A liquid metal ion gun 3 includes a liquid metal ion source 31 and a beam limiting aperture 33. The liquid metal ion source 31 includes a reservoir 36 and an emitter 35. The reservoir 36 is made of tungsten (W) and holds liquid metal gallium (Ga). The emitter 35 is made of W. The beam limiting aperture 33 is formed with a liquid metal member 44 made of Ga placed on a base 46 made of W, has an opening 41 that enables an ion beam 2 extracted from the liquid metal ion source 31 to pass therethrough, and limits the diameter of the ion beam 2. The beam limiting aperture 33 has a groove structure 45 that causes the liquid metal 44 to gather into a region located around the opening 41. The lifetime of the beam limiting aperture can be increased, and an emission can be maintained stable for a long time period and reproducibly restored to a stable state.

A liquid metal ion gun includes a liquid metal ion source (hereinafter referred to as LMIS) arranged in a vacuum container. The liquid metal ion gun emits an ion beam corresponding to an amount of ion emission (emission current) responsive to voltages by thermally energizing the emitter (electrode) of the LMIS through a high-voltage cable or applying a high voltage (extraction voltage) across parts of an extracting electrode. The ion beam that is emitted from the LMIS is received by a beam limiting aperture, which limits the emission current and spreading of the ion beam that will propagate toward the downstream side of the beam limiting aperture.
For the aforementioned liquid metal ion gun, for example, a gallium liquid metal ion gun, emission stability is maintained when the balance between the amount of gallium consumed by an emitter for ion irradiation purpose and the amount of gallium supplied to the emitter from a reservoir is kept, i.e., when the amount of consumed gallium is in equilibrium with the amount of supplied gallium.
However, if a foreign material mixes with gallium, then such a foreign material functions to inhibit gallium from being supplied, or the purity of the gallium is changed and the liquid metal suffers from changes in physical properties. As a result, the amount of consumed gallium is not in equilibrium with the amount of supplied gallium, which will lead to reduction in emission stability.
One example of the foreign material that will be mixed in the liquid metal of the LMIS is particles (sputtered particles) generated while the beam limiting aperture is irradiated and sputtered with the ion beam.
A conventional technique for suppressing the mixing of the sputtered particles in the liquid metal of the LMIS is described in Patent Document 1. The technique described in Patent Document 1 is as follows. A degradation in stability of an ion current is suppressed in such a manner that a part that is included in the beam limiting aperture and irradiated with the ion beam is constituted by a sintered body having low-melting-point metal mixed therein and the sputtered particles are melted in the liquid metal so as not to form a slag.
In addition, the following technique is also known. In the technique, metal that is the same type as the liquid metal of the LMIS is used for a protective diaphragm (refer to Patent Document 2 and the like). Furthermore, the following technique is also known. In the technique, the surface or all parts of an emitter electrode are made of molten metal used for the tip of the emitter electrode or made of one or more types of metal constituting an alloy used for the tip of the emitter electrode (refer to Patent Document 3 and the like).
In addition, the following technique is also known. In the technique, a beam limiting aperture that includes, as a base material, the same metal as the emitter (electrode) of the LMIS is formed, and accumulated liquid metal that is the same as the LMIS is provided in a region that is irradiated with the ion beam (refer to Patent Document 4 and the like). Furthermore, the following technique is also known. In the technique, the liquid metal of the LMIS is placed in a container having a recessed portion that includes an aperture hole in the lowest surface, while the ion beam passes through the aperture hole (refer to Patent Document 5 and the like).


A receiving device includes: a mixer module arranged to receive an input signal to generate a down-converted output; a first active filter, the first active filter arranged to receive the down-converted output and perform an active filtering process upon the down-converted output to generate a first filtered output; a passive filter, the passive filter arranged to receive the first filtered output and perform a passive filtering process upon the first filtered output to generate a second filtered output; and a processing circuit, the processing circuit arranged to receive the second filtered output and process the second filtered output to generate an output signal corresponding to the input signal.

The present invention relates to a low IF (Intermediate Frequency) receiver and method thereof, and more particularly to a large SNR (Signal-to-noise Ratio) wireless receiver and method thereof.
In a wireless communication system, a low IF (Intermediate Frequency) receiver is employed to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal, wherein the RF signal is down-converted into a low (but non-zero) frequency signal such that the low frequency signal is capable of being processed by the following circuits of the receiver. Furthermore, the low IF receiver possesses the advantages of small DC offset and low flicker noise. However, the non-zero down-converted signal may induce some image in the output of the low IF receiver. Conventionally, an image rejection filter is utilized to filter out (i.e., to reject) the image band signal, wherein the image rejection filter is placed between a low-noise amplifier and a down-converted mixer of the receiver. In other words, the image rejection filter is operated under the RF band since the image rejection filter is placed before the down-converted mixer in the receiver. Therefore, the quality factor (i.e., Q factor) of the components composing the image rejection filter should be high enough to meet the required performance of the image rejection filter. One of the solutions is to place the image rejection filter externally, i.e., utilizing an off-chip image rejection filter to reject the RF image band. However, the cost of the off-chip components composing the off-chip image rejection filter may be too high for the receiver. Furthermore, the large area occupied by the off-chip image rejection filter is another problem faced by the conventional art. Therefore, providing a high quality low IF receiver at a low cost that occupies a small area is a significant concern in the wireless communication field.


This disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and techniques for establishing a secure connection between two or more devices. In some examples, a device is configured for wireless communication. The device comprises signal reception circuitry configured to receive communications transmitted according to at least a first communication protocol, communication circuitry configured for wireless communication according to at least a second communication protocol, and processing circuitry electrically coupled to the signal reception circuitry and the communication circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive, via the signal reception circuitry, a first signal according to the first communication protocol. In response to receiving the first signal, the processing circuitry is further configured to transmit, via the communication circuitry, a second signal according to the second communication protocol and establish a secure link according to the second communication protocol.

A computing device may be configured to transmit communications to, and receive communications from, other computing devices. These communications may include data or any information that is transmitted between devices either wirelessly or via a wired connection. Communications that are public or otherwise do not include sensitive information may be unsecured. Communications that are intended to be private to two or more devices may be encrypted such that the information contained therein is not readily available to unauthorized devices. For example, an implantable medical device (IMD) may exchange sensitive information with one or more external devices via an encrypted wireless communication link. However, communication environments outside of the medical device space may also be used to exchange sensitive information.
IMDs may be surgically implanted in a patient to monitor one or more physiological parameters of the patient and/or deliver therapy to suppress one or more symptoms of the patient. For example, an IMD may include a cardiac monitor, be configured to deliver cardiac pacing or another electrical therapy to the patient, and/or be configured to terminate tachyarrhythmia by delivery of high energy shocks. A clinician or patient may use an external device to retrieve information collected by the IMD and/or to configure or adjust one or more parameters of the monitoring and/or therapy provided by the IMD. Typically, the external device connects to the IMD via a wireless connection. In some examples, a wireless connection is established between the external device and the IMD using a Bluetooth® wireless protocol. In such an example, the external device is treated as a central device, and one or more IMDs are treated as peripheral devices.
In some examples, communications between an external device (e.g., a medical device programmer or data acquisition device) and an IMD (e.g., a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a neurostimulator, a cardiac monitor, or a drug pump, as examples) may be encrypted to secure sensitive information such as collected patient data or programming instructions that at least partially define the operation of an IMD. Secure communication involving medical devices may involve an encryption scheme known to both the external device and the IMD. For example, both the external device and the IMD may utilize a stored encryption key to encrypt and/or decrypt some or all information transmitted between the devices.

