One surface of a stimulable phosphor sheet supported at a position for image recording is exposed to radiation. A radiation image having thus been stored on the sheet is read out. Energy remaining on the sheet is released by irradiating erasing light to an entire area of the sheet with an erasing light source located on a side of the other surface of the sheet supported at the position for image recording, which other surface is opposite to the one surface of the sheet exposed to the radiation. A filter having transmitting properties with respect to the erasing light and good absorbing properties with respect to the radiation is located on a side of the erasing light source, which side stands facing the sheet.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a radiation image recording and read-out method and apparatus, wherein a radiation image is stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet, the stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, the emitted light is detected, and the radiation image is thereby read out from the stimulable phosphor sheet and converted into an electric signal. This invention particularly relates to an improvement in an erasing light source.
2. Description of the Related Art
It has been proposed to use stimulable phosphors in radiation image recording and reproducing systems. Specifically, a radiation image of an object, such as a human body, is recorded on a sheet provided with a layer of the stimulable phosphor (hereinafter referred to as a stimulable phosphor sheet). The stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, is then exposed to stimulating rays, such as a laser beam, which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to the radiation. The light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet, upon stimulation thereof, is photoelectrically detected and converted into an electric image signal. The image signal is then processed and used for the reproduction of the radiation image of the object as a visible image on a recording material. The radiation image recording and reproducing systems described above are referred to as computed radiography (CR).
The applicant proposed built-in types of radiation image recording and read-out apparatuses, comprising: (i) circulation and conveyance means for conveying at least one stimulable phosphor sheet along a circulation path, (ii) an image recording section, which is located in the circulation path and in which a radiation image of an object is stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet, (iii) an image read-out section, which is located in the circulation path and in which the radiation image is readout from the stimulable phosphor sheet, and (iv) an erasing section, which is located in the circulation path and in which energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after the radiation image has been read out therefrom is released. The built-in types of radiation image recording and read-out apparatuses are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,543,479 and 4,851,679, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3(1991)-238441. With the proposed built-in types of radiation image recording and read-out apparatuses, the stimulable phosphor sheet is utilized repeatedly and is processed efficiently.
As for the radiation image recording and read-out apparatuses described above, from the point of view of keeping the emitted light detection time short, reducing the size of the apparatus, and keeping the cost low, it has been proposed to utilize a line sensor comprising a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or the like, as photoelectric read-out means. The utilization of the line sensor as the photoelectric read-out means is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 60(1985)-111568, 60(1985)-236354, and 1(1989)-101540.
Basically, the radiation image recording and read-out apparatuses of such types comprise:
i) a read-out unit comprising (a) stimulating ray irradiating means for linearly irradiating stimulating rays onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, and (b) a line sensor, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, and
ii) sub-scanning means for moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the read-out unit and in a direction (a sub-scanning direction), which is approximately normal to a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays (a main scanning direction).
In particular, in cases where the radiation image recording and read-out apparatuses are constituted such that the stimulable phosphor sheet is kept stationary, and the read-out unit is moved in the sub-scanning direction, the sizes of the radiation image recording and read-out apparatuses as a whole are capable of being kept small. As an example of the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus having the constitution described above, in order for energy, which remains on the stimulable phosphor sheet after the radiation image has been read out from the stimulable phosphor sheet, to be released, there has heretofore been proposed a radiation image recording and read-out apparatus, wherein an erasing light source is located on the side backward from the read-out unit, and erasing light is irradiated simultaneously to the entire surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
However, problems with regard to back scattering are encountered in that, when radiation, such as X-rays, carrying image information of an object is irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet, part of the radiation passes through the stimulable phosphor sheet and is scattered within the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus toward the stimulable phosphor sheet. As a result of the back scattering, information different from the image information of the object is stored as an artifact on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the image quality of the radiation image becomes bad. For example, in cases where the erasing light source is located on the side backward from the read-out unit in the manner described above, the problems often occur in that the radiation having been scattered by the erasing light source impinges upon the stimulable phosphor sheet, and gray level image pattern corresponding to the form of the erasing light source is recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet.
In order for the problems described above to be eliminated, it may be considered to employ a technique, wherein a lead plate is located on the side of a surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, which surface is opposite to the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the radiation, and the radiation having passed through the stimulable phosphor sheet is absorbed by the lead plate, such that the radiation having passed through the stimulable phosphor sheet does not any more enter into the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus. However, it is necessary that, after the radiation image has been stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet, the stimulable phosphor sheet and the read-out unit are located in close vicinity to each other, and an operation for reading out the radiation image from the stimulable phosphor sheet is performed in this state. If the lead plate is located on the side of the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, which surface is opposite to the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the radiation, it will not always possible for the stimulable phosphor sheet and the read-out unit to be located in close vicinity to each other for the radiation image read-out operation. Therefore, in such cases, the size of the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus cannot be kept small, and the structure of the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus cannot be kept simple.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image recording and read-out method, wherein radiation having passed through a stimulable phosphor sheet is prevented from being scattered and again impinging upon the stimulable phosphor sheet, such that a size of an apparatus for carrying out the radiation image recording and read-out method is capable of being kept small, and such that a structure of the apparatus is capable of being kept simple.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the radiation image recording and read-out method.
The present invention provides a radiation image recording and read-out method, comprising the steps of:
i) supporting a stimulable phosphor sheet at a position for image recording, at which one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to radiation,
ii) exposing the one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, which is supported at the position for image recording, to the radiation, a radiation image being thereby stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet,
iii) performing an image read-out operation by irradiating stimulating rays in two-dimensional directions to the stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored during its exposure to the radiation, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to the radiation, and photoelectrically detecting the emitted light, an image signal, which represents the radiation image having been stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet, being thereby obtained, and
iv) releasing energy, which remains on the stimulable phosphor sheet after the image signal has been obtained from the stimulable phosphor sheet, by irradiating erasing light to an entire area of the stimulable phosphor sheet with an erasing light source, the erasing light source being located on a side of the other surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet supported at the position for image recording, which other surface is opposite to the one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the radiation,
wherein a filter, which has transmitting properties with respect to the erasing light and has good absorbing properties with respect to the radiation, is located on a side of the erasing light source, which side stands facing the stimulable phosphor sheet.
The irradiation of the stimulating rays in two-dimensional directions to the stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, may be performed in one of various ways. For example, one light beam of the stimulating rays may be deflected in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and the stimulable phosphor sheet may be scanned with the light spot of the light beam in two-dimensional directions. Alternatively, one light beam of the stimulating rays may be deflected in the main scanning direction alone and may be moved with respect to the stimulable phosphor sheet in the sub-scanning direction. As another alternative, the stimulating rays may be irradiated linearly to an area on the stimulable phosphor sheet along the main scanning direction, the linear stimulating rays may be moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the stimulable phosphor sheet may thereby be scanned with the stimulating rays in two-dimensional directions. As a further alternative, the stimulating rays may be irradiated simultaneously to the entire area of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
In order for the erasing light to be irradiated to the entire area of the stimulable phosphor sheet, the erasing light may be irradiated simultaneously to the entire area of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Alternatively, the erasing light source maybe moved with respect to the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the erasing light may thereby be irradiated to the entire area of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
In the radiation image recording and read-out method in accordance with the present invention, the filter should preferably be a filter, which transmits only light constituted of light components having wavelengths longer than wavelengths of an ultraviolet region. Also, the filter should preferably be constituted of a material selected from the group consisting of a plastic material, which contains a heavy metal (such as Pb, Bi, or W), and a glass, which contains a heavy metal (such as Pb, Bi, or W).
Further, in the radiation image recording and read-out method in accordance with the present invention, the stimulable phosphor sheet may be kept stationary at the position for image recording, and the image read-out operation (i.e., the irradiation of the stimulating rays to the stimulable phosphor sheet and the detection of the light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet) may thereby be performed. Alternatively, after the radiation image has been recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet, the stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, may be conveyed by conveyance means to an image read-out section, and the image read-out operation may be performed in the image read-out section. In particular, the radiation image recording and read-out method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the stimulable phosphor sheet is kept stationary at the position for image recording, and
the image read-out operation is performed with image read-out means, which is located between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the erasing light source.
In such cases, the radiation image recording and read-out method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the image read-out means comprises:
a) a read-out unit for irradiating the stimulating rays to the stimulable phosphor sheet in a one-dimensional direction along a main scanning direction and detecting the light, which is emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulating rays are irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet in the one-dimensional direction, and
b) unit moving means for moving the read-out unit in a sub-scanning direction.
The sub-scanning direction is the direction intersecting with the main scanning direction. In cases where the read-out unit irradiates the stimulating rays to the stimulable phosphor sheet in the one-dimensional direction along the main scanning direction and is moved in the sub-scanning direction, the stimulating rays are irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet in two-dimensional directions. Ordinarily, the sub-scanning direction is normal to the main scanning direction.
The read-out unit should preferably comprise a linear stimulating ray source, which linearly irradiates the stimulating rays to an area of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and
a line sensor, which is located along the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays and photoelectrically detects the light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulating rays are irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet.
The present invention also provides an apparatus for carrying out the radiation image recording and read-out method in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the present invention also provides a radiation image recording and read-out apparatus, comprising:
i) an image recording section for supporting a stimulable phosphor sheet at a position for image recording, at which one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to radiation,
ii) image read-out means for performing an image read-out operation by irradiating stimulating rays in two-dimensional directions to the stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored during its exposure to the radiation in the image recording section, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to the radiation, and photoelectrically detecting the emitted light, an image signal, which represents the radiation image having been stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet, being thereby obtained, and
iii) an erasing light source located on a side of the other surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet supported at the position for image recording, which other surface is opposite to the one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the radiation, the erasing light source releasing energy, which remains on the stimulable phosphor sheet after the image signal has been obtained from the stimulable phosphor sheet, by irradiating erasing light to an entire area of the stimulable phosphor sheet,
wherein a filter, which has transmitting properties with respect to the erasing light and has good absorbing properties with respect to the radiation, is located on a side of the erasing light source, which side stands facing the stimulable phosphor sheet.
In the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the filter should preferably be a filter, which transmits only light constituted of light components having wavelengths longer than wavelengths of an ultraviolet region. Also, the filter should preferably be constituted of a material selected from the group consisting of a plastic material, which contains a heavy metal (such as Pb, Bi, or W), and a glass, which contains a heavy metal (such as Pb, Bi, or W).
Further, in the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the stimulable phosphor sheet may be kept stationary at the position for image recording, and the image read-out operation (i.e., the irradiation of the stimulating rays to the stimulable phosphor sheet and the detection of the light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet) may thereby be performed. Alternatively, after the radiation image has been recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet, the stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, may be conveyed by conveyance means to an image read-out section, and the image read-out operation may be performed in the image read-out section. In particular, the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the stimulable phosphor sheet is kept stationary at the position for image recording, and
the image read-out means is located between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the erasing light source.
In such cases, the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the image read-out means comprises:
a) a read-out unit for irradiating the stimulating rays to the stimulable phosphor sheet in a one-dimensional direction along a main scanning direction and detecting the light, which is emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulating rays are irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet in the one-dimensional direction, and
b) unit moving means for moving the read-out unit in a sub-scanning direction.
The read-out unit should preferably comprise a linear stimulating ray source, which linearly irradiates the stimulating rays to an area of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and
a line sensor, which is located along the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays and photoelectrically detects the light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulating rays are irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet.
With the radiation image recording and read-out method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the erasing light source for releasing energy, which remains on the stimulable phosphor sheet after the image signal has been obtained from the stimulable phosphor sheet, is located on the side of the other surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet supported at the position for image recording, which other surface is opposite to the one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the radiation. Also, the filter, which has transmitting properties with respect to the erasing light and has good absorbing properties with respect to the radiation, is located on the side of the erasing light source, which side stands facing the stimulable phosphor sheet. Therefore, back scattering of the radiation is capable of being prevented from occurring. Also, the size of the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus as a whole is capable of being kept smaller than the cases where a lead plate for absorbing the radiation is provided. Further, the structure of the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus is capable of being kept simpler than the cases where the lead plate for absorbing the radiation is provided.
With the radiation image recording and read-out method and apparatus, wherein the filter is a filter, which transmits only light constituted of light components having wavelengths longer than wavelengths of the ultraviolet region, the problems are capable of being prevented from occurring in that new trapped electrons are formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet, i.e. new energy is stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet, due to light components of the erasing light, which light components have wavelengths shorter than the wavelengths of the ultraviolet region. Therefore, the erasing efficiency is capable of being enhanced.
With the radiation image recording and read-out method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the stimulable phosphor sheet may be kept stationary at the position for image recording, and the image read-out operation may be performed with the image read-out means comprising (a) the read-out unit for irradiating the stimulating rays to the stimulable phosphor sheet in the one-dimensional direction along the main scanning direction and detecting the light, which is emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulating rays are irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet in the one-dimensional direction, and (b) the unit moving means for moving the read-out unit in the sub-scanning direction. In such cases, a space for the conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet and conveyance means are not necessary. Therefore, the size of the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus as a whole is capable of being minimized.
Further, the read-out unit may comprise the linear stimulating ray source, which linearly irradiates the stimulating rays to the area of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the line sensor, which is located along the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays and photoelectrically detects the light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulating rays are irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet. The linear stimulating ray source is capable of being formed to a size smaller than a point scanning type of light source, with which one light beam is deflected and caused to scan on the stimulable phosphor sheet. Also, the line sensor is smaller than a photomultiplier, or the like. Therefore, in such cases, the size of the read-out unit as a whole is capable of being set to be small, and the size of the radiation image recording and read-out apparatus as a whole is consequently capable of being set to be small.

