The present invention relates to coating compositions containing oxidatively drying binders and anti-skinning agents corresponding to formula (Ia) or (Ib) ##STR1## wherein Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are the same or different and represent hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine,. X.sup..sym. represents a group corresponding to formula I ##STR2## and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are the same or different and represent hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 linear or branched alkyl group that may contain one or more hydroxy groups, an aryl group or a C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl group.. The present invention also relates to anti-skinning agent mixtures containing these anti-skinning agents.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to oxidatively drying coating compositions containing oxocarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof and optionally dioxo compounds as anti-skinning agents and to improve drying of the resulting coatings (lacquer films).
2. Description of the Prior Art
Oils and binders are known that are converted from the liquid phase to the solid phase by oxidative crosslinking under the action of oxygen (preferably from the air) at room temperature or at higher temperatures in the presence of drying agents, for example, metal soaps of transition metals. Solutions of these drying agents are known as "siccatives." One difficulty of these oils and binders is that a skin may form on their surface during storage (in open or sealed containers). This crosslinking, which proceeds before the actual application of the lacquer, is highly undesirable. For example, it complicates handling of the lacquer and very frequently prevents the uniform distribution of the siccatives. One cause of skinning is the accumulation of siccatives at the surface. This is detrimental because the incorporation of the siccatives into the lacquer skin removes the necessary active siccatives from the remainder of the lacquer, which severely delays drying.
Skinning is also unwanted and disadvantageous in an applied lacquer film. Excessively rapid drying at the lacquer surface prevents uniform hard drying of the film because the underlying layers of the film are shielded from the oxygen necessary for drying. Uniform distribution of the oxygen is prevented by the excessively rapid surface drying resulting in levelling problems, shrinkage, adhesion problems and/or overall inadequate film hardness of the lacquer films.
In accordance with the prior art it is necessary to add substances (anti-oxidants or anti-skinning agents) to the coating compositions which inhibit the reaction with atmospheric oxygen at the (lacquer) liquid surface, i.e., in the container and in the applied film. A list of these known compounds is set forth in H. Kittel, Lehrbuch der Lacke und Beschichtung, Colomb Verlag, 1976.
The preferred anti-skinning agents are phenolic compounds and oximes. However, phenolic anti-skinning agents considerably delay surface drying, such that they may only be considered for specific coating compositions. Due to their volatility oximes, such as methyl ethyl ketoxime, only slightly delay surface drying. The disadvantage of oximes, which are today widely used, is their toxicity. Animal studies have indicated a risk of carcinogenicity on exposure by inhalation (MAK [German maximum admissible concentration]) list 1997). Therefore, elaborate personal protection measures are required when applying lacquers containing oximes as anti-skinning agents.
An object of the present invention is to provide anti-skinning agents which 1) either do not or only very slightly delay surface drying, 2) allow for very good hard drying of the lacquer and 3) have no disadvantageous toxicological properties. An additional object of the present invention is to provide anti-skinning agents which may be incorporated into a wide variety of oxidatively drying lacquers. Another object is to provide additives which, by virtue of their physical properties, may straightforwardly be used in suitable lacquer formulations.
These objects may be achieved with the compounds according to the present invention, which are described hereinafter.

Anti-skinning agents for oxidatively drying coating compositions


In an output control of a hybrid-type engine generator equipped with a load output demand detecting unit, a load output demand increase/decrease determination unit and an output control unit, a configuration is adopted whereby load output demand from (output required by) the load is detected, increase/decrease of the detected load output demand is determined, discharge power from the battery is added to generated power output of the engine generator unit when detected load output demand is determined to be increasing, and output of the engine generator unit is controlled so as to use some generated power output of the engine generator unit as charge power of the battery when detected load output demand is determined to be decreasing.

Since an increase in load output demand from an engine generator causes engine speed to increase, it results in increased noise. Moreover, engine speed change due to a repetition of sudden load change results a repetition of increased/decreased noise, that is called "groan sound noise" or "engine rev-up sound". Such a noise makes listeners unpleasant. So the technology of Patent Document 1 was developed to inhibit such engine speed rise related to the hybrid-type engine generator.
The technology of Patent Document 1 is adapted on the one hand to respond to battery output being of predetermined value or greater by holding engine speed constant to generate fixed power output while simultaneously making up for any shortfall with battery output and on the other hand to respond to battery output having fallen below predetermined value by gradually increasing engine speed to gradually increase generated power output while simultaneously decreasing battery output.

Hybrid-type engine generator output controller


A binder composition for batteries, including (A) a polymer that has at least one structural unit selected from the group consisting of structural units represented by the following formulae (a1) to (a5), respectively, and (f) a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a silicon atom, a germanium atom, a tin atom or a combination thereof; and (B) a liquid medium, the polymer (A) having a solubility of no less than 5 g in 100 g of cyclohexane at 25° C. and 1 atom.

Electrochemical elements, including batteries, are constructed from an electrolyte where ion migration occurs and an electrode where electrons are donated to migrated ions. In a case in which the electrolyte is a liquid where a support salt is dissolved in a solvent, it is difficult to make the electrochemical element smaller or thinner since a container for housing the liquid is necessary. The electrochemical elements, particularly lithium batteries, have been vigorously investigated in order to achieve a battery with a higher energy density on the basis that lithium is a substance with a small atomic weight and a large ionization energy, and nowadays have been widely used for electric current sources of portable instruments. On the other hand, internal energy thereof has increased due to increase of content of active materials, and also content of flammable organic solvents in electrolyte liquids has increased; therefore, in recent years, the lithium batteries have been closed up in terms of safety thereof along with being universally applied. Nowadays, development of all-solid-state batteries has been carried out in which a solid electrolyte material of nonflammable substance is used from the viewpoints of small-sizing, thin-sizing, and safety thereof.
An electrode used for the all-solid-state batteries is produced through steps of coating and drying a slurry for battery electrodes that contains an electrode active material and a binder composition for batteries dissolving a polymer in an organic liquid medium on a surface of a current collector, and laminating an electrode layer on the current collector by press-working the resulting coating, for example.
In the all-solid-state batteries, not only adhesion to the current collector but also high adhesion to a solid electrolyte layer disposed between a pair of electrodes is required to the electrode layer formed from the slurry for battery electrodes. In addition, in order to improve electrical conductivity of the solid electrolyte layer, suppression of an amount of binder used in relation to the solid electrolyte material in the solid electrolyte layer is also required, and thus improvement of the adhesion is further required. For the purpose of improving the adhesion, employment of a polymer with a relatively high polarity as the binder has been investigated (see Patent Documents 1 to 8). In order to dissolve such a polymer, a highly-polar organic liquid medium such as N-methylpyrrolidone must be used.
However, such a highly-polar organic liquid medium deteriorates or degrades an electrode active material, as a result, there arises a problem in that electric performance of electrodes or batteries using them are impaired. On the other hand, in cases of using a nonpolar organic liquid medium dispersing a polymer with less influence on the electrode active material, it is difficult to form a uniform electrode layer when coating the slurry for battery electrodes on a surface of the current collector by a process such as a doctor blade process and a spin coating process in particular, and thus workability is poor when producing electrodes.
For the countermeasure, in order to avoid the problems described above, a low-polar polymer soluble in a nonpolar or low-polar organic liquid medium has been investigated for the purpose of employing as a polymer for forming a binder so as to variously improve a structure etc. of the polymer and to enhance the adhesion etc. (see Patent Documents 8 to 11); however, improvement of the adhesion is not so remarkable in the technology until now.

Binder composition for batteries, slurry for battery electrodes, solid electrolyte composition, electrode, and all-solid-state battery


A faucet assembly including a mounting base, an upper faucet assembly, and a cam fastener. The mounting base is configured to be coupled to a mounting deck and includes first and second inlet water conduits. The cam fastener is rotatably coupled to the mounting base and the upper faucet assembly to releasably couple the upper faucet assembly to the mounting base.

The present invention relates to a mounting system for faucets in which the faucet may be mounted from the top of a mounting deck, such as a counter top or sink.
The installation of a faucet onto a mounting deck is often a difficult and time-consuming task. At least some of the installation typically requires the installer to work in the cramped and dimly lit work area under the mounting deck. More particularly, faucets are typically attached to the mounting deck with threaded connections which must be made under and behind the sink basin where there is very little room to work.
As such, there is a need to provide a less cumbersome and complicated system of installing faucets or interchanging different faucet styles onto a mounting deck which can be done largely from the top of the countertop or sink. More particularly, a system is desired which would permit the installer to exchange different escutcheon styles, delivery spouts, and handle combinations quickly and easily without replacing the complete faucet assembly and while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a faucet assembly includes a mounting base configured to be coupled to a mounting deck and including first and second inlet water conduits extending downwardly away from the mounting deck. An upper faucet assembly includes a fluid coupling configured to be in fluid communication with the first and second inlet water conduits of the mounting base. A coupler is supported for rotation relative to the mounting base about a vertical axis. The coupler is releasably secured to the mounting base and to the upper faucet assembly. The mounting base cooperates with the coupler to limit rotation of the coupler to less than approximately 360 degrees.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a faucet assembly includes a mounting base configured to be coupled to a mounting deck. An upper faucet assembly is positioned above the mounting base and includes a delivery spout, a lift rod, and a lift rod passageway for receiving the lift rod. A coupler is releasably secured between the mounting base and the upper faucet assembly. At least one of the coupler and the mounting base includes an inclined ramp surface configured to cooperate with the other of the mounting base and the coupler for drawing the upper faucet assembly into a locked position relative to the mounting base. The coupler is accessible by a tool inserted through the lift rod passageway.
According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a coupling system for use with a faucet assembly includes a cam fastener having a body, a tab extending radially outwardly from the body, and a retaining member configured to couple with an upper faucet assembly. A mounting base includes a ramp surface which is configured to guide the tab downwardly as the cam fastener rotates, such that the upper faucet assembly is drawn down into a locked position with the mounting base.
According to yet another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of installing a faucet includes the steps of placing a mounting base on a mounting deck, and coupling the mounting base to the mounting deck from a position above the sink deck. The method further includes the steps of placing an upper faucet assembly on top of the mounting base, and engaging a coupler through a lift rod passageway formed in the upper faucet assembly. The method also includes the step of rotating the coupler about a vertical axis such that the coupler causes a downward camming of the upper faucet assembly relative to the mounting base, thereby locking the upper faucet assembly to the mounting base.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.


