Author: claimsbot

1. A method performed by a lighting system of a motor vehicle for controlling the activation of daytime running lamps (DRLs), the method comprising the steps of:
receiving inputs from one or more on-board subsystems; and
when the lighting system is set in an automatic control mode and when headlights of the motor vehicle are deactivated, selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs based on the inputs.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs comprises:
determining whether a DRL activation criteria is met;
deactivating the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is not met; and
activating the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is met.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the DRL activation criteria is met when it is determined that one or more events has occurred, which include at least one event selected from a group that includes an ambient light level having fallen below a DRL activation threshold, the motor vehicle approaching or having arrived at a low-light feature, the motor vehicle approaching or having arrived at a high-traffic feature, the motor vehicle approaching or having arrived at a portion of a route with decreased visibility, a determination that windshield wipers of the motor vehicle are activated, and a determination that another vehicle is located in proximity to the motor vehicle.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the inputs comprises:
receiving information from an ambient light sensor indicating an ambient light level of an environment external to the motor vehicle, and
wherein selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs comprises
determining, based on the information from the ambient light sensor, whether the ambient light level has fallen below a DRL activation threshold; and
when the ambient light level has fallen below the DRL activation threshold, activating the DRLs.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the inputs comprises:
receiving signals from a positioning system interface, and
wherein the method further comprises
determining a geographical location of the motor vehicle based on the signals received from the positioning system interface, and
wherein selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs comprises
selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs based on the geographical location.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving the inputs further comprises:
receiving navigational information indicating a geographical location of a low-light navigational feature, and
wherein selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs comprises
determining, based on the geographical location of the motor vehicle and the geographical location of the low-light navigational feature, whether the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the low-light navigational feature; and
when the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the low-light navigational feature, activating the DRLs.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the low-light navigational feature is a navigational feature selected from a group that includes a tunnel, a parking garage, an overpass, and a lower level of a stacked roadway.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving the inputs further comprises:
receiving navigational information indicating a geographical location of a high-traffic navigational feature, and
wherein selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs comprises
determining, based on the geographical location of the motor vehicle and the geographical location of the high-traffic navigational feature, whether the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the high-traffic navigational feature; and
when the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the high-traffic navigational feature, activating the DRLs.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the high-traffic navigational feature is a navigational feature selected from a group that includes a traffic control device, an intersection, a portion of a route in which two-way traffic may be present, a portion of a route in which lanes merge, and a portion of a route that passes through an urban area.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving the inputs further comprises:
receiving information indicating a geographical location of a portion of a route with decreased visibility, and
wherein selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs comprises
determining, based on the geographical location of the motor vehicle and the geographical location of the portion of the route with decreased visibility, whether the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the portion of the route with decreased visibility; and
when the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the portion of the route with decreased visibility, activating the DRLs.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the portion of the route with decreased visibility is a portion of a route selected from a group that includes hilly terrain, a windy roadway, and an area of inclement weather.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the inputs comprises:
receiving information indicating that another vehicle is in proximity to the motor vehicle, and
wherein selectively activating and deactivating the DRLs comprises
activating the DRLs when the another vehicle is in proximity to the motor vehicle.
13. A method performed by a lighting system of a motor vehicle for controlling the activation of daytime running lamps (DRLs), the method comprising the steps of:
determining whether a DRL activation criteria is met when the lighting system is set in an automatic control mode;
when the DRL activation criteria is met and headlights of the motor vehicle are deactivated, activating the DRLs; and
when the DRL activation criteria is not met and headlights of the motor vehicle are deactivated, deactivating the DRLs.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the DRL activation criteria is met when it is determined that one or more events has occurred, which include at least one event selected from a group that includes an ambient light level having fallen below a DRL activation threshold, the motor vehicle approaching or having arrived at a low-light feature, the motor vehicle approaching or having arrived at a high-traffic feature, the motor vehicle approaching or having arrived at a portion of a route with decreased visibility, a determination that windshield wipers of the motor vehicle are activated, and a determination that another vehicle is located in proximity to the motor vehicle.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining whether the DRL activation criteria is met comprises:
determining, based on information received from an ambient light sensor, whether the ambient light level has fallen below a DRL activation threshold; and
when the ambient light level has fallen below the DRL activation threshold, determining that the DRL activation criteria is met.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein determining whether the DRL activation criteria is met comprises:
determining, based on a geographical location of the motor vehicle and a geographical location of a tunnel, whether the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the tunnel; and
when the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the tunnel, determining that the DRL activation criteria is met.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein determining whether the DRL activation criteria is met comprises:
determining, based on a geographical location of the motor vehicle and a geographical location of a high-traffic navigational feature, whether the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the high-traffic navigational feature; and
when the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the high-traffic navigational feature, determining that the DRL activation criteria is met.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein determining whether the DRL activation criteria is met comprises:
determining, based on a geographical location of the motor vehicle, whether the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to an area of inclement weather; and
when the motor vehicle is approaching or is in proximity to the area of inclement weather, determining that the DRL activation criteria is met.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein determining whether the DRL activation criteria is met comprises:
determining that the DRL activation criteria is met when information is received which indicates that another vehicle or a pedestrian is in proximity to the motor vehicle.