Method and apparatus for recording and reading out radiation images


A light source includes a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in a two-dimensional array. An optical element changes divergence angles of laser beams from the light-emitting units. A splitting element splits a part of each of the laser beams passing through the optical element. A compensating element compensates for a fluctuation in the divergence angle of each of the laser beams incident on the splitting element due to a change of temperature. A light-receiving element receives laser beams split by the splitting element. The light source, the optical element, the splitting element, the compensating element, and the light-receiving element are integrally supported.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source device emitting a laser beam for an optical scanning device that scans a scanning surface with the laser beam.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a typical image forming apparatus forming an image with a laser beam, an image is formed, for example, in such a manner that a surface of a photosensitive drum is exposed to the laser beam thereby forming a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The latent image is developed into a toner image. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred onto a recording medium such as a sheet, and the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording medium. Such an image forming apparatus has been often used in an on-demand printing system for an easy printing. There have been increasing demands on the image forming apparatus to form an image at high density and to output the formed image at high speed.
In response to the demands, recently, there has been developed an image forming apparatus including a light source such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) in which multiple light-emitting units are two-dimensionally arrayed in a monolithic manner. Multiple laser beams emitted from the light source make it possible to simultaneously scan a plurality of scanning lines on a scanning surface. Unlike an image forming apparatus employing an edge-emitting laser light source, the image forming apparatus employing the VCSEL splits a laser beam emitted from the VCSEL so as to take out a portion of the laser beam, and detects an intensity of the portion thereby monitoring an intensity of the laser beam emitted toward the scanning surface (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-132580).
In an image forming apparatus using a plurality of laser beams, an optical adjustment of an interval between scanning lines on a scanning surface is made, for example, by rotating a light source around an optical axis of an optical system or the like. However, due to the rotation of the light source, relative positions of the light source and a monitoring unit for monitoring the intensity of the laser beam fluctuate disadvantageously.

