A catalytic converter device for cleansing exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The catalytic converter device includes an elongated body having a longitudinal axis. An inlet area is located at one end of the elongated body, wherein the exhaust gas enters the elongated body in the inlet area. A sleeve extends from the inlet area. The sleeve has a catalytic material formed thereon. The sleeve has an active surface for reacting with the exhaust gas, wherein the size of the active surface increases as a distance from the inlet area increases. The sleeve includes a plurality of openings formed therein and at least one depression.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a preliminary catalytic converter ("pre-converter") device for cleaning exhaust gas, that contains hydrocarbons, which are emitted from an internal combustion engine. In particular, the pre-converter device has a perforated sleeve that is coated with a catalytic material to form an active surface. The area of the active surface increases as the distances from the pre-converter inlet increases. The pre-converter device is configured such that the active surface area on the pre-converter device increases as the temperature of the exhaust gases within the pre-converter device increases and the gas expands.
2. Description of Related Art
The typical operation of internal combustion engines creates exhaust gases. The pollutant content of these exhaust gases must meet certain legally prescribed requirements. The content is usually determined during a cycle of operations including a cold start and idling operations. A catalytic converter is often used to cleanse the exhaust gas. These requirements cannot be met unless the catalytic converter can become quickly operational (i.e., rapidly heated). Typically, a catalytic converter is arranged in the exhaust manifold directly following the cylinder. This arrangement is helpful during cold starting because the catalytic converter is rapidly heated. This location of the converter, however, impairs the functional performance of the exhaust system because of the amount of space occupied by the converter. The reduction in performance of the exhaust system has a direct impact on engine performance including a deterioration of the power, a reduction in the torque delivered, and an increase in fuel consumption. Furthermore, the close proximity of the converter to the engine cylinders can cause undesired reactions on the cylinder.
German Patent No. DE 10002024 C1 discloses catalytic device that is positioned between a first and a second section of the reactor. The catalytic device includes a boundary wall containing a catalytic material in the form of a foam or woven material that separates the two sections. Gases are directed from the first section into the second section through catalytic device. DE 100002024 discloses various configurations of the catalytic device including a conical tapered shape device having an enlarged end adjacent the first section and a reduced end adjacent the second section, a cylindrical shaped device having a plurality of channels extending along the axis of the device, and a cylindrical shaped device having a wavy exterior having portions with reduced diameter. These devices have been found to be inefficient and inadequate in treating the gas. In particular, these devices do not account for the expansion of the exhaust gas as it is heated while passing through the catalyst.
Others have tried to provide converters that become quickly operational during a cold start while not being placed in close proximity to the exhaust port. U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,642 to Laimböck discloses a converter having diffuser pipe connected thereto, which extends within the diffuser to a position adjacent the exhaust port. UK Patent Application No. 2,220,150 discloses tapering an upstream end of the converter to produce more rapid heating during cold starting.
Japanese Patent Nos. 5-86843 and 10-325315 disclose that it is known to provide a main catalytic converter, which is preceded by a preliminary catalytic converter. The provision of the pre-converter permits the main converter to be located a greater distance from the exhaust port. As such, the impact on engine performance is reduced. The pre-converter is used to clean exhaust gas and increase the temperature of the exhaust gases. The pre-converter ensures that the exhaust gas is at a proper temperature to activate the main converter and of a proper composition. Use of a pre-converter reduces the quantity of unburned hydrocarbons normally found in the exhaust gases emitted by an internal combustion engine. It is desirable to locate the pre-converter is disposed as close as possible to the cylinder of the internal combustion engine so that the high temperatures occurring adjacent to the cylinder will cause the pre-converter to be become quickly operational. Locating the pre-converter in too close a proximity to the cylinder will produce the above-described reduction in engine performance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,510 to Laimböck discloses a pre-converter positioned in an exhaust system adjacent the exhaust port of the engine. The location of this pre-converter suffers from many of the above-described drawbacks including an adverse impact on engine performance. Furthermore, the pre-converter extends across the entire cross-section of the exhaust system, which adversely impacts the flow dynamics of the exhaust gases within the exhaust system and performance.
European Patent Application No. 411,561 discloses a pre-converter positioned in close proximity to the exhaust port of the engine. The location of this pre-converter adversely impacts engine performance. The pre-converter is positioned around the inner circumference of the exhaust system. As such, all of the exhaust gases from the cylinder do not flow through the pre-converter.

Pre-converter device for cleaning exhaust gas for an internal combustion engine


The described invention provides methods and kits for administering an EPO-derived peptide to a subject suffering from a neurodegenerative disease. The EPO-derived peptide delays the onset and/or progression of a neurodegenerative disease, limits cognitive impairment in, and prolongs the survival of, subjects suffering from a neurodegenerative disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, heterogeneous, progressive neurodegenerative disease and is the most common form of dementia with prevalence estimates ranging from 14% at age 65 or older to more than 40% at age 85 or older (Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimers Disease: A National Imperative. Alzheimer's Association 2010; 2012 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer's Association 2012). In 2010, the Alzheimer's Association estimated that 35.6 million people worldwide would be living with a diagnosis of dementia and that the number of diagnosed dementia patients would nearly double every 20 years, leading to 65.7 million patients by 2030. This number indicates that dementia is rapidly becoming a major threat to healthcare. According to the Alzheimer's Association, delaying the onset of dementia by only a 5-year interval would decrease U.S. healthcare cost for dementia by almost 50% (Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimers Disease: A National Imperative. Alzheimer's Association 2010; 2012 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer's Association 2012). In response to this increasing healthcare threat, ten (10) Phase III clinical trials have been completed in AD over the past ten (10) years. All ten (10) clinical trials resulted in treatment failures. To date, no good therapeutic options are available, nor is there a cure for AD.
Over the past decade, understanding of the pathogenesis of AD has rapidly increased. There include characteristic pathologic changes (e.g., Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal cell loss, etc.) and prominent activation of a microglial/astrocytic immune/inflammatory process in AD patient brains, as well as in AD animal models. These abnormalities in pathology and disordered immune activation have led to the hypothesis that certain inflammatory cytokine mediators may be driving the Alzheimer's disease process (Wyss-Coray T. et al., J. Inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease-A Brief Review of the Basic Science and Clinical Literature, Cold Spring Harbor Perspect. Med. 2012; 2(1):a006346; Glass, C. K. et al., Mechanisms Underlying Inflammation in Neurodegeneration, Cell, 2010, 140: 918-934; Zilka, N. et al., Who Fans the Flames of Alzheimer's Disease Brains? Misfolded Tau on the Crossroad of Neurodegenerative and Inflammatory Pathways, J. Neuroinflammation, 2012, 9: 47).
New information has implicated a flawed innate immune response in the development of late onset Alzheimer's disease (Wyss-Coray T. et al., J. Inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease-A Brief Review of the Basic Science and Clinical Literature, Cold Spring Harbor Perspect. Med. 2012; 2(1):a006346; Glass, C. K. et al., Mechanisms Underlying Inflammation in Neurodegeneration, Cell, 2010, 140: 918-934; Zilka, N. et al., Who Fans the Flames of Alzheimer's Disease Brains? Misfolded Tau on the Crossroad of Neurodegenerative and Inflammatory Pathways, J. Neuroinflammation, 2012, 9: 47). For example, Stefansson et al. described a new missense mutation (R47H) present in a gene coding for the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid-derived cells 2 (called TREM-2) (Jonsson, T. et al., N Engl. J. Med., 2013, 368: 107-116, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1211103; Guerreiro, R. et al, N Engl. J. Med., 2012, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1211851; Piccio, L. et al., Eur. J. Immuno., 2007, 37: 1290-1301; Neumann, H. et al., Neruoimmunol., 2007, 184: 92-99). TREM-2 is an innate immune receptor highly expressed on immature dendritic cells, microglia, and osteoclasts. It is involved in phagocytosis of neural debris in the brain and it concomitantly down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Homozygous loss-of-function TREM-2 mutations have been previously linked to an early onset of dementia coupled with bone abnormalities. Stefansson et al. reported that the heterozygous TREM-2 missense genetic variant provoked a loss-of-function (i.e., impaired innate immune regulation). Such loss-of-function resulted in a failure to block pro-inflammatory cytokine production, which in turn, fueled rampant inflammation in the AD brain. In addition to a loss-of-function, Stefansson et al. reported that the TREM-2 missense genetic variant was associated with a significant increase in the risk of late onset Alzheimer's disease (See also, Jonsson, T. et al., N Engl. J. Med., 2013, 368: 107-116, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1211103; Guerreiro, R. et al., N Engl. J. Med., 2013, 368: 117-127, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1211851).
In addition to the work of Stefansson et al., another investigator, Relkin et al., who has treated small numbers of mild to moderate AD patients with pooled intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as a possible immunotherapy (Relkin, N. et al., AAIC 2012: abstract P3-381), and reported that AD patients treated with IVIG showed a decreased rate of ventricular enlargement in association with a reduction in whole brain atrophy and less cognitive impairment compared to a group of AD patients treated with placebo (i.e., control group). Despite its potential as an AD therapy, insufficient supply of pooled IVIG on a worldwide basis making its use problematic.
Thus, the need exists to develop alternative sources of immune modifying agents to delay onset and/or progression of the neurodegenerative process in patients suffering from AD and other neurodegenerative diseases (Hughes, R. A. et al., Clin. and Exp. Immunol., 2009, 158 (Suppl. 1); 34-42).
Erythropoietin (EPO), a 165 amino acid glycoprotein hormone initially identified as a hematopoietic growth factor, has been used extensively for the treatment of anemia in humans. Recently, EPO has received considerable attention due to its potential neuroprotective capabilities following brain and central nervous system (CNS) injury (Yuan, R. et al., PLoS 2008 3:e1924; Brines, M. L. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 97: 10526-31 (2000); Siren, A. L. and Ehrenreich, H., Eur. Arch. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci., 251: 179-184 (2001); Buemi, M. et al., J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol., 62: 228-236 (2003); Li, W. et al., Ann. Neurol., 56: 767-777 (2004); Sakanaka, M. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 95: 4635-4640 (1998)). Exogenously administered EPO has been shown to significantly reduce neurologic impairment in several diverse forms of neurologic injury (e.g., acute brain trauma, epilepsy, autoimmune model of demyelinating disease, etc.) (Brines, M. L. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 97: 10526-31 (2000); Li, W. et al., Ann. Neurol., 56: 767-777 (2004); Tsai, P. T. et al., J. Neurosci., 26: 1269-1274 (2006); Buemi, M. et al., Clin. Sci. (Loud), 103: 275-282 (2002)). However, long-term EPO therapy remains significantly limited in non-anemic patients with neurological injury, because administration of EPO in these patients may overly stimulate erythropoiesis leading to serious side-effects such as heart attack and stroke. In order to overcome these serious side-effects, EPO therapy would have to be limited to short-term use, or alternatively, to the use of other EPO molecular preparations (e.g., fragments, mutants, etc.) devoid of hematopoietic effects. Indeed, molecular preparations such as an asialo-form of EPO, carbamylated EPO (CEPO) and certain EPO mutants have been shown to be neuroprotective in animals following experimental traumatic spinal cord injury or acute stroke without provoking an increase in red blood cell production (Erbayrakar, S. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 100: 6741-6746 (2003); Leist, M. et al., Science, 305: 239-242 (2004); Mun, K. C. and Golpher, T. A., Blood Purif., 18: 13-17 (2000); Brines, M. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 101: 14907-14912 (2004)). In addition, a seventeen (17) amino acid EPO-derived linear peptide was reported to have neuroprotective effects in vitro (Campana, W. M. et. al., Int'l J. Mol. Med., 1: 235-241 (1998)).
The present inventors have synthesized a library of short, stabilized EPO-derived peptides, which induce substantial neuroprotective immunomodulatory effects in acute murine models of human multiple sclerosis and acute traumatic brain injury (US 2009/0029906). These synthetic, short, stabilized peptides were derived from a distinct domain embedded within the early sequence of the EPO molecule. Whereas the full-length EPO molecule is manufactured by an expensive cell culture process based on CHO cells, the synthetic, short, stabilized EPO-derived peptides provide the advantage of low manufacturing costs, low immunogenicity, and high stability (US 2009/0029906; US 2011/0190217). Notably, these EPO-derived peptides are devoid of hematopoietic effects. A lead compound, JM4 (GCAEHCSLNENITVPDTKV; SEQ ID NO: 1), a stabilized, cyclic peptide derived from the first loop of erythropoietin, has been evaluated in vitro and in vivo. To date, JM4 shows considerable promise as a potent immune/inflammatory modulator useful for treating animal experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and for treating murine acute brain injury. JM4 shows good efficacy in animals and the preliminary side effect profile is highly favorable compared to whole molecule erythropoietin.
JM4 exhibits robust immunomodulation in several pre-clinical animal models, including EAE, brain trauma and collagen II induced autoimmune arthritis, but does not depress overall amounts of B- or T-cells, Instead, JM4 favorably modulates the ratio of T-suppressor (Treg) to T helper 17 (Th-17) effector cells. JM4 also strongly down-regulates antigen specific T-cell proliferation through its effect on dendritic cells or microglia (innate immunity). JM4 also blocks pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The medicinal attractiveness of these EPO-derived peptides is underscored by the observation that JM4 treated mice appear normal and lack any effects on hematopoiesis and blood chemistries.
In animal models of dementia, we have found EPO-derived peptides are capable of delaying the onset of disease and delaying progression of dementia and prolonging overall survival of subjects. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are aggregates of the microtubule-associated protein "tau", which have become hyperphosphorylated and accumulate inside the cells themselves. Tau is relatively abundant in neurons but is present in all nucleated cells and functions physiologically to bind microtubules and stabilize microtubule assembly for polymerization. In one of our models of neurodegenerative disease, the EPO-derived peptide prevented ventricular enlargement, blocked over-expression of tau protein and over-expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) in microglial cells.

