A thin film transistor substrate and a fabricating method thereof for simplifying a process are disclosed. In a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, a gate line is provided on a substrate. A data line crosses the gate line with having a gate insulating film therebetween to define a pixel area. A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode connected to the gate line, a source electrode connected to the data line, a drain electrode opposed to the source electrode and a semiconductor layer for defining a channel between the source electrode and the drain electrode. A pixel electrode is connected to the drain electrode and is provided at said pixel area. Herein, said data line, said source electrode and said drain electrode have a double-layer structure in which a source/drain metal pattern and a transparent conductive pattern are built. Said pixel electrode is formed by an extension of the transparent conductive pattern of the drain electrode. A protective film makes a border with the transparent conductive pattern and provided at the remaining area thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a liquid crystal display, and more particularly to a thin film transistor substrate and a fabricating method thereof that are adaptive for simplifying a process.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) controls light transmittance of a liquid crystal having a dielectric anisotropy using an electric field to thereby display a picture. To this end, the LCD includes a liquid crystal display panel for displaying a picture by a liquid crystal cell matrix, and a driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display panel.
Referring to FIG. 1, a related art liquid crystal display panel is comprised of a color filter substrate 10 and a thin film transistor substrate 20 that are joined to each other with having a liquid crystal 24 therebetween.
The color filter substrate 10 includes a black matrix 4, a color filter 6 and a common electrode 8 that are sequentially provided on an upper glass substrate 2. The black matrix 4 is provided in a matrix type on the upper glass substrate 2. The black matrix 4 divides an area of the upper glass substrate 2 into a plurality of cell areas to be provided with the color filter 6, and prevents a light interference between adjacent cells and an external light reflection. The color filter 6 is provided at the cell area divided by the black matrix 4 in such a manner to be divided into red(R), green(G) and blue(B) ones, thereby transmitting red, green and blue lights. The common electrode 8 is formed from a transparent conductive layer entirely coated onto the color filter 6, and supplies a common voltage Vcom that serves as a reference voltage upon driving of the liquid crystal 24. Further, an over-coated layer (not illustrated) for smoothing the color filter 6 may be provided between the color filter 6 and the common electrode 8.
The thin film transistor substrate 20 includes a thin film transistor 18 and a pixel electrode 22 provided for each cell area defined by an crossing between a gate line 14 and a data line 16 at a lower glass substrate 12. The thin film transistor 18 applies a data signal from the data line 16 to the pixel electrode 22 in response to a gate signal from the gate line 14. The pixel electrode 22 formed from a transparent conductive layer supplies a data signal from the thin film transistor 18 to drive the liquid crystal 24.
The liquid crystal 24 having a dielectric anisotropy is rotated in accordance with an electric field formed by a data signal from the pixel electrode 22 and a common voltage Vcom from the common electrode 8 to control light transmittance, thereby implementing a gray scale level.
Further, the liquid crystal display panel includes a spacer (not illustrated) for constantly keeping a cell gap between the color filter substrate 10 and the thin film transistor substrate 20.
In such a liquid crystal display panel, the color filter substrate 10 and the thin film transistor substrate 20 are formed by a plurality of mask processes. Herein, one mask process includes a lot of processes such as thin film deposition (coating), cleaning, photolithography, etching, photo-resist stripping and inspection processes, etc.
Particularly, because the thin film transistor substrate includes the semiconductor process and requires a plurality of mask processes, it has a complicated fabricating process which is major factor in the increased manufacturing cost of liquid crystal display panels. Therefore, the thin film transistor substrate has been developed to reduce the number of mask process.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof


Method for identifying one or more fracture clusters in a formation surrounding a reservoir. In one implementation, the method may include generating a P to S image, comparing the P to S image to one or more images from a borehole, and identifying one or more fracture clusters using the P to S image and the borehole images.

1. Field of the Invention
Implementations of various techniques described herein generally relate to sub-surface mapping in the oil and gas industry.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following descriptions and examples do not constitute an admission as prior art by virtue of their inclusion within this section.
Implementations of various techniques described herein are directed to identifying fractures and/or fracture clusters that exist in the formation surrounding a reservoir. These fractures may exist due to the nature of the formation, such as rocks, limestones and the like. Knowledge of the fractures or fracture clusters surrounding a reservoir may be important for well planning, production and the like for various reasons. For example, fractures may be used to assist the flow of hydrocarbons from the reservoir to which the fractures are connected. Further, knowledge of the fractures location may assist the geosteering of the pipes leading to the reservoir.
Currently, geologists use borehole images to identify these fractures. Such borehole images may include ultrasonic borehole images (UBI), oil-based mud images (OBMI), formation microscanned images (FMI) and the like. Unfortunately, the borehole images only provide images of the surface of the fractures. The depth, length and shape/pattern of the fractures and the distance between the fractures and the reservoir often remain unknown to geologists. As a result, geologists often use probability density functions to extrapolate the depth, length and shape of the fractures and the distance between the fractures and the reservoir. Therefore, a need exists in the art for an improved method to identify fractures or fracture clusters surrounding a reservoir.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) ring for providing protection against fiber failures. The optical network unit (ONU) is coupled to the ring fiber by a three-port passive optical splitting module that has three two-way optical passages. By the three two-way optical passages, the OUN receives/transmits data from/to the two ends of the optical line termination (OLT) to provide protection while the fiber failure. Moreover, it provides better authorization of users and simpler collision detection by the two-way transmission of the three-port passive optical splitting module to prevent hackers from invading and to reduce collisions.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to an Ethernet passive optical network ring used in a local optical network system. In particular, the invention relates to an Ethernet passive optical network ring that can prevent the whole system from breaking when the network ring fails without the need of additional active or passive optical devices in any form.
2. Related Art
The structure of a normal Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) ring is shown in FIG. 1. It uses an optical line termination (OLT) 11 to manage several optical network units (ONU) 12. The two ends of an optical ring 10 are connected to the OLT 11. Each of the ONU 12 uses an optical splitter 13 to connect to the optical ring 10. Therefore, controlled by the OLT 11, they can receive/transmit data. Such an optical network structure is usually suitable for systems with low-density users.
Due to intrinsic defects, the system breaks as the optical ring 10 fails. With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the optical splitter 13 only provides one-way transmissions for the ONU 12. In other words, the OLT 11 can transmit data only in the clockwise direction along the optical ring 10 (see the arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A), and receive data in the counterclockwise direction along the optical ring 10 (see the arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B). Therefore, once the optical ring 10 breaks, as shown in FIG. 3, the downstream ONU also breaks. The drawing shows in order the first ONU 121, the second ONU 122, the third ONU 123, the fourth ONU 124, and the fifth ONU 125. When the optical ring 10 breaks between the third ONU 123 and the fourth ONU 124, both the fourth ONU 124 and fifth ONU 125 break.
To solve this problem, the U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,400 proposed a switching method to let the optical splitter couple to one end. When the network breaks, it provides a temporary solution. However, the switching method increases device costs and involves higher complexity in controls.
On the other hand, since the optical ring 10 only provides a single ONU 12 to transmit data at a time, collisions will happen when other ONU 12 are using the optical ring 10 to transmit data or perform authorization at the same time. Consequently, one needs to make collision detection beforehand to reduce collisions. With reference to FIG. 4, a 3×N optical splitter 142 connects two of the three ports on the left-hand side (LHS) using an isolator 141. When light sends data from the first ONU 121 at the port on the right-hand side (RHS) to the optical splitter 142, the connected ports on the LHS reflect the signal because of the isolator 141. The reflected signal passes through the optical splitter 142 and reaches the second ONU 122. The second ONU 122 has a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system 144, an optical receiving unit 142, a coupler 145, an optical transmitting unit 147, and a carrier sensor 146. The carrier sensor 146 receives the returned signal. The advantage of this method is to avoid collisions as a result of sending several signals at the same time the first ONU 121 transmits data. However, one has to include in addition a 3×N optical splitter 142 and an isolator 141. This does not only increase the cost but also makes the system structure more complicated.

