The invention comprises a system and method for converting initial financial transactions into final financial transactions entailing lower transaction fees or which are otherwise more advantageous. According to one embodiment of the invention, a card not present (CNP) transaction is conducted for a remote consumer buying goods/services. When the consumer later arrives at a point of authentication (POA), the consumer is presented with an opportunity to have the CNP transaction effectively converted to a card present (CP) transaction using the same card instrument or a different card instrument. The merchant benefits because the transaction fees are much reduced for the CP transaction compared to the CNP transaction. The consumer may benefit from rewards/rebates or other inducements to authorizing the subsequent transaction. One preferred embodiment implements the invention in the airlines environment, wherein tickets ordered over the phone or on-line using a first CNP transaction are converted to a CP transaction when the consumer swipes his/her card at an airport kiosk card reader device.

In the modern "plastic economy," consumers are using their credit cards and other card instruments and other payment methods for purchasing goods and services in place of conventional purchase methods, such as cash and checks. Consumers have determined that the convenience, deferred payment, transaction tracking (e.g., itemized statements), and dispute (e.g., chargebacks) features make such card instruments a much superior payment mechanism. Likewise, corporations provide corporate credit cards (or other card payment instruments or payment methods) for travel and other business related purposes.
Merchants benefit from the increased usage of card instruments because their sales volume greatly increases. Consumers tend to make fewer purchases when cash at hand is required. Checks can be unwieldy for the consumer and, from the merchant's standpoint, can be less dependable payment sources. As a result, in the modern economy the vast majority of merchants accept card instruments of various types as payment.
As used herein, "card instruments" relates to the various financial accounts that a consumer can use for paying for goods and services. In most, but not all cases, there will be a physical card associated with the account, although in some instances a virtual card, or no card at all, may be associated with the financial account. Card instruments include, but are not necessarily limited to, credit cards (e.g., including general use or private label credit cards), ATM cards, debit cards, check cards, bank cards, stored value cards, and similar products. Card instruments may be embodied by conventional thin plastic (or other material) cards having embossings and magnetic stripe data, as well as so-called "smart cards" or similar devices having processor components and/or readable/writeable memory. Card instruments may comprise various types of so-called "contactless" cards, such as RFID (radio frequency identification) cards, optically-readable cards or other types of cards or tokens which read without physical contact with a reader device.
One disadvantage to merchants accepting card instruments for payment is that typically transaction fees must be paid. For example, card instruments linked to national interchange networks (e.g., the VISA® interchange, MasterCard® interchange, and the like) impose transaction fees on the merchant each time the card is used. Usually, the transaction fee (or a component of the total transaction fee) is imposed as a percentage of the money amount being charged to or debited from the card, although other arrangements such as volume-based transaction fee arrangements may be employed.
Card instruments may also be linked to networks other than the national interchange networks. For example, bank cards, ATM cards, debit cards, and check cards may be linked to regional electronic funds transfer (EFT) networks, ATM networks, or similar regional networks. Merchants tend to favor cards which run transactions over such regional networks because the transaction fees are generally lower than for the national interchanges.
Card instruments may also be linked to processing networks other than national interchange networks and regional networks, such as stored value networks, private label networks, or other transaction networks. A stored value network may be employed as a dedicated network for running stored value transactions (e.g., a SuperFood™ stored value card for grocery shopping). A private label network may be employed for running transactions for private label cards (e.g., Hechts™ card or Nordstrom's™ card).
In sum, there are a variety of card instrument products that merchants can accept for payment. Transactions using most card instruments entail transaction fees that the merchant must pay. With such a large volume of consumer transactions involving card instruments these days, this means that merchants are paying substantial sums of money in transaction fees.
One type of transaction where merchants are paying substantially higher transaction fees involves what is known as "Card Not Present" (CNP) transactions, sometimes referred to as "non-swipe" transactions. CNP transactions are submitted when the consumer is not at a point of authentication (POA) where the physical card can be presented and read by a reader (or otherwise physically inspected). Typically, CNP transactions impose significantly higher transaction fees based on a "base rate" component of the transaction fee that increases on the order of 50 basis points from the base rate component for a conventional "Card Present" (CP) transaction, where the card is swiped or read or otherwise physically available.
