A thread feeding buffer for feeding a fibre thread from a magazine roll to a feed apparatus at a robot arm which is freely movable in the room. The thread feeding buffer including a thread brake and at least one movable thread guide on which a thrust force is acting. The thread is running from the magazine roll via a brake through the thread guide and further on towards the feed apparatus in such a way, that the thrust force acts for creation of a thread buffer between the brake and the feed apparatus, which buffer is variable in length. At least one guide rod for guiding the movable thread guide is arranged to cause a braking effect on downward movement of the movable thread guide for preventing entanglement of the thread fed through the movable thread guide following a rapid fall of the movable thread guide.

The production of fibre reinforced thermosetting plastic products can be automatized by the use of an industrial robot, by means of which a fibre feed apparatus can be controlled, so that precise amounts of fibers are fed out which are oriented for maximum strength, without the fibers projecting out through the outer plastic layer of the product. Owing to the repeatability of the robot, the quality of these products can be increased considerably, simultaneously as problems related to bad work environment and labor fatigue can be solved.
The fibre feeding apparatus is preferably located in a feedout head which can be mounted upon a movable robot arm. One or more fibre threads are supplied to the feedout head, which cuts the threads in suitable lengths. The feeding speed of the fibre thread can be in the range of about 10 meters per second. At such a feeding speed, it is difficult to stop the feeding of thread without any risk of getting the thread tangled.
The features defined in the above mentioned older application solve in an efficient manner the problems defined above.
However it has proven itself that there can still occur some risk for entanglement when the yoke provided with the movable thread guide moves downwards at a high speed. When the yoke then reaches its lower position there might be a bounce making the fed fibre thread slacken and become tangled.
The Technical Problem
The object of the invention is therefore to provide an arrangement at a thread feeding buffer which solves the above described problem.
The Solution
For this purpose the entangling protection arrangement for a thread feeding buffer for a fibre thread fed from a supply and along a path comprising a first guide for the thread, for receiving the thread from the supply, a contactable brake surface over which the thread is fed from the first guide; a brake element movement into control with the brake surface for bracking movement of the thread past the brake surface; a moveable thread guide in the path of the thread past the brake surface, a support comprising two substantially vertically arranged guide rods supporting the movable thread guide for movement; a further guide following the movable thread guide in the path of the thread and past which the thread is draw; the support enabling the movable thread guide to be moved by the thread to reduce the length of the thread path between the brake element engaging the brake surface and also permitting the movable thread guide to move to lengthen the distance between the brake surface and the further thread guide to absorb slack in the thread on the path between the brake surface and the further thread guide, is characterized in that at least one of said guide rods is provided with means arranged to cause a braking effect on downward movement of the movable thread guide for preventing entanglement of the thread fed through the movable thread guide following a rapid fall of said movable thread guide.

Entangling protection arrangement for a thread feeding buffer


According to one aspect of the present invention, a wireless telephony device is equipped with an optical image sensor, and a lens for imaging an object onto the sensor. The optical sensor permits a variety of useful functionality, including decoding of bar codes, watermarks, etc., from objects imaged by the sensor. One application of such a device is to interact with a remote computer system using data decoded from a bar code or watermark. For example, the device can be used to scan image data from an item depicted in a catalog, and then to transmit an order for the item from the catalog's on-line web store—using digital data decoded from the image to identify the desired item.

In copending applications Ser. No. 09/343,104 (filed Jun. 29, 1999), and Ser. No. 09/292,569 (filed Apr. 15, 1999; now abandoned in favor of continuing application Ser. No. 10/379,393), the present assignee details a variety of technologies that employ optical data sensing to invoke various communication or control functions. The present specification builds on those earlier applications, detailing additional novel technologies and systems.
For example, according to one aspect of the present invention, a wireless telephony device is equipped with an optical image sensor, and a lens for imaging an object onto the sensor. The optical sensor permits a variety of useful finctionality, including decoding of bar codes, watermarks, etc., from objects imaged by the sensor.
One application of such a device is to interact with a remote computer system using data decoded from a bar code or watermark. For example, the device can be used to scan image data from an item depicted in a catalog, and then to transmit an order for the item from the catalog's on-line web store—using the associated digital data decoded from the image to identify the item desired.
The foregoing and additional features and advantages of the present technology will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description.


An arrangement for detecting targets with an infrared sensor. The number of false alarms can be reduced by comparing image matrices generated by a detector in one revolution on the basis of pre-alarms generated in the image matrices by point target extractors. Between the matrices generated in succession, differences are introduced by means of a different spectral response, polarization section and parallax.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an arrangement for the detection of targets, comprising a detector unit rotatable about an at least substantially vertical search axis, provided with a detector and focusing means for the focusing onto the detector of radiation, such as infrared radiation emitted or reflected by targets, further comprising a point target extractor, operating on a row of two-dimensional image matrices X.sub.1, X.sub.2, . . . generated by the detector and representing the surroundings of the arrangement, for generating a predetection for each point target detected in one of the image matrices X.sub.1, X.sub.2, . . .
2. Discussion of the Background
An arrangement of this type is known for example from EP-B- 0.205.794. The aim of the point target extractor is to reduce the number of false alarms generated by a detector unit. Without a point target extractor, a detector unit will generally generate thousands of false alarms per revolution. If the point target extractor possesses all features known in the art, this number can be reduced to only a few false alarms per revolution. This, however, still renders the arrangement unfit for the autonomous and automatic operation of a weapon system.

Arrangement for the detection of targets


A method and an apparatus for remotely interacting with a PC. In one embodiment, a local PC interface unit is coupled to a PC located at a local site. The local PC interface unit is coupled to receive a video output signal and an audio output signal from the PC. The local input devices, such as the keyboard and the mouse, as well as the peripherals such as the monitor and speakers of the PC are also coupled to the local PC interface unit. The local PC interface unit converts the video and audio signals generated by the PC into a format suitable for playback on an ordinary home TV. The local PC device then transmits the converted audio/video signal via an RF wireless link to a TV interface unit, which is coupled to a TV for playback at a remote site. The TV interface unit also generates a separate audio signal suitable for being listened to from an ordinary home stereo. Remote input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball, joystick, or a game controller are coupled to a remote input device interface unit which may be located in the same room as the TV and home stereo. The remote input device interface unit receives remote input signals from each one of the remote input devices and multiplexes the remote input signals into a single remote input data stream. The remote input data stream is transmitted back to the local PC interface unit through a wireless link to enable interaction with the PC from the remote location.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to personal computers and, more specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for interfacing with a personal computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Personal computers (PCs) are continuously becoming more prolific in homes as high power multimedia PCs continue to become more affordable. Home PCs are used for a variety of purposes, which include home business and educational purposes. With these typical home PC uses in mind, PCs have naturally been located in the home office or den. In addition to being used for home business or educational purposes, home PCs have also often been used for entertainment purposes, such as for example the playing of video games or the browsing of the world wide web.
Electronic entertainment at home is commonly centered around a home entertainment center, which is typically located in the living room or family room of a home. Home entertainment centers usually include a television (TV) and a home stereo. Accordingly, it is observed that the natural environment for people to "work" at home is in the den, while the natural environment for people to "play" or "relax" at home is in the family room.
Since the PC is commonly located in the den or office of a home, and is usually not located in the family room or living room where home entertainment is more natural, there have been prior art attempts to bring electronic entertainment solutions to the family rooms or living rooms of homes where the home entertainment centers are located. Some prior art solutions include low-cost set-top PCs, which typically include low end central processing units packaged in a consumer shell. These prior art solutions include video game consoles that generally use a TV to display video game graphics while playing a game. A problem with these types of prior art solutions is that the set-top PCs are generally low-cost items and are therefore limited in their use. For instance, the video game consoles are generally limited to playing video games and are typically incompatible with most home PCs that are usually located in the home office or den.
Thus, what is desired is a method and an apparatus for extending the use of a home PC from the home office or den into other rooms of the home, such as for example the family room or living room. Such a method and apparatus would enable a home PC located in a den to be connected to a TV and/or stereo of a home entertainment center located in a family room or a living room. Such a method and apparatus would provide a low-cost solution and would therefore be affordable to consumers. In addition, such a method and apparatus would provide wireless conductivity between the PC and the TV so as to eliminate the need for intrusive cabling or wiring throughout the home. With such a method and apparatus, a PC located in the den of a home can be interacted with from virtually any room in the home and therefore increase the usefulness of the PC.

