A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of lamps alternately arranged on at least two regions of a light emission surface, wherein each lamp has a length substantially shorter than that of the light emission surface, first, second, and third supports spaced apart from one another, wherein each support has a matching shape for mounting the lamps, a bottom support supporting the first, second, and third supports, and first, second, and third common electrodes respectively attached on the first, second, and third supports.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a backlight unit, and more particularly, to a backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for improving an efficiency of lamps and permitting a better wiring arrangement for the lamps.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A cathode ray tube (CRT), mostly used for monitors for TV receivers, measuring instruments, information terminals, and so on, cannot satisfy the requirements for reducing size and weight of electronic products due to heavy weight and hefty size.
Thus, the size and the weight of the CRT have certain limitations in the trend of compact size and light weight of electronic products.
The devices that are expected to replace the CRTs include liquid crystal displays (LCD) using an electro-optical effect, plasma display panels (PDP) using gaseous discharge, electro-luminescence (EL) displays using an electro-luminescence effect, and the like. Among the above devices, researches on the LCD are the most active.
For replacing the CRTs, the LCDs have been actively developed for reducing size, weight, and power consumption of displays. Recently, they are fully developed for monitors in laptop computers, monitors in desktop computers, and large-sized information displays.
Most of the LCDs are light receiving devices in which the control of light provided from the outside of the device is required for displaying a picture. Thus, a separate light source for providing light to the LCD panel (i.e., a backlight unit) is required.
In general, the backlight unit used as a light source of the LCD is comprised of cylindrical lamps of an edge light type or a direct type.
In the edge light type, a lamp unit is placed at a side of the light plate, which guides the light. The lamp unit is provided with a lamp for emitting the light, and lamp holders inserted in both sides of the lamp for protection of the lamp. A lamp reflecting plate is inserted in a side surface of the light plate to surround the outside surface of the lamp for reflecting the light from the lamp toward the light plate.
The edge light type having the lamp unit provided to a side surface of the light plate has been employed in relatively small-sized LCDs, such as laptop computers and desktop computers. The edge light type has a good uniformity of light and a long lifetime, and has an advantage in fabricating thin LCDs.
On the other hand, the direct type has been developed mainly for the size of an LCD greater than 20″. The direct type is provided with a plurality of lamps arranged in line under a diffuse plate for directing the light to a front surface of the LCD panel, directly.
Since the direct type has a light utilization efficiency higher than the edge light type, the direct type is employed in large-sized LCDs.
A related art backlight unit will be described with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a direct type backlight unit according to a related art. FIG. 2 illustrates a plane view of a lamp arrangement of the direct type backlight unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of a backlight unit having inverters for applying an electrical signal to the lamps in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates a plane view of another related art lamp arrangement of a backlight unit.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the related art backlight unit is provided with a plurality of lamps 1, an outside case 3 for holding and supporting the lamps 1, and light scattering means 5a, 5b, and 5c between the lamps 1 and an LCD panel (not shown).
The light scattering means 5a, 5b, and 5c is provided with a plurality of diffusion sheets and diffusion plates between the lamps 1 and the LCD panel for enhancing a light scattering effect to prevent the lamps from appearing on the screen of the LCD and provide a uniform luminance distribution.
There is a reflection plate 7 on an inside surface of the outside case 3 for directing the light from the lamps 1 to the display part of the LCD panel for maximizing a light utilization efficiency.
The lamp 1 is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) provided with electrode parts 2a and 2b at the opposite ends of the inside of a tube, each connected to a power line 9a or 9b. The opposite ends of the lamp 1 are inserted in holes formed in the opposite surfaces of the outside case 3.
When a voltage is provided to the electrode parts 2a and 2b through the power lines 9a and 9b, each lamp 1 emits the light. The voltage provided to the power lines is supplied from an inverter 30 provided in one side portion of the back of the outside case 3, as shown in FIG. 3.
In the power lines 9a and 9b, there are a high voltage power line 31 and a low voltage power line 32 depending on voltages provided thereto. That is, the high voltage power line 31 and the low voltage power line 32 from the opposite ends of the lamp 1 are connected to each terminal of the inverter 30 connector for receiving voltages.
For minimizing electrical influences to the LCD panel and external device, the length of the high voltage power line 31 should be shorter than that of the low voltage power line 32.
In the direct type backlight unit of the related art, the length of the lamp 1 is substantially equal to that of the front light emission surface of the backlight unit. Therefore, the larger the size of the light emission surface, the longer the length of the lamp 1. For example, currently the LCD with the size over 30″ to 40″ requires a length of the lamp longer than 700 mm.
Thus, when the lamp is too long, fabrication of the lamp becomes more difficult. In addition, assembly of the lamp with the backlight unit becomes complicated, and the unit is susceptible to the external impact. Moreover, a luminance of the lamp becomes not uniform, and the problem of picture quality deterioration (EMI: electro magnetic interference) occurs due to instability and the electric influence from the driving circuit of the LCD. This is because a high turn-on voltage and a sustain voltage are required.
Due to such a problem, in some of the direct type backlight units, the lamps 40 are arranged in the vertical direction from the light emission surface. Similarly, the electrode parts 42a and 42b are provided at the opposite ends of an inside of a tube of the lamp 40, and the power lines 43a and 43b are connected to the electrode parts 42a and 42b, respectively. The reference numeral '41' denotes a reflection plate.
However, the arrangement of the lamps 40 in the vertical direction of the light emission surface causes mercury in the tube of the lamp 40 to move to the bottom thereof, thereby deteriorating performance of the lamp 40 when the backlight unit is used for a long time.

Backlight unit for liquid crystal display device


A multi-function customer satisfaction survey device, system, and method. A restaurant management system includes a plurality of electronic tip trays and a base unit. Each of the tip trays electronically obtains and stores customer contact information, customer payment information, and responses to a customer satisfaction survey. A data transceiver wirelessly transmits the information to the base unit. The base unit collects the information and sends the contact information to a correspondence server such as an e-mail server. The payment information is sent to an external authorization network and/or the restaurant's POS system. The survey responses are sent to an analysis unit. Particularly adverse or positive responses may be matched through the POS system to a food server and a food order.

This invention relates to data processing systems for gathering and compiling data for management analysis, and more particularly, to a wireless multi-function customer satisfaction survey device that also functions as a restaurant tip tray, calculator, database input device, and payment terminal.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 333,743 to Johnson illustrates the design for a combined restaurant check tray and calculator. The Johnson design is essentially a tray configuration with a keypad in the top surface of the tray, and a numerical display in a frame portion at one end of the tray. Johnson, however, does not teach or suggest combining a customer satisfaction survey device with the illustrated design.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,075 to Plainfield et al. discloses a PC-based, interactive, programmable system that induces customers of a restaurant to enter information about themselves or to answer survey questions. The program is run on a PC, and the customer enters the information in data fields displayed on the PC's monitor. Plainfield, however, does not teach or suggest that a computerized survey device could be combined with a restaurant tip tray and a calculator.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,560 to Crooks et al. discloses a system for capturing handwritten data. The system includes a base station (PC), a docking station, and a plurality of portable handwriting capture devices, which may be in the form of pads or trays. Captured signatures are digitized, and may be used to obtain a purchase request from a customer. When the trays are placed in the docking station, the digitized signatures are transferred through the docking station to the base station/PC. Crooks, however, does not teach or suggest a wireless payment terminal or a payment terminal combined with a computerized survey device, a restaurant tip tray, a calculator, and a database input device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,928 to Todd discloses a portable electronic survey and satisfaction questionnaire device in the form of a book that opens to reveal a calculator pad, electronic display, and keypad for entering responses to survey questions. The device may transmit a page to a manager's pager if a customer enters a particularly adverse or particularly positive response. Todd, however, does not teach or suggest that a computerized survey device could be combined with a restaurant tip tray or a wireless payment terminal.
Restaurant managers have a need to induce customers to answer customer satisfaction surveys so that the managers can identify problem areas and correct them. In addition, the collected information must be compiled quickly and easily into a database that managers can easily and quickly access. This can be a serious problem when a restaurant chain has many restaurants spread out over a large area. Additionally, restaurants would like to provide customers with more efficient and easier ways to pay their bills.
It would be advantageous, therefore, to have a survey system and device that overcomes these disadvantages. The present invention provides such a system and device.


A welding assembly includes a sonotrode, cleaning station, and controller. The controller periodically commands clamping of the sonotrode onto the cleaning block, and a transmission of ultrasonic energy into the cleaning block for a calibrated duration sufficient for removing residual amounts of metal from welding pads of the sonotrode. The cleaning block may include an aluminum bar coated with a polymeric material, e.g., porous polyethylene silica or alumina composite. A thin sacrificial layer of an anti-adhesion material, e.g., colloidal silica, may be periodically applied to the welding pads, particularly after a transition from welding a first metal to welding a second metal. The sacrificial layer may be applied via a sponge, a saturated surface, or spraying.

In ultrasonic welding processes, metal or plastic work pieces are clamped together between a welding horn/sonotrode and an anvil. Both of these welding tools include knurled welding pads that securely grip the clamped work pieces. Friction along interfacing surfaces of the work pieces in response to vibrational energy from the sonotrode ultimately generates substantial amounts of heat. The generated heat ultimately produces a weld spot or seam. Removal of the clamping force allows the welding pads to separate and release from the work pieces. However, at times the welding pads may adhere to surfaces of the work pieces. Depending on the severity of the adhesion, weld quality and process efficiency may be affected.

