A method and apparatus that predicts electromagnetic emissions and susceptibility attributes of an electric device. A simulation is conducted which utilizes a series of mathematical calculations to predict performance of four facets of electromagnetic interference (EMI): conducted emissions; conducted susceptibility; radiated emissions; and radiated susceptibility. The method and apparatus provides for the analytical evaluation of electromagnetic interference of electrical devices prior to testing and actual measuring of fields emitted by circuits, thereby providing a system for EMI control methods, EMI test costs, and device redesign and retest.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to electromagnetic interference (EMI) prediction calculations for electric devices.
2. Prior Art
Regulatory agencies worldwide restrict radio frequency signals unintentionally conducted on power leads and interconnecting cable bundles by electric devices. Further, those agencies restrict electromagnetic field intensity unintentionally radiated by electric devices. Most regulatory agencies also require electric devices to withstand electromagnetically induced disturbances conducted on power lines and/or interconnecting cable bundles and incident upon the electric device as an electric or magnetic field. EMI requirements are regulated by numerous agencies from individual industries, countries, and combinations thereof. Requirements vary considerably across agencies and industries, but are applicable to nearly all electric, electrical, and electronic devices.
Compliance with EMI requirements is determined by testing the electric device. Testing is costly, as is redesign and retest if the device is found to be noncompliant. Analytical methods for predicting EMI performance are desirable but require knowledge in disparate intellectual disciplines heretofore not cost-effectively available to designers and manufacturers of electric devices.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus that is capable of calculating electromagnetic emissions and susceptibility attributes of an electric device in four facets of EMI analysis: conducted emissions, conducted susceptibility, radiated emissions and radiated susceptibility. Such a device would overcome the limitations of the prior art which does not comprehensively address the subject of electromagnetic interference prediction.
It would further be desirable to provide an apparatus that allows for sources of electromagnetic interference, circuitry effect such as filtering and loading, interconnecting conductor configuration, conductor shielding, shield terminations, and a means for determining whether the device under analysis is predicted to comply with specified EMI requirements.

Electromagnetic emissions and susceptibility calculating method and apparatus


It is an object of this invention to attain reliable starting characteristics and stable rotation performance of a motor in a motor of a phase synchronization driving type. To achieve this object, according to this invention, there is provided a motor driving apparatus having a stepping motor constituted by a stator with at least two poles, a rotor having a permanent magnet with at least two poles, and a driving coil magnetically coupled to the stator, a driving pulse generation means for outputting a driving pulse signal for driving the stepping motor, a driving circuit for supplying a driving current to the driving coil on the basis of the signal from the driving pulse generation means, a voltage detection circuit for detecting a counter electromotive voltage generated upon rotation of the rotor, and a pole position detection means for detecting the pole position of the rotating rotor with respect to the rotor on the basis of a detection signal generated by the voltage detection circuit, the driving pulse generation means controlling the output timing of the driving pulse signal on the basis of the detection signal from the pole position detection means, characterized in that the pole position detection means stops outputting the driving pulse signal on the basis of the detection signal from the voltage detection circuit which is detected during the output period of the driving pulse signal, and outputs a driving pulse signal having a phase opposite to that of the driving pulse signal.

