The invention provides an exemplary method for dispensing medical supply or pharmaceutical items from a dispensing unit which comprises a processor and a cabinet having a plurality of drawers which are lockable within the cabinet by a locking mechanism. The drawers include a plurality of bins for holding the pharmaceutical or medical supply items, with at least some of the bins having lids equipped with a sensor that communicates with the processor to indicate when the lid is lifted. Further, the processor includes a record of the items held within each drawer and which items may be accessed by specific users or user types. According to the method, user identification information is entered into the processor to identify a user that is requesting access to one of the pharmaceutical or medical supply items held in the dispensing unit. The processor then determines which drawer or drawers may be unlocked for access by the user by comparing the user identification information with the record of which items may be accessed by specific users. A signal is then sent from the processor to unlock at least one of the drawers to which the user may have access. The user then looks in the bins of the unlocked drawer to locate a desired pharmaceutical or medical supply item. The lid of bin having the desired pharmaceutical or medical supply item is lifted and the item is removed. Further, lifting of the lid sends a signal to the processor to confirm removal of the desired pharmaceutical or medical supply item.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing access to items to be dispensed, and may find a particular use in the dispensing of medical supplies. The invention further relates maintaining an inventory of the number and type of items dispensed while providing easy and convenient access to the items.
In large medical facilities, inventories of medical supplies are held in storage locations which are often far removed from the patients who use them. To facilitate delivery of the medical supplies from the storage area to the patient, a variety of dispensing systems have been proposed. In one such system, referred to as a "cart exchange" system, dispensing carts are distributed at remote dispensing stations in the medical facility and are periodically exchanged with fully supplied carts. The "used" cart is returned to a central supply area where inventory decreases of particular medical supplies are recorded and the cart is restocked to predetermined "par" levels. These par levels are intended to ensure constant availability of required medical supplies.
In a similar system, individual carts are used but are not removed from their remote locations in the medical facility. Instead, a larger cart holding a variety of medical supplies is circulated throughout the facility to restock individual carts to their par levels.
Although these systems are generally effective in providing medical supplies to remote locations away from the storage area, they suffer from a number of drawbacks. One particular drawback is the potential for stock-outs that can arise if the inventories of the carts are not closely monitored. Adequate inventory monitoring can be problematic due to time limitations on the hospital staff. Depletion of certain items from the carts can pose serious risks to the patients in the medical facility.
To ensure that sufficient supplies are maintained in the carts, overstocking can occur which in turn increases the cost of the medical facility's inventory system by requiring more items to be maintained in inventory than are actually required. Excessive restocking is also demanding on the hospital staff who must devote more of their time to monitoring the carts to ensure that sufficient supplies are available.
Another drawback of the above-described inventory systems is the lack of security provided for the supplies maintained on the carts. Since access to the items can usually be gained without recording user identification information, medical personal may neglect or forget to record removal of the accessed supplies which can introduce errors or inefficiencies into the medical facility's inventory system. Lack of security can also discourage the return of unused supplies. Without a record of user access and removal, medical personnel may often choose to discard the supplies rather than taking the time to return them.
In yet another drawback, no direct data transfer from the supply carts to the hospital inventory and billing systems is provided. This can lead to further inefficiencies in the inventory system.
For these and other reasons, it would be desirable to provide a dispensing system allowing easy and convenient access to the items to be dispensed while also maintaining an accurate inventory (including both removal and replacement) of the number and type of items to be dispensed. Such a system should reduce the possibility of stock outs and provide accountability by controlling access to the supplies and allowing easy return of unused items. The system should also allow for inventories to be maintained at minimum levels and should be able to directly supply inventory information to the medical facility's inventory and billing systems.
2. Description of the Background Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,596 describes a subassembly for use in a medical dispenser station which dispenses pharmaceutical items in single quantities from a locked storage location.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,148 describes a medicine dispensing cabinet having a plurality of sliding drawers and a plurality of dispensing trays.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,342 describes a medicine dispensing apparatus for dispensing medicines from a cabinet and into a hopper.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,948 describes a medication dispensing system for dispensing medicines into a receptacle in the bottom of a medicine cabinet.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,491 describes a portable medication dispenser for visually and audibly indicating the times at which a patient's medications are to be taken.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,875 describes a medication dispenser having a housing with a plurality of locked drawers which are stocked with selected pharmaceutical items. Access to the items is allowed upon keyboard entry of a predetermined access code.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,045 describes a drug dispensing apparatus for automatically dispensing one or more individual drug doses to a common collection area as required by a patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,793 describes a pharmaceutical dosage distribution apparatus having an enclosure with a door and a plurality of trays.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,942 describes a pharmaceutical storage and dispensing cabinet for dispensing items into a retrieval tray for removal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,125 describes a medication dispenser which can provide a medication alert signal in accordance with a desired medication regimen.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,884 describes a portable medical dispensing unit for storing pills. The dispensing unit is programmed with a medication schedule which causes visual and audio signals when it is time for medication to be consumed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,053 describes an apparatus for monitoring and restricting access to individual items which are provided with a unique identifying code. The codes are scanned by a microprocessor to identify removal of the item.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,954 describes a system and method for dispensing medications prescribed by a doctor. The system includes a medical dispenser which can read prescription information from a memory device and make the medications available to the patient at the prescribed times.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,740 describes an inventory management system having a central control unit and a number of parts terminal units that are disposed at each parts container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,969 describes a medication dispensing system for controlled programmed dispensing of medication to a patient and for creating a retrievable patient medication record.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,764 describes a medication dispenser station having rotatable carousels with vertically open compartments containing individual doses of a medication.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,764 describes a system for dispensing medications in a health care institution.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,275 describes a control panel face for mounting to a control member.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,928 describes a medication cart for dispensing medicines during a nurse's rounds.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,660 describes a transaction monitoring and security system for recording data from the sale of articles.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,511 describes a pharmaceutical cart for retaining a plurality of dispensing bins on shelves.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,668 describes a medication cart having a base formed of a pair of molded plates interconnected by rails. The plates have molded grooves and holes for receiving structural elements of the cart.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,174 describes a medication delivery device having a housing containing separate storage locations for holding medication dosages away from access by the user.

Methods and devices for dispensing pharmaceutical and medical supply items


An eddy current device for inspecting a component, such as a closed surface area of a gas turbine engine or the like, includes an eddy current array circuit having an active face for positioning on a surface portion of the component during an inspection operation and backing on a surface of the eddy current array circuit opposite to the active face. The eddy current array circuit and backing are disposed over the operating face and expandable sides of an extendible pin. The extendible pin has a slot formed therein with interior side edges which narrow toward the operating face of the pin at a predetermined slope. The expanding pin is positioned to cause the angled sides to mate while engaging the interior angled sides of the round or shaped hole to cause the exterior sides of the expandable pin to expand outwardly a greater distance as the pin is pushed deeper into the hole. This causes the eddy current circuit to conform with the shape of the surface to be inspected. The array sensor is so shaped that it can cover the closed surface in as little as one scan.

Eddy current inspection is a commonly used technique for detecting discontinuities or flaws in the surface of components of a gas turbine engine. Eddy current techniques are based on the principle of electromagnetic induction in which eddy currents are induced within the component under inspection. The eddy currents are induced in the component by alternating magnetic fields created in a coil of an eddy current probe, referred to as a drive coil, when the probe is moved into proximity with the component under inspection. Changes in the flow of eddy currents are caused by the presence of a discontinuity or a crack in the test specimen. The altered eddy currents produce a secondary magnetic field which is received by the eddy current probe coil or a separate sense coil in the eddy current probe which converts the altered secondary magnetic field to an electrical signal which may be recorded on a strip chart or similar device for analysis. An eddy current machine operator may then detect and size flaws by monitoring and analyzing the recorded signals. Flaws or defects are detected if the electrical signal exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold.
One problem with inspecting components is that the components can contain closed surfaces, such as round or shaped holes, which have heretofore required approximately six hours of labor time per part to inspect for flaws and/or defects. State of the art single coil inspection mode, depending on the area to be inspected, can require as many as thirty passes through the same hole for adequate inspection, taking as long as 4 minutes per area.
It would be desirable, then, to be able to provide capability for the rapid inspection of closed surfaces, such as round or shaped holes, using an inspection device which includes an eddy current array circuit, which is not subject to the foregoing disadvantages. The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent in the following description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.

