A light shelf for daylighting an interior space with reflected sunlight has a reflective upper surface having a cyma-reversa profile along a vertical cross-section perpendicular to the window, with a convex region adjacent to the window and a concave region distal from the window.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of interior space illumination systems. More specifically, the present invention discloses a curved light shelf system mounted adjacent to a window to redirect incident sunlight into an interior space.
2. Statement of the Problem
It is a problem in the field of interior space illumination to provide a cost-effective mode of illumination that makes use of the incident sunlight without the need for complex systems or significant occupant intervention. For the purposes of this application, the term "daylighting" should be broadly construed to include any use of natural light from a clear sky (including daylight from both the solar disk and the sky dome) or overcast sky as an interior illuminant. Existing daylighting systems are either of limited effectiveness, limited applicability due to their architectural limitations, or require complex and expensive mechanical and electronic control mechanisms.
There is a need for systems that provide improved energy efficiency and environmental quality. One need is to reduce the consumption of electricity for lighting. One option for reducing electricity consumption for lighting is to use daylight to illuminate occupied building spaces. The key to the widespread use of daylighting systems is in providing a system that is both inexpensive and easily applied to both new and existing buildings. In addition to the savings attributed to reduced electricity consumption, daylighting systems typically also result in increased productivity by the occupants of the illuminated space, reduced health problems evidenced by the occupants of the illuminated space and pollution reduction. There appears to be a strong correlation between the quality of the luminous environment and the overall health and productivity of the occupants. These ancillary benefits can produce savings that dwarf the savings attributable to electricity consumption reduction, since studies indicate that, over the life of the building, an overwhelming percentage of the operating cost of commercial space is the salaries of the occupants. Thus, any improvement in the performance of the occupants of the building space results in a significant economic benefit.
One such existing daylighting system is the traditional light shelf, which receives daylight through a window and redirects it onto the interior ceiling plane, thereby creating a useful source of interior illumination. The basic light shelf concept typically comprises a wide flat elongated interior light shelf located adjacent to a window that protrudes into a room from the exterior wall of a building. The incident sunlight is reflected by the light shelves onto the ceiling of the occupied space by a diffuse or specular horizontal or slightly-sloped upper surface of the light shelf. However, an interior light shelf typically protrudes a significant distance into the occupied space and is problematic from architectural, mechanical and aesthetic standpoints in many room applications.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a typical prior-art light shelf daylighting system. This daylighting system includes at least one light shelf 30 located in the interior space 28 of a building adjacent to a window 20. Each light shelf 30 is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane with its outer edge adjacent to the window 20. If multiple light shelves are employed, they are typically stacked in a vertical arrangement similar to conventional blinds. Optionally, light shelves can also be located on the exterior 26 of the building adjacent to the window 20.
The basic light shelf concept typically includes a wide flat elongated interior light shelf 30 located adjacent to a window that protrudes into the room from the exterior wall of a building to receive incident sunlight 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6. The incident sunlight 10 is reflected by the light shelf 30 onto the ceiling 24 of the interior space 28 by the top surface of the light shelf 30. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 6, the top surface of the light shelf 20 is located a predetermined distance below the ceiling 24, and divides the window 20 into a view area 21 below the light shelf 30, and a daylighting area 22 above the light shelf 30. The view area 21 can be equipped with a conventional shade control to controllably regulate the intensity of the incident daylight that is transmitted to the interior space 28 as well as to enable the occupants of the interior space 28 to control the visibility of the interior space 28 from outside the building. No means is typically provided to block the incident daylight through the daylighting area 22, although a shade element may be provided for blackout purposes, or to block light from low angles of elevation that may otherwise bypass the light shelf and cause unwanted glare.
3. Prior Art
The prior art in the field of light shelves and other devices for reflecting sunlight into an interior space includes the following:
U.S. Pat. No. 284,963 (Hyatt) discloses of a system of flat louver-type blades mounted in an arrangement similar to that of a hinged louvered register. This system is designed to pass natural daylight into an interior room through reflectance from the fiat, louvered blades. The system is designed to pivot on a hinge and be operated by a rope-and-pulley system to allow the building occupant to adjust the daylight. One shortcoming associated with this system is that it relies on the operator for continual adjustments. The system also relies on it being placed on a rooftop, more in the fashion of a skylight rather than in a wall system. This renders the invention less useful on multiple-level buildings since only the top floor can be used for daylighting.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,567,984 (Reid) discloses a system having a flat reflector plate with a corrugated surface hinged about the interior of a window system. This invention employs many traits of a traditional light shelf in that a light collection area reflects light toward the ceiling of a room. The shortcoming associated with this system is that it tends to direct light in concentrated areas on the ceiling called "hot spots". The irregular surface that this system utilizes would do little to scatter light deeper into the interior space.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,747,928 (Chesney) discloses a system of curved reflector plates mounted to both the inside and outside of the window. The outermost reflector plates are concave to reflect and concentrate light. The concave members predominately face each other to concentrate and direct the light inward toward a third reflector plate. The third reflector plate is convex and scatters the light toward the floor. One shortcoming is that exterior-mounted reflectors are subject to the elements such as wind, snow, rain, and pollution. When dirt or snow collects on the exterior reflector plates, they become ineffective at collecting the daylight. A second shortcoming is that it requires a substantial vertical distance of window to operate correctly. This inhibits the view portion of most windows, therefore making less of the outdoors visible from the interior of the building, and making occupants feel more closed in than if there were no apparatus installed. A third shortcoming is that of concentrating light. Concentrated light can cause intense heat and with that an increased risk of fire. Finally, the light diffused by the third convex reflector is directed toward the floor and the building occupants, which creates undesirable glare. Intense sun glare can have a negative impact on building occupants.
Japan Patent No. 58-199314 (Tomofuji) discloses a small-sized concave light condensing device. This is opposite of a daylighting device that produces diffuse light. Instead, the Tomofuji device collects and concentrates light into one area.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,892 (Howard) discloses a system of three flat surfaces, with two mounted on the exterior, and one mounted on the interior to reflect and direct light inside a building. This can cause hot spots and also requires constant building occupant adjustment for changing sun angles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,222 (Critten) discloses a natural-light illumination enhancement assembly having a series of louvered reflectors that direct incoming light downward onto the floor for illumination. Here again, this creates glare downward on building occupants.
German Patent No. 3831318 (Hesse) depicts a system of flat prismatic-shaped surfaces that direct light into a space from the exterior side of a building. This is an encased system that is placed in the ground to direct light into basements. Debris, snow, or dirt can gather on the intake side of the system since it is exposed to the elements, and inhibit the effectiveness of the system. The system also would direct light in hot spots.
German Patent No. 020296 (Jurastrasse) depicts of a system of a plurality of concave elements similar to a Venetian blind. The shortcomings associated with this system include keeping the surface behind the device clean. Also this system uses a substantial amount of vertical space thereby allowing more heat gain inside the building. Also this system blocks the view of the occupants to the out-of-doors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,305 (Koster) discloses a system of vertical concave elements within a window system to direct light upward toward the ceiling. This system appears to be relatively complicated to implement and would offer an obscured view through the window. This system also uses a substantial amount of vertical space to implement.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,784 (Federmann) discloses a system of vertical concave elements within a window system to direct light upward toward the ceiling. This system appears to be relatively complicated to implement and would offer an obscured view thru the window. This system also uses a substantial amount of vertical space to implement.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,315 (Stiles) discloses a system that uses light-reflective elements sandwiched between two panes of glass to redirect sunlight into the interior space of a building. The reflective elements comprise both stationary and movable elements that function to redirect the incident sunlight to the back walls of the room, above eye level without striking the ceiling. A shortcoming associated with this light reflecting system is that it is complicated to implement and produces illumination of variable quality. The existing glazing must also be replaced to implement this system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,565 (Ruck et al.) discloses a system of refractive structures that are used to collect and redirect light into a building. The refractive structures comprise a planar solid transparent light deflecting panel or plate that is formed of a plurality of parallel triangular ribs located on one face. With the panel in its vertical orientation and placed over a window opening, the panel reflects sunlight into the building interior. The panels are designed to require seasonal adjustments to compensate for the seasonal variations in the angle and nature of the incident sunlight. The refractive panels are complicated to implement and require periodic adjustment by the occupant to compensate for changes in the incident sunlight.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,305 (Koster) discloses a light guidance system that illuminates the interior of a building by using a light deflection device equipped with a light source. The light guidance system is mounted in a window and both reflects sunlight coming from outside of the building as well as electric light coming from the light source. The light guidance system comprises several light reflective elements that are disposed parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another such that light from outside the building is reflected by the top surface of the light reflective elements and light from an internal light source is reflected by the bottom surface of the light reflective elements into the room. The light reflective elements function both to shade the interior from direct sunlight while also redirecting both the incident sunlight and the light from the light source into the room to provide indirect lighting. A problem with this light guidance system is that it relies on the close spatial-optical relationship between the electric lighting located at the window and the incident sunlight through the window. Another problem with this light guidance system is that it blocks the view through the window and relies on the placement of a source of electric light at the window. Thus, it is expensive to implement and requires expensive adaptation of existing installations to accommodate the light source.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,340 (Dominguez) discloses a solar lighting apparatus that is mounted on the roof of a building to provide illumination of the interior of the building. The solar lighting apparatus comprises a reflector assembly that is rotatable about a vertical axis for tracking the daily movements of the sun. The reflector panel has multiple panels that are mounted on a frame over a skylight opening and the frame is rotated by the operation of solar tracking electronics. However, the solar lighting apparatus is effective only for the room area located on the top floor of a multiple story building. In addition, it relies on electronics and mechanical tracking apparatus to collect and redirect the incident sunlight.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,910 (Digert) discloses a mini-blind system similar to that of a window treatment or blind. This system is unique due primarily to the curved nature of the individual blades. This type of optical device, while more efficiently scattering the light than a traditional flat light shelves, creates problems similar to that of traditional window treatments such as the need to continually clean the interior surface of the window directly behind the apparatus. Maintenance personnel can easily damage this type of system making it impractical in most commercial settings. Once a single blade of this system is bent it can direct light inadvertently into buildings occupants' path of vision, creating discomfort. Also, this type of system is mounted vertically. This requires significant square footage of window surface area to allow ample sunlight to penetrate. It is known that letting natural daylight penetrate the building has the inherent drawback of solar heat gain that can increase the buildings cooling system loads substantially in summer months. Often the increased costs of operating such cooling systems can outweigh the benefit gained in electricity savings of interior daylight illumination.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,216 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,403 (Bartenbach et al.) disclose a system having a rolled sheet that is toothed with flat surfaces to guide the light in a particular direction. This system is meant to be installed in conjunction with a daylighting device such as a light shelf to redirect daylight that already has been cast to the ceiling.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,336 (Digert et al.) discloses a system of concave-curved slats that are vertically stacked, similar to Venetian blinds or that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,910. Due to its nature, the shortcomings are very similar in those of both devices. One other shortcoming is that this is a static device that cannot be easily removed to access the surface directly behind it for regular cleaning.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,580,559 (Doll et al.) discloses a system having a vertically-arranged plurality of flat members placed within a window system for directing light. This system has shortcomings similar to that of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,239,910 and 6,480,336, being as it is predominately vertical and uses a large amount of viewable window space to implement.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,714,352 (Rogers et al.) discloses a system having a vertically-arranged plurality of concave-shaped sections with flat bottom surfaces. This system has shortcoming similar to those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,239,910, 6,480,336, and 6,580,559 since it is arranged in a similar vertical fashion.
Thus, the field of interior space illumination systems appears to be devoid of an inexpensive, practical, effective, and simple-to-use daylighting system that can be easily implemented in both existing building applications as well as in new building construction. The problem with most existing systems is that they either take up too much vertical window space that could be otherwise used for view, they are difficult to maintain, require frequent occupant intervention, or cast light in concentrated patterns creating hot spots.
Architectural Moldings. The prior art in the fields of moldings, architectural trim and picture frames includes a family of decorative cross-sectional profiles commonly referred to as cyma-reversa curves. This profile is also sometimes referred to as an ogee curve. For the purposes of this disclosure, these terms are used synonymously. A cyma-reversa profile has a region with a convex surface followed by a region with a concave surface. In other words, an initial region a cyma-reversa curve bulges outward and is followed by a second region that bows inward. These regions can flow together in a smooth, continuous manner, somewhat similar to a relaxed S-shape. Alternatively, these regions can be clearly demarcated and separated from one another. Although cyma-reversa curves have been employed in moldings, picture frames and architectural details for their aesthetic appeal, they are not believed to have been applied to the field of reflectors or light shelves in particular.
Solution to the Problem. The above-described problems are solved and a technical advance achieved in the field by the present curved light shelf daylighting system having a cyma-reversa profile. In particular, the present curved light shelf is a passive, static optical device that can be mounted horizontally adjacent to a window of a building. The curved light shelf receives daylight transmitted through the window and efficiently redirects it onto the ceiling of an interior space in a diffuse manner, double washing the ceiling with a relatively even amount of illumination, thereby creating a useful source of interior illumination that is free of hot spots and is cast deeper into the room than the conventional light shelves.
The curved light shelf comprises a single predominately horizontal shelf, that is optically shaped via a cyma-reversa top surface to allow light to be efficiently collected and accurately directed onto the ceiling plane of a room, while at the same time shading the occupants of the room from direct sunlight penetration through the shelf. The curved light shelf is narrow and can be implemented in the normally unused upper foot, or so, of most interior spaces.
The window area may or may not be partitioned by the light shelf into a view section and a daylighting area. The occupants' views out of the building remain relatively unobstructed through the view area of the glazing to a height of approximately seven feet, or greater, above the floor. Traditional window treatments, such as exterior shading devices, or interior blinds can be used for this portion of the glazing for shading, privacy, and blackout control. The sunlight incident on the daylighting area of the glazing is collected by the curved light shelf and redirected onto the ceiling plane of the room in a glare-free manner.
The curved light shelf system produces effective daylighting for typical ambient light levels for the perimeter zones of a building, and can operate for room depths in excess of fifty feet. The optical geometry of the light shelf and the associated reflective surface characteristics diffuse the collected sunlight more evenly over a larger area of the ceiling plane of the room. The resultant indirect lighting is striation free and substantially uniform in luminance. The use of daylight preserves the visual and psychological connection between the occupants and the outdoors due to the subtle color and luminance changes which occur throughout the day. Visual comfort is enhanced by evenly diffusing the daylight across the ceiling plane of the room from the perimeter wall to the interior extent of the illumination.

