A plurality of voltage controlled oscillators and a plurality of dividers are provided corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands, respectively, and a phase comparator, a charge pump, and a low pass filter are used in common for the plurality of frequency bands. A switch which selects any one of the plurality of voltage controlled oscillators, and a switch which selects any one of the plurality of dividers are provided. A controller which performs a gain control of a frequency synthesizer loop is further provided so that a gain characteristic of the frequency synthesizer loop comprised of a selected voltage controlled oscillator, selected divider, phase comparator, charge pump, and low pass filter becomes constant regardless of a selection change of the plurality of voltage controlled oscillators and the plurality of dividers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a frequency synthesizer capable of supporting multifrequency bands. The present invention also relates to a digital radio communication system capable of supporting a plurality of frequency bands, which transmit image and speech information using digital data.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, with a multifrequency bands requirement of a digital radio communication system, a technique using a frequency synthesizer capable of supporting multifrequency bands has been proposed.
In addition, when a plurality of frequency synthesizers or the frequency synthesizer capable of supporting the multifrequency bands is used, a digital radio communication system capable of supporting multifrequency bands can be configured.
Hereafter, referring to FIG. 5 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-290235, a configuration of the frequency synthesizer capable of supporting the multifrequency bands will be explained as a prior art.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a high frequency unit of the prior art of the digital radio communication system which uses the frequency synthesizer capable of supporting the multifrequency bands.
In FIG. 5, intermediate-frequency voice data inputted from a voice data signal terminal 25 is modulated by a modulation unit 24 and is inputted into a frequency converting unit 23. In the frequency converting unit 23, using a local oscillation signal of a voltage controlled oscillator 28 of a first frequency synthesizer unit 29 or a local oscillation signal of a voltage controlled oscillator 30 of a second frequency synthesizer unit 31, the intermediate-frequency voice data are frequency-converted.
Here, the local oscillation signal of the voltage controlled oscillator 28 and the local oscillation signal of the voltage controlled oscillator 30 have different frequencies. A selection whether the voltage controlled oscillator 28 is used or the voltage controlled oscillator 30 is used is performed by a switch 27. Meanwhile, a local oscillation signal selected by the switch 27 is inputted into the frequency converting unit 23 through a switch 26 for switching transmission and reception.
An output signal of the frequency converting unit 23 is then amplified to a specified output power level by a driver unit (DRV) 22 and a power amplifier unit (PA) 21. An output signal of the power amplifier unit 21 is transmitted from an antenna 19 through a switch 20 for switching transmission and reception. At this time, multifrequency bands can be supported based on switching to the local oscillation signal of the voltage controlled oscillator 28 or the local oscillation signal of the voltage controlled oscillator 30, each of which has different frequency.
The switch 20 switches between a state of supplying the output of the power amplifier unit 21 to the antenna 19 as a transmission signal and a state of supplying a signal received by the antenna 19 to a front-end unit 32.
When the received signal is inputted through the switch 20 from the antenna 19, the received signal enters the front-end unit 32. In the front-end unit 32, a desired received signal is amplified, selected by a filter, which is not shown, and is inputted into a frequency converting unit 33.
The received signal inputted into the frequency converting unit 33 is frequency-converted using the local oscillation signal of the voltage controlled oscillator 28 or the local oscillation signal of the voltage controlled oscillator 30. A selection whether the voltage controlled oscillator 28 is used or the voltage controlled oscillator 30 is used is performed by a switch 27. A local oscillation signal selected by the switch 27 is then inputted into the frequency converting unit 33 through the switch 26 for switching transmission and reception.
An intermediate-frequency received signal converted by the frequency converting unit 33 is demodulated by a demodulation unit 34 and is outputted from a voice data signal terminal 35 as an audio signal.
Here, in the digital radio communication system which performs a transmission of the transmission signal and a transmission of the received signal alternately, the local oscillation signal is switched for the transmission signal or for the received signal by the switch 26, and inputted into the frequency converting unit 23 or the frequency converting unit 33.
Meanwhile, according to a frequency synthesizer disclosed by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-290235, it includes a plurality of prescalers, a plurality of multipliers, and a switching unit, wherein an output signal of the multiplier is used as a local oscillation signal, and a combination of a desired prescaler and multiplier is set so that a product of a division ratio and a multiplication number may become constant. According to this configuration, a variable frequency step of a synthesizer output frequency can be kept at a constant value regardless of a frequency band to be selected. In addition, according to this frequency synthesizer, a prescaler which is not selected by switching a plurality of prescalers is turned off, thereby achieving a reduction in power dissipation.
However, in the digital radio communication system using the frequency synthesizer capable of supporting the multifrequency bands shown in FIG. 5, a frequency synthesizer unit is individually needed for each of a plurality of frequency bands, resulting in a problem of an increase in mounting area of the frequency synthesizer unit.
Meanwhile, another prior art is disclosed in the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-290235. However, according to this prior art, a plurality of multipliers are needed, resulting in a problem of an increase in mounting area and an increase in power consumption of the multiplier.
In a configuration in which the output of the voltage controlled oscillator is used as the local oscillation signal not by using the multiplier but by varying the division ratio of the divider, a loop gain characteristics of the frequency synthesizer unit is different for every different oscillation frequency. As a result, there may arise a problem that a difference will occur in a lock-up time characteristic and a C/N characteristic, which are frequency synthesizer characteristics.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An optical element covering member capable of improving insufficiency in rigidity of the optical element while an increase in thickness of a liquid crystal display device or deterioration of display characteristics of the liquid crystal display device is reduced, a backlight provided with the optical element covering member, and a liquid crystal display device are provided. The optical element covering member includes at least one optical element, a support medium for supporting the at least one optical element, and a covering member for covering the at least one optical element and the support medium. The at least one optical element and the support medium constitute a stack.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical element covering member, a backlight provided with the optical element covering member, and a liquid crystal display device. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical element covering member for improving display characteristics of a liquid crystal display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In liquid crystal display devices, many optical elements have been used previously for the purpose of improving the viewing angle, the luminance, and the like. As for these optical element, elements in the shape of a film or a sheet, e.g., diffusion films and prism sheets, have been used.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a liquid crystal display device according to a related art. As shown in FIG. 1, this liquid crystal display device is provided with an illumination device 101 for emitting light, a diffusion plate 102 for diffusing the light emitted from the illumination device 101, and a plurality of optical elements 103, for example, for collecting or diffusing the light diffused by the diffusion plate 102, and a liquid crystal panel 104.
There are tendencies of the self weight and the size of an optical element to increase with upsizing of an image display device in recent years. If the self weight and the size of the optical element increase, the rigidity of the optical element becomes insufficient and, thereby, deformation, e.g., wrinkling, bending, or warping, of the optical element occurs. Such deformation of the optical element exerts an influence on the optical directivity toward a display surface so as to cause a serious luminance irregularity problem.
Consequently, it has been proposed that the insufficiency in rigidity of the optical element is improved by increasing the thickness of the optical element. However, the liquid crystal display device becomes thick and, thereby, advantages of the liquid crystal display device in being low-profile and lightweight are impaired. Then, it has been proposed that the insufficiency in rigidity of the optical element in the shape of a sheet or a form is improved by bonding optical elements to each other with a transparent adhesive (refer to Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-301147, for example).
Furthermore, since the application range of display devices has been extended in recent years, further thickness reduction and weight reduction have been proposed for the purpose of wall-mounting or installation in the vicinity of a ceiling. Regarding this thickness reduction and weight reduction, a diffusion function for equalizing irregularity in light source, e.g., fluorescent tubes, does not accompany. Therefore, technologies for reducing irregularity in light source by increasing the thickness of the diffusion plate, using a plurality of diffusion sheets, i.e. increasing the number of sheets than ever, increasing the number of light sources, and the like have been studied.

Optical element package, backlight, and liquid crystal display device


A method for manufacturing a positive electrode plate for a non-aqueous secondary battery including: preparing an active material A, a conductive material B, a binder C, a thickener D, and a liquid component E, the thickener D being in a powder state, the conductive material B including a carbon material, the thickener D including a water-soluble polymer, and the liquid component E including water; preparing a slurry including the component E and an electrode material mixture, the material mixture including the active material A, the conductive material B, the binder C, and the thickener D; and applying the slurry on a current collector. In preparing the slurry, the thickener D in a powder state, the active material A and the conductive material B are kneaded together with the liquid component E, and then the primary kneaded matter, the binder C, and an additional liquid component are kneaded.