Establishing a secure communication link


A zener diode is formed in a spacer, which adhered on the semiconductor substrate so as to surround an image sensor, by semiconductor process. A first contact terminal is connected to a CCD output terminal of the image sensor, and a second contact terminal is connected to a ZD ground terminal on the semiconductor substrate. When the ZD ground terminal is connected to ground, the zener diode is actuated. Capacitance components of the zener diode smoothes a waveform of the CCD output so as to prevent an unnecessary radiation noise from generating.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement of a solid state imaging device of a wafer-level chip size package type.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
A digital camera and a digital video camera with use of a solid state imaging device such as a CCD, a CMOS, and the like is in widespread use. A conventional solid state imaging device has a structure where an image sensor chip which is a semiconductor substrate is contained in a package and is sealed by a transparent glass rid. Because of increasing demand for a mobile phone or the like with the image-taking function, the solid state imaging device is required to be smaller.
As a packaging method to make the solid state imaging device smaller, a wafer-level chip size packaging (hereinafter WLCSP) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,483,179. In the WLCSP, a semiconductor device package is obtained by dicing the wafer after packaging is completed in a semiconductor wafer process. A solid state imaging device manufactured by the WLCSP can largely reduce its size in comparison with the conventional solid state imaging device manufactured by the ceramic packaging.
It is known that unnecessary radiation noise (EMI) emitted from the solid state imaging device adversely affect adjacent electronic devices. For example, in the CCD, the unnecessary radiation noise is caused by a horizontal transfer pulse and a reset signal both running at high clock rate, and a CCD-RAW signal synchronizing with the horizontal transfer pulse. To prevent the generation of the unnecessary radiation noise, the solid state imaging devices are covered with shields, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications No.05-329100 and No.05-056916.
In addition, conventionally, a zener diode is connected to a CCD output terminal of the solid state imaging device such that capacitance components of the zener diode smoothes the output waveform, to prevent the generation of the unnecessary radiation noise.
However, because the solid state imaging device of the WLCSP type is very small, it is difficult to cover the solid state imaging device without blocking the use area of the image sensor. Further, the merit of being small is spoiled if the solid state imaging device of the WLCSP type is covered with the shield. In addition, the zener diode is required to position as near to the solid state imaging device as possible, because the effect of preventing the unnecessary radiation noise becomes better when the zener diode connects to the solid state imaging device at the position closer to the solid state imaging device.


Transmitter-directed transmission security is provided between a transmit node and a receive node. The transmit node selects transmission format for each data frame based on a transmission security scenario. Information related to the transmission format is communicated between the transmit node and the receive node, and the data frames are transmitted over a wireless communication link using the selected transmission formats.

Wireless communications is becoming increasingly important, with wireless systems finding their way into every growing numbers of applications. One consideration in wireless systems is security, and wireless systems can be vulnerable to eavesdroppers and intentional interferers (jammers). Protecting the information transmitted through wireless link is often an important consideration. Other aspects of a wireless communication link can also be important to protect from exploitation. For example, traffic analysis of a wireless communication network may help an adversary to determine what functions different nodes in a network are providing without requiring the adversary to actually decode the content of messages within the network. Radio emissions from a wireless communications link may be used to locate or home in on the node making the emissions. An adversary may also attempt to interfere with (jam) communications links.
In general, communications security (COMSEC) encompasses measures and controls taken to deny unauthorized persons information derived from telecommunications and to ensure the authenticity of such telecommunications. COMSEC can be broken into a number of differing, although overlapping, aspects: cryptosecurity, transmission security, emission security, traffic-flow security, and physical security. Cryptosecurity encompasses protecting the information that is communicated (e.g. data) and typically involves the use of cryptosystems to ensure message confidentiality and authenticity. Emission security (EMSEC) encompasses measures taken to deny unauthorized persons information of value, which might be derived from intercept and analysis of compromising emanations from crypto-equipment, automated information systems (computers), and telecommunications systems. For the purposes of the present discussion, we considered EMSEC to refer to unintentional emissions. In contrast, transmission security (TRANSEC) is the application of measures designed to protect intentional transmissions from interception and exploitation by means other than cryptanalysis. Finally, traffic-flow security includes measures that conceal the presence and properties of valid messages on a network. Finally, physical security encompasses physical measures taken to safeguard equipment, material, and documents from access thereto or observation thereof by unauthorized persons.
Turning to transmission security, TRANSEC has traditionally involved using spread spectrum techniques, such as frequency hopping and direct sequence. Benefits of spread spectrum include spreading the transmission energy over a wider bandwidth, making the signal harder to detect and jam. The frequency-hopping pattern or direct sequence code is typically derived using a pseudorandom sequence. On one hand, the pseudorandom sequence must usually be known by intended receivers to allow the intended receivers to synchronize to the signal. On the other hand, the pseudorandom sequence must be kept secret from would-be interceptors, or many of the benefits of spread spectrum are lost. Thus, traditional wireless networks using spread spectrum typically include a key distribution scheme to allow the spreading sequence keys to be distributed through the network. This key distribution can be cumbersome. Some system use predefined fixed keys to avoid the need for key distribution, but this can make the system vulnerable, as if the key is ever divulged the security is lost.
Another difficulty with spread spectrum systems is that synchronization can be difficult. In order for the receiver to detect the signal in frequency hopping systems, it is necessary for the receiver to frequency hop in synchronization with the transmitter. Thus, the receiver must synchronize to the timing of the transmitter, taking into account any differences in timing that are introduced by propagation delay between the transmitter and the receiver. In direct sequence systems, the receiver must generate a local spread sequence that is time synchronized with that of the transmitter to allow the spreading sequence to be removed. Many different schemes, including the use of external time synchronization sources, preamble sequences, and pilot channels have been developed to address this challenge. Nonetheless, the synchronization requirements often add considerable complexity to a spread spectrum system as compared to more conventional non-spread spectrum systems. Because of this complexity, spread spectrum systems typically use predefined chipping or hopping rates and thus cannot vary the spread spectrum encoding to adapt to varying requirements or changing conditions. Moreover, existing spread spectrum systems are typically designed to address one TRANSEC threat (e.g., jamming) and do not necessarily perform well when faced with a different type of TRANSEC threat (e.g., geolocation).

Transmitter-directed security for wireless-communications


Provided are a recording device, a recording method and a program capable of recording a plurality of types of data files and reproducing, even when data recording is interrupted, data that have been recorded before the interruption. The recording device includes a recording medium control unit 170 for controlling recording and reproduction of data on a recording medium 150 including a data area in which data rows can be recorded as files and a specific area in which management information for the files can be recorded, and a recording control unit 110 for time-divisionally recording, through the recording medium control unit 170, a first data row as a first file and a second data as a second file. The recording control unit 110 reserves an area in the data area and records the first data row in the reserved area in sequence, and when switching from the first data row to the second data row for recording, the recording control unit 110 rewrites the management information corresponding to the end of the first file recorded in the reserved area immediately before the switching such that the first file ends at the end and records the second data row from a location subsequent to the end of the first file in the reserved area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording device for recording data files on a recording medium and a data file recording method and program.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, video data and audio data obtained by a digital camcorder, etc., is recorded on a recording medium, such as a flash memory, and is edited on a personal computer. In this case, each data needs to be recorded in a format conforming to a data format recognizable by the personal computer, and normally, a file system such as FAT (File Allocation Table) or UDF (Universal Disk Format) has been used. In these file systems, in addition to actual data such as video and audio, management information, such as actual data placement information, also is recorded on a recording medium.
For example, in the FAT file system, data is managed in blocks called clusters, and with regard to a file and a directory the file name, the date and time of creation, the file attribute, the file size, the starting cluster and the like can be acquired from information called a directory entry. Further, in a table called the FAT table for managing data placement, information used by the file, such as the locations and the sequence of clusters, is recorded.
Here, when recording a data row as a file in the FAT file system, the placement information in the FAT table needs to be updated every time actual data is recorded in clusters. However, frequent information updates could result in a reduction in the use life of the recording medium when one with limited rewrite cycles, such as a flash memory, is used. For this reason, the management information, such as the FAT table, generally is written on a recording medium at certain intervals after being stored in a memory to a certain extent.
However, when data recording is interrupted suddenly before the management information is recorded on the recording medium as a result of an interruption of power of a recording device or a removal of the recording medium, the placement of the data will be lost because the management information is not present in the medium. Thus, data corresponding to previously recorded management information can be referenced only as a file.
As a data recording method for preventing this problem, JP 2006-285327 A proposes the following method. At the time of initializing a recording medium, a digital data recording area of the recording medium is set as a single unrecorded area file with a chain of continuous clusters. And at the time of data recording, the data is recorded in the continuous cluster chain without recording the management information from beginning to end of the recording, and the amount of the recorded data is recorded in the recording area. Consequently, even when the power supply is interrupted during the data recording, it is possible to reference data up to the data in the cluster recorded immediately before the interruption.

