Author: claimsbot

1. A method for forming an image comprising the sequential steps of:
forming a foil adhesion toner image on an image supporting substrate with a foil adhesion toner (.alpha.) which comprises at least a binder resin containing a thermoplastic resin using an electrophotographic method;
forming a foil image on the foil adhesion toner image by contacting a transfer foil on the foil adhesion toner image with applying heat to the transfer foil; and
forming a visible toner image on the image supporting substrate which has been formed with the foil image with at least one image forming toner (\u03b2) using an, electrophotographic method, followed by fixing the visible toner image by applying heat and pressure thereto,
wherein a difference of two softening points expressed as \u0394(Tsp(\u03b1)\u2212Tsp(\u03b2) is 5 to 50\xb0 C., provided that Tsp (\u03b1) is a softening point of the foil adhesion toner (\u03b1) and Tsp (\u03b2) is a softening point of the image forming toner (\u03b2).
2. The method for forming an image of claim 1,
wherein the visible toner image is fixed at a temperature of 150 to 230\xb0 C. and a nip time for fixing the visible toner image is 10 to 300 msec.
3. The method for forming an image of claim 1, wherein the foil adhesion toner (\u03b1) has a softening point of 105 to 140\xb0 C., and the foil adhesion toner (\u03b1) contains a binder resin which has a resin component having a molecular weight (Mw) of 60,000 or more in a molecular weight distribution measured with GPC in an amount of 10 to 30 mass % based on the total amount of the binder resin.
4. The method for forming an image of claim 3, wherein the binder resin contained in the foil adhesion toner (\u03b1) is a styrene-acrylic resin.
5. The method for forming an image of claim 3, wherein the foil adhesion toner has a softening point of 112 to 137\xb0 C.
6. The method for forming an image of claim 3, wherein the binder resin contained in the foil adhesion toner (\u03b1) has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 30.000.
7. The method for forming an image of claim 1, wherein the toll image and the visible toner image each are formed using the same fixing device with the same heating temperature and of the same nip time.
8. The method for forming an image of claim 1, wherein the difference of two softening points expressed as \u0394(Tsp(\u03b1)\u2212Tsp(\u03b2)) is 6 to 28\xb0 C.
9. The method for forming an image of claim 1, wherein the foil adhesion toner (\u03b1) is a clear toner.

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

What is claimed is:

1. A fiber optic faceplate, comprising:
a series of stacked ribbon structures, each ribbon structure comprising a single row of parallel disposed optical fibers, each optical fiber running from an input edge to an output edge of said ribbon structure, the length of each optical fiber thereby determining a depth dimension of said ribbon structure, each fiber having, relative to an adjacent fiber, an input spacing at said input edge and an output spacing at said output edge for directing light from an input position to an output position respectively.
2. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, wherein each said stacked ribbon structure further having, relative to an adjacent ribbon structure, an input row-to-row spacer for setting the distance between said input edges, each said stacked ribbon structure further having, relative to an adjacent ribbon structure, an output row-to-row spacer for setting the distance between said output edges.
3. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 2, wherein said input row-to-row spacer is plastic.
4. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 2, wherein said input row-to-row spacer is magnetic.
5. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, further comprising a filler material for securing each said optical fiber in place.
6. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, wherein said optical fibers in said each ribbon structure have the same radius dimension.
7. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, wherein said optical fibers in said each ribbon structure have a plurality of shapes.
8. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 5, wherein said filler material is black.
9. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 5, wherein said filler material comprises a reflective material.
10. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber is circular in cross-section.
11. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber is non-circular in cross-section.
12. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, wherein successive stacked ribbon structures differ in said depth dimension.
13. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, wherein successive stacked ribbon structures are formed with a predetermined curvature.
14. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, further comprising a coating.
15. A fiber optic faceplate according to claim 1, further comprising a polarizer at said output edge.
16. An image forming device comprising:
(a) an emissive device comprising a spaced array of light-emitting components; and
(b) a fiber optic faceplate comprising a plurality of stacked ribbon structures, each ribbon structure comprising a single row of parallel disposed optical fibers.
17. An image forming device according to claim 16, wherein said emissive device is taken from the group consisting of OLED, PLED, LED.
18. An image forming device according to claim 16, wherein said emissive device is fabricated against said fiber optic faceplate.
19. A method for forming an optical converter comprising:
(a) forming a plurality of ribbon structures, each ribbon structure having a ribbon width defined by an input edge and an output edge and having a single row of side-by-side light pipe segments, each light pipe segment providing an optical path from an input at said input edge to an output at said output edge; and
(b) successively stacking said ribbon structures atop one another to build up said optical converter as a stack of adjacent rows of said light pipe segments.
20. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, wherein the step of forming a plurality of ribbon structures comprises:
(i) defining said input edge by positioning an input edge spacer, running in a length direction, and defining said output edge by positioning an output edge spacer, running in said length direction;
(ii) lining up, side-by-side in a single layer and generally in parallel to each other along said length direction, a plurality of optical fiber segments for directing light from said input edge to said output edge; and
(iii) fixing an input spacing between said fiber segments at said input edge spacer and an output spacing between said fiber segments at said output edge spacer.
21. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, wherein the step of stacking said ribbon structures comprises the step of aligning each successive ribbon structure, thereby aligning said light pipe segments in each row.
22. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 20, wherein the step of positioning said output edge spacer comprises the step of applying an adhesive.
23. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, further comprising adding a filler material to adhere said adjacent rows within said stack.
24. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 20, wherein the step of positioning said input edge spacer comprises the step of positioning a ferromagnetic component.
25. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 20, wherein the step of positioning said input edge spacer comprises the step of positioning said input edge spacer comprising ferrous material.
26. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, wherein the step of stacking comprises the step of providing an offset for image tiling.
27. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, wherein the step of forming a plurality of ribbon structures further comprises the step of bending to provide a curvature to said output edge.
28. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, wherein the step of stacking further comprises the step of positioning an alignment element.
29. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, further comprising the step of applying heat for finishing ends of said optical fiber segments.
30. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, wherein the step of stacking said ribbon structures comprises repeatedly folding said ribbon structure back upon itself to form adjacent, overlaid rows of said light pipe segments, thereby forming the optical converter having a depth determined by said ribbon width.
31. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, further comprising the step of immersing said optical fiber faceplate in a liquid for providing a filler material.
32. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, further comprising the step of inserting an additional spacer between adjacent rows.
33. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 32, wherein said additional spacer determines spacing between adjacent said ribbon structures at said input edge.
34. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 32, wherein said additional spacer determines spacing between adjacent said ribbon structures at said output edge.
35. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 29, wherein the step of applying heat forms a lens structure for each said optical fiber.
36. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 20, further comprising the step of slitting said input edge spacer to provide relief cuts.
37. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 20, further comprising the step of trimming said output edge spacer to provide a curvature.
38. A method for forming an optical converter according to claim 19, further comprising the step of applying a surface coating.
39. A method for forming an optical fiber faceplate comprising:
(a) forming a sheet comprising a plurality of ribbon structures, each ribbon structure having a ribbon width defined by an input edge and an output edge, by
(i) defining said input edge by positioning an input edge spacer, running in a length direction, and defining said output edge by positioning an output edge spacer, running in said length direction;
(ii) lining up, side-by-side in a single layer and generally in parallel to each other along said length direction, a plurality of optical fiber segments for directing light from said input edge to said output edge;
(iii) fixing an input spacing between said fiber segments at said input edge spacer and an output spacing between said fiber segments at said output edge spacer;
(iv) providing a separation gap between any two adjacent said ribbon structures on said sheet;

each said ribbon structure comprising thereby a single row of said optical fiber segments having said fixed input and output spacing;
(b) accordion-folding said sheet together, folding at said separation gap, thereby stacking successive said ribbon structures atop one another to build up said optical fiber faceplate as a stack of adjacent rows of said optical fiber segments having said fixed input and output spacing.
40. A method for forming an optical fiber faceplate comprising
(a) forming a ribbon structure having a ribbon width defined by an input edge and an output edge, by
(i) defining said input edge by positioning an input edge spacer, running in a length direction, and defining said output edge by positioning an output edge spacer, running in said length direction;
(ii) lining up, side-by-side in a single layer and generally in parallel to each other along said length direction, a plurality of optical fiber segments for directing light from said input edge to said output edge;
(iii) fixing an input spacing between said fiber segments at said input edge spacer and an output spacing between said fiber segments at said output edge spacer;

said ribbon structure comprising thereby a single row of said optical fiber segments having said fixed input and output spacing; and
(b) repeatedly folding said ribbon structure back upon itself to form adjacent, overlaid rows of said optical fiber segments, thereby forming the optical fiber faceplate having a depth determined by said ribbon width.