Elimination of tool adhesion in an ultrasonic welding process


The present invention provides for a magnetic recording media incorporating Mn-containing layers between a substrate and a magnetic layer to provide media having increased coercivity and lower noise. The Mn-containing layer can be incorporated in a rotating, translating or stationary recording media to operate in conjunction with magnetic transducing heads for recording and reading of magnetic data, as well as other applications. The magnetic recording medium of the invention preferably includes a Co or Co alloy film magnetic layer, and Mn-containing layer, preferably comprised of VMn, TiMn, MnZn, CrMnMo, CrMnW, CrMnV, and CrMnTi, and most preferably a CrMn alloy, disposed between the substrate and the magnetic layer to promote an epitaxial crystalline structure in the magnetic layer. The medium can further include seed layers, preferably polycrystalline MgO for longitudinal media, underlayers, and intermediate layers. Underlayers and intermediate layers are comprised of materials having either an A2 structure or a B2-ordered crystalline structure disposed between the seed layer and the magnetic layer. Materials having an A2 structure are preferably Cr or Cr alloys, such as CrV, CrMo, CrW and CrTi. Materials having a B2-ordered structure having a lattice constant that is substantially comparable to that of Cr, such as those preferably selected from the group consisting of NiAl, AILCo, FeAl, FeTi, CoFe, CoTi, CoHf, CoZr, NiTi, CuBe, CuZn, A-LMn, AlRe, AgMg, and Al.sub.2 FeMn.sub.2, and is most preferably FeAl or NiAl.

The present invention is directed generally to magnetic recording media and devices incorporating the media and, more particularly, to manganese (Mn) containing layers for use with cobalt or cobalt alloy based magnetic layers in the formation of magnetic recording media.
There is an ever increasing demand for magnetic recording media with higher storage capacity, lower noise and lower costs. To meet this demand, recording media have been developed with increased recording densities and more well-defined grain structures that have substantially increased the storage capacity, while lowering the associated noise of the recording media. However, the rapid increases in recording densities over the last two decades, combined with the proliferation of personal computers have only served to fuel the demand for even higher storage capacity recording media having lower noise and cost.
Magnetic discs and disc drives are commonly used to provide quick access to vast amounts of stored information. Both flexible (floppy)and rigid (hard) discs are available. Data are stored in magnetic bits in segmented circular tracks on the discs. Disc drives typically employ one or more discs rotated on a central axis. A magnetic head, or slider, is positioned over the disc surface to either access or add to the stored information. The heads for disc drives are mounted on a movable arm that carries the head in very close proximity to the disc over the various tracks and segments.
The structure of a typical thin film disk is multilayered and includes a substrate at its base covered by an underlayer, a magnetic layer and optionally, an overlayer at the top. The overlayer may be coated with an overcoat and an organic lubricant.
The magnetic layer is the main body on which the magnetic bits are recorded. Recording media comprised of cobalt or cobalt alloy-based magnetic films having a chromium or chromium alloy-based underlayer deposited on a nonmagnetic substrate have become the industry standard.
Magnetic properties, such as coercivity (H.sub.c) , remanant magnetization (M.sub.r) and coercive squareness (S*), are crucial to the recording performance of the Co alloy thin film. The magnetic properties are primarily dependent on the microstructure of the film for a fixed composition. For thin film longitudinal magnetic recording media, the desired crystalline structure, or texture, of the Co and Co alloys is hexagonal close packed (HCP) with uniaxial crystalline anisotropy and a magnetization easy direction along the c-axis predominately in the plane of the film (i.e, in-plane). Usually, the better the in-plane c-axis crystallographic texture, the higher the coercivity of the Co alloy thin film used for longitudinal recording. High coercivity is required to achieve a high remanence. Likewise, for perpendicular magnetic recording media, the desired crystalline structure of the Co alloys is HCP with the uniaxial anisotropy and crystalline c-axis perpendicular to the film plane. For very small grain sizes coercivity increases with increased grain size. Large grains, however, results in greater noise. There is a need to achieve high coercivities without the increase in noise associated with large grains. To achieve a low noise magnetic medium, the Co alloy thin film should have uniform small grains with grain boundaries which can magnetically isolate neighboring grains. This kind of microstructure and crystallographic texture is normally achieved by manipulating the deposition process, by grooving the substrate surface, by varying the cobalt alloy composition or by the proper use of an underlayer.
Cobalt-based alloys as opposed to pure cobalt are commonly used in longitudinal and perpendicular magnetic media for a variety of reasons. For example, non-magnetic elements such as Cr are commonly bulk doped into the magnetic film to lower the magnetization. This is especially important in perpendicular media where the demagnetization energy associated with the magnetic moment of the alloy must be less than the magneto-crystalline anisotropy energy in order for the magnetization to be oriented perpendicular to the media film plane. The same technique is used in longitudinal magnetic media to lower the flux transition demagnetization energy, resulting in a shorter flux transit-on length and, hence, higher recording densities. Even more importantly, however, non-magnetic elements are introduced into the Co-alloy to limit the magnetic exchange coupling between cobalt grains. It is believed that preferential diffusion of elements such as Cr, Ta, P, B, or Si from the bulk of the magnetic grain to the grain boundaries during film growth help to isolate the individual grains by reducing the magnetic exchange coupling between grains. This then results in a significantly lower media noise. For example, Deng et al. found that the addition of small amounts of Ta to CoCr alloys resulted in the increased Cr diffusion to the grain boundaries. See Youping Deng, David N. Lambeth, and David E. Laughlin, "Structural Characteristics of Bias Sputtered CoCrTa/Cr Films", IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 29, no. 5, September 1993, pp. 3676-3678.
Underlayers can strongly influence the crystallographic orientation, the grain size and as discussed herein the chemical segregation at the Co alloy grain boundaries. Underlayers which have been reported in the literature include Cr, Cr with an additional alloy element X (X=C, Mg, Al, Si, Ti, V, Co, Ni, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, La, Ce, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Ta, and W), Ti, W, Mo, NiP and B2-ordered lattice structures, such as NiAl and FeAl. While there would appear to be a number of underlayer materials available, in practice, only a very few work well enough to meet the demands of the industry. Among them, the most often used and the most successful underlayer is pure Cr.
For high density longitudinal recording, in plane orientation has heretofore been achieved by grain-to-grain epitaxial growth of the HCP Co alloy thin film on a body centered cubic (BCC) Cr underlayer. The polycrystalline Co-based alloy thin film is deposited with its c-axis, the [0002] axis, either parallel to the film plane or with a large component of the c-axis in the film plane. It has been shown by K. Hono, B. Wong, and D. E. Laughlin, "Crystallography of Co/Cr bilayer magnetic thin films", Journal of Applied Physics 68 (9) p. 4734 (1990), that BCC Cr underlayers promote grain-to-grain epitaxial growth of HCP Co alloy thin films deposited on these underlayers. The heteroepitaxial relationships between Cr and Co which bring the [0002] axis down or close to the film plane are (002).sub.cr //(110).sub.Co,(110).sub.Cr //(101).sub.Co, (110).sub.Cr //(100).sub.Co, and (112).sub.Cr //(100).sub.co. Different Co/Cr epitaxial relationships prevail for different deposition processes. To obtain a good BCC structure which promotes the formation of the HCP structure, the Cr underlayer should be thicker than about 50 .ANG..
Likewise, to achieve perpendicular high density recording media, the perpendicular orientation of the Co c-axis with respect to the film plane has usually been obtained by grain-to-grain epitaxial growth of the HCP Co alloy thin film to an oriented HCP underlayer of (0002) crystalline texture or a face centered cubic (FCC) crystal underlayer of (111) crystalline texture. Ti and Ti.sub.90 Cr.sub.10 at % are often cited as the best seed layers for this purpose, although other seed layers, such as Pt, CoO/Pt and non-magnetic CoCr35at % have been used to induce this structure. See "Development of High Resolution and Low Noise Single-layered Perpendicular Recording Media for High Density Recording", IEEE Trans. Magn., Vol. 33, no. 1, p. 996-1001 (January. 1997); "Compositional separation of CoCrPt/Cr films for longitudinal recording and CoCr/Ti films for perpendicular recording" IEEE Trans. Magn., Vol. 27, no. 6, part 2, pp. 4718-4720 (1991); "Properties of CoCrTa Perpendicular films prepared by sputtering on Pt underlayer", J. MMM, Vol. 155, no. 1-3, pp. 206-208 (1996); IEEE Trans. Magn. Vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 3840-3842 (September. 1996); IEEE Trans. Magn. Vol. 30, no. 6, pp. 4020-4022 (November. 1994); and, "Development of High Resolution and Low Noise Single-layered Perpendicular Recording Media for High Density Recording", IEEE Trans. Magn. Vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 996-1001) (January. 1997).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,499 discloses efforts to improve the underlayer of longitudinal magnetic media by adding vanadium (V) to Cr to change its lattice constant and thereby to promote a better lattice matching between the HCP Co alloys, such as CoPt or CoPtCr, and the BCC CrV underlayer. In addition, U.S. Ser. No. 08/315,096 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,426, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a new group of underlayers including materials having a B2-ordered crystalline structure, such as NiAl and FeAl.
Additional improvements in the structure of the magnetic layer have been found when incorporating intermediate layers between the underlayer and the magnetic layer. Also, seed layers can be incorporated between the underlayer and the substrate to provide additional control of the structure of the underlayer and to prevent contamination of the underlayer by the substrate contaminants. The seed layers, underlayers, and intermediate layers are collectively referred to herein as the underlayer structure. In addition, multiple magnetic layers that may or may not be separated by a Cr inner layer are sometimes employed to produce variations in the magnetic properties of the resulting film. The magnetic layers and intervening inner layers are collectively referred to herein as the magnetic layer structure.
The use of multi-layered underlayer and magnetic layer structures can provide for increased control over the grain size, the grain to grain epitaxial growth of subsequent layers and the surface roughness of the magnetic layers. However, the use of additional layers may also increase the overall cost and complexity of the manufacturing process.
The need for lighter, smaller and better performing and less costly computers with greater storage density demands higher density recording media for use in hard disk drives, other magnetic storage devices, and other applications. It is an object of the present invention to meet those demands with a magnetic recording media having high coercivity and low noise.

