Systems and methods for providing an enhanced auditory behavior to a graphical user interface are described. Control elements portrayed by the graphical user interface on a display are associated with at least two states. When transitioning between states, a sound effect specified for that transition can be provided to provide further user or designer customization of the interface appearance. Movement of objects can be accompanied by a repeated sound effect. Characteristics of both sound effects can be easily adjusted in volume, pitch and frequency.

The present invention relates generally to graphical user interfaces for computer systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for interfacing applications and operating systems which provide for added behavior, in the form of sound effects, over object operation and movement in graphical user interfaces.
The evolution of the computer industry is unparalleled in its rate of growth and complexity. Personal computers, for example, which began as little more than feeble calculators with limited memory, tape-driven input and monochrome displays are now able to tackle almost any data processing task. While this meteoric increase in power was almost sufficient to satisfy the demand of application programmers and end users alike, the corresponding increase in complexity created an ease-of-use problem which the industry was somewhat slower in solving. Thus, designers were faced with a new challenge: to harness this computing power in a form usable by even those with relatively little computer training to smooth the transition of other industries into a computer-based information paradigm.
As a result, in the early to mid-1980's many new I/O philosophies, such as "user friendly," "WYSIWYG" and "menu driven" came to the forefront of the industry. These concepts are particularly applicable to microcomputers, also known as personal computers, which are intended to appeal to a broad audience of computer users, including those who previously feared and mistrusted computers. An important aspect of computers which employ these concepts was, and continues to be, the interface which allows the user to input commands and data and receive results, which is commonly referred to as a graphical user interface (GUI).
One type of GUI display is based on a visual metaphor which uses a, monitor screen as a work surface called a "desktop" where documents are presented in relocatable regions termed "windows". The user interacts with the computer by, for example, moving objects on the desktop, choosing commands from menus, and manipulating window control elements, such as checkboxes and scroll bars. An exemplary desktop screen is reproduced as FIG. 1. Therein, various GUI objects including windows and icons are depicted.
Windows are one example of GUI objects which can be virtually any size, shape, or color. Some standard types of windows are commonly predefined for the interface including, for example, a document window and a dialog box. One example of a standard for a document window is illustrated in FIG. 2. Each document window which conforms to this standard has a title bar with a title drawn in a system-defined font and color. Active document windows can also have control elements as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, a close box, a zoom box, a size box, and scroll bars. Other control elements, not shown in FIG. 2, include buttons, menu items and checkboxes. Those skilled in the art will recognize that myriad other control elements are known and in use.
Control elements are on-screen objects that a user can manipulate with, for example, a mouse to cause an immediate action or modify settings to cause a future action. For example, a button control element can provide for the graphical user interface to receive user input as to a selected function to be performed by the system. FIG. 3 illustrates a window entitled "Find" having three button control elements whose titles describe the function to be performed when these control elements are activated. A user can activate a button control element in a variety of ways, for example by positioning a cursor (not shown in FIG. 3) over the control element and providing an activating input, e.g., depressing a mouse button.
As shown in FIG. 3, control elements are typically displayed in a static default or normal state. However, when a button control element is actuated the graphical user interface redraws the control element in a second static state which visually informs the user that the system has recognized the user's input and is performing the desired function, For example, some conventional graphical user interfaces redraw button control elements in a depressed state to indicate activation. However, most software applications provide little or no corresponding sound behavior to accompany the transition between states.
The success of these types of conventional interfaces is evident from the number of companies which have emulated the desktop environment. Even successful concepts, however, must continually be improved in order to keep pace with the rapid growth in this industry. The advent of multimedia, especially CD-ROM devices, has provided vast quantities of secondary storage which have been used to provide video capabilities, e.g., live animation and video clips, as regular components of applications. With these new resources at their disposal, application designers, and others, desire additional control over the appearance and behavior of the display, including the desktop environment and, in particular, objects and control elements on the desktop.
In the related application entitled "Graphical User Interfaces Having Animated Control Elements", it has been described how to provide additional control over the appearance of, for example, control elements by providing animated transition effects. The present invention expands upon these concepts by describing various techniques for creating realistic sound effects which can be provided to support object actions and enhance the behavior of the graphical user interface.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Graphical user interface having sound effects for operating control elements and dragging objects


A process transmitter includes a manually operated power generator to provide electrical power to sense a process variable, produce an output based on the sensed process variable, and provide a display of the output.

This invention relates generally to process instruments used in industrial process control systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process transmitter having a modular, manually operated power generator.
Process transmitters are used to monitor process variables, such as pressure, temperature, flow and level, of process fluids used in industrial processes. For example, process transmitters are widely used in the chemical manufacturing and oil refining industries. Process transmitters are typically employed throughout industrial facilities at multiple locations to monitor a variety of process variables. Additionally, process transmitters are used in isolated field locations such as in cross-country pipelines.
Process transmitters include sensors that produce an electrical output in response to physical changes in the process variable. For example, capacitive pressure transducers or piezoresistive pressure transducers produce an electrical output as a function of the pressure of a process fluid. The electrical output of the sensor is processed by the transmitter circuitry so it can be monitored as an indication of pressure of the process fluid. Process transmitters also include electronics for either remotely or locally monitoring the electrical output. Remotely monitored transmitters include electronics that transmit the electrical output over a control loop or network to a central monitoring location such as a control room. Locally monitored transmitters include displays, such as LCD screens, that show the electrical output at the site of the process transmitter. Process transmitters typically draw their power through the control loop or network, or through power delivered through wiring systems typically found in industrial settings. In other embodiments, process transmitters include components for both local and remote monitoring.
However, in process transmitters that are located at extremely remote locations, such as on cross-country pipelines or oil and gas wells, it may be impracticable to directly deliver power to the process transmitter through either a control loop or wiring system. Nonetheless, it is necessary to have intermittent process transmitters situated along the pipeline in order to permit direct monitoring of the process fluid at the remote location.
Batteries and solar power have been the traditional method of delivering power to remotely located process transmitters. Conventional process transmitters include a terminal block for receiving the wiring associated with the control loop or power wiring systems. The terminal block is located within the housing of the process transmitter and includes terminals for receiving and securing the wires used to deliver the power. Typically the terminals are accessible from the exterior of the process transmitter housing through a conduit opening. The terminal block is connectable with power connectors inside the process transmitter housing that distribute power to the process transmitter electronics and sensor. Terminal blocks are modular and are easily removed from the process transmitter and replaced. A battery or a solar panel can also be coupled to the terminal block. Batteries eventually become fully discharged and therefore can be unreliable in field environments where replacement batteries are not readily available. Also, bringing replacement batteries into the field is burdensome even when they are available. Solar power can also be an unreliable source of energy due to unfavorable weather conditions that does not produce enough light to operate the transmitter.


The present invention is directed toward a restraint system for an infant support such as a highchair. The restraint system includes a restraining member adapted to pass through an aperture formed into the infant support. The restraining member includes a stop member selectively operable to pass through the aperture. Specifically, the stop member is configured to pass through the aperture when in a first orientation relative to the slot, but cannot pass through aperture when positioned in a second (e.g., opposite) orientation relative to the slot. With this configuration, the unintended separation of the restraint system from the infant support may be prevented. Additionally, with this configuration, the accidental tightening of the shoulder straps on a restrained child by a sibling pulling on the straps from behind the seat is also prevented.

Child support structures, such as highchairs, support young children during feeding and other seated activities. A highchair positions a child comfortably at a higher elevation compared to that of a conventional adult seat. This higher positioning gives parents easier access to the child during activities such as feeding. However, the increased height also increases the chance of injury should a child fall from the highchair. To maintain the safety of the child, some highchairs include a restraint assembly or system. The restraint system may include a series of straps connected via buckles. A problem occurs when the straps decouple from the child support structure. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a restraint system for an infant support that prevents accidental decoupling of a restraining member from the child support structure. Additionally, it is desirable to prevent the sudden and unexpected tightening of the straps on a child restrained in the child support structure (such as that caused by a sibling pulling on the restraints from the back of the chair).


