A fusing roller device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the device including an internal tube having both ends open; a heating portion surrounding the internal tube and generating heat by externally supplied current; and a fusing roller surrounding the heating portion and fusing a toner image on paper by heat transferred from the heating portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fusing roller device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and, more particularly, to a fusing roller device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that can be instantaneously heated so that the temperature of the fusing roller device reaches a fusing temperature within a relatively short time, while using a low amount of current and power.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a printer, such as a laser printer, includes a fusing roller device that fixes toner particles transferred on a printing medium. FIG. 1 is a profile cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a conventional fusing roller device for an electrophotographic printer in which a halogen lamp is used as a heat source, and FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a correlation between the conventional fusing roller device and a pressure roller for an electrophotographic printer in which the halogen lamp shown in FIG. 1 is used as a heat source.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional fusing roller device 10 includes a tubular fusing roller 11 and a heating portion 12, such as a halogen lamp, that is installed along a center axis of the fusing roller 11. A coating layer 11a of TEFLON® is formed on the surface of the fusing roller 11. The fusing roller 11 is heated by radiant heat transmitted from the heating portion 12.
Referring to FIG. 2, a pressure roller 13 is placed opposite and under the fusing roller device 10. Paper 14 is placed between the fusing roller device 10 and the pressure roller 13. The pressure roller 13 is elastically supported by a spring 13a, and presses the paper 14 passing between the fusing roller device 10 and the pressure roller 13 toward the fusing roller device 10 by a predetermined pressure. A toner image 14a in a powder state formed on the paper 14 is pressed and heated while the paper 14 passes between the fusing roller device 10 and the pressure roller 13. That is, the toner image 14a is fused on the paper 14 as a result of the heat generated by the fusing roller device 10 and the pressure applied by the pressure roller 13.
The conventional fusing roller device, in which a halogen lamp is used as a heating portion 12, as described above causes unnecessary power consumption. Thus, when a printing operation is not being performed, the fusing roller device 10 needs to be cooled by turning off the power. In particular, when the fusing roller device 10 is turned off and then turned on to form an image, a relatively long warm-up time is required. After power is applied to the fusing roller device 10, the fusing roller device 10 remains in a waiting state for a predetermined amount of time (i.e., a first-print-out-time referred to hereinafter as FPOT) until it reaches a desired fusing temperature. This might take from several tens of seconds to several minutes.
In particular, because the fusing roller 11 is heated by heat radiated from the heat source, the conventional fusing roller device 10 has a slow heat transfer speed, and because compensation for a decrease in temperature that occurs due to contact with the paper 14 is slow, the conventional fusing roller device 10 cannot easily adjust temperature scatter. In addition, even in a standby mode in which a printing operation is paused, power must be applied to the heating portion 12 at predetermined time intervals so that the temperature of the fusing roller 11 is maintained at a constant level. Thus, unnecessary power consumption occurs. Because it takes a relatively long time to change from a standby state to an operation mode to output an image, the conventional fusing roller device 10 cannot quickly output an image.
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another conventional fusing roller device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Referring to FIG. 3, a heating plate 22 is provided in a lower portion of the inside of a cylindrical film tube 21, and a pressure roller 23 is installed opposite to a lower side of the heating plate 22. Paper 14 is placed between the film tube 21 and the pressure roller 23. The pressure roller 23 is elastically supported by a spring 23a such that the paper 14 passing between the film tube 21 and the pressure roller 23 is pressed by a predetermined pressure toward the film tube 21.
The film tube 21 is rotated by an additional rotating device (not shown). A method for locally film the heating tube 21 in a portion where the heating plate 22 contacts the pressure roller 23 has low power consumption, but the method cannot be easily used during a high-speed printing operation.
To solve the problems described above, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 11-282294 discloses a heat induction method by which heat is transferred directly to the surface of a fusing roller by providing high-frequency AC from an electrical coil installed around a non-image region, that is, a portion in which toner of the fusing roller does not contact paper. In this method, heat generated from the non-image region flows through the surface of an image region of the fusing roller, and the FPOT is reduced. However, the fusing roller requires an additional circuit to produce high-frequency current, and, as such, the roller mechanism is complicated, which increases costs.
In addition, fusing roller devices disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. Hei 4-335691, Hei 4-360185, Hei 8-171301, Hei 8-262905, Hei 8-305195, and Hei 9-90811 have structures in which a heat source is provided inside a fusing roller and an overall increase in the size of the heat source is not considered. Also, since a plurality of local heat pipes are provided in the fusing roller, processing and manufacturing thereof are very complicated, and a temperature difference occurs between a portion contacting the heat pipes and a portion not contacting the heat pipes.

Fusing roller device for electrophotographic image forming apparatus


A radiation image pickup device having the linearity of a sensor sensitivity preferably used for medical care and non-destructive examination. The radiation image pickup device comprises a plurality of input pixels comprising electric charge converting means for converting an incident radiation into electric charges, electric charge storing means for storing the electric charges converted by the electric charge converting means, and control means for controlling an electric field applied to the electric charge converting means, provided between the electric charge converting means and the electric charge storing means. Reading means is provided for reading the electric charges stored in the electric charge storing means or for reading a signal based on the potential due to electric charges stored in the electric charge storing means. An output line outputs the electric charges read from the plurality of input pixels, connected with the plurality of input pixels, and switching means resets the electric charge storing means.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radiation image pickup device, and more particularly to a radiation image pickup device which can be preferably applied for converting a radiation image such as an x-ray image which penetrates an object to be examined such as a human body into an electric image.
2. Related Background Art
As an x-ray image pickup device that converts an x-ray, which is one form of radiation, into an electric signal, there exists a system, in which an image intensifier (I.I.), which converts an x-ray into light, a television camera and a television set are combined together to obtain an x-ray image (I.I.-TV system). The system is designed such that the x-ray input face size of the image intensifier is of a photographable size. The input face provides about a 16-inch view field, at maximum.
The x-ray image, converted into light, is imaged once on an image intensifier output portion. The output image is picked up by the television camera through an optical system and then outputted as an electric image. In this system, the x-ray image can be observed in real-time.
However, such convention systems typically have insufficient resolution. Also, because a photographing device is large in size, as compared with film, the location of the photographing device is limited, the movement of the system is limited, and so on.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image pickup device which is capable of preferably employing the x-ray image pickup device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image pickup device that has excellent sensitivity to incident radiation.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image pickup device which is capable of preventing carrier over-flow through a switch even if an excessive input is made.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image pickup device which is capable of reducing a residual image and conducting an electrical conversion of stable image information.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image pickup device which is capable of making the sensitivity higher.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a radiation image pickup device, comprising:
a plurality of input pixels comprising electric charge converting means for converting an incident radiation into electric charges, electric charge storing means for storing the electric charges converted by the electric charge converting means, control means for controlling an electric field applied to the electric charge converting means, provided between the electric charge converting means and the electric charge storing means, and reading means for reading a signal based on the electric charges stored in the electric charge storing means;
an output line for outputting the electric charges read from the plurality of input pixels, connected to the plurality of input pixels; and
switching means for resetting the electric charge storing means.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a radiation image pickup device, comprising:
electric charge converting means for converting an incident radiation into electric charges;
electric charge storing means for storing the electric charges converted by the electric charge converting means;
control means for controlling an electric field applied to the electric charge converting means, provided between the electric charge converting means and the electric charge storing means; and
reading means for reading a signal based on a potential due to the electric charges stored in the electric charge storing means.
In the present invention, the type of radiation is not limited to x-rays, but may include electromagnetic waves such as xcex1-rays, xcex2-rays or xcex3-rays. However, the radiation is generally x-ray radiation.


An electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes a current collector formed of aluminum foil or aluminum alloy foil, and an active material-containing layer formed on a surface of the current collector and containing an active material, a conductive agent and a binder. The conductive agent comprises a carbon particle group containing first carbon particles each exhibiting an aspect ratio of more than one. A portion of each of the first carbon particles is embedded into the current collector to the depth corresponding to 20 to 50% of the thickness of the current collector. A major axis of each of the first carbon particles has a length of 1.05 to 1.50 times as large as the thickness of the active material-containing layer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte battery and to a non-aqueous electrolyte battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the case of the non-aqueous electrolyte battery of high-output where a large electric current is intended to be obtained, it is required to minimize the internal resistance of the electrode which is constituted by a current collector and an active material-containing layer. For example, there is disclosed an electrode in JP-A 2006-286427 (KOKAI) wherein the electrode is constructed such that a plurality of current collectors are arranged in an active material-containing layer to thereby minimize a maximum distance between the current collectors and the active material-containing layer. According to this electrode, it is possible to expect a reduction of the diffusion resistance inside the active material-containing layer. However, this electrode is accompanied with a problem that it is difficult to realize a reduction of the interface resistance between the active material-containing layer and the current collectors, i.e. another factor of the internal resistance of the electrode. This interface resistance becomes prominent in a case where a metal which is prone to form a strong oxide film on the surface thereof, such as aluminum, is to be employed as a current collector.
Further, there is disclosed an electrode in JP-A 2000-277393 (KOKAI) wherein a conductive layer which is low in electric resistance is interposed between the current collectors and the active material-containing layer. According to this electrode, it is possible to expect a reduction of the aforementioned interface resistance. However, this electrode is accompanied with a problem that it is difficult to realize a reduction of the aforementioned diffusion resistance.
Moreover, the electrodes described in the aforementioned publications, i.e. JP-A 2006-286427 (KOKAI) and JP-A 2000-277393 (KOKAI), are all designed to newly introduce into the active material-containing layer a plurality of current collectors or a component which does not contribute to the power generation, such as a conductive layer. As a result, a non-aqueous electrolyte battery provided with such electrodes is liable to be low in energy density relative to the volume thereof.

