The amplitude modulator comprises: an angle modulator for angle-modulating a phase signal to be inputted; a waveform shaping means in which, (1) when the magnitude of an amplitude signal to be inputted becomes smaller than a first prescribed value, a waveform of the amplitude signal is shaped so that the magnitude of the amplitude signal of the portion which becomes small becomes the first prescribed value; and/or (2) the waveform shaping means in which, when the magnitude of the amplitude signal to be inputted becomes larger than the second prescribed value which is larger than the first prescribed value, the waveform of the amplitude signal is shaped so that the magnitude of the amplitude signal of the portion which becomes larger becomes the second prescribed value; and an amplitude modulator for amplitude modulating the signal of the output of the angle modulator by the signal of the output of the waveform shaping means.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a modulation circuit device used for a transmission circuit device such as a mobile phone and the like, and more in particular, it relates to a modulation circuit device for polar-modulating an input signal, a modulation method and a radio communication device using the same.
2. Related Art of the Invention
A quadrature modulator has been widely used for a modulation circuit device in a transmission circuit used for the terminal of a mobile phone and a base station. In recent years, however, polar modulation has been preferred, which is a modulation form allowing data to be carried by a polar coordinate system (phase and amplitude) (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-18451). The disclosure of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-18451 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In FIG. 31 is shown a conventional modulation circuit device 101 which performs such a polar modulation.
The modulation circuit device 101 consists of an angle modulator 102, a voltage control circuit 103, and an amplitude modulator 104.
The angle modulator 102 is a circuit which angle-modulates a carrier wave by a phase signal 106 inputted from a second input terminal 109.
The voltage control circuit 103 is used for supplying a stable voltage to the amplitude modulator 104, and is a circuit to amplify an amplitude signal 105 inputted from a first input terminal 108.
The amplitude modulator 104 is a circuit to amplitude-modulate the signal from the output of the angle modulator 102 by the signal of the output of the voltage control circuit 103.
In FIG. 8 there is shown an example of the amplitude modulator 104.
The amplitude modulator 104 consists of a bipolar transistor 111, a matching circuit 112, a bias circuit 113, and a matching circuit 114.
That is, one end of the matching circuit 112 is connected to the base of the bipolar transistor, and the other end of the matching circuit 112 is connected to the output of the angle modulator 102. Further, an emitter of the bipolar transistor 111 is grounded. Further, the one end of the bias circuit 113 and the one end of the matching circuit 114 are connected to the collector of the bipolar transistor 111. The other end of the bias circuit 111 is connected to the output of the voltage control circuit 103, and the other end of the matching circuit 114 is connected to an output terminal 110. Note that a bias circuit and a power supply connected to the base side of the bipolar transistor 111 are omitted from the illustration.
Next, the operation of a conventional modulation circuit device 101 will be described.
An amplitude signal 105 and a phase signal 106 from the data inputted to a data generator by an unillustrated data generator are generated. The amplitude signal 105 generated by the data generator is inputted to the first input terminal 108. Further, the phase signal 106 generated by the data generator is inputted to the second input terminal 109.
On the other hand, a power supply voltage is supplied to the voltage control circuit 103 from a power supply terminal 107.
The amplitude signal 105 inputted to the first input terminal 108 is then inputted to the voltage control circuit 103 and it is amplified by the voltage control circuit 103, and after that, is outputted to the amplitude modulator 104. By using the voltage control circuit 103, a stable voltage can be supplied to the amplitude modulator 104. That is, a voltage change due to the change of an input impedance and the like of the amplitude modulator 104 can be avoided.
Further, the phase signal 106 inputted to the second input terminal 109 is inputted to the angle modulator 102. The angle modulator 102 angle-modulates the carrier wave by the phase signal 106 to be inputted. The signal angle-modulated become a signal of a constant envelope. The signal angle-modulated by the angle modulator 102 is inputted to the amplitude modulator 104.
The amplitude modulator 104 amplitude-modulates the signal angle-modulated by the angle modulator 102 by the signal of the output of the voltage control circuit 103. That is, the signal from the output of the voltage control circuit 103 is inputted to the collector of the bipolar transistor 111, which constitutes the amplitude modulator 104, through the bias circuit 113. Further, the signal of the output of the angle modulator 102 is inputted to the base of the bipolar transistor 111 through the matching circuit 112. An output signal is outputted from the collector of the bipolar transistor 111 through the matching circuit.
That is, by controlling the collector voltage of the bipolar transistor 111 by the signal of the output of the voltage control circuit 103, the amplitude modulator 104 outputs a signal treated with both of angle modulation and amplitude modulation. In this way, the signal of the output of the amplitude modulator 104 becomes a changing signal of the envelope. The signal of the output of the amplitude modulator 104 is outputted from the output terminal 110 as a polar modulated signal.
Note that, as the angle modulator 102, a phase modulator to perform phase modulation and the frequency modulator to perform frequency modulation can be used.
In FIG. 9 (a) is shown a relationship between the second power of the supply voltage of the voltage control circuit 103 to the amplitude modulator 104 and the output power of the amplitude modulator 104. Further, in FIG. 9 (b) is shown a relationship between the second power of the supply voltage from the voltage control circuit 103 to the amplitude modulator 104 and the phase shift of the amplitude modulator 104.
In FIG. 9 (a), the abscissa shows the second power of the voltage supplied to the collector of the bipolar transistor 111 through the bias circuit 113, and the longitudinal axis shows the output voltage of the signal outputted from the matching circuit 114.
Further, in FIG. 9 (b), the abscissa shows the second power of the voltage supplied to the collector of the bipolar transistor 111 through the bias circuit 113, and the longitudinal axis shows the phase shift of the signal outputted from the matching circuit 114.
In FIG. 9 (a), in the range shown as a linear region, the relationship between the second power of the supply voltage and the output becomes a linear relationship. However, when the second power of the supply voltage becomes smaller than the linear range shown in FIG. 9 (a), the relationship between the second power of the supply voltage and the output power becomes a non-linear relationship. Further, when the second power of the supply voltage becomes larger than the linear region shown in FIG. 9 (a), the relationship between the second power of the supply voltage and the output power becomes the non-linear relationship.
Further, in FIG. 9 (b), in the range shown as a flat region, the phase shift is constant for the second power of the supply voltage. However, in the case where the second power of the supply voltage is smaller than the flat region shown in FIG. 9 (b), when the second power of the supply voltage changes, the phase shift also changes. Further, in the case where the second power of the supply voltage is larger than the flat region shown in FIG. 9 (b), when the second power of the supply voltage changes, the phase shift also changes.
The reason why such a relationship of FIG. 9 (a) is obtained can be considered as follows. That is, the voltage from the output of the voltage control circuit 103 is applied to the collector of the bipolar transistor 111 of the amplitude modulator 104, and when this voltage becomes low, the voltage of the collector of the bipolar transistor 111 comes close to the voltage of the base of the bipolar transistor 111. Consequently, the linearity disappears. In other words, when the supply voltage becomes small, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the relationship between the second power of the supply voltage and the output power becomes a non-linear relationship. Further, when the voltage of the collector of the bipolar transistor 111 becomes high, the linearity disappears due to saturation and heat dissipation. Consequently, when the supply voltage becomes high, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the relationship between the second power of the supply voltage and the output voltage becomes the non-linear relationship.
Meanwhile, as for the signal from the output of the amplitude modulator used in the amplitude circuit device to perform the polar modulation, a signal sufficiently deeply amplitude-modulated is desired. In order to sufficiently deeply amplitude-modulate, it is necessary to sufficiently deeply enlarge a dynamic range of the supply voltage supplied from the voltage control circuit. However, when the dynamic range is enlarged, the second power of the supply voltage is forced out from the range of the linear region of FIG. 9 (a) and the flat region of FIG. 9 (b), and the signal outputted from the amplitude modulator ends up being distorted.
Consequently, in order to obtain the signal sufficiently deeply amplitude-modulated by such an amplitude-modulator, it is necessary to use a transistor which is sufficiently wide in the range shown as the linear region of FIG. 9 (a). Further, it is necessary to use a transistor which is sufficiently wide in the range shown as the flat region of FIG. 9 (b). This is difficult to realize by a single transistor, and moreover, in the case where this is realized by using a plurality of transistors, it becomes complicated to control these transistors, and moreover, in the case where distortion correction is performed by a table, the amount of memory required becomes large.
That is, in the case where the transistor used in the amplitude modulator of the modulator for performing the conventional polar modulation is a transistor not having the linearity in a wide range, there is a problem in that a signal sufficiently deeply amplitude-modulated cannot be obtained.
Further, when an attempt is made to obtain the signal sufficiently deeply amplitude-modulated by the conventional modulator for performing the polar modulation, a transistor having the linearity in a wide range is required. This is difficult to realize by a single transistor, and moreover, in the case where this is realized by using a plurality of transistors, it becomes complicated to control these transistors, and moreover, in the case where distortion correction is performed by a table, there is a problem in that the amount of memory required becomes large.
Considering the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modulation circuit device, a modulation method and a radio communication device, which can obtain a desired signal even when the transistor used as the amplitude modulator of the modulator for performing a polar modulation is a transistor not having a linearity in the wide range.
Further, considering the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modulation circuit device, a modulation method and a radio communication device, which can obtain a desired signal by using a single transistor by the modulator for performing a polar modulation or without becoming complicated when a plurality of transistor is used.

