A fiber optic cable includes a strain element including a first optical fiber and an optical element including a second optical fiber. The optical element is compliantly coupled with the strain element to transfer a portion of strain experienced by the strain element to the optical element. A fiber optic cable includes a strain transfer member, a central optical fiber disposed through the strain transfer member, and a tight jacket mechanically coupling the central optical fiber and the strain transfer member. The fiber optic cable further includes a compliant layer disposed about and affixed to the strain transfer member; a peripheral optical fiber disposed in the compliant layer, such that a portion of the strain experienced by the strain transfer member is transferred to the peripheral optical fiber via the compliant layer; and a protective cover disposed about the compliant layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fiber optic cables.
2. Description of Related Art
In the field of fiber optic sensors, there are a number of techniques for measuring temperature and strain. Two of the most well known techniques employ fiber Bragg gratings and Brillouin backscatter. Fiber Bragg gratings are devices, inscribed into an optical fiber, which have spectral characteristics (e.g., transmission and reflection) that are dependent upon the strain and temperature of the fiber at the grating. Common fiber Bragg gratings have a reflection peak that changes in wavelength as a function of temperature and strain. Typically, when the fiber Bragg grating is operated with light exhibiting a wavelength of about 1550 nanometers, the response of a fiber Bragg grating to temperature is about 10 picometers per degree Kelvin and the response to strain is about 1.2 picometers per microstrain. Thus, it is difficult from a single measurement to separate temperature effects from strain effects.
In contrast to fiber Bragg gratings, which are discrete devices, Brillouin backscatter is a distributed sensing technique. In this technique, a signal propagated through all parts of an unmodified optical fiber is used to provide a local measure of temperature and strain. The Brillouin backscatter technique exploits the Brillouin interaction between a pulsed optical beam and a continuous wave optical beam counterpropagating in an optical fiber. When the optical frequency of the continuous wave beam is greater than that of the pulsed beam by an amount equal to the Brillouin frequency shift at some point in the fiber, the pulsed beam is amplified through the Brillouin interaction and the continuous wave beam experiences loss. The Brillouin frequency shift and the intensity of the amplification and loss are both strain and temperature sensitive. Using both the intensity and frequency shift information, it is possible to recover the temperature and strain distributions along the optical fiber. Alternatively, it is possible to measure the spontaneous Brillouin backscatter using just a probe pulse.
In certain circumstances, however, it is desirable to use only the frequency shift information, rather than the frequency shift and intensity information, particularly wherein the measurement technique provides only the frequency shift measure of the Brillouin backscattering. In this case, it is necessary to find alternative ways of separating temperature from strain.
One conventional approach of separating temperature from strain is to co-locate two optical fibers, one of which is shielded from strain and the other of which is subjected to strain. Combining measurements from the two fibers provides a means of independently determining temperature and strain. One method of shielding an optical fiber from strain is "loose tube buffering," wherein the fiber is contained within an outer protective tube such that the fiber can move to some extent. Another method of shielding an optical fiber from strain is the use of a "slotted core," wherein the optical fiber resides in a channel or groove that has been formed on a surface of a rod-shaped core. Frequently, voids about the fiber are filled with excess fiber. Friction, however, may exist between the optical fiber and the loose tube or slotted core. Moreover, the voids may not be uniformly filled with excess fiber. Accordingly, the optical fiber may not be entirely isolated from strain. Furthermore, strain independence in loose-tube construction is conventionally achieved over a strain range limited to approximately the excess optical fiber length in the tube, which is typically a length of up to 0.7 percent of the cable length. Cable strains greater than this amount will cause strain independence to break down.
While there are many designs of fiber optic cables well known in the art that address cable strain, considerable shortcomings remain.


A system for capturing possible repeats or rejections of images occurring during tomographic imaging accommodates the wide variety of imaging protocols by providing groupings of common imaging protocol types and highlighting outliers of this grouping. The grouping may consider text descriptions of the images and their series, machine parameters such as tomographic and localizer scans, and overlap between images of any given series.

The present invention relates generally to tomographic imaging equipment, including CT machines and the like, and in particular to a method and apparatus for measuring repeat rate/reject rate indicating tomographic acquisitions that are discarded or must be repeated.
Minimizing unnecessary medical imaging can help reduce the costs of healthcare and minimize the risk to the patient, for example, associated with radiation and contrast media exposure. An important class of unnecessary medical images are "reject" images resulting from patient motion, operator error, or in some cases machine error. "Reject" images require that the image procedure be repeated and for this reason are sometimes called. "repeat" images. These two terms will be used interchangeably herein.
The federal government requires a tracking of repeat images for mammography procedures (21 CFR § 900.12(e)(3)(ii)) and recommends it for standard x-ray radiography (21 CFR § 1000.55), Originally, tracking repeat images was simply a matter of comparing the number of photographic film sheets purchased versus the number discarded. Later, with the introduction of digital radiography and digital mammography (where there are no physical films) vendors offered a "at the scanner" method of tracking repeats. This method operates to send all scans to the physician unless the scan is marked by the technician as a "reject", where such a reject marking is automatically tallied by an automated repeat report. The technician is encouraged not to send "reject" images to the physician because the duplicate images will be immediately apparent to the physician (including the fact that one of them should have been rejected).
"At-the-scanner" solutions have not been offered for tomographic imaging machines. In part this is because "reject" images often, arguably, have some diagnostic value which justifies being sent to the physician. Further, the complexity of tomographic image sequences makes it difficult to immediately recognize that duplicate images have been obtained. This can be because the "repeat" image is an "add-on" image which simply extends the original scan coverage slightly and does not result in a new image "series", Recognizing duplicate images can also be complicated because physician orders for scanning a patient with different clinical motivations (for example a routine chest scan and a biphasic liver scan) may be combined and naturally produce images that appear to be overlapping or identical.
Even though it is difficult to track repeat rates in tomographic imaging, measuring and reducing repeat rates in tomographic imaging is arguably even more valuable than measuring repeat rates in radiography and mammography because of the high costs of tomographic imaging (which makes efficient use of the equipment and contrast media even more important) and because of the high radiation dose associated with some of these tomographic modalities.

Apparatus for tomography repeat rate/reject rate capture


An information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording information on and/or reproducing information from a recording medium using a head. The apparatus includes a single processor and a memory device. The single processor executes data input/output processing and servo processing of a light beam from the head, while alternately switching at a predetermined period. The servo processing is divided into a plurality of blocks which are cyclically executed in turn for each predetermined period and processing required to be executed in each period is set in each block and processing not required to be executed in each period is set in only a specific block. The memory device stores contents of the processing for the respective blocks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus for optically recording information on and/or reproducing information from an information recording medium.
2. Related Background Art
FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing the arrangement of a conventional magneto-optical disc apparatus. The magneto-optical disc apparatus is disclosed in "Magneto-optical Disc Apparatus", 148-th Oki Denki Gihou, Vol. 57, No. 4. The magneto-optical disc apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is mainly constituted by a control unit A, a drive unit B, and a power source unit 32.
The control unit A comprises an SCSI controller 1, a buffer memory 2, a drive control unit 21 for controlling data transfer to the drive unit B, and the action of the drive unit B, an ECC processing unit 31 for performing error correction of reproduced data, a buffer control unit 30 for controlling the data buffer, a microprocessor 20 for controlling these units, and the like. A medium loading/ejecting mechanism 10 is arranged in the drive unit B. With this mechanism, a magneto-optical disc 16 can be loaded into and ejected from the drive unit main body. The magneto-optical disc 16 is rotated at a predetermined velocity by the drive action of a disc rotation mechanism 9. An external magnetic field (magnetic head) is arranged above the upper surface of the magneto-optical disc 16, and an optical head including an optical system 14 and an actuator 12 is arranged below the lower surface of the magneto-optical disc 16. The optical system 14 includes a semiconductor laser serving as a light source, an objective lens for focusing a laser beam from the semiconductor laser to a very small beam spot, a photosensor for detecting light reflected by the magneto-optical disc 16, and the like. A servo control unit 22 performs tracking control and focusing control of the beam spot of the optical system 14 on the basis of the detection signal from the photosensor.
When information is recorded on the magneto-optical disc 16, recording data is modulated by a signal processing unit 15, and the intensity of the beam spot of the optical system 14 is modulated on the basis of the modulated signal. The beam spot is irradiated onto the magneto-optical disc 16, and a predetermined external magnetic field is applied to the disc 16, thereby recording an information train on an information track. On the other hand, when recorded information is reproduced, the optical system 14 irradiates a laser beam of a reproduction power, and the signal processing unit 15 performs predetermined signal processing on the basis of the detection signal from the photosensor, thereby reproducing recorded information. Reproduced data is transferred to a host computer via the control unit A. The respective units described above of the drive unit B are controlled by a microprocessor 23.
However, the conventional magneto-optical disc apparatus requires microprocessors respectively in the control unit and the drive unit. Although not shown, these microprocessors inevitably require memories for storing programs, variables, and the like, and these memories must be arranged in both the drive unit and the control unit. Furthermore, the drive control unit 21 is required to smoothly control the control unit and the drive unit. As described above, the conventional magneto-optical disc apparatus requires a plurality of microprocessors and memories, and the drive control unit. Therefore, it is difficult to attain cost and size reductions of the apparatus.