20. A lighting system of a motor vehicle, the lighting system comprising:
daytime running lamps (DRLs);
headlights; and
a processing and control subsystem adapted
to determine whether a DRL activation criteria is met when the lighting system is set in an automatic control mode,
to activate the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is met and the headlights are deactivated, and
to deactivate the DRLs when the DRL activation criteria is not met and the headlights are deactivated.

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 device comprising:
a first substrate;
a second substrate;
a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and
a plurality of pixel regions for display,
wherein each of the plurality of pixel regions includes a transmission region for display in a transmission mode using light entering through the first substrate and a reflection region for display in a reflection mode using light entering through the second substrate,
the first substrate includes, on a surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, a transparent electrode region defining the transmission region and a reflection electrode region defining the reflection region, each surface facing the liquid crystal layer of the transparent electrode region and the reflection electrode region of the first substrate being flat,
the second substrate includes a light diffusion layer in the reflection region and includes, on a surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, a transparent electrode in the reflection region and the transmission region, the surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer being flat in the transmission region and the reflection region, and
wherein the second substrate includes the light diffusion layer in the reflection region alone.
2. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the second substrate includes a transparent substrate, and the light diffusion layer is provided on a surface of the transparent substrate facing the liquid crystal layer.
3. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the second substrate includes a transparent substrate, and the light diffusion layer is formed on a surface of the transparent substrate closer to an observer.
4. The liquid crystal display device of claim 3, further comprising a polarizing plate provided on a surface of the second substrate closer to an observer, wherein the light diffusion layer is provided between the transparent substrate and the polarizing plate.
5. The liquid crystal display device of claim 4, wherein the light diffusion layer functions as an adhesive layer for adhering the transparent substrate and the polarizing plate to each other.
6. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the light diffusion layer contains a matrix material and particles having a refractive index different from that of the matrix material.
7. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the second substrate includes a transparent substrate and a color filter layer, and the color filter layer functions also as the light diffusion layer.
8. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the second substrate includes a plastic substrate, the plastic substrate contains a matrix material and particles having a refractive index different from that of the matrix material, and the plastic substrate functions also as the light diffusion layer.
9. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is about \xbd of a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmission region.
10. The liquid crystal display device of claim 1, further comprising an anti-glare layer provided on a surface of the second substrate closer to an observer.
11. The liquid crystal display device of claim 10, wherein the second substrate includes a transparent substrate, and the light diffusion layer is provided between the transparent substrate and the anti-glare layer.
12. The liquid crystal display device of claim 11, further comprising a polarizing plate between the transparent substrate and the anti-glare layer, wherein the light diffusion layer is provided between the transparent substrate and the polarizing plate.
13. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
a first substrate;
a second substrate;
a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and
a plurality of pixel regions for display,
wherein at least one of the pixel regions includes a transmission region for display in a transmission mode using light entering through the first substrate and a reflection region for display in a reflection mode using light entering through the second substrate,
the first substrate includes, on a surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, a transparent electrode region, and a reflection electrode region, each surface facing the liquid crystal layer of the transparent electrode region and the reflection electrode region of the first substrate being flat,
the second substrate includes a light diffusion layer in the reflection region and includes, on a surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, a transparent electrode in the reflection region and the transmission region, the surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer being flat in the transmission region and the reflection region, and
wherein a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflection region is about \xbd of a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmission region.
14. The liquid crystal display device of claim 13, wherein the second substrate includes the light diffusion layer in the transmission region.