Curved light shelf system for daylighting an interior space


The disclosure relates to a method for acquiring and for altering a configuration of a number of objects in a procedure room for planning and for collision avoidance during a medical procedure, wherein each object is represented by a virtual model, including a physical model of the object and a safety zone around the physical model. The physical model represents the configuration of the object and the safety zone represents a collision-prevention area for a movement of any of the objects during a medical procedure. The virtual models of the objects are placed at a position in a virtual model of the procedure room. Additionally, the configurations of the physical models during the medical procedure are computed and the configuration of the physical model of the corresponding object is altered when a collision during the movement is determined. The disclosure further relates to a device for executing the method.

In diagnostic and treatment environments, such as an interventional suite or an operating room of a hospital, there may be a plurality of medical devices. A medical device is an apparatus in particular for diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, therapy, or the like of a patient. Diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, therapy, or the like are in the following referred to as a medical procedure, respectively.
Exemplarily such a medical device is a mobile x-ray c-arm, a medical assistant robot, or a patient table. In particular, a medical device is understood to include devices which aid in diagnosing, treating, monitoring, therapy, or the like of a patient, such as a display, an x-ray shield, and the like. Some of these medical devices are electronically moveable. For instance, the medical devices move due to an assignment of a target position or configuration or they work and move automatedly.
For example, the medical devices, (automated or non-automated), exhibit comparatively little or no exchange of data or signals between them. As such, the interoperability of the medical devices for automated processes or automated procedures is comparatively low. This is, in particular, due to a difference in a task the respective medical devices are designed to perform or due to the fact that the medical devices are from different vendors. Consequently, if such a medical device moves or is moved, a collision with another medical device is possible, resulting in danger for the patient or for medical staff and may cause repairing costs. Moreover, this comparatively low interoperability also impedes pre-procedural planning for an, at least partial, automated use of the medical devices due to the lack of exchange of data or signals.
From "A New Library for Real-time Continuous Collision Detection" by H. Täubig and U. Frese in "Proceedings of the 7th German conference on robotics (ROBOTIK-2012)", an algorithm (KCCD-library, Kinematic continuous collision detection library) for industrial and humanoid robots is presented, which uses convex hulls as a volume representation of the body of a robot, wherein the convex hulls are based on the robots current configuration. For determining a collision, a (swept) volume covered by the convex hull of the respective robot's body parts during a motion in an interval is determined and a distance between the determined swept volumes is computed. Therein the intervals are based on a joint angle, a joint angle velocity, a latency, a worst-case deceleration and joint angle uncertainties.
In WO 2015/023831 A1, a system and a method are disclosed for coordinated motion with a medical device including least one moveable element, and with at least one processor. Therein any of the processors uses a shared interface to access services. A token service provides movement tokens for the medical device through the shared interface. The medical device is configured to plan and execute a motion of one movable element based on the movement token, configuration data, kinematic data, or planned motion data.
From "Real-time 3D Reconstruction for Collision Avoidance in Interventional Environments" by A. Ladikos, S. Benhimane and N. Navab in "International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention", Springer, 2008, a real-time reconstruction system is known, which predicts collision by building a 3D-representation of all objects in a room. The system includes a number of cameras, whose images are used for reconstructing the 3D-representation. Further, safety zones around objects in the room are computed.
In US 2012/0253515 A1, a method and an apparatus for surgical planning is disclosed, providing planning of entry port placement and/or robot position for laparoscopic and other minimal invasive surgery. For this purpose, a model of the surgical site is created, wherein image data of a patient is processed to accomplish such planning.