To rotate a motor at a high speed with a large torque is one of the most important factors in terms of an improvement in basic performance of the motor, and has been studied and developed for many years. For example, an electronic timepiece as one of products using motors has been advanced to have many functions in recent years. Timepieces having various functions such as stopwatch function, an alarm function, and a dual time function, in addition to normal time display have been developed and commercially available. These multifunctional timepieces always perform the fast forwarding operation of pointing hands when the system is initialized in an initial state, e.g., in loading the battery, or when the mode is shifted or the hand position is zeroed in normal use. For this reason, high-speed rotation of the motor is very important in terms of an improvement in operability, and the like.
A large-torque motor is indispensable when a flat weight is attached to a motor to use a timepiece as a vibration alarm for informing the time using vibrations generated upon rotation of the motor, or when a disk is attached instead of a pointing hand to a timepiece motor to perform display other than display of the time.
When the motor is rotated at a high speed, even if output of a driving pulse is stopped, the motor may not immediately stop due to the inertia of the motor or parts (e.g., a reduction ring train and a pointing hand in the timepiece) connected to the motor. Normally, to obtain a predetermined number of rotation, a corresponding number of pulses are output. In this case, however, the number of output pulses is not equal to the number of rotation of the motor.
In, e.g., a timepiece pointing hand, this is a fatal defect and leads to a time display error and the like. In addition, the magnetic pole generated at the stator by a driving pulse output in driving the motor next may shift from the pole position of the rotor depending on the pole position of the rotor upon stopping the motor, and the motor may not normally rotate. Therefore, in a system for driving the motor at a high speed, and accurately controlling the rotation speed of the motor to a desired value, it is important that the motor must be stopped at a predetermined position.
A conventional motor driving apparatus will be described below by exemplifying the stepping motor of an electronic timepiece.
FIG. 1 is a view of the arrangement of a motor driving apparatus constituted by a conventional bipolar stepping motor, and FIGS. 2 to 7 are plan views, respectively, showing the positional relationship between the magnetic poles of a stator and a rotor. As a means for converting an electrical signal into a mechanical rotating motion, the bipolar stepping motor is constituted by a driving coil 101, a flat stator 102, and a rotor 103, as shown in FIG. 1. The flat stator 102 has a step 102a, as shown in FIG. 2.
Motor drivers 104a and 104b are arranged to cause a current to flow through the driving coil 101 by changing the potential across the two terminals of the driving coil 101, thereby exciting the flat stator 102. In the bipolar motor shown in FIG. 1, when no current flows through the driving coil 101, the pole position of the rotor 103 with respect to the flat stator 102 is at a statically stable point 110 shown in FIG. 2; when a current flows through the driving coil 101 to excite the flat stator 102, it is at an electromagnetically stable point 111 shown in FIG. 3.
Normally, in the electronic timepiece, a driving pulse signal for changing the potential across the two terminals of the driving coil 101 is output from the motor driver 104a or 104b for 4 to 5 mS to cause a pulse current to flow through the driving coil 101, thereby rotating the rotor 103. When the rotor 103 rotates during the supply of the current to the driving coil 101, and comes to nearly a pole position shown in FIG. 4 with respect to the flat stator 102, the current flowing through the driving coil 101 stops. The rotor 103 rotates to a position in FIG. 5 due to the inertia, is subjected to damped vibration about the statically stable point 110, and finally stops.
After the rotor 103 becomes still, a driving pulse signal is output from, e.g., the motor driver 104a to cause a current to flow through the driving coil 101, thereby exciting the flat stator 102, as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the rotor 103 rotates through 180.degree. in a rotation direction A shown in FIG. 6. Further, after the rotor 103 becomes still, a driving pulse signal is output from the motor driver 104b on a side opposite to the side from which the previous driving pulse signal is output. Then, the rotor 103 rotates another 180.degree. in the direction A in FIG. 6. If the rotor 103 is rotated by causing a current to flow through the driving coil 101 after the rotor 103 becomes still, it reliably rotates in the direction A shown in FIG. 6.
When the stepping motor is to be rotated at a high speed, the rotor 103 must be rotated at a high speed, as matter of course. At this time, the output interval between driving pulse signals output from the motor drivers 104a and 104b must be shortened.
If the output interval between driving pulse signals is shortened in order to rotate the rotor 103 at a higher speed, the next driving pulse signal must be output before damped vibration of the rotor 103 immediately after its rotation stop.
If the next driving pulse signal is output when the rotor 103 is at a position in FIG. 7 during damped vibration, i.e., the rotor 103 and the electromagnetically stable point 111 have a positional relationship shown in FIG. 7, the rotor 103 undesirably rotates in a direction opposite to the direction A shown in FIG. 6, i.e., opposite to the normal direction. Therefore, to stably rotate the rotor 103, the output interval between driving pulse signals must be set to a time or more required to stabilize damped vibration of the rotor 103 upon rotation within a range not to exceed the electromagnetically stable point 111.
Even the minimum total time of the pulse width of the driving pulse signal and the damped-vibration stabilization time of, i.e., the minimum output period of the driving pulse signal is around 10 mS. This indicates that the output frequency of the driving pulse signal is limited to about 100 Hz in the current driving scheme.
This problem, however, has been solved by the scheme disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-304440 filed by the present applicant.
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a driving circuit in a conventional motor driving apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a waveform chart showing the operation of the driving circuit in FIG. 8.
In FIG. 8, reference numeral 25' denotes a driving circuit, which is constituted by motor drivers 1a and 1b. Reference numeral 2 denotes a driving coil; and 41', a counter electromotive voltage detection circuit, which has a bias means 3 and a voltage detection circuit 5. The bias means 3 is constituted by switch means 3a and 3b, and bias resistors 3c and 3d having the same resistance value. Reference numeral 4 denotes a flat stator. The voltage detection circuit 5 is constituted by an inverter 5a, a feedback resistor 5b, and an input resistor 5c. Reference numeral 6 denotes an inverter; 103, a rotor; and 42', a motor constituted by the driving coil 2, the flat stator 4, and the rotor 103.
When a signal OE1 is at "H" level, the motor drivers 1a and 1b buffer-output input signals O1in and O2in, respectively; when the signal OE1 is at "L" level, their outputs are set in a high-impedance state. The switch means 3a and 3b are switches which are turned off when a signal SE output from the inverter 6 is at "L" level, and turned on when the signal SE is at "H" level.
The operation of the circuit in FIG. 8 will be explained with reference to the waveform chart of FIG. 9.
During a period (a) in FIG. 9, since the signal OE1 is at "H" level, and an "H"-level driving pulse signal is output from the motor driver 1a, a current flows through the driving coil 2 to rotate the rotor 103. During this period, both the switch means 3a and 3b are in the OFF state because the signal SE is at "L" level. During a period (b) in FIG. 9, since the signal OE1 is at "L" level, outputs from the motor drivers 1a and 1b are in the high-impedance state, and the switch means 3a and 3b are turned on. The voltage at a terminal X as one terminal of the driving coil 2 is divided into a bias voltage Vb as a voltage 1/2 the power supply voltage.
A voltage waveform appearing at a terminal Y, as the other terminal of the driving coil 2, during the period (b) in FIG. 9 will be explained.
When outputs from the motor drivers 1a and 1b are in the high-impedance state, the switch means 3a and 3b are ON, and the voltage at the terminal X is set at the level of the bias voltage Vb by the bias resistors 3c and 3d, the voltage value at the terminal Y becomes the bias voltage Vb, similar to the terminal X, as far as the rotor 103 does not rotate and the motor drivers 1a and 1b have no influence. However, immediately after a driving pulse signal is output during the period (a) in FIG. 9, a current flowing through the driving coil 2 is stopped to generate an induced voltage as Vr in FIG. 9. When a driving pulse signal is output to rotate the rotor 103, a counter electromotive voltage Vg is generated upon rotation of the rotor 103, as shown in FIG. 9. The synthesized waveform of these generated voltages appears at the terminal Y. The voltage waveform appearing at the terminal Y is amplified by the voltage detection circuit 5 to have a waveform indicated by Aout in FIG. 9.
In the waveform Aout during the period (b) in FIG. 9, the induced voltage generated from the driving coil 2 is dominant immediately after the driving pulse signal is output. With the lapse of time, the influence of the induced voltage decreases, while the counter electromotive voltage from the rotor 103 becomes dominant.
In FIG. 9, a timing (time P) when the waveform Aout crosses the bias voltage Vb from the positive direction to the negative direction becomes almost equal to a timing when the rotor 103 passes the described-above electromagnetically stable point. If a driving pulse signal is output at this timing from the motor driver 1b on a side opposite to the side from which the previous driving pulse signal is output, the rotor 103 continuously rotates in the forward direction without reversely rotating because its pole position with respect to the flat stator 4 has already passed the electromagnetically stable point.
FIG. 10 shows another prior art in which a counter electromotive voltage generated from a motor is detected by a detection coil wound coaxially with a driving coil. The above-described stepping motor in FIG. 1 further comprises a voltage detection means constituted by a detection coil 105 wound coaxially with the driving coil 101, a differential amplifier 106a for detecting a counter electromotive voltage generated at the detection coil 105 upon rotation of the rotor 103, and a comparator 108 for comparing an output signal from the differential amplifier 106a with a reference voltage Vb, and outputting a signal Aout as the comparison result.
In FIG. 10, reference numeral 25 denotes a driving circuit constituted by motor drivers 104a and 104b; 41, a counter electromotive voltage detection circuit constituted by the detection coil 105 wound on a stator 102, the differential amplifier 106a, and the comparator 108; and 42, a motor constituted by the driving coil 101, the stator 102, and the rotor 103.
In this prior art, the pole position of the rotor 103 with respect to the flat stator 102 during rotation of the rotor 103 is detected by detecting the counter electromotive voltage generated upon rotation of the rotor 103 by using the voltage detection means through the detection coil 105, and the output timing of the driving pulse signal is controlled on the basis of an output from the comparator 108.
The motor having the arrangement of this prior art can be driven similarly to the scheme of detecting the counter electromotive voltage from the motor by using the above-described driving coil 2.in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 shows waveforms in this prior art. In this arrangement, since the DC component of a current flowing through the driving coil 101 is removed in outputting the driving pulse, a voltage waveform appearing on an output from the differential amplifier is the synthesized waveform of Vg and Vr.
In this prior art, the counter electromotive voltage is detected by the detection coil 105 wound coaxially with the driving coil 101. This scheme has already been filed by the present applicant as Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-235777.
As described above, according to the driving scheme shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the output interval between driving pulse signals can be minimized. As a result, the motor can be rotated at a speed about 3 times higher than that of a normal step driving scheme.
In this conventional synchronization driving scheme, the driving pulse conditions at the start of the motor are greatly different from those when the rotation speed is stabilized a predetermined time after the start. Therefore, several kinds of driving pulse signals to be supplied to the driving circuit are prepared in advance. A driving pulse signal having a large width is supplied to the driving circuit at the start of the motor, and the pulse width of the driving pulse signal to be supplied is decreased along with an increase in rotation speed.
However, in a system wherein a motor is attached with a heavy load, and particularly with an unbalanced load like a flat weight for a vibration motor, the driving pulse conditions greatly change depending on the posture of the motor. That is, an energy required at the start is greatly different between a case wherein the rotating shaft of the motor is perpendicular to the gravity, and the flat weight is located at such a position as to start rotation against the gravity, and a case wherein the flat weight is located at such a position as to start rotation in accordance with the gravity. As a result, the width condition of the driving pulse output from the driving circuit changes.
When the motor is driven by the conventional driving scheme, it cannot smoothly start because the pulse width at the start is fixed under predetermined conditions. That is, when the flat weight starts rotation against the gravity, the pulse width may not be long enough to start the motor, and the motor may fail to rotate. When the flat weight starts rotation in accordance with the gravity, the pulse width is excessive, resulting in an increase in power consumption.
In the scheme of driving the motor in synchronism with the phase angle of the rotor, which is a feature of the conventional driving scheme, the next driving pulse signal must be output at the timing when the motor rotates to reach an opposite phase. If a pulse having an excessive width is output, the same driving pulse is kept output even after the motor reaches the opposite phase. As a result, the motor is braked to greatly lower the rotation efficiency.
In the scheme of gradually decreasing the pulse width of a driving pulse signal within a predetermined time after the start of the motor, when the load of the motor is heavy, or when the driving voltage is low, the pulse width is decreased before the rotation speed of the motor sufficiently increases. As a result, not only the acceleration performance of the motor may be lowered, but also the energy necessary for rotation may not be obtained to stop the motor in some cases.
When the pulse width of the driving pulse signal is not sufficiently decreased with respect to the rotation speed, i.e., when a driving pulse signal having an excessive pulse width is output, the signal Aout output from the voltage detection circuit 5 in FIG. 8 becomes the one shown in FIG. 12. That is, the counter electromotive voltage generated from the motor shifts to the negative side with respect to the potential Vb before the influence of the induced voltage generated after outputting a driving pulse signal disappears. For this reason, no next driving pulse signal which is supposed to be output at the time Q is output. As a result, the motor stops, or even if it does not stop, the rotation speed does not increase.


The problem is to make a reliability decision on printed matter without using special ink or a dedicated blank. At least a part of a feature of a state included in printed matter is recorded by using a predetermined method at the time of printing. At the time of verification, the feature of the state acquired from the printed matter is compared with the feature recorded at the time of printing to conduct verification. As this feature, a feature value determined on the basis of a feature of the state of the printed matter, in the state of the printed matter determined in association with spatial distribution of a coloring portion on the printing surface, at the time when printing first information to be recorded is used.

The present invention relates to a printed matter reliability decision method for verifying falsification and duplication conducted on printed matter.
In some conventional paper documents, contents described in the documents or their values are trusted by conducting processing using an advanced printing method on the documents so as to prevent them from being easily duplicated or counterfeited. For example, those documents are securities represented by bills, and certificates such as licenses or certificates of qualification. In these documents, countermeasures such as use of a blank having a watermark formed by adding subtle unevenness to paper, use of high definition relief printing, and use of special ink that reacts to ultraviolet rays or the like are taken sometimes. These countermeasures rely on use of a special material that is not easily available for the blank or ink or use of a high definition printing technique that cannot be implemented easily or cheaply, as foundation for obtaining reliability.
Furthermore, as described in Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 57-500851, there is a technique of attempting to prevent a document from being counterfeited by "inspecting an authenticator having a pattern of a measurable and unduplicable characteristic" of printed matter.
Furthermore, as described in Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 52-33444, there is a technique of conducting collation against counterfeiting by observing a feature quantity included in a part of an object.
Furthermore, as described in Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 57-161993, there is a technique of detecting counterfeiting or alteration by "recording issue data on an issued note having a pattern previously printed thereon" and using "inspection data including a recording position relation between the pattern and the issue data."

