A method for treating hair loss in mammals uses compositions containing prostaglandin F analogs. The compositions can be applied topically to the skin. The compositions can arrest hair loss, reverse hair loss, and promote hair growth.

Hair loss is a common problem which is, for example, naturally occurring or chemically promoted through the use of certain therapeutic drugs designed to alleviate conditions such as cancer. Often such hair loss is accompanied by lack of hair re-growth which causes partial or full baldness.
Hair growth on the scalp does not occur continuously, but rather occurs by a cycle of activity involving alternating periods of growth and rest. This cycle is divided into three main stages; anagen, catagen, and telogen. Anagen is the growth phase of the cycle and is characterized by penetration of the hair follicle deep into the dermis with rapid proliferation of cells which are differentiating to form hair. The next phase is catagen, which is a transitional stage marked by the cessation of cell division, and during which the hair follicle regresses through the dermis and hair growth ceases. The next phase, telogen, is characterized as the resting stage during which the regressed follicle contains a germ with tightly packed dermal papilla cells. At telogen, the initiation of a new anagen phase is caused by rapid cell proliferation in the germ, expansion of the dermal papilla, and elaboration of basement membrane components. When hair growth ceases, most of the hair follicles reside in telogen and anagen is not engaged, thus causing the onset of full or partial baldness.
Attempts to invoke the re-growth of hair have been made by, for example, the promotion or prolongation of anagen. Currently, there are two drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of male pattern baldness: topical minoxidil (marketed as ROGAINE® by Pharmacia & Upjohn), and oral finasteride (marketed as PROPECIA® by Merck & Co., Inc.). However, the search for efficacious hair growth inducers is ongoing due to factors including safety concerns and limited efficacy.
The thyroid hormone thyroxine ("T4") converts to thyronine ("T3") in human skin by deiodinase I, a selenoprotein. Selenium deficiency causes a decrease in T3 levels due to a decrease in deiodinase I activity; this reduction in T3 levels is strongly associated with hair loss. Consistent with this observation, hair growth is a reported side effect of administration of T4. See, e.g., Berman, "Peripheral Effects of L-Thyroxine on Hair Growth and Coloration in Cattle", Journal of Endocrinology, Vol. 20, pp. 282-292 (1960); and Gunaratnam, "The Effects of Thyroxine on Hair Growth in the Dog", J. Small Anim. Pract., Vol. 27, pp. 17-29 (1986). Furthermore, T3 and T4 have been the subject of several patent publications relating to treatment of hair loss. See, e.g., Fischer et al., DE 1,617,477, published Jan. 8, 1970; Mortimer, GB 2,138,286, published Oct. 24, 1984; and Lindenbaum, WO 96/25943, assigned to Life Medical Sciences, Inc., published Aug. 29, 1996.
Unfortunately, however, administration of T3 or T4, or both, to treat hair loss is often not practicable because these thyroid hormones can induce significant cardiotoxicity. See, e.g., Walker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,971, assigned to Syntex, issued Feb. 8, 1994 and Emmett et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,798, assigned to Smith Kline & French Laboratories, issued Oct. 29, 1991.
In an alternative approach, prostaglandins have been proposed to promote hair growth because prostaglandins may have a similar benefit to thyroid hormones, i.e., increasing hair length and changing pigmentation. Naturally occurring prostaglandins (e.g., PGA2, PGB2, PGE1, PGF2α, and PGI2) are C-20 unsaturated fatty acids. PGF2α, the naturally occurring Prostaglandin F analog in humans, is characterized by hydroxyl groups at the C9 and C11 positions on the alicyclic ring, a cis-double bond between C5 and C6, and a trans-double bond between C13 and C14. PGF2α has the formula:

Analogs of naturally occurring Prostaglandin F are known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,179 issued to Bindra and Johnson on May 17, 1977; German Patent No. DT-002,460,990 issued to Beck, Lerch, Seeger, and Teufel published on Jul. 1, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,720 issued to Hayashi, Kori, and Miyake on Dec. 5, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,262 issued to Hess, Johnson, Bindra, and Schaaf on Mar. 8, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,938 issued to Bergstrom and Sjovall on Dec. 4, 1973; P. W. Collins and S. W. Djuric, "Synthesis of Therapeutically Useful Prostaglandin and Prostacyclin Analogs", Chem. Rev., Vol. 93, pp. 1533-1564 (1993); G. L. Bundy and F. H. Lincoln, "Synthesis of 17-Phenyl-18,19,20-Trinorprostaglandins: I. The PG1 Series", Prostaglandin, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 1-4 (1975); W. Bartman, G. Beck, U. Lerch, H. Teufel, and B. Scholkens, "Luteolytic Prostaglandin: Synthesis and Biological Activity", Prostaglandin, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 301-311 (1979); C. Iiljebris, G. Selen, B. Resul, J. Stemschantz, and U. Hacksell, "Derivatives of 17-Phenyl-18,19,20-trinorprostaglandin F2α. Isopropyl Ester: Potential Antiglaucoma Agents", Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 289-304 (1995).
Prostaglandins in general have a wide range of biological activities. For example, PGE2 has the following properties: a) regulator of cell proliferation, b) regulator of cytokine synthesis, c) regulator of immune responses and d) inducer of vasodilatation. Vasodilatation is thought to be one of the mechanisms of how minoxidil provides a hair growth benefit. In vitro results in the literature also indicate some anti-inflammatory properties of the prostaglandins. c.f.; Tanaka, H. Br J. Pharm., 116, 2298, (1995).
However, previous attempts at using prostaglandins to promote hair growth have been unsuccessful. Different prostaglandin analogs can bind to multiple receptors at various concentrations with a biphasic effect. Furthermore, administration of naturally occurring prostaglandins can cause side effects such as inflammation, surface irritation, smooth muscle contraction, pain, and bronchoconstriction. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide methods for using prostaglandin analogs to grow hair and to provide compositions that promote hair growth in humans and lower animals. It is a further object of this invention to provide a selection of appropriate prostaglandin analogs that will promote hair growth and that do not cause significant undesirable side effects.

Compositions and methods for treating hair loss using non-naturally occurring prostaglandins


A fragmentable projectile casing for an explosive projectile (7) has an irregular wall thickness (W) and predetermined breaking points (2) distributed over the projectile casing (1) for formation of fragments. The predetermined breaking points (2) for obtaining uniform fragments are spaced irregularly from one another. The predetermined breaking points (2) can have a smaller distance from one another in a region of greater wall thickness (W) and can be arranged in the manner of a grid and/or are formed as lines. Further, the predetermined breaking points (2) can run parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the projectile casing (1) and/or along a circumference (U) of the projectile casing (1).

The instant application should be granted the priority dates of Dec. 15, 2010, the filing date of the corresponding German patent application 10 2010 061 272.3, as well as Dec. 2, 2011, the filing date of the International patent application PCT/DE2011/075296.
The invention relates to a fragmentable projectile casing for an explosive projectile, with predetermined breaking points distributed over the projectile casing for the shaping of fragments. The invention further relates to a method for handling a fragmentable projectile casing for an explosive projectile, with predetermined breaking points distributed over the projectile casing for the shaping of fragments.
Explosive projectiles are used, for example, as artillery ammunition. DE 10 2007 007 403 A1 describes an explosive projectile for assault ammunition bodies, for example mortar grenades or rockets.
In addition to a projectile casing, explosive projectiles typically have an explosive charge disposed within the projectile casing. As a result of firing the explosive charge into the target or in the area of the target, the projectile casing splinters into a plurality of fragments. The fragments are accelerated by the pressure of the detonation of the explosive charge and act on the target with a corresponding kinetic energy. Thus, an explosive projectile primarily acts by the fragmentation of its projectile casing.
The effect of the explosive projectile depends in a large degree on the formation of fragments. For example, upon detonation of the explosive charge, in addition to those fragments which can receive sufficient kinetic energy based on their masses to act on the target, also fragments are formed which based on having a mass that is too small or too great do not act on the target or act only in a limited peripheral manner on the target. In this manner, the shape or surface of the fragments affects their effectiveness. For example, fragments, which have an unfavorable shape, are slowed down based on their air resistance.
In order to achieve predominantly fragments with the desired shape upon detonation of the explosive charge, the projectile casing can be provided with predetermined breaking points. For example, DE 21 26 351 C1 describes a projectile casing, which has predetermined breaking points distributed uniformly over the projectile casing. By means of these predetermined breaking points, the formation of the fragments can be effected, such that more fragments with the desired shape are created.
When shooting an explosive projectile from a barrel of a weapon, in particular with spin-stabilized explosive projectiles, large forces are transferred onto the projectile casing. In order to ensure the strength of the projectile casing also during these increased demands, the projectile casings often have an irregular wall thickness. For example, regions of the projectile casing that are heavily stressed can be formed to be correspondingly thicker.
With such projectile casings with irregular wall thicknesses, it has been considered to be a disadvantage to provide uniformly distributed predetermined breaking points, since with detonation of the explosive charge, also an irregular fragment formation is provided from the irregular wall thickness. In addition, if the shape of the fragments is similar by uniformly distributed predetermined breaking points, the masses of the fragments, however, would differ greatly from one another. In the areas of smaller and larger wall thickness, fragments form with masses that are too small or too large, which are not effective or only marginally effective, whereby the effect of such explosive projectiles on the target is impaired.
A further disadvantage of the projectile casing known from DE 21 26 241 C1 is that the predetermined breaking points are formed as lines running along the circumference of the projectile casing as well as along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile casing, whereby only the predetermined breaking points running in the circumferential direction extend over the entire wall thickness. Thus, the projectile casing slants, such that upon detonation, the explosive charge breaks in the circumferential direction rather than in the longitudinal direction. It is possible that the predetermined breaking points do not break in the longitudinal direction. The result is an irregular formation of fragments and a reduced effect of the explosive projectile upon fragmentation of the projectile casing.