Manganese containing layer for magnetic recording media


A method and arrangement in a first node (110) for sending feedback data on a feedback channel (121) to a second node (111) is provided. The feedback data is indicative of channel properties of a data channel (120) for sending data from the second node (111) to the first node (110). A wireless MIMO communications system (100) comprises the first and second nodes (110, 111). The first node (110) sends (420), in a time period of the feedback channel (121), feedback data comprising a first rank indicator of the data channel (120). Furthermore, the first node (110) sends additional data (212, 242) being independent of the first rank indicator in the time period. Moreover, a corresponding method and arrangement in a second node (111) for receiving feedback data on a feedback channel is provided.

For a typical MIMO system supporting precoding and rank adaptation, a transmitter, comprised in the system, need information about the current channel rank (rank indicator-RI), preferred precoder matrix indicator (PMI) and channel quality indicator (CQI) from terminals (or mobile terminals), comprised in the system. This information can either be jointly transmitted in a feedback channel, such as PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), or the information can be separately transmitted either in different time intervals or even on different physical channels.
There can be reasons for separating, at least rank information from CQI/PMI information. One reason is that it is believed that the channel rank varies more slowly than the channel quality. Since the PMI is strongly connected to the CQI, for a certain channel realization, different precoders will result in different CQI. Another reason can be that the pure size of the control data (RI+CQI+PMI) will limit the range of the control channel, i.e. too many physical bits should be transmitted in a certain time frame.
Hence, it is a problem that the rank information is sent more often than necessary, and that the control data includes more bits than the number of bits in a certain time frame, resulting in an inefficient use of the control channel.
It should also be noted that the format of the CQI/PMI report will depend on the rank.
The document OUALCOMM EUROPE: "Details on CQI Format" 3GPP DRAFT; R1-074971, 3RD GENERATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (3GPP), MOBILE COMPETENCE CENTRE; 650, ROUTE DES LUCIOLES; F-06921 SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS CEDEX; FRANCE, vol. RAN WG1, no. Korea; 20071105, 29 Oct. 2007 (2007-10-29), discusses uplink control channel payload, based on the codebook size.
The document INTERDIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS ET AL: "E-UTRA PUCCH: ACK/NACK, CQI, PMI, and RI Issues" 3GPP DRAFT; R1-074391, 3RD GENERATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (3GPP), MOBILE COMPETENCE CENTRE; 650, ROUTE DES LUCIOLES; F-06921 SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS CEDEX; FRANCE, vol. RAN WG1, no. Shanghai, China; 20071008, 3 Oct. 2007 (2007-10-03), provides a summary discussion concerning the reporting of CQI, PMI, ACK/NACK and RI on PUCCH.
The document, HUAWEI: "cal and PMI resource management" 3GPP DRAFT; R1-074233, 3RD GENERATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (3GPP), MOBILE COMPETENCE CENTRE; 650, ROUTE DES LUCIOLES; F-06921 SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS CEDEX; FRANCE, vol. RAN WG1, no. Shanghai, China; 20071008, 2 Oct. 2007(2007-10-02), discusses the feedback of channel state information from the UE to the NodeB.
Further, the document ERICSSON ET AL: "Corrections to CQI and RI fields description"3GPP DRAFT; R1-090533 CORRECTIONS TO CQI AND RI FIELDS DESCRIPTION B, 3RD GENERATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (3GPP), MOBILE COMPETENCE CENTRE; 650, ROUTE DES LUCIOLES; F-06921 SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS CEDEX ; FRANCE, no. Ljubljana; 20090112, 12 Jan. 2008 (2008-01-12) is related to corrections of CQI and RI fields description.

Efficient utilization of control channels in a communication system


The present invention relates to a digital image processing system, for example, video cameras, digital cameras, cathode ray tubes (CRT) etc. With reference to the calculation of the brightness signal, the main idea of the present invention is to carry out the calculations of it by using only the additions, the subtractions and the shifts, which require relatively short operation times, without the multiplications and divisions by substituting only the shift operations of the digits for them. Also, according to the present invention, high resolution is accomplished by a high speed process in calculating the brightness of an image signal. Also, it enables high speed digital image processing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of a digital signal processing system, and more particularly, to a digital image processing system, such as video cameras, digital cameras, cathode ray tubes (CRT), etc.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, a picture signal is separated into a brightness signal and a color signal while it is being transmitted or stored. That is, a color image signal applied to a video camera organizes the brightness signal from the three primary colors of light (red, blue and green).
Conventionally, the devices for calculating a brightness signal have been implemented by using a multiplication circuit, and the general equation (1) for calculating it is as follows: EQU Brightness (Y)=0.587G+0.299R+0.114B (1)
wherein, the parameter G is the value for a green signal of a picture signal, R for a red signal and B for a blue signal. According to equation (1), the calculation of the brightness signal requires the calculation of three or more significant figures to be accurate.
Therefore, the devices for calculating the brightness signal need more bits for calculating than the input bits. Also, it is very difficult to apply them to a system requiring high resolution, such as video cameras, cathode ray tubes, etc., because too much time is required in carrying out the multiplications or divisions.

Device and method for calculating a brightness signal

Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.


A method for radio communication between mutually mobile objects. Prior to radio communication between the objects, calculations are preformed with a communication and calculation unit of a first of the objects to produce established data, answer codes are generated from the established data, and one of the answer codes is selected for communication to a second of the objects. The communication between the objects is carried out, including transmission of the selected answer code from the first object to the second object and transmission of data from the second object to the first object. After radio communication between the objects, calculations are performed with the communication and calculation unit of the first of the objects. A final result of the communication of between the objects and calculations performed by the communication and calculation unit of the first of the objects is stored after radio communication between the objects. Outside communication with the communication and calculation unit is prevented after communication between the objects, during the performance of calculations by the communication and calculation unit of the first of the objects and storage of the final result.

U.S. Pat. No.4,303,904, to Chasek, for example, discloses a system for a road toll facility where radio communication with a vehicle is used to perform an identification and payment operation. The operation should be completed even if the vehicle passes at high speed. To obtain a sufficiently selective communication even if several vehicles pass the road toll facility simultaneously, shortwave radiowaves, such as microwaves, with extremely limited range are used. This means that the operation must be performed while the vehicle passes a relatively short distance which gives a very short available time for the operation if the vehicle travels at high speed.
If the operation comprises several steps, which often must be the case, it is a problem to perform the whole operation in the short time available. To solve this problem, it has been suggested in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,553, to Hassel, to divide the communication cycle among several units in the road toll facility. According to Hassel, a first part of the operation can be performed in a first unit in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The operation must be continued by a second unit and concluded by a third unit.
Such an arrangement will naturally be more expensive than an arrangement in which only one communication unit is required. This additionally results in an extended facility along the passage, which is not desirable. For each communication unit, the equipment usually requires a gantry mounted above the road. Several such gantries, one after the other, will be less aesthetically appealing and result in higher installation and maintenance costs.

Method and device for radio communication between mutually movable objects


A fin field effect transistor (finFET) device and a method of fabricating a finFET are described. The method includes forming a replacement gate stack on a substrate between inside walls of sidewall spacers, epitaxially growing a raised source drain (RSD) on the substrate adjacent to outside walls of the sidewall spacers, and forming a silicide above the RSD and along the outside walls of the sidewall spacers. The method also includes depositing and polishing a contact metal above portions of the replacement gate stack and the RSD, the contact metal contacting the silicide along the outside walls of the sidewall spacers adjacent to the portions of the replacement gate stack.

The present invention relates to fin field effect transistor (finFET) devices, and more specifically, to silicide formation on replacement metal gate (RMG) finFET devices.
Salicide (self-aligned silicide) refers to the formation of electrical contacts between the semiconductor device (finFET) and supporting interconnect structure. Typically, a thin refractive metal film reacts with silicon in active regions of the device to form a metal silicide (metal silicon alloy), and does not react with other materials such as insulators. The contact is regarded as self-aligned because it does not require lithographic patterning. The silicide between the contact and the semiconductor material (specifically, the source-drain region) lowers the resistance.

