The invention relates to a furnace with a body (1) of a furnace, at the lower end of which a discharge device (2) for the ashes produced in the combustion chamber is provided. A continuous conveyor device in the form of a vibrating conveyor (3) is mounted below the discharge device (2). The vibrating chute of said vibrating conveyor reliably and effectively removes the dry ashes which are at the same time cooled with air.

The invention relates to a furnace having
a firebox,
at least one discharge device disposed at the lower end of the firebox for combustion chamber ash, and
a conveyor disposed below the discharge device for the receipt and removal of the discharged ash in a dry state.
The combustion chamber ash, which is withdrawn at the bottom from the firebox, is obtained at a temperature of 800 to 1200xc2x0 C. One originally allowed the combustion chamber ash to fall into a water bath, from which it was withdrawn via the conveyor. With modern low NOx furnaces, the ash quality has changed such that the subsequent transfer process would be problematic due to the absence of an ability to remove water from the ash. In addition, there were storage and removal problems.
On the basis of this background, a dry ash removal process was developed with which the problem of removing water from the combustion chamber ash was eliminated. In addition, the dry ash can be better reused or, after appropriate processing, can even be mixed with the filter ash. In this way there results a uniform removal mode for the entire ash of the bituminous coal furnace.
The known dry ash removal process is operated with a bituminous coal furnace that is described in a prospectus of the U.S. American company United Conveyor Corporation from the year 1997. The ash is collected on screens or grids, and is introduced by batches into a vacuum transfer system.
The object of the invention is to improve the cooling of the combustion chamber ash as well as the handling, removal and utilization thereof.
To realize this object, the initially mentioned furnace is inventively characterized in that
the conveyor is embodied as a continuous-flow conveyor, and
a device for cooling the ash by means of air is provided.
It is proposed pursuant to an important further development of the invention that the continuous-flow conveyor be embodied as a vibrating conveyor and have a vibrating trough that is open toward the discharge device.
Vibrating conveyors are extremely sturdy, which is of great significance with regard to the abrasive characteristics of combustion chamber ash. In addition, such conveyors have high conveying capacities and readily permit not only a discontinuous as well as a continuous operation, in other words, a very variable and effective dry ash removal process.
Above everything else, vibrating conveyors can be combined with a very effective air cooling. Thus, the temperature of the combustion chamber ash can effectively, i.e. rapidly, be reduced to low values during the removal.
In this connection, it is to be emphasized that the inventive means for the removal and cooling of the combustion chamber ash are straightforward, economical and reliable in operation.
The invention is primarily usable with bituminous coal furnaces, although it is also usable on other furnaces, such as lignite or brown coal furnaces, refuse incinerators, etc.
Pursuant to a further development of the invention, it is proposed that the base of the vibrating trough be provided with nozzle openings for the cooling air. The cooling air passes through the ash deposited in the vibrating trough and can then pass into the firebox, in which it is utilized as preheated air for combustion. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, there is the advantageous possibility of providing the vibrating trough with lateral nozzle openings for the cooling air. This leads to a very intensive cooling of the upper surface of the ash deposit in the vibrating trough and of the ash-particles that have just dropped down. Also in this case there results preheated combustion air for the firebox. Finally, there is the possibility of also providing the discharge device with nozzle openings for the cooling air. Thus, the combustion chamber ash is already cooled in the counter flow prior to being deposited upon the vibrating conveyor, which leads to a very intensive cooling and preheating of the air for combustion.
The introduction of cooling air as preheated combustion air into the lower region of the firebox has an additional advantageous effect, namely an afterburning of the combustion chamber ash. This improves the combustion of the fuel (bituminous coal) furnace and reduces the amount of combustion chamber ash that is produced.
Depending upon the operating conditions, the underpressure that exists in the firebox can be sufficient to draw in the cooling air through the individual nozzles. However, under certain circumstances it is also advantageous to connect at least some of the nozzle openings to a blower. This can increase the throughput of cooling air and primarily leads to an improved controllability of the cooling process. The danger that the nozzle openings become clogged is also reduced.
In addition to the above discussed direct cooling of the combustion chamber ash, pursuant to a further development of the invention an indirect cooling is also proposed, whereby the vibrating trough is combined with an air receiver that is connected to the firebox. The cooling air thus passes against the underside of the trough and withdraws heat from the combustion chamber ash without coming in to contact with the latter. Since the air receiver is connected to the firebox, there again results preheated air for combustion.
It is readily possible within the scope of the invention to combine the indirect cooling of the combustion chamber ash with the direct cooling.
With the indirect cooling, it is advantageous to provide the underside of the vibrating trough with cooling ribs or the like in order to increase the heat transfer in a controlled manner.
Also with the indirect cooling the underpressure in the firebox can suffice to draw the cooling air through the air receiver. Alternatively, there exists the possibly more advantageous possibility of connecting the air receiver to a blower. The advantages relative thereto were already described in conjunction with the direct cooling.
To the extent that a blower is used, whether with the indirect or with the direct cooling, such a blower is preferably the fresh air blower that supplies combustion air to the firebox. A portion of this combustion air is thus branched off as cooling air and is introduced into the combustion chamber as preheated air, and in particular either directly or also after being returned to the combustion air stream.
Pursuant to a further development of the invention, it is proposed that the discharge device be provided with an angled-off outlet and that the vibrating conveyor is disposed below the angled-off outlet. This configuration effects a considerable contribution to the cooling process since the vibrating conveyor is not located in the direct radiation range of the firebox. This improves the cooling, i.e. reduces the required cooling capacity. In addition, it enables the use of fewer special or high-grade materials.
Pursuant to a further advantageous feature, the discharge device is provided with closure dampers that offer the possibility of delivering the combustion chamber ash to the vibrating conveyor in a batch-wise manner. Frequently, however, one will prefer a continuous ash discharge. In this case, the closure dampers then offer the possibility of temporarily storing the ash if brief disruptions occur in the region of the vibrating conveyor or if minor repairs or maintenance work must be carried out. This eliminates the need for having to shut down the furnace.
The main area of application of the invention is for bituminous coal furnaces in power plants for the generation of steam.


Laser-machining apparatus includes a carbon monoxide (CO) laser emitting a beam of laser-radiation having forty-four different wavelength components and optical elements for delivering the radiation to workpiece. An acousto-optic modulator is provided for modulating the beam on the workpiece. A birefringent plate is provided in the beam transported to the workpiece for randomly polarizing radiation incident on the workpiece. A minimum distance of the workpiece from the laser, and the number of different-wavelength components in the laser beam provides that no optical isolator is required for preventing feedback of radiation into the laser.

IR-laser machining systems are widely used in industrial laser machining operations, such as cutting sheet-metal. The term IR-laser here refers to lasers delivering radiation having a wavelength of about 3 micrometers (μm) or greater.
A particularly preferred IR-laser for such cutting operations is a carbon-dioxide (CO2) laser delivering laser-radiation having a wavelength of about 10 μm. Such lasers are commercially available with output-power up to one kilowatt (kW) or greater.
One problem that can be encountered in CO2 laser sheet-metal cutting operations is instability of the laser output caused by feedback into the laser of laser-radiation reflected from an object being cut. This is particularly problematical in sheet-metal cutting, as most metals have a reflectivity greater than about 80% at wavelengths around 10 μm, even from surfaces that are not highly polished.
A usual solution for this problem is to provide an optical isolator in a beam-path between the laser and a workpiece being cut. An optical isolator is a polarization-sensitive device arranged to transmit radiation along a beam-path toward the workpiece being cut and reflect radiation returning along the beam-path.
Optical isolators for shorter-wavelength radiation, for example radiation having a wavelength of about 1 μm, are relatively simple devices, typically employing a magneto-optic birefringent crystal cooperative with a polarizer and an polarization-analyzer. An alternative arrangement is required for wavelengths greater than about 3 μm, as there are no practical magneto-optical materials (Faraday rotators) that will efficiently transmit these wavelengths.
Optical isolators for these long wavelengths are made from a series of multilayer thin-film reflectors which are polarization-dependent for reflected amplitude or reflective phase. These reflectors are all used with radiation incident thereon at non-normal incidence. Those with polarization-dependent reflective phase provide the function of the Faraday rotators in shorter wavelength isolators.
The reflectors must be coated with very precise tolerances, as there is effectively no means for adjusting the reflected phases at a fixed angle of incidence. Such an isolator can add significantly to the cost of an IR laser-machining system. This is because of the number of components required, the cost of meeting required reflectivity and phase tolerances for the components, and the precision required for aligning the components. There is a need for reducing the cost of optical isolation in IR laser-machining systems.