Eddy current array inspection device for shaped holes


A method and a communications unit carrying out the method detects communications problems in the vehicle-to-environment communications in an ISM radio band. To determine the functional ability or the performance capacity of vehicle-to-environment communications, the channel usage of the ISM radio band in use is determined by comparing the channel time occupied by communication messages to the maximum channel time available for communication messages. A warning message is output if the occupied channel time exceeds a threshold value.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and a correspondingly configured communications unit, in particular of a motor vehicle, for detecting communications problems in vehicle-to-environment communication in an ISM radio band.
2. Prior Art
The ISM radio band is a radio band that can be used without a license by devices in the industrial, scientific and medical sector provided that the specifications, in particular with respect to the duty cycle, are complied with. In this case, the abbreviation ISM stands for "Industrial, Scientific and Medical". The license-free ISM radio band is also used, in particular, by wireless access and driving authorization communication in motor vehicles, which is also called "RKE (Remote Keyless Entry)". Frequency bands at 434 MHz and 868 MHz with transmission powers of 10 dBm and 14 dBm, respectively, are available in the European Union as the RKE communications band. Further typical communications bands are the band around 2.4 GHz and the band at 5 GHz, which are primarily used for WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.
The present invention can generally be used in radio bands that are not provided with overload monitoring with congestion control. This also applies, in particular, to the communications protocols of the license-free ISM radio bands.
WO 2009/074655 A1 discloses a method for transmitting vehicle-relevant data relating to a vehicle via mobile communications devices, in which two different communications paths are used. A first communications path is WLAN-based communication. The second communications path is formed by "ignition key" communication, which takes place in a license-free ISM band.
However, there is the problem that the frequency bands of license-free ISM communication are also used by a large number of other communications devices. In motor vehicles, these include, for example, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), baby monitors, radio headphones, consumption recording systems and the like. In urban environments in particular, the radio channel may therefore be so highly utilized that proper communication is no longer possible.

Method for indicating the functional capability of the vehicle-to-environment communication in ISM radio bands


A self-lubricating connector with a housing having a contact receiving cavity with a contact provided therein. A lubricating device is positioned in the housing proximate the contact. The lubricating device extends into the contact receiving cavity and has lubricant provided therein. The lubricant from the lubricating device is deposited or on the outside surface of the contact as the contact is moved between the first position and the second position, reducing wear on the contacts as the contacts are moved between the first position and the second position.

Durability and insertion force performance of electrical connections are technical challenges that can limit the lifetime use of components used in applications such as, but not limited to, high power motors, hybrid and electric mobility solutions, appliances, industrial and communications. These applications require stable electrical and mechanical contact performance, as well as a potentially higher contact pin counts.
To enhance the performance of such connections, a lubricant may be used to reduce the mating interface friction, wear, and increase mating cycle performance. In particular, for noble metal plated connectors, an effective lubricant reduces the potential for noble metal wear during mating and separation. Lubricants can also be used to mitigate corrosion degradation. Lubricants can be used to enhance stable contact performance by reducing wear, and/or proving durability performance, and/or protecting from environmental exposure.
Generally, a lubricant is pre-applied when the contact is manufactured. As the connector is mated and unmated, the pre-applied lubricant is displaced or otherwise degraded and its ability to provide performance enhancement is diminished.
It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide a lubrication system and connector having a lubricating device which reduces wear on contacts of the connector as the contacts are moved between the first position and the second position. In particular, it would be beneficial to provide a self-lubricating connector which applies or deposits lubrication on an outside surface of a contact as the contact is moved between the first position and the second position.


A method, system, and/or computer program product propagates system upgrades to peer computers in a peer community. A peer community is defined by identifying peer computers that each have a copy of a same system component. Each of the peer computers in the peer community is autonomous, such that no peer computer controls another peer computer. A test computer is selected from the peer computers. An upgrade to a system component on the test computer is installed and tested. In response to the upgrade to the system component functioning properly within the test computer, a message is sent to other peer computers within the peer community recommending that they install the upgrade.

The present disclosure relates to the field of computers, and specifically to the use of computers in a peer community. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to propagating system updates in multiple peer computers within a peer community.
Whenever a system update is performed on a computer system, adverse consequences may occur. For example, the addition of a new hardware unit or a new/upgrade software to a computer system may cause other components within the computer system to fail or otherwise be degraded.

Autonomous propagation of system updates

Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A method and a system for completing an incomplete call made by a calling party to a called party, provide a call completion application on a calling party device. The call completion application detects an incomplete call, which is a call that is not connected to a called party device or a short duration call that does not enable an intended communication to occur between the calling party and the called party. The call completion application determines one or more call completion actions, for example, setting a reminder, transmitting media data, etc., to be performed to complete the incomplete call, for example, based on user selections, a duration of the incomplete call, user configuration of the call completion application on the calling party device, etc. The call completion application triggers execution of the determined call completion actions based on one or more action execution criteria for completing the incomplete call.

Call completion systems such as voicemail are widely prevalent in Europe, the United States of America (USA), etc., both within a network and out of the network and have been used for a number of applications, for example, for sending voice messages and voice related information in the case of incomplete calls. A conventional call completion system typically relies on a preconfigured establishment of a feature in the network of a called party to receive a message on behalf of the called party who is a recipient of a call. Consider an example where a calling party originates a voice call, or attempts to place a voice call to a called party. In a conventional call completion system, the phone number and the network of the called party is configured such that if a calling party attempts to establish a voice call with the called party and the called party does not accept the voice call, the calling party is offered an option to record and send a voice message, or alternatively, a short message service (SMS) message, etc., automatically to the called party indicating that the called party missed a call. However, this call completion service can operate only when the network is set up on behalf of the called party. The network needs to configure the call completion service on behalf of the called party to enable the calling party to send a message to the called party. The configuration of the call completion service is typically triggered manually by the called party or performed automatically by the network for the called party. That is, the configuration of the call completion service involves a configuration of a set of parameters corresponding to a contact number of the called party before the calling party is offered an option to send a message.
Such conventional call completion solutions, for example, voicemail, are often insufficient since the calling party does not get to decide on whether a voice message can be sent to the called party, that is, the calling party is dependent on the called party having enabled a voice message service for receipt of voice messages. Furthermore, all message transactions need to be mandatorily performed via the network. Therefore, if the network fails to configure a message service for the called party, the called party is unable to receive a message from the calling party.
Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a method and a system that complete an incomplete call made by a calling party to a called party by executing a call completion action, for example, setting up a reminder, transmitting voice messages, text messages, missed call alerts, notifications of a call attempt, etc., to the called party, etc., independent of a preconfigured call completion service on the called party's network or a called party device, and that provide a sender, that is, the calling party the option to drive or trigger execution of the call completion action.


A method for forming a titanium oxide film that can be formed on a surface of a base material without a heating step. In Step 0, a surface of a molded product (base material) composed of a cyclic olefin-based resin is irradiated with ultraviolet light in an air atmosphere. In Step 1, the base material is immersed in a mixed liquid of an aqueous solution of titanium chloride and a nitrite ion-containing aqueous solution. A titanium oxide film grows by repeating oxidation of a titanium ion. In Step 2, the base material is pulled out from the mixed liquid, and then washed to stop the reaction. The film thickness can be controlled by controlling this immersion time. In Step 3, the base material after washing is dried at room temperature.

