In a color image transformation method and system, a photographic color-positive transparency media bearing a captured image is transmission scanned to provide a scanned image. The scanned image has an overall cyan-blue color balance and has grayscale mistracking relative to colorimetric chromaticity. The scanned image is automatically transformed to intermediary color image data encoding values. Both the overall cyan-blue color balance and the mistracking are corrected during the transforming.

Photographic color-positive transparency films, such as 35 mm (Type 135) slides and larger-format sheet films, are commonly used to capture and reproduce original images. Color-positive transparency films are well suited for these applications because they are capable of extraordinary image quality, producing images exhibiting high sharpness, low noise, extensive luminance dynamic range, and large color gamut. Color-positive transparency films are designed so that the images they produce will have an appropriate appearance when illuminated and viewed by projection in a darkened room, or by back-illumination.
Color-image reproduction systems known in the art permit images to be captured by color-transparency film media as well as by other dissimilar image-receptive media or devices, possibly digitized and stored, and then output onto complementary media. So, for instance, color images may be captured on color-positive photographic media, and then illuminated and viewed directly by projection in a darkened room or by back-illumination, or copied onto larger or smaller transparencies, or printed onto positive photographic paper. Such images may or may not pass through a digital intermediary. In another case, color images may be first captured on negative film and then reproduced on negative photographic paper. Again, such images may or may not pass through a digital intermediary. In yet another case, color images may be captured as an electronic signal by a digital-still or video camera, and then viewed on an electronic display or converted to print by a device such as a thermal printer. Again, such images may or may not pass through a digital intermediary. The foregoing are just some examples of color-image reproduction systems.
Color-imaging systems in which the image passes through a digital intermediary allow improvements to be made to an image using a single means, which may be a digital computer. Thus, improvements to an image's color and tone scale, as well as to its sharpness and noise, can be made in a convenient and adaptable way. Furthermore, if the imaging system includes a means for rapid viewing of the changes, the content of an image can also be edited in a convenient fashion. Many of these types of improvements are known to those skilled in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,919 entitled "COLOR REPRODUCTION SYSTEM" by W. F. Schreiber, discloses an image-reproduction system of one type in which an electronic reader scans an original color image and converts it to an electronic image. A computer workstation and an interactive operator interface, including a video monitor, permit an operator to edit an image by means of displaying it on the monitor. When the operator has composed a desired image on the monitor, the workstation causes the output-writer device to make an inked output of the reproduced image.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,044 entitled "IMAGING DEVICE TO MEDIA COMPATIBILITY AND COLOR APPEARANCE MATCHING WITH FLARE, LUMINANCE, AND WHITE POINT COMPARISON" by E. J. Giorgianni and T. E. Madden describes a system for producing intermediary image-bearing signals and/or encoded data compatible for subsequent imaging applications from disparate and inherently incompatible types of input imaging devices and media, including color-positive transparency media. The invention gives consideration to the input and output-image viewing environments in terms of their viewing-illuminant spectral energy distribution, amount of viewing flare light, surround type, and observer adaptive white point chromaticities. Application of the methods and means of that invention produces intermediary image-bearing signals and/or data that can be output onto any of a plurality of image-receptive media and/or image-forming devices such that any output image should match the appearance of any input image based on the capabilities and limitations of the specific output device and/or medium and on the specific application for which the image is being produced. Digital color-signal processing transforms are applied to input image data based on differences in the viewing conditions for the input image and a set of defined reference viewing environment.
Many color-positive transparency film images have cyan-blue balanced reproduced neutrals, which appear achromatic to a human observer when viewing the projected film image in a darkened room. That is because an observer's visual system tends to adapt to the projected image itself due to the lack of visual cues in the darkened viewing environment. In a typical darkened film-projection viewing environment however, that adaptation is not complete due to the highly reddish-yellow projector lamp chromaticity, the fairly low absolute luminance level of the projected image, and the fact that the projected images fills only a portion of the observer's field of view. The overall measured cyan-blue color balance of the color-positive transparency film image, combined with the observer's partial or incomplete chromatic adaptation to the described projection conditions, results then in images that appear to be properly color balanced. The effect of the observer's partial or incomplete chromatic adaptation is addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,044 through the use of a chromatic adaptation transform, such as a VonKries transformation matrix, or by using any of a number of other techniques known to those skilled in the art.
The overall cyan-blue color balance of most color-positive photographic transparency film media results from the intentional design and manufacturing of film. FIG. 1 shows the cyan, magenta, and yellow density scales for a typical photographic color-transparency film. The unequal CMY density values of the reproduced grayscale shown produce the desirable cyan-blue color balance described earlier, i.e. at a given scene luminance-factor value, there is a greater amount of cyan and a lesser amount of yellow density produced. The overall cyan-blue color balance resulting from these unequal density values is considered in the above cited-references, but only in relation to white-balancing and observer chromatic adaptation.
Application of a sequence of transforms to modify images is taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,452,111; 5,420,979; and 5,786,823.
It would thus be desirable to provide methods and systems for encoding image data derived from photographic color-transparency films such that images reproduced from the image data derived from such media appear appropriately rendered without requiring references to their origin.

Grayscale mistracking correction for color-positive transparency film elements


A fluid transferring apparatus achieves a two-dimensional flow of fluid with high efficiency and at low noise by imitating a Weis-Fogh mechanism with use of a simple mechanism. In the fluid transferring apparatus, a wing assembly X comprised of a predetermined number of plate-like wings is provided in a transverse direction of a flow passage. A wing assembly X is supported by a link of a crank mechanism which is constituted of a crank rotated by a motor, a slider slidable in a direction orthogonal to a direction of a flow in a flow passage and the link coupling the crank with the slider, so that rotational motion of the crank is transmitted to the slider as a reciprocal movement. While an angle of attack of each wing is changed by oscillating action of the link, each wing is moved in a transverse direction of the flow passage as the link is reciprocated, thereby achieving transfer of fluid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fluid transferring apparatus which transfers fluid with use of reciprocal motion of wings in a transverse direction in a flow passage, in a manner like the flapping movement of bees.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A cross flow fan has conventionally been used, for example, in many air conditioners as a fluid transferring apparatus to realize a two-dimensional flow. In comparison with a propeller fan, a sirocco fan, etc. which achieves a three-dimensional flow, however, the cross flow fan is disadvantageous in its low efficiency and restrictions on design. That is, although it is effective to enlarge the diameter of a fan in order to reduce noises, a large space is necessitated therefor and a shape, of a scroll part, a stabilizer or the like greatly influences the efficiency of the cross flow fan.
Therefore, a fluid transferring apparatus of a perfectly new type has been desired and a proposal for utilization of a so-called Weis-Fogh mechanism, e.g., as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication 64-107000 has been made to realize a two-dimensional flow with high efficiency and reduced noises.
In the meantime, the Weis-Fogh mechanism referred to above utilizes a new propelling method discovered when the flapping of bees is observed. As indicated in the above-mentioned prior art as well, according to the Weis-Fogh mechanism, two wings are provided within a flow passage and moved in parallel to each other in a manner to alternately be brought close and separated in a direction orthogonal to the flow passage, while an attack angle of each wing is changed at both ends of its stroke.
However, a driving mechanism would be considerably complicate and hard to operate at high speeds if the wings were driven by mechanical means strictly in compliance with the Weis-Fogh mechanism. Therefore, no suitable example of an actual application of the Weis-Fogh mechanism has been embodied so far, and the above prior art also does not clearly disclose a concrete driving mechanism, thus calling for a technique enabling realization of the Weis-Fogh mechanism in a simple manner.

Fluid transferring apparatus imitating flapping movement of bees


In an optical disk, a display area is formed between the circumference of a recorded area and the circumference of the maximum area to which a recorded area can be provided. A reflective layer is formed covering the recorded area 3 and covering the display area forming a transparent display area at least in part of the display area. And to the transparent display area, a print layer is provided. According to this composition, there is provided the transparent display area without the reflective layer in the optical disk with a recorded area of a small diameter. Therefore, discrimination of the size or diameter of a record area of 12 cm CDs is made easier, and the print layer provided to the transparent display area can be seen from both sides of the optical disk.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disk for storing audio/video information or general data, and in particular, to an optical disk provided with a recorded area of a small diameter, in which the size of the display area for displaying letters, pictures, etc. on the disk is enlarged.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the surface of a conventional optical disk such as a CD (compact disc) and a DVD (digital video disc) with a diameter of 12 cm. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional optical disk comprises a center hole 12, a clamping area 13 outside the center hole 12, a lead-in area 14 outside the clamping area 13, a program area 15 outside the lead-in area 14, a lead-out area 16 outside the program area 15, and a narrow transparent area 17 between the lead-out area 16 and the circumference of the optical disk. In such conventional optical disks, even in the case where the diameter of the recorded area of a 12 cm optical disk fits in that of 8 cm optical disks, null data pits are formed on the 12 cm optical disk from a diameter corresponding to that of the recorded area of 8 cm optical disks to the maximum diameter to which recorded areas of 12 cm optical disks can be provided, and a reflective layer is also formed on the above area. Therefore, in conventional optical disks, discrimination of the diameter of the recorded area in appearance is difficult. In addition, the display area can be formed only on the one side of the disk.
As disclosed in JP-A-6-508712 (PCT), some types of optical disks are proposed in order to expand the display area of optical disks used for displaying letters, pictures, etc.
According to the optical disk disclosed in JP-A-6-508712 (PCT), in the case where the diameter of the recorded area of a 12 cm optical disk fits in that of 8 cm optical disks, audio information can be written in a recorded area from inside of the disk toward outside, for example, within a diameter of 70-80 mm, and a metallization area outside the recorded area within a diameter of 118 mm serves as the display area to which holograms or pictures are freely provided.
However, the holograms can be made on only the one side so that in the case where metallization process is utilized for displaying letters, pictures, etc. on optical disks, a plate for the holograms must be produced for every CD title and thus there exist problems of operation efficiency, cost, etc.
Moreover, when label design (display of contents, tune titles, trademarks, etc.) is displayed on a conventional optical disk, display of only one type of label design on one side of the optical disk is possible and display of different types of label designs on both sides of the disk is impossible.

