A method and system are disclosed for recognizing tissue types. Electrical signals are applied to tissue 120 via electrodes 110, 112. Circuitry 106 and the signal processor 116 are used to measure impedance magnitude and phase at a plurality of frequencies. At least the phase information at the plurality of frequencies is compared with phase information of known tissue types. Based on the comparison, the tissue 120 may be assigned to one of the known tissue types.

The present invention relates to the recognition of tissue types in human subjects, and, in particular, to such recognition being performed by way of impedance measurements of the electrical properties of tissue.
Various arrangements have been described that employ electrical measurements on tissue to derive a diagnosis of the nature of that tissue. Such diagnosis typically relates to the detection of cancerous or pre-cancerous tissue.
For the most part, previous attempts to use electrical measurements for tissue diagnosis have suffered from low performance, as measured by their combined sensitivity and specificity. The measurement of absolute levels of conductivity, for example, has been unreliable through the presence of uncontrolled variability in electrode characteristics. Such variability can occur both over the course of time or between different batches of electrodes.
Previous attempts to use tissue impedance for the detection of cancerous tissue on a patient""s surface have not been successful because such have primarily measured the bulk impedance. This has been particularly the case with cervical cancer, which is neoplasia, typically of the upper ten or so cells of the tissue surface being examined.
It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more deficiencies with prior arrangements.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of tissue-type recognition, said method comprising the steps of:
applying electrical signals to a tissue sample;
measuring from the applied signals a magnitude of impedance of the tissue and corresponding phase sample at each of a plurality of frequencies;
comparing at least the measured phase samples with phase information of known tissue-types taken at said frequencies; and
from said comparison, estimating to which of said known tissue-types said tissue sample corresponds.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of tissue-type recognition, said method comprising the steps of:
applying electrical signals to a tissue sample at at least two frequencies from a range of frequencies;
measuring from the applied signals, at each of said at least two frequencies, a magnitude of tissue impedance and a phase of tissue impedance;
calculating a slope of phase versus frequency from said measured phases;
comparing at least said slope with phase slope information of known tissue-types over said range of frequencies; and
from said comparison, estimating which of said known tissue-types said tissue sample corresponds.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of determining a database for diagnosis of tissue types, said method comprising:
(a) for each of a plurality of tissue samples
(i) identifying a known tissue type of said sample;
(ii) taking at least phase measurements using electrical signals applied to said sample, said measurements comprising components at each of a plurality of frequencies.
(b) arranging the phase measurements at each said frequency into a group associated with each said known tissue type.
(c) processing the phase measurements in each said group to provide an processed phase value at each said frequency for each said tissue type.
(d) arranging the average phase measurements as a database.
Other aspects are also disclosed.
The arrangements described herein overcome the problems of making measurements at the tissue surface, whilst avoiding problems that can arise from variability in the surface characteristics of electrodes. These subtle surface characteristics can vary with time, between batches of electrodes and because of contamination by body fluids of the patient, for example due to protein absorption These surface changes can lead to changes in the electrical capacitance of the electrodes measured from the impedance data. Even the mere application of an electrical potential to the electrodes can alter their properties so as to make diagnosis unreliable unless appropriate corrections are made.

Apparatus for tissue type recognition using multiple measurement techniques


A bipolar electrode for electrowinning aluminum or other metals by electrolysis of a molten salt electrolyte containing a dissolved compound of the metal to be won comprises an anodic and a cathodic surface which are both preserved during operation by dissolution of small amounts of a substance in the electrolyte which is capable of being deposited on either surface at a rate compensating the corrosion thereof during electrolysis. The anodic surface is for example cerium oxyfluoride and the cathodic surface cerium hexaboride, both surfaces being preserved by addition of cerium compounds, such as oxides, fluorides, hydrides etc. to the melt. The cathodic surface may also include titanium diboride on top of or together with cerium hexaboride.

In the art of electrowinning aluminum by electrolysis of alumina dissolved in molten cryolite, considerable efforts have been made to provide dimensionally stable materials for cell components which are in contact with the liquid contents of the cell. Such components include the electrodes as well as lining materials and elements which are immersed in the liquid aluminum to restrict hath movements.
Among the materials proposed for use under the severe corrosion conditions in a molten salt electrolysis cell are primarily the refractory oxides; the Refractory Hard Metal (RHM) borides and cermets containing either of them together with an intimately mixed metallic phase for applications where high electrical conductivity is essential.
Refractory ceramic and cermet materials are known from numerous publications. These materials are used in a wide variety of applications, and their specific composition, structure and other physical and chemical properties may be adapted to the specific intended use.
Materials which were proposed for their use as anodes in molten salt aluminum electrowinning cells are mainly based on oxides of e.g. iron, cobalt, nickel, tin and other metals, which oxides may be provided with enhanced electronic conductivity by doping, non-stoichiometry and so forth. Cathodic materials are mainly based on titanium diboride and similar RHM boride compounds. For example, EP-A-0 115 689 discloses reaction sintered oxide-boride ceramic bodies and EP-A-0 116 809 discloses a porous oxide-boride cermet which is infiltrated with molten aluminum. Oxide-boride ceramics have however not proven to be commercially acceptable as cathode materials in molten salt electrolysis.
FR-A-2 375 349 has described bipolar electrodes with an anode made of a boride/silicide/carbon composite and a cathodic section of various borides including titanium diboride and yttrium boride.
A completely new concept for a dimensionally stable inert anode for an aluminum cell and its manufacture was described in EP-A-0 114 085 wherein such anodes are produced by depositing in-situ a fluorine-containing oxycompound of cerium (referred to as "cerium oxyfluoride") on an anode substrate during electrolysis, with a cerium compound dissolved in the melt and maintained at a suitable concentration. This anode coating is maintained dimensionally stable as long as a sufficient concentration of the cerium-containing compounds is maintained in the melt.
In EP-A-0 094 353 it has also been proposed to use materials in a molten salt aluminum electrowinning cell which are composed of a refractory ceramic coated with TiB.sub.2 and wherein the TiB.sub.2 coating is maintained by addition of titanium and boron to the liquid aluminum.
A co-pending patent application Ser. No. 322,850, which was simultaneously filed with the present application discloses a new substrate material for the above described cerium oxyfluoride anode coating, this new substrate material being a cermet having a ceramic phase basically comprising a mixture of cerium oxide(s) and alumina and a metallic phase comprising an alloy of cerium and aluminum.

Molten salt electrowinning electrode, method and cell


A Fresnel lens comprises a first surface, and a second surface being the reverse side surface of the first surface and having a plurality of lens surfaces. Each lens surface is configured from a part of a side surface of an elliptical cone, which has an apex located on the second surface side and a bottom surface located on the first surface side. Here, in the Fresnel lens, any normal line intersecting with the lens surface configured from the part of the side surface of the elliptical cone among normal lines of respective points on the first surface is non-parallel to a central axis of the elliptical cone corresponding to the lens surface with which the any normal line intersects.