Light source device with light source and light-receiving element fixed to each other


A well instrumentation system, comprising: a power and data supply; and a plurality of functional units attached to the power and data supply and distributed throughout the well, characterised in that the power and data supply comprises first and second substantially identical cables, and in that each unit comprises a first power supply channel and a first data channel connected to the first cable, a second power supply channel and a second data channel connected to the second cable, and a functional module which draws power from the first power supply channel or the second power channel module, and data from the first data channel or the second data channel. The power and data supply can comprise a surface unit that can be selectably connected to either the first or second cable. The selection of connection of the surface unit to one or other cable is effective to select the corresponding power and data channels in the functional units.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to power and data systems for use in permanent installations in wells such as oil and gas wells. In particular, the invention provides such systems which incorporate redundancy in order to improve overall system reliability.
2. Description of Related Art
It has been known for some time to install permanent monitoring devices and valves in wells such as oil and gas wells in order to monitor and control the operation of the well over its lifetime. Such installations require the provision of power and data communication systems for each device. One such system is the WellNet power distribution and communication system of Schlumberger, which is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,718.
WellNet uses an armored twisted pair cable to transport both communication and power. In this configuration, shown schematically in FIG. 1, power is sent in common mode, often referred to as the "phantom wire", and communication is sent in differential mode, on the twisted wires.
FIG. 2 shows a simplified representation of the theoretical principle. The current "Icom" goes from A to B in the primary winding of the surface transformer of the transmitter. The secondary of this transformer sends the modulation in the cable through one wire of the twisted pair with return on the other wire. The signal is picked by the primary of the downhole device transformer, down the cable. The cable armor is never involved in the communication path. Power "Ipow" is sent to the centre tap of the secondary of the transmitter transformer. The current "Ipow/2" flows in the same direction through each wire of the twisted pair. It goes out at the centre tap of the primary of the receiver transformer, enters the power converter of the downhole tool "Load", and returns through the cable armor. The power supply uses both wires of the twisted pair in parallel, allowing large power transfer capabilities, even when using small wires.
FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the WellNet system is applied to multiple tools connected on the same cable. Each tool (Node) intercepts the twisted wires to the power and data in the manner described above. A termination resistance is located in the lower cable head of the lowermost device in the string to avoid signal reflections. In order to communicate between the surface controller and the downhole tools, a communication protocol is implemented, each node being addressable independently via the network. Each mode will include one or more electronics modules (WellNet modules) with appropriate firmware to manage this activity.
The system described above has a single cable. Therefore, damage to the cable can mean that the whole installation can become inoperative. One way to avoid this possibility is described in WO 00/46616, which shows a loop configuration for the cable. In this case, instead of terminating the cable at its lower end, the cable is returned to the surface of the well and is connectable to another power and data system. Each node can be provided with power and data from either surface supply, and each node is provided with switches to allow this to be selected. In the event of a problem on the cable, typically detected by the loss of signal, the switches at each node are operated until the location of the fault is identified. Following this, the switches on the nodes above the fault are set to take power and data from the original supply, and those of the nodes below the fault to take power and data from the second supply. Thus the effect of the fault can be limited to one or two devices rather than affecting the whole installation. However, this system requires that the cable run to the bottom of the well, and back to the surface, and that two supplies be provided.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a power and data system which does not require a looped cable in order to operate in the event of faults.

Redundant systems for downhole permanent installations


A system and method for controlling the speed of a compressor that provides air to the cathode side of a fuel cell stack in the event that a cathode by-pass valve fails. If a by-pass valve failure is detected, a failure algorithm first disengages the normal flow and pressure algorithms used to control the airflow to the cathode side of the stack. Next, the failure algorithm opens the cathode exhaust gas valve to its fully opened position. Then, in response to a stack power request, the compressor control will be put in an open-loop control where a look-up table is used to provide a particular compressor speed for a power request. An airflow meter will measure the airflow to the stack, and the stack current will be limited based on that airflow.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a system and method for controlling the cathode airflow to a fuel cell stack in the event of a failure of the cathode input by-pass valve and, more particularly, to a system and method for controlling the airflow to the cathode side of a fuel cell stack in the event of a cathode input by-pass valve failure that includes maintaining a cathode exhaust gas valve in an open position, setting the speed of the stack compressor to open-loop control using a look-up table, measuring the airflow to the stack and limiting the current output from the stack based on the measured airflow.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Hydrogen is a very attractive fuel because it is clean and can be used to efficiently produce electricity in a fuel cell. A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical device that includes an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte therebetween. The anode receives hydrogen gas and the cathode receives oxygen or air. The hydrogen gas is dissociated in the anode to generate free hydrogen protons and electrons. The hydrogen protons pass through the electrolyte to the cathode. The hydrogen protons react with the oxygen and the electrons in the cathode to generate water. The electrons from the anode cannot pass through the electrolyte, and thus are directed through a load to perform work before being sent to the cathode.
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are a popular fuel cell for vehicles. The PEMFC generally includes a solid polymer electrolyte proton conducting membrane, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane. The anode and cathode typically include finely divided catalytic particles, usually platinum (Pt), supported on carbon particles and mixed with an ionomer. The catalytic mixture is deposited on opposing sides of the membrane. The combination of the anode catalytic mixture, the cathode catalytic mixture and the membrane define a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). MEAs are relatively expensive to manufacture and require certain conditions for effective operation.
Several fuel cells are typically combined in a fuel cell stack to generate the desired power. For example, a typical fuel cell stack for a vehicle may have two hundred or more stacked fuel cells. The fuel cell stack receives a cathode input gas, typically a flow of air forced through the stack by a compressor. Not all of the oxygen is consumed by the stack and some of the air is output as a cathode exhaust gas that may include water as a stack by-product. The fuel cell stack also receives an anode hydrogen input gas that flows into the anode side of the stack.
The fuel cell stack includes a series of bipolar plates positioned between the several MEAs in the stack, where the bipolar plates and the MEAs are positioned between two end plates. The bipolar plates include an anode side and a cathode side for adjacent fuel cells in the stack. Anode gas flow channels are provided on the anode side of the bipolar plates that allow the anode reactant gas to flow to the respective MEA. Cathode gas flow channels are provided on the cathode side of the bipolar plates that allow the cathode reactant gas to flow to the respective MEA. One end plate includes anode gas flow channels, and the other end plate includes cathode gas flow channels. The bipolar plates and end plates are made of a conductive material, such as stainless steel or a conductive composite. The end plates conduct the electricity generated by the fuel cells out of the stack.
The stack air compressor cannot operate at all flow and pressure combinations required by a fuel cell stack. Therefore, a fuel cell system will typically include a cathode by-pass valve that allows at least some of the airflow to by-pass the fuel cell stack and flow directly to the cathode exhaust. For example, there are points in the operating range of a fuel cell stack that require less cathode airflow than the compressor is capable of delivering at its minimum speed. During these conditions, the by-pass valve is used to redirect some of the compressor airflow to the exhaust.
In some fuel cell systems, the cathode by-pass valve defaults to the open position so that if the valve were to fail, much of the compressor airflow would be sent to the system exhaust. In response to the by-pass valve failure in the open position, the compressor will increase its speed until its maximum speed is reached in an attempt to deliver the airflow necessary to meet the stack power request. Further, with the by-pass valve in the open position, the system algorithms would attempt to increase the pressure in the fuel cell stack by closing the cathode exhaust gas valve. With the cathode exhaust gas valve closed to attempt to control the stack pressure, very little, if any, airflow will get to the stack because it will be flowing out the cathode exhaust through the by-pass valve.

