A circuit for servicing a load connectable with a power supply is disclosed. The circuit includes a plurality of three-terminal switches and one control supply. The three-terminal switches define a series conduction path connectable between the power supply and the load. Each of the plurality of three terminal switches includes a source terminal, a drain terminal, and a gate terminal. The control supply is productive of a control voltage and in power connection between the gate terminal and source terminal of each of the plurality of three-terminal switches. Each of the plurality of three-terminal switches is responsive to the control voltage at its respective gate terminal to close a connection between the respective source terminal and respective drain terminal of each of the plurality of three-terminal switches.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to a three-terminal switching device for controlling current in a conduction path, and more particularly to a plurality of switching devices in series connection within the conduction path.
Common three-terminal switches (such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), and micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switches for example) typically include a source, drain, and gate terminal. The source terminal typically includes a connection that is responsive to application of a control voltage at the gate terminal relative to the potential at the source terminal to close the conduction path between the source terminal and the drain terminal. Three-terminal switches typically include ratings of maximum recommended voltage that may be applied across an open source terminal and drain terminal. Application of a voltage greater than the rating of maximum recommended voltage may result in a breakdown of the dielectric strength of the switch, or an arc from one terminal of the open switch to the other terminal of the open switch, thereby allowing an unintended current to pass through the conduction path and possibly damage the switch.
In order to utilize three-terminal switches to control the conduction path across a potential greater than the rating of maximum recommended voltage rating of any one switch, a switching circuit may include a plurality of switches placed in series such that the drain of one switch is series connected to the source of another. Such series arrangements typically include a resistive grading network that includes resistors in parallel with each switch, the resistors having high resistance values selected to reduce current flow and distribute the total open-circuit potential across each switch of the plurality when all of the switches are open.
However, such a series configuration results in a floating source voltage for each switch that is not connected to a reference, such as a ground. Therefore the voltage at the gate of each switch (relative to its respective source) that is required to close the connection between the source and drain differs by the amount of voltage distribution provided by the grading network. This is typically solved by the use of multiple isolated control voltage supplies corresponding to each of the three-terminal switches and provide to the gate and source of each three-terminal switch the appropriate voltage to close the connection between the respective source and terminal. Use of such multiple isolated supplies and their associated controls increases an overall complexity and cost of the switching circuit. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a switching arrangement that overcomes these drawbacks.

Switching circuit apparatus having a series conduction path for servicing a load and switching method


A mechanism, of a camera, to let a light adjustment operation for a flash light be performed with a higher precision in a shorter time. The mechanism includes: a first device for taking an image of a region to be photographed and for outputting image process information; a second device for detecting a main subject region and for detecting a background region on the basis of the image process information, in which the second device outputs main subject information upon the main subject region thus detected and outputs background information upon the background region thus detected; a third device for calculating a compensation value for light adjustment on the basis of the main subject information and on the basis of the background information; and a fourth device for controlling an amount of flash light emission at time of taking a photograph with an emission of the flash light on the basis of the compensation value for light adjustment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a camera, and particularly relates to a mechanism for controlling a flash light emission of the camera. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling the flash light emission.
2. Description of the Related Arts
Conventionally, there have been proposed a variety of cameras each of which is able to photograph a subject (i.e. an object to be photographed) while emitting a flash light from a flash gun of the camera under a condition in which there is set a predetermined contribution rate for each of a plurality of light adjustment fields (or regions) that are formed by dividing a photographing field (or region). According to such a camera, a light adjustment control (or a control of the emission of the flash light) is performed as follows.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3 for example, an OUTPUT DEVICE FOR INFORMATION UPON SUBJECT S2 detects a location of a main subject to be photographed, a distance up to the main subject, a state of the background, and so forth, on the basis of a photometric value which is optically measured by a MULTI-DIVISION PHOTOMETRIC DEVICE S6, and on the basis of a focusing value which is measured by a FOCUSING DEVICE S7, in order to execute the light adjustment control. A CALCULATOR FOR CALCULATING CONTRIBUTION RATE OF LIGHT ADJUSTMENT S3 calculates a contribution rate of light adjustment, for example, on the basis of information upon the main subject detected by the OUPTPUT DEVICE FOR INFORMATION UPON SUBJECT S2, and on the basis of a photometric value which is optically measured by preparatorily making the flash gun emit the flash light by a PREPARATORY LIGHT EMISSION MONITOR S8. A LIGHT ADJUSTMENT CONTROL DEVICE S4 controls a MULTI-DIVISION LIGHT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE S5 on the basis of the contribution rate of light adjustment which is calculated by the CALCULATOR FOR CALCULATING CONTRIBUTION RATE OF LIGHT ADJUSTMENT S3, so that the contribution rate is set for each light adjustment region or field.
According to the mechanism, the light adjustment control is executed by calculating the contribution rate of light adjustment in accordance with a specified algorithm on the basis of the results of photometry (or photometric measuring), focusing operation and preparatory light emission.
However, in order to improve the performance, or ability, of the flash exposure, there is need of increasing the number of light measuring points and/or increasing the number of focusing points and/or complicating the algorithm, so that the time of calculation or operation required for the light adjustment algorithm, and/or the time of control required for the light adjustment, become(s) longer.
On the other hand, conventionally, there have been proposed a variety of cameras in each of which it is possible to take a photograph while making a flash light emit from a flash gun with a state in which the amount of flash light is controlled in accordance with a photographing condition. Such a camera has a construction as follows.
That is, as shown in FIG. 39 for example, an OUTPUT DEVICE FOR INFORMATION UPON SUBJECT POSITION S25 of the camera detects a location of a main subject to be photographed, a distance up to the main subject, a state of the background, and so forth, on the basis of a photometric value which is optically measured by a MULTI-DIVISION PHOTOMETRIC DEVICE S6, and on the basis of a focusing value which is measured by a FOCUSING DEVICE S7. A CALCULATOR FOR CALCULATING COMPENSATION VALUE OF LIGHT ADJUSTMENT S30 detects a compensation value for light adjustment, on the basis of information, detected by the OUTPUT DEVICE FOR INFORMATION UPON SUBJECT POSITION S25, upon the subject to be photographed. A LIGHT ADJUSTMENT CONTROL DEVICE S4 controls an amount of flash light emission, on the basis of the compensation value for light adjustment which is calculated by the CALCULATOR FOR CALCULATING COMPENSATION VALUE OF LIGHT ADJUSTMENT S30.
According to the mechanism, the light adjustment control is executed by calculating the compensation value for light adjustment in accordance with a specified algorithm on the basis of the results of photometry (or photometric measuring) and focusing operation.
However, in order to improve the performance, or ability, of the flash exposure, there is need of increasing the number of light measuring points and/or increasing the number of focusing points and/or making preparatorily the flash light emit from the flash gun, so that the algorithm becomes complicated. Namely, accompanying the complication of the algorithm, the time of calculation or operation required for the light adjustment algorithm, and/or the time of control required for the light adjustment, become(s) longer.

Mechanism for controlling flash light emission, camera with the mechanism, and its control method