A membrane filter material formed from a solvent resistant bismaleimide polymer which is formed by polymerizing a bismaleimide compound with a perhydrodiaza-type heterocyclic compound and has a main structural skeleton represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represents a lower carbon chain which is linear or contains a methyl group or ethyl group on the side chain, R.sub.5 represents a divalent group containing an aromatic ring, Y is >R< or >N--R--N< in which R is a lower carbon chain, and m is 0 or 1.. This bismaleimide polymer can be a membrane filter material having an excellent organic solvent resistance. When this polymer is formed into a hollow fiber or plain film, a high separating and filtering capacity and an excellent organic resistance can be attained. A membrane filter material having an enhanced organic solvent resistance is provided by preparing the bismaleimide polymer by reacting the bismaleimide compound and perhydrodiaza-type heterocyclic compound in a halogen-containing organic solvent in the presence of a small amount of a phenol.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a membrane filter of a bismaleimide polymer having an excellent organic solvent resistance and a method for the formation thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a material for a membrane filter used for separating floating dusts, colloids, proteins and the like by macrofiltration or ultrafiltration, a method for forming a hollow yarn and a plain film from this material, and a preferred process for the preparation of a bismaleimide resin used for this membrane filter material.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Ultrafiltration membranes and selective permeation membranes are frequently used at the present because they can separate colloids, proteins, microorganisms and the like from dispersion media at high efficiencies. Furthermore, these filtration membranes are utilized for the waste water treatment in plants, buildings and the like, and they are also used in the fields of the food industry, medical industry and agriculture. In general, the membrane filter is formed into a plain membrane or a hollow fiber. The hollow fiber is widely used as a dialysis module for separating colloids, proteins, microorganisms and the like from a dispersion medium at a high frequency in the medicinal field. An aqueous solution has heretofore been used as the dispersion medium (the solution used for the module or the like), but with recent diversification of the technique, organic solvents are used as the dispersion medium. Furthermore, organic solvents are often used for regeneration and washing of hollow yarns. Therefore, development of a membrane filter having an excellent organic solvent resistance is desired.
As the material constituting the membrane filter, there have been used various organic polymers such as a polysulfone (Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 56-54164), a photo-crosslinked polymer (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-136107 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-84006) and a fluorine polymer (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-166541). Furthermore, there are known membrane filters composed of cellulose acetate, polyacrylonitrile or a polyamide. Moreover, a hollow yarn composed of a polyether-sulfone is used for removing proteins and the like from a dispersion medium at a high efficiency. A membrane filter composed of cellulose acetate or a polyamide is defective in that the heat resistance is poor. A filter membrane composed of a polysulfone has a large permeation amount of water, a high resistance to an acid and an alkali and a good heat resistance, but the organic solvent resistance is poor. A photo-crosslinked polymer has an organic solvent resistance, but the permeation of water or the like is insufficient. A fluorine polymer has an organic solvent resistance, but this polymer is defective in that since there is no appropriate solubilizing agent to be used for formation of a film, it is difficult to prepare a plain membrane and it is impossible to reduce the pore size.
A conventional hollow fiber composed of a polyether-sulfone is defective in that when acetone or an aromatic solvent is used as the dispersion medium, such troubles as damage by dissolution or swelling are caused. A fluorine resin can be mentioned as a membrane material having an organic solvent resistance, but this resin is poor in the solubility and there is not a suitable spinning solvent, and therefore, it is difficult to prepare a hollow yarn.
Under this background, we made investigations and found that a specific bismaleimide resin is suitable as a material of a selective membrane filter. However, a product obtained according to the conventional process for the preparation of a polymer of a bismaleimide compound has a low molecular weight, and some polymers are soluble in cresol and dichloromethane. As another method for the preparation of a bismaleimide resin, there is known a process comprising reacting bismaleimide with piperazine in dichloromethane or N-methylpyrrolidone (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 50-142700). However, in such a solvent, gelation is promptly advanced, and the formed bismaleimide resin is not suitably used as a membrane material.

Membrane filter material having excellent organic solvent resistance, method for formation of membrane filter and process for preparation of bismaleimide polymer to be used for membrane filter


The present invention is referred to a coronary artery retraction means for retracting tissue and/or fat from the coronary artery during coronary anastomosis and a CO2 supplying device capable of blowing CO2 on the coronary artery during a bypass procedure while the retracting means holds and keeps the fat away from the artery. This device comprises, in one embodiment, a stainless steel ‘V’-shaped wire, including a couple of elastic arms, which end with a hook-like retracting means, and also including on said arms grabbing means allowing the surgeon to place the device in place in an easy and fast maneuver, and a CO2 supplying means on each arm, including at least one gas intake on one end and a gas outlet over said retracting means. In a second embodiment, all the different parts of the device define an integral piece made of plastic material which is fully disposable after the procedure.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a surgery device that provides a fat and tissue retraction function and at the same time CO, supplying on the surgical field during a by-pass procedure. More particularly, the present invention is referred to a coronary artery retraction device that includes, as an integral part of its structure, a CO2 supplying means basically comprising a conduit integral with the elastic arms of the retractor, including a special oriented outflow that directs the CO2 flow on the surgical field, and a flow-controlling means for regulating the CO2 flow. Even more particularly, the present invention purposes a coronary artery retraction and CO2 dispensing device with which the by-pass surgical procedure is improved by reducing the number of hands necessary on the surgical field at the same time, reducing surgical risks and human errors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Just like any other organ in the human body, the heart needs blood and oxygen to do its job. This blood is received through different vessels called arteries and veins. One of the main arteries is the coronary artery that snakes across the surface of the heart, delivering a constant supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. When one or more of these arteries become narrowed or blocked, blood and oxygen are reduced, and heart muscle is damaged.
By-pass surgery is a well known procedure for replacing blood vessels clogged with cholesterol, which will cause the decrease of blood flow in these arteries. It is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the U.S. for treating heart disease when the coronary arteries are blocked. The general idea behind this procedure is to give the blood a new pathway to the heart.
During coronary artery bypass graft surgery a blood vessel is removed or redirected from one area of the body and placed around the area of narrowing to "bypass" the blockages and restore blood flow to the heart muscle. This vessel is called a graft, and the surgeon will decide which graft to use depending on the location and amount of blockage and the size of the patient's coronary arteries.
The most common bypass grafts used are the internal mammary arteries, as they have been shown to have the best long-term results. In most cases, these arteries can be kept intact at their origin, since they have their own oxygen-rich blood supply. During the procedure, the arteries are sewn to the coronary artery below the site of blockage. This artery is located in the chest and can be accessed through the primary incision for the bypass surgery.
Another graft used is the saphenous vein. These veins are removed from the leg, and then sewn from the aorta to the coronary artery below the site of blockage. Minimally invasive saphenous vein removal may be performed and results in less scarring and a faster recovery.
The technical term used to identify the surgical procedure used to join two hollow organs is anastomosis. Particularly, for bypass surgery, this procedure is performed with suture material, and may be end-to-end side-to-side or end-to-side depending on the circumstances of the required reconstruction or bypass.
Anastomosis is typically performed on blood vessels, arteries and veins. During a typical bypass surgery, the coronary artery is bypassed, and as part of the procedure the fat and tissue must be retracted from the coronary artery to permit viewing and access to the coronary artery during surgery.
There are several fat retractor devices in the prior art. For example, a coronary artery retraction clip for retracting tissue from the coronary artery during coronary anastomosis is known. It comprises a single metal wire forming a central loop spring, first and second supporting arms extending from the loop spring and diverging from each other. At the proximal end of the respective first and second support arms, first and second eyes, and first and second hooks for engaging the tissue to be retracted, the central loop spring, support arms and eyes lying substantially in a single plane, the first and second eyes being formed of the metal wire lying substantially in said plane and configured to receive the tips of forceps substantially perpendicular to said plane, the hooks extending out of said plane and outwardly from the respective arms.
Another known retractor device comprises a single piece of stainless steel wire with a circular spring portion from which two flexible arms are extended. These arms end in a retraction means, which defines a hook-type retracting means for separating the muscle fat from the artery during the procedure.
None of the above mentioned solutions comprise a dual action of tissue retraction and CO2 supplying at the same time. As such, an easy to use disposable coronary artery retraction clip, which can be used with the surgeon's fingers to retract the fat and tissue away from the coronary artery and provide at the same time CO2 directly on the surgical field is still desired in the market.


The present invention relates to a fluid supply system for a 3D printer including a fluid pressure generating device for generating a pressurized fluid flow and with a fluid heating device for heating the fluid flow, wherein the 3D printer has at least one construction chamber which is delimited by a construction chamber with respect to the surroundings of the 3D printer and is sealed in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the fluid pressure generating device, the fluid heating device and the construction chamber housing are in fluid connect ion, whereby the fluid flow can flow through the construction chamber, and wherein the fluid pressure generating device, the fluid heating device and the construction chamber housing define a closed fluid circuit for the fluid flow which is heated by the fluid heating device before entry into the construction chamber.

