In one aspect the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device. A layer of silicon dioxide is formed on a silicon carbide substrate and nitrogen is incorporated at the silicon dioxide/silicon carbide interface. In one embodiment, nitrogen is incorporated by annealing the semiconductor device in nitric oxide or nitrous oxide. In another embodiment, nitrogen is incorporated by annealing the semiconductor device in ammonia.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to silicon carbide semiconductor devices and methods for their construction. More specifically, the instant invention relates to silicon carbide semiconductor devices with a layer of silicon dioxide disposed on a silicon carbide substrate that have a region of substantial nitrogen concentration at the silicon dioxide-silicon carbide interface.
2. Description of the Related Art
Presently, the silicon (Si) metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) is the most commonly manufactured transistor in the world. Silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETS are currently being developed because of superior material properties that provide high power generation, conditioning, transmission and the ability to operate at higher temperatures.
Like Si, SiC thermally oxidizes to form SiO2. However, the oxidation kinetics and oxide interface of SiC are poorly understood in comparison to Si. The oxidation rate of SiC is lower than Si by more than a factor of 10. Furthermore, the quality of the SiO2/SiC interface is also inferior to the SiO2/Si interface. This problem causes low channel mobilities in SiC MOSFETS due to the density of interface states that exists in the band gap near the conduction band edge. Refinements in cleaning and oxidation techniques have improved the interface quality of SiO2/SiC, but producing reliable devices will require additional improvements.
Oxynitride films on Si have superior device reliability, better dopant diffusion resistance and higher dielectric quality than pure oxide films. Methods for manufacturing oxynitride films on Si include annealing SiO2/Si in N2O or NO, with NO believed to be the species responsible for nitrogen incorporation. Nitrogen is typically incorporated near the SiO2/Si interface at concentrations of about 1015 cm−2, although the actual profile is a complicated function of the gaseous species and the temperature cycle. The atomic process for nitrogen incorporation appears to involve NO interstitial diffusion through the oxide to the SiO2/Si interface where a reaction takes place that forms an oxynitride film.
Initial studies of oxynitride films on 6H—SiC have shown a small improvement in MOS interface quality after NO anneal (reduction of the interface state and fixed charge densities takes place) but inferior MOS interface quality after N2O anneal. These results are surprising considering that nitrogen incorporation at the SiO2/Si interface does not decrease the interface trap density. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), reveals that NO anneal incorporates nitrogen near the SiO2/4H—SiC interface.
Thus, there exists a need for a method that reduces interface trap density near the conduction band edge at the SiO2/SiC interface. By increasing channel mobility, such a method would facilitate the manufacture of high quality SiC MOSFET devices.

Inclusion of nitrogen at the silicon dioxide-silicon carbide interface for passivation of interface defects


Conventionally, when an adherend is nickel or the like, it has been difficult to realize an electroconductive adhesive that lowers connection resistance in various kinds of thermocurable curing resins. However, it is possible to provide an electroconductive adhesive, in the case where the adherend is nickel or the like, which reduces connection resistance in various kinds of thermocurable curing resins while simultaneously maintaining storage stability to have good handleability. The present description provides a thermocurable electroconductive adhesive including the following components (A) to (D): Component (A): a curable resin, Component (B): a thermal curing agent that cures Component (A), Component (C): an organometallic complex, and Component (D): electroconductive particles.

Conventionally, it is known that an electroconductive paste including copper powder added thereto is added with a reducing agent, but the purpose of adding the reducing agent is to prevent oxidation of copper powder and suppress deterioration of conductivity. Meanwhile, the invention described in JP 2009-70724 A is an electroconductive paste using copper powder including a metal complex and a reducing agent. In the present invention, conductivity is improved by reducing the metal complex to generate fine metal particles. However, only the conductivity of a coating film itself of the electroconductive paste is improved, and an influence on an adherend such as an electrode, is not considered.
An electroconductive adhesive is a material for connecting two adherends. Therefore, circuit resistance is composed of a resistance value of the adherend, a connection resistance value at an interface between the adherend and the electroconductive adhesive, and a resistance value of the electroconductive adhesive. It is known that as the circuit resistance value is lower, the connection resistance value affects the circuit resistance. In particular, passivation is formed on a surface of a metal such as nickel, and the connection resistance value tends to be high. In order to reduce the connection resistance value, the invention of JP 2000-133043 A has been found. However, as electroconductive particles, nickel powder is included as an essential component, and thus a resistance value of the electroconductive adhesive tends to increase.


A display device includes a housing, a screen connected to the housing and being configured to display data in grey-scale on a first portion of the screen, and at least one light source connected to the housing. The light source is configured to project color content on a second portion of the screen. The screen may be flexible and/or rollable on a roller included in the housing. The screen may be electrophoretic and/or reflective. The display device may also include optics or a light guide-to-guide light from the light source to the screen. Further, optics may be provided to detect light reflected from the screen and direct more light to portions of the screen having reduced illumination.

Typically transmissive displays are illuminated with a backlighting system where light from the backlighting source passes through the transmissive display towards a viewer. Reflective displays cannot use a conventional backlighting system due to blockage of the backlight by the non-transmissive (i.e., reflective) display. Therefore, front-lighting systems have been developed for reflective displays. These front-lighting systems include a light source at the edge of the reflective display and a light-guiding system with a light guide on top of the display, for example. The light guide has out-coupling structures on its surface for coupling the light out towards the reflective display. This way, the light is evenly spread over the complete display area and reflected towards the viewer.
Performance of front-lighting systems for reflective displays is poor compared to back-lighting systems for transmissive displays due to contrast degradation by unwanted out-coupling of light directly towards the viewer, instead of being reflected first from the reflective display, for example.
For reflective liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which are currently the dominant display technology, a good alternative for the currently used front-lighting systems is not available. One reason is because the light has to be coupled into the reflective LCD at an almost perpendicular angle to the display surface. Otherwise, grey level shifts occur due to viewing angle problems that are inherent to LCD effects.
For electrophoretic displays, the situation is different. The display effects of electrophoretic displays do not have the viewing angle problems associated with LCD displays. Rather, the electrophoretic displays are almost perfect (Lambertian) diffuse scatterers of light. Therefore, the front-light does not have to be coupled into the electrophoretic display at a perpendicular angle to the display surface. This opens new ways of making a good front-lighting system for electrophoretic displays that may be flexible displays. Conventional electrophoretic cells are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,906,851 to Yuasa, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0179852 to Kawai, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Flexible displays including rollable or wrappable displays are expected to become more commonplace. Wrappable or rollable displays may be manufactured using a variety of display elements, e.g. LCD elements or Organic Light. Emitting Display (OLED) elements, deposited on or sandwiched between flexible substrates, e.g. polymer substrates. Light emitting polymers offer various advantages such as excellent viewing angle and contrast, as well as low power consumption.

Front lighting for rollable or wrappable display devices


A grease receiving and holding system includes a sink that has a peripheral flange having an opening extending therethrough. A housing is mounted below a plane of the peripheral flange. The housing has a bottom wall, a top wall and a peripheral wall extending between and is attached to the top and bottom walls. A pipe has a first end and a second end. The first end is fluidly coupled to the housing. A funnel is fluidly attached to the second end of the pipe. The funnel has an upper edge that has a diameter that is substantially equal to a diameter of the opening. A peripheral lip is attached to and extends around the upper edge. The peripheral lip is abuttable against the flange when the funnel is positioned in the opening. Grease may be poured down the funnel and into the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to grease holding devices and more particularly pertains to a new grease holding device for holding and storing used grease until its disposal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of grease holding devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,820 describes a grease holding container that is fluidly coupled to a frying tub. Another such device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,097. A similar device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,277 which describes a grease trap for separating water and grease. U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,137 shows a device that uses a funnel for catching grease floating on an upper surface of water positioned in a sink. The funnel is fluidly coupled to a container for storing the grease skimmed off of the water. The grease may then be disposed of as desired.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that may be used for holding and storing large amounts of grease, after it has been used for cooling or created as a byproduct of cooking, so that it may be disposed of when convenient and without danger of the grease traveling down a sink drain.


