A toner image for measurement of an area coverage modulation of 90% or more is formed on a photosensitive drum in a non-image formation, and a setting condition for defining a developability of a toner image in an image formation is set so that a detection result of an optical sensor detecting the toner image for measurement becomes a preset target value. The target value is set to be lower as a value of the setting condition increases from a lower side to a higher side of the developability. The target value is set so that a color difference ΔE of an image having half the maximum image density obtained after the setting condition is set with respect to an image having half the maximum image density obtained after the setting condition is set in a setting mode with use of unused developer is 6.5 or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that is configured to measure toner bearing amounts of at least two toner images, which were formed for measurement purposes and which have different toner image forming conditions, to set a toner image forming condition for image formation, and more particularly, to a control for suppressing density change in a halftone image before and after the toner image forming condition is set.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus is widely used, which is configured to develop an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member into a toner image by a developing device. The apparatus transfers the developed toner image directly, or via an intermediate transfer member, onto a recording material. The apparatus also uses a fixing device to fix the image onto the recording material by heating and pressurizing the recording material, on which the toner image has been transferred.
In the image forming apparatus, in order to enhance the reproducibility of the image density of the fixed image, a setting mode is executed prior to image formation, in order to set a setting condition for electrically defining the developability of the toner image between a developer carrying member and the image bearing member at the time of image formation.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-42580, in the setting mode, a predetermined developing contrast is set in the image forming apparatus to form a toner image for measurement (patch image), and a toner bearing amount of the toner image for measurement is measured with the use of an optical sensor disposed opposite to the image bearing member or the intermediate transfer member. The developing contrast refers to a potential difference (see FIG. 3) between the potential of an image section, of an electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member, and a DC voltage to be applied to the developer carrying member.
Then, in order to obtain a toner image having a certain target toner bearing amount based on the result of measurement of the toner bearing amount of the toner image formed for measurement, the developing contrast for the image formation, and the electrostatic image forming condition or the developing condition to obtain the developing contrast are adjusted.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-42580, the setting mode is executed in a state in which a toner image formed for measurement and having a toner bearing amount close to the maximum density that can be output as the fixed image is formed on the image bearing member. This is because the maximum density of the fixed image to be output in the image formation is ensured.
However, when the setting mode is executed using the toner image formed for measurement and having the toner bearing amount close to the maximum density, the density of an image having maximum density is kept equal before and after the setting mode is executed, but the image density of a halftone image varies significantly in some cases. For example, in a case where the developability of the developing device decreases, due to the deterioration of toner, change of temperature and humidity, or the like, when the setting mode is executed to equally set the maximum density of an output image, the reproducibility of the image density of the halftone image is significantly diminished in some cases (Comparative Example 1).
In this case, it is possible to measure the toner bearing amounts of the toner images formed for measurement having a plurality of levels of medium gray scale, and to perform gray scale conversion, called gamma correction, to cancel the difference in image density generated in the medium gray scale (Comparative Example 2). However, when gamma correction is executed, a down-time therefor is generated in the image forming apparatus.

Image forming apparatus with developing contrast control


A known fuel distributor, which has continuous valve receptacle openings for fuel injection valves. The fuel distributor prevents vapor bubbles that cause difficulties in engine starting to form. The novel fuel distributor has a fuel supply line split by a partition into a first conduit and a second conduit; the second conduit serves as a reservoir and communicates both with the first conduit, through a through opening, and with the various valve receptacle openings. In the fuel reservoir, fuel free of vapor bubbles can collect after the shutoff of the hot engine; upon hot starting of the engine, this makes it possible to inject fuel that is free of vapor bubbles and is readily ignitable through the fuel injection valves. The fuel distributor according to the invention is especially well-suited for fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing internal combustion engines with externally supplied ignition.

The invention is based on a fuel distributor as defined hereinafter. German Patent Document 37 30 571 A1 has already disclosed a fuel distributor for an internal combustion that supplies fuel to a plurality of fuel injection valves; it has as many through valve receiving openings as there are fuel injection valves, the fuel injection valves being insertable into these openings, and also has a supply line that is open toward the valve receiving openings.
When a hot engine equipped with this kind of fuel distributor is started, the formation of fuel vapor bubbles can cause problems in engine starting if fuel full of vapor bubbles is injected in the first few seconds after starting. The starting problems are due to the pronounced effective leaning down of the fuel-air mixture formed, which makes it unready to ignite.


The present disclosure is related to a waterproof pad and a waterproof structure for a cabinet under a sink. The waterproof pad includes a pad body and a waterproof fence, wherein the waterproof fence is arranged around an edge of the pad body, the pad body is further provided with a drainage hole, and the drainage hole is located close to the waterproof fence; and wherein the drainage hole is in a convex shape when receiving water, and the drainage hole is folded downward to be in a concave shape when draining water. When the drainage hole is in a convex shape, a periphery of the drainage hole is provided with a groove that is recessed and an up-down folding function is embodied through the groove. The drainage hole is hemispherical A height of the drainage hole is at least equal to a height of the waterproof fence.

Cabinets under sinks in kitchens, bathrooms, etc. are not highly utilized due to the existence of water pipes under sinks. But in general families, in order to make better use of the cabinet under the sink, storage items are still stored in it. With the use of the sink, it is inevitable that there will be leakage of the water pipe under the sink. The problem of sewer leakage is universal, extensive and serious. If the water leakage problem is not repaired in time, the items in the cabinet will inevitably be damp and moldy, which will affect the use of the items, and it will also cause the cabinet to be damp and moldy, and even worse, the cabinet and the items in it will be damaged.
In the prior art, the countermeasures to solve the problem of water leakage are generally to lay a layer of plastic fiber mats covered with aluminum film, plastic water-draining glue boards, or paste a layer of self-adhesive aluminum foil on the bottom surface of the cabinet, but these film mats leak water in the sewer pipe. It cannot handle a large amount of water leakage from time to time, which will cause a large amount of water leakage to spread to the kitchen, bathroom, etc., which will bring inconvenience to cleaning; and even if these membrane pads can accommodate water leakage, there will still be the need to remove the items on the membrane pad and take out the membrane pad as a whole to clean up the received water, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Waterproof pad and waterproof structure for a cabinet under a sink


A transmission is provided which has a very compact system configuration and is capable of exerting high energy efficiency over all speed regions from a low speed region to a high speed region, while providing improved operability free from a torque shortage. To this end, the transmission has an input shaft 3, an intermediate output shaft 8, a planetary gear mechanism 9, a first pump-motor 7, and a second pump-motor 15 connected to the first pump-motor 7, the input shaft 3 being coupled to a first element (planetary carrier 12) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, the second pump-motor 15 being coupled to a second element (sun gear 19) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, the intermediate output shaft 8 being coupled to a third element (ring gear 16) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, and the transmission further comprising a switching mechanism (synchromesh mechanism 6) for selectively coupling the first pump-motor 7 to either the input shaft 3 or the intermediate output shaft 8.

