A seed-covering agent, which covers a seed surface and contains an iron powder and a binder, is specified such that, in the above-described iron powder, the mass ratio of an iron powder having a particle size of 63 μm or less to a total mass of the iron powder is 0% or more and 75% or less, the mass ratio of an iron powder having a particle size of more than 63 μm and 150 μm or less to the total mass of the iron powder is 25% or more and 100% or less, and the mass ratio of an iron powder having a particle size of more than 150 μm to a total mass of the iron powder is 0% or more and 50% or less, and the average particle size of the above-described binder is 1 to 150 μm.

Along with the aging of farmers and globalization of farm produce distribution, the labor savings in farm working and a production cost reduction of farm produce have been issues to be solved. In order to solve these issues, for example, in direct planting rice cultivation, a direct seeding method in which seeds are seeded directly into a farm field has become widespread for the purpose of labor savings in rearing of seeding and transplantation. Among them, a technique in which seeds covered with an iron powder are used in order to increase the specific gravity of the seeds has been noted because floating and outflow of seeds in a paddy field are prevented and, in addition, there is a merit that damage by birds is prevented.
In addition, it has also been noted that a bactericidal effect is secondarily obtained by the iron powder cover.
In order to utilize a direct seeding cultivation method by using seeds covered with an iron powder, as described above, it is required that the applied iron powder film is not peeled easily in transportation and seeding steps. This is because if the iron powder film is peeled, the specific gravity of the seed is reduced and the above-described merits are not obtained and, in addition, a peeled film causes plugging in piping and becoming entangled with a rotation mechanism portion in the transportation and seeding steps and a peeled fine iron powder also causes generation of dust. Consequently, it is necessary that peeling of the iron powder film be minimized.
As for a technology to allow an iron powder to adhere to a rice seed surface and solidify, Patent Literature 1 proposes the following technology as a method for manufacturing an iron powder-covered rice seed.
"A method for manufacturing an iron powder-covered rice seed, characterized by comprising the steps of adding an iron powder and 0.5% to 2% of sulfate (where calcium sulfate is excluded) and/or chloride on a mass ratio relative to the iron powder basis to rice seeds, performing granulation after further addition of water, allowing the iron powder to adhere to the rice seed with rust produced by supplying water and oxygen and inducing an oxidation reaction of a metal iron powder and solidify and, thereafter, performing drying." (refer to Claim 1 in Patent Literature 1)
In the invention described in Patent Literature 1, rice seeds are seeded using a power spreader or a seeding machine, so that strength characteristics at the level of not being flaked by a mechanical impact is required. Therefore, it is ascertained that the coating has practical strength on the basis of a measurement by a method for measuring a level of flaking of the coating (hereafter referred to as a coating flaking test), i.e. a method in which a mechanical impact is given by dropping the resulting coated rice seed five times from a height of 1.3 into a steel sheet having a thickness of 3 mm.
Meanwhile, according to Patent Literature 1, in the case where iron powders having particle size distributions shown in Table 1 described below are used for coatings, all of samples can maintain practical impact strength in the above-described flaking test of iron powder-covered rice seed, although the iron powder particle size distribution is not specifically noted.
TABLE 1Particle size distribution (percent by mass)more thanmore thanmore thanmore thanmore than45 μm and63 μm and75 μm and106 μm and150 μm andType of iron45 μm or63 μm or75 μm or106 μm or150 μm or180 μm orpowderlesslesslesslesslesslessDSP31785150000270M-20034.143.214.66.11.10.9DNC-30085105000Atomized180 μm or less (unspecified)

Seed-covering agent and seed covered with seed-covering agent


An automotive easy-entry assembly 10 is provided, including a seat pan 12 and a back frame 14 rotatably attached to the seat pan 12. The back frame is rotatable between a back frame upright position 16 and a back frame dumped forward position. A secured track 28 includes a plurality of engagement slots 44 and a memory block 92. An adjustment track 36 is mounted to the seat pan 12 and slidably engages the secured track 28. A locking arm 46 including one or more engagement teeth 44 is mounted to the adjustment track 36 and is movable between an engagement position 50 and a travel position 52. An actuator arm 62 is in communication with the back frame 14 such that as the back frame 14 is moved into the back frame dumped forward position 18 the actuator arm 62 is moved into an actuator active position 68. A lifting cam 72 is in communication with the actuator arm 62 and locking arm 26 such that as said actuator arm 62 is moved into the actuator active position 68, the lifting cam 72 moves the locking arm 46 into the travel position 52. A locking cam 80 is in communication with the lifting cam 72. A searing cam 84 is in communication with the lifting cam 72 such that the sear element 86 engages the locking cam 80 when the locking arm 46 is in the travel position 52. A trigger element 90 disengages the sear element 86 and allows the locking arm 46 to move into the engagement position 50 after impacting the memory block 92. A lost motion element 94 provides communication between the sear cam 84 and the lifting cam 72 such that the trigger element 90 can move over the memory block 92 without damage.

The present invention relates generally to an automotive easy-entry assembly and more specifically to an automotive easy-entry assembly with improved robust design features.
Automotive components must often function with duplicity of purpose during operation of the vehicle. Primary functions must coexist with a host of additional capabilities in order to provide the desired functionality of a given component. Such is the case with automotive seat designs. Automotive seating is designed with the primary function of providing a comfortable and safe location for passengers within the automobile. Although a variety of improvements can be implemented with these primary functions in mind, an automotive seat must often provide additional functionality.
One such additional function is commonly referred to as xe2x80x9ceasy entryxe2x80x9d functionality. This allows the back of the seat to be dumped forward for access to rear seating or compartments behind the primary seat. This feature is particularly beneficial in two-door automotive designs wherein access to both the forward seating as well as the rear seating is provided by way of entry through a single door. Often the dump-forward feature is provided in combination with forward motion feature for further convenience. In these designs when the dump-forward feature is engaged, the seat assembly is shifted forward to provide increased access to rear compartments/seats.
Although a variety of easy entry designs are known within the prior-art, they often incorporate known disadvantages that leave considerable room for improvement. One such disadvantage stems from early re-engagement of the seat assembly when the back of the seat is moved into the upright position often securing it in a completely forward position. To counter this, designs have incorporated trigger mechanisms that keep the seat assembly unlocked until moved rearward to encounter a memory block. It has been discovered, however, that if the back seat remains dumped forward while the seat assembly is shifted back the trigger mechanism can impact the memory block without the ability to engage the seat lock (since the back seat remains dumped forward). This can result in impact damage to the trigger mechanism as it becomes the sole restraint against further seat rearward movement. Impact damage can prevent proper functioning of the seat locking mechanisms and is therefore highly undesirable.
An additional disadvantage of present designs can stem from their complex gearing assemblies that must be incorporated into a seat assembly design prior to manufacturing. This can require manufacturing assemblies to choose between the cost disadvantages of incorporating easy entry functionality into every seat (when often not need/desired outside front passenger side seating) or alternatively introducing costly multiple design manufacturing. An alternative design that provided an easy entry mechanism that could be installed in a modular fashion to a seat assembly would provide benefits to design and manufacturing. A modular design would allow a customer to produce a single design seat assembly and choose to add an easy entry functionality only when desired during manufacturing. This would improve both the cost and time of manufacturing.
It would therefore be highly desirable to have an automotive easy-entry assembly with improved robust features to prevent damage to the trigger mechanism when the seat is moved rearward while the back is in the dumped forward position. It would further be highly desirable to develop an automotive easy-entry assembly capable of being installed within a seat assembly in a modular arrangement.
It is therefore an object to the present invention to provide an automotive easy-entry assembly with improved robust design features. It is further object to the present invention to provide an automotive easy-entry assembly with modular features for improved design and manufacturing considerations.
In accordance with the objects of the present invention an automotive easy-entry assembly is provided. The automotive easy-entry assembly includes a seat pan. A back frame is rotatably attached to the seat pan and is movable between a back frame upright position and a back frame dumped forward position. A secured track is provided including a plurality of engagement holes formed along the length of the secured track. A memory block is mounted to the secured track. An adjustment track is mounted to the seat frame and slidably engages the secured track. A locking arm including a plurality of engagement teeth is rotatably mounted to the adjustment track. The locking arm is movable between an engagement position, wherein the plurality of engagement teeth are positioned within the plurality of engagement holes, and a travel position allowing the adjustment track to slide along the secured track. An actuator arm, rotatable about an actuator axis, is in communication with the back frame such that as the back frame is moved from the back frame upright position to the back frame dumped forward position the actuator arm is moved from an actuator stable position to an actuator active position. A lifting cam is in communication with the actuator arm and the locking arm such that as said actuator arm is moved into the actuator active position the lifting cam moves the locking arm into the travel position. A locking cam is mounted to the lifting cam and includes a locking element. A searing cam, rotatable about a searing cam axis, includes a sear element. The searing cam is in communication with the lifting cam such that the sear element engages the locking element when the locking arm is in the travel position. A trigger element, mounted on the searing cam, upon impact with the memory block when the back frame is in the back frame upright position, releases the locking element allowing the locking element to move from the travel position into the engagement position. A lost motion element provides communication between the sear cam and the lifting cam such that the trigger element, upon impact with the memory block when the back frame is in the back frame dumped forward position, can rotate the searing cam such that the trigger element is moved over the memory block.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description and preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims.


