In order to obtain a diffractive optical element with which a high diffraction efficiency can be obtained in a wide wavelength range and color flare is not noticeable and a picture taking apparatus using this diffractive optical element, an image is formed on a picture taking unit by using a diffractive optical element in an optical system. The diffractive optical element has a grating structure obtained by stacking a plurality of diffraction gratings made of at least two types of materials with different dispersion properties to enhance diffraction efficiency for a particular design order throughout a predetermined wavelength region and a plurality of design wavelengths which exist in a predetermined design order and at which a maximum optical path length difference in the grating structure becomes an integer multiple of a wavelength, the diffractive optical element having a design wavelength xcex0 satisfying predetermined conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a diffractive optical element used for a plurality of wavelengths or light in a predetermined wavelength band and a picture taking apparatus using the same and, more specifically, a diffractive optical element used for part of a picture taking optical system for forming a color image by using color light bands of three or more colors.
2. Related Background Art
As a method of correcting the chromatic aberration of an optical system, a method of combining two glass materials (lenses) having different dispersions is available.
In contrast to this method of reducing chromatic aberration by combining these two glass materials, a method of reducing chromatic aberration by providing a diffractive optical element (to be also referred to as a diffraction grating hereinafter) having a diffraction effect for a lens surface or a portion other than the lens surface of an optical system is disclosed in, for example, SPIE Vol. 1354 International Lens Design Conference (1990), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 4-213421 and 6-324262 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,706. This method uses the physical phenomenon that when the refractive powers of a refraction plane and diffraction plane in an optical system are equal in sign, chromatic aberrations occur in opposite directions with respect to a ray having a given reference wavelength. Such a diffractive optical element can be made to have an aspherical lens effect by arbitrarily changing the period of the periodic structure of the element, and hence exhibits a great effect in reducing monochromatic aberration.
When a given ray is refracted, the ray remains a single ray after refraction, whereas when a given ray is diffracted, the ray is split into diffracted light components of a plurality of orders. When, therefore, a diffractive optical element is to be used for an optical system, a grating structure must be determined to make light beams in an operating wavelength range concentrate on a specific order (to be also referred to as a xe2x80x9cdesign orderxe2x80x9d hereinafter). When light concentrates on a specific order, the intensity of diffracted light components of other orders is low. When the intensity of a diffracted light component is 0, the light component does not exist.
To exploit the characteristics of the above diffractive optical element, the diffraction efficiency of a ray of the design order must be sufficiently high in the entire operation wavelength range. A ray of a diffraction order other than the design order is formed into an image at a position different from that of a ray of the design order, and hence becomes flare (light). In an optical system using a diffractive optical element, therefore, careful consideration must be given to the spectral distribution of the diffraction efficiencies of rays of the design order of the diffractive optical element and the behaviors of rays of orders other than the design order (unnecessary diffracted light components).
FIG. 14 shows the diffraction efficiency characteristics of rays of specific diffraction orders in a case where a diffractive optical element 1 having a single-layer diffraction grating 6 formed on a substrate 4 as shown in FIG. 13 is formed on a given surface in an optical system. In the following description, a diffraction efficiency value is the ratio of the light intensity of each diffracted light component to that of the entire transmitted light beam without any consideration to reflected light at a grating interface surface because of an increase in complexity in description. Referring to FIG. 14, the abscissa represents the wavelength; and the ordinate, the diffraction efficiency. This diffractive optical element is designed such that the diffraction efficiency of the first diffraction order (the solid line in FIG. 14) is maximized in the operating wavelength range. That is, the design order is the first order. FIG. 14 also shows the diffraction efficiencies of diffraction orders (first order xc2x1first order, i.e., the zero order and second order) close to the design order.
As shown in FIG. 14, the diffraction efficiency of the design order is maximized at a given wavelength (to be referred to as a xe2x80x9cdesign wavelengthxe2x80x9d hereinafter) and gradually decreases at other wavelengths. A decrease in the diffraction efficiency of this design order corresponds to diffracted light of another order and becomes flare. When a plurality of diffractive optical elements are used, in particular, a decrease in diffraction efficiency at a wavelength other than the design wavelength leads to a decrease in transmittance.
Various conventional arrangements for reducing the influence of flare have been proposed.
For example, the diffractive optical element disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-127322 is obtained by optimally selecting three different materials (three diffraction gratings 6, 7, and 12) and two different grating thicknesses d1 and d2 and arranging the respective diffraction gratings close to each other with an equal pitch distribution, as shown in FIG. 15. With this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 16, high diffraction efficiency at the design order is realized throughout the entire visible region.
The present inventor has also proposed an arrangement capable of suppressing a decrease in diffraction efficiency in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-133149. The diffractive optical element proposed in this reference has a cross-sectional shape of a multilayer formed by stacking two layers, and high diffraction efficiency of a design order is realized throughout the entire visible region by optimizing the refractive indices, dispersion characteristics, and grating thicknesses of materials for two layers 6 and 7, as shown in FIG. 17.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-104411 discloses a diffractive optical element configured to decrease the intensity of unnecessary diffracted light components of orders near the design order by properly shifting the design wavelength by adjusting the grating thickness of a kinoform type diffractive optical element like the one shown in FIG. 13.
The present applicant has also proposed an optical system in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-344369 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-241614), which is configured to properly reduce unnecessary diffracted light components of orders near the design order by using a diffractive optical element having a multilayered structure.
Of the conventional elements, the diffractive optical element proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-127322 is configured to greatly improve the diffraction efficiency of the design order, and hence the intensity of unnecessary diffracted light components as diffracted light components of orders other than the design order is reduced, thus decreasing flare. However, color flare is noticeable in an obtained image. Furthermore, no detailed description is made about the color appearance of flare, the intensity of flare, and the like.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-104411, the influences of color flare of unnecessary-order light on a grating shape having one diffraction plane as shown in FIG. 13 is described (to be referred to as a xe2x80x9csingle-layer DOExe2x80x9d hereinafter). However, no description is made about flare in a diffractive optical element having a cross-sectional shape of a multilayer obtained by stacking two or more layers (to be referred to as a xe2x80x9cmultilayered DOExe2x80x9d hereinafter).
In an optical system using the above multilayered DOE, flare is greatly reduced as compared with a single-layer DOE. However, unnecessary diffracted light is not completely eliminated but is slightly left.
In applications to optical systems in which picture taking (projection) conditions remain unchanged (e.g., the reader lens of a copying machine and the projection lens of a liquid crystal projector), the influences of flare are suppressed by multilayered DOEs to a level at which no problem arises. However, according to various studies made by the present inventor, it was found that in optical systems designed to take pictures of objects in various conditions, e.g., a camera and video camera, slight residual flare might pose a problem.
For example, if a high-luminance light source exists in an object field, picture taking operation is performed at proper exposure with respect to an object other than the light source instead of setting proper exposure with respect to the light source. Assume that the light source is exposed to light 1,000 times higher in intensity than that for proper exposure. In this case, even if residual flare is as small as 0.2%, since the intensity of flare from the light source portion is multiplied by 1,000, the resultant flare has an intensity twice as higher than that of proper exposure, resulting in noticeable flare in a taken image.
As described above, when a multilayered DOE is applied to a camera or video apparatus, even slight flare may raise a problem. If a flare component has wavelength dependence, in particular, color flare similar to color light characteristics based on the single-layer DOE disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-104411 is produced even in an arrangement using a multilayered DOE.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an diffractive optical element in which color flare caused by unnecessary-order diffracted light is made unnoticeable, and a picture taking apparatus having the diffractive optical element.
In order to achieve the above object, in one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a picture taking apparatus having a diffractive optical element, which forms an image on picture taking means by using the diffractive optical element in an optical system, the diffractive optical element having a grating structure obtained by stacking a plurality of diffraction gratings made of at least two type of materials with different dispersion properties to enhance diffraction efficiency for a particular design order throughout a predetermined wavelength region and a plurality of design wavelengths which exist in a predetermined design order and at which a maximum optical path length difference in the grating structure becomes an integer multiple of a wavelength, and the diffractive optical element having a design wavelength xcex0 satisfying conditions given below:
U1,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U1,r(xcex0) greater than 0.75[U3,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U3,rxe2x88x921(xcex0)]
xe2x80x83U1,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U1,r(xcex0) greater than U3,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U3,r(xcex0)
U1,n(xcex0)+U1,r(xcex0) greater than 0.5[U2,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U2,rxe2x88x921(xcex0)]
U1,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U1,r(xcex0)xe2x89xa7U2,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U2,r(xcex0)
(arbitrary integer satisfying O less than r less than n)
