A cleaning apparatus for a rotatable brush that contacts upon or slides along a carrier of electrostatic latent images in order to apply an electric potential to the carrier of the electrostatic latent images, includes, an elastic foam body pressed by the bristles of the rotating brush provided downstream in a direction of a rotation of the rotating brush from a position of contact with the carrier of the electrostatic latent images, and a slide member pressed by the bristles of the rotating brush downstream in the direction of the rotation of the rotating brush from the elastic foam body, wherein the elastic foam body has a contact face that presses the rotatable brush, a discharge face that discharges developer or the like that enters the elastic foam body, and all faces other than the contact face and the discharge face are sealed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cylindrical rotatable brush having a plurality of bristles provided around a center of rotation, a rotatable brush, a charging apparatus using the rotatable brush, an image forming apparatus using the rotatable brush, and a cleaning apparatus for a rotatable brush used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a known electro photographic image forming apparatus, a photosensitive drum is rotated while a charging apparatus is used to apply a uniform electrostatic charge to a surface of the photosensitive drum, and a light beam is used to scan the surface of the photosensitive drum, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. A developer is applied to the electrostatic latent image upon the photosensitive drum, thus forming a development image upon the photosensitive drum, the development image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to a recording paper and the development image on the recording paper is fixed by heat and pressure.
Here, the charging apparatus may be one wherein the charge is applied by corona discharge, or one wherein the charge is applied by contact with a brush. With the former corona-discharge type of charging apparatus, the charge is applied to the photosensitive drum in a non-contact manner, so it has an advantage in that the charge on the photosensitive drum surface is uniform. However, it also has a drawback in that it generates large amounts of ozone. On the other hand, with the latter brush-contact type of charging apparatus, a brush to which a bias voltage is applied is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum, thus applying a charge to the photosensitive drum, and this has an advantage in that virtually no ozone is generated.
For example, in JP 2000-187373A (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1"), the bristles of the rotatable brush are crimped so that they are inclined and the photosensitive drum and rotatable brush are rotated in directions opposite each other so that the charge is applied to the photosensitive drum while their outside edges are moving in the same direction in the areas of brush contact.
However, conventional charging brushes include a metal core around which a brush cloth embedded with a plurality of bristles is wrapped directly, or a metal core with a plurality of bristles electrostatically embedded directly into its periphery. However, the bristles of a rotatable brush are preferably fine and their elasticity is low. For this reason, if a rotatable brush is pressed firmly against the photosensitive drum, then the bristles of the rotatable brush are easily crimped so that the bristles of the rotatable brush no longer achieve uniform contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. But if the rotatable brush only contacts lightly against the photosensitive drum, the bristles of the rotatable brush again do not achieve uniform contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. Thus, it had been difficult to apply a uniform charge to the surface of a photosensitive drum with a rotatable brush.
Moreover, such problems with rotatable brushes occur not only with brushes used to apply a charge but also discharge brushes used to make contact with and discharge a photosensitive drum or the like, and also cleaning brushes used to make contact with and clean a photosensitive drum or the like.
The present invention has been devised in consideration of these issues, and provides a method for manufacturing a cylindrical rotatable brush, a rotatable brush, a charging apparatus using a rotatable brush, an image forming apparatus using a rotatable brush, and a cleaning apparatus for a rotatable brush by which it is possible to prevent the disturbance of the bristles of the rotatable brush.

Cleaning apparatus for a rotatable brush


A lamp holder for holding a lamp and supplying power into the lamp includes a pair of pins for connecting with a power supply, a pair of electric leads for connecting with the lamp, a wire clamp, and a base for accommodating the wire clamp and securing the pair of pins. The wire clamp comprises an upper wire clamp and a lower wire clamp, a pair of pinholes is defined in the upper wire clamp, and another pair of pinholes is defined in the lower wire clamp, a groove connected with each pinhole for accommodating a tail end of each electric lead is defined in the upper wire clamp, and a through opening corresponding to each groove is defined in the lower wire clamp. When the pair of electric leads passes through the pair of through openings and reaches the pair of grooves, and the pair of pins passes through the pair of pinholes, then each electric lead and each pin are electrically connected.

The conventional lamp holder conventionally includes a pair of pins to connect power supply and a pair of electric leads to connect circuit board and bulb of the lamp. To make the conventional lamp holders, the spot welding machine is applied to joint pins and electric leads. However, the welding portion is easy to fall off and not firm enough, which affects product quality. While the spot welding machine features high cost, high energy consumption and generates hazardous substances, which increase the total cost of the products and contaminate environment against protection.

Civilight Shenzhen Semiconductor Lighting Co., Ltd


An improved multi-function catheter structure having an inflatable balloon structure at its distal end, to selectively occlude a vascular lumen, provide antegrade perfusion liquid distally of the inflatable balloon, and provide retrograde perfusion proximally of the inflatable balloon is described.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a dilatation catheter used in angioplasty; and, more particularly, it relates to a dilatation catheter suitable for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedures which can perfuse blood distally of a dilatation occluding device, provide treatment of stenosis, and removal of resulting embolus.
2. State of the Prior Art
A stenosis is a narrowing or constriction of a region of a blood vessel to such a degree that blood flow is restricted. Such restrictions can be caused by a variety of restrictions, including existence of thrombus, blood clotting or deposits of cholesterol crystals, calcium, plaque, or the like. If the stenotic condition is sufficiently severe, medical treatment is required to restore adequate blood flow. These conditions can require treatment ranging from surgery under general anaesthetic for the most severe cases to angioplasty using a local anaesthetic for less severe stenotic conditions.
It is known that stenosis can occur in the arteries and, especially, the coronary arteries. In the coronary arteries, stenosis is treated by a Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty procedure, commonly known as PTCA, which involves percutaneous insertion of a balloon catheter to the point of stenosis. The precise point of treatment will be determined by the nature of the procedure that will be utilized. When properly located, a fluid is inserted into the balloon to cause it to expand outwardly. When placed at the point of the stenosis, the expansion outwardly under pressure causes the stenosis to be compressed against the artery wall to thereby open the artery for improved blood flow.
Many prior art balloon catheters have the disadvantages of occluding blood flow while the balloon is expanded. A number of patents describe balloon catheter structures for directly treating stenosis in this manner. Such prior art devices are not without deficiencies in the efficacy of the treatment procedure of only applying pressure to the stenosis. Blood flow stoppage for a relatively short period of time can cause damage to the portion of the vascular system or part of the heart to which the flow of blood is interrupted. An ancillary problem relates to the amount of expansion of the balloon. If expanded too far, the artery can be ruptured. Finally, while the stenosis has been compressed by the balloon, a relaxation of pressure can allow particles of the stenosis to be detached or flaked off to become free particles or embolus in the blood. If left unrecovered, such embolus can cause damage to the heart or vascular system as the embolus circulates.
A number of prior art patents have described structures to perfuse blood flow through an expanded balloon to treat stenosis. These structures allow the balloon to be expanded longer to treat the stenosis while allowing blood to flow past the occlusion. Some examples of perfusion dilatation catheters are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,581,017 to Sahota, where blood in the artery is perfused through apertures proximally and distally of the balloon; 5,279,562 to Sirhan et al., where arterial blood is perfused through a special structure to a point distal of a balloon; 5,368,566 to Crocker, where arterial blood is perfused through a reinforced structure; 4,892,519 to Songer et al., where arterial blood is perfused through proximal apertures to an interior lumen for passing through an inflatable balloon to distal apertures; 4,944,745 to Sogard et al., where arterial blood flow through a special lumen through an inflated lumen balloon to a distal port; and 5,542,925 to Orth, where arterial blood passes through specially shaped proximal ports into an interior lumen for passing through an inflated balloon to distally located shaped ports. Prior art devices use relatively complex equipment and sequences of operation to minimize damage to the vascular lumen tissue, to the downstream portions of the vascular system, and of the patient's heart.
It has been shown that complete occlusion of a vascular lumen for more than a few seconds can cause such damage. The prior art has shown systems that provide distal perfusion to minimize such damage from occluding the vascular lumen, but they too are unduly complex and require multiple structures to achieve occlusion and related treatment procedures. Further, they suffer from the major defect that embolus occurring proximally of an inflated balloon may pass downstream in the perfused flow, thereby risking damage to the vascular system or heart. This risk should be avoided. These systems also rely on the pressure of the vascular system for perfusion, and such pressure may vary to a degree that adequate perfusion for the various systems that damage may occur.


A device for determining a composition of a fuel mixture is provided, in particular for determining an ethanol component and/or a water component in the fuel mixture. The device includes at least one housing having at least one electrically conductive housing element through which the fuel mixture is able to flow. At least one internal conductor, which is at least partially enclosed by the housing element, is introduced into the housing element. In addition, the device has at least one connection device for the coupling of microwave signals.

