An automatic ice maker of a refrigerator has a housing, an ice-making container for making an ice by freezing the water making contact with the housing, a motor for generating the driving force to drive the ice-making container, the motor being accommodated in the housing and having a rotating shaft, a power transmitting apparatus for transmitting the driving force generated by the motor to the ice-making container so that the ice-making container is overturned or is returned to an initial position, a first micro switch for sending a first signal to a control unit for reversing a driving direction of the motor by making contact with the power transmitting apparatus, a second micro switch for sending a second signal to the control unit for closing an electric power applied to the motor by making contact with the power transmitting apparatus, and a third micro switch for sensing whether or not an ice cube storage bin which is disposed below the ice-making container is fully filled up with ice, and for sending a third signal to the control unit for stopping an operation of the ice maker when the ice cube storing bin is fully filled up with the ice. Since the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator controls the automatic ice maker by the plurality of the switches, it is easy to stably control the automatic ice maker, thereby decreasing the occurrence of a malfunction thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to an automatic ice maker of a refrigerator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, a refrigerator includes a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment and an ice-making compartment. A cool air cooled by a cooler is distributed to each compartment by a cooling fan. The freezing compartment stores the foodstuffs to be frozen, the refrigerating compartment stores the foodstuffs at a lower temperature, and the ice-making compartment makes the ice by freezing the water. An ice maker for freezing the water is installed in the ice-making compartment. The ice-maker is an apparatus for making an ice, in which the water is supplied to an ice-making container and then the water is frozen therein, thereby discharging the ices by overturning the ice-making container by a driving apparatus.
The ice maker is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,980(issued to Akira Kawamoto et al.) and a U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,605(issued to Sung-Ki Jeong).
As illustrated in FIG. 1, an automatic ice maker of refrigerator 100 comprises a motor 110 for generating a driving force accommodated in a body 105, a gear assembly 120 for transmitting the driving force generated by the motor 110, an ice-making container 130 rotatably coupled to the gear assembly 120, an ice cube storage bin 150 for storing the ice cubes discharged from the ice-making container 130 and a sensing lever 160 for sensing an amount of the ice stored in the ice cube storage bin.
The motor 110 is accommodated in the body 105 by a plurality of fixing members 116, and a worm gear 114 is integrally formed at an end portion of a rotating shaft 112 of the motor 110. The driving force generated by the motor 110 is transmitted to the gear assembly 120 through the worm gear 114. The gear assembly 120 comprises a worm wheel gear 122, a first spur gear 124, a second spur gear 126 and a driving gear 128. The worm wheel gear 122 is meshed with the worm gear 114 of the motor 110, and the first gear 123 having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the worm wheel gear 122 is fixedly coupled to a central shaft of the worm wheel gear 122. The first spur gear 124 is meshed with the first gear 123, and a second gear 125 having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first spur gear 124 is coupled to the central shaft of the first spur gear 124. The second spur gear 126 is meshed with the second gear 125, and a third gear 127 having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the second spur gear 126 is fixedly coupled to the central shaft of the second spur gear 126. Finally, the third gear 127 is meshed with the driving gear 128. The driving gear 128 is formed at a center thereof with a central shaft 121. The central shaft 121 is inserted into a rectangular-shaped groove 138 formed at an end portion of the ice-making container 130. The central shaft 121 has a rectangular shape for preventing the ice-making container from sliding while the ice-making container 130 is being rotated.
Also, the ice-making container 130 is rotatably coupled to a fixing plate 132 integrally formed at a side portion of the body 105. The ice-making container 130 is a vessel having a concave shape for storing the supplied water, and a concave portion 137 is divided by a compartment. A circular shaft 134 is protrudingly formed at a first side portion of the ice-making container 130, and the circular shaft 134 is rotatably inserted into a circular groove 136 formed at a side surface of the fixing plate 132. The ice-making container is formed with a rectangular-shaped groove 138 at a second side surface thereof, into which the connecting shaft 121 of the driving gear 128 is inserted.
A cam 129 is inserted into the connecting shaft 121 of the driving gear 128, and an end portion of the sensing lever 160 makes contact with the cam 129. The sensing lever 160 has a first end portion for making contact with the cam 129, a second end portion having a bending portion which is downwardly bent, and a middle portion positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion, and is formed with a pivot hole 166 through which a pivot pin 168 is penetrated, for pivotally fixing the sensing lever 160 to the body 105. The bending portion 164 of the sensing lever 164 is positioned in the ice cube storage bin 150 for sensing an amount of the ice cubes. A limit switch 140 is positioned at an upper portion of the sensing lever 160 for making contact with the sensing lever 160.
When electric power is transmitted to the motor 110, the motor 110 is rotated, so the worm wheel gear 122 meshed with the worm gear 114 of the motor 110 is rotated. Accordingly, the driving force is transmitted to the driving gear 128 through the first gear 124 meshed with the worm wheel gear 122 and through the second gear 126 meshed with the first gear 124. When the ice-making container 130 is being rotated in a clock-wise direction, the ice cubes are discharged from the ice-making container 130, so the ice cubes are stored in the ice cube storage bin 150 disposed beneath the ice-making container 130.
In addition, the cam 129 makes contact with the sensing lever 160 by means of the rotation of the driving gear 128. Accordingly, the end portion of the sensing lever 160 is downwardly moved and the other end portion of the sensing lever 160 is upwardly moved, so the end portion of the sensing lever makes contact with a terminal of the limit switch 140. Then, a signal of the limit switch is sent to a control unit and the motor 110 is reversely rotated. By a reverse rotation of the motor 110, the driving force is reversely transmitted to the ice-making container 130 with respect to the transmission described above, and the ice-making container finishes discharging the ice cubes and is returned to an initial position.
However, in the conventional automatic ice maker for a refrigerator, since the ice maker controls the motor by one limit switch, a malfunction thereof occurs frequently. Furthermore, since the power is only transmitted by the gear assembly, it is difficult to control the power transmission.


Methods and systems for X-ray imaging are disclosed. An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray tube to generate X-rays and a detector array to capture scattered X-rays. A rotational collimator directs the X-rays at an object under inspection. Rotational mechanisms rotate the X-ray tube and the detector array about a roll axis and a yaw axis to inspect various portions of the object. A track unit mechanism moves the X-ray imaging system linearly along a track unit to further inspect portions of the object.

Maintenance is an ongoing occurrence for vehicles and structures that typically have a relatively long operational lifespan. Examples of vehicles that typically undergo maintenance include aircraft, maritime vessels, automobiles, and other large investment assemblies. Examples of structures that typically undergo maintenance include petrochemical facilities, power generation facilities, nuclear facilities, water treatment plants, etc. . . . Routine maintenance for such vehicles and structures may advantageously extend the operational lifespan of the objects.
Inspection of the an object's structure during maintenance is often important to capture normal wear and tear, such as corrosion and cracking, as well as the presence of foreign object debris (FOD). Since the interior structure of some objects such as aircrafts is often difficult to access, one technique frequently used to inspect the object includes disassembling it. Although disassembly provides access to interior surfaces that are otherwise difficult to access, this technique is often time consuming and expensive.
An alternative technique for performing maintenance utilizes X-ray imaging. X-ray imaging involves generating images of the object using an X-ray imaging system. One advantage of X-ray imaging is that it reduces maintenance cycle time since it may not require disassembly in order to inspect interior surfaces.
Maintaining objects using X-ray imaging is often labor intensive, limited to generating images which fall within the field of view of the X-rays, and potentially generates unwanted radiation. For example, in situations where the X-ray field of view is smaller than the object under inspection, the X-ray system may require continuous reorientation during the imaging operations. Re-orienting the field of view of the X-rays may be challenging since it can require labor intensive tooling operations. Often times, re-positioning of the system requires removing a high voltage power cable from the X-ray tube prior to performing the tooling operation. Since many X-ray high voltage power cables require greasing every time they are connected to or disconnected from the X-ray tube, time consuming labor is involved every time the high voltage cable is removed from the X-ray tube.
Furthermore, disassembly and reassembly of the systems are often labor intensive and require various tools. Disassembly and assembly may be required to transport the system such as when the system maintains more than one object, when the service location varies, or when the system is stored. Often, disassembly and reassembly requires labor intensive tooling operations including disconnecting the imaging system from the high voltage power supply. In addition, it often takes multiple personnel to move the system physically.

Rapid assembly and operation of an X-ray imaging system


A method for compensating interference in a measured angle signal of a magnetic angle sensor of an electrical machine, wherein the method includes: receiving a measured angle signal, estimating a current error and/or a misalignment error in the measured angle signal, calculating an expected rotor angle from the measured angle signal, taking into account the estimated current error and/or the estimated misalignment error, such as during operation of the electrical machine. The present invention furthermore relates to a microcontroller for calculating interference in a measured angle signal of a magnetic angle sensor of an electrical machine, to an electrical machine having a magnetic angle sensor and a microcontroller and to a computer program product.