Wireless connectivity between a personal computer and a television


The projector includes alight source, a liquid crystal light valve that modulates first color component light based on a signal, a liquid crystal light valve that modulates second color component light from the light source based on a signal, a projection lens that projects a first image formed by the first color component light and a second image formed by the second color component light, an alignment image display control section that superimposes the first image and the second image on each other and projects the superimposed image to show position misregistration of the second image relative to the first image, an instruction input screen for shifting the second image as a whole, and an alignment adjustment section that determines correction information for correcting the position misregistration based on the shift instruction and corrects the signal based on the determined correction information.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a projector and a method for adjusting the projector.
2. Related Art
There is a widely used projector that modulates light incident on a light modulator based on an image signal and projects the modulated light to display an image. A projector of this type typically includes a light source having a lamp and a collector mirror and an illumination system that collects light outputted from the light source and causes the light to be incident on a light modulator that modulates the light incident thereon, and the light from the light modulator is projected through a projection lens or any other projection system on a screen or any other projection surface.
Among projectors of this type, in a projector that combines three primary color light fluxes, a red light flux (R), a green light flux (G), and a blue light flux (B), which have wavelengths different from one another, with one another and projects the combined light, light modulators and other optical systems are positioned with varied accuracy in some cases. When such variation occurs, in a displayed image projected on the screen, position misregistration occurs among the primary color light fluxes, undesirably resulting in color misregistration due to the position misregistration.
To avoid the situation described above, there is a proposed projector provided with an adjustment mechanism for correcting the color misregistration, as described in JP-A-2013-105170. To correct the color misregistration in the projector, a user checks an adjustment screen, specifies points at the four corners or arbitrary points on a displayed image, and adjusts the position misregistration at each of the specified points to correct the color misregistration.
However, when overall misregistration occurs uniformly among displayed images, it is necessary to specify points at the four corners or arbitrary points on the displayed images and set the amount of correction at each of the points in such a way that the amount of correction for the displayed images is uniform thereacross, which means that the setting requires a large amount of effort and time.

Projector and method for adjusting projector


A wireless speaker system may include a primary speaker including a first transceiver and a second transceiver and programmed to receive audio data from a user device at the first transceiver, and at least one secondary speaker including a receiver and programmed to receive a wireless signal including the audio data from the primary speaker at the receiver, each speaker configured to transmit audio signals consistently there between based on the received audio data.

Loudspeakers are used to emit sound based on an audio input signal. The audio input signals may be supplied from any number of sources and may be in any number of forms (e.g., electronic files such as .wav, .mp3, etc.). Often times, multiple loudspeakers may be desired to allow sounds to reach across a large physical area. For example, multiple speakers may be used so that sound can be heard throughout a large room or auditorium, or across a large outdoor area such as an outdoor patio, pool area, etc. Existing systems, however, require the speakers to be tethered together by a wire.


A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, which facilitates a terminal to be used in further consideration of user's convenience. The present invention includes a sensing unit including at least one sensor and a controller analyzing a user's mobile terminal use pattern based on a sensing signal received through the at least one sensor, the controller controlling a power of the at least one sensor based on the use pattern and a remaining power of the mobile terminal. Accordingly, powers of a plurality of sensors can be efficiently controlled based on a user's use pattern and/or a remaining power level. And, a user can activate a specific application and/or view a content with ease in a manner of analyzing a user's use pattern for a mobile terminal and then estimating and providing an application and/or a content necessary for the user based on a result of the analysis.

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 terminal to be used in further consideration of user's convenience.
Discussion of the Related Art
A mobile terminal is a device which may be configured to perform various functions. Examples of such functions include data and voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files and outputting music via a speaker system, and displaying images and video on a display. Some terminals include additional functionality which supports game playing, while other terminals are also configured as multimedia players. More recently, mobile terminals have been configured to receive broadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing of contents, such as videos and television programs.
Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile terminals and stationary terminals according to a presence or non-presence of mobility. And, the mobile terminals can be further classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals according to availability for hand-carry.
There are ongoing efforts to support and increase the functionality of mobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardware improvements, as well as changes and improvements in the structural components which form the mobile terminal.
Particularly, the hardware performance enhancement of a terminal diversifies types of sensors provided to the terminal. Yet, although sensor types are diversified, since a terminal usually uses a specific sensor singularly, utilization of sensors stays on a low level. Moreover, signals detected by sensors are handled as noise unless a specific function is enabled. Hence, various types of sensors fail to meet utilization of sensors.
Recently, in order to further enhance sensor utilization, sensors of various types tend to be used compositively/synthetically. A terminal detects and learns a user's terminal use pattern by using/analyzing sensing signals sensed by sensors of various types synthetically and then determines a user's intention from other sensing signals detected later.
However, a terminal should minimize its power consumption to meet the demand for portability of the terminal. As mentioned in the foregoing description, if sensing signals detected from various sensors are detected and analyzed all the time, it may possibly cause power consumption.
Thus, in order to minimize power consumption despite utilizing various sensors actively, the demand for a method of controlling powers of sensors effectively is rising.

Mobile terminal operating based on use pattern and controlling method thereof


The present invention is a clock signal apparatus for a document scanner that only produces a clock signal when pixel data is output. The apparatus includes a timing and control unit 94 that not only controls the sensor analog output process along with the conversion of the analog signals to digital data, but also provides a video clock signal only when the sensor data is present at the output of the scanner. The unit 94 also provides an intersensor period during which no pixel data is output and no clock signal is produced. The unit 94 supplies a horizontal synchronization signal before the video clock is started and a horizontal synchronization signal immediately after the last data is transmitted. The receiving unit 72 latches the data synchronous with the video clock signal. The video clock signal includes multiple edges allowing the various edges to control various stages of further processing of the sensor data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for producing an asynchronous, noncontinuous video clock for a document scanner and scanner data processing device and, more particularly, to a scanner which sends pixel data to the processing device in groups corresponding to the sensors in the scanner and also sends a video clock with multiple edges for each pixel only when the pixel data is being sent.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally a scanner for a facsimile machine, as illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a contact array of multiple sensors 10 which scan a document 12 through scanning optics 14. FIG. 1 shows four sensors 10 however, for convenience and ease of description the drawings and discussion herein will discuss two sensors where each sensor has only two pixels since the same operations with respect to more than two pixels within a sensor and more than two sensors can be extrapolated. The electronics in the conventional scanner remove the overlapping pixels, concatenate the pixels and transmit the output as video signals as illustrated in FIG. 2. The data transmission starts with a horizontal synchronization signal pulse 16 which initiates a continuous video clock signal (VC). The video clock signal clocks or produces pulses 17 for an initial period 18 called a front porch period. The front porch period is a variable number of dummy pixel outputs. Then in synchronism with this previously started video clock, the pixel data (P1 and P2) for the first sensor is sent 20, followed by sending 22 the pixel data (P3 and P4) for the second sensor. The conventional video clock signal has only a single rising and falling edge per pixel as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,380. Subsequent to the transmission of the last of the pixel data is a back porch period 24 during which the video clock continues. Period 24 can be of any length. At this time another horizontal synchronization pulse 26 occurs signifying the end of transmission of a single video line from the scanner. The prior art requirement for sending the continuous video clock VC in front of and behind the actual sensor data requires complicated logic, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,085, on the video data reception side to properly recognize when the pixel data for each sensor is present on the data bus. This logic includes a phased lock loop circuit, a local oscillator and front and back porch clock strip logic.

Asynchronous, noncontinuous video clock apparatus


A transmitting and receiving circuitry system for an ultrasonic flowmeter includes an ultrasound transducer interface for connection to an ultrasound transducer of the ultrasonic flowmeter, an amplifier with a first input and a second input, as well as a signal generator for activating the ultrasound transducer, with the first input of the amplifier connecting to the signal generator while the second input of the amplifier connects both to the ultrasound transducer interface and, via a feedback element, to the output of the amplifier. The impedance of the feedback element can be varied, permitting an adaptation of the transmitting and receiving circuitry to the operating mode of the ultrasonic flowmeter, in particular an adaptation to a transmitting or receiving mode, whereby an overall improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio is attainable. A method for operating such a system is also disclosed.

