An optical communication module includes a first power-supplied terminal to be brought into contact with a first power supply terminal to have a first power supply voltage applied thereto; a second power-supplied terminal to be brought into contact with the second power supply terminal to have a second power supply voltage applied thereto; a signal processing circuit, which is connected to the first power-supplied terminal and the second power-supplied terminal, configured to perform processing on a signal; and a power control circuit, which is provided between the first power-supplied terminal and the signal processing circuit, configured to control connection between the first power-supplied terminal and the signal processing circuit based on a voltage applied to the second power-supplied terminal.

In recent years, in order to cope with increases in speed and scale of communication systems that accompany an increase in communication traffic, optical fiber communication has been used as a method for information transmission between communication devices.
Communication devices configured to perform communication through use of optical fiber communication include an optical communication module configured to perform signal processing for converting an optical signal into an electric signal, converting an electric signal into an optical signal, amplifying a signal, modulating and demodulating a signal, and the like. As the optical communication module, there is used an optical communication module that can be inserted into and removed from an opening (for example, an edge connector) provided to a host device.
In an optical communication module, terminals for receiving power supply from a host device and terminals for transmitting and receiving signals are arranged. The shapes and arrangement of the terminals are standardized. For example, there is a standard in which a plurality of power-supplied terminals are arranged in order to have a plurality of kinds of power supply voltages supplied to both a front surface and a back surface of a board included in an optical communication module.
In an optical communication module having two lines of power supply paths, switches may be provided to both the two lines of power supply paths. The switches are brought into an on state when power is supplied to the two lines of power supply paths.
There is another standard for shapes of terminals arranged in an optical communication module in alignment with each other in its insertion direction into a host device. With this standard, the host device includes a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal located closer to an opening than the first power supply terminal when viewed from the host device. Meanwhile, in the optical communication module, a first power-supplied terminal and a second power-supplied terminal are arranged in such a manner that, when the optical communication module is completely inserted into the host device, the first power-supplied terminal is brought into contact with the first power supply terminal to have a first power supply voltage applied thereto and the second power-supplied terminal is brought into contact with the second power supply terminal to have a second power supply voltage applied thereto.
When the terminals are arranged in alignment with each other in the insertion direction, the second power supply terminal of the host device and the first power-supplied terminal of the optical communication module are temporarily brought into contact with each other at the time of inserting or removing the optical communication module. This contact adversely causes, as shown in FIG. 8, the first power-supplied terminal of the optical communication module to be temporarily supplied with a power supply voltage of VCC2, which is not supposed to be supplied thereto, from the second power supply terminal of the host device. Such a situation causes a malfunction of the optical communication module or a failure in an internal circuit or an integrated circuit used therein.
In view of this, there may be a point in that the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal are electrically connected to each other, a point in that the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal are arranged in close proximity to each other, and a point in that a delay circuit is used to reduce the risk of adversely supplying a power supply voltage that is not supposed to be supplied.
It may be uncertain which of the two lines of power supply paths is to be supplied with power first, and hence switches are arranged on both the two power supply paths. However, provision of the switches on both the paths leads to increases in circuit scale and cost.
Further, when the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal are electrically connected to each other or when the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal are arranged in close proximity to each other, the power supply voltages to be supplied to the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal are required to be the same. This inhibits different power supply voltages from being supplied to the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal.
Even when the same power supply voltage is supplied, a voltage is intermittently supplied to the first power supply terminal, and hence a surge current flows inside the optical communication module, to thereby cause a failure. In addition, even through use of the delay circuit, when the optical communication module is inserted at a low speed, there is a fear in that a power supply voltage that is not supposed to be supplied may be supplied to the first power supply terminal.


Electrically conductive workpieces with facing surfaces are bonded with an adhesive that is filled with conductive metal particles that are reactive with the surfaces of the workpieces. In the bonding process the surfaces are coated with the adhesive, pressed together and an electric current passed between them to momentarily melt the conductive particles. The molten droplets agglomerate and wet the facing surfaces. When the molten clusters re-solidify, electrically conductive paths are formed between the workpieces. For example, the practice is useful for bonding ferrous-based or aluminum-based alloy sheets, strips or plates in making products such as bipolar plates for fuel cells.

Fuel cells that electrochemically combine hydrogen and oxygen are presently being developed and used for production of electric power in stationary and mobile applications. These power sources comprise a stack of individual cell elements that are designed to deliver a power requirement at a specified voltage. The heart of a cell is a membrane electrolyte and electrode assembly (MEA) comprising, for example, a solid polymer, proton exchange electrolyte membrane with a porous catalytic anode on one side of the electrolyte membrane and a porous catalytic cathode on the other side of the membrane. In an assembly of many such cells, each pair of MEAs is separated by a current collector sheet, sealing gasket, and a current collector plate, sometimes called a bipolar plate.
The bipolar plate comprises two thin, facing metal sheets that are shaped to define a flow path on the outside of one sheet for delivery of fluid fuel, for example hydrogen gas, to the anode of one MEA and a flow path for oxygen, often air, on the outside of the second sheet to the cathode side of another MEA on the opposite side of the plate. When the sheets are joined, the surfaces facing between them accommodate the flow of a dielectric cooling fluid. The plates are made of a formable metal that provides suitable strength, electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Stainless steel sheets (316L alloy) of about 0.15 mm gage are an example of a suitable material.
In one method of construction the opposing sheets are separately formed with their respective flow passages and then attached to each other, facing side to facing side, to make the bipolar plate. Selected bonding portions of the sheets are brazed to make this attachment. The bipolar plates are then assembled with other elements of the fuel cell into a stack of cells sufficient to deliver the electrical power required of the unit. Besides providing flow channels for hydrogen and air on their non-facing sides, the bipolar plates serve as current collectors from cell elements near those sides. The many plates in the stack are connected to an electrical terminal of the stack. In order to function as an efficient current collector there must be a suitable low-resistance electrical connection between the sheets of the bipolar plate. While brazing provides an electrically conductive joint that is very durable, it is an expensive, time consuming process not suitable for producing large numbers of fuel cells. Adhesive bonding provides a much lower cost, high speed joining process suitable for high volume production. However, maintaining acceptable electrical conductivity between the sheets has been difficult. No suitable electrically conductive adhesive has been found.
It is an object of this invention to provide a durable electrically conductive adhesive bond between the sheets of conductive workpieces. As applied to the facing surfaces of the workpieces the adhesive contains fine metal particles that will melt below the melting point of the workpieces and wet their surfaces. As the workpieces are pressed together with the adhesive between them, the particles are momentarily melted to wet the workpiece faces and to form, on re-solidification, many conductive pathways through the adhesive matrix. While initially conceived for fuel cell bipolar plate manufacture, the process is applicable generally to providing electrically conductive adhesive bonds between workpieces.


A fingerprint identifying system includes a light-transmissive finger press plate, a light source, a beam-splitter, and an image-capturing unit. The light-transmissive finger press plate has a top face adapted to contact a finger. The light source emits a light beam adapted to interact with the finger on the top face. The beam-splitter is disposed below the finger press plate and splits the light beam into a transmission light beam and a reflection light beam. The image-capturing unit receives at least one of the transmission light beam and the reflection light beam from the beam-splitter.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a fingerprint identifying system, more particularly to a fingerprint identifying system having an improved identification rate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional fingerprint identifying system 1 includes an image-capturing unit 11, a finger press plate 12, a light-diffusion plate 13 disposed between the image-capturing unit 11 and the finger press plate 12, and a plurality of light sources 14 disposed below the light-diffusion plate 13. The finger press plate 12 has a press surface 121 for disposing a finger (A) thereon. The light-diffusion plate 13 guides the light from the light sources 14 so as to serve as a planar light source transmitting light toward the finger press plate 12, and has a through hole 131 in alignment with the image-capturing unit 11. When the light from the light-diffusion plate 13 illuminates the finger (A) disposed on the press surface 121 of the finger press plate 12, the light illuminating the grooves of the finger (A) is reflected from the press surface 121 to the image-capturing unit 11 through total internal reflection, and the light illuminating the ridges of the finger (A) will be absorbed by the finger (A) so as to create a fingerprint image, which is dark where there are ridges and bright where there are grooves.
However, since there is the through hole 131 in the light-diffusion plate 13, the light illuminating the center portion of the finger (A) is less than that illuminating the remainder of the finger (A). Therefore, the center portion of the finger (A) has an unsatisfactory illumination, which results in an unsatisfactory fingerprint identification rate.
Referring to FIG. 2, another conventional fingerprint identifying system 2 includes an image-capturing device 21, a finger press plate 22 disposed above the image-capturing device 21 for disposing a finger (B) thereon, and two light sources (i.e., light-emitting diodes) 23 disposed at two sides of the image-capturing device 21, respectively. Since the light-emitting diodes have characteristics of high brightness, the center portion of the finger has an improved illumination.
However, since the light-emitting diodes have a relatively small light source angle, the illumination on the finger press plate 22 is uneven. Therefore, the identification rate improved by the fingerprint identifying system 2 is limited.