1. A method comprising:
selecting a plurality of antenna patterns from a group of available antenna patterns;
identifying a respective antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns for traffic channel communication with each of a plurality of stations by scanning said plurality of antenna patterns, wherein said identifying a respective antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns for a particular station of said plurality of stations comprises:
receiving antenna pattern choice information generated by said particular station from monitoring operation of said plurality of antenna patterns, wherein said antenna pattern choice information identifies a perceived best antenna pattern;
using said antenna pattern choice information and at least one other parameter to identify a preferred antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns for use with respect to said particular station, wherein said at least one other parameter is derived from an operational characteristic of said particular station during communication with said particular station using at least one antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns;

scheduling a scanning order for the identified antenna patterns of said plurality of antenna patterns;
scanning the identified antenna patterns of said plurality of antenna patterns according to said scanning order to provide traffic channel communications with said plurality of stations; and
using a traffic channel to communicate with one or more station of said plurality of stations when a respective antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns is being scanned.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting a plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
selecting an initial plurality of antenna patterns based upon an expected operational environment.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting a plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
revising a previous selection of a plurality of antenna patterns based upon actual operational environment conditions.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of antenna patterns comprise a plurality of directional antenna patterns which collectively provide complete illumination of a base station service area.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying a respective antenna of said plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
transmitting, by said plurality of stations, said antenna pattern choice information.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said antenna pattern choice information identifies an antenna pattern perceived by a respective station as a best choice for use in communicating said traffic channel.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein said identifying a respective antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
implementing a ranging protocol for obtaining said antenna pattern choice information.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one other parameter is a parameter selected from the group consisting of:
a velocity metric associated with said station;
a direction of movement metric associated with said station; and
a frequency of communication metric associated with said station.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying a respective antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
identifying a same antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns to provide traffic channel communication with two stations of said plurality of stations which are disposed at different geographic locations.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying a respective antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
identifying two different antenna patterns of said plurality of antenna patterns to provide traffic channel communication with two stations of said plurality of stations which are disposed at a same geographic location.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein said scheduling a scanning order comprises:
scheduling a quasi-random scanning order.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said scheduling a scanning order comprises:
scheduling a sequential scanning order.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said scheduling a scanning order comprises:
scheduling a weighted scanning order.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein said scheduling a scanning order comprises:
establishing said scanning order to provide a desired quality of service with respect to at least one station of said plurality of stations.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein said scheduling a scanning order comprises:
establishing different illumination times for antenna patterns of said plurality of antenna patterns.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said antenna pattern illumination times are proportional to communication traffic distribution within a service area illuminated by a corresponding said plurality of antenna pattern.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein said scheduling a scanning order comprises:
establishing an illumination frequency for at least one antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns which is greater than an illumination frequency for other antenna patterns of said plurality of antenna patterns.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein said scheduling a scanning order comprises:
establishing said scanning order to minimize intra-network interference.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said establishing said scanning order comprises:
analyzing information with respect to a plurality of base stations in said network.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein said establishing said scanning order comprises:
coordinating scanning orders of a plurality of base stations.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein said scanning said plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
forming said plurality of antenna patterns for processing antenna beam signals in said scanning order.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting a plurality of antenna patterns, said identifying a respective antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns, said scheduling a scanning order, and said scanning said plurality of antenna patterns are performed by a wireless base station.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein said traffic channel communications are provided according to a wireless network protocol.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless network protocol is selected from the group consisting of:
an IEEE 802.11 protocol; and
an IEEE 802.16 protocol.
25. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of stations comprise subscriber stations.
26. A method comprising:
forming a plurality of antenna patterns for each base station of a plurality of base stations for processing antenna beam signals in a respective scanning order;
receiving antenna pattern choice information generated by stations of a plurality of stations from monitoring operation of said plurality of antenna patterns, wherein said antenna pattern choice information identifies a perceived best antenna pattern of the plurality of antenna patterns for a respective station;
using respective said antenna pattern choice information to identify a preferred antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns for use with respect to each station of said plurality of stations;
scanning the identified preferred antenna patterns of said plurality of antenna patterns according to scanning sequences implemented by the plurality of base stations to provide traffic channel communications with said plurality of stations;
providing traffic channel communications for said plurality of stations using the identified preferred antenna patterns when a respective preferred antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns is being scanned, said antenna patterns for each said base station being formed for processing antenna beam signals in a respective scanning sequence; and
coordinating said scanning sequences of said plurality of base stations using said antenna patterns to minimize intra-network interference.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one scanning sequence of said respective scanning sequences comprises a quasi-random scanning order.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one scanning sequence of said respective scanning sequences comprises a sequential scanning order.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one scanning sequence of said respective scanning sequences comprises a weighted scanning order.