Method for remedial action in the event of the failure of the compressor bypass valve in a fuel cell system


Disclosed are a driver IC and a display apparatus including the same, which supply a touch auxiliary signal, having the same phase and potential difference as those of a touch signal supplied to a touch electrode which is also used as a common electrode, to a plurality of supply lines disposed in a non-display area during a touch sensing period. The driver IC includes a common voltage supply element, a touch sensing unit, and a common voltage switching unit. The common voltage switching unit connects the common voltage supply element to a plurality of touch electrode lines connected to the plurality of touch electrodes during an image display period, and during a touch sensing period, the common voltage switching unit connects the plurality of touch electrode lines to the touch sensing unit.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driver integrated circuit (IC) and a display apparatus including the same.
Discussion of the Related Art
A touch panel is a type of input device, which is included in display apparatuses such as liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatuses, organic light emitting display apparatuses, etc., and enables a user to input information by directly touching a screen with a finger, a pen, or the like while looking at the screen of a display apparatus.
Recently, the demand for in-cell type display apparatuses is increasing. Such in-cell type displays includes a plurality of elements which configure a touch panel and are built into a display panel to allow the portable terminals such as smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs), etc. to be made slim.
FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing waveforms of various kinds of signals applied to a related art in-cell type display apparatus.
In the related art in-cell type display apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, an image display period D and a touch sensing period T are separately executed according to a touch sync signal TSS.
In the image display period D, as shown in FIG. 1, a gate pulse is sequentially supplied to a plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLg, and a common voltage Vcom is supplied to a plurality of touch electrodes TE used as common electrodes. Data voltages are respectively supplied to a plurality of data lines DL.
In the touch sensing period T, a touch signal is supplied to the touch electrodes TE, and thus, a touch is sensed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, touch auxiliary signals which are the same as the touch signal are respectively supplied to the gate lines GL1 to GLg and the data lines DL.
According to the above-described driving method, loads of the touch electrodes TE are reduced, and thus, touch sensitivity is enhanced.
For example, in the touch sensing period T, since the touch auxiliary signals that have the same level and phase as those of the touch signal are supplied to the gate lines GL1 to GLg and the data lines DL, a parasitic capacitance does not occur between the touch electrodes and the gate lines GL1 to GLg and between the touch electrodes and the data lines DL. Therefore, touch sensitivity is enhanced.
The touch auxiliary signal supplied to the gate lines is generated by a power supply and then is transferred to a gate driver, which outputs the gate pulses, through a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and one of a plurality of supply lines disposed in a non-display area of a panel. The gate driver supplies the touch auxiliary signal to the gate lines during the touch sensing period.
The touch auxiliary signal supplied to the data lines is generated by the power supply and then is transferred to a data driver, which outputs the data voltages, through the FPCB. The data driver supplies the touch auxiliary signal to the data lines during the touch sensing period.
To provide an additional description, since the touch auxiliary signal is supplied to the gate lines and the data lines disposed in a display area, a load is reduced in the display area.
However, as described above, the touch auxiliary signal supplied to the gate lines is supplied to the gate driver through one (for example, a gate low voltage line VGLL through which a gate low voltage VGL is supplied) of the supply lines disposed in the non-display area of the panel. In this case, a parasitic capacitance may be generated between the gate low voltage line VGLL and a plurality of supply lines, through which the touch auxiliary signal is not supplied, among the supply lines disposed in the non-display area, and due to the parasitic capacitance, the touch auxiliary signal cannot normally be supplied to the gate lines.
For example, various kinds of supply lines in addition to the gate low voltage line VGLL are disposed in the non-display area of the panel, and thus, when the touch auxiliary signal is supplied to the gate driver through gate low voltage line VGLL, the parasitic capacitance generated between the gate low voltage line VGLL and the supply lines may act as a load.
Particularly, since each of the supply lines occupies a large area and is disposed all over a long section of the non-display area, a problem is caused by the parasitic capacitance when an LCD apparatus is being driven.
Moreover, a plurality of touch electrode lines which are connected to the touch electrodes to transfer the touch signal and the data lines through which the touch auxiliary signal is supplied are connected to a driver (for example, the data driver) disposed in the non-display area. Outermost lines disposed at an outermost portion among the touch electrode lines and the data lines are adjacent to the supply lines disposed in the non-display area.
For this reason, a parasitic capacitance may be generated between the outermost lines and the supply lines through which the touch auxiliary signal is not supplied. Due to the parasitic capacitance, the touch signal cannot normally be supplied to the touch electrodes, and the touch auxiliary signal cannot normally be supplied to the data lines.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Driver integrated circuit and display apparatus including the same


In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides for an exemplary computer-implemented system that may include a longitudinal data engine, including: a processor and specialized index generation software to generate: an index data structure for a respective event type associated with each respective subject or object; where each respective index data structure is a respective event type-specific data schema, defining how to store events of a particular event type to form longitudinal data of each respective subject or object; an ontology data structure that is configured to describe one or more properties of a respective event of a respective subject or object; and longitudinal data extraction software to extract a respective longitudinal data for a plurality of index data structures and a plurality of ontology data structures associated with a plurality of subjects or objects.

As detailed herein, typically, electronic data records on a population of real individuals may have one or personal identifying attributes (identification identifiers), such as, but not limited to, names, birthdays, ages, addresses, zip codes, social security numbers; phones, etc. For example, a cable company may track records of personal viewing preferences together personal identifying information of its subscribers (identification identifiers). In another example, an internet company may track internet activity of its users together with personal identifying information. For example, a typical source electronic medical record (EMR) data object is a collection of electronic health information about an individual or a population of individuals. A typical source EMR data object includes record(s) in digital format that is/are capable of being shared across different healthcare settings. A typical source EMR data object may include record(s) with categorical/discrete/qualitative and/or quantitative data which are representative of individual identifiable information, individual health/medical information, doctors visit information, prescriptions, service providers information (e.g., MRI provider, etc.), test results information (e.g., numerical values), and other similarly suitable information.

Data structures for storing and manipulating longitudinal data and corresponding novel computer engines and methods of use thereof


A dishwasher has multiple wash zones which are each supplied by a wash liquid supply. An interior tub configured to provide an interior wash chamber for washing dishes is divisible into a plurality of wash zones supplied by separate wash liquid supplies. One of the wash zones is supplied by a spray manifold having rotating spray heads. The spray heads are provided with internal vanes which urge the spray heads to rotate and direct wash liquid to outlets in the spray heads.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dishwashers. In one aspect, the invention relates to a dishwasher having a zone wash manifold with rotating sprayers. In another aspect, the invention relates to a dishwasher having an enhanced spray pattern for optimizing the cleaning effectiveness of the dishwasher. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a dishwasher having an improved cooking utensil cleaning capability.
2. Background
Modem dishwashers include a tub and an upper and lower rack or basket for supporting soiled dishes within the tub. A pump is provided for re-circulating wash liquid throughout the tub to remove soils from the dishes. Typically, larger dishes such as casserole dishes which have a propensity to be heavily soiled are carried on the lower rack and lighter soiled dishes such as cups and glasses are provided on an upper rack. The racks are generally configured to be moveable in or out of the tub for loading and unloading.
One of problems associated with the typical modern dishwasher is that the dishes receive somewhat uniform wash treatment no matter their positioning within a rack in the dishwasher. For example, in a typical dishwasher, a lower wash arm rotates about a vertical axis and is provided beneath the lower rack for cleaning the dishes on the lower rack and an upper wash arm is provided beneath the upper rack for cleaning the dishes on the upper rack. Dishes in the upper rack receive somewhat uniform wash treatment and dishes in the lower rack receive somewhat uniform wash treatment. Accordingly, lightly soiled dishes in either dish rack are subject to the same wash performance as the highly soiled dishes in the same wash rack, which can lead to poor wash performance of the highly soiled dishes. As a result, it would be advantageous to provide a dishwasher with a second or concentrated wash zone for washing larger dishes such as the casserole dishes, which are more likely to be heavily soiled.
Another problem associated with the modem dishwasher is that to achieve optimal wash performance of heavily soiled, larger dishes, the dishes may need to be loaded with the surface that needs to be washed face down. The face down approach allows the lower spray arm to reach the heavily soiled surface. Accordingly, it would be advantageous if the dishwasher could be provided with a second wash zone that allowed the heavily soiled dishes to be loaded in an upright position, thereby optimizing the number of dishes that can be loaded in the dishwasher on any given cycle. It would also be advantageous if the dishwasher allowed for a customized wash cycle option which optimized the use of the second wash zone.
A stationary zone wash spray manifold in combination with a rotating spray arm assembly is highly effective in washing heavily soiled dishes which are loaded in an upright position. However, the combination of spray from a conventional rotating spray arm assembly and a zone wash spray manifold contributes to high water usage. While the cleaning of the heavily soiled dishes may be optimized with this assembly, the high volume of wash liquid required results in less volume delivered to other spray assemblies and potentially less effective cleaning of other dishes. The stationary manifold also limits the size of the wash zone, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the cleaning operation.