Salicide formation on replacement metal gate finFet devices

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A radiation-curable coating composition is described which comprises: (A) from about 60% to about 99% by weight of at least one polyfunctional acrylate monomer containing at least one internal flexible unit; (B) from about 1% to about 30% by weight of at least one other reactive vinyl or unsaturated monomer provided the reactive monomer is not the same as the monomer of (A) or (C); (C) from 0.01% to about 10% by weight of at least one organopolysiloxane containing one or more groups which are reactive toward free radical polymerization; and (D) from about 0% to about 10% by weight of at least one photoinitiator.. In a preferred embodiment, the reactive vinyl monomer (B) is selected from the group consisting of vinyl ethers, mono- or polyfunctional acrylate monomers or oligomers, and mixtures thereof. A method of coating a substrate utilizing the radiation-curable release coating compositions of the present invention, and a substrate coated in accordance with the method of the invention are also described.

Polymeric films generally are smooth and have low surface tensions due to their inherent characteristics. Printing on untreated films often results in unsatisfactory print quality due to insufficient surface wetting and insufficient ink adhesion. There is also the possibility of surface contaminants on film surfaces which can further reduce print quality.
Various coatings have been applied to substrates such as polymeric films to improve their printability. The improved ink performance of coated films may be due to improved surface tension, altered polarity, different degrees of micro-roughness, or other physical or chemical factors. Polymeric coatings can be applied as solutions, emulsions, dispersions, suspensions or 100% solid systems, by a number of methods such as roll coating, gravure coating, rod coating, and other methods known to those skilled in the art.
Ultraviolet (UV) light or electron beam (EB) curing of 100% solid systems is desirable for a number of reasons including high efficiency, high productivity and improved environmental acceptability. With 100% solid systems cured by UV or EB technology, no solvents are required, and this results in reduced pollution possibilities as well as reduced capital equipment and process costs due to the lack of solvent evaporation and recovery requirements. In addition, the absence of a solvent results in higher line speeds without the limitations of oven-drying capabilities, and curing occurs rapidly at low temperatures which reduces process effects on substrates which may be heat-sensitive. The coatings themselves generally have fewer defects and, consequently, improved properties since it is not necessary for solvent molecules to diffuse out of the coating during cure. For the reasons outlined above, space requirements, waste, and energy consumption are also lower with radiation-curable systems.
Radiation curing of polymeric systems may utilize electron beam curing or ultraviolet curing. UV curing of polymeric systems requires the presence of at least one photoinitiator whereas curing by EB techniques does not require a photoinitiator. With the exception of the presence or absence of photoinitiator, the formulations cured by either UV or EB technology may otherwise be identical.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,115 (Fairbanks et al) describes a method of making a series of laid-on labels each of which has a solvent and abrasion-resistant radiation-cured overcoating. The patentees describe radiation-curable liquids which may be epoxy prepolymers acrylated to provide terminal polymerizable acrylate groups, or acrylated polyether-polyisocyanate prepolymers or oligomers which may be dissolved in acrylate monomers which are copolymerizable therewith. Suitable monomers include trimethylolpropane triacrylate, 1,4-butanedioldiacrylate, neopentylglycol diacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, 1,6-hexanedioldiacrylate, etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,730 (Chen et al) also describe radiation-curable formulations for polyethylene film reinforcement relating to disposable diapers. The patentees describe a curable coating composition which is a mixture consisting essentially of (a) from about 30% to about 60% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of urethane acrylate acrylic oligomers, acrylated acrylic oligomers and epoxy acrylate acrylic oligomers; (b) from 30% to 50% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of monofunctional acrylate monomers, difunctional acrylate monomers and acrylic monomers; and (c) about 0% to 15% by weight of trifunctional acrylate monomers with the proviso that the component materials total 100% by weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,060 (Grossa) relates to solid imaging methods utilizing photohardenable compositions of self-limiting thickness by phase separation. The photohardenable compositions described in this patent contain at least one photohardenable monomer or oligomer and at least one photoinitiator. A list of suitable monomers is found in Col. 5, line 42 to Col. 6, line 27. Included in the list of suitable monomers are triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropanetriacrylate,ethoxylatedpentaerythritoltriacrylate,propox ylated neopentyl glycol diacrylate and methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,016 (Cornforth et al) describes radiation-curable compositions comprising N-vinyl formamide and an oligomer which includes epoxy-acrylate resins, polyester-acrylate resins, polyurethane-acrylate resins, acrylic acrylate resins, vinyl-ether resins, etc. The compositions are reported to be useful for a range of applications including pigmented and unpigmented coatings, printing inks, adhesives, etc.
EP Application 505 737 A1 describes UV curable coating compositions which include an acrylated aliphatic urethane in combination with a methacrylic functionalized colloidal silica and acrylic ester monomer. The coating can be applied to a thermoplastic substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,073 (Williams et al) describes composite laminates comprising (A) a substrate sheet of paper; (B) a first coating bonded to one surface of the substrate comprising a radiation-cured acrylic composition comprising, prior to curing (i) an acrylated or methacrylated organic polyamino compound, and (ii) an acrylated or methacrylated organic polyhydroxy compound, and (C) a second coating comprising a polyolefin film bonded to the other surface of the substrate.
It is generally accepted that the use of multifunctional monomers and coatings leads to poor adhesion, and the use of monofunctional monomers leads to slow cure speeds and reduced chemical resistance and strength properties. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,016 discloses that high functionality monomers give rapid cure speeds and high cross-link density leading to films of high hardness and tensile strength with excellent chemical resistance. The films, however, suffer from reduced adhesion. Monofunctional monomers, conversely, give slow cure speeds and low cross-link density resulting in cured films of lower hardness, tensile strength and with reduced chemical resistance.

Radiation-curable release coating compositions


Systems and devices adapted to reduce disturbances and windage effects in a turbine during operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cap includes: a body portion having a shape complementary to an aperture in a turbine component, the body portion including an external surface which substantially covers the aperture; and a cap groove formed in a circumferential surface of the body portion, the cap groove configured to substantially align with a component groove formed in the aperture.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to turbines and, more particularly, to systems and devices for reducing disturbances and windage effects in a turbine.
Some power plant systems, for example certain nuclear, simple cycle and combined cycle power plant systems, employ turbines in their design and operation. Some of these turbines (e.g., steam turbines, gas turbines, etc.) include components which are exposed to a flow of working fluid during operation. As the working fluid flows through the turbine, features and/or interrupted surfaces on some components (e.g., apertures, counterbores, etc.) disrupt the working fluid creating drag and noise (i.e., windage effects) which reduce turbine efficiency and may increase the operating temperature of surrounding components. Some systems use jam nuts to fill counterbores which streamline component surfaces and thus reduce the effect these features have on the working fluid flow. During installation, bolts with extra threading are installed in counterbore holes of the turbine, this extra threading is machined to connect to and retain a complementary jam nut within the counterbore hole. Once the bolt is installed, the jam nut is threaded onto the end of the bolt via the extra threading such that the jam nut fills the counterbore opening, thereby reducing disturbances, heat-up, and power losses associated with the counterbore. However, these jam nuts may complicate turbine maintenance, require additional tooling, apply extra weight and stress to the bolts during operation, and must be anti-rotated, often by semi-permanent methods (staking).


A new and distinct variety of Peach tree, designated `HB110`, originated as a seedling in a block of `Jerseyqueen`. It is a mid-season variety maturing after `Loring` and before `Cresthaven`. The fruit is yellow-fleshed, freestone, firm, large sized and flavorful. The surface of the fruit is attractively colored with a dark red blush over a rich golden background.

This invention relates to Peach Trees and, more specifically, to peach trees referred to as a variety of Prunus persica Batsch.
I discovered this new and unique variety of peach tree as a seedling growing in a block of `Jerseyqueen` (NJ216) in a cultivated area near Biglerville, Pa. Although it is not known for certain, it is believed that this new variety of peach tree is an open pollinated seedling of `Jerseyqueen`. The tree of this invention produces a fruit of attractive commercial value, ripening eight days before `Jerseyqueen`. This new variety of peach was asexualy reproduced by grafting near Aspers, Pennsylvania and such reproduction has shown this new variety to come true in successive generation. This propagation of the new variety by grafting under standard controlled conditions clearly discloses the continued maintenance of the characteristics described herein which distinguish this new variety from the parent variety and other related varietis of peach trees.


A memory programming control circuit is disclosed. The memory programming control circuit is connected to a memory cell via a data line for controlling a programming current in a programming operation of the memory cell. The memory programming control circuit includes a programming enable device connected to a positive power supply for selectively applying a pull-up current on the data line; and a self-latch module connected between the programming enable device and the memory cell for preventing the pull-up current from flowing to the memory cell through the data line, when the memory cell is programmed with a predetermined data bit.