Modulation circuit device, modulation method and radio communication device


The present invention provides a novel isolated succinate prodrug as the free com-pound or a salt, hydrate, solvate or complex thereof being cell permeable and aimed for increasing the ATP-production in mitochondria. The compound is useful in the medical treatment of a range of diseases, in nutritional supplements, nutricosmetics and in cosmetics.

Mitochondria are organelles in eukaryotic cells that generate most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used as an energy source. Thus, mitochondria are indispensable for energy production, for the survival of eukaryotic cells and for correct cellular function. In addition to supplying energy, mitochondria are involved in a number of other processes such as redox and ion balance, cell signalling, cellular differentiation, cell death as well as the control of the metabolic processes, cell cycle and cell growth. In particular, mitochondria are crucial regulators of cell apoptosis and they also play a major role in multiple forms of non-apoptotic cell death such as necrosis.
Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to a wide variety of diseases and can be caused by mutations or deletions in the mitochondrial or nuclear genome, primary or secondary impairment of the mitochondrial respiratory system or other mechanisms related to abnormal mitochondrial function. At present there is no available treatment that can cure mitochondrial diseases.
The oxidation of nutrients to produce usable chemical energy in the form of ATP occurs to a large extent in the mitochondria through a series of chemical reactions in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain. NADH generated in the tricarboxylic acid cycle feeds into complex I in the electron transport chain. Succinate is a metabolic intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in mitochondria and is unique by being directly metabolized by the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase of complex II in the electron transport chain. Succinate can also act as a signaling molecule reflecting the cellular metabolic state.
In view of the recognized importance of maintaining or restoring a normal mitochondrial function or of enhancing the cell's energy production (ATP) in the treatment of disease and conditions related to mitochondrial dysfunction or the enhancement of mitochondrial function, there is a need for compounds having cell permeability, the ability to liberate intracellular succinate or a precursor of succinate, low toxicity of the compound and intracellularly released by-products, and physicochemical properties consistent with administration to a subject or patient.
Succinate compounds have been prepared as prodrugs of other active agents, for example WO 2002/28345 describes succinic acid bis (2,2-dimethyl propionyloxymethyl) ester, succinic acid dibutyryloxymethyl ester and succinic acid bis-(1-butyryloxyethyl)ester. These compounds as prepared deliver formaldehyde, and are aimed at different medical uses compared to the current compounds.
Various succinate ester compounds are known in the art.
WO97/47584 discloses polyol succinates comprising multiple succinate moieties linked together.
WO2015/155231 discloses succinates and precursors of succinate which are cell permeable.
Murli et al. (Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71:2005:4503-4509) discloses the attempted chemobiosynthesis of 6-deoxyerythronolide B analogues by feeding the bacteria Escherichia coli and Streptomyces coelicolor acyl-thioesters. A table of structures discloses various acyl-thioesters including the formal structure of methyl 3-[(2-acetylaminoethylthio)carbonyl]propionate but synthesis failed and did not give the desired product.
There is a need for effective and safe new treatment options for diseases having their origin in mitochondrial dysfunction or for enhancing metabolism by delivering a substrate of metabolism. There is also a need for new nutritional supplements, nutricosmetics, cosmeceuticals and cosmetics for stimulating energy in a subject and for serving as antioxidant. Such new treatments, nutritional supplements, nutricosmetics, cosmeceuticals and cosmetics are required to have attractive combinations of properties including high activity to enhance mitochondrial energy production and or to serve as anti-oxidant, good bioavailability, long plasma half-life, stability when formulated into a product and low toxicity. In particular there is a need for such new treatments, nutritional supplements, nutricosmetics cosmeceuticals and cosmetics that are based on an active ingredient having a high solubility in water, good cell permeability and when desirable a high blood brain barrier penetration and/or gives reduced lactate production.

Succinate prodrug, compositions containing the succinate prodrug and uses thereof


A system and method for providing indexed work machine utilization data. The system implementing the method includes an operator identification device for identifying an operator of a work machine based on operator identification data and a work data collection device for collecting work data related to the work machine. A first processing device indexes the collected work data to the operator identification data and a communication device transmits the indexed work data and operator identification data to a second processing device. The second processing device receives the indexed work data and the operator identification data and provides operator utilization metrics based on the indexed work data that reflect a quantitative performance value associated with at least one of the work machine and operator.

An important feature in modem work machines (e.g., fixed and mobile commercial machines, such as construction machines, fixed engine systems, marine-based machines, etc.), is the on-board network and associated machine control modules. An on-board network includes many different modules connected to various types of communication links. One or more of these modules may be used to monitor and collect work data for the associated work machine. The work data collected by on-board data collection systems are typically transferred from the work machine to the off-board system through manual download operations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,968 ("the '968 patent") discloses a device for loading and moving loads, for example, a wheeled loader, track type loader, shovel loader, crane, scraper, back hoe, etc., that is equipped with various sensors for determining when a load is being moved and what the weight and volume of the load is. The data from the sensor is buffered and supplied to a microprocessor. This is done for a period of time as the operator uses the loading device. The data accumulated for each load moved by the operator is used to determine the efficiency of the operator in using the device. A display provides the operator with various information regarding the load being moved, such as its weight and volume, or the total weight and volume of several loads delivered to a particular location, etc. The same display can be used to provide data regarding the efficiency and productivity of the operator during a work period. A printer is also provided to print out the data.
Although the '968 patent discloses a device for accumulating, displaying, and printing information regarding the load being moved, and there are known on-board systems for collecting work data, the device disclosed in the '968 patent and these known systems do not index the collected work data to operator identification data at the work machine and automatically transmit the indexed work data and operator identification data to an off-board system. Further, the off-board systems do not receive the indexed work data and the operator identification data and performing operator utilization metrics based on the indexed work data.
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with certain disclosed embodiments may solve one or more of the problems set forth above.

System for providing indexed machine utilization metrics


A wall wash recessed light fixture has a light engine assembly has an aperture, an LED module operable to emit light through the aperture, a lens disposed between the LED module and the aperture, and a reflector disposed between the LED module and the lens. The LED module has an optical axis passing through the aperture and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (Z). The lens has a first side forming a plano-convex lens with a convex surface facing the LED module and has a second side with a Fresnel lens surface facing the aperture, and the lens is aligned at an oblique angle Θ1 relative to the optical axis of the LED module. A diffuser is disposed between the lens and the aperture. The plano-convex lens has a principal axis aligned at the oblique angle Θ1 relative to the optical axis of the LED module.

A purpose of wall wash light fixture is to illuminate a typically vertical wall with a fixture installed in a typically horizontal ceiling. Often wall wash light fixtures are recessed within a ceiling such that all or a majority of the components of the light fixture are at or above the lower surface of the ceiling.
General desired performance characteristics for wall wash light fixtures include: light uniformity on the wall, with maximum to minimum brightness ratio of about 4:1, minimal glare in the directions perpendicular and parallel to the wall, an absences of dark bands across the top of the wall, an absence of "scalloping" on the wall between adjacent, spaced-apart wall wash fixtures, and an absence of color separation on the wall. Known wall wash fixtures do not meet all of these desired characteristics.


The invention disclose a picosecond-nanosecond laser composite asynchronous ceramics polishing method. First, a picosecond laser is used to scan and irradiate the ceramic surface along the scanning path. At the same time, ceramic surface is initially flattened and the electronic state of materials is removed by picosecond laser to produce micro-nanoparticles. Micro-nanoparticles exist as ionized state in the adjacent space region of irradiated ceramics surface. Then, low energy density nanosecond laser is used according to a preset time to irradiate and melt these micro-nanoparticles which can easily form a dense and smooth fine crystal melting layer to achieve the polishing effect. The present disclosure fixes the generation of micro-cracks and pores in traditional laser polishing process. It overcomes the shortcomings of traditional laser polishing such as large thermal influence zone, easy to generate micro-cracks and pores on the surface, etc. High efficiency and high precision submicron level fine polishing with very low material removal amount is realized.

