A configuration of a touch panel in which an electrode pattern is not readily visible is attained in the present invention. A touch panel is provided with an insulating substrate, first island-shaped electrodes formed on the substrate and arranged in one direction, second island-shaped electrodes formed on the substrate and arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first island-shaped electrodes are arranged, a first connecting member for connecting the first island-shaped electrodes, a metallic film formed on the first connecting member, an insulating film formed so as to completely cover the metallic film, and a second connecting member for connecting the second island-shaped electrodes over the insulating film. The first island-shaped electrodes, the second island-shaped electrodes, the first connecting member, and the second connecting member are formed using a transparent conductive film.

Capacitive type touch panels have recently become popular due having a high degree of practical use such as being capable of multi-position detection.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-140370 discloses a capacitive touch panel having electrode patterns including a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes formed on the same surface on a transparent substrate. In this touch panel, the plurality of first electrodes aligned in the row direction are connected to each other in the row direction by first conductive members, and the plurality of second electrodes aligned in the column direction are connected to each other in the column direction by second conductive members. In the intersections between the first conductive members and the second conductive members, interlayer insulating layers are formed.
Also, in the document above, a protective sheet is bonded onto the electrode patterns through an adhesive layer such as an optical adhesive, and thus, the intersection between the first conductive member and the second conductive member is made so as not be readily seen.

Touch panel, display device provided with touch panel, and method for manufacturing touch panel


Positioning of a scan line (L) relative to a recording medium drum (15) of a polygon printer is established by independently adjusting blocks (35, 36) mounted on a scan line generating optics module (10). The blocks (35, 36) have inverted V-notches (38) that nest in two-point tangential contact onto cylindrical surfaces of drum bearings (33, 34). X, z, .theta..sub.x and .theta..sub.z positions are set by x and z direction adjustment screws (44, 45, 49, 50) mounted on frame (11) that move against blocks (35, 36) against the bias of springs (61) and the weight of the frame (11). Clamping screws (56, 57) pass through oversized holes (58) and z direction elongated slots (59) on blocks (35, 36) to releasably lock blocks (35, 36) after adjustment. Alignment of holes (58), slots (59) and notches (38) maintains a constant angle of incidence during adjustment. A notch (41) of projection (40) of frame ( 11) engages with a pin (42) on printer body (29) to set y and .theta..sub.y positioning.

The positioning of a raster scan line, like that generated by the optics of a polygon laser printer such as shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/637,429, filed Jan. 4, 1991, onto an x-ray film or other photosensitive image recording medium involves assuring accurate alignment in the x (cross-scan), y (scan) and z (beam path) translational T directions, as well as in the .theta..sub.x, .theta..sub.y and .theta..sub.z rotational directions respectively about each of the x, y and z directions. Proper positioning also requires attainment of the right angle of incidence of the beam onto the target medium.
Excessive focal shift errors of the scan line with respect to the recording medium can lead to a printing artifact called banding. Banding is an undesirable periodic density modulation in the image that is most noticeable in uniform density regions. A very high degree of accuracy of scan line placement is required especially for laser printers used for x-ray films, because banding artifacts can lead to false diagnoses. The eye is very sensitive to low frequency (1-8 cycles/degree) contrast modulation, having a threshold as low as, 0.2% under the right illumination conditions. The design goal typically will use half this tolerance, so it will have 0.1% allowable line shift for the extreme polygon facet error. For a printer with a line pitch of 0.08 mm, the allowable error is thus only 80.times.10.sup.-9 mm. This requirement means that only a very small focus error can be present for the page cross section of the beam.
Antos et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,521 discloses a polygon raster scanner having a pair of adjustable screws which cooperate with a leaf spring to precisely aim a laser beam toward the optical system. Jeffery et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,632 discloses a polygon mirror with adjustable facets. Kramer U. S. Pat. No. 4,826,268 discusses banding in a hologon scanner. Oosaka et al. U. S. Pat. No. 3,922,060 discloses the use of slidable "v" pads for accurate motion of a movable stage for an optical bench in hologram recorder. Other patents describing related subject matter include the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,040,097; 4,239,326; 4,243,293; 4,304,459; 4,487,472; and 4,904,034.
Scan line generating optics systems are susceptible to two types of focusing errors: those which cause deviations of the scan curve from a straight line; and those which displace the scan line from its intended generatrix line on the target drum. The f-0 condition correcting and other optical elements can be manufactured with sufficiently tight tolerances and alignment procedures to ensure the generation of an acceptably straight (i.e. non-arcuate) scan line in space. This invention addresses a method and apparatus for ensuring proper placement of the spatially generated scan line onto the recording medium.

Method and apparatus for alignment of scan line optics with target medium


A method for quality inspection of laser material processing includes performing laser material processing on a workpiece and generating, by a sensor, raw image data of secondary emissions during the laser material processing of the workpiece. The method also includes determining a quality of the laser material processing by analyzing the raw image data of the secondary emissions.

Manufacturing processes in some industries, such as the aerospace industry for example, require formal documentation that a process was performed in compliance with certain specifications or standards. With respect to laser material processing there are few established techniques for verifying and recording evidence of process compliance. One approach is to create a digital record of the laser equipment process parameters. The primary disadvantage of such an approach is that laser parameters only account for a portion of the variables which are important to laser applications. Other factors, such as degradation of optical components, optical alignment, surface condition and environmental effects are not easily captured by recording systems. Another disadvantage of a data-centric approach is that such data does not directly relate to the quality of the part, and requires technical expertise to perform the analysis and interpret the results.

Quality inspection of laser material processing


A combination fishing accessory device including a line clipper, flashlight, hook sharpener and tape measure for attachment to a fishing rod making it easier and faster for an angler to clip lines, change rigs, sharpen hooks, shine light and measure fish. The device has a body having an underside including a plurality of needle-like protrusions. The body includes two hook and loop fasteners and brackets for securing the body to the fishing rod.

The invention relates to fishing accessories, and more particularly, to a combination fishing accessory device including a line clipper, flashlight, hook sharpener and tape measure for attachment to a fishing rod making it easier and faster for the angler to clip lines, change rigs, sharpen hooks, shine light in the dark and measure fish.
Fishing is one of the oldest pastimes pursued by man. A fishing rod and associated gear such as hooks, sinkers, and lures are essential items used by most fishermen. Other items such as flashlights, hook sharpeners, and measuring tapes are frequently used. These items are generally stowed away in a tackle box which must be accessed whenever a fisherman wishes to change rigs, illuminate an area, or measure a fish.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,393 to Gordon discloses an attachment for a fishing pole comprised of a piston and cylinder used to cut lines and sharpen fishhooks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,140 to Mears discloses a fishermen's line cutter device comprised of a plastic body having an integral razor blade, attached to a fishing pole. U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,744 to Allsop discloses a multipurpose fishing tool.
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.


A multi-cartridge powered dispenser includes a frame having base and top cartridge supports, wheels and a handle. A piston/cylinder is mounted on the frame and at least three cartridges are clamped between the support plates. Each cartridge has a shuttle at the lower end and a discharge opening at the upper end. The piston/cylinder assembly has push rods extending through the base support to move the shuttles in the cartridges. A pressurized fluid supply conduit is connected to the piston/cylinder, and a valve in the fluid supply conduit controls the flow. Discharge cannulae communicate with the outlets the cartridges. Discharge conduits extend between the cannulae and a handpiece for applying the contents of the cartridges to a work surface. The application handpiece can be a sprayer, a roller applicator, or a pour/extrude applicator.

The present invention relates to cartridge dispensers and, more particularly, to powered dispensers for multiple cartridges.
Various types of compositions are incorporated into cartridges which are then placed in dispensers which may be manual or power operated. Some dispensers are used to dispense the contents of two cartridges containing reactants. Exemplary of such reactant systems are two part epoxy coating materials, and foam sealants, and insulating materials. Because the reactants are not always admixed in a 1:1 ratio, different size cartridges may be employed or complicated mechanisms may dispense the reactants at different rates.
The existing multi-cartridge or plural component powered devices tend to be expensive and those with variable rates for dispensing the cartridges are relatively complicated to make operate and maintain.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel multi-cartridge powered dispenser which is capable of operating with different size cartridges and to enable different ratios of components in the output stream.
It is also an object to provide such a dispenser which is relatively rugged in structure, relatively simple to operate, and easy to maintain.
A further object is to provide such a dispenser which can be coupled with various applicator devices.
Yet another object is to provide such a device which can be adapted to admix reactants of different flow characteristics.


Systems and methods may receive process data corresponding to respective activated processes performed in a network. The process data may include identity data and activity data. The identity data may identify an identity that activated the respective activated processes. The activity data may identify a function performed by the respective activated processes. The systems and methods may determine an identity token that corresponds to the identity data. The systems and methods may determine an activity token that corresponds to the activity data. The systems and methods may determine log data for the respective activated processes. The log data may include the identity token and the activity token for each of the respective activated processes. The systems and methods may generate a map based on the log data.