A transdermal drug delivery device involving a macromonomer-containing acrylate or methacrylate copolymer, a softener, and a drug. Also a pressure sensitive skin adhesive involving a macromonomer containing acrylate or methacrylate copolymer and a softener.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to drug containing matrices for use in transdermal drug delivery devices. In another aspect this invention relates to pressure sensitive skin adhesives. In yet another aspect this invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations involving a pressure sensitive skin adhesive layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Transdermal drug delivery devices are designed to deliver a therapeutically effective amount of drug across the skin of a patient. Devices known to the art include reservoir type devices involving membranes that control the rate of drug release to the skin and devices involving a dispersion of the drug in a matrix. Certain acrylic copolymers have been used as matrices for delivery of specific drugs. It is critical in such devices that intimate skin contact be achieved and maintained between the skin and the drug-containing matrix. Thus the range of copolymers that are suitable for use as matrices is limited by the ability of the copolymer to comply to the surface of the skin and still release cleanly from the skin. Moreover, the skin presents a substantial barrier to ingress of foreign substances such as drugs into the body. It is therefore often desirable or necessary to incorporate certain materials that enhance the rate at which the drug passes through the skin.
Certain transdermal drug delivery devices have incorporated pressure sensitive adhesive ("PSA") matrices. Fundamentally, PSA's require a balance of viscous and elastic properties which result in a four-fold balance of adhesion, cohesion, stretchiness, and elasticity. In essence, PSA products have sufficient cohesiveness and elasticity so that, despite their tackiness, they can be handled with the fingers and removed from the skin without leaving substantial residue.


A tandem hammock assembly having a plurality of hammocks coupled to one another by at least two straps, each of the at least two straps being fastened to respective ends of the plurality of hammocks; and at least two elongate bars each having two fastening elements on respective ends, the fastening elements being adapted to detachably fasten to respective ones of the at least two straps and the at least two strap each being adapted to be detachably fixed to a respective anchoring structure.

Hammocks are often used for leisure and as a temporary resting platform by hikers and campers. A single hammock is typically hung between two trees (or other sturdy posts). Single-person and two-person hammocks are available. However, sharing a hammock between two people can be uncomfortable, particularly for an extended amount of time. As such, there is a need for suspending two hammocks in a side-by-side configuration. Such a suspension system would be particularly useful if only two trees in close proximately are available. It would also allow two individuals to remain near one another, without the disadvantages of a two-person hammock.


An apparatus and methods for air filtration are disclosed. The apparatus includes a body and first and second replaceable filters. The body of the apparatus further contains an air-exchange assembly and a filter receiver attached to the air exchange assembly. The air-exchange assembly contains an exhaust tube with an open end and a closed end, two wings on opposite sides of the exhaust tube, and an intake check valve and an exhaust check valve inside the exhaust tube. The first replaceable filter surrounds the filter receiver; and the second replaceable filter is inside the filter receiver. Several apertures and the check valves are strategically disposed in the exhaust tube to achieve optimal air filtration and avoid contamination of a user's exhaust.

People use air filtration apparatuses when exercising and performing other aerobic activities outdoors, especially, when air quality is worrisome. However, a filter suitable for high impact sport activities that can fit comfortably and securely under a helmet is not present in the market.
Most air filtration devices in the market today cannot fit comfortably under any helmet. During high impact activities, it would be desirable to provide a personal air filtration device capable of being fastened securely, and which offers certain protection for a user at the same time. This present invention includes these advantages and enables optimal air filtration in a package dimensioned to fit under various types of helmets worn by different users in different types of environments.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Personal air filtration apparatus and method


An information processing apparatus includes an accepting unit that accepts from a user a command relating to security; a setting unit that makes a setting relating to security of the information processing apparatus based upon the command from the user accepted by the accepting unit; a recording unit that performs the following operation in a case where the accepting unit has accepted a command for changing a security-related setting that has already been made by the setting unit: before the setting unit changes the security-related setting, the recording unit records an event, among events that occur in the information processing apparatus, the content of which will be different between a case where the security-related setting is changed and a case where the security-related setting is not changed; and a notification unit that notifies the user based upon the event that has been recorded by the recording unit.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that enables a user to select one security level from among a plurality thereof, and to a method of setting the security of this information processing apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
In an information processing apparatus [incorporated, for example, in an MFP (multifunction peripheral) or the like], there is a technique whereby various setting items relating to security are provided for the sake of various security measures such as the prevention of leaks of information and unauthorized access from the outside, and operation is changed over in accordance with the particular setting. Further, there is a technique in which a plurality of security-related setting items are capable of being set collectively [for example, see the specification of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-128234 (Document 1)].
However, security-related setting items include items for which it is difficult to judge what the effect will be if a setting is changed. For example, the effect of a network board ON/OFF setting or the like cannot be determined unless the status of use of each board is ascertained in advance. Further, in an apparatus in which it is possible to set a plurality of security setting items collectively merely by setting the security level, there is the possibility that settings will be made collectively without checking the contents of individual settings carefully. This can lead to unexpected situations, such as an in-use host or host application become usable after a setting is changed.

Information processing apparatus and method of setting security thereof


A nonvolatile memory device includes a nonvolatile memory and a controller unit for the nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory and the controller unit include a first logic section and a second logic section, respectively. The nonvolatile memory includes a voltage detector configured to detect a power supply voltage externally supplied to the nonvolatile memory and the controller unit, and an output of the detection is supplied to the first logic section of the nonvolatile memory provided with the voltage detector, and also to the second logic section of the controller unit and/or a logic section of at least one added nonvolatile memory via a buffer amplifier, simultaneously.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile memory device including a nonvolatile memory and a controller unit.
2. Description of Related Art
A NAND flash card is a kind of nonvolatile memory device that enables rewriting, prevents data erasing when the power is turned off and also enables batch erasing. Since NAND flash cards enable downsizing of circuits and thus are suitable for providing large capacity, they have broadly been used as storage devices for digital cameras, portable music players and mobile phones, etc., in recent years.
A NAND flash card includes a NAND flash memory and a controller LSI for the NAND flash memory (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-48777).
The NAND flash memory includes a logic section, an analog section and a memory cell array, and the controller LSI includes a logic section and an analog section.
Here, in the NAND flash memory and the controller LSI, the respective analog sections generate regulator voltages necessary for the respective logic sections, detection signals (reset signals) indicating that an externally-supplied power supply voltage has reached a minimum guaranteed voltage, and operation clocks, and supply the regulator voltages, the detection signal and the operation clocks to the respective logic sections.
Accordingly, the analog section of the NAND flash memory and the analog section of the controller LSI have configurations that provide similar circuit functions (e.g., their respective voltage detecting functions), causing problems in that: the circuit sizes are increased; and also if there is an error in level of detection of a minimum guaranteed voltage between the two voltage detection functions, either the NAND flash memory or the controller LSI will not operate due to such detection error, resulting in the state in which the NAND flash card does not normally operate.


An ignition timing control device for an internal combustion engine includes a retarding portion and a prohibiting portion. The retarding portion retards ignition timing according to a parameter that correlates with temperature inside a combustion chamber. The prohibiting portion prohibits the retarding portion from retarding the ignition timing when alcohol concentration in blended fuel is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The internal combustion engine uses the blended fuel in which an alcohol fuel and a gasoline fuel are blended at arbitrary proportion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an ignition timing control device and an ignition timing control method for an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of Related Art
In the internal combustion engines, knocking is more likely to occur as the temperature in the combustion chamber increases or as the octane number of the fuel decreases. Therefore, in a device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-323224 (JP 06-323224 A), occurrence of knocking is suitably suppressed by retarding the ignition timing according to the octane number of the fuel and the intake air temperature, which is a parameter that correlates with the temperature inside the combustion chamber.
The related-art devices are configured to correct the ignition timing to retard when the intake air temperature is high. That is, the ignition timing is corrected when the intake air temperature is high. Retarding the ignition timing is likely to result in reduced engine output while being able to suppress occurrence of knocking. As a result, for example, fuel economy and drivability are likely to deteriorate.

Ignition timing control device and ignition timing control method for internal combustion engine


An apparatus for concurrent test of a set of flash memory banks apparatus includes a memory data path (MDP) module coupled to a test controller. The MDP module includes a test control module configured to generate a concurrent control signal that configures the set of flash memory banks to be tested simultaneously; and a set of comparators, that generates a first comparator output in response to the concurrent control signal and an input from the set of flash memory banks. A reduction logic is configured to generate a reduction logic output that combines a status of the comparator outputs to be compressed. A control logic is configured for selective programming across different flash bits of the set of flash memory banks. A fail flag is configured to generate one of an output value ‘0’ if there is a mismatch in data read from the set of flash memory banks in any access, and an output value 1 if there is no mismatch in data read in any access.

Flash memory is a non-volatile memory, i.e. flash memory can retain a state even without power supply. Flash memory stores a state based on the changes in the threshold voltage (VT) of a floating gate metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor. Flash test (testing of flash memory) therefore needs to characterize the threshold voltage and associated bit cell current (BCC) of each flash bit in the design. Characterization involves measuring variations or shifts in the threshold voltage (VT) and bit cell current (BCC) due to each of current (I), voltage (V) and temperature (T) stress application. The number of I, V and T stress conditions for the flash bit are many and are required to screen reliability of a floating gate flash bit. Due to this requirement, a large number of read operations need to be performed per search cycle for each stress condition.
Flash access time is much slower compared to an equivalent static random access memory (SRAM) access time requiring higher test time per read iteration. Flash core architecture is different from the SRAM because the operations such as program or erase can require multiple attempts for the bit cell to store data robustly. With development in technology, on chip flash has increased over 4 times in 65 nm CMOS manufacturing process compared to prior technologies causing flash test time to become 80% of device test time. As such, there is a need for a solution that restricts the linear increase in test time with increasing flash size.