There has been known an aplanatic lens, as an aberration-free lens (e.g., see Hiroshi Kubota, "Optics", 12th edition, Iwanami Shoten Co., Apr. 9, 1986, pp. 282-283).
In a lens with a lens surface 71 shown in FIG. 10, in order to collect a light beam Lb parallel to an optical axis Opa of the lens at a focal point F with a constant light path length, it is necessary to meet a condition of "RF=HF", where "R" denotes a refraction point in the lens surface 71, "H" denotes a point at the intersection the optical axis Opa with a perpendicular extending downward from the refraction point R (that is, a foot of a perpendicular extending toward the optical axis Opa from the refraction point R), "RF" denotes a light path length between the refraction point R and the focal point F, and "HF" denotes a light path length between the intersection point H and the focal point F. In order to meet the condition of "RF=HF", it is known that a hyperboloid or an ellipsoid is necessarily adopted as the lens surface 71. Here, in a case where the lens surface 71 is a hyperboloid, when a refraction index of a lens material is denoted by "n" and a back focus of the lens is denoted by "f", the lens surface 71 is represented by the following Formula (1).
                              [                      Math            .                                                              1                    ]                                                                                (                                  z                  -                  c                                )                            2                                      a              2                                -                                                    x                2                            +                              y                2                                                    b              2                                      =        1                            Formula                                                            (          1          )
Here, Formula (1) is obtained when defining a rectangular coordinate system, in which the focal point F of the lens is employed as an origin, a z-axis is specified on the optical axis Opa, a x-axis and a y-axis orthogonal to each other on any place surface orthogonal to the optical axis Opa are specified, and defining a coordinate of an arbitrary point on the lens surface 71 as (x, y, z). Then, a, b and c in Formula (1) are provided by the following Formula (2), Formula (3) and Formula (4), respectively.
                              [                      Math            .                                                              2                    ]                                                                                a        =                  f                      n            +            1                                              Formula                                                            (          2          )                                        b        =                                                            n                -                1                                            n                +                1                                                        f                                    Formula                                                            (          3          )                                        c        =                              n                          n              +              1                                          f                                    Formula                                                            (          4          )
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, there has been known a condenser lens 101, in which a rotation axis C of a hyperboloid 120 that is an emission surface (a second surface) is oblique to a normal line N of a plane surface 110 that is an incident surface (a first surface) so that an angle θ is formed by the rotation axis C and the normal line N (Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-36041). In the condenser lens 101 having the configuration shown in FIG. 11, when a light beam is incident upon the condenser lens 101 with an angle δ formed by the light beam and the rotation axis C, the light beam becomes parallel to the rotation axis C of the hyperboloid 120, inside the condenser lens 101, and then is aplanatically collected on the focal point. F. When a refraction index of the condenser lens 101 is denoted by "n", the angle δ meets Snell's law, that is, sin(θ+δ)=n*sin θ. In this case, the hyperboloid 120 is represented by the abovementioned Formula (1), when defining a rectangular coordinate system, in which the focal point F is employed as an origin, a z-axis is specified on the rotation axis C of hyperboloid 120, a x-axis and a y-axis orthogonal to each other on any place surface orthogonal to the rotation axis C are specified.
Further, in the abovementioned Japanese Examined Patent Publication, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, there has been proposed the condenser lens 101, which is a Fresnel lens, and in which the rotation axis C shared by hyperboloids 121, 122 and 123 of a second surface is oblique to the plane surface 110 of a first surface in order to suppress occurrence of an off-axis aberration. In this case, the respective hyperboloids 121, 122 and 123 configure lens surfaces.
The above-mentioned Japanese Examined Patent Publication describes that in the Fresnel lens 101 in FIGS. 12A and 12B an angle can be formed between a parallel light beam aplanatically collected on a focal point and a normal line N of the plane surface 110 according to an angle formed by the rotation axis C shared by the hyperboloids 121, 122 and 123 and the plane surface 110. Therefore, in the Fresnel lens 101 in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the occurrence of the off-axis aberration can be suppressed, and light beams from a direction oblique to the normal line N of the plane surface 110 can be effectively collected.
However, in the Fresnel lens 101 configured such that the rotation axis C of the hyperboloids 121, 122 and 123 configuring the emission surface is oblique to the normal line N of the plane surface 110 that is the incident surface, the hyperboloids 121, 122 and 123 are not rotationally symmetric with respect to the normal line N of the plane surface 110. Therefore, the Fresnel lens 101 or a metal mold for the Fresnel lens 101 is difficult to be produced by rotary forming with a lathe or the like.
So, when the Fresnel lens 101 or the metal mold for the Fresnel lens 101 is produced, it is necessary to use a multiaxis control processing machine and form the hyperboloids 121, 122 and 123 or respective curved surfaces by cutting at minute pitches while only a blade edge of a sharp cutting tool (tool) 130 with a nose radius (also referred to as a corner radius) of a few micro-meters is brought into point contact with a workpiece 140, as shown in FIG. 13. The workpiece 140 is a base material for directly forming the Fresnel lens 101, or a base material for forming the metal mold. Therefore, the processing time for producing the aforementioned Fresnel lens 101 or metal mold for the Fresnel lens 101 is increased, and then the cost of the Fresnel lens 101 is increased.
On the other hand, in a case where the cross-sectional shape of each lens surface in the cross-sectional shape including the normal line of the plane surface that is the incident surface of the Fresnel lens is linear, the lens surfaces or the curved surfaces corresponding to the lens surfaces can be formed by cutting while the cutting tool 130 is inclined with respect to the workpiece 140 so as to bring a side surface of a blade into line contact with the workpiece 140, as shown in FIG. 14, thus enabling significant reduction of the processing time. Here, in a Fresnel lens in which the shape of each lens surface in an emission surface is rotationally symmetric by employing a normal line of the incident surface as a rotation axis, it is known that each lens surface is approximated by a side surface of a frustum of cone, thereby enabling the cross-sectional shape of each lens surface to become linear (U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,722).
In the Fresnel lens 101 disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Examined Patent Publication and the Fresnel lens disclosed in the above-mentioned US patent, an intended light beam is infrared light, and these two documents disclose that polyethylene is used as a lens material.
Incidentally, in the Fresnel lens in which the shape of each lens surface in an emission surface is rotationally symmetric by employing the normal line of the incident surface as the rotation axis, in the lens surface being approximated by the side surface of the frustum of cone, an off-axis aberration occurs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


The present invention is a random number generating device (10) for generating a plurality of random numbers. The device comprises means for inputting at least one set of user defined parameters from which the plurality of random numbers are selected. In a preferred embodiment, the device is capable of generating random numbers pursuant to six stored games, four of which allow a user to input parameters, with the remaining two games capable of generating random numbers akin to numbers generated upon the rolling of a pair of dice and the spinning of a Roulette Wheel.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to hand-held random number generators for assisting a user in picking random numbers for playing numeric games of chance including Keno, Jai-Alai and various lottery games. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a hand-held random number generator capable of operating in six modes or games, four of which are user programmable and the remaining two of which are factory programmed for generating random numbers akin to the numbers generated from rolling a pair of dice and spinning a Roulette Wheel.
II. Prior Art
There are many situations in which it is desirable to select numbers at random. One such situation is for choosing numbers for various number games, such as lotteries. In this situation, it is desirable for a lottery participant to use a portable or hand-held random number generator for choosing random numbers. Several such portable random number generators exist. One such device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,122 (Kreisner). The Kreisner device is capable of operating in five pre-programmed modes with the user selecting the upper limit of the range from which the random numbers are chosen. The lower limit of the range is preset to 1. The five pre-programmed modes of this device allow a user to select a quantity of random numbers ranging from 3 to 6. The Kreisner device is limited in several respects. For example, if the first mode, which generates 3 random numbers, is selected, the random numbers chosen are all single digit numbers, i.e. the device does not provide the user with an option for selecting three double digit numbers such as, for example, 12, 20, 34, etc. This device is also limited by not providing the user with the ability to select more than six numbers at a time. Also, the device does not allow for selecting the minimum value of the range from which the random numbers are chosen.
Another portable random number generating device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,863 (Moosz). This device is capable of operating in a weighted mode and a random mode. When operated in the weighted mode, the user enters a plurality of favorite numbers into a memory array and some of the random numbers generated are chosen from this array. When operated in the random mode, the device, like the Kreisner device above, is limited in that it only allows the user to select between a minimum of three random numbers and a maximum of six random numbers. In other words, this device is not capable of selecting a quantity of random numbers greater than six or less than three, thereby limiting its uses.
As discussed above, the prior art portable random number generators have substantial limited capabilities. Therefore, it is desirable to have a hand-held random number generating device with user programmable capabilities for allowing the user to define a range from which the random numbers will be chosen as well as allowing the user to have full control over the quantity of numbers generated. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-held random number generating device comprising multiple separate and distinct modes of operation for allowing a user to program a separate set of parameters for each mode and wherein each set of parameters comprises; (i) a range from which the random numbers are selected, (ii) a quantity of random numbers selected and, (iii) an instruction for allowing duplicate numbers within the number of random numbers.
It is another object of the invention to provide, in addition to the user programmable modes, a first fixed game for generating random numbers simulating numbers generated upon the rolling of a pair of dice.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a second fixed game for generating random numbers and their corresponding colors akin to the numbers generated upon the spinning of a Roulette Wheel.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a portable random number generating device capable of displaying programmed messages for allowing a user to determine whether an instant prize has been won.

Hand-held lottery number generating device


The present invention improves the efficiency of a switching power supply in a light load. A control circuit is configured to repeat a driving duration enabling the switching element to be switched and a stop duration stopping the switching in a light load state. A pulse signal generating portion generates a driving pulse signal, in which the driving pulse signal at least includes a pulse in the driving duration, and the lighter a load is, the less the number of pulses in the driving duration is. A first driver drives a first switching transistor according to the at least one pulse in the driving pulse signal other than predetermined K pulses (K is a natural number). The K pulses are in the driving pulse signal when the number of the pulses is reduced to K.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switching power supply.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to generate a voltage higher than an input voltage or a voltage lower than the input voltage, a switching power supply is used. The switching power supply includes an output inductor, an output capacitor, a switching transistor and a control circuit used to control ON/OFF of the switching transistor.
In order to increase the efficiency of the switching power supply in a light load, sometimes an ON/OFF switching frequency of a switching element, that is, a switching frequency is reduced in the light load state. Therefore, a loss caused by an ON-state resistance of the switching element, a loss caused by a charging/discharging current of a gate capacitance of the switching element, and a loss of a rectifying element can be reduced.

