A substrate cleaning method includes: a first step in which a cleaning liquid is ejected from a nozzle N2 to a central portion of a wafer W; a second step in which a dry gas is ejected from a nozzle N3 to the central portion of the wafer W to form a dry area; a third step in which the cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle N2 while the nozzle N2 is moved from a central side of the wafer W to a peripheral side thereof; a fourth step in which a width of an intermediate area generated between a wet area and the dry area is acquired; and a fifth step in which, when the width of the intermediate area exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a process parameter is changed such that the width of the intermediate area becomes the threshold value or less.

In a recent a micro-process, an irregular pattern (e.g., resist pattern) is generally formed on a substrate (e.g., semiconductor wafer) by means of a photolithographic technique. Specifically, the irregular pattern is formed by a coating step for coating a substrate with a resist material to form a resist film, an exposure step for exposing the resist film, and a developing step for developing the exposed resist film.
The developing step includes a cleaning process in which a substance of a dissolved resist (dissolved resist substance), which has been dissolved by a developer, is removed together with the developer from a surface of the substrate. In the cleaning process, if the resist dissolved substance is not completely removed to remain on the substrate, a desired irregular pattern may not be obtained, resulting in defective development.
Thus, in order to restrain the defective development, a substrate cleaning method described in JP2006-080315A includes: a step in which a cleaning liquid is supplied to a central portion of a rotating substrate so that the cleaning liquid spreads all over a surface of the substrate; a step in which, during the rotation of the substrate, a cleaning-liquid supply position on the surface of the substrate is moved from a central side of the substrate toward a peripheral side thereof by a predetermined distance, and a dry gas is ejected to the central portion of the substrate to form a dry area; and a step in which, during the rotation of the substrate, the cleaning-liquid supply position on the surface of the substrate is further moved toward the peripheral side of the substrate. In this case, along with the movement of the cleaning-liquid supply position on the surface of the substrate, the dry area formed on the central portion of the substrate spreads outward by an action of the centrifugal force. Thus, the cleaning liquid is discharged outward from recesses in the irregular pattern, and the resist dissolved substance is discharged together with the cleaning liquid. As a result, occurrence of the defective development can be restrained.

Substrate cleaning method, substrate cleaning apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium


A pluggable external wireless receiver module includes a housing, a power terminal unit, a receiver device, and a control terminal unit. The power terminal unit is mounted on the housing and is adapted for connection to a power source. The receiver device is mounted in the housing, and includes a receiver unit for receiving a wireless control signal, a processing unit for processing the control signal received by the receiver unit, and a driving unit controlled by the processing unit for generating a motor control output corresponding to the processed control signal. The control terminal unit is mounted on the housing, is connected to the driving unit of the receiver device, and is adapted for connection to a connector of a sewing machine, thereby transmitting the motor control output from the driving unit to the sewing machine for controlling operation of a motor of the sewing machine accordingly.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a wireless receiver module, more particularly to a pluggable external wireless receiver module for a sewing machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Control of an internal motor of a conventional sewing machine is usually conducted through a pedal-type controller. In particular, the rotation speed of an internal motor of the sewing machine is varied according to treading action on a pedal of the controller.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional sewing machine is shown to include a machine body 91 having a motor (not shown) disposed therein, a socket connector 92 mounted on and accessible externally of the machine body 91, a plug connector 93 for mating with the socket connector 92, a power cord 94 and a signal cord 95 each connected at one end to the plug connector 93, and a controller 96 connected to the other end of the signal cord 95.
In operation, the controller 96 converts user treading action into corresponding control signals that are transmitted through the signal cord 95 and the socket connector 92 into the machine body 91 for controlling operation of the motor inside the machine body 91.
When the conventional sewing machine is in use, the machine body 91 is usually placed on top of a table, whereas the controller 96 is placed on the ground to permit treading on the same. Therefore, since signal transmission between the controller 96 and the machine body 91 is conducted in a wired manner, the signal cord 95 must extend from the top of the table to the ground, which can result in some inconvenience.
To overcome the aforesaid drawback, it has been proposed heretofore to use a wireless mode of transmission between the controller and the machine body. To this end, a transmitter and a receiver are respectively provided in the controller and the machine body such that the controller converts user treading action into wireless control signals for subsequent transmission by the transmitter to the receiver in the machine body, thereby permitting control of the operation of the motor in the machine body.
It is noted that the space in the machine body of a conventional sewing machine is fully utilized. Hence, installation of the receiver inside the machine body is not allowed unless the original design of the machine body is modified. In other words, it is not possible to upgrade older sewing machines for wireless transmission purposes in view of lack of sufficient space in the machine body for accommodating the receiver.

Pluggable external wireless receiver module for a sewing machine

Taiwan Yamamoto Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A tertiary aminoalcohol having a tert-amino group(s) in the main chain and hydroxyl groups at the terminals. The use of this compound for purposes different from that of ordinary amines and amine derivatives is expected.. A process for producing the tertiary aminoalcohol wherein a catalyst comprising copper, a transition metal element of the fourth period and a platinum group element of the group VIII, and further optionally containing an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal is used.. A process for producing polyurethane using the above-mentioned tertiary aminoalcohol which can solve the problems occurring in the production of a polyurethane using a tertiary amine which has a strong irritating odor and is highly irritant to the skin as a catalyst, for example, deteriorations of working atmosphere and sales appeal of the polyurethane.. The chemical structure of the above-described tertiary aminoalcohol is as follows: ##STR1##