Methods and devices for determining the composition of fuel mixtures are believed to be understood from the related art. For example, the use of fuel mixtures which, in addition to the actual mineral oil fuels, are able to process an admixture of ethanol and/or other alcohols is increasing in the motor vehicle sector. As a rule, the parameters of the engine control of the motor vehicle are adapted to the composition of the fuel mixture. However, in some cases this may require knowledge of the composition of the fuel mixture, especially an ethanol/fuel mixture ratio. One measuring method consists of measuring an absorption, transmission or reflection of microwaves through the fuel mixture. An example of a device set up for this purpose is discussed in DE 34 12 704 A1.
Moreover, a method for determining a composition of a fuel mixture is discussed in post-published DE 10 2008 044 383.2. Here, a characteristic behavior of a particular response to incident microwave radiation is recorded across a greater frequency range in order to determine the characteristics of the fuel mixture, and the composition of the fuel mixture is inferred therefrom. One particular advantage of the method discussed in DE 10 2008 044 383.2 is that it can increase the precision by using greater frequency ranges, so that, for example, alcohol-fuel mixtures that additionally also contain a water component and/or additives, are able to be characterized much more accurately than when using conventional methods. However, there is potential for improvement with regard to the incoupling and outcoupling of the microwave signals into or out of the fuel.

Device for determining a composition of a fuel mixture by means of a coaxial waveguide through which the fuel mixture is flowing


A composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, an oily phase dispersed in an aqueous phase, characterized in that it contains fibers and a surfactant system comprising at least one glyceryl ester of a C8-C24 fatty acid and at least one polyethylene glycol ester of a C8-C24 fatty acid. The composition obtained has very good stability and can in particular constitute a cosmetic composition. The invention also relates to the use of the said composition, in particular for caring for, treating, making up or cleansing the skin, the lips, the eyelashes and/or the hair.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion containing fibers and a specific surfactant system, and to the use of the composition, for example, for caring for, treating and/or making up body or facial skin, the hair, the eyelashes and/or the lips.
2. Description of the Background
JP 07-196 440 discloses cosmetic compositions containing short polyamide fibers which give the said compositions a velvety feel and good cosmetic behavior. However, the incorporation of these polyamide fibers into oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions poses problems of stability, i.e. the emulsions dephase at room temperature or at higher temperatures, and do so in particular when the amount of fibers is large.
Thus, is thus still a need for O/W emulsions containing fibers, and in particular polyamide fibers, and which have good cosmetic properties without having the drawbacks of known compositions.
The Inventor has discovered, unexpectedly, that a surfactant system comprising at least one glycerol ester of a C8-C24 fatty acid and at least one polyethylene glycol ester of a C8-C24 fatty acid provides a stable oil-in-water emulsions containing fibers.
Thus, the present invention provides a composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, an oily phase dispersed in an aqueous phase, which contains fibers and a surfactant system comprising at least one glycerol ester of a C8-C24 fatty acid and at least one polyethylene glycol ester of a C8-C24 fatty acid.
The present invention also provides method of treating, protecting, caring for, removing make-up from and/or cleansing the skin, the lips and/or the hair, and/or for making up the skin, the lips, the eyelashes and/or the body, comprising applying the composition of the invention to the skin, lips, hair, eyelashes and/or body.
The present invention also provides a method of preparing the composition of Claim 1, comprising combining water, at least one oil, the fibers, and the surfactant system.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description.
The term xe2x80x9cphysiologically acceptable mediumxe2x80x9d refers to a medium which is compatible with the skin, the lips, the scalp, the eyelashes, the eyes and/or the hair.
The composition obtained according to the invention is in the form of a cream (soft product as opposed to a solid product). It has good stability over time, even at a temperature above room temperature (for example 45xc2x0 C.) and it has a velvety texture which feels pleasant when applied.
The fibers which can be used in the composition of the invention can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic fibers of synthetic or natural, and inorganic or organic origin. They can be short or long, individual or organized, for example in bundles. They can have any shape, and in particular a circular or polygonal (square, hexagonal or octagonal) cross section depending on the specific application envisaged. In particular, they have blunt and/or rounded ends to prevent injury.
In particular, the fibers have a length ranging from 1 nm to 20 mm, preferably from 10 nm to 5 mm and better still from 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm. These ranges for the length of the fibers include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 5 nm, 25 nm, 50 nm, 0.05 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm. Their cross section can be within a circle of diameter ranging from 2 nm to 100 xcexcm, preferably ranging from 20 nm to 20 xcexcm and better still from 5 xcexcm to 50 xcexcm. These ranges for the cross sections of the fibers include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 5 nm, 10 nm, 50 nm, 1 xcexcm, 2 xcexcm, 10 xcexcm, 25 xcexcm and 50 xcexcm. The weight of the fibers is often given in denier or decitex.
The fibers can be those used in the manufacture of textiles, and in particular silk, cotton, wool or flax fibers. cellulose fibers extracted in particular from wood, plants or algae, polyamide (Nylon(copyright)), rayon or viscose fibers, acetate fibers, in particular rayon acetate, poly-p-phenylene terephthamide fibers, in particular Kevlar(copyright) fibers, acrylic fibers, in particular polymethyl methacrylate or poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate fibers, polyolefin fibers and in particular polyethylene or polypropylene fibers, glass, silica or aramid fibers, carbon fibers, in particular in graphite form, Teflon(copyright), insoluble collagen, polyester, polyvinyl chloride or polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile, chitosan, polyurethane or polyethylene phthalate fibers, fibers formed from a mixture of polymers such as those mentioned above, for instance polyamide/polyester fibers.
It is also possible to use fibers used in surgery, such as resorbable synthetic fibers prepared from glycolic acid and from caprolactone (Monocryl from Johnson and Johnson), resorbable synthetic fibers such as the copolymer of lactic acid and of glycolic acid (Vicryl from Johnson and Johnson), terephthalic polyester fibers (Ethibond from Johnson and Johnson) and stainless steel threads (Steel from Johnson and Johnson).
Moreover, the fibers may or may not be surface-treated and may or may not be coated. As coated fibers which can be used in the invention, mention may be made of polyamide fibers coated with copper sulphide for an antistatic effect (for example R-STAT from Rhodia) or another polymer allowing a particular organization of the fibers (specific surface treatment) or a surface treatment which induces color/hologram effects (Lurex fiber from Sildorex, for example).
The fibers which can be used in the composition according to the invention are preferably polyamide and/or poly-p-phenylene terephthamide fibers. Their length can range from 0.1 to 5 mm, preferably from 0.25 to 1.6 mm, and their average diameter can range from 5 to 50 xcexcm. These ranges include all specific values and subranges therebetween, as described above. In particular, the polyamide fibers sold by Etablissements P. Bonte under the name Polyamide 0.9 Dtex 0.3 mm, having an average diameter of 6 xcexcm, a weight of about 0.9 dtex and a length ranging from 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm, can be used. Poly-p-phenylene terephthamide fibers with an average diameter of 12 xcexcm and a length of about 1.5 mm can also be used, such as those sold under the name Kevlar Floc by the company Du Pont Fibers. According to one specific embodiment of the invention, these fibers are introduced in the oily phase of the emulsion.
The fibers can be present in the composition according to the invention in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 20% by weight and preferably from 0.5 to 15% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. These ranges include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 0.2, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 12% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
The surfactant system in the emulsion according to the invention comprises at least one glyceryl ester of a C8-C24 fatty acid and at least one polyethylene glycol ester of a C8-C24 fatty acid.
The glyceryl ester of a fatty acid can be obtained in particular from an acid comprising a saturated linear alkyl chain containing from 8 to 24 and preferably from 16 to 22 carbon atoms. These ranges for the number of carbon atoms include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 10, 12, 14, 18 and 20 carbon atoms. Glyceryl esters of a fatty acid which may be mentioned in particular are glyceryl stearate (glyceryl mono-, di- and/or tristearate), glyceryl ricinoleate and their mixtures.
The polyethylene glycol ester of a fatty acid can be obtained in particular from an acid comprising a saturated linear alkyl chain containing from 8 to 24 and preferably from 16 to 22 carbon atoms. These ranges for the number of carbon atoms include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 10, 12, 14, 18 and 20 carbon atoms. It can comprise one or more oxyethylenated groups (polyethylene glycol chains: EO) and, for example, from 1 to 150 oxyethylenated groups. This range for the number of oxyethylenated groups includes all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 5, 10, 25, 50, 80, 100 and 125 oxyethylenated groups. Polyethylene glycol esters of a fatty acid which may be mentioned in particular are polyethylene glycol stearate (polyethylene glycol mono-, di- and/or tristearate) and more especially polyethylene glycol monostearate 50 EO (CTFA name: PEG-50 stearate).
The glycerol ester of a fatty acid can be present in an amount preferably ranging from 0.5% to 5% by weight and better still from 2% to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. These ranges include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 1.5, 2.5, 4 and 4.5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
The polyethylene glycol ester of a fatty acid can be present in an amount preferably ranging from 0.5% to 5% by weight and better still from 2% to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. These ranges include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 1.5, 2.5, 4 and 4.5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
The surfactant system is present overall in the composition according to the invention in an amount ranging from 1% to 10% by weight, preferably 4% to 6% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. These ranges include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 2, 5 and 8% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. This surfactant system is generally incorporated into the oily phase.
The oily phase of the composition according to the invention generally represents from 10% to 50% and preferably from 15% to 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. These ranges include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 20, 25, 35, 40 and 45% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
The oily phase can consist of any fatty substance and in particular any oil conventionally used in cosmetics or dermatology.
Among the oils which may be used in the emulsion of the invention, mention may be made, for example, of plant oils such as jojoba oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, apricot oil, corn oil and the liquid fraction of karite butter; mineral oils, for instance liquid petroleum jelly and hydrogenated polyisobutene (parleam oil); synthetic oils, for instance 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, hydrogenated isoparaffin, isononyl isononanoate or cetearyl octanoate; volatile or non-volatile silicone oils and fluoro oils. The other fatty substances which may be present in the oily phase may be, for example, fatty acids and fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol.
The aqueous phase of the composition of the invention generally constitutes from 50% to 90% and preferably from 60% to 80% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. These ranges include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 55, 65, 70, 75 and 85% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
In a known manner, the compositions of the invention can contain adjuvants that are common in the fields under consideration, such as hydrophilic or lipophilic active agents, preserving agents, gelling agents, antioxidants, fragrances, solvents, fillers or nacres, screening agents, dyestuffs (soluble dyes or pigments), basic or acidic agents, as well as lipid vesicles. These adjuvants are used in the proportions that are usual in cosmetics, and, for example, from 0.01% to 30% relative to the total weight of the emulsion, and, depending on their nature, they are introduced into the aqueous phase or into the oily phase of the emulsion, or alternatively into vesicles. These adjuvants and their concentrations should be such that they do not modify the property desired for the emulsion of the invention.
Active agents which may be mentioned, for example, are moisturizers such as polyols, for instance glycerol and sorbitol; keratolytic agents; depigmenting agents; weight-reducing agents and any active agent which is suitable for the final aim of the composition.
Depending on the fluidity of the composition which it is desired to obtain, one or more hydrophilic or lipophilic gelling agents may be added thereto. Hydrophilic gelling agents which may be mentioned, for example, are carboxyvinyl polymers such as carbomers. Lipophilic gelling agents which may be mentioned are modified clays such as bentones, such as the mixture xe2x80x9ccyclomethicone, Quaternium-18 hectorite, and SD alcohol 40xe2x80x9d (10/85/5) (CTFA name) sold under the name Bencone Gel VS-5 by Rheox; crosslinked elastomeric polyorganosiloxanes such as those marketed under the names KSG6 from Shin-Etsu, Trefil E-505C or Trefil E-506C from Dow-Corning, Gransil from Grant Industries (SR-CYC, SR DMF10, SR-DC556), or those sold in the form of gels: KSG15, KSG17, KSG16 and KSG18 from Shin-Etsu, Gransil SR 5CYC gel, Gransil SR DMF 10 gel, Gransil SR DC 556 gel and SF 1204 and JK 113 from General Electric.
When they are present, these gelling agents are generally used at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 7% and preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight of active material relative to the total weight of the composition. These ranges include all specific values and subranges therebetween, such as 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
The compositions, which are the subject of the invention, find their application in a large number of treatments, in particular cosmetic treatments, and can thus constitute a cosmetic composition, in particular for treating, protecting, caring for, removing make-up from and/or cleansing the skin, the lips and/or the hair, and/or for making up the skin, the lips, the eyelashes and/or the body.
The compositions according to the invention can be used, for example, as care products, make-up-removing products and/or cleansing products for the face in the form of creams or milks, or as make-up products (for the skin, eyelashes and lips) by incorporating pigments or dyes, for example such as foundations.
Thus, a the present invention includes the cosmetic use of the composition as defined above for treating, protecting, caring for, removing make-up from and/or cleansing the skin, the lips and/or the hair, and/or for making up the skin, the lips, the eyelashes and/or the body.
The present invention also includes a cosmetic treatment process for the skin, including the scalp, the hair, the eyelashes and/or the lips, characterized in that a composition as defined above is applied to the skin, the eyelashes and/or the lips.

Composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion containing fibers and uses thereof


A drifting wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) has an associated drift radio network controller (D-RNC) and an associated servicing radio network controller (S-RNC). The D-RNC sends a request message to the S-RNC requesting measurements of the drifting WTRU. The S-RNC receives the request message and sends an information message with the requested measurements to the D-RNC. The D-RNC receives the information message.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a wireless communication system where all the users are handled by a radio network controller (RNC) 20. Each user, wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 24, wirelessly communicates with a Node-B 221. A group of Node-Bs 221-222 are controlled by the radio network controller (RNC) 20.
As the WTRU 24 moves, the WTRU 241, 242 is handed off between base stations/Node-Bs 32, 34. FIG. 2 is an illustration of a WTRU 241, 242 moving from an area handled by a first RNC 28 to an area handled by a second RNC 26. The WTRU 242 is considered to have "drifted" into the new RNC's region and that RNC (the second RNC) is considered the drift RNC (D-RNC) 26. The D-RNC 26 has Node-Bs 32, which it controls. The first RNC is referred to as the servicing RNC (S-RNC) 28. Typically, the RNCs (S-RNC 28 and D-RNC 26) can communicate some information to each other over a RNC interface (Iur). After the WTRU 242 "drifts" to the D-RNC 26, the D-RNC 26 performs functions, such as dynamic channel allocation (DCA), admission control, scheduling and RRM functions for the "drifting" WTRU 242. The S-RNC 28 still performs other functions for the "drifting" WTRU 242, such as handoff decisions and collecting of WTRU downlink measurements. When the WTRU 24 has not "drifted", such as in FIG. 1, the RNC 20 handling the WTRU 24 performs the functions of both the S-RNC 28 and D-RNC 26.
Under the R99, R4 and R5 Iur specifications as proposed for the third generation partnership project (3GPP), when the WTRU 241, 242 is handed over from the S-RNC 28 to the D-RNC 26, cell loading and many Node-B measurements are sent from the S-RNC 28 to the D-RNC 26. However, there is no mechanism to transfer certain information from the S-RNC 28 to the D-RNC 26, such as the WTRU measurements.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have better peer-to-peer communications between RNCs.

Radio network controller peer-to-peer exchange of user equipment measurement information


What is described is a method for associating noises of at least one signal class (like disturbing noise) of a plurality of signal classes (like disturbing noise and non-disturbing noise). The method has the steps of “receiving environmental noises” and “establishing whether the environmental noises or a set of parameters derived from the environmental noises fulfill/s a predefined rule which describes the signal class of the plurality of signal classes”. Starting from this, the steps of “logging that the predefined rule has been fulfilled”, “recording the environmental noises received for a migrating time window”, “deriving a set of parameters from the environmental noises for the migrating time window and storing the set of parameters” or “emitting an activation signal for another device for associating a noise” are performed.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and to a device for associating noises of/to at least one signal class of a plurality of signal classes, and to a method and a device for analyzing noises of at least one signal class of a plurality of signal classes.
Noises may, for example, be subdivided into signal classes, like disturbing noises and non-disturbing noises. A subdivision into more disturbing noises and less disturbing noises, for example, would also be conceivable.
Disturbing noises are not always easy to classify. It is important to know that there are different factors which influence whether a noise is perceived as a disturbing noise. A bird, even when its chirping is loud (objective measurable parameter: sound pressure level) and is clearly distinctive from the other environmental noises (objective measurable parameter: dynamics factor), would subjectively not be perceived as a disturbing noise. A considerably quieter plane passing, however, would be perceived as a disturbing noise by many more test persons than the bird just mentioned.
The consequence here is that, when examining an environment, like a hotel, wellness area of a hotel or a workplace, relative to disturbing noises in order to allow a prediction of noise evaluation, for example, using current approaches, one has to leave evaluation to the test persons.
A purely automatized evaluation relative to the absolute loudness or volume or relative to level increases, for example, serves as a first hint, but is not sufficient for a final evaluation. Thus, there is need for an improved approach.

Method and device for associating noises and for analyzing

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


The present invention provides an antenna module for a massive MIMO antenna, the antenna module comprising a plurality of first signal ports, a number of first antenna elements arranged in a first matrix arrangement, wherein a number of rows of the first matrix arrangement and/or a number of columns of the first matrix arrangement equals the number of first signal ports, and a switching matrix that is configured to controllably couple each of the first signal ports either with all first antenna elements of a respective row of the first matrix arrangement or all first antenna elements of a respective column of the first matrix arrangement. Further, the present invention provides a respective massive MIMO antenna.

