An X-ray source that produces X-rays as a result of igniting an electron cyclotron resonance plasma inside a vacuumated dielectric spherical chamber filled with a heavy atomic weight, non-reactive gas or gas mixture at low pressure. The spherical chamber is located inside a non-vacuumated microwave resonant cavity that is in turn located between two magnets to form a magnetic mirror. Conventional microwave energy fed into the resonant cavity ignites the plasma and creates a hot electron ring which electrons bombard the heavy gas and dielectric material to create an X-ray emission. The X-ray source is suitable for surface and volume sterilization of foodstuffs, packaged goods, medical supplies, blood products and other materials and medical diagnostic and therapeutic devices such as tomography, mammography and radiology.

The classical X-ray sources that have been used for sterilization are generally either radioactive nuclides or high voltage vacuum tubes, both of which have limited applications. The radioactive nuclides typically have comparatively short lives and are expensive and dangerous to handle. In addition, the gamma or X-ray intensity they produce cannot be readily monitored and, once activated, the sources cannot be turned off. The high voltage vacuum tube apparatus requires heavy and cumbersome high voltage supplies, which are also dangerous to handle. Further, this apparatus needs highly qualified personnel to operate and maintain it.
To avoid these deficiencies it was recently proposed to use a compact cyclic electron accelerator as a source of X-ray in the range of 150 keV photon energy. See H. R. Gardner, T. Ohkawa, A. M. Howald, A. W. Leonard, L. S. Peranich and J. R. D'Aoust, Rev. Sci. Instruments, 61(2), February 1990, pages 724-727. In this source, the electrons are injected from an electron emitter into a vacuumated resonant cavity, and accelerated by a microwave field along a spiral orbit to a molybdenum target, which produces the X-ray radiation. Although this source advantageously avoids the use of radioactive nuclides and a high voltage supply, it is not a reliable tool for routine use in the industry and agriculture. The reasons are that the emitted X-ray intensity is too weak, and the life of the device is limited by the life of an electron emitter, which cannot readily be replaced without the replacing of the entire vacuumated cavity. Also, since the X-rays are produced by an electron beam striking a molybdenum target, only half of the produced X-rays are reflected from the target, to be useful, while the other half are absorbed in the target and lost. Further, this source cannot produce homogeneous X-ray radiation in all radial directions from a central source, such as is useful, for example, in sterilizing fluids, e.g., water, from a source centrally located within the flow of the fluid as described below.
There remains a continuing need for better sources of X-rays, and in particular for economical X-ray sources having sufficient intensity for surface and volume sterilization of goods and food stuffs.

Microwave X-ray source and methods of use


A projection system includes a projecting portion for projecting image light onto a predetermined projection receiving portion, an image taking portion for taking a projected image obtained by the projecting portion, and a processing portion for performing a predetermined processing based on the image taking result obtained by the image taking portion. An image taking lens of the image taking portion is arranged outside the reflection region of the direct reflection light of the projected image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projection system and a projector for imaging a projected image using an imaging portion.
2. Description of Related Art
When presenting of an image by projecting the image onto a screen or the like using a projector (projective type display apparatus), the person who explains the projected image does so in front of the image by indicating the projected image using an indicating stick, a laser pointer or the like.
In such a presentation, the projected image and the designated image on the projected image are taken using a CCD camera or the like. In the image taken, the shadow of the indicating stick or fingers is detected as a low luminance region. From the configuration of the shadow, a pointing position is detected, or by detecting a high luminance region of the laser pointer, a pointing position is detected, whereby a cursor or a predetermined image is displayed in the projected image corresponding to the pointing position, or a predetermined program processing corresponding to the pointing position is performed to display the resulting image, thereby providing a presentation system for supporting presentations.
In the case of the above apparatus, when a dedicated screen is used as a portion onto which projection is performed, there is no problem since the diffusability of light is high. When, however, a portion onto which images are to be projected that includes a highly reflective member in its surface, such as a white board, is used as a screen, a high luminance region called hot spot may be generated on the white board, depending upon the position from which the image is viewed. This hot spot is a high luminance portion in the projected image which can be seen when the light source image of the light source lamp of the projector is reflected by the screen including the highly reflective member.
Thus, depending upon the position of the CCD camera, there is an influence of the hot spot. When detecting the pointing position from the distribution of the variation in luminance in the projected image, the detection of the pointing position cannot be correctly done due to the hot spot reflected light, and in some case, various proceedings based on the image taking result may not be correctly conducted.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problem. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a projection system and a projector capable of reducing the influence of the hot spot and capable of processing image taking data in a satisfactory manner.
In accordance with the present invention, to achieve the above object, there is provided a projection system which may consist of a projecting portion for projecting image light onto a predetermined projection receiving portion, an image taking portion for taking a projected image obtained by the projecting portion, and a processing portion for performing a predetermined processing based on the image taking result obtained by the image taking portion, wherein an image taking lens of the image taking portion is arranged outside the reflection region of the direct reflection light of the projected image.
In accordance with the present invention, to achieve the above object, there is provided a projector which may consist of a projecting portion for projecting image light onto a predetermined projection receiving portion, and an image taking portion for taking a projected image obtained by the projecting portion, wherein an image taking lens of the image taking portion is arranged outside the reflection region of the direct reflection light of the projected image.
In these inventions, the projection light projected by the projecting portion is directly reflected by the projection receiving portion (screen) and the reflected light returns to the projecting portion, the image taking lens for taking the projected image projected onto the projection receiving portion being arranged outside the reflection region of the returning reflected light, whereby the influence of the hot spot is reduced, and it is possible to obtain correct image taking data and to process the image taking data in a satisfactory manner. In particular, as in a CCD camera, the image taking portion converts light intensity (luminance) to an electric signal, so that when the reflection of the hot spot enters the image taking area of the CCD, that portion alone exhibits high luminance, and it is difficult to detect the pointing position indicated by the person who explains in front of the screen. In the present invention, however, it is designed such that the reflection from the projection receiving portion is not taken in by the image taking lens, so that the image recognition by image taking is correct.
As the predetermined processing, for example, the position of indication on the projection receiving portion is detected by an indicating stick, a laser pointer or the like indicated in the projected image.
Preferably, the projecting portion includes a projection optical system, and when the projection optical system is a gate projection optical system which projects projection light upwardly, the image taking lens of the image taking portion is arranged at a position lower than the lower end of the projection region by the projecting portion, and when the projection optical system is a gate projection optical system which projects projection light downwardly, the image taking lens of the image taking portion is arranged at a position higher than the upper end of the projection region by the projecting portion.
Due to this arrangement, the image taking lens is arranged outside the reflection region of the reflected light obtained through direct reflection of the projection light at the projection receiving portion, and even when an image is projected onto a projection receiving portion formed of a highly reflective member, it is possible to reduce the influence of the hot spot, obtain correct image taking data, and process the image taking data in a satisfactory manner.
In an embodiment, the projecting portion and the image taking portion are formed integrally.
In this arrangement, the projecting portion and the image taking portion are formed integrally, whereby the position and angle of each portion can be easily adjusted.
Preferably, with respect to the optical axis of the projecting portion, the image taking angle of the image taking lens can be adjusted.
In this arrangement, even when the position of the projecting portion and the projection angle are changed, the image taking portion can be adjusted accordingly, whereby it is possible to correctly obtain the image taking data.
Preferably, the projection receiving portion is formed of a highly reflective material having a predetermined reflectance.
In this arrangement, even when an image is projected onto a projection receiving portion formed of a highly reflective material which is subject to generation of a hot spot, it is possible to reduce the influence of the hot spot, obtain correct image taking data, and process the image taking data in a satisfactory manner.
Examples of the projection receiving portion include a white board and a concrete wall.


An integrated optical head is provided. In the integrated optical head, a light source emits light. A waveguide guides the light. An input coupler is located at one edge of the waveguide, and couples light emitted from the light source and transmits the coupled light to the waveguide. An output coupler is located at another edge of the waveguide, and couples light emitted from the waveguide and focuses the coupled light on an optical disc. A light path changing unit is installed on the waveguide, and changes the light path of light that has been reflected by the optical disc and then passed through the output coupler. An optical detector receives the light passed through the light path changing unit and converts the received light into an electrical signal in order to detect information from the optical disc. Accordingly, an input coupling efficiency and an output coupling efficiency are improved, such that light loss is reduced. Thus, recording and reproduction of an optical head can be improved, and a light, compact, integrated optical head can be obtained.