Light emitted from a light source 12a is sequentially reflected on a first, second, and third additional reflectors in this order. By emitting light in the order of the reflectors, this allows the light to be parallel to an optical axis by an additional lens. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the light-emitting area of the entire headlamp, thereby improving the appearance of the headlamp with respect to the driver of the oncoming vehicle. The additional lens is formed to have a substantially wedge-shaped cross-section, and is provided along the surface shape of a projection lens. Furthermore, since the light emitted from the light source is sequentially reflected by the first, second, and third additional reflectors in this order, the light emitted from the light source can be focused and the quantity of the light passing through the additional lens is not excessively increased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projector-type vehicle headlamp.
2. Related Art
A projector-type vehicle headlamp is generally provided with a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and a light source disposed on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens, and light emitted from the light source is reflected by a reflector toward the optical axis.
Disclosed in JP-A-2002-358806 is a projector-type vehicle headlamp provided with an annular additional lens on an outer periphery of the projection lens so that the light emitted from the light source passes through the additional lens travels toward a front side thereof substantially parallel to the optical axis.
In the vehicle headlamp of JP-A-2002-358806, a first additional reflector is provided on a rear side of the projection lens and in a vicinity of an outer peripheral edge of the projection lens, and reflects direct light emitted from the light source toward a rear side thereof in a direction in which the light is apart from the optical axis. Furthermore, a second additional reflector is provided on a rear side of the first additional reflector, and reflects the light reflected on the first additional reflector toward a front side thereof. Accordingly, the light emitted from the light source is sequentially reflected by the first and second additional reflectors in this order, and then travels to the additional lens.
When a headlamp is lighted, a projection lens of a conventional projector-type vehicle headlamp is illuminated and visible. However, if the additional lens is provided on the outer periphery of the projection lens as disclosed in JP-A-2002-358806, it is possible to increase the light-emitting area of an entire headlamp as much as a quantity of the light passing through the additional lens. As a result, it is possible to improve an appearance of the headlamp with respect to a driver of an oncoming vehicle, thereby further improving the safety conditions during the driving of a vehicle.
However, since the additional lens of the vehicle headlamp disclosed in JP-A-2002-358806 is composed of an annular lens that is formed to have a cross-section of a general plano-convex lens, there has been a problem that it is not possible to dispose the additional lens continuously along a surface shape of the projection lens.
In addition, the light passing through the additional lens is not used as light that radiates toward the front side of the headlamp, but is used to improve the appearance of the headlamp with respect to the driver of the oncoming vehicle. From this point of view, the quantity of the light passing through the additional lens may be small. If the light passing through the additional lens is intense, the headlamp causes glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle. Accordingly, it is important to consider the driver of the oncoming vehicle.


Nite dog apparel is a product of the pet apparel industry. It is included in the dog apparel category. In this application nite dog apparel is comprised of a dog's garment with led string lights attached to garment. When the led string lights are activated, the dog's garment illuminates with light, providing visibility of pet at a distance when unleashed. The led string light mechanism can be activated manually or by a remote controlled device. Nite dog apparel illuminates a dim or dark dog path when walking pets and enhances pet visibility at night.

Nite dog apparel evolved from the pet clothing and accessory industry. Nite dog apparel consist primarily of dog jackets, sweaters and accessories that have led string lights attached to the garment. The led string lights are arranged in various designs and shapes on the garments. Nite dog apparel enhances dog walking at night by illuminating dog apparel and providing the pets visibility at a distance when unleashed. The led string lights are attached to an activation switch concealed inside a zip compartment in the garment. The application of led lights on a dog's garment is an improvement in art.


A two-piece extendable L-plate provides clearance between a camera and a quick-release receiver securing the camera to a support permitting a camera having cables connected to the side of the camera's body to be secured in either a landscape or a portrait orientation.

The present invention relates to a bracket suitable for interconnecting camera equipment and a support for camera equipment and, more particularly, to an L-plate bracket facilitating changing the orientation of a supported camera equipment between landscape and portrait orientations.
Camera equipment often includes a threaded receptacle for attaching the equipment to a head mount of a tripod, monopod or other support. A camera may be attached directly to a head mount of a support by a screw projecting from the head mount but a quick-release mounting system is commonly used to secure camera equipment, particularly higher end camera equipment, to a tripod or other support. A quick-release camera mounting system typically includes a plate that is securable to the camera' body by a screw that is engageable with the threaded receptacle in the bottom of the camera. The screw projecting from the head mount provides a means of securing a receiver to the tripod or other camera support. A projection or taper of the camera plate engages a complementary groove or taper of the receiver and the camera plate is typically secured in the receiver by a clamp or other quick-release mechanism. For example, many makers of photographic equipment utilize a quick-release system developed by camera equipment maker Arca-Swiss, International. The Arca-Swiss or arca-type quick-release system utilizes a dovetail tenon in the form of a 38 mm wide plate having at least two opposing edges sloping at 45 degrees. The plate is receivable and securable in a receiver by opposing sloping dovetail surfaces of a clamp, usually operable by a lever or screw, such as the quick-release clamp described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,172. The receiver may be attached to the head mount or, more commonly, to an intermediate attaching device, such as a ballhead, pan head or gimbal head, affixed to the head mount.
A ballhead typically comprises a ball which has a radially projecting stem and which is supported in a socket in the ballhead's body. The body of the ballhead is secured to the head mount of a tripod or other support by the screw projecting from the head mount and engaging a threaded aperture in the bottom of the ballhead's body. Camera equipment or a receiver, such as a clamp of a quick-release system, is attached to the end of the stem projecting from the ball by a screw threaded into a longitudinally extending aperture in the stem. The ball and socket joint enables rotation of the ball in the body of the ballhead and the body, typically, includes a mechanism enabling constriction of the socket to lock the ball and the attached camera equipment in a desired attitude relative to the support. While the ball can be rotated 360° around the longitudinal axis of the stem, rotation in directions transverse to the axis of the stem is limited by interference between the stem and the edge of the ballhead's body.
The body of a ballhead may include one or more drop notches providing clearance for the stem to rotate 90° in a direction transverse to the axis of the stem enabling the camera equipment to be moved from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation and vice versa. Changing the orientation of camera equipment attached to a ballhead from landscape to portrait or vice versa can be problematic. The camera equipment is offset relative to the center of rotation of the ball and as the ball is rotated in directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stem the camera shifts both horizontally and vertically. If the camera equipment is heavy, the horizontal movement of the weight may destabilize the support and the vertical displacement of the camera may make using the viewfinder difficult. In addition, shifting the location of the camera's lens will change the setup for the shot particularly if the subject is close, for example, when shooting a macro. It may be necessary to move the tripod to compensate for the change in the relative positions of the camera and the subject. In addition, if the support is not sitting on a level surface, it may not be possible to rotate the ball far enough to attain the portrait orientation before the stem of the ball makes contact with the bottom of the drop notch.
Attaching camera equipment to a support with an L-plate or L-bracket avoids the need to utilize a ballhead drop notch when switching a supported camera from landscape orientation to portrait orientation or vice versa. An L-plate includes a first portion attachable to the bottom of the camera's body and a second portion partially wrapping around the camera's body to extend normal to the first portion and parallel to the side of the camera's body. Each portion of the L-plate includes a retention feature, for example, a tenon of a dovetail, enabling engagement with a receiver portion, for example, an Arca-Swiss type quick-release clamp, when the camera equipment is in either one of the two perpendicular photographic orientations. To switch a camera from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation, the photographer releases the quick-release device, rotates the camera ninety degrees, and engages and locks the mounting feature of the second portion of the L-plate in the receiver of the quick release system. The camera's lens is, typically, substantially centered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the L-plate's two mounting features and movement of the lens relative to the head mount of the support is minimized when the camera's orientation is changed.
While an L-plate facilitates photography with a tripod, monopod or other support, use of an L-plate with a digital camera can be problematic. Digital cameras are commonly connectable to remote devices, such as a computer, a printer or a video monitor, for downloading and viewing images and video captured with the camera. In addition, remote accessories, such as a microphone, a flash unit or a remote shutter control switch, may be connected to the camera. The connectors for the cable assemblies connecting these remote devices to the camera are commonly located behind one or more doors on the side of the camera's body and when the L-plate and camera are turned for the portrait orientation, there is, typically, insufficient distance between the body of the camera and the L-plate and/or the receiver of the quick-release system to accommodate passage of the cable assembly(ies) connecting the camera to the remote device(s). A cable relief spacer may be inserted between the L-plate and the receiver to provide clearance for connectors and cables but this is, typically, a small, loose piece which can be easily misplaced and may not be carried with the camera equipment and, therefore, may be unavailable when needed.
What is desired therefore is a mounting device that permits the orientation of supported camera equipment to be changed without the need to carry a separate piece of equipment to provide clearance for cabling connecting the camera to a remote device.