Method and apparatus for concurrent test of flash memory cores


In case print operation is performed using only a single ink, a problem arises. If a profile is referred to, it is impossible to use only the single ink. If a profile is not referred to, the color tone differs from that rendered when with respect to the single color, color conversion is carried out referring to a profile. Input image data wherein colors are rendered by the combinations of a plurality of color component values is acquired. Then, the input image data is transformed into output image data wherein colors are rendered by the combinations of gradation values corresponding to ink colors used in a printing device when print operation is performed. At this time, a color conversion table for transforming a specific color in input image data into output image data wherein colors rendered only by a specific color component value are specified is generated, referring to a previously stored profile. With respect to the specific color, color conversion is carried out, referring to the color conversion table, when print operation is performed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a print controller, a print control method, and a print control program.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recent printers are utilized in so-called press simulation wherein a publication such as a catalog is printed on trial by the designer before a printing service provider prints it. In conventional press simulation (e.g. Japanese Patent Prepublication No. 2000-62253 (page 3)), color management is implemented. This is a mechanism for outputting substantially constant colors independently of differences in printing medium or printer. More specific description will be given. Profiles wherein the color components in input image data and the color components in output image data can be transformed into coordinates in a non-equipment-dependent color space, such as Lab, are stored beforehand. (* is usually affixed to L, a, and b, like L*a*b* but it is omitted in this specification for simplicity. This is the same with the following description.) Profiles correspond to printing media and the like with which print operation is performed. By using a profile meeting printing conditions, a designer's print result and a printing service provider's print result can be matched with each other.
In printers, inks of a plurality of color components are recorded, and a plurality of colors are rendered by subtractive color mixture. To meet users' needs, the above-mentioned press simulation is sometimes constituted so that print operation can be performed using only a single ink or an ink in a specific color. However, if with respect to a pixel whose color components are the same as this ink, color conversion is carried out referring to a profile, a problem arises. The color is not converted into a color for which only the single ink or the ink in the specific color is specified. Instead, it is converted into a color rendered by a combination of a plurality of ink colors different in hue. Consequently, when use of only a single ink is specified, color print operation is sometimes performed as follows: with respect to pixels wherein only the same color components as this ink have a gradation value greater than 0, print operation is performed without color conversion referring to a profile. (That is, print operation is performed without changing gradation values.)
If print operation is performed using only a single ink, a problem results. If a profile is referred to, it is impossible to use only the single ink. If a profile is not referred to, the color tone differs from that rendered when with respect to the single color, color conversion is carried out referring to a profile. As an example, it is assumed that an attempt is made to print a single color of K (black). If a profile is referred to, K can be rendered by a combination of three colors of CMY (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow). Black rendered by this combination and black rendered singly by K ink are different from each other in color tone. Especially, when gradations are printed, differences in color tone are remarkable.

Print controller, print control method, and print control program


A system for manufacturing lubricant supply grooves in a fluid bearing, in which a worn working body can be replaced. A through-hole is formed in the tool body so as to receive the working body, and a working portion is formed having a predetermined curvature at both ends of the working body. Both ends of the working body protrude to the same height from the outer circumferential surface of the tool body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing lubricant supply grooves in a fluid bearing in which high speed rotation with high precision is required. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for manufacturing lubricant supply grooves in a fluid bearing in which a working portion is replaceable when it becomes worn, and a number of lubricant supply grooves of a spiral or circular type, can be formed at one time.
2. Description of Related Art
A head drum assembly of a tape recorder such as a video tape recorder (VTR) or a digital audio tape (DAT) recorder requires high speed rotation with high precision, so as to record/reproduce a tape having a high density format. Thus, a ball bearing is disposed between the head drum and the rotation axis, for providing a friction-reduced rolling interface. However, since the head drum assembly utilizing a ball bearing requires space for accommodating the ball, the assembly increases in size, and noise is generated due to a gap required for the ball's rolling motion. Also, rotation accuracy is lowered due to wear on the ball.
Thus, recently, lubricant supply grooves have been formed wherein fluid flows along the inner wall of the sleeve, and a high speed and high precision fluid bearing has been used for reducing the fluid friction between the rotating axis and the sleeve.
A conventional manufacturing device used for the formation of such lubricant supply grooves is shown in FIG. 1. A number of holes are formed on the outer circumferential surface of tool body 1. A ball 4 is inserted from the interior of tool body 1 into respective holes. A support 3 is fitted into the interior of tool body 1 so as to support ball 4. Here, since the diameter of the hole is smaller than that of ball 4, the latter is held within tool body 1.
The lubricant supply groove manufacturing device as described above is used in the following manner. A sleeve 2 is fixed with a chuck (not shown). When pressure is exerted on tool body 1 to advance it in the axial direction of sleeve 2, the inner wall of sleeve 2 is plastically deformed so that supply grooves 5 are formed. If the chuck is also rotated while exerting pressure on tool body 1 to advance it in the axial direction of sleeve 2, the lubricant supply grooves 5 formed on the inner wall of sleeve 2 may be spirally shaped. Accordingly, various types of lubricant supply grooves 5 may be formed in accordance with the rotating condition of the chuck.
However, during plastic processing work, ball 4 and support 3 can become worn or deformed due to friction between the inner wall of sleeve 2 and ball 4. Accordingly, supply grooves 5 are not uniformly manufactured, thereby lowering the bearing performance. Thus, a worn ball 4 must be replaced. As shown in the drawing, in the conventional lubricant supply groove manufacturing device, since a number of balls 4 are inserted into respective holes from the interior of tool body 1, and each is supported by support 3, replacement is difficult. Thus, the tool is not highly efficient.
Also, because of practical limitations it is very difficult to manufacture and manipulate very small balls. Accordingly, certain desirable formations of very small lubricant supply grooves 5 cannot be provided with the above-described conventional device.

Device for manufacturing lubricant supply grooves in fluid bearings


Noise-abatement devices are provided for a pneumatic tool that can include a housing having a first end and a second end. An expansion chamber is defined within the expansion chamber. At least one tube is located at least partially within the expansion chamber in which the tube has at least a perforated portion, and an outlet defined therein. The device also includes a port outlet in fluid communication with the expansion chamber in which the port outlet and the outlet are located near the second end of the housing.

1. The Field of the Invention
This application relates generally to noise-abatement devices. In particular, this application discusses noise-abatement devices for use with pneumatically operated tools, such as pneumatic percussive drills.
2. The Relevant Technology
The process of converting energy stored in compressed air into motion for powering a pneumatic tool generates a significant amount of noise as the spent air (exhaust) is exhausted. In particular, pneumatic tools are often operated by compressed air that is directed to a pneumatic cylinder. As compressed air expands in the cylinder, the air exerts pressure on an internal piston causing the piston to move from an initial position in a first direction for a determined distance. The travel of the piston within the pneumatic cylinder can be referred to as a stroke. As the piston nears the end of the stroke, the air in the cylinder is exhausted by way of an exhaust port. The piston is then returned to its initial position by an opposing force that is often provided by a spring and/or compressed air applied to the opposite side of the piston and the process begins again.
As spent compressed air is exhausted from the pneumatic cylinder, the spent compressed air expands rapidly causing a loud noise. Often, the operation of pneumatic tools requires a close proximity between the tool and an operator, and the noise generated by the tool can be loud enough to be potentially harmful to the operator. There are many approaches to reduce the noise from these devices. A common approach is a muffler consisting of an expansion chamber into which the exhaust flows and expands before venting to the atmosphere. Such designs take various geometric shapes including cylindrical, kidney-shaped, and rectangular. Another approach includes incorporating a series of internal chambers within an expansion chamber to allow the exhaust to progressively expand. While such approaches offer some improvement in noise reduction, given the close proximity of pneumatic tools and their operators, the noise reduction of current approaches is often insufficient to acceptably reduce the damaging and/or painful noise levels.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some examples described herein can be practiced

Noise abatement device for a pneumatic tool


A method for making a protective device for guardrails comprises the steps of preparing a sheet (2) of flexible material; wrapping the sheet (2) of flexible material between at least one portion (3) of a longitudinal rail (6) of a guardrail (5) and at least one portion (4) of a lower longitudinal element (7), positioned between at least two guardrail (5) uprights (8) at a predetermined height, other than zero, from the ground, to form a smooth and continuous surface (11) which at least partly covers the guardrail (5). A protective device for guardrails comprises at least one flexible sheet (2) which can be wrapped between at least one portion (3) of a rail (6) of a guardrail (5) and at least one portion (4) of a lower longitudinal element (7), positioned between at least two guardrail (5) uprights (8), to form a smooth and continuous surface (11) covering the guardrail (5).