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel tertiary aminoalcohol. The tertiary aminoalcohols per se are used as an emulsifier, epoxy hardener, urethane catalyst, flotation agent, extractant, additive for lubricating oil, and the like. Further derivatives of the tertiary aminoalcohols, such as quaternary ammonium salts, benzalkonium salts, carbobetaines and amine oxides can be used for various purposes. Particularly they can be converted into various derivatives, taking advantage of the characteristic structure thereof having a terminal alcohol, by modifying them through esterification, sulfation, phosphation, amination or halogenation.
The present invention relates to a novel polyurethane, a process for producing the same, and a process for producing a polyurethane foam. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a process for producing a polyurethane which gives a polyurethane excellent moldability in mold filling substantially without the necessity for using a catalyst component commonly used for producing a polyurethane, a polyurethane produced by the process, a process for producing a rigid polyurethane foam excellent in mold filling, thermal insulation property and low-temperature dimensional stability, and a process comprising a spray step for producing a rigid polyurethane foam having excellent mechanical properties and adhesive properties whereby the reaction of a polyol with an isocyanate can sufficiently proceed at low temperature. Furthermore, the present invention is concerned with a process for producing a foamed-in-mold flexible polyurethane foam for use in furniture and automobile cushions, more particularly, a process for producing a flexible polyurethane foam by using a urethane feedstock containing a particular tertiary aminoalcohol and having an excellent high temperature moldability at the time of pouring of a urethane feedstock in mold foaming.
2. Description of the Related Art
The inventors of the present invention do not known the fact that amino alcohols having a tert-amino group in the main chain thereof and a process for producing it like that of the present invention have been disclosed in known publications except for an ethylene oxide or propylene oxide adduct of an amine.
As for polyamines, a process for producing a polyamine having a terminal amino group by reacting a diol with NH.sub.3 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 278528/1986 (Texaco) and 51646/1987 (W. R. Grace & Company), and a process for producing a polytertiary amine by the condensation reaction of a di-sec-amine with a diiodoaryl compound is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 29182/1989 (Xerox Corporation). Further a process wherein a polyalkylene polyamine is produced by the co-condensation of a lower diamine with hexamethylenediamine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 311009/1987 (Nippon Oil Co., Ltd.), etc. As for the polyamine derivatives, a process wherein a polycation is produced by reacting a di-tert-amine with a dihalide is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 37242/1986 and 37243/1986 (L'Oreal).
However, tertiary aminoalcohols having a tert-amino group in the main chain skeleton thereof and a terminal hydroxyl group are utterly new compounds and no process has been known for the production thereof. If the production of such tertiary aminoalcohols is possible, the use thereof for a purpose different from that of ordinary amines and amine derivatives can be developed and, in addition, by the oligomerization or polymerization of the amines, characteristic properties different from those of the monomeric molecules can be obtained. Thus the development of a new use of the amines is expected.
On the other hand, polyurethanes are used in various industrial fields, such as elastomer, rigid foam, semirigid foam, flexible foam and microcellular foam, by virtue of the ease of control of molding density, hardness of products and various properties, and their excellent moldability. In producing these polyurethanes, it is a common practice to use a tertiary amine or an organometallic catalyst as a polyurethane producing catalyst in addition to a polyisocyanate component and a polyol component for the purpose of promoting curing or foaming, which enables a polyurethane to be produced on an industrial scale.
Among the polyurethane producing catalysts, tertiary amines are widely used because they are useful for controlling the balance of the reaction. In many cases, however, they have a strong irritating odor and cause skin irritation and therefore cause problems of the working environment and have a drawback that the odor lowers the value, in particular the sales appeal, of the product.
Further, when a rigid polyurethane foam or the like is molded by mold foaming for use in a refrigerator or a panel, an improvement in the mold filling relating to the fluidity of the resin within the mold is required, so that a method for lowering the density in a high yield has been desired in the art.
In recent years, the use of chlorofluorocarbons as a foaming agent has become legally regulated for the protection of the ozonosphere, and trichlorofluoromethane (R-11), which has hitherto been used for the production of a rigid polyurethane foam, is among the substances subject to regulation. This brings about a problem of the necessity for reducing the use of trichlorofluoromethane. Examples of the reduction means proposed in the art include increasing the amount of water used to reduce the amount of trichlorofluoromethane (the so-called "chlorofluorocarbons-poor formulation") and one wherein use is made of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (R-123), 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethane (R-141b), chlorodifluoromethane (R-22), 1,1,1-chlorodifluoroethane (R-142b) or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) having an ozone destruction factor (ODP) smaller than that of trichlorofluoromethane.
In the chlorofluorocarbons-poor formulation wherein the amount of water used as a foaming agent is increased, the increase in the amount of water inevitably accelerates the reaction of water with the polyisocyanate component. This causes the amount of formation of a urea bond derived from the evolution of carbon dioxide to be increased, so that the balance between the foaming reaction and the resinification reaction is lost, which causes the mold filling of the polyurethane foam to be significantly lowered. The use of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane or 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethane instead of trichlorofluoromethane makes it necessary to increase the amount of use of water, because the low temperature dimensional stability, compressive strength and mold filling are lowered thereby. This, however, causes the mold filling to be further lowered.
The rigid polyurethane foam produced by a process comprising a spray step (a spray type rigid polyurethane foam, hereinafter) is used mainly for the thermal insulation of the internal wall and ceiling of houses and the thermal insulation of tanks. A special foaming machine is used for the foaming work of the spray type rigid polyurethane foam. An air spray foaming machine is a system wherein compressed air is introduced into a mixing gun, while an airless foaming machine is a system wherein a feedstock is introduced into a mixing gun through the use of a lightweight compressor and then sprayed. A liquid mixture comprising a polyol component and an isocyanate component is sprayed on a face of an article through the use of the above-described foaming machines, and a thermal insulation layer comprising a rigid polyurethane foam is formed on that face through the utilization of properties of the mixture which allow rapid thickening, foaming and forming a high-molecular weight polymer.
The above-described useful spray type rigid polyurethane foam has found an expanded application, however the increase in the amount of use thereof has brought about various problems. One of the problems is that the bonding strength between the foam and the adherend material is so poor, that the foam peels off or falls down with the lapse of time to impair the thermal insulation effect, so that dewing becomes liable to occur.
Further, the regulation of the use of chlorofluorocarbons such as trichlorofluoromethane has brought about a tendency that the amount of incorporation of water in the foaming agent is increased, which renders the above-described problems more serious. Specifically, when the amount of the chlorofluorocarbon subject to regulation is reduced by increasing the amount of incorporation of water, the agglomeration caused by a urea bond formed by the reaction of water with the isocyanate violently occurs and further the boundary between the urethane foam and the adherend or the surface of the foam suffers from less accumulation of the heat of reaction, which brings about drawbacks such as a lack in the self-bonding strength which is the most important property of the spray type rigid polyurethane foam and an increase in the fragility. This tendency becomes conspicuous in conducting the spraying at a relatively low temperature of 5.degree. C. or below.
The flexible hot mold foam is produced by blending and sufficiently mixing a polyether polyol, a polyisocyanate, a foaming agent, a silicone foam stabilizer and a catalyst with each other, pouring the mixture into a mold and then heating the mixture to allow a reaction to proceed. In this case, after the temperature of the mold is adjusted to 35.degree. to 45.degree. C., a urethane feed-stock is poured into the mold to conduct foaming and cured in a furnace at 160.degree. to 200.degree. C., and the cured foam is demolded. The reason why the temperature of the mold is adjusted to 35.degree. to 45.degree. C. resides in that when it is below 35.degree. C., an increase in the foam density and insufficient curing of the foam are liable to occur, and further the time taken from the pouring to the demolding is lengthened, which hinders the production of the foam. When the temperature of the mold exceeds 45.degree. C., a crack occurs within the foam, so that good products can not be obtained. Although trichlorofluoromethane is used in the production of a foam having a low density and a low hardness, it is desired to reduce or discontinue the use of trichlorofluoromethane for the reasons mentioned hereinabove.
Therefore, if a good foam can be uniformly produced at a mold temperature of 45.degree. C. or above, the step of cooling the mold after the demolding of the foam in a foam production line can be remarkably omitted, which contributes to the prevention of energy loss. Further, the foam produced at a higher mold temperature has a lowered density due to an enhancement in the foaming efficiency. In attaining the same density as that of the foam at an ordinary mold temperature, the amount of the foaming agent can be reduced, whereby the use of the chlorofluorocarbons subject to regulation can be reduced or discontinued.

Tertiary aminoalcohol and process for producing the same, and, polyurethane and process for producing the same


A radiation detector that includes a charge conversion layer, a substrate, an electrode layer, an intermediary layer and wiring is provided. The substrate includes a lower electrode portion that collects charge generated by the charge conversion layer. The electrode layer includes an upper electrode portion and an extended electrode portion. The upper electrode portion is laminated on the charge conversion layer. The extended electrode portion extends from the upper electrode portion down a side face of the charge conversion layer to a region on the substrate at which the charge conversion layer is not present. The intermediary layer is formed from between the charge conversion layer and the upper electrode portion to between the extended electrode portion and the substrate. The wiring is electrically connected with the extended electrode portion at the region on the substrate at which the charge conversion layer is not present.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radiation detector to be used in a clinical X-ray photography device or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following radiation detectors are known: indirect conversion-type radiation detectors that first convert radiation such as X-rays or the like to light and then further convert the converted light to electronic signals by opto-electronic conversion; and direct conversion-type radiation detectors in which incident radiation is directly converted to electronic signals by a charge conversion layer.
As a direct conversion-type radiation detector, radiation detectors disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) Nos. 2005-86059 and 2005-286183 are widely known. In a radiation detector of JP-A No. 2005-86059 or JP-A No. 2005-286183, a high voltage line is connected to an upper electrode portion on a charge conversion layer, which is amorphous selenium. Consequently, depending on conditions at a time of connection during manufacture and at subsequent times of usage and the like, the high voltage line compresses the amorphous selenium. Crystallization of the amorphous selenium is induced by this pressure and the amorphous selenium degrades, and radiation detection accuracy falls.
Alternatively, in a structure in which a connection between the high voltage line and the upper electrode portion is formed not on the charge conversion layer but at a region in which there is no charge conversion layer on a glass substrate, the glass substrate and the upper electrode portion are joined together. Therefore, high adhesion between the glass substrate and the upper electrode portion is required, and thus materials to be used for the upper electrode portion are limited.
In contrast, as illustrated in JP-A No. 2000-241556, a structure is known in which the upper electrode portion is formed on the charge conversion layer and is led along a side face of the charge conversion layer down to the glass substrate, and the high voltage line, which is introduced from a panel exterior portion, is connected with the upper electrode portion at a connection pad which is formed on the glass substrate using a conductive material, such as an ITO film.
However, with the structure illustrated in JP-A No. 2000-241556, it is necessary to form an ITO film or the like on the glass substrate beforehand. In such a case, a structure is formed in which a portion of the conductive connection pad is under the charge conversion layer. As a result, there is a possibility that creeping discharges to pixel electrodes, which are a lower electrode portion provided under the charge conversion layer, may occur.


