the invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and a laser enhancing additive. The host material comprises a material, such as a polymer, modified by a first process, whereby the host material as modified by the first process has increased thermal conductivity as compared to the host material before the first process. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AlI), and a second quantity of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester.

Identification documents (hereafter "ID documents") play a critical role in today's society. One example of an ID document is an identification card ("ID card"). ID documents are used on a daily basis—to prove identity, to verify age, to access a secure area, to evidence driving privileges, to cash a check, and so on. Airplane passengers are required to show an ID document during check in, security screening, and prior to boarding their flight. In addition, because we live in an ever-evolving cashless society, ID documents are used to make payments, access an ATM, debit an account, or make a payment, etc.
Many types of identification cards and documents, such as driving licenses, national or government identification cards, bank cards, credit cards, controlled access cards and smart cards, carry thereon certain items of information which relate to the identity of the bearer. Examples of such information include name, address, birth date, signature and photographic image; the cards or documents may in addition carry other variant data (i.e., data specific to a particular card or document, for example an employee number) and invariant data (i.e., data common to a large number of cards, for example the name of an employer). All of the cards described above will hereinafter be generically referred to as "ID documents".
In the production of images useful in the field of identification documentation, it is oftentimes desirable to embody into a document (such as an ID card, drivers license, passport or the like) data or indicia representative of the document issuer (e.g., an official seal, or the name or mark of a company or educational institution) and data or indicia representative of the document bearer (e.g., a photographic likeness, name or address). Typically, a pattern, logo or other distinctive marking representative of the document issuer will serve as a means of verifying the authenticity, genuineness or valid issuance of the document. A photographic likeness or other data or indicia personal to the bearer will validate the right of access to certain facilities or the prior authorization to engage in commercial transactions and activities.
Identification documents, such as ID cards, having printed background security patterns, designs or logos and identification data personal to the card bearer have been known and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,970, issued Sep. 18, 1973 to M. Annenberg; in Great Britain Pat. No. 1,472,581, issued to G. A. O. Gesellschaft Fur Automation Und Organisation mbH, published Mar. 10, 1976; in International Patent Application PCT/GB82/00150, published Nov. 25, 1982 as Publication No. WO 82/04149; in U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,775, issued Mar. 31, 1987 to T. Raphael, et al.; in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,949, issued Apr. 19, 1988 to G. S. Sethi, et al.; and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,987, issued Nov. 16, 1993 to J. W. Luening, et al. All of the aforementioned documents are hereby incorporated by reference.
The advent of commercial apparatus (printers) for producing dye images by thermal transfer has made relatively commonplace the production of color prints from electronic data acquired by a video camera. In general, this is accomplished by the acquisition of digital image information (electronic signals) representative of the red, green and blue content of an original, using color filters or other known means. These signals are then utilized to print an image onto a data carrier. For example, information can be printed using a printer having a plurality of small heating elements (e.g., pins) for imagewise heating of each of a series of donor sheets (respectively, carrying sublimable cyan, magenta and yellow dye). The donor sheets are brought into contact with an image-receiving element (which can, for example, be a substrate) which has a layer for receiving the dyes transferred imagewise from the donor sheets. Thermal dye transfer methods as aforesaid are known and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,271, issued Nov. 4, 1986 to S. Brownstein and U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,989, issued Jun. 18, 1991 to Y. H. Chiang, et al. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference.
Commercial systems for issuing ID documents are of two main types, namely so-called "central" issue (CI), and so-called "on-the-spot" or "over-the-counter" (OTC) issue.
CI type ID documents are not immediately provided to the bearer, but are later issued to the bearer from a central location. For example, in one type of CI environment, a bearer reports to a document station where data is collected, the data are forwarded to a central location where the card is produced, and the card is forwarded to the bearer, often by mail. Another illustrative example of a CI assembling process occurs in a setting where a driver passes a driving test, but then receives her license in the mail from a CI facility a short time later. Still another illustrative example of a CI assembling process occurs in a setting where a driver renews her license by mail or over the Internet, then receives a drivers license card through the mail.
Centrally issued identification documents can be produced from digitally stored information and generally comprise an opaque core material (also referred to as "substrate"), such as paper or plastic, sandwiched between two layers of clear plastic laminate, such as polyester, to protect the aforementioned items of information from wear, exposure to the elements and tampering. The materials used in such CI identification documents can offer the ultimate in durability. In addition, centrally issued digital identification documents generally offer a higher level of security than OTC identification documents because they offer the ability to pre-print the core of the central issue document with security features such as "micro-printing", ultra-violet security features, security indicia and other features currently unique to centrally issued identification documents. Another security advantage with centrally issued documents is that the security features and/or secured materials used to make those features are centrally located, reducing the chances of loss or theft (as compared to having secured materials dispersed over a wide number of "on the spot" locations).
In addition, a CI assembling process can be more of a bulk process facility, in which many cards are produced in a centralized facility, one after another. The CI facility may, for example, process thousands of cards in a continuous manner. Because the processing occurs in bulk, CI can have an increase in efficiency as compared to some OTC processes, especially those OTC processes that run intermittently. Thus, CI processes can sometimes have a lower cost per ID document, if a large volume of ID documents are manufactured.
In contrast to CI identification documents, OTC identification documents are issued immediately to a bearer who is present at a document-issuing station. An OTC assembling process provides an ID document "on-the-spot". (An illustrative example of an OTC assembling process is a Department of Motor Vehicles ("DMV") setting where a driver's license is issued to person, on the spot, after a successful exam.). In some instances, the very nature of the OTC assembling process results in small, sometimes compact, printing and card assemblers for printing the ID document.
OTC identification documents of the types mentioned above can take a number of forms, depending on cost and desired features. Some OTC ID documents comprise highly plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or have a composite structure with polyester laminated to 0.5–2.0 mil (13–51 .mu.m) PVC film, which provides a suitable receiving layer for heat transferable dyes which form a photographic image, together with any variant or invariant data required for the identification of the bearer. These data are subsequently protected to varying degrees by clear, thin (0.125–0.250 mil, 3–6 .mu.m) overlay patches applied at the print head, holographic hot stamp foils (0.125–0.250 mil 3–6 .mu.m), or a clear polyester laminate (0.5–10 mil, 13–254 .mu.m) supporting common security features. These last two types of protective foil or laminate sometimes are applied at a laminating station separate from the print head. The choice of laminate dictates the degree of durability and security imparted to the system in protecting the image and other data.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and cross-sectional view (taken along the A—A line), respectively, of an exemplary prior art identification (ID) document 10. In FIG. 1, the prior art ID document 1 includes a photographic image 12, a bar code 14 (which may contain information specific to the person whose image appears in photographic image 12 and/or information that is the same from ID document to ID document), variable personal information 16, such as an address, signature, and/or birthdate, and biometric information 18 associated with the person whose image appears in photographic image 12 (e.g., a fingerprint). Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, the ID document 10 can include a magnetic stripe (which, for example, can be on the rear side (not shown) of the ID document 10), and various security features, such as a security pattern (for example, a printed pattern comprising a tightly printed pattern of finely divided printed and unprinted areas in close proximity to each other, such as a fine-line printed security pattern as is used in the printing of banknote paper, stock certificates, and the like).
Referring to FIG. 2, the ID document 10 comprises a pre-printed core 20 (such as, for example, white PVC material) that is, for example, about 25 mil thick. The core 20 is laminated with a transparent material, such as clear PVC material 22, which, by way of example, can be about 1–5 mil thick. The composite of the core 20 and clear PVC material 22 form a so-called "card blank" 25 that can be up to about 30 mils thick. Information 26a–c is printed on the card blank 25 using a method such as Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer ("D2T2") printing (described further in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,594, which is incorporated hereto by reference in its entirety.) The information 26a–c can, for example, comprise an indicium or indicia, such as the invariant or nonvarying information common to a large number of identification documents, for example the name and logo of the organization issuing the documents. The information 26a–c may be formed by any known process capable of forming the indicium on the specific core material used.
To protect the information 26a–c that is printed, an additional layer of overlaminate 24 can be coupled to the card blank 25 and printing 26a–c using, for example, 1 mil of adhesive (not shown). The overlaminate 24 can be substantially transparent. Materials suitable for forming such protective layers are known to those skilled in the art of making identification documents and any of the conventional materials may be used provided they have sufficient transparency. Examples of usable materials for overlaminates include biaxially oriented polyester or other optically clear durable plastic film.
The above-described printing techniques are not the only methods for printing information on data carriers such as ID documents. Laser beams, for example can be used for marking, writing, bar coding, and engraving many different types of materials, including plastics. Lasers have been used, for example, to mark plastic materials to create indicia such as bar codes, date codes, part numbers, batch codes, and company logos. It will be appreciated that laser engraving or marking generally involves a process of inscribing or engraving a document surface with identification marks, characters, text, tactile marks—including text, patterns, designs (such as decorative or security features), photographs, etc.
One way to laser mark thermoplastic materials involves irradiating a material, such as a thermoplastic, with a laser beam at a given radiation. The area irradiated by the laser absorbs the laser energy and produces heat which causes a visible discoloration in the thermoplastic. The visible discoloration serves as a "mark" or indicator; it will be appreciated that laser beams can be controlled to form patterns of "marks" that can form images, lines, numbers, letters, patterns, and the like. Depending on the type of laser and the type of material used, various types of marks (e.g., dark marks on light backgrounds, light marks on dark backgrounds, colored marks) can be produced. Some types of thermoplastics, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are capable of absorbing laser energy in their native states. Some materials which are transparent to laser energy in their native state, such as polyethylene, may require the addition of one or more additives to be responsive to laser energy.
For additional background, various laser marking and/or engraving techniques are disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,022,905, 5,298,922, 5,294,774, 5,215,864 and 4,732,410. Each of these patents is herein incorporated by reference. In addition, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,816,372, 4,894,110, 5,005,872, 5,977,514, and 6,179,338 describe various implementations for using a laser to print information, and these patents are incorporated herein in their entirety.
