An apparatus comprising a detector for detecting optical density levels recorded on a film, each optical density level representing a symbol from a constellation of symbols, wherein each symbol is associated with a plurality of bits of data; and a demapper, for receiving data responsive to the detected optical density levels, and for providing data associated therewith. A method for recovering data stored on film by detecting optical density levels recorded on the film; and recovering the data from the detected optical density levels by receiving data responsive to the detected optical density levels; and demapping said received data for providing the recovered data associated therewith; wherein each detected optical density level is associated with a symbol from a constellation of symbols for use in demapping the data, and wherein each symbol is associated with a plurality of bits of data.

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for recording data on film.
Many applications require the storage of very large quantities of data for long periods of time. One example is found in the production of motion pictures or movies. Traditionally, a movie was made by shooting an original camera negative (OCN), which was then edited by cutting and splicing operations. More recently, the use of digital special effects has introduced a requirement for some parts of the OCN to be "scanned" to convert each frame of film into a set of digital data, which represents the frame film image information. Similarly, when an old movie is to be restored using digital techniques it may be necessary to scan all of the film so as to obtain a digitized version of the entire movie (a digital film record).
The process of scanning a film to create a digital film record is expensive and time consuming, and each use of the OCN increases the possibility of damage. Hence, it would be advantageous to treat the digital film record itself as the archive of the content, rather than the traditional approach of creating three monochrome separations on film and archiving those.
In this regard, the scanning process generates very large quantities of data. Today, most film scanning is performed at a resolution of "2K", meaning 2048 pixels horizontally by 1536 pixels vertically (or similar resolutions generating similar quantities of data). Generally each pixel is represented by a digital value for each of red, green, and blue representative signals, where each digital value has a precision of at least ten bits. This means that more than 11 MB (millions of bytes) of data is generated for each frame of a film. There are normally 24 frames in a second of film, yielding an effective data rate of approximately 300 MBps (megabytes per second). Thus, a 2-hour movie would be represented by more than 2 terabytes (TB) of data, where, for purposes of this description, each terabyte is defined herein as being equal to 1,000,000 MB.
However, data storage requirements will continue to increase. For example, scanning a film with a "4k" resolution, and 14-bit precision, generates about 66 MB for each frame of film. In addition, if digital techniques are used for all of the production it may be necessary to scan an OCN that exceeds by many times the duration of the final movie. These additional factors mean that the data storage requirements for a single movie may reach many tens of terabytes.
Such quantities of data are very difficult to handle and store. Current data tape mechanisms can transfer data to tape at a rate of approximately 50 MBps, and provide storage of approximately one half of a terabyte on a single tape. Using such a device, transferring a 2-hour movie at a 2K resolution to tape would require four tapes and take nearly twelve hours to complete.
Another problem with storage of data is longevity. Most magnetic media such as tape, and optical storage media such as CDs and DVDs, have expected lives of a few tens of years. These life spans are quite unacceptable for archival purposes. In comparison, the science of archiving film is well developed, and color film can be maintained in good condition for many tens of years, while monochrome separations on modern stock are expected to have a useful life of hundreds of years.
Film records are, in fact, quite different from most forms of records. For example, in magnetic recording or optical recording it may be possible to overwrite or destroy the record. In particular, in magnetic recording, elements are magnetized in a certain direction during the recording process. Clearly the same elements can be de-magnetized or re-magnetized by a re-application of the recording process. Similarly, while optical records generally take the form of physical indentations in a surface, or alterations in a dye layer which result in a localized change in the optical properties of the layer, that are not easily altered, it may be possible to overwrite, or at least to destroy, the optical record by a reapplication of the recording process.
In contrast, in a film record the application of light to photographic film (exposure) causes a latent image that is then subjected to a chemical "development" process so that the image is substantially reinforced. Unexposed emulsion is then removed by a process known as "fixing". The combination of these processes yields a very robust record that can no longer be overwritten by re-exposure, or damaged by anything but extreme physical processes.
Although the movie industry has been used as an example, many other businesses create large amounts of data and have needs for archival storage of this data. It is interesting to note that the longevity of film records compared to other available storage mechanisms has been recognized in the data industry. Some companies such as Anacomp, Inc. offer services to businesses requiring long-term storage of computer data records. In one mechanism, data records are imaged as character displays on (for example) a cathode ray tube and recorded on film, usually 16 mm (milli-meter) or 105 mm microfiche. An example of this technology is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,833, issued Nov. 19, 1985. In this patent, light emitted from a relatively large-sized array (such as a light emitting diode array) is focused through converging lenses to cause a relatively small-sized dot pattern to be projected on a film. While this approach yields records that can provide the desired degree of permanence, the data density is relatively low (perhaps 100 to 1000 bytes/mm2) and hence the technique is not suited to storage of very large data records.
It should be noted that binary data may also be recorded directly onto film as a pattern of black and white dots representing values of ones and zeroes. Generally some sophisticated coding scheme is used to improve the effective data density and to provide error correction capability to ensure robustness. These techniques have been used extensively for recording audio data onto the edge of a motion picture film. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,280, issued Jul. 15, 1986, describes a technique for recording a digital soundtrack on a film strip by exposing the film to modulated light from a light source. In one method disclosed therein an intermittent light beam (encoded with digital audio information) is scanned horizontally across the film, and the film is then advanced vertically and the scanning process repeated. This patent also describes that the light can be projected on the film through a linear array of solid state shutters or Bragg cell modulators.
Other examples of storing data on film are described in the following U.S. Patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,552, issued Jul. 24, 1984, describes a method for photographically recording digital audio on motion picture film. U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,781, issued Dec. 22, 1981, describes recording a command data track on motion picture film, along with an unmodulated locator and several analog soundtracks. Similarly, both U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,198, issued Apr. 21, 1987, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,921, issued Jan. 16, 1990, describe a process for recording digital data along an edge portion of a strip of cinematographic film. And, U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,802, issued Sep. 26, 1995, discloses a method and apparatus for photographically recording digital audio signals, and a medium having digital audio signals photographically recorded thereon.
In general, the technology represented by the above-described patents provide a very robust signal that can survive the two printing processes generally necessary to generate a movie release print, and that is reasonably tolerant of minor damage that can occur with use, particularly to edges of a release print. Unfortunately, the recording density is below one kilobyte/mm2, which is too low for use in providing long-term archival storage of large amounts of data such as represented by, e.g., a digital film record.

Apparatus for recording data on motion picture film


A bumper assembly for a vehicle to which a towing hook member can be removably coupled includes a bumper beam having a cavity defined at least partially by a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls are separated at a distance. Also, the bumper assembly includes a receiver having a receiver opening operable to removably couple to and removably receive the towing hook member. The receiver opening is exposed from the bumper beam, and the receiver also has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is removably coupled to the first wall of the bumper beam, and the second portion is removably coupled to the second wall of the bumper beam.

Many vehicles, such as cars, trucks, vans, etc. include a bumper assembly with a bumper beam and a receiver nut fixed thereto. The receiver nut can removably receive an eyebolt or other towing hook member, and the eyebolt can act as a temporary fixture for towing the vehicle and/or for tying down the vehicle during shipping, etc.
In some countries and territories, vehicles are required by law or other motor vehicle regulation to include the receiver nut on the bumper assembly; however, these requirements are not universal throughout the world. Also, some vehicles intended for shipping over long distances (e.g., via ocean-going vessel) need the receiver nut included for attaching the eyebolt so that the vehicle can be tied-down during shipping; however, other vehicles that aren't shipped over long distances may not require the receiver nuts on the bumper assembly.
In most cases, the receiver nut is fixedly and permanently attached to the bumper beam (e.g., via welding). In high-volume vehicle manufacturing, many bumper assemblies for a given vehicle line may typically include a type of fixedly attached receiver nut (e.g. welded to the bumper), regardless of whether the receiver nut is needed or required on the vehicle. Thus, there can be unnecessary parts, labor, and other costs associated with including the permanently fixed receiver nuts on bumper assemblies not requiring the receiver nut.

Vehicle bumper assembly with a removably coupled tie-down receiver


A signal receiving apparatus, applicable in a wireless system calibrating direct current offset, includes: an adjusting circuit arranged to receive an receiving signal having a first DC (Direct Current) signal, and adjust the first DC signal to generate the receiving signal having a second DC signal according to an adjusting signal; a first arithmetic circuit arranged to generate an error signal according to the second DC signal and a target DC signal; and a second arithmetic circuit arranged to calculate an error signal slope according to the error signal, and update the adjusting signal according to the error signal slope and the error signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a signal receiving apparatus and a signal receiving method, and more particularly, to a signal receiving apparatus capable of calibrating direct current offset and an associated method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a wireless communication system, the broader dynamic range of signal which a receiver can cover, the better the performance the receiver is considered to have. However, due to inconsistency of DC (direct current) biases among various functional circuits, DC offset phenomenon often occurs in the wireless receiver system. This not only affects the informational integrity of the received signal, but DC offset phenomenon also constrains the dynamic range of signal the receiver can cover. Therefore, there exists an urgent need for implementing an efficient method for calibrating DC offset phenomenon in wireless receiver.