In connection with the 3D print of plastics, especially for medical applications (e.g. for implants), the currently achievable component quality is in the focus of many scientific investigations. Two of the most important challenges that play a decisive role with regard to component quality are the component tolerance and the component sterility or particle precipitation.
DE 10 2015 111 504 A1, for example, already knows a 3D printing device, in particular an FFF printing device, with at least one print head unit, wherein the print head unit is intended in at least one operating state to melt a printing material formed at least partially by a high-performance plastic material, in particular a high-performance thermoplastic material.
Further, EP 2 261 009 A1 discloses an apparatus and a method for producing a three-dimensional object, wherein the apparatus comprises a vacuum pump coupled to a feed reservoir in order to generate an air flow through the feed reservoir.
In addition, EP 3 023 228 A1 shows an additive manufacturing device having a gas flow system to provide a gas flow over the area of the construction platform of the additive manufacturing device.
Furthermore, EP 3 173 233 A1 discloses a three-dimensional manufacturing device, which has a processing space that is heated by a processing space heating unit provided for this purpose.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,301 A discloses a combined fan-filter unit which is provided for filtering the air of an air circuit in a clean room.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,872 B1 shows a three-dimensional modeling device which is intended to build up three-dimensional objects inside a heated construction chamber.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,941 B1 shows a diffuser for generating a uniform air flow within a process chamber used e.g. in the production of semiconductor chips.
Moreover, US 2015/110911 A1 shows an environment monitoring and control unit, which is used for additive manufacturing technologies, for example, as an interface to their respective environments.
Furthermore, WO 2016/063198 A1 shows a method and an apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by "Fused Deposition Modelling", wherein the manufacturing apparatus comprises radiation heating elements which are able to heat a surface of the object to be manufactured exposed to them.
In addition, a clean room technology for 3D printers and so-called bio-printers are known from WO 2017/040675 A1.
From WO 2017/108477 A1, a method of producing a three-dimensional object with a "Fused Deposition Modelling" printer can also be found.
Based on the solutions proposed in the state of the art, these additive manufacturing devices still have the problem of high component distortion and inadequate sterility and insufficient absence from germs and particles for medical applications. A minimal contamination of the component is to be aimed for and is not yet achieved at present.
It is therefore the task of the present invention to further develop a fluid supply system for a 3D printer of the aforementioned type in a beneficial manner, in particular with regard to improving the distortion and sterility of a component produced by means of the 3D printer and to improving the energy efficiency of the fluid supply system.
According to the invention, this task is solved by a fluid supply system for a 3D printer having the features of claim 1. According to this, provision is made that a fluid supply system for at least one 3D printer, in particular an FFF 3D printer, is provided with at least one fluid pressure generating device for generating a pressurized fluid flow and with at least one fluid heating device for heating the fluid flow, wherein the 3D printer has at least one construction chamber which is delimited by means of at least one construction chamber housing with respect to the surroundings of the 3D printer and is sealed in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the fluid pressure generating device, the fluid heating device and the construction chamber housing are in fluid connection, whereby the fluid flow can flow through the construction chamber, and wherein the fluid pressure generating device, the fluid heating device and the construction chamber housing define a closed fluid circuit for the fluid flow which is heated by means of the fluid heating device before entry into the construction chamber.
It is also possible to provide a valve or an inflow of advantageously filtered ambient air in order to temper the construction space. In principle, provision may be made that even air gaps or air inflows of external air can be present or tolerated. Complete fluid tightness is not necessary. Moreover, additionally supplied cold air can be admixed to the heated circuit in order to cool the construction space even after pressure build-up.
The invention is based on the fundamental idea that, due to the construction of a closed fluid circuit, the fluid which has already flowed through the construction chamber of the 3D printer and which has been heated before its entry is not released unused from the construction chamber into the environment of the 3D printer after its exit. Instead, the partially heated fluid that leaves the construction chamber can be returned to the construction chamber due to the closed fluid circuit. This type of fluid circuit is particularly advantageous because the fluid leaving the construction chamber still has a significantly higher temperature compared to its ambient temperature. As a result, the amount of energy to be provided for reheating the fluid can be significantly reduced. On the one hand, the energy required to heat the fluid can be significantly reduced. On the other hand, the fluid heating device can be dimensioned so as to be much more space-saving and compact compared to the state of the art, since it does not have to heat the fluid from the ambient temperature to the desired construction chamber temperature. The heating of the construction chamber is particularly optimal for low-distortion processing of semi-crystalline thermoplastics. The at least partial heating of the construction chamber by an upstream heated fluid flow allows to realize a particularly homogeneous temperature distribution within the construction chamber. This homogeneous temperature distribution has an additional positive effect on distortion reduction during the processing of thermoplastics. All in all, the fluid supply system can therefore be designed so as to be much more efficient and cost-effective. Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to filter the particles out of the ambient air, since the already filtered air flow is continually circulated and this air flow is filtered again. As a result, fewer particles in total need to be filtered out of the airflow, which is why the filters can also achieve a longer service life.
Furthermore, it may be provided that the fluid supply system in its operational state is designed in such a way that the fluid flow can flow through the construction chamber in the form of an essentially laminar flow. The laminar flow through the construction chamber (with a laminar air flow, especially for creating clean room conditions) has the advantage, especially due to its directional flow characteristics (without cross flows), that the construction chamber is contaminated as little as possible with particles or germs contained in the fluid or carried along by the flow. Since the present invention is also used in the field of medical technology (e.g. for the manufacture of implants), the lowest possible contamination of the component to be manufactured has a particularly positive effect on its sterility. In this context, it is also conceivable that the fluid flow can flow through the construction chamber in the form of an essentially vertical laminar flow.
It is also conceivable that the 3D printer comprises at least one print head which is movable within the construction chamber in a multi-axial and/or multi-dimensional, in particular three-dimensional manner, and at least one construction platform, which are surrounded by the laminar flow of the fluid flow. The three-dimensionally movable print head and the laminar flow of the fluid flow around the print head and the construction platform allow that the product to be manufactured can be printed in laminar air flow, which is advantageous for sterility and asepsis as well as freedom from particles. The laminar flow around these components reduces in particular their contamination or deposits due to particles or germs present in the air. Since these two assemblies are in direct contact with the component to be manufactured, their sterile, particle-free and dirt-free surfaces are essential.
It is also conceivable that the fluid supply system comprises at least one construction chamber entrance area which is arranged upstream of the construction chamber housing and in which at least one flow alignment unit is arranged. The flow alignment unit serves advantageously to calm the fluid flow before entering the construction chamber. Since the fluid flow upstream of the flow alignment unit is swirled by the fluid pressure generating device, the fluid heating device as well as by piping and elbows, it is essential to align the fluid flow before entering the construction chamber. It is especially advantageous to design the construction chamber entrance area in the form of a diffuser. One possible geometric design of the diffuser can be a thin-walled hollow cone whose flow-related cross-sectional area enlarges linearly upstream towards the construction chamber.
Furthermore, it is possible that the flow alignment unit comprises a flow guiding structure, in particular a flow guiding body, for an at least partially laminar alignment of the fluid flow. Such a flow guiding structure is a component which is integrated into the overall device and enables a targeted and particularly efficient laminar alignment of the fluid flow and can thus be advantageously arranged within the construction chamber entrance area. The flow guiding structure allows to direct the fluid flow in such a way that the desired laminar flow can be achieved in the construction chamber entrance area. The flow guiding body may include a diffuser, for example. It is conceivable here, for example, that the diffuser is designed as a thin-walled hollow cone, the lateral surface of which is shaped in such a way that the hollow cone widens in the direction towards the construction chamber.
Furthermore, the flow alignment unit may be designed in such a way that an air curtain forms around the component and thus the component is not directly exposed to the flow. This makes it possible to reduce the component distortion. This is made possible in particular by the fact that no direct air flow hits the component, thus allowing the component to cool down evenly.
In addition, the fluid supply system may comprise at least one fluid sterilization and/or filtering device which is in fluid connection with the fluid pressure generating device, the fluid heating device and the construction chamber housing. Due to the fluid sterilization and/or filtering device, the fluid supplied to the construction chamber can be filtered and/or cleaned in a particularly efficient manner. The fluid sterilization and/or filtering device is located upstream (in relation to the direction of flow through the construction chamber). By suitably designing this device, the fluid before entering the construction chamber can be cleaned, sterilized and filtered in such a way that the construction chamber complies with the regulations and standards of EN ISO 14644 for clean rooms. The closed fluid circuit is particularly advantageous in this context. This is because the continuous circulation of the fluid within the fluid supply system involves that the already cleaned or filtered fluid is returned to the fluid sterilization and/or filtering device as from the first circulation. As a result, the filtering and/or sterilization of the fluid can be carried out with each circulation of the fluid, which has a decisive effect on the sterility and particle contamination of the component to be produced.
It is also conceivable that the fluid flow has a temperature in a range in particular from about 20° C. to about 400° C., preferably from about 30° C. to about 350° C. and particularly preferably from about 50° C. to about 300° C. The temperature ranges described above, in particular the temperature range from about 50° C. to about 300° C., are particularly advantageous for the production of thermoplastics using the 3D printer with as little distortion as possible. For example, thermoplastics can be selected from the group of high-performance thermoplastics. The high-performance thermoplastics can be polyether ketones (such as PAEK, PEKK, PEEK, PEEEK, PEEKK, PEKEKK), polyamides (such as PA 69, PA 612, PA 11, PA 12, PA 46, PA 1212, PA 6/12, PA 1010, PPA), polyphenylene sulfide PPS, polyamide imides, polysulfones (such as PAS, PSF, PES, PPSU, PSU, PESU) and/or polycarbonates PC and also thermoplastic polyimides (PEI, PAI, PESI). It is also conceivable that the thermoplastics are reinforced with fibers and/or particles.
Furthermore, it is conceivable that the fluid flow has a velocity, in particular a mean velocity, within the construction chamber in a range in particular from about 0.05 m/s to about 5 m/s, preferably from about 0.1 m/s to about 5 m/s and particularly preferably from about 0.2 m/s to about 3 m/s. The above-mentioned ranges of the mean velocity, in particular the velocity range from about 0.2 m/s to about 3 m/s, of the fluid flow can guarantee a reliable, in particular constant and homogeneous heating of the construction chamber of the 3D printer. This type of heating helps above all to significantly reduce component distortion when processing thermoplastics. Incidentally, a fluid flow through the construction chamber is required to meet the above-mentioned standard.
Furthermore, it is possible that the fluid sterilization and/or filtering device, the fluid pressure generating device, the fluid heating device and/or the construction chamber housing are temperature-resistant up to a maximum temperature of about 300° C. Up to a maximum temperature of about 300° C. of the fluid, essentially all relevant technical thermoplastics can be processed by the 3D printer. A maximum temperature of about 300° C. is therefore particularly efficient, advantageous and also necessary for the distortion-free processing of thermoplastics.
In addition, provision may be made that the fluid pressure generating device is a flow machine such as a turbo compressor, in particular a radial compressor, or a fan or centrifugal fan. Basically, a flow machine is a fan or a compressor, for example. This type of compressor generates a particularly low-pulsation or low-shock and thus constant pressurized fluid flow, so that pressure and temperature fluctuations within the construction chamber can also be minimized. As a result, an even more homogeneous temperature distribution within the construction chamber can be achieved. In particular, the radial compressor can also be designed as a radial fan that is temperature resistant up to about 300° C.
It is also conceivable that at least one pressure reducing device is arranged downstream of the turbo compressor. The pressure reducing device can be used in a particularly advantageous manner because it generates a certain back pressure for the turbo compressor, which makes the use of a centrifugal ventilator or blower with a temperature resistance of up to 300° C. compulsory for physical reasons. The pressure reducing device can be designed, for example, as a perforated plate or perforated diaphragm.
It is also conceivable that the pressure reducing device, the fluid sterilization and/or filtering device, the fluid heating device and/or the flow alignment unit are capable of generating at least a pressure reduction of the fluid flow of at least 50 Pa. This pressure reduction caused by the above-mentioned components has a particularly beneficial effect on the operation or the controllability and/or adjustability of the turbo compressor, in particular the temperature-resistant radial compressor. Furthermore, a radial compressor of dimensions suitable for the 3D printer can be operated particularly efficiently and advantageously in the presence of such a pressure loss.
Furthermore, it is possible that the fluid supply system comprises a particle measuring device which is provided for monitoring the operation of the 3D printer and arranged in the construction chamber entrance area between the flow alignment unit and at least one entry opening of the construction chamber housing. Such a particle measuring device is particularly important and advantageous for achieving a high component standard in terms of sterility and particle contamination, which is particularly required in medical technology. By using this particle measuring device, the monitoring of the entire fluid supply system of the 3D printer can also be optimized, since maintenance or replacement of the fluid sterilization and/or filtering device can be suggested based on the particle measurement, for example by a central electronic control and/or regulation unit of the 3D printer. Furthermore, based on the particle measurement, a 3D printing process can also be aborted if a certain limit value for particles within the fluid flow is exceeded. It is also conceivable that, based on the particle measurement, the fluid sterilization and/or filtering device can be bypassed by means of a bypass valve and a bypass line. In doing so, the bypass valve can open the bypass line until an adjustable limit value for particles within the fluid flow is exceeded. Especially when using very expensive fluid sterilization and/or filtering devices, the bypass line can result in a noticeable increase in their service life and extended maintenance intervals.
Furthermore, provision may be made that the fluid flow contains a fluid which is a gas, in particular air. The use of a gas, especially air, is particularly advantageous because of the almost unlimited availability of air and the resulting very simple handling.
It is also conceivable that the fluid supply system has at least one gas connection by means of which the fluid supply system can be filled with at least one process gas other than air, with the 3D printer not being in operation during filling. In this context, it is conceivable that the process gas is an inert gas. Specifically, the use of an inert gas prevents oxidation when the 3D printer processes thermoplastics that are susceptible to oxidation, which can further improve the component quality.


