Author: claimsbot

1. An organic electroluminescent device comprising: a substrate; a first electrode disposed over the substrate for injecting charge of a first polarity; a second electrode disposed over the first electrode for injecting charge of a second polarity opposite to said first polarity; an organic light emitting layer disposed between the first and the second electrode; and an encapsulant disposed over the second electrode, wherein the second electrode and the encapsulant are transparent to light emitted by the light emitting layer, wherein a cavity is provided between the encapsulant and the second electrode, and wherein an anti-reflective coating is provided on at least one side of the encapsulant for reducing reflection of light emitted by the light emitting layer so as to improve out-coupling of light from the device, said anti-reflective coating being transparent to light emitted by the light emitting layer.
2. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 1, wherein the anti-reflective coating is provided at an interface between the cavity and the encapsulant.
3. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 1, wherein two anti-reflective coatings are provided, one on each side of the encapsulant.
4. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 3, wherein the encapsulant acts as a spacer between the two anti-reflective coatings such that the two anti-reflective coatings are separated by a distance of between 5 micrometers to 12 micrometers.
5. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has a thickness of 10 \u03bcm or more.
6. (canceled)
7. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is a gas filled cavity.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulant is adhered directly or indirectly to the substrate to form a perimeter seal comprising a getter material.
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the encapsulant is in the range 0.1 mm to 1.1 mm.
15. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of pixels forming a display.
16. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 15, wherein the substrate is common to the plurality of pixels.
17. An organic electroluminescent device according to claim 15, wherein the encapsulant is common to the plurality of pixels.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. A method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescent device comprising: depositing at least one first electrode over a substrate; depositing an organic light-emitting material over the at least one first electrode; depositing at least one second electrode over the organic light-emitting material wherein the at least one first electrode, the organic light-emitting material and the at least one second electrode form a light-emitting structure; and adhering an encapsulant over the light-emitting structure, wherein the at least one second electrode and the encapsulant are transparent to light emitted by the light-emitting material, wherein a cavity is provided between the encapsulant and the light emitting structure, and wherein the encapsulant comprises an anti-reflective coating on at least one side for reducing reflection of light emitted by the light-emitting material, said anti-reflective coating being transparent to light emitted by the light emitting material.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the encapsulant comprises a cavity and is adhered to the substrate directly or indirectly to form a perimeter seal, the cavity and the perimeter seal having a depth such that the cavity is maintained.
24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the light emitting structure comprises a plurality of pixels forming a display.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the substrate is common to the plurality of pixels.
26. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the encapsulant is common to the plurality of pixels.
27. (canceled)
28. (canceled)
29. (canceled)
30. (canceled)
31. A preform comprising a plurality of organic electroluminescent devices according to claim 1, the substrate and the encapsulant being common to the plurality of organic electroluminescent devices and wherein the encapsulant comprises a sheet having a plurality of cavities formed therein, the cavities corresponding to positions of the plurality of organic electroluminescent devices.
32. A preform according to claim 31, comprising break lines provided between the plurality of organic electroluminescent devices.
33. A method of manufacturing a plurality of organic electroluminescent devices from the preform of claim 31, comprising breaking the preform.
34. (canceled)
35. A method of manufacturing a preform of claim 31, comprising depositing the anti-reflective coating on the encapsulant after forming the plurality of cavities therein.
36. (canceled)
37. A method of according to claim 35, comprising forming the plurality of cavities by etching the sheet.
38. An encapsulating sheet for an organic light-emitting display, the encapsulating sheet comprising a transparent sheet of material having a plurality of cavities in one side thereof for receiving organic light-emitting structures, the transparent sheet of material having an anti-reflective coating provided on at least one side thereof for reducing reflection of light from said at least one side.
39. An encapsulating sheet according to claim 38, wherein the antireflective coating is disposed on the side of the transparent sheet having the plurality of cavities therein.
40. An encapsulating sheet according to claim 39, wherein the antireflective coating is disposed in the cavities and not in the spaces between the cavities.
41. An encapsulating sheet according to claim 38, wherein two anti-reflective coatings are provided, one on each side of the encapsulating sheet.
42. (canceled)
43. A method of manufacturing an encapsulating sheet for an organic light-emitting display, the method comprising: forming a plurality of cavities in one side of a transparent sheet of material for receiving organic light-emitting structures; and coating at least one side of the transparent sheet of material with an anti-reflective coating for reducing reflection of light from said at least one side.