Electrode for non-aqueous electrolyte battery and non-aqueous electrolyte battery


An apparatus for forming and sealing a duct member for use in an air handling system. At least one work station accommodates a work piece, which is generally a cylindrical tube.

In general, duct work is commonly used in forced air heating and air-conditioning systems for buildings and the like, with the duct work providing a distribution system to various areas of the building from a furnace and/or air-conditioning system. The duct work is generally formed from cylindrical tubing which extends to various portions of the building or the like. Duct members include specialized sections such as elbows, which may be fixed in position or allow the orientation and position of duct to be adjusted, to make turns in runs of ductwork. Known machines for producing elbows or the like typically require a skilled operator that must handle a blank used for production of the elbow. The operator cuts and forms sections or gores for an elbow from the blank and assembles them together. The sections of the elbow are generally coupled to an adjacent section by means of a bead coupling which locks the pieces together. Known machines for producing elbows require the stages of production of the sections to be performed manually. A skilled operator is therefore necessary to properly form each section and couple the sections together. The difficulty of properly forming each section and connecting the sections together result in a high percentage of scrap.
Other problems associated with these machines include the loss of air through the connections or beads between the gores of the duct system. As air circulates through the duct system, air dissipates through the connecting beads or seams that are between the gores, which in turn, causes a loss of energy and thus creates a less efficient system. Sealing of the duct increases the efficiency of the HVAC system, and conserves energy, which is highly desirable. The sealing of such duct members has generally been performed after installation using tape or mastic for example, which though helping to prevent the egress of air, is not particularly efficient and increases the cost of installation. There have been attempts to produce sealed duct members, which are then installed, but the machines used to form such duct members require significant operator handling and pose safety hazards to the operators. The production process also takes significant time, thereby increasing the cost. There is thus a need to have an apparatus and method for automated manufacture of elbow ducts that may be sealed to be highly efficient with respect to the preventing leakage therefrom.

Apparatus and method for production of duct members


A LIDAR or other remote sensing apparatus is mounted on a wind turbine to sense one or more wind parameters. An extreme event detector processing signals from the LIDAR to determine whether a given sensed parameter will, when it arrives at the turbine, exceed a predetermined value and represent an extreme event. On detection of an extreme event, the detector outputs an extreme event signal to a controller. The controller controls overrating of the turbine in response to a variety of sensed parameters and selectively operates the turbine at above rated wind speed. On receipt of the extreme event signal the overrating is overridden to prevent damage to turbine components. The controller may be a power plant controller and the override signal may override only over-rating at the turbine which has detected the extreme event, or a plurality of turbines.

When selecting a wind turbine for a given operating location, consideration is given to characteristics of the site such as the complexities of the site terrain and the average wind conditions. The turbines chosen can ideally operate at rated power for as much of the time as possible. However, in practice, wind speeds are variable and the turbine must be able to cope with a wide variety of wind speeds. At lower wind speeds the power output will either be zero, if there is negligible wind, or below rated power. Once the wind speed increases to above that required for generation of rated power, the turbine will protect itself from damage, for example, by varying the pitch of the blades to reduce the power extracted from the wind. In extreme cases the turbine may shut down or yaw out of the wind to prevent catastrophic damage. However, an emergency shutdown or yaw procedure takes time and, in some circumstances may not be able to prevent severe damage to turbine components from occurring.
Our pending application GB 1016493 entitled "Over-Rating Control in Wind Turbines and Wind Power Plants" describes how a turbine, or group of turbines, may be over-rated in response to a request for more power. The term 'over-rating' entails extraction of power from the turbine at a level that is greater than rated power. Over-rating may be used for a number of reasons, including in response to a demand from the grid operator which may require a sudden injection of power in response to a grid fault. It is also known to over-rate to take advantage of economic conditions, such as the value of generated electricity at a given time.
We have appreciated that it is desirable to over-rate a turbine when conditions permit. It is possible to monitor parameters which can affect the fatigue life of a turbine, such as turbulence, and only over-rate a turbine when the effect on fatigue life is likely to be low. Thus, a turbine may be operated at above rated power if the wind is considered to be coherent with little turbulence.
One factor which has affected the implementation of over-rating is the risk of an extreme event arriving at a turbine that is operating in an over-rated mode. When a turbine is over-rated, operating loads are very high and an extreme event carries a high likelihood of causing serious damage. Extreme events are defined by International Standard IEC 64100-1, 3rd Edition at Section 6.3.2. Extreme events are conditions which may occur very infrequently, for example, once every year or once every few years, but individually, have the potential to cause serious damage to the wind turbine or individual turbine components. IEC 64100-1 defines a number of extreme events including an extreme operating gust, extreme turbulence, extreme shear and extreme change of direction. Wind turbines are designed to be able to withstand these extreme events and are therefore, effectively, over engineered for operation under normal load conditions.
It is therefore desirable to be able to detect extreme events and to prevent a wind turbine from operating in an over-rating mode when an extreme event is likely to occur. The present invention aims to address this requirement.

System and method for controlling power output from a wind turbine or wind power plant


A method for producing a polymer structure on a patterning region of a substrate surface includes the steps of depositing an adhesion layer having a first polymer material onto the substrate surface, patterning the adhesion layer such that the first polymer material of the adhesion layer is removed in a first region and the first polymer material of the adhesion layer remains in a second region including the patterning region, depositing a polymer layer of a second polymer material onto the substrate surface and the adhesion layer and patterning the polymer layer such that the polymer structure forms in the second region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing a polymer structure on a substrate surface.
2. Description of Related Art
In semiconductor devices, circuit structures are arranged in cavities to an increasing extent. The cavity serves to provide a clearance above a circuit structure formed in a substrate. This clearance is necessary for a correct functionality of the circuit structure implemented in the substrate. These circuit elements may, for example, comprise microelectromechanical systems, piezo-electric resonators, such as, for example, BAW or bulk acoustic wave filters.
Such a cavity may, for example, be formed in a polymer structure. In order to produce such a cavity, large structures having a high aspect ratio, i.e. a high ratio of a height or thickness of the polymer structure to a length or width of the polymer structure on a substrate are often required. Here, aspect ratio means the ratio of the height to the length or width of the cuboid-shaped polymer structure. An SU-8 photoresist or photo epoxide, for example, is used here as a polymer. Adhesion problems arise on many foundations or surfaces of the substrate. These adhesion problems result from the stress forming when curing or heating the polymer structure through the accompanying shrinking of the polymer structure. Curing the polymer structure here is preferably performed after patterning the polymer structure. The adhesion problems cause polymer layer or polymer structure peeling, wherein the peeling of the polymer structures frequently takes place at the edges and, in particular, at the corners of the polymer structure.
This may result in the polymer structures peeling off the surface of the substrate over the lifetime of such an assembly, such as, for example, a semiconductor device having a circuit structure in a cavity. A potential consequence is for the electrical device implemented in this way to no longer have the correct electrical functionality and thus to be destroyed. Consequently, the adhesion problems of the polymer structure on the substrate entail potential reliability problems of the electrical devices implemented in this way.
The adhesion problems discussed above may, even in manufacturing, result in the polymer structures peeling off the substrate surface, wherein the manufacturing yield is decreased in mass production where polymer structures are deposited onto a substrate surface. This entails an increase in manufacturing costs for the products employing a polymer structure deposited onto the substrate surface.
A way of increasing adhesion between the polymer structure and the substrate surface is the usage of so-called primers. They are frequently based on silanes or organosilanes belonging to the group of substances of organosilicon compounds consisting of silicon atoms, a hydrolysable group and an organofunctional group. Organosilanes are generally employed as primers between an inorganic surface, such as, for example, the surface of a substrate, and a polymer or plastic. These primers, such as, for example, aminosilane, react with hydroxyl groups (—OH) on the substrate surface and thus form, with the end facing away from the oxygen molecule, a coupling molecule to the polymer structure or a polymer molecule in the polymer structure.
A disadvantage of using the primer is that the increase in adhesion depends on a presence of oxygen on the surface of the polymer. This makes the manufacturing method for substrates having polymer structures on the surfaces more complicated. With polymer structures or materials where there is little or no oxygen on the surface, this method does not result in a sufficient increase in the adhesion of the polymer structure.
A further disadvantage of using primers for increasing adhesion of a polymer structure on a substrate surface is that primers are of high stability. At the same time, primers on substrate surfaces have negative effects in a series of electrical devices, such as, for example, bulk acoustic wave filters. In bulk acoustic wave filters, the primers on the substrate surface may, for example, result in an undesired shift of the frequency response, requiring the primer to be removed selectively.
In many cases, removing the primer can only take place using strong etching agents or solvents, such as, for example, strongly oxidizing acid mixtures or lyes. Here, removing the primer may result in etching or removing material at a sensitive position of the substrate surface, wherein the functionality of a circuit structure implemented in the substrate may, for example, be impeded.
Consequently, removing material on active sensitive surfaces of the substrate, such as, for example, on a surface of a bulk acoustic wave filter, may result in influencing the electrical behavior of the bulk acoustic wave filter and may thus, for example, change the frequency response of the bulk acoustic wave filter. This may result in even the resonant frequency of the bulk acoustic wave filters implemented in the substrate to change, wherein the resonant frequency might even no longer be in the specified range. The bulk acoustic wave filters, the resonant frequency of which is outside the specified range, are not suitable for being employed in an electrical device and are consequently frequently disposed of after testing the bulk acoustic wave filters. The result is that the manufacturing yield is reduced, which at the same time entails an increase in the manufacturing costs.