30. The method of claim 26, further comprising:
establishing at least one scanning sequence of said respective scanning sequences to provide a desired quality of service with respect to at least one station of said plurality of stations.
31. The method of claim 26, further comprising:
establishing said respective scanning sequences as a function of antenna pattern choice information provided by said plurality of stations.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein said antenna pattern choice information identifies an antenna pattern perceived by a respective station as a best choice for use in communicating said traffic channel.
33. A method comprising:
selecting an initial plurality of antenna patterns from a group of available antenna patterns, wherein said selecting an initial plurality of antenna patterns comprises selecting a plurality of antenna patterns which collectively provide complete illumination of a desired service area, wherein the antenna patterns making up said plurality of antenna patterns are selected based upon one or more assumed environmental conditions;
scanning said selected initial plurality of antenna patterns according to a scanning sequence to provide traffic channel communications with a plurality of stations;
selecting a revised revising said selected initial plurality of antenna patterns from said group of available antenna patterns based upon actual operational environment conditions monitored during said scanning said plurality of antenna patterns to provide a revised plurality of antenna patterns, said revised plurality of antenna patterns being selected from said group of available antenna patterns; and
selecting a sequence for scanning said revised plurality of antenna patterns to provide a desired quality of service (QoS) with respect to one or more station of the plurality of stations; and
scanning said revised plurality of antenna patterns according to said scanning sequence to provide traffic channel communications with said plurality of stations having said QoS with respect to one or more station of the plurality of stations, wherein a sequence of said scanning said revised plurality of antenna patterns is selected to provide a desired quality of service (QoS) with respect to one or more station of the plurality of stations.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein said one or more assumed environmental conditions comprise an even distribution of said stations.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein said one or more assumed environmental conditions comprise a statistically large number of stations, wherein said statistically large number is a number sufficient to result in scanning using said plurality of antenna patterns providing operational performance meeting that of a base station using antenna patterns uniquely formed for each station using channel state information.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein said one or more assumed environmental conditions comprise said plurality of stations being homogenous.
37. The method of claim 33, wherein said revising said selected initial plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
selecting wider beam antenna patterns for illuminating portions of a service area having lesser communication traffic.
38. The method of claim 33, wherein said revising said selected initial plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
selecting wider beam antenna patterns for illuminating portions of a service area having higher velocity stations disposed therein.
39. The method of claim 33, wherein said revising said selected initial plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
selecting narrower beam antenna patterns for illuminating portions of a service area having greater communication traffic.
40. The method of claim 33, wherein said revising said selected initial plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
selecting narrower beam antenna patterns for illuminating portions of a service area having a station requiring a high quality of service.
41. The method of claim 33, wherein said revising said selected initial plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
selecting a plurality of overlapping antenna patterns for at least a portion of a service area.
42. The method of claim 33, wherein said revising said selected initial plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
selecting a plurality of non-overlapping antenna patterns for at least a portion of a service area.
43. The method of claim 33, wherein said revising said selected initial plurality of antenna patterns comprises:
selecting a combination of overlapping and non-overlapping antenna patterns.
44. The method of claim 33, further comprising:
identifying a respective antenna pattern of said initial plurality of antenna patterns for traffic channel communication with each of a plurality of stations.
45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:
identifying a respective antenna pattern of said revised plurality of antenna patterns for traffic channel communication with each of a plurality of stations.
46. A system comprising:
an antenna array;
a beam former coupled to said antenna array;
a transceiver coupled to said beam former and in communication with said antenna array through said beam former;
an antenna pattern controller coupled to said beam former and operable to control said beam former to provide a plurality of antenna patterns for communicating traffic channel signals associated with said transceiver; and
a scheduler coupled to said antenna pattern controller and said transceiver, said scheduler being operable to receive antenna pattern choice information generated by stations from monitoring operation of antenna patterns of said plurality of antenna patterns wherein said antenna pattern choice information identifies a perceived best antenna pattern by a respective station, said scheduler further being operable to scan identified antenna patterns of said plurality of antenna patterns according to a scanning order to provide traffic channel communications with said stations, and said scheduler further being operable to coordinate use of one or more traffic channel to communicate with one or more station of said plurality of stations when a respective antenna pattern of said plurality of antenna patterns is being scanned.
47. The system of claim 46, wherein said beam former comprises a phase shifter network.
48. The system of claim 46, wherein said beam former comprises a digital beam former circuit.
49. The system of claim 46, wherein said antenna array comprises:
a plurality of individual antenna elements which, when coupled to said beam former, provide a phased array.
50. The system of claim 46, wherein said antenna array comprises: a plurality of antenna panels.
51. The system of claim 46, wherein said transceiver comprises: a transceiver operable to provide wireless local area network communications.
52. The system of claim 46, wherein said transceiver comprises:
a transceiver operable to provide communications in accordance with at least one of an IEEE 802.11 protocol and an IEEE 802.16 protocol.
53. The system of claim 46, further comprising:
a database of antenna patterns available for use, wherein said plurality of antenna patterns are selected from said database of antenna patterns.
54. The system of claim 46, further comprising:
control logic in communication with said antenna pattern controller and said scheduler, said control logic being operable to revise a selection of antenna patterns forming said plurality of antenna patterns.
55. The system of claim 46, further comprising:
coordinated control logic in communication with said scheduler, said coordinated control logic being operable to coordinate scheduling of antenna pattern scanning sequences for a plurality of base stations to minimize inter-network interference.
56. The system of claim 46, further comprising:
a second antenna array; and
a second beam former coupled to said second antenna array, wherein said transceiver is in communication with said second antenna array through said second beam former.
57. The system of claim 56, wherein said antenna array and said second antenna array provide diversity signals with respect to said transceiver.
58. The system of claim 56, wherein said antenna array and said second antenna array provide multiple-input-multiple-output signals with respect to said transceiver.
59. The system of claim 46, wherein said antenna array and said beam former are provided in a housing separate from said transceiver.
60. The system of claim 46, wherein said antenna array, said beam former, said transceiver, said antenna pattern controller, and said scheduler are provided in a same housing.