A query optimizer improves string searches in a computer database that sequentially search for a string in a database record. The query optimizer optimizes the query to search records of a database from a specified start position other than the beginning of the record. The specified start position of the search may be determined by from historical information stored from previous searches. Alternatively, the query optimizer determines the specified start position of the search based on an overriding starting position provided by a system administrator. The query optimizer may also direct that the database record be reorganized to more efficiently search for strings in the record.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to query optimizers in a computer database system, and more specifically relates to improving a database query that searches for a character string in a computer database.
2. Background Art
Databases are computerized information storage and retrieval systems. A database system is structured to accept commands to store, retrieve and delete data using, for example, high-level query languages such as the Structured Query Language (SQL). The term "query" denominates a set of commands for retrieving data from a stored database. The query language is used to specify a query with parameters that determine which data is retrieved from a database.
Optimization and execution of a database query can be a resource-intensive and time-consuming process. Further, the larger the database, the longer the time needed to execute the query. In order to prevent an excessive drain on resources, many databases are configured with query optimizers. A query optimizer analyzes an SQL query and determines more efficient ways to execute the query.
Some SQL queries require scanning sequentially through a database record for matching string of data. For example, the query may scan for a piece of text or small character string in a document or database record that comprises a large string of text. These queries are typically quite inefficient in identifying the needed text from the database record. Often no other predicate values exist to eliminate records from the search, so a table scan is performed to search for the needed text. When each record in the table is scanned, each field or record in the table is searched from the beginning to the end for the text string being sought. Searching for text string in a database in this manner is inefficient.
In query optimizers in the prior art, sequentially searching for a string in a database record is done without regard to the starting position of the search. Without a way to more effectively search for a string in a database, computer systems will continue to suffer from inefficient searches and their waste of system resources.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

International Business Machines Corporation


An anonymizing apparatus includes a processor configured to receive an instruction from a first apparatus, anonymize an anonymized part of a first data based on a type of an application program that causes the first apparatus to send the instruction, and transmit the anonymized first data to the first apparatus.

There is an integrating device that acquires anonymized data from a certain device such as a server, causes the acquired data to be stored in a storage device for each of types of the data and integrates the acquired data for each of the types of the data. In response to a request provided by another device, the integrating device acquires the anonymized data from the storage device, releases anonymity of an item of the anonymized data and transmits the data including the data item of which the anonymity has been released to the other device that has requested the data. The other device that receives the data including the data item of which the anonymity has been released uses details of the data item to execute predetermined analysis.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system that includes the conventional integrating device. A system 99 illustrated in FIG. 17 includes devices 90a, 90b, 92a, 92b and 92c and an integrating device 91. The devices 90a and 90b are connected to the integrating device 90 through a network 98. In addition, the devices 92a, 92b and 92c are connected to the integrating device 91 through a network 97. The devices 90a and 90b and the integrating device 91 communicate with each other, while the devices 92a, 92b and 92c and the integrating device 91 communicate with each other.
The devices 90a and 90b have databases (DBs) 93a and 93b, respectively, while data that indicates purchase histories of purchasers who have purchased pets such as animals at pet shops is registered in the DBs 93a and 93b. FIG. 18 illustrates an example of data structures of the DBs 93a and 93b. A table is registered in the DBs 93a and 93b illustrated in FIG. 18 for each of types of data. Each of records of a table illustrated in FIG. 18 includes a "name" item, an "age" item, a "shop name" item and a "type" item. In the "name" item, the names of the purchasers of the pets are registered. The names of the purchasers of the pets are data that specifies the individuals. In the "age" item, the ages of the purchasers are registered. In the "shop name" item, the names of the shops at which the purchasers have purchased the pets are registered. In the "type" item, the types of the purchased pets are registered. The table illustrated in FIG. 18 has a "type ID" item in which a type ID that is an identification (ID) used to identify the type of the data registered in the table is registered. As described above, the data that indicates the purchase histories of the purchasers of the pets is registered in the table illustrated in FIG. 18. A type ID "1" that identifies the data indicating the purchase histories of the purchasers of the pets is registered in the "type ID" item of the table illustrated in FIG. 18.
The devices 90a and 90b acquire data of one or more records from the DBs 93a and 93b and make the acquired data anonymous. For example, the devices 90a and 90b use a predetermined key and a predetermined hash function to calculate hash values for the acquired data of items of the records and make the data anonymous. Then, the devices 90a and 90b add the type ID registered in the "type ID" item of the table to the anonymized data. Subsequently, the devices 90a and 90b transmit the data having the type ID added thereto to the integrating device 91. It is assumed that the system 99 includes a device (not illustrated) other than the devices 90a and 90b, while the device (not illustrated) makes various types of data anonymous using the same method and transmits the data to the integrating device 91.
The integrating device 91 integrates data for each of types of data. The integrating device 91 has tables 91a, 91b, . . . corresponding to the types of the data. FIG. 19 illustrates an example of data structures of the tables included in the conventional integrating device 91. The table 91a illustrated in 19 is a table in which hash values of the data that is of a type identified by the type ID "1" or indicates the purchase histories of the purchasers of the pets are registered.
When receiving data having a type ID added thereto from the devices 90a and 90b and the aforementioned device that is not illustrated, the integrating device 91 acquires the type ID added to the received data. Then, the integrating device 91 registers the received data in a table that is among the tables 91a, 91b, . . . corresponding to type IDs and corresponds to the acquired type ID. For example, when receiving data with the type ID "1" added thereto from the device 90a, the integrating device 91 registers the received data in the table 91a that is among the tables 91a, 91b, . . . corresponding to the type IDs and corresponds to the type ID "1". Thus, the data that is made anonymous and indicates the purchase histories of the purchasers of the pets is registered in the table 91a corresponding to the type ID "1".
In addition, when receiving, from the devices 92a, 92b and 92c, data transmission instructions that include a type ID of data be analyzed and items to be analyzed, the integrating device 91 executes the following process. That is, the integrating device 91 acquires data of all records registered in a table corresponding to the type ID included in the received instructions. For example, when the type ID included in the received instructions is "1", the integrating device 91 acquires data of all records registered in the table 91a corresponding to the type ID "1".
Then, the integrating device 91 releases anonymity of data that is included in the acquired data of all the records and has been registered in the items that are to be analyzed and are included in the received instructions. For example, the integrating device 91 uses the same key as a key used for making the data anonymous and the same hash function as a hash function used for making the data anonymous and thereby restores, to the original data, hash values that are included in data of acquired hash values and have been registered in the items to be analyzed. Then, the integrating device 91 transmits the data of which the anonymity has been released and that has been registered in the items to be analyzed to the devices 92a, 92b and 92c that have transmitted the instructions.
For example, when receiving, from the device 92a, a data transmission instruction that includes a type ID "1" of data to be analyzed and the "type" item to be analyzed, the integrating device 91 executes the following process. That is, the integrating device 91 acquires data of hash values of all records registered in the table 91a corresponding to the type ID "1" and restores, to the original data, hash values that are included in the acquired data of the hash values and have been registered in the "type" item to be analyzed. FIG. 20 illustrates an example of data of hash values when the hash values of the "type" item to be analyzed are restored to the original data by the conventional integrating device 91. For example, when acquiring the data of the hash values of all the records registered in the table 91a corresponding to the type ID "1", the integrating device 91 restores a hash value "A01" of the "type" item to be analyzed to the original data "bird", as illustrated in the example of FIG. 20. In addition, the integrating device 91 restores a hash value "B02" of the "type" item to be analyzed to the original data "dog". The integrating device 91 restores a hash value "C03" of the "type" item to be analyzed to the original data "turtle". The integrating device 91 restores a hash value "D04" of the "type" item to be analyzed to the original data "cat". Then, the integrating device 91 transmits, to the device 92a, the original data illustrated in FIG. 20 and restored from the hash values of the "type" item to be analyzed.
When receiving, from the device 92b, a data transmission instruction that includes the type ID "1" of the data to be analyzed and the "shop name" item to be analyzed, the integrating device 91 executes the following process. That is, the integrating device 91 acquires the data of the hash values of all the records registered in the table 91a corresponding to the type ID "1" and restores, to the original data, hash values that are included in the acquired data of the hash values and have been registered in the "shop name" item to be analyzed. FIG. 21 illustrates an example of data of hash values when the hash values of the "shop name" item to be analyzed are restored to the original data by the conventional integrating device 91. For example, when acquiring the data of the hash values of all the records registered in the table 91a corresponding to the type ID "1", the integrating device 91 restores a hash value "00" of the "shop name" item to be analyzed to the original data "shop A", as illustrated in the example of FIG. 21. In addition, the integrating device 91 restores hash values "xx" of the "shop name" item to be analyzed to the original data "shop B". The integrating device 91 restores a hash value "ΔΔΔ" of the "shop name" item to be analyzed to the original data "shop D". Then, the integrating device 91 transmits, to the device 92b, the original data illustrated in FIG. 21 and restored from the hash values of the "shop name" item to be analyzed.
When receiving, from the device 92c, a data transmission instruction that includes the type ID "1" of the data to be analyzed and the "age" item to be analyzed, the integrating device 91 executes the following process. That is, the integrating device 91 acquires the data of the hash values of all the records registered in the table 91a corresponding to the type ID "1" and restores, to the original data, hash values that are included in the acquired data of the hash values and have been registered in the "age" item to be analyzed. FIG. 22 illustrates an example of data of hash values when the hash values of the "age" item to be analyzed are restored to the original data by the conventional integrating device 91. For example, when acquiring the data of the hash values of all the records registered in the table 91a corresponding to the type ID "1", the integrating device 91 restores a hash value "12" of the "age" item to be analyzed to the original data "22", as illustrated in the example of FIG. 22. In addition, the integrating device 91 restores a hash value "1" of the "age" item to be analyzed to the original data "32". The integrating device 91 restores a hash value "24" of the "age" item to be analyzed to the original data "44". The integrating device 91 restores a hash value "33" of the "age" item to be analyzed to the original data "52". Then, the integrating device 91 transmits, to the device 92c, the original data illustrated in FIG. 22 and restored from the hash values of the "age" item to be analyzed.
The devices 92a, 92b and 92c are devices that execute various types of analysis. For example, the device 92a uses the data indicating the purchase histories of the purchasers of the pets and executes an application for counting the number of purchased pets for each of the types of the pets. The device 92a executes the application and thereby transmits, to the integrating device 91, the data transmission instruction that includes the type ID "1" of data to be analyzed and the item "type" to be analyzed. When receiving, from the integrating device 91, the original data restored from the hash values of the item "type" to be analyzed, the device 92a counts the number of purchased pets for each of the types of the pets.
The device 92b uses the data indicating the purchase histories of the purchasers of the pets and executes an application for counting the number of purchased pets for each of the pet shops. The device 92b executes the application and thereby transmits, to the integrating device 91, the data transmission instruction that includes the type ID "1" of the data to be analyzed and the "shop name" item to be analyzed. When receiving, from the integrating device 91, the original data restored from the hash values of the "shop name" item to be analyzed, the device 92b counts the number of purchased pets for each of the pet shops.
The device 92c uses the data indicating the purchase histories of the purchasers of the pets and executes an application for counting the number of purchased pets for each of the ages of the purchasers. The device 92c executes the application and thereby transmits, to the integrating device 91, the data transmission instruction that includes the type ID "1" of the data to be analyzed and the "age" item to be analyzed. When receiving, from the integrating device 91, the original data restored from the hash values of the "age" item to be analyzed, the device 92c counts the number of purchased pets for each of the ages of the purchasers.
In addition, there is a technique for using first key information to generate a certain hash value for information that is included in personal information and identifies the individual, using second key information to generate a new hash value for the generated certain hash value, and making anonymous the information identifying the individual.
For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-237811, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-301978, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 09-245043, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-22145, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 04-273378 are issued.
The aforementioned system, however, has a problem that it is easy to interpret anonymized data. For example, when the devices 92a to 92c have the three data items illustrated in the examples of FIGS. 20 to 22, respectively, and the data items flow out of the devices 92a to 92c, a person may be identified by the following method on the basis of the data items that have flowed out of the devices 92a to 92c. That is, information that is registered in the "name" item and common to the three data items and is, for example, records in which a name "A12345" is registered is identified from the three data items, and information of which anonymity is released and that is "32", "shop B" and "dog" is identified from the identified records. Thus, the fact that a person indicated by the information including the anonymous name "A12345" is 32 years old and has purchased a dog at the shop B is identified. Thus, it is easy to identify the person on the basis of the information indicating that the person is 32 years old and has purchased the dog at the shop B. The aforementioned system, therefore, has the problem that it is easy to interpret anonymized data.
A method for applying a technique for making anonymous information identifying an individual to the aforementioned system and making a purchaser's name registered in the "name" item anonymous may be considered. In this method, a hash value is generated using first key information for information of the name of a purchaser, and a new hash value is generated using second key information for the generated hash value. Even if this method is used, however, a record in which a newly generated hash value is registered may be identified from a plurality of data items transmitted from the integrating device, and information of which anonymity is released may be identified from the identified record. Thus, even if this method is used, there is a problem that it is easy to interpret anonymized data.