Method for producing a polymer structure on a substrate surface


An oxygen sensor based on a metal-air cell, typically a commercially available zinc-air battery of the type used in hearing aids. The cell, which admits oxygen to generate electric current at its cathode is disposed in a mechanical housing which restricts the flow of oxygen to the cell, and is connected to an electrical circuit which provides a variable resistance load, the load increasing as current flow through the circuit decreases, to prevent hydrogen evolution at the cathode. Current flow through the cell is measured, and is proportional to oxygen concentration.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electrochemical oxygen sensors, and particular to the adaptation of commercially available metal-air batteries that are normally used to supply power for hearing aids and similar devices for use as oxygen sensors of high precision and repeatability. The use of a commercially available battery already being manufactured in high volumes, such as zinc-air hearing aid batteries, will provide low cost, disposable oxygen sensors. The combination of low cost and high performance will make them suitable for a number of applications including confined space monitoring for worker safety, medical applications relating to anaesthesiology, respiratory therapy and the like, and the monitoring of industrial processes where the oxygen concentration level is critical.
2. Description of Related Art
Prior art electrochemical oxygen sensors have been based on custom designed electrode/electrolyte systems housed in custom fabricated housings. This approach has led to a number of successful oxygen sensors that are costly to produce, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,913,386, 3,767,552 and 4,132,616. Devices manufactured according to these patents tend to be expensive because they are custom designed for the purpose of detecting oxygen, and are produced in small manufacturing volumes relative to common batteries. Zinc-air batteries, on the other hand, are metal-air batteries that are manufactured in large quantities and at a very low per-unit cost.
Prior art disposable oxygen sensors have employed a polarizable cathode of carbons and metals, and metallic anodes that are generally nonpolarizable at the relatively low current densities found in these sensors. In all of these sensors the cathode is maintained at a potential that is sufficiently negative relative to the electrolyte to promote the reduction of the oxygen on the cathode surface. This potential, or bias, for the cathode is obtained in several ways depending on the type of materials used for the cathode and anode, and depending on the choice of electrolyte between cathode and anode.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,913,386, the classic Clark oxygen sensor uses a platinum cathode and a silver-silver chloride anode, with an aqueous sodium chloride electrolyte; the cathode and anode are biased externally with a constant potential of 0.8 volts maintained between sensor terminals (cathode made more negative than anode). Without the external voltage source the cell does not respond to oxygen.
A similar sensor described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,805 uses the same anode and cathode materials, but the electrolyte is either aqueous potassium chloride or potassium hydroxide, the latter being recommended. The potential of the cathode is held constant at 0.9 volts negative with respect to the anode. In both of these disclosures the potential between electrodes is held constant with a battery and variable resistor.
The practice of operating oxygen sensors at fixed potential, with a potentiostat or other suitable electric circuit has been widely adopted (I. Fatt, "Polarographic Oxygen Sensors", Robert E. Krieger Publ. Co., Malabar, Fla., 1982). Other oxygen sensors, referred to as fuel cell sensors, supply their own power and bias to the cathode by the consumption of a fuel at the anode. The anode, via the external electrical circuit is a source of electrons for the cathode. In some cases the anode can be a catalytic electrode that consumes a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen, but in many cases the anode is a metal that corrodes in the presence of the reaction product of the cathode. These types of fuel cell sensors are known as galvanic oxygen sensors. Examples of such sensors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,767,552 and 4,132,616 which use lead (Pb) as the consumable anode with a caustic electrolyte.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,805,191 cites the use of cadmium, lead, antimony arsenic, and copper as possible anode materials with various electrolytes. Sensors using these metals as anodes are unique in being able to operate with only a simple load resistor to complete the circuit between the anode and the cathode.
In the prior art, zinc has been specifically excluded as a possible galvanic oxygen sensor anode, with any electrolyte, by both U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,805,191 and 4,132,616, because zinc can cause hydrogen evolution at the cathode in the absence of oxygen. Tin has also been avoided with caustic electrolytes due to the risk of hydrogen evolution. Zinc however offers many advantages in this application compared to alternative metals such as lead, including availability at relatively low cost, high energy density and relatively environmentally benign properties.
The problems of hydrogen evolution associated with the use of zinc as the oxygen sensor anode do not occur when zinc is used as the anode in a power generating metal-air battery at normal atmospheric oxygen concentrations. In a typical battery application most of the zinc potential appears across the battery load, and the air electrode is only moderately polarized into the cathodic region, thus avoiding hydrogen evolution. However, in a typical galvanic oxygen sensor, the percentage of the zinc potential applied to the air electrode always approaches 100 percent as the oxygen concentration goes to zero and/or the load resistor is reduced to improve sensor response time.
This high potential across the cathode under low oxygen conditions results in the evolution of hydrogen at the cathode, producing as a consequence an erroneous signal with a high baseline and the risk of cell leakage due to the buildup of hydrogen gas within the sensor. The smaller the load resistor in such an oxygen sensor, the sooner hydrogen evolution begins as the oxygen level drops toward zero before the rate of hydrogen evolution becomes significant. It is not necessary for the oxygen level to be reduced all the way to zero.
The high surface area electrodes commonly used in zinc-air cells behave as though the electrodes have a large capacitance, defined as C=dQ/dE, where dQ is the charge passed for a small change in potential dE. The combination of this capacitance with the load resistance and cell resistance results in the response time of the sensor to changes in oxygen concentration being determined by the electrical time constant(s) of the cell and external circuit. The use of large load resistors to reduce the magnitude of the hydrogen evolution process results in long sensor response times. For practical implementation, the use of a zinc-air cell with a simple load resistor produces an unacceptable compromise between excessive response time and lower limit of measurable oxygen range prior to the onset of hydrogen evolution and associated unacceptable baseline signals.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,616 indicates that metals such as zinc and tin may be used if an external bias circuit is used to keep the potential of the cathode away from the hydrogen evolution region. The bias potential needs to be held at a value where oxygen reduction occurs under diffusion control and yet hydrogen evolution does not yet occur, as with the other so called controlled potential oxygen sensors discussed above.
One example of an oxygen sensor based on a zinc-air cell is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/620,944, filed Mar. 22, 1996, in which a controlled potential of -0.6V was applied to the cell. The cell used in this example was a zinc-air battery design which had been internally modified to make it suitable for use as an oxygen sensor.
The evolution of hydrogen in oxygen sensors using zinc metal anodes in some cases may be used to provide the sensing mechanism, such as the Jacobson cell in which the oxygen depolarizes the hydrogen formed at the outer surface of a porous hollow carbon rod cathode (Jacobson, M. G.; Analytical Chemistry, (1953), 25, 585). A similar hydrogen depolarization mechanism is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,119 in which any metal more electronegative than hydrogen can be used for the anode.
Another aspect of state of the art oxygen sensors as described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,767,552 and 4,132,616 is the use of a diffusion barrier between the oxygen atmosphere being measured and the oxygen electrode inside the sensor. The oxygen sensor signal magnitude is then proportional to the rate of diffusion through the barrier, provided that all the oxygen reaching the electrode is reduced. In order to operate in this mode, the oxygen cathode must have sufficient reserve activity that the cathode reaction is controlled by diffusion. Variations in cathode activity due to manufacturing variations and ambient temperature changes are then either small or undetectable in sensor output current response to oxygen concentration. In addition to controlling the signal from the oxygen sensor, the diffusion barrier reduces the rate at which sensor contaminants enter the sensor and also reduces the rate at which water from the electrolyte is exchanged with the atmosphere outside the sensor.
The diffusion barrier can be a solid polymer membrane, as in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 3,767,552, a small orifice or capillary as in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,616, or a porous body as in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,000.
The design of the diffusion barrier is also a useful means for optimizing the sensor for a particular concentration or range of concentrations of oxygen to be monitored. For instance, when measuring oxygen concentrations near 100%, a more restrictive diffusion barrier may be desirable to assure sensor responsivity. At lower concentrations a less restrictive barrier may be desirable to provide a larger signal.
A metal-air battery employs diffusion limiting membranes similar to the oxygen sensors described above, but the intended rate of diffusion is much higher than needed to detect oxygen. While the higher oxygen consumption rate is essential for the battery to supply high output current, it is a disadvantage in the case of the oxygen sensor where the higher cell current unnecessarily shortens sensor life. A more restrictive opening to the atmosphere also better protects the electrodes and electrolyte against damage from humidity changes and contaminants outside the sensor and provides for a more stable output signal as environmental conditions change and as the cell ages.

