A long-acting super-hydrophobic coating resistant to water pressure impact and preparation method thereof. The long-acting super-hydrophobic coating includes a conductive substrate and the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1 part to 10 parts of titanium source or zinc source, 40 parts to 100 parts of deionized water, 20 parts to 50 parts of hydrochloric acid or 20 parts to 40 parts of sodium hydroxide, 1 part to 10 parts of electrolyte, 1 part to 10 parts of low surface energy modifier, 10 parts to 20 parts of high molecular polymer, 1 part to 5 parts of carbon nanotube and 70 parts to 100 parts of organic solvent. The long-acting super-hydrophobic coating has an organic-inorganic nano-interpenetrating network structure, which improves the stability of the multi-stage nano-micro structure, so that the super-hydrophobic coating surface has a good high-pressure water impact resistance and high-pressure static water resistance.

In recent years, the super-hydrophobic surface prepared by inspiration of the hydrophobic surface in nature has become a research hotspot in scientific research and industrial production due to its good anti-corrosion, wear-resistance, drag reduction and self-cleaning properties, and the like.
It has been found that the wettability of solid surfaces is mainly co-determined by the microscopic morphology and chemical composition of the surface. Therefore, a super-hydrophobic surface can be prepared by a method of regulating the microstructure and chemical composition of a solid surface.
So far, artificial super-hydrophobic surfaces have been successfully prepared by various methods, however, the fluids in practical applications generally have a certain flow velocity and pressure. When the ordinary super-hydrophobic surface is in contact with the fluid for a long time, the fluid will wet the super-hydrophobic surface, resulting in losing its super-hydrophobic properties. Therefore, it is of great research significance and industrial application value to prepare a surface which has stable super-hydrophobicity under long-term contact with water pressure.
It is well known that the hydrophobic stability of super-hydrophobic surfaces is primarily dependent on the gas film formed by the air that is trapped by the nano-micro structures of the surface. The gas film can not only reduce the contact area between the solid surface and the liquid surface, but also reduce the adhesion of the solid surface to the liquid. Most of the super-hydrophobic surfaces currently reported will be wetted by the fluid due to the gas films on their surfaces lose quickly when they are in contact with the actual pressurized flowing fluid, thereby losing their super-hydrophobic properties. Therefore, how to construct a special multi-stage structure on a solid surface to form a stable gas film, so that the coating can withstand pressure and dynamic fluid flow to maintain long-lasting super-hydrophobic properties, becomes the key to improve the stability of the super-hydrophobic surface.

Long-acting super-hydrophobic coating resistant to water pressure impact and preparation method thereof


Provided is a controller that is capable of reducing fall in a waveform of a power supply voltage when the power supply voltage supplied to a CPU is reduced. A controller for controlling voltage regulators includes a differential amplifier that outputs a measurement voltage corresponding to a power supply voltage supplied to a load and an error amplifier having a non-inverting input terminal supplied with a target voltage and an inverting input terminal supplied with a measurement voltage. The error amplifier compares the target voltage and the measurement voltage and outputs a signal for controlling the voltage regulators. Further included in the controller is a correction circuit that applies an offset voltage to the inverting input terminal of the error amplifier when the power supply voltage supplied to the load is reduced.

The present invention relates to a controller and a system including the controller, and in particular, to a controller for controlling power supply to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a technique applicable to a system including a CPU and a controller for controlling power supply to the CPU.
Japanese Patent No. 3974449 discloses the power supply apparatus with improved output voltage response. Japanese Patent No. 3799324 discloses the inverter output control circuit used for an induction heating cooking appliance composed of an RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) microcomputer or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

Voltage regulator controller and system including voltage regulator controller


Aspects of the present invention disclose a method, executed by a computer, for generating retailing analytics. The method includes receiving a spatial map corresponding to an environment. The method further includes receiving, from a purchasable item comprising one or more textile-integrated sensors, sensor information The purchasable item is located in the environment. The method further includes analyzing the sensor information to produce retail analytics corresponding to the purchasable item. The method further includes and sending the retail analytics to a client device. A computer program product and computer system corresponding to the above method are also disclosed herein.

This invention relates generally to the field of analytics, and more specifically, to generating retailing analytics.
In the field of retailing analytics, a business will benefit from access to reliable, efficient, and accurate consumer behavior metrics. One way of generating retailing analytics relies on the tagging of merchandise so that it may be tracked. However, tag sensors may require manual intervention to be fitted, are prone to manual errors, and may fall off of items. Thus, it is desirable to provide vendors with a better means of generating retailing analytics.

Generating retailing analytics using smart textiles

International Business Machines Corporation


Floor surface scrubbing and resurfacing equipment including a hydraulic system and adjustable linkages to allow a user to adjust particular features to suit the equipment for different applications.

Conventional floor surface scrubbing and resurfacing equipment have means to raise and lower the scrubbing/resurfacing mechanisms and the skirt mechanisms. These systems generally have two positions: down to engage the floor surface and up to disengage the floor surface. The downward force on the scrubbing/resurfacing mechanisms and skirt mechanisms is not adjustable. Further, the lateral position of the scrubbing/resurfacing mechanisms and skirt mechanisms is not adjustable in conventional floor surface scrubbing and resurfacing equipment.

Floor surface cleaning and resurfacing equipment


An LED illumination lens can guide light from light emitting diodes (LEDs). The incident surface and transmission surface of the lens are a part of an elliptical shape. The present invention makes an optical lens which provides that light is refracted twice by the LED illumination lens, and the output light is more uniform and present a long elliptical output light. The curve surface of the transmission surface is selected from elliptical surfaces, rectangular surfaces, square shape surfaces, round surfaces and rectangular surfaces with a cut corner, and polygonal surfaces. An LED illumination lens serves to refract the light beam from the LED by the incident surface and then disperse by the transmission surface 12 into a slender and long elliptical light beam.

Recently, the demand for power saving, environmental protected, small sized, high core purity, concrete light emission diode with long lifetime is increased. High power LED catches more and more attentions and thus more products are produced. However the lens in the prior art LED modules keeps emphasis at the output light uniform to cause the light to refract in an effective light output range. The light angle distribution has round shapes viewing from the optical axis.
However the above-mentioned lens can not match the condition that the concentration or compensation of the light output at different angle or different direction based on the difference of the position after the light emission diodes are arranged as an array so that the light at the periphery of the array is weak and the center portion is strong due to overlapping effect.
Thus, the present invention makes an optical lens which provides that light is refracted twice by the LED illumination lens, and the output light is more uniform has present a long elliptical output light.


An inkjet printer, including a recording head having a nozzle to jet ink droplets, a control section to control jetting of the ink droplets from the nozzle of the recording head at predetermined driving conditions for jetting the ink droplets, a velocity detecting section to detect ink droplets jetting velocity from the nozzle of the recording head, a temperature detecting section to detect temperature of the recording head or ambient temperature of the recording head, a first changing section to change the driving conditions to alter the ink droplets jetting velocity to a targeted velocity based on detected results of the velocity detecting section, and a second changing section to change the driving conditions at a time differing from a time of the first changing section to alter the ink droplets jetting velocity to the targeted velocity based on the detected results of the temperature detecting section.