Optical disk having first design visible from one side of the disk and a second design visible from the other side of the disk


Described are devices, methods, and kits for non-invasively measuring glucose. In general, the devices comprise skin patches for placement on a skin surface and measurement devices for measuring glucose collected in the patches. The patches may include an adhesive material, a collection layer, an interface layer, and a sweat-permeable membrane. The sweat-permeable membrane is configured to act as a barrier to epidermal contaminants and glucose brought to the skin surface via diffusion. In this way, non-correlatable skin surface glucose will not be measured. The patches may further include components to induce a local sweat response. The measurement device typically includes a display, a processor, and a measurement mechanism. The methods typically include the steps of wiping the skin surface with a wipe containing at least one solvent for removing glucose, placing a patch on a skin surface, and measuring glucose collected in the patch. Kits comprising the patch and measurement device are also described.

The American Diabetes Association reports that approximately 6% of the population in the United States, a group of 16 million people, has diabetes, and that this number is growing at a rate of 12-15% per annum. The Association further reports that diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, contributing to nearly 200,000 deaths per year. Diabetes is a life-threatening disease with broad complications, which include blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, heart disease, amputation and stroke. Diabetes is believed to be the leading cause of new cases of blindness in individuals aging between 20 and 74; approximately 12,000-24,000 people per year lose their sight because of diabetes. Diabetes is also the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, accounting for nearly 40% of new cases. Nearly 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage which, in severe forms, can lead to lower limb amputations. People with diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to have heart disease and to suffer strokes.
Diabetes results from the inability of the body to produce or properly use insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches, and the like into energy. Although the cause of diabetes is not completely understood, genetics, environmental factors, and viral causes have been partially identified.
There are two major types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes) is caused by an autoimmune process destroying the beta cells that secrete insulin in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes most often occurs in young adults and children. People with Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive.
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or properly to use, insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more common, accounting for 90-95% of diabetes. In the United States, Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, principally due to an increased number of older Americans and a greater prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
Insulin, in simple terms, is the hormone that allows glucose to enter cells and feed them. In diabetics, glucose cannot enter the cells, so glucose builds up in the blood to toxic levels.
Diabetics having Type 1 diabetes are typically required to self-administer insulin using, e.g., a syringe or a pen with needle and cartridge. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion via external or implanted pumps is also available. Diabetics having Type 2 diabetes are typically treated with changes in diet and exercise, as well as with oral medications. Many Type 2 diabetics become insulin-dependent at later stages of the disease. Diabetics using insulin to help regulate their blood sugar levels are at an increased risk for medically-dangerous episodes of low blood sugar due to errors in insulin administration, or unanticipated changes in insulin absorption.
It is highly recommended by the medical profession that insulin-using patients practice self-monitoring of blood glucose ("SMBG"). Based upon the level of glucose in the blood, individuals may make insulin dosage adjustments before injection. Adjustments are necessary since blood glucose levels vary day to day for a variety of reasons, e.g., exercise, stress, rates of food absorption, types of food, hormonal changes (pregnancy, puberty, etc.) and the like. Despite the importance of SMBG, several studies have found that the proportion of individuals who self-monitor at least once a day significantly declines with age. This decrease is likely due simply to the fact that the typical, most widely used, method of SMBG involves obtaining blood from a capillary finger stick. Many patients consider obtaining blood to be significantly more painful than the self-administration of insulin.
Non- or minimally-invasive techniques are being investigated, some of which are beginning to focus on the measurement of glucose on the skin surface or in interstitial fluid. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,733 to Peck describes a process to detect an analyte that has come to the skin surface via diffusion. Specifically, Peck teaches a transdermal detection system for the detection of an analyte that migrates to the skin surface of a subject by diffusion in the absence of a liquid transport medium, such as sweat. As will be described in more detail below, because the process of passive diffusion of an analyte to the skin surface takes an unreasonably long period of time (e.g., a few hours to several days), Peck does not provide a practical non-invasive glucose monitoring solution.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,198 to Aronowitz et al. ("Aronowitz") describes a transdermal system for analyte extraction from interstitial fluid. Specifically, Aronowitz teaches patches containing wet and dry chemistry components. The wet component is used to form a gel layer for the extraction and liquid bridge transfer of the analyte from the biological fluid to the dry chemistry component. The dry chemistry component is used to quantitatively or qualitatively measure the analyte. One disadvantage of the system described in Aronowitz is the effect of a wet chemistry interface in providing a liquid phase environment on the skin in which different sources of glucose could be irreversibly mixed with one another. A liquid phase contact with the skin surface could make it impossible to distinguish between glucose on the skin surface originating from many day old epidermal debris, glucose on the skin surface originating from many hours old transdermal diffusion, and finally, glucose on the skin from the more timely output of the eccrine sweat gland.
Others have investigated glucose measurement in sweat; however, they have failed to demonstrate a correlation between blood glucose levels and sweat glucose levels, and have similarly failed to establish or demonstrate that only glucose coming from sweat is being measured. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,985 to Schroeder et al. ("Schroeder") describes a non-invasive glucose monitoring unit, which uses a wick to absorb the sweat and electrochemistry to make glucose measurements. Schroeder relies on an article by T. C. Boysen, Shigeree Yanagaun, Fusaho Sato and Uingo Sato published in 1984 in the Journal of Applied Psychology to establish the correlation between blood glucose and sweat glucose levels, but quantitative analysis of the data provided therein demonstrates that the blood glucose and sweat glucose levels of the two subjects described there cannot be correlated (yielding correlation coefficients of approximately 0.666 and 0.217 respectively). Additional methods must be used, beyond those cited in the paper by Boysen et al., to isolate the glucose in sweat from other sources of glucose on the skin.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,861 to Sembrowich et al. ("Sembrowich") describes glucose monitoring technology based on analyzing glucose on the skin surface from a localized, modified sweat response. In a like manner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,815 to Schoendorfer ("Schoendorfer") describes a dermal patch to be worn on the skin for increasing the concentration of an analyte expressed through the skin in perspiration, to a conveniently measurable level. However, similar to Schroeder, Sembrowich and Schoendorfer each fail to teach or describe methods or steps for isolating or distinguishing the glucose in sweat from other confounding sources of glucose found on the skin surface.