Dishwasher having rotating zone wash sprayer


A tetrahydroindolone derivative or analogue comprises a 9-atom bicyclic moiety, moiety A, linked through a linker L to a moiety B, where B is a carboxylic acid, a carboxylic acid ester, or a moiety of the structure N(Y1)-D, where Y1 can be one of a variety of substituents, including hydrogen or alkyl, and D is a moiety that enhances the pharmacological effects, promotes absorption or blood-brain barrier penetration of the derivative or analogue. The moiety A has a six-membered ring fused to a five-membered ring. The moiety A can have one, two, or three nitrogen atoms in the five membered ring. The moiety A can be a tetrahydroindolone moiety. The moiety B can be one of a variety of moieties, including moieties having nootropic activity or other biological or physiological activity.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention is directed to tetrahydroindolone derivatives and analogues, particularly tetrahydroindolone derivatives or analogues in which the tetrahydroindolone derivative or analogue is covalently linked to another moiety to form a bifunctional conjugate.
2. General Background and State of the Art:
Diseases and degenerative conditions of the central nervous system are among the most severe, long-lasting, and chronic diseases and conditions affecting man. Although much research has been done on such diseases and conditions, effective treatment remains elusive. These diseases and conditions include Alzheimer""s disease, Huntington""s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig""s disease), Parkinson""s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and other neurodegenerative disorders, which may be genetic, spontaneous or drug-induced.
There is therefore a need for improved compounds and methods for treating such conditions. The need for such improved compounds and methods has been increased by the discovery that such compounds are capable of increasing neuronal function, stimulating nerve growth or regeneration and can act through the induction of neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor, NT-3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), or ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Such compounds may stimulate nerve regeneration or neurogenesis in the peripheral nervous systemor central nervous system, or neuroprotection, and may therefore be of use in the treatment of the diseases and conditions referred to above.
There is therefore a particular need for the development of additional compounds that have improved activity in stimulating neuronal function, regeneration, neurogenesis, and that have neuroprotective activity. There is further a need for compounds that have activities that provide treatment for or relief from symptoms of diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer""s disease, Huntington""s disease, Parkinson""s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke and other neurodegenerative disorders, which may be genetic, spontaneous or drug-induced. Examples of these symptoms include reduced cognition, emotional control, and sensory or motor function. There is a particular need for the development of new compounds that have improved bioavailability. There is a further need for compounds with a greater degree of activity as measured by a dose-response curve assay and for compounds with a different spectrum of activities.
One potential basis for such compounds is the bicyclic compound tetrahydroindolone, which is isosteric with purines. However, compounds that incorporate tetrahydroindolone or its analogues and that have activities such as nootropic activity or neuroproliferative activity have not been prepared.
One aspect of the present invention is bifunctional conjugates. In general, a bifunctional conjugate according to the present invention has the schematic structure:
where:
(1) A is a 9-atom bicyclic moiety in which the five-membered ring has 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, the bicyclic moiety having the structure:
xe2x80x83where:
(a) N1 is bonded to L;
(b) A2 and A3 are C or N:
(i) if A2 and A3 are both C and the bond between A2 and A3 is a single bond, then the bond between A2 and R2 is two single bonds to two hydrogen atoms or is a double bond in which R2 is O or S and R3 is two hydrogen atoms;
(ii) if A2 and A3 are both C and the bond between A2 and A3 is a double bond, then R3 is hydrogen, the bond between A2 and R2 is a single bond and R2 is hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or heteroaralkenyl;
(iii) if A2 and A3 are both N, then the bond between A2 and A3 is a double bond and R2 and R3 are not present;
(iv) if A2 is N and A3 is C, then the bond between A2 and A3 is a double bond, R2 is not present, and R3 is hydrogen;
(v) if A2 is C, A3 is N, and the bond between A2 and A3 is a double bond, then R3 is not present, the bond between A2 and R2 is a single bond, and R2 is hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or heteroaralkenyl;
(vi) if A2 is C, A3 is N, and the bond between A2 and A3 is a single bond, then R3 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl, the bond between A2 and R2 is a double bond, and A2 is O or S;
(c) R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, NH2, NHQ1, NQ1Q2, OH, OQ1, or SQ1, where Q1 and Q2 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q1 and Q2 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5 or 6 member ring which may contain 1 other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N may be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;
(d) R5xe2x80x2 is hydrogen unless R5 is alkyl, in which case R5xe2x80x2 is hydrogen or the same alkyl as R5;
(e) R5 and R5xe2x80x2 can be taken together as a double bond to C5 and can be O, S, NQ3, or C which can be substituted with one or two groups R5, where Q3 is alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, or heteroaroyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;
(f) R6 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, NH2, NHQ4, NQ4Q5, OH, OQ4, or SQ4, where Q4 and Q5 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q1 and Q2 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5 or 6 member ring which may contain 1 other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N may be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;
(g) R6xe2x80x2 is hydrogen unless R6 is alkyl, in which case R6xe2x80x2 is hydrogen or the same alkyl as R6;
(h) R6 and R6xe2x80x2 can be taken together as a double bond to C5 and can be O, S, NQ6, or C which can be substituted with one or two groups R5, and where Q6 is alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;
(i) R7 is hydrogen unless R5 is alkyl and R5xe2x80x2 is hydrogen, in which case R7 is the same alkyl as R5;
(2) L is a hydrocarbyl moiety of 1 to 6 carbon atoms that can be cyclic, with the hydrocarbyl moiety being optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkylamino, lower alkylthio, and oxo; and
(3) B is xe2x80x94OZ or N(Y1)xe2x80x94D, where Z is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl, D is a moiety that promotes absorption of the derivative or analogue, and Y1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl, which, when taken with D, can form a cyclic 5- or 6-membered saturated structure which can contain one other heteroatom which can be O, N, or S, of which N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S.
B is either: (i) a moiety with the structure xe2x80x94OZ, where Z is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl; or (ii) a moiety with the structure xe2x80x94N(Y1)-D, where D is a moiety that promotes absorption of the derivative or analogue that can be substituted as indicated above.
If B is a moiety with the structure xe2x80x94OZ, it is a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid ester. Typically, if B is a carboxylic acid ester, the moiety Z is one of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or isobutyl. More typically, Z is hydrogen or ethyl.
If B is a moiety with the structure xe2x80x94N(Y1)-D, Y1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl, which, when taken with D, can form a cyclic 5- or 6-membered saturated ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be O, N, or S, of which N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S. Typically, Y1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl. Most typically, Y1 is hydrogen.
Typically, the tetrahydroinolone derivative or analogue has a logP of from about 1 to about 4 to enhance bioavailability and central nervous system (CNS) penetration. Using this guideline, one of ordinary skill in the art can choose the appropriate moieties B for a particular moiety A in order to ensure the bioavailability and CNS penetration of a tetrahydroinolone analogue or derivative according to the present invention. For example, if a highly hydrophobic moiety A is chosen, with particularly hydrophobic substituents on the tetrahydroinolone moiety, then a more hydrophilic moiety B can be used.
Typically, A is a tetrahydroindolone moiety.
In one alternative, B is a moiety containing at least one carboxyl, carboxamide, carboxyl ester, or carbonyl function.
In another alternative, B is a cyclic or acyclic moiety containing at least one hydroxyl, primary amino, secondary amino, tertiary amino, sulfhydryl, or sulfonamidyl function.
Particular examples of bifunctional conjugates according to the present invention include: (1) 4-[3-(4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindolon-1-yl)propionylamino}benzoic acid ethyl ester; and 4-[3-(4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindolon-1-yl)propionylamino}benzoic acid.
Another aspect of the present invention is methods of use of the tetrahydroindolone derivatives and analogues described above. One aspect of a method of use of tetrahydroindolone derivatives and analogues according to the present invention is a method of stimulating neuronal function such as improved cognition, involving neuronal regeneration or axo-dendritic complexity in the central and peripheral nervous systems comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a tetrahydroinolone derivative or analogue according to the present invention to the mammal. Another aspect of a method of use of tetrahydroinolone derivatives and analogues according to the present invention is a method of stimulating neuronal function such as improved cognition, involving by initiating neurogenesis in the central nervous system of a mammal comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a tetrahydroinolone derivative or analogue according to the present invention to the mammal. Yet another aspect of a method of use of tetrahydroinolone derivatives and analogues according to the present invention is a method of stimulating neuronal function involving mechanism associated with neuroprotection in the central or peripheral nervous system of a mammal comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a tetrahydroindolone derivative or analogue according to the present invention to the mammal.
Other methods according to the present invention include a method of stimulating neuronal function involving either inhibition of the formation of the amyloid beta-peptide (Axcex2) or stimulating the formation of the secreted derivative of the amyloid precursor protein known as sAPPxcex1 by administering to a patient with a neurological disease or a patient at risk of developing a neurological disease an effective quantity of a tetrahydroinolone derivative or analogue according to the present invention.
Another aspect of the present invention is pharmaceutical compositions. A pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention comprises: (1) an effective amount of a tetrahydroindolone derivative or analogue according to the present invention; and (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Synthesis and methods of use of tetrahydroindolone analogues and derivatives