A photoelectric conversion device includes: a substrate; a first photoelectric conversion element including a first substrate electrode, a first photoelectric conversion layer, and a first counter electrode; a second photoelectric conversion element including a second substrate electrode, a second photoelectric conversion layer, and a second counter electrode; and a connection including a groove, a conductive portion and a conductive layer, the conductive portion being provided in the groove and including a part of the first counter electrode, and the conductive portion and the conductive layer electrically connecting the first counter electrode and the second substrate electrode. The conductive layer overlaps the first counter electrode on an edge of the groove, and a total thickness of the conductive portion and the conductive layer is larger than a thickness of the first counter electrode.

For a perovskite photovoltaic module, an inexpensive coating method is applicable to formation of an active layer or the like of the photovoltaic module, and it is possible to substantially reduce a forming cost of the active layer or the like. In that respect, the perovskite photovoltaic module is expected as a next-generation photovoltaic module which is low in cost and harmless.
A cell constituting a photovoltaic module has a structure in which a substrate electrode and a counter electrode sandwich an active layer. At present, since the substrate electrode at a practical level does not have a sufficient conductivity, an efficiency of retrieving a generated electric charge to the outside deteriorates as a cell area is increased. As a constituent material of the substrate, there is used a conductive metal oxide, a conductive polymer, a carbon material, or the like, or further, a material obtained by compounding a metal nanowire or the like with the above. Thus, it is general to form the photovoltaic module by aligning a plurality of strip-shaped cells and to connect the plurality of cells in series. The photovoltaic module having the plurality of cells is formed by a method described hereinafter, for example. Substrate electrodes of respective cells are formed on a substrate. A photoelectric conversion layer is applied and formed on an entire surface on the plurality of substrate electrodes. Parts of the photoelectric conversion layer are scribed so as to form groves to expose the substrate electrodes. Counter electrodes are formed in correspondence to the respective cells on the photoelectric conversion layer having the scribe grooves. On this occasion, by filling the counter electrode of the adjacent cell in the scribe groove, the counter electrode of the adjacent cell and the substrate electrode exposed in the scribe groove are electrically connected. The counter electrodes are formed in an electrically separated state per the module by usage of masked vapor deposition, for example, or are electrically separated per the module later by scribing, for example.

Photoelectric conversion device and method of manufacturing photoelectric conversion device

TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION


An illuminating device has a solid light-emitting element module and a phosphor module joined to the solid light-emitting element module. The solid light-emitting element module has a plurality of the solid light-emitting elements. The phosphor module has a plurality of phosphor-containing parts corresponding to the individual solid light-emitting elements. Thus, a light-emitting part is provided, which has more than one kind of luminescence sources having the solid light-emitting element and the phosphor-containing part. An illumination intensity of a composite light is 150 lux or more at a distance of 30 cm perpendicularly from the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting part.

In the past, a variety of devices such as fluorescent lamps have been used as a white illuminating device. Recently, there have been developed new light sources such as inorganic ELs (Electro Luminescence), organic ELs (OEL (Organic Electro Luminescence) and OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diode)) and semiconductor light-emitting elements, which have been used for developing an illuminating device. For example, for an illuminating device such as an LED lamp using a semiconductor light-emitting element, the surface of the semiconductor light-emitting element is coated with a phosphor, or powder of the phosphor is contained in a resin constituting the LED lamp to practically realize other emission colors, for example white, than the original emission color from the semiconductor light-emitting element. In such illuminating device, a GaN-based semiconductor light-emitting element emitting blue light with a center wavelength approximately 460 nm is generally utilized. More specifically, the surface of the GaN-based semiconductor light-emitting element emitting blue light has a phosphor-containing layer containing yellow-light emitting cerium-activated yttrium aluminate (YAG) phosphor, and the phosphor-containing layer converts a light from the semiconductor light-emitting element to obtain white light.
For such illuminating device using such the semiconductor light-emitting element, there has been such a problem that the central part of the irradiation face looks blue and a yellow ring is produced at its circumference because of passing through the blue color of excitation light, resulting in uneven coloring and non-uniform white on the irradiation face.
To solve this problem, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 propose a structure of disposing a lens having the central emission face with a convex lens shape to emit the emission light outside, and a structure of disposing a shading member to cut the outskirts part of the emission light, respectively.
Patent Document 3 proposes a structure of using a semiconductor light emitting element (LED chip) emitting ultraviolet light, a first phosphor layer comprising a blue-light-emitting phosphor absorbing the ultraviolet light and emitting blue light is formed on the LED chip, and a second phosphor layer comprising a luteofulvous-light-emitting phosphor absorbing the blue light and emitting luteofulvous light is formed on the first phosphor layer.
Patent Document 1: JPA 2005-216782
Patent Document 2: JPA 2005-243608
Patent Document 3: JPA 2000-183408


A one piece brush keeper or container for protecting and maintaining the shape of the bristles of a brush before and after use includes a main panel which covers a front face of the bristles and bristle holding portion of a brush, lateral panels which wrap around sides of the bristles and bristle holding portion and overlap a back face of the brush, a lower end panel having a radially cornered and tapered locking tab receiving slit which folds around the brush tip and overlaps the lateral panels, and an upper end panel which folds over a top of the bristle holding portion and overlaps the lateral panels and the lower end panel and interlocks with the lower end panel by insertion of a narrow neck radially rounded and tapered locking tab at a distal end of the upper end panel into the locking tab receiving slit. The locking mechanism of the narrow neck radially rounded and tapered locking tab with the radially cornered and tapered locking tab receiving slit allows for repeated opening and closing of the keeper without damaging the locking mechanism. Indentations in the edges of the upper end panel assist in the engagement and disengagement of the locking tab in the locking tab receiving slit. The bottom of the keeper may be straight or angled to accommodate either straight or angle tipped brushes.

Brush keepers such as covers or holders which fit over the bristles and ferrule portion of a brush such as a paint brush are useful in protecting the brush bristles during shipping and handling and for maintaining original bristle shape after use. Reusable keepers constructed of, for example, paperboard or other foldable material have been devised which wrap around the bristles and bristle holding portion of a brush with an opening for the handle to protrude from the keeper, and a locking mechanism to lock upon itself over the brush.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,290,359 discloses a brush retainer or folder having front, side and back panels which fold along score lines to contain the bristles and ferrule portion of the brush in a wedge shape which keeps the bristles in an original form before and after use. The brush retainer is closed by insertion of a straight-edged tab into a slot in a back panel of the retainer. U.S. Pat. No. 2,841,273 discloses a paint brush wrapper which is also in a folder form having front, back and side panels which wrap around the bristles and ferrule and lock by insertion of a suitable snap fastener through apertures in overlapping back panel portions.
Such brush keepers have certain functional deficiencies such as failure to remain locked about the brush during handling and retail display or the need for separate components to accomplish closure about the brush which increases production costs. Also, once opened, permanent damage to the keeper locking mechanisms may result, rendering the keepers useless for storing the brush and maintaining the original bristle shape after use.


A lock for securing an electronic device includes a tamper module and a destruction module. The tamper module determines whether a component of the lock has been compromised. The tamper module may determine whether a cable securing the electronic device has been cut. If the tamper module determines that a lock component has been compromised, a destruction module may destroy an enabling component that enables the electronic device to operate. The destruction module may destroy a transmitter in the lock that communicates an authentication code if the electronic device will not function without the authentication code.

1. Field
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to security devices for electronic devices and to preventing tampering with security devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronics are becoming increasingly light, portable, and widespread among consumers. Many users favor laptop computers for their portability. Cellular phones are being designed to perform increasingly complex tasks. Electronic book readers, tablets, and other electronic devices are becoming increasingly prevalent. These electronic devices often represent a substantial investment by the owner. In addition, these electronic devices often contain sensitive personal information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, addresses, and other information, within them.
Even if an electronic device is locked, there is still a risk that a thief may break the lock and steal the electronic device. Sounding an alarm if the lock is broken may not stop the thief; in a public place, people may be unwilling to confront the thief even if they know that he is stealing the electronic device. Other approaches may inadequately protect data from theft.

System and method for protecting against tampering with a security device

International Business Machines Corporation


An interface apparatus having a power-saving function, a control method therefor and an information-storing medium are provided. In the interface apparatus having a receiving means for receiving data from a first host unit and a sending means for sending the data received by the receiving means from the first host unit to a second host unit, a wait-state selecting means for selecting a predetermined wait state from a plurality of wait states according to operation of one of the receiving means and the sending means is provided. The state is shifted to a power-saving state as and when required, thereby allowing power consumption to be reduced; and concurrently, transition to the power-saving state is controlled via the host, thereby allowing commands to be transferred at a high speed. In addition, information required for saving power is received from the host, thereby allowing independently determine a power-saving mode.

