A touch panel and an electronic device having the same are provided. The touch panel includes a first substrate; a second substrate that is spaced apart from the first substrate by a gap, the second substrate including a touch surface; an array of driving electrode pairs that is arranged on the first substrate and the second substrate, and induces an electrical field locally between the first substrate and the second substrate when a driving voltage is applied thereto; and electro-rheological fluid that is filled in the gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, a viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid changing depending on the electrical field induced by the driving electrode pairs. An operating force or a return force is adjusted by controlling an application or release of the driving voltage.

1. Field
Apparatus and devices consistent with the following description relate to a user input device, and more particularly, to a touch panel used in a user input device and an electronic device including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A touch panel is one example of a kind of user input device used to determine whether a user generates an input and the position of the user's input by sensing the user's contact thereon. A user may input data or signals to a touch panel by contacting or pressing a surface of the touch panel with his or her finger, a stylus pen or the like. The touch panel may be used to manufacture a touch pad for use as a substitute for a mouse in a laptop computer, a netbook and the like or used for an input switch of an electronic device. The touch panel may be used in association with a display. A touch panel which is mounted on the screen of a display device, such a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a cathode ray tube (CRT) and the like, is generally called a "touch screen". A touch screen may be integrated with a display device to configure the screen of the display device or may be attached additionally on the screen of the display device.
In certain situations, the touch panel may be substituted for a user input device such as a keyboard, a trackball or mouse, and also may allow for simple manipulations. Moreover, the touch panel can provide users with various types of buttons according to the types of applications to be executed or stages of the executed application. Accordingly, a touch panel, and more specifically, a touch screen has been used as an input device for electronic equipment, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable media player (PMP), a digital camera, a portable games, a Moving Picture Experts Group Layer 3 (MP3) player, etc., as well as an automated tell machine (ATM), an information trader, a ticket vending machine, etc.
A touch panel can be classified into a resistive type, a capacitive type, a saw type, an infrared type, etc., according to methods of sensing user's inputs. A capacitive type touch panel determines whether a user generates an input and the position of the user's input signal by measuring variations in capacitance due to contact or pressure. However, the various types of touch panels fail to provide users a sense of input, that is, a feeling of recognition that a user gets upon inputting. In order to overcome this disadvantage, a method of installing a vibration motor below a touch panel has been proposed. The method offers users a sense of input by vibrating the whole touch panel using the vibration motor when a user's contact is sensed.

Touch panel and electronic device including the same


A watertight and airtight seal is useful for use between two structures having relative movement therebetween. The seal apparatus includes a first adhesive bead (38) disposed on a first structural member (12) and a second adhesive bead (44) disposed on a second structural member (22). An elastomeric member (30) includes a first flange (34) portion bonded to the first adhesive bead and a second flange portion (36) bonded to the second adhesive bead (44). The elastomeric member also includes a flexible portion disposed between the first and second flange portions, this flexible portion being operative to freely flex during relative motion between the first and second structural members. This flexibility substantially reduces stress otherwise imparted on the first and second adhesive beads during such movements in the absence of the flexible portion, thereby improving the durability of the seal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to seals. More particularly the present invention relates to seals for use on motor vehicle windows.
2. Disclosure Information
Often it is necessary to provide sealing between two components that are assembled together to reduce or completely block transmission of air and liquid. In particular, in motor vehicles having fixed windows, it is desirable to provide such sealing between a window structure and a corresponding body structure to which the window structure is installed. The practice has involved using mechanical fasteners of some form around a periphery of the window structure in combination with a visco-elastic sealer continuously applied as a bead to adjacent members of the structural interface. In many applications, this form of seal is sufficient for the life of the vehicle. However, it has been observed in some severe duty applications, where vehicles are subjected to extremely dusty conditions and driven over very rough terrain, relative motion occurs between the window structure and the body structure at their structural interface. This relative motion, combined with sufficient debris at the seal, over a sufficient cycles may cause the bond of the seal to separate from either the window structure or the body structure.
It would be desirable to overcome the aforenoted difficulties with sealing two structural members, such as a window within a body structure of a motor vehicle by providing a simple, low cost improved seal that prevents the bond of the seal from separating.


Provided is a substrate deforming device for proximity exposure, the device comprising: a mask holder for holding an exposure mask; a first plate which is spaced apart from the exposure mask in a certain direction, and holds a to-be-exposed substrate; a position adjustment part for adjusting the position of the exposure mask; a gap adjustment part for adjusting a gap between the exposure mask and the to-be-exposed substrate; a first sensor for measuring the position of at least one among the exposure mask and the to-be-exposed substrate; a second sensor for measuring the gap between the exposure mask and the to-be-exposed substrate; and a control unit which performs a first control according to the measurement result from the first sensor, and after the first control, performs a second control according to the measurement result from the second sensor. The first control reduces the relative distance between the exposure mask and the to-be-exposed substrate by means of the position adjustment part. The second control deforms the to-be-exposed substrate by means of the gap adjustment part in response to deflection of the exposure mask.

A photolithography process is a fine pattern forming technique that is widely used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, printed electronic circuits, display panels, and the like. In order to form a fine pattern, the photolithography process may include a series of processes such as a coating step, an exposure step, a development step, and an etching step.
In the exposure step of the photolithography process, a mask having a fine pattern may be provided on a substrate or a wafer coated with a photoresist, and light may be irradiated, so that the fine pattern of the mask may be transferred to the substrate or the wafer coated with the photoresist.
Since the light is irradiated in the exposure step, the photoresist of the substrate or the wafer may cause a photochemical reaction, so that physical properties of the photoresist may be changed.
Thereafter, the development step and the etching step may be performed to leave or remove only a portion of the photoresist having the changed physical properties, so that the fine pattern may be formed on the substrate or the wafer.
The exposure step may be classified into a contact type, a projection type, and a proximity type according to a separation distance between the substrate or the wafer and the mask.
The contact-type exposure may be performed such that parallel light is irradiated in a state where the substrate or the wafer makes contact with the mask. The contact-type exposure may have a simple structure and may implement high pattern precision, while the contact-type exposure may have a disadvantage in that corrosion or damage may be caused by the contact.
The projection-type exposure may be performed such that a projection lens is provided at a gap between the substrate or the wafer and the mask to allow light passing through the mask to be irradiated to the wafer through the projection lens. According to the projection-type exposure, the pattern of the mask may be reduced and transferred onto the substrate or the wafer through the projection lens, so that the projection-type exposure may form a finer pattern than the contact-type exposure described above. However, since a device for the projection-type exposure requires a complex optical system including the projection lens, the device for the projection-type exposure may be expensive, amounting to tens of billions, and productivity may be decreased by a reduced exposure region.
The proximity-type exposure may be performed such that parallel light is irradiated in a state where a separation distance between the substrate or the wafer and the mask is maintained at hundreds of μms. Unlike the contact-type exposure and the projection-type exposure described above, the proximity-type exposure may not have a problem caused by contact, and the proximity-type exposure has been used in various fields such as a display, a PCB, and a MEMS due to advantages in terms of productivity and a cost.
For example, Korean Patent Registration KR101432888B1 discloses a method of exposing an entire surface of a substrate with a pattern formed on a mask by repeatedly performing, over the entire surface of the substrate, irradiating exposure light emitted from a light source to the mask having the pattern that transmits light with an optical system interposed therebetween, and projecting a portion of the exposure light irradiated to the mask, which is transmitted through the pattern, onto a resist applied to a first region of the substrate disposed in proximity to the mask so as to expose the resist, wherein the irradiating of the exposure light to the mask is performed by converting the exposure light emitted from the light source into a plurality of point light sources by transmitting the exposure light through an optical integrator, converting the exposure light transmitted through the optical integrator and converted into the point light sources into parallel light by a collimating mirror, and reflecting the exposure light converted into the parallel light by a plane mirror provided on a rear surface thereof with actuators arranged in a two-dimensional shape so as to irradiate the exposure light to the mask; and each individual actuator of the actuators arranged in the two-dimensional shape on the rear surface of the plane mirror is controlled based on information about the point light sources of the optical integrator, which is acquired from an image obtained by picking up, by an image pickup camera, an image projected on a visual scale guide through a pinhole of a pinhole camera that includes the pinhole formed at a position corresponding to a surface of the substrate to be exposed, the visual scale guide, and the image pickup camera.
Recently, a technique of increasing a size of an entire screen while decreasing a size of a pattern of each individual pixel is being required in the display field. However, the conventional proximity-type exposure scheme meets the technical limitations in coping with the above technique.
Such technical limitations arise because in the case of the proximity-type exposure, as the separation distance between the substrate or the wafer and the mask increases, diffraction occurs so as to decrease patterning resolution, so that in a case of a mask having a large area, as an amount of deflection of the mask caused by a weight thereof increases, a deviation of the separation distance between the mask and the substrate or the wafer is increased over an entire exposure area. Therefore, the patterning resolution may be decreased by such a deviation of the separation distance.
In addition, since no element should exist on an optical path provided at the gap between the substrate or the wafer and the mask, it is difficult to directly control the deflection of the large-area mask caused by the weight thereof.

Substrate deforming device for proximity exposure, and substrate deforming method for proximity exposure using same

INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY ERICA CAMPUS


An electrical connector includes a housing which is provided with an installation cavity and a jack. A conductive clamp and a movable member are configured in the housing. The conductive clamp is provided with at least one pair of first clamping pieces and at least one pair of releasing pieces. The first clamping pieces and the releasing pieces extend into the installation cavity. The movable member is capable of moving back and forth along the installation cavity. A conducting wire is capable of passing through the jack and is inserted into one pair of first clamping pieces. The movable member is capable of moving forward along the installation cavity, and abutting on one pair of releasing pieces, to force the releasing pieces and drive the first clamping pieces to open outward, so that the conducting wire is capable of detaching from the first clamping pieces.

An electrical connector is an electrical connection apparatus that connects a conducting wire with another conducting wire; a conducting wire with a printed circuit board ("PCB"); or a PCB with another PCB.
Currently, a connector used to connect a conducting wire and a PCB usually includes a housing and a conductive clamp. When the conducting wire is inserted into the conductive clamp, a barb structure of the conductive clamp makes it very difficult to pull out the conducting wire. In addition, because the electrical connector becomes more miniaturized, it is also difficult for operators to manually open the conductive clamp.


A stand alone electric lamp for illumination which includes a tungsten-halogen bulb as the illuminating member. The lamp includes a support member, an upwardly directed open pan affixed to the support member in which the tungsten-halogen light bulb is disposed, a protector member disposed over the open pan to prevent foreign objects from coming into contact with the tungsten-halogen light bulb and a thermally activated switch. The protector member is substantially transparent to light from the tungsten-halogen bulb to allow light therefrom to pass through the protector member in a substantially unobstructed fashion. The thermally activated switch is disposed within the open pan for interruption of the application of electrical energy to the tungsten-halogen light bulb when temperatures at the protector member reaches a predetermined level. The thermally activated switch may be a one time operational device which functions in the manner of a fuse, a manually resettable switch, or a switch which pivots from off to on as the temperature drops from the predetermined level at which it becomes open to a lesser level. The switch preferably incorporates a thermal sensor such as a thermistor or alternatively may be a bimetal disc or a linear bimetal unit depending upon the particular application desired.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electric lighting apparatus and more particularly, to such apparatus which includes a halogen light bulb therein, which bulb is disposed in a pan-like member that may be open and subject to having foreign objects placed thereon.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electric lighting apparatus in the form of floor lamps and table lamps is well known. Such lamps generally take the form of a general area lighting device or, alternatively, a task lighting device. A general lighting apparatus is one which provides lighting for a predetermined area without particular concern for directing the light for reading, highlighting specific items such as paintings or the like or otherwise. On the other hand, task lighting focuses the light through the utilization of reflector members for a specific purpose such as reading, to highlight a given area to accent some item such as a sculpture, painting or the like. An example of task lighting structures are the well known pole lamps or track lighting structures.
The present invention is particularly directed to such lighting apparatus which utilizes general lighting as at least a portion thereof. Such apparatus may also include task lighting or alternatively, it may have no task lighting of any type. In recent history, a tremendous volume of general lighting-type lighting equipment, both with and without task lights, have been sold. A large number of such general lighting devices have incorporated as the illumination element thereof a halogen bulb. Such halogen bulbs in units having an open top design with the bulb facing upward have under certain circumstances generated hazardous conditions in that cloth which has inadvertently or purposefully been placed over has ignited causing fires.


A numerically controlled machining apparatus that displays data, such as a tool reduction allowance, a tool core gap amount, and a tool shape and the like for a tool. The data is displayed along with the setting condition of a tool as it is set by a tool exchanging device. The data is detected by a tool set detecting device. A tool setting condition display identifies a tool which is set in the tool exchanging device and a tool that is not set in the tool exchanging device by use of a different color.

The present invention relates to a numerically controlled machining apparatus which improves arrangements for any step of a machining process and administration of machining programs, and more particularly, to a numerically controlled machining apparatus which improves arrangements for workpieces and administration of machining programs concerning an electrode and workpieces in an electric discharge machining apparatus. And the present invention also relates to a numerically controlled machining apparatus which executes position control of an electrode and a plurality of workpieces, each having respectively a different shape, in a case where machining is executed by changing the plurality of workpieces.
FIG. 25 shows a configuration of conventional electric discharge machining apparatus, and in FIG. 25, reference numeral 1 denotes an electrode, numeral 2 denotes workpiece, numeral 3 denotes a workpiece fixing device, numeral 4 denotes a X-axis motor, numeral 5 denotes a Y-axis motor, numeral 6 denotes a cross table which moves freely to X-axis direction and Y-axis direction by the X-axis motor 4 and the Y-axis motor 5. Numeral 7 denotes an ascending/descending shaft on which the electrode 1 having a specified shape is mounted and which is moved in the direction of Z-axis by a Z-axis motor 8, numeral 9 denotes a machining power supply for execution of electric discharge machining with electric energy between the electrode 1 and the workpiece 2, numeral 10 denotes an electrode exchange device which automatically exchanges the electrode 1 with a new one.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a NC tape/floppy disk as a medium storing a program for a machining sequence, data on a electrode such as an electrode reduction allowance, an electrode core gap, an electrode shape and the like, and data concerning workpieces such as a machining position and machining depth, said data being used to decide how and what point of a workpiece to be machined are stored. Numeral 12 denotes a keyboard for compiling a program and specifying the data concerning the electrode and workpieces.
Reference numeral 14 denotes a program outside inputting means for inputting data into a program from outside which displays a mistake in a program. This applies in case where if the program with machining sequence commands stored in an NC tape/floppy disk 11 has a mistake, and transfers the program to a memory 15. It also applies in a case where there is no mistake. Numeral 16 denotes a program compiling means which checks whether an input through the keyboard 12 has a mistake or not, transfers the information entered from the keyboard 12 to the program memory 15, in case where, there is no mistake in the entered information.
Reference numeral 17 denotes an electrode data outside inputting means for entering electrode data from outside which displays a mistake in the electrode data, in case where if the electrode data such as the electrode reduction allowance, the electrode core gap amount, the electrode shape and the like stored in the NC tape/floppy disk 11 has any mistake. It transfers the electrode data to an electrode data memory 18, in case where there is no mistake. Numeral 19 denotes an electrode data compiling means which checks whether an input through the keyboard 12 has a mistake or not, transfers the information entered from the keyboard 12 to the electrode data memory 18, in case where there is no mistake in the entered information.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a workpiece data outside inputting means for entering workpiece data from outside which displays a mistake in the workpiece data, in a case where if the workpiece data such as the machining position and the machining depth and the like of the workpiece 2 stored in and inputted from the NC tape/floppy disk 11 has any mistake, and transfers the workpiece data to an workpiece data memory 21, in case where, there is no mistake. Numeral 22 denotes a workpiece data compiling means which checks whether an input from the keyboard 12 has a mistake or not, and transfers the information entered from the keyboard 12 to the workpiece data memory 21, in case where there is no mistake in the entered information.
Reference numeral 23 denotes an operation command analyzing means which executes an analysis of command data issued from the program memory 15, the electrode data memory 18, and the workpiece data memory 21 according to the machining program. Numeral 24 denotes an axis move control means which outputs data concerning the shaft generated by the operation command analyzing means 23 to each of the X-axis motor 4, Y-axis motor 5 and Z-axis motor 8 and drives the XY cross table 6 and the ascending/descending shaft 7. Numeral 25 denotes an electrode exchange device controlling means which transfers an electrode exchange command analyzed by the operation command analyzing means 23 to the electrode exchange device 10.
Reference numeral 26 denotes a program start key which gives an instruction for start of a program to the operation command analyzing means 23, numeral 27 denotes a NC control apparatus including the program outside inputting means 14, the program memory 15, the program compiling means 16, the electrode data outside inputting means 17, the electrode data memory 18, the electrode data compiling means 19, the workpiece data outside inputting means 20, the workpiece data memory 21, the workpiece data compiling means 22, the operation command analyzing means 23, the axis move control means 24, and the electrode exchange device controlling means 25.
FIG. 26, FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 relate to an embodiment for the administration of a conventional machining program. Reference numeral 11 denotes the NC tape/floppy disk as a medium for storing a machining program, numeral 27 denotes the NC control apparatus, numeral 31 denotes a program manual in which machining contents of the machining program such as a number of workpieces, a number of electrodes and the like are written on paper, and numeral 32 denotes a program memory list displayed on a CRT of the NC control apparatus 27 and showing contents of the program memory 15. As above, in conventional electric discharge machining apparatus, a program is memorized in a floppy disk and the like as a medium for data entry, and all contents of the program is administered according to the program manual 31 in which all administrative instructions are written on a paper.
FIGS. 29A and 29B, FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 show a case of conventional machining where two workpieces each having two holes are machined with two electrodes. Reference numeral 41 denotes a workpiece W1, numeral 42 denotes a workpiece W2, numeral 43 denotes a rough electrode T11, numeral 44 denotes a finish electrode T12, Pl and P2 denote machining position s respectively. Reference numeral 45 denotes an embodiment of a machining program on the CRT display.
Next, the machining program 45 will be described referring to FIG. 30 and FIG. 31. Steps S1 to S30 show a rough machining step by the rough machining electrode T11 (43).
Step S2 shows to exchange an electrode to the rough electrode T11 (43). Step S3 indicates that the workpiece 41 set according to the workpiece coordinates WI is machined at the machining position P1 in Step S3 to Step S10. Step S4 indicates that a workpiece is set according to the workpiece coordinates W1. Step S5 indicates that the subsequent commands for movement are issued with absolute values. Step S6 indicates movement to the machining position P1. A dielectric and a machining are set to ON in step S7. Step S8 indicates machining by 10 mm in the direction of Z-axis. After the machining, the dielectric and the machining are set to OFF in step S9. The electrode T11 (43) returns to a machining start position when contact is ignored in step S10.
Step S11 indicates that the workpiece 41 set according to the workpiece coordinates W1 is machined at the machining position P2 in steps S11 to S16. Step S12 indicates that the electrode moves to the machining position P2. A dielectric and a machining are set to ON in step S13. The workpiece is machined by 10 mm in the direction of Z-axis in step S14. After the machining in step S15, the dielectric and the machining are set to OFF. The electrode returns to a machining start position when contact is ignored in step S16.
Step S17 indicates that the workpiece 42 set according to the workpiece coordinates W2 is machined at the machining position P1 in steps S17 to S25. Step S18 indicates that the workpiece is set according to the workpiece coordinates W2(42). Step S19 indicates that the subsequent movement command is executed with absolute values. Step S20 indicates movement of the electrode to the machining position P1. A dielectric and a machining are set to ON in step S21. Machining is executed by 10 mm in the direction of Z-axis in step S22. The dielectric and the machining are set to OFF in step S23. The electrode returns to a machining start position when contact is ignored in step S24.
Step S25 indicates that workpiece 42 is machined at the machining position P2 in steps S25 to step S30. Step S26 indicates movement of the electrode to the machining position P2. A dielectric and a machining are set to ON in step S27. Machining is executed by 10 mm in the direction of Z-axis in step S28. After the machining in step S29, the dielectric and the machining are set to OFF. The electrode returns to the machining start position in step S30 when contact is ignored.
Step S31 indicates that machining for finishing is executed by the finish electrode T12 (44) in steps S31 to S60. Step S32 indicates exchange of the finish electrode T12 (44) with a new one.
Step S33 indicates that the workpiece 41 set according to the workpiece coordinates W1 is machined at the machining position P1 in steps S33 to S40. Step S34 indicates that a workpiece is set according to the workpiece coordinates W1. Step S35 indicates that the subsequent movement command is executed with absolute values. Step S36 indicates movement of the electrode to the machining point P1. A dielectric and machining are set on to ON in step S37. Machining is executed by 10mm in the direction of Z-axis in step S38. After the machining in step S39, the dielectric and the machining are set to OFF in step S39. The electrode Tll (43) returns to the machining start position when contact is ignored in step S40.
Step S41 indicates that the workpiece 41 set according to the workpiece coordinates W1 is machined at the machining position P2 in steps S41 to S46. Step S42 indicates movement of the electrode to the machining position P2. A dielectric and a machining are set to ON in step S43. Machining is executed by 10mm in the direction of Z-axis in step S44. After the machining in step S45, the dielectric and the machining are set to OFF. The electrode returns to the machining start position when contact is ignored in step S46.
Step S47 indicates that the workpiece 42 set according to the workpiece coordinates W2 is machined in steps S47 to S54. Step S48 indicates that the workpiece 42 is set according to the workpiece coordinates W2. Step S49 indicates that the subsequent movement command is executed with absolute values. Step S50 indicates movement of the electrode to the machining position P1. A dielectric and a machining are set to ON in step S51. Machining is executed by 10mm in the direction of Z-axis in step S52. The dielectric and the machining are set to OFF in step S53. The electrode returns to the machining start position when contact is ignored in step S54.
Step S55 indicates that the workpiece 42 set according to the workpiece coordinates W2 is machined at the machining position P2 in steps S55 to S60. Step S56 indicates movement of the electrode to the machining position P2. A dielectric and a machining are set to ON in step S57. Machining is executed by 10 mm in the direction of Z-axis in step S58. After the machining in step S59, the dielectric and the machining are set to OFF. The electrode returns to the machining start position when contact is ignored in step S60. Step S61 indicates the end of execution of the program.
Next, another conventional electric discharge machining apparatus will be described. FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the configuration of conventional discharge machining apparatus. Referring to FIG. 32, reference numeral 201 denotes an electrode, numeral 202 denotes a table, numeral 203a denotes a workpiece having a workpiece number 11, numeral 203b denotes a workpiece having a workpiece number 12. Numeral 203c denotes a workpiece having a workpiece number 13, numeral 204a denotes a workpiece fixing device for fixing the workpiece 203a on the table 202, numeral 204b denotes a workpiece fixing device for fixing the workpiece 203b on the table, numeral 204c , denotes a workpiece fixing device for fixing the workpiece 203c on the table, numeral 205, 206 denote a motor for moving the table 202 in the X, Y directions, numeral 207 denotes a spindle with the electrode 201 mounted thereon, numeral 208 denotes a motor for moving the spindle 207.
Reference numeral 209 denotes a move controlling device for controlling movement of the motor 205, the motor 206 and the motor 208, numeral 210 denotes a memory outputting coordinates for machining, numeral 211 denotes a NC program including a workpiece exchange command, numeral 212 denotes a program analyzing device for analyzing the NC program 211, numeral 213 denotes a workpiece exchange controlling device for controlling exchange of a workpiece, numeral 214 denotes a memory storing a number of workpiece to be newly set.
Reference numeral 215 denotes a workpiece exchange device for executing the workpiece (workpiece 203a, workpiece 203b or workpiece 203c) fixed on the table 202 at a position for exchanging with the workpiece fixing device (workpiece fixing device 204a, workpiece fixing device 204b or workpiece fixing device 204c), and for carrying in the workpiece (workpiece 203a, workpiece 203b or workpiece 203c) with the workpiece fixing device (workpiece fixing device 204a, workpiece fixing device 204b or workpiece fixing device 204c) to the table 202, and for fixing on the table 202.
Reference numeral 216 denotes a computing device for computing coordinates for machining, numeral 217 denotes a memory for storing coordinates of the electrode 201 on a coordinate system in which a reference point of the workpiece fixing device 204 is an origin thereof, numeral 218 denotes a memory for storing coordinates for machining, an origin of which is a reference point of the workpiece fixing device 204, numeral 220 denotes a memory for storing data in the memory 217, when an exchange of workpiece starts, numeral 221 denotes a memory for storing coordinates for machining, when a workpiece is exchanged, and numeral 223 denotes an NC control device.
FIGS. 33A and 33B are views showing a position control for the electrode 201 and the table 202 in the computing device 216. G1 denotes a machining origin specific to the machining apparatus, G2 denotes a reference point on each of the workpiece fixing devices 204a, 204b, (g1, g2, g3) denotes coordinate values of G2 in the coordinate system in which the machining origin G1 is an origin thereof, workpiece off set in the coordinate system (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9cG2 coordinate systemxe2x80x9d) in which the reference point G2 is an origin, (x, y, z) denotes a coordinates of the electrode 201 in the G2 coordinate system, (X, Y, Z) denotes coordinate values of the electrode 201 in the coordinates for machining. Accordingly, an expression 1 is formed between the above values.
(X, Y, Z)=(x, y, z)+(g1, g2, g3)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(EXPRESSION 1)
Next, operation will be described. The program analyzing device 212 starts to analyze the NC program 211 upon instruction to the program by an operator. The program analyzing device 212 reads out a workpiece exchange command from the NC program 211, issues the workpiece exchange command to the workpiece exchange controlling device 213, and stores the exchanged workpiece number in the workpiece exchange command in the memory 214. The workpiece exchange controlling device 213 outputs a workpiece exchange position movement command to the computing device 216. The computing device 216 stores coordinates in the memory 217 to the memory 220, and outputs a workpiece exchange position which is previously set in the memory 221 to the memory 210.
The move controlling device 209 outputs a movement command to the motor 205, the motor 206 and the motor 208 so that the table 202 and the spindle 207 are moved to the coordinates stored in the memory 210. The move controlling device 209 outputs an arrival signal to the computing device 216 when the table 202 and the spindle 207 arrives to the positions each specified by coordinates values stored in the memory 210. The computing device 216 outputs an exchange position arrival signal to the workpiece exchange controlling device 213 upon input of the arrival signal. The workpiece exchange controlling device 213 outputs a workpiece exchange start command to the workpiece exchange device 215 upon input of the exchange position arrival signal.
The workpiece exchange device 215 executes the workpiece 203a on the table 202 with the workpiece fixing device 204a upon input of the workpiece exchanging execute command. Then the workpiece exchange device 215 fixes the workpiece 203b having an exchanged workpiece number stored in the memory 214 with the workpiece fixing device 204b on the table by the workpiece exchange device 215. Thereafter, the workpiece exchange device 215 outputs a workpiece exchange end signal to the workpiece exchange controlling device 213, and the workpiece exchange controlling device 213 outputs a return command to the computing device 216. The computing device 216 memorizes coordinate values stored in the memory 220 to the memory 217, and figures out the sum of data stored in the memory 217 and the memory 218, proving the sum as output to the memory 210.
The move controlling device 209 outputs a movement command to the motor 205, the motor 206 and the motor 208 so that the table 202 and the spindle 207 are moved to positions each specified by coordinate values stored in the memory 210. The move controlling device 209 outputs an arrival signal to the computing device 216 upon arrival of the table 202 and the spindle 207 arrives to the positions each specified by the coordinate values stored in the memory 210. The computing device 216 outputs a return end signal to the workpiece exchange controlling device 213 upon input of the arrival signal. The workpiece exchange controlling device 213 outputs a workpiece exchange end signal to the program analyzing device 212 upon input of the return end signal.
In addition to the above, reference technical literatures relating to the present invention include Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication No. 70907/1992 disclosing xe2x80x9cAn arrangements data processing apparatus for a numerically controlled machining apparatusxe2x80x9d, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 60924/1991 disclosing xe2x80x9cA method of preventing an electrode from being mounted incorrectly, incorrect attachment of an electrode guide,Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 224555/1987 disclosing xe2x80x9cA numerically controlled machining apparatusxe2x80x9d, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication disclosing No. 111853/1986 disclosing xe2x80x9cAn electric discharge machining apparatus.xe2x80x9d
In the conventional electric discharge machining apparatus as described above, there are problems as follows. An operator must confirm contents of the program manual printed on paper for selecting an electrode and a workpiece according to a machining program, or must analyze a machining program, in case where the program manual is not near at hand, and as a result it is difficult to administer a program.
Also when setting electrode data, or workpiece data required for executing the program, an operator must check the program manual, or must analyze the machining program. As a result, an additional time is required for the operations, which lowers the workpiece efficiency.
Also sometimes the program may be executed even if an electrode and a workpiece as well as data concerning the electrode and the workpiece required for execution of the program have not been specified, and it is feared that, as a result, operation of the apparatus may go down during operation thereof in automatic mode at night, or under similar conditions.
After a workpiece is exchanged by the workpiece exchange device, the position of workpiece fixing device is determined at the same position before exchanging to an electrode. Accordingly in a case where, even through a workpiece has a same shape, a position of a workpiece on the workpiece fixing device is different, relative position of the workpiece to the electrode is different compared with the position before exchanging. Then, in order to machine a workpiece at the same position before exchanging, the position of the electrode must be determined by manual operation, or an exclusive NC program must be used. Accordingly, it takes time, and labor. And, in case where the workpiece exchanged is larger than the previous one, it is feared that the electrode interferes with the workpiece or the electrode and the workpiece may be damaged, which prevents automatization of machining including an exchanging process of workpieces and makes the operational efficiency lower.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a numerically controlled machining apparatus that makes it possible for an operator to more easily administer a program by showing an electrode and workpiece according to the machining program. The invention also makes easier the confirming of set items for electrode data and workpiece data by showing the items to be set for the electrode data as well as for the workpiece data. The invention can prevent a start of program execution by generating an alarm even if an operator tries to start execution of the program when such data as an electrode, electrode data, workpiece and workpiece data have not been set. Thus feature is to prevent system down even during operation at night and ensure high workpiece efficiency as well as high productivity of a machine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a numerically controlled machining apparatus which can machine automatically to a desired position by position-controlling, referring to a position and a height of the workpiece on a workpiece fixing device, and to a machining position in a case where a workpiece is exchanged in a machining to workpiece which a position and a height on the workpiece fixing device are different each other.
The numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention displays the setting condition of a tool as set at a tool exchanging means, which detected by a tool set detecting means.
Further, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention displays data such as a tool reduction allowance, a tool core gap amount, and a tool shape and the like of a tool, which is set by displaying the setting condition of a tool as set at the tool exchanging means, which is detected by the tool set detecting means.
Furthermore, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention displays a tool setting condition by indicating a tool which is set in the tool exchanging means and a tool that not set in the tool exchanging means with a different color, respectively.
Furthermore, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the present invention displays a setting state of a tool set in the tool, exchanging means and detected by the tool detecting means as well as various data concerning a tool including parameters for the tool, executes input and/or change of tool data including parameters for the tool, and edits the input tool data.
Further, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention displays setting conditions of a workpiece set in the workpiece fixing means and detected by a workpiece set detecting means.
Furthermore, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the present invention displays a setting state of a workpiece set in the workpiece fixing means and detected by the workpiece set detecting means, and workpiece data such as a machining position and a machining depth.
Furthermore, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention displays a workpiece setting condition by indicating a tool which is set in the workpiece fixing means and a tool that not set in the workpiece fixing means with a different color, respectively.
Furthermore, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the present invention displays a setting state of a workpiece that has been set in the workpiece fixing means and has been detected by the workpiece set detecting means, executes input and or change of workpiece data such as a machining position or a machining depth, and also edits the workpiece data supplied as input thereto.
Moreover, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention stops a program, displays the necessary tool for continuation of the execution of the program, and issues an instruction for setting the tool, when it is detected by the tool set detecting means that a necessary tool has not been set in the tool exchanging means.
Further, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention stops a program, displays a necessary workpiece for continuation of the execution of the program, and issues an instruction for setting the tool, when it is detected by a workpiece set detecting means that the necessary workpiece has not been set in the workpiece fixing means.
Further the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention stops a program, displays necessary tool data for continuation of execution of the program, and issues an instruction for setting the tool data, when it is detected by a tool set detecting means that the necessary tool has not been set in the tool exchanging means.
Furthermore, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention stops a program, displays the necessary workpiece data for continuation of an execution of the program, and issues an instruction for setting the workpiece data, when it is detected by the workpiece set detecting means that the necessary workpiece has not been set in the workpiece fixing means.
Further, in the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention, the tool set condition displaying means simultaneously displays a setting condition of a workpiece.
Furthermore, in the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention, the workpiece set condition displaying means simultaneously displays a setting condition of a tool.
Further, in the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention, the tool data displaying means simultaneously displays workpiece data.
Moreover, in a numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention, the workpiece data displaying means simultaneously displays tool data.
Furthermore, in a numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the present invention, workpiece data such as a position and a height of a workpiece on the workpiece fixing device is stored previously and a relative position between the spindle with an electrode mounted thereon and the table with a workpiece fixed thereon is controlled according to the workpiece data.
Furthermore, a numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the present invention stops execution of a program upon input of a workpiece exchange command if there is no workpiece data for the workpiece, and restarts execution of the program after the required workpiece data has been entered.
Furthermore, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention does not execute a program command until a next workpiece exchange command is inputted, in a case involving workpiece data of the workpiece which receives a workpiece exchanging command in analyzing the NC program, and executes the program after skipping the program until next workpiece exchanging command.
Moreover, the numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention can store workpiece data of a workpiece in each workpiece or workpiece fixing device, and can control a relative position relating to a spindle setting an electrode, and a table fixing a workpiece in accordance with the workpiece data.
Other objects and features of this invention will become understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Numerically controlled machining apparatus for automatically exchanging tools and workpieces


A pickup truck toolbox can be mounted to the bed side rails by a variety of interchangeable feet rather than arms and may sit above the bed, thus allowing use of the full volume of the bed, for example for 4′×8′ sheets of building material. It may have a rear view tunnel through it either top or bottom, whereby the driver may use normally the rear view mirror, and may have a Liddy light valley across the top, whereby the brake light will remain visible. A bed light or rear view camera may be employed as well. A fairing may be employed to improve fuel efficiency.

Toolboxes for pickup truck usage are large boxes which extend into the bed volume of a pickup truck, that is, the toolbox sits projecting downward between the side rails of the pickup truck bed, with a pair of arms on the upper end which arms extend outward to sit upon the tops of the side rails of the bed.
This means that the space behind the cab is used only for visibility while the bed space is semi-permanently occupied by the toolbox, that is, the toolbox forces the dedication of a substantial portion of the bed volume to itself. The toolbox is a very heavy device and it is not practical to frequently install and remove it: once installed, it is nearly permanent. Thus the user loses a portion of the benefit of having a pickup truck.
There is one particular usage of the bed of a pickup truck which is so common that it is in fact the basis for the sizing of many "standard" pickup truck beds. Many building materials such as wallboard, plywood and so on come in sheets which are standardized size of 4′×8′ (48″ by 96″). An unoccupied truck bed may be used to convey a stack of these items. For example a stack of a dozen sheets of sheetrock would be about a foot high in the bed volume.
However, when a standard style of toolbox is installed, it usually reaches either to the bed of the truck or to a position barely above it. Some references actually teach feet which land on the bed even though bottom of the standard toolbox misses by a few inches.
An example of a conventional prior art pickup truck toolbox may be seen in FIG. 9, labeled PRIOR ART.
Cab 54 and bed 20 meet at the front end of the bed 20 and the toolbox is disposed at that location. Arm 12 sits atop the side rails 10 of the bed 20, however, the body of the toolbox extends downward into the bed volume 20 until it comes to rest on the floor of the bed or perhaps just above the floor of the bed 20.
PRIOR ART FIG. 8 shows this as well: the toolbox extends completely into the bed, preventing the use of the bed for storage. Thus the gate 203 at the end of the bed must be opened for longer cargo, or the cargo must be placed with one or both ends above the toolbox or gate, rendering the vehicle difficult to drive and offering the chance that the cargo (such as motorcycle 114) might fall out.
Tonneau cover 14 may be seen in FIG. 9 to be opened and the prior art toolbox extends so far down into the bed volume that it is actually visible UNDER the tonneau cover 14. It is worth noting that the tonneau cover 14 must be shorter than the length of the bed 20 in order to allow for the length of the toolbox.
Finally, it will be seen that the top-mounted hatch 50 opens upward. This means that a user of the toolbox must open the hatch and then reach down in order to rummage for the desired tool. Obviously given the configuration seen, shelves would be difficult to employ since the topmost shelf would block the view of all the lower shelves.
In alternative configurations, the top hatch is broken into two smaller hatches with are hinged at the middle of the width of the toolbox, so they open upward from the side, not from the back of the toolbox.
It may be seen that having doors on the sides of the toolbox is impossible, since they could not open due to the presence of the side rails, blocking them.
The toolbox shown could not be raised up and placed over the bed of the pickup truck for a number of reasons. First, it would entirely block the view of the driver to the rear, preventing any usage of the rear view mirror. Second, it would prevent drivers and pedestrians behind the pickup from seeing the center high mounted brake light (not shown by the prior art FIG. 9). In addition, the arms which project from the top of the toolbox would not secure it to the sidewalls. Finally, the top opening hatch would no longer be accessible without climbing on top of the roof of the cab of the truck or by removing the tonneau to allow entering the bed and then walking forward to the toolbox.
One example of an alternative type of toolbox may be found at www.quickdrawtoolboxes.com, which shows a gun safe or tool box for placement across the back of a flat bed or pickup truck. This type of box has a low profile to avoid interfering with the field of view of the rear view mirror and to avoid blocking visibility of the third brake light. Another example may be found at http://www.americantruckboxes.com/customtoolboxes.html, showing a box with doors hinging upward, but no safety tunnel.
However, this box does not teach any way to increase the height safely and thus to increase cargo capacity upward.
In addition, it has a sliding rack mechanism to bring out racks/bins (either gun racks in the gun embodiment, or tool bins in the others). This sliding mechanism is required in order to offer access to space near the centerline of the bed, but the mechanism comes at a cost in weight. It also takes up space within the box (which as noted cannot be very tall for safety reasons), adds cost in manufacturing, and requires a large amount of space on the side of the parked vehicle in order to be opened at all. Such mechanisms are subject to jamming, of course, rather like a kitchen drawer.
Worst of all, it is easy to imagine the sliding bin mechanism popping out as the vehicle goes around a corner, after which the vehicle will have a projection apparently in excess of four feet wide sticking out one side.
Finally, horizontal shelves are once again impossible in this design.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,467 (Niemi) teaches a typical design which sits inside of a cargo bed. Niemi very explicitly teaches legs which sit on the floor of the bed, "spaced apart" (four feet is mentioned repeatedly in Niemi) and which fit within the sidewalls "independent" of the sidewalls. Thus this application absolutely prevents using a truck bed for 4′×8′ sheets of building material.
U.S. Pat. No. D374654 to Steketee (Oct. 15, 1996) teaches a truck mounted toolbox having no feet and lacking any tunnel which extends from the bottom upward.
U.S. Design Pat. No. D369,140 to Sills (Apr. 23, 1996) teaches a truck bed mounted toolbox having feet projecting downward from the body to the bed of the pickup truck, and wide flanges on the top which rest on the pickup truck siderails.
The same applicant (Reed III) has, in this same patent family, non-prior art references which teach keeping the entire bed volume empty of the toolbox and thus available for use. However, further experience has shown that in fact some limited projection downward into the bed volume is acceptable, as long as a reasonable amount of space is left between the bottom of the toolbox (the depth of the toolbox) and the bed of the truck. This gap may be quite large (or a small downward projection) or the gap may be more moderate (meaning a deeper downward projection). A projection down even a foot leaves adequate space for a large number of sheets of building material to slide underneath the box.
The advantage of partially projecting into the bed volume, in addition to extending upward to roughly follow the cab outline, is additional storage space in the box.
Thus it would be preferable to provide a pickup toolbox which does not take up any bed space on the floor of the bed of the truck, leaving a gap between the toolbox and the bed and yet having a large storage capacity due to extending both upward and downward from the top of the siderails.
It would even more be preferable to provide a pickup tool box or storage box which has interchangable or adjustable feet so that it can fit onto various types of pickup truck beds, so long as they are the same width.
It would further be preferable to provide a pickup truck storage box/tool box which has a lower profile and lower weight for smaller tool/storage needs.
It would further be preferable to provide a pickup toolbox which allows easy access without rummaging downward, by means of having shelving within the body or any downward extension.
It would further be preferable to provide a pickup toolbox which does not require the use of a tonneau of a different size than the bed volume's top surface.
It would further be preferable to provide a pickup toolbox which allows the use of shelving for tools, but without blocking the view of users.
It would further be preferable to provide a pickup toolbox which meets all of these requirements and yet fulfills basic safety standards by not blocking the view of the third brake light.
It would further be preferable to provide a pickup toolbox which meets all of these requirements and yet fulfills basic safety standards by not blocking the usage by the driver of the rear view mirror.
It would further be preferable to provide a pickup truck tool box/storage box which has a visibility tunnel either extending up from the bottom surface or down from the top surface.
It would yet further be preferable to provide a pickup truck tool/storage box which offers an extra CHSML light, a bed light, a rear view camera, or combinations thereof in a single housing.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An exerciser driving mechanism generally comprising a driving wheel, a timing belt, a tension wheel, a free wheel, a flywheel, and a wool felt, with which the feeling of "inoperative pedaling" likely happened to the free wheel as experienced in the prior art exerciser upon instantaneously actuating the belt may be eliminated, the gear ratio of driving wheel to free wheel is increased, the contact area of the wool felt with the flywheel is reduced to enhance the speed of inertial rotation in regard to the flywheel, while maintaining the desired friction drag efficiency, thus resulting in an excellent smooth operation.

The present invention relates to an exerciser driving mechanism, and more particular to an exerciser driving mechanism with which the feeling of "inoperative pedaling" likely happened to a free wheel upon instantaneously actuating a belt may be eliminated, the gear ratio of driving wheel to free wheel is increased, the contact area of wool felt and flywheel is reduced to enhance the inertial rotating speed of flywheel, while maintaining the expected braking efficiency, thus resulting in an excellent smooth operation.
As people are paying more attention to their health, many indoor body building device have been developed for this purpose, and among them the exerciser is very popular.
It is well known that the exerciser is derived from the principle of bicycle. Referring to FIG. 1 now, an exerciser of the prior art has the pedals 10 attached to a driving wheel 12, the driving wheel 12 can transmit motions to turn a free wheel 16 by means of a chain 14, then a catch member 20 secured in a hole 16 at the free wheel 16 can be applied to make the flywheel 30 driven in one direction.
Again, referring to FIG. 2, the catch member 20 is comprised of an outer shell 22 and an inner shell 24, wherein a plurality of bevel teeth 26 are provided around the inner periphery of the outer shell 22 at one end thereof, the inner shell 24 is secured on the shaft 32 of a flywheel 30, and a snap hook 28 is fitted to the inner shell 24 at an adequate place thereon. A spring (not shown) is built in the snap hook 28 to project the snap hook 28 out of the inner shell 24 normally. But if the spring is pressed, it will make the snap hook 28 lowered. Therefore, as soon as the driving wheel 12 transmits motions in the positive direction to the free wheel 16 through the chain 14, the free wheel will also rotate in the positive direction, then the bevel teeth 26 at the outer shell 22 of the catch member 20 will mesh with the projected snap hook 28 out of the inner shell 24 to drive the flywheel 30, otherwise the snap hook 28 will be pressed by the corresponding face of bevel teeth 26 at the outer shell 22 to prevent it from being driven by the the flywheel 30.
Though the aforesaid driving mechanism does cause any problem in operation, the clearance between two adjacent bevel teeth 26 of the outer shell 22 is likely to cause a feeling of "inoperative pedaling" when one steps on the pedals 10 instantaneously in the positive direction under the condition that the pedals 10 are at a standstill (that is, when the driving wheel 12 and the free wheel 16 are not actuated). Despite of the fact that the clearance between two adjacent bevel teeth 26 is not so wide, the resultant stroke of "inoperative pedaling" will be increased in proposition of the gear ratio of the driving wheel 12 to the free wheel 16, thereby causing the user to feel very uncomfortable. On the other hand, such a feeling of "inoperative pedaling" would also occur upon pedaling at the time when the flywheel 30 is still doing its inertial rotation.
Moreover, the driving mechanism of the prior art uses a wool felt 34 to cover the outer periphery of the flywheel 30 in order to form an adjustable friction drag upon pedaling subject to the contacting condition of the wool felt 34 with the flywheel 30. In the prior art, however, the wool felt 34 usually covers more than one half of the outer diameter of the flywheel 30, that means more than half a turn of the flywheel 30 is subject to the friction drag. Under the situation that the gear ratio of the driving wheel 12 to the free wheel 16 is 3.3:1 to 3.8:1 only, the free wheel 16 is just able to make 3.3 to 3.8 turns at each turn of the driving wheel 12 (the same also applies to the flywheel 30). Therefore, after the turns subject to the friction drag are deducted, the actual turns for inertia positive rotation are greatly reduced, thus leading to an inefficient pedaling which is the reason why one feels uncomfortable upon pedaling an exerciser of the prior art.


A powered tool removes moldings or other mounted item without imparting damage to the surface being worked upon. The tool has a blade affixed to a handle. The handle and blade are interdigitated so as to form a flat surface along the bottom of the tool. This smooth, flat surface allows the tool to be deployed upon the surface and the blade then slid underneath the molding, such that, by a pneumatic force or other power supplied thereto, the tool easily lifts the molding away from the surface. The handle of the tool has a gripping portion and blade-engaging portion, such that the tool can be comfortably gripped to effect the removal of the molding. The damage to the surface is eliminated when using the present tool, in part, by the formation of the blade of plastic.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a tool for removing moldings and the like from surfaces. More particularly, the present invention concerns a tool for removing moldings from vehicles by pulsatingly traversing the surface thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Tools for removing or scraping objects off surfaces have been known in the art. Such a device is typified by and taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,851 which issued Aug. 21, 1984 to Hoffman and is entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRAPING ADHERENT MATERIAL FROM A SMOOTH WORK SURFACE." Hoffman teaches a cylindrical member having a hose connected to a pneumatic power supply or air hammer at one end thereof. At the opposite end of the cylindrical member there is mounted a blade having an angled edge at the forward end thereof. In operation, the device of Hoffman is driven by the pneumatic power across the surface with the blade being driven underneath the object to be removed.
However, this type of device has drawbacks. Particularly, the device tends to gouge or scratch the surface being worked upon. This is due to the lack of proximity of the tool to the surface. In order to grip the tool, the tool must be held at an angle. This impedes the ability of the tool to smoothly traverse the body surface and therefore impairs easy removal of the molding. Further, the tool creates the potential for damage to the surface, as the force is not fully applied to the molding, but to the surface being worked upon. In this way, the surface is damaged.
It is to be, thusly, appreciated that what is needed is a tool that offers suitable gripping for the user while providing closer proximity with the surface being worked upon. Further, the tool should be made of a material that lessens the effects upon the surface being worked upon. It is to these needs that the present invention is directed.


Modified melamine-formaldehyde resins prepared by reacting melamine with formaldehyde at a F:M molar ratio in the range of about 1.55:1-2.5:1 under alkaline conditions, wherein the resin is prepared in the presence of about 1-10 wt % dicyandiamide and about 1-10 wt % sorbitol based on the total weight of resin solids. The resins are used to impregnate substrates in the preparation of decorative laminates. The laminates can be used to produce, for example, furniture, countertops or flooring.

Because of their excellent color, hardness, and solvent, water, and chemical resistance, melamine resins are often used in the saturation of decorative and overlay paper for the preparation of decorative laminates. They are also resistant to heat and abrasion. There are many patents describing the use of melamine resins in these applications. Unfortunately, unmodified melamine resins have very short shelf lives, e.g., no more than about 1-3 days, after which time resin begins to separate from solution. Consequently, such resins must be used shortly after their preparation, and unexpected scheduling disruption can lead to loss of product. Laminates produced from such unmodified melamine resins also tend to be very brittle and normally cannot be post-formed to produce clear, crack-free surfaces.
The art has recognized that many of the shortcomings of unmodified melamine resins can be addressed by the introduction of various resin modifiers. Modifiers are available for increasing the shelf life of melamine resins, for increasing flow during processing, for increasing the cured resin's flexibility, and/or for increasing post-formability of a laminated product. Often, a plasticizer is added to melamine formulations to improve shelf life and to aid post-formability. Plasticizers which have been used in this regard include sucrose, sorbitol, alkylguanamines, aliphatic polyols, aromatic amides, aromatic amines, polyvinyl alcohol, monocarbamates, caprolactam, and isocyanuarates. U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,395, for example, describes a laminated material which contains, inter alia, a coating layer comprised of, for example, melamine- and/or urea-formaldehyde resins, a pigment, and a plasticizer, such as a mixture of sugar and sorbitol.
There are many patents directed to modified melamine resins. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,316 discloses aqueous resin solutions formed by partially reacting formaldehyde, melamine, and dicyandiamide in the presence of an oxy-acid of phosphorous. U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,720 describes laminating resins for producing rigid and decorative post-formable laminates. The resins comprise the co-condensation product of an aminotriazine, such as melamine, and an aldehyde. An anhydride of sorbitol is also included to enhance the stability of the aqueous resin solution. U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,937 relates to melamine resins modified by dicyandiamide, a water soluble starch, and a guanamine derivative which resins are useful for decorative paper laminates.
WO 96/20230 discloses resins for use in post-formed laminates prepared by reacting formaldehyde, melamine, dicyandiamide, and a polyol such as trimethylolpropane, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, or 1,6-hexanediol. BE 1005822 A3 discloses melamine-formaldehyde resins modified with dicyandiamide. The resins are useful for impregnation of paper for making laminates.
Unfortunately, the steps taken by the prior art to improve post-formability often create laminates whose color, clarity, or chemical and water resistance are adversely affected. For instance, sugar-modified melamine-formaldehyde resins often yellow when subjected to heat and pressure as the laminate is cured. Other modifiers in the prior art also reduce the boiling water resistance of the cured laminate while increasing the flexibility of the laminate. Still other modifiers reduce the shelf life of the resin or reduce the flexibility and gloss characteristics of the final laminate to unacceptable levels.
It was thus desired to obtain a modifier for melamine resins which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art modifiers, improves resin storage stability, and confers good flexibility and gloss to the cured laminates.

Melamine-formaldehyde resins modified with dicyandiamide and sorbitol for impregnation of substrates for post-formable decorative laminates


A method of inhibiting chytochrome P450 enzymes selected from the group consisting of CYP1A2, CYP2A6 and CYP3A4 comprises the step of administering an effective inhibition amount of AHT-323A botanical extract to a patient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting cytochrome P450 enzymes by administering a Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. F. (TW) extract. More specifically, inhibitions of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4 in cryopreserved human hepatocytes were studied. The method is particularly useful in determining drug-drug interactions when the TW extract is co-administered with other drugs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cytochrome P-450 is a superfamily of enzymes that metabolize a large number of drugs, xenobiotics and endogenous substances in vitro and in vivo. Enzymes of the cytochrome P450 superfamily catalyze the oxidative metabolism of a variety of substrates, including natural compounds such as steroids, fatty acids, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and vitamins, as well as drugs, carcinogens, mutagens, and xenobiotics. Cytochrome P450s, also known as P450 heme-thiolate proteins, usually act as terminal oxidases in multi-component electron transfer chains, called P450-containing monooxygenase systems. Specific reactions catalyzed include hydroxylation, epoxidation, N-oxidation, sulfooxidation, N-, S-, and O-dealkylations, desulfation, deamination, and reduction of azo, nitro, and N-oxide groups. These reactions are involved in steroidogenesis of glucocorticoids, cortisols, estrogens, and androgens in animals; insecticide resistance in insects; herbicide resistance and flower coloring in plants; and environmental bioremediation by microorganisms. Cytochrome P450 actions on drugs, carcinogens, mutagens, and xenobiotics can result in detoxification or in conversion of the substance to a more toxic product. Cytochrome P450s are abundant in the liver, but also occur in other tissues. Members of the cytochrome P450 family are present in varying levels and their expression and activities are controlled by variables such as chemical environment, sex, developmental stage, nutrition and age.
More than 200 cytochrome P450 genes have been identified. There are multiple forms of these P450 and each of the individual forms exhibit degrees of specificity towards individual chemicals in the above classes of compounds. In some cases, a substrate, whether a drug or a carcinogen, is metabolized by more then one of the cytochromes P450. All cytochrome P450s use a heme cofactor and share structural attributes. Most cytochrome P450s are 400 to 530 amino acids in length. The secondary structure of the enzyme is about 70% alpha-helical and about 22% beta-sheet.
Genetic polymorphisms of cytochromes P450 result in phenotypically-distinct subpopulations that differ in their ability to perform biotransformations of particular drugs and other chemical compounds. These phenotypic distinctions have important implications for selection of drugs. For example, a drug that is safe when administered to most humans may cause toxic side-effects in an individual suffering from a defect in an enzyme required for detoxification of the drug. Alternatively, a drug that is effective in most humans may be ineffective in a particular subpopulation because of lack of a enzyme required for conversion of the drug to a metabolically active form. Further, individuals lacking a biotransformation enzyme are often susceptible to cancers from environmental chemicals due to inability to detoxify the chemicals.
Human cytochrome P450 1A2 constitutes about 13% of total P450 in human liver and is the second most abundant P450 following human cytochrome P450 3A4. P450 1A2 catalyzes the metabolism of a large variety of drugs and carcinogens. Drugs metabolized by human P450 1A2 include phenacetin, R-warfarin, clomipramine, imipramine, theophyline, theobromine, paraxanthine, caffeine, chlorzoxazone, 7-methoxyresorufin, and 7-ethoxycoumarin. P450 1A2 also has a major role in activating mutagens and carcinogens. For example, 1A2 metabolically activates the food pyrolysis products IQ and MeIQx to active mutagens.
A complication in patient drug choice is that most drugs have not been characterized for their metabolism by P450 1A2 and other cytochromes P450. Without knowing which cytochrome(s) p450 is/are responsible for metabolizing an individual drug, an assessment cannot be made for the adequacy of a patient's P450 profile. For such drugs, there is a risk of adverse effects if the drugs are administered to deficient metabolizers.
The cytochrome P-450 3A (CYP 3A) isoenzyme is a member of the cytochrome P-450 superfamily. It constitutes up to 60% of the total human liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 and is responsible for metabolism of a large number of drugs including nifedipine, macrofide antibiotics including erythromycin and troleandomycin, cyclosporin, FK506, teffenadine, tamoxifen, lidocaine, midazolam, triazolam, dapsone, diltiazem, lovastatin, quinidine, ethylestradiol, testosterone, and alfentanil. In addition, CYP 3A has been shown to be involved in both bioactivation and detoxication pathways for several carcinogens in vitro.
The active form of CYP 3A has been found in other organs besides the liver including kidney epithelial cells, jejunal mucosa, and the lungs. In these organs, the amount of the cytochrome P450 protein is much lower then in the liver. In a study of human lung microsomes, presence and activity of CYP 3A has been demonstrated.
Presence of the cytochrome P-450 3A in the lung microsomes indicates that the drugs and other substances which are subject to CYP 3A (P450-3A) mediated metabolism may be partially metabolized in the lungs. This has been demonstrated for the topical steroid, beclomethasome dipropionate. It has also been shown that only about 10% of the drug released by an inhaler is available to the lungs. The remaining mount is retained in the spacer device and oral cavity. Steroids absorbed from the lungs and gastrointestinal tract are subsequently metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P450. Many drugs, such as prednisone, cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide, digitoxin, diazepam, ethinylestradiol, midazolam, triazolo-benzodiazepines, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, etc. are metabolized by a member of the CYP3A family, CYP3A4.
Human CYP2A6 is an important member of the CYP superfamily and is present in liver up to 1% of the total CYP content (Yun et al., 1991). Human CYP2A6 metabolically activates the carcinogens aflatoxin B1 (Yun et al., 1991), a tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butone (Crespi et al., 1991), and N-nitrosodiethylamine (Fernandez-Salguero & Gonzalez, 1995). CYP2A6 also carries out coumarin metabolism by aromatic hydroxylation in humans (Pearce et al., 1992). Coumarin 7-hydroxylation has been used as a marker for CYP2A6 activity in vitro (Yamano et al., 1990) and the basis for measuring the in vivo expression of CYP2A6 (Cholerton et al., 1992; Rautio et al., 1992). A genetic polymorphism has been found in CYP2A6 (Fernandez-Salguero et al., 1995) that is due to three variant allelic forms, i.e., CYP2A6*1, 2A6*2, 2A6*3, respectively (Daly et al., 1996).
Cytochrome P450 2D6, also known as debrisoquine hydroxylase, is the best characterized polymorphic P450 in the human population (Gonzalez et al., Nature 331:442–446 (1988)). A poor metabolizer phenotype has been reported which behaves as an autosomat recessive trait with an incidence between 5 and 10% in the white population of North America and Europe. Poor metabolizers exhibit negligible amounts of cytochrome P450 2D6 (Gonzales et al., supra). Genetic differences in cytochrome P450 2D6 may be associated with increased risk of developing environmental and occupational based diseases. See Gonzalez & Gelboin, J. Toxicology and Environmental Health 40, 289–308 (1993)).
There is some evidence that S-mephenytoin 4′ hydroxylase activity resides in the cytochrome P450 2C family of enzymes. A number of 2C human variants (designated 2C8, 2C9 and 2C10) have been partially purified, and/or cloned. A comparison of the P450 2C cDNAs and their predicted amino acid sequences shows that about 70% of the amino acids are absolutely conserved among the human P450 2C subfamily. Some regions of human P450 2C protein sequences have particularly highly conservation, and these regions may participate in common P450 functions. Other regions show greater sequence divergence regions and are likely responsible for different substrate specificities between 2C members.
Several drugs for treating cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders are known substrates of cytochrome P450 2D6. (Dahl and Bertilsson, Pharmacogenetics 3, 61–70 (1993)), a situation that creates problems in prescribing such drugs. Although such drugs may be the most effective treatment for most of the population, physicians are reluctant to prescribe them due to the risk of adverse effects in poor metabolizers. Buchert et al., Pharmacogenetics 2, 2–11 (1992); Dahl et al., Pharmacogenetics 3, 61–70 (1993).
A complication in patient drug choice is that most drugs have not been characterized for their metabolism cytochromes P450. Without knowing which cytochrome(s) p450 is/are responsible for metabolizing an individual drug, an assessment cannot be made for the adequacy of a patient's P450 profile. For such drugs, there is a risk of adverse effects if the drugs are administered to deficient metabolizers.
The use of in vitro metabolism of therapeutic agents to address the potential in vivo induction, inhibition, drug-drug interaction and individual variability issues is known (for a recent review, see Rodrigues, 1994, Biochem. Pharmacol. 48: 2147–2156). Central to these studies is the unambiguous identification of specific drug-metabolizing enzyme(s), particularly human cytochrome P450 isoform(s) responsible for the metabolism of drugs. This objective can be achieved by using selective cytochrome P450 inhibitors, antibodies, recombinant cytochrome P450s and correlation analysis (Rodrigues, 1994, Biochem. Pharmacol. 48: 2147–2156).
Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. F. (TW) is a native plant in China. Roots of plant Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. F. contains bioactive components, primarily alkaloids, diterpenes and triterpenes. Historically, TW plant has been widely used in China to treat a variety of human diseases including autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases for centuries. Studies have shown that diterpenes are major effective components in treating rheumatoid arthritis, chronic nephritis and some other diseases. However, there has been no study whatsoever on activities of each isolated diterpene compound nor any combinations thereof in human.
While the Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. F. extract prepared according to the traditional method(s) has been used for treating autoimmune or inflammatory diseases for many years, each diterpene content in the preparations resulting from such method(s) varies from preparation to preparation and it has never been fully analyzed and quantified. Any attempt to quantify the major bioactive components has not been satisfactory so far due to the complexity of the extract composition and technical difficulties, where multiple compounds create great interference between the components among themselves. Hence, neither physicians nor patients have had informative knowledge about the amount of active components administered to the patients, although the medicine has been used for many years. As a result of such inconsistency in the drug dosages it is difficult for physicians to monitor the treatments following prognosis of the diseases. The lack of a well defined dosage regimens also prevents this herbal medicine, that has been proven highly effective in treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, from being further studied for the benefits of the public at large.
Despite that various TW extracts containing diterpenes have been reported to be effective for the treatment of autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases, but such TW extracts may be highly toxic. There has been death report resulting from administration of certain TW extract. Ttriptolide (T10) has been reported as being carcinogenic or a major component causing significant side effects, while triptriolide (T11), tripdiolide (T8) and tripchlorolide (T4) are demonstrated to be the components having the most favorable therapeutic indexes, i.e. high efficacy and low toxicity in TW extract.
Studies on inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzyme activities is clearly of therapeutic importance. The co-administration of the TW extracts with another drug may increase or decrease the plasma level of the other drug, therefore, directly affect the efficacy of the other drug. In some instances, inhibition of the metabolism of other drugs by the TW extracts may result in or reduce the production of certain carcinogenic substances in the body. Accordingly, it is important for both drug development and clinical use to determine which cytochrome P450 enzymes are interact with the TW extracts, since cytochrome P450 enzymes are directly related to the metabolisms of many drugs.
Insofar as applicants know, there has been no study relating to drug interactions between any forms of the TW extracts and any other drugs. Without the knowledge of the profile of the TW extract drug interactions, it would be unlikely that the TW extracts will be of any significance in clinical or therapeutic uses.
The present invention provides a profile of the drug interactions of the TW extracts by investigating the effects of a particular form of the extracts, AHT-323A botanical extract, on a series of cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Inhibition of CYP450 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4 in cryopreserved human hepatocytes by a Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. F. extract


A mail sorting and distributing transfer system, which smoothly conveys mail on a mail sorting line having a compound curve whose line is not in a plane, but is three-dimensional, whereby the mail can be reliably transferred to a conveyor basket and conveying power savings are achieved. The system 100 receives mail in a transfer basket 120 hung at an outer circumferential edge of a mail sorting and distributing turn table 110 and transfers the mail through a transfer port 122 to a conveyor basket 130, which circulates on a mail sorting line O. The conveyor basket 130 includes an inner circumferential side carriage 131 and an outer circumferential side carriage 132, which respectively travel on an inner circumferential side rail 142 and an outer circumferential side rail 143 of the mail sorting line O while hanging a basket body 133 by both sides in a carried state.

A conventional mail sorter includes a synchronous transfer section, which charges mail into a conveyor box while mail holder sections are shifted in synchronization with the movement of the conveyor boxes for sorting the mail, so that the mail holder sections are adapted to transfer the mail to the conveyor boxes while a fixed section is moving in synchronization with the movement of the conveyor boxes.
Such a conventional mail sorter must transfer mail timely to a moving conveyor box through a mail holder section. However, the time interval when a receipt port of the conveyor box registers with the mail holder is an instant, and, after that, the facing state of both the receipt port of the conveyor box and the mail holder section is gradually changed to a V-shaped, bent arrangement state and the conveyor box and mail holder are separated from each other. Thus, transferable time therebetween is short, and when the transfer timing is shifted even a little, transfer failure can be often generated.
Thus, to be able to reliably transfer mail supplied from the mail charging line timely to a conveyor basket on the mail sorting line by extending the transferable time for mail the present inventors developed a mail sorting and distributing transfer system 200 in which after mail supplied from the mail charging line as shown in FIG. 6 was received in a transfer basket 220 hung at an outer circumferential edge of a mail sorting and distributing turn table 210, the mail is transferred to a predetermined conveyor basket 230, which circulates on a mail sorting line through an openable transfer port 222 provided on the bottom of the transfer basket 220.
However, since the mail sorting and distributing transfer system 200, which is a related art of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6, is circulated on a traveling rail 242b on only the inner circumferential side of the mail sorting line by hanging the transfer basket 230 by one side, a rotational moment F is generated by the conveyor basket 230 itself, and the self weight of mail while using a traveling roller 231c provided on a traveling rail 242b of the conveyor basket 230 and a guide roller 231b provided on the guide rail side as a base point, and excess conveying power is required by traveling resistance due to this rotational moment F. Accordingly, there were problems that upsizing of a driving source is not avoided and errors in transferring the mail from the transfer basket 220 to the conveyor basket 230 can be generated.
The mail sorting line has a horizontal bend and a vertical bend connected by a transfer zone. Further, connecting portions which, connect adjacent conveyor baskets to each other have a rotating shaft, and a rotating shaft of the traveling roller 231c and a rotating shaft of the guide roller 231b are separately arranged at non-intersection positions respectively, a torsion phenomenon is generated between the traveling roller 231c and the guide roller 231b in the transfer zone between a horizontal bend and a vertical bend forming a compound curve whose line is not in a plane, but is three-dimensional, and conveying trouble is caused by further traveling resistance due to this torsion phenomenon. Accordingly there was a problem that trouble can occur in a smooth sorting operation of mail M.

Mail sorting and distributing transfer system


The pressure sensor is provided commonly with respect to a plurality of pressure measurement objects. The pressure sensor comprises: a piezoelectric body; and a first electrode and a second electrode which are disposed on either side of the piezoelectric body in a thickness direction, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed so as to have a narrower width in coupling sections corresponding to positions between the pressure measurement objects, than a width of sections corresponding to the pressure measurement objects.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pressure sensor, a pressure measurement apparatus, a liquid ejection head and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a pressure sensor, a pressure measurement apparatus, a liquid ejection head, and an image forming apparatus suitable for high-density mounting.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus is known which forms images on a recording medium, such as paper, by ejecting ink from nozzles toward the recording medium, while moving a liquid ejection head (inkjet head) having an arrangement of a plurality of nozzles, and the recording medium, relatively with respect to each other.
A known liquid ejection head mounted in the image forming apparatus is, for example, a piezo type liquid ejection head, in which ink is supplied to pressure chambers connected to nozzles, and the volume of the pressure chambers is changed, thereby causing the ink inside the pressure chambers to be ejected from the nozzles, by applying a drive signal corresponding to the image data to piezoelectric bodies forming pressure generating devices which are installed via a diaphragm plate on the pressure chambers.
On the other hand, there are also known thermal jet liquid ejection heads, which generate bubbles by heating the ink by means of heaters, or other heating elements, and eject ink droplets by means of the pressure thus generated.
Furthermore, a liquid ejection head provided with a pressure sensor is also known.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-94675 (and in particular, FIGS. 2 and 13) discloses technology for providing pressure sensors which measure the internal pressure of the pressure chambers, and performing feedback control on the basis of the measurement results of these pressure sensors, with the object of suppressing inadvertent ejection of satellite ink droplets. The pressure sensors include a one-piece piezoelectric sensor wafer which is relatively thin and covers all of the pressure chambers arranged in a one-dimensional fashion, and a plurality of long and thin piezoelectric sensor strips provided respectively for the pressure chambers.
In recent years, there have been demands to form high-quality images by increasing the number of pixels (number of dots) per unit surface area, by arranging a plurality of nozzles at high density. If a plurality of nozzles are arranged at high density in order to meet these demands, then the plurality of pressure chambers connected respectively to these nozzles are also required to be arranged at high density.
On the other hand, in order to ensure high-quality images, there is also a requirement to provide accurate determination of ejection defectiveness, such as ink ejection failures, and if pressure sensors are disposed respectively at the pressure chambers in order to meet such requirements, then the number of wires also increases in accordance with the number of pressure chambers. However, it is difficult to lay such wires, which increase in number in accordance with the number of pressure chambers, in the gaps between pressure chambers which are arranged at high density.
For example, if the pitch of a plurality of pressure chambers arranged in a two-dimensional configuration is 0.5 mm in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, and if the size of each pressure chamber is 0.3 mm in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, then each of the gaps between the pressure chambers in which the wires can be laid has a width of 0.2 mm (=0.5 mm−0.3 mm). Here, it is assumed that the desired image resolution is 2400 dots per inch (dpi), and that it is sought to arrange 48 pressure chambers (≧0.5 mm/(25.4 mm/2400)) in the longitudinal direction in order to achieve this resolution. In this case, one pressure sensor wire is required for each pressure chamber, and even if the total of 48 wires are extended in two different directions (for example, the rightward direction and the leftward direction), and even subtracting one wire of one pressure chamber that does not need to pass between pressure chambers, it is still necessary to pass 23 (=48/2−1) wires through each of the gaps (having a width of 0.2 mm as described above) between the pressure chambers. In this case, the wiring pitch is 8.7 μm (=0.2 mm/23), and if approximately one half of this wiring pitch is the actual width of the wires, then wiring is very difficult to achieve in practice.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-94675 discloses a relatively thin one-piece pressure sensor which covers all of the pressure chambers. If the pressure amplitudes, which are different in the pressure chambers, are to be measured, then it is difficult to use the one-piece pressure sensor covering all of the pressure chambers, and hence it is necessary to use pressure sensors provided respectively for the pressure chambers, and wires are required to be provided for the pressure chambers, as described above, in respect of the pressure sensors provided correspondingly at the pressure chambers. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-94675 discloses pressure chambers arranged in a one-dimensional fashion; however, it makes no mention of pressure chambers arranged in a two-dimensional configuration, and makes no mention of pressure sensors for measuring the pressure respectively in the pressure chambers two-dimensionally arranged, and of wiring for such pressure sensors. In other words, it is difficult to arrange pressure chambers at high density in a two-dimensional configuration, as well as to measure the pressure in the pressure chambers.
Furthermore, if the surface area of the pressure sensors increases, their electrostatic capacitance also increases, and their output voltage can fall.

Pressure sensor, pressure measurement apparatus, liquid ejection head and image forming apparatus


A dual processor framer includes a receiver and a transmitter which share common circuitry and/or code. Separate direct memory access controllers may be used for each of the receiver and transmitter. Processing is distributed over two or more processors. One processor may be a lower power processor while another processor may be a higher power processor. At least one of the two or more processors may be programmable or reconfigurable. The transceiver is configured to provide internal loop back self testing at various points in the processing. Timing within the transceiver may be established almost entirely by a single clock domain.

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) permit great mobility of various communication devices in a local environment. Radio frequency signals used in WLAN devices penetrate floors and walls. A user with a wireless device may travel throughout a building, up, down, or laterally, and still remain connected to the WLAN. This frees the user to conduct parallel activities while staying in contact with the WLAN. For instance, the user may retrieve a document or other item while remaining in communication with co-workers on different floors.
There is a great variety of wireless communication devices for connecting to a WLAN. Different wireless devices contain different features and capabilities. They are further limited to a particular wireless standard, such as the BLUETOOTH wireless standard, IEEE 802.11, and Home RF, and even to a particular version of the wireless standard. A number of these wireless communications devices are managed by multiple processors.
Even with the great variety of wireless devices available, there are still areas where the capabilities of these devices are less than ideal.
First, power conservation management has not been adequate in current devices. Portable wireless devices contain batteries which need to be recharged periodically. Increasingly diverse tasks performed by processors within the portable wireless devices consume varying amounts of power. Current wireless devices do not efficiently allocate energy resources so as to maximize the time before the batteries have to be recharged.
Second, configurability of processing is limited in current wireless devices. For instance, wireless devices may utilize two (or more) processors with a framer. These processors may be disposed together with the framer in the same housing or separately from the framer. A drawback to these current wireless devices is that the processors have unchangeable configurations. This prevents switching between different wireless standards, upgrading to a newer version of the wireless standard, and modifying the processor configuration to correct for errors or otherwise improve performance, such as by better balancing signal paths.
Third, current wireless devices lack adequate self-testing. Current testing of wireless devices is cumbersome because a second wireless device is required to perform device testing. A second wireless device for testing may not be available when needed. Wireless devices need to be checked for operational characteristics not only during manufacture, but also in the field. This need becomes greater for those devices that travel from a warmer environment to a cooler one or from a dry environment to a more humid one. For instance, the user may enter a refrigerated room or a clean room or may venture from inside a builder to outside a building and find that the wireless device he or she is carrying does not function as well because of device environmental sensitivity.
Fourth, synchronization between the different component parts of a wireless device has been limited. Superior device performance occurs when the components of the device are well synchronized. Although current wireless devices do synchronize component operations to a limited extent, the level of synchronization is not adequate for increasingly higher processing within the wireless device.
Fifth, certain wireless device applications require heightened reliability for work in severe, hazardous, or isolated environments. Current wireless communications devices, even those managed by multiple processors, are not built with the redundancy for extremely reliable wireless communications. Extreme working environments demand highly reliable devices. For example, a user may need to carry a wireless communications device into a work space having a caustic atmosphere such as a chemical processing plant or around the cooling system of a nuclear reactor. In such circumstances, it may be imperative to have an extremely reliable communications device to ensure contemporaneous and immediate analysis of imminent dangers.
Consequently, there is a need for dual processor framers in which at least one of the processors is programmable to allow for reconfiguration, those in which the wireless device provides adequate self-testing, those in which internal synchronization of the framer is tightly controlled, and/or those which require a very high degree of reliable operation. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a solution that addresses deficiencies in the conventional devices.