There are conventionally known, as hydraulic transmissions, (i) pure hydraulic transmissions (e.g., hydrostatic transmissions (HST)) which convert all input power supplied from an engine into oil pressure and transmit it and (ii) hydro-mechanical (power-split type) transmissions (HMT) which hydraulically transmit part of input power while mechanically transmitting the remaining part. The latter transmissions (HMT) have the advantage of achieving higher efficiency than the former transmissions (HST) since they convert only part of mechanical power into hydraulic power and the transmission efficiency of mechanical power is high. For this reason, the hydro-mechanical transmissions are said to be ideal transmissions for vehicles subjected to significant load fluctuations such as bulldozers and wheel loaders and therefore some of them are, in fact, employed in such vehicles.
A typical hydro-mechanical transmission (HMT) attains variable speed characteristics by a planetary gear mechanism. Of the three elements (i.e., a sun gear, a carrier equipped with a planetary gear, and a ring gear) of the planetary gear mechanism, the first element and the second element are coupled to the input shaft and the output shaft respectively, while the third element is coupled to the hydraulic pump or hydraulic motor. The rotating speed of the hydraulic pump or hydraulic motor is varied, thereby changing the rotating speed of the output shaft.
The above HMT is classified into two types. One is known as "the output split type" in which the hydraulic pump or hydraulic motor coupled to the planetary gear mechanism is connected by a hydraulic circuit to another hydraulic pump or hydraulic motor which is in turn coupled to the input shaft of the transmission so as to have a constant speed ratio. The other is known as "the input split type" in which the hydraulic pump or hydraulic motor coupled to the planetary gear mechanism is connected by a hydraulic circuit to another hydraulic pump or hydraulic motor which is in turn coupled to the output shaft of the transmission so as to have a constant speed ratio. Further, the output-split type and input-split type are respectively classified into six types according to which of the three elements of the planetary gear mechanism is coupled to the hydraulic pump/motor, the input shaft or the output shaft so that 12 types are available in total as basic combinations.
One prior art technique associated with the invention is disclosed in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2001-200900. The transmission disclosed in this publication includes a hydraulic transmission and a mechanical transmission having a planetary gear mechanism. The hydraulic transmission is driven by the mechanical transmission so that they interact with each other, operating with high efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions.
Next, reference is made to FIG. 18 (a) to describe a conventional output-split type transmission (HMT) having two pump-motors (which serve as a pump and a motor). In the transmission 100, a first gear 103 is fixed to an input shaft 102 to which motive power from an engine 101 is input, and a second gear 104 in mesh with the first gear 103 is fixed to a shaft 105a of a first pump-motor 105. Fixed to an input shaft 102 is a sun gear 107 of a planetary gear mechanism 106. A plurality of planetary gears 108 mesh with the outer circumference of the sun gear 107. Each planetary gear 108 is borne by a planetary carrier 109 to which an output shaft 110 is fixed. A ring gear 111 meshes with the outer circumference of the planetary gear set 108. A third gear 112 meshes with the outer circumference of the ring gear 111 and is fixed to a shaft 113a of a second pump-motor 113. Herein, the first pump-motor 105 and the second pump-motor 113 are hydraulically connected to each other through a piping 114.
In such an arrangement, when the rotating speed of the second pump-motor 113, in other words, the rotating speed of the ring gear 111 is zero, the motive power transmitted by the medium of oil pressure is zero so that all motive power is transmitted through the mechanical mechanism.
On the basis of the rotating speed of the output shaft 110 at that time, the operation of this transmission will be described.
(1) When increasing the speed of the output shaft 110, the second pump-motor 113 receives motive power through the medium of oil pressure and is driven so as to increase the speed of the output shaft 110. At that time, the first pump-motor 105 acts as a pump while the second pump-motor 113 acting as a motor, so that energy flows from the first pump-motor 105 toward the second pump-motor 113 through the medium of oil pressure. At that time, the horse power transmitted by the hydraulic power becomes plus (+) as indicated by line A-B of FIG. 18(b), so that hydraulic power is transmitted, in a forward direction, i.e., from the input shaft 102 toward the planetary gear mechanism 106.
(2) When reducing the speed of the output shaft 110, the second pump-motor 113 receives motive power from the planetary gear mechanism 106, rotating in a direction opposite to the case (1). At that time, the second pump-motor 113 acts as a pump while the first pump-motor 105 acting as a motor, so that energy flows from the second pump-motor 113 toward the first pump-motor 105 through the medium of oil pressure. At that time, the horse power transmitted by the hydraulic power becomes minus (−) as indicated by line A-C of FIG. 18(b), so that hydraulic power is transmitted in a reverse direction, i.e., from the planetary gear mechanism 106 toward the input shaft 102.
In the input split type HMT (transmission 200) shown in FIG. 19(a), the planetary gear mechanism 106 is disposed on the side of the input shaft 102 whereas the first pump-motor 105 is on the side of the output shaft 110. In FIG. 19(a), those parts that are identical with or correspond to those of the transmission 100 shown in FIG. 18(a) are identified by the same reference numerals as of FIG. 18(a) and a detailed explanation of them is omitted.
The input split type transmission 200 operates as follows.
(1) When increasing the speed of the output shaft 110, the second pump-motor 113 acts as a motor while the first pump-motor 105 acting as a pump, so that energy flows from the first pump-motor 105 toward the second pump-motor 113 through the medium of oil pressure. At that time, the horse power transmitted by the hydraulic power becomes minus (−) as indicated by line A-D of FIG. 19(b), so that hydraulic power is transmitted in a reverse direction i.e., from the output shaft 110 toward the planetary gear mechanism 106.
(2) When reducing the speed of the output shaft 110, the second pump-motor 113 receives motive power from the planetary gear mechanism 106, rotating in a direction opposite to the case (1). At that time, the second pump-motor 113 acts as a pump while the first pump-motor 105 acting as a motor, so that energy flows from the second pump-motor 113 toward the first pump-motor 105 through medium of oil pressure. At that time, the horse power transmitted by the hydraulic power becomes plus (+) as indicated by line A-E of FIG. 19(b), so that hydraulic power is transmitted in a forward direction, i.e., from the planetary gear mechanism 106 toward the output shaft 110.
As such, in both the output split type and input split type transmissions, a forward energy flow and a reverse energy flow occur in the speed-up side and the speed-down side. The transmission efficiency of energy of this case will be examined below taking the output split type transmission 100 shown in FIG. 18 for example. Herein, the transmission efficiency of the mechanical unit is 95% and the transmission efficiency of the hydraulic unit is 80% (Generally, where a pump-motor is used, transmission efficiency is low). For easy comparison, a case where the output rotating speed of the hydraulic unit is increased by 0.5 to 1.5 when the output rotating speed of the mechanical unit is 1 is compared to a case where the output rotating speed of the hydraulic unit is reduced by 0.5 to 0.5 when the output rotating speed of the mechanical unit is 1.
FIG. 20(a) shows the case where hydraulic power flows in the forward direction. One-third (=0.5/1.5=0.333) the energy (1.0) output from the engine 101 flows to the hydraulic unit for increasing speed. Transmitted to the output shaft 110 are 0.633 (=0.667×0.95) part of energy from the mechanical unit and 0.267 (=0.333×0.8) part of energy from the hydrostatic unit. As a result, the overall efficiency becomes 0.9 (=0.633+0.267). The case where hydraulic power flows in the reverse direction is shown in FIG. 20 (b). Where the energy transmitted from the mechanical unit to the hydraulic unit for reducing speed is represented by E, the energy at the output side of the mechanical unit before splitting is 2E and the following equation is obtained.((1+0.8E)×0.95)=2E  (Equation 1)
From Equation 1, E=0.766 is obtained so that the overall efficiency is 0.766.
As just discussed, when hydraulic power flows in the reverse direction, a flow of large energy occurs in each element, causing poor efficiency. In other words, the forward flow of hydraulic energy is better than the reverse flow of hydraulic energy. As apparent from FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b), if part of energy is directed in the reverse direction, the energy that passes through the mechanical unit will increase. This entails a need for a larger planetary gear mechanism, which is disadvantageous in economical efficiency.
The previous technique relating to the invention, which is disclosed in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2001-200900, is designed to avoid the above-described situation in which energy flows in the reverse direction, by properly changing the transmission path which extends between the planetary gear mechanism and the output shaft. The technique disclosed in this publication, however, is complicated in the structure of the planetary gear mechanism and inevitably involves a multiplicity of gears which do not participate in energy transmission, increasing idling losses with the result that the transmission efficiency of the mechanical unit deteriorates. Furthermore, the technique disclosed in this publication has revealed such a drawback that since it is designed to shift gears by switching the transmission path between the planetary gear mechanism and the output shaft through engagement/disengagement of clutches, a so-called torque shortage (i.e., a momentary drop in the torque of the output shaft) or a gear change shock will occur if the timing of clutch engagement/disengagement is bad.
The invention is directed to overcoming the foregoing problems and a primary object of the invention is therefore to provide a transmission having a very compact system configuration and capable of increasing energy efficiency over all speed regions from a low speed region to a high speed region, while providing improved operability free from a torque shortage.


A method for preparing fluorescent-encoded microspheres coated with metal nanoshells is disclosed herein. By using SPG method, metal nano-material modified with a certain ligand is used as a new surfactant in the emulsification process, and different kinds and different amounts of fluorescent materials are doped into polymer microspheres to prepare fluorescent-encoded microspheres with different fluorescent-encoded signals and uniformly coated metal nanoshells in one step. The prepared fluorescent-encoded microsphere comprises a metal nanoshell, a polymer, and a fluorescent-encoded material. The fluorescent-encoded microsphere has a particle size of 1 μm˜20 μm, CV of less than 10%, which can be used for protein/nucleic acid detection. The preparation method has the advantages of simple process, high surface coating rate, good uniformity and controllable LSPR peaks, which can solve the problems of existing commonly used metal nanoshell coating methods such as low surface coating rate, poor uniformity, complex preparation process and uncontrollable local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks, etc.

Liquid-phase biochip technique uses encoded microspheres as a carrier for liquid-phase reactions and adopts fast and high-throughput flow cytometry as the analysis method based on the rules of protein-protein, nucleic acid-nucleic acid interactions, to perform fast and high-throughput multiplex quantitative detection of proteins and nucleic acids, with a wide range of applications in the protein expression, nucleic acid analysis, early diagnosis of disease and prognosis, etc. Compared with traditional detection methods, liquid-phase chip technique has reached higher detection sensitivity, however, with the rapid development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, especially for the increasing demand for precise diagnosis, its performance needs to be improved. The technical core of the liquid phase biochip is a polymer microsphere with a coded signal. Currently, the commonly used coded signals include spectral signal coding, graphic (image) coding, chemical signal coding, physical signal coding, etc. Among them, the spectral signal coding is most widely used due to its flexible coding, fast and convenient decoding.
A large number of studies have found that the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect produced by precious metal nano-material under the condition of light incidence can be used to effectively enhance the intensity of the fluorescent signals of the fluorescent molecules/particles connected to the surface, and thus enhance the detection sensitivity. In addition, studies have shown that the enhancement effect is more obvious when the absorption peak/emission peak of fluorescent molecules/particles overlaps with the plasmon resonance peak on the surface of precious metals. If fluorescent-encoded microspheres can be successfully controlled to coat precious metal nanoshells with strong LSPR effect, it is expected to effectively enhance the fluorescence intensity of fluorescent reporter molecules, increase their optical stability and improve the detection sensitivity.
At present, the methods of coating precious metal nanoshells on the surface of polymer microspheres mainly include seed growth method, layer-by-layer self-assembly method, in-situ chemical reduction method, solvent swelling co-deposition method, and pickering emulsion polymerization method, etc. However, these preparation methods generally have the problems such as low surface coverage, poor uniformity, complex preparation processes and uncontrollable LSPR peaks, etc.

