The invention relates to improved carboxylated styrenic polymers suited for use in the graphic arts industries as dispersants for pigments and varnishes. The base polymer comprises polymerized units of styrene and an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, with said polymer incorporating hydrophilic functionality. The improvement in the polymer composition comprises the polymerized incorporation of hydrophilic functionality based upon the half acid ester of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or anhydride thereof and a polyethylene glycol monoether having greater than three ethylene oxide units. The half ester not only provides surfactant properties to the polymer through the incorporation of the polyethylene glycol ether but also provides carboxyl functionality necessary for water dispersibility. The number average molecular weight is from 1,500 to 20,000 and the acid numbers for these polymers typically range from 125 to 300.

In the Graphic Arts Industry, low molecular weight (M.sub.n <20,000), alkali-soluble, high T.sub.g (>50.degree. C.), carboxylated styrene polymers have been used as pigment dispersants, overprint varnishes, and for preparing resin fortified latexes for water based inks and coatings. These polymers are very polar due to their carboxyl content and are, therefore, synthesized in a polar solvent. Conventional solvents employed in their production include low boiling alcohols such as ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, ketones such as methyl isobutyl ketone and high boiling ethylene glycol based solvents such as diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DEGEE) or diethylene monoethyl ether acetate (DEGEEA). The ethylene glycol based solvents have been preferred because (a) they are water-soluble and since the resins are used as their ammoniacal solutions residues of non-water-soluble solvents cause the solution to be hazy, (b) the solvents afford an ability to polymerize at a high temperature (the glycol solvents are used at 150.degree. to 250.degree. C.) which leads to greater chain transfer and lower molecular weight, (c) polymerization at a high temperature permits the use of lower cost, more thermally stable, safer-to-use and store organic peroxides such as di-t-butyl peroxide, t-butyl perbenzoate, and 2,5-di-t-butylperoxy-2,5-dimethylhexane, and (d) the presence of the pendant glycol groups incorporated into the polymer by esterification (of the solvent) with the carboxylic acid groups or by chain transfer enhance the performance of the resin. (Ink World, 2 (6), 1996, p 32-37)
Although historically, the industry choice has been the ethylene glycol based solvents, such ethylene glycol based solvents have been designated hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Several have been determined to be teratogenic. Threshold reporting levels for accidental spills are as low as one pound. Therefore, the printing ink industry is demanding resins which are completely free of ethylene glycol based solvents because it is virtually impossible to completely remove all traces of these ethylene glycol based solvents from the solution polymerized resin.
Representative patents exemplifying this technology are as follows:
Canadian Patent 814,528 discloses the production of alkali soluble resins which are described as having a number average molecular weight of from about 2,000 to 3,600 and a high acid number which, in alkali solubilized form, are useful as emulsifiers and leveling agents. Preferred polymers are based upon styrene and (meth)acrylic acid which are polymerized in the presence of a chain transfer agent or chain transfer solvent. Chain-transfer reaction solvents employed in the process include methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene, methyl isobutyl carbinol and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,341 discloses low molecular weight interpolymers containing lower alkyl capped poly(oxyethylene) ether groups which are employed as aqueous dispersing agents for particulate matter, e.g., difficult-to-disperse finely divided inorganic solids such as calcium carbonate. The polymer is based upon a hydrophobic monomer such as styrene, a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as acrylic or methacrylic acid, and an alkenyl benzyl ether, where the ether is the alkyl capped poly(oxyethylene) ether. Polymers based upon styrene, maleic anhydride and a vinyl benzyl ether having pendent methyl capped ethoxylated nonylphenol groups are disclosed. Also disclosed are low molecular weight styrene, maleic anhydride copolymers wherein a portion of the maleic anhydride repeating units are half esterified with a polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,484 discloses dispersions of finely divided particulate solids in an organic medium stabilized by addition of a polymeric dispersant which is based upon a copolymer of styrene, maleic anhydride and a vinyl benzyl ether of an ethoxylated nonylphenol. Alkyl half esters of maleic and fumaric acids as well as alkyl half amides of maleic and fumaric acids, acrylic and methacrylic acids, are suggested as suitable for producing the polymeric dispersant.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,155 discloses low molecular weight styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers esterified with monohydric polyether alcohols. The copolymers are based upon styrene and maleic compounds of very low molecular weight, e.g., those having a solution viscosity up to only 2.0 centistokes (10 g copolymer/100 ml acetone). Preferred copolymers are terminated by a chain terminating solvent, which is an alkyl-substituted aromatic organic compound such as an isopropyl-substituted benzene or ketone. Monohydroxypolyoxyalkylene glycols used as the esterifying ether alcohols have molecular weights which range from about 120 to 10,000, and examples include diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and ethylene oxide condensation products of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols. Example 8 shows production of a copolymer of styrene and the maleic acid half ester of polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether having a molecular weight of about 350.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,369 discloses the production of functionalized polymeric compositions by polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated functional monomer in a solvent including a reactive compound. An example of a functional/reactive group is a carboxylic acid/primary alcohol group. Ethylenically unsaturated monomers having carboxyl functionality include acrylic and methacrylic acid and .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their anhydrides, such as itaconic, maleic and fumaric acid, and their anhydrides. Examples of hydroxy functional surface active compounds include alkyl aryloxypoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol and block copolymers of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, e.g., such as those sold under the trademark Pluronic, and the like. Exemplary copolymers are based upon styrene, acrylic acid and a C.sub.12 alkoxy(ethylene oxide)ethanol, or styrene, acrylic acid and a polyethylene glycol.

Solid ink resins substantially free of hazardous air pollutants


A display sheet has a display layer, a first electrode on one side of the display layer, a second electrode on another side of the display layer, and an electrode protection layer between the display layer and the first electrode. The display layer has a partition structure dividing the display layer into a plurality of regions and a liquid dispersion filling the individual regions. The electrode protection layer and the partition structure are integrally formed and both mainly composed of an electroconductive polymer.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a display sheet, a method for producing a display sheet, a display apparatus, and an electronic device.
2. Related Art
Electrophoretic display apparatuses, which are display apparatuses using the electrophoresis of particles, have hitherto been known (e.g., see JP-A-2012-27163). Electrophoretic display apparatuses are superior to other types in portability and low power consumption. The electrophoretic display disclosed in JP-A-2012-27163 has a pair of opposing substrates (electrodes) and a display layer between them. The display layer is divided by a partition structure into a plurality of cells, and each cell is filled with a liquid dispersion of electrophoretic particles in a dispersion medium.
The electrophoretic display apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned publication, in which the electrodes are in contact with the liquid dispersion, may be lacking in durability (may become less reliable) owing to corrosive degradation of the electrodes. A countermeasure against this is to cover the surface of the electrodes with protective layers to isolate the electrodes from the liquid dispersion and thereby ensure the durability (reliability) of the apparatus. However, placing such protective layers between the twin electrodes with the cells sandwiched may affect the voltage between the electrodes, leading to reduced display characteristics. The known electrophoretic display apparatuses are therefore unsatisfactory either in durability or display characteristics.

Display sheet, method for producing display sheet, display apparatus, and electronic device


A mechanism applies exercise resistance to a rotating member in both directions of rotation without a significant "dead zone" surrounding the neutral position. A cam is rotatably mounted to the frame of an exercise machine. A flexible member, which may be a belt, cable, chain or the like, is attached to a peripheral surface of the cam and is loaded by the exercise weights or other source of exercise resistance. The flexible member is guided around a pulley mounted on an arm that is pivotally attached to the cam so as to maintain the flexible member in close proximity to the peripheral surface of the cam. A pair of stops act on the arm to engage the arm for rotation with the cam in one direction and to prevent rotation of the arm with the cam in the opposite direction.

1. Related Application
This application claims the benefit of co-pending provisional application Serial No. 60/039,357 filed Mar. 19, 1997.
2. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, and particularly to a mechanism for providing exercise resistance at a rotary actuator in both directions of rotation.
3. Prior Art
Various physical exercises require that exercise resistance be applied in opposite directions from a neutral position. A particular type of exercise machine requiring such application of exercise resistance is the type commonly referred to as a "multi-hip" machine for performing hip abduction, hip adduction, hip flexion and hip extension exercises. Examples of this type of machine are shown in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,308,304; 5,354,252; and 5,468,202. In these machines, exercise resistance is provided by a selectable weight stack coupled through a cable and pulley system to a rotary cam. A cushioned pad is coupled to the cam for performing the various hip exercises. As the cam is rotated in either direction from a neutral position, a cable is wound on the cam surface to cause the selected portion of the weight stack to be lifted. In these and similar prior art exercise machines, there is a substantial range of motion of the cam about the neutral position in which the cable is not in contact with the cam surface. Thus, the profile of the cam surface has no effect on the amount of the exercise resistance within this range of motion. This "dead zone" on either side of the neutral position detracts from the effectiveness of the exercise.