An apparatus is provided for fixing a shaft of a cartridge and an image forming device including the apparatus. The apparatus includes a fixed supporting part formed at a frame, and rotatably supporting a first end of at least one shaft of at least one cartridge. A movable supporting part is formed at the frame to be movable between a first position and a second position, and rotatably supporting a second end of the shaft of the cartridge. An operating part operates to move the movable supporting part between the first position and the second position. The fixed supporting part and the movable supporting part fix the shaft of the cartridge, and the movable supporting part works together with opening and closing operation of the cover. The shaft of the cartridge is fixed in the proper position, but also a corresponding cartridge, such as an image forming cartridges, is easily assembled and disassembled in the frame of the main body when the cartridge is mounted in the frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming device, such as a printer or a copier. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tandem color image forming device having a plurality of photosensitive bodies disposed in parallel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, an electrophotographic tandem color image forming device is provided with a plurality of image forming units disposed in parallel. A plurality of photosensitive bodies form toner images representing yellow, magenta, cyan and black colors, respectively, by the corresponding image forming units. A transfer unit transfers the toner images formed on the photosensitive bodies onto a recording medium, such as a sheet of printing paper. A fusing unit fuses and fixes the toner images transferred onto the recording medium with heat and pressure.
Another tandem color image forming device further includes an intermediate transfer unit, such as a transfer belt or a transfer drum, disposed between the photosensitive bodies and the transfer unit. The toner images formed on the photosensitive bodies are not directly transferred to the recording medium, but are first transferred as a first transfer image onto the intermediate transfer unit and then retransferred from the intermediate transfer unit onto the recording medium.
These tandem color image forming devices having a plurality of photosensitive bodies that form a required image by simultaneously revolving the plurality of photosensitive bodies have an advantage that a required color image is obtained quickly. Comparatively, a color image forming device having a single photosensitive body therein forms a required image by revolving the single photosensitive body several times. However, since use of the plurality of photosensitive bodies and the image forming units has a complicated construction, it requires that the tandem color image forming device should be constructed to be easily assembled, maintained and repaired.
Accordingly, the tandem color image forming device generally does not configure the photosensitive bodies and the image forming units to be separated from one another, but to be contained in a plurality of image forming cartridges, each in which a photosensitive body and an image forming unit are modularized in a body, so that they may be mounted in or removed from main body as a single part as a cartridge unit.
Since the image forming cartridges are removably mounted in the main body, they provide an advantage that the parts therein may be easily maintained or repaired. However, because the photosensitive bodies in the respective image forming cartridges transfer corresponding color images onto the same image forming position of the recording medium or the intermediate transfer unit, color deviation may occur between the respective transferred color images if the photosensitive bodies are not arranged in parallel to one another when mounted in the main body.
To solve the problem, a conventional tandem color image forming device includes a shaft fixing apparatus 1 for fixing shafts of photosensitive bodies in image forming cartridges in the right position, as shown in FIG. 1.
The shaft fixing apparatus 1 includes first and second fixing parts 11 and 15.
The first fixing part 11 has a plurality of rotation supporting holes 13 to rotatably support first ends 22 of shafts 8 of photosensitive bodies 7 in a plurality of image forming cartridges 2.
The rotation supporting holes 13 are formed in a spaced-apart relation from one another at a cartridge frame 10 of the main body corresponding to the first ends 22 of the shafts 8 of the photosensitive bodies 7. Accordingly, the rotation supporting holes 13 receive and rotatably support the first ends 22 of the shafts 8 when the respective image forming cartridges 2 are mounted in the cartridge frame 10.
The second fixing part 15 has a plurality of rotating members 16 to rotatably support second ends 17 of the shafts 8 of the photosensitive bodies 7 in the image forming cartridges 2.
Each rotating member 16 is provided with a coupling axle 18, a support axle 33, and a driven gear 34. As shown in FIG. 3B, the coupling axle 18 has a triangle-shaped recess 18a formed at an end thereof. As shown in FIG. 3A, the recess 18a receives a triangle-shaped projection 17a formed on the second end 17 of the shaft 8 of each photosensitive body 7 when each image forming cartridge 2 is mounted in the cartridge frame 10. The support axle 33 is installed to be movable in a direction of arrows A and B in a support hole 10a formed in a spaced-apart relation from one another at the cartridge frame 10, and pressed in the direction of arrow B, that is, toward the second end 17 of the shaft 8, by a compression spring 21. The driven gear 34 is positioned between the support axle 33 and the coupling axle 18, and engaged with a gear train 19 for transmitting a driving force from a motor 30.
The gear train 19 includes a plurality of power transmitting gears 23 connected with a driving gear 20 formed on a driving axle 30a of the motor 30, and transmits the driving force of the motor to the driven gear 34 of each rotating member 16.
Operations of assembling and disassembling the image forming cartridges 2 of the conventional image forming device having the shaft fixing apparatus 1 constructed as described above is as follows.
Since the installation operation of all image forming cartridges 2 is the same, only the image forming cartridge 2, which is located at the lowest position, is explained.
First, the image forming cartridge 2 is inserted in the cartridge frame 10 of the main body, and placed on a supporting plate 36 of the cartridge frame 10.
Subsequently, the first end 22 of the shaft 8 of the photosensitive body 7 is arranged in line with the corresponding rotation supporting hole 13 by adjusting the position of the image forming cartridge 2, and is then inserted in the corresponding rotation supporting hole 13.
Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotating member 16 is pushed in the direction of arrow A against the elastic force of the compression spring 21, and moved toward the cartridge frame 10.
In this position, after the second end 17 of the shaft 8 is arranged in line with the coupling axle 18, the force of pushing the rotating member 16 in the direction of arrow A is released. Accordingly, the rotating member 16 moves in the direction of arrow B by the elastic force of the compression spring 21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the end of the coupling axle 18 is maintained in contact with the second end 17 of the shaft 8. At this time, the projection 17a of the second end 17 is positioned in a coupled state that is inserted in the recess 18a of the coupling axle 18 or an uncoupled state that is not inserted in the recess 18a depending on the phase thereof.
When the motor 30 is driven to carry out the image forming operation, the driving gear 20 fixed on the driving axle 30a of the motor 30 drives the driven gear 34 of the rotating member 16 through the power transmitting gears 23 of the gear train 19. As a result, the coupling axle 18 of the rotating member 16 rotates in the corresponding direction.
As the coupling axle 18 rotates, the recess 18a of the coupling axle 18 rotates with respect to the projection 17a. At this time, in case that the recess 18a is in the uncoupled state with the projection 17a, when the recess 18a is in phase with the projection 17a, it is coupled with the projection 17a.
As a result, the rotation force of the rotating member 16 is transmitted to the photosensitive body 7, and the rotation force transmitted to the photosensitive body 7 is again transmitted to other parts, such as a developing roller and the like, in the image forming cartridge 2 by a power transmitting mechanism (not shown), thereby the image forming operation being carried out.
However, according to the conventional shaft fixing apparatus 1 operated as above, to couple the second end 17 of the shaft 8 of the photosensitive body 7 to the rotating member 16 users have to arrange the second end 17 in line with the coupling axle 18 by adjusting the position or direction of the image forming cartridge 2 while pushing the rotating member 16 in the direction of arrow A. Since the arranging operation is carried out at a narrow space in the cartridge frame 10 of the main body, it is difficult and troublesome, and a large amount of assembling time is required, thereby productivity and assembling efficiency are deteriorated.
Further, the conventional shaft fixing apparatus 1 has the triangle-shaped projection 17a and the triangle-shaped recess 18a formed respectively on the second end 17 of the shaft 8 and the coupling axle 18 to serve as a coupling device for transmitting the driving force of the motor 30 to the shaft 8 of the photosensitive body 7.
Since with such a triangle-shaped construction, the projection 17a and the recess 18a require complicated machining in fabrication, they cause not only fabrication thereof to be difficult, but also increase fabrication costs.
Also, after fabrication or assembling, if the projection 17a is positioned in the uncoupled state that is not inserted in the recess 18a due to a difference in phase therebetween, it is apt not to slide into the recess 18a, but to idle by the rotating force of the coupling axle 18 in operation, thereby generating poor coupling.
Thus, if the projection 17a is not stably coupled with the recess 18a, the driving force of the motor 30 may not be transmitted well to the parts, such as the photosensitive body 7 and the developing roller contained in the image forming cartridge 2. As a result, the quality in the resultant image formed by the image forming cartridge 2 may be deteriorated.
Accordingly, a need exists for an image forming apparatus having an improved tandem color image forming device including a plurality of photosensitive bodies disposed in parallel that is easily inserted in and removed from the image forming apparatus, and providing uniform quality images.

Apparatus for fixing shaft of cartridge and image forming device having the same


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for lighting adaptive navigation. In some implementations, map data associated with a property is received. Sensor data is obtained. Based on the map data and the sensor data, a lighting scenario is determined. Based on the lighting scenario, a modification to at least one of the lighting scenario, to a planned navigation path for the robotic device, to settings for a sensor of the robotic device, to a position for a sensor of the robotic device, or to a position of the robotic device is determined. An action is performed by based on the one or more modifications.

Typical vision-based guidance systems will attempt to create a map based on visual features in the environment, however these features are highly dependent on lighting. Not only is sufficient lighting necessary to reveal certain trackable features, but angle of lighting, surface texture and specularity, and so on can drastically affect the two-dimensional (2D) appearance of features. Furthermore, changes in lighting can both confuse localization algorithms and degrade image quality of devices using vision to navigate. Standard auto-exposure techniques can react quite quickly to changing light to maintain acceptable image quality, but making rapid changes to auto-exposure settings can cause visual features used by odometry and localization algorithms to change or disappear, resulting in errors in pose estimation or even loss of device control.