U1,n(xcex0), U2,n(xcex0), and U3,n(xcex0) being given by       U1    ,                  n                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              n                                            m            +            n                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F1                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ                                                U2    ,                  n                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              n                                            m            +            n                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F2                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ                                                U3    ,                  n                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              n                                            m            +            n                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F3                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ
and, U1,r(xcex0), U2,r(xcex0), and U3,r(xcex0) being given by       U1    ,                  r                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              r                                            m            +            r                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F1                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ                                                U2    ,                  r                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              r                                            m            +            r                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F2                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ                                                U3    ,                  r                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              r                                            m            +            r                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F3                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ
for
∫Dm(xcex0,xcex)L(xcex)T(xcex)F1(xcex)dxcex=∫Dm(xcex0,xcex)L(xcex)T(xcex)F2(xcex)dxcex=∫Dm(xcex0,xcex)L(xcex)T(xcex)F3(xcex)dxcex
where
Dp(xcex0, xcex): a diffraction efficiency of a wavelength xcex when a diffraction order of the diffractive optical element is represented by p and a design wavelength is represented by xcex0,
Dm(xcex0, xcex): a diffraction efficiency of the wavelength xcex when the diffraction order of the diffractive optical element is represented by m and the design wavelength is represented by xcex0,
m: a design order,
n: an order (n greater than 0) contributing to flare,
xcexa3: an addition symbol; although xcexa3 in each equation states that values from P=mxe2x88x92n to P=m+n are added, p=m is not included,
∫: an integration symbol,
xcex1 and xcex2: a shortest wavelength and longest wavelength in a predetermined wavelength region,
Sp(xcex): a contribution ratio at the wavelength xcex of p-order diffracted light in a specific area on a light-receiving surface (an imaging position of a design order),
L(xcex): a spectral characteristic at the wavelength xcex of a light beam incident on the optical system,
T(xcex): a transmittance of the optical system at the wavelength xcex, and
F1(xcex), F2(xcex), and F3(xcex): spectral sensitivity characteristics of light-receiving means each serving to detect light in a given wavelength range in the picture taking means; a wavelength at which the spectral sensitivity becomes highest increases in the order of F1(xcex), F2(xcex), and F3(xcex).
In one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of diffraction gratings stacked on each other preferably include at least one diffraction grating whose direction of an increasing or decreasing of a grating thickness differs from that of remaining diffraction gratings.
In one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined wavelength region is preferably a visible region.
Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the diffraction gratings are preferably stacked on a substrate, and when the stacked diffraction gratings are named as a first diffraction grating, a second diffraction grating, and an ith diffraction grating, starting from the diffraction grating close to the substrate, the first diffraction grating and the substrate are preferably made of the same material.
Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the optical system preferably comprises an imaging optical system.
Further, in another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diffractive optical element which has a grating structure obtained by stacking a plurality of diffraction gratings made of at least two types of materials with different dispersion properties to enhance diffraction efficiency for a particular design order throughout a predetermined wavelength region and a plurality of design wavelengths which exist in a predetermined design order and at which a maximum optical path length difference in the grating structure becomes an integer multiple of a wavelength, and makes flare caused by diffracted light of an order other than the design wavelengths have a bluish hue like white tinted with blue.
Further, another aspect of the present invention preferably makes flare caused by diffracted light of an order other than design orders have a bluish hue like white tinted with blue.
Further, in another aspect of the present invention, an optical system preferably comprises the above diffractive optical element.
Further, in another aspect of the present invention, a picture taking apparatus preferably images an object on picture taking means by using the above optical system.
Further, in another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diffractive optical element used in an optical system to form an image on picture taking means, the diffractive optical element having a grating structure obtained by stacking a plurality of diffraction gratings made of at least two types of materials with different dispersion properties to enhance diffraction efficiency for a particular design order throughout a predetermined wavelength region and a plurality of design wavelengths which exist in a predetermined design order and at which a maximum optical path length difference in the grating structure becomes an integer multiple of a wavelength, and the diffractive optical element having a design wavelength xcex0 satisfying conditions given below:
U1,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U1,r(xcex0) greater than 0.75[U3,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U3,rxe2x88x921(xcex0)]
U1,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U1,r(xcex0) greater than U3,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U3,r(xcex0)
U1,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U1,r(xcex0) greater than 0.5[U2,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U2,rxe2x88x921(xcex0)]
U1,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U1,r(xcex0)xe2x89xa7U2,n(xcex0)xe2x88x92U2,r(xcex0)
(arbitrary integer satisfying O less than r less than n)
U1,n(xcex0), U2,n(xcex0), and U3,n(xcex0) being given by       U1    ,                  n                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              n                                            m            +            n                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F1                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ                                                U2    ,                  n                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              n                                            m            +            n                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F2                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ                                                U3    ,                  n                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              n                                            m            +            n                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F3                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ
and, U1,r(xcex0), U2,r(xcex0), and U3,r(xcex0) being given by       U1    ,                  r                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              r                                            m            +            r                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F1                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ                                                U2    ,                  r                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              r                                            m            +            r                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F2                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ                                                U3    ,                  r                          (                      λ                                      xe2x80x83                                    0                    )                    =                        ∑                      p            =                          m              -              r                                            m            +            r                                                        ∫            λ1            λ2                                                        {                                                L                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                T                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                F3                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                                                Dp                                                        (                                                                  λ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                                                        0                                            ,                      λ                                        )                                                                                Sp                                                        (                    λ                    )                                                              }                                                  ⅆ              λ
for
∫Dm(xcex0,xcex)L(xcex)T(xcex)F1(xcex)dxcex=∫Dm(xcex0,xcex)L(xcex)T(xcex)F2(xcex)dxcex=∫Dm(xcex0,xcex)L(xcex)T(xcex)F3(xcex)dxcex
where
Dp(xcex0, xcex): a diffraction efficiency of a wavelength xcexwhen a diffraction order of the diffractive optical element is represented by p and a design wavelength is represented by xcex0,
Dm(xcex0, xcex): a diffraction efficiency of the wavelength xcex when the diffraction order of the diffractive optical element is represented by m and the design wavelength is represented by xcex0,
m: a design order,
n: an order (n greater than 0) contributing to flare,
xcexa3: an addition symbol; although xcexa3 in each equation states that values from P=mxe2x88x92n to P=m+n are added, p=m is not included,
∫: an integration symbol,
xcex1 and xcex2: a shortest wavelength and longest wavelength in a predetermined wavelength region,
Sp(xcex): a contribution ratio at the wavelength xcex of p-order diffracted light in a specific area on a light-receiving surface (an imaging position of a design order),
L(xcex): a spectral characteristic at the wavelength xcex of a light beam incident on the optical system,
T(xcex): a transmittance of the optical system at the wavelength xcex, and
F1(xcex), F2(xcex), and F3(xcex): spectral sensitivity characteristics of light-receiving means each serving to detect light in a given wavelength range in the picture taking means; a wavelength at which the spectral sensitivity becomes highest increases in the order of F1(xcex), F2(xcex), and F3(xcex).
Further, in the another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of diffraction gratings stacked on each other preferably include at least one diffraction grating whose direction of a grating of a grating shape differs from that of remaining diffraction gratings.
Further, in the another aspect of the present invention, the predetermined wavelength region is preferably a visible region.
Further, in the another aspect of the present invention, the diffraction gratings are preferably stacked on a substrate, and when the stacked diffraction gratings are named as a first diffraction grating, a second diffraction grating, and an ith diffraction grating, starting from the diffraction grating close to the substrate, the first diffraction grating and the substrate are preferably made of the same material.