Although applicable to any wireless communication system, the present invention will mainly be described in conjunction with massive MIMO antennas that comprise multiple antenna elements.
Today wireless communication networks are widely used for providing voice and data communication to users. Such wireless communication networks, like e.g. LTE based or so-called 4G networks, usually comprise a core network and a so-called radio access network or RAN. It is understood, that each of these interrelated networks may comprise a plurality of different elements, modules or units that together provide the required communication capabilities.
As part of the RAN so called eNodeBs or base stations provide the link between the operator's network and the users mobile devices or user equipments (UEs). Usually the eNodeBs will comprise antennas that serve for transmitting outgoing signals to the UEs and for receiving incoming signals from the UEs. Up to now, most commonly passive or active antennas with fixed radiation patterns are used.
However, in the future, especially in modern 5G-Networks, such conventional antennas may be replaced by massive MIMO antennas (antennas with a plurality of single antenna elements that may form and steer a plurality of beams at the same time).
For the best beamforming capabilities each antenna element should be connected to its own transceiver in a massive MIMO antenna. This allows manipulating the digital signal, e.g. phase-shifting, before the transceiver to allow beamforming. If the distance of the antenna elements is half the wavelength of the transmitted or received signal, it is possible to create a beam in arbitrary directions. However, transceivers and their corresponding front end elements are very complex and expensive.
For that reason, it is common to combine two concurrent or neighboring vertical antenna elements. This reduces the number of transceiver paths by a factor of two. However, this also significantly reduces the vertical range in which a beam can be directed. Typically, the range is then only +/−10°. Such a vertical range may e.g. be sufficient in rural flat areas.
For a scenario where the massive MIMO antenna is used in urban areas with high rise buildings, this range restriction may be problematic, since e.g. the top of high buildings may be out of reach of the massive MIMO antenna. To cover high rise buildings, it would therefore be better to provide a wide vertical range to direct a beam. This could be achieved by pairing two horizontal antenna elements.
Therefore, two different kinds of antennas are required for the above described different use cases. This is not desired since it would require the build of two different antennas and the logistic that is connected to handle two different antenna models.
Accordingly, there is a need for a more flexible antenna.


In a transmitting portion of a wireless communication apparatus, hopping pattern generating portions 16 and 17 produce hopping patterns independent from each other and specific to a transmitter. Subcarrier assigning portions 18 and 19 assign transmission symbol sequences to subcarriers 1 to R in accordance with the hopping patterns and produce frequency hopping signals. In a receiving portion of the wireless communication apparatus, a MIMO demodulating portion 37 combines and decomposes a FFT signal and produces a demodulated signal. Hopping pattern generating portions 38 and 39 produce unique hopping patterns corresponding to transmitters 1-1 to 1-K, respectively. Subcarrier extracting portions 40 and 41 extract, from the demodulated signal, components corresponding to the hopping patterns and produce the components as partial demodulated sequences, respectively.

As one of wireless transmission methods excellent in multipath resistance characteristic, an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method is known in which intersymbol interference caused by multipath is removed by dividing a total bandwidth into a plurality of subcarriers, inserting guard intervals, and removing the guard intervals on a receiving side.
As one of techniques for frequency-multiplexing a plurality of users in the OFDM method, there is known a method of using a different frequency hopping pattern for each user (for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,582).
Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, description will be made of a communication system using frequency hopping.
In a transmitter 6-1, an encoder 61 encodes a transmission sequence STS1 and produces a coded sequence SCS. An interleaver 62 interleaves the coded sequence SCS and produces an interleaved sequence SIS. A symbol mapping portion 63 maps the interleaved sequence SIS into modulated symbols and produces a transmission symbol sequence STSY.
A hopping pattern generating portion 64 produces a hopping pattern SHP1 unique to the transmitter. According to the hopping pattern SHP1, a subcarrier assigning portion 65 assigns the transmission symbol sequence STSY to subcarriers 1 to R and produces frequency hopping signals SFH1 to SFHR.
A high-speed inverse Fourier transformer 66 carries out high-speed inverse Fourier transform upon the frequency hopping signals SFH1 to SFHR and produces an IFFT signal SIFFT. A guard interval adding portion 67 adds guard intervals to the IFFT signal SIFFT and delivers a transmission signal STSX1 via an antenna 68. Transmitters 6-2 to 6-K are operated in the manner similar to the above-mentioned transmitter 6-1 and, in response to transmission sequences STS2 to STSK, produce transmission signals STSX2 to STSXK, respectively.
In a receiver 7, a guard interval removing portion 72 removes the guard intervals from a reception signal SRX supplied to an antenna 71 and produces a FFT input signal SFFTI. A high-speed Fourier transformer 73 performs high-speed Fourier transform upon the FFT input signal SFFTI and produces FFT signals SFFT1 to SFFTR.
A hopping pattern generating portion 74 produces unique hopping patterns SHP1 to SHPK corresponding to the transmitters 6-1 to 6-K, respectively. A subcarrier extracting portion 75 extracts, from the FFT signals SFFT1 to SFFTR, components corresponding to the hopping patterns SHP1 to SPHK, respectively, and outputs the components as demodulated sequences SDMS1 to SDMSK.
Deinterleavers 76-1 to 76-K deinterleave the demodulated sequences SDMS1 to SDMSK and produce deinterleaved sequences SDIS1 to SDISK, respectively. Decoders 77-1 to 77-K decode the deinterleaved sequences SDIS1 to SDISK and produce decoded sequences SDCS1 to SDCSK, respectively.
For example, transmission sequences correspond to different users, respectively. It is assumed that the transmission sequences are equal in number to four and frequency channels are equal in number to four. In this case, when users #1 to #4 carry out frequency hopping by the use of hopping patterns (#1, #3, #2, #4), (#2, #1, #4, #3), (#3, #4, #1, #2), (#4, #2, #3, #1), respectively, all of the users are orthogonal on a frequency axis at a same time instant, as illustrated in FIG. 3. All of the frequency channels are completely used by the respective users so that a frequency diversity effect is achieved.
On the other hand, MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) using a plurality of antennas for transmission and reception is known as a method capable of improving a frequency usability by parallel transmission utilizing independency of propagation paths (for example, see Non-Patent Document: "Maximum Likelihood Decoding in a Space Division Multiplexing System" in IEEE VTC 2000 Spring Proceedings (R. van Nee et al, May 2000, pages 6 to 10).
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, description will be made about a communication system based on OFDM with frequency hopping applied thereto, in case where MIMO using two transmission antennas and two reception antennas is further applied.
In a transmitter 8-1, an encoder 81 encodes a transmission sequence STS1 and produces a coded sequence SCS. An interleaver 82 interleaves the coded sequence SCS and produces an interleaved sequence SIS. A serial/parallel converter 83 performs serial/parallel conversion upon the interleaved sequence SIS and produces serial/parallel signals SSP1 and SSP2.
Symbol mapping portions 84 and 85 map the serial/parallel signals SSP1 and SSP2 into modulated symbols and produce transmission symbol sequences STSY1 and STSY2, respectively. A hopping pattern generating portion 84 produces a hopping pattern SHP1 unique to the transmitter. According to the hopping pattern SHP1, subcarrier assigning portions 87 and 88 assign the transmission symbol sequences STSY1 and STSY2 to subcarriers 1 to R and produce frequency hopping signals SFH11 to SFH1R and SFH21 to SFH2R, respectively.
High-speed inverse Fourier transformers 89 and 90 carry out high-speed inverse Fourier transform upon the frequency hopping signals SFH11 to SFH1R and SFH21 to SFH2R and produce IFFT signals SIFFT1 and SIFFT2, respectively. Guard interval adding portions 91 and 92 add guard intervals to the IFFT signals SIFFT1 and SIFFT2 and produce transmission signals STSX11 and STSX12. Transmitters 8-2 to 8-K are operated in the manner similar to the above-mentioned transmitter 8-1 and, in response to transmission sequences STS2 to STSK, produce transmission signals STSX21, STSX22, . . . , STSXK1, STSXK2, respectively.
In a receiver 10, guard interval removing portions 103 and 104 remove the guard intervals from reception signals SRX1 and SRX2 supplied to antennas 101 and 102 and produce FFT input signals SFFTI1 and SFFTI2, respectively. High-speed Fourier transformers 105 and 106 perform high-speed Fourier transform upon the FFT input signals SFFTI1 and SFFTI2 and produce FFT signals SFFT11 to SFFT1R and SFFT21 to SFFT2R, respectively.
A hopping pattern generating portion 107 produces unique hopping patterns SHP1 to SHPK corresponding to the transmitters 8-1 to 8-K, respectively. Subcarrier extracting portions 108 and 109 extract, from the FFT signals SFFT11 to SFFT1R and SFFT21 to SFFT2R, components corresponding to the hopping patterns SHP1 to SPHK, respectively, and output the components as extracted sequences SEXT11 to SEXT1R and SEXT21 to SEXT2R.
A MIMO demodulating portion 110 combines and decomposes the extracted sequences SEXT11 to SEXT1R and SEXT21 to SEXT2R and produces partial demodulated sequences SPDM11, SPDM12, SPDM21, SPDM22, . . . , SPDMK1, SPDMK2.
Parallel/serial converters 111-1 to 111-K carry out parallel/serial conversion upon the partial demodulated sequences SPDM11, SPDM12, SPDM21, SPDM22, . . . , SPDMK1, SPDMK2 and produce demodulated sequences SDMS1 to SDMSK.
Deinterleavers 112-1 to 112-K deinterleave the demodulated sequences SDMS1 to SDMSK and produce deinterleaved sequences SDIS1 to SDISK, respectively. Decoders 113-1 to 113-K decode the deinterleaved sequences SDIS1 to SDISK and produce decoded sequences SDCS1 to SDCSK, respectively.
However, in the above-mentioned methods of applying frequency hopping and MIMO to the conventional OFDM, a distance between the transmission antennas can not sufficiently be large. If correlation between propagation paths is large, a diversity effect is small. In addition, signal separation at the MIMO demodulating portion is difficult, resulting in serious degradation in reception characteristics.

Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus, and resource assignment method used therein


An adjustably expandable fluted tap to reform damaged threads defined in a blind hole, such as a spark plug hole. The tool provides an elongate body with a first end defining an expandable fluted tap having a relaxed diameter smaller than but matingly similar to the threads to be repaired, and a second end defining a butterfly handle. The body defines a medial channel carrying an arbor with a first end having a tapered forcing cone for expanding the fluted tap, and a second end threadedly engaged in a round knurled nut carried externally of the second end of the body. The tap is inserted in a hole beyond the damaged threads, the knurled nut tightened to retract the forcing cone to expand the fluted tap into mating engagement with the undamaged threads and the tool is then screwed out of the hole by revolving the butterfly handle to reform the damaged threads as it is withdrawn therepast.

A. Related Applications
There are no applications related hereto heretofore filed in this or any foreign country.
B. Field of Invention
This invention relates to tools for reforming damaged threads in a blind hole and more particularly to such a tool having a first fluted end that may be inserted past the damaged threads and expanded to repair those threads upon withdrawal.
C. Background and Description of Prior Art
Threaded blind holes are common in machinery and mechanical apparatus, such as spark plug holes in an engine block, plumbing holes in tanks, stud holes having one closed end and the like. Threads defined in such holes may become damaged during use and if this occurs, repair is often difficult or impossible. Various rethreading and thread repairing tools have heretofore become known to aid in repairing such damaged threads, but none of such prior devices have completely and effectively solved the problem. The instant invention presents a new, novel and improved tool of this class.
Most commonly when threads in a blind hole are damaged, the entire threaded structure is not damaged but rather only a portion. Most commonly the portion that is damaged is that immediately inwardly of the hole orifice as the damage generally is caused by insertion of a threaded element into a hole that is either misaligned upon attempted establishment or has threads of a different nature than those defined in the hole.
A thread reforming or repair tool to be operative must necessarily be aligned with the existing threaded structure and by reason of the position of damaged threads, this generally requires the tool to be established in the threaded structure inwardly of the damaged portion. The tools of the prior art either have not accomplished or have not effectively accomplishied this end.
My tool in contradistinction provides a relatively short, fluted thread forming portion at one end having a relaxed diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the thread to be reformed and with no portion of the tool on either side of the thread forming portion having a larger diameter. With this structure then, the tool may be inserted past damaged threads in a blind hole and there expanded into mating engagement with the good properly formed threads in the hole to establish a mating contact therewith so that upon rotational withdrawal from the hole the damaged threads are repaired and reformed in proper relationship with the original threads inwardly thereof.
The tool disclosed by Sanger in U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,028 is representative of prior devices. The reference teaches the use of a tapering and fluted threaded tap that is expandable by means of a forcing cone threadedly engaged on a rod carried in the medial channel axially defined through the tap. With this device the portion of the threading tap that first contacts the threads of an existing hole must necessarily be the portion adjacent the orifice of the threaded hole, since that is the diametrically largest portion of the rethreading tap. This causes the tap to first contact the damaged threads in a hole, which most probably may misalign the tap relative to the undamaged threads and if so, may further damage the threaded structure possibly to a point where it may not be repairable. It is this problem which the instant invention overcomes.
My invention resides not in this feature per se, but rather in the synergistic combination of all of the structures that necessarily give rise to the functions flowing therefrom as herein specified and claimed.

Tool for repairing damaged threads in a blind hole


The present invention discloses a landslide experimental device for remotely controlling and simulating a constant seepage flow and weight load and an experimental method thereof in centrifuge test. The landslide experimental device includes a model box, a landslide device, a near-constant water flow control box, remote control devices and a water outlet pipe. The landslide device comprises a landslide model, a load balancing device, a weight storage device, an angle control panel and a tension bar. The remote control devices are arranged at the control box water outlet, at the control box water inlet, on the tension bar, on telescoping control sensors and on the weight storage device, respectively. With the present invention, the influences on the stability of landslide model with different landslide angles under the condition of the seepage flow and weight load can be simulated.

The present invention relates to the technical field of landslide experiments, and in particular to a landslide experimental device for remotely controlling and simulating a constant seepage flow and weight load and an experimental method thereof.
With the deterioration of natural conditions and the frequent occurrence of natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides and debris flows, some scholars have done a lot of researches on the failure mechanism and migration process of landslides in recent years. China, Japan and other counties are the countries with frequent occurrence of geological disasters such as landslides, collapses and debris flows, among which the occurrence of landslides is often sudden, of high-frequency and destructive. Landslides are generally recognized as the second natural disaster ranking below earthquakes and one of the most widespread, most destructive and longest geological disasters facing humanity. The landslide stability has always been the most basic but most important research topic in the field of landslide disaster, and scientific and reasonable evaluation of the landslide stability is of great significance to ensure people's life and property safety and ensure the normal operation of the project. The formation and occurrence of landslides caused by rainfall, flash floods, earthquakes and other factors is a very complicated natural phenomenon, and it is very difficult to describe it by mathematical models. At present, many researchers are trying to explore the formation mechanism of landslides by using experiments, among which the physical model test of landslides is one of the effective means to study the failure mechanism of landslides.
Among many factors affecting the landslide stability, water is a crucial external factor. A large number of facts show that over 90% of landslide instability is closely related to water. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the stability at different landslide angles under the condition of the seepage flow and surcharge.
As a test technology aiming at the specific research object of landslides in the geo-mechanical model tests, the landslide model test has developed through the stages of frame model test, bottom friction model test, on-site 3D and full-scale model test, seepage force model test, soil and water centrifugal model test, etc. At present, most of the commonly used geo-mechanical model tests are frame model test and centrifugal model test.
In the existing centrifugal model test, the models are mostly landslide models with a fixed angle. When it is necessary to change the landslide angle, manual mounting and disassembly of the model are required, which is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also will cause a large amount of material waste and increase the cost.

Landslide experimental device for simulating constant seepage flow


A semiconductor integrated circuit device, having a plurality of processing elements accommodated on a single semiconductor chip, has a latch circuit and a selecting circuit. The latch circuit is provided at an output of each of the processing elements. The selecting circuit selects an input source from a group consisting of upper, lower, left, and right processing elements and a zero signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit device, and more particularly, to a vision chip having a plurality of photo detectors (PD's) and processing elements (PE's).
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of image processors dedicated to image processing tasks have been researched, developed, and proposed, and many of these processors incorporate a mechanism for performing some kind of parallel computation. For example, in a massively parallel processor whose degree of parallelism amounts to tens of thousands, and in which one PE (processing element) is assigned to each pixel or each group of a small number of pixels, certain kinds of image processing tasks can be performed efficiently by performing SIMD (Single Instruction Stream Multi Data Stream) type control in which the same instruction is executed simultaneously on the plurality of PE's.
Previously, such an image processor has almost always been built from a large-scale computer of a super computer class, but in recent years, with advances in semiconductor integration technology, and with growing need to handle image processing with more ease, work has been proceeding to implement such a processor on a single chip. Further, research on a device called a vision chip, on which not only processors but also PD's (photo detectors) are accommodated, has been attracting attention.
In prior known vision chips and image processing SIMD processors (semiconductor integrated circuit devices), there has been a tradeoff between the performance of each PE and the number of pixels, and it has been difficult to achieve a semiconductor integrated circuit having high versatility. Furthermore, as the structure is unfit for global computations, the device has not been able to efficiently perform processing for extracting scalar quantities from a two-dimensional pattern.
More specifically, as the ALU used in each PE in prior known vision chips is one that simply performs computations based only on data within the PE or takes outputs of neighboring PE's as its inputs, the computation capability that can be implemented is limited to local computations in which computations are performed based on data from the PE itself and its neighboring PE's. If global computations are to be implemented without disrupting the orderly arrayed structure of the vision chip, additional circuitry such as adders will become necessary, resulting in increased amount of circuitry. This runs counter to the need to reduce the amount of circuitry as much as possible for a vision chip which requires accommodating as many pixels as possible in a limited chip area.
Furthermore, in prior known vision chips, the range of processing that can be achieved has been limited because the computation capability of each PE and the capacity of memory mounted are finite. There is a dilemma here in that if the computation capability and the capacity of memory mounted are increased in order to increase the versatility of the vision chip, then the chip area will increase.
There is thus a need to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit device that achieves high versatility without entailing a reduction in the number of pixels (the number of PE's that can be accommodated).
The prior art and its associated problems will be described later with reference to accompanying drawings.

Semiconductor integrated circuit device having a plurality of photo detectors and processing elements

Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center


A chip packaging structure adapted to reduce EMI includes a chip having contacts provided on one side thereof, and a leadframe having a plurality of leads arranged in a predetermined manner and provided at a bottom side with a conducting protrusion each for electrically connecting to external elements. The leadframe is fixedly attached to one side of the chip having the contacts provided thereon, and the leads are electrically connected at inner ends to the contacts via lead wires. An adhesive layer is applied to one side of the leadframe having the protrusions to thereby adhere a conducting layer to the leadframe with the protrusions downward extended through multiple through holes on the conducting layer; and at least one of the contacts on the chip is electrically connected to the conducting layer for the latter to serve as a ground or a power plane.