This invention relates to a transmitting and receiving circuitry system for an ultrasonic flowmeter, with an ultrasound transducer interface for connection to an ultrasound transducer of the ultrasonic flowmeter, an amplifier with a first input and a second input, as well as a signal generator for activating the ultrasound transducer, with the first input of the amplifier connecting to the signal generator while the second input of the amplifier is connected to both the ultrasound transducer interface and, via a feedback element, to the output of the amplifier. The invention further relates to an ultrasonic flowmeter employing such transmitting and receiving circuitry and to a method for operating such transmitting and receiving circuitry.
In the operation of ultrasonic flowmeters, ultrasound waves are used for measuring the speed and flow rate of a fluid medium traveling through a measuring tube. The parameters that can be derived from the flow of the medium include, for instance, runtime differences, frequency changes and phase shifts. To that effect, ultrasound transducers transmit ultrasonic waves, in continuous or pulsed fashion, into the flowing medium and receive the reflected signals. The principles on which ultrasonic flow measurements are based essentially consist, for one, of the so-called pulling effect whereby the propagation speed of the ultrasonic waves changes as these waves are carried along by the flowing medium, and, for another, of the Doppler effect that changes the frequency as the transmitter and the receiver move relative to each other.
An ultrasonic flowmeter is usually equipped with two ultrasound transducers which are offset relative to each other in the flow direction and which can alternate between a transmitting and a receiving mode, allowing the ultrasonic waves that were transmitted by one ultrasound transducer and have traveled through the flowing medium over a certain distance to be received by the other ultrasound transducers.
As will be evident from what has been said above, a transmitting and receiving circuitry system for an ultrasonic flowmeter, meaning circuitry that must be capable of handling the transmitting as well as receiving operation of the ultrasonic flowmeter, must meet certain requirements. In particular, transmitting and receiving circuitry of that type must ensure appropriate performance, stability and an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio in both the transmitting and receiving modes. The problem lies in the fact that, to some extent, transmission and reception involve altogether different requirements for the circuitry system insofar as, in the transmission mode, the signal generator generates a voltage signal that is fed to an ultrasound transducer, enabling the latter to send ultrasonic waves into the flowing medium, whereas in the receiving mode no ultrasonic signal is generated and emitted, yet the best possible reception of an ultrasonic signal must be assured.
Conventional transmitting and receiving circuitry systems for ultrasonic flowmeters do not adequately address this problem. In particular, they fail to attain a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio.

Transmitting and receiving circuitry for an ultrasonic flowmeter, and method for operating such transmitting and receiving circuitry


A structure for attaching a rubber-made component part to a panel in association with a clip engaging portion of the panel, includes: a body of the rubber-made component part having a clip embedding hole and a stopper insertion hole which communicate with each other; and an attaching clip formed of a synthetic resin and having one end portion insertable in the clip embedding hole and the other end portion projecting from a surface of the body. A stopper engaging portion is formed on the one end portion of the attaching clip, and a panel engaging portion is formed on the other end portion of the attaching clip. A stopper is insertable into the stopper insertion hole, and is adaptable to engage with the stopper engaging portion of the attaching clip so that the attaching clip is retained in the clip embedding hole. The panel engaging portion of the attaching clip is engaged with the clip engaging portion of the panel when the rubber-made component part is attached to the panel.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a structure for attaching a rubber-made component part, and more particularly to an attaching structure applicable to a rubber-made component part for an automobile, including such as a grommet, or various other rubber-made component parts.
The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. Hei. 9-179846, which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a conventional structure for attaching a rubber-made component part, a structure is known in which, as shown in FIG. 7, a rubber-made grommet 1 having a clip la for attachment on a vehicle body formed integrally therewith is attached to a vehicle body panel 2. FIG. 7 is a perspective view in which the clip la for attachment on a vehicle body is shown facing up for ease of description. As shown in the drawing, the grommet 1 is attached by fitting the clip la for attachment on a vehicle body into a clip fitting hole 2a formed in the vehicle body panel 2. As shown in the drawing, a pair of insertion holes 4a and 4b are formed in this grommet 1, and a pair of wire harnesses 3a and 3b are respectively inserted in the insertion holes 4a and 4b. A protector panel 5 is provided in such a manner as to press the grommet 1 attached to the vehicle body panel 2 against the panel 2. FIG. 8(a) shows a normal state in which the attachment is completed.
However, with the above-described attaching structure, the following problems are encountered. That is, there is a problem in that since the rubber-made clip 1a for attachment on a vehicle body is flexible, the retaining force derived from the clip la is small. In addition, there is a problem in that when an operator fits the clip 1a for attachment on a vehicle body into the clip fitting hole 2a in the vehicle body panel 2, it is difficult to ascertain whether or not the fitting has been effected positively. In particular, if the clip 1a for attachment on a vehicle body abuts against the vehicle body panel 2 before it is guided into the clip fitting hole 2a, since the clip 1a for attachment on a vehicle body is flexible, the clip 1a for attachment on a vehicle body is liable to assume an abnormal state in which it is bent, as shown in FIG. 8(b). Since it is difficult to ascertain whether or not the clip la for attachment on a vehicle body has been fitted positively in the clip fitting hole 2a, it sometimes happens that the protector panel 5 is pressed against the grommet 1 in the state in which the clip 1a for attachment on a vehicle body is bent. In a case where such attachment is performed, if some force acts on the wire harnesses 3a and 3b, there arises the problem that the grommet 1 is disengaged from between the vehicle body panel 2 and the protector panel 5.
With the conventional attaching structure, the above-described problems exist due to the fact that the clip 1a for attachment on a vehicle body of the grommet 1 is formed of elastic rubber. Accordingly, it is conceivable to form, for example, a synthetic resin-made clip for attachment on a vehicle body on the rubber-made grommet by insert molding. In this case, however, burrs for hampering the function of the clip are produced around the synthetic resin-made clip for attachment on a vehicle body. For this reason, the step of a debarring operation becomes necessary, which results in an increase in the number of manufacturing steps, so that a problem remains in the mass production efficiency. In addition, in a case where such insert molding is effected, the structure of a mold becomes complex, so that there is a problem in that the cost becomes higher.

Structure for attaching a rubber-made component part


An apparatus for controlling output signals at an output locus of a power converting device has a rectifier coupled to receive an input signal and present a rectified input signal for switching connection with one of a first and a second network. The first network includes the rectifier. The second network includes part of the first network and the output locus. The networks establish a return current to the rectifier. The apparatus includes: (a) a current indicating unit coupled with the output locus for combining an extant output signal with a time-integrated signal to present a calculated current signal; and (b) a comparing unit coupled with the first network and the current indicating unit for receiving the return current. The comparing unit drives the switching connection when the calculated current signal and the return current have a predetermined relationship.

The present invention is directed to control of power conversion devices such as AC-DC voltage converters, and especially to power factor correction converters. Many electronic equipments use a switching power supply device to power internal circuits. Switching power supply devices include power converting circuitry such as voltage converter circuitry. A switching power supply device may be either an AC (alternating current) or a DC (direct current) power supply unit. Either type of power supply unit, AC or DC, itself imposes a non-linear load on a line to which it may be attached. A non-linear load may result in low power factor, low efficiency, harmful electromagnetic interference (EMI) with other electronic equipment or other undesirable effects.
The problems caused by non-linear loads are addressed by harmonic standards proposed for electronic equipment by international agencies. In order to meet such standards, product designers require switching power supplies with appropriate power factor correction converter circuitry. Such power factor correcting (PFC) converters are controlled to reduce harmonics in current drawn by the power supply produce in which they are employed, correct phase of current drawn and make the power supply look like a pure resistor as viewed from AC supply terminals into the power supply.
PFC signal converters are available, but those with higher precision performance require complex control circuitry. Such increased complexity increases costs for producing such PFC signal converters. There are simpler, lower cost solutions that are used in low power, low efficiency applications; i.e., low performance signal converters.
There is a need for a simplified power factor correction (PFC) control apparatus that can be cost-effectively implemented for use with low cost, low power applications without sacrificing performance.

Apparatus for controlling a power factor correction converter device


[Problem] The present invention provides a novel pathological marker of angiitis which serves as an alternative to MPO-ANCAs.

Neutrophil antibodies to myeloperoxidase (MPO), (MPO-ANCAs: Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies), are associated with intractable angiitis such as crescent-forming nephritis, microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and allergic angiitis (AGA, Churg-Straus Syndrome (CSS)). Further, since the MPO-ANCA titer in the serum of patients with these diseases correlates to the disease activity, MPO-ANCAs are used as specific markers of these diseases in the diagnosis and assessment of treatments (see, for example, Non-patent Document 1).
However, even when a MPO-ANCA is used as a marker, the titer of the MPO-ANCA in serum does not always agree with the pathology. Thus, it has been suggested that MPO-ANCA is not a sole factor which induces angiitis by acting on neutrophils and plays a role after the onset of angiitis and there rather may be other molecule or mechanism which induces angiitis. Accordingly, in recent years, discussions have been made with regard to the possibility that there is a target molecule of autoantibody other than neutrophil MPO. Consequently, there have been reports on involvement of several target molecules such as Lamp2 (see Non-patent Documents 2 and 3). In addition, attempts have been made to elucidate the activation mechanism of vascular endothelial cells by autoantibodies including MPO-ANCA as a mechanism for onset of angiitis and pathological development. To this day, it has been reported that the serums of angiitis patients showing positive for an autoantibody induce the expression of ICAM-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) (see Non-patent Document 4) and that the anti-proteinase-3 autoantibody (PR3-ANCA) of Wegener's granulomatosis patients induces the expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (see Non-patent Documents 5 and 6). However, there has been no report with regard to the direct effects of a MPO-ANCA on vascular endothelial cells. Therefore, it is still unclear as to whether or not a molecule other than MPO-ANCAs and Lamp2 antibodies is involved in the pathology of angiitis. Furthermore, since reactions caused by anti-mouse MPO antibody (rmMPO antibody) are observed in the same manner also in a MPO-deficient mouse, it has been suggested that a molecule other than MPO serves as a target in vascular endothelial cells. Moreover, although it has been reported that the serums and autoantibodies of angiitis patients activate HUVECs, the pathogenicity thereof and the acting molecule have not been clarified.
In addition, the present inventors have reported that an anti-rmMPO antibody (MPO-ANCA) activates mouse glomerular endothelial cells (mGECs). However, it is still unclear with regard to the factors that play a role in the pathology of angiitis other than MPO-ANCAs and Lamp2 antibodies.
Thus, at present, while there are suggestions on the presence of other factors that are involved in the pathology of angiitis in addition to MPO-ANCAs that are clinically used in diagnosis and the like of angiitis, the essence of such factors is not clear. As described in the above, the diagnosis and assessment of treatments by MPO-ANCAs do not necessarily perfectly reflect the actual pathology; therefore, identification of the factors other than MPO-ANCAs can potentially complement the diagnosis and the like by MPO-ANCAs or provide a novel clinical marker which serves as an alternative and it is of extreme significance in terms of clinical medicine. Here, the present inventors discovered protein M as a factor other than MPO-ANCAs.