Ethernet passive optical network ring and its method of authorization and collision detection

Industrial Technology Research Institute


To provide an automatic vending machine capable of preventing, at the time of carrying out a commodity from a commodity column to a commodity receptor, the commodity from falling down due to a change in posture of the commodity, and mitigating falling shock of the commodity. When the commodity is carried out of the commodity column to the commodity receptor, the commodity is caused to abut on a commodity supporting member located on one side of the commodity receptor, and the commodity is moved toward the other end side of the commodity receptor with the commodity supporting member abutted thereon, whereby the commodity is received by the commodity receptor while the commodity is being supported by the commodity supporting member. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the contents from being damaged due to falling down or falling shock caused by a change in posture of the commodity during carrying-out.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine capable of selling commodities having various shapes and sizes such as beverages enclosed in a can, a bottle, a plastic bottle , a paper carton or the like, and dairy products and confectionery contained in a predetermined container such as a cup.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as automatic vending machines of this kind, there has been known an automatic vending machine having, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-302140, a vending machine body having a commodity outlet port in a lower part of the front surface; a plurality of commodity columns arranged in a widthwise direction and in an up-and-down direction of the vending machine body; a commodity bucket arranged ahead of each commodity column so as to be able to move in the widthwise direction and in the up-and-down direction of the vending machine body; and a moving mechanism for moving the commodity bucket in the widthwise direction and in the up-and-down direction of the vending machine body.
In this automatic vending machine, when a commodity is selected, the commodity bucket is moved to a commodity column corresponding to the selected commodity by means of the moving mechanism, and the commodity in the commodity column is pressed from behind by a pressing member to be carried out into the commodity bucket, the commodity bucket, which has received the commodity, is moved to the commodity outlet port by means of the moving mechanism so that the commodity of the commodity bucket is carried out into the commodity outlet port.
In the above-described automatic vending machine, however, at the time of carrying out the commodity of the commodity column into the commodity bucket, the commodity is adapted to fall into the commodity bucket, and therefore, commodities in which, for example, pudding, yogurt or the like are contained in a container, have had a problem that the quality of the commodities is impaired because the contents are damaged due to falling down or falling shock caused by a change in posture during falling.
The present invention has been achieved in the light of the above-described problem, and is aimed to provide an automatic vending machine capable of preventing, when the commodity is being carried out from the commodity column to the commodity receptor, the commodity from falling down due to a change in posture of the commodity, and mitigating falling shock of the commodity.
According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic vending machine provided with: a vending machine body having a commodity outlet port at a predetermined position; a plurality of commodity columns arranged at least in one direction of the widthwise direction and the up-and-down direction of the vending machine body; a commodity carrying-out mechanism provided for each commodity column respectively, for carrying out a commodity within the commodity column in a predetermined direction; a commodity receptor capable of receiving a commodity to be carried out of each commodity column; and a moving mechanism for moving the commodity receptor in a direction of arrangement of each commodity column, wherein the commodity receptor is moved to any commodity column by means of the moving mechanism, the commodity within the commodity column is carried out into the commodity receptor by means of the commodity carrying-out mechanism, the commodity receptor, which has received the commodity, is moved to the commodity outlet port by means of the moving mechanism, further comprising: a commodity supporting member provided for the commodity receptor so as to be movable from one end side thereof toward the other end side; and a driving mechanism, which positions the commodity supporting member on one end side of the commodity receptor to cause a commodity to be carried out of the commodity column to abut on the commodity supporting member, and moves the commodity supporting member toward the other end side of the commodity receptor with the commodity supporting member abutted on the commodity.
Thereby, when the commodity is carried out to the commodity receptor from the commodity column, the commodity abuts on the commodity supporting member located on one end side of the commodity receptor, and the commodity supporting member is moved toward the other end side of the commodity receptor with the commodity abutted thereon by means of the driving mechanism, and therefore, the commodity is received within the commodity receptor while the commodity is being supported by the commodity supporting member. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the contents of the commodity to be carried out of the commodity column from being damaged due to falling down or falling shock of the commodity, and this is very advantageous when commodities in which, for example, pudding, yogurt or the like are contained in a container, are sold.
Also, according to the present invention, in the above-described structure, the commodity receptor is provided with a descendingly inclined commodity guide member, which slidingly moves the commodity for moving toward the other end side of the commodity receptor while abutting on the commodity supporting member, up to a predetermined position within the commodity receptor.
Thereby, when the commodity is being received by the commodity receptor, the commodity slidingly moves on the descendingly-inclined commodity guide member while abutting on the commodity supporting plate, and therefore, the commodity can be smoothly guided up to a predetermined position within the commodity receptor, thus making it possible to more reliably prevent vibration or shock onto the commodity from occurring.
Also, according to the present invention, in the structure, at least an abutted portion of the commodity supporting member on the commodity is formed to face obliquely upward toward one end side of the commodity receptor.
Thereby, since the commodity to be carried out of the commodity column can be reliably supported by the commodity guide member, the commodity can be always maintained in a stable posture even during a movement of the commodity guide member.
Also, according to the present invention, in the above-described structure, there are provided a gear provided for each of the commodity columns for driving the commodity carrying-out mechanism for the commodity column; and a column driving mechanism provided for the commodity receptor, for carrying out the commodity within the commodity column into the commodity receptor by means of the commodity carrying-out mechanism by transmitting a rotating force to the gear of the commodity column, and the column driving mechanism is constructed by: a first gear capable of meshing with a commodity column-side gear; a second gear provided on the commodity receptor side for rotation, for meshing with the first gear; a gear supporting member for supporting the first gear on one end side for rotation with the other end side supported for rotation around the rotating shaft of the second gear; a motor capable of rotating in both forward and reverse directions for rotating the second gear; and pressure-contact means for bringing the second gear and the gear supporting member into press contact with each other so as to rotate integrally. Thus, the motor is rotated in a predetermined direction, whereby the first gear is moved on the commodity column side by means of the rotation of the gear supporting member to mesh with the commodity column-side gear, and the second gear is rotated against the pressure-contact means while the rotation of the gear supporting member is regulated at a position of the engagement with the commodity column-side gear, while the rotation of the motor is reversed, whereby the first gear is adapted to be moved up to a predetermined position on the commodity receptor side by means of the rotation of the gear supporting member.
Thereby, when the commodity receptor moves to any commodity column, the motor of the column driving mechanism rotates in a predetermined direction, whereby the first gear rotates integrally with the gear supporting member by the pressure-contact means to move on the commodity column side for meshing with the commodity column-side gear. At this time, the rotation of the gear supporting member is regulated at a position of the engagement with the commodity column-side gear, and the second gear rotates against the pressure-contact means, and therefore, the rotating force of the second gear is transmitted to the commodity column-side gear through the first gear to drive the commodity carrying-out mechanism of the commodity column. Also, when the commodity receptor moves to another position, the rotation of the motor of the column driving mechanism is reversed, whereby the first gear rotates integrally with the gear supporting member by the pressure-contact means to move up to a predetermined position on the commodity receptor side. Therefore, since driving of the commodity carrying-out mechanism for each commodity column and movement of the gear toward the commodity column side and the commodity receptor side can be performed by one motor, the structure of the commodity receptor side can be simplified, and it is possible to make the commodity receptor small-sized, light-weighted, and lower in cost.
Also, according to the present invention, in the structure, part of the gear supporting member is formed so as to extend from one side of the second gear to the other side, and between one side of the second gear and a predetermined portion of the gear supporting member, a spring, which forms the pressure-contact means, is interposed in a compressed state.
Thereby, the other side of the second gear is pressed into contact with the gear supporting member side by means of the spring and its frictional force causes the second gear and the gear supporting member to rotate integrally, and therefore, it is possible to integrally rotate the second gear and the gear supporting member in a simple structure, and moreover, the reliable operation can be achieved.
Also, according to the present invention, in the structure, the commodity carrying-out mechanism for each commodity column is constructed by: an endless-shaped belt, on the upper surface of which the commodity is placed; and a pair of pulleys for rotationally supporting the belt and rotating by means of a commodity column-side gear.
Thereby, the rotation of the gear rotates the belt, whereby the commodity of the commodity column moves together with the upper surface of the belt to be carried out, and since, for example, the commodities are pressed from behind and are not brought into contact with each other, this is very advantageous when deformation-prone commodities or fall-prone commodities are sold.