Signal receiving apparatus and signal receiving method


A display device including: first, second and third substrates, where the second substrate is between the first and third substrates; a light amount controlling layer between the first and second substrates; a color providing layer between the second and third substrates; a light source unit which provides light; and a light guide plate disposed below the first substrate, where the light guide plate guides the light from the light source to the first substrate, where the light amount controlling layer and the color providing layer include pixels corresponding to each other, light from the light guide plate and passed through a pixel of the light amount controlling layer to pass through an adjacent pixel of the color providing layer, and the pixels of the color providing layer include a color conversion region and a transparent region.

(a) Field
Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a display device and a manufacturing method of the display device, and more particularly, to a display device with improved transparency thereof, in which color mixing and leakage of blue light are effectively prevented, and a manufacturing method thereof.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Display devices are widely used for various devices, such as a computer monitor, a television and a mobile phone, for example. The display devices include a cathode ray tube display device, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display device and the like.
A liquid crystal display, which is one of the most widely used types of flat panel displays, typically includes two panels with field generating electrodes such as a pixel electrode, a common electrode, and the like and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two panels. The liquid crystal display generates an electric field in the liquid crystal layer by applying voltage to the field generating electrodes, and determines the direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer by the generated electric field, thus controlling polarization of incident light to display images.
In a conventional display device, both a light amount controlling layer, which determines luminance by controlling a light amount passing through a substrate, and a color providing layer, which determines a color of emitting light, are typically provided. Recently, the color providing layer may include a phosphor or a quantum dot, and a display device, in which the light amount controlling layer and the color providing layer are separated from each other using three sheets of substrates, has been proposed. In such a display device, since a part of the light passing through the light amount controlling layer may not be vertically incident to a pixel of the color providing layer, the light may influence adjacent pixels, such that color mixing may occur. In addition, in the case where near-ultraviolet light or a blue wavelength light is used as a light source, blue light may be partially recognized in the front of a red pixel or a green pixel.
The display device includes a light guide plate to allow light emitted from the light source to be uniformly incident to the substrate, and a predetermined pattern is typically provided below the light guide plate such that a scattering of light may occur. Further, a plurality of optical sheets is provided between the light guide plate and the substrate such that a scattering of light may occur. In the case where the display device is a transparent display device, an object which is positioned at the rear surface of the display device may not be properly recognized due to the scattering of light.


An information reproducing apparatus includes a read unit configured to read data a multiple number of times, a data evaluation unit configured to generate data to be corrected, based on an evaluation on a bit basis of each of a plurality of pieces of data acquired as result of reading the data multiple number of times, and a correction unit configured to correct an error using the data to be corrected generated by the data evaluation unit.

Recently, an information reproducing apparatus such as a hard disk drive (HDD) and an SSD acquires more reliable information by repeatedly reading information judged to have low reliability. For example, based on a plurality of pieces of information that are acquired as a result of repeated reading, a value is evaluated on a bit basis, and, as a result of evaluation, the information in which the value with a higher frequency on a bit basis is adopted. Alternatively, a parameter for reproduction is changed during repeated reading, and the most reliable information is adopted.
However, the reliability of each of a plurality of pieces of information that are acquired as a result of repeated reading is not evaluated.

Information reproducing apparatus and information reproducing method


An apparatus and a method suited for metal plating aircraft engine components that allows the creation a local environment for plating by covering a localized area to be plated so that the localized area to be plated is sealed from remaining parts of the component, thereby eliminating the need for masking remaining parts of the component prior to plating.

Conventional plating methods, such as electroplating, typically require that the component to be plated be immersed in a bath of plating solution and subject to an electric current. In a tank plating process, the surface areas of the component which do not require plating must be masked such that plating material is prevented from adhering to those areas of the component. The masking procedure is time consuming and labour intensive.
Brush plating can be used to reduce masking requirements. However, this method can require greater operator involvement. An operator dip the brush (the anode) and the component in a metal plating solution then applies it to the component to be plated (the cathode) while a relative movement is induced between the component and the brush. Only the areas of the component passing by the brush are being plated. The brush has tendency to deteriorate during the process causing the metal plating solution to prematurely degrade.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a new plating method and apparatus.


A purification process has been developed that allows the removal of several different impurities from unsaturated hydrocarbons. The purification process uses various adsorbents and metal oxides or getters to accomplish the purification. The process is capable of removing the following impurities: SO2, H2O, O2, CO2 and CO.

The invention is directed to purification of unsaturated hydrocarbons. More particularly, the invention is directed to preparation of purified hydrocarbons resulting in low levels of reactive gases.
Low-level calibration standards including a relatively low concentration of the analyte of interest within a matrix gas are often made by diluting a pure gas of the analyte with the matrix gas. At low levels (<10 ppm), the calibration standard is essentially the matrix gas with an impurity in it, that being the analyte. As a result, any other impurities that were in the matrix gas will essentially be in the calibration standard at essentially the same concentration levels. This gives rise to a problem if the analyte is also present as an impurity in the matrix gas. For instance, it would be nontrivial to make a calibration standard such as 100 ppb of carbon monoxide (CO) in balance ethylene (C2H4) if there existed 150 ppb of CO in the C2H4 to begin with. In order to make such a mixture, the analyte concentration in the starting matrix gas would have to be less than in the finished calibration standard.
It is also possible that the impurities in the matrix gas may react with the analyte cause the calibration mixture to be unstable. As an example, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is thermodynamically unstable in the presence of oxygen (O2), and given enough time, the H2S will react with the O2 to form hydrogen (H2). In summary, in the presence of particular impurities in a matrix gas, the analyte will react and the calibration standard will be degraded, which will give rise to problems when trying to produce low-level calibration standards. To eliminate such problems one should use highly purified matrix gases.
A common matrix gas is one containing one or more unsaturated hydrocarbons. Many solutions for purifying these matrix gases exist.
G. Baptista et al. proposed removal of oxygen and moisture from gases, but they do not offer solutions to purify unsaturated hydrocarbons. ("Experimental study on oxygen and water removal from gaseous streams for future gas systems in LHC detectors", G. Baptista, M. Bosteels, S. Ilie, C. Schafer: CERN, Geneva Switzerland). Furthermore, they do not suggest methods for removing sulfur dioxide, carbonyl sulfide, carbon monoxide, or carbon dioxide from gases, much less from unsaturated hydrocarbons.
BASF Technical Bulletin "BASF Catalysts: FAQ on Catalyst R 3-11" discloses a tableted catalyst containing finely dispersed copper in an accessible, high surface area, pore structure designed for removal of oxygen, hydrogen, and CO from process streams. However, they do not offer solutions to purify unsaturated hydrocarbons. Furthermore, they do not suggest methods for removing sulfur dioxide, carbonyl sulfide, carbon dioxide or moisture from gases, much less from unsaturated hydrocarbons.
BASF Technical Bulletin "BASF Catalysts: R 3-11 G" discloses a tableted catalyst including highly dispersed and stabilized CuO (at approximately 35% wt.) on a silica support with special promoters to enhance activity and stability. It further discloses removal of of oxygen, hydrogen, and CO. However, they do not offer solutions to purify unsaturated hydrocarbons. Furthermore, they do not suggest methods for removing sulfur dioxide, carbonyl sulfide, carbon dioxide or moisture from gases, much less from unsaturated hydrocarbons.
BASF Technical Bulletin "BASF Catalysts: R 3-15" discloses a tableted catalyst including 40% wt. of CuO, 40% wt. ZnO, and 20% wt. Al2O3. It further discloses removal of oxygen, acetylene, carbonyl sulfide, hydrogen, and CO. However, it discloses removal of olefins catalytically if hydrogen is available. They do not disclose unsaturated hydrocarbon purification. Indeed, when hydrogen is available, olefins are catalytically removed. Furthermore, they do not suggest methods for removing sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide or moisture from gases, much less from unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Thus, those skilled in the art will recognize that there is a need for a method to purify unsaturated hydrocarbons, including removal of moisture, oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. They will also recognize a need for producing a purified unsaturated hydrocarbon gases so that low level gas calibration mixtures can be achieved.

Systems and methods for purifying unsaturated hydrocarbon(s), and compositions resulting therefrom

L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude


A weight assembly is fixed on a hose of a faucet and contains: a tubular retainer and a counterweight. The tubular retainer includes a first segment, a second segment, a fitting orifice, an opening, an engagement portion, and a forced portion. The counterweight includes a third segment, a fourth segment, a through orifice, and a press portion. After the tubular retainer is fitted on the hose, the fourth segment of the counterweight moves toward the first segment of the tubular retainer so that the press portion presses the forced portion of the tubular retainer after the tubular retainer is accommodated into the through orifice, and the forced portion retracts inward to actuate the engagement portion to engage with the hose.