The present disclosure relates to cloud computing and application performance management and, more specifically, to a system and method for codification and representation of situational and complex application behavioral patterns.
A situational application is "good enough" software created for a narrow group of users with a unique set of needs. Situational applications typically (but not always) have a short life span and are often created within the community in which such applications are used. In many cases, users themselves may create a situational application, which such users ultimately use themselves. Situational applications are developed fast, easy to use, uncomplicated, and serve a unique set of requirements. Situational applications have a narrow focus on a specific business problem, and such applications are written such that, if the business problem that an application is designed to address changes rapidly, so may the situational applications.
Situational applications contrast with more common enterprise applications, which are designed to address a large set of business problems, require meticulous planning, and impose a sometimes-slow and often-meticulous change process.

System and method for codification and representation of situational and complex application behavioral patterns


Tubing made of two or more polymers circumferentially arranged around the perimeter of the tubing in a single layer may be useful as medical tubing. Specifically, such tubing may be useful in catheters, sheaths, sheath introducers, implant delivery systems, and other medical devices having elongated tubular components. Selection of the two or more polymers based on the durometer and melting temperature permits optimization of axial strength and flexibility for particular applications. Such tubing may be extruded as a single layer tubing or a multi-layer tubing where the additional layers may be single material layers or more multi-polymer layers.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to the field of medical tubing, and more particularly medical tubing suited for catheters and other elongated medical devices.
2. Related Devices and Methods
Vascular disease is a leading cause of premature mortality in developed nations. Treatment of vascular disease may include implantation of tissue supporting stents or prosthetic vasculature, e.g., grafts, stent-grafts, etc., which are delivered through the vasculature at a reduced dimension for ease of navigation in, and reduced chance of injury to, the tortuous vasculature from entry point to the diseased location. Such treatment may include angioplasty performed by expanding a compliant, semi-compliant, or non-compliant balloon in narrowed vessels, which may be narrowed for one or more reasons including the presence of a calcified lesion. These treatments are delivered using a catheter designed to be advanced through the vasculature from a point of entry to the site where the treatment is needed. Such catheters typically include an elongated shaft with a distal end, which is the end furthest from the medical professional advancing the catheter. Such shafts may have variable designs as best suited to deliver the desired treatment from the point of entry to the vasculature to the intended implantation site. Some devices include additional features such as tapered tips on the distal ends of the elongated shafts, sheaths or outer members disposed about much of the length of the elongated shaft and about the vascular implant, and various features on the proximal end, that is, the end closest to the medical professional to perform varied functions, e.g., release of dye or other visualization agent, valved access to a lumen running through the elongated shaft for inserting a guide wire, sealed attachment of a pressurized fluid to inflate balloons at the distal end, or other mechanisms involved in the controlled delivery of the treatment to its intended site. This disclosure describes medical tubing useful as one or more components of such medical devices, including catheters. Unless otherwise stated, the other structural variations in the construction of the catheters of which the present invention is a component are not germane to the present invention.
In many cases, the catheter is an elongated device, which includes one or more elongated tubular members. It may have an elongated balloon at or near its distal end. It may have a tubular member having a lumen through which the catheter follows the path of a previously placed guide wire in the vasculature. Such a tubular member is often referred to as a guide wire tube. The catheter may additionally have another tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen therethrough, and surrounding a length of the guide wire tube, but having a different inner diameter than the outer diameter of the guide wire tube such that a roughly annular lumen remains. Such a tubular member is sometimes referred to as an outer member, and the guide wire tube may then alternately be referred to as an inner member. The guide wire tube or inner member may extend distally of the distal end of the outer member. An inflatable member may sealingly surround at its proximal end the external surface of the distal end of the outer member and the external surface of the distal end of the inner member at its (the inflatable member's) distal end. Such sealing may be accomplished by thermal bonding of bondable materials or through the use of a tie layer or adhesive between concentric surfaces. Such a fluid-tight attachment of the inflatable member to the inner and outer member places the interior of the inflatable member in fluid communication with the substantially annular lumen formed between the inner member and the outer member. A typically much shorter length (than either the inner or outer member's length) and separate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen therethrough may have a tapered outer surface and may be attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft, either through a butt joint with the annular surface of the distal end of the inner member or through a lap joint with the outer cylindrical surface of the distal end of the inner member. Alternate attachment constructions of distal tips to the distal end of the catheter are known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2003/0114794 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,778 to Fugoso et al., which are expressly incorporated by reference to the extent not contradictory to the remainder of the present specification.
Balloon catheters used to perform angioplasty in coronary arteries are sometimes referred to as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty ("PTCA") catheters. These catheters are inserted at a point of entry in a peripheral artery, e.g., a radial or femoral artery, and advanced "upstream" through the arteries to the aorta and to the ostium of the specific coronary artery in need of treatment. The force to advance the catheter is applied external to the patient on an external portion of the catheter, and the force is transferred to the distal tip of the catheter as a result of the column strength or axial stiffness of the catheter. The stiffer the catheter, the easier to advance the distal tip and any therapeutic device or beneficial agent to the desired site. The quality of being able to push a proximal portion of the elongated shaft and have the distal tip move along an artery the same distance is commonly referred to as "pushability." However, a vascular balloon catheter also has the need to track closely to a guidewire that is resident in the arterial network and follows the tortuous path of the arteries. That quality is commonly called "trackability." Axial flexibility is needed to have high trackability, and therefore closely track a tortuously curved guidewire. Yet another desirable characteristic of a vascular balloon catheter designed to traverse a calcified lesion or other stenotic area in a coronary artery or other blood vessel is called "crossability," or, i.e., the catheter's ability to have the distal tip cross the stenosis by the medical professional pushing on the proximal end or some external (to the patient) portion of the catheter.
PTCA catheters that advance through the arteries by sliding over a previously placed guide wire have two commercially available variations, in terms of whether the entire (or almost the entire) length of the catheter slides over the guide wire, or whether only a shorter length of the catheter, at its distal end, slides over the guide wire. Another way to express the difference between the two constructions is whether the guide wire lumen runs the entire length of the catheter and has a proximal port in the proximal end (or in one of the two ports present in the commonly used Y connectors) of the catheter, or whether the proximal port of the guide wire lumen is closer to the distal end of the catheter than the proximal end, and generally between 9 and 20 centimeters proximal of the distal end, or even closer, such as at the proximal end of the inflatable member. The case where the guide wire runs through the entire catheter, or i.e., the guide wire lumen runs through the entire length of the catheter is commonly called an "over-the-wire" ("OTW") catheter. The case where the guide wire runs through a shorter length of the catheter near the distal end, or i.e., the guide wire lumen has a proximal port closer to the distal end than the proximal end is commonly called a "rapid-exchange" or "Rx" catheter. Another known term for the second case is single-operator-exchange ("SOE") catheter.
It is common in either type of PTCA catheter, OTW or Rx, to have a proximal portion with greater axial stiffness and a distal portion with a lower relative axial stiffness. This may be accomplished by a tapered support mandrel extending from the proximal end to a point proximal of the distal end, or selection of tubular segments with gradually decreasing column strength. In Rx catheters, it is common to use a relatively stiff proximal tubular member (shaft), such as a metal hypotube, and to attach a relatively less stiff (more flexible) polymer shaft to the distal segment of the hypotube. There may be additional metal or polymer members (e.g., stiffening wires, support tubes, reinforcing tubes, support mandrels, coils, patterned perforations in or "skived" sections of the hypotube, etc.) in Rx designs to provide a gradual transition in axial stiffness to the catheter as a whole from a relatively constant high stiffness proximal shaft to at least the proximal port of the guide wire lumen, which is present along side, or in the side of, the outer member. Without such a transition, the abrupt change in column strength between the end of the hypotube and the proximal port of the guidewire results in a tendency of the catheter to close the inflation lumen when the catheter buckles or kinks in that section of the catheter as a result of the axial loading, which closure of the inflation lumen is undesirable. The distal shaft of an Rx PTCA catheter, as with the distal portion of an OTW PTCA catheter, is generally more flexible, as this is the part that follows the aortic arch and is advanced through small coronary arteries, which tend to be rather tortuous in addition to having a much smaller diameter.
Two of the factors that influence the current PTCA catheter crossability are flexibility and pushability of the distal shaft of an Rx catheter or of the distal portion of an OTW catheter. For example, the more flexible a distal shaft or distal portion is, the higher the crossability of a catheter given the same axial stiffness, or i.e., pushability. Mechanically, however, a shaft that is flexible enough to track through tortuous vessels may not have the column strength to transmit sufficient force axially, while a stiff shaft can transmit greater force axially, but not be flexible enough track along the guidewire through a tortuous vessel. The trade off with increasing flexibility is the reduction of pushability and vice versa.
One commercially available design of the catheter inner body (yet another name for the inner member or guide wire tube), outer body (another name for the outer member), or tip includes a multilayer co-extrusion of different materials on top of each other, e.g., forming radial layers. There is a limitation to this multiple single-material-layer co-extrusion design in that the bending stiffness is uniform in 360 degrees.
The catheter tip is the first component of the catheter to encounter vessel tortuosity, vessel narrowing (stenosis), and calcified stenotic lesions. It is beneficial that the catheter tip is bendable to conform to smaller radius turns of the guide wire in the vasculature after the guide wire has been advanced from the point of entry to, and usually slightly past, the desired site of treatment. A stiff tip that does not conform to the guide wire can displace the guide wire position and may encounter difficulty in navigating through a vessel that has a sharp or abrupt turn. A tip made entirely of flexible material may also not perform as well as desired by "fishmouthing," a term used to describe when the normally circular cross section of the catheter becomes oval, which increases one dimension and decreases the dimension in the orthogonal direction. That decreased dimension may result in the catheter gripping the guide wire as the dimension approaches the outer diameter of the guide wire. A tip made entirely of flexible material may also fold back on itself, i.e., buckle or bunch up, or alteratively, it may flare, or even evert, which is also not desirable. Thus, it is desirable to have a tip construction that (1) can track gently over the guide wire without displacing the position of the guide wire, (2) minimize "fishmouthing", and (3) be able to push through stenotic lesions or between the stent struts without one or more of buckling, folding, flaring, or everting.