The present invention relates to an interface apparatus, a control method therefor, and an information-recording medium; particularly, the invention relates to an interface apparatus that allows data and commands to be transferred between two hosts so as to serve as an interface for communication therebetween, and shifts to a power-saving state as and when required, thereby allowing power consumption to be reduced, and concurrently, that controls transition to the power-saving state in accordance with the hosts to allow data and commands to be transferred at a high speed; a control method for the interface apparatus; and an information-recording medium for recording a program for controlling the interface apparatus.
As an interface apparatus that serves as an interface for transmission of data and commands between two hosts, an interface apparatus in which one of the hosts is a computer and the other one of the hosts is a printer, an interface apparatus that serves as a hub for connecting multiple hosts, for example, for connecting a computer and a computer, and other various types of interface apparatus are provided.
For sending data and commands from a computer to a printer, various cases where they are sent via various types of paths. For example, there are cases where they are sent via a parallel port and an RS-232C port that are included in a computer and where they are sent via a bus widely used in recent years, such as that according to USB (Universal Serial Bus) or according to IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394.
Thus, the type of connector differs in various ways depending on standards. The connection status on the side of computers may be variable; however, hardware of printers is preferably common. In this situation, an interface apparatus first receives data and commands to be sent through the aforementioned various types of connections and performs voltage-conversion, impedance-matching, buffering of the sent data and commands, and interpretation and filtering thereof; and thereafter, it converts them to, for example, the RS-232C format, and outputs them.
Thus, by exchanging the interface apparatus, a single printer can be used to meet various conditions. That is, depending on combination of the interface apparatus and the printer, the printer that corresponds to various types of connectors can be provided. Thereby, printers can be mass-produced, thereby allowing costs required for the entire printing unit to be reduced.
On the other hand, for the interface apparatus, reduction in power consumption is preferable in view of operation costs and environment protection. For these reasons, many computers and printers are designed to shift to a power-saving state independently of each other while they are not used for a predetermined period of time.
Also, in the described type of the interface apparatus, the reduction in the power consumption is preferable in view of operation costs and environment protection. As power-saving modes for reducing power consumption, there are methods such as that a clock level of a CPU (central processing unit) that controls an interface apparatus is lowered, and intermittent operations are performed, in which the power-saving modes can be varied by specifying various parameters for the lowering level of the clock, the intermittent-operation rate, and the like.
However, the conventional interface apparatus arise problems as described below.
That is, while a first host such as a computer and a second host such as a printer have been developed so as to meet the power-saving requirements and so as to reduce power consumption, almost no development has been implemented for the interface apparatus for the power-saving requirements. Therefore, problems arise in that operation costs increase. These problems are not preferable also in view of the environment protection.
Also, since the two hosts shift to the power-saving state independently of each other, only one of the hosts is used to control the entire power-saving function of the interface apparatus. This is not practical, because the power-saving status in the other one of the hosts must be considered.
Therefore, a preferable interface apparatus is such that it recognizes the status of the two hosts, and concurrently, providing the power-saving function according to instructions from the hosts.
Also, a desired power-saving mode differs in a case where it is implemented in a printer that has a high power-supplying capacity and in a case where it is implemented in a printer that has a lower power-supplying capacity. However, in the conventional interface apparatus, no measures are taken for the power-saving mode that differs according to the difference in the power-supplying capacity. Therefore, problems arise in that power consumption cannot be sufficiently reduced.
The present invention is made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an interface apparatus that allows data and commands to be transferred between two hosts so as to serve as an interface for communication therebetween, and shifts to a power-saving state as and when required, thereby allowing power consumption to be reduced, and concurrently, that controls transition to the power-saving state in accordance with the hosts to allow data and commands to be transferred at a high speed; a control method for the interface apparatus; and an information-recording medium for recording a program for controlling the interface apparatus.
Also, another object of the present invention is to provide an interface apparatus that receives power required for operation from a connected host, and also, that receives information required for saving power from the host so as to independently determine a power-saving mode; a control method for the interface apparatus; and an information-recording medium for recording a program for controlling the interface apparatus.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, an interface apparatus of the present invention has a receiving means for receiving data from a first host unit and a sending means for sending the data received by the receiving means from the first host unit to a second host unit, characterized by comprising a wait-state selecting means for selecting a predetermined wait state from a plurality of wait states according to operation of one of the receiving means and the sending means.
In this case, it is preferable that the wait-state selecting means comprise a control-command detecting means for interpreting the data received from the first host unit to extract control commands, a normal-wait-state selecting means for selecting a normal-wait state when the data was found by the control-command detecting means to be data other than a control command, a command-wait-state selecting means for selecting a command-wait state when the data was found to be a control command according to the control-command detecting means, a command-completion recognizing means for recognizing completion of a control command extracted by the control-command detecting means, a command-wait-state resetting means for resetting the command-wait state and selecting the normal-wait state when completion of the control command is recognized according to the command-completion recognizing means, a first clocking means for clocking time passed after the normal-wait state is selected, and a power-saving-wait-state selecting means for resetting the normal-wait state and selecting a power-saving wait state when a predetermined time was found to have been passed after the normal-wait state is selected according to the first clocking means.
According to the described characteristics, the interface apparatus that allows data and commands to be transferred between two hosts so as to serve as an interface for communication therebetween, and shifts to a power-saving state as and when required, thereby allowing power consumption to be reduced, and concurrently, that does not shift to the power-saving wait state during command reception, thereby allowing commands to be transferred at a high speed.
Also, in the above, it is preferable that the interface apparatus further comprise a first notifying means for posting a notification to the first host unit when the power-saving wait state is selected by the power-saving-wait-state selecting means.
The above characteristics allow the provision of the interface apparatus wherein the first host can recognize a current status of the interface apparatus.
Also, in the above, it is preferable that the interface apparatus further comprise second notifying means for posting a notification to the second host unit when the power-saving wait state is selected by the power-saving-wait-state selecting means. These characteristics allow the provision of the interface apparatus wherein the second host can recognize a current status of the interface apparatus. Particularly, according to the aforementioned notification, the second host can independently shift to the power-saving wait state.
Also, in the above, it is preferable that the wait-state selecting means comprise a second clocking means for clocking time passed after the power-saving wait state is selected, and a power-saving-wait-state resetting means for resetting the power-saving wait state and selecting the normal-wait state when a predetermined time was found to have been passed after the power-saving wait state is selected according to the second clocking means. According to these characteristics, the interface apparatus that repeats the power-saving state and the normal-wait state at a predetermined cycle so as to response to data and commands at a high speed can be provided.
Also, in the above, it is preferable that the interface apparatus further comprise a third notification means for posting a notification to the-first host unit when the power-saving wait state is reset by the power-saving-wait-state resetting means. These characteristics allow the provision of the interface apparatus wherein the first host can recognize a current status of the interface apparatus.
Also, in the above, it is preferable that the interface apparatus comprise a fourth notification means for posting a notification to the second host unit when the power-saving wait state is reset by the power-saving-wait-state resetting means. These characteristics allow the provision of the interface apparatus wherein the second host can recognize a current status of the interface apparatus.
Also, in the above, it is preferable that the interface apparatus comprise a control-command interpreting means for interpreting a control command detected by the control-command detecting means, and a power-saving-wait-state inhibiting means for inhibiting selection of the power-saving wait state by the power-saving-wait-state selecting means when a predetermined control command is interpreted by the control-command interpreting means. These characteristics allows the provision of the interface apparatus that can control transition to the power-saving wait state via the first host and that inhibits the transition, thereby allowing data and commands to be transferred at a high speed.
Also, the interface apparatus of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a power-supplying means that has a plurality of power-saving modes and that supplies power supplied from the first host unit to the interface apparatus, wherein the wait-state selecting means comprises power-information receiving means for receiving power-supplying capacity information on the first host unit via the sending and receiving means, and a first determining means for determining the power-saving mode employed by the power-supplying means according to the power-supplying capacity information on the first host unit, which was received from the power-information receiving means.
The above characteristics allows the provision of the interface apparatus that receives power required for operation from the connected host and obtains information required for saving power from the host, thereby being capable of independently determining the power-saving mode.
In the above, it is preferable that the wait-state selecting means comprise a storing means for storing a pair of device-type-name information on the first host and the power-supplying capacity information on the first host; the power-supplying capacity information on the host, which is received from the power-information receiving means, includes the device-type-name information on the first host; and the determining means searches the storing means on the key of data of the device-type-name information on the host, which was received from the power-information receiving means and determines the power-saving mode employed by the power-supplying means according to the obtained power-supplying capacity information on the first host. These characteristics allows the provision of the interface apparatus that can determine a mode most suitable to the power-supplying capacity of a host even in a case where the host has no function for sending power-supplying capacity information while it can send the device-type name.
Also, in the above, it is preferable that the wait-state selecting means comprise a second determining means for recognizing variation in either one of voltage and current or the both of power supplied by the first host, thereby determining the power-saving mode employed by the power-supplying means. These characteristics allows the provision of the interface apparatus that experimentally measures the power-supplying capacity of a host even in a case where the host can not send the power-supplying capacity information nor can it send information on the device-type name, thereby determining the power-saving mode most suitable to the power-supplying capacity of the host.
Also, the present invention is very effective as a control method for an interface apparatus. It can be understood when it is considered by replacing the described configuration of the interface apparatus with the control method. In addition, when the control method can be implemented using a computer, an information-storing medium containing a control program therefor is also included in the scope of the present invention. In this case, it is preferable that the information-storing medium be one of a compact disk, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical magnetic disk, a digital videodisk, and a magnetic tape.
The invention of the information-storing medium allows the information-storing medium containing the program to be distributed or sold independently of the interface apparatus. By execution of the program in the interface apparatus, the interface apparatus and the control method therefore according to the present invention are realized.
Particularly, any one of the compact disk (so-called a CD-ROM), the floppy disk, the optical magnetic disk, a digital videodisk (so-called a DVD-ROM), and a magnetic tape may be employed as the information-storing medium containing the program. Using one of these information-storing medium, these programs can be installed in existing interface apparatuss.
In addition, these programs can be registered at a WWW (World Wide Web) site so as to allow users to download and install them on existing interface apparatuss. These embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
In the above and hereinbelow, a printer as a host and a computer as another host are individually employed and described. However, other electronic information apparatuses can be easily employed as hosts, and embodiments so arranged are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
Also, the interface apparatus of the present invention can be applied to a network hub, a modem, or the like that serve as an interface for multiple units such as computer. Embodiments so arranged are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
Furthermore, an embodiment that can be considered may be such that, between a printer and an interface board to be equipped with the printer, the interface board supplies power to the printer. In this case, the printer corresponds to the xe2x80x9cinterface apparatusxe2x80x9d, and the interface board corresponds to the xe2x80x9chostxe2x80x9d. An embodiment so arranged is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Interface apparatus, control method therefor, and information recording medium