Control circuit and control method for switching power supply, and switching power supply and electronic apparatus using control circuit and control method


A multiple quantum well (MQW) radiation sensor eliminates tunneling current from the photoactivated current that provides an indication of incident radiation, and yet preserves a substantial bias voltage across the superlattice, by fabricating an intermediate contact layer between the superlattice and a tunneling blocking layer. Using the intermediate contact layer to apply a bias voltage across the superlattice but not the blocking layer, the photoexcited current flow through the intermediate contact and blocking layers is taken as an indication of the incident radiation. The width of the intermediate contact layer and the barrier energy height of the blocking layer relative to that of the superlattice barrier layers are selected to enable a substantial photoexcited current flow across the blocking layer. The thickness of the intermediate contact layer is preferably not more than about 1 photoexcited charge carrier mean-free path length, while the blocking layer's barrier energy height is preferably at least about 1 phonon energy level below that of the superlattice barrier layers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the detection of electromagnetic radiation with a multiple quantum well (MQW) superlattice structure, and more particularly to the sensing of long wavelength infrared radiation (LWIR) with an MQW superlattice that is subject to a significant dark current level.
2. Description of the Related Art
MQW superlattice LWIR detectors made of heterojunction materials, such as GaAs/Ga.sub.x Al.sub.1-x As, provide excellent design flexibility for spectral response. Because of the large bandgap of the semiconductive materials employed and the ultra-thin (typically less than 1 micron) structure required, the detector offers potentially superior radiation hard characteristics as compared with narrow bandgap HgCdTe-based or thicker (about 20 microns) extrinsic silicon devices. The detection of LWIR with an MQW sensor has been reported in several publications, such as Levine et al., "Bound-to-Extended State Absorption GaAs Superlattice Transport Infrared Detectors", J. Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 64, No. 3, 1 Aug. 1988, pages 1591-1593; Levine et al., "Broadband 8-12 .mu.m High-Sensitivity GaAs Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector", Applied Physics Letters, Vol, 54, No. 26, 26 Jun. 1989, pages 2704-2706; Hasnain et al., "GaAs/AlGaAs Multiquantum Well Infrared Detector Arrays Using Etched Gratings", Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 54, No. 25, 19 Jun. 1989, pages 2515-2517; Levine et al., "High-Detectivity D*=1.0.times.10.sup.10 cm.sqroot.Hz/W GaAs/AlGaAs Multiquantum Well .lambda.=8.3 .mu.m Infrared Detector", Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 53, No. 4, 25 Jul. 1988,, pages 296-298.
The principal of operation for an MQW superlattice IR detector is illustrated in FIG. 1. The basic device consists of a periodic heterostructure of GaAs quantum wells 2 and AlGaAs barrier layers 4. The GaAs quantum well layers are doped with an n-type dopant, such as silicon, to provide electrons in the ground states of the wells for intersubband detection.
The thickness of each quantum well layer 2 is sufficiently small, preferably about 20-60 Angstroms and most preferably about 40 Angstroms, that quantum effects are significant. The thickness of each barrier layer 4 is generally about 80-300 Angstroms, and most preferably about 140 Angstroms. The superlattice period is thus preferably about 180 Angstroms. To maximize the device's quantum efficiency, it is desirable to provide many quantum well layers 2. Photon absorption occurs in the quantum well layers, and quantum efficiency is thus a function of the number of such layers. Although a smaller number of periods is shown in FIG. 1, it is generally preferred that the superlattice comprise about a 20-30 period structure. GaAs quantum well layers 2 are heavily doped n-type with a donor impurity such as Ge, S, Si, Sn, Te or Se. A particularly preferred dopant is Si at a concentration of about 1.times.10.sup.18 -5.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3, and most preferably about 5.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3. Lattice match and thermal coefficient considerations, impurity concentrations and fabrication techniques are known in the art.
Although a GaAs/AlGaAs superlattice is preferred, other materials may also be used. For example, it may be desirable to use materials such as InGaAs/InAlAs on InP, SiGe on Si, or HgCdTe. In general, superlattices fabricated from III-V, IV-IV and II-VI semiconductor materials are suitable. The MQW superlattice detectors are particularly suited for the detection of LWIR, but the sensors in general are applicable to the detection of radiation and other wavelength regimes, and no limitation to LWIR for the present invention is intended.
The potential energy barrier height E.sub.b of the barrier layers 4 is about 160 meV above the potential energy barrier height E.sub.w of the quantum wells 2 for GaAs/AlGaAs. For LWIR with peak detection of about 12 microns, the energy gap between the bound state and the excited state for electrons in the quantum wells is about 100 meV, with the first electron excited state in the quantum wells lying above the conduction band edge of the barrier layers.
Incident infrared photons excite electrons from the quantized baseband 6 of the wells to extended excited states in continuous conduction subband 8, which has an energy level greater than the conduction band floor for barrier layers 4. These excited electrons are then accelerated towards a collector by an electric field created by an externally applied bias voltage. Under normal sensor operating conditions, the bias voltage causes the mean-free path of electrons in the subband 8 to be sufficiently large for the electrons to travel under the applied field through the superlattice, producing a photocurrent 10 that is measured as an indication of the magnitude of incident radiation.
The sensitivity of an MQW superlattice infrared detector can be severely limited by high levels of dark current. This current consists primarily of electrons which tunnel through the intervening barrier layers 4 between the ground states of adjacent quantum wells 2, and is indicated by arrows 12. The tunneling current can be reduced by in creasing the widths of the barrier layers 4. However, any such increase in the barrier layer width reduces the device's radiation hardness, which is inversely related to its thickness.
An improvement upon the described detector, illustrated in FIG. 2, is disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/457,613, filed Dec. 27, 1989 by Sato et al., "Dark Current-Free Multiquantum Well Superlattice Infrared Detector", and assigned to Hughes Aircraft Company, the assignee of the present invention. Under this approach the barrier layers 4 are kept thin, but a thicker (generally about 800-3,000 Angstroms) tunneling current blocking layer 14 is provided at the end of the superlattice in the path of the tunneling electrons. An electron emitter contact layer 16 is formed at the far end of the superlattice from the blocking layer, while an electron collector layer 18 is formed on the opposite side of the blocking layer from the superlattice. The blocking layer 14, which is preferably formed from the same material as the barrier layers 4, eliminates most of the tunneling current component of the photodetector's dark current. This in turn allows the individual barrier layers 4 to be made thinner, thus enhancing the detector's quantum efficiency and increasing its radiation hardness.
While the addition of the blocking layer 14 produces an extremely low dark current and desirable photo-voltage operating characteristics, the device as thus modified is not readily adaptable to receiving an external bias voltage. This is because the blocking layer 14 is a high resistance region compared to the MQW superlattice, and most of the bias voltage drop is diverted from the superlattice to the blocking layer. The performance improvement that otherwise would be available by applying a bias voltage across the superlattice is thus prevented.

Multiple quantum well superlattice infrared detector with low dark current and high quantum efficiency