Information recording/reproducing apparatus for periodically executing servo processing


A pointer type indicating apparatus includes dial plates each of which has an index portion for indicating operation information items of an operation object, pointers each of which is driven to point one of the operation information items, driving units for driving the pointers, and operation units, each of which is adjustable by an user to actuate the driving unit so that the pointer points preferable one of the operation information items. The operation unit has a substantial cylinder shape and is rotatable. The dial plate, the index portion and the pointer are arranged at the inner side of the operation unit. Thus, the appearance of the pointer type indicating apparatus can be simplified, and the user can be provided with an intuitionistic operation.

Referring to JP-2002-71389A, a general pointer type indicating apparatus is suitably used for an operation panel P1 of a vehicle air conditioner, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B.
The pointer type indicating apparatus has multiple indicators M11, M12 and M13 and multiple operation switches SW1, SW2 and SW3. The indicators M11, M12 and M13 indicate operation content of the vehicle air conditioner, which includes the blowing-out mode, the blowing fan speed, and the temperature, for example.
FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of the indicator M11 in FIG. 16A. The indicator M11, being constructed of an analog meter, has a dial plate 1 on which illustrations 2 (i.e., index portion) are provided to indicate the various blowing-out modes (i.e., operation information items), and a pointer 3 which points one of the illustrations 2. The indicator M12, M13 has the same construction with the indicator M11. The pointer 3 of the indicator M12, M13 points one of the operation information items indicated by the index portion 2 (letters or illustrations) shown on the dial plate 1 thereof.
The operation switches SW1, SW2 and SW3, each of which is constructed of a seesaw switch, are respectively arranged at the lower side of the indicators M11, M12 and M13. A user presses the operation switch SW1, SW2, SW3 so that the corresponding pointer 3 points the preferable letter or illustration 2. Thus, the blowing-out mode, the blowing fan speed and the temperature can be adjusted. Then, the vehicle air conditioner is controlled to provide a preferable operation.
The pointer type indicating apparatus is further provided with an operation button B0 for setting the vehicle air conditioner (A/C), an operation button B1 for setting an automatic air-blowing operation, an operation button B2 for a defogger and an operation button B3 for setting an air circulation mode.
However, in this case, the operation panel P1 (air conditioner panel) is provided with a lot of operation units including the operation switches SW1-SW3 and the operation buttons B0-B3, thus having a complicated appearance. Therefore, it is intricate for the user to seek for the wanted switch and button. Thus, an operation confusion will be caused.
Moreover, the indicator M11, M12, M13 is arranged separately from the operation switch SW1, SW2, SW3 on the air conditioner panel P1. Therefore, the user is to discriminate the indicator M11, M12, M13 and the corresponding operation switch SW1, SW2, SW3 to operate them.
For example, in the case where the user wants to adjust the blowing-out mode, the user is to visually identify the indicator M11 to confirm the current blowing-out mode, and discriminate the operation switch SW1 (for setting blowing-out mode) from the operation switches SW2 and SW3 by the index portion 2 (illustrations or letters) shown thereon. Thus, bewilderment in operation will be caused.
This problem also occurs when the pointer type indicating apparatus is used for an operation panel of an audio, a camera or the like.


A window regulator assembly comprising a window panel, a track, a slider member, a slider moving assembly including a drive assembly and a coupling assembly. The track is constructed and arranged to guide the window panel during movement of the window panel between opened and closed positions. The slider member is constructed and arranged to be movable along the track between a first position wherein the window panel assumes the closed position and a second position wherein the window panel assumes the open position. The slider moving assembly is constructed and arranged to move the slider member between the first and second position. The coupling assembly of the slider moving assembly is constructed and arranged to couple an output movement of the drive assembly to the slider member. The drive assembly includes a drivable input structure and a driven output structure, which structures are rotatable about a common axis. The coupling assembly is connected with the output structure to receive the output of the output structure, thereby enabling the coupling assembly to couple the output movement of the drive assembly to the slider member. The drive assembly includes roller and spring members disposed within a housing and constructed and arranged to prevent movement of the output structure upon predetermined external force being applied thereto via the coupling assembly. The output structure has ramp surfaces each converging toward the housing. Each of the ramp surfaces frictionally engages an associated one of the rollers, the rollers being biased by the spring members in a converging surface direction towards the converging surfaces between the ramp surfaces and the housing. The rollers are thus biased into wedging relation between the ramp surfaces and the housing. Friction between the ramp surfaces and the associated rollers during application of the predetermined external force to the output structure urges rolling movement of the rollers in the converging surface direction and into further wedging relation between the ramp surfaces and the housing.

The present invention relates to a window regulator having an improved crank assembly for a motor vehicle window. The crank assembly uses a roller-ramp principle to lock the crank assembly against backdrive displacement when the window is directly engaged and has a downward force applied thereto. This assembly is relatively inexpensive and more effective than previous designs. It also reduces free play of the window and between the drive and driven members in the device.
It has been well established for automobile window regulators to employ a spring clutch type mechanism for coupling the window crank handle to the vehicle window. An example of this type of arrangement is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 1,997,646. While these arrangements have been effective, they permit an undesirable amount of displacement or free play upon manual engagement and backdriven movement of the window itself towards a raised or lowered direction. Such backdriven movement may even manifest itself as slight movement in the input crank handle. It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially eliminate such backdriven movement. It is also an object of the present invention to reduce the number of parts required and provide a more cost-effective assembly.
In accordance with the objects of the present invention, there is provided a window regulator assembly comprising a window panel, a track, a slider member, a slider moving assembly including a drive assembly and a coupling assembly. The track is constructed and arranged to guide the window panel during movement of the window panel between opened and closed positions. The slider member is constructed and arranged to be movable along the track between a first position wherein the window panel assumes the closed position and a second position wherein the window panel assumes the open position. The slider moving assembly is constructed and arranged to move the slider member between the first and second position, The coupling assembly of the slider moving assembly is constructed and arranged to couple an output movement of the drive assembly to the slider member. The drive assembly includes a drivable input structure and a driven output structure, which structures are rotatable about a common axis. The coupling assembly is connected with the output structure to receive the output of the output structure, thereby enabling the coupling assembly to couple the output movement of the drive assembly to the slider member. The drivable input structure is constructed and arranged to receive an external driving force so as to be rotated about its axis. The driven output structure is driven for rotational movement about its axis by rotation of the input structure. The drive assembly includes roller and spring members disposed within a housing and constructed and arranged to prevent movement of the output structure upon predetermined external force being applied thereto via the coupling assembly. The output structure has ramp surfaces each converging toward the housing. Each of the ramp surfaces frictionally engages an associated one of the rollers, the rollers being biased by the spring members in a converging surface direction towards the converging surfaces between the ramp surfaces and the housing. The rollers are thus biased into wedging relation between the ramp surfaces and the housing. Friction between the ramp surfaces and the associated rollers during application of the predetermined external force to the output structure urges rolling movement of the rollers in the converging surface direction and into further wedging relation between the ramp surfaces and the housing. The wedging relation of the rollers between the ramp surfaces and the housing prevents movement of the output structure upon application of the predetermined external force being applied thereto. The input structure is rotatable to engage the rollers upon application of the external driving force and thereby move the rollers against the bias of the spring members and away from the converging surface direction, the rollers thus being moved out of the wedging relation between the ramp surfaces and the housing so that continued driven movement of the input structure after engagement thereof with the rollers is received by the output structure so that the output structure is thereby driven to move the slider member and thus the window panel via the coupling assembly.

Window regulator having improved crank assembly


A catalytic converter of an engine, such as might be found in an automotive engine system, is capable of being quickly and electrically heated in order to reduce pollution emissions during critical cold start conditions. During cold start conditions, i.e. upon starting the engine, for a predetermined period of time the catalytic converter directly receives electrical power via a quick heating path connecting a catalyst power switch to the catalytic converter. Following the predetermined period of time after which the catalytic converter has been electrically heated, the catalyst power switch is connected to a junction block, such as a starter motor assembly, of the automotive engine system via a normal path.