Using laser beams to write or engrave information to ID cards presents a number of advantages over conventional printing. For example, the foaming of the thermoplastic that can occur with some types of laser engraving can be adapted to provide an indicium having a tactile feel, which is a useful authenticator of a data carrier that also can be very difficult to counterfeit or alter. In addition, laser engraving generally does not require the use of ink, which can reduce the cost of consumables used to manufacture an ID card. Laser engraving can also be more durable than ink printing, and more resistant to abrasion (which can be particularly useful if a counterfeiter attempts to "rub off" an indicium on an ID card). The resolution and print quality of laser engraving often can be higher than that of conventional ink-based printing. Laser engraving also can be a more environmentally friendly manufacturing process than printing with ink, especially because solvents and other chemicals often used with ink generally are not used with laser engraving.
Despite the advantages of laser engraving, certain limitations still exist. Even when using known laser-enhancing additives, laser marking of some types of materials does not produce an adequate contrast for all applications. Some types of materials, such as silica filled polyolefin, TESLIN core ID documents and TESLIN composite structures (TESLIN is available from PPG Industries, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.) using conventional over-laminate materials, are not easily laser engraved. Further, even with use of known laser additives, laser engraving can take too much time and/or too much laser energy to be useful in some manufacturing environments.
Another limitation of laser engraving has been marking speeds. The ability to mark a rastered image via a laser such as a diode pumped YAG laser requires understanding of at least three primary components: materials (e.g., card or other substrate), image information, and laser conditions. All three can work together to determine the speed at which an acceptable mark is made via laser engraving/marking. Depending on the speed required and the volume of documents to be made, a certain number of lasers will be needed to engrave the documents. Laser engraving machines are quite costly at present, and despite various improvements made to laser engraving machines to increase speed, laser engraving documents at an acceptable speed and throughput and image quality continues to require, in many instances, multiple laser engraving machines. We have found, however, that by making certain changes to the materials being engraved (which changes are described further herein), it is possible to decrease the time required for laser engraving/marking of images. Decreasing this marking speed can help to increase throughput and may help to reduce the number of laser engraving machines that are required.
In one aspect, we have found that laser engraving of some types of materials, including materials that are not easily engraved (such as laminated TESLIN core ID documents), can be improved by increasing the sensitivity to laser radiation of a laminate used with the material and/or increasing the sensitivity to laser radiation of a coating applied to the material.
One inventive technique disclosed herein improves the material being laser marked or laser engraved by introducing inventive laser enhancing additives to the material. The material can be a laminate, a coating, an article having a laminate or coating formed thereon, and even an image receiving layer/image capable layer that is used for receiving images printed in a manner such as D2T2, laser xerography, inkjet, and mass transfer printing. Components of the laser enhancing additive described herein also can be added, alone or combined with other components, to a series of materials having a laser-receptive optical path between them, to enhance the laser engraving of at least one material in the series. These additives facilitate material sensitivity, greatly improving the ability to laser engrave laminated ID documents. In some embodiments, these additives can also improve the performance of laser engraving even on even those structures (e.g., fused polycarbonate card structures, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)) that can tend to be more easily engraved by laser energy.
The inventors have found that by using the inventive additives described herein, the processing time for polycarbonate and other ID card structures may be decreased. In addition, user of the laser enhancing additives described herein may enable laser engraving to be accomplished using less laser energy and/or lower levels of laser energy than in known methods. Another inventive technique disclosed herein improves the sensitivity of a material being laser engraved by applying a coating to the material, the coating containing at least one laser enhancing additive as described below. The material can be part of virtually any type of article to be laser marked or laser engraved. For example, in one embodiment the material is a core layer in an identification document.
In one embodiment, the additive used to enhance laser engraving comprises a mixture of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3) or Copper Iodide (CuI) or potassium iodide (KI) or sodium iodide (NaI) or aluminum iodide (AlI) along with at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate (e.g., RSO2Na or R—OSO2Na), and Thioester (e.g., substances containing —SH). This additive can be added to a laminate layer (where the laminate layer itself is to be laser engraved or marked) and/or to a coating (where the surface being coated is to be laser engraved or marked).
Advantageously, in one embodiment, the additive comprises an effective amount of copper iodide, potassium iodide, sodium iodide, aluminum iodide, and zinc sulfide in a host material. The host material can, for example, be a laminate or a coating. The host material also can be another material that is later added to a laminate or coating. The host material can, for example, be a thermoplastic or thermoset. The host material can be a material added or applied to another material to make that material more receptive to another type of printing or marking (e.g., an image receiving layer, such as is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,594, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference).
In another advantageous embodiment, the additive comprises an effective amount of any combination thereof of copper iodide, potassium iodide, sodium iodide, aluminum iodide, zinc sulfide, barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate (e.g., RSO2Na or R—OSO2Na), and Thioester (e.g., substances containing —SH), in a host material. The host material can, for example, be a laminate or a coating. The host material also can be another material that is later added to a laminate or coating. The host material can, for example, be a thermoplastic or thermoset. The host material can be a material added or applied to another material to make that material more receptive to another type of printing or marking (e.g., an image receiving layer, such as is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,594, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference).
For laminates, the host material (as well as the laminate to which the host material may be added) generally can be any material whose laser engraving/marking properties are improved by the addition of the laser enhancing additive described herein, and it is expected that many materials developed in the future will be able to make use of the additive described herein. In at least one embodiment, the addition of the laser enhancing additive described herein enables the laminate to be laser engraved with a grayscale image. In another aspect of the invention, described further herein, we have found that for host materials that are polymers, improving the thermal conductivity of the host material and/or its interpenetrating network (IPN) (e.g., matrices) can help to decrease marking time for laser marking/engraving of images.
In at least one embodiment, the laminate containing the inventive laser enhancing additive can be applied to a layer of material and, after application of heat and pressure to the laminate (e.g., via a platen press), the laminate can commingle with the layer of material enough to actually improve the laser engraving properties of the layer of material that was laminated.
For coatings, in one embodiment, the additive comprises an effective amount of copper potassium iodide and zinc sulfide in a liquid carrier material, which together form a coating that can be applied to an article to be laser engraved. The liquid carrier material can be virtually any known material that can be used as a coating, including resins, polyesters, polycarbonates, vinyls, acrylates, urethanes, and cellulose-base coating. In one embodiment, the liquid carrier material is a material used for coating a surface of a core material (e.g., TESLIN, polycarbonate) of an identification document. The surface being coated generally can be any material (including laminates) whose laser engraving properties are improved by the addition of a coating containing the laser enhancing additive described herein. In at least one embodiment, the addition of the inventive additive to a coating enables the surface to be capable of being engraved with a grayscale image.
For coatings, in another embodiment, the additive comprises an effective amount of at least one of Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), aluminum iodide (AlI), copper potassium iodide, zinc sulfide, and any combination thereof, in a liquid carrier material, which together form a coating that can be applied to an article to be laser engraved. The liquid carrier material can be virtually any known material that can be used as a coating, including resins, polyesters, polycarbonates, vinyls, acrylates, urethanes, and cellulose-base coating. In one embodiment, the liquid carrier material is a material used for coating a surface of a core material (e.g., TESLIN, polycarbonate) of an identification document. The surface being coated generally can be any material (including laminates) whose laser engraving properties are improved by the addition of a coating containing the laser enhancing additive described herein. In at least one embodiment, the addition of the inventive additive to a coating enables the surface to be capable of being engraved with a grayscale image.
In at least one embodiment, the coating containing the inventive laser enhancing laminate can be applied to a layer of material and, after application of heat and pressure to the coating (e.g., via a platen press), the coating can commingle with the layer of material enough to actually improve the laser engraving properties of the layer of material that was coated.
For transparent laminates and/or coatings, the effective amount of the laser enhancing additive can vary depending on the tolerance for possible reduction in the transparency of the laminate or coating. In one embodiment, for transparent laminates or coating, the effective amount of the additive can range from 0.001% by weight up to about 0.1% by weight (based on the total weight of the material to which the additive is added.).
For non-transparent laminates and/or coatings (e.g. colored coatings, colored laminates and/or opaque laminates), the effective amount of the additive can be higher than 1% (e.g., 1%–100%). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the effective amount of the additive for a given use can depend on a number of factors, including the properties of the laminate or coating, the type of laser engraving being performed (e.g., grayscale or non-grayscale), the type of laser used, the desired properties or features of the article or surface being engraved, etc. Advantageously, for at least some transparent laminates and/or coatings used in forming identification documents, the effective amount of the additive is about 0.06% by weight.
In another advantageous embodiment, the constituents of the above-described additive can be present in one or more different layers through which a laser beam can pass. In one example, the copper potassium iodide (or copper Iodide (CuI) or potassium iodide (KI) or sodium iodide (NaI), aluminum iodide (AlI) and any combination thereof) can be present in a first layer of laminate and the zinc sulfide (or barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate (e.g., RSO2Na or R—OSO2Na), Thioester (e.g., substances containing —SH) and combinations thereof).can be present in a second layer of laminate, where the first and second layers are either adjacent or separated by one or more layers of material (e.g., another laminate or an adhesive) that is transparent to laser radiation. When a laser beam is directed such that it passes through both of the layers, the combined action of the copper potassium iodide and zinc sulfide enable laser engraving to occur in either or both of the layers. In another example, an effective amount of copper potassium iodide can be present in a coating applied to an article and an effective amount of zinc sulfide can be present in a laminate applied over the coating.
In another example, each of the constituents of the inventive laser enhancing additive (e.g., copper, potassium, iodine, etc.) can be present in a separate layer of coating and/or laminate, where the respective layers are either adjacent or separated by one or more layers of material (e.g., another laminate or an adhesive) that is transparent to laser radiation. When a laser beam is directed such that it passes through all of the layers containing a constituent of the inventive laser enhancing additive, the combined action of the constituents enable laser engraving to occur in at least one of the respective layers. The constituents also can be combined with one or more other constituents, in different layers, in this manner. For example, an effective amount of copper iodide and sodium iodide can be present in a coating applied to an article and an effective amount of zinc sulfide and potassium iodide can be present in a laminate applied over the coating, and an effective amount of aluminum iodide can be present in a coating that is then applied over that laminate. This example is not, of course, limiting; those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many different ways to combine and/or separate the constituents of the inventive laser enhancing additive into one or more layers of coatings and/or laminates.