15. The liquid crystal display device of claim 13, wherein the second substrate includes a transparent substrate, and the light diffusion layer is provided on a surface of the transparent substrate facing the liquid crystal layer.
16. The liquid crystal display device of claim 13, wherein the second substrate includes a transparent substrate, and the light diffusion layer is formed on a surface of the transparent substrate closer to an observer.
17. The liquid crystal display device of claim 16, further comprising a polarizing plate provided on a surface of the second substrate closer to an observer, wherein the light diffusion layer is provided between the transparent substrate and the polarizing plate.
18. The liquid crystal display device of claim 17, wherein the light diffusion layer functions as an adhesive layer for adhering the transparent substrate and the polarizing plate to each other.
19. The liquid crystal display device of claim 13, wherein the light diffusion layer contains a matrix material and particles having a refractive index different from that of the matrix material.
20. The liquid crystal display device of claim 13, wherein the second substrate includes a transparent substrate and a color filter layer, and the color filter layer functions also as the light diffusion layer.
21. The liquid crystal display device of claim 13, wherein the second substrate includes a plastic substrate, the plastic substrate contains a matrix material and particles having a refractive index different from that of the matrix material, and the plastic substrate functions also as the light diffusion layer.
22. The liquid crystal display device of claim 13, further comprising an anti-glare layer provided on a surface of the second substrate closer to an observer.
23. The liquid crystal display device of claim 22, wherein the second substrate includes a transparent substrate, and the light diffusion layer is provided between the transparent substrate and the anti-glare layer.
24. The liquid crystal display device of claim 23, further comprising a polarizing plate between the transparent substrate and the anti-glare layer, wherein the light diffusion layer is provided between the transparent substrate and the polarizing plate.
25. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
a first substrate;
a second substrate;
a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and
a plurality of pixel regions for display,
wherein at least one of the pixel regions includes a transmission region for display in a transmission mode using light entering through the first substrate and a reflection region for display in a reflection mode using light entering through the second substrate,
the first substrate includes, on a surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, a transparent electrode region, and a reflection electrode region defining the reflection region, each surface facing the liquid crystal layer of the transparent electrode region and the reflection electrode region of the first substrate being flat,
the second substrate includes a light diffusion layer in the reflection region and includes, on a surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, a transparent electrode in the reflection region and the transmission region, the surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer being flat in the transmission region and the reflection region, and
wherein the second substrate includes the light diffusion layer in the reflection region alone.

1. A well logging instrument deployment device, comprising:
a housing configured to be coupled to a pipe string;
a carrier sub disposed inside the housing and configured to move longitudinally inside the housing;
at least one well logging instrument coupled to the carrier sub and not connected to a wireline cable; and
a latch assembly configured to retain the well logging instrument and carrier sub in a first longitudinal position along the housing such that the well logging instrument is disposed entirely inside the housing, the latch assembly also configured to retain the well logging instrument and carrier sub in a second longitudinal position such that at least a portion of the well logging instrument extends outwardly from the housing.
2. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein the latch assembly comprises a latch base affixed inside the housing, upper collets disposed circumferentially around the carrier sub, and lower collets disposed circumferentially proximate the bottom of the well logging instrument, the latch base including a first profile configured to lockingly receive the upper collets therein when the well logging instrument is disposed entirely inside the housing, the latch base including a lower latch profile configured to lockingly receive the lower collets when the well logging instrument is extended from the end of the housing.
3. The deployment device of claim 2 wherein the lower collets are biased to disengage when a compressive force on the well logging instruments exceeds a preselected amount lower than a maximum axial loading on the well logging instrument.
4. The deployment device of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly is further configured to retain the well logging instrument and carrier sub in the first longitudinal position as the pipe string is conveyed into a wellbore.
5. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein the latch assembly interlockingly retains the well logging instrument in the first longitudinal position.
6. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein the latch assembly interlockingly retains the well logging instrument in the second longitudinal position.
7. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein the latch assembly bi-directionally retains the well logging instrument in the first longitudinal position and bi-directionally retains the well logging instrument in the second longitudinal position.
8. The deployment device of claim 1 wherein the latch assembly comprises a first latch which bi-directionally retains the well logging instrument in the first longitudinal position and a second latch which bi-directionally retains the well logging instrument in the second longitudinal position.