Recording device, recording method and program


A driver for driving a display panel having a light emitting element includes a plurality of control pads, each of which is electrically connected to a control line of the display panel; and a plurality of power source pads, each of which is electrically connected to a power source line of the display panel and is larger in area than the control pad. The control pads and the power source pads are arranged in line and an order of arrangement of the control pads and the power source pads is symmetrical with respect to a direction of pad arrangement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driver for a display panel and an image display apparatus that employ an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and more particularly to a driver for a display panel and an image display apparatus that can prevent generation of uneven luminance and allow space saving.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with the growing popularity of mobile computing, demand for flat-type displays is increasing. Commonly used flat-type display is a liquid crystal display, which however is not immune to problems such as a narrow viewing angle and unfavorable response characteristics.
In recent years, image displays employing OLEDs have attracted attentions as flat-type image displays with a wide viewing angle and good response characteristics. The OLED recombines positive holes and electrons injected into a light emitting layer to emit light.
Such conventional image display apparatus includes, for example, a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a signal line driving circuit that supplies a luminance signal described later via plural signal lines to the plurality of pixel circuits, and a scan line driving circuit that supplies a scanning signal to the pixel circuits for selection of a pixel circuit to which the luminance signal is to be supplied via plural scan lines.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a structure of a conventional image display apparatus. The image display apparatus shown in FIG. 8 includes an organic electroluminescent (EL) panel 1, a controller 2, a gate driver 3, a drain driver 4, and a common driver 5. A pixel circuit in the organic EL panel 1 is, as shown by an equivalent circuit diagram in FIG. 8, formed with an OLED 6, a driving transistor 7, a selecting transistor 8, and a capacitor Cp, and the pixel circuits are arranged like a matrix.
The OLED 6 is a light emitting device that emits light when a voltage equal to or higher than a level of a threshold is applied between an anode and a cathode. With the application of the voltage equal to or higher than the threshold between the anode and the cathode of the OLED 6, electric currents flow through an organic EL layer to make the OLED 6 emit light. The anode of the OLED 6 is connected to a common line CL provided for each row (i.e., horizontal direction in the drawing) of the organic EL panel 1.
The driving transistor 7 is formed from an n-channel thin film transistor (TFT). A gate of the driving transistor 7 is connected to a source of the selecting transistor 8. Further, a drain of the driving transistor 7 is connected to the cathode electrode of the OLED 6. Further, a source of the driving transistor 7 is connected to the ground (0V).
The driving transistor 7 serves to switch over an ON state and an OFF state of the power supplied to the OLED 6. The gate of the driving transistor 7 retains a driving signal supplied from the drain driver 4 described later.
The driving transistor 7 has characteristics that an on-resistance attains a sufficiently lower level than resistance of the OLED 6 (e.g., not more than one tenth), and an off resistance attains a sufficiently higher level than the resistance of the OLED 6 (e.g., not less than ten times) when a common signal is applied to the OLED 6 by the common driver 5 described later. Hence, when the driving transistor 7 is ON, most of the voltage output from the common driver 5 is divided and supplied to the OLED 6, whereby the OLED 6 emits light with substantially the same intensity regardless of the fluctuation in characteristics of the driving transistors 7.
On the other hand, when the driving transistor 7 is OFF, most of the voltage output from the common driver 5 is divided and supplied between the source and the drain of the driving transistor 7, and the OLED 6 does not receive a voltage of a level equal to or higher than the threshold, whereby the OLED 6 does not emit light.
The selecting transistor 8 is formed from an n-channel TFT. The gate of the selecting transistor 8 is connected to a gate line GL provided for each row (arranged along the horizontal direction in the drawing) in the organic EL panel 1, whereas the drain of the selecting transistor 8 is connected to a drain line DL provided for each column (arranged along the vertical direction in the drawing) in the organic EL panel 1. Further, the source of the selecting transistor 8 is connected to the gate of the driving transistor 7. The selecting transistor 8 serves to switch over between an ON state and an OFF state of the supply of the driving signal to the gate of the driving transistor 7 from the drain driver 4 described later.
The capacitor Cp retains the driving signal supplied from the drain driver 4 described later for at least one sub field time period. The driving signal retained by the capacitor Cp is used for switching over of the driving transistor 7 between ON and OFF. The capacitor Cp and the driving transistor 7 together form a switch to cause the OLED 6 to emit light.
The gate driver 3 outputs selection signals X1 to Xn according to a gate control signal GCONT supplied from the controller 2. Only one of the selection signals X1 to Xn is rendered active at one timing to select a gate line GL in the organic EL panel 1. Thus, the selection signal is supplied to the gate of the selecting transistor 8 connected to the selected gate line GL, whereby the selecting transistor 8 is turned ON.
The drain driver 4 includes a shift register, a latch circuit, and a level converter. In the shift register, one (i.e., a logic "high") is set as an initial bit in response to a start signal contained in a drain control signal DCONT supplied from the controller 2, and the bit shift occurs at every receipt of a shift signal in the drain control signal DCONT.
The latch circuit is formed from plural latch circuits of the number corresponding to the number of the bits of the shift register. A latch circuit, which corresponds to the bit to which "one" is set in the shift register, latches a light emission signal IMG supplied from the controller 2. When the light emission signals IMG for one row in one subfield are latched in the latch circuit, in response to a switching signal in the drain control signal DCONT, the latched light emission signals IMG are shifted and latched by the latch circuit in the next stage. Then, the latch circuit continues to latch the light emission signals IMG for the next row.
The level converter outputs driving signals Y1 to Yn of a predetermined voltage corresponding to the light emission signals IMG latched by the latch circuit to the drain lines DL of the organic EL panel 1 according to an output enable signal in the drain control signal DCONT. Each of the driving signals Y1 to Yn supplied from the level converter is accumulated on the gate of the driving transistor 7 and turns the driving transistor 7 ON.
The common driver 5 generates common signals Z1 to Zn to be applied to the anode electrodes of the OLED 6 based on a common control signal CCONT supplied from the controller 2. Each of the common signals Z1 to Zn takes one of two values, i.e., ON or OFF, and is applied to the anode electrodes of the OLED 6 of each row via the common line CL. Thus applied ON voltage is sufficiently higher than the level of the threshold voltage of the OLED 6.
Here, the common signals Z1 to Zn are power source voltages supplied to the OLED 6 and have a higher level than the voltage levels of the selection signals X1 to Xn and the driving signals Y1 to Yn. Hence, if the lines are to be identified according to the voltage levels thereof, the common line CL can be labeled as a power source line, whereas the gate line GL and the drain line DL are labeled as control lines.
When the driving transistor 7 is ON, a voltage of a level to cause saturation of the emission luminance of the OLED 6 is applied between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode of the OLED 6. On the other hand, when the driving transistor 7 is OFF, the voltage to be applied between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode of the OLED 6 attains a lower level than the threshold voltage of the OLED 6 since most of the voltages of the common signals Z1 to Zn are divided and supplied to the driving transistors 7.
Here, plural pads (corresponding to terminals) are provided for the gate lines GL, the drain lines DL, and the common lines CL in the gate driver 3, the drain driver 4, and the common driver 5, respectively. Each pad is electrically connected to the corresponding gate line GL, drain line DL, or common line CL.
Further, an amount of electric current flowing through the common line CL which serves as the power source line is larger than the amount of electric current flowing through the gate line GL or the drain line DL that serve as the control lines. Hence, the pad for the common driver 5 (i.e., the pad connected to the power source line) needs to be larger in area than the pad for the gate driver 3 or the drain driver 4 (i.e., the pad connected to the control line) to ease the influence of the large electric current.
Such conventional device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-333641.
In the conventional image display apparatus, however, together with the increase in the size of the organic EL panel 1, the wirings such as the common line CL, the gate line GL, and the drain line DL become longer to increase the wiring resistance. In particular, since the voltage level of the common signals Z1 to Zn is relatively high compared with signals supplied via the gate line GL and the drain line DL, the voltage drop in the common line CL which serves as the power source line is more significant than in other lines. Hence, in the conventional image display apparatus, voltages supplied to the OLED 6 (i.e., the voltage levels of the common signals) varies significantly according to the difference in the length of the common lines CL from the common driver 5 (i.e., the difference in the amount of voltage drop), thereby causing the unevenness in luminance.
If the OLED 6 is located in the vicinity of the common driver 5, the common line CL extending from the common driver 5 to the OLED 6 is short in length. Then, the voltage drop along the common line CL is small and a predetermined voltage can be supplied to the OLED 6, resulting in the emission of light with a predetermined luminance. On the other hand, if the OLED 6 is far from the common driver 5, the common line CL extending from the common driver 5 to the OLED 6 is long in length. Then, the voltage drop is large and only a low level voltage is supplied to the OLED 6, resulting in light emission with a decreased luminance.
In addition, in the conventional image display apparatus, three drivers are separately arranged, i.e., the gate driver and the drain driver 4 that are related with the control lines (the gate line GL and the drain line DL), and the common driver 5 which is related with the power source line (the common line CL). Thus, requirement of space saving is hardly satisfied.

Driver for display panel and image display apparatus


The invention concerns a connection device for a centrifugal separator having a rotor (2) in a casing (1) and a tubular member (7) attached to the casing and forming an inlet passage for media supply into the rotor (2) and an outlet passage (9, 10) for media discharge therefrom. The connection device includes a connection unit (15) forming a first channel (20) connectable to a first one of the passages (8) and a second channel (21) connectable to a second one of the passages (9). The unit (15) forms a recess (16) to receive the tubular member (7) in such a manner that an end portion of the tubular member projects therefrom. Moreover, the unit (15) is releasably mounted in one single piece onto the tubular member (7). A locking member (19) engages the end portion to press the unit (15) axially against the casing to a determined position in relation to the tubular member.