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 02-52461, filed Sep. 2, 2002 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical head for recording information on and reading information from an optical disc, and more particularly, to an integrated optical head having an input coupler and an output coupler, the couplers which use an evanescent coupling effect or a light diffraction effect.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional optical head assembly. Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional optical head assembly includes a laser diode 1, a collimating lens 5, a beam splitter 6, an objective lens 7, and an optical detector 8.
A laser beam radiated from the laser diode 1 is collimated by the collimating lens 5. Then, the collimated beam passes through the beam splitter 6 and is focused by the objective lens 7 so as to form a spot 4 on an optical disc 3. Part of incident beam reflected by the optical disc 3 goes back into the beam splitter 6. Then, the optical path of the reflected beam is changed by 90 degrees by the beam splitter 6 so that the reflected beam is incident upon the optical detector 8. Thereafter, the optical detector 8 converts the incident beam into an electrical signal. A differential amplifier 9 detects a difference between the output signals of two sections into which the optical detector 8 is divided, and produces a tracking error signal.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show an optical head assembly disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,259. The optical head assembly includes an optical integrated circuit (IC) in which optical elements are integrated by a single etching process in order to achieve a light, compact optical head assembly.
Referring to FIG. 2A, a buffer layer 42 is formed on a substrate 41 by oxidation or vapor deposition, and a light guiding layer 43 is formed as a dielectric thin film on the buffer layer 42 by vapor deposition or the like. A collimating lens 45, a beam splitter 46, and a converging-type grating coupler 47 are installed on the light guiding layer 43 by photolithography, electron beam drawings, or plasma etching. The converging-type grating coupler 47 has a plurality of unequally spaced curves. Reference numeral 44 denotes a laser diode to radiate a laser beam, and reference numeral 48 denotes an optical detector having two light receiving elements. The optical detector 48 is attached to one edge of the optical head assembly such that its center is aligned with the optical axis of incident light. Reference numeral 49 denotes an optical disc, and reference numeral 50 denotes information-recorded pits on the optical disc.
A laser beam emitted from the laser diode 44, attached to another edge of the optical IC-type head assembly, passes through the light guiding layer 43 and is collimated by the collimating lens 45. The collimated beam passes over the light guiding layer 43 and is then focused by the grating coupler 47 to form spots on the information pits 50 on the optical disc 49. Part of the incident beam reflected by the optical disc 49 goes back into the grating coupler 47 and passes over the light guiding layer 43 toward the beam splitter 46. The beam incident upon the beam splitter 46 is reflected so as to go toward the optical detector 49.
FIG. 2B shows another embodiment of the optical head assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,259. The same reference numerals as those of FIG. 2A denote the same elements. Reference numeral 52 denotes a beam splitter located between the laser diode 44 and the grating coupler 47. Reference numerals 541, 542, 543, and 544 denote the detection surfaces of an optical detector built in the light guiding layer 43.
A laser beam emitted from the laser diode 44 passes through the light guiding layer 43 and is focused by the grating coupler 47 to form a spot on the surface of the optical disc 49. Part of the incident laser beam reflected by the optical disc 9 passes through the grating coupler 47 and is divided into two beams by the beam splitter 52. Then, the two beams are directed toward and received by the detection surfaces 541, 542, 543, and 544 of the optical detector.
In such an optical IC-type head assembly, an input coupling efficiency between a laser diode and a light guiding layer and an output coupling efficiency between the light guiding layer and an optical disc are degraded,.such that the output intensity of light does not reach the intensity for recording and reproducing information. Also, since a grating coupler has a small number of apertures, it provides a low focusing intensity. In addition, the detection sensibility of an optical detector with respect to a variation in the wavelength of light reflected by the optical disc is deteriorated.

Integrated type optical head with sheet waveguide and light coupler


Disclosed is a system architecture, components and a searching technique for an Unstructured Information Management System (UIMS). The UIMS may be provided as middleware for the effective management and interchange of unstructured information over a wide array of information sources. The architecture generally includes a search engine, data storage, analysis engines containing pipelined document annotators and various adapters. The searching technique makes use of a two-level searching technique. Also disclosed is system, method and computer program product to process document data. The method includes inputting a document and operating at least one text analysis engine that comprises a plurality of coupled annotators for tokenizing document data for identifying and annotating a particular type of semantic content. Operating the at least one text analysis engine generates a plurality of views of a document, where each of the plurality of views are derived from a different tokenization of the document. The method further includes storing the plurality of views in a common data structure associated with the document.

The amount of textual data in modern society is continuously growing larger. The reasons for this are varied, but one important driving force is the widespread deployment of personal computer systems and databases, and the continuously increasing volume of electronic mail. The result is the widespread creation, diffusion and required storage of document data in various forms and manifestations.
While the overall trend is positive, as the diffusion of knowledge through society is generally deemed to be a beneficial goal, a problem is created in that the amount of document data can far exceed the abilities of an interested person or organization to read, assimilate and categorize the document data.
While textual data may at present represent the bulk of document data, and is primarily discussed in the context of this patent application, increasingly documents are created and distributed in multi-media form, such as in the form of a document that contains both text and images (either static or dynamic, such as video clips), or in the form of a document that contains both text and audio.
In response to the increasing volume of text-based document data, it has become apparent that some efficient means to manage this increasing corpus of document data must be developed. This field of endeavor can be referred to as unstructured information management, and may be considered to encompass both the tools and methods that are required to store, access, retrieve, navigate and discover knowledge in (primarily) text-based information.
For example, as business methods continue to evolve there is a growing need to process unstructured information in an efficient and thorough manner. Examples of such information include recorded natural language dialog, multi-lingual dialog, texts translations, scientific publications, and others.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,385 B2, "Architecture of a Framework for Information Extraction from Natural Language Documents", by David E. Johnson and Thomas Hampp-Bahnmueller, describes a framework for information extraction from natural language documents that is application independent and that provides a high degree of reusability. The framework integrates different Natural Language/Machine Learning techniques, such as parsing and classification. The architecture of the framework is integrated in an easily-used access layer. The framework performs general information extraction, classification/categorization of natural language documents, automated electronic data transmission (e.g., e-mail and facsimile) processing and routing, and parsing. Within the framework, requests for information extraction are passed to information extractors. The framework can accommodate both pre-processing and post-processing of application data and control of the extractors. The framework can also suggest necessary actions that applications should take on the data. To achieve the goal of easy integration and extension, the framework provides an integration (external) application program interface (API) and an extractor (internal) API.
The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,385 B2 is incorporated herein be reference in so far as it does not conflict with the teachings of this invention.
What is needed is an ability to efficiently and comprehensively process documentary data from a variety of sources and in a variety of formats to extract desired information from the documentary data for purposes that include, but are not limited to, searching, indexing, categorizing and data and textual mining.

System, method and computer program product for performing unstructured information management and automatic text analysis, and providing multiple document views derived from different document tokenizations

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for performing link adaptation in association with scheduling a data channel for a cell in a base station of a cellular communication system, and an arrangement, suitable for performing such a method. The link adaptation method has link adaptation optimization purpose which is achieved by updating a link adaptation parameter on the basis of the load on the data channel and on the basis of the load of a control channel controlling the data channel in the cell. The method obtains a better trade-off between the spectral efficiency and the delay, due to re-transmissions.

In order to improve system capacity, peak data rate and coverage reliability, the signal transmitted to and by a particular user is modified to account for the signal quality variation through a process commonly referred to as link adaptation. Adaptation Modulation and Coding (AMC) is a technology which is commonly used in communication system for achieving spectral efficient transmission. With AMC a communication system tries to select a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) which matches an instantaneous channel used by a cell. If a too aggressive MCS is used there is a severe risk that data transmitted via the channel will not be detected by the receiver while in case a too robust MCS is used, resources will likely be wasted on unnecessary redundancy.
AMC is often combined with a retransmission protocol to ensure a small grade of packet loss. In many communication systems, including Long Term Evolution (LTE) and High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), A Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) is used. With HARQ the receiver first tries to decode received data. If the receiver fails to decode the data it notifies the transmitter from which the data was sent, which will then resend the data. The receiver is then adapted to combine data received from both transmission attempts to try to perform a new decoding.
In order to maximize the spectral efficiency in a cell it is often promising to aim at having few re-transmissions. A retransmission rate of about 10% has proven to be good. A high number of retransmissions will increase the delay, since retransmissions are time consuming. However, transmissions performed with a too robust MCS may increase the delay in a typical multi-user system, since all or most data channels may be occupied.
In the 3GPP LTE Rel.8 standard both AMC and HARQ are suggested to be used for the purpose of obtaining an efficient link adaptation in both uplink (UL) and downlink (DL). According to this standard a User Equipment (UE) is also signaled a resource and MCS on the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) both for UL transmission on the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) and DL Reception on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). Retransmissions in the DL are also signaled on the PDCCH while retransmissions for the UL are signaled either on the PDCCH or triggered automatically by feeding back a negative HARQ acknowledgement (NACK) to the UE ON THE Physical HARG Indicator Channel (PHICH). If signaled on the PHICH the retransmission will occur with the parameters given for the previous transmission attempt.
Link adaptation may be optimized for spectral efficiency or for minimized delay or more commonly as a tradeoff between the two. It is also commonly known that different link adaptation mechanisms may be used for different types of traffic, where, by way of example, delay sensitive traffic, such as e.g. Voice over IP (VoIP), may have a lower Block Error Rate (BLER) than traffic associated with file download. It is commonly known that delay is not only affected by the link adaptation, but that also the scheduling of resources to users has an effect on the delay. If there are many users in a system the duration of time until scheduled for a user having data to send may have more effect on the delay than the transmission attempts required for the data delivery. A consequence from this fact is that a link adaptation obtained for and suitable for one traffic scenario will probably be very unsuitable for another traffic scenario.

