The present invention is an improved sensing unit for detecting flaws in conductive material wherein the sensing coil is positioned away from a datum of either the datum point, the datum orientation, or a combination thereof. Position of the sensing coil away from a datum increases sensitivity for detecting flaws having a characteristic volume less than about 1 mm.sup.3, and further permits detection of subsurface flaws. Use of multiple sensing coils permits quantification of flaw area or volume.

High volume, high speed production of metal products, for example sheet metal and pipe places demanding requirements on inspection techniques to identify flaws and characterize quality of the metal products. Presently, Faraday eddy current and ultrasonic equipment is used to identify flaws. The eddy current technique is limited to lower production speeds. At production speeds in excess of about 40 ft/sec, bandwidth limitations prevent accurate flaw detection with eddy current techniques. Ultrasonic equipment is limited because it cannot measure electrical resistivity, requires a couplant and is limited to low production speeds.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,151 uses an invariant magnetic field gradient and sensor for detection of flaws in moving electrically conductive objects such as tube, bar, wire, and wire rods. Detectable flaws include laps, cuts, seams and entrapped foreign materials. However, the '151 patent requires a magnetic field gradient and requires that the conductive material to be inspected be passed through a hollow cylindrical magnet. It further requires two sensors for flaw detection.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,519,367 to Gunn et al. is for a method and apparatus for detecting defects in objects as depicted in FIG. 1 (prior art). The apparatus or sensing unit 100 has a horseshoe magnet 102 embedded in insulating material 104 with the feet 105 of the horseshoe magnet exposed and placed adjacent to one side of the conductive material 106 to be inspected. A single sensing coil 108 is positioned between the legs of the horseshoe magnet 102 and is stationary with respect to the horseshoe magnet 102 by embedment within the insulating material 104 and is also placed adjacent the conductive material 106. Both the magnet 102 and sensing coil 108 are in relative motion with respect to the conductive material 106. An oscilloscope (not shown) receives a signal from the sensing coil 108 when a flaw (not shown) in the conductive material 106 passes by the apparatus 100.
The magnet 102 has a datum point 110 that is a point located on a center line 112 through a center of the magnet and substantially perpendicular to a material surface 114 and on a plane 116 defined by magnet surface(s) (feet 105) facing the material surface 114. The sensing coil 108 has a datum orientation with a longitudinal axis 118 of the sensing coil 108 substantially perpendicular to the material surface 114. In the prior art embodiment of FIG. 1, center line 112 and longitudinal axis 118 are co-linear. They are shown side by side in FIG. 1 for clarity.
Disadvantages of the prior art include (1) limited flaw size detection of flaws having a volume below about 1 mm.sup.3, (2) inability to detect subsurface flaws, and (3) inability to quantify flaw area or volume.

Apparatus and method for detecting flaws in conductive material


A chair seat pan comprising a reinforced rear region, a reinforced pommel region, a pair of forward flexible regions which resiliently flex with respect to the reinforced regions under external pressure, and a continuous upper surface throughout the reinforced rear region, the reinforced pommel region, and the pair of flexible regions, for supporting a user.

Conventional seating arrangements for occupational environments such as offices and schools provide a seating position where an angle of 90° increasing the pressure on the spinal column and resulting in a poor working environment where strain injuries, back pain are increasingly common. Seating which encourages movement and improved posture with a higher sitting position is therefore desirable.
WO 96/10937 discloses a chair seat and a chair made with this chair seat in which a chair seat is divided into several parts, comprising a part being fixed and a pivoting part where the pivoting part may pivot down from a starting position around a crossing axis, against an elastic counter force, enabling a change of the sitting position by having the user change the angle of their hips. This creates a chair seat and chair allowing the user to vary the positions of sitting and at the same time having support when seated with the lower part of the body in different positions.
A drawback with this arrangement is that the slits on the seat means that the users legs are susceptible to a rather inconvenient pinch effect both when sitting on and when getting off the chair. The legs of the subject are not in any way directed apart and to the side of the seat pan making the seat of this invention uncomfortable for the user. In addition, the hinged effect depends on a live hinge for achieving the flexibility required.
In EP1319353 a task chair including seat supporting structure and a seat supported by the seat structure and having a seating surface which may ergonomically conform to a seated user is disclosed. The seating surface includes rigid and flexible portions connected to one another, the flexible portions allowing resilient flexing of the seating surface to create conformance zones which dynamically support a seated user in an ergonomic manner.
However this seat conforms to the seated user rather than encouraging the user to adopt a seating position promoting good posture. Additionally it is only suitable for use in a standard seating position. The seat is manufactured from multiple components such as wood, metal or plastic and the flexible portions formed from pliable urethane or silicon. The portions are connected by insert moulding the flexible portions to the rigid portions or by mechanically or adhesively joining the flexible portions to the rigid portions.
Ergonomically a higher seating position is preferable as it encourages a spinal position similar to that achieved when standing.
WO8301184 discloses a stool with a support means and a flexible sitting surface where the support means comprises a frame with a front part bent to an approximately inverted U-shape and a back frame part being straight or slightly curved. A net is stretched over the pre-bent frame to provide a seat.
Therefore, there is a requirement for a low cost seat manufactured from a single material. In addition, it is also desirable to have a seat, which encourages the user to adopt a seating position which promotes good posture regardless of the desk style.

Chair seat pan and chair incorporating same


An optical mouse employs an optical mouse controller and an optical mouse sensor. In operation, the optical mouse sensor generates an image sensing report signal indicative of a movement of the optical mouse over a surface of an object and communicates the image sensing report signal to the optical mouse controller based on a CPI resolution setting of the optical mouse sensor. To be responsive to varying applications, the optical mouse sensor detects a dynamic movement variable associated with the movement of the optical mouse over the surface of the object and controls a switching of the CPI resolution setting among at least two different CPI resolutions based on a detection of the dynamic movement variable.

Digital entertainment (e.g., online gaming, downloadable movies, music and TV programming) is driving the need for new, higher-performance PC input devices. Mouse navigation is of particular importance as PCs and laptops move into less-traditional environments, such as, for example, kitchens, bedrooms and the local coffee shop. Such locations often require mouse navigation on surfaces such as wood-grain or laminate that can cause today's optical mice to falter. In addition, applications such as high-speed online gaming require fast responsiveness and high position accuracy, regardless of location.
To address this growing demand, a patented LaserStream product line offered by the assignee of the present invention includes three versions of laser navigation sensors and mouse bundles.
First, an ADNS-6000 laser navigation sensor/ADNB-600X bundle for high-end corded mice features 800 CPI resolution, 20 inches per second ("IPS") maximum velocity and 6,400 frames per second ("FPS") frame rate.
Second, an ADNS-6030 laser navigation sensor/ADNB-603X bundle for high-end cordless mice features up to 800 CPI resolution, 20 IPS maximum velocity, and enhanced self-adjusting frame rate, along with low power consumption for battery life of up to six months.
Finally, anADNS-6010 laser navigation sensor/ADNB-601X bundle optimized for the gaming environment and other specialized high-performance applications features 2,000 CPI resolution, 45 IPS maximum velocity and 7,080 FPS frame rate.
The CPI resolution for all three of the aforementioned laser navigation sensors and mouse bundles are fixed and are therefore more suitable for applications that are compatible with the fixed CPI resolution and less suitable for applications that are incompatible with the fixed CPI resolution. Thus, there is a need to have a dynamic switching CPI resolution responsive to the needs of various applications.