Bi-directional exercise resistance mechanism


This invention provides compositions which specifically reacts with peroxynitrite rather than other reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. This invention also provides related agents for measuring peroxynitrite. This invention also provides related methods for measuring peroxynitrite in a sample, high-throughput screening fluorescent methods for detecting peroxynitrite and high-throughput methods for screening compounds that increase or decrease the production of peroxynitrite comprising using such compositions and agents.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO−), an isomer of nitrate, has been known for about one century. During the past decade it has been extensively studied due to its potential important role in biology and medicine (Gryglewski, R., Nature 1986, 320, 454; Beckman, J. S., Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 1996, 271, C1424; Squadrito, G. L. et al., Free Radical Biol. & Med. 1998, 25, 797; Groves, J. T., Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 1999, 3, 226; Radi, R. et al., Free Radical Biol. & Med. 2001, 30, 463-488; Tarpey, M. M. et al., Circ. Res. 2001, 89, 224-236; and Koppenol, W. H., Redox Report 2001, 6, 339-341). Peroxynitrite can be formed in vivo from the diffusion-controlled reaction (k =0.4−1.9×1010 M−1s−1) of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2.−) in one to one stoichiometry (Hughes, M. N. et al., J. Chem. Soc. (A) 1968, 450) and the concentration of NO is the key controller during the peroxynitrite production process. The reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide proceeds when the concentration of NO increases and can overcome dismutation by superoxide dismutase. This situation occurs when nitric oxide (NO) is overproduced by cytokine-stimulated inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The pathological activity of ONOO− is related to its reaction with the biologically ubiquitous CO2, thereby producing the highly reactive radicals CO3. and NO2. in about 35% yield (Radi, R. et al., Free Radical Biol. & Med. 2001, 30, 463-488). As a result, peroxynitrite can nitrate tyrosine (Ischiropoulos, H., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 1998, 356, 1-11, and Beckman J. S. et al., Arch Biochem Biophys, 1992, 298, 438-445) and oxidize proteins, lipids (Radi, R. et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 1991, 288, 481, and Shi, H. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1999, 257, 651) and iron and sulfur clusters of biological molecules (Radi R, et al., J. Biol. Chem, 1991, 266, 4244-4250). Like other oxidizing agents in living organisms, peroxynitrite and its protonated form have been associated with both beneficial and harmful effects. Macrophages produce peroxynitrite as a host-defense response to bacterial invasion. However, several studies have implicated that peroxynitrite contributes to tissue injury in a number of human diseases such as ischemic reperfusion injury, rheumatoid arthritis, septic shock, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, stroke, inflammatory bowl disease, cancer, and several neurodegenerative diseases (MacMillan-Crow, L. A. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1996, 93, 11853; Rodenas, J. et al., Free Radical. Biol. & Med. 2000, 28, 374; Cuzzocrea, S. et al., Pharmacol Rev. 2001, 53, 135; Szabo, C. Toxicol. Lett. 2003, 140, 105; White, C. R. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1994, 91, 1044; Lipton, S. A. et al., Nature 1993, 364, 626; Pappolla, M. A. et al., J. Neural Transm. 2000, 107, 203; and Beal, M. F., Free Radical Biol. & Med 2002, 32, 392).
Explanation of the critical role of peroxynitrite in living organisms has become increasingly important. Although it is stable in alkaline solution, peroxynitrite decays rapidly upon protonation at physiological pH. The short half-life of peroxynitrite in biological system (1 s in buffers of neutral pH values and less than 100 ms in cells) precludes its direct isolation (Denicola, A. et al. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 1996, 333, 49-58). Even though solid evidence is known regarding the formation of peroxynitrite in vivo, tools for unambiguous detection and quantitation of peroxynitrite in cells and tissues are not yet available.
Up to now, the available analytical methods for detecting and measuring peroxynitrite can be classified into three types. The first type is the electrochemical sensor, which is used to estimate the amounts of peroxynitrite generated in cells under oxidative stress. (Augusto, O. et al., J. Methods Enzymol. 1996, 269, 346-354; Gatti, R. M. et al., FEBS Lett, 1994, 348, 287-290; Gatti, R. M. et al. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 1998, 349, 36-46; and Karoui, H. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1996, 271, 6000-6009). But this method requires manipulation of sophisticated apparatus and does not allow spatial imaging of peroxynitrite.
The second type relies on the employment of oxidation probes. For example, DCFH (2′,7′-dichlordihydrofluorescein) and DHR 123 (dihydrorhodamine 123), which can be oxidized by peroxynitrite to yield highly fluorescent molecules, have been used for monitoring peroxynitrite in cells and tissues (Royall, J. A. et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 1993, 302, 348-355; Kooy, N. W. et al., Free Radic. Biol. Med. 1994, 16, 149-156; Kooy, N. W. et al., Free Radic. Biol. Res. 1997,27,245-254; Crow, J. P. Nitric Oxide. 1997, 1, 145-157; Ischiropoulos, H et al., Methods Enzymol. 1999, 301, 367-373; and Miles, A. M. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1996, 271, 40-47). However, the mechanism of oxidation of DCFH and DHR by peroxynitrite remains largely unknown and these probes can also be oxidized by many other ROS (reactive oxygen species) produced by cells. A similar problem can be found in luminal chemiluminescence system for detecting peroxynitrite in cell culture solution. HPF (hydroxyphenyl fluorescein) can distinguish between peroxynitrite and nitric oxide, but it gives out higher fluorescent signal with hydroxyl radical than does with peroxynitrite (Setsukinai, K. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2003, 278, 3170-3175; International Publication No. WO 01/64664 (Nagano et al.); and International Publication No. WO2004040296 (Nagano et al.)).
The third type utilizes the footprinting reaction of biological molecules. For example, 3-nitrotyrosine, a nitration product generated after oxidation of tyrosine residues of proteins by peroxynitrite in biological systems, can be detected by immunochemical methods (Kaur, H.; et al., FEBS Lett. 1994, 350, 9-12). NADH (reduced nicotamide adenine dinucleotide) has also been used recently for monitoring of peroxynitrite concentration in buffers by fluorescence. However, at the moment, there are no entirely specific chemical modifications of either probes or biomolecules that can directly indicate the generation of perokynitrite in cells in an unambiguous manner. It implies that other reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species present in the biological systems may compete with peroxynitrite and interfere with the results.
Several methods have been known for the detection/measurement of peroxynitrite, including electrochemical method, the chemiluminescence method and the footprinting method. However, these methods require tedious and time-consuming control experiments using a combination of scavengers and inhibitors, and give low sensitivity and specificity. Thus, to facilitate the direct studies of peroxynitrite in biological system, it is of ultimate importance to develop methods specific for peroxynitrite detection and measurement which are highly sensitive and easy to operate.

Reagents for highly specific detection of peroxynitrite


A node within a mesh network includes an Optical Connection Controller (OCC) and a network element. When a connection path within the mesh network is required, an OCC determines if a particular connection path requires a network element to operate as a virtual gateway to separate the mesh network into separate protection domains for that particular connection path. A connection path might require separate protection domains in cases in which the number of network elements and/or repeater/amplifier components for a particular connection path is greater than a threshold, the total length of links for the connection path is above a threshold and/or another factor that could cause the recovery time for the connection path to increase beyond an acceptable threshold level. If the OCC determines that one or more virtual gateways are required for a particular connection path, the OCC selects an appropriate network element within the network to operate as a virtual gateway for that particular connection path. Finally, the OCC assigns network elements and links to establish working and protection paths between the source network element and the virtual gateway and between the virtual gateway and the destination network element. This set-up can ensure that each connection path will have a recovery time after a failure within an acceptable range.

