A network storage virtualization method and apparatus in a network storage system having a plurality of network storage devices. According to the, present invention a client connected via a network is allowed to access the network storage devices as one virtual network storage system. In addition the client is permitted to access the network storage devices separate from the virtualized network storage system for other purposes such as reporting, verifying or backing up.

The present invention relates generally to method and apparatus of virtualizing network storage. More particularly the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for virtualizing network storage and permitting access to the network storage separate from virtualization apparatus.
A conventional information processing system stores information in a storage directly connected to a computer system. An access to information stored in the storage is permitted only through the use of the directly connected computer. Accordingly, the other computer systems need to access the data via the directly connected computer. In recent years, the development of network technologies and a dramatic increase in the amount of information to be stored promote separation of a computer system for processing information and a storage system for storing information. Thus, storage can be connected to the network and has become capable of being shared by a plurality of computer systems. Such networked storage is referred to as a network storage.
Examples of such network storage include a storage area network (SAN) storage that is connected by a SAN and provides a block access, a network attached storage (NAS) that is connected for example to an IP network and provides file access, and a Web storage that offers an access according to an interface HTTP protocol or its extended protocol for Web accesses.
As network storages become widely used, a system administrator needs to manage a plurality of network storages connected to the network. When the amount of data to be stored exceeds a maximum value for the existing network storage, for example, it is necessary to add a new network storage and reconfigure the system by re-distributing data or the like. A drastic increase in the need for storage capacities forces repeated system reconfigurations, thus increasing system management costs.
In order to conserve system management costs, a technology for virtualizing storages, specifically consolidating the storage resources as "one big capacity pool" is mandatory so that a plurality of network storages can be viewed as a single storage from the computer system and the entire system is not affected by addition of new devices. Open heterogeneous environments need such technology to manage those resources more efficiently. Various systems have been developed and proposed for virtualizing storages.
However, the conventional configuration of a virtualization box for virtualizing storages is not particularly good being that a customer can not access their data via the host channels for connecting the host to the storage device for other purposes such as reporting, verifying or backing up. In this configuration the customer is required to use one of the ports of the virtualization box.

Method and apparatus for managing direct I/O to storage systems in virtualization


The invention relates to a method of carrying out a safe remote electronic signing by a cellular phone coupled to a computer having a browser for setting conditions for accessing the Internet, the computer being operated to perform the steps of registering for obtaining an authorized browsing driver from a server based on the conditions; installing the browsing driver in the cellular phone; and when the cellular phone is activated to access the Internet for remote signing of an electronic document, selecting a safety level by running the browsing driver, in response to the selected safety level, adding a corresponding password in the document, and sending the document over the Internet in a form of encryption for transmission on an authorized network channel.

Both Information and electronics technologies have known a rapid, spectacular development. Further, over the past decade there has been a simultaneous growth in computer, mobile communication, and network leading to an increasing use of related products. Recently, there is a trend of developing compact, multifunctional, and inexpensive communication products. A number of products such as cellular phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) closely related to our daily life are very popular among consumers. The increasing popularity of such portable communication devices not only shortens distance between people but also reduces time required for achieving the communication. Moreover, features and quality required by consumers are diversified and high as a variety of communication products have been commercially available. As such, a leading indicator regarding the manufacturing technology of communication product can be decided by determining whether it can provide more convenient, more effective, and multi-functional services to users.
Quite often, more and more newer models of cellular phone have the capability of sending, receiving e-mails and accessing a network (e.g., the Internet) in real time. As such, a user can retrieve latest information by using the cellular phone at any time and place without being adversely affected by geography. However, the well-known cellular phone does not provide any safety action. As such, a third party may illegally intercept credentials being sent or received by a cellular phone or an electronic list being signed online. This can cause significant loss to the user. Therefore, it is desirable for communication product manufacturers to provide means for enabling a cellular phone user to sign an electronic list online at any time and place and safely sending the electronic list over the Internet without being affected by geography, buildings, and locations.

Method of carrying out a safe remote electronic signing by cellular phone


An information management system is described comprising one or more workstations running applications to allow a user of the workstation to connect to a network, such as the Internet. Each application has an analyzer, which monitors transmission data that the application is about to transmit to the network or about to receive from the network and which determines an appropriate action to take regarding that transmission data. Such actions may be extracting data from the transmission data, such as passwords and usernames, digital certificates or eCommerce transaction details for storage in a database; ensuring that the transmission data is transmitted at an encryption strength appropriate to the contents of the transmission data; determining whether a check needs to be made as to whether a digital certificate received in transmission data is in force, and determining whether a transaction about to be made by a user of one of the workstations needs third party approval before it is made. The analyzer may consult a policy data containing a policy to govern the workstations in order to make its determination. The information management system provides many advantages in the eCommerce environment to on-line trading companies, who may benefit by being able to regulate the transactions made by their staff according to their instructions in a policy data, automatically maintain records of passwords and business conducted on-line, avoid paying for unnecessary checks on the validity of digital certificates and ensure that transmissions of data made by their staff are always protected at an agreed strength of encryption.