Oxygen sensor based on a metal-air battery


A centralized personal data base is disclosed that is accessible through the Internet and secured by a combination of identification numbers, including a basic, a primary and a secondary number. The secure personal data base is accessible to the user by the combination of the basic and a primary number. The secure personal data base is accessible to others who have been supplied with a primary and a secondary number.

Personal information such as name, address, telephone number, credit, or account information is needed for most transactions. With the increase in transactions conducted over the Internet, the repetitive requirement for providing personal information increases rapidly. For example, every company that sends a bill or a monthly statement (e.g. telephone company, utility company, bank, etc.) to a person, requires notification of a change in that person's address, phone number or other information. A need exists for an automated process that eliminates the repetitive tasks of providing basic information, updating account records, providing change of address information, and contacting each separate business.

Apparatus and method for providing a centralized personal data base accessed by combined multiple identification numbers

International Business Machines Corporation


The apparatus and method invented are operating upon a digital image signal obtained from an image sensor. The sensor is covered with different colored filters and is only able to record the color transmitted through each specific filter into the photosite or pixel. This type of sensor is known as a color filter array or CFA sensor. The different colored filters are arranged in a predefined pattern across the sensor. To obtain a full color image the missing color information is estimated by a set of weighed values obtained by an inverted gradient function. The set of weighted values is found from the neighboring pixels in the four compass directions, north, east, west and south or is found horizontally and vertically. The surrounding pixels are corrected by the chrominance channel to better fit the center pixel in the luminance channel, prior to using the gradient functions. The chrominance channel is interpolated in a similar manner and is also corrected to better fit the center pixel before the inverted gradient functions are applied.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic imaging, and more particularly, to a color-filter array (CFA) algorithm to estimate missing color information for a digital camera having a single color sensor.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Color is the perceptual result of light in the visible region of the spectrum, having wavelengths in the region of 400 nm to 700 nm, incident upon the retina. The spectral distribution of light relevant to the human eye is often expressed in 31 components each representing a 10 nm band.
The human retina has three types of color photoreceptors cone cells, which respond to incident radiation with somewhat different spectral response curves. Because there are exactly three types of color photoreceptor, three numerical components are necessary and sufficient to describe a color, providing that appropriate spectral weighting functions are used.
The most common consumer cameras in digital imaging today are single sensor cameras. An image sensor is constructed as an array of tiny light-sensitive diodes called photosites or pixels. The photosites themselves usually do not extract color from light; they only convert photons from a wide spectral band into electrons. In order to record color images with a single sensor, the sensor is filtered so that different photosites receive different colored illumination. This type of sensor is known as a color-filter-array or CFA sensor. The different color filters are arranged in a predefined pattern across a sensor.
The most common arrangement is the Bayer color-filter-array (CFA), which was invented at Kodak. The CFA of a color imager follows often the commonly used said "Bayer" pattern. The pattern of said Bayer CFA is showed in FIG. 1 prior art. Half of the total number of photosites is green (G), while a quarter of the total number is assigned to both red (R) and blue (B). In order to obtain this color information, the color image photosites are covered with a red, a green, or a blue filter, in a repeating pattern. This pattern, or sequence, of filters can vary, but the widely adopted "Bayer" pattern is a repeated 2×2 arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 prior art.
This pattern, showed in FIG. 1 prior art, is based on the premise that the human eye derives most of the luminance data from the green content of a scene; and it is the resolution of this luminance data that is perceived as the "resolution" of an image. Therefore, by ensuring that more of the pixels are "green", a higher resolution image can be created—compared with an alternating R-G-B color filter array with equal numbers of Red, Green and Blue photosites.
Single-sensor cameras spatially sample the incoming image using a CFA. Consequently, each photosite only contains a single color value. In order to reconstruct the original full-color image a demosaicing step must be performed which interpolates the missing colors at each pixel. Goals in CFA demosaicing include color fidelity, spatial resolution, no false colors, no jagged edges, no aliasing artifacts, and computational practicality. There is often a trade-off between a sharp image and the so-called "zipper effect" or jagged edge look. Several interpolation methods that utilize the color information in different ways are in use.
The challenge for the designer is to identify such an algorithm combining a high quality interpolation with a low computational effort.
There are various patents available dealing with said problems:
U.S. Pat. No. (6,366,318 to Smith et al.) describes a method for generating color image signals derived from an array of color image pixels, the array of color pixels are subsampled in order to generate an array of subsampled color pixels. An array of new, evenly spaced color pixels are interpolated from the subsampled color pixels using surrounding pixels of the same color, and the color image signals derived from the array of new color pixels are subsequently processed, e.g., in a color filter array interpolation. By providing this correction in a preprocessing step, the rest of the normal image processing hardware or software may be used on the resultant subsampled. CFA image without developing the characteristic blocky and wavy artifacts caused by an irregular subsampling pattern.
U.S. Pat. No. (6,268,939 to Klassen et al.) discloses a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of color correcting subsampled luminance and chrominance-based data. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method of applying a full conversion between color spaces for one pixel in a selected pixel block. Chrominance values are assigned to the remaining pixels based upon their luminance values relative to the luminance value of the converted pixel. The invention may be used to convert between various types of color spaces, and may be used in the processing of both device dependent and device independent data.
U.S. Pat. No. (5,506,619 to Adams et al.) describes an apparatus for processing a digitized image signal obtained from an image sensor having color photosites aligned in rows and columns that generate at least three separate color values but only one color value for each photosite location, a structure is provided which interpolates color values for each photosite location so that it has three different color values. The apparatus includes an image buffer for storing the digitized image signal and a processor operative with the buffer storing means for generating an appropriate color value missing from a photosite location by the interpolation of an additional color value for such photosite locations from color values of different colors than the missing color value at nearby photosite locations. The processor further includes a structure for obtaining Laplacian second-order values in at least two image directions from nearby photosites of the same column and row and which structure is responsive to the Laplacian second-order values for selecting a preferred orientation for the interpolation of the missing color value and for interpolating the missing color value from nearby multiple color values selected to agree with the preferred orientation.

Weighted gradient based and color corrected interpolation


A technique employs the use of oscillations downhole to facilitate a desired functionality of a downhole tool. According to this technique, a tool is initially conveyed downhole and operated to perform a function that relates to a downhole application. The operational efficiency of the tool is improved by creating oscillating forces which vibrate the tool to achieve a desired result, e.g. freeing the tool from a stuck position.

In many well applications, downhole tool operation can be susceptible to a variety of parameters which limit the tool with respect to performance of the function for which the tool was designed. For example, tools deployed downhole via wireline can become stuck due to differential sticking or other causes. In tool differential sticking, the differential pressure between the borehole and the formation creates a normal force which effectively causes the downhole tool to adhere to the borehole wall. The tool becomes stuck when the maximum safe wireline cable pull is less than the force sufficient to move the tool axially in the borehole. However, a variety of other factors can limit the movement or progression of a tool in a downhole application.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for providing oscillation downhole


A hand truck includes a bottom base, a reinforcing member, a positing device and a handle. The bottom base consists of a U-shaped tube and a bottom plate combined vertically with a lower end of the U-shaped tube, which has two elongate side vertical portions provided with a lengthwise center hole. The reinforcing member has two side vertical tubes and two lateral rods fixed between the two side vertical tubes, which fit tightly around an intermediate section of the two side vertical portions of the U-shaped for upgrading the strength of the U-shaped tube. The position device is to stabilize the handle at an adjusted position after moved up and down and adjusted in its height relative to the U-shaped tube.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hand truck, particularly to one having a reinforcing member added to a U-shaped tube of a bottom base so as to upgrade the strength and the rigidity of the hand truck, facilitating the use of the hand truck and prolonging its service life.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional hand truck shown in FIG. 1 includes a handle 10 possible to be hidden in a U-shaped tube 12 combined on a bottom base 11. The U-shaped tube 12 sustains the weight of the handle 10 and the load that the hand truck carries thereon, So if the U-shaped tube 12 has not enough strength and rigidity, it will disfigure or loosen owing to changing torque caused by the load, with its service life possible to be shortened in addition to uneasy handling of the hand truck.


A set of halftone screens and a write white xerographic system for generating halftone images with a minumum of artifacts. The screens used in a four color printer have at least 64 pixels per pattern and are distributed to creat fourcentered dots that are at either -14, 0,+14 or +45 degrees. The xerographic process involves charging the photoreceptor, partially discharging the photoreceptor with a scanning beam to create an image, and then using toner which adheres to the charged portions of the photoreceptor to create the hard copy.