44. A method according to claim 43, comprising depositing the antireflective coating on the side of the transparent sheet having the plurality of cavities therein after forming the cavities.
45. A method according to claim 44, comprising depositing the antireflective coating in the cavities and not in the spaces between the cavities.
46. A method according to claim 43, comprising providing two anti-reflective coatings, one on each side of the encapsulating sheet.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A liquid crystal display panel, comprising:
first and second substrates which oppose each other;
a black matrix disposed on the first substrate;
a color filter disposed on the first substrate and at least a portion of the black matrix;
a composite layer disposed on the color filter and the black matrix;
a plurality of thin film transistors corresponding to the color filter arranged as array on the composite layer;
a transparent conductive layer disposed on the second substrate; and
a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates.
2. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to the color filter arranged as array on the composite layer.
3. The display panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thin film transistor comprises:
source and drain regions disposed on the composite layer separated by an interval, and one of them connected to the pixel electrode;
a channel layer disposed on the composite layer between the source and drain regions, and electrically connected to the source and drain regions, respectively; and
a gate insulating layer and a gate structure disposed on the channel layer.
4. The display panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the black matrix is disposed underlying each the thin film transistor.
5. The display panel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the black matrix is overlapped by the channel layer.
6. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composite layer comprises a planarizing layer and an optional passivation layer disposed on the color filter and the black matrix.
7. The display panel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the planarizing layer is an organic transparent insulator, and the passivation layer is an insulating layer.
8. The display panel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the planarizing layer is resin or polymer.
9. The display panel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the passivation layer is silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride.
10. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second substrates are transparent substrates.
11. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent conductive layer is indium tin oxide.
12. The display panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel layer is amorphous silicon (\u03b1-Si).
13. A liquid crystal display panel, comprising:
first and second substrates which oppose each other;
a black matrix disposed on the first substrate;
a color filter disposed on the first substrate and at least a portion of the black matrix;
a composite layer disposed on the color filter and the black matrix;
a thin film transistor array corresponding to the color filter arranged on the composite layer, each transistor of the thin film transistor array having a top-gate structure;
a transparent conductive layer disposed on the second substrate; and
a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates.
14. The display panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the black matrix is disposed underlying each of the thin film transistors.
15. The display panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the composite layer comprises a planarizing layer and an optional passivation layer disposed on the color filter and the black matrix.
16. The display panel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the planarizing layer is an organic transparent insulator, and the passivation layer is an insulating layer.
17. The display panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the planarizing layer is resin or polymer.
18. The display panel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the passivation layer is silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride.
19. The display panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first and second substrates are transparent substrates.
20. The display panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the transparent conductive layer is indium tin oxide.
21. A substrate structure for liquid crystal display, comprising:
a substrate;
a black matrix disposed over the substrate;
a color filter disposed over the substrate and covering at least a portion of the black matrix;
a composite layer disposed on the color filter and the black matrix; and
a plurality of thin film transistors disposed over the composite layer and respectively connecting to a corresponding pixel electrode overlying the color filter.
22. The substrate structure for liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 21, wherein the thin film transistor comprises:
source and drain regions disposed on the composite layer separated by an interval, and one of them connected to the pixel electrode;
a channel layer disposed on the composite layer between the source and drain regions, and electrically connected to the source and drain regions, respectively; and
a gate insulating layer and a gate structure disposed on the channel layer.
23. The substrate structure for liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 21, wherein the black matrix is disposed underneath the thin film transistor.
24. The substrate structure for liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 22, wherein the black matrix is overlapped by the channel layer.
25. The substrate structure for liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 21, wherein the composite layer comprises a planarizing layer and an optional passivation layer disposed on the color filter and the black matrix.
26. The substrate structure for liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 25, wherein the planarizing layer is an organic transparent insulator, and the passivation layer is an insulating layer.
27. The substrate structure for liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 26, wherein the planarizing layer is resin or polymer.
28. The substrate structure for liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 26, wherein the passivation layer is silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride.
29. The substrate structure for liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 21, wherein the substrate is made of a transparent material.
30. The substrate structure for liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 21, wherein the channel layer is amorphous silicon (\u03b1-Si).