The present invention relates to a method for making a protective device for guardrails and to a protective device for guardrails.
A guardrail is a highway safety barrier consisting of uprights, fixing means and longitudinal rails. The latter consist of one or more shaped plates with predetermined height which form a guardrail bumper or buffer zone. The plates are rigidly bound, by the fixing means, at predetermined heights from the ground, to uprights, that is to say, vertical supports, positioned at regular distances from each other designed to support the plates and hold them in position. Moreover, in some guardrails there is a lower longitudinal element, parallel with the plates, positioned at a predetermined height from the ground and bound to the uprights under the plates. The lower longitudinal element is also known as an anti-intrusion element.
Guardrails are positioned along the edges of roadways to contain and correct the trajectory of vehicles leaving the roadway in the event of an accident.
Although the longitudinal rails efficiently keep cars which skid in accidents on the roadway, they are not as effective if a motorcycle skids.
In most cases, a skid on a two-wheeled vehicle is immediately followed by the rider falling.
Since the longitudinal rails of the guardrails are positioned at heights corresponding to the height of the center of gravity of the most common types of cars, they are too high to stop a two-wheeled vehicle that is sliding on the ground.
For this reason, as indicated above, some guardrails are equipped with anti-intrusion elements located below the longitudinal rail.
However, although guardrails, particularly those with an anti-intrusion element, can stop or divert any vehicle that is out of control, they are extremely dangerous, if not fatal, for the riders of two-wheeled vehicles who lose control of the vehicle and consequently fall.
The shape and bending of the sheet metal used for the uprights and the rails, the fixing elements used (bolts, screws or other devices) and the reflectors usually fixed to the rails to make them more visible at night, all mean that guardrails present numerous sharp, cutting edges. Obviously, said edges are a serious threat to motorcyclists who fall from their two-wheeled vehicle. Quite frequently following such collisions against guardrails, motorcyclists or cyclists suffer permanent disability or serious injury caused by the presence of these sharp, cutting edges.
Moreover, guardrails made from sheet metal are now so widely used that their substitution with other barrier types (for example, those made from concrete) which do not present sharp, cutting and potentially hazardous edges is considered too complicated and expensive.

Method for making a protective device for guardrails, and a protective device for guardrails


A non-destructive testing apparatus generates an electric current in a test coupon that is adjacent to the metallic structure. The non-destructive testing apparatus measures the electric current to produce at least one electric current measurement. The non-destructive testing apparatus correlates the at least one electric current measurement with the quantity of a predetermined iron oxide in the test coupon to determine a proxy for the degree of alternating current interference corrosion in the metallic structure.

The placement of Alternating Current (AC) power lines close to pipelines, such as natural gas pipelines, can be the source of a phenomenon known as AC interference corrosion. AC interference corrosion occurs when the power lines induce a current in the pipelines. The industry standard for AC mitigation on pipelines is to maintain voltage gradient (step-touch potential) below 15 VAC power.
Pipelines collocated in a right-of-way (ROW) with AC power lines, paralleling at a distance, or crossing power line ROWs can be subject to AC interference. AC current induced on a pipeline may cause severe corrosion damage. Current from AC fault events may damage pipeline coatings, burn isolation devices or melt metal in extreme cases.
Those tasked with maintaining pipelines require an in-depth understanding of the locations where pipelines are at risk of AC interference corrosion. Many factors are associated with increased AC interference corrosion risk. These factors include soil resistivity, coating condition, cathodic protection levels, co-location length, crossing angle and separation distance.
Traditional indirect assessment tools may be inadequate in identifying areas at risk for AC corrosion. Accordingly, there is a need for improved methods and systems for detecting AC interference corrosion.

Alternating current interference corrosion detector


Substantially transparent printing blankets are provided comprising a substantially transparent printing layer disposed upon a substantially transparent support layer. The substantial transparency of such printing blankets permits off-press introduction of knock-out areas. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished by disposing the support layer of the printing blanket adjacent to a substrate which bears either an image to be printed or some other print transfer information (such as a negative) corresponding to the image. The print transfer information then is viewed through the printing blanket to identify portions of the underlying substrate which bear information indicating that print should not appear on a corresponding portion of the coated substrate. After such portions are identified, the printing layer is removed from the support layer in those areas of the printing blanket which are adjacent to the identified portions of the substrate.

Printing blankets are used for direct, in-line coating in lithographic printing processes equipped with coating towers or coating units to apply gloss and/or matte overcoats at various levels on a variety of substrates, including corrugated stock, plain board, paper, film, foil, and laminates. The coating apparatus is used to apply these coatings principally in three situations: (i) when the entire substrate is to be coated; (ii) when the entire substrate is to be coated with the exception of certain areas where the coating will interfere with the adhesion of glue, printed labels, stamps, bar codes, or other such markings; and (iii) when certain, selected areas of the substrate are to be coated. The processes performed in situation (ii) are commonly referred to in the industry as "knock out" coating processes, whereas those performed in situation (iii) are commonly referred to spot coating processes.
One current practice in the industry in situation (ii) is to transfer an image to be printed directly onto a metal plate and mount a transparent printing blanket consisting of a polymeric support layer and a non-strippable polymer directly onto the plate using a suitable adhesive. Once mounted, the pressman uses a hand-held knife to carefully cut through the blanket, and then removes the entirety thereof (i.e., both the cured polymer and support) from the plate in portions thereof which are not to receive the coating. The plate/blanket composite which ultimately is produced then is mounted onto the plate cylinder of the coating apparatus, and is used to transfer coating to a printing blanket (mounted on a blanket cylinder) which, ultimately, transfers the coating to the substrate.
Another current practice in situation (ii), which avoids use and preparation of the printing cylinder, is to use rubber offset printing blankets as strippable coating blankets on the printing cylinder. These printing blankets typically consist of an opaque rubber printing layer disposed upon an opaque fabric support. Such a blanket is stretched slightly, mounted on a press, and an image corresponding to that ultimately to be coated is outlined with ink on the rubber surface using a lithographic printing plate. The pressman then uses a hand-held razor knife to carefully cut through the rubber surface of the blanket without penetrating through and damaging the support. The pressman then hand strips the cut rubber areas off the blanket. This requires a high skill level and that the press be stopped for, on average, about 45 minutes. If the support is pierced with the razor knife, the blanket typically is removed and the process started over. The "stripped" coating blanket which ultimately is produced is not reusable, as its fabric layer relaxes slightly upon removal from the press. Thus, the stripping process must be repeated for each, individual coating job.
Given these considerations, it is clear that any product which would allow a stripped coating blanket to be prepared off-line (thus sparing valuable press time), would allow for easy cutting and stripping of the printing surface, and/or would allow for reuse of the blanket thus prepared would yield significant advantages in terms of cost, convenience, and coating quality. The apparent need for such a product, however, still remains unfilled.

Substantially transparent printing blankets and methods for using same


A tool for use with a black powder gun (muzzleloader) is provided. The tool combines multiple tools useful to a black powder gun user in the field into a single unit. One embodiment of the tool includes a capper, a decapper (also called a deprimer), a bullet starter, a ramrod handle, and a ramrod push aid. Another embodiment of the invention includes a bullet starter, a ramrod handle, a ramrod push aid, and a socket wrench.

Muzzle-loading firearms (also commonly referred to as black-powder firearms and/or simply as muzzleloaders), including long guns (e.g., guns described as muskets, carbines, shotguns and rifles) and handguns (e.g., pistols), are loaded by packing powder and shot in the barrel of the gun, and then inserting a primer cap into a primer nipple to enable firing of the gun. The use of muzzle-loaders has become quite popular for both target shooting as well as hunting. Many people enjoy the old-fashioned experience associated with muzzle-loading, in addition to the added skills utilized when firing a muzzleloader.
The steps involved in loading a black-powder firearm that ultimately add to the appeal of the sport, require the use of a wide assortment of tools by the shooter to properly operate the firearm and to address complications that arise while shooting. In many instances in which the shooter is moving with the firearm, such as during hunting, it is desirable to minimize the amount of tools being carried so as to lighten the shooter's load as well as to avoid losing a tool. If a tool is left behind or lost, the shooter's excursion may be cut short when an unexpected complication arises with the firearm. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a single tool that can be used for a variety of different situations encountered by a black-powder shooter.