A display device and a fingerprint recognition method are provided. The fingerprint recognition device includes at least two photosensitive regions receiving different colors of light, and the color of the light received by one photosensitive region corresponds to the emitted color of the light emitting sub-pixel in one color.

The fingerprint recognition technology has been widely used in the smart phone, attendance machine, security access control, customs clearance of port and other fields. Generally, the fingerprint sensor is configured to receive the light reflected by the finger and convert the light into an electrical signal. Thus the fingerprint information of the finger can be determined according to the converted electrical signal. However, due to the process condition limitation, the size of the fingerprint sensor is limited to some extent, so that the number of the fingerprint sensors per device area cannot be further increased any more, which is not conducive to implementing the fingerprint recognition function with the high resolution and thus not conducive to the increase in the fineness of the identified fingerprint.

Display device and fingerprint recognition method

SHANGHAI TIANMA MICRO-ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.


An outer ring, an inner ring, and a ball each serving as a bearing part is made of a steel containing 0.95 mass % or more and 1.10 mass % or less of carbon, 0.05 mass % or more and less than 0.3 mass % of silicon, 0.10 mass % or more and 0.50 mass % or less of manganese, and 1.30 mass % or more and 2.00 mass % or less of chromium, with the rest made up of iron and an impurity. A surface layer region defined as a region extending to a depth of not more than 20 μm from an outer ring raceway surface, an inner ring raceway surface, and a ball rolling surface, which are each a surface where the bearing part is in rolling contact with another part, has an average nitrogen concentration of 0.2 mass % or more and 0.7 mass % or less. Five or more carbides with a diameter of 0.5 μm or less are present per 100 μm2 in the surface layer region.

As a measure to improve the durability of a bearing part, a carbonitriding process of introducing carbon and nitrogen into a surface layer portion of a bearing part prior to quenching is known (see for example Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. 5-118336 (PTD 1) and 2012-31456 (PTD 2)). This carbonitriding process is known to improve the rolling fatigue life of a rolling bearing, particularly the life of the rolling bearing in an environment in which hard foreign matters intrude into the rolling bearing (foreign-matters intrusion environment). The carbonitriding process is a process in which a bearing part made of a steel is heated to a temperature range of the A1 transformation temperature or more in an atmosphere containing ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen, to thereby introduce carbon in a surface layer portion of the bearing part, or introduce nitrogen in the surface layer portion while suppressing decarburization of the surface layer portion.
Regarding this carbonitriding process, it is proposed to adjust ac* defined by the following formula (1) and adjust α defined by the following formula (2) to thereby keep the carbon concentration in the surface layer portion at an appropriate level and improve the rate at which nitrogen is introduced, and accordingly enhance the efficiency of the carbonitriding process (see for example Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-277648 (PTD 3)).
                              a          c          *                =                                            (              Pco              )                        2                                K            ×                          Pco              2                                                          (        1        )            Pco: partial pressure (atm) of carbon monoxidePco2: partial pressure (atm) of carbon dioxideK: <C>+CO2⇔ equilibrium constant of 2CO
                    α        =                                            P              N                                      0.006              ×                                                (                                      P                    H                                    )                                                  3                  2                                                              ×                                    (                              1.877                -                                  1.055                  ×                                      a                    c                    *                                                              )                        100                                              (        2        )

Bearing part, rolling bearing, and method for manufacturing bearing part


A system is described herein which provides an ozonated liquid. The system comprises a liquid inlet arranged to continuously accept a liquid into the system at a desired flow rate; a liquid outlet to dispense ozonated liquid out of the system, the ozonated liquid having an oxidation-reduction potential of at least 450 mV due solely to ozone dissolved in the liquid, the liquid outlet being in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and arranged to dispense the ozonated liquid out of the system at the desired flow rate. The system has a tank-less ozonation flow path between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the flow path adapted to ozonate the accepted liquid, producing the ozonated liquid to be dispensed out of the system. The accepted liquid has a fluid residence time in the ozonation flow path of less than 5 minutes prior to being dispensed as the ozonated liquid.