Knowledge of the rotor angle position is necessary in order to drive an electrical machine. Inductive angle sensors or reluctance resolvers are often used for this purpose. However, inductive angle sensors and reluctance resolvers are cost-intensive.
Using magnetic angle sensors, on the other hand, is inexpensive and also accurate. A magnetic angle sensor includes what is known as an integrated cross-Hall element. This cross-Hall element generates an electrical characteristic variable in relation to the flow direction of an applied external magnetic field. By changing a magnetic field acting on the cross-Hall element, such as for example when a magnetic field of a permanent magnet rotates around the central axis of the sensor element, two 90°-phase-shifted sine and cosine curves are generated, on the basis of which the angle of rotation is able to be detected as an absolute value. Evaluation electronics integrated in the magnetic angle sensor convert these measured sine and cosine curve signals into a linear voltage or current signal. Using the absolute measurement principle, the correct angle of rotation is able to be output even following current interruptions. However, magnetic angle sensors are sensitive to interfering magnetic fields, which occur for example due to live conductors and/or due to permanent magnets in electrical machines. When using magnetic angle sensors in electrical machines, there is therefore a need for methods for compensating interfering magnetic fields.

Method for compensating for interference of a measured angle signal of a magnetic angle sensor of an electric machine, a correspondingly designed microcontroller, an electric machine, and a computer program product


A nasal balm including, by weight, 10-50% of shea butter; 10-50% of coconut oil; 10-50% of Cera alba; 1-5% of grapefruit peel oil; 1-10% of Sclerocarya birrea seed oil; 1-10% of Moringa pterygosperma seed oil; and 1-10% of Simmondsia chinensis seed oil.

The disclosure relates to a nasal balm for relieving allergic rhinitis symptoms.
The treatment of pollen allergy mainly depends on steroids and antihistamines, but these drugs have side effects, such as drowsiness, depression and so on. Although the patients can wear masks to reduce allergens, long-term wearing masks adversely affects the respiration.

Nasal balm for relieving allergic rhinitis symptoms

SHENZHEN YUANGUANGZHOU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An ignition system for use with an engine is disclosed. The ignition system may have an igniter connected to selectively ignite a fuel mixture within the engine, an injector located to inject a non-combustible gas into the engine, and a controller in communication with the igniter and the injector. The controller may be configured to energize the igniter during a first mode of engine operation to ignite the fuel mixture, and cease energizing the igniter during a second mode of engine operation. The controller may also be configured to actuate the injector during the second mode of engine operation to promote auto-ignition of the fuel mixture.

Engines, including diesel engines, gasoline engines, gaseous fuel powered engines, and other engines known in the art ignite an air/fuel mixture to produce heat. In one example, fuel injected into a combustion chamber of the engine is ignited by way of a spark plug, a glow plug, or an AC/DC ignition source. The heat and expanding gases resulting from this combustion process are directed to displace a piston or move a turbine blade, both of which can be connected to a crankshaft of the engine. As the piston is displaced or the turbine blade is moved, the crankshaft is caused to rotate. This rotation is utilized to directly drive a device such as a transmission to propel a vehicle, or a generator to produce electrical power.
During operation of the engine described above, a complex mixture of air pollutants can be produced as a by product of the combustion process. These air pollutants are composed of, among other things, the oxides of nitrogen (NOX). Due to increased attention on the environment, exhaust emission standards have become more stringent and the amount of NOX emitted to the atmosphere from an engine is regulated depending on the type of engine, size of engine, and/or class of engine.
It has been established that a well-distributed combustion flame having a low flame temperature can reduce NOX production to levels compliant with current emission regulations. One way to generate a well-distributed flame with a low flame temperature is to introduce a lean air/fuel mixture into the combustion chambers of the engine. This lean mixture, when ignited, burns at a relatively low temperature. The lowered combustion temperature slows the chemical reaction of the combustion process, thereby decreasing the formation of NOX. As emission regulations become stricter, leaner and leaner mixtures are being implemented.
Although successful at reducing emissions, very lean air/fuel mixtures are difficult to ignite. That is, a conventional igniter (spark plug, glow plug, etc.) may be insufficient to initiate and/or maintain combustion of a mixture that has little fuel (compared to the amount of air present). As a result, the emission reduction available from a typical engine operated in a lean mode may be limited. In addition, conventional igniters suffer from low component life.
One attempt at improving combustion initiation of a lean air/fuel mixture is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,924 (the '924 patent), issued to Robel et al. on Feb. 6, 2007. The '924 patent discloses an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, and a piston slidably disposed within the combustion chamber. The piston is configured to reciprocate through a compression stroke to pressurize an air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine also has an air supply and a fuel supply in selective fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine further has a supply of non-combustible gas, and an injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the supply of non-combustible gas. The injector is configured to inject the non-combustible gas from the supply into the combustion chamber at a time during or just after completion of the compression stroke to cause auto-ignition of the pressurized air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. In one example, the non-combustible gas includes recirculated exhaust. In this manner, ignition of a lean air/fuel mixture may be possible without the use of a conventional igniter.
Although the engine of the '924 patent benefits from auto-ignition of a lean air/fuel mixture, improvements may still be possible. Specifically, in some situations such as during startup or cold operation, the injection of non-combustible gas may, alone, be insufficient to promote auto-ignition.
The disclosed ignition control system is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.

Ignition system utilizing igniter and gas injector


A remote data collection system, which may be used in a vehicle such as an aircraft or a ground vehicle, includes a directional sensor, such as one or more cameras, for sensing a characteristic of interest and providing sensor data. The system further includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for providing GPS data representative of the position of the sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for providing IMU data representative of the attitude of the sensor, a processing unit and a storage unit. The processing unit determines geographic data referenced to the sensor data in response to the GPS data and the IMU data. The processing unit may utilize an error model to determine IMU errors which may be used in determining the geographic data with high accuracy. The sensor data and the geographic data are stored in the data storage unit for subsequent use. The system may include a stabilized platform on which the sensor and the IMU are mounted. The stabilized platform is rotated about at least one axis of rotation to control the sensing direction of the sensor as the vehicle moves.

The remote sensing market originated with early satellites and goals of global monitoring of terrestrial activities. However, the cost of data and the response times for obtaining data has limited the broad applicability of imagery for use in day-to-day business operations. Nevertheless, for relatively small scale users, such as farmers, city planners, utilities managers and forest managers, the computerized geographic information system is recognized as the information integration tool of the future. Geographic information systems include computer tools for locating geographic coordinates of points within images, for overlaying maps and images, and for making quantitative measurements, such as areas, distances and precise locations of objects, from the images. Applications as diverse as (1) a farmer selecting chemical application strategies based upon expected crop yield predictions, (2) a tax assessor directing a manual inspection of an observed dwelling addition, or (3) assessing timber yields and timber harvest costs from multiple property tracts are but a few of the numerous potential applications of imagery and geographic information systems.
The profit structure of the agricultural industry is heavily dominated by the use of chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides), with a trend toward the use of more chemicals. However, since the EPA and world environmental organizations recognize long term hazards of unabated chemical treatments, chemical regulations are throttling the agricultural business. Of equal significance as populations increase, more land is cleared for farming, and reduced food yields per acre lead to higher deforestation and even greater threats to the environment. The recognized answer to these global scale problems is metered usage of chemicals, such that the chemicals are used where they are of maximum benefit. Metered chemical distribution systems are in wide use. However, the data to define the spatial metering values are lacking. Multispectral imagery with submeter resolution and spatial registration is required. The imagery must be available at low cost and with short response times to requests for imagery.
A satellite system known as the SPOT satellite, sponsored by the government of France, is representative of current operational satellite capabilities. This system provides 10 meter resolution panchromatic imagery or 20 meter resolution imagery in the visible/near infrared bands. Geodetic registration is accurate to 15 meters in the U.S. where ground control points are plentiful and well surveyed. Experience has shown that the response time for imagery requests is usually no better than 10 days. The drawbacks to satellite imagery include the potential for cloud coverage (2/3 of the earth is cloud covered), high costs and the inflexibility of satellite imagery collection systems. Custom tailored resolutions, spectral bands and responsiveness cannot be provided by satellite systems.
Airborne imagery is commonly used by many small scale users. Benefits of airborne imagery collection include tailorable resolution, response time and data processing methodology. Drawbacks include higher costs and the need to contract for a dedicated aircraft, flight crew and post-mission processing system.
A variety of airborne sensing and survey systems have been disclosed in the prior art. A survey system for obtaining geophysical data with aircraft using real time differential operation of the global positioning system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,711 issued Mar. 21,1989 to Olsen et al. An airborne system using two color video cameras and an IR imager head mounted below the fuselage of an aircraft is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,789 issued Nov. 24,1992 to Myrick. Latitude and longitude information obtained from the global positioning system is recorded on each image frame. A system including a CCD camera and a global positioning system receiver for recording an image signal and position information on magnetic tape is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,042 issued Nov. 30, 1993 to Tsuchiya et al. A technique for airborne imaging wherein multiple overlapping images are superimposed by observing a stationary object that appears in adjacent images is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,356 issued Sep. 21,1993 to Ciampa. A technique for generating high resolution images from a CCD camera in an aircraft is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,037 issued Oct. 5, 1993 to Busenberg. A technique for generating high resolution vidicon aerial images is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,756 issued Dec. 14,1993 to Busenberg. An airborne contour mapping system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,191,170 issued Jun. 22, 1965 to Lustig et al. A technique for remote sensing using inertial navigation systems and the global positioning system for referencing of remotely sensed data is described by K. P. Schwarz et al. in Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, Vol. 59, No. 11, Nov. 1993, pp. 1667-1674.
The examples above are characterized by components integrated tightly to the aircraft so that a dedicated aircraft is required. None of the prior art airborne imaging systems have been practical from the viewpoint of small scale users with respect to cost, resolution, flexibility and response time.