The present disclosure relates generally to memory circuits, and more particularly, to a control circuit for performing inhibit operations during the writing of a memory cell by implementing pre-defined biased controls and self-latch features.
In the new age of technology, flash memory has turned into one of the most popular read-only memory (ROM) available in the market mainly because of its capability of allowing easy and fast permanent data storage for devices such as computers, digital cameras, and many other portable devices. While other storage methods such as hard drive and random-access memory (RAM) are still used, flash memory remains as a competitive choice. Flash memory is considered a solid state device that provides users with a quicker and more reliable way of storage. Flash memory also allows users to write data into the memory cells permanently—a feature that the random-access memory (RAM) does not provide.
However, with all these advantages, flash memory still has its tradeoffs. The writing of data to flash memory can be a long process, since the process typically requires a much higher voltage and current than the writing process of random-access memory (RAM). In order to write to flash memory cells, source lines are biased with high voltage, and the selected memory cell must reach the effective program current, which would be the difference between the biased pull-down NMOS current and controlled pull-up PMOS current that charges the bit lines. However, a leakage current can occur after each programming and erasing cycle while the current travels through the bit lines, thereby lowering the effective program current that is needed to write to the memory cells. One conventional method to solve this problem is to simply make the controlled pull-up PMOS current large enough so the leakage current would not affect the writing process. However, by increasing the controlled pull-up PMOS current, controlling the effective program current within in a certain range required for the memory cells becomes difficult.
Desirable in the art of memory modules, such as flash memory, are additional designs that solve current leakage issues while providing better control over the effective program current during the writing process.

Self-latched control circuit for memory program operation

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


The antigen-binding activity of an antibody immobilized on a siliceous support can be increased by pretreatment of the antibody with acid prior to its immobilization.

Recently, considerable research efforts have been devoted to the development of fiber-optic immunosensors. An electromagnetic field generated at a silica-liquid interface by total internal reflection, for example, can be used to excite fluorescence of molecules present at the interface (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,546). An antibody immobilized at the surface of a silica optical element can bind its complementary antigen from solution, permitting a fast analysis of antigen concentration in the bulk solution. Silica, which is a promising matrix for high pressure affinity chromatography due to its good mechanical stability, which allows for a rapid purification of proteins, has not been used as a common material in conventional immunodiagnostics and immunopurification. Therefore, less work has been done to better understand antibody immobilization on such a surface than on other surfaces.
Although it is known to immobilize antibodies on a siliceous support or carrier, various disclosures exist in regard to maintaining the antibody in an environment which does not irreversibly denature the antibody, namely, a generally alkaline or neutral pH range (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,652,761 and 4,071,409 and Anal. Chem. 1980, 52, 2013-2018). U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,761 for example at Col. 6, lines 57-62 indicates that it is "important" that the pH of the solution be held within a range such that the antibody does not become irreversibly denatured.
Ishikawa et al., in J. of Immunoassay, 1(3), 1980, 385-398 reported that an improved preparation of antibody-coated polystyrene beads for a sandwich enzyme immunoassay could be achieved by exposing the antibody to a low pH environment prior to immobilization. Similarly, Conradie et al., in J. of Immunological Methods, 59, (1983) 289-299 reported a similar effect for the antibody coating of polystyrene plates. The Conradie et al. paper indicates that antibodies or antigens bind tightly to plastic surfaces by simple adsorption as contrasted to the use of "other methods" to covalently bind antigens or antibodies to other solid matrices such as "agarose beads, cellulose, nylon, glass, etc."

Immobilization of acid-treated antibodies on siliceous support


The invention provides a ring binder assembly device to insure the perfected closure of loose leaf binder rings. Enclosure of binder rings with the device of the invention will repair and prevent ring misalignment.

Ring binders are well-known tools for storing, displaying and organizing paper and other similar materials and are useful in a variety of settings; for example, in schools and offices. Ring binders are produced in many different shapes, styles and sizes for both aesthetic and functional purposes. The size is usually dependent upon the diameter of the ring closures, non-limiting examples include, ring closures of a half-inch, one inch, one and a half inches, 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches and 5 inches in diameter. Additionally, the rings can be crafted into various shapes for different purposes, non-limiting examples include, D-ring and continuous curvature.
While binders can be crafted in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes; they all generally share the same common binder ring mechanism. This mechanism is usually spring-loaded and when engaged will quickly and efficiently clamp together to join opposing sides of the rings of the binder. However, due to the pressure exerted on the spring mechanism from repeated use, part and/or all of the ring and/or rings move out of alignment and cease to clamp tightly together. The ease of sifting through the contents of the ring binder is impaired and items may be lost from the binder due to slipping out from misaligned rings. This misalignment of the rings essentially destroys the function of the binder.
Without a quick and/or easy method of repair, the owner of the binder often purchases a replacement, costing both time and money. Thus, there remains a need in the art to mend this fundamental weakness in the design of ring binders by repairing and preventing misalignment of the rings, extending the "life" of the binder and saving the owner both time and money.

Ring binder assembly device to insure the perfected closure of binder rings


Prepare digital data of a value of each pixel within an object image region including a region of a human face. Then, successively, in the object image region, extract position of a Between-the-Eyes candidate point through a filtering process with a Between-the-Eyes detecting filter in which six rectangles Si (1≦i≦6) are connected. Further, extracting a portion of the object image in a prescribed size which has the extracted position of the Between-the-Eyes candidate point at a center, and select a true candidate point from said Between-the-Eyes candidate points in accordance with a pattern discriminating process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing for processing an image from a camera or the like, and specifically, to a field of image recognition for extracting human face from an image.
2. Description of the Background Art
By means of communications, a TV conference system for a plurality of persons at remote sites to hold a conference has been brought into practical use. Such a system, however, involves a problem that transmission of the video itself increases the amount of transmitted data. In order to address the problem, study has been made on a technique for extracting feature data for eye direction, face direction, facial expression and the like of the target person at each remote site, and transmitting only the extracted data between the sites. At the receiving side, an image of a virtual human face is created based on the data and displayed. Thus, the TV conference may be carried out efficiently while the amount of transmitted data is decreased.
Further, such a technique for detecting a person from an image has been widely studied also as a technique essential for the development in the field of human-computer interaction, gesture recognition, security and the like.
These applications of the human detection technique require to structure the stable system that satisfies the conditions of 1) high detection rate, 2) withstanding variation in illumination environment, and 3) operating in real time. Further, in the future, the necessity of the real-time human detection for a high-quality image (an image having a large number of pixels forming one screen) is expected to increase, and therefore development of faster human detection algorithm is required toward the future.
For human detection, the effective scheme is to detect the face first. The face has important information such as expression, and once the face is detected, estimation and search of the position of arms and legs become easier.
There have been many reports on a face detection system using skin-color information, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-52176 or in the following References 1-4.
Reference 1: Shinjiro Kawato and Nobuji Tetsutani, "Real-time Detection of Between-the-Eyes with a Circle-Frequency Filter", Journal of IEICE, Vol. J84-DII, No. 12, pp. 2577-2584, December 2001.
Reference 2: Shinjiro Kawato and Nobuji Tetsutani, "Two-step Approach for Real-time Eye Tracking", Technical Reports of IEICE, PRMU2000-63, pp. 15-22, September 2000.
Reference 3: D. Chai and K. N. Ngan, "Face Segmentation Using Skin-Color Map in Videophone Applications", IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 551-564, June 1999.
Reference 4: J. Yang and A. Waibel, "A Real-time Face Tracker", Proceedings of 3rd IEEE Workshop on Application of Computer Vision, pp. 142-147, December 1996.
According to these schemes, a skin-color region is extracted from an image to determine a face candidate region. As the face candidate region can be limited, the range of process is limited and the computation amount can be reduced significantly, which enables to structure a fast system. The scheme of using the color information, however, is susceptible to the variation in the illumination environment, and stable performance can not be expected when operated in general environment.
On the other hand, as for a face detection scheme not using the color information (but using brightness information), numerous schemes employing template matching or learning scheme such as neural network have been reported, as shown in References 5 and 6 below. These schemes are characterized by high detection rate and robustness to the illumination environment. For example, the technique disclosed in Reference 5 applies neural network to realize extremely high detection rate.
Reference 5: H. Rowley, S. Baluja, and T. Kande, "Neural Network-Based Face Detection", IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 23-38, January 1998.
Reference 6: E. Hjelmas and B. K. Low, "Face Detection: A Survey", Journal of Computer Vision and Image Understanding, 83(3), pp. 236-274, 2001.
These schemes, however, must match the whole image and a template (a model) varying the size, and hence involves a problem that the computation amount is large. Accordingly, since the large pixel size drastically increases the computation amount, structuring a real-time system is very difficult.
In the technique disclosed in Reference 7 shown below, a face is detected using brightness-darkness relations of mean brightness among segmented regions. The regions are distributed from the forehead to the chin in 16 segments, and therefore it is easily affected by the hairstyle or the beard.
Reference 7: Brian Scassellati, "Eye Finding via Face Detection for a Foveated, Active Vision System", Proceedings of AAAI-98, pp. 969-976, 1998.
The technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-52176 takes notice of the middle point between the eyes (hereinafter referred to as Between-the-Eyes) as a stable feature point of the face. Specifically, vicinity of Between-the-Eyes forms a pattern in which the forehead and the nose bridge are relatively bright, while the eyes and the eyebrows at opposing sides are dark. A circle frequency filter for detecting this pattern is employed.
The circle frequency filter, however, involves the problem that a pre-processing for extracting a skin-color region to limit the region is required and the face with the hair covering the eyebrows cannot be detected, since the pattern described above does not appear therein.