A remote download of microprocessor code for an irrigation controller is provided. A microprocessor, on an irrigation controller, is executing program code (in volatile memory) and receives a remote download of updated program code, which it stores into non-volatile random access memory, e.g., flash memory. The microprocessor is configured to receive the updated program code, via a communication port, and to store the updated program code into the non-volatile flash memory. Optionally, the updated program code is received at multiple controllers via a global transmission on a communication bus. The microprocessor receives a communication causing it to re-start. In response to the re-start communication, the microprocessor fetches the updated program code stored in the non-volatile flash memory into the program memory RAM to replace the original program code, and begins execution of the updated program code in the program memory RAM. A device is also provided for directing the download of program code to irrigation controllers. Options provide for global download of entirely new program code, global and/or individual download of particular pages of updated program code, and global downloads to controllers grouped by communication speed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems for irrigation management and control. More particularly, the present invention relates to remotely updating microprocessor code in irrigation controllers, optionally where the controllers are networked.
2. Description of the Related Art
Today's irrigation management and control system may incorporate programmable functions into irrigation controllers. For example, stand-alone controllers that control multiple irrigation valves are used for smaller irrigation sites. The stand-alone controller offers a user interface, so that a user can set up automatic watering programs, perform manual watering, as well as perform some additional functions for irrigation control, and perhaps program various of these features.
A single controller is insufficient in larger installations because the distance between the controller and valve stations is too great. Multiple stand-alone systems can be used, but are awkward to control. An alternative is a central satellite control system, consisting generally of various sense and/or control devices (controllers) linked together in a satellite configuration via a communication bus and managed by a personal computer.
The satellite controller is similar to a stand-alone controller, which offers both valve control and various sensor interfaces. More sophisticated satellite controllers also have a user interface for local programming.
A controller may include a microprocessor, a general function of which generally is to accumulate information from input sources, and in turn use this data to control outputs. For example, a keypad and display may be used to input a desired watering schedule. The microprocessor will receive this data and transfer it to memory. The microprocessor may use a timer or other clock source to keep track of time, and when the start time of the user programmed watering schedule is recognized, the microprocessor will retrieve it from memory. It will then assert the state(s) of the valve output drivers as required.
Some aspects of conventional systems are illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,340, Mecham et al. (expressly incorporated herein by reference). Mecham illustrates one example of a conventional irrigation controller 110. The controller 110 includes microprocessor (CPU) 112, a programmable read only memory (ROM/PROM) 114 and a random access memory (RAM) 116. The ROM/PROM 114 provides a non-volatile storage location for the programming code of the controller along with certain important (permanent) data necessary for execution of the code. The RAM 116 provides a volatile storage location for certain variable or temporary data generated during execution of the programming code. The microprocessor 112 communicates via an address bus 118 and a data bus 120. Data entry is via a user interface 126 or using a serial data download. A display 128 supports visual data presentation. A serial communications port 130 is provided between the controller 110 and external devices. Through this serial port 130, the programming code (and data) stored in the ROM/PROM 114 may be updated and data may be extracted from or downloaded to the RAM 116. A time of day clock 132 is provided. The microprocessor 112 outputs irrigation control signals to control the actuation of irrigation control valves 140 that control sprinklers 142. Input is provided via I/O bus 124 from temperature sensor 122, and other sensors 146, e.g., a moisture sensor 146 (1) or a rainfall gauge 146 (2).
Normally, operating code on a microprocessor is re-programmed by removing the microprocessor chip, reprogramming the chip, and re-installing the chip. While the above-mentioned solutions and others provide for individually customizable controllers, they fail to address the problem of quickly providing changes to microprocessor code itself in numerous controllers in the field. In the field, the result has been the need to individually remove and install, for example, microprocessor chips with upgraded firmware one-by-one. Needless to say, this is time-consuming and error prone.
The problem is exacerbated further where the controllers are distant from one another, such as at a large golf course installation. In addition, because of the difficulty of the problem, small error corrections in the microprocessor code tend to be put off and allowed to accumulate.
In an ideal world, however, corrections would be promptly installed. Therefore, there is a need for an ability to change out or update the operating system while it is still operating, in the field.
The result is a need for a solution in the field to the problem of repetitious and error-prone firmware installations. The above prior art references and other conventional systems, however, fail to meet the needs of easily updating firmware in several controllers. Moreover, none of these conventional systems provide for confirming that the desired firmware has been installed system-wide, for example. Users are still looking for a solution to remotely update microprocessor code, in connection with controllers.

Method and system for remote update of microprocessor code for irrigation controllers


A recording apparatus includes a recording head and a carriage. The carriage includes a slide member that is provided so that the position of the slide member relative to a carriage body is changeable in a direction where a gap between the recording head and a medium changes, and moves together with carriage body in the scanning direction, a gap adjusting cam that is interposed between the slide member and the carriage body, and, upon reception of the dead weight of the carriage, changes in the scanning direction relative to the slide member and the carriage body to change the gap, and a restriction section that restricts at least one of expansion of the interval between the carriage body and the gap adjusting cam and expansion of the interval between the gap adjusting cam and the slide member in such a way as to keep a predetermined gap.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a medium.
2. Related Art
An ink jet printer as one example of a recording apparatus will be described hereinbelow by way of example. The ink jet printer includes a recording head mounted on a carriage to eject ink on a recording sheet or paper.
The carriage is configured such that the carriage is guided by a guide member extending in the scanning direction of the recording head (hereinafter referred to as "main scanning direction"), and is fixed to a part of, for example, an endless belt, whereby the traction of the endless belt causes the carriage to reciprocate in the main scanning direction.
Because the position of the carriage at which the endless belt is fixed cannot normally coincide with the position of the center of gravity of the carriage, the phenomenon that the carriage tends to rotate (called "swinging phenomenon") may occur when the carriage is in traction by the endless belt. This phenomenon lowers the ink landing precision. There are several swinging directions including swinging on an x-z plane and swinging on an x-y plane where y is the sheet transporting direction on the recording surface of a recording sheet, x is a direction (sheet's widthwise direction) orthogonal to the y direction, and z is a direction orthogonal to the recording surface.
JP-A-2006-96028 describes a recording apparatus configured to include an urging section which exerts urging force between a guide member (guide shaft) and a carriage, whereby rotational moment in a given direction is applied to the carriage beforehand so that the rotational moment in the given direction is always produced regardless of the moving direction of the carriage, thereby preventing swinging of the carriage.
JP-A-2004-17314 discloses an image forming apparatus configured in such a way that to suppress rattling between first and second guide members, provided along the moving direction of the carriage, and the carriage, an urging section presses the portions of the carriage which slide in contact with the guide members against the guide members.
Some ink jet printers are configured to be able to adjust the gap between the recording head and a sheet of paper (hereinafter referred to as "PG"), so that adjusting the PG can provide adequate recording results regardless of the thickness of the sheet.
Various mechanisms for adjusting the PG have been proposed. One of the adjusting mechanisms is configured to adjust the PG by changing the height position of the guide member that guides the carriage in the main scanning direction.
Let us consider a case where the PG adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust the PG by changing the relative position on the carriage between a slide member which slides in contact with the guide member, provided fixedly, and the carriage body. More specifically, the PG adjusting mechanism is configured in such a way that a gap adjusting cam to change the PG is provided between the slide member and the carriage body, and is displaced to adjust the position (height) of the carriage body relative to the slide member.
According to this configuration, part of the carriage is mounted on the gap adjusting cam, which is mounted on the slide member mounted on the guide member. However, only the dead weight of the carriage is applied between the carriage and the gap adjusting cam and between the gap adjusting cam and the slide member, so that the carriage may be lifted up from the gap adjusting cam or the gap adjusting cam may be lifted up from the slide member when the carriage is driven, causing swinging of the carriage. The aforementioned recording apparatuses according to the related art do not have such a gap adjusting structure, and are not naturally designed to cope with the aforementioned technical problem.


A cell-support matrix having narrowly defined uniformly vertically and non-randomly organized porosity and pore density and a method for preparation thereof. The matrix suitable for preparation of cellular or acellular implants for growth and de novo formation of an articular hyaline-like cartilage. A gel-matrix composite system comprising collagen-based matrix having a narrowly defined porosity capable of inducing hyaline-like cartilage production from chondrocytes in vivo and in vitro.

1. Field of Invention
The current invention concerns a biocompatible cell-support matrix having narrowly defined and uniformly vertically and non-randomly organized porosity and a pore density and a method for preparation thereof. In particular, the invention concerns a biocompatible cell-support matrix or support substrate having substantially the same size pores said matrix or substrate providing a support structure for live-cell suspension. The matrix has vertically non-randomly oriented open pores of substantially homogeneous pore size and narrowly defined diameter.
The support matrix seeded with the chondrocyte suspension is suitable for initiation of growth and de novo formation of hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage in vitro and in vivo as well as for preparation of cellular or acellular implants for implantation into articular cartilage in situ.
The invention additionally concerns a collagen-matrix composite system comprising of said support matrix seeded with chondrocyte suspension, said system being capable of induction of hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage from chondrocytes in vitro or in vivo when introduced into the articular cartilage in situ.
2. Background and Related Disclosures
Collagen matrices for use as an implant for repair of cartilage defects and injuries are known in the art. Of particular interest is a honeycomb structure developed by Koken Company, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, under the trade name Honeycomb Sponge, described in the Japanese patent JP3170693. Other patents related to the current subject disclose collagen-based substrate for tissue engineering (U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,454) collagen/polysaccharide bilayer matrix (U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,723), collagen/polysaccharide bilayer matrix (U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,904), matrix for tissue engineering formed of hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen (U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,072), method for making a porous matrix particle (U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,191) method for making porous biodegradable polymers (U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,286), process for growing tissue in a macroporous polymer scaffold (U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,442), method for preserving porosity in porous materials (U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,753), method for preparation of collagen-glycosaminoglycan composite materials (U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,718), procedures for preparing composite materials from collagen and glycosaminoglycan (U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,629) and a crosslinked collagen-mucopolysaccharide composite materials (U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,954).
However, many of the above disclosed structures have uncontrolled parameters such as uneven and uncontrolled porosity, uneven density of pores, uneven sizes of the pores and random distribution of pores within the support matrix. Such uncontrolled parameters lead to structures that are sterically unstable to provide support for cartilage matrix producing cells as these structures easily collapse upon contact with a solution or suspension containing cartilage producing cells.
There is, therefore, a need for a more uniform and sterically stable support matrix preferably prepared from a biocompatible material, such as collagen, wherein said matrix has narrowly defined size and density of pores and the pores are uniformly distributed, vertically oriented and non-randomly organized.
It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide a sterically stable biocompatible, preferably collagen based matrix, having properties enabling chondrocyte attachment in numbers needed for induction and formation of hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage.
The current invention provides such matrix and/or a method for fabrication thereof by providing a sterically stable and biocompatible matrix, preferably made of Type I collagen, having narrowly defined pore sizes and density with said pores organized vertically wherein said matrix permits seeding and attachment of chondrocytes suspended in collagen, gel, sol-gel or hydrogel that gels at the body temperature, in sufficiently high numbers to induce formation of new hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage. The matrix according to the invention has a substantially narrowly defined pore size in diameter and pore density in vertically organized manner that creates an apical (top or synovial) or basal (bottom or bone) surface to the implant where the sizes and diameters of the pores on both the apical or basal surface are substantially the same. The gel system according to the invention provides conditions for a sterically-enhanced enablement of chondrocytes to produce extracellular matrix comprising glycosaminoglycan and Type II collagen and its deposition within said matrix in ratios characteristic for normal healthy articular hyaline cartilage.
All patents, patent applications and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