According to one embodiment, a storage device includes an area demodulator and a head position demodulator. The area demodulator demodulates a first demodulation signal and a second demodulation signal having a phase difference of 90° from a read signal by a head of an area demodulation pattern recorded on a medium. The head position demodulator receives the first demodulation signal and the second demodulation signal, and outputs a phase angle indicating a direction of a vector formed in a phase plane by the first demodulation signal and the second demodulation signal as a head position signal.

1. Field
One embodiment of the invention relates to a storage device, a head position detection method, and a control circuit for detecting a head position from a head read signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Phase demodulation and area demodulation have been known as demodulation to detect the head position from a servo pattern recorded on a magnetic disc medium.
In the phase demodulation, a predetermined phase servo pattern is recorded on a magnetic disc medium and a phase angle indicating the head position is demodulated from a head read signal. The head position obtained as a result of the demodulation is linear since a track boundary does not exist, in principle, in phase demodulation.
On the other hand, in the area demodulation, an area demodulation pattern known as a two-phase servo pattern is recorded on a magnetic disc medium. Then, two types of demodulation signals, which differ in phase by 90°, are generated by addition and subtraction of a head read signal, and the head position is detected by switching the demodulation signal at the track boundary. Reference may be had to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication (KOKAI) No. 2000-215627 and Japanese Patent Application Publication (KOKAI) No. 7-287949.
In such conventional area demodulation, however, it is difficult to smoothly connect two types of demodulation signals at the track boundary due to difference in gain, etc. of the demodulation signals, and a position signal may be discontinuous.

Storage device, head position detection method and control circuit


Apparatus for exercising a user's muscles and providing the user with a cardiovascular workout. The exercise apparatus includes a base having two concentric circular closed tracks and a platform for supporting the user, wherein the platform comprises a turntable and four rollers which glide along the tracks of the base. The platform is adapted to rotate about a first axis and to concurrently move linearly along a second axis. The exercise apparatus optionally includes a resistance mechanism for opposing movement of the platform. Also optionally included is a hand rail surrounding the platform which may be detached from the base when the apparatus is not in use.

The present invention relates generally to an exercise apparatus and more particularly an apparatus for exercising the entire body, including arm, trunk, and leg muscles, while providing for cardiovascular exercise through continuous total body movement.
The importance of exercise has been recognized, and many now seek the benefits of a total body workout, including cardiovascular exercise and plyometric exercise. Cardiovascular exercise involves the heart and the blood vessels, and plyometric exercise enables a muscle to reach maximal strength in as short a time as possible. Both cardiovascular and plyometric exercises are useful in a wide variety of sports. Plyometric exercises are especially useful in sports that require exertion of maximal force during high-speed movements.
To get a total body workout, one can go to a gym and rotate amongst numerous exercise machines. However, gyms can be expensive, and many people do not have the time to visit one regularly. Many people therefore prefer the convenience of exercising at home. However, not only is it more difficult to get a total body workout in most homes due to space and equipment limitations, the range of movements provided for by home exercise equipment is often severely limited and therefore monotonous and boring. There is a need for total body exercise equipment that may be used in the home as well as in a gym and that is fun as well as effective.
The benefits of exercise through jumping and twisting motions have been recognized. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,690 to Gilman discloses an exercise apparatus which includes a supporting base and a rotatable platform. The platform has a fence over which the person jumps from side to side, and the degree of rotation of the platform is controlled by the user. Although the user of this apparatus enjoys a certain degree of bodily freedom, the apparatus still imposes significant restrictions to body movement. Specifically, the user must grasp a hand held support not only for stabilization but also to rotate the platform. Therefore, movement of the user's arms and upper body is largely limited during exercise. In addition, the impact resulting from the jumping motions takes a physical toll on the joints of the body, particularly in the knees.
A device directed toward exercise through rotational movement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,376 to Bostic et al. The Bostic device discloses an exercise apparatus having a turntable rotatably mounted on a base, and right and left poles pivotally mounted on the base. A user stands on the turntable and swivels his hips to rotate the turntable and reciprocally pushes and pulls the poles against resistance provided by an adjustable resistance mechanism. The turntable has only one degree of freedom, and the range of movement contemplated by this apparatus is limited.
There are also a number of prior art devices that are directed toward an exercise machine that builds torso muscles through rotational movement. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,538,807 and 4,673,180 to Rice disclose an exercise machine including a stationary base, a rotatable turntable mounted on the base, having a single degree of freedom about its vertical axis, and an upright stanchion mounted on the base for a user to grasp. This device focuses mainly on the muscles of the torso, and minimal attention is paid to other muscles of the body and to cardiovascular exercise.
None of the devices discussed above provides for the particular combination of muscle strengthening, cardiovascular workout, and significant freedom of bodily movement. Thus, there is a need for such an apparatus.

Twisting, plyometric, cardiovascular exercise apparatus


An image reading apparatus having an improved cover device. The image reading apparatus includes a main body having an upper surface on which a manuscript can be placed, a cover installed at an upper portion of the main body to cover the manuscript when scanning, and a pressing plate movably installed in the direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the cover at an inner portion of the cover so as to press the manuscript. In addition, an elastic member is additionally inserted between the pressing plate and the cover.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cover device of an image reading apparatus, and more particularly, to an image reading apparatus having an improved cover device provided with a structure to press a book or a manuscript while scanning.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image reading apparatus usually includes a duplicator as a multi-functional apparatus having functions of a copier and a facsimile, and an image scanner provided with an automatic manuscript feeder.
The image reading apparatus is, as shown in FIG. 1, provided with a main body 1, at which the image scanner and various components are installed, a transparent window D installed at an upper surface of the main body 1 for transmitting light emitted from the scanner, and a cover 3 installed at an upper portion of the main body 1, for covering a book or a manuscript when the scanner is operated. The cover 3 is provided with an elastic member 5 at its inner surface and a white sheet 6 for preventing the light emitted from the scanner from leaking to the outside.
The cover provided with the white sheet is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Laid-open Publication No. 1998-036466 (Publication Date: 1998, Sep. 15, Title: Cover device of a flat bed reading apparatus) and Korean Utility Model Laid-open Publication No. 1999-0021383 (Publication Date: 1999, Jun. 25, Title: Cover device of a manuscript reading apparatus.
However, the prior art white sheet adheres to the inner surface of the cover with the medium of the elastic member by using a special double-sided adhesive tape, thereby increasing the cost of materials and making the reuse of the white sheet impossible because of a breakdown of the elastic member when it is disassembled.
In addition, since the elastic member is so expensive, there is a problem of increasing the cost of materials.

Image reading apparatus having improved cover device


A Refillable dental flosser dispenser stores and sequentially dispenses a plurality of dental flossers each of which flossers has first and second sides and an edge extending between the first and second sides. The dispenser includes a housing having a refill end, a dispensing end and a housing side wall extending between the refill and dispensing ends. The housing side wall defines an internal storage cavity within which plural flossers are stored in a side-by-side serial arrangement. A dispensing-end wall combines with a housing side wall to define a side-emitting dispensing slot dimensioned so as to permit the edgewise withdrawal from within the storage cavity of only a single flosser at a time. Flossers within the storage cavity are positionally biased toward the dispensing wall for edgewise alignment with the dispensing slot such that, as each successive flosser is extracted from the storage cavity through the dispensing slot, each remaining flosser is incrementally advanced toward the dispensing-end wall by a distance corresponding to a single flosser width. A replaceable refill cartridge capable of containing plural flossers includes an open end through which flossers are sequentially fed into edgewise alignment with the dispensing slot.

Various corporations manufacture and market single-use dental "flossers" as an alternative to a continuous length of rolled floss from which a person removes a selected portion each time he or she flosses. Single-use flossers generally include a handle portion by which a user grips the flosser between his or her fingertips. A generally U-shaped portion depends from the handle and includes first and second space-apart fingers between which is strung a length of dental floss. Presently, flossers of the type described are sold in plastic bags or similar packaging. Each time a user requires a flosser, he must open the package, reach in and grab a flosser. Among other disadvantages, such retrieval exposes the flossers contained in the package to airborne germs and, inevitably, contact by the finger(s) of one seeking to remove a single flosser.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a conveniently refillable flosser dispenser that facilitates the sequential dispensing of flossers while protecting stored flossers from contact with dust, dirt and germs.