This invention relates to the provision of extended management functionality for Internet applications, particularly in the areas of information security, transaction auditing and reporting, centralized policy, and application connectivity.
Electronic commerce ("eCommerce"), particularly between businesses ("B2B"), but also between business and consumers ("B2C"), is a fast growing market where buyers and sellers communicate using the Internet, a worldwide network of linked computer systems, instead of by traditional means such as mail, telephone and personal meetings. Sellers advertise products and services using digital brochures and catalogues, which can be viewed or downloaded via an Internet connection, through pages on the World Wide Web, or via electronic marketplaces typically dealing in the goods and services of a particular market sector. Buyers can find suppliers, select goods, obtain quotations, place and track orders, and even make payments entirely electronically and at any time. eCommerce brings the promise of increased flexibility, choice and efficiency, with dramatically reduced procurement costs.
There are two universally accepted means of interfacing users to the Internet. The first of these is the 'Web Browser' which allows users to view pages on the World Wide Web by accessing individual web sites, the addresses of which are typically widely published either using traditional means, or are referenced in another web site. The most widely adopted web browser is Microsoft Corporation's "Internet Explorer".
The second means of interfacing is using an Electronic Mail program, with which the user composes a message, known as an e-mail, which is then electronically routed to the address of the intended recipient over the Internet. Well known Electronic Mail programs include IBM Corporation's "Lotus Notes" and Microsoft Corporation's "Outlook".
In a typical eCommerce scenario, a buyer might identify a particular product, together with pricing and delivery information, on the sellers' web site. He may then place an order, either by filling in an electronic order form on the web site, or by sending an e-mail directly to the seller. The order would typically include a commitment to payment, perhaps in the form of Credit Card details, or by some electronic payment means. The seller would then typically send a return e-mail to confirm acceptance of the order.
Web Browsers operate in accordance with recognized standards, in particular Hyper Text Transfer Protocol ("HTTP"), described fully in Internet standards document RFC2616. Electronic Mail programs operate in accordance with recognized standards, in particular Simple Mail Transfer Protocol ("SMTP"), described fully in Internet standards document RFC0821 and Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions ("MIME") described fully in Internet standards documents RFC2045-2049.
While eCommerce provides enormous benefits, its adoption raises many new issues, which must be addressed in order to ensure its continued adoption, particularly if it is to ultimately replace traditional methods. One of the central issues is security.
The Internet is an open communications network, which is by definition insecure since anyone can use it.
Means to secure sensitive information to be exchanged over the Internet (for example in an eCommerce transaction) have been provided by the adoption of secure transmission protocols and messaging. Secure point to point transmission protocols, used for example between a web Server and a web Browser, include the 'Secure Socket Layer' ("SSL"), defined by Netscape Communications Corporation, and its successor 'Transport Layer Security' ("TLS") defined in Internet standards document RFC2246. Secure e-mail message standards include 'Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions' ("S/MIME") described fully in Internet standards document RFC2633 and "Pretty Good Privacy" a public domain secure messaging system developed by Philip Zimmerman.
In order to control access to information on servers connected to the Internet, a system of usernames and passwords has been widely adopted. For example, access to discounted price lists on a particular web server may be restricted to trade users who have previously been given a username and password allowing them access. Similarly, on-line information services typically make extensive use of usernames and passwords to restrict access to those who have paid for the service. By providing each user with a unique username and a changeable password, the service can ensure that only paid subscribers can access the system, and allow users to prevent access by others to their personal data stored by the service.
In eCommerce applications, a major problem is the issue of identity and trust. When a supplier receives an order via the Internet it is perfectly possible, even likely, that he has no prior knowledge of the customer. The supplier must establish that the customer is a) who he says he is, in other words that he is not masquerading as someone else, and that b) he is to be trusted and will ultimately pay for the goods or service to be supplied. These issues have been addressed in the B2C market principally by the use of credit cards. The customer provides his credit card number and address with the order, which the supplier then verifies with the credit card company, and obtains authorization for the charge. The entire process is typically carried out on-line without human intervention. This method is largely effective where a supplier ships goods to the cardholder address, since a potential thief would not only need to steal the cardholders details, but would also need to intercept delivery of the goods. It is much less effective in the case of services where no physical delivery is involved.
Clearly, the use of credit cards in eCommerce, though widespread, is restricted to small-scale transactions potentially involving amounts, say, up to $10,000. For those transactions above such amounts (which in aggregate monetary terms far exceed those below them), a mutually trusted third party must be used to establish both identity and trust.
Central to establishing identity is the use of Digital Certificates. The customer can be issued with a Digital Certificate by a trusted third party, which is then used to electronically 'sign' communications. On receipt of a signed message, the recipient (in this case the supplier) can positively establish a) the identity of the sender, b) that the message has not been altered, and c) that the sender cannot subsequently deny he sent the message. Recognized standards for Digital Certificates are described in ITU document X.509, and their use in Internet communications in Internet standards documents RFC2312, RFC2459, RFC2510, RFC2511, RFC2527, RFC2560, RFC2585 and RFC2632.
Chargeable, Third party services, such as that provided by Valicert Inc., can be used to verify that a Digital Certificate has not been revoked, for example after the certificate has been compromised in some way.
Once authenticity of messages is established, the supplier can use another third party to establish trust, or the same third party can be used to establish both authenticity and trust. For example 'Identrus', a consortium of the world's major banks, provide a system such that when a supplier receives a message signed with an Identrus issued Digital Certificate, he can independently verify that the customer is a valid account holder in good standing with a recognized bank.
Ultimately the system is to be extended such that the bank will additionally warrant the transaction, thereby guaranteeing payment to the supplier. It will be appreciated that the terms 'customer' and 'supplier' can apply to any two parties engaged in Internet communication.
It can be seen that appropriate combinations of the systems described provide a secure foundation for use of the Internet and the services and functions available through it. However, we have appreciated that there are a number of problems with conducting eCommerce using only these systems. These problems are discussed below.
In the secure transmission protocols and messaging referred to above, data is usually encrypted before transmission and decrypted by the intended recipient prior to viewing. Thus, should the data be intercepted during transmission, it will be safe from viewing by unauthorised third parties unless they know or can ascertain the secret encryption key of the encryption algorithm.
The encryption and decryption of data at each end of a secure link or message requires significant processing power. Additionally both transmitting and receiving parties must be in possession of the same encryption key of the encryption algorithm, at the same cryptographic strength, in order for the system to operate successfully. This often presents a problem, for example where regulations for the import or export of data into or out of a computer system prohibit the use of higher strength algorithms, forcing the link or message to be encrypted at a lower cryptographic strength, or preventing secure communications at all. Consequently, secure links and messaging are typically used only when necessary.
In the case of communications over the World Wide Web, the requirement to secure transmissions is determined and initiated by the web Server. If, for example, the server is about to transmit an order form for completion by the user it may initiate a secure link such that the order information will be encrypted when transmitted back to the server. Similarly, once the order is complete the server may terminate the secure link and return to normal unencrypted communication.
Typically, the only indication the user has that a link has been secured is an icon (usually depicting a padlock), which appears in the browser window. Once the icon has appeared, the user can then typically interrogate the browser to determine the strength of the encryption algorithm being used, and can decide whether or not to enter, and subsequently transmit sensitive information, such as his credit card and address details.
In practice however, users frequently do not check that the link is secure, far less that it is of suitable cryptographic strength to protect the information being transmitted. In order to address this problem, e-mail applications such as Microsoft Corporation's "Outlook" provide the ability to encrypt all e-mails by default.
The wide adoption of usernames and passwords has created a management problem for many Internet users due to the sheer number that need to be remembered, particularly when good security practice requires passwords to be frequently changed. Similarly, users will often need to use a variety of different usernames since someone else may already have taken their 'favourite' at a given site. Facilities to remember, and to automatically complete username and password fields on subsequent occasions, have been provided in web Browsers such as Microsoft Corporation's "Internet Explorer", and by add-on 'helper' utilities such as Gator.com's "Gator". These facilities typically maintain a file of usernames, passwords and the web page to which each applies. These files are encrypted to ensure that only the appropriate user can access them. If such username and password files are lost or become unavailable, such as when the authorised user has forgotten the encryption key or can no longer be contacted to provide it, or when the file is accidentally or maliciously lost, destroyed, or corrupted then access to Internet accounts and services may be lost, and each site must be approached individually to replace or recover the necessary username and/or password. This can be a very expensive problem for corporations in terms of lost access and administrative time. Additionally, such remembered usernames and passwords are only available for use on the machine on which they were originally used. If the user moves to another machine, or uses multiple machines then the stored usernames and passwords are unavailable to him from those other machines.
All businesses, and many individual users, have a legal obligation to maintain accurate records of the transactions they undertake, but for eCommerce transactions this can prove difficult. Businesses must keep records for auditing purposes, for example to prove the terms upon which goods were ordered in the event of a dispute. Such records are considerably more difficult to maintain in an eCommerce environment, requiring the user to retain, for example, copies of orders sent by e-mail, or to print out the web page receipt from a web site purchase. For the user, this is labour intensive and there is no guarantee that any such created records are complete or reliable.
One automated solution of keeping records of eCommerce transactions is provided by Max Manager Corporation's "Max Manager" application. Max Manager captures receipt pages at known web sites, extracts transaction information from those receipt pages, and then stores locally both the receipt page and the extracted transaction information on the machine on which the application is running. However, in order to operate, Max Manager must be supplied with the exact address and layout of the receipt page. Max Manager determines that an eCommerce transaction has taken place either by detecting the address of the receipt page, or by comparing the current page being viewed by a browser with the layout of the receipt page that it has been supplied with. Once it has identified a receipt page, the relevant transactions details are extracted from the receipt page by using the known layout of the page as a template for matching purposes. A significant drawback with Max Manager is that it may only be used to extract data from those pages for which it has been supplied with details. Moreover, if the layout of the receipt page is changed then Max Manager cannot meaningfully extract any data from the page until it is supplied with a new template for the changed layout. Since web sites change frequently, Max Manager must be constantly updated to take account of such changes. This is impractical on a large scale and inevitably leads to transactions being missed, or worse reported incorrectly.
Problems also stem from the fact that computer terminals are distributed, often resulting in terminals and users being located at different locations. In multi-user environments, user machines may be physically connected to each other, for example using a Local Area Network ("LAN"), which provides a gateway for connection to the Internet. They may also be connected to local servers such as Microsoft Corporation's "Exchange Server", which acts as a central collection and distribution point for e-mail messages, and Microsoft Corporation's "Proxy Server", which acts both as a cache to improve performance of frequently visited web Sites, and as a filter to prevent access to certain web Sites which may have been designated as undesirable. However, in so far as the exchange of information is concerned, except in the case of a message sent between two local users, each user operates entirely in isolation from others at the same location. This presents a significant management problem for corporate and other organizations, which have no means of centrally controlling employee activity and cannot benefit from the significant cost savings that might be made from the sharing of information. For example, two users in an organization may independently receive e-mail messages digitally signed by the same sender. Both recipients must separately validate the Digital Certificate, incurring two validation charges, at least one of which was unnecessary.
The present invention provides additional functionality to the systems mentioned above to alleviate their inherent problems and to provide a single integrated system for information exchange.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An imaging system includes: a transmitter that is attached to an object and wirelessly transmits a positioning signal; a positioning device that determines the position of the object based on the positioning signal; an imaging device that images the object in a variable direction and at a variable magnification; and a control device. The control device calculates a direction and a distance from the imaging device to the object based on the position of the object, and sets a first direction and a first magnification on the imaging device based on the calculated direction and distance. Then, the control device sets a second direction and a second magnification on the imaging device based on imaging data generated by imaging the object, the imaging data being generated by the imaging device on which the first direction and the first magnification are set.