1. A learning content management system comprising:
one or more processing devices;
non-transitory machine readable media that stores executable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processing devices, are configured to cause the one or more processing devices to perform operations comprising:
providing for display on a terminal a learning content input user interface configured to receive learning content;
receiving learning content via the learning content input user interface and storing the received learning content in machine readable memory;
providing for display on the terminal a framework user interface configured to receive a framework definition, wherein the framework definition defines at least an order of presentation to a learner with respect to learning content;
receiving, independently of the received learning content, a framework definition via the framework user interface and storing the received framework definition in machine readable memory, wherein the framework definition specifies a presentation flow;
providing for display on the terminal a style set user interface configured to receive a style definition, wherein the style definition defines an appearance of learning content;
receiving, independently of at least a portion of the received learning content, the style set definition via the style set user interface and storing the received style set definition in machine readable memory;
providing for display on the terminal a protocol user interface configured to receive a protocol selection;
receiving, independently of the received learning content, the protocol selection via the protocol user interface;
receiving from the user a publishing instruction via a publishing user interface;
at least partly in response to the received publishing instruction, accessing from machine readable memory the received learning content, the received framework definition, the received style set definition, and the received protocol selection:
merging the received learning content and the received framework definition;
rendering the merged the received learning content and the received framework definition in accordance with the received style set definition;
packaging the rendered merged learning content and framework definition in accordance with the selected protocol to provide a published learning document.
2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the learning content input user interface includes at least a first field configured to receive from the user a metatag identifying a purpose associated with the learning content, wherein the system is further configured to provide for display on the user terminal a user interface including a purpose search field configured to receive a query relating to a content purpose, the system further comprising a search engine configured to identify to the user content corresponding to the content purpose query.
3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the learning content input user interface includes at least a first field configured to receive from the user a metatag identifying a purpose associated with the learning content, learning content text, and an identification of video learning content.
4. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the framework user interface includes editable fields configured to receive a sequence specification, a framework name, a repeat specification, a layer specification.
5. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the style set user interface enables the user to specify:
fonts;
page layout format,
page widths,
control panel buttons, and
page element positioning.
6. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the style set user interface enables the user to select from a plurality of protocols, including at least a version of HTML and a non-HTML protocol, which protocol is to be used in packaging the rendered merged learning content and framework definition.
7. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide a menu of target devices including at least:
a tablet,
a hardcopy book,
a desktop computer,
a phone.
8. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide a user interface enabling the user to select at least an avatar face and an audio track to be synchronized with the avatar face so that, when rendered, the avatar’s lips appear to speak words included in the audio track.
9. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide a user interface enabling the user to specify one or more assessment methodologies, including at least one test type.
10. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the system is configured to automatically update one or more learning modules at least partly in response a modification of content provided via the learning content input user interface.
11. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide a user interface enabling the user to define a learning module independent of learning content, including fields enabling a user to specify a module identifier, a module sequence, a module title to be presented to the learner, and a module end message to be displayed to the learner upon completion of the module by the learner.
12. The system as defined in claim 1, the system further comprising:
an extensible content repository;
an extensible framework repository;
an extensible style repository;
an extensible user interface; and
an extensible multi-protocol publisher component.
13. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the framework further defines an assessment type for evaluating learner performance.
14. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the system enables the content to be defined prior to the framework.
15. The system as defined in claim 1, the system further configured to provide a first console enabling the user to redefine the first console and to define at least a styles console, a framework console, and learning content console.
16. A method of managing learning content, the method comprising:
providing, by a computer system, for display on a display device a learning content input user interface configured to receive learning content;
receiving, by the computer system, learning content via the learning content input user interface and storing the received learning content in machine readable memory;
providing, by the computer system, for display on the display device a framework user interface configured to receive a framework definition, wherein the framework definition defines an order of presentation to a learner with respect to learning content;
receiving by the computer system, independently of the received learning content, a framework definition via the framework user interface and storing the received framework definition in machine readable memory, wherein the framework definition specifies a presentation flow;
providing, by the computer system, for display on the display device a style set user interface configured to receive a style definition, wherein the style definition defines an appearance of learning content;
receiving by the computer system the style set definition via the style set user interface and storing the received style set definition in machine readable memory;
providing for display on the display device a protocol user interface configured to receive a protocol selection;
receiving by the computer system, independently of the received learning content, the protocol selection via the protocol user interface;
receiving, by the computer system from the user, a publishing instruction via a publishing user interface;
at least partly in response to the received publishing instruction, accessing, by the computer system, from machine readable memory the received learning content, the received framework definition, the received style set definition, and the received protocol selection:
merging, by the computer system, the received learning content and the received framework definition;
rendering, by the computer system, the merged the received learning content and the received framework definition in accordance with the received style set definition;
packaging the rendered merged learning content and framework definition in accordance with the selected protocol to provide a published learning document.
17. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the learning content input user interface includes at least a first field configured to receive from the user a metatag identifying a purpose associated with the learning content, wherein the method is further configured to provide for display on the user display device a user interface including a purpose search field configured to receive a query relating to a content purpose, the method further comprising a search engine configured to identify to the user content corresponding to the content purpose query.
18. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the learning content input user interface includes at least a first field configured to receive from the user a metatag identifying a purpose associated with the learning content, learning content text, and an identification of video learning content.
19. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the framework user interface includes editable fields configured to receive a sequence specification, a framework name, a repeat specification, a layer specification.
20. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the style set user interface enables the user to specify:
fonts;
page layout format,
page widths,
control panel buttons, and
page element positioning.
21. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the style set user interface enables the user to select from a plurality of protocols, including at least a version of HTML and a non-HTML protocol, which protocol is to be used in packaging the rendered merged learning content and framework definition.
22. The method as defined in claim 16, the method further comprising providing a menu of target devices including at least:
a tablet,
a hardcopy book,
a desktop computer,
a phone.
23. The method as defined in claim 16, the method further comprising providing a user interface enabling the user to select at least an avatar face and an audio track to be synchronized with the avatar face so that, when rendered, the avatar’s lips appear to speak words included in the audio track.
24. The method as defined in claim 16, the method further comprising providing a user interface enabling the user to specify one or more assessment methodologies, including at least one test type.
25. The method as defined in claim 16, the method further comprising providing automatically updating one or more learning modules at least partly in response a modification of content provided via the learning content input user interface.
26. The method as defined in claim 16, the method further comprising providing:
an extensible content repository;
an extensible framework repository;
an extensible style repository;
an extensible user interface; and
an extensible multi-protocol publisher component.
27. The method as defined in claim 16, the method further comprising providing:
a user interface enabling the user to define a learning module independent of learning content, including fields enabling a user to specify a module identifier, a module sequence, a module title to be presented to the learner, and a module end message to be displayed to the learner upon completion of the module by the learner.
28. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the framework further defines an assessment type for evaluating learner performance.
29. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the content definition is received prior to the framework definition.
30. The method as defined in claim 16, the method further comprising providing a first console enabling the user to redefine the first console and to define at least a styles console, a framework console, and learning content console.
31. Non-transitory machine readable media that stores executable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processing devices, are configured to cause the one or more processing devices to perform operations comprising:
providing for display on a terminal a learning content input user interface configured to receive learning content;
receiving learning content via the learning content input user interface and storing the received learning content in machine readable memory;
providing for display on the terminal a framework user interface configured to receive a framework definition, wherein the framework definition defines an order of presentation to a learner with respect to learning content;
receiving, independently of the received learning content, a framework definition via the framework user interface and storing the received framework definition in machine readable memory, wherein the framework definition specifies a presentation flow;
providing for display on the terminal a style set user interface configured to receive a style definition, wherein the style definition defines an appearance of learning content;
receiving the style set definition via the style set user interface and storing the received style set definition in machine readable memory;
providing for display on the terminal a protocol user interface configured to receive a protocol selection;
receiving, independently of the received learning content, the protocol selection via the protocol user interface;
receiving from the user a publishing instruction via a publishing user interface;
at least partly in response to the received publishing instruction, accessing from machine readable memory the received learning content, the received framework definition, the received style set definition, and the received protocol selection:
merging the received learning content and the received framework definition;
rendering the merged the received learning content and the received framework definition in accordance with the received style set definition; and
packaging the rendered merged learning content and framework definition in accordance with the selected protocol to provide a published learning document.