A video encoding and transcoding system comprising a video content display unit that has a platform, a browser and a bandwidth and is adapted to display video content, a storage server that is adapted to receive video content, and a video encoder that is adapted to download video content and transcode video content. The preferred system automatically determines the platform, the browser and the bandwidth of the video content display unit and automatically selects the most optimized video format using real time adaptive bit rate switching in HTML5. A method for encoding and transcoding video content comprising providing a video encoding and transcoding system, visiting a video encoder website, selecting a resolution, uploading a video to a storage server, triggering an encoder, downloading a copy of the video, transcoding the video to a selected resolution, and uploading the video to the storage server.

It is known to encode and transcode video content into multiple resolutions and formats. Conventional video encoding and transcoding systems, however, suffer from one or more disadvantages. For example, conventional video encoding and transcoding systems do not automatically determine the platform on which the video content is going to be played such as a personal computer, a Mac, a tablet, a smartphone and the like. Conventional video encoding and transcoding systems also do not automatically determine the bandwidth that is available to stream the video content. Further, conventional video encoding and transcoding systems do not automatically stream the video content in the optimized format. Still further, conventional video encoding and transcoding systems result in undesirable re-buffering and re-caching of memory. Conventional video encoding and transcoding systems also do not dynamically translate video content in one language to video content in a different language. Further, conventional video encoding and transcoding systems do not sufficiently reduce the size of video content files. It would be desirable, therefore, if an apparatus and method could be provided that would automatically determine the platform on which the video content is going to be played such as a personal computer, a Mac, a tablet, a smartphone and the like. It would also be desirable if such an apparatus and method could be provided that would automatically determine the bandwidth that is available to stream the video content. It would be further desirable if such an apparatus and method could be provided that would automatically stream the video content in the optimized format. It would be still further desirable if such an apparatus and method could be provided that would reduce or eliminate undesirable re-buffering and re-caching of memory. In addition, it would be desirable if such an apparatus and method could be provided that would dynamically translate video content in one language to video content in a different language. It would also be desirable if such an apparatus and method could be provided that would sufficiently reduce the size of video content files.

Apparatus and method for video encoding and transcoding system


A magnetic recording medium of the present invention comprises a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer each having different magnetization, coercive force, and temperature characteristics. By magnetically coupling the first and second magnetic layers to each other, gradual temperature dependence of magnetization can be realized.

The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium used for a recording device which records/reproduces information into/from a recording medium by means of magnetization while a temperature thereof is being raised.
In the field of magnetic recording techniques, the following recording/reproducing method has been used generally. In this recording/reproducing method, a ferromagnetic material, such as CoCrTa, is used as a magnetic film for the magnetic recording medium. Information is recorded into the medium by applying an external magnetic field from a recording magnetic head, and reproduced from the medium by detecting the direction of magnetization therein using a reproducing magnetic head.
Also, another recording/reproducing method as follows has been proposed. In this recording/reproducing method, a ferromagnetic material, such as CrO2, is used as a magnetic film for the magnetic recording medium. Information is recorded into the medium by applying an external magnetic field from a recording magnetic head while a coercive force therein is being reduced with irradiation of laser beams, and reproduced from the medium in the same manner as the firstly-mentioned method, that is, by detecting the direction of magnetization therein using a reproducing magnetic head.
However, in both of the above recording/reproducing methods, the width of a recordable/reproducible track is limited by the track width of the magnetic head, and therefore, narrowing the track pitch can increase recording density only to a certain extent.
In order to eliminate the above inconvenience, still another recording/reproducing method is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Gazette, Patent No. 2617025 (date of registration: Mar. 11, 1997). In this recording/reproducing method, a ferrimagnetic material having a compensation point around room temperature is used as a magnetic film for the magnetic recording medium. Information is recorded into the medium by applying an external magnetic field from a recording magnetic head while the temperature is being raised in a target recording track (into which information will be recorded), and reproduced by detecting the direction of magnetization in a target reproducing track (from which information will be reproduced) while the temperature thereof is being raised.
The magnetization in the magnetic recording medium used in this recording/reproducing method has temperature dependence such that becomes nearly xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d (zero) at room temperature, and increases with rising temperatures until it reaches its maximum at a finite temperature, and then drops to xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d again at a temperature as high as or higher than the Curie temperature. Also, the coercive force of the magnetic recording medium has a large value at room temperature, and it monotonously decreases with rising temperatures until it reaches 0 at the Curie temperature.
By raising the temperature in a target recording track of the magnetic recording medium with heating means, such as laser beams, the coercive force decreases only where the temperature is raised and becomes smaller than the magnetic field applied from the magnetic recording head. Therefore, by exploiting the above characteristics, information is recorded into a domain heated by the laser beams or the like, that is, a domain which is narrower than the width of the recording magnetic head.
As to reproducing information, by raising the temperature in a target reproducing track of the magnetic recording medium, the magnetization is increased only where the temperature is raised. Here, because the temperature in the adjacent track remains at or around room temperature, substantially no magnetic flux leaks from the adjacent track. Consequently, a signal can be detected from a track narrower than the width of the reproducing magnetic head.
According to the above recording/reproducing method, information can be recorded/reproduced at high density regardless of the track widths of the recording and reproducing magnetic heads.
In order to obtain a stable reproducing signal, the above recording/reproducing method requires the following conditions: (1) the magnetization is 0 or almost 0 at room temperature; and (2) the magnetization in the heated domain is stable, that is, the magnetization should not change at or around a temperature above room temperature, at which the magnetization reaches its maximum. However, the magnetization of the magnetic recording medium in actual use changes sharply with increasing temperatures at or around the temperature at which the magnetization reaches its maximum. Therefore, it has been difficult to obtain a stable reproducing signal.
The above inconvenience can be eliminated by controlling the temperatures in a precise manner, but this demands an expensive temperature raising device equipped with a controller. Moreover, it takes a time to adjust and maintain a temperature at a certain level, thereby presenting a problem that information can not be reproduced at a high speed.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording medium, into which information is recorded by applying an external magnetic field from a recording magnetic head while a temperature is being raised in a target recording track (into which the information will be recorded), and from which information is reproduced using a reproducing magnetic head while a temperature is being raised in a target reproducing track (from which the information will be reproduced), and by making temperature dependence of magnetization gradual, the magnetic recording medium outputs a reproducing signal that remains substantially stable in response to a change in temperature while the temperature is being raised.
To fulfill the above and other objects, a magnetic recording medium of the present invention is characterized by comprising:
at least two magnetic layers, both having their respective magnetic compensation temperatures around room temperature, each having different magnetization, coercive force, and temperature characteristics,
the magnetic layers being magnetically coupled to each other, wherein
information is recorded into the magnetic recording medium by applying an external magnetic field from a recording magnetic head while a temperature is being raised in a target recording track, and information is reproduced from the magnetic recording medium using a reproducing magnetic head while a temperature is being raised in a target reproducing track, from which the information will be reproduced.
Conventionally, the magnetic recording medium uses a single-layer magnetic layer. However, because such a single-layer magnetic layer is generally made of rare earth elements having sharp temperature dependence of magnetization, the magnetization changes significantly in response to a change in temperature while the temperature is being raised. In contrast, according to the arrangement of the present invention, because the magnetic layer has at least two magnetically coupled layers, each having different magnetization, coercive force, and temperature characteristics, the temperature dependence of magnetization in the layer is made gradual as a whole. Also, by adequately selecting the kinds of magnetic layers, it has become possible to provide a magnetic recording medium having optimal magnetization, coercive force, and temperature characteristics in recording/reproducing information.
Here, xe2x80x9cmagnetically coupledxe2x80x9d means either magnetostatic coupling or exchanged coupling. Magnetostatic coupling is defined as coupling by means of a Coulomb force, and exchanged coupling is defined as strong coupling of atoms by a quantum mechanical force.


In an LCD apparatus having an optical member, the optical member has a base body having a light incident surface and a light emitting surface faced the light incident surface. A first resin layer is formed on the light emitting surface and a light diffusing pattern is uniformly formed on the first resin layer so as to diffuse a first light and emit a second light. Accordingly, the LCD apparatus can improve display quality and can be fabricated in low-cost manufacture. Also, since the light diffusing pattern is formed with a curable material, the light diffusing pattern can have various shapes and superior reproducibility.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical member, a method of fabricating the same and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) apparatus having the same, and more particularly to an optical member that has high display quality and may be manufactured at a low-cost, a method of fabricating the same and an LCD apparatus having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An LCD apparatus typically displays images using liquid crystals. Liquid crystals that are used in LCD apparatuses change their arrangement/orientation according to an electrical field that is applied to the liquid crystals, and the arrangement/orientation of the liquid crystals affects the light transmittance through a layer of liquid crystals.
In order to display an image using liquid crystals, an LCD apparatus includes a light supply module for generating light and a display module for changing the light emitted from the light supply module into image light having image information.
The LCD apparatus further includes a module for changing a light distribution of the light emitted from the light supply module or improving brightness of the light emitted from the light supply module. The module is disposed between the light supply module and the display module.
In detail, the module includes a light guide plate, a diffusion sheet and a prism sheet. The light guide plate changes the light distribution of a line light source emitted from the light supply module into a light distribution of a surface light source. The diffusion sheet is disposed on the light guide plate and allows the light emitted from the light guide plate to have a uniform brightness distribution. The diffusion sheet includes beads distributed on a transparent substrate so as to scatter or diffuse the light emitted from the light guide plate.
However, beads may be nonuniformly distributed on the diffusion sheet since beads are very minute. In case that beads are nonuniformly distributed, the brightness distribution of the light emitted from the diffusion sheet is not uniform, thereby deteriorating display quality of LCD apparatus.