Heretofore, titanium oxide having high refractive index and excellent chemical stability has been used in various industrial fields.
Titanium oxide is classified based on the crystal structure thereof into rutile type, anatase type, and brookite type. However, what is actually industrially used is rutile type and anatase type.
Titanium oxide has high refractive index and high light scattering ability, and therefore, when it is in a powder state, it becomes a white powder. Titanium oxide in such a powder state is used in a large amount as a white pigment in paints, plastics, papers, inks, etc. In particular, titanium oxide having a rutile crystal structure with high thermal stability (hereinafter referred to as "rutile-type titanium oxide") has a stable crystal structure, high thermal stability, and high light-screening ability, and therefore is used as a white pigment material for paints. Further, for example, rutile-type titanium oxide having a particle diameter of 0.1 μm or less has high transmittance with respect to visible light, but has low transmittance with respect to ultraviolet light, and therefore is often blended in sunscreen cosmetics, etc.
On the other hand, titanium oxide is an effective photocatalytically active substance, and therefore is used as a photocatalyst in various industrial fields. At present, there is no substance adopted as a photocatalyst for practical use other than titanium oxide.
In particular, titanium oxide having an anatase crystal structure (hereinafter referred to as "anatase-type titanium oxide") has higher reduction ability than rutile-type titanium oxide and has characteristics to exhibit higher photocatalytic activity. Accordingly, in general, anatase-type titanium oxide is often used as a photocatalyst.
Anatase-type titanium oxide has a wide band gap and exhibits photocatalytic activity only when it is irradiated with ultraviolet light with a wavelength of about 380 nm or less corresponding to the band gap. For example, in the atmosphere, when anatase-type titanium oxide absorbs ultraviolet light with a wavelength of about 380 nm or less, it oxidatively decomposes an organic substance or the like located in contact with or in the vicinity of the surface of the anatase-type titanium oxide.
Further, when anatase-type titanium oxide is irradiated with the above-described ultraviolet light, it exhibits superhydrophilic activity such that the water contact angle of the surface thereof is 5° or less.
Therefore, by retaining titanium oxide on the surface of a base material, a photocatalytic function is imparted to the surface of the base material, and further, the surface becomes a hydrophilic surface. A base material in which such a photocatalytic function is imparted to the surface thereof is used in the antibacterial, deodorant, and antifouling fields, etc.
For example, if a titanium oxide coating is applied to automobile mirrors, road mirrors, etc., since the mirror surface is hydrophilic, water adhering to the surface does not turn into droplets, and dirt on the mirror surface is washed off, and thus, visibility in the rain is improved. Further, since a photocatalytic function is imparted to the surface, even if an organic impurity such as an oil is adhered thereto, the organic substance is decomposed by irradiating the surface with ultraviolet light during the day.
As described above, when titanium oxide is used as a photocatalyst in industry, it is general that the above-described titanium oxide is fixed to the surface of a base material, and a photocatalytic function is imparted to the surface of the base material. In the fixation of titanium oxide to the base material, a wet process in which a coating agent containing titanium oxide is used or a dry process in which a titanium oxide film is formed in vacuum is adopted.
What is used in a relatively wide range at present is a wet process, and as a starting material for fixing titanium oxide to a base material in a wet process, in general, a titanium oxide powder, a titanium oxide sol obtained by dispersing titanium oxide fine particles having a size of about 10 nm in water or a solvent, or a titanium compound such as a titanium alkoxide which is a precursor of titanium oxide is used. Incidentally, the above-described titanium oxide powder is used by dispersing it in a solvent, but this dispersion has a problem that when the dispersion is applied, it is easily rendered white. Therefore, in a wet process in general, a titanium oxide sol in which titanium oxide, which is fine to such an extent that light is not scattered, is dispersed without causing aggregation or a titanium compound such as a titanium alkoxide is often adopted.
The fixation of titanium oxide to a base material is performed, for example, as follows.
In the case of a titanium oxide sol, first, a titanium oxide sol is applied to a surface of a base material to which a photocatalytic function is imparted. Then, the sol is dried at a high temperature, whereby a titanium oxide film is obtained on the surface of the base material.
In the case of using a titanium compound, first, for example, a titanium alkoxide such as titanium isopropoxide is dissolved in an alcohol solvent to effect hydrolysis, whereby a titania sol in which fine particles of a hydroxide of titanium are dissolved is formed. The thus formed titania sol is applied to a surface of a base material to which a photocatalytic function is imparted, followed by firing at a temperature of, for example, about 600° C. or lower, whereby a titanium oxide film is obtained on the surface of the base material. A similar example is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-262008.
Incidentally, the usage examples of a titanium compound vary. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-195798 discloses an example in which titanium hydroxide obtained by hydrolyzing a halide of titanium is dissolved in an aqueous solution of an organic strong base, and further a hydroxide polymer is added thereto, and the resulting material is used.
In the case where titanium oxide is fixed to a base plate having low thermal resistance, a method in which a coating material containing titanium oxide fine particles and a curable binder (a coating agent obtained by adding a binder to a titanium oxide sol) is applied to a base material, and titanium oxide is fixed to the surface of the base material by utilizing the curing of the binder is generally used. Incidentally, an organic binder which has been conventionally used in a paint causes deterioration such as chalking in a short time due to the high oxidative ability of photocatalytic titanium oxide, and therefore, in order to design the composition of a photocatalytic coating material, an inorganic binder resistant to oxidation is used. An example of using such a binder is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-105262.
Incidentally, as the dry process, various methods such as vapor deposition, sputtering, ion beam mixing, ion implantation, and CVD are used at present. Further, a study of a thermal spraying method in which film formation is performed in the air has been performed.
Further, recently, a thin-film production process using an anodization method utilizing an electrochemical reaction in an aqueous solution or a liquid-phase deposition (LPD) method utilizing a chemical reaction in an aqueous solution is also performed. For example, Japanese Patent No. 2785433 discloses a process in which a base material is immersed in an aqueous solution, in which ammonium fluorotitanate or titanium hydrofluoride is contained and boric acid or aluminum chloride for capturing fluorine ions is added, whereby a titanium oxide film is formed on a surface of the base material. Further, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-139482 discloses a process in which a base material is immersed in an aqueous solution of titanyl sulfate, whereby a titanium oxide film is formed on a surface of the base material by hydrolysis of titanyl sulfate.
As described above, in the case where titanium oxide is fixed to a surface of a base material by a wet process, the process includes: an application step in which a titanium oxide coating agent such as a titanium oxide sol or a titanium compound such as a titanium alkoxide is applied to a surface of a base material; and a firing step in which the titanium oxide coating agent is fired along with the base material with the titanium oxide coating agent applied thereto to form a film of crystallized titanium oxide on the surface of the base material. In particular, in the case of using a titanium alkoxide, before the application step, a titania sol forming step in which fine particles of a hydroxide of titanium are dissolved, thereby forming a titania sol is needed.
That is, in a method for fixing titanium oxide as described above, the steps are complicated. Further, as described above, a firing step is needed, and therefore, the base material to which titanium oxide is applied is required to have thermal resistance.
On the other hand, in the case where it is necessary to use a base material having low thermal resistance, as described above, a coating agent obtained by adding a binder to a titanium oxide sol is applied to a base material, and titanium oxide is fixed to the surface of the base material by curing the binder. This method enables titanium oxide to be fixed to a base material having low thermal resistance, but has a problem that since a large amount of the inorganic binder is used for improving the adhesiveness of titanium oxide to a base plate, the photocatalytic activity is deteriorated.
On the other hand, in the fixation of titanium oxide to a base material by a dry process, a titanium oxide film is formed in vacuum as described above, and therefore, a large-scale film forming apparatus provided with a vacuum unit is needed. Further, in such a film forming process, generally, it is necessary to heat the base material on which a titanium oxide film is formed. Therefore, it is difficult to fix titanium oxide to a base material having low thermal resistance by a dry process. For example, in the case where a titanium oxide film is formed on a base material by a vapor deposition method, a film is formed in an undesired region of the base material, or it is difficult to control the film thickness, or the film thickness is not always uniform. Further, the process generally has a problem that a film cannot be formed on a base material having a complicated shape other than a plain plate.
In addition, in the case of using a stencil for preventing the formation of a film in an undesired region, a problem arises that the film thickness in a peripheral portion of a region in which the film is formed is increased.
The anodization method is a method in which a base material is made the anode, and the anode is oxidized by an electrochemical reaction, whereby a film is formed, and therefore, the base material on which a titanium oxide film is formed is limited to titanium or a titanium alloy.
Further, in the LPD method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2785433, it is necessary to use a substance which is difficult to handle and has a safety problem such as ammonium fluorotitanate or titanium hydrofluoride, and moreover, it is necessary to additionally add an agent for capturing fluorine ions, and therefore, the steps are complicated, and thus, the method has a problem from the viewpoint of practical use. On the other hand, in a film forming process utilizing hydrolysis as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-139482, it is necessary to set the temperature of a solution to a higher temperature than room temperature for accelerating the hydrolysis reaction, and thus, the uniformity of the film thickness is poor due to the effect of convection flow.