In another aspect, the invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and an effective amount of a laser enhancing additive. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of least one of: copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), aluminum iodide (AlI), and any combination thereof, and a second quantity of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the first and second quantities are the same (for example, one part copper iodide and one part barium sulfide). In one embodiment, the first and second quantities are different (for example, three parts potassium iodide to one part zinc sulfide, or 2 parts copper iodide to 4 parts thioester). In one embodiment, the composition is markable by at least one of an excimer, Nd:YAG, and C02 laser (including both light pumped and diode pumped Nd:YAG lasers).
In one embodiment, the laser enhancing additive is present in the composition in an amount from about 0.001 to 0.100 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the laser enhancing additive is present in an amount between 0.1 percent and 100 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the laser enhancing additive is present in an amount that is about 0.06 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the laser enhancing additive comprises 0.03 percent by weight of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3) Copper Iodide (CuI), Potassium Iodide (KI), Sodium Iodide (NaI), Aluminum Iodide (AlI) and any combination thereof, and 0.03 percent by weight of at least one of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester, or any combination thereof, each weight based on the total weight of the composition.
In one embodiment, the host material of the composition is be a material that is not sensitive and/or transparent to laser radiation, such as a material that, by itself, is unable to have acceptable gray scale images laser engraved onto it. The host material can be a laminate or a coating. For example, the host material can comprise at least one of a thermosetting material, thermoplastic, polymer, copolymer, polycarbonate, fused polycarbonate, polyester, amorphous polyester, polyolefin, silicon-filled polyolefin, TESLIN, foamed polypropylene film, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, thermoplastic resins, engineering thermoplastic, polyurethane, polyamide, polystyrene, expanded polypropylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ABS/PC, high impact polystyrene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), PET-G, PET-F, polybutylene terephthalate PBT), acetal copolymer (POM), polyetherimide (PEI), polyacrylate, poly(4-vinylpyridine, poly(vinyl acetate), polyacrylonitrile, polymeric liquid crystal resin, polysulfone, polyether nitride, and polycaprolactone, and combinations thereof. In one advantageous embodiment, it has been found that selecting host materials with relatively high degrees of crystallinity (e.g., PET) can help to improve the thermal conductivity of the resultant host material when the inventive laser enhancing additive is added to it.
We have further discovered other techniques for improving thermal conductivity of the host material to improve laser engraving efficiency. In one embodiment, the host material comprises a material having cross-linked functionality. In one embodiment, the host material further comprises a second element, such as a transparent, conductive polymer, such as a cross-linked moiety such as polyurethane, glass beads, glass fibers, and CR-39 (a highly cross-linked thermoset prepared by polymerization of diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate) monomer, available from PPG Industries). In one advantageous embodiment, a very low concentration of the second element is blended with the host material. In one advantageous embodiment, the host material comprises at least one of glass beads, glass fibers, and glass threads along with a cross-linking agent.
In one embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the host material is changed by processing the host material to change its orientation and/or density. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with the various types of processes and operations that can operate to change orientation and/or density of a host material.
In at least one embodiment, the invention provides an article of manufacture (such as an identification document) capable of being laser engraved with a grayscale image, comprising a core layer, a first layer and a second layer. The core layer has a first surface. The first layer comprises a first host material, the first host material comprising an effective amount of a first laser enhancing additive comprising at least one of one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), Potassium Iodide (KI), Sodium Iodide (NaI), Aluminum Iodide (AlI) and any combination thereof. The second layer comprises a second host material and is oriented in relation to the first host material such that a single laser beam can penetrate both at least a portion of the first layer and at least a portion of the second layer. The second host material comprises an effective amount of at least one second laser enhancing additive selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester, and any combinations thereof. The first and second layers are operably coupled to each other and at least one of the first and second layers is operably coupled to the first surface of the core layer. In one embodiment, a grayscale image is laser engraved into at least one of the first and second layers.
In one embodiment, first layer is substantially transparent and the first laser enhancing additive is present in an amount from about 0.001 to 0.100 percent by weight based on the total weight of the first host material. In one embodiment, the second layer is substantially transparent, and the second laser enhancing additive is present in an amount from about 0.001 to 0.100 percent by weight based on the total weight of the second host material. In one embodiment, a third layer is disposed between the first and second layers; the third layer comprises a material that permits transmission of a laser beam therethrough.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of engraving a material by exposing the material to laser radiation. An effective amount of a laser enhancing additive is added to the material. The laser enhancing additive comprises at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), Potassium Iodide (KI), Sodium Iodide (NaI), Aluminum Iodide (AlI) and any combination thereof, and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester, and any combinations thereof. The material is exposed to laser radiation in a manner that causes the material to be engraved by the laser radiation. In one embodiment, the effective amount of the laser enhancing additive comprises 0.01% to 0.1% by weight of the material, e.g. 0.06% by weight. In one embodiment, the effective amount of the laser enhancing additive comprises 0.1% to 100% by weight of the material. In one embodiment, an indicium is formed in grayscale in at least a portion of the material through the exposure of the portion of the material to laser radiation. In one embodiment, the laser engraved material is used in the manufacture of an identification document.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of laser engraving a grayscale image on an article having first and second layers. A first effective amount of least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), Potassium Iodide (KI), Sodium Iodide (NaI), Aluminum Iodide (AlI) and any combination thereof, is added to the first layer. A second effective amount of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester, and any combination thereof, is added to the second layer. A laser beam, such as a beam from at least one of an Nd:Yag laser and a C02 laser, is directed so that it passes through at least a portion of the first layer and at least a portion of the second layer to form a grayscale image in at least one of the first and second layers. In one embodiment, the laser beam is directed so that it that it passes through at least a portion of the first layer and at least a portion of the second layer such that the first and second layers become affixed to each other.
In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a multilayer identification document, comprising a core layer and a film layer. The film layer overlays at least a portion of the core layer and is affixed to the portion of the core layer. The film layer comprising an additive that comprises an effective amount of least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI),), Potassium Iodide (KI), Sodium Iodide (NaI), Aluminum Iodide (AlI) and any combination thereof, and an effective amount of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the identification document bears a first indicium thereon, the indicia obtained by exposing the film layer to a laser beam. In one embodiment, the indicia comprises at least one of a gray scale image, photograph, text, tactile text, graphics, information, security pattern, security indicia, and a digital watermark.
In another aspect, the invention provides an identification document having improved laser engraving characteristics. The identification document comprises a TESLIN core coated with a coating containing the laser enhancing additive described above. A grayscale image representing variable data (e.g., personalized data) is laser engraved onto the TESLIN core using an Nd:YAG laser. Optionally, a laminate can be affixed to the TESLIN either before laser engraving or after laser engraving. If the laminate is applied before the TESLIN core is laser engraved, the laminate generally will be transparent to laser radiation.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and a laser enhancing additive. The host material comprises a material, such as a polymer, modified by a first process, whereby the host material as modified by the first process has increased thermal conductivity as compared to the host material before the first process. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AlI), and a second quantity of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an article of manufacture, such as an identification document, capable of being laser engraved with a grayscale image, comprising a core layer, a first layer, and a second layer. The core layer has a first surface. The first layer comprises a first host material, the first host material comprising a material modified by a first process, whereby the host material as modified by the first process has increased thermal conductivity as compared to the host material before the first process, the host material further comprising an effective amount of a first laser enhancing additive comprising at least one of one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AI). The second layer comprises a second host material, the second layer being oriented in relation to the first host material such that a single laser beam can penetrate both at least a portion of the first layer and at least a portion of the second layer. The second host material comprises an effective amount of a second laser enhancing additive, the second laser enhancing additive selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester. The first and second layers are operably coupled to each other and at least one of the first and second layers is operably coupled to the first surface of the core layer.
In one embodiment, the first process comprises at least one of adding cross linked functionality to the host material, adding a conductive material to the host material, the conductive material being a material that is more thermally conductive than the host material, altering at least a portion of the free volume of the host material, and processing the host material to change at least one of its orientation and density.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of engraving a host material by exposing the material to laser radiation. A host material is provided, and a process is performed on the host material, such as at least one of adding cross linked functionality to the host material, adding a conductive material to the host material, the conductive material being a material that is more thermally conductive than the host material, altering at least a portion of the free volume of the host material, and processing the host material to change at least one of its orientation and density, to increase the thermal conductivity of the host material. An effective amount of a laser enhancing additive is added to the host material, the laser enhancing additive comprising at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AI); and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester. The host material is exposed to laser radiation in a manner that causes the material to be engraved by the laser radiation.
Although some companies offer laser engraving document materials, such materials and/or the amount of equipment required to laser engrave such materials (especially for high quality grayscale images on identification documents) can be prohibitively expensive. At least some embodiments of our invention can overcome at least some of these and other limitations of the prior art. At least some embodiments of our invention offer a less expensive option for laser engraving with improved grayscale engraving, and ease of manufacture, without giving up desired security features.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be even more readily apparent from the following Detailed Description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the figures, like numbers refer to like elements. Relative dimensions of identification documents, laminate layers, indicia, etc., are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting. Further, throughout this application, laser engraved indicia, information, identification documents, data, etc., may be shown as having a particular cross sectional shape (e.g., rectangular) but that is provided by way of example and illustration only and is not limiting, nor is the shape intended to represent the actual resultant cross sectional shape that occurs during laser engraving or manufacturing of identification documents.

