All The Claims

1-21. (canceled)
22. A non-elastic foam-fabric composite band for use in orthopedic braces and supports comprising:
a) a first layer of an elastomeric composition;
b) a second layer secure to the first layer, the second layer being a strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction secured along the length of the first layer, the first layer extending widthwise beyond the second layer to establish a lengthwise cushion over the edges of the second layer; and
c) a hook tab of hook and loop fastener construction secured proximate one end of the second layer.
23. The composite band as defined in claim 22 in which the hook tabs are positioned for connecting to the second layer in a non-cinchable fastening arrangement.
24. The composite band as defined in claim 22, wherein attachment of the second layer to the first layer renders the first layer lengthwise non-stretchable.
25. The composite band as defined in claim 22 in which the lengthwise cushions extend only a portion of the length of the second layer.
26. The composite band as defined in claim 22 in which the second layer extends lengthwise beyond an end of the first layer providing no lengthwise cushion over the portion of the second layer that extends lengthwise beyond the end of the first layer.
27. The composite band as defined in claim 26, wherein the hook tab is attached the portion of the second layer that extends lengthwise beyond the end of the first layer.
28. The composite band as defined in claim 22 further comprising a ring secured proximate the end of the second layer opposite the hook tab, and in which the hook tab is sized to be slipped through the ring and secured to the strip of loop material.
29. The composite band as defined in claim 22, wherein:
the first layer is an elastic bi-laminate comprising an inside elastic foam layer and an elastic fabric layer, the elastic foam layer extending the length and width of the elastic fabric layer and being laminated thereto, the elastic foam layer having an open-cell frictional gripping surface and positive moisture wicking characteristic; and
the second layer of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material comprises a non-elastic strip having an outer layer of loops on a non-elastic backing layer, the non-elastic backing layer being secured against the elastic fabric layer of the elastic bi-laminate opposite the elastic foam layer along the length thereof, the elastic foam layer and elastic fabric layer being rendered lengthwise non-stretchable along their entire secured lengths by the second layer secured thereto.
30. The composite band as defined in claim 22, wherein the lengthwise cushions are lengthwise stretchable.
31. The composite band as defined in claim 22, wherein:
the first layer has straight and parallel edges along substantially an entire length thereof; and
the second layer has straight and parallel edges along substantially an entire length thereof; and
32. A method for manufacturing a non-elastic foam-fabric composite band for use in orthopedic braces and supports comprising:
a) providing
i) a strip of an elastomeric composition;
ii) a strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction; and
iii) a hook tab;

b) securing:
i) the strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction to the strip of an elastomeric composition along the length thereof such that the strip of lengthwise non-stretchable lop material of hook and loop fastener construction to the strip of the elastomeric composition renders the strip of elastomeric composition non-stretchable, and
ii) the hook tab proximate one end of the strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction.
33. The method as defined in claim 32 in which the strip of the elastomeric composition extends widthwise beyond the strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction to establish a lengthwise cushion over the edges of the strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction.
34. The method as defined in claim 33, wherein the lengthwise cushions are lengthwise stretchable.
35. The method as defined in claim 32 further comprising providing and securing a ring proximate the end of the strip of loop material opposite the hook tab, the hook tab being sized to be slipped through the ring and secured to the strip of loop material.
36. The method as defined in claim 32, wherein:
the strip of an elastomeric composition is an elastic bi-laminate comprising an inside elastic foam layer and an elastic fabric layer, the elastic foam layer extending the length and width of the elastic fabric layer and being secured thereto, the elastic foam layer having an open-cell frictional gripping surface and positive moisture wicking characteristic; and
the strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction comprises a non-elastic strip having an outer layer of loops on a non-elastic backing layer, the non-elastic backing layer being secured against the elastic fabric layer of the elastic bi-laminate opposite the elastic foam layer along the length thereof, the elastic foam layer and elastic fabric layer being rendered lengthwise non-stretchable along their entire secured lengths by the strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction being secured thereto.
37. A sacroiliac belt comprising:
a) a lengthwise non-elastic inner belt configured for encircling placement around a user’s hips, the inner belt having:
a first layer of an elastomeric composition;
a second layer secure to the first layer, the second layer being a strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction secured along the length of the first layer, the first layer extending widthwise beyond the second layer to establish a lengthwise cushion over the edges of the second layer;
a hook tab of hook and loop fastener construction secured proximate one end of the second layer; and

b) an elastic outer belt sized to extend forwardly from the back of the inner belt to the sides thereof, the outer belt having hook tabs for connecting to the loop material of the second layer of the inner belt.
38. The sacroiliac belt as defined in claim 37 in which the outer belt comprises a pair of elastic strips each independently connectable to the inner belt and sized to extend from proximate the back of the inner belt to respective sides of the inner belt.