Dynamic self-switchable CPI resolution for an optical mouse sensor

Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A wiring board houses a bare radio-frequency IC. Shield wiring films are provided above and below the IC. A plurality of shield interlayer-connection conductor films, i.e., shield via-holes, is provided so as to surround the IC. The shield wiring films and the shield interlayer-connection conductor films define a shield cage, which can electrostatically shield the IC. Thus, there is no need to attach a shield cap.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wiring board that has a plurality of wiring films, which are provided between interlayer insulating films, and interlayer-connection conductor films, which extend through the interlayer insulating films and provide electrical connections between the wiring films at different layers, and that houses at least one bare semiconductor integrated circuit device. The present invention also relates to a circuit module having another semiconductor integrated circuit device and a passive component that are mounted on the wiring board.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless communication ICs (semiconductor integrated circuit devices) for transmitting/receiving high-frequency signals and ICs for processing high-speed digital signals are susceptible to noise radiated from the surroundings, and the ICs also can be radiation-noise generating sources relative to other devices.
Accordingly, in a conventional approach, such ICs are covered with conductive shield caps, which are connected to, for example, ground lines (i.e., are grounded), so as to be electrostatically shielded from other devices.
FIG. 1 illustrates a known example of a circuit module having a RF-IC (radio-frequency integrated circuit device), for example, for transmitting/receiving a high-frequency signal or for processing a high-speed digital signal. A shield cap is provided for the RF-IC to provide electrostatic shielding.
Reference character 101 indicates a wiring board, and 102 indicates interlayer insulating films, which are made of a synthetic resin. Reference character 103 indicates wiring films made of a conductor, such as copper. Reference character 104 indicates interlayer-connection conductor films, which extend through the interlayer insulating films 102 and which provide electrical connections between the wiring films provided at different layers. The interlayer-connection conductor films 104 are called via-holes, through-holes, or the like. The interlayer-connection conductor films 104 will hereinafter be referred to as "via-holes".
Reference character 105 indicates an IC, which is mounted on one surface of the wiring board 101. Reference character 106 indicates a passive component (e.g., a resistor, a capacitor, a balun circuit, a crystal oscillator, or a filter), which is mounted on the surface of the wiring board 101. Reference character 107 indicates a RF-IC for, for example, transmitting/receiving a high-frequency signal. As described above, a shield cap 108 is provided to electrostatically shield the top and the periphery (lateral sides) of the RF-IC 107. Needless to say, the shield cap 108 is connected to a shield potential-point of a ground line or the like.
According to such a high-frequency circuit module, the shield cap 108 can prevent ambient noise from penetrating the RF-IC 107 and also can prevent the RF-IC 107 from becoming a noise radiation source to other devices.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-77537 discloses an alternative technology for providing electrostatic shielding. In the technology, a housing space for housing a bare IC is provided inside a wiring board, and shield wiring films are provided above and below the housing space inside the wiring board and are connected to a ground line. Thus, the IC within the housing space is electrostatically shielded by the upper and lower shield wiring films.
The known technology shown in FIG. 1, however, requires the attachment of the shield cap 108 for covering the IC (e.g., an RF-IC) 107 to provide electrostatic shielding, thus posing a problem in that it is difficult to achieve miniaturization.
In particular, a great demand exists for miniaturization of mobile telephones, mobile electronic devices, and the like, so that a great requirement also exists for high-frequency modules and the like for use therein.
Thus, since the known technology shown in FIG. 1, which requires the attachment of the shield cap 108, has difficulty in fulfilling the demand for miniaturization, it has a considerable problem.
Further, since the attachment of the shield cap 108 requires time and cost, the known technology has difficulty in meeting a demand for cost reduction.
The shield cap 108 also has a disadvantage in that it cannot electrostatically shield the bottom-side of the IC 107.
On the other hand, according to the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-77537, there is no need to attach the shield cap 108. An IC, such as a RF-IC, is housed in a housing space within a wiring board and is electrostatically shielded by wiring films of the wiring board. Thus, the technology facilitates miniaturization. Further, since there is no need for a process for attaching such a cap, the technology reduces time and cost, compared to the known technology shown in FIG. 1.
Additionally, the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-77537 is also advantageous in that it electrostatically shields not only the top side but also the bottom side of the IC.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-77537, however, does not provide electrostatic shielding against noise penetrating the RF-IC 107 from its side surfaces, which therefore does not provide a sufficient electrostatic shielding effect.


In an engine air-fuel ratio controller, a target frequency of an air-fuel ratio oscillation is set to a value different from a natural vibration frequency of a drive mechanism, and an air-fuel ratio feedback correction coefficient is set so that the air-fuel ratio oscillation frequency coincides with the target frequency, and the air-fuel ratio is rich for a longer time than the time for which it is lean. In this way, resonance of the air-fuel ratio oscillation frequency with the natural vibration frequency of the drive system is prevented, the air-fuel ratio is prevented from remaining lean in the high load region for a long period of time, and decline of driving performance is avoided.

In feedback control of an air-fuel ratio of a vehicle engine, the air-fuel ratio oscillates about a target value due to factors such as the response speed of sensors used to detect the air-fuel ratio. This oscillation leads to a variation of engine torque, and if the frequency of the air-fuel ratio oscillation coincides with the natural vibration frequency of the drive system from the transmission to the vehicle wheels, resonance occurs and causes the vehicle to vibrate.
To prevent this vibration, Tokkai Sho 64-36941 published by the Japanese Patent Office in 1989 discloses a technique whereby, when the oscillation frequency of the air-fuel ratio coincides with the natural vibration frequency of the drive system, a control constant of the air-fuel ratio feedback control is altered.
Since the natural vibration frequency of the drive system is different according to the shift position of the transmission, this control constant is altered according to the shift position of the transmission during air-fuel ratio feedback control by comparing the corresponding natural frequency with the air-fuel ratio oscillation frequency.
However in the high load region of the engine where generated drive force is quite sensitive to the variation of air-fuel ratio, if the air-fuel ratio fluctuation frequency decreases due to alteration of the control constant, i.e. if the period of the air-fuel ratio oscillation increases, an air-fuel ratio which is leaner than a target air-fuel ratio predominates for a longer period of time. This leads to a deficiency of drive force and has an undesirable effect on the driving performance of the vehicle.
Tokkai Hei 7-269398 published by the Japanese Patent Office in 1995 discloses another technique whereby a target frequency different from that of the natural vibration frequency of the drive system is preset, and a control variable of air-fuel ratio feedback control is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio oscillation frequency coincides with this target frequency.
However according to this prior art technique, as the target frequency during steady state engine running conditions is set to a lower frequency band than the natural vibration frequency of the drive system, the control still causes the vehicle to be driven at a lean air-fuel ratio for long periods of time.


A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine includes a valve member that is moveable within a bore of an injection nozzle so as to be engageable with a valve seat region to control fuel delivery through one or more nozzle outlets, an injector body housing an actuator that is operable to move the valve member within the bore, and defining an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel. The fuel injector includes a damping chamber in fluid communication with the accumulator volume through a fluid passage, the damping chamber serving to reduce pressure wave activity within the accumulator volume.

In a known piezoelectrically actuated fuel injector, as disclosed in EP0995901a piezoelectric actuator is operable to control the position of a control piston which is moveable to control the pressure of fuel within a control chamber defined, in part, by a surface associated with a valve needle of the injector. Movement of the control piston to reduce the pressure of fuel within the control chamber causes the valve needle to lift away from a corresponding valve seat region in order to permit fuel to be injected through one or more nozzle outlets. Re-pressurisation of fuel pressure within the control chamber causes the valve member to be moved to re-engage the valve seating region.
A problem exists with the above configuration of fuel injector in that the sudden ejection of fuel through the nozzle outlets, together with movement of the internal injector components such as the piezoelectric actuator and the control piston, causes pressure wave activity within the fuel passages of the injector. The pressure wave activity can affect the quantity of fuel that is delivered through the nozzle outlets so that the actual volume of delivered fuel is not the same as the demanded fuel delivery volume as determined by the electrical driving signal provided to the piezoelectric actuator. Inaccuracy of the actual fuel delivery volume against demanded fuel delivery volume can cause excessive exhaust smoke emissions and increases fuel consumption both of which are undesirable.
It is an object of the invention to provide a fuel injector which does not suffer from the above problem.

Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.A.R.L.


The invention relates to an electric toothbrush (10) having a rechargeable energy store (24) that is arranged in an inner space (36) in the body (12) of the toothbrush (10). The inner space (36) is sealed by a primary sealing element (56) against splash water and other detrimental influences. At least one contact element (28) for an external power supply unit (46) produces an electrically conductive connection to the energy store (24). The contact element is located either within the inner space (36), it being possible for the primary sealing element (56) to be removed for charging purposes, or outside the inner space (36), in which case it is optionally protected by an additional secondary sealing element (76). The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.

This invention relates to a toothbrush having an electrically operated functional unit and to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
Electric toothbrushes with rechargeable energy stores (storage batteries) are known and widely available on the market. In most cases, electrical energy is transmitted inductively to the energy store from the charging station. This is described, for example, in CH 656 987. Since there is no need for any electrical line connections between the energy store and the charging station, the advantage of this charging method resides in the straightforward handling for the user (i.e. straightforward positioning in the charging station without trying to find contact) and in the low level of susceptibility to external influences, e.g. water or toothpaste, which may result in contamination or corrosion of electrical contacts. The disadvantage with inductive charging resides in the high production costs and in the large amount of space required for the charging station, which comprises a high-outlay charging circuit. The toothbrushes are likewise large, heavy and unwieldy since, in addition to the storage batteries, at least one secondary coil with a rectifier arrangement has to be present.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,552 discloses an electric toothbrush of the generic type having an energy store which can be charged up via a plug-in contact. The contact element is located without protection at the foot of the electric toothbrush and thus in a region in which water dripping off from the brush head accumulates. Satisfactory current transmission is put at risk by corrosion and contamination of the contact elements.