Method for acquiring and for altering a configuration of a number of objects in a procedure room and corresponding device


A method and system for reassignment of packet-pipes at a telecommunications switch. Upon detection of an increase in capacity of a packet-pipe (originating from a cell-site, for instance) and determination that the increase would overload a handler-module at the switch, a processor may analytically identify one or more packet-pipe reassignments that should be made at the switch so as to accommodate the increase in capacity. The processor may do so by successively considering the viability and impact of various possible reassignments. And the processor may produce an output report that indicates the reassignment(s) to make in order to accommodate the increase in capacity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to telecommunication systems and more particularly to allocation of switch processing resources within such a system. The invention is particularly useful in cellular wireless communication systems but could equally extend to apply in other sorts of communication systems as well. For purposes of illustration, this description will focus on the cellular wireless application.
2. Description of Related Art
In a typical cellular wireless communication system (wireless telecommunications network), an area is divided geographically into a number of cell sites, each defined by a radio frequency (RF) radiation pattern from a respective base station. And the base stations of the cells are then coupled to a switching system that provides connectivity to a transport network and/or to a signaling network. When a wireless client station (such as a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, pager, or appropriately equipped portable computer, for instance) is positioned in a cell, the client station may then communicate via an RF air interface with the base station of the cell. Consequently, a communication path can be established between the client station and the network, via the air interface, the base station and the switching system.
As a general matter, each base station (or more generally cell site) in the system will include a number of channel element cards that pass communications between the air interface and the switching system. Each channel element card may support transmission of communications on a number of air interface communication channels (e.g., air interface channels, whether traffic channels or control channels) at once. In turn, a wireline trunk (e.g., a T1 line) or other link will typically couple a group of channel element cards with the switching system, transporting multiple communications at once between the cell site and the switching system.
The switching system, in turn, will then typically function to control operation of the various base stations (e.g., (i) controlling handoff as mobile client stations move between base stations, and (ii) controlling allocation of air interface resources). Additionally, the switching system usually functions as a transcoder, to convert the protocol of communications being passed between the air interface and downstream network elements. For instance, in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, the air interface may carry voice signals as Enhanced Variable Rate Codec (EVRC) encoded data, while the transport network may carry voice signals as Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) encoded data. In such a network, the switching system may include a mechanism to convert between EVRC and PCM, so as to allow voice communications to pass seamlessly between the air interface and the transport network. Other examples are possible as well.
Generally speaking, the switching system may include a number of handler modules that will function to handle cell site communications, such as to perform the protocol conversion function noted above for instance. And the handler cards may then be coupled to a switching processor, which functions to route communications between the handler cards and the transport network and/or signaling network.
Thus, in operation, communications may pass from client stations over the air interface and through cell site channel element cards, over a T1 line to the switching system. And at the switching system, the communications may then pass through handler cards to the switching processor, which may then route the communications onto a transport or signaling network. Similarly, communications may pass from a network to the switching processor and in turn through protocol handler cards and over a T1 line to a cell site. At the cell site, channel element cards may then pass the communications along to the air interface, for transmission to client stations.

Method and system for re-assignment of packet pipes


A convergent transmission system includes a data offloading and converging node, a cellular access point, and a WLAN AP. The data offloading and converging node is configured to: negotiate with a UE to determine a data offloading policy; according to the data offloading policy determined by negotiating with the UE, use a WLAN radio bearer to transmit a part of user data, and the cellular access point is configured to work with the UE and the data offloading and converging node to transmit the remaining part of the user data.

With rapid development of smart phones, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network, also known as WiFi, Wireless Fidelity) communication modules are integrated into more and more mobile communication terminals; meanwhile, with the continuous increase of people's requirements on mobile broadband, the existing cellular communication system bears more and more pressure of data traffic.
A practicable solution is to integrate the cellular technology with the WLAN technology and use the WLAN to offload the data traffic of the mobile cellular communication system so as to improve the user experience of the cellular system. However, all the existing WLAN networking ways have a common characteristic that the WLAN is a completely independent network. Therefore, mobile operators who have no fixed network resources need to construct a new transmission network for the WLAN, which increases the period and cost of network construction. The WLAN is independent of the cellular network, and the transmission delay varies sharply between IP packets and is uncontrollable. With the same IP data flow being transmitted on such two networks, serious disorder will occur, and the QOS (quality of service) will deteriorate.
Therefore, the existing mutual integration way increases the period and cost of network construction greatly, and deteriorates the quality of service of the mobile communication network.

Convergent transmission system and apparatus, data offloading and converging method


To correct for non-linearities in the response of a microphone as a function of sound pressure level incident upon the microphone, a displacement non-linearity function is applied to the signal path of the microphone, wherein the displacement non-linearity function is a function of the digital audio output signal and has a response modeling non-linearities of the displacement as a function of a sound pressure level incident upon the microphone.

Microphones are ubiquitous on many devices used by individuals, including computers, tablets, smart phones, and many other consumer devices. Generally speaking, a microphone is an electroacoustic transducer that produces an electrical signal in response to deflection of a portion (e.g., a membrane or other structure) of a microphone caused by sound incident upon the microphone.
Traditionally, it has often been assumed that operation of a microphone is linear, such that the electrical signal generated by a microphone is a linear function of the sound pressure level incident upon the microphone. However, a microphone may operate with many non-linearities, including non-linear relationships of deflection as a function of sound pressure level. Left uncorrected, such non-linearities may cause distortion, in that the audio signal generated from a microphone may not be accurately representative of the actual sound incident upon the microphone.

Systems and methods for reducing non-linearities of a microphone signal


A fuel cell system is provided with a first separation layer and a buffer solution layer disposed between a liquid-phase fuel storage layer and an anode of a membrane electrode assembly. A vapor-phase fuel is transferred to the buffer solution layer through the first separation layer, condensed, and diluted to produce a liquid-phase fuel with a low concentration in the buffer solution layer, and the low concentration liquid-phase fuel is supplied to the membrane electrode assembly. A second separation layer may be interposed between the first separation layer and the fuel storage layer. Fuel is supplied by a passive supplying method so that the system can be small with a high efficiency and unnecessary power consumption can be prevented. The fuel cell system can be operated regardless of orientation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel cell system, and more particularly, to a fuel cell system with a high energy density and a compact size.
2. Discussion of the Background
A fuel cell is an energy generating system in which energy from a chemical is reaction is directly converted to electrical energy. The chemical reaction may be between hydrogen and oxygen, or between hydrogen contained in a hydrocarbon-based material such as methanol, ethanol, or natural gas, and oxygen. Fuel cells can be categorized as phosphoric acid type fuel cells, molten carbonate type fuel cells, solid oxide type fuel cells, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, alkali type fuel cells, for example, according to the type of electrolyte that is used as a fuel. Most of these fuel cells operate upon the same principle, but may have different fuels, different operating temperatures, different catalysts, or different electrolytes.
Among these fuel cells, the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) may have better output properties, lower operating temperature, shorter start-up time, and a quicker response than other fuel cells. Due to these advantages, the PEMFC may be used for a wide range of applications, including a portable power source for cars, an individual power source for homes or public buildings, and a small power source for electronic devices.
A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), which is a type of PEMFC, uses an aqueous methanol solution as a fuel. The DMFC can operate at room temperature and can be easily reduced in size and sealed so that it can be used as an energy-supplying source for various applications, such as clean electric vehicles, domestic energy generating systems, mobile communications equipment, medical equipment, military equipment, space business equipment, and portable electronics, for example.
The electric power generated from the DMFC is dependent upon the rate of the reaction occurring in an anode and a cathode. Specifically, in the anode, one molecule of methanol reacts with one molecule of water so that the methanol is oxidized. Carbon dioxide and six electrons are generated from the reaction, as illustrated in Reaction Scheme 1.CH3OH+H2O→CO2+6H++6e−  [Reaction Scheme 1]In the anode reaction shown in Reaction Scheme 1, the stoichiometry of the methanol to water is 1:1. Therefore, to continuously generate the anode reaction shown in Reaction Scheme 1, a DMFC should be constantly supplied with reactants in the proper ratio. However, in reality, more water is supplied than that amount required to completely oxidize the methanol. When the methanol is incompletely oxidized, reactions shown in Reaction Scheme 2 or Reaction Scheme 3 may occur, thus reducing energy generating efficiency.CH3OH+H2O→HCOOH+4H++4e−  [Reaction Scheme 2]CH3OH→HCHO+2H++2e−  [Reaction Scheme 3]
Methods of supplying a fuel to a DMFC may include an active supplying method and a passive supplying method. The active supplying method requires an external supplying unit that transports fuel to the DMFC under pressure. The passive supplying method includes supplying fuel without such pressure transport equipment.
In the active supplying method, the concentration of a reacting fluid supplied to an anode is appropriately maintained by supplying pure methanol or a high-concentration is methanol to a recirculation loop, which collects water generated by the reaction in a cathode and supplies the collected water to the anode. An advantage of the active supplying method is that the energy density of the entire system increases by using a methanol cartridge. A disadvantage of the active supplying method, however, is that the system is complex, the requirement for additional devices results in an increase in size of the DMFC, and additional power may be consumed since an external supplying system consumes energy for its operation. More particularly, since fuel cells are becoming smaller, the active supplying method has a disadvantage in that the necessary power-supplying source is also required to become smaller.
Conversely, a significant advantage of the passive supplying method is that it is a simple system. However, one disadvantage to the passive supplying method is that a fuel cartridge may contain water as well as the methanol fuel. Therefore, the volume of this fuel cartridge may increase the total volume of the fuel cell.
This problem has been addressed by supplying water generated in a cathode using the passive supplying method, an example of which is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004-209136. There, a hydrophobic microporous layer may be formed in a cathode of a membrane-electrode assembly, and water generated in the cathode can be transported to the anode by hydrostatic pressure.
However, in such a system, a unit cell formed of multiple layers may be damaged by the hydrostatic pressure. In addition, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004-209136 does not teach a stable supply and dilution of methanol used as fuel.