An endoscopic system with at least one light source for generating at least partially coherent light, for exciting fluorescent light, with at least one light-conducting element, where the at least one light source and the at least one light-conducting element are positioned in a proximal supply unit. It is further provided with an optical radiance transmission link in an insertion part and with at least one fluorescence converter for conversion into white light. According to the invention, at least one actuator is present, which is coupled with at least one light-conducting element and/or with the at least one light source and/or with the at least one fluorescence converter. With the help of the actuator, perturbations or fluctuations concerning the at least one light-conducting element and/or the at least one light source and/or the at least one fluorescence converter are generated and thereby reduce the speckles in the endoscopic image.

An endoscopic system of this type is known from patent application JP-2005-205195.
Endoscopes and microscopes constitute in medicine, by now, an indispensable aid for certain diagnostic and therapeutic questions. In particular, in the context of minimally invasive surgery they make possible a mild alternative to conventional open surgery. The brightest possible illumination of the examination area is an urgent necessity in exploring the examination area, which normally is completely dark, with the help of the observation system of an endoscope, which can take the form of a classical relay-lens system, a fiber image conductor, or an electronic image sensor chip (CMOS, CCD) for video image reception
In addition to their use in human or veterinary medicine, endoscopic or microscopic examinations have proven themselves as well in technical areas, such as for examining hollow cavities in turbines and engines. Even in these applications, good illumination of the area of investigation can be indispensable for an accurate depiction by the observation system of the endoscope, and should also provide a quantitative measure of fissure lengths.
The examination area is normally illuminated by a light conductor with a small cross-section, consisting of an optic fiber or a fiber bundle by which light is conducted from an external light source into the examination area.
The light source must therefore convey light with a high capacity or capacity density, in order to ensure sufficient illumination of the hollow areas.
For this purpose, arc lamps such as high-pressure xenon short-arc lamps are generally used. These arc lamps radiate incoherent light, which in some cases is imaged or focused onto the light entry end of the optic fibers or of the fiber bundle by means of an appropriate diaphragm or lens system.
Increasingly, however, light diodes and lasers, in particular laser diodes (LD), are coming into use. Laser diodes comprise higher light densities than light arc lamps. Laser light sources, in addition, have a long lifetime. Laser light can be easily transmitted by thin probes and cables.
Among possible laser light sources for endoscopes and OP microscopes are laser-pumped fluorescent light sources, continually modulated or pulsed (IR) lasers, blue or UV lasers for fluorescent excitation, continually modulated or pulsed blue or UV lasers, RGB/RGBA white light laser light sources, supercontinuum white light laser sources, or IR lasers.
The light that is usually emitted by a laser comprises narrow spectral bands. Because of this spectral purity, laser light can preferably be used, in particular, for fluorescent excitations, because this makes it easy to filter out the excitation light. For color reproduction, however, it is optimal to use a white illuminating light with a spectral characteristic as close as possible to a black body radiance.
In patent application JP 2005-205195, therefore, a fluorescence converter is positioned in the illuminating beam path to generate white light, on the additive color mixing principle, from the blue excitation light of a laser and the yellow light portions arising in a fluorescence converter. The light radiated from an LED or a laser diode (LD) in the blue spectral range is fed by a condenser device into a thin multimode glass fiber. The other end of the glass fiber is equipped with a wavelength transformer element. This element consists of an output portion on the end of the glass fiber, which is encased with fluorescent material. Because of the white light generation concentrated on the distal end of the glass fiber, the embodiment is especially suited for endoscopic applications. By selecting the laser emission wavelengths and the composition of the fluorescent material, a range of color shades is possible in the fluorescence conversion and color mixing.
The radiated light from lasers is coherent because of the process of its production, whereas the fluorescent light emitted by the fluorescent body because of the excitation with laser light is incoherent.
The fluorescence converter is also called a fluorescent body in order to emphasize its property as a diffuser body that diffuses the passed-through excitation light in all spatial directions. The diffusion occurs because of the diffuser centers mounted in the volume of the fluorescent body and because of structural effects on the surface. Here the diffuser centers can at the same time also be fluorophores. Because of their dimensions, the diffuser centers selectively can preferably diffuse the short wavelengths.
Because of the illumination of a surface with at least partial coherent light, so-called speckle patterns can develop on the illuminated area, which can be seen in images of the illuminated area taken with a video camera.
The speckles are frequently characterized by a granular, bumpy or sandpaper-type texture. The appearance of a speckle can resemble a surface that is sprinkled with fine particles.
The formation of speckles is less conspicuous and disturbing with moveable, hand-held endoscopic instruments than with stationary instruments or systems, for instance an operation microscope. Because of the stationary, immobile position of the operation microscope or of the target object, the speckles are not transmitted temporally by any hand-shaking motion (tremor) and thus are substantially more recognizable. Thus, also with OP microscopes in addition to the aforementioned endoscopes, a reduction of the speckles is very important.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,403A discloses a laser-illumination and observation system in which means are available for periodic excitation of the system for purposes of speckles reduction.
Reducing the speckle pattern is indispensable for a reliable evaluation of the image information. Thus, for instance in industrial applications like the inspection of hollow engine spaces, the apparently rough texture of the speckle artifacts can be mistaken for corrosion, impurities, or deposits.
In medical applications, confusion of the speckle pattern with the appearance of lesions, for instance, could lead to misdiagnoses in medical examinations.
It is consequently the task of this invention to further develop an endoscopic or microscopic system of the aforementioned type so that it efficiently provides an illumination of the examination area that is as free as possible of speckles.

Speckle reduction of microwhite endoscopes


An embodiment for adjusting digital content in a flexible display device based on a surface profile of the flexible display device and viewing direction of a user is provided. The embodiment may include receiving a surface profile of a flexible display device. The embodiment may also include in response to determining the surface profile does not indicate that a flexible display device surface is flat, identifying a viewing direction of a user relative to the surface profile. The embodiment may further include identifying an optimal viewing configuration of the flexible display device. The embodiment may also include presenting the optimal viewing configuration to the user. The embodiment may further include adjusting a display of digital content on a screen of the flexible display device. The embodiment may also include receiving feedback from the user regarding a preferred viewing direction and a preferred configuration of the flexible display device.