Engineering ceramics are mainly made of alumina (Al2O3) and zirconia (ZrO2), which are used in thick film integrated circuits and ceramic structures. Alumina, zirconia and other engineering ceramics have good conductivity, mechanical strength and high temperature resistance which are widely used. Because of its superior performance, the application in modern society has been more and more extensive, it meets the needs of daily use and special performance. However, conventional mechanical polishing method for ceramic materials has long processing time and low processing efficiency. In addition, mechanical processing is mostly contact processing, which is easy to produce mechanical damage, subsurface crack and other defects to the ceramics surface. At the same time, it is difficult to achieve high-precision three-dimensional surface polishing due to its limited processing principle. As a non-contact processing method, laser polishing will not produce compressive stress on the surface of workpiece, which has high processing efficiency, high degree of freedom and low requirements for processing environment. At present, conventional laser polishing technology mostly adopts the medium and long pulse thermal polishing, which uses thermal effect of the laser to remove the material through melting and evaporation of the substrate. This method produces a large heat-affected zone, thermal crack and ablation obviously, which is not conducive to the processing of hard and brittle materials. Chinese patent 201710651327.9 and 201710652088.9 adopts excimer laser polishing for ceramic polishing, the ceramic is polished by ablating and vaporizing, the roughness Ra decreased from 0.94 μm to 0.91 μm. The roughness reduction rate is about 4% which is not obvious, and the original ceramics must be submicron fine ceramics. Dimitris Karnakis uses single 1064 nm picosecond laser to reduce the surface roughness of alumina ceramics by multiple scanning irradiation, the roughness decreases with the machining depth increases. However, this method belongs to the laser milling process, which requires a large milling depth and completely changes the original surface morphology of the material. It does not belong to fine polishing (Karnakis D, Rutterford G, Knowles M, et al., Laser micro-milling of ceramics, dielectrics and metals using nanosecond and picosecond lasers[J]. Proceedings of SPIE—The International Society for Optical Engineering, 2006, 6106.). Chinese patent 201810785012.8 uses femtosecond laser polished ceramic composites. The surface roughness after polishing is 1.4 μm, which does not reach the sub-micron level. Moreover, the essence of a single ultra-fast laser polishing is material micro-removal, so it is difficult to effectively repair the original pores, cracks and other defects of ceramic materials. The present disclosure adopts composite asynchronous polishing technology of picosecond laser and nanosecond laser to realize ceramic fine polishing of materials under the premise of no material surface removal amount and no damage to the surface morphology. Firstly, the ceramic materials are irradiated by picosecond laser. At the same time, ceramic surface is initially flattened and the electronic state of materials is removed by picosecond laser to produce micro-nanoparticles with high surface activity.
Then, low energy density nanosecond laser is used to irradiate and melt these micro-nanoparticles with high surface activity, which can easily form a dense and smooth fine crystal melting layer. According to the generation and growth mechanism of particles, the time difference between two polishing is controlled reasonably. The present disclosure overcomes the generation of micro-cracks and pores in traditional laser polishing process, and realizes laser fine polishing without damaging the material surface geometry with very low material removal amount.

Picosecond-nanosecond laser composite asynchronous ceramics polishing method


An apparatus and method for configuring a gaming device that provides a player selectable award profile. The award profile is further selectable by the player with respect to a payout scheme, a bonusing option or both. A player may select a preferred bonusing option form a group of available bonusing options prior to commencing play of the gaming device. A gaming device is provided that offers the player a choice of several bonusing options from a single source gaming device. Additionally, the player may also select a modified payout scheme that suits the player's preferences.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gaming machines, and in particular to a player selectable bonus round controlled by a central server.
2. Related Art
Games of chance have been enjoyed by people for many years and have undergone increased and widespread popularity in recent times. As with most forms of entertainment, some players enjoy playing a single favorite game, while others prefer playing a wide variety of games. In response to the diverse range of player preferences, gaming establishments commonly offer many types of games and attractions associated with these games. The attractions commonly take the form of enhanced bonuses, awards or prizes. For many players, playing new games or involvement with the various attractions adds to the excitement of "gaming."
As is well known in the art and as used herein, the terms "gaming" and "gaming devices" are used to indicate that some form of wagering is involved, and that players must make wagers of value, whether actual currency or some equivalent of value, e.g., token or credit. This is in contrast to the playing of non-wagering games, which implies the absence of a wager of value, and the possibility of receiving a payout; and in which skill is ordinarily an essential part of the non-wagering game.
One popular gaming system is a slot machine. Conventionally, a slot machine is configured for a player to wager something of value, e.g., currency, house token, established credit or other representation of currency or credit. After the wager has been made, the player activates the slot machine to cause a random event to occur. The player wagers that particular random events will occur that will return increased value to the player. A standard slot machine has a plurality of spinning reels which ultimately stop to display a random combination of some form of indicia, such as numbers or symbols. If this combination contains one or more pre-selected winning combinations, the gaming device releases money into a payout chute or increments a credit meter by the amount won.
Another type of slot machine is a video based gaming device which utilizes modern advancements in computer hardware and software. These electronic gaming devices provide games of chance with computer simulated graphics and offer different types of games such as video poker, keno and blackjack. It is common for these games to have a secondary game, commonly referred to as a "bonus round" that may be triggered from within the base game. The bonus round is used by the gaming establishment to provide the player with increased entertainment value and encourage continued wagering at the gaming device. A bonus round may be a wheel such as IGT's Wheel of Fortune® slot machine. There are also 'pick and win' and quest bonus rounds.
There are many different bonus incentives that a gaming establishment may offer to entice a player to place a wager at the gaming device. An example of such a bonus is a progressive jackpot that accumulates over time and increases based on the number of players participating in the progressive jackpot. Another example of a bonus involves a prize such as an automobile or fixed sum of currency. In a prize based bonus, if a player successfully obtains a winning bonus outcome that player is awarded the designated prize. The various bonuses offered by a gaming establishment are commonly assigned to a designated group of gaming devices and the groups are located in a bank of machines within the gaming establishment.
One drawback of existing systems is that in order for a player to participate in different types of bonuses, the player must physically move from one gaming device to another. At first glance, this drawback may not seem to be an overwhelming inconvenience. However, there are subtle undesirable consequences of requiring a player to switch machines in order to participate in a different bonusing scheme.
First, many players are devout in their belief about a "lucky machine" and are very reluctant to release the gaming device to another player. A player will likely become very disgruntled if they leave 'their' machine and a subsequent player begins playing the same gaming device and promptly hits or receives a substantial bonus. This situation is exacerbated when the original player has invested quite heavily into their machine just to prime the machine for another player to receive the bonus award. Correspondingly, these types of players are very reluctant to switch to another machine and the various bonuses offered by the gaming establishment may not receive adequate play.
Second, when a player has to relocate to participate in a different bonus, the gaming establishment runs the risk that the player may loose interest in continuing to play the games during the physical transition. This consequence is more prevalent when the player has to travel a substantial distance between machines, as is common in the very large gaming establishments. Additionally, in the now popular mega resorts, a typical player is usually overwhelmed with various stimuli when on the gaming floor. The stimuli are commonly various lounges, restaurants, shows, concerts and interaction with other patrons. A gaming establishment disfavors when a player transitions from an active player that is wagering on the games to a passive patron that is merely enjoying the environment and not wagering. As a result, this may lead to a reduction in player interest in slot gaming, which in turn will lead to a drop in machine revenue.
Finally, when a player has to transition from one grouping of gaming devices to another, the player is not wagering during this time. For smaller gaming establishments, this may not be a severe consequence. However for a major resort, the time interval may exceed 10-20 minutes and this lost wagering time reduces revenue generating opportunity for the gaming establishment.
One proposed solution is to simply include several types of primary games on a single gaming device. This proposed solution does not adequately address the problem however because although the player was provided a variety of primary games at common location, the player is still required to switch locations to participate in preferred bonus games.
Another solution is to have more than one bonus round in one game. One bonus round could be a 'pick and win' while another could be a wheel. Each different bonus round is triggered by a different reel combination. Some players may like one bonus round over another on a particular slot machine. If players liked all bonus rounds on a slot machine then there would be more enjoyment for the player. There could be my mystery bonus rounds which are not triggered by a reel combination.
In view of the above, what is needed is a gaming device which provides a player selectable bonus scheme.

Configurable gaming device with player selectable award profile


A fuel delivery pipe capable of reducing a pressure pulsation at the time of a fuel injection due to injection nozzles, preventing vibrations and noises at an underfloor pipe arrangement, and turning down a radiate sound from the fuel delivery pipe, wherein a flexible absorbing wall surface 10 formed on a wall surface of a fuel delivery body 1 is loosened due to internal pressure changes to render internal volume of the fuel delivery body 1 increasable, αL/√{square root over ( )}V determined by sonic speed αL of fuel flowing through the fuel delivery body 1 and the internal volume V of the fuel delivery body 1 is set as 20×103(m−0.5·sec−1)≦αL/√{square root over ( )}V≦85×103(m−0.5·sec−1) while a ratio αL/αH of equivalent sonic speed αH in a high frequency area to the sonic speed αL of the fuel is set as αL/αH≦0.7, and the cross section shape in a perpendicular direction to an axis of the fuel delivery body 1 is formed in a substantially double side concaved shape, a substantially flask shape, a substantially trapezoid shape, a substantially key shape, and a substantially goggles shape.