In recent years, a lithium ion secondary battery used as a power source for a portable electronic device is a mainstream of non-aqueous secondary batteries. A lithium ion secondary battery generally comprises a positive electrode formed of a positive electrode current collector carrying a positive electrode material mixture, and a negative electrode formed of a negative electrode current collector carrying a negative electrode material mixture. The positive electrode material mixture includes a positive electrode active material formed of a composite oxide of a transition metal and lithium, a conductive material, and the like. The negative electrode material mixture includes a negative electrode active material formed of a carbon material and the like which can store and release lithium. Although a lithium ion secondary battery has high voltage and high capacity, an improvement is desired due to a decrease in capacity through charge and discharge (hereinafter referred to as "charge/discharge") cycles.
As one of the causes of the decrease in capacity through charge/discharge cycles, a decrease in electron conductivity of an electrode can be mentioned. The decrease in electron conductivity is caused by a partial fracture of a conductive network structure formed of a conductive material due to expansion and contraction of a positive electrode through charge/discharge cycles. In order to secure sufficient electron conductivity even with the partial fracture of the conductive network structure, a content by percentage of the conductive material included in the electrode material mixture may be increased, or a content by percentage of a non-conductor included in the electrode material mixture, i.e., binder and/or thickener, may be decreased.
However, the conductive material itself does not contribute to a battery capacity, and a usage of the conductive material in great amount causes a reduction in the battery capacity. Thus, a decrease in the content by percentage of a binder and/or a thickener included in a positive electrode material mixture is desired.
Additionally, in view of decreasing an environmental burden, it is desirable to use water as a dispersion medium for an electrode material mixture slurry. The electrode material mixture slurry is prepared by mixing an electrode material mixture with a liquid component as a dispersion medium. The slurry is applied on a current collector to make the material mixture carried on the current collector. Thus, attempts to decrease the content by percentage of a binder and/or a thickener have been made, especially for the cases where water is used as a dispersion medium.
Conventionally, a fluorocarbon resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is used as a binder (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 08-339828). However, a fluorocarbon resin is low in viscosity, and its binding property is developed by chain entanglement. Therefore, when the content by percentage of a binder is decreased, the electrode material mixture tends to easily separate from a current collector, thereby causing a reduction in capacity.
Hence, there has been proposed a usage of a copolymer of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and acrylonitrile as a binder (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 11-25956). According to this proposal, a total amount of a binder and a thickener can be decreased to 2.6 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of an active material. Also, an excellent cycle life is obtained even when a conductive material is decreased to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts of an active material.
However, when an amount of the materials other than an active material, i.e., a conductive material, a binder, and a thickener, to be mixed is decreased, gradually, it becomes difficult to uniformly disperse these materials in a liquid component which is to be a dispersion medium. Thus, an electrode material mixture slurry becomes unstable, and a conductive material becomes vulnerable to re-coagulation due to a shearing force while an electrode material mixture slurry is applied on a current collector and then dried. As a result, the weight of the applied electrode material mixture becomes non-uniform depending upon a position on the current collector.
Causes may vary, but mainly the unstable electrode material mixture slurry is caused by a great difference in surface free energy between a conductive material and a dispersion medium when using water as a dispersion medium. Between the materials having a great difference in surface free energy, affinity is low. When affinity between a conductive material and a dispersion medium is low, a conductive material becomes vulnerable to re-coagulation.
General preparing steps of conventional electrode material mixture slurry comprise one step: adding a liquid component to be a dispersion medium into a mixture including an active material, binder, and the like, all the amount together at once and then kneading the mixture. However, in the above step, because a sufficient shearing force is not given to the conductive material, dispersion state of the electrode material mixture in the obtained slurry and viscosity of the slurry easily become unstable. In order to prepare a stable electrode material mixture slurry, a method to disperse an electrode material mixture in a liquid component should be considered well.
In view of the above, the following have been proposed. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 9-213309 suggests that after kneading a conductive material, a binder, and a dispersion medium, an active material is added and then further kneaded. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 10-144302 suggests that after kneading a conductive material and a dispersion medium, an active material and a binder are added and then further kneaded. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 11-144714 suggests that after kneading a binder and a dispersion medium, an active material and a conductive material are added and then further kneaded. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 11-213989 suggests that after kneading a conductive material and a dispersion medium, an active material is added and further kneaded, and then a binder is added and kneaded.
However, in any of the above methods, since almost a total amount of a dispersion medium is admixed at once, an electrode material mixture slurry is kneaded without a sufficient shearing force being given to a conductive material. In such methods, it is difficult to stabilize a dispersion state of the electrode material mixture, viscosity of the slurry, and the like.
Additionally, the following have been proposed. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 7-161350 suggests that a dispersion medium is added, by adjusting its amount, to a mixture of a conductive material, a binder, and an active material in order to decrease an amount of necessary dispersion medium and to shorten the time for drying. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-353516 suggests that the same method as the above Publication No. Hei 7-161350 is conducted in order to improve a dispersion state of an electrode material mixture in the slurry, and a binding property of an electrode material mixture and a current collector. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-167756 suggests that a dispersion medium is dividedly added several times in trace amounts to a mixture of an active material, a conductive material, and a binder dissolved in a dispersion medium.
In any of the above proposals, an electrode material mixture slurry is kneaded in a state in which a shearing force is given to the conductive material, since a dispersion medium is dividedly added. However, in any of these proposals, an organic solvent which has high affinity with a conductive material is used as a dispersion medium. In the case where an organic dispersion medium is used, when an excessive shearing force is given to a mixture, a coagulation of a conductive material is adversely prompted. Therefore, in addition to a problem of organic solvent waste, there is a problem in that the amounts of a binder and a conductive material to be added to an active material can not be decreased.
Thus, there has been proposed a method in which water is used as a dispersion medium, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), which is a water-soluble polymer, is used as a thickener, and an aqueous solution of the thickener is dividedly added several times to a mixture kneaded to become a thick paste (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-348713). According to this method, in a step of applying the electrode material mixture slurry on a current collector, a yield rate can be improved since coagulation in the electrode material mixture slurry can be reduced.
However, it is difficult to reduce even invisible, fine coagulation in this method. In particular, there is a problem in that a weight of an electrode material mixture to be applied becomes non-uniform, depending on a position on a current collector, due to re-coagulation of a conductive material caused by a low affinity between the conductive material and a dispersion medium. As a result, capacity varies depending on a position on an electrode plate, and a cycle life of a battery will deteriorate. Such a problem becomes particularly noticeable when manufacturing an electrode plate by using an electrode material mixture slurry left for a while after preparation.
Also, conventionally, a thickener is dissolved in a liquid component to be a dispersion medium in advance, and used as a solution. However, in order to prepare a solution efficiently by prompting a dissolution of the thickener, which is usually hardly soluble, a powerful mixer such as a homogenizer is needed. Although a strong convection can be given to a mixture of a thickener and a dispersion medium by using a homogenizer and the like, there is a problem in that the molecular entanglement which is the base of the thickening effect of the thickener is destroyed and the thickening effect is decreased.

Electrode plate of positive electrode for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and manufacturing method thereof


A method of joining two components utilizes a fibrous preform at the joint. The preform has two lateral portions and a longitudinally extending flow path. The preform is sandwiched between the two components and enclosed within a vacuum bag. Resin is introduced at an inlet of the flowpath while a vacuum pump creates a suction at an outlet end and along the lateral side edges. The flow path has greater permeability than the remaining portions of the preform, causing the resin to flow to the outlet end. When the resin reaches the outlet end, the suction at the outlet end is reduced, but the suction at the lateral edges remains without reduction to cause the resin to flow laterally into the preform.

Composite structures formed of resin and fibers such as glass, aramid or carbon are used in many industries because of light weight and strength. A number of methods exist for forming composite structures. In one method, composite components are formed and pre-cured, then secured together. One method of securing the components is by the use of adhesive, which saves cost and weight as compared to drilling holes and mechanically attaching the components. Components may also be co-cured and bonded to each other at the same time, but co-curing requires tooling that holds the uncured components in position.
Process sensitivity and quality assurance issues have limited the use of adhesive bonding of pre-cured composites in some applications, such as in aerospace. These issues include sensitivity to surface preparation, bond line thickness, pressure distribution, moisture, and time-temperature curing profiles. In particular, the application of adhesive bonding on large composite structures has proven to be difficult for a number of reasons, as follows:
1. insuring uniform pressure application over large bonded areas;
2. insuring that no voids or bridged areas exist along the bond line;
3. demonstrating that variations in bond line thickness, which are characteristic of the interface between large structures, are acceptable; and
4. properly applying the adhesive on the large areas to be bonded in a timely and consistent manner to insure producibility from part to part.
One known technique uses a preform between the two components to be joined. A preform is a fabric member that may be woven or nonwoven. Normally, the preform is impregnated initially with a resin, but it will be in an uncured state. An adhesive film may be placed between the preform and each of the pre-cured components. Pressure and heat are applied to cure the preform and bond the components together. The pressure may be applied by vacuum bagging techniques. The preform has a thickness that causes it to compress under the pressure.

Infusion joining of composite structures


There is provided a technique which, in the case where the operation has not occurred in a manner as expected by the user, determines from which standpoint the operation was not as expected, and makes a response that is closer to the expectation.

