A method is provided to quantify and/or qualify psychological and physiological components of stress in mammals, in which a stimulus can be applied to the test subject's environment during the test. The method involves the steps of measuring one or more physiological and/or psychological characteristics before and after the administration of a stimulus to a test subject. The stimulus may consist of any product, task, aroma or the like that elicits a stress-related response upon administration. By analyzing the resulting measurements, and optionally comparing physiological and psychological characteristics where both are measured, an overall level of stress may be determined. The method of stress measurement may further be used in product development and/or testing.

Stress has been, and still is, a difficult thing to measure. One difficulty in measuring stress comes directly from the lack of a concise definition for stress. One definition of stress is: "Stress is the non specific response of the body to any demand." (Hans Selye, "Stress without Distress," published by Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1974.) Another difficulty in measuring stress is in its diagnoses. Stress is difficult to diagnose because it reveals itself by a constellation of common symptoms with varying degrees of specificity. The symptoms are a function of: the stimulus (demand or pressure), their build up, as well as the individual organism predisposition (weak links).
Examples of common "weak links" and the symptoms of their malfunction include: (1) brain overstress: fatigue, aches and pains, crying spells, depression, anxiety attacks, insomnia, brain shrinkage; (2) gastrointestinal tract: ulcer, cramps and diarrhea, colitis, IBS, thyroid gland malfunction; (3) others: itchy skin rashes, decrease resistance to infections, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, etc.
Another difficulty is the complexity of the human stress response. Stress has both psychological and physiological components; measuring only one component is insufficient to provide a complete understanding. To measure stress, "mind and body" both have to be taken into consideration, as there is no psychological event without a resulting somatic (bodily) event and vice versa. Stress response varies greatly between individuals. One person, for instance, may display large changes in electrodermal activity with increased stress and show only moderate changes in heart rate and peripheral blood flow volume, while another individual may show the reverse pattern.
Stress is rather ambiguous and ill-defined. There is no standard definition of stress and, consequently, there are no widely accepted standards for measuring stress. One reason for this is that every person's psychological and physiological response to stress is different and can change over time. The magnitude of aromatherapeutic effects is probably small, making them difficult to isolate. There is much scientific evidence that a person's physiological reaction to an odorant may depend on their psychological response to the odorant, i.e., whether or not the person likes the odor. Animal studies by Buchbauer indicate that only specific varieties of essential oils—indeed, in some cases only specific enantiomers of fragrance molecules—produce an aromatherapeutic effect. This could explain some of the contradictory findings in the scientific literature regarding aromatherapy. A generic lavender, for instance, might not contain the correct amounts, proportions, or chemical species of the various components which are needed to produce an effect.
In commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/405,378 filed on Apr. 2, 2003, there is disclosed a methodology and apparatus for testing and evaluating acute stress levels of human test subjects by acquiring both physiological and psychological information during alternating periods of stress and relaxation. The methodology and apparatus disclosed therein also entail the acquisition of physiological and psychological information while subjecting the test subjects to a stimulus, such as a fragrance, flavor, or product, or while the test subjects are performing an activity or task. Further, the application describes the evaluation of acute stress levels of human test subjects by acquiring physiological data from biosensors, such as EKG and blood volume pulse (BVP) sensors, and by acquiring psychological data from questionnaires.
A primary advantage of the invention disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/405,378 is that both psychological and physiological measurements are simultaneously taken and assessed, which provides a much more accurate measure of a person's acute stress level by taking into account both body and mind (body/mind) interactions. The methods and apparatuses disclosed in said application can be used for many purposes, but at least provides certain scientific quantifications of the psychological and physiological parameters, which have not been available in the past testing or relaxation-determinative procedures. Another important aspect of the invention disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/405,378 is that the physiological and psychological factors are taken in a non-invasive manner, which is a huge advantage as compared to taking blood, urine or saliva samples.
Despite having provided a substantial solution to contemporary issues associated with the measurement of an acute stress in a mammal via an assessment of psychological and physiological characteristics, there remains a need in the art to identify an abbreviated method for measuring acute stress in a mammalian subject. Such a method should facilitate the rapid assessment of the level of acute stress in a mammalian subject, with or without the use of computers or other computational tools.

Method for measuring acute stress in a mammal


A filter element in which several layers (2, 3, 5, 7, 8) made of a filtering medium are joined contiguously in the direction of flow with at least one layer (2, 7) made of a filtering medium with a high storage capacity and a low degree of separation being arranged on the in-flow side and at least one layer (3, 8) made of a filtering medium with a low storage capacity and a high degree of separation being arranged on the out-flow side. Preferably the in-flow filtering medium is made of a filter paper containing cellulose or of a melt-blown material, and the out-flow side filtering medium is produced from a filter paper containing cellulose.

The invention relates to a filter element especially for filtering fluids.
It is known that different types of filter material can be used in known filter elements, combined to produce an optimum filter behavior for the particles to be filtered out and the fluid flowing through. For example, it is known from DE 44 43 158 A1 to use a melt-blown material as the filter medium in a gas stream together with a carrier material serving exclusively for stabilization.
It is also known from WO 96/34673 to locate a plurality of filter layers made of a melt-blown material on a carrier layer in a hollow cylindrical filter element. The layers then form together a replaceable filter element that can be placed in a filter system.
The sequential arrangement of nonwoven filter media made of synthetic fibers with staggered filter fineness is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,627 and WO 95/17946, with the filter fineness of the filter layers increasing in the flow direction.
It is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,597 and WO 96/34673 to arrange several filter layers or only one filter layer of a nonwoven web made by the melt-blowing process on a carrier layer which serves primarily for stabilization. The filtering effect of the carrier layer is negligible in comparison to the other layers.
The processing of synthetic filter nonwoven webs, especially melt-blown nonwoven webs, to produce filters requires the use of support materials. For example, metal wire cloth or even cellulose-based filter papers are used for this purpose. When cellulose-based supporting layers have heretofore been used, only filter layers exhibiting a much smaller degree of separation than the synthetic filter layer have been used. In such case, the supporting layer has no influence on the filtration properties of the overall arrangement but requires a considerable amount of space. Overall, in this known concept, only a certain part (for example, 30%–50%) of the volume of the overall arrangement is used for filtration.


A resin suitable for powder coating including glycidyl acrylate or glycidyl methacrylate. The resin may also contain a high Tg and hydrophobicity monomer. Typical powder coatings made from the resin show improved powder coating handling, and particularly acid etch resistance.

Since the 1970s, powder coatings have been a focus of development. In recent years, the use of powder coatings has grown rapidly worldwide due to its environmental friendly nature and tremendous improvement in resins, additives, and equipment technologies.
A glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) based powder coating is a powder coating system often selected for use from among other powder coating systems such as polyester, epoxy, and hybrids thereof, etc. The GMA based powder coatings have been used for 30 years since the first application patent published in 1973 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,870). The GMA powder coating has a general reputation for good smoothness, crystal clarity, chemical resistance, high gloss, and excellent outdoor durability. In fact, up to date the GMA powder coating is the only powder coating system selected for automotive full-body clear topcoat applications. GMA powder coatings have also been widely used in aluminum wheel coating, outdoor furniture, garden equipment, light fixtures, and certain industrial applications where extended weatherability is required.
Although GMA powder coatings have been used in many high performance applications, as described above, an improvement in the powder coating appearance and acid etch resistance is needed to meet current higher automotive standards. One manner most people have selected to improve powder coating appearance is to reduce the powder coating resin melt viscosity from existing systems. However, by doing that, the resin glass transition temperature was also reduced and the powder coating resins and final formulated powder suffered physical storage stability. Using refrigerated shipping and storage became a common practice in some high performance GMA powder coating applications. The refrigerated shipping and storage increase the cost for these applications.
Furthermore, to attempt to improve final coating properties such as mar and chemical resistances, many people increased the contents of the functional monomer, GMA, in GMA powder coating resin compositions. However, the increase of GMA functional monomer contents in resin compositions typically results in the increase of secondary hydroxyl groups generated during final curing of the powder coatings, as shown in the following GMA powder coating curing reaction scheme:

The secondary hydroxyl groups generated during the GMA powder coating curing reaction increased the hydrophilic characteristics in a final coating which typically reduced the GMA powder coating's humidity resistance, acid etch resistance, and filiform corrosion resistance. In the typical practice of GMA powder coatings, the higher weight % GMA monomer-containing resins give less acid etch resistance. Although the above secondary hydroxyl group could be further reacted with some other secondary curing mechanism, most of them are not efficient due to the hindering from the first highly cross-linked network.
Therefore, there is a high demand to provide a novel GMA powder coating resin with high cross-linking density without reducing the acid etch or other corrosion resistance. Embodiments of this disclosure provide novel GMA powder coating resin compositions which give a good GMA powder coating, good melt flow, and give a final coating with excellent smoothness, chemical resistance, and mar resistance with improved acid etch resistance. Further, it is anticipated that embodiments of this disclosure will provide improved corrosion resistance, such as filiform corrosion.