The present invention relates to an inkjet printer, and in particular, to an inkjet printer wherein effectively restricted is deterioration of quality of printed images, due to viscosity reduction of ink by temperature change and also due to structural differences of variation of structural parts.
Inkjet printers perform image printing in the following manner: the inkjet printer jets small ink droplets, from a plurality of nozzles which are integrally formed in a recording head, onto a recording media such as a paper sheet, to land the ink droplets on the paper sheet, and further the inkjet printer produces printed images on a predetermined recording surface of the recording media, via driving the recording head in the main scanning direction across the width direction of the sheet. In such an inkjet printer, if there is any displacement of the deposited ink droplet jetted from the nozzles of the recording head driven in the main scanning direction, the recorded images includes turbulences, resulting in deterioration of image quality. Accordingly, the jetting velocity must be precisely controlled.
Generally, ink viscosity changes due to temperature, whereby ink viscosity changes due to temperature of the recording head as well as the ambient temperature. Since the jetting velocity of the ink droplet varies by the change of the ink viscosity, the number of jetted droplets also varies, which results in the change of image density, and further, the change of the landing position generates unclear images, which are unacceptable images.
Yet further, temperature characteristics of the various mechanical or electronic parts structuring the inkjet printer vary, and in addition, since each inkjet printer has its own structural difference, changes in image density due to these structural differences result in image deterioration.
In the past, in order to overcome the above-mentioned image deterioration, proposed was technology wherein the ink droplets jetting velocity was measured, and driving conditions of the recording head were controlled by the measured velocity (Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3). Further proposed is technology wherein the ink droplets jetting velocity and weight of ink droplet are measured, and driving condition of the recording head is controlled by the measured droplet velocity and weight (Patent Document 4). Yet further proposed is technology wherein the ink droplets jetting velocity and weight are measured, and the driving condition of the recording head is controlled by the measured velocity and weight (Patent Document 5), while yet further proposed is technology wherein the ink droplets jetting velocity is measured, and a heater to heat the ink is controlled, whereby the ink viscosity is controlled (Patent Document 6).
[Patent Document 1] JP-A 9-174835
[Patent Document 2] JP-A 11-300944
[Patent Document 3] JP-A 2003-39667
[Patent Document 4] JP-A 11-300964
[Patent Document 5] JP-A 2003-94629
[Patent Document 6] JP-A 2003-136696
[Patent Document 7] JP-A 2003-191467
As Patent Documents 1-7 show, when the driving condition of the recording head is controlled by the ink droplets jetting velocity, to correctly secure the ink droplets jetting velocity which tend to change, the ink droplets jetting velocity must be measured frequently. However when it is measured during printing, continuity of the density at that time point may be altered. Still further, in order to correctly measure the ink droplets jetting velocity, measurement must be conducted while the ink jetting condition of the recording head is maintained in good condition, in which it takes a long time to measure the ink droplet jetting velocity. Accordingly the driving condition of the recording head cannot be frequently controlled by the ink droplets jetting velocity.
On the other hand, without measuring the ink droplets jetting velocity, but depending on temperature characteristics of ink viscosity, by measuring ambient temperature or recording head temperature, the driving condition can be controlled by those measured results. Since this case differs from the case of controlling by the ink jetting velocity, there is no need to measure the velocity while the ink is practically jetted, and which can be conducted while image printing, and further the time interval between temperature measurement and the control of driving condition of the recording head can be shortened, which is an advantage for securing continuity of density. However, this method includes difference of temperature characteristics of a thermal detector, ink viscosity and a circuit board, and in addition, there is variation due to structural differences or ink changes, which cause changes of density, therefore, correct control is difficult in practice.
In addition, Patent Document 7 teaches that the ink droplets jetting velocity is controlled by a relationship table between the ambient temperature and the ink droplets jetting velocity, however, the driving condition is corrected only when the ink droplets jetting velocity is detected, which does not solve the above described problems.
Accordingly, in the present invention, the problem is to provide an inkjet printer, wherein solved are various problems in the ink jetting velocity control by measuring velocity or temperature, wherein printing is continuously and stably conducted, independent of structural difference and ambient differences, and wherein excellent image quality continuously results.


A multidirectional switch is provided with a lever, a lever support assembly for supporting the lever in such a way that it can be slanted in directions of first and second axes intersecting each other, an automatic lever reset mechanism for causing the lever to automatically return from its slant position to neutral position, a retainer for retaining the lever in a position slanted in the second axis direction against restoration force exerted by the automatic lever reset mechanism, and a sensor of which sensing elements are arranged at positions corresponding to individual slant positions of the lever. The multidirectional switch provides different types of information depending on directions in which the lever is slanted.

This invention relates to a multidirectional switch operational in more than one direction, such as those often used in video game machines, and to a driving game machine using such a multidirectional switch. More particularly, this invention pertains to a multidirectional switch including a lever slantable in directions of mutually intersecting first and second axes, associated with a switch sensor of which sensing elements are arranged at positions corresponding to individual slant positions of the lever, as well as to a driving game machine using the multidirectional switch.
Conventionally, multidirectional switches of this kind have chiefly been used as manipulators for controlling characters and other objects displayed on a video game monitor screen. FIG. 19 shows a general construction of a conventional multidirectional switch, which comprises a lever 151, four pins 152-155 projecting sideways from a lower portion of the lever 151 in mutually perpendicular directions, and springs 156-159 attached respectively to the outer ends of the pins 152-155 in their axial directions. The lever 151 thus constructed can be moved about a lever support to slant positions in mutually perpendicular four directions shown by arrows X1, X2, Y1 and Y2 in FIG. 19. Close to a lower part of the lever 151, there are four microswitches 160-163 individually mounted in the slanting directions of the lever 151. When the lever 151 is tipped in one direction, one of these microswitches 160-163, located in the corresponding direction, becomes ON.
With this construction, when a player of a game applies force sideways to the lever 151, it goes aslant in one direction and one of the microswitches 160-163 turns on. When the player releases the lever 151, restoration forces of the springs 156-159 cause the lever 151 to return to its upright position and the microswitches 160-163 become all OFF. The individual microswitches 160-163 turn on and off in response to the player's action on the lever 151 to sense its slanting directions, and the game goes on in accordance with information picked up by the microswitches 160-163.
A driving game machine using a multidirectional switch of the above-described conventional type has a monitor screen, and a player "drives" a simulated vehicle while watching an image displayed on the monitor screen. In playing a game such as an automobile race, the player can control the simulated vehicle in manual transmission mode, in which upshift and downshift operations are carried out by changing the lever slanting position of the multidirectional switch.
The conventional multidirectional switch provides information on different player actions as its lever 151 can be slanted in the directions of two mutually perpendicular axes. However, the lever 151 automatically returns to its upright position when released no matter in which direction it is slanted. This means that the information derived from this multidirectional switch is limited to a small number of stereotyped operations and it is impossible to obtain information on a wide variety of player actions which would be required when a game is carried out in different modes.
In the aforementioned conventional driving game machine using the conventional multidirectional switch, once the player selects manual transmission mode at the beginning of a game, there is no alternative but to drive the simulated vehicle in manual transmission mode, continually manipulating the lever of the multidirectional switch throughout the game. One problem of the conventional driving game machine is that players unskilled in manual lever operation could occasionally find it difficult to go on playing at the machine halfway during a game. Another problem of the conventional driving game machine is that, for expert players who are skilled in manual lever operation, it is not so attractively exciting to drive the vehicle by continually moving the multidirectional switch in manual transmission mode throughout the game.

Multidirectional switch and a driving game machine using the same


The combination briefcase and computer bag assembly includes a housing member having a bottom member, a plurality of side members, and a pair of pivotable top flap members. One of the side members includes a flexible floating compartment that is dimensionally configured to receive a portable computer. When the portable computer is held in the flexible floating compartment, it will substantially extend in the briefcase enclosure to protect the portable computer. Straps on the top flaps enable a top flap to be held in an open position when fastened about an extendable handle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a portable traveling bag and, more particularly, a briefcase having a floating storage compartment for safely transporting a personal computer.
2. Description of Related Art
Personal computers are becoming a common traveling item for businessmen. A lap top computer and accessory equipment, such as printer, fax, memory disk, power pack, etc. are used in business travel, and there is a need to safely transport and access this equipment. Additionally, the increasing congestion in airline travel has also dictated that luggage should be fairly compact in order to be carried onto the plane.
In order to further accommodate the needs of a traveler, suitcase and luggage pieces have also incorporated wheel assemblies and extendable handles to assist in their portability. Reference can be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,995,487, 5,108,119, and 5,167,306 for various examples of such luggage. These carrying cases are advantageously used, for example, by sales representatives, lawyers, and other businessmen who have to carry heavy objects and bulky documents. While it is possible to put a lap top computer directly into a briefcase, such a solution would be unacceptable without modifying the briefcase or adding appropriate and space consuming packing material to secure the computer.
Luggage that has been segmented into individual compartments has been known in the prior art to accommodate the particular traveler's usage, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,131,583, 4,925,021, and 4,729,460.
The prior art is still seeking to optimize the ability to provide a traveling bag, such as a briefcase, that also can accommodate the requirements of the business traveler with his computer needs.

Combination briefcase and computer bag assembly


An apparatus and method for reducing white smoke during start up of a compression ignition engine is disclosed. The apparatus includes an engine cylinder, a fuel injector, an engine speed sensor, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor preferably includes an engine speed controller that governs the engine speed to a desired value. The microprocessor issues a first fueling level corresponding to a difference between an actual engine speed and the desired engine speed signal. The microprocessor quits fueling the engine cylinder then determines a second fueling level. A determination about whether the cylinder is firing is then based on a comparison between the first and the second fueling level.