Method for forming titanium oxide film on surface of molded product composed of cyclic olefin resin


A method of cleaning a fluid conduit in a hydrocarbon production installation is described. The method comprises introducing a flexible hose into a fluid conduit system through a pressure control device, and running the flexible hose into a conduit to be cleaned while a fluid stream flows in the conduit. At least one substance is cleaned from the conduit by pumping a cleaning fluid into a bore of the flexible hose and expelling the cleaning fluid from the flexible hose into the conduit through at least one outlet in the flexible hose. The at least one substance is carried in the fluid stream to a conduit outlet.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in the hydrocarbon exploration and production industry, and in particular to a method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of fluid conduit systems in hydrocarbon exploration and production installations while fluid is flowing in the fluid conduit system. Aspects of the invention relate to the cleaning of produced water conduits in hydrocarbon production installations. Alternative aspects of the invention relate to the cleaning of marine risers (including production risers), process pipe work, caissons, closed drains, heat exchange systems, or fluid conduits located from the riser to the separator, or located between a flare stack and an export pump in a hydrocarbon exploration and production installation.
During hydrocarbon production and transportation operations, it is common for the interiors of fluid conduits, including pipelines, wellbores, risers and umbilicals, to become fouled. This fouling can lead to the build up of layers of debris, scale or particulate matter on the inside of conduits, which reduces the effective inner diameter (ID) of the conduit and reduces the flow rate. Fouling may also produce blockages in the fluid conduits which completely prevent fluid flow though the conduit. Particulate matter may accumulate on the inside of the wellbore during the drilling, completion and/or workover of a well. In addition, sand and other particulate matter may be produced from the formation and accumulate inside the production tubing, and may partially or completely block fluid flow through the production tubing, decreasing the production rate and the efficiency of the well.
A number of different wellbore cleanout systems have been developed to address these problems. One technique involves the use of coiled tubing, which is a long continuous length of metal piping wound on a spool. The coiled tubing is straightened by plastic deformation and inserted into the wellbore. A cleaning fluid is circulated through the inside of the coiled tubing and back out through the annulus between the coiled tubing and the wellbore. Particulate matter in the wellbore is brought to surface by the circulating fluid.
When performing this type of wellbore operation, it is necessary to employ procedures and equipment for controlling and retaining pressure in the wellbore system to ensure it is isolated from surface. A typical pressure control system includes an injector head, which contains a drive mechanism to push and pull the coiled tubing in and out of the hole through a pressure control device. An injector head has a curved guide (commonly termed a gooseneck) which guides the coiled tubing from a reel into the injector body. The drive mechanism in the injector head includes a number of toothed wheels with hard teeth or steel gripper blocks arranged to engage the outer surface of the coiled tubing. Below the injector head is a pressure control device in the form of a stripper. The stripper contains pack-off elements to provide a seal around the coiled tubing and isolate the pressure in the wellbore. A diverter is located beneath the pressure control device, and functions to divert fluid in the annulus away from the pressure control equipment to be treated and/or re-circulated through the coiled tubing. A pipe cutter designed to be able to cut through the coiled tubing pipe and an isolation valve are located beneath the diverter, and may be used in the event of a catastrophic failure of the system.
In use, the coiled tubing must be pushed into the wellbore against the resistance of the pressure control equipment and the wellbore pressure, and pulled out of the wellbore, overcoming the weight of the inserted coiled tubing. The coiled tubing injector system described above is therefore a substantial and heavy piece of equipment, with large footprint and high capital expense. The coiled tubing injector system also requires a distance of several metres to be available above the isolation valve to accommodate the injector and the gooseneck. This limits the number of installations where coiled tubing operations can be performed and can make operations more costly. These problems are particularly significant in the case of offshore operations, for example in a turret of a floating production storage production and offloading vessel (FPSO) where space is at a premium. Even light coiled tubing units which are used onshore are still substantial pieces of equipment which are large in size and weight in the context of offshore operations.
As well as the issue of the size and weight of coiled tubing injector systems, there are other considerations which limit their applications. Firstly, blockages and restrictions can occur in narrow bore fluid conduits, which are simply too small to receive coiled tubing.
The coiled tubing injector systems described above rely on the rigidity of the coiled tubing to allow it to be pushed into a hole, rather than relying on gravity only (as is the case in wireline operations). However, this rigidity also has drawbacks that make coiled tubing interventions unsuitable for some applications. For example, it may not be possible to inject coiled tubing into a fluid conduit which has a deviated or convoluted path. In extreme cases, the rigid coiled tubing may not be able to pass through some curved or bent pipeline systems. Even where passage is possible, the frictional resistance between the coiled tubing and the inside wall of the wellbore will limit the depth to which the coiled tubing can be deployed. Although friction-reducing clamps have been proposed in some applications, they increase the effective outer diameter of the tubing and may interfere with fluid circulation. In addition, coiled tubing may not easily pass internal restrictions in the conduit such as collars.
An example of an application unsuitable for coiled tubing clean out operations is the cleaning of produced water conduit systems and overboard water caissons. When hydrocarbons are produced, they are brought to the surface as a produced fluid mixture. The composition of this produced fluid generally includes a mixture of either liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, produced water, dissolved or suspended solids, produced solids such as sand or silt, and injected fluids and additives that may have been used during exploration and production activities. Produced water is separated from the hydrocarbons, typically by gravity separation in a horizontal or vertical separator. The produced water then passes through separate fluid conduits for treatment, storage or discarding. The quantity of produced water that is generated each year is very large, and operators must have systems and processes for managing the water. The produced water can therefore represent a significant component of the cost of hydrocarbon production.
The composition of produced water varies considerably depending on the nature of the formation and the exploration of production processes employed. However, it is common for the inside surfaces of fluid conduits which transport produced water to become deposited with layers of scale and/or other solid material, which build up in the conduit to restrict the effective ID. This can present considerable problems during hydrocarbon production. A restricted produced water flowline can reduce the rate of production, making a producing well uneconomical. Produced water flowlines therefore need to be cleaned at intervals, requiring complete shutdown of production for a period of several hours while the offline produced water conduit is accessed and cleaned using lances manually deployed into an open end of the flowline. Operational difficulties may arise due to the shape of the produced water flowlines (or sections of the flowlines) which may follow deviated or convoluted paths, rendering them difficult to clean by conventional techniques.
For the foregoing reasons, the wellbore cleanout systems according to the prior art are generally unsuitable for applications other than the cleaning of wellbores. In particular, they are unsuitable for applications to the following: process pipe work; caissons; produced water conduits; marine risers (including production risers); closed drains; heat exchange systems; or fluid conduits located between a flare stack and an export pump in a hydrocarbon exploration and production installation.
It is one object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of a fluid conduit system, which has application to a wide range of fluid conduit systems used in the hydrocarbon exploration and production industry.
It is further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of fluid conduits in the hydrocarbon exploration and production industry, which avoids or at least mitigates one or more of the disadvantages of prior art methods and apparatus.
Another aim and object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of a fluid conduit in a hydrocarbon production or transportation system while fluid flows in the conduit (i.e. without a requirement to cease or shutdown operations).
Further aims and objections of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description.