A conventional spray hose assembly includes a hose and a spray head, and one end of the hose is connected to a water supply source, and another end thereof is coupled to the spray head. In a normal state, the hose is fixed under a tank, and the spray head is positioned in a receiving seat of the tank so that when a user pulls the spray head, the hose extends outward from an opening of the receiving seat. Moreover, a weight assembly is installed on the hose so that the spray head returns back to the receiving seat when in no use by using the weight assembly's weight.
A conventional weight assembly is integrally made and formed in an oval shape, includes a hole to insert and retain a hose, however when the weight assembly is assembled, it has to be fitted from one end of the hose and then moved toward a suitable position along the hose, thus having an inconvenient assembly. For example, when two ends of the hose are connected, the weight assembly is not easy to be removed, and because a size of the hole is fixed, as the hole is in a small size, the weight assembly cannot be moved along the hose easily. Even though the weight assembly is capable of being moved along the hose, the hose is deformable and broken easily. While the hole is in a large size, the weight assembly cannot be fixed on the hose securely.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,570 B1 discloses a weight assembly including a body having a plane extending vertically, and including an open groove, a depth of which is more than a half of a diameter of a hose so as to receive the hose, and including a retaining member with inner screws to pass through the groove and to screw with outer screws of the plane of the body so that the weight assembly is fixed on the hose tightly.
However, before fixing or removing the retaining member, it has to be removed from the body or the hose. For example, after the body is fixed on the hose, it has to be screwed with the retaining member further, thus removing and screwing the retaining member repeatedly to cause an inconvenient assembly.
The weight assembly is screwed loosely and tightly by screwing or unscrewing the retaining member with the body so as to retain the hose. However, when the retaining member is screwed with the body forcefully, the hose is broken easily. In addition, the body is actuated when the hose is pulled, so it is easy to be removal.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.


A heat transfer material kit is disclosed that includes a first image transfer material that includes a printable non-porous surface, and a second image transfer material that includes an outer layer having a film forming binder and thermoplastic particles. The film forming binder is polar. A method of using the kit is disclosed that includes the steps of a) imaging the substantially non-porous printable surface to form an imaged surface having printed and un-printed areas; b) positioning the outer layer adjacent the imaged surface; c) transferring a portion of the outer layer to the printed area while transferring a lesser portion of the outer layer to the non-printed area to form a coated imaged surface having a non-printed area with less coating than the printed area; and d) thereafter transferring the coated image to a substrate. Alternate methods of using the kit and applying images to substrates that provide good image appearance and durability are also disclosed.

In recent years, a significant industry has developed which involves the application of customer-selected designs, messages, illustrations, and the like (referred to collectively hereinafter as "images") on articles of clothing, such as T-shirts, sweat shirts, and the like. These images may be commercially available products tailored for a specific end-use and printed on a release or transfer paper, or the customer may generate the images on a heat transfer paper. The images are transferred to the article of clothing by means of heat and pressure, after which the release or transfer paper is removed.
Heat transfer papers having an enhanced receptivity for images made by wax-based crayons, thermal printer ribbons, ink-jet printers, laser-jet printers, and impact ribbon or dot-matrix printers, are well known in the art. Typically, a heat transfer material includes a cellulosic base sheet and an image-receptive coating on a surface of the base sheet. The image-receptive coating usually contains one or more film-forming polymeric binders, as well as, other additives to improve the transferability and printability of the coating. Other heat transfer materials include a cellulosic base sheet and an image-receptive coating, wherein the image-receptive coating is formed by melt extrusion or by laminating a film to the base sheet. The surface of the coating or film may then be roughened by, for example, passing the coated base sheet through an embossing roll.
Much effort has been directed at generally improving the transferability of an image-bearing laminate (coating) to a substrate. For example, an improved cold-peelable heat transfer material has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,179, which allows removal of the base sheet immediately after transfer of the image-bearing laminate ("hot peelable heat transfer material") or some time thereafter when the laminate has cooled ("cold peelable heat transfer material"). Moreover, additional effort has been directed to improving the crack resistance and washability of the transferred laminate. The transferred laminate must be able to withstand multiple wash cycles and normal "wear and tear" without cracking or fading.
Various techniques have been used in an attempt to improve the overall quality of the transferred laminate and the article of clothing containing the same. For example, plasticizers and coating additives have been added to coatings of heat transfer materials to improve the crack resistance and washability of image-bearing laminates on articles of clothing.
Heat transfer papers generally are sold in standard printer paper sizes, for example, 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Graphic images are produced on the transferable surface or coating of the heat transfer paper by any of a variety of means, for example, by ink-jet printer, laser-jet printer, laser-color copier, other toner-based printers and copiers, and so forth. The image and the transferable surface are then transferred to a substrate such as, for example, a cotton T-shirt. In some circumstances it is desirable that the transferable surface only transfer in those areas where there is a graphic image, thus reducing the overall area of the substrate that is coated with the transferable coating. Some papers have been developed that are "weedable", that is, portions of the transferable coating can be removed from the heat transfer paper prior to the transfer to the substrate. Weeding involves cutting around the printed areas and removing the coating from the extraneous non-printed areas. However, such weeding processes can be difficult to perform, especially around intricate graphic designs. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for improved weedable heat transfer papers and methods of application. Desirably, the papers and methods provide good image appearance and durability.

Heat transfer materials and method of use thereof


A wastewater separation system for separating an aqueous phase from an organic phase comprising oil, fat and/or grease in wastewater is disclosed. The wastewater may be collected from restaurant grease traps, as well as other food preparation facilities, schools, hospitals, processing plants and the like. A separator, such as a centrifugal separation device, comprises a wastewater inlet, an organic phase outlet for discharging low density liquid and solids and an aqueous phase outlet for discharging water and possibly other high density liquids and solids. The system can be portable and can be mounted on a vehicle for collection and treatment at various sites. Heat can be introduced to the system to accelerate the separation of the aqueous phase from the organic phase of the wastewater.

Wastewater or "gray water" from food preparation facilities typically comprises grease, oil, fat and surfactants, collectively the "organic phase", and water which may also contain food solids, the "aqueous phase". The aqueous phase of wastewater can be easily passed through wastewater piping and treated by wastewater treatment systems, however, if the organic phase is allowed to enter sewer lines and wastewater treatment systems, it can form blockages in the wastewater piping, primary treatment systems, publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and leach fields.
To reduce this problem and capture the organic phase before it enters wastewater collection and treatment piping, grease traps have traditionally been used in food preparation and processing facilities, such as restaurants, schools, hospitals, processing plants and the like. Grease traps are large cavities or tanks in wastewater piping systems that collect the organic phase, which is typically mixed with the aqueous phase, as it leaves the food preparation facilities but before the wastewater enters a wastewater treatment system. Grease traps allow the organic phase to separate out of The aqueous phase and float to the surface where the organic phase can be held or trapped until it can be collected and disposed.
The organic phase has a specific gravity that is less than the specific gravity of water. Accordingly, given sufficient time, the organic phase will float on the aqueous phase. When the organic phase is collected in a grease trap, some of the organic phase will be in or on substances that have a higher specific gravity. This can cause some of the organic phase to be suspended in the wastewater as suspended solids. Accordingly, the organic phase cannot simply be skimmed off the surface of the aqueous phase present in the grease trap. In addition, the cleaning of a grease trap causes violent mixing of the organic phase and the aqueous phase thereby distributing the organic phase throughout the aqueous phase. When the aqueous phase layer is pumped through the organic phase layer by the disposal truck, the aqueous phase and the organic phase are violently mixed to form organic/aqueous emulsions in the aqueous phase. Accordingly, the aqueous phase cannot simply be disposed of into the sewer lines due to the organic phase contained in the emulsions dispersed throughout the aqueous phase.
The size of the grease trap can vary depending on the amount of wastewater that passes through the trap and the amount of organic phase present in the wastewater. However, the grease traps used in typical food preparation facilities can be from about 1,000 to 2,000 gallons or more. Typically, the organic phase comprises only 10 to 50 percent of the total volume of the grease trap at the time of cleaning while the aqueous phase accounts for 50 to 90 percent of the volume of the grease trap. As such, a significant amount of the waste liquids and solids transported to the disposal site is the aqueous phase, and the hydrophilic solids residing in the aqueous phase, even though the aqueous phase does not pose any concerns to wastewater treatment systems if the organic/aqueous emulsions can be eliminated from it. Accordingly, traditional systems significantly increase the transportation costs and the energy required in typical disposal processes.
The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoing and to remedy other deficiencies of the prior art.

Separation system for the removal of fat, oil or grease from wastewater


An image mover having a reduced sizing for the steering mirror and rotator assembly and associated components and motors is disclosed. The image mover comprises a relay lens to collimate and relay angular information of the light image from the projector scanning mirror. Rotators, such as K-mirror, pechan prism or dove prism, rotate the collimated image responsive to horizontal movement of the image. A restoring lens, which can either be a fixed focal length or a zoom lens, restores the collimated light image proportional to the angular information of the image produced by the projector. The restored diverging image is projected to a steering mirror and steered onto a viewing surface in real time.