Conventionally, a fuel delivery pipe having a plurality of injection nozzles to supply fuel, e.g., gasoline to a plurality of cylinders of an engine has been known. This fuel delivery pipe injects sequentially the fuel introduced from a fuel tank into a plurality of intake pipes or the cylinders of the engine via a plurality of the injection nozzles to mix the fuel with air, thereby burning the air-fuel mixture to generate an engine output power.
Though this fuel delivery pipe is, as described above, for injecting the fuel supplied through an underfloor pipe arrangement from the fuel tank into the intake pipes or the cylinders via the injection nozzles, a fuel delivery pipe as a return type have existed, which belongs to a type having a circuit for returning the surplus fuel to the fuel tank by a pressure regulator in a case of where the fuel is overly supplied into an interior of the fuel delivery pipe. To the contrary to the fuel delivery pipe as the return type, there has been known a fuel delivery pipe as a returnless type having no circuit for returning the supplied fuel to the fuel tank.
Those of the type to return the fuel extra supplied into the fuel delivery pipe to the fuel tank, can always keep the amount of the fuel in the fuel delivery pipe constant, thereby having an advantage such that the pressure pulsation in association with the fuel injection hardly occurs. The fuel supplied to the fuel delivery pipe arranged near the engine cylinder heated at high temperature, however, may be rendered at a high temperature, and the heated surplus fuel is returned to the fuel tank thereby increasing the temperature of gasoline inside the fuel tank. Because it is undesirable that the gasoline vaporizes due to the temperature increase and has negative effects on environment, the fuel delivery pipe as the returnless type has been proposed, which does not return the surplus fuel to the fuel tank.
With this fuel delivery pipe of the returnless type, where the fuel is injected from the injection nozzle into the intake pipes or the cylinders, since there is no pipe for returning the surplus fuel to the fuel tank, pressure fluctuation of the fuel inside the fuel delivery pipe becomes large and causes large pressure waves, so that the pressure pulsation occurs greatly in comparison with the fuel delivery pipe of the return type.
This invention uses the fuel delivery pipe of the returnless pipe having a tendency to easily cause the pressure pulsation. With the conventional arts, if the internal pressure of the fuel delivery pipe is decreased due to the fuel injection from the injection nozzle into the intake pipe or the cylinder of the engine, the pressure wave generated by this rapidly decreased pressure and by the halt of the fuel injection causes the pressure pulsation inside the fuel delivery pipe. After propagated from the fuel delivery pipe and connecting pipes connected to the fuel delivery pipe to the proximity of the fuel tank, the pressure pulsation is returned as reversed from a pressure-regulating valve assembled inside the fuel tank and is further propagated up to the fuel delivery pipe via the connecting pipe. Plural injection nozzles are formed at the fuel delivery pipe and perform injections sequentially to cause the pressure pulsation.
Consequently, the pressure pulsation is propagated as noises in the passenger compartment via clips fastening the under floor pipe arrangement, thereby giving uncomfortable feeing to the driver or passengers.
Conventionally, as a means for suppressing such an adverse effect caused by such a pressure pulsation, a pulsation damper containing a rubber diaphragm is arranged at the fuel delivery pipe of the returnless type for absorbing generated pressure pulsation energy, or the underfloor pipe arrangement arranged under the floor as extending from the fuel delivery pipe to the proximity of the fuel tank is secured under the floor by means of the clips for absorbing vibration, thereby absorbing vibration generated at the underfloor pipe arrangement connecting to the fuel delivery pipe or extending to the tank. These means are comparatively effective enough to suppress the adverse effects caused by occurrences of the pressure pulsation.
However, the pulsation dampers and the vibration absorbing clips are expensive and increase the number of components to result in higher costs while raising a new problem on ensuring an installation space. Therefore, for the purpose of reducing the pressure pulsation without using the pulsation dampers or the clips for absorbing vibration, a fuel delivery pipe having a pulsation absorptive function capable of absorbing the pressure pulsation, have been proposed.
As such a fuel delivery pipes having the pulsation absorptive function, inventions as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. JA-2000-329030, JA-2000-320422, JA-2000-329031, JA-11-37380, and JA-11-2164 have been known. With these fuel delivery pipes having the absorptive function for the pressure pulsation, a flexible absorbing surface is formed on the outer wall of the fuel delivery pipe, deforming by receiving the occurring pressure in association with the fuel injection, to absorb and reduce the pressure pulsation, thereby to prevent abnormal noise caused by the vibration of the fuel delivery pipe or other components from occurring.
The above described conventional arts, however, have the absorption effects for the pressure pulsation but raise problems such that noises in a high frequency area of more than several kHz are generated outside upon a speaker effect exerted by the absorbing surface.
With the fuel delivery pipe as described in the Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-329030, the inventors of the present invention, and others have proposed making the fuel delivery pipe absorb the pulsation by making an outer wall of the fuel delivery body the flexible absorbing surface. FIG. 46 shows an example where the fuel delivery pipe is made to absorb the pulsation by making a whole of a box shaped cross section of the fuel delivery body 81 of the fuel delivery pipe the flexible absorbing surface. Plural sockets 82 are secured to a bottom surface of the fuel delivery body 81, so the fuel is supplied from a fuel passage 83 into the interior of the injection nozzle, not shown, via a fuel inlet opening 84 of the socket 82. As vertical and horizontal dimensions of the fuel delivery body 81 having the thickness of 1.2 mm made of a carbon steel member, height H and width W can be set to around 32 mm and 20 mm respectively.
The inventors of the present invention, and others assume a situation in which the pressure of ten atmospheres exerts on the interior of the fuel delivery body 81, and make an FEM (Finite Element Matrix) analysis under the condition that a bracket (in reference to FIG. 1) for securing the fuel delivery body 81 and the socket 82 are secured to a bottom surface, thereby calculating an increasing rate of an internal volume while displaying in FIG. 47 the changing situation of the cross section shape with enlarging a variation thereof.
As shown in FIG. 47, a left side wall 85 and a right side wall 86 of an inner wall surface of the fuel delivery body 81 are curved as expanded in a horizontal direction, e.g., from a dashed line to a solid line by receiving an internal pressure, but in terms of an upper wall 87 and a lower wall 88, each of the walls ends up curved as shrunk inwardly, and it was turned out that the increasing rate of the internal volume remains at around 0.55%.
Subsequently, as a result of making the same analysis with transforming the cross section shape in a perpendicular direction to an axis of the fuel delivery body 81, from the box shape into, e.g., a double side concaved shape, a hand drum shape, a flask shape, a reverted flask shape, a trapezoid shape, and a reverted trapezoid shape (in reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4 to FIG. 30, and FIG. 37 to FIG. 42), it was found that the increasing rate of the internal volume greatly increases to between 1.1% and 1.8%. It is thought that because lefts and rights of these shapes are originally curved surfaces, curved surfaces are deformed, by receiving the pressure, in a direction to decrease a curvature, and therefore, bending is absorbed in the left and right directions while the upper and the lower surfaces hardly deforms, so that an amount of the internal volume becomes inceased.
Though the FEM analysis is a numerical analysis with use of a computer, a reliability thereof is considerably high because modifications are always made thereto with feedbacks based on a result of reproduced experiments with use of real things.
"A fuel feeding pipe of a fuel injector device for internal combustion engine" according to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JA-60-240867 discloses that at least one of wall surfaces of a fuel delivery body is elastically structured to attenuate the pulsation of the fuel whereas the cross section of the fuel delivery body is in a triangular shape. The above conventional invention, however, can obtain the attenuation effect of the pressure pulsation but cannot obtain a reduction effect of the noise in the high frequency area.


Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed in roomlight using a developing/fixing monobath composition that also includes a particulate opacifying agent, such as carbon black, that provides safelight conditions in the processing composition. The processing method is carried out quickly, that is within 120 seconds.