In cleaning using a self-propelled cleaning device, firstly the cleaning device moves alongside a wall surface and then a reference direction is set. Next, the cleaning device advances alongside the wall surface at a prescribed distance, makes a right-angle turn, and travels in the reference direction. When the cleaning device reaches the surface of an opposing wall, it moves in a spiraling manner. At that time, the orientation angle of the cleaning device, which is estimated using a gyro sensor, is checked and corrected. If an obstacle is encountered while traveling, the cleaning device travels on a path that avoids the obstacle or travels in a spiral manner in a region in front of the obstacle.

The present invention relates to a self-propelled cleaning device and to a method of operation thereof.
An example of a self-propelled cleaning device has been disclosed in Japanese Application Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 08-215116. In the cleaning device described in this publication, the state of the wall in front of the cleaning device body is checked at each forward stop position. A determination is made as to whether or not there is a continuous flat surface in front of the body; and, in the case where there is a flat surface, the body is moved so as to be at right angles with respect to the flat surface, and the zero point for the orientation sensor is set.
Another example of a self-propelled cleaning device is disclosed in Japanese Application Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-204768. The cleaning device disclosed in this publication comprises a propelling means for moving the body; a moving direction changing means for changing the direction in which the body moves; and a movement controlling means for controlling the movement of the body. The movement controlling means causes the cleaning device body to zigzag within a region defined by a pair of straight lines. When the cleaning device body cannot spiral any further forward, the advancing direction of the body is changed so as to be directed away from the regional line obstructing the spiral advance. It is to be noted that this cleaning device body comprises an obstacle detection means for detecting an obstacle positioned in the advancing direction of the cleaning device body; and, when an obstacle is detected, the advancing direction of the cleaning device is changed to a direction that avoids the obstacle.
In the above-mentioned cleaning device disclosed in Japanese Application Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 08-215116, a wall in front of the body is detected, the body is positioned at right angles to the wall and the zero point for the orientation sensor is set. However, with this method, while the direction can be detected when the wall is a substantially flat surface, when the wall is uneven, it may not be possible for the angle of the wall to be accurately detected. In addition, when obstacles, such as chairs or desks, are within the region to be cleaned, the path of movement must be changed in order to avoid such obstacles, but sufficient consideration is not given to the disclosed in this method.
Meanwhile, in the self-propelled cleaning device disclosed in Japanese Application Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-204768 mentioned above, when obstacles are detected, the direction of movement is changed to avoid the obstacles. However, in this type of simple system for avoiding an obstacle, even when small obstacles are encountered, there is a great change in the path of movement, and this causes large regions to be left uncleaned. As a result, there are regions that are not cleaned, and thus there is the possibility that it may become necessary to clean the uncleaned regions again, resulting in a low cleaning efficiency.

Self-propelled cleaning device and method of operation thereof


This periodic table of elements provides tactile features particularly suited for a visually impaired user. The table provides raised element field borders and raised alphanumeric characters which correspond to a standard periodic table. The element fields are arranged in a perpendicular grid upon a semi-rigid substrate. At least one (1) linear fold line enables isolation of a portion of the chart allowing a user to focus upon a desired “energy section”, “group”, or “family” of elements contained within the chart.

It can be a challenge to provide learning instruction to individuals with any type of visual deficiencies, especially when the lessons being taught utilize charts and other visual devices that others can grasp easily due to being able to see them. Students who have such deficiencies, whether they are minor, or major, including partial or total blindness, are at a serious disadvantage.
It is quite common for such instances to be frustrating for the instructor and the student due to the lack of resources available. Such a lesson that the present invention seeks a remedy for is teaching moderate- and higher-level chemistry subjects that entail the use of the common Periodic Table of elements.
Individuals with the aforementioned maladies commonly utilize other senses to interact and communicate with the world around them. The sense of touch is frequently used by these individuals and can be utilized for promoting an understanding of valence electrons, nuclear composition, and ionic charges, among other levels of understanding associated with the Periodic Table of elements. It is also a benefit to have such a tactile instructional tool to be able to be stored quickly and compactly.
To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides for such an educational tool to be configured as a periodic table of the elements.
In certain embodiments, the tool includes a rigid substrate, having a first side and a second side separated by a primary fold line, a plurality of element fields surrounded by field borders, affixed to the substrate and arranged in a grid pattern thereupon, and a plurality of characters associated with a standard periodic table, having at least a portion affixed to the rigid substrate. The field borders and plurality of characters each are configured to provide a tactile feedback to a user, relative to the plurality of element fields. The rigid substrate further includes a plurality of secondary fold lines.
In other embodiments, the tool includes a rigid substrate, having a first side and a second side separated by a primary fold line, a plurality of element fields surrounded by field borders, affixed to the substrate and arranged in a grid pattern thereupon, and a plurality of characters associated with a standard periodic table, having at least a portion affixed to the rigid substrate. A first rod having a first pair of hanging elements on distal ends thereof is affixed to an edge of the first side and a second rod having a second pair of hanging elements on distal ends thereof is affixed to an edge of the second side opposite said first side. The field borders and plurality of characters each are configured to provide a tactile feedback to a user, relative to the plurality of element fields. The rigid substrate further includes a plurality of secondary fold lines. The first and second pair of hanging elements are capable of suspending said educational tool from a support structure.
In still other embodiments, the tool includes a rigid substrate, having a first side and a second side separated by a primary fold line, an insert capable of being placed within the rigid substrate; a plurality of element fields surrounded by field borders, affixed to the substrate and insert and arranged in a grid pattern thereupon, and a plurality of characters associated with a standard periodic table, having at least a portion affixed to the rigid substrate and insert. The field borders and plurality of characters each are configured to provide a tactile feedback to a user, relative to the plurality of element fields. The rigid substrate further includes a plurality of secondary fold lines.
In other embodiments, the tool includes a rigid substrate, having a first side and a second side separated by a primary fold line, an insert capable of being placed within the rigid substrate, a plurality of element fields surrounded by field borders, affixed to the substrate and insert and arranged in a grid pattern thereupon, and a plurality of characters associated with a standard periodic table, having at least a portion affixed to the rigid substrate and insert. A first rod having a first pair of hanging elements on distal ends thereof is affixed to an edge of the first side and a second rod having a second pair of hanging elements on distal ends thereof is affixed to an edge of the second side opposite said first side. The field borders and plurality of characters each are configured to provide a tactile feedback to a user, relative to the plurality of element fields. The rigid substrate further includes a plurality of secondary fold lines. The first and second pair of hanging elements are capable of suspending said educational tool from a support structure.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide that the plurality of element fields and plurality of characters depict a periodic table including the Groups 1A through 8A elements and Groups 1B through 8B elements. The plurality of secondary fold lines delineate between the separate energy sections.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide where at least another portion of the plurality of characters are removably attachable to the plurality of element fields. These characters are associated with Lewis Dot structures.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide where the plurality of element fields have different surface textures, and also the plurality of characters have different surface textures.

Periodic table for the visually impaired


An ejection inspection method includes: preparing a liquid ejection nozzle for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium; irradiating a pattern formed by the liquid ejected onto the recording medium with light; and conducting ejection inspection of the liquid ejection nozzle based on results of observing or recognizing reflected light or transmitted light of the light from the recording medium. The recording medium includes an ink absorption layer having light transmittance where a great number of void cells having a particle diameter smaller than wavelength of the light are dispersed into a joining material, and an ejection amount of the liquid is adjusted such that a region where the liquid is sufficiently filled in the void cells and a region where substantially no liquid is filled exist in a thickness direction and a horizontal direction in planar view of the ink absorption layer.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an ejection inspection method and a liquid ejection device.
2. Related Art
As a liquid droplet ejection head provided with a liquid ejection nozzle which can eject liquid in a liquid droplet state, an inkjet recording head used for an image recording device (liquid ejection device) such as a printer has been put into practical use. Further, these days, application to various devices has been considered making use of the characteristics that a very small amount of liquid can be ejected with good accuracy. For example, a color material ejection head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, or an electrode material ejection head used for forming an electrode for an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, an FED (Field Emission Display), or the like has been proposed.
In general, this type of liquid droplet ejection head has a plurality of nozzle openings, and liquid droplets are ejected from each of the nozzle openings. Therefore, liquid is exposed to the atmosphere in the nozzle opening, and a solvent component of the liquid evaporates through meniscus (free surface of liquid exposed in the nozzle opening). Evaporation of the solvent component causes increase in the concentration of other components which constitute the liquid, which results in deviation of the flight of liquid droplets, clogging in the nozzle opening, or the like. Further, if a nozzle opening is put into a clogging state, the nozzle opening cannot eject liquid droplets, which might cause various problems. For example, in a recording head, dots are not allowed to land onto correct landing positions on a recording medium, which might cause deterioration in the image quality, or the ejection amount of liquid is shifted from a proper amount, which might cause a situation in which desired characteristics cannot be obtained.
It is important to detect whether or not a defective dot occurs in order to achieve desired performance, and this detection is conducted using an observable test pattern. For example, in the above-described image recording device, a test pattern is recorded on recording paper, and the density of the test pattern is optically read (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2000-43382).