There is an imaging system that controls the azimuth angle (pan), the elevation angle (tilt), and the magnification (zoom) of a camera to image an object, which is the subject of the image, while automatically tracking the object. For example, according to the invention disclosed in PTL 1, an image taken by a camera is analyzed to detect an object from the image, and the camera is controlled on the basis of the detection result. In cases where a camera is used to image only one speaker who moves little or only slowly under constant light conditions such as a speaker giving a lecture or class, an imaging system according to conventional arts is capable of positioning the speaker in the center of the imaging range of the camera (that is, the entire field of view of the camera) to take an image of the speaker.

Imaging system, imaging method, and not-transitory recording medium

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


A particle of titanium compounds is in the form of a fine agglomerate comprising crystals of an alkaline-earth metal titanate represented by RTiO.sub.3 wherein R is an alkaline-earth metal and crystals of an alkali metal titanate represented by M.sub.2 Ti.sub.n O.sub.2n+1 wherein M is an alkali metal and n is an integer of 2 to 6, or these two kinds of crystals and crystals of titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2), the two or three kinds of crystals being mingled together. A powder composed of such particles is produced by preparing a mixture from RO wherein R is an alkaline-earth metal or an alkaline-earth metal compound becoming RO when heated, M.sub.2 O wherein M is an alkali metal or an alkali metal compound becoming M.sub.2 O when heated, and TiO.sub.2 or a titanium compound becoming TiO.sub.2 when heated, in a ratio so that Z.gtoreq.X+mY wherein Z is the number of moles of TiO.sub.2, X is the number of moles of RO, Y is the number of moles of M.sub.2 O, Z, X and Y are each a positive number, and m is 6 when Z>X+mY or m is 2 to 6 when X=X+mY, and heat-treating the mixture at a temperature of 700 to 1300.degree. C. The powder is mixed with at least a binder resin, followed by molding to prepare a friction material.

Friction materials for brake devices are produced by dispersion a base substance in a resin (such as a phenolic resin or epoxy resin) serving as a binder, incorporating a friction-wear adjusting agent (such as barium sulfate) into the dispersion when so required, and molding the resulting composition with heating and application of pressure.
Chrysotile asbestos fibers have been used as the base substance, whereas with an increase in the temperature of the friction surface, the asbestos-base friction material becomes markedly worn and damaged and is susceptible to a fading phenomenon involving a rapid decrease in the coefficient of friction. Further asbestos fibers are said to have the problem of being carcinogenic.
Accordingly, efforts have been directed to the development of substitutes for asbestos fibers.
Useful as base substances are, for example, alkali metal titanate fibers represented by M.sub.2 Ti.sub.n O.sub.2n+1 wherein M is an alkali metal such as K, Na, Li or Rb, and n is an integer of 2 to 8 (as disclosed, for example, in JP-A-191599/1986). Typical of such fibers is potassium hexatitanate (K.sub.2 Ti.sub.6 O.sub.13).
Alkali metal titanate fibers are synthetic inorganic compounds having a layered crystal structure (when n is, for example, 2, 3 or 4) or tunnel-type crystal structure (when n is 6 or 8), and are materials outstanding in strength, heat resistance and wear resistance and having a suitable hardness as friction materials. Such alkali metal titanates are prepared, for example, by the melting process, i.e., melting a mixture of titanium dioxide and an alkali metal carbonate (about 2 in TiO.sub.2 /M.sub.2 O molar ratio) with heating and cooling the melt to form an alkali metal dititanate (M.sub.2 Ti.sub.2 O.sub.5), followed by a treatment for dissolving out alkali metal ions to adjust the chemical composition and by a heat treatment to alter the crystal structure.
Friction materials prepared with use of alkali metal titanate fibers as the base substance are superior in friction-wear characteristics to the conventional friction material wherein asbestos fibers are used, but it is desired to further improve these materials in anti-fading characteristics and coefficient of friction.
It is proposed to use potassium titanate fibers and alumina-silica fibers in combination in order to give improved anti-fading characteristics and other properties, whereas the alumina-silica fibers are as hard as about 7 in Moh's hardness and undesirable to use since the friction material then obtained has excessive counterpart abrasive properties due to the combination.
Alkaline-earth metal titanates represented by RTiO.sub.3 wherein R is an alkaline-earth metal such as Ca, Ba, Sr or Mg are available as titanium compounds which are excellent in strength, heat resistance, heat-insulating properties, wear resistance and other properties like alkali metal titanates. These titanates are synthetic inorganic compounds having a crystal structure of the perovskite type, and are prepared, for example, by mixing a barium compound powder with acicular particles of hydrous titanium dioxide and heating the mixture (JP-A-88030/1982), by reacting a solution containing a hydrated potassium titanate powder or titanium dioxide hydrate, and bivalent metal ions in a closed container or under a hydrothermal condition (JP-A-113623/1980), by reacting potassium dititanate in the form of crystalline fibers with an aqueous solution of a bivalent metal compound (JP-A-21799/1987), by mixing an inorganic or organic compound of alkaline-earth metal and a flux (e.g., a halide of alkali metal) with an alkali metal salt of titanic acid such as potassium dititanate or potassium hexatitanate serving as a titanium source and heating the mixture (JP-A-164800/1990), or by depositing an alkaline-earth metal carbonate on the surface of a fibroustitanium dioxide compound serving as a starting material and heat-treating the resulting material (JP-A-16917/1991).
Friction materials prepared with use of an alkaline-earth metal titanate powder as the base substance, although possessing a high coefficient of friction, have the drawback of being excessive in counterpart abrasive properties.
In the course of research on improvements in processes for synthesizing the foregoing titanium compounds, we have succeeded in preparing a powder composed of particles of different titanium compounds which particles each comprise crystals of an alkaline-earth metal titanate and crystals of an alkali metal titanate by a relatively simple process using a starting material of adjusted composition, and found that the power is very useful, for example, as the base for friction materials and provides friction materials having a high coefficient of friction but diminished counterpart abrasive properties as the combined characteristics of the different titanium compounds. The present invention has been accomplished based on this finding.