A apparatus for disassembling a threaded bolt and nut assembly wherein the bolt is initially extended through an opening provided on a structure and being secured thereto with the nut axially mounted on a threaded rod of the bolt. The apparatus comprises a tool body, a nut gripping element such as a socket mounted for rotation on a working portion of the tool body, the socket being provided with a bore axially extending theretrough. The apparatus further comprises a rotary actuator mounted on the tool body and operatively coupled to the socket for imparting torque to the mounted nut in a direction allowing release of the nut from the secured bolt. The apparatus also comprises a pushing device such as a pneumatic power hammer mounted on the tool body and provided with an elongated push member having a working end being axially displaceable within the bore, and a linear actuator mounted on the tool body and operatively coupled to the hammer for selectively displacing the push member between a retracted position allowing the release of the mounted nut and an extended position where the bolt is at least partially withdrawn from said opening upon thrust of the working end of the push member. A pneumatic control system is provided for controlling the rotary actuator and the linear actuator. The apparatus can be provided with a base for supporting the tool body and a holder connecting the base to the tool body while allowing transversal displacement thereof on the holder. A first embodiment uses a base provided with a rotary arm, while a second embodiment uses a base provided with a displaceable carrier mounted on a rail.

The present invention relates to the tooling field, and more particularly to tools used for disassembling bolt and nut assemblies.
Power torque wrenching tools have been known and used for years in manufacturing and maintenance industries to replace manual tools such as hand wrenches used for installation and removal of bolt and nut assemblies commonly employed for securing various parts together. Typically, power torque wrenches are provided with a rotary holder adapted to receive a selected socket or gripper designed to fit with the outer surface of the nut or bolt head to be tightened or removed from a secured structure. Known power torque wrenches, either be powered through pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical energy, are generally provided with a suitable mechanical or electrical switching device to allow either assembly or disassembly functions. For the particular case of nut and bolt assemblies, a nut can be either tightened on or removed from a corresponding nut, respectively. Examples of such prior art tools are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,574 to Jung et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,828 to Spirer. In order to facilitate the use of heavy torque wrenching tools by operators, many tool holders have been proposed for that purpose, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,147 to Fox; U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,730 to Holl et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,545 to Grassi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,895 to Yoshida et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,568 to Pietras; U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,554 to Brightly; U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,418 to Burner; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,005 to Jung et al.
In many applications, a complete disassembly of bolts and corresponding nuts mounted on a receiving structure is required, in order to allow further operations, such as disassembly of the structure. For a structure where bolt heads are hidden, the operation involves removal of each nut from the threaded rod of a corresponding bolt protruding from the structure. Then, there is a need to withdraw the bolt by axially pushing it throughout the structure, which bolt is expulsed from the hidden side of the structure. For example, such procedure is required for the maintenance of crushing mills used in the mining industry, wherein worn crushing liners bolted through the inner walls of the mill crushing tumbler have to be periodically replaced. In such a case, following the removal of a nut from a corresponding bolt, the latter is generally jammed and therefore cannot be easily removed by the operator, mainly due to corrosion and dirt accumulation at the interface between the bolt and the material defining the receiving opening provided on the structure. The use of a separate manual tool, and preferably a heavy power tool such as a hydraulic or pneumatic percussion hammer is then required to complete the disassembly, requiring further hard tool handling from the operator while reducing working productivity.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for disassembling a threaded bolt and nut assembly which facilitates both nut removal and bolt removal from a receiving structure.
According to the above object, there is provided an apparatus for disassembling a threaded bolt and nut assembly, the bolt initially extending through an opening provided on a structure and being secured thereto with the nut axially mounted on a threaded rod of said bolt. The apparatus comprises a tool body, a nut gripping element mounted for rotation on a working portion of the tool body, the gripping element being provided with a bore axially extending theretrough. The apparatus further comprises a rotary actuator mounted on the tool body and operatively coupled to the nut gripping element for imparting torque to the mounted nut in a direction allowing release of the nut from the secured bolt. The apparatus also comprises a pushing device mounted on the tool body and provided with an elongated push member having a working end being axially displaceable within the bore, and a linear actuator mounted on the tool body and operatively coupled to the pushing device for selectively displacing the push member between a retracted position allowing the release of the mounted nut and an extended position where the bolt is at least partially withdrawn from said opening upon thrust of the working end of the push member. Means are also provided for controlling the rotary actuator and the linear actuator.

Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Quebec


A battery charging apparatus comprises an inductive charging platform including a charging surface on which an electrical device to be charged is to be placed, and a first winding for generating lines of magnetic flux generally perpendicular to the charging surface. To compensate for voltage sag caused by a reduction in the flux generated by the first winding, a second winding is located within an area defined by the first winding for generating an auxiliary magnetic flux generally perpendicular to the charging surface.

Portable electronic equipment such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDA) usually use rechargeable batteries. Power adaptors (or AC-DC power converters) are traditionally used to charge the batteries in the electronic equipment. Due to the wide range of portable electronic products, many people nowadays have a wide range of power adaptors because there is no standard for charging different types of portable electronic equipment.
Recently, a number of types of planar inductive charging platforms have been proposed. One example is described in GB2399225A which generates an AC electromagnetic flux 1 with the flux lines flowing "horizontally" along the charging surface 2 as shown in FIG. 1A. A distributed winding is used in this charging platform for generating the AC flux. This principle is in fact similar to the AC electromagnetic flux generated in a cylindrical motor, except that the cylindrical structure is compressed into a flat pancake shape. As the flux needs to flow horizontally along the upper and lower surfaces, two inherent limitations arise.
Firstly, an electromagnetic flux guide must be used to guide the flux along the bottom surface. This is usually a layer of soft magnetic material such as ferrite or amorphous alloy. In order to provide sufficient flux, this layer must be "thick" enough so that the flux can flow along the layer of soft magnetic material without magnetic saturation. Secondly, a similar problem applies to the secondary device that has to pick up to flux (and energy) on the upper surface of the charging platform.
FIG. 1B shows the device required for the charging platform of FIG. 1A. This consists of a magnetic core 3 and a winding. In order for the winding to sense the AC flux, the flux must flow into the cross-sectional area (shaded in FIG. 1B). Therefore, this cross-sectional area must be large enough so that enough flux and energy can be picked up by the secondary device. It should be noted that this secondary device must be housed inside the electronic equipment to be charged on the charging platform. The thickness of the secondary device is crucial to the applicability and practicality of the device. If it is too thick, it simply cannot be housed in the electronic equipment.
Another type of planar inductive battery charging platform is described in GB2389720A. Unlike GB2399225A, the charging platform described in GB2389720A uses a multilayer planar winding array to generate an AC flux 4 that has almost uniform magnitude over the entire charging surface 5. The lines of flux of this charging platform flow "perpendicularly" in and out of the charging surface as shown in FIG. 2. This perpendicular flow of flux is very beneficial because it allows energy transfer over the surface on which the electronic equipment (to be charged) is placed.
For both planar charging platforms described above, it is necessary to use an electromagnetic shield 6 on the bottom surface. If the charging platform is placed on a metallic desk, the AC flux generated in the charging platform may induce currents in the metallic desk, resulting in incorrect energy transfer and even heating effects in the metallic desk. U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,364 has been shown to be an effective electromagnetic shield for this type of planar charging platform. The electromagnetic shield in U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,364 simply consists of a thin layer of soft magnetic material (such as ferrite) and a thin layer of conductive material (such as copper).
Regarding energy transfer from the planar surface, one coreless printed-circuit-board (PCB) transformer technology pioneered by Hui and Tang [EP935263A; Chung, H., "Coreless printed-circuit board transformers for signal and energy transfer," Electronics Letters, Volume: 34 Issue: 11, 28 May 1998, Page(s): 1052-1054; Hui, S. Y. R.; Henry Shu-Hung Chung; Tang, S. C., "Coreless printed circuit board (PCB) transformers for power MOSFET/IGBT gate drive circuits," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Volume: 14 Issue: 3, May 1999, Page(s): 422-430; Tang, S. C.; Hui, S. Y. R.; Henry Shu-Hung Chung, "Coreless printed circuit board (PCB) transformers with multiple secondary windings for complementary gate drive circuits," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Volume: 14 Issue: 3, May 1999, Page(s): 431-437; Hui, S. Y. R.; Tang, S. C.; Henry Shu-Hung Chung, "Optimal operation of coreless PCB transformer-isolated gate drive circuits with wide switching frequency range," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Volume: 14 Issue: 3, May 1999, Page(s): 506-514; Tang, S. C.; Hui, S. Y. R.; Henry Shu-Hung Chung, "Coreless planar printed-circuit-board (PCB) transformers-a fundamental concept for signal and energy transfer," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Volume: 15 Issue: 5, September 2000, Page(s): 931-941] has been proven to be an effective way.
Based on two planar windings on two parallel planes as shown in FIG. 3, it has been shown that both energy and signal can be transferred from one planar winding to another. This planar PCB transformer technology has been applied in a range of applications. In 2004, it was used by for a contactless battery charger for mobile phone in Choi B., Nho J., Cha H. and Choi S., "Design and implementation of low-profile contactless battery charger using planar printed circuit board windings as energy transfer device," IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 51, No. 1, February 2004, pp. 140-147. Choi et al uses one planar winding as a primary charging pad and a separate planar winding as a secondary winding as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 5 shows the equivalent electrical circuit diagram of this contactless charging system. As explained in Choi et al, the circuit operation of the coreless PCB transformer is based on the theory proposed by Hui et al. It should be noted that the primary circuit is based on the resonant circuit described in Hui et al, while the front power stage of the secondary circuit is a standard winding with a diode rectifier that provides the rectified DC voltage for the charging circuit.
Two main problems suffered by the charging system of FIG. 5 proposed by Choi et al include: (1) The planar winding of the secondary module must be placed directly on top of the planar winding of the primary unit. If it is slightly misplaced, the energy transfer will be seriously hampered; (2) The use of one spiral planar winding in the secondary module to pick up energy emitted from the primary winding requires the choice of switching frequency to be very high. In Choi et al, the operating frequency has to be 950 kHz. Such high switching frequency leads to high switching loss in the primary inverter circuit, high AC resistance in the PCB copper tracks and more importantly high electromagnetic interference (EMI) emission.
Problem (1) can be solved by using a planar inductive charging platform based on a multi-layer planar winding array structure, which allows the charged electronic equipment to be placed anywhere on the charging surface as described in GB2389720A. However requiring a multi-layer charging platform increases the complexity of the charging platform undesirably.
A planar inductive battery charging platform that generates magnetic field with lines of flux flowing perpendicular to the planar surface (FIG. 2) can be constructed in two ways. The first and simplest way is to excite a coil with an AC power source as shown in FIG. 6A. A second method is to use a multi-layer winding matrix structure as shown in FIG. 6B similar to that described in GB2389720A. However, in both cases, it has been pointed out (Liu, X.; Chan, P. W.; Hui, S. Y. R.; "Finite element simulation of a universal contactless battery charging platform," IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference 2005, APEC 2005, Volume 3, 6-10 Mar. 2005 Page(s): 1927-1932) that a central voltage sag phenomenon exists. In practice, a secondary module (or energy receiving element) is used to pick up the energy for charging the load. FIG. 7 shows that in one practical experimental setup, the rectified DC voltage picked up by a secondary module on the planar surface is not entirely uniform over the planar surface and in particular is reduced in the central part of the planar surface. This is known as central voltage sag phenomenon. This voltage sag increases as the surface area of the charging area increases.