Method for extracting face position, program for causing computer to execute the method for extracting face position and apparatus for extracting face position

Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International


A method for measuring of the total content of organic carbon and of nitrogen in water. The total organic carbon value is obtained correctly as the sum of the liquid, dissolved, and solid materials of a sample of the water. The device comprises a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas analyzer for the simultaneous measurement of the concentration of the gas components carbon dioxide CO.sub.2 and nitrogen oxide NO. The NDIR gas analyzer includes a phase separator (50), a thermal reactor (52), a double cooler (70), two valves (54, 56), as well as two amplifiers (58, 60) for the pneumatic signals of the receiver detectors (30, 36) with a display (62. 64) for the measured concentrations, total organic carbon and total nitrogen. The sample is split in a phase separator (50) into a gaseous and into a liquid part. The gaseous part, which comprises substantially the inorganic part of the carbon, the total inorganic carbon part in the form of carbon dioxide CO.sub.2 gas, is cooled in a cooler to such an extent that a substantial part its water vapor content is deposited in the cooler by condensation. The dried gaseous part is led as comparison gas through the comparison cuvette. This step serves to compensate the total inorganic carbon part of the sample and to compensate for unavoidable water vapor cross-sensitivities during the measurement of the carbon dioxide CO.sub.2 concentration and of the nitrogen oxide NO concentration.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for the measurement of the total content of organic carbon and of nitrogen in water, where a sample, taken from the water to be investigated and analyzed, is evaporated, wherein the organic carbon is oxidized to carbon dioxide, wherein the nitrogen is oxidized to nitrogen oxide in a thermal reactor, and wherein the measurement is performed based on the gas sample, formed from the sample containing carbon dioxide CO.sub.2 and nitrogen oxide NO.
2. Brief Description of the Background of the Invention Including Prior Art
The following abbreviations will be used in the following:
TOC=total organic carbon, indicating the total carbon present in the water to be measured in the form of organic compounds.
TIC=total inorganic carbon, indicating the total carbon in the form of inorganic compounds present in the water to be measured.
TC=total carbon, indicating the total carbon present in the water to be measured.
The organic part of carbon of the total organic carbon (TOC), is an oxygen consuming user and thus of interest in the determination of the chemical composition of waters. The German Industrial Standard 38 409 (H) provides a basis for the determination of the total organic carbon (TOC) value.
The German Industrial Standard 38,409 (H) corresponds to the proposed International Standard ISO/DS 8245, submitted on Jan. 16, 1986 and defines the designations TC=total carbon, TIC=total inorganic carbon and TOC=total organic carbon.
TN=total nitrogen, indicating the total amount of nitrogen present in the water to be measured. The designation TN is defined in the proposed German Industrial Standard DIN 38,409, part 27.
Frequently, only a part, i.e., the part of the dissolved total organic carbon (TOC) is captured in practical situations instead of the correct values. Frequently, also volatile organic components can be present in water, which are lost during the separation of the sample of inorganic compounds. Thus, the total organic carbon (TOC) value, is not completely captured with such a method.
The part of bonded nitrogen, total nitrogen (TN), is of interest in addition to the total organic carbon (TOC) value. The total nitrogen (TN) value gives an indication relative to the load of the water with nitrogen compounds derived from natural and industrial discharges. A proposal for the measurement of the total nitrogen (TN) is given in the proposed German Industrial Standard 38 409, part 27.
Total organic carbon (TOC) determinations are known. The total carbon (TC) and the total inorganic carbon (TIC) are measured and the total organic carbon (TOC) is determined by difference formation, compare for example German Printed Patent documents DE-OS 2,811,135 (equivalent U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,108), DE-OS 2,458,143 (equivalent U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,881), DE-OS 2,322,293 (equivalent U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,583), and European Patent document EP-PS 0,150,923 (equivalent U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,626,413, 4,666,860, 5,047,212).
A method for the continuous and quantitative determination of organic and inorganic carbon compounds in water is taught in the German Printed Patent document DE-OS 3,909,240, wherein the water to be analyzed is acidified in a degasification vessel. A transport gas flow is fed through the water into the degasification vessel. Water and transport gas pass from the degasification vessel into a decomposition reactor. The carbon dioxide CO.sub.2 content of the transport gas is determined downstream of the degasification container or downstream of the decomposition reactor. The parts of organic and inorganic carbon compounds are separated from each other or are determined as a sum.
F. Ehrenberger teaches in the paper entitled "For the determination of the oxygen requirement values and carbon characterizing values in the water quality determination", GIT Fachz. Lab. 23, Volume 8/79, pages 738 through 747, several methods for the determination of total organic carbon (TOC), where the methods are based on wet chemical or thermal reaction of the organic content materials and on the quantitative oxidation of the organically bonded carbon to carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide CO.sub.2 content is determined by a chemical or physical method. A simultaneous determination of nitrogen is not provided for in the methods described by F. Ehrenberger.
A value obtained by a total nitrogen (TN) auxiliary measurement is added in individual cases to a value of a total organic carbon (TOC) measurement by furnishing of a corresponding analyzer as set forth in the German Printed Patent Document DE-OS 2,621,616 and in the equivalent U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,402. This method is expensive and generates undesirable delay times of the display. Frequently, the calibration is performed manually with a high-purity zero-conductivity water for the zero point establishment and with a calibration solution for establishing the sensitivity. In addition, measurement errors caused by the principle of the method are accepted. Thus, deviations from the predetermined sensitivity occur if a base load of carbon dioxide CO.sub.2 becomes changed.
The German Printed Patent document DE-OS 2,621,616 to Yoshiki Komiyama teaches an analytical method and device for the determination of the total nitrogen and/or carbon contents in aqueous solutions which contain nitrogen and/or carbon containing material.
The German Printed Patent document DE-OS 3,937,141 to Walter Fabinski, having an equivalent U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,688. teaches a non-dispersive infrared gas analyzer for the simultaneous measurement of the concentration of several components of a gas sample. The NDIR gas analyzer is suitable for the determination of the two gas components, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. An analyzer is connected to and receives signals from the receiver detectors. A control and display unit is connected to the analyzer.
The reference M. Ascherfeld et al. in "Technisches Messen - tm", Volume 57/1990, Issue 1, pages 11-17, teaches "Expanded Possibilities and Applications with the NDIR Photometer Uras 10E".
The German Patent 2,105,307 to Theodor Bilichnianski teaches a liquid dispenser for feeding of reagents to an automatically operating apparatus for the continuous analysis of samples.
The German Patent DE-3,640,718 C2 to Willi Apel et al. teaches a membrane capacitor for measuring of very small pneumatic alternating pressures.
The German Printed Patent document DE-OS 3,909,240 Al to Hans Duve teaches a method for the determination of disintegratable carbon compounds in water.

Method for the measurement of the total content of organic carbon and nitrogen in water


A machine vision system is configured to facilitate placement of a vehicle service apparatus relative to an associated vehicle. The machine vision system is configured to utilize images of optical targets received from one or more cameras to guide the placement of the vehicle service apparatus relative to the associated vehicle.