Increasing thermal conductivity of host polymer used with laser engraving methods and compositions


A tool lanyard wrist cuff includes a fixed closed loop band and an adjustment tab extending therefrom. A first fastener part of a releasable fastener is fixedly attached to a loop outside surface of the closed loop band. The adjustment tab has a tab inside surface, a tab outside surface, and a distal end portion. The adjustment tab has a second fastener part of the releasable fastener fixedly attached to the tab inside surface of the distal end portion. The second fastener part is configured for releasable engagement with the first fastener part when the adjustment tab is folded with the tab inside surface against the loop outside surface to position the second fastener part in engagement with the first fastener part. A lanyard connector is secured to the distal end portion of the adjustment tab.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tool lanyards. Particularly, the present invention relates to tool lanyards attached to a user's wrist.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Persons engaged in repair and construction type work ordinarily have to use a variety of hand tools to perform tasks. The work commonly takes place over machinery and/or on platforms at various heights above the ground.
People engaged in such work have many reasons to avoid dropping tools. For instance, a dropped tool must be picked up before a person can continue using it to complete a particular task. This entails wasted time and energy in climbing down from a considerable height just to pick up the tool. Oftentimes, the dropped tool will land in a place out of the user's sight. In those circumstances, a search must be undertaken to locate the tool. This further increases the amount of wasted time in retrieving a dropped tool.
Another, more serious concern with the use of hand tools (i.e. hammers, screw drivers, pliers, ratchets, levels, flashlights, tape measures, etc.) occurs when working in overhead situations. If dropped, the hand tool could injure personnel and/or damage equipment located beneath where the work is being performed. A dropped tool exposes persons located below to potential injury or even death if struck by the falling tool. A dropped tool also has the potential to cause damage to machinery located below. The damage can result in many ways. For instance, the damage can be due to the impact of the falling tool on the machinery or parts. Where machinery is operating at the time, the falling tool may come to rest in the path of moving components causing damage to the components and/or necessitating that the machinery be shut down.
While without doubt, persons using hand tools try to maintain sufficient grip on the tool, conditions are practically certain to arise in which tools will be dropped. Moisture from sweating frequently makes it difficult to maintain the necessary grip on the tool handle. Muscular fatigue can cause a person's grip to loosen without consciously realizing it. In reaction to an unexpected slip, the person may unconsciously drop the tool in grabbing for some support structure to prevent or cushion the fall.
Many attempts have been made to overcome the hazards of dropped tools. Makeshift lanyards, such as those made with rope and/or string and fastened with duct tape, have infamously been used to create wrist lanyards and tethers to keep a specific tool attached to the user's arm or wrist.
More conventional tool lanyards used to tether hand tools are typically adjustable and are made of a rope or string. The size of these lanyards can be adjusted to the user's wrist with the use of a cord lock that slides along the rope. This style of lanyard can be uncomfortable to the user and must be replaced often due to lack of wear resistance inherent in rope.
Another style of adjustable lanyards is a lanyard manufactured with webbing sewn to hook-and-loop fasteners and that include a hardware loop (or equivalent) that can be used as a cinching point to tighten the lanyard around the user's wrist. A problem with such a style of lanyard is that, if not used properly, the lanyard requires two hands to fasten it to the user's wrist or one hand used to wedge it against the user's body while using the other hand to cinch it around the user's wrist. In either situation, these lanyards are very cumbersome to install on the user's wrist.
Other styles of wrist cuff tool lanyards are manufactured from a stretch nylon fabric or equivalent that will slightly expand to allow the wrist cuff to expand and slide over the user's wrist. The expansion ratio of the stretch nylon cannot be too excessive because weight applied to the nylon while the lanyard is in use will tend to expand the wrist cuff and cause the wrist cuff to slide over the user's hand. With this style, multiple sizes of wrist cuffs must be made available to fit a range of wrist sizes.
Examples of prior art lanyard devices are disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,123 (1988, Kassal et al.) discloses a releasable strap system. The releasable strap system includes the combination of a hand strap and a device strap. The hand strap is removably connectable around the wrist of a hand and between two of the five fingers of the hand, leaving the hand free for normal use. The hand strap includes two portions, a straight wrist portion and a curved looped portion. The curved loop portion has two ends connected to the straight wrist portion at separated intervals. The straight wrist portion is wrapped around the wrist of the user, threaded through a ring, tightened, and then folded back and locked in position. The device strap is removably connected to the hand strap for supporting an item not held in the user's hand and for quick release from the hand strap.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,899 (1992, Larkin et al.) discloses a tool restraint apparatus. The tool restraint includes an elongate elastomeric tether line with respective first and second flexible straps mounted to each end. The first web strap is arranged for selective securement about a user's wrist and includes a first and second end that includes first and second hook-and-loop fastener patches that permit securement of the hook-and-loop fastener patches together. The second web strap is similarly constructed like the first web strap.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,156 (1992, Braun) discloses a tool wrist strap that has a band, a looped cord, and a clench bead on the cord. The band is made of a flexible elastic fabric material and formed by an elongate strip having opposite ends attached together. The band is adapted to fit loosely about a person's wrist. The looped cord is composed of flexible inelastic material and has a looped end portion and a pair of opposite ends attached to the band adjacent to one another. The clench bead is slidable on the looped cord and produces sufficient friction to hold the bead in any given position along the cord.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,406 (2012, Moreau et al.) discloses a tool lanyard wrist cuff. The tool lanyard wrist cuff includes a fixed, closed loop band having a first mating portion of a fastening mechanism fixedly attached to an outside surface of the closed loop band. There is an adjustment tab extending from the fixed, closed loop band where the adjustment tab has a second mating portion of the fastening mechanism. The second mating portion is configured for releasable engagement with the first mating portion when the fixed closed loop band is folded onto itself positioning the adjustment tab over and onto the outside surface of the closed loop band. A lanyard retaining component is integrally formed on the outside surface of the closed loop band.