Ejection inspection method and liquid ejection device


A multivariable control method and system suitable for manipulating process variables based on observed changes in controlled objectives without extensive data analysis or involved model development. The method includes operating the process at an initial set of process variables and an initial set of controlled objectives, monitoring the set of process variables and the set of controlled objectives while continuously operating the process, adjusting one or more members of the set of process variables based upon a non-linear optimization with respect to a desired set of controlled objectives, and utilizing the monitored set of process variables and the monitored set of controlled objectives in the non-linear optimization.

This invention relates generally to systems, and more particularly to a multivariable control system for manipulating process variables in the absence of a detailed a priori process model.
At least one known multivariable control technique uses a heuristic method of measuring responses to a step change of manipulated variables. Another known multivariable control technique uses a neural network expression of historical relationships of the measurements of manipulated variables. Yet another known multivariable control technique uses first principles representation of the characteristics of the process and its predicted reactions. Each of these known methods requires one or more of detailed data analysis, bump testing, or exact model development to accurately represent the multivariable control solution.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a multivariable control system that does not require detailed analysis and a priori model development., but instead is able to manipulate process variables based on changes in the controlled objectives as they occur during a process.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a multivariable control method for controlling a process characterized by a set of process variables and a set of controlled objectives. The multivariable control method manipulates the set of process variables based on observed changes in qualitative values of controlled objectives without extensive data analysis or a priori model development. The method includes the steps of operating the process at an initial set of process variables and an initial set of controlled objectives, monitoring the set of process variables and the set of controlled objectives while continuously operating the process, adjusting one or more members of the set of process variables based upon a non-linear optimization with respect to a desired set of controlled objectives, and utilizing the monitored set of process variables and the monitored set of controlled objectives in the non-linear optimization.
Thus, a set of desired controlled objectives can be maintained without a detailed model to predict the process performances.

Multivariable control method and system without detailed prediction model


Fueling station network management systems and methods generate rating metrics and/or rankings regarding one or more fueling stations based, in part, on user fueling experience feedback data. A user device can include an application through which user feedback can be received and communicated to a data server. Additionally, the fueling station can also provide information, such as a status of the fueling station, to the data server. The data server can provide suggested fueling stations to a user based on the user's location and/or the user feedback and fueling station data. An incentivization system can be included to incentivize users to provide feedback regarding their fueling experience.

Vehicles require a fuel as the source of energy for powered movement. Currently there are a variety of different fuel types that can be stored within the vehicle to provide this energy. With the advent of alternative fuels, the fuel types for vehicles are expanding from the traditional chemical fuels of gasoline and diesel to the newer fuels of electricity and hydrogen. With the new fuel types, infrastructure is being developed to provide consumers with access to these new fuel types.
Each fuel type has different delivery requirements and this can lead to a variety of unknown problems and issues with fueling vehicles. As some of the fuel types do not have widespread adoptions, the issues associated with the infrastructure to supply those fuel types may not be as common or well known. This developing industry can benefit from a fueling station network management system that can provide insight to the user's fueling experience and the issues associated with fueling.


An ultrasonic endoscope having a small size and a slight temperature rise of an insertion part even when the transmission output of an ultrasonic transducer part is increased or an imaging device is attached thereto. The ultrasonic endoscope includes: an ultrasonic transducer part having plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a flexing part for flexibly supporting the ultrasonic transducer part; a coupling part for coupling the flexing part to an operation part; a covering material for covering at least the flexing part and the coupling part; and a heat-conducting member provided inside of the covering material and coupled to the ultrasonic transducer part, for transferring heat generated in the ultrasonic transducer part to the operation part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope to be used for body cavity examination of upper digestive organs, bronchial tube, and so on, and the present invention further relates to an ultrasonic endoscopic apparatus including the ultrasonic endoscope.
2. Description of a Related Art
In medical fields, various imaging technologies have been developed in order to observe the interior of an object to be inspected and make diagnoses. Among them, especially, ultrasonic imaging for acquiring interior information of the object by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves enables image observation in real time and provides no exposure to radiation unlike other medical image technologies such as X-ray photography or RI (radio isotope) scintillation camera. Accordingly, ultrasonic imaging is utilized as an imaging technology at a high level of safety in a wide range of departments including not only the fetal diagnosis in the obstetrics, but also gynecology, circulatory system, digestive system, etc.
The ultrasonic imaging is an image generation technology utilizing the nature of ultrasonic waves that the ultrasonic waves are reflected at a boundary between regions with different acoustic impedances (e.g., a boundary between structures). Typically, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a body surface ultrasonic probe to be used in contact with the object or intracavity ultrasonic probe to be used by being inserted into a body cavity of the object. Further, in recent years, an ultrasonic endoscope in combination of an endoscope for optically observing the interior of the object and an ultrasonic probe for intracavity has been used.
Ultrasonic beams are transmitted toward the object such as a human body and ultrasonic echoes generated in the object are received by using the ultrasonic endoscope, and thereby, ultrasonic image information is acquired. On the basis of the ultrasonic image information, ultrasonic images of structures (e.g., internal organs, diseased tissues, or the like) existing within the object are displayed on a display unit of an ultrasonic endoscopic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic endoscope.
As an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a vibrator (piezoelectric vibrator) having electrodes formed on both sides of a material that expresses a piezoelectric property (a piezoelectric material) is generally used. As the piezoelectric material, piezoelectric ceramics represented by PZT (Pb (lead) zirconate titanate), a polymeric piezoelectric material represented by PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride), or the like is used.
When a voltage is applied to the electrodes of the vibrator, the piezoelectric material expands and contracts due to the piezoelectric effect and generates ultrasonic waves. Accordingly, plural vibrators are one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally arranged and the vibrators are sequentially driven, and thereby, an ultrasonic beam to be transmitted in a desired direction can be formed. Further, the vibrators expand and contract by receiving propagating ultrasonic waves and generate electric signals. These electric signals are used as reception signals of the ultrasonic waves.
When ultrasonic waves are transmitted, drive signals having great energy are supplied to the ultrasonic transducers. In this regard, not the entire energy of the drive signals is converted into acoustic energy but a significant proportion of the energy becomes heat, and there has been a problem that the temperature rises in use of the ultrasonic endoscope. However, the insertion part of the ultrasonic endoscope is used in direct contact with the living body such as a human body, and a request that the surface temperature of the insertion part of the ultrasonic endoscope is controlled to a predetermined temperature or less has been made for safety reasons of preventing low-temperature burn and so on.
As a related technology, Japanese Patent Application Publication JP-P2006-204552A discloses an ultrasonic probe in which the heat generated in a vibrator part and a circuit board is transferred to a shield case via a heat-conducting part, and the heat transferred to the shield case is absorbed by a heat absorbing part including a refrigerant feeder and a refrigerant pipe for cooling the vibrator part. However, a small-diameter endoscope such as a bronchial endoscope having an outer diameter of φ6.9 mm or less has no space for such a heat absorbing part including a refrigerant feeder and a refrigerant pipe.
Further, Japanese Registered Utility Model JP-Z-3061292 discloses that a heat transfer structure in contact with an integrated circuit within an ultrasonic transducer for extracting heat generated there to the outside is provided, and the extracted heat by the heat transfer structure is transferred to a conducting material that functions as a heat sink within a communication cable. However, the signal cable of the endoscope has a small sectional area, and, if the signal cable is used for heat dissipation, no sufficient heat dissipation effect is obtained due to the small sectional area.
In an ultrasonic endoscope to be used by being inserted into a body cavity of a patient, in order to reduce the physical stress on the patient to be examined, it is desired that the diameter of the insertion part is made smaller. Specifically, in body cavity examination of upper digestive organs, bronchial tube, and so on, a small-diameter endoscope having an outer diameter of φ6.9 mm is used, and downsizing of the ultrasonic endoscope becomes a challenge in view of reduction in physical stress on patients.
Further, in the ultrasonic endoscope, stacking the ultrasonic transducers to raise reception sensitivity is being considered for an improvement in diagnostic accuracy. However, as the transmission output of ultrasonic waves is increased by stacking the ultrasonic transducers, the amount of heat released from the ultrasonic transducers becomes larger. According to the structure of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope, if the transmission output of ultrasonic waves is increased by stacking the ultrasonic transducers, there is a problem that the temperature of the insertion part in contact with the inner wall of the body cavity rises due to the heat generation of the ultrasonic transducers. With downsizing of the ultrasonic endoscope, the temperature rise of the insertion part due to heat generation of the ultrasonic transducers has become an increasingly serious problem, and the problem is an issue to be solved.
Furthermore, when an imaging device (CCD or the like) and a light guide are attached to the insertion part of the ultrasonic endoscope, a problem of temperature rise in the insertion part due to heat generation from the imaging device and the light guide exit part arises, and the problem is an issue to be solved.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Ultrasonic endoscope and ultrasonic endoscopic apparatus