Use of EPO-derived peptide fragments for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders


The present invention provides a Brevundimonas sp. strain SD212-derived peptide having β-ionone ring-2-hydroxylase activity and a gene encoding the same, to thereby make it possible to produce rare carotenoids in which a hydroxyl group is introduced at the position 2(2′) carbon in their β-ionone ring in large quantities.

Carotenoid (also called "carotinoid") is a general term for pigments occurring abundantly in nature, which are built up from an isoprene backbone of 40 carbon atoms. To date, more than 700 species of carotenoids have been isolated (Britton, G., Liaaen-Jensen, S., and Pfander, H., Carotenoids Handbook, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 2004). Recently, prophylactic effects of carotenoids on chronic diseases such as cancer have attracted people's attention, and a great number of reports have been made (see, for example, H. Nishino, M. Murakoshi and M. Yano, Food Style 21, 4, 53-55, 2000; Nishino, H. et al, "Carotenoids in cancer chemoprevention", Cancer Metastasis Rev. 21, 257-264, 2002; Mayne, S. T., "β-Carotene, carotenoids, and disease prevention in humans", FASEB J., 10, 690-701, 1996).
Although carotenoids have a huge variety of species, species which have been used in prophylactic studies (human epidemiological/clinical tests, animal administration tests, etc.) are extremely limited. Those carotenoids include β-carotene (also called β-carotine; chemically synthesized product), lycopene (also called lycopine; extracted from tomato), α-carotene (also called α-carotine; extracted from palm oil), lutein (extracted from marigold), astaxanthin (extracted from krill or Haematococcus alga, or chemically synthesized), fucoxanthin (extracted from edible marine algae) and β-cryptoxanthin (extracted from mandarin orange). The results of cancer prophylactic studies using these pigments gradually revealed that cancer prophylactic effects of carotenoids vary depending on the species of carotenoids. As an example, the results of experiments using mice conducted by Nobuo Takasuka et al. of the Research Institute, National Cancer Center (Report of 1996 Meeting on Carotenoid Research) will be shown below. The incidence of lung cancer (ddy mouse lung two-stage carcinogenesis model) was 40% in α-carotene-administered mice, 70% in lutein- or astaxanthin-administered mice and 139% in β-carotene-administered mice, when the incidence in control mice without carotenoid administration was taken as 100%. The incidence of liver cancer (mouse spontaneous liver carcinogenesis model) was 30% in astaxanthin- or fucoxanthin-administered mice, 50% in α-carotene- or lutein-administered mice, 70% in β-carotene-administered mice, and 100% in lycopene-administered mice, when the incidence in control mice without carotenoid administration was taken as 100%. The incidence of skin cancer (mouse skin carcinogenesis model) was 10% in fucoxanthin- or lycopene-administered mice, and 100% in astaxanthin-administered mice, when the incidence in control mice without carotenoid administration was taken as 100%. Comparison of the results on these three carcinogenesis models reveals that lycopene which was highly effective in inhibiting lung cancer and skin cancer is not effective in inhibiting liver cancer; and that astaxanthin which was highly effective in inhibiting liver cancer is not effective in inhibiting skin cancer. Further, as a result of epidemiological tests and clinical tests, it has been reported that, among dietary carotenoids, only lycopene was confirmed as a prophylactic carotenoid against prostate cancer (see Giovannucci, E., Ascherio, A., Rimm, E. B., Stampfer, M. J., Colditz, G. A., Willet, W. C., "Intake of carotenids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer", J. National Cancer Institute 87, 1767-1776, 1995; Vogt, T. M. et al, "Serum lycopene, other serum carotenoids, and risk of prostate cancer in US Blacks and Whites", Am. J. Epidemiol. 155, 1023-1032, 2002). Recently, high prophylactic effect of β-cryptoxanthin on lung cancer has been gradually elucidated (see Yuan, J. M., Stram, D. O., Arakawa, K., Lee, H. P. and Yu M. C., "Dietary cryptoxanthin and reduced risk of lung cancer: the Singapore Chinese Health Study", Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 12, 890-898, 2003; Mannisto, S. et al, "Dietary carotenoids and risk of lung cancer in a pooled analysis of seven cohort studies", Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 13, 40-48, 2004). In addition to cancer prophylactic effects, it has been also reported that carotenoids are very likely to be effective in preventing chronic diseases in the cardiovascular system, chronic diseases in the eye such as cataract, and chronic diseases such as osteoporosis. For example, it has been reported that carotenoids which are expected to be effective on chronic diseases in the eye (age-related macular degeneration, cataract, etc.) are lutein and zeaxanthin alone among dietary carotenoids (see Semba, R. D. and Dagnelie, G., "Are lutein and zeaxanthin conditionally essential nutrients for eye health?", Med. Hypotheses 61, 465-472, 2003; Mazaffarieh, M., Sacu, S. and Wedrich, A., "The role of the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, in protecting against age-related macular degeneration: A review based on controversial evidence", Nutr. J., 2, 20, 2003).
The results described so far indicate that only about 10 out of 700 or more species of carotenoids have been examined for their prophylactic effects on chronic diseases such as cancer in studies actually using animal individuals, and that each carotenoid has characteristic individuality in prophylactic effect on chronic diseases such as cancer. It is believed that the major reason why the number of species of carotenoids actually examined is so mall is because those carotenoids which can be extracted, purified or chemically synthesized in large quantities are limited to the above-mentioned carotenoids.
As a promising means to solve the above problem, a method may be considered in which a carotenoid of interest is mass-produced in carotenoid biosynthesis gene-transferred yeast or Escherichia coli. For example, Shimada et al. of Kirin Brewery introduced a carotenoid biosynthesis gene cluster into a food yeast Candida utilis which naturally does not biosynthesize carotenoids, expressed the genes and succeeded in synthesizing 7.8 mg/g of lycopene (dry weight) (Shimada, H., Kondo, K., Fraser, P. D., Miura, Y., Saito, T., and Misawa, N., "Increased carotenoid production by the food yeast Candida utilis through metabolic engineering of the isoprenoid pathway", Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 64, 2676-2680, 1998). According to the gene recombination technique, it becomes possible to produce such carotenoids that have not been found in nature or found only in trace amounts, by a combination of various biosynthesis genes. For example, Takaichi et al. of Nippon Medical School have succeeded in producing parasiloxanthin (which is only reported to be found in catfish in a trace amount) as a major carotenoid product in a recombinant E. coli (Takaichi, S., Sandmann, G., Schnurr, G., Satomi, Y., Suzuki, A., and Misawa, N. "The carotenoid 7,8-dihydro-Ψ end group can be cyclized by the lycopene cyclases from the bacterium Erwinia uredovora and the higher plant Capsicum annuum", Eur. J. Biochem., 241, 291-296, 1996). There is another report that astaxanthin-β-diglucoside, a "non-natural type" carotenoid not found in nature, was produced in a recombinant E. coli (Yokoyama, A., Shizuri, Y.,and Misawa, N., Production of new carotenoids, astaxanthin glucosides, by Escherichia coli transformants carrying carotenoid biosynthetic genes. Tetrahed. Lett., 39, 3709-3712, 1998).