For example, in 2003 VISA's® base rate component for a CPS Retail CP transaction was about 1.39% versus 1.80% for a CPS Retail CNP transaction. MasterCard's® base rate component for a Domestic Merit CP transaction was 1.40% versus 1.90% for a Domestic MOTO [MOTO—Mail Order/Telephone Order] CNP transaction. See www.osc.state.nc.us/EPP/SunTrust.html.
Some transaction interchanges now support CNP-type transactions that have somewhat improved security over a conventional CNP transaction. For example, some interchanges have a transaction type that requires a remote purchaser not only to provide the account number and expiration date from the front of the card, but also some other information that is not from the front of the card. For example, there may be digits on the back of the card that the purchaser must provide to the merchant along with information from the front of the card. This means that the purchaser must have information from both the front of the card and the back of the card, presumably meaning that the purchaser has physical possession of the card. This can prevent fraudulent MOTO transactions based on credit card slips gathered from garbage cans outside restaurants, for example.
Such improved CNP-type transactions are still not as secure as a regular CP transaction. For example, a perpetrator of fraud may have a paper copy of the front and back of a credit card, or may have simply written down that information on a piece of paper while the cardholder was not minding his/her card. It has also been reported that the security code on the back of the card can sometimes be fraudulently recreated. Thus, like the conventional CNP transaction, such improved CNP transactions have the same basic security drawbacks to merchants, issuing banks, and transaction processors. Because of these security issues, such improved CNP-type transactions usually impose on the merchant elevated transaction fees charged by the interchange processor. The transaction fees for such improved CNP-type transactions tend to be lower than for the conventional CNP transaction, but they are still higher than for corresponding CP transactions. Thus, the significant cost and security issues of these CNP-type transactions remain significant drawbacks for merchants.
In general, the heavy cost burden to merchants for CNP transactions (of whatever type) is greatly aggravated in market sectors involving a high relative volume of CNP transactions compared to CP transactions. For example, the vast majority (believed to exceed 90%) of airlines reservations are made using CNP transactions. This means that the various airlines pay many millions of dollars out in elevated interchange fees as a result of CNP transactions. Similar burdens are shouldered by mail order companies, Internet-based companies, and other companies transacting a large portion of their business without meeting the customer at the time the transaction is undertaken. This is a significant problem.
Other problems and drawbacks also exist.

System and method for conversion of initial transaction to final transaction


A data processing system supports a virtualization enabled (VE) operating mode. An operating system (OS) is launched during a boot process. However, a trap agent is launched before the OS is launched. The trap agent may intercept an attempt to transition the data processing system to virtual machine (VM) operating mode. In response to intercepting the attempt to transition the data processing system to VM operating mode, the trap agent may automatically determine whether the program that requested the transition is an authorized program. If the program is not authorized, the trap agent may prevent the program from transitioning the data processing system to VM operating mode. In one embodiment, the trap agent is launched before the data processing system selects a boot device. In another embodiment, the trap agent is launched before executing any code from any third-party option ROMs. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A data processing system may include hardware resources, such as a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), etc. The processing system may also include software resources, such as a basic input/output system (BIOS), a virtual machine monitor (VMM), and one or more operating systems (OSs). When the computer system is started or reset, it may load the BIOS, and then the VMM. The VMM may include a root OS, or it may run on top of a root OS. The VMM may then create one or more virtual machines (VMs), and the VMs may boot to different guest OSs or to different instances of the same guest OS. The VMM may thus allow multiple OSs and applications to run in independent partitions.
The CPU in such a data processing system may provide hardware support (e.g., instructions and data structures) for virtualization. Additional details about virtualization may be found in reference manuals such as the following:                Intel® Virtualization Technology Specification for the IA-32 Intel® Architecture, dated April 2005 (hereinafter "the VT-x Specification"); and        IA-32 Intel® Architecture Software Developer's Manual, Volume 2B: Instruction Set Reference, N-Z, dated June 2006.Other manufacturers may produce processors with different features for supporting virtualization.