Printed matter reliability decision method


An electric system for transmitting serial communication messages with different priorities over a communication link. The data to be transmitted is arranged in serial communication messages comprising a start of packet (SOP) symbol and data symbols. The ongoing transmission of a first message is interrupted if a SOP symbol of a second message is sent before the first message has been completed. Transmission of the first message is continued only after the second message has been sent.

In many electrical devices there is a need to communicate at different reaction times between the parts of the system. For example, power electronic converters such as a frequency converter generally comprises control and power parts which may have simultaneous mutual serial link communication at different priorities. E.g. status messages from the power unit can be sent at low priority, i.e. at a lower reaction time, but alarm messages related to e.g. an overshoot of the output current have to be sent as fast as possible, i.e. at high priority. The communication at different reaction times can be arranged by using an own communication channel for each speed. For cost reasons a preferable arrangement is a common channel where the lower priority messages are transmitted only after the transmission of higher priority messages first. In this arrangement the higher priority message still have to wait until the completion of the transmission of the lower priority message, which may delay a critical message too much and force to a separate channel arrangement.
A difference in the electric potential between the signal sending and receiving parts sometimes requires signal isolation e.g. by using optocouplers. The isolation increases costs and thus contributes to the advantages of arrangements with as few separate communication channels as possible.


A main lens is formed by a focus electrode, an intermediate electrode, and an anode electrode successively arranged in a traveling direction of an electron beam. The focus electrode and the anode electrode respectively have an electron beam passage aperture common to three electron beams, having a major axis in a horizontal direction in a portion opposed to the intermediate electrode, and three electron beam passage apertures through which the three electron beams pass are formed respectively in the focus electrode and the anode electrode. Aperture dimensions in a vertical direction of the electron beam passage apertures common to the three electron beams formed respectively in the focus electrode and the anode electrode are smaller than those in the vertical direction of the electron beam passage apertures formed in portions of the intermediate electrode respectively opposed to the focus electrode and the anode electrode. This can provide a color Braun tube apparatus that has less moire while having satisfactory focus performance over the entire surface of a phosphor screen, and in which there are no increase in the cost of a driving circuit and the decrease in withstand voltage characteristics.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color Braun tube apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, as shown in FIG. 17, a color Braun tube apparatus has an envelope in which a panel 1 is integrally connected to a funnel 2. On an inner surface of the panel 1, a phosphor screen 4 composed of phosphor layers of three colors emitting red, green, and blue light is formed, and a shadow mask 3 with a number of electron beam passage apertures formed thereon is attached to an inner wall surface of the panel 1 so as to be opposed to the phosphor screen 4. An electron gun 6 is provided in a neck 5 of the funnel 2, and a deflection yoke 8 is mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the funnel 2. Three electron beams 7B, 7G, and 7R emitted from the electron gun 6 are deflected by a magnetic field generated by the deflection yoke 8 to scan the phosphor screen 4 in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, whereby a color image is displayed on the phosphor screen 4.
Such a color Braun tube apparatus generally is an in-line type color Braun tube apparatus. The in-line type color Braun tube apparatus uses, as the electron gun 6, an in-line type electron gun emitting three electron beams in an in-line shape so that a center electron beam (hereinafter, referred to as a "center beam") at the center and a pair of side electron beams (hereinafter, referred to as "side beams") on both sides of the center beam are aligned on an identical horizontal plane, in which the magnetic field generated by the deflection yoke 8 is set to be a non-uniform magnetic field with a horizontal deflection magnetic field being a pin-cushion type and a vertical deflection magnetic field being a barrel type, whereby the three electron beams are self-converged.
As the in-line type electron gun, various kinds of systems are known, and one of them is a Bi-Potential Focus (BPF) type Dynamic Astigmatism and Focus correction (DAF) system.
Regarding a main lens configuration of the in-line type electron gun, various kinds of types also are known, and one of them is a superimposed electric field type.
FIGS. 18A and 18B show an example of the in-line type electron gun. FIG. 18A is a horizontal cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 18B is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof
The electron gun is composed of three cathodes K arranged in a line in a horizontal direction, and a first grid G1 to a fourth grid G4 with an integrated configuration, arranged successively on a phosphor screen side with respect to the three cathodes K.
In the first grid G1 and the second grid G2, three electron beam passage apertures corresponding to the three cathodes K arranged in a line are formed respectively.
The (3-1)th grid G3-1 is composed of a tubular body in which three electron beam passage apertures are formed respectively on both end faces.
The (3-2)th grid (focus electrode) G3-2 is composed of a tubular body 10 in which three electron beam passage apertures are formed on an end face on an electron beam incident side (i.e., a surface opposed to the (3-1)th grid G3-1), and an oval electron beam passage aperture 9 common to the three electron beams, having a major axis in the arrangement direction of the three electron beams as shown in FIG. 19, is formed on an end face on an electron beam output side (i.e., a surface opposed to the fourth grid G4). In the (3-2)th grid G3-2, an electric field correcting plate 12 is placed in which three electron beam passage apertures 11B, 11G, 11R are formed.
The fourth grid (anode electrode) G4 is composed of a tubular body 14 in which an oval electron beam passage aperture 13 common to the three electron beams, having a major axis in the arrangement direction of the three electron beams as shown in FIG. 20, is formed on an end face on an electron beam incident side (i.e., a surface opposed to the (3-2)th grid G3-2). In the fourth grid G4, an electric field correcting plate 16 is placed in which three electron beam passage apertures 15B, 15G, 15R are formed.
The cathodes K are supplied with a voltage of about 150 V, the first grid G1 is grounded, and the second grid G2 is supplied with a voltage of about 600 V. The (3-1)th grid G3-1 is supplied with a focus voltage of about 8 kV, and the (3-2)th grid G3-2 is supplied with a dynamic focus voltage that increases in accordance with the deflection distance of the electron beams on a base of about 8 kV. The fourth grid G4 is supplied with a high voltage of about 30 kV.
Thus, the cathodes K, the first grid G1, and the second grid G2 constitute a tripolar part for generating electron beams and forming an object point with respect to a main lens (described later). The second grid G2 to the (3-1)th grid G3-1 form a prefocus lens for preliminary focusing the electron beams emitted from the tripolar part. When the electron beams are deflected, the (3-1)th grid G3-1 and the (3-2)th grid G3-2 form a quadrupole lens that has a focusing function in a horizontal direction and has a diverging function in a vertical direction. Furthermore, the (3-2)th grid G3-2 that is a focus electrode and the fourth grid G4 that is an anode electrode form a superimposed electric field type BPF main lens for finally accelerating and focusing the electron beams with respect to the phosphor screen.
In the above-mentioned electron gun, in the case where the electron beams travel to the center of the phosphor screen without being deflected, the quadrupole lens is not formed between the (3-1)th grid G3-1 and the (3-2)th grid G3-2. The electron beams from the tripolar part are preliminary focused by the prefocus lens, and then, focused at the center of the phosphor screen by the main lens.
In contrast, in the case where the electron beams are deflected to a circumferential portion of the phosphor screen, the voltage of the (3-2)th grid G3-2 increases in accordance with the deflection amount of the electron beams, and a quadrupole lens for focusing the electron beams in a horizontal direction and diverging them in a vertical direction is formed between the (3-1)th grid G3-1 and the (3-2)th grid G3-2. Simultaneously, the increase in the voltage of the (3-2)th grid G3-2 decreases the lens strength of the main lens formed by the (3-2)th grid G3-2 and the fourth grid G4. This corrects the deflection aberration generated by the enlargement of the distance between the main lens and the phosphor screen caused by the deflection of the electron beams, and the non-uniform electric field containing a pin-cushion type horizontal deflection magnetic field and a barrel type vertical deflection magnetic field generated by the deflection yoke.
In order to make the image quality of the color Braun tube satisfactory, it is necessary to make the focus characteristics on the phosphor screen satisfactory, i.e., to reduce the size of an electron beam spot over the entire surface of the phosphor screen.
As one means for reducing the size of an electron beam spot, there is a method for enlarging a main lens aperture of the electron gun. The above-mentioned superimposed electric field type main lens in the BPF-type electron gun generally is used as a configuration in which a lens with a larger aperture compared with that of a simple cylindrical lens is obtained.
However, since the electrode size is limited by the inner diameter of a neck, there is a limit to a lens aperture that can be formed, even with the superimposed electric field type main lens. JP8(1996)-22780A and JP9(1997)-180648A describe a method for obtaining a lens aperture larger than that of the superimposed electric field type main lens. FIGS. 21A and 21B show an exemplary case where this method is applied to the above-mentioned BPF-type DAF system electron gun. FIG. 21A is a horizontal cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 21B is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof.
The electron gun is different from the conventional electron gun forming a superimposed electric field type main lens shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, in that an intermediate electrode GM is placed between the (3-2)th grid G3-2 and the fourth grid G4, and is supplied with a voltage higher than the third grid voltage (focus voltage) and lower than the fourth grid voltage (anode voltage), which is obtained by dividing an anode voltage with a resistor 17 housed in a tube. As shown in FIG. 22, the intermediate electrode GM is composed of a tubular body 20 in which an electron beam passage aperture 18 common to the three electron beams is formed on a surface opposed to the (3-2)th grid G3-2 that is an incident side surface of the electron beams, and an electron beam passage aperture 19 common to the three electron beams is formed on a surface opposed to the fourth grid G4 that is an output side surface of the electron beams, and an electric field correcting plate 22 having three electron beam passage apertures 21B, 21G, 21R placed inside the tubular body 20.
According to the above-mentioned electron gun, a main lens with an aperture larger than that of the superimposed electric field type main lens can be formed, so that an electron beam spot can be reduced in size, which can enhance the resolution of a color Braun tube.
However, when the electron beam spot is reduced in size, although the resolution is enhanced, moire is likely to be generated on a screen due to the interference between the scanning lines and the shadow mask, which rather impairs image quality. This is caused by the extremely small vertical dimension of the electron beam spot.
Furthermore, as the main lens aperture is larger, the change in a focal length with respect to a focus voltage decreases, which makes it necessary to increase further the amplitude of a dynamic focus voltage in the DAF system electron gun. This increases the cost of a driving circuit and decreases withstand voltage reliability.
That is, it is desirable that while the aperture of a main lens in a horizontal direction is as large as possible, the aperture thereof in a vertical direction is set appropriately. More specifically, the aperture in a vertical direction preferably is about 5 to 9 mm. However, a desirable main lens cannot be formed with the prior art.