Toothbrush and process for producing the same


Method and device for producing a web of tissue. In the method, the web of tissue is led over at least one drying cylinder, doctored off the latter with a creping doctor and then wound up by way of a winding device. The web of tissue is supported at least largely over the entire distance between creping doctor and winding device on one side by a transfer device, so that there is only a short free web draw, while its other side is free. The device includes at least one drying cylinder, a creping doctor arranged on the drying cylinder and a winding device that winds up the web of tissue. Between the creping doctor and the winding device, a transfer device at least largely bridges the entire distance which supports the web of tissue on one side. There is a short free web draw, but its other side is left free.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing a web of tissue, in which the web of tissue is led over at least one drying cylinder, doctored off the latter with a creping doctor and then wound up by way of a winding device.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for producing a web of tissue, having at least one drying cylinder, a creping doctor arranged on the drying cylinder and a winding device for winding up the web of tissue.
The aforementioned web of tissue can, in particular, be tissue grades such as toilet paper, cleaning cloths for the face, napkin paper and the like. In particular in the case of these grades of tissue, what is concerned, inter alia, are the specific volume ("bulk", measured in cm3/gm), which should be as high as possible, and what is known as the "hand feel", which is a measure of how pleasant the tissue feels when handled. Since this measure depends on the subjective sense of the user, there is as yet no objective measurement method. Properties such as softness, velvetiness and a flat surface topography promote a high degree of "hand feel". A "hand feel" value is determined as a result of the subjective assessment of a large number of testing persons.
In addition a certain minimum strength, which matches the requirements of the user, is important for a tissue product.
2. Discussion of Background Information
A number of concepts for tissue machines have already been proposed which, in general, have the object of improving the tissue properties. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and an improved device of the type mentioned at the beginning. In particular, the quality of the tissue, the production speed and the runability of the device are to be improved.


An underwater communications system is provided that transmits electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals to a remote receiver. The transmitter includes a data input. A digital data compressor compresses data to be transmitted. A modulator modulates compressed data onto a carrier signal. An electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna transmits the compressed, modulated signals. The receiver that has an electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna for receiving a compressed, modulated signal. A demodulator is provided for demodulating the signal to reveal compressed data. A de-compressor de-compresses the data. An appropriate human interface is provided to present transmitted data into text/audio/visible form. Similarly, the transmit system comprises appropriate audio/visual/text entry mechanisms.

1. Field of Use
The present invention relates generally to an underwater communications system, and its methods of use, and more particularly to an underwater communications system that uses electromagnetic propagation and magnetic induction transmission, and optimizes the distance which can be achieved by digital transmission of information.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various underwater communication systems are known. One of the most common is based on acoustic techniques. A problem with such systems is that they are degraded by noise and interference from a number of sources. They are also subject to multi-path effects and in some environments are virtually unusable. Other underwater communication systems use radio links, e.g. extreme low frequency electromagnetic signals, usually for long-range communications between a surface station and a submerged vessel. These systems typically operate in the far field using physically large electric field coupled antennas and support data rates up to a few bits per second.
WO01/95529 describes an underwater communications system that uses electromagnetic signal transmission. This system has a transmitter and a receiver, each having a metallic, magnetic coupled aerial surrounded by a waterproof electrically insulating material. Use of electrically insulated magnetic coupled antennas in the system of WO01/95529 provides various advantages. This is because magnetically coupled antennas launch a predominantly magnetic field. A similar arrangement is described in GB2163029. Whilst the communications systems of WO01/95529 and GB2163029 have some technical advantages over more conventional acoustic or radio link systems, the functionality described is limited, and for many practical applications the available bandwidth is highly restrictive, as is distance over which data can be transmitted.
Magnetic antennas formed by a wire loop, coil or similar arrangements create both magnetic and electromagnetic fields. The magnetic or magneto-inductive field is generally considered to comprise two components of different magnitude that, along with other factors, attenuate with distance (r), at rates proportional to 1/r2 and 1/r3 respectively. Together they are often termed the near field components. The electromagnetic field has a still different magnitude and, along with other factors, attenuates with distance at a rate proportional to 1/r. It is often termed the far field or propagating component.
Signals based on electrical and magnetic fields are rapidly attenuated in water due to its partially electrically conductive nature. Seawater is more conductive than fresh water and produces higher attenuation. Propagating radio or electromagnetic waves are a result of an interaction between the electric and magnetic fields. The high conductivity of seawater attenuates the electric field. Water has a magnetic permeability close to that of free space so that a purely magnetic field is relatively unaffected by this medium. However, for propagating electromagnetic waves the energy is continually cycling between magnetic and electric field and this results in attenuation of propagating waves due to conduction losses.
The attenuation losses, the bandwidth restrictions and the limited distances over which data can be transmitted all pose significant practical problems for underwater communications.
Existing methods of acoustic communication are inherently restricted in the distance they can achieve at effective data rates. This is particularly true where the signal reaches a receiver by multiple paths (reflections occurring from an irregular sea floor, the sea surface, the coastline, nearby objects and the like, we well as when the sound wave path exhibits discontinuities in its properties (wave wash, bubbles in the water, changes in water density due to salinity variations). Little is known which can lessen these difficulties. The existing art of electromagnetic communication under water fails to recognize measures that can be taken to maximize the distance and/or useful information rate which can be achieved by adapting the devices sourcing and using the information so that more effective signal frequencies can be adopted.

Electromagnetic/acoustic underwater communications system


The present invention is directed to a method for the direct, one-step synthesis of crystalline segmented glycolide copolymers having less than 80 percent glycolide-based sequences in the copolyester chain. The copolyester chain can also be formed using a polyether glycol as the initiator for the ring-opening copolymerization of glycolide and other cyclic monomers to form highly hydrophilic materials.