Anonymizing apparatus and anonymizing method


A low wattage mercury vapor lamp comprises a discharge vessel (10) including a tubular body (12), first and second electrodes (20, 22) and two end walls (16, 18), which close opposite ends of the tubular body. The discharge vessel contains an ionizable fill material having a concentration of mercury of from 0.10 to 0.20 mg/mm3. The discharge vessel operates at elevated pressures of from 80 to 170 atmospheres at power of 20 watts resulting in improved lumen maintenance and reduced through-life color shift.

Discharge lamps produce light by ionizing a fill material, such as a mixture of metal halide and mercury in an inert gas, such as argon, with an arc passing between two electrodes. The electrodes and the fill material are sealed within a translucent or transparent discharge vessel or discharge tube, which maintains the pressure of the energized fill material and allows the emitted light to pass through. The fill material, also known as a "dose," emits a desired spectral energy distribution in response to being excited by the electric arc. For example, halides provide spectral energy distributions that offer a broad choice of light properties, including color temperatures, color rendering, and luminous efficiency.
Discharge tube chambers composed of fused silica "quartz" are readily formed. However, the lifetime of such lamps is often limited by the loss of the metal portion of the metal halide fill (typically sodium) during lamp operation. Sodium ions diffuse through, or react with, the fused silica discharge tube, resulting in a corresponding build-up of free halogen in the discharge tube. Quartz discharge tubes are relatively porous to sodium ions. During lamp operation, sodium passes from the hot plasma and through the discharge tube wall to the cooler region between the discharge tube and the outer jacket or envelope. The lost sodium is thus unavailable to the discharge and can no longer contribute its characteristic emission. The light output consequently diminishes and the color shifts from white toward blue. The arc becomes constricted and, particularly in a horizontally operated lamp, may bow against the discharge tube wall and soften it. Also, loss of sodium causes the operating voltage of the lamp to increase and it may rise to the point where the arc can no longer be sustained, ending the life of the lamp.
Ceramic discharge lamp chambers were developed to operate at higher temperatures than quartz, i.e., above 950° C., for improved color temperature, color rendering, and luminous efficacies, while significantly reducing reaction with the fill material. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,424,609; 5,698,984; and 5,751,111 provide examples of such discharge tubes. While quartz discharge tubes are limited to operating temperatures of around 950° C. to 1000° C., due to reaction of the halide fill with the quartz, ceramic alumina discharge tubes are able capable of withstanding operating temperatures of 1000° C. to 1250° C. or higher. The higher operating temperatures provide better color rendering and high lamp efficiencies. Ceramic discharge tubes are less porous to sodium ions than quartz tubes and thus retain the metal within the lamp. Various techniques are available for fabricating the discharge tubes, including casting, forging, machining, and various powder processing methods, such as powder injection molding (PIM). In powder processing, a ceramic powder, such as alumina, is supported by a carrier fluid, such as a water-based solution, mixture of organic liquids, or molten polymers. The mixture can be made to emulate a liquid, a plastic, or a rigid solid, by controlling the type and amount of carrier and the ambient conditions (e.g., temperature).
The use of ceramic in high wattage metal halide lamps has improved the useful life and performance of such lamps. Nevertheless, ceramic metal halide lamps still suffer from progressively poorer light output (lumen maintenance) and color shift as the lamp ages and wattage is decreased. This makes it very difficult to manufacture a practical low wattage metal halide lamp having suitable performance.
In addition, typical low wattage ceramic metal halide lamps offer only marginal performance. For example, most 20 watt lamps suffer from such poor light output that their use in most commercial and personal applications are severely limited.
Thus, a need exists for a low wattage ceramic metal halide lamp that provides acceptable performance and lumen maintenance and exhibits minimal through-life color shift.