Devices, methods, and kits for non-invasive glucose measurement


The invention relates to a method of producing a bubbled metal foam, wherein adjusting the size of the bubbles takes place simultaneously with forming the bubbles by means of oscillations induced by longitudinal waves within the formation region of the bubbles. In this way, a decrease in bubble size which can be effected in an uncontrolled way after said bubbles had been created can be avoided.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a metal foam, wherein to foam a metal, the size of the bubbles to be created within the bulk or on the surface of a foamable metal in the liquid phase is controlled, preferentially decreased or increased, and in particular set to a given value by means of applying oscillations simultaneously with the formation of said bubbles. The invention also relates to the metal foam product produced by the method in accordance with the invention.
Metal foams are closed-cell or open-cell constructional materials with light weight and exhibit outstanding physical, mechanical, as well as heat and acoustical insulation properties. Due to their properties, metal foams can be applied in a broad range extending from constructional materials to various ornaments. Mainly due to their low densities and extraordinary mechanical properties, some exemplary fields of use of metal foams include e.g. aircraft industry (wings, seats), space technology (heat insulation, vibration damping), automotive industry (various bumping elements, body parts, acoustical cushionings), defence industry (screenings within the radio frequency domain, strong armours), medical applications (such as osteoprostheses), as well as construction industry (frame constructions, light weight construction walls), and others.
Several techniques are known for the production of metal foams. In the most common way, a metal foam is prepared by adding a gas forming additive (such as hydrides, carbonates, and the like) to the melt of a metal also comprising stabilizing grains/particles. According to our present knowledge, due to the uncontrollability of the undergoing chemical and physical reactions, no metal foam of a monomodal pore size distribution can be produced by means of introducing gas forming additives. Another technique for producing a metal foam is to introduce gas bubbles into the melt of a metal. In general, said supply of gas bubbles is effected by means of either an agitating device (see e.g. Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-176874) or a suitable injection means (see e.g. U.S. Patent Application No. 20030047036).
German Patent Application No. DE 43 05 660 A1 discloses a method and an apparatus for adjusting the size of the bubbles of a bubbled medium in the liquid phase, wherein said adjustment takes place subsequently, that is, after the creation of said bubbles. The core of said method is to expose the bubbles formed in the medium by e.g. injecting a gas through a nozzle orifice to ultrasonic waves after they had detached from the nozzle and left the nozzle end; the bubbles are formed at the nozzle end with a diameter that is defined by the geometrical parameters of the nozzle end in combination with further parameters influencing the way of the injection (such as the gas flow rate and the gas injection pressure). The frequency and power of the applied ultrasonic waves are chosen in such a manner that due to the exposition the bubbles get into resonance, and as a result of that they burst into bubbles of smaller size.
European Patent Application No. 0680779 A1 teaches a method for facilitating the dissolution of a gas into a liquid kept in flowing. In said method, bubbles formed previously in the liquid by means of injecting gas through a nozzle are brought into interaction with ultrasonic waves. As a result, the bubbles within the liquid are excited to frequencies beyond the resonant frequency and then split into bubbles of smaller size due to the energy absorbed from the ultrasonic waves. The thus obtained smaller bubbles rapidly dissolve into the liquid.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 57-165160 discloses the fabrication process of a metal tape with a porous and amorphous structure, as well as an apparatus for accomplishing said fabrication process. According to the solution taught, a molten metal is put into a closed crucible and is then injected via a nozzle onto a cooling roll that rotates at a high speed by means of exerting a pressure onto the melt within the crucible by a gas introduced into the crucible via an inlet pipe. Simultaneously, gaseous nitrogen, air or another inert gas is also blown via a gas blowing pipe into the molten metal and to said nozzle, thereby forming bubbles in the melt in the vicinity of the nozzle end. Thereafter, the bubbles detached from said nozzle are dispersed by means of mechanical vibrations generated by a high frequency generator and/or further bubbles are formed by the cavitation effect within the molten metal from the gas dissolved into said melt. Thereby, a relatively fine distribution of bubbles is achieved within the melt. The bubbled molten metal solidifies on the surface of the rotating roll very rapidly and forms an amorphous thin metal foam tape thereon.
Said fabrication process is solely suitable for the preparation of thin metal foam tapes spreading essentially in-plane and cannot be used to produce a liquid or a solid metal foam in the shape of a block (i.e. with three well-defined spatial dimensions).
A common drawback of the above discussed solutions is that they all aim at decreasing the size of previously formed bubbles in a liquid medium by means of breaking up said bubbles with ultrasonic waves. As such a technique is based on bringing into vibration the already existing bubbles by the ultrasonic waves and thereby inducing spatial deformation thereof and then tearing said bubbles into parts of smaller size at an extreme value of the deformation, this technique is not suitable for performing the break-up of the gas bubbles in a controlled manner: typically, the size of the bubbles obtained through break-up varies in a broad range, and thus, the pore size distribution of the metal foam obtained by this technique also varies between wide limits. Hence, the formation of bubbles with about the same size cannot be ensured by such a technique. Neither can be ensured the production of a metal foam with a (nearly) monomodal pore size distribution. The high frequency generator applied affects the size of the bubbles detached from the nozzle end in an uncontrollable way; the ultrasonic waves emitted by said generator will decrease the size of those bubbles of the metal foam in the liquid phase that had already previously formed.
A method and a capillary system for producing a liquid metal foam with a monomodal size distribution (here, the pore size being greater than 3 mm) from a molten metal are disclosed in European Patent No. 1419835 B1. The desired size of the pores of the liquid metal foam being formed is essentially accomplished by dimensioning the individual nozzles of the capillary system, as well as by appropriately choosing the relative distance of said nozzles and the geometrical design of the nozzle ends. Consequently, only a metal foam of a certain pore size can be obtained by a capillary system of a given geometry—the preparation of metal foams of different pore sizes requires the application of capillary systems of several geometries.
A further common drawback of the above solutions is that a gas injection via one or more nozzles, used as a tool to create the bubbles, forms an essential element thereof.

Method of producing a metal foam by oscillations and thus obtained metal foam product

BAY ZOLTAN ALKALMAZOTT KUTATASI KOZHASZNU NONPROFIT KFT.


An abridged multipole structure for the transport and selection of ions along a central axis in a vacuum system is constructed from a plurality of rectilinear electrode structures, each having a substantially planar face with a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. When a voltage is applied across the second dimension, an electrical potential is produced at the planar face whose amplitude is a linear function of position along the second dimension. Two electrode structures can be arranged parallel to each other with the first dimension extending along the central axis or more electrodes structures can be arranged to form multipole structures with various polygonal cross sections.