Airborne imaging system using global positioning system (GPS) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) data


A ferroelectric capacitor in which damage caused by etching exposed faces of a ferroelectric layer of the capacitor is compensated by depositing a seeding layer of ferroelectric material such as PZT on one or more exposed faces of the ferroelectric layer and depositing an electrode layer made of conductive material such as platinum on the seeding layer. An oxygen annealing recovery process is applied to the device. The seeding layer can transform the phase of the damaged surfaces from amorphous to crystalline during the recovery annealing process and, at the same time, provide the damaged surfaces of the ferroelectric layer with missing element(s), for example lead. The oxygen necessary for recovery of the damage may be obtained through the platinum layer from the oxygen atmosphere.

In general terms, ferroelectric capacitors are comprised of a ferroelectric layer sandwiched between two electrodes. The ferroelectric layer may be comprised of, for example, PZT, SBT or BLT. For horizontal ferroelectric capacitors, the layers are stacked in a horizontal manner starting with a lower electrode at the bottom followed by the ferroelectric layer and an upper electrode at the top. On the other hand, for a vertical ferroelectric capacitor structure, the electrodes are arranged vertically with the ferroelectric layer between two vertical electrodes A cross-sectional view of a conventional vertical ferroelectric capacitor is illustrated in FIG. 1. The vertical ferroelectric capacitor 1 includes a stack 20 comprised of a ferroelectric layer 2 sandwiched between a bottom insulating layer 4 and a top insulating layer 6, the vertical electrodes 16 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) are located on the sidewalls of the stack. The capacitor structure 1 is mounted on a substrate. In FIG. 1, the substrate is comprised of an interlayer dielectric layer 8 deposited over a semi-conductor substrate 10 such as Si. The semiconductor substrate 10 can be prepared with electrical components such as CMOS devices and the capacitor structure is connected to these devices via contact plugs (not shown) formed in the interlayer dielectric layer. Alternatively, the capacitor can also be formed on the semiconductor substrate without an interlayer dielectric layer. As shown in FIG. 1, the capacitor 1 is covered with an interlayer dielectric hard mask 12, normally Tetraethyl Orthosilicate (TEOS), and the capacitor is shaped according to the hard mask using an RIE (reactive ion etch) process to define the shape of the capacitor. As the etching process cuts through the ferroelectric layer 2, the side faces 14 of the capacitor exposed by the etching process are damaged by the etching gas and the ions. In particular, near the faces 14 exposed by etching, the ferroelectric layer will lose oxygen and maybe lead, and it may also change phase from crystalline to amorphous. Both of these defects are detrimental to the characteristics of the capacitor, and especially so for the vertical capacitor where the area exposed to the etching process is larger.
The conventional method of compensating for such damage is to deposit the electrodes 16, comprised of conductive material such as platinum, over the damaged surfaces 14 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) after the etching process. The device 1 is then heated in an oxygen atmosphere using a recovery annealing process. Oxygen seeps through the platinum layer 16 into the damaged wall faces 14 of the ferroelectric layer 2 and replaces the oxygen lost in the etching process and tends to reverse the phase change. However, there is no replacement for the loss of other elements, such as lead, so the compensation is only partial.
In view of the foregoing problems with conventional processes and devices, a need exists for a method for improved compensation for damage to a capacitor during the RIE process.

Ferroelectric capacitor devices and a method for compensating for damage to a capacitor caused by etching


To provide an air conditioner capable of operating devices in an outdoor unit by connecting an indoor unit, which is capable of transmitting operational commands and operational modes using simple ON/OFF signals to the outdoor unit, even if the indoor unit does not have transmission means for transmitting and receiving information between the outdoor unit, or the indoor unit has transmission means with a different data transmission protocol from the outdoor unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner and a method for controlling the outdoor unit, and more specifically, the invention relates to an outdoor unit that allows continuous use of an old indoor unit, for example, after the air conditioner is replaced with a new air conditioner.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known air conditioner has transmission means for transmitting operational command signals and information on the operational status between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Based on information from the transmission means, the known air conditioner controls a compressor, a blower of a heat exchanger, a four-way valve, and an expansion valve disposed inside the outdoor unit. Recently, air conditioners that save energy and have detailed functions are in general use. In particular, data communication protocols used between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of inverter type air conditioners have become complex and a wide variety of data communication protocols are in use (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-196443.

Outdoor unit of air conditioner and controlling method for the same

Abstract: When it is determined that only ON/OFF signals of operational commands and operation modes have been transmitted, the devices disposed inside the outdoor unit are independently controlled based on the ON/OFF signals.


An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrates a hybrid dynamic code compiling device having a parser, a native code generator, and a dynamic code rewriter, wherein the parser is coupled to the native code generator and the dynamic code rewriter. The parser receives and parses a first dynamic code to divide the first dynamic code into compilable blocks and non-compilable blocks. The native code generator generates a native code according to the compilable blocks. The dynamic code rewriter rewrites the non-compilable blocks to generate a second dynamic code, wherein the second dynamic code has function calls which communicate between the native code and the first dynamic code.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a dynamic code compiling device, in particular, to a hybrid dynamic code compiling device, a hybrid dynamic code compiling method, and a service system thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, the network and electronic technology develops rapidly, and by using a terminal device, people can easily browse the web page easily to obtain required service and information. The content of the web page can be edited by text markup language, such as hyper text markup language (HTML), so as to show the structured information (such as title, paragraph, and list table).
However, the text markup language is usually used to edit static or non-interactive web page, but hardly used to edit the dynamic or interactive web page. Thus, a dynamic directly compiling program language is provided, such as JavaScript®. JavaScript® is a dynamic, weak prototype, and prototype based language which can support built-in prototype. JavaScript® code can be embedded in the HTML web page, and can be written in a single file which has the auxiliary file name of "js", so as to easily achieve separation of structure and behavior. JavaScript® code can be used to embed the dynamic script in the HTML web page, response the browser event, access the element of the HTML web page, verify data before the data is sent to the server, detect browser information of the guest, or control cookies.
Currently, Mozilla® provides an optimization solution for JavaScript®, the content of a pre-defined file, named as "ASM.js", is compared with the received JavaScript® code, so as to convert the received JavaScript® code to C/C++ code through a low level virtual machine (LLVM). Therefore, the terminal device (such as the electronic device with iOs®, Windows®, or Android® system) can execute the C/C++ code to display the dynamic or interactive web page. However, when the received JavaScript® code does not exist in codebase of the pre-defined file, named as "ASM.js", the received JavaScript® code cannot be converted to the C/C++ code. That is, the optimization solution for JavaScript® provided by Mozilla® lacks of flexibility.
Furthermore, Google® provides a JavaScript® engine, called by V8 engine. Before the JavaScript® code is executed, the V8 engine does not direct compile the JavaScript® code, and does not compile the JavaScript® code to the byte code, but compiles the JavaScript® code to a machine code to increase the performance. However, the V8 engine still cannot avoid the time consumption for loading the JavaScript® code. In addition, the JavaScript® code itself cannot control the release of the memory space, and the memory leak may occur. Thus, the V8 engine is designed to have a garbage collection (GC) function.
The garbage collection is an automatic memory management mechanism. When the data of variables, objects, or strings stored in the dynamic memory is useless, the garbage collection is used to release the memory space occupied by the data. The garbage collection of different strategy can be stop-the-world (STW) garbage collection, concurrent garbage collection, or incremental garbage collection. When the system determines the garbage collection to be executed, the stop-the-world garbage collection stops executing the current program, and begins to execute the garbage collection. The concurrent garbage collection executes the garbage collection without stopping the program execution, but can merely execute the uncomplicated garbage collection by contrast, thus causing poor performance. The incremental garbage collection adopts the stop-the-world garbage collection and the concurrent garbage collection, and determines tradeoff of both of the stop-the-world garbage collection and the concurrent garbage collection. Thus, the incremental garbage collection usually executes uncomplicated garbage collection as the concurrent garbage collection, but when the system determines the complicated garbage collection to be executed, as the stop-the-world garbage collection, the incremental garbage collection stops executing the current program, and begins to execute the complicated garbage collection.
It is known that the stop-the-world garbage collection and the incremental garbage collection cannot be controlled externally, and the concurrent garbage collection may cause the poor performance. V8 engine currently adopts the incremental garbage collection to reduce the impact of the executing program interruption. However, when incremental garbage collection executes stop-the-world garbage collection, incremental garbage collection still cannot be controlled externally, and the executing program still may be stopped at unexpected time, thus causing the poor user experience.