An active bolster protects a passenger in an automotive vehicle during a crash event. An interior trim panel has a front wall with a front surface facing the passenger and a back surface including a plurality of closed bonding tracks spaced laterally across the panel. A plurality of bladder walls each has an outer flange bonded to a respective bonding track, a plurality of pleats disposed annularly adjacent the respective outer flange and defining a respective extension length, and central mounting towers attaching the respective bladder wall to a reaction structure. A plurality of micro gas generators are each mounted to a respective bladder wall for inflating the respective bladder walls. Inflation causes unfolding of the respective pleats while the trim panel deploys away from the reaction structure by a non-uniform distance resulting from a bladder wall having a pleat extension length not equal to another laterally-spaced bladder wall.

The present invention relates in general to active bolsters for occupant crash protection in automotive vehicles, and, more specifically, to a trim panel supporting a plurality of separate bladder walls with individual micro gas generators to achieve a non-uniform deployment distance laterally across the trim panel.
An active bolster is a vehicle occupant protection device with a gas-inflatable bladder to absorb impacts and reduce trauma to occupants during a crash. As opposed to deployable air bag cushions that emerge from behind various openings upon inflation, active bolsters use the interior trim surface itself to expand at the beginning of a crash event for absorbing the impact and dissipating energy through the action of an inflation gas. U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,909, issued Jun. 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference, discloses an active knee bolster integrated into a glove box door that is light weight and visually attractive. U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,868, issued Jul. 2, 2013, also incorporated herein by reference, discloses a typical structure wherein an active bolster includes an outer wall (e.g., trim panel) that faces a vehicle occupant attached to an inner bladder wall along a sealed periphery. One or both of the walls is deformable in order to provide an inflatable bladder. For example, the inner wall may have a pleated (i.e., accordion-like) region that straightens out during inflation. The walls are initially spaced apart by a small amount when in their pre-deployment, non-inflated condition. This allows ingress of the inflation gas in a manner that can achieve an even inflation across the panel.
The inner and outer walls of a typical active bolster are comprised of molded thermoplastics such as polyethylene, polyolefin, or PVC. They are typically injection molded but can also be blow molded. When formed separately, the walls must be hermetically joined around their periphery in order to form the inflatable bladder. The joint must be strong to resist separation as a result of the high pressures during inflation.
In known systems, circumferential pleats have resulted in an expansion trajectory that is perpendicular to the Class A surface in a generally symmetrical manner. This expansion profile has been desirable in most situations where the potential passenger interaction is symmetrical across the face of the bolster. In some situations, however, the Class A surface may be skewed with respect to the impacting passenger. For example, an instrument panel or dashboard in front of a front passenger seat may be curved or swept so that a glove box door is closer to the passenger on the left side than on the right side. A symmetric expansion of an active bolster in the glove box door would result in an uneven impact of the passenger with the bolster.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,448,980, issued May 28, 2013, entitled "Active Bolster with Unsymmetric Pleated Inflation" discloses a bladder having pleats that are radially variable so that unfolding during inflation is biased in a particular direction. Limitations associated with the injection molding or blow molding processes used to manufacture a pleated bladder wall and the limited packaging space available within the vehicle trim structure (e.g., glove box door), the amount of biased expansion obtainable is also limited. For purposes of vehicle styling, it is sometimes desirable to employ significant sweep in the trim surfaces which makes it ever more challenging to achieve a desired deployment orientation for an active bolster.
It would also be desirable to improve the ability to tailor the kinematics of bolster deployment according to expected occupant impact requirements and to reduce the overall costs of active bolsters.

Active bolster with multiple bladders on single trim piece


A directional dynamic microphone includes a protective cover, a diaphragm in air-tight engagement with the cover, a voice coil, and a magnet with a core pole member and a tubular pole member and disposed rearwardly of the diaphragm. The magnet has an outer front circumferential portion which is spaced apart from an annular wall of the cover to confine a sound passage therebetween, an outer intermediate circumferential portion which engages the annular wall and which defines a sound port opening outwardly and radially for air communication with the sound passage, and an outer rear circumferential portion with sound holes angularly displaced therein and smaller than the sound port. Each sound hole extends inwardly and radially for air communication with a rear major side of the diaphragm. A phase shift effecting sheet veils the sound port so as to impart the microphone with a unidirectional characteristic. A cylindrical shield member is sleeved on and is retainingly slidable relative to the outer rear circumferential portion, and has through holes. When the through holes are not registered with the sound holes to deny entry of a sound wave into the sound holes, the microphone is unidirectional. When the through holes are registered with the sound holes to admit the sound wave thereinto, the microphone is superdirectional.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a directional dynamic microphone, more particularly to a directional dynamic microphone which is interchangeable to have unidirectional and superdirectional characteristics.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional directional dynamic microphone is shown to include a main body 4 with a magnet 401 and an iron yoke 402, a washer 5, a plastic outer ring 6 with a connecting plate 601, a rear cap 7 with through holes 702 formed therearound, a voice coil 2, a diaphragm 3, a protective cover 1, and a housing 8. A felt piece 703, a washer 704 and screw rod 705 are disposed between the rear cap 7 and the housing 8. A sound pressure regulating rod 9 passes through a through hole 802 in the housing 8 and extends forwardly to engage threadedly the screw rod 705 for securing the housing 8 to the rear cap 7.
By virtue of the through holes 702, the conventional microphone has a unidirectional characteristic. It is desirable for the microphone to have unidirectional and superdirectional characteristics so as to be adapted for use in different application.
The object of the present invention is to provide a directional dynamic microphone which is interchangeable to have unidirectional and superdirectional characteristics.
According to this invention, the directional dynamic microphone includes a protective cover with a front air-permeable major wall and a rear air-impermeable annular wall extending rearwardly from a periphery of the front air-permeable major wall around an axial direction. A diaphragm is in air-tight engagement with an inner proximate annular portion of the annular wall. A voice coil has a front looped section which is secured to a rear major side of the diaphragm, a rear looped section which is movable with the diaphragm in the axial direction, and two terminal ends adapted to be led out for transmission of an electrical signal. A magnet is disposed rearwardly of the diaphragm, and includes a core pole member and a tubular pole member of a polar nature opposite to that of the core pole member. The tubular pole member has a cylindrical portion which is spaced apart from the core pole member in radial directions such that an annular clearance is formed therebetween to accommodate the movement of the rear looped section so as to result in the electrical signal that is to be led out by the terminal ends.
An outer circumferential wall of the magnet includes an outer front circumferential portion which is spaced apart from an inner distal annular portion of the annular wall in the radial directions to confine a sound passage therebetween, an outer rear circumferential portion distal to the inner distal annular portion, and an outer intermediate circumferential portion between the outer front and rear circumferential portions. The outer intermediate circumferential portion engages the inner distal annular portion, and has a sound port that opens outwardly and radially for air communication with the sound passage. The outer rear circumferential portion has a plurality of sound holes which are angularly displaced therein around the axial direction. Each sound hole is of a dimension smaller than that of the sound port, and extends inwardly and radially for air communication with the rear major side of the diaphragm. A phase shift effecting sheet is made of a flexible material, and veils the sound port so as to impart the dynamic microphone with a unidirectional characteristic. By virtue of the sound holes, the dynamic microphone is superdirectional. A cylindrical shield member is sleeved on and is retainingly slidable relative to the outer rear circumferential portion around the axial direction, and has a plurality of through holes which are angularly displaced therein around the axial direction. As such, when the cylindrical shield member slides angularly relative to the outer rear circumferential portion to a unidirectional position, each through hole is not registered with a corresponding sound hole so that a sound wave is denied entrance into the sound holes to maintain the unidirectional characteristic of the dynamic microphone. When the cylindrical shield member moves to a superdirectional position, each through hole is registered with the corresponding sound hole so as to admit the sound wave thereinto and impart the dynamic microphone with the superdirectional characteristic.

Directional dynamic microphone interchangeable to have unidirectional and superdirectional characteristics

No. 39, Lane 29, Shih-Chia Rd., Tung Dist.


An apparatus for controlling at least one radio module, wherein the apparatus is configured to generate at least one service request for a first radio mode, determine at least one logical architecture model dependent on each service request, select at least one of the plurality of radio modules to form a physical architecture structure dependent on each logical architecture model, and generate at least one configuration data set dependent on the selected one of the plurality of radio modules.