To provide a spheroid-containing cell preparation exhibiting a high therapeutic effect for a cartilage tissue-related disorder as a treatment target.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have an excellent self-regeneration property and pluripotency. Due to this reason, the mesenchymal stem cells are expected to be used as a potential cell source of a cell preparation to be employed for a cell treatment (Non Patent Literature 1).
When those mesenchymal stem cells are used as a cell preparation, using them in the form of a spheroid (cell mass; cell aggregate), in which cultured cells form a three-dimensional network, is preferable from the viewpoint of enhancing the effect of healing a lesion caused by disorder.
Among the cell preparations containing spheroid as an effective ingredient, a cell preparation exhibiting a high therapeutic effect for a cartilage tissue-related disorder as a treatment target is not known yet.

Cell preparation for treating cartilage tissue-related disorder

Abstract: A prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a cartilage tissue-related disorder contains, as an effective ingredient, a spheroid including cultured mesenchymal stem cells.


Objects of the present invention are to facilitate filling out by hand an electronic paper and to realize digitization of contents with which the electronic paper is filled out by hand with a simple structure. A read image is obtained by optically reading a reading-object of the electronic paper. Based on the document information written on the electronic paper and writing-conditions during document writing, which are represented by the document information, a display image of the document in accordance with the read image information is formed. A written image is separated and extracted by converting a density only of pixels among the respective pixels of the read image, whose densities vary in accordance with the document writing and which correspond to a portion, to which ink of a pen for the handwriting is not adhered.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic paper reading device, an electronic paper reading system, and an electronic paper reading method. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic paper reading device, an electronic paper reading system, and an electronic paper reading method for reading contents, which have been filled out onto electronic paper by hand.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, attention has been paid to electronic paper (also called "digital paper") as a new recording media. Electronic paper has characteristics such that an arbitrary image (which could be an image of characters) can be recorded thereon, and an image, which has been recorded once thereon, can be rewritten. It is hoped that electronic paper will even replace paper as a recording medium. Paper has characteristics such that, even after an image has been once recorded on the paper, characters or the like can be additionally filled out by hand thereon, by using writing-implements such as pencils or ball-point pens. Accordingly, in order for electronic paper to be used as a medium that replaces paper, the electronic paper must, like paper, enable characters or graphics to be filled out by hand on electronic paper on which an image has already been recorded. Further, the ability to reuse a display or the like of contents, which have been filled out by hand, as an image on the electronic paper, by digitizing the contents, which have been filled out by hand, is desired.
Techniques for digitizing contents, which are filled out on electronic paper by hand, have conventionally been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-112646 discloses an information-processing device which, if an image (including characters) is written/inputted, using an electromagnetic/heat-generating pen, onto electronic paper which is fixed on an electromagnetic inductive digitizer (tablet) digitizes contents which has been written on the electronic paper by the electromagnetic inductive digitizer, associates information, which was obtained by digitization, with ID information for identifying respective documents, and stores the associated information therein.
However, in the technique described in JP-A No. 2000-112646, in order to enable an electronic paper to be filled out by hand and the contents with which the electronic paper is filled out by hand to be digitized, it becomes necessary to use special devices such as the electromagnetic inductive digitizer, and the electromagnetic/heat-generating pen which radiates an electromagnetic wave and generates heat during the filling-out by hand of contents on electronic paper. Further, if electronic paper is filled out by hand, it is also necessary to fix the electronic paper at a predetermined position on the digitizer thus making it inconvenient to use the electronic paper. Moreover, since the electromagnetic/heat-generating pen is a power-consuming device, it must be used while paying constant attention to a remaining amount of a battery in order to prevent writing in-ability due to battery run-down.


A meter and/or base coupled to one or more modems automatically places a service call to a service center upon detection of particular ones of detected faults. Diagnostic and test software periodically test the meter and/or base to ensure that the meter and/or base operate in an expected manner. Upon detection of a hard fault, a service call is placed to the service center and pertinent diagnostic data (e.g., the error code) is transmitted to allow the service center to promptly and properly respond to the call. For soft faults, the meter can resume operation if the detected fault clears up.