Testing method and testing reagent for angiitis

Abstract: [Means for Solution] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for testing angiitis which includes a step of detecting an antibody specifically recognizing a moesin in a biological sample is provided. In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a reagent for testing angiitis which contains a substance that detects an antibody specifically recognizing a moesin in a biological sample is provided.

National University Corporation Chiba University

Educational Foundation Jichi Medical University


The invention relates to an energy converter for supplying electric energy from an energy source to a load. The converter comprises a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, the secondary side being adapted to be connected to the load. At least a first and a second controllable switch are arranged in series with each other. The energy converter further comprises a control device for generating control signals with which the first and the second switch are opened and closed for generating an alternating current in the primary side of the transformer, the control device comprising with means for comparing a threshold value with the value of a quantity which relates or is equal to the value of a change of the voltage per unit of time at a node of the first switch and the second switch for determining switching instants of the first and the second switch. The control device is adapted to determine a reached maximum value of said quantity and to determine the threshold value on the basis of the determined maximum value of the quantity. As a result, delay of the comparator may be compensated, while in the near-capacitive mode switching can take place with minimal switching losses.

The invention relates to an energy converter for supplying electric energy from an energy source to a load, the energy converter comprising a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, the secondary side being adapted to be connected, in operation, to the load, at least a first and a second series-arranged, controllable switch to be connected, in operation, to the energy source, diodes arranged anti-parallel to the first and the second switch, and comprising a control device for generating control signals with which the first and the second switch are opened and closed for generating an alternating current in the primary side of the transformer, the control device comprising means for comparing a threshold value with the value of a quantity which is related or equal to a change of the voltage per unit of time at a node of the first switch and the second switch for determining switching instants of the first and the second switch.
An energy converter of this type is known per se from, inter alia, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,599 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,431. In this converter, the load is often a rectifier and the energy source is a DC voltage source. Together with the load, the energy converter has for its object to convert a DC input voltage of the energy source into a DC output voltage of the load. However, the load may also comprise a different device than the rectifier, which device is fed with an alternating voltage. The energy converter may thus consist, inter alia, of a DC/DC converter and a DC/AC converter.
For a satisfactory operation of the energy converter, it is important that the switches for generating the alternating current are switched on and off at the right instant. The frequency at which the switches are switched on and off defines the mode of operation of the converter. If the frequency is sufficiently high, the energy converter operates in a regular inductive mode. In this mode, the phase of the current through the primary side of the transformer trails the phase of the voltage at the node. After a current-conducting switch is opened, and after the diode of the other switch has started to conduct the current, the other switch can be opened. In that case, there are no switching losses. The time interval in which both switches are opened is referred to as the non-overlap time.
The converter operates in the near-capacitive mode when the switching frequency of the switches, and hence the frequency of the alternating current through the primary side of the transformer is decreased to a point where the alternating current is at least almost in phase with the alternating current at the node. After the current conducting switch is opened and before the diode, which is arranged anti-parallel to the other switch, starts to conduct, the direction of the current through the primary side of the transformer is reversed. Hard-switching takes place if the other switch is closed in that case. This means that switching takes place at an instant when there is a voltage difference across the relevant switch. This will result in switching losses.
The converter operates in the capacitive mode when the frequency at which the switches are switched is further decreased to a point where the alternating current through the primary side of the transformer is in phase with, or even leads the phase of the voltage at the node. The switching losses also occur in this mode.
Generally, it is desirable that the energy converter operates in the inductive mode. To this end, it is important that the non-overlap time is chosen to be sufficiently long to prevent hard-switching, i.e. switching losses. However, the non-overlap time is bound to a maximum because hard-switching also occurs in the case of a too long overlap time so that switching losses occur.
To determine the overlap time for an energy converter operating in the inductive mode, it is known to provide the control device with means for comparing the value of a quantity which relates or is equal to the value of a change of the voltage per unit of time at a node of the first and the second switch, on the one hand, with a threshold value, on the other hand, for determining the switching instants of the first and the second switch. More particularly, the instant when the other switch must be closed, is determined by measuring the current flowing through a capacitance of the energy converter, which capacitance is incorporated in the energy converter in such a way that it reduces the value of the change of the voltage at the node per unit of time. The other switch is closed at the instant when the value of this current decreases and becomes equal to a relatively small positive threshold value. In accordance with a practical elaboration, the switching instant is determined by comparing the voltage across the current-sense resistor with a reference voltage by means of a comparator. This sense resistor may be arranged in series with said capacitance, or it may be incorporated in the alternating current path via a capacitive current divider. A drawback of the known energy converter is that the comparator, which is operative on the basis of relatively small input signals and relatively small slopes, can react in a delayed manner. As a result, the relevant switches may be switched on too late. This in turn may mean that hard-switching as yet occurs in the inductive mode, resulting in switching losses.
It is an object of the invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problem. It is also an object of the invention to provide an energy converter which, when operative in the near-capacitive mode, can reduce the switching losses to a minimum.
According to the invention, the energy converter is characterized in that the control device is adapted to determine a reached maximum value of said quantity and to determine the threshold value on the basis of the determined maximum value of the quantity. Since the threshold voltage is determined on the basis of a determined maximum value of said quantity, it is possible to compensate for said delay and for a comparator possibly used in the control device.
The threshold value can be particularly chosen on the basis of the maximum value in such a way that, when the energy converter operates in the near-capacitive mode, the relevant switch is closed when the alternating voltage at the node has reached an extreme value. This extreme value results in the switching losses being minimized. The reason is that the voltage difference across the switch which is closed at that instant is minimal.
Particularly, the threshold voltage is equal to a factor K times the maximum value, in which K has a value of between 0 and 1. This factor K may be particularly chosen to be such that the switching losses are minimal in the near-capacitive mode. In the inductive mode, it then holds that the overlap time has such a non-critical value that there will be no switching losses at all.
It is therefore preferable that the factor K is determined in such a way that one of the switching instants coincides with the instant when the voltage at the node assumes an extreme value when the frequency of the alternating current through the primary side of the transformer is so low that this alternating current is at least substantially in phase with the voltage at the node. The factor K is thus determined in such a way that the switching losses are minimal in the near-capacitive mode.
The energy converter preferably also comprises at least a capacitance for limiting the value of a change of the voltage at the node per unit of time, the value of said quantity relating to the value of the current through the capacitance. If this capacitance is not present, the voltage at the node per unit of time will have a very large change and will be dependent on parasitic capacitances. If the semiconductor switches do not have large parasitic capacitances, it is therefore advantageous to include the capacitance for limiting the value of the change of the voltage at the node per unit of time. This will often be the case in practice.
In the latter case, it particularly holds that the factor K is determined in such a way that one of the switching instants coincides with the instant when the current through the capacitance becomes zero, while the value of the current preceding said instant decreases to zero when the frequency of the alternating current through the primary side of the transformer is so low that this alternating current is at least substantially in phase with the voltage at the node. The control device may then comprise a current peak detector which is connected via a first measuring capacitance to the node for determining said maximum value.
In accordance with a further elaboration of this variant, the control device further comprises a multiplier which is connected to an output of the peak detector for multiplying the maximum value by the factor K, a second measuring capacitance and a comparator which is connected to an output of the multiplier and is connected to the node via the second measuring capacitance, the comparator being adapted to determine the instant when an output signal of the peak detector is equal to an output signal of the comparator.
Generally, the first and the second capacitance are formed by at least one and the same capacitance in this case.
These and other aspects are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Resonant converter comprising a control circuit