Battery charging apparatus with planar inductive charging platform


An aspect of the present invention provides a method for displaying a face detection frame in an image-taking device, which obtains an image signal representing a subject continuously at a predetermined cycle, displays a live video preview on a display device based on the obtained image signal and detects a face of the subject included in the live preview based on the obtained image signal, and superimposes a face detection frame surrounding the detected face of the subject on the live preview for display on the display device, wherein the movement of the image-taking device from the time of obtaining the image used for the face detection is detected, and wherein the display position of the face detection frame is corrected according to the detected movement of the image-taking device on the basis of the display position of the face detection frame relative to the image used for the face detection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for displaying a face detection frame, a method for displaying character information, and an image-taking device, and more particularly to technology for fitting the position of the face detection frame or the like onto a live preview.
2. Description of the Related Art
Digital cameras which can detect a face from a subject have become commercially practical. These cameras can capture an image of a subject with proper focus and exposure by detecting a face and performing automatic focus control (AF) and automatic exposure control (AE) in the face area, even if the AF and AE based on the normal imaging are difficult. In addition, such a digital camera can display a face detection frame in the detection area when it detects a face so that an operator can determine whether or not the digital camera has detected a face.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-286940 discloses a digital camera which detects a face area present in a subject image obtained by imaging and enables the user to know the face area when he/she picks up the image. Further, AF and AE are performed using image data representing the image within the face detection frame. This enables the image data representing the subject image to be recorded with the face area being in focus and at an appropriate brightness.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-284203 discloses a digital camera having a lens control device which detects a face area present in a subject image obtained by imaging and controls a lens driving circuit to position a lens in a position where the face evaluation value is maximal.

Method for displaying face detection frame, method for displaying character information, and image-taking device


A user interface display comprises a plurality of selectable icons and a control symbol in a toolbar. The control symbol can be selected by a user to display additional selectable icons within the toolbar. Incoming events, such as customer support requests or other work items, can be received from a communication server and displayed via a selectable icon or work button in the toolbar. The user interface can notify the user of the incoming event, such as by causing the work button to blink. The user can send a command to the communication server via the user interface relating to the event, such as accepting an incoming work item or releasing a telephone call. The communication server can perform the appropriate event response.

Toolbars are typically provided in application programs such as word processing programs to provide a shortcut for accessing various features and options in the application program. The application programs often include a user interface that allows users to select one or more toolbars to display, and to configure the options to be included on the toolbars. The display area is typically divided into an area for toolbars and an area for presenting information to the user. Often, a user may include several toolbars on the display, which reduces the area that can be used to present information to the user.
A feature referred to in the art as "frames" are often used to create displays for user interfaces. A single user interface can be implemented with a number of frames, with each frame being allocated a fixed area on the display. Notably, text and graphics cannot be generated outside of the borders of the frame. Therefore, if a display window is generated with one frame, and a toolbar is generated in another frame above the display window, it is not possible to use pull-down menus in the toolbar that extend past the boundary of the toolbar's frame. This can substantially limit the number of options that can be implemented in a pull-down menu.
It is also desirable to provide a user interface with a toolbar that requires minimal space on a display, but allows the user to readily access the features and options in a system or application program.

Apparatus and method for displaying selectable icons in a toolbar for a user interface


A slide rail assembly comprising: a first slide rail (10, 10′) comprising a first, elongated web plate (11, 11′), a front surface facing toward a carried item (80) in use and a back surface facing away from the carried item in use; a second slide rail (20, 20′) nested within the first slide rail and being movable relative to the first slide rail in length direction. The upper edge of the first web plate is provided with a first, L-shaped upper folded panel (12, 12′) extending at an angle of 90 degrees with regard to the back surface of the first web plate, the lower edge thereof is provided with a horizontal supporting panel (13, 13′) for supporting the item which is bended at an angle of 90 degrees with regard to the front surface of the first web plate, and the first web plate is also provided with at least one first, L-shaped lower folded panel (14, 14′) opposite to the first upper folded panel and extending at an angle of 90 degrees with regard to the back surface of the first web plate, with the first upper folded panel and the at least one first lower folded panel collectively constituting a slide chute for supporting and guiding the second slide rail sliding therein.

Slide rail is a mechanic device that is widely employed to carry an item, such as a drawer, a server or a UPS, to be slid relative to other structures. In the simplest way, the slide rail is composed of an inner rail and an outer rail, wherein the inner and outer rails are fixed onto two devices to be slid relative to each other, respectively. For example, the inner rail can be fixed on a UPS while the outer rail is fixed on a cabinet, and the inner rail is nested within the outer rail such that the UPS is mounted on the cabinet by means of the outer rail. In use, pushing a UPS will lead to the sliding of the inner rail fixed on the UPS relative to the outer rail under the guidance of the outer rail, thus causing the sliding of the UPS relative to the cabinet. Usually a UPS is pushed into or pulled from the cabinet.
Depending on specific applications, slide rail assembly can be improved in a more complicated way. For example, a slide rail assembly used for drawers which need to be pushed in and pulled out frequently may be provided with roller wheels, roller balls or even gear wheels between the inner rail and the outer rail to reduce the friction resistance between the inner and outer rails, so as to acquire a more smooth and stable operation. In addition, a damping may be provided between the inner and outer rails in order to prevent the damage to the slide rail assembly or other structures caused by an excessive applied force during operation. As to a slide rail assembly used for devices that need not to be operated frequently, such as a slide rail assembly used for installing a UPS on a cabinet, the smoothness of operation between the inner and outer rails is not so important in comparison to a slide rail assembly for drawers, and therefore no slide-aiding means is arranged between the inner and outer rails in normal cases. Moreover, for the purpose of improving the security of a slide rail assembly during use, a position limiting means or a positioning mechanism may be provided on the slide rail assembly.
Accordingly, the existing slide due to their simple structures could be neither satisfied for the requirements of smooth operation nor safety during use, or due to various additional mechanisms on the slide rail assembly for smooth and safe operation, leads to complex structures and high costs.