A key consideration when designing an optical communication network is the protection of the connections that traverse the network. To provide protection to the connections, a common design technique is to provide not only a working path for communications but also a protection path for communications, the protection path providing an alternative path of communications in case the working path is disabled for any reason.
In network designs, such as a Bidirectional Line Switched Ring (BLSR), the protection paths in which communications are switched are inherent to the design. For instance, if a link between two network elements within a 2F BLSR is severed, the two network elements switch the routing of communication traffic around the severed link. This is done by directing communication traffic that is to traverse the severed link on a protection path in the opposite direction to the severed link, the protection path coupling the two network elements via the other network elements within the BLSR.
The length of time in which network elements require to switch communication traffic around a fault within a network is important to ensure that integrity of the communications is maintained. For instance, according to a Bellcore standard for BLSR, the time for rerouting traffic via the protection path within a BLSR design is specified as 50 ms (after a 10 ms detection time) for a BLSR including 16 nodes with a 1200 km circumference.
One consideration with BLSR designs is how to provide sufficient protection in adequate time in cases that the network includes a large number of network elements over large distances. One technique that has been used is to subdivide the network into a plurality of BLSRs with separate inherent protection, each of the BLSRs being referred to as a protection domain within the network. To couple the protection domains together, each of the BLSRs have at least one network element coupled to a network element within another of the BLSRs. These two network elements coupled together is commonly referred to as a gateway. In many designs, the gateway consists of a single network element that is coupled within more than one protection domain.
FIG. 1 illustrates a network in which first and second BLSRs 50,52 are coupled together by a gateway 54 that consists of a first network element 56 within the first BLSR 50 and a second network element 58 within the second BLSR 52. In this network, if a fault occurs within the first BLSR 50, the protection within the first BLSR 50 route traffic around the fault while the network elements within the second BLSR 52 do not even have to be aware that a fault occurred. The opposite occurs if a fault occurs in the second BLSR 52. Therefore, if a fault occurs in either of the first or second BLSR, the time to route traffic around the fault is generally no more than 50 ms using current standards. The one exception to this time constraint is if there is a fault within the gateway 54. In this case, communications between the two protection domains could be lost. In current designs, this loss of communication is protected against by implementing match nodes such as the network elements 60,62 within the BLSRs 50,52 of FIG. 1. Match nodes are defined by Bellcore standard GR1230 and should be understood by one skilled in the art.
Within mesh networks, there is no inherent protection for a connection. For each connection within a mesh network, an Optical Connection Controller (OCC) coupled to a network element communicates with other OCCs corresponding to other network elements and establish working and protection paths for the connection within the network. These working and protection paths are unique to the particular connection and are dynamically established whenever a new connection is required within the network.
Mesh networks, as presently designed, do not have a limit on the number of network elements and links that couple together the network elements. One problem with this is that a connection between two network elements within a mesh network could be separated by a significant distance such that a connection between the network elements could traverse large numbers of network elements and large lengths of links. The more network elements and lengths of links that a connection traverses, the more likely a fault could occur in the working path for the connection. Further, the more network elements and lengths of links that a connection traverses, the longer the time that is required to switch the traffic from the working path to a protection path in the case that a fault occurs in the working path. Therefore, because of the variables involved in designing a mesh network, it is difficult to guarantee a limit on the restoration time required to reroute traffic around a fault.

Apparatus and method for establishment and protection of connections within mesh networks


Aspects of the invention relate to novel synthetic compounds having binding affinity with galectin proteins.

Galectins are a family of S-type lectins that bind beta-galactose-containing glycoconjugates. To date, fifteen mammalian galectins have been isolated. Galectins regulate different biological processes such as cell adhesion, regulation of growth, apoptosis, inflammation, fibrogenesis, tumor development and progression. Galectins have been shown to be involved in inflammation, fibrosis formation, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, metastasis formation, angiogenesis, cancer and immunosuppression.

Compounds for the prevention and treatment of diseases and the use thereof


There are provided a urine testing apparatus and a urine testing method which can stabilize urine vitamins for several days and improve testing accuracy and convenience of a urine collection test of a subject. According to this urine testing apparatus, the inner wall surface of a urine collection storage container is coated with an aqueous citric acid solution or the like as a urine stabilizer. Alternatively, a dried or freeze-dried aqueous citric acid solution or the like as the urine stabilizer is stored in the urine collection storage container. On the other hand, according to the urine testing method of this invention, the aqueous citric acid solution or the like as the urine stabilizer is added to the collected urine sample, the vitamin concentration of at least 7 days after urine collection is stabilized to stabilize each urine vitamin for several days, thereby improving the convenience of the urine collection test of the subject. In particular, the urine concentrations of vitamins B can be stabilized to accurately test the nutrients lacking in the body of the subject.

Conventionally, many urine tests have been conducted in hospitals and clinical laboratories. Most of these urine tests use 24-hour urine. In order to store 24-hour urine, it takes time and requires a high cost, resulting in cumbersome operations.
In order to solve this problem, there is known a measurement method of calculating the daily excretion amount of urine components as the total amount of components contained in daily urine from the urine components of spot urine samples collected a plurality of times (see patent literature 1).
According to the measurement method disclosed in patent literature 1, urine collection is easy and the urine components can be measured without storing 24-hour urine. However, in order to measure the urine components, each urine sample must be acidified to stabilize the urine components. The above problem cannot be solved even using the measurement method disclosed in patent literature 1.
When using 24-hour urine as a specimen, hydrochloric acid has generally been used as an additive for acidifying urine to stabilize the urine components. However, hydrochloric acid is a deleterious substance, and a problem is posed in viewpoint of safety and management facilitation.

Urine testing apparatus and urine testing method


A container construction and method for displaying a compact disc for sale and for subsequent storage thereof after purchase by a consumer. The container comprises a base having a storage compartment, a tray pivotally mounted on the base for releasably holding a compact disc, and a lid pivotally mounted on the base for enclosing the tray and disc within the storage compartment of the base to protect the compact disc when not in use after purchase. A locking mechanism is provided on first ends of the base, tray and lid and lock the base, lid and tray in a generally flat extended end-to-end relationship for display with the tray being pivoted into the lid so that the compact disc is secure between the lid and tray. Graphic sheets are placed over the base and lid when in the extended and locked position, and then covered with a clear plastic wrapper for display. After purchase, the wrapper and graphic sheets are removed and the base and lid pulled slightly apart to an unlocked position. Next the lid is pivoted to a closed position within the storage compartment of the base carrying with it the tray and compact disc, placing the tray in a retained useable position within the base for subsequent placement and removal of the disc therefrom upon pivotal movement of the lid only between an open access position and closed storage position.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a container for a recording medium and, in particular, for a compact disc. More particularly, the invention relates to such a container which provides both a convenient means for displaying a compact disc in a secured position and for subsequently storing the compact disc when not in use after purchase by a customer.
2. Background Information
Compact discs, referred to as CD's, have become increasingly popular for storing recorded medium. Currently, most compact discs are placed in a clear plastic container commonly referred to as "jewel box" for display and continued storage after purchase. These jewel boxes then are placed in various types of security packages for subsequent display in a retail establishment. Due to the relatively flat and small size of the jewel box, they are susceptible to theft but must be adequately displayed to facilitate the sale thereof. Several examples of these jewel boxes are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,793,480, 4,702,369, and 4,903,829. The security packages in which the jewel boxes are placed increase the size of the overall package making it more difficult to remove from a store without detection, and they retard removal of the jewel box from within the package without arousing suspicion of a sales person.
Another type of a package for compact discs uses six by twelve inch cardboard panels which encloses the jewel box which then is wrapped with a clear plastic outer wrapping. This requires disposal of the wrapping and the cardboard panel which is both expensive to the manufacturer, and results in an ecological problem due to the excess packaging material that must be disposed. Another example of such a cardboard package is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,954. Also, these prior art security containers for holding the compact disc and jewel box increases the expense to the retail store even if the security containers are reusable.
It is important that any such container for a compact disc enables the compact disc to be displayed for ease of inspection by a consumer, yet provide theft and physical protection for the disc when displayed, and which results in discarding a minimal amount of packaging material upon removal of the compact disc, thereby making the container and container ecologically desirable. Furthermore, the container preferably is reusable by the retailer for repackaging should a purchased container be returned by a customer. Also, it is desirable that the container be adaptable for use in existing storage and display equipment to make it attractive to the retail establishment to avoid replacement of costly display and storage equipment.
Thus, the need exists for an improved security container for compact discs or other recorded medium which provides the desired security without materially affecting the display features thereof, which is cost effective, compatible with existing display and storage equipment, and is ecologically efficient.


A surface computing device is described which has a surface which can be switched between transparent and diffuse states. When the surface is in its diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface and when the surface is in its transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface and onto an object. In an embodiment, the image projected onto the object is redirected onto a different face of the object, so as to provide an additional display surface or to augment the appearance of the object. In another embodiment, the image may be redirected onto another object.

Surface computing devices have been developed which comprise a surface which is used both for displaying the graphical user interface and for user input. The surface computing devices detect the user's fingers on the surface or detect real, tangible objects which are manipulated by a user and this is referred to as a 'tangible user interface' (TUI). In an example, the objects may be gaming pieces which may be moved by a user and the motion can be detected by the surface computing device. The surface computing devices may be designed for use by a single user or they may be multi-user devices.
There are several techniques which have been developed for tracking or detecting objects on the surface, for example, using cameras to image objects from above the surface (a 'top-down' configuration) or using light sources to illuminate the surface from below and cameras to detect light reflected by objects in contact with the surface (a 'bottom-up' configuration). Another technique relies on frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) to cause scattering of light when a fingertip is in contact with the surface, and this scattered light is detected by a camera below the surface.
The embodiments described below are not limited to implementations which solve any or all of the disadvantages of known surface computing devices.