The present invention relates generally to postage metering systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for placing an automated service call for postage meter and base.
A postage meter allows a user to print postage or other indicia of value on envelopes or other media. The postage meter can be leased or rented from a commercial group (e.g., Neopost). Typically, the user purchases a fixed amount of value beforehand and the meter is programmed with this amount. Subsequently, the user is allowed to print postage up to the programmed amount.
Because the meter is capable of printing postage having a value, security is critical to prevent unauthorized use. The meter typically includes a print mechanism and mechanical arrangements and/or electronic control circuitry that direct the operation of the print mechanism. The print mechanism and control circuitry are usually enclosed in a secured housing that prevents tampering with the meter and unauthorized access by anyone except for authorized factory technicians. The control circuitry can contain sensors that detect tampering with the meter and flag such condition. Examples of secured postage meters are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,469, entitled xe2x80x9cELECTRONIC METER CIRCUITRYxe2x80x9d, issued May 3, 1988, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,307 entitled xe2x80x9cELECTRONIC POSTAGE METER HAVING IMPROVED SECURITY AND FAULT TOLERANCE FEATURESxe2x80x9d, issued Nov. 20, 1984, both assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference.
With the advent of electronic control circuitry, meter security is typically provided by digital signature, encryption, and other techniques. These techniques allow for electronic detection of meter tampering, e.g., attempts to modify the normal operation of the accounting registers used to store value.
The electronic control circuitry also enables the meter to perform other diagnostic functions. For example, the meter of the ""469 patent is able to detect component failures within the meter and to flag such conditions.
The meter of the ""469 patent has the ability to detect multiple types of failure, e.g., xe2x80x9chardxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9csoftxe2x80x9d faults. Hard faults include failures that threaten the security of the system and/or failure of important hardware. When such faults are detected, a fault code is written into a memory and the meter is locked to prevent further operation until it has been returned to the factory for service. An error message is then displayed on a display to warn the user of the problem and to prompt the user to make a service call to the factory or service center. The user then places the service call through a conventional telephone system.
Soft faults include conditions that pose no potential threat to the security or integrity of the meter. Soft faults can include conditions that are defined in the software as temporary or transitory in nature. For soft faults, the meter displays the error code on the display, writes the error code to memory for later diagnostics, and enters a loop in which it monitors the detected failure condition. The display can prompt the user to make a service call. If the failure condition disappears, the meter resumes operation.
The error reporting mechanism of currently available meters tends to be crude in nature. In some meter designs, the display screen is limited to a few alphanumeric characters, just enough to report the error code. The user and service technician then reference a chart that accompanies the meter to determine the type of failure based on the reported error code. In other meter designs, the meter displays an error message such as xe2x80x9cCall Servicexe2x80x9d. However, in all these designs, the user must make the necessary service call.
This reporting mechanism is inadequate for a number of reasons. First, the fault condition may not be noticed by the user in a timely manner and the reporting delay can result in loss of use to the user, and possible income to the postal service. Second, the user may be aware of the error display but may not be knowledgeable enough to initiate the service call. This is particularly true for meter designs that simply display the fault""s error code. Third, to provide a higher level of service, the meter lessor has a strong interest to know when a meter has been tampered with or is non-functional so that corrective actions can be taken immediately.
The present invention provides method and apparatus for placing automated service calls for a postage meter and base. In one configuration, the meter is a stand-alone unit that couples to a modem. In another configuration, the meter couples to the base and shares a modern coupled to the base. In yet another configuration, the meter couples to the base and each unit couples to an associated modem that connects the corresponding unit to a service center. The meter can communicate with the base through a predetermined protocol. The modem connects the meter and/or the base to the service center through a wireline or wireless transmission system.
In one embodiment, the meter contains diagnostic software that periodically checks the meter to ensure that the meter is operating in an expected manner. If a hard fault is detected, the meter initiates a service call to the service center and transmits the pertinent diagnostic data (e.g., the error code) to allow the service center to promptly and properly respond to the call. For other faults, the meter can attempt automatic and/or manual reset for a predetermined number of times before declaring a hard fault.
In another embodiment, the base contains test software that periodically checks the meter to ensure proper operation of the meter. If a fault is detected, the base can attempt to reset the meter hardware. If the reset fails, the base can initiate a service call to the service center through its own modem and transmits the pertinent diagnostic data. The service call can be made in the case of a hard fault, for example.
In yet another embodiment, the base contains diagnostic software that periodically checks the base to ensure proper operation of the base. If a fault is detected, the base can prompt the operator to fix serviceable faults. Otherwise, the base initiates a service call to the service center and transmits the pertinent diagnostic data.
The detected fault can be classified into one or more fault types. For example, the fault can be classified as xe2x80x9chardxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9csoftxe2x80x9d fault. The meter and base then initiate actions based on the type of fault detected. For hard fault, the meter is preferably disabled from further operation until it has been serviced. For soft fault, the error condition can be monitored and the meter be allowed to resume operation if the fault disappears.
The foregoing, together with other aspects of this invention, will become more apparent when referring to the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.

Method and apparatus for placing automated calls for postage meter and base


A kitchen sink organizer is disclosed that provides for a housing with a sloping dish washing detergent reservoir in a bottom base area, a reservoir insert that rests inside the reservoir that allows for degrees of penetration of dish washing implements such as sponges, soap pads and the like, and a plurality of reservoir covers that are formed with open channels through which liquid can drip back into the reservoir when the washing implements are placed on the covers, and where the housing also provides for an upper storage area for sponges, scrub pads, brushes dish towels, a bar of soap, and a ring or wrist watch, and also for a plurality of swinging hanging rods and rod sleeves that are molded onto the outer walls of the housing and which a user can swing outwardly for placement of a damp dish towel or rubber cleaning gloves.

Washing dishes by hand at a kitchen sink typically is a two handed operation. One hand selects a sponge, scrub pad, brush or another cleaning implement, while the other hand lifts a bottle of dish washing detergent and squeezes the bottle to pour detergent on to the cleaning implement. Some sinks come equipped with a dish washing detergent dispensing device built into the top of the sink and applying dish soap involves a repeated pumping motion. What is needed for people who clean dishes by hand is a device that makes this process easier and more convenient.


A display device, particularly for the display of music titles in a jukebox includes a frame housing, two juxtaposed stacks of information carriers arranged vertically one behind the other, with a front information carrier of a first one of the stacks of information carriers and a rear information carrier of a second one of the stacks of information carriers being simultaneously displaceable by a displacing mechanism relative to one another toward the respective other stack of information carriers. In order to displace the respective front and rear information carriers, the two stacks of information carriers are movable by the displacing mechanism relative to one another in synchronized steps and offset by the thickness of an information carrier. The direction of movement of the movable and displaceable information carriers is reversible by a reversing mechanism. The information carriers of each stack of information carriers are supported at edges thereof in the threads of threaded spindles. The threaded spindles of one stack of information carriers is driven in an opposite direction but in synchronism with threaded spindles of the other stack of information carriers.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a display device, particularly for the display of music titles in a jukebox.
2. Background of the Invention
Jukeboxes offer the user a large number of musical selections, usually in the order of magnitude of several hundred individual music compositions, with presently, for example, up to twenty music compositions being stored on a single compact disc record. The possible selections are usually displayed on a program listing in the form of a display from which the user is able to input, after the insertion of an appropriate amount of money into the jukebox, by way of a keyboard leading to the selection system of the jukebox, the code for his desired selection with respect to one or several music pieces and to thus initiate the playback process. The display of a large selection of music titles thus requires a relatively large viewing area.
German Patent 2,307,309 already discloses a display device for a jukebox including a plurality of superposed parallel polygonal drums that are rotatable about axial shaft stubs and are each equipped with a plurality of essentially planar viewing surfaces and with holding elements for holding a strip card carrying a visually readable display. The polygonal drums are coupled with a drive which, when actuated, rotates all polygonal drums simultaneously about the same angular path so that a different viewing surface of each polygonal drum is turned into the viewing position. To enlarge the program offerings, a plurality of such display devices may be arranged next to one another. Although it is possible to enlarge the program offering in this way, this can be done only to a certain degree since, for example, if more than one thousand music titles are available, the space requirement for the polygonal drums becomes too great. Moreover, the drives for the individual polygonal drums are relatively susceptible to malfunction which leads to frequent malfunction of the display device.
Additionally, German Patent 2,044,028 discloses a device for displaying music titles in a jukebox equipped with a series of flat information carriers that are arranged one behind the other on an endless conveyor and are pivotal about a transverse axis so as to be inscribed on both sides. During their rotation, the information carriers can be moved within a guide equipped with interior and exterior guide walls past a housing window. In order to automatically pivot the information carriers about 180.degree., a turning device is provided which is disposed at one point in the path of revolution of the information carriers where the guide is interrupted- The endless conveyor with the information carriers can be manually moved as required in opposite directions of rotation, with the information carriers being pivoted independently of their direction of rotation. Such a device as well, if it is designed for the display of a very large number of music titles, requires a relatively large installation space and is additionally extremely subject to malfunction due to its complicated structure.
Finally, DE 3,737,585.A1 discloses a display device for a coin-operated jukebox in which the display device is configured as an externally switchable flip card carousel whose flip cards are each inscribed with the music titles on their front and back faces, with the flip cards being pivotally mounted on a flip card holder that is rotatable in only one direction by means of a drive member so that, whenever they pass by a tab that is fixed to the housing, they flip from a position in which their frontal face is displayed to a position in which their rear face is displayed. Although a plurality of music titles can be displayed on each flip stubs and are each equipped with a plurality of essentially planar viewing surfaces and with holding elements for holding a strip card carrying a visually readable display. The polygonal drums are coupled with a drive which, when actuated, rotates all polygonal drums simultaneously about the same angular path so that a different viewing surface of each polygonal drum is turned into the viewing position. To enlarge the program offerings, a plurality of such display devices may be arranged next to one another. Although it is possible to enlarge the program offering in this way, this can be done only to a certain degree since, for example, if more than one thousand music titles are available, the space requirement for the polygonal drums becomes too great. Moreover, the drives for the individual polygonal drums are relatively susceptible to malfunction which leads to frequent malfunction of the display device.
Additionally, German Patent 2,044,028 discloses a device for displaying music titles in a jukebox equipped with a series of flat information carriers that are arranged one behind the other on an endless conveyor and are pivotal about a transverse axis so as to be inscribed on both sides. During their rotation, the information carriers can be moved within a guide equipped with interior and exterior guide walls past a card, the flip card carousel as a whole, due to the rotational movement of the individual flip cards about the flip card holder, requires a comparatively deep installation space. Moreover, when passing the tab attached to the housing, the flip cards are subject to increased wear which may lead to the malfunction of the flip card carousel.