In recent years, the amount of information (content) which is handled by an information appliance or a video/audio appliance has become enormous. Therefore, unless the user gives an instruction to the appliance by precisely specifying a content, the appliance cannot provide appropriate contents.
For example, an appliance has been proposed which, when a user wishes to watch a video of baseball, receives and displays a desired baseball program if the user gives an instruction that he or she "wants to watch baseball". This appliance operates by assuming that the video of baseball that the user wishes to watch is a baseball program which is being broadcast at that point in time. In the days when this proposal was made, the appliance was sufficiently able to meet the user's expectation by such an operation. Currently, however, the video related to baseball are diversified. For example, Japanese professional baseball programs, high school baseball programs, US major league programs, and even video of last week's game of a sandlot baseball team to which the user belongs may be a target of viewing. Therefore, unless the user gives an instruction that precisely specifies which baseball he or she wants to watch, the appliance cannot provide a video of baseball as desired by the user.
In order to give an instruction of a specified content to an appliance, the user is required to perform very complicated tasks. Therefore, how the tasks can be reduced will become an important index that determines the performance of the appliance.
For example, if a request containing ambiguity is received from the user, it is preferable that the appliance is able to provide the user with a content which is considered appropriate. Moreover, if the selection that has been made by the appliance does not suit the user's intention, it is preferable that the appliance recognizes the situation and performs a process of providing a more appropriate content. For example, an increased convenience will be obtained if the appliance is able to request to the user for further information concerning the content, or if the appliance is able to select and provide another content based on the history of user manipulations or the like.
Patent Document 1 discloses a service providing apparatus which infers the user's intention based on the electroencephalograms of the user, and controls its own operation. After responding to a request of the user, this apparatus detects a biological signal of the user. Then, from this signal, it infers whether the response content has resulted in a disappointment or not, and upon determining a disappointment, modifies the response content.
[Patent Document 1] International Laid-Open No. WO2005/001677

Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and method

Abstract: An information processing system according to the present invention includes: a reaction section for executing a first process based on a request from a user; an output section for outputting a result of a process; a signal detection section for measuring a signal concerning an event-related potential of electroencephalograms of the user; an analysis section for identifying a positive peak in the event-related potential and determining whether an elapsed time since the result is output and until the peak appears is closer to a first reference time or a second reference time; and a reaction modifying section for determining a second process in accordance with the determination result. This determination result indicates a degree of disappointment of the user, and the second process is to be determined in accordance with the degree. By the reaction section executing the second process, an operation is realized which conforms to the user's expectation even if the operation has not occurred in a manner as expected by the user.


A static dissipative laminate consistently having an internal resistance less than 2.times.10.sup.6 and a resistance to ground measurement of about 5.times.10.sup.6 and a surface resistance in the static dissipative range even at a very low humidities is produced by the use of an ionic salt and an humectant in the overlay and further by the use of a special top core sheet containing 0.6-1.0% by weight of carbon fibers.

Considerable interest exists for static dissipative and electrically conductive laminates for use in various environments, including static dissipative work surfaces and conductive flooring materials. Among the prior patents there may be mentioned are the patents to Wilks et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,383; Cannady et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,001; Cannady U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,624; Berbeco U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,199 and Berbeco U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,350. The use of carbon black filled paper is known, as is the use of salts, noting patents such as Meiser U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,821 and Economy et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,567,689. However, no one product is suitable for all static dissipative and conductive environments, because different usages, i.e. environments, require different properties.
Grosheim et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,474 belongs to the prior art mentioned above, but is of further interest in disclosing the use of an electrically conductive fibrous web in order to impart greater conductivity to the laminate, this conductive web being preferably highly loaded with conductive particles. As a non-preferred alternative, conductive fibers can be used. Example 5 specifically mentions the use of carbon fiber-containing conductive webs of 90% and 40% carbon fibers.
Cannady U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,624 discloses anti-static laminates containing long carbon fibers, these carbon fibers being uniformly distributed throughout at least the to decorative sheet of the laminate.
Prior static dissipative laminates suffered from certain disadvantages in addition to being either too conductive or not conductive enough. Thus, some of these static dissipative laminates have an upper surface containing carbon particles for providing a conductive path from the upper surface of the laminate to the interior. This can result in dusting of conductive material from the surface of the laminate as it wears, which conductive material by itself will result in damage due to electrical short circuits. In addition, the color of these laminates is limited to black, which can provide human engineering problems.
Another problem which occurs with such prior static dissipative laminates is that the surface of the laminate tends to lose its electrical conductivity when the relative humidity drops in winter time. Measured resistivity of conventional static dissipative and conductive laminates is strongly dependent on relative humidity, and can change several orders of magnitude between 50% relative humidity and 15% relative humidity. Prior art static dissipative and conductive laminates do not perform well at relative humidities below 25-30%. For this reason, work areas may have to be humidified, which is not always desirable due to the possibility of inducing corrosion in certain products and in certain equipment as well. In addition, the necessity for precise humidification increases the cost of handling the electronic components.
Two of the high pressure decorative laminates having static dissipating or conducting properties use a highly conductive impregnated layer below the decor sheet. Of these, one has an excessive surface resistivity and it appears that the upper layer is not sufficiently conductive. The other uses quarternary ammonium compounds in the upper layer, along with the conductive carbon containing paper therebelow, and while this laminate is adequate at normal relative humidity (about 50%), it is inadequate at low relative humidities. A third product of yet another manufacturer, although somewhat better, is still inadequate at low relative humidities.
Prior art static dissipative laminate has also introduced the problem of field suppression. This occurs when the laminate is constructed of a highly conductive layer buried under a relatively non-conducting surface. When a charged object is placed on the laminate surface, a field is induced in the buried conductive layer forming what is, in effect, a leaky capacitor. The overall result is that to an outside observer, e.g. a static electricity sensing meter such as an electrometer, a zero electrical potential exists when, in reality, the field is hidden within the laminate. When an object such as an electronic component is lifted from the laminate surface, the charge reappears thereby creating the static electricity hazard sought to be avoided.
An excellent static dissipative laminate, described in Ungar et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,908, which laminate has served the industry well, uses a carbon particle filled paper two layers down from the surface decorative laminate. One of the advantages of this static dissipative laminate is that it has a zero volt charge after two seconds at 17% or lower relative humidity (column 3, lines 23-26). The carbon black paper used in the laminate exemplified in this patent contains a non-uniform dispersion of carbon particles which, in the finished laminate, tend to enhance the conductivity of that layer. The carbon particles are extremely small, submicron in size. Thus, electrical continuity in the layer is dependent on high concentrations of carbon particles to achieve low resistances. Even then, the resistance is somewhat dependent on resin content because the greater the resin content, the more the resin coats each individual particle and insulates it from neighboring particles.
Moreover, the use of carbon black paper creates tremendous handling and control problems. The carbon black paper has a highly non-uniform distribution of carbon which creates widely varying electrical properties locally within the paper. Also, the wet tensile strength varies throughout a roll of such carbon black paper as a result of the uneven carbon distribution, often making it difficult to uniformly impregnate with resin.
Another disadvantage of the carbon black paper is that the yields using this carbon black paper have not been found to be optimal because of wastage, partly due to some of the aforementioned problems. There have also been found to be cross-contamination problems with the use of carbon black in decorative laminate processes.

Static dissipative laminate containing an interior special core layer containing carbon fibers


An improved volumetric concrete mixing system and method of the present invention utilizes load cells for measuring weight loss from the aggregate and cement bins. Load cells may also be used for measuring weight loss from the water tank. The load cells provide input data corresponding to the weight loss of each container to a controller which automatically adjusts the delivery of ingredients to a mixing boot so as to achieve a desired concrete mix ratio.