A fiber optic illumination system for dental instruments of the present invention enables a light source to provide light to the oral cavity using a single continuous polymethyl methacrylate optical fiber axially fitted into a cylindrical tube, open at both ends, and affixed to a dental instrument, such as a mirror, aspirator, or retractor, for example. The end of the cylindrical tube and the inserted portion of the single continuous polymethyl methacrylate optical fiber it supports contacts the fluids in the oral cavity. After treatment, the end of the single continuous polymethyl methacrylate optical fiber is removed from the cylindrical tube and immersed into a 1:4 glutaraldehyde, or equivalent, solution and subsequently wiped clean. The dental instrument and attached cylindrical tube, now devoid of optical fibrous material, is completely and fully sterilized in a normal fashion, such as by autoclaving.

The present invention relates to an improved appliance for use in conjunction with dental instruments to illuminate the oral cavity during the performance of dental work. The invention particularly relates to the design and use of an illumination system which enables quick separation of the fiber optic portion of the illuminator for cold liquid sterilization while enabling the dental instrument to be sterilized in a conventional fashion.
The use of fiber optic illumination in conjunction with dental treatment is well known. One of the prime objectives in providing illumination to the oral cavity is the elimination eye fatigue. An assistant can also independently direct a light source if desired Examples include U.S Pat. No. 3,614,415 to Edelman, entitled "Fiber Illuminator", U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,047 to Warner, entitled "Surgical Suction Tool", U.S. Pat. No 4,986,622 to Martinez, entitled "Fiber Optic Light Transmission Apparatus", and U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,660, to Robbins, entitled "High-Intensity Light Source for a Fiber Optics Illumination System."
Another system for fiber optic illumination is a clip on system made by Quality Aspirators of Duncanville, Tex. The scheme employed there includes a clip-on wand having an illuminating end opposite a compound curved connector end. The curve is for the purpose of mounting along the upward end of the dental instrument while allowing the fiber optic connector and its lead in cable to hang below the dental instrument.
This is an example of known schemes which involve the use of a number of glass fibers to transmit light from a light generator to a point proximate to a dental instrument. The light is further propagated and coupled into a rigid encased light guide within a cavity provided in a dental instrument. Typically the optic fiber bundle or fiber is epoxied or otherwise permanently encased or "potted" into a tube which is attachably held in place with respect to the dental instrument by solder or clips.
The point of connection between the rigid, encased light guide and the flexible fiber optic fiber or bundle always involves some difficulty. If the impedance match of the connection is not sufficiently good, significant amounts of light will be reflected from the point of connection back to the light source. This will cause a more intense light source to be required in order to deliver the same level of light to the illuminated area given the percentage reflection. Further, the excess light reflectively propagating in the volume between the flexible fiber optic bundle and the rigid encased guide representing a loss, will be converted to heat, potentially making the instrument uncomfortable to use.
The tube encasing the rigid light guide is closed at one end with a transparent cap or lens to couple and adjust light from the rigid light guide into the area to be illuminated. The sealing of the end of conventional fiber optic illuminators is important for several reasons. First, non-sterile liquids, such as saliva and blood could be wicked into the area between the rigid light guide and the tube encasing it by capillary action. This is particularly true where the rigid light guide is a fiber optic bundle, and additional wicking may occur between the fibers in the bundle.
Secondly, exposing the rigid light guide optical fibers directly into the oral cavity would cause their light transmissive properties to degrade due to the scoring to which the ends of the fiber would be subjected over time. However, the sealing of the end of the tube, and the fixing of the rigid light guide within the tube causes problems associated with sterilization. Once the dental instrument, including the tube encasing the rigid optical fibers has been used in the dental environment, it becomes necessary to sterilize the contaminated portions.
Since the fiber optic light guide is permanently encased within its supporting tube they must be sterilized together. High temperatures cause epoxy to break down and turn yellow in a short time period. A rigorous sterilization involving strong chemicals and high temperature for the instrument is also a rigorous sterilization for the encased rigid light guide. Exposure of the end of the tube connected to the flexible optical fiber to chemicals tends to harm the optical fibers, reducing the ability of the flexible fibers to transmit light into the rigid light guide. Further, exposure to other sterilization techniques causes degradation of the epoxy which holds the rigid light guide in place.
Further, repeated exposure of the rigid light guide optical fiber to high temperatures causes reduction of its light transmission characteristics throughout its volume. Light transmitted into the flexible optical fiber is energy, and any light not reaching the oral cavity for illumination there is expended elsewhere in the form of heat if not allowed to escape in the form of light. As the rigid light guide's ability to transmit light decreases, it absorbs light causing it to heat up. The heat is transmitted into the tube encasing the fiber and causes the tube and the dental instrument to become uncomfortably hot. As the light energy is absorbed in the instrument, the illumination level in the oral cavity becomes insufficient.
Further, the cost of manufacture of the conventional dental illumination system outlined above is expensive, both in terms of the rigid light guide within the dental instrument, as well as in terms of the flexible light guide used for transmitting light to the dental instrument, and especially the connector used to join the two light guides.
Illumination of the oral cavity can be accomplished by the use of fiber optics. However, what is needed is a system which will allow such illumination to take place inexpensively, which will not present an impediment to sterilization, either from reluctance to perform a full sterilization of the dental instruments in contact with the oral cavity to prevent harm to the fiber optic portions, or from a design not inhibitive of a full sterilization.
Further, a system is needed which will operate with as few points of loss as possible. The needed system should also be as efficient as possible, such that adequate light may be supplied with a low cost in terms of energy into the system. The geometry of such a low cost, efficient system should ensure complete sterilization, and enable adequate visual inspection of all areas where unsanitary contamination might exist.

Fiber optic illumination system for dental instruments


In an exhaust silencing device having inner tubes which are connected to an exhaust pipe connected to an engine and provided with a plurality of through holes, and an outer tube which covers the inner tubes. The occurrence of a whistling sound is prevented while avoiding the use of a sound absorbing material. Recesses or indentations, are provided on the inner surface of the inner tube, which, together with the outer tube, form an annular expansion chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exhaust silencing device having inner tubes which are connected to an exhaust pipe and provided with a plurality of through holes, and an outer tube covering the inner tubes.
2. Description of Background Art
An exhaust silencing device has been known, for example, as set forth in Japanese Utility Model (Kokoku) Publication Nos. Hei 5-5213 and Hei 5-5220. According to the exhaust silencing device disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model (Kokoku) Publication No. Hei 5-5213, a sound absorbing material such as glass wool is filled in between the inner tubes and the outer tube for the purpose of deadening an exhaust sound by the sound absorbing function of the sound absorbing material. However, this type of construction for holding the sound absorbing material becomes complicated and results in an increase in the cost.
In Japanese Utility Model (Kokoku) Publication No. Hei 5-5220, no sound absorbing material is filled in a space between the inner tubes and the outer tube. The space is used as an expansion chamber, whereby a shortcoming of the use of the sound absorbing material is obviated. However, production of a high-frequency component sound, a so-called whistling sound, cannot be prevented.


A component supply device includes multiple magazines each provided with multiple slots accommodating the respective pallets by allotting one or more of the slots depending on the height of the accommodating section, the multiple magazines including a first magazine accommodating the pallets to be dispensed to a supply area of the components, and a second magazine accommodating the pallets to be transferred to and from the first magazine; and a control device, in a case of moving the pallet from the first magazine to the second magazine among the multiple magazines, setting a moving destination from among available slots based on the accommodation information about the second magazine taking into consideration a number of slots occupied by the pallet to be moved, and controlling the loading/unloading device so as to move the pallet to the moving destination.

Conventionally, there has been proposed a component supply device having a magazine in which multiple slots for accommodating pallets are provided at a constant pitch, and the pallets are pulled out from the magazine to supply components on a tray placed on the pallet (for example, see Patent Literature 1). This component supply device has two magazines which are arranged vertically and can be individually moved up and down, one of which is a main magazine used for supplying components, and the other magazine is a sub-magazine used for transferring pallets to and from the main magazine. The component supply device supplies components while moving used pallet, which are, for example, depleted of accommodated components, from the main magazine to the sub-magazine, or moving new pallets loaded with accommodated components from the sub-magazine to the main magazine.