A utility storage box particularly useful for storage items such as drawing instruments and school supplies including a base enclosure having a generally planar bottom with laterally upstanding side walls, a lid member hinged along one wall with an upstanding wall located within the base defining a compartment therein. The lid has a recessed segment with a peripheral configuration generally approximating the peripheral configuration of the compartment defined within the base. A raised section can be provided in the lid to overlie a section of the base outside the compartment so that utensils of differing mean diameter can be located in the base to be contacted by the raised/lowered segments to hold the utensils in position. Guide strips can be provided within the compartment to orient drawing or other utensils within the compartment. Latches can be provided on the lid along a side other than the hinged side to retain the lid in closed position, and a lock hasp can be provided to allow the unit to be locked. A handle can be provided.

The present invention relates, in general, to utility retaining devices and more particularly relates to utility retaining devices which are useful for retaining pencils, crayons, markers, and other utensils used in connection with educational programs. While the devices within the scope of the present invention are described with regard to this purpose, it will be understood that devices within the scope of the present invention have a wide variety of uses and can be adapted to satisfy many specific needs.
In general, in connection with education it is frequently desirable and often necessary for students to maintain drawing or other markings utensils such as crayons, markers, pencils, etc. for ready access. Additionally, it is desirable that the devices utilized to retain such markers or other utensils should not damage the utensils. It is even more desirable that the means used to retain the devices should hold the devices firmly to prevent damage.
Prior art arrangements are known which are intended to accomplish similar purposes but none accomplishes the objectives or the purposes of the present invention satisfactorily. U.S. Pat. No. 239,274 illustrates a box intended for holding lead pencils where separate compartments are provided for each pencil. The device is intended for lead pencils and does not have the flexibility or the compartments provided by devices within the scope of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,213 teaches a portable craft and hobby kit provided with a lid where a foam material is provided to hold down the devices within the box, contrary to arrangements within the scope of the present invention where recesses and raised sections are provided in the lid.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,217,283 like reference no. U.S. Pat. No. 239,274, teaches a box having clearly defined receptacles for specific items such as pencils.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,556 teaches an arrangement where a box is provided which is substantially different from devices within the scope of the present invention.
In summary, no known prior art arrangement teaches or even remotely suggests utensil retaining devices having the features of devices within the scope of the present invention.


A method of manufacturing a ferrule includes the steps of electroforming on a metallic wire used as a mother mold to produce an elongated cylindrical rod, by providing grooves on the circumferential surface of the rod, breaking the groove portion and drawing the wire, and machining the rod with respect to at least length and size (diameter), such that the method omits the step of sealing the wire with an electric insulator and an elongated electroformed rod can be manufactured and variation in sizes of diameter and off-center failure are decreased.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a part for an optical fiber connector, and more specifically to a method of manufacturing a part generally called a ferrule that comprises some components and supports an optical fiber positioned in the center of the ferrule. The optical fiber connector connects optical fibers each having a perfect circular cross-section and a diameter of 0.125 mm by passing the optical fibers through a cylindrical-shaped tube to support them, so that the positions of cores positioned in the center of the optical fibers are accurately adjusted to each other.
A ferrule, which is conventionally one of parts for an optical fiber connector, has a shape shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), and the material of the ferrule principally includes one that uses zirconia ceramic. FIG. 1(a) shows a one-core type ferrule 1 with a cylindrical shape having a diameter of about 2 mm and a length of about 8 mm, and in the center of the circular shape of the ferrule 1 a perfect circular hole 2 of 0.126 mmxcfx86 is drilled. FIG. 1(b) shows a two-core type ferrule 1.
Meanwhile, the present inventor has been proposed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei. 10-375372 a metallic ferrule made of nickel or the like by electroforming using a metallic or ceramic wire as a mother mold.
In the invention of the above-mentioned patent publication, a method comprising the steps of electroforming on a wire such as a metallic wire or the like used as a mother mold, and drawing the wire is a predominant method. However, since the method is not used for drawing the wire to a longer one, a drawing method has been proposed in which after sealing a wire 3 at regular intervals by electric insulators 4 such as vinyl tapes as shown in FIG. 2, electroforming is performed using the wire as a mother mold, then the insulators 4 are peeled to be in a state where the wire 3 extends from the electroformed portion 5 as shown in FIG. 3, and after setting the electroformed portion 5 on a drawing jig 6, the wire 3 clamped is drawn out.
More specifically, in the drawing method comprising the steps of using a wire such as a metallic wire or the like as a mother mold, and drawing the wire after electroforming on the mother mold wire, since the tensile strength of the wire is insufficient and the drawing resistance is high, the drawing is performed only to a length of about 30 to 100 mm of the length. To make the electroformed portion 5 into a rod as long as possible is very important for an improvement in productivity of the electroforming. As a result, the method using electric insulators was reluctantly adopted. However, the following problems arose.
When electroforming is performed applying an electrode from above using, for example, a stainless steel wire as a mother mold, the conductivity of the stainless steel wire is not good and electric current does not flow sufficiently to an electric insulator seal portion (portion not electroformed). Thus, there occurs the phenomenon that the upper and lower portions significantly tend to be thickened and thinned, respectively.
Thus, electric precipitation must be continued till a size of thinnest portion is changed to a desired size. As a result, there were wastes of electricity, time and electroformed metal.
Further, there were problems that since variations in the diameter of the obtained electroformed article were very large, a step of aligning the diameters of the electroformed articles by NC lathe working or the like must be added in the next machining step, or this aligning step tended to cause a failure such as an off-centered hole or the like.
On the other hand, since a step of sealing the wire with an electric insulator is carried out by a manual operation, a large amount of time is required, and if the electric insulator is not fixed sufficiently, a number of problems occur; the electric insulator such as a tape or the like shifts during the electroforming to a cause a failure and the like. Thus, conventional methods impede mass production in cost and quality.
Taking the above-mentioned problems into consideration, in a method of manufacturing a ferrule wherein electroforming is carried out using a wire such as a metallic wire or the like as a mother mold, and after drawing the wire, machining the obtained electroformed article, the object of the present invention is to provide a method by which an electroformed article having the longest possible length and a small variation in the size of diameters without the step of sealing an electric insulator.
To solve the above-described problems, the present invention adopts a method comprising the steps of electroforming a portion to be electroformed to form one elongated rod as shown in FIG. 5(a), cutting the circumferential surface of the rod to form grooves 7 thereon as shown in FIG. 5(b), breaking the groove portion and drawing the wire 3. Further, the method comprises machining the electroformed rod to adjust at least the length and size (diameter) of the rod.
It is noted that the rod may be machined to adjust the roundness and the linearity of the rod in addition to the length and diameter as required.