The present invention refers to a connection device for a centrifugal separator having a rotor, provided in a stationary casing to rotate about an axis, and a tubular member fixedly attached to the casing and forming at least one inlet passage for the supply of media into the interior of the rotor and at least one outlet passage for the discharge of media from the interior of the rotor, the connection device comprising a connection unit forming a first connection channel arranged to be sealingly connected to a first of said passages and a second connection channel arranged to be sealingly connected to a second of said passages, wherein the connection unit forms a recess, extending through the unit and arranged to receive the tubular member in such a manner that an end portion of the tubular member projects from the unit, and wherein the connection unit is arranged to be releasably mounted in one single piece onto the tubular member.
Such connection devices for centrifugal separators are known, in which the connection channels are formed by separate conduit members provided onto the inlet and outlet passages of the centrifugal separator, i.e. the connection devices of conventional type comprise for each passage a conduit member which is releasably mounted. Consequently, when the conduit members are to be dismounted from their respective passage, which, for instance, is necessary in connection with cleaning and service of said inlet and outlet passages and of the interior of the centrifugal separator, each of the conduit members is to be removed separately and a plurality of components are to be released. Thus, by such an arrangement the mounting and the dismounting of the connection device are time consuming and require a great amount of work.
Another known connection device for a centrifugal separator comprises a unit having connection channels for the supply and the discharge of media. The unit is fixedly attached to a stationary casing by means of a number of screw bolts. Through the unit, an inlet pipe extends, which is threaded to a paring disk provided in the centrifugal separator and tightened to the unit. In order to enable dismounting of the unit, it is firstly necessary to unthread and remove she inlet pipe.
CH-A-284 862 discloses a connection device or a centrifugal separator having a rotor provided in a stationary casing and a tubular member attached to the casing and forming an inlet passage for the supply of media into the interior of the rotor and two outlet passages for the discharge of media from the interior of the rotor. The connection device comprises a connection piece having a first connection channel arranged to be connected to said inlet passage and second connection channels arranged to be connected to said outlet passages. The connection piece forms a recess extending through the unit to receive the tubular member. The piece is arranged to be clamped to the tubular member in a radial direction.

Connection device for a centrifugal separator


A paper currency receiving device includes a body and two wheel assembly modules. The body has two opposed sides each, having an opening that communicates an interior of the body with outside. The body further has a bill-receiving opening in a front side thereof. The wheel assembly modules are respectively, detachably mounted to the openings of the body. Each wheel assembly module includes a plate and a wheel assembly mounted on an inner side of the plate. The wheel assembly includes a plurality of wheels and a belt mounted around the belt. The wheel assemblies feed a bill inserted into the bill-receiving opening into the interior of the body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a paper currency receiving device for receiving paper currency. In particular, the present invention relates to a paper currency receiving device having two wheel assembly modules that can be easily detached for easy maintenance of the wheel assemblies.
2. Description of the Related Art
A paper currency receiving device is widely used in e.g., vending machines and automated-teller machines. The paper currency receiving device includes two wheel assemblies. When a bill (or note) is inserted into a slot of the paper currency receiving device, the wheel assemblies fed the bill into an interior of the paper currency receiving device by means of friction. The belt of each wheel assembly is apt to be dirtied or even damaged by alien articles stuck on the bill. Further, the belt of each wheel assembly becomes loosened after a period of time and thus causes malfunction. Thus, the belt must be periodically cleaned or replaced to ensure smooth operation of the paper currency receiving device. However, a worker must dismantle the whole paper currency receiving device for maintenance. It is, therefore, an unfulfilled need in a paper currency receiving device that allows easy maintenance of the wheel assemblies.
An object of the present invention is to provide a paper currency receiving device having two wheel assembly modules that can be easily detached for easy maintenance of the wheel assemblies.
A paper currency receiving device in accordance with the present invention includes a body and two wheel assembly modules. The body has two opposed sides each having an opening that communicates an interior of the body with outside. The body further has a bill-receiving opening in a front side thereof. The wheel assembly modules are respectively, detachably mounted to the openings of the body. Each wheel assembly module includes a plate and a wheel assembly mounted on an inner side of the plate. The wheel assembly includes a plurality of wheels and a belt mounted around the belt. The wheel assemblies feed a bill inserted into the bill-receiving opening into the interior of the body. The wheel assembly modules 4 of the paper currency receiving device in accordance with the present invention can be easily detached from the body 2 of the paper currency receiving device for maintenance when desired. Thus, the wheel assembly 4 including the belt 41 can be cleaned or replaced when necessary. The risk of malfunction is thus reduced.

Paper currency receiving device with detachable wheel assembly modules


Catalyzed atomic layer deposition from a reduced number of precursors is described. A deposition precursor contains silicon, oxygen and a catalytic ligand. A hydroxyl-terminated substrate is exposed to the deposition precursor to form a silicon bridge bond between two surface-bound oxygens. The surface-bound oxygens were part of two surface-bound hydroxyl groups and the adsorption of the deposition precursor liberates the hydrogens. The silicon atom is also chemically-bound to one or two additional oxygen atoms which were already chemically-bound to the silicon within a same deposition precursor molecule. At least one of the additional oxygen atoms is further chemically-bound to the catalytic ligand either directly or by way of a hydrocarbon chain. Further exposure of the substrate to moisture (H2O) results in displacement of the additional oxygen which are replaced by hydroxyl groups from the moisture. The surface is again hydroxyl-terminated and the process may be repeated. The catalytic nature of the reaction enables the deposition to occur at low substrate temperatures. The chemically-embedded nature of the catalyst increases the deposition per cycle thereby reducing the number of precursor exposures to grow a film of the same thickness.

Silicon oxide dielectric films form resilient interfaces with silicon and provide high dielectric strength and a relatively low dielectric constant. These traits result in heavy use of silicon oxide for insulating electrically active features from one another. Two conventional methods for depositing a silicon oxide film include: (1) oxidation process wherein silicon is oxidized at relatively high temperatures (e.g., sometimes more than 1000° C.); and (2) a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process wherein the silicon and oxygen sources are introduced into a chamber and exposed to energy (e.g., heat) to form a silicon oxide film. Silicon oxide CVD processes typically occur at temperatures ranging from 600° C. to 800° C. or below 450° C. depending on the application. While satisfactory for larger integrated circuit linewidths, these methods can cause diffusion at interfaces due to the high deposition temperature, thereby degrading electrical characteristics of miniature electrical devices.
In addition to lower substrate temperatures, thin films used in semiconductor devices will increasingly require atomic layer control during deposition due to the decreasing linewidths. These thin films will also be required to have excellent step coverage and conformality. To satisfy the requirements, atomic layer deposition (ALD) process have gained traction in semiconductor manufacturing.
ALD silicon oxide films have been deposited at a temperature of more than 600K via the atomic layer deposition process using SiCl4 and H2O sources. In this exemplary prior art process, a SiCl4 source is provided in a substrate processing region containing a substrate having hydroxyl groups (—OH) on its surface. The SiCl4 source reacts with the hydroxyl group in this first deposition step, and —SiCl3 is adsorbed on the surface of the substrate, HCl by-products are formed. When the reaction of SiCl4 with the hydroxyl group is essentially complete, a monolayer of Si has been added to the surface of the substrate. Further exposure to SiCl4 results in insignificant additional deposition. Such a reaction is referred to as self-limiting. At this point, the surface of the substrate is terminated with —SiCl3 surface chemical species.
An H2O source is then flowed into the substrate processing region. H2O reacts with the —SiCl3 surface chemical species to generate adsorption of the hydroxyl group thereto and HCl by-products. A monolayer of oxygen has now been added on top of the previously deposited monolayer of silicon. This second deposition step is also self-limiting; further exposure to H2O results in little additional deposition. These two deposition steps may be repeated to deposit a silicon oxide film having a desired thickness. This prior art deposition method is limited to relatively high substrate temperature and low growth rates.
A catalyst, e.g. pyridine, may be introduced sequentially, following exposure of the surface to the silicon source described above in order to facilitate deposition at lower substrate temperatures. ALD has been performed in this way at substrate temperatures below 200° C. Introducing an additional step, however, further reduces the already low deposition rate. Concurrent exposure to multiple deposition precursors does not significantly address the low growth and sacrifices the atomic layer control desired for most ALD processes. Furthermore, the presence of chlorine and ammonia in the effluents produces undesirable salts which can incorporate into the depositing film in addition to requiring specialized deposition chamber cleaning procedures. Alternative silicon precursors which do not contain chlorine address the production of undesirable salts but do not address the low growth rates.
Thus, there remains a need for new atomic layer deposition processes and materials to form relatively pure dielectric materials at low temperatures but increased growth rates. This and other needs are addressed in the present application.

