A method and system for extracting data signals from a scanned image resulting from optical, radiometric, or other types of analysis of a molecular array. The positions of corner features are first located. Then, an initial feature coordinate grid is determined from the positions of the corner features. A refined feature coordinate grid is then calculated based on the positions of strong features, and is used to identify the positions of weak features and the positions of the local background regions surrounding all features. Finally, signal intensity values are extracted from the features and their respective local background regions in the scanned image, and background-subtracted signal intensity values, background-subtracted and normalized signal intensity ratios, and variability information and confidence intervals are determined based on the extracted values.

The present invention relates to the analysis of molecular arrays, or biochips, and, in particular, to a method and system for processing a scanned image of a molecular array in order to index the regions of the image that correspond to features of the molecular array and to extract data from indexed positions within the scanned image that correspond to optical or radiometric signals emanating from features of the molecular array.
Molecular arrays are widely used and increasingly important tools for rapid hybridization analysis of sample solutions against hundreds or thousands of precisely ordered and positioned features containing different types of molecules within the molecular arrays. Molecular arrays are normally prepared by synthesizing or attaching a large number of molecular species to a chemically prepared substrate such as silicone, glass, or plastic. Each feature, or element, within the molecular array is defined to be a small, regularly-shaped region on the surface of the substrate. The features are arranged in a regular pattern. Each feature within the molecular array may contain a different molecular species, and the molecular species within a given feature may differ from the molecular species within the remaining features of the molecular array. In one type of hybridization experiment, a sample solution containing radioactively, fluorescently, or chemoluminescently labeled molecules is applied to the surface of the molecular array. Certain of the labeled molecules in the sample solution may specifically bind to, or hybridize with, one or more of the different molecular species that together comprise the molecular array. Following hybridization, the sample solution is removed by washing the surface of the molecular array with a buffer solution, and the molecular array is then analyzed by radiometric or optical methods to determine to which specific features of the molecular array the labeled molecules are bound. Thus, in a single experiment, a solution of labeled molecules can be screened for binding to hundreds or thousands of different molecular species that together comprise the molecular array. Molecular arrays commonly contain oligonucleotides or complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (xe2x80x9ccDNAxe2x80x9d) molecules to which labeled deoxyribonucleic acid (xe2x80x9cDNAxe2x80x9d) and ribonucleic acid (xe2x80x9cRNAxe2x80x9d) molecules bind via sequence-specific hybridization.
Generally, radiometric or optical analysis of the molecular array produces a scanned image consisting of a two-dimensional matrix, or grid, of pixels, each pixel having one or more intensity values corresponding to one or more signals. Scanned images are commonly produced electronically by optical or radiometric scanners and the resulting two-dimensional matrix of pixels is stored in computer memory or on a non-volatile storage device. Alternatively, analog methods of analysis, such as photography, can be used to produce continuous images of a molecular array that can be then digitized by a scanning device and stored in computer memory or in a computer storage device.
FIG. 1 shows a generalized representation of a molecular array. Disk-shaped features of the molecular array, such as feature 101, are arranged on the surface of the molecular array in rows and columns that together comprise a two-dimensional matrix, or grid. Features in alternative types of molecular arrays may be arranged to cover the surface of the molecular array at higher densities, as, for example, by offsetting the features in adjacent rows to produce a more closely packed arrangement of features. Radiometric or optical analysis of a molecular array, following a hybridization experiment, results in a two-dimensional matrix, or grid, of pixels. FIG. 2 illustrates the two-dimension grid of pixels in a square area of a scanned image encompassing feature 101 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, pixels have intensity values ranging from 0 to 9. Intensity values of all non-zero pixels are shown in FIG. 2 as single digits within the pixel. The non-zero pixels of this scanned image representing feature 101 of FIG. 1 inhabit a roughly disk-shaped region corresponding to the shape of the feature. The pixels in a region surrounding a feature generally have low or 0 intensity values due to an absence of bound signal-producing radioactive, fluorescent, or chemoluminescent label molecules. However, background signals, such as the background signal represented by non-zero pixel 202, may arise from non-specific binding of labeled molecules due to imprecision in preparation of molecular arrays and/or imprecision in the hybridization and washing of molecular arrays, and may also arise from imprecision in optical or radiometric scanning and various other sources of error that may depend on the type of analysis used to produce the scanned image. Additional background signal may be attributed to contaminants in the surface of the molecular array or in the sample solutions to which the molecular array is exposed. In addition, pixels within the disk-shaped image of a feature, such as pixel 204, may have 0 values or may have intensity values outside the range of expected intensity values for a feature. Thus, scanned images of molecular array features may often show noise and variation and may depart significantly from the idealized scanned image shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates indexing of a scanned image produced from a molecular array. A set of imaginary horizontal and vertical grid lines, such as horizontal grid line 301, are arranged so that the intersections of vertical and horizontal grid lines correspond with the centers of features. The imaginary grid lines establishes a two-dimensional index grid for indexing the features. Thus, for example, feature 302 can be specified by the indices (0,0). For alternative arrangements of features, such as the more closely packed arrangements mentioned above, a slightly more complicated indexing system may be used. For example, feature locations in odd-indexed rows having a particular column index may be understood to be physically offset horizontally from feature locations having the same column index in even-indexed rows. Such horizontal offsets occur, for example, in hexagonal, closest-packed arrays of features.
In order to interpret the scanned image resulting from optical or radiometric analysis of a molecular array, the scanned image needs to be processed to: (1) index the positions of features within the scanned image; (2) extract data from the features and determine the magnitudes of background signals; (3) compute, for each signal, background subtracted magnitudes for each feature; (4) normalize signals produced from different types of analysis, as, for example, dye normalization of optical scans conducted at different light wavelengths to normalize different response curves produced by chromophores at different wavelengths; and (5) determine the ratios of background-subtracted and normalized signals for each feature while also determining a statistical measure of the variability of the ratios or confidence intervals related to the distribution of the signal ratios about a mean signal ratio value. These various steps in the processing of scanned images produced as a result of optical or radiometric analysis of molecular arrays together comprise an overall process called feature extraction.
Designers, manufacturers, and users of molecular arrays have recognized a need for automated feature extraction. Automated feature extraction, like any other automated technique, can produce enormous savings in the time and cost of using molecular arrays for chemical and biological analysis. Automated feature extraction can also eliminate inconsistencies caused by user error and can greatly increase the reproducibility and objectivity of feature extraction.
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a method and system for automated feature extraction from scanned images produced by optical, radiometric, or other types of analysis of molecular arrays. First, horizontal and vertical projections of pixel values, called row and column vectors, are computationally produced from the scanned image. The row and column vectors are analyzed to determine the positions of peaks, and the positions of the first and last peaks in the row and column vectors are used to estimate the positions of the corner features within the scanned image. Typically, bright control features, i.e. features designed to hybridize to labeled sample molecules of any sample solution to which a molecular array is exposed, are placed on the border of the molecular array to facilitate this process. When necessary, row and column vectors can be calculated over a range of rotations of a two-dimensional, orthogonal coordinate system in order to select the most favorable rotation angle at which to fix the coordinate system. Analysis of regions of the scanned image representing the corner features can be used to more exactly locate the positions of the corner features. Then, using the established positions of the corner features, an initial coordinate system is computationally established for the scanned image. Using the initial coordinate system, the centroids of features producing strong signals, or, in other words, pixels having high signal-to-noise ratios and located close to expected positions in the scanned image, are determined, and a regression analysis is used to refine the coordinate system to best correspond to the determined positions of the strong features. The refined coordinate system is employed to locate the positions of weak features and the positions of the background regions local to each feature. Next, a process is used to analyze various different signals generated by different analytical methods in order to select the most reliable portions of each feature and the local background surrounding the feature for subsequent signal extraction and signal variability determinations. For example, the fluorescence of hybridized labeled molecules may be measured at green light wavelengths and at red light wavelengths, with the intensities produced at each position of the surface of the molecular array at red and green wavelengths corresponding to two different signals. Finally, signal data and variability of signal data are extracted from the reliable regions of each feature and each local background region of the scanned image.

Method and system for extracting data from surface array deposited features


A remotely controlled lockout device for an in-line gas flow control valve has a control shaft adapted to be operatively connected to a gas flow control valve and operable between a gas flow control valve open and closed position and a rotatable lock member operatively connected to the control shaft and rotatable between a lock member unlocked position in which the control valve is operable between gas flow control valve open and closed positions and a locked position in which the control valve is locked in a gas flow control valve closed position.