Ozone is a naturally occurring allotrope of oxygen. It has been known and used as an oxidant and disinfectant. In aqueous solutions, ozone is capable of killing bacteria in seconds at appropriate concentrations. It is often desirable to use ozone as a disinfecting or sanitizing agent as it imparts no odor and leaves no residue. The sanitizing properties of ozone dissolved in water, as well as its lack of odor and residue, make such a solution desirable to use for cleaning and disinfecting. Ozonated water can be used to disinfect or sanitize in both commercial and home settings. For example, ozonated water can be used to disinfect or sanitize bathroom counters, produce, dishes and cutlery, or floors.
One convenient method for using ozone as a disinfectant or sanitizer is to dissolve it in water or a water based solution. The stability of ozone is often a complicating factor in its use as a disinfecting or sanitizing agent since the high reactivity of ozone, which imparts its disinfecting and sanitizing properties, also results in reaction with reducing agents and, therefore, decomposition. In light of the poor stability of ozone, however, one difficulty is the delivery of ozonated water in an "on demand" basis. Ozone in ozonated water, produced in anticipation of demand, will eventually decompose and return to being non-ozonated water.
Known ozonation systems for producing ozonated water suitable for cleaning, disinfecting or sanitizing are designed with a tank of water and a recirculating ozonating flow path. The water flows through the ozonating flow path and dissolves an amount of ozone therein. Low efficiency in the ozonating flow path results in the need to recirculate the ozonated water back through the ozonation flow path in order to achieve the desired amount of dissolved ozone. This is typically achieved by recirculating the ozonated water back into the tank of water and running the ozonation system for a period of time until all the water in the tank is sufficiently ozonated.
Known ozonation systems have addressed the delay between (a) starting the system and (b) delivery of ozonated water having a usable level of ozone, by increasing the efficiency of the ozonating flow path and/or by using a continuously recirculating system.
It is possible to produce ozonated water "on demand" using a continuously recirculating system. Continuously recirculating systems have an ozonation flow path that recirculates ozonated water back to the holding tank, and the system ozonates the water in the system regardless of whether ozonated water is being dispensed. In such systems, ozone is continuously added to the water to replace any ozone that has decomposed, or to ozonate any fresh water that has been added to replace ozonated water removed from the system. A steady-state of ozonated water is eventually reached based on the inlet and outlet flow rates, as well as the efficiency of the ozonation flow path. However, at the start of ozonation, the level of dissolved ozone is low and gradually increases until the steady-state is achieved.
There are a number of disadvantages with continuously recirculating systems. For example: they require energy to produce the constantly required ozone; ozone is corrosive with some materials; and there may be a fluctuation in the level of dissolved ozone if a significant amount of ozonated water is removed from the tank.
In traditional ozonation systems, both continuously and non-continuously recirculating systems, there is a delay between the start of the ozonation and the delivery of the ozonated water. A user must wait for the tank of water to be ozonated before the ozonated water can be used. In recirculating systems, starting the ozonation system and removing water from the tank before the ozonation is finished results in non-ozonated water or water with a low level of ozone dissolved therein. In continuously recirculating systems, a user must still wait for the level of ozonation in the water to increase to a usable level. During this time, the continuously recirculating system is either discharging water with low levels of ozone dissolved therein or not discharging water at all.
It is therefore desirable to provide an ozonation system that can dispense ozonated water "on demand" without the need for a continuously recirculating system, (i.e. an ozonation system that dispenses ozone via a single pass through the ozonating flow path) thereby doing away with the need for a holding tank.
Some ozonation systems use devices to separate, for example, water from undissolved ozone gas. Such devices are generally known as "off-gas" units, "degassing" units, or "gas-liquid" separators. All such devices take, as an input stream, a mixture of gas and liquid and provide, as separate output streams, a degassed liquid and a separated gas. The degassed liquid can have gas dissolved therein, even though bubbles of gas have been removed. Depending on the desired outlet stream, an off-gas unit can be used to produce, for example, a humidified gas stream, a gas-enriched liquid stream, or a completely degassed liquid.
Under conditions where the flow rate of a liquid is not crucial, the liquid can be degassed simply by letting the liquid and gas naturally separate due to differences in density between the liquid and gas. This process can be accelerated by placing the gas-liquid mixture under an external vacuum. In this situation, the reduced solubility of the gas is caused by the external vacuum, which encourages the gas to separate from the liquid in order to fill the vacuum.
Some known system use centrifugal separation to encourage the separation of gas from a gas-liquid mixture. In such systems, the degassing is achieved by the centrifugal forces on a liquid having a vortex flow. The centrifugal flow of liquid results in pressure differences in the liquid as a function of distance from the center axis of rotation. The low density gas and gas-liquid mixture are collected in the low pressure zone along the center of rotation, while the high density liquid is collected in the high pressure zone around the perimeter of rotation.
Increasing the flow rate in a given size of gas-liquid separator increases the centrifugal force in the vortex flow, resulting in a lower pressure in the low pressure zone and a higher pressure in the high pressure zone. This increase in centrifugal force hastens the separation of gas from the liquid. However, higher flow rates also lead to increased turbulence in the liquid flow as well as a lower residence time in the gas-liquid separator. This increased turbulence and lower residence time discourage separation of gas from liquid and lead to bubbles entering the degassed liquid output stream.
It is desirable to provide an off-gas unit that can separate a gas-liquid mixture into a degassed liquid and a separated gas at a high flow rate.
As discussed above, ozonated water can be used to sanitize items and surfaces, and is an effective replacement to chemical cleaners. Residential/consumer and commercial water ozonation systems are available to provide such functionality.
One example of a consumer water ozonation system is described in commonly assigned United States Patent Application Publication No. US-2008-0190825-A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such a system can include a removable filter cartridge. The removable filter cartridge facilitates better ozonation of water by way of a desiccant material provided therein to remove moisture, thereby achieving a higher concentration of ozone gas in the ozonated water.
Some cartridges and systems can include functionality to assist in determining when the cartridge should be replaced. For example, the cartridge in the '825 publication referred to above can have a "window" to assist in determining when the cartridge should be replaced, based on an observed colour of desiccant material. Other systems can provide an alarm or other indication when the cartridge reaches or approaches an end of life condition.
While different types of commercial ozonation systems or devices can both use cartridges, the cartridges used in each type of device are typically different from each other, and count usage in different ways, such as by cycles completed or by time used.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a cartridge and ozonation system that enable use of the same cartridge in different types of ozonation devices.

Holding tank-less water ozonating system


An elevator car is of a construction which facilitates inspection and maintenance function while enhancing passenger safety. The car includes a closeable inspection and maintenance opening in a sidewall. A transparent inspection window or an inspection grille forms a closure for the opening. The closure may be lockable, and can also include a sensor to monitor its state.