Compression ignition engines rely on the heat of compression to ignite the air/fuel mixture (hereinafter "fuel mixture") in the engine cylinder. The expansion of the ignited fuel mixture drives the piston and thereby powers the engine. In cold weather, it is oftentimes difficult to generate sufficient heat through compression alone to ignite fuel mixture, especially since the cold engine block acts as a heat sink, removing heat from the fuel mixture as it is compressed. In some instances, some of the engine cylinders will fire while the others do not. If a cylinder does not fire the fuel mixture is expelled through the exhaust system in a vaporized form generically referred to as "white smoke."
Reducing white smoke emission is important for several reasons. For example, white smoke is a pollutant and reducing white smoke reduces that amount of pollutant released into the environment. Also, white smoke results in reduced fuel economy and performance.
Prior art engine control systems have recognized the undesirability of white smoke. To some extent, such systems have been developed to avoid generating white smoke during engine startup. However, each of those devices suffer from drawbacks. For example, a system directed toward reducing white smoke is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,642 issued to Atkinson on May 29, 1990. The Atkinson patent discloses a system for automatically injecting a starting fluid, during engine cranking and for a period of time after the engine starts, based on one or more engine parameters. Injecting the starting fluid during the starting period lowers the flash point of the air/fuel mixture in the engine combustion chamber, thereby causing the fuel to burn more completely and reduce the white smoke emissions.
Another example of a system directed toward reducing white smoke is U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,212 issued to Hudson on Jul. 30, 1991. The Hudson patent discloses an apparatus for an exhaust restrictor designed to reduce white smoke during low idle conditions, such as a marine boat trolling in low idle. The exhaust restrictor includes a valve connected to the exhaust system and the intake system. The valve includes a housing having a through passage to the exhaust system and the intake system. A shaft is rotatably positioned in the housing. A plate is attached to the shaft. The plate is positioned in the passage and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. A mechanical linkage is connected to the throttle and the shaft. The linkage will move the plate into a exhaust restricting position corresponding with the throttle being moved into a low idle position.
The system disclosed in the Atkinson patent and the Hudson patent both require the addition of a mechanical means, such as a starting fluid injector setup or a exhaust restrictor system including a plate mechanically linked with a throttle, to function. The addition of the mechanical means may increase the cost and complexity of the system.
An example of a method for electronically controlling the fuel injection rate and fuel injection duration is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,129 issued to Barnes on Aug. 29, 1995. The Barnes patent discloses, in part, a method for fuel to be injected in a series of very short bursts, which may provide for lower emissions and white smoke reduction. However, the Barnes patent does not disclose a cylinder cutout system dedicated to reducing white smoke.
It would be desirable to develop an apparatus and method for detecting engine operation that causes white smoke and changing engine operation to reduce white smoke output.

White smoke reduction apparatus and method


A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which radiation image information has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. Light, which is emitted from opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the stimulating rays, is detected, and two original image signals representing the radiation image information are acquired. A read-out sensitivity and/or a read-out gain with respect to at least either one surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet at the time of the image signal acquisition is controlled in accordance with specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a radiation image information read-out method and apparatus, wherein a technique for detecting light emitted from opposite surfaces of a stimulable phosphor sheet and thereby detecting two image signals from the opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet is employed.
2. Description of the Related Art
In various fields, such as the medical field, techniques for reading out a radiation image of an object, which has been recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet, to obtain an image signal, performing predetermined image processing on the image signal, and thereafter displaying a visible image, which is reproduced from the processed image signal, on an image display device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or outputting the visible image on film with a printer, such as a laser printer (LP), have heretofore been utilized. As apparatuses for reading out the radiation image, for example, computed radiography (CR) apparatuses, in which digital image processing techniques utilizing computers are employed, have heretofore been utilized.
The CR apparatuses are radiation image recording and read-out apparatuses. With the radiation image recording and read-out apparatuses, a radiation image of an object, such as a human body, is recorded on a sheet provided with a layer of a stimulable phosphor (hereinafter referred to as a stimulable phosphor sheet). The stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, is then exposed to stimulating rays, such as a laser beam, which cause it to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to the radiation. The light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet, upon stimulation thereof, is photoelectrically detected and converted into an electric image signal with photoelectric read-out means, such as a photomultiplier. Recently, the CR apparatuses are widely used in practice.
As techniques for photoelectrically detecting light emitted by a stimulable phosphor sheet, the applicant proposed techniques for detecting light emitted from opposite surfaces of a stimulable phosphor sheet and thereby detecting two image signals from the opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,295 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8(1996)-116435. With the proposed techniques, two photoelectric read-out means are located respectively on opposite surface sides of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Also, stimulating rays are irradiated to the two surfaces or only to one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the light, which is emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet when it is exposed to the stimulating rays, is photoelectrically detected on the opposite surface sides of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
Specifically, with the techniques for detecting light emitted from opposite surfaces of a stimulable phosphor sheet and thereby detecting two image signals from the opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet, a stimulable phosphor sheet is formed by overlaying a stimulable phosphor layer on a surface of a transparent substrate, and a radiation image is stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet. The stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, is fitted on a transparent holder, and two photoelectric read-out means are located respectively above and below the holder. In this state, the light, which is emitted from one surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the stimulating rays, is detected by the photoelectric read-out means located above the holder, and an image signal (a one surface side image signal) is thereby detected. Also, the light, which is emitted from the other surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the stimulating rays, is detected by the photoelectric read-out means located below the holder, and an image signal (an other surface side image signal) is thereby detected.
Thereafter, an addition operation is performed on the image signal components of the two image signals having been detected from the opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet (i.e., the one surface side image signal and the other surface side image signal), which image signal components represent corresponding pixels on the one surface and the other surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and an addition image signal (a superposition image signal) is thereby obtained. With the addition operation, high frequency noise occurring at random in each of the one surface side image signal and the other surface side image signal can be smoothed. Also, since the emitted light is collected from the two surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet, the light collecting efficiency can be enhanced. As a result, a superposition image, which has good image quality with an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, can be reproduced from the addition image signal.
Also, as techniques for obtaining radiation image information by utilizing stimulable phosphor sheets, or the like, subtraction processing (subtraction operation) techniques have heretofore been known. With the subtraction processing techniques, a plurality of radiation images are recorded under different conditions and are then read out to obtain a plurality of image signals. Thereafter, a subtraction operation is performed on the plurality of the image signals, and a subtraction image signal is thereby obtained. In this manner, a subtraction image corresponding to the difference between the plurality of the radiation images, i.e. a subtraction image in which only a pattern of a specific object part (hereinbelow referred to also as a pattern of a tissue, a structure, or the like) in the radiation images has been enhanced or extracted, is obtained. Basically, the subtraction processing techniques may be classified into a temporal (time difference) subtraction processing technique and an energy subtraction processing technique. The applicant proposed various energy subtraction processing techniques utilizing stimulable phosphor sheets in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,855,598 and 4,896,037.
Also, in order for a signal-to-noise ratio to be enhanced over the entire frequency band of an image obtained from the addition operation or the subtraction processing, the applicant proposed a technique for performing masking processing on the image signal obtained from each of the opposite surfaces of a stimulable phosphor sheet, such that a parameter (a weight factor) appropriate for each of the opposite surfaces and each of frequency bands can be utilized, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7(1995)-319092.
Stimulable phosphor sheets have various different specifications. For example, stimulable phosphor sheets may have different sensitivities and may be classified into stimulable phosphor sheets having a standard sensitivity and stimulable phosphor sheets having a high sensitivity. If the sensitivity of the stimulable phosphor sheet varies, a width of the image signal corresponding to a desired read-out range (which width is referred to as the read-out gain), and/or a center value of the image signal corresponding to the center point of a desired read-out range (which center value is referred to as the read-out sensitivity), or a frequency response of the obtained image signal will vary. Also, besides the sensitivity, the particle size of the stimulable phosphor, the stimulable phosphor layer constitution, and the like, may vary for different generations of the stimulable phosphor sheets and, as a result, the frequency response of the obtained image signal varies.
Therefore, in cases where the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet vary, if the read-out sensitivity and/or the read-out gain or the parameters for the operation processing, such as the addition operation or the subtraction operation, are kept at predetermined values, an appropriate image cannot always be obtained.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image information read-out method, wherein a technique for detecting light emitted from opposite surfaces of a stimulable phosphor sheet and thereby detecting two image signals from the opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet is employed, and wherein an appropriate image is capable of being obtained from appropriate read-out processing regardless of specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the radiation image information read-out method.
The present invention provides a first radiation image information read-out method, comprising the steps of:
i) exposing a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which radiation image information has been stored, to stimulating rays, which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, and
ii) detecting light emitted from opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the stimulating rays, two original image signals representing the radiation image information being thereby acquired,
wherein a read-out sensitivity and/or a read-out gain with respect to at least either one surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet at the time of the image signal acquisition is controlled in accordance with specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
The first radiation image information read-out method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the controlling is performed such that the read-out sensitivities with respect to the opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet become approximately identical with each other, and/or such that the read-out gains with respect to the opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet become approximately identical with each other.
In the first radiation image information read-out method in accordance with the present invention, as a technique for controlling the read-out sensitivity, one of various techniques may be employed, with which the level of the image signal corresponding to the X-ray dose of a desired read-out range, e.g. the center value of the image signal corresponding to the center point of the desired read-out range, can be altered. As the technique for altering the center value of the image signal corresponding to the center point of the desired read-out range, for example, a technique for altering the voltage (high voltage) applied to a photomultiplier, which photoelectrically detects the emitted light, or a technique proposed by the applicant in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2(1990)-108175, wherein signal transform is performed in accordance with a read-out sensitivity (a S value) in exposure data recognizer (EDR) processing in which no preliminary readout operation is performed, may be employed.
Also, as a technique for controlling the read-out gain, one of various techniques may be employed, with which the width of the image signal corresponding to the desired read-out range can be altered. For example, it is possible to employ a technique, wherein a gain of an amplifier for amplifying the signal obtained from the photomultiplier is altered, or a technique, wherein signal transform is performed in accordance with a latitude (a L value) in the EDR processing in which no preliminary readout operation is performed.
Further, in the first radiation image information read-out method in accordance with the present invention, in order for the read-out sensitivity or the read-out gain to be set in accordance with the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet, a table, which represents correspondence relationship between the specifications oft stimulable phosphor sheets and the read-out sensitivities or the read-out gains for the stimulable phosphor sheets, may be prepared. Reference may be made to the table, and the read-out sensitivity or the read-out gain may be set in accordance with the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
The present invention also provides a second radiation image information read-out method, comprising the steps of:
i) exposing a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which radiation image information has been stored, to stimulating rays, which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation,
ii) detecting light emitted from opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the stimulating rays, two original image signals representing the radiation image information being thereby obtained, and
iii) performing operation processing on the two original image signals to obtain an operation-processed image signal, which represents the radiation image information,
wherein parameters for the operation processing are set in accordance with specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
The second radiation image information read-out method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that, by the utilization of the first radiation image information read-out method in accordance with the present invention, a read-out sensitivity and/or a read-out gain with respect to at least either one surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet at the time of the image signal acquisition is controlled in accordance with the discriminated specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
In the second radiation image information read-out method in accordance with the present invention, the operation processing performed on the two original image signals may be typically the addition operation or the subtraction operation described above. However,the operation processing is not limited to the addition operation and the subtraction operation.
In order for the parameters for the operation processing to be set in accordance with the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet, a table, which represents correspondence relationship between the specifications of stimulable phosphor sheets and the parameters for the operation processing, may be prepared. Also, reference may be made to the table, and the parameters corresponding to the discriminated specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet may be set. At this time, in cases where the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet are such that the stimulable phosphor sheet allows detection of an image signal from its one surface alone, the parameters for the operation processing may be set such that an image is constituted from only the image signal detected from the one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
In the first and second radiation image information read-out methods in accordance with the present invention, the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet should preferably be discriminated automatically. For such purposes, one of various techniques for automatic discrimination may be employed. For example, a bar code representing the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet may be attached to the stimulable phosphor sheet or a cassette, which accommodates the stimulable phosphor sheet. Also, the bar code may be read with a bar code reader.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out the first radiation image information read-out method in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the present invention further provides a first radiation image information read-out apparatus, comprising:
i) stimulating ray irradiation means for irradiating stimulating rays to a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which radiation image information has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation, and
ii) image signal acquiring means for detecting light emitted from opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the stimulating rays, and thereby acquiring two original image signals representing the radiation image information,
wherein the improvement comprises the provision of control means for controlling a read-out sensitivity and/or a read-out gain with respect to at least either one surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet at the time of the image signal acquisition, the controlling being performed in accordance with specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
The first radiation image information read-out apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the control means performs the controlling such that the read-out sensitivities with respect to the opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet become approximately identical with each other, and/or such that the read-out gains with respect to the opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet become approximately identical with each other.
The present invention still further provides an apparatus for carrying out the second radiation image information read-out method in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the present invention still further provides a second radiation image information read-out apparatus, comprising:
i) stimulating ray irradiation means for irradiating stimulating rays to a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which radiation image information has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet. to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored therein during its exposure to radiation,
ii) image signal acquiring means for detecting light emitted from opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet when the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the stimulating rays, and thereby acquiring two original image signals representing the radiation image information, and
iii) operation-processed image signal forming means for performing operation processing on the two original image signals to obtain an operation-processed image signal, which represents the radiation image information,
wherein the improvement comprises the provision of parameter setting means for setting parameters for the operation processing in accordance with specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
As in the first radiation image information read-out apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the second radiation image information read-out apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably further comprise control means for controlling a read-out sensitivity and/or a read-out gain with respect to at least either one surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet at the time of the image signal acquisition, the controlling being performed in accordance with the discriminated specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
The first and second radiation image information read-out apparatuses in accordance with the present invention should preferably further comprise discrimination means for discriminating the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
With the first radiation image information read-out method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the read-out sensitivity and/or the read-out gain with respect to at least either one surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet at the time of the image signal acquisition is controlled in accordance with specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Therefore, in cases where a stimulable phosphor sheet having a different sensitivity is utilized, the image read-out operation can be performed by setting the read-out sensitivity and/or the read-out gain appropriate for the stimulable phosphor sheet, and an appropriate image can be obtained.
With the second radiation image information read-out method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the parameters for the operation processing, such as the addition operation or the subtraction operation, are set in accordance with the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Therefore, in cases where the particle size of the stimulable phosphor, the stimulable phosphor layer constitution, and the like, vary for different generations of the stimulable phosphor sheets, the operation processing can be performed with the parameters appropriate for the utilized stimulable phosphor sheet, and an appropriate image can be obtained.
Also, in cases where the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet are such that the stimulable phosphor sheet allows detection of an image signal from its one surface alone, the parameters for the operation processing may be set such that an image is constituted from only the image signal detected from the one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet. In this manner, an image can be reproduced from only the image signal, which has been detected accurately from one surface side (e.g., the stimulating ray irradiation surface side) of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
Therefore, with the radiation image information read-out methods and apparatuses in accordance with the present invention, appropriate read-out processing can be performed regardless of the specifications of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and an appropriate image can thereby be obtained.