Projection of images onto tangible user interfaces


Low-fat meat foods with much of the flavor and physical properties of conventional full-fat meat foods are provided. These low-fat meat foods comprise meat and thermo-irreversible starch gel. Also provided are methods of making low-fat meat foods comprising combining low-fat meat with thermo-irreversible starch gel.

The present invention relates to novel low-fat food products and methods for making them. In a particular aspect of the present invention, thermo-irreversible starch gel is employed as a fat substitute in low-fat meat foods.
There is an ever-increasing interest among consumers in food products which contain less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Such products are useful in controlling body weight and reducing the risk of heart disease. Nevertheless, from the consistently high incident of heart disease it is evident that consumers are reluctant to sacrifice good tasting food for better health.
Traditional minced meats for example, such as sausages, salami, and meatballs, are renowned for their flavor, but generally contain from about 25% to about 50% fat and from about 290 to about 520 calories per 100 grams of product. Low-fat minced meat foods and analogues have been developed in an effort to reduce fat content, but have not resulted in a satisfying alternative because they are riddled with an unpalatable mouthfeel and flavor.
For processed meats, such as minced meat foods, the mouthfeel of fat relates not only to the melting and juiciness characteristic of lard or tallow, but also to the underlying adipose or fat tissue texture. Fat tissue texture is non-liquid, smooth, springy, somewhat slippery and chewy at warm temperatures. Numerous attempts have been made to mimic the physical attributes of fat in meat food products. While these attempts have been reported to improve the delivery of juiciness at serving temperatures, they have failed to mimic the unique and appealing texture of fat tissue.
Because of the high fat and calorie content of conventional meat products, there has long been a significant need for low-fat meats that have the flavor and physical properties of conventional full-fat meat products. The compositions and methods of the present invention meet these needs and provide related advantages as well.

Low-fat meat foods and methods for making same


Thermochromic laminates, which predictably vary their ability to absorb or reflect electromagnetic radiation, are provided. Laminates of the invention advantageously possess temperature trigger zones, that is, points or ranges of temperature, which function to decrease or increase the amount of electromagnetic energy, and particularly energy in the UV, infrared and visible ranges, that is reflected from the laminate, or absorbed as heat by the laminate and transmitted to an underlying structure. Laminates of the present invention can be provided in a variety of colors and temperature trigger points or ranges, and require no input of external energy except that of the impinging radiation. Laminates of the invention advantageously can be used in methods alone or combined with other materials such as roofing, siding, heat exchangers and other heat transfer materials and are therefore useful to control the temperature of an underlying structure or object.

The present invention pertains to laminates which absorb or reflect electromagnetic radiation in a predictably variable manner and can thus be used to control the heat absorbed or directed away from an underlying structure. Laminates of the present invention comprise at least one thermochromic layer and at least one reflective layer and vary predictably with response to their properties of heat absorption and reflection. They are thus thermoabsorptive-reflective dynamic laminates useful, for example, in effecting methods for controlling the absorption or reflection of radiant or heat energy into or away from of structures that underlie the laminates.
It is known that thermochromic compositions change color in response to temperature fluctuations. In their simplest form, thermochromic compositions are special combinations of chemical compounds and organic materials that exhibit color or transparency to light in response to temperature fluctuations. Typically, upon reaching or exceeding a trigger temperature, a thermochromic composition exhibits transparency to thermal or xe2x80x9cUVIxe2x80x9d radiation and, upon falling below a trigger temperature, the thermochromic material will exhibit color, and, correspondingly, opacity to radiant energy. The thermal or xe2x80x9cUVIxe2x80x9d radiation range is the range of frequencies in the Ultraviolet, Visible and Infrared ranges which produce heat in objects, which absorb those frequencies. The relative transparency/opacity of a thermochromic material is dynamic with respect to the trigger temperature or trigger temperature range of the specific thermochromic material. For example, a thermochromic material having a trigger temperature of precisely 72 degrees Fahrenheit would be opaque to light and thus would absorb thermal radiation in the UVI range at temperatures below 72 degrees Fahrenheit and transparent, or non-absorptive, to UVI light at temperatures above 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Materials are known that possess the properties of color-exhibiting and color-extinguishing to a transparent state when exposed to temperature change above their trigger temperatures. Materials are known which can go through numerous cycles of changing between color-exhibition and color-extinguishing to transparency. Such materials are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,919,404 and 5,558,700, which are incorporated herein by reference.
All patents cited herein are incorporated by reference.
It is known that modifying ratios of the compounds used to produce a thermochromic composition can control the trigger temperature and relative sensitivity of coloration/transparency of thermochromic materials. In addition, the maximum density of the color displayed when the thermochromic composition is in the color-exhibiting state can also be controlled to be either translucent (i.e. partially transparent) in varying degrees or to be fully opaque. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,425 describes a method for creating a thermochromic opaque/transparent composition, laminate member. Other patents relevant to methods for manipulating the properties of thermochromic materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,028,118 and 5,919,404.
It is also known that thermochromic compositions can be produced in a range of different colors. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,404 describes a method for creating reversible thermochromic compositions that exhibit a wide range of traditional colors, while U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,700 describes a method for creating reversible thermochromic compositions that exhibit fluorescent colors. It is likewise known that thermochromic compositions can be laminated to various substrates depending on the desired application, i.e. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,352,649 pertaining to a thermochromic laminate member, and composition and sheet for producing the same; U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,592 (xe2x80x9cShibahashi ""592xe2x80x9d); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,425.
In a more complex form, thermochromic compositions can be produced in the form of microcapsules using conventionally known methods to protect the material from external elements, maintain their functionality and to endow them with desirable properties and characteristics. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,028,118 and 5,919,404 are good examples of patents that describe known properties of thermochromic compositions.
It is also known that thermochromic materials can be added to thermoplastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other resins and molded into any shape or design or made into sheets (as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,826,550 and 5,919,404). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,404 describes a method in which hair curlers are manufactured with a thermochromic thermoplastic elastomer body.
Significant research has gone into increasing the light-fastness of the colors of thermochromic materials as perceived by the human eye, increasing luminosity (brightness) and reducing the fading of colors that may be caused by the cycling of sunlight, and especially by ultraviolet frequencies. The purpose of such research is to develop formulations of thermochromic materials that are more resistant to damage from light, which impinges upon them. The Shibahashi ""592 patent describes an example of a layer of thermochromic material (blue in color) which was covered with a UV filter layer, which is dark yellow in color. When the thermochromic material was in the color developed stage, the additive color rule applies, that is, yellow+blue=green. Therefore the perceived color of the material in its color-developed stage is green and not blue. A solution to this problem presented in the Shibahashi ""592 patent is to combine two layers the first of which is a color reflecting layer comprising particulates of natural mica coated with a reflective metallic luster pigment such as titanium oxide sprinkled on the layer. An additional feature is to provide, over the thermochromic layer, a layer of UV absorber, which filters out UV light. One of the functions of the reflective layer is to reflect some of the light before it hits the UV absorber and the thermochromic layer to thereby present the true color of the underlying layer. The Shibahashi ""592 patent does not, however, recognize the advantages of utilizing the variable transmissivity of thermochromic materials to control the thermal absorption or reflectance of a structure.
Thermochromic laminates of the present invention, and methods for using them, comprise a passive system that automatically varies the reflection or absorption of electromagnetic energy in response to temperature changes. Thus, the present laminates function with respect to predetermined temperature trigger points or ranges without the input of energy except from that of the incident radiation. Laminates of the invention comprise at least two layers, a thermochromic layer having a trigger temperature or a trigger temperature range, and a reflective, or partially reflective layer that is concealed from or exposed to radiant energy incident upon the outer laminate by the change in transmissivity and corresponding color change of the thermochromic layer. The interaction of the at least two layers with respect to the absorption or reflection of radiant or thermal energy can be used to control or modulate the absorption of heat or other energy by an underlying structure. By doing so, the present invention diminishes the need for the use of conventional energy sources such as electricity or natural gas to control the temperature of the underlying structure. Further objectives and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and attached drawings.
It is an object of the present invention to provide thermochromic laminates that can be utilized to control the heat gain or loss of an underlying structure without the necessity for an external power source.
It is a similar object of the present invention to provide thermochromic laminates that predictably vary their absorption or reflectance of incident radiant energy in response to temperature changes.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide thermochromic laminates that predictably effect color changes in response to changes in temperature. Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide methods for using thermochromic laminates to regulate the thermal energy absorption or reflection of a structure to thereby control its temperature.
In accordance with this and other objects of the invention, a thermochromic laminate is provided comprising a base layer, the base layer having a structure contacting surface for communicating with an underlying structure such as an airplane hanger, an automobile, a house or other building, and a thermochromic contacting surface for communicating with the thermochromic layer of the laminate. The base layer is both substantially reflective to electromagnetic radiation and substantially conductive to heat. Laminates of the present invention also comprise a thermochromic layer, the thermochromic layer having a base layer contacting surface for communicating with the base layer and an outer surface for communicating with electromagnetic radiation, for example from the sun. The thermochromic layer is of variable transmissivity to the electromagnetic radiation, the extent of the transmissivity being determined by the temperature of the thermochromic layer relative to its trigger point such that a change in the temperature results in a change in the transmissivity of the thermochromic layer and a change in the rate of heat transferred to, or reflected from, the underlying structure.
With laminates of the present invention, an increase in the temperature of the thermochromic layer above the trigger point or zone results in a color change to a more transparent state corresponding to an increase in the transmissivity of the thermochromic layer so that the amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the base layer through the thermochromic layer and away from the underlying structure is increased and the amount of heat available for absorption by the base layer is thereby decreased. Similarly, a decrease in the temperature of the thermochromic layer below the trigger point or zone results in a color change to a less transparent, or more opaque or colored state corresponding to decrease in the transmissivity of the thermochromic layer so that the amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the base layer through the thermochromic layer and away from the underlying structure is decreased and the amount of heat available for absorption by the base layer is thereby increased. Thus, the thermochromic layer of laminates of the present invention functions to vary predictably the accessibility of the reflective base layer to electromagnetic radiation. Thus, the more accessible the reflective layer becomes, the greater the proportion of the incident radiation that will be reflected away from the structure. The converse is true also.
Laminates of the invention can go through numerous temperature change cycles and still retain their advantageous features. The increase in the transmissivity of a thermochromic laminate of the present invention is reversible when the temperature decreases below a particular temperature trigger zone for the laminate. Similarly, the decrease in transmissivity of a thermochromic laminate is reversible when the temperature increases above the particular temperature trigger zone for the laminate. Typically, an increase or decrease in the transmissivity of the present thermochromic laminates is accompanied by a change in the opacity, color or both, of the thermochromic layer.
The base layer of the present laminate is typically metallic in nature, for example, comprising a metal such as aluminum having the ability to reflect sunlight and conduct heat. In some cases, a metallic coating on the underlying structure, or on an underlying heat-conductive fabric, will be sufficient to provide the reflective and heat-conductive and heat-emissive requirements of the base layer. Base layers of the present invention are not limited to metals, however. Any material that is both reflective and sufficiently heat-conductive to carry out the functions of the base layer can be used to form laminates of the present invention. Mylar is suitable for certain embodiments of the present invention.
In some embodiments, laminates of the present invention are attached to an underlying structure, such as the roof and exterior walls of a building, to the exterior surfaces of a greenhouse, or to the exterior surfaces of a desert shelter. Advantageously, the emissivity of the base layer can be matched to the specific environment in which the underlying structure exists. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable to use a thicker aluminum sheet as a base layer in order to delay the time required for incident radiation to be conducted into the underlying structure.
Laminates of the present invention are particularly useful in applications where the electromagnetic radiation impinging upon them is sunlight. Other forms of radiation, such as from artificial sources such as heat lamps or kiln fires, would also serve to operate the present laminates. An important characteristic of the laminates of the present invention is that they are passive in nature, that is, they require no external energy source other than that of the impinging radiant energy.
Another significant aspect of laminates of the present invention pertains to their temperature trigger zone, that is, a narrow temperature range in which occurs the transition of the thermochromic layer from being highly transmissive to electromagnetic energy such as sunlight, to being highly opaque, or from being highly opaque to being highly transmissive. The present laminates can be made to have a set temperature trigger zone around a specific trigger temperature point. The trigger zone might therefore be several degrees C. or less than one degree C. For example, a laminate might be set to be highly transmissive, that is, transparent or nearly transparent to visible, UV and infrared light at a temperature above 25 degrees C., and colored or opaque at temperature below 22 degrees C. Thus, the temperature trigger zone would be from 22 to 25 degrees C. Within the trigger zone, the degree of transmissivity/opacity/color would vary depending upon the particular laminate. Laminates of the present invention can be made to have wider or narrower temperature trigger zones as desired, and the trigger zones can be set at desired high and low temperature points.
Laminates of the present invention can be formed of materials that can be molded to fit the shapes of surfaces of the underlying structure, in forms sufficiently malleable to conform to irregular surfaces, for example, in a sheet like form sufficiently flexible to be wrapped over or around objects. Laminates of the present invention can also be combined with or incorporated into currently available materials that are used to build or cover underlying structures, for example, as the outside layer of vinyl siding materials. Laminates of the present invention can be made, for example, of a thermochromic layer that comprises at least one electron-donating phenolic compound, and that is enclosed in microcapsules. Moreover, the thermochromic layers of the present laminates can be provided in colors, which are coordinated to the esthetic appearance of the underlying structure, or to the local environment. Preferably, the thermochromic layer is provided in a color that optimizes the amount of thermal energy absorptivity in a given application of the laminate.