Method and apparatus for cleaning fluid conduits


An installation technique is shown for use with a pre-insulated steam piping system having an inner steel carrier pipe surrounded by a layer of foam insulation and then by an outer protective jacket. An expansion loop is used to create an artificial low point in the overall pipeline which allows the pipeline to avoid a buried obstruction without the necessity of increasing the depth of the remaining portion of the pipeline on either side of the loop. The expansion loop has a pair of oppositely arranged side legs which are joined by a cross-leg portion of the loop, the cross-leg portion of the loop being angled downwardly at a predetermined angle, to thereby provide a change in elevation which avoids the buried obstruction in the pathway of the pipeline.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pre-insulated piping systems, and more specifically to a method for installing such systems which avoids preexisting obstacles in the pathway of the pipeline while eliminating the need for valve pits or more complicated placement techniques.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are many instances in which insulated pipelines are needed. For example, distributed HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) applications utilize chilled water for cooling and steam for heating. The chiller and boiler are typically contained in a central location and the chilled water and steam are distributed to other locations. For example, on a school or college campus, the chiller and boiler may be located in a power plant building. The chilled water and steam are distributed to classrooms in separate buildings.
A set of insulated pipelines is used to convey the chilled water from the chiller to other locations and back to the chiller. Another set of insulated pipelines is used to carry the steam from the boiler to the other locations and back to the boiler. The insulated pipelines are usually located underground.
Pre-insulated pipe is conventional and commercially available. There are predominately two types of such piping systems in use: Class-A drainable dryable testable (DDT); and polyurethane or polyisocyanurate "bonded" foam systems. Both of these systems use an inner carrier pipe to convey fluid. Although steel is commonly used for the inner pipe which carries the media to be piped, copper or aluminum or other metals as well as fiberglass, PVC, and similar materials may be utilized, as well. Around the outside of the steel pipe is a layer of insulating foam such as, for example, polyisocyanurate foam. Around the outside of the foam is a jacket of hard thermoplastic (such as high density polyethylene, HDPE). The foam has set up or cured within the outer jacket so as to bond to the jacket and to the inner pipe. The plastic jacket protects the foam from mechanical damage and also provides a water tight seal to prevent corrosion of the steel pipe. In the bonded type system, the foam and outer jacket do not move relative to the inner pipe. In the Class-A type system, on the other hand, the insulated inner pipe is designed to move independently of the associated outer jacket. In fact, there is an air gap between the inner pipe and outer carrier pipe in the class-A type system.
The bonded foam piping systems are normally installed in a subterranean location by digging a trench from the surface and by then laying down the pipe. Thus, in pre-insulated piping systems of the type under consideration, one of the principal expenses in the overall cost of the job is the cost of trenching. As the depth of the trench increases, the water table depth is approached in some locations. This can lead to additional problems with de-watering the trench, and the like. The deeper the trench being dug, the greater the need for shoring up the excavation to meet applicable safety standards for workers. Obviously, the nearer the pipeline can be laid to the surface the better, at least as far as lessening the excavation costs and avoiding some of the previously mentioned problems.
However, in any given pipeline installation project, the path of the pipeline tends to be obstructed, at points, by various types of of above ground or underground structures. For example, the path of the pipeline may encounter a buried "duct bank" containing electrical wires or cables, fiber optic cables, and the like. The wires/cables are typically buried in concrete, with the resulting duct bank being a foot or more in cross sectional area.
In the past, it was generally necessary to either take the pipeline deeper to go below the duct bank, or to build in place a "valve pit" or manhole to allow a change in elevation of the pipeline. This added greatly to the cost of the installation. In addition, with steam lines, it was necessary to provide the appropriate "slope" to the pipe line, along with the change in elevation, and to provide appropriate condensate collection and drain points to prevent the buildup of condensate in the overall pipeline.
Despite the advances which have been made in pre-insulated piping systems in recent years, and in the installation techniques which are used to place the pipelines in the desired subterranean locations, a need continues to exist for further improvements.
For example, a need exists to provide an installation technique which allows a pre-insulated pipeline to be routed so as to avoid existing obstacles in the path of the pipeline, without greatly increasing the depth of the overall pipeline.
A need also exists for such an installation technique which eliminates the need for adding valve pits or manholes in order to accommodate changes in elevation in the pipeline.
A need also exists for such an installation method which utilizes many of the conventionally available materials and installation techniques commonly used in the industry and which is relatively simple in design and economical to implement.

Method of installing pre-insulated piping


One embodiment is directed towards a distributed antenna system (DAS). The DAS includes a host unit a plurality of remote units communicatively coupled to the host unit. The plurality of remote units are configured to implement a common arrangement of resource blocks for uplink transport signals. The host unit is configured to instruct a subset of the plurality of remote units to send a digital sample stream over a monitor path of their respective uplink transport signals. One or more simulcast modules are configured to sum the monitor paths from the respective uplink transport signals to generate a summed digital sample stream, the one or more simulcast modules configured to send the summed digital sample stream to the host unit. The host unit is configured to provide a signal based on the summed digital sample stream to one or more signal analysis modules.

A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is a network of spatially separated antenna nodes that provide wireless service within a geographic area or structure. The spatially separated antenna nodes are coupled to a common node via one or more transport mediums. The common node is also referred to herein as a "host unit", and can be located at a centralized location. The antenna nodes are located at a location that is remote from the host unit and are also referred to herein as "remote units".
The host unit is typically communicatively coupled to one or more base stations which allow bidirectional communications between wireless subscriber units within the DAS service area and communication networks such as, but not limited to, cellular phone networks, the public switch telephone network (PSTN), and the Internet. The host unit can be communicatively coupled to the one or more base stations using one or more wired connections (for example, where the base stations are co-located with the host unit) and/or can be communicatively coupled to the one or more base stations using one or more wireless connections (for example, using one or more donor antennas and bidirectional amplifiers).
One type of DAS is referred to as a digital DAS. In a digital DAS, the signals transported between host unit and remote units comprise digital sample streams. A digital sample stream is a stream of digital samples (e.g., I/Q samples) corresponding to an RF bandwidth that was received at the remote unit (in the case of remote unit to host unit transport) or is to be transmitted from the remote unit (in the case of host unit to remote unit transport). To transport a digital sample stream between a host unit and a remote unit, the host unit or remote unit generates a signal that is conditioned for long distance transport over the respective transport medium and modulates the digital sample stream on the signal. The transport medium can comprise optical communication media (for example, optical fiber), copper communication medium (for example, coaxial or CATV cabling and/or twisted-pair cabling), and/or wireless communication links (for example, microwave wireless links). The transport medium can be implemented using various network topologies (for example, point-to-point topologies, star or tree topologies, and ring topologies as well as combinations thereof).
A DAS can be configured to implement simulcast transmission and reception of signals. In the downlink, simulcast refers to the process of transmitting the same signal from multiple remote units. In the uplink, simulcast refers to the process of combining signals from multiple remote units to be received as a single signal. To send the same (i.e., common) signal from multiple remote units, identical digital sample streams are sent to each of the multiple remote units concurrently such that each of the multiple remote units generates and transmits the same signal. To combine signals from multiple remote units, digital sample streams from multiple remote units are combined before being demodulated.
The processes of generating multiple identical digital sample streams for downlink simulcast and combining multiple digital sample streams for uplink simulcast can be performed by a simulcast module. To generate multiple digital sample streams for downlink simulcast, such a simulcast module can receive a digital sample stream from an upstream source (e.g., a host unit), can generate multiple copies of the digital sample stream, and can send each of the copies to a different downstream destination (e.g., a different remote unit) for transmission therefrom. To combine multiple digital sample streams, the simulcast module can receive the multiple digital sample streams, each at the same sample rate and from a different downstream source (e.g., a different remote unit), arithmetically sum corresponding digital samples from each of the digital sample streams to generate a single digital sample stream, and send the single digital sample stream to an upstream destination (e.g., a host unit).
Such a simulcast module can be part of (i.e., integrated in) a host unit and enable the host unit to generate and receive simulcast signals with multiple remote units. A simulcast module can also be part of remote unit and enable multiple remote units to be daisy chained together. A simulcast module can also be part of an intermediate node (also referred to as an "expansion unit" or an "expansion hub"). An intermediate node is located between a host unit and a plurality of remote units and is used to expand the geographical area and/or number or remotes units that a given host unit can service. Such an intermediate node can combine uplink signals from multiple remote units and distribute downlink signals to the multiple remote units.

Distributed antenna system with uplink bandwidth for signal analysis


Particle beam systems and methods for interacting with a workpiece according to this invention include a work stage assembly and a first particle beam source. The work stage assembly is adapted a) for supporting a workpiece, b) for translating along a first axis, c) for translating along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and d) for rotating about a third axis perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis. The work stage assembly has a work stage axis substantially parallel to the third axis. The first particle beam source for interacting with the workpiece is supported by the work stage assembly. The first particle beam source has a first particle beam axis. In one embodiment, the first particle beam source is oriented so that the first particle beam axis forms an angle with the third axis. In another embodiment, the first particle beam source is tiltable from a first position, with the first particle beam axis substantially parallel to the third axis, to a second position, with the first particle beam axis forming an angle with the third axis. Thus, the particle beam system can etch and image a vertical cross-section of the workpiece without offsetting the work stage axis from the third axis.