Radiation image information read-out method and apparatus


A seismocardiograph using multiple accelerometer sensors to identify cardiac valve opening and closing times. A methodology for selecting event times is also disclosed.

Seismocardiographic (SCG) devices and methods are known in the art. In general these devices use an accelerometer to monitor the patient's heart. In use, an accelerometer is placed on the surface of the patient to detect compression waves originating in the patient's heart. The compression waves received by the accelerometer are digitized and analyzed with a computer. These SCG devices may be used for cardiac monitoring and diagnostic purposes. In some instances the SCG is used as a replacement for electrocardiographic monitoring of heart rate. In the present invention the system is used to find time intervals between mitral valve opening (MO) and mitral valve closure (MC) times, as well as the opening time (AO) and closing times (AC) for the aortic valve. The time intervals may be used to compute classic measures of cardiac performance including the isovolumic contraction time and the left ventricular ejection time (LVET). At the present time such measures are made with echocardiography.

SCG point pick process device and method


A system and related method for synthesizing natural color ground or landcover imagery for a predetermined project area, includes the steps of inputting a high-resolution natural color sample of a sample area contained within the project area. Next, a multispectral image of the sample area, where the multispectral image has a plurality of feature types, is also input. This generates a color palette for each of the plurality of feature types. The color palettes are applied to a multispectral image of the project area to generate a low-resolution natural color image which is then combined with a high resolution panchromatic image of the project area to generate a high-resolution natural color image of the project area.