Picture taking apparatus having diffractive optical element


The invention discloses a system and method for transmitting an alert from a wearable device to a user network. The wearable device includes a trigger to initiate a situation and a coupling device to couple the trigger to a notification system to notify the situation to a set of persons in the user network. The notification system allows the registration of the user, at least one guardian and the set of persons. The notification system generates a dependability score for each of the set of persons. The notification system also determines the current geo-location of the user, the guardian and the set of persons to determine a first group of trusted persons. The notification system transmits a first message to the first group of trusted persons and the guardian.

There are many methods for enhancing people's personal safety during any situation for example a security emergency or a medical emergency. In some countries certain pre-defined phone numbers are used by people to contact the emergency service establishments not limited to hospital or police station. But in most of the developing countries the infrastructure is not equipped with means to support people who are in some inadvertent situation.
During an SOS, it is important that help from trusted individuals or organizations reach the person in distress as early as possible, especially in a situation when the person in distress (PID) is unable to use his or her phone. It could happen that one or more trusted and known individuals could be nearby, but will be unaware of the situation. Thus, though this person could be willing to help, there is no way he/she could be aware of the need.
The United States 2015/0332581 discloses a method and system for broadcasting a panic alert notification. It teaches a system that broadcasts a notification to all users proximate to the PID and who are registered by the PID or registered with the broadcasting system. However, the current panic alert notification systems may lead to the privacy of the PID is compromised, which in turn may pose a security threat or raise a social issue, as several people become aware of the present situation of the PID.
Therefore, there exists a need for a system and method to create a user network and to identify trusted persons near the user's geo-location and to alert such trusted persons.

System and method for transmitting an alert from a wearable device to a user network


To inspect recesses in sides of an airfoil, gauge heads are moved into engagement with the recesses. Fluid pressure is conducted to the recesses while the gauge heads are in engagement with the recesses. A determination is made as to whether the rate of leakage of fluid from the recesses is greater than or less than a predetermined rate. If the rate of leakage of fluid is greater than a predetermined rate, one or more of the recesses is unacceptable. However, if the rate of leakage of fluid pressure is less than the predetermined rate, the recesses are acceptable.

The present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus for use in inspecting recesses formed in airfoils.
Airfoils have previously been formed with locating recesses in opposite sides of a root portion of each airfoil. The recesses are drilled after the airfoil is cast. After the recesses have been drilled, the airfoil may be sent to a customer for further machining. The recesses are used to locate the airfoil during machining by the customer.
In the past, a substantial percentage of the airfoils have been rejected by a customer due to inaccurately formed locating recesses. The recesses must have a substantially perfect geometry after being formed with a drill. A drill which has been worn even slightly, for example, by an amount which is undetectable by visual inspection of the drill, may form recesses which are not acceptable to the customer as a datum for further machining operations.

Method and apparatus for inspecting airfoils


This semiconductor laser driving apparatus for driving a semiconductor laser and to be used for an optical information recording and reproducing apparatus doing at least one of recording and reproducing information in an information recording medium by using a light from the semiconductor laser comprises an emitted light amount detecting device for detecting the emitted light amount of the semiconductor laser, an output controlling device for controlling the output of the semiconductor laser on the basis of the detected output of the emitted light amount detecting device so as to be kept constant, a driving device for feeding said semiconductor laser with an operating direct current, a high frequency superimposing device for superimposing a high frequency current on the operating direct current from the driving means, a measuring device for measuring the variation of the emitted light amount of the semiconductor laser with the variation of the operating current of the semiconductor laser in the absence of the information recording medium in the focus position of the semiconductor laser and a superimposed amount controlling device for controlling the superimposed amount by the high frequency superimposing device in response to the measured result of the measuring means.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor laser driving apparatus to be used for optical information recording and reproducing apparatus and more particularly to a semiconductor laser driving apparatus for superimposing a high frequency.
2. Related Art Statement
Recently, with the development of the information industry, an optical information recording and reproducing apparatus has come to be noted as a large capacity memorizing apparatus.
In an optical information recording and reproducing apparatus using a semiconductor laser (mentioned as an LD hereinafter) as a light source, as a means for reducing the noises generated when the light emitted out of the LD returns to the LD itself and the LD mode competing noises during the operation of the apparatus, there is known an art of superimposing a high frequency on an LD as shown in the respective publications, for example, of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9086/1984, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid Open No. 111057/1985 and Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 193554/1984.
As described in said publications, in order to reduce noises, it is necessary to make the amplitude of a high frequency current large enough for the laser oscillation to be switched on and off by a high frequency, because, when the amplitude is large enough, the LD will hold a multiplex vertical mode oscillating state.
However, the LD varies greatly in the relation between the operating current and the emitted light amount depending on the fluctuation of the characteristics of the LD itself, the ambient temperature variation and the change with the lapse of time. Therefore, with these condition variations, the LD will be no longer able to keep the on-off state at a high frequency and the noises will not be reduced in some case.
The publication of said Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9086/1984 discloses no means for determining the high frequency superimposing amount most adapted to the fluctuation of the inherent characteristics of the LD itself, the ambient temperature variation and the change with the lapse of time.
In the publication of said Japanese Utility Model Application Laid Open No. 111057/1985 is disclosed an art of varying the high frequency superimposing amount in response to the size of the driving direct current of the LD. However, at the time of superimposing a high frequency, the LD driving current will vary so greatly that the effect of superimposing a high frequency will depend not only on the size of the driving direct current but also on the characteristic of the variation of the emitted light amount with the LD driving current variation. As this characteristic varies with the fluctuation or the like of the LD characteristic, with the art shown in the publication of said Japanese Utility Model Application Laid Open No. 111057/1985, the high frequency superimposing amount will be in excess or short depending on the fluctuation or the like of the LD characteristic.
Also, in the publication of said Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 193554/1984 is disclosed an art wherein the high frequency superimposing effect is measured within a predetermined period during the reproduction of a signal and the high frequency superimposing amount is controlled in response to the measured result. However, the relation between the LD driving current and the emitted light amount is different between the case that there is a returning light to the LD and the case that there is no such light. In said art, as there is a returning light from the recording medium, there is a problem that the high frequency superimposing effect can not be accurately measured under the influence of the difference or the like of the reflection factor of the recording medium.