A projection television device includes a projection cathode-ray tube for red (1a), a projection cathode-ray tube for green (1b) and a projection cathode-ray tube for blue (1c) which are provided with phosphor layers (5a, 5b and 5c), respectively, each having a thickness which varies continuously so that it may be thick at the center portion and may be thinner at the peripheral portion. Having the above configuration, the projection television device makes it possible to suppress the loss in resolution and luminance at the peripheral portion of the image projected on the screen, thereby ensuring uniform resolution and luminance of the image. Thus, it becomes possible to enhance the quality of the image produced on the screen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projection television device to obtain a wide screen image without difficulty, and more particularly to a projection television device to achieve an image with excellent quality.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a general construction of a projection television device including three projection cathode-ray tubes for red image, green image and blue image. The projection television device of FIG. 6 includes a projection cathode-ray tube for red 1a, a projection cathode-ray tube for green 1b, a projection cathode-ray tube for blue 1c, projection lenses 2a, 2b and 2c and a screen 3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional representation of structures of phosphor layers used for a projection television device in a background art. Phosphor layers 4a, 4b and 4c shown in FIG. 7 each have an almost uniform thickness. Other reference characters of FIG. 7 correspond to those of FIG. 6.
The background-art projection television device has an arrangement, as shown in FIG. 6, where the projection lens 2b is positioned at center in front of the screen 3, the projection lens 2a is positioned at one side of the projection lens 2b and the projection lens 2c is positioned at the other side of the projection lens 2b, both being tilted to the screen 3, and the projection cathode-ray tube for green 1b, the projection cathode-ray tube for red 1a and the projection cathode-ray tube for blue 1c are positioned behind the projection lenses 2b, 2a and 2c, respectively. In practice, the phosphor layers 4a, 4b and 4c are considerably thin and almost uniformly coat the inner faces of display window glasses (not shown) provided on respective surfaces of the projection cathode-ray tube for red 1a, projection cathode-ray tube for green 1b and the projection cathode-ray tube for blue 1c.
Now, an operation of the background-art projection television device will be discussed. Referring to FIG. 7, the phosphor layer 4a is irradiated by an electron beam within the projection cathode-ray tube for red 1a to draw a red image on the phosphor layer 4a. Similarly, the phosphor layer 4b is irradiated by an electron beam within the projection cathode-ray tube for green 1b to draw a green image on the phosphor layer 4b, and the phosphor layer 4c is irradiated by an electron beam within the projection cathode-ray tube for blue 1c to draw a blue image on the phosphor layer 4c. Referring next to FIG. 6, the red image on the projection cathode-ray tube for red 1a is projected on the screen 3, being magnified through the projection lens 2a. The green image on the projection cathode-ray tube for green 1b is projected on the screen 3, being magnified through the projection lens 2b. The blue image on the projection cathode-ray tube for blue 1c is also projected on the screen 3, being magnified through the projection lens 2c.
In the background art, however, this projection television device causes such phenomena as follows:
(1) FIG. 8 is a graphical representation showing a relation between an area and a spot diameter of a phosphor layer. This graph shows a relative spot diameter, where the indication of 100% represents the spot diameter at the center portion of the phosphor layer receiving a perpendicular entry of an electron beam. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the spot diameter is larger at an area closer to the periphery of the phosphor layer. Taking the red image as an example for discussion, the electron beam enters the center portion of the phosphor layer 4a almost perpendicularly, but it enters the peripheral portion of the phosphor layer 4a with large angle of incident to make the spot diameter larger. Accordingly, the resolution at the peripheral portion of an image on the screen 3, which is obtained by projecting the image of the phosphor layer 4a, is worse than the resolution at the center portion of the image on the screen 3.
(2) FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of MTF characteristics, showing a relation between an area and a resolution (MTF) of the image on the screen 3. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the MTF at the peripheral portion of the image projected on the screen 3 is worse than the MTF at the center portion of the image projected on the screen 3. Taking the red image as an example for discussion, the projection lens 2a generally has a spherical aberration and fabrication variation. When the image of the phosphor layer 4a is projected on the screen 3 through the projection lens 2a, the loss in MTF is produced more at the peripheral portion of the projected image than at the center portion of the projected image due to the spherical aberration and fabrication variation.
(3) FIG. 10 is a graphical representation showing a relation between an area and a luminance (brightness) of the image projected on the screen 3. This graph shows relative luminance, where the indication of 100% represents the luminance of the image projected on the center portion of the screen 3. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the luminance at the peripheral portion of the image projected on the screen 3 is worse than the luminance at the center portion of the image projected on the screen 3. Taking the red image as an example for discussion, a capture range of projected light in an entrance pupil of the projection lens 2a is wide at its center portion and narrow at its peripheral portion. Accordingly, when the image of the phosphor layer 4a is projected on the screen 3 through the projection lens 2a, the loss in luminance is produced more at the peripheral portion of the image projected on the screen 3 than at the center portion of the image projected on the screen 3 due to the difference in capture range of the projection light from the phosphor layer 4a (the light of image emitted from the phosphor layer 4a)
These phenomena (1), (2) and (3) as discussed above similarly occur in cases of the green image and blue image.
(4) FIG. 11 illustrates images which are drawn on the phosphor layers 4a, 4b and 4c when an image having a pattern 7 shown in FIG. 12, as an example of image, is formed on the screen 3. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the images of the phosphor layers 4a and 4c each have a pattern which is drawn larger on a near side to the phosphor layer 4b and drawn smaller on a far side from the phosphor layer 4b, in contrast to the image of the phosphor layer 4b. This is because each of the images of the phosphor layers 4a and 4c on the near side to the phosphor layer 4b has a tendency to be projected smaller on the screen 3 since the projection cathode-ray tube for red 1a and the projection cathode-ray tube 1c are arranged at a large tilt with respect to the screen 3. For this reason, correction of the image on the screen 3 is made by drawing the image larger on the nearer side to the phosphor layer 4b.
There arises such unbalance as the images of the phosphor layers 4a and 4c are each drawn larger on the near side to the phosphor layer 4b and drawn smaller on the far side from the phosphor layer 4b. The images with this unbalance are accompanied by the loss in resolution as discussed in (2) and the loss in luminance as discussed in (3) when it is projected on the screen, being magnified through the projection lens 2a or 2c, to produce difference in resolution and luminance between both sides of the image on the screen 3.
Thus, in the background art, there are problems of the loss in resolution and luminance which is produced more at the peripheral portion of the image on the screen 3 than at the center portion of the image on the screen 3, due to the phenomena (1), (2) and (3) and of the difference in resolution and luminance between both sides of the image on the screen 3 due to the phenomenon (4).


The present invention is directed to a notebook/laptop computer stand adapted to support a notebook/laptop computer and having a recessed surface area portion to sufficiently cool the computer while situated thereon.

Notebook/laptop computer stands are desired to ergonomically support a notebook/laptop computer, and also provide suitable cooling for same when supported thereon. Structural integrity, as well as aesthetic designs are important in such stands.
Notebook/laptop computers generate a significant amount of heat during operation, particularly due to the electronics operating in a very confined housing. The bottom surface of these computers generate an uncomfortable amount of heat when situated upon the lap of the user which bottom surface need ambient air to suitable cool the surface. A variety of notebook/laptop computer stands are available on the market that include fans to direct air flow thereupon to increase the thermal cooling thereof.
It is important to users to have a notebook stand that can provide both suitable cooling to a supported notebook/laptop computer, structural integrity, ergonomic design, and also an aesthetic design.