Embedded catalyst for atomic layer deposition of silicon oxide


Implementations of a method for determining a degree of dirtiness of a cutting tool that is driven in a back and forth motion by an electric motor include evaluating a parameter that corresponds to the motion of the cutting tool and that is used for controlling the electric motor. The degree of dirtiness is determined based on the parameter.

EP 0908278 B1 discloses a method for determining the quantity of clippings produced by an electrically driven cutting tool, wherein this determination is based on the notion that the current consumption of a d.c. motor driving the cutting tool is subjected to fluctuations that are caused by the individual cutting processes. These current fluctuations are measured, evaluated and used as a measure for the quantity of the produced clippings. If this method is realized in a hair cutting device, an indicating device is also activated after a certain reference value for the quantity of the produced clippings is reached in order to inform the user of the necessity to clean the hair cutting device.
DE 10229319 A1 discloses a method for controlling an oscillating electric motor that serves, for example, for driving an electric razor or an electric toothbrush. In this method, a coil of the electric motor is supplied with an electric current at a certain point in time in order to realize a magnetic field that originates from a first motor component and acts upon a second motor component in such a way that the second motor component carries out an oscillating movement relative to the first motor component. At the time, at which the coil is supplied with a current, at least one electric parameter of the coil is determined that is correlated with the state of motion of the first or the second motor component, for example, the voltage applied to the coil and/or the current flowing through the coil and/or the change of the current flowing through the coil as a function of the time. The future current supply to the coil, i.e., the control of the oscillating electric motor, takes place in dependence on the determined parameter(s). In addition, DE 10229319 A1 describes how the oscillation frequency and the oscillation amplitude of the motor components can be determined.

Determining degree of dirtiness of electrically driven cutting tools


The present invention refer to an optical device and data collecting system, more specifically to a system for collecting and analyzing the response of optical sensors, which use may be extended to a large number of devices and equipments with the purpose of analyzing objects in accordance with light reflected or generated thereby. The invention distinguishes from the prior art by having an extremely simple configuration which allows for the determination of specific features such as size, shape, color and speed among others, thus replacing conventional systems which, besides being expensive and complex, do not provide for a large assortment of information and are susceptible to errors and changes in view of environmental conditions.

The present invention distinguishes from the prior art mainly by incorporating an extremely simple configuration that determines specific features such as size, shape, color and speed, among others, and replaces conventional systems which, besides being expensive and complex, do not provide for a large assortment of information and are susceptible to errors and changes in view of the environmental conditions, such as temperature, dust and the like.
The optical systems used for collecting data from several objects, which usually incorporate sophisticated optical devices such as lenses, optical fiber parts, prisms, and mirrors are well known.
In addition to their complexity, which hinders the best performance of such optical devices, attention should be paid to the behavior of a number of such optical sensors which change their response according to time and temperature, thus bringing about misadjustments in measuring systems.
Still with reference to the conventional systems, it should be pointed out that some of them convert DC signals into AC signals in order to analyze objects. However, at the time DC level is eliminated, too much noise is incorporated and the signal is distorted mainly when the signals occur at very short time intervals or the objects are very big.
The optical device and data collecting system according to the present invention avoids all the above cited inconveniences of the state of the art and may be used with great accuracy in devices that separate parts according to the color, size and shape thereof; in processes for controlling the quality of parts in bulk; in systems for controlling the production of continuous articles (textiles, wires, cables and the like); in processes for controlling pollution; in the continuous control of the density of fluids; in biological analyzers; in the control of fluids; in colorimeters, temperature meters and the like.
Generally, the objects being analyzed may be part made of different materials (metals, plastics, minerals); grains and seeds (coffee, peanuts, soy-bean, corn, bean, rice, almonds); smooth articles such as paper, vegetable leaves; fruit in general; articles for industrial or pharmaceutical use; continuously manufactured products; fluids and many others.
In general, the system is comprised of a light-responsive element, a system for lighting the focused object, a groove for restricting and/or regulating the incoming light, an electronic amplification system, an electronic digitation system, a microprocessor and a program for processing incoming information, as well as internal and external devices for the storage, control, alarm, rejection, positioning, count and transfer of data.
In practical terms, the application of the collecting and analyzing system in the device of the present invention comprises the pick-up by an optical sensor matching the wave length of electromagnetic waves reflected or emitted by the observed object. In the most common instance, the optical sensor may be a photocell, a photodiode, a photoresistor, a photomultiplier or a phototransistor. The response of the optical sensor is turned into a voltage response by means of a suitable converting circuit and amplifier.
As stated above, if required, a light source lights the object to be analyzed and there might be a change in the lighting angle as well as in the type of wave used, to be exemplified below.
The signal generated by the sensor is amplified and digitized so that a software program may analyze the signals and get the required information, based on which different means such as those below may be activated; alarm, rejection, positioning, transfer of data, printing, marking, activation or deactivation of equipment and others.
In a more comprehensive aspect, it should be appreciated that the invention is provided with data input devices for changing the functions and criteria used in the operation of the system; also, the device is able to communicate with other computerized systems such as personal computers and the like.
In its preferred physical embodiment, the invention comprises a small case provided with display and keyboard to which are connected signal and electric power source cables that connect the sensors (one or more).
Technically, it is known that optical sensors have two components, viz: own noise or dark current (electric current which flows whenever the sensor is in the dark), and response to the light received by the sensor.
The new system proposed in the present invention converts and amplifies into a voltage signal the sensor response by means of a proper circuit, this direct current signal being processed by special circuits in such a way that inconveniences brought about by sensors, such as temporary misadjustments or in view of environmental conditions, may be eliminated.
Another feature of the present system is that it may be used whether there is or not a relative movement between the object being analyzed and the optical sensor. The relative movement may be of the linear or circular type, or a combination of both.
The sensor may be fixed, in which case the object performs a linear movement over a conveyor belt, or falls freely; there may also be a combination of linear and rotatory movements when the sensor performs a reciprocating movement reaching a larger area; in the event the circular movement is combined with the linear movement, the sensor being within a tube at a set speed, the area under observation comprises an helix.

Optical device and data collection system

Caixa Postal 379-Ribeirao Preto-Sao Paulo


A tumor marker comprising diacetylspermine, and a method of evaluating the state of a tumor, comprising reacting an antibody to diacetylspermine with a biological sample to thereby detect diacetylspermine and evaluating the state of the tumor using the obtained detection results as an indicator.

Polyamine is a general term for those alkylamines with two or more amino groups. There are four types of polyamines [putrescine (H2N(CH2)4NH2), cadaverine (H2N(CH2)5NH2), spermidine (H2N(CH2)4NH(CH2)3NH2) and spermine (H2N(CH2)3NH(CH2)4NH(CH2)3NH2)] and acetylated forms thereof in the human body.
Relatively recently, it was found that two types of diacetylpolyamines [N1,N8-diacetylspermidine (hereinafter expressed as "DiAcSpd") and N1,N12-diacetylspermine (hereinafter expressed as "DiAcSpm")] are excreted in urine though very small in quantities. While these components occupy only 1.4% and 0.6% of the total polyamine, respectively, in the urine of healthy persons, the ratios of these components remarkably increase in the urine of cancer patients as compared to other polyamine components. Further, it has been shown that these components have other characteristics of tumor markers (Sugimoto, M. et al., J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol., 121, 317-319 (1995); Hiramatsu, K. et al., J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol., 123, 539-545 (1997)).
Initially, DiAcSpd and DiAcSpm were quantitatively determined by a method which was a combination of a fractionation system by HPLC and a detection system using enzyme (Hiramatsu, K. et al., J. Biochem., 117, 107-112 (1995)). However, more simple measuring methods have been developed. In particular, with respect to the measurement of DiAcSpm, an ELISA method using a specific antibody was developed recently (Hiramatsu, K. et al., J. Biochem., 124, 231-236 (1998)). However, preparation of a kit containing an ELISA measuring system has not been achieved yet.
Techniques for measuring DiAcSpm by immunoassay have also been developed (Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H11-75839; Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2000-74917), but they have room for improvement in terms of measurement sensitivity and cross-reactivity.
It is well known that metabolism of polyamines are activated in association with cell proliferation. In fact, polyamine contents tend to increase in various cancer tissues as compared to normal tissues. Since any of these polyamines is contained abundantly in actively proliferating tissues and is excreted in large quantity in the urine of cancer patients as compared to the urine of healthy persons, they are evaluated as tumor markers. A kit which is capable of measuring the total polyamine content easily by an enzymatic determination method without discriminating acetylated polyamines and free polyamines in urine and without discriminating the four types of polyamines in urine has already been commercialized (Labo-Search PolyamineAuto; AIT Corporation). This kit is used as one of clinical test methods. However, with respect to urinary total polyamine, it has become clear that a relatively large number of false negative results are found in malignant tumor patients and that total polyamine significantly increases in association with not only malignant tumors but also with various diseases and conditions such as inflammatory diseases, cardiac infarction, cirrhosis, process of curing of wounds, etc. Thus, it is considered that total polyamine cannot be evaluated as a marker specific to malignant tumors (Shunichiro Kubota, NIPPON-RINSHO (Japan Clinical Medicine) 53, Special Issue, pp. 501-505 (1995)). On the other hand, researchers are now revealing that some of the problems total polyamine has can be avoided by measuring diacetylpolyamines (DiAcSpd and DiAcSpm) discretely (Sugimoto, M. et al., J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol., 121, 317-319 (1995)).