Roentgen discovered X-radiation by the inadvertent exposure of a silver halide photographic element. In 1913, Eastman Kodak Company introduced its first product specifically intended to be exposed by X-radiation (X-rays). Silver halide radiographic films account for the overwhelming majority of medical diagnostic images. It was recognized almost immediately that the high energy ionizing X-rays are potentially harmful, and ways were sought to avoid high levels of patient exposure. Radiographic films provide viewable silver images upon imagewise exposure followed by rapid access processing.
One approach, still in wide-spread use is to coat the silver halide emulsions useful in radiographic films on both sides of the film support. Thus, the number of X-rays that can be absorbed and used for imaging are doubled, providing higher sensitivity. Dual-coated radiographic films are sold by Eastman Kodak Company under the trademark DUPLITIZED films. Films that rely entirely on X-radiation absorption for image capture are referred to in the art as "direct" radiographic elements, while those that rely on intensifying screen light emission are referred to as "indirect" radiographic elements. Because the silver halide emulsions are used to capture the X-rays directly in "direct" films, the coating coverages of such emulsions are generally higher than in other radiographic elements. A typical coverage is about 5 g of silver/m.sup.2 per side of DUPLITIZED films, and twice that amount for single-side coated films.
Other radiographic films are considered "indirect" because they are used in combination with phosphor-containing X-ray intensifying screens that absorb the X-rays, and then emit light that exposes the silver halide grains in the emulsion layers.
In addition to the two broad categories noted above, there is a third category of radiographic films, most commonly used for dental intra-oral diagnostic imaging and hereafter referred to as dental films. Intra-oral dental imaging presents obvious barriers to the use of intensifying screens. Thus, dental films utilize the coated silver halide to absorb X-rays, and are therefore a form of "direct" radiographic films.
There are other applications for direct radiographic films, such as in various industrial applications where X-rays are captured in imaging, but intensifying screens cannot be used for some reason.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,977 (Zietlow) describes dental films having improved characteristics and containing certain tabular grain silver halide emulsions. No spectral sensitization is used in such dental films, but in order to avoid fogging the films with inadvertent light exposure, the emulsions contain what is identified as a "desensitizer" that reduces emulsion sensitivity to light. Conventional processing solutions and conditions are described for these dental films.
Other desensitizing compounds for radiographic films are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,630,744 (Thiers et al) for reducing film sensitivity to roomlight and UV radiation. Conventional processing of these films is also described.
Double-coated indirect radiographic elements described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,150 (Dickerson et al) contain certain microcrystalline particulate dyes that reduce "crossover". These elements are designed for use with intensifying screens. Crossover occurs when some light emitted by the screen passes through the film support and exposes silver halide grains on the opposite side, resulting in reduced image sharpness. The noted particulate dyes absorb unwanted crossover exposure, but can be decolorized during conventional processing. Thus, a pH 10 developing solution is described for its conventional use as well as to decolorize the dyes within 90 seconds. Conventional fixing and washing follow.
It is the prevailing practice to process direct radiographic films for 3 or more minutes because of the higher silver coating coverages. Such processes typically include black-and-white development, fixing, washing and drying. Films processed in this manner are then ready for image viewing.
Photographic developing solutions containing a silver halide developing agent are well known in the photographic art for reducing silver halide grains containing a latent image to yield a developed photographic image. Many useful developing agents are known in the art, with hydroquinone and similar dihydroxybenzene compounds and ascorbic acid (and derivatives) being some of the most common. Such solutions generally contain other components such as sulfites, buffers, antifoggants, halides and hardeners. A workable pH for such solution is usually in the range of from about 10 to about 11, depending upon the developing agent and other solution components.
Fixing solutions for radiographic films are also well known and include one or more fixing agents, of which thiosulfates are most common. Such solutions generally include sulfites as antioxidants, and hardeners, and have a functional pH range of from about 4 to about 5.5.
Direct radiographic films, including dental films, thus have some sensitivity to roomlight and UV as well as X-rays, and therefore care must be taken to avoid inadvertent room-light exposure before and during processing. There has been a desire for radiographic films that are less sensitive to roomlight, and that can be handled and processed without the need for a darkroom or other special conditions. Such films would have a number of useful applications, such as dental and industrial imaging. However, conventional processing solutions and methods cannot be used to provide suitable radiographic images in such films.
"Monobath" solutions are also known in the art of photographic processing. These solutions typically require long processing times and contain components common to both developing and fixing compositions, that is a high pH and sulfite.
U.S. Ser. No. 09/956,305, filed Oct. 22, 1997, describes the use of separate developing and fixing compositions for roomlight processing roomlight-handleable films, including radiographic dental films in sequential processing steps. While those compositions represent an advance in the art, they must be separately balanced in pH in relation to each other so that the light protecting dyes and desensitizers are not deactivated prematurely. Specifically, the developing composition has a pH and sulfite concentration lower than the fixing composition. Thus, the developing composition activity is limited, and is more complicated than a "monobath" process.
A technology is needed wherein the elements can be handled and processed completely in roomlight, without the need to deactivate the dyes in the elements during fixing.

Opaque developing/fixing monobath and its use for processing roomlight handleable black-and-white photographic elements


In a lens device, when a lens is subjected to speed control and when initialization in which an absolute position of the lens is initialized after a power supply is turned on is completed, the lens is returned to a position before the lens is initialized.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lens devices and to photographing apparatuses including television cameras, video cameras, television lenses, video lenses, or the like on which lens devices are installed.
2. Description of the Related Art
The structure of television lenses for broadcasting television cameras, such as electronic news gathering (ENG) cameras, that have recently been used for news reports, relays, dramas, variety shows, and documentaries, will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.
FIG. 17 is an external view of an ENG camera zoom lens viewed from above. FIG. 18 is an external view of the ENG camera zoom lens viewed from the side.
Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, a lens-barrel 100 contains a fixed focus lens, a movable focus lens, a zoom lens, an iris mechanism, a relay lens, and an extender. A focus ring 101 adjusts the focus by rotating to move the movable focus lens back and forth along an optical axis. A zoom ring 102 adjusts the zoom by rotating to move the zoom lens back and forth along the optical axis. An iris ring 103 adjusts the diameter of an iris diaphragm by rotating. A drive unit 104 is installed on the lens-barrel 100 of the ENG zoom lens and includes a motor for motor-driving the zoom, focus, and iris, a position detector, a control circuit, and a clutch and a switch for selecting between motor-driving the zoom, focus, and iris and manually driving the zoom, focus, and iris. A zoom switch 105 controls motor-driving of the zoom. An iris motor/manual switch 106 is used for selecting between motor-driving the iris and manually driving the iris. A lens cable 107 is an electrical interface between the ENG lens and the ENG camera. The lens cable 107 is used for supplying a command signal to motor-drive the iris from the ENG camera and for supplying position signals of the zoom lens, the focus lens, and the iris mechanism to the ENG camera. A zoom switch speed control knob 108 is used for changing the driving speed of the zoom lens with respect to the control input to the zoom switch 105 when the zoom is motor-driven. A zoom clutch 109 is used for selecting between motor-driving the zoom and manually driving the zoom. A focus clutch 110 is used for selecting between driving the focus based on demand and manually driving the focus.
FIG. 19 shows the structure of the ENG camera and the ENG camera zoom lens.
Referring to FIG. 19, a television lens 200 includes the lens-barrel 100, the lens cable 107, and the like. A television camera 201 is connected to the lens cable 107 and includes a charge-coupled device (CCD) 40, a video signal processing unit 41, a video signal recording and playback unit 42, a video signal display unit 43, and the like.
A zoom speed command signal generation unit 1 detects a zoom speed command signal for instructing the zoom driving direction and the zoom driving speed, which are proportional to the control input to the zoom switch 105, in order to motor-drive a zoom optical system 9. The zoom speed command signal generation unit 1 includes an analog detector, such as a potentiometer or a control knob, and a digital detector, such as a rotary encoder. A zoom speed command signal operation unit 2 performs signal level conversion/signal shift conversion for taking the zoom speed command signal into an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion unit 3. The A/D conversion unit 3 converts an analog signal output from the zoom speed command signal operation unit 2 into a digital signal. A central processing unit (CPU) 4 controls the operation of each unit of the television lens 200. A digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion unit 5 converts a zoom control signal, which is a digital signal, output from the CPU 4 to motor-drive the zoom optical system 9 into an analog signal. A zoom control signal operation unit 6 performs signal level conversion/signal shift conversion on the zoom control signal output from the D/A conversion unit 5. A zoom power amplifying unit 7 drives a zoom motor 8. The zoom motor 8 drives the zoom optical system 9. The zoom optical system 9 adjusts the power of an optical device.
A zoom absolute position signal detection unit 10 outputs a zoom absolute position signal corresponding to the absolute position of the zoom optical system 9. A zoom absolute position signal operation unit 11 performs signal level conversion/signal shift conversion for taking the zoom absolute position signal into an A/D conversion unit 12. The A/D conversion unit 12 converts an analog signal output from the zoom absolute position signal operation unit 11 into a digital signal.
A zoom switch speed control position signal operation unit 13 performs signal level conversion/signal shift conversion for taking a zoom switch speed control position signal into an A/D conversion unit 14. The A/D conversion unit 14 converts an analog signal output from the zoom switch speed control position signal operation unit 13 into a digital signal.
A zoom demand unit 15 is connected to the television lens 200. The zoom demand unit 15 controls the zoom optical system 9 using a zoom demand operation unit 16. The zoom demand operation unit 16 controls the zoom optical system 9 by adjusting the rotation angle. A zoom demand counter 17 detects a zoom driving position signal that is proportional to the angle of rotation given by the zoom demand operation unit 16. The zoom demand counter 17 includes an analog detector, such as a potentiometer or a control knob.
A D/A conversion unit 18 converts a focus control signal, which is a digital signal, output from the CPU 4 to motor-drive a focus optical system 22 into an analog signal. A focus control signal operation unit 19 performs signal level conversion/signal shift conversion on the focus control signal output from the D/A conversion unit 18. A focus power amplifying unit 20 drives a focus motor 21. The focus motor 21 drives the focus optical system 22. The focus optical system 22 adjusts the focus of the optical device.
A focus absolute position signal detection unit 23 outputs a focus absolute position signal corresponding to the absolute position of the focus optical system 22. A focus absolute position signal operation unit 24 performs signal level conversion/signal shift conversion for taking the focus absolute position signal into an A/D conversion unit 25. The A/D conversion unit 25 converts an analog signal output from the focus absolute position signal operation unit 24 into a digital signal.
A focus demand unit 26 is connected to the television lens 200. The focus demand unit 26 controls the focus optical system 22 using a focus demand operation unit 27. The focus demand operation unit 27 controls the focus optical system 22 by adjusting the rotation angle. A focus demand counter 28 detects a focus driving position signal that is proportional to the angle of rotation given by the focus demand operation unit 27. The focus demand counter 28 includes an analog detector, such as a potentiometer or a control knob.
A D/A conversion unit 29 converts an iris control signal, which is a digital signal, output from the CPU 4 to motor-drive an iris mechanism 33 into an analog signal. An iris control signal operation unit 30 performs signal level conversion/signal shift conversion on the iris control signal output from the D/A conversion unit 29. An iris power amplifying unit 31 drives an iris motor 32. The iris motor 32 drives the iris mechanism 33. The iris mechanism 33 adjusts the amount of light of the optical device.
An iris absolute position signal detection unit 34 outputs an iris absolute position signal corresponding to the absolute position of the iris mechanism 33. An iris absolute position signal operation unit 35 performs signal level conversion/signal shift conversion for taking the iris absolute position signal into an A/D conversion unit 36. The A/D conversion unit 36 converts an analog signal output from the iris absolute position signal operation unit 35 into a digital signal.
A lens information display unit 37 displays an operation state of the television lens 200. A volatile storage unit 38 stores various types of information of the television lens 200.
A CPU 39 controls the operation of each function of the television camera 201. The CCD (image pickup element) 40 converts an optical signal received via the television lens 200 into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal as a video signal. The video signal processing unit 41 processes the video signal output from the CCD 40. The video signal recording and playback unit 42 records and plays back the video signal processed by the video signal processing unit 41. The video signal display unit 43 displays an operation state of the television camera 201 and photographed pictures. A reference voltage generation unit 44 generates a reference voltage based on a power supplied from a power supply unit 46. A power switching unit 45 turns on or turns off the power of the television camera 201. The power supply unit 46 supplies the power to the television lens 200 and the television camera 201.
Operation of the zoom switch 105, the zoom clutch 109, and the zoom demand operation unit 16 when the zoom optical system 9 is operated using the ENG zoom lens and the ENG camera with the foregoing structure is described next. When the zoom clutch 109 is turned off and when the zoom switch 105 is operated, the control input to the zoom switch 105 is calculated using the zoom speed command signal generation unit 1, the zoom speed command signal operation unit 2, the A/D conversion unit 3, and the CPU 4. When the zoom demand unit 15 is operated, the control input to the zoom demand unit 15 is calculated using the zoom demand counter 17 and the CPU 4. At the same time, the absolute position of the zoom optical system 9 is calculated using the zoom absolute position signal detection unit 10, the zoom absolute position signal operation unit 11, and the A/D conversion unit 12. Based on these control inputs and the absolute position, the CPU 4 calculates a target position of the zoom optical system 9. Then, based on the target position, the D/A conversion unit 5, the zoom control signal operation unit 6, the zoom power amplifying unit 7, and the zoom motor 8 drive the zoom optical system 9.
Operation of the focus clutch 110 and the focus demand operation unit 27 when the focus optical system 22 is operated using the ENG zoom lens and the ENG camera with the foregoing structure is described next. When the focus clutch 110 is turned off and when the focus demand unit 26 is operated, the control input to the focus demand unit 26 is calculated using the focus demand counter 28 and the CPU 4. At the same time, the absolute position of the focus optical system 22 is calculated using the focus absolute position signal detection unit 23, the focus absolute position signal operation unit 24, and the A/D conversion unit 25. Based on the control input and the absolute position, the CPU 4 calculates a target position of the focus optical system 22. Then, based on the target position, the D/A conversion unit 18, the focus control signal operation unit 19, the focus power amplifying unit 20, and the focus motor 21 drive the focus optical system 22.
Operation of the iris motor/manual switch 106 when the iris mechanism 33 is operated using the ENG zoom lens and the ENG camera with the foregoing structure is described next. When the iris motor/manual switch 106 selects motor driving, the absolute position of the iris mechanism 33 is calculated using the iris absolute position signal detection unit 34, the iris absolute position signal operation unit 35, and the A/D conversion unit 36. At the same time, in accordance with a result of processing of the video signal processing unit 41, the CPU 39 calculates a target position of the iris mechanism 33. Then, based on the target position, the D/A conversion unit 29, the iris control signal operation unit 30, the iris power amplifying unit 31, and the iris motor 32 drive the iris mechanism 33.
Structures of an ENG camera zoom lens including an absolute position signal detection unit and a relative position signal detection unit are suggested in U.S. Patent Application No. 2001-055481 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,054.
In the known examples, however, since the position of a lens is detected using an absolute position detection unit, typified by a potentiometer, and an A/D conversion unit, the accuracy in detecting the position of the lens cannot be increased due to noise caused by friction of the potentiometer and the limited resolution of the A/D conversion unit. Also, since an A/D conversion unit is necessary, the size of the circuit may increase, and the cost may thus increase.
In contrast, a relative position detection unit, such as an optical incremental sensor or a magnetic incremental sensor, exhibits less noise and a higher resolution compared with an absolute position detection unit and does not require an A/D conversion unit. Thus, if a relative position detection unit is used, the foregoing problems can be solved.
However, if a relative position detection unit is used, an operation of setting the absolute position of a lens is required. As a result, a photographer cannot start photographing immediately after a power supply is turned on, and the number of operations required for the photographer is increased.
Since a relative position detection unit, such as an optical incremental sensor or a magnetic incremental sensor, exhibits less noise and a higher resolution compared with an absolute position detection unit and does not require an A/D conversion unit, if a relative position detection unit is used and motor driving is selected, the forgoing problems can be solved by automatically performing initialization after power supply is turned on. However, if manual driving is selected, initialization cannot be automatically performed after the power supply is turned on. Thus, it is difficult to install a relative position detection unit in a television lens having a manual driving unit. In addition, the power is turned on and turned off a large number of times depending on the intended use, and initialization may be automatically performed many times a day. As a result, a photographer cannot start photographing quickly, and the photographer may thus feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, pictures may move during initialization, and unnecessary battery power may be consumed for battery-operated apparatuses.