A predistortion circuit reduces composite second order intermodulation distortion products inherently generated by a laser diode. A radio frequency signal is split into a primary and secondary signal, and the secondary signal is amplified by an amplifier biased at a starvation current level so as to produce intermodulation distortion products having an amplitude relatively large compared to an amplitude of a fundamental generated by the amplifier. The amplitude and phase of composite second order intermodulation distortion products generated by the amplifier are adjusted so as to substantially match those inherently generated by the laser diode by the primary electrical signal, with the products being about 180.degree. out of phase relative to those generated by the laser in response to the primary signal. The adjusted distortion products are combined with the primary electrical signal, and the combined signal is fed to the laser diode resulting in an output of the laser diode having minimum composite second order intermodulation distortion products.

In cable television signal distribution systems, many separate RF television channels are simultaneously transmitted over a transmission line, and a required bandwidth thereof may extend from as low as about 40 MHz to as high as about 1 GHz. Presently, cable television distribution systems conventionally employ coaxial cable as the transmission line for the RF spectra. Due to the significant signal losses inherent with coaxial cable transmission lines, repeater amplifiers must usually be provided at closely spaced distances, such as at every half mile along the extent of the network. These repeaters are expensive, require a constant power supply, introduce cumulative distortion, and must be maintained in order to provide continuous cable service to subscribers.
Analog fiber optic networks have been proposed as a replacement for coaxial cable transmission lines within broadband telecommunications and cable television networks. Such networks operate successfully over vastly greater distances between repeaters. Typically, a laser diode may be used as a transmitter within such networks. Unfortunately, laser diodes are known to produce intermodulation distortion. Modern distributed feedback ("DFB") lasers exhibit significant and unacceptable amounts of intermodulation distortion, particularly composite second order (CSO) distortion products, i.e. distortion products of the type 2f.sub.1, 2f.sub.2, f.sub.2 -f.sub.1, and f.sub.2 +f.sub.1. Though second order intermodulation distortion can be eliminated by limiting an RF signal to a narrowband range, i.e. by keeping a maximum frequency f.sub.mx less than twice a value of a minimum frequency f.sub.mn, this solution is relatively expensive since higher transmission frequencies are required for a given bandwidth. Predistortion techniques have therefore been proposed as one method for improving distortion levels at the DFB laser output for broadband transmissions. As used herein "broadband" means any signal where the highest frequency being transmitted is greater than twice the lowest frequency being transmitted.
"Low cost" DFB lasers designed for analog applications exhibit CSO levels in the 52-56dB range below a level of the fundamental at five percent optical modulation index (OMI) for a 36 channel phase alternating line (PAL) frequency plan. In order to meet a nominal 67dB CSO level below the fundamental, a predistortion circuit must yield a minimum of 15dB improvement, and be stable over time and temperature.
Blauvelt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,754, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a predistortion circuit whereby an RF input signal is split into a primary and secondary electrical path, with composite second order distortion products being generated in the secondary electrical path by two amplifiers arranged in a push-push configuration. The distorted electrical signal in the secondary path is then combined into the primary electrical path and fed to the laser. A disadvantage of this technique is that the push-push amplifier configuration requires a 180.degree. hybrid splitter. Such splitters inherently have significant nonlinear frequency characteristics that introduce amplitude and phase errors that can limit the cancellation levels achieved by the predistortion circuit
Single channel architectures utilizing transistors (FETs) and diodes have also been proposed. However, these designs fail to achieve acceptable levels of distortion reduction over a multichannel broadband frequency. Also, these approaches are generally not capable of dealing effectively with lasers having frequency dependent distortion characteristics and therefore do not achieve more than 3-5dB of improvement.

Predistortion method and apparatus for laser linearization


Catalyst compositions well adopted for the oxidation of olefins into .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes, e.g., for the oxidation of propylene into acrolein, comprise a particulate support substrate uniformly coated with 15% to 33% by weight of an adherent layer of a catalytically active phase, such support substrate comprising inert and solid spheres having a diameter ranging from 0.5 to 6 mm, such catalytically active phase comprising a catalytically effective amount of bismuth and iron molybdate, dopant amounts of phosphorus and potassium and, optionally, at least one other catalytically active metal or non-metal, and the phosphorus and the potassium each being present in such catalytically active phase in an atomic quantity ranging from 0.005 to 0.06 per 12 atoms of molybdenum, or of molybdenum plus any tungsten therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel catalytic compositions for the preparation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes by oxidation of olefins in the gaseous phase.
This invention especially relates to catalytic compositions comprising a support substrate (or central core) in the form of inert solid spheres having an adherent layer of a catalytically active phase of the bismuth and iron molybdate type coated thereon, doped with potassium and phosphorus and, if necessary, with one or more other metallic or non-metallic elements.
2. Description of the Prior Art
French Patent No. 2,047,199 describes oxidation catalysts corresponding to the general formula: EQU Ni.sub.a CO.sub.b Fe.sub.c Bi.sub.d L.sub.e M.sub.h MO.sub.f O.sub.g
in which L is particularly phosphorus, M is particularly potassium, a and b are numbers ranging from 0 to 15 with the sum (a+b) ranging from 2 to 15, c is a number ranging from 0.5 to 7, d is a number ranging from 0.1 to 4, e is a number ranging from 0 to 4, f has a value of 12, g is a number ranging from 35 to 85, and h is a number ranging from 0.01 to 0.5.
These catalysts are prepared by formulating a suspension in aqueous medium from various precursors of the elementary constituents of the catalysts, by adding a support (such as a silica gel) to said suspension which is essentially a paste, and by heating this to dryness to provide a cake which is then treated at elevated temperature in the presence of air and oxygen.
The catalysts are employed in the form of particles or of tablets.
These catalysts, both in bulk form and diluted, are effective, but they present difficulties over the course of an oxidation process on an industrial scale. Indeed, in a fixed bed, locally elevated temperatures may arise to initiate an undesirable violence of the reaction.
French Patent No. 2,202,729 describes that it is advantageous to employ catalysts for the oxidation of propylene to acrolein which are prepared by coating, namely, formed of a catalytically active layer of the same composition, but deposited onto the external surface of an inert support of at least 20 microns in diameter, instead of diluting it with a support introduced with the metallic salts. It is then possible to better control the evolution of the heat of reaction in fixed bed processes.
Nevertheless, this particular technique for producing the catalyst requires a significant portion thereof to be constituted by the inert support (66% by weight of the finished catalyst, according to the sole example of this '729 patent). The fraction reserved for the active phase in comparison with the former simply diluted catalysts is decreased, which results in a very disadvantageous decrease in the activity of the catalysts.
This may manifest itself industrially in the obligation either to use larger reactors to preserve the production capacity and identical operating conditions, or to increase the reaction temperature to preserve the production capacity and the size of the reactor. In the first instance, the major disadvantage is economic. In the second instance, two disadvantages are presented: the selectivity for acrolein will diminish and the activity of the catalyst will decrease more rapidly over the course of time.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,763 describes, for the oxidation of propylene into acrolein, a calcined catalytic composition (active phase) corresponding to the general formula: EQU MO.sub.12 Bi.sub.0.1-4 Fe.sub.0.5-6 M2.sub.b M3.sub.c M4.sub.d M5.sub.e O.sub.x
in which M2 is nickel and/or cobalt, b is a number ranging from 1 to 12, M3 is particularly K, c is a number ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 and preferably from 0.03 to 0.09, M4 is P, d is a number ranging from 0 to 1 and preferably from 0.01 to 0.2, M5 is In and/or Na, e is a number ranging from 0 to 0.5 and preferably from 0.01 to 0.2, and x is the number of atoms of oxygen required to satisfy the valencies of the other constituents.
This active phase is deposited as a layer of thickness 150 to 1500 .mu.m onto a support which is also a central core of diameter greater than 100 .mu.m and of surface area less than 15 m.sup.2 /g.
The deposition of the layer of calcined and pulverulent catalytic material, the dimension of the particles ranging from 0.1 to 300 .mu.m, is carried out in moist medium, the support particles being vigorously stirred and controlled operating conditions moreover being required.
The layer coating the central supporting core constitutes at least 50% of the weight of the support, namely, at least 33% by weight of the finished catalyst and at most 250% of the weight of the support, namely, at most 71.4% by weight of the finished catalyst.
Prior to being used for the oxidation of olefins, the coated catalyst is dried and, if necessary, calcined at a temperature of 400.degree. to 700.degree. C.
Even if these catalysts exhibit a satisfactory catalytic activity, the very complex process for the preparation thereof militates against its reproducibility and against assuring a constant quality of the catalysts thus prepared. In addition, it is well known to this art that, when the thickness of the coating layer increases such that it constitutes on the order of 20% by weight of the catalyst, the mechanical properties of said layer are insufficient for use of the catalysts on an industrial scale in fixed bed reactors (cf., for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,618).