The carotenoid biosynthesis genes most commonly used in the preparation of recombinant microorganisms for various carotenoid productions are derived from Erwinia bacteria (such as Erwinia uredovora; recently, this bacterium is called Pantoea ananatis). Six genes have been isolated from Erwinia bacteria; they are crtE, crtB, crtI, crtY, crtZ and crtX. The functions of the biosynthesis enzymes encoded by these genes (CrtE, CrtB CrtI, CrtY, CrtZ and CrtX) are shown in FIG. 1 (see Non-Patent Document 1). When biosynthesis of astaxanthin is intended, crtW gene derived from marine bacteria Paracoccus [such as Paracoccus sp. MBIC 01143 (Agrobacterium aurantiacum)] is additionally required (FIG. 1). Five gene have been isolated from Paracoccus bacteria; they are crtB, crtI, crtY, crtZ and crtW (see Non-Patent Document 1). The functions of crtB, crtI, crtY and crtZ genes are common in both bacteria. When Erwinia- or Paracoccus-derived crtE, crtB, crtI and crtY genes have been introduced and expressed in E. coli, the E. coli biosynthesizes β-carotene. When marine bacterium-derived crtW gene and Erwinia- or Paracoccus-derived crtZ gene are further introduced and expressed in the above E. coli, the recombinant E. coli begins to synthesize astaxanthin. Further, when Erwinia-derived crtX gene is introduced and expressed in this E. coli synthesizing astaxanthin, the recombinant E. coli begins to synthesize a "non-natural type" carotenoid, astaxanthin-β-diglucoside (FIG. 1).
As described so far, it is being demonstrated that carotenoid biosynthesis genes can be used to produce "rare" carotenoids which occur only in trace amounts in nature or "non-natural type" carotenoids existence of which has not been confirmed. On the other hand, the carotenoid biosynthesis genes which may be used for this purpose are limited to 25 genes. They are crtM (dehydrosqualene synthase), crtE (gps, al-3) (geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase), crtB (psy, al-2) (phytoene synthase), crtN (dehydrosqualene desaturase), crtP (pdsl) (phytoene desaturase: addition of two double bonds), crtQ (zds) (ζ-carotene desaturase: addition of two double bonds), crtI (derived from Rhodobacter) (phytoene desaturase: addition of three double bonds and cis-trans isomerization), crtI (phytoene desaturase: addition of four double bonds and cis-trans isomerization), al-1 (phytoene desaturase: addition of five double bonds and cis-trans isomerization), crtY (crtL-P) (lycopene β-cyclase), crtL-c (lycopene ε-cyclase), crtYm (lycopene β-monocyclase), crtU (β-carotene desaturase), crtZ (β-carotene hydroxylase; β-C3-hydroxylase), crtW (bkt) (β-carotene ketolase; β-C4-oxygenase), crtO (derived from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803) (β-carotene monoketolase), crtX (zeaxanthin glucosyltransferase), crtC (hydroxyneurosporene synthase), crtD (methoxyneurosporene desaturase), crtF (hydroxyneurosporene o-methyltransferase), crtA (spheroidene monooxygenase), crtEb (lycopene elongase), crtYe/Yf (decaprenoxanthin synthase), zepl (zeaxanthin epoxydase) and ccs (capsanthin/capsorubin synthase) (see Lee, P. C. and Schmidt-Dannert, C., "Metabolic engineering towards biotechnological production of carotenoids in microorganisms", Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 60, 1-11, 2002; Teramoto, M., Takaichi, S., Inomata, Y., Ikenaga, H. and Misawa, N. "Structural and functional analysis of a lycopene β-monocyclase gene isolated from a unique marine bacterium that produces myxol", FEBS Lett. 545, 120-126, 2003). In order to allow microorganisms such as E. coli to produce a wide variety of carotenoids, novel carotenoid biosynthesis genes must be isolated. However, cloning of novel carotenoid biosynthesis genes makes very slow progress. For example, while carotenoids occurring most abundantly in nature are those with β-ionone rings (in FIG. 1, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, etc.), only two genes of enzymes which hydroxylate or oxygenate β-ionone rings have been isolated. They are genes encoding β-ionone ring-3-hydroxylase (β-C3-hydroxylase) (CrtZ) and β-ionone ring-4-ketolase (β-C4-ketolase; β-C4-oxygenase) (CrtW), respectively. These enzyme genes were isolated as early as in 1990 for crtZ and in 1995 for crtW, and analyzed for their functions. It is believed that a gene of β-ionone ring-2-hydroxylase is necessary for synthesizing carotenoids such as nostoxanthin in which the position 2 carbon of the β-ionone ring is hydroxylated. However, though there are some microorganisms producing such carotenoids (see Non-Patent Document 2), nothing has been found to date about such an enzyme or gene. It seems that the reason why the cloning of novel carotenoid biosynthesis genes is difficult is because those carotenoid biosynthesis genes obtainable by expression cloning in E. coli or by cloning using homology to existing carotenoid genes have already been obtained and all the remaining genes are not obtainable by these cloning methods.
Carotenoids consisting of carbon and hydrogen alone are called carotene, and carotenoids comprising oxygen-containing functional groups, such as hydroxyl group or keto group, in addition to carbon and hydrogen are called xanthophyll. Carotene and xanthophyll are greatly different in physical property and considerably different in physiological activity in the living body. For example, β-cryptoxanthin is a carotenoid in which one hydroxyl group is introduced at the position 3 carbon of β-carotene. It is known that the intake ratio of β-cryptoxanthin into the living body is 10 times higher than that ratio of β-carotene. β-Cryptoxanthin is a carotenoid which has been especially attracting attention in Japan recently. Data showing its prophylactic effects on large bowel cancer, cervix cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, rheumatoid and osteoporosis in addition to the above-described lung cancer are being gathered (Yano, M., Report of 2003 Meeting on Carotenoid Research and the above-mentioned Yuan, J. M., Stram, D. O., Arakawa, K., Lee, H. P. and Yu M. C., Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 12, 890-898, 2003 and Mannisto, S. et al, Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 13, 40-48, 2004). Such effects are not recognized in β-carotene. A carotenoid in which two hydroxyl groups are introduced at both positions 3 and 3′ of β-carotene is zeaxanthin (see FIG. 1). As described above partially, it is known that the physiological activity of zeaxanthin is different from that of β-cryptoxanthin. A carotenoid in which the both methylene groups at positions 4 and 4′ of zeaxanthin are converted to keto groups is astaxanthin (see FIG. 1). As described above partially, the physiological activity of astaxanthin in cancer prevention is also greatly different from that of β-carotene. On the other hand, a carotenoid in which two hydroxyl groups are further introduced at both positions 2 and 2′ of zeaxanthin is nostoxanthin. Generally, carotenoids such as nostoxanthin in which two hydroxyl groups are introduced at positions 2 and 2′ of β-ionone rings occur only in trace amounts in nature, and it is impossible to produce them in large quantities. Thus, prophylactic studies against various chronic diseases such as cancer cannot be conducted. The enzyme that introduces hydroxyl groups at positions 3 and 3′ of β-ionone rings is CrtZ. However, no CrtZ proteins having a 49% or less identity with the Erwinia uredovora-derived CrtZ reported in a paper in 1990 for the first time (Misawa, N., Nakagawa, M., Kobayashi, K., Yamano, S., Izawa, Y., Nakamura, K., and Harashima, K., J. Bacteriol. 172, 6704-6712, 1990) have been isolated to date. Among the CrtZ proteins which have been confirmed to have the same function, the enzyme that has the highest homology to the Erwinia uredovora-derived CrtZ is a Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens (old designation: Flavobacterium sp. R1534)-derived CrtZ (Pasamontes, L., Hug, D., Tessier, M., Hohmann, H. P., Schierle, J., and van Loon, A. P., Gene 185, 35-41, 1997) with a 50% identity.
(Non-Patent Document 1) Misawa, N., Satomi, Y., Kondo, K., Yokoyama, A., Kajiwara, S., Saito, T., Ohtani, T., and Miki, W., "Structure and functional analysis of a marine bacterial carotenoid biosynthesis gene cluster and astaxanthin biosynthetic pathway proposed at the gene level", J. Bacteriol., 177, 6575-6584, 1995)
(Non-Patent Document 2) Yokoyama, A., Miki, W., Izumida, H., and Shizuri, Y., "New trihydroxy-keto-carotenoids isolated from an astaxanthin-producing marine bacterium", Biosci. Biotech. Bioche., 60, 200-203, 1996)