In conventional laser video projectors all of the red, green and blue light beam components are transmitted to a horizontal scanner or rotating polygon mirror having a predetermined number of facets and then onto three lenses, preferably 454-640 nm AR coated high power achromats to a frame scanner or scanning mirror. The three lenses positioned between the rotating polygon mirror and the scanning mirror are 55 mm, 25 mm cylindrical and 55 mm to 160 mm, respectively. Such a projector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,426, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. The image on the scanning mirror is then directed to a fixed steering mirror to a viewing surface. This viewing surface can be a solid surface, such as a conventional projector screen or wall. Other conventional scanning means could be used with the present invention, such as the scanning means disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,613,201; 4,611,245; 4,979,030; or 4,978,202, that are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
It is known by those skilled in the art that when an image is moved horizontally by a rotating steering mirror, the image needs to be rotated responsive to this horizontal movement to maintain the image right side up. Conventional rotator means or assemblies to rotate the image responsive to the horizontal movement include a dove prism, K-mirror or pechan prism. However, because of the expanding nature of the image, or, in other words, the diverging image transmitted from the scanning mirror of the projector, a properly sized rotator assembly and the steering mirror are larger than desired and, in turn, require large motors for moving the steering mirror and rotator assembly.
Dove prisms have been used in the past for rotating the image responsive to the horizontal movement. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,966,096; 3,894,798; 4,235,535; and 4,645,318 are examples of conventional dove prisms that are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Another example of a conventional dove prism used to rotate a laser image responsive to horizontal movement is a 2".times.2".times.6.5" dove prism having a prism corner cut of 55.degree. with the index of refraction of the glass stock being n=1.51. This dove prism requires a 5".times.5" steering mirror, weighs approximately 1150 grams (2.5 lbs.) and requires a rotation stage with a central aperture of at least 3".
U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,535 discloses a projector for projecting images onto a cylindrical screen for purposes of simulating the view of a ship in a ship simulator. The image is projected onto the dove prism 13 for rotation responsive to the horizontal movement of the image. The horizontal and vertical movement of the image are controlled by stepping motors. These stepping motors can be operated manually or by computer independently of each other. The speed of rotation of the dove prism 13 is one-half the horizontal movement.
Mirrors have also been used in the past for rotating an image. As best shown in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,077, a lamp 52 is located below a photocell 54 directly behind a condensing lens system 56 which is designed to collimate the light emitted by the lamp onto a slightly inwardly tapered beam which illuminates the bottom slit pattern 50a. (col. 3, lns. 15-20) Also disclosed are mirrors 32, 36 and 60. (col. 4, lns. 7-11) U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,077 is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
FIG. 1 of the present invention illustrates a conventional K-mirror assembly. In this K-mirror the scanning mirror M.sub.1 projects a diverging image onto a 1".times.1" mirror M.sub.2 which in turn reflects onto a 2".times.2" mirror M.sub.3 which in turn reflects onto a 4".times.5" mirror M.sub.4 to rotate the image. This K-mirror assembly then transmits the image to the steering mirror M.sub.5 which is sized at 7".times.6" to properly steer the complete image.
A conventional pechan prism to rotate an image is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,318. Conventional prisms, such as the dove and pechan prisms, are generally custom manufactured to specification by optic fabrication shops such as CVI of Albuquerque, N. Mex.; Rocky Mountain Instrument Co. of Longmont, Colo. and Kollmorgen Corporation of Northampton, Mass.
It has also been known in the past to use optics to collimate an image, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,294,506 and 4,906,061. However, the collimated image has not then been projected through a rotator assembly, such as a K-mirror, pechan prism or dove prism, to rotate the image responsive to the horizontal movement of the steering mirror. Moreover, the angular information of the collimated image has not subsequently been restored after being transmitted through the rotator assembly so that the image continues to diverge.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,506 discloses an argon laser 36 where the image is passed through an expander lens 39, comprising a convex lens 39a and a concave lens 39b, to convert the image into a collimated image, as best shown in FIG. 4. After the light impinges on the facets 32a of a rotating polygon mirror 32, the collimated beam is reflected towards a scanning surface 34. An anamorphic optical system comprising a first convex cylindrical lens 37 and a condensor lens 33 is disposed intermediate the rotating polygon mirror 32 and scanning surface 34 to convert the collimated image to a converging image. (col. 3, lns. 22-40)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,061 discloses scanning a surface with a laser light beam. The light beam is projected through a collimator lens 2 to a rotating mirror 3, the light beam is deflected by the mirror 3 and applied through a f.THETA. lens 4 to converge on the surface to be scanned. The rotating mirror 3, as shown in FIG. 1, may comprise a rotating polygon mirror or a pyramidal mirror. The collimator lens 2, as best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, is movable along the optical axis to correct the curvature of the field.
An image mover for a light projector has been desired where the size of the steering mirror, rotator assembly and their associated parts and motors are reduced. This size reduction of the steering mirror and rotator assembly allows higher acceleration and velocity movement of the image with smaller motors.


A protection system is described herein for an electrical connector providing power to a grounded aircraft. The system includes receiving a sensing device electrically coupled to each of a number of power conductors. The sensing device generates an operating parameter. The system also includes a protection device that measures the operating parameter, determines that the operating parameter exceeds a threshold, and sends an overcurrent notification. The system may also include a shunt that is electrically coupled to the power conductors and generates a different operating parameter. The protection device may determine a difference between operating parameters of the shunt and sensing device and send an overtemperature notification when the difference exceeds an operating threshold. The system may also include a ground fault detection device. Some or all components of the system may be located in a removable adapter.

When an aircraft is sitting on the ground (as at a terminal gate at an airport), power sometimes is needed onboard the aircraft. For example, a grounded aircraft may need power to run a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to control the climate inside the aircraft or to provide lighting inside of the aircraft. Additionally, a grounded aircraft may need power so that instrumentation may be tested and/or operated.
A number of aircraft have an electrical terminal located on the outer body of the aircraft. This terminal is designed to receive an electrical connector (also referred to as a plug) that supplies power through a cable having multiple conductors. The connector typically includes a number of pins or terminals, one for each conductor in the cable. As the connector is plugged into and unplugged from the receiving terminal on the outer body of the grounded aircraft a number of times, the pins and/or conductors can become loose. In such a case, one or more unsafe electrical conditions may arise. For example, an overcurrent situation may develop, causing a potential fire hazard from increased temperatures resulting from the overcurrent operation. As another example, a ground fault may occur, causing an electrical short which can damage equipment on the grounded aircraft as well as equipment on neighboring electrical circuits.