32. The media as defined in claim 31, wherein the learning content input user interface includes at least a first field configured to receive from the user a metatag identifying a purpose associated with the learning content, wherein the method is further configured to provide for display on the user display device a user interface including a purpose search field configured to receive a query relating to a content purpose, the operations further comprising a search engine configured to identify to the user content corresponding to the content purpose query.
33. The media as defined in claim 31, wherein the learning content input user interface includes at least a first field configured to receive from the user a metatag identifying a purpose associated with the learning content, learning content text, and an identification of video learning content.
34. The media as defined in claim 31, wherein the framework user interface includes editable fields configured to receive a sequence specification, a framework name, a repeat specification, a layer specification.
35. The media as defined in claim 31, wherein the style set user interface enables the user to specify:
fonts;
page layout format,
page widths,
control panel buttons, and
page element positioning.
36. The media as defined in claim 31, wherein the style set user interface enables the user to select from a plurality of protocols, including at least a version of HTML and a non-HTML protocol, which protocol is to be used in packaging the rendered merged learning content and framework definition.
37. The media as defined in claim 31, the operations further comprising providing a menu of target devices including at least:
a tablet,
a hardcopy book,
a desktop computer,
a phone.
38. The media as defined in claim 31, the operations further comprising providing a user interface enabling the user to select at least an avatar face and an audio track to be synchronized with the avatar face so that, when rendered, the avatar’s lips appear to speak words included in the audio track.
39. The media as defined in claim 31, the operations further comprising providing a user interface enabling the user to specify one or more assessment methodologies, including at least one test type.
40. The media as defined in claim 31, the operations further comprising providing automatically updating one or more learning modules at least partly in response a modification of content provided via the learning content input user interface.
41. The media as defined in claim 31, the operations further comprising providing:
an extensible content repository;
an extensible framework repository;
an extensible style repository;
an extensible user interface; and
an extensible multi-protocol publisher component.
42. The media as defined in claim 31, the operations further comprising providing:
a user interface enabling the user to define a learning module independent of learning content, including fields enabling a user to specify a module identifier, a module sequence, a module title to be presented to the learner, and a module end message to be displayed to the learner upon completion of the module by the learner.
43. The media as defined in Claim a 31, wherein the framework further defines an assessment type for evaluating learner performance.
44. The media as defined in claim 31, wherein the content definition is received prior to the framework definition.
45. The media as defined in claim 31, the operations further comprising providing a first console enabling the user to redefine the first console and to define at least a styles console, a framework console, and learning content console.
46. Non-transitory machine readable media that stores executable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processing devices, are configured to cause the one or more processing devices to perform operations comprising:
providing for display on a terminal a learning content input user interface configured to receive learning content;
receiving learning content via the learning content input user interface and storing the received learning content in machine readable memory;
providing for display on the terminal a framework user interface configured to receive a framework definition, wherein the framework definition defines an order of presentation to a learner with respect to learning content;
receiving, independently of the received learning content, a framework definition via the framework user interface and storing the received framework definition in machine readable memory, wherein the framework definition specifies a presentation flow;
receiving from the user a publishing instruction via a publishing user interface;
at least partly in response to the received publishing instruction, accessing from machine readable memory the received learning content, the received framework definition, a received style set definition, and a received protocol selection:
merging the received learning content and the received framework definition;
rendering the merged the received learning content and the received framework definition in accordance with the received style set definition; and
packaging the rendered merged learning content and framework definition in accordance with the selected protocol to provide a published learning document.
47. The media as defined in claim 46, wherein the learning content input user interface includes at least a first field configured to receive from the user a metatag identifying a purpose associated with the learning content, wherein the method is further configured to provide for display on the user display device a user interface including a purpose search field configured to receive a query relating to a content purpose, the operations further comprising a search engine configured to identify to the user content corresponding to the content purpose query.
48. The media as defined in claim 46, wherein the learning content input user interface includes at least a first field configured to receive from the user a metatag identifying a purpose associated with the learning content, learning content text, and an identification of video learning content.
49. The media as defined in claim 46, wherein the framework user interface includes editable fields configured to receive a sequence specification, a framework name, a repeat specification, a layer specification.
50. The media as defined in claim 46, wherein the style set user interface enables the user to specify:
fonts;
page layout format,
page widths,
control panel buttons, and
page element positioning.