Projectile casing for an explosive projectile and method for handling a projectile casing


A receiver for use in a cellular communication system includes a first amplifying circuit for amplifying a received signal, an attenuating circuit for selectively attenuating the amplified signal in response to a control signal, a first converting circuit for converting the attenuated signal into an intermediate frequency signal, a second amplifying circuit for amplifying the intermediate frequency signal, a limiter for limiting the amplitude of the amplified intermediate frequency signal, a second converting circuit for converting the current of the amplified intermediate frequency signal or the amplitude-limited intermediate frequency signal into a first direct voltage, a determiner for outputting the control signal for attenuating a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the amplified signal by a predetermined strength if the first direct voltage is greater than a predetermined reference voltage and for adding a predetermined voltage with the first direct voltage and then for outputting the added voltage as a second direct voltage, and a detector for detecting the RSSI from the second direct voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cellular communication system, and more particularly to a receiver for extending the dynamic range of a received signal strength indicator for use in a cellular communication system.
A receiver according to the present invention for extending the dynamic range of a received signal strength indicator is based on Korean Application Serial No. 19782/1995 which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a signal received through an antenna is measured in the reception port of a cellular communication system. The measured RSSI is used for selecting a control channel in a standby mode and is used for a hand-off function.
FIG. 1 shows the connection of a circuit in the prior art for measuring the RSSI in the reception port of the conventional cellular communication system. Referring to FIG. 1, a radio signal received through an antenna 2 is amplified by a radio frequency (RF) amplifier 4. The amplified signal is mixed by a first mixer 8 with a signal oscillated by a first local oscillator 6 to generate a first intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The first IF signal is mixed by a second mixer 12 with a signal oscillated by a second local oscillator 20 to generate a second IF signal. The second IF signal is amplified by an IF amplifier 14. The amplitude of the amplified second IF signal is limited by a limiter 16 to be less than or equal to a predetermined magnitude. Generally, the signal output from the limiter 16 is an audio signal supplied to a user.
An arithmetic amplifier 18 converts the current of a signal output from the IF amplifier 14 and limiter 16 into a direct voltage (DV) and outputs the same. It is possible to measure the RSSI indicating the strength of the signal received through the reception port of the cellular communication system using the output DV. The following Table 1 indicates exemplary DV outputs from the arithmetic amplifier 18 in correspondence with the strength of the signal input to the IF processing unit 10.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ RSSI of IF processing unit [dBm] DV [V] ______________________________________ -120 0.5 -110 1.0 -100 1.5 -90 2.0 -80 2.5 -70 3.0 -60 3.5 -50 4.0 -40 4.5 -30 5.0 -20 5.0 -10 5.0 ______________________________________
Referring to the above Table 1, if the RSSI of the signal input to the second mixer 12 of the IF processing unit 10 is -120 dBm, the DV level output from the arithmetic amplifier 18 is 0.5 V. If the RSSI of the signal input to the second mixer 12 of the IF processing unit 10 is -100 dBm, the DV level output from the arithmetic amplifier 18 is 1.5 V. If the RSSI of the signal input to the second mixer 12 of the IF processing unit 10 is -30 dBm, the DV level output from the arithmetic amplifier 18 is 5.0 V.
FIG. 2 shows an RSSI characteristic curve of the prior art IF processing unit 10 and of the overall reception port in the cellular communication system as indicated in Table 1. Referring to Table 1, the dynamic range of the RSSI of the IF processing unit 10 having the second mixer 12, IF amplifier 14, limiter 16 and arithmetic amplifier 18 is about 90 dB (-30 dBm to -120 dBm), as shown by a solid line G1 of FIG. 2. In other words, when the RSSI of the signal input to the second mixer 12 of the IF processing unit 10 is -30 dBm to -120 dBm, the RSSI can be measured. If the RSSI of the signal input to the second mixer 12 of the IF processing unit 10 is greater than -20 dBm or less than -120 dBm, the RSSI cannot be measured. The interval in which the RSSI can be measured is called an RSSI dynamic range. The interval in which the RSSI cannot be measured is called an RSSI saturated region.
Since the gain of the RF amplifier 4 and first mixer 8 disposed in front of the IF processing unit 10 is about 20 dB to receive the band frequency (for example, 869 MHz to 894 MHz) of the cellular communication system, the RSSI dynamic range of the overall reception port of the cellular communication system shown in FIG. 1 is decreased to about 70 dB, as shown by a single dashed line G2 of FIG. 2. In other words, since the RSSI characteristic curve is moved to the RSSI saturated region by 20 dB, which is the gain of the components disposed in front of the IF processing unit 10, the RSSI dynamic range of the overall reception port of the cellular communication system corresponds to the interval of -30 dBm to -100 dBm. In other words, only when the RSSI of the signal received through the antenna 2 corresponds to the interval of -30 dBm to -100 dBm, the RSSI can be measured.
Also, even if the signal having the RSSI corresponding to the interval of -30 dBm to -100 dBm is input, the gain of the RF amplifier and first mixer should be increased to improve the reception sensitivity of the reception port of the cellular communication system. In such an implementation, the RSSI dynamic range would be much more decreased. Thus, a control channel cannot be selected in a standby mode of the reception port, nor can be allowed in using a hand-off function.

Receiver for extending the dynamic range of a received signal strength indicator


A memory device and method of performing a write operation in such a memory device are provided. The memory device comprises a memory array having a plurality of memory cells, and a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines via which the plurality of memory cells are accessed. Write driver circuitry is responsive to a write request to write data into at least one memory cell during a programming interval by altering voltage on at least one of the bit lines connected to that at least one memory cell while one of the word lines connected to the at least one memory cell is selected, to cause a value indicative of the data to be stored in the at least one memory cell. At a start of the programming interval the at least one bit line is at a first voltage, and the write driver circuitry comprises first coupling circuitry responsive to the write request to couple the at least one bit line to a second voltage to cause the voltage on that at least one bit line to transition towards the second voltage. The first and second voltages represent the operating voltages of the memory cells. Further, additional coupling circuitry is provided which is triggered at a predetermined time during the programming interval to cause the at least one bit line to transition beyond the second voltage towards a third voltage. It has been found that such an approach significantly improves the writeability of memory cells within a memory device arranged to operate at low supply voltages.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a memory device and method of performing write operations in such a memory device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is generally desirable to seek to reduce the power consumption of a data processing apparatus, and such a data processing apparatus often includes a memory device for storing the data used by the data processing apparatus. Power consumption is particularly an issue in hand held or mobile devices such as laptops, mobile phones, PDAs, etc, since the power consumption of such a device has a large impact on the battery life. One approach for seeking to reduce power consumption of a device is to lower the supply voltage used, since lowering the supply voltage reduces the power consumption by a square law. Hence, there are significant benefits in reducing the supply voltage to a device such as a system-on-chip (SoC). Often, SoC devices have large embedded memory devices such as SRAM devices, and the total capacity of the embedded SRAM devices is increasing. Therefore, the proportion of power consumption associated with the memory device is significant and will continue to increase as memory capacity increases.
Whilst lowering supply voltage can significantly reduce power consumption, it can cause problems, particularly in respect of the operation of memory devices. A significant barrier to achieving low voltage memory devices is the increase in process variation that occurs with process scaling. In particular, as the individual memory cells are made smaller and smaller, the device characteristics of the cells vary significantly due to dopant fluctuation and other effects. This causes stability problems within the individual memory cells, and this stability problem is aggravated at lower operating voltages. In particular, a reduction in the nominal supply voltage is accompanied by a reduction in device noise margins, making components more vulnerable to power supply noise. This noise consists of AC noise caused by the dynamic AC voltage fluctuation due to the frequency-dependent distributed parasitics inherent in power distribution systems, and DC noise caused by capacitive mismatch. Further, a DC voltage drop causes a reduction in the signal, and as a result of this DC voltage drop the signal to noise margin (SNM) reduces (because the value of the signal is reduced). The DC voltage drop is often referred to as the IR drop, according to Ohm's law V=I×R, where R is the equivalent path DC resistance between the source location and the device location, and I is the average current the chip draws from the supply. Hence, the more embedded a particular memory device is within the SoC, the higher the IR drop will be, and hence the greater the noise, thereby further reducing the stability of the cells. In particular, such noise can cause the state stored in individual memory cells to flip and it is accordingly important to try and avoid this occurring. To provide resistance to noise, it is generally required to make some of the individual transistors making up each memory cell relatively large, since this can improve the cell's resilience to noise. However, when such transistors are made larger, it has a negative impact on the writeability of the cell, in that the write operation will typically take longer when larger cells are used.
In summary, it is desirable to reduce supply voltages to a memory device so as to reduce power consumption. However, as memory devices become smaller, there is an increase in process variation which causes a stability problem that is aggravated when using low supply voltages. In seeking to provide resilience to this stability problem, a side effect is that writeability tends to become compromised.
The Article "90-nm Process-Variation Adaptive Embedded SRAM Modules with Power-Line-Floating Write Technique", by M Yamaoka et al, IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits, Volume 41, No. 3, March 2006, discusses the writeability problem, and describes a power-line-floating technique which improves the speed of the write operation under lower supply voltage. In accordance with the technique described therein, the power supply to an addressed memory cell is made to float when that memory cell is accessed for writing. Before the data flip that occurs during the write operation, write current flows through a load transistor and transfer transistor of the memory cell, as shown in FIG. 4(a) of that article, and this write current decreases the supply voltage and enables the write margin to be improved. Whilst controlling the supply voltage in such a way improves the write margin, and hence increases write speed, it tends to decrease the data retention stability of the cell.
Further, a PMOS isolation transistor is provided to form the switch used to enable the supply voltage to enter a floating state during the write operation. In particular, the PMOS isolation transistor is turned off at the start of the write operation to cause the supply voltage to float. However, when a write operation is not being performed, the PMOS isolation transistor is turned on, and the PMOS on-resistance gives rise an IR drop associated with that component which thereby gives a lower effective supply voltage at the memory cell, thereby reducing the static noise margin and hence reducing the stability of the cell. Further, the slightly reduced effective supply voltage is likely to slow down the read operation.
As an additional issue, there is a limit on the number of cells that can share the same PMOS isolation transistor, as decided by the capacitance of the floating line. In particular, the more cells that the isolation transistor is shared with, the higher the capacitance on the floating line, and the less the performance improvement of the write operation. At some point, the capacitance will reach a point where no improvement in the speed of a write operation occurs. As a result, a significant number of such PMOS isolation transistors will be required, and this will have a significant impact on area, and hence the cost, of a device constructed in such a manner.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop an improved technique for improving writeability in memory devices arranged to operate at low supply voltages.