Color Braun tube apparatus with non-circular electron beam passage aperture

Matsushita Toshiba Picture Display Co., Ltd.


A radio control apparatus has a transmission speed control section and a memory section. The transmission speed control section calculates the transmission power of a data signal to be transmitted to a cell phone based on the transmission power of a control signal to be transmitted to the cell phone and an offset value to be applied to the transmission power of the control signal. The transmission speed control section compares the transmission power of the data signal with an upper limit value stored in the memory section, and performs control to decrease the transmission speed of the data signal when the transmission power of the data signal is greater than the upper limit value and to increase the transmission speed of the data signal when the transmission power of the data signal is less than or equal to the upper limit value.

Recently, with the development of radio communication technology, a mobile communication system capable of high-speed and reliable data transfer has been in use. Particularly, in a mobile packet communication system, which uses the code division multiplexing scheme such as W-CDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access) and CDMA-2000, a technique in which communication channels are selectively used depending on the characteristics of the signal to be transmitted to a mobile communication terminal is adopted as a method of downward transmission.
For transmission of control signals, the A-DPCH (Associated-Dedicated Physical CHannel) is used which is an individual downward channel (a channel dedicated to each terminal) suitable for high-speed transmission power control. To the contrary, for transmission of data signals, time division multiplexed communication is carried out using the DSCH (Downlink Shared CHannel), which is a common channel that allows radio resources to be used effectively among a plurality of mobile communication terminals. As described above, by appropriately switching the channels to be used depending on the property of the signals, an effective signal transmission is carried out which makes use of the advantages of both channels in a mutually complementary manner.

Radio control apparatus, mobile communication method, mobile communication program, and mobile communication system


A merchandise display hook provided with an improved support structure for a pivoting label holder. A label-mounting arm extends and terminates above a merchandise display arm. An integral cross bar, which is formed by bending the end of the label mounting arm wire, provides a pivot mount for a plastic label holding device. The arrangement provides enhanced function, while at the same time achieving desirable manufacturing economies. In one embodiment, the label mounting arm wire is bent once at a right angle to form the cross bar. In another embodiment, the wire is bent twice--once to form an integral, intermediary section and once to form the cross bar. In a third embodiment, the wire is bent a third time to form another integral section, angled rearwardly toward the label mounting arm forming a triangular end portion. The cross bar can include a portion projecting through the label holder to retain and center the label holder.

Display hooks, typically mounted on apertured panel board, slotted panels or the like are in widespread usage for displaying carded merchandise for sale. In many cases, such merchandise display hooks are combined with label-mounting means for presenting product information and pricing in association with the carded merchandise. A common form of such label-mounting means consists of an arm projecting above and generally parallel to a merchandise supporting arm and mounting a label-holding device at its forward extremity, advantageously in a position directly in front of the outer end of the merchandise display hook. The label-holding device, in such cases, serves an additional function as a means for guarding the outer end of the display hook element against accidental contact.
One of the known label-mounting means for this purpose comprises a wire-like element extending outward, above the merchandise support, and terminating at its outer extremity in a welded-on cross bar element. The cross bar element serves as a pivoting support for a plastic label holder, allowing the label holder to hang downward in front of the outer end of the merchandise support. The pivoting action of the label holder facilitates product removal from the associated product support. If a product being withdrawn forwardly from its display hook engages the plastic label holder, the holder can simply pivot upward out of the way as necessary to allow the product to clear. An additional advantage of pivoting label holders in general is that, with respect to product items displayed at a low level, viewing of the product information and pricing is facilitated by allowing the customer to simply reach down and tilt the label holder upwardly, rather than having to bend or crouch to read the contents of the label.
The present invention is directed to a merchandise display hook of the general type described above, including a pivoted label holder arrangement, which is both improved with respect to known constructions and is at the same time capable of more economical manufacture. To this end, the device of the invention includes a cross bar element, for pivotal support of a label holder, which is not mounted at the end extremity of its support arm, as in devices of known construction, but is an integral part of the support arm. In one embodiment of the invention, the cross bar element consists of an integral section of the label support arm which is bent at a right angle with respect to the shaft of the label support arm.
In another embodiment of the invention, the cross bar element consists of an integral section of the label support arm disposed at a right angle with respect to the shaft of the label support arm where the cross bar element is connected to the shaft by an intermediate section bent at an angle with respect to both the shaft and the cross bar element. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the cross bar element is connected to the shaft of the label support arm by an intermediate section at an angle (as above) and a second section extends from an opposite end of the cross bar element towards the shaft of the label support arm forming a triangular end portion.
The cross bar may include a projecting portion extending through an opening in a clip portion of the label holder to retain the label holder in a centered position.
For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and to the accompanying drawings.

Merchandise display hook with integral support for pivoting label holder


An interchangeable grip system for golf putters includes an inner sleeve installed on the butt end of a putter shaft, and a plurality of pre-manufactured outer grip sleeves adapted for universal removable installation on the inner sleeve. The look and/or feel of the putter may be changed by simply removing the outer sleeve and replacing it with an alternate outer sleeve. A threaded fastener secures the outer sleeve to the inner sleeve, and may further function to permit weight adjustment. A plurality of weighted fasteners is provided to allow for the overall weight of the putter to be adjusted. Each fastener is provided with a keyed head that requires a compatible tool or wrench for tightening and removal. A hand-tool is provided to allow for quick and easy removal of the fastener, and further functions to store various weighted fasteners to allow for weight adjustment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to golf equipment, and more particularly to an interchangeable putter grip system.
2. Description of Related Art
Golf has experienced a significant increase in popularity in recent years which has driven demand for a number of advances and innovations in golf club design. One golf club, however, has been the subject of more innovative efforts than the others, that golf club is the putter. One reason why the putter has been the subject of so much innovation efforts is that its use can account for over half of the strokes allotted for a regulation round at par. Simply put, in a typical round of golf, the putter is used more often than any other club in the bag. Golf courses are typically designed for a "par" score of 72, with layouts that allow for two putts per hole, or 36 putts per round. Thus, a golfer shooting a "par" score of 72 may use his/her putter for half of the shots.
As a result, golfers are known to have strong preferences as to the putter's look and feel, and often desire to modify certain characteristics. For example, it is not uncommon for a golfer to change the putter's grip, weighting, and even appearance in an effort to improve putting performance. Further, some golfers desire to adjust the feel of the putter depending on the conditions of the green, the type of grass, degree of undulations, speed of the green, etc. Other times, the golfer may simply wish to tailor the look of the putter by altering the color or appearance of the grip.
Conventional golf putter grips are affixed to the putter by a process that involves the application of grip tape and solvent to adhesively secure the grip to the putter shaft. Removal of the grip typically requires slicing the grip with a sharp blade and peeling the grip off of the shaft, a time consuming process that destroys the grip. Grip removal and replacement typically requires sending the putter to the "shop" or seeking the assistance of a golf equipment technician.
Accordingly, there exists a need for advancements in the art of golf putters to allow for quick and easy modification of the golf putter. There further exists a need for an interchangeable grip system for golf putters to allow for customized modification.