A pressure sensor is electronically corrected for inherent and temperature induced errors. The sensor is characterized with a four term, third order equation. The sensor behavior coefficients for the four terms are themselves each characterized with a three term, second order equation that tracks how the four coefficients change with respect to temperature. The temperature effect coefficients for the three terms in each of the four equations, twelve coefficients in all, are stored in memory. In operation, a microprocessor measures the temperature, retrieves the 12 temperature effect coefficients, solves the four second order equations to obtain the four sensor behavior coefficients, solves the third order equation using the four sensor behavior coefficients and the sensor output to yield the true pressure. In this way, the full spectrum error map of the pressure sensor can be remembered with just 12 coefficients using only 72 bytes of onboard memory. The small memory requirement allows use of fast internal microprocessor memory and easy field recalibration.

It is known in the art to use built in electronic correction circuits with sensors that measure pressure, temperature, and other physical quantities so as to make the sensor output more linear and proportional to the measured quantity. Such correction circuits are needed because the output of sensors may vary from ideal by ten percent or more.
One prior art correction technique uses analog compensation of the output voltage with elaborate networks of resistors and amplifiers. But the compensating components must be very stable and are thus expensive. In addition, a great deal of expensive manufacturing labor is consumed to measure the errors, calculate the size and value of the compensating components, and verify the proper correction of the errors after the installation of the correcting components. The process usually must be repeated several times to reduce the error even below 2 percent of full scale output. Finally, it is entirely possible that component value drift over time may increase the output error again. So this method is very unsatisfactory.
Another prior art technique uses digital correction which can be as accurate as desired, and more stable, but is very expensive. This method uses a large look up table, in a suitable memory, which maps all of the sensor errors for the range of possible outputs and for all other variables that could affect output, such as temperature. This method is less complex than analog designs. But the manufacturing time needed to gather all the data for the table makes this approach expensive. Furthermore, in order to achieve higher accuracies, very large memories are needed to hold the table. Also, it is impractical to recalibrate the sensor in the field for large tables which could easily contain as many as 32 thousand bytes. The present invention avoids these problems with an accurate digital approach that does not have massive memory requirements.


An imprinting apparatus 100 includes a control unit 126 that controls movement of a stage 104. During a period after a pattern is formed in a first region of regions until a pattern is formed in a second region that differs from the first region of the regions, the control unit 126 does not allow the first region to pass through a facing portion that faces a discharge ports 122b. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the discharging unit 106 finally discharges a imprint material 127 to the substrate with an airstream generated along a substrate from the facing portion at the facing portion that faces the discharge ports 122b, the control unit 126 controls movement of the stage such that the regions in which the pattern is formed are allowed to pass through the facing portion.

An imprinting apparatus is known as an apparatus that forms a fine pattern on a substrate to manufacture, for example, a semiconductor device. The imprinting apparatus brings an imprint material on the substrate and a mold that includes a portion (referred to below as a pattern portion) having a pattern into contact with each other and gives energy for curing to the imprint material to form the pattern of the cured material.
In some cases, when a discharging unit of the imprinting apparatus discharges the imprint material, small droplets are produced and splash. As illustrated in FIG. 9, in some cases, a droplet 504 that splashes adheres to a pattern 501 of the imprint material that is cured on a substrate 503, and the pattern 501 collapses such that projections 501a of the pattern 501 approach each other.
PTL 1 discloses an imprinting apparatus that controls the order of formation of a pattern such that the pattern is formed in an imprint region upstream in the direction of an airstream in a chamber before the pattern is formed in an imprint region downstream in the direction of the airstream.
The pattern can collapse not only when the pattern is formed as disclosed in PTL 1 but also when the substrate is unloaded. It is necessary for the occurrence of collapse of the pattern to be decreased also in the case where the droplet that splashes from the discharging unit is left for some reason.

Imprinting apparatus and method of manufacturing product


System of intervertebral prostheses which comprise a prosthesis core (5) and two cover plates (4, 6) which enclose the prosthesis core (5) by way of internal engaging surfaces (7). The system includes corrective cover plates (6) whose vertebral contact surface (12) is lengthened in the AP direction dorsally beyond the extent of standard prostheses (4). In sagittal section, the corrective cover plates are dorsally thickened, in particular wedge-shaped. The inner face (11) of the part (10) constituting the dorsal lengthening is beveled or recessed.

A number of cases have been reported in which the caudal, dorsal portion of the fifth lumbar vertebral body has become greatly worn or has collapsed after prosthesis implantation. The risk of collapse arises if the vertebra has been worn away in the dorsal area and the remaining dorsal lip breaks off or too much is removed. This finding, which is part of the inventive achievement, leads to the object of making available an intervertebral prosthesis which in such a case reduces the risk of collapse. This is achieved by using the corrective cover plate specified in claim 1.
The prior art also includes (PCT/EP02/03132=WO 02/080818) a corrective plate whose internal engaging surfaces, compared to normal prostheses, are offset in the AP direction in relation to the contact surface. This affords the possibility of positioning the joint center of a prosthesis elsewhere than is the case in standard prostheses.


A variable data lithographic printing device comprises surrounding a printing cylinder a photosensitive layer coater, an exposure source, optionally a developer, an inking applicator, optionally a transfer system, and optionally an eraser. During printing operation, each surface areas of the rotating cylinder continuously undergo the cycle of coating, imagewise exposure, optionally developing, inking, printing of inked images to the receiving medium, and optionally erasing processes. The developing means can be omitted if an ink and/or fountain solution developable photosensitive layer is used. In an alternative design, the cylinder is replaced with a continuous supply of a ribbon with lithographic substrate surface. In another alternative design, the cylinder and the coater are replaced with a continuous supply of a pre-sensitized ribbon comprising on a substrate a photosensitive layer.