Thermochromic laminates and methods for controlling the temperature of a structure


A method for executing a target program that includes opening, in response to a request, a door between the source container and the global container, where the source container is controlled by the global container and the request specifies a target program. The method further includes sending the request to an access module located in the global container using the door, verifying that the request can be executed in a target container using a policy definition, where the target program is in the target container and the target container is controlled by the global container, logging in to the target container after the request has been verified, initiating a gateway within the target container in response to the login, setting an execution context of the gateway based on the policy definition, and executing the target program by the gateway, using the execution context, to generate a response to the request.

In today's information age, security and administrative policies are used to control access to information. Conventional security mechanisms associate access permissions based on permission or confidentiality levels. For example, a security mechanism may include three hierarchical confidentiality levels: public, confidential, and top secret. Each application and piece of information is classified using one of the confidentiality levels. Further, each user is associated with a permission or clearance level, e.g., confidential.
With the permission level, the user is allowed to access information and/or programs classified at the same permission level as her permission level. Further, the user is allowed to access information and/or programs at a permission level(s) below her current permission level. For example, a user with a permission level of confidential may access information and/or programs classified as public. However, the user is not able to access information or programs classified as top secret. If the permission levels are tied to clearance levels, the user is allowed to access information at one of the levels of information that is of the same level or a hierarchically lower level. The user is not able to access information that is higher in the hierarchy of sensitivity levels. Further, the user is not able to access information that is in a different hierarchy altogether. Further, it is typically difficult to manage communications between containers in a granular fashion.

Method and system for controlling inter-zone communication


A method of dynamic positioning of a vessel (16, 32), wherein a positioning system controls at least one positioning machinery (18), and where two or more buoys (1), each comprising at least one positioning machinery (18), are coupled to the vessel (16, 32).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention regards a method of dynamic positioning of a vessel. More particularly, it regards a method that involves two or more floating buoys being coupled to a vessel by means of buoyancy, wherein the buoys are provided with positioning machinery. The buoys form part of a dynamic positioning system and are preferably provided with energy from a generator placed on the vessel.
2. Description of Related Art
When operating in relatively shallow waters offshore it is customary to use anchor based mooring methods. Anchor systems of this type reveal substantial flaws when it comes to anchoring a vessel at greater depths. The main reason for this is that the length of chain or steel cable required causes a weight-induced strain on the mooring that takes up a considerable share of the tensile strength of the mooring.
Thus it has become more and more common to equip vessels operating in deep waters with so-called dynamic positioning. Vessels such as drilling vessels, supply vessels, accommodation vessels or cargo vessels are to an increasing extent being equipped with this kind of equipment.
In addition to navigation and control systems, a dynamic positioning system also includes positioning machinery. It is essential that the vessel be equipped with positioning machinery that is arranged to exert a pushing force in at least two directions and in two positions on the vessel. Positioning machinery of this type typically includes several positioning thrusters that are generally arranged for rotation in the horizontal plane, so as to allow them to exert a pushing force in any horizontal direction.
For vessels originally built to use conventional anchor system, the conversion required to allow them to use dynamic positioning has proven to be a relatively complex and costly process.

Method of dynamic positioning of a vessel


A number of improved excess flow valves are disclosed wherein the flow around a magnet holding portion of the valve body is generally unrestricted to reduce the pressure drop across the valve. The valve is preferably also formed separately from its valve seat to reduce the complexity of the valve, and allow it to have less resistance to flow. The valve seat may be provided as a separate part, or may be provided in the conduit.