Method for preparing fluorescent-encoded microspheres coated with metal nanoshells


This invention relates to a method for grain equalization utilizing double dotting, comprising the steps of: determining a drop weight of each die in a multi-die printhead to print a given ink; determining the highest drop weight amongst all the dies; and determining a percentage of double dotting that is needed to substantially match a grain of the highest drop weight die.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for grain equalization utilizing double dotting, comprising the steps of: determining a drop weight of each die in a multi-die printhead to print a given ink; determining the highest drop weight amongst all of the dies; and determining a percentage of double dotting that is needed to substantially match a grain of the highest drop weight die.
2. Description of the Related Art
Compared to thermal ink jet printing systems that employ only a single die for each primary color, multi-die architectures present unique challenges in the area of color consistency. For printers using a single die for a given ink, die-to-die drop weight differences can cause color shifts between print jobs, but the color remains consistent within each print, as shown in FIG. 1a. As can be seen in FIG. 1a, there is a color shift between print A and print B even though both prints were printed by the same type of print head but of different drop weights for the same ink color. In contrast, for multi-die systems, uncompensated die-to-die drop weight differences can cause bands of visible color differences within any given print job, as shown in FIG. 1b. Even small differences in drop weight between dies can become visible and reduce customer satisfaction.
It is known in the color compensation art to employ a color compensation algorithm. Using the color compensation algorithm, the relative printed dot densities, or numbers of dots per unit area, can effectively be adjusted at the individual die level. This compensates for natural drop weight variations caused by the manufacturing process, as well as colorant concentration differences and establishes better color consistency between prints generated from different dies of the same color.
For multiple die per color printing systems, while the color compensation algorithm can match colors between dies with different drop weights, grain differences can be observed between printed die regions when drop weight variation exceeds a threshold (approximately 15%). FIG. 2a illustrates printing an area fill with a high drop weight. FIG. 2b illustrates what happens with a low drop weight die when the color compensation algorithm is used for color matching. Even though the color between the high drop weight area fill and the low drop weight area fill may be similar, FIG. 2a has significantly higher grain in FIG. 2b.
It is also known that trickle warming can be used to raise the temperature of low drop weight dies. Dies operated at a higher temperature have a higher drop weight. By setting the trickle warming temperatures of individual dies appropriately, equal drop weights can be established between them. However, the drop volume range in which trickle warming can be used is limited. Independent of drop weight, trickle warming is used to improve drop ink ejection performance and reliability by warming a die to a minimum temperature (i.e. 45° C. trickle warming set point). A high drop weight die cannot use a trickle warming temperature that is lower than a minimum trickle warming set point selected for drop ejection performance and reliability. Higher trickle warming temperatures can cause problems with material's reliability, ink out-gassing, and puddling. Conversely, a low drop weight die cannot use a trickle warming temperature that is higher than the maximum trickle warming set point. In short, the trickle warming approach can only be used over an allowed temperature range that limits the ability to adjust for larger drop volume variations between dies.
It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for a color compensation method and apparatus that reduces graininess in multi-die inkjet printing systems through the use of double dotting and does not rely heavily upon the utilization of the trickle warming approach It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A system and method for providing data files, such as ringtones, screensavers, games, and other types of application software, to a mobile telephone, such as a cellular telephone, is disclosed. An illustrative system is internet-based and provides subscribers with access via a general purpose computer to a large number of data files that are selectable by subscribers for storing in respective user-specific data lockers that are established by the system. Users may access their user-specific data lockers via a URL link that is sent to their mobile phones by the system as a text message.

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for providing data files, such as ringtones, screensavers, games, and other types of application software, to mobile telephones, such as a cellular telephones. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an internet-based system and method for providing subscribers with access to a large variety of data files that are selectable by subscribers for downloading to their mobile phones.
Mobile telephones, such as cellular telephones, have become increasingly popular and are used by a large portion of the population. Modem mobile telephones are now able to connect, wirelessly, to the internet. Mobile phones usually have a set of ringtones, games, and other functions that are preprogrammed into the phone by the manufacturers of the phones. Typical mobile telephones also have usable memory in which a user may store additional data files, such as ringtones, screensavers, games, and other application software which originate elsewhere. Thus, if the user desires ringtones, screensavers, games, etc. that have not been preprogrammed into the phone, the user may download into the usable memory of the phone, the desired ringtones, screensavers, games, etc. See, for example, the systems shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,496,692 B1; 6,366,791 B1; and 6,018,654 and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0123336 A1.


A DC/DC converter, a power converter and a control method thereof are disclosed, where the DC/DC converter includes an output circuit, a rectangular wave generator, a resonant tank, a detection unit and a control unit. The output circuit has a load. The rectangular wave generator converts an input voltage into at least one rectangular wave. The resonant tank provides a first voltage based on the rectangular wave for the output circuit. The detection unit detects a signal related to a state of the load. When the state of the load is light-load or a no-load, the control unit controls a working frequency or a duty ratio of the rectangular wave, so that the duty ratio of the rectangular wave is within a predetermined range, in which a voltage gain of the DC/DC converter is greater than another voltage gain under the condition of 50% duty ratio.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to power electronic, and more particularly, a power converter and a control method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, with the fast development of the energy conservation technology, more and more customers desire that a switching-mode converter can achieve high conversion efficiency in a wide load range, so improving the efficiency of this converter in a light-load or a no-load is also very important. In this regard, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the United States and Europe and other countries and organizations have been established or are establishing standards to limit a loss of the switching-mode converter in the light-load and the no-load.
By using resonant converter technology, a series resonant DC/DC converter can realize zero voltage switching, and therefore power loss is very small, and power converter efficiency in full-load is high. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a LLC series resonant DC/DC converter. This topology is commonly based on a frequency modulation mode to stabilize the output voltage by changing the frequency of rectangular waves, in which the duty ratio is 50%, as shown in FIG. 2. The relationship between the power output-voltage gain M and a working frequency is:
      M    =                            2                    n          *                      V            o                                    V          in                    =              1                                                            {                                  1                  +                                                                                L                        s                                                                    L                        m                                                                                [                                              1                        -                                                                              (                                                                                f                                s                                                            f                                                        )                                                    2                                                                    ]                                                                      }                            2                        +                                                            Q                  2                                                                  (                                                            f                                              f                        s                                                              -                                                                  f                        s                                            f                                                        )                                            2                                            ,
wherein, the resonance frequency
            f      s        =          1              2                π                                                    C              s                        *                          L              s                                            ,      Q    =                  2                π                                                            f          s                                  L          s                                      8                      π            2                                            n          2                                  R          L                      ,
wherein Ls is a resonant inductance value, Lm is a magnetizing inductance value, Cs is a resonant capacitance value, f is the working frequency of the rectangular wave, n is a turns ratio of a transformer, and RL, is a resistance value of the output load.
As shown in FIG. 3, the working method in the light-load as follows: detecting a state of the load, and controlling the series resonant converter to increase the working frequency of the rectangular wave as the load is decreased; when the working frequency achieves a predetermined value, the working frequency is maintained at this value, and this converter operates in an intermittent control mode (i.e., a hiccup mode).
There are two methods of improving the efficiency in the light-load as follows:                1. Reducing the working frequency of the converter. Because switching losses and driver losses in power devices account for a large proportion of losses in light-load, so reducing the switching frequency can effectively reduce these losses, thus reducing the light-load losses, which applies to PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) circuit.        2. Controlling the converter operates in an intermittent mode. By detecting a voltage error amplifier signal, the converter which is in light-load works in an intermittent mode, so as to reduce the on-off times of the converter switch per unit time, and thereby reducing standby losses.
In the resonant circuit, only reducing the working frequency cannot effectively control the output voltage, and therefore the above first method cannot be implemented. Above second method may improve the efficiency in the light-load to a certain extent, but when the working frequency of the converter is higher, the gain is less than 1, as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, in each work cycle, transmission energy is lower; thus the on-off times of the converter switch is higher, and excessive switching loss and driving loss per unit time are also higher. Thus, the second method cannot reach the limit on the light-load loss.
In view of the foregoing, there is an urgent need in the related field to provide a way to improve the efficiency in the light-load more efficiently.