Resin suitable for powder coating compositions


A portable air compressor assembly includes a tubular frame having a pair of parallelogram shaped side sections. A support plate is connected between the side sections and horizontally positioned in a compressor normal operating position. A plurality of operating components connect to the support plate. A fluid pressure tank is supported perpendicular to the side sections and forward of the operating components. The frame envelopes the operating components' outer perimeter and angularly extends to a stop point rearward of the operating components. When tipped rearward to the stop point, the compressor assembly returns by gravity to the compressor normal operating position. An instrument and connector panel including an engine on/off switch is mounted in a protected position. Wheels and structural feet are removable and a handle is retractable and removable for shipping.

Air compressors normally provide a source of pressurized air which is temporarily stored in a pressure tank. A motivating means, typically an electric motor or a combustion engine, is connected to a compressor unit. The compressor unit typically includes a piston assembly, or compressor pump, which compresses air from the atmosphere and forces it into the fluid pressure tank for temporary storage. To make air compressors portable for job site use, structural frames are provided. The frames normally provide at least one wheel for mobility of the air compressor assembly.
Several drawbacks exist for common portable air compressor assemblies. The first drawback is that the component parts of the air compressor assembly, typically items that include the muffler from a gasoline engine and the air filter for the engine, and the cooling head for the compressor, are often arranged outside of the structural envelope of the frame supporting the air compressor assembly. Other smaller items such as the bleed and drain valve for the fluid pressure tank, the individual gages used to determine the pressure of the system, and drain ports from the various operating components are also frequently exposed (i.e., extending outside of an envelope of the frame). Exposed components are susceptible to damage.
Another disadvantage of known portable air compressor assemblies is the tendency of the assembly to tip over when pushed or pulled by the handle. Wheels used to support and provide for movement of the frame also allow the entire assembly to rotate and flip over. When an air compressor assembly flips over, damage to those items which extend beyond the perimeter of the frame can occur and fuel spillage can also occur.
It is therefore desirable to provide a portable air compressor assembly which overcomes the drawbacks of known air compressor assemblies.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Support structure for a portable air compressor


Protective needle clips of the type having an arm and a body section for blocking a needle tip of a needle and for securing onto the needle are discussed herein. The body section has a free end, a fixed end, is generally arcuate, and has a resilient force capable axially expanding the body section when the free end is fixed behind a ledge to create a bias in the body section. A pair of openings on the body section is adapted to received a hypodermic needle. When the tip of the needle moves proximal of a shielding section on the protective clip, the free end disengages from the ledge and causes the body section to axially expand. The expansion changes the orientation of the openings relative to the needle to permit the openings to engage the needle.

Protective needle clips are well known in the art for use in conjunction with hypodermic needles. Broadly speaking, a typical prior art protective needle clip is mounted over a hypodermic needle. The prior art protective needle clip typically has a body and at least one resilient portion, which may be inherently resilient or is caused or urged to be resilient by an exterior resilient member, such as a spring.
After an injection, the hypodermic needle is withdrawn from a body and cause to travel relative to the needle clip so that the needle clip moves from a proximal position on the needle to a distal position on the needle where the needle tip is located. When the needle clip reaches the distal end near the needle tip, the at least one resilient portion is caused to move radially inwardly over the needle tip to block the needle tip. Other mechanisms may be incorporated with the prior art needle clip to activate the resilient portion, to launch the needle clip, or to retain the needle clip on the needle.
Although prior art needle clips provide workable options for health care workers, there is a continuing need for an improved and/or alternative needle clip. Accordingly, disclosed herein are improved alternative needle clips that have a curved force generating section for biasing a different section of the clip over the needle tip of a hypodermic needle. Also disclosed are methods for using and making the same.


[Problem to be solved] To provide a pet toilet sheet cover member that is provided so as to cover a pet toilet sheet laid on a floor surface and can be easily positioned with respect to the pet toilet sheet and can be easily moved, and to provide a pet toilet having the pet toilet sheet cover member.

A pet toilet for treating excreta of a pet kept indoor has been designed in which a sheet-like pet toilet sheet capable of absorbing a liquid is directly laid on a floor surface such as flooring and a cover member is placed so as to cover the pet toilet sheet (for example, see Patent Document 1).
The pet toilet sheet cover member disclosed in Patent Document 1 is "a cover member for being placed on a pet toilet sheet and pressing the pet toilet sheet in a state of partially covering the pet toilet sheet, the pet toilet sheet being laid on a floor surface and absorbing excreta of a pet, the cover member comprising: a first end; a second end positioned in a direction opposite to the first end in a horizontal direction; an upper part; and a bottom part, wherein
the bottom part has: a first end region including an edge portion of the first end; a second end region including an edge portion of the second end; and a middle region between the second end region and the first end region,
a first member having a lower surface for being in contact with the floor surface is arranged in the first end region,
a rib having a lower surface for being in contact with at least a portion of an upper surface of the toilet sheet is provided in the middle region, the rib extends from the first end toward the second end, a second member having a lower surface for being in contact with the upper surface of the toilet sheet is provided in the second end region, and the second member is arranged so as to extend along the edge portion of the second end" (see claim 1 of Patent Document 1).
Then, the lower surface of the second member of the pet toilet sheet cover member is in contact with the upper surface of the toilet sheet laid on the floor surface (the second member being arranged so as to extend along the edge part of the second end of the cover member) while the lower surface of the first member of the pet toilet sheet cover member is in contact with the floor surface, and thereby, the first member can prevent shifting between the floor surface and the cover member and shifting between the toilet sheet and the cover member, while the second member can block flow of urine on a top sheet.

Pet toilet sheet cover member and pet toilet

Abstract: [Solution] A cover member 1 of a pet toilet sheet 3 according to the present invention includes: a frame member 7 that is provided on the rectangular pet toilet sheet 3 laid on a floor surface so as to over an outer peripheral edge part of the pet toilet sheet 3; and sheet fixing members 9 that are provided on the frame member 7 and fix the pet toilet sheet 3 to the frame member 7. The frame member 7 is formed to have an octagonal outer peripheral shape by obliquely cutting off corner parts of a rectangular shape. The sheet fixing members 9 are respectively provided at the corner parts of the frame member 7, and are structured to respectively fix folded corner parts of the pet toilet sheet 3 to the frame member 7.


A system and method is disclosed that reduces the latency of directory updates in a directory based Distributed Shared Memory computer system by speculating the next directory state. The distributed multiprocessing computer system contains a number of processor nodes each connected to main memory. Each main memory may store data that is shared between the processor nodes. A Home processor node for a memory block includes the original data block and a coherence directory for the data block in its main memory. An Owner processor node includes a copy of the original data block in its associated main memory, the copy of the data block residing exclusively in the main memory of the Owner processor node. A Requestor processor node may encounter a read or write miss of the original data block and request the data block from the Home processor node. The Home processor node receives the request for the data block from the Requestor processor node, forwards the request to the Owner processor node for the data block and performs a speculative write of the next directory state to the coherence directory for the data block without waiting for the Owner processor node to respond to the request.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a computer system with multiple processors. More preferably, the present invention generally relates to the sharing of data among processors in a Distributed Shared Memory ("DSM") computer system. Still, more particularly, the invention relates to a system and method that reduces the latency of directory updates in a directory based Distributed Shared Memory computer system by speculating the next directory state.
2. Background of the Invention
Distributed computer systems typically comprise multiple computers connected to each other by a communications network. In some distributed computer systems, the network computers can access shared data. Such systems are sometimes known as parallel computers. If a larger number of computers are networked, the distributed system is considered to be "massively" parallel. One advantage of a massively parallel computer is that it can solve complex computational problems in a reasonable amount of time. In such systems, the memories of the computers are collectively known as a Distributed Shared Memory ("DSM").
Recently, DSM systems have been built as a cluster of Symmetric Multiprocessors ("SMP"). In SMP systems, shared memory can be implemented efficiently in hardware since the processors are symmetric (e.g., identical in construction and in operation) and operate on a single, shared processor bus. Symmetric Multiprocessor systems have good price/performance ratios with four or eight processors. However, because of the specially designed bus that makes message passing between the processors a bottleneck, it is difficult to scale the size of an SMP system beyond twelve or sixteen processors.
It is desired to construct large-scale DSM systems using processors connected by a network. The goal is to allow processors to efficiently share the memories so that data fetched by one program executed on a first processor from memory attached to a second processor is immediately available to all processors.
One problem of large-scale DSM systems using processors connected by a network is ensuring that the data stored in the DSM is accessed in a coherent manner. Coherency, in part, means that only one processor can modify any part of the data at any one time, otherwise the state of the system would be nondeterministic. Maintaining coherency of data in the DSM is solved in part by directory based memory coherence protocols. Each data block in the DSM system has an assigned Home processor that contains directory information stored in Dynamic Random Access Memory ("DRAM") for the data block. The directory for a data block keeps track of the current state of the data block. When a request by another processor is made for a data block in DSM, both the data block and its current directory are read from the data block's assigned Home processor. After examining the current directory state, the Home processor performs some action to service the request, and the data block's next directory state is written back to memory.
For each data block requested, the directory-based coherence protocol must perform a write to the directory stored in DRAM memory to reflect the data block's next directory state. Remote processors in the DSM computer system may contain a copy of a data block from a Home processor that the remote processor is capable of writing to because the remote processor is exclusive Owner of the data block. Each data block's next directory state is reflected in the directory for the data block stored in the Home processor after the remote processor receives a copy of the data block. When a remote processor requests a copy of the data block, the request is sent to the Home processor chip for the data block that then forwards the request to any processors that are exclusive Owners. In such situations where a request must be forwarded off-chip, the next directory state may not be known for many hundreds or even thousands of machine clock cycles. This can result in increased memory write latencies and corresponding decrease in memory subsystem performance because a large amount of time may elapse between the read of the current directory (to forward the request off-chip) and the write of the next directory state after the remote processor containing an exclusive copy replies. This long delay before writing the next directory state results in tying up hardware in a wait state for the entire duration of the delay. Furthermore, the DRAM page containing the directory to be updated may have been closed by the time the reply from the processor containing the exclusive copy returns, further reducing memory system performance. Therefore, a system and method is needed that allows the Home processor to update the directory to indicate the next directory state while eliminating long memory latencies and reactivation of DRAM memory pages closed because of long reply delays when a request is forwarded off-chip.