A water diverter assembly is positionable in a skimmer chamber between a well and a pool. A bar has opposed ends removably received in and supported by the chamber. First and a second similarly configured plates have interior ends with first radii of curvature adjacent to the well and exterior ends with second radii of curvature greater than the first radii of curvature adjacent to the pool. Regions join the bar and the plates. The plates are closest together at the interface of the interior and exterior ends. The plates increase their separation at the interface during operation and use in response to the flow of water between the plates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pool skimmer enhancement system and more particularly pertains to increasing the speed of water flowing through a skimmer thereby maximizing the skimming effectiveness of the system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of pool skimmers of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, pool skimmers of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of removing debris from swimming pools are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not describe a pool skimmer enhancement system that allows increasing the speed of water flowing through a skimmer thereby maximizing the skimming effectiveness of the system.
In this respect, the pool skimmer enhancement system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of increasing the speed of water flowing through a skimmer thereby maximizing the skimming effectiveness of the system.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved pool skimmer enhancement system which can be used for increasing the speed of water flowing through a skimmer thereby maximizing the skimming effectiveness of the system. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A patient monitoring system in cooperation with IMDs provides information, direction and counseling to patients. Specifically, a combination of lifestyle parameters, such as, for example, diet, exercise, weight, medication and environmental factors such as, for example, temperature, UV factor, pollen count, humidity, air pollution index, are integrated to provide a seamless, comprehensive, chronic monitoring system and support for patients. The system includes a home monitor, IMD, and a remote expert station in operable data communications therebetween. Personal data such as weight, environmental data, food data from refrigerators and pantry, type of exercise equipment, medication, physiologically significant events, physician treatment plan and the like are integrated with IMD data to provide continuous patient care, counseling, consultation and notification. The remote expert station enables doctors and other health care providers to review, monitor current and long-term trends of the patient""s health status and dispense clinical care as needed.

The present invention generally relates to medical devices and communications systems. Specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus that allows a patient to manage and positively affect the onset, time course and severity of various disease conditions. The invention includes an implanted medical device that provides patient data to a home monitoring system, which also has various additional inputs to improve and modify the patient""s environment and life style. The patient""s implanted device, home monitoring system, and a remote expert station maintain data communication via standard telemetry systems, home network systems such as Bluetooth, HomeRF, or WLAN, and the Internet, worldwide web, intranet, extranet, cellular, or other similar network or communication systems.
Lifestyle and environmental factors are major impactors of disease progression, remission, and even onset. For example in xe2x80x9cPrimary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in Women through Diet and Lifestylexe2x80x9d, Stamper, et al, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol 343, No 1, Jul. 6, 2000, pg 16-22 found that 82% of coronary artery disease is attributed to a lack of adherence to a low risk lifestyle (such as, diet, moderate exercise and abstinence from smoking). Additionally, in xe2x80x9cEnvironmental and Heritable Factors in the Causation of Cancerxe2x80x94Analyses of Cohorts of Twins from Sweden, Denmark, and Finlandxe2x80x9d, Lichtenstein, et al, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol 343, No 2, Jul. 13, 2000, pg 78-85 found that in a study of twins xe2x80x9cinherited genetic factors make a minor contribution to susceptibility to most types of neoplasmsxe2x80x9d and that xe2x80x9cthe environment has the principal role in causing sporadic cancerxe2x80x9d. Lastly, in xe2x80x9cCoronary Heart Disease in Womenxe2x80x94An Ounce of Preventionxe2x80x9d, Nabel, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol 343, No 8, Aug. 24, 2000, pg 572-4 found that xe2x80x9clifestyle related risk factorsxe2x80x94specifically, smoking, overweight, lack of exercise and poor dietxe2x80x94(increased) the risk of coronary artery diseasexe2x80x9d. Women who had none of the risk factors had an 83% reduction in coronary events than the women with one or more risk factors.
We propose that by providing feedback and consoling to patients with implantable medical devices (IMDs, i.e., PCD, pacemaker, neurostimulator, drug pump, ILR, Chronicle monitor, etc.), we can impact environmental factors, diet, exercise level, medicant intake adherence, etc., and provide a substantial proactive, preventative positive impact on the onset, progression and quality of life of many types of cardiac and heart failure patients. Additionally, non-implanted patients may also greatly benefit from this system because the system is adaptable to be used as a preventative tool for those most susceptible to diseases (through heredity, work environment, etc.) or in the beginning stages of a progressive disease.
The concept of home health care began in the 1850""s when traveling health care professionals, usually physicians, provided in-home visits to those who were in need of health care and unable to seek such care outside of the home. From the outset, however, traveling between various patients"" homes constituted xe2x80x9cdowntimexe2x80x9d for the health care professional. In the middle of the twentieth century, this type of medical service was transferred from the physician to nurses or other health care workers. During the past decade, providing home health care has become more difficult due to the shortage of health care professionals in general and, in particular, of those who provide home health care. Because of this shortage as well as the increase in medical costs, home health care visits are generally limited to basic needs of the most ill patients and/or medical emergencies.
On the other hand, the number of patients who are home bound has been increasing. Many terminally ill patients, such as heart failure or cancer patients among others, are sent home to live with their families who provide 24-hour in-home care. Other patients with chronic health problems reside in their homes where they receive necessary support and treatment on an xe2x80x9cas neededxe2x80x9d basis. Through the auspices of hospices or other support groups, nurses or health care workers provide medical care and evaluation on a periodic basisxe2x80x94usually a xc2xd hour visit once or twice a week. Although these visits provide the contracted services, nonetheless they suffer from minimal oversight of a physician-ordered treatment and/or preventative plan.
Additionally, with longevity increases of the past several decades, more elderly people are living longer and developing disease states that are initiated or made more pronounced by the environmental conditions as stated in the herein above listed articles. The ill elderly are often given a treatment plan by their physician that can positively impact their longevity and quality of life if followed correctly and religiously. Often a spouse or adult children must monitor, administer and console the patient""s adherence to this plan of treatment. This manual, ad hoc process often is time consuming, confusing, prone to errors and not well administered in many cases.
Patients with implantable medical devices (IMDs) also require regular checkups to determine whether their IMDs have been functioning properly. Most patients with IMDs must be monitored bi-annually, at the very least. Such monitoring may occur transtelephonically from the patient""s home or via telemetry as has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,976 issued to Duffin, et al, xe2x80x9cWorld Wide Patient Location and Data Telemetry System for Implantable Medical Devicesxe2x80x9d, incorporated herein by reference in its totality. The ""976 patent however does not describe a system that provides automatic feedback to a patient to reinforce positive activities and monitor adherence to a physician ordered treatment regime.
Various solutions to these issues, in addition to the ""976 patent, have been suggested in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,609 issued to Chen, et al, xe2x80x9cIntelligent Remote Visual Monitoring System for Home Health Care Servicexe2x80x9d discloses a computer-based remote visual monitoring system connected transtelephonically to a remote master-monitoring computer. This system is intended for use by a visiting nurse during an in-home patient health care visit. Separate audio and visual equipment facilitates communication between the patient""s home and a remote station. The ""609 patent, however, does not teach a method for continuous monitoring, treatment adherence and consoling patients with IMDs.
A remote visual monitoring system for home health care is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,609 issued to Chen, et al, xe2x80x9cIntelligent Remote Visual Monitoring System for Home Health Care Servicexe2x80x9d. The system has several layers, including units in the patient""s home, the caregiver""s office, and the supervisory control center. Audiovisual equipment in the patient""s home and at the caregiver""s office provides two-way communications during a home visit. There is also a provision for generating and maintaining the patient""s medical records. U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,923 issued to Schwartz, et al, xe2x80x9cCollaborative Video Conferencing Systemxe2x80x9d discloses a video conferencing system, wherein multiple parties at different locations can view, and modify, a common image on their computer displays. The invention also provides a video camera at each computer, which takes a video picture of each party. The systems described in the ""609 and ""923 patents, however, do not provide for continuous monitoring, treatment adherence and consoling patients with IMDs.
What is needed is a system that provides guidance, monitoring, and feedback to a patient to follow a suggested treatment or therapy plan by his/her physician to allow life style changes that will positively affect their disease onset and/or progression and associated medical problems.
The present invention enables the capture of non-technical, health-related, exercise activities, food and medicant intake and environmental information through various automatic computerized means and to be displayed in conjunction with, or overlaid upon, implantable medical device (IMD) derived information. Trends of lifestyle data may be analyzed through a graphically displayed calendar view combined with device information allowing the patient and their physician the ability to monitor adherence to exercise and diet treatment regimes prescribed by the physician. Further, the invention enables cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure, cancer, lupus, hypertension, and the like patients to alter their lifestyle in a continuous, chronically supportive manner. This concept would also allow proactive, preventative lifestyle changes to high-risk patients to potentially prevent, reduce and/or delay major medical problems.


Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device are provided. The methods may include etching a bulk pattern on a peripheral region to form patterns and then forming a layer on both a cell region and a peripheral region. The methods may include forming line patterns that extend from the cell region onto the peripheral region and then forming a layer on both the cell region and a peripheral region.

The present disclosure generally relates to methods of fabricating a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to methods of fabricating a semiconductor device including line-shaped structures.
Due to small sizes, capability of performing multi-functions, and/or low manufacturing cost, semiconductor devices have been widely used as important elements in the electronics industry. However, with advances in the electronics industry, semiconductor devices are becoming more and more highly integrated, and many technical issues may arise. For example, as an integration density of semiconductor devices increases, it may become difficult to form fine elements in the semiconductor devices.


A power distribution network simulation method capable of speedily and accurately analyzing a large power distribution network. In the power distribution network simulation method, the large original circuit is reduced to a suitable size by using a variable reduction method, a solution of an equation of the reduced circuit is obtained, and a solution of an equation of the original circuit is restored based on the solution of the equation of the reduced circuit by using the variable reduction method. According to the power distribution network simulation method using the variable reduction method, it is possible to speedily and accurately analyze the large power distribution network.

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-0017162, filed on Mar. 13, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a linear circuit simulation method, and more particularly, to a power distribution network simulation method using a variable reduction method.
2. Description of the Related Art
There have been proposed many simulation methods to analyze a power distribution network of a linear circuit, particularly, a semiconductor integrated circuit. One of the conventional methods is disclosed in US Patent Laid-open No. US2002/0199160 A1. The conventional method has a limitation in simulating a large circuit including tens of millions of nodes and resisters. However, it is difficult to overcome the limitation.
Recently, IBM and Motorola have proposed a multi-grid method and a hierarchical method, respectively. However, both of the methods still have a problem in that there are errors beyond allowable tolerance when both of the methods are applied to a large circuit including tens of millions of nodes and resistors.