Most companies that provide natural gas to consumers have a large number of gas meters located inside of residential properties. Access to these-meters is required to disconnect gas service for non-payment of a gas bill or to temporarily disconnect gas service in the event of an emergency or where required for repair of gas lines or equipment. Frequently, gas company personnel are denied access to meters inside of residential properties, particularly where residents are in arrears in payment of their gas bills.
One way to alleviate the problem of access to gas meters is to move the meters from inside a residence to outside. The disadvantage to this approach resides in the fact that it is very expensive to remove and thereafter reinstall a gas meter. Additionally, in order to remove a meter from inside of a residence, it is necessary to shut off gas flow to the inside meter. Typically, this requires cutting off the supply of natural gas to an entire street or to a number of residences on a street.
It is desirable to provide a device which may be operated by gas company personnel to disconnect gas service to a residence having an inside gas meter without requiring access to the inside meter. Preferably, the device would have the capability of interrupting gas service to a residence from a remote location for non-payment of gas bills or as dictated by an emergency or service situation. Additionally, it is desirable that the device operates independently of the gas meter and may be installed easily.


A phase of a specific frequency is found by carrying out a two-dimensional Fourier transformation on an image of a two-dimensional grid image on the surface of an object taken by a camera, and the displacement of the surface of the object is measured from the phase. As a result, measurement that is strong against noise can be carried out without projecting a grid having a brightness distribution of precise cosine waves. In addition, the process is simple and the number of pixels used for the measurement is smaller than that in the sampling moire method. The displacement can be found at a high speed.

In recent years, optimal designing has been carried out on a material, and it has become important to check the displacement applied to the material or the strain distribution. Methods used to check the displacement and the strain distribution of the material include a method for preparing distribution data by using a large number of displacement meters or strain gauges for a single-point measurement method, and a digital image correlation method for pattern matching by checking the correlation between the images before and after deformation.

Measurement method, measurement apparatus, measurement program and computer readable recording medium in which measurement program has been recorded


A band pass filter is suitable to be formed in a multi-layered circuit substrate of a wireless communication module. The band pass filter includes an input port, a first inductor, a first capacitor, a first parasitic capacitor, a second capacitor, a second inductor, a second parasitic capacitor, a third inductor, a third parasitic capacitor and a output. The input port, first inductor, first capacitor, second capacitor, third inductor and output port are sequentially electrically connected in series. The first parasitic capacitor is induced between the first inductor, first capacitor and a ground. The second inductor is electrically connected to the first capacitor, second capacitor and ground. The second parasitic capacitor is induced between the second inductor, first capacitor, second capacitor and ground. The second parasitic capacitor is electrically connected in parallel with the second inductor. The third parasitic capacitor is induced between the third inductor, second capacitor and ground.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a band pass filter, and particularly to a band pass filter that can be formed in a multi-layered circuit substrate.
2. Description of Related Art
With development in technology, wireless communication systems, such as, cordless phones, cell phones, Bluetooth, wireless local area networks (WLAN), are being increasingly popularized. Most of such wireless communication systems employ a band pass filter to reduce noise while passing desired signals. In some existing systems, the band pass filter is typically disposed in a multi-layered low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. However, this requires a high cost for fabricating the LTCC substrate. In addition, the band pass filter disposed in the LTCC substrate needs to be separately mounted to the circuit substrate by a surface mount technology (SMT) and occupies a certain surface area of the circuit substrate.

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.


A method and apparatus for implementation of real-time speech recognition using a handheld computing apparatus are provided. The handheld computing apparatus receives an audio signal, such as a user's voice. The handheld computing apparatus ultimately transmits the voice data to a remote or distal computing device with greater processing power and operating a speech recognition software application, the speech recognition software application processes the signal and outputs a set of instructions for implementation either by the computing device or the handheld apparatus. The instructions can include a variety of items including instructing the presentation of a textual representation of dictation, or a function or command to be executed by the handheld device (such as linking to a website, opening a file, cutting, pasting, saving, or other file menu type functionalities), or by the computing device itself.

Speech recognition and voice processing systems are known for translation of dictated speech into text or computer instructions (such as menu operations, and the like). Conventional speech recognition systems use a number of different algorithms and technologies in a perennial effort to recognize a user's speech and do what the user desires based on that speech recognition. A common application of this technology is in the classic dictation sense where voice is converted into text in a word processing application. Another application is conversion of voice into common instructions for menu operations, such as open a file, close a file, save a file, copy, paste, etc.
In most systems, there is a computing device with memory, storage, and a processor, that executes a software application enabling the speech recognition functionality. A user speaks into a microphone and the speech recognition software processes the user's voice into text or commands.
There are several performance factors that are considered when assessing these speech recognition applications. Among the factors are speed and accuracy. The users of such applications desire that the applications interpret the user's voice as are understood. Likewise, the users of such applications also benefit from the applications providing feedback in real-time, so that the user knows as quickly as possible what the application heard and what it is doing in response to the voice input, or commands are acted on quickly.
The process of speech recognition is computationally intense, and requires substantial processing resources. There are varying levels of known algorithms and methods that make tradeoffs between processing power required, and accuracy and speed of translation. Generally, the more accurate speech recognition applications provide the fastest speech recognition results with use of more powerful processing resources. Likewise, when more powerful processing resources are not available, the speech recognition applications must carry out fewer processes and therefore have reduced accuracy, and/or reduced processing speeds.
Example processing systems that are presently obligated to make some sacrifices in quality and/or speed (when compared with desktop or server computers) are systems that can be found in handheld devices, including personal digital assistances (PDAs), smart phones, palmtop devices, and other pocket sized devices capable of executing software applications. As such, present speech recognition capabilities on such pocket devices are more limited than the capabilities presently found on desktop or server computers. There is simply insufficient processing power with present technology, and the algorithms for speech recognition are too complex, for handheld devices to perform at the same level as computers with more physical presence.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Real-time voice recognition on a handheld device


The present invention provides an alkaline battery having good heavy-loading discharge characteristics even after long-term storage at high temperatures. The alkaline battery of the present invention comprises a positive electrode containing manganese dioxide and nickel oxyhydroxide as an active material, a negative electrode containing zinc as an active material, and an alkaline electrolyte. The positive electrode further contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an oxygen-containing zinc compound, an oxygen-containing calcium compound, an oxygen-containing yttrium compound, and an oxygen-containing titanium compound.

The present invention relates to an improved alkaline battery using manganese dioxide and nickel oxyhydroxide as positive electrode active material.
Alkaline batteries, for example, alkaline dry batteries, have a structure in that a cylindrical positive electrode is closely fitted in a positive electrode casing, which also functions as a positive electrode terminal, and a gel negative electrode is disposed on the center of the cylindrical positive electrode via a separator.
The equipment using these batteries has increased loading, so that batteries having excellent heavy-loading discharge characteristics have been demanded.
One proposed technique mixes nickel oxyhydroxide with a positive electrode material mixture, which constitutes the positive electrode, to provide a battery having excellent heavy-loading discharge characteristics (for example, JAPANESE LAID-OPEN PATENT PUBLICATION Sho 57-7226m6).
The proposed alkaline battery including manganese dioxide, and nickel oxyhydroxide as the positive electrode active material has poor storage performance and large self discharge especially when being stored at high temperatures, compared with the conventional alkaline dry battery without nickel oxyhydroxide. After the long-term storage, such proposed alkaline battery with nickel oxyhydroxide has poorer heavy-loading discharge characteristics than the alkaline dry battery without nickel oxyhydroxide.
The object of the present invention is thus to provide an improved alkaline battery that can maintain the good heavy-loading discharge characteristics even after the long-term storage at high temperatures.
The present invention is directed to an alkaline battery comprising a positive electrode containing manganese dioxide and nickel oxyhydroxide as an active material, a negative electrode containing zinc as an active material, and an alkaline electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode further contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an oxygen-containing zinc compound, an oxygen-containing calcium compound, an oxygen-containing yttrium compound, and an oxygen-containing titanium compound.
It is preferable that the content of the oxygen-containing compound is 0.1 to 10% by mole of nickel oxyhydroxide contained in the positive electrode.
It is also preferable that the oxygen-containing zinc compound is zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide, the oxygen-containing calcium compound is calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide, the oxygen-containing yttrium compound is yttrium oxide or yttrium hydroxide, and the oxygen-containing titanium compound is titanium dioxide.
It is further preferable that the positive electrode contains 20 to 90% by weight of manganese dioxide and 80 to 10% by weight of nickel oxyhydroxide.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Electrostatic discharge protection for analog switches using silicon-controlled rectifiers. Two silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) may be formed in a common isolation region of an integrated circuit. Each SCR has its gate and cathode coupled together so as to be self triggering. The SCRs are connected in parallel in reverse polarity and coupled between the analog switch input or output and ground. In normal switch operation, both SCRs will be off, though when the voltage of the protected switch connection exceed on of the supply rails, one of the SCRs will trigger, providing a low impedance connection to ground. Once the voltage returns to normal, the SCR will automatically release.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of electrostatic protection of electronic devices.
2. Prior Art
Field effect devices, now more generally referred to as MOS devices, are characterized by an insulated gate over a channel region extending between doped source and drain regions. The gate insulation is a relatively thin oxide layer which, together with the relatively small gate, forms a capacitor of low capacitance and low breakdown voltage, usually approximately on the order of 10 volts. However, a typical electrostatic discharge as may occur when handling the device or associated circuitry in dry weather may easily reach 1,000 volts or more. Without electrostatic discharge protection, gate oxides will break down in a destructive manner when subjected to such high voltages, even from a relatively high impedance source, rendering the circuit permanently inoperative. As a result, various circuit designs and techniques have been used in the prior art to provide protection of MOS type integrated circuits, with various standardized testing procedures being used to verify satisfactory electrostatic discharge survival. By way of example, the IEC 1000-4-2 model requires electrostatic discharge protection for voltage spikes up to 15,000 volts, the voltage spike being delivered through a resistor of a predetermined value.