Carotenoid hydroxylase gene, method for preparing hydroxylated carotenoid, and novel geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase

Abstract: The present invention also provides a novel gene encoding an enzyme which introduces a hydroxyl group at the position 3(3′) carbon in the β-ionone ring of carotenoids, and a novel gene encoding a geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase.


A method of transferring imprint carbon nano-tube (CNT) field emitting source is disclosed. Firstly, cathode lines are screen printed on a substrate. Then a dielectric layer formation on the cathode lines and substrate is followed. Afterward, gate lines formed on the dielectric layer by screen printing are performed. Next a patterning process is carried out to form openings. Subsequently, an imprint negative mold is dipped with CNT paste and imprinted the CNT paste on the cathode lines through the openings. After drawing of pattern from the imprint mold, the CNT paste is cured by annealing. Since the emitting sources are formed through the imprint negative mold, as a result, the size and shape can be predetermined. Moreover, the intervals between gate line and the emitting source are readily control, which resolve the circuit short problem between gate and cathode. Consequently, the current density, brightness, and uniformity of the emitter sources are significantly improved.

Nanotube field emission display comprises an emitting image pixel array formed of conductive paste being screen printed on a substrate having patterned silver cathode thereon. The conductive paste consisting of carbon nanotube (CNT), organic bonding agent, and silver powder. The CNT has a shape of about 5-100 nm in diameter and 1000-3000 nm in length. The principle of field emission is in terms of electric field accelerating cold electrons which are emitted from the tip of each CNT through vacuum space and bombards anode which is an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate having phosphor pixel to generate fluorescence. By contrast to conventional cathode ray tube, it is in terms of a principle of emitted electrons thermoionically from a tungsten wire, the field emission molding has a quite different way.
Field emission display can have a benefit of very thin electron gun of only about 0.2 mm in thickness. In addition, the size of planar area can have very flexible, it can be very small such as 1 cm2 and can as large as several hundred centimeter square. The CNT-FED (CNT-field emission display) is thus a prominence for an ultra thin flat panel display. For a display, the stability and long life reliability are fundamental characteristics. However, as high as 10-100 mA/cm2 in current density is a minimum criteria and the most critical characteristic for generating sufficient brightness and uniformity for a display. To approach such current density, the lower intensity electrical field is preferred. Preferably, it should be lower than 25 V/μm.
The electric property (current density vs. intensity of electric field) is predetermined by a number of exposed CNT. Thereafter, to improve the fluorescence efficiency, a three-electrode structure is a common control switch for field emitting display. The principle of the three-electrode structure of CNT-FED is by means of anode to provide energy for electrons, a cathode as an electron emitting source, and a gate provided for accelerating the outgoing electrons.
Currently to form a CNT field emitting source, a CNT paste mixed with CNT and organic bonding agent are provided. A method of screen print is then used to coat the CNT paste on the patterned silver electrodes through the openings of the three-electrode structure, Whereas, a prerequisite of using screen print technique is that it should have appropriate mounting areas provided for CNT paste so that the CNT paste can accurately paste on the targets. However, a typical size of opening 2 for forming a CNT-FED pixel of three-electrode structure is about 80 μm in width and 30 μm in depth, as is shown in FIG. 1. The sidewall of opening is readily adhered with some CNT paste, as a result, the cathode electrode may be short to the gate electrode 1. Even worse, the CNT paste does not adhere to the cathode line anyway.
Another technique by the conventional method includes the steps of: coating a CNT layer on the silver cathodes; forming a dielectric layer on the CNT layer, forming gate lines on the dielectric layer and then patterning the dielectric layer so as to expose desired CNT. The disadvantages of this technique include: the openings for pixel are difficult to etch due to too deep of the opening and contamination generated on the CNT during etching step.
Still another technique of the traditional method is the emitting source formed by coating a photo-sensitive CNT paste and then performing a lithographic step to form desired CNT emitting sources. The deficient of this technique includes incompletely exposure of photo-sensitive CNT paste on sidewall. After developing, some residues on the sidewall are often found. As a result, the gate electrode may be shorted to the cathode,
The forgoing prior arts do not provide an available method to solve aforementioned problems found in the fabricating process for the three-electrode CNT emitting source. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a method which solve above issues by simple processes, i.e. an imprint method.

Method of fabricating carbon nanotube field emission source

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A method comprising receiving microphone audio information from at least one microphone, identifying a song based, at least in part, on the microphone audio information, receiving song audio information based, at least in part, on the identification of the song, causing display of, at least a portion of, a song indicator that represents the song, receiving information indicative of a song rendering input in relation to the song indicator, and causing rendering of the song audio information based, at least in part, on the song rendering input is disclosed.

In recent years, electronic apparatuses have becoming increasingly pervasive in our society. Users of electronic apparatuses have become increasingly reliant upon their electronic apparatuses, and utilize their electronic apparatuses in a wide variety of manners. For example, a user of an electronic apparatus may store music by way of the electronic apparatus, stream music from a music streaming service, and/or the like.

Causation of rendering of song audio information based upon distance from a sound source


Technologies are provided for efficiently querying a database using a plurality of oblivious random-access memories (ORAMs) while providing differential privacy. Subsets of a set of database records can be stored in a plurality of ORAMs. The subsets of database records in the separate ORAMs can be concurrently accessed (for example, by a database query server). When a database query is received, a number of database records that match the query can be identified for each of the ORAMs. A differential privacy constraint can be used to determine an additional number of database records to be retrieved from each ORAM. The differential privacy constraint can specify an upper bound on the number of records to be retrieved from each ORAM to prevent (or reduce the risk of) information leakage. Once all of the identified records are retrieved from the plurality of ORAMs, the additional records can be discarded.

There is an interest in protecting against attacks to steal or replicate sensitive data by malicious parties. In some instances, data may be stored in databases, across social media sites, privately, etc. Often, however, databases are the preferred target. In these attacks, malicious parties may attempt to calculate the data content and structure of a database by monitoring answers to numerous encrypted queries in an attempt to re-construct the distribution of database records. These attacks are commonly known as "re-construction" attacks.
For example, by manipulating the "access pattern leakage" of a database (the returned query results), a malicious party could in principle deduce that the same encrypted record is returned by separate queries, thus providing insight into the content and structure of the database. Relatedly, the "volume pattern leakage" (which refers to the size of the result set for a query) has been shown to also potentially reconstruct (or partially reconstruct) a database. Other related attacks exist, such as re-construction link attacks that are usually directed towards social media sites in an effort to uncover user (and user-linked) information.

Efficiently querying databases while providing differential privacy


The present invention provides a means to produce an image in gray scale on a film using direct thermal imaging, and preferably near infrared direct thermal imaging. The present invention provides a multi-layered, laminated, non-cavitated film that has proper surface characteristics and heat transfer properties by virtue of the proper combination of polymeric layers and coatings, in particular, the active direct thermal coating, and topcoat which produce direct thermal imaging with gray scale. Such a film may be used for temporary personal identification devices, for instance, hospital wristbands and backstage passes, and may incorporate bar code data, photographs as well as other pertinent data.

Direct thermal imaging on paper is well known in the art. An image is formed by causing a chemical reaction on a specially coated paper that turns black when heated. In a typical direct thermal imaging process on paper, ceramic heating elements inside a print head, which are in contact with the paper, selectively turn on and off in a pattern, thereby forming the printed image (for example, alpha-numeric, bar codes, or graphics). It is also possible to produce an image in gray scale with a direct thermal imaging printer. In other words, the image is composed not only of black and white, but also gray, which provides a better reproduction of the image.
In a thermal transfer printer device, the recording paper is sandwiched under pressure along with an ink sheet between a platen roller and a thermal head. The ink sheet consists of a base film coated with a heat-sublimable dye, and is disposed such that the heat-sublimable dye is pressed against the recording paper. A plurality of heating elements are provided on one side of the thermal head, and when current is sent through the thermal head these heating elements generate heat according to the printed data, and heat the heat-sublimable dye via the base film. This results in the heat-sublimable dye being sublimated and transferred onto the recording sheet.