Optical member, method of fabricating the same and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same


There is disclosed an alkaline battery including a positive electrode material mixture, a negative electrode, a separator interposed between the positive electrode material mixture and the negative electrode, and an alkaline electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode material mixture includes a first active material comprising nickel oxyhydroxide and a second active material comprising manganese dioxide, the nickel oxyhydroxide includes a γ-type crystal structure, the content of nickel in the nickel oxyhydroxide is not less than 45 wt %, and the average particle diameter on a volume basis of the nickel oxyhydroxide measured with a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer is 3 to 20 μm.

Alkaline batteries, in particular, discharge starting type alkaline batteries or alkaline primary batteries have an inside-out type structure in which a cylindrical positive electrode material mixture pellet is disposed in a positive electrode case serving as a positive electrode terminal such that the pellet is in close contact with the positive electrode case, and a gelled zinc negative electrode is disposed in a hollow portion of the pellet with a separator interposed therebetween. With the recent widespread use of digital devices, the load power of the devices for which these batteries are used has been gradually increasing, and there has been a demand for batteries having excellent heavy load discharge characteristics. In response to such a demand, an alkaline battery whose heavy load discharge characteristics have been improved by mixing nickel oxyhydroxide into a positive electrode material mixture has been proposed, and this has been recently put into practical use (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 57-72266).
On the other hand, in the field of alkaline storage batteries (secondary batteries), nickel oxyhydroxide that is obtained by oxidizing spherical or oval nickel hydroxide with an oxidizing agent such as a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution is generally used. As the source material nickel hydroxide, nickel hydroxide having a high bulk density (tap density) and a β-type crystal structure are used. Nickel oxyhydroxide that is obtained by treating this with an oxidizing agent mainly has a β-type crystal structure, and can easily be filled at a high density inside a battery. The nickel oxyhydroxide having a β-type crystal structure has a nickel valence that is substantially 3, and the electrochemical energy generated when this changes to a valence near 2 is utilized as the discharge capacity of a battery.
For the purpose of increasing, for example, the utilization of the positive electrode and the heavy load discharge characteristics, there has also been proposed a technique that uses a solid solution nickel hydroxide in which cobalt, zinc or the like is dissolved, as the starting material (Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. Hei 7-77129).
Examples of the challenges that alkaline primary batteries containing nickel oxyhydroxide face are as follows:
(a) Improvement for the self decomposition (the decrease in the capacity and the increase in the internal pressure of the batteries) of nickel oxyhydroxide that occurs during storage of the batteries under a high temperature atmosphere.
(b) Improvement for the low discharge capacity (discharge duration) due to the small capacity per unit weight (mAh/g) of nickel oxyhydroxide.
In order to solve the above-described challenges, the following proposals have been made for the positive electrode material mixture of alkaline primary batteries.
First, from the viewpoint of improving the storage characteristics, it has been proposed to contain, in nickel oxyhydroxide, at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of a zinc oxide, a calcium oxide, an yttrium oxide and titanium dioxide (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-15106).
Further, in the alkaline storage battery applications, it has been proposed to use a solid solution nickel hydroxide having a β-type crystal structure and including a transition metal such as manganese dissolved in its particles, as the starting material (International Publication No. WO 97/19479 and the specification of Japanese Patent No. 3239076). Here, nickel oxyhydroxide having a γ-type crystal structure and an average valence of nickel near 3.5 was intentionally formed during the charge reaction, thereby increasing the capacity significantly.
As a technique similar to this, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-322817 has proposed the use of particles of an α-type solid solution nickel hydroxide that was produced by coprecipitating ions of a transition metal such as manganese or iron that are in trivalent state with divalent nickel ions, as the starting material. Here, nickel oxyhydroxide having a γ-type crystal structure is formed during charge, thus increasing the capacity.
Further, it has been proposed to improve the discharge characteristics by coating the surface of particles of nickel oxyhydroxide having a γ-type crystal structure with a cobalt oxide having a high electrical conductivity (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. Hei 10-334913 and Hei 11-260364).
However, any attempt to increase the capacity by using nickel oxyhydroxide having a γ-type crystal structure for the positive electrode has not yet been put to practical use for alkaline storage batteries. The reason lies in that a γ-type crystal excessively absorbs an electrolyte and thus expands in volume, so that the electrolyte distribution in the batteries greatly changes during the first several tens of charge/discharge cycles. When the electrolyte is localized on the positive electrode side and thus the electrolyte becomes insufficient in the separator, the internal resistance in the battery significantly increases.
On the other hand, the present inventors attempted to use, for primary batteries, nickel oxyhydroxide having a γ-type crystal structure, which has been investigated for alkaline storage batteries, and investigated the problems that could occur in such a case.
First, in the case of increasing the energy density of an alkaline primary battery containing nickel oxyhydroxide, one possible approach is to set strong chemical oxidation conditions for a source material nickel hydroxide having a β-type crystal structure, thereby increasing the nickel valence of the resulting nickel oxyhydroxide having a β-type crystal structure. Such an approach, however, can only provide nickel oxyhydroxide having a β-type crystal structure and in which the upper limit of the nickel valence is less than 3.00 to 3.05.
Then, it was found that the heavy load discharge characteristics tended to decrease more easily in the case of alkaline batteries as primary batteries that used nickel oxyhydroxide having a γ-type crystal structure, than in the case of alkaline batteries that used nickel oxyhydroxide having a β-type crystal structure, for the reasons shown in (a) to (c) below.
(a) The redox potential (equilibrium potential) of nickel oxyhydroxide having a γ-type crystal structure is lower than that of nickel oxyhydroxide having a β-type crystal structure.
(b) Nickel oxyhydroxide having a γ-type crystal structure undergoes a large volume change (change in the crystal structure) that is caused during discharge.
(c) The electron conductivity of nickel oxyhydroxide having a γ-type crystal structure and including manganese dissolved in its particles greatly decreases with discharge.
For primary batteries such as nickel-manganese batteries, nickel oxyhydroxide is added to the positive electrode material mixture, in order to compensate for the disadvantage of a low utilization of manganese dioxide during heavy load discharge. However, the above-described finding means that a γ-type crystal structure may significantly impair the advantage that nickel oxyhydroxide improves the heavy load discharge characteristics of alkaline batteries.

Alkaline battery and positive electrode material for alkaline battery comprising nickel oxyhydroxide and manganese dioxide


A method for controlling a cursor of a portable electronic apparatus having a display screen and a motion sensor is provided. The motion sensor detects a first-axis rotation angle and a second-axis rotation angle of the apparatus. A first-axis coordinate of a cursor is determined according to the first-axis rotation angle, a-first axis maximum rotation angle and a length of a short side of the display screen. A second-axis coordinate of the cursor is determined according to the second-axis rotation angle, a maximum second-axis rotation angle and a length of a long side of the display screen. The cursor is moved according to the first-axis coordinate and the second-axis coordinate.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a portable electronic device, and more particularly to a cursor control method of a portable electronic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
As technologies of wireless communication and information processing have developed, portable electronic devices such as smart phones, tablet computers, and so on have become one of the mainstream products. In response to requirements of users, screen sizes of the portable electronic devices have increased while weights of the portable electronic devices have reduced. In this case, there would be more challenges in handhold operation, especially in single-hand operation. For example, when a user uses his/her portable electronic device with a big touch screen by single hand, it is difficult to perform operation all over the touch screen. Therefore, in most cases, especially in a case where the user needs to control a cursor (such as to explore web pages, to select text, and so on), the user usually has to hold the portable electronic device by one hand and perform operation such as touching the touch screen or pressing keys by the other hand. If a portable electronic device is thin and light, additional keys, such as direction keys, may not be able to be configured on the portable electronic device. Accordingly, inconvenience in operating the portable electronic device by single hand may increase.