Lens device having a controller for controlling optical elements and photographing apparatus including the lens device


A dual mode horn reflector antenna for providing an antenna pattern having symmetrical beamwidths over a bandwidth of approximately 40%. An input TE.sub.10 rectangular mode signal is provided to the dual mode horn reflector antenna which generates a first TE.sub.11 circular mode signal from the input TE.sub.10 rectangular mode signal. A first TE.sub.10 square mode signal and a first TE.sub.01 square mode signal are generated from the first TE.sub.11 circular mode signal. The first TE.sub.10 square mode signal and the first TE.sub.01 square mode signal are combined generate a resultant signal. The resultant signal is incident upon a reflecting structure which generates an antenna pattern having approximately equivalent beamwidths in perpendicular planes, and reduced sidelobes.

The present invention relates generally to antenna, and more particularly to a dual mode horn reflector antenna having equalized principle plane beamwidths and reduced sidelobes over a large bandwidth of performance.
Spacecraft communication systems often require medium gain antennas which provide adequate area gains, large bandwidth, equalized principal plane beamwidths and low sidelobes while maintaining a compact physical size. A reflector antenna is typically not a good choice for medium gain applications since the reflector antenna approaches diffraction limitations when used in medium gain applications. A horn antenna is also not a good choice for medium gain applications since the horn becomes excessively large when used in medium to high gain applications. A horn reflector antenna can be a good choice for medium to high gain applications since it is compact in size and can provide approximately medium gain.
A typical horn reflector antenna is comprised of a conical electromagnetic horn and a reflector which is a sector of a paraboloid of revolution, the apex of the horn coincides with the focus of the paraboloid of revolution and the axis of the horn is perpendicular to the axis of the paraboloid. Because of the design, very little energy incident on the reflector is returned into the feed so that mismatch problems are avoided. Also, because of the shielding effect of the horn, side and back lobes are minimized. Therefore, this type of antenna can be quite useful for microwave communications. A more detailed discussion of the conical horn-reflector antenna can be found in "The Electrical Characteristics of the Conical Horn-Reflector Antenna", by J. N. Hines, et. al, published in the Bell System Technical Journal, volume 42, pages 1187-1211, 1963. However, disadvantages in the conical horn-reflector antenna such as unequal principle plane beamwidths and high close in sidelobe levels have prevented the conical horn-reflector antenna from widespread use.
Attempts have been made to equalize the two principle plane beamwidths and reduce the close in sidelobes by using a corrugated horn instead of the typical conical horn. While successful, the machining required to fabricate the corrugated horn section is quite extensive and expensive typically requiring a five axis CNC machine and electroforming the corrugated horn on a mandrel. A more detailed discussion of the corrugated horn-reflector antenna can be found in "The Electrical Characteristics of a Conical Horn-Reflector Antenna Employing a Corrugated Horn", by Ghassan Yassin, et. al., IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 41, No. 3, March 1993.
To avoid the effort and expense involved in manufacturing a corrugate feed while retaining beam symmetry, a Potter horn has been used in a horn-reflector configuration. The Potter horn, detailed in the article "A new horn antenna with suppressed sidelobes and equal beamwidths," by Potter, P. D., Microwave Journal, 4, pg. 71-78, 1963, has a transition section attached to a phasing section feeding a conical horn. An input TE.sub.11 circular mode signal is fed into the transition section and is incident on the phasing section. The phasing section is an axially symmetric step which generates both a TE.sub.11 circular mode signal and a TM.sub.11 circular mode signal form the input TE.sub.11 circular mode signal. The non-symmetric higher order modes are suppressed by the proper choice of the diameter of the phasing section and the asymmetric modes are not strongly excited due to step symmetry. Therefore, only the TE.sub.11 and TM.sub.11 modes propagate after the step. The TE.sub.11 and TM.sub.11 mode signal must be combined in the phasing section in the proper amplitude and phase to produce an antenna pattern having equal principle plane beamwidths. The difference in the diameters before and after the step determines the relative mode amplitude, and length of the phasing section determines the phase. The length of the phasing section is chosen to provide proper combining of the TE.sub.11 and TM.sub.11 mode signals at a design frequency.
As the frequency deviates from the design frequency, the phase relationship between the TE.sub.11 and TM.sub.11 modes changes and proper combining of the two modes no longer occurs generating a non-symmetrical beam pattern. Calculations and measurements have shown that when using the fundamental TE.sub.11 and TM.sub.11 mode signals, a symmetrical pattern results over a relatively narrow bandwidth of approximately 5%.
A need exists to provide a compact antenna that provides medium gain with symmetrical beams over a large bandwidth of operation.