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. An electrical apparatus comprising:
a housing part having a clamping section;
at least one component including at least one contacting device having a pin or a wire, the contacting device engaging the clamping section of the housing part to produce an electrical connection and having a longitudinal axis; and
a sliding device situated in the housing part and movable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the contacting device, the clamping section being formed as part of the sliding device,
wherein the housing part at least partially encloses the component, and has a cutout on a side opposite the component to achieve tolerance compensation.
2. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping section, in addition to fulfilling a clamping function, is also adapted to fulfill a cutting function in order to cut through an insulation layer that surrounds the contacting device.
3. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sliding device is a metal conductor track, including a stamped mesh track.
4. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component includes at least two contacting devices, having two pins or two wires.
5. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical component is a sensor.
6. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical component is a control unit.
7. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sliding device has an opening through which the contacting device protrudes, the opening having a constricted area on one side of the contacting device whose width is smaller than a width of the contacting device in the area.
8. The electrical apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the constricted area is situated in front of the contacting device when viewed in a direction of motion of the sliding device.
9. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection between the sliding device and the contacting device is producible by a movement of the sliding device orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the contacting device.
10. The electrical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sliding device is movable toward the contacting device to achieve the electrical contact.
11. The electrical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sliding device is movable away from the contacting device to achieve the electrical contact.