A method for initiating a gesture-based mutual interaction scheme between a first and second mobile device, comprising: associating a gesture-based mutual interaction scheme between the first and second mobile device that associates a position scheme with a respective action, where the position scheme relates to any of: an absolute or relative orientation, and an absolute or relative trajectory; acquiring a first position property of the first mobile device and a second position property of the second mobile device; determining that each of the first and second position properties comply with the position scheme; triggering an execution of an action on the second mobile device, where the action is associated with the position scheme that the first position property complies with; where the second mobile device conditions the execution of the action triggered by the first mobile device on the compliance of the second position property with the position scheme.

Mobile devices enable individuals to interact using platforms such as Android®, and OS®, each platform having respective different, and often proprietary applications with different interfaces. Typical communication platforms include email, voice/audio communications, and social networking. Creating a link between two or more devices for any of these communications platforms typically requires use of a touch screen, button, or voice command. Additionally, connecting with a prospective contact requires identifying the prospective contact in an address book, or other contact list.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,433,244 B2 to Liu et al, entitled "Orientation based Control of Mobile Device", directs to controlling a feature of a non-navigation related application, such as the arrangement of menu items, function controlled by a quick launch key, based on the orientation of the device. The controls may be context-specific such that the orientation is applied to control the feature only in certain contexts. Context may be implied from various factors such as time and date information, the location of the device, and the proximity of the device to other devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,379,563 B2 to Shamaie et al, entitled "Tracking Bimanual Movements", directs to recognizing and tracking bimanual movements in the presence of occlusion. The tracking of two separate hands is acquired before the occlusion, and reacquired after the occlusion. Occlusion may be attributed to hand gestures, i.e. changing a hand shape may occlude one or more fingers. Alternatively, occlusion may be caused by one hand blocking the other.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,058,204 B2 to Hildreth et al, entitled 'Multiple Camera Control System', directs to tracking an object using two different viewpoints obtained using two cameras. An absolute position of the object is computed from the difference between each viewpoint and a background.

Mutual interactivity between mobile devices based on position and orientation


The present invention is directed a circuit protection component including male and female cable connectors coupled to one another in a lightweight, easy to handle housing. A circuit protection device, such as a fuse, is mounted within the housing and arranged to electrically couple the male cable connector to the female cable connector. The housing can be easily installed at any location of a power distribution network by using the male and female connectors to couple one power cable to another power cable. Accordingly, a plurality of the circuit protection components can be strategically located at each branch or sub-branch circuit in a straightforward coupling of power cables feeding electric power to and forming the localized sections of the power distribution network.

There are many buildings, facilities, sites and locations that require electric power and yet do not have fixed electric power distribution systems. There are also many sites and locations having power distribution needs that vary with time. Typically, the electric power requirements in such circumstances are provided by a portable power distribution facility that can be easily installed on a temporary basis, configured and reconfigured to any desired network of main power feed, trunk feeds and branch circuits and conveniently disassembled for storage and/or shipment to other locations. Examples of locations often requiring temporary or portable power distribution systems include motion picture and television production facilities, construction sites, convention and exhibit halls and any areas or locations during times of emergency such as earthquakes and the like.
Lugged cables provide an important component in such portable power distribution systems. Lugged cables comprise heavy, high power conductors having connector ends for coupling components of the power distribution system to one another. The cables are used to distribute power from, e.g., a portable generator to power distribution boxes and cabinets arranged throughout a location requiring power, and for connecting lighting fixtures, motors and other electrical equipment in branch circuits arranged about the power distribution boxes and cabinets.
As should be understood, safety is an important consideration in the design of cables and other components used to build portable or temporary power distribution systems. It is necessary to properly insulate high power cables and equipment from exposure to users and to insure that couplings and connectors are mechanically secure to prevent "live" cables from coming loose and presenting shock hazards. Moreover, over-current protection is also important to disconnect electrical branch circuits from a power source during branch overload or short circuit conditions to prevent shock hazards and fire.
While the prior art has provided important advances in leak tight insulation and secure mechanical couplings for power cables, over-current circuit protection is still a problem in portable and temporary power distribution networks, particularly in branch circuits remote from a portable generator or main power feed cabinet. Connector cables are often manufactured with heavy, insulating, rubber housings at the connector ends of the cable to cover and insulate connections between power cables. In addition, mechanical arrangements are installed at cable connector ends to lock cables to one another for high integrity of mechanical linkages between high power conductors. However, there is still a lack of adequate over-current protection mechanisms that can be easily and conveniently installed throughout the portable power distribution network, e.g., at each branch circuit of the network.
Far too often, the only over-current circuit protection comprises circuit breaker equipment located at a main power distribution panel. Cables provide trunk lines from the main panel to other power distribution boxes and cabinets located throughout the site where the power distribution system is installed. These power distribution boxes and cabinets, in turn, are connected by cables to many individual branch circuits providing power to the electrical equipment being utilized at the particular site. Consequently, an overload or short circuit condition at one of the many branch circuits may not result in a surge of current sufficient enough to activate a circuit breaker at the main panel, yet the overload is serious enough to cause a shock hazard or fire at the location of the branch circuit. Thus, there is a need for a portable over-current protection mechanism that can be conveniently installed at each branch circuit of a portable power distribution system to achieve highly localized over-current protection throughout the system.

Electrical connector with circuit protection


A steering wheel lock device comprising a key rotor housed in a rotor case and adapted to be turned between a lock position and an operative position by a key inserted into said key rotor, said key rotor being allowed to move in its axial direction by pressing operation of the key; a cam rotated in association with the key rotor so as to move the lock member; a regulating member having a distal end portion; a regulating projection formed on the outer peripheral surface of the key rotor in such a manner that when the key rotor is turned from the lock position to the operative position, the distal end portion of the regulating member passes past the regulating projection relative thereto, thereby allowing rotation of the key rotor toward the operative position, and when the key rotor is turned from the operative position to the lock position with the key rotor kept in a non-pressed condition, the regulating projection is engaged with the distal end portion of the regulating member, thereby preventing the key rotor from turning to the lock position; and a bypass passage provided in the outer peripheral surface of said key rotor so as to bypass said regulating projection.

This invention relates to a steering wheel lock device of a so-called two-stage operation type in which when a key rotor in an operative position is pressed by a key, the key rotor can be turned into a lock position.
In a steering wheel lock device of this type, a projection is formed on an inner periphery of a rotor case, and a regulating projection is formed on an outer periphery of a key rotor housed in the rotor case. Provided near the regulating projection is a groove relative to which this projection can slidingly move. When the key rotor is to be turned from an operative position (i.e., the position ACC or the position ON) to a lock position (i.e., the position LOCK), the regulating projection of the key rotor abuts against the projection of the rotor case to thereby prevent the key rotor from angular movement to the position LOCK if the rotor key is not pressed or pushed in and turned. On the other hand, if the key rotor is pressed in and turned, the key rotor can then be turned to the position LOCK. This construction is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application No. 63-74359.
In the above construction, when the key rotor angularly moves between the position LOCK and the position ACC, the projection on the rotor case always passes along the same path relative to the key rotor. Therefore, when the key rotor is to be turned from the position LOCK toward the position ACC, the key rotor is automatically moved in the inward direction even though the key is not pressed in, causing the operator to feel awkward or uneasy when turning the key. This causes a feeling of uneasiness.

Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho


Various disclosed embodiments include a lock assembly. The lock assembly includes a lock bolt. The lock bolt has a lock bolt body and having a bolt security engagement feature formed as part of the lock bolt body. The lock assembly also includes a receiver. The receiver has a receiving area for receiving at least a portion of the lock bolt and the receiver has a receiver security engagement feature formed as part of the receiver. The receiver security engagement feature is complementary to the lock bolt security engagement feature.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Conventional residential doors typically use wood framing for securing doors. This wood framing can be easily compromised by forces generated by a person kicking or throwing their weight against the door. Methods exist to reinforce the door framing but those can be costly, time consuming, and involved depending on the requirements of the door. Some reinforcements negatively change the appearance of the door.
Accordingly there is a need for a reinforcement for doors which provides increased resistance in the case that a door, window, safe, or gate is being forced open by kicking, prying or by providing a blunt force against the door among other possibilities.

Securable deadbolt, hinge, and sliding assemblies


A mold assembly includes a support table mounted for rotation within a vacuum chamber. A plurality of hollow part molds is radially disposed about an axis of rotation of the support table. Each part mold has fiber architecture disposed between an inflatable bladder and internal walls of the part mold. A first motor rotates the support table and resin is urged by centrifugal force to flow along the length of each part mold until the fiber architecture is thoroughly impregnated with resin. A second motor spins each part mold about an axis of rotation of the part mold to ensure that the resin migrates radially outwardly relative to the interior wall surface of each part mold. The resulting product is a monolithic, seamless part having no voids.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vacuum assisted molding. More particularly, it relates to fabrication of hollow, seamless composite elements of any size using a low pressure vacuum infusion system supplemented by multiple cooperative centrifugal forces.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The manufacturing of large molded objects, such as boat hulls, large blades for an electricity-generating wind turbine, and the like, is problematic. Such large objects are typically molded by a time-consuming manual process. This drives up the cost of the individual products. Items made by manual labor are also more likely to be of inconsistent quality as no two products will be exactly alike.
Injection molding systems for large objects require pressures, typically, of about three thousand pounds per square inch (3,000 lbs/in2). This requires very large and strong holding devices to hold the mold halves closed. Moreover, a seam is formed where the mold halves meet. A part made in such conventional fashion may fail at the seams. For example, large blades rotated by wind for electricity generation often fail by coming apart at the seams. Such catastrophic failures can fling large heavy parts across long distances, causing damage to people, animals, and property.
What is needed, then, is a new, low pressure manufacturing process for making molded but seamless monolithic products of any size and shape. More particularly, there is a need for a manufacturing process that reduces the amount of manual labor needed to produce such objects and that reduces the pressures down to about fifteen pounds per square inch (15 lbs/in2) thereby eliminating the large holding devices of injection molded systems. The needed process would substantially reduce the cost of such molded objects. There is also a need for a new process that produces both large and small molded products having consistently high quality.
However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in this art how the identified needs could be met.

Low pressure vacuum resin infusion system


A recording rate automatic setting recording device which, a microcomputer block, detects a recording time on the basis of recording reservation information, and detects an entire capacity and a remaining capacity of a first recording surface of an information recording medium, and assumes that a capacity which is at least half of the entire capacity of the first recording surface is a remaining capacity of a second recording surface of the information recording medium, and calculates an entire remaining capacity by adding together the remaining capacity of the first recording surface and the remaining capacity of the second recording surface, and sets a recording bit rate from the entire remaining capacity and a reservation recording time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information recording device which can record information onto a hard disk or the like, and which can play back the information recorded on the hard disk or the like, and which can record information onto recording media such as a DVD (digital versatile disk) or the like, and which can play back the information recorded on the DVD. In particular, the present invention relates to a recording rate automatic setting recording device and a recording rate automatic setting recording method which set a recording bit rate in consideration of recording capacities of a front surface (first recording surface) and a back surface (second recording surface) of a both surfaces recordable DVD.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, optical disk playback devices which handle dynamic images, for playing back optical disks on which dynamic images and audio are recorded, have been developed. These devices, such as, for example, LD, video CD playback devices or the like, have become popular for viewing movie software, enjoying karaoke or the like.
Currently, a DVD standard has been proposed which utilizes the MPEG2 (Moving Image Coding Expert Group) method that has been standardized internationally, and which utilizes the AC3 audio compression method. This standard supports a dynamic image compression method with the MPEG2 method in accordance with an MPEG2 system layer, and supports an audio compression method with the AC3 audio compression method and an MPEG audio compression method. Moreover, supplementary image data in which bitmap data is run-length-compressed can be treated as the subtitles of a movie, karaoke or the like. Further, control data for special playback (a navigation pack) such as fast forward, reverse or the like is added to the standard. Moreover, in the standard, ISO9660 and micro UDF standards are supported such that the data of a disk can be read by a computer.
Further, as a standard of a medium itself, following the standards of DVD-ROMs which are media of DVD-videos, standards of DVD-RAMs (recording capacity: about 4.7 GB) have been completed, and DVD-RAM drives have begun to become popular as peripheral devices of computers.
Further, currently, a standard of RTR (Real Time Recording)-DVDs which utilizes DVD-RAMs is being completed, and the verification operation has been finished. The standard of RTR-DVDs has been conceived of on the basis of the standard of DVD-videos which are currently on the market. Further, a file system corresponding to RTR-DVDs has also been standardized.
Further, a device which can record and play back broadcasting signals by using a built-in hard disk drive (HDD) has appeared. The hard disk drive can record data of, for example, 100 gigabytes or more.
A hard disk device which records information on a hard disk drive, a DVD device which records information on a DVD, and a DVD/hard disk device which records information on both of a hard disk drive and a DVD are all mass recording devices. These devices can record a large number of programs, and, for example, it is predicted that recording based on recording reservations increases.
Further, in order to precisely realize recording reservations, there is the need to precisely recognize the remaining capacity of the disk, and to appropriately set the recording bit rate in accordance with the remaining capacity. For example, if a recording bit rate is set to be high (high vividness) regardless of the fact that the remaining capacity is low, there are cases in which a program cannot be recorded to the end thereof.
Among DVD-RAMs, both surfaces recordable or two-layer recordable disks have been proposed. Disk management information is recorded on the respective recording surfaces or the respective recording layers of the DVD-RAMs. At the time of recording, the disk management information recorded on the target recording surface or recording layer is read, and the entire capacity, the recorded (used) capacity, the free capacity, and the like can be known from the disk management information. However, if there are a plurality of recording surfaces or recording layers, although the remaining capacity of one recording surface or recording layer can be known, the remaining capacities of the other recording surfaces or recording layers cannot be known. Therefore, when a recording reservation or the like is carried out, it is impossible to judge over a plurality of surfaces whether the remaining capacity is appropriate or not for the length of time of the reserved recording program. Simply, when the method is a method which sets the recording bit rate for the remaining capacity read from a single surface, if the remaining capacity is low at the front surface, regardless of the fact that there is sufficient remaining capacity at the back surface, there are cases in which the bit rate is set to be low and poor image quality recording occurs.
An object of the present invention is to provide a recording rate automatic setting recording device and a recording rate automatic setting recording method which can set an appropriate recording bit rate for a disk having a plurality of recording surfaces.

Recording rate automatic setting recording device and recording rate automatic setting recording method