Large area databases are used for out-the-window scenes in aircraft simulators. Typically such out-the-window visual systems incorporate high-resolution image insets combined with a generic or low resolution background. In other words, high-resolution images are provided for critical landcover scenes or objects such as buildings or cities and the remaining scenes are filled in with low-resolution graphics or crude polygon images. It will be appreciated that the out-the-window scenes are used to provide the trainee with as life-like experience as possible so as to enhance the training simulation. Low-resolution background images can in fact detract from the training experience and result in negative training for the trainee. Such simulators are commonly used for training aircraft pilots wherein the out-the-window scenes are combined with instrumentation used for that particular aircraft that the pilot is training for. The primary obstacle to greater use of high-resolution imagery in such simulators is the prohibitive acquisition costs of the database imagery.
Such large area databases for out-the-window visual systems typically cover 500 square kilometers. Accordingly, obtaining a high-resolution color image of such a large area would require one to hire a plane or obtain a satellite image in which the resolution is approximately ½ meter to 1.5 meters for each pixel of the image. Such a high resolution image is obtained from 35 millimeter photographs which are quite expensive to obtain for such a large area. Alternatives to photograph images can be obtained from IKONOS™ or Quick Bird™ satellite images which are digital images that are fused with natural color to provide a color image. But, these are also quite expensive. Other satellite images of a large area may also be obtained, but these typically have a resolution in the range of 25–30 meters per pixel. Accordingly, these images do not provide the high-definition required by trainees to provide an optimum training experience. Moreover, such out-the-window visual scenes must incorporate scenes that facilitate simulated take off and landing, low-altitude attacks, high-altitude attacks, bomb damage assessment and in-route operations.
Cost constraints often preclude acquiring high-resolution natural color images from aerial surveys or from satellites with high-resolution multi-band sensors. The usual solution to this high cost is the use of "pan-sharpening," which is a procedure which fuses high-resolution panchromatic imagery with low-resolution color imagery to produce high-resolution color imagery. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that panchromatic images are those that are sensitive to light of all colors in the visible spectrum. In other words, these are black and white images with the appropriate gray scale levels. Panchromatic images are commercially available at a low cost from the United States Geological Survey.
The most widely available and lowest cost source for low-resolution color imagery is Landsat's™ multi-spectral bands. These bands do not correspond exactly to the wavelengths of red, green and blue visible light and, as such, unprocessed Landsat™ imagery does not look "natural." Also the information content of the Landsat near-blue band is degraded because of atmosphere absorption at that wavelength. For both of these reasons, it is necessary to transform the Landsat multi-spectral bands to natural colors.
The standard technique for synthesis of natural color imagery is the application of a mathematical transform—usually simple image stretching and biasing—to a selected set of three of the Landsat™ bands, thus producing the three natural color red, green and blue bands. The difficulty is that no transform has been found that generates acceptable results over large areas because of the variability of the source imagery. The result is that natural color is provided for some areas and non-natural or false colors are provided for other areas. Additionally, for cases where aerial photography has been acquired for small areas, it is difficult to color-match a synthetic pan-sharpened imagery and non-synthetic imagery. In other words, transform or fusing processes result in an image that includes colors which are not naturally occurring. For example, such colors include the bright neon oranges or greens that are sometimes seen on traffic signs, but which are never encountered in out-the-window visual scenes viewed by aircraft pilots.
It will be appreciated that the existing prior art techniques to generate synthesized color imagery require the use of specified constants or "magic numbers" that are used by the stretch/bias transforms. Because of the variability of the multi-spectral imagery, it is difficult to specify constants that work acceptably over large areas. The usual result from such a process is an output consisting of both natural colors—trees and vegetation—and non-natural colors, for example, the previously referred to neon colors.
Difficulties also arise in combining the multi-spectral imagery that the "sharpening" steps used. In the past the sharpening or fusing steps required that histograms be taken of the entire image and also of third level segments without consideration of surrounding areas. In other words, a histogram would need to be taken for the entire area, another histogram taken of a smaller area and yet another series of histograms for smaller areas within the entire image area. These different levels of histograms further introduce color discontinuities that cannot be correlated when all of the images are combined. Moreover, taking so many different histograms and re-combining them uses valuable computing time in rendering the image.

System and related methods for synthesizing color imagery


An optical phased array transmitter/receiver includes a plurality of waveguides each including an optical fiber and a light source coupled to the fibers in the waveguides. At least one grating is coupled to the fiber of each waveguide and at least one phase shifter coupled to the fiber of at least one waveguide. The phase shifter controls a phase profile of light passing through the fiber to control a profile of a laser beam reflected at the grating. The gratings reflect light passing through the fibers outside of the optical coder to form a laser beam shaped and directed by the grating and phase shifters. Further, a detector is coupled to the waveguides that is enabled to receive light reflected off the gratings. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A phased array is a directive antenna made up of individual antennas or radiating patterns. The radiating pattern is determined by the amplitude and phase of the current at each element. The phased array antenna may have its beam electronically steered in angle by changing the phase of current at each element. A linear array consists of antenna elements arranged in a straight line in one dimension. A planar array is a two dimensional configuration of antenna elements arranged to lie in a plane. In both the linear and planar arrays, the element spacings are usually uniform. Further details of phrased array antenna are described in the book "Introduction to Radar Systems, 3d Edition", by Merill I. Skolnik (McGraw-Hill, 2001).
An optical phased array is a phased array implemented in an optical device. One optical phased array has a single light source laser beam expanded through a lens into multiple beams, where each of the multiple beam passes through an array of phase shifters comprised of spatial light modulators (SLMs). The SLMs control the wavefront to shift the phase, such that each SLM may have a different phase delay, or relative time delays between the different SLMs, to control the steering of the beam and create a phase ramp. Further, changing the phase at each SLM in the array may also produce different antenna lob effects to provide a phased array antenna.

Optical phased array transmitter/receiver


A computer-executable method is executed by a CPU as the following steps of: obtaining an interested range in relation to a target typhoon and obtaining historical typhoons within the interested range from a wind and typhoon database; obtaining shortest distances from the respective historical typhoons to the target typhoon within the interested range; choosing a target ground grid point and obtaining normalized extreme wind speeds of the respective historical typhoons corresponding to the target ground grid point; obtaining extreme wind speeds probable for the target ground grid point by calculation according to the normalized extreme wind speeds and the highest wind speed of the center of the target typhoon; and arranging the extreme wind speeds in descending order, arranging the shortest distances corresponding to the respective extreme wind speeds, and obtaining the occurrence probability of the extreme wind speeds at the target ground grid point according to a formula.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a wind energy forecasting method with extreme wind speed prediction function.
2. Related Art
Due to the problems of energy deficiency, global warming and serious climatic changes, using renewable resources for power generation has become the proper solution to the problems. Renewable resources include wind energy, solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, etc. Because of lower cost and high economic effect, wind power generation has been developed rapidly in the past few years.
In general, a wind power generator includes an impeller, a gearbox, a power generator, a shifting apparatus and a controlling system. The impeller has a set of blades well designed by fluid dynamics and installed to the axle. When wind passes through the blades, the impeller can be forced to rotate, resulting in kinetic power that is transmitted through the transmission system and gearbox to the power generator to generate electricity. The controlling system can control the shifting apparatus according to the wind direction signal from the wind direction sensor, so that the wind power generator can automatically maintain the proper orientation against the wind to optimize the power generation efficiency.
Strong and predictable output of wind energy is the primary requisite to develop wind power generation. However, the wind as the source of the wind power generation is naturally generated and unstable, so a well developed wind energy prediction system is needed to improve the usage of wind power generation and keep the security of power supply system.
In practical operations, the short-term wind energy forecasting can predict and follow the output variations of wind power generation at the wind farms within 48 hours in the future, which can increase the electricity output of the wind farm. For purpose of maintenance, the prediction with a longer scale is used to determine the timing of maintenance so that the cost of power generation business can be lowered down. Accordingly to the estimation of a famous wind energy consultant company, the short-term wind energy prediction can bring the benefit of 7 Euros per million watt hour (MWH) by considering a single wind farm in Spain. Of course, the combination prediction of plural wind farms can be more precisely and get more benefit. Therefore, many countries are devoted to the wind energy prediction system and technology to enhance the business efficiency of wind farms.
Taiwan is an island nation located in the western Pacific Ocean. Taiwan suffers many typhoons every year, and besides, the undulation of Taiwan's landform varies a lot, with more than 100 mountains higher than 3000 meters. Therefore, the track and strength of the typhoon always varies capriciously when typhoons pass through Taiwan. Typhoons had destroyed a lot of wind turbines in Taiwan. Different kinds of wind turbines designed to against different levels of strength of the wind speed, if the extreme wind speed exceeds the upper limitation of the wind turbine, the security problem of the wind turbine will occur.
Therefore, it is a very important subject to provide a wind energy forecasting method with extreme wind speed prediction function that can provide wind energy prediction with considering the specific weather (e.g. typhoons, hurricanes, etc.) so as to improve the efficiency of wind power generation, and can predict the extreme wind speed of the typhoon when the typhoon comes so as to avoid the security problem of the wind turbines.