This is a method for generating a multi-centered halftone pattern, having a number of dots in a repeating pattern, in combination with a "write white" xerographic process to minimize visible artifacts in the printed output.
In the standard laser printer which uses the xerographic process to produce a printed page, the photoreceptor is charged up to a uniform voltage, and then a laser is used to discharge the photoreceptor to form the image. It is possible to have the laser discharge the areas that are to be black, "write black", or to discharge the areas that are to be white, "write white". Write black printers are preferred in the digital printing industry since this type results in a cleaner output hard copy. That is because, to the extent that the laser misses a spot because of dust or dirt, the artifact will appear on the output as a white spot. Since the printed material is most often black text on white paper, a white artifact will be less obvious. Also, as will be explained below, isolated black pixels in a write black system are larger than they should be, thus making a black line one pixel wide more visible than it would otherwise be. In a write black system, toner which is charged to a voltage similar to that of the charged photoreceptor is then applied to the photoreceptor. Because of the potential differences, the toner will adhere where the receptor is discharged and not adhere where there is a voltage. The resultant toner image on the receptor is then transferred to a piece of paper to create the output hard copy.
This xerographic process reliably produces dots that are either completely black or completely white, but usually can not accurately produce gray levels. Therefore, to create the appearance of gray levels, a halftone pattern is commonly used in xerographic printers to show gray scale pictures. A halftone matrix is usually a square composed of a number of pixels. As a numerical example, let us assume a square of four pixels by four pixels, eight of which, varying from light to dark gray, are shown in FIG. 1. Now, to create the appearance of white, all pixels are white. To create the appearance of lighter shades of gray, one, two three or four of the internal pixels can be black and the outer pixels can be white. The result is a black dot in the middle of the square. Subsequently, continuing to make the outer pixels black will continue to make the square darker, until the point is reached where all of the pixels are black. In appearance, the process is that of having a white square with a central black dot. By making the dot either smaller or larger, the color of the overall appearance can be made to look lighter or darker.
A problem with this arrangement is that there are only 17 levels of gray that can be reproduced, the number being limited by the number of pixels that can be turned on in a four by four pixel square. In the halftone rendition of a gray scale image, there will be a visible contour artifact at those points in the picture where there is a change from one gray level to another.
This problem can be reduced by going to a larger square. For example, an eight by eight pixel square will have 65 levels of gray. See FIG. 2 which shows two such squares, each having six black pixels. With 65 levels, the changes in darkness from one level to another will have become less visible to the eye. However, with such a large square, the size of the dot and the space between dots also become bigger, so that the resultant image coarseness becomes more visible.
One solution to this problem is to use a multicentered dot as in FIG. 3. In both FIGS. 2 and 3, each eight by eight pixel dot has six ON pixels, but in the FIG. 3 version there will be four dots within each square instead of one. This arrangement doubles the number of dots per inch in each direction, and the dot size and the distance between dots is smaller, so the result has fewer visible contours and looks less grainy, while still maintaining a large number of gray levels. This is therefore an improvement over both systems described above.
However, a close inspection of the output picture will still show a slight pattern of graininess or visible texture at light shades of gray. Here, the eye is detecting the pattern of one dot being slightly larger and the next being slightly smaller. One method that has been tried to obscure this artifact is to assign pixels to the dots in a slightly random pattern instead of in the regular pattern as shown here. This method is successful in breaking up, and therefore obscuring, the pattern, but does not preserve the uniform density that a flat color should have, the result being a picture that has a splotchy appearance.
An additional characteristic of the eye is that it is more sensitive to these artifacts at the lighter shades of gray. Therefore, what is needed is a system which keeps the regular multicentered halftone pattern, but which reduces its obviousness, especially at the lighter shades of gray. In addition, the system should also be adaptable to four color printing.

Specific set of rotated screens for digital halftoning


Surfactants made by the successive ethoxylation and propoxylation of diamines are effective in providing a fine-grain tin coating in high-speed strip-steel plating operations under conditions of high current density. Surfactants prepared by successive propoxylation and ethoxylation are also effective.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of tin plating. More particularly, this invention is in the field of surface-active additives for high-speed continuous tin and tin-alloy plating based on methanesulfonic acid.
2. Description of the Prior Art
High-speed electroplating equipment and processes for depositing tin and tin alloys are well-known in industry, and generally consist of processing the work to be plated through an appropriate electroplating solution in an electroplating cell. The electroplating solution is cycled from a reservoir into the electroplating cell to provide vigorous agitation, solution circulation and chemical replenishment.
The electroplating solution should possess a number of features for effective operation in this type of processing, these include: the ability to electroplate the desired deposit at high speed; production of a lustrous and fine-grained deposit, even at the high current densities which are required for high-speed plating; ability of the deposit to execute uniform fusing or melting and thereby demonstrate good solderability of the deposit; stability of the solution and its components to low pH and air which is generally introduced due to the vigorous solution movement in high-speed plating; and solution clarity, i.e., freedom from turbidity, even at temperatures above 50 degrees Centigrade (.degree.C.).
Due to the high current densities involved and relatively low solution volumes, the temperature of the bath in high-speed electroplating methods increases until the solution reaches equilibrium at an elevated temperature with its ambient environment. Additives must not cause solution turbidity at elevated temperatures above their cloud point.
Because of vigorous solution movement and mixing with air, there is a strong tendency to produce a foam, which can be detrimental to the electroplating process. The additives used should generate as little foam as possible in the plating equipment, and preferably should generate none at all.
Many electrolytes have been proposed for electroplating tin and tin alloys; one of these is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,244, to Nobel et al. This patent discloses the electroplating of tin, lead or tin/lead alloys from lower alkyl sulfonic acid baths which contain brightening additives and wetting agents of various types. Surfactants disclosed in that patent comprise betaines, alkylene oxide polymers, imidazolinium compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, ethylene oxide derivatives of amines, phosphonates and amides.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,470 describes a tin, lead, or tin/lead alloy plating bath based upon an aliphatic or aromatic sulfocarboxylic acid. Instead of the alkane or alkanol sulfonic acids disclosed in previous patents, this patent includes a carboxylic acid radical in the organic sulfonic acid compound. The electroplating baths described contain brightening agents plus a surface-active agent, also known as a surfactant, with particular emphasis on those agents which are non-ionic. A very broad group of non-ionic surface-active agents is described as being useful, and a wide range of such wetting agents is listed.
In all of the prior-art baths which have been proposed, the wetting agents described as being useful for producing either bright or matte deposits are very broadly described, and are deemed somewhat equivalent to one another. Numerous examples are given in each of the referenced patents, directed to a wide variety of agents of many different types, most of which contain some type of ether or similar condensation compound.
Most of the prior-art surface-active agents are unsuitable for high-speed plating in modern high-speed plating equipment. These agents are generally incapable of satisfying all of the requirements for the electrolytes listed above.
Tin plating is a well-known method of protecting steel from corrosive attack in containers for packaging food, especially those of a relatively corrosive medium such as, e.g., tomato products, processed pineapple, cherries, and the like. Because of the very high volume of products packaged in tin-plated steel cans, the amount of tinned steel is correspondingly large, and the tinning process, to be economical and effective, must be rapid and thorough. While processes to deposit tin on a steel surface are known, there are a number of problems to which attention must be given. The tin deposit must cover the steel surface thoroughly, and with a minimal porosity through which attack on the steel surface can occur. The problem of corrosive attack on the steel can be partially met by increasing the thickness of the coverage, but this approach is too costly.
Those skilled in the art are aware that there are a number of properties which an electroplating solution for steel should possess to permit reliable, economical high-speed plating. As noted, these properties include clarity, or freedom from turbidity; stability to air and strong acid; a minimal or zero tendency to produce foam; and the ability to provide a lustrous, fine-grained deposit, even under plating conditions involving high current densities. Further, the tin coating in its final state on the steel should have a good ability to be remelted and soldered.
In my U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,999, I describe a bath for the electrodeposition of tin and tin-containing alloys. That bath is free of fluoride and fluoborate ion, and contains alkylsulfonic acids and non-ionic, cationic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants and brightening agents. Other United States patents in this field include Nobel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,460; Toben et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,507; and Kroll et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,576.
Johnson, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,502, discusses ethoxylated naphthol as a surfactant in the high-speed tin plating of strip steel. He notes that while relatively short molecules provide little foaming but somewhat poor solubility, improving solubility by simply increasing the degree of ethoxylation, i.e., the amount of ethylene oxide added per molecule of naphthol, leads to excessive foaming and a requirement for very high current densities. He therefore sulfonates the molecule and limits the degree of ethoxylation to the range of about five to seven.