A flexing head support suspension system for supporting the head, neck, and, face of a subject while the subject receives a treatment. The suspension system comprises a pressure sensitive apparatus for supporting the head, neck, and face. The apparatus includes a face plate and a suspension support unit. The suspension mechanism in the support unit maintains a neutral placement of the head in relation to the body while the subject is undergoing treatment. The apparatus alleviates discomfort and pain that often comes as a result of the pressure on the body during treatment of various somatic modalities. The apparatus may be a stand alone unit or attachable to both standard and non-standard massage tables.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates to head rests and head support devices for use during therapeutic massage, chiropractic, cosmetic or any other physical therapeutic treatment.
2. Background of the Invention
Chiropractors and other health practitioners utilize numerous types of tables for use during examinations, adjustments and treatments of patients. When such tables are used, the tables are commonly designed so that the patient's head is supported during treatment, particularly when the patient is lying face down. The placing of a patient's spine and neck joints in a neutral position during treatment is desirable. When a bench or treatment table includes a separate headrest, the headrest must be properly adjusted to avoid compression of the patient's neck.
Several attempts have been made to devise head support devices that are attachable to a massage or examination table. One reference describes a head rest detachably affixed to a light-weight folding massage table. The head rest has a pair of support tubes inserted into the end of a table section, and held in place by a spring and tab permitting the headrest to be optionally raised or lowered; and an outwardly facing U-shaped tube, covered widthwise with a soft fabric material to provide a supporting surface for a patient's face. The problem is that once the head rest is manually adjusted the position is fixed and static while the patient receives treatment. The face support rest does not move during a treatment and can therefore cause an increase of pressure on the patient's face, sinuses and cervical spine.
Others describe a portable and adjustable head rest or support apparatus that may be used in conjunction with conventional bedding mattresses to eliminate the need for a special massage table or chair. The apparatus is particularly designed for home use and provides an alternative to specially designed massage tables by converting a conventional bedding mattress into a massage table. The head support apparatus comprises a base, a face plate, a cushion and an adjuster for enabling vertical adjustment of the apparatus. The face plate further has a horseshoe-shaped plate supported by the legs. The cushion is detachably mounted to the face plate. The vertical adjustment of this apparatus is secured at user-selected positions. However, the same problem is encountered here as with previously mentioned prior art because the face plate once adjusted and secured does not move; thus uncomfortable pressure is exerted on the patient's face, sinuses and cervical spine during treatment.
Still others describe a chiropractic adjustment device for use in applying toggle recoil to a vertebrae comprising a headrest placed upon a set of compression springs mounted on top of a base. The base is of a U-shaped or channel configuration. The apparatus includes a pair of latches that have a catch formed with catch elements and a latch bar for catching and holding the headrest in various positions relative to the base. The device may be incorporated into a table if desired. The patient's head is positioned upon the headrest with either left or right cheek laying flat on the headrest. When manual force is applied abruptly and downwardly to the vertebrae to be treated, the pressure causes the patient's head and headrest to move abruptly downward. Thus, with such an adjustment device, the headrest is urged downwardly a distance in proportion to the clinical force applied and then permitted to move back upwardly a short distance to provide positive recoil. The drawback with this device is that the adjustment is not flexible once the latch is engaged. There is no continual suspension provided during a treatment. The latch may be released. However, once the latch catches and holds the headrest in the desired position and distance in proportion to the clinical force applied, the patient's head is in a fixed position causing an increase of pressure in the patient's face and cervical spine when subsequent pressure or force is applied to the patient without first manually releasing the catch.
While some of these described devices provide adjustable head support for a patient for use with treatment tables they do not provide suspension or compensation during a treatment. Many head and face support devices in the past have opted to employ securing or locking mechanisms to stabilize the head and neck in the desired positions.
There is a need in the art, therefore, for a head, neck and face support apparatus for maintaining proper placement of the cervical spine and to provide head and neck comfort in the face cradle apparatus of a treatment table during treatment. Other devices disclose support systems that are static. Where devices have been made to provide a head support apparatus useful for converting a conventional bedding mattress set into a massage table, the device does not flex or compensate for the remainder of the body's movement during a treatment; therefore causing an increase of pressure on the patient's face, sinuses and cervical spine. Most of the current devices are static and the support devices do not move once the subject's head is placed in the apparatus. The prior devices are primarily focused on supporting the head with the face forward and not turned to either side. This has been achieved in various ways as demonstrated by the products available.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a suspension system for maintaining proper placement of the cervical spine which not only supports the head, neck and face but also adjusts for constant changes in pressure on the entire body during a treatment. As a result, it is an object of the invention to provide comfort and relief for the subject's face, head and neck as the body settles with the cervical spine into a neutral passive position. The subject does not leave the treatment table with lines on their face or stuffy sinuses from the pressure of the static resistance. Stress to the cervical spine is limited. Further, a subject wearing contact lenses is relieved of discomfort to the eyes from excessive pressure to the face.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a head, neck, and face suspension system that can be incorporated into any standard or non-standard massage table.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a head, neck, and face suspension system that can be incorporated into a torso platform, turning a flat surface into a massage table.
Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description.


The present invention is directed to isolated and purified human mesenchymal stem cells, to a method for isolating, purifying, and culturally expanding human mesenchymal stem cells (i.e. mesenchymal stem cells or "MSCs"), and to the characterization of and uses for such cells. In particular, the invention relates to isolation of MSCs that are associated with hematopoietic cells, such as megakaryocyte precursors, in the bone marrow.

Mesenchymal stem cells are the formative pluripotential blast cells found inter alia in bone marrow, blood, dermis and periosteum that are capable of differentiating into any of the specific types of mesenchymal or connective tissues (i.e. the tissues of the body that support the specialized elements; particularly adipose, osseous, cartilaginous, elastic, and fibrous connective tissues) depending upon various influences from bioactive factors, such as cytokines. Although these cells are normally present at very low frequencies in bone marrow, the inventors of the present invention have discovered a process for isolating, purifying, and greatly replicating these cells in culture, i.e. in vitro.
The production of hematopoietic cytokines and growth factors by cultured MSCs shows that MSCs support the formation of hematopoietic colonies in co-culture with CD34+ hematopoietic megakaryocytes. Of particular interest to the field of bone marrow transplantation is the role that MSCs may play in the proliferation and differentiation of myeloid precursor cells such as those for megakaryocytes. This could lead to a better understanding of the development of megakaryocytes, which is important since the time to platelet recovery following bone marrow or peripheral blood progenitor transplantation can be very protracted. Cultured MSCs produce GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-11 and thrombopoietin (TPO), cytokines which have been shown to be important for both megakaryocyte and plate production, which is evidence that MSCs function in megakrayocytopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis. Another link between MSC proliferation and platelet development is that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and serotonin are two major products secreted by platelet that are important to MSC proliferation.
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from a tissue specimen, such as marrow cells, and to the method of their isolation involving separating from the specimen MSCs associated with hematopoietic progenitor cells (such as megakaryocytes). In such a separation process, at least one antibody specific for surface antigens on the megakaryocytes rather than for antigens on MSCs are utilized to obtain an enriched or substantially pure culture of megakaryocytes which have associated therewith MSCs. The MSCs may be recovered by culturing the associated cells under conditions which favor the growth and proliferation of MSCs.

Method of isolating mesenchymal stem cells associated with isolated megakaryocytes by isolating megakaryocytes


A probe structure containing a contact part (2) formed on one side (1a) of an insulating substrate (1), a conductive circuit (3) formed on the other side (1b) of the insulating substrate (1), wherein the contact part (2) and the conductive circuit (3) are connected via a conductive path (5) formed in a through-hole (4) in the thickness direction of the insulating substrate (1). The contact part (2) has a structure containing a deep layer (1c) having a hardness of 100-700 Hk, an intermediate layer (1b) having a hardness of 10-300 Hk, and a surface layer (1a) having a hardness of 700-1200 Hk successively laminated. The surface layer (1a) preferably has a tensile stress of not more than 50 kg/mm.sup.2. The probe structure maintains low and stable contact resistance in an electric test, in particular a burn-in test, of small test objects such as IC. In a test method wherein a solder bump is formed in a test object and utilized, the solder component of the test object does not adhere to the contact part (2) after testing. The probe structure suffers less from deterioration of contact state after repetitive open/close contact with the test object as compared to the initial contact state, and highly reliable electric testing can be performed.

Conventionally, IC chips have been tested for various characteristics after packing the IC. For example, in a burn-in test which tests characteristics under high temperatures, an IC package is inserted into an IC socket set on a printed board and tested under a load voltage at a high temperature.
Due to a rapid progress in recent years of the development of large-scale integrated circuits such as chip on board, multi chip module and the like, which are prepared by combining a number of integrated circuits formed on a wafer, burn-in test and the like for various characteristics of each IC are required to be run when the IC is in a bare state before packaging, i.e., at the stage of IC chip (die level) or wafer before dicing.
One method for running a test while a chip is at a die level includes forming a flat or semi-spherical solder bump on a pad of an IC chip having a circuit formed thereon, soldering same to a contact part formed on a printed board, and testing under voltage load at a high temperature.
For testing the electric characteristics of a small test object as mentioned above, a probe card has been developed. This comprises a flexible insulating substrate and a contact part (so-called bump) that comes into contact with the contact part of the test object (Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 182672/1987).
In such a probe card, the bump is required to have a lower contact resistance, and superior corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance. To meet the requirements, the outermost layer of a conventional bump has been prepared from gold or hard gold having an improved abrasion resistance achieved by adding about 0.1% nickel and cobalt to the gold, both having smaller contact resistance and superior corrosion resistance.
When gold or hard gold is used to form the outermost layer of a bump, however, the bump is susceptible to troubles such as defective continuity and varying contact resistance, since it is easily deformed upon contact with the electrode pad of a test object, thus lowering reliability as a probe to be repeatedly used for testing.
When a base metal is used as the base of said outermost layer moreover, the outermost gold layer is crushed to expose the base metal, thereby allowing oxidation and corrosion of the base metal.
When the test object is an IC and subjected to a test having a heat history as in a burn-in test, the material of its electrode pad, which is mainly aluminum, is transferred and attached to the gold on the surface of the bump and diffused to increase the contact resistance.
The base metal contained in the hard gold, such as copper and nickel, diffuses to the surface under a high temperature and is oxidized to result in a problematic high contact resistance.
When a test method includes the use of a flat or semi-spherical solder bump formed on the pad of an IC chip, as mentioned above, the solder of the solder bump is heated after testing to melt same and remove the IC chip. This changes the size, volume and shape of the bump formed on the pad of the IC chip, necessitating re-forming of the solder bump. Moreover, the solder remains at the contact part on the printed board after removing the IC, and the solder should be removed every time a timing is run.
Such problems are not specific to a bare chip wafer alone but found with regard to a chip size package wherein an IC chip is integrated with a substrate having the same size with the chip.
Thus, the present invention aims at solving the conventional problems as mentioned above and maintaining low and stable contact resistance in an electric test, particularly a burn-in test, of small test objects such as wafer, IC, semiconductor element, chip size package and the like. In a test method wherein a solder bump is formed on a test object and used, moreover, the invention aims at preventing the solder component of the test object from adhering to the contact part of the probe structure after testing; in other words, the invention aims at preventing loss in volume of the solder component of the test object. Moreover, the present invention aims at performing a highly reliable test with less degradation of the contacting state from that of the initial state, even after repetitive open/close contact with the test object.