A recording device includes a color gamut conversion control unit, a color gamut conversion unit, and a recording unit. The color gamut conversion control unit controls a method of converting the color gamut of content data, on the basis of a user-specified condition specified by a user. The color gamut conversion unit converts the color gamut of the content data in accordance with the control of the color gamut conversion control unit. The recording unit records, on a recording medium, the content data, the color gamut of which has been converted by the color gamut conversion unit in accordance with the control of the color gamut conversion control unit, or the content data, the color gamut of which has not been converted by the color gamut conversion unit in accordance with the control of the color gamut conversion control unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording device and a recording control method, a reproduction device and a reproduction control method, an output device and an output control method, and programs. The present invention particularly relates to a recording device and a recording control method, a reproduction device and a reproduction control method, an output device and an output control method, and programs capable of performing more reliable and appropriate color gamut compression, even when content data is handled by a plurality of devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, various types of digital image devices having different color expression regions have been increasing in number. Particularly in image display devices, the expansion of the color gamut is remarkable. The color gamut has been substantially expanded in the development from CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display to plasma display, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and OELD (Organic Electro Luminescence Display). Further, many imaging devices, such as a digital still camera and a video camera, capable of imaging colors outside an sRGB (standard RGB) color gamut have been appearing. Therefore, a method has been sought which smoothly outputs wide color gamut image data of a captured image to devices having different color gamuts, such as a wide color gamut display, while suppressing color mismatch and hue shift occurring in a high-luminance and high-saturation color.
Major color matching methods for solving the issue of color mismatch between devices include the following three methods, for example.
The first method uses an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile. The ICC profile is a file describing the properties of an image device defined by an organization called ICC. Normally, two profiles including an input device ICC profile and an output device ICC profile are used to output one image file. The input device ICC profile is embedded in the image file in many cases. When the image of the file is output to another device via a PC (Personal Computer), an application on the PC supporting the ICC profile performs appropriate color gamut matching by using the output device ICC profile, to thereby output the image. This method is based on the assumption that image processing and conversion are performed with the use of a PC, or that an output device supports the ICC profile.
Further, there is a method using sRGB space as a system for matching colors without taking account of the difference in color gamut between devices. The sRGB is an international standard of color space formulated by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) in October 1998. The color space was set to ensure color reproducibility between different environments, such as between different PC models and different devices such as a display and a printer, and was formulated on the basis of the color gamut of the CRT display. For example, if a digital camera, a PC, a display, and a printer are all compatible with the sRGB, it is possible to match color appearances without any particular processing, when a captured image is displayed on the display or printed out. As compared with a workflow based on the ICC profile, the use of a PC is unnecessary, and the processing is substantially simple and convenient. However, the sRGB is narrower in expressible color range than other color spaces. Thus, it is difficult in the sRGB to express such colors as emerald green, dark cyan, orange, light red, and yellow. Therefore, the sRGB is unsuitable for professional use wherein photographs and graphic designs are specifically handled.
Further, a movement for color matching using the Exif (Exchangeable image file format) standard is taking place mainly in the digital still camera and printer industries. The Exif is a format standard for recording an image file, and was proposed and formulated by the JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association). Most digital camera manufacturers use this format, as well as the DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) which is a file system standard. Specifically, color space can be described as the header information of an image file. By reading the header information, therefore, a printer can perform more appropriate color conversion into the printer color gamut. Particularly, with Exif Ver. 2.21, in addition to the sRGB supported by the previous versions, Adobe RGB, which is wider in color gamut than the sRGB and normally used in such business fields as the printing industry, can also be used as supported color space. Accordingly, it is now possible to express emerald green and dark cyan, which are difficult to express in the sRGB of the related art. A workflow of a printing operation using the Exif standard is called Exif Print. If a printer has a function of reading an Exif header, the Exif Print can be performed. Therefore, the use of a PC is unnecessary, and the printing operation can be performed with a memory card directly inserted in the printer. There is another standard PIM (PRINT Image Matching) similar to the Exif.
However, in a method using the ICC profile, for example, the ICC profile is embedded in an image file. Therefore, the size of the image file may be unnecessarily increased. Further, a PC application or an output device creates a CMM (Color Matching Module) for reading the ICC profile and performing appropriate processing. However, the CMM is created by respective companies, each with an idea unique thereto. Therefore, even if the color matching is guaranteed within a color gamut common to the input device and the output device, not much attention is paid to colors outside the color gamut of the devices. Therefore, in a high- or low-luminance and high-saturation color, which tends to be outside the color gamut, a hue shift often occurs due to natural clip.
The natural clip refers to a phenomenon in which, when a color of eternally supplied image data is outside the color gamut of a device, the color is forcibly expressed by a color within the color gamut of the device. For example, if only the R component of a color represented by RGB has a value greater than the maximum value of the R component of the color gamut, the R component of the color is represented by the maximum value of the R component of the color gamut (natural clip). In this case, the RGB balance of the original color is lost due to the natural clip, and the hue is changed. Such a change in hue is referred to as the hue shift. That is, the original color is expressed by a color different therefrom. Therefore, the occurrence of such hue shift is undesirable.
Further, in the method using the sRGB, for example, the assumed color gamut corresponds to the color gamut of a standard PC CRT monitor, and thus is narrow. A workflow based on the sRGB does not include a process of performing color gamut compression between devices. Thus, the natural clip occurs in a color outside the sRGB color gamut, and the hue shift occurs in a high- or low-luminance and high-saturation color. The use of the sRGB, therefore, may prevent appropriate expression of dark cyan and green colors printable by a common printer and red displayable on an LCD, the color gamut of which has been dramatically expanded in recent years.
Further, in the method using the PIM or the Exif, the output device performs processing in accordance with the image header information defined by the PIM or the Exif. Therefore, the processing load on the output device may be increased. Further, the content of the processing relies on the output device. Therefore, the color reproducibility intended by the input device may not be guaranteed.
Further, all of the methods described above are mainly for processing a still image, and thus are not suitable for color matching of a moving image, wherein the processing is performed in real time.
In view of the above, to realize a practical color reproduction technique not relying on a device, methods for performing appropriate color matching between devices have been proposed (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 09-098298 and 07-236069, for example).
For example, according to the method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 09-098298 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,253), the color reproduction region of an input system is divided into four regions on a two-dimensional plane by the use of two straight lines, and color gamut compression is performed with the compression direction changed for each of the regions.
Further, according to the method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 07-236069, for example, only the chromaticity coordinates of eight points indicating representative colors of red (R), green (G), blue (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), and white (W) are exchanged. The conversion of intermediate colors between the above-listed colors is performed in accordance with the conversion results of the eight representative colors.
In addition to the above-described methods, a variety of other methods have been proposed as the algorithm for the color gamut conversion as described above.

Recording device and recording control method, reproduction device and reproduction control method, output device and output control method, and programs


A hydrocarbon resource recovery system is provided for a subterranean formation having an injector wellbore and a producer wellbore therein. The hydrocarbon resource recovery system includes a tubular producer positioned in the producer wellbore and a tubular injector positioned in the injector wellbore. A steam source is coupled to a proximal end of the tubular injector, and a radio frequency (RF) energy source is coupled to the proximal end of tubular injector. The tubular injector has spaced apart steam injector slots sized to allow steam to pass into the subterranean formation, while containing RF energy within the tubular injector to heat the steam.

The production of heavy oil and bitumen from subsurface reservoirs, such as oil sands or shale oil, is challenging. One of the main reasons for the difficulty is the viscosity of the heavy oil or bitumen in the reservoir. At reservoir temperature the initial viscosity of the oil is such that it is difficult to produce if not mobilized using external heat. As a result, the removal of oil from the reservoir is typically achieved by introducing sufficient energy into the reservoir, such that the viscosity of the oil is reduced sufficiently to facilitate oil production.
An in situ extraction known as Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) may be used for extracting oil sand or shale oil deposits. The heavy oil is immobile at reservoir temperatures, and therefore, the oil is typically heated to reduce its viscosity and mobilize the oil flow. In SAGD, pairs of injector and producer wellbores are formed to be laterally extending in the ground, where an injector is positioned in the injector wellbore and a producer is positioned in the producer wellbore.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the injector 10 is used to typically inject steam 12, and the producer 20 collects the heated crude oil or bitumen 22 that flows out of the formation 30, along with any water from the condensation of the injected steam. The injected steam 12 forms a steam chamber 14 that expands vertically and horizontally in the formation 30. The heat from the steam 12 reduces the viscosity of the heavy crude oil or bitumen 22, which allows it to flow down into the producer 20 where it is collected and recovered. The steam rises due to its low density. Oil and water flow is by gravity driven drainage urged into the producer 20.
A problem may arise in maintaining thermal efficiency of the steam 12 throughout the length of the injector 10, and into the steam chamber 14 that expands vertically and horizontally in the subterranean formation 30. Typically, the steam 12 condenses at the far end of the injector 10. Dry steam may be available up hole and wet steam down hole, such that steam enthalpy diminishes with well length. This means that the oil sand or shale oil deposits at the far, down hole end of the injector 10 may not be extracted.
To address this problem, non-condensable gases may be co-injected with the steam. For example, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2012/0247760 discloses co-injecting steam with non-condensable gases such as CO2, flue or combustion gases, and light hydrocarbons. The non-condensable gases provide an insulating layer at the top of the steam chamber, resulting in higher thermal efficiency.
Another approach to maintain thermal efficiency of the steam throughout the injector, and into the steam chamber, is to co-inject microwave energy absorbing substances with the steam, as disclosed in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2010/0294490. As the steam and microwave energy absorbing substances expand throughout the steam chamber, radio frequency (RF) energy is used to target the microwave energy absorbing substances. The RF energy interacts with the microwave energy absorbing substances through a coupling phenomenon. The microwave energy absorbing substances are exposed to an alternating electric field which causes the microwave energy absorbing substances to rotate or reorient in order to follow the electromagnetic (EM) field of the RF energy source, and thereby couple with, or absorb, the RF energy. Sustained reorienting of neighboring molecules, as well as different orientations of dipole moments due to changing of the EM field, generate heat.
Even in view of the above approaches, there is still a need to improve the efficiency or quality of the steam throughout the length of the injector, and into the steam chamber that expands in the subterranean formation.