A communications device can be understood as a device provided with appropriate communication and control capabilities for enabling use thereof for communication with other parties. The communication may comprise, for example, communication of voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, data, multimedia and so on. A communication device typically enables a user of the device to receive and transmit communications via a communications system and can thus be used for accessing various applications.
A communications system is a facility which facilitates the communication between two or more entities such as the communications devices, network entities and other nodes. An appropriate access system allows the communications device to access the communications system. An access to the communications system may be provided by means of a wireless communication interface.
Communications systems providing wireless access typically enable at least some mobility for the users thereof. Examples of these include cellular wireless communications systems where the access is provided by means of access entities called cells. Other examples of wireless access technologies include different wireless local area networks (WLANs) and satellite based communications systems.
A wireless communications system typically operates in accordance with a wireless standard and/or with a set of specifications which set out various aspects of the wireless interface. For example, the standard or specification may define if the user, or more precisely user equipment, is provided with a circuit switched bearer or a packet switched bearer, or both. Communication protocols and/or parameters which should be used for a wireless connection are also typically defined. For example, the frequency band or bands to be used for the communications are typically defined.
A portable communications device may be provided with so called multi-radio capabilities. That is, a portable device may be used for communication via a plurality of different wireless interfaces. An example of such device is a multi-mode cellular phone, for example a cellular phone that may communicate in at least two of the GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) frequency bands 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz or a cellular phone that may communicate based on at least two different standards, for example a cellular phone which may operate on at least two of the GSM access network, the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) access network, and a WCDMA (Wideband CDMA) based access network as used in the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System).
A mobile or portable device may also be configured for communication via at least one cellular system and at least one non-cellular system. Non-limiting examples of the latter include short range radio links such as Bluetooth™, other access networks such as wireless local area networks (WLAN) and ultra wide band (UWB).
Furthermore a mobile or portable device may also be configured for receiving information broadcast systems, non limited examples including those based on the Digital Video Broadcasting via Handheld Terminals (DVB-H), and global positioning system (GPS).
Such communications devices can be implemented with software defined radio (SDR) methods. In an SDR system, a radio receiver/transmitter can be configured to potentially tune to any frequency band and receive/transmit any known modulation scheme across a large frequency spectrum and process signals through the use of software.
A multi radio communications device equipped with SDR capabilities may have to be able to handle simultaneously more than one active radio connection. This increases the required complexity of any RF system on chip (RF SOC) in the communications device since the RF SOC has to enable cooperation in the control plane between the different communication systems in order to enable seamless multi radio operation. The complexity of such RF system on chip designs is also increased as any cost effective design involving multi radio communication capability will require some sharing of common resources of which the shared resources need to be controlled and allocated when necessary.
The increased complexity of such designs has meant that it is unfeasible for a single design team to produce a RF system on chip (SoC) design and it is currently best practice for some parts of the RF SoC to be designed inside a company by one or more teams, whilst the design of other parts of the RF SoCs is sub-contracted out to external designers, and other parts of the RF SoC formed from recycled previous designs.
It is thus desirable for such RF Systems on Chip designs to have a modular architecture allowing easy integration of various components of the RF. However the arrangement and operation of such architectures is difficult to implement, particularly in software defined radio systems when it is required to be able to make changes to the operation of the RF modules.
There have been developments with respect to the creation of low level hardware driver interfaces, however these typically are limited to dealing with only one level of extraction. For example there has been an initiative to parameterize the RF hardware and circuitry by such forum and standards groups as the Software Defined Radio forum and the Object Management Group (OMG) with their Software Communications Architecture (SCA).
These existing approaches however lack flexibility, especially when possible hardware architecture changes are required to be implemented.


A system is disclosed that senses physical characteristics of an electronic device. The system controls the electronic device in response to the sensed physical characteristics. The system includes a control subsystem. The control subsystem includes a time trigger and an anticipation/latency reduction subsystem. The anticipation/latency reduction subsystem includes additional subsystems such as a time trigger, a position trigger and an attitude trigger. In an alternate embodiment, the anticipation/latency reduction subsystem also includes an activation interval trigger, a repetitive action trigger and a repetitive distance trigger. The various triggers can be implemented using processors that execute software. The system also includes sensing devices, such as a position sensing device and an attitude sensing device, to sense physical characteristics of the particular electronic device being controlled. The control subsystem receives signals from the sensing devices. Physical characteristic information obtained from these signals is provided to the various triggers. In response to this physical characteristic information, the various triggers process the physical characteristic information such that the system controls the electronic device.

Electronic devices are typically designed to perform specific functions. From the moment an electronic device is turned on, it may be fully functional to perform its designed task. This approach may be fine for simple devices. This approach, however, may present disadvantages in complex systems. For example, a complex system may consume relatively large amounts of power. If the complex system is fully functional at all times, power consumption typically remains high even when the system is not actually being used. This relatively high power consumption can be a particularly important concern for battery-powered systems where high power consumption can cause a short operational life.
Another characteristic of conventional electronic devices is that they may have several modes of operation and may be designed to start in one of those modes when turned on. Such devices may switch modes only in response to a physical user interaction, such as pressing a predetermined button, for example. Such a design may work for simple devices. Complex systems, however, may take a relatively long time to switch from one mode of operation to another. In addition, it may be inconvenient for a user to have to manually switch the system between modes. If a complex system is designed to always start in one mode when turned on, or to switch to another mode only when manually selected, the length of the switching time and the time required by the user to get to the system to initiate the switch could hinder the performance of the electronic system.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a method and apparatus that increases battery life of an electrical device by allowing the device to power up and power down components therein at appropriate times. There has also been a need for a method and apparatus that reduces the latency (i.e. the delay) between the time a user decides to operate a device in a certain mode and the actual mode switching. Latency can also refer to the latency between the time that the user decides to turn a device on or off and the actual switching on or off of the device.

Method and apparatus for controlling the operational mode of electronic devices in response to sensed conditions


A shutter for large pressure vessels comprises a lid assembly (Y) constituted of a seal plate (1) formed of a flexible material of a size fit for the opening of a pressure vessel and a multitude of beam members (2) attached to the outer surface of the plate (1) and extending widthwise. The beam members are connected to the seal plate in such a manner as to be parallel to each other along a reference line for connection, extending in the widthwise direction of the seal plate, and advance or retreat while flexing along a guide member (7) having at least one bending portion (71). The guide member extends between a closing position (A) disposed in front of the opening portion and a storage position (B) disposed on an outer housing of the pressure vessel, so that the assembly can be housed in a relatively small space. This shutter is most suitable for use on a medical autoclave and a retort for food processing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a lid assembly for pressure containers and the creation of an opening and closing mechanism therefor. A shutter device constructed according to this invention is most suitable for use in a pressure container having an internal treating chamber adapted to be controlled alternately to have a pressurized state and a depressurized state.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known in the art, since lids for pressure containers, such as autoclaves for medical use and retorts for food processing, require strength and fluid tightness, they are constructed of relatively thick, heavy-weight members. An opening and closing mechanism connected to such a lid tends to be a necessarily large-sized rugged structure in order to attain reliability and safety in operation. According to a known lid and a known lid opening and closing mechanism, there is provided a lid body which is sized to suit the opening and the lid body is supported for opening and closing on a support shaft in the lateral surface, so that when the opening is closed, the front ends of a plurality of clamping rods on the lid body engage the peripheral edge of the opening to lock the entire lid body.
In the field of storage and transport techniques, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 14406 to 1978, there is proposed a lid device (of the lift type) comprising a dome-shaped lid body adapted to be lifted from the position in front of the opening in a container to an upper retracted position by a link mechanism including a hydraulic cylinder and a bell crank. Further, as in the case of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 21 of 1981, there are some known ones (of the slide type) wherein an angularly shaped lid body is adapted to be moved vertically or horizontally between guide rails on opposite sides of the container through a chain and sprocket device (for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 45807 of 1974, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 45949 of 1982).
Although these known lid devices are substantially satisfactory in strength, they require a wide space for moving the lid body during the opening and closing operation. Besides these, there are many other known ones which, in the opened state, require a wide storage space for the lid body outside the container. This is a limiting factor in installing a pressure container in a limited space in a factory or facilities, obstructing wide use of large-sized pressure containers.
On the other hand, concerning ideas relating to storage of a lid or shield plate for shielding the opening, there are proposed a shutter mechanism for houses as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 41985 of 1980 and a carrier shutter for refrigerator cars as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 30728 of 1980. They comprise a number of shutter panels connected in the longitudinal direction (direction of movement), such shutter panels being adapted to be bent at junctions between adjacent panels during the opening and closing operation. Therefore, when such shutter panels are used, all panels can be moved along the outer housing surrounding the shield space until they are stored compactly in a desired place.
This type of shutter is useful in that the storage space therefor can be minimized, but has received no proper attention as to retention of fluid tightness, particularly pressure resistance in a state where a pressure above atmospheric pressure is present.
Generally, in the case where a pressure-resistant type lid structure is applied to a pressure container such as an autoclave for medical use, proper measures must be taken as to the fact that at the same time as the entire lid body together with the pressure container is pressurized, it is heated as well. In reality, in treatment by an autoclave, sterilization treatment is performed usually at a pressure of 1.5-2.0 kg/cm.sup.2 and a temperature of about 130.degree. C., or drying treatment is performed at a reduced pressure of about -760 mmHg; therefore, it is required that the lid and the lid opening and closing mechanism be capable of resisting both pressurized and depressurized states and have sufficient heat resistance.