A buffer management method is provided. A host issues a read command requesting access for a read data block and a write command requesting recording of a write data block. A write buffer is dedicated to store the write data block. A read buffer is dedicated to store the read data block. The method comprises entering the optical disc recorder into a write loop. During the write loop, the optical disc recorder triggering a write command handling procedure in response to the write command; triggering a read command handling procedure in response to the read command; and triggering a pre-recording procedure to prepare the write data block in the write buffer for recording. Wherein contents between the write buffer and read buffer are exchangeable during the write handling procedure, the read handling procedure or the pre-recording procedure.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to optical disc drives, and in particular, to a buffer management method for an optical disc recorder.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a conventional structure of an optical disc recorder 100. A drive control unit 106 controls a buffer 104 and performs physical access of an optical disc 108. The drive control unit 106, in response to a read commands #R issued by a host 102, accesses read data blocks #DR from the optical disc 108 and stores the assessed read data blocks #DR to the buffer 104. And then the drive control unit 106 transfers the read data blocks #DR to the host 102. In addition, the drive control unit 106, in response to a write command #W issued by the host 102, receives write data blocks #DW transferred from host 102 and stores it to the buffer 104. And then the drive control unit 106 records the write data blocks #DW to the optical disc 108.
The write data block #DW instructed to be recorded into the optical disc 108 may not be instantly sent to the drive control unit 106 for recording, but buffered in the buffer 104 until a specific condition (i.e. start recording condition) is met. For example, a plurality of essential data blocks may be collected from the write data block #DW to form an ECC block as a basic unit for physical recording. The ECC block may be sent to the drive control unit 106 and be recorded onto the optical disc 108 upon completed corresponding data blocks collection. In another exemplary embodiment, when a memory size of the stored write data blocks #DW is greater than a threshold, the write data blocks #DW collected in an ECC unit are sent to the drive control unit 106 and recorded onto the optical disc 108. Thereafter, a buffer area for storing corresponding write data block #DW or the read data block #DR may be erased or released from the buffer 104. The buffer 104 retains in a write loop as long as any write data block #DW is still present in the buffer 104 for recording. During the write loop, the read data block #DR and write data block #DW in the buffer 104 may be continuously accessed, modified, released or erased depending on the commands issued from the host 102. Management of the read data block #DR and write data block #DW stored in the buffer 104 is an important issue concerning increased performance and efficiency.

Optical disc recorder and buffer management method thereof


The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a capsule (12) by injection of a fluid into said capsule (12), said machine comprising: —a capsule holder (8) for holding a capsule, said holder (8) having a cup-shaped body (27), a handle portion (28), and a dispensing opening (29) through the bottom portion (30) of said body (27); —a fluid conduction system comprising a fluid reservoir (2), a fluid pump, optionally a fluid heater, said reservoir, pump and heater being connected by fluid pipes; —a brewing head (3) having an aperture for receiving said capsule holder (8), and an injection support (17) connected to the fluid conduction system; —an injection plate (18) supported by said support (17), said injection plate (18) comprising an upper surface (23) with a fluid coupling (32) connected to the fluid conduction system through said support, said injection plate (18) further comprising a fluid conducting channel (24) connecting the fluid coupling (32) to a fluid injection element (19) located in the lower surface (22) of said injection plate (18), such that said injection element (19) is able to inject fluid into the capsule (12), characterized in that said injection plate (18) further comprises at least one cleaning channel (21) independent from the fluid conducting channel (24) connecting its upper (23) and lower (22) surfaces, said cleaning channel(s) (21) being suitable for circulating fluid at least from the lower surface (22) towards the upper surface (23) of said injection plate (18).

Beverage preparation machines that inject pressurized fluid into a capsule are well-known, especially in the field of producing coffee beverages, typically from roast and ground coffee. In addition, other substances such as chocolate, tea or milk products can be extracted or dissolved to form a beverage, from ingredients which are for instance soluble powders. The advantages of such a system are in particular the conservation and freshness of the ingredients, as well as the possibility of facilitating the operations of preparing the beverage.
The method of preparing the beverages using such a device is in principle as follows. The capsule is usually first inserted into a receiving brewing chamber of the beverage preparation device. After that, a water injection means, such as a needle connected to the liquid supply of the device and which projects inside the brewing chamber, is introduced through a face of the capsule to inject a hot or cold/ambient liquid, in order to make the liquid interact with the ingredients within the capsule. The liquid beverage resulting from this interaction is then discharged through a delivery face of the capsule. For example, the delivery face opens due to the internal pressure in the capsule generated by injecting the liquid, as described in applicant's European patent EP 1472156 B1.
It should be understood that the interaction between the liquid and the ingredients within the capsule can be e.g. dissolving, extraction, brewing or any other interaction in order to prepare a beverage by means of ingredients provided within the capsule.
In FIG. 1, a typical beverage preparation machine 1 is illustrated, which comprises a water reservoir 2, a brewing head 3, a cup tray 4 that can be set at different heights relative to the brewing head, control panel and buttons 5. In a possible embodiment, the control buttons comprise more particularly a rotating wheel 6 and the control panel is a screen 7. An ingredient capsule can be placed in a capsule holder 8 which is removably inserted into the brewing head 3. The screen 7 is suitable for displaying various information to the consumer, for instance the volume level 9 that is dispensed in the cup. The user can also choose the temperature of the beverage that will be prepared, by actuating hot or cold buttons 11 which are present close to the wheel and screen on the surface of the brewing head.
FIG. 2 represents schematically the internal configuration of an embodiment of a brewing head 3 in its open position. The capsule holder 8 is loaded with a capsule 12. The capsule has a top pierceable membrane 13, and top peripheral edge 14. The brewing head 3 typically comprises an open/close mechanism with a handle 15 and a knee mechanism 16 that mechanically links the handle to a support plate 17. The support plate 17 carries an injection plate 18 that is moved in direct contact with the peripheral edges 14 and top membrane 13 of the capsule in a leaktight manner, when the brewing head is in the closed position. The injection plate is preferably a needle plate that carries at least one injection needle 19 to pierce through the top membrane of the capsule when the brewing head is closed. The needle 19 is linked in a fluidic manner (via pipes) to the pump, heating element, and reservoir (elements not shown in the drawing) of the machine. Further details of a possible construction are disclosed in applicant's European patents EP 1967099 B1 or EP 1967100 B1.
Generally, machines for applying the principle of beverage production described above, use water for mixing with the beverage ingredients, hence scaling of the device or in particular within the needle plate can affect their functionality. Further, the needle plate is likely to be subjected to residua of dissolved or solid substance from the capsule, e.g. pierced or otherwise injected, such as coffee or the like, by a so-called "backflow" effect due to residual pressure within the capsule after the beverage was prepared and dispensed. More precisely, during backflow, small quantities of remaining beverage formed within the capsule and still under pressure therein even after most of the beverage has been released from said capsule, can flow back through the needle and leak in the surroundings of the needle plate.
Such residues and limescale are illustrated in FIG. 3, which shows the upper surface of the injection plate 18. As can be seen, limescale and residues "LSR" cover the needle plate upper surface, all around the needle upper rubber coupling 20 with the machine fluid pipes (not shown in FIG. 3).
As the needle for piercing the capsule has a small diameter, cleaning of said needle should be regularly carried out in order to ensure a correct functioning of the injection and particularly to prevent the needle from being blocked by scaling or by a substance provided within a capsule to be introduced, e.g., pierced or otherwise injected, by the needle. Moreover, it was observed that due to the backflow, the upper surface of the injection/needle plate tends to gather residues of beverage. And in addition to the ingredient residues that can accumulate on top of the injection/needle plate, it was found that due to the fact that the needle plate is made of metal, the temperature of the latter is low, and condensation tends to form from water vapour escaping the machine and the cup placed underneath, such that after some time, the upper surface of the needle plate is covered with limescale. Both residues and limescale are of course highly undesirable, and require regular cleaning, descaling, and maintenance of the needle plate, to ensure a proper, safe, and hygienic functioning of the machine.
For security reasons, the injection plate (i.e. the injection plate carrying the injection needle) was placed within a housing of the beverage preparation device itself, more precisely, as a part of the brewing head, so as to reduce the risk of getting in contact with the injection needle during the process of beverage preparation to a minimum extent, as described in EP 2071988 B1.
As described in EP'988, the needle plate was designed to be removed from the rest of the machine brewing head, to allow said needle plate and needle channel to be cleaned and descaled. However, this disassembling operation tends to be complex and, to some extent unsafe for the consumer, who still has to manipulate the needle plate with its protruding needle.
The objective of the present invention is to provide a beverage preparation machine having a brewing head and injection plate for injecting a liquid under pressure in a capsule that can be cleaned and descaled, without the need for a disassembling operation.