DC/DC converter, power converter and control method thereof


An antenna for use in a portable radio apparatus, which has a pair of bands extending from the main body of the apparatus, for securing the apparatus to a user. A first antenna conductor supplied with power and a second antenna conductor not supplied with power are embedded in each band and extend parallel to the axis of the band. The first and second antenna conductors embedded in the first band are connected at one end to the first and second antenna conductors embedded in the second band. No load is connected to the second antenna conductor embedded in each band. The second antenna conductor embedded in each band performs different functions according to its length. If it has a length equal to or greater than half the wavelength .lambda. of waves to receive, it will function as a reflector. If it has a length less than half the wavelength .lambda. of the waves, it will function as a director. The four antenna conductors are adjusted in length and position, constituting an antenna which has high sensitivity and which is small enough to be incorporated into a portable radio apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna for use in a portable radio apparatus and, more particularly, to an antenna which is to be incorporated in the housing of a radio apparatus or in a peripheral device to the radio apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Portable radio apparatuses of various types, such as portable radio receivers and pagers, are commercially available. They are used in great numbers because they are small, light and useful. They have an antenna to receive radio waves. In most cases, the antenna is provided in the housing of the apparatus or in a peripheral device to the apparatus.
The recent advancement in the integrated circuit technology has provided miniaturized components of radio-circuit components which consume but a little power. Additionally, small, high-performance and large-capacity dry cells and rechargeable batteries for use in portable radio apparatuses have come into practical use. However, antennas for use in portable radio apparatuses have yet to be miniaturized. This is because the power an antenna can output is proportional to the wave-receiving area of the antenna and the length of the antenna. It should be noted that the antenna length is closely related to the lengths of radio waves to detect.
Among portable radio apparatuses hitherto developed is a watch-shaped one which comprises a case and a band. If it is an AM radio, it has a bar antenna provided within the case, for receiving MF (Middle-Frequency) radio waves. If it is an FM radio or a pager, it has a loop-type band antenna incorporated in the band, for receiving FM (Frequency-Modulated) radio waves. A portable FM radio receiver and a pager, i.e., two other types of portable radio apparatus, have a cord-type antenna which functions as an earphone, as well.
Conventional antennas, such as a bar antenna, a cord-type antenna and a loop-type band antenna, for use in portable radio apparatuses, are disadvantageous in the following respects.
(a) The bar antenna or the like to be set within the case of a watch-shaped radio apparatus cannot perform a desired function if used in combination with a pager, a mobile telephone or a personal digital assistance (PDA) having a radio receiver/transmitter, which needs to receive high-frequency radio waves of hundreds of megahertzes to several gigahertzes. Further, in order to accommodate the bar antenna or the like, the case must be made of electrically conductive material such as metal.
(b) The cord-type antenna for use in a portable FM radio receiver, which functions also as an earphone, has to be connected to or wrapped around the receiver when it is used.
(c) The loop-type band antenna has a complex structure, and the manufacturing cost of its antenna section is high. This is because a loop must be formed when the antenna is connected to the buckle of the wrist band. Since the antenna is wrapped around the wrist, the diameter of the loop changes with the size of the wrist, inevitably changing the antenna length. To maintain the characteristics of the antenna, an adjusting circuit must be used to compensate for the change in the antenna length.
(d) Even if a metal conductor is bonded to the band of the watch-shaped radio apparatus, the characteristics of the antenna remain unstable. This is because the size of the antenna is limited and also because the conductor or the wrist, which is also a conductor, extends through the antenna loop. As a consequence, the antenna cannot have a sensitivity as high as desired and cannot receive or transmit radio waves reliably.
(e) Generally, the ratio of the radiation resistance to the input resistance is small in the loop antenna. Further, the loop antenna cannot be used unless the input reactance is canceled out. It has be used at an extremely low efficiency.

Antenna for use with a portable radio apparatus


A pneumatic system for delivering oxygen to a subject, including an oxygen supply channel having an inlet, a patient delivery outlet and an exhaust; and a flow control element configured to control the flow from the oxygen inlet to the patient delivery outlet, or to the exhaust; wherein inhalation by the patient causes the flow control element to assume a first position, allowing oxygen to flow from the oxygen inlet to the patient delivery outlet; and wherein exhalation by the patient causes the flow control element to assume a second position, directing oxygen flow from the oxygen inlet to the exhaust.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
For some breathing disorders, treatment includes oxygen delivery. While oxygen is being delivered, it is often desired to obtain measurements of exhaled breath in order to evaluate the patient's condition. During exhalation, there is no need for oxygen supply. In fact, supplying oxygen during inhalation increases the risk of sample dilution inside the oxygen mask, in case of capnography measurement of the exhaled CO2. The pneumatic system for oxygen supply, disclosed herein, enables synchronizing oxygen supply with inhalation, thereby enabling reliable capnometric measurements during high flow oxygen supply.

Pneumatic system for controlled oxygen delivery


A key for storing a predetermined electronic code is provided independently from a vehicle, and a mechanism is provided for comparing the electronic code in the key with a built-in stored electronic code after an ignition switch is switched from an OFF position to an ON position. When the electronic codes do not correspond, the vehicle is prevented from starting, and it is prevented from starting even when the electronic codes do correspond if the number of non-correspondences reaches a predetermined value. In this way, the vehicle is prevented from starting when the electronic codes match by chance when unauthorized start-ups are attempted.

In vehicles where the engine is controlled by an engine electronic control unit (referred to hereinafter as ECU) comprising a microprocessor, when an ignition switch is turned to a Start position by an ignition key, a starter cranks a crankshaft, a pulse signal is sent from the ECU to a fuel injection valve, fuel is injected from the valve into the engine, and the engine starts.
However if the ignition switch is shorted, the engine can still be started and the vehicle can be operated even without the ignition key. This mechanism was therefore inadequate from the viewpoint of preventing vehicle theft.
Tokkai Sho 64-56253 published by the Japanese Patent Office in 1989 discloses a vehicle antitheft device wherein a electronic code is built into the key. After the engine is started by the key, the electronic code sent from the key is compared with a code stored in the ECU, and if the codes do not match, engine operation is prevented.
If there is another electronic device capable of communicating with the ECU and that device sends a code to the ECU, there is very little probability that the codes will match. However, if a program built into the device repeatedly sends codes to the ECU, there is a risk that the codes will eventually match.


A turbine rotor in an embodiment includes: a rotor body portion; and a plurality of turbine disks provided on the rotor body portion in a center axis direction of the rotor body portion. The turbine rotor includes: a high-pressure cooling passage formed in the rotor body portion, the high-pressure cooling passage to which a high-pressure cooling medium is supplied, and the high-pressure cooling passage that discharges the high-pressure cooling medium to the high-pressure side turbine stage; and a low-pressure cooling passage formed in the rotor body portion, the low-pressure cooling passage to which a low-pressure cooling medium whose pressure is lower than the pressure of the high-pressure cooling medium is supplied, and the low-pressure cooling passage that discharges the low-pressure cooling medium to the low-pressure side turbine stage.