Cell-support matrix having narrowly defined uniformly vertically and non-randomly organized porosity and pore density and a method for preparation thereof


A support system, a support method, and a support program in the form of a non-transitory computer readable medium are disclosed that support a medical action during an operation. The support system includes a data acquisition unit configured to acquire, during an operation, use state data on a use state of a medical device during the operation, and target lesion data on a target lesion of a patient during the operation, a learning unit configured to perform machine learning using the use state data and the target lesion data, and a presentation unit configured to present a recommended operation policy based on a result of the machine learning.

Treatment results of a treatment in a body lumen such as a blood vessel have been improved every year according to an increase in device types and development of operation and treatment policies. In recent years, an operation support system or the like capable of performing an operation on a patient by a remote operation at a place away from an operating room has been developed (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-181229).
In general, the treatment results of the operation can depend greatly on the experience of a surgeon. In particular, in a case of the operation with a relatively high degree of difficulty, the determination of how to proceed with the operation depends on decisions of the surgeon in many cases. In addition, for the operation with a relatively high degree of difficulty, it may be necessary to appropriately review (and change if necessary) an operation policy (treatment policy) during the operation depending on a condition of a target lesion and a progress state of the device. Therefore, it is very important to secure objectivity and validity of the decision made by the surgeon during the operation.

Support system, support method, and support program


The present invention relates to a method for producing 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexaafluoropropane, involving reacting gaseous phase hexafluoropropene with hydrogen in a superstoichimetric amount in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in a reactor, and recirculating a part of the gaseous effluent from the reactor.

The document by Knunyants et al., Journal of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Chemistry Department, "Reactions of fluoro-olefins", Report 13, "Catalytic hydrogenation of perfluoro-olefins", 1960, describes the substantially quantitative hydrogenation of hexafluoropropene (HFP) over a catalyst based on palladium supported on alumina, the temperature changing from 20° C. to 50° C. and then being maintained at this value.
1,1,1,2,3,3-Hexafluoropropane is of use in the manufacture of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene.
The tests of the abovementioned prior art were carried out on the laboratory scale and the documents are entirely silent with regard to the lifetime of these catalysts.
The hydrogenation reaction as described above is highly exothermic and presents problems on the industrial scale. This high exothermicity is harmful to the lifetime of the catalyst.
The presence of a compound other than the reactants in the reaction stream can also be the cause of a rapid deactivation of the catalyst.
Furthermore, the document EP 1 916 232 provides a reaction for the multistage hydrogenation of an olefinic compound in order to obtain a high conversion and a high selectivity. Example 1 describes the reaction for the staged hydrogenation of hexafluoropropene in the presence of a catalyst supported on charcoal in four reactors with a temperature of the gas stream at the outlet of the first reactor of 66° C., a temperature of 104° C. at the outlet of the second reactor (for a conversion of 40%), a temperature of 173° C. at the outlet of the third reactor and a temperature of 100° C. at the outlet of the fourth reactor. Cooling stages are provided between the reactors with a temperature of the first bath of 55° C. and a temperature of the second bath of 111° C.
The process as described in the document EP 1 916 232 is expensive in terms of capital cost and, in addition, it is not easy to carry it out.


An in-vehicle wireless charging system including a warning unit that generates a warning notifying a user that a vehicle is in a situation inappropriate for the user to leave the vehicle when a door opens under a situation inappropriate for the user to leave the vehicle. The warning unit is constantly supplied with power. A wireless charging device supplies power to a charged device set at a predetermined charge location in the vehicle. A first switch detects whether or not the charged device is set at the charge location. The warning unit generates the warning notifying the user that the vehicle is in a situation inappropriate for the user to leave the vehicle when the door opens under a situation in which the charged device has been determined from the detection of the first switch as being set at the charge location.

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle wireless charging system.
A wireless charging device transmits power to a charged device in a wireless manner to charge the charged device (refer to, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-5573). More specifically, the charging device includes a primary coil, and the charged device includes a secondary coil. A power transmission pad is formed on an upper surface of the charging device. The charged device is set on the power transmission pad. When excited, the primary coil generates low-frequency radio waves (electromagnetic waves), which induce power at the secondary coil. The power charges a battery that is incorporated in the charged device.
The wireless charging device performs polling to determine whether or not the charged device has been set on the power transmission pad before charging the charged device. The wireless charging device starts charging the charging device after having determined through polling that the charged device has been set on the power transmission pad (refer to, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-259172).
Wireless charging devices for use in vehicles are being developed so that portable terminals, or charged devices, can be charged in the vehicles. When a wireless charging device is installed in a vehicle, a user may forget and leave the portable terminal on the power transmission pad of the wireless charging device. In this case, it is desirable that a warning be generated to notify the user that the portable terminal is being left in the vehicle. Such a warning can be generated, for example, when the wireless charging device performs polling and detects the presence of the portable terminal on the power transmission pad as the user stops the engine and opens the door to leave the vehicle. However, this would result in the wireless charging device requiring an additional warning means such as a buzzer. Further, in addition to information such as whether the headlights are left on, the vehicle will also be required to obtain information such as whether the door is open or closed for the wireless charging device. This may result in complex wiring and control.

KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO


A method for engagement of an impeller clutch includes a process for decreasing a back pressure relative to a clutch engagement pressure by decreasing an internal pressure of a torque converter in a case where the impeller clutch is brought into an engaged state, the impeller clutch enabling a driving force of an engine to be transmitted and disconnected to and from a pump impeller of the torque converter, transmission and disconnection of the driving force between the engine and the pump impeller being controlled by the clutch engagement pressure that is applied to the impeller clutch through an independent oil passage.

A known hydrodynamic torque converter disclosed in US2006/0185954A1 (hereinafter referred to as Reference 1) includes an impeller clutch. A known lock-up device for a hydraulic torque converter including an impeller clutch is disclosed in JP2007-113659A (hereinafter referred to as Reference 2). According to References 1 and 2, a driving force of an engine may be transmitted and disconnected by the impeller clutch to and from a pump impeller of the torque converter through an independent oil passage. Transmission and disconnection of the driving force between the engine and the pump impeller is controlled by a clutch engagement pressure supplied to the impeller clutch through the independent oil passage. In a case where a vehicle is expected to start moving, the clutch engagement pressure is applied to the impeller clutch via the independent oil passage. Then, the impeller clutch is brought into an engaged state to therefore bring the vehicle into a state to start moving.
The aforementioned independent oil passage is provided at a different position from an oil passage via which a pressure is applied to the torque converter disclosed in References 1 and 2. Accordingly, the impeller clutch having the independent oil passage may be easily controlled. The pressure applied to the torque converter corresponds to an internal pressure of the torque converter.
However, in the impeller clutch according to References 1 and 2, the internal pressure of the torque converter acts as a back pressure relative to the impeller clutch and thereby causes the impeller clutch to require time to reach a completely engaged state after the clutch engagement pressure is applied to the impeller clutch. As a result, a time lag occurs between the time when the impeller clutch is brought into the completely engaged state and the time when the vehicle is brought into the state to start moving.
A need thus exists for a control mechanism and a method for engagement of an impeller clutch, which are not susceptible to the drawback mentioned above.