High mercury density ceramic metal halide lamp


A bracket for linking guide rods to a wheel of a vertical blow molding machine and a system for blow molding containers and a mechanism for opening and closing a pair of mold halves linked to the wheel of the vertical blow molding machine using the bracket, comprising a first portion and a second portion made of iron, a plurality of pivot apertures, and a plurality of guide rod apertures for receiving the guide rods.

Polymer resins, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are widely used in the packaging industry. PET is a linear, thermoplastic polyester resin. The myriad of advantages of PET include toughness, clarity, good barrier properties, light weight, design flexibility, chemical resistance, and good shelf-life performance. Furthermore, PET is environmentally friendly because it can often be recycled. These characteristics of PET make it a popular material in the manufacturing of containers, for example, beverage bottles.
There are a variety of production methodologies to produce PET containers. For example, injection stretch blow molding is commonly used to make PET bottles. Of the various methodologies, one-piece PET containers having an integrated handle are commonly formed using extrusion blow molding (EBM). The EBM process includes extruding a polymer resin in a softened state through an annular die to form a molten hollow tube (also called a "parison"). The molten parison is placed in a hollow blow mold having a cavity corresponding to the desired shape of the container being formed. Air is injected to inflate the parison against the interior walls of the blow mold. Upon contact with the walls, the parison cools rapidly and assumes the shape of the mold.
To make PET suitable for EBM, PET manufacturers have developed special grades of PET also referred to as extrusion grade PET or "EPET." Typically, EPET is high molecular weight PET having an inherent viscosity ("I.V.") of 1.0 dl/g or greater as measured by solution viscosity.
One EBM process used to manufacture EPET containers includes a vertical rotary blow molding machine, which can have an output of, for example, over 100 bottles per minute depending on the number of cavities and molds. Vertical rotary blow molding machines index circumferentially spaced mold halves on a wheel in steps around a horizontal axis. The mold halves each capture a vertical, continuously growing parison at an extrusion station. In one type of machine, for example, the flow head extruding the parison moves up and away from the mold halves after the mold halves close to capture the parison. The parison is severed adjacent the top of the mold halves, the mold halves are moved away from the extrusion station, and a top blow pin is moved into the end of the captured parison at the top of the mold halves to seal the mold cavity and blow the parison. Subsequently, the flow head and dependent parison are lowered back to the initial position so that the new parison is in position to be captured by the next pair of mold halves. The blown parison cools as the mold halves are rotated around the machine, following which the mold halves open at an ejection station and the finished article, commonly a container, is ejected from between the mold halves. In operation, the rotary wheel can produce at least 110 bottles per minute for a 22 cavity mold machine (22 molds) rotating at a rate of 5 RPM.
In EBM processes, high clamp forces are often required and deflection of the mold halves may occur. As a result, there may also be increased part wear and subsequent mold misalignment. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system for extrusion blow molding EPET containers that reduces deflection and operates at high clamp forces.


An image processing method, an image processing system and a storage medium are provided. The image processing method includes: acquiring an initial image; extracting a contour of a predetermined target included in the initial image during a transmission process of pixel data of the initial image; and obtaining information of the predetermined target according to the contour of the predetermined target included in the initial image.

With the development of society and the progress of technologies, smart home has gradually entered life of the public. For example, in the development of smart home, the appearance of smart fitting mirror enables customers to know an effect of wearing clothes without actually trying on clothes, and thus the customers can obtain a better fitting experience.

Image processing method, image processing system, and storage medium


The invention relates to a process for applying a layer of a composition comprising at least fat and sugar on a surface of an edible product, characterized in that it comprises submitting the product to at least two spraying stages, each involving generating by at least one nozzle a conical jet having an angle α and a vertical axis, said nozzle being disposed above the product at a height H between 200 mm and 800 mm and preferably between 300 mm and 650 mm so that, upon impinging on the product, the jet has become a vertically oriented drizzle with a substantially cylindrical cross-section.

This invention relates to a process for applying on a surface, and more particularly on a curved or irregular surface of an edible product such as a biscuit, a wafer or a snack a layer containing at least fat and sugar and more particularly a layer of chocolate or of chocolate substitute.
In a general trend of growing demand for thinness, lightness and sophistication, coated products associating a layer such as a layer of chocolate with an edible product, generally a cereal-based shell such as a wafer, an extruded snack or a biscuit are often perceived as thick and heavy, or as too basic.
This perception comes from the fact that conventional industrial processes to apply such a layer on a cereal-based shell, such as covering, bottoming, dipping or moulding either require a large and heavy product, typically above 8 cm3 and above 5 g, or result in irregular amounts of e.g. chocolate and basic appearance, typically small products with surface irregularities and a weight of chocolate varying by +/−8% or more among products. The resulting products are either high in energy per portion, typically above 22 Kcal per piece, or have a small size but can be packed only in bulk due to their irregular dimensions.
Known industrial processes apply chocolate on a cereal-based shell in liquid form, with an integral contact to the surface of the shell. The viscosity and the yield value of tempered chocolate, combined with the non-limiting amount of chocolate present in such a liquid mass, result in a layer of chocolate of minimum 0.075 g/cm2 (over 0.60 mm thick), and more often of more than 0.125 g/cm2 (over 1.0 mm thick). Indeed, when the liquid mass of chocolate is in contact with the surface of the shell, it thickens until the gravity becomes stronger than the adherence.
Attempts to reduce the thickness of chocolate layer by means of reducing the upstream flow of chocolate result in faulty chocolate covers: presence of empty spots, or significant differences in thickness from one area of the shell to the other, especially when the shell doesn't have a flat surface.
Attempts to reduce the thickness of chocolate layer by means of modifying the viscosity of chocolate and its yield value whilst keeping a temperature compatible with tempered chocolate and maintaining the level of emulsifiers like PRPG (polyricinoleate polyglycerol) at an authorised level result in chocolate recipes with lower amount of cocoa mass which does not fit to consumer expectations of tasty and natural recipe.
The alternative known technique of blowing air onto the chocolate surface results in a waved aspect, which results in a product that it not smooth.
Another technique which involves spraying chocolate with nozzles, has several major drawbacks, such as air turbulence lifting products, impact dots resulting in uneven surface, temperature and pressure stress endangering tempering.
Chocolate spraying is used only for relatively large products—typically more than 30 cm2—with a flat top surface and preferably a rectangular shape resulting in a wide cover—typically more than 80%—of the surface exposed to spraying. A typical example thereof is a large soft cake with a chocolate cover.
There is no known process of chocolate spraying which allows to apply a very thin layer of a product comprising at least fat and sugar e.g. chocolate or chocolate substitute on a smooth surface with satisfactory results relatively to product aspect and/or surface shininess and/or industrial efficiency.

Process for spraying a layer containing fat and sugar on a surface of an edible product


A secure storage device is presented. The secure storage device comprises walls, a bottom, a door and an opening for forming an interior chamber for storage. The device may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to aluminum, steel, impact-resistant materials, and bullet-proof materials. It at least one embodiment, the secure storage device is configured to act as a sun visor for a vehicle for securely storing a weapon such as a firearm.

Certain valuables or devices need to be protected from access by unauthorized personnel. Examples of such valuables include, but are not limited to, firearms, jewelry, knives, weapons, electronics, money, personal documents, and emergency food rations. Traditional safes do not allow for valuables to be placed in readily accessible areas. A secure storage device that is accessible, uses space efficiently, and is relatively simple to install and move is desirable.


A light fixture having a “U”-shaped frame inside a sealed cylindrical housing. Mounted along the center of the face of the frame are one or more LED lamp panels, which include a number of LEDs, some of which may be powered by a back-up source such as an optionally supplied battery for emergency egress lighting. The lamp panels are mounted using a thermal interface material to promote heat transfer from the LED lamp panels to the frame, which in turn radiates the heat into the volume of the housing to enhance cooling. To each side of the LED lamp panels, a highly polished reflector is attached to the frame to focus and concentrate the light while simultaneously shielding the LEDs from heat radiated from the frame. Attached to the obverse side of the frame is a “U”-shaped back cover that forms an electrical enclosure. An optional diffuser may be supplied.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to specialty light fixtures, and specifically to fixtures for use in food processing applications.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sealed light fixtures capable of withstanding high-pressure wash down and presenting minimal nooks, crannies, surface area that cannot be easily accessed for cleaning and/or sterilization are known in the prior art. For example, Rig-A-Lite Partnership, Ltd., of Houston, Tex. manufactures a variety of fluorescent light fixtures for use in food processing industries. One feature that is common among such light fixtures is that the entire fixture is contained within a sealed housing made only of non-corrosive plastic, glass or stainless steel materials. The shape of the housing facilitates wash-down and watershed. Some lights carry various certifications, including National Science Foundation (NSF) certification for food equipment and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certifications.
While fluorescent light fixtures are available for use in food preparation applications, these fixtures have shortcomings. For example, fluorescent light bulbs have a shorter life span than some other types of lighting, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). While changing fluorescent tubes is an annoying task at the best of times, it becomes a far greater nuisance when the sealed housing must be disassembled and then reassembled in order to change the bulbs. Further, repeated disassembly of the sealed fixture wears o-rings and gaskets and introduces risk that the light fixture might leak under the stress of a high pressure wash down. In addition, the quality and color of the fluorescent light produced is considered by some to be less desirable than that provided by LEDs.
The problem with using LEDs in sealed light fixtures, however, is that LEDs are adversely affected by excess heat. This feature has heretofore prevented wide use of LEDs in sealed light fixtures, because enclosing the LEDs in a sealed housing traps the heat generated by the LEDs, thereby elevating the ambient temperature immediately surrounding the LEDs to an unacceptable level, causing them to perform poorly.
3. Identification of Objects of the Invention
An object of the invention is to provide an LED light fixture that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide an LED light fixture where the light emitting diodes are enclosed within a sealed enclosure and heat is dissipated away from the LEDs.
Another object of the invention is to provide a light fixture suitable for use in areas where food is processed or prepared.
Another object of the invention is to provide a light fixture suitable for use in commercial or industrial food preparation settings or similar wet environments that eliminates the requirement for external redundant power or separate emergency lighting fixtures by including an internal battery backup.