Component supply device, and method for moving pallet


A printer includes a scanner unit which reads a document; and a recording portion which records information read by the scanner unit. In the recording portion, the maximum recordable size of a paper sheet is greater than a size of a document reading area in the scanner unit. At a base end side of a cover, which opens and closes the document reading area, a gap is formed which passes the document to an outer side of the scanner unit when the document is pushed out from the document reading area.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus which is represented by a facsimile or a printer, and particularly, relates to a recording apparatus which is provided with both a scanner function and a recording function.
2. Related Art
Among recording apparatuses which are represented by a facsimile or a printer, further, in the recording apparatus which performs recording on a recording medium by discharging ink, there is a recording apparatus which is called a multifunction printer or the like provided with both a scanner function and a recording function. Many multifunction printers include a flatbed-shaped scanner portion, for example, on an upper portion of a main body (recording portion) of the apparatus which performs ink jet recording.
A multifunction printer illustrated in JP-A-2013-58980 is also an example thereof. The multifunction printer has a technical problem to be solved in that, when a copy operation of a document which is larger than the maximum readable size of the scanner portion occurs, the document which is pushed out from the scanner portion and droops down covers a sheet ejected from the recording portion, and a user has difficulty in confirming an image recorded on the sheet. The multifunction printer of JP-A-2013-58980 for solving the problem shifts a paper sheet ejection area with respect to a readable area of the scanner portion.
However, when the above-described various large-sized documents (documents of which sizes are greater than a size of a document reading area) are read, a plurality of reading operations is performed (division reading), and the obtained images are linked with each other inside the recording apparatus (or in a connected outer computer). Accordingly, an image of the entire document can be obtained.
When a plurality of times of a document reading operation is performed in this manner, the user slides or rotates the document. When such a user operation is performed, in the multifunction printer in the above-described JP-A-2013-58980, a part pushed out from the document table in the document is drooped to an ejected paper tray. Accordingly, in order to prevent the document from slipping from the document table, it is required to press the document tightly. For this reason, it cannot be said that operability is excellent.


A piston is formed with a rib which is formed on a base portion and is formed with through holes which is formed in such manner that the core is in contact with a projection portions of a holding die.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a piston of an internal combustion engine and more particularly to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a lightweight piston, which is high in rigidity, of an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional method for manufacturing a piston of an internal combustion engine, as shown in FIG. 8, is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3(1991)-26287. In the above prior method, holding dies 72,73,74 and a punching core 75 are set at a first step, so as to form a space 71 therebetween. At a second step, melted aluminum alloy 77 is poured into the space 71, and is pressurized so as to thereby urge the punching core 75 downwardly. At a third step, the holding dies 72,73,74 and the punching core 75 are removed and a crude piston is cast. At a fourth step, the crude piston is finished.
In general, the piston comprises a land portion, a skirt portion and a cavity. In order to assure the stable or reliable movement of the piston in the internal combustion engine, a lower portion of the skirt portion is thickened and rigidity thereof is increased. The punching core 75 has an incline surface to easily remove the punching core 75 from the holding dies 72,73,74. Namely, an outside diameter of the top portion of the punching core 75 is smaller than an outside diameter of the base portion thereof. Thus, an upper portion of the skirt portion has to be more thickened. As a result, the piston becomes heavy and the smooth movement of the piston may be injured.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing piston of internal combustion engine


A flyback boost circuit is disclosed. The flyback boost circuit includes a converter, a switch module, a driving module and an output diode. The converter includes n number of primary coils and one secondary col. The switch module includes n number of switch components. Homonymous ends of the n number of primary coils respectively connect to the n number of switch components. The other end of the n number of primary coils respectively connects to an input voltage. The homonymous ends of the secondary coil connect to a positive end of the output diode, and the other end of the secondary coil is grounded. An output capacitor is connected between a negative end of the output diode and the ground. The driving module respectively provides control signals to n number of switch components such that only one of n number of switch components is sequentially turned on within a time period for which the duty cycle ratio equals to D. A sum of the duty cycle ratio of the n number of switch components is D. Wherein n is an integer larger than or equaling to 2. In addition, the LED backlight driving circuit having the above flyback boost circuit and the liquid crystal device having the LED backlight driving circuit are disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a flyback boost circuit, a LED backlight driving circuit including the flyback boost circuit, and a liquid crystal device including the LED backlight driving circuit.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
With the technology revolution, backlight technology of LCDs has been developed. Typical LCDs adopt cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) as the backlight sources. However, as the CCFL backlight is characterized by attributes including low color reduction ability, low lighting efficiency, high discharging voltage, bad discharging characteristics in low temperature, and also, the CCFL needs a long time to achieve a stable gray scale, LED backlight source is a newly developed technology. For LCDs, the LED backlight source is arranged opposite to the liquid crystal panel so as to provide the light source to the liquid crystal panel.
The driving circuit of the LED backlight source generally includes a boost circuit for converting a voltage provided by a power module to a needed output voltage to the LED unit. Flyback converter is one widely adopted boost circuit, which is also called as inductive-energy-storage converter. When the main transistor of the flyback converter is turn on, the circuit only stores the energy without transmitting the energy. The circuit transmits the energy only when the main transistor is turn off. The flyback converter is characterized by attributes such as it includes the least amount of component, highest reliability, and lowest cost.
FIG. 1 shows a typical flyback boost circuit including a converter, a MOS transistor (Q), and an output diode (Do). The converter includes a primary coil (P) and a secondary coil (S). The turn ratio of the primary coil (P) to the secondary coil (S) is K. The homonymous end of the primary coil (P) connects to the drain of the MOS transistor (Q), and the other end of the primary coil (P) connects to the input voltage (Vin). The source of the MOS transistor (Q) is grounded. The gate of the MOS transistor (Q) is controlled by pulse signals (DRV). The input voltage (Vin) is grounded via a filter capacitor (C). The homonymous end of the secondary coil (S) connects to a positive end of the output diode (Do), and the other end of the secondary coil (S) is grounded. There is also an output capacitor (Co) connected between the negative end of the output diode (Do) and the ground. In addition, the negative end of the output diode (Do) provides the output voltage (Vout) to the load.
When the MOS transistor (Q) is turned on by the pulse signals (DRV), the input DC voltage (Vin) is applied to the primary coil (P) of the converter. The output diode (Do) is blocked due to it is reversely biased due to the voltage sensed on the secondary coil (S) of the converter. At this moment, the power energy is saved on the primary coil (P) in the form of magnetic energy. When the MOS transistor (Q) is turned off, the polarity of the voltage at two ends of the primary coil (P) is inversed, and the polarity of the voltage of the secondary coil (S) is reversed. As such, the output diode (Do) is turned on, and the energy stored in the converter is released to the load. FIG. 2 is a current waveform of the above-mentioned flyback boost circuit. The pulse signals (DRV) are the control signals to turn on or off the MOS transistor (Q). Ip denotes the current signals of the primary coil (P). Is denotes the current signals of the secondary coil (S). As shown in FIG. 1, the relationship between the input voltage and the output voltage is
      Vout    =                  Vin        *        D        *        K                    1        -        D              ,wherein K denotes the turn ratio of the secondary coil (S) to the primary coil (P) and D denotes the duty cycle ratio of the MOS transistor (Q). D satisfies the equation:
      D    =          Ton              Ton        +        Toff              ,wherein Ton denotes the turn-on period of the MOS transistor (Q), and Toff denotes the turn-off period of the MOS transistor (Q). The parameters K and D have to be considered when designing the boost circuit. After the value of K is determined, the value of D has to be larger for at least 50 percent so as to achieve the boost function. Currently, only single primary coil (P) and single switch component are adopted. When the value of D is larger than 50 percent, the switch component may generate a huge amount of heat during the turn-on process. Thus, generally, the value of D is has to be under 50 percent, which limits the range of the output voltage (Vout).