Semiconductor laser driving apparatus to be used for optical information recording and reproducing apparatus


In a dry-processing apparatus, a heat insulating container is interposed between an inner container for accommodating objects to be dried and a condensing outer container which is cooled by a fan. The inner container is made of a microwave transmittable material having excellent heat resistance. The adopted heat insulating container is made of a microwave reflecting material. Microwaves are generated by a microwave oscillator to heat the objects to generate vapor from the objects. The generated vapor contacts the cooled condensing outer container so as to be condensed into water. A temperature sensor is provided at the upper portion of the condensing outer container so as to detect the temperature of the generated vapor to thereby control the heating and drying operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dry-processing apparatus for dry-processing objects to be dried such as foods, industrial materials, garbage, and industrial waste, and in particular to a dry-processing apparatus relatively small in size, convenient and sanitary in use for heat-drying raw garbage, foodstuff, feedstuff and powdered materials generated in kitchens or hospitals and other waste having a relatively high moisture content.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As a means to solve environmental problems on our Earth, waste disposal techniques for processing household garbage or industrial waste materials are beginning to draw people's attention. Conventional waste disposal devices range from a mechanical processing machine called a disposer to an incinerator which uses gas fuels or liquid fuels. The mechanical processing machines process garbage by shredding it with rotating blades and then by disposing of the shredded garbage in a local drainage system. The incinerators process garbage by using burners to heat and burn the garbage to ashes. Another waste disposal device available is one which employs microwave radiation.
Such conventional devices, however, suffer from the following disadvantages. The mechanical processing machines are capable of reducing garbage in its size. Disposing of shredded garbage into the drainage system, however, greatly increases the percentage of a solid waste within the drainage system, possibly causing the local drainage system to clog. This is often an issue facing local governments. On the other hand, the disadvantages of the incinerators is that they are bulky and complex in structure, because they need gas fuels or liquid fuels. Although the waste disposal device which uses microwaves to burn garbage is free from the above-mentioned disadvantages such as drainage system clogging and bulky and complex structure, the microwave disposal device exhibits poor emission characteristics (inadequate for household application) and causes condensation as a result of moisture contained emissions. Such emissions may contaminate or damage the ambient environment of any facility where the microwave disposal device is installed. The present invention overcomes the above described disadvantages presented by the microwave disposal device.
In the meantime, a method of drying food has been widely accepted for preserving food for a long period of time. Among other methods, hot-air drying, drying by microwave heating, freeze drying, and spray drying are widely used, and are now playing an important role in long-term preservation of food. Like dried food, household garbage may be easy to handle once it is dried and dehydrated.
In a heat-drying operation, liquids separated are normally emitted as a gas such as a vapor into the ambient air. In some cases, vapor is condensed along with odors in a manner that keeps the odors entrapped. Such a process is typically applied to a large-scale cooling device, such as a cooling plant, which is equipped with a drying block and a condensation block on a separate basis. Such separate construction is not suited to a small-scale design.
Electric-powered drying methods applied to small-scale designs typically involve contact heating by heaters or non-contact heating by microwave radiation. In contact heating by heaters, non-uniform heating and then non-uniform drying take place, thereby decomposing an object to be dried, and developing odors. The microwave heating suffers the same disadvantages as those of the contact heating, because it is difficult to uniformly distribute the microwave electric field intensity.
In a conventional rotating type heat-drying apparatus, although the drying progresses successfully while the drying objects are still wet by virtue of a good heat transfer, as the moisture thereof decreases, the heat transfer will become worse such that the drying will require a longer time period and moreover the drying objects disadvantageously adhere to the rotating basket.
Moreover, the heat sources employed in dry-processing apparatuses are, for example, of an electric heater type, a combustion heat type, a microwave type, and the like. The electric heater type apparatus has advantages in safety and controllability, but generates a significant heat loss which makes it difficult to increase the drying efficiency. The combustion heat type dry-processing apparatus uses a gas fuel, liquid fuel, or the like, which results in a complicated large-size apparatus accompanied by deficiency in safety. In contrast to the above-mentioned types, since the microwave type drying apparatus has a high drying efficiency because the microwaves are selectively absorbed in moisture contained in the drying objects, no complication nor increase in size of the apparatus itself results, for which reason the microwave type is appropriate for dry-processing drying objects having a high moisture content.
However, such a conventional microwave type drying apparatus has the following problems. Since microwaves tend to have an uneven intensity distribution, it is difficult to effect a uniform dry-processing of objects and, practically, the drying objects located at lower positions remain wet even when the drying apparatus is finished processing them. Particularly when the drying object is garbage, boiled liquid of the garbage remains in the lower portion and is unsanitary.
Furthermore, vapor generated from the drying objects is condensed into dew after the drying objects are removed, which results in contamination of the inside and outside of the drying chamber. If microwaves are continuously applied to the drying objects after the drying objects are dried, the drying objects may catch fire and cause danger. Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a microwave type drying apparatus capable of achieving a high condensation of vapor generated from the drying objects while reducing the volume of the drying objects with sufficient sanitation.
Whereas the garbage, as described above, should be stored until the specified time to collect it and near the place where it is created, it will form an environment in which the garbage is itself likely to decompose due to its large moisture content. As a result, a first great problem has been that the decomposition progresses during the storage of garbage and generates a fowl odor. A second great problem has been that garbage increases in weight due to its large moisture content so as to make a heavy burden of conveying the packs, in which the garbage is accommodated, to the specified place where they are collected. Also, it is very often the case that the moisture will leak out of the packs, in which garbage is collected, during the conveyance of the packs up to the collecting place, in which case the remainder will cause a secondary odor to occur. The solution to this problem has been urgently expected, especially by those living in collective housing.
As viewed with respect to the foregoing problems, conventional garbage disposing apparatus, although capable of crushing garbage into minute pieces, cause great amounts of solid and organic components to be included in the drainage which appears after the disposal of garbage, and which accounts for organic pollution of rivers and the like. The incinerating system has not yet solved problems including the generation of odor during the incineration, and processing of ashes that are difficult to dispose. Also, the drying system, capable of reducing the weight of garbage and making it free of decomposition, has nonetheless had difficulties in uniformity of drying, power consumption, processing of vapor and odor to be generated.
Accordingly, with the conventional methods having their peculiar problems as described above, it can be said that we have up to now had no sufficiently small sized garbage disposing apparatus that can serve for practical uses. It has been demanded to realize this aim.