The present invention generally relates to an improved method and apparatus for the analysis of samples by mass spectrometry. The apparatus and methods for ion transport and analysis described herein are enhancements of techniques referred to in the literature relating to mass spectrometry—an important tool in the analysis of a wide range of chemical compounds. Specifically, mass spectrometers can be used to determine the molecular weight of sample compounds. The analysis of samples by mass spectrometry consists of three main steps—formation of gas phase ions from sample material, mass analysis of the ions to separate the ions from one another according to ion mass, and detection of the ions. A variety of means and methods exist in the field of mass spectrometry to perform each of these three functions. The particular combination of the means and methods used in a given mass spectrometer determine the characteristics of that instrument.
To mass analyze ions, for example, one might use magnetic (B) or electrostatic (E) analysis, wherein ions passing through a magnetic or electrostatic field will follow a curved path. In a magnetic field, the curvature of the path will be indicative of the momentum-to-charge ratio of the ion. In an electrostatic field, the curvature of the path will be indicative of the kinetic energy-to-charge ratio of the ion. If magnetic and electrostatic analyzers are used consecutively, then both the momentum-to-charge and kinetic energy-to-charge ratios of the ions will be known and the mass of the ion will thereby be determined. Other mass analyzers are the quadrupole (Q), the ion cyclotron resonance (ICR), the time-of-flight (TOF), the orbitrap, and the quadrupole ion trap analyzers. The analyzer used in conjunction with the method described here may be any of these.
Before mass analysis can begin, gas phase ions must be formed from a sample material. If the sample material is sufficiently volatile, ions may be formed by electron ionization (EI) or chemical ionization (CI) of the gas phase sample molecules. Alternatively, for solid samples (e.g., semiconductors, or crystallized materials), ions can be formed by desorption and ionization of sample molecules by bombardment with high energy particles. Further, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), for example, uses keV ions to desorb and ionize sample material. In the SIMS process a large amount of energy is deposited in the analyte molecules, resulting in the fragmentation of fragile molecules. This fragmentation is undesirable in that information regarding the original composition of the sample (e.g., the molecular weight of sample molecules) will be lost.
For more labile, fragile molecules, other ionization methods now exist. The plasma desorption (PD) technique was introduced by Macfarlane et al. (D. F. Torgerson, R. P. Skowronski, and R. D. Macfarlane, Biochem. Biophys. Res Commoun. 60 (1974) 616)("McFarlane"). Macfarlane discovered that the impact of high energy (MeV) ions on a surface, like SIMS would cause desorption and ionization of small analyte molecules. However, unlike SIMS, the PD process also results in the desorption of larger, more labile species (e.g., insulin and other protein molecules).
Additionally, lasers have been used in a similar manner to induce desorption of biological or other labile molecules. See, for example, Cotter et al. (R. B. VanBreeman, M. Snow, R. J. Cotter, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys. 49 (1983) 35; Tabet, J. C.; Cotter, R. J., Tabet, J. C., Anal. Chem. 56 (1984) 1662; or R. J. Cotter et al., Anal. Instrument. 16 (1987) 93). Cotter modified a CVC 2000 time-of-flight mass spectrometer for infrared laser desorption of non-volatile biomolecules, using a Tachisto (Needham, Mass.) model 215G pulsed carbon dioxide laser. The plasma or laser desorption and ionization of labile molecules relies on the deposition of little or no energy in the analyte molecules of interest.
The use of lasers to desorb and ionize labile molecules intact was enhanced by the introduction of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) (K. Tanaka, H. Waki, Y. Ido, S. Akita, Y. Yoshida, T. Yoshica, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2 (1988) 151 and M. Karas, F. Hillenkamp, Anal. Chem. 60 (1988) 2299). In the MALDI process, an analyte is dissolved in a solid, organic matrix. Laser light of a wavelength that is absorbed by the solid matrix but not by the analyte is used to excite the sample. Thus, the matrix is excited directly by the laser, and the excited matrix sublimes into the gas phase carrying with it the analyte molecules. The analyte molecules are then ionized by proton, electron, or cation transfer from the matrix molecules to the analyte molecules. This process (i.e., MALDI) is typically used in conjunction with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) and can be used to measure the molecular weights of proteins in excess of 100,000 Daltons.
Further, Atmospheric Pressure Ionization (API) includes a number of ion production means and methods. Typically, analyte ions are produced from liquid solution at atmospheric pressure. One of the more widely used methods, known as electrospray ionization (ESI), was first suggested by Dole et al. (M. Dole, L. L. Mack, R. L. Hines, R. C. Mobley, L. D. Ferguson, M. B. Alice, J. Chem. Phys. 49, 2240, 1968). In the electrospray technique, analyte is dissolved in a liquid solution and sprayed from a needle. The spray is induced by the application of a potential difference between the needle and a counter electrode. The spray results in the formation of fine, charged droplets of solution containing analyte molecules. In the gas phase, the solvent evaporates leaving behind charged, gas phase, analyte ions. This method allows for very large ions to be formed. Ions as large as 1 MDa have been detected by ESI in conjunction with mass spectrometry (ESMS).
In addition to ESI, many other ion production methods might be used at atmospheric or elevated pressure. For example, MALDI has recently been adapted by Laiko et al. to work at atmospheric pressure (Victor Laiko and Alma Burlingame, "Atmospheric Pressure Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption", U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,884, and Atmospheric Pressure Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization, poster #1121, 4th International Symposium on Mass Spectrometry in the Health and Life Sciences, San Francisco, Aug. 25-29, 1998) and by Standing et al. at elevated pressures (Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry of Biomolecules with Orthogonal Injection+Collisional Cooling, poster #1272, 4th International Symposium on Mass Spectrometry in the Health and Life Sciences, San Francisco, Aug. 25-29, 1998; and Orthogonal Injection TOFMS Anal. Chem. 71(13), 452A (1999)). The benefit of adapting ion sources in this manner is that the ion optics (i.e., the electrode structure and operation) in the mass analyzer and mass spectral results obtained are largely independent of the ion production method used.
A mass spectrometer which uses an elevated pressure ion source like ESI always has an ion production region (wherein ions are produced) and an ion transfer region (wherein ions are transferred through differential pumping stages and into the mass analyzer). The ion production region is at an elevated pressure—most often atmospheric pressure—with respect to the analyzer. The ion production region will often include an ionization "chamber". In an ESI source, for example, liquid samples are "sprayed" into the "chamber" to form ions.
Once the ions are produced, they must be transported to the vacuum for mass analysis. Generally, mass spectrometers (MS) operate in a vacuum between 10−4 and 10−10 torr depending on the type of mass analyzer used. In order for the gas phase ions to enter the mass analyzer, they must be separated from the background gas carrying the ions and transported through the single or multiple vacuum stages.
The use of RF multipole ion guides—including quadrupole ion guides—has been shown to be an effective means of transporting ions through a vacuum system. An RF multipole ion guide is usually configured as a set of (typically 4, 6, or 8) electrically conducting rods spaced symmetrically about a central axis with the axis of each rod parallel to the central axis. The ion guide has an entrance end and an exit end. Ions are generally intended to travel from the entrance to the exit end of the ion guide along the above mentioned central axis. An RF potential is applied between the rods of the ion guide so as to confine the ions radially with the ion guide. Through a combination of the ions' initial kinetic energy on entering the ion guide, a flow of gas moving along the ion guide axis, Coulombic repulsion from other ions in the ion guide, and diffusion of ions along the axis, the ions move along the central axis from the entrance end to the exit end.
Publications by Olivers et al. (Anal. Chem, Vol. 59, p. 1230-1232, 1987), Smith et al. (Anal. Chem. Vol. 60, p. 436-441, 1988) and Douglas et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,736 (incorporated herein by reference) have reported the use of RF-only quadrupole ion guides (i.e. having four rods) to transportions from an API source to a mass analyzer. Moreover, a quadrupole ion guide capable of being operated in RF only mode configured to transportions is also described by Douglas.
Such multipole ion guides may be configured as collision cells capable of being operated in RF only mode with a variable DC offset potential applied to all rods. Thomson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,386 (incorporated herein by reference) also describes a quadrupole ion guide. The ion guide of Thomson is configured to create a DC axial field along its axis to move ions axially through a collision cell, inter alia, or to promote dissociation of ions (i.e., by Collision Induced Dissociation (CID)).
Other schemes are available utilizing both RF and DC potentials in order to facilitate the transmission of ions of a certain range of m/z values. For example, in H. R. Morris et al., High Sensitivity Collisionally Activated Decomposition Tandem Mass Spectrometry on a Novel Quadrupole/Orthogonal Acceleration Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 10, 889 (1996)(Morris), uses a series of multipoles in their design, one of which is a quadrupole which is capable of being operated in a "wide bandpass" mode or a "narrow bandpass" mode. In the wide bandpass mode, an RF-only potential is applied to the quadrupole and ions of a relatively broad range of m/z values are transmitted. In narrow bandpass mode both RF and DC potentials are applied between the rods of the quadrupole such that ions of only a narrow range of m/z values are selected for transmission through the quadrupole. In subsequent multipoles the selected ions may be activated towards dissociation. In this way the instrument of Morris is able to perform MS/MS with the first mass analysis and subsequent fragmentation occurring in what would otherwise be simply a set of multipole ion guides.
Further, mass spectrometers similar to that of Whitehouse et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,427, entitled "Multipole Ion Guide for Mass Spectrometry", (incorporated herein by reference) use multipole RF ion guides to transfer ions from one pressure region to another in a differentially pumped system. In the source of Whitehouse, ions are produced by ESI or APCI at substantially atmospheric pressure. These ions are transferred from atmospheric pressure to a first differential pumping region by the gas flow through a glass capillary. Ions are transferred from this first pumping region to a second pumping region through a "skimmer" by an electric field between these regions as well as gas flow. A multipole in the second differentially pumped region accepts ions of a selected mass/charge (m/z) ratio and guides them through a restriction and into a third differentially pumped region. This is accomplished by applying AC and DC voltages to the individual poles.
However, the above multipole ion guides all require that the rods of which they are constructed not be electrically connected to adjacent rods. In order to avoid discharges between adjacent rods, electrically insulating holders are frequently used to hold the rods in their proper places within the assembly. To further avoid arcing between adjacent rods along the surface of the insulating holder, the holder typically has a slot, groove, or similar cutout in the holder between adjacent rods. The insulating holder must not be exposed to the ion beam that is passing through the multipole because ions which fall onto the insulator will leave a charge on the surface of the holder. As the surface of the holder charges up, from the ions depositing charge there, an electrical potential will build up on the holder surface and project a field into the interior of the assembly. The field from a charged holder surface may disturb or prevent the progress of ions through the ion guide.
In the above multipole according to Whitehouse, the insulating holder and mounting brackets act also as the pumping restriction, however, the requirement to isolate adjacent rods from one another and to avoid exposing the holder surface to the ion beam means that the inner diameter of the holder must be substantially larger than the inscribed diameter of the multipole. As a result, the gas conductance is relatively high as compared to an aperture having the same diameter as the inscribed diameter of the multipole.
Park discloses a multiple frequency multipole ion guide in U.S. Pat. No. 6,911,650 (incorporated herein by reference). According to Park, the multiple frequency multipole ion guide " . . . can guide ions of a broad range of m/z through a pumping region to an analyzer. To accomplish this, a multitude of electrodes is used to . . . [construct] the ion guide. The ion guide is "driven" by a complex RF potential consisting of at least two frequency components. The potential is applied between the electrodes of the multipole in such a way that a low frequency RF field appears only near the boundaries of the multipole whereas a higher frequency field appears throughout the device. The high frequency field forces low m/z ions towards the center of the guide whereas the low frequency component of the field reflects high m/z ions toward the guide's interior, at the boundary of the ion guide." The ion guide according to Park has a mass transmission range of a factor of about 3,000—i.e. about 30 times that of a hexapole ion guide.
Importantly, the ion guide according to Park does not confine ions solely by the action of the RF fields. Rather, a set of DC electrodes is required in order to reflect ions at the gap between "virtual poles". This complicates the construction and operation of the multipole.
Many different types of analyzers have been used to mass analyze sample ions. One important type of mass analyzer is the quadrupole mass analyzer. There are also several types of quadrupole analyzers. Among them are the quadrupole filter, the quadrupole trap—a.k.a. the Paul trap—the cylindrical ion trap, linear ion trap, and the rectilinear ion trap.
The conventional quadrupole filter consists of four rods equally spaced at a predetermined radius around a central axis. A radio frequency (RF)—e.g. a 1 MHz sine wave—potential is applied between the rods. The potential on adjacent rods is 180° out of phase. Rods on opposite sides of the quadrupole axis are electrically connected—i.e. the quadrupole is formed as two pairs of rods. The quadrupole has an entrance end and an exit end. Ions to be filtered are injected into the entrance end of the quadrupole. These ions travel along the axis of the quadrupole to the exit end. The RF potential applied between the rods will tend to confine the ions radially. The quadrupole may be used as an ion guide when only the RF potential is applied. Ions of a broad m/z range may thereby be transmitted from the entrance to the exit end along the central axis. However, applying a DC as well as an RF potential between the pairs of rods will cause ions of only a limited mass range to be transmitted through the quadrupole. Ions outside this mass range will be filtered away and will not reach the exit end.
In a quadrupole mass spectrometer, ions transmitted through the quadrupole may be detected as ion signals via, for example, a channeltron detector. To produce a mass spectrum the quadrupole parameters are "scanned" and the ion signals are recorded as a function of the scan parameters. In the so-called "mass-selective stability" mode of operation the amplitudes of RF and DC voltages applied to the quadrupole rods are ramped at a constant RF/DC ratio. At each point in the ramp, ions of nominally a single m/z have a stable trajectory and are transmitted. Recording the ion signal as a function of the ramp thus yields a mass spectrum.
While in a quadrupole, ions will oscillate about the central axis with a resonant secular frequency. The resonant frequency of motion is dependent on the m/z of the ion and the amplitude and frequency of the RF waveform applied between the rods. As a result, ions of a selected m/z may be excited—that is the amplitude of the ion's oscillation about the central axis may be increased—by applying an additional AC waveform between the rods at the resonant frequency of the selected ions. If the amplitude of the ions' oscillations is increased enough, they will be ejected from the quadrupole.
A method taking advantage of this method of exciting ions' oscillations is described by Belov et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,760 (incorporated herein by reference). According to an example of the method disclosed by Belov, "non-selective ion trapping in [an] accumulation quadrupole occurs for a short period. Signal acquisition is performed using both an Odyssey data station and a 12-bit ADC coupled to a PC running ICR-2LS software available at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Mass spectra acquired with the PC are converted to secular frequency spectra of ion oscillation in the selection quadrupole and a superposition of the sine auxiliary RF waveforms is applied to the selection quadrupole rods. Selective ion trapping in the accumulation quadrupole occurs for a period longer than that used in the non-selective accumulation. During the selective accumulation the most abundant ion species determined from the previous spectrum are ejected from the selection quadrupole prior to external accumulation. The combined information from the two mass spectra provides information over a much wider dynamic range than would be afforded by either spectrum alone."
However, the electric field used to excite the ions in prior art quadrupoles is heterogeneous. That is, ions at different locations in the quadrupole will experience a different excitation electric field strength. While this has a limited impact on the method described by Belov, it nonetheless may have an impact in the more general case. In general it is desirable to have a homogeneous excitation field wherein all ions of a given m/z are excited in the same way regardless of their position in the quadrupole.
As stated by Sakudo and Hayashi (N Sakudo and T. Hayashi, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 46(8), p. 1060 (1975).) "Quadrupole electrodes in mass filters and strong focusing lenses have usually been constructed in the form of circular rods or split circular concaves because of the difficulty of making ideal hyperbolic electrodes and aligning them in correct positions. Compared with these, quadrupole electrodes with flat faces are very easy to assemble in precisely symmetric positions due to the mechanical simplicity of spacing insulators." Rectangular cross section rods being easier to manufacture and assemble, are advantageous especially when constructing miniature quadrupole filters. Such miniature quadrupole filters are useful when filtering or mass analyzing ions at elevated pressures—i.e. at pressures greater than about 104 mbar—or as part of portable instruments.
However, these so called "rectilinear" quadrupoles have the disadvantage that the electrodynamic fields in such devices deviate substantially from the ideal quadrupole field. As a result, the mass resolving power of such devices is much lower than that of other comparable prior art quadrupole filters.