This invention relates to excess flow valves for controlling flow through a conduit wherein the valve minimizes the pressure drop through the valve and also reduces the number of parts typically required.
Excess flow valves are utilized to limit the amount of fluid flow through a conduit. Generally, some way of holding the valve in a generally open position maintains the valve in an open position allowing flow through the conduit if the volume flow through the conduit is below predetermined limit. If the volume flow increases above the limit, or stated another way, if the pressure drop across the valve exceeds a certain value, then the valve is moved to a closed position restricting flow through the conduit.
One type of excess flow valve uses a magnet to hold the valve at a generally opened position. The typical prior art magnetic excess flow valve has been incorporated into a capsule, wherein the entire structure for providing a valve seat, a valve guide, and a magnet holder are all incorporated as a single capsule item.
Inevitably, the prior art has resulted in undesirably high pressure drop across the valve due to the high number of parts received in the flow path in this prior art type valve.
In addition, the prior art valves have had non-symmetric structure such that inadvertent resistance to flow has resulted due to variations in the orientation of the various valve components. This is undesirable.
In disclosed embodiments of this invention, a simplified excess flow valve is provided which results in a relatively small pressure drop across the valve assembly. This is achieved by reducing the number of parts, and eliminating restriction to flow through the conduit due to the valve assembly to the extent possible when the valve is open. In preferred embodiments, a first body portion incorporating a valve guide and a magnet holder is separate from the valve seat. In some embodiments the valve seat may be provided by a separate valve seat, and in other embodiments the valve seat is provided by a surface in one of the conduit halves.
In the second type of inventive embodiments, the valve is preferably mounted at a connection between two conduit portions, such that the valve seat may be provided at one of those two conduit portions. Moreover, there is less structure at the outer periphery of the valve to disrupt or otherwise provide a restriction to flow. Generally, the excess flow valves allow flow around the outer periphery of the valves when the valve is in its open position. The prior art has had structure in the way of the flow, which results in undesirably high pressure drop. The present invention incorporates its valve guiding function with a plurality of circumferentially spaced legs extending radially inwardly from a radially outer portion. This structure presents less of a restriction to flow than the prior art, which generally extends it along the entire circumference of the valve. With the present invention there is thus less disruption or other resistance to flow.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.


A method edits a property value of a model object for a large-scale capital project. The method displays a 3D model of the large-scale capital project in a graphical user interface. The 3D model has a plurality of model objects. The method selects one or more model objects in the graphical user interface, thereby defining one or more selected model objects. The method also selects one or more properties of the selected model object to view in a graphical overlay, thereby defining one or more selected properties. The method also generates a graphical overlay adjacent to or over each of the one or more selected model objects. The graphical overlay includes values for the one or more selected properties. The method modifies a value of the one or more selected properties in the graphical overlay, thereby defining a modified property value.

Design, construction, and management of large-scale building and civil infrastructure capital projects, such as plants, ships, offshore platforms and mines. Large-scale capital projects, require coordination of processes and configuration data on a scale that is orders of magnitude greater than those of smaller, common projects (e.g., building and selling a ten room house). Large-scale capital projects consequently often require a substantially more comprehensive production and management solution.
In response to this need, those skilled in the art have developed comprehensive building and civil infrastructure design programs that are specially configured for the rigors of such large capital projects. Among other things, this type of building and civil infrastructure design program can be implemented as a broad application suite that manages most or all phases of a large-scale capital project, from initial conception, to design, construction, handover, maintenance, management, and decommissioning.

Floating editable graphical overlay including 3D model object properties


Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes: forming a removal layer over a base (support base); forming an interconnect layer over the removal layer; mounting semiconductor chip(s) over the interconnect layer; and separating the base from the interconnect layer while inducing the separation so as to originate from the removal layer, by irradiating a laser having a wavelength transparent with respect to the support base from the back side thereof, selectively to an unmounted region having no semiconductor chip(s) mounted thereon.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, having a step of separating semiconductor device(s) formed over a base, from the base.
2. Related Art
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-125929 describes a method of separation which includes a step of forming an object-to-be-separated over a transparent substrate, while placing a light absorption layer (amorphous silicon layer, for example) in between, and a step of irradiating a laser light from the back side of the substrate over the entire region right under the object-to-be-separated. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-125929 describes that the object-to-be-separated may be separated from the substrate, because the laser irradiation induces a phase change in the light absorption layer.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-35825 describes a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, providing a heat-decomposable removal layer between a support substrate and a seed metal layer of a semiconductor device, and heating and decomposing the removal layer to thereby separate the seed metal layer of the semiconductor device from the support substrate. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-35825 describes that only the removal layer may be heated using a certain wavelength of laser light capable of transmitting through the support substrate but incapable of transmitting through the removal layer.
There are, however, some room for improvement in the conventional techniques described in these literatures, in the following aspects.
The technique of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-125929 has been anticipated for damages possibly given to the object-to-be-separated, because the laser is irradiated over the entire region right under the object-to-be-separated. The technique of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-125929 also adopts an intermediate layer including a metal reflective layer, provided over the light absorption layer, so as to suppress the laser transmission and thereby suppress the damage. Addition of this sort of component, however, complicates the process and increases the cost of manufacturing.
Another problem is that the irradiation over the entire region right under the object-to-be-separated using the laser having only a very small beam spot worsens the throughput, remained for further improvement.
The technique of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-35825 has a room for improvement in the aspects below.
First, when the laser was directly irradiated to a semiconductor chip contained in the semiconductor device, polyimide used for an interlayer insulator between interconnects, or to the removal layer right under the via plug, these components may be adversely affected by abrasion or generated heat. In particular, the via plug formed so as to penetrate the interconnect layer has a large heat conductivity. The heat may, therefore, conduct therethrough to reach an encapsulation resin, to thereby degrade the reliability of a package.
Second, irradiation of laser having a very small beam spot over the entire surface of the support substrate has been worsening a throughput, and has been remained for further improvement.

Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device


A portable communication apparatus includes a first unit having at least a display section and a second unit having at least a main operation section, which are coupled by a slide coupling and are freely slidable in a longitudinal direction between a retracted state and an extended state. The first unit and the second unit are urged by an urging member in an extension direction and are releasably locked by a releasable lock mechanism in the retracted state. The locking is released by a predetermined operation. An optical aperture for optical function is provided in one of surfaces of the first and second units that face one another in the retracted state. The optical function section is made operable when the first and second units are positioned in the extended state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable communication apparatus such as a portable telephone, and more particularly, to a portable communication apparatus having a slide-type structure provided with unprecedented functions to improve the convenience in use.
2. Description of the Related Art
In addition to a straight-type portable telephone apparatus, foldable or slidable structures have been employed to meet the needs for miniaturization. The foldable structure allows two units of a main body to be folded by a connecting member rotatably connecting the two units. The slidable structure is provided with a main housing (first unit) and a movable housing (second unit), which is mounted with a part of functions and is coupled with the main housing so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction. Such a structure allows the two units to be retracted with overlapping one another when carried and to be extended by sliding them in the longitudinal direction when communicating or the like.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-91015 discloses a small-size portable radio apparatus, which comprises a housing that has a transmitter, a key operation section and a display section and has a recess portion formed extending in the longitudinal direction, and a movable housing that is equipped with a receiver and incorporated into the recess portion so as to be freely slidable. When being out of use, the movable housing can be inserted into the recess portion to compact the entire; and the movable housing can be pulled out to a desired length to be used.
Also, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-312631 discloses a portable radio apparatus, which comprises a first housing having at least a receiver and a display section, and a second housing, which is accommodated within the first housing so as to be freely slidable and rotatable with respect to the first housing and is provided with an operation section and a transmitter on the front surface thereof. By sliding and rotating the second housing to be accommodated into the first housing, two states are realized: a state that operation and speech communication are available; and a state that the operation face is protected with facing in.
Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-24762, a portable telephone apparatus is composed of a main body thereof having a display section provided on one side thereof, and a keypad having operation buttons provided on its surface, which is slidable to cover the display section of the main body therewith. When the main body accommodates the keypad, a part of the display section is exposed from the keypad. When the keypad is slid downward, the entire screen of the display section is exposed. The keypad slides up and down along guide rails provided at both right and left sides of the main body. In the portable telephone apparatus, it is possible to enlarge the displayable screen without injuring the portability and the operability to achieve the displaying of a large amount of information such as mail and data. In the accommodation state, information necessary for audio communication is displayed, and by exposing the entire screen, it is possible to read character information such as mail.
In addition, many slide-type structures, which are adapted so that a movable housing is accommodated within a main housing, have been known. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-271192, a portable phone terminal has been disclosed, in which an operation panel portion having a microphone and a group of dial operation keys can slide into the main body having a speaker and a display. In this portable phone terminal, when being accommodated in the main body, the operation panel section is covered with the main body and therefore cannot be used, preventing it from operating errors. Also, in a slide-type portable terminal of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-205476, a main body can be accommodated into the inside of a slidable housing.
In those conventional portable telephone apparatuses, it is necessary to slide two portions into an extended state using both hands to carry out speech communication, resulting in room for improvement of the convenience in use.
In recent years, the portable telephone set has become to be used not only just for speech communication, but also as a portable information terminal having additional functions such as a browser for the Internet or the like, an E-mail transmission/reception and schedule control. Accordingly, since the contents to be displayed include a lot of character information, images and the like, it is desired that the display device is large in size.
Further, a portable telephone having an optical function has been also provided according to the trend of multi-function and high performance. For example,it is mounted with an electronic camera for capturing image data. Furthermore, a portable telephone mounted with a fingerprint recognition system has been provided so that only authorized users can operate the portable telephone itself or identification of a caller can be verified. Such an optical function has an optical aperture section exposed to the outside and any dirt or flaw may prevent it from functioning normally.