Method of manufacturing part for optical fiber connector


A water heater including a water tight tank having a tank wall and top and bottom head members welded thereto. A combustion chamber and burner are mounted beneath the bottom head. A pair of concentrically arranged jacket members are mounted around the tank wall with the space between the jacket members serving as a flow passageway through which combustion air flows downwardly to the combustion chamber. A pair of concentrically arranged tube assemblies are connected to the top of the heater. The inside tube assemblies carry products of combustion from the heater and the space between the inside tube assemblies and the outside tube assemblies serve as a flow passageway through which combustion air flows to the flow passageway space between the jacket members.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to water heaters and a method of heating water More particularly, it related to a gas (or oil) fired water heater wherein the products of combustion flow directly from the heater through an exterior wall to the outside of the space in which the heater is installed and the combustion air flows directly from outside the space in which the water heater is installed through an enclosed passageway to a combustion chamber for the heater.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The present water heater, by utilizing combustion air drawn directly from outside and preheating such combustion air, results in increased efficiency. Also, by directing flow of the combustion air in a 360.degree. fashion around the exterior surface of the inner jacket and the inner surface of the outer jacket, pilot outage due to excessive drafts is substantially reduced. Also, such combustion air space surrounding the tank wall provides additional insulation to the water in the tank to thereby reduce standby heat loss. To applicant's knowledge, the above stated advantages are not found in any prior art water heaters.

Water heater construction and method of heating water


Systems and methods for automated repair and maintenance operations on a railroad track comprise a work head that is automatically moved over the railroad track according to a predetermined pattern, such as the movement of an applicator for tie plugging compound according to a predetermined pattern of spike holes. The automated repair and maintenance operations may be coupled to systems and methods for automatically detecting a feature on a railroad track that comprise two or more distance measurement sensors that travel over the railroad track. Features on the railroad track are detected where the distance measured by each sensor falls within two different predetermined distance ranges.

The present invention relates to railroad equipment for "maintenance of way" operations and, in particular, to a system and equipment for automated tie plugging operations and for automated detection of features on a railroad track.
Railroad track generally consists of two parallel rails that are supported on a series of wooden sleepers or cross-ties positioned perpendicular to the rails. The cross-ties are commonly laid on a crushed stone ballast which is packed between and below the cross-ties to hold the track in place. The rails are secured to the tops of the cross-ties by tie plates, which provide a secure housing for the rails and distribute the load over a larger surface of the cross-ties. The tie plates typically comprise a cast or forged steel plate with a substantially flat bottom surface and an upper surface with a pair of parallel ribs that define a cradle area or rail seat for receiving the rail. A plurality of spike holes are formed in the tie plate, on either side of the rail seat. The rails are commonly secured to the tie plates and cross-ties by spikes with offset heads that are driven through the spike holes of the tie-plates and into the wooden cross-ties to clamp the rails to the tie plates.
Over time and with exposure to the elements, cross-ties may become worn or deteriorate to the point where the spikes are only weakly held in the tie and are no longer capable of effectively securing the tie plate and rail to the cross-tie. These worn cross-ties are referred to as "spike killed" ties.
For example, rail traffic exerts repeated lateral and longitudinal forces that can cause the spike holes in the cross-ties to elongate or widen to the point where the rail and tie plate may shift laterally or lift from the cross-tie. The repeated axle loads can also cause "crushed rail seat", where the wood fibers beneath the tie plate break down to the point where the cross-tie can no longer hold the spike. Seasonal wet/dry and freeze/thaw cycles can cause the wooden cross-tie to develop splits, which progress and widen over time until the cross-tie can no longer hold the spikes. Fungal decay can also break down exposed wood fibers to the point where the cross-tie can no longer hold the spike. In addition, cross-ties can become broken, damaged or burned during the course of service, which may contribute to spike kill.
Spike killed cross-ties are commonly repaired by inserting a wooden plug into the spike hole of the damaged cross-tie, or by filling the spike hole with a resin or other polymeric composition. Such chemical tie plugging compounds include foamed epoxies, polyurethanes and polyureas, as are known in the art.
A variety of equipment has been developed for tie plugging operations, including handheld manual and automated applicators for dispensing tie plugging compounds to fill spike holes in cross-ties. The applicators may also be mounted on railroad equipment that travels on one or both of the rails, where the operator either rides on or walks behind the equipment. Self-propelled, ride-on tie plugging equipment is known in the art, which may be configured with multiple applicators and allow multiple operators to work while seated. These ride-on tie pluggers may also be combined with spike pulling equipment for hydraulic extraction of railroad spikes, to allow coordinated railway repair and maintenance operations. An example of ride-on tie plugging equipment that is commercially available is the Encore RGP Ride-On Rail Gang Plugger (Encore Rail Systems, Inc.—Broomfield, Colo.).
Conventional ride-on tie plugging equipment eliminates much of the manual labor of carrying and dispensing the tie plugging compound. However, the operator is still required to locate and accurately position the applicator over each spike hole to be filled in the cross-ties, which can be a time consuming process. In addition, the repetitive nature of the work may lead to operator fatigue and errors. Thus, it would be desirable to provide tie plugging equipment that automates the process of locating and positioning the applicator over the spike holes in the cross-ties.