A duct fitting of generally cylindrical configuration for attachment to a relatively large, generally cylindrically-shaped flexible duct having a curved sidewall of easily deformed material, in which sidewall a hole of particular size has been created. This duct fitting is constructed of deformable sheet material and has first and second open ends, with the first end having a curvature conforming to the configuration of the curved sidewall of the flexible duct. The second end of the duct fitting is adapted to receive thereon, a relatively small branch duct to be connected in a leak-free manner to the flexible duct. In accordance with this invention, the first end of the duct fitting has a plurality of short, lateral slots disposed at spaced locations around its circumference, thus to define a plurality of bendable teeth arranged in a non-planar array. These teeth are insertable into the hole created in the curved sidewall of the flexible duct, and then bent over into conforming engagement with the curved interior surface of the flexible duct, thus to lock the duct fitting into the flexible duct. I may use a flat ring of curved contour on the exterior of the duct fitting for limiting the insertion of the first end of the duct fitting into the flexible duct, and I may use a second flat ring on the interior of the flexible duct, for preventing any tearing by the teeth of the interior of the flexible duct.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to ducting as used in air conditioning and heating systems, and more particularly to a duct fitting specifically contoured to be used with highly flexible ducting in a multi user system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is customary in the heating, cooling and ventilating field to use a main or trunk duct, having extending from it one or more branch ducts. Various fittings have been proposed for connecting a branch duct to an associated main duct. One manner of attaching a fitting to a duct is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,066 to Primich et al entitled "Sheet Metal Pipe Fitting," which issued Dec. 6, 1966. In that device, a plurality of tabs formed so as to extend axially from the fitting are to be bent over in order to secure the fitting on an associated duct. A significant problem, however, exists with regard to time, tools and the relatively high degree of skill required to accurately cut a properly sized hole in the trunk duct. Such a trunk duct may of course be constructed from rigid or from flexible material, such as reinforced fiberglass and the like. As will be seen hereinafter, the duct fitting forming the subject matter of this invention is primarily configured for use with highly flexible ducting, although it may also be utilized with certain diameter rigid ducting.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,792 issued to Larkin on Oct. 31, 1967, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,056 issued to Hougen on Sep. 28, 1971, disclose examples of hole cutting tools which can be used for cutting holes in prior art air conditioning ducting. A basic disadvantage of such approach, however, is that a large number of cutting tools of various sizes must be kept available in order to cut a hole which is sized properly for a specific duct fitting. Further, there can be difficulty in inserting a fitting into a hole cut for it, if the precut hole is irregular, or too small. If the hole is too large, the fitting will be loose and most likely it will be a source of undesirable air leakage.
Another problem encountered with the installation of branch duct fittings to main ducts of air conditioning systems, and the like, is that there must be found a manner of attaching the fitting to the duct. Other than the use of the aforementioned bent tabs, it is a common practice to employ bolts and similar fasteners which result in projection of the ends of the fasteners into the main duct. Such projections are generally quite undesirable, inasmuch as they cause turbulence in the air stream within the duct.
Accordingly, it is well known in the art to provide quick connection arrangements on duct fittings in order to eliminate the attachment problems referred to above, as well as to insure a good fit between the fitting and an associated duct. Examples of such quick connections can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,745 issued Nov. 11, 1969 to J. W. Williams et al and U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,477 issued Oct. 28, 1975 to D. R. Timmons. These fittings are intended specifically for use with reinforced fiberglass ducts and employ helical rings formed about the periphery of the connection end of the fitting, which permit the connection end of the fitting to be threaded through a precut hole. Once threaded through the duct, the split ring or flange retains the fitting in place on the duct.
With the latter approach, however, not only is it first necessary to precut a hole in the associated duct, the problems of which are discussed above, but also, during insertion of the fitting into the hole, the helical rings tend to tear or shred the wall in the area circumscribing the hole. This also is the case two, with U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,545 entitled "Air Duct Connector," which issued Apr. 10, 1973 to J. R. Grim et al. This latter patent discloses an air duct connector especially for use with reinforced fiberglass ducts in which the leading edge of the connector is provided with widely spaced cutting teeth for initially forming a circular aperture in the duct wall. Widely spaced radially extending tabs are provided proximate the cutting teeth for being threaded into the hole during cutting thereof to lock the fitting in the hole in the fiberglass duct or plenum chamber wall.
Besides tearing, or shredding the wall, a disadvantage of the construction suggested by Grim is that the cutting teeth, which are not intended to be bent over, will extend into the fluid flow path of the trunk duct so as to cause turbulence therein. Further, it is highly desirable to remove the cutout portion, or slug, of the duct wall from the interior of the duct, for such cutout portion could cause turbulence, air flow restriction, noise, and the like if left in the duct. In an instance in accordance with the Grim teaching, the workman concerned with the removal of the cutout portion must work very carefully through the mounting fitting in order to avoid being injured by the projecting cutting teeth.
Poorly fashioned cuts, such as result from the precutting of holes by the freehand use of a knife, razor blade, and the like, as required in some of the hereinbefore described prior art fittings, usually results in loose fits and highly undesirable air leakage. Over a period of months, this can amount to a serious amount of wastage. Also, sidewall tearing or shredding resulting from the use of other above discussed prior art fittings can result in leakage-prone weak spots in the areas where the fittings are mounted to the trunk duct. Furthermore, it is most important to keep shredded fibers out of the air moving in the duct system, to prevent the known health hazard associated with airborne fibers.
Regardless of the technique used to mount a branch line fitting in a main or trunk duct, a problem has long existed with regard to diverting air out of the airflow stream in the trunk duct into the branch duct. In many prior art systems, this air diversion problem is simply ignored, with the result being that the pressure of the air in the trunk duct will be totally relied upon to cause a suitable amount of air to move into the branch duct. In many instances, the failure to accomplish a dynamic redirecting of the air flowing in the trunk duct results in inadequate air flow in the branch lines.
The Goettel U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,124 entitled "Self-Tapping Duct Fitting," which issued Jan. 1, 1985, attempted to solve the air diversion problem by pivotally mounting a flat plate damper in the duct fitting and providing a suitable linkage so that subsequent to fitting installation, the damper could be moved to a fully open position wherein a relatively small portion of the flat plate extends from the fitting into the air stream of the trunk duct. While this improved the situation with regard to the abovediscussed air diversion problem, the air striking the flat plate damper was found to create considerable turbulence both in the trunk duct and in the branch duct, and acted as a restriction in those air streams. In addition, the relatively expensive damper, its mounting arrangement, and the needed linkage proved to be far too costly for the minimal results achieved therefrom.
The Goettel U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,491,124 and 4,569,110 are related to cutting tap-in orifices and tapping into rectangular ducts, rather than tapping into cylindrical ducts of flexible material, as taught by this invention. The Goettel patents represent a manifest relationship to the sheet-metal technology of the prior art, which is in distinct contrast to insulated spiral-tube flexible forms in combination with sheet-metal devices, as more recently developed.
The Nash U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,476 is also related to metal ductwork connections. The Harris U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,758 teaches joining a tubular member to a flat component such as a rectangular junction box or a sheet-metal duct.
The Wachter U.S. Pat. No. 4,147,382 entitled "Connecting Piece for a Branch Duct to a Substantially Round Air Conditioning Duct," describes the joining of cylindrical trunk tubes to cylindrical branch tubes, but in a somewhat different manner than earlier taught. The Wachter patent employs an elongate base on a branch tube that was connected to a trunk tube with a rectangular-to-cylindrical geometry rather than right-angle tubular-intersection joints.
The Grim et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,545 and the Primich et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,066, each previously mentioned, likewise taught joining of a circular branch member to a plenum chamber in the form of a junction box or flat-walled duct. Primich et al, Goettel and others have taught the use of tabs bendable to form a flange effect, but in a different form and relationship of parts than employed in this invention, as will be seen hereinafter. All of these prior patents relate to junctures with flat surfaces.
The Rice et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,349 entitled "Y-Connection for Flexible Conduit," which issued Jan. 1, 1985, is designed for use with a thin wall metal main conduit which has a plurality of grooves or corrugations extending around its periphery, "to provide the conduit with a degree of flexibility." The patentees describe that they utilize an inner shoe of sheet metal provided with a centrally disposed hole, as well as a saddle, with the inner shoe being intended to be inserted in through a hole several inches in diameter that is cut into the metal conduit that Rice et al are concerned with. The inner shoe is brought into a desired alignment with the hole in the conduit, with the tabs disposed around the periphery of the hole in the inner shoe being bent so as to extend upwardly through the hole in the metal conduit, and then pressed back against the outer face of the metal conduit. At this point the saddle with its short section of branch conduit is mounted over the hole in the metal conduit, in a desired relationship with the inner shoe. As described by the patentees Rice et al, rivets, spot welds or other suitable means are utilized to secure the tabs to the saddle.
It is important to note that both the internally positioned shoe and the externally positioned saddle utilized by Rice et al are stated to be dimensioned to extend around approximately 160.degree. of the periphery of the metal conduit. Quite clearly, the weight of such large and bulky components as suggested by Rice et al would not be suitable for use with highly flexible ducting, and Rice et al do not in any manner explain how their heavy devices could be attached in any suitable and appropriate manner to light-duty flexible ducting. Also, the use of the Rice et al technique requires the workman to have access to the end of the duct in order that the shoe can be inserted. As will be seen hereinafter, end access is not required for the installation of the novel duct fitting in accordance with this invention.
It is manifestly obvious that Rice et al are not dealing with attachment to the same type of highly flexible ducting as is involved in the present invention. As pointed out hereinabove, the wording set forth in the Rice et al patent describes that the patentees utilize a metal main conduit equipped with a plurality of grooves or corrugations that provide the conduit with "a degree of flexibility," but Rice et al make absolutely no mention of any use with the highly flexible ducting with which the present invention is principally intended for use. The flexible conduit with which Rice et al are concerned would be able to be bent only to a limited extent in order to be able to pass around an obstacle in the path of the ducting, and such conduit could not tolerate short radius turns, as could the highly flexible ducting being principally referred to in conjunction with the instant invention. Also, the flexible conduit utilized by Rice et al could not withstand without substantial damage, any partial collapse of the conduit sidewalls, amounting to a reduction in diameter. In distinct contrast, the highly flexible ducting with which the present invention is principally concerned could clearly be utilized in the situation in which the ducting is caused to pass through a narrow opening or passageway, for any reduction in the diameter would cause no intrinsic damage to the highly flexible ducting, for it would merely increase in diameter at a location 90.degree. to the location where the diameter has been reduced.
Another important point of distinction is that some 25 feet of the flexible metal conduit utilized by Rice et al could not possibly be compressed into a box approximately 30 inches long, as can the highly flexible ducting with which the instant invention is involved.
It is therefore most important to realize that the absence of effective devices and methods for joining round branch tubes to highly flexible trunk tubes in a desirable perpendicular relationship represents a distinct deficiency of all of these prior art devices. Quite unfortunately, the prior art has not taught an effective, efficient, low-cost and non-hazardous right-angle, direct joining of round branch air-conditioning/heating ducts to round, highly flexible ducts utilized as air-conditioning/heating trunks, as is taught by the instant invention.
It is an important goal of this invention to provide a new and highly improved duct fitting and method for mounting thereof which overcomes the problems and shortcomings of the prior art, and greatly improves the procedures for securing branch lines to trunk ducts made of highly flexible ducting.