Processing two interference signals to reconstruct a target image includes splitting a laser beam into a reference beam and a measurement beam, and in turn splitting the reference beam into two sub-reference beams. A phase shift is introduced into one of the sub-reference beams, the phase shift being substantially 90 degrees. A measurement beam is reflected from a surface of a moving target, and split into two sub-measurement beams. A first respective sub-reference beam is combined with a first sub-measurement beam, and the second sub-reference beam is combined with the second sub-measurement beam, and the in phase and out of phase signals reconstruct the target surface. Adjustment of the split sub-reference beams is effected by Pockels cells to achieve the desired phase difference between the two sub-reference beams. The reconstructed motion of the target surface is effected with a selected frequency characteristic, spatial resolution and range characteristic.

This invention is concerned with interferometers. In particular the invention is directed to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer wherein the light source is split into two beams which propagate via two separate paths. The beams are then recombined at the detector. If the optical path length differs between the two paths, then an interference effect is observed at the detector as a variation in detected light intensity.
The best performance for high resolution interferometer applications is obtained where the light phases are constrained to operate near the so-called quadrature point. This is illustrated in FIG. 1. In this region, the relationship between the path length difference and the optical intensity is nearly linear.
The optical path length may be extracted from the time variation of the light intensity as seen by the detector. Displacement demodulation schemes typically utilize either fringe counting or phase demodulation. The fringe counting technique is typically able to resolve displacements limited to a relatively large fraction of one interference fringe (.lambda.). In addition fringe counting techniques are not generally suited to high frequency (MHz) applications. In phase demodulation, the interference fringe is maintained at the quadrature position by some feedback mechanism. Small changes about the quadrature point can then be detected.
The resolution capabilities of this technique are intrinsically high and limited only by the noise level of the system. Additionally, the frequency response characteristics of such a system can be very good, easily demodulating phase variations with frequency content up to 50 MHz.
A problem with this technique occurs when the interference condition is driven to or beyond an interference extremum. At the extremum, the sensitivity of the technique is identically zero. If the interference condition is driven beyond an extremum, then ambiguity occurs as to the change in phase angle. One can only know the phase angle to within an additive constant n.lambda./2, where n may take on integer values.
As a result, the fringe counting technique offers good range characteristics with limited resolution and bandwidth, while the phase demodulation method offers good resolution and bandwidth characteristics with a very limited displacement range. For certain applications it is desirable to obtain the best characteristics of each demodulation scheme combined in a single method wherein one obtains good resolution and bandwidth, as well as extended range.
The present invention is directed to minimizing the difficulties in the prior systems.

Split phase high performance, high frequency, high dynamic range interferometer


A method and a communication system for exchanging data between at least two users interconnected over a bus system are described. The data is contained in messages which are transmitted by the users over the bus system. To improve data exchange among users so that in the normal case, there is a high probability that it will be possible to transmit messages with a low latency, while on the other hand, in the worst case, a finite maximum latency can be guaranteed, the data be transmitted in an event-oriented method over the bus system as long as a preselectable latency period elapsing between a transmission request by a user and the actual transmission operation of the user can be guaranteed for each message to be transmitted as a function of the utilization of capacity of the bus system, and otherwise the data is transmitted over the bus system by a deterministic method.

Networking of controllers, sensors, and actuators with the help of a communication system has increased greatly in recent years in the manufacture of motor vehicles. Synergistic effects are of primary concern through a distribution of functions to multiple controllers. In this connection, we speak of distributed systems. Communication among users of the communication system is taking place to an increasing extent over bus systems. Each user has a process computer which is connected via an interface to a communication controller over which the user is connected to the bus system. Communication traffic on the bus system, access mechanisms and receiving mechanisms as well as error processing are regulated according to a protocol.
A controller area network (CAN) protocol known from the related art has established itself in the automotive field. The CAN protocol is an event-controlled protocol, i.e., protocol activities such as transmitting a message are initiated by events having their origin outside the communication system. Unique access to the communication system is obtained by a priority-based bit arbitration. This requires that each communication be assigned a unique priority. The CAN protocol is very flexible because other users and messages can be added with no problem as long as free priorities (message identifiers) are still available.
In cases in which the average utilization of capacity of the bus system is relatively low, there is a very high probability that a user wanting to transmit a message will actually transmit its message immediately or within a very short period of time. Since CAN communication systems are typically designed so that the average utilization of capacity of the bus system is sufficiently low, high-speed access to the bus system is possible in the normal case. The worst case from the standpoint of the communication system, namely when all users want to transmit at all times, however, would mean, strictly speaking, an infinitely long latency in a CAN bus system. This would be true at least for messages having a relatively low priority.
For bus systems a probability may exist that a certain latency will not be exceeded in transmitting messages. FIG. 2 shows a probability distribution of latencies for an event-controlled communication system. The probability distribution has a relatively sharp peak in the vicinity of 0 (the probability for a very short latency is very high), but it extends to infinity (no maximum latency can be guaranteed). The probability distribution shows that an event-oriented communication system is very suitable for the normal case (very high probabilities for short latencies) but is not very suitable for the worst case. This may be further exacerbated if there is a fault in a high-priority user which is permanently transmitting high priority messages and thereby blocking the bus system. Consequently, messages having a lower priority cannot be transmitted. Messages having a low priority then have an infinitely long latency.
An event-oriented bus system is thus very suitable for applications in which the worst case is tolerable but value is attached to a very good performance in the normal case.
The time-triggered protocol for class C (TTP/C) is a relatively new protocol. This is a deterministic protocol, i.e., it is strictly time-controlled, redundancy being fixedly stipulated in the protocol. All communication activities on the bus system are strictly periodic. Protocol activities such as transmitting a message are triggered only by the progression of a (global) time base. Access to the bus system is based on allocation of time ranges in which a user has exclusive transmission rights. This protocol is relatively inflexible because new users can be added only when suitable time ranges have previously been released.
The probability of a user gaining access to the bus system when desired does not depend on prevailing utilization of bus system capacity. FIG. 3 shows a probability distribution of latencies for a deterministic communication system. Latencies depend only on the distance in time from the next transmission time. Since an access request of a user occurs outside the range of influence of the communication system, usually being asynchronous with it, the latency between the access request and the actual transmission of a message is equally distributed over the entire time interval between two transmission times. This is a much broader probability distribution than that with an event-oriented bus system, i.e., the probability of gaining access to the bus system after a very short period of time is much lower. However, this priority distribution is localized, i.e., the probability for any latency is zero. The probabilities are the same in the normal case and in the worst case, and an upper limit for the maximum latency may be given—in contrast with an event-oriented communication system. Deterministic communication systems are thus suitable for applications in which the worst case must be tolerated, even if restrictions must be accepted for the normal case. Therefore, preferred areas for use of deterministically controlled protocols include in particular applications in security-relevant areas (e.g., X-by-wire systems) or applications in which the difference between the normal case and the worst case is not very great.
It is also known from the related art that a time-controlled protocol can be made more flexible by reserving certain time ranges and having an event-controlled transmission of messages take place within the reserved time ranges. Thus, the overall protocol still functions on a time-controlled basis, and messages are transmitted on an event-controlled basis only in certain reserved time ranges. Depending on how access within the reserved time ranges is regulated, handling of the normal case and application-specific individual cases can be improved without losing the basic processability of the worst case (finite maximum latency). A bus system that functions in this way is known in the related art as a byte-flight bus or an SI bus.