Dry-processing apparatus for heating and drying objects to be processed

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method and a system for providing access to an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) for a subscriber roaming in a visited communication network are described. A subscriber equipment determines that a visited network IMS is not accessible and sends a register message for registering to an IMS to a control entity in the home communication network of the subscriber. The control entity recognizes that the register message is received directly from a subscriber equipment, and an access entity for accessing the IMS of the home network is assigned. Then, the control entity sends a message to the subscriber equipment which message comprises the address of the access entity.

In the current 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) architecture a P-CSCF (Proxy-Call State Control Function) is provided by the visited network, where the subscriber is roaming to in both Transport level and IMS level. FIG. 1 shows a P-CSCF in a visited network according to the current 3GPP architecture. This local P-CSCF has connection to the visited Transport Network as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates a visited IMS built on top of the visited Transport Network represented by GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). Assigning/locating this local P-CSCF is the task of the visited network. For this purpose, two methods are defined in 3GPP:                0. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is used to provide a UE (User Equipment) with the domain name of a P-CSCF and the address of a DNS (Domain Name Server) that is capable of resolving the P-CSCF address.        0. A P-CSCF address is transferred within the PDP (Packet Data Protocol) Context Activation signaling to the UE.
In other words, the current P-CSCF discovery methods only work when the visited IMS network comprises a local P-CSCF.
A more detailed description of the current 3GPP architecture is given in [TS 23.228 v5.00 (April 2001)].
However in the early stage of IMS deployment or in case of Alternative Access (i.e. Access Network other than GPRS) there may be the case that IMS subscribers roam into a Transport Network which has no IMS deployed on top of it and so the visited Transport Network cannot provide means to discover a local P-CSCF. Thus, the subscriber cannot access IMS for getting services therefrom.
Not providing IMS services for this kind of subscriber is the easiest way of handling the situation but surely is a great restriction on the business opportunity especially in the early phase of IMS deployment.


A communication device having a function for supplying electric power to a communication partner may include a non-contact control section configured to balanced-output transmission power, an antenna circuit configured to transmit the transmission power as an electromagnetic wave, and a matching circuit which is disposed between an output of the non-contact control section and an input of the antenna circuit and is configured to perform impedance matching. The matching circuit and the antenna circuit are respectively provided with two systems and circuit structures from the output of the non-contact control section to the antenna circuits via the matching circuits of the two systems are formed symmetrically.

A non-contact type IC card is capable of easily exchanging information with a device which performs reading and writing of the information (referred to as a non-contact type IC card reader or a non-contact type IC card reader/writer) by wireless communication. The non-contact type IC card is provided with many superior features such as a larger memory capacity in comparison with a magnetic card and a high tolerance against fraudulent reading and tampering of stored information. Therefore, a non-contact type IC card has been widely and generally utilized in recent years in applications such as a credit card for a financial institution, a card for storing electronic money, a commuter pass for means of transportation.
In these systems, there are many cases that no cell is provided in a non-contact type IC card and the non-contact type IC card is operated by non-contact power feeding through an electromagnetic wave emitted from a non-contact type IC card reader (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-356765 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-136944).
In the systems of the above-mentioned applications, bidirectional data transmissions are required, in other words, a direction from a non-contact type IC card reader to a non-contact type IC card and a direction from the non-contact type IC card to the non-contact type IC card reader are required. In the direction from the non-contact type IC card reader to the non-contact type IC card, data transmission is performed by carrying out ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulation of a carrier emitted from the non-contact type IC card reader.
On the other hand, in a direction from the non-contact type IC card to the non-contact type IC card reader, the non-contact type IC card is not provided with a power supply (cell) and thus the non-contact type IC card is not provided with a function for emitting a carrier. Therefore, in a non-contact type IC card, data transmitting function is realized by a so-called "load modulation system" in which a carrier emitted from the non-contact type IC card reader is received by a load resistance connected with a tuning circuit structured of an inductor and a capacitor and a value of the load resistance is varied corresponding to "1"/"0" of emitted data.
The non-contact type IC card reader detects a voltage variation of its antenna coil generated depending on a variation of the value of the load resistance of the non-contact type IC card and data from the non-contact type IC card to the non-contact type IC card reader are reproduced.
As described above, the non-contact type IC card reader is required to supply electric power to a non-contact type IC card when communication is performed. An electromagnetic wave is generated as means for supplying electric power. However, this system is classified as a radio system and thus radioactive emission of an electromagnetic wave level (transmission power level) is required to keep within a specified value prescribed by Radio Law in each country.
In order to secure a communication distance with a non-contact type IC card, a sufficient electromagnetic wave is required. The higher the electromagnetic wave level (transmission power level) is, the radiation level from a product becomes larger and thus a margin becomes insufficient for the specified value of Radio Law (radioactive emission) or may exceed the specified value.

Communication device, non-contact type card reader, and wireless system


A vehicular heat management system includes a heat medium circuit, a heat source portion, and a device. A heat medium cooling an engine circulates in the heat medium circuit. The heat source portion heats the heat medium. The device is configured to function and heat the heat medium when the heat medium flowing into the device is at or above a predetermined temperature. When the engine is being warmed up, heat generated by the heat source portion is supplied to the device in preference to the engine. According to this, since the heat generated by the heat source portion is supplied to the device in preference to the engine when the engine is being warmed up, the engine can be warmed up early.

Conventionally, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicular cooling system that uses a high-pressure refrigerant of a refrigeration cycle as a heat source heating an engine.
In this conventional technology, a first coolant circuit, a second coolant circuit, a water-refrigerant heat exchanger, and a switching valve are provided. A coolant for the engine flows through the first coolant circuit. In the second coolant circuit, a coolant whose temperature is lower than that of the coolant flowing through the first coolant circuit flows. The water-refrigerant heat exchanger exchanges heat between the high-pressure refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle and the coolant. The switching valve switches a flow of the coolant such that the coolant in the first coolant circuit or the low-temperature coolant in the second coolant circuit flows into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger.
During warming up the engine, the switching valve switches a pathway of the coolant such that the coolant in the first coolant circuit flows into the water-refrigerant heat exchanger. According to this, the engine can be heated by using the high-pressure refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle as a heat source.
In the conventional technology, an EGR cooler is provided in the second coolant circuit. The EGR cooler exchanges heat between an EGR gas and the low-temperature coolant in the second coolant circuit to cool the EGR gas.