Multilayer probe for measuring electrical characteristics


A coating liquid including a fluorine-containing organic magnesium compound represented by the following chemical formula (1), a method for manufacturing an optical component having an optical film obtained from the coating liquid, and a photographic optical system are disclosed:Mg(OR11)(OR22)  Chemical formula (1)where R11 represents an alkyl group that may have a substituent group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms having at least a fluorine atom, R22 represents an alkyl group that may have a substituent group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms that may have a fluorine atom, or an aromatic cyclic group that may have a substituent group, and R11 is different from R22.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a coating liquid, a method for manufacturing an optical component, and a photographic optical system, in particular, an optical component used as a low refractive index material excellent in an antireflection effect.
2. Background Art
On a surface of an optical component constituting an optical instrument, to improve light transmittance, an antireflection film is formed.
When, in air, a low refractive index material of which refractive index nc isnc=√ng  (Formula 1)to the refractive index ng of a base material is coated at an optical film thickness of λ/4 to light having a wavelength λ, the refractive index theoretically becomes zero.
A general antireflection film is formed by vacuum depositing a material having the refractive index lower than that of a base material. As a low refractive index material, magnesium fluoride (MgF2) having nd=1.38 is in broad use. Here, nd is the refractive index to light having a wavelength of 587 nm.
When magnesium fluoride (nd=1.38) is disposed on an optical glass BK7 (nd=1.52) at an optical film thickness of λ/4, residual reflectance of 1.26% is generated.
In this case, to nullify the reflectance, the refractive index nc is necessary to benc=√nd(BK7)=√1.52=1.23  (Formula 2)
As an antireflection film of an optical element necessary to have a lower reflection effect, not a single layer but a multilayer film formed by alternately laminating a high refractive index film and a low refractive index film is used. Also in this case, a low refractive index material is important as the uppermost layer on an air side.
On the other hand, an attempt to make the refractive index smaller by forming a composite film with a low refractive index material is broadly conducted. When materials A (refractive index nA) and B (refractive index nB), which have different refractive indices, are mixed at a ratio of p:1−p, apparent refractive index n is represented byn=nA×p+nB×(1−p)=nB−p×(nB−nA)  (Formula 3).Herein, p represents the porosity.
It is suggested to be advantageous to form a porous film with a gas (usually, air) having the refractive index≈1 to obtain a low refractive index film. Herein, when the material A is air, nA≈1, accordingly, formula (3) becomesn=nB−p×(nB−1)  (Formula 4).
This is neither more nor less than the refractive index exhibited by a material having a bulk refractive index nB when the porosity thereof is p.
When magnesium fluoride (nd=1.38) is used as the low refractive index material to obtain a porous film having the apparent refractive index n=1.23, the porosity of about 40% is necessary.
As a method for preparing a porous film, not a dry process such as a vacuum deposition, but a wet process is effective. In the case of the wet process, after a coating material is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, various coating methods can be used to deposit, and accordingly, there is an advantage that a porous film tends to be readily obtained.
On the other hand, examples of the methods where magnesium fluoride is prepared according to the wet process include methods illustrated below. U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,721 and M. Tada et al., J. Mater. Res., Vol. 14, No. 4, April 1999, p. 1610 to 1616 discuss a method where magnesium fluoride is prepared according to a thermal disproportional reaction. After a fluorine-containing magnesium compound or a magnesium fluorocarboxylate compound as a precursor is coated on a substrate, the thermal disproportional reaction is conducted to prepare magnesium fluoride. However, in both cases, the refractive index is around 1.39, that is, only a value of bulk magnesium fluoride is obtained. In addition, a deposition temperature thereof reaches 400° C. or 500° C.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,588 discusses a method for obtaining a rare earth and/or alkaline earth halide by at least hydrolyzing a halogenated alkoxide. However, since the halogenated alkoxide readily reacts with moisture in air to be instable, the deposition has to be conducted in an inert gas. Accordingly, an optical film has not been stably obtained.
As mentioned above, when a magnesium fluoride film is stably formed according to the disproportional reaction only by heating fluorine-containing organic magnesium compound, it is necessary to heat to 300° C. or more. However, there is fear of inducing deterioration of dimensional accuracy when a molded optical component is subjected to a high temperature, and, a further larger damage is inflicted depending on a material of an optical element. Accordingly, it is an issue to reduce a burning temperature.

Coating liquid, method for manufacturing optical component, and photographic optical system


An ink composition which comprises a compound represented by formula (1), which is described in the specification; and a plurality of water-soluble organic solvents, wherein the water-soluble organic solvents contains at least a water-soluble organic solvent having a thioether or sulfoxide moiety in an amount of 10 mass % to 80 mass %, and a recording method which uses the ink composition.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an ink composition and a recording method which use the same, particularly an ink composition suitable as an ink for ink jet recording use which can further improve ozone-proof property and inhibit changes in hue, and a recording method which use the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, with the popularization of computers, ink jet printers are broadly used, not only at offices but also at homes, for the purpose of printing letters and pictures on paper, films, cloth and the like.
The ink jet recording method includes a system in which droplets are discharged by applying pressure using a piezo element, a system in which droplets are discharged by generating bubbles in the ink with heat, a system in which ultrasonic wave is used, and a system in which droplets are sucked and discharged by electrostatic force. As the ink for these ink jet recording system, water-color ink, oil base ink or solid (melt type) ink is used.
Among these inks, water-color ink is relatively superior to oil base ink and solid (melt type) ink, in terms of the possibility of taking a triangular position regarding its production, handling, odor, safety and the like, so that it is now the main stream of the ink for ink jet recording use.
For the dyes to be used in these inks for ink jet recording use, there are requirements such as high solubility in solvent (ink medium), ability to perform high density recording, proper hue, excellent solidity for light, heat, air, water and drugs, good fixing ability to and difficulty in soaking into image receiving material, excellent shelf life as ink, no toxicity, high purity and inexpensive availability. However, it is extremely difficult to find a dye which satisfies the aforementioned various requirements at a high level. Particularly, the excellent hue and the solidity conflict in most cases, for example, it is difficult to obtain a coloring material for magenta ink use which satisfies the aforementioned various requirements, and it is particularly difficult to find a dye that has both of good magenta hue and light solidity capable of standing against oxidizing atmosphere.
Thus, though various dyes and pigments have already been proposed as compounds for ink jet use and are now actuary used, it is the present situation that a dye which satisfies all of the aforementioned requirements has not been found yet.
In the case of the conventionally well known dyes and pigments having color index (C.I.) numbers, it is difficult to simultaneously obtain both of the hue and solidity required for the ink for ink jet recording use.
As a dye capable of improving solidity, azo dyes derived from an aryl amine and a 5-membered heterocyclic amine have been proposed, which are described in JP-A-55-161856 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"). However, since these dyes have undesirable hues in the yellow and cyan regions, they have a problem of worsening color reproducibility.
Inks for ink jet recording use have been disclosed in JP-A-61-36362 and JP-A-2-212566, with the aim of simultaneously obtaining the hue and light solidity. However, the dye used in each of the official gazettes is insufficient in terms of its solubility in water when used as a water-soluble ink. In addition, when the dye described in each of the official gazettes is used as a water-soluble ink for ink jet use, it also causes a problem in terms of wet heat solidity.
As a means for solving these problems, improved magenta pigments and inks which used the same proposed, as described in JP-T-11-504958 (the term "JP-T" as used herein means an "unexamined published international patent application in Japanese"), JP-A-2002-371079 and JP-A-2002-371214. However, these inks for ink jet recording use. were not sufficient in terms of their color reproducibility and solidity of output images.
In addition, it was revealed that shelf life of images is considerably worsened in some cases when images are recorded on a ink jet-exclusive use glossy paper for photographic image quality use and applied to an indoor wall or the like. The present inventors guess that this phenomenon is due to ozone and the like certain oxidizing gasses in the air. Also, this phenomenon hardly occurs when flow of the air is blocked by a treatment such as sealing in a glass frame, but its use conditions are limited.
Since this phenomenon is particularly significant on the ink jet-exclusive use glossy paper for photographic image quality use, this is a serious problem for the current ink jet recording system in which the photographic image quality is one of the important characteristics.
On the other hand, the ink for ink jet recording use which uses the aforementioned water-soluble dye has the aforementioned advantages, but on the contrary, it has a problem of generating changes in hue at the time of fading, so that its resolution is required.