A non-aqueous electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery is provided. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt, a non-aqueous solvent, and an organic compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by Formulae (1) to (6):

The use of portable electronic instruments is increasing as electronic equipment gets smaller and lighter due to developments in the high-tech electronic industry. Studies on lithium secondary batteries are actively being pursued in accordance with the increased need for a battery having high energy density for use as a power source in these portable electronic instruments. Lithium-containing metal oxides are used as a positive active material of a lithium secondary battery, and lithium metals, lithium-containing alloys, crystalline and amorphous carbons, and carbon-containing composites are used as a negative active material of a lithium secondary battery.
The average discharge voltage of a lithium secondary battery is about 3.6 to 3.7 V, which is higher than other alkali batteries, Ni—MH batteries, Ni—Cd batteries, etc. However, an electrolyte that is electrochemically stable in the charge and discharge voltage range of 0 to 4.2 V is required in order to generate such a high driving voltage. As a result, a mixture of non-aqueous carbonate-based solvents, such as ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, etc., and a lithium salt, such as LiPF6, LiBF4, or LiClO4, is used as an electrolyte. However, the ion conductivity of such an electrolyte is significantly lower than that of an aqueous electrolyte that is used in a Ni—MH battery or a Ni—Cd battery, thereby resulting in the deterioration of battery cell performance during charge and discharge at a high rate.
Charge and discharge characteristics are affected by ionic conductivity of an electrolyte, and it is preferable that the ionic conductivity is high. Since a large amount of free ions are capable of increasing the ionic conductivity (the ionic conductivity results from a large amount of free ions), the dielectric constant of the electrolyte is high and the viscosity electrolyte of the electrolyte is low. In addition, the electrolyte has a low freezing point, resulting in good movement of the free ions. (Makoto Ue, Solution Chemistry of Organic Electrolytes, Progress in Battery Materials, Vol. 16 (1997).)
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,639,575 and 5,525,443 disclose a solvent having a high dielectric constant mixed with a solvent having a low viscosity in order to enhance electrochemical characteristics of lithium ion batteries, and in particular, a solvent having a low freezing point mixed therewith in order to enhance electrochemical characteristics of lithium ion batteries at low temperatures. However, when a lithium ion battery is discharged at a high rate (1C), its discharge characteristics deteriorate rapidly because the lithium ion mobility is so low at low temperatures, especially at −20° C. Therefore, in order to enhance its discharge characteristics at a high rate, an electrolyte must have high ionic conductivity and low internal resistance when a lithium ion battery is discharged at a high rate.
During the initial charge of a lithium secondary battery, lithium ions, which are released from the lithium-containing metal oxide positive electrode of the battery, are transferred to a carbon negative electrode where the ions are intercalated into the carbon. Because of its high reactivity, lithium is reacted with the carbon negative electrode to produce Li2CO3, LiO, LiOH, etc., thereby forming a thin film on the surface of the negative electrode. This film is referred to as a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film. The SEI film formed during the initial charge not only prevents the reaction between lithium ions and the carbon negative electrode or other materials during charging and discharging, but also acts as an ion tunnel, allowing the passage of only lithium ions. The ion tunnel prevents the disintegration of the structure of the carbon negative electrode, which causes organic solvents in an electrolyte with a high molecular weight to make solvate lithium ions, and the solvent and the solvated lithium ions co-intercalate into the carbon negative electrode.
Once the SEI film is formed, lithium ions do not again react with the carbon electrode or other materials such that an amount of lithium ions is maintained. That is, carbon from the negative electrode reacts with an electrolyte during the initial charging, thus forming a passivation layer, such as an SEI film on the surface of the negative electrode, such that the electrolyte solution no longer decomposes and stable charging and discharging are maintained (J. Power Sources, 51(1994), 79-104). As a result, in the lithium secondary battery there is no irreversible formation reaction of the passivation layer, and a stable cycle life after the initial charging reaction is maintained.
Since the characteristics of the SEI film are affected by the kind of solvent used for an electrolyte and additives, and they affect ion movement and charge transfer, the battery efficiency may be changed by them, and they are critical for the battery efficiency. (Shoichiro Mori, Chemical Properties of Various Organic Electrolytes for Lithium Rechargeable Batteries, J. Power Sources, 68 (1997).)
In order to enhance the characteristics of the SEI film, it has been suggested that additives be added to the electrolyte: For example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 95-176323 discloses an electrolyte that has added CO2, and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 95-320779 discloses an electrolyte with a sulfide-based compound additive in order to prevent the electrolyte from being decomposed.

Electrolyte for lithium secondary battery and lithium secondary battery comprising same

Abstract: wherein R1 to R12 are each independently selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, and aryl groups; X is hydrogen or halogen; and n and m are numerical values ranging from 0 to 3.


In some embodiments, a method includes selecting, a first circuit layout, where the first circuit layout includes a circuit element representation, a design rule, and a target circuit element value. The method further includes receiving a plurality of circuit element values of circuit elements fabricated in each of multiple fabrication facilities using the design rule. The method also includes selecting a fabrication facility and a circuit element value of circuit elements fabricated in the selected fabrication facility using the design rule. Further the method includes determining a circuit element value calculation based on the selected circuit element values, and determining an adjustment value. This adjustment value is further used to customize the design rule. The method then includes generating a second circuit layout comprising the customized design rule, causing the fabrication facility to fabricate a circuit using the second circuit layout.

Semiconductor circuits are fabricated on silicon wafers in fabrication facilities. For economic reasons, semiconductor circuit designers may commission multiple fabrication facilities (sometimes referred to as "fabs") to fabricate semiconductor circuits using a common circuit layout. Different fabrication facilities may utilize different fabrication processes. For example, a fabrication process to fabricate a semiconductor circuit at a first fabrication facility may differ from the fabrication process to fabricate the same circuit at a second fabrication facility.

Customizing circuit layout design rules for fabrication facilities


A container for safety equipment includes a plurality of divided compartments and a hinged top cover. One compartment is arranged for snugly holding a pair of safety goggles. Another compartment is arranged for snugly holding a stack of breathing masks. A third compartment is arranged for holding a supply of ear plugs. The back of the container includes a set of screw holes, a hook-and-loop fastener, and a set of strap anchors. The container can be screwed to a fixed location by using the screw holes, or it can be releasably mounted to any desired location with the hook-and-loop fastener. The container can also be fixedly mounted on a tool, such as the handle of a lawn mower, with straps passed around the strap anchors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to containers, specifically to a container for holding safety equipment.
2. Prior Art
Safety equipment, such as goggles, breathing masks, and ear plugs, are necessary for a variety of activities that involve power tools, including wood working, metal machining, lawn mowing, etc. Because different safety equipment are provided in separate packages or containers, they are often stored in different locations and easily misplaced, so that they are difficult to find. Even if the power tools and the safety equipment are stored in the same location, the tools are often used far away from such location. People would often forget to bring the safety equipment along with the tool, and do not bother to go back for it. As a result, many people endanger their eyesight, respiratory system, and hearing because they can't find the safety equipment, or because the safety equipment simply isn't conveniently available when needed.


The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for managing the execution of print jobs. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a print job associated with a set of print job parameters. The print job is sent from a computing device associated with a user. The method includes accessing a set of user parameters associated with the user, and determining a print job priority for the print job using the set of print job parameters and the set of user parameters. The method includes identifying a destination printer capable of executing the print job using the set of print job parameters. The method also includes initiating execution of the print job at the destination printer in response to determining to execute the print job based on the print job priority.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for managing the execution of print jobs. More particularly, the present invention relates to managing print jobs within a network data processing system.
Description of the Related Art
Today, printing is often accomplished in network printing environments. For example, multiple computers and multiple printers may be interconnected via one or more servers so that any one of the computers is able to print to one of the printers in the network. Such printing networks may be found in various locations, such as a home, office, metropolitan area, campus, computer lab, etc. However, issues may arise as the number, size, or diversity of print jobs on a particular network increases. Furthermore, those controlling a network printing environment may desire to manage incoming print jobs according to his or her preferences. Proper management of the print jobs and the network printing environment can address these and other issues that may arise when printing in a network printing environment.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for managing the execution of print jobs


The present invention relates to a pepper plant showing the trait fruit formation in the absence of fertilization wherein said trait is obtainable by introgression from a plant grown from seed that was deposited with the NCIMB under accession number NCIMB 41678, NCIMB 41680, or NCIMB 41684. The invention further relates to progeny of the plant, propagation material for producing the plant, to fruits of the plant and to a food product comprising the fruit or parts thereof.