Wind energy forecasting method with extreme wind speed prediction function

INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN


A fusing unit, and an image forming apparatus including the same, includes: a driving roller; a belt disposed to be driven by the driving roller; a nip plate disposed along a lengthwise direction of the driving roller with the belt being disposed between the driving roller and the nip plate, the nip plate being pressed toward the driving roller to form a fusing nip; a heat radiating body disposed along the lengthwise direction to heat the nip plate by heat conduction; and a heat radiating body pressing member to press the heat radiating body toward the nip plate to prevent the heat radiating body from being spaced from the nip plate due to thermal deformation. The image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit to form an image on a printing medium with a developer; and the fusing unit.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects the present invention relate to a fusing unit and an image forming apparatus including the same, and more particularly, to a fusing unit that can minimize thermal deformation of a heat radiating body to enhance fusing efficiency, and an image forming apparatus including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a fusing unit is employed in an image forming apparatus to form an image on a printing medium. The fusing unit applies heat and pressure to the printing medium to which a developer is applied to fuse the developer on the printing medium.
The fusing unit may be classified as a roller type, which includes a heating roller and a pressing roller, and a belt type, which includes a pressing belt and an endless belt driven by the pressing belt. The roller type employs the heating roller, which has a large thermal capacity and takes much time to be heated by an internal heat source and is therefore suitable for high speed printing. Contrarily, the belt type employs the endless belt which has a small thermal capacity and is suitable for high speed printing. Further, the belt type has a superior thermal efficiency. Recently, the belt type has been actively under development.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional fusing unit 1 of the belt type includes a pressing roller 10, a belt 20 which is driven by the pressing roller 10, a pair of bushings 70 which rotatably supports opposite end parts of the belt 20, a nip plate 40 which is disposed opposite to the pressing roller 10 with the belt 20 being disposed therebetween and forms a fusing nip N, and a heat radiating body 30 which is disposed in a lengthwise or axial (X) direction of the nip plate 40 and contacts the nip plate 40 to heat the nip plate 40. The belt 20 is guided by a belt guide 50 and the heat radiating body 30 and the nip plate 40 are disposed in the belt guide 50.
As shown in FIG. 2, the bushings 70 are elastically pressed toward the pressing roller 10 by an elastic member 60, and accordingly, the nip plate 40 supported by the bushings 70 is also pressed toward the pressing roller 10. The heat radiating body 30 includes a ceramic substrate and a heat radiating pattern which is formed on the ceramic substrate. The heat radiating pattern is provided on a side of the ceramic substrate opposite the nip plate 40. The nip plate 40 is made of metal so that heat from the heat radiating body 30 can be evenly conducted along the lengthwise (X) direction thereof.
FIG. 3A is a graph showing deflection of the heat radiating body 30 and the nip plate 40 in the lengthwise (X) direction. Here, E1 and E2 represent opposite end parts of the heat radiating body 30; and C represents a center part thereof. The nip plate 40 is thermally deformed, which is represented as a solid line A in FIG. 3A, due to the pressing of the opposite end parts thereof by the bushings 70 and the heat conduction from the heat radiating body 30. On the other hand, the heat radiating body 30 radiates heat as power is supplied to the heat radiating pattern, and thus, is thermally deformed, which is represented as a dotted line B in FIG. 3A.
Accordingly, the nip plate 40 and the heat radiating body 30 tend to get close to each other at the center parts (C) thereof and tend to be spaced from each other at the opposite end parts (E1 and E2) thereof. Although the nip plate 40 and the heat radiating body 30 are adhered by an adhesive, heat conductivity from the heat radiating body 30 to the nip plate 40 decreases at the opposite end parts (E1 and E2) by repetitive thermal deformation of the heat radiating body 30. Such phenomenon is illustrated FIG. 3B which is a curve showing temperature distribution of the heat radiating body 30. As shown in FIG. 3B, the temperature of the opposite end parts (E1 and E2) of the heat radiating body 30 is 240° C., which is higher than the temperature of the center part (C) thereof, which is 200° C. The temperature difference between the opposite end parts (E1 and E2) is due to the adhesive force between the heat radiating body 30 and the nip plate 40 weakening at the opposite end parts (E1 and E2); and thus, the heat conduction is decreased at the opposite end parts (E1 and E2) compared to the center part (C). As such, the opposite end parts (E1 and E2) of the heat radiating body 30 are overheated, whereas the center part (C) maintains a normal temperature, which is about 200° C.
As a result, the temperature of the opposite end parts (E1 and E2) of the nip plate 40 is lower than that of the center part (C) thereof, which is the same in the belt 20 which is heated by the nip plate 40. Accordingly, the fusing efficiency decreases at the opposite end parts of the belt 20 where the temperature is relatively low compared with the center part, thereby decreasing the printing quality. Further, the non-uniform temperature along the lengthwise (X) direction causes a limit to an arrangement of a temperature sensor or requires multiple temperature sensors to prevent overheating of the fusing unit.

Fusing unit and image forming apparatus including the same


A vehicle, such as a snowmobile, includes an engine with one or more air intakes for receiving air into the engine and an airbox for directing air into the air intakes. The airbox slides to facilitate installation and removal of the airbox from the engine compartment, which thus economizes time and cost both for vehicle assembly and maintenance. The sliding airbox also eliminates the need for a gap between the fuel tank and the airbox, allowing the fuel tank to be moved forward, thus improving mass centralization of the vehicle. The sliding airbox has a rectangular slot which slides onto a rectangular plate on an intake adapter. The intake adapter has a flexible tubular connection for each cylinder of the engine which are secured to each air intake with a hose clamp. The air intake usually includes an air metering device such as a carburetor or throttle body.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an engine compartment 8 of a typical prior-art snowmobile 10. The engine compartment 8, located in a forward end 12 of the snowmobile 10, houses a front-mounted internal combustion engine 24 mounted to a frame 16 by at least one engine mount 24a. The engine 24 includes a crankshaft 24b driven inside a crankcase 24c by a piston reciprocating in at least one cylinder 24d. Air enters the engine via an airbox assembly 90 having an inlet 92 with a replaceable filter 94 leading to an air container 96 with an outlet in fluid communication with an air intake 25 of the engine 24. The air intake 25 typically includes an intake pipe 25a connected to a downstream carburetor 27 (or an air-regulating throttle body having a butterfly valve in the case of a fuel-injected engine). The carburetor may include an intake manifold 27a for connecting to an intake guide portion 24e of the engine. A gap G is provided beside the airbox assembly 90 to enable tool access for installation and removal of the airbox. As is known in the art, after each combustion cycle, the engine 24 exhausts through an exhaust manifold 29 and a muffler 29a. An exhaust valve drive motor 29b opens and closes an exhaust valve 29c.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional prior-art airbox assembly 90 having both a primary airbox 100 and a secondary airbox 200. The primary airbox (which hereinafter may also be referred to simply as an airbox) includes an air inlet 102 with a flanged mouth 103. The air inlet has a downwardly curving throat formed by mating upper and lower tubular shell portions 104a, 104b. An air container is formed by mating upper and lower box-like shell portions 106a, 106b integrally formed with the tubular shell portions 104a, 104b, all of which come together to form the primary airbox 100. The primary airbox 100 further includes an air outlet 108 having a pair of outlet ports (one for each cylinder) which are connected to carburetors or throttle bodies via respective flexible tubular connections 110.
As shown in FIG. 2, the primary airbox 100 is connected to the secondary airbox 200 for receiving air from the secondary airbox which, in turn, draws air from atmosphere. The secondary airbox includes first and second side-mating shell portions 202, 204 which come together to define an enclosure or air container. The second side-mating shell portion 204 includes an inlet 206 for drawing ambient air into the secondary airbox. A replaceable filter 208 (for obstructing particulate matter from entering and clogging up the airbox) spans across the inlet 206. The inlet 206 is in fluid communication with an admission tube 210 having an oblong mouth. Sound-insulating foam 212 is installed with the admission tube 210 to minimize engine noise. As shown in FIG. 2, the second side-mating shell portion 204 includes a circular outlet 214 which is in fluid communication with the inlet 102 of the primary airbox 100. The outlet 214 of the secondary airbox and the inlet 102 of the primary airbox connect via a conically-shaped guide discharge port 220 and a foam gasket 230. The guide discharge port facilitates alignment of the outlet 214 and inlet 102 while the foam gasket provides an airtight connection between the outlet 214 and the inlet 102.
For the purposes of this specification, the term "primary airbox" refers to the downstream airbox while "secondary airbox" refers to the upstream airbox. The terms "primary" and "secondary" are thus used arbitrarily. In other words, the primary airbox could equivalently be defined as the upstream airbox whereas the secondary airbox could be defined as the downstream airbox.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the position of the (primary) airbox 100 relative to a fuel tank 70 when both components are affixed to a prior-art snowmobile. In this configuration, the inlet 102 is oriented substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis ("travel direction") of the vehicle whereas an outlet 108 of the airbox defines an outflow axis 109 which is generally orthogonal to an inflow axis of the inlet 102 and generally parallel to the travel direction of the vehicle. In order to provide sufficient clearance for tools to access the airbox (for installation and removal), the airbox in the prior art is mounted with a gap G between the airbox and the front of the fuel tank 70. In prior-art designs, this was seen as necessary because the engine and carburetor (or throttle body) are fixed and it was believed that the only way to remove the airbox from the carburetor (or throttle body) was to provide a gap G in order to longitudinally displace the airbox to disengage the tubular connection and the hose clamp from the carburetor (or throttle body).
As a result of this conventional design, the fuel tank was thus mounted further rearward to accommodate the needed gap G, causing an undesirable decentralization of mass. The fuel tank when full of fuel, as is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, represents a very substantial mass which thus has a significant impact on the vehicle's dynamics. Particularly for snowmobiles, it is important to locate mass near the front drive axle or drive pulley. Therefore, the gap G between the airbox and the fuel tank results in suboptimal mass centralization and hence suboptimal vehicle dynamics.
Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved airbox that would overcome at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art as described above.