The present invention relates generally to the field of computing, and more particularly to a system for adjusting digital content in a flexible display device based on a surface profile of the flexible display device and viewing direction of a user.
Flexible display devices have become popular consumer products in recent memory. These flexible display devices may include TVs, mobile devices, laptop and desktop computers, as well as wall mounted devices which utilize flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). Using flexible display technology, a user may fold, bend, stretch, and/or roll the flexible display device. Such capabilities may allow for an enhanced viewing experience for the user, and may also provide for easier portability, such as when travelling by car, train, bus, and/or plane. As technology continues to improve, the demand for flexible display devices is expected to increase in the coming years.

Digital content adjustment in a flexible display device


An adaptive equalizer and operating method thereof are disclosed. The adaptive equalizer is oversampling-based. The adaptive equalizer includes a searching module, a compensation module, and an operating module. The searching module searches the equalizer setting from a lower compensation to a higher compensation to obtain a first equalizer setup value according a first monitored result of a monitor and then searches the equalizer setting from a higher compensation to a lower compensation to obtain a second equalizer setup value according to a second monitored result of the monitor. The operating module performs an operation on the first equalizer setup value and the second equalizer setup value to obtain an optimized equalizer setup value.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an adaptive equalizer; in particular, to an oversampling-based adaptive equalizer and an operating method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, the main function of an adaptive equalizer is to monitor the Inter Symbol Interference (ISI) phenomenon between signals, and compensate the channel loss generated when the signals are transformed accordingly. However, in fact, it is hard for the adaptive equalizer to monitor the ISI phenomenon between signals, especially for an oversampling-based adaptive equalizer.
The oversampling-based adaptive equalizer can monitor the ISI phenomenon between signals only based on the results good enough, that is to say, the oversampling-based adaptive equalizer fails to trace the data edge of the signal; therefore, the oversampling-based adaptive equalizer cannot obtain the optimized setting to perform channel loss compensation on the signal, and the channel loss compensation performed on the signal will be under compensation or over compensation.
That is to say, the current oversampling-based adaptive equalizer practically fails to perform optimized compensation on the channel loss of the signal; therefore, the signal channel loss compensation effect of the oversampling-based adaptive equalizer is not good enough, and this problem should be further overcome.

Adaptive equalizer and operating method thereof


A modified MOSFET structure comprises an integrated field effect rectifier connected between the source and drain of the MOSFET to shunt current during switching of the MOSFET. The integrated FER provides faster switching of the MOSFET due to the absence of injected carriers during switching while also decreasing the level of EMI relative to discrete solutions. The integrated structure of the MOSFET and FER can be fabricated using N-, multi-epitaxial and supertrench technologies, including 0.25 μm technology. Self-aligned processing can be used.

MOSFETs are commonly used for fast switching in electronic circuits. However, where the load is inductive the switching speed is limited due to the intrinsic body diode problem. When the gate voltage is used to switch MOSFET from ON to OFF state (reverse recovery), the intrinsic p-n junction diode has to conduct current, and will inject carriers into the bulk of device. Until the injected carriers are dissipated, the MOSFET will continue to stay in the ON state. This causes slow switching of MOSFET from ON to OFF state and limits the frequency of the MOSFET operation.
To overcome the slow switching of the body diode an external freewheeling diode is often added between the source and the drain of the MOSFET to prevent the injection of carriers during reverse recovery. However, the addition of the external diode can lead to increased EMI, since the current that was flowing through the MOSFET now has to flow through the external diode and connecting wires. The extra EMI emissions can also limit the switching speed of the MOSFET with freewheeling diode. While the freewheeling diode is typically put as close to MOSFET as possible, the problem of extra EMI remains.
While integrating the P-N junction diode technology into the MOSFET has an initial appeal, this technology has a limited potential to improve the body diode problem, since the body diode is a P-N junction diode integral to MOSFET structure. Similarly, Schottky diode technology is practically incompatible with MOSFET technologies, since it requires specific metallization not well suited for MOSFET manufacturing.

MOSFET with integrated field effect rectifier


A product management system has a database, an owner identification device, a card issuance device, and a checking device. The database correlates and stores therein product and owner information in relation to the owner of the product. The owner identification device wirelessly reads out information from an IC tag, which is fixed to the product and has stored therein product information, and also reads out from the database product information and correlated owner information. The card issuance device issues a card having a storage medium for storing the information. The checking device checks and compares information read out from the card, information read out from the IC tag, and information read out from the database, to thus validating the owner of the product. The product management system prevents a product which has been sold from being illegally used by or dealt with a person other than a valid owner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a product management system for managing the registration and/or history information of a product during a period from production of the product to disposal of the product.
2. Description of the Background Art
It is known to store product information on a product or article of manufacture using an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag secured to the product, wherein identification information is communicated wirelessly from the tag. For example, Japanese patent application Laid-Open No. Hei 11-66445 describes an arrangement, as a conventional technology, in which identification information unique to a product, is stored in a product tag fixed to the product. In this disclosure, the product is an article of clothing. When the clothing is to be taken into a fitting room, identification information transmitted from the product is detected. Information in relation to the product based on the identification information thus detected is displayed on a display device provided in the fitting room. In this manner, the theft of the product taken into the fitting room is prevented.
Further, Japanese patent application Laid-Open No.2003-36485 describes a theft prevention system which detects when a product is taken from a store without payment. In this disclosure, a theft prevention tag is used for the theft prevention system which is produced at a low cost and is not easily seen so as not to mar the appearance of the product.
According to the technologies described in the Japanese patent application Laid-Open No. Hei 11-66445 and No.2003-36485, the theft of a product before being sold can be avoided. However, after the product is sold, the above technologies do not prevent the product from being illegally used by or dealt with a person other than a valid owner.
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a product management system which detects whether the owner of a product which has been sold is valid, and thereby prevents the product from being illegally used by or dealt with a person other than a valid owner.


When a driving support electronic control unit (DSECU) determines that a driver of a vehicle is in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive the vehicle, the DSECU starts driving control under the abnormal state to decelerate the vehicle until the vehicle stops and to sound a horn. In this case, the DSECU measures an elapsed time since the horn starts sounding with a horn timer th, and sets a sounding pattern corresponding to the elapsed time measured. This sounding pattern is set in such a manner that a ratio of a sounding time of the horn per unit time decreases as the elapsed time since the horn starts sounding become longer. Thereby, it becomes possible to properly notify that the driver is in the abnormal state using the horn.

An apparatus has conventionally been proposed which determines whether or not a driver has fallen into an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive a vehicle (for example, a drowsy driving state, a mental and physical failure state, and the like), and decelerates the vehicle when the driver is determined to be in such an abnormal state (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2009-73462.).
It should be noted that hereinafter an "abnormal state where a driver loses an ability to drive a vehicle" is simply also referred to as an "abnormal state". Besides, a vehicle which a driver who is in the abnormal state is in is also referred to as an "own vehicle".


A method of adapting a pressurized fluid supply to a torque converter clutch is provided. The method includes: learning a first pressure point related to an average of ramp pressure and an average of engine torque over a first time period; learning a second pressure point related to a second average of ramp pressure and a second average of engine torque over a second time period; determining a plurality of adapt values based on at least one of an extrapolation and an interpolation between the first pressure point and the second pressure point; and adapting the pressurized fluid to the torque converter clutch based on the plurality of adapt values.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Shifting and torque converter clutch lockup are adjusted by a controller based on data from input sensors and switches. The electronic system controls these operations using solenoid-operated valves. This control approach improves drivability. With electronic control, information about the engine, fuel, ignition, vacuum, and operating temperatures is used to ensure that shifting and converter lockup take place at the right time.
Many conventional control systems allow the controller to change the behavior of the transmission or torque converter in response to learned information such as typical operating conditions and habits of the driver. The system monitors the conditions of the engine and compensates for any changes in the engine's performance. The controller also monitors the typical driving style of the driver and adjusts the timing of shifts and converter lock-up to provide smooth shifting at the appropriate time. The electronic system is constantly learning about the vehicle and the driver. The controller adapts its normal operating procedures to best meet the needs of the vehicle and the driver. These electronic systems are said to have adaptive learning capabilities. To store this adaptive learning information, the controller may include long-term adaptive memory.
One form of adaptive learning strategy involves adapting a pressure value supplied to an electronically controlled converter clutch (ECCC). Conventional ECCC adapt systems learn adaptive pressure values over time based on engine torque conditions commanded by the driver. If the driver spends a considerable amount of time at low engine torque conditions, the adaptive values for higher engine torque conditions may not be learned at all. This creates a disparity in the adapted values that can adversely impact control of the TCC when transitioning from low to high engine torque conditions. The disparity has been corrected by a pressure value added to or subtracted from the adapt value to prevent over pressurization (lock) or under pressurization (flare).