Disclosed is a method and apparatus for combining a plurality of television signal channels which are immediately adjacent in frequency to each other. A main transmission line transmits a plurality of television signals therethrough in a predetermined direction of transmission. The visual signal of a first of the television channels is inserted into the main transmission line in the predetermined direction. The visual signal of a second, immediately adjacent television channel is then inserted into the main transmission line in the predetermined direction, using a frequency band otherwise occupied by the aural signal of the first television channel as a guard band to separate the combined visual signals of the first and second television channels. Each visual signal of the remaining television channels is then sequentially inserted into the main transmission line in the predetermined direction of transmission, using a frequency band otherwise occupied by the aural signal of an immediately adjacent and previously inserted television channel as a guard band to separate the visual signal of each remaining television channel from the previously inserted television channel. The aural signal of the first television channel is then inserted into the main transmission line in the predetermined direction. The aural signal of the second television channel is then inserted into the main transmission line in the predetermined direction. Finally, each aural signal of the remaining television channels is then sequentially inserted into the main transmission line in the predetermined direction of transmission.

1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to television channel combiners and, more particularly, to arrangements for combining adjacent television channels onto a single transmission line.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
Normal broadcast television signals are a combination of a vestigial side-band, amplitude modulated, bandwidth limited picture or visual signal and a separate, frequency modulated sound or aural signal. The combined visual and aural signals, i.e., the television signal, occupy a particular frequency band which is referred to as a television channel. The frequencies occupied by the visual and aural signals are unique for each separate channel so that the channels remain distinct and maintain their separate information contained therein when the signals are converted in a standard television receiver. Television channels can also be defined as preassigned frequency ranges assigned to the visual and aural signals for a particular transmission. In the usual definition of a range of television channels, the highest frequency assigned to one channel is identical to the lowest frequency assigned to the immediately higher and adjacent channel. Similarly, the lowest frequency assigned to a particular channel is identical to the highest frequency assigned to the immediately lower and adjacent channel.
While commercial television stations often broadcast only a single channel through the air to a user's home, it is also common for cable companies or the like to transmit a plurality of television channels over the air to subscribers. Such wireless cable operations include Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) systems as well as Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) systems. In one known system operating in the microwave range, thirty-one (31) separate television channels are provided in adjacent six MHz increments, beginning at a frequency of 2500 MHz. In other words, television channel "One" occupies the frequency range of 2500-2506 MHz, channel "Two" occupies the frequency range of 2506-2512 MHz, and so on. Rather than utilize thirty-one (31) separate antennas for each channel, it is common to combine the channels to reduce the amount of transmission equipment used to transmit all channels to subscribers.
In one known arrangement, shown in FIG. 1, alternate television channels are combined in a first system, using the frequency ranges of the omitted channels between each combined channel as protective guard bands. The remaining alternate or non-adjacent television channels are combined in a separate, second system, once again using the frequency ranges of the omitted channels, which are transmitted in the first system, as guard bands. Referring to FIG. 1, a first transmitter 2 for television channel "1", which includes separate video and audio signals, has its output signal coupled to a first non-adjacent channel combiner 4. Similarly, a third transmitter 6 for television channel "3", which likewise includes separate video and audio signals, has its output signal coupled to the first non-adjacent channel combiner 4. Although not shown in FIG. 1, any remaining odd-numbered television channels would also have their output signals coupled to the first non-adjacent channel combiner 4, where all odd-numbered television channels are combined together into a first composite signal. The first composite signal from the first non-adjacent channel combiner 4 is coupled to a first transmission line 8. For a system operating in the microwave frequency range, a length of waveguide would be used for this first transmission line 8. The first transmission line 8 carries the first composite signal from the first combiner 4 to a first transmitting antenna 10. Here, the first composite signal is transmitted through the air to a receiving antenna 12 feeding standard receiving equipment 14.
Similarly, a second transmitter 16 for television channel "2" has its video and audio output signals coupled to a second non-adjacent channel combiner 18 and a fourth transmitter 20 for television channel "4" has its video and audio output signals coupled to tee second non-adjacent channel combiner 18. Any remaining even-numbered television channels would also have their output signals coupled to the second non-adjacent channel combiner 18 where all even-numbered television channels are combined together to form a second composite signal. A second transmission line 22 carries the second composite signal from the second combiner 18 to a second transmitting antenna 24, where the second composite signal is transmitted through the air to the receiving antenna 12.
The output signals from the various channel transmitters, for a microwave system, would be coupled to the channel combiners by multi-section directional filters or the like. FIG. 2 shows a typical response for one channel of a three section filter used in coupling the visual and aural signals for that channel to a non-adjacent channel combiner. The response includes most of the usable information in the six MHz frequency range of the channel itself, otherwise referred to as the occupied channel. The response begins to drop off in the upper and lower adjacent channels and significantly drops off to negligible levels in the first upper non-adjacent channel and the first lower non-adjacent channel. FIG. 3 shows the typical response of a non-adjacent four channel combiner which uses the omitted channels as guard bands to separate the channels from each other.
The FIG. 1 arrangement requires two separate channel combiners, two separate waveguide transmission lines and two separate transmitting antennas to transmit the plurality of television channels to a single receiving antenna 12. This duplication of equipment substantially increases the cost of the overall system, particularly when very expensive waveguides are used for the transmission lines in systems operating in the microwave range of frequencies.
There exists in the art a need for channel combiners which can combine immediately adjacent television channels, if only to reduce this expensive duplication of transmission equipment.
A number of prior art adjacent channel combiners have been proposed to avoid the duplication inherent in dual transmission line systems. These include the arrangements shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,531,447; 4,029,902; 4,258,435; 4,815,075 and 4,839,894. Other prior art known to the applicants which is relevant to this field include U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,816,270; 3,428,918; 3,453,638; 3,461,407; 3,710,281; 3,806,838; 3,865,990; 3,971,922; 4,652,879 and 4,847,574. These prior art arrangements employ complex hybrid combining methods that are either expensive or difficult to build or maintain, or introduce signal loss, or both.
In order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for combining a plurality of adjacent television channels onto a single transmission line without increasing hardware requirements and without serious degradation of signal parameters or power.

Method and apparatus for combining adjacent channel television signals

Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County


A microwavable heating pad that includes a pouch, accessing apparatus, a sealed bag, and discrete particles. The pouch contains a chamber and has a heat exchange layer contactable with a part of a body to which heat is to be applied. The accessing apparatus is associated with the pouch and is used to selectively access the chamber in the pouch. The sealed bag is replaceably contained in the chamber in the pouch and is accessible through the accessing apparatus and is in heat exchange communication with the heat exchange layer of the pouch. The discrete particles are contained in the sealed bag and are in heat exchange communication therewith and comprise an organic material that is solid at room temperature and exhibits a mesocrystalline transition temperature when subjected to microwave radiation, so that when the sealed bag is subjected to microwave radiation, the discrete particles contained therein exhibit the mesocrystalline transition temperature and generate heat which in turn causes the sealed bag to heat and form a heated sealed bag which is then replaceably inserted into the chamber in the pouch through the accessing apparatus with the pouch then being contacted to the part of the body to which the heat is to be applied until the heat becomes exhausted at which time the sealed bag is removed from the pouch through the accessing apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heating pad. More particularly, the present invention relates to a microwavable heating pad with heat activated fragrance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has been found that many medical problems which effect individuals can be successfully treated by applying heat to the effected area. Although a variety of devices have been created for use by individuals to provide heat to a particular area of the body, no system has been achieved which is capable of providing reliable, controlled, and repeatable delivery of a precise temperature level in an easily used and convenient form.
The use of heat therapy for many transitory problems, such as pains, muscle pulls, etc. has been practiced for many years. Typically, these maladies are treated with electrically heated pads, hot towels, and/or hot compresses. Additionally, these maladies can be treated with ointments whose smells can be quite objectionable, especially when heat is applied thereto.
Numerous innovations for warming devices and deodorants have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a microwavable heating pad with heat activated fragrance.
FOR EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,203 to Landsberger teaches a thermal sensitive deodorant wafer utilized to neutralize odors caused by subjecting certain materials to elevated temperatures. A pad is impregnated with a heat releasible deodorant and is encapsulated in a thermal sensitive shell to form a wafer-like element. The shell decomposes when subjected to the elevated temperatures whereupon the deodorant is released to neutralize the odors.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,608 to Bills teaches a hot pad for absorbing energy in a microwave oven and for heating articles in thermally conductive contact therewith. The pad includes a flexible and conformable pad defining a plurality of individual flexible and conformable closed pockets. Each of the pockets is formed of a microwave-transmissive heat resistant material and at least partially filled with microwave absorbing particulate matter. The microwave-heated hot pad is used by being disposed in thermally conductive contact with an essentially microwave-transmissive article to be heated, e.g. non-comestible.
STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,717 to Gibbon teaches a device and method for treating a localized area of pain in the human body by the application of a heating pad to the localized area. The heating pad includes a layer of matrix material which is actuable by exposure to microwave energy. The heating pad is heated by exposure to microwave energy to a temperature above ambient prior to application to the localized area. The microwavable layer is sandwiched between upper and lower elastomeric layers formed from materials which are non-absorptive of microwave energy.
YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,798 to Eckler et al. teaches warming devices having solid organic particulates that are solid at room temperature and which exhibit a mesocrystalline transition temperature within a range of about 30.degree. to about 200.degree. C. The particles can be heated by a variety of methods, such as microwave radiation or hot liquids. Contemplated objects include vacuum bottles, coffee mugs, stadium pads, foot warming boxes, mittens, caps, snowsuits, and other wearing apparel. The solid particles act as a reusable heat reservoir to release heat over an extended period of time or absorb ambient heat and serve a protective function.
STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,178 to Muysson teaches a solid granular deodorant that consists of a porous granular CaSo.sub.4 2H.sub.2 O base, a portion of essential oils adsorbed on the porous granular base and microcapsules filled with another portion of the essential oils. The portion of the essential oils absorbed on the granular base is present in an amount of from 2% to 18% by weight and the other portion of the essential oils in the microcapsules is present in an amount for from 0.5% to 4% by weight. The microcapsules are breakable by impacts, crushing, or heating. The granular deodorant is packed in a sealed pouch which has micro-holes on one side covered by a removable and repositionable adhesive tape.
FINALLY, YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,021 to Dvoretzky et al. teaches a delivery system that includes a carrier constructed for securely retaining a heat generating pad while also being able to be easily and securely mounted to the skin surface of an individual for providing heat therapy to any desired site or location. The heat generating pad is securely retained using either permanent or separable fastening means. By employing separable fastening means, the same carrier can be repeatedly employed by changing to a new heat generating pad after the previously used pad is exhausted. In addition, the carrier incorporates either adhesive means for mounting the carrier and pad to a user or employs a separable fastening means mounted to the carrier to enable the carrier and pad to be easily positioned, wherever desired, and securely retained in that position by engaging the fastening means.
It is apparent that numerous innovations for warming devices and deodorants have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