Slide-type portable communication apparatus


A digital control device for a parallel PMOS transistor board, includes: an operative memory for digitally storing error data between a target voltage and a setpoint voltage as well as control data, each datum being provided with a time marker, a digital selected order filter (36) for computing setpoint incrementation data from error data in the operative memory selected based on input error data, and for storing the input error data with a corresponding time marker in the operative memory, and a control computer (38) for computing new control data from the control incrementation data and control data in the operative memory selected based on input error data and for storing the new control data in the operative memory.

The field of electronics and components related thereto has experienced particular growth.
Initially, integrated circuits were large, and were made up of larger or smaller chips or processors grouped together on printed cards.
Progress in miniaturization has made it possible to move towards chips the size of a microprocessor containing various parts, or "IP."
These integrated circuits are commonly called "System on Chip," or SoC. One particular SoC design, "Network on Chip" (NoC), provides the same advantages, with better IP and communication management within the chip.
These integrated circuits are particularly interesting because they make it possible, in a very reduced size, to contain a set of extremely varied functionalities.
Furthermore, placing all of the elements of the circuit on a single chip reduces the system's consumption.
The power for these extremely miniaturized circuits is the origin of many problems. In fact, given the etching fineness of these chips, there is no longer any question of using standard power systems.
One solution for controlling the voltage of these circuits is the use of boards of digitally controlled parallel PMOS transistors.
In this way, depending on the number of transistors activated, the resistance of the board varies, and with it the voltage supplied to the device downstream.
The command logic for these boards has remained rudimentary to date, primarily with linear slope ramp methods, commonly called thermometers.
This results in slow voltage transitions. These slow transitions also create significant energy dissipations.
The invention aims to improve this situation.

Digital control device for a parallel PMOS transistor board

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (C.N.R.S)


Optoelectronic devices (e.g., optical proximity sensors), methods for fabricating optoelectronic devices, and systems including optoelectronic devices, are described herein. An optoelectronic device includes a light detector die that includes a light detector sensor area. A light source die is attached to a portion of the light detector die that does not include the light detector sensor area. An opaque barrier is formed between the light detector sensor area and the light source die, and a light transmissive material encapsulates the light detector sensor area and the light source die. Rather than requiring a separate base substrate (e.g., a PCB substrate) to which are connected a light source die and a light detector die, the light source die is connected to the light detector die, such that the light detector die acts as the base for the finished optoelectronic device. This provides for cost reductions and reduces the total package footprint.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary prior art optical proximity sensor 102 that includes a cover lid 122, which is shown as being removed. The sensor 102 includes a light source die 104 and a light detector die 106 spaced apart from on another and attached to a base substrate 108 (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). The light source die 104 is encapsulated in a clear epoxy 114, and the light detector die 106 is separately encapsulated in a clear epoxy 116. There is a gap 112 between the clear epoxy 116 encasing the light detector die 106 and the clear epoxy 118 encasing the light source die 104, wherein the gap 112 accepts a crosstalk barrier 132 (that is part of the cover lid 122) when the cover lid 122 is attached to the substrate 108. The cover 122, which is likely made of metal, includes a window 124 for the light source die 104 and separate window 126 for the light detector die 126. The opaque crosstalk barrier 132 (integrally formed with or attached to the cover lid 122) is used to optically isolate the light source die 104 from the light detector die 106.
As can be appreciated from the exemplary prior art optical proximity sensor 102 described with reference to FIG. 1, current packaging of optical proximity sensors involve many components and many process steps, which increase the bill of materials, escalate manufacturing costs, increase cycle times, and incur high yield losses.

Wafer level optical proximity sensors and systems including wafer level optical proximity sensors


An image formation apparatus comprises an image bearing member, developing means for developing by use of toner the electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member, transfer charging means for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member to a transfer material in the transfer position, and separation means for de-electrifying the transfer material for separating the transfer material from the image bearing member. Then, after the toner image formed on the transfer material for the first time is fixed, the toner image is formed on the same transfer material for the second time. For this apparatus, modifying means is further provided for modifying the development conditions of the first toner image and the second toner image formed on the transfer material, and modifying the adhesive amount of fogging toner adhering to the image background of the toner image on the image bearing member. With the structure thus arranged, it is made possible to prevent the defective separation and re-transfer, and at the same time, to reduce the development fog as much as possible for a significant enhancement of image formation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image formation apparatus, such as a copying machine, or a laser beam printer. More particularly, the invention relates to an image formation apparatus provided with developing means for developing, by use of developer, the electrostatic images which are formed on an image bearing member, and also, provided with separation means for separating a transfer material from the image bearing member.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, for an image formation apparatus it has been the practice to form electrostatic latent images on the surface of an image bearing member which is charged uniformly by use of primary charging means, with the image exposure given to them corresponding to the image information; to develop the electrostatic images by developing means into the toner images; and to charge a transfer material which is arranged to be closely in contact with the toner images on the surface of the image bearing member, hence transferring the toner images to the transfer material. After that, by use of separation means, the charge applied to the transfer means is partly removed to separate the transfer material from the image bearing member, and then, by use of fixation means, the toner images on the transfer material are fixed. In this way, images are output.
FIG. 7 is a view which schematically shows one example of the conventional image formation apparatus described above. The surface of an image bearing member (photosensitive device) 10 is charged uniformly by a means of the primary charger 11 which is formed by corona charging device. Then, the image exposure 12 is given in accordance with the image information by use of the laser scanner or some other image exposure device (not shown). Thus, the electrostatic latent images are formed on the surface of image bearing member 10 corresponding to the image information. The image exposure 12 is of the type that light is irradiated to the darker (black) portion of the images. The electrostatic latent images formed on the surface of the image bearing member 10 are developed into the toner images by use of the development device 13. In the development device 13, the developer that contains at least toner in it, and with the rotations of an agitator (not shown), a developer bearing member 131 that conveys toner to the surface of the toner image bearing member 10. The toner is then charged to a specific polarity by means of friction charging.
Here, the timing roller 14 and the transfer guide 15 form transfer material conveying means. Then, the transfer material 25, which has been fed by a feeding device (not shown), is conveyed to the surface of the image bearing member 10 to be closely in contact with it by use of the timing roller 14 and the transfer guide 15 in synchronism with the toner images on the surface of the image bearing member 10. After that, the transfer device 16, which is formed by the corona charger, gives to the back face of the transfer material 25 the charge having the reverse polarity of the toner. Thus, by the electrostatic force, the toner images on the surface of the image bearing member 10 are transferred to the transfer material 25.
Subsequent to the transfer process, the transfer material 25 is adsorbed electrostatically to the surface of the image bearing member 10 due to the charge given to the back face thereof. Therefore, by use of the separation device 17, the charge, which is provided in the transfer process, is partly removed to reduce the adsorption between the transfer material 25 and the image bearing member 10 in order to separate the transfer material 25 from the image bearing member 10 by the utilization of the elasticity of the transfer material 25. The separation device 17 is the corona charger that gives the charge having the reverse polarity of the charge given by the transfer device 16 or the one to which AC current is superposed. After a transfer process of the kind, the charge given to the back face of the transfer material is removed to weaken the electrostatic adsorption force between the image bearing member and the transfer material. Then, the transfer material is separated by means of the elasticity of the transfer material. This method is called "the electrostatic separation".
The transfer material 25 thus separated from the image bearing member 10, while holding the toner images, is conveyed to the fixation device 21 by use of the conveying device 20. The toner images on the transfer material 25 are fixed to it by use of the fixation device 21. For the fixation device 21, it is generally practiced to adopt a thermal fixation device which thermally fuses the toner whose main component is resin, and causes it to adhere to the transfer material. The transfer material having the toner images thus transferred to it is exhausted by use of the exhaust roller.
In this respect, if the double-face or multiple transfer should be performed, the transfer material is retained in an intermediate tray in the apparatus, and after that, it is again fed and conveyed to the transfer device for the transfer of the toner images to the transfer material which is separated by use of the separation device 17. It is then exhausted outside the apparatus after the fixation has been made by the fixation device 21.
On the other hand, the cleaning device 18 cleans and removes the slightly remaining toner on the surface of the image bearing member 10 after the toner images have been transferred to the transfer material 25. Then, the electrostatic latent images are removed by means of pre-exposure light 19. In this manner, the next image formation cycle will be performed.
However, there are drawbacks given below as to the conventional art described above. In other words, after the researches and studies made by the inventor hereof, it is found that for the following reasons there are some cases where the stable performance of separation cannot be obtained if the transfer material should be separated by use of the electrostatic separation method subsequent to the transfer process.
Firstly, there is a case where the separation performance becomes unstable due to the difference in the elastic properties (rigidity) of transfer materials. For example, by the changes of moisture content in the transfer material, the elasticity thereof changes accordingly. Therefore, if the image formation apparatus is used under a highly humid environment, the moisture content of the transfer material is increased to make its elasticity smaller. In this case, the separation errors may take place. Also, if the kinds of transfer material differ in the thickness thereof or the like, the separation performance may be affected to vary in some cases.
Secondly, a transfer material exhausted from the fixation device is curled by the application of heat, and if the curling is directed so that it is wound around the image bearing member in case of a multiple transfer, the defective separation or re-transfer may take place in some cases.
Thirdly, the separation capability changes depending on the print ratio of images on the head portion of the transfer material that should be conveyed, and if the print ratio on such portion is low, the defective separation tends to take place. In other words, if there is toner between the transfer material and the image bearing member, a gap may take place to weaken the close contactness between them, hence the separation becoming easier. On the other hand, if there is no toner, the gap between the transfer material and the image bearing member becomes extremely small, thus creating a condition that makes the separation extremely difficult.
Also, the print ratio on the leading end and the trailing end of the transfer material may exert a significant influence on curling. In other words, if an image having a higher print ratio is present on the leading end and trailing end of the first face, the curling becomes greater, and the print ratio of the first face exerts influence on the separation capability of the second face eventually.
Fourthly, there is a case where the separation capability changes greatly even for the same white images depending on the variation of the amount of toner adhesion which may be present slightly on the white background (background portion) of such image (hereinafter, referred to as "fogging toner"). Although the toner amount is small, the fogging toner has a great effect on the electrostatic adsorption to be effectuated between the image bearing member and the transfer material after the transfer process.
For example, if the image formation apparatus is not in use for a long time at night or over the week end, the charge that has been given to the toner in the development device by the friction charging is attenuated. As a result, the development device does not regain sufficient developing characteristics for a while after the image formation apparatus is used again after it has been at rest for a long time. The amount of fogging toner is also made smaller accordingly. In other words, the defective separation may take place more often when the image formation apparatus is used after a long rest.
In order to eliminate the drawbacks described above, there has been adopted conventionally a method whereby the de-electrifying capability of the separation device is made larger to deal with the case that the elasticity of a transfer material is small or the amount of the fogging toner adhesion is small. This conventional method, however, has the drawbacks given below.
If the de-electrifying capability of the separation device is made larger, the electric charge given to the back face of the transfer material (the charge having the reverse polarity of the toner image) is reduced. As a result, the electrostatic adsorption between the transfer material and the surface of the image bearing member is weakened accordingly. Therefore, although the separation of the transfer material becomes possible, the holding power of the charge given to the back face of the transfer material is reduced. Then, there occurs the phenomenon that the toner image once transferred to the transfer material is again attracted and taken away to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image bearing member when the transfer material is separated from the surface of the image bearing member. Such phenomenon as this is referred to as "re-transfer". If the re-transfer takes place, the density of the output image is made extremely lower, and the image quality is also degraded significantly.