Hybrid dynamic code compiling device, method, and service system thereof


A keyless entry touch pad system for a vehicle includes a substrate with a plurality of touch zones disposed on one surface of the substrate, and a plurality of electrode patterns disposed on the opposite surface. An inner electrode of each pattern is aligned with one of the touch zones. Each pattern is electrically coupled to an integrated control circuit, which outputs a signal to and energizes the electrodes of the pattern such that electric fields emanates therefrom. The electrode patterns may be capacitively coupled to the integrated control circuit. When the electric field of the inner electrode is disturbed by a stimulus proximate the corresponding touch zone, the component is activated. Upon activation of the components in a predetermined sequence, a controller causes the vehicle door to unlock. A method of unlocking a vehicle is also disclosed.

Keyless entry systems for vehicles allow users to lock or unlock the doors or trunk of a vehicle without a key. Remote keyless entry systems typically include a pocket-sized fob that includes several pushbuttons that unlock doors or the trunk and perform other functions through encoded RF signals transmitted to a vehicle-installed receiver. Door-mounted keyless entry systems typically include a keypad positioned near the door handle, enabling an authorized user of the vehicle to input a numeric code and thereby gain entry to the vehicle. Such keypads can be used to control other functions, as well.
Some conventional keypads include an array of mechanical switches that are mounted on the keypad and hard-wired to a control module. The keypad typically is fixed to the door panel. As such, the door panel typically includes an opening for receiving the keypad. This opening, if not adequately protected, may permit the surrounding metal panel to corrode and damage the exterior finish. In addition, the keypad itself includes openings for receiving the switches. These openings allow dirt, water and other contaminants to pass into and become trapped within the switch, potentially leading to electrical shorts and other malfunctions.
Other keyless systems use electronic or capacitive solid state switches. Unlike mechanical switches, electronic switches contain no moving parts to break or wear out. However, electronic switches may malfunction when contaminants such as water and debris are present on the touch surface. The contaminants may cause unintended switch actuations. Given that the exterior surface of a vehicle is exposed to a tremendous amount of water, dirt, road spray, and other contaminants, electronic switches have not proven reliable for keyless entry systems. Furthermore, many electronic switches respond to environments with electromagnetic interference (EMI) in unpredictable ways, and may not conform to increasingly rigid electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards.

Keyless entry touch pad system and method


An improved sensor assembly is provided that allows for close proximity detection of one or more objects by isolating a first sensor from a second sensor within the sensor assembly using isolation boots and a unique mounting structure. Each sensor has at least a portion positioned within an isolation boot, and the isolation boots are supported between a base plate and a support plate by one or more base plate ribs and one or more support plate ribs. The sensor is therefore prevented from otherwise contacting the base plate or the support plate.

Ultrasonic sensors have a wide variety of forms and function. One such form is an ultrasonic transducer, which is capable of converting an electric current into high frequency sound waves. Another form is an ultrasonic detector, which is capable of detecting high frequency sound waves and converting them into an electric signal. An ultrasonic transducer and ultrasonic detector may be used in combination with a processing device to detect the proximity of one or more objects. Specifically, one ultrasonic transducer may be configured for generating high frequency sound waves and directing them in a specific direction, while an ultrasonic detector may be configured for detecting any high frequency sound waves reflected back towards the sensors by one or more objects in proximity to the sensors. The distance of one or more objects may be determined by the amount of time between when the ultrasonic transducer sends out an ultrasonic sound wave, and when the ultrasonic detector detects a reflection of that sound waive.
Traditionally, such a combination of sensors has been employed by securing the sensors to a housing structure using a hot melt adhesive or a silicone potting compound. The housing structure could then be mounted in a variety of locations to detect the proximity of objects. Certain problems exist with this construction, however. Specifically, such construction may allow a prohibitive amount of ultrasonic signals, e.g., in the form of vibrations, to be transmitted through the housing from the ultrasonic transducer directly to the ultrasonic detector, without the ultrasonic signal first being reflected off a target. This is also referred to as crosstalk. Crosstalk may prevent the ultrasonic sensors' ability to detect the proximity of one or more objects within a close proximity of the sensor assembly.
As such, an ultrasonic sensor assembly that has one or more features that can improve the sensor's ability to detect one or more objects within a close proximity would be useful. More specifically, an ultrasonic sensor assembly that can reduce the amount of crosstalk between two sensors would be beneficial. Such an assembly that can reduce or eliminate crosstalk while positioning the two sensors in close proximity to each other would be particularly useful.


An antireflection hard coating film of the invention comprises: a transparent plastic film substrate; and at least one hard coating layer of a cured coating layer and at least one antireflection layer that are formed in this order on at least one side of the transparent plastic film substrate, wherein a hard coating layer-forming material contains 100 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylate group-containing curable compound (A) and 0.01 to 3 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylate group-containing reactive silicone (B), and an antireflection layer-forming material contains a siloxane component-containing compound, at the interface between the hard coating layer and the antireflection layer being in direct contact with each other. The antireflection hard coating film has good adhesion between the hard coating layer and the antireflection layer, high hardness, and good scratch resistance without a reduction in antireflection properties.

As LCDs, one of many types of image displays, have been technically improved to provide wide viewing angles, high resolution, high response, good color reproduction, and the like, applications of LCDs are spreading from laptop personal computers and monitors to television sets. In a basic LCD structure, two flat glass substrates each provided with a transparent electrode are opposed via a spacer to form a constant gap, between which a liquid crystal material is placed and sealed to form a liquid crystal cell, and a polarizing plate is adhered on the outside surface of each flat glass substrates. In a conventional technique, a glass or plastic cover plate is attached to the surface of a liquid crystal cell in order to prevent scratches on a polarizing plate bonded to the surface of the liquid crystal cell because of low scratch resistance of the polarizing plate. However, the placement of such a cover plate is disadvantageous in terms of cost and weight. Thus, a hard-coating process has gradually been used to treat the surface of polarizing plates. The hard-coating process is commonly conducted in a way such that a hard coating film comprising a transparent plastic substrate on which a hard coating layer is formed is provided on a side of a polarizing plate.
Besides, in a case where a hard coating film is adhered onto various kinds of image displays, visibility of a display is reduced by light reflection on a display surface, which is on a polarizing plate surface. Hence, more improvement on visibility is required to a hard coating film. In particular, visibility can be significantly reduced by surface reflection in various personal digital assistances such as car navigation monitors, video camera monitors, cellular phones, and PHS, which are frequently used in outdoor environments. Therefore, polarizing plates generally undergo an antireflection treatment. Particularly, polarizing plates to be installed in the personal digital assistances have to undergo an antireflection treatment.
The antireflection treatment is designed to reduce reflection as much as possible in the visible light range and thus generally includes forming a multilayered structure of thin films different in refractive index or a monolayer structure of a low refractive index material by a dry process such as vacuum deposition, sputtering and CVD or by a wet process with a die or a gravure roll coater. In general, an antireflection layer (low refractive index layer) with a monolayer structure is industrially used, because it can be produced with no complicated process and allows a cost reduction.
In a conventional antireflection hard coating film, however, an antireflection layer is composed of a thin film with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 μm, and the interlayer adhesion is weak. Such a film can easily cause failure at the interface with the hard coating layer and has difficulty in achieving satisfactory film strength and durability such as chemical resistance.
LCD applications have come to include home television sets, and thus it is easily expected that the users of general home television sets should handle LCD television sets in the same manner as in the case of glass CRT television sets. Therefore, there has been a demand for antireflection hard coating films with further improved hardness and improved film strength and chemical resistance.
In order to improve the film strength and chemical resistance, there is proposed a method in which the adhesion at the interface between stacked hard coating layer and antireflection layer is increased by various surface-modifying processes such as a corona discharge treatment (see Patent Literature 1 below). After coating, the strength and chemical resistance of the antireflection layer can be improved by these modification processes. However, the hard coating layer can often be unevenly processed, and when an antireflection layer is formed thereon by coating, uneven coating can often occur, which provides a problem for antireflection properties.
There is also proposed an antireflection hard coating film that includes a high refractive index hard coating layer mainly produced from an ionizing radiation-curable resin containing a reactive organosilicon compound, so that the antireflection layer can have excellent adhesion to the high refractive index hard coating layer (see Patent Literature 2 below). According to Patent Literature 2, however, the reactive organosilicon compound makes up 10 to 100% by weight of the resin components of the hard coating layer, and thus it is difficult to achieve satisfactory adhesion and hardness at the same time.
Patent Literature 1: JP-A No. 09-222503
Patent Literature 2: JP-A No. 09-226062

Antireflection hard coating film, optical element and image display


The surgical instrument consists of a pair of arms of different lengths hinged together at an intermediate point for relative pivoting movement. The arms are provided with obliquely oriented handles at one end thereof. The opposite ends of the arms support removable posts having means for removably securing a plurality of different surgical heads. A variety of heads and different shaped posts are provided to facilitate retraction in a wide variety of surgical procedures. A serrated locking mechanism is also provided to lock the arms in either a retraction or compression mode.