Strategies for the synthesis of crystalline absorbable glycolide-based polymers based primarily on glycolide for the production of medical devices that exhibit in-use dimensional stability have been limited to (1) random copolymers with at least 80 percent of their chains derived from glycolide; or (2) segmented/block copolymers which are made by two-step synthesis entailing the preparation of a prepolymer containing a minor Traction of glycolate sequence, following end-grafting with glycolide or a mixture of monomers containing more than 80 percent glycolide. Composition limitations associated with the random copolymer approach and process complexity and fair-to-inadequate reproducibility encountered in the two-step synthesis of segmented glycolide copolymer provided the incentive to explore a simple, and yet reliable, approach to prepare crystalline glycolide copolymer with a broad range of physicochemical properties and possibly unique functional performance.
Accordingly, this invention deals with the direct, one-step copolymerization of glycolide with one or more cyclic monomers, such as lactide, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, and preferably, trimethylene carbonate and/or caprolactone using low molecular weight monofunctional or difunctional alcohols, amines, or aminoalcohols as ring opening initiators to produce crystalline copolymers having less than 80 percent glycolide-based sequences in their chains. This invention also deals with the direct copolymerization of glycolide with trimethylene carbonate and/or caprolactone using high molecular weight mono- or di-functional polyalkylene oxide, wherein the initiating functionality is a hydroxylic and/or amino group, to produce crystalline polyether-ester block copolymers with a crystalline copolyester component comprising less than 80 percent glycolide-based sequences.
More specifically, the present invention is directed to a direct method for preparing a crystalline, segmented/block glycolide-based copolymer which involves the single step of heating a mixture of glycolide, a hydroxylic or amine initiator, an organo-metallic catalyst, and at least one further comonomer which is lactide, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone, or mixtures thereof, to a temperature in the range of from about 110xc2x0 C. to about 180xc2x0 C. Preferably, the molar ratio of glycolide to the at least one further comonomer is 80:20 or less. It is also preferred that the molar ratio of glycolide and the at least one further comonomer to catalyst is in the range of about 20,000:1 to about 90,000:1. Preferred initiators include 1,3-propanediol, trimethylol propane, and triethanolamine. In another embodiment, a preferred initiator is a difunctional polyalkylene oxide, preferably polyethylene glycol. For that embodiment it is preferred that the molar ratio of glycolide and the at least one further comonomer to the polyethylene glycol is in the range of from about 10:1 to about 1,000:1.
The present invention is also directed to a crystalline, segmented/block glycolide copolymer having less than about 80% by mole glycolide made by a direct method which involves the single step of heating a mixture of glycolide, an initiator, a catalyst, and at least one further comonomer which is lactide, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone, or mixtures thereof, to a temperature in the range of from about 110xc2x0 C. to about 180xc2x0 C. Preferably the at least one further comonomer is trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone, or mixtures thereof. A preferred end use for the crystalline, segmented/block glycolide copolymer of the present invention is as a molded or extruded medical device.
An alternative embodiment is directed to a crystalline, segmented/block copolymer which has a central block derived from a polyalkylene oxide, and end blocks which have less than about 80% by mole glycolide and at least about 20% by mole of a cyclic monomer which is lactide, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone, or mixtures thereof, made by a direct method which involves the single step of heating a mixture of glycolide, a functional polyalkylene oxide initiator, a catalyst, and at least one further comonomer which is lactide, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, trimethylene carbonate, caprolactone, or mixtures thereof, to a temperature in the range of from about 110xc2x0 C. to about 180xc2x0 C. Preferably, the central block derived from a polyalkylene oxide comprises polyethylene glycol. Most preferably the polyethylene glycol block has a molecular weight of at least about 5,000 Dalton. One preferred end use for the crystalline copolymer of this embodiment of the present invention is as a hydrophilic medical device having finite solubility in water. Another preferred end use for the crystalline copolymer of this embodiment of the present invention is as a part of a controlled release system for bioactive agents. Yet another preferred end use for the crystalline copolymer of this embodiment of the present invention is as a molded or extruded medical device.
This invention deals with the direct, one-step copolymerization of a monomer mixture containing less than 80 percent glycolide and the balance being one or more cyclic monomer such as lactide, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, and preferably, trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and/or caprolactone (CL) using a mono- or di-functional diol, amine, or aminoalcohol, an organometallic catalyst, and the appropriate reaction temperature/time scheme to yield crystalline copolymers. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a monomer mixture containing less than 80 percent glycolide and more than 20 percent TMC and/or CL is copolymerized in the presence of 1,3-propanediol, or trimethylol propane, or triethanolamine at a monomer to initiator ratio of 300 to 1500 and catalytic amounts of stannous octanoate at a monomer to catalyst ratio of 20,000 to 90,000. One aspect of this invention deals with the direct, one-step synthesis of crystalline, segmented copolymer containing less than 80 percent glycolide-based chain sequences that melt between 150xc2x0 C. and 220xc2x0 C. and a crystalline fraction exhibiting a heat of fusion of 20-90 J/g. Another aspect of this invention deals with extrusion of a typical copolymer, having about 70 to 79 percent glycolide-based repeat units, into a monofilament which can be further oriented into suture strands. Another aspect of this invention deals with conversion of a typical copolymer having about 60 and 70 percent of glycolide-based repeat units into molded articles, including connecting tubes or catheters, for use in conjunction with devices applicable in the ophthalmology, orthopedic, cardiovascular, and dialysis areas.
This invention also deals with the direct, one-step copolymerization of a monomer mixture containing less than 80 percent glycolide and the balance being TMC and/or CL using a high molecular weight mono- or di-functional polyalkylene oxide as the ring-opening polymerization initiator, wherein the initiating functionality is a hydroxylic and/or amino group, to produce a crystalline polyether-ester block copolymer with a crystalline copolyester component comprising less than 80 percent glycolide-based sequences. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a monomer mixture containing less than 80 percent glycolide and more than 20 percent TMC and/or CL is copolymerized in the presence of polyethylene glycol to produce a hydrophilic crystalline copolyether-ester. In a more preferred embodiment a polyethylene glycol, having a molecular weight of more than 5 kDa, is used as the initiator to produce highly hydrophilic copolymer that may have a discernable solubility in water. These copolymers can be used to produce controlled drug delivery systems or can be melt processed by molding or extrusion into absorbable medical devices or a component thereof with unique physicochemical and biological properties. Medical devices based on these polyether-esters can be used in orthopedic, ophthalmic, and cardiovascular devices as well as controlled release systems for bioactive agents or scaffolds for tissue engineering. Further embodiment of the invention can be illustrated by, but not limited to, the examples described below.

Direct synthesis of segmented glycolide copolymers and crystalline materials therefrom


The present invention provides a method for associating a part of a source language text with a translation pattern to translate that part into a target language. Translation patterns are provided, each of which comprises a source language pattern, a target language pattern corresponding to the source language pattern, a variable corresponding to the source language pattern, and a variable corresponding to the target language pattern. If a part of the source language text matches a source language pattern, that source language pattern is represented with a first variable and the corresponding target language pattern is represented by a second variable. If the part of the source language text which is represented with the first variable matches another source language pattern with a nested structure in which at least the first variable is included, that source language pattern is represented with a third variable and the target language pattern which corresponds to that source language pattern and has a nested structure in which the second variable is included is represented by a fourth variable. A translation can be provided by applying all the corresponding parts of the target language text to such a translation pattern.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a translation method and translation system based on patterns, and particularly to a translation system which is based on translation patterns.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the Internet comes into widespread use, more and more documents written in foreign languages are being accessed. As a tool to translate such documents into a native language, machine translation systems are rapidly becoming widespread. However, in an environment such as the Internet, where information in a wide variety of fields is available for access, a single word may have a quite different meaning and even be translated differently depending on the fields. Therefore, customizing a translation system according to a field is important for the users and developers of a translation system.
One such method of customization involves adding words to or changing words in a dictionary, or modifying grammatical rules used for the system. Such customization requires expertise and in addition, is likely to increase ambiguities due to the inconsistency of terms or grammatical rules. Therefore, improvement of translation accuracy or proper selection of terms according to fields is not always possible.
Thus, in recent years a machine translation system using translation patterns has come to attention and has been commercialized. In this system, a large number of translation patterns for each word, clause, phrase, or sentence in a source language corresponding to those in a target language are provided in advance. A part of a text (a sentence or word) written in the source language is matched against the translation patterns to take the text as a mosaic comprising a number of translation patterns. Then, the source language is translated into the target language based on those translation patterns. Although such a method requires a large number of translation patterns, it has the significant advantage that such a system can easily be customized because the user can define translation patterns easily.
Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 5-290082 discloses a translation apparatus which matches text written in a source language against a plurality of translation patterns provided in advance, then translates the text based on the results. FIG. 11 shows an example of translation patterns used in the prior art. As can be seen, a number of translation patterns are provided, each of which is comprised of a source language pattern, a variable representing that source language pattern with one character, and a target language pattern corresponding to that source language pattern. Some translation patterns are represented by a nested structure which contains a variable representing another translation pattern. However, with this prior art, the range of language patterns which can be matched by one translation pattern is very narrow, because only one variable is provided for each translation pattern. This would be a particularly serious problem in a case where the part of speech of the source language pattern differs from that of the target language pattern.
Source language pattern: "worry about" PA1 Target language pattern: "shimpai da"
In the above example, the pattern of speech of the source language pattern is a verb, whereas the pattern of speech of the target language pattern is an adjective. In such a case, the target pattern cannot be represented by a single variable in prior art.
In addition, in the prior art a variable representing a source language pattern cannot have information which is held by that pattern. For example, although a noun in singular form and a noun in plural form in English are similar in representation, they cannot be distinguished by a single translation pattern, and different patterns must be used for the respective forms.
Due to the above-mentioned reasons, the number of representations which can be matched by one translation pattern are limited, so that a large number of translation patterns must be provided in order to generate accurate translations.