A device and method for assisting a user to articulate a limb. The device has an upper section, a lower section, and at least one joint between the upper and lower section. The device comprises an exoskeleton with a first cuff coupled to the lower section of the user's limb, a second cuff coupled to the upper section of the user's limb and a third cuff coupled to a portion of the user's body above the upper section of the limb. At least one cable is attached to the first cuff and at least one cable is attached to the second cuff. A series of drivers located remotely from the exoskeleton are attached to cables and are connected to a processor. The processor transmits signals to the drivers to vary the lengths of the cables to guide articulation of the user's limb.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death among adults in the US and the leading cause of disability. The ability to use the wrist and hand to orient and grasp objects is at most risk in moderately impaired individuals such as those suffering the after effects of a stroke. To effectively use the impaired wrist and hand functionally, persons need the ability to position and stabilize the hand at appropriate spatial locations. This ability may be greatly impaired in a person who has suffered a stroke.
One important question that has not been addressed systematically in this population is how much of their inability to use the wrist and hand functionally is contributed by the inability to properly control and stabilize the arm posture versus specific difficulty in coordinating the wrist and hand muscles. If poor control of the arm posture has consequences for wrist and hand control, then the training of wrist/hand function should be facilitated by an intervention that assists with arm postural control.
Over the past several years, arm training devices have been developed to assist in rehabilitating patients who have suffered loss of arm movement, such as due to an injury or stroke. One such device is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/568,541, titled "UPPER ARM WEARABLE EXOSKELETON," filed Sep. 26, 2009, incorporated herein by reference. Many prior devices, including the device described in the above-referenced patent application, have been limited in their capabilities due to their weight. For example, in one embodiment of the device described in the above-referenced patent application, a plurality of cables are driven by motors mounted to a shoulder cuff worn by the patient. The weight of the motors mounted to the shoulder cuff may add significant weight to a device for use with a patient who may already be in a somewhat weakened state. Accordingly, there exists a need to develop a device to assist and train arm movements of stroke survivors or subjects with weak musculature that can be worn by the user as an exoskeleton without providing a cumbersome amount of weight that will hinder the user's movement and rehabilitation process.

Wearable cable-driven exoskeleton for functional arm training

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York


A system and method for online creation and integration of service of process functions is provided, for use in conjunction with paper or electronic filing of court papers. By logging on to a web page, the user can access a rules and decision matrix database providing the rules and requirements for process service by jurisdiction and type. Such rules can be incorporated into process requests using online tools and document management software. Once entered, the requests are compiled in a database, and a system controller coordinates with affiliated process servers to procure process service in the desired jurisdiction.

Current (or traditional) legal process service is basically a manual labor-intensive operation based upon service of paper, where the method of service has remained largely unchanged for many years. When lawyers or parties initiate litigation, they generate a series of papers, take the papers to the appropriate courthouse, and file the papers with the court clerk. Once officially received and docketed, the papers are then physically delivered or "served" on any person or corporation named as a defendant or respondent in the legal action. This service is accomplished in accordance with extensive rules and rocedures governing matters of how and who can serve process by mail, courier delivery, telecopy, or through a face-to-face presentation by a process server. In the case of corporations, enforceable legal documents, notices, garnishments, and writs are normally served on persons such as registered corporate agents. Process servers, marshals, constables, and sheriffs also serve subpoenas on witnesses, some of whom are not party to the legal proceeding.
Service of process is a critical action that gives a court jurisdiction over the named party or parties required to be involved with the legal proceeding. However, the current system is time consuming and expensive, due to multiple duplicated steps, inefficient workflows, and the requirement of hand delivery of papers. When service must be effected in a different geographical jurisdiction, further costs can be incurred. For example, a local process server who handles process "requests" in a particular way and using particular hardware and/or software must transfer the requests to another process server operating within the jurisdiction in which the papers are to be served. The second process server does not necessarily use the same hardware/software to process service requests as the first process server. Because there is little standardization in the industry, requests are usually transferred between process servers by transferring the requests on paper (hard copy). Thus, the first process server must physically enter a process request using the hardware/software of their system, and then arrange to transfer the request to a second process server, who then reenters the data into their hardware/software. These hardware/software systems often include proprietary features, thereby preventing integration among different process servers. The above-described system of transferring paper between process servers is cumbersome and expensive.
It would be desirable to provide a system and method for procuring service of process through an online, integrated approach capable of operating across jurisdictional boundaries. Further, it would be desirable to provide the user with access to a set of tools that permit authoring of appropriate service requests usable in other jurisdictions by, e.g., by providing customizable process requests that take into account the relevant rules, regulations, and practices in a given jurisdiction. Further, it would be desirable to use such a system in conjunction with electronic court filings (e-filings), both public and governmental.

Electronic service of process system and method for carrying out service of court papers


In one example, a server obtains, from a device having an embedded Subscriber Identification Module (eSIM), a unique identifier of the eSIM. The server validates the device based on the unique identifier of the eSIM. The server provides, to the device, a unique credential for a profile of the eSIM. The profile of the eSIM corresponds to a network of an enterprise. The server provides, to a credential database, the unique credential for the profile of the eSIM. The credential database including the unique credential for the profile of the eSIM indicates that the device is permitted to access the network of the enterprise.

An enterprise network (e.g., a Wi-Fi® enterprise network) can be accessed by various types of devices, including headed and headless devices. Headed devices include devices with a User Interface (UI), such as smartphones or laptops. Headed devices are typically used by employees and/or guests to access the enterprise network. Headless devices include devices without a UI, such as Internet of Things devices (e.g., temperature sensors). When a headed or headless device attempts to gain access to an enterprise network for the first time, that device often undergoes the process of network onboarding. Once a device has been successfully onboarded, subsequent attempts to gain access to the enterprise network can be automated.

Onboarding device using embedded subscriber identification module