The present invention relates generally to generator powered electrically heated catalyst systems and more specifically to generator powered electrically heated catalyst systems for automotive applications.
Modern internal combustion powered vehicles utilize a catalytic converter in the exhaust system. This converter by means of chemical reactions converts much of what would otherwise be undesirable exhaust gases into carbon dioxide and water. This has been a preferred solution, and unleaded gasoline permits the use of catalytic converters in automotive applications, since catalytic converters cannot tolerate any lead content in the exhaust fumes.
Today cars are so clean burning that most of the undesirable exhaust emissions at the output of the catalytic converter occurs within the first few minutes of engine operation from a cold start. This occurs because the catalytic converter does not operate at peak efficiency when it is cold, and a warm-up time of about ten minutes from a cold start is typically required before peak catalytic converter efficiency is reached and maintained. Current legislation dictates that these few minutes of relatively high emissions must be minimized. This establishes the need to artificially heat the catalytic converter quickly upon a cold start.
One method known in the prior art to accomplish this involves injecting a rich air/fuel mixture into the combustion chamber which will exhaust a high hydrocarbon exhaust gas. Oxygen is then injected into the exhaust pipe, causing the heated hydrocarbon rich mixture to ignite in the exhaust pipe before reaching the catalytic converter. This superheated gas then passes through the catalytic converter causing it to heat quickly. This method requires the addition of an air pump, which is cumbersome and draws power from the engine at all times, unless an electrical pump is utilized and cycled by electrical techniques. Air pumps are not known for good reliability, and would present challenges to meeting 100,000 mile exhaust emission system reliability goals.
Other methods are known in the prior art for causing quick initial heating of the catalytic converter. One example is the oversized crystal controlled oscillator common to electronics. When initially powered on from a cold start, the oversized crystal controlled oscillator utilizes an internal feedback loop which applies maximum heating power to its heating elements, gradually reducing this power as the desired temperature operating point is approached. Another prior art example is the technique utilized to achieve quick heating of windshields in cold environmental conditions, wherein unregulated electrical power is applied to the heating element. This heating system is elemental, and the heating voltage is sawtooth in nature with a high peak-to-valley ratio as the power delivered to the windshield heaters does not have to be accurately known.
No other prior art method to electrically heat automotive catalytic converters is known.
The method of the present invention involves interfacing with the electrical charging systems of automobiles as commonly known to the art. For that reason a basic description of a typical prior art automotive electrical charging system follows.
The charging system maintains a constant voltage to the electrical system of the automobile. This voltage is regulated by means of a feedback loop which utilizes a generator, bridge rectifier, and voltage regulator. The voltage regulator controls the amount of excitation current present in the field windings of the generator. The speed of rotation of the generator and the amount of field current determine the amount of power supplied by the generator/bridge rectifier to the automotive electrical system. The amount of field current is controlled by the voltage regulator, which monitors the voltage level in the electrical system and adjusts the field current in a manner so as to maintain the constant voltage.
Modern voltage regulators are of various constructions, and may be of monolithic, hybrid or printed circuit types. Several regulator features require discussion here because they are utilized by the present invention. These are reduced setpoint regulation, external or battery sensing, and overvoltage regulation protection.
Reduced setpoint regulation is commanded by providing a logic low signal to the Lamp (L) input terminal of the voltage regulator. During normal rotation of the generator, if the L terminal is brought low the regulator will establish a regulation set point of 75% of the "normal" regulation set point. Regulators also contain an ignition (I) input terminal which functions similarly, but only the L input terminal will be discussed.
Regulators have the ability to sense the battery voltage via a specialized input Sense (S) terminal. Remote sensing allows for more accurate remote voltage sensing because the S input typically is designed to have a relatively high input resistance.
Overvoltage regulation protection is required if, for some reason, the output of the generator is disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system. What then happens is that the S terminal sees a drop in voltage due to the generator no longer providing energy to the electrical system (which includes the battery) and commands full excitation current in the generator field windings. This causes a maximum output condition of the generator. With the output of the generator disconnected from the electrical system (which is the generator load) the output of the generator is uncontrolled and can go to the limits of the generator. This may cause catastrophic damage to the internal parts of the generator and other loads connected thereto, which is not acceptable. The overvoltage protection feature will not allow the Vgo terminal to go above a specified voltage level by limiting the field current if this level starts to be exceeded. This restriction on field current is reduced as the voltage on the Vgo terminal starts to reduce, thus establishing a pseudo regulation point at what is termed the overvoltage threshold.
Increasingly stringent exhaust emission regulations require that emitted pollutants occurring during cold start be reduced. An electrical solution wherein the catalytic converter is quickly heated, by simple electrical means, is seen as the most viable and economical solution, but prior art does not teach the required electrical heating technique for automotive catalytic converters. There is thus an unmet need in the art to describe a technique wherein electrical techniques are utilized in a simple and economical manner to heat automotive catalytic converters quickly in cold-start conditions, thereby reducing exhaust emissions.

Generator power electrically heated catalyst system


A first frequency generator generates a first rotation detecting signal having a period which varies in accordance with a rotating speed of a capstan. Second and third frequency generators generate respective second and third rotation detecting signals having periods which vary in accordance with a rotating speed of a supply side reel and a winding side reel. A capstan speed comparison circuit generates an error in accordance with the periods of the first, second and third detecting signals and associated reference periods. A capstan drive circuit is controlled in accordance with the thus generated error.