Circuit protection for connector of grounded aircraft


There is provided an X-ray diffraction instrument including: a two-dimensional plate-like X-ray detector; an X-ray emitter integrated with the X-ray detector so as to penetrate the plate of the X-ray detector; a cylinder-like shield to define an orientation of the X-ray emitter and to prevent X-ray leakage, the X-ray detector being attached to one open end of the cylinder-like shield; and a standard powder attachment device to attach a standard powder for X-ray diffraction measurement to a surface of an object to be measured. The X-ray diffraction instrument can perform an X-ray diffraction measurement to an object larger than the X-ray detector thereof. The invented X-ray diffraction instrument is small in size, and can perform accurate X-ray diffraction measurement of stationary immovable objects without limitation on an orientation of the measurement surface. In addition, X-ray leakage is prevented for operator safety.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to X-ray diffraction instruments, and particularly to X-ray diffraction instruments for detecting X-ray diffraction patterns two-dimensionally and estimating residual stresses of measurement objects.
2. Description of Related Art
X-ray diffraction instruments are used as a non-destructive inspection tool for measuring various material properties (such as crystallographic structure, composition and residual stress). Goniometers, zero-dimensional scintillation counters (SC), one-dimensional position sensitive detectors (PSD), etc. are commonly and widely used to obtain X-ray diffraction data (such as intensity and angle of diffraction). However, these instruments offer only zero-/one-dimensional diffraction data by a single measurement. Thus, a complicated actuator and a long total measurement time are needed to obtain sufficient diffraction data required for a thoroughly satisfactory material analysis.
To overcome this disadvantage, X-ray diffraction instruments including a two-dimensional X-ray detector which provide a larger amount of diffraction information in a shorter period of measurement time are used. Examples of two-dimensional X-ray detectors include two-dimensional position sensitive proportional counters (PSPC) and imaging plates (IP). Imaging plates are a type of ionizing radiation image detector in which a photostimulable phosphor such as BaFX:Eu2+ (X=Br, I) is applied on a support plate made of a plastic or the like.
JP-A 2000-146871 discloses a micro X-ray diffraction instrument and a method of measurement, in which a micro area of a specimen is irradiated with an X-ray beam and the X-ray beams diffracted by the specimen are detected by a two-dimensional X-ray detector. The two-dimensional X-ray detector used in this micro X-ray diffraction instrument is a cylinder made of a photostimulable phosphor, and is placed in such a manner as to surround the specimen. The specimen is tilted (e.g., by 45°) so that both the X-ray beams diffracted in directions tangential to the specimen surface and the X-ray beams diffracted in directions normal to the specimen surface can be detected by the photostimulable phosphor X-ray detector. By using the JP-A 2000-146871 X-ray diffraction instrument, sufficient X-ray diffraction data can be captured by the photostimulable phosphor detector by rotating the specimen around only one axis (normal to the specimen surface), which is advantageous over most conventional X-ray diffraction instruments requiring rotations about two axes. Thus, this X-ray diffraction instrument has the advantage of simple structure, high diffraction intensity and short total measurement time.
JP-A 2005-351780 discloses an X-ray diffraction instrument including a two-dimensional X-ray detector that provides transmission diffraction measurement. This X-ray diffraction instrument includes: a specimen table for horizontally holding a specimen; an X-ray emitter for irradiating the specimen with an X-ray beam; an arm for actuating the X-ray emitter in such a way that the incident angle of the emitted X-ray beam relative to the specimen is set at a desired angle from 0° to 90°; and a partially-open cylinder made of a storage (photostimulable) phosphor that surrounds the specimen table for detecting the X-ray beams diffracted by the specimen. The phosphor cylinder is placed in such a manner that its axis is perpendicular to the emitted X-ray beam. The phosphor detector portion of the cylinder barrel extends circumferentially from 180° to 360° as measured from the horizontal (parallel to the table surface) on the side of the X-ray emitter, and more preferably from 100° to 360°, and the other portion of the cylinder barrel is open. The JP-A 2005-351780 X-ray diffraction instrument provides transmission diffraction measurement as well as reflection diffraction measurement.
JP-A Hei 6 (1994)-317484 discloses an X-ray exposure system for micro-area stress measurement including (from upstream to downstream along the X-ray path): a slit and first (upstream) screen; a sample stage mounted on a rotatable goniometer; an imaging plate on a support that is mounted on an arm rotatable about the emitted X-ray axis; and a second (downstream) screen just in front of the imaging plate. The emitted X-ray beam passes through the slit and first screen and is incident on a micro-area (e.g., 100 μm to 1 mm square) of a sample, and several discrete X-ray diffraction arcs (each being a part of a Debye ring) obtained by changing the X-ray angle incident on the sample several times are exposed on the same single stationary imaging plate. According to this JP-A Hei 6 (1994)-317484, several discrete X-ray arcs can be detected by a single measurement with a high angular accuracy, thus enabling micro-area stress measurement of polycrystalline materials in a short period of time.
JP-A 2005-241308 discloses an X-ray diffraction system in which a measurement object (a railway rail) is irradiated with X-ray and an image of the X-ray diffraction ring from the measurement object is captured. This X-ray system includes: an X-ray emitter for emitting the X-ray and an X-ray detector for storing the energy of the X-ray diffraction ring and producing the image of the diffraction ring. The X-ray emitter and the X-ray detector are mounted on a holder in such a manner the X-ray incident angle relative to the measurement object is fixed at a single angle. According to this JP-A 2005-241308, the X-ray diffraction system can perform X-ray diffraction measurement simply and conveniently. Also, the system is easy to use, cheap to manufacture and portable. In addition, the physical condition (such as residual stress) of a measurement object (a railway rail) can be evaluated by comparing the diffraction rings of the measurement object and of a standard specimen (an iron standard powder).
However, the X-ray diffraction instruments of JP-A 2000-146871 and JP-A 2005-351780 require an actuator for adjusting the position and/or orientation of the specimen and/or the X-ray emitter, and thus have disadvantages of complicated structure and large size. In addition, the two-dimensional X-ray detectors used in the above disclosures are cylindrical in form, and surround a specimen for detecting the X-ray beams diffracted by the specimen. Therefore, there is some limitation on the size and shape of specimens measurable by these X-ray diffraction instruments. In general, specimens measurable by conventional X-ray diffraction instruments are limited to relatively small objects (such as laboratory samples).
Also, the X-ray exposure system for micro-area stress measurement of JP-A Hei 6 (1994)-317484 requires a goniometer for rotating a sample stage on which a specimen is mounted, and thus has a disadvantage of complicated structure and some limitation on the size and shape of specimens to be measured. Furthermore, JP-A Hei 6 (1994)-317484 describes that, in order to measure the micro-area stress of the measurement specimen, a standard powder is placed on the specimen and that the X-ray is irradiated to both the specimen and the standard powder at the same time. However, JP-A Hei 6 (1994)-317484 is silent to a fixing method of the standard powder to the specimen.
Recently, there has been an increasing demand for on-site non-destructive inspection of the conditions (such as material abnormality and deterioration) of structural components of large apparatuses used in various plants. As described in JP-A 2000-146871, JP-A 2005-351780 and JP-A Hei 6 (1994)-317484, most conventional X-ray diffraction instruments are large in size, and there is some limitation on the size and shape of specimens. Thus, conventional X-ray instruments are very difficult to use as a tool for inspecting structural components of large apparatuses both non-destructively and on-site.
The X-ray diffraction system of JP-A 2005-241308 has advantages in that the X-ray emitter can stably impinge X-ray on a large measurement object at a predetermined fixed incident angle, and any actuator for rotating the measurement object is not required. However, JP-A 2005-241308 does not describe any method for setting the standard specimen required for the residual stress measurement. This is probably because the JP-A 2005-241308 technology is practically limited to the top surface of a railway rail. Also, this disclosure does not describe any measure to prevent leakage of X-ray emitted from the X-ray emitter or scattered by the measurement object.
When X-ray diffraction measurement of large apparatuses in plants or other systems is performed on-site, the measurement surfaces (the surfaces to be measured) may often be vertical or face downward. In such cases, it is difficult to stably attach a standard powder on a measurement surface, thus making accurate measurement and estimation difficult. Also, contamination by foreign materials is unacceptable in some plants. In such environments, attaching a standard powder on a measurement surface without scattering the powder is a particularly important requirement. In addition, it is desirable for operator safety to prevent X-ray leakage.


The invention comprises a multi-field charged particle irradiation method and apparatus. Radiation is delivered through an entry point into the tumor and Bragg peak energy is targeted to a distal or far side of the tumor from an ingress point. Delivering Bragg peak energy to the distal side of the tumor from the ingress point is repeated from multiple rotational directions. Preferably, beam intensity is proportional to radiation dose delivery efficiency. Preferably, the charged particle therapy is timed to patient respiration via control of charged particle beam injection, acceleration, extraction, and/or targeting methods and apparatus. Optionally, multi-axis control of the charged particle beam is used simultaneously with the multi-field irradiation. Combined, the system allows multi-field and multi-axis charged particle irradiation of tumors yielding precise and accurate irradiation dosages to a tumor with distribution of harmful irradiation energy about the tumor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to treatment of solid cancers. More particularly, the invention relates to charged particle irradiation beam control in cancer therapy.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Cancer Treatment
Several distinct forms of radiation therapy exist for cancer treatment including: brachytherapy, traditional electromagnetic X-ray therapy, and proton therapy. Proton therapy systems typically include: a beam generator, an accelerator, and a beam transport system to move the resulting accelerated protons to a plurality of treatment rooms where the protons are delivered to a tumor in a patient's body.
Proton therapy works by aiming energetic ionizing particles, such as protons accelerated with a particle accelerator, onto a target tumor. These particles damage the DNA of cells, ultimately causing their death. Cancerous cells, because of their high rate of division and their reduced ability to repair damaged DNA, are particularly vulnerable to attack on their DNA.
Charged Particle Cancer Therapy
Patents related to the current invention are summarized here.
Proton Beam Therapy System
F. Cole, et. al. of Loma Linda University Medical Center "Multi-Station Proton Beam Therapy System", U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,287 (Sep. 26, 1989) describe a proton beam therapy system for selectively generating and transporting proton beams from a single proton source and accelerator to a selected treatment room of a plurality of patient treatment rooms.
Gantry
T. Yamashita, et. al. "Rotating Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,979 (Jun. 3, 2008) describe a rotating gantry having a front ring and a rear ring, each ring having radial support devices, where the radial support devices have linear guides. The system has thrust support devices for limiting movement of the rotatable body in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotatable body.
T. Yamashita, et. al. "Rotating Gantry of Particle Beam Therapy System" U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,053 (May 13, 2008) describe a rotating gantry supported by an air braking system allowing quick movement, braking, and stopping of the gantry during irradiation treatment.
M. Yanagisawa, et. al. "Medical Charged Particle Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,992,312 (Jan. 31, 2006); M. Yanagisawa, et. al. "Medical Charged Particle Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,832 (Dec. 27, 2005); and M. Yanagisawa, et. al. "Medical Charged Particle Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,943 (Oct. 11, 2005) all describe an apparatus capable of irradiation from upward and horizontal directions. The gantry is rotatable about an axis of rotation where the irradiation field forming device is eccentrically arranged, such that an axis of irradiation passes through a different position than the axis of rotation.
H. Kaercher, et. al. "Isokinetic Gantry Arrangement for the Isocentric Guidance of a Particle Beam And a Method for Constructing Same", U.S. Pat. No. 6,897,451 (May 24, 2005) describe an isokinetic gantry arrangement for isocentric guidance of a particle beam that can be rotated around a horizontal longitudinal axis.
G. Kraft, et. al. "Ion Beam System for Irradiating Tumor Tissues", U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,921 (May 4, 2004) describe an ion beam system for irradiating tumor tissues at various irradiation angles in relation to a horizontally arranged patient couch, where the patient couch is rotatable about a center axis and has a lifting mechanism. The system has a central ion beam deflection of up to ±15 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction.
M. Pavlovic, et. al. "Gantry System and Method for Operating Same", U.S. Pat. No. 6,635,882 (Oct. 21, 2003) describe a gantry system for adjusting and aligning an ion beam onto a target from a freely determinable effective treatment angle. The ion beam is aligned on a target at adjustable angles of from 0 to 360 degrees around the gantry rotation axis and at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees off of the gantry rotation axis yielding a cone of irradiation when rotated a full revolution about the gantry rotation axis.
Movable Patient
N. Rigney, et. al. "Patient Alignment System with External Measurement and Object Coordination for Radiation Therapy System", U.S. Pat. No. 7,199,382 (Apr. 3, 2007) describe a patient alignment system for a radiation therapy system that includes multiple external measurement devices that obtain position measurements of movable components of the radiation therapy system. The alignment system uses the external measurements to provide corrective positioning feedback to more precisely register the patient to the radiation beam.
Y. Muramatsu, et. al. "Medical Particle Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,396 (Apr. 18, 2006); Y. Muramatsu, et. al. "Medical Particle Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,903,356 (Jun. 7, 2005); and Y. Muramatsu, et. al. "Medical Particle Irradiation Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,591 (Oct. 12, 2004) all describe a medical particle irradiation apparatus having a rotating gantry, an annular frame located within the gantry such that it can rotate relative to the rotating gantry, an anti-correlation mechanism to keep the frame from rotating with the gantry, and a flexible moving floor engaged with the frame in such a manner to move freely with a substantially level bottom while the gantry rotates.
H. Nonaka, et. al. "Rotating Radiation Chamber for Radiation Therapy", U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,373 (Nov. 30, 1999) describe a horizontal movable floor composed of a series of multiple plates that are connected in a free and flexible manner, where the movable floor is moved in synchrony with rotation of a radiation beam irradiation section.
Patient Positioning
Y. Nagamine, et. al. "Patient Positioning Device and Patient Positioning Method", U.S. Pat. No. 7,212,609 (May 1, 2007) and Y. Nagamine, et. al. "Patient Positioning Device and Patient Positioning Method", U.S. Pat. No. 7,212,608 (May 1, 2007) describe a patient positioning system that compares a comparison area of a reference X-ray image and a current X-ray image of a current patient location using pattern matching.
D. Miller, et. al. "Modular Patient Support System", U.S. Pat. No. 7,173,265 (Feb. 6, 2007) describe a radiation treatment system having a patient support system that includes a modularly expandable patient pod and at least one immobilization device, such as a moldable foam cradle.
K. Kato, et. al. "Multi-Leaf Collimator and Medical System Including Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,100 (Aug. 16, 2005); K. Kato, et. al. "Multi-Leaf Collimator and Medical System Including Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,045 (Nov. 23, 2004); K. Kato, et. al. "Multi-Leaf Collimator and Medical System Including Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,819,743 (Nov. 16, 2004); and K. Kato, et. al. "Multi-Leaf Collimator and Medical System Including Accelerator", U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,078 (Sep. 14, 2004) all describe a system of leaf plates used to shorten positioning time of a patient for irradiation therapy. Motor driving force is transmitted to a plurality of leaf plates at the same time through a pinion gear. The system also uses upper and lower air cylinders and upper and lower guides to position a patient.
Problem
There exists in the art of particle beam therapy of cancerous tumors a need for charged particle irradiation beam control. More particularly, there exists in the art a need for efficient delivery of charged particles to the tumor, where efficiency is the fraction of energy deposited in the tumor relative to the fraction of energy deposited in healthy tissue.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Multi-field charged particle cancer therapy method and apparatus