Duct connector for leakfree attachment to the curved sidewall of highly flexible trunkline duct


An image forming apparatus includes a transfer bias output device and an information receiving device. The transfer bias output device outputs a transfer bias including a superimposed bias composed of an AC bias superimposed on a DC bias to form a transfer electric field in a transfer nip between an image bearing member bearing a toner image and a nip forming member, to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium in the transfer nip. A controller operatively connected to the information receiving device and the transfer bias output device causes the transfer bias output device to change a target output of a peak-to-peak voltage of the AC bias based on information received by the information receiving device that affects transfer of the toner image and to reduce a target output of the DC bias as the target output value of the peak-to-peak voltage of the AC bias increases.

Technical Field
Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to an image forming apparatus, such as a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multi-functional system including a combination thereof, and more particularly to, an image forming apparatus including a transfer bias output device that outputs a superimposed bias as a transfer bias.
Description of the Related Art
There are known image forming apparatuses equipped with a transfer bias output device that outputs a superimposed bias as a transfer bias in which an alternating current bias and a direct current bias are superimposed, to transfer a toner image onto a recording medium. In the image forming apparatuses of this kind, toner images formed on photosensitive drums through the electrophotographic process are transferred onto a belt-type intermediate transfer member (hereinafter, intermediate transfer belt) and then onto a recording medium at a secondary transfer nip at which the intermediate transfer belt and a secondary transfer roller meet and press against each other.
In this configuration, when using a recording medium having a coarse surface such as Japanese paper and embossed paper, a pattern of light and dark according to surface conditions of the recording medium appears easily in an output image. That is, toner does not transfer well to such embossed surfaces, in particular, recessed portions of the surface. Thus, an image density at the recessed portions is lower than the image density at projecting portions or smooth portions. This inadequate transfer of the toner appears as a pattern of light and dark patches in the resulting output image.
In view of the above, in one approach, a secondary bias composed of a superimposed bias including an alternating current (AC) bias and a direct current (DC) bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller. Using the superimposed bias as a secondary transfer bias enhances transfer of toner to the recessed portions of the surface of the recording medium, thereby preventing the pattern of light and dark patches.
However, without proper control of a peak-to-peak voltage of an AC component of the secondary bias in accordance with transfer conditions that affect transfer of toner such as temperature, humidity, a thickness of the recording medium, a size (depth) of the recessed portions of the recording medium surface, and an amount of toner adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum per unit area, toner is not transferred well to the recessed portions of the recording medium, resulting in inadequate image density at the recessed portions of the recording medium and hence producing the pattern of light and dark patches.
Furthermore, in a low-temperature, low-humidity environment, a desirable image density is difficult to obtain in the recessed portions of the recording medium in a configuration in which an AC bias is either under constant voltage control or constant current control so as to achieve a target output value for a peak-to-peak voltage of an AC component, and the target output value is changed depending on the transfer conditions such as temperature while supplying a DC component under constant current control or constant voltage control. When a transfer peak value of the secondary transfer bias is too high in a low-temperature, low-humidity environment, electric discharge occurs in the recessed portions of the recording medium in the secondary transfer nip, causing reverse charging of toner particles. Such reverse charging causes toner voids or missing of toner in an image at the recessed portions on the surface of the recording medium, which appears as white dots in an output image.
In view of the above, there is demand for an image forming apparatus capable of preventing an undesirable pattern of light and dark associated with surface conditions of a recording medium.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Image forming apparatus with transfer output device outputting superimposed bias as transfer bias


A color analyzer is capable of determining the color property of a test object, and includes a light collector having a first end formed with a test opening and adapted to be placed in juxtaposition with the test object, a second end, and a light channel extending from the test opening to the second end. A lighting unit is mounted on the light collector, and is operable in order to generate light outputs of different wavelengths. A color filter device is movably disposed in the light collector, and includes a transparent filter and three color filters. A filter-shifting unit is associated with the color filter device, and is operable so as to move the color filter device in the light collector in order to align the filters within the light channel. A photoelectric sensor produces an electric output signal corresponding to the light leaving the color filter device. A signal-processing unit is connected to the photoelectric sensor to process the output signal of the photoelectric sensor in order to determine the color property of the test object.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a color analyzer, more particularly to a color analyzer that is capable of determining the color property of a light-emitting test object, such as a computer monitor, and/or a non-light-emitting test object, such as a sheet of paper.
2. Description of the Related Art
Color analyzers are employed to determine the color of light emitted by a light-emitting test object or the color of a surface of a non-light-emitting test object. In conventional color analyzers, the light that is emitted by a light-emitting test object, or the light that is generated by a light source and that is reflected by the surface of a non-light-emitting test object, is collected and passed through a color splitting device having a particular spectral response. The split light is then converted into electrical signals by photoelectric sensors. The electrical signals are provided to a processor, which is responsible for calculating the color value of the light leaving the test object.
Conventional color analyzers are capable of determining only the color of light emitted by a light-emitting test object, or only the color of the surface of a non-light-emitting test object. In addition, conventional color analyzers have relatively complex constructions, thereby resulting in difficulty during production and in higher production costs. This is especially true for color analyzers that are adapted for use with non-light-emitting test objects and that normally utilize diffraction gratings for splitting reflected light.

Color analyzer for use with light-emitting and non-light-emitting test objects


An enhanced stability crane (100) is described. Embodiments include a telescoping main support mast (114) upon which a crane base (106) resides. A boom (140) projects upwardly from the crane base and a jib (148) typically projects upwardly from the boom. A clamping assembly (108) resides on the main support mast and is configured to attach to an existing structure adjacent to the crane, in order to enhance stability. Multiple clamping assemblies can be distributed along the telescoping main support mast when it is extended. The existing structure is generally a tower structure (180) that is columnar and vertical in shape and orientation, and frequently has an elliptical horizontal cross-section. Tower structures are typically, but not necessarily, wind turbine towers. In some embodiments, the crane is mobile capable of lifting objects weighing about 110 tons to a height of about 400 feet. The crane typically adjusts to a collapsed configuration, enabling facile transport.

Large capacity, long-boom cranes are often required for building or assembling structures. Some cranes such as tower cranes are typically assembled on site and disassembled after work is completed. However, for many applications a more mobile, easily deployable crane is more suitable.
Where mobile telescoping cranes are larger and/or their duty loads increase, stability challenges arise. For example, as counterweight is added to a crane, rearward stability problems can manifest, particularly when the crane is on sloping ground. Some large telescoping cranes perform similarly to traditional tower cranes. When fully extended, telescoping members are oriented almost completely vertically, with a crane base, jib, masts, and boom disposed at the end of the telescoping members. As such a crane extends to greater heights, it is increasingly vulnerable to stress from loads and winds, to the detriment of the crane's stability and structural integrity.
One attempt to address this issue is with the Grove® GTK1100 mobile crane, manufactured by Manitowoc Companies, Inc. Among disadvantages of the GTK1100 solution is its requirement for multiple elevated outriggers disposed under the boom of the crane. Each of the elevated outriggers is coupled to the ground via multiple hinged or articulated supports anchored near ground-level outriggers. The elevated outrigger solution results in much additional hardware and weight, as well as a relatively large ground footprint, which can interfere with crane operations.
The elevated outriggers typically project laterally from a crane support structure at least 40 feet above the ground. The elevated outriggers are typically substantially horizontally disposed, and can project from a crane support structure at heights of preferably at least 80 feet above ground, more preferably at least 155 feet above ground, still more preferably at least 230 feet above ground, and most preferably at least 280 feet above ground. Each elevated outrigger typically has its own connection anchoring the elevated outrigger to the ground. Elevated outriggers typically do not attach to a tower structure for stability or support.
Accordingly, a need exists for a heavy-duty crane having greater stability and greater mobility. Decreased footprint and reduced size and weight are also desired.