Abridged multipole structure for the transport and selection of ions in a vacuum system


A method for dynamically adjusting video brightness performs histogram equalization on a video YUV brightness/color signal to generate an equalization brightness curve. The brightness of each pixel is compared with every pixel of the video frame before and after histogram equalization to generate a comparison difference value. The brightness of the pixel is adjusted so that the brightness difference after adjustment won't be larger than three times of the comparison difference value and won't be smaller than a fourth of the comparison difference value. The brightness of each pixel before and after histogram equalization is compared, one by one, to generate a brightness difference value. The brightness difference value is adjusted so that the brightness difference after adjustment won't be larger than a largest brightness value and won't be smaller than a smallest brightness value. The brightness of each video frame can be properly adjusted to accomplish clearer displaying effect.

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma display panels (PDPs) are gradually replacing conventional cathode ray tubes (CRTs). When playing an audio/video medium, e.g., a video compact disc (VCD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD), on home AV equipment or a personal computer, the brightness, contrast and color intensity of the screen often can't conform to each video frame. Therefore, the video frames are sometimes too bright or too dark. Moreover, the color intensity varies. It is necessary to adjust dynamically the brightness, contrast and color intensity to accomplish the optimum displaying effect.
Existent displays, especially LCDs, generally can't dynamically adjust the brightness, contrast and color intensity according to the video images displayed thereon. If the video image is darker and the LCD has an insufficient brightness, the frame can't be clearly seen.
Accordingly, a smart automatic brightness, contrast and color correction system has been proposed in the prior art, which can dynamically correct the brightness, contrast and color of the LCD screen according to the video image frame. However, because this prior art applies to LCD hardware, the architecture is complicated and expensive, and can't be realized on each display.

Method for dynamically adjusting video brightness


An internal combustion engine has a fuel system that has a fuel valve with a housing, wherein in the housing a fuel chamber is formed. A fuel pump pumps fuel from a fuel tank into the fuel chamber. A conveying pump provides forced conveyance of fuel into the fuel system. A feed line is connected to the fuel chamber of the fuel valve. The conveying pump is arranged in the feed line and supplies fuel to the fuel chamber. A relief line is connected to the fuel chamber of the fuel valve and a first valve is arranged in the relief line.

The invention relates to an internal combustion engine with a fuel system, wherein the fuel system comprises a fuel valve, wherein the fuel valve has a housing in which a fuel chamber is formed. The fuel system comprises a fuel pump that conveys fuel from the fuel tank into the fuel chamber. The fuel system has a conveying pump for forced conveyance of fuel into the fuel system.
It is known to provide a conveying pump in fuel systems that operate with a carburetor, wherein the conveying pump is operated manually and primes the fuel system before starting the internal combustion engine, for example, after a longer shutdown period of the internal combustion engine. Such systems operate usually by suction. In such a system, the fuel is sucked in through the control chamber of the carburetor by the conveying pump that is arranged downstream of the carburetor. Such a system is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,884.
In fuel systems that comprise a fuel valve, it can be provided also that the fuel system is primed prior to starting the engine. Such a fuel system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,751. In this fuel system, by means of a conveying pump fuel is forced through a portion of the fuel system back into the fuel tank. In this way, the fuel system is primed. The fuel system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,751 has a high-pressure pump that conveys the fuel to the injection valve. The part of the fuel system in which the high-pressure pump is arranged is not primed by the conveying pump.
The invention has the object to provide an internal combustion engine with a fuel system of the aforementioned kind in which excellent starting behavior of the internal combustion engine is achieved.

Internal combustion engine with fuel system


A test stand for motor vehicles with a roller assembly (1) having a contact surface (3) for rolling the wheels (2), with the contact surface (3) being rotatably driven and adapted to be blocked, and/or braked, and/or released. The roller assembly (1) is mounted for at least a slight movement with at least two degrees of freedom, and to determine the force which is generated by the motor vehicle during driving and/or braking movements of the vehicle, it is possible to measure the force that is operative between the roller assembly (1) and a predeterminable fixed point (10), and/or the displacement occurring during driving and braking movements of the motor vehicle, and/or the angle of rotation between the roller assembly (1) and a predeterminable fixed point (10).