Microwavable heating pad with heat activated fragrance


Structures for LED light bulbs comprise a driver board and a lighting structure having one or more LEDs disposed thereon. The driver board, in a Y shape, can be the circuit board and has a positive terminal and a negative terminal for receiving electrical power. The Y-shaped driver board having two prongs connects to the light structure to power the LEDs thereon. The lighting structure can be in the form of a grid having the LEDs disposed thereon.

LED light bulbs are generally comprised of one or more LED dies configured on a circuit board and the circuit board is then placed in a light bulb. The light bulb can then be secured into a light bulb socket or a lighting fixture. Prior art LED light bulbs are typically large in size with many design elements (e.g. copper fins or aluminum fins) providing for the dissipation of heat. While these design elements are essential for heat dissipation, they increase manufacturing cost of the light bulb as well as the weight of the light bulb (thereby increasing their shipping cost). This is a problem for LED light bulbs designed to replace traditional incandescent light bulbs because many LED dies (or a few large LED dies) would be needed to generate sufficient amount of luminance to replace the traditional incandescent light bulb. But in operation, these LED dies would generate a tremendous amount of heat, and if the amount of heat is not properly managed, the light bulb could malfunction or become a fire hazard. It is therefore desirable to have a structure for LED light bulbs that would be efficient in heat dissipation and would have a low manufacturing cost.


A progressive addition lens constructed on the bipolar principle in accordance with a power law having a steeper slope or gradient in the regions adjacent to the poles than in the middle region thereof between the poles.

There are known in the art progressive lenses which provide a smooth transition of optical power between a near viewing region and a far viewing region.
Winthrop U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,861,153 and 5,123,725 disclose progressive lenses which are constructed in accordance with the bipolar principle. As is explained in these patents, in such a lens both the near vision zone and the distance vision zone are reduced to mathematical points or poles.
Further as is known in the art, lenses are constructed in accordance with a power law, which determines a portion of the lens meridian, which in turn may, as here, lie entirely in the Y-Z plane of a Cartesian coordinate system. Generally, lenses manufactured in accordance with the disclosures of the Winthrop patents have power laws the curves of which have relatively low slopes or gradients adjacent to the poles and a higher slope or gradient intermediate the poles. In accordance therewith, the '153 patent discloses a first numerical example of an ordinary progressive lens which is constructed in such a way as to provide relatively large areas of optical stability at the poles while minimizing astigmatism. This patent discloses a second numerical example which utilizes a linear power law to provide what is said to be possibly the lowest level of astigmatism possible in a progressive lens with umbilic vertical meridian.
The '725 patent adds third and fourth numerical examples, both of which are constructed in accordance with a power law of the same type as that of the first example of the '153 patent. The third example relates to what is identified as an occupational lens which has improved near utility at the expense of distance utility. While the fourth example, which is said to be a dynamic activity lens, has improved distance utility at the expense of near utility.