Unfortunately, computer viruses, worms, rootkits, or other types of malware may attempt to use virtualization features in support of malicious activities. For example, an article dated Jun. 28, 2006, on the www.eWeek.com website at article2/0, 1895,1983037,00.asp describes a "Blue Pill" rootkit that allegedly uses CPU virtualization features "to create an ultra-thin hypervisor that takes complete control of the underlying operating system."

Methods and apparatus for defeating malware


The present invention is related to a suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner which permits arbitrary stretching and control of the length of the suction pipe which is combined with a vacuum cleaner. The suction pipe of results in a more compact and stable operational structure whose length can be controlled arbitrarily. An outer pipe is drawn from an inner pipe by sliders elastically combined to the outer side of the outer pipe in the longitudinal direction. The movement of the sliders in any one direction detaches stoppers from respective control homes of the inner pipe. The stoppers are combined with their control homes when the sliders are returned to their original locations.

The present invention relates to a suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner, particularly to a suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner which is convenient in using by having the length of a suction pipe, which is connected to a vacuum cleaner and suctions dust and other materials into a vacuum cleaner, selected and controlled arbitrarily.
Conventional vacuum cleaners have performed cleaning by forcefully drawing out waste materials such as dust, etc. through a suction pipe by using the vacuum suction force. Suction pipes of such vacuum cleaners have had a fixed length or their constitutional elements have been composed of in the simple separation and combination method making their use by controlling the length as desired by a user according to the height of the user, location and part of cleaning, and other conditions very difficult.
In other words, the suction pipe of conventional vacuum cleaners has been composed of two to four pipe bodies in the separation and combination method so that its length may be controlled. However, the suction pipe having such separation combination structure has been disadvantageous in that it is not possible to control its length in detail in many steps, it is not possible to keep the cleaner compactly and to move after using due to the length, and subsequently, volume of the suction pipe, and other aspects.
And there have been many products supplementing the above disadvantages and enhancing more convenience so that the length of a suction pipe may be stretched or controlled arbitrarily. However, they have been disadvantageous in that their operation is unstable, they are not convenient in using due to difficulty in controlling and manipulating the length, their appearances are not very nice due to projection of the control lever, etc. as they are constructed in such a way that the length of the suction pipe may be variably controlled by manipulating the control lever, and therefore, the length of the suction pipe is controlled by manipulating the somewhat complicatedly structured control lever.
An object of the present invention is therefore to solve problems and disadvantages of the suction pipe of conventional vacuum cleaners enabling easy control of the length of the suction pipe as desired by making it relatively simple structured thus increasing convenience in using of the vacuum cleaner and raising competitiveness of the product with improved appearance. Particularly, the present device has a compact-structured control means in order to ensure convenience in using according to the manipulation of control of the length of the suction pipe to the maximum and to provide nice-looking products.


In the preferred form, a scanning carriage in a color inkjet printer houses a high resolution printhead for black (or monochrome) printing and one or more lower resolution printheads for color printing. The nozzle arrangements, paper feed increments, and ink drop firing frequency for the black printhead and color printhead(s) are selected to provide various alignments between the larger color ink dots and the smaller black ink dots to achieve maximum ink coverage with a minimum of ink or to achieve additional color shades.

This invention relates generally to printers, and more specifically to printing devices and techniques for monochrome and color printers capable of achieving high quality resolution.
High quality printers are typically characterized by numbers indicating their resolution in dots per inch (dpi). This resolution is usually described in the context of a two dimension coordinate system where one number indicates the resolution in the x-axis (as used herein, x-axis means the carriage scan axis for a swath printer), and another number indicates the resolution in the y-axis (as used herein, y-axis means the media advance axis for a swath printer). Thus, a resolution of 300/300 dpi generally indicates a carriage-scan axis resolution of 300 dots per inch and a media-advance axis resolution of 300 dots per inch. If only a single dpi number is given, it is assumed the dpi in both axes are equal.