The invention relates, generally, to medical instruments and, more particularly, to a combined surgical retractor/compressor.
Retractors are used during surgery to retract tissue, spread ribs and perform similar functions. Compressors are used to compress and hold tissue, bone and the like. Both retractors and compressors typically include a pair of elongated arms pivotally connected intermediate their ends for relative motion. The arms are typically symmetrical and include either a retractor or compressor head fixed to the ends thereof designed to perform a specific surgical procedure.
While such devices are widely used, the symmetry of the arms limits their use and the fact that the heads are fixed to the arms necessitates the use of separate instruments for different surgical procedures. Moreover, retractors cannot be used for compression and compressors cannot be used for retraction. Thus, an improved surgical tool that can be used in a variety of surgical applications is desired.


A single fold collapsible container includes a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall, and terminating at an upper open end. The side wall has upper and lower portions separated by a peripheral fold line having a sideways S-shaped geometry such that the upper and lower portions are movable relative to one another between extended and collapsed positions. The one portion which is reverse foldable into the other portion has a thickness significantly less than the other portion.

Collapsible containers, drinking cups and the like are, of course, well known. For example, in applicant's own prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,644, a collapsible, thin film plastic container is disclosed wherein a major portion of the container side wall has a reduced wall thickness to permit random collapse of the side wall. In U.S. Pat. 4,865,211, a plastic bottle having a uniform wall thickness throughout the side wall, is configured to permit collapsing of the container through telescoping movement of one portion of the side wall into another portion of the side wall.
In U.S. Pat. 4,875,576, a container is disclosed wherein an intermediate portion of the side wall incorporates a bellows-type arrangement for facilitating collapse and extension of the container. The patent also discloses the use of helical creases which spiral or angle between first and second portions of the container side wall to facilitate collapsing action of the creased portion of the side wall.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,100, a bi-stable, expandable plastic bottle is disclosed which incorporates bellows-type side wall for movement between collapsed and extended positions.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,880,902, a collapsible drinking cup (or camera bellows) is disclosed wherein the side wall is composed of alternating thick and thin portions.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,226,551 and 5,417,337, there are disclosed a variety of collapsible plastic containers incorporating peripheral side walls usually having at least three axial sections including an upper section, an intermediate section and a lower section. The intermediate section has a significantly reduced wall thickness permitting the lower section to be pushed upwardly into the upper section with the intermediate section reverse folded therebetween. In addition, the diameters of the intermediate section and at least part of the lower section are smaller than the upper section to facilitate the folding or collapsing process.
Of particular concern in collapsible container construction are the transition areas (or annular fold lines) between adjacent thick and thin sections of the peripheral side wall. This is because these areas often determine the ease or difficulty with which the collapsing/folding action is initiated. In addition, prior constructions have not been completely satisfactory in that cracking and fracture of the polymer can occur at the annular fold lines upon repeated collapsing and expansion movements. It will be appreciated that consumer acceptance depends on reliability, ease of use, cost, etc., and therefore, concerns about ease of use, reliability and durability must be addressed satisfactorily.


A package (1) comprising an array (3) of compressed, flexible absorbent articles (5) that have a front face (7), a back face (9), a top face (6), a bottom face (8), side faces (10), an upper section (11) and a lower section (13). The upper and lower sections have mutually different compressibilities and calipers, and the absorbent articles are placed with the front and back faces in a contacting relationship. The package comprises a flexible outer casing (19). The array has a first region (15) and a second region (17) and the upper and lower sections of the absorbent articles are distributed over the first and second regions of the array in such a manner that the difference in the compression force F for compression of the first and second regions to between 20% and 70% of their uncompressed volume is at least 10% smaller than the difference in the compression force for compression of the first and second regions when all of the upper sections of the absorbent articles are located in the same region of the array.

It has been recognized that during compression packaging, local variations in compressibilities or calipers can result, which may lead to the flexible outer casing not being filled to an optimal extent. If a high degree of compaction occurs, certain areas of the absorbent articles can be affected, e.g., high compression resistant parts, mechanical fasteners, elasticized internal standup barrier cuffs, waist bands or elasticated side panels, and this can lead to either product damage or to reduced absorption performance.
When flexible disposable absorbent articles are compression packaged, volume changes occur which can lead both to "wedge-like" shapes and to the absorbent articles in the centre of the array being squeezed out. To counteract such an effect, special confinement measures are taken to stabilize the array at its side faces in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compression. As a consequence, the speed of compression packaging is reduced. In addition, the difference in the compressibilities or calipers of parts of the absorbent articles may lead to relatively unstable and easily deformable packages. Therefore, for the purposes of storage of such unstable packages in a shape-stable stack, rectangular load bearing cartons are employed.
From EP-A-0618148 a compressed array of flexible articles is known, which comprises one or more unit packages that are maintained in their compressed state by a paper wrapping. The whole compressed array is encircled in a flexible covering made from a film of thermoplastic material. The application also discloses an alternative type of unit package where the flexible articles are folded and packed in a "head-to-tail" configuration. There is however no suggestion that the compressed state of the array could be maintained even in the alternative configuration without the presence of the individual paper wrappings. Moreover, in order to get access to the products, the consumer has to tear open the outer plastic flexible covering and remove the inner paper wrapping across the width of the products.
In view of the above problems, the present invention seeks to provide a package comprising an array of compressed, flexible absorbent articles that:
o makes efficient use of the available packaging volume by redistributing the orientation of the absorbent articles before compression packaging; PA1 o can be compressed to a relatively small volume without causing damage or a significant reduction in the performance of the absorbent articles; PA1 o reduces the free space inside shipping units (corrugated cases); allows use of ISO modular cases and increases pallet usage; PA1 o is stable with regards to shape (tending towards a rectangular design for a better fit when the package is displayed e.g. on supermarket shelves) and has an improved appearance; PA1 o allows for easier consumer access to the single absorbent articles contained in the flexible outer casing when opened. PA1 o eliminates the need for inner shapes/compression maintaining means such as e. g. paper wrapping
The invention further discloses a relatively simple and reliable method for compression packaging of an array of flexible absorbent articles at high speed.

Package comprising an array of compressed absorbent articles


A service enhancement to emergency-911 capability involves a new entity termed an EESP which implements and operates a system that communicates subscriber-specific emergency information portably linked to subscriber identity in a timely fashion to emergency care providers.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,484 B1, issued Jun. 3, 2003, to Carley ('484 patent) discloses a method for emergency service information access via a wireless telephone. The '484 patent, however, fails to disclose subscriber emergency information available across various different telecommunications platforms and architectures, including VoIP, and fails to associate subscriber identity to subscriber emergency information independently of the communication device, network, or platform, used to access the subscriber information.
Security system and home monitoring providers such as ADT offer subscriber's security and emergency services based on proprietary methods that do not tie into E-911 calls in the telephone/VoIP network. Through proprietary security systems in the home, a call may be triggered to a security provider, who then contacts an emergency care provider on behalf of the user as deemed necessary.
Emergency solutions provided by home monitoring providers such as Brinks offer a two-step process in which the service dials for medical or fire assistance on behalf of the user. The service, however, does not extend to roadside emergency assistance such as required in a traffic accident. On the other hand, telematics providers, such as GM's Onstar®, assist with roadside emergency automatically for cases when airbags get deployed. These and similar services are specialized, niche services that do not encompass all emergency or non-emergency situations, may or may not federate emergency data and do not work implicitly with every 911 call from any device over any network.
An Enhanced Emergency Service Provider (EESP) and an enhanced emergency information service as provided by the present invention has not been described or implemented in the PSTN or an IP based environment. From a subscriber standpoint, the lack of an EESP requires that an individual subscribe to multiple services (such as ADT, Onstar, and the like) to avail the same benefits as the invention. Various embodiments of the invention are selectively realized in a variety of architectural options in the PSTN and VoIP worlds, including wireline, wireless or data environments.
There is a need, therefore, for systems, methods and services to portably access subscriber emergency information, and to correlate subscriber identity with subscriber emergency information, independently of the communication device, network, or platform.


Methods, systems and devices are provided for efficiently receiving and displaying content in a mobile computing device. The computing device's reception and decoding operations are adjusted to match the capabilities of available device resources and/or to meet battery consumption needs/requirements. Higher level components (e.g., application layer components) selectively pull data from lower-level components (e.g., physical-layer or adaptation-layer components). The quality of video displayed is intelligently balanced against the amount of resources available, and a subset of the video data sufficient to display the content is pulled from the lower layer, providing users with an optimal balance between content quality and power consumption.

Wireless communication technologies have seen explosive growth over the past few years. Wireless service providers now offer their customers an array of services, and provide users with unprecedented levels of access to information, resources, and communications. To keep pace with these service enhancements, mobile electronic devices (e.g., cellular phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) have become more powerful and complex than ever. Mobile electronic devices now commonly include multiple processors, system-on-chips (SoCs) and other resources (e.g., power rails, memory, etc.) that allow mobile device users to execute complex and power intensive software applications (e.g., video processing software) on their mobile devices. These greatly deplete the mobile device's battery life, and the efficient utilization of mobile device resources is becoming an ever more important design consideration.