Method of detecting colorectal cancer of stages 0 to I

Tokyo Metropolitan Organization For Medical Research


Embodiments disclosed herein improve digital stethoscopes and their application and operation. A first method detects of a respiratory abnormality using a convolution. A second method counts coughs for a patient. A third method predicts a respiratory event based on a detected trend. A fourth method forecasts characteristics of a future respiratory event. In a fifth embodiment, a base station is provided for a digital stethoscope.

Respiratory illnesses such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, emphysema, and pneumonia affect many individuals. The ability to quickly detect and forecast the onset of these conditions, including possible life threatening events associated with these conditions, is of vital importance to those affected. Generally, diagnosis of these respiratory illnesses involves a doctor that listens to patient's breathing using a stethoscope. A stethoscope is an acoustic medical device for auscultation. It typically has a small disc-shaped resonator that is placed against the skin, and a tube connected to two earpieces. However, these traditional stethoscopes are prone to error and require a doctor to be present and to make the diagnosis. The need for a doctor makes daily monitoring for these conditions impractical.
A number of patents and applications have been filed that attempt to deal with these issues. U.S. Pat. No. 9,848,848 describes a digital stethoscope that uses a number of audio filters to control noise and reduce the possibility of error. U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2018/0317876 describes using a classification system, such as a binary support vector machine, to distinguish between those noises that are normal from those that are abnormal.
However, a number of limitations still exist in the art. For example, there is a need to improve real-time performance of the classification algorithm to allow it to be executed in real time and locally on a device that exists at the patient's home. There may be a need to improve the ability to forecast future respiratory future respiratory events. There may be a need to catalog data collected from in-home stethoscopes, while protecting a patient's privacy interest. Currently, a classification system may be able to predict whether a noise is normal or abnormal, but cannot predict a severity of a future respiratory event or the characteristics of that respiratory event. Methods, devices, and systems are needed to address these issues.

Digital stethoscope for counting coughs, and applications thereof


A tilt release system for releasing a locking mechanism operable to retain a tiltable end portion of an elongated steering column of an automotive vehicle in angularly adjusted position including a shroud is provided on the tiltable end portion of the steering column. A bracket is mounted on the inside of the shroud. A lever is pivoted on the bracket and projects outwardly through a hole in a side wall of the shroud. The lever can be rotated by a left hand finger of an operator seated behind the steering column. A recess in the rear wall of the shroud provides a reaction surface adjacent to the lever against which the thumb of the operator may be placed while rotating the lever with the finger. There is a connection between the lever and the locking mechanism to release the locking mechanism when the lever is rotated.

A tilt steering column allows an operator of a vehicle to adjust the height and angle of the steering wheel depending on the operator's stature, seat position and comfort. Typically, the steering wheel can be moved to an uppermost position to allow the operator or driver to get in and out of the driver's seat more easily.
A locking mechanism is provided for retaining the steering column in an adjusted position. The locking mechanism must be released to adjust the steering column. Typically, the locking mechanism is released by actuation of a lever by a hand of the driver. Usually this involves a rearward movement of the lever by the left hand. Actuation of the lever is not particularly difficult, but repeated actuation can place a strain on the wrist. A tilt release system is needed which improves ergonomics and minimizes the possibility of wrist strain.

Tilt release system for a steering column


A photoconductor that includes a backing layer, a supporting substrate thereover, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer of at least one charge transport component, and wherein the backing layer is in contact with the supporting substrate on the reverse side thereof, and the outermost layer of the backing layer is comprised of a polyurethane comprised of a dendritic polyester polyol and a polyisocyanate.

This disclosure is generally directed to photoreceptors, photoconductors, xerographic imaging members, and the like. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to multilayered drum, or flexible belt imaging members, or devices comprised of a first layer, a supporting medium like a substrate, a photogenerating layer, and a charge transport layer, including a plurality of charge transport layers, such as a first charge transport layer and a second charge transport layer, an optional adhesive layer, an optional hole blocking or undercoat layer, and an optional overcoat layer, and wherein the supporting substrate is situated between the first layer and the photogenerating layer. More specifically, the photoconductors disclosed, which in embodiments permit acceptable anticurl characteristics in combination with excellent conductivity, prolonged wear, surface slipperiness, and scratch resistant characteristics, contain a first backside coating layer or curl deterring backside coating layer (ACBC), and which layer is in contact with and contiguous to the reverse side of the supporting substrate, that is this side of the substrate that is not in contact with the photogenerating layer, and which first layer, or ACBC layer of the present disclosure, is comprised of a polyurethane, and optionally where the polyurethane can be deposited on a polymer layer, such as a polycarbonate.
The backside coating layer illustrated herein can be efficiently prepared, and in embodiments, the ACBC coating layer has excellent wear resistance, extended lifetimes, minimal dust and charge buildup, excellent bulk conductivity, possesses antistatic properties, acceptable surface resistivities, such as a surface resistivity of from about 107 to about 1010 ohm/sq., and permit the elimination or minimization of photoconductive imaging member belt ACBC scratches.
The ACBC layer of the present disclosure, in embodiments, possesses a slippery surface, thus the wear resistance of this layer is excellent, especially as compared to an ACBC layer without any polyurethane, or an ACBC layer containing a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Also, a coating dispersion containing the polyurethane component is stable for extended time periods; minimal agglomeration of the ACBC layer components is provided, thereby increasing the coating uniformity of this layer; and other advantages as illustrated herein for photoconductors with ACBC layers comprising a polyurethane component.
More specifically, there is disclosed a photoconductor that includes an ACBC layer comprised of self conducting polyurethane with, for example, a surface resistivity of from about 107 to about 1010 ohm/sq, and where the addition to the ACBC layer of conventional conductive components, such as carbon black, carbon nanotube, or metal oxide, are avoided, which polyurethane is comprised of a dendritic or branched polyester polyol and a polyisocyanate, and more specifically, a blocked polyisocyanate, or in embodiments a polyurethane ACBC layer formed by the reaction of a dendritic polyester polyol and a blocked polyisocyanate.
The disclosed polyurethane ACBC layer further comprises a siloxane component or a fluoro component, which co-crosslinks with the resin blend and provides the ACBC with slippery characteristics, and where slipperiness of the disclosed homogeneous ACBC layer can be adjusted by varying the amount of the siloxane or fluoro component selected.
In some instances, when a flexible layered photoconductor belt is mounted over a belt support module comprising various supporting rollers and backer bars present in a xerographic imaging apparatus, the anticurl or reduction in curl backside coating (ACBC), functioning under a normal xerographic machine operation condition, is repeatedly subjected to mechanical sliding contact against the apparatus backer bars and the belt support module rollers to thereby adversely impact the ACBC wear characteristics. Moreover, with a number of known prior art ACBC photoconductor layers formulated, the mechanical interactions against the belt support module components can decrease the lifetime of the photoconductor primarily because of wear and degradation after short time periods.
In embodiments, the photoconductors disclosed include an ACBC (anticurl backside coating) layer on the reverse side of the supporting substrate of a belt photoreceptor. The ACBC layer, which can be solution coated, for example, as a self-adhesive layer on the reverse side of the substrate of the photoconductor, comprises known suitable polyurethane components, such as commercially available polyurethanes, that, for example, substantially reduce surface contact friction, minimize or avoid curl, and prevent or minimize wear/scratch problems for the photoconductor. In embodiments, the mechanically robust ACBC layer of the present disclosure usually will not substantially reduce the layers thickness over extended time periods adversely affecting its anticurl ability for maintaining effective imaging member belt flatness while minimizing the formation of dirt and debris.
High surface contact friction of the backside coating against xerographic machines, such as printers, and its subsystems can cause the development of undesirable electrostatic charge buildup. In a number of instances, with devices, such as printers, the electrostatic charge builds up because of high contact friction between the anticurl backside coating and the backer bars which increases the frictional force to the point that it requires higher torque from the driving motor to pull the belt for effective cycling motion. In a full color electrophotographic apparatus using a 10-pitch photoreceptor belt, this electrostatic charge buildup can be high due to the large number of backer bars used in the machine. These and other disadvantages are minimized or avoided with the polyurethane containing photoconductors illustrated herein in embodiments.
Yet more specifically, there is desired an ACBC containing photoconductor with intrinsic properties that minimize or eliminate charge accumulation in the photoconductor without sacrificing other electrical properties and also possessing low surface energy characteristics. One known ACBC design can be designated as an insulating polymer coating containing additives, such as silica, PTFE or TEFLON®, in an attempt to reduce friction against backer plates and rollers, but these additives tend to charge up triboelectrically due to their rubbing against the plates resulting in an electrostatic drag force that adversely affects the process speed of the photoconductor.
Belt modules that incorporate sliding positioning supports like production xerographic printing machines generate a large amount of electric charge from the sliding contact that is discharged by the use of a somewhat costly combination of a carbon fiber brush and a bias power supply. Failure to discharge the ACBC layer produces an electrostatic attractive force between the photoreceptor and the support element which increases the normal force producing more drag which complicates photoreceptor belt removal, and can become large enough to stall or render inoperative the drive motor. In addition, the multiple points of sliding contact generate a significant quantity of fine polymer dust which coats the machine components and acts as a lubricant, reducing drive roller capacity. These and other related disadvantages are minimized in embodiments, with the ACBC containing photoconductors disclosed herein.
Also included within the scope of the present disclosure are methods of imaging and printing with the photoresponsive or photoconductor devices illustrated herein. These methods generally involve the formation of an electrostatic latent image on the imaging member, followed by developing the image with a toner composition comprised, for example, of thermoplastic resin, colorant, such as pigment, charge additive, and surface additive, reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,560,635; 4,298,697 and 4,338,390, the disclosures of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, subsequently transferring the toner image to a suitable image receiving substrate, and permanently affixing the image thereto. In those environments wherein the device is to be used in a printing mode, the imaging method involves the same operation with the exception that exposure can be accomplished with a laser device or image bar. More specifically, the flexible photoconductor belts disclosed herein can be selected for the Xerox Corporation iGEN® machines that generate with some versions over 100 copies per minute. Processes of imaging, especially xerographic imaging and printing, including digital and/or color printing, are thus encompassed by the present disclosure. The imaging members are, in embodiments, sensitive in the wavelength region of, for example, from about 400 to about 900 nanometers, and in particular from about 650 to about 850 nanometers, thus diode lasers can be selected as the light source. Moreover, the imaging members of this disclosure are useful in color xerographic applications, particularly high-speed color copying and printing processes.