The resolution of a printhead is primarily determined by the actual printout dot size as it appears in a printout.
Hewlett-Packard has developed a 600 dpi inkjet pen for producing a very high resolution printout. One embodiment of this pen is described in Hewlett-Packard's U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,584, by Brian J. Keefe, et al., entitled INK DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR AN INKJET PRINTHEAD, incorporated herein by reference. The nozzle array of this 600 dpi pen contains 300 nozzles and prints a swath approximately one-half inch wide along the x-axis. Some of Hewlett-Packard's color printers will include a scanning carriage housing the 600 dpi pen, containing black ink, as well as one or more color inkjet pens. Currently these color inkjet pens have a resolution of 300 dpi and a width on the order of one-third inch.
The particular alignment of the 600 dpi and 300 dpi resolution printheads in the carriage as well as the particular alignment of the printed high resolution dots and lower resolution dots can be selected to achieve certain characteristics and advantages.

Dot alignment in mixed resolution printer


A locking mechanism for installing between a master cylinder and a brake line includes a housing having an internal bore, an inlet port, a passage, and an outlet port. A reciprocating piston is movable within the bore. A locking lever is coupled to the reciprocating piston for actuating the reciprocating piston. A fastener having an internal fluid passage for providing fluid communication between the passage and the master cylinder secures the housing to the master cylinder. The locking lever is moveable between a first position, wherein the hydraulic fluid can flow freely between the master cylinder and the brake line for engaging and disengaging the vehicle brake and a second position, wherein the hydraulic fluid is prevented from returning to the master cylinder for maintaining the vehicle brake in an engaged state.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a locking hydraulic brake system. More particularly, the invention relates to locking mechanisms for installing between a master cylinder and a brake line. The invention further relates to a locking master cylinder assembly.
2. The Prior Art
Locking hydraulic brake systems or parking brakes according to embodiments of the invention may be used in various types of vehicles having hydraulically actuated brakes, for example automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. A locking mechanism and a locking master cylinder assembly according to embodiments of the invention are particularly suited for use with a front or rear brake assembly of a motorcycle.
A motorcycle front brake system typically includes a hand-operated lever disposed on the right handlebar grip, along with the throttle. This lever operates a piston within a master cylinder assembly which is also secured to the right handlebar. Squeezing the brake lever forces hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder through a "banjo bolt" fitting and brake line to the front brake caliper to operate the brake. When the brake lever is released, the hydraulic fluid is allowed to flow back to the master cylinder, and the brake is released.
Existing motorcycle front brake systems generally do not include any type of locking mechanism, and accordingly when an operator is stopped on an incline, the operator must maintain pressure on the brake lever with his or her right hand to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward, while simultaneously twisting the throttle with the right hand to warm the engine. This is a difficult procedure and the motorcycle may roll backwards ("rollback") if not performed properly. Additionally, using the rear brake to hold the motorcycle has the disadvantage of requiring the operator to balance the bike with just one leg as the other foot must be used to depress the rear brake foot pedal used to actuate the rear brake.
A number of devices and systems for locking a brake on a vehicle such as a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile are known. The following references, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, relate to mechanisms for locking a vehicle brake in an engaged state.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,724 Tribuzio et al. shows a lockable master cylinder having a reversible electric motor for locking the piston in a rest or working position to keep the vehicle brake applied.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0076197 to Ishida, U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,301 to Iizuka et al. and corresponding Japanese Patent No. JP 2002/079981 A to Iizuka et al., each show a locking motorcycle rear brake system which requires an additional caliper to serve as a parking brake for the motorcycle rear wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,361 to Carlson and U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,385 to Takeuchi describes devices for locking a lever which operate a cable-type mechanical brake.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0071542 to Lichtensteiger et al. shows a handlebar master cylinder assembly with a park pawl which engages a bracket connected to the master cylinder body to maintain the brake lever locked in an applied position. The park pawl flexes to compensate for hydraulic fluid temperature changes and maintain proper brake pressure.