A plurality of dot pattern formation is performed for each of a plurality of print elements. By overlaying or contacting a plurality of dots printed by the plurality of formation, a density value of a dot pattern formed on a printing medium is increased, and a test pattern whose area is enlarged is formed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus providing a function of printing a test pattern for the purpose of inspecting a printing state of each of a plurality of print elements composing a print head, and a printing method of this test pattern.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Up to now, in a printing apparatus such as an ink jet printer that uses a print head having a plurality of ink ejection openings as a print element, an ejection failure such as clogging of the ejection opening may arise due to bubbles remaining inside the ejection opening or adhesion of ink drops and dust near the ejection opening during a printing operation. Therefore, it is desirable to periodically inspect an ejection state of the ejection opening so as to always maintain the optimum ejection state. In a conventional inspection method, it is common to print a certain test pattern and decide whether or not an ejection failure exists by the print result.
Furthermore, if the ejection failure is found by means of such an inspection, the process of removing the cause of the ink ejection failure is performed by performing recovery processing such as a preliminary ejection process and a suction recovery process.
An example of a test pattern printing method is discussed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-78019 (1994). This method comprises the following steps. A horizontal line having a certain width is printed by means of an ejection opening that is a most upper position in order of arrangement within print a head, then a vertical line is printed by means of all the ejection openings of the head. Thereafter, in a similar fashion, a horizontal line having a certain length is printed by means of an ejection opening using the second ejection opening from the most upper one, and then, a vertical line is printed by using all the ejection openings. Thus, an ejection opening, which prints a horizontal line is shifted, every ejection opening so that a stepped test pattern is printed. Then, if a part of this test pattern lacks, it can be determined which ejection opening corresponding to the part that has failed during ejection. Nevertheless, if this test pattern is printed in a color with comparatively low visibility such as yellow, it is difficult to clearly separate a part, which is correctly printed, from a ground color of a printing medium such as paper. Therefore, if a defective part exists in this situation, it is difficult in some cases to identify a defective part.
To address this drawback, a test pattern printing method, mentioned in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-66650 (1997.) uses a stepped test pattern that is similar to the method described above, but enhances visibility in regard to a color with comparatively low visibility by overlaying another color on this color with comparatively low visibility at the same location. For example, by overlaying a cyan pattern on a yellow pattern, a green pattern is printed. In this case, if a part of the yellow pattern is defectively printed, the defective part is not printed in green, and hence is printed only in cyan.
Nevertheless, the test pattern printing method described above has the following problems.
Thus, some of recent printing apparatuses can improve a gradation in an image and decrease a granular texture by using low-concentration ink (i.e., low-density ink) in addition to normal-concentration ink and can perform printing in high resolution by down-sizing an ink drop ejected from an ejection opening so as to down-size a dot printed, according to a request for high-quality printing.
In this case, in a print head using the low-concentration ink, even if the test pattern described above is applied, it may be difficult to discriminate between a part correctly overlaid and a part where a dot-of the low-concentration ink lacks due to brightness of the low-concentration ink itself and the like. For example, if low concentration magenta (hereinafter, this is called light magenta) and low-concentration cyan (hereinafter, this is called light cyan) is overlaid, blue is formed. Nevertheless, since this blue is in low concentration, this color itself is also in low visibility. Therefore, difference between the part where, blue is formed and the part where only cyan is printed is not clear.
In addition, in the test pattern in case of small dot diameter, an effective area of each dot is small, and hence it sometimes may be not possible properly recognize whether the dot has been printed regardless of the color and concentration of ink.
Furthermore, if the test pattern is in secondary color (overlay of a plurality of color) printed in a dot with small diameter and a defective dot is present, it may be not possible to readily determine what color is lacking.
An object of the-present invention is to provide a test pattern printing method that can adequately decide a print failure even in an apparatus performing printing in small dot diameter or printing in low-concentration ink, and a printing apparatus performing printing with such a method.
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a test pattern printing method in a printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium, using a print head where a plurality of print elements for forming dots on the printing medium are arranged, the method comprising the steps of:
main scanning step for scanning the print head along a main scanning direction;
pattern printing step for selectively driving a plurality of print elements of the print head, thereby to form dots and print a test pattern, wherein the pattern printing step forms the predetermined number of dots along the main scanning direction according to the selected print elements, and the density of dots formed by each print element is higher than the print density caused during image printing operation.
In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a test pattern printing method in a printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium, using a print head where a plurality of print heads thereby to form dots on the printing medium are arranged, the method comprising the steps of:
scanning step for scanning the printing head relatively to the printing medium in a direction different from the plurality of print elements; and
test pattern printing for selectively driving the printing elements of the print head during scanning in the scanning step, thereby to print a test pattern, the test pattern printing step repeating the steps of: selecting predetermined print elements of the print head; and driving the selected print elements to form one or more lines along the scanning direction, thereby printing the test pattern, the lines being composed of a plurality 6f dots formed by the selected print elements,
wherein the test pattern printing step is capable of printing a plurality of test patterns that differentiate a method of forming dots constituting the test patterns, and the plurality of test patterns are different from each other in density of a plurality of dots constituting one or more lines along the scanning direction, respectively.
In a third aspect, of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having main scanning means for relatively scanning along a main scanning direction a printing head where a plurality of print elements for forming dots on a printing medium are arranged, and driving the print elements of the print head during scanning by the main scanning means, thereby to print an image on the printing medium, the printing apparatus comprising:
test pattern printing means for selectively driving print elements of the print head during print head scanning by the main scanning means, thereby to print a plurality of test patterns, wherein the test pattern includes one or more lines printed along the main scanning direction by driving a selected, predetermined print element from among a plurality of print elements of the print head, and the lines are composed of a plurality of dots formed by the thus selected print element,
controlling means for controlling the density of a plurality of dots, wherein the dots constitutes the lines along the scanning direction of the test pattern, and the density is higher than the density caused during image printing.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having main scanning means for relatively scanning along a main scanning direction a printing head where a plurality of print elements for forming dots on a printing medium are arranged, and driving print elements of the print head during scanning caused by the main scanning means, thereby to print an image on the printing medium, the printing apparatus comprising:
test pattern printing means for selectively driving print elements of the print head during print head scanning caused by the main scanning means, thereby to print a test pattern, wherein the test pattern includes one or more lines printed along the main scanning direction by driving one or more selected, predetermined print elements from among a plurality of-print elements of the print head, and the lines are composed of a plurality of dots formed by the thus selected print element, and
controlling means making it possible to print a plurality of test patterns that differentiate a method of forming dots constituting a test pattern, wherein a plurality of test patterns are different from each other in the density of a plurality of dots constituting the lines along the scanning direction.
According to the above construction, a plurality of dots are formed by means of the same print element so that the plurality of dots are overlaid with or contacted to each other, and thus the density of a dot pattern is increased or the area of a dot pattern is increased, which are formed by the same print element, on a printing medium. Therefore, the visibility of an overall test pattern is enhanced, and the abnormality of a print element can be easily detected.
The above and other objects, effects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Printing apparatus and test pattern printing method