Pattern-based translation method and system

International Business Machines Corporation


Apparatus and method is disclosed for a data collection and monitoring system that utilizes a pen based hand held computer unit which has contained therein interaction software that allows the user to review maintenance procedures, collect data, compare data with historical trends and safety limits, and input new information at various collection sites. The system has a means to allow automatic transfer of the collected data to a main computer data base for further review, reporting, and distribution purposes and uploading updated collection and maintenance procedures. The hand held computer has a running to-do list so sample collection and other general tasks, such as housekeeping are automatically scheduled for timely completion. A done list helps users to keep track of all completed tasks. The built-in check list assures that work process will meet the applicable processes and procedures. Users can hand write comments or drawings with an electronic pen that allows the users to directly interface information on the screen.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to computer means for collecting data, storing data, reviewing data, and organizing data for the purposes of scheduling, programming tasks, managing data, and program management of maintenance task by operators of the system. More particularly, this invention relates to a hand held computer that allows operators the ability to electronically gather data from locations, validate and verify the collected data, automatically recheck out-of-range data, call up procedural information, and to electronically transfer the collected data to a main computer system for administrative review.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Typical methods of collecting data start with procedures and schedules which determine which data (e.g., surveillance and housekeeping) are needed to fulfill the business purposes. This data is collected on data collection forms which are typically on paper sheets. After field collection other personnel determines if the collected data is within limits and approve the sheets, then direct action based on the collected data as required, route the data to personnel and paper file systems for analysis and archiving on main computers periodically. Several problems exist with this method, including environmental limitations, (e.g., working conditions, clothing, equipment, weather, etc.), personnel limitations (personnel can not always easily bring in and carry out all related procedures and tasks information), no real time field data quality checks, errors and inefficiencies from reentry of data from paper sheets into computer data bases, and the time delay from the collection of the data to routing to analysts.
Other computers systems have been disclosed that basically provide a scheduled method and apparatus for maintaining equipment and manufacturing methods such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,533 issued to Symmetrix, Inc. This system has scheduling software wherein resources are allocated to satisfy processes according to pre-established rules for allocation maintained in the software design.
Also see U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,857 issued to Hitachi, Ltd. wherein a method and apparatus for generating software specifications is described. In this method an information processing system for generating software specifications is provided that facilitates software maintenance work by generating a higher ranking specification for at least one software product attained by particularizing the high rank specification in the software development.
See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,208 issued to Hitachi, Ltd. wherein a plant control system method for displaying the control thereof is provided. In this patent a method and apparatus for displaying on a display screen the controlling circuit in a plant control system for controlling a plant by a controller and a microcomputer. The display screen is segmented into software regions and hardware regions. The software which is realized by software displayed in the software region and the hardware circuit is displayed in the hardware region. Information which is plotted during the interactive process and is displayed in the software region automatically translated into a program for controlling the controller. Operation data of the plant is also given on the display screen. Desired circuit elements of the software circuit may be selected to change the parameters of the circuit's elements. Maintenance work can be carried while observing the indications on the display screen without any aid of documents such as a maintenance manual or the like.
All the systems described have one major drawbacks, the method of collecting data for introduction into the computer system is a manual collection means. It would be desirable if there were a hand held computer means that the operator could take out into the field to collect field data. These units would have software embedded that allows the operator to generate selected screens and windows so that the operator can electronically gather data, verify and validate the collected data, call procedural information, such as, actual text and graphics, and have interface that allows the information to be electronically transferred for administrative review later.

Hand held data collection and monitoring system for nuclear facilities


The invention is directed to a tire and wheel rim assembly for a vehicle. The tire comprises a pair of bead regions each reinforced by a bead core characterized by at least one bead portion of the tire having an additional hardened retention zone positioned axially inwards of and integral with the main bead portion, the retention zone having an axially inner tip or toe substantially inwards of the main bead portion and the construction of the bead between the bead core and tip providing substantial resistance to compressive forces therebetween. The wheel rim comprises a pair of bead seats and axially inwards of and adjacent to at least one of the bead seats, which is that part of the bead seat contacted by a standard tire, at least one circumferentially extending tooth having a sharp edge inter-engaging only the retention zone of the tire at the tip such that when lateral force is applied to the tire tread and internal inflation pressure is low, axially inward movement of the tip is resisted by tip-to-tooth inter-engagement thus causing bead rotation about the tip and generation of compression force in those parts of the bead region between the tip and the core to provide bead retention at the bead seat. The invention also provides a wheel rim and a tire having the above features.

This invention relates to a tire and wheel rim assembly and in particular to tubeless pneumatic tire and wheel rim assemblies.
In conventional pneumatic tire and wheel rim assemblies the tire beads are retained on their respective bead seats by means of the internal air pressure and commonly by the bead seats being tapered and/or the use of a safety hump.
Deflation of the tire, however, or operation in a partially deflated state leaves the assembly in a relatively unsafe condition in which the tire beads may be moved from their respective bead seats by sideways force. Such a condition may affect the control and safety of the vehicle and in the case of the commonest types of wheel rim having a well to allow tire fitting, there is a grave danger of complete separation of the tire from its wheel rim and/or contact of the wheel rim flange with the road surface. Both these conditions are dangerous.
Many suggestions have been made to deal with this problem including bead spacer rings and the tire and wheel rim assembly known as the TD tire which is disclosed in U K Patent Specification No. 1584553.
The latter TD type of construction uses a circumferentially extending groove in the wheel rim adjacent to the bead seat and a radially and axially projecting toe on the tire engaging in the groove. This construction, however, requires a larger well in the wheel rim than in a conventional assembly which reduces the usable volume within the wheel for brake space and also has a severe problem in compatibility in that the fitting of a tire without the necessary projecting toe to the TD type of wheel rim gives an assembly which has a reduced bead retention property to a standard tire on a standard wheel rim. This reduction in bead retention properties of a standard tire on the wheel rim so far has made it essential for the diameter of the TD type of tire and wheel rim to be made different from the normally accepted inch diameter tires and wheels to ensure this mis-match cannot occur in practice. This has limited the adoption of the TD bead retention system.
Another prior art approach to the problem is disclosed in U K patent Specification 2026957 which uses a tire bead having a sector of the main bead region, which is the axially and radially inner portion of an otherwise normal bead, constructed so that progressive rotation of the bead generates a substantially increasing compression in the bead and thus a continually increasing tension in the bead core. This can be done either by an increase in hardness around the sector or a progressive increase in dimension. The specification requires an additional friction increasing means between the tire contacting portion of the bead seat and the region of the bead seat which contacts the wheel rim in the normally seated condition to ensure the necessary rotation without relative slippage. Friction increasing means disclosed include knurling or other mechanically formed grooving or teeth on the bead seat of the wheel rim and thus the disclosure teaches an assembly having a bead seat on the rim which is not suitable for a standard tire bead because of the specially machined bead seat. The tire bead shape is not conductive to correct and secure seating or sealing of the assembly. Also reliance is made on frictional grip once the bead has rotated beyond its initial rest position and the wheel rim cannot be used for a normal tire.
In each case of the prior art, whilst some retention may be provided, true compatibility with tires not of the required construction has not so far between achieved and in each case either the special tire cannot be used on a standard type rim, a standard tire cannot be used on the special rim or both.


A method of making a carboxylated carbohydrate is disclosed, cellulose being a preferred carbohydrate material. Carboxylated cellulose fibers can be produced whose fiber strength and degree of polymerization is not significantly sacrificed. The method involves the use of a catalytic amount of a hindered cyclic oxammonium compounds as a primary oxidant and chlorine dioxide as a secondary oxidant in an aqueous environment. The oxammonium compounds may be formed in situ from their corresponding amine, hydroxylamine, or nitroxyl compounds. The oxidized cellulose may be stabilized against D.P. loss and color reversion by further treatment with an oxidant such as sodium chlorite or a chlorine dioxide/hydrogen peroxide mixture. Alternatively it may be treated with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride. In the case of cellulose the method results in a high percentage of carboxyl groups located at the fiber surface. The product is especially useful as a papermaking fiber where it contributes strength and has a higher attraction for cationic additives. The product is also useful as an additive to recycled fiber to increase strength. The method can be used to improve properties of either virgin or recycled fiber. It does not require high α-cellulose fiber but is suitable for regular market pulps.

Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehyde or ketone compounds or substances that yield these compounds on hydrolysis. They frequently occur in nature as long chain polymers of simple sugars. As the term is used in the present invention it is intended to be inclusive of any monomeric, oligomeric, and polymeric carbohydrate compound which has a primary hydroxyl group available for reaction.
Cellulose is a carbohydrate consisting of a long chain of glucose units, all β-linked through the 1′–4 positions. Native plant cellulose molecules may have upwards of 2200 anhydroglucose units. The number of units is normally referred to as degree of polymerization or simply D.P. Some loss of D.P. inevitably occurs during purification. A D.P. approaching 2000 is usually found only in purified cotton linters. Wood derived celluloses rarely exceed a D.P. of about 1700. The structure of cellulose can be represented as follows:

Chemical derivatives of cellulose have been commercially important for almost a century and a half Nitrocellulose plasticized with camphor was the first synthetic plastic and has been in use since 1868. A number of cellulose ether and ester derivatives are presently commercially available and find wide use in many fields of commerce. Virtually all cellulose derivatives take advantage of the reactivity of the three available hydroxyl groups. Substitution at these groups can vary from very low; e.g. about 0.01 to a maximum 3.0. Among important cellulose derivatives are cellulose acetate, used in fibers and transparent films; nitrocellulose, widely used in lacquers and gun powder; ethyl cellulose, widely used in impact resistant tool handles; methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, water soluble ethers widely used in detergents, as thickeners in foodstuffs, and in papermaking.
Cellulose itself has been modified for various purposes. Cellulose fibers are naturally anionic in nature as are many papermaking additives. A cationic cellulose is described in Harding et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,775. This has greater affinity for anionic papermaking additives such as fillers and pigments and is particularly receptive to acid and anionic dyes. Jewell et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,637, teach a low degree of substitution (D.S.) carboxyethyl cellulose which, along with a cationic resin, improves the wet to dry tensile and burst ratios when used as a papermaking additive. Westland, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,828 describes a method for increasing the strength of articles made from cross linked cellulose fibers having free carboxylic acid groups obtained by covalently coupling a polycarboxylic acid to the fibers.
For some purposes cellulose has been oxidized to make it more anionic; e.g., to improve compatibility with cationic papermaking additives and dyes. Various oxidation treatments have been used. U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,177 to Briskin et al. describes a cellulose oxidized with nitrogen dioxide useful as a tobacco substitute. The oxidized material may then be treated with a borohydride to reduce functional groups, such as aldehydes, causing off flavors. After this reduction the product may be further treated with an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide for further flavor improvement. Other oxidation treatments use nitrogen dioxide and periodate oxidation coupled with resin treatment of cotton fabrics for improvement in crease recovery as suggested by R. T. Shet and A. M. Yabani, Textile Research Journal November 1981: 740–744. Earlier work by K. V. Datye and G. M. Nabar, Textile Research Journal, July 1963: 500–510, describes oxidation by metaperiodates and dichromic acid followed by treatment with chlorous acid for 72 hours or 0.05 M sodium borohydride for 24 hours. Copper number was greatly reduced by borohydride treatment and less so by chlorous acid. Carboxyl content was slightly reduced by borohydride and significantly increased by chlorous acid. The products were subsequently reacted with formaldehyde. P. Luner et al., Tappi 50(3): 117–120 (1967) oxidized southern pine kraft spring wood and summer wood fibers with potassium dichromate in oxalic acid. Handsheets made with the fibers showed improved wet strength believed due to aldehyde groups. P. Luner et al., in Tappi 50(5): 227–230 (1967) expanded this earlier work and further oxidized some of the pulps with chlorite or reduced them with sodium borohydride. Handsheets from the pulps treated with the reducing agent showed improved sheet properties over those not so treated. R. A. Young, Wood and Fiber, 10(2): 112–119 (1978) describes oxidation primarily by dichromate in oxalic acid to introduce aldehyde groups in sulfite pulps for wet strength improvement in papers.
Brasey et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,341, describe oxidation of cellulose with nitric acid. They note that the reaction was specific at the C6 position and that secondary oxidation at the C2 and C3 positions was not detected. They further note that the product was " . . . stable without the need for subsequent reduction steps or the introduction of further reactants [e.g., aldehyde groups] from which the oxidized cellulose has to be purged".
V. A. Shenai and A. S. Narkhede, Textile Dyer and Printer May 20, 1987: 17–22 describe the accelerated reaction of hypochlorite oxidation of cotton yarns in the presence of physically deposited cobalt sulfide. The authors note that partial oxidation has been studied for the past hundred years in conjunction with efforts to prevent degradation during bleaching. They also discuss in some detail the use of 0.1 M sodium borohydride as a reducing agent following oxidation. The treatment was described as a useful method of characterizing the types of reducing groups as well as acidic groups formed during oxidation. The borohydride treatment noticeably reduced copper number of the oxidized cellulose. Copper number gives an estimate of the reducing groups such as aldehydes present on the cellulose. Borohydride treatment also reduced alkali solubility of the oxidized product but this may have been related to an approximate 40% reduction in carboxyl content of the samples.
R. Andersson et al. in Carbohydrate Research 206: 340–346 (1990) teach oxidation of cellulose with sodium nitrite in orthophosphoric acid and describe nuclear magnetic resonance elucidation of the reaction products.
An article by P. L. Anelli et al. in Journal of Organic Chemistry 54: 2970–2972 (1989) appears to be one of the earlier papers describing oxidation of hydroxyl compounds by oxammonium salts. They employed a system of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinyloxy free radical (TEMPO) with sodium hypochlorite and sodium bromide in a two phase system to oxidize 1,4-butanediol and 1,5-pentanediol.
R. V. Casciani et al, in French Patent 2,674,528 (1992) describe the use of sterically hindered N-oxides for oxidation of polymeric substances, among them alkyl polyglucosides having primary hydroxyl groups. A preferred oxidant was TEMPO although many related nitroxides were suggested. Calcium hypochlorite was present as a secondary oxidant.
N. J. Davis and S. L. Flitsch, Tetrahedron Letters 34(7): 1181–1184 (1993) describe the use and reaction mechanism of (TEMPO) with sodium hypochlorite to achieve selective oxidation of primary hydroxyl groups of monosaccharides. Following the Davis et al. paper this route to carboxylation then began to be very actively explored, particularly in the Netherlands and later in the United States. A. E. J. de Nooy et al., in a short paper in Receuil des Travaux Chimiques des Pays-Bas 113: 165–166 (1994), report similar results using TEMPO and hypobromite for oxidation of primary alcohol groups in potato starch and inulin. The following year, these same authors in Carbohydrate Research 269: 89–98 (1995) report highly selective oxidation of primary alcohol groups in water soluble glucans using TEMPO and a hypochlorite/bromide oxidant.
European Patent Application 574,666 to Kaufhold et al. describes a group of nitroxyl compounds based on TEMPO substituted at the 4-position. These are useful as oxidation catalysts using a two phase system. Formation of carboxylated cellulose did not appear to be contemplated.
PCT published patent application WO 95/07303 (Besemer et al.) describes a method of oxidizing water soluble carbohydrates having a primary alcohol group, using TEMPO, or a related di-tertiary-alkyl nitroxide, with sodium hypochlorite and sodium bromide. Cellulose is mentioned in passing in the background although the examples are principally limited to starches. The method is said to selectively oxidize the primary alcohol at C-6 to carboxyl. None of the products studied were fibrous in nature.
A year following the above noted Besemer PCT publication, the same authors, in Cellulose Derivatives, T. J. Heinze and W. G. Glasser, eds., Ch. 5, pp 73–82 (1996), describe methods for selective oxidation of cellulose to 2,3-dicarboxy cellulose and 6-carboxy cellulose using various oxidants. Among the oxidants used were a periodate/chlorite/hydrogen peroxide system, oxidation in phosphoric acid with sodium nitrate/nitrite, and with TEMPO and a hypochlorite/bromide primary oxidant. Results with the TEMPO system were poorly reproduced and equivocal. The statement that " . . . some of the material remains undissolved" was puzzling. In the case of TEMPO oxidation of cellulose, little or none would have been expected to go into water solution unless the cellulose was either badly degraded and/or the carboxyl substitution was very high. The homogeneous solution of cellulose in phosphoric acid used for the sodium nitrate/sodium nitrite oxidation was later treated with sodium borohydride to remove any carbonyl function present.
De Nooy et al. have published a very extensive review, both of the literature and the chemistry of nitroxyls as oxidizers of primary and secondary alcohols, in Synthesis: Journal of Synthetic Organic Chemistry (10): 1153–1174 (1996).
Heeres et al., in PCT application WO 96/38484, discuss oxidation of carbohydrate ethers useful as sequestering agents. They use the TEMPO oxidation system described by the authors just noted above to produce relatively highly substituted products, including cellulose.
P.-S. Chang and J. F. Robyt, Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry 15(7): 819–830 (1996), describe oxidation of ten polysaccharides including α-cellulose at 0° C. and 25° C. using TEMPO with sodium hypochlorite and sodium bromide. Ethanol addition was used to quench the oxidation reaction. The resulting oxidized α-cellulose had a water solubility of 9.4%. The authors did not further describe the nature of the α-cellulose. It is presumed to have been a so-called dissolving pulp or cotton linter cellulose.
Heeres et al., in WO 96/36621, describe a method of recovering TEMPO and its related compounds following their use as an oxidation catalyst. An example is given of the oxidation of starch followed by TEMPO recovery using azeotropic distillation.
D. Barzyk et al., in Journal of pulp and paper Science 23(2): J59–J61 (1997) and in Transactions of the 11th Fundamental Research Symposium, Vol. 2, 893–907 (1997), note that carboxyl groups on cellulose fibers increase swelling and impact flexibility, bonded area and strength. They designed experiments to increase surface carboxylation of fibers. However, they ruled out oxidation to avoid fiber degradation and chose to form carboxymethyl cellulose in an isopropanol/methanol system.
Isogai, A. and Y. Kato, in Cellulose 5: 153–164 (1998) describe treatment of several native, mercerized, and regenerated celluloses with TEMPO to obtain water soluble and insoluble polyglucuronic acids. They note that the water soluble products had almost 100% carboxyl substitution at the C-6 site. They further note that oxidation proceeds heterogeneously at the more accessible regions on solid cellulose.
Isogai, in Cellulose Communications 5(3): 136–141 (1998) describes preparation of water soluble oxidized cellulose products using mercerized or regenerated celluloses as starting materials in a TEMPO oxidation system. Using native celluloses or bleached wood pulp he was unable to obtain a water soluble material since he achieved only low amounts of conversion. He further notes the beneficial properties of the latter materials as papermaking additives.
Kitaoka et al., in a preprint of a short 1998 paper for Sen'i Gakukai (Society of Studies of Fiber) speak of their work in the surface modification of fibers using a TEMPO mediated oxidation system. They were concerned with the receptivity of alumbased sizing compounds.
PCT application WO 99/23117 (Viikari et al.) teaches oxidation using TEMPO in combination with the enzyme laccase or other enzymes along with air or oxygen as the effective oxidizing agents of cellulose fibers, including kraft pine pulps.
Kitaoka, T., A., A. Isogai, and F. Onabe, in Nordic Pulp and Paper Research Journal, 14(4): 279–284 (1999), describe the treatment of bleached hardwood kraft pulp using TEMPO oxidation. Increasing amounts of carboxyl content gave some improvement in dry tensile index, Young's modulus and brightness, with decreases in elongation at breaking point and opacity. Other strength properties were unaffected. Retention of PAE-type wet strength resins was somewhat increased. The products described did not have any stabilization treatment after the TEMPO oxidation.
Van der Lugt et al., in WO 99/57158, describe the use of peracids in the presence of TEMPO or another di-tertiary alkyl nitroxyl for oxidation of primary alcohols in carbohydrates. They claim their process to be useful for producing uronic acids and for introducing aldehyde groups which are suitable for crosslinking and derivitization. Among their examples are a series of oxidations of starch at pH ranges from 5–10 using a system including TEMPO, sodium bromide, EDTA, and peracetic acid. Carboxyl substitution was relatively high in all cases, ranging from 26–91% depending on reaction pH.
Besemer et al. in PCT published application WO 00/50388 teach oxidation of various carbohydrate materials in which the primary hydroxyls are converted to aldehyde groups. The system uses TEMPO or related nitroxyl compounds in the presence of a transition metal using oxygen or hydrogen peroxide.
Jaschinski et al. In PCT published application WO 00/50462 teach oxidation of TEMPO oxidized bleached wood pulps to introduce carboxyl and aldehyde groups at the C6 position. The pulp is preferably refined before oxidation. One process variation uses low pH reaction conditions without a halogen compound present. The TEMPO is regenerated by ozone or another oxidizer, preferably in a separate step. In particular, the outer surface of the fibers are said to be modified. The products were found to be useful for papermaking applications.
Jetten et al. in related PCT applications WO 00/50463 and WO 00/50621 teach TEMPO oxidation of cellulose along with an enzyme or complexes of a transition metal. A preferred complexing agent is a polyamine with at least three amino groups separated by two or more carbon atoms. Manganese, iron, cobalt, and copper are preferred transition metals. Although aldehyde substitution at C6 seems to be preferred, the primary products can be further oxidized to carboxyl groups by oxidizers such as chlorites or hydrogen peroxide.
TEMPO catalyzed oxidation of primary alcohols of various organic compounds is reported in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,031,101 to Devine et al. and 6,127,573 to Li et al. The oxidation system is a buffered two phase system employing TEMPO, sodium chlorite, and sodium hypochlorite. The above investigators are joined by others in a corresponding paper to Zhao et al. Journal of Organic Chemistry 64: 2564–2566 (1999). Similarly, Einhorn et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry 61: 7452–7454 (1996) describe TEMPO used with N-chlorosuccinimide in a two phase system for oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes.
I. M. Ganiev et al in Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry 14: 38–42 (2001) describe a complex of chlorine dioxide with TEMPO and its conversion into oxammonium salt. Specific applications of the synthesis product were not noted.
Isogai, in Japanese Kokai 2001-49591A, describes treating cellulose fiber using a TEMPO/hypochlorite oxidation system to achieve low levels of surface carboxyl substitution. The treated fiber has good additive retention properties without Loss of strength when used in papermaking applications.
Published European Patent Applications 1,077,221; 1,077,285; and 1,077,286 to Cimecloglu et al. respectively describe a polysaccharide paper strength additive, a paper product, and a modified cellulose pulp in which aldehyde substitution has been introduced using a TEMPO/hypochlorite system.
Published PCT application WO 01/29309 to Jewell et al. describes a cellulose fiber carboxylated using TEMPO or its related compounds which is stabilized against color or D.P. degradation by the use of a reducing or additional oxidizing step to eliminate aldehyde or ketone substitution introduced during the primary oxidation.
None of the previous workers have described a stable fibrous carboxylated cellulose or related carbohydrate material that can be made and used in conventional papermill equipment, using environmentally friendly chemicals, with no requirement for hypochlorites.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hypochlorite free method for preparation of stable carboxylated carbohydrate products