Breeding of fruity vegetables like peppers aims at the production of commercial varieties optimally adapted to a professional production environment in order to produce marketable products. Many characteristics need to be taken into account during selection which relate to both input and output traits. One of the very important traits in this respect relates to fruit set, in particular to fruit set under unfavourable environmental conditions such as high or low temperatures and drought. Such conditions can be detrimental for normal pollination and thereby fertilisation, which leads to poor fruit set and as a consequence yield loss. When fruit formation in the absence of fertilisation or parthenocarpy can be harnessed as a trait, it is an important characteristic that can significantly contribute to an economically more efficient production of pepper fruits for several reasons.
In addition to contributing to harvest security, parthenocarpy is also important for fruit quality. Blossom-end rot (BER) is a physiological disorder caused by a local calcium deficiency during the initial stage of fruit development. BER is of economic importance since it causes high yield losses in pepper. The occurrence of BER is strongly correlated with a high initial growth rate, but also with the number of seeds in a fruit. Parthenocarpic peppers are reported to be less susceptible to BER since they do not contain any seeds (Heuvelink and Körner; Annals of Botany 88: 69-74, 2001).
Furthermore, industrial or domestic applications which require seed removal from the fruits can benefit strongly from parthenocarpy. In the food processing industry seeds are usually removed by washing the seeds away with water. Since this step is redundant for the processing of parthenocarpic peppers there are less processing costs involved. Also for domestic applications parthenocarpic fruits have advantages over seeded fruits, because it is easier for consumers to process the fruits due to the absence of seeds.
The formation of fruits in the absence of fertilisation gives rise to the possibility to combine this character with a genetic source of male sterility, in particular GMS (Genetic Male Sterility). This form of male sterility causes anthers not to develop, therefore no pollen are produced. This has several advantages for the grower. First of all, the undeveloped anthers will decrease the chances for personnel to develop allergic reactions to pollen. Secondly, a cost reduction can be made because bumblebees or other pollinators normally used to optimize fruit set are not necessary anymore, since fruits will set in the absence of fertilisation.
Another high valued trait of parthenocarpy is that it stabilizes the production flow of pepper fruits. Normally, the production of peppers is characterized by periods with high production of fruits alternated with periods with low production. This phenomenon in the pepper production chain is called flushing. This cyclic behaviour leads to periods with high supply and low prices and periods with a low supply and high prices. Avoiding this irregular yield pattern in the pepper production process and providing a more stable production of peppers is of great economic importance. The fluctuations in pepper production are mainly caused by fluctuations in fruit set. The presence of several developing fruits set at approximately the same time inhibit the fruit set and growth of new fruits because of competition for resources and dominance due to the production of plant growth regulators.
Furthermore, it is known that an increase in the number of seeds in a pepper also increases the inhibitory effect of a fruit on set and growth of later developing fruits. Hence, the fluctuations in pepper production will be less by growing parthenocarpic fruits, which do not contain seeds (Heuvelink and Korner; Annals of Botany 88: 69-74, 2001).
Fruit set normally depends on fertilisation. Fertilisation is the process in which both the egg cell and central cell contained within the ovule are fused with a sperm cell delivered by the pollen tube. This so-called double fertilisation is the step which triggers a cascade of events leading to the formation of the embryo and endosperm and finally to a mature seed. The developing seeds and surrounding tissues generate a signal which stimulates the outgrowth of the ovary and its development into a fleshy fruit. Apparently fertilisation lifts a certain developmental barrier which prevents fruit formation. This mechanism assures the fruit formation to be dependent on the formation of seeds which makes sense given the biological role of fruits in seed dispersal.
However, the knowledge of the physiological and molecular events which play a role in the initial steps of fruit formation is fragmentary. The involvement of the plant hormones auxin and gibberellin has been extensively documented although their precise role remains elusive. The application of either auxin or gibberellin to the unfertilised ovule leads in many plant species including pepper to fruit formation. In fact, these hormones are applied in practice to improve fruit set when greenhouse conditions are suboptimal. Although the application of auxin and gibberellin has some practical value it increases cost and it may lead to irregularities in fruit shape.
In addition to these exogenous effects, it is assumed that the hormones auxin and gibberellin also play a role during fertilisation dependent fruit formation although it is not clear which tissues are the actual source of these hormones. The hierarchy of these hormones as well as the downstream regulatory network is still largely unknown. Other hormones such as cytokinins, abscisic acid, ethylene and brassinosteroid also seem to play a role in fruit formation.
Most pepper genotypes exhibit a certain level of parthenocarpy. However, these parthenocarpic fruits show negative pleiotropic effects, such as a reduced fruit size, irregular and deformed shape of the fruit, and carpelloid growth inside the fruit (Tiwari et al. BMC Plant Biology 11:143, 2011). Carpelloid growth is the outgrowth of a pseudo-embryo inside a pepper fruit, which is a highly undesired effect for both grower and consumer. Parthenocarpic fruits showing negative pleiotropic effects are called knots and are not to be considered as real parthenocarpic fruits.
Given the significant advantages of parthenocarpy for the production of pepper fruits there is a strong need for a genetic source of parthenocarpy in pepper which allows the formation of fruits in absence of fertilisation, better known as parthenocarpic fruit formation, which is preferably not linked to negative pleiotropic effects.
Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.

Fruit formation in the absence of fertilisation


A rotating deflection unit deflects a laser light emitted from a light-emitting element and performs a scanning with the laser light. A light-intensity detecting unit detects a light intensity of the laser light. A current control unit controls a current to be supplied to the light-emitting element so that the light intensity of the laser light reaches a target light intensity. An initializing unit determines an initial current value with which the target light intensity is obtained from the light-emitting element by eliminating an influence of a noise caused by a reflected light input into the light-intensity detecting unit from the rotating deflection unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical writing device and an image forming apparatus employing the optical writing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus, such as a digital photocopier or a laser printer, deflects a laser light to be emitted in accordance with image data in a main scanning direction by rotating a polygon mirror, and forms an electrostatic latent image that is formed on a photosensitive element moving in a sub-scanning direction. An optical writing device in such image forming apparatus generally performs automatic power control (APC). According to the APC control, to keep a light intensity of a laser light emitted from a laser diode (LD) constant, the light intensity of the laser light is detected by a light-receiving element, such as a photo diode, and the value of a current to illuminate the LD is controlled based on the detected light intensity. A photo diode is included in an LD unit together with the LD. More specifically, the photo diode is sometimes arranged in the vicinity of the LD inside the LD unit in some cases.
To eliminate influences caused by, such as individual differences of the LD, time-lapse fluctuations, and temperature fluctuations, the optical writing device that performs the APC control generally performs an initializing operation that determines an initial value of an LD drive current to obtain a target light intensity. For example, according to an initializing operation described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-153118, a current supplied to the LD is increased until the light intensity of the laser light emitted from the LD reaches a reference value, and the value of a current at a moment when the light intensity of the laser light reaches the reference value is set as the initial value of the LD drive current.
The image forming apparatus is configured such that the laser light from the LD is reflected by the polygon mirror, and irradiated to the photosensitive element via a plurality of lenses and reflection mirrors. However, when the laser light is reflected by the polygon mirror in accordance with an optical condition of the regular reflection (at 90 degrees of the incident angle), the reflected light sometimes returns directly into the inside of the LD unit in some cases. Such phenomenon is called as a reflected light. If the reflected light is generated, a receiving-light amount received by the photo diode inside the LD unit increases to more than a usual state. For this reason, it is desirable to detect the light intensity of the LD by eliminating influence of the reflected light.
However, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-153118, a current to be supplied to the LD is increased until the light intensity of the laser light emitted from the LD reaches the reference value, and the current to be supplied to the LD is controlled based on the value of the current at a moment when the light intensity of the laser light reaches the reference value, so that the optical writing device tends to receive an adverse effect of a reflected light.
Consequently, sometimes the initializing operation is not properly performed due to an influence of the reflected light, which causes a problem that the quality of an image is degraded due to a failure of initialization.