Embodiments describe an electronic device fastener including a base link bar, and a pair of corner retaining features coupled to the base link bar. Each corner retaining feature includes a base being formed of a planar structure and having a base top surface, a support rail extending from a portion of the base top surface and having a support rail top surface, a fastening feature defined by surfaces of the base and support rail and comprising vacant space extending through the base and at least a portion of the support rail, a guide wall extending from a portion of the support rail top surface, a retaining protrusion extending from the guide wall toward a center line of the electronic device fastener, and a stopper positioned beside the base link bar and at back ends of the base, the support rail, the guide wall, and the base link bar.

Computer systems, such as desktop computers, servers, laptops, and the like use electronic devices, such as data storage devices, to operate. Some of these electronic devices include read-only memory (ROM) such as hard disk drives (HDDs) that can be constructed using solid state technology, which are known as solid state drives (SSDs). During manufacturing, such devices often need to be tested to ensure proper operation before being packaged and sold to the consumer. A manufacturer can test several tens, hundreds, or even thousands of such storage devices in a given day during full-scale production. And typically, the electronic devices are tested in skeleton form without its final protective case. In such situations, the unfinished product may be difficult to secure to an interposer, e.g., testing board, and may be prone to movement especially during handling of the product when connected to the interposer. When moved, the electronic device may be improperly connected to the testing board and my result in a partial or complete disconnection from the testing board. Some solutions rely on adhesives, such as strips of tape, to keep the electronic device from moving out of position, but such solutions are unreliable, unrepeatable, and time consuming. These shortcomings can increase the time it takes to test and debug manufactured product, thereby decreasing production volume as well as increasing testing cost.


A horizontally-disposed fascia, a longitudinally-extending gutter having a bottom member, and a plurality of support members for suspending the gutter so the bottom member of the gutter forms an angle with the horizontal plane. The gutter is disposed between the fascia and a building wall so the fascia-gutter of the present invention appears to be horizontally-oriented, while the gutter is angled to drain rainwater.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fascia-gutter system in which the gutter is disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane and the external fascia is level with the horizontal plane.
2. Background Art
It has been known in the art to use a fascia that surrounds the perimeter of the roof of a building for aesthetic purposes. A fascia provides an architect flexibility in shaping the external appearance of the building. This is because of the available variety of colors and profiles. If available fascia designs are not satisfactory, the color and profile of the fascia can be customized to meet any design motif. Thus, a fascia maximizes the designer's flexibility in creating the desired exterior appearance of a building.
Most fascias in the prior art direct rainwater toward the center of the roof of the building. An example of a prior art fascia is disclosed in Reissue U.S. Pat. No. 27,761, reissued Sep. 18, 1973. The water is then removed by a drainage system from the roof of the building. Instead of directing the water toward the center of the building, it is desirable to combine a building with a gutter system. Also, there is an associated need in the art for the gutter to direct the rainwater to a drainage system, such as a downspout.


A spoiler apparatus for a rear bumper of a vehicle may include a spoiler rod that is selectively movable forward/backward through a hole of a rear back beam, and a spoiler panel coupled to a rear end of the spoiler rod and selectively engaged with the rear bumper, wherein the spoiler panel separates and protrudes backward from the rear bumper, as the spoiler rod moves backward.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spoiler apparatus for the rear bumper of a vehicle, and more particularly to a spoiler apparatus for the rear bumper of a vehicle, which actively changes the amount of protrusion in accordance with the speed of the vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
Vehicles are lifted up with an increase in speed when traveling, and in this case, the contact force of the tires on the ground decreases, so stability in traveling is deteriorated and there is a limit in acceleration of the vehicles.
In order to prevent this problem, a mount for pressing down the vehicle bodies are needed and the one corresponding to the mount is a spoiler, which is also called an air spoiler because it usually changes the flow of air.
The spoiler falls into a nose spoiler which is mounted at the front of a vehicle, a roof spoiler which is mounted on the roof, and a tail spoiler which is mounted at the rear end, and FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a fixed rear spoiler 3 mounted under a rear bumper face 1 by a bolt 2.
However, such fixed spoilers has a defect that they cause noise when vehicles travel at low speeds, particularly they are damaged or broken when coming in contact with objects on the ground because they reduce the height of vehicles from the ground.
In order to prevent the defect, spoilers are mounted upward on vehicle bodies or extended rearward, but these types also have a defect that it is difficult to mount the spoilers due to the limit in specifications of vehicles.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Spoiler apparatus of rear bumper for vehicle


A liquid-carrying container of machine, such as a dishwasher, has a detergent metering device disposed in a boundary wall thereof. The device has a housing with at least one container in which the detergent may be placed and which may be closed with a cover. The cover may be opened and closed with a control unit. The cover moves linearly, quietly, and with a minimal space requirement in a plane which extends parallel to the boundary wall of the machine.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a detergent dispenser, particularly for dishwashers, in which the device located in a boundary wall of a liquid-carrying container is comprised of a housing with at least one container to receive detergents, each of which is closed by a cover which can be controllably opened.
In dishwashers, household dishwashers in particular, dispensers are customarily used by means of which various dispensed agents such as dishwasher detergents and rinse agents can be added by doses at a predetermined point in time of a current wash cycle to wash water circulated in the dishwasher, controlled by a programmed control unit.
Such dispensers have become known heretofore, from European patent disclosure EP 0 602 572 or German Offenlegungsschrift DE 38 02 210, for instance. As customary, they have at least one container located in a door for closing a wash compartment of the dishwasher and directed toward the wash compartment. The container has at least one space for at least one single dose of detergent. The container for detergents is closed by a cover which, as described above, is controllably opened.
In addition to the container described above, which is customarily used for a powdered detergent, the above-cited prior art documents have an additional container for liquid rinse agent.
When opened, the cover in accordance with the above-mentioned prior art documents is moved in an upward direction about a horizontal axis as a result of the initial tension of a spring. This swinging open of the cover has the disadvantage that the rim of the cover opposite the horizontal axis completes a semi-circular motion directed into the interior of the wash compartment of the dishwasher, which should take place with as little obstruction as possible. Such dishwashers customarily have dish racks to accommodate the dishes to be washed and one of the dish racks is located in the area of the dispenser. This dish rack must therefore be designed so that the cover of the detergent dispenser is not hindered from swinging open, since if the cover is hindered in opening by projecting dishes or by parts of the dish rack, the resulting incomplete opening of the detergent container prevents complete dispensing and subsequent flushing of the container. This results in reduced detergent concentration in the circulated wash water, which leads to an inadequate cleaning result. However, a corresponding design of the dish rack, such as by a setback of the front edge or by a recess, leads to a constriction of the filling space of a dishwasher which is limited in any case.
A further disadvantage of the well-known swinging motion of the cover is that, due to the initial tension of the above-mentioned spring, the cover vigorously strikes the door to which the detergent dispenser is fastened, thus producing a noise. This may also result in damage to the dispenser.

Device for dispensing detergent, particularly for dishwashers


A crosspoint switch including a switch matrix modules and programming features. A switch matrix modules include input lines tied to inputs of the switch through precompensation networks. The programming features include user initialization states and reduced and grouping command configuration operations.

