Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a feed or food product in which an inner layer is encrusted with a gelled outer layer composition, the method including the steps of: preparing an outer layer composition feedstock by adding a secondary feedstock to a protein feedstock and/or a starch feedstock that forms a gel upon heating and then mixing by stirring, and preparing an inner layer composition that is encrusted with the outer layer composition; extrusion molding with an extruder provided with a double nozzle so as to cover a surface of the inner layer composition while simultaneously gelling the outer layer composition feedstock by heat treatment; and cutting a continuously extruded cylindrically shaped product to a fixed length with a shutter mechanism while simultaneously encrusting a cut surface with the gelled outer layer composition.

Abstract: A display device disclosed includes a liquid crystal panel (6), and an image optimization circuit (4) for switching, in accordance with an update frequency of image data, between (i) a first mode in which a liquid crystal driver (7) is driven at a first driving frequency and (ii) a second mode in which the liquid crystal driver (7) is driven at a second driving frequency lower than the first driving frequency. The display device can therefore be used even in a case where a transmission path for image data is limited and optimally display high-resolution image data with reduced electric power consumption.

Abstract: A touch panel driving device includes: a noise detection section (43) that detects the presence or absence of at least external noise of an input operation performed on a touch panel (30); and a liquid crystal drive parameter setting section (51) that, in a case where the presence of external noise has been detected by the noise detection section (43), executes a process for reducing the external noise by adjusting a cycle or duration of a 1H period.

Abstract: A display device disclosed includes a liquid crystal panel (6), and an image optimization circuit (4) for switching, in accordance with an update frequency of image data, between (i) a first mode in which a liquid crystal driver (7) is driven at a first driving frequency and (ii) a second mode in which the liquid crystal driver (7) is driven at a second driving frequency lower than the first driving frequency. The display device can therefore be used even in a case where a transmission path for image data is limited and optimally display high-resolution image data with reduced electric power consumption.

Abstract: An input device includes a touch panel including a touch sensor that detects an operation by an operator, and a display. The input device executes information processing based on information input on the touch sensor. The touch sensor is capable of changing a detection output to the information processing means, in accordance with a position of an object at a distance from the touch sensor. The input device also determines whether an operation on the touch sensor is performed with an operator's right hand or left hand, based on a distribution of the detection output from the touch sensor.

Abstract: A touch panel driving device includes: a noise detection section (43) that detects the presence or absence of at least external noise of an input operation performed on a touch panel (30); and a liquid crystal drive parameter setting section (51) that, in a case where the presence of external noise has been detected by the noise detection section (43), executes a process for reducing the external noise by adjusting a cycle or duration of a 1H period.

Abstract: An image display apparatus having sub-pixels of four colors is provided in which the resolution when an image is two-dimensionally displayed is not affected, and deterioration in the color balance of a three-dimensionally displayed image is suppressed. In the image display apparatus, the arrangement of a sub-pixel for displaying red for a left eye and a sub-pixel for displaying green for a right eye has been replaced with the arrangement of a sub-pixel (Lg1) for displaying green for the left eye and a sub-pixel (Rr1) for displaying red for the right eye. The arrangement of a sub-pixel for displaying blue for the left eye and a sub-pixel for displaying yellow for the right eye has been replaced with the arrangement of a sub-pixel (Lx1) for displaying yellow for the left eye and a sub-pixel (Rb1) for displaying blue for the right eye. Replacement with the sub-pixel and the sub-pixel and replacement with the sub-pixel and the sub-pixel are made for every other pixel.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide is provided. The planar optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion, a first cladding disposed on the substrate, and a core disposed on at least a portion of the first cladding. The core is a halogenated polymer having an absorptive optical loss of less than approximately 2.5×10?4 dB/cm in the range from about 1250 to 1700 nm. The core has a thermo-optic coefficient and a refractive index, a product of the thermo-optic coefficient and the reciprocal of the refractive index being approximately equal to the negative of the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is provided. The optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. The lower cladding is a first perhalogenated polymer. The optical waveguide also includes a core disposed on at least a portion of the lower cladding. A method of manufacturing the optical waveguide is also provided.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide includes a first cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion, and a core disposed on a portion of the second surface portion. The core has a first end and a second end. The waveguide also includes a second cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion. The second surface portion of the second cladding layer is disposed on the core and a remaining portion of the second surface portion of the first cladding layer. An optical waveguide assembly incorporating the optical waveguide and a method of manufacturing the waveguide are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical waveguide devices and optical waveguide amplifiers for amplification in a range from 1.5 &mgr;m to about 1.6 &mgr;m wavelength. The present invention also relates to planar optical waveguides, fiber waveguides, and communications systems employing them. The optical waveguide devices according to the present invention comprise a polymer host matrix. Within the polymer host matrix, a plurality of nanoparticles can be incorporated to form a polymer nanocomposite. To obtain amplification in the above-described range, the nanoparticles comprises Erbium. The host matrix itself may comprise composite materials, such as polymer nanocomposites, and further the nanoparticles themselves may comprise composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a class of random glassy polymer materials, namely nanoporous polymer materials, which contain pores with dimensions ranging from about 1 nm to about 1000 nm. The present invention also discloses a method of making a nanoporous polymer material by controlling the size, shape, volume fraction, and topological features of the pores, which comprises annealing the polymer material at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. The present invention further discloses the use of the resulting nanoporous polymer material to make devices, such as optical devices. For example, the resulting nanoporous polymer can be used to make a planar waveguide that can exhibit an optical loss of less than 0.5 dB/cm.