The present invention relates to focused particle beam systems and methods for processing a workpiece, e.g., etching and imaging a cross-section of a workpiece.
Present focused ion beam (FIB) systems typically include an ion beam column oriented normal to the workpiece and a tilting work stage. Such systems can include an electron column offset from the normal to the workpiece. To image a cross-section of a workpiece using an ion column, existing systems etch a cavity in the workpiece and tilt the stage so that the ion beam can impinge on a side wall of the cavity.
Existing FIB systems which incorporate a tilting stage experience several problems. A tilting work stage, which is large relative to many of the other components of a FIB system, causes the system to be relatively bulky. Such a large bulk is disadvantageous because cleanroom fabrication space is expensive. A tilting work stage also causes an FIB system to be unstable because a tilting work stage can make an FIB system susceptible to low frequency vibration and gravity sag, as discussed further below. Disadvantageously, the vibration of and the changing configuration of a tilting work stage can interfere with the performance of a system component, such as a laser interferometer. Laser interferometry can be used to assist in accurate monitoring of the position of a workpiece.
Low frequency vibration can occur when a massive object, such as a tilting stage is supported by bearings and held steady with a mechanism that behaves like a spring. Low frequency vibration reduces resolution of a focused particle beam system by adding uncertainty in the determination of the location of the target point, i.e. where the ion beam interacts with the workpiece.
When a large as work stage assembly is tilted, gravity can bend components of the work stage assembly and the workpiece. Such bending is termed gravity sag. It is difficult to monitor gravity sap. Thus, gravity sag can lead to inaccuracy in determining the positions of the work stage and of the Workpiece. Such inaccuracy can reduce the resolution of a focused particle bear system.
Existing configurations of FIB systems restrict access to the workpiece by other elements, such as an optical microscope. Further, existing systems do not allow for optimization of the working distance of particular ion and electron columns. In existing configurations with a focused ion beam oriented normal to the workpiece and an electron beam offset with respect to the normal, one can not achieve working distances that optimize the characteristics, e.g., resolution and current density, of the ion and electron beams, because the work stage and the tip of the ion column and the tip of the electron column physically interfere with each other.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved focused particle beam systems and methods for processing, e.g., etching and imaging a cross-section of a workpiece.
It is another object of the invention to reduce the footprint of a focused particle beam system.
It is another object of the invention to improve the stability of the work stage assembly of a focused particle beam system.
It is another object of the invention to improve the accuracy of a focused particle beam system.
It is another object of the invention to provide a focused particle beam system that allows for concurrent optimization of the working distances of a particle beam column and an electron beam column, the columns being oriented so that their target points are substantially coincident.
It is another object of the invention to provide a focused particle beam system that allows greater access to the workpiece by additional system elements such as an optical microscope.
Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part will appear hereinafter.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Focused particle beam systems and methods using a tilt column


A disclosed optical scanning device scans an object scanning surface with a light beam projected from a light source and traveling through an optical system. The optical scanning device includes a liquid crystal element configured to modulate a phase. The liquid crystal element is driven by electric signals and provided on a light path between the light source and the object scanning surface. The liquid crystal element generates different power components in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction under temperature variations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical scanning device functioning as an optical writing unit, an image forming apparatus including the optical scanning device such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a plotter, and a liquid crystal element used in the optical scanning device.
2. Description of the Related Art
[Multi-Beam Scanning Device]
In recent years and continuing, image forming apparatuses such as LBPs (laser beam printer) and copiers are forming images of higher quality at higher speed, and color copying is becoming widespread. Accordingly, users are requiring higher quality.
To address the requirements for higher speed, it is effective to employ multi-beams. However, when multi-beams are employed, the pitch (scanning line intervals) between plural beams needs to be adjusted. The pitch between plural beams can be adjusted with a method of rotating a multi-beam light source unit around an optical axis or a method of employing an optical element used for adjusting the pitch (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
To address the requirements for higher quality, beam spots need to have small diameters, and several methods have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 through 4). However, in the process of making the diameters of the beam spots small, it is necessary to take into consideration the temperature variations, based on various heat sources such as a fixing unit and a polygon scanner included in an image forming apparatus or an optical scanning device, and temperature variations in the environment.
However, in the conventional method of rotating a multi-beam light source unit around an optical axis, the reliability of electrical components becomes a problem, because the light source unit itself is rotated. The conventional method of employing an optical element used for adjusting the pitch requires a highly precise optical element made of glass, which leads to higher costs.
Even if the beam spot position is initially adjusted in a highly precise manner, when the temperature starts to vary, beam spot positions are displaced with passage of time.
Accordingly, a unit-for adjusting the pitch, i.e., a "liquid crystal element" driven by electric signals, has been proposed. A beam pitch detecting unit provided separately detects the beam pitch, and the liquid crystal element is driven based on the detection results. Thus, when the beam pitch changes with passage of time, the liquid crystal element can correct the change. The liquid crystal element is a beam pitch adjusting unit that can be driven at low voltage, does not generate heat, noise, or vibration, and is compact and light-weight.
[Tandem-Type Color Image Forming Apparatus]
In recent years and continuing, optical elements in scanning optical systems are often made of plastic. Although plastic is advantageous in terms of mass production, final plastic products are often deformed from ideal shapes. The deformation is caused by uneven temperature distributions of the mold when being molded, and/or the plastic products are not uniformly cooled after being removed from the mold.
Scanning optical systems often include optical elements that are longer in a main scanning direction than in a sub scanning direction. Therefore, the optical elements sometimes bend in the sub scanning direction. This may cause positional displacement of scanning lines with respect to the sub scanning direction, such as tilted scanning lines and/or bent scanning lines, depending on how the optical elements are held. Further, errors in mounting an optical element in a housing may also cause considerable positional displacement of scanning lines with respect to the sub scanning direction on the scanning surface.
Further, in an image forming apparatus including plural scanning units, temperature deviations between housings that hold and fix each of the scanning units may cause different amounts of positional displacement of scanning lines with respect to the sub scanning direction, such as bent scanning lines.
There is proposed a method of performing scanning by making plural light beams enter a single optical deflector and arranging optical elements so as to overlap each other in the sub scanning direction (a method of holding all scanning units inside a single optical housing). This method also causes different amounts of positional displacement of scanning lines with respect to the sub scanning direction between photoconductors, such as tilted scanning lines and bent scanning lines. The displacement occurs due to deformation and mounting errors of the scanning optical system, and temperature distributions within a single housing.
In a tandem-type full-color copier, four photoconductive drums are arranged in a row along a conveyance surface of a transfer belt, corresponding to cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Beam scanning devices scan the photoconductive drums with corresponding beams, thereby forming electrostatic latent images on the circumferential surfaces of the photoconductive drums. The latent images are made visible with toner of corresponding colors. The visible toner images are sequentially transferred onto a recording sheet conveyed by the transfer belt so as to form a full-color image. Thus, if scanning line positions are displaced in the sub scanning direction by different amounts between the colors, image quality is degraded and color deviations occur.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. H9-131920    Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. H3-116112    Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. H5-19190    Patent Document 4: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2001-166237    Patent Document 5: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-109700    Patent Document 6: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. H9-131920    Patent Document 7: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-109699    Patent Document 8: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2003-337293
A liquid crystal element has a cell structure in which a liquid crystal layer of several μm to several tens μm in size is sealed by two glass substrates. Therefore, as the temperature rises in the environment, the liquid crystal layer having a relatively high expansion coefficient expands due to heat, and the middle part of the liquid crystal element expands. As a result, a lens effect (positive power) is generated.
Accordingly, beam waist positions are displaced, which disadvantageously leads to larger beam spot diameters.