In recent years, the performance of a turbine has been improved in order to improve the efficiency of the turbine in power plants. In order to improve the performance of the turbine, the inlet temperature of the turbine tends to be increased.
With such an increase in the inlet temperature of the turbine, it is necessary to use the materials forming components of the turbine under a proper temperature. Therefore, the components of the turbine such as a turbine rotor, rotor blades, and stator blades are cooled by introducing a cooling medium.
FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a meridian cross section of a conventional axial flow turbine 300. FIG. 14 illustrates a turbine structure of a gas turbine.
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the conventional axial flow turbine 300 includes an outer casing 310 and an inner casing 311 provided inside the outer casing 310. Further, a turbine rotor 340 is provided through the inner casing 311 and the outer casing 310.
An outer shroud 320 is provided on an inner periphery of the inner casing 311 over the circumferential direction. An inner shroud 321 is provided at the inner side of this outer shroud 320 over the circumferential direction. Then, between the outer shroud 320 and the inner shroud 321, a plurality of stator blades 322 are supported in the circumferential direction to form a stator blade cascade.
Here, the circumferential direction is the circumferential direction centered on a center axis O of the turbine rotor, that is, the direction around the center axis O.
A heat shield piece 325 is provided at the inner side of the inner shroud 321 over the circumferential direction in a manner to face the inner shroud 321. A sealing part is formed between the inner shroud 321 and the heat shield piece 325. Further, the heat shield piece 325 is implanted in the turbine rotor 340.
The turbine rotor 340 includes a turbine disk 341 projecting to a radially outer side over the circumferential direction. The turbine disk 341 is provided in a plurality of stages in the center axis direction of the turbine rotor 340. Then, a plurality of rotor blades 350 are implanted in the circumferential direction on each of the turbine disks 341 to form a rotor blade cascade.
The center axis direction of the turbine rotor is simply referred to as an axial direction below. The radially outer side is the side that is going away from the center axis O in the radial direction. The radial direction is the direction vertical to the center axis O, with the center axis O set as a base point.
The stator blade cascade and the rotor blade cascade are provided alternately in the axial direction of the turbine rotor. Then, the stator blade cascade and the rotor blade cascade immediately downstream from the stator blade cascade form a turbine stage. Here, a plurality of turbine stages are provided in the axial direction. Thereby, a working fluid flow path 312 through which a working fluid flows is formed in the axial direction between the inner casing 311 and the turbine rotor 340. The term downstream means a downstream side with respect to the main flow direction of the working fluid.
As illustrated in FIG. 14, a transition piece 360, which leads a combustion gas (working fluid) discharged from a combustor (not illustrated) to the first-stage stator blades 322, is provided through the outer casing 310 and the inner casing 311.
Further, in the conventional axial flow turbine 300, a cooling medium is introduced in order to cool the turbine rotor 340.
An axial passage 370, through which the cooling medium flows in the axial direction, is formed in the center of the turbine rotor 340. The axial passage 370 is extended in the axial direction with the center axis O of the turbine rotor 340 set as the center axis, as illustrated in FIG. 14.
Further, in the turbine rotor 340, there is provided an introduction passage 371 that leads the cooling medium supplied into a space 361 in the inner casing 311 from around the transition piece 360 through a cooling medium supply pipe 362 to the axial passage 370. The introduction passage 371 is formed in the radial direction to be communicated with the axial passage 370.
Further, in the turbine rotor 340, there is provided a discharge passage 372 that discharges the cooling medium flowing through the axial passage 370 into a space 363 between the heat shield piece 325 and the turbine rotor 340. The discharge passage 372 is formed in the radial direction and is communicated with the axial passage 370. A plurality of the discharge passages 372 are provided in the axial direction so as to enable the cooling medium to be discharged into the space 363 in each of the turbine stages.
Here, the cooling medium supplied into the space 361 from the cooling medium supply pipe 362 is led to the axial passage 370 through the introduction passage 371. Then, the cooling medium flowing through the axial passage 370 is discharged into the space 363 through the discharge passage 372.
On this occasion, the pressures of the cooling mediums discharged from the discharge passages 372 in the respective turbine stages are essentially the same if the pressure loss in flowing through the axial passage 370 is ignored. That is, in each of the turbine stages, the cooling medium of the same pressure is ejected from the discharge passage 372 into the space 363 communicating with the working fluid flow path 312.
Here, in order to improve the efficiency of the turbine, there has been studied a gas turbine facility in which a part of a working fluid discharged from a turbine is circulated through a combustor and the turbine as a cooling medium. In this gas turbine facility, a supercritical working fluid is circulated through the combustor and the turbine. Further, in the turbine of this gas turbine facility, the working fluid at an inlet of the turbine is a supercritical fluid.
The turbine into which the supercritical working fluid is to be introduced has a pressure ratio larger than that in a normal gas turbine. The pressure ratio is the ratio of the pressure of the working fluid at the inlet of the turbine to the pressure of the working fluid in an exhaust hood downstream of the final turbine stage.
Even in the gas turbine facility that uses such a supercritical working fluid, the axial flow turbine 300 including the above-described cooling structure is provided in order to use the materials forming the components of the turbine under a proper temperature.
When the axial flow turbine 300 including the above-described cooling structure is operated with the supercritical working fluid, the pressure of the cooling medium supplied into the space 361 is adjusted to be higher than that of the working fluid introduced into the turbine. That is, the pressure of the cooling medium led to the axial passage 370 through the introduction passage 371 is higher than that of the working fluid introduced into the turbine.
Then, the cooling medium whose pressure is higher than that of the working fluid is ejected from the discharge passage 372 into the space 363 communicating with the working fluid flow path 312 in each of the turbine stages.
In the axial flow turbine 300, the difference between the pressure of the working fluid flowing through the working fluid flow path 312 and the pressure of the cooling medium ejected from the discharge passage 372 increases as it goes to the downstream turbine stage. Then, since the axial flow turbine 300 has a high pressure ratio, the pressure of the working fluid in the downstream turbine stage is much lower than that of the working fluid in the upstream turbine stage.
Therefore, in the downstream turbine stage, the difference between the pressure of the cooling medium discharged from the discharge passage 372 and the pressure of the working fluid flowing through the working fluid flow path 312 is large, so that the flow of the cooling medium ejected from the discharge passage 372 becomes choked.
This makes it difficult to adjust the flow rate of the cooling medium to be ejected from the discharge passage 372 in the downstream turbine stage where the flow of the cooling medium becomes choked.

TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION


A battery unit including an electrode unit including a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate, wherein the positive electrode plate, the separator, and the negative electrode plate are disposed in sequential order; electrode leads extending from each of the positive and negative electrode plates of the electrode unit; and a finishing tape provided on an outermost surface of the electrode unit, including an adhesive layer having a low adhesive strength, and a polymer film layer coated with the adhesive layer, wherein the finishing tape is detachably attached to the electrode unit so as to detach in response to the electrode unit deforming.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery, and, more particularly, to a battery unit having an improved structure capable of suppressing distortion of an electrode unit, and a lithium secondary battery employing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the development of portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, notebook-type computers, camcorders, and the like, there has been increased research into secondary batteries that are generally capable of charging and discharging. Lithium batteries are classified into nickel-cadmium (Ni—Cd) batteries, nickel-hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Specifically, the lithium secondary batteries are being rapidly developed in view of their high operating voltage of 3.6 V or higher, which is approximately 3 times that of the nickel-cadmium (Ni—Cd) batteries or nickel-hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, and their excellent energy density per unit weight.
The lithium secondary batteries may be classified into liquid electrolyte batteries and solid electrolyte batteries, according to the electrolyte used. In general, batteries using a liquid electrolyte are referred to as lithium-ion batteries, and batteries using a polymeric electrolyte are referred to as lithium polymer batteries.
The lithium secondary batteries may be manufactured in various shapes, and are typically in cylindrical and rectangular shapes. Lithium polymer batteries, which have been given much attention recently, are manufactured in a flexible pouch shape so that they are relatively free in view of shape design. Also, lithium polymer secondary batteries, having excellent safety characteristics and being light in weight, are advantageous in attaining miniaturized and lightweight portable electronic apparatuses.
Pouch-type lithium secondary batteries are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,391,491 and 6,497,980.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional pouch-type lithium secondary battery 10. Referring to FIG. 1, the lithium secondary battery 10 includes an electrode unit 11 and a case 12. A space 12a, in which the electrode unit 11 is accommodated, is provided in the case 12.
The electrode unit 11 includes, although these elements are not shown, a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed therebetween. In a state in which the positive electrode plate, the separator, and the negative electrode plate are stacked in that order, the stacked structure is wound in a jelly-roll type structure.
Unlike in the cylindrical or rectangular lithium secondary battery, which are formed of a thick metal plate, the case 12 is formed of a thin metal foil and an insulating film laminated on both surfaces of the metal foil in a pouch type structure. A space 12a, in which the electrode unit 11 is accommodated, is provided in the case 12, and a sealing surface 12b is provided along the periphery of the space 12a for thermal fusion.
Ends of positive and negative electrode leads 13 and 14, which are electrically connected to respective electrode plates of the electrode unit 11, extend outside the sealing surface 12b. An insulating tape 15 is wrapped around a contact portion of the positive and negative electrode leads 13 and 14 and the sealing surface 12b.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrode unit 11 shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the electrode unit 11 is formed by winding a laminate structure in which the positive electrode plate, the separator, and the negative electrode plate are sequentially disposed in that order. The positive and negative electrode leads 13 and 14 extend outside the electrode unit 11 to be connected to external terminals. The insulating tape 15 is wrapped around the positive and negative electrode leads 13 and 14,
An insulating member 21 is wrapped around the outermost surface of the jelly-roll type electrode unit 11 in order to prevent the electrode unit 11 from being unwound due to its intrinsic restoring force. The insulating member 21 covers the electrode unit 11, including a winding completion portion 11a wrapped around the outer surface of the electrode unit 11, so that the shape of the electrode unit 11 is retained.
Next, the electrode unit 11 is mounted in the space 12a of the case, and the sealing surface 12b formed along the periphery of the space 12a is sealed by being thermally fused. Then, the positive and negative electrode leads 13 and 14 extending outside the case 12 are electrically connected to terminals of a protection circuit board mounted on an outer surface of the case 12.
However, the conventional lithium secondary battery 10 has some significant problems. When winding the electrode unit 11 in a state in which electrode plates having opposite polarities and a separator interposed therebetween are sequentially disposed, different tensions are applied to the respective components of the electrode unit 11 as the winding proceeds. That is, the tension applied to the positive electrode plate, the negative electrode plate and the separator is not uniform.
In such a state, if there is a change in the thickness of an electrode plate during electrolyte injection or charging/discharging, the electrode unit 11, which has a restoring force itself, deforms to restore a stable structure that can minimize the tension applied thereto.
However, since the electrode unit 11 is supported by the insulating member 21 so as to prevent positional deformation, it cannot deform freely, resulting in distortion, as indicated by a dotted line shown in FIG. 2.