Speculative directory writes in a directory based cache coherent nonuniform memory access protocol

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A command processing circuit of a memory device includes a clock divider, a clock controller and a command decoder. The clock divider generates a plurality of divided clock signals based on an external clock signal having a first frequency. The divided clock signals have a second frequency lower than the first frequency. Each of the divided clock signals has a phase that is different from phases of the other divided clock signals. The clock controller generates an operating clock signal based on a command signal and the divided clock signals, where the command signal is transferred in synchronization with the external clock signal. The operating clock signal has the second frequency and a phase corresponding to reception timing of the command signal. The command decoder decodes the command signal in synchronization with the operating clock signal.

Example embodiments relate generally to semiconductor integrated circuits, and more particularly to a command processing circuit, a memory device and a memory system including the command processing circuit.
A memory device is generally equipped to receive a command signal from a host device such as a memory controller. Standards associated with the memory device define a clock timing according to which the memory device receives the command signal. That is, the memory device is configured to receive the command signal at each clock in order to decode and process the command signal within a clock cycle.
As techniques for manufacturing memory devices evolve to allow for higher operating speeds, it has become increasingly difficult to process the command signal within each clock cycle. In an effort to overcome this problem, a plurality of processing units may be included in the memory device to allow for processing of the command signal using a time-interleaved scheme. However, time-interleaved processing using multiple command processing units suffers the drawback of increased power consumption.

Command processing circuit, memory device and memory system including the same


The present invention provides a doped homojunction chalcogenide thin film transistor and a method of fabricating the same, comprising forming an N-type chalcogenide layer constituting a channel layer on a substrate, forming and patterning a diffusion prevention layer on the upper part of the N-type chalcogenide layer, and forming a P-type chalcogenide layer constituting source and drain regions by depositing and diffusing Te alloy on the N-type chalcogenide layer. With the present invention, a thin film transistor can be fabricated using chalcogenide material having N-type conductivity and chalcogenide material having P-type conductivity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing N-type and P-type chalcogenide materials, a doped homojunction chalcogenide thin film transistor and a method of fabricating the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an N-type chalcogenide material and a P-type chalcogenide material, and a method of fabricating a doped homojunction chalcogenide thin film transistor using the N-type chalcogenide material and P-type chalcogenide material.
This work was supported by the IT R&D program of MIC/IITA [2007-S-032-01, Development for Multiple Platform Supported Mobile Application S/W Development Environment Technology].
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, with the development of information communication technology, technologies such as high-speed processing, large-capacity storage and the like have been developed. As a device used for information storage, for example, there are a photo information storage device known as a CD or a DVD and an electric memory device such as DRAM or the like. As devices used in the information storage and processing, for example, there is a photo thin film transistor or a CMOS image sensor. The photo thin film transistor is commonly fabricated by a CMOS process.
A low-cost low-temperature processed photo conductive thin film transistor (Photo-TFT) having relatively high-efficiency photo conductivity can be fabricated using unique characteristics of elements such as GeTe—Sb2Te3 (Ge2Sb2Te5:GST) including chalcogenide-based elements on a periodic table. Also, an undoped homojunction chalcogenide thin film transistor can be fabricated using a diode function expected from a principle to form a potential barrier generated from differences between charge concentration by a lone pair electron state of amorphous germanium antimony telluride (Ge2Sb2Te5) including the chalcogenide-based elements and charge concentration by a vacancy state of the same material Ge2Sb2Te5.
However, a method for manufacturing N-type and P-type chalcogenide materials by adding oxygen O2 including chalcogenide based elements based on the periodic table and a method of fabricating a thin type transistor using the manufactured N-type and P-type chalcogenide material, as described in the present invention, have not been publicly known.
The prior arts related to an optical recording material of optical information storage and a next generation non-volatile memory, which has been studied using Ge2Sb2Te5, will be described.
[Prior Art 1]
Prior art 1, which has features that if predetermined light is applied to Ge2Sb2Te5, its phase is changed from amorphous to crystalline or from crystalline to amorphous, determines on whether or not Ge2Sb2Te5 can be applied to optical information storage using an optically configured optical pick-up, if the result of the phase change is used.
[Prior Art 2]
Prior art 2, which has been proposed by Ovsinsky, the first proposer of a Ge2Sb2Te5 based phase change material, relates to a non-volatile memory PRAM using a phase change, that is, a method of applying a phase change phenomenon to an electric memory. This technique relates to a method of applying a switching phenomenon shown by mutually moving crystalline phases to the electric memory.
[Prior Art 3]
Prior art 3 relates to a thesis of an electric memory transistor that is fabricated using Ge2Sb2Te5 and the results of measured characteristics of the electric memory transistor is published. The prior art 3 basically corresponds to a method using a phase change mechanism obtained in the prior art 1 and the prior art 2, and relates to a method to apply the switching phenomenon which shows the states of mutually moving phases to the crystalline phase or the amorphous phase to a memory and a TFT.
A chalcogenide material has been known as a material having typical P-type conductivity due to unique characteristics of its atomic structure. The main factor to show the P-type conductivity has been known to be generated by a vacancy state within a band gap and owing to the unique characteristics of such an atomic structure, an N-type chalcogenide material has not been developed up to now.
FIG. 1 is a concept view of a structure of a photo thin film transistor fabricated using a general CMOS process. A structure of a photo thin film transistor actually fabricated through a CMOS process is more complicated.
Referring to FIG. 1, an amorphous silicon film 110 is formed on a silicon substrate 100 doped with impurity. Source and drain ohmic contact parts 120 for improving ohmic contacts are formed at both sides of the amorphous silicon film 110. The ohmic contact parts 120 are formed by ion-implanting the impurity into portions of the amorphous silicon film 110. A source electrode 140 and a drain electrode 150 are formed on the source and drain ohmic contact parts 120, respectively. A gate insulating film 130 is formed on the amorphous silicon film 110, the ohmic contact parts 120, and the source and drain electrodes 150. The gate insulating film 130 is formed using an oxide film. A gate electrode is formed on the gate insulating film 130 using a metal film 160.
In order to fabricate the conventional photo thin film transistor having the structure, a high temperature (for example, 500° C. to 1000° C.) process is required. In particular, the thin film transistor fabricated using the CMOS process of FIG. 1 uses a high-cost silicon substrate and requires the ion-implantation process for forming the ohmic contact parts. The thin film transistor must also need the hydrogenated and doped ohmic contact parts.
Most of TFTs currently used in a TFT-LCD display and/or a mobile phone or the like have the structure of FIG. 1.
In the case of the chalcogenide material, in order to utilize a layer having reference numeral 110 of FIG. 1 as a channel layer, a channel layer of the TFT should be first an N-type material or a P-type material, and in contrast, the ohmic contact parts having reference numeral 120 should be the P-type material or the N-type material. Such a structure has been known as the typical structure of the best transistor.