Control mechanism and method for engagement of impeller clutch


A view image rendering module (102) generates an image of a virtual space on the basis of a first viewpoint indicating the viewpoint of a user on the virtual space, and displays the generated image on a view image presentation module (101). A map image rendering module (104) generates a map image indicating a region around the position of the first viewpoint on the virtual space, and displays the generated map image on a map image presentation module (103). The position of the first viewpoint and the visual axis direction are controlled using a viewpoint position•visual axis direction input module (106) which is provided on the display surface of the map image presentation module (103). Furthermore, a virtual object set on the virtual space undergoes manipulation control using a virtual object manipulation input module (107) which is provided on the display surface of the map image presentation module (103).

Three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics (CG) techniques have rapidly prevailed along with the improvement of performance of recent computers. In combination with such techniques, VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) has been standardized and widely used as a language that handles a 3D virtual space. The latest VRML2.0 (ISO/IEC 14772-1: 1997) which is open to the public at this time is used to construct a virtual mall for electronic commerce, to manage 3D data for CAD or the like on an intranet, and the like.
The user observes an image on a 3D virtual space described in VRML or the like in accordance with the viewpoint position or visual axis direction set in the virtual space using a two-dimensional (2D) view window. More specifically, the user changes viewpoint position information and visual axis direction information by moving a cursor on the 2D view window using a mouse, flipping a joystick two-dimensionally, or rolling a trackball.
As a result, an apparatus for presenting an image on the virtual space to the user changes the viewpoint position and visual axis direction in correspondence with the viewpoint position information and visual axis direction information, which have been changed, generates an image on the virtual space corresponding to the changed viewpoint position and visual axis direction, and presents the generated image to the user. The user can walk through the 3D virtual space by sequentially changing the viewpoint position information and visual axis direction information in this way.
If a manipulative virtual object is present on the 3D virtual space, the user manipulates that virtual object by moving the cursor on the 2D view window onto the virtual object to be manipulated, and selecting that object while pressing an arbitrary key at the same time or switching a manipulation mode.
However, according to the conventional method, the field of view (field angle) from the viewpoint on the 3D virtual space is limited, and the user cannot easily recognize the current location of the viewpoint position on the 3D virtual space on the 2D view window.
Also, the viewpoint is present as an object having a certain size on the 3D virtual space. In this case, this object sometimes collides against an obstacle on the 3D virtual space. However, if the viewpoint collides against an obstacle during walkthrough, the viewpoint position can no longer be moved in the direction of the obstacle. In such case, since the obstacle often falls outside the field of view depending on its position, the user cannot often recognize why he or she cannot change the viewpoint position.
Furthermore, a virtual object on the 3D virtual space can be manipulated using the cursor on the 2D view window, as described above. If another manipulative object is present between the position of the virtual object to be manipulated and the viewpoint position, it is difficult to manipulate that virtual object.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the aforementioned problems, and has as its object to provide a virtual space rendering/display apparatus and virtual space rendering/display method, which allow the user to walk through a 3D virtual space and to manipulate a virtual object more easily.

Virtual space rendering/display apparatus and virtual space rendering/display method


Indoor unit of air conditioner of the present invention includes air discharge units at left, right, and bottom of an outer case of the indoor unit oriented to blow air in forward outer sides, to prevent air blow to a suction side, thereby making air circulation smooth and fast air conditioning, and preventing infiltration of foreign matter in ordinary times to keep a tidy outer appearance because air suction, and the discharge units are only opened during operation of the air conditioner.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a constitution of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a related art. Referring to the drawings, a casing 1 forms an exterior of an indoor unit.
The casing 1 has a flat-rectangular shape so that each length of top/bottom and right/left is relatively greater than a width of front/rear.
An intake part 3 is formed at a front face of the casing 1 so s to become a path through which an air in an air-conditioned space is sucked inside the casing 1.
A heat exchanger 5 is installed at a rear side of the intake part 3. The heat exchanger 5 exchanges heat between a refrigerant of a heat exchange cycle and the air sucked in through the intake part 3 in the air-conditioned space.
Such a heat exchanger 5 has a rectangular shape so as to correspond to the intake part 3 in size.
An air vent 6 is formed at a center of the heat exchanger 5 so as to prevent interference between a motor 7 and a turbofan 9 which will be explained in the following.
A motor 7 is installed at an inner rear side of the casing 1.
A rotating shaft of the motor 7 is installed in a direction facing from a rear side to a front side of the casing 1, and a turbofan 9 is installed at the rotating shaft. The turbofan 9 is a part providing a motive power for a flow of air inside the indoor unit. The turbofan 9 sucks an air in a direction of the rotating shaft from the front side, and then blows the sucked air in a centrifugal direction.
Blow outlets 11 are formed at upper, lower, left, and right sides of the casing 1 so as to blow the air blown by the turbofan 9 into the air-conditioned space.
Blow outlet vanes 13 are formed at the blow outlets 11 so as to adjust directions of the air blown from the blow outlets 11, respectively.
Meanwhile, an orifice 15 is installed between the heat exchanger 5 and turbofan 9, whereby an orifice hole is formed at a center of the orifice 15 so as to guide the air having passed the heat exchanger 5 to the turbofan 9.
Operation of the above-constituted indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the related art is explained as follows.
Once the air conditioner is driven, the heat exchange cycle starts to operate so that the refrigerant, which is relatively cold, is transferred to the heat exchanger 5.
And, the turbofan 9 revolves by the motor 7 so as to suck the air in the air-conditioned space.
Namely, the turbofan 9 revolves so that the air in the air-conditioned space is sucked inside the casing 1 through the intake part 3.
Moreover, the air sucked through the intake part 3 undergoes heat-exchange through the heat exchanger 5 so as to become a chilly air having a relatively low temperature.
The chilly air generated from the heat exchanger 5 is sucked in the turbofan 9 so as to be blown in the centrifugal direction of the turbofan 9.
The air blown from the turbofan 9 is blown into the air-conditioned space through the blow outlets 11 formed at the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the casing 1.
In this case, the blow outlet vanes 13 of the blow outlets 11 become open so as to adjust the blow directions of the chilly air which is being blown, respectively.
Yet, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the related art has the following problems.
First of all, there are four blow outlets 11 formed at the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the casing 1 in the indoor unit according to the related art, whereby the chilly air is blown in four directions.
Yet, a relatively cold air becomes distributed at a lower side as a characteristic of airflow in general.
Hence, the chilly air blown through the blow outlet 11 formed at the upper side of the casing 1 becomes to sink toward the front side of the casing 1 so as to be sucked inside the indoor unit again through the intake part 3.
Thus, an efficiency of the air conditioner is reduced.
Moreover, the airflow, which is constituted in a manner that the air blown in an upper direction of the casing 1 is sucked again in the intake part 3, interrupts an entire air conditioning in a room so as to being about a design failure. And, a temperature of the air sucked through the intake part 3 becomes lower than a real temperature in the room so that the air conditioner fails to attain a precise data. Hence, the entire room is unable to be air-conditioned promptly.
And, the intake part 3 is always open regardless of any operation status of the air conditioner.
Namely, a predetermined portion of the intake part 3 should be open so as not only to let the air pass through but to prevent a user's hand or other thing from being inserted therein. Such a predetermined portion maintains to be open all the time. Hence, dusts or particles in the room come into penetrating the intake part 3.
Thus, a filter (not shown in the drawing) installed between the intake part 3 and heat exchanger 5 should be cleaned more often.
Besides, the opened intake part 3 provides a bad impression in aesthetic appearance.
Moreover, it is difficult to attach/detach the filter of the related art. Namely, in order to exchange the filter, an intake grill (not shown in the drawing) should be separated from the indoor unit so as to be troubled with a filter exchange work.
And, the filter has a function of filtering dust only, thereby being unable to deodorize the air.
Moreover, the related art fails to include a display unit displaying an operation status of the air conditioner, thereby being inconvenient for a user to be informed of the operation status of the air conditioner.
Meanwhile, the orifice 15 partitioning a space between the heat exchanger 5 and turbofan occupies a relatively large rectangular area to be easily distorted so as to interrupt the precise airflow inside the indoor unit.
Specifically, if an edge of the orifice 15 fails to be sealed precisely with the casing 1, the air blown through the turbofan 9 comes into leakage in part.
Besides, the blow outlets 11 are formed at four sides of the casing 1 and the area of the rear face of the casing 1 is equal to that of the front face, whereby a mechanical strength of the casing 1 is weak.
And, the casing 1 having a relatively large area of a back face is easily bent so as to be unable to support strongly components attached thereto.
Finally, blow louvers 14 are built in one body of the blow vanes 13 installed at the blow outlets 11 so as be heavy. Hence, a relatively heavy load is applied to the motor in order to drive the blow vanes 13.
Besides, when the blow vanes 13 are open, the air leaks toward a rear side of an outer surface of the casing. Hence, a flow of the air fails to be as designed.