Adjustment of link adaptation parameter based on data and control channel load


A device for mounting a pedal of a vehicle including a support on which the pedal is mounted by a principal rotary shaft and a shearing mechanism connected to a fixed bodywork element of the vehicle, the shearing mechanism configured to radially shear off the principal shaft in a case of a displacement of the support relative to the bodywork element, to detach the pedal from the support. A secondary shaft is fixed to the pedal and is configured to position the pedal, which has been sheared off, in a new operating position.

The invention relates to a device for mounting an actuating pedal on a vehicle. Generally, a conventional motor vehicle is provided with different actuating pedals, such as for example a brake pedal or a clutch pedal, located in the region of the feet of the driver and emerging in a free space located in front of the driver's seat. Apart from carrying out their function in a consistent and accurate manner, said pedals have to be mounted in the vehicle whilst at the same time respecting certain safety rules, in particular as regards the driver. The invention relates more particularly to a device for mounting an actuating pedal, taking into consideration the safety of the driver in the event of a front impact, for example.
Devices for mounting an actuating pedal in a motor vehicle exist and have already been the subject of patents. For example, the patent EP0965506 may be cited, said patent relating to a device for mounting a pedal, the principle thereof consisting in implementing a shearing device provided to detach the pedal from its support in the case of a partial intrusion of the front end into the passenger compartment, following an impact. More specifically, the pedal is fixed to its support by means of a rotary shaft and the shearing device is secured to a fixed element of the vehicle to cut the two ends of the shaft of the pedal when said support penetrates said passenger compartment under the impact of a collision. By this means, during an accident the path of the pedal, which is initially linked to the support in terms of movement, is halted very early on, thus preventing the legs of the driver being struck in a dangerous manner.

Device for mounting a pedal of a motor vehicle


Systems and methods for automating the building, deployment, and testing of firmware are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a build-deploy-testing environment. The build-deploy-testing environment can access a hardware testing profile that includes hardware specifications for a test server, an operating system for a test server, an application for the test server to communicate with a test device, and a plurality of inputs for installing the operating system and the application on the test server. The build-deploy-testing environment can generate a firmware module compatible with a test device and a testing environment module for a test server based on the hardware testing profile. The build-deploy-testing environment can deploy the testing environment module to a test server and deploy the firmware module to a test device. The build-deploy-testing environment can execute a testing application to determine the compatibility of the firmware with the test device in communication with the test server.

Hardware devices operating in complex data networks, such as utility meters of a power distribution network, can be designed to have operating life spans of up to 15-20 years. As new devices and functions are introduced into the data network, the firmware installed on existing devices in the data network can be updated to maintain the compatibility of the existing devices with the data network.
Development of firmware can involve extensive time spent on building the environment in which the firmware is to be tested, deploying the firmware to the testing environment, and testing the firmware. Prior solutions for developing firmware can include a developer receiving a request for a firmware version for a device (i.e. a "firmware build"). The developer generates a software image that can include the firmware build and an application executed by the target device. The software image is manually installed (i.e., "deployed") onto the target device. Testing tools or other utilities are used to perform manual testing of the firmware build deployed to the target device. For example, to test a new firmware module for a utility meter of a power distribution network, an operator can configure a physical test server environment, install firmware on test meters in communication with the test server environment, and perform manual testing of the firmware installed on the test meters. In complex systems involving a large number of target devices, the development, deployment, and testing of a firmware build can have a duration of days or weeks, thereby decreasing the efficiency of developing new firmware builds and increasing the cost associated with upgrading firmware builds.
Accordingly, systems and methods are desirable for reducing the time involved in a successful execution of the build-deploy-test cycle.

Automated build, deploy, and testing environment for firmware


A vehicle driving assist system is provided that calculates the risk potential of the host vehicle with respect to a preceding object existing in front of a host vehicle. A first driving assistance control system controls at least one of an actuation reaction force exerted by a driver-operated driving operation device and a braking/driving force exerted against the host vehicle based on the calculated risk potential. A second driving assistance control system configured to control the braking/driving force of the host vehicle such that at least one of a host vehicle speed and a headway distance between the host vehicle and the obstacle is maintained. An operating state reporting section reports an operating state of the first driving assistance control system based on an operating state of the second driving assistance control system, the risk potential, and an accelerator pedal actuation state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a vehicle driving assist system configured to assist a driver with respect to the operation of a vehicle.
2. Background Information
Various vehicle driving assist systems has been proposed to assist a driver with respect to the operation of a vehicle. An example of a vehicle assist system is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-17847. In this publication, the vehicle driving assist system executes a headway or following distance control when the accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed within a prescribed range and to execute driving force control in accordance with the accelerator pedal actuation (depression) amount when the accelerator pedal is depressed by an amount lying outside the prescribed range. The system is also controls an actuation reaction force exerted by the accelerator pedal based on the degree of risk in the vicinity of the vehicle.