Flyback boost circuit, LED backlight driving circuit and liquid crystal device

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd


The present invention is a conversation control apparatus for carrying out conversation control based on both speech content and conversation state and information acquired from outside, and carrying out natural responses. This apparatus comprises a conversation database storing a plurality of items of conversation topic specifying information, a conversation control unit for selecting a reply sentence using conversation topic specifying information determined using the conversation history and conversation information, and an environment recognition unit for acquiring environment recognition information, wherein the environment recognition unit generates event information based on acquired environment recognition information, and the conversation control unit selects a reply sentence based on the event information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a conversation control apparatus, conversation control method, and programs therefor, and in more detail relates to a conversation control apparatus, conversation control method, and programs therefor, for carrying out conversation control constituting a reply to a caller originating a call, using environment recognition information for a caller's facial recognition, position, characteristics and voice recognition etc.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, with increase in speed of digital signal processing developed and advanced as information processing means centered on computers, high level integration LSI manufacturing technology, and ultrafine high precision manufacturing technology for disk media such as DVDs as a background, conversation control technology has been provided making it possible to give machines natural sounding voices, and to understand words spoken by a person and to make an appropriate reply. An example of this type of conversation control technology is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2002-358304.
With this type of conversation control technology, speech of a user (speaker) is acquired via a keyboard or the like, and conversation control is carried out based on only the content of the speech.
On the other hand, there is also provided technology for carrying out behavior control in a self-sustaining manner based on information other than speech content, such as voice and image of a user, etc. Technology for carrying out this type of self sustaining behavior control is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2002-111981.
With this type of conversation control technology, making a reply considering factors other than speech content, for example, user expression, characteristics, age, etc., is not carried out.
Also, in technology for carrying out behavior control in a self sustaining manner based on information other than speech content, there is behavior control based on only recognition results obtained from outside, but with this technology past speech content is not taken into consideration, which results in unnatural behavior control. For example, in the event that the result of recognition obtained from outside is information saying "angry face", even if the conversation up until that point indicated a good relationship, behavior control will be carried out based only on "angry face".
The object of the present invention is to provide conversation control technology that carries out conversation control based on both speech content and conversation state, and information obtained from outside, and makes a more natural response.

Conversation control apparatus, conversation control method, and programs therefor


An RF circuit for wireless devices comprises a single differential power amplifier and an impedance balancing circuit for each frequency band. The impedance balancing circuit serves both to provide an appropriate impedance at the output of the amplifier as the operating mode of the device changes, and also transforms the differential output of the amplifier to a single-ended output. The impedance balancing circuit optionally comprises a BALUN circuit and a variable capacitor that is varied as the operating mode changes in order to vary the impedance at the output of the amplifier.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to RF circuits and more particularly to a circuit that transforms a differential output signal received from a differential power amplifier into a single-ended output signal, where the impedance applied to the differential power amplifier by the circuit can be tuned for multiple operating modes so that a single differential power amplifier can be used for several operating modes operating within a given frequency band.
Related Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art RF circuit 100 coupled to an antenna 110. The circuit 100 comprises a number of transit paths 120 and an antenna switch 130 that couples the antenna 110 to the several transit paths 120. Each transit path 120 includes a power amplifier 140 and a receiver amplifier 150 alternately joined to the antenna switch 130 by a duplexer 160. Within the antenna switch 130, each transit path 120 is switchably coupled to the antenna 110 by a series switch 170 and optionally also switchably coupled to ground by a parallel switch 180.
As shown in FIG. 1, when one transit path 120 is coupled to the antenna 110 (said to be in the ON mode), the series switch 170 for that transit path 120 is closed while the parallel switch 180 is open, whereas the switches 170, 180 are reversed for all other transit paths 120 (OFF mode). While the antenna switch 130 will work with only the serial switches 170, the addition of the parallel switches 180 provides greater isolation by grounding the transit paths 120 that are not in use.
In a cellular telephone, the various transit paths 120 are provided to accommodate different operating modes, where each operating mode is a different combination of frequency band and power level, where the telephone can switch between operating modes depending on changes in the country, the operator, the traffic, and so forth. As shown in FIG. 1, having multiple operating modes can be achieved by using as many power amplifiers 140 as the number of operating modes such that every power amplifier 140 is optimized for its specific frequency band and power level.

Multimode operation for differential power amplifiers


A flange bolt cutter for separating two connected flanges. The flange bolt cutter contains a circular saw blade connected to an flange mount which can be vertically adjusted relative to the flange mount and/or includes two arms which can be pivotally adjusted relative to each other.

One embodiment relates generally to a method and apparatus for cutting bolts, and more particularly, for cutting a plurality of bolts in a flange connection.
Oil and natural gas platforms and installations have a limited life of operations. When oil runs out, the platforms and installations are decommissioned using a number of different alternatives. As examples, the platforms and installations may be (a) left completely or partially in the water (often called "reefing"); (b) removed and then reused in another location; or (c) hauled to shore for scrapping or recycling.
One of the problems encountered when attempting to separate flange connections during decommissioning is that the connections were exposed to marine elements for years tending to cause corrosion which resists methods of loosening the bolt and nut connections.
Some of the problems with cutters in the prior art is the inability of such devices to easily cut bolts for different size flanges or handle cutting of the bolts at different vertical heights of the bolts. Instead, such prior art cutters require specially sized attachment members for different sized flanges, and/or do not allow for the cutting of the bolts at either their tops or bottoms relative to a flange.
While certain novel features of this invention shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of the invention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being "critical" or "essential."


In an embodiment, the invention provides an internal combustion engine, including a first fuel injector that supplies a first fuel to a first predetermined region in a combustion chamber, and a second fuel injector that supplies a second fuel to a second predetermined region in the combustion chamber. The second fuel has an octane number that is different than an octane number of the first fuel, and the second predetermined region is different from the first predetermined region. An ignition device is configured to start ignition of one of the first and second fuels based on an ignition signal. An operation condition detector detects at least one engine operating condition. A controller is configured to provide the ignition signal to the ignition device and to determine which one of the first and second fuels to ignite by the ignition device based on the engine operation condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a combustion control system for an internal combustion engine that uses a plurality of fuels having different octane numbers.
2. Description of Related Art
A related art combustion control system for an internal combustion engine includes fuel injection valves that, respectively, inject a low octane fuel and a high octane fuel into a combustion chamber. During the compression stroke, fuel injection is performed such that the low and high octane fuels substantially do not overlap one another in the combustion chamber. The concentration of the gaseous mixture in the combustion chamber is prevented from being over-concentrated, fuel distributions different in octane number can be generated, and stable ignition and suppression of nitrogen oxide and smoke in compressed self ignition are compatibly implemented. Nevertheless, problems described below still remain unresolved.
In the event that distribution of the plurality of fuels having different octane numbers is generated, while preventing the fuels from substantially overlapping one another, fuel ignition is initiated with the low octane fuel. More specifically, compression self-ignition combustion is performed. Since the plurality of fuels having different octane numbers from one another are combusted independently of one another, ignition is facilitated. On the other hand, however, from the viewpoint of controlling combustion, there is a difficulty similar to other conventional cases of conventional compression self-ignition combustion. More specifically, when there is a change in operation conditions, and in particular, when the engine load is high, difficulties in combustion control are known. More specifically, when control is performed only to start ignition with the ignition of the low octane fuel regardless of the engine load, it is difficult to compatibly accomplish high thermal efficiency and output in a wide range of operation conditions.

Combustion control system for internal combustion engine


An automatic focusing device, in which a focus lens is driven for tracking an object-in-motion to obtain an in-focus state, based upon a focus prediction that is executed from repeated distance measurements. Tracking is continued even if the position of the focus lens falls into the predetermined focus allowance, so as to make it possible to take a well-focused photograph at any time.