A polypropylene multilayer, coextruded, transparent, and metallizable film which has isotropic mechanical properties and contains a low-molecular-weight hydrocarbon resin and an antistatic agent in the base layer and an antiblocking agent in the outer layer is described. The film is free from lubricants in the outer layers. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of such films and to their use as, for example, packaging films or twist wrapping.

The present invention relates to a multilayer, coextruded, transparent and metallizable film for twist wrapping which has isotropic mechanical properties and contains a low-molecular-weight hydrocarbon resin and an antistatic in the base layer and an antiblocking agent in the outer layers. The film contains no lubricants in the outer layers. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of such films and to their use.
The metallizable twist wrap film is a variant of the transparent film. Metal is vapor-deposited on the high-gloss, metallizable surface of the twist wrap film and is later printed. In this way, the wrapping is given a very attractive, eyecatching appearance, both from the inside and from the outside. From the outside, for example, the print stands out through greatly increased color brightness, while from the inside, the metal layer with a silvery luster, gives the impression of high hygiene.
The prior art does not disclose films having good twist properties, good metal-adhesive surfaces, and also good processing properties on high-speed twist-wrapping machines. For example, the publications GB-A-1,231,861, DE-A-35 35 472 and EP-A-317,276 describe transparent films for twist wrapping. The twisting behavior of these films is in need of improvement and the films are not adhesive to metal. On the other hand, the publications DE-A-17 69 028, EP-A-21,672, EP-A-122,495 and EP-A-282,917 describe readily metallizable, oriented polypropylene films (OPP films). However, these films are not suitable for twist wrapping and for processing on high-speed processing machines.

Metallizable, twist wrap, biaxially oriented, polypropylene film


A method of controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes entering, via a controller controlling a camera of the mobile terminal, a camera photograph mode; determining, via the controller of the mobile terminal, a position of a first pointer contacting a touchscreen in the camera photograph mode and whether the first pointer is in a first state or a second state when the first pointer is located in a preset region on the touchscreen; ignoring a touch input through the pointer, when the first pointer is determined as being in the first state; and performing a function corresponding to the touch input through the pointer, when the first pointer is determined as being in the second state.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for facilitating a photographing operation using the mobile terminal.
Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals. The mobile terminals can be further classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mounted terminals. As functions of the terminal are getting diversified, the terminal tends to be implemented as a multimedia player provided with composite functions such as photographing of photos or videos, playback of music or video files, game play, broadcast reception and the like for example.
Recently, as the performance of a camera included with the mobile terminal is increasingly enhanced, image photographing or video using the mobile terminal is increasing. Moreover, a bezel configured enclose a touchscreen becomes thinner, whereas a size of a display provided to the mobile terminal is larger. However, when photographing is performed using camera included with the mobile terminal, the user is inconvenienced because the touchscreen is frequently touched when the user grips the mobile terminal.

Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof


A receptacle for particulate matter to be supplied to a reproduction apparatus. The receptacle includes a container, adapted to store particulate matter, has an opening defined therein. A flange is located about the defined opening so as to facilitate placement and removal of the receptacle with the reproduction apparatus. A breathable seal member is provided having a body portion and a readily accessible end portion. The body portion is bonded to the flange for covering the defined opening. The bond is particularly formed in a pattern of repeating minimum and maximum distances from the defined opening to reduce the forces required to break the bond and remove the breathable seal from the flange.

Typical commercial reproduction apparatus include electrostatographic process copier/duplicators or printers, for example. With such reproduction apparatus, pigmented marking particles are utilized to develop an electrostatic latent image of information to be reproduced on a dielectric support member for transfer to a receiver member, or directly onto a receiver member. The receiver member bearing the transferred marking particle developed image is transported through a fuser device where the marking particle image is fixed (fused) to the receiver member, for example, by heat and pressure to form a permanent reproduction.
The marking particles for developing the electrostatic latent image are supplied to the reproduction apparatus development station in a receptacle removably connected to a receiving apparatus for the development station. U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,887 (issued Nov. 27, 1990, in the names of Hacknauer et al), shows a marking particle receptacle having a particle-containing portion with a base. The base has an opening facing downward in use and a flange extending outward from the opening. A cover is slidably secured to the flange. A receiving apparatus for the receptacle includes a replenisher sump for receiving marking particles through the base of the receptacle when the opening of the receptacle is positioned directly above the sump. The receptacle with the slide cover is positioned beside the replenisher sump, and the receptacle particle containing portion is slid off the cover and over the replenisher sump, with the flange sliding on a receiving surface that surrounds an opening for the replenisher sump.
The receptacle particle containing portion is moved back over the cover, after the receptacle is emptied, to prevent the escape of residual marking particles remaining in the marking particle receptacle during removal and further handling in recycling of the receptacle. The slide cover employs a hinge to enable it to move out of the way when the receptacle is operatively located relative to the replenisher sump of the reproduction apparatus development station. A seal is attached to the slide cover to prevent leakage during shipping and handling. However, as the size of the receptacle increases, it becomes more difficult to provide a seal which can be readily removed.

Slide cover breathable seal for a marking particle receptacle


A portable device including a touch sensor configured to sense touch inputs, the touch sensor being in an active state while the portable device is in a standby mode; a touch sensor controller configured to receive the sensed touch inputs; and a processor configured to receive a signal from the touch sensor controller indicating whether the received sensed touch input indicates a first pre-stored pattern corresponding to a first active mode or a second pre-stored pattern corresponding to a second active mode, control the portable device to be in the first active mode based on the touch sensor controller receiving the signal indicating the sensed touch inputs correspond to the first pre-stored pattern, and control the portable device to be in the second active mode based on the touch sensor controller receiving the signal indicating the sensed touch inputs correspond to the second pre-stored pattern.

Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to a portable device, and more particularly, to a method for providing a voice recognition service by switching a portable device from standby mode to voice recognition service mode using a sensor.
Discussion of the Related Art
Along with the miniaturization of chip sets and the development of network technology, portable devices have ever increasing performance and diversified functions. Recently, the portable devices have evolved from traditional communication equipment to smart devices capable of providing various services to users. A portable device can even play the role of a personal assistant and this function is often called as an intelligent agent. Further, the portable device can provide optimized functions according to a user context using various sensors equipped in it.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Portable device and method for providing voice recognition service


Disclosed are a separator having an electrode adhesive layer and an electrochemical device including the same. The electrode adhesive layer includes organic particles and an acrylic resin binder. Preferably, the acrylic resin binder is present in an amount of 30 wt % or more, so that a film-shaped electrode adhesive layer can be formed even when the organic particles have a particle diameter smaller than that of the pores of the underlying substrate or voids of the underlying porous coating layer.

Recently, energy storage technology has been given increasing attentions. Efforts into research and development for electrochemical devices have been actualized more and more, as the application of energy storage technology has been extended to energy for cellular phones, camcorders and notebook PC and even to energy for electric vehicles. In this context, electrochemical devices have been most spotlighted. Among such electrochemical devices, development of rechargeable secondary batteries has been focused.
Continuous studies have developed some electrochemical devices having significantly improved performance, particularly output, through electrode active materials. Among the commercially available secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries developed in the early 1990's have been spotlighted, since they have a higher driving voltage and significantly higher energy density as compared to conventional batteries, such as Ni-MH batteries.
Such electrochemical devices use a separator to prevent a short-circuit between electrodes. A higher degree of adhesion in the binding between an electrode and a separator may contribute to the safety of a battery.
For this purpose, a separator having improved bindability with an electrode has been suggested in the art by forming an electrode adhesive layer on the outermost layer of a separator. However, the separator has a problem in that the electrode adhesive layer blocks the pores formed on the surface of the separator and/or the particles forming the electrode adhesive layer infiltrate into the pores, thereby significantly reducing the air permeability of the separator and/or increasing the electrical resistance of a battery.

Separator having electrode adhesive layer and electrochemical device including the same


A method of coating plastic substrates involves applying an aqueous coating composition to the surface of a plastic substrate and allowing the coating composition to dry and form a film. The coating composition contains an aqueous polyolefin dispersion and an aqueous polyurethane dispersion.