Memory device and method for performing write operations in such a memory device


A fully portable, self-contained tile setting machine has a battery driven vibrator and a manually actuable suction pad with which the tile is secured. Out-rigger arms provide visual datum by which the tile in-process can be set level with two adjoining, previously set tiles or other reference surfaces, and a manual release of the suction pad permitting unimpeded removal of the setting machine from the just-set tile. The degree of vibration of the machine is adjustable, to permit modulation of the extent of vibration imparted to the tile, in setting it.

The use of tile setting machines is well known, being taught by Valente, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,451. Eschenbach teaches a floor conditioning machine in U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,601.
The Valente system is a noisy, cumbersome arrangement comprising a heavy, hand-held tile setting machine connected by air suction line to a compressor or like machine.
The tile setting machine itself has an air driven vibrator and a suction cup, both powered by the compressor.
The compressor requires to be accommodated in the vicinity of where the tiling is to be carried out, and to be connected to an external power source, which on a building site frequently presents its own difficulties. In operation, the compressor is very noisy, and the air hose connection to the tile laying machine is most inconvenient, and also forms a safety hazard.
In operation, the cumbersome and relatively heavy Valente machine, which weighs between 10 and 14 lbs., requires to be solidly supported upon its extendable supporting legs in order to achieve precision in placing the tiles.
In practice, many users habitually leave open the vacuum connection to the suction cup, resulting in contamination of the suction line by local detritus, leading frequently to loss of suction, and hence, to inoperability of the machine.
The Eschenbach machine is even larger and heavier than the Valente machine, and also requires an external power connection, which on site can prove most difficult to obtain.


Various embodiments for methods and systems for processing a document are disclosed. A font size associated with each of one or more text regions included in the document is determined. A first resolution of each of the one or more text regions is modified based on respective font size associated with each of the one or more text regions to generate a multi-resolution document.

Mixed Raster Content (MRC) based scanning is widely used to compress documents to reduce file size. For example, during scanning of printed documents, the users may specify a resolution (e.g., in the form of dpi), and subsequently, the scanned documents may be compressed using the specified resolution. The documents being scanned may include both, image regions and text regions. Typically, the text regions in the scanned documents are compressed using same resolution value specified by the user, whereas the image regions are compressed using half of the resolution specified by the user. For example, if the user specifies a resolution of 200 dpi during the scanning, the text regions included in the scanned documents are compressed with the resolution value of 200 dpi, whereas the image regions included in the scanned documents are compressed with the resolution value of 100 dpi.
However, the documents being scanned may include the text regions that include content with varying font sizes. In such scenarios, modifying the resolution indiscriminately (i.e., same resolution for text of different font sizes) in such documents may hamper the readability of the document.

Methods and systems for processing documents


An opthalmic microscope is provided having a variable shutter illumination system which decreases the amount of light from the light source passing through the shutter to the field of view. When a patient's eye is positioned within the field of view, the variable shutter acts to decrease the exposure time the illumination beam contacts a patient's retina. In a first embodiment, the variable shutter includes a rotating disk having at least one controllable operative where such disk is placed between the illumination source and the field of view of the microscope. In another embodiment, the variable shutter is provided by an electronically controlled liquid crystal shutter which is operable between a fully open position allowing substantially all of the light beam to pass therethrough to a fully closed position totally blocking the transmission of light through the shutter.

The concept of light-induced retinal damage has been recognized since the time of Plato, and was first clinically studied as early as 1916 as discussed in an article titled "Pathological Effects of Radiant Energy on the Eye" by Dr. F. H. Verhoeff, et al. printed in Proc. Am. Acad. Arts Sci, Volume 51, pages 629-818 (1916) . The article describes the nature of solar burns affecting the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. However, at that time, they attributed this damage to an increase in ocular temperature and not to an overstimulation of the retina with light.
It was not until experimental work performed in the mid 1960's that nonthermal retinal light damage became recognized. The myth that such damage could be caused only by intense light sources, such as the sun and various photocoagulators, gave way to reality that damage from lower intensity light was probable and that additivity of several exposures was possible.
And, in the last twenty years, the prior art is replete in describing how commonly-used ophthalmic devices and microscopes can cause experimental light damage in animal models. In the last fifteen years, the use of intense light sources in ophthalmic surgery has increased. And, recently, there have been numerous reports of iatrogenic phototoxicity following routine cataract extraction, epikeratophakia, combined anterior segment procedures, and vitrectomy surgery.
The term "phototoxicity" or "phototoxic lesion" is usually employed to describe the typical retinal lesion produced after a relatively short intense exposure to a light source such as the operating microscope.
In an article by Dr. D. M. Robertson et al., entitled "Photic Retinopathy from the Operating Room Microscope", printed in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, Volume 101, pages 452.varies.462 (1986), it was conclusively established that a cause and effect relationship exists between exposure to the operating microscope light and retinal or phototoxic lesions. Evidence also exists that light from the operating microscopes contributes to post-operative cystoid macular edema (CME).
A number of factors attribute to the occurrence of phototoxicity or CME in patients during an ophthalmic operation. And, since retinal damage is largely a function of these factors such as light power, exposure time, and wave length of the light, a reduction of total energy delivered to the retina throughout an entire procedure can be accomplished in various manners.
Filtration is one method of limiting the damaging light rays from reaching the retina. Retinal susceptibility to phototoxic effects is greatest at the blue-violet end of the light spectrum. Consequently, filtration that is cut off below 400-450 mm may be added to the microscope illumination system. However, this may be unnecessary where glass fiber bundles or cables are used to transfer light to the microscope because the ultraviolet absorption characteristics of glass cause the glass bundles to provide for a very effective ultraviolet absorption automatically, perhaps making further filtration unnecessary on fiberoptic-equipped microscopes.
Oblique illumination, rather than coaxial illumination, may decrease the power of the light reaching the retina. Oblique illumination will place the intense image of the illuminating beam in the far periphery of the retina, thus protecting the posterior pole. However, the commonly available oblique illumination attachments are somewhat inconvenient, cause vignetting of photo/video images and also increase the length of the microscope body.
Defocusing the illumination beam on the retina by insertion of an air bubble in the anterior chamber will increase the size and, thus, decrease the intensity of the illumination beam as it falls on the retina. However, the amount of defocusing varies greatly with the size of the bubble and it is unclear on whether this procedure would help prevent phototoxicity.
Another manner of preventing phototoxicity is to limit the exposure time the microscope illumination system is projecting its beam of light on a patient's retina. Two methods of minimizing total light energy by decreasing exposure time to the brightest light have been disclosed in the prior art.
First, Dr. Yanoff et al., in an article entitled, "Inexpensive Device to Reduce Surgical Light Exposure", as printed in Ophthalmology, Volume 90, (Instrument and Book Supplement), pages 137-138 (1983), discloses a rubber cap which is placed over the cornea after a cataract removal to cover the visual axis and remains in place during the final closure of the wound. A second approach is discussed in an article by Dr. D.J. McIntyre entitled, "Phototoxicity -- The Eclipse Filter", as printed in Ophthalmology, Volume 92, pages 364-365 (1985), wherein he discusses the use of a movable opaque disk which can be placed in the appropriate plane of the illumination system of the microscope to project a sharply-focused black spot of 11 mm in diameter. The surgeon can place the black spot over the pupil when he does not need direct illumination of the retina and raises the spot away from the pupil when he does need to direct the illumination beam onto the retina. However, both methods use devices which block not only the microscope illumination beam but also the surgeon's sight of the retina during an ophthalmological operation.
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a microscope having an illumination system or module which decreases the amount of light passing through it over time without interrupting a surgeon's full field of vision through the microscope.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a microscope illumination system having a variable shutter means so as to allow a surgeon to adjust the amount of light that is blocked from striking the patient's retina.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a microscope having a variable shuttered illumination system capable of reducing the occurrence of phototoxicity in patients undergoing an ophthalmic surgical operation.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a microscope having a variable shuttered illumination system capable of reducing the occurrence of postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME) in patients undergoing an ophthalmic surgical operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a microscope having a variable shuttered illumination system to reduce the amount of light striking a patient's retina during an ophthalmic surgical operation without restricting the surgeon's field of vision so as to reduce the occurrence of postoperative retinal damage to the patient.