Optical scanning device, image forming apparatus, and liquid crystal element


A control panel assembly for a washing machine is provided. The control panel assembly is installed at a case of the washing machine so that a user can handle the washing machine. The control panel assembly includes a circuit board, a cover and a member. The circuit board includes a given area having one or more displays densely attached thereon. The cover is attached on a case of the washing machine so as to cover the circuit board, and includes one window for showing all of the displays. The member is configured to be detachable from the window to thereby divide the window into several areas. The control panel assembly may further include a member attached on the window to thereby divide the window into several areas or cover boundaries between the displays.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a control panel assembly for a washing machine, which is installed at a case of the washing machine so that a user can handle the washing machine by using the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A washing machine is a typical home appliance which washes the laundry by using a detergent and water. The washing machine is classified into a top loading-type washing machine and a front loading-type washing machine according to loading positions of the laundry. In general, the top loading-type washing machine is constructed to include a vertical tub for receiving the laundry, a pulsater for washing the laundry during its rotation in the tub, and a lid provided at an upper surface of the washing machine so as to cover/uncover the tub. In the meantime, the front loading-type washing machine is constructed to include a horizontal drum for receiving the laundry, a plurality of lifters provided at an inner surface of the drum so as to repeatedly lift and then drop the laundry during the rotation of the drum, and a door provided at a front surface of the washing machine so as to cover/uncover the drum.
In the meantime, producers provide various collections of washing machines in consideration of a washing capacity and a selling price even though the washing machines belong to the same kind and have the same size case. For example, a touch-screen LCD is adopted as a display attached at a control panel in high-priced washing machines, but a simple multi-segmented LED display is adopted as the display in high-priced washing machines. In this case, since different types of displays may be attached to a control panel, the control panel should be designed differently according to the different types. Therefore, when producers desire to provide various collections of washing machines, the design and production cost of the washing machine is accordingly increased.

Control panel assembly for washing machine


The power distribution device includes a power regulating device and a first auxiliary power distribution component. The power regulating device has a first output end connected to an AC power grid and a second output end. The first auxiliary power distribution component has a first movable end electrically connected to a load, a first fixed end electrically connected to the AC power grid and a second fixed end electrically connected to the second output end, and a ground line of the second fixed end is grounded. When the AC power grid is normal, the first movable end is connected to the first fixed end, such that the AC power grid supplies power to the load. And when the AC power grid is abnormal, the first movable end is connected to the second fixed end, such that the power regulating device supplies power to the load through the second output end.

With the increasing severity of environmental problems, the application of new energy is becoming more and more widespread. How to connect new energy power generation into the power grid has become a focus of attention.
For connecting to the power grid, the new energy power generation not only needs to meet the requirement when it is in grid-connected operation, but also needs to meet the requirement of being able to safely supply power to the load when it is in off-grid operation. However, the existing power distribution equipment can hard meet the requirement of the grid-connected operation and off-grid operation of new energy power generation without changing the original power distribution structure owned by users.
It should be noted that, the above information disclosed in the background section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and thus may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Apparatus of power distribution and method of power distribution


An encoder calculates position error values and applies compensation values to encoder position measurements in-situ. The encoder includes a scale and a multi-section detector for detecting a spatially periodic pattern, such as an optical interference pattern, produced by the scale. The detector includes spatially separated first and second sections. A signal processor estimates respective phase values from detector sections and calculates a phase difference reflecting a spatial position error in the scale. A compensation value is calculated from the phase difference and included in the estimate of the scale position to compensate for this spatial position error. The compensation values may be calculated and used on the fly, or calculated and saved during an in-situ calibration operation and then utilized during normal operation to compensate uncorrected measurements.

The present invention is related to the field of position encoders including diffractive optical position encoders.
It is well known in the art that the accuracy of a scale-based optical encoder is ultimately limited by the perfection of the scale itself. In diffractive optical encoders, various scale errors affect the position, period, straightness, and intensity profile of the interference fringes, which in turn affect the accuracy of the phase measurement performed by the encoder.
A typical approach for reducing the significance of scale errors is to perform a calibration measurement of the scale, either at the factory or in the field, and to apply the calibration to subsequent operational measurements. Usually the scale position is measured relative to an encoder sensor head while being translated on a stage whose position is independently sampled with a second, known good position measuring system (the "reference" system), such as an interferometer. In general, measurements are taken at intervals along the scale grating. Any differences between the position as measured by the encoder and the position as measured by the reference sensor are ascribed to the scale under test. Generally, these recorded differences are supplied to the user of the scale as a hard copy printout and/or as a digital file. Often the digital file can be incorporated as a look-up table (LUT) in an electronic processor used in conjunction with the encoder. The LUT is used to convert operational measurements based on the scale into more accurate compensated measurements.
Although the above compensation technique can be quite accurate, it has the drawback that the calibration is performed outside the system in which the encoder is used, and thus necessarily cannot capture errors that depend on the operating environment, such as temperature-related scale errors. Also, it is cumbersome or practically impossible to perform any re-calibration of the encoder once it is installed in an operating system, because of the need to connect it to a separate measuring system such as an interferometer.
An alternative prior art approach for compensating for scale errors is to apply a single, linear correction to the operational measurements. To the extent that the largest component of the error in the scale can be characterized by a linear function, this approach has proved valuable. However, one difficulty with this approach has been the need to apply a continuous linear correction in the form of a discontinuous staircase function. This problem was addressed by Wingate in U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,520 entitled Position Encoder Compensation System, wherein an essentially continuous linear function is generated based on an approximation of the distance beyond step transitions. This linear correction approach eliminates the need for a large LUT, but it also compromises the resultant performance of the measurement system by ignoring all the non-linear errors.
One general difficulty with these compensation schemes is the need to perform a calibration measurement with an independent, known good reference system. Consequently, calibration generally cannot be performed in-situ, as mentioned above, and therefore these techniques cannot compensate for errors that arise only in-situ. There is a movement in the encoder industry toward the use of so-called tape gratings, which are encoder scales manufactured on thin, flexible substrates. The largest scale errors for tape gratings are generally created upon installation, and therefore an a-priori calibration at the factory is generally not effective.
It would be desirable to have an error compensation technique for encoders that addresses the problems arising from the prior art requirement for a separate known good position measuring system when calibrating encoder scales. Additionally, an improved technique would permit in-situ re-calibration of the encoder as may be necessary or desired during operation.