Catalysts for the gaseous phase oxidation of olefins into .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes


A semiconductor integrated circuit includes one or more voltage drop detection circuits located at one or more measurement points within the integrated circuit to detect drops in the power supply potential at those points. The voltage drop detection circuits output signals indicating whether the power supply potential is within tolerance, or whether the power supply potential has fallen and corrective action is required. Being located near the measurement points, the voltage drop detection circuits can measure the power supply potential without being disturbed by electrical noise elsewhere in the semiconductor integrated circuit. The signals output by the voltage detection circuits can be reliably brought to external terminals despite the presence of such noise, because the output signals are bi-level signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit, more particularly to the detection of power supply voltage drops in a semiconductor integrated circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
As semiconductor integrated circuits become ever more densely integrated, the width of their internal power supply lines is reduced, and the resulting increased resistance impedes the supply of power to their internal circuitry. To compound this problem, semiconductor integrated circuits comprise increasingly large numbers of transistors operating at increasingly high speeds, therefore drawing increasing amounts of current, which must be fed through the increased resistance of the power supply lines. This combination of current and resistance can produce significant voltage drops on the power supply lines, and these voltage drops can lead to various types of circuit malfunctions.
A known method of dealing with this problem without sacrificing integration density or operating speed is to monitor the power supply voltage at strategic points within the integrated circuit and take corrective action if a voltage drop is detected. Corrective action might include, for example, boosting the supply voltage, or reducing the clock speed or making other timing adjustments that enable the semiconductor integrated circuit to operate correctly despite the power supply voltage drop.
Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP) No. 2001-332699 places voltage detection cells at specified positions on the power lines of a semiconductor integrated circuit and provides a voltage drop detection circuit that detects voltage drops at these positions. A voltage detection cell is a cell consisting only of a stub leading from the power line to a detection pad. The detection pad is connected by a wiring line to the voltage drop detection circuit, which uses the input voltage received via the wiring line to delay a reference clock signal by a variable amount. A flip-flop clocked by the reference clock signal receives the delayed clock signal as input data and outputs a signal that is high when the delay is small and low when the delay is large. The signal output from the flip-flop is supplied to an external power source to indicate whether or not it is necessary to adjust the power supply voltage.
This voltage drop detection circuit depends on the production of an accurate delay in response to the input voltage. JP 11-8552 describes a slew rate limiter that can produce an accurate delay by supplying the reference clock signal to an inverter connected in series between a pair of current sources controlled by the input voltage, and supplying the output of the inverter to a buffer circuit.
A problem with the semiconductor integrated circuit described in JP 2001-332699 is that the wiring line may be fairly long, because the voltage drop detection circuit is located near a bonding pad at the periphery of the integrated circuit while the voltage detection cell may be located deep in the interior of the integrated circuit. The wiring line therefore has substantial parasitic resistance and capacitance and tends to pick up considerable electrical noise from other parts of the semiconductor integrated circuit en route to the voltage drop detection circuit. These effects make it difficult to detect fluctuations in the power supply voltage accurately, even if the slew-rate limiter described in JP 11-8552 is employed.

Semiconductor integrated circuit with voltage drop detector


A display includes in each of display areas: a reflective area containing a non-light-emitting display element for effecting a display by means of a liquid crystal display element reflecting external light; and a light-emitting area containing a light-emitting display element for effecting a display by means of an organic EL element directly modulating external light, the reflective area and the light-emitting area being ordered in some manner. The display further includes a first substrate and a second substrate positioned opposite to each other, and the light-modulating element and the light-emitting element are both provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. Thus, a display and a method of manufacturing thereof can be offered which allows for reduction in size and cost and delivers excellent visibility from outdoors to indoors.