An active transfer case is equipped with a multi-plate clutch assembly, a clutch actuation mechanism configured to selectively engage the clutch assembly, a power-operated clutch actuator configured to control actuation of the clutch actuation mechanism, a power-operated actuator brake associated with the power-operated clutch actuator, and a control system configured to control actuation of the clutch actuator and the actuator brake while employing a preemptive check of the functionality of the actuator brake.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
In view of increased consumer popularity in four-wheel drive vehicles, power transfer systems are currently being utilized in vehicular drivetrain applications for selectively directing power (i.e., drive torque) from the powertrain to all four wheels of the vehicle. In many power transfer systems, a transfer case is incorporated into the drivetrain and is operable in a four-wheel drive mode for delivering drive torque from the powertrain to both the front and rear wheels. Many conventional transfer cases are equipped with a mode shift mechanism that can be selectively actuated to shift between a two-wheel drive mode and a locked four-wheel drive mode. In addition, many transfer cases also include a range shift mechanism which can be selectively actuated by the vehicle operator for shifting between four-wheel high-range and low range drive modes.
It is also known to use "on-demand" power transfer systems for automatically distributing drive torque between the front and rear wheels, without any input or action on the part of the vehicle operator, when traction is lost at either the front or rear wheels. Modernly, it is known to incorporate the "on-demand" feature into a transfer case by replacing the mechanically-actuated mode shift mechanism with a multi-plate clutch assembly, a clutch actuation mechanism and a power-operated clutch actuator that is interactively associated with an electronic control system and a sensor arrangement. During normal road conditions, the clutch assembly is typically maintained in a released condition such that drive torque is only delivered to the rear wheels. To establish the released condition of the multi-plate clutch assembly, the power-operated clutch actuator is commanded by the control system to move the clutch actuation mechanism to a non-actuated position for disengaging the multi-plate clutch assembly. However, when the sensors detect a low traction condition, the clutch actuator is actuated by the control system to move the clutch actuation mechanism from its non-actuated position to an actuated position which, in turn, engages the clutch assembly for transmitting drive torque to the front wheels. Moreover, the amount of drive torque transferred through the clutch assembly to the front wheels can be varied as a function of specific vehicle dynamics and operating characteristics, as detected by the sensor arrangement.
Many current active transfer cases are configured to include a rear output shaft interconnecting the transmission output to the rear driveline, a front output shaft interconnected to the front driveline, a transfer assembly interconnected to the front output shaft, and the clutch assembly which is operably arranged to couple the transfer assembly to the rear output shaft for transmitting drive torque to the front driveline. Typically, the transfer assembly includes a first sprocket rotatably supported on the rear output shaft, a second sprocket fixed to the front output shaft, and a chain encircling and drivingly interconnecting the first sprocket for common rotation with the front output shaft. The clutch assembly and components of the power-operated clutch actuator are disposed to surround the rear output shaft and function to couple the first sprocket to the rear output shaft.
In the past, the vehicle ride height and suspension configuration of many trucks and sport utility vehicles provided sufficient packaging volume for such traditional active transfer cases. However, in view of increased demand for smaller four-wheel drive vehicles, the packaging volume allocated to the powertrain and the active transfer case has been greatly reduced. As such, some active transfer cases have been developed which position the clutch assembly, the clutch actuation mechanism and the power-operated clutch actuator on the front output shaft.
Regardless of the location of the multi-plate clutch assembly, many active transfer cases are also equipped with a power-operated actuator brake which is normally operable in a power-off condition to brake movement of a component associated with one of the clutch actuation mechanism and the power-operated clutch actuator. This braking function acts to maintain the multi-plate clutch assembly in its current torque-transmitting condition while allowing the electrical power to the clutch actuator to be turned off. The use of such a power-off actuator brake permits reduction in the power-on use of the clutch actuator, particularly during time periods of continuous and constant torque transfer requirements. The control system coordinates actuation of the clutch actuator and the actuator brake to provide this clutch-holding feature.
If an electrical or mechanical malfunction of the actuator brake occurs, the software associated with the control system may not recognize the malfunction until actuation of the actuator brake is actually required. Common electrical actuator brake circuit diagnostics are configured to identify changes in voltage within the actuator brake control circuit which are indicative of a total loss of actuator brake controllability. However, on their own, conventional actuator brake circuit diagnostics do not provide full coverage over all potential malfunction detection conditions. For example, the actuator brake could be mechanically faulty and the circuit diagnostics would not detect this condition.
Typically, active transfer cases equipped with an actuator brake have control systems utilizing "passive" functional software diagnostics. A first passive functional diagnostic monitors movement of a component within the clutch actuator (or the actuation mechanism) when engagement of the actuator brake is requested and the clutch actuator is not energized. Commonly, this diagnostic acts to monitor rotation of the electric motor output shaft. Detection of such movement in this scenario could indicate that the actuator brake is not mechanically holding the braked components in a stationary manner. A second passive functional diagnostic is configured to monitor for lack of movement when the control system requests release of the actuator brake and the clutch actuator is energized. Detection of movement in this scenario could indicate that the actuator brake is malfunctioning by failing to disengage when requested.
The addition of these passive functional software diagnostics improves overall coverage of malfunction detection. However, because they are passive in nature, they are only capable of identifying when the actuator brake functionality has already been compromised and available options for subsequent corrective action are limited.
Therefore, a need exists to further supplement such passive functional diagnostic with an "active" or preemptive check of the actuator brake's functionality. Such an active brake functionality check permits the software to take additional action and/or notify the vehicle operator of compromised 4WD functionality before the vehicle is operated in a potentially unsafe situation.

Active brake confirmation for active transfer cases


A data processing system is described. The system includes a smart card having at least two independent electronic modules. A way to connect the multiple electronic modules through the use of the reader is also disclosed. By using circuitry in the reader to perform the interconnection function, the overall complexity of the electronic functions on the card can be increased without increasing either the size of the individual integrated circuits or the difficulty of fitting them into a smart card.

Before describing such systems in greater detail, it is important to recall what known electronic memory cards consist of. The card comprises a body of plastic material having an electronic module implanted therein, the module comprising a semiconductor chip having an integrated circuit formed thereon together with contact tabs which are disposed on one of the main faces of the card body and which are electrically connected to the terminals of the integrated circuit. The card must have standardized dimensions, and in particular its thickness must be less than one millimeter and the contact tabs must be in specified positions relative to the edges of the card. In addition, the card together with its electronic module must satisfy mechanical tests, and in particular bending tests, in order to ensure that the electronic module will not come unstuck from the body of the card. Given the thinness of the card body, numerous problems are encountered in implanting the electronic module in the body. In particular, the hollows required for receiving the electronic module must be provided with precision, in particular relating to the location of the hollow relative to the outside edges of the card body. In addition, implanting an electronic module in a card body requires a certain number of operations to be performed which must be repeated when manufacturing each card.
It will be understood that the cost of manufacturing a card body and fixing an electronic module in the card body is by no means negligible. In contrast, for a given architecture, the cost of manufacturing an integrated circuit tends to fall off significantly. Consequently, in the overall manufacturing cost of an electronic memory card, the fraction due to manufacturing the body of the card and to implanting the electronic module tends to increase considerably. As a result, within a given organization the solution which consists in providing one card for each function considerably increases the fixed cost which is specifically related to manufacturing the cards. The smaller the amount of money's worth stored in the card, the less the user is prepared to accept this fixed cost.
It is also disagreeable for a user to have to keep on the person a plurality of different cards for obtaining different commonly used services.
The other solution which consists in providing a single card for giving access to different services requires an integrated circuit of much more complicated architecture in order to enable a single circuit to provide different functions. This implies an integrated circuit including wired logic structure or microprocessor structure together with large memory capacity. As a result, the integrated circuit will be considerably more expensive and the area of the semiconductor chip will be considerably larger. The first point means that the number of different functions must be very small, and the second point naturally makes implanting the electronic module in the card more difficult.
Further, if the number of available services increases, or if access to data handling networks needs to be better protected, the authorization or authentification procedures of the card and/or the card-bearer must be reinforced without inconveniencing the user, i.e. without making the operations which the user must perform to gain access to services or to a data network more complex.
An aim of the invention is to provide a data processing system for smart cards having a plurality of electronic modules and avoiding the above-mentioned drawbacks.
Before describing the invention, it is appropriate to specify what is meant in the present text by the term "card processing device".
"Card processing device" means a device into which a smart card (i.e. one including electronic memory) may be inserted and which is capable of reading the data stored in the card, of writing new data into the card and also of processing the data read together with data coming from elsewhere in order to authorize access to a service or to a data network. As is well known, another function of the processing device is to provide the integrated circuit of the card with its electrical power supply since cards do not, in general, include their own power supply.