A method of improving convergence of an echo canceller in a full duplex speakerphone, wherein the echo canceller includes LEC (Line Echo Canceller) and AEC (Acoustic Echo Canceller) portions, comprising the steps of capturing LEC coefficients during operation, storing the coefficients, and utilizing the stored coefficients as default values during start-up of a subsequent call. The method of the present invention reduces the overall convergence time of the echo canceller by alleviating the requirement to wait for a suitable reference signal in order to converge the LEC.

The present invention relates in general to speakerphones and more particularly to an improved method of operating an echo canceller in a full duplex speakerphone connected to an analog line, where the near end hybrid characteristic is the same for each connection.
One of the most important performance indicators for full duplex speakerphones is convergence time (i.e. the time required by the echo cancellers within the speakerphone to reach an acceptable level of cancellation). The convergence time of the speakerphone depends both on internal Line Echo Canceller (LEC) and Acoustic Echo Canceller (AEC) convergence times. In order to converge quickly and properly, a speakerphone echo canceller requires a reference signal with correct stochastic properties. At the beginning of a call (Start-up), the reference signal is usually not sufficiently stochastic (e.g. the line signal typically comprises narrow band tones such as dial tone) or speech is not present, so that echo cancellation is unable to commence immediately. In such situations the speakerphone loop may remain unstable for a noticeable period of time. This can result in feedback or xe2x80x9chowlingxe2x80x9d of the speakerphone during start-up, especially when the speaker volume is high.
In order to prevent such feedback, it is an objective of speakerphone design to ensure that the echo cancellers (LEC and AEC) converge rapidly to the correct echo path models at start-up. Otherwise, the speaker volumes must be reduced during startup, which may be annoying to a user.
Since the LEC usually models an echo path that is reasonable constant, and the AEC often has to track frequent changes in the echo path, it is advantageous if the LEC filter adapts quickly to the correct model and remains stable while the AEC undergoes convergence.
According to one prior art approach to reducing the problem of feedback during speakerphone start-up, howling detection has been used (see ITU-T Recommendation G.168) in combination with gain control. According to this approach, the speaker volume (or loop gain) is reduced when howling is detected. A drawback of this approach is that the gain switching is often audible which may be annoying to the user.
Another prior art solution involves operating the speakerphone in a half duplex mode on start-up in order to prevent howling and echo from interfering with communication. The speakerphone remains in the half-duplex mode until the LEC adapts sufficiently to ensure echo cancellation. A drawback of this approach is that the speakerphone sometimes stays in the half-duplex mode for a long time, making communication between telephone parties difficult or impossible. Yet another prior art solution involves forcing the speakerphone to start operation at a predetermined xe2x80x9cacceptablexe2x80x9d low volume level which guarantees stability in the audio loop, and then gradually increasing the volume as convergence of the echo canceller is achieved. A drawback of this approach is that the volume adjustment is often noticeable to the user.
According to the present invention, a method is provided for improving the start-up convergence time of the LEC filter, thereby resulting in a total reduced convergence time for the speakerphone. This method is based on capturing the LEC coefficients once the LEC has converged, and saving them as the default coefficients for the next call. As a result, the echo canceling algorithm does not have to wait for a suitable reference signal to commence convergence. At start-up, the echo canceller immediately begins canceling the line echo, based on the previously stored LEC coefficients, thereby assisting the AEC algorithm by eliminating residual line echo from the acoustic signal which the AEC algorithm is required to converge to, and initially making the speakerphone loop more stable.

Method of operating a full duplex speakerphone echo canceller


In a battery module, having a housing, at least one battery, which is disposed in the housing, at least one inlet opening for introducing a cooling fluid into the housing, and at least one outlet opening for conducting the cooling fluid out of the housing. According to the invention, compressed cooling fluid can be supplied to the at least one inlet opening using a compressor. A reduction of the cooling performance because of heating of the compressed cooling fluid is to be at least partially avoided. Furthermore, the design effort is to be low and the battery module is to be cost-effective to produce. The invention solves a problem in that the cooling fluid can be cooled by a cooling apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a battery module, including a housing, at least one battery disposed in the housing, at least one inlet opening for introducing a cooling fluid into the housing, and at least one outlet opening for carrying the cooling fluid out of the housing, in which a cooling fluid compressed by means of a compressor is deliverable to the at least one inlet opening. The further relates to a battery module system and to a method for cooling at least one battery disposed in a housing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, supply electric current to various kinds of equipment, such as hybrid motor vehicles, electrically operated vehicles such as wheelchairs, bicycles with auxiliary electric drives, forklifts, or power tools. In general, a plurality of batteries are installed in one housing, thus forming a battery module. Battery modules have the advantage that they are more easily cooled with a cooling fluid, and higher electrical capacities can easily be attained by combining a plurality of battery modules into a battery module system.
The normally cylindrical batteries disposed in a housing are cooled with circulated air as the cooling fluid. The cooling concepts here contemplate either a purely longitudinal or axial flow, or a purely transverse or radial flow toward the cylindrical batteries in the housing. In the process, the air flows through openings or bores in the housing and back out again. To improve the cooling of the batteries, especially with tightly packed batteries in the housing of the battery module, compressed air is used for the cooling, since compressed air has a higher mass per unit of volume, and thus the cooling capacity is increased. In tightly packed batteries, it is in general possible only with compressed air for the heat output by the batteries to be adequately dissipated.
From German Patent Disclosure DE 10 2005 017 057 A1, a battery cooling device for battery units disposed in a housing is known. A pump compresses air and feeds it through a pressure conduit to the battery units, in order to cool the battery units in the housing. However, the air is heated by the compression, so that the cooling capacity is adversely reduced.