51. The media as defined in claim 46, wherein the style set user interface enables the user to select from a plurality of protocols, including at least a version of HTML and a non-HTML protocol, which protocol is to be used in packaging the rendered merged learning content and framework definition.
52. The media as defined in claim 46, the operations further comprising providing a menu of target devices including at least:
a tablet,
a hardcopy book,
a desktop computer,
a phone.
53. The media as defined in claim 46, the operations further comprising providing a user interface enabling the user to select at least an avatar face and an audio track to be synchronized with the avatar face so that, when rendered, the avatar’s lips appear to speak words included in the audio track.
54. The media as defined in claim 46, the operations further comprising providing a user interface enabling the user to specify one or more assessment methodologies, including at least one test type.
55. The media as defined in claim 46, the operations further comprising providing automatically updating one or more learning modules at least partly in response a modification of content provided via the learning content input user interface.
56. The media as defined in claim 46, the operations further comprising providing:
an extensible content repository;
an extensible framework repository;
an extensible style repository;
an extensible user interface; and
an extensible multi-protocol publisher component.
57. The media as defined in claim 46, the operations further comprising providing:
a user interface enabling the user to define a learning module independent of learning content, including fields enabling a user to specify a module identifier, a module sequence, a module title to be presented to the learner, and a module end message to be displayed to the learner upon completion of the module by the learner.
58. The media as defined in claim 46, wherein the framework further defines an assessment type for evaluating learner performance.
59. The media as defined in claim 46, wherein the content definition is received prior to the framework definition.
60. The media as defined in claim 46, the operations further comprising providing a first console enabling the user to redefine the first console and to define at least a styles console, a framework console, and learning content console.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A wireless communication apparatus for performing wireless communication using one first-channel of two first-channels each having a first-frequency-bandwidth, and performing wireless communication using a second-channel having a second-frequency-bandwidth which is wider than the first-frequency-bandwidth, the second-channel overlapping the two first-channels, the two first-channels and the second-channel being accessed in accordance with Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMACA) in a Basic Service Set (BSS), comprising:
a channel search device configured to execute a first channel search for an idle channel having the first-frequency-bandwidth and a second channel search for a an idle channel having the second-frequency-bandwidth, and obtain a search result indicating the idle channel having the first-frequency-bandwidth or the idle channel having the second-frequency-bandwidth; and
a determination device configured to determine a channel to be used for the wireless communication using the one first-channel or the wireless communication using the second-channel, on the basis of the search result obtained by the channel search device.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the channel search device limits a search range of bandwidth for the first channel search on the basis of the search result obtained by the second channel search.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second-frequency-bandwidth is an integral multiple of the bandwidth of the first frequency band.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a periodic signal transmitting device configured to transmit a periodic signal on the idle channel in order to keep the idle channel found by the channel search device.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device configured to transmit a continuous signal on the idle channel in order to keep the idle channel found by the channel search device.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination device determines that at least two idle channels each having the first-frequency-bandwidth and found by the first channel search are used as at least one said second-channel.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said at least two idle channels have adjacent frequency bandwidths.
8. A wireless communication method for performing wireless communication using one first-channel of two first-channels each having a first-frequency-bandwidth, and performing wireless communication using a second-channel having a second-frequency-bandwidth which is wider than the first-frequency-bandwidth, the second-channel overlapping the two first-channels, the two first-channels and the second-channel being accessed in accordance with Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMACA) in a Basic Service Set (BSS) comprising:
executing a first channel search for a an idle channel having of the first frequency bandwidth and a second channel search for a an idle channel having of the second frequency bandwidth, and obtaining a search result indicating the idle channel having the first-frequency-bandwidth or the idle channel having the second-frequency-bandwidth; and
determining a channel to be used for the wireless communication using the one first-channel or the wireless communication using the second-channel, on the basis of the obtained search result.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:
limiting a search range of bandwidth for the first channel search on the basis of the search result obtained by the second channel search.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the second-frequeney-bandwidth is an integral multiple of the bandwidth of the first frequency band.
11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:
transmitting a periodic signal on the idle channel in order to keep the idle channel.
12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:
transmitting a continuous signal on the idle channel in order to keep the idle channel.
13. The method according to claim 8, wherein said determining includes using at least two idle channels each having the first-frequency-bandwidth and found by the first channel search as at least one said second channel.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said at least two idle channels have adjacent frequency bandwidths.