Variable shutter illumination system for microscope


A general method for extracting an electromagnetic or other wave-propagated signal of a desired source from the overall received waveform containing the sum of signals from a multitude of such sources, independently of signal contents and modulation. The method comprises the steps of first expanding the spectrum of the received sum of signals in proportion to their source distances so as to spectrally isolate the signal from the desired source, selecting the isolated signal spectrum using a bandpass filter, and finally, spectrally compressing the selected signal back to its original band of frequencies. The distance dependent expansion is performed by scanning the phase gradient of the signal spectrum. Related method for computing the spread of source distances by measuring low and high frequency bounds of the expanded sum of signals or subbands, or by plotting the expanded sum of signals or subbands on a graph.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally pertains to communication of information between a source and a receiver. More particularly, it concerns the use of source distance information at the receiver to ensure maximum bandwidth of communication and avoid noise and interference from other sources operating over the same frequencies.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In his classic paper titled "A mathematical theory of communication" (Bell System Technical Journal, vol. 27, pages 379–423, 623–656, 1948), Claude E Shannon defined the object of communication technology as enabling the transfer of information from a source to a receiver. A perfect receiver should be accordingly defined as one that could receive an arbitrary signal f(r, t) from a transmitter at a relative distance r without noise, distortion or interference from any other source. Such an ideal receiver is unachievable by Shannon's theory, but current technology is especially worse off with respect to the criterion of interference, because it splits the available physical bandwidth in some way to keep the signals from multiple sources separate all the way. The separation techniques include frequency division multiplexing (FDM) used in radio and television broadcast, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and mode separation in optical fibres, spread-spectrum encoding or code division multiple access (CDMA), or time division multiplexing (TDM) and its asynchronous variant, the Ethernet. Recent variations of this theme include blind signal processing as discussed in the book titled Adaptive Blind Signal and Image Processing (Wiley, 2002, authors A Cichocki and S Amari), which uses statistical analysis to cope with the distortion of the original separation parameters by the wireless channel, and autocorrelation matching, in which a "prefilter" is applied at the source, as described by R Liu, H Luo, L Song, B Hu and X Ling in their paper titled "Autocorrelation—a new differentiating domain for multiple access wireless communication", in the Proceedings of ISCAS, 2002. All of these techniques effectively share the channel capacity corresponding to the usable physical bandwidth.
Lately, another such idea, using multiple transmitting and receiving antennae in parallel, is called space division multiplexing (SDM), as in the articles "Reduced complexity space division multiplexing receivers" by G Awater, A van Zelst and R van Nee in the Proceedings of IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference, May 2000, and "Channel Estimation and Signal Detection for Space Division Multiplexing in a MIMO-OFDM System", by Y Ogawa, K Nishio, T Nishimura and T Ohgane in IEICE Transactions on Communications, Vol. E88-B, No. 1, January 2005. The usage is debatable, since it concerns merely using a larger antenna cross-section to achieve a correspondingly larger channel, i.e. there is no actual division of space whatsoever, even though the parallel antennae could be using complementary polarizations, which, if used to transmit different channels, would have qualified as a form of space division multiplexing. However, it would still be far ambitious than the objects and motivation of the present invention, as follows.
If only we could string separate cables or fibres between each receiver and its selected source, the sharing of the channel capacity would become unnecessary, and the entire capacity of the cable or fibre link would become available to each receiver and its respective source. It is desirable to have a similar capability for wireless technology, which is being steadily pushed into increasingly higher frequency bands for bandwidth as channels compete within the same frequency bands over the same physical space. The main challenges are directivity and range selection. The first is partly addressed by using high operating frequencies so that the wavelengths are comparable to or less than the receiver dimensions, and partly by phased array technology, which enables source direction selection without physically moving an antenna. There has been no practical solution for the second, although as range and angle are mutually complementary as physical dimensions of space, and on that basis, a similar, receiver-side technology could have intuitively thought possible.
The present invention is a solution based on a method for enabling a receiver of electromagnetic or other waves to determine the distance r to the source of the waves by modifying a receiver parameter, as described in copending application titled "Passive distance measurement using spectral phase gradients", filed 2 Jul. 2004, No. 10/884,353, incorporated here in its entirety by reference. The method involves varying an instantaneous frequency selector ŵ at the receiver at a rate α, whereby frequency shifts δw become induced in the received waves in proportion to αr, so that r can be computed from α and δw. This method avoids round trip timing (RTT) and coherent phase reference requirements, but it depends on the phase distribution, which is already utilized in current technology. For example,                any kind of modulation as such involves a nonzero bandwidth spread, and frequency modulation (FM) especially relates to phase modulation (PM),        PM itself is also in use, for instance, in data modems as quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), and for the encoding of colour in PAL and SECAM broadcast television formats, and        in any case, all signal processing, including the autocorrelation matching and the blind signal processing methods mentioned above, involve manipulation of the signal phase.It has not been obvious, therefore, that this method can be used for source selection without being impacted by modulation or signal processing, and without interfering with these operations. Moreover, in the presence of a modulating signal, a received carrier is no longer an almost pure sinusoid, as would appear to be assumed in the copending application, so that even the inferred distance r(ŵ) would vary significantly over the received modulated carrier bandwidth.
It is in fact generally unobvious how any form of distance determination could help in signal selection or source isolation. An independent review of the copending application method observed, for example, that timing or coordinate information from the global positioning system (GPS) could be encoded in transmitted signals to enable source distance determination without RTT or coherent phase reference. While the method could have other applications, it would be specific to signals actually bearing the encoded coordinate or timing information and thus less than general. The encoded information would be generally available only after the signals are separated, and would be thus useless for the separation itself.
A hitherto unaddressed need exists, therefore, for a method that can separate signals from multiple sources, that does not interfere with the signal phase distribution or depend on the signal form or content, and would enable the entire physical bandwidth available from a source to be utilized for communication with only that source, without interfering with signals from another source. Such a separation is available for sources located at different directions from the receiver using phased array antennae as remarked, but not for sources along roughly the same direction and differing only in distance. It would be also desirable to have a method that can be applied over a large gamut of operating wavelengths, for example, from radio waves to ultraviolet frequencies, and even to acoustic waves. It would be additionally desirable for the method to be also useful for detecting the presence of multiple sources, i.e. of interference, so as to enable a receiver to lock on to and track a selected source.


In an air conditioning system comprising a heat source side machine for condensing a fluid which can change a phase between a liquid phase and a gas phase to a predetermined temperature and for supplying, and a plurality of user side machines more than half of which are disposed below said heat source side machine, in which piping is constructed in such a manner as to circulate the fluid supplied from said heat source side machine by using a difference in specific gravity between the liquid phase and the gas phase, between said heat source side machine and said user side machine and a cooling of said user side machine is performed by evaporating said fluid in said user side machine, the heat source side machine is provided with a control means for descending a set temperature of said fluid discharged from said heat source side machine after condensed by changing the operating capacity of said heat source side machine when a state that the temperature of said fluid returned back after evaporated in the user side machine at a time of a cooling is higher than a predetermined temperature continues for a predetermined time period. Accordingly, even when the cooling effect is insufficient due to the super-heated state of the fluid in the user side machine, the super-heated state of the fluid is resolved after the predetermined time has passed, thereby returning to the normal cooling