Fuel cell system comprising vapor-phase fuel supplying system


A method for removing an explosive charge from a shaped charge munition is disclosed together with a system for carrying out the method. The preferred method for removing a charge from a stackable shaped charge munition, such as a M42 or M46 grenade, involves three punching stages using two hollow punch dies of different diameters and lengths to extract the metal cone-shaped liner and all of the explosive except a layer lining the inner side wall and dome end wall of the casing. The thin layer of explosive can be readily removed in an explosive waste incinerator. The system for carrying out the method includes a delivery conveyor, a rotatable indexing table having multiple gripping devices for holding grenades or other shaped charge munitions, multiple punching stations positioned in sequence around the perimeter of the indexing table, and a take-off conveyor for transporting processed grenades from the indexing table. The preferred embodiment also includes a dispenser for inserting paper liners inside processed grenades before the grenades are transferred form the indexing table to the removal conveyor.

The military has, at times, munitions which are either becoming obsolete or are in excess of the quantity desired to be kept in reserve. Various demilitarization programs have been established to deal with this excess and obsolescence.
A demilitarization ("demil") program has been in operation to disarm and recover the salvageable material of a quantity of M509A1 type 155MM artillery rounds loaded with M42/M46 general purpose type grenades. The present demil method includes the following steps: (1) removal of the nose plug; (2) extraction of the artillery round expulsion charge; (3) removal of the base plate; (4) opening the body of the 155MM round by mechanical (cutting) detachment of the ogive and base plate; and (5) hydraulic ejection (downloading) of the M42 or M46 grenades from the body. [This portion (steps 1 through 5) of the M509A1 demil method is not changed by the present invention.]
Each grenade is then disarmed for salvage. First, the fuze housing and the fuze slider is secured to prevent the fuze slider from moving into an armed position. Then, a 3/8 inch diameter hole is mechanically punched through the grenade casing at a point where the flange of a cone-shaped liner is attached to the interior of the casing, deforming the liner and exposing the explosive charge inside the grenade. (FIG. 2 shows an M42 grenade after a hole has been punched through the casing to expose the explosive charge and deform the liner.) The explosive charge in the grenade is then burned away in a controlled burning apparatus known as an Explosive Waste Incinerator ("EWI").
There are several disadvantages of this prior art method. None of the explosive material is salvaged. The EWI process takes a long time to burn away all of the explosive, and must be carefully controlled to minimize high order detonation explosive burning. Even the slow burning away of the explosive produces toxic fumes in the EWI which must be contained and detoxified. Thus, this prior art method contributes to high operating costs and equipment maintenance costs, and does not salvage any of the explosive material.
In conducting this prior art demil process, the present inventors realized that it would be preferable to develop a better method of removing the explosive charge from the grenade. If most of the explosive could be removed before the EWI, the removed explosive could be salvaged for use in commercial demolition charges and the EWI processing could be done at higher passthrough rates and with less toxic fumes and residue. These and other advantages of the invention will be apparent in the description which follows.

Method and system for removing and explosive charge from a shaped charge munition


Systems and methods are provided for facilitating an acquisition from a merchant, whereby payment for the acquisition is made at least partially through automated redemption of loyalty points from a loyalty account. In particular, information is received at a loyalty point exchange system from the merchant. The information may include loyalty data indicating that the acquisition was paid for using a transaction card account that is to be reimbursed using loyalty points from the loyalty account. The loyalty account is debited by an amount equal to a currency value of the acquisition and the transaction card account is credited the amount charged for the acquisition. Loyalty points may, alternatively, be used to directly pay for purchases without the steps of charging and crediting a transaction card.

Loyalty programs (also known as incentive or reward programs) are typically very popular in many types of businesses. For example, loyalty programs may be implemented to increase the use of a product by a current customer or to obtain additional customers. With regard to transaction cards, such as charge cards, loyalty programs may encourage a loyalty program participant to use a particular transaction card for making acquisitions. Typically, loyalty points accrue in a loyalty account and are earned from transactions that involve participant behavior that is encouraged by the loyalty program sponsor. These loyalty points may be redeemed for prizes, upgrades, and merchandise, thus rewarding the participant for the behavior. However, prior art loyalty point redemption processes lack "real-time" use by the participant. For instance, in a typical redemption process, a participant calls the loyalty system and requests to redeem a number of loyalty points in exchange for a certificate that can be used at a particular merchant (on-line or off-line). The participant is mailed a certificate (or provided with an online code) and then can redeem the certificate at that merchant.
This typical redemption process is time-consuming and may be annoying for the consumer, thus degrading the value of the loyalty reward. Furthermore, this redemption process is generally not practical for the acquisition of goods and services that are in high demand and/or that have short selling periods. For example, difficulties may be encountered when a participant desires to redeem loyalty points for tickets to a particular concert. By the time the participant requests a certificate, receives the requested certificate, and contacts the ticket agency to redeem the certificate, desired tickets to the particular concert may no longer be available. This participant may have only wanted to redeem the loyalty points for that one particular concert. Furthermore, in this example, the participant may now be left holding a certificate that is inappropriate for other ticket purchases. For example, the certificate value may not match the price of a later selected ticket, or the certificate may be restricted to a particular ticket agency. Furthermore, the participant risks misplacing the certificate before the next redemption opportunity.
Prior art systems may also offer the ability for members of loyalty programs to telephone the ticketing agency for a special offer (i.e. discount, or free gift) through the input of an offer code into the telephone system. The member may obtain a discount or gift with the ticket purchase when tickets are received in the mail. These "one-off" promotions are typically determined by the producers/owners of the actual event who are the ticketing agency's clients. However, efficient use of rewards points as a payment option through a ticketing agency or on an exchange does not exist. In general, the ability to efficiently acquire goods or services with loyalty points without pre-approval does not exist. Therefore, a system is needed to facilitate an expedited method for purchasing "available" tickets with loyalty points.

System and method for exchanging loyalty points for acquisitions

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.


A collapsible wheelchair assembly is provided that may be folded for storage with attached toilet seat. A waste pan is interlocked with wheelchair braces to sit under a flexible plastic seat, having a toilet opening, that hinges when the wheelchair is folded. Thus, a portable collapsible toilet facility is afforded incontinent patients for use in transit whenever necessary.

Foldable wheelchairs with toilet facilities have been introduced into the art with rigid seats that must be removed to fold the wheelchair. Examples of this art are seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,592,406, H. A. Everest, et al., Apr. 8, 1952 and 4,343,482, D. F. Wegner, Aug. 10, 1982.
These chairs however are hard to manipulate by handicapped persons, and cannot be used until the wheelchair is backed into a toilet over a resident toilet stool before use. Also they have the deficiency that they cannot be easily collapsed by handicapped persons or stored intact because rigid seats must be removed, handled and treated as a separate item. Furthermore, there is no feasibility of using these wheelchairs in an emergency, without finding an unused bathroom with a toilet bowl that matches the construction of the wheelchair, so that they are not adaptable for use with incontinent patients.
In particular, in the case of incontinence, the aforementioned prior art wheelchairs are unsuitable.
It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide improved incontinent wheelchairs for the handicapped that may be simply folded for storage as a unitary assembly with seat in place, to be stowed in an automobile, for example.
It is also an objective of this invention to provide a self contained portable toilet chair which can be used at any time, and is not restricted to use with a toilet bowl in a public restroom, for example.

Portable toilet for collapsible incontinent wheelchair


An image forming apparatus (1) includes, as working sections, a paper output tray (16), a paper feeding cassette (13), and attachment sections to which toner cartridges (71) through (74), a waste toner container (69), and a unit assembly (11) are attached. Out of the working sections, a high-frequency working section with a high working frequency is provided on a front surface of the image forming apparatus, and a low-frequency working section with a low working frequency is provided on a side surface of the image forming apparatus.