Alkoxylated diamine surfactants in high-speed tin plating


The present invention relates to a preamble signal detection method of a receiving device, and a device therefor. A preamble signal detection method of a receiving device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, can comprise the steps of: receiving a plurality of preamble signals for random access through a physical random access channel (PRACH); determining at least one preamble signal corrupted by an interference signal among the received plurality of preamble signals; combining the remaining preamble signals excluding the at least one corrupted preamble signal among the plurality of preamble signals; and detecting a peak value of the combined preamble signals. The study was performed with the support of the “Governmental Department Giga KOREA Business” of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

In order to satisfy the increasing demands of radio data traffic after the commercialization of a 4th-generation (4G) communication system, efforts have been made to develop an advanced 5th-generation (5G) communication system or a pre-5G communication system. For this reason, the 5G communication system or the pre-5G communication system is also referred to as a beyond-4G network communication system or a post long term evolution (post LTE) system.
As three main use cases of the 5G communication system, the communication industry including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the 3rd Partnership Project (3GPP) is proposing enhanced mobile broadband (eMB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communication.
The implementation of the 5G communication system is being considered in a super-high frequency (mmWave) band (e.g., about a 60 GHz band). Also, in order to obviate a propagation loss of a radio wave and increase a delivery distance of a radio wave in the super-high frequency band, discussions for the 5G communication system are underway about various techniques such as a beamforming, a massive MIMO, a full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), an array antenna, an analog beam-forming, and a large scale antenna.
Additionally, in the 5G communication system, technical developments are being made such as an advanced small cell, a cloud radio access network (cloud RAN), an ultra-dense network, a device to device (D2D) communication, a wireless backhaul, a moving network, a cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), a reception-end interference cancellation, and the like.
Also, in the 5G communication system, a hybrid FSK and QAM modulation (FQAM) and a sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) are developed as advanced coding modulation (ACM) schemes, and a filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and a sparse code multiple access (SCMA) are also developed as advanced access techniques.
Additionally, in the 3GPP standard, the standardization of machine type communication (MTC) and enhanced MTC (eMTC) are being discussed in consideration of a situation in which an Internet of things (IoT) device (hereinafter referred to as a terminal) communicates with a base station or other device. For the purpose of a cost reduction, the MTC standardization in the LTE Release 12 version is discussing techniques associated with a reduction of the maximum bandwidth, a use of single receive RF chain, a reduction of peak rate, and a half duplex operation. In addition, the eMTC standardization in LTE Release 13 version is discussing techniques for cost reduction, which are not reflected in the LTE Release 12 version, and techniques for coverage enhancement.
Meanwhile, in the 3GPP standard, a ranging procedure is defined for a terminal to perform random access to a base station or another device so as to support the MTC standard or the eMTC standard. In this case, the terminal transmits a preamble signal for random access to a base station through a physical random access channel (PRACH), thereby completing a wireless network access process according to uplink synchronization.

Preamble signal detection method in wireless communication system and device therefor


A two-dimensional pattern comprises a plurality of R-planes each comprising a tiling of a corresponding R-ary block, being a block of radix R integer values, where for each dimension of the pattern, the least common multiple of the sizes of the tiled blocks in that dimension is greater than the size of the tiling that dimension, and any sub-block of a size less than the tiled blocks occurs on a regular grid with the same periodicity as the tiled block for that R-plane. The pattern may be used in determining a position of a location captured in an image by projecting the pattern onto a scene. An image is captured. The method determines from the captured image a sub-block associated with the location and constructs, a unique integer value for each R-plane. The unique integer values from each R-plane are used to determine the location in the image.

Many methods for capturing three-dimensional (3D) scene depth information are known. Structured light methods rely on establishing a mapping from the coordinate system of a structuring pattern projected onto the scene to the coordinate system of an image captured by a camera viewing the scene illuminated by the structuring pattern. The projected structuring pattern can be regarded as a ruler pattern useful for measuring aspects of the scene. Once this mapping is determined, knowledge of the relative geometry of the projector and camera and calibration parameters of the camera and projector can be used to determine the depth map of the scene. There are many known ways of establishing this coordinate mapping, most being founded upon the trigonometric relationship of the projector and camera. The depth map can be used for a number of purposes, including 3D modelling of an object, and the adjustment of light and other imaging parameters to provide for better capturing of images.
One known way of establishing the coordinate mapping is through the use of coded structured light. It is known to generate patterns with a "2D window" property such that a defined 2D window around any discrete location in the pattern contains a sub-pattern (a window code) that is unique to that location. Projecting such a pattern onto the scene ensures that a dense set of correspondences between the captured image and the projected image can be obtained.
Much of the work to date has used binary codes such as de Bruin arrays (also known as de Bruin Tori or Perfect Maps) or M-arrays (also known as Semi-Perfect Maps). However, though such binary codes are relatively easy to construct, they have two disadvantages. Firstly, to code each location in a discrete image having M locations, the binary map must use a window containing at least m≧log2 (M) points. For large M this will require a large window which in applications such as Coded Structured Light can mean that local errors affect a larger portion of the map. Secondly, in these patterns all or almost all possible window codes will occur exactly once, which means that the pattern is not very robust to errors in the measurement of point values which can result from noise or variation in the surface reflectivity.
By using a K-ary rather than a binary code, the window need only contain m≧2 logK (M) points, thus reducing the number of neighbourhood points required in the local window by a factor of log2 (K). Occlusion in the 3D scene can result in some parts of the projected ruler pattern not being visible from the viewpoint of the camera. Because the local window size is smaller in a K-ary code, occlusion will affect a smaller number of points around an occlusion boundary than are affected in a binary code.
Constructing patterns which only sparsely use the set of all possible window codes means that a small local window can code for many more locations than are required over the full 2D-ruler pattern. Codes can then be chosen to enforce a minimum hamming distance in the code space between codes used in the pattern. Errors in the recovered image that lead to errors in the location code can then be detected and potentially corrected.
Such patterns are described in "Structured Light Using Pseudorandom Codes", R. A. Morano et. al., IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, Vol. 20, No. 3, March 1998, hereafter "Morano". Morano referred to the patterns as "perfect submaps" since the patterns used a subset of the possible codes available in the defined window, and used each code only once. To create the patterns, Morano used a brute force search. However Morano's approach becomes computationally expensive for even moderately large arrays, limiting the resolution that can be achieved in practice. With large arrays it is also necessary to address the problem of efficiently decoding the location from the window code.
In Coded Structured Light the captured image is subject to geometric distortion because of the 3D shape of the surface on which it is projected. This can complicate the process of extracting the window code. Many existing methods rely on having isolated elements (such as coloured spots) in their patterns so that the centres of each element can be identified to deal with geometric distortion. Requiring disjoint elements in the pattern limits the spatial resolution that can be achieved. A need exists for a technique that can be efficiently decoded for non-disjoint regions of the pattern.
Variation in the surface reflectivity (due to surface colour or fine scale texture of the reflecting surface) can result in spatial variations in the captured intensity which can greatly complicate the problem of accurately recovering the code. A need exists for an approach to coding the patterns that ensures robust recovery of the coded information.


A reminder card having a printed message is printed directly on the mailing envelope on the rear lower portion of the envelope and is perforated for easy removal. The reminder card is slipped into a window pocket on the front face of the envelope to display the reminder message. A base for forming the envelope into an upstanding display is formed by bending a flap on the bottom rear of the envelope upward into an arc and adhering the flap to a gummed flange formed from the outer edge of the sealing flap of the envelope to create a triangular shaped display capable of remaining upright. A magnetic strip glued to the envelope allows the envelope to be secured to a vertical ferrous surface.

The present invention is related to an envelope for providing a reminder of an important date, event or the like. More particularly, the present invention is related to such an envelope that can be assembled into an upstanding permanent reminder display to be placed on a desk, table, shelf or the like to remind the recipient visually of the reminder notice.


In a live-action theater, a catapult launches a prop which achieves free flight in the theater. The catapult and prop are concealed until the moment of launch, whereupon the prop suddenly hurtles into an audience's view, and lands in front of the audience. The audience views the launch from a seating area or from a vehicle moved through the theater. The prop is for example, a seaplane or a jetski. The prop is then retrieved from the landing area using a crane or other lifter and returned to the catapult for a subsequent launch. By launching a prop in a theater with a catapult, the audience sees true free flight, rather than an illusion of flight. The audience sees no supports or other devices which can diminish the effect. A catapult allows a prop to be launched directly at the audience at a realistic or full speed, creating a more dramatic effect than if a prop is moved about some distant stage area using cables or a boom.