Screen (10) for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array (24) of irregular cells (26), which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns (28) of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows (30) of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns (28) because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells (26), if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen (10) as the cursor moved from a cell (26) of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row. An effective way of taming the motion is to assume that behind every array (24) is an underlying array of regular cells. By restricting cursor movements to the regular cells, abrupt screen changes will be avoided. With the cursor (32), the entire cell (26) is 3-D highlighted, using a conventional offset shadow (34). The offset shadow (34) is a black bar that underlines the entire cell and wraps around the right edge of the cell. To tag the underlying positionxe2x80x94which defines where the cursor (32) is and thus, where it will move nextxe2x80x94portions (36) of the black bar outside the current underlying position are segmented, while the current position is painted solid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system and process that allows a television viewer to access on screen television program listings and use the program listings in an easy and convenient way to control operation of a video cassette recorder (VCR) or other recording device. In addition, it relates to such a system and process that creates a directory of recorded programs by title for easy retrieval and program playback. More particularly, it relates to such a system and process in which the VCR or other recording device is controlled by a simple selection of program title and a record command, even for recording at a future date and time. Most especially, it relates to such a system and process incorporating an intuitive user interface.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The difficulty of setting a VCR for automatic recording at a future date is notorious. Even users who are technically sophisticated will often make mistakes in the VCR programming procedure that cause them to record the wrong program or not to record anything at all. This difficulty has even resulted in a substantial body of humor dedicated to the subject of programming VCRs.
The difficulty of VCR programming has been alleviated somewhat by the development of VCRs that use a television set as a display for user prompts and feedback to the user during the programming process. U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,713, issued Mar. 13, 1990 to Michael R. Levine, discloses such a VCR using the television set as a display for VCR programming with an interactive user interface for directing the user on a step-by-step basis. Such a user interface removes a great deal of the mystery from VCR programming, but users still have difficulty with such a command-based interface and encounter problems carrying out the programming without making mistakes that cause them to miss recording programs they would like to watch at a different time than when they are broadcast.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,121, issued Nov. 10, 1987 to Patrick Young, discloses a system and process in which user selections from television schedule information are used for automatic control of a VCR. That patent also contains a description of a proposed user interface for such a system and process. However, the provision of a highly intuitive user interface that makes such a system and process easy and convenient to operate is a difficult task. Further development of this system and process has produced considerable change in the user interface as originally proposed.
In addition to simplifying VCR programming, users who do a substantial amount of program taping also need an improved system and process for keeping track of their recorded programs. Commonly assigned application Ser. No. 07/219,971, filed Jul. 15, 1988, in the name of Patrick Young, discloses a system and process that provides indexing capability for taped material. A user interface for a television schedule system and process should also handle this capability on an intuitive basis.
Thus, while the art pertaining to the control of VCRs and to television schedule systems is a well-developed one, a need still remains for a television schedule system and process incorporating an improved user interface. In particular, unlike most computer menus, a grid TV guide is an array of irregular cells, where the cell size can vary from a fraction of an hour to many hoursxe2x80x94extending well beyond the current screen. If this array is navigated by a cursor that goes from cell to cell, a single cursor command can produce violent screen changes. For example, a cursor right command may cause an abrupt jump to a cell situated several hours from the current page. Not only is this unsettling, but may take considerable effort to recover. Clearly, a gentler cursor motion is needed for the irregular cells found in a grid TV guide.
Printed grid television schedule guides often include additional information besides the program title and broadcast names. Such grids are also typically provided in combination with a more detailed printed schedule that contains a synopsis of each program, whether the program is a repeat, ratings for movies, and other information. When using a television set as a display for a schedule system, the size and resolution of the television display limit the amount of text that can be displayed with the grid. Improved techniques are required for conveying the most amount of information to the user in an easily understood manner within the limitations of the television display. When a large number of channels are available for viewing, there is also a need to order the display of information most conveniently for the user.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a television schedule system and process with a user interface that is configured to compensate for the particular nature of the television schedule information.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a user interface having a cursor operation that compensates for an irregular grid format of the television schedule information.
It is another object of the invention to provide such a user interface in which the schedule information is presented in a format that compensates for limited resolution of the television display.
It is still another object of the invention to provide such a user interface in which supplemental schedule information is presented in overlays that obscure a minimum amount of useful other information.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide such a user interface in which order of presentation of the schedule information is customizable by user preference.
The attainment of these and related objects may be achieved through use of the novel television schedule system and process user interface herein disclosed. A television schedule system including a user interface in accordance with this invention has a display, A means is connected to the display for displaying the television schedule on the display as an array of irregular cells which vary dimensionally in length, corresponding to different television program time lengths. A means is connected to the display for providing a cursor with the television schedule on the display. The cursor has a variable length corresponding to the length of a selected one of the irregular cells in which the cursor is located. A means is connected to the means for providing the cursor for moving the cursor in the array in a series of equal length steps. At least some of the irregular cells have a length which is greater than the length of the steps.
In the process of operating a television schedule system with the user interface of this invention, the television schedule is displayed as an array of irregular cells which vary dimensionally in length, corresponding to different television program time lengths. A cursor is provided with the television schedule on the display, the cursor has a variable length corresponding to the length of a selected one of the irregular cells in which the cursor is located. The cursor is moved in the array in a series of equal length steps, with at least some of the irregular cells having a length which is greater than the length of the steps.
In another aspect of the invention, a control system for a video recording machine has a controller for starting and stopping the video recording machine, for recording video information on recording media, and for playing recorded video information on recording media. A display generator provides display image generation signals. A means supplies information to the display generator for generation of display images relating to operation of the video recording machine. The means for supplying information includes means for generating a recording media position indicator graduated as segments corresponding to programs recorded on the recording media.
In a process for controlling a video recording machine, a recording media position indicator is graduated as segments corresponding to programs recorded on the recording media. The recording media position indicator is displayed as position of a selected one of the recording media in the video recording machine is changed.
In a further aspect of the invention, a television schedule system a display and means connected to the display for displaying the television schedule on the display. The means for displaying a schedule is configured to allow selection by a user of a first number of desired channels for display of schedule information which is less than a second number of available channels. A programmable tuner is connected to the means for displaying a schedule. The programmable tuner is configured to follow the first number of desired channels when the television schedule is shown on the display in response to a channel up or channel down command. The programmable tuner is configured to follow the second number of available channels in the absence of the television schedule on the display in response to a channel up or channel down command.
In a process for operating a television schedule system, a first number of desired channels is selected for display of schedule information, which is less than a second number of available channels. The schedule information is displayed on a display. The first number of desired channels is followed when the schedule information is shown on the display in response to a channel up or channel down command. The second number of available channels is followed in the absence of the television schedule on the display in response to a channel up or channel down command.
The attainment of the foregoing and related objects, advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention, taken together with the drawings, in which:

User interface for television schedule system


The invention is directed to novel indole carboxamide derivatives. Specifically, the invention is directed to compounds according to formula (I):