The invention comprises a system for displaying image elements for an aircraft seat. The system comprises a seat element with a projection device, and comprises an imaging region for imaging an image element. The image projection device is designed such that the image element can be projected on the imaging region.

In function rooms or in passenger cabins of means of transport a multitude of seats are provided for the guests or the passengers, which seats have been placed in a particular arrangement. For orientation or information of the guests or the passengers, the seats comprise information devices. For example, the seats are consecutively numbered and individually allocated to passengers or guests. Furthermore, warning notes, for example drawing attention to the obligatory wearing of seat belts, can be in place.
In modern seats it is possible, for example, to display general information or seat-specific information for the guest or the passenger by means of displays that have been installed so as to be fixed, so that the particular seat comprises information that is specific to the guest or the passenger or to his neighbour. In order to display such information it is known to install fixed display elements, for example television monitors or LCD television monitors. From WO 2005/076248 it is known to provide a fixed or static display which can display various items of information or image elements to a passenger.

Integrated projector included in a seat for displaying information


A copper complex titanium oxide dispersion liquid includes: titanium oxide particles; and 0.1 to 20 parts by mass of cuprous oxide particles per 100 parts by mass of the titanium oxide particles. The dispersion liquid further includes: 5 to 100 parts by mass of phosphate ester-based anionic surfactant per 100 parts by mass of the titanium oxide particles and the cuprous oxide particles combined; and 300 to 2000 parts by mass of an organic solvent per 100 parts by mass of the titanium oxide particles and the cuprous oxide particles combined. The titanium oxide particles and the cuprous oxide particles have an average primary particle diameter of 2 nm to 80 nm and have an average secondary particle diameter of 50 nm to 150 nm as measured by dynamic light scattering using cumulant analysis. Moreover, 10 or more parts by mass of the titanium oxide particles are contained in 100 parts by mass of non-volatile matter content of the copper complex titanium oxide dispersion liquid.

Various types of antibacterial members have been developed and turned into products to reduce microbes in the environment because of increased consumers' consciousness of hygiene. In general, antibacterial members used for interior members in houses or vehicles contain antibacterial materials such as silver and zinc (for example, refer to Patent Literatures 1 and 2). However, silver and zinc have a problem of costs or biological toxicity.
Accordingly, attempts are being made to use titanium oxide, which is cheap, abundant, and less ecotoxic, as an antibacterial material (for example, refer to Patent Literature 3). Titanium oxide is photocatalytically active, and the antibacterial action using the photocatalytic activity thereof is attracting attention.
Herein, titanium oxide is white powder as often used in pigment of white paint. To use antibacterial members in various applications, some techniques are required to ensure the transparency thereof even when the antibacterial members include titanium oxide. Specifically, titanium oxide needs to be microparticulated using bottom-up synthesis or various dispersion techniques.

Copper complex titanium oxide dispersion liquid, coating agent composition, and antibacterial/antiviral member

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


A compression band for treating disorders of the knee, including arthritis, synovitis, chondromalacia patella, patella tendonitis, and the like. The band comprises a compressive member which generally has the profile of a bowtie or "dog bone," and an encircling strap portion which holds the compressive member in position on the knee. The compressive member is symetrically shaped so that it applies pressure to the medial and lateral infra-patellar retinaculum and inferior portion of the patellar tendon. This compression dampens the motion associated with the rapid acceleration/deceleration of the soft tissue folds as they pass over the margins of the femoral condyles during flexion and extension of the leg. The compressive member serves as a shock absorber to prevent rapid acceleration and deceleration of the tissue as it passes over the condyle, thereby reducing microtrauma to the tissue and resultant inflammation. The compressive portion of the band is an arcuate plate having a parabolic, or "V" shaped, upper margin and a horizontal lower margin. The band permits the patellar tendon to change its angle without undue restriction during use. The compressive portion of the band is preferably a flexible plastic construction with an inner skin-contacting compressible portion. The compressible portion provides shock absorption in the event that the wearer falls down or suffers other trauma.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to knee straps or braces useful for treating disorders of the knee, and more particularly to a compression band for treating soft tissue inflammation and patella-related disorders of the knee.
2. Prior Art
Chondromalacia of the patella is a common disorder and the result of normal motion of the patella with respect to the underlying femoral condyles. There have been a number of braces and straps devised to stabilize the patella and prevent such unwanted motion and to relieve the symptoms of chondromalacia patella.
Palumbo, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,978, issued Feb. 1st, 1983, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,744, issued Oct. 27, 1981, describes a brace suitable for treating certain patella-related disorders of the knee. The brace includes two para-patellar pads which function to stabilize the patella, an infra-patellar ligament pad which applies direct pressure to the patellar ligament, and a supra-patellar and an infra-patellar elastic strap which applies compressive force to the quadriceps mass and to the patellar ligament to diminish shock and compression and tensile forces to the extensor mechanism. The brace of Palumbo is substantially an elastic member with a circular region removed to overlie the patella. The construction of the brace is such that it restricts the motion of the leg and prevents the wearer from participating effectively in sports and the like. It is designed to stabilize the patella by splinting it. Moreover, the construction is such that, when the knee is bent, the compression of the popiteal region comprises a tourniquet, which further restricts the supply of blood to the lower extremity.
Gauvry, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,528, issued Jun. 15, 1982, describes yet another knee strap for treating chondromalacia patella and similar disorders. The Gauvry strap is substantially a section of surgical tubing which has been covered with a stockinet and encircles the leg so that the tubing overlies the patella thereby stabilizing it. The portion of the strap that directly overlies the patella is circular in cross-section and is narrower than the rest of the band. The band that fastens behind the knee is flat and wider than the front portion comprises a tourniquet when the knee is flexed. The pressure applied to the patellar tendon by the tubing is to prevent lateral motion of the patella during use. Beige, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,318 discloses a band useful for the treatment of epicondylitis. The band, dimensioned to encircle the elbow, comprises a pair of compression plates of unequal size which are in opposition to one another. The larger jaw engages the unaffected side of the inflicted elbow and, with its larger pressing surface, helps to prevent distortion of the underlying tissue. The smaller (opposing) jaw is dimensioned to apply more concentrated pressure on a smaller specific area. While the foregoing clamp is useful for treating epicondylitis, limitations presented by the asymmetry of the device limits its utility with respect to treating conditions of the knee. Nirschl, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,186, discloses a muscular support device for bracing muscles and tendons associated therewith. The device comprises a foam-backed cloth (canvas) wrap adapted for encircling the knee. The wrap applies circumferential pressure to the encircled underlying tissue. A portion of the wrap is contoured to avoid compressing the patella. The wrap is circumferential and supple, readily conforming to the contour of the underlying anatomy. The device necessarily applies circumferential compression to all of the underlying tissue; less pressure being exerted on the underlying skin where the skin-contacting surface of the wrap is larger and greater pressure where the skin-contacting surface is less. Thus, in operation, the wrap exerts a tourniquet effect, impairing the flow of blood to and from tissue distal to the knee.
In summary, prior art knee straps to treat problems associated with flexion and extension of the knee are directed toward stabilizing or splinting the patella to prevent the lateral displacement of the patella during activity. The present invention departs from the prior art in that it focuses on the motion of soft tissue over the femoral condyle during motion of the leg. The present invention teaches the use of a knee band for the treatment of flexion/extension-related disorders of the knee. The band has a compressive portion and a strap portion which holds the compressive portion in position. The band of the present invention is comfortable to wear and applies pressure only to those portions of the knee which are effective for preventing soft tissue microtrauma associated with the rapid acceleration/deceleration of the soft tissue folds of the knee during flexion and extension. The compressive portion of the band does not apply pressure to the patella and the strap portion is designed to minimize the tourniquet effect.


Embodiments of the disclosure include processes of polymerizing olefins. The process includes contacting ethylene and a (C3-C40)alpha-olefin comonomer in the presences of a catalyst system. The catalyst system comprises a procatalyst and a bimetallic activator complex. The bimetallic activator complex comprises an anion and a countercation, and the anion has a structure according to formula (I).