The present invention relates to the entertainment industry, particularly to live theater and ride attractions where an audience watches a live-action show typically involving stunts. Live-action shows have become increasingly popular, for example, at amusement or theme parks. These types of shows are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the special effects and stunts involved, which audiences have come to expect.
Many of the theaters offering such shows try to incorporate stunts similar to those seen in motion pictures and television shows. In the film industry, vehicles often fly through the air as part of an action sequence. The film's story may require a prop, such as a car or a boat, to hurtle through the air, or may require that an object explode and be thrown like a projectile.
Film makers have used several different means to achieve the illusion of free flight. For example, the industry often achieves these stunts by using a catapult or other means for launching a prop into the air. The catapult is hidden from view of the camera, or is simply edited out of the film by filming the launch from several vantage points and eliminating those shots that expose the catapult to view. Generally this method is destructive, and requires multiple props for multiple shots.
The motion picture industry also simulates free flying vehicles or other objects using tethers. A prop simulating free flight can be supported by cables, wires, or other similar devices. When the prop is supposed to "fly," the cables raise the prop up off the ground and move it in the manner desired. The cables are concealed into the background, or edited out of the film using well known techniques, to maintain the illusion being created.
In a third technique, a prop is mounted on an arm, such as an extending boom. The boom is concealed or incorporated into the set. The prop is then filmed from camera angles which provide the appearance of untethered free movement.
In live theater, however, film techniques often cannot be used. Cables and wires may be difficult to conceal, such that an audience can often see them, diminishing the effect being created. They also require a superstructure above them from which the cables are supported. Usually the roof of the building containing the theater provides this support. Thus indoors, a prop can "fly" out towards an audience, although the possibility of the audience noticing the exposed cables increases as the prop nears them.
If a theater is located outdoors, the use of such cables is even more severely limited. Neither the cables nor their supports can be concealed very effectively. The prop can be kept at a distance from the audience, such as near a stage area, reducing, but not eliminating, the possibility of the audience noticing the cables.
A boom-like device may be used in outdoor theaters more effectively than cables. However, a boom can only be viewed from a few angles to maintain the effect of flight. Otherwise the boom becomes visible to the audience, destroying the illusion. To minimize this impact, the boom can be concealed, such as mounting it behind a stage or a wall, although this positioning requires the prop to "fly" only near the scenery used to conceal the boom. The prop cannot fly out towards the audience without the boom becoming exposed to view. Generally, in the repetitive environment of live action shows, the prop cannot achieve full speed due to the excessive loads imparted on the support equipment.
Accordingly, there is a need to better create the appearance of free flight in a live-action theater, without using devices which detract from the effect being created.


A stator structure and a stator manufacturing method which are configured so that the stress occurring in resin-molded sections or insulators of the stator can be reduced. The structure of the stator is provided with coils formed by winding conductors, and also with stator cores provided with teeth to which the coils are mounted through the insulators. The coils mounted to the insulators are resin-molded and integrated with the insulators. Spaces which continue in the radial direction of the stator cores are formed between the insulators and end surface of the stator cores in the axial direction thereof. The insulators and the side surfaces of the teeth of the stator cores are adhered or welded (fusion bonded) to each other.

Of vehicle-mounted motors, a motor to be used for driving a vehicle is demanded for size reduction and higher output power. To achieve a size-reduced and high-power motor, it is necessary to enhance magnetic power by for example increasing the amount of electric current to be supplied to a coil provided in a stator. However, as the current amount supplied to the coil is increased, a problem with heat dissipation comes about. Accordingly, for size reduction and higher power of a motor, it is necessary to study a method of effectively dissipating the heat generated in a stator during use.
Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a motor stator and a motor. A mixture of an insulating resin material such as polyimide resin and amide-imide resin and a filler material such as alumina and silica is applied on side surfaces of a teeth portion of a stator core to producing a coating of uniform thickness. Then, before this resin coating hardens, a wire is wound to form a coil. Since the mixture of insulating resin and filler is applied on the side surfaces of the teeth portion, forming the coating thereon, the contact or joining strength between the coil and the coating and the teeth portion is improved and thus the heat dissipation performance is enhanced.
However, even when the above technique for improving the heat dissipation performance is applied, if a conductor wire used to form a coil is a circular wire, the current amount allowed to be supplied to the wire has a limitation. The circular wire may be wound in pair to form a coil as a measure against the above disadvantage. However, to achieve high power of a stator, a coil space factor needs to be more increased.
Therefore, the use of a flat rectangular conductor wire ("flat wire") has been considered to be effective in improving the space factor. However, in the case of using the flat wire for a coil, it is hard to wind the flat wire that has to a wide cross sectional area into a coiled form. Such a flat wire having a wide cross sectional area enables an increase in current density, but causes a problem with eddy current. For this reason, various studies have been made to form a coil by winding a flat wire.
Patent Document 2 discloses a technique related to a split stator manufacturing method. Specifically, a flat wire is wound to form a coil and then this coil is mounted on an insulator. This assembly is placed in a die and subjected to resin molding, thereby forming a coil cassette unit in which the coil and the insulator are made integral by resin molding. This coil cassette unit is installed in a split-type stator core to complete a stator.
The stator completed as above can have good joining strength between the insulator and the coil, so that the heat generated in the coil during use of the stator can be efficiently transferred. Thus, the heat dissipation performance of the stator can be improved.
Patent Document 3 discloses a technique related to a split stator and a split-stator manufacturing method. When the insulator is to be insert-molded with respect to a teeth portion of a stator core, an adhesive is applied on side surfaces of the teeth portion in advance. After the insulator is formed, a coil is mounted and then the stator core is resin-molded.
Such application of the adhesive on the teeth side surfaces makes it possible to prevent alignment of fillers mixed in the resin for forming the insulator, thereby improving the heat conductivity of the insulator.

Stator structure and stator manufacturing method


A heating system in the form of a multi-layer, yet relatively thin and flexible panel. The panel contains a number of layers including first, second and third electrically insulating layers. A first electrically conductive resistive layer (heater layer) is sandwiched between the first and second insulating layers. A second electrically conductive resistive layer (resistive neutral plane layer) is sandwiched between the second and third insulating layers. The heater layer has a neutral electrical connection and a live electrical connection. The neutral and live electrical connections are electrically connected to each other at the panel only by electrically resistive material of the heater layer extending between the neutral and live electrical connections. The resistive neutral plane layer has a neutral electrical connection electrically connected with the neutral connection of the heater layer. The resistive neutral plane layer is electrically isolated from the live connection of the heater layer by the second insulating layer.

Thin heating systems are known. Woven wire mesh heaters having no buses are made whereby thin wires are woven into a mesh mat. The mat can be placed under a laminate floor or under a subfloor or placed into non-constructions environments. However, these mats must be custom made to fit odd-sized spaces and cannot be altered at the job site. This increases the cost of the heaters and installation, and makes the process of changing the heater layout during installation significantly more difficult.
Polymer-based heaters are made using electrically resistive plastics. A conductive bus on either side of the resistance heaters completes the circuit. The result is a cuttable heating surface; however currently available products exhibit significant thickness.
Conductive ink-based heaters are made from resistive inks printed on plastic sheets. A conductive bus on either side of the resistance heaters completes the circuit. A second plastic sheet is then placed over the circuit to protect the heating elements. The result is a thin, flexible, cuttable heating surface. Conductive ink-based heaters are known for use under laminate floors, where they lay unattached in the space between the floor boards and the subfloor or, in the case of a remodel, an old floor. The plastic sheets that protect the device provide a poor surface for adhesion of ceramic tiles.
In heating elements formed on plastic sheets, there is some current leakage due to the thin nature of the sheets and capacitive effects. The magnitude of leakage current can reach to unacceptably high levels in wet environments such as in the case of flooring applications in bathrooms and kitchens. Controlling this current leakage, particularly in applications where the heating elements may be subject to high humidity or water can become problematical. The problem of electrical leakage current in wet applications has not been solved to date by the current state-of-the-art electrical and electrical heater technologies.
Damage to the thin plastic sheets could additionally result in an electrical short between some of the current carrying elements, which could also result in an unacceptable condition, such as an electrical shock or overheating of the heating elements or the plastic sheets due to high current flow.

Electrical heater with a resistive neutral plane


A screed assembly is disclosed for an asphalt paving machine that is used to pave the surface of a roadway with asphalt concrete paving material. This screed assembly includes a frame portion that is adapted for attachment to the paving machine, and a vibratory screed portion that is adapted for attachment to the frame portion. The vibratory screed portion includes a screed plate that is disposed towards the surface of the roadway, and a vibratory assembly which is mounted to the screed plate so as to impart vibration thereto. This vibratory assembly includes an elongate shaft, means for rotating the shaft, and an eccentric weight that is mounted on the shaft, which weight has a non-symmetrical distribution of mass about the shaft so that vibration will be created upon rotation thereof. The screed assembly also includes means for isolating the vibratory assembly so as to limit the transmission of vibration created thereby to the frame portion.