Concrete is a mixture of paste and aggregates. The paste is composed of cement and water. The most common cement is Portland cement, although other cementous materials may be used, such as fly ash, ground slag, and silica fume. The aggregates may include both fine and course aggregates, such as sand and rocks, respectively. Freshly mixed, uncured concrete is plastic. It can be molded or formed into any shape, which becomes strong and durable when hardened. Careful proportioning and mixing of the ingredients is key to producing strong, durable concrete. A concrete mixture with insufficient paste to fill the voids between the aggregates will be difficult to place, and will produce rough, honey combed surfaces and porous concrete. A mixture with excessive paste is easy to place and produces a smooth surface, but produces concrete that is likely to crack. Thus, the desired workability for the fresh concrete and the required durability and strength for the hardened concrete depends on properly proportioning the ingredients. Generally, a concrete mixture contains approximately 10%-15% cement, 60%-75% aggregates, and 15%-20% water, by volume. Air may also be introduced into the mixture at 5%-8% by volume.
The quality of the paste determines the character of the concrete. The paste strength depends on the water to cement ratio. Ideally, the water to cement ratio is lowered as much as possible to produce high quality concrete, without sacrificing the workability of the uncured mixture.
Concrete can be produced at a stationary plant, with a ready-mix truck, or a volumetric mixing system. A stationary plant includes all the storage, mixing and delivery components assembled at the job site to produce concrete for extended periods of time. Ready-mix refers to concrete that is from a central stationary plant, wherein the aggregate, cement and water are mixed in a rotating barrel on a truck which delivers the slurry to the job site, rather than being mixed at the job site. Ready mix is advantageous for small jobs when intermittent placing of concrete is required. In volumetric systems, the aggregate, cement and water are stored in separate bins or compartments on a truck, and then mixed together at the job site in a mixing boot on the end of the truck.
In conventional volumetric mixing systems, the sand and rock aggregates pass through a pair of gates for discharge onto a conveyor belt. The volume of the respective aggregates can be controlled by adjusting the gate opening to achieve the desired concrete mix design. The truck also includes a cement bin with an auger that discharges the cement into the aggregate mixture. These solid ingredients are measured in a volumetric manner to regulate the mixed design. For example, the volume of each ingredient can be calculated by the size of the respective gate opening, the speed of the cement auger, and the speed of the conveyor. However, if the sand, aggregate or cement bridges in their bin so that delivery to the conveyor is not complete, the desired mix ratio is not achieved. Therefore, the operator normally must watch the slurry discharged from the mixing boot to assure consistent slump. If a change in slump is noticed, the operator must determine the cause and solve the problem, such as breaking up the bridged ingredient. Such a fix often requires the mixer to be shut down temporarily, thus slowing down the whole concrete operation.
Even when everything is operating correctly such that the volume measurements are relatively accurate, new standards requiring greater accuracy cannot be achieved with conventional volumetric measurement of the aggregates and cement.
Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved volumetric concrete mixing system and method using load cells to perform a weight loss function for aggregates and cement.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved volumetric concrete truck having aggregate bins and a cement bin which are independently mounted from one another for independent weight measurements of the bin contents.
Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved volumetric concrete truck having a programmable control to receive data corresponding to ingredient weight measurements and adjusting ingredient delivery to achieve a desired concrete mix specification.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved volumetric concrete mixing system and method which automatically and accurately determines the weight of materials delivered from the dry ingredient storage bins to the mixing boot.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved volumetric concrete mixing system which automatically adjusts the delivery of aggregate and cement to maintain a desired mix ratio.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved volumetric concrete mixing system which eliminates or minimizes the need for an operator to monitor the mix slurry.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved volumetric concrete mixing system and method which quickly and easily allows for a change of mix ratios.
These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.

Volumetric concrete mixing method and apparatus


Provided are processes for preparing ziprasidone from CEI and BIPT.

Ziprasidone is an antipsychotic agent that is chemically unrelated to phenothiazine or butyrophenone antipsychotic agents. Ziprasidone has the following chemical name 5-[2-[4-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-6-chloro-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2- and structure:

Ziprasidone is administered to a host such as a mammal, preferably a human, for treatment of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Other uses for ziprasidone are disclosed in WO 03/070246, WO 01/91756, incorporated herein by reference. A process for preparation of ziprasidone HCl monohydrate having a mean particle size equal to or less than about 85 microns is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,366 and EP 0 965 343 A2.
Ziprasidone has been marketed under the name GEODON as an oral capsule and as an injectable drug. GEODON capsules contain the monohydrate hydrochloride salt of ziprasidone, and come in 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg dosage forms. GEODON for injection contains a lyophilized form of ziprasidone mesylate trihydrate, and contains 20 mg base equivalent of ziprasidone.
A process for preparing Ziprasidone ("ZPR") like compounds is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,031. In example 16 of the '031 patent, ziprasidone is prepared by nucleophilic reaction between 1,2-Benzisothiazole-3-piperazinyl ("BITP") and 5-(2-chloroethyl)-6-chloro-1,3-dihydro-indole-2(2H)-one ("CEI") in methyl-iso-butyl-ketone with Na2CO3 as a base and in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium iodide ("NaI"). The yield provided is ˜20% after chromatography of the crude reaction product.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,206,366 and 5,338,846 disclose a process for preparing ziprasidone which react BITP free base or its hydrochloride salt with CEI in water in the absence of an organic solvent. In example 1 of the '846 patent, a solution of sodium carbonate in 5 volumes of water is mixed with CEI and BITP hydrochloride. The mixture is then stirred and heated to reflux for 13 hours and slurried at room temperature for 1 hour. The product is then subjected to subsequent work-up. The crude is purified by slurry in iso-propyl alcohol ("IPA") and crystallized from tetrahydrofuran ("THF"). The yield is 83.8% (reaction+crystallization) and the purity of the crystallized solid is 99.7%.
In Example 1 of the '366 patent, ziprasidone is prepared from a reaction mixture of BITP free base in 5 volumes of water, sodium carbonate and CEI at 100° C. for 16 hours in the absence of an organic solvent. After approximately 16 hours of reflux, the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, stirred for approximately one hour and then filtered. The crude product obtained has a 91% yield and a purity of 94.5%.
In section entitled "experiment" of U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,925 (EP 05686191), a solution of carbonate in 5 volumes of water is mixed with BITP and CEI, and the resulting slurry is heated at reflux for 14 hours. The reaction mixture is then cooled and filtered. The wet product is then re-slurried in isopropyl alcohol at room temperature for 2 hours.
In page 35 of WO 03/070246 ziprasidone having a low des-chlorinated impurity content is prepared by reacting CEI with BITP in water in the presence of carbonate at reflux temperature for about one day. After cooling, the resulting solid is slurried in isopropanol and recrystallized from THF. The level of the impurity is controlled by purification of CEI before reaction.
WO 01/91756 discloses a derivative of ziprasidone which is called s-methyl-dihydro-ziprasidone. The only example provided uses dihydro-ziprasidone as starting material.
WO 00/59489 discloses metabolites of ziprasidone, particularly ziprasidone sulfoxide and ziprasidone sulfone. The examples provided in WO 00/59489 are in the present tense, i.e., prophetic. Ziprasidone is prepared in WO 00/59489 substantially as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,031. The sulfoxide and sulfone are then obtained from ziprasidone by oxidation with peroxide.
WO 00/72847 discloses a pharmaceutical composition of ziprasidone containing ziprasidone free base or a pharmaceutically acceptable ziprasidone acid addition salt, water, polysorbate, a viscosity agent, and colloidal silicon dioxide.
Reaction of BITP with CEI often results in impurities and low yields, including impurities resulting from BITP and CEI that is not consumed. Other than in water, a suitable organic solvent has been difficult to find for reaction of BITP with CEI. Form example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,031, where MIK was used, only a 20% yield was obtained. There is a need in the art for organic solvents to carry the reaction between CEI and BITP.
Even with reactions that take place in water, repetition of these reactions leads to BITP not being consumed and being present as much as 10 times the level of CEI as area percentage HPLC. A disparity in the level of CEI to BITP remaining is problematic since the BITP remaining can no longer react if the CEI has been consumed. The BITP remaining becomes an impurity and results in a decrease in yield. There is a need in the art for additional processes for preparation of ziprasidone which increase the yield of the process and consume most of the BITP and CEI.

Processes for preparation of ziprasidone


A method to facilitate a language independent search includes displaying a search attribute, including an attribute name and a selection of attribute values, to a user and receiving from the user a search attribute value selection corresponding to the attribute name. Then, the attribute name and attribute value selection are translated into language independent symbols, such as numbers. The numbers are used in a search of a sellers item listings table to select item listings with attribute values that match the search attribute values selected by the user.

The emergence of electronic commerce, including online auction sites as well as fixed-price sites, has revolutionized the manner in which goods and services may be bought and sold. In particular, the development of network based commerce systems has enabled individuals to sell items with relatively little effort or expense while at the same time reaching a much larger potential pool of buyers than using more traditional means such as classified advertising and garage sales. In fact, an Internet enabled commerce site can extend well beyond geographical and cultural boundaries, potentially having a global reach. Consequently, one of the difficult challenges in developing a network based electronic commerce site is developing a site that allows sellers and buyers to communicate despite potential language barriers.
In a typical electronic commerce system, a seller posts an item for sale and describes the particular item in his or her native language. Unless a potential buyer can read and understand the seller's native language, the potential buyer will have no way of finding or understanding the seller's posting. Consequently, there is little if any chance that a potential buyer and a seller that have different native languages will ever enter into a transaction.

Method and system to display and search in a language independent manner


It discloses a facial treatment mask that can be applied directly on the user's skin, with improved organoleptic properties, along with a process for preparing the product that serves as a base for the mask. Said product consists of the mixture of two separate phases, immediately prior to application. Each phase consists of a series of ingredients which give them their appearance of a suspension and gel respectively, so that when combined together, they form a genuine emulsion. The process for preparing each phase includes various steps of mixing and combining their respective ingredients, with the help of blending and kneading devices that operate for pre-determined periods of time. The application is conducted within a maximum period of approximately 4 to 5 minutes, and the polymerisation or setting is achieved within a minimum time frame of approximately 15 minutes.

