magnetic game piece over an area having the highest scoring value associated therewith.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is a game and method of play and more particularly relates to a game having a game board utilizing magnetic game pieces which are flipped by a player onto a game board playing surface having areas thereon with a particular scoring value associated with each area. The player with the most magnetic game pieces falling on the higher value areas, alone or stacked, being the winner of the game.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tossing games are well known in the prior art. Many tossing games provide a plurality of holes or spaces into which playing pieces, such as bags or balls, are thrown. The tossing skill of a player is tested as hard to reach spaces have higher scoring values associated therewith than easy-to-reach spaces.


A method of fabricating bamboo slats for bamboo blinds, including the steps of: i) cutting bamboo wood into bamboo strips subject to a predetermined length; ii) removing the skin and joints from both sides of the bamboo strips, then boiling the bamboo strips in a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to prevent decay, and then polishing the bamboo strips after drying; iii) bonding the bamboo strips into a rectangular bamboo plate, then polishing the bamboo plate thus obtained; iv) splitting the polished bamboo plate thus obtained into raw bamboo slats subject to a predetermined thickness, then polishing the bamboo slats, and then coating the bamboo slats with a base coating and then with a face coating; v) punching two punch holes on the bamboo slats thus obtained for the insertion of a pull cord so that the finished bamboo slats thus obtained can be assembled with a pull cord into a bamboo blind.

The present invention relates to a method of fabricating bamboo slats for bamboo blinds. Finished bamboo slats are obtained by: cutting bamboo wood into strips, removing the skin and joints from the bamboo strips and boiling the bamboo strips to prevent decay, bonding the bamboo strips into a bamboo plate, splitting the bamboo strips into bamboo slats and coating the bamboo slats with a base coating and a face coating on the base coating, and then punching punch holes on the bamboo slats.
Conventionally, the slats for Venetian blinds are made from wooden material for the advantages of a fine touch and a good outer appearance. However, because forests are over-cultivated in recent years, it is difficult to obtain sufficient supply of wooden material, and the cost of wooden material has become very high. Furthermore, because the fiber structure of wooden material cannot bear high pressure, the wooden slats for a Venetian blind must have a certain thickness. Recently, polyvinyl chloride and aluminum are used for making slats for Venetian blinds. However, the fabrication of plastic or aluminum slats will cause pollution.

Method of fabricating bamboo slats for bamboo blinds

Yen-Pei Village, Yen-Pu Country, Pin-tung


Functional Apolipoprotein A-I mutant proteins, having one or more cysteine substitutions and polynucleotides encoding same, can be used to modulate paraoxonase's arylesterase activity. These ApoA-I mutant proteins can be used as therapeutic agents to combat cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, acute phase response and other inflammatory related diseases. The invention also includes modifications and optimizations of the ApoA-I nucleotide sequence for purposes of increasing protein expression and optimization.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to the field of HDL-associated proteins and paraoxonase activity. More specifically, the invention provides a method of modulating paraoxonase activity using apolipoprotein A-I mutant peptides having cysteine substitutions and polynucleotides encoding same. The invention has further application in the fields of treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
2. Description of the Related Art
Elevated HDL concentration has been correlated with a reduced risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). HDL particles are thought to possess the ability to attenuate the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. It has been proposed that the protective effects of HDL are related, in part, to its ability to inhibit the formation of minimally oxidized LDL, thus preventing the accumulation of proinflammatory mediators associated with the onset of atherogenesis. This antioxidative activity is ascribed to the enzyme, Paraoxonase (PON), which is exclusively transported on plasma HDL. HDL-associated PON possesses peroxidase-like activity that can likely protect against lipoprotein oxidation.
Human paraoxonase (PON or PON1A) is a 43 kDa glycoprotein with a broad specificity class A esterase activity (La Du, B. N., et al., (1993) Chem Biol Interact 87, 25–34), capable of hydrolyzing a broad spectrum of organophosphate substrates and a number of aromatic carboxylic acid esters (Gan, K. N., Smolen, A., Eckerson, H. W., and La Du, B. N. (1991) Drug Metab Dispos 19, 100–6.).
Recent studies suggest that this enzyme's arylesterase activity can hydrolyze bioactive oxidized phospholipids (Watson, A. D., et al., (1995) J Clin Invest 96, 2882–91). In vitro studies by Mackness et al. (Atherosclerosis (1993) 104, 129–35) have demonstrated that HDL with PON is capable of attenuating the production of lipid hydroperoxides on LDL and the formation of minimally oxidized LDL.
In PON knockout mice there is an accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides on LDL, and these mice are more susceptible to diet-induced atherogenesis (Shih, D. M., et al., Nature 394, 284–7, 1998). Furthermore, in humans, low concentrations of PON in plasma have been correlated with an increased risk for CAD (McElveen, J., et al., (1986) Clin Chem 32, 671–3. 11; Navab, M., et al., (1997) J Clin Invest 99, 2005–19). Such studies suggest an important role for HDL-PON in the protection of LDL from oxidation and the concomitant protection of the artery wall from atherogenesis. It is likely that increased transport and/or stability of the PON enzyme on HDL increases HDL's protective properties.
Apolipoprotein A-I is the major structural protein on HDL. It consists of a series of amphipathic helices that are functionally important for protein-lipid interactions as well as protein-protein interactions. The carboxy terminus of ApoA-I has high lipid-binding capacity, while the amino terminus has limited lipid-binding capacity but may be important in protein-protein interaction (Frank, P. G., and Marcel, Y. L. (2000) J. Lipid Res. 41, 853–72.). ApoA-I is largely responsible for mediating HDL assembly and is a determinant of HDL structure and composition.
The presence of a cysteine mutations in Apolipoprotein A-I protein at positions 151 and 173 are known in the art for their anti-atherogenic chracteristics. The ApoA-IMilano mutation (R173C) was first described by Franceschini G., et al., J Clin Invest 1980; 66:892–900. Carriers of the ApoA-IMilano trait characterized by the presence of a sulfhydryl group in ApoA-I (Arg173→Cys mutation) have substantial reductions in ApoA-I (approximately 50%) but have no predisposition for CAD (Franceschini, G., et al., (1980) J Clin Invest 66, 892–900). These patients have PON mass and activity similar to normal subjects. Sirtori et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,968, describe a pharmacological composition comprising the disulfide bonded dimer of Apolipoprotein AIMilano in a substantially pure form, and methods of making and purifying the dimer. Abrahamsén et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,114, describe an expression system and methods of producing Apolipoprotein A-IMilano.
Another Arg→Cys variant, Arg151→Cys (ApoA-IParis) (Bruckert, E., et al., (1997) Atherosclerosis 128, 121–8), has low HDL cholesterol and ApoA-I without increased CAD. Benoit et al., relate variants of apolipoprotein A-I comprising a cysteine at position 151 (ApoA-IParis) or 175 and means for expressing these variants, in U.S. Pat No. 6,258,596.
There may be direct interactions between PON and ApoA-I. Recent studies by Sorenson et al. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol (1999) 19, 2214–25), using recombinant WT PON and a PON mutant lacking the hydrophobic Apolipoprotein A-I and Paraoxonase Activity N-terminal domain, suggested that PON interacts with HDL primarily through interactions of this hydrophobic moiety with HDL phospholipid. ApoA-I did enhance enzyme stability, again suggesting that on the HDL particles there may be PON-ApoA-I interactions.
Despite the strong association between HDL and PON, deficiencies in HDL and ApoA-I show variable PON activity and mass. Homozygous Tangiers patients and ApoA-IPisa patients have ApoA-I concentrations <5% of normal, and some of these individuals have documented coronary artery disease (Miccoli, R., Circulation (1996) 94, 1622–8). This condition is associated with a 60–75% decrease in PON mass and PON arylesterase activity (James, R. W., (1998) Atherosclerosis 139, 77–82); potentially the reduction in PON may be a contributing factor to the coronary heart disease noted in the patients. Patients heterozygous for the Lys107→0 mutation (ApoAIHelsinki) (Tilly-Kiesi, M., (1995) Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 15, 1294–306) have a 30% reduction in ApoA-I and approximately 40% reduction in PON plasma concentration (James, R. W., et al., (1998) Atherosclerosis 139, 77–82), and some subjects have documented coronary disease.
Like ApoA-IMilano and ApoA-IParis, PON has a free sulfhydryl group, and site-directed mutagenesis has ruled out the possibility that this sulfhydryl group is part of the enzyme's esterase catalytic site (Sorenson, R. C., et al., (1995) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92, 7187–91). Potentially the presence of a Cys in ApoA-IMilano (and by extension ApoA-IParis) could alter HDL, leading to increased PON stability or activity.