39. The sacroiliac belt as defined in claim 37, wherein:
the first layer of an elastomeric composition is an elastic bi-laminate comprising an inside elastic foam layer and an elastic fabric layer, the elastic foam layer extending the length and width of the elastic fabric layer and being secured thereto, the elastic foam layer having an open-cell frictional gripping surface and positive moisture wicking characteristic; and
the second layer comprises a non-elastic strip having an outer layer of loops on a non-elastic backing layer, the non-elastic backing layer being secured against the elastic fabric layer of the elastic bi-laminate opposite the elastic foam layer along the length thereof, the elastic foam layer and elastic fabric layer being rendered lengthwise non-stretchable along their entire secured lengths by the strip of lengthwise non-stretchable loop material of hook and loop fastener construction being secured thereto.
40. The sacroiliac belt as defined in claim 37, wherein the lengthwise cushions are lengthwise stretchable.

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 communication device comprising a cache, the cache comprising a cache memory for storing a set of cache entries and an index for accessing the cache entries, the index defining an order of the set of cache entries, the order being access-ordered during user operation of the communication device, the device comprising:
a cache manager responsive to a trigger for the communication device to enter a locked state, the cache manager being operative to redefine the order of the set of cache entries in the index so as to no longer be access-ordered when the communication device is in the locked state.
2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the trigger is selected from one or more of: an inactivity timeout, placing the communication device in a cradle or holster, expiry of a defined amount of time since a previous exit from the locked state, and receipt of a command to enter the locked state.
3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the cache manager is provided with a reordering set for redefining the order of the set of cache entries in the index, and wherein the cache manager is operative to redefine the order of the set of cache entries by:
selecting each entry in the reordering set; and
for each selected entry,
selecting an exchange target entry in the index; and
exchanging the selected entry in the reordering set with the exchange target entry in the index.
4. The communication device of claim 3, wherein selecting the exchange target entry in the index comprises randomly selecting the exchange target entry in the index.
5. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the reordering set is configured to redefine the order of the set of cache entries comprising one of: most recently-accessed cache entries, least-recently accessed cache entries, or cache entries comprising device traffic data intended to be kept most secure.
6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the cache entries comprise communication-related information.
7. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the communication-related information comprises at least one of: security certificate information, web page information, or a Java object.
8. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the communication-related information comprises a byte array form of a security certificate, a cyclic redundancy code for the byte array form of the security certificate, and an object form of the security certificate.
9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the cache memory is comprised in random access memory.
10. The communication device of claim 9, wherein the cache entries comprise cached data copied from a persistent memory store in the communication device.
11. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising a second cache memory for storing a second set of cache entries and a second index for accessing the cache entries comprised in the second set, the second index defining an order of the second set of cache entries, the order of the second set of cache entries being access-ordered during user operation of the communication device,
wherein the cache manager is further operative to redefine the order of the second set of cache entries in the second index so as to no longer be access-ordered when the device is in the locked state.
12. A method for managing cache entries in a cache in a communication device, the cache comprising a cache memory for storing a set of cache entries and an index for defining the order of the set of cache entries, the order being access-ordered during user operation of the communication device, the method comprising:
in response to a trigger for the communication device to enter a locked state, redefining the order of the set of cache entries in the index so as to no longer be access-ordered when the communication device is in the locked state.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a trigger to enter the locked state.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the trigger is selected from one or more of: an inactivity timeout, placing the communication device in a cradle or holster, expiry of a defined amount of time since a previous exit from the locked state, and receipt of a command to enter the locked state.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication device is provided with a reordering set for redefining the order of the set of cache entries in the index, and wherein redefining the order of the set of cache entries comprises:
selecting each entry in the reordering set; and
for each selected entry,
selecting an exchange target entry in the index; and
exchanging the selected entry in the reordering set with the exchange target entry in the index.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein selecting the exchange target entry in the index comprises randomly selecting the exchange target entry in the index.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the reordering set is configured to redefine the order of the set of cache entries comprising one of: most recently-accessed cache entries, least-recently accessed cache entries, or cache entries comprising device traffic data intended to be kept most secure.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein the cache entries comprise communication-related information.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the communication-related information comprises at least one of: security certificate information, web page information, or a Java object.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the communication-related information comprises a byte array form of a security certificate, a cyclic redundancy code for the byte array form of the security certificate, and an object form of the security certificate.
21. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication device is further provided with a second cache memory for storing a second set of cache entries and a second index for accessing the cache entries comprised in the second set, the second index defining an order of the second set of cache entries, the order of the second set of cache entries being access-ordered during user operation of the communication device, the method further comprising redefining the order of the second set of cache entries in the second index so as to no longer be access-ordered when the communication device is in a locked state.
22. A computer program product for managing cache entries in a cache in a communication device, the program product comprising a magnetic, electronic, or optical medium storing executable program code and the cache comprising a cache memory for storing a set of cache entries and an index for defining the order of the set of cache entries, the order being access-ordered during user operation of the communication device, said executable program code being executable by a processor of the communication device for:
in response to a trigger for the communication device to enter a locked state, redefining the order of the set of cache entries in the index so as to no longer be access-ordered when the communication device is in the locked state.

1. A power supply apparatus for obtaining a direct current voltage from an alternating voltage source, comprising:
a rectification smoothing unit electrically connected to the alternating voltage source for rectifying and smoothing an alternating current voltage from the alternating voltage source;
a first DCDC converter for converting the direct current voltage from the rectification smoothing unit and outputting a first direct current voltage;
a second DCDC converter, receiving the first direct current voltage from the first DCDC converter, for outputting a second direct current voltage lower than the first direct current voltage through switching operation of a switching unit; and
a transit unit for making a transit to a state in which an output voltage of the first DCDC converter decreases from the first direct current voltage to a third direct current voltage lower than the second direct current voltage and the switching unit of the second DCDC converter is driven in a continuously-conducting state.
2. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transit unit includes a differential amplifier, detecting the output voltage of the first DCDC converter, for performing feedback, resistors for dividing at least one of a reference voltage of the differential amplifier and the detected voltage, and a unit for switching between the resistors, and wherein the transit unit changes the output voltage of the first DCDC converter from the first direct current voltage to the third direct current voltage by using the unit for dividing.
3. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transit unit includes a unit for controlling the first DCDC converter such that the output voltage of the second DCDC converter settles on the third direct current voltage.
4. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first DCDC converter is constructed in an RCC-type power supply apparatus having a start-up resistor, and
wherein the power supply apparatus further comprises a unit for switching the start-up resistor to change the output voltage of the first DCDC converter to the third direct current voltage lower than the second direct current.
5. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a load switch for supplying and checking the first direct current voltage, which is the output voltage of the first DCDC converter, to a load, wherein
after the load switch is turned off to check the first direct current voltage to the load, the output voltage of the first DCDC converter is reduced to the third direct current voltage.
6. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a load switch for supplying and checking the first direct current voltage, which is the output voltage of the first DCDC converter, to a load, wherein
when the load switch is to turn on, the output voltage of the first DCDC converter is returned to the first direct current voltage and the load switch is then turned on.
7. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a driving part driven to form an image;
a control part for controlling operation of the driving part; and
a power supply part for obtaining a direct current voltage from an alternating voltage source to operate the driving part and the control part, the power supply part including:
a rectification smoothing unit electrically connected to the alternating voltage source for rectifying and smoothing an alternating current voltage from the alternating voltage source;
a first DCDC converter for converting the direct current voltage from the rectification smoothing unit and outputting a first direct current to the driving part;
a second DCDC converter, receiving the first direct current from voltage the first DCDC converter, for outputting to the control part a second direct current voltage lower than the first direct current voltage through switching operation of a switching unit; and
a transit unit for making a transit to a state in which an output voltage of the first DCDC converter decreases from the first direct current voltage to a third direct current voltage lower than the second direct current voltage and the switching unit of the second DCDC converter is driven in a continuously-conducting state, when the image forming apparatus is brought into an energy-saving mode in response to a command from the control part.

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 projection display, comprising:
a light source unit which comprises a light source and a reflector;
an illumination optics unit for converting a light beam emission from the light source unit into approximately parallel light rays;
a video display device for generating an optical image by modulating a light beam emission from the illumination optics unit in accordance with a video signal;
a projection unit for projecting image light which is received from the video display device; and
a variable aperture having at least a first state in which the light beam emission is blocked in accordance with the visibility angle characteristic of the video display device and a second state in which the aperture is maximized, and making a plurality of image brightnesscontrast combinations selectable.
2. The projection display according to claim 1, further comprising:
an aperture status detector which detects the status of said variable aperture;
a cooling fan for cooling the interior of said projection display; and
an adjustment circuit which makes electrical characteristics adjustments of said video display device, including a color temperature characteristic, gamma characteristic, or color irregularity correction,
wherein either or both the revolving speed of said cooling fan and said adjustment circuit are controlled in accordance with the results of detection by said aperture status detector.
3. The projection display according to claim 2, wherein said cooling fan is controlled to increase the revolving speed when said variable aperture is maximized and decrease the revolving speed when said variable aperture is reduced.
4. The projection display according to claim 1, further comprising:
an aperture status setting unit which sets the status of said variable aperture;
a cooling fan for cooling the interior of said projection display; and
an adjustment circuit which makes electrical characteristics adjustments of said video display device, including a color temperature characteristic, gamma characteristic, or color irregularity correction,
wherein either or both the revolving speed of said cooling fan and said adjustment circuit are controlled in accordance with a setting selected by said aperture status setting unit.
5. The projection display according to claim 4, wherein said cooling fan is controlled to increase the revolving speed when said variable aperture is maximized and decrease the revolving speed when said variable aperture is reduced.
6. The projection display according to claim 4, wherein said variable aperture comprises an electrical light beam block device.
7. The projection display according to claim 1, wherein said illumination optics unit comprises an array lens group which comprises a first array lens and a second array lens, a polarization changer device for aligning light rays in a specified polarization direction, and a condensing lens for condensing light rays, and wherein said variable aperture is positioned at a location between said light source unit and said first array lens, between said first array lens and said second array lens, between said second array lens and said polarization changer device, or between said polarization changer device and said condensing lens.
8. The projection display according to claim 1, wherein said variable aperture lies between said light source unit and said first array lens, and comprises a reflection mirror for reflecting light rays from said light source unit.
9. The projection display according to claim 8, wherein said reflector is shaped like a paraboloid of revolution.
10. The projection display according to claim 1, wherein said variable aperture is either in a first shape which results when the size of a light beam is reduced from the periphery in accordance with the visibility angle characteristic of said video display device or in a second shape which is substantially similar to said first shape and different from said first shape in area.
11. The projection display according to claim 1, wherein said variable aperture is in a first shape, in a second shape, or in a third shape, and wherein said first shape results when the size of a light beam is reduced from the periphery in accordance with the visibility angle characteristic of said video display device; said second shape is substantially similar to said first shape and different from said first shape in area; and said third shape results when said variable aperture is maximized.
12. A projection display, comprising:
a light source unit which comprises a light source and a reflector;
an illumination optics unit for converting a light beam emission from the light source unit into approximately parallel light rays;
a video display device for generating an optical image by modulating a light beam emission from the illumination optics unit in accordance with a video signal;
a projection unit for projecting image light which is received from the video display device; and
a plurality of variable apertures having at least a first state in which said light beam emission is blocked in accordance with the visibility angle characteristic of said video display device and a second state in which the aperture is maximized, and making a plurality of image brightnesscontrast combinations selectable.
13. The projection display according to claim 11, further comprising:
an aperture status setting unit which sets the status of said variable aperture;
a cooling fan for cooling the interior of said projection display; and
an adjustment circuit which makes electrical characteristics adjustments of said video display device, including a color temperature characteristic, gamma characteristic, or color irregularity correction,
wherein either or both the revolving speed of said cooling fan and said adjustment circuit are controlled in accordance with a setting selected by said aperture status setting unit.
14. The projection display according to claim 12, wherein said cooling fan is controlled to increase the revolving speed when said variable aperture is maximized and decrease the revolving speed when said variable aperture is reduced.
15. The projection display according to claim 12, wherein said variable aperture comprises an electrical light beam block device.
16. The projection display according to claim 12, wherein said illumination optics unit comprises an array lens group which comprises a first array lens and a second array lens, a polarization changer device for aligning light rays in a specified polarization direction, and a condensing lens for condensing light rays, and wherein said plurality of variable apertures are positioned at a plurality of different locations between said light source unit and said first array lens, between said first array lens and said second array lens, between said second array lens and said polarization changer device, or between said polarization changer device and said condensing lens.
17. The projection display according to claim 12, comprising at least a first variable aperture and a second variable aperture, wherein said first variable aperture is positioned between said light source unit and said first array lens; said second variable aperture is positioned between said first array lens and said second array lens; and said first variable aperture has a larger opening area than said second variable aperture.
18. A projection display, comprising:
a light source unit which comprises a light source and a reflector;
an illumination optics unit for converting a light beam emission from the light source unit into approximately parallel light rays;
a video display device for generating an optical image by modulating a light beam emission from the illumination optics unit in accordance with a video signal;
a projection unit for projecting image light which is received from the video display device;
a variable aperture having at least a first state in which said light beam emission is blocked in accordance with the visibility angle characteristic of said video display device and a second state in which the aperture is maximized; and
a photoelectric conversion device for detecting the amount of light,
wherein the status changeover of said variable aperture is controlled in accordance with the amount of light detected by the photoelectric conversion device.
19. The projection display according to claim 18, further comprising a cooling fan for cooling the interior of said projection display, wherein the revolving speed of the cooling fan is controlled in accordance with the amount of light detected by said photoelectric conversion device.
20. The projection display according to claim 18, wherein said variable aperture comprises an electrical light beam block device.