Sealed LED light fixture for use in food processing applications


A disc device in which a clamping member for supporting a clamper is pushed against a supporting portion by a holding elastic member. At the side opposite the supporting portion, a clamping elastic member is provided between a drive chassis and the clamping member. The distance from a supporting fulcrum to a portion upon which the elastic force of the clamping elastic member acts is greater than the distance from the supporting fulcrum to a portion upon which a clamping force acts, so that the elastic force of the clamping elastic member for setting the clamping force can be small. Therefore, a large localized force does not act upon the clamping member from the clamping elastic member. In a conventional vehicle-mounted disc device, a spring having a large elastic force is used to exert a clamping force to clamp a disc by a clamper. Therefore, a large localized force acts on a clamping member for supporting the clamper. In addition, a large force is required to lift the clamping member. The present invention solves these problems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disc device for rotatably holding a disc, such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital video disc (DVD), or a disc used in, for example, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM). More particularly, the present invention relates to a disc device which makes it possible to reduce a load on a mechanical part and which can reliably clamp a disc.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 14A and 14B are side views of the main portion of a conventional vehicle-mounted disc device. FIG. 14A shows an unclamped state of a disc, while FIG. 14B shows a clamped state of the disc.
In the disc device, a slit-like insertion slot 2 is formed in a face provided at the front surface of a housing 1. A disc D is inserted into the housing 1 from the insertion slot 2. A transfer roller 4 and a roller supporting member 3 for supporting the transfer roller 4 are provided inwardly of the insertion slot 2. A guide member 5 is provided above the transfer roller 4.
A supporting base 6 that is supported in an elastically raised state by, for example, a clamper is provided inside the housing 1. A spindle motor M and a turntable T, rotationally driven by the spindle motor M, are provided on the supporting base 6. In addition, an optical head (not shown) and other component parts are provided on the supporting base 6. A clamping member 7 is rotatably supported on the supporting base 6 through a supporting shaft 9. A clamper 8 for clamping a disc D on the turntable T as a result of pushing the disc D is rotatably supported at an end of the clamping member 7. A coil spring 10 for urging the clamping member 7 in the direction of the turntable T is provided near the supporting shaft 9.
In FIG. 14A, the clamping member 7 is lifted by an unclamping member (not shown), so that there is a gap between the turntable T and the clamper 8. When the disc D is inserted from the insertion slot 2, the disc D that is clamped by the transfer roller 4 and the guide member 5 is transferred into the gap between the turntable T and the clamper 8. When the center of the disc D and the center of the turntable T coincide, a lifting force of the unclamping member on the clamping member 7 is removed. At this time, because of the elastic force of the coil spring 10, the clamping member 7 is rotated in the clockwise direction upon the supporting shaft 9 as a fulcrum, in order to, as shown in FIG. 14B, cause the clamper 8 to push the center portion of the disc D against the turntable T and to clamp the disc D.
Then, the spindle motor M rotates to rotationally drive the disc D by the turntable T, so that a signal recorded on the disc D is read by an optical head (not shown).
In the conventional disc device shown in FIG. 14, a moment Mc in the clockwise direction is applied to the clamping member 7 by the coil spring 10, so that, because of the moment Mc, a clamping force Fc for clamping the disc D is exerted on the clamper 8. Here, when the point upon which an elastic force f applied to the clamping member 7 from the coil spring 10 acts is expressed as 10a, and the distance from the center of the supporting shaft 9 to the elastic force f acting point 10a is expressed as L1, the moment Mc is equal to L1xc3x97f. In the clamped state shown in FIG. 14B, when the point upon which a clamping force Fc applied to the clamper 8 by the clamping member 7 acts is expressed as 7a, and a distance from the center of the supporting shaft 9 to the force acting point 7a is expressed as L2, Fc=(L1/L2)xc3x97f.
Therefore, the elastic force f of the coil spring 10 must be larger than the clamping force Fc required to clamp the disc D by the clamper 8 by a factor of L2/L1.
For example, in the case where, in order to clamp the disc D, a clamping force Fc of 3 N (approximately 306 gf) with respect to the clamper 8 is required, when L2/L1=4, the coil spring 10 needs to provide an elastic force f of 12 N (approximately 1.22 kgf).
When a coil spring 10 with such a large elastic force f is used, a large force is applied to the base of the clamping member 7 from the coil spring 10, so that a distortion tends to occur at the base of the clamping member 7. In addition, a large load also acts upon the portion of the clamping member 7 rotatably supported by the supporting shaft 9.
In the conventional structure, when the state of the disc D is to be changed to the unclamped state shown in FIG. 14A, the clamping member 7 is lifted by the unclamping member. Hitherto, a point upon which a lifting force Fu, applied to the clamping member 7 from the unclamping member, acts is set at the base end portion side of the clamping member 7. Accordingly, when the disc device is constructed so that the clamping member 7 is lifted obliquely upward with the supporting shaft 9 as a fulcrum, the distance that the clamping member 7 is lifted by the unclamping member can be made small by lifting the base end portion of the clamping member 7.
However, when the disc device is constructed so that the lifting force Fu is applied to the base of the clamping member 7, since the distance between the lifting force Fu acting point and the center of the supporting shaft 9 is small, a very large lifting force Fu is required. In general, the unclamping member comprises a cam plate that moves towards the left and right in FIGS. 14A and 14B, and lifts the clamping member 7 by an inclined groove formed in the cam plate. However, since a large lifting force Fu is required, a large driving force is required to move the cam plate. Therefore, a large frictional force acts between the cam plate and the clamping member 7, so that rattling and wearing at a sliding portion between the cam plate and the clamping member 7 tend to increase.
In order to overcome the above-described problems in a conventional device, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disc device, in which, even when a biasing member having a weak elastic force for applying a clamping force to a clamping member is used, a disc can be reliably clamped; in which, by a biasing force of the biasing member, distortion or wearing by driving does not easily occur in a mechanical component part; and in which a force required to unclamp the disc can be made small.
To this end, according to a basic form of the present invention, there is provided a disc device comprising a turntable for placing a center hole of a disc thereon, a clamper for clamping the disc along on the turntable, a clamping member including a clamping force acting portion for exerting upon the clamper a force for clamping the disc, a supporting portion for supporting the clamping member, and a clamping elastic member for producing a disc clamping moment having the supporting portion as a fulcrum with respect to the clamping member by action on the clamping member at a location separated from the supporting portion. In the disc device, the distance from the supporting portion to a biasing force acting portion upon which a biasing force of the clamping elastic portion acts is greater than the distance from the supporting portion to the clamping force acting portion.
In the present invention, by setting the positional relationship among the clamping portion supporting fulcrum of the supporting portion, the clamping force acting portion, and the biasing force acting portion as mentioned above, the clamping elastic member used may be one with a weak elastic force, so that it is possible to prevent a large localized force from acting on, for example, the clamping member.
When the structure of the basic form is used, the disc clamping moment may act directly on the clamping member from the clamping elastic member. Alternatively, when the structure of the basic form is used, the disc device may further comprise an intermediate member for being subjected to an elastic force from the clamping elastic member, in which the disc clamping moment acts on the clamping member through the intermediate member.
When the disc device further comprises an intermediate member for being subjected to an elastic force from the clamping elastic member, in which the disc clamping moment acts on the clamping member through the intermediate member, the disc device may further comprise unclamping means for moving the clamping member against the disc clamping moment in a direction in which the clamping member moves away from the turntable.
Here, by the action of the unclamping means, the clamping member may be lifted away from the turntable while the clamping member is kept in a posture parallel to the chassis at which the turntable is provided, or may be lifted so as to rotate with the supporting portion as a fulcrum.
When the disc device further comprises unclamping means for moving the clamping member against the disc clamping moment in a direction in which the clamping member moves away from the turntable, the disc device may further comprise a holding elastic member for biasing the clamping member towards the turntable at a supporting portion side.
When the holding elastic member is provided, the position of the supporting portion, serving as a fulcrum of the clamping member, can be stabilized.
When the disc device further comprises a holding elastic member for biasing the clamping member towards the turntable at a supporting portion side, the supporting portion may be provided at a chassis for supporting the turntable, and, by an elastic force of the holding elastic member, the clamping member may be biased so as to come into contact with the supporting portion.
When the disc device further comprises unclamping means for moving the clamping member against the disc clamping moment in a direction in which the clamping member moves away from the turntable, the supporting portion may protrude from the clamping member, a driving member for moving the supporting portion against the disc clamping moment in a direction in which the supporting portion moves away from the turntable may be provided at the unclamping means, and a portion where the supporting portion and the driving member engage may be a fulcrum for the disc clamping moment.
When the supporting portion protrudes from the clamping member, a driving member for moving the supporting portion against the disc clamping moment in a direction in which the supporting portion moves away from the turntable is provided at the unclamping means, and a portion where the supporting portion and the driving member engage is a fulcrum for the disc clamping moment, the disc device may further comprise a holding elastic member for biasing the supporting portion towards the turntable by biasing the driving member.
When the disc device further comprises unclamping means for moving the clamping member against the disc clamping moment in a direction in which the clamping member moves away from the turntable, the unclamping means for applying an unclamping force to the clamping member in the direction in which the clamping member moves away from the turntable may be provided at a side where the biasing force of the clamping elastic member acts, and a distance from the supporting portion to an unclamping force acting portion upon which the unclamping force exerted upon the clamping member from the unclamping means acts may be greater than the distance from the supporting portion to the clamping force acting portion.
When the disc device has this structure, the driving force of the driving member for moving the clamping member away from the turntable can be made small, thereby making it possible to reduce a drive load and to prevent excessive wear between mechanical parts.
When the disc device further comprises unclamping means for moving the clamping member against the disc clamping moment in a direction in which the clamping member moves away from the turntable, the disc device may further comprise a chassis having the turntable mounted thereto and being elastically raised and supported, and the unclamping means may include a lock portion for causing the chassis to be in a locked state when the clamping member is moved in the direction in which the clamping member moves away from the turntable. Alternatively, when the disc device further comprises unclamping means for moving the clamping member against the disc clamping moment in a direction in which the clamping member moves away from the turntable, the disc device may further comprise a transfer roller, disposed between the turntable and the clamper, for bringing in the disc, and the unclamping means may include a roller position controlling portion for moving the transfer roller away from a disc transfer position when the clamping member is moved towards the turntable.
Using the unclamping means, by locking and unlocking the chassis and by controlling the position of the transfer roller, a driving mechanism can be used in common, thereby simplifying the mechanism.