The present invention relates to a test stand for motor vehicles with a roller assembly comprising a contact surface for rolling the wheels, with the contact surface being rotatably driven and adapted to be blocked, and/or braked, and/or released.
Test stands of the generic type have been known from practical operation for a long time. They are used in motor vehicle repair shops and also by the TÜV [German Technical Inspection Association] within the scope of the periodic performance test of motor vehicles. Normally, the operability or effectiveness of the brakes is checked.
In the art known from practical operation, there basically exist three different methods of testing automotive brakes. Until now, it has been common practice to test with very special equipment, such as test plates, test rollers, or by means of a decelerometer. Testing with test plates and by means of a decelerometer is known as a dynamic test. The use of test rollers relates to a static test. The difference between the dynamic test and the static test consists in that the test with test plates or by means of a decelerometer makes it necessary to move the vehicle. The test plates and the decelerometer are stationarily arranged. However, in the case of the test by means of test rollers, the vehicle wheel and the test rollers rotate. The foregoing description explains the main difference between the two basic testing methods.
In a plate brake tester, the test plate is used to simulate a portion of the road, with the plate being supported on rollers. The vehicle drives over the test plate, which connects in the travel direction via a measuring element to the surroundings, for example, a drive-on ramp. When the vehicle is braked on the test plate, the braking forces developing during the braking are picked up via the measuring element. The measuring procedure will last only as long as the vehicle remains on the test plate which has a limited surface. In practice, the measuring time ranges from 0.5 to 1 second.
The faster the vehicle is driven onto the test plate, the greater are the recorded braking forces. A braking force that is to be recorded at most can, however, not be higher than the friction between the tires and the test plate. Otherwise, the slip limit will be exceeded. In the case of the plate brake tester, it is, however, disadvantageous that the measuring result is dependent on the drive-on speed. Moreover, the measuring can be performed only over a very short duration, since the length of the brake plate is limited. Last but not least, the plate brake tester is not very practical, since it is extremely difficult for a layperson to start the braking maneuver exactly at the point, i.e., exactly upon driving onto the test plate.
Because of its constructional design, the roller brake tester is nothing more than an endlessly long road, which is simulated by rotating rollers. This makes it possible to test the braking operation over any length of time.
The mode of operation of the roller brake tester results from its constructional design. Over a tester frame, the vehicle drives slowly onto the roller assembly, normally two rollers, until it comes to a stop on the test rollers. The test rollers are driven by an electric motor, in most cases via chains. The electric motor is usually supported for oscillation. When the wheel is braked, the electric motor will have to apply more force to rotate the wheel. This force is measured via a sensor, which is usually constructed as a torque support.
The roller brake tester known from practice is a static system, in which the vehicle is stationary. The rollers can be rotated for any length of time, so as to permit testing the brake system of the vehicle in almost any state. Contrary to the plate brake tester, the test is by no means limited in time, and any driving condition, depending on the drive of the test rollers, can be repeated as many times as desired. However, similarly to the plate brake tester, it is not possible to test the brake beyond the coefficient of adhesion of the roller surface, since the slip limit is then exceeded.
Further, a conventional roller brake tester has the disadvantage that the tires directly rotate on two rollers and are impressed or flexed by the rollers. This falsifies the test result because of different static frictions of the particular situations, i.e., as a function of weight, so that the roller brake tester appears to be disadvantageous in this respect.
It is further known from practice to test the braking action of a vehicle by means of decelerometers. A decelerometer ultimately operates with an accelerated mass or weight, which is mounted on rollers and connected via a spring to a frame. During the measurement, the decelerometer lies horizontally in the direction of the movement. During the braking operation, the weight, in this instance the motor vehicle, is deflected in the travel direction. The displacement is measured and converted into deceleration. To this end, it is also possible to use an acceleration sensor, which operates by the same principle. As the braking deceleration sets in, the same forces are active as the own weight of the test body itself.
In practice, the decelerometer is problematic, since it permits determining only the total deceleration of the vehicle, but not the distribution of the braking force over the individual wheels. Consequently, this type of testing is applied only in exceptional cases, i.e., generally only when a vehicle cannot be tested by the two foregoing methods because of technical conditions.
Last but not least, it is common to perform in the test stands of the art, the functional tests of vehicle components with respectively one tester that is suitable for the particular test. In this connection, it is preferred to use rotating drives or brakes for determining the braking force and performance. To determine track values, one uses either track testing plates or wheel alignment analyzers. Shock absorbers are tested with shock absorber testing devices, and joint play is tested via pneumatically or hydraulically operated test plates. Testing of the individual parameters is sequential, in that the vehicle moves from testing device to testing device, or depending on need, that the testing device moves to the vehicle. Only in few exceptions is a combination device offered, which connects, however, via test rollers to the wheel. This is not road-conforming and considerably falsifies the actual wheel contact forces as they occur on the road.
A test stand is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,957,455, wherein the wheel is supported on a driving belt which assumes an arcurate path. While this increases the wheel contact surface, it does not correspond to the condition on the road.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a test stand of the initially described type, which permits realizing a particularly indicative performance test with constructionally simple means.


A developing device includes a developer bearer to carry developer, disposed facing an image bearer, a developer conveyance member disposed facing the developer bearer, to agitate and supply developer to the developer bearer, a decompression portion surrounded by upper walls of the developing device and including multiple vents arranged in a longitudinal direction of the developing device and a filter. A number of the multiple vents is greater in either end portion than in a center portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing device.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a developing device to develop a latent image with developer and an image forming apparatus, such as copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, a plotter, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having at least two of coping, printing, facsimile transmission, plotting, and scanning capabilities, that includes the same.
2. Description of the Background Art
In image forming apparatuses employing a developing device, typically an exposure device forms a electrostatic latent image on an image bearer, such as a photoreceptor, according to image data, and the developing device develops the latent image into a toner image. The toner image is then transferred onto a recording medium either directly or via an intermediate transfer member (i.e., an intermediate transfer belt) and fixed thereon by a fixing device.
There are developing devices that use two-component developer consisting essentially of toner and magnetic carrier (inclusive of external additives) and one-component developer consisting essentially of toner (inclusive of external additives).
For example, two-component type developing devices agitate developer inside the developing device to mix together toner and magnetic carrier, adjust the concentration of toner in two-component developer (hereinafter simply "developer") to a proper value, and then supply the developer to a developer bearer such as a developing roller. The amount of developer carried on the developing roller is adjusted by a developer regulator such as a doctor blade, after which the developer is transported to a development range where the developing roller faces the photoreceptor through an opening formed in a development casing. Then, developer (i.e., toner therein) adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor, thereby developing it. Most of toner particles inside the developing device is adsorbed onto the surfaces of carries through frictional charging with carriers and caused to adhere to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor due to the effects of developing electrical fields generated between the developing roller and the photoreceptor in the development range.
Powdered toner, however, includes carrier particles whose charging capabilities are insufficient and toner particles insufficiently charged by friction with carrier particles. Further, the charging capabilities of carrier in the developing device may deteriorate over time. Such insufficiently charged toner escapes electric restraint and floats inside the device, entrained on airflow generated inside the device. When the average of pressure inside the entire developing device (hereinafter simply "internal pressure") is high, it is possible that floating toner spurts out the developing device through clearance and scatters.
Internal pressure rises inside the developing device, which invite toner scattering, are described below.
Internal pressure rises are caused by changes in airflow due to rotation of a transport roller or the developing roller. In particular, the developing roller is exposed to the external air, and an exit side (at an upstream rim of the opening of the development casing) in the direction of rotation thereof is closed by the doctor blade and developer. On an entry side (at a downstream rim of the opening) in the direction of rotation of the developing roller, clearance called a casing gap (CG) is present between the developing roller and the downstream rim of the opening, and sucking-in airflow is generated as the developing roller rotates, thereby increasing the internal pressure. The casing gap (CG) is an important factor in development.
Although the internal pressure is raised by sucking-in airflow caused by rotation of the developing roller, air suction is not uniform in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller. Although it depends on differences in the casing gap CG, the deference between the end portions and the center portion is caused by side plates of the development casing. Since the end portions are closer to the respective side plates, the internal pressure rises therein. Specifically, pressure does not rise in the center portion since the sucked in air flows to the left and right. In the end portions, however, the airflow is blocked by the side plates, and accordingly pressure is likely to rise.
Additionally, a magnet provided inside the developing roller is shorter than the developing roller, and the end portions of the developing roller are outside the magnetic force range. Accordingly, developer is not transported in the end portions, and airflow arising inside the magnetic force range surges to the end portions where airflow is not generated. Further, beneath the developing roller, a developer conveyance member such as a conveying screw circulates developer laterally and influences the airflow. It is deemed that, due to this influence, development quality in the both end portions is not identical, and the scattering of toner from one side is greater.
JP-2009-223075-A (JP-5106191-B) and JP-2010-237635-A mentions that, as the developing roller rotates, air flows in through the casing gap, and pressure inside the device rises, fostering toner scattering therefrom. JP-2009-223075-A proposes a configuration in which a suction port is formed in an inner wall of the development casing and extends long in the longitudinal direction of the development casing, a filter is provided to the suction port, and an exhaust space is provided in the longitudinal direction of the development casing covered with a filter cover. In this configuration, airflow inside the development casing is guided to vents (i.e., openings) formed in longitudinal end portions of the developing device and discharged outside the image forming apparatus to suppress internal pressure rises.
By contrast, JP-2010-237635-A proposes forming a suction port in an inclined wall of the development casing on a side opposite the image bearer to guide the airflow to the outside of the image forming apparatus. The suction port is constructed of multiple through holes identical in shape and arranged symmetrically in the lateral direction, at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the development casing. Then, air is discharged outside the apparatus via a filter from the development casing through the multiple through holes dispersed in the longitudinal direction to suppress internal pressure rises.
Additionally, JP-2010-008978-A proposes a configuration to discharge airflow inside a developer chamber upward from an upward opening positioned in an upper part of the development casing. JP-2010-054932-A proposes a configuration in which airflow at a communicating opening in an upper part of the development casing is discharged upward from an upward slit.
Further, JP-2007-140288-A and JP-2009-020276-A propose discharging airflow from the developer casing upward through a pressure-release opening positioned in an upper part of the development casing. Yet further, JP-2010-217425-A proposes discharging airflow from the developer casing obliquely upward through a pressure-release opening positioned in an inclined wall of an upper part of the development casing.
It is to be noted that JP-2006-145921 (JP-4535852-B) mentions a configuration in which, airflow at the casing gap goes inside the development casing in a center portion in the width direction of the casing gap and goes outside at both ends in that direction. In this configuration, an end portion in the width direction of an upper rim (a face opposed to the developing roller) at the casing gap is made longer in length in the direction of rotation of the developer bearer than in a center portion in the width direction to inhibit airflow from going outside, thereby inhibiting toner scattering.