Slide rail assembly and slide rail assembly pair


A device for generating a horizontal scanning periodic signal used for a PAL-system including a first clear signal generation unit for generating a first candidate clear signal when a value of the counter unit is coincident with a normal horizontal scanning period; a second clear signal generation unit for generating a second candidate clear signal when a value of the counter unit is coincident with a longer horizontal scanning period by an odd multiple of a half period of the color subcarrier frequency than the normal horizontal scanning period; and a selector unit for selecting one of the first candidate clear signal or the second candidate clear signal, wherein the second candidate clear signal is at least one signal selected during one vertical scanning period. Therefore, dot interference in PAL type television standards can be avoided by an easy improvement without increasing the circuit scale.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for generating a horizontal scanning periodic signal, more particularly, to a device for generating a horizontal synchronizing signal used in a phase alternation by line color television system (PAL-system).
2. Description of the Related Art
In the prior art, three different systems have been used as color television standards. Namely, a national television system committee color television system (NTSC-system) is employed in Japan, the United States, Korea, and the like; a PAL-system is employed in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the like; and a sequential-a-memoire color television system (SECAM-system) is employed in France, and the like.
Note, the PAL-system has basically the same configuration as the NTSC-system, but in the PAL-system, two chrominance signals are transferred so that a phase of one of the two chrominance signals is inverted by each line. This phase inversion in the PAL-system is used to correct the change caused by transmission lines, and thus saturation distortion can be extremely reduced.
In the PAL-system, the frequency of the basic clock [4.times.625.times.F.sub.SC ] (Hz) has been extremely high, and thus there are problems of large numbers of bits used for the counter and the like and a large circuit scale.
In the prior art, in order to solve these problems, an approximate equation is used instead of an original equation. When using the approximate equation, the frequency of the basic clock can be reduced as [4.times.F.sub.SC ] (Hz) which is lower by 1/625 than the above frequency of the basic clock [4.times.625.times.F.sub.SC ] (Hz), so that the bits used for the counter and the like can be reduced and the circuit can be much smaller.
However, an error between the frequency of the color subcarrier (color burst signal) obtained by the approximate equation and the exact frequency of the color subcarrier is caused, so that a change of light and darkness between the adjacent scanning lines may be caused. Therefore, when displaying an image of a small movement. e.g., an image of characters, a flicker (or dot interference) may be caused, and the quality of the display image may be decreased. Note, the problems caused in the prior art will be explained later with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Device for generating horizontal scanning periodic signal of pal-system to obtain clear display image


A processing system includes a pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS) control unit and a PRBS generator that is used to dynamically generate a PRBS from, for example, a first PRBS and a second PRBS. The PRBS generator is coupled to the PRBS control unit. The PRBS generator generates the second PRBS by dynamically adjusting from a first set of flip-flops of a master set of flip-flops that generate the first PRBS to a second set of flip-flops of the first master set of flip-flops that generate the second PRBS. The PRBS generator includes a plurality of PRBS logic engines coupled to a first PRBS multiplexer, the first PRBS multiplexer being used to select either the first PRBS or the second PRBS that is output by the PRBS generator.

Pseudo-random bit sequences (PRBSs) are sequences of bits that are generated pseudo-randomly as test patterns to test communication channels or circuits used in processing systems. The test patterns are typically generated using a Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR), which is a shift register having as an input bit a linear function of its previous state. LFSRs are generally implemented using flip-flops in a single bit per clock cycle topology. However, in systems that require increased throughput, the LFSR is generally implemented in parallel to "shift" multiple bits at a time. Using LFSRs in parallel is problematic due to the increased number of flip-flops required to implement the multiple data widths, often rendering the usage of a conventional LFSR impracticable.

Dynamic pseudo-random bit sequence generator and methods therefor


The Rh content by percentage in an HC absorbent catalytic converter provided in an exhaust pipe is greater than the Rh content by percentage in an upstream three-way catalyst. In this way, even when HC which has been temporarily absorbed is emitted in an atmosphere and the exhaust gas becomes rich, the HC absorbent catalytic converter displays improved oxidization and removal of HC due to the high content by percentage of Rh which has a high HC conversion ratio in rich atmospheres. There is no necessity to control the air-fuel ratio to a strongly lean ratio and so HC removal can be improved while maintaining suppression of NOx emissions.

Tokkai Hei 9-228828 published by the Japanese Patent Office in 1997 discloses the reduction of hydrocarbons (hereafter HC) emissions immediately after engine start-up by the provision in the exhaust pipe of an HC absorbent catalytic converter, which is comprised of an HC absorbent material and a three-way catalyst. The HC absorbent material absorbs HC when the catalyst temperature is lower than a fixed temperature and emits HC at temperatures higher than the fixed temperature.
In such a way, HC emitted from the engine is temporarily absorbed by the HC absorbent material in the HC absorbent catalytic converter. When the temperature of exhaust gases in the HC absorbent catalytic converter reaches a fixed temperature, the air-fuel ratio is varied to a lean air-fuel ratio, that is to say, the air-fuel ratio is varied upwardly. This results in a super-oxygenated mixture in the exhaust gases and HC which is emitted from the HC absorbent material is oxidized by the three-way catalyst.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method and apparatus for identifying virtual private networks (VPNs) in a network of a service provider. The method and apparatus includes generating a VPN routing forwarding—route target (VRF-RT) table for the network. From the VRF-RT table, at least one of a VRF-VRF table and a VRF connectivity graph is generated. From the VRF-RT table, a set of atomic full-mesh components are identified, and from the at least one of a VRF-VRF table and a VRF connectivity graph, at least one set of other types of VPN components are identified, such as atomic single hub-and-spoke components, molecular multi-hub-and-spoke components, composite full-mesh components, composite single hub-and-spoke components, and/or composite multi hub-and-spoke components.

Border Gateway Protocol-Multi-Protocol Label Switching virtual private networks (BGP/MPLS VPN) is a mechanism that is defined under Request for Comment 2547 (RFC 2547), which allows service providers to use their IP backbone to provide VPN services for their customers. This mechanism is based on using BGP to distribute VPN routing information to the routers in the backbone network, and using MPLS to forward VPN traffic. MPLS tunnels are created dynamically when needed, which relieves service providers of pre-provisioning large numbers (e.g., thousands) of tunnels. BGP/MPLS VPNs allow service providers to define any arbitrary topology with any number of nodes in a VPN. The service provider can create multiple VPNs using the same core network.
A service provider typically supports numerous customer VPN's across its network. The service provider needs to know how many VPNs are in the network, as well as their topology, in order to efficiently manage the network resources, illustratively, when changes (additions or deletions) to the VPNs are required. For example, service provider customers may have a partial mesh topology, and wish to implement a full mesh topology. Thus, additional resources are required to fulfill such customer need.
Current VPN discovery tools look for various predetermined patterns in a network based on route targets (RT). Route targets define which nodes (e.g., routers) are exported and imported by a provider edge (PE) router, and hence, dictate the topology of a VPN. If a predetermined pattern is found, then a VPN of a particular topology can be said to have been identified in the network. However, the current VPN discovery tools do not accurately determine the total number of VPNs in the network. For example, there may be overlapping VPNs at a node that may not get counted, or a VPN pattern may not have been examined. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for determining the number of VPNs that are hosted by a service provider and their respective topologies.

Discovery of border gateway protocol (BGP) multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) virtual private networks (VPNs)


A vehicle lateral control system includes a lane marker module configured to determine a heading and displacement of a vehicle in response to images received from a secondary sensing device, a lane information fusion module configured to generate vehicle and lane information in response to data received from heterogeneous vehicle sensors and a lane controller configured to generate a collision free vehicle path in response to the vehicle and lane information from the lane information fusion module and an object map.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a vehicle lateral control system and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing limited vehicle stability control when the primary lateral control sensing device fails.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
An emerging technology in the automotive industry is autonomous driving. Vehicles having autonomous capabilities are able to perform a variety of tasks without assistance from a driver. These tasks, which include the ability to control speed, steering and/or lane changing, are generally implemented by a vehicle lateral control system configured to receive sensing information from a primary sensing device such as a forward looking lane sensing camera. However, in these single sensor arrangements, the forward looking camera becomes a single-point-of-failure that renders the vehicle's lateral control system blind when the camera fails to function correctly.
In current systems, when the primary sensing device fails, the vehicle's lateral control system is disabled requiring the driver to take immediate action to control the vehicle's steering. However, studies relating semi-autonomous or autonomous driving reveal that there may be a delay for the driver to take over the vehicle steering control (e.g., 1-2 seconds or more). A delay in the driver's response time could be a concern if the driver is occupied with non-driving activities and does not immediately respond (e.g., collision with side traffic due to lane departure of the host vehicle). Thus, there is a need for a robust lateral control system that is able to alert the driver and maintain control of the vehicle for a reasonable period of time giving the driver an opportunity to regain control of the vehicle.

Redundant lane sensing systems for fault-tolerant vehicular lateral controller


A radio communication device, which transmits or receives a signal at a predetermined carrier frequency. The device includes a reference oscillator, which generates a clock frequency having a clock frequency error relative to a specified frequency thereof, a processor, which estimates the clock frequency error and parses the error to determine coarse and fine error correction components, at least one frequency synthesizer, which responsive to the clock frequency and to the coarse error correction component, generates a partially corrected frequency having a residual frequency error, which partially corrected frequency is applied to process the signal and baseband processing circuitry, which applies the fine error correction component to process the signal so as to correct the residual frequency error.