An LED driving apparatus converts AC input power into predetermined DC output power and supplies the DC output power to an LED load. The LED driving apparatus includes a switching element Q1 to be turned on and off, a ripple current reducer 3a that is connected in series with the LED load and reduces current ripples of the LED load, and a controller CNT that turns on and off the switching element according to a feedback voltage taken from a connection point of the LED load and ripple current reducer, thereby controlling the DC output power to a predetermined value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an LED driving apparatus and an LED lighting apparatus employing the LED driving apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
LED (light emission diode) elements are used for backlights of liquid crystal displays and light sources of lighting devices such as streetlights. Incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps are being replaced with bulb-type LED lighting apparatuses and fluorescent-lamp-type LED lighting apparatuses using white LED elements. These LED lighting apparatuses need LED driving apparatuses that are capable of correctly supplying electric power to the LED elements.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an LED lighting apparatus 110 having an LED driving apparatus 101 according to a related art. The LED driving apparatus 101 includes a rectifier DB100, a transformer TR100, a switching element MOSFET Q101, a rectifying-smoothing circuit including a diode D101 and a capacitor C101, a controller CNT 100, and a capacitor C103. The LED driving apparatus 101 and an LED load 102 including LED elements LED1 to LEDn are the LED lighting apparatus 110.
The rectifier DB100 is a known diode bridge and is connected to an AC input power source AC100. The transformer TR100 includes a primary winding W101, a secondary winding W102, and a tertiary winding W103. A first end of the primary winding W101 is connected to the rectifier DB100 and a second end thereof is connected to a drain of the MOSFET Q101. Both ends of the secondary winding W102 are connected to the rectifying-smoothing circuit. Both ends of the tertiary winding W103 are connected to an auxiliary power source that includes a diode D102 and a capacitor C102.
A source of the MOSFET Q101 is grounded and a gate thereof is connected to the controller CNT 100. Both ends of the rectifying-smoothing circuit are connected to a series circuit that includes the LED load 102 and a detective resistor Rs100. The LED load 102 includes the n pieces of LED elements LED1 to LEDn that are connected in series. Here, the number of "n" is a natural number equal to or greater than 1.
The controller CNT100 has terminals that are connected to the gate of the MOSFET Q101, the auxiliary power source, a connection point of the LED load 102 and detective resistor Rs100, and the capacitor C103, respectively. The controller CNT 100 also has a terminal that is connected through a resistor R101 to a connection point of the rectifier DB100 and the primary winding W101 of the transformer TR100. The controller CNT100 includes an error amplifier AMP101 and a comparator CMP100.
An inverting input terminal (−) of the error amplifier AMP101 is connected to the connection point of the LED load 102 and detective resistor Rs100 and a non-inverting input terminal (+) thereof is connected to a reference voltage that includes a constant voltage source REG and a zener diode ZD101. An output terminal of the error amplifier AMP101 is connected through an integrator that includes a resistor R103 and the capacitor C103 to a first non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP100. The error amplifier AMP101 provides the comparator CMP100 with an error signal based on a current passing through the LED load 102 and a reference value.
An inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP100 is connected to a triangular wave generator and a second non-inverting input terminal thereof is connected to a duty limiter that includes the constant voltage source REG and resistors R104 and R105. An output terminal of the comparator CMP100 is connected through a driver to the gate of the MOSFET Q101. The comparator CMP100 provides the driver with a PWM signal based on the error signal from the error amplifier AMP101 and a triangular wave from the triangular wave generator.
In the LED driving apparatus 101, the controller CNT100 controls ON/OFF of the MOSFET Q101 in such a way as to equalize a current passing through the LED load 102 with a reference value (reference voltage), thereby adjusting a voltage applied to the LED load 102.
The related LED driving apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-527138 (Patent Document 1).

LED driving apparatus and LED lighting apparatus


A semiconductor laser device and an optical device is disclosed. The semiconductor laser device includes a semiconductor laser chip, an optical device, and a supporting member for supporting the semiconductor laser chip and the optical device. The optical device includes a reflection diffractive optical lens which diffracts part of the laser light emitted from the emitting end face of the semiconductor laser chip, to form diffracted light beams, and allows a diffracted light beam having a selected wavelength among the diffracted light beams to be incident on the emitting end face, whereby the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser chip can be stabilized. The optical device includes a substrate having a first and a second main faces, a first optical element formed on either one main face, and a second optical element formed on the main face together with the first optical element. The second optical element has a reflection diffractive grating structure which reflects and diffracts part of laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser chip to form a plurality of orders of diffracted light beams, and allowing diffracted light beams having a selected wavelength among the plurality of orders of diffracted light beams to be incident on the emitting end face of the semiconductor laser chip, whereby the wavelength of laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser chip can be stabilized. A method of producing the semiconductor laser device and the optical device is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical device for a semiconductor laser, and a semiconductor laser device in which an optical device and a semiconductor laser chip are formed in an integrated manner. More particularly, the present invention relates to a semiconductor laser device having a small size and a stable structure in which there is no wavelength shift of a light source. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of producing such an optical device and to a method of producing such a semiconductor laser device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A semiconductor laser device is small and light, so that it is widely used as a light source for an optical disk apparatus and the like. An exemplary conventional semiconductor laser device is shown in FIG. 4 (see "SHARP Semiconductor Data Book", p. 17, 1992).
The semiconductor laser device shown in FIG. 4 includes a semiconductor laser chip 1, a cap 3, and a stem 8. When a current is caused to flow through the semiconductor laser chip 1, laser light 4 is emitted from an emitting end face 9 of the semiconductor laser chip 1. The laser light 4 is further emitted to the external of the semiconductor laser device through a glass plate 5 which is provided in a laser light emitting portion (opening) 11. The laser light 4 can be applied to various optical systems. A monitoring photodiode 10 is mounted on a member for supporting the cap 3 and the stem 8. The monitoring photodiode 10 monitors the intensity of laser light emitted from another end face of the semiconductor laser chip 1 opposite to the emitting end face 9.
The conventional semiconductor laser device as shown in FIG. 4 has a problem in that the oscillation wavelength may vary as the temperature of the laser chip changes.