In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a process unit forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image to be printed, and makes the electrostatic latent image visible. Specifically, the process unit includes a photoreceptor and a developing device, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor and develops the electrostatic latent image (makes the electrostatic latent image visible) with use of a toner supplied from the developing device. A toner image formed on a surface of the photoreceptor by development is transferred onto, for example, a transfer belt, and the toner image is transferred from the transfer belt onto paper, and thereafter fixed onto the paper by a fixing device.
Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus, in a case where a toner in the developing device is consumed by development, a toner is appropriately supplied from a toner cartridge to the developing device. The toner cartridge is replaced with new one when no toner remains in the toner cartridge. Similarly, the process unit is replaced with new one when, for example, a predetermined number of sheets of paper have been printed.
Image forming apparatuses used in small offices and home offices have been downsized and designed to occupy a smaller space. On the other hand, in small offices and home offices, document files, books, bookshelves, cabinets, etc. are provided on sides of the image forming apparatuses in many cases. This makes it difficult to secure spaces on the sides of the image forming apparatuses. For this reason, such an image forming apparatus is mainly configured such that a worker can replace a toner cartridge, a process unit, etc. at a position in front of the image forming apparatus.
In a case where an image forming apparatus is configured such that a worker handles a toner cartridge while opening a front door of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to provide a working space for the worker in front of the image forming apparatus. However, in small offices and home offices, there are many cases where a sufficient working space cannot be secured even in front of an image forming apparatus. Examples of such cases include a case where a worker's movement in forward and backward directions in front of the image forming apparatus blocks other person's passage. This is likely to make a smooth working operation difficult.
One possible solution to this problem is to provide a side surface of the image forming apparatus with a door for a working operation, so that a worker can handle a toner cartridge etc. at a position in front of the image forming apparatus.
For example, Patent Literature 1 describes an image forming apparatus having, on a side surface thereof, an openable cover which opens backward. A cartridge holder is provided at an inner surface of the openable cover. A toner cartridge can be inserted into and drawn out from the cartridge holder in obliquely forward and backward directions. Furthermore, a toner cartridge can be attached to a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus by closing the openable cover.
Patent Literature 2 describes an image forming apparatus having, at a side surface thereof, a side cover which opens downward and which has a cartridge storage section. A toner cartridge can be inserted into and drawn out from the cartridge storage section in obliquely upward and downward directions while the side cover is open. Furthermore, a toner cartridge can be attached to a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus by closing the side cover.
In response to a demand from a market, electrophotographic apparatuses of a color output type have come to occupy a larger part of whole electrophotographic apparatuses. In particular, recently, since a processing speed for a color output has been required to be as high as that for a monochrome output, color image forming apparatuses of a tandem type including photoreceptors and developing devices for respective colors have become dominant. In such a color image forming apparatus, monochrome toner images are formed on respective photoreceptors, and these monochrome toner images are sequentially superimposed so as to form a color image on paper. There are two types of a color image forming apparatus of a tandem type: one which sequentially superimposes four color toner images directly on paper so as to transfer the color toner images; and one which temporarily and sequentially superimposes four color toner images on an intermediate transfer member and then transfers a resulting image on paper.
On the other hand, with advance of technology, large multi-color image forming apparatuses are tend to be avoided, and image forming apparatuses so downsized as to be provided on a desktop PC rack etc. are coming into practical use. However, such downsizing of an image forming apparatus complicates a structure within the apparatus. This easily causes difficulty in a maintenance operation.
In consideration of downsizing of an image forming apparatus and workability in a replacement operation of image forming units, it is advantageous to integrate a plurality of image forming units. For this reason, a configuration often employed is such that in each of a plurality of (four or three) image forming sections provided inside an image forming apparatus, a photoreceptor drum, a cleaning unit, a charger, a developer, etc. are integrated so that each of the plurality of image forming sections becomes an image forming unit which is detachable from the image forming apparatus.
Such an image forming apparatus is promoted to be downsized and to occupy a smaller space in order to be usable in a SOHO (small office, home office) environment. However, in the SOHO environment, it is particularly difficult to secure a space on a side of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, a dominant type of the image forming apparatus is one in which a worker can exchange a toner cartridge, a process unit, etc. from a position in front of the image forming apparatus.
In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 2, a toner cartridge is attached/detached for replacement thereof while a side cover supported by a hinge at a lower part of the side cover is opened. Furthermore, a process unit is attached or detached while a front cover supported by a hinge at a lower part thereof is opened. A paper feeding tray is attached to/detached from a tray-containing section by sliding the paper feeding tray in forward and backward directions from a front of the apparatus.
In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, while an openable cover supported by a longitudinal hinge at a right side wall of the image forming apparatus is opened in a backward direction of the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit integrated as a replacement unit is attached/detached and a toner cartridge is attached/detached to/from the image forming unit accompanied by replacement of a toner cartridge. Although a paper tray is described as a part of a paper feeding device, Patent Literature 1 does not clearly describe a direction in which the above attachment/detachment is carried out.
In an image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 3, an image forming unit and an intermediate transfer member are integrally formed as an indirect transfer unit, and the indirect transfer unit is detachable from the image forming apparatus. Patent Literature 3 does not clearly describe how a cover, door, etc. which open when the indirect transfer unit is attached/detached are supported and in what directions the cover, door, etc. open. Further, Patent Literature 3 does not clearly describe in what direction a paper feeding tray is attached/detached.

Image forming apparatus with high-and low-frequency working sections


A pixel structure and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The pixel comprises a substrate, a gate, a gate insulating layer, a channel layer, a first source/drain, a second source/drain, a dielectric layer, a first pixel electrode, and a second pixel electrode. The gate is disposed on the substrate and is covered by the gate insulating layer. The channel layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer above the gate. The first source/drain and the second source/drain are disposed on the channel layer. The channel layer has different thicknesses respectively corresponding to the first drain/source and the second drain/source. The dielectric layer covers the substrate and exposes the first and the second drains. The first and the second pixel electrodes are disposed on the dielectric layer, and are electrically connected to the first and the second drains respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pixel structure and a fabrication method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pixel structure capable of achieving an effect of wide view angle and a fabrication method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
The rapid progress of the multimedia society relies much on the remarkable improvement of semiconductor devices or human-machine display devices. As for displays, cathode ray tubes (CRT) have occupied the market for many years due to its advantageous high display quality and low cost. However, for operating a plurality of terminals and/or displays on the desktop, along with the rising "environmental protection" awareness and the increasing demands for saving energy, CRTs have a limited advantage such as larger space utilization and cannot satisfy the current market demands of light, thin, short, small and power-saving displays. Therefore, the thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), having superior features such as high image quality, smaller space utilization, low power consumption, and no radiation, has become the mainstream display product of the market.
Recently, the market demands for the LCDs having the advantages of achieving high contrast ratio, rapid response, wide view angle and the like. Currently, techniques for achieving wide view angle include twisted nematic plus wide viewing film (TN+film), in-plane switching (IPS), and multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA), etc.
However, the alignment techniques described above have the disadvantages of complicated processes and poor production yield. As for the MVA, as alignment protrusions or slits are required to be formed on the substrates on two sides of the liquid crystal layer, an additional mask process is required, thus resulting problems such as difficulty in making LCD panels flimsier, low optical transmittance of the backlight sources, and light leakage in the dark state. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of LCD panels is increased, and the production yield is lowered.

Pixel structure and fabrication method thereof


The invention relates to a testing adapter suitable for testing a wireless telecommunication device. The testing adapter comprises a first contact member and a second contact member, the first contact member and the second contact member having at least one degree of freedom relative to each other and arranged to provide an attachable and detachable mechanical coupling with a surface of a component recess of the wireless telecommunication device on the basis of the at least one degree of freedom.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a testing adapter for testing a wireless telecommunication device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The manufacture of wireless telecommunication devices involves a complex testing procedure where a wireless telecommunication device is placed into a testing arrangement and subjected to mechanical and electronic tests. The testing procedure involves a mechanical contact between the testing arrangement and the wireless telecommunication device in order to position and handle the wireless telecommunication device. The formation of the mechanical contact effects the time used for the testing procedure and techniques required for accessing a testing interface of the wireless telecommunication device. Therefore, it is useful to consider techniques for testing a wireless telecommunication device.


A method and apparatus for producing a reflective or refractive surface that reflects or refracts light shined thereon and reproduces on a screen a desired greyscale intensity image on which the reflective or refractive surface is based and a corresponding apparatus, wherein the method permits a reproduction of a reference grayscale image with adjustable precision.