Beverage preparation machine with cleanable brewing head


Methods according to the present disclosure include creating a three-dimensional effect, for example, an applique effect, that allows for the effect to be more integrated with the object to which it is added than in conventional methods. These methods can include adding the effect or applique on a surface of an object with the object sandwiched between the applique and a structure-imparting material, allowing the applique and the object it is on to move more freely and in unison together. In some embodiments, the structure-imparting material is sandwiched between the applique and/or the object on one side and a support backing on the opposite side. The three-dimensional applique can be formed by applying force to the object on a side opposite to the applique such that indentations and protrusions are formed in the layered structure of the object and structure-imparting material, providing a three dimensional applique image.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to three-dimensional effects to be applied to garments and other physical items, for example, applique producing a three-dimensional effect.
Description of the Related Art
The fashion industry and various other design industries, such as those relating to apparel and interior decorating and furnishings, are constantly searching for new and inventive expressions and designs. One such desirable design includes the production of images and lettering that exhibit a three-dimensional effect to appeal to one or more of a viewer's senses, for example, appearing to be three-dimensional to the eye or feeling three-dimensional to the touch. One industry where such three-dimensional is in particular demand is in the industry of university-themed apparel, for example, sweaters, hats and graduation sashes with the university's name stenciled in apparently three-dimensional lettering, allowing an individual's college affiliation to prominently stand out with pride.
Conventionally, a three-dimensional applique effect is typically achieved through the use of applying a three-dimensional image or portion of lettering directly to one side of the garment or item on which the user wants to display the three-dimensional image. An example of this is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,092 to Taranto, which sets forth a three-dimensional appearing applique bib design for an infant's garment. As is shown in the Taranto patent, such three-dimensional applique effects typically comprise a material imparting the general design and shape of the applique and a material imparting the volume or three-dimensional features to the applique. The applique, comprising a three-dimensional image, is then simply affixed to one side of the garment in its complete form.
One negative issue that arises when utilizing conventional three-dimensional applique effects, such as those set forth above, is that the three-dimensional image or lettering does not move consistently with the garment that it is affixed to. Since the three-dimensional image is formed separately from the garment and affixed to one side of the garment, the three-dimensional image moves independently from the garment or even appears stationary, causing the garment to "bunch-up" in areas adjacent to the site where the three-dimensional image is affixed. This can result in undesirable visual sensations as well as discomfort for the wearer. This is especially true when certain garment materials are used, for example silk or satin graduation sashes can have their movement and flexibility substantially hindered when a university's school name has been applied to them as a three-dimensional applique effect using conventional methods.
Thus, improved applique and methods or applying them that allow for increased and/or consistent movability in an associated garment to which the applique is applied are therefore needed.


A device for warning when a person is submerged beneath water, comprising a timing circuit having first and second terminals and being responsive to a voltage applied to the first terminal for connecting the second terminal to the first terminal after a predetermined time interval and an alarm unit connected to the second terminal of the timing circuit. A normally open water-sensitive switch is provided for attaching to a part of the person's body which is normally above water and is coupled to the first terminal of the timing circuit. An electrical supply is coupled to the water-sensitive switch for applying the required voltage to the first terminal of the timing circuit when the water-sensitive switch is submerged beneath water. A normally deflated float may be worn by the person so as to be automatically inflated in response to the alarm signal.

When a person sinks to the bottom of a pool of water, or even floats unconscious on the surface of the water, his lungs stop functioning and his brain is therefore deprived of oxygen. If this situation is allowed to continue for more than a few minutes, irreparable damage will be done to the brain even if the person is resuscitated. However, if the drowning person is detected quickly and removed from the water, there is still a very short time period during which resuscitation may be effected before permanent damage ensues. Thus, rapid detection and identification of a drowning body is essential if resuscitation is to be at all possible and if permanent damage is to be avoided.
Clearly, detection of a drowning body which remains floating on the surface of the water may easily be effected manually by means of a life-guard, when present. Consequently, effort has generally been expended into detecting a drowning body which is submerged beneath the surface of the water. Most prior art devices are based on detecting disturbances in the water and actuating a suitable alarm when such disturbances are detected. Such an approach may also be used in order to monitor unauthorized entry into a swimming pool and to provide an alarm in the event of such unauthorized entry.
Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,085 (Dunegan) discloses a swimming pool alarm system for actuating an alarm in response to the movement of a person in a swimming pool. The system includes a transmitter mounted below the surface of the swimming pool for continuously transmitting ultrasonic sound waves through the body of water, and a similarly positioned receiver detects sound waves in the water and generates an electrical signal in response thereto. The electrical signal is continuously monitored, and the movement of a person in the pool alters the received ultrasonic sound waves and the corresponding electrical signal so as to produce a corresponding alarm signal.
The device disclosed by Dunegan et at., and which is typical of its genre, is based on the assumption that a drowning person struggles violently prior to sinking and therefore gives rise to disturbances in the water which can be monitored.
In contrast to such an approach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,705 (Rooz et al.) discloses a system for detecting a motionless body in a pool consequent to a swimmer sinking to the bottom of the pool, usually after losing consciousness. In such circumstances, the swimmer no longer moves and therefore detection based on monitoring disturbances in the water is no longer possible. The system disclosed by Rooz et al. is based on scanning the lower surface of the pool so as to extract successive frames of image data which are analyzed in order to detect a contour of a body which remains substantially motionless for longer than a predetermined time interval.
There are drawbacks associated with both of the above-mentioned approaches. Thus, devices of the type described by Dunegan et al. are intended to provide a warning in the event of unauthorized disturbances within the swimming pool. Such systems are effective only when the pool is empty. People swimming in the pool inevitably cause disturbances which require that the alarm systems of the type described by Dunegan et al. be disabled in order to prevent them from operating. In other words, alarm systems of this type are primarily intended to protect domestic swimming pools or even public swimming pools when not in use and the life-guard is not present.
The purpose of such alarm systems is generally to protect against unforeseen slipping in the water and to provide a warning that someone has entered the pool when it is, as yet, unauthorized for use. Such an approach is obviously important to guard against small children slipping into the water or against somebody who falls in when it is dark and cannot climb out unaided.
The fact that such devices must be disabled when use of the pool is authorized, severely militates against their use for detecting a swimmer in distress. Such a drawback is overcome by the system disclosed by Rooz et al., but their system is sophisticated and therefore expensive.
Yet another drawback associated with all systems of the type described is that they must somehow be mounted in conjunction with the swimming pool itself. Thus, specifically, there are provided ultrasonic transmitters and detectors which must be affixed to the pool. This might possibly be acceptable for domestic pools, but provides insufficient protection for a member of the public who may swim regularly at different pools. Unless each pool is protected by a suitable monitoring device which is enabled when the pool is open to the public, the resulting protection is inadequate.
Such a drawback would, of course, be overcome if the detection means typically associated with prior art systems were somehow associated not with the pool but rather with the swimmer himself. No such approach has been contemplated in hitherto proposed systems.

Device for warning when a person is submerged beneath water


The ovens (F) are arranged side by side in a battery and are each delimited by two sidewalls (10) formed by side bricks (11) and joined by transverse bricks (12, 13). The method comprises: cutting each sidewall (10) to be repaired in accordance with a cutting plane (PC) defining a respective end flat face (14) in the middle portion of the wall (10a) to be maintained and coinciding with the face of a row of transverse bricks (12, 13) facing an adjacent end wall portion (10b) which is being removed; providing in each flat end face (14), a pair of cutouts (15), each having in a basic transverse face, a longitudinal middle channel (15c) in which a tongue (11c) of new bricks from a new end wall portion (10b) is fitted; fitting in each cutout (15) a corresponding portion of a vertical row of side bricks (11a, 11b) for the new end wall portion (10b) until the formation is complete.