Ink composition and recording method using the same


The present invention isolates the fluid streams flowing into and out of a fuel cell stack from the terminal plates so that the fluid streams and terminal plates do not come into contact with one another. The prevention of the fluid streams from contacting the terminal plate eliminates corrosion concerns associated with the terminal plate. The present invention accomplishes this isolation through the use of headers having fluid passageways therein that route the fluid streams in and/or out of the fuel cell stack while preventing contact between the fluid streams and the terminal plate.

Fuel cells have been and are proposed for use as a power source in many applications. A typical fuel cell assembly includes a plurality of individual fuel cells stacked one upon another to form a fuel cell stack which is held in compression. Typically, each fuel cell comprises an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte interposed between the anode layer and the cathode layer. The fuel cell stack requires a significant amount of compressive force to squeeze the fuel cells of the stack together. The need for the compressive force comes about from the internal gas pressure of the reactants within the fuel cells plus the need to maintain good electrical contact between the internal components of the fuel cells.
To apply the compressive force, the fuel cell stack is positioned between a pair of rigid endplates that apply a compressive force on the fuel cell stack. Electrically conductive terminal plates are disposed between the endplates and the fuel cell stack and are used to conduct electrical current between the fuel cell stack and the system in which the fuel cell assembly is employed. The fuel cell stack requires gaseous reactants (anode reactant and cathode reactant) to be supplied to and removed from the fuel cell stack to produce electricity. A coolant flow is also provided to and removed from the fuel cell stack to keep the stack at a desired operating temperature. These gaseous reactants and coolant can be humid flows and are supplied to the fuel cell stack by manifold headers. The headers pass through one or both of the endplates and are sealed against the terminal plate. The gaseous reactants and coolant are supplied to the fuel cell stack via the headers. With the header seal being against the terminal plate, the humid fluids (gaseous reactants and/or coolant) are in contact with the terminal plate. Ambient conditions and the voltage (electrical potential), which is applied to the terminal plates, can create electrolysis and cause corrosion of the terminal plate. Corrosion of the terminal plate is undesirable because it could decrease the lifespan of the fuel cell assembly and also contaminate the streams flowing through the headers.
The terminal plates are made from a good conductor, (e.g., aluminum or copper) to facilitate the current flow between the fuel cell stack and the system in which the fuel cell assembly is employed. To protect the terminal plates against corrosion, various coatings have been used on the terminal plate. The coatings, however, can be expensive and cost prohibitive (e.g., made of gold). Additionally, the coatings can have a limited lifespan such that the life of the fuel cell assembly is reduced even with the use of the coatings. Furthermore, the coatings can be sensitive to minor damage, such as scratches, and result in poor performance or allowing the corrosion process to occur. Thus, an inexpensive way to inhibit and/or prevent corrosion of a terminal plate is desirable.

Isolated and insulated stack end unit inlet/outlet manifold headers


A powder composition comprising viscoelastic surfactant forms, in aqueous solution, a viscoelastic wellbore treatment fluid.

In the recovery of hydrocarbons, such as oil and gas, from natural hydrocarbon reservoirs, extensive use is made of wellbore treatment fluids such as drilling fluids, completion fluids, work over fluids, packer fluids, fracturing fluids, conformance or permeability control fluids and the like.
In many cases significant components of wellbore fluids are thickening agents, usually based on polymers or viscoelastic surfactants, which serve to control the viscosity of the fluids. Typical viscoelastic surfactants are N-erucyl-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride and potassium oleate, solutions of which form gels when mixed with corresponding activators such as sodium salicylate and potassium chloride.
Conventional surfactant molecules are characterized by having one long hydrocarbon chain per surfactant headgroup. In the viscoelastic gelled state these molecules aggregate into worm-like micelles. Gel breakdown occurs rapidly when the fluid contacts hydrocarbons which cause the micelles to change structure or disband.
In practical terms the surfactants act as reversible thickening agents so that, on placement in subterranean reservoir formations, the viscosity of a wellbore fluid containing such a surfactant varies significantly between water- or hydrocarbon-bearing zones of the formations. In this way the fluid is able preferentially to penetrate hydrocarbon-bearing zones.
N-erucyl-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride is a waxy solid at room temperature that is difficult to dissolve in water. It is conventional to deliver it to the wellhead in the form of a concentrated solution in isopropyl alcohol. This is then mixed with water (and other additives) to form the treatment fluid.
Potassium oleate, on the other hand, is usually formed in situ by the on-line mixing oleic acid and potassium hydroxide solutions. However, the transportation and subsequent rig-site pumping of concentrated potassium (or sodium) hydroxide solution is potentially hazardous and the exothermic acid-base reaction may result in excessive heating.
The application of viscoelastic surfactants in both non-foamed and foamed fluids used for fracturing subterranean formations has been described in several patent applications and patents, e.g. EP-A-0835983, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,258,137, 5,551,516, 5,964,295 and 5,979,557.
The use of viscoelastic surfactants for water shut off treatments and for selective acidizing is discussed in GB-A-2332224 and Chang F. F., Love T., Affeld C. J., Blevins J. B., Thomas R. L. and Fu D. K., "Case study of a novel acid diversion technique in carbonate reservoirs", Society of Petroleum Engineers, 56529, (1999).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,446 discloses a method of producing a fracturing fluid by the addition of a dry mix blend to the mixed water being pumped into a well. However, the viscoelasticity of the fracturing fluid was generated by the dissolution and subsequent crosslinking of a water-soluble polysaccharide, and not by surfactant molecules. Also, ensuring adequate hydration of the polymer and providing sufficient energy to mix the blend into the mixed water is problematic for polymer-forming blends.
Definitions
The terms "carbo", "carbyl", "hydrocarbo" and "hydrocarbyl", when used herein, pertain to compounds and/or groups which have only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
The term "saturated" when used herein, pertains to compounds and/or groups which do not have any carbon-carbon double bonds or carbon-carbon triple bonds.
The term "unsaturated" when used herein, pertains to compounds and/or groups which have at least one carbon-carbon double bond or carbon-carbon triple bond.
The term "aliphatic", when used herein, pertains to compounds and/or groups which are linear or branched, but not cyclic (also known as "acyclic" or "open-chain" groups).
The term "cyclic", when used herein, pertains to compounds and/or groups which have one ring, or two or more rings/(e.g., spiro, fused, bridged). Compounds with one ring may be referred to as "monocyclic" or "mononuclear" whereas compounds with two or more rings may be referred to as "polycyclic" or "polynuclear".
The term "ring", when used herein, pertains to a closed ring of from 3 to 10 covalently linked atoms, more preferably 3 to 8 covalently linked atoms.
The term "aromatic ring", when used herein, pertains to a closed ring of from 3 to 10 covalently linked atoms, more preferably 5 to 8 covalently linked atoms, which ring is aromatic.
The term "heterocyclic ring", when used herein, pertains to a closed ring of from 3 to 10 covalently linked atoms, more preferably 3 to 8 covalently linked atoms, wherein at least one of the ring atoms is a multivalent ring heteroatom, for example, nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon, oxygen, and sulfur, though more commonly nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
The term "alicyclic", when used herein, pertains to compounds and/or groups which have one ring, or two or more rings (e.g., spiro, fused, bridged), wherein said ring(s) are not aromatic.
The term "aromatic", when used herein, pertains to compounds and/or groups which have one ring, or two or more rings (e.g., fused), wherein said ring(s) are aromatic.
By "powder" we mean a form of solid matter composed of discrete, solid units which may be e.g. particles, grains, pellets or tablets.
By "viscoelastic" we mean that the elastic (or storage) modulus G′ of the fluid is greater than the loss modulus G″ as measured using an oscillatory shear rheometer (such as a Bohlin CVO 50) at a frequency of 1 Hz and at 20° C. The measurement of these moduli is described in An Introduction to Rheology, by H. A. Barnes, J. F. Hutton, and K. Walters, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1997).
By "viscoelastic surfactant" we mean surfactant that, in solution, is capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid.
By "straight chain" we mean a chain of consecutively linked atoms, all of which or the majority of which are carbon atoms. Side chains may branch from the straight chain, but the number of atoms in the straight chain does not include the number of atoms in any such side chains.
By an "oligomeric" or "oligomer" surfactant we mean that the structure of the surfactant is based on from two to eight (and preferably two to five) linked surfactant monomer subunits, each monomer subunit having a polar head group (which may be a cationic, anionic or zwitterionic group) and a C10–C50 organic (i.e. aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic) tail group bonded at a terminal carbon atom thereof to the head group. Preferably the C10–C50 organic tail group is a hydrocarbyl tail group. The monomer subunits are linked in the oligomer either head group-to-head group or tail group-to-tail group. When they are linked head group-to-head group, the oligomer has distinct tail groups corresponding to the tail groups of the monomer subunits and a super-head group formed from the plural head groups of the monomer subunits. When they are linked tail group-to-tail group, the oligomer has distinct head groups corresponding to the head groups of the monomer subunits and a super-tail group formed from the plural tail groups of the monomer subunits.
Although the oligomer is defined above in relation to a chemically-corresponding monomer subunit, in practice the oligomer surfactant may not necessarily be synthesised from that monomer. For example, a synthesis route may be adopted in which monomer subunits are first oligomerised and the head groups are then changed to those of the desired oligomer surfactant. That is the head groups of the monomer subunits used in practice to form the oligomer may be different from the head groups of the monomer subunits to which the oligomer chemically corresponds. In another example, if the tail groups of the monomers actually used to form the oligomer are unsaturated, the oligomerisation process may involve the partial or total hydrogenation of those groups, particularly if the tail groups are linked in the oligomer.
Furthermore the tail groups of the monomer units actually used to form the oligomer may be aliphatic, but if the monomer units are linked in the oligomer tail group-to-tail group, the links formed between the tail groups in the super-tail group may be aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic.