The present invention relates to a machine-room-less elevator with at least one elevator car which travels in an elevator hoistway having an elevator control which controls at least the travel movements of the elevator, and with various elevator components which are installed in the elevator hoistway and must be periodically inspected, the elevator car having in at least one of its side walls at least one closable inspection and maintenance opening.
An elevator of the present type is known from JP 10 231074 A. A machine-room-less elevator is described in which the inspection and maintenance of the elevator components installed in the elevator hoistway or on the elevator car is made possible by there being in the side walls of the elevator car closable inspection and maintenance openings which are situated in the vicinity of the elevator components.
The solution to the problem of inspection and maintenance of machine-room-less elevators described above has the following disadvantages:
During the inspection of elevator components extending or distributed in large number over the entire height of the hoistway, such as guiderails, suspension ropes, overspeed governor rope, guiderail fasteners, and hoistway information emitters, through inspection and maintenance openings which are open during the necessary inspection trip, there is considerable danger to the inspecting person of their head, hands, or arms colliding with or being trapped by objects mounted in the hoistway.
There are no safety devices present which prevent an elevator trip or an inspection trip from taking place with open inspection and maintenance openings or ensure that the inspecting person cannot be present in the vicinity of such an opening during such a trip.
On inspection trips between the positions of individual elevator components to be inspected in the elevator hoistway, with closed inspection and maintenance openings accurately approaching these positions is difficult through lack of visibility into the elevator hoistway.
The objective of the present invention is therefore to propose an elevator concept which while making good use of the hoistway space and without safety space in the hoistway headroom makes inspection and maintenance of all elevator components arranged in the elevator hoistway possible. In doing so, especially the safety of the inspecting person is improved, the checking of elevator components extending or distributed in large number over the entire height of the hoistway is facilitated, and the approach to certain positions on inspection trips is simplified.
According to the invention, to fulfill this objective on an elevator of the type stated at the outset it is envisaged that a transparent inspection window or an inspection grille closes the at least one inspection and maintenance opening present in at least one side wall of the car.
The elevator according to the invention allows inspection and maintenance work to be performed on most elevator components arranged in the elevator hoistway from within the car. As well as good utilization of the cross-section of the hoistway space, especially the height of the hoistway headroom can be kept very small, since a safety space for the mechanic above the car is no longer required. The at least one transparent inspection window or inspection grille allows visual checking of the elevator components extending or distributed in large number over the entire height of the hoistway, as for example guiderails, suspension ropes, overspeed governor rope, guiderail fasteners, and hoistway information emitters, during the inspection trip, without a large opening in the car wall being necessary. In this manner maximum safety for the inspecting person is guaranteed. Furthermore, on inspection trips the at least one transparent inspection window or inspection grille simplifies the approach to hoistway positions suitable for the inspection of certain elevator components since it ensures visibility into the elevator hoistway as well as onto the elevator components.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closed transparent inspection window or the inspection grille has at least one key-turned lock which must be unlocked by means of a key element before opening the inspection window or inspection grille. In this manner, opening of the transparent inspection window or of the inspection grille by unauthorized persons, and situations which are dangerous for passengers, are prevented.
In a manner expedient for safety, the closed state of the at least one transparent inspection window or of the inspection grille is monitored by an electric sensor and the corresponding signal conducted to the elevator control. Depending on the control program present, with unclosed inspection window or inspection grille, safety-relevant functions of the elevator such as, for example, normal trips, level-correction trips, or inspection trips, are disabled.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the transparent inspection window consists in essence of a pane of laminated glass or a pane of suitable transparent plastic such as acrylic glass or plexiglass. A window frame is not required, and the necessary fastening, hinge, and locking components can be mounted directly onto the transparent window panes, preferably by bonding with adhesive or by a combination of bonding and bolting. This flat method of construction allows the inspection window to be built into the car wall without the window projecting either inwardly or outwardly beyond the car wall, and for it to be swiveled without problem on hinges out of a narrow space within the car wall into the interior of the car.
In a further embodiment of the invention, in normal operation the transparent inspection window or inspection grille is covered by a removable decoration or cladding element or by a mirror plate. In this manner the visual appearance of the car interior is unimpaired by the inspection window or the inspection grille, and the passengers"" feeling of safety is not negatively affected by the view into the elevator hoistway. Such plate-shaped elements are preferably fastened to the transparent inspection window or inspection grille by means of screws, or push-in pins with elastic diameter, or a combination of both.
Special advantages are achieved by transparent inspection windows or inspection grilles, which have one or more reach-through openings. Placed in suitable manner, these allow hands and arms to reach through the closed inspection window or inspection grille and to perform certain manipulations on elevator components, or to sense their state by touch. Although the reach-through openings are limited by their dimensions to the passage of hands and arms, many inspection and maintenance operations can be performed in great safety for the inspecting person without opening the entire inspection window or inspection grille. In this manner much inspection time can be saved.
An advantageous further development of the invention is that at least one sensor, for example a light barrier or a light curtain, monitors the at least one reach-through opening of an inspection window or inspection grille for projecting objects. The preferably electrical output signal of the sensor on detection of projecting objects causes the elevator control to prevent all travel movement of the elevator car.
According to a further embodiment of the elevator according to the invention, the wall of the elevator hoistway above the hoistway doors assigned to the uppermost stop of the elevator car has an opening which provides the inspecting person with vision onto the car door drive, the coupling device between car door and hoistway door, and the hoistway door lock, and also permits manual access to the aforementioned elements. This opening is necessary because inspection and maintenance of these elements in the uppermost area of the hoistway cannot be performed from the car roof as usual, due to the absence of safety space, and also not through openings in a car wall. The opening can be closed with an inspection door.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, in the vicinity of the bottom end-position of the counterweight in the elevator hoistway, an arrester with a normal setting and with an arresting setting is installed. When positioned in the arresting setting, this gives support to the downward-traveling counterweight before it reaches its lower end-position, so that the counterweight-side suspension ropes are relieved. As a result of this relief, the transmissible traction force between the traction sheave and the suspension ropes is reduced to such an extent that the elevator car comes to a standstill before reaching its upper end-position. The arrester, positioned by the inspecting person according to need in the arresting setting, arrests the counterweight so far in advance of its lower end-position that in the space between the hoistway headroom and the car roof a sufficiently high safety space for a person is created. Such a safety space, which with the present machine-room-less elevator arrangement is not present in normal operation, is absolutely essential if an inspection or maintenance person must perform inspection trips on the car roof. This is especially advantageous for checking and maintaining the above-mentioned components in the vicinity of the door drive, since an opening in the hoistway wall as described above should as far as possible remain restricted to the uppermost floor for aesthetic reasons.
In yet a further embodiment of the elevator according to the invention, there is in the elevator car a command device for controlling inspection trips at reduced speed. It is advantageous for this to be equipped with an extension cable so that the inspection trips can be controlled from any position in the elevator car, so that visual inspection of elevator components through transparent inspection windows or inspection grilles during the inspection trip is possible. In normal operation the control device is preferably accommodated in a lockable compartment of the car control panel.
According to a further advantageous embodiment variant, the elevator control is so programmed that with unclosed inspection window or inspection grille, or when an object is projecting out of a reach-through opening, either no travel of the elevator car, or only an inspection trip at reduced speed, is possible. Such an inspection trip can only be commanded if on the command device for controlling inspection trips two buttons which cannot be reached simultaneously with the fingers of one single hand are actuated simultaneously for each trip. Such actuation therefore requires both hands, which ensures that no travel of the elevator can take place as long as one hand of the inspecting person is still outside the elevator car.


The mowing apparatus is made up of a long, narrow cutting assembly, a boat and two booms, one on each side of the boat, attaching the cutting assembly to the boat. There is a flotation tank at each end of the cutting assembly and the forward end of each tank is pivotally attached to the aft end of a boom. The forward ends of the booms are pivotally attached to the boat at about gunwale height and well toward the bow. All the pivotal connection axes are horizontal and perpendicular to the vertical plane through the centerline of the boat, allowing the cutting assembly to be raised and lowered between the surface of the water and the bottom of the body of water. The raising and lowering are done by allowing water into the tanks to cause the cutting assembly to sink and forcing the water out of the tanks with air to raise the cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is a sawtoothed blade operating between two sawtoothed plates. The end wise oscillations of the blade are powered by a pneumatic actuator. The tanks are sized and positioned to hold the cutting assembly a specific distance from the bottom when the tanks are flooded and to float the cutting assembly clear of the water when they are full of air. The bottoms of the tanks are shaped so that they plane on the water surface at relatively high boat speeds.

Field
The subject invention is in the field of mowers, sickle bars and particularly cutters used for cutting aquatic vegetation. More particularly it is in the field of such apparatus operable from a boat.
Prior Art
The patents listed below are a sampling of the patented prior art in the particular field noted.
______________________________________ 3,477,213 3,808,779 4,885,902 4,999,982 ______________________________________
There is a recognized need for an aquatic vegetation mower which (1) cuts a certain distance from the bottom of the body of water in which it is operated rather than a certain distance from the surface and automatically adjusts to depth changes; (2) will operate well on soft bottoms; (3) will not create currents in the water which complicate retrieving the cut-off vegetation; (4) causes a minimum of riling of the water by stirring up bottom sediment; (5) is easily brought to the surface to simplify maneuvering and positioning of the boat and cutter; and (6) can be moved to and from work areas at relatively high speed. None of the known prior art, patented or not, meets all these requirements. Accordingly, the primary objective of the subject invention is to provide aquatic vegetation mowing apparatus which does meet all these requirements. Other objectives are that the apparatus be relatively simple to manufacture and operate and that it be easily managed rather than cumbersome.


An electronic infrared thermometer is disclosed comprising a housing forming an interior chamber, a pyroelectric sensor mounted within the chamber for sensing temperature change and generating an indicative electrical signal, means for directing infrared radiation from the object to be measured to the pyroelectric sensor, a shutter assembly for controlling the passing of infrared radiation to the pyroelectric sensor, an ambient temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature within the interior chamber and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof, an electrical circuit for processing the electrical signals to calculate the temperature of the object to be measured, and an indicator for indicating the calculated temperature. The process for measuring the temperature of an object is also disclosed comprising shielding the pyroelectric sensor from infrared radiation from exterior to the thermometer housing, selectively exposing the pyroelectric sensor to infrared radiation substantially solely from the object to be measured to generate a first electrical signal related to the absolute temperature of the object to be measured, sensing the ambient temperature of the pyroelectric sensor and generating a second electrical signal proportional thereto, and electrically processing the first and second electrical signals to calculate the temperature of the object to be measured.

This invention relates to an electronic thermometer and more particularly to a noncontacting infrared electronic thermometer and method for measuring the temperature of an object.
The temperature of an object, such as the human body, can be determined by using a contact thermosensor or by measuring the naturally radiated energy from the body such as the radiated energy in the far infrared range. The infrared radiation is directly related to temperature of the object and can be utilized to determine the temperature of the body.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved noncontacting electronic thermometer which is accurate, reliable and economical to manufacture.
Another object of the invention is to provide a non-contacting electronic thermometer for measuring the temperature of an object virtually instantaneously.
A further object of the invention is to provide a non-contacting electronic thermometer for medical use which is compact, inexpensive and convenient and easy to use.
A further object of the invention is to provide a heat detector for medical use which detects warm spots on the surface of the skin.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a method for measuring the temperature of a body utilizing a high-speed pyroelectric infrared sensor and a relatively slow speed ambient temperature sensor.

Infrared electronic thermometer and method for measuring temperature