Coke oven batteries defined by a set of ovens, typically 25-100 ovens, built side by side, delimited by opposing sidewalls made of refractory bricks and being built as hollow sections to define, internally, the renowned heating or combustion chambers are well known in the art.
The opposing sidewalls are seated on a generally concrete base and are closed on the upper part by a top wall which is also made of refractory material, each oven being closed by a ceiling (roof), also made of refractory material and provided with loading ports to enable the loading of coal, which after a 16-36 hour cycle, is transformed into coke due to the heating process which they are subjected to within each oven (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).
Each hollow sidewall has its heating chambers arranged in vertical columns sequentially laid along the length of each internal wall and provided underneath with at least one ceramic burner, which depending on the number of combustion flues, are arranged along the length of said opposite sidewalls, generally every 500 mm, and it should be noted that the dimensions of each oven of the battery may range from about 400 mm to 700 mm in width and from about 3500 mm to 7500 mm in height and moreover a length of about 13000 mm, and with each two adjacent ovens sharing a common sidewall.
The opposite sidewalls of each oven are those that define the left and right sides of the respective oven, over the entire height of the latter. These sidewalls are made of refractory bricks, usually made of silica, forming the so called "rows". The roof of the ovens and the top of the combustion flues in each sidewall are always built with bricks arranged in "rows" and made of silica, fireclay, clinker or insulating material (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).
It turns out that the coke ovens described above have progressive wear of their opposing sidewalls, and this wear is more pronounced on the anterior and posterior end regions of said walls. Thus, in many cases there is no need to entirely replace one or more of these coke ovens sidewalls. It is enough to simply replace the opposite end portions of said walls.
Often, the damaged end portions, which actually require repair by being replaced by new portions, represent altogether only about 30% to 40% of the total extent of a sidewall. Thus, replacing only the damaged or worn end portions of the sidewalls represents considerable savings in the repair operations of coke oven batteries.
While only partial replacement of the worn sidewalls is desirable, techniques that have been applied for the partial replacement of the sidewalls require laborious and expensive procedures to obtain an adequate joint between the 'new refractory bricks' and 'old refractory bricks', keeping the reformed walls with characteristics such as the resistance to the expansion of coal, the absence of gas leakage, elasticity between the new end portion and the old middle portion of each renovated wall.
In conventional techniques, the removal of the worn end portions of each wall is obtained by performing a flat vertical cutting operation in each of the regions bordering the middle portion of the wall to be maintained. The provision of these two cuts in the bordering regions defines the two flat and opposite end faces, arranged in orthogonal planes to their wall plane and against these walls there must be settled and fixed, watertight and with the necessary mechanical locking, the confronting flat faces of the adjacent bricks in the first row of the new refractory bricks that will form the two end portions to be mounted and solidly built in the middle portion of the old wall.
Due to the formation of flat joints between the new end portions and the middle portion of the old wall, the fixing of the flat faces of the old bricks on the flat faces of the new refractory bricks requires not only the necessary seal to resist the operating conditions of the oven, but also the mechanical forces of outwardly expansion of said sidewalls, during operation of the oven, by virtue of the expansion of the coal charge being converted into coke.
In this method for the partial repair of the coke oven walls, the strength of the junction regions, against forces transversal to the wall plane, requires the provision of ceramic welding between the old bricks and the new bricks by means of costly and laborious ceramic welds over the entire height of the junction region, which generally corresponds to the entire height of the sidewall of the oven.
In a battery composed of one hundred ovens, each of which may have up to about 7000 mm in height, each hollow wall may have four junction regions, two at each end, to be completed with the use of respective ceramic welds, which makes this operation extremely time-consuming and expensive due to the characteristics of such a ceramic welding process.
Besides the above-identified deficiencies derived from the requirement for the provision of a ceramic weld in the flat junction between the new and old bricks, this well-known method also requires maintenance and even the periodic replacement of these ceramic weld joints every two or three years, involving huge expenses for the maintenance of these ovens in suitable operating conditions.
Another drawback of the known methods is to restrict the number of adjacent walls to be partially or completely repaired, depending on the maximum allowable span for the maintenance of the travel rails of the loading machine which moves above the furnace battery. Typically, the number of adjacent walls to be reformed simultaneously cannot exceed five, thus limiting the number of walls to be simultaneously repaired or replaced.

PAUL WURTH DO BRASIL TECNOLOGIA E SOLUCOES INDUSTRIAIS LTDA


A levitation system that allows a mobile terminal to levitate from the bottom using the magnetic levitation principle and to provide a system for levitating a mobile terminal, which enables the mobile terminal to be wirelessly charged in a state in which the mobile terminal levitates, is provided.

Magnetic levitation refers to suspending an object using an electromagnetic force. There has appeared a magnetic levitation train moving by levitating vehicles over tracks using such a magnetic levitation principle.
The magnetic levitation principle is a principle that a permanent magnet is mounted at one side, an electromagnet is installed at the opposite side, and the intensity of current flowing in the electromagnet is adjusted, so that a target object is levitated in the air by a repulsive force.
In the case of such a magnetic levitation mechanism, if the centers of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet are deviated from each other, the permanent magnet and the electromagnet are attached to each other or obliquely push each other, and thus there may occur a phenomenon that a target object to be magnetically levitated drops to the bottom.


A device to be used with a mobile station, comprising a body to be attached e.g. to a belt with an attachment plate and a fastener attached to the mobile station with a fitting piece. The body includes control flanges bent inward from two opposite sides and from below to guide the fastener which comprises a neck and a wider end consisting of a flange placed behind the guide flanges. The body also includes a projection or a similar structure acting against a spring force, resisting the upward movement of the fastener when said fastener is in the locked position.

The invention relates to a device for removably attaching a mobile station such as a mobile telephone or a paging device to a belt or other garment.
As the number of mobile stations increases people need more often to carry these devices, like mobile telephones or paging devices, with them. Carrying a mobile telephone, for example, in one's hand is inconvenient and as the mobile telephone is unattached it is easy to forget to take it along. Carried in a pocket, a mobile station might get bumped or it might fall and get broken. To solve these problems, there have been developed various racks or holders attached to a belt into which a mobile station, particularly a mobile telephone, can be attached when not in use but instead carried along. The disadvantage of these racks or holders is their rigid and complex structure and the size of the attachment on the telephone. These racks or holders often attach the telephone vertically to the belt making it impossible to rotate the telephone forwards or backwards around the point of attachment, e.g. when sitting down, and as such the telephone may cause a feeling of pressure on the user's waist.


A periodic permanent magnet (PPM) klystron has beam transport structures and RF cavity structures, each of which has permanent magnets placed substantially equidistant from a beam tunnel formed about the central axis, and which are also outside the extent of a cooling chamber. The RF cavity sections also have permanent magnets which are placed substantially equidistant from the beam tunnel, but which include an RF cavity coupling to the beam tunnel for enhancement of RF carried by an electron beam in the beam tunnel.

Current medical imaging systems use a klystron to develop X-rays for medical therapeutic use by impinging a high speed electron beam onto a target which generates x-rays, and the x-rays are used for treatment of cancerous tumors. In a clinical use linear accelerator (such as the CLINAC® system manufactured by Varian medical systems), a klystron, linear accelerator, and x-ray target are mounted in a gantry that rotates around a cancer patient receiving radiation therapy, with the X-rays directed into a target tumor with high precision.
A typical medical klystron requires on the order of 50 KW of power, roughly half of which is used to energize a solenoidal coil which generates the main axial magnetic field. The resulting overall size and power consumption of the main axial field components results in a system which requires special siting considerations.
For large accelerator systems, elimination of the solenoid and the associated power supply and cooling circuitry also impacts the operating cost. For large klystrons, the solenoid coil can require 20 kW or more. In addition, water cooling is required to remove power generated by resistive losses in the coils.
While operating costs are important for clinical linear accelerator klystrons, equally important considerations are size and weight. The klystron and associated power supplies and cooling are mounted in the gantry, and are significant contributions to the size and stresses on the structure, and accordingly, the large size requirements of the prior art klystron exclude potential installations due to size considerations. Reliability is also an important consideration. Replacement of the solenoidal coil, and associated power supply and cooling system with permanent magnets removes several potential failure modes.
Compared to prior art traveling wave tubes (TWT), klystrons have greater efficiency (typically two to three times greater than TWT). However, the klystron also has specific requirements that cause difficulty in design and implementation. Whereas a TWT tends to have an electron velocity at the final RF output which varies only slightly from maximum to minimum velocity, the final electron velocity in the output cavity of a klystron has a much greater variance, including the possibility that the electron velocity in the klystron may approach 0, which can cause retrograde electron movement, causing an associated degradation in efficiency. In a helical TWT, no RF cavities are present, and in a coupled-cavity TWT, the sequences of cavities are very uniform and confined to within the PPM magnet structure. Consequently, the circuit structure in a TWT does not impact the geometry of the magnet circuit. In a klystron, the RF cavities along the axis are placed with irregular periodicity according to the resultant beam characteristics, and as a result, the circuit structures and the PPM structures must be integrated, since they overlap each other radially.
Klystrons typically have an efficiency that is two to three times greater than a TWT, and because of this efficiency, as well as the difficulty in cooling the helical wave structure of a TWT, a high power klystron will often operate at a much higher power level than a high power TWT. Consequently, there are requirements for increased cooling of the circuit regions of the klystron, and unlike TWT circuits, direct cooling of the klystron RF circuit is required. Moreover, klystrons use resonant cavities to bunch and extract energy from the electron beam, and precise frequency control of the individual cavities is required. This may be accomplished using mechanical structures to tune the RF cavities to the correct frequencies. This is not required in TWTs, since they do not use resonant structures.
It is desired to provide a klystron with cooling for the RF cavities and access to the RF cavities for frequency tuning structures, and optionally to provide cooling for the beam tunnel structures, if required. It is further desired to provide a klystron for a therapeutic treatment system with reduced size, elimination of the requirement for an electromagnetic axial field generator and associated cooling requirement, and which provides for high power operation.