Japanese Patent No. JP 411-189189 to Sekiya shows a parking brake device for a hydraulic motorcycle brake. The device has a sliding piston mounted in a cylinder adjacent the brake lever and an end of the piston contacts an end surface of the brake lever to set the parking brake.
Japanese Patent No. JP2003/112684 A to Igarashi shows a motorcycle parking brake with a brake lock lever mounted on the left handlebar for braking a drum brake of a motorcycle's rear wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,798 to Shinozaki et al. shows a pawl and cam mechanism for locking a foot pedal which actuates a motorcycle rear brake.
The devices and systems for locking a vehicle brake as disclosed in the references cited above exhibit several deficiencies. In particular, the known systems are complicated and costly and are not easily adaptable to a vehicle's original equipment manufactured (OEM) braking system. Some of the known locking systems require additional brake calipers or electronics and solenoids. In addition, the known devices generally require substantial modification to a conventional vehicle brake system to implement.
Accordingly there exists a need for a simple and inexpensive locking brake mechanism which can be easily installed on an existing vehicle hydraulic brake system, such as a motorcycle front or rear brake system. Additionally, the need exists for a locking or parking system comprising a simple mechanical device which can be added to an existing motorcycle front or rear brake system as an aftermarket item or supplied as original equipment.


A zoom lens in which a lens group is driven in response to an operation member provided on a body to which the zoom lens is attached, includes a rotary manual ring disposed on a lens barrel, and a driving part arranged to drive the lens group in accordance with a rotating state of the manual ring.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a photo-taking lens and an optical apparatus, and more particularly to a zoom lens and an optical apparatus adapted for a video camera, a still camera, a surveillance camera, or the like.
2. Description of Related Art
Zoom lens optical systems adapted for optical apparatuses of the above-stated kinds have been variously arranged. In the case of the zoom lens optical system shown in FIG. 15, the system has a zoom lens barrel of a type composed of four lens groups in which the fourth lens group disposed rearmost in the zoom lens barrel is used for focusing. The zoom lens barrels of this type are most popularly used in the field of video cameras.
Referring to FIG. 15, the four component lens groups of the zoom lens barrel include a fixed front lens group 111, a variator lens group 112, a fixed lens group 113 and a focusing (compensator) lens group 114. A guide rod 133 is arranged to prevent turning of the variator lens group 112. A feed rod 134 is arranged to feed the variator lens group 112. A fixed lens tube 135 is arranged to support the fixed front lens group 111, the guide rod 133 and the feed rod 134. An iris unit 136 is inserted in the lens barrel (perpendicularly to the paper surface as viewed in the drawing). A stepping motor 137 is arranged to serve as a focusing motor. The stepping motor 137 has an output shaft 138. The output shaft 138 is provided with a male screw 138a formed thereon for moving the focusing lens group 114. The male screw 138a is in mesh with a female screw part 139 which is formed integrally with a moving frame 140 of the focusing lens group 114.
Guide rods 141 and 142 are arranged to guide the focusing lens group 114. A rear plate 143 is arranged to position and retain in place the guide rods 141 and 142. The zoom lens barrel further includes a relay holder 144, a zoom motor 145, a reduction gear unit 146 for the zoom motor 145, and interlocking gears 147 and 148. The interlocking gear 148 is secured to the feed rod 134 which is provided for the variator lens group 112.
The zoom lens barrel operates as follows. When the stepping motor 137 acts to drive, the focusing lens group 114 is moved by screw feeding in the direction of an optical axis. When the zoom motor 145 acts to drive, the feed rod 134 is caused to rotate through the interlocking gears 147 and 148. The rotation of the feed rod 134 causes the variator lens group 112 to be moved also in the direction of the optical axis by a lens frame 112a which is screw-coupled with the feed rod 134.