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air conditioning system, and more particularly to a system for circulating a fluid which can change a phase between a gas phase and a liquid phase by a difference of a specific gravity between a gas phase and a liquid phase between a heat source side machine and a plurality of user side machines disposed below the heat source side machine, so that each of the user side machines can at least perform a cooling operation.
2. Background Art
Conventional arts include, for example, a system as shown in FIG. 7 as an air conditioning system which does not need a power for transporting a phase-changeable fluid, that is, a fluid changing a phase between a liquid phase and a gas phase by outputting or inputting a latent heat. In this system, a heat source side machine 1 serving as a condenser is mounted at a high position of a building, and a liquid phase pipe 6 and a gas phase pipe 7 connect the heat source side machine with a heat exchanger 5 of an user side machine 4 mounted in a room to be air-conditioned disposed in a lower position than the heat source side machine. The system supplies a liquid which is heat-discharged and condensed by the heat source side machine 1 to the heat exchanger 5 of the user side machine 4 through the liquid phase pipe 6 by its own weight and on the contrary returns a gas which is heat-absorbed and evaporated by heat-exchanging with a warm air in the room by the heat exchanger 5 of the user side machine 4 to the heat source side machine 1 of which pressure becomes lower by condensing of the liquid through the gas phase pipe 7, thereby capable of performing a circulation. Accordingly, there are advantages such that a transporting power such as a electric pump is not necessary and a running cost can be reduced. In this case, reference numeral 8 denotes a flow control valve and reference numeral 9 denotes a blower.
In the heat source side machine 1, the operation capacity of the heat source side machine 1 is controlled in such a manner that the temperature of the fluid discharged from the heat source side machine after condensed to the liquid phase pipe 6 is kept constant. In each of the user side machines 4, the opening ratio of the fluid control valve 8 is controlled in such a manner that the fluid supplied from the heat source side machine 1 through the liquid phase pipe 6 at a constant temperature is discharged to the gas phase pipe 7 at a predetermined temperature after being heat-exchanged with the air within the room supplied by the blower 9.
However, in the air conditioning system having the above structure, since only the weight of the fluid which discharges the heat in the heat source side machine, is condensed and is stored in the liquid phase pipe acts as a power for supplying the fluid to the user side machine, the amount of the fluid which can flow into the user side machine is limited and the fluid is super-heated in the case of large cooling load, so that the cooling performance tends to be insufficient.
Further, when the operating number of the user side machines is changed, or the temperature difference of the fluid flowing into or discharging out of the user side machine is changed due to the change of the air conditioning load within the room, or the opening ratio of the flow control valve is changed, the operating performance of the heat source side machine is not changed immediately, but as in the same manner as the conventional manner in which the forcible circulation is performed, after recognizing the actual temperature change of the fluid discharged from the heat source side machine to the liquid phase pipe, the operating performance of the heat source side machine is controlled in such a manner that the temperature returns to a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, there is a problem that the air conditioning system is delay in replying the change of the air conditioning load. Still further, in the conventional type of air conditioning system for forcibly circulating with an electric pump, there is a problem that a quicker response with respect to the change of the air conditioning load is desired. Accordingly, there is a desire that the above problems should be solved.


In a RAID system, the power supplied to hard disks (HDDs) can be increased, and a plurality of types of HDDs can be installed. A plurality of HDD packs 33 are supplied with a single high voltage from a motherboard 28. The HDD packs 33 each accommodate, in a canister, an HDD 107, 181, 185 or 187 with different power supply specifications or communication interface specifications, as well as a DC/DC converter 109 to convert the power supply. Part of the HDD packs 33 have a data transfer interface conversion circuit 195 as well.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a storage system having a plurality of physical storage devices (for example, hard disk drives), and in particular to technology to provide a power supply to a plurality of storage devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Storage systems of which RAID systems are representative comprise numerous storage devices, such as for example hard disk drives (hereafter abbreviated "HDD"). In Japanese Patent Laid-open 4-78062, a RAID system configured to supply power to a plurality of HDDs from the same power supply circuit is described.
In general, each of the HDDs installed in such a storage system is assembled as a single unit (hereafter called a "HDD unit") in which the group of components necessary to function as an HDD (for example, the magnetic disks, read/write heads, power transmission mechanisms and other mechanical components, the motors and other electromechanical components needed to drive the former, and the driver circuits for the electromechanical components, logic circuits for data processing, microprocessors, and other electrical circuit components) are indivisibly integrated and fixed in a single casing. An HDD unit has connectors for connection to data communication circuits within the storage system and to power supply circuits. The physical specifications of the connectors are characteristic of the specifications of the interface for data transfer adopted by the HDD; typically, an HDD unit has a prescribed plurality of data transfer terminals and a prescribed plurality of power supply terminals. There are various electrical circuit components within an HDD unit, and different types of circuit components require power supplies at different voltage levels. For example, logic circuits for data communication and control require a 5 V_DC power supply, whereas motors, heads, and other actuators require a 12 V_DC power supply. A plurality of power supply terminals among the connectors are allocated to such power supplies with different voltage levels.
Efforts are made each year to expand the capacity of this type of storage system, and the number of HDD units installed increases steadily. In addition, higher reliability, more compact size, and lower prices are also sought. Further, as magnetic disks move toward higher densities, faster data transfer rates and higher revolution rates, there is a trend toward increased power consumption within HDD units. On the other hand, there is also a trend towards diversification of the specifications of power supplied to HDD units within a storage system. Also, there is a trend toward adoption of interface specifications for data transfer to HDD units enabling faster operation and lower prices, such as for example the Small Computer System Interface (hereafter abbreviated to "SCSI"), Fiber Channel Interface (hereafter "FC"), and Serial ATA (hereafter "SATA").
Given the above circumstances, there are the following problems and demands.
(1) The number of power supply terminals of the connector of an HDD unit is fixed at a certain number by the specifications of the interface for data transfer, and there is a constant upper limit to the current which can flow to each power supply terminal. For example, FC specifications stipulate that a connector has four power supply terminals, and that the upper limit to current which can flow through one power supply terminal is 1 A. Normally, two power supply terminals are allocated for 12 V_DC, and two power supply terminals for 5 V_DC. Hence only current up to 2 A can be supplied to an HDD unit by either a 12 V_DC or a 5 V_DC power supply. However, as explained above, there is a tendency toward increases in the power consumption of HDD units, and so there is the possibility that it will no longer be possible to supply adequate power to HDD units using existing power supply terminals.
(2) The trends in recent years toward increases in the number of installed HDD units and toward increasing HDD internal power consumption have given rise to the need for larger-capacity power supply circuits for storage systems.
(3) In addition to existing HDD units requiring supply of a plurality of voltage levels such as 5 V_DC and 12 V DC, HDD units which require the supply of other voltage levels are appearing. Consequently it is desirable that a single storage system be able to accept installation of a plurality of types of HDD units with different power supply specifications.
(4) There exist a plurality of various specifications for the interface for HDD unit data transfer, such as for example FC and SATA. Hence it is desirable that a single system be able to accept installation of a plurality of types of HDD units with different interface specifications.


Embodiments relate to an audio processing system that adjusts for unmatched speakers, such as by frequency response, output power, directionality, etc. For example, a mobile device may include an earpiece speaker and a micro-loudspeaker. The audio processing system may include a crossover network that separates an input audio signal into a low frequency signal and a high frequency signal. Subband spatial processing and b-chain processing are applied to the high frequency signal to spatially enhance the input signal, and adjust the input signal for the unmatched speakers. The low frequency signal is processed using a parametric band-pass filter and a first gain to generate a low frequency resonator signal, and a second gain to generate a low frequency passthrough signal. The processed low frequency signals are provided to the micro-loudspeaker by combination with one of a left channel or a right channel of the processed high frequency signal.

Audio signals can allow a listener to perceive a spatial sense in the sound field. However, many non-ideally configured stereo rendering systems employ moderately to severely unmatched drivers, which are mismatched by frequency response, output power, directionality, or any combination thereof. One such common example system could be a mobile phone or tablet capable of stereo audio playback, but employing only one "broad-band" micro-loudspeaker orthogonally firing in relation to a band-limited earpiece driver with low frequency attenuation below 1000 Hz. The spatial sense in the sound field may be lost or distorted when an audio signal is reproduced using unmatched drivers.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Enhanced virtual stereo reproduction for unmatched transaural loudspeaker systems


There is provided a catalyst carrier comprising a refractory inorganic material having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes. There is further a catalyst comprising a refractory inorganic material carrier having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes; and one or more catalytically reactive metals deposited on said carrier. There is also provided a catalyst suitable for the vapor phase production of alkylene oxide from olefins and oxygen comprising an alumina-based carrier having a sodium solubilization rate no greater than 5 ppmw/5 minutes; and catalytically reactive silver deposited on said carrier.

Methods have been described for lowering the total concentration of soluble species in the bulk of a catalyst carrier. These methods generally involve a process by which the carrier is manufactured in such a way so as to lower the concentration of those species throughout the bulk of the carrier. These approaches limit the formulation of carriers, often times with undesirable consequences such as high carrier density.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,270 discloses water washing to reduce the sodium content of an alumina powder. The pH of the wash water may need to be adjusted for extraction of other metals and Japanese patent JP56164013 discloses the use of a low pH (acid) to extract uranium and thorium from a calcined α-alumina raw material.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,504 and 4,366,092 suggest that ethylene oxide catalyst be water washed after the deposition of silver or silver/gold on the carrier. EP-211521 discloses washing of a catalyst with hot water to remove basic materials left on the catalyst from a silver impregnation process or the physical deposition of alkali metals. U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,167 discloses a process for a supported catalyst wherein an impregnated support is immersed in an inert water immiscible organic solvent containing a dissolved aliphatic amine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,689 discloses depositing a silver compound, decomposing the silver compound to silver in the presence of an alkali metal compound, removing organic deposits by washing and introducing fresh alkali metal by impregnation during or after the washing stage. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,186,106 and 4,125,480 disclose washing with an inert liquid after deposition of the catalytic metal and before deposition of a promoter material.
The prior art remains concerned with the total amount of impurities; i.e., impurities throughout the bulk. Unfortunately, the impurity removal techniques taught typically attack the carrier itself. It has surprisingly been found that controlling the solubilization rate of certain species found on a carrier surface results in a catalyst with improved catalytic properties.