An important large family of enzymes is the protein kinase enzyme family. Currently, there are about 500 different known protein kinases. However, because three to four percent of the human genome is a code for the formation of protein kinases, there may be many thousands of distinct and separate kinases in the human body. Protein kinases serve to catalyze the phosphorylation of an amino acid side chain in various proteins by the transfer of the γ-phosphate of the ATP-Mg2+ complex to said amino acid side chain. These enzymes control the majority of the signaling processes inside cells, thereby governing cell function, growth, differentiation and destruction (apoptosis) through reversible phosphorylation of the hydroxyl groups of serine, threonine and tyrosine residues in proteins. Studies have shown that protein kinases are key regulators of many cell functions, including signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, cell motility, and cell division. Several oncogenes have also been shown to encode protein kinases, suggesting that kinases play a role in oncogenesis. These processes are highly regulated, often by complex intermeshed pathways where each kinase will itself be regulated by one or more kinases. Consequently, aberrant or inappropriate protein kinase activity can contribute to the rise of disease states associated with such aberrant kinase activity. Due to their physiological relevance, variety and ubiquitousness, protein kinases have become one of the most important and widely studied family of enzymes in biochemical and medical research.
The protein kinase family of enzymes is typically classified into two main subfamilies: Protein Tyrosine Kinases and Protein Serine/Threonine Kinases, based on the amino acid residue they phosphorylate. The serine/threonine kinases (PSTK), includes cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases, calcium and phospholipid dependent protein kinase, calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinases, casein kinases, cell division cycle protein kinases and others. These kinases are usually cytoplasmic or associated with the particulate fractions of cells, possibly by anchoring proteins. Aberrant protein serine/threonine kinase activity has been implicated or is suspected in a number of pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, septic shock, bone loss, many cancers and other proliferative diseases. Accordingly, serine/threonine kinases and the signal transduction pathways which they are part of are important targets for drug design. The tyrosine kinases phosphorylate tyrosine residues. Tyrosine kinases play an equally important role in cell regulation. These kinases include several receptors for molecules such as growth factors and hormones, including epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin receptor, platelet derived growth factor receptor and others. Studies have indicated that many tyrosine kinases are transmembrane proteins with their receptor domains located on the outside of the cell and their kinase domains on the inside. Much work is also under progress to identify modulators of tyrosine kinases as well.
Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) belongs to a family of closely related dimeric transcription factor complexes composed of various combinations of the Rel/NF-κB family of polypeptides. The family consists of five individual gene products in mammals, RelA (p65), NF-κB1 (p50/p105), NF-κB2 (p49/p100), c-Rel, and RelB, all of which can form hetero- or homodimers. These proteins share a highly homologous 300 amino acid "Rel homology domain" which contains the DNA binding and dimerization domains. At the extreme C-terminus of the Rel homology domain is a nuclear translocation sequence important in the transport of NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In addition, p65 and cRel possess potent transactivation domains at their C-terminal ends.
The activity of NF-κB is regulated by its interaction with a member of the inhibitor IκB family of proteins. This interaction effectively blocks the nuclear localization sequence on the NF-κB proteins, thus preventing migration of the dimer to the nucleus. A wide variety of stimuli activate NF-κB through what are likely to be multiple signal transduction pathways. Included are bacterial products (LPS), some viruses (HIV-1, HTLV-1), inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1), environmental and oxidative stress and DNA damaging agents. Apparently common to all stimuli however, is the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IκB. IκB is phosphorylated on two N-terminal serines by the recently identified IκB kinases (IKK-α and IKK-β). IKK-β is also known as IKK2. Site-directed mutagenesis studies indicate that these phosphorylations are critical for the subsequent activation of NF-κB in that once phosphorylated the protein is flagged for degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Free from IκB, the active NF-κB complexes are able to translocate to the nucleus where they bind in a selective manner to preferred gene-specific enhancer sequences. Included in the genes regulated by NF-κB are a number of cytokines and chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, acute phase proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, eicosanoid metabolizing enzymes and anti-apoptotic genes.
It is well-known that NF-κB plays a key role in the regulated expression of a large number of pro-inflammatory mediators including cytokines such as TNF, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8, cell adhesion molecules, such as ICAM and VCAM, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Such mediators are known to play a role in the recruitment of leukocytes at sites of inflammation and in the case of iNOS, may lead to organ destruction in some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
The importance of NF-κB in inflammatory disorders is further strengthened by studies of airway inflammation including asthma, in which NF-κB has been shown to be activated. This activation may underlie the increased cytokine production and leukocyte infiltration characteristic of these disorders. In addition, inhaled steroids are known to reduce airway hyperresponsiveness and suppress the inflammatory response in asthmatic airways. In light of the recent findings with regard to glucocorticoid inhibition of NF-κB, one may speculate that these effects are mediated through an inhibition of NF-κB.
Further evidence for a role of NF-κB in inflammatory disorders comes from studies of rheumatoid synovium. Although NF-κB is normally present as an inactive cytoplasmic complex, recent immunohistochemical studies have indicated that NF-κB is present in the nuclei, and hence active, in the cells comprising rheumatoid synovium. Furthermore, NF-κB has been shown to be activated in human synovial cells in response to stimulation with TNF-α or IL-1β. Such a distribution may be the underlying mechanism for the increased cytokine and eicosanoid production characteristic of this tissue. See Roshak, A. K., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 271, 31496-31501 (1996). Expression of IKK-β has been shown in synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis patients and gene transfer studies have demonstrated the central role of IKK-β in stimulated inflammatory mediator production in these cells. See Aupperele et al. J. Immunology 1999. 163:427-433 and Aupperle et al. J. Immunology 2001; 166:2705-11. More recently, the intra-articular administration of a wild type IKK-β adenoviral construct was shown to cause paw swelling while intra-articular administration of dominant-negative IKKβ inhibited adjuvant-induced arthritis in rat. See Tak et al. Arthritis and Rheumatism 2001, 44:1897-1907.
The NF-κB/Rel and IκB proteins are also likely to play a key role in neoplastic transformation and metastasis. Family members are associated with cell transformation in vitro and in vivo as a result of over expression, gene amplification, gene rearrangements or translocations. In addition, rearrangement and/or amplification of the genes encoding these proteins are seen in 20-25% of certain human lymphoid tumors. Further, NF-κB is activated by oncogenic ras, the most common defect in human tumors and blockade of NF-κB activation inhibits ras mediated cell transformation. In addition, a role for NF-κB in the regulation of apoptosis has been reported strengthening the role of this transcription factor in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation. TNF, ionizing radiation and DNA damaging agents have all been shown to activate NF-κB which in turn leads to the upregulated expression of several anti-apoptotic proteins. Conversely, inhibition of NF-κB has been shown to enhance apoptotic-killing by these agents in several tumor cell types. As this likely represents a major mechanism of tumor cell resistance to chemotherapy, inhibitors of NF-κB activation may be useful chemotherapeutic agents as either single agents or adjunct therapy. Recent reports have implicated NF-κB as an inhibitor of skeletal cell differentiation as well as a regulator of cytokine-induced muscle wasting (Guttridge et al. Science; 2000; 289: 2363-2365.) further supporting the potential of NFκB inhibitors as novel cancer therapies.
Several NF-κB inhibitors are described in C. Wahl, et al. J. Clin. Invest. 101(5), 1163-1174 (1998), R. W. Sullivan, et al. J. Med. Chem. 41, 413-419 (1998), J. W. Pierce, et al. J. Biol. Chem. 272, 21096-21103 (1997).
The marine natural product hymenialdisine is known to inhibit NF-κB. Roshak, A., et al., JPET, 283, 955-961 (1997). Breton, J. J and Chabot-Fletcher, M. C., JPET, 282, 459-466 (1997).
Additionally, patent applications have been filed on aminothiophene inhibitors of the IKK2, see Callahan, et al., WO 2002030353; Baxter, et al., WO 2001058890, Faull, et al., WO 2003010158; Griffiths, et al., WO2003010163; Fancelli, et al., WO 200198290; Granetto, et al., WO 2003037886; imidazole inhibitors of IKK2, see Callahan, et al., WO 200230423; anilinophenylpyrimidine inhibitors of IKK2, see Kois, et al., WO 2002046171; β-carboline inhibitors of IKK2, see Ritzeler, et al, WO 2001068648, Ritzeler, et al, EP 1134221; Nielsch, et al. DE 19807993; Ritzeler, et al., EP 1209158; indole inhibitors of IKK2, see Ritzeler, et al., WO 2001030774; benzimidazole inhibitors of the IKK2, see Ritzeler, et al., DE 19928424; Ritzeler et al, WO 2001000610; Ritzeler, et al., WO 2004022553; aminopyridine inhibitors of IKK2, see Lowinger, et al, WO 2002024679; Murata, et al, WO 2002024693; Murata, et al., WO 2002044153; aminopyrimidine inhibitors of IKK2, see Bollbuck, et al., WO 2004089913; pyrazole inhibitors of IKK2, see Bergmanis, et al., WO 2003024935; Metz, et al., WO 2003024936; Geng et al., WO 2003027075; Stealey, et al., WO 2003035625; Xu, et al., WO 200307076; Lennon, et al., WO 2003095430; pyrazinone inhibitors of IKK2, see Boys, et al., WO 2005035527; pyrazolaquinazoline inhibitors of IKK2, see Beaulieu, et al., WO 2002028860; Burke et al, WO 2002060386; Burke, et al. US 20030022898; thiophene tricyclic inhibitors of IKK2, see Belema, et al., WO 2003084959; pyrazolopurine inhibitors of IKK2, see Qiu, et al., WO 2004075846; oxazolo and thiazolo pyridine inhibitors of IKK2, see Pitts, et al., WO 2004106293; quinoline inhibitors of IKK2, Browner, et al., WO2002041843, Browner, et al., US 20020161004 and pyridylcyanoguanidine inhibitors of IKK2, see Bjorkling, et al., WO 2002094813, Binderup et al, WO 2002094322 and Madsen, et al., WO 200294265; thienopyridine inhibitors of IKK2, see Cywin, et al., WO 2003103661; Liu, et al., WO 2005035537; benzothiophene inhibitors of IKK2, see Chen et al., WO 2005012283. The natural products staurosporine, quercetin, K252a and K252b have been shown to be IKK2 inhibitors, see Peet, G. W. and Li, J. J. Biol. Chem., 274, 32655-32661 (1999) and Wisniewski, D., et al., Analytical Biochem. 274, 220-228 (1999). Synthetic inhibitors of IKK2 have also been described, see Burke, et al. J. Biol. Chem., 278, 1450-1456 (2003), Murata, et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 13, 913-198 (2003), Murata, et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 14, 4013-4017 (2004), and Murata, et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 14, 4019-4022 (2004) have described IKK2 inhibitors.
Thus, attempts have been made to prepare compounds that inhibit IKK2 activity and a number of such compounds have been disclosed in the art. However, in view of the number of pathological responses that are mediated by IKK2, there remains a continuing need for inhibitors of IKK2 which can be used in the treatment of a variety of conditions.
The present inventors have discovered novel indole carboxamide compounds, which are inhibitors of kinase activity, in particular inappropriate IKK2 activity. Such indole carboxamide derivatives are therefore useful in the treatment of disorders associated with inappropriate kinase, in particular inappropriate IKK2 activity in particular in the treatment and prevention of disease states mediated by IKK2 mechanisms including inflammatory and tissue repair disorders, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, rhinitis, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and fibrotic diseases; dermatosis, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced skin damage; autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, psoriatic arthritis, alkylosing spondylitis, tissue and organ rejection, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, restonosis, diabetes, glomerulonephritis, cancer, including Hodgkins disease, cachexia, inflammation associated with infection and certain viral infections, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), adult respiratory distress syndrome, and Ataxia Telangiestasia.

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and m are as defined herein.

Abstract: The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of IKK2 and can be useful in the treatment of disorders associated with inappropriate IKK2 (also known as IKKβ) activity, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, rhinitis, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Accordingly, the invention is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the invention. The invention is still further directed to methods of inhibiting IKK2 activity and treatment of disorders associated therewith using a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention.