Methods and devices for enabling controls of an imaging device may include receiving a data stream with a request for at least one control of an imaging device, wherein the at least one control is related to Universal Serial Bus (USB) video. The methods and devices may include identifying a defined functionality of the at least one control and transmitting the data stream to the imaging device to specify the operation of the imaging device based on the defined functionality of the at least one control. The methods and devices may also include generating metadata information from received video frame packets from an imaging device. The methods and devices may include identifying metadata information in the header of a video packet when the header size exceeds the standard header size. The methods and devices may include generating a metadata buffer with the identified metadata information.

The present disclosure relates to a computer device, and more particularly, to a computer device configured for processing image data captured by an imaging device.
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) Video Class specification provides guidelines and protocols to implement video streaming hardware. Currently, the USB Video Class specification provides basic controls for imaging devices.
Thus, improvements in the Universal Serial Bus (USB) Video Class specification may be desired.

Universal serial bus (USB) video extension


An electronic apparatus and method for audio reproduction virtualization in an enclosed physical space. The electronic apparatus generates a 3D model of an enclosed physical space based on one or more images and applies a machine learning model on the 3D model, to determine a plurality of objects and one or more acoustic parameters of the plurality of objects. The electronic apparatus controls an audio capturing device to determine a first frequency response for a first sound in the enclosed physical space based on the determined one or more acoustic parameters. The electronic apparatus applies a plurality of combinations of operational modes, and 3D positions of the first audio reproduction device on the 3D model and the first frequency response to generate a second frequency response. The electronic apparatus selects first combination based on the second frequency response and displays output information associated with the selected first combination.

Recent advancements in the field of imaging and audio reproduction, have led to development of various technologies and systems for three-dimensional (3D) scanning and audio reproduction devices. Typically, a plethora of audio reproduction devices of various types, shapes, and sizes may be available in the market for purchase. The audio reproduction devices may support different audio modes and may belong to different price ranges. The sheer number of options of the audio reproduction devices available to a user for purchase and various factors that may be associated with an enclosed physical space (such as, a room) where such audio reproduction devices may be intended to be placed, may complicate the purchase decision for the user. In certain solutions, an electronic device may enable the user to visualize a particular audio reproduction device in a simulated virtual environment associated with the enclosed physical space of the user, through a virtual reality or mixed reality device (such as, a head mounted display). However, the existing solutions may be unable to provide a realistic audio experience associated with an audio reproduction device for the enclosed physical space of the user, before the actual purchase and placement of the audio reproduction device in the enclosed physical space of the user.
Limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of described systems with some aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.

Virtual audio reproduction for enclosed physical space


A method of stretching and bending hollow profiled lengths of material provides for the hollow profiled length to be bent symmetrically from both ends, starting from the ends of the length of material, simultaneously in a Y torsion direction under initial tension. Respective tools for bending the length of material are stationary and the hollow profiled length of material is bent in the torsion direction by means of a movable clamping head about the bending tool. The clamping head is also pivotable in the torsion direction. Alternatively, the hollow profiled length of material can also be bent about a bending template. The hollow profiled length of material is wound onto core tools from its ends and a pressing die acts on the hollow profiled length between the core tools.

A method of this kind is used to a large extent in the automobile accessory industry, where trim strips, window frames and like narrow, and more particularly open, profiled lengths of material which are relatively easy to bend are manufactured.
Such a method is not, however, suitable for stretching and bending closed hollow profiled lengths or half-open profiled lengths of intricate cross-section, because the hollow profiled length is not supported in such a way as to avoid some undesired deformation of the profiled length.
Although this problem can be solved by filling the hollow profiled length with sand where only small batches are to be produced, large batches cannot be produced in this way.
Pipes having relatively thin walls can be bent by means of pipe stretching and bending machines, wherein the pipe to be bent is filled with a mandrel. The mandrel consists of two parts, namely a relatively rigid mandrel shaft which is introduced into the pipe, and a sectional mandrel comprising individual sections pivotably connected to each other and joined together in the form of a chain.
Nevertheless, the two ends of an open-ended pipe, cannot, by the use of such means, be bent symmetrically in the same operation and at the same time. The manner in which the sectional mandrel is pulled through the pipe prevents the sectional mandrel from being inserted from both ends of the pipe simultaneously. The mandrel shaft is kept stationary during the bending process.
Instead of a two-part mandrel, a continuous sectional mandrel may be used, which remains stationary during the bending process. The pipe is moved during the bending operation, whilst the mandrel remains stationary, because the pipe is pulled around a bending tool. The pipe is in practice pulled over the stationary mandrel.
A disadvantage of this method, is that a bending contour cannot be applied to an open-ended pipe from both ends simultaneously and in the same operation, because the pipe is moved around the bending tool.

Method of, and a machine for, stretching and bending a profiled length of material


In apparatus for transporting semiconductor wafers, a spatula contains a single major recess for receiving a wafer. Adjacent one edge of the recess is a shoulder for locating the wafer in the sequence of operations for loading the spatula. As a result of the sequence, the center of the wafer is held at a predetermined, known location.

This invention relates to apparatus and a method for transporting wafers and, in particular relates to apparatus and method for maintaining the center of the wafers at a known location.
In transporting semiconductor wafers, or any other article not having a regular geometrical shape or a shape symmetrical about any line through its center, a problem arises in accurately locating a wafer. In transporting a wafer to a plasma reactor, for example, it is important that the wafer be accurately placed within the reactor so that any treatment of the wafer is carried out as uniformly as possible. If the wafer is off-center in the reactor, the yield of good die per wafer decreases sometimes significantly.
One source of difficulty is the flat on the wafer which is used to indicate the crystallographic orientation of the wafer. As illustrated in FIG. 1, cassette 11 contains a plurality of wafers, such as wafer 13. Wafer 13 rests in the cassette with flat 14 facing away from the cassette. As thus positioned, center 15 of wafer 13 has the location indicated. Cassette 12 contains wafer 16. In this case, however, flat 17 of wafer 16 faces an interior portion of cassette 12, which results in center 18 being positioned as shown. A comparison of centers 15 and 18 reveals offset 19 between the location of the enters relative to the cassettes. On a four inch wafer, this offset can amount to as much as 2.3 millimeters. (While illustrated using separate cassettes, it is understood that this problem is also a variation in position of the wafers within a single cassette).
In the prior art, a variety of mechanisms have been employed to solve this problem. In general, they are directed at locating the flat and rotating the wafer to a predetermined orientation of the flat. These mechanisms are not only complex but they also tend to generate particles which could contaminate the wafer. An alternative has been to use a plurality of sensors and actuators to bring the wafer to a known location. This is also a complex mechanism.
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide simplified apparatus for repeatably locating the center of a wafer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for locating the center of a wafer on a transfer spatula.


A chip package includes a chip, an adhesive layer, and a dam element. The chip has a sensing area, a first surface, and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. The sensing area is located on the first surface. The adhesive layer covers the first surface of the chip. The dam element is located on the adhesive layer and surrounds the sensing area. The thickness of the dam element is in a range from 20 μm to 750 μm, and the wall surface of the dam element surrounding the sensing area is a rough surface.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a chip package and a manufacturing method of the chip package.
Description of Related Art
When a chip package is manufactured, a glass sheet is often utilized to cover a surface of the chip for protecting the sensing area of the chip. In a typical chip package having a glass sheet, a dam element is disposed between the chip and the glass sheet, and thus the thickness of the dam element must be the same as a distance between the glass sheet and the chip. In other words, if the thickness of the dam element is greater, a gap between the glass sheet and the chip must be greater, too. A typical dam element is made of epoxy, and thus the thickness of the dam element is difficult to be reduced due to process limitations. When the sensing area receives an image, a flare issue is prone to occur.
In manufacturing a chip package, if a wafer is thin, it is difficult to move the wafer due to process limitations. In addition, since the tensile strength of the wafer may not sufficient, the wafer may easily be damaged by an external force. Moreover, a warpage issue of the thin wafer is prone to occur in manufacturing processes, and the sensing area of the wafer is easily polluted during manufacturing processes, such that product yield is difficult to improve.