Semiconductor laser device, an optical device and a method of producing the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A spacer for use in a branching electrical connector comprises two jaws and clamping device for clamping the jaws together. At least two parallel channels are defined by the jaws, the spacer being adapted to hold one of the channels temporarily at least partly open. Overridable abutment on the spacer yield when sufficient force is applied to the jaws by the clamping device to enable the temporarily open channel to be closed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns branching electrical connectors having two jaws, clamping means for clamping the jaws together and at least two parallel channels defined by the jaws, one for a first or main cable from which the branch connection is to be made and the other for a second or branch cable to be connected to the first cable.
The invention is more particularly, but not exclusively, directed to branching electrical connectors of this kind in which the clamping means normally close both channels simultaneously without distinguishing between them, at least one of the jaws incorporating at least one contact member adapted to engage with both the channels and therefore with both the cables disposed therein, establishing an electrical bridge between them.
2. Description of the Prior Art
These branching connectors are generally called parallel jaw branching connectors or non-separate branch cable branching connectors.
Branching connectors of this type are described in French patent No. 2 155 349 and French patent No. 2 601 516 to French patent No. 2 566 191.
In practise, because each of the jaws of a branching connector of this kind functions simultaneously in both the parallel channels that the jaws define between them, at least one jaw has to be capable of tilting movement relative to the other when they are clamped up to cater for the situation (which happens to be the most usual situation encountered in practise) where the cables to be clamped are of different diameters.
To achieve this the clamping means for the jaws usually comprise at least one fastening rod which passes through one of them by means of an enlarged passage in which it can "tilt" as the assembly is clamped up.
The same applies if the clamping means comprise two parallel fastening rods.
When the jaws are clamped up they first engage the larger diameter cable, usually the main cable, and then after relative tilting between them they engage the smaller diameter cable, usually the branch cable.
This arrangement has the advantage of relatively economical implementation but the disadvantage that the branching connectors are relatively inconvenient or even difficult to fit to the electrical cables to be joined.
When the jaws of a branching connector of this kind are sufficiently open (as is necessary for insertion of the cables to be connected into the channels that they delimit, especially when, as is usually the case for the main cable, this fitting has to be done to a "passing" cable, by which is meant a continuous line cable or conductor) they are totally unrestricted in terms of movement relative to each other and they therefore tend to close upon each other in a disorderly way, as a result of their own weight if for no other reason, and they then approach each other either correctly or, what is worse, skewed relative to each other, which usually happens if the clamping means comprise only one assembly rod.
As a result the fitter who has to make a branch connection from a main cable must, when the jaws of the branching connector to be used for this purpose have been opened sufficiently, be able to close temporarily the branching connector by hand onto the main cable and simultaneously introduce into the connector the branch cable to be connected to the main cable, then to hold the resulting assembly together by hand, and finally to clamp up the jaws of the branching connector; given that the main cable is generally a line cable, the fitter is often in an uncomfortable position, (for example at the top of a ladder or post, so that he can reach the line cable directly), and what is more is usually wearing the regulation gloves, which render his gestures less accurate.
It is obvious that in such circumstances the operations to be performed are difficult to carry out.
The same applies when the branching connector is fitted to the main cable remotely (e.g. from the ground), using a pole, which is another situation that may well arise.
A general objective of the present invention is to provide an arrangement to facilitate these operations.

Branching electrical connector and spacer therefor

S.I.C.A.M.E. Societe Industrielle de Construction d'Appareils et de Material Electrique


A compact merchandise display system for showcasing an item has a base with a transparent or translucent cover located on a base top surface. The system has a rotating platform located on the base top surface having a first light. The system has a control system having a microprocessor, a sensor, a power supply, a power switch, a speaker, a microphone, and a memory component located in the microprocessor. A sound is recorded by the microphone and stored into the memory component of the microprocessor. Upon activation of the microprocessor via the sensor, the sound is played via the speaker, the rotating platform is energized via a platform motor, and the first light is activated.

Typical display advertising used in stores may include cases, display shelving, lettered signs, and lights. It is commonly believed that the manner in which an item is displayed in a store can make it sell more easily and command a higher sales price. The present invention features a compact merchandise display system for showcasing an item.


An electrical connection includes an electrically conductive first contact member, an electrically conductive second contact member, an interface, and an attachment. The first contact member includes a first contact surface for passing current. The second contact member includes a second contact surface for passing current that directly contacts the first contact surface. The interface includes one of a cold weld and a fused section that physically joins the first contact member and the second contact member, and that forms a primary conductive path between the first contact member and the second contact member. The interface is formed by ultrasonic vibration of the first contact surface relative to the second contact surface. The attachment is separate from the interface and mechanically joins the first contact member and the second contact member. A method for forming the electrical method is also provided.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Electrical connections provide for the flow of current between two separate electrically conductive contact members. In some electrical connections, a mechanical connection, such as an electrical connector, joins the contact members. In other electrical connections, a metallurgical connection, such as a fusion weld, joins the contact members. Some mechanical connections offer an advantage that the contact members may be disconnected to service electrical components associated with the contact members. However, such connections may deteriorate over time. For example, an oxide layer may form at an interface between the contact members, creating an area of high resistance. In contrast, metallurgical connections may advantageously inhibit deterioration of the connection, yet also inhibit servicing of associated electrical components. For example, efforts to disconnect or separate the contact members joined by a fusion weld may result in the destruction of all or part of the electrical contact members. Destruction of the electrical contact members may prevent re-use or re-attachment of the contact members and/or the associated electrical components.

Serviceable electrical connection and method


A fluid separation element is provided including: a membrane winding having two ends and obtained by layering a separation membrane, a feed water channel material, and a permeate channel material and spirally winding them; and one or more anti-telescoping devices attached to one or both of the ends of the membrane winding, wherein a brine seal fitting groove is provided in an outer circumferential surface of the anti-telescoping device and a hole that communicates with a feed water channel side is provided inside the groove. When the anti-telescoping devices are attached to the both ends of the membrane winding, a brine seal is fitted into the groove of the upstream-side anti-telescoping device and no brine seal is fitted into the groove of the downstream-side anti-telescoping device.

In various fields such as seawater desalination and ultrapure water production for semiconductor manufacturing and further general-purpose brackish water desalination, organic matter separation, and wastewater recycle, various fluid separation devices using separation membranes are used to obtain permeate that has passed through the membrane or condensate as a valuable product. Such a fluid separation device generally comprises a fluid separation element using a separation membrane and a pressure vessel into which the fluid separation element is loaded.
Examples of such a fluid separation element using a separation membrane include a fluid separation element using a hollow fiber membrane, a plate frame-type fluid separation element and a spiral-type fluid separation element using a flat sheet membrane.
A spiral-type fluid separation element has a structure in which a separation membrane, a permeate channel material, and a feed liquid channel material are spirally wound around a water collection tube. An example of a fluid separation element having such a structure is shown in FIG. 1.
The fluid separation element shown in FIG. 1 uses an envelope-shaped membrane comprising a first separation membrane 13 and a second separation membrane 14. The envelope-shaped membrane is formed by bonding two membranes together at three sides or by folding a membrane in two. A permeate channel material 15 is inserted into the envelope-shaped membrane. The envelope-shaped membrane having the permeate channel material 15 therein and a feed water channel material 16 form one unit. A membrane winding 1 is formed by spirally winding the unit around a water collection tube 11 or by layering the two or more units and spirally winding the layered units around the water collection tube 11. The envelope-shaped membrane opens on the water collection tube 11 side. Two anti-telescoping devices 2 are attached to both longitudinal ends of the membrane winding 1.
Feed water 12 flows from one of the ends of the fluid separation element into the membrane winding 1 through the upstream-side anti-telescoping device 2u. The feed water 12 is separated into permeate 18 that has passed through the first separation membrane 13 and the second separation membrane 14 and condensate 17 that has not passed through the first separation membrane 13 and the second separation membrane 14. The permeate 18 having passed through the separation membranes 13 and 14 flows through the permeate channel material 15, and is collected by the water collection tube 11 and discharged from the fluid separation element. On the other hand, the feed water 12 not having passed through the separation membranes 13 and 14 passes through the downstream-side anti-telescoping device 2d, and is discharged through the other end of the fluid separation element as the condensate 17.
The outer circumferential surface of the membrane winding 1 of the spiral-type fluid separation element is generally twisted and hardened into a shell by a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composed of glass fiber and epoxy resin.
A sealing member called "brine seal" is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the upstream-side anti-telescoping device 2u attached to the fluid separation element. When feed water is allowed to flow into the fluid separation element housed in the pressure vessel, the brine seal prevents the feed water from flowing into the gap between the FRP shell provided outside the fluid separation element and the pressure vessel, that is, prevents the short-pass of the feed water.
In order to attach an annular brine seal, a groove is provided in the outer circumferential surface of the anti-telescoping device. The brine seal is attached by fitting it into the groove (see, for example, JP-A-2005-111473 or JP-A-2006-212514).
The cross-sectional shape of the brine seal fitted into the groove provided in the outer circumferential surface of the anti-telescoping device is not particularly limited, and therefore the brine seal may be, for example, an O-ring or an X-ring, but a U-seal having a U-shaped cross section is often used from the viewpoint of loading the fluid separation element into the pressure vessel. In order to obtain an optimum sealing effect, the U-seal needs to be fitted into the groove so that the upper portion of the U-shape faces the upstream side (feed water inlet side). However, there is a case where the U-seal made of an elastic resin is twisted when fitted into the groove. If the U-seal fitted into the groove of the anti-telescoping device remains twisted, a desired sealing effect cannot be obtained when the fluid separation element is charged into the pressure vessel. For this reason, the twisted U-seal needs to be once removed from the groove to fit the U-seal into the groove again. At this time, the U-seal needs to be removed from the groove without damage to the brine seal and the anti-telescoping device.
Meanwhile, JP-A-2005-111473 proposes that one of the side walls of a brine seal fitting groove is made lower than the other side wall or is partially cut out, but this proposal is not intended to remove a brine seal from the groove. However, also in this case, a tool having a sharp tip needs to be inserted into the groove to remove a sealing material. When a pointed tool is inserted between an anti-telescoping device and a sealing material, both the anti-telescoping device and the sealing material are likely to be damaged. On the other hand, when a sealing material is removed by pressing a tool against a sealing functional part of the sealing material and pulling up the sealing material, the sealing functional part is likely to be damaged.