Everyone in general is aware of the use of certain types of treatments and creams for cosmetically treating skin to maintain it in its best possible physical and aesthetic condition. In this respect, for a considerable amount of time, the application on skin, in particular of the face or of other parts of the body, of products that can form a mask is well-known which, after a certain amount of time remaining on the skin's surface, can be removed simply by peeling off with the hands.
The products that can be used for the specified purpose have evolved considerably in the course of the last few years. The current applicant has conducted a detailed ongoing investigation into this field, which has allowed it to overcome in time a series of successive stages, starting from an initial product stage that consisted of preparing a mixture involving a powder phase that was simply mixed with tap water, to an intermediate stage in which the masks in question consisted of a gel phase and a powder phase (according to four different models), up until today when it has been possible to create the mask of the invention, which is the object of the description that follows.
At present, there are other masks that comprise a water phase and a powder phase, which are capable of setting once they are combined, by virtue of the effect of polymerisation. There are also other mask preparations that comprise a gel phase and a powder phase, similar to the one mentioned above as an intermediate stage in the current applicant's products.
Unlike that existing in the current state of the art, the present invention has been developed in a direction that is clearly distinguished with respect to existing knowledge, because it allows a mask to be produced which is based on two separate phases, in such a way that, once they are blended together, the resulting combination constitutes a genuine emulsion, capable of setting by polymerisation. The mixture comprises a water phase and an oil phase. In this way, the mask of the invention provides the additional advantage of allowing active ingredients to be incorporated together with liposoluble and hydrosoluble compounds that can provide it with greater enrichment for treating the skin from the cosmetic point of view.
The invention also relates to the process for preparing each of the two phases that go into the mixture, to produce the product that can be applied as a mask on the user's skin.

Facial treatment mask and the process for its preparation


A reinforced corner post assembly for cushioning and protecting a packaged article from axial and lateral forces. The assembly comprises a conventional corner post having an outer wall and an inner wall joined at opposing ends to form a hollow tube and one or more reinforcing tubes disposed longitudinally within the hollow interior of the corner post.

This patent relates to packaging for large products such as furniture and household appliances. More particularly, this patent relates to a tubular-type package support post reinforced with separate tubular structures to provide increased resistance to axial and lateral compression forces.
Warehousing and distribution environments drive the need for devices that protect products (such as furniture and appliances) from both axial (vertical) and lateral (horizontal) forces. Axial forces mainly are caused by stacking packaged products in warehouses. Lateral forces can be caused by stacking, clamp handling and basiloid handling, and also by collisions inherent in warehouse and distribution systems.
Corner posts consisting essentially of formed hollow paperboard tubes are often used to support and cushion large boxed or packaged articles during warehousing and shipping. Conventional corner posts are made of paperboard covered on one side with adhesive, wound onto a mandrel having a substantially circular cross-section, and then—before the adhesive sets—formed on a forming tool into a desired shape, typically one having a modified "L" shaped cross section. The dried finished corner posts are inserted into the corners of a package between the package and the article.
The use of corner posts placed vertically inside a package between the package and the product increases resistance to axial forces and allows packaged products to be stacked. However, as warehouse-stacking heights have increased, the likelihood that the corner posts will buckle under the increased axial compression forces, thereby allowing the package to crush, has also increased. Thus there is a need for a corner post having greater resistance to axial compression forces.
The use of corner posts also increases resistance to lateral (side) impact forces and forces caused by clamp handling and basiloid handling. It is not uncommon to use a clamp truck to move packaged appliances in a block three units high, three units across and two units deep. Such clamp handling can impart lateral forces on the packaged products of up to 2,500 PSI. Existing corner posts do not always provide sufficient protection against such large lateral forces. Thus there is a need for a corner post having greater resistance to lateral compression forces.
Various means have been considered for increasing the resistance of wound paperboard corner posts to axial and lateral forces, including increasing the thickness of each paperboard ply, increasing the number of plies, and increasing the ply strength. However, these proposed solutions can increase costs, slow down production, and make it more difficult to form posts into the desired shapes. Also, these solutions do not always result in a corner post having the desired resistance to axial compression or lateral forces due to the innate tendency of corner posts to buckle because of the high ratio of length to cross-section diameter and the relatively large span of long, flat vertical areas in the structure.
Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a corner post having increased resistance to axial compression and lateral forces.
Another object of the present invention is to provide corner posts having different performance characteristics but the same outer post design.
Yet another object is to provide a compression resistant corner post that is less costly and easier to make than corner posts having more or thicker plies.
Further objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

Reinforced packaging support post assembly


Coherence transformation selectivity is improved by using combinations of homogeneous RF pulses and "radial" RF pulses that have a uniform RF field strength throughout the sample, but whose phase (relative to the detection coil phase) has a spatial dependence such that all possible phase differences are equally represented throughout the sample. The use of radial pulses allows the spin coherences in the sample to evolve in spatial waves and the observation, or suppression, of a given coherence can be selected by using a receiver coil which has a predetermined symmetry relative to the symmetry of the spatial wave.