FIG. 16 shows positional relations obtained in the above-stated zoom lens barrel between the variator lens group and the focusing lens group at some of different object distances. This drawing shows, by way of example, the positional relations obtained in focusing at object distances including an infinity distance, 2 m, 1 m, 80 cm and 0 cm. In a case where the zoom lens barrel is of an inner-focus type, the positional relation between the variator lens group and the focusing lens group varies with the object distance. Therefore, unlike a zoom lens barrel of a front-lens-focus type in which lens groups are moved by a mechanical arrangement such as a cam ring, a defocused state would result from a mere driving action of the zoom motor 145 alone in the case of the zoom lens barrel which is arranged as shown in FIG. 15.
To solve this problem, the positional relation between the variator lens group and the focusing lens group as shown in FIG. 16 must be controlled to optimize it according to the object distance. As such a control, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. HEI 1-280709 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. HEI 1-321416, there is disclosed a method for tracing the locus of the positional relation between a variator lens group and a focusing lens group which varies with the object distance.
FIG. 17 shows in a block diagram an arrangement for carrying out the above-stated locus tracing method. Lens groups 111 to 114 are the same lens groups shown in FIG. 15. The position of the variator lens group 112 is detected by a zoom encoder 149. The zoom encoder 149 may be, for example, a volume encoder having a brush mounted on a variator moving ring in one body therewith and arranged to slide over a circuit board having a printed resistance pattern.
An iris encoder 150 is arranged to detect an aperture value of the iris unit 136 by using, for example, the output of a Hall element 163 disposed within an iris meter. An image sensor 151 is composed of a CCD or the like. A camera signal processing circuit 152 is arranged to output a Y signal, which is supplied to an AF circuit 153. Upon receipt of the Y signal, the AF circuit 153 makes a discrimination between an in-focus state and a defocused state. In the event of a defocused state, the AF circuit 153 checks it to find if it is a front-focus state or a rear-focus state and also to find a defocused degree. The results of the checks are sent to a CPU 154.
A power-on reset circuit 155 is arranged to be used in performing various resetting action when a power supply is turned on. A zoom operation circuit 156 is arranged to supply the CPU 154 with information on the details of an operation performed on a zoom switch 157 when the zoom switch 157 is operated by the operator. Memory parts 158, 159 and 160 are arranged to store data relative to loci which correspond to different object distances as shown in FIG. 16. The memory part 158 stores direction data. The memory part 159 stores speed data. The memory part 160 stores boundary data.
A zoom motor driver 161 is arranged to drive the zoom motor 145. A stepping motor driver 162 is arranged to drive the stepping motor 137 by applying input pulses to the stepping motor 137. The number of input pulses applied to the stepping motor 137 is continuously counted by the CPU 154. The count number thus obtained is used as an encoder for the absolute position of the focusing lens group 114.
With the zoom lens barrel arranged in this manner, the position of the variator lens group 112 and that of the focusing lens group 114 are determined respectively by the zoom encoder 149 and the number of input pulses applied to the stepping motor 137 so as to decide one point on a map shown in FIG. 16.
The map shown in FIG. 16 is divided by means of the boundary data 160 into small rectangular areas I, II, III, --as shown in FIG. 18. In FIG. 18, hatched parts represent inhibiting areas where the lens groups 112 and 114 cannot be set. With one point decided as described above, it is possible to detect in which of the small areas the point is located.
The speed data part 159 and the direction data part 158 respectively store the speed and the direction of rotation of the stepping motor 137 obtained from a locus passing the center of each of these areas. In the case of FIG. 18, for example, an abscissa axis which indicates the positions of the variator lens group 112 is divided into 10 zones. Assuming that the speed of the zoom motor 145 is set to move the variator lens group 112 from a telephoto end position to a wide-angle end position in 10 seconds, the variator lens group 112 passes each of these number in one second.
Referring to FIG. 19 which shows the area III of FIG. 18 in an enlarged state, a locus 164 passes through a middle part of the area III. A locus 165 passes through a lower left part of the area III. A locus 166 passes through an upper right part of the same area. These loci have inclinations which differ a little from each other. The illustration indicates that the middle focus 164 can be accurately traced without much error if the focusing lens group is caused to move at a speed of .times.mm/second.