It is known that electronic products in operation produce electromagnetic interference (EMI), noises, including shot noise, flicker noise, surge noise, thermal noise, partition noise, etc., as well as high temperature. Most of the noises are produced due to electromagnetic interference and have adverse influences on the stability of the whole electronic system. It is difficult to completely overcome the electromagnetic interference, which must be, however, reduced to be lower than a standard value through proper circuit design or shielding and grounding structures for the electronic elements, so as to achieve the purpose of electromagnetic compatibility.
In a conventional chip packaging structure, a chip is positioned on a chip pad and a leadframe is provided at each lateral side of the chip to electrically connect with external elements. Each leadframe includes a plurality of sequentially arranged leads, which are connected to contacts on the chip via gold wires. An insulating sealing material is applied to enclose the chip and thereby protects and locates the chip, the gold wires, and other internal elements in place. However, the above-described conventional chip packaging structure does not include any structural design for preventing electromagnetic interference to meet the high standard of electromagnetic compatibility required by current electronic products.

Chip packaging structure adapted to reduce electromagnetic interference


A coin sorting apparatus includes a coin hopper (24) having a coin exit aperture (30) and a ramp (32) located adjacent thereto. The ramp (32) includes an upper end (34) and slopes downward to a lower end (36). A plurality of apertures (38a-38d) are formed through the ramp (32). The apertures (38a-38d) are sized and arranged such that coins of differing diameters sliding down the ramp (32) pass through one of the apertures (38a-38d). A coin container assembly (50) located below the ramp (32) includes first and second sets (54,56) of coin containers (52). Each set (54,56) includes a plurality of coin containers (54a-d,56a-d), respectively. The containers (56a-d) of the second set (56) are positioned adjacent the containers (54a-d) of the first set (54). When one of the containers (54a-d) of the first set (54) is filled with coins, additional coins slide into a corresponding container (56a-d) of the second set (56). A coin separator mechanism (90) dispenses coins from the coin hopper (24) onto the ramp (32). The container assembly (50) moves between an operative position for receiving coins and a container removal position. A safety switch (110) selectively disables the coin separator mechanism (90) when the container assembly (50) is moved out of its operative position. A cam and follower mechanism including a cam (70) and a follower (84) pivots the container assembly (50) between the operative and the container removal positions. The cam (70) includes two dwell points (80,82) for releasably securing the follower (84).

The present invention relates to a coin sorting apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an easy to use coin sorting apparatus with increased sorted coin storage. The apparatus includes a pivotable coin container assembly that is releasably secured in either an operative position or a container removal position. A safety switch is included to prevent the activation of the coin separating mechanism when the coin container assembly is not operatively positioned to receive sorted coins.
Coin sorting devices are generally known. A user places one or more coins in a hopper or similar coin receiving location. A coin separating mechanism separates the coins and dispenses them one at a time from the hopper, where they fall under the force of gravity, into a coin sorting mechanism. The coin sorting mechanism classifies the coins by their diameter. Coins of a particular diameter, and consequently of a particular denomination, are directed into the appropriate one of a plurality of sorted coin storage containers.
One deficiency with known coin sorting devices is their lack of sufficient sorted coin storage space. Known devices utilize only a single coin storage container for each coin denomination. The coin storage containers are typically cylindrical or tubular in shape and are generally of a size corresponding to standard coin rolling wrappers that hold anywhere from twenty to fifty coins. Therefore, with known devices, the operation of the apparatus must be frequently interrupted (if possible) such that the coins in the coin storage containers can be removed before an overflow occurs. Merely lengthening the tubular coin containers to increase the capacity thereof results in a coin sorting apparatus that is too tall for convenient use and storage. Also, conventional coin wrappers are not generally usable with coin cylinders or tubes that are significantly longer than the coin wrappers themselves.
Another drawback of the known coin sorting devices is the lack of any safety switch mechanism to prevent activation of the coin separating mechanism when the sorted coin containers are not operatively positioned to receive the sorted coins. Thus, with known devices, the potential exists for the activation of the coin separating mechanism even when the sorted coin containers are not operatively positioned to receive the sorted coins. This results in the spillage of coins from the coin sorting mechanism onto the floor, table, or other area adjacent the apparatus.
While known coin sorting devices do include mechanisms for pivoting the sorted coin containers between an operative position and a container removal position, these known mechanisms do not include means for releasably securing the containers in either position. Consequently, with known devices, it is possible to accidentally pivot the coin containers out of their operative position while the coin separating mechanism continues to operate thereby spilling coins. It is also possible to pivot the coin containers out of their removal position to some intermediate position. Unwanted movement of the coin container assembly in this manner makes it difficult for a user to remove the containers from the apparatus without spilling coins. Unwanted movement of the coin container assembly from its operative position can result in the spillage of coins from the individual containers.
Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a new and improved coin sorting apparatus which would overcome the foregoing deficiencies and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.


In a deterministic setting for finishing the support surface of a chuck such as a wafer chuck, the treatment tool may have a contacting surface shaped as a ring, annulus, or toroid, or at least such will be the form of contact when the treatment tool is brought into contact with a flat surface. The treatment tool may have about the same hardness as the work piece (e.g., the wafer chuck) that is being finished. In one embodiment, the treatment tool, or at least the flat contacting surface, is made from silicon carbide (SiC), or contains SiC, for example, in the form of a composite material such as reaction-bonded SiC.

Chucks, such as pin chucks, are used to hold flat components for processing. The most common use is to hold wafers (Si, SiC, GaAs, GaN, Sapphire, other) during processing to yield a semiconductor device. Other uses include holding substrates during the fabrication of flat panel displays, solar cells and other such manufactured products. These chucking components are known by many names, including wafer chucks, wafer tables, wafer handling devices, etc.
The use of pins on these devices is to provide minimum chuck-to-substrate contact. Minimum contact reduces contamination and enhances the ability to maintain high flatness. The pin tops need to have low wear in use to maximize life and precision. The pin tops also need to possess low friction so the substrate easily slides on and off, and lies flat on the pins.
A pin chuck consists of a rigid body with a plurality of pins on the surface on which the substrate to be processed (e.g., Si wafer) rests. The pins exist in many geometries, and go by many names including burls, mesas, bumps, proud lands, proud rings, etc.
Regardless of whether, the chuck is of the "pin" type or not, the surface that supports whatever is to be chucked (e.g., a semiconductor wafer) needs to be flat to a very high degree of precision. In the case of semiconductor lithography, the flatness is measured in nanometers (nm).
Methods of flattening are often limited by the flatness of the equipment used such as a flat lap or over arm configuration. With harder and harder materials like ceramics, and in particular SiC and reaction bonded SiC (sometimes referred to here as "RBSC" or "RBSiC"), the uniformity of the lap conditions tend to dominate the cause for non uniformity. These conditions are properties like media, swarf (e.g., contamination or debris), velocity and pressure distribution.
There are common techniques to deterministically correct for the errors by using a smaller tool and generating a mathematical "hit" map to locally remove more or less material. Some techniques for this deterministic correction include, but not limited to, Ion Beam Figuring (IBF), Magneto Rheological Finishing (MRF), and computer controlled polishing (CCP). As used herein, the phrase "deterministic correction" means that figure, elevation or roughness data as measured for example, by an interferometer or profilometer, is fed into a finishing machine such as a lapping machine, and the machine processes only those areas of the work piece that are in error and need processing (e.g., grinding, lapping or texturing). The machine does not automatically treat the entire surface of the work piece.
For tools, particularly used in semiconductor handling, the flatness is critical; however, unlike optical surfaces, which require control of a wide range of spatial frequencies, these applications require control over only a narrow range of spatial frequencies.
The issue with using known deterministic techniques is the tool size is often fixed over a narrow range of spatial frequencies (<10 mm), and the tool needs to be traversed over a substantially large substrate (450 mm), thus consuming massive amounts of processing and machining time.
The instant invention addresses these issues, and provides a solution.

Method for deterministic finishing of a chuck surface


A network system includes a first communication device, a second communication device and a server. The communication device includes a storage unit storing first device information indicating a function of the communication device, and a communication unit for receiving second device information indicating a function of another communication device from the other communication device, transmitting the first and second device information to the server, and receiving first control information used by the first device from the server.

Broadband becomes prevalent. With the advancement of mobile broadband, the world of cloud computing is also expanding. Using the cloud computing, a communication device can receive various applications, data, services and the like from a server that can be accessed over the Internet.
For example, a low-cost PC (personal computer) called "netbook" can use these various applications, data and services by means of a browser function. In other words, the netbook can use these various applications, data and services (hereinafter, these will be also referred to as "control information") by means of the browser function, even if applications and data are not stored in the device.
In addition, many digital appliances have a function for connecting to the network installed thereon as a standard function. For example, by using a technique related to DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), communication devices in a household are connected to one another via the home network. More specifically, one communication device (such as a liquid crystal television) can output a content (music, a moving image or a still image) and the like stored in an other communication device (such as a PC).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-24224 (PTL 1), for example, discloses an electronic equipment extension system. According to Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-24224 (PTL 1), a computer includes a connected equipment detection mechanism, and receives an equipment name from a printer serving as a peripheral device, which is in a connected state. When a program (driver) corresponding to this equipment name is not installed, the computer requests installation of the program. When a facsimile unit is further connected to the printer and its function is extended, an equipment name in which the printer and the facsimile unit are combined is acquired and a program corresponding to this equipment name is installed. Thus, when the function of the peripheral device is changed even if the peripheral device is the same, the corresponding program is installed without having special knowledge by a user.