Radio transceivers used in mobile communication require stable clock sources and frequency synthesizers for use in modulation and demodulation of RF signals. The frequency synthesizers must be capable of tuning and locking onto a base station frequency with high accuracy. In a typical cellular communications system, for example, a radio transceiver must typically be capable of initial tuning, based on dead reckoning to an accuracy of 2 ppm, and then once a base station signal is detected, locking onto the signal frequency to an accuracy of 0.2 ppm. In the 800 MHz cellular baud, these requirements translate into 1.6 kHz initial tuning accuracy and 160 Hz locking accuracy. In the 1.5 GHz band, the figures are roughly double.
Crystal oscillators, which are commonly used for frequency control in radio transceivers and other applications, are not in themselves sufficiently stable to provide the levels of accuracy noted above. The inherent frequency of the crystal oscillator is known to vary with temperature and also to change gradually as the crystal ages. A typical crystal oscillator, for example, a PXO-type oscillator, produced by Telequarz of Nelcarbischofsheim, Germany, has a frequency accuracy of ±10 ppm. The long-term drift of the frequency of the crystal with age is about 2 ppm per year.
Because of these shortcomings of ordinary crystal oscillators, transceivers known in the art generally use either a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) or a voltage-controlled TCXO (VCTCXO) as a precise frequency reference source. Temperature-compensated oscillators are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,938,316, 4,015,208, 4,454,483, 5,375,146 and 5,604,468. The TCXO or VCTCXO receives an indication of the ambient temperature and corrects the oscillator output frequency accordingly, so as to compensate for the known characteristic temperature variation of the crystal frequency.
TCXOs and VCTCXOs are larger and heavier than simple crystal oscillators and include elements that are not easily incorporated in monolithic transceiver devices. They also depend on the use of a crystal which has a high motional capacitance to allow for externally-controlled tuning of the oscillator, and is therefore larger than standard crystals used in simple crystal oscillators. Therefore, TCXOs and VCTCXOs add undesirably to the cost and weight of RF communication devices, such as cellular telephones, in which they are used.


This invention relates to Huntington's disease and more specifically to methods for testing and inhibiting the development of Huntington's disease.

Huntington's disease is a degenerative, neurological disease that is almost exclusively inherited from a parent. About 1 in 10,000 people, or total about 30,000 people in the United States currently have Huntington's disease and about 150,000 are at risk of having inherited the disease from a parent. Individuals who are at risk of developing Huntington's disease inherit a gene (HD gene) from a parent that codes for a protein now known as the huntingtin protein. The HD gene, whose mutation results in Huntington's disease, is located on chromosome 4 and is characterized by an expanded trinucleotide repeat made up of cytosine, adenine and guanine (CAG). HD is an autosomal dominant disorder. Specifically the HD gene is located on a non-sex-linked chromosome, which means that men and women are equally at risk of inheriting the HD gene and, if the gene is inherited from just one of either parent, the inheriting individual will inevitably develop the disease.
Whether an individual has inherited the HD gene that leads to the development of the disease can be determined by a direct gene test using blood samples. The genetic test counts the number of CAG repeats in the HD gene region. In individuals who do not exhibit the HD gene, the length of the repeat pattern occurs up to 38 times or less. In individuals who inherit the HD gene, the repeat pattern occurs more than 38 times. Only about 1-3% of individuals who develop Huntington's disease do not inherit the disease from a parent.
Previously it was inevitable that an individual who carried the HD gene would at some point in their lives develop the disease. HD results in the genetically programmed degeneration of neurons. The disease causes nerve cells in the striatum of the basal ganglia located deep within the brain, particularly those in the caudate nuclei and the pallidium, and nerve cells in the cortex of the outer surface of the brain, to degenerate via programmed cell death (PCD). PCD is a regulated process by which selective gene expression leads to cell death. The disease eventually leads to uncontrolled bodily movements, mental deterioration and emotional disturbances.
Previously, there was no known means to treat, prevent or otherwise inhibit the development of the disease in individuals who either carry the HD gene or who have already begun developing the disease. In the latter group, only symptomatic therapies were available to target the ensuing symptoms resulting from brain degeneration.

Methods for testing for the development of Huntington's disease


A head drum assembly for use in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus includes a rotary shaft, a head drum secured to the rotary shaft via a bearing, a bushing fitted around the rotary shaft, for preloading the bearing, the bushing having a top and a bottom surfaces, and a print motor assembly. The print motor assembly includes an upper rotor yoke mounted on the top surface of the bushing, a printed circuit board stator winding attached on the head drum so as to be located below the upper rotor yoke, a lower rotor yoke attached on the bottom surface of the bushing so as to be positioned below the printed circuit board stator winding, and a permanent magnet disposed at an inside of the lower rotor yoke facing toward the printed circuit board stator winding.

In general, a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having a rotary type head drum such as a digital video camcorder is provided with a motor assembly. The head drum is supported by a shaft. The motor assembly is disposed at the upper part or the lower part of the shaft and is used to rotate the head drum. Recently, a print motor assembly is used as the motor assembly with a view to reduce the overall size and weight of the apparatus.
One of head drum assemblies employing the prior art print motor assembly is shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the head drum assembly 10 includes a fixed shaft 12, a head drum 14 rotatably supported by the fixed shaft 12 through a bearing 16 and, a print motor assembly 20.
The print motor assembly 20 includes a lower rotor yoke 22, a permanent magnet 24, a printed circuit board stator winding 26 (hereinafter, PCB stator winding 26), and an upper rotor yoke 28. The PCB stator winding 26 as used herein refers to a circuit board including a dielectric board with lead wires disposed on one or more sides of the dielectric board.
The lower rotor yoke 22 is seated on an inside of the head drum 14 and the permanent magnet 24 is mounted on the lower rotor yoke 22.
The permanent magnet 24 has a plurality of magnetic pole pairs arranged at equal angular spacings, wherein each pair of the magnetic pole pairs is equally magnetized so that the north and the south poles thereof are of equal strength.
The PCB stator winding 26 is secured to the fixed shaft 12 using a flange 30. To be more specific, after the PCB stator winding 26 is mounted on a stepped portion 32 of the flange 30, the flange 30 is tightly fitted around the fixed shaft 12. Thereafter, the flange 30 and the PCB stator winding 26 are joined with each other by soldering. Further, the PCB stator winding 26 is electrically connected with a flexible connector 34 for transmitting a motor driving signal through a soldered portion 36.
The upper rotor yoke 28 is seated on a shoulder 18 of the head drum 14 using an adhesive bonding or the like.
When the motor driving signal is transmitted onto the PCB stator winding 26 through the flexible connector 34, the PCB stator winding 26 rotates the head drum 14 in conjunction with the permanent magnet 24.
However, there are a number of problems associated with the above described print motor assembly. First all, the above mentioned arrangement of the print motor assembly is not adapted to a rotary shaft. Further, it is easy for the connector for transmission of the motor driving signal to come into a contact with the upper rotor yoke.

Print motor assembly for use in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus


A load cell member that removes the need for welding in a load cell installation process where the load cell is installed onto the frame of a truck. Where the load cell holding member is adapted to be bolted to a load cell and a lateral portion of the holding member is adapted to be bolted to a connecting member which is in turn bolted to the frame of a truck.

This invention relates to a load cell assembly and more particularly to a mounting and holding system for the load cell, a load cell holding member and also a method of installing the same. The invention is particularly adapted for use in semi trucks and trailers.
Load cells are commonly used on semi-trucks and trailers to determine the weight of the load being carried. Load cells commonly function by utilizing an internal strain gage that measures deflection or sheer. Because the modulus of elasticity of a load cell is constant the amount of strain can be calibrated to determine the force upon the cell. The load cell is supported at its two end locations with force from the structure to which it is mounted acting upwardly on the load cell at each end location. The force exerted by the load to be measured is directed downwardly at the center portion of the load cell. This force stresses the load cell in a manner that the strain gages provide an output corresponding to the weight of the load being measured. For the load cells to function properly they must be rigidly mounted to a base structure, such as the frame of the semi truck or trailer.
A semi-truck generally has a frame that basically comprises two C-channel beams where the channel flanges are facing towards each other, separated by a lateral distance of approximately 34 inches, and they extend from the rear to the front of the truck or trailer. The C-channel beams each have an upper and a lower substantially level flanges and an outer substantially vertical web. The outer webs are on the outer exposed portion of the frame. The load cells extend longitudinally and there are at least two load cells per truck and trailer, each rigidly attached to its related C-channel member. A load bearing member spans the lateral distance between the each pair of cells and is connected to the center portion of each load cell.
The connection of the load cell holding means to the upper flange of the C-channel portion of the frame must be a rigid connection. Traditionally the load cells are attached by first bolting a lower leg of a structural angle to the vertical web of a C-channel member. The structural angle is mounted longitudinally with the C-channel and has a length which is longer than the load cell. The structural angle is bolted at several locations to the central area of the vertical web of the C-channel. In one prior art arrangement, the structural angle is configured so that upper horizontal leg of the structural angle is positioned directly on top of the upper flange of the C-channel and the lower leg of the structural angle is bolted at several locations to the more central area of the vertical web of the C-channel.
Traditionally there are provided load cell holding members that are welded on top of the upper leg of the structural angle. The process generally consists of retrieving an expendable load cell as an assembly fixture and bolting it down to the load cell holding members. Then the load cell holding members are welded down to the upper portion of the structural angle. This procedure is a time consuming and there are various problems such as the welds being subject to failure by fatigue, warpage and other problems.


A seat apparatus include: a shaft rotated by a motor and operatively associated with the seat so as to move the seat; a first leg secured to the shaft and pivotably supported by the seat; a first spring, one end of which is fixedly attached to the shaft and an other end of which is fixedly attached to the seat; the first spring which biases the shift in a first direction; and a second spring, one end of which is fixedly attached to the shaft and an other end of which is fixedly attached to the seat, the second spring which biases the shaft in a second direction. The first direction opposes to the second direction.