The present invention relates to an automatic focusing device that is employed in, for example, a photographic camera.
In recent years, a camera equipped with an AF (automatic-focus) function is on the increase, and on single lens reflex cameras with interchangeable lens as well, the AF function has become indispensable. In general, in single lens reflex cameras, a so-called phase difference detecting method is adopted for automatic focusing. The AF with the phase difference detecting method is executed with steps such as the following:
Firstly, a pair of object images with a spatial parallax are projected, respectively, on a pair of photosensitive units, such as a CCD (charge coupled device), etc., and the light amount received by the respective photosensitive unit is integrated in terms of time. Then, according to the phase differential of two object images on respective photosensitive units, the distance differential between the sensing element (film equivalent plane) and the imaging plane (focus position) of the photographing lens with respect to a photographing object, and the direction thereof (defocus amount/defocus direction) are calculated.
From the calculated defocus amount and direction, drive amount of a motor necessary to drive the photographing lens to make the imaging plane coincident with the film equivalent plane is obtained, based upon which the focus lens is driven along the optical axis thereof. The number of pulses applied to the motor in the above operation is obtained according to the following formula: EQU P=Kv.times.D
Where,
P is the number of pulses applied to the motor, PA1 D is the defocus amount, and PA1 Kv is a so-called lens-movement-amount conversion coefficient (K value) which is a coefficient representing the relation between the defocus amount and the number of pulses to drive the motor as necessary to make the defocus amount zero, and is the value inherent to the respective lens. PA1 a focus lens that is movable along an optical axis thereof; PA1 a drive means for driving the focus lens; PA1 a distance measuring means for obtaining a defocus amount of the focus lens with respect to a photographing object; PA1 a computing means for computing a relative speed of movement of the photographing object with respect to the focus lens along the optical axis, based upon defocus amounts obtained by the distance measuring means; PA1 a drive control means for controlling the drive means to drive the focus lens, based upon results of a computation by the computing means, to a position where an in-focus condition is obtainable with respect to the photographing object after an elapse of a certain time; PA1 means for determining whether the position of the focus lens falls into a predetermined focus allowance; and PA1 an operation control means for repeatedly executing the distance measurements, the computations and the driving of said focus lens, regardless of whether it is determined that the position of the focus lens falls into the predetermined focus allowance.
FIGS. 30 through 32 explain a conventional AF system, as above described. In each drawing, "object image position" indicates the imaging plane of the photographing lens with respect to the photographing object with the position of the focus lens taken as a reference, and "focusing position" is the film equivalent plane, also with the position of the focus lens taken as a reference.
In FIG. 30, as a result of a distance measurement executed at time 0, assume that the distance differential between the focusing position and the object image position, i.e., the defocus amount is detected as D0. Then, to make the defocus amount DO zero (0), the lens is driven. When the photographing object is stationary or standing-still, the focusing position becomes consistent with the object image position by the results of the driving of the lens. Under this state, interrupting processing of release ON is executed, and an exposure starts after elapse of a release-time-lag t2 which is, the time required for mechanical operations for mirror ascent and stopping down of aperture. During exposure, as illustrated in FIG. 30, the focusing position and the object image position remain consistent with each other.
However, when the object is moving (more particularly, moving in the lens drive direction), even if integration and computation are once carried out during its movement, as the object keeps moving while the lens is being driven according to the results of such integration and computation, further integrations, computations and resulting lens drives must be repeatedly executed to keep the focusing position and the object image position consistent.
FIG. 31 shows the case wherein a photographing object is moving from a remote field to a near field at constant speed. The amount of movement of the object image position becomes larger as the object is the closer to photographing lens.
Assume that distance differential between the object image position and the focusing position, i.e., the defocus amount, at point 1 is D1. When the lens is driven by an amount corresponding to D1 and after elapse of time t1, defocus amount D2 is obtained at point 2. In the same manner, the lens is driven for the amount corresponding to D2, and after the elapse of time T2, defocus amount D3 is obtained at point 3. Here, the focusing position at point 2 corresponds to the object image position at point 1, and, since the object keeps moving while time T1 elapses, the defocus amounts would be: EQU D1<D2<D3.
Thus, the defocus amount gradually increases each time when the distance measurement is executed, while the object is moving towards the photographing lens at a constant speed. Therefore, the lens drive can not sufficiently follow the movement of the object image position.
In order to overcome the problem, the above delay should be prevented by predicting the amount of movement of the object image position from the start of integration to the completion of the computed lens drive, with which the lens is additionally driven.
However, even if the lens is driven to the predicted in-focus, position, the lens drive is stopped at that position and a further lens movement is not executed until the object moves out of a predetermined focus allowance after the lens position falls into the focus allowance, although the object is continuously moving even after the additional lens drive is completed. This means that a well-focused photograph may not be taken during the time where the object moves out of the focus allowance to the completion of the further lens drive for the next in-focus shot. Particularly, when the object approaches the camera, the time required to drive the lens to the predicted in-focus position increases, which makes it difficult to take a well-focused photograph.


First, prior to the measurement of the magnetic resonance spectroscopic image, the gradient polarity of a gradient magnetic field to be applied to an object is inverted periodically. This makes it possible to measure a multi-gradient echo type magnetic resonance signal that has been subjected to the influence of an eddy current. Then, from the magnetic resonance spectrum obtained therefrom, a peak of the frequency component is extracted that corresponds to a hydrogen nucleus in the water molecule. Finally, using a static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit, a shimming current to be flowed through a shimming coil and/or an offset current to be flowed through a gradient magnetic field generating coil are adjusted so that the width of the peak becomes narrow, thereby enhancing the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity.