Generally, in optics caustics are patterns of light created by reflection or refraction on curved surfaces. Computing caustics in a given three dimensional scene has been the subject of extensive research in computer graphics as it constitutes one of the main difficulties of photorealistic rendering algorithms.
The task of reproducing a pre-specified light distribution by a specular surface also arises in the field of inverse reflector design, which concentrates on reflectors for lamps. A survey on inverse reflector design is given by Patow and Pueyo [PP05; Patow et al; 2005]. Generally, such light distributions can be classified as either near-field or far-field distributions.
While near-field distributions specify an irradiance distribution on a given surface (typically a plane) that is to be reproduced, far-field distributions can be considered as limit cases where the surface to be illuminated is infinitely far away from the reflector, so that only the distribution of the ray directions matters. Methods for inverse reflector design typically employ an analysis-by-synthesis approach. A certain surface representation is chosen to parametrize the reflector, such as NURBS [ASG08; Anson et al. 2008]. Then, the light distribution caused by a surface is evaluated and rated against the desired one. This method is iteratively used to optimize the surface parameters. Various optimization strategies have been applied, including frameworks that allow an analytical differentiation, thereby enabling the use of the conjugate gradient method [Neu97; Neubauer 1997], and methods that compute derivatives approximately [FDL10; Finckh et al. 2010] to ones that employ no derivatives at all [ASG08; Anson et al. 2008].
Examples using an evolutionary optimization [DCC99; Doyle et al. 1999] also belong to the latter category. Common simplifications in the approaches are the assumption of perfect specularity of the surface and the assumption of only one bounce of light without interreflections or occlusions, although exceptions to both also exist [PPV07; Patow et al. 2007; MMP09; Mas et al. 2009]. The restriction to rotationally symmetric reflectors is also commonly used, particularly in theoretical works [WN75; Westcott et al. 1975].
These works mostly focus on reflective surfaces, although many approaches readily can be extended to refraction as well. One noteworthy example investigating the problem of refraction is the work by [FDL10; Finckh et al. 2010]. They use GPU computations to speed up the caustic evaluation, and a stochastic approximation algorithm for the optimization, which is able to find a global optimum.
Concerning refractive objects, the field of lens design is also noteworthy, although the goals of these problems are different, e.g. aberration correction. These problems are often restricted to a small number of parameters such as radii of the underlying primitive shapes [PP05; Patow et al. 2005]. Again, there are exceptions, e.g. the work by [LSS98; Loos et al. 1998], who use a NURBS-based representation to optimize progressive lenses.
[WPMR09; Weyrich et al. 2009] have chosen a different approach to reproduce a pre-specified far-field distribution. First, they generated a set of sloped, planar microfacets to realize the desired distribution of ray directions. Then, they arranged the microfacets in a regular array using simulated annealing to minimize the resulting discontinuities. Closely related to Weyrich et al.'s work is the system for near-fields proposed by [PJJ+11; Papas et al. 2011]. They extended the notion of microfacets to curved micropatches, which are used to produce specks of light with an anisotropic Gaussian distribution. To compute the shape of the micropatches that produce a Gaussian irradiance distribution, Papas et al. define a bijective mapping between points in the micropatch domain and points on the projection plane, analytically compute the surface normals that refract/reflect the light in this way, and finally integrate this normal field to arrive at the required micropatch surface.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a reflective or refractive surface that reflects or refracts light shined thereon and reproduces on a screen a desired greyscale intensity image on which the reflective or refractive surface is based and a corresponding apparatus, wherein the method permits a reproduction of a reference grayscale image with adjustable precision.

Method of producing a reflective or refractive surface

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE


A broadcast receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit which receives a broadcast signal, a graphic user interface (GUI) generating unit which generates a GUI, a signal processing unit which generates a video frame to which the GUI is added, a display unit which displays the video frame to which the GUI is added, a communication unit which establishes a communication connection with a user terminal device that executes a smart view function, and a control unit which controls the broadcast receiving apparatus to perform a corresponding operation according to a touch coordinate value transmitted from the user terminal device. Thus, the broadcast receiving apparatus can be controlled in various forms through the user terminal device.

1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a broadcast receiving apparatus, a method of controlling the same, a user terminal device, and a method of providing a screen thereof, and more particularly, to a method of controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus through a user terminal device by establishing a communication connection between the broadcast receiving apparatus and the user terminal device, the broadcast receiving apparatus, and the user terminal device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Under the influence of the development of electronic technology, various electronic devices have been developed and become widespread. In particular, recently, the use of electronic devices having enhanced performance such as a smart phone and a smart television (TV) has rapidly increased.
The needs of users for further various functions have also increased with an increase in the use of electronic devices having the increased performance. Thus, the efforts of manufacturers to satisfy the needs of the users are increasing and hence products with new functions not existing in the related art are appearing one after another.
On the other hand, with the development of communication technology, various electronic devices can be independently used according to a function of each device and connected to a wired/wireless network so that the electronic devices are mutually controlled. In particular, a broadcast receiving apparatus such as a TV and a user terminal device such as a portable phone are mutually connected through a wireless/wired link, and hence a user can perform an operation of controlling the TV or the like while watching a TV broadcast through the portable phone.
Further various functions of conveniently controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus are required according to an increase in the use of the above-described aspects of the exemplary embodiments. In addition, there is a need for a method of conveniently and efficiently controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus through a small screen because a size of the user terminal device is relatively smaller than that of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

Broadcast receiving apparatus, method of controlling the same, user terminal device, and method of providing screen thereof


In an apparatus for transporting packaged food products from a product loading station to an unloading station, series of containers are entrained by a drive arrangement along a closed-loop path and temporarily halted at the loading station and the unloading station for loading the products onto the containers and unloading the products from the containers, respectively; each container has a hitch member arranged to rest on the drive arrangement in a freely slidable manner therealong and, disposed in the closed-loop path, there is at least one accelerating device applying a force to each container effective to impose on the container an acceleration with respect to the speed of the drive arrangement.

This invention relates to an apparatus for transporting food products, from a station whereto they are delivered one after the other, to a second station whence at least two of said products are simultaneously picked up and passed over to subsequent processing.
It is known that in a process for packaging food products which have peculiar features of texture, shape, and dimensions--as may have certain confectionary products, bakery products, and the like--a fairly common practice is to first package each product individually, and then pack (or box) the individually packaged products in predetermined numbers, for example within a common box or such like container.
Packaging lines for products as above are, therefore, equipped with two packaging machines which have, of necessity, different constructional and performance characteristics and which, above all, operate at different rates: the machine which packages the individual products being the faster of the two, and the machine which boxes the predetermined numbers of individually packaged products being the slower.
For creating no discontinuities in the production line (storage or lack of products at some key points along the line), as well as to ensure an at least acceptable productivity from the industrial standpoint, the operational times and rates of the two packaging machines, the slow one and the fast one, must be disjoined and made independent of each other.
For this purpose, an apparatus has long been in use for transporting individually packaged food products from the fast packaging machine to the slow one, which apparatus comprises a continuous belt entraining a series of substantially tray-like containers along a closed loop path. The containers are halted at a first station where they are each loaded with a single packaged product and then halted at a second station to form groups of a predetermined number of said containers whence the respective packaged products are simultaneously picked up and taken to the slow packaging machine. Throughout this specification and the appended claims, said first station will be referred to as the load station for loading individually packaged products and the second station as the unload station for simultaneously unloading a predetermined number of such products.
Each container is provided with a hitch mechanism that clasps elastically the belt, whereby it is entrained in frictional engagement with the latter. At the load and unload stations, the container is halted by check devices which hold up the container against said frictional engagement, while the belt continues to run in order to move non-halted containers located in areas other than the load and unload stations.
It is a recognized fact that the adjustment of the friction force to enable proper operation of the transport apparatus constitutes a problem. In fact, a sufficiently large friction force is required to prevent relative slip between the hitch mechanism and the belt while the belt is dragging the container with it, so as to avoid losses of speed by the container; on the other hand, the friction force should be sufficiently small not to strain the check devices and harm the belt when the container is held up at the load and unload stations. Any solution is, therefore, a compromise solution which fails to provide a highly efficient transport apparatus.
In addition, the friction force may change over time and require renewed setting of the transport apparatus.

Apparatus for transporting products, particularly packaged food products, from a product loading station to a product unloading station