Network system, communication method, communication device, and computer-readable recording medium having communication program recorded thereon


An automatic counting device for measuring the number of target objects included in an image, which includes a discrimination section, a counting section, and a correction section. The discrimination section discriminates the target objects included in the image based on face information extracted from the image. The counting section measures the number of target objects discriminated by the discrimination means. The correction section corrects the number of each type of target object measured by the counting section such that the counting error arising from the difference in the discrimination accuracy between each type of target object is minimized based on information related to the discrimination accuracy for each type of target object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic counting apparatus and method for automatically measuring the number of target objects included in an image. The present invention also relates to a recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to perform the method is recorded.
2. Description of the Related Art
A technique for discriminating individuals or attributes associated with the individuals, such as the gender, age, and the like from the face information included in an image to analyze the trend of the individuals or each of the attributes is known. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030164878 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-348618, for example, disclose a method and system for analyzing the trend of the customers visiting sales floors of a store, in which the customers visiting the store are imaged by a camera installed in each corner of the store, and the face characteristic amounts of each customer is extracted from each recorded image to trace the customer, or to discriminate the gender or age of the customer.
Although, the technique for discriminating an individual or the gender based on the face information is advancing year after year, the technique is not yet fully matured to be able to discriminate 100% of any object. Generally speaking, there are two reasons why 100% discrimination rate is not achieved. First, there is a case that the face information is insufficient for discrimination. For example, only little information is extracted from the face of a person having long hair, in particular, from the side face of such person. Consequently, the discrimination rate for such persons is lower than that of the persons having short hair. Generally, it is said that the discrimination rate for females is lower than that of males since persons having long hair are found more often in females than males. The other reason is that there is a case that the characteristic of an individual is changed. For example, the facial characteristics of a female may be changed by the makeup so that the discrimination rate for females is lower than that of males. Further, the discrimination rate for the individuals wearing glasses is lower than that of the individuals without glasses, since the facial characteristic may be changed by changing the glasses. Still further, the discrimination rate for children is lower than that of adults since the facial expression may be changed as the children grow up.
In such cases described above, the discrimination rate (discrimination success rate) differs by 20% to 30% even if the same discrimination process is performed depending on the type of the object to be discriminated. In a statistical research, classified surveys according to the age and gender are often conducted as described in the aforementioned patent publications. The difference in the discrimination rate depending on the type of object to be surveyed gives a significant impact on the accuracy of surveys. In view of the problem described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a scheme for minimizing the statistical error arising from the difference in the discrimination rate.

Automatic counting apparatus, method, and recording medium on which the program is recorded


A system and methods for light-emitting diode (LED) devices with a dimming feature that can tailor a color point shift in the light color temperature of a scattering/transparent layer to enlarge a dim to warm range are disclosed herein. A light-emitting device may include a wavelength converting structure configured to receive light from a light emitting semiconductor structure and an adjacent light scattering structure. The light scattering structure may comprise a plurality of scattering particles with a lower refractive index (RI) than the RI of the matrix material in which the scattering particles are disposed. The wavelength converting structure may include a red phosphor and a green phosphor such that to adjust overlap between green emission and absorption by the red phosphor to correspondingly adjust scattering and magnitude of color shift. In an embodiment, the light scattering structure may be integrated in the wavelength converting structure.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as sources of light for a variety of applications. For example, LEDs may be used as white light sources in various applications, such as flash sources for cellular telephone cameras and filament lamps. Such LEDs may be referred to herein as white LEDs or white-appearing LEDs. White LEDs may appear to emit white light from the perspective of the viewer when the LEDs are in an on state. In some cases, the white LEDs may be made up of light emitting semiconductor structures that emit non-white light as well as wavelength converting structures that make the non-white light appear white to the viewer. For example, a white LED may be formed from a blue light emitting semiconductor structure covered by a yellow emitting phosphor layer (i.e., the wavelength converting structure), and may be referred to as a phosphor-converted LED (pc-LED). Photons of blue light emitted by the light emitting semiconductor structure may either pass through the yellow emitting phosphor layer as blue photons or may be converted into yellow photons by the yellow emitting phosphor layer. The blue and yellow photons that are ultimately emitted out of the LED combine to make the light emitted from the LED appear white to the viewer.

Light-emitting device with light scatter tuning to control color shift


A numerical control apparatus having a work simulation function for enabling both the workpiece and the movement of the tool to be displayed at any time on the same display screen during the work simulation. This is achieved by a variable display magnifications so that both the workpiece configuration change and the tool shift movement can always be checked adequately. The numerical control apparatus comprises a numerical control processor and an auto-programming processor. The numerical control processor determines a predetermined scale by which the workpiece can be fully displayed on a display screen of the display apparatus, calculates a scale by which both the workpiece and the tool can be displayed on the same display screen on the basis of the present tool position every time the numerical control program is executed by block for the work simulation, and further judges whether or not the scale change is necessary depending on the result of comparison between the predetermined scale and the calculated scale and also the scale used for the display relating to the previous program block so that change the scale can be changed when necessary. The auto-programming processor carries out the work simulation by selecting a display magnification corresponding to the determined scale.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a numerical control apparatus having a work simulation function, and more particularly, to a numerical control apparatus capable of always and adequately checking both a workpiece configuration change and a tool shift movement in the work simulation.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been known an interactive numerical control apparatus which executes a work simulation by use of a graphic animation in compliance with a numerical control program so that an operator can check whether the program is good or bad. This kind of apparatus carries out the work simulation by selectively changing its display magnification. For example, one of the display scales (first scale) is set to display both the workpiece and the tool located at a shift starting position together on a display screen. Another one of the display scales (second scale) is set to display an enlarged view of, for example, the workpiece.
Also, in the conventional apparatus, the display scale is not changeable during the work simulation. Where the overall shift trace of the tool is to be checked, the first display scale is preferable for executing the work simulation. In this case, however, the configuration change of the workpiece resulting from the cutting operation of the workpiece cannot be checked precisely.
On the other hand, where the workpiece configuration change (or the workpiece cutting process) is to be checked, the second display scale is preferable for executing the work simulation; however, it would be impossible to check the overall shift movement if the tool should shift beyond the scope of display.

Numerical control apparatus having a work simulation function


A combination storage and tread unit has a housing which is installed beneath a second row of seating in an automotive vehicle body. The housing has a tread pad at each end which a person can step on to reach a third row of seating when a seat in the second row is tumbled forwardly. The housing has two module-receiving compartments for storing electrical control modules and related wiring. The compartments are covered and protected by the second row of seating when the seats in the second row are in a normal occupant-supporting position, but are readily accessible when the seats are tumbled forwardly, so that the modules may be removed and serviced without removing the seats.

In modern vehicles, there sometimes is the problem of finding a space for storing electrical control modules and related wiring in an area which is protected yet readily accessible. There can also be the problem of providing a convenient step for gaining entry to an area of the vehicle behind the seating, usually behind the second row of seating.