The present invention relates to aqueous coating compositions and to their use for coating plastic substrates. More specifically, the present invention relates to aqueous coating compositions that contain chlorinated polyolefin dispersions and polyurethane dispersions. These coating compositions produce dried films which adhere well to plastic substrates while maintaining good application properties over a broad range of application conditions.
Plastic substrates are widely used in automotive parts, container caps and containers for cosmetics, household appliances and other applications. Organic coating compositions are often applied to such plastic substrates for decorative and protective purposes. An ongoing problem with respect to such use of these substrates has been the difficulty in achieving adequate adhesion of organic films to the plastic, especially after the film has been aged or exposed to environmental stress.
Complicating the problem is the fact that there are many different types of plastics used commercially, each having unique surface properties. It would be advantageous if one product could be used to coat a variety of substrates that might vary widely in properties such as surface tension, surface roughness, chemical composition, and hardness.
In automotive applications such as the formulation of automotive refinish compositions, there are other requirements besides adhesion that must be met: for example, there are requirements for compatibility with other coating compositions which can be applied over the coating in question; for stability upon long-term storage or upon exposure to shear; for room-temperature cure; for a high degree of resistance of the dried film to solvents, fuels, acids and other chemicals; for a high degree of resistance of the dried film to humidity; for excellent appearance; and for low cost.
A wide range of approaches has been proposed to overcome the adhesion problem. Perhaps the most viable has been the application of a primer composition that contains an aqueous chlorinated polyolefin dispersion and an aqueous acrylic dispersion. While this is a low-cost material, it provides only fair adhesion, showing weaknesses especially after exposure to humidity. Even with this material, it is still difficult to economically produce dried films with excellent adhesion, application properties and physical properties.

Method of coating a plastic substrate with an aqueous coating composition for plastic substrates


The present application relates to the inclusion of one or more wrinkle reducing ingredients in a laundry detergent product. The benefits are delivered to the laundered item during the cleaning step and, therefore, reduces the need for further wrinkle reducing steps when the items are taken from the dryer or after hang drying.

When textiles, such as clothing, linens and the like, are laundered, it is typically desired that wrinkles be eliminated or minimized after the cleaning and drying process. Mechanical wrinkle reduction techniques, such as heat and pressure (for example, ironing), have been used but can be time consuming and inconvenient.
Known attempts to reduce wrinkles by means of chemical ingredients in the wash include the use of zwitterionic surfactants, aminosilicones, curable aminosilicones, cellulase enzymes and alkyl amides. However, each of these ingredients have one or more drawbacks. For example, zwitterionic surfactants are believed to work best in cold water. Aminosilicones can cause yellowing and can be difficult to formulate. Curable aminosilicones require the heat of an iron to reduce wrinkles. Cellulase enzymes generally require several wash cycles before anti-wrinkle benefits become noticeable. Alkyl amides are not very effective relative to other wrinkle reducing agents.
Therefore, there is a need for an effective and efficient means for eliminating or reducing wrinkles in textiles. To be effective and efficient, the ingredient should preferably work across a broad range of water temperatures, not require the use of an iron, have little to no discoloration effect on the laundered item and/or provide a noticeable wrinkle reducing benefit after relatively few wash cycles.
The present application relates to the inclusion of one or more wrinkle reducing ingredients in a laundry detergent product. The benefits are delivered to the laundered item during the cleaning step and, therefore, reduces the need for further wrinkle reducing steps when the items are taken from the dryer or after hang drying.
The ingredients that facilitate the benefit of wrinkle reduction are believed to lubricate fiber surfaces. By lubricating the fiber surfaces of garments, for example, the fibers slide more easily relative to each other and are less likely to entangle, resulting in less wrinkles. The preferred fiber lubricants disclosed herein have been shown to noticeably reduce the number of wrinkles. The preferred embodiments also overcome one or more of the above noted disadvantages of prior wrinkle reducing agents or methods.
While it is known that lubricants can be used to reduce wrinkles in textiles, it was surprisingly found that these materials work from a main wash detergent. More particularly, main wash detergents are highly diluted and are subject to one or more rinse cycles. Such high dilution and rinsing would be expected to diminish or eliminate the desired wrinkle reduction effect of the lubricant.
Several molecules have been identified for wrinkle reduction benefits when included in known liquid detergent formulations. Using the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) method # 124 (described in greater detail, below), the following molecular classes were found to reduce the number of wrinkles on test cloths: polyalkyleneoxide modified polydimethylsiloxane; linear aminopolydimethylsiloxane polyalkyleneoxide copolymers; sulfated/sulfonated vegetable oils, such as sulfated canola oil or sulfated castor oil; high molecular weight polyacrylamides; betaine siloxane copolymers; and alkylactam siloxane coplymers. Of the foregoing, a most preferred wrinkle reducing agent is a polyalkyleneoxide modified polydimethylsiloxane, sold under the name Silwet L-7622, available from Witco, Greenwich, Conn. Other most preferred wrinkle reducing agents are sulfated canola oil and/or castor oil available from Freedom Chemical Co., Charlotte, N.C.
One or more of the molecules/compounds from the above-identified classes are preferably included in known detergent formulations in an effective amount sufficing to reduce the occurrence of wrinkles as compared to clothing laundered and dried in a similar manner with a detergent formulation that excludes the wrinkle reducing agents. An effective amount of the wrinkle reducing ingredient is preferably from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % and most preferably from about 0.3 wt % to about 1.5 wt %. However, sulfated/sulfonated vegetable oils can be used at even higher levels, such as from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % due to their ease of formulation and relatively low cost. Suitable liquid detergent formulations are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,261,868; 4,322,308; 4,959,179; 5,089,163; 5,147,576; and 5,205,957, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
An additional advantage of the above-identified wrinkle reducing ingredients is that the molecules/compounds do not have a net positive charge in a neutral or alkaline medium, i.e. a medium having a pH greater than or equal to about 6.5. Lack of a net positive charge makes their inclusion in liquid detergents containing anionic surfactants much easier. More specifically, they are less likely to precipitate with negatively charged surfactants.
A further advantage is the likelihood of xe2x80x9cyellowingxe2x80x9d fabrics with the above wrinkle reducing molecules is less than with amine-containing ingredients. In addition, some of the above wrinkle reducing ingredients, such as sulfated vegetable oils, are relatively inexpensive.

Wrinkle reduction laundry product compositions

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.


An optical fiber alignment device is provided for aligning an optical fiber ferrule which has a geometric axis which may or may not be coincident with the optical axis of the fiber therewithin, with a cylindrical optical transmitter/receiver component which has a geometric axis which may or may not be coincident with the optical axis of the component. The adaptor includes a first end for receiving the ferrule and a second end for embracing the cylindrical optical component. The first end has a geometric axis generally coincident with the geometric axis of the ferrule, and the second end has a geometric axis generally coincident with the geometric axis of the cylindrical optical component. The first and second ends of the adaptor are eccentric to each other, thereby offsetting the respective geometric axes thereof. Therefore, rotation of the adaptor about the cylindrical transmitter/receiver component allows for alignment optimization between the optical axes of the component and the optical fiber ferrule.

Fiber optic alignment devices are well known and are used for aligning the ends of a pair of optical fibers or a fiber end with a light emitting or receiving component. Quite often, an optical fiber end is terminated in a ferrule which, itself, it aligned with another ferrule at a fiber end or with the light emitting/receiving component.
A typical optical fiber alignment device or adaptor includes an alignment sleeve having two ends. If the adaptor is aligning a pair of ferrules terminated to a pair of fiber ends, the two ends of the sleeve are of the same diameter. If the adaptor is aligning a ferrule with a cylindrical light emitting/receiving component, quite often the opposite ends of the sleeve are of different diameters.
Problems have been encountered in the use of optical fiber alignment adaptors or sleeves of the character described above. The problems are based on the fact that the geometric axes of the interconnected or aligned ferrules and/or light emitting/receiving components often do not coincide with the optical axes thereof. More particularly, the opposite ends of the alignment adaptor conventionally are press fit onto a cylindrical portion of a ferrule and onto the cylindrical light emitting/receiving component, and the geometric axes of the adaptor ends generally coincide with the geometric axes of the ferrule and the component. However, the optical axis of the component, particularly, often is not coincident with its geometric axis.
For instance, the light emitting/receiving component may be a light emitting diode which includes a can having a projecting portion defining the geometric axis. The optical axis often is not coincident with the geometric axis of the cylindrical portion because of the large tolerances involved during manufacture. In other words, the optical axis and the geometric axis of the component are eccentric relative to each other. Although the centering of an optical fiber end in a ferrule has become fairly precise in the industry, there also can be some eccentricity between the optical axis (the fiber) and the geometric axis of the ferrule. Therefore, transmission losses occur when using such optical fiber alignment adaptors because of the eccentricity of the optical axes of the interconnected optical components.
This invention is directed to solving the problems identified above by providing an adaptor which achieves alignment optimization between the axes of an optical fiber ferrule and a cylindrical transmitter/receiver component.