Developing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same


A communications receiver such as an integrated zero IF receiver comprises an input for receiving an input signal and a zero IF frequency down conversion circuit coupled said input and constructed to provide quadrature related signals (I,Q) at a substantially zero intermediate frequency. In order to balance the signal paths, at least one capacitance in each of the quadrature related zero IF signal paths of the frequency down conversion circuit comprises at least two integrated capacitors connected in anti-parallel. By fabricating the integrated capacitances in this way the symmetry of the circuit is maintained which enhances significantly the second-order inter-modulation performance.

The present invention relates to communications receivers, particularly but not exclusively, to zero IF receivers which may be fabricated as integrated circuits. In the present specification "zero IF" or "zero intermediate frequency" is to be interpreted as covering low IF frequencies as well as zero IF.
An advantage of zero IF receivers is that they can be implemented as integrated circuits having very few off-chip components. However, one of the most serious limitations preventing the wider application of such receivers is direct detection caused by inadequate second-order inter-modulation performance. This inadequate second-order inter-modulation performance allows strong input signals occurring anywhere within the bandwidth of the front end of the receiver to effectively bypass all the discrimination which would otherwise be provided by the adjacent channel selectivity filters at the intermediate frequency.


A support device having a support wire with a series of bends for supporting a golf ball from a golf tee, the support wire extending from and being attached to the side of the head of the tee or the side of a self-supporting base. The support wire also being attached to the tee or the self-supporting base by way of removable springs.

A traditional golf tee is comprised of a conical spike portion for insertion into the ground and a head portion having a concave surface in which a golf ball is placed thereon. The insertion of the golf tee into the ground requires that the surface be level or made level prior to insertion of the spike portion so that the tee is level with the ground surface so that golf ball can reasonably be held level with the surface in which the tee is placed upon. Therefore, the golfer must take care of where the tee is to be placed. Further, a traditional golf tee provides for a tee which more often than not intrudes upon the swing path of the golf club, thus slowing down the golf club prior to striking the golf ball, such intrusion preventing the golf club from reaching the golf ball at a "true" velocity, or a velocity free from interference by a traditional golf tee or other golf ball suspending devices. In addition to the slowing of the golf club speed, a traditional tee can also influence the angle at which the club head impacts the ball, thus slightly twisting the golf club prior to striking the golf ball, by means of the tee striking either axial end of the golf club head striking surface. Twisting occurs when the golf club head is not perfectly aligned with the golf ball. If the club were to even slightly twist due to the influence of the golf tee, the intended direction of the golf ball would be greatly altered depending on the intended distance the ball would travel. The longer the flight path, the greater the distance the ball would deviate from its intended path. Lastly, a traditional golf tee does not provide a means by which a golf ball can be suspended, devoid of physical contact with a golf tee, prior to the instant of impact by a golf club. Suspending a golf ball, devoid of physical contact with a support device, prior to the ball being struck provides for the most equitable means in which a golfer's true skill can be displayed and subsequently refined with practice. Currently, the leveling of a golf ball on a golf tee, and insuring the golfer only strikes the golf ball and not the tee, is not convenient or possible with traditional golf tees.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for supporting a golf ball, which does not require careful surface placement of the golf tee.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a device, which supports a golf ball, but does not influence the trajectory of the golf ball.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a device that prevents twisting of the golf club prior to striking the golf ball.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device, which supports the golf ball and does not come into contact with the portion of the golf club, which strikes the golf ball.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device which can be used both on a golf course and on a practice range.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device in which a support wire suspends a golf ball and is forced away from the golf ball prior to impact.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device in which the spring rate of the support wire can be adjusted.

Golf tee having a wire support for a golf ball


The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring the position and the orientation of an interventional device within a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the magnetic resonance image apparatus providing a static magnetic field B0 and magnetic field gradients with known magnetic flux densities and directions. The invention includes attaching a Faraday sensor to the interventional device, the Faraday sensor being connected to an optical measuring device. The method also includes using the optical measuring device for measuring the rotation of the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light in the Faraday sensor, while exposing the interventional device: (i) to the static magnetic field B0, and (ii) to the field gradients in all three directions of space in addition to the static magnetic field B0. The method also includes determining the position and the orientation of the interventional device by evaluating the measured rotation of the plane of polarization of the linearly polarized light.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for detecting the position and the orientation of an interventional device, using a Faraday sensor.
B. Description of the Related Art
Modern interventional and surgical procedures aim to treat the affected tissue by causing minimal injury to healthy tissue structures. Special instruments (e.g., a catheter, an endoscope, or a laparoscope) are delivered to the target region via a small-sized (minimal) surgical opening and the affected tissue is treated.
The target of the minimally invasive operation is often not directly visible for an interventionist (i.e., a surgeon), thus the operations are done under imaging guidance. X-ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography, ultrasound and optical endoscopy are currently the most frequently used imaging methods. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a state of the art imaging modality for medical diagnostics, and it has the potential to become an excellent guidance method. Knowing the accurate position of the instrument tip inside the patient is essential, since the surgeon has to be able to accurately guide the instrument to the target.
Within an MR-imaging apparatus, interventional device tracking has so far been done cither by evaluating the change (gain or loss) of the MR-signal at the position of the interventional device or by attaching an electrical conductor or a high-frequency antenna to the device.
The change of the MR-signal caused by the device itself can only be used to measure the position of the device, if the device is positioned within the imaging frame. Furthermore, if the contrast between the device and its surroundings is too low, it cannot be detected. Visualization of an interventional device could depend upon its being coated with an MR contrast agent, or upon its effect on the MR image by nature of its chemical make-up. However, compounds and materials considered MR-compatible, and even MR contrast agents, can produce significant distortion artifacts that obscure the anatomy and physiology of the imaged tissue. Initial attempts to visualize endovascular devices in MR imaging were based on passive susceptibility artifacts produced by the device when exposed to an MR field. U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,179 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,608 disclose the incorporation of paramagnetic material into endovascular devices to make the devices visible under MR imaging.
If the device is connected to an electrical conductor with one or more windings and if these windings are passed by a direct current, a local distortion of the magnetic field of the MR-imaging apparatus is caused. This distortion causes a local alteration of the MR image. By taking two MR images, one with and one without a direct current flowing through the conductor, the position of the interventional device can be determined by the difference of the signals in the two MR images. This method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,674. Within the magnetic radio frequency field of the MR-imaging apparatus, electric coupling of the wires, which are used as a current supply for the electrical conductor, can lead to severe heating under certain circumstances. If the heat is not dissipated, it might result in a malfunction or even in the destruction of the device, which could be hazardous to the patient.
Another possibility for measuring the position of the interventional device is the application of a high-frequency antenna, which is attached to the device. This antenna is tuned to the resonance frequency of the MR-imaging apparatus. Therefore, the antenna is not compatible to all MR imagers. Furthermore, dangerous RF-heating can take place which can be detrimental to the patient, and the MR technique has to be adapted to this kind of device tracking.
Exemplary of methods for active MR visualization of implanted medical devices is U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,165, which discloses an MR tracking system for a catheter based on transmit/receive microcoils positioned near the end of the catheter by which the position of the device can be tracked and localized. U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,596 discloses a method for locating catheters and other tubular medical devices implanted in the human body using an integrated system of wire transmitters and receivers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,198 discloses the use of conductive elements, such as electrode wires, for systematically disturbing the magnetic field in a defined portion of a catheter to yield increased MR visibility of that region of the catheter. However, the presence of conductive elements in the catheter also introduces increased electronic noise and the possibility of Ohmic heating, and these factors have the overall effect of degrading the quality of the MR image and raising concerns about the patient's safety. U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,305 therefore replaces long lead wires, which can cause heating during MR imaging and may distort an MR image, by at least one optical fiber. Consequently, electrical signals have to be converted into modulated optical signals and vice versa by two transducer circuits.
Another possible way of finding the position of an interventional device is to localize it independently of the MR imaging, by using several cameras and light-emitting or reflecting reference marks. For this technique, a free field of view between the reference marks and the cameras is required. Unfortunately, the field of view is very limited when the interventional device is inside a patient's body and when the MR-imaging apparatus is closed.
The present invention is directed to overcoming or at least reducing the effects of one or more of the problems set forth above.

Method and apparatus for detecting the position and the orientation of an interventional device

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Stiftung Des öffentlichen Rechts


A display mounting for an ornamental object includes a spring clip having an elongated spring attached at one end and the ornamental object is affixed to the opposite end to be readily attachable to the bill of a cap, Christmas branches etc.

This invention concerns decorative objects such as ornaments, sports items, figures, etc. and more particularly display mountings for such items. Conventional display mountings as for Christmas trees are hung using sire hooks, strings, etc. Sports items are typically fixed on a base and in these mountings the decorative item is held in a static position and is not easily relocated to another position or to another supporting structure.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a display mounting for decorative objects which allows motion in a way as to increase its appeal and enable ready relocation of the item.