Method for manufacturing N-type and P-type chalcogenide material, doped homojunction chalcogenide thin film transistor and method of fabricating the same

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A navigation system for an aircraft, including a calculator of an estimated flight path for the aircraft; a device for determining an estimated value of a flight parameter that corresponds to an estimated speed for the extension of at least a portion of the high-lift devices of the aircraft; and a display of an indication for such estimated value. A command process for such a system and an aircraft equipped with such a system are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention involves an aircraft navigational system and a related command process.
2. Discussion of the Background
The approach phase prior to landing of an aircraft usually includes two principal stages: a descent at a considerably constant speed from a cruising altitude to an intermediate altitude (generally 3000 feet, or about 1000 m) and a deceleration while maintaining this intermediate altitude to a considerable extent. After these two principal stages, the glide slope for the airport is intercepted, and exactly to the landing strip or runway.
During deceleration, the pilot successively makes high-lift devices (=flaps and slats) evolve from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position while transitioning by intermediate positions. The progressive extension of the high-lift devices indeed permits increasing lift for the aircraft and thus permits a stable flight at lower speeds each time.
When the approach is made according to the classic arrangement mentioned above, the essence of deceleration takes place at constant altitude and the right time for extending each portion of the high-lift devices is as such relatively easy to determine for a trained pilot, by observing the sole parameter that evolves considerably, namely speed, by comparing it with the limit flight speeds (minimum and maximum) with the common configuration.
On the other hand, the classic approach process can reveal itself as annoying from the perspective of sound nuisances on the ground as a result of the progress at relatively low intermediate altitude of the aircraft over a considerable portion of its path.
As a result, it has been proposed to practice a Continuous Descent Approach (CDA), according to which the level of deceleration at constant altitude is eliminated so that the two principal stages of the classic method mentioned above are replaced by a single stage during which the aircraft descends and decelerates simultaneously; this stage is possibly broken down into several sections each having specific descent slopes.
As such, it is understood that speed and altitude vary simultaneously and can in addition, be linked one to the other in a way specific for each approach (for which the principal features are determined by the flight management system), it becomes difficult, even for an experienced pilot, to determine the right moment for extending the various configurations of the high-lift devices, by only observing the actual flight parameters.

Navigation system for an aircraft and associated command process


A method and apparatus for comparing two N-bit digital numbers. The N bits from the two numbers are inputs to a comparator. In addition, a parity bit from each number is an input to the comparator. Thus, the logical distance between any two numbers as seen by the comparator is at least two.

Many circuits contain comparators that compare two digital numbers. For example, cache memory systems compare requested addresses with tags of data stored in the cache, and arithmetic units compare two numbers for a variety of reasons. When comparing two digital numbers, the number of bits that are different between two numbers is commonly referred to as the logical distance between the numbers.
In a typical comparator, the inputs consist only of the bits that represent two digital numbers to be compared. When the compared numbers have a logical distance of one, only one input drives the result output. For example, in a domino implementation where the output of the compare circuit is the output of a wired-OR configuration of transistors, the output of each bit comparison is coupled to a pull down transistor. Each pull down transistor is coupled between the output node and ground to pull the voltage level of the output node to ground at the appropriate times. When there is a logical distance of one between two numbers, only one pull down transistor is turned on.
Alternatively, a static implementation may also be used where the wired-OR configuration is replaced by a static OR gate. A static implementation works in a manner similar to the domino implementation discussed above except that each bit comparison output has associated with it a pull up transistor and a pull down transistor. When two differing bits are compared, the associated pull up transistor is turned off and the associated pull down transistor is turned on. When only one bit differs, only one transistor is used to pull down the output node.
Thus, the logical distance between two numbers is equivalent to the number of pull down transistors turned on to discharge the output node. A logical distance of one is the slowest case because only a single transistor is turned on the discharge the output node. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a comparator wherein the minimum logical distance between any two numbers as seen by the comparator is two.


A conveyor comprising a first conveyor section and a second conveyor section which can be pivoted from a first position where it is in alignment with the first conveyor section to a second position where it is at an inclined angle with respect to the first conveyor section. A shaft pivotally connects the adjacent ends of the two conveyor sections together, and a spindle or pulley is journaled on the shaft and supports an endless belt in travel in a conveying run and a return run on the conveyor sections. A slide is mounted for sliding movement on each side rail of the first conveyor section and each slide carries a hold down roller which rides against the side edge of the upper working surface of the belt and hold the belt tangent to both the first and second conveyor sections. Each slide is also provided with a rack which is engaged with a gear that is fixed to the second conveyor section and is positioned concentrically of the pivot shaft. As the second conveyor section is pivoted relative to the first conveyor section, rotation of the gear moves the rack and slide plate move linearly to thereby change the position of the hold down roller relative to the spindle, thus maintaining the belt in a relatively taut condition.

A conveyor system for conveying small articles often includes an inclined conveyor section for transferring articles from one level to another. When the incline is relatively shallow, generally below 30.degree., a flat belt can be used in the inclined conveyor section to convey the articles between the lower and upper levels. However, if the incline is relatively steep, a cleated conveyor is normally used in which cleats are mounted on the working surface of the conveyor belt and extend transversely of the belt.
In the past, the inclined configuration has been provided by utilizing separate lower, inclined and upper conveyors. The use of separate conveyors requires a separate drive system for each conveyor including a motor and transmission, as well as a structural tie-in between the independent conveyors. The use of independent drive systems for each conveyor can substantially increase the overall cost of the conveyor system.
As a further problem, the ends of the independent conveyors in the inclined system are normally in overlapping relation, and if cleated conveyors are utilized, the overlap may be several inches in height to accommodate the cleats. As articles pass across the overlapping junction between the conveyors, they may tumble and loose orientation on the conveyor.
To eliminate the problems and the cost associated with the use of separate conveyors in an inclined system, it has been proposed to use a single belt which travels from the lower conveyor section to the inclined section and then to the higher elevation section. In a system using a single belt, the belt passes through an inside corner in moving from the lower conveyor section to the inclined section, and in order to maintain the belt against the conveyor bed, hold down rollers are normally employed at the inside corner to hold the belt against the conveyor bed. With a single belt conveyor of this type, pivotal adjustment of the inclined conveyor section is normally made around the axis of the hold-down roller and an adjustment of the inclined conveyor section will change the belt length in the return run, with the result that a large capacity belt tensioning mechanism is required. Further, as the conveyor sections pivot relative to each other about the axis of the hold-down roller, there is a lack of structural tie-in between the frames of the two conveyor sections which requires additional reinforcement to maintain the structural integrity of the conveyor at this location.


A method and an apparatus (1) for weatherability testing of a material sample (3) are disclosed. The material sample (3) is exposed to a testing atmosphere (12) in a testing chamber (2). The testing atmosphere (12) is formed by a plasma (10). Testing atmosphere (12) is withdrawn from the testing chamber (2) and resupplied to the plasma generation as a process gas (5G), after filtering and/or conditioning. At least one further substance (8S) may be added to a process gas (5G) for plasma generation, in order to obtain a desired chemical composition of the testing atmosphere (12). Parameters of the testing atmosphere (12) like temperature and chemical composition may be controlled. The material sample (3) may furthermore be exposed to UV light (25), which preferably is generated by an electric arc.

In many technical areas weatherability tests of materials are of considerable importance with respect to economic and safety concerns. Material samples are exposed to environmental conditions which allow for the study of the aging processes of the materials, usually in an accelerated mode.
For organic substances, for example, in particular, elastomer and polymer materials, the ozone-weatherability test is highly important. By exposure to ozone, these materials embrittle very rapidly. On the exposed surfaces, hairline cracks form, which lead to further destruction. Many test methods exist for characterizing the ozone and ultraviolet (UV) light stability of such materials.
For safety relevant lifespan tests, in particular, in the automotive and the aviation sector, extensive corrosion tests are performed. Salt spray chambers allow reproducible, accelerated corrosion tests (salt spray test) according to relevant national and international standards.
Noxious gas tests with specific setups are a known method for determining the effect of corrosive gases on components. Such components may, for example, be components for facilities of the chemical industry or highly stressed components in turbines or process gas compressors.
Systems for weatherability tests, for example, are offered by the company Weiss Umwelttechnik (http:www.wut.com).
German Patent No. 4115586 (Hehl et al.) describes an air conditioning method for a chemical test chamber. The air within an enclosed space can be conditioned by setting its temperature and its humidity.
German Patent No 4236897 (Trubiroha et al.) describes a weathering apparatus for spraying material samples with highly acidic liquids. In addition, the material samples can be exposed to UV light and various gases.
According to these systems, the gases to which the material samples are exposed must be stored. These gases often are corrosive or poisonous and provide a simulation of the effects of environmental contaminants on a material sample. Storage and handling of such gases are problematic. Some substances occurring in typical industrial exposure situations are unstable and must be generated if needed, for example, ozone, radicals, nitrogen oxides, and peroxides to name a few.