Progressive lens for specialty and occupational use


Disclosed is a display device for displaying a picture on an optical waveguide plate in accordance with an image signal by controlling displacement movement of each of actuator elements in a direction to make contact or separation with respect to the optical waveguide plate so that scattered light is controlled at a predetermined position on the optical waveguide plate, wherein the actuator element comprises a main actuator element including a piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer, and a pair of electrodes formed on a first principal surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer, a vibrating section contacting with a second principal surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer, for supporting the main actuator element, and a fixed section for supporting the vibrating section in a vibrative manner, and wherein the actuator element further comprises a displacement-transmitting section for transmitting, to the optical waveguide plate, displacement movement of the main actuator element caused by applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes. According to the display device, the electrostatic capacity of the actuator element can be reduced, further, display brightness without any nonuniformity can be obtained, and it is possible to improve the image quality.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a display device which consumes less electric power and provides high brightness on a screen. In particular, the present invention relates to improvement in a display device for displaying a picture on an optical waveguide plate corresponding to an image signal by controlling displacement movement of actuator elements in a direction to make contact or separation with respect to the optical waveguide plate in accordance with an attribute of the inputted image signal to control leakage light at predetermined positions on the optical waveguide plate.
2. Description of the Related Art:
Display devices such as cathode-ray tube (CRT) and liquid crystal display devices have been hitherto known.
Those known as the cathode-ray tube include, for example, ordinary television sets and monitor devices for computers. Although the cathode-ray tube provides a bright screen, it involves problems in that a large amount of electric power is consumed, and an entire display device has a large depth or length as compared with a size of the screen.
On the other hand, the liquid crystal display device is advantageous in that an entire device can be miniaturized, and the amount of electric power consumption is small. However, the liquid crystal display device involves problems in that the screen brightness is inferior, and the screen has a narrow angle of view.
Further, when a color screen is produced by using the cathode-ray tube or the liquid crystal display device, it is necessary that the number of picture elements is three times that of a black-and-white screen. For this reason, problems also arise in that the device itself is complicated, the electric power consumption increases, and the cost inevitably increases.
In order to solve the foregoing problems, the present applicant has been suggested a novel display device (for example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-287176). As shown in FIG. 30, this display device includes actuator elements 100 arranged for each of picture elements. Each of the actuator elements 100 comprises a main actuator element 108 and a substrate 114. The main actuator element 108 includes a piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 and upper lower electrodes 104, 106 formed on upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 respectively. The substrate 114, which is disposed under the main actuator element 108, includes a vibrating section 110 and a fixed section 112. The lower electrode 106 of the main actuator element 108 contacts with the vibrating section 110. The main actuator body 108 is supported by the vibrating section 110.
The substrate 114, which is composed of a ceramic material, is constructed by integrating the vibrating section 110 and the fixed section 112. A recess 116 is formed in the substrate 114 so that the vibrating section 110 is thin-walled.
A displacement-transmitting section 120 for ensuring a predetermined size of a contact area with respect to an optical waveguide plate 118 is connected to the upper electrode 104 of the main actuator element 108. In the illustrative device shown in FIG. 30, the displacement-transmitting section 120 is disposed closely to the optical waveguide plate 118 in a state of OFF selection or NO selection in which the actuator element 100 stands still, while in a state of ON selection, the displacement-transmitting section 120 is disposed to contact with the optical waveguide plate 118 with a distance of not more than the wavelength of light intervening therebetween, if any.
Light 122 is introduced, for example, from an end of the optical waveguide plate 118. In this arrangement, all of the light 122 is subjected to total reflection at the inside of the optical waveguide plate 118 without being transmitted through front and back surfaces of the optical waveguide plate 118, by controlling the magnitude of the refractive index of the optical waveguide plate 118. In this state, a voltage signal corresponding to an attribute of an image signal is selectively applied to the actuator element 100 via the upper electrode 104 and the lower electrode 106 to allow the actuator element 100 to perform various displacement movements based on ON selection, OFF selection, and NO selection. Thus the displacement-transmitting section 120 is controlled for its contact and separation with respect to the optical waveguide plate 118. Accordingly, scattered light (leakage light) 124 is controlled at a predetermined position of the optical waveguide plate 118, and a picture is displayed on the optical waveguide plate 118 in accordance with the image signal.
This display device is advantageous, for example, in that (1) the electric power consumption can be decreased, (2) the screen brightness can be increased, and (3) it is unnecessary to increase the number of picture elements when a color screen is produced, as compared with a black-and-white screen.
However, the illustrative display device suggested by the applicant has a so-called sandwich structure of the main actuator element 108 in which the upper electrode 104 and the lower electrode 106 are formed on the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102. Therefore, it is feared that the electrostatic capacity of the main actuator element 108 may inevitably become large, and the CR time constant for signal transmittance may become large in view of wiring resistance between the mutual main actuator elements 108.
If the CR time constant becomes large, a problem arises in that rounding occurs in signal waveform of a voltage signal corresponding to an attribute of an image signal, and it is impossible to apply a specified voltage to each of the electrodes. This results in failure in provision of necessary distortion to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102. Especially, it is feared that the display brightness is weakened at portions corresponding to the actuator elements 100 arranged at positions (for example, peripheral and central portions of the screen) far from the voltage signal supply point.
In the case of the illustrative display device suggested by the applicant, the actuator element 100, which is composed of the main actuator element 108 having the sandwich structure, the vibrating section 110, and the fixed section, has a certain bending displacement characteristic as shown in FIG. 31B. Namely, the bending displacement characteristic is symmetrical in positive and negative directions of the electric field in relation to a reference electric field point (point of the electric field=0) as a center. It is assumed that the direction of the bending displacement is positive when the actuator element 100 is displaced in a convex manner in a first direction (direction for the upper electrode 104 formed on the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 to face the free space), while the direction of the bending displacement is negative when the actuator element 100 is displaced in a concave manner.
The displacement characteristic is obtained by observing the displacement of the actuator element 100 as follows. Namely, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 is subjected to a polarization treatment by applying a predetermined voltage between the upper electrode 104 and the lower electrode 106. After that, the voltage applied between the upper electrode 104 and the lower electrode 106 is continuously changed so that the electric field applied to the actuator element 100 changes to, for example, electric fields of +3E.fwdarw.-3E.fwdarw.+3E.
Namely, at first, an electric field for polarization (for example, +5E) is applied in the positive direction to the actuator element 100 to perform the polarization treatment for the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 10. After that, the voltage application between the upper electrode 104 and the lower electrode 106 is stopped to give a no-voltage-loaded state. Simultaneously with the start of measurement, a sine wave having a frequency of 1 Hz and peak values of .+-.3E (see FIG. 31A) is applied to the actuator element 100. During this process, the displacement amount is continuously measured at respective points (Point A to Point D) by using a laser displacement meter. FIG. 31B shows a characteristic curve obtained by plotting results of the measurement on a graph of electric field-bending displacement. As indicated by arrows in FIG. 31B, the displacement amount of the bending displacement continuously changes in accordance with continuous increase and decrease in electric field.
Specifically, it is assumed that the measurement is started from an electric field +3E. At first, as shown in FIG. 32A, the electric field is applied to the actuator element 100 in the same direction as that of the polarization direction. Accordingly, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 is elongated in a direction across the upper electrode 104 and the lower electrode 106, and it is contracted in a direction parallel to the upper electrode 104 and the lower electrode 106. As a result, the entire actuator element is displaced in the negative direction in an amount of about 0.9 .DELTA.y.
After that, when the electric field is changed from +3E to -0.5E, the displacement amount is gradually decreased. When the electric field is in the negative direction, as shown in FIG. 32B, the electric field is applied in the direction opposite to the polarization direction. Therefore, elongation occurs in the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 in the direction parallel to the upper electrode 104 and the lower electrode 106, and the displacement is changed to the positive direction.
Next, when the electric field is changed in a direction of -0.5E.fwdarw.-3E, the polarization direction is gradually inverted. Namely, the direction of the electric field is gradually aligned with the polarization direction. As for Point B.fwdarw.Point c.fwdarw.Point C in FIG. 31B, it is assumed that the polarization is inverted approximately completely at Point c, because no hysteresis is observed between Point c and Point C.
As shown in FIG. 33A, the alignment of the direction of the electric field with the polarization direction allows the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 to change from the state of horizontal elongation to a state of contraction. At a stage at which the electric field is -3E, the displacement amount is approximately the same as the displacement amount (0.9 .DELTA.y) obtained at the start point of the measurement.
Namely, when the polarization direction is coincident with the direction of the electric field, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 is contracted in the direction parallel to the electrodes 104, 106 (elongated in the direction across the electrodes 104, 106). This situation corresponds to the states represented by Point A and Point C. When the polarization direction is opposite to the direction of the electric field, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 is elongated in the direction parallel to the electrodes 104, 106 (contracted in the direction across the electrodes 104, 106). This situation corresponds to the states represented by Point B and Point D. It is noted that there are given 1E=about 1.7 kV/mm and 1 .DELTA.y=about 1.6 .mu.m.
After that, when the electric field is changed from -3E to +0.5E, the displacement amount is gradually decreased. When the electric field is in the positive direction, as shown in FIG. 33B, the electric field is applied in the direction opposite to the polarization direction. Accordingly, elongation occurs in the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 in the direction parallel to the upper electrode 104 and the lower electrode 106, and the displacement is changed to the positive direction.
When the electric field is changed in a direction of +0.5E.fwdarw.+3E, the polarization direction is gradually inverted. When the direction of the electric field is aligned with the polarization direction, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 102 is changed from the state of horizontal elongation to a state of contraction.
As described above, in the case of the actuator element 100 of the illustrative display device suggested by the applicant, the bending displacement characteristic is symmetrical in the positive and negative directions in relation to the reference electric field point (electric field E=0) as the center. Therefore, the relative displacement amount is small between the no-voltage-loaded state and the voltage-applied state, and the relative displacement amount is small between the states in which mutually opposite electric fields are applied respectively. As a result, it is feared that the control of the actuator element 100 may become difficult. This fact involves a possibility for the display device to be disadvantageous from a viewpoint of improvement in image quality. Accordingly, it is necessary to promptly make a countermeasure thereagainst.


A panel includes a standoff formed from a wall extended in a height direction from an exterior surface of the panel. The wall is formed from a first wall section and a second wall section that is offset from the first wall section in a lateral direction of the panel along the exterior surface of the panel. A stopper hole is defined in the panel and extended in the height direction, in parallel with the first wall section and the second wall section, from the exterior surface of the panel. The stopper hole receives a stopper. The stopper hole is interposed between and separates the first wall section and the second wall section along the exterior surface of the panel, or is offset from the wall of the standoff in the lateral direction of the panel along the exterior surface of the panel.

Paneling is often employed to form walls which define distinct spaces such as rooms for user occupancy and storage areas, including rooms and storage areas in vehicles, where the paneling includes attachment features configured to fix the paneling with supporting structural elements. Known attachment features formed on paneling in an injection molding process and extend from paneling in various directions require separate, individual slides which define a space to be filled by a molding material, where the space defines an attachment feature. As such, paneling that includes many attachment features extended in different directions from a panel will require many slides to be used in forming the attachment features on the panel, resulting in a relatively complicated and often impractical manufacturing process for producing the panel. Consequently, there is demand for paneling which is capable of having multiple attachment features formed from a single slide in an injection molding process.


A wide gain range current digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is presented that includes a unit current cell having a current source module biased by a current source voltage bias, a differential switch module, a main cascode module biased by a first bias voltage and an attenuation cascode module biased by a second bias voltage, configured such that a particular current gain range is obtained at the main cascode module output when a unit current cell current is at or above a current threshold. The output current at the attenuation cascode module output can be input into a current attenuator when the unit current cell current is below the current threshold to obtain additional current gain range. The current attenuator can include a plurality of attenuator cells that can be programmed to a desired level of current gain in linear decibels or linear step intervals. Smaller step sizes can be obtained by programming a current source within the step intervals.

1. Field
The present invention is related to current digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with programmable output current for use in communication systems.
2. Related Art
Communication systems typically include a current digital-to-analog converter (DAC). In order to adjust system characteristics to channel variations, a programmable output current is normally required. One approach to implement a programmable output current is to vary a bias current entering the DAC. FIG. 1 illustrates a common DAC bias that outputs a current source bias voltage 114 to one or more DAC unit current cells, such as unit current cell 200 shown in FIG. 2. When a DAC bias current 103 is changed, a total output current can change proportionately.
An important performance parameter of the DAC is its linearity. Linearity is a function of the matching of the current source transistors (such as transistor 220 of FIG. 2) in the unit current cells. The matching depends on the size (e.g., width by length) of the current source transistors, as well as the biasing condition (e.g., Vgs-Vt). When DAC bias current 103 is reduced, the bias condition (e.g., Vgs-Vt) of the current source transistors is reduced. This results in a deteriorated current matching of the unit current cells. Thus, the maximum range in which DAC bias current 103 can be varied is limited. In a typical configuration, DAC bias current 103 cannot be varied more than 20–30 decibels (dB) before current source matching can dominate the overall performance of the DAC. This range is insufficient for many communication systems.
Therefore, what is needed is a current DAC with programmable current control such that a DAC current control range is extended.