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that is suitable for an imaging performed by a multi-gradient echo type pulse sequence that aims at shortening the measurement time (i.e., for example, an echo planar spectroscopic imaging that allows space distribution information about the chemical shift to be measured at high speed).
The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is an apparatus that performs the imaging in the following way: An object placed within a static magnetic field is irradiated with a radio frequency pulse with a specific frequency corresponding to a specific substance included in the object, thereby giving rise to a magnetic resonance phenomenon of the specified substance. Then, a magnetic resonance signal occurring from the object is utilized so as to image the chemical and physical information on the substance.
In particular, a method that has been known as a magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is as follows: A difference in the magnetic resonance frequency (hereinafter, referred to as a chemical shift), which is attributed to a dissimilarity in the chemical bond of a variety of molecules, is measured, thereby obtaining a space distribution image for each molecule (hereinafter, referred to as a chemical shift image).
Here, the magnitude of the chemical shift attributed to the dissimilarity in the chemical bond of the molecules is, usually, of the order of ppm (i.e., 1/1-millionth), which is exceedingly small. On account of this, in the MRSI, it becomes important to adjust the homogeneity of the magnetic field that exerts influences on the magnetic resonance frequency.
In general, one of the factors that exert considerable influences upon the homogeneity of the magnetic field is the existence of an object. This condition requires that the homogeneity of the magnetic field be enhanced in a state where the object is placed within the magnetic field. As a method of adjusting the homogeneity of the magnetic field, there has been proposed the following method (for example, in literatures such as xe2x80x9cJournal of Magnetic Resonancexe2x80x9d, Vol. 77, pp. 40-52 (1988)): Two kinds of values, i.e., the respective offset values of gradient magnetic fields in mutually different three directions and amounts of the electric currents to be flowed through the respective shimming coils, are varied so as to superimpose, on the static magnetic field, the magnetic fields that the respective gradient magnetic field generating coils generate and magnetic fields that the respective shimming coils generate, thereby adjusting the degree of the magnetic field homogeneity.
In this method, with a phantom employed as the subject to be measured, a reference image is scanned in advance that indicates current-magnetic field distribution characteristics of the respective gradient magnetic field generating coils and the respective shimming coils. Next, the object is inserted into the magnetic field, and a magnetic field distribution image within the object is measured as a target image of a subject to be shimmed. Then, the current-magnetic field distribution characteristics of the respective gradient magnetic field generating coils and the respective shimming coils are obtained from the reference image. Moreover, combinations of the distribution characteristics (values of the currents to be flowed through the respective coils) are calculated so as to uniform the magnetic field distribution within the object, then adjusting of the magnetic field is carried out on the basis of the combinations calculated.
As the reference image and the target image used here, a phase distribution image obtained by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is generally employed. In order to measure this phase distribution image, an imaging sequence called a spin echo pulse sequence is usually used. In particular, a pulse sequence is used in which the spin echo time and the gradient echo time are shifted by an amount of xcex94t.
In the conventional technique described in the above-mentioned literature, however, there exists a problem that no consideration has been given to the adjustment of the homogeneity of the magnetic field in the case where the multi-gradient echo type pulse sequence is used for the purpose of shortening the measurement time.
Namely, in the multi-gradient echo type pulse sequence, gradient polarity of a high-intensity gradient magnetic field is inverted continuously in a short period of time so as to measure echo train signals including a plurality of echo signals. This causes an eddy current of large amplitude to occur on such places as the inner surface of a bore within a magnet or the surface of the object. Accordingly, there exists a serious problem that a magnetic field induced by the eddy current makes the magnetic field distribution inhomogeneous at the detection time of the echo signals. However, in the spin echo pulse sequence in the conventional technique with which the reference image is measured, one echo signal is measured with a single excitation, and it is not repeated to invert the polarity of high-intensity gradient magnetic field in a short period of time. On account of this, there appears no influence of the eddy current upon the reference image data obtained. This results in a problem that it is impossible to perform an adjustment in which the eddy current has been taken into consideration.
Incidentally, there are many cases where, in order to cancel out the influences of the eddy current, a gradient coil equipped with an active shield is used. It is difficult, however, to completely cancel out the eddy current occurring on the inner surface of the magnet bore, and thus the active shield exhibits no effect of eliminating the eddy current on the object surface. Consequently, it has been required to execute the adjustment of the degree of the magnetic field homogeneity in which the eddy current has been taken into consideration.
It is an object of the present invention to improve the adjustment of the homogeneity of the magnetic field in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that uses the multi-gradient echo type imaging pulse sequence.
A representative configuration (a first configuration) of a representative magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a static magnetic field generating unit for generating a static magnetic field to be applied to an object, a shimming magnetic field generating unit (shimming coil) for generating a N-channel (Nxe2x89xa73) shimming magnetic field that adjusts the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity, a gradient magnetic field generating unit (gradient magnetic field generating coil) for generating first, second and third directions of gradient magnetic fields to be applied to the object, a radio frequency pulse generating unit (radio frequency pulse generating coil) for generating a radio frequency pulse to be applied to the object, a signal detecting unit for detecting a magnetic resonance signal generated from the object, a computing unit for performing computation in accordance with the magnetic resonance signal detected by the signal detecting unit, a pulse sequence controlling unit for controlling operations of the shimming magnetic field generating unit, the gradient magnetic field generating unit, the radio frequency pulse generating unit and the signal detecting unit, and a static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit for controlling the shimming magnetic field generating unit and/or the gradient magnetic field generating unit so as to adjust the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity.
Moreover, the pulse sequence controlling unit executes a static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control that causes the magnetic resonance signal to be detected while applying at least one direction of gradient magnetic field from among the gradient magnetic fields with gradient polarity of the one direction of gradient magnetic field being inverted periodically. In addition, the computing unit reconstructs a magnetic resonance spectrum from the magnetic resonance signal and extracts a peak of the frequency component, the magnetic resonance signal being detected by the static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control, the peak corresponding to a specific nucleus. Furthermore, the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit adjusts the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity so that the width of the extracted peak becomes narrow.
Explaining the above-mentioned description in more detail, the pulse sequence controlling unit performs the control explained in the following (i.e., the static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control): An exciting radio frequency pulse is applied simultaneously with the gradient magnetic field of the third direction so as to selectively excite nuclear spins contained in slices or volumes in the third direction. After that, after a time set in advance has elapsed, an inverting radio frequency pulse is applied simultaneously with the gradient magnetic field of the third direction. Next, the reading-out gradient magnetic field of the first direction is applied with the gradient polarity thereof being inverted periodically, thereby generating echo train signals including the chemical shift and the spatial information in the first direction and then detecting the echo train signals.
Subsequently, the computing unit, from the echo train signals detected by the static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control, determines a magnetic resonance spectroscopic image involving 2-dimensional information on the chemical shift and the spatial information in the first direction. Then, the computing unit creates an integrated spectrum over the entire slices or volumes by adding the spectra of reading-out points in the first direction. Moreover, the computing unit extracts, from the integrated spectrum, a peak corresponding to a hydrogen nucleus in a water molecule, then calculating the width of the peak. Furthermore, the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit adjusts the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity so that the width of the calculated peak becomes narrow.
When the computing unit obtains at least one of the magnetic resonance image, the magnetic resonance spectrum and the magnetic resonance spectroscopic image, prior to the measurements of the magnetic resonance image, the magnetic resonance spectrum and the magnetic resonance spectroscopic image, the configuration as described above permits the pulse sequence controlling unit to periodically invert the gradient polarities of the gradient magnetic fields to be applied to the object or the phantom. This makes it possible to detect the multi-gradient echo type magnetic resonance signal subjected to the influences of the eddy current. Moreover, the computing unit reconstructs the magnetic resonance spectrum from the magnetic resonance signal, then extracting the peak of the frequency component corresponding to the specific nucleus. Furthermore, the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit performs the adjustment so that the width of the peak becomes narrow, i.e., becomes steep. This adjustment improves the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity.
At this time, in the case of the MRSI that measures the chemical information on a living body, it is desirable to select, as the specific nucleus, a nucleus contained in the water (for example, the hydrogen nucleus).
More concretely, in the above-described configuration, the following is preferable: The static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit, in accordance with the peak width, changes an offset current value for the gradient magnetic field of one direction by a certain fixed amount. After that, it is repeated a set number of times to perform a control of causing the pulse sequence controlling unit and the computing unit to execute the measurement of the peak width again, thereby searching and determining an optimum offset current value so that the peak width becomes the narrowest. In this case, after the optimum offset current value for the gradient magnetic field of one direction has been searched and determined, it is preferable to search and determine, in sequence, optimum offset current values for the gradient magnetic fields of other directions.
Also, in substitution for or in combination with the above-described operation of adjusting the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity through the gradient magnetic fields, it is possible to adjust current values of the respective shimming coils of the shimming magnetic field generating unit including the plurality of shimming coils. In this case, the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit, in accordance with the detected peak width, changes only a value of a current to be flowed through one channel of shimming coil. After that, it is repeated a plurality of times to execute the static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control and to execute the calculation of the peak width, thereby determining an optimum value of the current to be flowed through the above-described one channel of shimming coil so that the peak width becomes the narrowest. In addition, after determining the optimum value of the current to be flowed through the above-described one channel of shimming coil, the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit determines, in sequence, optimum values of currents to be flowed through the plurality of channels of shimming coils other than the above-described one channel of shimming coil.
In this way, the pre measurement (pre scan) is executed that is to be executed prior to the main measurement (main scan) of the magnetic resonance spectroscopic image. Accordingly, it becomes possible to set, in a short while and with excellent reproducibility, the optimum offset current values for the gradient magnetic fields of the three directions and/or the optimum values of the currents to be flowed through the shimming coils for generating the plurality of channels of shimming magnetic field so that the peak width becomes the narrowest.
A representative configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging method according to the present invention includes a step of generating a static magnetic field to be applied to an object, a step of generating a N-channel (Nxe2x89xa73) shimming magnetic field for adjusting the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity, a step of generating the gradient magnetic fields of the first, second and third directions to be applied to the object, a step of generating a radio frequency pulse to be applied to the object, a step of detecting a magnetic resonance signal generated from the object, a computing step of performing computation in accordance with the magnetic resonance signal detected by a signal detecting unit, a pulse sequence controlling step of controlling operations of a shimming magnetic field generating unit, a gradient magnetic field generating unit, a radio frequency pulse generating unit and the signal detecting unit, and a static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting step of controlling the shimming magnetic field generating unit and/or the gradient magnetic field generating unit so as to adjust the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity.
Moreover, at the pulse sequence controlling step, a static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control is executed that detects the magnetic resonance signal while applying a gradient magnetic field of at least one direction of the three directions with gradient polarity of the gradient magnetic field of one direction being inverted periodically. At the computing step, a magnetic resonance spectrum is reconstructed from the magnetic resonance signal and a peak of the frequency component is extracted, then calculating width of the peak, the magnetic resonance signal being detected by the static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control, the peak corresponding to a specific nucleus. Furthermore, at the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting step, the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity is adjusted so that the width of the peak becomes narrow.
Explaining the above-mentioned description in more detail, at the pulse sequence controlling step, the control explained in the following (i.e., the static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control) is executed: First, an exciting radio frequency pulse is applied simultaneously with the gradient magnetic field of the third direction so as to selectively excite nuclear spins contained in slice or volume in the third direction. After that, after a time set in advance has elapsed, an inverting radio frequency pulse is applied simultaneously with the above-described gradient magnetic field of the third direction. Next, the reading-out gradient magnetic field of the first direction is applied with the gradient polarity thereof being inverted periodically, thereby generating echo train signals including the chemical shift and the spatial information in the first direction and then detecting the echo train signals.
Subsequently, at the computing step, from the echo train signals detected by the static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control, a magnetic resonance spectroscopic image is reconstructed that has 2-dimensional information on the chemical shift and the spatial information in the first direction. Then, an integrated spectrum over the entire slice or volume is created by adding the spectra of the reading-out points in the first direction. Moreover, a peak corresponding to a hydrogen nucleus in a water molecule is extracted from the integrated spectrum, then the width of the peak is calculated. Furthermore, at the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting step, the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity is adjusted so that the peak width determined by the calculation becomes narrow.
In this way, in the magnetic resonance imaging method according to the present invention, the pre measurement (pre scan) is executed. Accordingly, it becomes possible to set, in a short while and with excellent reproducibility, optimum offset current values for the gradient magnetic fields of the three directions and/or optimum values of currents to be flowed through shimming coils for generating a shimming magnetic field of a plurality of channels so that the peak width becomes the narrowest. Namely, with the eddy current taken into consideration, the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity is adjusted. This makes it possible to solve the serious problem that a magnetic field, which the eddy current induces, makes inhomogeneous the magnetic field distribution at the time of detecting the echo signals. Consequently, it becomes possible to measure, in a short while, a chemical shift image with less inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field.
Incidentally, in substitution for or in combination with the above-described operation of adjusting the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity through the gradient magnetic fields, it is possible to adjust current values of the respective shimming coils of the shimming magnetic field generating unit including the plurality of shimming coils. In this case, in the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit in the above-described magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, when searching and determining a value of an i-optimum current to be flowed through an i-channel (i=1, 2, . . . , N) shimming coil, the search and the determination are performed in the following way: In the case where a value of a j-optimum current to be flowed through a j-channel (j=1, 2, . . . , N, where jxe2x89xa0i) shimming coil has been already searched and determined, a current the value of which is equal to the value of the j-optimum current is flowed through the j-channel (j=1, 2, . . . , N, where jxe2x89xa0i) shimming coil. In the case where the value of the j-optimum current to be flowed through the j-channel (j=1, 2, . . . , N, where jxe2x89xa0i) shimming coil has not been searched and determined yet, the search and the determination are performed in the following way: In a state where no current is flowed through the j-channel (j=1, 2, . . . , N, where jxe2x89xa0i) shimming coil, in accordance with the peak width, only a value of a current to be flowed through the i-channel (i=1, 2, . . . , N) shimming coil is changed. After that, it is repeated a plurality of times for the pulse sequence controlling unit to execute the static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control, and it is repeated a plurality of times for the computing unit to execute the calculation of the peak width. This, thereby, makes it possible to search and determine in sequence the value of the i-optimum current to be flowed through the i-channel (i=1, 2, . . . , N) shimming coil so that the peak width becomes the narrowest.
Also, at the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting steps in the above-described magnetic resonance imaging method, when searching and determining a value of an i-optimum current to be flowed through an i-channel (i=1, 2, . . . , N) shimming coil, the search and the determination are performed in the following way: In the case where a value of a j-optimum current to be flowed through a j-channel (j=1, 2, . . . , N, where jxe2x89xa0i) shimming coil has been already searched and determined, a current the value of which is equal to the value of the j-optimum current is flowed through the j-channel (j=1, 2, . . . , N, where jxe2x89xa0i) shimming coil. In the case where the value of the j-optimum current to be flowed through the j-channel (j=1, 2, . . . , N, where jxe2x89xa0i) shimming coil has not been searched and determined yet, the search and the determination are performed in the following way: In a state where no current is flowed through the j-channel (j=1, 2, . . . , N, where jxe2x89xa0i) shimming coil, in accordance with the above-mentioned peak width, only a value of a current to be flowed through the i-channel (i=1, 2, . . . , N) shimming coil is changed. After that, it is repeated a plurality of times at the pulse sequence controlling step to execute the static magnetic field-adjusting pulse sequence control, and it is repeated a plurality of times at the computing step to execute the calculation of the peak width. This, thereby, makes it possible to search and determine in sequence the value of the i-optimum current to be flowed through the i-channel (i=1, 2, . . . , N) shimming coil so that the peak width becomes the narrowest.
Moreover, in the above-described explanation, the following conditions can be suitably selected: Employing the half-value width as the peak width, employing a peak width corresponding to a value that is equal to 20% of the peak maximum intensity, and so on.
The following is the summary of a representative invention in the present invention given by referring to FIG. 1:
Prior to measurements of the magnetic resonance image, the magnetic resonance spectrum and the magnetic resonance spectroscopic image, the pulse sequence controlling unit periodically inverts gradient polarities of the gradient magnetic fields to be applied to an object or a phantom. This makes it possible to measure the multi-gradient echo type magnetic resonance signal subjected to influences of the eddy current. Then, from the magnetic resonance spectrum obtained in accordance with the magnetic resonance signal, a peak of the frequency component is extracted that corresponds to a nucleus contained in the water. Next, the static magnetic field homogeneity degree-adjusting unit performs the adjustment so that width of the peak becomes narrow, i.e., becomes steep, thereby improving the degree of the static magnetic field homogeneity.
As having been explained so far, the present invention makes it possible to improve the adjustment of the homogeneity of the magnetic field in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that uses the multi-gradient echo type imaging pulse sequence. As a result, it becomes possible to measure, in a short while, the chemical shift image with no influence of the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field.