All atomic nuclei of elements with an odd atomic mass or an odd atomic number possess a nuclear magnetic moment. Nuclear magnetic resonance is a phenomenon exhibited by this select group of atomic nuclei (termed "NMR active" nuclei), and is based upon the interaction of the nucleus with an applied, external magnetic field. The magnetic properties of a nucleus are conveniently discussed in terms of two quantities: the gyromagnetic ratio (.gamma.); and the nuclear spin (I). When an NMR active nucleus is placed in a magnetic field, its nuclear magnetic energy levels are split in to (2I+1) non-degenerate energy levels, which are separated from each other by an energy difference that is directly proportional to the strength of the applied magnetic field. This splitting is called the "Zeeman" splitting and the energy difference is equal to .gamma.hH.sub.0 /2.pi., where h is Plank's constant and H.sub.0 is the strength of the applied magnetic field. The frequency corresponding to the energy of the Zeeman splitting (.omega..sub.0 =.gamma.H.sub.0) is called the "Larmor frequency" and is proportional to the field strength of the magnetic field. Typical NMR active nuclei include .sup.1 H (protons), .sup.13 C, .sup.19 F, and .sup.31 P. For these four nuclei I=1/2, and each nucleus has two nuclear magnetic energy levels.
When a bulk sample of material containing NMR active nuclei is placed within a magnetic field called the main static field, the nuclear spins distribute themselves amongst the nuclear magnetic energy levels in accordance with Boltzmann's statistics. This results in a population imbalance among the energy levels and a net nuclear magnetization. It is this net nuclear magnetization that is studied by NMR techniques.
At equilibrium, the net nuclear magnetization of the aforementioned bulk sample is aligned parallel to the external magnetic field and is static (by convention, the direction of the main static field is taken to be the Z-axis). A second magnetic field perpendicular to the main static magnetic field and rotating at, or near, the Larmor frequency can be applied to induce a coherent motion of the net nuclear magnetization. Since, at conventional main static magnetic field strengths, the Larmor frequency is in the megahertz frequency range, this second magnetic field is called a "radio frequency" or RF field.
The effect of the RF field is to shift the nuclear magnetization direction so that it is no longer parallel to the main static field. This shift introduces a net coherent motion of the nuclear magnetization about the main static field direction called a "nutation". In order to conveniently deal with this nutation, a reference frame is used which rotates about the laboratory reference frame Z-axis at the Larmor frequency and also has its Z-axis parallel to the main static field direction. In this "rotating frame" the net nuclear magnetization, which is rotating in the stationary "laboratory" reference frame, is now static.
Consequently, the effect of the RF field is to rotate the now static nuclear magnetization direction at an angle with respect to the main static field direction (Z-axis). The new magnetization direction can be broken into a component which is parallel to the main field direction (Z-axis direction) and a component which lies in the plane transverse to the main magnetization (X-Y plane). The RF field is typically applied in pulses of varying length and amplitude and, by convention, an RF pulse of sufficient amplitude and length to rotate the nuclear magnetization in the rotating frame through an angle of 90.degree., or .pi./2 radians, and entirely into the X-Y plane is called a ".pi./2 pulse".
Because the net nuclear magnetization is rotating with respect to the laboratory frame, the component of the nuclear magnetization that is transverse to the main magnetic field or that lies in the X-Y plane rotates about the external magnetic field at the Larmor frequency. This rotation can be detected with a receiver coil that is resonant at the Larmor frequency. The receiver coil is generally located so that it senses voltage changes along one axis (for example, the X-axis) where the rotating magnetization component appears as an oscillating voltage. Frequently, the "transmitter coil" employed for applying the RF field to the sample and the "receiver coil" employed for detecting the magnetization are one and the same coil.
Although the main static field is applied to the overall material sample, the nuclear magnetic moment in each nucleus within the sample actually experiences an external magnetic field that is changed from the main static field value due to a screening from the surrounding electron cloud. This screening results in a slight shift in the Larmor frequency for that nucleus (called the "chemical shift" since the size and symmetry of the shielding effect is dependent on the chemical composition of the sample).
In a typical NMR experiment, the sample is placed in the main static field and a .pi./2 pulse is applied to shift the net magnetization into the transverse plane (called transverse magnetization). After application of the pulse, the transverse magnetization, or "coherence", begins to precess about the Z-axis, or evolve, due to the chemical shifts at a frequency which is proportional to the chemical shift field strength. In the rotating frame, the detector (which is stationary in the laboratory frame) appears to rotate at the Larmor frequency. Consequently, the detector senses an oscillation produced by an apparent magnetization rotation at a frequency which is proportional to the frequency difference between the Larmor frequency and the chemical shift frequency.
Thus, the detected signal oscillates at the frequency shift difference. In addition to precessing at the Larmor frequency, in the absence of the applied RF field energy, the nuclear magnetization also undergoes two spontaneous processes: (1) the precessions of various individual nuclear spins which generate the net nuclear magnetization become dephased with respect to each other so that the magnetization within the transverse plane loses phase coherence (so-called "spin-spin relaxation") with an associated relaxation time, T.sub.2, and (2) the individual nuclear spins return to their equilibrium population of the nuclear magnetic energy levels (so-called "spin-lattice relaxation") with an associated relaxation time, T.sub.1. The latter process causes the received signal to decay to zero. The decaying, oscillating signal is called a free induction decay (FID).
In a typical NMR experiment, the FID is repeatedly sampled at discrete time intervals and the corresponding amplitude digitized. The resulting digital samples are generally subjected to a Fourier transformation which produces a frequency spectrum having peaks at the chemical shift frequencies. This type of NMR experiment is called a one-dimensional NMR experiment.
It is often useful to exploit the coupling of one nucleus to another to explore spin coherences between nuclei. One extremely powerful application of such coherence transformations is found in multi-dimensional experiments. In such experiments, the spins are excited and spin evolution proceeds for an evolution time. The spins are then driven through a coherence transformation by a mixing pulse and, finally, the evolution is detected. A two-dimensional Fourier tansformation then yields a correlation of the spin states prior to, and following, the mixing pulse.
An important strength of modern NMR spectroscopy is the ability to drive the dynamics of the spin system through a series of coherence transformations such that the resultant observable magnetization reflects desired combinations of evolutions and interactions. Coherence transformations can be used not only for transferring magnetization from one spin to another (such as described in detail below), but also for "filtering" purposes to select only those spin systems with a given property (such as in multiple-quantum filters).
For example, coherence transformations can be used in a two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiment to display correlations between coupled spins. A typical 2D experiment involves the interaction of each .sup.1 H nucleus (proton) with all of its coupling partners. In the experiment, the protons are excited during a "preparation" time period by an application of a .pi./2 RF pulse at the proton resonant frequency. The resulting coherence evolves under influence of the chemical shift during an "evolution" time period. The coherence is transferred between coupled protons during a "mixing" period by applying a second RF pulse to the protons (this process is sometimes called "polarization transfer"). Finally, during a detection period, the FID is sampled and collected.
The resulting FID signal is modulated not only by the chemical shift evolution of the protons during the detection period but also by the evolution period spin evolution of coupled protons. Since, the resulting signal depends on the correlation of two nuclei, the process is often called COrrelation SpectroscopY (COSY).
The resulting FID signal is processed in a manner similar to the one-dimensional experiment by taking the Fourier transformation of the signal. However, a second time dimension is introduced by repeating the experiment while systematically varying the length of the evolution time period. The resulting set of FIDs are then subject to a second Fourier transformation over the varying time of the evolution period. The two frequency spectra can be plotted along the horizontal and vertical coordinates of a graph to produce a two-dimensional plot. This plot has "peaks" which represent coherence transformations and, therefore, is useful in studying molecular structure.
As described in the 2D NMR example above, coherence transformations are most often accomplished via RF pulses. The fine selectivity desired is rarely achieved by a single sequence of RF pulses and is most often built up over a series of separate experiments, each of which uses a sequence of RF pulses. The phases of selected RF pulses in each sequence are often modulated, or cycled, from experiment to experiment while all other variables are kept constant. In these latter experiments, the phase of the observation (the receiver phase) is also modulated along with the pulse phase. The results of several experiments are then averaged to generate an overall result. In this manner, selected magnetization that is modulated in the same way as the receiver phase is modulated is retained in the overall result while other unwanted magnetization is eventually averaged to zero.
For example, in the 2D NMR example discussed above, the selectivity produced by the mixing pulses is degraded by several problems. One problem is so-called "axial" peaks that are generated by magnetization which did not evolve under influence of the proton chemical shift during the evolution period (such as magnetization excited by the mixing pulse). Another problem is that the resulting 2D spectrum appears as a mirror image of itself (the two sets of peaks are called n-type" peaks and "p-type" peaks) since the experiment cannot distinguish the sense (right or left) of the magnetization rotation during the evolution period. Other problems include instrument artifacts and noise. The axial pulses, mirrored peaks, artifacts and noise can obscure signal data in complicated spectra and make interpretation of the data difficult.
These problems are generally dealt with by phase cycling the mixing pulse in the COSY sequence. By properly phase cycling the mixing pulse and adding the results of several experiments, the axial pulses and some artifacts can be eliminated and one set of pulses (the n-type or the p-type) can be selected.
Phase cycling is a widely used and very powerful concept, but, in some cases, phase cycling leads to an inefficient use of spectrometer time because multiple experiments must be run. In addition, phase cycling is susceptible to additional artifacts arising from spectrometer instabilities and from non-steady state conditions which changes the starting magnetization between experiments.
Consequently, the prior art has sought a method for improving the selectivity of coherence transformations without requiring that the results of multiple experiments be averaged. One prior art method is a single FID acquisition alternative to phase cycling that uses magnetic gradient pulses to improve selectivity. These gradient pulses superimpose a spatially dependent magnetic field on the main static field (B.sub.0) and suppress unwanted coherence transformations. For example, in the 2D COSY experiment described above, gradient pulses can be applied both before and after the mixing pulse to suppress axial pulses and select either n-type or p-type peaks.
Another prior art approach is to use RF (B.sub.1) magnetic gradients superimposed on the RF pulses (which are normally homogeneous over the sample) to improve selectivity. This latter technique has been investigated, but not widely used.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve the selectivity of coherence transformations without incurring the time and accuracy penalties of the phase cycling method.

Method for improving selectivity in NMR experiments involving coherence transformation


A printed material having a location identification function includes multiple encode units provided on an area to be encoded. Each of the multiple encode units records first code information of coordinate values identifying a location on the printed material and second code information of an identification number identifying the printed material, and the first code information and the second code information are invisibly recorded on the printed material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a technique for reading a part of symbols uniformly arranged on a two-dimensional plane and identifying a location thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the techniques have been proposed for arranging the symbols uniformly, reading the symbol, and identifying the location thereof on the two-dimensional plane. For example, the symbols are uniformly arranged on a sheet of paper on which an examination is printed. By scanning the location of the answer selected by the examinee, the selected answer is transmitted to a telecommunications carrier or the like. The system that employs the aforementioned technique has been proposed (for example, as shown in FIG. 18).
An M-sequences code is often used for coding the two-dimensional plane. The M-sequences code has the characteristics of "any two partial sequences are not identical, if the partial sequences having a length of m is extracted from the M-sequences code having a length of 2m−1." Several techniques employing the aforementioned characteristics have been proposed for encoding the plane.
The M-sequences code denotes the code having a longest cycle (2p−1) from among the sequences created with the following expression of a p-th degree recurrence equation (also known as pseudo-random sequences).at=c1at-1+c2at-2+ . . . +cpat-p(mod 2)  (Expression 1)
For example, if P=5, C1=1, C2=1, C3=1, C4=0, and C5=1, the M-sequences (the length 25−1=31) shown in FIG. 19 is generated. As shown in FIG. 19, three partial sequences A, B, and C having the same length of p, which are taken out of difference positions in the M-sequences, are by no means identical. This characteristic enables the identification of the location on the two-dimensional coordinates with an accuracy of 1 bit.
For example, if 1 bit is represented by a symbol of 0.3 mm, the 10th degree M-sequences will be able to express the long side of a size A4 sheet having a length of 297 mm as follows.(210−1)×0.3 mm=1023×0.3 mm=306.9 mm
It is to be noted that the aforementioned expression can encode only one sheet of size A4. Encoding a huge area demands a higher M-sequences. This causes problems in that the area to be read has to be larger at the time of identifying the location on the plane, and in addition, the decoding becomes complicated.
According to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-511762 (Document 1), referring to FIG. 20, the identical M-sequences codes are arranged in parallel in a Y-axis direction on the plane to indicate the coordinate positions. The M-sequences codes arranged in parallel with the Y-axis direction are shifted from each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the second line from the left is shifted by 2 bits from the third line. The third line is shifted by nine bits from the fourth line. The fourth line is shifted by 24 bits from the fifth line. The fifth line is shifted by ten bits from the sixth line. The above-mentioned M-sequences codes are the same if arranged on the same X-coordinate. In the same manner, the identical M-sequences codes are arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction on the plane to express the coordinate positions. The M-sequences codes arranged in parallel with the X-axis direction are shifted from each other. Here, a synchronization method is omitted in the description for simplification.
The technique described in Document 1, however, has to be devised for identifying an edge of the sheet of paper so as to be applied to a practically useful size such as the size A4. In other words, referring to FIG. 21, the location can be identified on an encoded whole area, yet the page identification also has to be obtained from the encoded area in order to identify the location of the page (the plane) on the encoded whole area. In addition, there is a drawback in that the redundancy in encoding becomes large by segmenting the multiple M sequences codes. Further, there is another drawback in that the calculation load becomes heavier due to the complicated algorithm for encoding and decoding.