The present invention relates to the alignment of vehicle components relative to one or more features of a vehicle, and in particular, to methods and apparatus for adjusting the alignment of vehicle collision avoidance systems with the travel direction of the vehicle using machine vision components.
Machine vision vehicle wheel alignment systems have been in use by the vehicle service industry for several years. A typical machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system, such as the Series 811 wheel alignment system, configured with the DSP600 sensors manufactured by Hunter Engineering Co. of Bridgeton, Mo. consists of a console unit, cameras, and optical targets. The console unit contains a computer configured with image processing and vehicle wheel alignment software applications, and incorporates various operator interfaces, including a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, and a display device. The cameras are coupled to the computer, and the optical targets are disposed in the field of view of the cameras, typically mounted to the wheels of a vehicle undergoing an alignment inspection.
Commonly, to view the left and right sides of a vehicle, two or more cameras are disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle, each having a field of view encompassing one or more wheels of the vehicle. In alternative configurations, two cameras are provided on each side of the vehicle, each having a field of view encompassing a single vehicle wheel, i.e. a left front, left rear, right front, and right rear wheel, respectively. To facilitate vehicle wheel alignment, optical targets are mounted on the vehicle wheels, and observed by the cameras. The optical targets preferably have predetermined features which are identified in images obtained by the cameras, and which facilitate a determination of the position and orientation of the optical targets. The image processing may either take place in the camera modules, or in the console computer. Once the position and orientation of each optical target is determined, the position and orientation of the associated vehicle wheel can be determined, and corresponding, the various vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements may be either determined or calculated. These angles typically include camber, caster, and toe angles for each vehicle wheel, the vehicle centerline, and the vehicle rear thrust line.
It is becoming increasingly common for automotive vehicles to be equipped with adaptive cruise control systems which include forward-looking collision avoidance radar components. Collision avoidance radar components, such as those manufactured by Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany, typically operate in either a frequency modulation (FM) or continuous wave (CW) mode to transmit a signal from an antenna typically located in the front grill area of an automobile. The collision avoidance radar then determines from the return signal received by the antenna a distance an object causing the return signal is located from the automobile and the rate of closure of the object. Systems in the United States of America are currently configured to operate within a 76-77 GHz frequency band allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for collision avoidance radar systems. However, other collision avoidance systems may be constructed which operate within different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example, utilizing infrared or visible light lasers to obtain information about objects in the path of a vehicle, or alternatively, utilizing ultrasonic signals.
To obtain an accurate measure of the distance between the vehicle on which the collision avoidance components are mounted and an object from which emitted radar or laser signals are reflected, it is necessary to ensure that the emitted signals are transmitted along the same vector as the vehicle is traveling, which is typically the vehicle rear thrust line for straight-line motion. Any misalignment between the transmission vector and the direction of vehicle travel may result in misidentification of approaching objects, a miscalculation of the distances between the vehicle and the object, and accordingly, a miscalculation of the rate of closure between the two. Depending upon the severity of the miscalculation, the collision avoidance components might fail to recognize an impending collision, or in the case of adaptive cruise control systems, might signal a reduction in vehicle speed which is less than that which is required to safely avoid a collision.
Conventionally, the manufacturer of the vehicle collision avoidance system provides a vehicle service apparatus specifically designed to facilitate the alignment of the signal emitting and receiving components. Examples of vehicle service apparatus designed to facilitate the alignment of collision avoidance systems can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,619 B1 to Schrimer et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,868 B1 to Hopfenmuller. Typically, a collision avoidance system alignment fixture is placed in front of the vehicle, and configured with components to facilitate a precise placement relative to the vehicle. These may include alignment marks onto which lasers are projected from vehicle mounted laser pointers, i.e., as shown in the '868 Hopfenmuller patent, or alignment mirrors as shown in the '619 Schrimer et al. patent. Alternatively, the collision avoidance system alignment fixture may include mounting points for traditional transducer-based vehicle wheel alignment sensor heads. Preferably, these mounting points are perpendicularly disposed to a steer axis of the collision avoidance system alignment fixture, generally defined by as the centerline of the fixture. The mounting points are preferably spaced apart from the collision avoidance system alignment fixture on extension arms, such that each is approximately disposed outward of the vehicle's sides to facilitate reference to similar sensor heads attached to the vehicle wheels.
Once the vehicle wheels have been properly aligned, or the vehicle wheel alignment angles including the rear thrust line have been measured with the traditional transducer based vehicle wheel alignment sensor heads, wheel alignment sensor heads are removed from the front wheels of the vehicle, and placed on the mounting points on the collision avoidance system alignment fixture. With the mounting points disposed outward of the vehicle's sides, the traditional transducer-based vehicle wheel alignment sensor heads removed from the front wheels may still cooperate with the vehicle wheel alignment sensor units which remain mounted to the rear wheels of the vehicle to determine a relative alignment between the collision avoidance system alignment fixture and the vehicle rear thrust line.
Accordingly, it would be highly advantageous to facilitate the placement of alignment fixtures of a vehicle collision avoidance system relative to the direction of travel of the associated vehicle, using components of a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system, thereby eliminating the need for vehicle service centers to either delay acquiring machine vision vehicle wheel alignment systems or maintain both a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system and a conventional transducer-based vehicle wheel alignment system for purposes of aligning vehicle collision avoidance systems.
It would be further highly advantageous in some applications to facilitate the placement of a vehicle service apparatus, such as a headlight aiming device or sensing devices for providing driving assistance such as Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems, relative to an associated vehicle undergoing a vehicle service procedure using components of a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system, thereby eliminating the need for additional or supplemental alignment equipment or procedures.

Method and apparatus for guiding placement of vehicle service fixtures


A multifunctional cartridge case processing apparatus for use in the handloading/reloading of ammunition. The apparatus resizing the cartridge case, trims the case to its precise standard length, decaps the cartridge case primer pocket, and evacuates the cartridge case trimmings. The apparatus can adapt to a variety of specific cartridge calibers with the proper selection of sizing ring, guide member and cutter height setting. The apparatus can be used as and integral part of a progressive handloading/reloading press or on a conventional single-stage press.

1. Field of The Invention
This invention relates to loading (reloading) new or used ammunition, specifically to resizing a cartridge case, trimming the cartridge case back to its original standard length, evacuating the cartridge case trimmings, and decapping the cartridge case primer pocket.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
When a round of ammunition is fired, the cartridge case undergoes plastic radial deformation (expansion). Before the cartridge case can be used again (reloaded), it must be resized in regards to its diameter. Resizing is performed by means of a resizing die mounted on the toolhead of a handloading/reloading press. The resizing die has a precisely sized steel, carbide, tungsten carbide, etc. ring, through which the fired cartridge case is inserted by means of a mechanical force exerted by the press. This resizing process causes plastic radial deformation of the cartridge case, effectively correcting the expansion from firing. However, since the mass of the cartridge case material is conserved, when the cartridge case is resized, it also undergoes axial expansion (grows in length). Over the course of firing/resizing cycles (possibly even one), the standard length dimension of the cartridge case will eventually be exceeded, therefore if the cartridge case is to be functional, sometime in the firing/resizing cycle the cartridge case must be trimmed back to its original standard length. In fact, even if the cartridge case is within functional tolerances after resizing, case to case length variations in conventional reloaded ammunition can and will cause variations in the bullets' point of impact. This variation in cartridge case length causes a variation in the bullet seating depth and the amount of bullet crimp when the case is reloaded, which leads to slight variations in pressure at firing, resulting in variations at point of impact between shots. The end result usually manifests itself in the form of vertical stringing in a group of shots.
Another detriment of cartridge case length variation manifests itself at the cartridge case expanding step in the reloading process. Before a bullet can be seated in a charged cartridge case (a case that has been resized, primed, and filled with an appropriate amount of gun powder), the mouth of the cartridge case must be expanded in order to accept the bullet. Expansion of the cartridge case mouth is performed by the insertion of a flared cylindrical tool into the case mouth to a precise depth. Due to the nature of the case mouth expanding mechanism, it can only be set-up for one exact case length. When in the process of reloading, a particular cartridge case is even slightly longer than the case used in the set-up process, then that particular cartridge case will be expanded too much, excessive coldwork (expansion) of the cartridge case material will cause cracks or splits in the case mouth and shorten the case life or even result a rupture of the cartridge case at detonation. If a particular case is shorter than the case used in the set-up process, then that particular case will not be expanded enough and it may not fully accept the bullet, resulting in a collapsed case when the bullet is seated. Both of these scenarios introduce additional variation and could potentially become dangerous. Therefore, as discussed above, it is important that cartridge cases be trimmed back to their original standard length dimension after they have been resized, in order to be reloaded.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,282 to Mark Schaenzer (1980) discloses a combination metal-forming/case-trimming die which can effectively resize and trim the spent cartridge case to length, however this apparatus is not motorized nor does it provide a way to evacuate the cartridge case trimmings produced by the trimming process. Cartridge case trimmings which are not removed, will work there way into the resizing section of the die, increasing the force required to fully the insert the cartridge case and damaging the exterior case wall. Other patents for cartridge case trimming include; U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,563 to Richard G. Beaulieu (1972); U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,751 to Doyle D. Gracey (1986); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,827 to William D. Dugger (1988); however, none of these cartridge case trimming devices are integrated into resizing or any other reloading process.
Item number RT 1200B on page 15 of the Blue Press catalog (July 1993), sold by Dillon Precision Products, Inc., sizes the cartridge case, trims the case to length via a motor driven cutter, and provides a vacuum manifold for the removal of the cartridge case trimmings. However, this apparatus requires a separate vacuum motor for the evacuation of case trimmings and due to the positioning of the motor, it will not work in conjunction with other components of a progressive reloading press. There are at least four steps (some of which are a combination of operations) that must performed on a cartridge case in order to reload it:
1. resize the cartridge case and decap the spent primer, PA0 2. reprime the primer pocket, expand case mouth, and fill with gun powder; PA0 3. manually place the bullet on the expanded case and seat the bullet; and PA0 4. crimp the cartridge case to secure the bullet in place. PA0 1. high primers, where the primer is not seated to its full depth causing a dangerous exposure of the primer side walls and risking premature detonation, PA0 2. primer seating difficulty, where a new live primer could detonate while being inserted in a used cartridge case, and PA0 3. misfires or delayed detonation, when the firing pin strikes the primer but the primer's anvil is not in direct contact with the bottom of the case primer pocket, resulting in failure to detonate or dangerous delays in primer detonation. PA0 1. to resize the cartridge case; PA0 2. to decap the spent primer; PA0 3. to clean the cartridge case primer pocket; PA0 4. to trim the case back to its precise standard length; and PA0 5. to evacuate the cartridge case trimmings.
As opposed to a conventional single-stage handloading/reloading press (which has a single-die toolhead), the toolhead of a progressive handloading/reloading press has four or more die stations, one die station for each of the above steps. Together with some additional features, a progressive handloading/reloading press can essentially perform all of the above mentioned steps with a single cycle of the press operating handle, because the cartridge cases are automatically indexed from station to station. This greatly reduces the time and effort required to reload ammunition. A single-stage handloading/reloading press requires at least one cycle of the press handle for each of the above mentioned steps, plus time to change and adjust the dies between operations. Therefore, with a progressive press performing so many operations at once, the toolhead of a progressive handloading/reloading press is cluttered. Since the motor and the large vacuum manifold of the Dillon size/trim die sit just above the toolhead, there is insufficient space for the other dies and attachments required to progressively reload ammunition. If the Dillon sizing/trimming die is used, it must be used by itself on the press and then completely removed before subsequent reloading operations can be carried out, thus defeating the purpose of the progressive reloading machine. That purpose being to reload ammunition with a single cycle of the press handle, rather than the customary four or more press handle cycles required by a conventional single-stage press (as such, the Dillon method requires two handle cycles per round). Another disadvantage to the Dillon sizing/trimming die is that it can only size/trim rifle length cases, because only this type of cartridge case extends above the toolhead, to which the sizing/trimming die is mounted. Due to the design of the Dillon apparatus (possibly based on Pat. No. 4,325,282), the trimming cutter does not extend down into the resizing die, and as such, is not able to reach the shorter pistol length cases since they are shorter than the thickness of a standard handloading/reloading press toolhead. Therefore, trimming cartridge cases can only be performed by a separate operation and thus interrupting the progressive reloading cycle.
When a round is fired, the bullet and gun powder exit the cartridge case and the only thing left in the spent case is a detonated primer, still in the cartridge case primer pocket. This spent primer must be removed (decapped) before the insertion of a live primer. As is the standard for today, decapping is usually done when the case is resized. When the cartridge case is inserted into the resizing die by means of a mechanical force, the spent primer is dislodged by a coaxially mounted decapping pin which extends from inside the upper portions of the die, through and beyond the lower portion of the die. The primer is pushed out as the decapping pin passes through the cartridge case flash hole (ignition port). However, there is a small amount of residue left in the cartridge case primer pocket. This residue should occasionally be removed. If after several firings, the primer residue is allowed to accumulate, proper seating of the primer will become infeasible. Effects of primer residue accumulation include:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,218 to Ole N. Olsen (1967) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,571 to Doyle D. Gracey (1992) disclose methods for primer pocket cleaning from hand held manual mechanisms to motorized machine held mechanisms. However, none of these mechanisms are designed in such a fashion to resize the cartridge case, trim to standard length, clean the primer pocket, and remove the case trimmings all in one step. Therefore, to clean the primer pocket of a cartridge case, the cartridge case must be taken out of the progressive reloading cycle.