Method and apparatus for the weatherability testing of a material


A light source device includes a plurality of light emitting elements for emitting light beams, a resonant mirror functioning as a resonator for selectively reflecting the light beams emitted respectively from the light emitting elements, towards the light emitting elements, a wavelength selection element disposed on light paths between the light emitting elements and the resonant mirror, having a plurality of light selection areas for executing selection respectively on the light beams emitted respectively from the light emitting elements, transmitting light beams each having a part of a wavelength band of corresponding one of the light beams emitted respectively from the light emitting elements, and having a narrower width of a wavelength band of the light beam to be transmitted than a width of wavelength band of the light beam to be reflected by the resonant mirror, and a state changing section that changes a state of the plurality of light selection areas, and the state changing section changes the state of the light selection areas so that wavelengths of the light beams selected respectively by the light selection areas become different from each other.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a light source device, an image display device, and a monitor device.
2. Related Art
In recent years, coherent light sources have become fundamental also to image display devices, the optical communication field, the medical field, and the measurement field such as microscopes (see, e.g., JP-A-8-190111 (Document 1) and JP-A-5-13862 (Document 2)).
The high-frequency generator is provided with an LD, a bandpass filter, and a resonator having a nonlinear optical crystal. Thus, when the light with a fundamental wave emitted from the LD passes through the bandpass filter, the light in a wavelength band of ±0.5 nm around the fundamental wave is resonated. Therefore, since it can be prevented that the light is stabilized at a wavelength shifted out of a phase matching condition, it becomes possible to obtain high power light with harmonic component by making the light pass through the nonlinear optical crystal.
Further, the laser device described in the Document 2 is disposed having a laser medium held between a total reflection mirror and a partial reflection mirror. Further, a bandpass filter is disposed between the laser medium and the partial reflection mirror, thereby obtaining a laser beam with narrow spectrum. Thus, the laser beam emitted from the laser device becomes stabilized light.
However, the laser sources described in the Document land the Document 2 have a disadvantage of having coherency. According to this disadvantage, since an interference pattern appears on a projection surface on which the laser beam is projected as the speckle noise to degrade the image, some countermeasures to the speckle noise becomes necessary in order for displaying a high-resolution image.
As a measure for eliminating the speckle noise, there is proposed a device provided with a plurality of light emitting elements having central wavelengths slightly different in design from each other as an array (see, e.g., JP-T-2004-503923 (Document 3, the term "JP-T" as used herein means a published Japanese translation of a PCT patent application). In the technology described in the Document 3, the light emitting elements are provided as an array to obtain a wider spectrum band in comparison with the case of using a single light emitting element, thereby making it possible to reduce the speckle noise.
However, the device described in the Document 1 for eliminating the speckle noise is based on the premise of using the light source not requiring an external resonator structure, namely the light source directly outputting the laser beam. There is exerted the effect of suppressing the speckle noise in the case with the light source not requiring the external resonator structure, to be sure.
Here, in the case with a light source provided with an external resonator, the fundamental constituents are a light emitting element and a resonator mirror. Further, even in the case of using a plurality of light emitting elements, the resonator mirror for selecting a single wavelength is commonly used taking the cost and easiness of assembling into consideration. In the resonator mirror, the band of the wavelength to be selected needs to be narrowed in order for causing the laser oscillation. As a result, as described in the Document 3, even if variations are provided to the wavelengths of the light emitted from the arrayed light source, a single wavelength is selected by the wavelength selection element, the coherence of the entire light source including the wavelength selection element is not lowered.
Further, the resonator mirror in which the band of wavelength to be selected is narrowed and which reflects the light emitted from the light source is extremely expensive, thus increasing the total cost.

Light source device, image display device, and monitor device


Described herein are method and apparatus using a hot D.I. water bath for drying a wet work, for example, for draining and drying a wet work to dissipate water droplets completely from the work surface subsequent to a washing operation, permitting a high precision drying operation precluding disturbances by air bubbles of the water surface at the time of lifting the work out of the hot D.I. water bath. Prior to sending D.I. water to a heater, it is passed through a deaerator to reduce dissolved gas content to a level lower than a saturated solubility at a given temperature, and then heated to a predetermined temperature to prepare hot D.I. water for supply to the hot D.I. water bath; or alternatively D.I. water is heated to a predetermined temperature and supplied to a hot D.I. water bath through a water feed conduit via a bubble trapping chamber to remove air bubbles therefrom. A wet work is heated by immersion in the hot D.I. water bath and then lifted up to drain and dry same.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to drying method and apparatus to be used after a washing stage for draining and drying a wet work of metal, glass, plastics etc. by the use of hot D.I. (deionized) water to dispel water droplets completely from the work surface, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus of high precision drying capable of lifting a work out of a hot D.I. water bath free of disturbance of the water surface by air bubbles.
2. Description of Prior Art
For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 58-184479 discloses a draining and drying method in which a flat plate-like article with a smooth surface of metal, glass, plastics or the like is put in a bath of heated water or in a bath of pure or D.I. water and then lifted out of the bath at a predetermined speed based on an empirical value as determined article by article.
Also disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 64-53549 is a drying method with hot D.I. water, wherein a wet workpiece which has come out of a washing stage is immersed in hot D.I. water of a predetermined temperature and then lifted up slowly to dry the workpiece by its own heat.
In such a drying operation using a hot D.I. water bath, it is an utmost importance to maintain the water surface always in a still state without rippling the water surface, because the pull-out speed of the work relative to the water surface will be varied to deteriorate the drying accuracy when the water surface is disturbed by waves. Namely, when the water surface is moved up and down by waves, the work pull-out speed relative to the water surface becomes faster or slower, bringing the same portion of the work irregularly into repeated contact with the water surface to increase the possibilities of staining and uneven drying of the work surface.
In an actual hot D.I. water bath drying operation, there has been a problem that, when heating D.I. water by the use of a heater to prepare hot D.I. water, the air bubbles which are generated on the surface of the heater or in hot D.I. water creep into a hot D.I. water bath along with the feed water and float up to the water surface to cause rippling of the water surface. Therefore, when drying a work with use of hot D.I. water, it is necessary to prevent rippling of the water surface which is caused by air bubbles.