Polyurethane anticurl backside coating (ACBC) photoconductors


A pulp feeder for used paper recycling apparatus being installed in a room of a small shop or the like, friendly to the environment, low in running cost, and capable of maintaining a high confidentiality is presented. The pulp feeder includes a partition member disposed slidably on the downside of a running endless mesh belt, and a paper making frame body disposed slidably on the upside of the mesh belt, and an overflow gate is provided in the paper making frame body for keeping constant the water level of the collected pulp suspension, and the pulp suspension supplied in the paper making frame body is collected up to a specific water level defined by the overflow gate, and is uniformly diffused and supplied on the upside of the running mesh belt. Accordingly, if the supply water volume of pulp suspension fluctuates, the water level of pulp suspension staying in the paper making frame body is always kept constant, and the weight of the wet paper manufactured on the mesh belt is stabilized.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a pulp feeder for used paper recycling apparatus, and more particularly to a pulp feeder for use in a used paper recycling apparatus of furniture size installed at the site of origin of used paper, for recycling and processing into reusable paper at the site without discarding the generated used paper, mainly having a paper making section for manufacturing wet paper from slurry pulp suspension.
2. Description of the Related Art
Used paper of various types occurs not only in government offices or private companies, but also in daily life or general household. Used paper is usually discarded, incinerated, or disposed as refuse.
On the other hand, in the global concern about effective use of limited resources on earth, various technologies have been developed to regenerate and reuse the used paper being disposed and discarded so far.
Such used paper recycling technologies are mostly installed in paper making industry, and the used paper recycling plant requires, like the ordinary paper making plant, a vast land, an immense investment, and a huge quantity of water and chemicals for the purpose of high speed and mass production and high quality of recycled paper.
For recycling of used paper, a tremendous manual labor is needed for collecting used paper, and used paper collection involves various problems, such as mixing of foreign matter by garbage collectors, defective classification due to lack of knowledge about used paper recycling, and entry of harmful objects, and if used paper is collected, in order to recycle by 100 percent, final checking by specialists and cleaning works are needed. On the other hand, confidential documents are not easily recycled and are mostly incinerated, and the recycling rate is low.
To solve these problems of used paper recycling, an effective method is the technology capable of recycling at the site of origin of used paper, and from such point of view, a new system is proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H6-134331.
This apparatus is a wet process shredder for shredding used paper into small pieces while adding a small mount of water, and shredded chips from the shredder are sent outside to a recycling plant, and used as material for recycled paper.
Shredded chips from the wet process shredder are deformed into pulp, and are not in the state of piece of paper, and a high confidentiality is guaranteed, and it is expected to promote recycling of confidential documents.
This wet process shredder is a giant machine installed in a wide space, and it can be used only in a large office, and it is not suited to small shop, private office or general household where the space is limited and quantity of used paper is small. If shredded chips may be used as material for recycled paper, processing is possible only in large recycling plant, and the recycling cost is high and it is not economical.

Pulp feeder for used paper recycling apparatus


The invention provides a rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp device which is long in life and high in brightness and efficiency. The lamp device comprises a rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp including a bulb having rare gas such as xenon, argon or krypton gas enclosed therein, a fluorescent layer formed on an inner face of the bulb, a reflecting film formed on an inner face of the fluorescent layer, and a pair of electrodes located at the opposite ends of the bulb. The lamp device further comprises a power source for applying a voltage across the electrodes, and pulse voltage forming means connected between the electrodes and the power source for forming a dc pulse voltage from a voltage supplied from the power source. The dc pulse voltage thus formed is applied across the electrodes to cause the lamp to be lit. The pulse frequency of the pulse voltage and the enclosed gas pressure are determined depending upon the rare gas employed, and particularly where dc rectangular pulses are used, the duty ratio is also determined depending upon the rare gas employed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp for use with an information device such as a facsimile, a copying machine or an image reader wherein fluorescent substance is excited to emit light by ultraviolet rays generated by rare gas discharge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, the performances of information terminal devices such as a facsimile, a copying machine and an image reader have been improved together with advancement of the information-oriented society, and the market of such information devices is rapidly expanding. In developing information devices of a higher performance, a light source unit for use with such information devices is required to have a higher performance as a key device thereof. Conventionally, halogen lamps and fluorescent lamps have been employed frequently as lamps for use with such light source units. However, since halogen lamps are comparatively low in efficiency, fluorescent lamps which are higher in efficiency are used principally in recent years.
However, while a fluorescent lamp is high in efficiency, it has a problem that characteristics thereof such as the fact that an optical output characteristic varies in accordance with a temperature since discharge from mercury vapor is utilized for emission of light. Therefore, when a fluorescent substance is used, either the temperature range in use is limited, or a heater is provided on a wall of a tube of the lamp in order to control the temperature of the lamp. However, development of fluorescent lamps having stabilized characteristics are demanded eagerly for diversification of locations for use and for improvement in performance of devices. From such background, a rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp which makes use of emission of light based on rare gas discharge and is free from a change in temperature characteristic is being developed as a light source for an information device.
FIGS. 19 and 20 show an exemplary conventional rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp devices which is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-58752, and wherein FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic representation showing a longitudinal section of a rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp and an entire construction of the device, and FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of the lamp. Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp of the device shown includes a bulb 1 in the form of an elongated hollow rod or tube which may be made of quartz or hard or soft glass. A fluorescent coating 2 is formed on an inner face of the bulb 1, and rare gas consisting at least one of xenon, krypton, argon, neon and helium gas is enclosed in the bulb 1. A pair of inner electrodes 3a and 3b having polarities opposite to each other are located at the opposite longitudinal end portions within the bulb 1. The inner electrodes 3a and 3b are individually connected to a pair of lead wires 4 which extend in an airtight condition through the opposite end walls of the bulb 1. An outer electrode 5 in the form of a belt is provided on an outer face of a side wall of the bulb 1 and extends in parallel to the axis of the bulb 1.
The inner electrodes 3a and 3b are connected by way of the lead wires 4 to a high frequency invertor 6 serving as a high frequency power generating device, and the high frequency invertor 6 is connected to a dc power source 7. The outer electrode 5 is connected to the high frequency invertor 6 such that it may have the same polarity as the inner electrode 3a.
Operation of the rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp device is described subsequently. With the rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp device having such a construction as described above, if a high frequency power is applied across the inner electrodes 3a and 3b by way of the high frequency invertor 6, then glow discharge will take place between the inner electrodes 3a and 3b. The glow discharge will excite the rare gas within the bulb 1 so that the rare gas will emit peculiar ultraviolet rays therefrom. The ultraviolet rays will excite the fluorescent coating 2 formed on the inner face of the bulb 1. Consequently, visible rays of light are emitted from the fluorescent coating 2 and discharged to the outside of the bulb 1.
Another rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-248050. The lamp employs such a hot cathode electrode as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-29931 in order to eliminate the drawback of a cold cathode rare gas discharge lamp that the starting voltage is comparatively high. The rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp can provide a comparatively high output power because its power load can be increased. However, it can attain only a considerably low efficiency and optical output as compared with a fluorescent lamp based on mercury vapor.
In summary, conventional rare gas discharge fluorescent lamps cannot attain a sufficiently high brightness or efficiency as compared with fluorescent lamps employing mercury vapor because fluorescent substance is excited to emit light by ultraviolet rays generated by rare gas discharge.