In recent years, efforts have been made to shorten the fast forwarding and rewinding times (FF/REW of a video tape device, and to shorten the image reproduction time during fast forward and rewinding modes.
The present invention relates to capstan control which makes it possible to transfer a tape at high speeds and to picture signal processing which makes it possible to reproduce the tape images during high speed tape running operations.
The speed controlling operation of the capstan which is accompanied through the higher speed of the FF/REW will be described hereinafter.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of the conventional rotary head type magnetic record reproducing apparatus such as servo mechanism of a VTR. In FIG. 1, a cylinder control apparatus is composed of a cylinder motor 1 having a rotary head (not shown), a first frequency generator 14 for detecting the rotation speed of the cylinder motor 1, a phase detector 15 for detecting the rotation phase of the cylinder motor 1, a cylinder speed comparing circuit 20 for detecting the errors with respect to the reference period of the output signal of the first frequency generator 14, a reference signal generator 24, a cylinder phase comparing circuit 21 for detecting the phase errors between the rotation phase signals to be obtained by the phase detector 15 and the reproducing reference signals to be obtained from the reference signal generator 24, a first adder 22 for mixing the phase error output of the cylinder phase comparing circuit 21 and the speed error output of the cylinder speed comparing circuit 20, and a cylinder driving circuit 23 which is controlled by the output of the first adder 22 so as to drive the cylinder motor 1.
A capstan control apparatus is composed of a capstan 3 which comes into pressure contact against the pinch roller 4 with a magnetic tape 7 being grasped therebetween to transfer the magnetic tape 7, a capstan motor 2 for driving the capstan 3, a second frequency generator 16 for detecting the rotation speed of the capstan motor 2, a control head 8 for recording and reproducing the control signals on the lower end of the magnetic tape 7, a capstan speed comparing circuit 25' for detecting the error with respect to the reference period of the output signal of the second frequency generator 16, a tracking shifting circuit 29 to be triggered by the output signals of the reference signal generator 24, a capstan phase comparing circuit 26 for detecting the phase errors between the reproducing control signal to be obtained from the control head 8 and the output signal of the tracking shifting circuit 29, a second adder for mixing the phase error output of the capstan phase comparing circuit 26 with the speed error output of the capstan speed comparing circuit 25', and a capstan driving circuit 28 which is controlled by the output of the second adder 27 so as to drive the capstan motor 2.
A magnetic tape driving apparatus is composed of a center pulley 9 to be rotated and driven through a belting 10 by a capstan motor 2, a supply side reel 5 and a winding side reel 6 with the magnetic tape 7 being wound around them, a supply side reel gear 12 and a winding side reel gear 13 for driving the respective reels, an idler 11 for transferring to either the supply side reel gear 12 or the winding side reel gear 13 the rotation of the center pulley 9 in accordance with the running direction of the magnetic tape 7.
The normal reproduction operation of the VTR constructed hereinabove will be simply described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the timing chart shown in the FIG. 2.
Reference character S1 of FIG. 2 is the output waveform of a reference signal generator 24 of FIG. 1. The signal is fed into the cylinder phase comparing circuit 21 and a tracking shifting circuit 29 as the reference signal at the reproduction time of the VTR. The trapezoidal wave signal S2 of FIG. 2 is of an internal waveform of the cylinder phase comparing circuit 21, is a phase reference signal of the cylinder motor 1 triggered by the rising edge reference signal of the S1 of FIG. 2, is sampled by the falling edge of the rotation phase signal to be obtained from the phase detector 15, namely, by the falling edge of the signal S3 of FIG. 2, is fed to the cylinder driving circuit 23 with the phase error signal (not shown) of the held cylinder motor 1 and the speed error signal to be obtained from the cylinder speed comparing circuit 20 being mixed by a first adder 22. Accordingly, the cylinder motor 1 is rotated in the phase synchronous relation with the reference signal S1 of FIG. 2. The signal S4 of FIG. 2 is of the output waveform of the tracking shifting circuit 29. The trapezoidal wave signal S5 of FIG. 2 is of an internal waveform of the capstan phase comparing circuit 26, is a phase reference signal of the capstan motor triggered by the falling edge of the output signal S4 of the tracking shifting circuit 29, is sampled by the rising edge of the reproducing control signal to be obtained from the control head 8, namely, by the rising edge of the S6 signal of FIG. 2, is fed into the capstan driving circuit 28 with the phase error signal (not shown) of the held cylinder motor 2 being mixed by the second adder 27 with the speed error signal to be obtained from the capstan speed comparing circuit 25'. The capstan motor 2 is rotated in the phase synchronous relation with the output signal of the tracking shifting circuit 29 of the S4 of FIG. 2 with the reference signal of the S1 of FIG. 2 being shifted in phase. The capstan motor 2 is rotated in the phase synchronous relation with the output signal of the tracking shifting circuit 29 with the reference signal S1 of FIG. 2 being shifted in phase. At the normal reproducing time of the VTR, the rotation head (not shown) mounted on the cylinder motor 1 and the reproduction control signal (FIG. 2, S6) are put into the phase synchronous relation, so that the rotation head is adapted to optimally follow the track recorded on the magnetic tape 7.
The rotation of the capstan motor 2 is transferred into the center pulley 9 through the belt 10, is transferred into the winding side reel gear 13 at the normal reproducing time by an idler 11 to clockwise rotate the winding side reel 6 for winding up the magnetic tape 7, retaining the proper tension. At the time of the reverse reproduction of the review reproduction, the idler 11 falls onto the left-hand side to counterclockwise rotate the supply side reel 5, and winds up the tape with the tension of the magnetic tape 7 being retained so that the magnetic head (not shown) may properly trace the track recorded on the magnetic tape 7.
In order to forward wind the magnetic tape 7 at high speeds (hereinafter referred to as FF mode) or to rewind (hereinafter referred to as REW mode) it, the pinch roller 4 of FIG. 1 is isolated from the capstan 3 and winds the magnetic tape 7 with the constant speed rotation of the capstan motor 2 at high speeds. In this case, the capstan phase comparing circuit 26 is made ineffective, the capstan motor 2 is controlled in speed with the capstan speed comparing circuit 25' only.
The block diagram showing the inner construction of the capstan speed comparing circuit 25' in the conventional VTR of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, it is composed of a first counter 31 for counting the clock pulses (which are represented as CLK in FIG. 3), a first register 30 for fetching the digital outputs, a first timing generator 34 for outputting the various types of timing pulses in synchronous relation with the above described clock pulses in accordance with the rotation detecting signal (which is represented as CAFG in FIG. 3) which changes in period in accordance with the rotation speed of the capstan motor 2, an AND gate circuit 35 for masking the above described clock pulses, and a first data register 33 for feeding the digital initial value with respect to the first counter 31.
The operation of the capstan speed comparing circuit 25' constructed hereinabove will be simply described with reference to block diagram of FIG. 3 and the timing chart of the major essential portions shown in FIG. 4. The reference character A of FIG. 4 is a clock pulse to be inputted from the terminal 50 of FIG. 3, is a basic unit of a clock signal of the first counter 31, namely, the reference speed, is also a synchronizing signal of the above described various types of timing pulses. The reference character B of FIG. 4 is a rotation detecting signal to be inputted from the terminal 51 of FIG. 3, is inputted into the first timing generator 34 so as to compose the clock gate pulses C of FIG. 4, the latch pulses D of FIG. 4, and the preset pulses of E of FIG. 4. The digital initial value accommodated in the first data register 33 is preset in the first counter 31 with the preset pulse E. Immediately after it, the clock pulse A cut off in the AND gate circuit 35 by the clock gate pulse C is fed into the first counter 31. The first counter 31 starts its counting operation. The analog data F shows the counting operation so as to fetch the digital values of the first counter 31 into the first register 30 by the latch pulse D to be generated by the arriving of the next rotation detecting signal B. The clock gate pulse C is adapted to stop the digital operation of the first counter 31 to retain the stable operation when the digital initial value is preset in the first counter 31 and when the digital value of the first counter 31 is fetched into the first register 30. The data F fetched into the first register 30 are converted from the digital into analog, and are outputted. In order to make the operation point in the steady condition constant, the digital initial value (which is assumed to be NPO) to be accommodated in the first data register 33 so that the digital value to be fetched into the first register 30 may become a given value (which is assumed to be NF) when the capstan motor 2 is rotating at a set speed. Assume that the reference period of the rotation detecting signal B of the capstan motor 2 is To and the frequency of the clock pulse A is fck, and the digital initial value NPO is obtained in the follow formula. EQU NP0=NF-fck-To (1)
In order to switch the set of the rotating member, the digital initial value NPO accommodated in the first data register 33 is changed or the rotation detecting signal B to be inputted into the timing generator 34 is divided in frequency to effect the inputting operation.
The problem in the above described construction is that the tape speed is changed in accordance with the tape winding diameter of the reel as the capstan motor 2 is controlled at speed in the capstan speed comparing circuit 25' only in the FF/REW mode for winding and rewinding the magnetic tape at high speeds. As the rotation speed of the capstan motor 2 is constant, the rotation speed of the winding side reel 6 in, for example, FF mode becomes constant. The more the tape is wound, the bigger the winding diameter becomes. The peripheral speed, namely, the tape speed increases, so that the speed of the tape trailing end become maximum. In order to prevent tape damage at the stop time of the tape trailing end, a certain limit value is provided in the maximum speed. It cannot be set in the tape speed beyond it, namely, the capstan speed. Therefore, there is a problem in that the FF/REW time cannot be shortened.
The image reproducing operation at the high speed time will be described hereinafter.
In order to effect the high speed running operation with the tape being fully loaded on the rotation cylinder in the conventional video tape recorder, the vertical and horizontal frequencies of the reproducing signal change by the running speed of the magnetic tape and the rotation speed of the cylinder. Therefore, up to a certain tape speed, the reproducing signal may be imaged on the picture face with the synchronizing signal being separated in the processing portion of the reproducing signal. Once it is beyond a certain speed, the synchronous separation cannot be effected. The vertical or horizontal flowing is caused on the picture face, so that normal images cannot be seen. Namely, in the conventional video tape recorder as shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal frequency of the reproducing signal changes when the rotary cylinder is rotated at almost the same speed as the normal reproducing operation at the high speed running operation of the magnetic tape 7. When the speed correction is effected so that the relative speed of the rotary cylinder 1 and the magnetic tape 7 may become the given frequency in the horizontal frequency as in the special reproducing operation at this time, the vertical frequency changes. If the reproducing signal is imaged as it is on the television image receiving machine, the vertical or the horizontal flowing is caused on the image, with a problem arising in that the reproducing operation cannot be effected on the normal picture face.
In the conventional video recorder, discriminating operation is effected as to which head output from each head output is larger in the fast forwarding reproduction and rewinding reproduction so as to switch the head. As the speed of the tape becomes faster, the head switching signal is generated from the head output. The optimum head output cannot be obtained due to the time delay required to actually switch the head.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction from the head output of the conventional video tape recorder to the head switching operation. In the drawing, a rotary head L'101, a rotary head R'102, a rotary head L103, and a rotary head R104 are mounted in the symmetrical positions of the rotary, cylinder 105. The rotary head L'101 and the rotary head L103 are adjacent each other, and the R'102 and the head R104 are adjacent each other. The rotary head L'101 is connected with a head amplifier L'106. The rotary head R'102 is connected with a head amplifier R'107. The rotary head L103 is connected with a head amplifier L108. The rotary head R104 is connected with a head amplifier R109. A head amplifier L'106 and a head amplifier R'107 are connected with a head SW circuit 110. The head amplifier L108 and the head amplifier R109 are connected with a head SW circuit 111. The head SW circuits 110, 111 are connected with a head amplifier SW circuit 113 and an envelope comparing circuit 112, the output signals from the head SW circuits 110, 111 are switched in the head amplifier SW circuit 113 so as to output the amplified signals into a reproduction signal processing circuit 114.
In the waveform forming apparatus of a video tape recorder constructed hereinabove, the output signals from the head amplifier L'116 and the head amplifier R'117 are switched by a head SW circuit 110 in the reference reproducing mode so as to output them into the head amplifier SW circuit 113. The head amplifier SW circuit 113 amplifies the output signal from the head SW circuit 110 so as to output it into the reproducing signal processing circuit 114. In the long hour reproduction mode, the output signals from the head amplifier 108 and the head amplifier 109 are switched by the head SW circuit 111 and are outputted into the head amplifier SW circuit 113. The head amplifier SW 113 circuit amplifies the output signal from the head SW circuit 111, which is outputted into the reproduction signal processing circuit 114.
As the rotary head R'102 and the rotary head R104, and the rotary head L'101 and the rotary head L103 are mounted in adjacent relation, the signals from the head amplifier R'107 are outputted from the head SW circuit 110 when the rotary head R'102 and the rotary head R104 trace the magnetic tape, and the signal from the head amplifier R109 is outputted from the head SW circuit 111. The signals from the head amplifier L'106 are outputted from the head SW circuit 110 when the head L'101 and the head L103 trace the magnetic tape, the signals from the head amplifier L108 are outputted from the head SW circuit 111. In the special reproduction, the output signals from the head SW circuits 110, 111 are compared with by an envelop comparing circuit 112 so as to discriminate which head output is larger so as to feed the head output switching signal into the head amplifier SW circuit 113. In the head amplifier SW circuit 113, the signals from the head SW circuits 110, 111 are switched in accordance with the head output switching signal so as to feed them into the reproduction signal processing circuit 114 after the amplification thereof.
In such a conventional video tape recorder, the number of track crossings by the head into one vertically scanning operation increases when the magnetic tape has been caused to effect the high speed running operation, and the increase or decrease of the output from the head becomes intense. The frequency of the head output switching signal from the envelope comparing circuit becomes higher. Thus, the optimum head output cannot be obtained due to the time delay from the comparison of the respective head output amplitude to the actual head switching operation.