Drying method and apparatus using hot D.I. water


A hydraulic actuator for a belt type continuously variable transmission, with which a smooth operation is secured and both superior productivity and reduced manufacturing costs can be expected, includes a first cylinder provided on a movable sheave, a drum having a first drum portion that covers the first cylinder and a second drum portion that is fitted to a boss portion of the movable sheave and formed with a plurality of projections, a first plunger having a cylindrical portion that is fitted to the first cylinder and the second drum portion to form a first hydraulic chamber, and a second plunger fitted to the cylindrical portion and the first cylinder to form a second hydraulic chamber. An oil passage connecting the first hydraulic chamber and the second hydraulic chamber is formed by a gap between the second drum portion and cylindrical portion, which are fitted together.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a belt type continuously variable transmission used as a continuously variable transmission for a vehicle, for example, and more particularly to a hydraulic actuator for a belt type continuously variable transmission in which a pulley groove width is varied by moving a movable sheave that is disposed opposite to a fixed sheave formed integrally with a pulley shaft.
2. Description of the Related Art
A belt type continuously variable transmission includes: a primary shaft and a secondary shaft disposed in parallel; a primary pulley having a fixed sheave formed integrally with the primary shaft and a movable sheave that is disposed opposite to the fixed sheave and is capable of moving in an axial direction; a secondary pulley having a fixed sheave formed integrally with the secondary shaft and a movable sheave that is disposed opposite to the fixed sheave and is capable of moving in the axial direction; a driving belt wound around the pulleys; and an actuator for moving the movable pulleys in the axial direction. The belt type continuously variable transmission performs speed shifts continuously by employing the actuator to move the movable sheaves, thereby varying a pulley groove width such that a ratio of an effective winding diameter of the driving belt relative to the respective pulleys is varied.
Incidentally, a hydraulic actuator is used as an actuator for moving the movable sheave of the pulley in the axial direction, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H2-62449 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H3-33542 have proposed a hydraulic actuator known as a tandem type hydraulic actuator for securing an increase in a pushing force applied to the movable sheave without an increase in outer diameter.
The tandem type hydraulic actuator disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H2-62449 will now be described with reference to FIG. 7, which is a sectional view showing the main parts of a belt type continuously variable transmission.
A primary pulley 102 includes a fixed sheave 103 formed integrally with a primary shaft 101 and a movable sheave 104 that is disposed opposite to the fixed sheave 103 and is capable of moving in an axial direction, and a hydraulic actuator 105 for moving the movable sheave 104 in the axial direction is disposed between a back surface of the movable sheave 104 and the primary shaft 101.
The hydraulic actuator 105 includes a cylindrical first cylinder 106 that projects from an outer periphery of the movable sheave 104 toward the back surface side, a fixed wall 107 having an outer periphery that is fitted slidably to an inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder 106 and formed with a tubular portion 107a, an inner periphery of which is fixed to the primary shaft 101 such that a first hydraulic chamber A is formed between the fixed wall 107 and the movable sheave 104, a drum 108 having a cylindrical second cylinder 108a that covers an outer side of the first cylinder 106 so as to overlap the first cylinder 106 in an axial direction, an inner periphery of which is fixed to the primary shaft 101, and a cylindrical plunger 109 having an inner peripheral surface that is fitted slidably to an outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 107a and an outer periphery that is fitted slidably between the inner periphery of the second cylinder 108a and the first cylinder 106 such that a second hydraulic chamber B is formed between the plunger 109 and the drum 108.
An oil pressure supply passage 101a is formed in the interior of the primary shaft 101, and working oil pressure introduced into the oil pressure supply passage 101a is supplied to the first hydraulic chamber A via a passage 101b formed in the primary shaft 101 in a diametrical direction and supplied to the second hydraulic chamber B via an oil hole 107b formed in an inner peripheral portion of the fixed wall 107. The movable sheave 104 is pushed in the direction of the fixed sheave 103 directly by the working oil pressure of the first hydraulic chamber A, and the plunger 109 is moved by the working oil pressure of the second hydraulic chamber B. The moving force of the plunger 109 is transmitted to the movable sheave 104 to move the movable sheave 104 in the same direction together with the pushing force of the first hydraulic chamber A. As a result, a pulley groove width of the primary pulley 102 is narrowed. Accordingly, an effective winding diameter of a driving belt 110 wound around the primary pulley 102 increases, leading to an increase in a gear ratio that is transmitted to a secondary pulley, not shown in the drawing.
Meanwhile, when the working oil pressure is discharged from the first hydraulic chamber A and the second hydraulic chamber B, the movable sheave 104 and the plunger 109 are moved in a direction heading away from the fixed sheave 103 by tension in the driving belt 110. As a result, the effective winding diameter of the driving belt 110 wound around the primary pulley 102 decreases, decreasing the gear ratio relative to the secondary pulley.
The tandem type hydraulic actuator disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H3-33542 will now be described with reference to FIG. 8, which is a sectional view showing the main parts of a belt type continuously variable transmission.
A primary pulley 112 includes a fixed sheave 113 formed integrally with a primary shaft 111 and a movable sheave 114 that is disposed opposite to the fixed sheave 113 and is capable of moving in an axial direction, and a hydraulic actuator 115 for moving the movable sheave 114 in the axial direction is disposed between a back surface of the movable sheave 114 and the primary shaft 111.
The hydraulic actuator 115 includes a cylindrical first cylinder 116 that projects from an outer periphery of the movable sheave 114 toward the back surface side, a drum 117 that is fixed to the primary shaft 111 and includes, on its outer periphery, a second cylinder 117a that covers an outer side of the first cylinder 116 so as to overlap the first cylinder 116 in the axial direction, a first plunger 118 that includes a tubular portion 118a formed in a tubular shape, an inner end of which is press-fitted fixedly into a press fitting groove 117b formed in a ring shape in a side face of the drum 117 and an outer end of which is fitted slidably to an inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder 116, whereby a first hydraulic chamber A is formed between the first plunger 118 and the movable sheave 114, and a second plunger 119 having an outer periphery that is fitted slidably to the inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder 116 and an inner periphery that is fitted slidably to the tubular portion 118a of the first plunger 118, whereby a second hydraulic chamber B is formed between the second plunger 119 and the drum 117.
An oil pressure supply passage 111a is formed in the interior of the primary shaft 111, and working oil pressure from the oil pressure supply passage 111a is supplied to the first hydraulic chamber A and the second hydraulic chamber B. The movable sheave 114 is pushed in the direction of the fixed sheave 113 directly by the working oil pressure of the first hydraulic chamber A, and the second plunger 119 is moved by the working oil pressure of the second hydraulic chamber B. The moving force of the plunger 119 is transmitted to the movable sheave 114 so as to move the movable sheave 114 in the same direction together with the pushing force of the first hydraulic chamber A. As a result, a pulley groove width of the primary pulley 112 is narrowed. Accordingly, the effective winding diameter of a driving belt 120 wound around the primary pulley 112 increases, leading to an increase in the gear ratio that is transmitted to a secondary pulley, not shown in the drawing.
Meanwhile, when the working oil pressure is discharged from the first hydraulic chamber A and the second hydraulic chamber B, the movable sheave 114 and the second plunger 119 are moved in a direction heading away from the fixed sheave 113 by tension in the driving belt 120. As a result, the effective winding diameter of the driving belt 120 decreases, decreasing the gear ratio relative to the secondary pulley.
According to the hydraulic actuators of the belt type continuously variable transmissions described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H2-62449 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H3-33542, the first hydraulic chamber and the second hydraulic chamber are disposed coaxially with the primary shaft, and therefore the pushing force applied to the movable sheave can be increased without increasing in outer diameter.
However, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H2-62449, the fixed wall 107 that forms the first hydraulic chamber A and supports the plunger 109 slidably is fixed integrally to the primary shaft 101, and therefore the oil passage 107b for supplying the working oil pressure from the oil pressure supply passage 101a of the primary shaft 101 to the second hydraulic chamber B must be drilled into the fixed wall 107. As a result, the constitution of the fixed wall 107 becomes complicated, and the labor involved in the drilling operation leads to an increase in manufacturing cost.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H3-33542, meanwhile, the first hydraulic chamber A is formed between the first plunger 118 and the movable sheave 114 by fixedly press-fitting the tubular portion 118a of the first plunger 118 into the press fitting groove 117b formed in a ring shape in the side face of the drum 117, and the second hydraulic chamber B is formed between the drum 117 and the second plunger 119 by slidably fitting the inner periphery of the second plunger 119 into the tubular portion 118a.
Hence, the working oil pressure of the first hydraulic chamber A acts on the first plunger 118, and due to the need to secure a smooth operation in the second plunger 119, on which the working oil pressure of the second hydraulic chamber B acts, sufficient joining rigidity is required in a joint portion between the cylindrical portion 118a of the first plunger 118 and the drum 117, or in other words the press fitting groove 117b and the cylindrical portion 118a. Moreover, an oil passage for supplying working oil pressure to the second hydraulic chamber B must be formed on the end portion of the cylindrical portion 118a of the first plunger 118 and in an extremely restricted site that does not affect the fitting with the press fitting groove 117b, and therefore the constitution of the first plunger 118 becomes complicated and formation of the oil passage is troublesome, leading to an increase in manufacturing cost.

Hydraulic actuator for belt type continuously variable transmission


A method and apparatus is provided for processing signals from a Hall-effect device arrangement coupled to a monolithic brushless DC motor where the motor is driven by a PWM circuit providing PWM drive signals.

Monolithic brushless DC motors are increasingly utilized as fan motors in various computer applications. Pulse width modulation drive circuits are commonly used in conjunction with control circuits to control the speed of such fan motors.
In some applications, Hall-effect type sensors and amplifiers are utilized to generate signals to determine the rotational position and speed of the motor.
One problem that occurs when utilizing Hall-effect type sensors in conjunction with PWM driven motors is that the leading and trailing edges of each pulse of the PWM signals induces a noise spike in the Hall sensor outputs.

Noise suppression for hall sensor arrangements


An electrode array structure in a pixel area of a fringe field switching mode LCD (FFS-LCD). A comb-shaped common electrode includes a first bar extending in a first direction and a plurality of first teeth extending in a second direction from the first bar, wherein each first tooth comprises a first bone having a plurality of discontinuous first trapezoidal protrusions on each side thereof. A comb-shaped pixel electrode comprises a second bar extending in the first direction and a plurality of second teeth extending in the second direction from the second bar, wherein each second tooth comprises a second bone having a plurality of discontinuous second trapezoidal protrusions on each side thereof.

The invention relates to fringe field switching mode liquid crystal displays (FFS-LCDs), and more particularly, to FFS-LCD electrode array structures.
Generally, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) control light transmittance using an electrical field to display an image. In order to attain this end, LCDs include a liquid crystal panel having liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix, and a driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal panel.
A common type of technology used in LCDs is a conventional twisted nematic (TN) display. Conventional TN displays, however, have intrinsic properties of narrow viewing characteristics and slow response time. Most particularly, TN displays have slow response time for gray scale operation.
In order to overcome these limitations, various techniques to enhance viewing angle have been suggested. One such technique is an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display (IPS-LCD). FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional IPS-LCD. In the conventional IPS-LCD, a pixel electrode 110 and a common electrode 120 are formed on a lower substrate (array substrate) 100 and a horizontal electrical field is generated therebetween to rearrange the liquid crystal molecules along the horizontal electrical field. Because the spacing between the pixel electrode 110 and the common electrode 120 is greater than the cell gap between lower and upper substrates 100 and 105, the liquid crystal molecules above the electrodes 110 and 120 cannot display due to the horizontal electrical field, causing a low aperture issue. Moreover, the pixel and common electrodes 110 and 120 comprise an opaque metal material, such as aluminum that is disposed on a transmissive region, thereby further decreasing the LCD aperture ratio.
In order to overcome the low aperture problem of the conventional IPS-LCDs, an FFS-LCD shown in FIG. 2A has been proposed. In the FFS-LCD, a transparent pixel electrode 210 and a transparent common electrode 220 are formed on a lower substrate 200 opposite an upper substrate 205. A distance "L′" between the pixel and common electrodes 210 and 220, respectfully, is thinner than a width "W" of an electrode and a cell gap between two substrates 200 and 205. The horizontal electrical field is thus uniformly distributed between and above the electrodes 210 and 220 thus increasing the aperture ratio of the IPS-LCD. U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,290 to Kim et al., the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes an FFS-LCD. U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,380 to Lee et al., the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes an LCD with a high aperture ratio.
In the conventional FFS-LCD, the rectangular or straight electrodes 210 and 220, shown in FIG. 2B, are used to produce the fringe field therebetween. This electrode array structure, however, requires the FFS-LCD to have a relatively high operating voltage (>6Vrms) and a liquid crystal material comprising negative dielectric anisotropic (Δε<0) liquid crystals. The negative type liquid crystals are difficult to produce and have a higher viscosity. Thus, an FFS-LCD with an improved electrode array structure is desirable.