Technique for adapting device tasks based on the available device resources


In a printing apparatus including two types of sheet storage unit, one capable of detecting a size of a sheet and the other not capable of detecting a size of a sheet, a possibility of outputting a print product which is not intended by a user is reduced. A method for controlling a printing apparatus includes feeding a sheet from a first sheet storage unit, feeding a sheet from a second sheet storage unit, and performing control to feed a sheet in such a way that a sheet is fed preferentially from a second sheet storage unit which is provided with a sensor for detecting a size of a sheet rather than from a first sheet storage unit which is not provided with a sensor for detecting a size of a sheet based on whether each sheet storage unit is provided with a sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a method for controlling the printing apparatus, and a storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a printing apparatus includes a plurality of sheet storage units and conveys a sheet from one of the sheet storage units for printing an image on the conveyed sheet.
Some of these printing apparatuses have an automatic sheet selection function. The automatic sheet selection function refers to a function that finds a sheet storage unit which stores sheets of desired size for printing from among the sheet storage units and selects the found sheet storage unit as a sheet storage unit to be used for printing. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-301047 discusses a printing apparatus which assigns priority to each of a plurality of sheet storage units, and the printing apparatus checks the sheet storage units, beginning with the highest-priority sheet storage unit, to determine whether sheets of a desired size for printing are stored.
Such a printing apparatus conveys a sheet from a sheet storage unit selected by the automatic sheet selection function, and prints an image on the conveyed sheet.
A sheet conveyance distance from a plurality of sheet storage units to an image forming unit of a print engine varies according to the respective sheet storage units. For higher printing productivity, a conventional printing apparatus preferentially selects a sheet storage unit nearer to the image forming unit.
Conventional sheet storage units are classified into two types. One type of sheet storage unit includes a sensor that can detect the size of stored sheets, and the other type of sheet storage unit cannot detect the size of stored sheets. Each type of sheet storage unit has advantages and disadvantages.
A sheet storage unit that can detect the size of stored sheets detects the size of a sheet by the sensor and eliminates the need for a user to specify the size of sheets that are set in the sheet storage unit. However, an additional cost is required for installation of the sensor in the printing apparatus.
On the other hand, a sheet storage unit that cannot detect the size of stored sheets requires the user to manually specify the size of sheets that are set in the sheet storage unit. However, the cost of the printing apparatus can be kept low since there is no need for installing the sensor.
Some printing apparatuses include both of the two types of sheet storage units described above.
For example, one is a sheet storage unit originally equipped in the printing apparatus and includes no sensor therein, and the other is a sheet storage unit which is added as an optional device and includes a sensor for detecting the size of a sheet.
In such a printing apparatus, the originally equipped sheet storage unit is nearer to the image forming unit. This means that the automatic sheet selection function preferentially selects the sheet storage unit which cannot detect the size of stored sheets as a sheet storage unit to be used for printing. However, because a user manually specifies size information for a sheet storage unit that cannot detect the size of stored sheets, the user may sometimes make a mistake in setting the information. A mismatch between the size information set to the sheet storage unit and the size of an actually stored sheet produces an unintended print result such as an occurrence of an image defect or printing of a smaller image in relation to the size of the sheet.
One possible solution to this issue is to make a setting to remove the sheet storage unit which cannot detect the size of stored sheets from a selectable target of the automatic sheet selection function. However, such a setting reduces the number of selectable targets by the automatic sheet selection function, and may increase a possibility that printing will stop because no sheet for printing is found.

Printing apparatus that selects paper tray with priority based on presence or absence of sensor


Inductive transfer methods and structures combine, in a single system, at least two of the three functions of transferring power, communicating data, and sensing position with a vehicle on a guideway. A set of conductors is installed on the guideway to inductively couple a multiplicity of diverse signals with a corresponding set of conductors on the vehicle. The vehicle may be moving or stationary, and signals may be coupled in one or both directions. Coupling is effected without direct electrical contact, through a common region or gap, and the structures provide suitable and precise air gap control for the conductors effecting coupling of each signal. In addition, the windings are arranged with a topology and/or symmetry to cancel crosstalk between different signals.

The invention pertains to guideway operated vehicles and, more particularly, to the transfer of electrical signals to a moving vehicle via electromagnetic inductance, without the need for mechanical contact between the vehicle and the guideway. The signal transferred can be used for power, communication or position sensing without deleterious interaction between the various signal.
Transferring electric power to a moving vehicle is an important problem that has been solved in many ways over more than a century of technological development. The most common method is to use sliding contacts, as is done for electric trains, trolley buses and some types of industrial material handling equipment. However, even a vehicle moving on a guideway may move a significant fraction of a meter with respect to the centerline of the guideway, affecting its signal lines or pickup positioning. Typically, a trolley bus uses poles to collect power via sliding contacts, and the contacting system must be mechanically guided separately from the way the vehicle is guided. This method is relatively inexpensive and versatile, but is not suited to very high speeds or to applications where exposed conductors or electrical sparks are not acceptable. An alternate method is to use xe2x80x9cfestoonsxe2x80x9d, i.e., flexible cables. This method works well when the range of motion is limited but is not suitable for vehicles traveling long distances.
Electromagnetic radiation can be used to transfer power long distances at frequencies from microwaves to visible radiation, but this method is not applicable for vehicles that move long distances, often in tunnels or enclosed areas. Other methods have been demonstrated, such as electric arc discharge, but by far the most common alternate method is to use magnetic induction. This is a very old technology, and is the basis of expired patents and also several recent patents including: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,800,328; 4,836,344; 5,293,308; 5,450,305; 5,467,718; 5,528,113; 5,551,350; 5,619,078; 5,709,291; 5,821,638; 5,839,554; 5,898,579 and 5,939,554.
Communication with a moving vehicle is also an important problem that has been approached in many ways. The most common method is radio communication, such as with cellular telephones or leaky waveguides, but sliding contacts and flexible cables can be used and have many of the same advantages and disadvantages as for transferring power. Inductive transfer of communication signals has been suggested, though bandwidth has proven to be a limitation.
Sensing the position of a moving vehicle is still another very common problem and one that has many solutions, each with major shortcomings. The recent implementation of the Global Position Sensing system has allowed revolutionary changes in this field, but GPS is not a universal panacea. It does not work in tunnels or in the shadow of tall buildings, and its accuracy is limited. The use of differential GPS allows position location to an accuracy of a fraction of a meter, but even this is not adequate for stopping vehicles in stations, for controlling synchronous motors or for common robotic control tasks. Inductive signal transfer has been used successfully and offers many advantages, particularly for vehicles moving on a guideway. However, some inductive transfer technologies require the vehicle to be moving in order to achieve inductive transfer, and this is not acceptable for many applications.
Typically, several of the above tasksxe2x80x94power transfer, communication and position sensingxe2x80x94must be performed for the same vehicle. For example, overhead cranes need power for operating hoists, but they also need to be move along a guideway and be controlled, so that communication must also be implemented. A system such as an Automated People Mover (APM) needs power for propulsion and could benefit from having a communication system for electronic control voice communication. Position sensing is also required for many such applications. To date, the prior art has pieced together disparate systems to accomplish these different tasks, often introducing complicating factors.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved system and method for powering, locating and/or communicating with a vehicle on a pathway.
It is another object of the invention to provide a simple and effective method and structure to transfer signals of different types with a vehicle on a guideway.
It is another object of the invention to provide a system and method for any of locating and/or communicating with a vehicle with a linear synchronous motor.
One or more of the foregoing desirable objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing an inductive coupling structure for a plurality of signals to effect, in a single system, at least two of the three functions of transferring power, communicating data, and sensing position. In illustrative embodiments, this is done by installing a guideway winding, or set of conductors on a guideway, in such a way that a multiplicity of diverse signals are inductively coupled between the guideway winding and a corresponding vehicle winding, or set of conductors, constituting a transducer assembly that is carried by a vehicle positioned on the guideway.
Aspects of the invention achieve do-coupling between the different signals, allowing such a single-pickup implementation, aplicable to a broad range of guideway-equipment systems. The vehicle may be moving or stationary, and the signals may be coupled in one or both directions. Coupling can be effected without direct electrical contact, through a common region or gap, and the structure provides suitable and precise air gap control for the conductors effecting coupling of each signal. In addition, the windings can be arranged with a topology and/or symmetry to reduce crosstalk or minimize interference between different signals. Aspects of the invention employ patterned conductors on one or more circuit boards to define either or both of the transducer and guideway windings, thus achieving a modular and precise construction.
The coupling conductor or winding for one signal can create a symmetric, periodic or antisymmetric flux pattern that induces at least partially self-canceling and preferably a substantially nulled, signal in the coupling conductor or winding for a different signal. The coupling system arranges sets of inductively coupled conductors with a symmetry that permits two or all three of these signal coupling functions to be done simultaneously with a single transducer structure while avoiding crosstalk or deleterious coupling between the different functions. Preferred implementations utilize conductive patterns on a circuit board, and the board may be shaped to interfit with the mechanical or magnet structure of a linear motor to provide a modular and effective pathway-vehicle system.
Inductive power transfer is preferably carried out at a frequency on the order of ten to fifty kHz at relatively high power levels, typically many watts or even kilowatts or megawatts. The data communication is effected with signal energy of a higher frequency, typically greater than about one MHz, and may involve power levels on the order of a watt, or even less. Inductive position sensing can be done with carrier frequencies that cover the whole range used by both power transfer and communication. The inductive transfer structure of the invention places diverse ones of these signals on a common magnetic structure such that two or more of the signals are effectively multiplexed or simultaneously coupled without mutual interference.
The frequency differences may allow processing techniques such as filtering and demodulation to be of some use in separating different signals, but inductive coupling necessarily creates stray fields, and these present a primary obstacle to inductively coupling plural signals across a localized region, particularly when these include power signals. Aspects of the invention employ symmetry in different forms to achieve cancellations of unwanted signals. The symmetry arrangements may include methods or structures wherein conductors for signals of a first type are arranged and positioned so tho fluxes they generate are oppositely-directed in the vicinity of the coupling conductors for signals of a second type, where tie second coupling conductors are arranged in crosstalk-canceling pairs. Aspects of the invention also contemplate serpentine or zig-zag cult windings that define a periodic pattern of flux regions of alternating polarity, simple loop windings, and multiply-connected or figure-of-eight windings that may be placed in shifted or aligned positions, or otherwise arranged to induce desired signals or null undesired signals. Specific illustrative examples are discussed below.
An aspect of the invention provides for fabricating the inductive coupling systems of the invention using printed circuit technology to define non-interfering winding patterns. This allows precise and relatively complex winding configurations to be made inexpensively on a printed circuit board. Alternate aspects accommodate two or even all three of the desired functions, and may offer improved performance of individual functions beyond the combination of signal coupling. For example, in one important application, position of a vehicle is detected with very high precision, which may be to an accuracy on the order of a micrometer, by manufacturing position coupling conductors on a printed circuit with high precision windings and with registration features that define position with very high accuracy. By sensing the temperature of the circuit board, correction for position errors due to thermal expansion ad contractions of the board may further increase the precision.
In a system combining position sensing with high-speed digital communication, such a printed circuit can be fabricated with additional windings implemented as conductive lead patterns that allow high frequency carriers, modulated by communication signals, to be inductively coupled while nulling interactions with the position sensing conductors.
In another system that transfers power signals at a level of several watts, the power transfer winding can be constructed on a printed circuit board with a conventional etched metallization. For a system of higher power level, i e., carrying a current level greater than the capacity or rating of a conventional printed circuit, a wire winding is bonded to the circuit board substrate, and the board portion provides support and interconnect capability.
The different types of conductor patterns may all be on a common board, or may be on separate boards. Further, the guideway conductor assembly, the vehicle conductor assembly, or both may be entirely or partly implemented as circuit board patterns.
In yet another aspect, the position sensing assembly may be incorporated in and used for control of a linear synchronous motor. A printed circuit may advantageously be formed with cut-outs or slots to adapt the entire printed circuit board to fit in the slots of the iron stator of the linear motor, which thus provides a defined gap and ferromagnetic flux coupling elements for coupling windings on the board to couple position signals.
The foregoing and other aspects of the invention are evident in the drawings and in the text that follows.