Chip package and manufacturing method thereof


Provided is drive unit of a synchronous motor capable of improving the accuracy of magnetic flux operations with a simple configuration. To this end, the drive unit has a magnetic flux operation part which, in the case where a direction of a magnetic field pole of the synchronous motor is regarded as a d-axis and a direction orthogonal to the d-axis is regarded as a q-axis, calculates a magnetic flux of the d-axis and a magnetic flux of the q-axis on the basis of a current of the d-axis, a current of the q-axis, and a field current of the synchronous motor; and a magnetic flux operation error correcting part which calculates a phase difference between an input voltage and an input current of the synchronous motor and corrects an inner-phase difference angle calculated from the magnetic flux of the d-axis and the magnetic flux of the q-axis on the basis of the phase difference.

There have been proposed drive units of a synchronous motor in which operations of a magnetic flux of the synchronous motor are performed by defining the mutual inductance between a d-axis and a q-axis and mutual inductance between a field system and the q-axis of the synchronous motor. According to these drive units, it is possible to improve the accuracy of magnetic flux operations (refer to Patent Document 1, for example).

TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION


An apparatus providing a signal related to a position of a coupler element comprises an exciter coil and a receiver coil, the apparatus being operable to provide a signal correlated with the position of the coupler element using a receiver signal generated when the exciter coil is energized due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil. In some examples, the receiver coil has first and second sections generating a first section signal and a second section signal respectively, and an electronic circuit is operable to generate a position-independent signal using the first section signal and the second signal. This position-independent signal may then be subtracted from a baseline voltage to provide an improved reference signal for ratiometric position sensing.

Signals from the receiver coils of inductive sensors are prone to variation due to noise and manufacturing variations, for example variations in part separations. Improved sensors giving positional signals corrected for such common mode factors would be of great commercial interest, particularly for electronic throttle control applications, amongst many other possible applications.

Inductive position sensor using reference signal


A cutting section (11) which is connectable to a drill shaft section via a releasable connecting device. The cutting section includes a first open tubular element (14) which is in the form of a first hollow cylinder having a first waved, trapezoidal or zigzag-shaped cross-sectional area, a second closed tubular element (15) which is in the form of a second hollow cylinder having a circular ring-shaped cross-sectional area, and one or more drill segments (16) which are connected to the first open tubular element (14) and to the second closed tubular element (15).

The design described in WO 2014/096359 A1 has become established as the design for cutting sections which are connectable to a drill shaft section via a releasable connecting device. The cutting section comprises one or more drill segments, a ring section, an outer push element and an annular stop shoulder at the transition from the ring section to the outer push element; the releasable connecting device is in the form of a combined push and twist connection. The cutting section comprises slot-shaped recesses of T shape which are arranged in the outer push element.
During the drilling of substrates composed of reinforced concrete, the problem of jammed drill bits occurs. A cause of the jamming of the drill bit can be an iron wedge which is severed on the inner side of the cutting section and wedges in the inner gap between the drill core and the cutting section. It is known from WO 2017/108461 A1 that, in the case of drill bits having a small internal projection of the drill segments in relation to the drill shaft, the risk of the cutting section of a drill bit becoming jammed in the substrate is reduced. However, a small internal projection of the drill segments leads to a narrow inner gap on the inner side of the drill bit and therefore to disadvantages during the wet drilling with the drill bit. During the wet drilling, a cooling and flushing liquid is required which, as cooling liquid, cools the drill segments and, as flushing liquid, transports drilling debris out of the drill hole. The clean cooling and flushing liquid is supplied via the inner gap between the drill core and the drill bit. Cooling and flushing liquid cannot be sufficiently transported to the machining site via the narrow inner gap.
As measures for improving the supply of the cooling and flushing liquid in the case of drill bits having a small internal projection of the drill segments, WO 2017/108461 A1 describes the use of transport channels on the inner side of the drill shaft or the use of drill shafts having a waved, trapezoidal or zigzag-shaped cross-sectional area.
In the case of drill bits having a releasable cutting section, transport channels can improve the supply of liquid. It is disadvantageous to replace the cutting section which is known from WO 2014/096359 A1 and has a circular ring-shaped cross-sectional area by a cutting section having a waved, trapezoidal or zigzag-shaped cross-sectional area.


A process for the preparation of an alcohol from an olefin wherein the olefin is reacted with syngas in the presence of a catalyst system having a homogeneous hydroformylation catalyst and a heterogeneous catalyst having copper on a support.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing an alcohol from an olefin, wherein the olefin is reacted with syngas in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst.
The synthesis of xe2x80x9coxoxe2x80x9d alcohols by hydroformylating an olefin followed by the hydrogenation thereof is known. As described in Chapter 1 of Falbe""s xe2x80x9cNew Syntheses with Carbon Monoxidexe2x80x9d (Springer-Verlag, 1980), the synthesis involves the preparation of an aldehyde by the following reaction:
Rxe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CH2+CO+H2xe2x86x92Rxe2x80x94CH4xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CHO
The hydroformylation reaction is typically conducted in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst on the basis of a transition metal, such as cobalt, nickel, palladium or platinum. This reaction is also extensively described in Chapter 4 of xe2x80x9cCarbonationxe2x80x9d by Colquhoun et al (Plenum Press, 1991).
A secondary reaction occurring simultaneously involves the hydrogenation of the oxo-aldehyde into an oxo-alcohol. The extent of this secondary reaction can be increased via various measures, although it must be borne in mind that these measures may lead to many undesirable side-products (Falbe, Chapter 220.127.116.11.1).
Some homogeneous catalysts have sufficient activity to hydrogenate the in-situ formed oxo-aldehyde into the desired oxo-alcohol. However, in most instances a separate post-hydrogenation finishing step of the oxo-alcohol is essential due to quality considerations. It therefore remains desirable to be able to produce alcohols in a single-step process without the necessity of a post-hydrogenation finishing step.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of an alcohol from an olefin, wherein the olefin is reacted with syngas in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a homogeneous hydroformylation catalyst and a heterogeneous catalyst comprising copper on a support.

Process for preparing an alcohol from an olefin


A method, computer program and system for optimizing similarity string filtering are disclosed. A first data string comprising one or more data characters and selecting a second data string comprising one or more data characters are selected. At least one of a defined set of shapes is applied to the first data string to generate one or more patterns associated with the first data string. At least one of the defined set of shapes is applied to the second data string to generate one or more patterns associated with the second data string. The one or more patterns associated with the first data string are compared with the one or more patterns associated with the second data string to determine if one or more matching patterns exist. The first data string and the second data string are linked if one or more matching patterns exist.

Records of information may be stored and maintained in relational database systems. When new records or data sets are received to be stored in the relational database system, the new records may be compared against the old records to determine whether any of the new records match the old records. Where a new record matches an old record, it may not be necessary to store the new record in the relational database system. In some instances, a new record (or, for that matter, an old record) may include a typographical error resulting from a data entry or editing error. For example, the new record may include one or more deleted characters, one or more inserted characters, one or more substituted characters, one or more sets of transposed characters, or a combination thereof. Although the new record may actually be a duplicate of an existing record, the variation between the new record and the old record, however minor, may prevent the system from matching the new and old records. Accordingly, both the old record and the new record may be stored in the relational database system. Furthermore, the error in the new record may go uncorrected for some period of time.


A key cap of a keyboard is guided at a frame 2, covers a switching element and a luminous element 5 and is provided with an operation section for the switching element 4 and with a transparent symbol zone 18 before the luminous element 5. The key cap consists of a flexible, transparent flat foil 8 fixed with a marginal section 9 at a frame 2. As operation section a body 15 is injection-moulded to the foil 8 at a distance from the marginal section 9. The foil 8 forms a joint section 21 between the marginal section 9 and the body 15, the printed symbol zone 18 being provided for between the body 15 and the joint section 21.

The invention relates to a key cap for a keyboard with a frame forming a chamber wherein a switching element and a luminous element are installed, the key cap being guided at the frame, covering the chamber and being provided with an operation section for the switching element and a transparent symbol zone before the luminous element.
Such key caps are known. The known key caps are plastic injection-moulded parts. By means of a multi-colour moulding method, for example, a transparent symbol zone is created on the key cap. Changing the symbol zone during the production is complicated, because the injection-moulding instruments have to be changed. In addition, the transparency in the symbol zone is reduced by the necessary thickness of the injection-moulded plastic.
It is also known to injection-mould a transparent window into the key cap and to print a symbol on its front. The printing of such windows is complicated in production. Furthermore, the print on the front side does not resist persistently against the stress that has to be taken into consideration.
It is also known to insert printed or moulded window parts in the key cap. The production of such window parts is complicated as well. In addition, the mounting of the window part on the key cap complicates the production. With the keyboard described in the DE-OS 26 23 229 the key cap is formed by a foil with symbols printed on its face. A transparent symbol zone is not provided for. Furthermore, the foil itself forms the operation section with its surface. This is often undesired for key operation, since the user has difficulties in finding the operation section sensorially which is especially unfavourable when operating the keyboard in the dark. Similar key caps are also described in DE-AS 1 165 129 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,935.

Preh, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh, Nachf. GmbH & Co.