Barilla G.e. R. F.lli - Societa per Azioni


A method for manufacturing a fingerprint recognition sensor is provided. The method includes providing a CMOS sensor; depositing a transparent electrode layer as a thin film on the upper portion of the CMOS image sensor, to which a terminal of an AC power source is connected, the transparent electrode layer being made of a transparent insulating material and a transparent conductive material; forming a luminescent layer at the upper portion of the transparent electrode layer to generate a light image; forming a dielectric layer at the upper portion of the luminescent layer; and forming a contamination-resistance film at the upper portion of the dielectric layer. With this method, since the CMOS image sensor is utilized, circuit construction can be simplified. In addition, a fingerprint image having a good contrast can be obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fingerprint recognition sensor and its manufacturing method, and more particularly to a one chip-based finger recognition sensor using a CMOS (Complementary Metal-oxide Semiconductor) sensor and its manufacturing method.
2. Description of the Background Art
Generally, in order for portable information communication instruments such as a mobile phone or a portable computer (that is, a laptop computer) to have a security function by using fingerprints, a very thin fingerprint recognition sensor is required.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fingerprint recognition system in accordance with a conventional art.
As shown in the drawing, a conventional fingerprint recognition system includes an image generator 10 and a sensor-arranged part 20.
The image generator 10 includes a single electrode electro-luminescence device 12 and an A/C power source 14, and the single electrode electro-luminescence device 12 includes a transparent electrode 13, a luminescent layer and a dielectric layer 17.
However, the conventional fingerprint recognition system constructed as described above has a problem that, since the image generator 10 and the sensor-arranged part 20 are separated at a distance to each other, the light coming out of the image generator 10 spreads out to reach the surface of the sensor-arranged part 20 like the arrows as shown in FIG. 1L, rather than traveling straight, resulting in that an optical image of fingerprints is unclear.
In this respect, the longer the image generator 10 is away from the sensor-arranged part 20, the more the light radiating from the image generator 10 is lost, so that the optical image of the fingerprints grows more dim.
In detail, in the conventional fingerprint recognition system, the light coming out of the luminescent layer 15 is radiated in three-dimensional manner. At this time, since the light is reflected on the dielectric layer 17, the light is thus directed to the sensor-arranged part 20. In this respect, the light spreads in a two-dimensional manner, rather than going straight ahead, to reach the surface of the sensor-arranged part 20. And, at this time, the light works on the light reflected on the dielectric layer 17, creating a noise, so that a high contrast image is hardly obtained.
Also, in this case, since the light generated due to the ridge of a fingerprint spreads toward the valley of the fingerprints, it is very difficult to obtain a high-quality fingerprint from a sweat hand of a person.
In addition, the surface of the single electrode electro-luminescence unit 12 is made of a dielectric layer 17. Thus, in case that it is employed as a fingerprint recognition element to be used by numerous persons (i.e., in case of a fingerprint image which has been taken by more than 100 times, which is repeated for a week), as shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the fingerprint recognition element is contaminated by dirt of fingerprints, degrading the finger image.

Fingerprint recognition sensor and manufacturing method thereof


Disclosed is a thermoelectric material comprising a main phase which is represented by the following composition formula and having an MgAgAs-type crystalline structure:(Ta1Zrb1Hfc1)xCoySb100-x-y                 wherein 0<a1<1, 0<b1<1, 0<c1<1, a1+b1+c1=1, 30≦x ≦35, and 30≦y≦35.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a thermoelectric material and to a thermoelectric module using this thermoelectric material. In particular, this invention relates to a thermoelectric material comprising, as a main phase, a half-Heuslar compound having an MgAgAs-type crystalline structure and to a thermoelectric module using this thermoelectric material.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, due to ever increasing consciousness about the global environment, there is increasing interest in a thermoelectric module where the Peltier effect is taken advantage of, such as a flonless refrigerating machine. Likewise, with a view to minimize the discharge of carbon dioxide, there is increasing interest in a thermoelectric module where the Seebeck effect is taken advantage of for providing a power generating system using waste heat energy.
These thermoelectric modules where the Peltier effect or Seebeck effect is taken advantage of are generally created using p-type elements comprising a p-type thermoelectric material and n-type elements comprising an n-type thermoelectric material, these p- and n-type elements being alternately connected with each other in series. Most thermoelectric materials utilized near room temperature are formed of a single crystal or polycrystalline Bi—Te-based material, since the single crystal or polycrystalline Bi—Te-based material is high in conversion efficiency. And thermoelectric materials utilized in above room temperature are usually formed of a single crystal or polycrystalline Pb—Te-based material, since the single crystal or polycrystalline Pb—Te-based material is also high in conversion efficiency.
However, selenium (Se) and lead (Pb) to be employed as a dopant in the Bi—Te-based crystal are noxious and harmful to the human body and also undesirable from a global environmental viewpoint. Therefore, a harmless material which can be employed in place of the Bi—Te-based or Pb—Te-based materials is now being sought.
The half-Heusler compounds can be represented by a chemical formula ABX and is an intermetallic compound having an MgAgAs type cubic crystal structure wherein the B atom is inserted into the NaCl type crystal lattice of AX. Compounds having such a structure are capable of exhibiting a high Seebeck coefficient at room temperature. For example, it is reported that TiNiSn has a Seebeck coefficient of −142 μV/K; ZrNiSn, a Seebeck coefficient of −176 μV/K, and HfNiSn, has a Seebeck coefficient of −124 μV/K.
The figure of merit Z of the thermoelectric material can be represented by the following expression (1):Z=α2σ/κ  (1)
wherein α is the Seebeck coefficient of the thermoelectric material; σ is the conductivity; and κ is the thermal conductivity of the thermoelectric material. The inverse number of the conductivity σ can be represented by the electric resistivity ρ.
The figure of merit Z has a dimension which is the inverse of temperature. When this figure of merit Z is multiplied by the absolute temperature, it gives a dimensionless value ZT. This dimensionless value ZT is called the dimensionless figure-of-merit and is correlated to the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric material, so that the greater ZT becomes in a thermoelectric material, the greater the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric material becomes. In other word, provided that a thermoelectric material is less capable of transmitting heat, better at transmitting electricity, and greater in thermoelectric power generating capacity, the thermoelectric material becomes greater in thermoelectric conversion efficiency. For example, the Bi—Te-based material which are the highest dimensionless figure-of-merit among the materials known to date is capable of exhibiting a dimensionless figure-of-merit of about 1.0 at 300K.
Although the aforementioned half-Heuslar compound ZrNiSn has a Seebeck coefficient as high as −176 μV/K at room temperature, its resistivity at room temperature is as high as 11 mΩcm and its thermal conductivity is as high as 8.8 W/mK. Accordingly, it is reported that the dimensionless figure-of-merit ZT of the compound ZrNiSn is as small as 0.010 and the thermoelectric conversion efficiency is also small. In the cases of the compounds TiNiSn and HfNiSn, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency is much smaller, i.e., about 0.007 in the case of TiNiSn and 0.005 in the case of HfNiSn.
There is also reported another half-Heuslar compound which includes all of Ti, Zr and Hf and can be represented by the formula of TixZryHfzNiSn (x=0.5-0.8; y or z=0.1-0.4).
This half-Heuslar compound represented by TixZryHfzNiSn (x=0.5-0.8; y or z=0.1-0.4) is reported to exhibit at room temperature a Seebeck coefficient of −253 μV/K, an resistivity of 6.9 mΩcm and a thermal conductivity of 5.7 W/mK when x, y, and z is 0.5, 0.2 and 0.3, respectively, indicating that since this half-Heuslar compound includes all of Ti, Zr and Hf, its thermal conductivity can be reduced compared with the aforementioned ternary compounds.
However, even with this half-Heuslar compound represented by TixZryHfzNiSn (x=0.5-0.8; y or z=0.1-0.4), the dimensionless figure-of-merit at room temperature is as small as 0.05 or not as high compared with the aforementioned Bi—Te-based material.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Thermoelectric material and thermoelectric module using the thermoelectric material


System and method are provided for driving a transistor. The system includes a floating-voltage generator, a first driving circuit, and a second driving circuit. The floating-voltage generator is configured to receive a first bias voltage and generate a floating voltage, the floating-voltage generator being further configured to change the floating voltage if the first bias voltage changes and to maintain the floating voltage to be lower than the first bias voltage by a first predetermined value in magnitude. The first driving circuit is configured to receive an input signal, the first bias voltage and the floating voltage. The second driving circuit is configured to receive the input signal, a second bias voltage and a third bias voltage, the first driving circuit and the second driving circuit being configured to generate an output signal to drive a transistor.