Data processing system for smart cards having a plurality of electronic modules


A method and device for determining when a food (9) has thawed in a microwave oven (1) are provided. The food (9) is placed above an element (14) constructed of a microwave sensitive material and shields the element (14) from the microwaves to a different extent according to its degree of thawing. The temperature increase in the material resulting from its absorption of the microwaves is measured by a transducer (18) which receives a signal operationally related to the temperature and which on the basis for the signal halts the thawing when the temperature has reached a suitable value. The element (14) is associated with a food support (8) which thermally isolates it from the food (9), the element being in direct or indirect contact with the transducer (18). The transducer (18) can be disposed either in the food support (8) or in the bottom wall (7) of the oven thawing chamber (4) below the support (8).

To automatically control the thawing of said food, microwave ovens are currently provided with weight sensors which measure the weight variation of the food during said thawing. These sensors are connected to a control member or microprocessor which, based on a prearranged program and the data obtained by the sensor, halts the operation of the microwave generator and consequently the thawing when the weight of the food has attained a predetermined value.
As an alternative to the aforesaid there are microwave ovens provided with infrared sensors which measure the surface temperature of the food. The sensors, connected to a microprocessor, cause the control member to act on the microwave generator and halt its operation when the food surface temperature has reached a predetermined value.
In both cases, a microwave oven as described is costly and laborious to construct. In addition, the data obtained by said sensors do not always reflect the true thawing level attained by the food, particularly with regard to its interior.

Method and device for determining when a food has thawed in a microwave oven


A combination back scratcher, washer, lotion warmer and applicator includes an elongated, hollow ergonomically designed shaft having a handle at an upper end and any one of a plurality of interchangeable pivotal heads at the lower end. A heated lotion tube is received within the shaft. A reciprocal trigger operates an air pump to deliver heated lotion from the tube to one of the interchangeable heads.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a multipurpose hygienic implement, specifically, a combination back washer, scratcher and lotion applicator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The back is one of the most inaccessible areas of the body. However, one must often apply lotions, sun screen or soap to the back which may not be possible without the assistance of another person. Accordingly, there is currently a need for a device that allows an unassisted user to perform such tasks.
Although a myriad of lotion applicators and back scratchers exists in the prior art, none combine all of the features of the present invention, specifically, a lotion applicator, a lotion warmer, a back scratcher and a back washer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. D. 323,409 issued to Giese discloses an ornamental design for a lotion applicator including an acurate telescopic handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,0455279 issued to Follis discloses an easy reach applicator including an applicator head that uses a manually activated pressure plate regulator to maintain a positive pressure on the dispensing fluid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,661 issued to Sutton, et al. discloses an extendable fluid applicator including a telescopic handle having a fibrous pad at an end thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,410 issued to Slocum discloses a surface textured cleansing device including a plurality of cleaning teeth.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,342 issued to Patalano discloses a body lotion applicator system including a hollow tube for retaining lotion with an applicator pad attached thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 37870,419 issued to Sage discloses a back scrubber/massager and lotion applicator including a body that receives soap with straps attached to each of two sides thereof. On one side of the body are a plurality of fingers while a plurality of projections extend from an opposing side.
As indicated above, although numerous applicators exist in the prior art, none include all of the features of the present invention, specifically, a lotion applicator including a plurality of interchangeable pivotal heads with an integral heated lotion storage tube.


A developer cartridge is detachably mountable in an image-forming device having a driving rotator. The developer cartridge includes a developing roller and a driven rotator. The driven rotator is movable in an advancing direction parallel to an axial direction of the developing roller toward the driving rotator and in a retracting direction opposite the advancing direction. The driven rotator receives a driving force from the driving rotator when coupled with the driving rotator, thereby rotating the developing roller.

Developer cartridges that are detachably mounted in an image-forming device are well known in the art. One such developer cartridge disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,160 includes a developing roller, and an input gear for receiving a driving force from the main body of the image-forming device and transmitting the driving force to the developing roller. A coupling member is also provided in the main body of the image-forming device for engaging with and rotating the input gear in the developer cartridge. This coupling member is made to engage with and retract from the input gear in association with the opening and closing of a cover on the main body of the image-forming device when mounting and removing the developer cartridge.

Developer cartridge for image-forming device


A malfunction detection device of a bellows type accumulator for pressurized fluid includes malfunction judgment unit for judging a malfunction of the bellows type accumulator on the basis of a detection output of the pressure sensor. The malfunction judgement unit judges that the malfunction of the seal member generates when the difference between a peak pressure value appeared before a predetermined time is past after the starting of the pressure increase from a value below a predetermined value in the inlet and outlet port and a stable fluid pressure appeared after the appearance of the peak pressure value is not within a predetermined range and/or when the peak pressure value does not appear before the progress of the predetermined time.

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. xc2xa7 119 with respect to a Japanese Patent Application 2001-110573, filed on Apr. 9, 2001, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
This invention relates to a malfunction detection device of a bellows type accumulator for pressurized fluid.
A conventional accumulator of this kind for storing pressurized fluid is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-249101. This accumulator includes a shell which forms a pressure space, a bellows located in the pressure space, made of metal and so on and whose one end is fluid tightly fixed to one end wall of the shell and whose other end is fluid tightly fixed to a movable plate, a gas chamber which is formed inside of the bellows and in which pressurized gas is enclosed and a fluid chamber which is formed outside of the bellows and which communicates to an inlet and outlet port formed on the other end wall of the shell.
A seal member which is made of rubber and so on is provided on a face of the movable plate being opposite to the other end wall of the shell. When the pressure in the fluid chamber is lower than the pressure in the gas chamber and thereby the bellows extends so that the length of the bellows reaches to a predetermined length, a ring shaped sealing surface of the seal member contacts with an inner surface of the other end wall of the shell and the fluid in the fluid chamber is prevented from flowing into the inlet and outlet port. As a result, the pressure in the fluid chamber is balanced with the pressure in the gas chamber and a stress in excess of a permissible stress is prevented from being applied to the bellows.
In the above mentioned bellows type accumulator, when the seal member is damaged, an amount of fluid can leak from the fluid chamber to the inlet and outlet port under the condition that the sealing surface of the seal member contacts with the other end wall of the shell. The pressure in the fluid chamber then becomes lower than the pressure in the gas chamber and the stress which is applied to the bellows exceeds the permissible stress. As a result, the bellows is deformed non-elastically. In this condition, when the increase and decrease of the fluid pressure in the inlet and outlet port is repeated and the expansion and contraction of the bellows is repeated, the bellows is destroyed.
A need exists for a malfunction detection device of a bellows type accumulator which can solve the drawback of the known accumulator.
A malfunction detection device of a bellows type accumulator for pressurized fluid comprises the bellows type accumulator including a shell which forms a pressure space, a bellows located in the pressure space and whose one end is fluid tightly fixed to one end wall of the shell and whose other end is fluid tightly fixed to a movable plate, a gas chamber which is formed inside of the bellows and in which pressurized gas is enclosed, a fluid chamber which is formed outside of the bellows and which communicates to an inlet and outlet port formed on the other end wall of the shell and a seal member which is provided on one of the movable plate or the other end of the shell and which contacts with the other of the movable plate or the other end of the shell for preventing the fluid from flowing from the fluid chamber to the inlet and outlet port, a pressure sensor which detects the fluid pressure in the inlet and outlet port and malfunction judgment means for judging a malfunction of the bellows type accumulator on the basis of a detection output of the pressure sensor, wherein the malfunction judgment means judge the seal member.