A combustor dome assembly for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough, including: an annular dome plate having an inner portion, an outer portion, a forward surface, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings formed therein, wherein a radial section defined between each of the openings includes a cooling trough formed therein; an outer cowl connected to the dome plate outer portion at a downstream end thereof; an inner cowl connected to the dome plate inner portion at a downstream end thereof; and, a deflector plate connected to and positioned aft of each opening in the dome plate. Each deflector plate further includes: an annular section at an upstream end thereof having a forward end, an aft end, an inner surface and an outer surface; a substantially planar flange connected to the aft end of the annular section, the planar flange including an outer circumferential surface, an inner circumferential surface, a first radial surface, a second radial surface, and an opening therein sized to the inner surface of the annular section so as to form opposing radial sections; a first flange connected to the outer circumferential surface of the planar flange at a predetermined angle thereto; and, a second flange connected to the inner circumferential surface of the planar flange at a predetermined angle thereto. The first and second radial sections of the deflector plate planar flange are configured so at least a portion of the dome plate cooling trough is in flow communication with a combustion chamber downstream of said dome plate.

The present invention relates generally to a combustor dome assembly for a gas turbine engine and, in particular, to a combustor dome assembly including deflector plates which are configured to limit stress imposed thereon. Further, a dome plate for the combustor dome assembly is provided which has a cooling trough in each radial section with purge openings that are substantially aligned with a radial surface of such deflector plates.
It is well known within the combustor art of gas turbine engines that a dome portion, in conjunction with inner and outer liners, serves to form the boundary of a combustion chamber. A mixture of fuel and air is ignited and burned in such combustion chamber so that the products thereof are able to interface with the blades of turbines and produce work through one or more shafts. The annular combustor dome also serves to position a plurality of mixers in a circumferential manner so that a fuel/air mixture is provided to the combustion chamber in a desired manner.
While the typical combustor arrangement has adequate space between swirler cups to incorporate features to enhance the spectacle plate structure (e.g., the addition of ribs, cooling holes and the like), certain geometric restrictions have been introduced by current combustor designs which run lean so as to minimize emissions. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,964 to Pritchard, Jr. et al., one particular fuel/air mixer configuration includes a fuel nozzle containing a pilot mixer therein. The fuel nozzle is then located within a main mixer. Accordingly, the size of the fuel nozzle and the corresponding swirler assembly associated therewith has increased significantly from those previously utilized and thereby reduced the distance between adjacent swirler cups. Utilization of an annular dome plate having a greater diameter would serve to increase the weight of the engine and require modification of components interfacing therewith. Thus, the openings in the dome plate have been enlarged and thereby lessened the circumferential distance between adjacent openings.
It will be appreciated that a plurality of deflector plates are generally provided in the combustor dome assembly. Such deflector plates are connected to the dome plate adjacent each opening therein in circumferentially spaced relation and protects the dome plate from the extreme effects of the combustion chamber. Cooling for the side edges of the deflector plates is accomplished by means of cooling holes positioned in a radial section of the dome plate between adjacent openings. It has been found, however, that the proximity of adjacent deflector plates and the relatively thin radial sections thereof has created additional stresses which have created deformation and cracking along portions thereof.
Thus, in light of the foregoing, it would be desirable for a combustor dome assembly to be developed which accommodates minimum spacing between adjacent swirler cups. It would also be desirable for a deflector plate to be developed which is configured to limit the stresses imposed thereon. Another desirable feature of the combustor dome assembly is a dome plate which can provide additional purge air to certain regions of the deflector plate while advantageously affecting the temperature and mixture of the fuel and air in the combustion chamber adjacent thereto.

Combustor dome assembly of a gas turbine engine having improved deflector plates


A method for controlling an air cylinder such that air is supplied to and exhausted from pressure chambers of the air cylinder by air servo valves. Pressures in the pressure chambers are detected by pressure sensors, signals of the detected pressures are feedback to a controller, and the degrees of opening of the air servo valves are adjusted by corresponding PID adjusters of the controller on the basis of the respective differences between instruction values and detection values. The displacement of the rod of the air cylinder is detected by a displacement sensor, and a detection signal of the displacement is fed back to the controller so that a gain of the PID adjuster is always changed in accordance with the detection signal of the displacement.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of basic connection of an apparatus for controlling a thrust force of an air cylinder by an air servo valve. In the figure, with respect to reference numbers, 1 denotes an air cylinder, 2 denotes a three-position air servo valve connected to a head-side pressure chamber 1a of the air cylinder 1, 3 denotes a pressure air source connected to the air servo valve 2 and a rod-side pressure chamber 1b through a regulator 4, 5 denotes a controller controlling the air servo valve 2 by a PID adjuster 5a (see FIG. 5), 6 denotes a pressure sensor detecting an air pressure in the head-side pressure chamber 1a and feeding back a signal of the detected pressure to the controller 5, and 7 denotes a position sensor detecting the position of a piston 1c of the air cylinder 1.
In the apparatus, when the air servo valve 2 is switched to a first position, shown on the left of the figure, by the controller 5, and a pressure air is fed to the head-side pressure chamber 1a of the air cylinder 1, the piston 1c and a rod 1d of the air cylinder 1 move forward to the right in the figure. On this occasion, a pressure in the head-side pressure chamber 1a is detected by the pressure sensor 6, the position of the piston 1c is detected by the position sensor 7, and respective detection signals are fed back to the controller 5. Then, by applying a necessary gain (amplification) on a difference between a pressure instruction value and the detection value of the pressure in the PID adjuster 5a of the controller 5, and controlling the air servo valve 2, thrust control in accordance with the position of the piston 1c is performed. On this occasion, the air servo valve 2 is opened at the degree of opening in accordance a control signal having the gain applied thereon, and the pressure in the pressure chamber 1a of the cylinder 1 is controlled with a rate of airflow according to the degree of opening.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the apparatus, for controlling a thrust force of the air cylinder 1 by controlling the pressure in the pressure chamber 1a. With respect to reference characters in the figure, "Pi" is an instruction value, "Kp" is a proportional gain of the PID adjuster 5a, "G(S)" is a transfer function of the air servo valve 2, "V" is a volume of the pressure chamber, "1/VS" is a transfer function of the air cylinder 1, "a" is a constant, "T" is a time constant, "s" is Laplace operator, "Q" is a manipulated variable, "Po" is a controlled variable, and "Kc" is a feedback gain. The block diagram will be described in detail later, in association with the description of the present invention.