A multiplexing/demultiplexing optical device comprises a beam distribution element to receive an input optical signal comprising one or more wavelengths and to distribute the optical signal into a plurality of beams. The optical device also comprises a variable path length element to receive the distributed optical signal from the first optical element, where the variable path length element comprises a plurality path sections, where a length of at least one of the path sections is variable. The optical device further comprises a beam interaction element to receive the plurality of beams from the variable path length element, wherein the plurality of beams are combined and allowed to interfere, and are thereby demultiplexed. A controller operatively coupled to the variable path length element can be provided to programmatically vary the length of one or more of the path sections. The variable path length element can include an optical switch fabric, such as a two dimensional switch fabric or a three dimensional switch fabric.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to the field of optical devices, and more particularly to a controllable demultiplexer/multiplexer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical devices having phased arrays of waveguides, also referred to as Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) devices, are often used for optical multiplexing and demultiplexing applications in optical networks. AWGs, in particular, are suitable for handling inputs having a large number of wavelengths (or channels). AWGs are conventionally planar devices having a plurality of substantially parallel waveguides, each differing in length from its nearest neighbors, coupling two opposing star couplers. Most conventional AWGs are passive devices, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,350.
For example, a schematic of a conventional AWG is shown in FIG. 1. The corresponding spectral output response of the conventional AWG is shown in FIG. 2. In this conventional planar design, the conventional AWG 1 includes an input slab 30, a waveguide array 45, and an output slab 50. Input slab 30 can operate as a 1xc3x97N splitter. In FIG. 1, the input signal 10 enters at the entrance plane of the slab 30 through one of the input port(s) 20-1, . . . , 20-s. The optical signal spreads throughout the xe2x80x9cfree-spacexe2x80x9d slab 30, and is distributed among M number of ports at side 31 of the slab 30.
Waveguide array 45 includes M number of substantially parallel planar waveguides 45-1, . . . , 45-m, having path lengths l1, . . . , lm. Adjacent waveguides have an incremental path length difference of xcex94l=lxxe2x88x92lxxe2x88x921. The waveguides 45-1, . . . , 45-m end with ports 40-1, . . . , 40-m on side 51 of output slab 50. The output ports 40-1, . . . , 40-m are considered in the art to form a diffraction grating. Output slab 50 provides Mxc3x97N coupler operation in which the M signals coming from M parallel waveguides 45-1, . . . , 45-m are combined and allowed to interfere, such that each wavelength is directed to converge on a different output port 65-1 to 65-n of the device at side 57 of the slab 50. All these parts can be formed on a silicon substrate by conventional means. See e.g., C. Dragone, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 3, no. 9, pp. 812-815 (September 1991). Once the AWG is fabricated, all the path lengths of the different arms are fixed, which makes the device""s wavelength spacing permanent because channel spacing is generally determined by the incremental path difference xcex94l of the waveguide array 45 of the AWG.
As mentioned above, conventional AWGs utilize substantially parallel waveguides that are permanently fixed in their respective physical path lengths. The impact of this fixed physical path length difference xcex94l on current DWDM network system when these AWGs are deployed is the pre-determination of the overall channel spacing xcex94xcex of the whole network. This decision affects all network components and equipment deployed in the network such as: OADM, WADM, OXC, laser wavelength channels, etc. Once this optical network is deployed, any future upgrade (in terms of increasing the number of wavelength channels by reducing the channel spacing) would require replacing all these previously deployed AWGs with new AWGs having narrower channel spacing. Another approach is to complement all the deployed AWGs with optical interleaved filter (OIF) pairs by engineering them in the network. These upgrade scenarios are necessary when the optical amplifier""s useful spectral range reaches its limit.
In both of these approaches, the development and implementation of hardware upgrades are expensive, time consuming and could result in a more complicated overall network. Furthermore during the upgrade, part of the network operation must be taken off-line or shut down in order for the deployed AWGs to be replaced.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an optical device comprises a beam distribution element to receive an input optical signal comprising one or more wavelengths and to distribute the optical signal into a plurality of beams. The optical device also comprises a variable path length element to receive the distributed optical signal from the beam distribution element, where the variable path length element comprises a plurality of path sections, where a length of at least one of the path sections is variable. The optical device further comprises a beam interaction element to receive the plurality of beams from the variable path length element, wherein the plurality of beams interact such that each wavelength can propagate to a different output. The optical device can further include a plurality of exit ports to receive the demultiplexed beams, where a first exit port receives a first demultiplexed optical signal having a first wavelength and a second exit port receives a second demultiplexed optical signal having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A controller operatively coupled to the variable path length element can be provided to vary the length of one or more of the path sections. The variable path length element can include an optical switch fabric, such as a two dimensional switch fabric or a three dimensional switch fabric.
In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the variable path length element can be constructed from an optical switch fabric based on an array of MEMS mirrors, a liquid crystal based switching array, or a bubble type switching array. In an alternative aspect of this embodiment, the variable path length element can be based on a three dimensional switch fabric constructed from opposing moveable mirror arrays.
In another preferred aspect of this embodiment, the variable path length element comprises a MEMS mirror switch array, where at least one of the mirrors is tiltable or partially actuatable to provide variable optical attenuation of the reflected optical signal. In other preferred aspects of this embodiment, the variable path length element can include a liquid crystal based switching array, a bubble type switching array, or a combination of MEMS, liquid crystal and/or bubble type switching arrays, in which at least one of the switching elements is partially actuatable to provide variable optical attenuation of the reflected optical signal.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of demultiplexing a multiplexed optical signal includes distributing the optical signal into a plurality of beams; directing the plurality of beams to a variable path length element, wherein the variable path length element comprises a plurality of path sections corresponding to a number of distributed beams, wherein a first beam of the plurality of beams propagates along a first path section and a second beam of the plurality of beams propagates along a second path section, wherein the first path section is set to a first path length in a first state and the first path section is set to a second path length in a second state, wherein the first and second path lengths are different, wherein the second path section is set to a third path length in a first state and the second path section is set to a fourth path length in a second state, wherein the third and fourth path lengths are different; and directing the first and second beams from the variable path length element into a beam interaction element, wherein a first exit port receives a first output beam having a first wavelength and a second exit port receives a second output beam having a second wavelength, said first and second wavelengths being different.
The devices and methods of the present invention results in a number of advantages over prior art devices and methods. The channel spacing of the demultiplexer devices of the current invention may be changed by the user, allowing greater flexibility in network design and implementation.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed.
Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Demultiplexer/multiplexer with a controlled variable path length device


Methods and systems for a collaborative work environment. One system includes a monitoring computer communicatively coupled to a first computer-aided workstation and a second computer-aided workstation. The monitoring computer includes an electronic processor configured to receive, from the first computer-aided workstation, a first datastream associated with a first incident, receive, from the second computer-aided workstation, a second datastream associated with at least one selected from the group consisting of a second incident and a user of the second computer-aided workstation, and analyze each of the first datastream and the second datastream to determine a collaboration recommendation. The electronic processor is further configured to transmit, to the first computer-aided workstation, a first request to participate in a collaborative work session and, to the second computer-aided workstation, a second request to participate in the collaborative work session in response to determining the collaboration recommendation.

Law enforcement and other public safety personnel respond to incidents in the course of their duties. Responding to incidents often involves collecting myriad pieces of information (for example, police reports, evidence, witness reports, video and other media assets, and the like) related to the incident response. This produces large document and information collections. These collections are navigated by personnel during the occurrence of an incident and in subsequent investigations or incident reconstructions. Public safety and other personnel may not be able to handle collections efficiently or accurately by themselves.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Collaborative work environment for computer-aided dispatch


A catheter assembly especially designed for the performance of atherectomy procedures which include an elongated flexible plastic tube which can be routed through the vascular system to the location of the atheroma to be removed and a working catheter insertable through the guide catheter in the form of an elongated flexible plastic tube having a series of fibers integrally formed with or otherwise attached to the distal end portion of the working catheter and normally laying flat against the wall of the catheter. The proximal end of the working catheter is adapted for connection to a high speed motor whereby the working catheter can be rotated relative to the surrounding guide catheter. As the distal end portion of the working catheter is advanced distally beyond the end of the guide catheter, centrifugal force acts upon the fibers to cause them to extend radially outward from the core of the working catheter and when advanced against an atheroma, flail the lesion, reducing it small particles which can be aspirated out the proximal end of the catheter assembly.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to medical apparatus for removing plaque and other deposits from the interior walls of a partially occluded blood vessel, and more particularly to the design of an atherectomy catheter whose cutting head exhibits a low profile to facilitate its being routed through the vascular system but which expands in use to effect removal of the atheroma.
II. Discussion of the Prior Art
The buildup of atheromas or the formation of thrombi in a blood vessel can cause serious circulatory problems and when complete blockages occur, distal tissues may be deprived of oxygen and nutrients leading to death of those cells distally of the blockage. Thus, the formation of an atheroma in a coronary artery can lead to a coronary infarction, especially when the artery becomes so narrowed by the plaque build-up that a tiny clot or thrombus cannot pass. Similarly, an atheroma or other type of stenotic lesion in a peripheral vein or artery can have a corresponding affect on tissue and cells supplied by the blocked blood vessel.
The treatment of such a condition naturally depends upon the location or site of the blockage. In the case of a blocked or partially blocked coronary artery, it has been the practice to conduct open-heart surgery wherein the blocked vessel is by-passed with an autograft. Similarly, blood vessel shunts have been installed in other body areas as well. Such surgery, however, tends to be quite traumatic involving opening the patient's chest and pericardium in the case of coronary by-pass surgery or extensive excision and vessel replacement in the case of other peripheral blockages.
More recently, following the technique created by A. Grunzig, a balloon catheter may be used to restore patency to a blood vessel without extensive surgery. A catheter having a small inflatable balloon on its distal end may be routed through the vascular system to the site of the constriction or blockage and when the deflated balloon is appropriately positioned to span the blockage, a fluid may be introduced into the proximal end of the catheter to inflate the balloon to a sufficiently high pressure whereby the blockage may be spread open and patency restored.
As in pointed in the Auth U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,509, there are certain deficiencies in the Grunzig procedure which render it ineffective in certain applications. For example, the blockage may be such that it is not possible to safely force the distal tip of the catheter through the blockage prior to the inflation of the balloon. In such a situation, it would be desirable if one could safely "tunnel" through the blockage using an appropriate cutting tool. Once a passage has been formed during such tunneling operation, a balloon can be advanced into the occlusion until it is totally across it. Once so positioned, the balloon can be inflated and the angioplasty procedure completed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,636 to Rydell and assigned to applicant's assignee, there is described a balloon atherectomy catheter comprising three concentrically disposed flexible plastic tubes. The innermost tube has an annular cutter secured to its distal end and secured to the proximal end of that catheter is a device which allows both rotational and translational motion to be imparted to that innermost tube. The cutter member is especially designed to preferentially remove tissue deposits directly in line with the cutter without producing significant lateral cutting.