To provide a goggle type display device system that can prevent harm to user""s health. If anomaly is recognized in mind and body of a user, first video signals provided from an external device stop being displayed on LCD panels and, instead, outside scenery taken by CCD image capture elements is displayed. The user may be alarmed by this about anomaly of his or her body and, further, relaxed by looking at the outside scenery presented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a goggle type display device system worn by a user on the head.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, goggle type display devices worn by a user on the head are gaining popularity. Those goggle type display devices, also called as HMDs (head mount displays), have lenses for magnifying an image to form its virtual image and a display devices, such as liquid crystal panels, arranged in a shorter distance than the focal distance of the lenses. A user observes a display on the liquid crystal panels through the lenses to have the magnified image. Thus, in spite of smallness of the devices, the user can enjoy a large screen display.
However, the user, observing the virtual image through the lenses, will have very sore eyes. If this eyestrain lasts while untreated, in the worst cases, user""s eyesight may be damaged even by a short time use, which is a problem with those display devices.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problem and, therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a goggle type display device system the use of which causes no harm to user""s health.
According to the present invention, there is provided a goggle type display device system comprising:
two liquid crystal display devices;
first video signals inputted from an external video signal supplying device;
two image capture elements for converting outside images into second video signals;
a sensor for converting vital information of a user into a vital information signal; and
a video signal control circuit for providing the two liquid crystal display devices with video signals, characterized in that the video signal control circuit provides the two liquid crystal display devices with the first video signals or the second video signals on the basis of an index obtained by numerically processing the vital information signal.
According to the present invention, there is provided a goggle type display device system comprising:
two liquid crystal display devices;
first video signals inputted from an external video signal supplying device;
two first image capture elements for converting outside images into second video signals;
two second image capture elements for converting images of user""s eyes into third video signals;
a sensor for converting vital information of a user into a vital information signal; and
a video signal control circuit for providing the two liquid crystal display devices with video signals, characterized in that
the video signal control circuit provides the two liquid crystal display devices with the first video signals or the second video signals on the basis of an index obtained by numerically processing the third video signals and the vital information signal.
According to the present invention, there is provided a goggle type display device system comprising:
two liquid crystal display devices;
first video signals inputted from an external video signal supplying device;
two image capture elements for converting outside images into second video signals;
a sensor for converting vital information of a user into a vital information signal; and
a video signal control circuit for providing the two liquid crystal display devices with video signals, characterized in that:
the video signal control circuit calculates the degree of fatigue of the user on the basis of a chaos attractor index obtained by numerically processing the vital information signal;
the video signal control circuit provides the two liquid crystal display devices with the first video signals when the degree of fatigue is equal to or less than a predetermined level; and
the video signal control circuit provides the two liquid crystal display devices with the second video signals when the degree of fatigue exceeds the predetermined level.
According to the present invention, there is provided a goggle type display device system comprising:
two liquid crystal display devices;
first video signals inputted from an external video signal supplying device;
two image capture elements for converting outside images into second video signals;
another pair of image capture elements for converting images of user""s eyes into third video signals;
a sensor for converting vital information of a user into a vital information signal; and
a video signal control circuit for providing the two liquid crystal display devices with video signals, characterized in that:
the video signal control circuit calculates the degree of fatigue of the user on the basis of a chaos attractor index obtained by numerically processing the third video signals and the vital information signal;
the video signal control circuit provides the two liquid crystal display devices with the first video signals when the degree of fatigue is equal to or less than a predetermined level; and
the video signal control circuit provides the two liquid crystal display devices with the second video signals when the degree of fatigue exceeds the predetermined level.
The first image capture elements may be CCD image capture elements or image sensors.
The second image capture elements may be CCD image capture elements or image sensors.
The vital information of a user may be pulse wave, blood pressure, body temperature or dilated degree of the pupils of the eyes.
The sensor may be a pulse wave sensor, a blood pressure sensor or a body temperature sensor.
The pulse wave sensor, the blood pressure sensor or the body temperature sensor may be arranged in headphones.
The image sensors may be formed integrally with the liquid crystal display devices.
The liquid crystal display devices may be reflection type liquid crystal display devices.
The liquid crystal display devices each have a back light that may use red LEDs, green LEDs and blue LEDs.
The liquid crystal display devices may be driven by a field sequential system.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