Optical writing device and image forming apparatus


A packaging article for containing and holding food products includes a barrier layer for limiting permeability of oxygen through and into the article and an oxygen scavenging layer, which oxygen scavenging layer together with a second plastic material is contained within a cavity in a first plastic material forming walls, bottom(s) and lid(s) of the packaging article, which first plastic material is suitable for contact with food products. A method of manufacturing a packaging finished in one injection molding cycle includes placing the barrier layer in a mold, injecting the first plastic material suitable for contact with food products into the mold, and injecting the second plastic material with the oxygen scavenger into the mold.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a packaging article for containing and holding food products, which article comprises one or more chambers defined by walls, bottom(s) and lid(s) where the walls, bottom(s) and lid(s) have barrier means for limiting permeability of oxygen through the article and into the one or more chambers and comprising an oxygen scavenger in at least the walls, bottom(s) or lid(s).
The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a packaging article for containing and holding food products, which article comprises one or more chambers defined by walls, bottom(s) and lid(s) where the walls, bottom(s) and lid(s) have barrier means for limiting permeability of oxygen through the article and into the one or more chambers.
The Prior Art
It is known to produce articles for containing food products from different types of plastic. Plastics are relatively easy to mould into a desired configuration.
It is also known to produce articles for containing food products from plastic sheet, film or laminated film.
The plastic sheets or film are made in an extrusion process. The sheet or film material is converted into plastic bags or trays which can be filled with oxygen-sensitive food.
These types of trays or containers do not leave the manufacturer much liberty of producing or designing a more welcoming appearance as well as the possibility of puncture of the sheet or film exists and thereby significantly shortening the storage life of the food product, sometimes even without the puncture being noticed.
Therefore it is desirable to be able to manufacture a packaging article with greater liberty of producing or designing and a more welcoming appearance together with a more stable structure preventing unintended puncturing of parts of the packaging article.
This can be done by injection moulding the packaging article from a polypropylene which gives fine results with regards to designing and a more welcoming appearance as well as an article more resistant for instance to punctures. Unfortunately, the oxygen permeability for polypropylene is not satisfactory. When used in combination with food products, it is advantageous to have a packaging article with adequate barrier properties.
To give polypropylene better properties with respect to forming an oxygen barrier, another material has been added to the polypropylene before moulding. A material such as ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) has been used to achieve the desired barrier properties. Other barrier materials could be SiOx, a coating of PVDc or a compound of a special nylon such as MXD6 mixed into the basis material.
Further, polypropylene makes it possible to perform a heat treatment of the food product placed in the packaging article, which is not possible with all plastics.
Oxygen contained in the interior of the packaging article together with a food product is unwanted, since the oxygen contributes to the putrefaction of the food product.
To avoid such a situation or ensure a better storage life of the food product kept in the packaging article, different methods have been tested. One method is to put an oxygen scavenger into the packaging article, either by simply putting an oxygen-scavenging member into the package together with the food product or by adding the oxygen scavenger to the plastic material used to manufacture the packaging article.
An oxygen scavenger is a substance or material capable of absorbing oxygen by a chemical reaction and thereby able to remove or reduce the content of oxygen from an enclosure.
US 2003/0091769 A1 describes a multilayer preform and container with coextruded liner. Here, the packaging article is manufactured as a multilayer preform, where one or more of the layers comprise an oxygen scavenger.
The problem arising when using a preform to manufacture an article is that the preform probably will be stored for a longer period. If nothing is done to prohibit the oxygen scavenger from starting its oxygen-absorbing reaction, it is possible that the scavenging action will not be sufficient at the time the preform is moulded into its final shape and ready to be filled with for example beverages.
To prevent this reaction from starting before the scavenging property is needed, the scavenger can be sandwiched between at least two barrier layers.
New Technique
To provide a packaging article with a more welcoming appearance and a greater liberty of producing such trays or containers together with improved scavenging and barrier properties, a new tray or container for food products and a new method of manufacturing such a tray or container are developed. This is achieved by the invention by providing a packaging article that comprises oxygen-scavenging means, which oxygen-scavenging means together with a second plastic material is moulded into a cavity in a first plastic material forming walls, bottom(s) and lid(s) of the packaging article, which first plastic material is suitable for contact with food products.
The first and second plastic materials are in most cases different plastic materials, but it is possible to use the same plastic material as both first and second material. The advantage of using a different plastic material as the second plastic material is that it is not necessary to use a plastic material suitable for contact with food products, since the second plastic material is embedded in or surrounded by the first plastic material.
Further, a method of manufacturing such a packaging article is developed.
This method is an expedient way of manufacturing a packaging article according to the invention.
This is achieved by placing an In-Mould-Label film (IML film) with a barrier film or coating in an injection mould and thereafter injecting a polypropylene into the mould. The polypropylene is injected into the mould in such a way that an oxygen scavenger is surrounded by polypropylene material and the oxygen scavenger is situated on the inner side of the In-Mould-Label, but not necessarily adjacent to the In-Mould-Label.
By the method the article in the form of a high barrier packaging is finished in one injection moulding cycle comprising the following three process steps:                An oxygen barrier film with or without decoration is placed in the mould.        A first plastic material suitable for contact with food products is injected into the closed mould where the barrier film is placed. The mould is partly filled in this step.        A second plastic material containing an oxygen scavenger (3) is injected into the mould until the mould is filled, whereby the oxygen scavenger (3) is surrounded by the first plastic material (2) suitable for contact with food products.
This method using In-Mould-Labelling technology makes the oxygen barrier film an integrated part of the injection moulded packaging, where the injected plastic is forming a sandwich structure with a layer of a second plastic material containing an oxygen scavenger sealed between two layers of a first plastic material intended for contact with food products.
When the first plastic material, which is a kind of polypropylene, is injected into the mould, the outer part of the plastic material is cooled by contact with the inner surfaces of the mould and the part of the plastic material pointing in the direction away from the inner surfaces (the inner part of the mould cavity) is still flowing through the mould. This action can be described as "rolling out a carpet" on both sides of the material at a time.
Since the IML film is placed in the mould before injecting the polypropylene, the polypropylene will attach to the IML film during partly filling the mould.
After this step a cavity in the polypropylene is achieved, which cavity is filled with a second plastic material comprising an oxygen scavenger.
Hereby a high barrier plastic packaging is achieved, which is made by injection moulding. This type of packaging combines the excellent barrier properties in film and sheet material with the high quality and design freedom of injection moulded packaging and comprising an oxygen scavenger.
This method using In-Mould-Labelling technology makes the barrier film an integrated part of the injection moulded packaging, where the injected plastic is forming an inner side intended for contact with food products and with the external side formed of an In-Mould-Label. Further, the oxygen scavenger is embedded in the polypropylene in such a way that the scavenger is not in direct contact with the food products contained in the packaging article in use.
A suitable material for the barrier as mentioned previously could be EVOH.
According to an embodiment of the invention, an effective oxygen-scavenging high barrier packaging article is provided by having oxygen scavenging means moulded into the inner part of the walls, bottom(s) or lid(s) of the packaging article.
According to an embodiment of the invention, an effective oxygen-scavenging high barrier packaging article is provided by having a packaging article, which on its outer side is provided with barrier properties by In-Mould-Labelling a label comprising a barrier film together with injection moulding the packaging article from a polypropylene.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a high barrier packaging article is provided where the barrier means is embedded in the label.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a high barrier packaging article is provided where the barrier means is chosen from a group consisting of silicium oxide (SiOx) or a coating of silicium oxide (SiOx), a coating of PVDc, a special nylon such as MXD6 mixed into the basis material or of EVOH (ethyl-vinyl-alcohol).
According to an embodiment of the invention, a high barrier packaging article is provided where the barrier surrounds most of or the entire outer area or surface of the packaging article.
According to the invention, a packaging article with embedded oxygen-scavenging means is made in one injection moulding cycle consisting of three process steps.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a packaging article with oxygen scavenging means is made by mixing an oxygen-scavenging material in a plastic material before injecting this mixture into a partly moulded packaging article.

Method of manufacturing a packaging with IML barrier film in combination with oxygen scavenger


A semiconductor device and a method of inspecting the same are described. The semiconductor device does not need voltage adjustment of an external driver circuit, since it contains a voltage generator to inspect and memorize the best value of voltage by controlling from outside. The voltage generator has a plurality of capacitors whose electrodes of one side are connected to a common node, a potential changing circuit to change the potential to which the other electrodes of these capacitors are connected respectively, and a buffer amplifier whose input power is the voltage generated in the common node. The output power of the buffer amplifier is connected to a semiconductor integrated circuit. The potential changing circuit is provided to change the potential to which the electrode of each capacitor is connected to a source potential or to a ground potential depending on the connection of the fuse connected between the source and each of the capacitors.