Periodic permanent magnet focused klystron


Organic phosphorus compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are, the same or different, a C.sub.1-8 straight chain or branched chain alkyl group, an optionally substituted C.sub.6-12 aryl group; and A represents a bond, a lower alkylene group or --(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n -- group, (n is an integer of 1 to 5), which are useful as flame-retardants.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel organic phosphorus compounds of non-halogen type and flame-retarded resin compositions containing the same which are excellent in flame-retardant properties and heat resistance.
2. Description of the Related Art
Organic polymers such as thermoplastic resins (e.g., polypropylene, polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene (ABS) resins) and thermosetting resins (e.g., polyurethane and phenol resins) are available at relatively low cost and have excellent properties such as easy molding. Such organic polymers are widely used in all kinds of commodities including electronic components and automobile components. However, these organic polymers are flammable. Once they are involved in fire, they are readily burned and lost. A fire of cable causes great damage to our society. A law has recently been enacted which provides that these organic polymers shall be flame-retardant when used in products for daily use such as electric products, automobile interior decoration components and fiber products. For example, in the United States, there are the UL standards for electric apparatus and MVSS-302 Flame-Retardant Rule for automobiles.
As a known method for giving flame-retardant properties to organic polymers, a flame-retardant is added to organic polymers when preparing a molded product. As the flame-retardants, there are inorganic compounds, organic phosphorus compounds, organic halogen compounds and organic phosphorus compounds containing halogen. Of the above compounds, organic halogen compounds and organic phosphorus compounds containing halogen exhibit excellent flame-retardant effect. However, these compounds containing halogen are pyrolyzed in the process of molding resins and produce hydrogen halide, which corrodes molds and causes resins to be deteriorated and colored. Furthermore, such compounds adversely affect our working environment. Still furthermore, the compounds generate toxic gas, such as hydrogen halide, which is toxic to human bodies.
Typical flame-retardants which do not contain halogens are inorganic compounds such as magnesium hydroxide. However, since these inorganic compounds are inferior in flame-retardant effect, it is necessary to add a large amount to achieve sufficient flame-retardant effect. Thus such flame-retardants have a drawback of allowing resins to be deprived of their inherent properties.
Halogen-free organic phosphorus compounds are generally used as flame-retardant having a relatively favorable flame-retardant effect. Aromatic phosphorus compounds such as triphenyl phosphate (TPP), tricresyl phosphate (TCP) and cresyl diphenylphosphate (CDP), which are typical organic phosphorus compounds, are used as flame retardants for each kind of engineering plastics, such as phenol resin, epoxy resin and polyurethane resin or the like.
However, triphenyl phosphate can hardly give flame-retardant properties to resins because it contains phosphorus at a low ratio. Triphenyl phosphate is usually used together with a halogen type flame-retardant. Furthermore, when triphenyl phosphate is singly used, it must be used in large amounts. This will impair various physical properties of resins and readily cause resins to be colored and deteriorated.
In addition, German Patent No. 3004184C2 discloses compounds of formula (A) as a flame-retardant which is added to an organic polymer such as polyolefin, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS and polyurethane. ##STR2##
However, one of the main disadvantages of using these compounds lies in that a large amount thereof needs to be added to an organic polymer to give sufficient flame-retardant properties to resins because these compounds contain phosphorus at a low ratio, thereby resulting in inferior physical properties of resins. It is further noted that when R'.sub.1 to R'.sub.5 in the above formula (A) are methyl groups, the compounds have a low heat resistance, which leads to a disadvantage of causing resins to be colored and deteriorated in the process of molding.
In recent years, the development of plastics having high functional properties, such as engineering plastics and super-engineering plastics are in progress. Since these plastics need a high molding temperature, a flame-retardant is also required to be sufficiently heat resistant. As a known method for improving the heat resistance of flame-retardants, an anti-oxidant such as hindered-phenol compounds, sulfur compounds and amine compounds together with flame-retardant is added to organic polymers. However, even when such anti-oxidants are added to organic polymers, for example, together with the organic phosphorus compounds as mentioned above, coloring of resins cannot be avoided at 200.degree. C. or more.

Organic phosphorus compounds and flame-retarded resin compositions containing the same


An imaging system and related method are provided. The imaging system comprises a surface configured to support a portion of a patient's body, compression paddle configured to compress the portion of a patient's body against the surface, the compression paddle movable between an upper position and a lower position; and a compression control in direct or indirect communication with the compression paddle and configured to effectuate displacement of the compression paddle to any position between and including the upper position and the lower position upon receiving a patient input or command. The system may further comprise a feedback device configured to provide, to the patient, information indicative of the quality of the image that would be achieved at a corresponding compression paddle position to assist the patient in selecting a desirable compression paddle position.

Breast imaging is used to detect breast lesions and especially breast tumours. Once detected, breast tumours can efficiently be medically treated. This entails medical monitoring of patients who undergo breast imaging sessions regularly over the years.
During a breast imaging session, the breast of the patient is compressed between a compression paddle and a breast support of an imaging apparatus and the compressed breast is illuminated by an illumination source, usually X-ray source. The illumination beams, part of which goes through the breast, are then collected by a detector.
Apart from obtaining constant breast thickness and immobilising the breast, breast compression is needed for two purposes.
First, the illumination dose needed for breast imaging decreases with the thickness of the imaged object, here the breast. An excessive illumination dose is harmful to the patient's health. Thus, the illumination dose should be as low as possible, while enabling the breast tissues to be clearly imaged. The more the breast is compressed, the lower the illumination dose, while retaining at least the same quality of the medical image.
Second, the breast imaging system enables acquisition of two-dimensional (2D) medical images on which the breast is projected throughout its thickness. Consequently, the medical images necessarily show a superimposition of breast tissues. An excessive superimposition of breast tissues impairs the diagnosis of the physician because two much information is gathered at the same place on the medical image. For example, breast lesions may be obscured by normal breast tissues (false negatives) or superimposition of normal breast tissues can mimic suspicious lesions (false positives). Compressing the breast makes it possible to spread it over a larger area. Thus, the superimposition of breast tissues is reduced.
Breast compression, while improving the medical image quality and easing the physician's diagnosis, incurs patient's discomfort that can reach pain.
Moreover, studies show that 1 out of 6 women refuse to undergo further breast imaging due to painful past experience (N. Mullai, N. Murugesan, L. Burton, V. Goodin, A. Stout of the Hematology and Oncology Centre, PLLC, Somerset, Ky., ASCO, 2009).
Attempts to relieve pain and improve patient's comfort during an imaging session have been experienced over the years. These include for example providing patients with verbal and/or written information on the breast imaging technic before the session, providing pain relief medication before the session, using breast cushion padded onto the surface of the imaging apparatus or flexible compression paddle to dampen pain, reducing breast compression by the technician operating the imaging apparatus.
P. J. Kornguth, M. R. Conaway and D. C. Sullivan investigated the impact of technician-controlled breast compression and patient-controlled breast compression on pain felt by the patient (P. J. Kornguth et al., Impact of patient controlled compression on the mammography experience, Radiology, 1993, 186(1), pp 99-102). They showed that 34 out of 109 women (31%) claimed less discomfort when they controlled the compression of their own breast in comparison with a compression controlled by a technician, 61 women (56%) claimed no difference as far as pain feeling is concerned and 14 women (13%) claimed that self-controlled breast compression was more painful than technician-controlled breast compression.
Therefore, it has been attempted to give the patients control of the compression of the own breast.
Unfortunately, some extremely sensitive women are reluctant to increase the compression as soon as they feel pain, even at a compression force that for most women is considered as endurable. Consequently, the obtained medical images are of poor quality and the technician has to control back breast compression.
Thus, there is a need for a new breast imaging system and method so that good quality medical images can be obtained while improving patient's comfort during an imaging session.

Breast imaging system giving feedback information to the patient and method using thereof


A sterilization device includes a shell, an ultraviolet ray lamp tube fixed with a lamp support on an upper end of the shell, an inner quartz tube around the lamp tube, an outer quartz tube around the inner quartz tube, a stainless steel tube around the outer quartz tube, an inner passage between the inner and the outer quartz tubes, an outer passage between the outer quartz tube and the stainless steel tube, and a guiding member on the lower end of the shell; the guiding member has guiding holes to guide water along a spiral path, and a water inlet on a lower portion thereof, which communicates with the guiding holes; a covering member is threadedly engaged with an outer side of the lower end of the shell; the water inlet of the guiding member extends through the covering member; the covering member has a water outlet hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultraviolet ray sterilization device, more particularly one, which allows water to be exposed to ultraviolet ray for longer time so that water can be thoroughly sterilized, and which is structured in such a manner that the various internal components such as the ultraviolet ray lamp tube can be replaced relatively easily.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
People can use water filters to remove dangerous contaminants owing to the increasing concern over the quality and safety of tap water, which is nevertheless the more economical choice if one is only choosing between tap water and bottled water. And, water filters are getting popular because more people have begun to realize that drinking filtered water is a much more economical practiced than drinking bottled water, and pure water product of water filters can be cleaner and safer to drink than bottled water.
An ultraviolet ray sterilization device can be connected to a water filter to kill germ and microorganism in water passed through the filter so that water is even safer to drink. A common ultraviolet ray sterilization device consists of a sealed stainless steel tube, a quartz tube held in the stainless steel tube, and an ultraviolet ray lamp tube held in the quartz tube. When water is passed through the space between the quartz tube and the stainless steel tube from an inlet on one end of the sterilization device, it will be exposed to ultraviolet ray to be sterilized. Next, the sterilized water will flow out through an outlet on the other end of the ultraviolet ray sterilization device.
The above ultraviolet ray sterilization device is found to have the following drawbacks:
1. Water will travel from the inlet to the outlet along a substantially straight path. In other words, the length of time water is exposed to ultraviolet ray in the stainless tube of the sterilization device totally depends on the length of the ultraviolet ray lamp tube. If the ultraviolet ray lamp tube is short, water can't be sufficiently sterilized with the sterilization device.
2. The stainless steel tube is sealed up, and can't be easily opened. Therefore it is difficult for the user to replace the quartz tube and the ultraviolet ray lamp tube after they have been used for a certain amount of time.
Therefore, it is a main object of the present invention to provide an improvement on an ultraviolet ray sterilization device to overcome the above problems.