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging apparatus


A method comprising: (a) heating a light module of a vehicle with a heater; (b) monitoring a temperature of the light module; (c) activating a communication sequence; and (d) performing the communication sequence so that a message is conveyed between a controller of the light module and a controller of the vehicle.

In cold environments headlamps may become covered in ice and/or snow causing a diminished amount of light to shine through the headlamp, thus, causing reduced visibility for a driver. Heaters have been added to the headlamps to remove the ice and/or snow. A secondary controller may turn off the heater which may send a fault notice to a vehicle causing an alarm to be triggered.
Examples of fault alarms may be disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,325,484 and 9,865,158; US Publication No. 2018/0184499; and Chinese Patent No. CN108765893 all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Thus, there is a need for a device that communicates with the vehicle to convey a message. There is a need for a device that indirectly communicates with the vehicle. The device may communicate with the vehicle to indicate that a normal shutdown has occurred and not a fault. It would be desirable to have a process of shutting down that indicates to the vehicle that an intentional shutdown has occurred. There is a need for a pattern of shutting down that indicates a fault has not occurred without a use of a separate signal wire.


A cup holder including a resilient tube having opposed ends with a keyhole slot open at its bottom extending between the opposed ends for engaging a support and the tube also having a bore in its top for receiving a beverage container.

The present invention relates generally to receptacles and, more particularly, to container attachments or adjuncts.
After paddling for a long period of time, most canoeists enjoy a sip of water or other beverage to avoid dehydration. Unfortunately, most open-topped canoes lack cup holders that permit ready access to a drink. Balancing a cup on the narrow gunwale or thwart of a canoe is virtually impossible. Of course, resting a cup upon the bottom of a canoe subjects it to inadvertent kicks by canoeists as well as tips by an unexpected waves. A need, therefore, exists for a safe, handy, and inexpensive cup holder for use by canoeists and others.
In light of the problems associated with retaining a beverage containers upright in a canoe, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a device that will snugly, yet releasably, hold a cup or like container in an upright condition upon a canoe gunwale or other support. The preferred device is formed from a resilient foam material that serves as an insulator to keep the beverage within the cup or container at a desired temperature. When suitably positioned upon a canoe gunwale, the device can serve as a bumper or rest for the knees and thighs of a paddler. Since the resilient foam material is buoyant, the device cannot sink if it falls from a canoe into a body of water.
It is another object of the invention to provide a cup holder of the type described that can be set up and used with minimal instruction and without tools. The cup holder can accommodate supports and containers of various sizes.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a cup holder for the purposes described which is lightweight in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and dependable in use. It is foreseeable that the cup holder will be used away from canoes, perhaps, by way of example only, in securing beverage containers to the armrests and backs of sporting arena seats or in securing beverage containers to the tops of dugout fences in ballparks.
Briefly, the cup holder in accordance with this invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a tube formed of a resilient foam material. The tube has a central passageway extending between its opposed ends. A bottom passageway extends downwardly from the central passageway to the bottom of the tube. The bottom passageway and the central passageway, when taken together, define a keyhole slot open at its bottom that extends the length of tube for receiving a support. A cylindrical bore penetrates the top of the tube and the central passageway for receiving a cup or other form of container.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.