The LCD sequentially includes, from bottom to top, a backlight module, a first polarizer, a first substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a second substrate, and a second polarizer. The second substrate includes multiple transparent areas thereon. The first substrate includes multiple light-focusing arrays. Each of the light-focusing arrays includes multiple high-refractive areas and low-refractive areas disposed between the high-refractive areas. The multiple high-refractive areas includes a first high-refractive area and multiple second high-refractive area disposed on two sides of the high-refractive areas symmetrically, wherein the widths of the second high-refractive areas are the same and smaller than the width of the first high-refractive area.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a liquid crystal display. More particularly, this invention relates to a high brightness liquid crystal display.
2. Description of Related Art
Optoelectronics technologies have recently progressed by leaps and bounds due to the coming of the digital era, which also has stimulated the market for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). LCD has many advantages, such as high display quality, small volume, light weight, low driving voltage and low power consumption. Hence, LCDs are widely used in small portable televisions, mobile telephones, notebook computers, desktop monitors, projector televisions and the like, and have gradually replaced the conventional cathode ray tube (CRT) displays as a mainstream display unit.
Because liquid crystal isn't luminescent itself, a backlight module is used as a light source so that an image on LCD can be displayed. The backlight type LCD comprises a front-end liquid crystal panel and a back-end backlight module.
Brightness of is one of important properties of LCD. Conventionally, the method for improving the brightness of the LCD is to increase aperture ratio or to use optical films, such as brightness enhance film, in the backlight module. However, if the aperture ratio is increased to improve the brightness of the LCD, difficulties of manufacturing process and costs are raised. If several optical films were used in the backlight module to improve the brightness, another problem would be generated. For example, light is absorbed by the optical films during light transmission, which results in decreased utilization of light and increased costs. Furthermore, damage of the optical films can be caused by performing reliability tests of these optical films, which results in increased costs. In addition, if these optical films are disposed improperly, a moire effect, which is an interference pattern, are easily generated, so defects in visual effect are likely to happen.
Thus, in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,105, it provides a method to solve these problems, which micro lens arrays having curved surfaces are formed on an upper glass substrate surface of a LCD cell. The curved surfaces of the micro lens arrays are used to improve the brightness of the LCD. However, it is not easy to manufacture micro-scale devices having curved surfaces. Moreover, due to the restriction of sizes and structures of the micro lens, increasing the curve degree of the curved surfaces of the micro lens cannot enhance the brightness of the LCD further.


An apparatus for celibrating rotary power assembly impulse tools comprises a variable rate simulated test joint in which a rotary shaft is braked by brake shoes in direct contact with the shaft under the control of a computer. The braking torque applied to the shaft by the brake shoes is gradually increased while the shaft is driven at free-running speed by the tool being calibrated, and the pulsed output of the impulse tool is monitored. The monitored pulsed output is initially erratic, but settles down to a regular stream of output pulses. The first pulse of that regular stream can be identified. The magnitude of the braking torque is then increased as a linear function of time with a predefined gradient representative of the torque rate of the joint being simulated, commencing with the identified first pulse. The apparatus is the first such apparatus to be able to provide thoroughly reliable and consistent torque calibration for impulse tools.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to calibration equipment for testing the accuracy and consistency of rotary power assembly tools for threaded fasteners, and in particular for impulse tools.
2. Background Art
Our earlier filed PCT patent application published as WO98/10260 discloses a simulated test joint for use with power assembly tools such as power screwdrivers, torque wrenches, pneumatic nut runners and hydraulic impulse tools. It discloses a variable rate test joint comprising a housing, a shaft mounted within the housing, means for coupling a tool to be tested to the shaft, a brake shoe assembly for contacting the shaft to apply a frictional torque to the shaft, and a computer for controlling the magnitude of the braking torque applied to the shaft as a function of time. By modelling the increase of braking torque on the shaft as a time-dependent function rather than an angle-dependent function the test joint of WO98/10260 proves itself suitable for the calibration of impulse tools as well as of constant torque tools such as torque wrenches.
The universally accepted sequence of phases in the calibration of any constant torque power tool is as follows:
Phase 1: Run the power tool so as to operate the test joint without any external load until the power tool reaches its normal free-running speed. This phase simulates the xe2x80x9crun-downxe2x80x9d of a threaded fastener, in which a nut, for example, is advanced along a screw thread towards engagement with an abutment surface of an article to be fastened. There is no resistance to rotary movement other than the inevitable but small friction losses which would occur during the xe2x80x9crun-downxe2x80x9d of the threaded fastener.
Phase 2: Apply a friction torque up to about 5% to 10% of the rated maximum torque for the tool. This simulates the fastener being driven to its xe2x80x9csnugxe2x80x9d condition in which all free play has been absorbed.
Phase 3: Increase the torque applied by the friction brake, following a prescribed torque/angle relationship which is a straight line characteristic according to ISO 5393. The gradient of the torque/angle relationship defines whether the simulated joint is hard or soft in accordance with ISO 5393 which defines four grades of torque rate graded A to D. This phase of progressive torque increase commences at the end of the above Phase 2.
Termination: Measurements stop when the tool and simulated joint stop rotating. This condition is unambiguously identifiable when the tool being tested has an automatic shut-off mechanism, but for manually controlled tools becomes a matter of judgement. If an operator judges the moment of xe2x80x9cstoppingxe2x80x9d too early, the results of a test will be very variable. If an operator judges the moment of xe2x80x9cstoppingxe2x80x9d too late, the simulated test joint will have locked solid and the tool will be reacting against a solid and immovable object, which is likely to record an unrealistically high torque.
The above criteria, although developed for constant torque tools such as torque wrenches or power screwdrivers, have also been applied without modification to impulse tools. For a constant torque tool the tool could if desired be held without the application of torque for a period between Phase 2 and Phase 3, or the torque ramp of Phase 3 could begin immediately after Phase 2 is complete, with the fastener driven to its xe2x80x9csnugxe2x80x9d condition. For an impulse tool of course the tool flywheel is already rotating at maximum speed when Phase 2 finishes, so immediate progression to Phase 3 is necessary. There are other more significant differences between the behaviour of constant torque tools and impulse tools, and this invention is based on the fact that impulse tools behave differently, so that modified criteria are necessary before the simulated test joint can provide a truly accurate calibration of the impulse tool.
In particular, this invention is based on the realization that for pulse tools the assessment of completion of Phase 2 and of Termination is subject to considerable uncertainty. When a pulse tool is run in free six (Phase 1), it will reach very high speeds. Five thousand rpm is not unknown. When running at such high speeds, some pulse tools will deliver one very large pulse or a series of very large pulses on encountering an initial and possibly very small torsional resistance. That initial torsional resistance may be due to initial and possibly uncharacteristic engagement between the brake shoes and the shaft or may even be due to a side loading on the impulse tool as it is held on the simulated joint, and unrelated to the braking torque applied to the rotary shaft. During this time, the speed of the pulse tool will reduce and it will tend not to deliver any more pulses until it encounters greater torsional resistance. In these circumstances, there is a period of very significant instability during the transition from free-running to normal pulsing of the pulse tool. Only when the proper pulsing mode is securely established will torque pulses be developed by the tool at regular intervals and of increasing magnitude, to react against an increasing braking torque applied to the shaft. No known means for identifying the completion of Phase 2 in the above test sequence is able to compensate for the period of instability during the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2. It is an object of the invention to overcome the above problems and to provide calibration apparatus for calibrating pulse tools which overcomes the above problems. It is a further object of the invention to provide such calibration apparatus that is capable of calibrating both pulse tools and constant torque assembly tools with equal accuracy.
The Invention
The invention provides an apparatus for calibrating rotary power assembly impulse tools, comprising a variable rate simulated test joint in which a rotary shaft is braked by brake shoes in direct contact with the shaft under the control of a computer; means for gradually increasing the braking torque applied to the shaft by the brake shoes while the shaft is driven at free-running speed by the tool being calibrated; means for monitoring the pulsed output of the impulse tool; means for recognizing from the monitored output a regular stream of output pulses from the impulse tool and for identifying the first pulse of that regular stream; and means for increasing the magnitude of the braking torque as a linear function of time with a predefined gradient representative of the torque rate of the joint being simulated, commencing with the identified first pulse.
The recognition of the regular stream of output pulses from the impulse tool can be achieved by recognizing the establishment of n successive pulses at equal or substantially equal time intervals t, where n is an integer greater than 2, preferably 3 or 4, and t is preferably approximately the natural pulsing frequency of the tool.
The n pulses may be monitored as torque pulses sensed using a torque transducer on or associated with the shaft of the simulated test joint, in which case the pulses are counted as only those pulses in excess of a given torque threshold. However some pulse tools produce their torque output pulses not as single pulses but as pulse pairs one or both of which may be over the given torque threshold but which together result in a single continuous angular movement of the shaft. Such pulse pairs may be perceived and counted as either single pulses or double pulses depending on the frequency response of the monitoring means, but according to this invention are preferably counted as single pulses. Therefore it is clear that careful attention to selection of the most appropriate frequency response is necessary when monitoring torque pulses according to the invention.
Alternatively the n pulses may be monitored as angle pulses sensed using an angle encoder associated with the shaft of the simulated test joint. Typically the angle encoder is one that recognizes angular shaft movements of for example 0.5xc2x0, each 0.5xc2x0 of shaft movement producing a leading or trailing edge in a square waveform output. Therefore a complete pulse cycle would represent 1xc2x0 of shaft movement between repeating positive-going transitions in the output waveform. If for example a single torque pulse resulted in a 3xc2x0 shaft movement, then that shaft movement would be monitored as a single angular event as represented by a closely grouped set of three complete pulses in the output waveform, each pulse having one leading edge and one trailing edge.
It may be desirable to count the number of output pulses of the impulse tool during the above Phase 3 of the calibration sequence, since this information can be of use in assessing and grading the performance of the assembly tool. Such counting is readily achievable according to the invention since it is a simple count of the monitored output pulses from the impulse tool. Preferably however when such counting is a feature of the apparatus of the invention the pulses being monitored and counted are pulses of xe2x80x98single angular eventsxe2x80x99 as discussed above.
The same apparatus may be used in accordance with teachings of WO98/10260 for the calibration of rotary power assembly constant torque tools.
The apparatus of the invention advantageously further includes means for identifying the termination of the test sequence accurately and using essentially the same analytical techniques as those used to determine the transition from Phase 2 to Phase 3. The pulses monitored may be torque or angle pulses. The means for monitoring the pulsed output of the impulse tool continues its analysis during the whole of the test cycle, and preferably includes means for identifying the last pulse of that regular stream. After that last identified regular pulse, the pulse output of the tool becomes erratic, indicating that the simulated test joint has locked solid so that the impulse tool is reacting against a solid and immovable object. Monitoring is continued until the regularity of the pulsed output is lost, but all measurements made after the identified last regular pulse are ignored. This provides reliability of the calibration even when the tool does not have automatic shutoff and when the test continues after the shaft has locked fully. If on the other hand the user terminates such a test prematurely, before the shaft has locked fully, then the continued monitoring of the pulsed output of the impulse tool will indicate to the computer that the termination condition has not yet been reached, in which case the apparatus should preferably automatically indicate that the calibration is null and void.

Simulated test joint for impulse tool testing


By using a shared register directory having a bit array corresponding one to one to the processor for each shared register, a shared register control portion of a shared register control system in a multiprocessor system monitors to which processor each of the registers shared between processors is currently allocated or if it is not allocated to any of the processors at all (unoccupied condition), and allocates any arbitrary shared register in response to the request from each processor while allowing access to the allocated share register. A task on the processor, which had been initially using the shared register, can be switched even if another task using the same register is being executed on any other processor, and the throughput of the multiprocessor system using the shared register can be increased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shared register control system in a multiprocessor computer system.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally, as this kind of shared register control system, the following system has been proposed, in which, first, the same number of shared registers as that of processors is previously made to correspond one to one to the processor and, normally, each processor uses a specific shared register. Sharing of the register between the processors is achieved by logically dividing a plurality of processors into a master and slave processors so that a shared register used by the master processor, which corresponds to the same processor, may be shared with the slave processors, or its sharing is canceled (master/slave system).
According to the above-described prior art shared register control system, a shared register corresponding to a specific processor, which has been used for a task operating on the master processor, is shared among other tasks operating on the slave processors so that the tasks may communicate among each other via the same shared register.
In addition, if the task is switched on the slave processor and another task runs, which no longer uses the shared register corresponding to the master processor, then a shared register corresponding to that slave processor may be allocated to that another task to allow it to be executed. On the other hand, since the register corresponding to the master processor is not shared with the slave processors any more, another task can be executed by using it. However, since the master processor cannot exclusively share the registers corresponding to the other processors, as long as, for example, the slave processor continues to use the shared register corresponding to the master processor, the task being executed on the master processor cannot be switched to any other task to use the shared register thereon.


An image forming apparatus includes: an image formation portion; a fixing portion that includes an exciting coil for inductively heating member and a temperature detection member: a main control portion that stops a printing operation when a temperature abnormality is recognized; a notification portion; a power supply portion that supplies power to the exciting coil; and a heating control portion that controls power supply to the exciting coil and detects the power abnormality. When the heating control portion detects a power abnormality, the heating control portion stops the induction heating, provides stop notice; when the main control portion determines, based on the history of the stop notice, whether the temperature abnormality is due to the stop of the induction heating or is not due to the stop of the induction heating.

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus that uses induction heating to fix toner to a sheet.
Some of the image forming apparatuses such as a multifunctional peripheral, a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile machine use toner to perform image formation. In such an image forming apparatus, a toner image is transferred to a sheet while the sheet is being transported therewithin, and heating and pressurizing are performed to fix the toner image to the sheet. In some of the image forming apparatuses that fix the toner to perform printing, an induction heating method is used to perform the fixing.
A fixing control device that uses the following induction heating method to perform fixing is known. Specifically, the fixing control device includes: a main body control circuit that has a main central processing unit controlling the operation of the entire device; a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a fixing heated member; an exciting coil for inductively heating the fixing heated member by receiving current supply; and an induction heating control circuit that has a sub-central processing unit independent of the main central processing unit to control the current supply to the exciting coil, where based on information on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the main central processing unit uses only a power instruction signal to provide a control instruction to the sub-central processing unit.
In the image forming apparatus of the induction heating method, as in the fixing control device described above, a plurality of control portions may be provided, and the roles of the induction heating are allocated. Specifically, a main control portion that controls the image forming apparatus is made to provide an instruction of power to be supplied to the exciting coil based on the temperature of a heating rotation member. The control portion provided in a fixing portion may be made to perform actual control for supplying power on the exciting coil based on an instruction from the main control portion.
On the other hand, in order for a fixing failure and overheating in the fixing portion to be prevented, the detection of a temperature abnormality in the heating rotation member based on the output from the temperature sensor is performed. The detection of an abnormality in a voltage or a current, that is, power supplied to the exciting coil may be performed. When a temperature abnormality or a power abnormality is detected, the stop of a printing operation and/or the stop of power supply to the exciting coil is performed. Thus, printing and power supply in an inappropriate state are prevented.
Conventionally, when such an abnormality occurs in the fixing portion, in the image forming apparatus, notification of the abnormality is provided. For example, on the display portion of the image forming apparatus, information that an abnormality is produced in the fixing portion or information that checking or repair is needed is displayed.
Here, the temperature abnormality in which the temperature of the heating rotation member of the fixing portion is lower than a temperature to be detected may be caused by the stop of the power supply to the exciting coil resulting from an abnormality in supply power or may be caused by an abnormality in the temperature sensor. However, conventionally, when the temperature abnormality is produced, notification is not provided for each cause. Hence, although there is a problem in a power supply system that supplies power to the exciting coil, a service person may erroneously determine that the cause is present in the temperature sensor. On the contrary, although the cause is preset in the temperature sensor, a service person may erroneously determine that there is a problem in the power supply system that supplies power to the exciting coil. As described above, when a temperature abnormality is produced in the fixing portion, it is disadvantageously difficult to determine the cause of the abnormality.
A fixing device controlled by the known fixing control device described above performs induction heating. However, it is impossible to solve the problem in which it is difficult to determine the cause of the temperature abnormality produced in the fixing portion.

Image forming apparatus and method of controlling same


A refractory body having acid resistant properties consists of a metal carbide dispersed throughout a metal matrix of ruthenium or alloy thereof. An elongated member of the above composition having an opening therein is used as a guide for precious metal wire.

The present invention relates to corrosion resistant refractory bodies and more specifically to cemented metal carbide bodies that are resistant to acids.
For certain applications, it is desirable that refractory parts be resistant to a corrosive environment and, in particular, be able to withstand the attack of acids. In one such case, it is common to handle valuable metal such as silver, gold, or platinum in the form of wires for various applications in the electronics industry. Refractory bodies having a hole therein larger than the size of the wire are typically used for guiding the wire.
In use, the capillaries are subject to a gradual buildup of precious metal residue which can interfere with the proper feeding of the precious metal wire and, thus, it is necessary to regularly clean or replace the capillary. A typical method of cleaning the capillary is by brushing or using an abrasive compound to remove the build-up deposits.


Management device for a network of audiovisual information reproduction systems or jukeboxes, including a database with a plurality of sets of arrays, each array containing grouped information either about the composition of a jukebox, or the use of the jukebox, or the payment of fees. The database is managed by a computer server connected with the audiovisual information reproduction systems to receive messages sent by each audiovisual information reproduction device and containing information necessary to update determined sets of arrays in the database, and update data or the program for each audiovisual information reproduction device with information stored in at least one set of arrays in the database and transmitted in this message.

International patent application WO 96/12255 describes a device for reproduction of audiovisual information commonly called jukebox. This jukebox is organized around a system unit that manages audiovisual reproduction means and means for memorizing at least one audiovisual information corresponding at least to the sound reproduction of one song. The system unit also manages telecommunication means such as a modem, particularly to enable downloading of audiovisual information from a host server. Management of orders for new songs and for changing settings requires either that an operator should visit the site on which the jukebox is installed, or that the operator should use a computer with a link to the host server. Furthermore, management operations that can be performed through the link with the host server are limited to ordering new musical selections.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Device and process for remote management of a network of audiovisual information reproduction systems


A method of correcting vignetting in an image. The image includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel having an intensity. The image is flattened by adjusting the intensity of each pixel based on a vignette function representative of vignetting characteristics of the image, the vignette function having a plurality of free parameters, each free parameter having a value. A vignette metric is determined based on the flattened image. The values of one or more of the free parameters are adjusted based on the vignette metric, and the flattening is performed based on the adjusted values of the free parameters.

Image vignetting refers to an effect where border areas of an image, particularly the corners, are darker relative to the center of the image. Vignetting is typically caused primarily by inherent design characteristics of lenses, which result in an uneven distribution of light upon the optical plane (e.g., film or image sensor) of a camera. Wide angle lenses and digital zoom lenses, especially at wider apertures, often create high levels of vignetting. Depending on the level, vignetting can be very noticeable and distract from the quality of the image. This is particularly true when creating a single panoramic image from one or more individual images, where vignetting causes the borders between the individual images to be darker than other areas of the image, resulting in the panoramic image having a "striped" appearance.
Vignetting can be automatically corrected when parameters associated with formation of the image (e.g., lens type, focal length, aperture settings, etc.) are known. However, such information is often not available for images. Several techniques have been developed for vignette correction, however, most involve comparison between multiple images from a moving camera. For example, one technique involves comparing the intensity of a same object in different images from a moving camera, wherein the object is located at a different position relative to the image center in each image. Vignetting correction is determined based on differences in intensity of the object between the two images.
While generally effective at correcting vignetting when multiple images from a moving camera are available, such techniques are not effective at correcting vignetting in multiple images from a camera having little or no motion, and are not applicable to correcting vignetting in a single image.

System and method for correcting image vignetting

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Example embodiments relate to semiconductor devices including two-dimensional (2D) materials, and methods of manufacturing the semiconductor devices. A semiconductor device may be an optoelectronic device including at least one doped 2D material. The optoelectronic device may include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a semiconductor layer between the first and second electrodes. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode may include doped graphene. The semiconductor layer may have a built-in potential greater than or equal to about 0.1 eV, or greater than or equal to about 0.3 eV. One of the first electrode and the second electrode may include p-doped graphene, and the other may include n-doped graphene. Alternatively, one of the first electrode and the second electrode may include p-doped or n-doped graphene, and the other may include a metallic material.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to semiconductor devices and/or methods of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to semiconductor devices including two-dimensional (2D) materials and/or methods of manufacturing the semiconductor devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
A two-dimensional (2D) material is a single-layer or half-layer solid material in which atoms form a crystal structure. The most well-known example of a 2D material is graphene. Graphene is a single-layer (e.g., single atomic layer) structure in which carbon atoms form a hexagonal structure. Graphene may have a band structure that is symmetrical around the Dirac point, and the effective mass of a charge at the Dirac point is substantially small. Therefore, graphene may have a charge mobility that is at least 10 times or higher (may be even 1000 times or higher) the charge mobility of silicon (Si). Furthermore, graphene may have a high Fermi velocity (VF). Therefore, 2D materials, including graphene, have drawn attention as next-generation materials that may overcome limits of materials in the related art.
Attempts to apply a 2D material to various semiconductor devices have been conducted. However, when applying a 2D material to semiconductor devices, various technical problems may be generated, and it may be difficult to secure good properties/performance.

Semiconductor device including two-dimensional material, and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device


A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the effect of centrifugal force on pulp stock while being ground in the grinding space of a defibrating apparatus defined between a pair of grinding discs which rotate relative to one another in a fluid environment under superatmospheric pressure and corresponding elevated temperature. The grinding space includes a central portion, a first outwardly extending grinding space and a second outer grinding zone extending at an inclined angle from the first grinding zone. Pulp stock to be ground is introduced into the central portion and accelerated through the first and second grinding zones by centrifugal force generated by the rotating discs. The inclined grinding zone serves to split the centrifugal force into a vector perpendicular to the direction of flow of the pulp material and a vector aligned with the axial flow to reduce the accelerating force on the pulp grist in the direction of outward flow. By reducing the outward acceleration, the dwell time of the grist in the second grinding space is increased, resulting in optimum utilization of the entire grinding space for optimum refining efficiency.

In the refining process to which the grinding discs according to the invention are particularly applicable, the pulp stock or grist is ground in a grinding space defined between a pair of discs which rotate relative to one another in an environment of fluid medium. Each disc comprises disc segments disposed annularly about the discs and is provided with ridges and grooves which shear the fibers of the grist in grinding-like fashion. The pulp material, which may consist of wood chips, bagasse, fiber pulp or similar fibrous material, is fed by a screw feeder or the like through an opening in the central portion of the stationary grinding disc into the "eye" of the grinding space and from which it is propelled by the centrifugal force generated by the rotational movement of the discs towards their periphery, where the grist is ejected with greatly accelerated force into the surrounding casing.
In order to generate the necessary centrifugal force to accelerate the stock from the inner central portion of the grinding space radially outwards and to obtain the desired degree of defibration and operating capacity in the grinding space, a high rotational speed must be imparted to the discs, such as on the order of 1500 r.p.m. to 3600 r.p.m. However, the resultant relatively high centrifugal force required to accelerate the stock from the inner disc portion, which determines the capacity of the apparatus, concommitantly subjects the grist as it progresses radially outwards to the outer disc portion to a progressively intensified centrifugal force. This intensified centrifugal force will accelerate the outward radial speed of the grist to such a degree that, unless special measures are taken to hold back the grist in the outer disc portion, the grist will be ejected prematurely from the grinding space, in only partly-treated condition, with consequent impairment of the defibration efficiency of the grinding apparatus. This problem becomes even more accentuated when steam or other vapor is generated during the grinding operation, as the result of high power input or dryness of the grist. The steam or other vapor will then flow with the grist outward through the grinding space between the discs and further accelerate the radial flow of the grist. As the centrifugal acceleration exerted on the grist is porportional to the disc diameter, as well as to the square of the r.p.m. of the disc, according to Newton's law of force and motion, the larger the diameter of the disc in the apparatus, the greater will be the problem of controlling the flow of the grist through the outer portion of the grinding space. Depending on application and capacity demand, grinding apparatuses used today normally have a disc diameter ranging between 20" and 64". Even if the larger diameter discs should be rotated at relatively slow speeds varying between 900 r.p.m. and 1800 r.p.m., they will still produce a centrifugal force of acceleration on the grist in the order of 700 g' s to 2800 g's. Assume, for example, that a disc rotating at 900 r.p.m. generates a centrifugal force of 700 g's; if the r.p.m. should be increased to 1800 r.p.m., the centrifugal force will be increased by a factor of 4, thus generating an increased centrifugal force of 2800 g's.
While discs of large diameter are desirable for capacity reasons, they require large amounts of energy, which is partly wasted because of their high peripheral velocity and consequent intensified centrifugal force, which renders the peripheral portion of the grinding space substantially ineffective for defibrating purposes. In addition, the high peripheral velocity of these large discs creates a serious noise problem.
Because of increasing demand for large capacity defibration equipment with adequate refining efficiency, it has proved to be a problem in the industry to properly control the radial passage of the stock between the outer part of the opposed grinding disc segments so as to obtain maximum performance. It should be understood that, as the stock progresses through the radial passage, it migrates alternately between the grinding segments on the opposing discs, and the more work on the stock in a single pass, i.e., the longer the dwell time in the grinding space, the more efficient and economical becomes the refining process. Unless the stock flow is properly retarded, the movement of the pulp becomes too rapid, as explained herein, and the defibrating action is minimized. Heretofore, attempts have been made to retard the passage of the grist through the grinding space by arranging the ridges and grooves in the grinding segments so that they can serve additionally as flow retarders. Such attempts are exemplified by applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,674,217, dated July 4, 1972, and 3,974,491, dated Aug. 17, 1976; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,040,997 granted to Donald A. Borden on June 26, 1962, U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,306 to E. Kollberg et al and U.S. Pat. No. 1,091,654 to Hamachek.
While these ridges and grooves serve to retard the flow, they still do not provide full utilization of the entire working area of the grinding space, since the grooves or channels between the ridges are spread out over a greater area at the periphery than at the inner portion of the grinding space. Furthermore, they do not solve the problem associated with high peripheral velocity of the presently-used large-diameter discs.
Another attempt to solve the problem of controlling the flow is exemplified by co-pending application Ser. No. 713,433, filed Aug. 11, 1976, in the name of Bo A. Ahrel, now patent No. 4,090,672. The primary object of that invention is to solve the problem created by the high pressure steam in the peripheral zone of the grinding space. In order to prevent the partly defiberized stock from being blown out from the peripheral grinding zone by the high velocity steam, Ahrel utilizes the centrifugal force to separate the steam and to open up an escape passage for the steam while retaining the steam-liberated stock between the opposing grinding surfaces.
Other examples of prior art are U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,098,325, 1,226,032, 3,684,200 and 3,845,909; and, German Patent No. 1,217,754 and Swedish Patent No. 187,564.

Method and apparatus for controlling the effect of the centrifugal force on the stock in pulp defibrating apparatus


A restraining barrier assembly is positionable across a roadway in a deployed position to define a restraining zone and may be moved vertically to a passive position. The barrier may be a rectangular net with wires (or cable) (21, 22, 23) spanning the net and a lower wire 24 below the net assuring effective trapping of autos and trucks of a variety of heights (of the vehicles and of their forward bumpers, hood and driver compartment sections) and a variety of spans between their bumpers and their forward wheels. Vertical strips (25, 26) are provided at intervals along the span of the barrier to maintain spacing of the wires from each other and relative to ground level. The lowest wire (24) is set back from the plane of the barrier that includes the mid-height and upper wires.

The present invention relates to systems for traffic control and more particularly to energy absorbing barriers moved into and out of a roadway at railroad grade crossings. The related co-pending application of Martin A. Jackson, et al., of common assignment herewith, Ser. No. 08/549,510, filed of even date herewith and entitled ENERGY ABSORBING BARRIER SYSTEM WITH CRASH INDICATION, discloses apparatus of this class, including a net which can be raised to a stowed position or deployed for safety purposes. The net and related deployment and retraction apparatus are parallel to and near a railroad track at a grade crossing and lowered when the train is going by to catch a car or truck that ignores visual and audible stop signals. An energy absorbing metal cable or strip payout mechanism absorbs the full momentum of the car or truck and stops it short of the track. If there is no such accident, the net is retracted to a stowed position in readiness for deployment when a next train approaches the crossing. However, there remains a need to provide apparatus of this class of devices that will perform its usual functions for most types of cars and trucks and also stop low-slung sports cars without detriment to its effectiveness for other vehicles and to deployment and retraction functions.
The object of the invention is to fulfill such need(s) with energy absorbing apparatus that can be reliable and quickly replaced and removed at grade crossings.
A further object of this invention is the provision of a universal net that can engage and stop cars and trucks.


Link association analysis systems are presented. Disclosed systems are configured to analyze links created by users and to determine possible reasons underpinning why a user would create such a link. The system derives such reasons by analyzing the context within which the link was created and to which the link points, and then presents the reasons as a data object to users for feedback. The system can be made to be self-refining by collecting survey data regarding its accuracy, so that the more users interact with the system, the more accurate the system is at deriving reasons for link creation.

The following background discussion includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Understanding the rationale behind choices that are made by an individual provides deep insight into the individual's interactions with an environment. The information gained from an individual's reasoning can be used to learn, predict, or correct the choices made by an individual. Such information can be a powerful tool in many areas, such as social media, education, or advertising.
One example of obtaining a rationale for a choice made by a user can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,195,592 to Heidenreich. Heidenreich teaches a system that allows a user to create links between thinking components and to provide an explanation of the relationship between the thinking components. A second user could then analyze this link and explanation, and then could provide a second explanation that refines and develops the first user's thinking process. However, Heidenreich fails to provide information regarding why either user created the linked associations in the first place.
PCT Pub. No. 2012/088720 to Zheng teaches a system that generates social recommendations by linking users to one another based upon the online behavior of its users. While Zheng's system may link users who share the same mindset, Zheng's system also fails to provide any information regarding why any of the users would create similar linked associations.
Pat. Pub. No. 2012/0137201 to White teaches a system that predicts what kinds of links a user might click upon when web browsing. White analyzes a user's historical web patterns and then predicts how that user will browse a web in the future based upon that user's past behavior. Like the other known art, White fails to provide any information regarding why the user would create each link.
Overall, each of the examples listed above fail to recognize the value in exploring the full scope of the rationale in choices made by users. Rather, the examples merely disclose setting up associations or predicting a possible link of interest. An improved system would offer insight into the rationale behind why people make linked associations in the first place in order to resolve possibly ambiguous meanings underpinning the links.
Thus, there is still a need for a system that derives and maintains reasons why users create links.
All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term "about." Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as") provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Link association analysis systems and methods


In order to provide a stereoscopic imaging apparatus that can acquire, in a case in which a brightness different is large, parallax information containing a parallax image in all image capturing frames, provided are an image acquisition unit that acquires a first image and a second image different from the first image in exposure time, a gain and offset correction unit 102 that corrects brightness of one of the acquired first and second images, a parallax calculation unit 103 that calculates parallax from one of the images corrected by the brightness correction unit and the other of the images and outputs a parallax image and parallax information, and a combination image generation unit 105 that combines the acquired first and second images together to generate a combination image and outputs the generated combination image.

In recent years, obstacle detection apparatuses that detect obstacles such as pedestrians and vehicles using a plurality of cameras such as stereoscopic cameras have been put to practical use. The stereoscopic camera is an apparatus that calculates the positional deviation (parallax) of the same object on a plurality of images captured at the same time by template matching and calculates the position of the object in real space based on the calculated parallax according to a known conversion equation.
The stereoscopic camera is such that a distance to an object is calculated to recognize the object using a pair of images captured by two left and right imaging devices.
In disclosed PLT 1, it is possible to perform, using the stereoscopic camera, stereoscopic imaging that records an image in a scene with a large brightness difference and solves a problem in which an observer partially cannot perceive a brightness difference due to blown out highlights or blocked up shadows at the reproduction of the image.
In addition, PLT 2 discloses, instead of the stereoscopic camera, an imaging apparatus that can acquire a wide dynamic range three-dimensional image and high-accuracy distance information.


An exhaust system for an engine has a volume element such as a muffler or a silencer. First and second exhaust pipes are connected as dual exhaust pipes upstream of or downstream of the volume element. The first exhaust pipe has a first length (L1). A valve is positioned in the second exhaust pipe at a distance (D) from the volume element. The distance D is a fraction of L1 such that the second pipe is a resonator for the first pipe with the valve in a closed position. A method of controlling exhaust noise includes positioning a valve in the first exhaust pipe at a distance (D) from a volume element with D being a specified fraction of a length of the second exhaust pipe, and closing the valve such that the first pipe provides a resonator for the second pipe to counteract standing wave in the second pipe.

Exhaust systems for internal combustion engines direct exhaust gases formed during the combustion process in the engine to the outside, surrounding environment. Exhaust systems typically include sections of piping. These pipes have standing pressure waves therein that increase noise from the exhaust system based on the frequency of the standing wave and harmonics.


A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion has a ring end that circumscribes, and is connected to, an outer circumferential ring surface of the ring and a flange end that is connected to the inner flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.

Off-highway machines operate in a variety of environments. Such machines can include a chassis having a frame component that is pivotably movable with respect to the chassis which supports one or more ground-engaging devices, such as wheels. The frame component can be pivotably attached to the main chassis by way of a joint assembly having a bearing. Should contaminants, such as mud, infiltrate the bearing, the bearing can become damaged or impaired. For example, should debris accumulate in the bearing, the operation of the bearing can be impaired such that it experiences increased mechanical loads that lead to early failure or damage the bearing. It is desirable to provide a robust seal that protects the bearing from the outside environment.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0203518 is entitled, "Elastomeric Shaft Seal Formed Without Oven Post Curing," and is directed to an elastomeric seal (20), such as a shaft seal for automotive vehicle applications. The elastomeric seal (20) includes an elastomeric compound (22) chemically coupled to a metal sealing ring (24) and is formed without an oven post curing step. The elastomeric seal (20) has an elastic modulus of 6.0 MPa to 13.0 MPa and a tensile strength of 11.1 MPa to 14.8 MPa. The elastomeric compound (22) includes 52.0 to 68.0 wt. % fluoroelastomer, 20.0 to 35.0 wt. % calcium silicate, and 5.0 to 15.0 wt. % diatomite. The elastomeric compound (22) is fully cured and chemically coupled to the metal sealing ring (24) during the compression or injection molding step, and thus an oven post curing step is not required.
It will be appreciated that this background description has been created by the inventors to aid the reader, and is not to be taken as an indication that any of the indicated problems were themselves appreciated in the art. While the described principles can, in some respects and embodiments, alleviate the problems inherent in other systems, it will be appreciated that the scope of the protected innovation is defined by the attached claims, and not by the ability of any disclosed feature to solve any specific problem noted herein.


An adjustable appendage that can be located under any mattress for the purpose of providing back support in the pelvic bone area; and furthermore an appendage that can be inflatably adjusted for any degree of support necessary to provide optimum comfort.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to back problems that a great many people encounter despite any type of mattress they try. The mattresses just don't seem to be able to supply the kind of back support they need.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Outside of providing varying degrees of mattress firmness for people afflicted with a difficult back-related sleeping problem nothing seems to have been done. As a result many have to resort to padded boards which is fine for younger people but not for older ones. For those without recourse the "morning back-ache" syndrome is experienced which is only relieved gradually by moving about.
Over thirteen years of trial and error has resulted in the adjustable appendage device described herein. It appears to provide the relief needed no matter how the user sleeps; on his back, either side or stomach. It is installed under the mattress in the pelvic bone area, where the body weight concentrates, and inflated by air to provide optimum comfort; and at which point the air pressure is locked in.

Adjustable appendage for mattress providing means


A system (36) for supporting and watering plant pots comprises a plurality of panels (10), a container (36), and a wick (46). The panel (10) is planar in shape and has a rectangular boundary (16) which includes a first linear edge (18) and a second linear edge (20) which is parallel to the first linear edge (18). A first notch (26) extends inward from the first linear edge (18), and second and third notches (28) and (30) respectively extend inward from the second linear edge (20). The notches (26, 28 and 30) are substantially uniformly sized such that notches from the panel (10) may be interfitted with notches from a like panel. The interfitting of a plurality of panels in any number of different desired configurations results in the formation of a free-standing support (32) having interstices (34) therebetween. The support (32) is placed between the container (36) and a plant pot (44). A wick (46) is routed between a water reservoir in the container (36) and the pot (44) to feed the pot (44) by capillary action.

Plant irrigation systems provide a means of watering a potted plant without continual attention. Such plant irrigation systems typically include a container in which a water reservoir is held, a pot with a live plant potted therein, and a support which rests within the container and upon which the pot is placed, the support acting as a spacer such that the pot itself is not resting in the standing water. A wick is then routed from the water reservoir to the pot in order to water the plant within the pot by capillary action.
Supports used in plant irrigation systems of the prior art are characterized by certain drawbacks. For example, the supports of the prior art lack durability and have a limited life span when used with heavier types of plants and trees. The prior art supports are not necessarily sized to fit within the containers, which creates instability of the support within the container, causing the supports to move around and increase the chance of collapse, especially when the plants are being moved. Generally, the supports of the prior art are not variable in size to adapt to different sized containers or plant pots. Corrugated materials, or materials having irregular surfaces, which are used in prior art supports such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,962 issued to Lyon, trap unwanted debris, are difficult to clean, and result in the creation of foul smells. The prior art supports are limited to a low number of contact points with the pot, which limits the strength and stability. Finally, the supports of the prior art may not provide ease of access to the water reservoir to check water levels.
Accordingly, a need has arisen for a system for supporting and watering plant pots which avoids the above-named drawbacks without compromising its intended purpose.

System for supporting and watering plant pots


There is provided a display device including a display panel including pixels, and a display panel driver configured to drive the display panel, wherein the display panel driver includes a timing controller configured to receive image signals and timing signals from the outside, to convert at least some of the image signals, and to output the converted image signals, wherein the image signals include first image signals corresponding to a first area in the display panel, wherein each of image signals corresponds to each of the pixels and includes a red signal, a green signal, and a blue signal, wherein the timing controller includes a signal receiver configured to receive the image signals and the timing signals, and a first converter configured to receive the first image signals from the signal receiver, to perform color weakness-compensating conversion on the first image signals, and to output the converted first image signals.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a display device and a driving method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various kinds of display devices that are capable of reducing detriments of cathode ray tubes, such as their heavy weight and large size, have been developed in recent years. The display devices include a liquid crystal display device, a field emission display device, a plasma display panel device, and an organic light emitting display device. The display devices have been more commonly and widely used. In particular, they are being used in transportation vehicles, such as cars, trucks, or the like, as well as in unmoving spaces, for example, houses, theaters, or the like.
Recently, research for expanding a utility of the display as well as improving performance of the display has been actively conducted.

Display device and driving method thereof


A video window method and apparatus are provided by the present disclosure, wherein the method may include: during a video communication process, displaying video windows corresponding to at least a portion of communication participants in an associated display region on a video communication page; and upon detecting a display configuration operation with regard to an arbitrary communication participant, sending a window configuration instruction to all communication participants, causing video windows corresponding to the arbitrary communication participant to be displayed in display regions on communication devices employed by all communication participants. By technical solutions of the present disclosure, video communication pages of all communication participants of a video communication may be unilaterally managed, so that all participants may focus on a video window of a designated communication participant at the same time, facilitating improvement of interaction efficiency in video communication.

Upon the basis of traditional voice communication, related technology has set forth video communication. Video communication, by a communication venue of providing voice and video to communication participants, and particularly by obtaining video windows corresponding to all communication participants and the display of these video windows on video communication pages of communication devices employed by each communication participant, promotes a stronger sense of intimacy between the communication participants that is closer to actual face-to-face interaction.
However, in related technology, video communication pages of communication devices employed by each communication participant cannot be unilaterally managed, which is detrimental for high-efficiency interactions in a video communication procedure.

Video window display method and apparatus


An emergency call monitor (110) monitors the progression of a call in a telephone switching system. The sequence of called digits for a call is detected by a line/trunk interface unit (200). A call-type processor (202) determines whether the call is an emergency call by examining the sequence of called digits and examining a call-type associated with the call. If the call is an emergency call, then a call monitor (204) is initiated to monitor the progression of the call through the telephone switch. If errors are encountered during the call, an alarm (206), including a visual and/or audible indicator, is asserted.

The present invention relates generally to telephone switching systems, and in particular to detection of failures in emergency calls placed through the telephone network.
The public telephone network is equipped to handle certain emergency calls, which are typically initiated by dialing a special number dedicated for emergencies. For example, in the United States, 9-1-1 is dedicated for emergency calls. These calls are typically routed to a regional center of operators that handle the calls and initiate the dispatch of services needed to respond to the emergency. These services include, for example, police, fire and paramedics.
Emergency calls typically receive some special treatment in the telephone network. This treatment generally includes dedicated resources for handling the calls and specialized routing. The dedicated resources typically included lines, trunks and switching equipment.
Switching systems are known to monitor the integrity of the switching system and associated resources. However, this monitoring is done at a high level with respect to all calls traveling through the network. For example, switching systems typically monitor the number of reorders, that is, calls resulting in a fast busy. A threshold is set such that a certain number of reorders result in an alarm to indicate a possibility of error. Other limited monitoring scenarios exist, but these scenarios do not single out monitoring of emergency calls.
Unfortunately, the general monitoring of the integrity of a switching system does not adequately identify problems in emergency calls. Since emergency calls typically represent only a small percentage of all calls through a switching system, grossly monitoring all calls may not identify problems with the relatively small number of emergency calls. Indeed, it is possible that a problem with all emergency calls through a switching system may go undetected where the majority of non-emergency calls are successful. This problem is exasperated by the fact that emergency calls are often routed using dedicated resources. Thus, a problem with a dedicated resource may cause all emergency calls to fail, while non-emergency calls, which do not rely on the faulty dedicated resource are completed without error. As an example, it is possible that through some fault, all emergency trunks on a switching system are out of service, while other resources are available. Nonetheless, system integrity monitoring may not alert an operator because the total failure of all emergency calls may not result in an error threshold sufficient to assert an alarm. Of course, this is not desirable due to the potential importance of any single emergency call.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for monitoring emergency calls in a telephone network to facilitate higher reliability in emergency calls.
In accordance with one aspect the present invention, a method is provided for monitoring emergency calls in a telephone switching system. Upon receiving a call the sequence of called digits is detected. The detected sequence of digits is examined or compared with a predetermined sequence to determine if the call is an emergency call. For example, a sequence of 911 is detected in the United States to designate emergency calls. After detecting a sequence of digits, a further determination is made as to whether the call is an emergency call. This entails examining the call type to determine if the call type is designated an emergency call. If the call is an emergency call, as determined by the dialed digits or the call type, the call is monitored to determine if the call is completed successfully. If the call is not completed successfully or encounters errors, then an alarm is generated. The method is preferably applied across all switching systems in the telephone network that handle emergency calls, thereby insuring monitoring of emergency calls from end-to-end.
In another aspect of the present invention an apparatus is provided for monitoring emergency calls. The apparatus includes a line/trunk interface unit that interfaces telephone lines and/or trunks into a telephone switching system. The line/trunk interface unit receives a telephone call. A call digit processor is coupled to the line/trunk interface unit to detect the called digits associated with the call to determine if the called digits are a predetermined sequence indicating an emergency call. A call monitor is coupled to the call digit processor to monitor the calls determined to be emergency calls. If errors occur during the processing of the emergency calls, then the call monitor provides an indication of the error and an alarm is asserted.


A read device for reading magnetic data stored in a plane magnetic recording medium comprises a magnetic head for reading magnetic data stored in a rotatable flexible plane magnetic recording medium and a pad pushing a rear surface of the magnetic recording medium to a direction of the magnetic head so as to contact the front surface of the magnetic recording medium with the magnetic head, and means for adjusting a projected distance of the pad to the magnetic recording medium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a read device for reading magnetic data stored in a flexible plane magnetic recording medium.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
The read devices for reading magnetic data shown in FIG. 1 have been known.
In the conventional read devices, a chuck (4) mounted at the end of a rotary shaft (3) is fitted to a center hole (2) of the disc magnetic recording medium (1) which is prepared by coating a magnetic powder layer on a flexible substrate such as polyester substrate and the shaft (3) is rotated to rotate the recording medium (1) and on the other hand, the rear surface of the disc magnetic recording medium is pushed down by a pad (7) made of an elastic contact (6) such as felt held by a supporter (5) whereby the front surface (1a) as the recording surface of the magnetic recording medium (1) is contacted with the magnetic head (8) so as to read-out the magnetic data on the recording surface.
A pair of the pad (7) and the magnetic head (8) move on the disc magnetic recording medium (1) to the radial direction and the rotary direction to pick up the magnetic recorded data.
However, when the working term is long as 1000 to 3000 hours, the felt as the elastic contact (6) for the pad (7) is worn to decrease the pushing force whereby a contact pressure between the magnetic head (8) and the magnetic recording medium (1) is gradually decreased to fluctuate the reproducing output or to decrease the reproducing output disadvantageously.

Read device for plane magnetic recording medium


An image forming apparatus and method cause a connecting/conveying device to convey a recovered toner from a cleaner part to a recovered toner housing to house therein the recovered toner, and cause a control device to separately control a recovered toner supply device and a new toner supply device to supply the recovered toner, which is stored in the recovered toner housing, and/or a new toner, which is stored in a new toner housing, to a developing device. The control device restricts the supply of the recovered toner from the recovered toner housing to the developing device when a no-residual-amount detecting device detects no residual amount of the new toner in the new toner housing.

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for forming an image, and is capable of being applied to an image forming apparatus and method, which utilize toner of a copying machine or printer having a photosensitive drum.
In an image forming apparatus and method utilizing toner, there is carried out an image forming process for electrifying minus charges on the surface of a photosensitive drum, exposing (varying the surface potential of) the photosensitive drum to laser beams based on picture signals to form a latent image, causing the photosensitive drum to absorb minus charged toner to form a visible image, and transferring and fixing the visible image on a paper.
In such image formation, a toner (which will be hereinafter referred to as a xe2x80x9crecovered tonerxe2x80x9d) which has been already utilized in image formation, and a toner (which will be hereinafter referred to as a xe2x80x9cnew tonerxe2x80x9d) which has not yet been utilized in image formation, are mixed to be utilized. That is, the recovered toner is recycled to be used.
Conventionally, as a method for recycling a recovered toner, there is a method for conveying a recovered toner, which leaves a cleaner auger, to a developing device by means of a connecting auger, which connects the cleaner auger to the developing device, and returning the recovered toner directly into the developing device. In this method, the rotation of the cleaner auger must be in synchronism with the rotation of the photosensitive drum, and the rotation of the connecting auger to the developing device must be connected with the cleaner auger.
If a toner specific concentration sensor provided in the developing device is utilized for carrying out a toner empty display, which is carried out when the new toner is completely consumed, and/or for carrying out the stop of an image forming operation due to toner empty when the developer toner specific concentration decreases to a predetermined toner specific concentration, even if the new toner is completely consumed in a cartridge or hopper, the supply of toner recovered from the cleaner part continues, so that the percentage of the recovered toner in the developing device increases.
An external additive is peeled from the recovered toner, and paper powder is mixed in the recovered toner. Therefore, even if the recovered toner is supplied into the developing device, the rise of the quantity of electrification is worse than that in the case of the new toner. For that reason, the percentage of the recovered toner increases to be larger than the usual percentage, so that image fogging tends to occur.
It is an object of the present invention to prevent an image having image fogging from being formed when a new toner is completely consumed in a cartridge or hopper.
In order to accomplish the aforementioned object, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus comprises: recovered toner housing means for temporarily storing therein a recovered toner; a connecting/conveying device for conveying the recovered toner from a cleaner part to the recovered toner housing means; recovered toner supply means for supplying the recovered toner, which is housed in the recovered toner housing means, to a developing device; new toner housing means for housing therein a new toner; new toner supply means for supplying the new toner, which is stored in the new toner housing means, to the developing device; no-residual-amount detecting means for detecting no residual amount of the new toner in the new toner housing means; and control means for separately controlling the recovered toner supply means and the new toner supply means, to cause the recovered toner or the new toner to be supplied to the developing device, wherein the control means restricts the supply of the recovered toner from the recovered toner housing means to the developing device when the no-residual-amount detecting means detects no residual amount of the new toner.
In order to accomplish the aforementioned object, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for causing a connecting/conveying device to convey a recovered toner from a cleaner part to the recovered toner housing means to house therein the recovered toner, and causing control means to separately control the recovered toner supply means and the new toner supply means to supply the recovered toner, which is stored in the recovered toner housing means, and/or a new toner, which is stored in the new toner housing means, to the developing device, wherein the control means restricts the supply of the recovered toner from the recovered toner housing means to the developing device when the no-residual-amount detecting means detects no residual amount of the new toner in the new toner housing means.

Apparatus and method for supplying new and recovered toner to a developing device


A method of doping diamond with relatively large atoms such as aluminium, phosphorus, arsenic and antimony is provided. The method involves implanting the dopant atoms at a low temperature to create a damaged region of point defects in the form of vacancies and interstitial dopant atoms within the crystal lattice of the diamond, and annealing the diamond to reduce the lattice damage and cause dopant interstitial atoms to diffuse into lattice positions. The implantation dose will be low and such as to create density of implanted dopant atoms of no greater than 2.5.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.3.

This invention relates to diamond doping.
The doping of diamond with atoms such as boron, nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic and the like is known. One such method, described in European Patent No. 0209257, is to create a damaged layer within the diamond by bombardment at low temperature, i.e. that of liquid nitrogen, introduce dopant atoms into the damaged layer at the same, or a similar, low temperature, and then anneal the damaged layer to cause dopant interstitial atom to diffuse to lattice positions and to reduce the lattice damage. The annealing may be rapid annealing.
European Patent Publication No. 0 573 312 describes a similar method to that described above, save that the steps of creating the damaged layer, introducing the dopant atoms and rapid annealing of the doped product is repeated several times until a doped diamond having a desired amount of dopant is produced.
In these methods, the dose of the ion implantation will vary according to the nature and energy of the ions used. The damage will be such as to create point defects (vacancies and interstitials), but not such as to cause amorphisation of the damaged layer. Total doses utilized for carbon, boron and nitrogen are of the order of 10.sup.15 cm.sup.-2 spread over different energies to create a uniformly damaged layer.


A concrete extruder attachment for a vehicle includes a hopper adapted to hold flowable concrete. The hopper has an upper concrete inlet and a lower concrete outlet. A slip form is connected to the lower concrete outlet. An internal vibrator causes concrete to flow from the hopper through the lower concrete outlet to the form. A mounting is provided which is adapted to mount to a vehicle. A hopper support is secured to the hopper. The hopper support is pivotally mounted to the mounting for pivotal movement between a first position with the hopper extending toward a first side of the vehicle and a second position with the hopper extending toward a second side of the vehicle. The support is selectively locked in one of the first position or the second position. The ability to pivot the hopper enables the concrete extruder to access corners.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,005 (Henderson et al 1992) is an example of a concrete extruder attachment for a front end loader of a tractor. The Henderson et al concrete extruder is no longer commercially available, as it was found to be too complex of a machine to gain commercial acceptance. A particular problem with the Henderson et al machine was that it could not be used to complete corner areas. Any areas that the Henderson et al machine could not access, had to be completed through hand forming.

Concrete extruder attachment for a vehicle


A temperature detection element that detects a temperature of a detector is provided in a detector that detects a rotational position and/or a rotational speed of a rotor of a motor. An estimated value of a change of a wiring temperature is calculated based on a current supplied to the wiring of the motor. An estimated value of a change of the detector temperature is calculated based on the estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature. A difference between the detector temperature detected by the temperature detection element and the estimated value of the change of the detector temperature is set as an environmental temperature. The environmental temperature is added to the estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature, to estimate an absolute value of the wiring temperature. The wiring temperature is monitored based on the estimated absolute value of the wiring temperature.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to a control apparatus of a motor which drives a feed shaft, a spindle, or the like in a machine such as a machine tool, and in particular, to monitoring of a temperature of wiring of the motor.
Related Art
In many motors, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4135437, a wiring temperature detection element 7 such as a thermostat and a thermistor is provided at a coil end 3 of a wiring of a stator 6 (FIG. 1). A wiring temperature is monitored by these temperature detection elements, and when the temperature becomes a particular temperature, a current to the motor is limited or electricity application is discontinued, to protect the wiring from burnout.
This method ensures reliable protection because the temperature of the wiring can be directly monitored. In addition, because the electricity application can be continued until the temperature of the motor becomes a temperature very close to the heat resistant temperature of the motor, the characteristic of the motor can be utilized to a maximum degree.
In addition to the above, other methods of burnout protection of the wiring are known such as that shown in JP 2008-113477 A in which the temperature detection element is not used, a change of the wiring temperature is estimated based on a current during driving of the motor or a torque command value which is in a proportional relationship with the current, and the current to the motor is limited or the electricity application is discontinued when the estimated value becomes a particular value.
As this method does not use the temperature detection element, the method is advantageous in cases where the temperature detection element cannot be provided because there is no spatial margin in the structure of the motor or where the cost is to be reduced.
The method of estimating the change of the wiring temperature may be represented by a simple model as shown in a block diagram of FIG. 2. The estimation equation is represented by the following equation:ΔT′(n)=β×{(α×Tin)2−ΔT′(n−1)}+ΔT′(n−1)  (Equation 1)
Here, ΔT′ represents an estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature, α represents a coefficient which determines a saturated value of the estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature, β represents a coefficient which determines a time constant of the estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature, and Tin represents a command value or detected value of a current or a torque command value which is in a proportional relationship with the current. The index (n) represents the number of detection periods. That is, ΔT′ (n) represents the estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature at an nth detection period. Equation 1 corresponds to a wiring temperature change estimation unit 20 of FIG. 2. Equation 1 is an equation for calculating the estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature at the nth detection period based on the estimated value of the change of the wiring temperature at an (n−1)th detection period and the current command value or the like.
A relationship between ΔT′ which is an estimated value and ΔT which is the actual change of the wiring temperature is shown in FIG. 3. When β is adjusted, a slope of ΔT′ changes as shown by reference numeral 70, and when α is adjusted, an upper limit value of ΔT′ changes as shown by reference numeral 71. By adjusting these two parameters, it becomes possible to calculate the estimated value adapted for the thermal characteristic for each motor type. Tin is squared because the model calculates an amount of generated heat due to copper loss calculated by (square of current)×(resistance).
In the method of providing the temperature detection element on the wiring as described above, the motor must be designed in consideration of the space for placing the temperature detection element and a wiring method. In addition, an additional cost would be required for adding the temperature detection element. For these reasons, the method is not suited for small-size, low-cost motors.
In the method of estimating the change of the wiring temperature based on the current during driving of the motor or the like without the use of the temperature detection element, the temperature of the wiring cannot be known as an absolute value. Normally, a threshold for discontinuing the electricity is set assuming a state of a high environmental temperature.
Specifically, when a heat resistance temperature of the wiring of the motor is assumed to be 140° C. and the maximum environmental temperature is assumed to be 40° C., the motor is designed such that the electricity application is discontinued when the temperature is increased by 100° C. (=140° C.−40° C.).
When the motor is designed in the above-described manner, when the actual environmental temperature is 20° C., the temperature where the wiring temperature is increased by 100° C. and the electricity application is to be discontinued is 120° C. (=20° C.+100° C.). In other words, the electricity application is discontinued in a state where there still is a margin of 20° C. for the wiring of the motor (refer to FIG. 4).
On the other hand, when the motor is used in a situation with the actual environmental temperature of 60° C., the electricity application is not discontinued until the actual wiring temperature is increased from 60° C. by 100° C., that is, to 160° C. (=60° C.+100° C.). Because of this, the temperature exceeds 140° C., which is the original intended temperature where the protection operation is to be started, by 20° C. (refer to FIG. 5), which results in possibility of damage to the wiring and failure of the motor.
In order to solve these problems, the wiring temperature must be monitored as an absolute value corresponding to the actual temperature, and not as the change from a certain unknown temperature. In addition, it is necessary that the absolute value not be obtained directly from the wiring temperature, but be estimated from other physical parameters.


A circuit arrangement for telecommunications, in particular telephone exchange installations that switch through digitally by time division, having a special coupling network for switching audio-signals to terminal units which, besides the connection network provided for the interchange of speech and data information, sets up the connection between terminal units and audio-signal senders and works digitally.

The task of exchange installations is not only to switch through a connection for making possible an interchange of information between two terminal stations, but also during the setting-up phase of a connection which is originated automatically by the subscriber, information to the subscriber is necessary to tell him about the state of his connection. On each connection, the first information needed about the readiness for dialing of the exchange is transmitted to the subscriber as dial-tone on lifting the handset. The dial-tone mostly consists of a standardized frequency which is sent permanently or in a determined sequence.
When a subscriber has finished his dialing procedure completely, a ringing or busy tone is sent to him after checking the possible connection paths and the condition of the wanted terminal. There would be ringing the wanted subscriber but the busy-tone interval is clearly different, for example, a speedy sequence of the standardized frequency.
Besides the audio-tones, there are further possibilities to inform a calling subscriber. For example, it is useful to give a special indication to a subscriber who has dialed to a non-existent connection path or terminal. In this case the normal busy-tone is not sufficient, because the subscriber will keep on trying to get the wanted connection. Such an indication information may, for example, consist of a special tone sequence and a following announcement: "No connection possible when dialing this number".
In many cases it is further desired to send common valid information to the subscribers. These special announcement services can comprise, for example, time announcement, weather forecast, news, etc.
In most exchanges the audio-tones, indication information and announcements are switched through via the common network that is used for speech connections. The consequence of this is that while switching on special signals of the described kind, the coupling paths are not available for real connections. Therefore an existing coupling network is less efficient for real connections.
To avoid this disadvantage it was proposed for PCM-exchanges to store tone signals digitally and to send them in this form directly to terminal sets. Such an arrangement is described in the German patent application DT-OS No. 19 45 155. In the German patent DT-PS No. 23 14 272 is described how the sequence of an audio-tone can be included also in the digital form. These arrangements are disadvantageous as they are only applicable for tone frequency signals, because the storage expenses for announcement texts in the digital form would increase enormously.
The instant invention provides a circuit arrangement which is applicable for all kinds of special signals and special information and is also able to receive the dialing and special information signals coming from the terminals.
The advantage of the invention is that for all signals which are to be interchanged between the exchange and the terminals there is a bus system available whereby the loading of the remaining coupling network by such connections is totally avoided.
Owing to the fixed coordination of time channels to the different special signals, an exchange can be fitted easily with several kinds of signals according to the case of application. As all controlling functions for the special coupling network are resolved by a peripheral control unit, for all these connections no additional expenses are necessary. All connections to tone receivers, tone senders and announcement text senders are kept away from the remaining connection coupling network that provide real connections. Owing to this clear organization, exchanges are able to be dimensioned favorably more easily. Thus, for example, a special switching network for special signals can be added without making necessary any modifications at the coupling network KV of the installation or at the whole arrangement. With the application of integrated multiplex circuits, the costs for each terminal unit are also then still acceptable.

Circuit arrangement for telecommunications especially telephone installations that switch through digitally by time division


A fiber bale opening machine having an inclined opening roller (1) is provided with conveying apparatus (100) for stepwise displacement of fiber bales in the direction of the opening roller. The roller is movable transversely with respect to the direction of the displacement. The conveying apparatus includes at least one stationary support for supporting the bale and at least one shifting device for performing a repetitive movement cycle starting from an initial position and returning back to it. In the initial position, the lifting device is lower than the stationary support and the bale is supported on such support. Later the lifting device moves up to take over support of the bale and during this time it shifts in the direction of intended bale displacement.

Swiss patent application CH 00834/89-7 discloses bale opening apparatus which includes an opening roller having its axis extending lengthwise with respect to a row of bales to be opened and being inclined downwardly toward an end of the row. In the bale opening machine proposed in this Swiss patent application the bales are pushed forward step-by-step to be cut away by the opening roller, and the opening roller is moved transversely with regard to the direction of movement of the bales to traverse across the widths of the bales. Several arrangements are possible. For example, several rows of bales may be disposed side-by-side or one above the other, and several inclined opening rollers may be used to open the bales in such rows.
The inclined opening of fiber bales has the specific advantage that the material is simultaneously opened from all areas of the bales so that a more or less constant amount is opened per time unit. The amount is, to a large extent, independent of the respective distribution of densities within the fiber bales. Therefore, the depth of the opening action to be accomplished during a pass of the opening roller transversely across the row of bales may be set on the basis of the amount of flocks to be cut away per time unit and may be kept constant from pass to pass of the roller. According to this proposal, the depth to be opened is establishing by the distance the row of bales is pushed forward toward the inclined opening roller in predetermined steps.
The conveying apparatus which performs the stepwise displacement of the fiber bales according to this former proposal is in the form of a revolving conveyor belt. Although such an arrangement is possible, it leads to relatively high costs, as the fiber bales to be displaced are relatively heavy and movement of the row of bales against the direction of intended displacement must be prevented because of the forces exerted by the opening roller on the front bales during the process of opening.
Such equipment can be constructed so that the apparatus is stable despite relatively low production costs and is reliable in day-to-day operation. The step length of the stepwise displacement may be set to a fixed value or adjusted variably without making the system excessively expensive, and the danger of the bale being pushed back during the opening process due to the forces prevailing during such process is effectively minimized.
Moreover, multiple units of such a conveying apparatus may be used in arrangement of modular design. The modules may be placed in several rows and various lengths side-by-side or behind each other depending on the size and the design of the bale opening machine.


A flat board section 1 with a flat top surface 1a, which is formed as a flat surface, is made of a wooden board with sufficient thickness and strength for supporting a human body. A top surface 1a of flat board section 1 is octagonal and has an area which enables both feet or buttocks of a person to be placed thereon. A fulcrum section 2, which made of metal and has a hemispherical protrusion 2a, is provided at a central part of a bottom surface 1b of flat board section 1. Protrusion 2a is the part which always contacts with a floor surface or the ground when flat board section 1 is placed on the floor surface or the ground and is the part which serves as the center of winging of flat board section 1.. The invention presents a health equipment by which the lack of exercise can be resolved in a simple manner at home and regardless of athletic ability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a health equipment by which a user can perform a suitable amount of exercise by attempting to stabilize his/her body upon placing himself/herself on the equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
People have become strongly conscious of health in recent years. A suitable amount of daily exercise can strengthen the legs and loins, promote circulation of the blood and prevent various disorders, such as internal disorders and stiff shoulders. However, in the present times when transportation means have advanced through urbanization and facilities of exercise that can cope with the aging of society are increasingly lacking, a lack of exercise has become a major obstacle to a person's health.
Various training equipment have been developed as means for resolving such lack of exercise and public or private facilities for sports equipped with such equipment have been established. There are thus many people who attempt to resolve their lack of exercise through the use of such facilities for sports.
Themes Intended to be Solved by the Invention
However, most of the training equipment has been developed for the improvement of the athletic abilities of athletes, etc. and cannot be said to be suitable for persons without much athletic ability, for persons who do not require such hard exercise, and for persons who must abstain from hard exercise.
Furthermore, although it is most desirable for ordinary persons to be able to perform soft exercises daily and continuously, facilities for sports, etc. require some kind of fee and, in cases where the facilities for sports, etc. is far away from the home, it becomes difficult to go there regularly. Furthermore, exercises with training equipment tend to become monotonous and it is difficult to keep up the interest in such exercises.


A light bulb apparatus includes a head cup, a bottom support, multiple light strips and a bulb shell. The head cup is connected to an external power source. The bottom support is extended from the head cup. Each light strip has a top end and a bottom end. The bottom ends of the light strips are connected to the bottom support. The top ends of the light strips form a top polygonal shape and the bottom ends of the light strips form a bottom polygonal shape. The bottom polygonal shape has a bigger area size than the top polygonal shape. Each light strip has a skewed angle with respect to a middle axis perpendicular to the bottom shape.

There are various light devices in the world. After Edison invented light bulbs, related technologies are still developing, particularly after the LED (Light Emitted Diode) devices are introduced to the world.
LED has many advantages compared with past technology. There is a trend to replace traditional light devices with LED light devices, because LED light devices have better luminous efficacy while converting electricity.
In some applications, luminance level is not the only factor to concern. For examples, filament light bulbs are welcome because they have nice looking and cause people to remember their best memory. There are lots of filament light bulbs in various places, particularly for decoration purposes.
When trying to apply LED technology on filament light bulbs, there are many difficult problems to solve, including but not limited to heat dissipation, appearance, robustness, etc.
Therefore, it is very beneficial to develop a cost effective solution for finding ways to apply LED technology in filament bulb applications.