Method and communication system for data exchange among multiple users interconnected over a bus system


An aerosol inhalation spacer for use with a metered-dose inhaler canister is disclosed. The spacer includes a transparent chamber housing having a body with an input end and an output end and defining an interior space. A mouthpiece is connected to the output end of the chamber housing. An inhaler adapter is connected to the input end of the chamber housing. A valve member is disposed between the mouthpiece and the output end of the chamber housing, the valve member includes a one-way inhalation valve and a one-way exhalation valve. A flow indicator is connected to the inhaler adapter and extends into the interior space of the chamber housing for indicating an inhalation flow rate to the user.

Patients with asthma and other lung conditions are frequently prescribed medication that is delivered straight to their lungs as aerosol via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Patients who have trouble breathing may use a spacer device in combination with an MDI to help them inhale the aerosolized medication more easily and effectively. For instance, if a patient does not use a proper inhalation technique with a MDI then the desired dose of medication may not reach the lungs. Such patients who cannot properly inhale medication directly from an MDI typically benefit from adding a spacer, which is a type of holding chamber that attaches to the inhaler and slows the delivery of medication.
Conventional spacers make inhalers easier to use and deliver medication more efficiently. However, problems with existing spacers often make it difficult for the patient to inhale the medication into their lungs and subsequently exhale so that the patient can be ready to breathe in additional medication as necessary. Furthermore, the effectiveness of delivery of aerosolized medication to a patient's lungs may be diminished when the patient cannot gauge the timing and speed of their own breathing relative to the activation of the inhaler. This problem is especially apparent when the patient is critically ill and/or very weak and is already having extreme difficulties in breathing. Moreover, since several breaths are often required for an administration of the required drug dosage, conventional spacers that inhibit the flow of exhaled breaths can make it quite difficult for the user to exhale, thus impacting the effectiveness of subsequent inhaled breaths of medication. Therefore, there is a need for an aerosol inhalation device that overcomes these problems as well as many other problems of conventional spacers.


A device for sorting of laundry pieces comprises a transport device for transporting different types of laundry pieces, a first collection device for receiving a first type of laundry pieces and disposed in a receiving relationship to the transport device, a second collection device for receiving a second type of laundry pieces and disposed in a receiving relationship to the transport device, and a recognition device disposed near the transport device such that laundry pieces disposed on the transport device are recognizable for the recognition device. A register device is predisposed to the first collection device and to the second collection device for registering of the laundry pieces disposed in the transport device and for generating a corresponding register signal. A data processing plant is connected to the recognition device and to the registering device and for receiving and then processing the data signals received from the recognition device and for receiving and then processing the register signal received from the register device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for sorting of laundry pieces. Such sorting for example is then required when different laundry pieces have to be washed according to different washing programs.
2. Brief Description of the Background of the Invention Including Prior Art
It is known to sort laundry pieces manually. Depending on the respective criteria of sorting, the concerned laundry pieces are individually thrown into a corresponding plurality of laundry containers. This sorting method can be slightly enhanced by predisposing a suction tube to the individual collection containers. The operator then only has to throw the laundry in the region of the suction opening of that tube, which leads to in each case desired collection container. The throw speed and the hit accuracy can be increased thereby.
It is further known to throw laundry pieces through a frame. Such a frame however is less suitable for sorting and more suitable for counting of the individual laundry pieces, which are to be washed.


A method for handling a mobile device with a plurality of holding sensors is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a user input via one or more holding sensors of the plurality of holding sensors; and executing a function according to a touched pattern of the one or more holding sensors; wherein the plurality of holding sensors are located on a housing of the mobile device.

A mobile device such as a mobile phone and a tablet computer can provide various functions (e.g., via applications installed in the mobile device) such as taking/viewing pictures, playing music and movies, playing games, sending/receiving emails and message, etc., to the user. Besides, a size and power consumption of the mobile device have been continuously and significantly reduced due to modern advancement of semiconductor technologies. Thus, the mobile device has become a daily and essential appliance carried by a user.
However, even though design of the mobile device is greatly improved nowadays, hardware buttons and hardware controllers are necessarily installed in the mobile device. That is, the hardware buttons and the hardware controllers are still necessary for controlling functions of the mobile device, e.g., volume, applications and camera. Accordingly, thickness of the mobile device can not be further reduced, and convenience of the mobile device is limited. Therefore, how to execute the functions without needs of the hardware buttons and the hardware controllers is a topic to be discussed.

Method of handling holding sensors and related mobile device


A system, method, and computer program product for scheduling tasks associated with continuation thread blocks. The method includes the steps of generating a first task metadata data structure in a memory, generating a second task metadata data structure in the memory, executing a first task corresponding to the first task metadata data structure in a processor, generating state information representing a continuation task related to the first task and storing the state information in the second task metadata data structure, executing the continuation task in the processor after the one or more child tasks have finished execution, and indicating that the first task has logically finished execution once the continuation task has finished execution. The second task metadata data structure is related to the first task metadata data structure, and at least one instruction in the first task causes one or more child tasks to be executed by the processor.

Programming tasks are typically implemented by generating a data structure in a memory that includes information associated with instructions and data to be processed by those instructions. Some tasks may be configured to launch child tasks that complete auxiliary work related to the task. The task may be stalled while the child work is completed. The task saves the state related to the task, which may be restored at some point in the future once the child task has completed the auxiliary work.
However, conventional mechanisms associated with related tasks are not efficient at avoiding deadlock conditions. Sometimes, too many child threads may be launched such that resources are starved that don't allow child tasks to finish executing. Too many thread blocks may be active and resident in the processor, causing the active tasks to stall on completion of the child tasks, which in turn cannot be executed because the active tasks have locked all available resources. Thus, there is a need for addressing this issue and/or other issues associated with the prior art.

System, method, and computer program product for scheduling tasks associated with continuation thread blocks


An organic light emitting display device may include a first cover, a protection member disposed on the first cover, a display panel disposed on the protection member, and a second cover disposed on the protection member. The protection member may include a plurality of layers having a plurality of pores, respectively. The protection member may reduce or remove a tolerance generated in manufacturing processes, and also may absorb or remove an external impact.

1. Field of the Invention
Example embodiments of the invention relate to organic light emitting display devices and methods of manufacturing organic light emitting display devices. More particularly, example embodiments of the invention relate to organic light emitting display devices including protection members having a plurality of layers and methods of manufacturing the organic light emitting display devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
An organic light emitting display (OLED) device displays information such as images, letters and/or characters using light generated by combination of holes provided from an anode and electrons provided from a cathode in an organic layer. Because the organic light emitting display device has several advantageous such as relatively larger view angle, rapid response speed, smaller thickness, lower power consumption, etc., the organic light emitting display device becomes one of the prospecting next-generation display devices. Such organic light emitting display device may generally include a rear cover, a display panel, a front cover, etc.
As for the contemporary organic light emitting display device, a tolerance may be generated between the rear cover and the display panel during processes for manufacturing the organic light emitting display device, and thus the organic light emitting display device having the tolerance may be damaged by external impacts. Although the contemporary organic light emitting display device may include a buffer structure or a buffer layer such as a tape for absorbing the external impacts, the buffer structure and/or the buffer layer may not sufficiently protect the elements of the organic light emitting display device while still remaining the tolerance.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Organic light emitting display devices and methods of manufacturing organic light emitting display devices

Samsung-ro, Giheung-Gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-Do


An input device for performing control functions of a machine having a work tool may include a left-hand joystick mounted on a left armrest of an operator's seat, and a right-hand joystick mounted on a right armrest of an operator's seat. Each of the left-hand and right-hand joysticks may include a base portion configured to conform to and least partially cradle an operator's hand, a handle extending from the base portion with a proximal end of the handle being connected to the base portion, and a distal end of the handle supporting a head portion of the joystick. The head portion of the joystick may include a front surface including a configurable face plate. The configurable face plate may include one of a pair of upshift and downshift buttons or a roller configured to perform one of discrete or continuously variable shifting, respectively, of a transmission of the machine. The handle may include a thumb rest area at the distal end of the handle transitioning into the head portion of the joystick.