Battery unit and lithium secondary battery employing the same


A Mn-Si-Co-Fe-based high-strength brass alloy comprises, on the weight basis, 15 to 25% of Zn, 1.0 to 5.0% of Mn, 0.3 to 2.0% of Si, 0.01 to 0.5% of Fe, 0.01 to 2.0% of Co, 0.2 to 1.0% of Sn, 5 to 10% of Pb and the balance being Cu and inevitable impurities. The alloy has a novel intermetallic compound [Mn,Si,Co,Fe] substantially in the form of spheroids and has also fine grains. The alloy is adapted for use as sliding members or parts and has very good resistances to wear and corrosion, anti-seizing property and durability.

1. Field of The Invention
This invention relates to Mn-Si-Co-Fe-based high-strength brass alloys for sliding members wherein substantially spheroidal crystals of a novel intermetallic compound [Mn,Si,Co,Fe] are formed. The brass alloys have utility in the fields of engine parts, transmission parts, hydraulic parts and vessel parts which are usually employed under severe conditions such as of high temperature and high-speed revolutions, high load and corrosive environments and should have good resistances to wear, seizing and corrosion and also good durability.
2. Description of The Prior Art
As is known in the art, manganese silicide-based high-strength brass castings have been widely used as a sliding member under moderate or high speed conditions or under high load. The wear resistance of this type of alloy relies greatly on the crystals of an intermetallic compound (Mn.sub.5 Si.sub.3). In order to improve the seizing resistance of the manganese silicide-based high-strength brass alloy, there has been proposed a high-strength brass alloy having a low wear resistance and a good seizing resistance wherein Pb is added in large amounts (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 56-11735). For this purpose, there are also used lead bronze alloys such as JIS H5115, LBC-3, LBC-4 and the like.
In recent years, however, manganese silicide-based high-strength brass alloys have been employed in a corrosive environment under sliding conditions with advanced speed and load. Known alloys are not satisfactory with respect to the wear resistance and the durability. This is because the alloys include a crystallized intermetallic compound (Mn.sub.5 Si.sub.3) whose shape is substantially in the form of needles as is particularly shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 24 and the grains formed at the time of casting are coarse as shown in FIG. 2. Pb is an element which contributes to the improvement of an anti-seizing property and machinability. However, since the known alloys have such crystal structure as set out hereinabove, Pb added in large amounts cannot be uniformly distributed, with the anti-seizing property being not satisfactory. In addition, the alloys have a serious problem on the durability owing to the repeated fatigue during use, coupled with another disadvantage that the known alloys are poor in the corrosion resistance against sea water.
Thus, known manganese silicide-based high-strength brass alloys have not been considered satisfactory with respect to properties when employed, as engine parts, transmission parts, hydraulic parts and vessel parts, under severe conditions such as of high temperature and high speed revolutions, high load and corrosive environment where good wear resistance, anti-seizing property, corrosion resistance and durability are required.
On the other hand, LBC-3 or LBC-4 which is a kind of lead bronze alloy has a good anti-seizing property but is unsatisfactory with respect to the wear resistance. Another problem is that the alloy reacts with lubricating oils, causing corrosion to proceed considerably. Like manganese silicide-based high-strength brass castings, the lead bronze alloys have coarse grains, thus presenting a problem on the durability.

High strength .alpha. brass containing Mn, Si, Co, Fe, Sn and Pb


A USB cable fixture for fixing a USB cable with a USB connector to a computer is composed of a base portion, an attaching portion, and a fastening portion. The attaching portion extends from the base portion in a first direction and is attached to a housing of the computer. The fastening portion extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction on an opposite side of the base portion to the attaching portion. The USB cable is fixed to the computer by the base portion, the fastening portion, and the USB connector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable fixture. In particular, the present invention relates to a USB cable fixture for preventing a USB connector from being detached or unplugged.
2. Description of the Related Art
A USB cable is used to electrically connect a computer and other apparatuses. For example, input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard are connected through the USB cable to the computer.
A USB connector is disposed at an end of the USB cable. The USB connector is inserted into a mount port disposed on a computer. When the USB connector is inserted into the mount port, a fastening claw in the USB connector is fastened to a fasten protrusion formed in the mount port, then the USB connector is fastened to the computer.
However, if force is accidentally applied to the USB cable, the USB connector may be detached from the computer. One of the reasons lies in the small size of the USB connector. The small size of the USB connector imposes the limitation on the size of the fastening claw. Accordingly, the fastening strength between the fastening claw and the fastening protrusion becomes inevitably weak.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conventional technique for protecting the USB connector from being detached. As shown in FIG. 2, a mount port 104 is disposed in a side 103a of the computer 103. A USB connector 102, which is connected to a tip of a USB cable 101, is inserted into the mount port 104. A USB cable fixture 105 having substantially horizontal U-shape is attached to the side 103a, as shown in FIG. 2. The USB cable fixture 105 is screwed to the side 103a. A rectangular space is created between the USB cable fixture 105 and the body of the computer 103. The space is penetrated by the USB cable 101. When force is applied to the USB cable 101, the USB cable 101 is supported by the USB cable fixture 105. The force is not directly supplied to the USB connector 102. It is possible to protect the USB connector 102 from being detached.
Also, a connector having a mechanism for supporting an electric wire is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei, 11-329574). As shown in FIG. 3, the conventional connector has a connector housing 201. Electric wires W are connected to terminals (not shown) in the connector housing 201. The electric wires W are bound by a clamp 211. The clamp 211 is connected to an electric wire supporter H1. An attachment groove 205 is disposed in the connector housing 201.
As shown in FIG. 4, the electric wire supporter H1 is inserted into the attachment groove 205 and fixed therein. Even if the electric wire W is pulled, the tensile force is not directly applied to the terminals in the connector housing 201.
However, the conventional connector is not the USB connector. Furthermore, the suggestible fact that the conventional connector can be used as the USB connector is not noted in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei, 11-329574).
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved USB cable fixture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a USB cable fixture that can be easily attached and detached.
In order to achieve an aspect of the present invention, a USB cable fixture for fixing a USB cable with a USB connector to a computer is composed of a base portion, an attaching portion, and a fastening portion. The attaching portion extends from the base portion in a first direction and is attached to a housing of the computer. The fastening portion extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction on an opposite side of the base portion to the attaching portion. The USB cable is fixed to the computer by the base portion, the fastening portion, and the USB connector.
The base portion may have a surface facing the housing. In this case, the attaching portion desirably includes first and second fastening legs, and first and second engaging portion. The first and second fastening legs are elastically deformable, and extend from the facing surface in the first direction. The first engaging portion is provided at a first tip portion of the first fastening leg to engage with a first engaging hole of the housing. The second engaging portion is provided at a second tip portion of the second fastening leg to engage with an second engaging hole of the housing.
Elastic constants of the first and second fastening legs are desirably determined such that the attaching portion is detached from the housing when force having a predetermined strength is applied to the USB cable.
A first height of the first engaging portion from the first fastening leg in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and a second height of the second engaging portion from the first fastening leg in the third direction are desirably determined such that the attaching portion is detached from the housing when force having a predetermined strength is applied to the USB cable.
In order to achieve another aspect of the present invention, a computer system is composed of a computer including a housing, a USB connector connected to the computer, a USB cable connected to the USB connector and a USB cable fixture attached to the housing. The USB cable fixture includes a base portion, an attaching portion, a fastening portion. The attaching portion extends from the base portion in a first direction and is attached to the housing. The fastening portion extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction on an opposite side of the base portion to the attaching portion. The USB cable is fixed to the computer by the base portion, the fastening portion, and the USB connector.
In order to achieve still another aspect of the present invention, a method of fixing a USB cable connected to a USB connector is composed of:
connecting the USB connector to a computer; and
attaching a USB cable fixture to a housing of the computer to enclose the USB cable by the USB cable fixture, the housing, and the USB connector.
The attaching may include engaging a first engaging portion provided on the USB cable fixture to a second engaging portion provided on the housing.

USB cable fixture for preventing USB connector from being unplugged


A startup accelerating method is provided. In response to determining that a login process of an application is started up, pre-fetched data corresponding to a main process of the application is obtained. The pre-fetched data is loaded into a cache, the pre-fetched data being obtained according to a historical startup procedure for the main process. In response to determining that a startup of the login process is completed or determining that the main process is started up, the pre-fetched data is obtained, and a startup procedure of the main process is completed according to the pre-fetched data loaded in the cache. In response to at least portion of total data remaining upon determining that the startup of the login process is completed or determining that the main process is started up, the remaining at least portion of the total data is not pre-fetched, the total data corresponding to pre-fetched information.