Abstract: A multifunctional integrated optical waveguide is provided. The planar optical waveguide structure includes an active gain medium for optical amplification, and a passive component(s) (i.e. arrayed waveguide grating, splitter, and tap) for processing the signal (i.e. multiplexing, demultiplexing, monitoring, add-dropping, routing and splits) on a solid substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical waveguide devices and optical waveguide amplifiers for amplification in a range from 1.27 &mgr;m to about 1.6 &mgr;m wavelength, advantageously for about 1.3 &mgr;m wavelength amplification. The present invention also relates to planar optical waveguides, fiber waveguides, and communications systems employing them. The optical waveguide devices according to the present invention comprise a host matrix including polymers, solvents, crystals, and liquid crystals. Within the host matrix, a plurality of nanoparticles can be mixed to form a nanocomposite. The host matrix itself may comprise composite materials, such as polymer nanocomposites.

Abstract: A solid substrate comprising a first major surface, a second major surface juxtaposed from and parallel or substantially parallel to the first major surface, wherein the substrate has a plurality of surface relief structures, located on the substrate between the first and second major surfaces, and extending over the substrate; wherein the solid substrate comprises a host matrix, and at least one nanoparticle within the host matrix.

Abstract: An optical waveguide assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a substrate lying in a plane. The substrate includes a covered surface and an exposed surface. The substrate further includes a channel formed therein along an axis generally perpendicular to the plane from the exposed surface toward the covered surface. A first cladding layer is disposed on the covered surface of the substrate. A core is disposed on the first cladding layer, wherein the core intersects the axis. An optical fiber is disposed within the channel so that a signal light is transmittable between the core and the optical fiber.

Abstract: A waveguide optical amplifier is disclosed. The waveguide optical amplifier includes a generally planar substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. A first barrier is disposed on the lower cladding and a core is disposed on at least a portion of the first barrier.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide is provided. The planar optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion, a first cladding disposed on the substrate, and a core disposed on at least a portion of the first cladding. The core is a halogenated polymer having an absorptive optical loss of less than approximately 2.5×1031 ∝dB/cm in the range from about 1250 to 1700 nm. The core has a thermo-optic coefficient and a refractive index, a product of the thermo-optic coefficient and the reciprocal of the refractive index being approximately equal to the negative of the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is provided. The optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. The lower cladding is a first perhalogenated polymer. The optical waveguide also includes a core disposed on at least a portion of the lower cladding. A method of manufacturing the optical waveguide is also provided.

Abstract: A waveguide optical amplifier is disclosed. The waveguide optical amplifier includes a generally planar substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. A first barrier is disposed on the lower cladding and a core is disposed on at least a portion of the first barrier.