Method and apparatus for controlling air cylinder


A curbside mailbox kit, compliant with 39 U.S.C. 111 (Feb. 8, 2001), comprising: a base, two sides, an optional signaling flag, a roof, a rear side, and a front door, wherein the mailbox kit is provided in an unassembled form having a void cross section substantially less than 30 square inches, and having a void cross section when assembled of at least 30 square inches. A mailbox, comprising a base, hinged front panel, rear panel, two side panels, and a top, each of the two side panels being attached to the base by a hinge. A mailbox kit, comprising two planar sides, a planar base, a planar rear panel, a hinged planar front door, and a top, the sides, base, rear panel and front being provided in a package with their respective planes parallel, the kit being adapted to be assembled into a box.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to design and construction of curbside contemporary mailboxes.
2. Applicable Regulations and Prior Art
The US Postal Service has issued 39 CFR Part 111 expressly incorporated herein by reference, which, among other things, governs curbside mailboxes. See also, Domestic Mail Manual DO41, (DMM Issue 58 Updated Jan. 6, 2005), and USPS-STD-7B (Feb. 8, 2001, Fed. Register 66(27) 9509-9522), expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Contemporary mailboxes provide increased manufacturing flexibility over traditional domed designs, but as a whole the differences have been most aesthetic. A particular issue in traditional and most contemporary mailbox designs is that they are distributed in a state ready for use, and thus have a large void volume as delivered. This makes shipping inefficient and forces retailers to allocate a large amount of shelf and warehouse space to mailboxes, leading to high distribution costs.
According to USPS DMM DO41, the local postmaster may approve a curbside mailbox constructed by a customer who, for aesthetic or other reasons, does not want to use an approved manufactured box. The custom-built box must generally meet the same standards as approved manufactured boxes for flag, size, strength, and quality of construction.
Every curbside mailbox should bear the following address information: (a) A box number, if used, inscribed in contrasting color in neat letters and numerals at least 1 inch high on the side of the box visible to the carrier's regular approach, or on the door if boxes are grouped; (b) A house number if street names and house numbers have been assigned by local authorities, and the postmaster authorizes their use as a postal address. If the box is on a different street from the customer's residence, the street name and house number must be inscribed on the box; and (c) Optionally, the mailbox may bear the owner's name.
No advertising on a mailbox or its support is permitted.
The post or other support for a curbside mailbox must be neat and of adequate strength and size. The post may not represent effigies or caricatures that tend to disparage or ridicule any person. The box may be attached to a fixed or movable arm.
A mailbox with a lock must have a slot that is large enough to accommodate the customer's normal daily mail volume. The USPS neither opens a locked box nor accepts a key for this purpose.
Mailboxes must meet regulations and requirements as stipulated by USPS collection and delivery, operation and policy. This includes carrier door operation, flag operation (full service mailboxes), in-coming mail openings and the retrieval of out-going mail. The opening style, design and size are determined by the manufacturer, however, the carrier must be able to deposit the customer's mail. Out-going mail of all designs must be able to be pulled straight out of the mailbox without interference from protrusions, hardware, etc. Mailboxes must not be made of any transparent, toxic, or flammable material. The mailbox must protect mail from potential water damage that may result from wet weather conditions. A rear door is permitted to enable the customer to remove mail without standing in the street.
Mailbox designs that do not conform to the dome-rectangular shape of Traditional designs but meet specified capacity requirements are classified as Contemporary. In addition, Contemporary designs have limits on maximum dimensions. Although the shape and design is less restrictive, Contemporary mailboxes must meet the same applicable functional requirements as traditional mailboxes.
Mailbox designs that provide security for customer's in-coming mail are classified as Locked mailboxes. Although the shape and design is less restrictive, Locked mailboxes must meet the same applicable functional requirements. Designs having a slot for in-coming mail must be at least 1.75 inches high by 10 inches wide. If a slot has a protective flap it must operate inward to ensure mail can be inserted in a horizontal manner without requiring any additional effort of carriers. The slot must be positioned on the front side of the mailbox facing the street. In addition, the slot must be clearly visible and directly accessible by mail carriers. Any designs, which allow for out-going mail, must meet all applicable requirements of this standard.
Locked mailbox designs may allow for both in-coming and out-going mail. It is preferred by the USPS that both in-coming and out-going mail compartments be located behind a single carrier service door. Alternate positioning of the in-coming mail compartment such as beneath or side-by-side with the out-going compartment is permitted provided that no additional carrier service is introduced.
Decorative art and devices can be attached to the exterior of approved mailbox designs provided they do not interfere with mail delivery or present a safety hazard. Devices can also be mounted in the interior of approved mailboxes provided they do not cause the intended mailbox to fail a minimum capacity test and do not interfere with mail delivery or present a safety hazard. Any advertising on a mailbox or its support is prohibited. Unrestricted spring-loaded devices and designs are prohibited. Auxiliary flags or devices used to signal the customer that the mail has arrived must operate automatically without requiring additional carrier effort.
Ferrous or nonferrous metal, wood (restrictions apply), plastic, or other materials may be used, as long as their thickness, form, mechanical properties, and chemical properties adequately meet the operational, structural, and performance requirements set forth in 39 C.F.R. 111. Materials used must not be toxic, flammable or transparent. The entire bottom area of all mailboxes where mail would rest should be fabricated to prevent mail from damage due to condensation or moisture. Except for the internal mail compartment of locked style mailboxes, all designs must not present a lip or protrusion that would prevent the mail from being inserted or pulled straight out of the mailbox. The surface of the floor cannot be made of wood material. The floor should be ribbed or dimpled, embossed, or otherwise fabricated provided the resulting surface area (touching mail) does not exceed 0.25 square inch (per dimple/impression) and is a minimum of 0.12 inch high on centers not exceeding 1 inch. A mat insert having a raised surface contour may be used for the internal mail compartment of locked style mailboxes only.
The Carrier Signal Flag of a full service mailbox cannot be made of wood, and plastic is the material preferred by the USPS. Likewise, the door handle cannot be made of wood, and plastic is material preferred by the USPS.
There should be only one carrier service door which provides access for mail delivery and collection intended by the unit. The carrier service door should operate freely and solely by pulling outward and downward with a convenient handle or knob. The design of the door, including hinges and handles must provide protection against wind, rain, sleet, or snow. Door latches must hold the door closed but allow easy opening and closing requiring no more than 5 pounds of force. Action of the latch must be a positive mechanical one not relying solely on friction of the hinge parts. The door should not be spring-loaded. Magnetic latches are acceptable provided adequate closure power is maintained under various environmental conditions. It is preferred by the USPS that by either tactile or by sound (i.e. "snap" or "click") carriers are alerted that door is properly shut. The door, once opened, should remain in the open position until the carrier pushes it closed. The door should rotate a minimum of 100 degrees when opened and it is preferred by the USPS that the maximum rotation be limited to 120 degrees or less. When in a fully opened and rest position, the opening angle of the door should not measure more than 180 degrees. No protrusions other than the handle/knob, door catch, alternate flag design, decorative features or markings are permitted on the carrier service door. Protrusions of any kind that reduce the usable volume within the mailbox when closed are unacceptable.
The handle or knob should have adequate accessibility to permit quickly grasping and pulling it with one hand (with or without gloves) to open the door. The handle or knob should be located within the top ⅓ of the door. Acceptable designs allow sufficient finger clearance and surface area for carriers to grasp.
Mailboxes may have a rear door, provided that it does not interfere with the normal delivery and collection operation provided by the carrier or require the carrier to perform any unusual operations. The rear door must not be susceptible to being forced open as a result of large mail items such as newspapers and parcels being inserted through the carrier door.
Locked mailbox designs should have an effective means to ensure that in-coming mail is only accessible by the customer. The use of locks on Contemporary and Traditional mailbox designs is prohibited, that is, locked designs have significant design limitations. Traditional, Contemporary, and Locked mailbox designs classified as Full Service have a carrier signal flag. The flag design is limited by USPS regulation. The flag must be mounted on the right side when facing the mailbox from the front. The flag must not require a lift or more than 2 pounds of force to retract. Additionally, when actuated (signaling out-going mail) the flag should remain in position until retracted by the carrier. The operating mechanism of the flag should not require lubrication and should continue to operate properly and positively (without binding or excessive free play). Optionally, the flag may incorporate a self-lowering feature that causes it to automatically retract when the carrier service door is opened provided no additional effort is required of the carrier. The self-lowering feature cannot present protrusions or attachments and must not interfere with delivery operations in any manner or present hazardous features.
The mailbox must bear two inscriptions on the carrier service door: "U.S. MAIL" in a minimum of 0.50 inch high letters and "Approved By The Postmaster General" in a minimum of 0.18 inch high letters. These inscriptions may be positioned beneath the in-coming mail slot for Limited Service Locked Mailboxes. Markings should be permanent and may be accomplished by applying a decal, embossing on sheet metal, raised lettering on plastic, engraving on wood or other methods that are suitable for that particular unit. The manufacturer's name, address, date of manufacture (month and year), and model number or nomenclature must be legible and permanently marked or affixed on a panel (rear, backside of door, bottom or side interior near the carrier service door) of the mailbox that is readily accessible and not obscured.
The choice of coatings and finishes is optional, provided that applicable requirements are met. All coatings and finishes should be free from flaking, peeling, cracking, crazing, blushing, and powdery surfaces. Coatings and finishes must be compatible with the mailbox materials. Accept for small decorative accents, mirror-like coatings or finishes are prohibited.
The mailbox may be any color. The carrier signal flag can be any color except any shade of green, brown, white, yellow or blue. The preferred flag color is fluorescent orange. Also, the flag color should present a clear contrast with predominant color of the mailbox.
The mailbox is provided with means for convenient and secure mounting. The manufacturer may offer various types of mounting accessories such as a bracket, post or stand.
A receptacle for the delivery of newspapers may be attached to the post of a curbside mailbox provided no part of the receptacle interferes with the delivery of mail, obstructs the view of the flag, or presents a hazard to the carrier or the carrier's vehicle. The receptacle must not extend beyond the front of the box when the door is closed. No advertising may be displayed on the outside of the receptacle, except the name of the publication.
The mailbox should be properly assembled and utilize the best commercial practice workmanship standards in the fabrication of all components and assemblies. That is, the USPS presupposes that the mailbox will be delivered in assembled form, but there appears to be no such requirement, nor that in the event of such a requirement, that no waver will be issued. All movable parts should fit and operate properly with no unintended catch or binding points. The unit should be free from harmful projections or other hazardous devices. The unit should not have any sharp edges, sharp corners, burrs or other features (on any surfaces) that may be hazardous to carriers/customers, or that may interfere with delivery operations.
Traditional and Contemporary designs must meet minimum capacity requirements tested by insertion and removal of a standard test gauge which measures 18.50″ long×5.00″ wide×6.00″ high. The test gauge is inserted with its 6.00″ dimension aligned in the vertical axis (perpendicular to the mailbox floor). The gauge must be capable of easy insertion and removal; and while inserted, allow for the door(s) to be completely closed without interference. The capacity of Locked designs, which have slots, chutes or similar features, will be tested and approved based upon whether standard USPS mail sizes (see Table I) can be easily inserted through the mail slot or opening. Retrieval of this mail from the locked compartment shall be equally as easy.
Carrier service doors, auxiliary doors, door catches/mechanisms, carrier signal flags and applicable accessory devices should be capable of operating 7,500 normal operating cycles (1 cycle=open/close) at room temperature, continuously and correctly, without any failures such as breakage of parts. Testing may be performed either manually or by means of an automated mechanically driven test fixture which essentially mimics a manual operation. This test is applicable to all mailbox designs.
A number of environmental and performance tests are also applicable to mailboxes.
See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,817,080 (especially FIG. 3); 6,739,732; 5,346,125; 5,119,986; 1,292,050; 4,413,770; 1,483,077; 3,706,411; and 4,275,829, each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.