A method and system determine peak power consumption over time by a bank of elevator for servicing a set of passenger hall calls and delivery requests, and selecting elevator schedules that keep peak power consumption below a predetermined threshold. For each car in response to receiving a hall call, a set of all possible paths to service all hall calls assigned to the car are determined, in which each path includes a set of all possible segments. A peak power consumption for each possible segment is also determined. The peak power consumptions for the set of all possible segments for each time instant are added to determine a total peak power consumption for each time instant, and a particular path is selected as a schedule to operate the bank of elevator cars, if the total peak power consumption for any instant in time while operating according to the selected schedule is below a predetermined threshold.

A primary objective of a controller of an elevator bank is to optimize various performance measures according to constraints, such as minimize waiting time and travel time and maximize smoothness of travel, while at the same time balancing various cost measures related to operational expenses, such as minimizing total energy consumption, reducing equipment wear, and the like.
Most traction sheave elevators have counterweights. The counterweights ride on rails within the elevator shaft. The counterweights reduce significantly the peak power consumed. For an ideally balanced counterweight, the weight is equal to that of the car and the average number of passengers in the car, e.g., 40% capacity. Electric power is used only to accelerate and decelerate the car and to counteract friction.
Without a counterweight, the power consumed to move the car and the passengers increases significantly. However, when moving downwards, the weight of the car and passengers can be used to produce energy by means of regenerative braking. Therefore, the total energy consumption for elevators with and without counterweights is not necessarily very different. It is only the peak power consumption that differs significantly in the two cases.
Therefore, minimizing peak power consumption is of particular significance for traction sheave elevators without counterweights. Because energy and power are often confused, herein energy and power are distinguished and defined as follows: peak power is measured in watts (W); and energy consumption is measured in joules (J). That is, power is measured instantaneously, while energy is equal to power integrated over time.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,715, "Methods and apparatus for assigning elevator hall calls to minimize energy use," issued to Smith et al. on Apr. 25, 2006 describes a method for minimizing total energy. This has no relationship to minimizing peak power at any instant in time. The invention solves this problem.
Higher peak power consumption usually results in larger and more expensive electrical equipment, such as thicker cables and larger transformers. On the other hand, eliminating the counterweights frees up useful space on every floor of the building, resulting in major savings for the owners of that building. Consequently, it is desirable to find a way to control the operation of a bank of elevators without counterweights so that the peak power consumption remains below a predetermined threshold value at all times.
Most elevator controllers operate by considering a large number of candidate schedules, i.e. assignments of hall calls to elevator cars. The controller selects the schedule that is optimal with respect to a set of constraints. Peak power control depends critically on the ability of the controller to determine quickly the peak power that would be consumed while operating according to a particular schedule. The schedule for an individual car includes a list of passengers assigned to this car, and the overall schedule for the bank of elevators includes all individual car schedules.
Because energy consumption is additive, it is sufficient to determine the energy consumption for each car as a function of time, and sum up the values for each time instant for all cars. There are several possible ways to compute the individual energy consumption of each car over time for a specific schedule. The simplest way assumes that the energy consumption is a constant that depends only on the direction of motion of the car.
Clearly, the value of this constant is much higher for upward motion than for downward motion. When regenerative braking is used to produce energy, in fact, the constant for downward motion can even be negative. In such case, determining the iota energy consumption is very simple, and reduces to counting of how many cars move in the upward direction and how many cars are moving in the downward direction. If too many cars are moving in the upward direction, in comparison to a suitably selected threshold, then the schedule can be rejected and excluded from consideration. That method is described in International Patent Publication WO 2006/095048 applied for by Kone Corporation, and U.S. Patent Application 20060243536, "Method and device for controlling an elevator group, published Nov. 2, 2006.
However, in practical applications, the energy consumption of an elevator car is not constant over time, because its speed and acceleration vary during interfloor flight according to optimal control constraints, so that the flight is completed in minimal time while providing comfortable travel for the passengers in the car.
Another Kone method described in the same application WO 2006/095048 estimates the energy consumption based on a simulation of the car flight to its destination floor. That method is feasible only if the path taken by the car during the execution of its schedule is completely known. This is possible if, for example, the passengers can indicate their destination when calling a car, instead after entering the car as is done normally. In such a case, there would be no uncertainty, the car path is completely known, and can be simulated by a simulator in real time.
However, most hall calls are indicated by the usual pair of up/down buttons. Thus, the exact destination floor is usually not known. The exception being hall calls generated at the penultimate floor in either direction. Otherwise, the destination can be any floor in the requested direction of service. Depending on the exact destination of each passenger, the car can take a large number of possible paths, and simulating all paths is not feasible. More specifically, the number of such paths is exponential in the size of the building and the number of waiting passengers. If a building has N floors and M calls are assigned to the car, then O(NM) possible paths need to be considered to compute the peak power consumption for all cars for any schedule.
This difficult problem is solved by the invention.

Method and system for determining instantaneous peak power consumption in elevator banks

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.


A platinum curing organosiloxane composition having improved hysteresis characteristics when cured. The composition requires the presence of a diorganovinylsiloxy terminated polydiorganosiloxane having a viscosity within a range of about 20 Pa.multidot.s to 200 Pa.multidot.s at 25.degree. C. and containing essentially no ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals bonded to non-terminal silicon atoms and a diorganovinylsiloxy terminated polydiorganosiloxane having a viscosity within a range of about 0.1 Pa.multidot.s to 200 Pa.multidot.s at 25.degree. C., where from 1 to 5 percent of the non-terminal repeating units of the siloxane comprise a vinyl radical. In addition, the present composition comprises 10 to 30 weight percent of a reinforcing silica filler that has been treated with hexamethyldisilazane and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1,3-divinyldisilazane, and an organohydrogensiloxane resin crosslinker comprising greater than 5 silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule.

The present invention is a platinum curing organosiloxane composition having improved hysteresis characteristics when cured. The present compositions are particularly useful as materials of fabrication for keyboard pads used in electronic keyboards.
The use of various platinum cured organosiloxane compositions as material of construction for keyboard pads is well known in the art. A common problem associated with such previously known organosiloxane compositions is poor hysteresis characteristics, evidenced as a lack of rebound or crispness in the feel of the keys of a keyboard when depressed. The present inventors have discovered a unique combination of vinyl-substituted organosiloxane polymers, filler concentration, filler treating agents, and organohydrogensiloxane resin crosslinking agent having a high level of hydrogen substituted on silicon, that provides a cured organosiloxane composition having excellent hysteresis characteristics.
Jensen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,978, teaches an organosiloxane composition comprising two diorganovinylsiloxy terminated polydiorganosiloxanes which can be platinum cured to form elastomers having high tear strength. Jensen teaches a curable mixture comprising 70 to 95 percent by weight of the mixture of a diorganovinylsiloxy terminated polydiorganosiloxane containing vinyl or other ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals only at the terminal positions and a second polydiorganosiloxane containing both terminal vinyl radicals and from 1 to 5 mole percent of vinyl radicals on non-terminal repeating units. Jensen teaches the composition can contain 10 to 60 weight percent, based on the weight of the composition, of a reinforcing silica filler and that the filler can be treated with a treating agent such as a hexaorganodisilazane. Jensen also teaches the use of a dimethylsiloxane/methylhydrogensiloxane copolymer as a crosslinker, where the copolymer comprises from 10 to about 50 repeating units per molecule and from 3 to 5 of the repeating units are methylhydrogensiloxane.

Organohydrogensiloxane resin crosslinker curable organosiloxane composition with improved hysteresis characteristics