The screed assembly for an asphalt paving machine is employed to level and grade the asphalt concrete material that is deposited by the paving machine on the roadway, as well as to provide initial compaction for the newly applied pavement surface. Consequently, the screed assembly establishes the initial thickness of the layer of paving material that is placed on the roadway by the paving machine. In order to accomplish this, the screed assembly is typically adapted to be towed by or pulled behind the tractor unit of the paver. The screed or screed assembly is usually attached to the tractor by means of a pair of side arms or pull arms at a single point (the tow or pull point) on either side of the machine. The attachment is typically a pivotal connection that allows the screed to float freely on the mat of paving material that has been deposited on the roadway. This allows the screed to average out changes in grade that are spanned by the wheels or crawler assemblies of the paver tractor.
The angle assumed by the lower surface of the screed as it floats on the mat of paving material is referred to as the angle of attack. The forces on the screed must be in equilibrium for the screed to remain at a constant angle of attack as it is towed by the tractor. There are two primary forces that constantly act on the paver screed as the paver places the paving material on the roadway, and changes in these forces change the angle of attack assumed by the screed. The first force acting on the screed is the towing force of the tractor, which varies as the speed of the tractor changes. The second force is due to the head of paving material deposited behind the tractor pushing against the screed. As the amount of such material deposited behind the tractor changes, the force acting on the screed also changes. When a change in forces acting on the screed occurs, the screed will rise or fall, changing its angle of attack, and this will change the thickness of the mat being placed. The screed will continue to react to a change in forces acting against it until it reaches a new equilibrium angle of attack in which the forces are again in balance.
It is known that the service life of an asphalt surface layer on a roadway depends largely on the reduction of voids therein to the smallest possible volume. The determining factor in void volume is the degree of compaction imparted to the asphalt mat. It is generally considered desirable that the surface layer of an asphalt roadway have a degree of compaction of at least about 96-98%. In order to achieve this degree of compaction, therefore, the air voids in a mat or layer of asphalt must be reduced so as to occupy no more than about 2-4% of the volume of the asphalt mat.
The amount of compaction imparted to the asphalt mix is a function of many variables. The properties of the mix itself are very important. The temperature, amount of asphalt cement, and moisture in the mix all affect the forces required to compact the mix. In practice, it has generally been necessary, in order to achieve the desired degree of compaction, to provide a screed assembly on the paving machine having a front-mounted hydraulically operated tamper or compactor bar to precompact the asphalt mat, followed by a leveling screed plate that provides additional compaction. The tamper that is typically mounted on the screed assembly is provided with an oblique leading face that compresses the asphalt concrete material as it passes thereover, and a hydraulic ram that compacts it beneath the bar. The following leveling screed plate then acts to close and smooth the asphalt surface, although the compaction obtained by use of this screed assembly will typically be no greater than about 86-92%. In order to obtain the desired degree of compaction, it is generally necessary to provide a separate compaction step by making one or more passes over the partially-compacted asphalt mat with a compacting roller.
It is also known to adapt the leveling screed plate for vibration in order to enhance its leveling and smoothing action, and to permit it to provide an additional measure of compaction to the asphalt mat. A typical vibratory screed for an asphalt concrete paving machine is provided with an elongate shaft, means for rotating the shaft, and one or more eccentric weights that are mounted on the shaft so that vibration will be created upon rotation thereof. One example of such a vibratory screed assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,349 of Otterman et al. The Otterman screed includes a front plate that is adjustable with regard to its angle of inclination, a tamper or compactor bar that is arranged immediately behind the plate, and a smoothing screed plate behind the tamper. The tamper is suspended at both ends from an eccentric drive which imparts vibration to the tamper through a motor-driven shaft on which a cam disc is attached, in order to provide a tamping action that imparts a measure of compaction of the asphalt mat. In addition, the screed plate is vibrated by means of a rotary driven shaft carrying eccentrically-mounted weights for generating pulsating vibratory forces in all directions in planes extending perpendicular to the shaft.
The frequency of vibration and the amplitude of vibratory forces applied by such a vibratory mechanism that is installed on a screed assembly will affect the amount of compaction imparted through the assembly to the asphalt mat. The frequency of vibration of a rotary-driven shaft carrying eccentrically-mounted weights is controlled by the rotary speed of the vibrator shaft, and the amplitude of vibratory forces is controlled by the size and location of the eccentric weights on the shaft. The amount of compaction imparted by a screed plate equipped with such vibratory mechanism is also affected by the size and mass of the screed plate and the speed of the paver screed. The faster the paver moves, the less time the screed will reside over any particular area in the new pavement mat, and thus, the less the degree of compaction imparted.
Another variable in the amount of compaction imparted by a vibratory screed assembly is the efficiency by which such assembly operates. Generally, the greater the amount of generated forces that are applied in the vertical direction, the greater the amount of compaction imparted to the pavement mat. In addition, the greater the amount of generated forces that are applied to the pavement mat, the less is the need for subsequent rolling or compacting operations. However, the vibration imparted to the screed plate in a vibratory screed assembly is normally limited to no more than twice the total weight of the assembly. A greater resultant force would cause the screed assembly to bounce or jump on the asphalt mat, which would result in damage to the asphalt surface and the screed assembly.
The typical vibratory screed does not efficiently transmit the forces generated by the vibratory assembly to the asphalt pavement, because the forces transmitted by a rotating eccentrically mounted weight are not restricted to the vertical direction, but also include forces acting in the travel direction of the paver, or obliquely thereto. Because the typical vibratory screed does not efficiently transmit compacting forces to the asphalt pavement, subsequent rolling operations are required to achieve the desired degree of compaction. Furthermore, because the asphalt mat is not properly compacted as it is applied, the subsequent rolling operations may cause roll-out of asphalt concrete material at the edges of the roadway. Such roll-out, where asphalt concrete material at the edge of the roadway is squashed out laterally under the influence of the compacting force of the roller, may create an uneven edge on the asphalt mat and may cause the edge to crumble or fail. This may create considerable difficulty in matching the density of asphalt mats that are joined longitudinally, such as at the center of a road. In addition, because the rolling machine is usually not the same width as the paving machine, it is sometimes difficult to provide uniform compaction to the entire width of the asphalt mat being laid.
In addition to inefficiently transmitting compacting forces to the pavement, the typical vibratory screed can have other deleterious effects on the paving operation. If vibrations generated by the vibratory screed are transmitted through the pull arms to the tractor of the paver instead of to the pavement, damage to the pivotal connection of the screed assembly or to the tractor itself may result. Furthermore, the transmission of such vibrations to the tractor can affect the deposit of asphalt material by the paver, and in some cases may even be felt by the paver operator.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,585 of Axer describes a vibratory screed mechanism that attempts to address some of the functional deficiencies in typical vibratory screed assemblies noted above. However, Axer's solution is a complicated, multi-component mechanism that includes five principal subassemblies. First, Axer employs a leveling blade, followed by a vertically moveable ramming bar and a first leveling screed plate. Located to the rear of the first leveling screed plate is a compactor bar, followed by second leveling screed plate that is mounted on a lower plane than the first plate. The ramming bar is operatively connected to an eccentric drive, which provides a vertical tamping action at the leading face of the first leveling screed plate. Between the first leveling screed plate and the second leveling screed plate, the compactor bar is arranged for vertical compacting action, and both screed plates may also be provided with a vibrator device. Axer's device also includes a complicated arrangement for transmitting vibratory forces from the eccentrically weighted drive shaft to the asphalt pavement mat, including push rods, followers, guide rods and springs, as well as a pressure beam.
It would be desirable, however, if a more efficient vibratory screed could be developed for an asphalt paving machine that would transmit greater compacting forces to the asphalt pavement mat without requiring a complicated force-transmitting mechanism, or an increase in the mass of the screed or the power supplied to the vibratory mechanism. It would also be desirable if a vibratory screed could be developed that would be capable of imparting significant vibratory forces to the asphalt pavement mat without requiring the use of a precompacting tamper or a plurality of ramming and compacting bars. In addition, it would be desirable if a vibratory screed of relatively simple design could be developed that is susceptible to adaptation for use on paving machines of various widths. It would also be desirable if a vibratory screed assembly could be developed that would permit compaction of the asphalt mat to the desired density as it is laid, so that subsequent rolling operations could be minimized or eliminated. Finally, it would be desirable if an improved vibratory screed could be developed for use in connection with an asphalt paving machine that would minimize the vibratory forces transmitted to the tractor of the paving machine.

Vibratory screed assembly for an asphalt paving machine


A man down indicator includes a gas detector which includes a motion sensor. A separate wearable element also includes a motion sensor. The element is wirelessly coupled to, and paired with, the detector. In responsive to a lack of sensed motion at both detector and the element, a pre-alarm condition is initiated for a predetermined period of time by circuitry carried by one of the detector, or the element. Unless interrupted, when the pre-alarm condition terminates, a man down alarm is generated.

Current man-down detection is accomplished by tracking a worker's movements over a period of time and determining whether sufficient motion has occurred to infer that the worker has not become incapacitated. The worker's movements are measured using an accelerometer or other motion measuring means carried within a first safety device that is carried by the worker or attached to their clothing.
For example, the motion measuring means could be a 3 axis accelerometer carried within a first safety device (such as a portable gas detector) attached to the worker's belt or clothing. The accelerometer triggers when an adjustable amount of time passes without any movement. The detector starts to emit an audio warning to give the user time to disarm the alarm. If the user does not disarm the alarm in time, the device then goes into its alarm mode and reports the error to a monitoring site.
Known solutions suffer from various drawbacks. For example, under general use, the device may register no movement even when there is no emergency. This causes the user to frequently disarm the countdown and becomes a nuisance. In addition, in the course of a day, the user may go on a break and leave the detector in a locker, car seat, table, etc. causing the detector to go into alarm. It is not usual procedure to require that the detector be turned off when not in use, as the expectation is that a detector can last at least a complete shift. It would be desirable to reduce false positive man down alarms.