Recent years have witnessed widespread use of mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). To respond to growing demand, a lot of efforts are put into the development of displays capable of on-screen information presentation mounted in these electronics.
Displays are classified into two major categories: non-light-emitting and light-emitting. The former incorporates a light-modulating element modulating light from an external light source, such as sunlight, indoor lighting, backlight, or frontlight, to produce a display. A typical, well-known example is the liquid crystal display element. The latter needs no external light source and the light-emitting element emits light on its own to produce a display. A typical example is EL (Electro Luminescence), which is attracting a lot of interest. The following will describe these types of displays in more detail.
First, the transmissive-type liquid crystal display which is a non-light-emitting display using an external light source uses a backlight as the light source and is therefore energy-consuming and bulky, which poses problems for mobile uses. To address one of the problems, in other words, to reduce large power consumption, the reflective-type liquid crystal display has been developed in which the lower electrodes of the liquid crystal layer is made of aluminum or another light-reflecting metal, so as to use external lighting, such as sunlight indoor lighting, as a light source. However, the reflective-type liquid crystal display has a shortcoming: since its operation relies on external lighting, it cannot be used under poor lighting.
To address these problems, the transflective-type display has been developed which includes lower electrodes of the liquid crystal layer fabricated from a half mirror. The display effects a reflective-type display without using a backlight under sufficient lighting and a transmissive-type display with the backlight turned on under poor lighting. The transflective-type display, however, has a low light using efficiency and makes a poor candidate to lower power consumption, because it relies on the conflicting characteristics of the light-reflecting part and the light-transmitting part for operation.
To address these problems, the inventors invented a liquid crystal display (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,140 B1; Date of Patent, Feb. 27, 2001) which acts as a reflective type without using a backlight under sufficient lighting and a transmissive type with the backlight turned on under poor lighting.
Unlike conventional liquid crystal displays incorporating a reflector which is so thin to acquire transflectivity, the liquid crystal display has each display pixel divided into two areas: a reflective area and a transmissive area. Specifically, in the liquid crystal display, a reflective electrode is provided in one of the areas of each display pixel, forming a reflective area. In the other area is provided a transmissive electrode, forming a transmissive area. Besides, the liquid crystal layer differs in thickness between the reflective area and the transmissive area. The configuration optimizes luminance both in the reflective area and in the transmissive area.
A drawback of the liquid crystal display of pixel-dividing type is low efficiency in backlight's light usage, because the backlight's light is projected from behind onto all the pixels, i.e. both of the two areas, but is used only in the transmissive area. The higher percentage the reflective electrode accounts for, the smaller the transmissive area and the lower the efficiency in using the backlight's light. This is inevitable.
Accordingly, the low light using efficiency problem in the pixel-dividing type liquid crystal display is addressed in, for example, Tokukai or Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2001-66593 published on Mar. 16, 2001. The application discloses a pixel-dividing type liquid crystal display (labeled 300 in FIG. 41) has through holes 304 in part of reflective electrodes 303 of pixels 302 on a liquid crystal panel 301. The liquid crystal display 300 includes a light-emitting element, which is an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) element 310, constituting a backlight. These light-emitting portions 311 in the organic EL element 310 are not provided across the entire area of each pixel 302, but only in those parts where the through holes 304 are provided. Incorporating a patterned organic EL element as a backlight in this manner allows for improved light using efficiency and reduced power consumption.
A display incorporating an organic EL element, which is a typical light-emitting display, is advantageously thin and lightweight. The self-illumination enables the display to be, unlike liquid crystal displays, visible under poor lighting without a need for a backlight. Outgoing light is used almost solely for the purpose of display, achieving a high efficiency in light usage. The display incorporating an organic EL element however needs constant light emission and to improve on the display quality, requires increased light emission, which are obstacles in reducing power consumption.
Since in the pixel-dividing type liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 41, the organic EL element 310 as a light-emitting element is placed outside the liquid crystal panel 301, there are interposed a retardation plate 305, a polarizer 306, and two glass substrates 307, 312 between the organic EL element 310 and the through holes 304 in the reflective electrodes 303. The through hole 304 has a width ½ to ⅙ the pixel pitch, and given a currently typical pixel pitch of approximately 80 μm, the through hole 304 is about 15 μm to 40 μm in width. The polarizer 306 has a thickness of about 300 μm. The two glass plates, or the glass substrate 307 of the liquid crystal panel 301 and the glass substrate 312 of the organic EL element 310, has a combined thickness of 500 μm to 700 μm. All together, the organic EL element 310 is separated from the through holes 304 in the reflective electrodes 303 by a distance as large as 1300 μm to 1700 μm. It is therefore impossible to guide the whole of the outgoing light from the light-emitting portions 311 of the organic EL element 310 so as to enter the through holes 304, although the light-emitting portions 311 of the organic EL element 310 are placed at positions corresponding to those of the through holes 304. The problem of low efficiency in light projection by the organic EL element 310 still remains unsolved.
In any case, no change is made to the fact that the pixel-dividing type liquid crystal display in FIG. 41 includes two substrates which are stacked one on the other, and its thickness cannot be reduced further below the total thickness of the liquid crystal display and the organic EL element. Moreover, in the structure shown in FIG. 41, the through holes 304 of the liquid crystal display and the organic EL element 310 need be precisely positioned and combined in manufacture. The procedure requires a dedicated positioning device and combining mechanism, which increases component counts and manufacturing cost.
As mentioned in the foregoing, the reflective-type liquid crystal display has been developed for improved outdoor visibility, delivering superior visibility outdoors under strong external light, but the display is unusable indoors and at night. Proposed as a substitute for the external light is the reflective-type liquid crystal display which employs frontlight illuminating the device from its front. For example, Tokukai or Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2000-75287 published on Mar. 14, 2000 discloses an organic EL element used as a frontlight. However, the same problem arises as in the foregoing case where a backlight is incorporated in the transmissive-type liquid crystal display: the total thickness is too large due to the contribution from both the display and the supplemental light source.
Forming a liquid crystal display element and an organic EL element on a single substrate as in the foregoing offers a viable solution to supplement each element's disadvantages and achieve an optimal display in various environments.
Nevertheless, simply forming a liquid crystal display element and an organic EL element on a single substrate in the foregoing display makes wiring and drive circuits in the substrate too complex, entailing problematic low yields and high costs in manufacture.
There are other problems in the manufacture of a light-emitting display element containing an organic EL element as a light-emitting element.
For example, Tokukai or Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2000-173770 (published on Jun. 23, 2000) discloses a method of forming a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) circuit driving an organic EL element on one of two substrates and metallic electrodes which will become cathodes and a part of an organic layer constituting an organic EL layer on the circuit, forming anodes on the other substrate and a light-emitting layer on the electrodes, combining the two substrates under applied heat or pressure to heat an organic layer beyond the glass's transition temperature so that the two substrates are securely attached to each other.
Tokukai or Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2001-43980 (published on Feb. 16, 2001) discloses a method of forming anodes on a substrate (TFT or else) and sequentially adding thereon a hole introducing layer which will be an organic EL layer, a hole transport layer, and a light-emitting layer, which is then followed by the formation of a thin film of metal having a low work function which will be a cathode and the formation of a transparent conductive layer.
In both disclosures, the outgoing light from the organic EL element may leave not the side facing the substrate on which a circuit is formed to drive the organic EL element, but the side facing an opposite substrate oppositely placed to that driver-carrying substrate or a protective layer. Thus, the outgoing light will less likely be blocked by circuit patterns than the outgoing light from the circuit-carrying side, which achieves an increased aperture ratio and is effective in improving on luminance, light-emitting efficiency, life, and reliability.
On the drive circuit-carrying side, the area conventionally reserved for hole formation is now used for circuit. Circuit designs can be more flexible, contributing to improvement of reliability and yield, and the method is effective in enabling circuit formation with improved function. Specifically, it is realized by separately forming the drive circuit side and the light-emitting layer side in Tokukai 2000-173770 and by forming extremely thin cathodes in Tokukai 2001-43980.
Under this circumstance, among other materials, no water is preferably allowed to enter the organic EL element for the sake of reliability of light-emitting function. The organic conductor, if oxidized, can degrade due to acceptor doping. The metal making up the cathodes is magnesium (Mg), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), or other materials with a low work function and susceptible to oxidation and difficult to work on.
As detailed above, the organic EL element has following features: it has a simple structure, but is made of materials of which functions are readily affected by the surroundings. In the fabrication an organic EL element, it is preferred if the element is completely formed in an environment which is free from water and oxygen as much as possible and the layer providing protection to the light-emitting layer is formed at the same time.
Regarding this issue, Tokukai 2000-173770 securely attaches at a part of the organic layer constituting an organic EL element and likely allows contact with atmosphere containing water and oxygen in an attaching process; reliability is a problem. Each organic layer making up the organic EL element is so thin as about 1000 Å that the layers can lose uniformity in quality and function when combined, in a process to form a part of them on the respective substrates and heating to a temperature beyond glass's transition point.
Tokukai 2001-43980 places metallic cathodes on a light-emitting side and however thin the cathodes, suffers resultant transmission loss. The cathodes have setbacks due to its extra thickness: it may degrade because of bonding with a transparent conductive layer and an organic conductive layer formed on it; temperatures in the formation of the transparent conductive layer may negatively affect the light-emitting layer.
Tokukai 2000-173770 employs a transparent conductive film on the anode side and therefore exhibits a greater resistance than an ordinary conductor. When incorporated in a panel, the transparent conductive film develops electric energy loss and develops spots to appear on screen where luminance alters.