Device and method for cooling a battery module


Disclosed is a wireless audio transfer system that includes an audio transmitting apparatus including a microphone and a modulating/transmitting unit for transmitting radio waves modulated using an audio signal from the microphone, an audio receiving apparatus including a receiving/demodulating unit for receiving the radio waves and demodulating the audio signal, and an audio output terminal for outputting the audio signal demodulated by the receiving/demodulating unit. The system further includes an image pickup apparatus including an audio input terminal for inputting the audio signal. In the system, the audio transmitting apparatus includes a detecting unit for detecting distortion of an audio signal and a data transmitting unit for transmitting status data, the audio receiving apparatus includes a first communication terminal and a data processing unit for obtaining the status data from the received radio waves and outputting the status data from the first communication terminal, and the image pickup apparatus includes a second communication terminal for inputting the status data outputted from the first communication terminal, a display unit, and a first control unit for displaying whether audio distortion is present at the audio transmitting apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a system that uses a wireless microphone to transfer audio to an image pickup apparatus, a recording apparatus, or an audio mixer, and also relates to a wireless microphone, an audio transmitting apparatus, an audio receiving apparatus, an image pickup apparatus, a recording apparatus, and an audio mixer that construct such a system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, in the field of television broadcasting, it has become common to transfer audio using wireless microphones. FIGS. 1A and 1B show two examples of the appearance of a wireless microphone. Of such drawings, where FIG. 1A shows wireless microphone transmitters (hereinafter simply called "transmitters") as apparatuses for transmitting audio. Each of the transmitters 81, 82 fundamentally includes a microphone (in the case of the transmitter 82, a pin microphone, not shown, that is connected by a cable) and a modulating/transmitting unit that transmits radio waves that have been modulated using an audio signal from the microphone. The transmitter 81 is a hand microphone-type transmitter that is held by hand. Conversely, the transmitter 82 is a device that is attached to a waist belt or the like.
FIG. 1B shows wireless microphone receivers (hereinafter simply called "receivers") as apparatuses for receiving audio. The receivers 83, 84 each fundamentally include a receiving/demodulating unit that receives radio waves transmitted from the transmitter 81 or transmitter 82 and demodulates the audio signal, and an output terminal that outputs the demodulated audio signal to the outside. The receiver 83 is a portable receiver. The receiver 84 is a non-portable receiver and is capable of receiving radio waves from a plurality of transmitters (for example, four transmitters).
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing examples of audio transfer systems that use the transmitter 81 and the receiver 83 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B to record audio during ENG (Electronic News Gathering). In the example in FIG. 2A, the transmitter 81 is used by an announcer conducting an interview. The receiver 83 is attached to a slot provided on a camcorder 91 (i.e., a video camera integrated with a recorder such as a VTR or optical disk apparatus) or is connected to the camcorder 91 by a cable. The audio signal inputted from the receiver 83 into the camcorder 91 is recorded by the camcorder 91 together with the images shot by a cameraman (not shown) using the camcorder 91.
In the example in FIG. 2B, the transmitter 81 is used by an announcer and the receiver 83 is connected by a cable to an audio mixer 92. The audio signal inputted into the audio mixer 92 from the receiver 83 is mixed or switched by an audio man (not shown) using the audio mixer 92. The audio signal outputted from the audio mixer 92 is recorded by a VTR (or audio recorder or camcorder), not shown.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a system that uses a plurality of the transmitters 81, 82 and receivers 84 shown in FIG. 1 to transfer audio signals on multiple channels in a studio. The transmitters 81, 82 are used by the cast (not shown) or the like of a program. Radio waves transmitted from the transmitters 81, 82 are received by antennas 91 that are shared by the receivers 84. The audio signals on multiple channels outputted from the receivers 84 are sent to the audio mixer 92. Data on the audio signal levels and frequencies received by the respective receivers 84 are sent via a hub 93 to a personal computer 94. The frequency, audio signal level, and the like of the audio signal on each channel are displayed on the display of the personal computer 94.
However, when recording audio using such wireless microphones, if a large sound that exceeds the level that was expected when setting the input level of the transmitter (i.e., when setting the attenuation level of an attenuator) is inputted into the transmitter due to a large noise (such as the noise of a car) being unexpectedly produced in the periphery of the speaker, distortion of the audio signal occurs inside the transmitter.
An existing wireless microphone is constructed so that this type of audio distortion is detected inside the transmitter and displayed on a display unit (such as light-emitting diodes or a liquid crystal display) of the transmitter itself, so that the user can check for audio distortion by looking at the display unit.
Other existing methods include connecting headphones or speakers to the audio output terminal of the receiver and actually listening to the audio to check for audio distortion and looking at audio level meters on an audio mixer to check for audio distortion.
However, since a transmitter is small, the display area of the display unit is very small. When ENG (Electronic News Gathering) is carried out as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in many cases the display unit is hidden by the announcer's hand or clothes, and therefore will not be visible to the announcer. Also, for a system inside a studio such as that shown in FIG. 3, there are many cases where the transmitters and receivers are set up some distance away from each other, and it is generally difficult to see the display units of the transmitters from the positions of the receivers.
On the other hand, with the method where the user checks for audio distortion by actually listening to the audio, in addition to needing equipment such as headphones or speakers, special knowledge and experience are also required, with the reliance on human judgments also leading to inconsistencies in such judgments. When such equipment may not be provided and/or when the operator has insufficient knowledge or experience, the filmed material may not be used in some cases.
Also, with the method where audio distortion is checked by looking at audio level meters of an audio mixer, if the levels of the input audio signals inputted into the audio mixer are adjusted using auto-gain controls and/or variable volume controls (faders), the input audio levels of the transmitters themselves will not be displayed on the audio level meters, and therefore it may be to check for audio distortion at the transmitters. Accordingly, it may be necessary to change the settings of the audio mixer so that the input audio levels of the transmitters are displayed. Such settings will require knowledge and experience and are also troublesome.
In particular, when multiple transmitters are used to provide multiple channels as in the example shown in FIG. 3, it will need long time to specify the transmitter at which audio distortion has occurred.
For systems that use a wireless microphone, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-36735 discloses a technology where the receiver detects frequencies unused by radio waves based on the reception level for radio waves and outputs information showing the detected unused frequencies from a communication connector (such information is inputted into a video camera or audio mixer into which the receiver inputs an audio signal and is displayed on a display unit). Consequently, the operator of the video camera or audio mixer can check the unused frequencies and set the frequencies to be used by the wireless microphone system.

Wireless audio transfer system, wireless microphone, audio transmitting apparatus, audio receiving apparatus, image pickup apparatus, recording apparatus and audio mixer


A hybrid vehicle includes: a catalytic device configured to be electrically heatable to purify exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine; a main power supply device that supplies the motor drive unit with power supply voltage; a power supply device provided for a catalyst, and receiving electric power from the main power supply device and supplying the catalytic device with electric power to heat the catalytic device; and a control device. The control device has a first control mode and a second control mode more immune to variation of the power supply voltage than the first control mode as modes applied to control the motor drive unit. If electric power supplied to the catalytic device from the power supply device for the catalyst is to be changed, the control device previously controls the motor drive unit in the second control mode.

When an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell powered vehicle or a similar vehicle that uses a motor to drive the vehicle has a control mode switched, it has a torque varied and the vehicle's passenger(s) may feel a physical impact.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-197791 (Patent Literature 1) discloses a motor control device that can reduce a physical impact attributed to increased torque caused when PWM voltage drive is switched to rectangular wave voltage drive.


The present disclosure relates to a method of making an electrochemically active material, which comprises metal nanostructures encapsulated in LaF3 shells. The electrochemically active material may be included in an electrode of an F-shuttle battery that includes a liquid electrolyte, which, optionally, allows the F-shuttle batteries to operate at room temperature.

Metal nanoparticles are highly desirable for use in a number of applications including as catalysts, and as electrode materials for batteries. However, the use of metal nanoparticles may be limited by the system operating conditions or other factors.
F (fluoride) shuttle batteries are a novel and underexplored alternative next generation energy storage. The energy density is much larger than lithium ion batteries, around four times in volumetric and two times at gravimetric densities. F-shuttle batteries offer lower cost and/or improved characteristics compared to lithium and lithium-ion batteries. Fluoride-ion batteries are electrochemical cells that operate via fluoride-mediated electrode reactions. For example, F− anions are shuttled between the cathode and the anode electrodes. During discharge, MeFx is reduced to Me (metal) or low valence MeFx and releases F− ions at the cathode side. Meanwhile, F− ions combine with metal to form MeFx and release electrons at the anode side. F-shuttle batteries can be manufactured as primary or secondary batteries.
There are two types of F-shuttle batteries, i.e., all-solid-state type and liquid type. Currently most of the research being conducted is focused on all-solid-state F-shuttle batteries, which may be rechargeable at elevated temperatures to some extent. However, slow reaction kinetics impose significant challenges to all-solid-state F-shuttle batteries. Fluoride-ion systems have been demonstrated in the solid state, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,722,993 to Potanin, which describes an embodiment of a secondary electrochemical cell where fluoride ions are reversibly exchanged between anode and cathode electrodes during charge-discharge cycles, with these electrodes in contact with a solid-state fluoride-conducting electrolyte. Potanin describes solid state electrolytes containing fluorides of La, Ce or the compound fluorides based on them, together with alloying additives, such as fluoride/fluorides of alkaline-earth metals (CaF2, SrF2, BaF2) and/or fluorides of alkaline metals (LiF, KF, NaF) and/or alkaline metal chlorides (LiCl, KCl, NaCl), as well as a wide range of other compound fluorides. However, such electrochemical cells only operate usefully above room temperature (e.g. 150° C.) due to the limited conductivity of the solid-state electrolyte.
Reaction kinetics are good in the liquid type F-shuttle batteries. However, this type of F-shuttle battery still faces many challenges, such as the lack of good electrolytes and reversible cathode/anode materials at room temperature.
Attempts have also been made to provide fluoride ion-based electrochemical systems capable of using liquid electrolytes. For example, US 2011/0143219 A1 by Weiss et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 9,166,249 by Darolles et al. disclose fluoride-ion battery configurations that include a solvent-borne fluoride salt that is at least partially present in a dissolved state in the electrolyte. However, for many applications the chemical reactivity of the electrode materials with the liquid electrolyte is significant, and these liquid electrolyte systems do not provide sufficiently reliable high discharge and/or high capacity operation.

Two phase shell formation on metal nanostructures


An optical disc device according to the present invention performs, in parallel, a first control to convey a first tray in the first optical disc drive group from the disc replacing position to the recording and reproducing position, and a second control to convey a second tray in the second optical disc drive group 40R from the recording and reproducing position to the disc replacing position. The second tray is opposed to the first tray.

1. Field of the Invention
The technical field relates to an optical disc device that supplies an optical disc (a disc-like information recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a BD) to each of a plurality of optical disc drives.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as an optical disc device of this type, a device disclosed in Patent Document 1 (No. 2011-204311 A) is known, for example. The optical disc device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a magazine (cartridge) that stores a plurality of trays (small cartridges) that stores one optical disc, and a plurality of optical disc drives. The optical disc device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is structured such that: an arbitrary tray is drawn out from the magazine; the optical disc stored in the drawn out tray is suctioned and held by a suction pad; and the optical disc is mounted on the tray of an arbitrary optical disc drive.

Optical disc device including a carrier for holding optical discs in a stacked state