Apolipoprotein A-I mutant proteins having cysteine substitutions and polynucleotides encoding same

The Regents of the University of California


An assembly for housing medical supplies and for storing and mailing medical waste contained therein having an exterior box made of corrugated paper into which a plastic removable medical waste container can be inserted into and secured in a container bay provided by styrofoam insulation which contacts the interior sidewalls of the exterior box. The styrofoam insulation is provided with a plurality of apertures to accommodate syringes. Upon using the syringes, a user can place the syringe through an aperture in the medical waste container. Upon using all of the syringes originally provided with the assembly and placing them inside the medical waste container, the aperture provided in the medical waste container is latched closed and the medical waste container is placed inside the exterior box in the bay provided by the styrofoam insulation. The exterior box is then closed by closing the foldable top of the exterior box and inserting flaps attached to the foldable top to insertion holes provided at the front side of the exterior box. A pair of folded and bent appendages centrally located on the foldable top are inserted into accommodating holes located in the front of the exterior box so as to permanently lock the exterior box such that it cannot be opened without destroying the lock system. The assembly is then mailed to an appropriate disposal sight for incineration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for the storage and disposal of medical waste. More particularly, the present invention relates to a medical mailer box assembly which when first mailed to a patient contains appropriate medical supplies and instruments which after use can be disposed of in a medical waste container provided with the mailer box assembly. The medical waste container is then sealed and replaced back inside of an exterior box of the medical mailer assembly and mailed to an appropriate location for incineration.
2. Discussion of the Background
The prior art demonstrates a number of devices which are for the purpose of disposing of medical waste and materials. In recent years, with the heightened awareness of such diseases as hepatitis and AIDS, the safe containment and disposal of medical waste and instruments has become an increasing concern.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,755 to Meseke et al discloses a disposable container made of cardboard or a synthetic material for disposing of medical waste. U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,567 to Taylor discloses a specimen mailer comprised of two polystyrene foam parts which are surrounded by a mailing envelope. U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,052 to Lambert. U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,164 to Stein et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,114 to Higgenbotham, all reveal disposable containers for medical waste. U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,554 to Sawaya reveals a polypropylene container for disposing of syringes.
In certain types of diseases, such as diabetes, patients typically receive and administer medication on their own. For example, a typical diabetes patients will give his or herself daily shots of insulin by means of a hypodermic needle. Upon using the hypodermic needle, a need arises to dispose of it in a proper and safe manner.
Thus, a need is seen for a medical mailer box assembly which can provide a patient with needed medical instruments and materials and which is provided with means for disposing of the instruments and materials in such a manner that the box assembly can be repackaged, with the used medical instruments and materials safely secured therein, and mailed to an appropriate location for incineration.