Capstan controlling apparatus including capstan, supply side reel and winding side reel rotation detectors

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Disclosed are systems and methods for generating search result data based on machine-encoded text generated by computer vision optical character recognition machine learning techniques performed on digital media. The disclosed systems and methods provide a novel framework for performing machine learning visual search or machine learning text extraction techniques on digital media in order to extract and analyze the data therein and further conduct search queries based on the extracted and analyzed data. The disclosed framework may leverage the aforementioned computer vision machine learning techniques in order to provide a user with relevant search results regarding objects and text detect in digital media captured on a user device.

The Internet is a valuable resource for providing users with information. User-initiated online search accounts for millions of daily queries and traffic for search engine providers. In particular, users leverage search engines to find information and make decisions among various online entities, such as websites, online merchants, online companies, or online services. In addition, many search engines are evolving into a type of informational utility that helps consumers make important decisions in their offline lives, as well, by providing services that help them manage more of their day-to-day offline activities and needs.
Online searching is a common way for users to locate information, goods, or services on the Internet. A user may use an online search engine to type in one or more keywords (also referred to as a search term or search query) to search for pages or web sites with information related to the keyword(s). A search engine may allow users to search for web pages or other materials accessible over the Internet with one or more search terms. After receiving a search request including one or more search terms identified by a user, a search engine may parse the search term(s) from the search request, identify web pages that may be related to the search term(s), and display on a result page information about the web pages as a list of search results, e.g., a link to a web page containing the search term(s). The search results may be ranked according to their relevance to the search terms, with the most relevant search result being positioned at the top of the list. The relevance may be determined according to search engine algorithms of a search engine service provider.
However, as the proliferation of brand, product, and service specific applications becomes increasing more prevalent, users are interacting with new forms of media and initiating native search queries in ways historical search engine techniques cannot address. Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a system and method directed to new techniques for performing native application search queries.

Systems and methods for generating search results based on optical character recognition techniques and machine-encoded text


Apparatuses and methods for managing a process that include schedule management, quality, and process management features. Information is stored on an authorized person in charge and a conformity standard for the work to be managed. From this information, a managing method of the work to be managed from among a plurality of managing methods classified in advance is determined. Processes are determined for each management method, and a time limit determined by the authorized person in charge for each managed process. Adherence standards related to the managed processes are included, as well as records made of the process information including the performance quality of the managed process.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the invention relate to a management system of a process and a man-day, including schedule management, a quality control, and process management.
2. Description of the Related Art
As conventional technology, business management systems including schedule management and process control are disclosed as discussed below.
(1) Provisional Publication No. Hei 4-363758 economizes a bank loan receptionist business, and is related to an on-line loan operating registration system which uses an application registration processing part, a reference processing part, a loan request-for-managerial-decision creation part, a request-for-decision registration processing part, and a list creation processing part as a composition element for the purpose of reducing errors.(2) Provisional Publication No. Hei 5-101080 facilitates adjustment work normally performed by an operator, and is configured so that an electronic check is issued based on a progress of work. The system transmits an electronic check according to the time set as the schedule for the purpose of improvement in operating efficiency.(3) Provisional Publication No. Hei 6-4838 is related to a database management system, which forbids accessing inaccurate data.(4) Provisional Publication No. Hei 6-35767 is related to a system which accelerates the reference and processing to a database by changing an inquiry into an inquiry to a composition table, by the definition of a VIEW table, when the table, which a user requests, is the VIEW table.(5) In Provisional Publication No. Hei 8-101785, a document data registration means registers document managed data with the created document data, a document data audit means performs a seal of approval based on the audit person and its audit route of the request determined with document managed data, a management number grant means, a document data distribution means, and a receipt managed data addition means are related to the document management system carried out as composition about a document and a data management system.(6) Provisional Publication No. Hei 8-137852 displays a share window, displays an icon, and displays an individual window etc., about the system, which manages common writing of a document, on the screen of a workstation. In this system, two or more files, which store a common writing document, are stored in the file server, and this file is managed also as an individual document at the same time it is managed as a share document. By using a schedule table, an editor transmits a writing schedule to each writer, and it is used with a document management system, which manages adjustment of a schedule, and progress among common writers.
In Provisional Publication No. Hei 8-101785, a composition element is used as a document data audit means to perform a seal of approval based on an audit person and its audit route of the request is determined with document managed data. However, this process is greatly different than in the present invention. In the present invention, apparatuses and methods include a time for delivery, especially in connection with quality. Moreover, conventionally, the present condition is that paper management of standard-lives system management of ISO, execution record, and the quality record is carried out, and a synthetic business management system corresponding to [it is paperless and] ISO like this invention does not exist until now. Moreover, the conventional man-hour control system has been carried out by displaying the accumulation table of a staff, operation days, and the amount of business in the time series. And the total table and the display figures were created individually, and it is so limited. For example, in a precedence patent application, the following invention is disclosed about the man-hour control system of the conventional technology.
(1) The basic pattern and work list data with which Provisional Publication No. Sho 63-97443 "process control equipment" was stored in the memory part—being based—a plan, an actual result, and the progress situation of a process—as the network of 1—terminal equipment and printing, and illustrating—it is related with equipment at the process control equipment which indicates by the output. However, the man-hour control of this design is not carried out using an in-house intranet.
(2) Utility Patent Provisional Publication No. Sho 63-9051 relates to construction schedule plan equipment, which has the information registration part of the work which constitutes construction, and an actual result registration part, a resources total part and a work schedule change part. However, this design does not perform man-hour control using an in-house intranet, either.
(3) Provisional Publication No. Hei4-176546, relates to "a progress management system" characterized by outputting an alarm, when the production output actual result is less than the amount of target outputs. However, this design does not perform man-hour control using an in-house intranet, either.
(4) In Provisional Publication No. Hei5-12300, the actual result display method in "semiconductor equipment manufacture" includes an actual result report step for each piece of equipment in the manufacture line of semiconductor equipment, the step which carries out data processing, and the step which displays the degree of target achievement in diagram. However, this design does not perform man-hour control using an in-house intranet, either.
(5) In Provisional Publication No. Hei6-176047, the production control method and its equipment starts production control until it results [from an order received] in the completion of work, and is related with the production control method for grasping the load situation of each process, and equipment. However, this design does not perform man-hour control using an in-house intranet, either.
(6) Provisional Publication No. Hei 6-309327 includes a display method of the required man day in the operating remaining period and indicates by graph the required man day in the remaining period of business. This substitutes for a predetermined formula the actual result man day which is the work load actually spent by the time of there being business, and the rate of progress of the business of the time concerned, and indicates the required man day of the remaining period by calculation. However, this design does not perform man-hour control using an in-house intranet, either.
(7) Provisional Publication No. Hei 7-105275, discloses a capability distribution setting system which offers the interactive information system that attains the increase in efficiency of the business at the time of distributing equipment and a man to the production classification classified by the group, and the capability to perform capability distribution for every production classification is related with a strange report setting system, allowing reference excess and deficiency with a fiducial point for the fiducial point of capability, such as a man day and the number. However, this design does not perform man-hour control using in-house intranet, either.
(8) Provisional Publication No. Hei 9-248736 relates to a production planned planning equipment realizes highly precise scheduling in which the time necessary for completion/man day of an actual result base were made to reflect, and is related with the production planned planning equipment of which a foldout is easily made possible to a special case-situation at a schedule. However, this design does not perform man-hour control using in-house intranet, either.
Each above-mentioned inventions n are greatly different than the present invention. An in-house intranet is used in this invention, providing for managing a man-day using a paperless system. A man-hour control system like this invention does not exist until now.

System for managing process and man-hour


Provided is a method of analyzing a dental image for a correction diagnosis and an apparatus using the same. The method includes the steps of obtaining a dental image of an examinee and detecting at least some of a plurality of landmarks for a correction diagnosis in the dental image using a landmark detection module, wherein the landmark is an anatomical reference point indicative of a relative position of at least one of a facial skeleton, a tooth and a face contour necessary for t correction diagnosis, and the landmark detection module may include a machine learning module based on an artificial neural network.

Generally, occlusion means the state in which the teeth of the upper and lower jaws are engaged when a mouth is shut. Furthermore, malocclusion means an inaccurate occlusal relation in which the array of teeth is not uniform due to some reason or means a functional and esthetic problem caused by an engagement state of the upper and lower jaws which deviates from a normal position.
In this case, it has been known that malocclusion is greatly caused by a genetic influence, but may also occur due to various causes, such as a problem in the shape or size of teeth, environmental influence, poor habits, erroneous posture, and a congenital disorder such as dental caries.
When malocclusion occurs, food residues often remain between teeth because the set of the teeth is not uniform. Furthermore, since hygiene management using accurate toothbrushing is not easy, dental plaque within an oral cavity increases and may proceed to cause dental caries or a gum disease such as gum infection. Moreover, if there is a tooth which greatly deviates from a normal set of teeth or if the position of a jaw is abnormal, there is a good possibility that the tooth may be damaged, such as odontoclasis, when an external shock is applied.
Accordingly, correction treatment is performed to treat malocclusion. In this case, orthodontic treatment uses a property of a tooth which moves when an external force is applied to the tooth. Correction treatment may be performed using various devices and methods depending on a cause or treatment time. For example, the devices may be classified into devices for suppressing or enhancing the development of upper and lower jawbones or devices for slowly moving a tooth to a desired position.
In order to properly perform such correction treatment on a patient, a determination of the patient's face shape must be first made. For such a face shape determination (i.e., correction diagnosis), a cephalometric analysis method shown in FIG. 1 is chiefly used.
Cephalometric analysis is a method for determining a face shape for correction treatment using anatomical reference points indicative of relative positions, such as a facial skeleton, tooth or face contour. In a conventional technology, an orthotic doctor directly marks necessary reference points manually while viewing the cephalogram of a patient that requires correction treatment and determines a face shape of the patient based on relative angles of straight lines to connect the reference points.
However, such a conventional method is a method of an orthotic doctor to subjectively mark the necessary reference points based on his or her own academic experience. Consequently, the method has problems in that the standardization and sharing of reference points are difficult because reference points used for a face shape determination are different for each orthotic doctor, a lot of time is consumed because an orthotic doctor must manually mark multiple reference points one by one, and there is a deviation in accuracy depending on a skill level of the orthotic doctor.
Therefore, there is a need for a method of analyzing a dental image for correction diagnosis, which can solve the conventional problems.

Method of analyzing dental image for correction diagnosis and apparatus using the same


A clock control circuit is provided. The clock control circuit includes a voltage supplier for supplying a first voltage in response to a first clock signal, a voltage booster for boosting the first voltage in response to the first clock signal input to the voltage booster, and a clock generator for generating a second clock signal having a voltage level equal to the boosted first voltage in response to the first clock signal.

The present disclosure relates to a clock control circuit and a voltage pumping device using the same, and more particularly to a clock control circuit and a voltage pumping device using the same which are capable of achieving an enhancement in pumping efficiency.
Generally, a DRAM is a random access memory capable of writing or reading data to/from memory cells each consisting of one transistor and one capacitor. Since such a DRAM uses an NMOS transistor for the transistor of each memory cell, it also includes a voltage pumping device for driving word lines, taking into consideration a voltage loss caused by a threshold voltage Vt, in order to generate a voltage higher than a sum of an external supply voltage Vdd and the threshold voltage Vt (Vdd+Vt).
That is, in order to turn on the NMOS transistor mainly used for each DRAM memory cell, it is necessary to apply, to the gate of the NMOS transistor, a voltage higher than a source voltage by the threshold voltage Vt. In detail, since the maximum voltage applicable to the DRAM is limited to the level of the external supply voltage Vdd, a voltage boosted to a level corresponding to "Vdd+Vt" or higher should be applied to the gate of the NMOS transistor, in order to enable a voltage of a full Vdd level to be read from a cell or a bit line or to be written on the cell or bit line.
Recently, much effort has been conducted in semiconductor device fields, in order to achieve various improvements for reduction of power consumption. In particular, various research has been conducted to reduce power consumption in a self-refresh mode of a DRAM semiconductor device. The current consumed for a self-refresh time to store data in a memory cell during a self-refresh operation is referred to as "self-refresh current". In order to reduce the self-refresh current, it is necessary to increase the self-refresh period. This may be achieved by increasing the time, for which the memory cell sustains data, namely, a data retention time. One method for increasing the data retention time is to increase the back-bias voltage applied to the transistor of each memory cell. In accordance with this method, the back-bias voltage VBB output from a voltage pumping device after being pumped is supplied to each cell transistor at an increased level in a self-refresh mode, as compared to those in other modes. Accordingly, the off leakage current of the cell transistor can be reduced, so that the data retention time can be increased.
As can be seen from the above description, a high voltage VPP is used to drive word lines of a DRAM, whereas the back-bias voltage VBB is applied to the transistor of each memory cell of the DRAM, in order to reduce self-refresh current. The high voltage VPP and back-bias voltage VBB are generated from a voltage pumping device which includes an oscillator and a voltage pump. The voltage pump of the voltage pumping device receives a clock generated from the oscillator, and pumps the high voltage VPP and back-bias voltage VBB, using a method for boosting a voltage at a floated node in accordance with a clock toggling effect and a capacitor coupling effect. In this case, a MOS transistor is used for a switch for floating the node.
In this case, however, a voltage loss corresponding to the threshold voltage is generated due to the characteristics of the MOS transistor, thereby causing a degradation in the efficiency of the voltage pump. Furthermore, the threshold voltage of the MOS transistor is gradually increased due to a body effect. For this reason, when the supply voltage is lowered, it is more difficult to overcome the voltage loss corresponding to the threshold voltage and to pump each of the high voltage VPP and back-bias voltage VBB to a desired level.

Clock control circuit and voltage pumping device using the same


In a vehicle door, a door panel is formed by joining an inner panel and an outer panel together, and the door panel is provided with a front door sash. The vehicle door includes a door front edge of the door panel, a sash front edge at a front end of the front door sash, and a step extending from the sash front edge to an upper end of the door front edge. In the step, an inner step portion of the inner panel and an outer step portion of the outer panel are joined together by hemming.

A known type of vehicle door includes a door panel composed of an inner panel and an outer panel. In such a vehicle door, a door sash extends upward from a midpoint of the upper edge of the door panel, and part (hereinafter referred to as a step) of the upper edge extends from the door sash to the front edge. The step is formed by joining an inner portion of the inner panel corresponding to the step and an outer portion of the outer panel corresponding to the step together.
Specifically, the outer portion is bent inward in the vehicle width direction, and the upper edge of the inner portion is aligned with the bent outer portion, and thereby joint margins are obtained. The step is formed by joining the joint margins together with an adhesive or by welding (e.g., MIG welding), with the upper edge of the inner portion being aligned with the outer portion (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 4196688).
The step, which is part of the upper edge, extends from the door sash to the front edge so that the door sash is located rearward of the front edge of the door panel in the vehicle body. In this manner, a wide space for a quarter window is obtained in front of the door sash in the vehicle body.


An electric motor of the type used to power submersible pumps is disclosed. An interior cavity of the motor is filled with one or more liquids for cooling and/or lubricating the motor interior. A system for circulating the fill liquid within the motor cavity comprising a rotatable cup spacer attached to the motor shaft and liquid passageways is described.

The present invention relates generally to submersible electrical motors used in liquid pumping applications. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements designed to both reduce the build-up of heat within a submersible electric motor while it is in operation, and to provide lubrication to the motor's moving parts.
Because they are adapted to fit within a narrow well bore, submersible electric motors which are used to power pumps for removing water and other liquids from underground wells normally have a relatively long length and small, cross-sectional diameter. The main body of such motors is typically formed from a tubular metal shell or casing. A rotatable drive shaft is mounted along the motor's central vertical axis; a coupling end of the drive shaft extends from the top of the motor assembly to provide motive power to a centrifugal pump mounted directly above the motor. In its operative environment, the composite pump and motor assembly lies beneath the surface of the liquid in a well. A motor of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,194.
The motor of the present invention is of the pre-filled type, i.e., a motor where a sealed cavity in the interior of the motor containing the stator and rotor is filed with a liquid or fill solution such as mineral oil. When electric power is supplied to the stator windings of an electric motor, flow of current through the stator windings and rotor will generate heat. In combination with the motor casing, this liquid fill solution functions as a heat transfer medium to prevent excessive heat build-up within the motor interior while electrical power is applied to the motor. The liquid can also function as a lubricant for the bearing assemblies used to mount the drive shaft of the electric motor. Because both heat and friction can shorten the life of a motor, movement of the liquid fill solution within the motor cavity is desirable to aid in heat dissipation and motor lubrication.
The radial side load on the bearing adjacent to the coupling end of the motor drive shaft is generally higher than the radial load experienced by the lower end bearing. Therefore, the supply of sufficient lubricating fluid fill solution to the coupling end, i.e., the top end bearing of a submersible motor of the pre-filled type, is very critical.
As the interior of an electric motor heats up during operation, thermal expansion of the liquid fill in the oil-filled motor can occur. Some fill solution can leak out of the motor casing into the well fluid, typically around the motor's top seals where the spine or coupling end of the motor shaft extends from the top of the motor casing for connection with a pump. This leakage can eventually result in the loss of liquid fill in the upper regions of the motor, particularly in the area around the bearing assembly adjacent the upper portion of the motor drive shaft. The consequent loss of lubrication in this area may result in motor failure.
Accordingly, there is a need for a useful means to provide enhanced lubrication to the top end bearing in the types of submersible motors disclosed herein.

Self-lubricating submersible electric motor


An image forming apparatus for reproducing an original image with sufficient color reproducibility, including an image input unit for reading the original color image on an image input medium to input an color image data of the original image therethrough, an image recording unit for recording the color image on the image output medium on the basis of the color image data, a memory for storing plural groups of combination data of colors to be recorded by the image recording means and control signals for controlling the image recording means to record the colors, the plural groups of combination data being different from one another, a selecting unit for suitably selecting one of the plural groups of combination data in accordance with at least one of a kind of the image input medium and a color distribution of the original color image on the image input medium, and a color-correcting unit for obtaining a suitable control signal for the color image data of the original color image from the selected one of the plural groups to perform a color-compression processing for the color image data of the original color image.

This invention relates to a color image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a color image forming apparatus having a color-correcting processing.
There has been known an image forming apparatus in which an original color image on an image input medium such as a color photographic film, a television, a copy sheet or the like is read out by image reader to obtain an original image data. The original image data is separated into three color components (red, green and blue image data) for every picture element, and the original image is reproduced on the basis of the separated color image data. In such an apparatus, inconsistency in color (color error or color difference) between the original image and the reproduced image frequently occurs when a color-reproducible range (gamut) of the image input medium is inconsistent with that of an image output medium such as a copying sheet, a color television or the like. That is, a color located within the color-reproducible range (gamut) of the image input medium is not completely reproduced, and in other words, the color is reproduced with insufficient color-reproducibility when the color of the image input medium is out of the color-reproducible range (gamut) of the image output medium. Here, each of the image input media and the image output media is defined as a medium on which a visible image is formed or supported. The medium is referred to as "image input medium" when the medium is used as an original from which an original image is read by the image reading unit, while the medium is referred to as "image output medium" when the medium is referred to as "image output medium" when the medium is used as a recording medium to which the original image is recorded or reproduced. When the recording medium having an image thereon is used as an original, the recording medium is referred to as "image input medium". Therefore, various techniques (color-correcting techniques) for correcting an input color image data have been utilized to correct such a color-inconsistency (decrease such a color error) and improve the color-reproducibility of the original image.
One of the known color-correcting techniques is a color compression technique (a data-compression transform technique). In the data-compression transform technique, a color representation by an arbitrary color information signal is compressed in an achromatic (neutral) color direction under an invariable compression rule to obtain a color which can be recorded or reproduced on an image output medium such as a copy sheet, a television, a coated or non-coated sheet or the like by a recording means, and then a control signal for driving the recording means to record or reproduce the color-compressed color which has been previously produced as compressed data. Thereafter, data on plural combinations of the color information signals and the corresponding control signals thus obtained have been previously stored in a memory. In this state, a control signal for any color information signal of an original image input by an input means is produced using interpolative method or the like on the basis of the data stored in the memory in a color recording process, and then a color recording operation is carried out using cyan, magenta, yellow inks or toners by the recording means in accordance with the obtained control signal.
Here, the achromatic color is defined as a color having a lightness, but no hue and chromaticness (saturation). White, gray and black colors belong to the achromatic color, and are decreased in lightness in this order. In the following description, a color axis on which achromatic colors having various lightnesses (white, gray and black) are located is referred to as "achromatic color axis". Further, the achromatic color direction is defined as a direction in which any color is directed to an achromatic color on the achromatic axis in a color space. As described below, the color-compression process is a data-correcting process for shifting (color-compressing) a color within the color-reproducible range (gamut) of an image input medium to a color within the color-reproducible range (gamut) of an image output medium in the color space.
FIG. 1 shows color-reproducible ranges of various general image input and output media such as a photographic color film, an ink jet, a color print and so on in a chromaticity diagram of CIE-XYZ (CIE 1931 standard) colorimetric system. The color-reproducible ranges of the image input and output medium are defined as areas outlined by a solid line, a dotted line and so on in the chromaticity diagram as shown in FIG. 1. In the chromaticity diagram, an achromatic color is represented by a point C (x=0.33, y=0.33), and is located on the achromatic color axis. The achromatic color axis extends in a direction vertical to the X-Y plane of the chromaticity diagram, and has both ends representing white and black color. The achromatic color on the achromatic color axis is shifted up to the white color as a lightness thereof is increased, and down to the black color as the lightness is decreased.
As is apparent from FIG. 1, the color-reproducible ranges of the image input and output medium are different in accordance with kinds of the image input and output medium. Accordingly, in order to record or reproduce an original image whose color is within a color-reproducible range of the image input medium, but is out of a color-reproducible range (gamut) of the image output medium, it is necessary to correct a color image data of the original image such that the color of the original image is shifted to a suitable color within the color-reproducible range (gamut) of the image output medium in the chromaticity diagram (color space). In general, the original image data is corrected such that the color of the original image is shifted toward a point on the achromatic color axis and is located at a point within a color-reproducibility of the image output medium. This color-correcting process is hereinafter referred to as "an color-compression process in an achromatic color direction". In the conventional image forming apparatus adopting the above color-compression process, an color-correcting data with which an input image data is color-corrected, is beforehand determined to an invariable data (invariable data on combinations of the color information signals and the control signals) by the predetermined invariable compression rule, and is previously stored in a memory of the apparatus.
Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus adopting the color-compression process, there frequently occurs that the data-compression process (color-correcting process) can not be sufficiently performed for some kinds of the image inputting systems because the invariable data is determined using a particular image input or output medium, and the reproduced color is inconsistent in hue or lightness with the original color when the original color is out of the color-reproducibility range (gamut) of the image output medium (that is, the color-reproduciblity range (gamut) of the image input medium is inconsistent with that of the image output medium).
Further, in general, an original color image has an inherent ratio of recordable color region and a unrecordable color region by the recording means (an inherent ratio of colors which can be recorded by the recording means and other colors which can not be recorded by the recording means), and an inherent degree of unrecordable color for every original color image. That is, each of the original color images has an inherent color distribution and thus a different color distribution from each other. The conventional compression technique as described above subjects all of the original images to the predetermined invariable compression process utilizing the invariable color-correcting data irrespective of the difference of the color distribution of the original color images, and thus causes some original images to be reproduced with insufficient contrast due to an excessive color-compression or to be reproduced with saturation colors due to insufficient color-compression, with the result that a sufficient color reproducibility is not obtained.

Color image forming apparatus having a color-correcting unit


A uniform clamp actuated shift infinitely variable transmission system is provided that includes a drive clutch and a driven clutch. Both the drive clutch and the driven clutch include torque sensitive assemblies. In particular, the drive clutch includes a drive torque sensitive assembly that is in operational communication with a movable drive sheave member of the drive clutch. The drive torque sensitive assembly is configured to move the movable drive sheave member in relation to a fixed drive sheave member based at least on torque applied to the drive torque sensitive assembly. The driven clutch includes a driven torque sensitive assembly that is in operational communication with a movable driven sheave member of the driven clutch. The driven torque sensitive assembly is configured to move the movable driven sheave member in relation to a fixed driven sheave member based at least on torque applied to the driven torque sensitive assembly.

Continuously variable transmission (CVT) or infinitely variable transmission (IVT) systems for off road utility vehicles, on road vehicles, golf carts, snowmobiles, industrial implements, energy conversion/storage devices, etc., comprises a drive clutch (sheave) and a driven clutch (sheave) in which torque is communicated between the two by a flexible, endless loop member such as a belt. In a typical system, the drive clutch employs the use of an RPM sensitive (centrifugal) drive clutch that is operational communication with an engine and a torque sensitive driven clutch that is in operational communication with a transmission. These systems are typically balanced such that the belt clamp forces produced by the RPM sensitive elements in the drive clutch resist the belt clamp forces produced by the torque sensitive elements in the driven clutch.

Uniform clamp actuated shift infinitely variable transmission system


The new and improved mouth guard of the invention comprises a flexible mouth guard having a channel for one's teeth and an integral flexible bubble that protrudes from the upper or lower front teeth. The bubble is positioned around and under the upper two to four front teeth or around and above the lower two to four front teeth. The flexible bubble preferably of flexible polymer or plastic material prevents the upper and lower posterior teeth from engaging thereby preventing the clenching and grinding of bruxism. The multiple bubbles absorb shock and assists in preventing trauma and dental issues.

This invention is intended to alleviate and possibly eliminate the problems associated with teeth clenching, grinding and TMJ as discussed in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 9,681,978. Bruxism is excessive grinding of the teeth and/or excessive clenching of the jaw and is recognized as a serious problem which can lead to even more serious health issues. It is also important to provide a mouth guard to protect teeth from injury in sports where clenching is common and shocks often occur. Having a soft flexible, elastic customized mouth guard with an integral bubble encourages use of the device and prevents damage to the teeth.

Mouth guard to prevent teeth grinding, jaw clenching and TMJ


An inspection device having a reading portion for reading an image on a sheet having an image formed thereon, a storage portion for storing therein image data read by the reading portion, and a selecting portion for selecting one of a first mode for storing the image data read by the reading portion in the storage portion, and a second mode for judging whether the image data read by the reading portion is similar to the image data stored in the storage portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an inspection device for inspecting a sheet outputted by an image forming apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
As an image forming apparatus which, when image disturbance is caused by the state of the interior of the image forming apparatus, does not continuedly print a faulty image, but can warn and at the same time, can stop a printing operation and can rapidly cope with the difficulty, there is known an apparatus proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-318888. In this apparatus, the presence or absence of image disturbance on a sheet has been judged by comparing the image signal of an image formed on a photosensitive member and an image signal obtained by reading an image on a sheet after fixing with each other by a comparing circuit.
In this conventional method, however, the image signal of the image formed on the photosensitive member is the object of comparison and therefore, when it is compared with an image signal obtained after the intervention of a photosensitive member, a fixing portion and a solid state image sensor, there has been the possibility that even a normal sheet which is originally free of image disturbance is recognized as a faulty sheet.
Also, comparison has been made by transmitting the image signal of the image formed on the photosensitive member to the comparing circuit, reading the image on the sheet outputted from the image forming apparatus by the solid state image sensor, and transmitting the image signal of the image read by the solid state image sensor to the comparing circuit and therefore, communication of a great deal of image data has been effected. This also has led to the problem that a great load is applied to communication means.

Inspection device and image forming apparatus


A method of recovering heat from bottom ash that is discharged from a combustion process in a furnace. Fuel and combustion air are fed into a furnace for combusting the fuel in order to generate heat energy to produce at least one of steam and hot water in a boiler arrangement, in which flue gases and bottom ash are generated. The bottom ash is discharged from the furnace. Heat is recovered from the flue gases. Heat is also recovered to a bottom ash cooling circuit from the bottom ash discharged from the furnace in order to utilize the recovered heat for preheating the combustion air in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is arranged in a combustion air heating circuit. Heat is exchanged from the bottom ash cooling circuit to the combustion air heating circuit.

An ordinary boiler arrangement of the prior art is comprised of a furnace to which fuel, bed material, and combustion air are introduced. When combusting the fuel, heat is generated and both bottom ash and flue gases are formed. The flue gases are taken to a separator that separates solid particles from the gases, and with the solid particles being returned back to the furnace. Both the furnace and the separator are provided with heat exchange surfaces comprising water or steam tubes to collect heat from the flue gases and the solids moving in the boiler. The flue gases are taken from the separator to further heat recovery devices, such as superheaters or reheaters, where the heat still available in the flue gases is used to further heat the steam. The heat is transferred into use, such as, for instance, for generating electricity by means of steam turbines and generators, in the form of high temperature steam. After the superheaters and reheaters, the flue gases flow through an economizer that, again, collects heat from the flue gases to boiler feed water, i.e., water or condensate that is returning to the boiler from the use, for instance, from the turbines. The most often final step of collecting heat from the flue gases takes place in the combustion air preheater, where the flue gas heat is used to heat the air that is used as combustion air in the furnace. The preheater is normally a rotary or tubular preheater. The combustion air preheater is followed in the flue gas path by an electrostatic filter/precipitator that separates any solid particles left in the flue gases before the flue gases are vented to the atmosphere by means of a flue gas fan via a stack.
The boiler feed water entering the economizer originates, typically, as already mentioned above, from the use in steam turbines and a condensor downstream of the steam turbines. The condensate is first heated by steam extracted from the steam turbines by means of one or more low-pressure preheaters until the condensate is introduced into the feed water tank, which is used to deaerate the water, and sometimes, to heat the water further, before pumping it towards the economizer. The feed water pumped from the feed water tank by means of a pump may further be heated by means of a high pressure preheater before entering the economizer.
The bottom of the furnace is provided with a grid for introducing combustion or suspending or fluidizing gas, called primary or combustion air, into the furnace, and for removing ash and other debris from the furnace. The common name for the material discharged from the boiler furnace through the grid is bottom ash. It contains non-burning material, clinker, unburnt fuel particles, etc. Normally, the bottom ash is discharged in a water filled trough or to water- or air-cooled conveyors where it gets cooled. The cooled bottom ash is then taken out of the plant to be dumped, or sometimes used as construction material.
Thus, in conventional prior art boilers, the loss of heat energy in the discharge of the bottom ash forms a significant portion of boiler losses. This is even more so with certain high ash content fuels, i.e., when the estimated bottom ash content of the fuel is high or when there is a need to remove or to circulate coarse or otherwise inappropriate bed material from the furnace. The reason for the high loss of energy is that the bottom ash to be removed from the furnace is high in temperature, usually, about 700 to about 800° C. For example, if the bottom ash flow from the boiler is 10 kg/s at a temperature of 725° C., using the reference temperature of 25° C. and the heat capacity for ash of 1 kJ/kg, an energy loss of 7 MW while discharging bottom ash can be expected.
The prior art shows, however, a couple of systems in which some heat of the bottom ash is recovered. Published European Patent Application No. 0 471 055 B1 discloses a boiler arrangement in which the bottom ash is discharged from a grid area onto a moving, specifically-designed steel belt. The heat recovery is arranged such that cooling air is made to flow concurrent to the bottom ash flow and to the steel belt movement, so that the heated air finally enters the furnace.
Published International Patent Application No. WO 2007/134874 A1 discusses a boiler arrangement in which the steel belt bottom ash discharge of the above-referenced document is still used, as well as the countercurrent air flow. This publication, however, further teaches that, for cooling the bottom ash, water is sprayed on the bottom ash, so that the generated steam finally enters the furnace together with the heated air flow.
The heat recovery technology discussed in the above-mentioned patent documents, though teaching the possibility of recovering heat from the bottom ash discharge, is not that efficient. Especially, when a larger amount of bottom ash is discharged, it is clear that the countercurrent air flow is not able to cool the ash sufficiently. And, even if additional water spraying is used, there are two risks. The first is that the ash will not be cooled sufficiently, and secondly, if the ash is cooled sufficiently, there may be too much steam to be introduced into the furnace. Additionally, mostly due to the inefficiency of air acting as the heat transfer medium, the size of the devices functioning even in a satisfactory manner are very large, and expensive. And, further, to be able to cool the bottom ash sufficiently, a large amount of air is needed, the use of which as combustion air may interfere negatively with the combustion air system of the boiler.

Method of and an arrangement for recovering heat from bottom ash