System for inductive transfer of power, communication and position sensing to a guideway-operated vehicle


A method of vascular testing includes inflating a cuff at a vascular location, controllably deflating the cuff, producing a pressure waveform while deflating the cuff, and producing an output representing a pressure at which blood flow returns, while deflating the cuff, based upon analysis of the pressure waveform. Further, a testing system for measuring vascular pressures according to the present invention includes a pressure applicator, a pressure sensor, and a diagnostic test unit. The pressure applicator is positionable along exterior portions of a human body for dynamically applying pressure to a desired vascular location. The pressure sensor is capable of detecting oscillations in a pressure at the pressure applicator. The testing system is capable of determining a peak pressure oscillation amplitude, and is also capable of determining, as a function of the peak pressure oscillation amplitude, a pressure of a return of flow at the desired vascular location as pressure applied to the desired vascular location by the pressure applicator is lessened.

Blood pressure measurement is generally referred to as sphygmomanometry. Segmental sphygmomanometry is measurement of blood pressures at different portions, or segments, of a patient's body. Often, bilateral vascular measurements are taken along symmetrical segments of a patient's body, for instance, left and right ankles, and left and right forearms. Segmental sphygmomanometry allows comparisons of blood pressures between segments and between symmetrically paired locations, which can provide information as to conditions of corresponding blood vessels. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition where fatty deposits (or plaque) collect along walls of blood-carrying arteries. PAD is also known as atherosclerosis or the hardening of arteries. PAD is associated with a high risk of both fatal and nonfatal ischemic events, such as myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and other thromboembolic events. However, once detected, plaque buildup associated with PAD can often be stopped or reduced.
One important and well-known blood pressure indicator is the ankle-brachial index (ABI). The ABI provides a ratio of a systolic blood pressure in a patient's ankle divided by a systolic blood pressure in the patient's arm. ABI readings that fall outside of a normal range (e.g., outside about 0.91 to about 1.30) and asymmetrical bilateral ABI readings (e.g., ABI readings that differ significantly between left and right limbs) are indicators that assist in diagnosis of PAD.
Segmental sphygmomanometry can be conducted at a vascular lab using non-invasive testing equipment. However, many patients do not undergo regular vascular testing. Moreover, PAD is generally under-diagnosed. Yet it is desirable to diagnose PAD prior to an ischemic event. More robust diagnoses of PAD are possible with the aid of segmental blood pressure testing in a primary care environment. Primary care is basic or general care usually given by doctors who work with general and family medicine, internal medicine (internists), pregnant women (obstetricians), and children (pediatricians). In addition, a nurse practitioner (NP), a State licensed registered nurse with special training, can also provide this basic level of health care. A substantial obstacle to providing segmental blood pressure testing in the primary care environment is the complexity of testing procedures and testing equipment.
Known segmental blood pressure testing equipment can include multiple pressure cuffs and multiple flow sensors, all of which require proper connection to testing control equipment and proper positioning relative to a patient's body. Generally, a segmental testing procedure is conducted as follows. A number of blood pressure cuffs are simultaneously placed on the extremities on which the pressure measurements are to be performed. Three locations are typically included: arm, ankle and toe. A flow sensor, such as a Doppler flow sensor, is placed over a desired artery distal to the inflated cuff. Then, in order to obtain a pressure measurement at a cuff, the cuff is inflated to a pressure higher than the patient's systolic blood pressure. The precise pressure level to which a cuff is inflated is determined by medical personnel (i.e., the primary care provider) operating the testing equipment. Inflation of a cuff temporarily halts blood flow at that cuff. Then the pressure in the cuff is gradually lowered by medical personnel, and a pressure reading is taken at the appearance of a distal blood flow (i.e., a return of blood flow), which is detectable with the flow sensor as a point of apparition of a pulsating waveform generated on a display screen of the testing equipment or as an audible nock.
Improper use of segmental blood pressure testing equipment due to inadequate training and incorrect technique can undermine diagnostic utility of the testing procedure. For instance, the flow sensor must be properly positioned relative to vasculature to obtain accurate results. Primary care providers can be overburdened by the use of complex segmental blood pressure testing equipment. Mover, documentation of vascular data is subjective, because operators select return of flow pressures based upon the appearance of an audible nock or by waveform interpretation. This presents an obstacle to obtaining accurate vascular test data in the primary care environment. Complexity and variability of prior art systems prevents primary care providers from integrating diagnostic procedure and practice, thereby inhibiting disease detection.
Diagnoses of cardiovascular conditions may require interpretation of vascular test data by a specialist. Vascular testing conducted in a primary care environment may require interpretation by a physician qualified in an appropriate specialty who is in a location physically remote from the primary care environment. Intercommunication of test data and test interpretation becomes important in providing quick diagnoses.
It is therefore desired to provide a vascular sensing system that is sufficiently easy to use in a primary care environment, so that primary care providers, such as technologists and primary care physicians, can reliably and accurately perform testing and acquire cardiovascular data. It is further desired to provide vascular test data to a qualified interpreting physician, who may be at a location remote from the primary care environment, thereby facilitating a diagnosis by a physician qualified in an appropriate specialty.
Thus, a reliable and accurate vascular testing system is needed that easily permits non-invasive measurement of vascular pressure characteristics in a primary care environment for assisting diagnosis of vascular conditions.


A Schlieren imaging system can comprise a digital display configured to provide a background for Schlieren imaging, a cutoff filter onto which the background is focused, and a camera configured to image the cutoff filter and the background to facilitate Schlieren imaging. A calibration method for the Schlieren imaging system can comprise forming a pixel image on a digital display, focusing the pixel image on the cutoff filter, imaging the cutoff filter and the pixel image with a camera; and moving the pixel image with respect to the cutoff filter to align the pixel image with respect to the cutoff filter to facilitate Schlieren imaging. Thus, alignment of the Schlieren imaging system can be substantially simplified.