A method, apparatus, and instructions for establishing a virtual communication channel between applications on different nodes in which one node may be using a communication protocol stack based on one protocol, such as SS7, and another node may be using a communication protocol stack based on another protocol, such as IP. Alternatively, a virtual communication channel may be provided between applications on different nodes in which both nodes use a communication protocol stack based on IP to communicate with each other, but carry SS7 traffic through the communication channel. A gateway is provided in which both SS7 and IP are supported. The gateway allows for logical transport of signaling messages between peer applications on different nodes. Messages for SS7 are placed in data packets for transport to a destination using an IP connection or link to the destination. Header information also is placed into the data packet to allow for routing of the messages when the packet is received at the destination.

The present invention relates generally to data transport and in particular to a method and apparatus for sending and receiving messages between two nodes in a communications system.
Signaling system number 7 (SS7) is a digital signaling standard developed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)xe2x80x94Telecommunications Standard Society (TSS). SS7 is the protocol for data communications in a communications system. In communications systems, a SS7 network is present, which is separate from the voice network. The SS7 network is used solely for the purpose of switching data messages pertaining to the business of connecting telephone calls and maintaining the signaling network. Common Channel Signaling (CCS) is the technology used in SS7 networks. CCS uses a digital facility, but places signaling information in a time slot or channel separate from the voice and data to which it is related. This mechanism allows signaling information to be consolidated and sent through its own network apart from the voice network. A packing switching system is the mechanism used for transferring messages throughout the network.
All nodes in a SS7 network are called xe2x80x9csignaling pointsxe2x80x9d. A signaling point has an ability to perform message discrimination (read the address and determine if the address is for that node), as well as to route the SS7 messages to another signaling point. The main type of signaling points is a service switching point (SSP), which is a local exchange in a telephone network. A SSP may be a combination of a voice switch and a SS7 switch, or an adjunct computer connected to the local exchange""s voice switch. The SSP provides the functionality of communicating with the voice switch via the use of primitives and creating packets, or signal units needed for transmission in a SS7 network. Another signaling point is a signal transfer point (STP), which serves as a router in the SS7 network. All SS7 packets travel from one SSP to another through the services of a STP. Another signaling point is a service control point (SCP), which serves as an interface to telephone company databases.
SS7 is used in cellular networks to provide signaling information required to establish and disconnect circuit connections, as well as share database information from one institute to another. A mobile switching center (MSC) in a communications system connects to the SS7 via a signaling transfer point. The SS7 network is instrumental in collocating all the cellular providers together and allowing their various databases to be shared with each other. For example, the home location register (HLR) is a database used to store information about users of a cellular network. A visitor location register (VLR) is a database used to store temporary subscriber information when that subscriber is visiting the coverage area. This information is retrieved from the subscriber""s HLR. With SS7 signaling through a SS7 network, data stored in a HLR can be stored with other MSCs across the SS7 network.
With the rapid expansion of communication systems, such as cellular networks, the expansion of SS7 networks has been limited and regulated. Concerns about capacity of SS7 links and the cost associated with expanding and creating SS7 networks for communication systems has made the development and expansion of communication systems, such as cellular systems, costly. In addition, with increased traffic on SS7 networks, concerns regarding congestion and flow control are present.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved method and apparatus for transporting messages in a SS7 network.
The present invention overcomes congestion and flow concerns in signaling networks, such as SS7 networks, by providing a virtual communications link or connection between various nodes in a SS7 network. The virtual link is provided by gateways, which send SS7 messages over a network link, such as an Internet protocol link. The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and instructions for establishing a virtual communication channel between applications on different nodes in which one node may be using a communication protocol stack based on one protocol, such as SS7, and another node may be using a communication protocol stack based on another protocol, such as IP. Alternatively, a virtual communication channel may be provided between applications on different nodes in which both nodes use a communication protocol stack based on IP to communicate with each other, but carry SS7 traffic through the communication channel. A gateway is provided in which both SS7 and IP are supported. The gateway allows for logical transport of signaling messages between peer applications on different nodes. Messages for SS7 are placed in data packets for transport to a destination using an IP connection or link to the destination. Header information also is placed into the data packet to allow for routing of the messages when the packet is received at the destination.
The link or connection may be to another gateway or to a node, which extracts the message and header information from the data packet and sends it on to the appropriate node using the header information.
The mechanism of the present invention provides for internetworking addressing schemes between both SS7 and Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). In addition, the present invention allows for addition of nodes without requiring expansion of an existing SS7 network.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Method and apparatus for providing a virtual SS7 link in a communications system


A method of determining preventive maintenance for an optical inspection system for inspecting photolithography processed substrates. The method includes measuring at least one operational characteristic of the optical inspection system and comparing a measurement result for said at least one operational characteristic with predetermined preventive maintenance criteria for the operational characteristic. Also included is determining a preventive maintenance requirement based on a comparison result of said comparing, and initiating a preventive maintenance action on said optical inspection system, said preventive maintenance action corresponding to said preventive maintenance requirement. A method of automatically performing preventive maintenance on an optical inspection system, and for retrofitting an optical inspection system to facilitate preventive maintenance of the optical inspection system are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosed invention relates generally to an optical inspection system used for inspecting substrates after photolithography processing, and more specifically to facilitating preventive maintenance of such an optical inspection system.
2. Discussion of the Background
In a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, a prescribed circuit pattern is formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer by photolithography. In the photolithography step, a series of treatments are carried out such that a resist film is formed on a cleaned semiconductor wafer by supplying a photoresist solution onto the semiconductor wafer, exposing the resist film to light in a prescribed pattern and subsequently developing the pattern.
Although the chance of misprocessing at any single lithography step is small, a typical wafer goes through 20 to 25 lithography steps. Excursions due to process equipment problems, mishandling, and contamination can occur at each of these steps, so the cumulative probability of a wafer experiencing a yield-limiting defect becomes significant. While some defects impact only a small area of the wafer and may not require rework, other defects impact 30% or more of the wafer. These are defined as global defects. After develop inspection (ADI) procedures detect, classify, and disposition wafers with lithography defects for rework. Typical defects include problems with photo resist or ARC/BARC coating, edge bead processing, exposure, alignment, and development, as well as defects caused by contamination or handling, such as particles or scratches. Each recovered wafer can result in savings of thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars, in revenue.
Many of economically re-workable defects are macro-scale, and thus manually detectable through visual inspection by trained operators at microscope stations. Since manual inspection is a relatively slow process compared to the photolithography process throughput, automatic inspection has recently been performed by an after develop inspection (ADI) system to improve throughput.—Further, ADI systems can inspect 100% of wafers processed and can detect defects down to 50 μm.
In typical photolithography systems, after various coating, expose, and develop steps, the wafers are delivered to an ADI inspection station that captures a series of whole wafer images using simultaneous dark and bright field illumination. A full-color image of 100% of the wafer is captured and is characterized by its RGB signature. Such a signature has three elements: a red value, a green value, and a blue value that vary within a predetermined range such as 0-255. The resulting image or signature is compared to that of a "golden" wafer with no defect and a confidence score is assigned indicating how similar the signatures are. When a significant difference is detected, further analysis is performed, to classify the defect so that appropriate remedial action can be performed. The RGB signature itself is useful for flagging global defects, but the ADI also can detect "local" defects such as particles, scratches, comets, etc.
The ADI optical hardware primarily consists of a camera and a light source, such as a strobing Xenon or similar type lamp, for example. To ensure accurate inspection results, periodic maintenance of the ADI system must be performed. For example, as the light source degrades over time, the light source requires periodic calibration as well as replacement at the end of the light source's finite life. Such ADI preventive maintenance typically requires that the photolithography system be taken off line. For example, in order to calibrate the light source or determine whether the light source requires replacement, a technician must empty the photolithography system of production wafers and manually run calibration wafers on the system. This results in costly equipment down time while the preventive maintenance is completed.
Conventionally, preventive maintenance of the ADI system has been performed at arbitrary time intervals, such as four week intervals. However, such arbitrary intervals may not coincide with other preventive maintenance actions that require equipment down time, resulting in greater overall down time. Further, the light source may not require calibration at the scheduled interval, such as when the system has been used infrequently during the four week period, which also results in unnecessary tool down time. Still further, the light source may require calibration or replacement prior to the end of the four week period, resulting in inaccurate inspection results for production wafers inspected after the maintenance was actually required.
Finally, even where preventive maintenance of the ADI system is necessary, manual techniques for completing such maintenance are inherently time consuming and, as noted above, require a technician to take the photolithography system off line resulting in costly equipment down time.