9. A well logging instrument deployment device, comprising:
a housing configured to be coupled to a pipe string;
a carrier sub disposed inside the housing and configured to move longitudinally inside the housing;
at least one well logging instrument coupled to the carrier sub; and
a latch assembly configured to retain the well logging instrument and carrier sub in a first longitudinal position along the housing such that the well logging instrument is disposed entirely inside the housing, the latch assembly also configured to retain the well logging instrument and carrier sub in a second longitudinal position such that at least a portion of the well logging instrument extends outwardly from the housing, wherein the carrier sub comprises a check valve to prevent flow of fluid into the pipe string from below the housing.
10. A well logging instrument deployment device, comprising:
a housing configured to be coupled to a pipe string;
a carrier sub disposed inside the housing and configured to move longitudinally inside the housing;
at least one well logging instrument coupled to the carrier sub;
a latch assembly configured to retain the well logging instrument and carrier sub in a first longitudinal position along the housing such that the well logging instrument is disposed entirely inside the housing, the latch assembly also configured to retain the well logging instrument and carrier sub in a second longitudinal position such that at least a portion of the well logging instrument extends outwardly from the housing; and
a bit box coupled proximate a lower end of the well logging instrument, the bit box configured to receive a threaded coupling on a drill bit, the bit box including features configured to transmit torque and axial loading to the housing when the well logging instrument is disposed entirely inside the housing.
11. The deployment device of claim 10 wherein the features comprise splines.
12. A method for well logging, comprising:
inserting a well logging instrument into a deployment device coupled to a pipe string;
inserting the pipe string into a wellbore;
pumping a fluid into the pipe string to extend the well logging instrument beyond an end of the deployment device, wherein the pumping comprises increasing a pressure of the fluid to cause release of a latch holding the logging instrument inside the deployment device; and
withdrawing the pipe string from the wellbore while operating the well logging instrument.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising prior to extending the well logging instrument, rotating at least a portion of the pipe string to turn a drill bit coupled to the pipe string below the deployment device to lengthen the wellbore.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising, after at least partially withdrawing the pipe string from the wellbore, applying axial force to the drill bit to reinsert the well logging instrument into the deployment device, and resuming the rotating at least the portion of the pipe string to lengthen the wellbore.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the well logging instrument is inserted into the deployment device proximate the earth’s surface.
16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
after the withdrawing the pipe, moving the pipe to the bottom of the wellbore to reinsert the well logging instrument into the interior of the pipe;
applying longitudinal force to and rotating a drill bit disposed proximate the bottom of the pipe string to extend the wellbore;
lifting the pipe string a selected distance from the bottom of the wellbore and
repeating the pumping to extend and withdrawing the pipe string while operating the well logging instruments to measure at least part of the longitudinally extended portion of the wellbore.
17. A method for well logging, comprising:
inserting a well logging instrument into a housing coupled to a pipe string;
providing a latch configured to retain the well logging instrument in a retracted position, wherein the well logging instrument is disposed inside the housing,
inserting the pipe string into a wellbore;
pumping a fluid into the housing to release the latch, allowing the well logging instrument to move from the retracted position to an exposed position, wherein at least a portion of the well logging tool extends beyond an end of the housing; and
withdrawing the pipe string from the wellbore while operating the well logging instrument.
18. A well logging instrument deployment device, comprising:
a housing configured to be coupled to a pipe string;
at least one well logging instrument moveable relative to the housing;
a latch assembly configured to bi-directionally retain the well logging instrument in a first longitudinal position along the housing such that the well logging instrument is disposed entirely inside the housing, the latch assembly also configured to bi-directionally retain the well logging instrument in a second longitudinal position such that at least a portion of the well logging instrument extends outwardly from the housing.
19. A method for well logging, comprising:
inserting a well logging instrument into a deployment device coupled to a pipe string;
inserting the pipe string into a wellbore;
pumping a fluid into the pipe string to extend the well logging instrument beyond an end of the deployment device;
withdrawing the pipe string from the wellbore while operating the well logging instrument, and
rotating at least a portion of the pipe string to turn a drill bit coupled to the pipe string below the deployment device to lengthen the wellbore prior to extending the well logging instrument.

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 method, comprising:
establishing a voice call between first and second phones over a wide area network (WAN);
receiving a trigger at a first computer to establish a data communication session with a second computer;
discovering the first phone as a first authorized network device from the first computer in response to the received trigger;
establishing a first network communication session between the first computer and the first phone;
transmitting a request to the second phone over the established voice call to establish the data communication session between the first and second computers;
in response to receiving the request, discovering the second computer as a second authorized network device from the second phone;
establishing a second network communication session between the second phone and the second computer; and
exchanging data between the first and second computer using the first and second network communication sessions and the established voice call.