Enhanced stability crane and methods of use


Substrates (wafers) with uniform backside roughness and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a material on a backside of a wafer. The method further includes patterning the material to expose portions of the backside of the wafer. The method further includes roughening the backside of the wafer through the patterned material to form a uniform roughness.

Backside roughness variation on incoming silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers (or other types of wafers) causes measurable process variations that result in negative effects on yield. In particular, less backside roughness has resulted in poor etch performance due to a decrease in wafer temperature (increased contact to chuck, which sinks heat), which leads to lower etch selectivity.
By way of example, variations in backside roughness between vendors and even wafers received from the same vendor, results in lower etch selectivity which, in turn, results in different contact resistance. Due to the backside roughness variations amongst different vendors or even different lots of the same vendor, random variations still occur which make it difficult to adjust process variations. Techniques to overcome these issues have been tried, but not with success.
For example, gas flow can be adjusted to correct the temperature, but due to variations among vendors, there still remains a concern that such adjustments cannot be made with much consistency. Physical polishing techniques add cost. In addition, polishing may still be inadequate for controlling this problem because there may be variation in roughness after the polish. Also, grinding processes can degrade the integrity of the substrate and current chucking methods involve adhering the front side of the wafer to a glass plate. This latter process may disturb the incoming clean top surface of the wafer, which is critical to front end processing.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described hereinabove.

Uniform roughness on backside of a wafer


A butterfly valve for hot fluid, including: a cylindrical duct; a flap pivotally mounted inside said duct; a shaft attached to said flap so that a rotational torque can be transmitted to the flap; a pin inserted into a peripheral portion of said flap so that the pin is rotatable; and a housing in which the duct, the flap, the shaft, and the pin are installed; wherein the flap is loaded from one end of the shaft via a spring in the axial direction of the shaft, the load is supported by the housing via the pin in the peripheral portion of the flap, and neither of a peripheral portion of a flap where a shaft is attached nor a peripheral portion a flap where a pin is inserted contacts said duct when the valve is fully opened. In the butterfly valve a driving force for opening and shutting does not change, and the butterfly valve smoothly opens and shuts even in use for a long period of time in a hot gas flow even in the case that the use of the valve at a high temperature causes an adhesion of oxidized scales or an increase of a coefficient of friction between members.

The present invention relates to a butterfly valve suitably used for changing flow paths for hot fluid, for example, an automobile exhaust gas.
A butterfly valve has been used for changing flow paths for hot fluid such as a hot combustion gas, for example, an automobile exhaust gas. The butterfly valve sometimes has a problem of difficulty in opening and shutting. This is because 1) seizure in a bearing portion, 2) adhesion of oxidized scales peeling off a pipe, and/or 3) an increase of a coefficient of friction at a high temperature between a material for a duct and a material for a flap cause(s) an increase of a torque required.
There have been other problems, i.e., deterioration of sealability when the flap is shut because of thermal deformation of the flap or corrosion and/or abrasion of the contact portion of the flap and an outer cylinder, leakage of a hot gas outside, and an increase of rotational resistance because of corrosion or abrasion of a shaft-bearing portion.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a butterfly valve which smoothly opens and shuts without changing the driving force for opening and shutting even in a hot-gas flowing path for a long period of time even in the case of an adhesion of oxidized scales or an increase of a coefficient of friction at high temperatures and which is free from thermal deformation of a flap and gas leakage by corrosion of a flap, an outer cylinder, a bearing portion, shaft, or the like.


An orthotic garment (1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) has adhesion bases (2) on injury-protective portions of the orthotic garment, injury-protective strips of material (3) attached selectively to the adhesion bases, and a body-protective wrapper such as webbing (4), an injury-covering strap (13) or tape (11) that is fastened selectively to an outside periphery of the garment on an injured portion of a person's body. A method includes determining advantageous support for an injury on a person; providing a garment that fits onto an injured portion of the person and has adhesion bases on injury-protective portions of the orthotic garment; attaching injury-protective strips of material to the adhesion bases; positioning the orthotic garment on the injured portion of the person and wrapping an outside periphery of the orthotic garment selectively to protect the injury.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to orthotics and in particular to support of ruptured muscles, related tendons and joints with webbing-bound garments or parts of garments for specific orthotic support.
2. Relation To Prior Art
Torn or ruptured muscles from sports, exercising, work or accidents are wrapped with webbing for professional orthotic support. Specifically injured portions of particular muscles, tendons and joints are not supported with sufficient precision and accuracy to maximize benefit of orthotic support by wrapping general areas, however. Tear of an upper-leg muscle, for instance, is a frequent rupture that is not supported adequately by general-area wrapping with webbing. Instead of general-area wrapping, this type of rupture and most others also require precision support of ruptured portions and then progressively general wrapping for body protection in appropriate directions of support.
There are no known garment-related orthotic supports that are adaptive to support particular injuries in a manner taught by this invention.
Examples of different but related orthotic supports are described in the following patent documents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,725, issued to Ostergard, is limited to a method for using a chest garment with an arm portion and an elastic strap under the axilla of an injured shoulder of an athlete.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,470, issued to Johnson, is limited to a shoulder-restricting harness that was attached to a front and a back of an elastic belt.
Problems with treating ruptured muscles, tendons and joints efficiently, expeditiously, conveniently and inexpensively continue to exist, however.


An image processing device including an image information acquirer and a control device configured to detect encircling lines written on a document sheet, based on acquired image information, determine an arrangement order of a partial image formed within each encircling line, detect first symbols each written on the document sheet and added to a corresponding partial image, the first symbols relating to how to lay out the partial images, determine a layout of the partial images based on the arrangement orders and the first symbols, extract, from the image information, a plurality of pieces of image information each of which is image information of a partial image within a corresponding encircling line, and generate layout image information in which the pieces of image information are arranged according to the layout.

1. Technical Field
The following description relates to one or more aspects for image processing devices, and methods and computer-readable media therefor.
2. Related Art
A known image reading-recording apparatus is configured to scan an image on a sheet by using an image scanner thereof. The image formed on the sheet includes a handwritten frame and an image ID placed within the handwritten frame. The image reading-recording apparatus is further configured to generate a synthetized image that includes the handwritten frame with a particular image corresponding to the image ID and to output the generated synthetized image.
According to the known image reading-recording apparatus, the sheet with the handwritten frame and the image number thereon is prepared separately from the image to be put within the handwritten frame. Therefore, in order to place a plurality of images in accordance with a desired layout, it is required to carry out troublesome operations that include initially writing a plurality of handwritten frames according to the desired layout, and then writing, within each handwritten frame, an image number corresponding to an image to be fitted within each individual handwritten frame.

Image processing device, and image processing system and computer-readable medium therefor


A writing implement includes a shaft, a refill having a writing tip and that is displaceable co-axially in the shaft, a resilient restoring member acting between the shaft and the refill, a shifting mechanism and a push member associated with the shifting mechanism. The shifting mechanism is actuable by the push member so the refill and its writing tip can be displaced into a writing position against the action of the restoring member and, with repeated actuation , is returned to a rest position. The push member co-operating with the shifting mechanism is movable axially in a longitudinal direction of the shaft and the refill. An actuating lever projects from the end of the shaft, remote from the writing tip, and pivots with respect to shaft. The actuating lever acts upon a side of the push member remote from the shifting mechanism, converting pivoting movement of the lever into axial movement of the push member.