Fluid separation element, anti-telescoping device for fluid separation element, and fluid separation device


A reinforcing plate is made up of a planar member which is composed of a panel fixture portion and connecting parts provided at both ends of the panel fixture portion. A scan signal input circuit substrate for supplying a scan signal to a display panel and a data signal input circuit substrate for supplying data are provided on respective sides of the display panel. The scan signal input circuit substrate has an input connector and electronic parts such as driver ICs etc., mounted thereon. The connecting parts of the reinforcing plate are fixed to the scan signal input circuit substrate so as not to interfere with the electronic parts while the panel fixture portion of the reinforcing plate is fixed to the display panel.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device for use in an electronic appliance such as a FA appliance, AV appliance, OA terminal etc., as well as an advertisement display.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
The prior art will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4. FIG. 1 Is a perspective view showing a conventional display device; FIG. 1A is a view from the obverse side of the display device and FIG. 1B is a view from the reverse side thereof. FIG. 2 contains diagrams showing the forces and their components when the input connector is inserted. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a prior art display device. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing another prior art display device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional display device comprises: a display panel 2; a scan signal input circuit substrate 13 disposed along the length of one side of display panel 2 for inputting the scan signal to display panel 2; and a data signal input circuit substrate 14 disposed along the length of the other side for inputting data to the display panel 2. The display panel 2 is composed of a pair of glass substrates for inputting the scan signal and data, respectively, and a liquid crystal material sealed therein; each glass substrate has a pattern of electrode leads (designated at 3 in FIG. 2), which consists of tin oxide, indium oxide or the like, formed on the opposing surface to the other. This pattern of electrode leads 3 is joined to a flexible circuit substrate 8 so that the display panel 2 is electrically connected to scan signal input circuit substrate 13 having, for example, an input connector 5, electronic parts 9, driver ICs 18 etc. provided thereon.
FIG. 2A is a sectional view cut along a plane 300--300 in FIG. 1A, showing the detailed configuration of the above electric connection. In the figure, a glass terminal 4 of display panel 2 and scan signal input circuit substrate 13 are placed opposedly with a gap 16 therebetween so that pattern of electrode leads 3 formed on glass terminal 4 is connected with scan signal input circuit substrate 13 by flexible circuit substrate 8. The joint between pattern of electrode leads 3 and flexible circuit substrate 8 is protected by resin 6.
In this conventional arrangement the thus configured joint in some cases peeled off due to the stress generated in pattern of electrode leads 3 and/or flexible circuit substrate 8 extending across gap 16 when input connector 5 was handled f or attachment or removal. For example, suppose that a force f.sub.0 is applied when input connector 5 is handled for attachment or removal as shown in FIG. 2A. In this case, force f.sub.0 can be decomposed into force component f.sub.1 acting on spacer 15 and force component f.sub.2 acting at the joint of flexible circuit substrate 8. This force component f.sub.2 would cause the peeling.
Next, this peeling force will be explained with reference to FIG. 2B.
Force f.sub.0 applied on input connector 5 can be decomposed into force component f.sub.1 shown in expression (1) and force component f.sub.2 shown in expression (2) as follows: EQU f.sub.1 =(X/Y).multidot.f.sub.0 (1) EQU f.sub.2 =[1-(X/Y)].multidot.f.sub.0 (2)
where f.sub.0 : connector insertion force;
f.sub.1 : spacer pressing force; PA1 f.sub.2 : stress; PA1 X: distance between f.sub.0 and f.sub.2 ; and PA1 Y: distance between f.sub.1 and f.sub.2. PA1 a display panel; PA1 a circuit substrate disposed, at the periphery of and beside, the display panel with a predetermined gap therebetween; PA1 a flexible circuit substrate extending across the gap to connect the display panel with the circuit substrate; and PA1 a reinforcing plate having a plurality of connecting parts to be joined to the circuit substrate and a fixture portion to be fixed to the display panel, and is characterized in that the reinforcing plate is fixed to the circuit substrate and display panel, on the side opposite to the one on which the flexible circuit substrate is provided. PA1 a display panel; PA1 a circuit substrate disposed, at the periphery of and beside, the display panel with a predetermined gap therebetween; PA1 a flexible circuit substrate extending across the gap to connect the display panel with the circuit substrate; and PA1 a reinforcing plate having a fixture portion to be fixed to the display panel and a plurality of connecting parts each of which is bent and stepped so as to be joined to the circuit substrate, on the side where the flexible circuit substrate is provided, and is characterized in that the fixture portion of the reinforcing plate is fixed to the side of the display panel, opposite to the one on which the flexible circuit substrate is provided, while the connecting parts are extended passing through the gap to the side on which the flexible circuit substrate is provided, and joined to the circuit substrate on the side thereof.
This force component f.sub.2 warps flexible circuit substrate 8. If this bending is represented by an angle .theta., the component of force along flexible circuit substrate 8 which is deformed results in f.sub.2 sin .theta.. Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, this force causes a peeling force F of f.sub.2 sin.sup.2 .theta., thus separating flexible circuit substrate 8 from anisotropic conductive film 7 having pattern of electrode leads 3 formed on glass terminal 4. Force component f.sub.1 of force f.sub.0 is borne by a bezel 12. Here, FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of an encircled portion D in FIG. 2A.
Various countermeasures have conventionally been taken against the above problem.
The first method is one in which, as shown in FIG. 2A, resin 6 of an epoxy or acrylic type is filled in the joint with glass terminal 4 so as to integrate display panel 2 with flexible circuit substrate 8.
The second method is that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 4 No. 269,723, as shown in FIG. 3 in which the gap between glass terminal 4 and scan signal input circuit substrate 13 is provided with resin 6 so as to fill up the space which might, otherwise, cause the deformation.
Further, the third method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 8 No. 152,644, as shown in FIG. 4. That is, glass terminal 4 and scan signal input circuit substrate 13 are made to abut each other at their end faces while a reinforcing plate 19 is disposed across the non-displaying area of display panel 2 and the entire surface of scan signal input circuit substrate 13 and bonded with resin 6.
However, the first method cannot provide high enough strength to stop peeling, as already stated.
In the second method, the rigidity of the structure is enhanced since the gap between glass terminal 4 and scan signal input circuit substrate 13 is filled up with resin 6. This method, however, needs a prolonged time for application and drying of resin 6 and handling will become difficult when scan signal input circuit substrate 13 needs to be detached for repair.
In the third method, the strength to stop peeling can be enhanced, but the handling will be degraded as in the second embodiment. Further, since reinforcing plate 19 is applied throughout the rear surface of scan signal input circuit substrate 13, all electric parts such as driver ICs 18 etc., must be mounted on the obverse face of scan signal input circuit substrate 13. This configuration constrains the arrangement of the parts and increases cost due to the use of reinforcing plate 19.

Display device including reinforcing plate between circuit substrate and display panel