With rapid development of Internet technologies, types of applications developed by developers become more, and applications used by users also become more. When a user uses an application, in order to quickly start up the application, a startup procedure of the application needs to be accelerated.
Currently, a startup accelerating procedure is specifically that: when a terminal monitors that the application is started up, a process in a startup procedure of the application is suspended. A disk file of the terminal is searched for corresponding pre-fetched information according to a name of the process and content data of the process, and the pre-fetched information is obtained by monitoring data read by the process from a magnetic disk within a preset period of time. If the pre-fetched information is found, the pre-fetched information is parsed, and a path, an offset value and a length value of data not loaded in a cache are obtained from the pre-fetched information. The corresponding data is pre-fetched according to the obtained path, offset value and length value, and the pre-fetched data is loaded into the cache. In this case, the process is restored, so that the process reads needed data from the cache, and if the cache does not have the needed data, the needed data may be read from the magnetic disk. A speed at which a process reads data from a cache is greater than a speed at which the data is read from a magnetic disk, and therefore startup accelerating is implemented.
Different process startup procedures consume different times, and therefore for different processes, when a terminal pre-fetches data according to pre-fetched information, only data in a preset period of time can be pre-fetched, and when the time consumed by the process startup procedure is less than the preset period of time, the terminal pre-fetches other data except needed data loaded by the process, or when the time consumed by the process startup procedure is greater than the preset period of time, the data pre-fetched by the terminal is less than the needed data loaded by the process. Moreover, when a process is started up, a terminal first suspends the process, and the process is restored after loading of pre-fetched data is completed, and if accuracy of the pre-fetched data is low, which results in a low hit rate of the pre-fetched data, a startup procedure of the process is prolonged.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Startup accelerating method and apparatus

TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED


A pixel detection circuit includes a wire, at least one detection signal input terminal, at least one detection signal output terminal, and a first pixel drive circuit comprising a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit, and a third switch circuit. A display apparatus including the pixel detection circuit and a detection method applied to the pixel detection circuit are further provided.

With the continuous innovation of display technology, flexible OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) has become the most popular in recent years, and is used more and more widely. Although the flexible OLED has many advantages, edges of flexible products are more prone to crack, which may cause package failure or display abnormalities in the subsequent manufacturing process. Therefore, it is necessary to design a circuit for detecting the crack of flexible display panel and a detection method based on the circuit.

Pixel detection circuit, display apparatus, and detection method

CHONGQING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An image-pickup apparatus includes: an image-pickup device for converting light into an electric signal and outputting a first image data; a transmitting unit for successively transmitting the first image data to an apparatus in the exterior of the image-pickup apparatus; and a storage unit for storing a second image data extracted from the first image data per frame unit under a predetermined condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The preset invention relates to an image-pickup apparatus for transmitting a picked up image through a transmitting path and, in particular, to an image-pickup apparatus desirable for use in a small device having a lower transmission rate of transmitting path, e.g., an endoscope system, a surveillance camera, an on-board camera, and an image-pickup module for a videophone.
2. Description of the Related Art
In many proposed examples in response to recent requirements for a smaller image-pickup apparatus, an image-pickup-and-display system has a section for picking up an image and a section for displaying the picked up image sent through a specific transmitting path, both sections being disposed separately. An example of such an image-pickup-and-display system is illustrated in FIG. 27 in a schematic view. As shown in FIG. 27, an image-pickup apparatus 1 is constructed by an image-pickup section 3, an image-compressing section 4, and a data-transmitting section 5. Meanwhile, an image-displaying apparatus 2 is constructed by a data-receiving section 6, an image-decompressing section 7, and an image-displaying section 8.
The image-pickup section 3 receives light emitted from an object at a predetermined time interval and generates an image data corresponding to the amount of light received. The image-compressing section 4 compresses and encodes the image data based on a predetermined compressing condition and generates an encoded data. The data-transmitting section 5 transmits the encoded data to the image-displaying apparatus 2 through a transmitting path having a predetermined transfer rate. The data-receiving section 6 receives an encoded data that is transmitted from the image-pickup apparatus 1 trough a transmitting path. The image-decompressing section 7 decompresses and decodes the encoded data using a decompressing method corresponding to the compressing method used in the image-compressing section 4 and generates an image data. The image-displaying section 8 shows the image based on the image data.
One of the envisaged applications of the above image-pickup-and-display system is that the image-pickup apparatus 1 first picks up an image, the image-displaying apparatus 2 then displays the picked up image at a separate location from the image-pickup apparatus 1, and the displayed image is ready to be viewed. However, in a case where transmitting paths used in the image-pickup-and-display system shown in FIG. 27 have a somewhat low bit-rate (transfer rate), the image data picked up by the image-pickup section 3 must be sub-sampled at a predetermined time interval; or the image data must be compressed and encoded by the image-compressing section 4. Therefore, inevitably the frame rate lowers and the image exhibited by the image-displaying apparatus 2 is deteriorated.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H10-066074 discloses an image-transmitting apparatus proposed in response to the above disadvantages. FIG. 28 is a schematic view of the image-transmitting apparatus. A shooting lens 10 shown in FIG. 28 transmits incident light therethrough and emits the light onto an image-pickup device 12. An image-pickup device 12 conducts photoelectric conversion of the emitted light. A CDS/AGC circuit 14 conducts double sampling and automatic gain control of the electric signal. An A/D converter 16 converts the analogue electric signal into a digital signal. A digital-signal-processing circuit 18 conducts data-processing of the digital signal.
A motion-detecting circuit 20 determines whether the object image in the digital image data is a moving image or a still image by detecting a motion vector. A pixel-sub-sampling-circuit 22 conducts sub-sampling of pixels in the image data based on the detection conducted with respect to the motion by the motion-detecting circuit 20. A memory 24 stores the image data temporarily. A sub-sampling-controlling circuit 26 conducts sub-sampling of pixels of the image data based on the detection conducted with respect to the motion by the motion-detecting circuit 20. A spectrum-spreading-and-transmitting circuit 28 conducts radio wave transmission of the image data from a transmitting antenna 30 using a spectrum-spreading method.
If the detection results obtained by the motion-detecting circuit 20 in the above-explained image-transmitting apparatus indicate that the object in the image data is moving, the pixel-sub-sampling-circuit 22 conducts sub-sampling of the pixels of the image data. If the detection results alternatively indicate that the object in the image data is not moving, i.e., a still image, the sub-sampling-controlling circuit 26 conducts sub-sampling of the image data.
FIG. 29 shows a concept of operations conducted by a pixel-sub-sampling-circuit 22 and the sub-sampling-controlling circuit 26. After being subject to the data-processing, the still image has 720 by 480 pixels in size obtained by the pixel-sub-sampling-circuit 22; and a frame rate of 7 fps obtained by the sub-sampling-controlling circuit 26. The moving image has 360 by 240 pixels in size and a frame rate of 30 fps. Bit rates in the two types of image data are approximately the same. The image data is switched based on the determination result with reset to (1) still image or (2) moving image obtained by the motion-detecting circuit 20, and the image transmitting apparatus transmits the selected image data.
The configuration of the image-transmitting apparatus has realized an improved quality in both the moving image and the still image that are transmitted through a transmitting path having a somewhat low bit rate because priority of the data-processing is placed on smoothness of movement in a case where the object is moving in the image; and priority of the data-processing is placed on resolution in a case of a still image.


Whitelists are automatically shared between users and/or domains without compromising user/domain privacy. Potential trust partners with whom to share whitelist data are automatically identified. A handshaking procedure is carried out to confirm the trust relationship and verify the partner's identity. Once a trust partner is confirmed, the parties can exchange acceptance criteria specifying the types of whitelist data they want to receive. Each party can provide the other with the appropriate entries from its own whitelist. The parties keep each other updated, as their own whitelists change.

Current email systems typically include whitelists of trusted email addresses and domains. An incoming email from a whitelisted entry is presumed to be legitimate, and is therefore delivered to the addressee without being subject to scanning for spam or other processing to check for malicious email. Checking for spam and other security processing consumes both time and computing resources, so it is desirable to be able to bypass it when email is known to be legitimate.
Currently available automated whitelisting techniques use very simple mechanisms, such as adding all parties to whom a user sends email to a whitelist. Whitelists created this way often include entries that are not truly legitimate. For example, a user might send an email to a business from whom the user does not wish to receive automatically generated commercial emails. The user might even send an email requesting to be removed from an email list. Clearly, in situations such as these, the user does not want the recipient added to the whitelist. These currently available simple whitelisting mechanisms also lead to the creation of very large whitelists that are typically very difficult and time consuming for users to manage. This problem becomes much worse when these simple mechanisms are applied for multiple users at a gateway or domain level.
The Automatic Whitelisting Application describes methodologies that a local client or gateway can use to better manage whitelists, by using time and threshold based values to automatically promote provisional whitelist entries to permanent status. The Automatic Whitelisting Application also discusses using a threshold to promote an entire domain to permanent status, such that an email from anyone at a whitelisted domain is accepted as non-spam.
The invention of the Automatic Whitelisting Application is very useful, but lacks a mechanism for establishing associative trust that could allow quicker provisional promotion for "friend of friend" senders. What is needed are methods, computer readable media and computer systems for automatically sharing whitelist data between users or domains while at the same time maintaining privacy at a user/domain level.


There is provided a surgical robot system comprising a robot, a control system and a user control device, wherein the robot comprises an endoscope and at least one surgical instrument; the user control device comprises a display means by which a user may make an indication on an internal body part; and the control system comprises a displacement information processing unit and a surgical instrument control unit.