Some earth moving machines, for example dozers, motor graders, wheel loaders, and snow plows, have a front-mounted work tool such as a blade, bucket, or plow for pushing or carrying material. These work tools can be tilted about a first horizontal axis that is generally perpendicular to the work tool (i.e., aligned with a travel direction), pitched about a second horizontal axis that is generally parallel to the work tool, and lifted relative to a ground surface. Tilting can be accomplished by extending a hydraulic cylinder located at a first side of the work tool, while simultaneously retracting a hydraulic cylinder located at an opposing side of the work tool. Pitching can be accomplished by extending or retracting both hydraulic cylinders in the same direction at the same time. Lifting of the work tool can be accomplished through extension of a separate lift cylinder. Existing hydraulic systems utilize different combinations of input devices to regulate the tilting, pitching, and lifting operations. Primary operator inputs for mobile vehicle motion include transmission direction (forward, neutral, or reverse), transmission speed setting, steering direction and magnitude, engine speed, and application of service brakes. Because there are multiple inputs to be controlled, these inputs generally require an operator of the machine to use both hands and both feet. In some existing dozers the transmission direction, transmission speed setting, and steering direction and magnitude are combined into a left-hand joystick. With a high idle machine such as a dozer, a right food pedal is often used to decelerate the engine speed from high idle toward a fully decelerated engine speed when slowing down the travel speed of the machine. A left foot pedal is often used in conjunction with the right foot pedal, with the left foot pedal controlling the service brakes for the machine.
When a machine is being controlled, either by an operator onboard the machine, or remotely, such as by a portable console which is hand-held or supported by a body harness, or at a remote operator station, which simulates the environment within a machine cab, in some implementations there may be two joysticks, with the left joystick being used for control of transmission speed settings and steering, and the right joystick being used for control of a blade or other work tool. In some implementations with a remote control console the operator must control all functions of the machine with two hands and no foot pedals. The left joystick may have two or more control axes, with a left-right axis being used for steering direction and magnitude, and a front-back axis being used to set transmission direction. The joystick may also have a vertical axis about which it can be rotated, with rotation of the joystick about the vertical axis resulting in changes to the transmission speed settings. Conventional remote control consoles may include fingertip-controlled paddles that are used by the operator in place of a decelerator foot pedal and a service brake foot pedal. An exemplary remote control system for a work machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,428,791 to Carlsson, issued on Apr. 23, 2013 (the '791 patent). Specifically, the '791 patent discloses a remote control system for a machine, with the system including at least one control stick or joystick and a number of buttons, levers, and/or knobs for operating the different travel and working functions of the machine.
Although the remote control system of the '791 patent includes joysticks and other input devices having different functions in different modes, the '791 does not disclose a control system that includes a joystick with the improved ergonomic, comfort, and accessibility features of the joystick according to this disclosure. The joystick designs of the present disclosure change the shape and configuration of each joystick used in conventional designs in very specific ways such that an operator using the modified joystick experiences a more comfortable and ergonomic feel with easy access to control buttons and wheels arranged on the faceplate of the joystick. The disclosed joystick configuration enables accurate positioning of the joystick, for example, using just the thumb of the left hand to move the joystick forward, or using just fingertips touching flat surfaces on the sides of the joystick to move the joystick in left and right directions, while easily accessing controls on the faceplate of the joystick without experiencing fatigue during extended periods of operating the machine using the joystick.
The joystick designs according to the present disclosure address one or more of the needs set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.

Machine joystick with ergonomic features


A trailer jack mounting assembly which is rotatable has an outer support member which has a cylindrical bore and is mounted to a trailer frame adjacent to its hitch end with the outer support member receiving a horizontally disposed rectangular cross-section sleeve member rotatably fitted and restrained within the outer support member. A slidable latch member in the form of a U-shaped plate having a handle portion at its top fits within a track in the outer support member and is movable between open and closed positions whereby the rotation of the inner support carrying the jack can be placed in either an upright position or a horizontal position.

Various types of trailer mechanisms for resting the hitch end of a trailer to permit uncoupling of the trailer and to store the trailer in a normal horizontal position have been previously used in the art. Such trailer jacks are typically permanently mounted vertically to a support member of the trailer frame near the hitch end. Trailer jacks typically have a crank handle which is rotated to raise and lower either a ground plate or a caster which contacts the ground thereby providing an adjustable rest for the trailer. To allow for sufficient mechanical advantage to lift the hitch end of a heavy trailer many revolutions of the handle are required to raise the rest end away from the ground into a position for transport. Raising the jack thus becomes a very slow and tedious job. Furthermore, due to the low mounting location of the jack and due to a limited amount of travel for the jack, the rest end of the jack cannot be raised sufficiently to avoid having the end impact with the ground when traveling on rough terrain. In an attempt to sufficiently raise the end during transport a long jack travel is required making the jack mechanism expensive and subject to wear and breakage.
One attempted solution to somewhat reduce the time required to raise the jack and to reduce the likelihood of damage to the jack during travel over rough terrain was the provision of a hinged caster. The arrangement, however, was down below and cumbersome to operate. Moreover, the gain of clearance height was limited to the height of the caster.
The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems discussed above by providing a rotatable support arrangement for the trailer jack which is easy to use, minimizes the time and effort to raise the jack rest end for transport and reduces the likelihood of damage to the rest end during transport.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.


Rhizoma Drynariae extract (RDE) is used as therapeutical agent or in the preparation for Osteoporosis, which is characterized in containing over 30 percent of total flavonoids. Furthermore naringin contained in flavonoids is more than 30 percent and less than 100 percent. The RDE is applied for the therapy of osteoporosis or used for producing drugs treating osteoporosis. And methods of extracting the same are also related.

Rhizoma Drynariae is the rhizome of Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J. Sm or D. baronii (Chist) Diels, which is used for the treatment of bone fracture for a long time (Zhong Yao Da Ci Dian (Lexicon of Traditional Chinese Medicine), 1658–1660, Shanghai People's Press, ShangHai, 1979). Ma Ke-Chang et al., studied the influence of Rhizoma Drynariae on rat Osteoporosis model, the results showed that Rhizoma Drynariae extract partically restrains the glucocorticoid-induced bone loss (Ma Ke-Chang et al., Zhong Yi Zheng Gu (Bone Setting) 1992, 4, 3), but the active component therein is unknown. Additionally, Zhou Tong-Shui et al. reported that the effective component of Rhizoma Drynariae for treating bone injury is naringin and analogues thereof (Zhou Tong-Shui, et. al., Zhong Cao Yao (Chinese Herbal Medicine) 1994, 25, 249). And they also performed assaying in crude plant of Rhizoma Drynariae (Zhou Tong-shui et al., Zhong Guo Yao Ke Da Xue Xue Bao (Journal of China Pharmaceutical University), 1996, 27, (9), 540), but they didn't show the relationship between the above-mentioned active components and the effect to Osteoporosis thereof.
Wu Ying-Pi et al. disclosed a method of extracting naringin from Citrus grandis Osbeck var. tomentosa Hort, aiming to obtain the single component of naringin (Wu Ying-Pi et al., Zhong Cao Yao, 1988, 19, 452) only. Therefore, it is unknown whether or not such method can be fitted for other medicinal materials.

Drynaria extractions for treating osteoporosis and their extraction process

Qihuang Pharmaceutical Technology and Investment Co., Ltd.

Xiyuan Hospital Affiliated to China Academy of TCM.


A dream detection system includes a mask and a control unit. The mask includes opaque eye portions and at least one sensor for detecting REM sleep. The mask may include an alarm for indicating REM sleep, a speaker, and a transmitter. The control unit includes a receiver and transmitter for receiving data from and transmitting data to the mask, respectively. The control unit includes programming for actuating an audio player to provide a predetermined cue, script, or other audible message to the mask when REM sleep is detected for alerting a sleeping person that he is dreaming and enabling the person to gain some level of control over the dream sequence. The audible message may be a morning or evening affirmation, preparation for a task, or other cues to guide a dream. The control unit may include a device with which a user may audibly record dream details.