A cluster of terminals, and an ad-hoc network of two or more such clusters, for carrying a multi-party, cluster-based, conference, wherein each cluster includes a super member comprising a super user agent, and one or more members including a user agent. Communications sessions are established between the super member of each cluster and each member terminals of the same cluster, and between the super members of each one of the first and second clusters. The user agent comprises identity of the super member, a conference identity, cluster parameters including a split value (Sv) indicative of a maximum number of terminals that may be part of the cluster, wherein when Sv is reached during the conference the cluster is split, and a merge value (Mv) indicative of a minimum number of terminals that may be part of the cluster, wherein when Mv is reached the cluster is merged with another cluster. The super user agent comprises a cluster member list, the conference identity, a cluster neighbour list, the one or more terminals also participating to the same conference, and cluster parameters.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for communicating in ad-hoc networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multiparty sessions are the basis of several important applications. Examples of such applications are audio and video conferencing, distance learning and gaming. So far, little attention has been devoted to these applications in peer-to-peer settings. The same holds for ad-hoc networks. Ad-hoc networks usually rely on peer-to-peer paradigm, especially when the terminals composing these networks are mobile terminals. Terminals' mobility in multiparty sessions that take place in peer-to-peer ad-hoc networks engenders a critical issue related to signaling.
Ad-hoc networks comprise nodes that communicate without a pre-existing network infrastructure. They form spontaneously without the need of a dedicated infrastructure or a central controller. Such a peer-to-peer system infers that each node, or user, in the network can act as a data endpoint or intermediate repeater.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) is a paradigm to structure distributed applications, in such a way that individual nodes have symmetric roles. Peer-to-peer networks do not have to be ad-hoc and most existing peer-to-peer networks are actually not. However, ad-hoc networks usually rely on peer-to-peer communications, especially when they are mobile. This is due to the lack of pre-existing and non-transient infrastructure such as centralized servers.
An ad-hoc conference typically begins with two participants, and additional participants join when, for example, invited by any of the participants already in the conference. This model fits quite well in ad-hoc peer-to-peer to networks settings. It is the basis of numerous applications including public debates and gaming.
Significant work has been done on signaling for multiparty sessions in traditional networks, such as for example with the development of the Session Initiation Protocol ("SIP: Session Initiation Protocol", by J. Rosenberg et al., Request for Comments RFC 3261, June 2002.), all of which is herein included by reference), the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication (ITU-T) H.323 protocol (H.323 series, ITU-T recommendations, Geneva 2003, which is also herein included by reference in its entirety), and ICEBERG (by Helen J. Wang, et al., "Iceberg: An Internet Core Network Architecture for Integrated Communications", IEEE Personal Communications, August 2000, which is also herein included by reference). The same applies to the low layers issues of ad-hoc networks (e.g. routing), and also to the non-multiparty session applications in peer-to-peer networks (e.g. Gnutella, Freenet). However, no or little work has been done so far on signaling in peer-to-peer ad hoc networks.
Signaling in peer-to-peer ad-hoc networks is quite challenging. Participants to such a network may join or leave at any time. The information also needs to be propagated in a distributed manner since there is no centralized server in the network. Resources need to be used in an optimal manner due to the peer-to-peer structure. Peers with limited resources need to rely on the resources of the other peers.
None of the existing signaling system meets these requirements. For example, H.323 comprises a centralized entity, i.e. the H.323 Multipoint Control Unit (MCU), and has only a medium scalability level. It does not have a dynamic sessions management capability, and lacks an optimal usage of recourses. The full mesh version of SIP (by Mark/Kelley, "Distributed Multipoint Conferences using SIP", IETF Internet Draft, Mar. 8, 2000, also included by reference herein) does not comprise a centralized entity, but has an even lower scalability level. It also has a low level of dynamic sessions management capability, and lacks an optimal usage of recourses (note: SIP does defined centralized servers but it has been discussed as full mesh manner in the reference document above). Finally, Iceberg also comprises a centralized entity. Although it has a high scalability level and a dynamic sessions management capability, it lacks an optimal usage of recourses.
Although there is no prior art solution as the one proposed hereinafter for solving the above-mentioned deficiencies, the US patent application US2002/0042693 by Kampe at al. (hereinafter called Kampe) bears some relation with the field of the present invention. Kampe teaches a system and methods within a high availability network for monitoring and managing cluster membership. A cluster membership monitor provides the ability to maintain a list of current cluster members, monitor status of each node of the cluster, stay apprised of each node's viability, elect a master node for the cluster when necessary, and coordinate cluster reformation as members join and leave the cluster. However, Kampe's system comprises a centralized node, i.e. the cluster membership monitor, and therefore it's principles are not applicable to ad-hoc networks.
The US patent application US 2003/0204509 by Dinker at al. (hereinafter called Dinker) also bears some relation with the field of the present invention. Dinker teaches a distributed system providing for separate management of dynamic cluster membership and of distributed data. Dinker's nodes of the distributed system include a state manager and a topology manager. The state manager handles data access from the cluster, while the topology manager handles changes to the dynamic cluster topology, such as when new nodes join or exit the cluster. However, the teaching of Dinker is limited to a system able to form one cluster at a time.
Accordingly, it should be readily appreciated that in order to overcome the deficiencies and shortcomings of the existing solutions, it would be advantageous to have a method and system for effectively setting up ad-hoc networks using the concept of clustering. The present invention provides such a method and system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cluster of terminals and ad-hoc network for cluster-based multi-party conferencing


An optical scanning apparatus in which streaks in an image or unevenness in density of an image caused by influences of dusts, scratches and toner etc on the surface of a reflecting member are unlikely to occur and excellent images can be always obtained and an image forming apparatus equipped with such an optical scanning apparatus are to be achieved. The apparatus comprises a first optical system for guiding a light beam emitted from light source unit to deflecting unit, the deflecting unit for reflecting and deflecting the light beam from the first optical system, a second optical system for guiding the light beam reflected and deflected by the deflecting unit onto a surface to be scanned through reflecting unit including n (n is an integer equal to or larger than 1) reflecting members. The apparatus satisfies the following conditions for the F-number Fnomain (mm) with respect to a main scanning cross section of an exit side of the second optical system and the smallest beam area Smin (mm2) among beam areas on reflecting surfaces of the n reflecting members on which a light beam is reflected during traveling on the optical axis of the second optical system: 70<Fnomain, and (0.004/Smin)×n<0.03.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. More particularly, the present invention is suitably applied to an image forming apparatus, such as a laser beam printer or a digital copying machine using an electrophotography process and a multifunction printer, in which image information is recorded by optically scanning a surface to be scanned by means of a scanning optical system having fθ characteristics with a light beam emitted from a light source and deflected by a polygon mirror serving as a light deflector.
2. Related Background Art
In scanning optical apparatuses such as laser beam printers, a light beam is modulated in accordance with an image signal and emitted from a light source, then is periodically deflected by a light deflector composed of, for example, a rotary polygon mirror (or a polygon mirror), and is converged to form a spot on a surface of a photosensitive recording medium (e.g. a photosensitive drum) by an fθ lens system having fθ characteristics to scan the surface of the recording medium, thereby image recording is conventionally performed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-121773).
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view schematically showing the principal portion of a conventional optical scanning apparatus. As shown in FIG. 10, a divergent light beam emitted from a light source means 71 is converted into a substantially parallel light beam or a convergent light beam by a collimator lens 73. Then, the light beam (or the light quantity) is shaped (or adjusted) by an aperture stop 72 and made incident on a cylindrical lens 74 having a refractive power only in the sub-scanning direction. The light beam incident on the cylindrical lens 74 is emitted from it with its state being unchanged with respect to the main scanning cross section but converged with respect to the sub-scanning cross section, and focused as a substantially linear image in the vicinity of a deflecting surface 75a of a light deflector 75 composed of a rotary polygon mirror (or a polygon mirror).
The light beam reflected and deflected by the deflecting surface 75a of the light deflector 75 is guided onto the surface of a photosensitive drum serving as a surface to be scanned 78 through an fθ lens system (i.e. a scanning optical system) 76 having fθ characteristics, while the light deflector 75 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow A to scan the surface of the photosensitive drum 78 in the direction indicated by arrow B (i.e. the main scanning direction) with the light beam.
Optical scanning apparatuses are ordinarily equipped with a turn back mirror(s) for the purpose of size reduction or registrational adjustment etc. FIGS. 11 to 14 are cross sectional views, each showing the principal portion of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 11 shows an arrangement in which the optical scanning apparatus 200 is not equipped with a turn back mirror. FIGS. 12 to 14 show arrangements in which at least one turn back mirror is provided in the optical scanning apparatus 200 to fold an optical path.
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 11 is disadvantageous in terms of size reduction and cost saving, since there are many useless spaces (the hatched portions) in the apparatus and many scanning lenses are required to shorten the optical path length. Generally speaking, as the number of the turn back mirrors increases, the freedom of arrangement of the optical path increases and the apparatus as a whole can be made more compact, though this is not always the case and the situation may change depending on the configuration of the parts in the optical scanning apparatus.
Conventionally, infrared lasers (with an oscillation wavelength of 780 nm) or infrared lasers (with an oscillation wavelength of 675 nm) have been used as semiconductor lasers serving as the light source means. However, optical apparatuses that can provide a small spot by means of a short-wavelength laser with an oscillation wavelength of shorter than or equal to 500 nm are under development to meet demands for higher resolutions. An advantage of the use of the short-wavelength laser is that it is possible to realize a spot diameter as small as approximately half the spot diameter attained in conventional apparatuses, while maintaining the F-number of the exit side of the scanning optical system as large as that in conventional apparatuses.
In addition, if the spot diameter is equal to that in conventional apparatuses, the F-number of the exit side of the scanning optical system can be made approximately twice as large as that in conventional apparatuses. Thus, the depth of focus at the surface of the photosensitive drum is greatly increased. (Note that the depth of focus is proportional to the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source and to the square of the F-number of the exit side of the scanning optical system). Accordingly, the cost can be reduced by allowing a decrease in the degree of accuracy of various parts or by eliminating an adjustment mechanism that is necessary in conventional apparatuses.
FIGS. 15 and 16 are cross sectional views in the main scanning direction (or main scanning cross sectional views) showing the principal part of optical scanning apparatuses in which a spot having a diameter of 60 μm with respect to the main scanning direction is formed using an infrared laser 81 with an oscillation wavelength λ of 780 nm and a blue-violet laser 1 with an oscillation wavelength λ of 405 nm respectively.
FIGS. 17 and 18 are graphs representing the depth of focus in the arrangements shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 respectively. In each graph, depth curves for a slice level of 75 μm are drawn with the horizontal axis representing the image height and the vertical axis representing the optical axis direction (defocus direction) of the scanning optical system. As will be seen from the depth curves, the depth of focus can be greatly increased with the spot diameter unchanged, as the oscillation wavelength of the light source is made shorter.
If recording of image information is to be performed at a high degree of accuracy with the above-described optical scanning apparatus, it is necessary that the curvature of field be excellently corrected all over the surface to be scanned, distortion characteristics with constant velocity characteristic (fθ characteristics) be established between the image angle θ and the image height, and the spot diameter on the image surface be constant at different image heights. As mentioned above, FIGS. 15 and 16 are main scanning cross sectional views of the optical scanning apparatuses in which the spot size is set to 60 μm with an infrared laser and a blue-violet laser respectively, and it will be seen that the beam width is smaller in the optical scanning apparatus shown in FIG. 16 in which the blue-violet laser with the smaller wavelength is used.
In the optical scanning apparatus using the blue-violet laser, it is possible to increase the depth of focus as compared to the apparatus using the infrared laser and cost reduction can be achieved by decreasing the degree of accuracy etc., but such an apparatus is sensitive to influences of scratches, dusts or scattered toner present on the surface of optical components since the width of the light beam is narrow.
FIG. 19 illustrates a scratch, dust and toner present on the surface of a turn back mirror. FIG. 20 shows a printed image that has been formed using such a turn back mirror. Since the laser (or the light source) is normally operated while image writing is performed, if the light beam is partially blocked by dust etc., the image density will become low at the corresponding position, and a white streak can be produced in the worst case.
As is well known, the shorter the wavelength of a light beam is, the more strongly the beam is affected by dispersion. When particles of several microns such as toner particles are adhering on the surface of the mirror, the phenomenon that a portion of the scanning light is prevented from reaching the surface of the photosensitive drum by dispersion may occur.
Therefore, employment of the blue-violet laser directly leads to the problem of unevenness in density of an image caused by small particles such as toner particles adhering on the mirror. In the case of a color image forming apparatus utilizing such an optical scanning apparatus, the problem appears as unevenness in color in an image. Therefore, in the optical scanning apparatus using a blue-violet laser, it has been necessary to take care of scratches, dust and the like more closely than usual, which leads to an increase in the production cost.

Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus equipped with the same


Provided is a method for simultaneously acquiring magnetic resonance slices/slabs of a subject. The method comprises steps as follows. First, apply one or more than one RF pulse, which carries at least two frequency components, and a slice/slab selection magnetic field gradient so that at least two slices/slabs of the subject respectively corresponding to the at least two frequency components are excited simultaneously. Second, apply a spatial encoding magnetic field gradient. Third, apply a slice/slab separation magnetic field gradient so as to separate the at least two slices/slabs. The method according to the present invention can be used to acquire data for simultaneously reconstructing multiple slices/slabs. The method is compatible with existing MRI systems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) system, particularly for simultaneously acquiring multi-slice/slab magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
a. Principle of Two-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The principle of two-dimensional (2D) MRI procedure is described as follows: As a subject is placed in a static magnetic field, a region of the subject can be excited by using a radio-frequency (RF) coil and giving signals with respect to all the excitation and relaxation of nucleus excitations and relaxations in the region. With a (magnetic) gradient applied, the RF coil can receive those signals, which can be processed to a MR image. If the change in the structure or functionality of the region is to be realized, the gradient may be adjusted so that slices can be acquired from various locations in the region.
In the following, 2D spatial encoding is described. In the beginning, a slice-selection gradient GZ is turned on and a slice normal to the Z-direction is excited by RF pulses with suitable frequencies. A phase-encoding gradient GY is then turned on for a period of time and then is turned off, so that those nuclei have a certain phase difference in the Y-direction. As a result, a frequency-encoding gradient GX is turned on, while starting to receive signals. Due to this phase difference, the sum of signals with different frequencies (in the X-direction) is received, giving a line in a space spanned by two variables, i.e., the phase difference and the frequency. This space is termed the k-space. A similar procedure may be repeated, where the phase-encoding gradient GY is changed and thus those nuclei have another certain phase difference in the Y-direction. At this phase difference, the sum of signals with different frequencies (in the X-direction) is received, giving another line in the k-space. The whole sampling in the k-space is completed as the sums of signals with different frequencies are received at different phase differences. When the phase difference is changed, the slice-selection gradient GZ is turned on to excite the selected slice.
A 2D Fourier transform is performed after the k-space sampling is completed. That is, the phase differences and the frequencies are transformed into signal intensities at locations on the XY-plane, forming an image of a horizontal slice or a slab. Thus, a 2D MR image is made.
b. Principle of Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The principle of the 3D MRI is similar to that of the 2D MRI, except for a difference in the spatial encoding. A phase-encoding gradient GY and a slab-selection gradient GZ are turned on for a period of time and then are turned off, so that those nuclei have certain phase differences in the Y-direction and Z-direction. A similar procedure may be repeated, where the phase-encoding gradient GY and the slab-selection gradient GZ are changed. A 3D Fourier transform is performed after the k-space sampling is completed, giving a 3D MR image.
c. Common Drawback of Two or Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Images
Referring to FIG. 1, in a conventional procedure of 2D spatial encoding, only one single slice of the subject can be processed at a time; that is, multi-slice images are acquired from multiple scans along a scan direction. Therefore, one image is obtained from one scan; N image is obtained from N scan. The time required for acquiring the images of all the slices can be calculated as Equation 1 (Eq. 1).
Time required for acquiring the images of all the slices=NEX×Npe×TR×Nslice,  (Eq. 1)
where NEX denotes the average number of signaling and Npe is the whole number of encoding. For the 2D MR image, Npe denotes the number of phase encoding Np, TR denotes the time required for acquiring a line in the k-space, and Nslice denotes the number of the slices. For example, if there are total 256 images to be acquired, then Nslice=256, NEX=1, Npe=128, TR=0.1 second, and the time required for acquiring the images of all the slices is about 54 minutes. This is therefore a time-consuming procedure.
Referring to FIG. 2, in a conventional procedure of 3D spatial encoding, in one scan only one single slab of the subject can be excited to give the images of all the slices. Also, the time required for acquiring the 3D MR is calculated as Eqn. 1, but the whole number of encoding Npe=the number of phase encoding Np×the number of phase encoding NZ. Thus, it is apparent that more time is required for acquiring the 3D MR image.
d. Other Related Techniques
MRI is a useful tool for biomedical applications to obtain real-time images. Any possible method to accelerate the MRI scan time is highly attractive. Thus, a great deal of manpower and resources have been invested in this research field, resulting in the development of various ways of acceleration such as simultaneous excitation-time division multiple acquisition, phased array coil acceleration, and reduction in data reception.
The following list some of the approaches developed to date:
i. Simultaneous multi-slice acquisition of MR images by Hadamard encoded excitation (called SIMA sequence for short). Multiple slices are excited simultaneously, but a composite image of the multiple slices is received. The characteristic of the RF electromagnetic wave excited from each slice is required for solving a certain polynomial to give the complete information of an individual image. This technique has the disadvantage that extra time for computation may be needed and that N excitations and N receptions are required for computing the information of N slices.
ii. Simultaneous parallel inclined readout image technique (called SMA sequence for short). In this approach, multiple slices are excited simultaneously, and in receiving, different magnetic field intensities are applied to different slices by means of the gradient coil. This technique has the disadvantage that the additional gradient coil may result in inevitable blur in the image and may thus reduce the image quality.
iii. Use of multi-coil array for the separation of signals from multiple slices simultaneously excited (called SENSE sequence for short). In this approach, the images of different slices are received simultaneously using the sensitivity difference of multiple coils at different locations. The real images with respect to different locations are then computed. This technique has the disadvantage that extra coils are needed; for example, four times acceleration requires at least four coils. The acceleration effect is not proportional to the amount of coils.
iv. MAMBA. One stepped gradient coil is added, besides common linear gradient coils, so that the images of different slices have different resonant frequencies. This technique has the disadvantage that extra coils are needed (MAMBA gradient coils) and the acceleration factor and the multi-slice pitch are unchanged due to the fact that the coils cannot be arbitrarily adjusted.
Therefore, whether simultaneous excitation-time division multiple acquisition or phased array coil acceleration is used, conventional multi-slice image processing techniques cannot, at several times acceleration, simultaneously excite and acquire multi-slice, real-time images under the same pulse time-sequence without adding coils or computation algorithms, or reducing the acquired data. Moreover, these conventional multi-slice/slab MR image processing techniques require additional costs for adding coils or computation algorithms.