This invention relates to variable data printing. More specifically, it relates to variable data lithographic printing device and process.
Lithographic printing surface generally consists of ink-receptive areas (image areas) and ink-repelling areas (non-image areas). During printing operation, an ink is preferentially received in the image areas, not in the non-image areas, and then transferred to the surface of a material upon which the image is to be produced.
Lithographic printing can be further divided into two general types: wet lithographic printing and waterless lithographic printing. In wet lithographic printing members, the ink-receptive areas consist of oleophilic materials and the ink-repelling areas consist of hydrophilic materials; fountain solution (consisting of primarily water) is required to continuously dampen the hydrophilic materials during printing operation to make the non-image areas oleophobic. In waterless lithographic printing members, the ink-receptive areas consist of oleophilic materials and the ink-repelling areas consist of oleophobic materials; no dampening with fountain solution is required.
At the present time, lithographic printing is generally performed on a lithographic printing press. The lithographic printing member can be a typical lithographic printing plate mounted on the plate cylinder. The plate can be imaged and processed before or after mounted on press. Examples of such a printing process are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,700,619, 5,466,557, 5,491,045 and 5,955,238 (for off-press imaging and process), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,258,263, 5,395,734, 5,516,620, 6,030,750, 6,014,929, 6,071,675, and 6,242,156 (for on-press development).
Alternatively, the lithographic printing member can be formed on press by coating a photosensitive layer onto a plate cylinder surface or onto a plate substrate mounted on a plate cylinder. The on-press formed printing member can be imagewise exposed and processed on press before lithographic printing. After the completion of a printing operation, the hardened imaging layer on the plate cylinder can be cleaned off to allow reuse of the cylinder or substrate surface for preparing another printing member. Such a printing system is commonly called plateless press. Examples of such a plateless press are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,713,287 and 6,298,780.
While lithographic printing process as described above has played a major role in printing and publishing industrial for decades, the application of lithographic printing so far is limited to making multiple copies (usually a few hundreds to a few millions copies).
In variable data printing application wherein each copy printed has different imaging, inkjet printing and electrophotographic (or called Xerox) laser printing are the most widely used methods, as evidenced by widely used desktop inkjet printer and laser printer. Other printing methods, such as thermal paper and thermal dye transfer, also play an important role, as evidenced by some facsimile printers. While these current variable data printing methods are very useful, the printing quality by these methods is inferior to that by lithographic printing in resolution, color density and imaging stability. For example, material printed with inkjet printer has limited resolution and imaging stability; material printed with thermal printer has limited color density and imaging stability; and material printed with Xerox laser printer has limited resolution and toner-to-medium adhesion.
It would be desirable if a variable data printing device can be designed based on lithographic printing principle. This would allow improved resolution, color density, and imaging stability.
It is an object of this invention to provide a lithographic printing device suitable for variable data printing.
It is another object of this invention to provide a lithographic printing device and process which allow continuous photosensitive layer coating, imagewise exposure, development, formation of inked imaging, transfer of the inked imaging to a receiving surface, and recovering of the substrate surface during printing process.
It is another object of this invention to provide a lithographic printing device and process which allow continuous formation or supply of pre-sensitized lithographic printing surface, imagewise exposure, development, formation of inked imaging, transfer of the inked imaging to a receiving surface during printing process.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
According to the present invention, there has been provided a variable data lithographic printing device comprising:
(a) a printing cylinder;
(b) a coating means for depositing a photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface, wherein said photosensitive layer is soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution, capable of hardening upon exposure to an actinic radiation, and exhibits an affinity or aversion substantially opposite to the affinity or aversion of said cylinder surface to at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink;
(c) an exposure means for providing the actinic radiation to the cylinder surface according to digital imaging information;
(d) an inking means for applying ink or both fountain solution and ink to the cylinder surface; and
(e) an erasing means for removing the remaining photosensitive layer and leftover ink to recover the cylinder surface;
(f) wherein the means (b) to (e) are mounted proximate the cylinder surface and sequentially arranged along the cylinder surface in the rotating direction of the cylinder; and each means of (b) to (e) completes its designed function (coating, imaging, inking, or erasing) to the cylinder surface areas in the designed printing width which pass by said means in each single pass during printing operation.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there has been provided a method of variable data lithographic printing, comprising:
(a) providing a lithographic printing device as described above;
(b) continuously depositing the photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface;
(c) continuously exposing the plate with an actinic radiation to cause hardening of the photosensitive layer in the exposed areas according to digital imaging information;
(d) continuously applying ink or both fountain solution and ink to the cylinder surface to remove the non-hardened areas of the photosensitive layer and to form inked imaging on the cylinder surface;
(e) continuously lithographically printing images from said cylinder surface to a receiving surface; and
(f) continuously removing the hardened photosensitive layer and leftover ink to bare the cylinder surface.
The above printing systems can be designed in a way so that the hardened photosensitive layer is capable of transferring with ink to the receiving surface, or the hardened photosensitive layer and leftover ink are capable of dissolving or dispersing into the photosensitive layer coating fluid from the coating means. In either system, the erasing means can be omitted.
For the above variable data lithographic printing device of this invention, the printing cylinder can be replaced with a substrate ribbon supply means for passing a ribbon having a lithographic substrate surface through one or more rollers with one end unwinding from a roll of unused ribbon and the other end winding up to a roll of used ribbon. The erasing means is not needed in such a system. The coating means, exposure means, and inking means are mounted proximate the passage of the ribbon and sequentially arranged along the moving direction of the ribbon.
For the above variable data lithographic printing device of this invention, the printing cylinder and the coating means can be replaced with a pre-sensitized lithographic ribbon supply means for passing a pre-sensitized lithographic ribbon through one or more rollers with one end unwinding from a roll of unused ribbon and the other end winding up to a roll of used ribbon, wherein the pre-sensitized ribbon comprises on a substrate an ink and/or fountain solution developable photosensitive layer. The erasing means is not needed. The exposure means and inking means are mounted proximate the passage of the ribbon and sequentially arranged along the moving direction of the ribbon.
For all the above devices and processes of this invention, a developing means can be added between the exposure means and inking means so that a conventional photosensitive layer that is not developable with ink and/or fountain solution can be used.
The printing device of this invention can be a typical printer wherein the inked imaging is transferred to a sheet-like receiving medium that passes through the printing device; a transfer means can be equipped after the inking means to feed the receiving medium through the printing device while pressing the receiving medium against the inked cylinder or ribbon surface. Alternatively, the printing device of this invention can be a printing wheel wherein the printing cylinder or printing device moves against the receiving surface of a stationary object during printing operation.
The current invention can be used to design various variable data printers such as desktop printer, portable printer, photoprinter, photocopier, facsimile printer, cashier receipt printer, and variable data printing wheels. The variable data printing wheels are suitable for printing variable imaging on various fixed or hard-to-feed objects such as floor, wall, road, box, a page in a book, truck, clothes, cardboard, skin, and billboard.

Variable data lithographic printing device and method


The air/fuel ratio of exhaust flowing into a catalytic converter is forcibly modulated, between a lean air/fuel ratio leaner than a target average air/fuel ratio and a rich air/fuel ratio richer than the target average air/fuel ratio, with a specific period, a specific amplitude, a specific modulation ratio and a specific waveform. During the forcible modulation (S10, S12), the ratio of a time for which the output of an oxygen sensor is greater than a standard value Sb for the output set between the maximum and minimum values of the output (“rich” output time), or of a time for which it is smaller than the standard value Sb (“lean” output time), in a predetermined period of time, or a value correlating with this ratio is obtained (S14), and the air/fuel ratio of the exhaust is controlled on the basis of this ratio or the value correlating with this ratio (S16, S18).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an exhaust purification device for internal combustion engine, specifically a technique of improving the purification performance of a catalytic converter by forcibly modulating the air/fuel ratio of exhaust.
2. Description of the Related Art
A three-way catalytic converter for exhaust purification using a noble metal such as platinum (Pt) or the like has a considerable capacity to store oxygen (O2). When the air/fuel ratio of exhaust is lean (oxidizing atmosphere), it stores O2 and thereby suppresses the production of NOx, and when the air/fuel ratio of exhaust is rich (reducing atmosphere), it releases the O2 stored and thereby accelerates the oxidation of HC and CO. By this, the exhaust purification performance improves.
Hence, in recent years, vehicles have been developed and put to practical use in which improvement in the exhaust purification performance of the three-way catalytic converter is intended by forcibly modulating the air/fuel ratio of exhaust between a lean air/fuel ratio and a rich air/fuel ratio, for example by switching the air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine between a lean air/fuel ratio leaner than a specific air/fuel ratio (stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, for example) and a rich air/fuel ratio richer than the specific air/fuel ratio, with a specific period and a specific amplitude.
Further, a device has been developed in which improvement of the forcible modulation control is intended by monitoring the air/fuel ratio of exhaust (referred to as "exhaust air/fuel ratio") by an exhaust sensor during the forcible modulation and performing feedback control so that the actual exhaust air/fuel ratio agrees with a target exhaust air/fuel ratio (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. hei 10-131790).
As exhaust sensors for detecting the exhaust air/fuel ratio, a wide-range air/fuel sensor (linear air/fuel ratio sensor (LAFS), for example) and an oxygen sensor (O2 sensor, for example) are known. However, as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document, in order to perform feedback control so that the actual exhaust air/fuel ratio agrees with a target exhaust air/fuel ratio, it is necessary to detect the exhaust air/fuel ratio over a wide range, accurately. Hence, in general, the wide-range air/fuel sensor is used to detect the actual exhaust air/fuel ratio.
However, while the wide-range air/fuel sensor can detect a wide range of air/fuel ratios, it has a drawback that its cost is very high. Hence it is not practical.
Meanwhile, the oxygen sensor is low in cost and therefore very advantageous for general frequent use. However, it has a non-linear output characteristic curve with respect to air/fuel ratio, so that the range of detectable air/fuel ratios is narrow. Hence, there is a problem such that, when the amplitude of the forcible modulation is increased to improve the exhaust purification performance, the exhaust air/fuel ratio exceeds the range of air/fuel ratios detectable by the oxygen sensor, so that the exhaust air/fuel ratio cannot be detected accurately on the basis of the output from the oxygen sensor.