Torque converter clutch virtual adapt learn method and system


The invention concerns a method for the authentication of users of a hybrid terminal with a first registration step. The first registration step comprises entry of user identification data, request to enter a personal identification number, forwarding of the personal identification number to a registration server of an authentication apparatus, forwarding of the user identification data, validation of the user identification data, generation of a registration code, and in the event that entry of the personal identification number has not taken place, generation of the personal identification number, forwarding of the registration code to the internet-capable terminal and in the event that entry of the personal identification number has not taken place, forwarding of the personal identification number via a separate connection to the user. The method also comprises an authentication step comprising checking whether a profile file is present on the hybrid terminal, carrying out an authentication in order to establish whether the user is authorized to receive user data from the service provider and/or to send user data to the service provider, or otherwise carrying out an initial authentication and, if necessary, generation and transfer of the profile file. Furthermore, the invention concerns a corresponding apparatus for carrying out the method.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for the authentication of users of a hybrid terminal. Methods of this kind are used for the registration and authentication of a user of television sets and satellite receivers which, apart from the actual receiving part for television programs, have an additional internet interface.
2. The Relevant Technology
Methods and apparatuses for the authentication of television users are known.
A single-sign-on method for the use of a set-top box with an internet interface and a broadband interface can be found in publication DE 10 2006 045 352 A1. By means of a logon and authentication function made available by a provider, user authentication takes place after a set-top box is switched on. If authentication of the user is successful, the provider sends authentication information to the set-top box. This authentication information is then used for registration with a service provider or several service providers. The logon and authentication function is invoked after the set-top box is switched on, and provided that authentication is successful, authentication information is sent to the set-top box. This authentication information is in turn sent by means of the set-top box to a service provider and in this way the set-top box is registered with this service provider. Then a comparison is made between the service provider and the provider of the logon and authentication function for the purpose of verification of the authentication information and, if necessary, forwarding of a corresponding acknowledgement from the provider of the authentication function to the service provider.
Publication US 2008/0141296 A1 shows a method for accessing an authentication server for a digital rental television system. As soon as the television, which has both an internet connection and a digital TV receiver, is switched on, it contacts an authentication server in order to determine whether the user is a subscriber to the auxiliary service. Only after clearance by the service provider by means of the authentication server can the user access the digital television supply.
A further method can be found in publication US 2008/0127254 A1, for example. In order to ascertain whether the user of a television is known to the television, i.e. whether there are identification data of the user in the television, data for identification of the user are transmitted to the television by a wireless communications device which is within the range of vision of the television. In this case the data required for identification of the user are already present or stored in the communications device. The data received are compared with storage user profiles in the television in order then to control the television accordingly.
The method has the drawback that the data required for identification and authentication of a user are stored in the wireless communications device, so that authentication of the user can always only be effected by means of the associated communications device. This is laborious to handle and expensive. If the wireless communications apparatus is used by third parties, the true user is not identified and authorized, but the user whose identification data are stored in the wireless communications device.

Method and apparatus for the authentication of users of a hybrid terminal


This disclosure is directed to a gentle, yet effective versatile restraint system for persons, e.g., patients, which permits exercise without impairment of circulation and can be readily fitted to beds, cribs, etc. to effectively restrain bed patients, children, senile and/or incontinent persons to prevent them from harming themselves and/or engaging in unhealthy practices. This restraint system contains a central tube or bar portion; mating end tube or bar portions; clamp means in conjunction with spring loaded pins to adjustably secure the end portions to side rails of a bed or crib; mounting rings slidably movable both inwardly and outwardly laterally along the central tube (bar) portion between a plurality of stops located so as to independently restrict the lateral movement of each mounting ring; soft, cushioned, strong, adjustable limb-restraining loop (cuff) members and connecting members connecting the mounting rings and the limb-restraining loop members to permit free, 360 degrees clockwise and counterclockwise, movement of the limb-restraining loop (cuff) members.

Several problems exist in preventing various persons from engaging in unhealthy practices and/or preventing them from harming themselves while they are bedridden or present in a bed or crib of some type. For example, often the elderly have problems with senility and are incontinent individuals as well. Sometimes these problems are compounded by the fact that the incontinent individuals lack control over their bowels, so that they wet their bed and deposit feces in their environment where they sleep, eat, etc. Moreover such individuals can cause themselves to be infected by scratching various parts of their body, causing infection due to the presence of high concentrations of bacteria in the fecal and urine material present, e.g., under the fingernails.
Such people are not "dangerous" in the context of being criminals or seeking to inflict violent harm on others; but they are capable, if unrestrained, of injuring themselves. Such persons do not need the ultimate degree of restraint, as do dangerous criminals; but they do need to be restrained to prevent them from injuring themselves.
Since they are not dangerous to the general public, it is highly desirable to restrain them gently and effectively while at the same time avoiding impairing their circulation, which can be particularly critical in restraint of the elderly. Additionally, some form of restraint is often necessary to protect disoriented post-operative surgical patients from removing necessary equipment, e.g., intravenous tubing, catheters, etc., until such time as they have totally recovered from the anesthesia and/or painkillers employed to ease post-operative pain.
The desired objectives are to gently, yet effectively, restrain such patients or individuals in such a way as to avoid the unhealthy practices which may take place and which are referred to hereinabove while avoiding impairment of circulation.
The present invention accomplishes these seemingly contradictory objectives while permitting free movement of the patient's limbs in several directions, such as permitting them to rotate their respective bound limb(s), e.g., hands and wrists, and to exercise their restrained limbs in both inward and outward central lateral directions as well. The lateral central movement is restrained between stops located on the central bar portion of the restraining device whereas the rotational movement is unrestricted in accordance with one preferred embodiment of this invention.
Various attempts have been made in prior art devices to restrain the limbs and other body parts of patients. However, by and large, most of these devices involve total or near-total immobility of the party's limbs and other parts and will be discussed in more detail as follows.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,925, issued to Witzel, is directed to a quick-release limb holder apparatus for releasable affixation about a patient's limb to secure the patient, as desired, to an affixed object, such as a hospital bed, in order to immobilize the patient. An adjustable and independently separable series of straps encircles the patient's limb in a manner which permits the patient to be quickly freed from a restrained position within the apparatus without necessitating the complete disassembly of adjustment straps as well as obviating the need for readjustment of the straps upon reaffixation of the apparatus about the patient's limb. A cuff is interposed between the encircling straps and the patient's skin to cushion and insulate the patient's limb from forces exerted by the encircling straps to attempt to thereby minimize any potential for abrasion, irritation or other discomfort.
However, it will be observed that when pressure is applied upon exertion of movement past a given position upon the patient's restrained limb(s), directly by the series of straps, buckles and swivels, much like a choker chain on an animal; viz., the more force that is exerted by the restrained person to move this limb(s), the greater will be the compressing pressure exerted by the Witzel buckles and swivels. Such pressure is likely to impinge on nerves and blood vessels impairing circulation and resulting in pain and bruises, which is contrary to the objectives of the present invention, viz., to permit the restrained party to obtain exercise by movement both centrally laterally and rotationally without in any way increasing the compressive pressure exerted by the restraint. Thus it will be observed that in the structure of the restraint system of this invention, none of the metal work encircles the restraining loop(s) or cuff(s), which is not true in the restraint of Witzel.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,474,781, issued to Gaylord, Jr., is directed to a restraining device for bedridden persons, which restraining device prevents lateral movement of the limbs and other encircled body parts but severely restricts rotational movement thereof at the point of restraint. The Gaylord, Jr. restraint device fails to enable the patient or other restrained individual to have the benefits of movement in several separate directions between stops and could very well exert undesirable pressure on the limbs resulting in bed sores and abrasions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,143, issued to Bell, is directed to a restraint device having a bar separating two leg cuffs which would prevent heart patients from crossing their legs, which permits freer blood circulation. The Bell device, of course, fails to enable the patient to have independent lateral movement of each restrained limb and prevents rotational movement thereof at the point of restraint. When the cuffs (12) and (14) are made of metal, pressure exerted there against by the restrained ankle of the patient will produce pressure with its consequent deprivation of circulation to the patient at the point of restraint. This is undesirable and does not occur with the use of the device of this invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,718, issued to Murcott, is directed to the use of limb restraint devices at the vicinity of the patient's wrists and ankles, which restraints prohibit the inward lateral movement of the upper restrained limbs and apparently prevent upward and both inward and outward lateral movement of the lower limbs, as shown in FIG. 1 of Murcott. Moreover, since the rigid metal loops (14) are part of the structure which encircles the restrained limbs, exertion of force there against by the wearer will necessarily produce unyielding pressure in the vicinity of the restraint strap. The Murcott restraint device thereby prohibits lateral exercise of the arms by the patient so restrained in an inward manner and prevents both lateral inward and outward movement of the legs, which undoubtedly would cause a detrimental effect upon the sense of well being of the restrained individual. Applicant's restraint system, on the other hand, permits lateral movement in both directions, viz., inwardly and outwardly with respect to both restrained limbs as well as permitting free rotational movement thereof both clockwise and counterclockwise.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,026, issued to Van Pelt, is directed to a restraining device for restraining the limbs of a patient by securing its encircling strap(s) directly to a fixed object(s), such as a stationary rod, such as a bed. When such Van Pelt restraints are tethered directly to bed side rails, e.g., exercising movement in both inward and outward directions in the central portion of the bed would not be available to the restrained anatomical body. As will be noted from FIG. 1 of Van Pelt, the Van Pelt restraining device fails to permit the central lateral inward and outward movement of the restrained limb within stops. This movement is permitted by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,969, issued to Heyman, is directed to a restraint device wherein a strap and ring arrangement encircles the limb of the wearer at the point where the restraint is imposed. Consequently tightening of the encircling member can occur within certain limits when the patient pulls or otherwise exerts pressure in a direction of movement away from the support where the other end of the strap is affixed. Moreover, the wrist restraint of Heyman suffers from the same shortcomings as those discussed above in regard to Van Pelt and prevents lateral inward movement of the wearer's limbs. The Heyman restraint fails to accomplish the objectives of this invention which include central movement of the restrained limbs laterally both inwardly and outwardly.
U.S. Des. Pat. No. 254,214, issued to Leary, is directed to an ornamental design for a limb and/or body restraint, as shown and described in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. This design patent fails to disclose the structure of the restraint system of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,525, issued to Dragan, is directed to an athletic wrap adapted to encircle a portion of the body of the wearer, e.g., the elbow joint, to lessen the likelihood of an athlete exerting sufficient strain or stress on the wrapped body part to create a debilitating condition such as "tennis elbow". Dragan fails to disclose the present invention.