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits, and more particularly to cross switches.
Cross switches are often used to route data from a variety of inputs to a variety of outputs. With ever-increasing data communication needs, the number of inputs and outputs to cross switches has often been subject to increase. Moreover, as nodes are often in communication with a number of other nodes, the connections between outputs and inputs often require reconfiguration during operation of the switch.
Increasing the numbers of inputs and outputs to a switch generally results in increased die area, power usage, heat generation, and complexity of the switch. For example, a switch may receive input signals, generate internal signals corresponding to the input signals using active elements within the switch, control connections between input lines and output lines using active elements, and drive output signals using additional active elements. As the number of inputs and outputs grow, so do the size, power and other requirements of the switch. In many cases these constraints limit the number of inputs and outputs available on a particular integrated circuit forming a switch.
One method for providing increased number of inputs and outputs is to combine several switch devices into a single switch. The switch devices may be combined, for example, as a three stage Clos network, a Benes network, or a square crossbar switch. Generally, a three stage Clos network and a Benes network are more efficient in terms of minimizing the number of switch devices (N3/2 and NlogN respectively) but may be more complex in programming or scalability. For a square crossbar switch the number of devices increases by N2, but greater simplicity in terms of each switch device may potentially be obtained. The use of a number of switch devices, however, is also problematic as the number of devices increases, with accompanying power and heat issues.
Larger switch size also sometimes increases the possibility of improper design or improper manufacturer of the chip. Testing of larger switches, however, can at times be difficult, both with respect to internal switch operation as well as connections to the switch. Absent adequate testing capability of the switch itself, determination of whether a particular chip is bad or whether connections to the chip are flawed may be difficult.
Further, larger switches require increased programming when determining the output input connections. Indeed, in an extreme case operation of the switch may be delayed while continued programming of the switch occurs.
In addition, particularly at higher frequencies, data degradation may occur due to inter-symbol interference. Inter-symbol interference (ISI) can result when the bandwidth of a transmission media or an amplifying circuit is not sufficient to pass the frequency content of a data signal without attenuating or phase-shifting some of the constituent frequencies such that a data pulse will not reach its full amplitude. When the data pulse passes a given threshold level, a pattern-dependant jitter occurs. The pattern-dependant jitter is often due to the narrowing or widening of the data pulses that depends on the data pulses' voltage history. A signal that has been distorted in this way is difficult to recover error-free.
Typically, to prevent ISI, an amplifier is designed to have a flat gain versus frequency response past 0.7 times the bit data rate. However, this is often not feasible where numerous amplifiers in a chain are required to accomplish a signal processing function. For instance, the flat bandwidth of the circuit goes down as amplifiers are added. Power dissipation constraints or capacitive loading conditions also limit the feasibility designing an amplifier to prevent ISI. For example, reduced drive or increased loading lead to a reduction in gain at lower frequencies.
Conventionally, flattening the frequency response of amplifiers is performed through negative feedback which reduces the gain and extends the bandwidth. The use of variable-gain amplifiers is another possibility for trading bandwidth for gain.
One conventional approach for mitigating ISI in linear transmission media (not in amplifiers) is static or adaptive equalization, in static or adaptive equalization a circuit which inverts the characteristics of the medium is placed at the receiver (after the transmission medium) to produce a facsimile of the original signal.
However, it is not always possible to have adequate bandwidth in a chain of amplifiers and meet other design constraints simultaneously. Amplifiers with high bandwidth tend to dissipate more power and require more expensive IC processes.
If there is excess gain in the amplifier chain, negative feedback could be used to reduce gain and increase bandwidth, but this is not feasible if the output is not in proximity to the input. At high frequencies of operation, "in proximity" is in practice a very short distance, often far less than the input and output pins of an IC. Longer distances for the feedback path can result in delays that de-stabilize the feedback loop and cause it to oscillate. The feedback approach also assumes linear amplification. If limiting is required, reducing the gain via negative feedback will reduce or remove the limiting effect.
This situation often occurs in un-retimed (asynchronous) cross-point switch circuits. For such circuits, where the relationship between input and output ports is selectable, a feedback path is only established by doubling the required connections. Hence, a significant delay would result to cause the circuit to oscillate undesirably.
Furthermore, an equalization approach generally cannot be applied at the output of a chain of limiting amplifiers, because some of the original characteristics of the signal have been removed by the limiting operation.