An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, an intermediate layer, a third electrode, an auxiliary layer, and a fourth electrode. Each pixel includes a first region that emits light in a first direction and a second region that emits light in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The first electrodes are respectively located in the first region of each of the pixels. The second electrodes are respectively located in the second region of each of the plurality of pixels. The intermediate layer is on the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, and includes an organic emission layer. The third electrode is on the intermediate layer and in the first and second regions. The fourth electrode is in the first region and contacts the third electrode.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to an organic light-emitting display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Organic light-emitting display (OLED) apparatuses have attracted attention for solving disadvantages associated with liquid crystal display apparatuses. OLED devices can be driven at a low voltage, be easily formed to be thin, have a wide angle of viewing, have quick response speeds, and the like. Unlike the liquid display apparatus, the organic light-emitting display apparatus allows for a dual emission type display apparatus.

Organic light-emitting display apparatus having bi-directional light emission and method of manufacturing the same


In a wireless communication network, base station antenna positions and time offsets are stored in a base station almanac data base along with other information used for obtaining the most reliable mobile station position fixes under a variety of conditions. The system uses the position fixes of mobile stations and terrestrial ranging information to determine base station antenna positions and base station timing offsets. The base station antenna positions are determined during normal mobile station position determinations, in order to maintain and improve the antenna location data, and to correct for change or relocation of the base station antennas. It is possible to recover quickly from a loss of cell sector identity during relocation of a base station antenna, and to ensure accuracy of mobile station position determination based on ranging from the base stations, and rapid acquisition of position data from mobile stations having global satellite receivers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to mobile communication and more particularly to the determination of the positions of base stations in a mobile communication network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile communication networks are in the process of offering increasingly sophisticated capabilities for locating the position of a mobile terminal of the network. The regulatory requirements of a jurisdiction may require a network operator to report the location of a mobile terminal when the mobile terminal places a call to an emergency service, such as a 911 call in the United States. In a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital cellular network, the position location capability can be provided by Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (AFLT), a technique that computes the location of the mobile station (MS) from the mobile station's measured time of arrival of radio signals from the base stations. A more advanced technique is hybrid position location, where the mobile station employs a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and the position is computed based on both AFLT and GPS measurements.
Message protocols and formats for CDMA position location employing AFLT, GPS, and hybrid receivers, applicable to both the MS-based and MS-assisted cases, have been published in TIA/EIA standard IS-801-1 2001, Position Determination Service Standard for Dual-Mode Spread Spectrum Systems—Addendum, incorporated herein by reference. Page 4-43 of this standard specifies that each base station shall transmit a GPS reference time correction of the base station antenna transmitting the CDMA pilot pseudorandom (PN) sequence.
Another position location technique is where the measurements are made by a network entity, rather than the mobile station. An example of these network-based methods is the RTD measurement carried out by the serving base stations. Measurements made by the mobile station may be combined with network-based measurements to enhance the availability and accuracy of the computed position.
Data concerning calibration or re-calibration of a base station time offset, base station antenna location and other parameters are stored in what is called a "base station almanac." The base station almanac data base provides information for determining an initial position estimate to seed GPS pseudorange searching. The base station almanac data base provides information for resolving ambiguity about which observed pseudorandom noise sequences (PNs) equate to which physical sectors of a GPS-capable IS-95 CDMA network. The base station almanac data base provides the cellular base station sector antenna position from which signals emerge. AFLT range measurements are made to these antenna positions.

Use of mobile stations for determination of base station location parameters in a wireless mobile communication system


A process suitable for adoption to large scale manufacture of 1-[(2-bromophenyl-sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole dimesylate monohydrate, which is a selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist intended for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders of memory and cognition like Attention deficient hyperactivity, Parkinson's and Schizophrenia.

5-HT6 receptor is one of the potential therapeutic target for the development of cognitive enhancers. 5-HT6 receptor is localized exclusively in central nervous system, in areas important for learning and memory. In recent years several studies have shown that 5-HT6 receptor antagonists show beneficial effect on cognition in several animal models. Several 5-HT6 antagonists advanced into clinic.
1-[(2-Bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole. Dimesylate monohydrate is a promising pharmaceutical agent, which is a selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist intended for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders of memory and cognition like Attention deficient hyperactivity, Parkinson's and Schizophrenia.
Currently 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazin-1-yl)methyl]-1H-indole dimesylate monohydrate is undergoing clinical trials designed to confirm its efficacy. The demand for 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole dimesylate monohydrate as a drug substance has increased substantially with the advent of its clinical testing. The future need for much larger amounts is projected due to the intended commercialization of 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole dimesylate mono hydrate.
For the person skilled in art, it is a well known fact that various parameters will change during the manufacture of a compound on a large scale when compared to the synthetic procedures followed in laboratory. Therefore, there is need to establish and optimize large scale manufacturing process. 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole and it's pharmaceutically acceptable salts and their syntheses were disclosed by Ramakrishna et al. in WO 2004/048330. The process for the preparation of 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole dimesylate monohydrate disclosed herein was proved to be unsatisfactory for adaptation to the large scale manufacturing. Hence it became highly desirable to establish the manufacturing process of 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole dimesylate monohydrate. Therefore, we established and optimized the manufacturing process of 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole dimesylate, monohydrate, which is amenable to large scale synthesis of 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole dimesylate monohydrate.

Process for large scale production of 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole dimesylate monohydrate


An optical information recording method in which a digital signal subjected to pulse width modulation is overwritten, by using one laser spot, on an optical disk including a first dielectric film, a recording film, a second dielectric film and a reflecting film stacked on a substrate in this order; the recording film having composition defined by a formula Ge.sub.x Sb.sub.y Te.sub.z satisfying 45.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.55.5, 0.5.ltoreq.y/(x+y).ltoreq.0.72 and x+y+z=100; the recording film having a thickness of 10 to 35 nm; the second dielectric film having a thickness of 5 to 40 nm; the reflecting film having a thickness of 35 nm or more; the optical information recording method comprising the steps of: converting each of a plurality of pulses contained in the digital signal, into a pulse train composed of pulses; and modulating a laser power between an erasing level and a recording level so as to overwrite the digital signal on the optical disk.

The present invention relates to a method of recording optical information on an optical disk for recording and reproducing optical information at high density by using laser beams, etc.
A technology that highly dense information is reproduced or recorded by using laser beams is known and is mainly put to practical use as an optical disk. A compact disk (CD) on which musical signals are preliminarily recorded is commercially available as one example of application of the optical disk. This compact disk is exclusively used for reproduction of the musical signals. Thus, users of the compact disk can reproduce the musical signals but cannot record signals on the compact disk or erase the signals from the compact disk. Thus, recently, research and development have been vigorously conducted on a rewritable optical disk so as to obtain a compact disk enabling recording and erasure of the signals.
The rewritable optical disk can be roughly classified into a magnetooptical disk and a phase change disk. In the phase change disk, a recording film is reversibly converted between amorphous state and crystalline state by changing irradiation conditions of laser beams so as to record signals and reproduction is performed by optically detecting difference in reflectance between amorphous state and crystalline state of the recording film. Thus, as compared with the magnetooptical disk, the phase change disk has such great advantages that signals can be reproduced by change of reflectance of laser beams in the same manner as the compact disk and single beam overwriting can be easily achieved through modulation of laser power.
As one example of the phase change type rewritable compact disk, an optical disk is proposed in Bulletin of Symposium on Optical Memory (1988), p.41-42. This prior art optical disk has a structure in which a recording film 16 is interposed between dielectric films 15 and 17 as shown in FIG. 17 and the recording film 16 is made of GeSbTe alloy falling in the hatched composition range of FIG. 16.
When CD signals have been actually recorded on the above mentioned prior art optical disk by a conventional single beam overwriting procedure, distortion of the reproduced wave form is impracticably large. This is because shape of the recording mark is not symmetric with respect to its front and rear ends, namely the recording mark is distorted into a teardrop-shape such that the arcuate front and rear ends of the recording mark are thin and thick, respectively. More specifically, in the case where recording is performed by laser beams having a modulated wave form shown in FIG. 18a, temperature of the recording film is low at the front end of the recording mark and becomes higher towards the rear end of the recording mark due to heat accumulation phenomenon as shown in FIG. 18b. As a result, the recording mark has a teardrop-shape as shown in FIG. 18c. The heat accumulation phenomenon becomes more conspicuous as relative speed between a laser spot and the optical disk, i.e. linear speed is reduced further. When linear speed is quite low, for example, 1.2 to 1.4 m/sec. as in the case of the compact disk, distortion of shape of the recording mark also becomes large. This distortion of shape of the recording mark leads to distortion of the reproduced wave form, thereby resulting in increase of jitter. Since especially, an EFM (eight to fourteen modulation) signal acting as CD standards is a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal and length and interval of the recording mark of the EFM signal indicate information, distortion of the recording mark forms a leading cause of errors.
Also when linear speed is further high, for example, 10 m/sec., increase of jitter due to distortion of the recording mark is observed so as to produce errors.
In order to solve the above described problem, the present inventors previously proposed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 546,906 filed on Jul. 2, 1990, a method and an apparatus in which a recording pulse for forming one recording mark is initially converted into a pulse train composed of a plurality of short pulses and then, is recorded. Through subsequent extensive study, the present inventors have found also in the rewritable optical disk that by specifying structure of an optical disk and composition of a recording film of the optical disk and by specifying a recording method, a recording mark having small distortion of its shape can be formed, reproduced signals having quality equivalent to that of a compact disk can be obtained and repetition characteristics of recording and erasure are also excellent.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.