Schlieren imaging is well known. Schlieren imaging is a technique for visualizing wavefront distortions or "phase objects" in transparent media. Schlieren imaging can be used to characterize such physical parameters as temperature, density, and pressure. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, such parameters are important in aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, and various other branches of engineering. Schlieren imaging facilitates the formation of an image using light rays that pass by a sharp cutoff filter. The filter is arranged so that the ray intensity has a steep derivative along the edge of the filter. This arrangement allows small deviations in the path of the light rays to produce a large change in the intensity of an image with respect to the intensity of the image caused by undeviated light rays.
Classical Schlieren systems use light collimated by optics such as mirrors or lenses. The use of such optics substantially limits the area under test to approximately the size of the optics. An important improvement with respect to the original Schlieren concept is the complementary-grid focusing Schlieren system. The complementary-grid focusing Schlieren system uses the same edge filtering. However, instead of using collimated light, the complementary-grid focusing Schlieren system images a background grid pattern onto a complementary opaque cutoff filter such that the cutoff filter edges lie along the edges of the background grid pattern. The target object is imaged in a different plane with respect to the cutoff filter, as facilitated by the camera objective. The focusing approach generally allows for obtaining Schlieren imaging through much larger areas without using excessively large optics. Such techniques thus generally require less expensive equipment as compared to classical collimated-light Schlieren systems and can more easily be scaled up to cover large areas. However, such techniques tend to be more difficult to set up and align as compared to classical collimated-light Schlieren systems.
Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.


This distribution device comprises a syringe body (30), a distributor (32), a feed tube (56) for a first active medical fluid opening into the syringe body (30), a tube (60) for the injection of this active fluid connected to a distal extremity (46) of the syringe body (30), a pressurized tube (64) designed to be connected to a patient through a pressurized line (12) and a tube (66) for the measurement of venous or arterial pressure. The pressurized, injection and measurement tubes open into a chamber (62) bounded within the body (32B) of the distributor (32). The device (2) comprises a flush tube (68) which is at least partly bounded by the body (32B) of the distributor (32), which opens into the chamber (62) and is fitted with a valve (70, 80) which can be operated manually.

This invention relates to a distribution device for a system for the delivery of medical fluids to a patient. It also relates to a kit for injection of a contrast product into the human body.
This type of distribution device is in particular used in the course of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in interventional radiology. In fact in this particular context doctors inject a contrast product into the patient's arteries or veins, checking the pressure of the artery into which the product is introduced from time to time. For this purpose the doctor creates a system for delivery of the contrast fluid to the patient using a set of flexible tubes connected to different tubes or channels in the distribution device.
In the course of these interventional radiology procedures it is frequently necessary to clean at least part of the distribution device, in particular the tube and the catheter attached thereto which delivers the contrast product to the patient, because of that fluid's tendency to set and deposit on the walls of the tube and the catheter after being immobile for some time. For this purpose the distribution devices incorporate a line known as a "rinsing" or "flush" line in which a saline solution or serum which is designed to carry off the contrast product previously used circulates under pressure.
A first type of distribution device appropriate for such an application comprises an assembly of at least two three-way taps mounted in series. Each of the taps comprises a separate manual control member.
In order that the contrast fluid may be injected, one of the channels of the first tap is connected by a line to the patient fitted with a catheter. The remaining channel of the same tap is connected to a pressure sensor connected to the flush line. A first channel of the second tap is connected to a reservoir of contrast product. A suction and injection syringe is connected to the second channel of the second tap.
The two taps make it possible to define two connection configurations between the various components of the system, these two configurations being used successively and repeatedly. In a first configuration the syringe is connected to the reservoir of contrast product while the pressure sensor is connected to the patient. In this first configuration contrast fluid may be drawn off by the doctor using the syringe and the flush liquid circulates to the patient. In the second configuration the bottle containing the contrast fluid, as well as the pressure sensor and the flush line, are isolated from the system, while the syringe is placed in communication with the patient. In this second configuration the doctor can inject contrast fluid into the patient. It will be understood that when using a distribution device comprising an assembly incorporating two three-way taps mounted in series the doctor will have to operate the two taps whenever he wishes to change the system between the two useful configurations. This manipulation is a source of error, in particular because the doctor may forget to operate one of the two taps. In addition to this the doctor must use both hands, one to hold the body of the taps and the other to operate the two controls for the taps in succession, rendering the operation relatively long.
A second type of distribution device suitable for the aforesaid application comprises a distributor incorporating a body which bounds internally a fluid circulation chamber into which there open an injection tube for the contrast medium, a pressure measurement tube connected to an arterial or venous pressure measurement line and a pressurised tube, sometimes called the "patient tube" connected to a line provided with a catheter to deliver the contrast fluid to the patient's artery or vein. Using a movable slide located within the chamber the doctor selectively connects the tube under pressure with either the injection tube or the pressure measuring tube. So that injection may be performed under sufficient pressure, the injection tube is connected to the distal extremity of a syringe body into which there opens a contrast fluid feed tube connected to a reservoir for that product. In order that at least the tube under pressure and the line connected thereto may be flushed, the flush line is connected to the pressure measuring tube and is provided with a closing member of the non-return valve type so that the flush solution can run through the tube under pressure connected to the patient when that tube is connected to the pressure tube via the slide chamber, by using a driving pump located in the flush line.
It will be understood that with such a distribution device the doctor must at the same time check that the movable slide within the chamber is in the correct position and that the pump driving the saline solution is correctly operating each time it is desired to flush the device.
Although this manipulation is simpler than that for a device having several taps, it remains difficult, in particular because the doctor may incorrectly adjust the flush fluid driving pump and thus disturb movements of the slide within the connecting chamber of the distributor. In addition to this manipulation of the pump is relatively time-consuming, particularly as it is not necessarily located close to the doctor, whose hands are holding the distribution device which has to be flushed.

Distribution device for a supply network for supply of medical fluids to a patient


An ultrasonic diagnostic system includes electroacoustic conversion means in which a plurality of sub-arrays, each composed of a plurality of electroacoustic transducers, are arranged at least two-dimensionally, sub-beam formers that are provided on the sub-array basis, and a main beam former for subjecting signals output from the sub-beam formers to delay addition. Each sub-beam former generates signals having polarities different from each other from each of received signals from the electroacoustic transducers in the sub-array, obtains a first signal and a second signal that are obtained by controlling amplitudes of signals having different polarities generated from the received signals from the electroacoustic transducers in the sub-array, followed by adding, imparts a delay time difference corresponding to a quarter of one period of the received signal between the first signal and the second signal by first delay means composed of a capacitor memory provided inside, and adds the first signal and the second signal to which the delay time difference is imparted. The ultrasonic diagnostic system with this configuration is capable of phasing a received signal with high precision.

As shown in FIG. 4, a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic system includes a two-dimensional array 107 in which a sub-array 105 composed of vibrators 101, 102, and a sub-array 106 composed of vibrators 103, 104 are arranged two-dimensionally. Received signals from the vibrators 101, 102 constituting the sub-array 105 respectively are input to amplifying sections 108, 109, and the amplifying sections 108, 109 output a non-inverted output signal (+) and an inverted output signal (−).
The non-inverted output signal (+) and the inverted output signal (−) output from the amplifying section 108 respectively are supplied to variable amplitude sections 110, 111 via a cross point switch 181. Furthermore, the non-inverted output signal (+) and the inverted output signal (−) output from the amplifying section 109 respectively are supplied to the variable amplitude sections 112, 113 via a cross point switch 191.
A signal output from the variable amplitude section 110 and a signal output from the variable amplitude section 112 are added to be input to a +45-degree phase shifter 114. Further, a signal output from the variable amplifier 111 and a signal output from the variable amplifier 113 are added to be input to a −45-degree phase shifter 115.
The output signals from the +45-degree phase shifter 114 and the −45-degree phase shifter 115 are added to be input to a main beam former 118.
As described above, the amplifying sections 108, 109, the cross point switches 181, 191, the variable amplitude sections 110, 111, 112, 113, the +45-degree phase shifter 114, and the −45-degree phase shifter 115 constitute a sub-beam former 116.
Furthermore, received signals from the vibrators 103, 104 constituting the sub-array 106 are input to a sub-beam former 117. It should be noted that the internal configuration of the sub-beam former 117 is the same as that of the sub-beam former 116. The signals output from the sub-beam formers 116 and 117 are subjected to delay addition by the main beam former 118, and are input to the signal processing section 119. The signal input to the signal processing section 119 is processed to be converted to an image signal, and displayed on a display section 120.
In the above-mentioned configuration of the sub-beam formers 116 and 117, the amplitudes of the received signals are controlled by the cross point switches 181, 191 and the variable amplitude sections 110 to 113, whereby the phases of the received signals are controlled, and the received signals from the vibrators in the sub-array are phased (e.g., see Patent document 1).
Patent document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,032 (col. 8-10, FIGS. 6, 7, and 9)