Crosspoint switch with switch matrix module


A Compton imager and method are provided for generating three-dimensional images. The Compton imager detects Compton scattering of simultaneously or nearly simultaneously emitted gamma rays produced by a radio-nuclide. A possible location of each radio-nuclide decay is defined by the intersection of Compton direction cones corresponding to the detected gamma rays. Three-dimensional images are generated by superposition of individual locations of separate radioactive decay locations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gamma ray imaging, and in particular, to nuclear medical imaging using Compton scattering of gamma rays simultaneously emitted by a radio-nuclide.
2. Background of the Invention
Nuclear medical imaging is an important research and clinical tool. The two common techniques used are Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). These are extensively used to investigate the function of various organs and to determine the location and morphology of malignant tissue. Both SPECT and PET techniques use radio-nuclides which are administered to a patient. In SPECT a variety of radio-pharmaceuticals are used to study various tissue functions such as heart and kidney function and to locate cancer tissue. An exemplary application of PET imaging includes the use of positron emitting isotopes such as 15O and 18F to investigate brain function.
In SPECT applications, a radio-pharmaceutical is administered to a patient. Nuclei of the radio-pharmaceutical decay with the emission of gamma rays. The location of the gamma ray emission is imaged using collimated, position-sensitive gamma ray detectors. Each detected gamma ray is assumed to have arrived at the detector through the collimator. A single SPECT detector can provide a two-dimensional image of the distribution of the radio-nuclides. By moving the detector to obtain many views of a region-of-interest from different directions or using several detectors to simultaneously view the region-of-interest from different directions, coupled with the use of computer algorithms, it is possible to reconstruct a three-dimensional structure of the radioactivity.
SPECT is most frequently used with relatively low-energy gamma rays because it is difficult to fabricate collimators that are effective for gamma rays above several hundred keV. A very widely-used radio-nuclide for SPECT is 99mTc which emits a 140 keV gamma ray with a half-life of approximately six hours. Other commonly used radio-nuclides used with SPECT include 67Ga (93 keV), 111In (172 and 245 keV), 131I (364 keV), and 201TI (70-80 keV X-rays).
A major limitation with SPECT is the small field-of-view provided by the collimators and the associated very low fraction of the gamma rays that pass through the collimator to the detector. Typically only 0.001%-0.01% of the gamma rays pass through the collimator to the detector. This results in a trade-off between sensitivity and resolution of SPECT imaging. Coarse collimators transmit a higher percentage of the gamma rays but with a poor image resolution. For example, an average image resolution for many clinical applications is around one cm. Conversely, fine collimators provide improved imaging resolution, e.g. around three to five mm, but with lower sensitivity and/or higher radiation doses to the patient. Because of the low detection efficiency, rather large doses of tens of milli-curies must be administered to the patient to achieve adequate images.
In PET, a positron-emitting radio-nuclide is administered to a patient. Commonly used PET radio-nuclides include 11C(xcfx841/2=10 m), 15O(xcfx841/2=2 m), and 18F(xcfx841/2=110 m). Positrons interact with electrons in the surrounding tissue of the patient and emit two 511 keV gamma rays in opposite directions, at an angle of almost exactly 180 degrees. These gamma rays interact in position-sensitive gamma ray detectors, and restrict the origin of the gamma rays to the line joining the two detection positions. Accumulation of a large number of such events along many differing lines of position enables the reconstruction of a three-dimensional image of the radioactivity. The position resolution in PET is typically three to five mm, and is limited by the position resolution in the detectors and the range of the positrons in the body of the patient.
An advantage of PET over SPECT is that higher efficiency is achieved since collimators are not required. However, a disadvantage of PET is a higher cost of PET systems relative to SPECT systems.
Both SPECT and PET have the disadvantage that for each nuclear decay event detected (i.e., a single gamma ray in SPECT and coincident 511 keV gamma rays in PET), the location of the radio-nuclide is only determined to a line within the region-of-interest. As a result, a large number of events (e.g., thousands to millions) must be recorded and processed by computers to generate a three-dimensional image of the region-of-interest. Due to the requirement of recording a large number of events, coupled with the relatively low detection efficiencies for each radio-nuclide decay, the overall capabilities of both SPECT and PET are limited.
One method to overcome the very low gamma ray throughput of the collimators and the associated increased radiation dose required in SPECT includes electronic collimation. In electronic collimation, Compton scattering is used to reconstruct three-dimensional images from the processing of Compton direction cones of individual gamma rays detected.
An example of implementing electronic collimation for imaging includes a Compton imager that detects multiple Compton scattering interactions in arrays of 1-2 mm thick silicon strip detectors. Specifically, the energies and positions derived from the multiple Compton scattering interactions in the detectors are analyzed for consistency with Compton kinematics to select the correct interaction sequence and thereby determine the most probable incoming direction cone for the gamma ray. Because of the low efficiency of silicon arrays, an alternate electronic collimation imaging concept includes a calorimeter where scattered gamma rays leaving the silicon array are totally absorbed.
Previous Compton imaging concepts are based on operating in a single photon mode. That is, the three-dimensional image reconstruction is achieved by back-projecting Compton direction cones into the presumed source volume and using computer algorithms to reconstruct the morphology of the radioactivity. In this approach, each decay leads to a large conical-shaped annular volume within which the decay occurred.
An alternative Compton imaging concept uses detectors formed of a plurality of thin position-sensitive silicon detector layers. A Compton scattered electron is tracked through two or more layers of the detectors. With this information, the direction of the incident gamma ray can be reduced from a cone to a segment of a cone, with the advantage of improved image reconstruction.
One disadvantage of this alternative Compton imaging system includes a compromise in energy determination of the scattered electron at a first interaction site, and therefore, an associated degradation in the imaging resolution, due to compromised energy resolution in the multiple, thin detector layers. Another significant limitation of this imaging system is the difficulty of tracking electrons with energies below about one MeV due to multiple scattering events. As a result, the most commonly used nuclear medical radio-nuclides cannot be employed by this alternative concept.
A further Compton imager concept uses noble gas detectors. This imager assumes a first interaction that is a Compton scatter event followed by a photoelectric, full energy absorption, at the second interaction site. Advantages of this approach include the use of large volume, position-sensitive detectors, and the moderately good energy resolution. A significant disadvantage is the rather low efficiencies achievable with gas detectors. Another disadvantage is a poorer imaging resolution resulting from the moderate energy resolution of gas detectors.
A limitation relating to most presently available Compton imager concepts is that these devices require that the incident gamma ray energy is totally absorbed. This is necessary to properly determine the direction cone from the Compton scatter formula at the first interaction site. Requiring that the full energy of the incident gamma rays be absorbed will usually result in reduced efficiencies, especially for gamma rays above several hundred keV.
A further limitation of Compton imaging concepts is a xe2x80x9cDoppler broadening effectxe2x80x9d associated with Compton scattering itself. The Doppler broadening effect results from including the pre-interaction momentum of the electron at the first interaction site, thereby compromising the angular (image) resolution. This effect is significantly worse at lower incident gamma ray energies, and severely compromises image resolution below several hundred keV.
In accordance with the present invention, high-resolution three-dimensional images of regions-of-interest are provided by use of Compton scattering of gamma rays emitted simultaneously or nearly simultaneously (e.g. within one microsecond) by a radio-nuclide. For exemplary purposes, a general case where three gamma rays are emitted simultaneously is used to describe the production of the images. Compton scattering of the gamma rays is detected by a plurality of position-sensitive detectors that provide a scattering medium and are adapted to detect the location of Compton interactions therein. In addition, some or all of the detectors are adapted to measure energy deposited at the interaction sites. Compton direction cones can be determined for each of the three initial gamma rays as a function of detected Compton scattering interactions and the energy losses of the gamma rays at various gamma-ray interaction locations. The intersection of the three conical surfaces of the Compton direction cones defines a limited number of points, one of which is the location of the radio-nuclide decay. Therefore, a single nuclear decay event which emits three coincident gamma rays provides the location of the emitting radio-nuclide. The accumulation of these detected radio-nuclide decay locations on an event-by-event basis permits the three-dimensional imaging of the region-of-interest. Possible uses of the present invention include providing high-resolution three-dimensional images of radio-pharmaceuticals in medical research and clinical applications and Compton medical imagers that limit the dose of radiation to which a patient is exposed.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an imaging device is provided for generating three-dimensional images from a radio-nuclide emitting first, second and third initial gamma rays as simultaneous or nearly simultaneous emissions resulting from a single nuclear decay event. The imaging device comprises a plurality of position-sensitive gamma ray detectors adapted to determine the locations and energy deposits at interaction sites at which gamma rays undergo Compton scatter and photoelectric interactions. A processor determines a radio-nuclide location as a function of (i) at least two energy values corresponding to each of the first, second and third initial gamma rays, (ii) detected locations of first Compton interaction sites of the first, second and third initial gamma rays, respectively, and (iii) detected locations of second interaction sites of Compton scattered gamma rays corresponding to the first, second, and third initial gamma rays, respectively. The at least two energy values are selected from the group consisting of the energy of a respective initial gamma ray, a first deposition energy of the respective initial gamma ray at the respective first interaction site, the energy of the first Compton scattered gamma ray of the respective initial gamma ray, and a second deposition energy of the corresponding Compton scattered gamma ray at the respective second interaction site. The processor generates a three-dimensional image by superposition of individual radio-nuclide locations.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for generating three-dimensional images. The system comprises a radio-nuclide emitting first, second and third initial gamma rays as simultaneous or nearly simultaneous emission resulting from a single nuclear decay event and a plurality of position-sensitive gamma ray detectors. Each detector is adapted to determine the locations of Compton interaction sites at which gamma rays undergo Compton scatter interactions. A processor determines a radio-nuclide location as a function of (i) at least two energy values corresponding to each of the first, second, and third initial gamma rays, (ii) detected locations of first interaction sites of the first, second and third initial gamma rays, respectively, and (iii) detected locations of second interactions sites of Compton scattered gamma rays corresponding to the first, second, and third initial gamma rays, respectively. The at least two energy values are selected from the group consisting of the energy of a respective initial gamma ray, a first deposition energy of the respective initial gamma ray at the respective first interaction site, the energy of the first Compton scattered gamma ray of the respective initial gamma ray, and a second deposition energy of the corresponding Compton scattered gamma ray at the respective second interaction site. The processor generates a three-dimensional image by superposition of individual radio-nuclide locations.