Some semiconductor devices need to adjust the voltage which is supplied from external sources. A solid state imaging device is taken as an example to explain such conventional techniques.
FIG. 5A shows the structure of the conventional solid state imaging device. Photo diodes 1 arranged two-dimensionally are connected to vertical charge coupled devices (CCDs) 2 in every line. The vertical CCDs 2 are connected to a horizontal CCD 3. The horizontal CCD 3 is connected to an output amplifier 4 for charge-detection. The signal charge generated by being converted photoelectrically in the photo diodes 1 is transmitted to the vertical CCDs 2 and then to the horizontal CCD 3, and outputted after being converted to a voltage by the output amplifier 4. A solid state imaging device having this structure contains two portions where the driver voltage should be adjusted. The examples are a blooming control voltage and a reset voltage of a charge-detector of the output amplifier 4.
The following is an explanation about the blooming voltage. When a strong light beam enters, signal electrons generated at the photo diodes overflow and flow into the adjacent photo diodes or the vertical CCDs. This phenomenon is called blooming. A vertical overflow drain or a horizontal overflow drain is used in order to control this blooming. The vertical overflow drain has a structure to discharge the signal electrons to the substrate before the electrons flow into the adjacent photo diodes or the vertical CCDs, while the horizontal overflow drain has a structure to discharge the signal electrons to the drain before they flow into the adjacent photo diodes or the vertical CCDs by providing an exclusive drain and a control electrode.
The vertical overflow drain is briefly explained below. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a photo diode and an adjacent vertical CCD of the vertical overflow drain, which is taken in line of A-A' of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a graph to show a potential along the line of B-B'-B" of FIG. 5B. Signal electrons 15 are stored at the photo diode 7 in proportion to the amount of incident light. As shown in the potential 12, the signal electrons 15 stored at the photo diode 7 partially flow into the vertical CCD 10 if the potential of the p type area 6 is lower than the barrier potential (9 and 6 of the FIG. 5C) between the photo diode 7 and the vertical CCD 10. As shown in the potential 14, the potential of the p type area 6 is raised and the signal electrons 15 are discharged to the substrate before the electrons 15 are overflowed to the vertical CCD 10 if the voltage 16 applied to the silicon substrate 5 is increased. As mentioned above, the blooming control capability is improved as the voltage 16 to be applied to the substrate 5 is raised, however, the amount of the signal electrons 15 stored at the diode 7 (e.g. saturation signal) is reduced. Therefore, the potential 13 shown in FIG. 5C is the best voltage to obtain the largest saturation signal (storage) while controlling the blooming. In FIG. 5B, 8 and 9 are p type areas and 11 is an electrode.
The conventional semiconductor devices, however, have some problems as follows.
First, the best voltage for every chip varies due to several reasons like the variation of the manufacturing process when the best voltage is applied to the substrate or the control electrode. Thus, it is necessary to adjust the voltage in the external circuit, e.g. the blooming control in the above-mentioned solid state imaging device. In addition to that, the information of the obtained best voltage cannot be maintained inside the semiconductor device though the best voltage can be detected by varying the voltage applied from the outside, according to the conventional method of inspecting a semiconductor device.

Semiconductor device containing an adjustable voltage generator


The present invention provides a semiconductor-type light source 2, a lens 35, a heat sink member 4, a light control member 6, a driving member 7, and a cover member 8. The cover member 8 is fixed to a fixing surface of the heat sink member 4 such a manner as to be integrated with the semiconductor-type light source 2. The light control member 6 is mounted to the cover member 8 in such a manner as to be changeably movable between a first location and a second location. As a result, the present invention is capable of reducing dispersion in relative position between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the light control member 6, and reducing dispersion between a light distribution pattern for low beam LP and a light distribution pattern for high beam HP.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp that is capable of causing light from a semiconductor-type light source to be incident to a lens, illuminating the incident light from the lens forward of a vehicle, as a predetermined light distribution pattern, and switching the light distribution pattern.
2. Description of the Related Art
A vehicle headlamp of such type is conventionally known (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-113732). Hereinafter, the conventional vehicle headlamp will be described.
A conventional vehicle headlamp is provided with: a light source; a lens; a first reflection surface configured to rotate around a rotary shaft; and a second reflection surface. In addition, the conventional vehicle headlamp is provided in such a manner that when the first reflection surface rotates and is positioned in a released location, light from the light source is transmitted through the lens, and the transmitted light is illuminated forward of a vehicle, as a light distribution pattern for passing beam. Alternatively, when the first reflection surface rotates and is positioned in a light shading location, the light from the light source is reflected on the first reflection surface, the reflected light is reflected on the second reflection surface and then the thus reflected light is illuminated forward of the vehicle, as a light distribution pattern for cruising beam.
In such a vehicle headlamp, it is important to reduce dispersion in relative position between a semiconductor-type light source and a light control member and then reduce dispersion in light distribution pattern. However, in the conventional vehicle headlamp, no consideration has been taken as to means for reducing dispersion in relative position between the light source (the semiconductor-type light source) and the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface (the light control member).


In a tank container, the saddle connection between the tank 16 and each container end frame 10 consists of only two structural elements of simple design, i.e. an end ring 17 which is formed by a cylindrical tubular piece and welded to an area of the tank bottom 19 remote from the axis, and a saddle ring 18 which is shaped as a profile ring and welded to the inner surface of the end frame 10. The end of the end frame 17 facing the frame and an axial flange 23 of the saddle ring 18 are welded together after any lengthwise tolerances between the tank 16 and the end frame 10 have been compensated. The peripherally continuous cylindrical end ring 17 and the peripheral continuous saddle ring 18, due to the fact that they are welded together and connected to the tank bottom 19 and the end frame 10, result in an overall torsion-resistant structure which requires no diagonal elements in the end frame even for large containers.

In tank containers, the connection between tie tank and the container frame is often done by means of saddle elements which are welded to the tank, on the one hand, and to diagonal struts inserted in the container frame, on the other hand. Examples of this type of tank saddle structure are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,832, European Patent Application Publication No. 0,425,190 and U.K. Patent No. 1,468,665.
In a further design known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,243, which also requires diagonal struts provided in the frame, the cylindrical tank envelope extends continually from one end frame to the other and is butt welded to the respective diagonal struts, with the tank bottoms being fitted into the tank envelope.
A disadvantage of this design resides in the fact that the diagonal struts required in both end frames increase the amount of material used, the manufacture expenditure and the tare weight of the tank container.
Diagonal struts in an end frame have the further disadvantage that they do not permit a simple mounting of a ladder which is to be provided there. Instead, since the ladder is required to be disposed within the container length defined by the end frames, it must be made of specially shaped individual parts to be fir into the spaces left free by the diagonal struts and outer frame members. Moreover, diagonal struts crossing the area of the ladder impair the usability and operational safety of the ladder.
U.S Pat. No. 4,307,812 discloses another saddle structure which in practice is often employed with tank containers. In this structure, the tank in the region of its bottom ends is connected to the respective end frame by means of four saddle pieces each of which is formed as a shell element shaped from a sheet metal blank, with one edge welded to a reinforcing ring surrounding the tank and opposite edges welded to the transverse bars and corner struts of the end frame. If such shell-type saddles are used, no diagonal struts are necessary in the end frames. One difficulty, however, resides in the fact that the shell-type saddles due to their specific shape are expensive to manufacture and require different forming for every tank diameter.
European Patent Specification No. 0,654,421 discloses a tank container having a pair of end frames and a substantially cylindrical tank, the curved bottoms of which are connected to each of the end frames via a saddle structure which comprises an end ring mounted on the tank bottom and a saddle ring connecting the end ring to the end frame. This type of connection between the tank and the container frames, in which the end frames may be free of diagonal elements, is suitable for small and medium size containers.


A floor scrubber that includes a housing having a plurality of brush assemblies mounted therein. Each brush assembly is connected to a liquid supply by a tube. A disperser is mounted on each brush assembly and cleaning liquid flows from the liquid supply onto the disperser. As the brush assembly is rotated, the disperser rotates in unison with the assembly and the cleaning liquid is dispersed onto the bristles and onto the floor surface to be cleaned. The disperser includes a plurality of fins that aid in propelling the cleaning fluid onto the bristles.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to machinery for scrubbing floors. More particularly, the invention relates to a brush assembly. Specifically, the invention relates to dispenser disk mounted on a brush assembly and which delivers cleaning liquid through a tube and onto fins that cause the liquid to be centrifugally dispersed upon rotation of the brush assembly.
2. Background Information
Household flooring can experience a range of soiling, from ground-in dirt to pet stains. Over the years, floor cleaning has evolved from scrubbing on one's hands and knees with a rag and soap, to machines specifically designed for this purpose.
Floor scrubbing machines can have many different configurations, but in general all include brush assemblies that incorporate scrubbing bristles, and a powered motor for driving the rotation of the brush assembly. Cleaning liquids are applied to the floor prior to rotation of the brush assembly in one of two ways. Firstly, the operator may squirt the liquid from a container directly onto the floor. Secondly, some scrubbing machines include a tube that terminates intermediate a plurality of scrubber heads. When the machine is applying the cleaning liquid, care must be taken to make sure the entire surface that is being cleaned is saturated. Typically the liquid drips down the tube in the center of the floor scrubber and directly onto the flooring, and the user must then push the machine around to spread the cleaning liquid. This procedure requires extra cleaning passes of the scrubber on the flooring, which leads to wasted energy, time, and possibly even distress to the floor itself.
Thus a need exists for a floor scrubber with a method of dispersing cleaning liquid that is more effective in saturating the scrubber head bristles and creates a larger radius of liquid dispersion.

Liquid dispensing brush assembly for a floor scrubber