Method and apparatus for simultaneously acquiring multiple slices/slabs in magnetic resonance system


A system for securement of a mesh screen on the protruding, threaded end of a rock bolt inserted into a rock face comprising a push-on gripper plate, having a generally planar base portion adapted to overlie the mesh screen, and an installation tool. The gripper plate has a magnetically grippable contact surface for operative engagement with the installation tool. The installation tool has a handle portion with a main body portion rigidly attached thereto. The main body portion has a magnet to magnetically engage the magnetically grippable contact surface of the gripper plate, and a cavity dimensioned and adapted to non-frictionally receive the protruding, threaded end of the rock bolt during installation of the gripper plate. A ram is rigidly attached to the opposite other end of the handle portion of the installation tool. A method of installing a gripper plate onto the protruding, threaded end of a rock bolt is also provided.

It is well known in the mining and shoring arts to utilize rock bolts to secure a wire mesh over the rock face of a mine roof or wall so as to stabilize the rock face and reduce the risk of injury to mine personnel by way of falling rock. Similar mesh screening means are sometimes used in excavation and shoring operations where rock or shale faces may be exposed. In both types of such operations, a suitably sized hole is drilled into the rock or shale material generally perpendicular to its face, and the rock bolt is inserted into the hole to a depth at which its threaded free end protrudes beyond the rock face by several inches. The rock bolts are retained in the drilled holes by any conventional means, and such retention means, together with the rock bolts themselves are well-known and are not part of the present invention.
After insertion of each rock bolt into a pre-drilled hole, a retention plate having a centrally positioned hole is typically placed over the protruding free end portion of the rock bolt and a conventional washer and nut are threaded onto this free end to hold fast the retention plate against the rock face and thereby stabilize the rock bolt within the rock material. Once the rock bolts are installed in this manner, a wire mesh can be applied over the rock face and held thereagainst typically by use of a gripper plate attached to each of the rock bolts.
Prior art gripper plates for this purpose are known, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,535 (Saab) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,111 (Gagnon). During installation of prior art gripper plates, the gripper plate is pushed onto the rock bolt to secure the mesh screening, and is held in frictional engagement with the protruding end of the rock bolt by teeth, or other gripping means positioned on the body of the gripper plate. A socket wrench, or other device having a hollow cylindrical body portion is typically used as an installation tool to assist in driving home the gripper plate onto the protruding free end of the rock bolt in retaining engagement against the wire mesh. Frequently, the cylindrical installation tool is attached to a pneumatic drill, known as a "jackleg" to assist in such installation. Pneumatic drills are known to be quite heavy to lift, weighing perhaps seventy (70) pounds or more.
Mesh screening of the type under discussion is typically applied to support the ceilings and side wall faces of mine shafts, and the installer of the mesh has to work at levels at or above chest height, and frequently above his/her head. Thus, the installation of prior art gripper plates, necessitating, as it does, the use of a pneumatic drill, results in the installer having to lift the weight of the pneumatic drill, the installation tool, and a gripper plate attached to the installation tool, in order to install each gripper plate. The process is awkward, time consuming and requires significant strength and endurance on the part of the installer. Moreover, conventional gripper plates require aligned placement of the installation tool within a plurality of upstanding tabs or the like formed integrally with the lower surface of the gripper plate. The alignment is done manually by the installer. Thus, installing a gripper plate involves the steps of: retrieving a gripper plate by hand from a stored supply of gripper plates; manually fitting the gripper plate on the free end of the installation tool within the alignment tabs of the gripper plate; manoeuvring the installation tool, (and the attached pneumatic drill), with the gripper plate balanced thereon in said aligned configuration, into position adjacent to the already installed rock bolt; and installing the gripper plate over the wire mesh on the protruding end of the rock bolt by activation of the pneumatic drill.
Placement of the gripper plate in aligned relation on the free end of the of the installation tool requires several seconds for each gripper plate installed, and does not prevent the gripper plate from tilting or falling off of the installation tool while being lifted to the mine ceiling for engagement with the rock bolt. Moreover, such vertical tilting frequently results in the gripper plate contacting the threaded end of the rock bolt at an angle which causes deformation of the gripper plate teeth and inadequate and unpredictable frictional engagement by the gripper plate teeth with the threads of the rock bolt during the turning or pressing of the gripper plate into position on the protruding end of the rock bolt. When this occurs, the amount of weight which a mis-aligned gripper can support before disengagement from the rock bolt decreases, with a consequential decrease in the safety margin of the installation. In order to ensure uniform safety standards in a mining environment, such an improperly installed gripper plate would have to be removed and replaced.
Additionally, while manoeuvring the installation tool/gripper plate combination towards the protruding free end of the rock bolt, it is not uncommon for the gripper plate aligned and balanced on said free end of the installation tool to fall to the mine floor, posing a safety hazard to the installer or other workers in the area. Moreover, the retrieval of fallen gripper plates is a source of delay and frustration in the process of installing the mesh screening if they are retrieved, and an additional cost to the mine operation if they are not.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for securement of a mesh screening means on the protruding, threaded end portion of a rock bolt inserted into a rock face having a gripper plate and an installation tool which are easily and reliably engageable with one another.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system in which no fine manual alignment of the installation tool with respect to a gripper plate is required prior to the engagement thereof.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system in which a gripper plate and installation tool are self aligning and remain secured in engagement one with the other until the teeth of the gripper plate have fully engaged the threaded end of the rock bolt.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a system which will completely install a gripper plate using the installation tool alone, and does not necessarily require the use of a pneumatic drill or other subsidiary means to assist in installing the gripper plate on the threaded end of the rock bolt in fully secured relation.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a system in which the installation tool is of lighter weight than the conventional combination of an installation tool used in combination with a pneumatic drill to increase the dexterity and reduce the fatigue of an installer.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a system in which both the gripper plate and the installation tool are simple, robust, and cost effective to manufacture.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a method for installing a gripper plate on the protruding, threaded end of a rock bolt inserted into a rock face utilizing the system of the present invention.

System for securement of a mesh screening means and method of installation


A stacked type capacitor without carbon paste layer includes a metal foil, an oxide layer, a polymer composite layer and a silver paste layer. The oxide layer is formed on the outer surface of the metal foil to entirely enclose the metal foil. The polymer composite layer is formed on the oxide layer to partially enclose the oxide layer. The silver paste layer is directly formed on the polymer composite layer to directly enclose the polymer composite layer. The oxide layer and the polymer composite layer are connected with each other to form a first connection interface between the oxide layer and the polymer composite layer. The polymer composite layer and the silver paste layer are connected with each other without a carbon paste layer to form a second connection interface between the polymer composite layer and the silver paste layer.

Capacitors have been widely used in consumer appliances, computer motherboards and peripherals thereof, power supplies, communication products, and basic components for automobiles. The main functions of capacitors, including filtering, bypassing, rectifying, coupling, decoupling and switching, make them indispensable components in electronic products. Capacitors are available in different types depending on their materials and applications, which include aluminum electrolytic capacitors, tantalum electrolytic capacitors, multilayer ceramic capacitors and film capacitors. A conventional solid electrolytic capacitor enjoys the advantages of having a small size, large capacitance and superior frequency characteristics, and can be used for decoupling a power supply circuit of a central processing unit. In general, a plurality of capacitor units can be stacked to form a conventional high-capacity solid electrolytic capacitor which includes a plurality of capacitor units and lead frames. Each of the capacitor units includes an anode portion, a cathode portion and an insulating portion, and the insulating portion electrically insulates the anode portion from the cathode portion. However, each capacitor unit still needs to use a carbon paste layer, which leaves room for improvement.

Stacked type capacitor without carbon paste layer, manufacturing method thereof and silver paste layer