It is possible to support an object via a four-joint link mechanism and to shift the object from a position A to a position B while operating the four-joint link mechanism by use of an electric motor. A seat for a vehicle, which is disclosed in JP2003-118451, is described as an example hereinafter.
A seat for a vehicle has a seat cushion and a foldable seat back. The seat cushion and the folded seat back are stowed in a stowing space, such as a receiving recess, defined on a surface of a floor of a vehicle. The stowing space can be provided ahead of, or behind, the seat. Accordingly, it is possible to expand an inner space of a vehicle, to assure a space for placing baggage therein, and to allow an occupant to have an extra room to be seated in the vehicle so that the occupant can be relaxed for example.
A seat such as the seat for a vehicle described above, in which the seat can be stowed or retracted, includes a pair of front legs, which is freely pivotably supported at or about a front portion of a seat cushion frame, and a pair of rear legs, which is freely pivotably supported at or about a rear portion of the seat cushion frame. Each front and rear leg is normally engaged with a striker secured on a floor of a vehicle via a locking unit configured with a latch and a pawl, thereby keeping the seat at a use/deployed position at which an occupant can be seated on the seat cushion.
The front leg of the seat for a vehicle described above is connected to the rear leg by means of a lever. A shaft, which serves as a rotational axis of each rear leg, is operatively connected to the electric motor. Therefore, when the electric motor is driven, the shaft, i.e., the rotational axis of each rear leg, is rotated, and the rear leg can be pivoted in a rotational direction about the rotational axis. Meanwhile, the locking unit, which is configured with the latch and the pawl, is brought into an unlock state against the striker by an actuator.
As for the front leg, which is connected to the rear leg by means of the lever, the front leg is pivoted about a pivot via the lever which is moved in response to rotation of the rear leg. Meanwhile, the locking unit of the front leg, which is configured with the latch and the pawl, is brought into an unlock state against the striker by an actuator. In such circumstances, free ends of both front and rear legs approach each other. Both front and rear legs are folded, and the seat can be stowed at a predetermined position by a supporting member of the seat cushion.
The supporting member of the seat cushion is a four-joint link mechanism having a pair of first link and a pair of second link. One of the first links is arranged at a laterally one side of the seat, while the other one thereof is arranged at the laterally other side of the seat. One end of each first link is pivotably connected to the seat cushion, while the other end thereof is pivotably connected to the floor of the vehicle (in most cases, connected to a floor at both sides of a stowing space). Likewise, one of the second links is arranged at a laterally one side of the seat, while the other one thereof is arranged at the laterally other side of the seat. One end of each second link is operatively associated with the seat cushion, while the other end thereof is pivotably connected to the floor of the vehicle (in most cases, connected to a floor at both sides of a stowing space). The second link is pivotably supported by the seat cushion frame via the rear leg.
As described above, in response to rotation of the rear leg by the electric motor, the front leg is pivotably rotated via the lever, which connects the rear leg and the front leg, and one of the first link and the second link can be moved along a predetermined path so as to stow the seat at the predetermined position. Here, the other one of the first link and the second link is moved following the movements of the link moved along the predetermined path and the seat and expressing a fixed trajectory. Therefore, the seat of the vehicle is stowed inside a predetermined space in response to movements of the legs and the supporting member. Further, the seat of the vehicle can return or go back to the seat use/deployed position at which an occupant can be seated on the seat.
According to the above described seat, when an object (e.g., an occupant) is replaced or moved on the seat, or when the seat is switched between the stowed position and the use/deployed position, a degree of load applied to the electric motor may fluctuate in accordance with changes in a center of gravity of the object or the seat itself in a longitudinal direction or/and in a vertical direction. In such circumstances, an occupant may obtain an unpleasant feeling as to a smoothness of the seat movement, the smoothness which may become worse due to backlash of gears of a speed reducing mechanism of the electric motor. Moreover, the seat may be moved rapidly, to a position, at which the seat is expected to stop, or to a position, at which the locking unit establishes a locked state, which may supply an unpleasant feeling to an occupant.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a stowed-type or retracted-type seat which supplies a pleasant feeling to an occupant.

Supporting structure and seat apparatus having a retractable seat


An electronic device comprising an RFID component which can act in an active mode and a passive mode. Preferably the electronic device is a PCB and the RFID component is at least partially located in the PCB. More preferably, the RFID component is located within the PCB. An electronic device comprising an embedded active component is disclosed. A method of exchanging information within an electronic device is disclosed comprising the steps in providing an electronic device which contains an RFID component which connect in a active and a passive mode, and a remote RFID device, and exchanging information between the RFID component and the remote RFID device.

The present invention relates to an electronic device and to a method of making an electronic device. In particular, it relates to an electronic device comprising an RFID component.
It is useful to be able to obtain information concerning a particular electronic component or device during its manufacture and/or use. In particular, it is useful to be able to obtain such information remotely.
There have been numerous attempts at providing systems to remotely communicate with electronic devices or components, which may be a whole product or a part of a larger product. One of the commonly used methods is the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) components. In general, these are discrete devices which are manufactured separately from the electronic device and attached either during or after manufacture of the electronic device. Typically, the RFID device acts in a passive manner, i.e. it does not operate in a powered or active manner but instead relies upon an external signal in order to provide energy for it to operate. In practice, the RFID device often comprises an antenna or aerial consisting of coils or spirals of wire. When an external interrogating device emits a radio signal to interrogate the RFID device, the antenna absorbs some of the radio signal which then powers the RFID device to re-emit a radio frequency signal in response. Because of the nature of such a passive mode, the responding signal from the RFID device is of a much lower power than the incoming interrogation signal.
This system is widely used but suffers from a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the RFID device is manufactured in a completely separate process to the manufacture of the tagged electronic device. Thus, a separate manufacturing step is required to correctly attach the RFID device to the electronic device. Furthermore, the RFID device can only operate in a passive mode, thus limiting its usefulness and range.
There is therefore a need to provide an improved RFID device-containing electronic component and method of manufacturing the same.

Tamperproof RFID component integrated into a multilayer printed circuit board


The present invention relates generally to a methodology of determining the concentration of the types of melanin, either eumelanin or pheomelanin, in the skin wherein the process for such determination is non-invasive and based on digital signal and image analysis of hyperspectral sensing and multi-spectral data.

Skin pigmentation disorders are conditions that cause the skin colour to appear lighter or darker than normal. The principal determinant of skin colour is the melanin pigment and variation in the amount and distribution of melanin in the skin are the basis of the three principal skin colours namely black, brown and white. Abnormality of melanin production causes skin pigmentation disorders.
There are two main categories of skin pigmentation disorders namely hypo-pigmentation and hyper-pigmentation. Hypo-pigmentation is the loss of skin colour caused by melanin depletion whilst hyper-pigmentation is the darkening of area of skin caused by increased melanin. Albinism and vitiligo are examples of hypo-pigmentation and melasma and freckles are examples of hyper-pigmentation. Hypo-pigmentation may be caused by melanocyte production being impaired for instance in a serious accident where most of the pigment producing layers of the upper skin would be damaged. Melanocytes make melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its color. If melanocytes production is impaired, so is the skin's ability to produce darker skin tones. Hy per-pigmentation may be caused by sun damage, inflamation or other skin injuries. Current treatment for hypo-pigmentation is typically carried out by various methods such as photochemotheraphy, topical corticosteroids, topical immuno-modulators, synthetic vitamin D3 analogues, therapy and a plethora of surgical techniques. Current treatment for hyper-pigmentation on the other hand is by bleaching and photochemotheraphy. In order to alleviate health risks associated to invasive treatments, tools for measuring melanin and other pigment levels that have been introduced and developed to treat skin pigmentation disorders have the tendency to be non-invasive in nature. Amongst such non-invasive measurement tools are namely camera to capture RGB image (Takiwaki et al 1994; Takiwaki et al 1998, Jung et al 2004); Chromameter to obtain colour data (P. Clarys et al 2001; Alaluf et al 2002, Nayan et al 2008), Derma spectrometer to obtain colour data (P. Clarys et al 2001; Lieneke et al 2003), Multispectral camera to capture multispectral image (Moncrieff et al 2002, Luadi et al 2006, Bushra J. 2008).
In the above non-invasive treatment, changes to the skin surface colour as a response to treatment takes time. To assess the efficacy of different treatment modalities of skin pigmentation disorder, a considerable time is needed for skin surface colour to change. This is because the measurement process (under Physician's Global Assessment [PGA] framework) only refers to the visual conditions of the skin surface and does not assess the conditions of the underlying skin layers and pigments. Moreover the PGA protocol is not yet standardised.
Hence the delay caused by observing the changes to the skin surface colour as a response to treatment is not an effective solution and a better more effective method has to be researched upon. It has been known that there are two types of melanin namely eumelanin and pheomelanin which are important in the understanding of the underlying causes of skin pigmentation disorders which would greatly facilitate analysis of pigmentation disorder reliably. Eumelanin is found in people with dark skin and gives a black or brown colour whilst pheomelanin is found in people with light and dark skin and gives a red and yellow colour [Thody A. J et al. 1991]. From the above literature, although there are many non-invasive tools for measuring skin pigments, there is currently no validated in vivo method that is non-ionising and non-invasive to accurately measure melanin types and quantities to be used in assessing severity of skin pigmentation disorder and treatment efficacies. There is presently no known methods and devices to classify and determine the types of melanin namely eumelanin and pheomelanin save for the biochemical method [A. J. Thody et al 1991; Ito 2003] which is unfortunately invasive in nature as skin biopsy is conducted for chemical analysis of skin samples. This biochemical method is able to classify and measure the types of melanin (eumelanin and pheomelanin) which is important in understanding the underlying causes of skin pigmentation disorder but being invasive in nature would carry with it certain health risks or perhaps discomfort, no matter how minor the treatment is.
The tools for measuring melanin and other pigment levels enables quantification of the level of the melanin pigment types in the skin but it would not be of assistance in analysing the severity of skin pigmentation disorder. For this reason skin pigmentation models are developed not only to give a detailed understanding on the role of melanin pigment types in human skin but also to develop an objective method for the classification of melanin pigment types in human skin. Present skin pigmentation models for analysing skin have revolved around analysing the skin dermis solely; the skin dermis together with epidermis; the skin dermis together with the epidermis and skin pigment (melanin); the skin dermis, together with epidermis and skin pigment (melanin and other pigments). Skin pigmentation models for analysing the skin dermis solely are the Empirical (Kulbelka Munk) model disclosed by Anderson et al 1981 and the Simulated (Monte Carlo) model by Prahl et al 1989. Skin pigmentation models for analysing the skin dermis together with epidermis are the Empirical (Kulbelka Munk) model disclosed by, Wan et al 1981 and Diffey et al 1983 and the Simulated (Monte Carlo) model by Wang et al 1995. Skin pigmentation models for analysing the skin dermis together with epidermis and skin pigment (melanin) are the Empirical (Kulbelka Munk) model disclosed by Cotton et al 1996, Cotton et al 1997. Skin pigmentation models for analysing the skin dermis together with epidermis and skin pigment (melanin and other pigments) are the Empirical (Kulbelka Munk) model as disclosed by Do et al 2003; the Simulated (Monte Carlo) model disclosed by Tsumura et al 2000, Meglinsky et al 2001, Shimada et al 2003 and Meglinsky et al 2007; and the Statistical (ICA) model by Tsumura et al 1999, Tsumura et al 2004 and Fadzil et al 2009. However to date there are no new skin pigmentation models that can analyse skin dermis epidermis as well as the melanin pigment types namely eumelanin and pheomelanin which as is known is vital in providing valuable information on the condition of skin enabling reliable analysis on the severity of skin pigmentation disorder for proper and expedited treatment.
It would hence be extremely advantageous if the above shortcoming is alleviated by having a non-invasive method for determining the level of the melanin types namely eumelanin and pheomelanin in order to facilitate the developing of human skin pigmentation computation model using digital signal and image analysis of hyperspectral sensing and multispectral data.