There is provide a novel process for producing a coated preparation composed of a hydrophilic core material coated with a coat material selected from hydrophobic hot-melt lipid to control dissolution of the core material in water and to prevent blocking during the production thereof. In this process, the melted coat material is added dropwise to the core material with fluidizing the core material to form at least one coating layer about the core material in the presence of, or by addition of xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material. Further, there is provided a water-soluble vitamin preparation having an improved flavor which contains a coated water-soluble vitamin having an unpleasant flavor produced by the novel process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing a coated preparation. More specifically, it relates to a process for producing a coated preparation in the form of finely divided particles which is composed of a core material of a useful hydrophilic material, in particular, an organic acid or its salt, coated with one or more coating layers of a coat material selected from hydrophobic hot-melt lipid to minimize the external influence on the core material or the influence on surroundings by the core material and to improve blocking between coated particles.
Further, the present invention relates to a water-soluble vitamin preparation having an improved flavor which utilizes the process of the present invention, and its production process. More specifically, it also relates to a water-soluble vitamin preparation useful as medicines and health food in which an unpleasant flavor of a water-soluble vitamin is improved, a dissolution rate of a water-soluble vitamin in water is reduced to provide slow-release properties, reactions between components are inhibited, and preparation properties are improved, as well as its production process.
2. Disclosure of the Prior Art
Organic acids such as citric acid, fumaric acid, and sorbic acid are widely used as, for example, acidulants, pH adjusting agents, preservatives, and the like. However, in many cases, adverse influences due to low pH are observed during processing and storage of food products and the like.
In addition, the organic acid, L-ascorbic acid, is widely utilized in various food, health food, feed, medicines, and the like, for example, as a quality improving agent, an acidulant, a nutrient enhancer as vitamin C, a medicament, and the like.
In the utilization of L-ascorbic acid as a quality improving agent, its oxidative and reductive reactivity is expected. However, the reaction rate is too fast to last its improving effect for extended periods of time. On the other hand, in the utilization of L-ascorbic acid as an enhancer, it should be kept stably during production and storage of food and the like. However, it is very difficult to keep L-ascorbic acid stably, in particular, in the presence of water, oxygen, metal salts and the like, resulting in such a drawback that the desired function cannot be exhibited and, sometimes, its oxidative and reductive reactivity adversely influences another component.
Then, for solving these problems, processes for producing coated preparations have been proposed to prevent these organic acids from contact with water, oxygen and the like and to control its reactivity. In these processes, an organic acid is used as a core material and a coat of a hydrophobic material is provided about the surface of the core material. For example, a fine powder of an organic acid is coated with a hydrophobic material such as a hot-melt fat which is a solid at room temperature by a spray cooling method, a spray coating method, a rotary mixing-drying method, or the like.
In particular, for example, JP-A 63-164863, JP-A 63-164864 and JP-A 63-258813 propose a process for producing a coated preparation in which a core material such as a water-soluble vitamin powder or an organic acid powder is brought into contact with and hit by a coat material such as a fat so that the coat material adheres to the core material to cover it. JP-A 55-92661, JP-B 62-18152, JP-A 64-3118 and JP-A 64-3119 propose a process for producing a fine powder preparation in which finely divided organic particles and a melted fat are mixed at an elevated temperature and then the mixture is spray-cooled. JP-A 50-52221 proposed a process for coating organic acid particles in which fat is dissolved in a solvent and an organic acid is covered with resultant solution in a fluidized bed device with evaporating the solvent. Further, for improving the degree of covering with a coat material and solving the problem of simplicity and convenience in these processes, Japanese Patent Application No. 9-13702 (JP-A 10-203965) filed by the present assignee propose a process for producing a coated preparation in which a coat material melted with heating is continuously or intermittently added to a hydrophilic core material with mixing the core material at a temperature of the coat material to solidify the coat material to form plurality of coating layers about the core material.
However, in the above known processes, there are such problems that inhibition of dissolution of a core material such as an organic acid in water is insufficient or very difficult and, even if the dissolution can be prevented, productivity of the processes is very low from the economical view point. Moreover, there is a problem of blocking between particles coated with a hydrophobic hot-melt coat material during production steps.
One main object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a coated preparation which can inhibit the dissolution of the core material in water and can prevent blocking between coated particles during production steps by improving covering with a coat material to solve the above problems in the prior art processes.
This object as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.
The present inventors have studied intensively to achieve the above object. As a result, the present inventors have found that it is necessary to accelerate xcex2-form crystallization of one or more coating layers composed of a coat material selected from hydrophobic hot-melt liquid upon coating about a hydrophilic core material, thereby improving covering of the core material to give a coated preparation having a low degree of dissolution in water in a high yield and, at the same time, to prevent blocking during production steps of the preparation.
In addition, although, among water-soluble vitamins, there are many substances having unpleasant flavors such as peculiar vitamin odors, bitterness and the like, the present inventors also have found that these unpleasant flavors can be improved by the process of the present invention or that disclosed by the above present assignee""s Japanese Patent Application No. 9-13702 (JP-A 10-203965) in combination with sweeteners. That is, sweeteners such as aspartame and the like have been used for improving unpleasant flavors of water-soluble vitamins (JP-A 60-192571, JP-A 8-208517, etc.). Further sweeteners such as aspartame and the like have been used not only for improving unpleasant flavors but also as components of various vitamin preparation (JP-A 60-19474, JP-A 9-157174, JP-A 9-95447, Japanese Patent No. 2574176, etc.). Nevertheless, surprisingly, the present inventors have found that water-soluble vitamin preparation having a further improved flavor and various improved properties can be obtained by combining the process of the present invention or that disclosed by Japanese Patent Application No. 9-13702 (JP-A 10-203965) and a sweetener such as aspartame.
Then, the present invention provides:
(1) a process for producing a coated preparation comprising a hydrophilic core material coated with a coat material selected from hydrophobic hot-melt lipid;
said process comprising adding the melted coat material dropwise to the core material with fluidizing the core material at a temperature not higher than the solidification temperature of the coat material in the presence of xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material to solidify the coat material to form at least one coating layer about the core material; or
adding the melted coat material dropwise to the core material with fluidizing the core material at a temperature not higher than the solidification temperature of the coat material to solidify the coat material to form at lease one coating layer about the core material, followed by adding xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material, for example, within 10 minutes, to accelerate xcex2-form crystallization of the coating layer;
(2) the process according to the above (1), wherein the core material is at least one organic material selected from the group consisting of organic acids, organic acid salts and non-organic acid vitamins;
(3) the process according to the above (2), wherein the core material is L-ascorbic acid or its salt;
(4) the process according to the above (1), wherein the coat material is at least one material selected from the group consisting of fats and oils, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, their hydrogenated products and wax;
(5) the process according to the above (1), wherein the xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material are a part of the coated preparation prepared separately;
(6) the process according to the above (1), wherein xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material is prepared separately by melting the coat material and adjusting its temperature;
(7) the process according to the above (1), wherein xcex2-form crystallization is carried out by holding the coating layer at a pre-determined temperature after formation thereof;
(8) the process according to the above (1), wherein the core material is fluidized in a temperature controllable stirring-mixing device;
(9) the process according to the above (1), wherein xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material is used in an amount of 0.1 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the coated preparation; and
(10) the process according to the above (1), wherein the core materials is formulated in an amount of 50 to 97% by weight based on the total weight of the coated preparation.
According to these aspects of the present invention, the coated preparation of the hydrophilic core material having improved stability whose dissolution in water is inhibited can be simply and conveniently obtained with preventing blocking by properly selecting the coat material and its amount to be coated, i.e., the number of coating layers and the rate of addition, adding xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material, and properly controlling temperature to accelerate xcex2-form crystallization of the coating layer.
The present invention further provides:
(11) a water-soluble vitamin preparation having an improved flavor which comprises a coated water-soluble vitamin component, a sweetener and an excipient; and
said coated vitamin component obtained by coating a water-soluble vitamin core material having an unpleasant flavor with at least one coating layer of a coat material selected from hydrophobic hot-melt lipid which is formed by melting, adding and solidifying the coat material with fluidizing the core material;
(12) the water-soluble vitamin preparation according to the above (11), wherein the core material is a water-soluble vitamin selected from the group consisting of calcium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, vitamin B1""s, riboflavin, riboflavin phosphate sodium, pantothenic acid, sodium pantothenate and pyridoxine hydrochloride;
(13) the water-soluble vitamin preparation according to the above (12), wherein the core material is calcium L-ascorbate;
(14) the water-soluble vitamin preparation according to the above (11), wherein the coat material is at least one material-selected from the group consisting of fats and oils, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, their hydrogenated materials and wax;
(15) the water-soluble vitamin preparation according to the above (11), wherein the coating layer is crystallized in xcex2-form crystals;
(16) the water-soluble vitamin preparation according to the above (11), wherein the water-soluble vitamin content of the coated water-soluble vitamin component is 30 to 97% by weight;
(17) the water-soluble vitamin preparation according to the above (11), wherein the sweetener is at least one material selected from the group consisting of aspartame, potassium acesulfame, sucrarose, sodium saccharin and licorice extract;
(18) the water-soluble vitamin preparation according to the above (17), wherein the sweetener content of the preparation is 0.1 to 5.0% by weight; and
(19) the water-soluble vitamin preparation according to the above (11), wherein the preparation is in the form of powder, granules, tablets or capsules.
Furthermore, the present invention provides:
(20) a process for producing a water-soluble vitamin preparation having an improved flavor which comprises the steps of:
coating a water-soluble vitamin core material having an unpleasant flavor with at least one coating layer of a coat material selected from hydrophobic hot-melt lipid which is formed by melting, adding and solidifying the coat material with fluidizing the core material to obtain a coated water-soluble vitamin component, and
compounding the coated water-soluble vitamin component with a sweetener and an excipient;
(21) a process for producing a water-soluble vitamin preparation having an improved flavor which comprises the steps of:
coating a water-soluble vitamin core material having an unpleasant flavor with at least one coating layer of a coat material selected from hydrophobic hot-melt lipid,
said coating layer being formed by melting, adding and solidifying the coat material with fluidizing the core material in the presence of xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material, or melting, adding and solidifying the coat material with fluidizing the core material, followed by adding xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material to accelerate xcex2-form crystallization of the coating layer, to obtain a coated water-soluble vitamin component, and
compounding the coated water-soluble vitamin component with a sweetener and an excipient;
(22) accelerate xcex2-form crystallization of the coating layer the process according to the above (21), wherein the xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material are a part of the coated water-soluble vitamin component prepared separately;
(23) the process according to the above (21), wherein xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material is prepared separately by melting the coat material and adjusting its temperature;
(24) the process according to the above (21), wherein xcex2-form crystallization is carried out by holding the coating layer at a pre-determined temperature after formation thereof;
(25) the process according to the above (21), wherein xcex2-form seed crystals of the coat material is used in an amount of 0.1 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the water-soluble vitamin component; and
(26) the process according to the above (20) or (21), wherein the core material is fluidized in a temperature controllable stirring-mixing device.
According to the latter aspects of the present invention, a water-soluble vitamin preparation useful as medicines and health food can be obtained. In the water-soluble vitamin preparation of the present invention, an unpleasant flavor of a water-soluble vitamin is improved to reduce an unpleasant flavor in the mouth; a dissolution rate of a water-soluble vitamin in water is reduced to provide slow-release properties; reactions between components are inhibited; and preparation properties are improved.