An optically bidirectional electrically controlled optical switch having reduced light loss includes an electro-optic crystal having one set of fast and slow optical axes and having at least two light paths for receiving light beams through the crystal, the crystal exhibiting electric field induced birefringence such that a light beam passing through the crystal along a light path and having a plane of polarization oriented in a first direction may have its plane of polarization switched from the first direction to a plane of polarization oriented in a second direction. Beam splitting polarizers are disposed at each end of the electro-optic crystal and optically aligned with the two light paths. The beam splitting polarizers split the optical beam into two light beams having planes of polarization oriented in the first and second directions when transmitting light to the two light paths and combine the two light beams into a single light beam when receiving light beams from the two light paths. Substantially 100% of the unpolarized light input to the optical switch is transferred to the output due to the use of the beam splitting polarizers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electro-optic crystal is a cubic crystal chosen from crystal classes 43 m, 42m, or 23.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of transmission and control of optical signals. More particularly, the invention pertains to an electrically controlled apparatus for high speed switching of optical signals. The switching apparatus is especially suitable for applications where the optical signals are transmitted by single mode or multimode optical fibers.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Until recently, fast optical switching for multimode fiber optic communication and sensor networks was not available. Prior art opto-mechanical switches are known in which the free end of an optical fiber is movable from one contact to another. At each contact, the movable end is aligned with the fixed end of another optical fiber. Such opto-mechanical switches operate at slow speeds (on the order of a few milliseconds) which severely limits their utility. Moreover, repeated flexing of the movable free end of the optical fiber tends to induce fatigue and ultimately results in breakage of the fiber.
By contrast, a fully optical switch (i.e., a switch which uses optical principles for switching as opposed to mechanical principles) is not subject to fatigue and breakage and can operate at much faster speeds.
optical switches have other advantages as well. For example, in environments where electronically switched systems have proved to be unreliable due to electromagnetic interference, systems which use optical switches are able to operate reliably because the optical signals transmitted along the optical fibers are not subject to electromagnetic interference. Moreover, optical switches are more directly compatible with optical fiber networks than electronic switches because optical fibers can be directly connected to optical switches without requiring converters to change between optical signals and electrical signals.
One example of a recently developed, fully optical switch may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,522 to Nelson, granted Apr. 24, 1990, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference (hereinafter the '522 optical switch). The '522 optical switch uses an electro-optic crystal of the kind having two independent sets of fast and slow optical axes in the crystal. One set of fast and slow optical axes is sensitive to a first electric field extending through the crystal in one direction along a crystal direction and the other set of fast and slow optical axes is angularly disposed with respect to the first set and is sensitive to a second electric field extending through the crystal in a direction orthogonal to the first electric field.
That '522 optical switch also uses a rectangular parallelepiped crystal with electrodes formed on the four opposing sides of the crystal. The activation of one opposed pair of electrodes causes light to pass through one set of optical axes, while activation of the other pair of opposed electrodes causes light to pass exclusively through the other set of optical axes in the crystal.
Although the '522 optical switch operates well as a fast optical switch, it requires a crystal having two sets of well-defined fast and slow optical axes in the crystal or two separate crystals each having a single light path wherein the two light paths must be synchronously switched to achieve a single pole, double-throw switch. Additionally, although the '522 optical switch is optically reversible (or bidirectional), meaning that the switch inputs and outputs can be reversed and the switch will still function properly, the switch has an inherent loss of one-half of the input light intensity due to the polarizing optics required. This insertion loss reduces the overall light transmission through the switch which decreases the number of switches that may be cascaded in a system.
Another example of a recently developed, fully optical switch may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,824 to Nelson et al., granted Feb. 25, 1992, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference (hereinafter the '824 optical switch). The '824 optical switch achieves a single-pole, single-throw optical switch using a crystal having one set of fast and slow optical axes, one pair of electrodes, one optical path through the crystal, and one set of polarizing optics for beam switching. The '824 switch thus achieves the same result as the '522 optical switch, but uses a single optical path in combination with different polarizing optics that operate in a manner different from the '522 optics resulting in a more compact, less complex switch construction compared to the '522 optical switch.
The '824 optical switch includes a single beam splitting polarizer which detects the change in polarization of a light beam passing through the electro-optic crystal in response to an electric field created in the electro-optic crystal by activation of the pair of electrodes. The beam splitting polarizer transmits light beams received from the electro-optic crystal and having different planes of polarization in different directions. In the '824 optical switch, polarization control optics including a beam splitting polarizer, a right angle prism, and a polarization rotator are used at the input to the electro-optic crystal to reduce the inherent light loss of the switch.
Although the '824 optical switch operates well as a fast optical switch, it requires complex optics to reduce the light loss of the switch. Additionally, the switch is not optically reversible if the polarization control optics are used. If the polarization control optics are not used, then the '824 optical switch would be optically reversible, but would suffer the same loss of one half of the input light intensity as with the '522 switch.

Optically bidirectional fast optical switch having reduced light loss


A domain alignment technique for cross-domain object detection tasks is introduced. During a preliminary pretraining phase, an object detection model is pretrained to detect objects in images associated with a source domain using a source dataset of images associated with the source domain. After completing the pretraining phase, a domain adaptation phase is performed using the source dataset and a target dataset to adapt the pretrained object detection model to detect objects in images associated with the target domain. The domain adaptation phase may involve the use of various domain alignment modules that, for example, perform multi-scale pixel/path alignment based on input feature maps or perform instance-level alignment based on input region proposals.

Object Detection is the task of automatically detecting, using a computer system, objects in an image or scene. Document Object Detection (DOD) is specific type of object detection and includes the task of automatically decomposing a document page image into its structural and logical units (e.g., figures, tables, paragraphs). Object detection in general, and DOD in particular, are critical for a variety of image analysis applications, such as document/image editing, document structure analysis, and content understanding.

Domain alignment for object detection domain adaptation tasks


The present invention relates to an electrolyte for use in electronic components and electrolytic capacitors in which said electrolyte is used; including as a solute, a quaternary salt of a compound having a N,N,N'-substituted amidine group, such as 1-methylimidazole, 1-methylbenzoimidazole, 1,2-dimethylimidazoline, 1,2-dimethyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin e, 1,8-diazabicyclo5.4.0!undecene-7,1,5-diazabicyclo 4.3.0!nonene-5 and the like. The electronic components such as electrolytic capacitors and electrochromic display devices, using this electrolyte, have an excellent thermostability, high specific conductivity, and do not degrade or corrode metal, resin or rubber.

The electrolytes so far known for use in the electronic components mentioned above include, among others, electrolytes for aluminum electrolytic capacitors such as those containing, as a solute, a quaternary ammonium salt of an aromatic carboxylic acid (e.g. phthalic acid) (U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,976), those containing, as a solute, a quaternary ammonium salt of maleic acid (U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,976) and those containing, as a solute, a quaternary ammonium salt of an aliphatic saturated dicarboxylic acid (U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,864).
Also known as electrolytes for electric double layer capacitors are those containing, as a solute, a quaternary ammonium salt of perchloric acid (Japanese Kokoku Publication Sho-54-9704), among others.
With the miniaturization, weight saving and high-density packaging of electronic devices and equipments in recent years, the production of electronic components in the form of chips has been increased. However, in this field of utilization, the electrolytes mentioned above are poor in thermal resistance and, to cope with the demand for chips, contrivances have been made only with respect to the sheathing material for intercepting heat from the outside or with respect to the method of sealing. In view of the expected further increase of chip-form production and the planar packaging of large electronic components in the future, the soldering temperature is expected to become higher, hence an electrolyte having thermal resistance at the reflow soldering temperature is earnestly desired.
Another problem is that when aluminum electrolytic capacitors or electric double layer capacitors are constructed using the above-mentioned electrolytes and a rubber sealant, the excess hydroxide ion formed by electrolysis of the quaternary salts on the negative potential electrode side causes degradation of the rubber sealing member, leading to marked deterioration of the sealing performance.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolyte capable of meeting such requirements, namely an electrolyte having higher thermal resistance, high specific conductivity, excellent durability, free of the risk of causing sealing member deterioration, as well as providing an electronic component in which such electrolyte is used.

Electrolyte and electronic component using same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.