Malfunction detection device of a bellows type accumulator for pressurized fluid


An illuminated bucket is a double-layered or walled carrier, with LED light, or other illuminated source, established between the layered inner and outer walls for the formed carrier. The circuitry for the LED lights includes a battery, and may further include a flasher that allows for blinking of the lights.

In a Halloween or other holiday event, many children use different shaped receptacles, whether it is paper bags, handled plastic bags, or even different shaped containers, as a carrier for candies, particularly during the Halloween season, when conducting trick-or-treat activities. Almost all of those types of containers on the market are just usually in the form of a bucket, so that when the children use those buckets as a candy carrier, they still walk in the dark. While some of the buckets may have some means for illumination, they are rather difficult of structure, and do not project the light exteriorly, to also function as a safety lighting feature, to not only add to the security of the children during usage, but to also add to the decorative attractiveness of the container during application.
Examples of some of the prior art types of lighted carriers can be seen, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,234, which shows a singular-walled, hollow carrier incorporating a handle, and in a space having a light and diffuser assembly, generally structured to provide for reflection of light into the carrier for illuminating the carrier interiorly, during usage.
The prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,233, is also upon an illuminated bucket, which is formed as just that, a bucket that has an illumination means, once again located in the bottom of its structure, which does provide some illumination for the path of the child holding the bucket, with some degree of illumination within the bucket to provide aesthetic effects.
The patent to Hickey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,985, shows a trick-or-treat carrier with a false bottom. This carrier also is shaped as a bucket, and has means for holding an inverted flashlight to the bottom of the bucket, for illuminating downwardly, as occurs with most of the prior art described herein, and then has a false bottom that slides down over the flashlight to separate the lower end of the light from the candies or other gifts arranged therein during usage.
Another prior patent in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,932, shows an illuminated carrier employing fiber optics. This decorative carrier is also for holding Halloween candy, and it is just a singular bucket that has fiber optics located through its surface, and other light sources projecting through the outer wall of the carrier, so as to provide some decorative illumination of the carrier during application. The patent states that an audible emission may also be provided.
A published application in the U.S., No. 2003/0086260, is upon an illuminated Halloween candy carrier. This carrier is shaped as a face, has a handle that is illuminated by a plurality of light bulbs, and a base structure that is further illuminated by a single bulb, battery-energized, during its usage and application. It does describe its applicability to increase the visibility of the child carrying it on a darkened street.


A medical waste disposal system includes an assembly for superheating a quantity of untreated medical waste which is partially saturated with water to an internal temperature of at least 275 degrees Fahrenheit for at least thirty minutes. After such superheating the vessel is rotated to cool the same to under 100 degrees Fahrenheit after which the contents are deposited into a matrix of grinding elements having surfaces of different grinding dimensions and capabilities such that the output thereof is unrecognizable as medical waste. Such output is then deposited into a microwave assembly to further disinfect and decontaminate the medical waste. After such treatment the output of the system may be treated in the same fashion as conventional household refuse.

At present, most of the more that 600,000 tons of regulated biomedical waste generated by hospitals, laboratories, clinics and medical offices in the United States are disposed of through means of off-site incineration. Such incineration, whether on-site or off-site gives rise to problems concerning compliance with the Federal Clean Air Standards Act which, as a result, have often raised capital and operating costs associated therewith to prohibitive levels.
Accordingly, some effort has been directed toward the creation of industrial sized autoclaving. However, this approach has been questioned because it cannot be assured that steam penetration will occur throughout an entire load of medical waste, given the variables of packaging and fluid volumes which may exist within any particular batch of medical waste. Further, autoclaving does not render the medical waste unrecognizable or reduce its volume. Thusly, it is unsuitable for disposal in already overcrowded landfills.
Most importantly, the storing costs and liability have caused increasingly more health care institutions to turn away from having their waste hauled to off-site treatment. However, the problem of satisfactory means of on-site treatment, by whatever means, still exists.
Prior art approaches to medical waste fragmentation and disposal, other than the approaches of autoclaving and incineration include efforts at encapsulating the contaminated waste, typically in a thermoplastic compound. Such efforts are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,683 to Busdeker, entitled Portable Small Scale Medical Waste Treatment Machine and U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,217 (1991) to Spinello, entitled Apparatus and Method For Sterilizing, Destroying And Encapsulating Medical Implement Wastes.
There is further known in the art, a number of special purpose medical waste grinders having potential value in smaller or portable type disposal systems. Such grinding approaches are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,261 (1990) to Solomons, entitled Medical Waste Fragmentation and Disposal System, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,994 (1991) to Maitlen, et al, entitled Medical Waste Grinder.
The use of microwaves in the disinfecting of medical waste, which comprises one aspect of the present system, is shown, with reference to the treatment of sludge in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,143 (1991), entitled Microwave Sludge Drying Apparatus and Method. Further, the use of microwaves in a medical disinfectant system for the treatment of medical waste exists in a system commercially available from ABB Sanitec, Inc., Division of Asea Brown Boveri, known as the ABB Sanitec Microwave Disinfection System. The Sanitec system has been used in Europe since 1984 and in the United States since 1990. The Sanitec system employs two basic steps--the first that of shredding the medical waste and the second that of steam-treating the ground waste while exposing the same to microwaves.
The Sanitec system suffers from a number of problems that have limited its use in the United States. One of these is that many states do not permit infectious waste to be ground prior to treatment because such grinding creates an additional risk of exposing hospital workers to infection. It is asserted by many state regulators that when medical material containing infectious agents are manipulated and disrupted, such waste, particularly waste containing aerosols, containing micro-organism are released, people can become infected through the mouth, nose and eyes as well as transdermally. A second difficulty with the Sanitec system is that its normal operating temperature, in the microwave portion thereof, is that of 203 degrees Fahrenheit. This specialists in the applicable field (which is known as epidemiology), have asserted is inadequate to confidently kill the test organism Bacillus strarochermophilus. Accordingly, the prior art of medical waste disposal and disinfection systems which employ microwaves have suffered from problems at the input stage regarding the possible release of infectious agents during the grinding step and, as well, at the output thereof because of inadequate temperature.
The instant invention addresses the above shortcomings of microwave and other prior art approaches of to medical waste disposal. In so doing there is provided a system concept applicable to various sized system including one that can easily be used within most doctors offices and, one that can be used on-site at a hospital and, finally, an industrial sized system which can be used off-site at designated medical waste disposal locations.