Encoder scale error compensation employing comparison among multiple detectors


A method of fabricating a microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The fabrication method includes providing a proximal portion having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, the inner conductor extending at least partially therein. The method further includes providing a distal portion disposed distally of the proximal portion, with the inner conductor extending at least partially therein. A high strength material may be injected from an inflow slot to an outflow slot of the distal portion such that the material is disposed in-between the inner conductor and a ceramic layer. The material bonds the distal portion and the ceramic layer to the proximal portion while providing mechanical strength to the distal portion.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to microwave applicators used in tissue ablation procedures. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a microwave applicator having either a liquid or solid loaded tip dipole antenna.
2. Background of Related Art
Treatment of certain diseases requires destruction of malignant tissue growths (e.g., tumors). It is known that tumor cells denature at elevated temperatures that are slightly lower than temperatures injurious to surrounding healthy cells. Therefore, known treatment methods, such as hyperthermia therapy, heat tumor cells to temperatures above 41° C., while maintaining adjacent healthy cells at lower temperatures to avoid irreversible cell damage. Such methods involve applying electromagnetic radiation to heat tissue and include ablation and coagulation of tissue. In particular, microwave energy is used to coagulate and/or ablate tissue to denature or kill the cancerous cells.
Microwave energy is applied via microwave ablation antennas that penetrate tissue to reach tumors. There are several types of microwave antennas, such as monopole and dipole. In monopole and dipole antennas, microwave energy radiates perpendicularly from the axis of the conductor. A monopole antenna includes a single, elongated microwave conductor. Dipole antennas may have a coaxial construction including an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by a dielectric portion. More specifically, dipole microwave antennas may have a long, thin inner conductor that extends along a longitudinal axis of the antenna and is surrounded by an outer conductor. In certain variations, a portion or portions of the outer conductor may be selectively removed to provide for more effective outward radiation of energy. This type of microwave antenna construction is typically referred to as a "leaky waveguide" or "leaky coaxial" antenna.
Conventional microwave antennas typically has a long, thin inner conductor which extends along the axis of the probe and is surrounded by a dielectric material and is further surrounded by an outer conductor around the dielectric material such that the outer conductor also extends along the axis of the probe. In another variation of the probe which provides for effective outward radiation of energy or heating, a portion or portions of the outer conductor can be selectively removed. This type of construction is typically referred to as a "leaky waveguide" or "leaky coaxial" antenna. Another variation on the microwave probe involves having the tip formed in a uniform spiral pattern, such as a helix, to provide the necessary configuration for effective radiation. This variation can be used to direct energy in a particular direction, e.g., perpendicular to the axis, in a forward direction (i.e., towards the distal end of the antenna), or a combination thereof.
Invasive procedures and devices have been developed in which a microwave antenna probe may be either inserted directly into a point of treatment via a normal body orifice or percutaneously inserted. Such invasive procedures and devices potentially provide better temperature control of the tissue being treated. Because of the small difference between the temperature required for denaturing malignant cells and the temperature injurious to healthy cells, a known heating pattern and predictable temperature control is important so that heating is confined to the tissue to be treated. For instance, hyperthermia treatment at the threshold temperature of about 41.5° C. generally has little effect on most malignant growths of cells. However, at slightly elevated temperatures above the approximate range of 43° C. to 45° C., thermal damage to most types of normal cells is routinely observed; accordingly, great care must be taken not to exceed these temperatures in healthy tissue.
However, many types of malignancies are difficult to reach and treat using non-invasive techniques or by using invasive antenna probes designed to be inserted into a normal body orifice, i.e., a body opening which is easily accessible. These types of conventional probes may be more flexible and may also avoid the need to separately sterilize the probe; however, they are structurally weak and typically require the use of an introducer or catheter to gain access to within the body. Further, the manufacturing techniques for the conventional probe tend to be cumbersome, time consuming, and prohibitively expensive. Moreover, the addition of introducers and catheters necessarily increase the diameter of the incision or access opening into the body thereby making the use of such probes more invasive and further increasing the probability of any complications that may arise.

Method for constructing a dipole antenna


A technique for compressing texts such that referential integrity, sentence coherency, punctuation and readability are preserved and which provides for compression of sentence constituents based on the type of content, the informativity of the sentence constituent and the grammatical readability of the resultant sentence or phrase. Information content portions are parsed to generate parts of speech tags. The informativity of the constituents in a phrase or sentence is determined and the parts of speech having lower information content and having a low effect on grammatical readability of the phrase or sentence are selectively compressed. Parts of speech having successively higher informativity and low effect on grammatical readability are selected for compression until the desired level of compression is reached. Compressed portions are indicated in the summary with a selectable placeholder which expands to display the compressed text.

1. Field of Invention
This invention is related to generating text summaries and to compressing text summaries generated by other text compression or summary generating systems and methods.
2. Description of Related Art
Users of information systems must typically absorb large amounts of information to accomplish their information acquisition goals.
In response, vendors of corporate information systems have attempted to increase the efficiency of business processes by providing greater quantities of information to users ever more quickly. As the number of information suppliers and frequency of reporting has increased, users find themselves deluged with information.
In response, commercial, academic and government researchers have developed summary generating systems to decrease the amount of information that a user must absorb. Summarizing documents or content portions will always result in a loss of information. However, successful summarization requires choosing information to delete that minimizes information loss while preserving the meaning of the remaining portions and maximizing the meaning of the resultant summary.
For example, conventional summary generating methods may pick out isolated words or phrases from a text and print them out in sequential order. These conventional summary generating methods give an indication of some of the entities or events described by the text, but neither the point of the text nor the meaning of the individual words or phrases in context will be recoverable. The structure and readability of the original sentence is not preserved and will frequently contain unresolved and/or incorrectly resolved pronouns and other referential items. Since these conventional summary generating methods affect the grammar of sentences in the text, the readability of the text is degraded. These conventional summary generating systems may also omit punctuation in phrases or sentences making the summary difficult to understand. Conventional summary generating methods select sentences for inclusion in the summary based on statistical criteria including such information as position of a sentence in a paragraph, the position of a paragraph in a document as well as statistical information about the frequency of co-location patterns of lexical items in the document. Therefore the selected sentences do not necessarily follow each other coherently. Referential integrity is not necessarily preserved which may result in referential ambiguities. The resulting summary is therefore difficult to read. Conventional methods that use sentence extraction and keyword extraction techniques are better able to produce informative summaries. However such methods pose problems of how to choose the sentences or phrases to extract.
Corston-Oliver describes several text compaction methods that operate on a sentence by sentence level in "Text Compaction for Display on Very Small Screens", Corston-Oliver, S., in North American Chapter of the Association for Computational Linguists (NAACL) 2001 Language Technologies Workshops Jun. 3–4, 2001. These methods include language dependent character removal strategies, white space compaction using initial word capitalization and the normalization of items such as company names, dates, personal proper nouns and numbers.
Another conventional summarization system is described in "Producing Intelligent Telegraphic Text Reduction to Provide an Audio Scanning Service for the Blind" in Intelligent Text Summarization, AAAI Spring Symposium Series, Stanford, Calif., 1998, p. 111–117. However, these text compaction strategies do not preserve the grammaticality of the sentences of the text, which would make the result more readable. This property of texts is referred to as grammatical readability.
Many of these problems are addressed in commonly assigned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/689,779, entitled "System and Method for Generating Text Summaries", incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the '779 application, a structural representation of discourse according to a theory of discourse analysis is created, a rank is determined and nodes having a rank less than or equal to the determined rank are output as a summary. Summaries are provided based on the selective display of text building units from a structural representation of discourse. The techniques discussed in the '779 application preserve referential integrity, coherency and punctuation. However, these techniques for generating text summaries cannot generate summaries shorter than the actual lengths of the highest ranked text building units in the structural representation of discourse.

Systems and methods for generating analytic summaries


In one arrangement, a person's position in a movie auditorium is discerned by detection of audio signals from two or more speakers, and the person is then assigned a role or task in a game based on this discerned location. In another arrangement, a person's current position in a home listening environment is similarly discerned; this position information is used to control the balance of complementary audio channels of a home audio system, so that the audio “sweet spot” is located at the person's current position. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Several techniques for determining location based on multiple signals are known. Some, such as the familiar GPS system, employ the differences in transit times among signals from various signal sources, and the receiver. Related techniques encode each of the signals with a common random sequence—synchronized at transmission. The common sequence allows an auto-correlation operation to be performed on the received signal, revealing the time offsets between the different occurrences of this signal sensed by the receiver. The times of transit allow the receiver to be localized relative to the sources.
Another class of techniques relies on differences in strength of signals received from the various signal sources. In a simple implementation, different signals are emitted by different sources. Whichever signal dominates at the receiver indicates the signal source to which the receiver is closest—thereby roughly indicating location. (More sophisticated embodiments consider the strengths of other, less-dominant signals, to yield a more refined location estimate.)
Still another technique relies on count-stamp techniques, as detailed in patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 7,876,266, 20100202300, 20090213828, 20090233621, and 20120309415.
While these methods are most commonly implemented with radio signals, they are similarly useful with audio signals (with corresponding adjustment, where necessary, in view of the slower speed of audio propagation).
In some implementations, the signals from the different sources—from which location is derived—may be steganographically-encoded in other signals. For example, in a retail store, the background music played through speakers in the ceiling may be steganographically encoded with signals that can be used by a shopper's portable device, to determine the shopper's location within the store—by any of the foregoing methods.
(Steganographic encoding is familiar to those versed in digital watermarking. Exemplary technology is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,914, and in pending application Ser. No. 13/841,727, filed Mar. 15, 2013, published as 20140108020.)
The ability to determine the location of a user, from audio signals in the environment, enables a great variety of applications.
For example, a user at a movie theatre can be enabled to participate in a role-playing or other game, in which the user's position within the theatre is sensed, and used to determine some aspect of the user's role in the game, or some power or authority that the user is allowed to exercise.
In a home setting, the ability to locate the user allows adaptation of one or more audio signals sent to speakers in a multi-channel audio signal, so that the "sweet spot" of the audio system follows the user at different locations in the listening environment.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present technology are detailed below.