A small-scale hydroelectric generator has a micro-hydro axial-flow turbine mounted in a lower end of a penstock, preferrably of the siphon type, through which water is diverted from an intake basin. The turbine comprises a stator section formed with an axial core providing an annular passageway having an outlet end in close proximity to a rotor of a coaxial adjacent rotor section. The blades of the rotor have a length equal to the internal radius of the passageway. A plurality of flaps are arranged in an expandable circle between the stator section and rotor. A float mechanism located in the intake basin follows the water level and controls the extended positions of the flaps reducing the water flow through the penstock in a predetermined relation to the water level. The annular passageway has fixed vanes directing the stream of water in a helical swirling motion of predetermined pitch to impinge upon the blades which are disposed to receive the stream at an optimum angle of 90.degree. . The generator is located remote from the turbine with a closed hydraulic system comprising a variable displacement pump located at and driven by the turbine and a hydraulic motor located at and driving the generator. The pump has a flow control driving the motor at a constant RPM at all acceptable load conditions placed on the generator.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to small-scale hydroelectric generators, each utilizing a siphon flow through a penstock having an axially mounted turbine rotor, and more particularly is directed to the construction of stationary vanes and the fixed blades of the rotor whereby the efficiency of the turbine is maximized and to the incorporation of adjustable flaps automatically controlling the flow of water through the penstock relative to the quantity of water available in the source, namely, the river in which the turbine is installed. The invention is also directed to a closed hydraulic fluid system which transfers the energy developed in the turbine to an electric generator at a location remote from the turbine and river bed and utilizes the cooling effect of the water passing through the penstock to maintain the hydraulic fluid, which has a tendency to overheat, at temperatures for efficient operation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Axial-flow reaction turbines of the Kaplan type, being well known and widely used, are equipped either with adjustable blades on the runners, herein designated as rotors, or fixed blade rotors and may also have butterfly valves for controlling the flow of water through the penstock. Guide vanes may also be fixed or adjustable. Whereas the Kaplan type turbine is cost efficient for relatively large installations, those adaptable to smaller streams, such as for 3 to 100 KW capacity, are either non-existent or much too costly to install when considering the relatively small generating capacity of such rivers. Also, in conventional small-scale hydroelectric power plants utilizing the siphon penstock, the electric generator is either intimately combined with the turbine as a unit within the penstock or is located in close proximity to the river bed being driven directly by the turbine, and in both cases requiring costly water-proofing to insure against water damage, especially during flood conditions, which in turn makes servicing difficult, time consuming and expensive.
There clearly is a need to utilize the energy of smaller streams for generation of electric power. Such streams, namely, those having at least 3 cubic feet per second flow and bed slopes in excess of 10% along sections thereof which are capable of supplying power in the 3 to 100 KW range, exist in many rural areas especially in so-called emerging nations where the rate of consumption of electricity for a given rural area may not justify the capital expenditures necessary for installation and maintenance of long power lines due to the distances from the central power source and the topography of the terrain.

Condominio Costa Azul, Apt. 11A Taft St., #2


Typical inventive practice allocates functions between human and robot, interacting in an unmanned system. Analyses are performed of: mission system; function allocation; and, human-robot interaction automation allocation. Mission system analysis includes: identification of mission system needs, mission system integration parameters, and mission capability configuration; and, mission system report creation (at least partially based on these identifications). Function allocation analysis includes: mission activity analysis; functional allocation report creation (at least partially based on the mission activity analysis); unmanned system safety analysis; and, unmanned system safety report creation (at least partially based on the unmanned system safety analysis). Human-robot interaction automation allocation analysis includes: identification of unmanned system capabilities, unmanned system mission safety considerations, and human-robot interaction configuration; human-robot interaction test-and-evaluation plan creation (at least partially based on these identifications); human-robot interaction performance evaluation; and, human-robot interaction configuration final report creation (at least partially based on the human-robot interaction performance evaluation).

The present invention relates to interactive relationships between humans and robots, more particularly to methods and systems for configuring the allocation of functions between humans and robots in their interactions.
Unmanned systems represent an important realm of military technology. A conventional unmanned system includes a robotic platform, at least one payload, an operator control unit (OCU), logistical support, and at least one person. Examples of unmanned systems are unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), unmanned surface vehicle (USV), and unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). Examples of payloads are sensors, communications relay, and cargo. An operator control unit can include, for instance, command and control (C2), visual displays, mission planning capabilities, system monitoring functions, and communication channels. Logistical support can include, for instance, manning, transporting, maintaining, launch and recovery, and enabling communication architecture. Yet the most critical element for successful unmanned system employment is the human component.
A typical unmanned system evolves and matures, increasing in both capability and complexity, in order to keep up with operational demands of missions. In the term "unmanned system," the word "unmanned" is a misnomer in the sense that a person or persons are not necessarily uninvolved in an unmanned system. A traditional unmanned system is in fact "manned" through direct and constant oversight and control, albeit the robotic platforms itself is not manned. Therefore, in the development, configuration, and deployment of an unmanned system, all system elements should be taken into consideration in order to support and meet the needs of the warfighter. See "Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap 2009-2034," Office of Secretary of Defense, 6 Apr. 2009.
The proliferation of unmanned systems on the battlefield can afford significant operational and tactical advantages, particularly under uncertain and complex conditions; nevertheless, the associated technological implications are also significant and may be either productive or counterproductive. The integration of current technology can enable single robotic platforms to perform a variety of tasks across multiple missions; however, if the unmanned system is not configured properly, overall mission safety and effectiveness may be compromised or jeopardized.
It appears likely that, in the future, manned operations will be considerably enhanced and perhaps even revolutionized by unmanned systems technologies. This vision combines the inherent strengths of the warfighter with robotic assets, sensors, and manned/unmanned vehicles to achieve enhanced situational awareness (SA), reduced workloads, greater lethality, improved survivability, and sustainment. See "Eyes of the Army Roadmap for Unmanned Aircraft Systems 2010-2035," U.S. Army, available on the DTIC website.
Accordingly, there is a need for a systematic approach to determining appropriate levels of autonomy in unmanned systems. Of great benefit would be a process designed to guide the development, configuration, and implementation of human-robot systems.

Human-robot interaction function allocation analysis

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A ceramic diaphragm structure includes a ceramic substrate having at least one window portion, and a thin ceramic diaphragm plate laminated so as to cover the window portion, wherein the ceramic diaphragm structure is unitarily formed so that the thin ceramic diaphragm portion is protruded in the direction opposite to the window portion, and a ceramic connecting layer connects the thin ceramic diaphragm plate to the ceramic substrate. The ceramic diaphragm structure has a high resonance frequency, an enhanced strength, an excellent quality and a high reliability.