Electrode array structures of fringe fields switching mode LCDs


In an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to transfer a developing agent to a sheet for image forming and a plurality of fixing units each configured to perform a heat-fixing process on the developing agent transferred to the sheet by the image forming unit, whether the sheet is of a type for which a plurality of fixing units are to be used for performing a heat-fixing process is determined. It is controlled so as to electrify one fixing unit of the fixing units and not to electrify the other fixing units not to be used until the number of sheets having undergone the heat-fixing process by using the one fixing unit is equal to a predetermined number if the determining determines that the sheet is of a type for which a plurality of fixing units are to be used for performing a heat-fixing process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a plurality of fixing units, a control method for an image forming apparatus, and a program.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an image forming apparatus, an unfixed image drawn normally with toner on a material is fixed to a surface of the material by heating it under pressure in a fixer. Such a fixer is heated by an internal heater, and it is controlled such that the amount of heat taken away by a material passing therethrough could be compensated to keep the temperature necessary for fixing.
An increased number of types of material to be conveyed through an image forming apparatus are available yearly. However, it may be difficult for an image forming apparatus configured to perform image fixing with one fixer to provide all of stable fixability, image quality of fixed images and productivity on all types of material. In order to address this and in order to avoid problems such as shortage of a heat amount due to such a configuration with one fixer, a plurality of fixers may be serially connected in a conveying path (as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 06-348159 and 07-271226).
A method has also been disclosed (in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-199597) in which when a predetermined fixer is not available, the processing speed for fixing may be reduced so that the fixing process may be performed by the other fixers only.
In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of fixers, keeping the temperatures of the plurality of fixers may consume a large amount of power. Normally, one fixer may be used for the most frequently used normal sheet, for example. Keeping the temperatures of a plurality of fixers is necessary for less frequently used materials, which unnecessarily consume power.
Even temperatures of a plurality of fixers that are kept as described above must be further increased to a temperature required for performing a fixing process, which further consumes power. Use of a plurality of fixers for printing a few sheets may consume more power than printing them with one fixer, which is also disadvantageous in terms of the printing performance.

Image forming apparatus, control method for image forming apparatus, and program


The present application relates to novel pyridyloxyalkylcarboxamides of the formula (I)

Field of the Invention
The present application relates to novel pyridyloxyalkylcarboxamides and to their use as endoparasiticides against endoparasites in animals or humans, and to their use as nematicides for controlling phytopathogenic nematodes, and furthermore to endoparasiticides and nematicides comprising pyridyloxyalkylcarboxamides.
Description of Related Art
In the field of veterinary medicine, the occurrence of resistances against all commercially available anthelmintics is an increasing problem which requires endoparasiticides having novel molecular mechanisms of action. Such compounds should exhibit excellent efficacy against a broad spectrum of helminths and nematodes and at the same time not cause any toxic effects in the animals treated.
In the field of crop protection, too, nematodes may cause considerable yield losses, and they are therefore also controlled with active chemical compounds having nematicidal activity. To this end, suitable active compounds should have high activity and a broad spectrum of action against various species of nematodes, and at the same time be toxicologically safe for non-target organisms.
WO-A 2001/060783 claims certain phenacylbenzamides for oral use as anthelmintics in veterinary medicine.
Isothiazolecarboxamides are known from WO-A 1999/24413, heterocyclylethylcarboxamide derivatives from WO-A 2006/108791, heterocyclylethylbenzamide derivatives from WO-A 2006/108792, N-(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)benzamides from WO-A 2007/060162, N-(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)carboxamides from WO-A 2007/060164, N-phenethylcarboxamide derivatives from WO-A 2007/060166, N-(3-phenylpropyl)carboxamides from WO-A 2008/101976, pyrazolecarboxamides from WO-A 2008/148570 and WO-A 2010/063700, pyrazinylcarboxamides from WO-A 2011/128989, various 2-pyridylethylcarboxamide derivatives from WO-A 2004/016088, WO-A 2004/074280, WO-A 2005/014545, WO-A 2005/058828, WO-A 2005/058833 and WO-A 2005/085238 and pyridyloxyalkylcarboxamides from WO-A 2009/012998 as agrochemical fungicides. WO-A 2011/151370 describes N-[(het)arylalkyl)]pyrazolecarboxamides or -thiocarboxamides as fungicides. Furthermore, WO-A 2007/108483/EP-A 1 997800 describes N-2-(hetero)arylethylcarboxamide derivatives as fungicides and nematicides. WO-A 2008/126922 explicitly claims the use of 2-pyridylethylcarboxamide derivatives for use against nematodes in crop cultivation. WO-A 2012/118139 also embraces phenyl(oxy)ethylcarboxamides and 2-pyridyl(oxy)ethylcarboxamides as endoparasiticides; however, these are only embodied as benzamides. DE 103 07 845 A1 discloses heterocyclic amides as pesticides, the compounds 1009 and 1011 being part of the class of compounds disclosed herein and therefore excluded from the scope of the invention.
Further nematicidal and/or anthelmintic patent applications were published after the priority date of the present application: WO-A 2013/064460 and WO-A 2013/064461 describe pyridylethylcarboxamides and their use as nematicides. WO-A 2013/076230 also claims phenyloxyethylcarboxamides and their use as medicaments for controlling endoparasites in animals or humans.
The use of the pyridyloxyalkylcarboxamides of the prior art as endoparasiticides in the field of veterinary medicine and as nematicides in crop cultivation has hitherto not been described.
In the literature, there are indications that by incorporating oxygen in the vicinity of the heteroaromatic system it may be possible to overcome the disadvantages of the metabolic instability of a benzylic CH2 group. Accordingly, the present application describes novel pyridyloxyalkylcarboxamides and their use as endoparasiticides against endoparasites in animals or humans, and their use as nematicides for controlling phytopathogenic nematodes, and furthermore endoparasiticides and nematicides comprising pyridyloxyalkylcarboxamides.

Pyridyloxyalkyl carboxamides and use thereof as endoparasiticides and nematicides


In combination with a container having predetermined shape, the improvement comprising an apparatus for evacuating air from the container and for sealing the container so as to prevent air from returning in order to better preserve contents of the container. The apparatus includes a lid member for insertion into such container, the lid member having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material and at least one rim member formed on an outer edge of the lid member for contacting an inside wall of the container. The at least one rim member being sufficiently thin so as conform to the inside walls of said container.

When jarred or canned products contain only a partial amount of the product, the resulting air space can lead to prematurely stale or spoiled foods, diminished potency of prescription drugs and/or vitamins and dried out coffee, tea or tobacco. The cookies in a large plastic jar with a screw-on lid will go stale quickly when the jar is only half filled with cookies. All of the excess air in the jar makes the cookies go stale in very short order. Excess air dehydrates the jarred products that need to remain moist. The moisture content of the air space adversely affects items that need to be dry and crisp such as chips, pretzels or cookies. The spoilage results in waste and unnecessary incurred replacement of costs for the food.
Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a means or apparatus available that could eliminate the air trapped in inside containers that would otherwise ruin the food products stored therein.


An image processing apparatus includes a display control unit configured to display cross-sectional images based on planes passing through positions designated for a plurality of items of three-dimensional image data; and a change unit configured to cooperatively rotate the planes around the designated positions and to change the cross-sectional images to be displayed.