Digital-to-analog converter with programmable current control


A display screen switch is disposed above a liquid-crystal display (16) that includes a display screen (16a) and is capable of displaying on the display screen (16a) an image that indicates various information comprising switch information. The switch includes a casing (22) disposed above the display screen (16a) and having a circuit. The casing (22) includes a plate-like casing body (25) disposed on the display screen (16a), and a transparent window portion (26) formed to penetrate the casing body (25) from a surface side to a reverse side thereof. The switch further includes a switch body (23) disposed on the casing body (25), the switch body (23) being connected to the circuit, and a transparent operation plate (24) disposed above the surface side of the casing body (25), the transparent operation plate (24) being depressed so as to operate the switch body (23). In the above switch, an image of switch information displayed on the display screen (16a) is transmitted to the transparent operation plate (24) through the transparent window portion (26) of the casing (22).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display screen switch which is operated above a display screen for displaying an image indicating switch information.
The present application is based on Japanese Patent Applications Nos. Hei. 10-371600 and 11-155381, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 19 is a front view showing a related electric apparatus for a vehicle. Referring to FIG. 19, an operation panel 1 is secured to the front surface of a casing. A display unit 2 is disposed in the central portion of the operation panel 1. A variety of switches 3 are disposed around the display unit 2. The overall display screen of the display unit 2 serves as a display area 4. Various information are displayed on the display area 4 as an image. In accordance with, for example, displayed information, the switch 3 is operated.
In recent years an attempt has been made to realize a switch having a multiplicity of functions. Therefore, a display screen switch has been suggested which displays an image indicating switch information on the display screen of the display unit 2 and which is operated on the display screen. The display screen switch includes a touch-panel-type switch having a touch panel disposed on the display screen and arranged to be depressed and a contact-type switch including a transparent operation members provided for the display screen and arranged to be depressed to operate the switch. The touch panel switch has substantially no operation stroke when the depression is performed. Therefore, a satisfactory input feeling cannot be obtained. On the other hand, the switch incorporating the transparent operation members and the contact-type switches permits a sufficiently long operation stroke when the depression is performed. Therefore, the foregoing problem can be overcome.
The related display-screen switch incorporating the transparent operation members and the contact-type switch has a problem in that an image indicating switch information displayed on the display screen 2a cannot easily be viewed. That is, the distance L from the display screen 2a of the display unit 2 to the upper surface (key top) 5a of the transparent operation plate 5 is too long, as shown in FIG. 20. Therefore, when a surface on which usual characters have been printed serves as the upper surface (key top) 5a of the transparent operation plate, an image of switch information displayed on the display screen 2a is viewed far. Thus, this means only poor legibility.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display screen switch which is able to shorten the distance from the display screen to the key top and permits satisfactory legibility.
To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display screen switch disposed above a display device that includes a display screen and is capable of displaying on the display screen an image that indicates various information comprising switch information, the switch which includes a casing disposed above a display screen and having a circuit, the casing including a plate-like casing body disposed on the display screen and a transparent window portion formed to penetrate the casing body from a surface side to a reverse side thereof, a switch body disposed on the casing body, the switch body being connected to the circuit, and a transparent operation plate disposed above the surface side of the casing body, the transparent operation plate being depressed so as to operate the switch body, wherein an image of switch information displayed on the display screen is transmitted to the transparent operation plate through the transparent window portion of the casing. The foregoing display screen switch has the structure that the casing and the transparent operation plate, which are stacked, are disposed on the display screen of the display device. When the transparent operation plate is depressed, the switch body secured to the casing is operated. Therefore, the distance from the display screen to the transparent operation plate, which is the key top, can be shortened. As a result, a structure having a small thickness can be realized and an image of switch information displayed on the display screen can easily be viewed.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the transparent operation plate includes a transparent display portion wherein the image of the switch information displayed on the display screen is transmitted through and also displayed on the transparent display portion, a secured portion disposed on one side of the transparent display portion and secured to the casing body, an elastic portion disposed between the secured portion and the transparent display portion, and a switch depression portion disposed on the other side of the transparent display portion and disposed above the switch body. In addition to the effect obtainable from the first aspect, the foregoing display screen switch has the structure that when the transparent display portion of the transparent operation plate is depressed, elastic deformation of the elastic portion causes the switch depression portion to press the switch body. After the pressure has been suspended, elastic restoring deformation of the elastic portion causes the switch body to be returned. Since the elastic portion serving as a restoring device is provided on either side of the transparent display portion, a necessity for interposing a restoring device between the transparent operation plate and the casing can be eliminated. Therefore, the transparent-operation plate can be disposed adjacent to the casing. Hence it follows that an image of switch information displayed on the display screen can furthermore easily be viewed.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the transparent window portions are provided in the casing body, a plurality of the transparent operation plates corresponding to the plural transparent window portions are integrally formed together, and a plurality of the switch bodies arranged to be operated by the plural transparent operation plates are provided. In addition to the effects obtainable from the first and second aspects, the display screen switch including the plural transparent operation plates and the corresponding switch bodies permits a plurality of inputs.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the switch depression portion and the transparent display portion are substantially same in height from the casing body. In addition to the effects obtainable from the second aspect or the third aspect, the distance from the casing to the transparent display portion can be made to be substantially the same height as that of the switch body. As a result, a structure having a small thickness can be realized and an image of switch information displayed on the display screen can furthermore easily be viewed.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the transparent operation plate includes a transparent display portion wherein the image of the switch information is transmitted through and displayed on the transparent display portion, a switch depression portion disposed on one side of the transparent display portion and disposed above the switch body, and a flange portion formed around the transparent display portion and the switch depression portion, and the switch further comprises a cover disposed above the casing wherein the transparent operation plate is disposed between the cover and the casing while the transparent display portion and the switch depression portion are projected through an opening for the operation plate of the cover, and an elastic member is interposed between the transparent operation plate and the casing around the transparent operation plate, wherein the elastic member is brought into hermetic contact with the transparent operation plate due to elastic reactive force of the elastic member. In addition to the effect obtainable from the first aspect, when the switch depression portion of the transparent operation plate is depressed, the elastic member is elastically deformed in the downward direction. Thus, the switch body is operated. When the depression of the switch depression portion is inhibited, the elastic restoring deformation of the elastic member causes the switch depression portion to be returned to the original position. The elastic member is disposed below the overall outer surface of the transparent operation plate, the elastic member is being brought into hermetic contact with the transparent operation plate owing to the elastic reactive force of the elastic member. Therefore, introduction of dust, water or the like introduced through the opening of the cover operation plate can be prevented.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments described in conjunction with the attached drawings.


A communication apparatus includes: a transmitter having a plurality of transmitting units configured to perform data transmission, each transmitting unit including a synchronization unit configured to synchronize the transmitting units, an STBC test unit configured to divide an input signal to produce a plurality of STBC signals in order to perform an STBC test, and a controlling unit configured to perform a setting to test mode, wherein in the test mode, the transmitting units are combined to allow transmission of an STBC signal; and a receiver capable of receiving the STBC signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication apparatus using space time coding for information communication, and more particularly to a communication apparatus configured to transmit or receive a space time code to test the receiving state of a receiver.
2. Description of Related Art
For a wireless communication system such as a mobile phone system, as a technique of raising the transmission rate without widening the frequency range, there is MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) transmission that performs spatial multiplexing transmission using multiple transmitting and receiving antennas. For this MIMO transmission, in order to achieve a satisfactory diversity effect, signal points must be disposed per time and per transmitting antenna efficiently without lowering the coding rate excessively. Such signal point arranging method is called Space Time Coding (hereinafter, "STC" for short). As a typical space time coding, there is Space-Time Block Code (hereinafter, "STBC" for short). With a single receiving antenna, this technique can achieve a maximum transmit diversity effect equivalent to the maximum ratio composition.
With regard to STBC being a typical approach using STC, the following related art document (1) is known.
(1) A simple transmit diversity technique for wireless communication
S. Alamouti;
IEEE J. Select, Areas Commun., vol. 16, no. 8, pp. 1451-1458, October 1998.
According to the approach described in the document, a receiver can perform symbol separation by use of a simple linear calculation with respect to encoding by a transmitter, and also a maximum transmit diversity effect equivalent to the maximum ratio composition can be achieved. There are many applications of the approach, and there are many approaches for performance improvement when the number of antennas is greater than two; with regard to these approaches, there are the following related art documents, for example.
(2) Cyclic Space-Time Block Codes and Decoding Algorithm in MIMO CDMA System
Fu Hong-Hang; Feng Guang-zeng;
Wireless Communications, Networking and Mobile Computing, 2006. WiCOM 2006.
International Conference on 22-24 Sep. 2006 Page(s): 1-4
(3) A novel iterative receiver for coded MIMO OFDM systems
S. Sun, Y. Wu, Y. Li and T. T. Tjhung;
IEEE ICC 2004, pp. 2473-2477, vol. 4, June 2004.
Various combinations can be used in terms of the number of antennas of a transmitter or a receiver. According to the related art, however, no consideration has been given to mounting of LSI. For example, assume that there is demand that an STBC signal transmitted actually from an LSI is received and decoding of the STBC signal needs to be tested. However, when only an LSI of SISO (Single Input Single Output) based on wireless standard IEEE802.11n (hereinafter, "11n" for short) is arranged, the STBC signal test cannot be performed. Further, additional installation of a transmitter for the testing increases the cost. Thus, there is a need for an approach by which, in testing the transmitting and receiving state of the STBC signal, a change can be flexibly done to any configuration in terms of the increase and decrease of the number of antennas and the like, and the testing of the transmitting and receiving state can be implemented using an existing LSI chip.