Rare gas discharge fluorescent lamp device


A vacuum cleaner comprising: a secured tube secured horizontally to the front surface of the main body of the cleaner and sucks in dust from the outside due to a motor in the main body; a pair of securing members which secure two ends of the secured tube to the main body and convey the sucked-in dust to a filter in the main body; and a suction tube which is rotatably provided on the outer circumferential surface of the secured tube and rolls along the surface to be cleaned, and in the cylindrical surface of which are formed dust-suction holes for sucking in dust. Because the suction tube in which the plurality of dust-suction holes are formed is rotatably provided on the outer circumferential surface of the secured tube, the suction tube continuously turns while cleaning bedding by pushing or pulling the main body, and thus the bedding is not sucked into the secured tube.

Vacuum cleaners, which are also called electric vacuums, use vacuum suction to remove dust from, e.g., a carpet laid on a floor. Vacuum cleaners can efficiently and thoroughly clean a large indoor space with a plug inserted in a wall outlet. After the cleaning, the vacuum cleaner is turned off, and the plug is pulled out. Then, a cover of a dust container is opened to remove collected dust.
Such a vacuum cleaner includes a suction port, a motor, a rotor, a filter, a dust collecting case, and a discharge port. An operation of a vacuum cleaner is as follows: a commutator motor rotates a rotor at 10,000 or greater rpm to form a vacuum in the vacuum cleaner, thereby suctioning a foreign substance such as dust through a suction port; and the suctioned foreign substance is filtered out by a filter, and air is discharged through a discharge port. Furthermore, such vacuum cleaners have a function of automatically winding a power cord. In addition, while the power cord is wound or unwound, a gear is operated to automatically remove dust from a filter. The suction port of vacuum cleaners is designed to be conveniently used according to service spaces.
Vacuum cleaners are classified into hand type ones, upright type ones, pot type ones, and cylinder floor type ones. Hand type vacuum cleaners are appropriate to remove dust from a desk, a shelf, or a suit. Upright type vacuum cleaners are lighter than hand type vacuum cleaners in terms of weight applied to a user's hand, and are thus appropriate to clean a floor, but dust collecting capacity thereof is small. Cylinder floor type vacuum cleaners have large dust collecting capacity, and are thus appropriate for home use. Cylinder floor type vacuum cleaners have a power consumption of about 600 W, and may be designed to significantly decrease motor noise.
When such a typical vacuum cleaner suctions, through the suction port, a foreign substance such as dust from flexible bedclothes such as a blanket, a portion of the bedclothes may be suctioned into the suction port, thus degrading cleaning efficiency.


Hybrid circuit structures and methods of fabrication which result in improved manufacturing yields and reliability in use are disclosed. The methods disclosed include methods of forming on the hybrid circuit substrate, a ground plane, bonding pads, and interconnects, which minimize the likelihood of forming catastrophic defects in various insulation layers during the manufacturing processing, which minimize the likelihood of damage to the bonding pads when bonding integrated circuit leads thereto, and which minimize the thermal stressing of a finished product due to the differential expansion between the various layers making up the same. Alternate methods and structures are disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of hybrid circuits, and more particularly to hybrid circuits for interconnecting unpackaged integrated circuits.
2. Prior Art
Hybrid circuits of various forms are well-known in the prior art. Such circuits have been generally used for the high density packaging of active and passive devices, more recently integrated circuits, discreet components and the like in a high density configuration. The densities that normally have been obtainable in the more conventional hybrid circuits are much higher than obtainable with packaged devices using conventional integrated circuit technology.
More recently, surface mount technology (SMT) methods have been used to at least approach the density of packaging theretofore obtainable in the prior hybrid circuits. In accordance with SMT, integrated circuits, discreet components, arrays of components, etc., are packaged not in the usual dual-in-line packages with conventional leads, lead spacing, etc., but rather with a minimal sized protective coating with relatively tightly spaced connection pads on one surface thereof. These SMT devices are typically solder bonded to an appropriately laid out and tightly packed printed circuit board to result in the required circuit board area for a given circuit which is only a fraction of that obtainable with conventional dual-in-line (DIP) packaging and printed circuit board layout techniques. Further, automatic SMT device mounting equipment and bonding equipment keeps the cost of SMT circuits down, particularly in high quantities, making this technology applicable even to consumer products. Also, in very recent years, there has been a considerable effort to develop larger and larger scale integrated circuits, with an ultimate goal of achieving wafer scale integration. While progress has been made in this direction, particularly with respect to microprocessor and microcomputer chip sets, the progress in other areas has been disappointingly slow to many people for various reasons. Smaller and smaller device sizes and line widths in integrated circuits have allowed substantial increases in integrated circuit complexity without requiring an equal increase in chip area. Further, except for microprocessor chip sets and memory devices wherein more is always better, it has been difficult to identify standardized functions for LSI and larger integrated circuits which will have a sufficient market volume to justify the same.
In addition to the foregoing, very large scale and larger integrated circuits generally have a bad yield problem which may only be overcome, at least in part, by providing on chip redundancy. In particular, a common approach to the yield problem is to provide redundancy for each functional part of the circuit, thereby increasing the required chip area by approximately 100 percent. While such redundancy can dramatically increase the yields by now requiring only one out of two of each functional block circuits to operate, rather than one out of one which would be required without redundancy, the effect of the redundancy is not only to increase chip size, but also to cause relatively long interconnects which substantially slow down the circuit because of the resulting relatively high parasitic capacitance.
As a result, considerable interest has developed in forming multi-chip modulus wherein a plurality of integrated circuits in chip form are mounted on a substrate and interconnected to provide the functions of VSLI and higher integration without the normally associated problems thereof. Such interconnecting devices, sometimes referred to as high density multi-layer interconnects (HDMI), allow the testing of individual integrated circuits before mounting, thereby eliminating the need for redundancy for suitable yields. This can allow closer connection of the functional blocks on the HDMI than could be achieved in a corresponding single chip device. In many cases, it can also result in a faster circuit by reducing parasitic capacitance, can eliminate the need for on-chip line drivers sometimes required because of the long interconnect lines on large single chip integrated circuits, can reduce costs by allowing testing of the integrated circuit functional blocks and the elimination of only the bad ones before using the same in the HDMI, and of course allows one to obtain the advantages of wafer scale integration without the attendant problems thereof even in applications wherein the market volume for the product is too small to consider larger scale or wafer scale integration.
At the present time, HDMI technology is somewhat of a mix, in some ways resembling integrated circuit fabrication techniques and in other ways somewhat resembling printed circuit board techniques. By way of example, conductor line widths are beginning to approach those used in at least older integrated circuit designs, and bonding techniques used to interconnect the chips to the HDMI are those typically used in conventional integrated circuit packaging. On the other hand, the materials used for the insulative layers, typically polymers, and the number of cross-overs required are more similar to that found in printed circuit board fabrication, as opposed to the silicon-oxide layer and the deposited metal interconnect layer of typical integrated circuits.
In the detailed description to follow, where relevant, specific prior art techniques will be identified as they more specifically relate to the new methods and structures disclosed herein.

Method of fabricating hybrid circuit structures