Power distribution network simulation method using variable reduction method


A coding apparatus includes a transform table in which with regard to data words of m bits and code words of n bits where n and m are both integers and also n>m is established, 2m pieces of code words selected to have a tendency that the number of symbols “1” is small among the 2n pieces of code words of n bits are associated with the 2m pieces of data words of m bits and a coding unit that encodes input data words of m bits on the basis of the transform table.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coding apparatus that transforms an m-bit data word into an n-bit code word and performs a coding on the above-mentioned m-bit data word and a method therefor. Also, the invention relates to a recording apparatus that records a recording code sequence obtained through the coding described above and a method therefor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a decoding apparatus that decodes a code sequence and a method therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an optical recording medium where recording/reproduction of a signal is performed though irradiation of light, for example, so-called optical discs such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and a BD (Blu-ray Disc: registered trademark) are widely spread.
In these currently prevalent optical discs, a mark edge recording is carried out in which a recording code is defined by NRZI (Non Return to Zero Inverting) and transformed into an NRZ (Non Return to Zero) code at the time of recording to be then recorded.
Also, for the optical discs, a low frequency content of the recording code is desirably used in connection with a situation that a tracking error signal is obtained from a group, a pit, or the like. That is, this is because a tracking servo channel is located to be lower than a signal channel of the recording code, but when the recording code has a large amount of the low frequency components, the component of the recording code overlaps the tracking error signal, which may degrade a tracking servo characteristic.
In view of the above, in the optical discs in related art, suppression on the low frequency components of the recording code is realized by performing a control so as to lower an absolute value of a DSV (Digital Sum Value) of a recording NRZ code sequence.
For example, an EFM modulation code is used in the CD, where a coding method is adopted in which predetermined merging bits composed of 3 bits that satisfy a limit of a minimum runlength of d=2 and also causes the absolute value of the DSV of the code sequence to be small are selected and inserted between a 14-bit code word and the next code word.
Also, in the DVD, the following DSV control is carried out. By using a modulation code called EFM Plus, with regard to a certain data word, a code word with which the absolute value of the DSV of the code sequence becomes small is selected from a main table and a substitute table to be coded. This modulation code is disclosed, for example, "EFMPlus: THE CODING FORMAT OF THE MULTIMEDIA COMPACT DISC" by Kees A. Schouhamer Immink, IEEE Transaction on Consumer Electronics, Vol. 41, Issue 3, Aug. 1995 or International Publication No. 95/22802.
Also, a modulation code called 17PP is used in the BD. DC control bits are periodically defined in a recording data format of the BD, and a coding is carried out after the DC control bit of "0" or "1" with which the absolute value of the DSV of the code sequence decreases is selected.
Also, for example, for a recording modulation coding method for a magnetic disc recording medium, (2,7) RLL is also used. This (2,7) RLL satisfies runlength constraints of d=2 and also k=7, in which a coding using a variable length table is carried out. The coding rate becomes ½.
To be more specific, in (2,7) RLL, the coding on input data is carried out on the basis of the following rule.
Input data→Code
11→1000
10→0100
000→000100
010→100100
011→001000
0011→00001000
0010→00100100
According to such transform rules of (2,7) RLL, for example, input data composed of "110110011" is transformed into a code sequence of "100000100000001000" on the basis of "11"→"1000", "011"→"001000", and "0011"→"00001000".
On the other hand, in contrast with the currently prevalent optical discs such as the CD, the DVD, and the BD, the applicant of the present invention previously proposes a so-called bulk recording-type (simply also referred to as bulk-type) optical disc as a next generation optical disc as described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-135144 or Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-176902.
Here, the bulk recording refers to a technology for realizing a larger recording capacity by irradiating an optical recording medium (a bulk-type recording medium 100) having at least a cover layer 101 and a bulk layer (recording layer) 102 with laser light while sequentially changing a focal position and performing a multilayer recording in the bulk layer 102 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 18.
With regard to the above-mentioned bulk recording, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-135144 described above discloses a recording technology that is so-called micro hologram system. According to the micro hologram system, for a recording material of the bulk layer 102, so-called hologram recording material is used. For the hologram recording material, for example, light-cured type photopolymer or the like is widely used.
The micro hologram system is roughly classified into a positive-type micro hologram system and a negative-type micro hologram system.
The positive-type micro hologram system relates to a technique for gathering two opposed light fluxes (a light flux A and a light flux B) at a same position to form a minute interference pattern (hologram) and setting this as a recording mark.
Also, on the basis of the opposite point of view from the positive-type micro hologram system, the negative-type micro hologram system relates to a technique for deleting a previously formed interference pattern through laser light irradiation and setting the deleted part as a recording mark. In this negative-type micro hologram system a processing of forming the interference pattern in the bulk layer is performed in advance as an initialization processing.
Also, the applicant of the present invention also proposes, for example, a recording method of forming void (porosity, hole) as a recording mark which is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-176902 as a method for the bulk recording that is different from the micro hologram system.
A void recording system relates to a method of irradiating the bulk layer 102 made of a recording material such as light-cured type photopolymer, for example, with laser light at relatively high power and recording the void in the bulk layer 102. As described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-176902, the thus formed void section becomes a section having a different refractive index from other sections in the bulk layer 102, and a reflection factor is increased at a border section thereof. Therefore, the above-mentioned void section functions as the recording mark, and information recording based on the formation of the void section is accordingly realized.
According to the above-mentioned void recording system, the hologram is not formed, and it suffices that the light irradiation is carried out from one side at the time of the recording. That is, in the case of the above-mentioned positive-type micro hologram system, it suffices that the recording mark is not formed by gathering the two light fluxes at the same position.
Also, in comparison with the negative-type micro hologram system, a merit exists that the initialization processing is not carried out.
It should be noted that Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-176902 illustrates an example in which precure light irradiation before recording is performed when the void recording is carried out, but the void recording can be carried out even when such precure light irradiation is omitted.
Incidentally, with regard to the bulk recording-type (simply also referred to as bulk-type) optical disc recording medium for which the above-mentioned various recording techniques are proposed, a recording layer (bulk layer) of the above-mentioned bulk-type optical disc recording medium does not have an explicit multilayer structure in a sense, for example, that a plurality of reflection films are formed. That is, the bulk layer 102 is not provided with a reflection film and a guide groove for each recording layer which are provided to a normal multilayer disc.
Therefore, in the case of the structure of the bulk-type recording medium 100 illustrated in the aforementioned FIG. 18 without change, at the time of recording when the mark is not formed, focus servo and tracking servo are not carried out.
For this reason, in the actuality, the bulk-type recording medium 100 is provided with a reflection surface (reference surface) that becomes a reference having a guide groove as illustrated in the following FIG. 19.
To be more specific, for example, a guide groove (position guiding element) is formed on a lower surface side of the cover layer 101 in a spiral or concentric manner through formation of a pit or a groove where a selective reflection film 103 is formed. Then, the bulk layer 102 is layered via an adhesive material such as UV curing resin, for example, functioning as an intermediate layer 104 in the drawing on a lower layer side of the cover layer 101 on which the selective reflection film 103 is thus formed.
Here, through the above-mentioned formation of the guide groove by the pit or the groove, for example, recording of absolute positional information (address information) such as radial positional information or rotation angle information is carried out. In the following description, the surface on which the guide groove is formed and the recording of the absolute positional information is carried out (in this case, the formation surface of the selective reflection film 103 described above) is referred to as "reference surface Ref".
On the basis of the above-mentioned medium structure, the bulk-type recording medium 100 is irradiated with not only laser light for recording (or reproducing) the mark as illustrated in the drawing (hereinafter, which will be also referred to as recording reproduction laser light or simply recording reproduction light) but also laser light for servo (simply also referred to as servo light) as laser light for positional control via respective common objective lenses.
At this time, if the above-mentioned servo laser light reaches the bulk layer 102, an adverse affect may occur in the mark recording in the bulk layer 102. For this reason, up to now, in the bulk recording system, while laser light having a different waveband from the recording reproduction light is used as the above-mentioned servo laser light, the selective reflection film 103 having a wavelength selectivity in which the servo laser light reflects and the recording reproduction laser light transmits is provided as the reflection film formed on the reference surface Ref.
On the basis of the above-mentioned assumption, a description will be given of an operation at the time of the mark recording on the bulk-type recording medium 100. First, when the multilayer recording is carried out on the bulk layer 102 the guide groove or the reflection film is not formed, at which positions are previously set as layer positions for recording the mark in a depth direction in the bulk layer 102. In the drawing, a case is exemplified in which total five information recording layer positions including a first information recording layer position L1 to a fifth information recording layer position L5 are set as the layer positions where the mark is formed in the bulk layer 102 (mark formation layer position: also referred to as information recording layer position). As illustrated in the drawing, the first information recording layer position L1 is the information recording layer position L set on the uppermost layer, and subsequently, in the order of L2→L3→L4→L5, the information recording layer position L is set on the lower layer side.
At the time of recording when the mark is not formed, the focus servo and the tracking servo are not carried out while the respective layer positions in the bulk layer 102 are set as targets on the basis of the reflection light of the recording reproduction laser light. Therefore, the focus servo control and the tracking servo control on the objective lens at the time of recording are carried out on the basis of the reflection light of the servo laser light so that a spot position of the servo laser light follows the guide groove on the reference surface Ref.
It should be noted however that the above-mentioned recording reproduction laser light is caused to reach the bulk layer 102 formed on the lower layer side of the reference surface Ref for the mark recording, and also selection of the focal positions in the bulk layer 102 is set to be available. For this reason, an optical system in this case is provided with a focus mechanism for the recording reproduction light (expander) for adjusting a focal position of the recording reproduction laser light separately from a focus mechanism of the objective lens.
In other words, with the thus provided expander, by changing a collimation of the recording reproduction laser light that enters the objective lens, the focal position of the recording reproduction laser light is adjusted independently from the servo laser light.
A position in a tracking direction of the recording reproduction laser light is automatically controlled to be at a position immediately below the guide groove on the reference surface Ref by the tracking serve of the objective lens using the above-mentioned servo laser light.
It should be noted that when the bulk-type recording medium 100 where the mark recording is already carried out is reproduced, unlike the recording time, the position of the objective lens is not controlled on the basis of the reflection light of the servo laser light. That is, at the time of reproduction, while a mark sequence formed on the information recording layer position L that is a reproduction target (which is also referred to as information recording layer L or the mark formation layer L at the time of reproduction) is set as a target, the focus servo control and the tracking servo control on the objective lens is carried out on the basis of the reflection light of the recording reproduction laser light.

Coding apparatus, coding method, recording apparatus, recording method, decoding apparatus, and decoding method