Methodology for determining concentration of the types of melanin pigment in the skin

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PETRONAS SDN BHD


The present invention provides a buckle assembly which includes a first tongue, a second tongue, and a socket having a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the first tongue and second tongue. Each tongue includes a tongue coupling member which operates to register the first tongue and second tongue to be inserted into the socket simultaneously. Alternatively, the first tongue and second tongue may be inserted separately wherein the tongue coupling member allows the tongues to be slid relative to one another thereby facilitating individual insertion of the first tongue and the second tongue. In addition, the buckle assembly includes a securement member having a button on each tongue. Both the button on the first tongue and the button on the second tongue must be simultaneously actuated to eject the tongues from the socket. Further, the buckle assembly provides a first slot, a second slot, and a third slot configured to receive a corresponding belt. The slots are oriented relative to one another such that the buckle assembly operates as a five point restraint.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to safety restraint assemblies. Specifically, the present invention relates to buckle assemblies for releasably securing an individual such as an infant, or the like to a device such as a car seat, stroller or the like.
2. The Prior Art
Buckle assemblies, or harnesses, are well known in the art and are often utilized to secure an individual such as an infant to a variety of devices such as a car seat, stroller or the like. Traditionally, buckle assemblies include a two-piece buckle having a single tongue and a single socket to releasably join ends of a belt about the occupant. In addition, it has been found desirable, particularly when the occupant is an infant, to provide buckle assemblies which have multiple tongues to secure a plurality of belts together at a single junction or socket.
One such prior art device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,931 to Anscher. Anscher discloses a three-piece buckle having a socket member and two plug members, wherein each plug member has a resilient tongue which defines an aperture or other opening disposed at a distal end thereof. The socket member includes a lug or pin which is adapted to fit into the aperture to lock the plug member into the socket member. Further, Anscher discloses including a hinged plate or button in a top face of the socket which can be depressed to force the resilient tongue of the plug member away from the pin to release the aperture so as to disengage the buckle assembly.
Although the device to Anscher may have advanced the art, devices formed in accordance with the teaching of Anscher also includes several drawbacks as well. One drawback found in such devices is that they often include a single hinged plate or button on a top face of the socket. Even though a single hinged plate or button may be conveniently actuated by a caregiver or other individual operating the buckle assembly, the single hinged plate may also be unintentionally actuated by the infant or inadvertently actuated by unintentionally impacting an object. Another drawback found in devices constructed in accordance with Anscher is that Anscher suggests two plugs which are oppositely disposed in along a longitudinal direction of the socket such that belts or the like which are secured to the buckle extend in a horizontal direction about the midsection of the infant. However, it has been found that such an orientation of the belts may not adequately secure an infant who often lacks the strength to support oneself. Alternatively directing the belts upward at an angle in devices such as Anscher often results in unevenly tensioning the belts thereby causing the belts to become jammed.
Other three-piece buckles have been suggested to overcome some of the above disclosed disadvantages. One such device is the buckle assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,097 to Woellert et al. Woellert et al. generally discloses a dual tongue buckle which includes a single latch member and a single ejection member housed within the socket, or buckle main body. Each of the tongues include an angled slot for receiving a belt. The device to Woellert et al. may be assembled by advancing each tongue member into the socket individually. Alternatively, the tongues are shaped to fit adjacent one another such that the tongues may be inserted within the socket together.
Although devices formed in accordance with Woellert et al. may advance the art, such devices also have several drawbacks as well. First, Woellert et al. once again includes a single button which simultaneously releases both tongues. As disclosed previously, buckle assemblies which allow for the tongues to be ejected through articulation of a single button substantially increase the likelihood that the buckle assembly is inadvertently actuated thereby inadvertently or unintentionally ejecting the tongues from the socket. Further, the buckle assembly to Anscher includes a plurality of separate parts thereby increasing the manufacturing and assembly costs of such buckles as well as increasing the opportunity for mechanical failure.
Lastly, other devices have been suggested which include a buckle assembly having a pair of tongues wherein the tongues may be registered together before insertion thereby allowing for the tongues to be simultaneously inserted as a single element when such is desirable. One such device of the above mentioned character is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,933 to Wiseman et al. Wiseman suggests a buckle assembly having projections on one of the tongues which are receivable in apertures on the other tongue. Although such devices enhances the ability of the caregiver to maintain the tongues in a proper orientation when it is desirable to simultaneously insert both tongues, such a device would substantially impair the ability of the tongues to be inserted individually when doing so is desirable.
In light of the above, one skilled in the art can best appreciate that several advancements are still desirable. Specifically, it would be desirable to have a buckle assembly which allows the each tongue to be secured within the socket individually or simultaneously together at the option of the caregiver. Secondly, it would be desirable to have a buckle assembly which includes a ejection mechanism which substantially prevents inadvertent and unintentional actuation. Thirdly, it would be desirable to have a buckle assembly which is designed to adequately secure an infant or other similar occupant. Lastly, it would be further desirable to have a device which operates effectively while also reducing the overall number of parts thereby minimizing manufacturing and assembly costs as well as minimizing the opportunity for part failure.


Toner particles contained in a liquid developer have a core-shell structure that first resin particles containing a first resin are attached to or cover surfaces of second resin particles containing a second resin. The second resin satisfies Equations (1) to (2) below. In Equations (1) to (2) below, x represents a number average molecular weight of the second resin and y represents a urethane group concentration (mass %) in the second resin.−0.00003x+2.03≦y≦−0.00003x+6.95  Equation (1)10000≦x≦50000  Equation (2)

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid developer and a method for manufacturing the same, and suitably to a liquid developer useful for various applications such as a liquid developer for electrophotography, a liquid developer for electrostatic recording, an oil-based ink for ink jet printer, or an ink for electronic paper and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In using a liquid developer as a liquid developer for electrophotography, a liquid developer for electrostatic recording, an oil-based ink for ink jet printer, an ink for electronic paper, or the like, toner particles dispersed in the liquid developer are transferred together with an insulating solvent and then thermally fixed. Therefore, desirably, the toner particles are sufficiently molten even in such situations that they have been deprived of volatilization heat by the insulating solvent. Among others, from a point of view of energy saving in recent years as well, the toner particles are required to have sharp-melting capability in a low-temperature region.
In order to meet the requirements above, it has been proposed to design a resin to be contained in toner particles by using resin particles having a core-shell structure. For example, according to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-96994, by designing a resin to be contained in toner particles by using resin particles having a core-shell structure, a particle size of the resin particles can be controlled and heat-resistant preservation stability of the toner particles is improved.

Liquid developer and method for manufacturing the same