An improved downhole pumping system that employs a variable speed PWM inverter and a non-gap transformer to drive an induction motor over a range of different speeds, without saturating the transformer. The variable speed PWM inverter provides a rectangular PWM signal that may be varied according to inputs from a controller to adjust the speed of the motor. The PWM inverter is electrically connected to the transformer, and the transformer is electrically attached to the motor via cables, which may be lengthy in downhole applications. The motor may be started by ramping flux producing current to a first preset value at a low frequency, then ramping torque producing current to a second preset value. If a flux measurement indicates the motor has stalled, the second preset value is increased, and the routine is restarted. Otherwise, if no stall has occurred, the motor's speed is ramped to the desired value. Ongoing operation of the motor is managed by a drive routine, which generates triangular and sinusoidal signals based upon a desired chopping frequency, as well as a desired driving frequency of the motor. A sine-triangle comparison is performed upon these signals to yield three rectangular PWM signals, which are used to control the inverter.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an improved downhole pumping system utilizing an electric motor. More particularly, the invention concerns a system for extracting fluids from a well by using an induction motor coupled to a variable speed pulsewidth modulated (PWM) inverter via a non-gap transformer.
2. Description of Related Art
Induction motors are widely used today for a variety of different functions, including a substantial number of industrial purposes. In fact, induction motors are used nearly exclusively in tasks requiring electric motors, except in low horsepower applications. For example, induction motors have been used with considerable success in downhole drilling applications, such as deep well pumping operations. When used in the oil field, induction motors provide many advantages, such as their low cost, low power requirements, and low maintenance needs.
In some applications, induction motors receive electrical power in the form of a "line voltage" received directly from a power line of an electrical power company. Although this arrangement is beneficial in many cases, it has several drawbacks. For instance, when an induction motor is directly connected to the power line, the motor operates at one speed, in response to the frequency and amplitude of the line voltage. In downhole pumping applications, this will result in the motor pumping oil at a single rate. If multiple speed pumping is desired, this arrangement may be inadequate.
High levels of current are another problem that might be encountered when an induction motor is directly connected to a power line. In particular, when an induction motor is started, high levels of current are often required. Therefore, one must ensure that the power lines are able to supply the required starting current. In many cases, power lines with high current capacity are more expensive, since the cost of electrical service is typically related to the maximum number of amps to be supplied.
As a result of these limitations, many have installed variable speed drives between the power line and the induction motor. Typically, the variable speed drive and a drive controller of a selected type are operatively connected between the power line and a transformer. The transformer is utilized to drive the motor, and more particularly to step up the level of voltage and reduce the current supplied to the motor. This is especially important in applications such as downhole pumping operations, where a long cable connects the transformer to the motor; in these situations, the transformer helps prevent excessive current from flowing in the long cable. The variable speed drive provides more flexibility in controlling the motor's speed. One example of such a drive is a "six-step drive," which operates by providing a square wave of variable frequency and amplitude.
Six step drives still have a number of problems, however. For example, a six step drive will often produce high harmonic losses in the motor that it drives. In addition, a six step drive is more likely to damage a motor. As can be shown by Fourier analysis, a square wave is made up of multiple sinusoids of different frequencies. Accordingly, since each electrical motor is vulnerable to electrical signals of a particular frequency, a six-step drive is more likely to produce that particular frequency, and damage the motor, particularly during starting, when the fundamental frequency is low. This effect is especially important in downhole pumping applications, since long, thin, downhole pumping motors are more likely than other configurations to exhibit torsional resonance.
In contrast to six-step drives, another approach is the pulsewidth modulated (PWM) drive. Like a six-step drive, a PWM drive is operatively connected between a power line and a transformer that drives a motor. However, unlike a six-step drive, a PWM drive generates a rectangular voltage signal having a variable on-time (FIG. 1), to simulate an equivalent sinusoidal signal (FIG. 2); the equivalent sinusoidal signal may represent the electrical driving frequency (f.sub..omega.) of the motor. The frequency of the PWM voltage signal (f.sub.PWM), called the "chopping frequency," is typically constant.
One approach that is used to develop rectangular voltage signals for PWM drives is the "sine-triangle" scheme. As shown in FIG. 3, this method designates high and low periods of a rectangular voltage signal 301 based upon the intersection between a triangular wave 302 having the desired chopping frequency (f.sub.PWM), and a sinusoidal signal 304 having the desired electrical driving frequency of the motor (f.sub..omega.). The rectangular signal 300 is (1) high when the sinusoidal signal 304 is greater than the triangular wave 302, and (2) low when the sinusoidal signal 304 is less than the triangular wave 302.
With PWM drives, then, a scheme such as the sine-triangle scheme is used to determine the pattern with which the PWM drive will apply power to the motor. To further define how power is applied to the motor, some systems use "vector control" technology. Vector control technology facilitates direct control over the motor's flux and torque. In particular, vector control technology represents flux and torque as vector quantities having perpendicular "Q" and "D" components. Therefore, torque is expressed as shown in Equations 1 and 2 (below). The ".alpha." symbol is used to designate "proportional to." EQU torque .alpha. flux.sub.D .multidot.current.sub.Q -flux.sub.Q .multidot.current.sub.D 1! EQU torque .alpha. .PHI..sub.D .multidot.I.sub.Q -.PHI..sub.Q .multidot.I.sub.D 2!
I.sub.D is called "flux producing current" and I.sub.Q is called "torque producing current." By utilizing a rotating reference frame, .PHI..sub.Q may be maintained at zero, reducing Equation 2 to Equation 3 (below). EQU torque .alpha. .PHI..sub.D .multidot.I.sub.Q 3!
Thus, one benefit of vector control technology is that it facilitates independent control of flux producing current and torque producing current. Another benefit of vector control technology is its improved damping of mechanical resonances in the motor. Vector control theory is explained more completely in Blaschke's treatise, entitled "Das Prinzip der Feldorientierung, die Grundlage fur transvector-Regulung von Drehfeldmachinen," Siemens Zeitschrift, Vol. 45 (1970), pp. 757-760.
Although PWM drives provide a number of benefits, such as avoiding the potentially damaging harmonic frequencies generated by six step drives, conventional PWM drives may present certain problems in some applications. One problem is that PWM drives generate direct current (D.C.) offsets due to slight switching time biases and a beat-like phenomenon between the fundamental frequency and the chopping frequency. These small offsets will saturate a non-gapped transformer. In particular, if the total on-time of the positive rectangular voltage signals 400 (FIG. 4) is not equal to the on-time of the negative rectangular voltage signals 402, the sinusoidal equivalent signal 404 will be uneven, and a current signal 500 (FIG. 5) having a D.C. offset 502 will be created.
This condition may easily occur when the sine-triangle scheme is used. Specifically, since the triangular wave 302 and the sinusoidal signal 304 may be asynchronous, the positive and negative on-times of the rectangular signal 300 are not necessarily equal. As a result, the sinusoidal equivalent of the rectangular wave 300 may be non-symmetrical, resulting in a D.C. offset current. Therefore, although the sine-triangle approach may be adequate for driving a motor with a gapped transformer, or for directly driving the motor, this approach is limited when used to drive a motor via a non-gap transformer. Thus, in applications where a transformer must be used with a PWM drive, such as in downhole applications, the transformer must be a gapped transformer, even though non-gapped transformers are much less expensive.
One problem with variable speed drives, both six-step and PWM, is that they often have difficulty in starting highly loaded motors. This predicament is especially likely to arise in downhole pumping applications, where motors sometimes become stuck, and consequently highly loaded. Variable speed drives typically use a "constant-volts-per-Hz" relationship between applied frequency and voltage. While this scheme may drive the motor properly at high speeds, it does not perform well at startup; in some cases, a motor may not start, resulting in thermal damage to the motor, due to prolonged high current without self-pumping cooling.

Downhole pumping system with variable speed pulse-width modulated inverter coupled to electrical motor via non-gap transformer


An interactive fit tool and methodology which may be utilized by an eye care professional to improve the efficiency and final outcome in selecting a pair of contact lenses targeted towards a specific patient visual need in the treatment of presbyopia. The interactive fit tool comprises an application which includes images that would allow a patient to decide if he or she desires balanced visual acuity, near biased visual acuity, or distance biased visual acuity. In addition, the interactive fit tool comprises fit guide tables and performs the calculations for vertex distance and spherical equivalent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fitting contact lenses on a patient for correcting presbyopia, and more particularly to a system and method for optimizing prescription selection based upon direct feedback from patients undergoing eye examinations and contact lens fitting utilizing a set of interactive simulations designed to demonstrate the impact of balancing near, intermediate and distance vision correction.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As individuals age, their eyes are less able to accommodate, or bend their natural or crystalline lens, in order to focus on objects that are relatively near to the observer. This condition is known as presbyopia. More specifically, when an individual is born, the crystalline lens is pliable which makes it capable of a high degree of accommodation. As the individual ages, the crystalline lens gradually becomes more rigid and thus less able to accommodate. Similarly, for persons who have had their natural or crystalline lens removed and an intraocular lens or IOL inserted as a replacement, the ability to accommodate is absent. Although the intent of an accommodating IOL is to address this potential shortcoming, current accommodating IOL designs and concepts are relatively new and continue to evolve without providing a complete and satisfactory solution.
Among the methods used to correct for the eye's failure to accommodate is a method known as mono-vision in which, in most cases, a contact lens for correction of distance vision is utilized in the lens wearer's dominant eye, which is known to predominate for distance vision, coupled with a second contact lens for correction of near vision being utilized in the non-dominant eye. Mono-vision provides for both near and distance vision while allowing the brain to compensate as how the images should be construed. Mono-vision has limitations secondary to a decrease in binocularity. Another known method for correction of presbyopia is to use bifocal or multifocal contact lenses in both of the individual's eyes. There are many forms of bi-focal or multi-focal contact lenses for the correction of presbyopia. These design forms include concentric rings and aspheric designs, both of which may be designed for center distance or center near. All of these designs function by providing a range of powers within the pupil of the eye. For example, a concentric ring design may have a central ring that provides powers that are nominally equal to the power required to correct the distance vision of the subject, an adjacent ring that provides near powers, and an outer ring that also provides distance powers. There may also be fitting strategies to address intermediate vision demands between near and far distances, for example, computer screen viewing. Use of bifocal or multifocal lenses in both eyes results in a reduction of image contrast and resolution compared to mono-vision but usually maintains binocularity. Yet another method of treating presbyopia is to place a bifocal or multifocal lens in one eye and a single vision lens in the other eye. The disadvantage in using this method is in the large number of lenses that must be considered in order to provide the individual with satisfactory lens performance and the limitation of binocularity at near distance.
As may be seen from above, there are numerous solutions for the treatment of presbyopia and no single concept may be ideal for all individuals. Fit guides and tools are available to eye care specialists/professionals to help in selecting a starting pair of contact lenses. Some of these tools also help with more complicated calculations such as vertex distance and spherical equivalent, but none have a patient interactive segment that would allow a patient to see a simulation of what the contact lens solution could provide to them. Accordingly, there exists a need for an interactive fit tool that would allow an individual to be able to get a sense of what their vision would be like under real world circumstances and to select a desired visual experience prior to being fitted with a set of contact lenses.

Patient interactive fit tool and methodology for contact lens fitting