As part of the catalyst composition in α-olefin polymerization reactions, the activator may have characteristics that are beneficial for the production of the α-olefin polymer and for final polymer compositions including the α-olefin polymer. Activator characteristics that increase the production of α-olefin polymers include, but are not limited to: rapid procatalyst activation, high catalyst efficiency, high temperature capability, consistent polymer composition, and selective deactivation.
Olefin-based polymers such as ethylene-based polymers and propylene-based polymers are produced via various catalyst systems. Selection of such catalyst systems can be an important factor contributing to the characteristics and properties of olefin-based polymers. The catalyst systems for producing polyethylene-based polymers may include a chromium-based catalyst system, a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system, or a molecular (either metallocene or non-metallocene) catalyst system.
As part of the catalyst system, the molecular polymerization procatalyst is activated to generate the catalytically active species for polymerization, and this can be achieved by any number of means. One such method employs an activator or co-catalyst that is a Brønsted acid. Brønsted acid salts containing weakly coordinating anions are commonly utilized to activate molecular polymerization procatalysts, particularly such procatalysts comprising Group IV metal complexes. Brønsted acid salts that are fully ionized are capable of transferring a proton to form a cationic derivative of such Group IV metal complexes.
For activators such as Brønsted acid salts, the cationic component may include cations capable of transferring a hydrogen ion such as ammonium, sulfonium, or phosphonium for example; or oxidizing cations such as ferrocenium, silver (I), or lead (II) cations, for example; or highly Lewis acidic cations such as carbonium or silylium, for example.
However, once the cations of the activator or co-catalyst activate the procatalyst, the activators may remain in the polymer composition. As a result, the cations and anions may affect the polymer composition. Since not all ions diffuse equally, different ions affect the polymer composition differently. In particular, the size of the ion, the charge of the ion, the interaction of the ion with the surrounding medium, and the dissociation energy of the ion with available counterions will affect the ion's ability to diffuse through a surrounding medium such as a solvent, a gel, or a polymer material.
Conventional olefin polymerization activators include weakly-coordinating or non-coordinating anions. It has been shown that weak coordination of the anion leads to increased catalytic efficiency of the cationic catalyst. However, since the non-nucleophilic character of the non-coordinating anion also increases diffusion, the residual activator anion in the produced polymer will lower the electrical resistance of the polymer, thereby increasing electrical loss, and thereby decreasing the insulation ability of the produced polymer.

Binuclear olefin polymerization activators


An apparatus and laminate allow removal of at least one sub-area of a face layer sheet from a laminate composed of a backing layer with the face layer sheet adhering thereto to leave at least one product area of the face layer sheet in place on the backing layer. The apparatus may comprise a work surface for receiving the laminate thereon; at least one adhesive applicator mounted adjacent to the work surface; an actuator associated with the applicator(s); an actuator controller to cause application of an adhesive to predetermined portions of the waste area(s); a laminator beside the work surface including a supply of carrier web oriented for temporary lamination with the laminate using the applied adhesive; and a delaminator positioned to receive the carrier lamination and delaminate the laminate therefrom with the waste area(s) adhering to the carrier web.

Many if not most decals are graphics-image-bearing portions (sometimes referred to herein as "product areas," whether or not they have graphics images thereon) of a removable layer (sometimes referred to herein as a "face layer") of a laminate. Each such decal laminate typically includes the face layer and a backing layer (or "liner"), the face layer being removably secured to the backing layer by an adhesive. The adhesive is preferential to the face layer, and is used, after removal of the product area(s) from the backing layer, for the adhesive attachment of the product area(s) of the face layer onto the surface intended to be covered—for decorative, signage or any of a multitude of other purposes.
To facilitate production of product areas (decals) in a form ready for use, it is frequently necessary or desirable to pre-remove the area or areas of the face layer which is/are not product areas from the backing layer of the decal laminate. (These non-product areas of the face layer are often referred to herein as "waste areas.") Such pre-removal of waste areas leaves the product area(s) on the backing layer—ready to be easily peeled away from the backing layer just prior to use. The pre-removal of waste areas of a face layer, sometimes referred to "sheet-weeding," greatly facilitates the subsequent removal of product areas (decals) just prior to use.
(The pre-removal of waste areas, of course, follows slitting or other severing of the product areas from the waste areas, which occurs while the removable layer to be slit or severed is in place on the backing layer. A highly preferred and advantageous method and apparatus for accurate severing around the product area or areas of the face layer of a decal laminate is disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/678,594, filed Oct. 4, 2000, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Precision Cutting and the Like of Graphics Areas from Sheets," now U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,661.)
Sheet-weeding is typically carried out by nimble-fingered workers who delicately lift and peel away unused portions of the image-bearing face layer of a decal laminate. This is tedious and time-consuming work. Progress has been made toward automating the sheet-weeding process; despite such efforts, there remains a need for an improved automatic waste-area removal method and apparatus.
Various automated systems have been devised over the years for facilitating sheet-weeding operations. Among these are the systems and concepts disclosed in the following United States patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,576 (Logan); U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,736 (Logan); U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,584 (Logan); U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,058 (Reed); U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,537 (Sasaki); U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,600 (Goin); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,781 (Meulenberg). These prior systems each have certain disadvantages or problems, some of which are set forth below.
The computer-controlled systems of the Logan patents use complex adhesive materials including microspheres or microcapsules which, when broken by force application, release strong adhesive to allow an overlay sheet to engage and remove portions of a sheet. Such adhesives can be very expensive, and force-activation can be problematic and difficult in high-speed operations.
The Reed disclosure involves an embossing of areas to be removed in order to weaken their adhesive attachment to the base layer and facilitate removal. However, such embossing tends to be a step which, among other things, may be unacceptable for removal of intricate waste areas or patterns around irregularly shaped decals or product areas.
The Sasaki disclosure involves removal of an overlayer after a separation is caused by radiation treatment of a radiation-responsive composition. This system is complex and believed not to be suitable for many high-speed production operations.
The prior systems and disclosures fall short of offering and delivering simple, effective sheet-weeding which is fully suitable for high-speed decal production and similar waste-area removal operations.


The present invention provides cache flushing of selected data while leaving remaining cached data intact. Data can be flushed from caches distributed across various components of a network-based computer system. These caches can contain various types of data. In one embodiment, the caches exist in an Access System and contain user identity profile information. In another embodiment, the caches exist in an Access Management System and contain authentication, authorization, or auditing rules. A system in accordance with the invention detects a change to data residing on a server and transmits a synchronization record to a component of the system. The synchronization record identifies the changed data. The system flushes the changed data identified by the synchronization record from caches of the component.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to technology for synchronizing and flushing the contents of cache memories.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Internet has altered the economic landscape, and companies are experiencing a fundamental shift in how they do business. Business processes involve complex interactions between companies and their customers, suppliers, partners and employees. For example, businesses interact constantly with their customers—often other businesses—to provide information on product specification and availability. Businesses also interact with vendors and suppliers in placing orders and obtaining payments. To meet new challenges and leverage opportunities, while reducing their overall cost-of-interactions, many organizations are migrating to network-based business processes and models. Among the most important of these is Internet-based E-business.
In addition to customer information, businesses must also make a wide array of information and services available to their employee populations, generating further interactions. This information can include both business-related and personal information. E-business is also challenged with cohesively managing disparate end user, application, content, policy, and administrative information. For all of these types of computer network-based information, as well as others, it is desirable to minimize the time spent retrieving the information to ensure data is available quickly and accurately.
As the volume of data accessible to users through computer networks continues to surge, so has the number of end users attempting to access this data. As a result, the burden on access systems has increased significantly, which can cause degradations in system performance. These concerns become particularly acute in the world of E-commerce.
Cache memories provide one way to minimize data retrieval time. Caches (hardware or software) act as buffers, storing data that is frequently and/or recently accessed by various components of a network-based system. Once data is stored in a cache, various components of the system can quickly read information directly from the cache, rather than having to retrieve the data from an original source using a longer process. Generally speaking, data retrieved from a cache will be available much quicker than data retrieved from original sources.
However, when data is changed at an original source, previously cached versions of the data become stale. The cached data must be flushed to prevent usage of the stale data by components of the system. Cache flushing is particularly important in systems where users are authenticated or authorized for resources. For example, if changes occur to user information or rules used to authenticate or authorize users, any previously cached versions of the changed data must be flushed to prevent future authentication or authorizations from being performed using the stale data.
Furthermore, if many pieces of data are cached, flushing an entire cache can inadvertently delete data that has not been changed. This deletion of otherwise valid data can increase access times, forcing the components of the system to re-retrieve previously cached data from original sources. This can lead to slower performance and loss of confidence in the E-business system.
These problems become further complicated in Internet network-based computer systems where caches containing many disparate types of information may be found on multiple servers, Web Servers, and even Web Server plug-ins running on the Web Servers. Thus, there is a need for a means to flush stale cached data without interfering with otherwise valid cached data in network-based computer systems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Selective cache flushing in identity and access management systems