This invention relates generally to dream detection systems and, more particularly, to a dream detection system having a mask to be worn by a sleeping person and a control unit that may be positioned beside a bed that enables a sleeping person to become aware that they are dreaming and to gain a certain level of control over the dream for maximum enjoyment or fulfillment.
Dreaming is considered to be desirable to most people, yet most people have difficulty recalling their dreams or may be dissatisfied when their dreams become disjointed or take uncontrollable directions. Humans have five stages of sleep: stages 1-4 and REM sleep. It is well known that the most vivid dreams occur during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep. A person's brainwaves most closely resemble those of an awake person during this stage. Therefore, it is possible for a person to exert some control over the events of a dream if is made aware that he is dreaming without actually fully waking up.
Various devices have been proposed for detecting REM sleep. In fact, it has been proposed in the prior art that a person may be slightly, but not fully, awakened upon REM detection using lights or sounds so that a sleeping person may gain some control over his dream. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the previous proposals are prone to false detections of REM sleep and premature signaling, a lack of providing a sleeper with predetermined cues, scripts, or audible suggestions to guide the dream sequence. For example, the sleeper may be able to introduce desired people, situations, or themes into the dream sequence.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a system that could assist a person in becoming aware of his dream and to enable him to gain an amount of control over the dream sequence. Further, it would be desirable to have a system that provides a sleeper with predetermined cues, scripts, or audible suggestions when REM sleep is detected. In addition, it would be desirable to have a system that detects REM sleep in multiple ways so as to minimize false REM detection and premature awakening procedures.


A sheet finisher having a post-processing section that conducts post-processing on a sheet on which an image has been formed by an image forming apparatus, the sheet finisher comprising: an intermediate storing section in which a plurality of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus are superposed to be stored temporarily; a pair of conveyance rollers that convey the plurality of sheets stored in the intermediate storing section to the post-processing section while the plurality of sheets are superposed; each of two drive motors which drives one of the pair of conveyance rollers that comes in contact with one sheet of the plurality of sheets and the other of the pair of conveyance rollers that comes in contact with the other sheet of the plurality of sheets, separately; and a correction controller that controls a rotation speed of at least one of the two drive motors.

The present invention relates to a sheet finisher that conducts post-processing for a sheet and to an image forming system provided with the sheet finisher.
In the case of an image forming apparatus forming an image on a sheet at high speed as in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is possible to provide an image forming system capable of meeting broad users needs, by connecting a sheet finisher having various sheet-processing functions to the image forming system.
For example, in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-128384, there is disclosed an image forming system wherein an image forming apparatus has a sheet finisher having therein functions for a punching process, for binding process and for folding process.
The specification of U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,557 discloses an image forming system wherein there is arranged a common single-sheet processing device between an image forming apparatus and at least one type of a sheet finisher among plural types of sheet finishers.
In the case of an image forming system described in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-128384, it is effective when it is installed in the environment where various types of users use it in various ways, as in offices, for example, because a sheet finisher is constructed to exhibit various functions for post-processing in a single device. Further, the sheet finisher of this kind is relatively compact, which is also effective for the office where space saving is required.
On the other hand, in the image forming system such as a short-run printing system, an image forming system does not always need to be equipped with all post-processing functions, and a certain specific post-processing function only can meet the needs sufficiently in many cases. Namely, when using as an image forming system such as short-run printing, a specific user uses a specific post-processing function only more frequently than in the occasion where various types of users use in various ways as in the case of using in the office.
In the aforesaid image forming apparatus, a single relatively compact sheet finisher has various post-processing functions to meet various usage patterns. However, if individual post-processing function is observed by specifying it, that post-processing function is not regarded to be at a sufficient level.
In recent years, an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic method has come to be used in a short-run printing field. Namely, using the image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet finisher mentioned above makes it possible to achieve bookbinding of a print-on-demand system for making necessary number of sets only when they are needed.
In addition, no time is required for preparation of a printing plate which has been needed in conventional printing, whereby, enhancement of efficiency of bookbinding work and cost reduction therefore are greatly expected.
The image forming system described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,557 is an apparatus capable of meeting the aforesaid demands, and it is an image forming system with a structure wherein a single-sheet processing device representing one type of sheet finisher is connected on the side of a sheet-ejection portion of an image forming apparatus, and further, at least one type of sheet finisher among plural types of sheet finishers is connected to the single-sheet processing device.
Further, in the image forming apparatus, or in the image forming system wherein the sheet finisher is connected to the image forming apparatus, it is desired that the number of sheets processed per unit time (hereinafter referred to as productivity) is large. In the field of short-run printing, in particular, that demand is strong. The number of sheets processed by the image forming system is determined by the capacity of a sheet finisher in many cases, rather than by the capacity of an image forming apparatus.
Namely, in the sheet finisher, it is necessary to keep a sufficient space between continuous sheets (hereinafter referred to as space-between-sheets) because conveyance of a sheet is stopped temporarily for processing in many cases. As a measure for that purpose, a conveyance speed in the sheet finisher is made to be higher than that in the image forming apparatus. However, in the recent speeding up, the conveyance speed in the sheet finisher is approaching the limits, because the conveyance speed of the image forming apparatus is made to be higher.
Therefore, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-54809 discloses a sheet finisher wherein a reversal conveyance section accepting plural stacked sheets is provided in the finisher, and plural sheets stacked on the reversal conveyance section are conveyed simultaneously. By conveying plural sheets simultaneously while they are superposed, it is possible to broaden the space-between-sheets as far as the superposed sheets, without enhancing the conveyance speed, namely, to improve productivity in the sheet finisher.
However, in the sheet finisher disclosed by Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-54809, sheets are compelled to be conveyed through a curved conveyance path (hereinafter referred to as a curved portion) while they are superposed. Therefore, a sheet conveyed through the inside of the curved portion is different from that conveyed through the outside of the curved portion in terms of a length of the conveyance path and of frictional force between a wall surface of the curved portion and a sheet. Due to this, sheet displacement is caused between the inside sheet and the outside sheet.
In the short-run printing field, qualitative request about positional accuracy in post-processing is strict, and conducting post-processing under the condition of this sheet displacement leads to occurrence of defective articles.
It is possible to provide an alignment mechanism such as a stopper member for correcting sheet displacement. However, in this case, the structure is complicated, resulting in cost increase, and a period of time for alignment is needed, making it impossible to achieve original objective to improve productivity in a sheet finisher.

Sheet finisher and image forming system provided therewith

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


There is provided a measuring apparatus that measures digital signals. The measuring apparatus includes a reference timing detecting unit operable to detect a first timing at which a digital signal becomes a first predetermined signal level and a second timing at which the digital signal becomes a second signal level different from the first signal level in an edge of the digital signal, and a timing computing unit operable to compute a third timing at which the digital signal becomes a third predetermined signal level based on the first signal level, the second signal level, the first timing, and the second timing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus for measuring a digital signal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a measuring apparatus and a program for measuring timing such as a variation point of a digital signal value and an intersection point of differential digital signals.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, when testing an electronic device, the good or bad of the electronic device is decided by measuring output signals from the electronic device. For example, the good or bad of the electronic device is decided by comparing output signals from the electronic device and predetermined patterns with each other.
Conventionally, such a decision is performed by generating strobe signals in a predetermined period and detecting a value of an output signal in the timing of the strobe signal. For example, the decision is performed by comparing the value of the detected output signal and given H comparison level and L comparison level, converting the output signal into H logic and L logic patterns, and comparing the patterns and expectation patterns.
Moreover, the good or bad of the electronic device can also be decided by evaluating a waveform of an output signal from the electronic device. For example, the good or bad of the electronic device can be decided by whether the timing at an edge of the output signal is within a predetermined range.
The timing at the edge of the output signal can be measured by detecting a signal value near the edge of the output signal, e.g., by means of a multi-strobe (a polyphase strobe) including a plurality of strobes of which phases are slightly different from one another. In other words, the timing at the edge of the output signal is measured by converting the output signal near the edge into H logic and L logic patterns and detecting a phase of a strobe that varies from H logic to L logic, by means of the multi-strobe.
Moreover, a characteristic of the electronic device to be test includes the timing at a variation point of an output signal, the timing at a cross point of differential output signals, and so on, e.g., given from a HIZ (high impedance) level.
The HIZ level and the level of the cross point of the differential output signal are generally smaller than H comparison level and larger than L comparison level. For this reason, it is difficult to detect the timing at the variation point or the timing at the cross point of the differential output signals given from the HIZ level by means of a conventional method. For example, the conventional method can detect the variation point or the cross point of the differential output signal given from the HIZ level by shifting H comparison level or L comparison level by degrees. However, it is difficult to do such a control.