Display, method of manufacturing the same, and method of driving the same


A system and method is provided for configuring compatibility algorithms for testing compatibility of applications with a platform. The method is performed by one or more processors and comprises attaching compatibility algorithms associated with compatibility applications with meta data or executable code. The method also comprises receiving a request for determining which compatibility algorithms are compatible with a platform, wherein the request includes one or more attributes of the platform. The method further comprises comparing the one or more attributes of the platform with the attached meta data or attached executable code, and identifying at least one compatibility algorithm based on the comparison such that the identified compatibility algorithm determines whether to run the identified compatibility algorithm.

Today's rapidly changing technology requires application users to migrate from one platform to another, such as Windows 7™ to Windows 8™, or changes to runtime environment, such as App-V™, every couple of years. For every instance of such migration, users have to validate each application to ensure compatibility of the application with the migrated platform. This process might need to be repeated for every major and/or minor new release of a given platform. As organizations and users demand new and improved features, the frequency of updating platforms increases, thereby also increasing the importance of the migration from one platform or version to another.
Such migration is critical for enterprise users running thousands of applications for any given project on any given platform. And each such application can be associated with many different algorithms that detect compatibility of the application with various platforms and platform versions. That is, verification of applications and their associated algorithms for any given platform can be very complex and time consuming. Traditionally, such migration and verification is implemented manually, costing the organization a significant number of man hours (or months or years) and cost.
While a number of current techniques can be used to perform an accurate analysis to detect compatibility of an application across different platforms, the current techniques often involve significant manual configuration to identify the platforms that require compatibility testing, and which algorithms to run for each application. Such a process can be time consuming and can also require ongoing maintenance. Furthermore, manual configuration usually requires an administrator or technician with significant specialized knowledge.
Manual configuration is also prone to errors, leading to false reports. For example, a compatibility report for an application may include false positive results showing that an application is not compatible with a platform because the wrong algorithm was selected during manual configuration, whereas in reality the application is indeed compatible when analyzed using the correct algorithm. A reduction in the percentage of false positives is desired when migrating between platforms, to increase system efficiency and improve the performance of computer systems and networks.

Methods and systems for automatic configuration of algorithms in a system based on self aware algorithms


A an improvement in a two wheel motor vehicle having an internal combustion motor and a wheel drive mechanism, wherein the motor has an exhaust system connected thereto, includes a) an exhaust system having a first exhaust pipe and a second exhaust pipe with the first exhaust pipe being in a fixed position relative to the internal combustion motor, and the second exhaust being rotatably connected to the first exhaust pipe, and b) an exhaust pipe drive mechanism connected to the second exhaust pipe for rotation of the second exhaust pipe. The pipe drive mechanism may operate off some power source of the vehicle, operate independently of the vehicle power sources, may operate from exiting exhaust gases, ambient wind form motion of the vehicle, or a combination of the foregoing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a combined functional and decorative exhaust system for motorcycles and similar two wheeled internal combustion driven motor vehicles. More particularly it relates to a rotating motorcycle exhaust pipe that may add dynamic and artistic appearance and may act as a hot exhaust gas heat dissipater, as well as an eye-catching safety feature that will, in some instances, make automobile drivers more readily aware of the presence of a motorcycle, especially at crossings. Thus, the present invention includes a first, fixed pipe and a second, rotating pipe rotatably connected to the first pipe, and a drive mechanism to rotate the second pipe. The term "exhaust pipe" and the term "tail pipe" may be considered different by some technicians, but are used herein interchangeably because, for purposes of this invention, any technical differences between the two are irrelevant.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The following patents are representative of prior art of interest to the present invention technology:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,638 describes an adjustable exhaust system for use with two cycle motors. An insert section of pipe is interposed between a header pipe and a conventional tail pipe so that, when it is rotated, the overall length of the exhaust system is adjusted. The insert section is held in place between the tail pipe and a header extension pipe by a compressive force exerted by one or more springs attached between the header and the tail pipe. The insert features, on an end that slips over the header extension section, a series of graduated notches which mate with a protrusion, or "stop", formed on the mating end of a header extension section. This notch and stop combination determines the distance by which the insert section will be permitted to slip over the header extension section, and correspondingly, the overall length of the exhaust system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,704 describes an improved muffler including a body with an exhaust inlet in the form of a porous pipe enclosed in a second porous pipe for diffusing exhaust gases into the interior of body. A pair of pipes introduces ambient air into the discharge region of the muffler. A constricted discharge opening of the body encircles the pipes and confines the helical vanes which impart a helical path to the exhaust gases just before mixing with ambient air from the pipes. A venture section with a bell shape outlet completes the tail pipe section. An auxiliary air inlet to the venture adds additional ambient air to the final outlet via ports. In addition embodiment, the venture section is within the muffler body. A constricted tube provides a direct path for a portion of the exhaust gases while the major quantity of exhaust gases traverse the helical paths defined by the vanes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,703 describes an exhaust to reduce noise, an automotive exhaust tailpipe that has a convoluted surface at or near its outlet to generate pairs of counterrotating axial vortices within the exhaust gases just before or just after the gases exit the tailpipe. The convoluted surface of the tailpipe, or a thin-walled convoluted member, may be disposed within the tailpipe near its outlet end.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,538 describes several embodiments of motorcycle exhaust systems having forward and rearward exhaust pipes at least one of which extends transversely in a transversely extending expansion chamber for improving high speed performance. In addition, a variety of control valves are incorporated for varying the reflective area of the exhaust pipe ends so as to improve low speed and midrange performance.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,219 describes a lightweight muffler and method for muffling a noise component of a stream of gases. The muffler includes a chamber in which gases are directed side-by-side streams flowing in opposite directions. The streams are in contact with each other for the generation of sound dampening eddy currents in the chamber, but such contact does not break down the continuous, low resistance flow of gases through the muffler. The chamber is advantageously formed as a expansion chamber in which gases: enter one end of the chamber as an annular stream concentric with the inlet pipe to the muffler, travel along the inlet pipe to the other end of the chamber, are reversed, and travel as a concentric annular stream of greater diameter in the opposite direction down the length of the chamber for discharge into a passageway leading to the outlet tube to the muffler. A second similarly formed chamber for counterflow of opposed streams and the generation of eddy current there between is preferably formed proximate the outlet tube of the muffler.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.


A mounting structure for a hand truck is described. Embodiments of the present invention include a mounting structure adapted to be secured to a hand truck. Generally, the mounting structure can be implemented to secure a strapping device to the hand truck. The mounting structure can generally include a body, a first member, a second member, and a spring. Typically, the first member can be slidably coupled to the body and the second member can be fixedly coupled to the body. The first member and the second member can include concave faces to interface with a frame of the hand truck. The mounting structure can couple to the hand truck in a variety of locations to ensure that the strapping device is optimally positioned to secure a particular load.

Hand trucks are commonly used to move items that are too heavy or bulky to be moved manually. Using such a device reduces the amount of physical effort required to lift and move heavy and/or bulky loads.
Strapping devices are commonly used for transporting goods. A strapping device typically has a fixed strap, a variable strap, and a ratchet. The ratchet is implemented to reduce a length of the variable strap thereby tightening straps of the strapping device around a load. The strapping device is generally used to secure goods being transported.
Currently, there are many different designs of strapping devices that can be used to secure a load to a hand truck that are independent of the hand truck. Implementing these strapping devices to attach a load to a hand truck is cumbersome and difficult, especially when done by one person. Further, with many different types of hand trucks, a person may need multiple types of strapping devices to use with each different hand truck. Alternatively, there are a few specialized hand trucks manufactured with a strapping device permanently built into the hand truck. These specialized hand trucks are limited in that the strapping device is permanently positioned on the hand truck and cannot be moved.
There is a need for a mounting structure adapted to attach a plurality of different types of strapping devices to a variety of hand trucks.