The present invention relates to a writing implement having a displaceable refill, such as a retractable ball-point pen or a propelling pencil.
Writing implements of the type concerned are known, which have a shaft, a refill having a writing tip and displaceable in the shaft, and a shifting mechanism which is actuable by a push button and by means of which the refill and its writing tip can be displaced into a writing position against a restoring force or a spring and with repeated actuation can be displaced back into a rest position. The push button cooperating with the shifting mechanism is movable axially in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the shaft and the refill.
Writing implements of this typexe2x80x94as a rule in the form of ball-point pensxe2x80x94are widely known. If the push button is actuated, the refill is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the shaft constructed in the form of a casing, in such a way that the writing tip emerges from the front end of the said shaft. The shifting mechanism then ensures at the same time that the refill is fixed in this position. Repeated actuation of the push button releases the writing position of the refill, so that the restoring force or restoring spring can then push the refill back into the rest position, in which the writing tip comes to rest inside the shaft.
A writing implement of this type, in the form of a retractable ball-point pen, is disclosed in German Gebrauchsmuster (Utility Model) No. 297 16 002 U1, which includes a printed sleeve arranged in a viewing window and rotatable at the same time in that case by the shifting mechanism.
In a writing implement or retractable ball-point pen of this type, the push button, which projects out from. the upper end of the shaft, has to be moved almost exactly axially by the user.
The object of the invention is to provide a writing implement of the type concerned in general, in which the push button is arranged to be protected within the shaft, and at the same time a simple or convenient actuation is made possible.
According to the invention, there is provided a writing implement including an actuating lever projecting at the end of the shaft remote from the writing tip, and mounted pivotably with respect to the shaft, with its pivoting movement being changeable or convertible into an axial movement of the push button, which is acted upon by the lever on the side of the push button remote from the shifting mechanism.
A pivotable actuating lever is thus provided at the end of the shaft, so that the actual push button acted upon by this pivoting lever can be protected inside the shaft. In addition, the actuation of a pivoting lever on a retractable ball-point pen or a similar writing implement represents an original and novel manner of actuation, which is expected to prompt commercial acceptance of the product. It is simple and convenient to operate a pivotably mounted actuating lever, with its pivotal movement taking place against the restoring force and restoring movement of the push button. Pivoting of the actuating lever will cause displacement of the refill into the writing position and, in the next instant, its return displacement into the rest position, so that the user can perform the same movement each time to effect different displacement actions of the refill and its writing tip.
In order to convert the pivoting movement of the actuating lever into the axial movement of the push button, at least one oblique face may be provided in the region of the contact between the actuating lever and the push button, on at least one of these parts. The push button and the actuating lever need not therefore be rigidly connected to each other, but only have to touch or abut each other, so that the pivoting movement of the actuating lever can be converted by reason of the aforesaid oblique face into the axial movement of the push button guided axially in the shaft. Conversions of pivoting movements by way of oblique faces into movements guided in straight lines are known per se from other technical fields, so that what is involved herein is also a possibility that can be technically simple to implement.
The oblique face used for converting the pivoting movement of the actuating lever into the axial movement of the push button may be flat or may be curved in a convex or concave manner at least in part. As a result of the shaping of the oblique face or its surface lines, the translation and conversion of the pivoting movement into the axial movement can be effected in such a way as is expedient for a smoothly running and effective displacement of the writing tip. The size of the pivoting angle can also be determined and kept within suitable limits by the choice of the oblique angle and the shape of the oblique face.
A particularly effective conversion of the pivoting movement of the actuating lever into an axial movement of the push button can be attained if at least one oblique face is provided in each case in the region of the contact of the pivoting lever and the push button both on the actuating lever and on the push button, and the mutually touching oblique faces slide one over the other, or each other, during pivoting of the actuating lever. Although the counter member can be moved by a relative movement of one part with respect to an oblique face, the mutual displacement and thus the conversion of a pivoting movement into a movement in a straight line is more effective if two suitably shaped and mutually adapted oblique faces cooperate on the two parts movable relative to each other, in which case the shape of the oblique facexe2x80x94in a straight line or curved in cross-sectionxe2x80x94can be adapted to effect such a mutual displacement movement.
A structurally simple arrangement of the writing implement and, in particular, the contact region between the push button and the actuating lever can consist in that on its side or end face towards the actuating lever the push button has a taper comprising or forming the oblique face, the surface of the said taper coming increasingly closer, or converges, in the direction away from the writing tip along the central axis of the writing implement. A recess, which has a negative oblique face and which engages over the oblique face of the push button in the rest position, may be provided at the end of the actuating lever towards the push button.
The oblique face may be shaped in the form of a taper arranged at the end of the push button. A corresponding recess in the actuating lever may engage over this taper, so that pivoting of the lever displaces the taper in the axial direction and thus actuates the push button. As a result of the use of a suitably shaped recess engages over the taper, pivoting of the actuating lever in opposite directions can have the same effect in each case.
It is particularly advantageous if the recess provided on the actuating lever is substantially symmetrical to the central axis of the actuating lever, and the taper provided at the end of the push button engages on mutually opposite sides over the oblique areas arranged on both sides of this axis in the rest position. A symmetrical shaping of this type allows the push button to be actuated by any mutually opposed pivoting movements of the actuating lever. There is no need for a user to observe any specific pivoting direction, and he can pivot the actuating lever in either one or the other direction, each time achieving the desired actuation of the push button.
A still more extensive multiplicity of the possibilities of actuation occur when the oblique face on the push button or the taper forming it is formed as a pyramid, cone or part of a sphere, and the recess on the actuating lever has a negative contour matching it, and the actuating lever is mounted for pivotal movement in several or all directions. In such a case, in which the oblique face on the push button and the corresponding oblique face on the actuating lever are also designed in three dimensions, i.e. extend towards any desired sides, any desired pivoting movement of the actuating lever can therefore be performed in order to actuate the push button. It is particularly advantageous if the cross-section extends at right angles to the central axis of the writing implement through the oblique face on the push button and through the recess in the actuating lever are both circular. As a result, pivoting of the actuating lever in any direction always results in the same axial. displacement movement of the push button, so that a very convenient and simple operation of the writing implement is made possible for its refill to be displaced into the writing position and back again.
The contact region, in particular the recess, acting upon the push button and arranged at the end of the actuating lever facing the push button can be arranged on a substantially spherical thickened or enlarged portion of the actuating lever. Over this spherical portion an undercut in the end of the shaft engages, so that the tapering shaftxe2x80x94which includes the undercutxe2x80x94itself supports the actuating lever for pivotal movement.
This results in a form of the actuating lever which is shaped particularly advantageously from the structural point of view, since its spherical thickened portion on the one hand can comprise the contact with the push button, in particular a recess, and, in addition, has sufficient space and at the same time represents the part which in the shaft with the undercut provided there forms the pivoting support for the actuating lever.
It is advantageous that the spherical thickened portion of the actuating lever is movable or displaceable in the axial direction of the shaftxe2x80x94in the direction towards the writing tipxe2x80x94with respect to the undercut. With this arrangement, if intended, the user can also actuate the actuating lever like a projecting push button, i.e. he can press on the actuating lever in the axial direction, whereby the push button acted upon by the actuating lever is in turn moved axially. Such a displacement for actuation is possible as a result of the undercut engaging over the spherical thickened portion only in the axial direction away from the writing tip. The shaping and the production of the shaft as well as the assembly of the actuating lever are also correspondingly simple.
Preferably, the actuating lever projecting from the end of the shaft is surrounded by a resiliently deformable cover. As a result, not only is soiling in the region of the mounting of the actuating lever eliminated, but the actuating lever is also protected from inadvertent damage and is prevented from disengaging from its mounting position.
More preferably, the cover surrounds the free end of the actuating lever remote from the shaft in the rest position, in particular at least to touch it during its actuation and to act as a restoring element for automatically centering the pivotable actuating lever, upon release, by virtue of its resilience. In the situation after a user has pivoted the actuating lever and moved the refill into the writing position, the push button and the actuating lever will no longer be in contact under the restoring force or the force of the restoring spring, the actuating lever will nevertheless be pivoted by the cover back into its initial central position co-axial with the shaft. The cover. thus has a double function, as. it protects the actuating lever and moves it back into its initial position after each pivoting movement.
The resilient cover may be made substantially cap-shaped, and the edge of its rim can be clamped between the shaft and a retaining ring for a clip of the writing implement. This represents a particularly simple arrangement and fastening for the actuating lever.
With individual or several of the features described above combined, a writing implement is produced, the refill of which is movable by means of a push button against a restoring force into a writing position and, with repeated actuation, is movable into a rest position under the action of the restoring force, in which case, however, the push button can be concealed and protected in the interior of the shaft and can be displaced indirectly by way of a pivotable actuating lever. The use of the pivotable actuating lever represents a very simple and convenient operation.

Writing implement with a displaceable refill

Room 1706 Modern Warehouse, 6 Shing Yip Street


The present invention discloses a display panel, which comprises a pixel array panel and a control circuit. In the pixel array panel, at least two pixels are arranged in a matrix form along a second direction. A first white sub-pixel and a second white sub-pixel in the pixel are arranged along a first direction. At least one of red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, and blue sub-pixel exists between the first white sub-pixel and the second white sub-pixel. The display panel of the present invention can avoid crosstalk occurred when a stereoscopic image is displayed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to display technology, and more particularly, to a display panel and an image displaying method thereof.
2. Description of Prior Art
A technical scheme to display stereoscopic images in traditional display panels is that odd rows of pixels and even rows of pixels respectively display a left-eye image and a right-eye image in an alternative manner.
In practice, the inventor(s) found that the conventional skills exist at least the following problems. In order to reduce crosstalk occurred when the stereoscopic images are displayed, a block matrix (BM) having a much wider width is usually needed. The block matrix located between rows of pixels in the traditional display panel is utilized to block light rays. However, this may reduce the transmittance of the display panel.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new technical scheme for solving above technical problems.

Display panel and image displaying method thereof

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.