The present invention relates to a ceramic diaphragm structure and a method for manufacturing the ceramic diaphragm structure. Particularly, the present invention relates to a ceramic diaphragm structure having a specific configuration of a thin diaphragm portion and a method for manufacturing such a ceramic diaphragm advantageously.
There has conventionally been used a diaphragm structure as a member or the like constituting various kinds of sensors. Attention has recently been paid to the diaphragm structure as a member constituting a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator. The diaphragm structure includes a substrate having at least one window portion and a thin diaphragm plate formed of flexible, filmy material covering the window portion. When the diaphragm structure is used as a member constituting a sensor, the diaphragm structure is constituted so that a bending displacement caused by an object to be measured by a diaphragm portion is detected by an appropriate means. When the diaphragm structure is used as a member constituting a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator, the diaphragm structure is used under the condition that the diaphragm portion is transformed by a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, causing a pressure in a hollow portion formed inside the diaphragm structure.
Such a diaphragm structure is produced by unitarily combining a substrate with a filmy member which gives a diaphragm. In view of reliability, thermal resistance, anti-corrosive ability and the like, it was considered to constitute such a diaphragm structure by unitarily firing a ceramic. The present inventors have disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open 63-292032 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open 5-49270 a pressure detecting apparatus or a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator, in which a ceramic diaphragm structure obtained by unitary firing was used.
Such a ceramic diaphragm structure is generally obtained by firing a unitary laminate composed of (1) a ceramic green substrate having a predetermined configuration and a window portion and (2) a thin ceramic green sheet covering the window portion. However, the present inventors found that there are some problems during a unitary firing operation that a diaphragm portion, which is formed of a ceramic green sheet and positioned on the window portion of the ceramic green substrate, deforms into a depressed shape (The shape that a diaphragm portion protrudes in the opposite direction of the window portion is a protruded shape.) or has cracks. Such a depression or a crack in the diaphragm portion hinders a function or an operation of the diaphragm and makes the reliability of the diaphragm deteriorate.
Additionally, in the case of such a ceramic diaphragm structure, it is usually tried to make a diaphragm portion plane. However, in such a plane diaphragm portion, there are some problems. It is difficult to increase the resonance frequency and to thin the portion because the strength is not satisfactory. Further, an electrode film or a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film formed on the surface cannot be satisfactorily sintered.
Therefore, the present inventors have previously disclosed a thin ceramic diaphragm structure having a high reliability in Japanese Patent Application 6-122733. The diaphragm structure is free from a depression, a crack, or the like in a diaphragm portion, and a resonance frequency of the diaphragm can be increased. Further, the diaphragm structure is excellent in strength, and various films formed on the surface of the diaphragm portion can be satisfactorily sintered without being hindered.
The ceramic diaphragm structure was produced by controlling a difference of sintering speed and a firing shrinkage rate between a ceramic green substrate and a thin ceramic green sheet covering a window portion. However, when a substrate is composed of many structures each having a plurality of window portions, a diaphragm portion sometimes has a depression or has a variance of the height of protrusion.
The present invention has been achieved under such circumstances as a background. An object of the invention is to provide a thin ceramic diaphragm structure having a high reliability. Even if the diaphragm structure has a substrate composed of many diaphragm structures each having a plurality of window portions (diaphragm portions), the diaphragm portions do not have any depression or crack, and a resonance frequency can be increased. The diaphragm portions are excellent in strength, and sintering of various kinds of films formed on the surface of the diaphragm portions. Another object of the invention is to provide a method for producing such a diaphragm structure advantageously.
One aspect of the invention is to provide a ceramic diaphragm structure comprising: a ceramic substrate having at least one window portion; and a thin ceramic diaphragm plate laminated so as to cover the window portion, wherein the ceramic diaphragm structure is unitarily formed so that the thin ceramic diaphragm portion is protruded in the direction opposite to the window portion, and a ceramic connecting layer connects the thin ceramic diaphragm plate to the ceramic substrate.
The ceramic diaphragm plate is preferably composed of a material having, as a main component, a stabilized zirconia, a partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, or a mixture thereof.
An average crystal grain size of each of the ceramic substrate, the ceramic diaphragm plate, and the ceramic connecting layer is desirably 5 xcexcm or less. Further the diaphragm portion has a thickness of 30 xcexcm or less. The ceramic connecting layer has a thickness of 50 xcexcm or less. The diaphragm portion is composed of a dense material having a relative density of at least 90%.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a ceramic diaphragm structure, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a ceramic green substrate; (b) forming a ceramic green connecting layer having a predetermined thickness on the ceramic green substrate; (c) forming at least one window portion on the ceramic green substrate on which the ceramic green connecting layer is formed; (d) preparing a thin ceramic green sheet having a predetermined thickness; (e) preparing a unitarily formed laminate by laminating the ceramic green sheet on the ceramic green substrate having at least one window portion so as to cover the window portion in the side of ceramic green connecting layer; and (f) firing the laminate to obtain a unitarily sintered body in which a thin diaphragm portion is formed in a window portion of the ceramic green substrate, and simultaneously with the firing of the laminate, the diaphragm portion is protruded in the direction opposite to the window portion.
In such a method, the ceramic green substrate, the ceramic green sheet, and the ceramic green connecting layer are adjusted so as to have a mid-sintering temperature and a shrinkage rate satisfying the formulae:
S(substrate)xe2x88x92S(sheet)xe2x89xa7xe2x88x920.08{T(substrate)xe2x88x92T(sheet)}xe2x88x921
0xe2x89xa6T(substrate)xe2x88x92T(sheet)xe2x89xa6300
S(substrate)xe2x88x92S(sheet)xe2x89xa620
and
300xe2x89xa7T(substrate)xe2x88x92T(connecting layer)xe2x89xa720
or
xe2x88x92350xe2x89xa6T(substrate)xe2x88x92T(connecting layer)xe2x89xa6xe2x88x9250
[S(substrate) and S(sheet) denote shrinkage rates (%) in the direction along the surfaces when the ceramic green substrate and the ceramic green sheet are independently fired at the same temperature as a firing temperature of the laminated body. T(substrate), T(sheet), and T(connecting layer) denote firing temperatures (xc2x0 C.) when a shrinkage rate (%) in the direction along the surface reaches 70% when the ceramic green substrate, the ceramic green sheet, and the ceramic green connecting layer are independently fired at the same temperature as a firing temperature of the laminated body.]
The ceramic green sheet is preferably formed of a material which contains a completely stabilized zirconia material, a partially stabilized zirconia material, alumina material or a material containing, as a main component, a mixture thereof, an average particle diameter of each material ranging from 0.05 to 1.0 xcexcm. The material may contain 30% or less of a sintering aid, for example, clay, silica, magnesia, transitional metal oxide, or the like.

Ceramic diaphragm structure and method for producing the same


A device for taking pressure readings on a HVAC system includes a first needle connectable in communication with the HVAC system for taking a first pressure reading thereof. The first needle is mounted within a first gauge and configured to self-calibrate. The device further includes a second needle connectable in communication with the HVAC system for taking a second pressure reading thereof that is independent of the first pressure reading. The second needle is mounted within a second gauge and configured to self-calibrate. A first stepper motor actuates the first needle and a second stepper motor actuates the second needle. A microcontroller controls the first and second stepper motors to move the needles to a plurality of respective positions and thereby visually confirm calibration.

In order to install or service an HVAC system, HVAC service personnel must measure the HVAC system refrigerant pressure and from the refrigerant pressure determine the saturated vapor equivalent temperature for the particular refrigerant used in the HVAC system being installed or serviced. In addition, other parameters, such as trend lines for refrigerant pressure, trend lines for saturated vapor equivalent temperature, instantaneous refrigerant pressure bar graph, or super-heat/sub-cool temperature of the refrigerant, may be useful in installing or servicing an HVAC system. Conventionally, the refrigerant pressure is measured with an analog pressure gauge and the saturated vapor equivalent temperature for the refrigerant is determined from the measured refrigerant pressure either by the use of lookup tables or by the use of correlated scales on the face of the analog pressure gauge. Digital pressure gauges have also been used in this field.
A typical analog pressure gauge is mechanical and contains a bourdon tube. The bourdon tube is a mechanical transducer. The bourdon tube is a curved and partially flattened tube that tends to straighten out in proportion to internal pressure within the bourdon tube. The bourdon tube is connected to a series of watch-like gears (pointer gears) that rotate a needle shaft with an attached needle pointer to indicate the pressure on the dial of the analog pressure gauge. When the bourdon tube of the analog pressure gauge is connected to the refrigerant line, the refrigerant pressure within the bourdon tube causes the bourdon tube to straighten out so that the needle, mechanically connected to the bourdon tube through the gears, indicates the refrigerant pressure on the dial of the analog pressure gauge.
A conventional analog refrigerant pressure gauge 11 is shown in FIG. 1. When such an analog pressure gauge 11 is used to service a HVAC system, the main analog scale 13 of the analog pressure gauge 11 indicates pressure in PSI (pounds per square inch) or KPa (metric Kilo-Pascals). Additional inner analog scales (circular bands of numbers) 15 are also printed on the face of the analog pressure gauge 11. The additional inner scales 15 indicate the saturated vapor equivalent temperature for different refrigerants at the measured refrigerant pressure.
Conventional pressure gauges similar to those shown in FIG. 1 require careful calibration in order to obtain an accurate measurement. Specifically, the gauges may become inaccurate over time when they are dropped or banged during handling and moving. In some instances, HVAC technicians forget to calibrate their gauge sets. Regular calibration also can be burdensome on the technician. Additionally, even when the gauge sets are calibrated, there is a possibility that the calibration is not performed accurately. Finally, digital gauges do not include a method by which the technician is able to ascertain whether the gauges have been calibrated or, if so, in a satisfactory manner. Thus, technicians do not have confidence in such gauges and tend to steer clear of digital gauges because they lack confidence in their calibration. Inaccurate gauges lead to unsatisfactory performance of HVAC units and longer times for performing routine repair and maintenance.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above-described drawbacks and/or disadvantages of the prior art.

Gauge with visual calibration confirmation and related method