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an imaging device is provided for generating three-dimensional images by detecting initial gamma rays emitted as simultaneous or nearly simultaneous emissions resulting from a single nuclear decay event of a radio-nuclide. Subsequent Compton scattered gamma rays result from Compton scattering of initial gamma rays, respectively. The imaging device comprises a first position-sensitive detector array for providing a Compton scattering medium for the initial gamma rays to interact at a respective first interaction site in the first-position sensitive detector array and to thereby generate Compton scattered gamma rays, and for detecting a respective location of each first interaction site. A second position-sensitive detector array, surrounding the first position-sensitive detector array, is for detecting a respective location of each respective second interaction site in the second position-sensitive detector array at which the Compton scattered gamma rays interact. A processor determines a radio-nuclide location as a function of (i) at least two energy values corresponding to each of the first, second and third initial gamma rays, (ii) the respective locations of each detected first interaction sites, and (iii) the location of the second interaction site where the Compton scattered gamma ray corresponding to the first initial gamma ray interacts by photoelectric full energy absorption with the second position-sensitive detector array. The at least two energy values are selected from a group consisting of the energy of the respective initial gamma ray, a first deposition energy of the initial gamma ray at the respective first interaction site, the energy of the first Compton scattered gamma ray of the respective initial gamma ray, and a second deposition energy of the respective Compton scattered gamma ray of the first initial gamma ray at the respective second interaction site. The processor generates a three-dimensional image of the region-of-interest by superposition of individual radio-nuclide locations.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for generating three-dimensional images. The method comprises the steps of providing a radio-nuclide source generating three initial gamma rays as simultaneous or nearly simultaneous emissions resulting from a single nuclear decay event and using a first position-sensitive detector array to detect locations of three first interaction sites at which the three initial gamma rays respectively interact with the first position-sensitive detector array. Three Compton scattered gamma rays are generated from the three initial gamma rays, respectively, as a result of the three initial gamma rays interacting with the position-sensitive detector array. A second position-sensitive detector array detects locations of three second interaction sites where the three Compton scattered gamma rays interact by full energy deposition with the second position-sensitive detector array, respectively. A radio-nuclide location is determined as a function of (i) at least two energy values corresponding to each of the three initial gamma rays, (ii) the location of each detected first interaction site, and (iii) the location of each detected second interaction site. The at least two energy values are selected from the group consisting of the respective gamma ray energy of the respective initial gamma ray, a first deposition energy of the initial gamma ray at the respective first interaction site, the energy of the first Compton scattered gamma ray of the respective initial gamma ray, and a second deposition energy of the Compton scattered gamma ray at the respective second interaction site. A three-dimensional image is produced by superposition of individual radio-nuclide locations.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for generating three-dimensional images comprising the steps of providing a radio-nuclide source generating nuclear decay as a positron and a first coincident gamma ray. The positron annihilates with an electron to thereby generate a second gamma ray and a third gamma ray. A first position sensitive detector array detects locations of first, second, and a third gamma ray first interaction sites where the first, second and third gamma rays interact with the first position-sensitive detector array, respectively. A first Compton-scattered gamma ray is generated from the first gamma ray as a result of the first gamma ray interacting with the first position-sensitive detector array. A second position-sensitive detector array detects the location of a second interaction site where the first Compton scattered gamma ray interacts. The energies of the second and third gamma rays are determined to be consistent with 511 keV from the energy losses at the respective first interaction sites and the respective locations of the first and second interaction sites if a Compton scattered interaction occurred at the first interaction site, or from a full energy loss at the first interaction site if a photoelectric interaction occurred at the respective first interaction site. A radio-nuclide location is determined as an intersection of a Compton direction cone corresponding to the first gamma ray and a line connecting the second gamma ray first interaction site and the third gamma ray first interaction site. The three-dimensional images are produced by superposition of individual radio-nuclide locations.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for generating three-dimensional images comprising the steps of providing a radio-nuclide source generating nuclear decay as a first coincident gamma ray and a second coincident gamma ray and administering to the radio-nuclide source a thin region-of-interest. A first position-sensitive detector array is used to detect a location of a first gamma ray first interaction site at which the first gamma ray interacts with the first position-sensitive detector array and the location of a second gamma ray first interaction site at which the second gamma ray interacts with the first position-sensitive detector array. A first Compton scattered gamma ray and a second Compton scattered gamma ray are generated from the first gamma ray and second gamma ray, respectively, as a result of the first gamma ray and second gamma ray interacting with the first position-sensitive detector array, respectively. A second position-sensitive detector array is used to detect a first gamma ray second interaction site at which the first Compton scattered gamma ray interacts with the second position-sensitive detector array and a second gamma ray second interaction site where the second Compton scattered gamma ray interacts with the second position-sensitive detector array. A radio-nuclide location is determined as an intersection of a first Compton direction cone corresponding to the first gamma ray, a second Compton direction cone corresponding to the second gamma ray, and the thin region-of-interest. A three-dimensional image is produced by superposition of individual radio-nuclide locations.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for generating three-dimensional images. This system comprises a radio-nuclide emitting a first, second and third initial gamma ray as simultaneous or nearly simultaneous emission resulting from a single nuclear decay event. A first position-sensitive detector array provides a Compton scattering medium for the first, second and third initial gamma rays to interact to thereby produce first, second and third Compton scattered gamma rays, respectively. The first position-sensitive detector array detects a respective location of each of the first, second and third initial gamma rays at a first, second and third initial gamma ray first interaction site, respectively, in the first position-sensitive detector array. A second position-sensitive detector array surrounds the first position-sensitive detector array and detects locations of the first, second and third Compton scattered gamma rays at a first, second and third Compton gamma ray second interaction site, respectively, in the second position-sensitive detector array. A processor determines a radio-nuclide location as a function of (i) at least two energy values corresponding to each of the three initial gamma rays, (ii) the location of each detected first interaction site, and (iii) the location of the first Compton gamma ray second interaction site. The at least two energy values are selected from the group consisting of the energy of the respective initial gamma ray, a first deposition energy of the initial gamma ray at the respective first interaction site, the energy of the first Compton scattered gamma ray of the respective initial gamma ray, and a second deposition energy of the first Compton scattered gamma ray at the respective second interaction site. The processor generates a three-dimensional image by superposition of individual radio-nuclide locations.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for generating three-dimensional images. The method comprises the steps of providing a radio-nuclide source generating three initial gamma rays as simultaneous or nearly simultaneous emissions resulting from a single nuclear decay event and detecting locations of three first interaction sites at which the three initial gamma rays respectively interact with a plurality of position-sensitive detectors. Three Compton scattered gamma rays are generated from the three initial gamma rays, respectively, as a result of the three initial gamma rays interacting with the position-sensitive detector array. The plurality of position-sensitive detectors detect locations of three second interaction sites where the three Compton scattered gamma rays interact with the plurality of position-sensitive detectors, respectively. A radio-nuclide location is determined as a function of (i) at least two energy values corresponding to each of the three initial gamma rays, (ii) the location of each detected first interaction site, and (iii) the location of each detected second interaction site. The at least two energy values are selected from the group consisting of the respective gamma ray energy of the initial gamma ray, a first deposition energy of the initial gamma ray at the respective first interaction site, the energy of the first Compton scattered gamma ray of the respective initial gamma ray, and a second deposition energy of the Compton scattered gamma ray at the respective second interaction site. A three-dimensional image is produced by superposition of individual radio-nuclide locations.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for generating three-dimensional images comprising the steps of providing a radio-nuclide source generating nuclear decay as a positron and a first coincident gamma ray. The positron annihilates with an electron to thereby generate a second gamma ray and a third gamma ray. A plurality of position-sensitive detectors detect locations of first, second, and a third gamma ray first interaction sites where the first, second and third gamma rays interact with the first position-sensitive detector array, respectively. A first Compton-scattered gamma ray is generated from the first gamma ray as a result of the first gamma ray interacting with the plurality of position-sensitive detectors. One of said plurality of position-sensitive detectors detects the location of a second interaction site where the first Compton scattered gamma ray interacts. The energies of the second and third gamma rays are determined to be consistent with 511 keV from the energy losses at the respective first interaction sites and the respective locations of the first and second interaction sites if a Compton scatter interaction occurred at the first interaction site, or from a full energy loss at the first interaction site if a photoelectric interaction occurred at the respective first interaction site. A radio-nuclide location is determined as an intersection of a Compton direction cone corresponding to the first gamma ray and a line connecting the second gamma ray first interaction site and the third gamma ray first interaction site. The three-dimensional images are produced by superposition of individual radio-nuclide locations.
An important feature of one form of the present invention concerns the use of a radio-nuclide which has three coincident gamma rays produced from a single nuclear decay event. As a result, the reconstructed position for each decay event is limited to a few small volumes of space, typically one to three with a maximum of eight, but with typically one in the region-of-interest.
One advantage of using the coincident Compton device of the present invention is that a collimator is not required. Therefore, the present invention is considerably more efficient than SPECT which typically requires collimators with 0.001-0.01% transmission efficiencies.
An additional advantage of the present invention is the improved imaging resolution as compared with other Compton imager concepts and techniques.
A further advantage of the present invention is that a patient is subjected to a lower dose of radiation during imaging. The combination of high efficiency and much better definition of a possible source location, i.e. volume of space, as compared with SPECT, results in a lower patient dosage while achieving images of similar or improved quality.
A further feature of the present invention is the reduced Compton scattering in the patient. Compton scattering in the patient can limit the imaging capability of nuclear medicine systems. For the widely-used 99mTc radio-pharmaceuticals, the gamma ray used has an energy of 140 keV. The probability of Compton scattering of the 99mTc gamma rays is about twice that of 94Tc (a candidate for use as a radio-nuclide in the invention) gamma rays per unit path length in body tissue.
Yet a further feature of the present invention is the higher efficiencies achieved using 94Tc thereby resulting in image acquisition times reduced by a factor of 1000 compared by 99mTc SPECT. As a result, images may be acquired in a reduced time while enabling dynamic imaging of various organ functions such as heart function.
Lower Doppler broadening uncertainty and improved image resolution is provided by the present invention when incorporating the use of high-energy gamma ray lines.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in, or apparent from, the detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof which follows.

Coincident multiple compton scatter nuclear medical imager