2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the network devices are personal area network (PAN) devices and network communication sessions are PAN communication sessions.
3. The method as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second network communication sessions is a wireless session.
4. The method as in claim 3, further comprising:
selecting the wireless session from the group consisting of: wireless local area network (WLAN) sessions, and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) sessions.
5. The method as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second phones is a wireless phone selected from the group consisting of: cellular phones, satellite phones, and radio frequency (RF) phones.
6. The method as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second network communication sessions is a hardwired session.
7. The method as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second phones is hardwired to an access point of the WAN.
8. The method as in claim 1, further comprising:
utilizing a first communication path through the WAN for the established voice call.
9. The method as in claim 8, further comprising:
utilizing the first communication path through the WAN for the exchanged data between the first and second computers.
10. The method as in claim 8, further comprising:
utilizing a second communication path through the WAN between the first and second phones for the exchanged data between the first and second computers that is different from the first communication path.
11. The method as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second computers is not interconnected with a communication network via a connection other than through a respective network communication session with either the first or second phone.
12. The method as in claim 1, wherein only one of the first and second phones is a smartphone having both the respective computer and phone on a single device, wherein the respective network communication session is localized to the single device.
13. The method as in claim 1, wherein the established voice call is a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) call.
14. The method as in claim 1, further comprising:
encoding data for the data exchange at the first computer in a format selected from the group consisting of: images, videos, executable programs, files, and raw data.
15. The method as in claim 1, wherein the data exchange between the first and second computer is a one-way data exchange from the first computer to the second computer.
16. The method as in claim 1, further comprising:
prompting a user for authorization of at least one of either the first or second network communication sessions.
17. The method as in claim 16, wherein prompting is performed on at least one of either a phone or computer corresponding to the user.
18. The method as in claim 1, wherein the computers are personal computers (PCs).
19. A system, comprising:
a wide area network (WAN);
a first and second phone configured to have an established voice call between the first and second phones over the WAN;
a first computer configured to: i) receive a trigger to establish a data communication session with a second computer, ii) discover the first phone as a first authorized network device from the first computer in response to the received trigger, iii) establish a first network communication session between the first computer and the first phone, and iv) transmit a request to the second phone over the established voice call to establish the data communication session between the first and second computers;
a second computer; and
wherein the second phone is configured to i) receive the request, ii) discover the second computer as a second authorized network device from the second phone in response to the request, and iii) establish a second network communication session between the second phone and the second computer; and wherein the first and second computer are further configured to exchange data between the first and second computer using the first and second network communication sessions and the established voice call.
20. A method, comprising:
establishing a voice call between a wireless phone and a wired phone over a wide area network (WAN);
receiving a trigger at a first computer to establish a data communication session with a second computer;
discovering the wireless phone as a first authorized network device from the first computer in response to the received trigger;
establishing a wireless network communication session between the first computer and the wireless phone;
transmitting a request to the wired phone over the established voice call to establish the data communication session between the first and second computers;
intercepting the request at a conversion device;
determining, by the conversion device, the second computer associated with the wired phone;
establishing a wired communication session between the conversion device and the second computer; and
exchanging data between the first and second computers using the wireless network communication session and the established voice call, wherein the conversion device directs the voice call to the wired phone and the exchanged data to the second computer.
21. A system, comprising:
a first phone configured to communicate with a second phone over an established voice call over a wide area network (WAN); and
a first computer configured to: i) receive a trigger to establish a data communication session with a second computer, ii) discover the first phone as an authorized network device in response to the received trigger, iii) establish a personal area network (PAN) communication session with the first phone, and iv) transmit a request to the second phone over the PAN and established voice call to establish the data communication session between the first and second computers.
22. A system, comprising:
a second computer; and
a second phone configured to: i) communicate with a first phone over an established voice call over a wide area network (WAN), ii) receive a request over the established voice call to establish a data communication session between a first computer and the second computer; iii) discover the second computer as an authorized network device in response to the request, and iv) establish a personal area network (PAN) communication session between the second phone and the second computer, wherein the second computer is configured to exchange data with the first computer using the PAN communication session and the established voice call.