Semi-automatic ammunition case processing apparatus


An anti-pinch bolt is provided for use with a paintball marker having an automatic reloading mechanism comprising an instrument connected to the bolt by a pin for moving the bolt between a loading and a loaded position. The bolt comprises a tubular bolt body having a front end, a rear end and a slot for receiving the pin. A spring is provided for maintaining, in use, the pin in a first position in the slot, the spring allowing movement of the pin toward a second position in the slot when the bolt is obstructed by the presence of a paintball.

This invention relates to an anti-pinch bolt, particularly one for use with paintball markers.
The game of paintball is a growing form of sport and entertainment, and comprises a paintball marker, or a paintball gun, which fires substantially spherical paintballs having an outer skin and a volume of paint contained within. The paintball is fired from the paintball marker by the user, and, upon striking its target, the paintball's outer skin ruptures or bursts, releasing the paint.
Over the years, paintball markers have become increasingly more sophisticated, and comprise automatic mechanisms for firing the paintball from the breech, and immediately thereafter cocking the paintball marker so that a new paintball, from an attached magazine, drops into the breech for subsequent firing. These actions are achieved, in some paintball markers, by a dual action trigger mechanism, coupled with pneumatic airflow within the paintball marker appropriately controlled by valves depending upon the cycle.
In certain paintball markers, the initial pulling of the trigger results in the release of a hammer, which has the effect of opening pneumatic pathways so that air under great pressure enters the breech and expels the paintball from the paintball marker. Further action on the trigger activates the pneumatic system and the three-way valve so as to activate a back block and bolt in combination to move in a manner which permits entry of the next paintball from the magazine into the breech. Therefore, upon completion of this cycle, when the trigger is pulled again, the paintball marker is ready to fire the next paintball without any manual cocking or loading being necessary.
The loading of the paintball by permitting it to drop from a magazine into the breech is typically accomplished in many paintball markers by the rearward movement of a bolt, which is moved by a back block attached thereto. The back block itself is activated by the pneumatics of the paintball marker. Thus, the bolt moves backward so as to open feed port from the magazine into the breech and allow the paintball to drop in. Thereafter, the bolt moves forward to close off the opening, which is necessary, otherwise the forced air in the pneumatic system, upon firing of the weapon, will not provide the necessary thrust for the paintball. One problem which often occurs in conventional paintball markers in the loading of the paintball is that the bolt may move forward before the paintball has had an opportunity to drop completely into the breech. If this should occur, the bolt will rupture the paintball within the breech, causing the liquid within the paintball to fill the inside of the marker. This causes significant problems and delays, including the fact that the wet barrel makes the marker extremely inaccurate. All of the paint liquid and residue must be removed, a time-consuming operation, in order for the marker to continue to function normally.
It is therefor an aspect of the present invention to provide a bolt preferably for use in a paintball marker, which is configured so that it will not rupture a paintball which has been only partially loaded in the breech.


Hand dryer 1 wherein the control means 9 are configured for operate at least in two operating regimes, a normal operating regime wherein the motor 5 pumps the air for drying the hands and which is activated by the sensor detection 8 and a motor heating operating regime 5 wherein the stator 7 and/or the rotor 6 of the motor 5 are fed for increasing its temperature and maintain it to a predetermined temperature for accumulating heat which is activated by no detection of the sensor 8, such that at the start of the normal operating regime, the motor 5 has stored heat for ensuring that the air exits already heated.

Known are in the art hand dryers comprising:                A housing;        A volume for receiving the hands;        A circuit for pumping air;        A drive motor which drives a fan arranged in the air circuit provided with a rotor and a stator;        A hands presence sensor in the volume and;        Operation control means;
It is known to apply in many hand dryers with these components, heating resistors for heating the air. These are resistors that are placed at the exit of the air flow of the motor and that raise the temperature of the air in order to decrease the drying time and increase the comfort when drying in case the atmosphere of the room where the dryer is located is very cold.
The cold atmosphere, coupled with the increased evaporation of water in the hands due to the high air flow causes a considerable feeling of cold in the hands.
There are many applications including these heating elements. See for example the U.S. Pat. No. 266,229 for a "Hand Dryer apparatus" or the U.S. Pat. No. 254,101 for a "Multi-function dryer".
The patent US20100296799 A1 "Air flow directing structure for hand dryer", proposes an assembly consisting of a motor and a resistor, this latter placed within the circular flow of air out of the motor, which passes through the resistor and hence is directed to the element to be dried. This patent claims its compactness and low cost. However, it entails significant drawbacks:                At the cycle initiation, the air exits cold since the resistors are not yet hot;        There is a high energy consumption since the resistor consumption has to be added to that of the motor, which is very important in the case of domestic or public facilities (airport toilets, convention halls . . . ) where a large number of hand dryers is present that can be operated simultaneously;        Risk of fire due to the high temperature rise of the heating resistors or due to a motor malfunction, which may cause the lack of airflow for cooling them;        Combined with the previous point, another serious problem is that a high air flow causes dust deposits on the heating resistors since they capture the dust thus preventing the correct dissipation of heat and thus raising its temperature, the resistor becoming wrapped with "dust", which is an excellent fuel.        The price: the resistor is one more piece, to which the necessary assurances as thermostats, thermal fuses, insulation surrounding them, materials with self-extinguishing characteristics etc must be added.
Also known are hand dryers of the type comprising a cavity for receiving the hands, the cavity being opened upwardly and laterally, such that a top opening, a first lateral opening and a second lateral opening are defined, the cavity for receiving the hands being bounded by a first surface and a second surface provided with air injection holes for drying the hands.
A hand dryer of this type is shown in FIG. 11.
A major drawback of this type of hand dryers is that part of the water removed from the hands by the air jets that emerge from the air injection orifices are projected as droplets G by said side openings, as illustrated in FIG. 17 by the two pairs of arrows, these drops finally ending on the floor.
If these devices are used continuously, for example in public services places, projected drops cause the soil to become dirty and unpleasant. This is another issue addressed by this application.
A major drawback of this type of hand dryers is that they are very noisy.
One proposed solution is to provide a labyrinth in the air inlet of the hand dryer, that is, upstream of the motor. Examples of such solutions are described in the documents WO2012017570, JP2010279436 and JP2003180554.
Now, the inventors have found that even so, the decibel level remains high.
Also known in the art are hand dryers provided with sterilization/purification means arranged in the air circulation circuit, for example from WO2012139117, JP3028621, KR20080029143 and US2008052952.
Also are known hand dryers provided with information screens, as described for example in US2006171660 or KR200452289.


The portable inspection unit may include a unit body, a flexible cable, and an imager housing. The flexible cable may extend from the unit body and the imager housing may be disposed at a distal end of the flexible cable. The portable inspection unit may be configured to receive an actuating accessory.

Borescopes and video scopes for inspecting visually obscured locations are typically tailored for particular applications. For instance, some borescopes have been tailored for use by plumbers to inspect pipes and drains. Likewise, other types of borescopes have been tailored for use by mechanics to inspect interior compartments of machinery being repaired. Special features and functions associated with these applications have driven up the cost for these types of devices. This disclosure provides for an improved borescope having the added flexibility to improve functionality and maintain reduced cost. The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure.