A data processing apparatus obtains an input pixel region contained in image data, inputs a pixel value contained in the input pixel region into an image processor, obtains the image-processed pixel value from the image processor, and outputs an output pixel region. Data of the input pixel region and data of the output pixel region are temporarily stored, and the size of an input area that stores the data of the input pixel region and the size of an output area that stores the data of the output pixel region are set based on the number of pixels in the input pixel region and the number of pixels in the output pixel region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, a data processing method and a storage medium for temporarily storing image data before and after image processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, local (neighborhood) image processing such as spatial filtering is performed when forming an image and outputting the formed image. In the local image processing, a predetermined calculation is performed on a spatial filtering region including pixels to be processed (hereinafter simply referred to as "processing pixels") by using all or most of the pixels in the spatial filtering region.
Resolution conversion is one type of local (neighborhood) image processing, in which an input image is converted to an image of desired size by enlarging or reducing the input image. In the resolution conversion, naturally, the number of input pixels and the number of output pixels after processing are significantly different. Accordingly, it is difficult to implement an apparatus for resolution conversion as compared to an apparatus for common local (neighborhood) image processing. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804, it is pointed out that in a case where a plurality of combinations of delay memory and spatial filtering are used, if resolution conversion is executed between each combination, two delay memories before and after the processing cannot be used effectively.
To address this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804 discloses resolution conversion processing called "main scanning scaling" in which the number of pixels in the main scanning direction of an input image is changed by size enlargement or reduction. According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804, two spatial filters before and after resolution conversion perform calculation on the processing pixels in a two-dimensional region, and thus it is necessary to provide a delay memory for each of the two spatial filters. Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804 focuses on the two delay memories and changes in the number of pixels, and discloses a technique for making effective use of the memories. Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804 uses block (tile) processing in which an image is two dimensionally divided into regions in both the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, and image processing is performed sequentially on pixel regions obtained as a result of the division.
Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-139606 discloses a band processing technique that is similar to the block (tile) processing described above. With the band processing, an image is one-dimensionally divided into regions only in the main scanning direction, and pixel regions obtained as a result of division is sequentially subjected to image processing. With this technique, in order to perform local (neighborhood) image processing on the band regions without a break, the band regions are configured such that adjacent band regions partially overlap each other at their boundaries. Also, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-139606, pixels are scanned on a pixel by pixel basis in the same direction as the height of each band region, and thereby the capacities of the delay memories for holding processing pixels required for local (neighborhood) image processing are defined by the magnitude of the height of each band region. In this way, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-139606 implements reduction of the capacities of the delay memories.
As with the block (tile) processing disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804, the band processing disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-139606 is also a technique in which an image is divided into regions and image processing is performed sequentially or in a distributed concurrent manner. Hereinafter, such techniques will be collectively referred to as "region division techniques". Image processing that is incompatible with such region division techniques is not only the resolution conversion disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804.
For example, trimming processing, edge extension processing and the like that are used in printer image processing or the like are also incompatible with the region division techniques. Trimming processing is processing for partial removal of an image, and the number of pixels of an output image is reduced as compared to the number of pixels of an input image. Likewise, edge extension is processing performed only on the pixels on the edge of an image, in which only a predetermined number of pixels are copied and extended or the pixels of a specific color are extended, and the number of pixels of an output image is increased as compared to the number of pixels of an input image.
IP conversion and the like that are used in video processing or the like are also incompatible with the region division techniques. IP conversion is processing in which interlace images whose pixels have been thinned out in the sub scanning direction are combined into a progressive image in which the pixels of one frame are not thinned out by using a plurality of frames in the time axis direction. For example, in the case where a progressive image of a single image is obtained by combining interlace images of two frames, the total number of pixels of an input image is the same as the number of pixels of an output image. However, with high quality IP conversion, a progressive image of a single frame is obtained by combining interlace images of 3 to 5 frames, and thus the number of pixels of an output image is reduced as compared to that of an input image. In the example of IP conversion, the relationship between the number of pixels of an input image and the number of pixels of an output image varies depending on the operation mode (image quality mode) selected by the user.
Recently available image processing apparatuses incorporate many various image processing tasks including the above described spatial filtering, resolution conversion, trimming processing, edge extension processing and IP conversion. In order to achieve the desired image quality with each apparatus, the image processing apparatus often selects processing from among the various processing tasks according to the application and uses the selected processing tasks in combination.
However, additional attention is required in the case where a combination of a plurality of processing tasks is implemented with a region division technique. In the case where calculation is performed using processing pixels of a two-dimensional region such as spatial filtering, it is necessary to accumulate surrounding pixels according to the pixel size handled by the filtering and process the image. If spatial filtering is performed a plurality of times, it is necessary to accumulate surrounding pixels each time and process a larger image in which all of the surrounding pixels have been accumulated.
Furthermore, with spatial filtering such as chroma upsampling in video processing, only accumulating surrounding pixels as described above is insufficient. With such spatial filtering, it is necessary to give consideration to the phase of input processing pixels on an image. Accordingly, there is a special limitation that restricts the numbers of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions of the image input for the spatial filtering to multiples of 4.
In order to perform the desired image processing while satisfying the limitations of a plurality of processing tasks selected and combined according to the application, it is not possible to easily define the relationship between the number of pixels of the input image and the number of pixels of the output image. The application is designed to process an image having a number of pixels that is greater than that of an image obtained as a result of accumulation of surrounding pixels in spatial filtering performed a plurality of times. In some cases, the application is required to remove a part of the processed image at the end of processing so as to adjust the image to the desired size.
When using the region division technique, it is important to consider how to implement the image processing method that selects and combines a plurality of image processing tasks by using hardware.
Generally, an image processing apparatus that uses hardware implements the simultaneous operation of various components and the cooperative operation of the components by transferring images to and from an external storage device via an input local buffer and an output local buffer. However, as described above, when performing image processing by selecting and combining a plurality of processing tasks, the number of pixels of input image and the number of pixels of output image cannot be easily defined. Accordingly, it is difficult to appropriately define the capacity of the input local buffer and the capacity of the output local buffer, and a problem arises such as reduction of utilization efficiency caused by preparing excessively large buffers or delay of processing by preparing excessively small storage capacity.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804 focuses on two (pre-filter and post-filter) delay memories before and after main scanning scaling. However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804 does not give consideration to an image processing apparatus as a hardware configuration for implementing an image processing method for selecting and combining a plurality of various image processing tasks. Accordingly, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804 contains no disclosure of a useful solution for a method that copes with the above-described situation in which the number of pixels of the input image and the number of pixels of the output image vary. Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-087804 contains no disclosure of a useful solution that focuses on the input local buffer that is required to read images from an external storage device and the output local buffer that is required to write processed images into the external storage device.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems and provides a technique that enables efficient utilization of a storage device that temporarily stores an input image and an output image under the conditions in which the number of input pixels and the number of output pixels vary due to image processing in which various processing tasks are combined.

Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and storage medium for storing image data


A composite device for medical image capturing according to the present invention includes: a head part including a camera unit provided with an image sensor to capture a tooth image, a printed circuit board for operation control of the camera unit and signal transmission therefrom, a light source panel having multiple light sources mounted therein, the light sources emitting light towards a target tooth of which an image is to be captured by the camera unit, an upper housing having the camera unit, the printed circuit board, and the light source panel which are embedded therein, and a lower housing; and a main body part provided with an operation panel for signal input, and supplying electric power to the head part and transmitting a tooth image signal received from the head part to outside.

As well known in the art, to establish an accurate diagnosis for oral lesions of a patient, an image of the overall appearance of a patient including the patient's face (portrait) and an image of tooth contours including an image of all the teeth, an image of each tooth, a close-up enlarged image of a specific portion of one tooth, and the like are required.
Meanwhile, for early caries detection, there has been developed a technique of detecting caries at an early stage of development using fluorescence generated by tooth tissue under light having a specific wavelength (about 405 nm). This is called "quantitative light-induced fluorescence". This is a method of quantitatively measuring the degree of caries using fluorescence spectra, in which a healthy tooth appears bright green in a fluorescence image, while a lesion such as dental caries appears dark on a bright green background, thus diagnosing dental caries.
Furthermore, there has been developed another image capturing method for early caries detection using transillumination, in which a tooth image is captured in a state in which near-infrared light having a wavelength range of 800 nm to 1300 nm is emitted to a tooth, thus illuminating the inside of the tooth. This method is advantageous to detect caries located at interproximal contact sites between adjacent teeth and detect cracks in teeth.
As described above, in order to accurately diagnose the state of a tooth, an image of tooth contours, a tooth image captured using quantitative light-induced fluorescence, and a tooth image captured using transillumination are separately required. To obtain these various types of tooth images, in the related art, a camera device for capturing the image of tooth contours, an image capturing camera device using quantitative light-induced fluorescence, and an image capturing camera device using transillumination are separately required, causing user's inconvenience and an increase in purchasing cost.
In an effort to solve such a problem, a multi-camera for medical treatment (Korean Patent No. 10-1618684), which is capable of selectively combining multiple head parts emitting wavelengths of different bands for image capturing, was proposed by the present applicant.
However, such a multi-camera for medical treatment has a disadvantage in that it is required to replace the head parts according to a change in image capturing method, causing inconvenience to capturing of a tooth image. Additionally, each head part is detachably coupled to a main body of the camera, causing frequent loss or breakage of the head part.

Composite device for medical image capturing


A reflection-type liquid crystal display module has a liquid crystal panel including a first substrate of, for example, a rectangular shape, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate and a liquid crystal layer provided in a space between the first substrate and the second substrate to form a display screen, a package for encasing and holding the liquid crystal panel while maintaining the first substrate in an exposed state and a dichroic prism to which the first substrate is attached. At least two sides each of the first substrate have a side edge extruding outwardly over a corresponding side end of the second substrate. The side edges of the first substrate are fixed between the dichroic prism and the package, whereby the second substrate is supported by the first substrate and not by the package.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display module capable of suppressing changes in the gap for the liquid crystal layer in a liquid crystal display module, where a liquid crystal panel is mounted on a package, thereby displaying high quality images, and also relates to a projection-type liquid crystal display device.
Liquid crystal panels are widely used as display devices for television receivers, monitors for information equipment such as personal computers, etc. and other various display means. In such a liquid crystal panel, a driving electrode serving as a power supply electrode for pixel selection or as a power supply electrode for a switching element is provided on one of a pair of substrates, and a common electrode is provided on another substrate, these two substrates being opposed to each other while making these two electrodes face each other, and a liquid crystal layer is provided into the resulting gap between the bonded substrates.
A small size, high precision liquid crystal panel using P-Si (polysilicon) TFT is known as a typical small size, high precision liquid panel applicable to an image-forming means for a projection-type liquid crystal display device, a view finder for video camera or head-mount display, etc.
It is also known to provide a common electrode on a transparent substrate and a driving electrode on a silicon substrate, provide a liquid crystal layer or a liquid crystal layer of polymer dispersion type into the gap between the opposed substrate and encase the resulting liquid crystal panel in a package to make a module.
Conventional mounting of a liquid crystal panel on a package for making a module is based on a package structure having an opening in a display region to enclose two substrates therein, where the liquid crystal panel and the package are fixed to each other by an adhesive.
In a small size liquid crystal panel for use in such a type of module, terminals of a flexible printed substrate are connected to the corresponding lead terminals provided by patterning on one side of the driving substrate of the liquid crystal panel to supply power at various desired voltages to the driving electrode, whereas power to the common electrode is supplied through a conductive paste provided between the common substrate and the driving substrate.
FIG. 8 is an expanded perspective view showing a typical structure of the conventional small size liquid crystal panel, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line IX--IX of FIG. 8.
In FIGS. 8 and 9, numeral 1 denotes a transparent substrate (common substrate, which may be hereinafter also referred to as first substrate), 1a a transparent common electrode formed on the inner surface of the first substrate, 2 a silicon substrate (driving substrate, which may be hereinafter also referred to as second substrate), 2a pixel electrodes formed on the inner surface of the second substrate, 3 a liquid crystal layer, 4 a seal for sealing the liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate, 6 an adhesive layer of ultraviolet-curing adhesive, thermosetting resin adhesive, silver paste or the like, 7 a package of ceramics or plastics, 9 a flexible printed substrate, 5 contacts and 2b connection terminals.
In case of the conventional liquid crystal display module, the recess surface of package 7 and second substrate 2 are fixed to each other by adhesive layer 6, as shown in FIG. 9. In case of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal panel using a silicon substrate as second substrate 2, second substrate 2 is fixed to package of ceramics by a silver paste as used in die bonding.
Liquid crystal layer 3 provided in a space between first substrate 1 and second substrate 2 is driven by an electric field developed between individual pixel electrodes 2a in a pixel area and common electrode 1a. Generally, connection terminals 2b are provided on second substrate 2 and voltages for driving the individual pixel electrodes, etc. are supplied thereto externally. Voltage is also supplied to common electrode 1a on the first electrode 1, but since those similar to connection terminals 2b are not provided on the first substrate 1, wiring conductors are provided between a predetermined part of connection terminals 2b and contacts 5, so that electrical connection to common electrode 1a of first substrate 1 is made at contact 5. For this electrical connection, conductive paste as a conductive adhesive such as silver paste, etc. which is a conductive connection member.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing one typical structure of applying to a dichroic prism, a reflection-type liquid crystal display module whose liquid crystal panel is fixed to the package, as shown in FIG. 9, where a numeral 1 designates a first substrate, 2 a second substrate, 6 an adhesive, 7 a package, 26 a dichroic prism, 27 a reflection-type liquid crystal display module and 31 an optical paste.
In FIG. 10, second substrate 2 is fixed to package 7 by thermosetting adhesive layer 6 to make a reflection-type liquid crystal display module, and first substrate 1 is closely fixed to dichroic prism 26 by optical paste 31.
Silicone oil, etc. whose refractive index is approximately equal to that of dichroic prism 26, are used as optical paste 31 to prevent generation of reflected light at the boundary between first substrate 1 and dichroic prism 26, and prevent the resulting light intensity loss, projected image contrast decrease, etc.
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an optical system showing a typical projection-type liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal display module, where numeral 20 designates a light source, 21 a parabolic mirror, 22 a condenser lens, 23 a reflector mirror, 24 a first aperture, 25 a lens, 26 a dichroic prism, 27R a reflection-type liquid crystal display module for red, 27G a reflection-type liquid crystal display module for green, 27B a reflection-type liquid crystal display module for blue, 28 a second aperture, 29 a projector lens and 30 a screen.
The structure of projection-type liquid crystal display device, as shown in FIG. 11 will be explained below.
Reflection-type liquid crystal display module for red 27R, reflection-type liquid crystal display module for green 27G and reflection-type liquid crystal display module for blue 27B are closely applied to three faces of dichroic prism 26, respectively, by optical paste 31 as explained referring to FIG. 10 and fixed thereto by a fixing means (not shown in the drawing) after positional adjustment so as not to be out of their right positions. These reflection-type liquid crystal display modules must be firmly fixed to the dichroic prism so that they may not be deviated from their right positions due to vibrations or shocks during working or transportation of the projection-type liquid crystal display devices. Thus, a means of pressing the respective reflection-type liquid crystal display modules 27R, 27G and 27B against the dichroic prism is used as the fixing means.
In the projection-type liquid crystal display device with such a structure, light from light source 20 is made parallel beams by parabolic mirror 21, and then enters dichroic prism 26 as incident light through condenser lens 22, reflector mirror 23, first aperture 24 and lens 25.
The incident light is split into three colors, i.e. red, green and blue, by dichroic prism 26, and the split colors enter as incident light reflection-type liquid crystal display module for red 27R, reflection-type liquid crystal display module for green 27G and reflection-type liquid crystal display module for blue 27B, each of which is fixed to the three faces of dichroic prism 26, respectively.
Images are formed on each of reflection-type liquid crystal display modules for red 27R, reflection-type liquid crystal display module for green 27G and reflection-type liquid crystal display module for blue 27B by signals supplied through said flexible printed substrate 9, and the incident light is modulated by the formed images. Reflected lights from the modules 27R, 27G and 27B are combined by dichroic prism 26 and emitted through lens 25.
Such reflection-type liquid crystal display modules can take a scattering state or a reflection state for each pixel according to image signals and can emit mirror reflections through said lens 25. The combined light to three colors emitted through lens 25 passes through the second aperture, whereby scattered lights, among reflected lights, are shut off from the scattering sites in the display region or from the circumference of the display region to project the combined light onto screen 30. Since a uniform dark state area is formed at the circumference of the display region, an image display of high image quality can be obtained. In this manner, full color images of high quality synthesized from the respective color images formed on said reflection-type liquid crystal display module for red 27R, reflection-type liquid crystal display module for green 27G and reflection-type liquid crystal display module for blue 27B can be reproduced on screen 30.

Liquid crystal display module and projection-type liquid crystal display device


A sheet construction adapted to secure a pillow and to fittingly engage a mattress includes a main panel having a first pouch at a first end of the panel and a second pouch at a second end of the panel. The first pouch is sized and shaped to encompass a first end of the mattress, while the second pouch is adapted to encompass a second end of the mattress. The second pouch includes cooperating flaps that extend from the main panel and overlap. An auxiliary panel cooperates with the main panel to form a pillow-receiving concealment pocket. The pouches secure the sheet construction to the mattress, and the concealment pocket maintains a pillow in a desired location during use. In an alternative embodiment, the pouches are sized and oriented to encompass the mattress sides.

Conventional bed linens typically include a set of mattress-covering sheets and at least one pillowcase. The sheet set may include a fitted sheet and a flat sheet; the pillowcase is usually a separate pouch having an open end through which a pillow is inserted. With this arrangement, the mattress and associated pillows are protected by coverings that may be removed for laundering and replaced as needed. As a result, the common sheet-and-pillowcase system promotes cleanliness within the sleeping environment, without the need for mattress and pillow replacement. However, while this approach leads to improved hygiene, it is not suitable for all situations. Cribs and beds used by young sleepers are an area of particular concern. Hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions also present unique requirements.
Many institutions provide sleeping quarters for large numbers of guests. On a daily basis, stripping down and replacing the associated bed linen can require large amounts of time. This activity often occupies staff members that might otherwise be interacting directly with guests. To reduce the time needed for bed linen swapping, some bed sheets simplify the linen changing process by providing integrated pillowcase-and-sheet combinations.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,586,031, for example, teaches a bed sheet having an attached pillow-receiving sleeve. Although this bedsheet simplifies the bed making process, it is not suitable for environments where pillow theft is common, such as hospitals and hotels. The pillow sleeve has open ends, and an inserted pillow may be removed or dislodged easily. This design is also dangerous for use with small children: an infant's limbs may become tangled within the sleeve and painfully twisted if the child rolls about.
To eliminate limb injuries and to curb pillow removal temptations, some sheets include sleeves that completely enclose a pillow. U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,388, for example, teaches a sheet having an attached pillowcase that includes flaps to selectively conceal an associated pillow. Although this arrangement encloses a pillow, the pillowcase is still exposed to the sleeper, and pillow removal is a matter of merely untying a few securing straps. These straps may also present choking hazards to young children.
Other sheet sets dispense with discrete pillowcases entirely. U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,251, for example, teaches a sheet that lies flat against a mattress, but includes a tapered section under which a pillow may be placed. While this design eliminates the need for a distinct pillow case, it is not suitable for all sleepers. With this design, a sleeper's motion may cause a pillow to shift position during use. Because the pillow is remote from the sleeper, repositioning the resultant "wandering" pillow is difficult. An incorrectly placed pillow is uncomfortable, at best, and can be dangerous, to certain individuals. Small children, for example, may become wedged by the pillow against crib wall bars.
Still other designs include pillowcases that are permanently attached to a sheet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,719 discloses a pillowcase attached to a sheet along a zippered seam. A pillow is inserted into the pillowcase through the seam, and the seam is zipped shut. Because the pillowcase is hingedly fastened to the sheet, this design is unsafe for very small children. An infant may wriggle under the pillowcase and have trouble breathing.
Although the known sheet-and-pillowcase bed linen combinations do represent advancements in some areas, none are suitable for use with infants. In attempting to create theft-resistant or time-saving combinations, designers have incorporated elements that may be dangerous to sleepers who are very young.
What is needed is a bedding sheet construction that incorporates the benefits of prior art and eliminates shortcomings thereof. The device should be useful for all types of beds, but should maintain a pillow at a preselected location in a manner safe for children. The sheet construction should keep the pillow and compartment away from a child if desired. Additionally, the sheet construction should be hard to remove when the bed is occupied, but easy to install and remove when the bed is unoccupied.


A pneumatic radial tire includes at least two belt plies reinforced with steel monofilaments inclined at an angle of 10.degree. to 30.degree. with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire, the monofilaments being laid at an end count ranging from 25 to 60 ends per inch and having a diameter of from 0.25 to 0.40 mm, a tensile strength of at least 4080 MPa-(2000.times.D).times.95 percent where D is the filament diameter in millimeters and a fatigue resistance of at least 3500 cycles as measured by the three-roll bending fatigue test. Preferably, the filament diameter ranges from 0.30 to 0.35 mm, the tensile strength of each monofilament is at least 4400 MPa-(2000.times.D).times.95 percent and the fatigue resistance ranges from 3500 to 6000 cycles.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,025 discloses a radial tire having an annular reinforcing structure comprising at least two layers of steel monofilaments arranged on a carcass having a radius of curvature, on the meridian plane in the crown point, equal to or greater than 400 mm. The monofilaments preferably have a specific tensile strength of at least 2000 N/mm.sup.2, a modulus of elasticity of 205,000 N/mm.sup.2, an elongation of 1.4 percent for a stress equal to 100 percent of the tensile strength. This patent does not address the fatigue properties of the monofilament. Whereas tires have been manufactured with belt plies incorporating steel monofilaments exceeding the values listed in this patent, those tires using steel monofilaments falling below the required fatigue properties described herein miserably failed practical testing conditions.

Radial tires having at least two belt plies reinforced with steel monofilaments


Laminate structures comprising one or more sheets of material bonded together with an adhesive polymer. The adhesive polymer is a polyester amide, polyester urethane, or polyester urea.

Glass laminates utilized in the automotive, architectural, residential, institutional, decorative, safety and security industries are mostly assembled with poly(vinyl butyral) ("PVB") adhesive films. Laminated glass is a high cost product in part because of the costs associated with PVB, complex processes required to laminate and careful transport and storage required due to low thermal properties and moisture sensitivity of PVB.
PVB absorbs water, loses plasticizers, reacts with glass adhesives and is only available in sheet form. Furthermore, plasticized PVB sheet tends to stick to itself (sometimes called "blocking") at ambient temperatures typically encountered during storage before laminating and expensive precautions have been taken to prevent this. Many complexities, therefore, are encountered in the transportation and application of PVB for lamination.
Consequently, a need exists for simplification of the above issues by materials with better properties that are compatible with easier application processes. Such materials would constitute a significant breakthrough and improvement of the cost/performance ratio in laminated glass products and other laminates.

Adhesive polymers for forming laminate structures


Systems and methods are disclosed for dispensing one or more pills from a pill box by applying power when the one or more pills are poured from the pill box; identifying an opened compartment and an opening time; and recording the opened compartment and the opening time.

This invention relates to pill dispensers.
The usage of pills to regain and maintain health has increased with the advancement of medical science. It is not unusual for a person to take more than one type of pill, each type in a different amount, at regular times each day. The task of correctly taking several different types of pills pose a challenge to many individuals, especially the elderly, the mentally infirm, and the obtunded who are more susceptible to memory problems. The improper taking of pills may be detrimental to health, and many emergency hospital admissions are attributable to improper observance of pill prescriptions.
The need for a device that will automatically dispense the proper pill(s) in the proper amount(s) at the proper time(s) each day and alert the user of the device to take the dispensed pill(s) is evident by the numerous devices described in the prior art. However, there are problems with the devices described in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,606 to Lewis et al. (1986), U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,651 to Scidmore et al. (1987), U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,453 to Luckstead (1989), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,516 to Hoar (1991) describe automatic pill dispensers which have pill-storage wheels that are rotated constantly by electric clock motors. The constantly rotating pill-storage wheels of these devices successively move each pill-storage compartment of the wheel into a temporary alignment with a pill discharge outlet at a cyclical and fixed time interval. When a pill-storage compartment is in alignment with the pill discharge outlet, any pill stored in the compartment will fall by gravity through the outlet into a pill receptacle. The length of the fixed time interval of these devices cannot be changed without changing the gear drive ratio of the gear system driving the pill-storage wheel. Discharging pills at fixed time intervals makes these devices inefficient and difficult to use. For example, if one of these devices constantly rotates three pill-storage compartments past its pill discharge outlet in a 24-hour period, but only one pill is needed each day, then only one pill-storage compartment is used and two are kept empty each 24-hour day. In this case, two out of three pill-storage compartments have no use. In addition, during the process of loading pills into the pill storage wheel, specific compartments must be kept empty; this makes the loading procedure more complicated and susceptible to error.
Another problem with all of these devices is the possibility of an overdose of dispensed pills. This may result when a device dispenses pills into the pill receptacle, but the person taking the dispensed pills for some reason did not respond to the alert signal or just turned off the alert signal without taking the pills. If the dispensed pills are not removed from the pill receptacle and more pills are discharged into the receptacle, overdosing with harmful consequences may occur if the pill taker consumes all of the pills accumulated in the pill receptacle all at once.
Benaroya in U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,403 (1983), and Shaw in U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,285 (1993) attempt to overcome these deficiencies. The devices of Benaroya and Shaw include pill-storage wheels which rotate into position for discharging pills only when the pills are to be dispensed. A pill is not released from Shaw's pill-storage wheel unless a motorized mechanism is actuated to remove the pill, making an accumulation of discharged pills less likely. However, Shaw's device is complicated, difficult to load with pills and use, and uses motors and controls which are neither simple nor economical. Pills to be dispensed by Benoroya's device are not automatically discharged by gravity into a fixed or removable pill receptacle. The pills stay in the pill-storage wheel until the user tilts or turns the device upside down to dump out the pills. While this feature makes overdosing from an accumulation of discharged pills unlikely, the need to manipulate the device by tilting or turning it upside down and catching the pills before they fall on the floor makes its operation ackward and clumsy.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,962 describes a device that can be loaded with appropriate pills and programmed to automatically dispense the proper amount(s) and proper type(s) of pill(s) at the proper time(s) each day. The device includes a system for alerting the pill taker that pills have been dispensed, a system for providing voice messages to coach the pill taker to use the device and consume the pills, and a system for alerting an off-site caregiver when the pill taker has not responded as required or when there is a problem with the operation of the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,218 describes an electronic device for holding medicines, typically pills, to be taken at different times and to remind the user to take particular pills at specific times. A first container has a plurality of pill holding compartments, with a hinged lid closing each compartment. A second container, which is releasably fastenable to the first compartment, contains a microprocessor, an alarm, a display and buttons for controlling the microprocessor to display different information. The display can be set to show the time, times for taking pills from different compartments, whether pills have been taken on time, if a pill has been missed or skipped, when the last pill has been taken, etc. When a time set for taking a pill arrives, an alarm, typically a light and/or sound alarm, alerts the user as to the compartment holding the pill to be taken. A pill splitter is further provided that can be releasably fastened to one of the compartments and provides quick, accurate and safe splitting of pills so that halves may be placed in the compartments to be taken as indicated by the alarm system.

Systems and methods for monitoring pill taking


A method of determining a training signal so as to facilitate acquisition of symbol sync, frequency offset estimation, and channel estimation in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, and an apparatus and method for receiving a baseband OFDM signal using the training signal are provided. The method of determining the training signal, which is transmitted from an OFDM transmitter to an OFDM receiver using N subcarriers in order to allow the OFDM receiver to perform symbol synchronization, frequency synchronization, and channel estimation in the OFDM system, includes determining a first training symbol by setting odd-numbered subcarriers to 0 in a frequency domain, obtaining even-numbered subcarriers using M-ary phase-shift keying (M-PSK), and performing differential modulation so that a change in the phase difference between remote two subcarriers is constant; and determining a second training symbol by setting even-numbered subcarriers to 0 in the frequency domain, obtaining odd-numbered subcarriers using M-PSK, and performing differential modulation so that a change in the phase difference between remote two subcarriers is constant. By performing all of symbol timing recovery, frequency offset estimation, and channel estimation using the training signal determined as described above, time taken for frequency offset estimation can be reduced, hardware complexity can be decreased, a frequency acquisition range can be expanded up to ½ of the entire bandwidth, and influence of a multi-path channel can be counterbalanced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and more particularly, to a method of determining a training signal so as to facilitate acquisition of symbol sync, frequency offset estimation, and channel estimation in an OFDM system, and an apparatus and method for receiving a baseband OFDM signal using the training signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in an OFDM signal, symbols in parallel are transmitted in series, so symbol sync is necessary for an OFDM receiver to acquire the start of an OFDM symbol in order to convert a transmitted serial signal to symbols in parallel. In addition, in an OFDM mode, interchannel interference is caused by a frequency offset between a received carrier frequency and an oscillator frequency of the OFDM receiver, so the OFDM receiver requires a frequency offset estimator for accurately estimating a frequency offset. The OFDM receiver also requires a channel estimator for estimating the gain of a channel.
Among many elements of such an OFDM receiver, the frequency offset estimator most significantly influences the performance and complexity of the OFDM receiver. In the meantime, conventional frequency offset estimation based on an autocorrelation function has an advantage of a small amount of computation but has a disadvantage of a narrow acquisition range for a frequency offset. Conventional frequency offset estimation based on a cross-correlation function has an advantage of no limitation to an acquisition range for a frequency offset but requires to calculate correlation values at each subcarrier, and thus the OFDM receiver is complicated due to a large amount of computation.
In order to allow an OFDM receiver to acquire the start of an OFDM symbol and accurately synchronize a carrier frequency with an oscillator frequency during demodulation of a received signal, an OFDM transmitter transmits a predetermined training signal to the OFDM receiver.
FIG. 1 shows the structure of a conventional training signal. As shown in FIG. 1, an OFDM transmitter using N subcarriers allocates data A1 through AN to the N subcarriers, respectively, in a frequency domain during a first symbol period, thereby structuring a first training symbol shown in FIG. 1(a), and allocates data B1 through BN to the N subcarriers, respectively, during a second symbol period, thereby structuring a second training symbol shown in FIG. 1(b). The data A1 through AN of the first training symbol are related with the data B1 through BN of the second training symbol by Formula (1).Bk=AkCk, k=1˜N  (1)
More accurately, N indicates the size of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), which implements an OFDM modulator, and since a guard band, in which a subcarrier is not transmitted, is set at the edge of a transmission band in order to facilitate filtering and avoid interference from a signal in an adjacent band, the number of actually used subcarriers should be expressed by L≦N. However, hereinafter, for clarity of the description, it is assumed that L=N, and thus the number of subcarriers is denoted by N.
Accordingly, the OFDM transmitter repeatedly transmits the same data over the same subcarriers during the two symbol periods when Ck≠1 or transmits the first data and the second data particularly related with the first data over the same subcarriers during the two symbol periods when Ck≠1. Thereafter, the OFDM transmitter transmits data X1 through XN of a normal data symbol shown in FIG. 1(c) over the respective subcarriers. Hereinafter, a set of the first training symbol and the second training symbol is referred to as a "training signal".
A conventional OFDM receiver recovers symbol timing using the first and second training symbols and estimates a frequency offset. As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional OFDM receiver includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 110, which converts a baseband analog signal to a digital signal; a symbol timing recovery unit 120, which detects the start of an OFDM symbol; a guard interval eliminator 130, which eliminates a guard interval from the OFDM symbol using the recovered symbol timing; a fast Fourier transform (FFT) unit 140; a fractional frequency offset estimator 150, which estimates a frequency offset smaller than subcarrier spacing; an integer frequency offset estimation unit 160, which estimates a frequency offset that is an integer multiple of the subcarrier spacing; an adder 170, which adds a fractional frequency offset and an integer frequency offset to calculate an entire frequency offset; and a multiplier 180, which configures the entire frequency offset into a complex exponential function indicating a change in a phase and multiplies the complex exponential function by the output of the A/D converter 110.
The integer frequency offset estimation unit 160 includes a symbol delay block 161, a conjugate complex number calculator 162, a correlation function calculator 163 calculating a correlation function using a delayed received symbol and a received symbol not delayed, and an integer frequency offset estimator 164.
In operation of the conventional OFDM receiver shown in FIG. 2, when an OFDM transmitter transmits a training signal, which is configured as shown in FIG. 1, periodically or transmits the training signal by attaching it to the front of a data symbol when signal transmission is newly started, the OFDM receiver receives a signal transmitted from the OFDM transmitter and demodulates the signal into a baseband analog signal. Thereafter, the A/D converter 110 converts the analog signal to a digital signal. The symbol timing recovery unit 120 detects the start of a symbol from the digital signal in order to acquire symbol sync. The guard interval eliminator 130 eliminates a guard interval in a front portion of an OFDM symbol using the detected start of the symbol. The FFT unit 140 performs FFT on the OFDM symbol from which the guard interval has been eliminated.
Simultaneously with the acquisition of symbol sync by the symbol timing recovery unit 120, the fractional frequency offset estimator 150 estimates a frequency offset Δf1 less than subcarrier spacing in the digital signal. The repetitive characteristic of the training signal is used for the symbol sync acquisition of the symbol timing recovery unit 120 and the fractional frequency offset estimation of the fractional frequency offset estimator 150.
The integer frequency offset estimation unit 160 receives a signal output from the FFT unit 140 and estimates a frequency offset that is an integer multiple of the subcarrier spacing. More specifically, the symbol delay block 161 delays a first training symbol output from the FFT unit 140 by a unit symbol period. The conjugate complex number calculator 162 calculates a conjugate of the first training symbol. The correlation function calculator 163 receives a signal output from the conjugate complex number calculator 162, i.e., the conjugate of the first training symbol, simultaneously with a second training symbol output from the FFT unit 140 and calculates a correlation function with respect to the second training symbol and the conjugate of the first training symbol in units of data samples. The integer frequency offset estimator 164 obtains a position, at which a correlation value is maximum, from the correlation function and estimates an integer frequency offset Δf2, which is an integer multiple of the subcarrier spacing.
The adder 170 adds the frequency offsets respectively output from the fractional frequency offset estimator 150 and the integer frequency offset estimation unit 160. Thereafter, the multiplier 180 configures the entire frequency offset Δf1+Δf2 into a complex exponential function e−j2π(Δf1+Δf2)n/N and multiplies the complex exponential function by the digital signal output from the A/D converter 110 so that a frequency offset occurring between a carrier frequency and a frequency of an oscillator in the OFDM receiver during demodulation can be corrected.
In addition, the conventional OFDM receiver estimates an integer frequency offset and simultaneously estimates channel gain in the frequency domain. Then, conventional OFDM receiver obtains accurate channel gain with the cyclic shifting of a subchannel as many times as the estimated integer frequency offset.
As described above, in order to estimate an integer frequency offset between an oscillator frequency and a carrier frequency, the conventional OFDM receiver calculates correlation values by performing correlation between sequential two OFDM training symbols in units of data samples and obtains a frequency shift that gives the maximum correlation value. Such conventional technology has the following problems.
Firstly, in the case of an OFDM system using N subcarriers, when an integer frequency offset is estimated, a maximum of N−1 correlation values must be calculated in order to calculate spacing giving the maximum correlation value. In this case, the amount of calculation is great, so it takes a long period of time to acquire sync in an OFDM receiver.
Secondly, since correlation values must be calculated with respect to samples one by one in order to obtain a correlation function, the circuit of the OFDM receiver is complex.
Due to a great amount of calculation and high complexity, the conventional OFDM receiver is not suitable to mobile communication systems using portable terminals.

Method of determining training signal in OFDM, and apparatus and method for receiving OFDM signal using the training signal


A global wire management apparatus and method for a multiple port random access memory (RAM) is disclosed. The RAM includes an array of stacked dual memory cell structures each including a common row/column decoder disposed between an upper memory cell and lower memory cell. The upper memory cell is situated adjacent upper transfer gate circuitry, and the lower memory cell is situated adjacent lower transfer gate circuitry. The decoder circuit is oriented vertically in the middle of the dual memory cell structure so that the true and complement decoder outputs may be fed upwards and downwards to the upper and lower transfer gate circuits. Wiring of the upper and lower transfer gate circuits may be effected completely at the local interconnect layer. Each of the write ports of the common decoder includes a NAND gate, an inverter, and a transfer gate for each of the upper and lower memory cells for controlling the transfer of data to the upper and lower memory cells. The disclosed global wiring management methodology provides an approach for reducing the number of global interconnect wires in a multiple port random access memory cell by sharing various wiring channels between memory cells. Such an approach allows a number of the memory cell global signal interconnects to be moved from the global wiring plane to the local wiring plane.

Multiple port random access memories are generally configured to include a number of ports, each of which typically represents an independent input/output path for accessing data stored in a memory array. A multiple port RAM may, for example, include a number of read ports and write ports, as well as a scan port for supporting scan-based testing of the memory device. It is noted that the number of read ports need not be the same as the number of write ports.
A significant problem encountered when attempting to increase the number of ports to a programmable memory array concerns the increased complexity of the global wiring management strategy for the memory device. Although it is now possible to design a random access memory with greater than six read ports and six write ports, for example, the total area allocated to support global wiring for all of the read and write ports often exceeds the total device area.
Increasing the memory cell area to accommodate the total number of wiring channels necessitated by global wiring requirements is generally not a desired solution, since such an increase will result in increasing the overall size of the memory array. By way of example, a memory cell of a multiple port random access memory array may require 480 sq. wiring channels to implement the memory cell transistors of a given cell layout. Implementing a conventional global wiring management approach for this cell layout would typically require 600 sq. wiring channels, thus necessitating an increase in memory cell size by approximately 25%.
Another problem encountered when increasing the number of ports for a programmable memory array concerns the node capacitance at the input of the memory cells. In general, the capacitance at the input of a given memory cell increases with each additional write port connected thereto. Such increases in input node capacitance of the memory cell generally results in an appreciable degradation in memory cell write speed.
Yet another problem that arises when attempting to increase the number of ports to a programmable memory array concerns a heightened potential of compromising data integrity or data stability within the memory cell that may occur during a charge sharing event. A write port for a conventional multiple write port RAM, for example, typically includes a pair of series connected transfer gates. Under certain conditions, a charge sharing event may occur in which the cumulative capacitance at the memory cell input and at a node defined between the two transfer gates may contribute to an inadvertent and potentially catastrophic flipping of the memory cell state.
There is, therefore, a need for an improved global wiring management approach for a multiple port random access memory. There exists a further need for an improved global wiring management approach which utilizes a device area-limited design rather than a wiring-limited design. There exists a further need for improved write port circuitry for multiple write port RAM applications which provides for reduced circuit capacitance and memory cell input capacitance, good performance and noise characteristics, and one that does not result in an increase in circuit element size or number of transistors. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.

Global wire management apparatus and method for a multiple-port random access memory

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention relates to an address processor for a signal processor. This address processor comprises means for address calculation in a read/write memory containing at least one circular buffer for storing state variables of digital filters. This means comprises a set of registers for storing the current folding address for each circular buffer relative to the absolute start address of the buffer. Furthermore, a calculation unit (+) is included for (1) adding the current folding address to the displacement (data.sub.-- addr, write.sub.-- addr) of a selected state variable relative to the corresponding buffer start address, (2) reducing the sum obtained in step (1) with the corresponding buffer length (mod.sub.-- numb) if the sum exceeds or is equal to this buffer length, and (3) adding the buffer start address to the result obtained in (2) for obtaining the absolute address of the selected state variable.

In connection with implementation of digital filters in signal processors and where input data samples to said filters are stored in a read/write memory some form of address processor is required for writing and reading the state variables of said filters. These filters can be both recursive (IIR) and non-recursive (FIR). A filter is calculated by reading the state variables from the memory and calculating output data. These output data then become input data or state variables to the next filter and are therefore written back to said memory. Generally a filter system can comprise several filters, which also can have different sampling frequencies.
After a calculation of a filter value all the state variables in a filter are shifted one position in the memory. The oldest state variable is written over by the next oldest, and a new sample is stored in the memory position that has been freed through the shifting operation.
A drawback of this previously known method is that the shifting in said memory is a time consuming operation, since all the state variables have to be read and written into new memory positions.
Another drawback is that this shifting operation also is power consuming. This is important for instance in connection with signal processors in battery driven telephones, where the available energy is limited.

Address processor for a signal processor


A shielded socket and method of fabrication is described. In an embodiment, a socket is formed of a conductive polymer socket housing, and at least one conductive contact is in electrical contact with the conductive polymer socket housing. In an embodiment, a socket is formed of an insulative socket housing, and at least one conductive contact is in electrical contact with a conductive grid embedded within the insulative housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shielded socket for an electrical device, and more particularly, to a shielded land grid array (LGA) socket.
2. Discussion of Related Art
The ongoing trend toward increased performance and higher density electrical circuits has led to the development of surface mount technology in the design of electronic packages and printed circuit boards (PCBs). As the amount of memory increases in electronic systems so does the amount of bandwidth required for the processors, and resultantly the number of in/out (I/O) connections.
Sockets are commonly used to enable multiple insertions of packages onto PCBs (e.g. mother boards) or other substrates. Due to the close proximity of the I/O connections to each other crosstalk has become an important performance issue. Crosstalk results from the coupling of the electromagnetic field surrounding an active conductor into an adjacent conductor. In addition, matched impedance for socket contacts is desired to minimize signal reflections which can result in false triggering or missed triggering of devices.
Conventional socket improvement is based on redesigning the socket geometrical shape. This involves long socket design and validation processes, does not provide optimal electrical performance, and is not friendly to socket persistence over generations. Contact to contact isolation is generally achieved by assigning a number of contacts as ground. Isolation is not ideal due to the contact geometry limitation and insufficient signal contact to ground contact ratio.


Embodiments for managing real-time alerts using machine learning are disclosed. For example, a method includes receiving real-time data for one or more parameters of a device for which an alert is to be generated, from one or more sources associated with the device, and selecting a first machine learning model from a plurality of machine learning models based on the received real-time data. The method further includes determining at least one anomaly in the device based on the selected first machine learning model and predicting an impact of the determined at least one anomaly based on a second machine learning model of the plurality of machine learning models. Furthermore, the method includes generating the alert for the device in real-time based on the predicted impact of the determined at least one anomaly and receiving feedback on the generated alert in real-time.

Alarm systems with monitoring of one or more parameters of a device or an edge device, seeing deviations from some predefined rules and raising a visual, audio, vibrational, or any other alarm are generally known in the industry. Alarms can also be classified into operational, safety, critical, or any such category. Alarms or alerts are important and facilitate process safety, ensure efficient operations, and support to maintain product quality. Alarm management has been broadly implemented in many process industries over the past 20 to 30 years. Predefined alarms, classifications, and alarm management procedures do offer initial efficiency improvements. However, edge processes, device conditions, and device calibrations change over time and require constant manual maintenance and updating of alarm management rules and classifications. Change in raw materials or parts, new environmental or safety regulations, contextual changes surrounding a device, safety, or costly production incidents, etc., require constant manual intervention and updates to an alarm management system.
Alarm management and update is a never-ending process. As well, with current sophisticated robotic and high precision devices, there may be so many variables, some external and contextual, involved that many correlating variables are overlooked from consideration when determining and issuing an effective alarm. As a result, by the time the current alarm management systems analyze the data and issue an alarm, it is too late, and several costly defective products have been produced, or some expensive equipment has been damaged, or someone's life has been put in danger, or some serious environmental violations have occurred. Current alarm management systems are reactive, monitor only internal parameters, and are prone to latency problems.
It is common to manufacture/produce items as fast as possible and maximize Units Per Hour (UPH) production during manufacturing. In practice, however, as the UPH increases, the yield of non-defective items falls as the number of manufactured items rises. The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that similar types of devices are tuned to the lowest yield producing setting, regardless of their state and environment. In the art, it is important to achieve the best UPH from a device without affecting the yield. In addition, the device needs to be tuned individually by taking all relevant factors into account.
An alarm or alert flood has been defined by ANSI/ISA 18.2 as being 10 or more annunciated alarms in any 10-minute period per operator. The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) cites alarm floods as being a significant contributing cause to industrial incidents. In incidents such as in Three Mile Island, Bhopal, and Texaco Milford Haven, a whole slew of alarms was raised at once and masked the main alarm and the underlying root causes. Until the flood of alarms is cleared, the operators are blinded about what is going on and if some critical safety alarm gets issued during the alarm flood, it would be missed. Therefore, an alarm management system that may control alarm floods under all operating conditions is required.
It has been traditional for an equipment operator to receive an alert when a device part misbehaves and optionally to be notified if it's critical. Upon receiving the alert, there is a tendency to address an anomaly immediately or during the next scheduled maintenance window. Many times, the anomaly or the device part misbehavior is not significant enough to stop operations. Accordingly, the art has a need to categorize and mark alerts likewise.
There is a need in the art not only for improved systems and methods for Intelligent and Automated Edge Alert Life Cycle Management but also for Intelligent Work Permit Management associated with resolving the alert. In view of at least the above-mentioned issues, there is a need in the art for improved systems and methods for real-time intelligent and automated alert lifecycle management using machine learning.

Real-time alert management using machine learning


Collecting samples to adjust a signal includes providing a shutter in an opened position to allow a detector of an infrared camera to detect infrared radiation and generate a signal corresponding to the infrared radiation. A first touchup iteration is initiated by moving the shutter to a closed position, and samples of a reference frame are collected according to a collection instruction. The shutter is then moved to the opened position. If there is a change in a state of the infrared camera, the collection instruction is adjusted in response to the change. A second touchup iteration is initiated by moving the shutter to the closed position, and samples are collected according to the adjusted collection instruction. A modification of the signal is determined in accordance with at least some of the samples.

Infrared cameras detect infrared radiation emitted by the objects of a scene, and generate an image of the scene from the detected radiation. An infrared camera has a temperature detector that detects subtle temperature changes in the scene such as changes of less than one degree Fahrenheit. The detector may also be extremely sensitive to camera temperature changes that cause unintentional signal offsets.
The signal offsets may be subtracted from the signal. Typically, subtraction may be performed by factory calibration followed by real-time calibration. According to known techniques for real-time calibration, the detector may be blocked by a shutter in order to provide a constant reference from which samples may be collected. The samples may then be used to determine a signal offset. Dropping the shutter during collection, however, does not allow the detector to gain information about the scene.

Adaptively reducing offset in a thermal imaging camera


A slant plate type compressor with a variable displacement mechanism is disclosed. The compressor includes a compressor housing having a cylinder block provided with a plurality of cylinders and a crank member. A piston is slidably fitted within each of the cylinders and is reciprocated by a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive shaft rotatably supported by the compressor housing, a cam rotor fixed on the drive shaft and a slant plate having a surface with an adjustable incline angle. The incline angle is varied in accordance with the pressure in the crank chamber. A wobble plate is disposed adjacent the slant plate to convert the rotating motion of the drive shaft, the rotor and the slant plate into the reciprocating motion of the pistons which are coupled to the wobble plate through corresponding connecting rods. A hinged joint mechanism hingedly connects an arm portion of the slant plate to an arm portion of the rotor to permit variations in the incline angle of the slant plate. An abrasion preventing mechanism formed of steel is disposed between the arm portion of the cam rotor and the arm portion of the slant plate to effectively reduce abnormal abrasion on the frictional surface of the arm portion of the rotor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a refrigerant compressor and, more particularly, to a slant plate type compressor, such as a wobble plate type compressor with a variable displacement mechanism suitable for use in an automotive air conditioning system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A slant plate type refrigerant compressor with a variable displacement mechanism suitable for use in an automotive air conditioning system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1-142277. As disclosed therein, the compression ratio of the compressor may be controlled by changing the slant angle of the sloping surface of the wobble plate. The slant angle of the wobble plate is adjusted so as to maintain a constant suction pressure in response to changes in the pressure differential between the suction chamber and the crank chamber.
Referring to FIG. 1, compressor 10 includes cylindrical housing assembly 20 including cylinder block 21, front end plate 23 disposed at one end of cylinder block 21, crank chamber 22 formed between cylinder block 21 and front end plate 23, and rear end plate 24 attached to the other end of cylinder block 21. Front end plate 23 is secured to one end of cylinder block 21 by a plurality of bolts 101. Rear end plate 24 is secured to the opposite end of cylinder block 21 by a plurality of bolts 102. Valve plate 25 is disposed between rear end plate 24 and cylinder block 21. Opening 231 is centrally formed in front end plate 23 for rotatably supporting drive shaft 26 through bearing 30 disposed therein. The inner end portion of drive shaft 26 is rotatably supported by bearing 31 disposed within central bore 210 of cylinder block 21. Bore 210 extends to a rearward (to the right in FIG. 1) end surface of cylinder block 21 and houses valve control mechanism 19.
Cam rotor 40 is fixed on drive shaft 26 by pin member 261 and rotates therewith. Thrust needle bearing 32 is disposed between the inner end surface of front end plate 23 and the adjacent axial end surface of cam rotor 40. Slant plate 50 is disposed adjacent cam rotor 40 and includes opening 53 through which drive shaft 26 passes.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a hinged joint mechanism coupling cam rotor 40 and slant plate 50 is shown. Slant plate 50 includes arm 51 having first and second axial end surfaces 51a and 51b. Cam rotor 40 includes arm 41 which includes first and second cylindrical projections 411 and 412 axially projecting from the opposite end surfaces of a terminal end portion of arm 41. Hole 413 is axially bored through the terminal end portion of arm 41. Pin member 42 includes shaft portion 42a and head portion 42b having a diameter greater than the diameter of shaft portion 42a. Shaft portion 42a of pin member 42 loosely penetrates through slot 52 of arm 51. Hole 413 of arm 41 of cam rotor 40 fixedly receives shaft portion 42a of pin member 42 by forcible insertion. Snap ring 43 is fixedly secured to one end region of shaft portion 42a opposite to head portion 42b. Arm 41 of cam rotor 40, pin member 42 and slot 52 of arm 51 of slant plate 50 form a hinged joint mechanism. Pin member 42 slides within the slot 52 to allow adjustment of the angular position of slant plate 50 with respect to the longitudinal axis of drive shaft 26. Axial movement of arm 51 of slant plate 50 is limited by head portion 42b of pin member 42 and cylindrical projection 412 of arm 41 of rotor 40. Arm 41 of rotor 40 is made of cast iron. Pin member 42 and arm 51 of slant plate 50 are made of steel.
Wobble plate 60 is rotatably mounted on slant plate 50 through bearings 61 and 62. Fork shaped slider 63 is attached to the outer peripheral end of wobble plate 60 by pin member 64 and is slidably mounted on sliding rail 65 disposed between front end plate 23 and cylinder block 21. Fork shaped slider 63 prevents rotation of wobble plate 60. Wobble plate 60 nutates along rail 65 when cam rotor 40 rotates. Cylinder block 21 includes a plurality of peripherally located cylinder chambers 70 in which pistons 71 reciprocate. Each piston 71 is coupled to wobble plate 60 by a corresponding connection rod 72.
A pair of seamless piston rings 73 made of polytetrafluoroethylene is disposed at an outer peripheral surface of piston 71. Piston rings 73 prevent the wear of both aluminum alloy piston 71 and aluminum alloy cylinder block 21 due to friction therebetween and prevent any direct contact between pistons 71 and the inner surface of cylinder 70.
Rear end plate 24 includes peripherally positioned annular suction chamber 241 and centrally positioned discharge chamber 251. Valve plate 25 is located between cylinder block 21 and rear end plate 24 and includes a plurality of valved suction ports 242 linking suction chamber 241 with respective cylinders 70. Valve plate 25 also includes a plurality of valved discharge ports 252 linking discharge chamber 251 with respective cylinders 70. Suction ports 242 and discharge ports 252 are provided with suitable reed valves as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,029 to Shimizu.
Suction chamber 241 includes inlet portion 241a which is connected to an evaporator (not shown) of an external cooling circuit (not shown). Discharge chamber 251 is provided with outlet portion 251a connected to a condenser (not shown) of the cooling circuit (not shown). Gaskets 27 and 28 are positioned between cylinder block 21 and the inner surface of valve plate 25 and the outer surface of valve plate 25 and rear end plate 24, respectively. Gaskets 27 and 28 seal the mating surfaces of cylinder block 21, valve plate 25 and rear end plate 24. Gaskets 27 and 28 and valve plate 25 form a valve plate assembly 200.
A first communication path linking crank chamber 22 and suction chamber 241 is formed in cylinder block 21. This first communication path includes valve control mechanism 19 which includes cup-shaped casing 191 which defines valve chamber 192 therein. O-ring 19a is disposed between an outer surface of casing 191 and an inner surface of bore 210 to seal the mating surface of casing 191 and cylinder block 21. A plurality of holes 19b are formed at the closed end (to the left in FIG. 1) of cup-shaped casing 191 to permit crank chamber pressure into valve chamber 192 through gap 31a existing between bearing 31 and cylinder block 21. Circular plate 194 having hole 194a formed at the center thereof is fixed to the open end of cup-shaped casing 191. Bellows 193, which is disposed within valve chamber 192, contracts and expands longitudinally in response to the crank chamber pressure. The forward (to the left in FIG. 1) end of bellows 193 is fixed to the closed end of casing member 191. VaLve member 193a is attached at rearward (to the right in FIG. 1) end of bellows 193 to selectively control the opening and closing of hole 194a. Valve chamber 192 and suction chamber 241 are linked by hole 194a, central portion 211 of bore 210, conduit 195 formed in cylinder block 21 and hole 196 formed in valve plate assembly 200. Valve retainer 15 is secured to the rear end surface of valve plate assembly 200 by bolts 151.
Communication path 18, which is bored longitudinally from a forward end surface of cylinder block 21 to a rear end surface of valve retainer 15, is a second communication path formed in the cylinder block to link discharge chamber 251 to crank chamber 22. Communication path 18 controls the flow of refrigerant gas from discharge chamber 251 to crank chamber 22. Large diameter conduit portion 181 of communication path 18 has filter screen 182 disposed therein. Capillary tube 183, which performs a throttling function to reduce the pressure of refrigerant gas from discharge chamber 251 to crank chamber 22, is fixed within communication path 18 and is coupled to filter screen 182.
During operation of compressor 10, drive shaft 26 is rotated by the engine of the vehicle (not shown) through electromagnetic clutch 300. Cam rotor 40 is rotated with drive shaft 26 causing slant plate 50 to rotate. The rotation of slant plate 50 causes wobble plate 60 to nutate. The nutating motion of wobble plate 60 reciprocates pistons 71 in their respective cylinders 70. As pistons 71 are reciprocated, refrigerant gas which is introduced into suction chamber 241 through inlet portion 241a is drawn into cylinders 70 through suction ports 242 and subsequently compressed. The compressed refrigerant gas is discharged from cylinders 70 to discharge chamber 251 through respective discharge ports 252 and then into the cooling circuit through outlet portion 251a. A portion of the discharged refrigerant gas in discharge chamber 251 continuously flows into crank chamber 22 through conduit 18 at a reduced pressure as a function of capillary tube 183.
Valve control mechanism 19 is responsive to the pressure in crank chamber 22. When the pressure in crank chamber 22 exceeds a predetermined value, hole 194a is opened by the contraction of bellows 193. The opening of hole 194a permits fluid communication between crank chamber 22 and suction chamber 241. As a result, the slant angle of slant plate 50 increases to maximize the displacement of the compressor. However, when the pressure in crank chamber 22 is less than a predetermined value, hole 194a is closed by valve member 193a of bellows 193. This action blocks communication between crank chamber 22 and suction chamber 241. As a result, the slant angle of slant plate 50 is controlled by changes in the pressure in crank chamber 22 to vary the displacement of the compressor.
With respect to the hinged joint mechanism, an outer peripheral surface of shaft portion 42a of pin member 42 and an inner wall of slot 52 of arm 51 frictionally slide against each other. Furthermore, first axial end surface 51a of arm 51 and the axial end surface of second cylindrical projection 412 of arm 41 frictionally slide against each other, and second axial end surface 51b of arm 51 and an inner end surface of head portion 42b of pin member 42 also frictionally slide against each other.
Since pin member 42 and arm 51 of slant plate 50 are made of steel, the frictional engagement between the outer peripheral surface of shaft portion 42a of pin member 42 and the inner wall of slot 52 of arm 51 occurs between two hard metals. Similarly, the frictional engagement between the second axial end surface 51b of arm 51 and the inner end surface of head portion 42b of pin member 42 occurs between two hard metals. Therefore, the frictional engagement between pin member 42 and arm 51 of slant plate 50 occurs without causing abnormal abrasion on the frictional contact surfaces of each of pin member 42 and arm 51.
On the other hand, the frictional engagement between first axial end surface 51a of arm 51 and the axial end surface of second cylindrical projection 412 of arm 41 occurs between hard and soft metals. During operation of the compressor, the axial end surface of second cylindrical projection 412 is not uniformly worn away because that area A (as shown in FIG. 4) of the axial end surface of second cylindrical projection 412 more frequently frictionally slides on the axial end surface of second cylindrical projection 412. Therefore, durability of the hinged joint mechanism between rotor 40 and slant plate 50 abnormally decreases.

Slant plate type compressor with variable displacement mechanism


A rotation rate sensor has a multi-layer structure, with an oscillatory body (13) formed in one carrier layer (10). The body can be stimulated to oscillate in a first oscillation direction (1). On top of this body (13), a further structural element (21), which is deflectable normal to the major surface of the carrier (10) and which serves to detect Coriolis acceleration, is located. There is a device for capacitive or piezo-resistive measurement of the deflection of the structural element. Preferably, the entire structure is fabricated from a silicon wafer, so that the measurement device can be integrated onto the sensor element.

It is already known to use sensors to detect low rotation rates, on the order of a few degrees per second, for example in measuring the rotation rate of a motor vehicle about its vertical yaw axis, for control of travel dynamics or for navigation purposes. In such known sensors, a tuning fork structure, oriented parallel to the rotation axis, is stimulated or excited to oscillate in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. Such sensors must take into account the so-called "Coriolis" force caused by rotation of the earth. In case of rotation about the rotation axis, Coriolis forces are exerted on the oscillating tuning fork tines perpendicular to the rotation axis and perpendicular to the direction of excitation, i.e. to the deflection of the tines in the absence of a rotary motion. One can detect and evaluate the rotation rate by adjusting for the Coriolis-force-induced deflection of the tines perpendicular to the direction of excitation.
German Patent Application P 40 22 495.3 , filed Jul. 1990, and corresponding U.S. Ser. No. 07/988,966, Seipler, describe various embodiments of a rotation rate sensor having a sensor element structured from a monocrystalline silicon wafer and at least one oscillating body, preferably a pair of them, connected over one or more rods to a fixed frame. The oscillating bodies are capable of oscillating in two respectively perpendicular directions. The application describes various excitation possibilities of the oscillating body in a first oscillation direction lying in the wafer plane, for example electromagnetic excitation, thermomechanical excitation, and various possibilities for electrostatic excitation. This rotation rate sensor is equipped with means for detection of deflections of the oscillating body in the second oscillation direction.
The article "Laterally Driven Polysilicon Resonant Microstructures" by William C. Tang, Tu-Cuong H. Nguygen and Roger T. Howe in Sensor and Actuators, 20 (1989) 25-32 describes various polysilicon structures which can be oscillated and supported on carriers, and describes methods for their manufacture.


Provided is a water repellent coating film, including: an undercoat layer formed on a surface of a base material and containing: at least one type of spherical particles having an average particle diameter of 2 μm or more and 50 μm or less and selected from the group consisting of spherical molten silica particles, spherical molten alumina particles, and spherical silicone resin particles; and an underlying resin; and a topcoat layer formed on the undercoat layer and containing: inorganic fine particles having an average particle diameter of 2 nm or more and 20 nm or less; and a water repellent resin. The underlying resin is preferably a polyurethane resin or a fluororesin. The water repellent resin is preferably a fluororesin or a silicone resin.

As a method of forming a water repellent surface having a fine uneven structure, for example, there have been proposed a method involving mechanically processing or etching a surface of a base material, and a method involving applying a coating composition containing fine particles or a fine particle precursor and a resin to a surface of a base material.
Of those methods, a method using a coating composition can impart water repellency to base materials having various shapes simply by applying a resin solution thereto, and hence is advantageous in terms of productivity and production cost. Specific examples of such method include: a method involving applying, to a base material, a super water repellent agent containing hydrophobized silica fine particles and a hydrophobic resin, such as a fluorine-containing resin, in such amounts that their weight ratios after volatilization are from 30% to 100% and from 0% to 70%, respectively, the silica fine particles being dispersed in an organic solvent by ultrasonic irradiation, and then curing the super water repellent agent, to thereby form a super water repellent coating film (see Patent Document 1); a method involving forming a surface-roughened coating film on a surface of a metal plate through use of an organic coating material having added thereto fine particles, and then forming a water repellent coating film on the surface-roughened coating film (see Patent Document 2); and a method involving forming an underlying coating film on a surface of a metal material through use of a coating material containing hydrophilic fine particles and an organic resin, and then forming a finish coating film on the underlying coating film through use of a coating material containing a fluorine-based resin or a silicone-based resin as a main component (see Patent Document 3).

Water repellent coating film and product provided with same


A laminar air flow cabinet of the type comprising a laminar flow portion and two adjacent portions, a first adjacent portion located above the laminar portion and a second adjacent portion located below the laminar flow portion, in which the cabinet comprises at least one fan blowing air from the first of these adjacent portions to the laminar flow portion through a first filter, and a second filter located in the second of the adjacent portions, the cabinet comprising at least one spray located in the laminar flow portion, a hydraulic pump injecting fluid through the spray and at least one impermeable surface located between the second filter and the laminar flow portion.

This invention relates to a laminar air flow cabinet comprising an associated cleaning mechanism. In particular this invention relates to a laminar air flow cabinet and a cleaning mechanism through pushing off for removing chemical residues which may be located within the cabinet, for example after the preparation of medications.
There are various mechanisms for cleaning laminar flow cabinets such as ultraviolet cleaning mechanisms which remove bacteria through the use of UV rays, but these cleaning mechanisms function as antibacterial agents and are inefficient for the chemical and/or microbiological cleaning of laminar flow cabinets.
There are also physical cleaning systems that are added to cabinets in the pharmaceutical industry. These cabinets are common systems which can be fitted to the cabinets and add openings for the expulsion of pressurised fluid and drains. In these systems a cleaning cycle is performed in which pressurised water is expelled through the openings, the pH of the water leaving through the drains is measured, and once the measured pH is neutral the cleaning process is stopped. These cleaning mechanisms can have an adverse effect on parts of the cabinets because they do not take the layout of delicate components into account.
For example laminar flow cabinets in pharmaceutical applications include HEPA (from the English expression "High Efficiency Particulate Air"), ULPA (from the English expression "Ultra-Low Penetration Air") or activated carbon filters. These filters have the common feature that they are very delicate and deteriorate appreciably when in contact with liquids.
As indicated previously, the physical cleaning systems in the prior art involve large quantities of water at high pressures which in the case of pharmaceutical applications are not very convenient because they can wet the air filters because of splashing and/or inadequate drainage systems.
In order to overcome the abovementioned problems this invention provides for a laminar air flow cabinet having an associated cleaning system which ensures that the filters remain intact and brings about suitable physical cleaning of each of the components in the system.


A fire-stopping material for use in sandwich panels is provided, wherein the fire-stopping material comprises a resilient, porous material at least partially impregnated with an intumescent agent. A panel for an internal wall and an internal wall are also provided, comprising the fire-stopping material disposed between two substantially parallel boards, such as plaster boards. A method of providing a service penetration through an internal wall is also provided.

Fire stopping in the context of the present invention is concerned with maintaining separate compartments in a structure in case of fire. The compartments should be sealed off from each other with respect to smoke, heat and flames, in order to give more time for the people in the areas not affected by fire to escape the building before the fire spreads.
Fire stopping products are provided to seal gaps between compartments, both gaps between building elements (floors, walls, roofs) and gaps within building elements such as penetrations for conduits, pipes or cables, and the spaces between doors and their frames.
Conventionally, there are two kinds of technologies. Passive technologies such as sealants, mastics and fire batts are permanently resistant to fire and are designed to resist fire conditions without change. Reactive technologies such as intumescent tapes or pipe collars are designed to expand when heated in the same manner as intumescent coatings, and fill gaps which would normally be open in the non-fire situation.
The present invention is concerned with reactive technologies implemented in dividing interior walls.
Dividing interior walls between fire compartments are often made from two sheets of plasterboard sandwiching a slab of fire proof insulation.
When service penetrations (for cables and pipes) are made in these types of wall, the installer has to drill through the plasterboard and insulation, remove the insulation material and fit some kind of complex fire-proofing solution, for example pipe collars, bands, batts and/or mastic. The particular type of fire-stopping to be fitted will depend upon the exact nature of the penetration, and a single job might require more than one type. The hole must be made fire and smoke proof, and where the penetration is combustible or melts in a fire, the solution chosen must also close the hole left when the penetration burns or melts during a fire.
Batts are incombustible boards made from mineral wool fibre coated with mastic as a smoke barrier. They are typically supplied in standard sizes then cut to suitable size and shape on site. Mastics and sealants may be intumescent or just fire-resistant without intumescence.
For more complex applications where intumescent closure is needed, mechanical solutions may be used. A cable sleeve, for example, is a steel shell lined with intumescent material. This is placed into a hole cut in the wall, and cables and/or pipes are fed through. Often, secondary sealing methods are used in conjunction so that the whole assembly is fire and smoke-proof.
Pre-shaped pillows are filled with a soft mixture of fibres and intumescent materials and simply stuffed around the penetrations. Pre-shaped blocks of foam may also be used.
Therefore there exists a need for a simplified fire-stopping product for internal walls that is easy to use with a variety of service penetrations, without the need for a number of different fire-proofing solutions to make good the fire-proofing of an internal wall when a service penetration is made.


A system for automatically opening cartons and removing packages therefrom includes a centrifugal orientation bowl for orientating closed or unopened cartons in a position to be fed to a slitting apparatus. The slitting apparatus includes a pair of cutters therein to cut opposed portions of the cartons thereby opening the cartons. A carton breaker is utilized downstream from the slitting apparatus to break the cartons open thereby loosening the packages therefrom. The opened cartons are fed to a rotating drum separator wherein the packages within the cartons are separated from the cartons and the emptied cartons are removed from the rotating drum separator in one location and the packages separated from the cartons are removed at another location.

This invention relates to a system for automatically opening cartons containing packages therein and removing the packages from the cartons and more particularly for a system for opening cartons and removing packages of cigarettes from the cartons.
In the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigarettes are packaged in packages generally containing twenty cigarettes per package and each package is then placed into a carton, each carton generally containing ten packs of cigarettes. Retail outlets for these cigarettes in many instances do not open the cartons but keep the cartons stacked on storeroom shelves and sell the cigarettes by the carton. However, shelf life of cigarettes within the cartons is a relatively short period of time, generally less than three months, and if the carton of cigarettes is not purchased within that period of time, the cartons are returned to the manufacturers where the cartons are opened, the packages are removed and the cigarettes removed from the packages so that the tobacco which is relatively expensive, may then be reprocessed and re-used. Thus, means to economically open the cartons and remove the packages therefrom is an important consideration for cigarette manufacturers.
The prior art has a number of systems and devices available for the opening of the packages of cigarettes and removing the cigarettes therefrom but in many instances the opening of the cartons to remove the packages from the cartons in a tobacco recovery process is generally labor intensive.

System for automatically opening cartons and removing packages therein


Clips for coupling devices, such as electrical junction boxes, to support members are provided. In one example, a clip for coupling an electrical junction box to a support member includes a coupling member and a flange. The coupling member is adapted to engage the support member and includes a first member, a second member spaced-apart from the first member, and a third member extending between and engaging the first and second members. The first, second and third members together define a receptacle adapted to receive the support member therein. The flange extends from the coupling member and defines a fastener opening therein adapted to receive a fastener for coupling the clip to the electrical junction box.

Many devices, structures, and accessories are located in a structural wall and have a variety of different functions. One such device is an electrical junction box. Electrical junction boxes are used to house and protect electrical devices such as electrical outlets, switches and associated wiring when the electrical devices are installed in a building or other structure. Typically, an electrical device is installed either by securing the junction box containing the electrical device directly to framing within the structure, or by securing the junction box to a support member or mounting device that is fastened to such framing. The mounting device comprises a mounting bar having coupling flaps at opposite ends of the bar for securement to spaced-apart wall studs or structural members. When the coupling flaps are secured to the studs, the mounting bar extends generally horizontally between the studs. The mounting bar has a generally channel-shaped cross-section, and a plurality of box mounting openings are defined in and spaced along the length of the mounting bar for receiving fasteners to secure an electrical junction box to the mounting bar at a selected location.
To attach an electrical junction box to mounting devices of the type described above, fasteners are typically inserted through openings in the rear wall of the electrical junction box into selected openings in the mounting device to attach the electrical junction box directly to the mounting device. In the case of the mounting bar described above, the particular openings selected will depend on the desired position of the electrical junction box relative to the framing of the building. The procedure is typically carried out at the job site when the junction box is empty (before installation of an electrical device in the junction box) so that the installer has uninhibited access to the electrical junction box and there is no risk of damage to the contents of the electrical junction box. After the electrical junction box is fastened to the mounting device, the electrical device is installed in the electrical junction box and wired.
The above procedure cannot be used if the box is "pre-wired", that is, if the electrical device is installed in the electrical junction box at a location other than the job site. In this situation, the empty electrical junction box must be secured to the appropriate mounting device at a remote location, the electrical device wired in the electrical junction box, and the "pre-wired" box then transported to the installation site. However, a problem arises if there is a need to adjust the position of the electrical junction box on the mounting device at the job site, since any such adjustment would require the installer to remove the electrical device from the electrical junction box, reposition the electrical junction box on the mounting device, and then replace the electrical device in the electrical junction box, or some other time-consuming and expensive procedure.
Similarly, the conventional procedure is unsatisfactory if the electrical junction box and associated mounting device are pre-assembled (referred to as a pre-assembled electrical junction box assembly). A pre-assembled electrical junction box assembly is an electrical junction box (and optionally, but not necessarily an electrical device) that is mounted on the mounting device at a location other than the job site. Like with a pre-wired electrical device, because the electrical junction box of a pre-assembled junction box assembly is already secured to the mounting device being shipped, a problem arises if there is a need to adjust the position of the electrical junction box on the mounting device at the job site. In effect, the electrical junction box would have to be removed from the mounting device, and any assembled components may have to be disassembled, thereby negating any advantage of pre-assembly.
Moreover, brackets or other intermediary components may be introduced between the electrical junction box and the mounting device in order to couple the electrical junction box to the mounting device. For example, brackets may be coupled to the mounting device and electrical junction boxes may be coupled to the brackets. Some of these brackets are extremely wide (in some cases as wide as or wider than the electrical junction box) and consume a large amount of the space along the mounting device. This wide footprint limits the flexibility and quantity of mounting locations along the mounting device between the wall studs. Additionally, the wide footprint inhibits the electrical junction box from being positioned close to one of the wall studs. Furthermore, consuming a large quantity of space between the wall studs inhibits coupling additional brackets and additional electrical junction boxes to the same mounting device between the wall studs. Conventional brackets or other intermediary component are large in size and, therefore, require a large amount of material to make the bracket. This results in such brackets being expensive to manufacture and expensive to consumers.
Conventional brackets or other intermediary components often include complicated configurations having a variety of bends, recesses, and other shapes requiring complicated manufacturing processes. Such complicated manufacturing processes can add additional cost to the brackets.
Furthermore, conventional brackets or other intermediary components wrap completely around the mounting device, thereby positioning a portion thereof between a front of the mounting device and a rear wall of the electrical junction box. Positioning the bracket between the mounting device and the electrical junction box spaces the electrical junction box out in front of the mounting device. Thus, the rear of the electrical box cannot be brought into close proximity with a front of the mounting device.

Clips for coupling devices to support members extending between structural members