Process for producing coated preparation and its use


A front end structure is provided for a vehicle that includes a bracket for attaching front crash sensors to the vehicle. The front end structure includes an engine compartment and a hood connected to the engine compartment by a hood latch and a pair of hinges. The bracket is connected to the hood latch and the front crash sensors to maintain palpability with the vehicle through the hood in a collision.

Vehicles are being designed to include high strength, low elongation materials such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers, polypropylene, magnesium, ceramics, and the like. For example, grille opening reinforcements made of carbon fiber reinforced polymers are strong and lightweight but are brittle and tend to shatter or disintegrate in a high energy collision.
Safety restraint performance depends upon peripheral sensors such as front crash sensors. Crash discrimination capabilities of front crash sensors depend, in part, upon the physical properties of the mounting structure and the location of the front crash sensors. The mounting structure should be ductile, deformable, strong and elastic so that the front crash sensors follow overall vehicle deceleration profiles during high energy impacts.
The grille opening reinforcement is located in a vehicle close to the front end but recessed behind the bumper. Locating the front crash sensors in this location enhances control of safety restraints that are controlled by a restraints control module located inside the passenger compartment. Spacing the front crash sensors relative to other crash sensors facilitates analysis of the sensor signals and distinguishing different types of collision scenarios. Providing two front crash sensors symmetrically on the vehicle facilitates distinguishing, for example, a full frontal collision from an offset collision, or a side impact collision.
Front crash sensors cannot be effectively attached to a brittle grille opening reinforcement because the sensors may become free-floating when the grille opening reinforcement disintegrates. Free-floating front crash sensors with single axis accelerometer sensors are unable to provide useful crash data to the restraints control module and may become electrically disconnected from the restraints control module.
In one approach, a bracket, commonly referred to as a "boomerang bracket," is attached in front of the grille opening reinforcement and attached to the frame rails in the front end of the vehicle. With this approach, the front crash sensors were located in a less than optimal location that is too low for low riding vehicles colliding with higher ground clearance vehicle. The boomerang bracket approach also increases the complexity of the front end assembly process, increases weight and may reduce sensor effectiveness.
In another approach, five steel parts are joined by a composite material overlay and connected to the frame rails and the "shotgun" (fender wall support). Problems with this type of structure are that the part is complex and is difficult to install on the vehicle. These problems increase part cost, labor costs and add weight to the vehicle.
The above problems and other problems are addressed by this disclosure as summarized below.


An adaptive equalizer, an adaptive equalization method and receiver are disclosed where the adaptive equalizer is used for performing adaptive equalization processing on a frequency-domain signal, a channel used by the frequency-domain signal containing multiple subcarriers, the adaptive equalizer comprises: an equalizer coefficient generating unit configured to, for each subcarrier, generate an equalizer coefficient to which the subcarrier corresponds according to channel information and a step length of the subcarrier; where different subcarriers correspond to different step lengths and an equalization processing unit configured to, for each subcarrier, perform equalization processing on a signal in the subcarrier by using the equalizer coefficient.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to an adaptive equalizer, an adaptive equalization method and a receiver.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multicarrier communication technologies, such as a discrete multi-tone (DMT) modulation technology and an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology, etc., are widely used in optical communication systems, and are featured in that a channel is allocated with different modulation formats after being divided into multiple subcarriers according to a signal to noise ratio of each subcarrier.
In the multicarrier communication technologies, a communication effect is very sensitive to a change of a channel, and both a response characteristic of the channel and a change of a noise will result in increase of a bit error rate of transmission. Hence, the channel needs to be tracked and performed adaptive equalization processing. Existing adaptive equalization processing is often based on an iteration algorithm, that is, an iteration operation is performed according to an initial equalizer coefficient and step length, so as to generate an equalizer coefficient, for use in the adaptive equalization processing.
It should be noted that the above description of the background is merely provided for clear and complete explanation of the present disclosure and for easy understanding by those skilled in the art. And it should not be understood that the above technical solution is known to those skilled in the art as it is described in the background of the present disclosure.

Adaptive equalizer, adaptive equalization method and receiver