Exhaust emission control device of internal combustion engine

Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


A punch assembly includes a frame that has a pair of arms forming a deep throat for receiving material to be punched, and a single acting punch and die set held by the outer ends of the arms. The punch is actuated with a lever mounting a swing frame that is supported so that when the punch is to be changed, the swing frame can be moved out the way and the punch removed. The die can also be removed when the swing frame is moved away from its working position. The punch can be actuated through the lever either with a manual handle, or with a power actuator.

The present invention relates to a punch that is used for punching suitable material that has a main support that houses a sliding punch, and is used in connection with a bracket mounting a cam for moving the punch, which will swing out of the way so that the punch can be removed and replaced with another punch.
Various punches for forming holes in materials have been used, and usually the punch has to be changed or replaced with tools that will remove threaded punches, and dies or other tools for removal and replacement.

Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc.


An active user interface system includes a gimbal assembly that is configured as a dual-input/single-output differential mechanism. The differential mechanism implements a speed reduction from the inputs of the differential mechanism to the output of the differential mechanism. Speed reduction enables the maximum drive torque that is supplied to the user interface about one rotational axis to be greater than the maximum drive torque that is supplied to the user interface about another, perpendicular axis.

Human-machine interfaces that are used to translate human movements to machine movements are used in myriad industries. For example, some aircraft flight control systems include a human-machine interface in the form of one or more control sticks. The flight control system, in response to input forces supplied to the control stick from the pilot, controls the movements of various aircraft flight control surfaces. No matter the particular end-use system, the human-machine interface preferably includes some type of haptic feedback mechanism back through the interface to the interface operator. The haptic feedback mechanism may be passive, active, or both. The interface also typically includes one or more devices, such as a gimbal assembly, for accurately converting angular displacements into rotary motion.
In many instances, the devices that are used to convert angular displacements to rotary motion are relatively complex, relatively large, relatively heavy, and relatively costly. Hence, there is a need for a device that converts angular displacements to rotary motion that is relatively simple, relatively small, relatively light-weight, and relatively inexpensive. The present invention addresses at least this need.

Active feedback user interface system and gimbal assembly therefor


A DRM system is provided wherein a policy can be established such that the DRM system controls access to a protected content unit, wherein the policy evaluates a condition so that the DRM system adaptively varies the actions that a user is authorized to perform with the protected content unit in response to changes in the condition. The techniques described herein enable a protection level for a protected content unit to be varied in response to changes in one or more condition, such as environmental conditions and/or an historical usage conditions. The techniques described herein also enable a set of policies to be established for a DRM system such that the DRM system controls access to multiple protected content units in accordance with the set of policies. Pursuant to these policies, the DRM system can adaptively vary access to multiple protected content units in response to one or more conditions.

Digital rights management systems exist that control access to digital content. One or more access control policies can control, for example, which users may access particular units of content, when particular users may access particular content, from what devices particular users may access protected content, what particular users may do with that content (e.g., read, modify, copy, save, print), and whether particular users may be limited to accessing content having a watermark rendered over it (e.g., by physically printing a watermark when a document is printed, by applying a watermark on a display screen when a document is displayed, etc.) or not.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative prior art digital rights management (DRM) system 100 that includes a DRM policy server 102, an authoring device 106a, an access device 106b, and a content server 108. Numerous types of electronic content may be managed using the DRM system 100. Examples include word processing documents, formatted documents (e.g., PDF documents), spreadsheets, video files, audio files, image files, email messages, and/or other types of electronic content. Each type of content may be created and/or viewed by one or more particular types of application programs. An example of such a DRM system is described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,376, entitled "INFORMATION SECURITY ARCHITECTURE FOR ENCRYPTING DOCUMENTS FOR REMOTE ACCESS WHILE MAINTAINING ACCESS CONTROL," filed on Dec. 15, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirely.
The DRM scheme implemented by system 100 encrypts protected content to prevent unauthorized access. The DRM scheme further implements a scheme to ensure that only authorized users gain access to the information necessary to decrypt the protected content, and only in a manner that enables each user to access the content and perform the actions with that content that they are authorized to perform consistent with the access control policy for that content.
DRM policy server 102 performs several functions associated with the digital rights management of protected content. An encryption key is generated (e.g., by the DRM policy server, the authoring device or otherwise). The DRM policy server 102 maintains decryption keys for protected content (also referred to as content "registered" with the DRM system), authenticates requests for viewing registered content, and grants access to registered content by providing decryption keys and associated access policies to authorized users. The DRM policy server may maintain a secure central database which provides an association between registered users that created or authored the registered content, the registered content, decryption keys for the registered content, access policies for the registered content, and registered users authorized to access each unit of protected content.
Content server 108 may generate and/or store units of content that may be managed by the DRM system. Content server 108 may have one or more application programs to generate various types of content (e.g., an email exchange server application, a word processing application, an image generation application, etc.). Content on content server 108 may be created and/or modified in response to user actions on an authoring device (e.g., authoring device 106a). A software plugin (not shown) for the DRM system may be installed on the authoring device and may allow the selection of an option to protect a unit of content (e.g., a word processing document) when it is opened or created on the access device in response to a user's actions. The plugin can connect to the DRM policy server over a secure communication link (e.g., via an SSL connection), and the user can be authenticated by the DRM policy server through a user interface presented by the plugin. The DRM policy server may connect to one or more resources in a networked computer system (e.g., a directory service storing authentication information such as a user name and password), so that the user may be authenticated based upon information provided via the plugin user interface, to the DRM policy server.
Once authenticated, the DRM user interface allows the authenticated user to set a policy to protect the content. The user may select a pre-defined policy or create a new one. The policy may specify any of the control criteria discussed above (e.g., which user(s) may access the document, when the document may be accessed, from where the document may be accessed (e.g., only local network access), what actions may be performed with the document (e.g., printing, copying, modifying), whether a watermark should be applied to the document, etc.).
A unique identifier is created for the content (e.g., by applying a hashing algorithm to the content), in association with a request to register the content with the DRM policy server that is sent 122 by the authoring device 106a. In response, a content encryption key is generated. The content is encrypted using the content encryption key and sent 126 to the content server 108 where it is stored along with an unencrypted address for the DRM policy server 102. Optionally, an unencrypted unique identifier for the content may also be stored with the content. The DRM policy server 102 stores the policy and the content encryption key, and associates them with the content (e.g., via the unique identifier for the content) in any suitable way. The unique identifier and the unencrypted address of the DRM policy server may be embedded in the content (e.g., in an unencrypted portion of the content).
When a user attempts to access the protected content using an access device 106b, the encrypted content is transmitted 112 from the content server 108 to the access device 106b, along with the unencrypted address of the DRM policy server 102 and optionally also the unencrypted unique identifier for the content. Alternatively, the unique identifier for the content may not be transmitted, but rather may be regenerated by the access device (e.g., by applying a hashing algorithm to the content). The access device can then use the unencrypted address of the DRM policy server to request access to the protected content associated with the unique content identifier.
Access device 106b is a device through which a user may seek to access a protected unit of content. For example, if the content server 108 is a word processing server, a user may attempt to access a protected word processing document on the word processing server via an access device (e.g., a workstation). The protected unit of content may be transmitted 112 from the content server 108 to the access device 106b (e.g., via a network connection). As discussed above, the protected content is encrypted, so that the user utilizing the access device 106b cannot access it without authority granted by the access policy that is associated with the protected unit of content and is stored on the DRM policy server 102.
When a user on access device 106b seeks access to a protected content unit, it can only gain access by retrieving the content key from the DRM policy server 102. If the access device 106b has a DRM plugin installed, the plugin issues a communication 114 to the DRM policy server 102 (e.g., using the address associated with the content) to request access to the protected unit of content. If no plugin is installed, information within the content may point the device to a server from which the DRM plugin may be installed. The DRM policy server 102 determines whether the user using the access device 106b is authorized to access the specified unit of content. If not, the access request is denied. If the user is authorized, the content decryption key is transmitted 116 from the DRM policy server 102 to the access device 106b. This content key may be encrypted using a communication session key for the transaction between the access device and the DRM policy server so as to keep it secure. The content key may be used to decrypt the unit of content so as to generate a decrypted unit of content which may be accessed by the user. However, the DRM policy server 102 further transmits 118 policy information to the access device, which dictates the actions the user may perform on the unit of content. The DRM software plugin installed on the access device enforces the policy.

Methods and apparatus for adapting the protection level for protected content