The present invention is directed to integrated circuits. More particularly, the invention provides systems and methods for driving transistors. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied for driving a transistor with a high threshold voltage. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability.
In high voltage applications, a power field-effect transistor (FET) often should have a high drain-source breakdown voltage (e.g., >100 V). Such a power FET usually has a threshold voltage of 3-4 V. Using a gate driver with a low output voltage, for example, 5 V to drive the power FET often results in a high turn-on resistance or incomplete turn-on of the power FET. Hence, a gate driver with a relatively high output voltage that is larger than 5 V (e.g., the output voltage being 8-10 V) is often needed.
FIG. 1 is a simplified conventional diagram showing a system 100 for driving a transistor 104. The gate-driving system 100 includes a gate driver 102 and a transistor 104. The gate driver 102 includes a power source 122, and four inverters 124, 126, 128 and 130. The inverter 124 includes transistors 106 and 114 that are connected with each other, and the inverter 126 includes transistors 108 and 116 that are connected with each other. Additionally, the inverter 128 includes transistors 110 and 118 that are connected with each other, and the inverter 130 includes transistors 112 and 120 that are connected with each other. The four inverters 124, 126, 128 and 130 are connected in cascade. For example, the transistors 106, 108, 110, and 112 are P-channel FETs, and the transistors 114, 116, 118, and 120 are N-channel FETs. In another example, the transistor 104 is a power FET. The power source 122 provides a low-level bias voltage 132 (e.g., GND) and a high-level bias voltage 134 (e.g., VDD) to each of the cascaded inverters 124, 126, 128 and 130.
An input signal 136 (e.g., GATE_IN) is received by the cascaded inverters 124, 126, 128 and 130, and in response the gate driver 102 generates an output signal 138 to drive the transistor 104. Specifically, in operation, the inverter 124 receives the input signal 136 (e.g., GATE IN), and generates a first inverted signal 140. The inverter 126 receives the first inverted signal 140, and generates a second inverted signal 142 which is received by the inverter 128. The inverter 128 then generates a third inverted signal 144 which is received by the inverter 130. The inverter 130 finally generates the output signal 138 for driving the transistor 104. For example, if the input signal 136 is at a logic high level, the transistor 106 is turned off and the transistor 114 is turned on. Then the first inverted signal 140 is generated to be approximately equal to the low-level bias voltage 132 (e.g., GND). The inverter 126 receives the first inverted signal 140, and the transistor 108 is turned on while the transistor 116 is turned off The second inverted signal 142 is generated to be approximately equal to the high-level bias voltage 134 (e.g., VDD). In turn, the third inverted signal 144 is approximately equal to the low-level bias voltage 132 (e.g., GND), and the output signal 138 is approximately equal to the high-level bias voltage 134 (e.g., VDD). Then, the transistor 104 is turned on by the output signal 138 if the transistor 104 is an N-channel FET. In another example, when the input signal 136 is at a logic low level, then the transistor 104 is turned off by the output signal 138 if the transistor 104 is an N-channel FET.
Usually, the transistors in the gate driver 102 (e.g., the transistor 106, etc.) are high voltage devices of which manufacturing costs are often high. Further, these transistors usually have high turn-on resistance, and low driving capability per unit area. Hence, to drive a same load, the transistors in the gate driver 102 often use larger areas than low voltage devices.
To improve the driving capability per unit area, a bootstrap structure and low voltage devices are often used in a gate driver. FIG. 2 is a simplified conventional diagram showing a system 200 with a bootstrap structure for driving a transistor 204 . The gate-driving system 200 includes a gate driver 202 and a transistor 204. The gate driver 202 includes a low-side driver 206, a high-side driver 208, and a power source 210. The gate driver 202 further includes a bootstrap terminal 248 (e.g., BS). The low-side driver 206 includes the inverters 212, 214, 216 and 218, and a transistor 220. The high-side driver 208 includes the inverters 222, 224, 226 and 228, a level shifter 230, a transistor 232, a boost capacitor 234, and a diode 236. The inverters 212, 214, 216 and 218 are connected in cascade, and the inverters 222, 224, 226 and 228 are connected in cascade. For example, the transistors 220 and 232 are lateral-diffused MOSFETs (LDMOSs), such as lateral-diffused N-channel MOSFETs. In another example, the transistor 204 is a power FET.
The power source 210 provides a high-level bias voltage 238 (e.g., VDD) and a low-level bias voltage 246 (e.g., GND) to each of the inverters in the low-side driver 206. An input signal 240 (e.g., GATE_IN) is provided to both the low-side driver 206, and the high-side driver 208, and the gate driver 202 generates in response an output signal 242 to drive the transistor 204. Specifically, in operation, in the low-side driver 206, the inverter 212 receives the input signal 240 (e.g., GATE IN), and generates a first inverted signal 260. The inverter 214 receives the first inverted signal 260, and generates a second inverted signal 262 which is received by the inverter 216. The inverter 216 then generates a third inverted signal 264 which is received by the inverter 218. The inverter 218 generates a signal 244 to drive the transistor 220. If the transistor 220 is turned on by the signal 244 while the transistor 232 is off, then the output signal 242 (e.g., GATE_OUT) becomes approximately equal to the low-level bias voltage 246 (e.g., GND). For example, the high-level bias voltage 238 (e.g., VDD) is 5 V.
On the other hand, the input signal 240 is also received by the level shifter 230, and in response the level shifter 230 generates a signal 256. The cascaded inverters 222, 224, 226 and 228 receive the signal 256, and generate a signal 258 to drive the transistor 232. A high-level bias voltage 252 (e.g., VCC) is provided to the transistor 232. If the transistor 232 is turned on by the signal 258 while the transistor 220 is off, then the output signal 242 (e.g., GATE_OUT) becomes approximately equal to the high-level bias voltage 252 (e.g., VCC). For example, the bias voltage 252 (e.g., VCC) is 10 V.
The boost capacitor 234 operates to increase the voltage of the bootstrap terminal 248 (e.g., BS) to be larger in magnitude than the output signal 242 (e.g., GATE_OUT) by a predetermined voltage, and to provide a voltage 250 for the high-side driver 208 to operate. The diode 236 operates to rectify a current 254 flowing from the power source 210 to the diode 236 in order to prevent a current flowing from the high-side driver 208 to the power source 210 if the voltage of the bootstrap terminal 248 (e.g., BS) becomes larger than the bias voltage 238 (e.g., VDD) provided by the power source 210.
The conventional gate driver 202 usually uses a bootstrap structure including the boost capacitor 234 and the bootstrap terminal 248 (e.g., BS) to provide a proper operating voltage for the high-side driver 208. However, the boost capacitor 234 often has a capacitance of tens or hundreds of nanofarads, and hence may not be easily incorporated into an integrated-circuit (IC) chip. Further, the bootstrap terminal 248 is not suitable if terminals (e.g., pins) are limited on an IC chip. Additionally, the diode 236 is usually needed for the gate driver 202 for rectifying the current 254. If the diode 236 is a Schottky diode which often has good performance for rectification, manufacturing costs may increase.
Hence it is highly desirable to improve techniques of driving transistors with high threshold voltages.

Systems and methods for driving transistors with high threshold voltages

On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.


An electromechanical device for measuring the inclination of a support plane with high resolution, high accuracy and low sensitivity to outside disturbances, comprising a first electromechanical pendulum system, controlled in a closed loop to measure the static rotations of an inverted pendulum pivoted to a supporting structure which can be associated with the support plane whose inclination is to be measured. The measurement is performed by measuring the mechanical torque required to keep the inverted pendulum in a neutral position, i.e., in a position which is substantially perpendicular to the support plane. This is made possible by a first motor which is associated with the inverted pendulum and turns it as a function of its angular deviation from the neutral position measured by a first position sensor associated with the inverted pendulum.

Currently, known devices, designed to measure the inclination of a support plane and/or the like and commonly known as inclinometers, are commercially available.
More precisely, the main fields of use of such kinds of device can be the following:                metrological correction of targeting systems which require precision in absolute terms, such as for example telescopes;        monitoring ground stability, such as for example for predicting landslides;        monitoring of civil structures, such as for example monuments;        geodetic monitoring in regions affected by volcanic or bradyseism phenomena;        dynamic analyses of civil structures.
Known devices are based on the classic bubble level, in which the air bubble is usually replaced with an electrolyte and measurement occurs by electronic means, allowing a high degree of resolution and accuracy.
These known types of devices are not devoid of drawbacks, which include the fact that if the plane whose inclination is to be measured is subject to horizontal movements, they are unable to distinguish between inclination and horizontal accelerations oriented at right angles to the gravity vector.
This problem occurs particularly in use in targeting systems, such as for example in telescopes.
In such applications, known types of devices are placed typically on the azimuth platform and, during the rapid targeting movements of telescopes, are subjected to large horizontal accelerations, which cause the measurement made to be unreliable.
Moreover, such horizontal accelerations can also lead to saturation of the device, preventing it from performing the measurement.
Another drawback of known types of devices consists in that they are dynamically slow if the inclinometer is brought to saturation as a consequence of high inclinations.
The reset times for performing an adequate reading of such devices can reach even several minutes. Such long times can occur as a consequence of a saturation of the device which can entail total immersion of the detectors by the liquid that is present within the device.
To allow the system to settle again and allow the detector to be completely dry, it is inevitably necessary to allow some time to elapse.

Electromechanical device for measuring the inclination of a support plane with high resolution, high accuracy and low sensitivity to outside disturbances


A lubrication fluid including cyclic hydrocarbons in combination with dimethylsilicone fluids and/or di-alkyl or di-cycloalkyl or alkyl-cycloalkyl, or mixtures thereof, and di-end-capped polypropylene oxides or highly branched esters to produce very high traction elastohydrodynamic (EHD) traction fluids and to modify the low temperature viscometric properties of the mixed fluids without adversely affecting the very high elastohydrodynamic shear strength or traction coefficients of the very high shear strength cyclic hydrocarbon fluid in the resulting mixed fluids with improved low temperature viscosity.

Elastohydrodynamic traction drives are power transmission devices that operate by transmitting torque through a thin elastohydrodynamic film of fluid between nominally-smooth, rolling-sliding, highly-loaded contacts. The efficient transfer of torque relies upon the high-stress shear strength of the fluid used to lubricate the surfaces in these high-stress elastically-deformed contacts. Fluids with very high elastohydrodynamic shear strength, or high traction coefficients, enable the most efficient transfer of torque through these contacts from one surface to the other. Thus, the shear strength properties of the fluid under the EHD contact operational conditions effectively dictate the sizing of the device for a given power or torque transfer requirement. Or, in any given size of an EHD traction transmission, determines the loading of the contact, the contact stress, required to produce a required torque through the device and thus has a large impact on the durability of the traction drive components. Prior art fluids are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,645,395 and references therein.

High elastohydrodynamic shear strength fluid compositions