Printed material having location identification function, two-dimensional coordinate identification apparatus, image-forming apparatus and the method thereof


In an image reading device, a sync signal outputting portion alternately outputs a first sync signal and a second sync signal while the document sheet is moving in a range including a first position and a second position in a conveyance path. A first image sensor and a second image sensor read images from both sides of a document sheet and output image signals in synchronization with the first sync signal and the second sync signal, respectively. An AFE performs a predetermined signal processing in sequence to the image signals that are output alternately.

The present disclosure relates to an image reading device, an image forming apparatus, and an image reading method.
In general, there has been known an image reading device that includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and two image sensors. The ADF conveys a document sheet along a predetermined document sheet conveyance path. In addition, in a double-side mode in which images are read from both sides of the document sheet, the two image sensors respectively read the images from both sides of the document sheet that is moving in the document sheet conveyance path, and output image signals that respectively correspond to the read images.
In addition, the image signals that are analog, are converted to digital image data by signal conversion circuits such as AFEs (Analog Front Ends). Furthermore, an image processing portion performs various types of image processing to the digital image data.
Furthermore, the image reading device includes two CISs (Contact Image Sensors) for reading the images from both sides of the document sheet. In that case, the signal conversion circuit is provided for each of the CISs.

Image forming apparatus using sync signals for duplex scanning


The present invention causes noise in a low-luminance portion to become less prominent when a backlight is divided into a plurality of regions and the luminance of the backlight is controlled in accordance with a video signal corresponding to each of the regions. An area active control portion (2) divides a video signal into a plurality of regions and outputs a first feature amount for every region. An LED control portion (3) determines a first luminance for each of the divided regions of an LED backlight (5) in accordance with the first feature amount of every region. Within a range where the total value of an LED drive current is no greater than a predetermined allowable current value, a magnification constant is uniformly multiplied by the first luminance to determine a second luminance. The second luminance and a threshold value are compared, and, only with respect to those regions where the second luminance is lower than the threshold value, the second luminance is again lowered to make a third luminance. The third luminance and also the second luminance of the regions where the second luminance has not been lowered are used to control the LED light emission in each of the divided regions.

Video display devices with use of an LED backlight for illuminating a display panel have been widely used. The LED backlight has an advantage that a local dimming function is available. With the local dimming function, a backlight is divided into a plurality of areas, and light emission of an LED is controlled for each of the areas in accordance with a video signal from a display area corresponding to each of the areas. For example, it becomes possible to perform control so that light emission of an LED is suppressed for a dark part in a screen while light emission of the LED is produced strongly for a bright part in the screen. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption of the backlight and increase contrast in a display screen.
For example, an example of conventional local dimming control is shown in FIG. 26. In the figure, a backlight is divided into eight areas and luminance of an LED is controlled in accordance with a maximum tone value of a video signal corresponding to each of the areas. The maximum tone value of the video signal in each of the areas is provided as shown in FIG. 26(A). The letters A to H denote the numbers of the areas, and the numbers given below them of which indicate the maximum tone values in the respective areas are given in numbers.
For example, the luminance of the LED in the respective areas by local dimming is given as shown in FIG. 26(B). In other words, the luminance of the LED is controlled for each of the areas in accordance with a video signal in each of the areas. In this case, a video is represented relatively dark in an area where a maximum tone value of a video signal is low, and thus the luminance of the LED is lowered so as to reduce generation of black float to increase contrast and power consumption of the LED is sought to be reduced. In this case, the maximum luminance in each of the areas is limited to luminance when all LEDs of the backlight are lighted by the duty ratio of 100% (for example, 450 cd/m2).
Regarding a technology of performing lighting control of a backlight in accordance with an input video signal, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a method of controlling a peak luminance level in order to reduce flicker and a moving image blur even when a light emission period is varied over a wide range. In the control method, when setting illumination periods of a display panel whose peak luminance level is varied by controlling a total illumination period length as the total of the illumination periods set within a field period, a light emission mode is determined based on an average luminance level of the entire screen. Then the number, set positions and period lengths of the illumination periods set within one-field period are set under setting conditions prescribed as to the determined light emission mode so as to obtain the peak luminance level set according to input image data.


A method of load testing an IP PBX. The IP PBX is connected to a LAN, to which a registration simulator is also connected. The registration simulator is used to load the IP PBX with registrations. Actual phone calls are then made on the LAN, to determine whether the loading has adversely affected performance of the IP PBX. In this manner, the maximum CPU capacity of the IP PBX can be determined.

PBX is short for private branch exchange, a private telephone network used within an enterprise. Users of a PBX share a certain number of outside lines for making telephone calls external to the PBX. Most medium-sized and larger companies use a PBX as a less expensive alternative to connecting an external telephone line to every telephone in the company. In addition, it's easier to call someone within a PBX because the number to dial is typically just 3 or 4 digits.
PBX architecture is undergoing an important transition from circuit-switched to packet-switched transmission and coding. The future of voice communications, using PBX systems, seems to be headed toward use of the Internet Protocol (IP).
While the design architectures of today's IP telephone systems are diverse, the basic concept is that an IP telephone works like a PC. It has a LAN card with a MAC address and an IP address. It communicates with an IP PBX via the IP protocol. Therefore, the IP PBX no longer tracks phone numbers to physical devices. As a result, a phone can be easily relocated to any functioning port without re-punching the line or changing the PBX port setting. Essentially, you can move phones from port to port like a PC, because the IP PBX no longer looks for the phone number at a physical location, it searches for the phone's IP address across the network. Phone numbers are encapsulated into an IP packet, transported across the network using the TCP/IP protocol and then de-encapsulated at the PBX.
VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology devised to utilize existing IP infrastructures to carry voice. This can be accomplished by using intelligent phones that have both a MAC address (NIC card) and an IP address. A speaker's voice is encapsulated into an IP packet and transmitted to the PBX. This allows the phone to be identified by an IP address instead of a phone number. The reason behind this is so that like a computer, a phone can be relocated easily to any location without the need for patching or PBX reprogramming. Essentially, since the PBX now communicates to the phone using IP, it will know what phone number to send and receive voice information regardless of location.


An electronic circuit verification system and method includes an HDL circuit simulator and a circuit simulation verifier that pass control back and forth between each other, and that cooperate so as to perform circuit verification tasks than would be very difficult to perform using only the HDL circuit simulator. The circuit simulation verifier is coupled to the HDL circuit simulator so as to control the HDL circuit simulator's operation, including specifying conditions under which the HDL circuit simulator is to stop simulation of a specified circuit and specifying input signal waveforms to be used by the HDL circuit simulator. The circuit simulation verifier receives signal waveforms generated by the HDL circuit simulator for specified watched signals. The circuit simulation verifier then determines whether predefined logical combinations of the watched signals meet specified operational correctness and/or performance criteria within specified time frames. A test bench is composed of a sequence of instructions, including instructions indicating when to activate various operational correctness and/or performance criteria, instructions for sending commands to the HDL simulator, and branch or condition instructions for controlling which instructions of the test bench are to be executed. Furthermore, a test bench can include instructions for generating a plurality of distinct threads of execution, each of which is composed of its own sequence of instructions, and furthermore can include instructions for conditionally spawning additional threads of execution when specified combinations of Expect Events are satisfied in specified ones of the threads.

The term "circuit simulator" is used in this document to mean any of the family of design tools used to simulate the operation of electronic circuits, including analog circuit simulators, logic simulators, and HDL simulators.
The "term waveform" is used in this document to mean a sequence of values associated with a signal over a period of time, or equivalently, a sequence of one or more changes in the value of a signal over a period of time.
The detailed circuit specification used by circuit simulators and other circuit design tools is often called a netlist, and comprises a list of circuit components and the interconnections between those components. Circuit components are also known as "cells" where each cell in a specific circuit library has both a logical representation, as well as a circuit layout representation.
The netlist defines all of the interconnections between the components of the circuit. Each "signal" which interconnects two or more cells, or which represents an input or output for the entire circuit, is actually a node in the circuit which has been assigned a name. The terms "net," "signal" and "node" are often used interchangeably.
In addition, the netlist specifies the nature of its components by specifying a cell name for each component. The cell name, in turn, specifies or points to a particular circuit in a predefined library of cells.
Circuits can also be represented by a list of statements in a Hardware Description Language (HDL), such as Verilog or VHDL. The HDL circuit description is then converted into a specific circuit netlist either by an engineer or by an HDL circuit synthesizer using a specified set of library cells. Complex custom integrated circuits (ICs) are often designed by engineers at the "HDL level" and are specified by those engineers for simulation and verification purposes using an HDL circuit description such as a Verilog language circuit description.
Verifying the correctness of complex custom integrated circuits (ICs) and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or complete systems is a difficult and complicated task. In order to create the necessary conditions to detect defects in a circuit design, highly parallel but well-controlled verification programs must be written. In such programs, test patterns must be applied to the circuit's input ports and signals at the output ports must be observed over time to determine whether the inputs were transformed into the expected outputs. A computer based model of the circuit design that is being tested is generally referred to as the device under test (DUT). The testing verifies functional correctness, not manufacturing faults.
In the prior art, the most common method used to accomplish this task is to "surround" the DUT with a layer of code that performs the stimulus generation and output comparisons. This layer of code, often referred to as a test bench, can be very simple or as complex as necessary for the application at hand.
In the prior art, one difficulty in creating complex test benches arises when there are many types of events that are not expected to happen at specific times, but rather "some time" within a certain relationship to other events. For example, in a bus transaction, a designer might send a request and want to have it acknowledged within a certain window of time. However, whether the reply comes within 2 or 20 cycles might be irrelevant. Similarly, an arbiter may assign a given resource in ways that are difficult to predict and may not matter. What will actually matter is that in the end all the requests presented to the arbiter for servicing are satisfied by the arbiter and that the ordering satisfies a specified general policy.
These two examples reflect a common problem in the verification of complex circuits, namely that the inherently parallel nature of complex electronic circuits results in time and ordering ambiguities or uncertainties. A circuit designer seeking to verify such a complex circuits needs to be able to describe what is the expected behavior, without over-specifying exactly what should happen when.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a circuit verification system that is capable of verifying the operational correctness and performance characteristics of complex circuits, while enabling such criteria to be defined without having to precisely define exactly when associated signal combinations must occur. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a circuit verification system that can specify circuit correctness and performance criteria while accommodating signal ordering ambiguities.

Verification system for circuit simulator


A method for replacing a leaking valve stem includes the steps of cutting a part of the valve stem external to a hollow interior of a tire at the external surface of a wheel/rim so that a base of the valve stem falls into the hollow interior of the tire and so that a wheel aperture is exposed. A replacement valve stem has a radially expandable base, a main body of frusto-conical shape, and an annular step is formed where the base meets the main body. Wrench-engageable flats are formed in a narrow end of the main body and an internally threaded boss is secured to the wrench-engageable flats. The radially expandable base is inserted into the wheel aperture and the annular step abuts an exterior surface of the wheel/rim. The expandable base is then expanded until the wheel/rim is tightly sandwiched between the expanded base and the annular step.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, generally, to a method for replacing tire valve stems that leak. It also relates to tools used to perform the steps of the method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Valves stems provide fluid communication between the inside of a tire and the external environment so that gaseous fluid can be added to the tire as needed. Each valve stem includes a check valve having a position of repose that prevents gaseous fluid under pressure inside the tire from flowing out. The check valve is displaced from its position of repose when a conventional pump is used to inflate the tire.
Accordingly, if the valve stem leaks, the check valve is bypassed and the tire deflates. Replacing a valve stem by conventional methods is a time-consuming process because it requires jacking up the vehicle, removing the deflated tire, followed by separation of the rubber tire form the metallic wheel so that the worn out valve stem can be replaced by a new one. The tire must then be re-mounted. As recited in an article posted on the Internet at eHow.com, the steps required to replace a valve stem include: 1) Unscrew, and remove, the valve stem cap; 2) Insert the valve stem core pulling tool into the valve stem, and twist it to the left, until the core unthreads and the air pressure in the stem is released; 3) Lay the tire flat on the floor, and break the seal where the sidewall of the tire meets the rim, by stepping on the sidewall with your foot or pounding on it with a sledge hammer, 4) Find where the valve stem is on the rim, and push in the sidewall of the tire to expose the inner gasket of the stem with your foot; 5) Apply a generous amount of tire-changing lubricant over the outer and inner rubber gaskets of the valve stem with a toothbrush; 6) Grip the outer valve stem with a pair of pliers, and twist it back and forth to allow the lubricant to saturate the valve gaskets; 7) Insert a screwdriver through the valve stem, until the handle is flush with the lip of the threaded part of the stem; 8) Hold the handle of the screwdriver with your left hand, and tap, or pound, the head of the handle with the sledge hammer, until the valve stem is pushed all the way through the rim. The instructions end at that point but, obviously, the awkward separation between the rubber tire and metal rim must be maintained as the new valve stem is introduced into its opening from inside the rubber tire.
Thus, there is a need for a less time-consuming and less difficult, more cost-effective, convenient method of replacing a defective valve stem. Three simple tools that facilitate execution of the method steps are included.

Method and apparatus for replacing a tire valve stem without having to raise the vehicle, remove the wheel, or tire from the wheel


A knotless suture system for anchoring tissue to bone is provided. The system includes a suture anchor configured to radially expand into bone. The suture anchor has a proximal end and a distal end with a bore formed therein. The system further includes a first loop of suture thread attached to the distal end of the suture anchor, a suture needle, and a second loop of suture thread attached to the needle and interlocked with the first loop of suture thread. The system also includes an expander pin that is configured and sized for insertion into the bore of the suture anchor, causing the anchor to radially expand from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter. A method is also provided by which a detached tissue may be securely attached to bone in an anatomically correct position without the need to tie a knot.

Soft tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and muscles, are attached to a large portion of the human skeleton. In particular, many ligaments and tendons are attached to the bones which form joints, such as shoulder and knee joints. A variety of injuries and conditions require attachment or reattachment of a soft tissue to bone. For example, when otherwise healthy tissue has been torn away from a bone, surgery is often required to reattach the tissue to the bone to allow healing and a natural reattachment to occur.
A number of devices and methods have been developed to attach soft tissue to bone. These include screws, staples, cement, suture anchors, and sutures alone. Some of the more successful methods involve the use of a suture anchor to attach a suture to the bone, and tying the suture in a manner that holds the tissue in close proximity to the bone.
The tissue may be attached to the bone during open surgery, or during closed (e.g., arthroscopic) surgical procedures. Closed surgical procedures are preferred since they are less invasive and are less likely to cause patient trauma. In a closed surgical procedure, the surgeon performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at the surgical site through small incisions, called portals, using instruments specially designed for this purpose. One problem encountered in the less invasive, closed surgical procedures is that the surgeon has significantly less room to perform the required manipulations at the surgical site. Thus, devices and methods are needed which will allow a surgeon to effectively and easily attach tissue to bone in the small spaces provided by less invasive surgical procedures.
Conventional methods for attaching soft tissue to bone typically require that the surgeon tie a knot in the suture thread to attach the suture to an anchor, or to attach the tissue to the bone using the suture. Knot tying at the surgical site in closed surgical procedures, and even in open surgery, is difficult and time consuming due to inherent space constraints. Further, knots and other bulky attachment means can irritate tissue over time.
Knotless suture anchor systems have been developed for use with closed surgical procedures, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,306 provides one example of such a system. Although generally useful, such systems can be limited to use only with certain types or shapes of tissue, or to use with certain anatomical structures. Proper attachment of soft tissue requires that it be placed in the anatomically correct position to promote optimal healing.
A further knotless suture anchor system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,864. While useful, the suture anchor and system disclosed in this patent is not believed to be absorbable. That is, the suture anchor is made of a metal, which will remain permanently implanted in the patient.
Further, some conventional knotless suture anchor systems may require, in order to attach a broader array of tissue shapes to bone, that the suture anchor pass though the tissue to be attached. This is undesirable because it unnecessarily irritates the injured tissue and it requires opening a much larger hole in the tissue.
There is thus a need for an improved system for anchoring soft tissue to bone which reduces or eliminates the need to tie suture knots at the surgical site. Further, there is a need for an improved system for anchoring soft tissue to bone which is fast and easy to deploy. It would also be advantageous to provide at least a partially absorbable knotless suture anchor and system so as to encourage natural regrowth of the damaged or torn tissue.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Knotless bioabsorbable suture anchor system and method