A system and method for controlling devices that are part of a peer to peer network of controllers is provided. Messages are routed to controllers of the network and such messages are used to control devices coupled to said controllers. Status messages indicating the state of devices are routed to controllers to allow the state of the devices to be displayed by said controllers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication network for controlling devices in accordance with a communication protocol
2. Description of the Related Art
Communication networks for controlling devices such as lights or lighting fixtures, fans and other appliances or systems in residential or commercial settings have been developed. In general, the devices are electrical loads. These networks are part of remote control systems that permit a user to remotely control, for example, the state (e.g., ON, OFF, Intensity, . . . dim, bright, scene) of devices such as a light or a group of lights using handheld or wall mounted controllers. In some conventional remote control systems, wall mounted devices are adapted to receive signals from handheld controllers or wall mounted remote controllers. A controller is able to receive information about the status of a device being remotely controlled and the controller can display the status of such a device to a user even when the device is out of the user's view. Many conventional systems are implemented as wireless systems and some of these systems transmit and receive information using RF (Radio Frequency) signals.
An RF wireless system typically includes a Master controller for controlling dimmers/switches and the Master controller receives status information which it can display. In such a system, the Master controller broadcasts commands, such as status request commands, to the dimmers or switches. The dimmers or switches are examples of controllers that control devices such as light fixtures or fans. In response to the status request command from the Master controller, the controllers that control the devices broadcast the status of the controlled devices. The Master controller can then display the status of the devices based on the information broadcast by the controllers. The controllers that control the devices, as well as the Master controller, each represent a node of a network where each of these nodes is one or more components that can control one or more devices. Depending on the relative positioning of the different nodes with respect to each other and with respect to the Master controller, a message broadcast by the Master controller can be received by one or more or all of the nodes of the system. When a node cannot directly receive transmissions from the Master controller, the system uses repeaters so that all the nodes, if necessary, of the system are able to receive the Master controller's transmissions. The transmissions by the nodes (including the Master Controller) and the repeaters are, in essence, broadcasts that can be received by any node in the system. Because transmissions from the Master controller and transmissions from the controllers, with the help of repeaters, can be received anywhere in the system, a controller transmitting the status of a connected device doesn't have to specifically address any particular device or Master controller. Likewise, a Master controller transmitting its commands doesn't have to specifically address such commands to a particular controller in the system. Furthermore, because the messages are broadcast, the manner in which the messages are delivered to the node is not a consideration in such systems.
In many cases, a user may often want to know the status of a controlled device and more importantly a user may want to know whether the status of the device has been changed as a result of the manual operation of the device. Further, the status of the device may have changed as a result of a command sent from the Master Controller. That is, the controller controlling the device can change the status of the device due to a command from the Master controller or an actuation of the device or an actuation of the controller itself. Some systems are designed so that the controllers transmit the status of the device automatically upon the manual actuation of such a device or upon receiving a status request command from the Master controller. The status information transmitted by a controller of a device upon being manually actuated or upon receiving a command is known as 'true status'. A main disadvantage with a 'true status' system is that transmission of much of the status information in many instances is not necessary and often leads to an inefficient system. For example, when the intensity of a light is being decreased from one level to its final desired level, the intensity actuator (e.g., intensity button or rocker switch) is depressed several times until the desired level is reached. In a 'true status' system, the controller controlling the light (i.e., the dimmer/switch), transmits each intermediate intensity level; that is, each time the intensity button is depressed, the current light level is transmitted. Such a system is inefficient not only because of the transmissions of the intermediate light levels draining energy from the system, but also because of the transmission of information that is superfluous and of little value. In such a scenario, the final intensity level of the light may be the only information that needs to be transmitted because that is the information which the system needs to know.
Another example is when a dimmer is fading from a current intensity level to OFF. While fading between discrete intensity levels, each such level is transmitted causing not only power usage problems as discussed above, but efficiency problems in terms of bandwidth and delay. In such systems, the transmission of the status is either delayed until the final value of the fade intensity is reached or the different intensity levels are transmitted during the fade. Either technique can lead to adverse conditions for the system. For example, when the transmission of the status information is delayed, other commands to be transmitted by the Master controller will also be delayed until the entire response from the fading device is received and there will also be a delay in when the status is displayed by the Master controller.
The delay is especially problematic in the case where controllers or devices have toggle action actuators. If a user mistakenly activates a button with toggle action, the user cannot reverse the action until the fading finishes and the final "true" status value has been received. Since fading time may vary in very wide limits from a few seconds to tens of minutes, this may create a long time during which the system can't be controlled. If the 'true status' approach is not used and the status is provided after a status request command is sent, the Master controller has to keep polling the dimmer for a relatively long period of time and may not know the length of the fading time and thus when to stop the polling leading to an inefficient system.
Also, it is quite common for a lighting system to have the need to control not a single device, but a group of devices. For example there may be a need to turn ON or OFF all lights in a room or an entire house, or to create a scene using a group of lights where the lights in the group are set at various intensity levels. In such a case one controller may be changing the state of a group of lights (via messages to controllers such as dimmers and switches) and other controllers may also be controlling the same group of lights and update their display appropriately. When the 'true status' approach is used the lights start to send back (via their connected controllers) their status reports as soon as the status gets changed. Since in case of the group operation many devices change their status at about the same time, a bottleneck of status information may develop resulting in the loss of information. Also, while a controller is transmitting the 'true status' of a connected device, the status may have changed because the controller has received another command from a local controller and thus the status information it is currently transmitting to the Master controller is inaccurate. In systems with limited bandwidth, the relatively large amount of information needed to be transmitted during certain time periods may overwhelm the system because the system is incapable of transmitting the large amount of information or the system is incapable of reacting quickly enough to status changes and status request commands. As a result, some systems will, for example, limit the number of lights in a group that it can properly control, or devise more sophisticated and thus more complicated and costly methods for controlling group of lights. For example, time slots can be reserved for certain controllers to allow them to control the group of lights at specific times without any interference from other controllers.
What is therefore needed is a system that can provide status information from devices in the system while avoiding the problems discussed above.

Communication network for controlling devices


A safety shutter of the present disclosure comprises: a base unit; a shutter unit; and a cam unit. The base unit is coupled to a cradle of an air circuit breaker, and a terminal connected to a main circuit passes through the base unit. The shutter unit is coupled to the base unit so as to be spaced apart at a predetermined interval, and accommodates the terminal in the space between the shutter unit and the base unit. The cam unit extends from the base unit and penetrates the shutter unit. The shutter unit deactivates insulation by exposing the terminal in the direction of the air circuit breaker when the air circuit breaker is inserted in the direction of the base unit.

An air circuit breaker (ACB) device is installed at a low voltage distribution line and breaks a circuit in an arc extinguishing manner in an event of abnormal current such as overcurrent, short circuit or ground fault.
The air circuit breaker may be classified into a fixed type and an extendable type. The fixed air circuit breaker is fixed to a body without separate fixing means. The extendable air circuit breaker is coupled to a cradle and is connected to a main circuit, and is removable from the cradle for inspection or maintenance.
A plurality of terminals connected to the main circuit are arranged on the cradle coupled to the extendable air circuit breaker. When the extendable air circuit breaker retracts into the cradle, each finger of the circuit breaker contacts each terminal.
An inrush current may occur between the terminals and the fingers of the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker retracts or extends into or from the cradle. When an arc caused by the inrush current occurs between the terminals and the fingers of the circuit breaker, the arc may cause a fault in the line. Therefore, an insulating shutter is used to quickly insulate the terminal and the circuit breaker from each other when the circuit breaker retracts or extends into or from the cradle.
A conventional insulating shutter has inconvenience in that a separate actuating lever works to convert the shutter to an insulated or non-insulated mode. In addition, the conventional insulation shutter has a problem in that insulation may not be performed quickly due to the operation of the actuating lever.
In addition, according to the prior art, an insulating shutter has one portion coupled to the circuit breaker and the opposite portion coupled to the cradle, and is automatically opened or closed when the circuit breaker retracts or extends into or from the cradle. However, this insulating shutter has disadvantages in that assembly and disassembly thereof are cumbersome, and the shutter does not respond quickly when the circuit breaker retracts or extends into or from the cradle.

Safety shutter of withdrawable air circuit breaker


An housing for a medical device includes an insert configured for removable insertion into the housing, outer dimensions of the insert conforming to inner dimensions of the housing to prevent movement thereof within the housing. The insert includes first and second planar walls connected to one another and having first and second openings extending therethrough. The first and second walls are movable between an open configuration in which the first and second walls are separated from one another and a closed configuration in which the first and second walls are folded to contact one another such that the first and second openings are aligned to define a medical device receiving cavity configured to house a medical device. In the closed configuration, the first and second walls apply a frictional clamping force to a packet containing the medical device to prevent movement of the medical device relative to the inlay.

Medical devices must be packaged and sealed such that the devices remain sterile until ready for use. Furthermore, the packaging must be configured to prevent damage to the device during transport. Thus, current packages for medical devices are generally include excess padding and are often configured such that the device is not visible until the packaging has been removed. Thus, it is often not possible to determine the type of medical device contained within a package without compromising the sterility of the device.

Packaging for medical devices with window


Additive feed systems for feeding at least two different additives to silicon disposed within a crucible of an ingot puller apparatus are disclosed. The additive feed system may include first and second feed trays which are caused to vibrate to move first or second additive from a canister in which the additive is stored to another vessel in which the amount of first or second additive added to the vessel is sensed. The additive is discharged from the vessel into an additive feed tube through which the additive enters the crucible.

During growth of single crystal silicon ingots by the Czochralski process, various additives may be added to the crucible before or after ingot growth. As customer specifications and ingot quality parameters have evolved, different types of additives may be added to the crucible during an ingot cycle to improve and/or more precisely control ingot quality parameters. For example, it may be desirable to add both dopant and quartz cullets to the crucible. Dopants vary the resistivity profile of the melt and cullets may act as buffer members which float in the melt and contact polysilicon which is added to the melt during ingot growth (e.g., as in continuous Czochralski growth process).
A need exists for additive feed systems which are capable of adding two different additives from different feed containers with relative precision and with shared components to minimize cost and the footprint of the additive feed system.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Additive feed systems, ingot puller apparatus and methods for forming a single crystal silicon ingot with use of such additive feed systems