Method and system for facilitating preventive maintenance of an optical inspection tool


The present invention provides an ultrasonic probe contains at least one reception preamplifier that is provided per transducer element and connected to the transducer at an input side thereof and to a cable at an output side thereof, a transmission bypass unit that is connected between the cable and the transducer, blocks off a reception signal and allows a transmission signal to pass therethrough, and a floating unit that is connected between a power supply terminal of the preamplifier and a driving power source and increases impedance thereof for a high-voltage transmission signal, whereby a bias potential of the preamplifier is electrically set to a floating state and returned to an original bias potential by a reception time.

In general, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus contains a transmission circuit for generating a high voltage AC signal in the device, and a high-voltage transmission pulse is transmitted through a cable to excite the ultrasonic transducer in an ultrasonic probe. Furthermore, an ultrasonic wave reflected and returned from a living body is received by the ultrasonic transducer, and a reception signal is likewise transmitted through the cable into the device, separated in a TR separation circuit (transmission/reception separating circuit), transmitted to the reception circuit to be amplified, and then transmitted to an image processor.
The reception signal is generally a very faint signal of about several tens to several hundreds mV. Accordingly, these signals are lowered in signal level due to voltage division caused by parasitic capacitance of the cable, or SNR remarkably deteriorates due to a cable insertion loss or an effect of parasitic resistance of a high-voltage switch. Therefore, it is considered that a preamplifier is provided to a grip end portion in the ultrasonic probe (probe) to amplify a reception signal when the reception signal is transmitted through the cable, whereby an effect of noise can be relatively suppressed.
Patent Document 1 is known as a circuit which has been hitherto devised to provide a preamplifier in an ultrasonic probe.
Furthermore, Patent Document 2 is also an example of a circuit for protecting a preamplifier.

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic probe used in same


A thin-film actuator that deforms a diaphragm to generate force includes a lower electrode disposed on the diaphragm, a first piezoelectric layer disposed on the lower electrode, an intermediate electrode disposed on the first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer disposed on the intermediate electrode, and an upper electrode disposed on the second piezoelectric layer.

1. Field of the Invention
Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a thin-film actuator, a liquid ejection device that ejects droplets of liquid, e.g., ink using the thin-film actuator, and an image forming apparatus that forms an image using the liquid ejection device.
2. Description of the Background
Image forming apparatuses are used as printers, facsimile machines, copiers, plotters, or multi-functional peripherals having two or more of the foregoing capabilities. As one type of image forming apparatus using a liquid ejection device, inkjet recording apparatuses are widely used because of advantages such as nearly noiseless operation, high-speed printing, greater flexibility of ink selection, and availability of recording sheets (e.g., plain sheets) at reasonable prices.
A liquid ejection device used in such an inkjet recording apparatus has nozzles through which ink droplets are ejected, liquid chambers (also referred to as ejection chambers, pressurized chambers, pressure chambers, or ink channels) that communicate with nozzles, and pressure generators for ejecting ink stored in the liquid chambers.
One type of pressure generator is a bubble-type (thermal-type) pressure generator that ejects ink droplets by generating bubbles by film-boiling of ink using an electro-thermo transducer, e.g., a heat-resistant body disposed in the liquid chamber. Another type is a piezo-type pressure generator that ejects ink droplets by deforming/displacing a diaphragm forming a wall of the liquid chamber using an electro-mechanical transducer such as a piezoelectric element. The piezo-type pressure generator comes in several types, including, e.g., a vertical-vibration type deforming in the d33 direction, a lateral-vibration type (bend mode type) deforming in the d31 direction, and a shear-mode type using shear deformation.
With recent advances in the fields of semiconductor processing and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), thin-film actuators have been proposed in which liquid chambers and piezoelectric elements are directly built into a silicon (Si) substrate. For example, one approach like that described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-047689 proposes a piezo-electric actuator including a diaphragm and a piezoelectric element for deforming the diaphragm. To provide an inkjet recording head of high density and high precision at a reduced cost, the approach proposes to reduce a residual stress in the diaphragm by doping the diaphragm with impurities. A lead zirconate titanate (PZT) film, serving as a piezoelectric element, is a thin film of a thickness of 5 μm formed by sputtering, and the diaphragm is made of oxidized Si film. In this approach, introducing germanium (Ge), lead (P), boron (B), and/or other substances as impurities into the oxidized Si film is proposed, and an appropriate doping amount is assumed to be 35 mol % or lower.
Although the above-described approach may be effective in reducing stress on the diaphragm, it fails to provide a way to increase the generation force to achieve higher densities.
Further, consistent displacement of the piezoelectric element is crucial to good printing performance. To reduce fluctuation or variation in the displacement of the piezoelectric element in the thin-film type of piezoelectric actuator, another approach proposes to form an inter-layer insulation layer with an opening that defines the deformable area of the piezoelectric element and to manufacture a piezoelectric element deformable only within the opening. In this approach, a PZT film serving as the piezoelectric element is a thin film of a thickness of 4 μm formed by sputtering, and the diaphragm is an Si film of a thickness of 4 μm.
Such a configuration may reduce unwanted electrostatic volume and limit the deformable area of the piezoelectric element, thereby reducing a fluctuation or variation in displacement of the piezoelectric element to some extent. However, this approach also fails to provide a way to increase the generation force to achieve higher densities.
In still another approach, in a thin-film piezoelectric actuator the piezoelectric element is set to a thickness of 5 μm or less and the width in the short direction of the diaphragm is set to 160 μm or less. Although such a configuration may create the generation force needed to achieve current levels of density, this approach also fails to provide a way to increase the generation force to achieve higher densities.
More specifically, the conventional thin-film piezoelectric actuator has a single-layer piezoelectric structure including only one piezoelectric layer, i.e., a structure formed with a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode. In such a configuration, to increase the generation force of the actuator, both the thickness of the piezoelectric element and the width in the short direction of the diaphragm should be optimized according to the thickness of the diaphragm. Accordingly, increasing the actuator density may cause a significant reduction in the width in the short direction of the diaphragm. For example, in the case of 600 dpi, the width in the short direction of the diaphragm is approximately 30 μm, and in the case of 1,200 dpi, the width is approximately 15 μm. In such cases, to obtain a desired generation force, the thickness of the diaphragm should be extremely thick (e.g., approximately 7 μm or more) at a markedly thin region of the piezoelectric layer. If a piezoelectric actuator having a single piezoelectric layer as described above is manufactured in such a region, the small thickness of the diaphragm results in a low yield. Further, the great thickness of the piezoelectric layer causes an increase in driving voltage (e.g., reaching approximately 70V at the thickness of 7 μm of the diaphragm, depending on film properties), which is far from practical use.