Traditionally, surgery has been only performed by trained surgeons. However, with the gradual development of surgical robot systems, surgeons are now handing over some areas of surgery to the surgical robot systems. One representative example of such surgical robot systems is the da Vinci™ Surgical System from Intuitive Surgical, Inc. of the Unites States. However, even with the da Vinci system, which is one of the most advanced surgical robot systems, surgery can only be performed when a surgeon who received special manipulation training controls the actions of surgical instruments individually by manipulating the handle, stick, foot board or the like of the system while watching the monitor. Therefore, it is difficult to say that there exist fully-intelligent surgical robot systems at present.
In this regard, the inventor has devised a surgical robot system and a method for controlling the same, wherein surgery can be performed so that the actions of surgical instruments are intelligently controlled based on the indications made by a user such as a surgeon according to the user's intuition.

Surgical robot system for performing surgery based on displacement information determined by the specification of the user, and method for controlling same


A reach adjustable steering column assembly comprises a telescopic steering shaft which in use supports a steering wheel of the vehicle; a shroud that supports the steering shaft comprising an upper shroud part and a lower shroud part, the upper shroud part moving telescopically relative to the lower part during reach adjustment of the steering column assembly, a support bracket that supports the shroud relative to the vehicle body, and a clamp mechanism that is operable between an unclamped position in which the steering column assembly is adjustable for reach and a clamped position in which the reach position of the steering column assembly is fixed. The clamp mechanism comprises a first locking part that is displaceable by an actuator assembly into and out of positive engagement with a second locking part. An energy absorbing mechanism acts between the upper shroud part and the second locking part and is configured so that during a crash a deformable part of the energy absorbing mechanism is plastically deformed by a deforming part, thereby controlling the movement of the upper shroud part, and in that one of the deformable element and the deforming portion of the energy absorbing mechanism is secured to the upper shroud part, and the other is fixed relative to the second locking part.

This invention relates to improvements in reach adjustable steering column assemblies for vehicles.
A typical steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a steering shaft that connects to a steering wheel at one end and a steering gear at the other. Rotation of the steering gear rotates the steering shaft, which in turn operates the steering gear to turn the road wheels of the vehicle. The steering gear may comprise rack and pinion gearbox which converts the rotation of the steering shaft into a reciprocating motion of the steering rack. The steering may be electrically assisted by a motor which acts upon the steering shaft, or the steering gear or rack.
The steering shaft is supported in a shroud, typically by a pair of bearing assemblies located at spaced positions along the shaft. The shroud is fixed to the vehicle body. In some cases, the vehicle manufacturer may specify that the steering wheel should be adjustable for reach or rake or both. Reach adjustment can be achieved by providing a two part telescopic steering shaft, located within a two part telescopic steering column shroud. An upper part of the shaft nearest the steering wheel may slide telescopically over or into a lower part of the steering shaft furthest from the steering wheel. At the same time an upper part of the shroud may slide into or over a lower part of the shroud. A locking mechanism fixes the length of the shroud, which may include some form of positive engagement or may rely on friction alone.
A further requirement of a steering system for most modern vehicles is to control the movement of the steering wheel during a vehicle crash which forces the driver onto the steering wheel. In the case of a front impact at high speed where the driver is not restrained by a seatbelt, the driver can strike the wheel with a very high force of up to, say, 9 kN. This will tend to cause the steering shaft and shroud to collapse. By controlling this collapse it is possible to absorb the energy and minimize the forces applied to the driver compared with a situation where the collapse is uncontrolled during initial collapse but the stops suddenly as the available range of movement runs out.
To control the movement during a crash it is known to provide an energy absorption mechanism which includes a deformable member that deforms during collapse of the steering, such as a strap that is forced around an anvil. The act of deforming the strap absorbs the energy in a controlled manner. The design of a suitable energy absorption mechanism for a reach adjustment steering column is quite complex, as it must perform satisfactorily over a range of different reach in and reach out positions of the steering wheel.

Reach adjustable steering column assembly


A driving device of a flat display panel and its method are disclosed. The driving device includes a scan driving unit for applying scan pulses to both ends of each scan line of the flat display panel

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flat display panel and, more particularly, to a driving device of a flat display panel and its method.
2. Description of the Background Art
In general, a flat display panel has discharge cells arranged in a matrix form. The discharge cells are radiated when a difference between a voltage applied to a data line and a voltage applied to a scan line of the flat display panel is higher than a threshold voltage of the discharge cells at their intersection. A quantity of outputted light differs depending on a difference of the applied voltage or current.
If, however, a voltage difference at the intersection of the data line and the scan line of the flat display panel is lower than the threshold voltage of the discharge cell, the discharge cell would not be radiated or output an invisible feeble light.
Among the flat display panels, an MIM (Metal Insulator Metal: MIM)-type FED (Field Emission Display) requiring a high resistance of an electrode, a low voltage and a high current shows a difference of brightness between the left and right sides of a screen because a voltage applied to scan lines is dropped due to a resistance of the scan lines.
The MIM-type FED uses a few V˜10V, which is quite low as compared to that of other flat display panels and a high current. Since the applied voltage is low, the MIM-type FED does not have a problem for a small screen but when it comes to a large screen, the voltage drop is generated due to the resistance existing in the scan lines, so a suitable value of voltage can not be applied to a portion of the scan line distanced from a driving circuit which applies the voltage. Consequently, there is a difference of brightness between the left side and the right side of the screen due to the voltage drop caused by the resistance of the scan lines.
The construction of the general MIM-type FED will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a plane view showing disposition of data lines and scan lines of the general MIM-type FED.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the general MIM-type FED, data lines D1˜Dm are arranged vertically at regular intervals and scan lines S1˜Sn are arranged horizontally at regular intervals, so that the data lines and the scan lines intersect each other in a matrix form.
As the size of the MIM-type FED is increased, the length of the scan lines S1˜Sn is increased, so a voltage drop generated due to the resistance of the scan lines S1˜Sn is accordingly increased in proportion to the increased length. The resistance value of the scan lines S1˜Sn is generally about 100˜150 ohm.
A driving device of the MIM-type FED will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a driving device of the MIM-type FED in accordance with a conventional art.
As shown in FIG. 2, the driving device of the conventional MIM-type FED includes a controller 10 for converting an inputted image signal to image data and outputting the converted image data and a control signal; a data driving unit 30 for outputting a data pulse on the basis of the image data and the control signal received from the controller 10; a scan driving unit 20 for outputting a scan pulse on the basis of the control signal inputted from the controller 10; a display panel 40 for displaying an image signal on the basis of the data pulse inputted from the data driving unit 30 and the scan pulse inputted from the scan driving unit 20.
An operational principle of the driving device of the conventional MIM-type FED is as follows.
First, the controller 10 receives an image signal, converts it into image data, and outputs the converted image data and a control signal for controlling the data driving unit 30 and the scan driving unit 20.
The data driving unit 30 outputs a data pulse to the panel 40 on the basis of the image data and the control signal which have been inputted from the controller 10, and the scan driving unit 20 outputs a scan pulse to the panel 40 on the basis of the control signal which has been inputted from the controller 10.
Thereafter, the panel 40 displays the image signal on the basis of the data pulse which has been inputted from the data driving unit 30 and the scan pulse which has been inputted from the scan driving unit 20.
Waveforms of the data pulse and the scan pulse inputted to the panel 40 will now be described with reference to FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 shows waveforms of the data pulse and the scan pulse inputted to the conventional MIM-type FED.
As shown in FIG. 3, the scan pulse inputted from the scan driving unit 20 is applied to the scan lines S1˜Sn of the panel 40, and the data pulse inputted from the data driving unit 30 is applied to the data lines D1˜Dm of the panel 40. Accordingly, the discharge cells positioned at intersections of the scan pulses and the data pulses are selectively radiated to display an image. At this time, the discharge cells are radiated according to voltage differences between the data pulses and the scan pulses inputted to the data lines D1˜Dm and scan lines S1˜Sn, and brightness of the screen varies according to a voltage difference or a current difference.
After driving of the discharge cells is terminated, a reset pulse is applied to the scan lines S1˜Sn to discharge an electric charge charged in the discharge cells.
However, since there is a scan resistance in the scan lines S1˜Sn connecting scan electrodes of the discharge cells, a voltage drop occurs in proportion to a position of the scan line as it gets away from the scan driving unit 20 which applies the scan pulse.
The voltage drop occurring in the scan lines will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing a brightness of a screen according to positions of scan lines of the MIM-type FED in accordance with the conventional art.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the conventional MIM-type FED, when a scan current is applied to the scan lines S1˜Sn, as a position of the scan line gets away from the scan driving unit 20, a voltage drop (VD) occurs corresponding to a value obtained by multiplying the scan resistance and the scan current, making a difference of brightness between the left side and the right side of the screen.
As mentioned above, the driving device of the MIM-type FED is disadvantageous in that the difference of brightness between the left side and the right side of the screen when an image is displayed on the screen due to the voltage drop according to the resistance of the scan line.

Driving device of flat display panel and method thereof