In the medical field in recent years, image diagnosis using a three-dimensional image including a group of tomographic images that visualize the interior of a subject has been conducted. Medical image collecting apparatuses (modalities) that capture such a three-dimensional image include ultrasonic imaging apparatuses, magnetic resonance imaging apparatuses (MRI imaging apparatuses), X-ray computer tomography imaging apparatuses (X-ray CT imaging apparatuses), and the like.
Diagnosis using a plurality of images captured using these modalities is conceivable. For example, diagnosis can be conducted by comparing three-dimensional images obtained by capturing images of the same portion using different modalities. Accordingly, the state of a lesion can be accurately diagnosed using advantages of the individual modalities, compared with the case where an image captured using a single modality is used. In another example, changes over time such as the progression of a lesion or the state of a deformity can be checked by comparing a plurality of items of three-dimensional data obtained by intermittently capturing images of a subject using a single modality.
In order to combine and use these plurality of items of three-dimensional image data, the plurality of items of three-dimensional image data are aligned by associating designated points such as lesions in the plurality of items of three-dimensional image data. In particular, because precise alignment is necessary in images used for diagnosis, the technique of performing an alignment checking operation also becomes necessary.
Patent Literature 1 discloses the technique of displaying a fixed two-dimensional cross-sectional image including a remarkable lesion in one of two items of three-dimensional image data, changing the cross-section of the other item of three-dimensional image data in accordance with a user operation, and displaying a cross-sectional image based on this cross-section. Accordingly, whether alignment is achieved can be checked by moving one of the two cross-sections.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing system, and program


A light source system for stereoscopic projection is disclosed, which includes: at least one light source set, two filters, a rotary wheel, a TIR prism, a multiband filter and at least one reflector. The at least one light source set and the two filters are disposed at a first side of the rotary wheel, while the TIR prism, the reflector and the multiband filter are disposed at a second side of the rotary wheel. With the above arrangements, the light source system could provide different lights of different wavebands to a light valve of a projector in different time sequences, and the projector could thus project a right-eye view angle image and a left-eye view angle image to viewers to form a stereoscopic image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source system, and more particularly, to a light source system for stereoscopic projection.
2. Descriptions of the Related Art
Because solid-state light sources have a long service life, a high efficiency and can be switched rapidly, they have gradually replaced conventional light sources and are widely used as light source systems of stereoscopic projection apparatuses.
Generally, a solid-state light source system used in a stereoscopic projection apparatus mostly adopts a blue laser light source in combination with two color wheels (rotary wheels) as a basic architecture. In detail, the blue laser light source is made up of two arrays of laser diodes with two different blue wavelengths. In different time sequences during the operation of the projection apparatus, the blue light of two different wavelengths is first converted into a red light or a green light by a first color wheel or just remains unchanged. Then, the red light, the green light or the blue light is converted into a left-eye view angle light or a right-eye view angle light by the other color wheel.
For the solid-state light source system with this architecture, the rotation of the first color wheel and the second color wheel must be synchronized precisely, so the solid-state light source system requires the use of a relatively complex control system. Furthermore, the two color wheels occupy a large space, which makes it difficult to miniaturize the solid-state light source system.
In view of this, it is important to provide a light source system that can improve at least one of the aforesaid shortcomings.

Light source system for stereoscopic projection


An apparatus including an elongate post having a first end and a second end; a clamp coupled to the first end of the post, the clamp including a dimension suitable to couple to a seat frame of a chair; a leg support frame including a first portion pivotally coupled to the second end of the post and a second portion; and a leg support coupled to the second portion of the leg support frame. A method including coupling a leg support assembly to a chair, the leg support assembly including a leg support frame, wherein in a coupled configuration with a chair on a surface, coupling includes coupling such that a first portion of the leg support frame is in contact with the surface.

1. Field
Chairs.
2. Description of Related Art
A folding chair is a popular household and recreation device because it provides seating accommodation and it can be folded or collapsed into a configuration that often may be stored more easily than in a configuration to accommodate a person within the chair. One conventional folding chair utilizes a U-shaped seat frame and a U-shaped back frame connected together at their leg ends. Panels of a cloth or canvas material, plastic (e.g., polyester vinyl) material (including plastic woven strips) cover at least a portion of the seat frame and the back frame to support a person seated within the seat frame and back frame. In one embodiment, the U-shaped seat frame may be rotated about an axis defined through the ends of the legs of the U-shaped back frame from a collapsed position e.g., with the base of the U-shaped seat frame against the U-shaped back frame) to a seating configuration with the base of the U-shaped seat frame extending away from the base of the U-shaped back frame at an angle of 90° or more.
In recent years, the convenience and utility arose for having a folding chair that can be carried around to different locations such as the beach, the park, and sporting events. U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,172 describes a folding chair made up of preferably lightweight U-shaped metal alloys or plastic with straps coupled to a panel to allow a user to wear the chair on his or her back. A pouch is also coupled to the same or another support panel to allow a user to carry or store articles in the pouch.


An imaging system comprises a first charge-coupled device (CCD), a second CCD, and a processor. The first CCD is configured to receive one or more light flashes, record a first set of data based on the light flashes, shift the first set of data in a first direction, read out the first set of data, and read out continuously. The second CCD is configured to receive the one or more light flashes, record a second set of data based on the light flashes, shift the second set of data in a second direction opposite to the first direction, read out the second set of data, and read out continuously. The processor, coupled to the first CCD and second CCD, is configured to determine a time and a location of the one or more light flashes based on the first set of data and the second set of data.

Light flashes can come from, for example, lightning or scintillation. Scintillation is a flash of light produced by an ionization event in a material that is transparent to light. The process of scintillation is one of luminescence whereby light of a characteristic spectrum is emitted following the absorption of radiation. The emitted radiation may be less energetic than that absorbed. Scintillation is an inherent molecular property in conjugated and aromatic organic molecules and arises from the electronic structure of said molecules. Scintillation also occurs in many inorganic materials, including salts, gases, and liquids.

Method and apparatus for determining the time and location of light flashes


A chip comprises a semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, a plurality of conductive metal patterns formed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of solder balls formed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate, and at least one code pattern formed using laser marking on the first side of the semiconductor substrate in a space free from the plurality of conductive metal patterns and the plurality of solder balls, wherein the at least one code pattern is visible from a backside of the chip, the at least one code pattern represents a binary number having four bits; and the binary number represents a decimal number to represent a tracing number of the chip.

It is a common practice to laser mark a tracing number on a chip to trace its manufacturing history. The tracing number may include a lot ID (identification), a wafer number, and a coordinate of the chip in the wafer. For example, the lot ID may be "P51841X". A lot may consist of 25 wafers, thus the wafer number may be "15". The chip may located at a coordinate of (100,100), thus the coordinate may be 100100. Thus, the tracing number of the chip may be "P51841X15100100". The tracing number "P51841X15100100" is marked using laser on the bottom of the chip.
The tracing number is important because if the defects of a chip come to light, then other chips from the same lot may be traced for taking any necessary action. This is especially important for chips used in medical applications.
As the chip becomes smaller, for example, its bottom surface area may be approximately 0.5 mm×0.5 mm, or less than 1 mm×1 mm, it becomes harder to allocate space for the laser marking (see FIG. 1B). The bottom of the chip is also normally occupied by solder balls. Each ball may have a diameter approximately 0.1 mm.
Accordingly, small chips with cross-section less than 1 mm×1 mm having laser marked code patterns representing tracing number on the bottom of the chip are demanded.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention.

Laser marked code pattern for representing tracing number of chip


A package for storing a plurality of strands of flaccid items, filaments and the like, especially, for the storage of strands of dental floss. First and second ends of the floss are securely sealed within the sealed edge of the package. However, the first and second ends are not permanently sealed within the sealed edges. As a result, when the floss is removed from the sealed package only a small hole, slightly larger than the diameter of the floss, is produced. Consequently, a single piece of floss can be removed from the package without destroying the integrity of the entire package.

Dental floss is typically sold in packages containing fifty yards or more of un-cut floss. The user dispenses as much as needed for a floss treatment, and then cuts the floss into a desirable length using a cutting edge provided within the package.
While the at least one aforementioned packaging and dispensing technique is well suited for most situations, there are times when it is preferable to use pre-cut and individually packaged dental floss segments, or packages containing a small number of pre-cut segments. For example, when traveling, it may be more convenient for the traveler to carry a supply of floss-segments corresponding to a length of stay. Moreover, as a convenience to the traveler, hotels and motels may wish to provide complimentary supplies of individually packaged (or packaged in small groups) dental floss segments.
My prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,365 discloses an apparatus and method for storing a plurality of filaments within a sealed package. An untangled and unknotted filament is stored within a flexible package, and is removed by tearing a portion of the package to expose the filament to the outside environment. The filaments are positioned such that the central portion of the filament is bunched within the package, while the first and second ends of the filament are securely held within the sealed edges of the package. When a user desires to remove a filament from the package, the sealed edge of the package is torn open and the floss may then be removed from the package. When the sealed edge is torn the tear line crosses the sealed enclosure and thus, the integrity of the package is compromised.
My prior U.S. Pat. No. Des. 289,973 discloses the design of a filament package containing two individual filaments or floss segments. Peripheral edge notches provide a tear-open capability and induce the formation of a tear line that crosses and thus compromises the sealed enclosure.
It has been known to provide therapeutic agents on dental floss, either as a coating or an impregnant. Examples can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,911,927 to Hill et al. (a floss containing chemotherapeutic preparations); 5,098,711 to Hill et al. (a floss containing cleaning solutions); and 5,165,913 to Hill et al. (silicone and chemotherapeutic agents). These agents have not been provided in individually packaged floss segments, however. U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,572 to Hovel discloses a tooth shaped package for storing a single piece of dental floss. The floss is securely packaged by permanently sealing the ends of the floss within the edges of the package. The floss is anchored within the sealed edges so that the package halves can be used as handles when the package is opened. The sealed enclosure defined by the package is severely compromised by tearing open the package, and clearly, the package could not be re-used for additional floss dispensing.
A continuing need exists for an improved dental hygiene apparatus capable of packaging one or more dental floss segments and dispensing same without compromising the sealed enclosure of the floss package.