Display mounting for a decorative object


A method of fusion-splicing includes attaching a stab to a stub cap having a non-axisymmetric structure, positioning an embedded optical fiber to a fusion splicing working part by fixing the stub cap thereto; positioning an outside optical fiber to the fusion splicing working part; fusion-splicing the embedded optical fiber and the outside optical fiber; repositioning the embedded optical fiber to a reinforcing working part by fixing the stub cap thereto and repositioning the outside optical fiber to the reinforcing working part such that a relative positional relationship between the embedded optical fiber and the outside optical fiber becomes the same as that at the fusion splicing working part; and reinforcing a spliced portion between the embedded optical fiber and the outside optical fiber while a tension is applied to the embedded optical fiber and the outside optical fiber.

In constructing an access network with optical fibers, optical connectors are desired to be attached to optical fibers on site. Such an optical connector for fusion splicing that is to be attached on site includes a stub in which an embedded optical fiber is attached to a ferrule. A glass fiber that is the embedded optical fiber of the stub is fusion-spliced to a glass fiber included in an outside optical fiber on site (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2005-531020, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2005-531045, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2010-504545, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-227946, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-82257). A spliced portion at which the glass fibers are fused and spliced to each other is reinforced with a reinforcing member provided thereover.
To fusion-splice the glass fiber included in the stub and the glass fiber included in the outside optical fiber with each other, the glass fibers are set on a fusion splicer and the tips thereof are positioned by aligning the glass fibers to a splicing position where discharge electrodes are provided. After fusion splicing is performed, the spliced portion is reinforced at a position for reinforcing work that is different from the position for fusion splicing work. Regarding this process, there are some techniques of moving optical fibers while preventing the optical fibers from bending or twisting.
According to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2005-531020, a mechanism that moves a fixing part, where a stub and an optical fiber are fixed, and electrodes relative to each other is provided, and fusion splicing is performed with the fixing part and the electrodes being positioned close to each other. In a case where such a mechanism is provided, the fixing part or the electrodes need to be returned to the initial positions accurately before subsequent fusion splicing work is performed. It is difficult, however, to return them accurately, resulting in a possible misplacement. Consequently, the reliability in fusion splicing is reduced. Movement mechanisms that are disclosed by Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-130243 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-109946 are movable relatively accurately. Instead, the configurations of the mechanisms are complicated and of large scales, leading to a cost increase. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-286599 discloses a technique in which a handle is provided to a ferrule gripping tool, and by gripping the handle and an optical fiber as an object of splicing, the optical fiber and a ferrule are moved after they have been fusion-spliced to each other. In this technique, the cost increase is smaller than that of the technique employing movement mechanisms, but the optical fiber may remain axially rotated, or twisted.

Method of fusion-splicing optical fibers and fusion splicer


Described is a dipeptide comprising a non-proteogenic amino acid, methods of making such and methods of using said dipeptide in a process of making a polypeptide or protein comprising one or more non-proteogenic amino acids.

A large number of polypeptides and proteins have been approved for use in medical practice. The polypeptides and proteins may be produced in suitable host cells by recombinant DNA technology or they may be produced synthetically by well-established peptide synthesis technology. However, native polypeptides and proteins tend to exhibit high clearance rates which are unacceptable for many clinical indications where a high plasma concentration of the polypeptide is required over a prolonged period of time.
The native polypeptides and proteins may be altered from the natural form to analogues and derivatives thereof to change or enhance certain characteristics. For example non-proteogenic amino acids (i.e. non-natural amino acids) may be added or substituted into polypeptides or proteins to e.g. confer a certain protection against hydrolysis (such as hydrolysis by DPP-IV of GLP-1 peptides).
Polypeptides containing one or more non-proteogenic amino acids such as N-terminally modified GLP-1 analogues may be prepared by introducing the non-proteogenic amino acid(s) via chemical synthesis in a stepwise manner wherein a coupling step followed by a deprotection step is applied for each amino acid to be added to the polypeptide or protein.
The stepwise synthesis is however time-consuming and inconvenient, it may lead to the formation of many byproducts, intermediate purification steps may be needed, and it may result in a significant amount of racemisation of some amino acid residues such as histidine residues.
Alternatively a peptide fragment including the non-proteogenic amino acid(s) may be coupled to the remaining polypeptide or protein where the fully protected fragment, such as e.g. a fragment protected on the N-terminal amino group and the side chain amino groups, is used in the method.
Such peptide fragment may, however, not be soluble in aqueous media limiting its use. Moreover, several deprotection steps are needed if orthogonal protecting groups are present in the fragment and if isolated, intermediate purifications may be necessary between synthetic steps, and problems of intermediate isolation may occur.
WO 2009/083549 is related to a method for the preparation of GLP-1 analogues and derivatives containing non-proteogenic amino acids. Patent applications WO 2007/147816 A1 and WO 2010/125079 A2 are related to synthetic coupling of peptide fragments. Bourgault, S. et al. describe in PEPTIDES, vol. 29, no. 6(1), June 2008, pages 919-932 the use of conventional peptide chemistry.
A peptide fragment for use in an improved method for obtaining polypeptides containing one or more non-proteogenic amino acids is still needed.

Dipeptide comprising a non-proteogenic amino acid


A dispenser dispenses pellet shaped articles onto a conveyer. The conveyer conveys the pellet shaped articles past a video sensor that senses any pellet shaped articles needing rotation so that they are uniformly oriented. The sensor provides a signal to a manipulating device which manipulates certain pellet shaped articles so that all of the articles are uniformly oriented. The conveyer transports the pellet shaped articles to a first pellet shaped article modifying device that, for example, prints indicia on the pellet shaped articles. A rectifying drum reorients all of the pellet shaped articles in order for printing to be performed on a reverse side. A second sensor and a second manipulating device may also be provided. An inspection system to determine whether a pellet shaped article is defective after a performed modification is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a method and system for sensing and rectifying pellet shaped articles for subsequent modification, processing, and/or inspection. In particular, the invention relates to a system that senses articles and rectifies them in a predetermined orientation for subsequent modification (e.g., printing). Following modification, the articles can be inspected for quality using an inspection system.
2. Background of the Invention
To ensure that a person is taking the proper dosage of medication, certain markings should be placed on the medication so that the person can be assured that he or she is taking the proper medications and in the proper dosages. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration requires certain markings for the safety of a consumer. These markings may include brand names, batch numbers, dosage amounts and the name of the manufacturer.
To print markings (e.g., indicia) on pellet shaped articles, many material orientation and printing devices have been devised. The printing devices include spin printers, laser printers and ink jet printers. One such example of material orientation and printing devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,702 to Ackley. This invention discloses an apparatus for processing, rectifying, orienting and imprinting indicia upon capsules that have dissimilar ends. In general, the invention includes three rotatable drums in tangential arrangement. Each drum is simultaneously rotated about an axis while transferring the capsules to each individual drum so as to properly orient them. After proper gravity orientation of the capsules, a spin printer prints indicia on the capsules.
It can also be desirable to print indicia on or modify both sides of the medication, whether it be capsules, tablets, pills or other types of medications. The foremost reason that printing indicia on both sides of the tablets is so important is for the safety of the consumer, e.g., when indicia is printed on both sides of tablets it is less likely that the consumer will consume the wrong medication. Additionally, when printing is performed on both sides of the tablets more information can be printed on the medication, e.g., the name of the manufacturer and the name of the medication. This will also assist the consumer in choosing the proper medication in the proper dosages. Of course, it may also be desirable to print indicia on or otherwise modify ends and/or edges of regularly or irregularly shaped pellet shaped articles.
There are known systems that print indicia on both sides of tablets. However, these systems are not designed to print indicia on tablets having different colored sides. In order to print indicia on tablets having different colored sides, a system must be able to sense that the proper colored side of the tablet faces each printer. This involves properly rectifying and orienting the tablets to ensure that the proper colored side of the tablet is being printed. It also involves having a proper printing indicia color to ensure that the printed indicia is visible.
To further complicate matters, it may be necessary to print indicia of different colors on different colored sides of the tablets. In these instances, it is not only necessary to rectify, orient and print on one side of the colored tablets, but for both sides. This involves first rectifying and orienting the tablets so that indicia can be properly printed on one side of all of the tablets and then repeating this process for the other (non-printed) side of the tablets. It is also imperative in this type of system to have printed indicia that is visible on both sides of the tablets. In systems in which printed matter matches the color of the reverse base color, it is particularly important to ensure that the proper side of the tablet receives the printed matter because the indicia would not be visible on the tablet due to insufficient contrast between the printed matter and the base color.
It is also very important for the manufacturer to carefully inspect the medication for defects, such as incorrect shape or printing, before the medication is distributed to the consumer. This is to ensure that the quality of the product is at the highest standards in order to protect the safety of the consumer. In most instances, current inspection systems allow many defective products to reach the consumer. Thus, a more reliable inspection system is needed to ensure the quality of the product and, in turn, to protect the safety of the consumer.

Methods and systems for sensing and rectifying pellet shaped articles for subsequent processing