Hydrocarbon recovery system using RF energy to heat steam within an injector and associated methods


A demultiplexer separates the data obtained by the demodulation into the data for each information medium, and a synchronous word detection state monitor detects the synchronous word contained in a received signal of a predetermined information medium and compares the state in which said synchronous word is detected with the preset standard, and outputs an output stop signal when the synchronous word detection state is worse then the preset standard.. An error-correction decoder subjects the data obtained by the demodulation to an error-correction decoding processing, and an error-correction encoder subjects the decoded data to an error-correction encoding processing. A line quality estimating portion estimates the quality of the line by comparing the data obtained by the error-correction encoding processing with the demodulated data before decoding and an output controller stops outputting the received signal to the external terminal when the line quality is worse than the reference quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus and a method of outputting a received signal in multimedia communication, more particularly, to a receiving apparatus and a method of outputting a received signal in multimedia communication in which a transmitting apparatus multiplexes plural kinds of information such as a video signal, an audio signal, etc. and transmits the multiplexed information through a communication line, and in which a receiving apparatus separates the multiplexed information and outputs the separated information to predetermined external terminals.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 11 schematically shows the principle of a multimedia broadcast communication system using a satellite transponder. In FIG. 11, the reference numeral 1 represents a transmitting station, 2.sub.1, 2.sub.2, . . . receiving stations and 3 a satellite transponder. In the transmitting station 1, the reference numeral 1a represents a video transmitter, 1b an audio transmitter, 1c a time division multiplexer, 1d a transmitter and 1e a transmission antenna. The video transmitter 1a inputs digital video data with a forward error correction code (FEC) attached thereto to the time division multiplexer 1c, and the audio transmitter 1b inputs digital audio data with an FEC attached thereto to the time division multiplexer 1c. The time division multiplexer 1c multiplexes the data such as video data and audio data output from plural kinds of media, and the transmitter 1d adds a preamble PA including carrier and clock recovery sequence (CCA), unique word (UW), control information (CI), and etc. to the multiplexed data DT, as shown in FIG. 12. The transmitter 1d then modulates the multiplexed data by, for example, quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) and transmits it from the transmission antenna 1e at a predetermined time slot.
In the receiving station, the reference numeral 2.sub.a represents a reception antenna, 2b a demodulator, 2c a demultiplexer, 4 an image receptor such a TV and 5 an audio unit.
The demodulator 2b demodulates the signal received by the antenna 2a into the data. The demultiplexer 2c separates the received data into the data for each information medium and inputs the video data to the image receptor 4 and the audio data to the audio unit 5.
In FIG. 11, only one transmitting station is shown, but a channel of the same satellite transponder 3 is generally used by a multiplicity of transmitting stations by using time-sharing technique and the data from the desired transmitting station is extracted by the corresponding receiving station. In this case, the transmitter 1d at each transmitting station adds a preamble to the multiplexed data after the compression of the time axis thereof, then performs phase modulation and transmits the modulated signal from the transmission antenna 1e at the determined time slot within a TDMA frame. Thereafter, each transmitting station intermittently transmits the signal by using a carrier of a burst mode at every predetermined interval of time. In this way, a multiplicity of transmitting stations use the same satellite transponder 3 by using time-sharing technique.
In the above-described multimedia broadcast communication system, if the communication network quality is deteriorated (for example, in the case of a satellite link, if the C/N is degenerated due to rainfall), the image on the image receptor 4 is disturbed, or it is difficult, or sometimes impossible to hear the audio signal output from the audio unit 5. In such a case, some output control by the receiving apparatus at the receiving station is required. For example, the receiving apparatus stops outputting a video signal and an audio signal to the terminals (e.g., the image receptor and the audio unit), or holds the state of the preceding screen so as to display it, or displays a fixed screen.
FIG. 13 shows the structure of a receiving apparatus which explains the conventional output control executed when the communication network quality is deteriorated. The same numerals are provided for the elements which are the same as those shown in FIG. 11.
The reference numeral 2 represents a receiving apparatus, 2a a reception antenna, 2b a demodulator for demodulating data from a received signal by extracting a reference carrier which is necessary for synchronous detection and a clock which is necessary for the reproduction of a code by using the CCR (carrier and clock recovery sequence), 2c a demultiplexer for separating the received data into the data for each medium, and 2d an output controller. The output controller 2d outputs video data, audio data and other media data to the corresponding terminals, and stops outputting data when the communication network quality is deteriorated. The reference numeral 2e represents a UW detector for detecting a unique word UW (having a bit pattern of a predetermined length) from demodulated data, 2f a synchronizer for outputting a pulse P.sub.uw (see FIG. 14) for defining the head of the unique word UW and, when no unique words UW is detected, inputting a data stop signal DSP to the output controller 2d, and 2g a timing signal producer for outputting timing signals VDS, ADS (see FIG. 14) which attain high levels during the data acquisition periods of the respective media.
When the communication line quality is good, the unique word UW is detected by the UW detector 2e, and the timing signal producer 2g outputs the timing signals VDS, ADS to the respective media. The demultiplexer 2c outputs demodulated video data to a line L.sub.v when the timing signal VDS has a high level, and the output controller 2d inputs the video data to the image receptor 4. The demultiplexer 2c outputs demodulated audio data to a line L.sub.a when the timing signal ADS has a high level, and the output controller 2d inputs the audio data to the audio unit 5. Similarly, other media data are input to the corresponding terminals.
On the other hand, if the communication network has some trouble and cannot detect the unique word UW and, hence, synchronous reception is impossible, the synchronizer 2f inputs the data stop signal DSP to the output controller 2d. The output controller 2d then stops outputting video data, audio data, etc. to the corresponding terminals.
In this system the data stop signal DSP is not supplied unless the communication line quality is considerably bad. However, signals on some media are often disturbed or become difficult to hear even if the communication line quality is not so bad as to supply the data stop signal DSP. As a result, in the conventional received signal output control system, even if signals are disturbed or become difficult to hear, they are not stopped outputting, and it is not until the communication line quality is deteriorated so much as to make it impossible to display an image on the screen or to hear sound that the signals are stopped outputting. It cannot therefore be said that the output control effectively functions in this system. That is, in the conventional system for stopping outputting signals only on the basis of the result of UW detection, there is a problem that when the communication line quality is deteriorated to a certain degree, it is impossible to use some media.

Receiving apparatus and method of outputting received signal in multimedia communication


Systems and methods are described herein for selecting a closed captioning language track. Control circuitry may capture an image or video of a user while the user is performing a gesture of a sign language. The control circuitry may access a database comprising a plurality of entries corresponding to a plurality of gestures in respective sign languages. The control circuitry may compare a first pixel map corresponding to the image or video of the user with pixel maps corresponding to each of the plurality of entries in order to identify a preferred sign language. The control circuitry may receive metadata associated with a media asset comprising a plurality of closed captioning language tracks, each closed captioning language track comprising closed captioning for the media asset in a different language and select one of the closed captioning language tracks that corresponds to the preferred sign language.

Media assets are often distributed with closed captioning language tracks which include text that follows the spoken dialogue in the media asset in order to aid users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Multiple closed captioning language tracks may also be distributed, with each closed captioning language track including text in a different language or a different version of the text in the same language. Typically, a user selects a preferred closed captioning language track that matches the user's language preferences or sets an option to indicate a preferred language track so that the system may automatically select an appropriate closed captioning language track. In both cases, the user must specifically indicate their preferred language in order for the system to display the appropriate closed captioning language track with the media asset. Users of closed captioning language tracks, who are often deaf, hard of hearing, and/or mute, often utilize sign language to communicate with others. Traditional systems do not however have a way to tie the use of sign language to media consumption language preferences.

Systems and methods for recognition of sign language for improved viewing experiences