Thin-film actuator, liquid ejection head, ink cartridge, and image forming apparatus


A system for sorting objects is provided. For instance, the system includes a first and second sensor for observing the objects before and after sorting and a controller having an action agent module and a learning agent module. The controller updates, by the learning agent module, a policy matrix after sorting previously sorted objects. The policy matrix includes state data of the previously sorted objects including sensor data, an action performed by the sorting actuator, and a sorting score. The controller actuates the sorting actuator, calculates a specific sorting score based on a specific action performed by the sorting actuator, and updates the policy matrix to create an updated policy matrix including updated sorting rules. The updated policy matrix is used in sorting subsequent objects. In another example, the controller loads a policy matrix that was determined incrementally during sorting of previously sorted objects.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the sorting of objects, such as glass objects, for example in recycling sorting applications. By way of example, after collection of recyclable glass, a need exists to sort the glass by color so that different colored glass may be effectively processed or sold for reuse. In such applications, even a small amount of foreign material can adversely impact an entire batch of glass of a single color. For example, ceramic pieces can contaminate a batch of glass, and during subsequent processing could explode and damage the batch. In addition, an unacceptable amount of colored glass could make clear flint glass unacceptable for reuse and/or reduce the value of the material, impacting its price in an open market.
Other applications for sorting of objects abound. Fruit, vegetables, manufactured items, mail, and other items are routinely encountered in a state where they are not separated by type. Yet separation is desired so that like objects may be transported or sold separately. Separated objects usually have higher value than the mixed objects.
Automated sorting machines have been contemplated in the industry, and typically operate by using a camera and a sorting actuator, under the guidance of a control system. The control system uses predetermined algorithms and rules to activate the sorting actuator to move passing objects into different bins for collection.
These sorting machines are very sensitive to changes in the flow rate of objects, variations in conveyor belts, deviations in the sizes, shapes or colors of objects, system wear and tear, and other parameters. In addition, the sorting machines are specially designed for one or just a few sorting applications, and are not readily deployed in different applications.
And the sorting systems are very expensive, require expensive conveyor belts, and cannot be readily moved about a facility, such as a recycling or sorting facility. Therefore, a need exists for sorting systems and methods that have improved performance, greater flexibility, and lower cost of ownership.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Wire rope is cleaned or otherwise treated during operation in a system or machine by surrounding the wire rope with a plurality of tools at a location fixed along the wire rope path, and causing the tools to spin around the wire rope by positioning followers to track in the valleys between outer helical strands of the wire rope.

Wire rope is frequently employed as a means to transmit power and or motion within a system such as a ski-lift or elevator or within a machine such as a power shovel, and the like. Often the wire rope in such a system or machine collects dirt or debris on its outer surface as it is operational, that is during the periods that the wire rope is moved therein, and this way be further aggravated because such dirt and debris is attracted to and held by lubricant that is normally required to be present on the wire rope.
In some situations the wire rope is cleaned and possibly relubricated only at times the system or machine is inoperative and shut down for maintenance; and conversely it has often been the case that the rate at which the wire rope has become dirty established a maintenance schedule. Clearly it would be a great advantage to decrease the need to shut down and extend the operational periods of such systems and machines employing wire rope.


A device (100) for the excitation of a fiber (150) comprises a first piezo bender actuator (110) and a second piezo bender actuator (120). The device (100) also comprises a connection part (130) which is arranged between the first piezo bender actuator (110) and the second piezo bender actuator (120). The device (100) also comprises a movable fiber (150) which is mounted to the connection part (130).

In various fields of the art, it can be desirable to excite a fiber, i.e., to bring about a motion of the fiber. For example, by means of the motion of the fiber, an endoscope can be implemented. See, for example, Rivera, David R., et al. "Compact and flexible raster scanning multiphoton endoscope capable of imaging unstained tissue." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108.43 (2011): 17598-17603. The motion of the fiber can also be used to scan pulsed laser light. See, for example, Leach, Jeffrey H., Stephen R. Chinn, and Lew Goldberg. "Monostatic all-fiber scanning LADAR system." Applied optics 54.33 (2015): 9752-9757.
Often tubular piezo actuators are used for the excitation of the fiber. Said tubular piezo actuators can extend, for example, along a longitudinal axis of the fiber. See, for example, Smithwick, Q, Y. J. et al. "Modeling and control of the resonant fiber scanner of a novel scanning scope." Engineering in Medicine and Biology, 2002. 24th Annual Conference and the Annual Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society EMBS/BMES Conference, 2002. Proceedings of the Second Joint. Vol. 2. IEEE, 2002.
However, such techniques have certain disadvantages and limitations. For example, with a given geometry of the excitation, an amplitude of the motion can be relatively limited. This can limit the field of view for optical applications. Furthermore, the degrees of freedom of motion which can be excited by means of a corresponding geometry of the excitation can be limited.

Fibre excitation with piezo bender actuators


A semi-recumbent, human powered, four wheel cycle has an independent front suspension and wheels that are turned. A conventional bicycle chain drive drives one or both front wheels. The rear wheels are also driven in additional embodiments.

Bicycles of semi-recumbent configuration have potential for greater comfort and speed than conventional bicycles that are ridden with upright posture. However, due to their configuration, semi-recumbent bicycles are more awkward to ride and significant practice is required of experienced riders of conventional bicycles to transition to them. For example, many of the long and short wheel base semi-recumbent bicycles have handlebars for steering mounted on a pivot point beneath the rider. Other semi-recumbent bicycles--mostly those with long wheel bases--have handle bars extending rearwardly from steering shafts mounted in a steering head positioned well forward of the rider. The result of this configuration is that the rider's hands sweep through a large radius arch, in the manner of a tiller on a boat, when steering rather than rotating about a near central pivot point as is typical of a conventional bicycle.
Semi-recumbent, four-wheel cycles are, on the other hand, stable and easy to ride. However, known primarily as utilitarian vehicles, they have been relegated to use in industrial applications for transportation of materials and people in novelty rental fleets near destination resorts and vacation areas. For many reasons they are not satisfactory for bicycle enthusiasts who ride for exercise and sport. For example, a typical four-wheel cycle has a frame constructed of jig-welded heavy steel tubing in a ladder frame configuration. Thus, it is comparatively very heavy and not considered portable by bicycle standards. Due to its weight and size, it cannot be easily carried atop an automobile like a bicycle in a roof top carrier. Outfitted with a canopy for sun or rain protection, relatively small wheels (e.g. 20" or smaller in diameter) and high gearing, the typical four-wheel cycle is intended to move only at modest speeds.
Furthermore, a typical four wheel cycle has one or both rear wheels driven using a chain drive system with sprockets that requires a long chain run length from the pedaling cranks to the rear wheels. Its ladder frame configuration usually has a fixed seat or an adjustable seat that moves along the ladder frame to accommodate riders of varying leg length. However, it does not compensate for torso length for steering purposes, thus placing the steering wheel or bars in an awkward position for many people.
Additionally, the typical four-wheel cycle does not have a suspension between the frame and wheels to dampen road shock to the rider and allow the tires to maintain constant contact with the road surface for traction and steering control. Instead it relies only on padding in the seat assembly and relatively thick pneumatic tires to dampen shocks to the rider. Without suspension, the framing and wheel sets must be built heavier and stronger to endure the shocks. Since it is not possible to stand up off the seat, as with a conventional bicycle, it can be very uncomfortable to control at high speeds on standard roadways and on off-road terrain. And, the heavy framing and thick pneumatic tires slow the cycle.