Assuming that the speed obtained in this manner is called an area representative speed, the speed data memory part 159 stores, for each area, as many values of the area representative speed as the number of the small areas. With this area representative speed assumed to be indicated by an arrow 168, the speed of the stepping motor 137 is set by finely adjusting the area representative speed as indicated by arrows 167 and 169 on the basis of detection results obtained by an automatic focus adjusting device. As for the direction data memory part 158, since the rotating direction of the stepping motor 137 varies according to the area even in the case of zooming from the telephoto end position to the wide-angle end position and vice versa, sign data is also stored in this memory part 158.
As mentioned above, the speed of the stepping motor 137 is obtained by correcting the area representative speed which is obtained according to the position of the variator lens group 112 and that of the focusing lens group 114 and by further correcting the area representative speed according to the result of detection made by the automatic focus adjusting device. With this speed used for controlling the position of the focusing lens group by driving the stepping motor 137 while the zoom motor 145 is in process of driving, even the zoom lens of the inner-focus type can be adequately kept in focus even during the process of zooming.
According to another method, three speeds including speeds indicated by the arrows 167 and 169 in FIG. 19 in addition to the above-stated area representative speed indicated by the arrow 168 are stored for each of the areas and selected according to the result of detection made by the automatic focus adjusting device.
Other methods hitherto employed include a method whereby a locus passing through a point decided on the map from the current positions of the variator lens group and the focusing lens group is computed and is used to be traced, and another method whereby a plurality of loci are stored beforehand as positions of the focusing lens group according to positions of the variator lens group.
In the case of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications No. HEI 1-321416, positions of the focusing lens group for a plurality of positions of the variator lens group between the wide-angle end position and the telephoto end position are stored beforehand. At the commencement of zooming, a point on the map determined by the current position of the variator lens group and that of the focusing lens group is detected. Then, an interpolating computing operation is carried out using stored data of points located nearest to the detected point on front-focus and rear-focus sides. After the interpolating operation, the position of the focusing lens group is computed for each focal length (position of the variator lens group).
FIG. 20 shows a locus of the positions of the focusing lens group obtained in the neighborhood of the telephoto end of a zooming range. According to the disclosure of the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. HEI 1-321416, information on the data stored includes focusing lens group positions rr1, rr4, rr7 and rr9 which are represented by a locus LL1 for the variator lens group positions Vn (telephoto end position), Vn-1, Vn-2 and Vn-3. In other words, a locus passing through points P1, P4, P7 and P10 of the map is stored as an .infin. locus.
The stored data also includes, for the variator lens group positions Vn (telephoto end), Vn-1, Vn-2 and Vn-3, information on the focusing lens group positions rr2, rr5, rr8 and rr10 which are represented by a locus LL2 and stored, for example, as a focusing locus for 10 m. Data is of course prepared in this manner to cover the whole zooming range from the telephoto end to the wide-angle end.
In zooming from the position (Vn, rr), i.e., a point P within the map, points PA, PB and PC are obtained by an interpolating computing operation on the basis of the data stored for a variator lens group position nearest on the front (near) focus side, i.e., the data of the locus LL2 and the data stored for a variator lens group position nearest on the rear (far) focus side, i.e., the data of the locus LL1. The focusing lens positions are obtained for focal length positions V0 (wide-angle end), V1, V2, --Vn-1, Vn (telephoto end) to determine a locus during process of zooming.
Since the points PA, PB and PC are obtained by the interpolating computing operation, a ratio of a distance between the points P1 and P to a distance between the points P2 and P becomes, for example, equal to a ratio of a distance between the points PA and P4 to a distance between the points PA to P5.
A memory relative to speeds or a memory relative to positions is thus prepared of course on the basis of optical design values on the assumption that the lens barrel is manufactured with no manufacturing error.
Each of embodiments of this invention which will be described later herein is an inner-focus type zoom lens composed of four lens groups of positive-negative-positive-positive refractive power arrangement like the lens barrel of the prior art described by way of example above. In the lens group arrangement, the second lens group is a variator lens group and the fourth lens group is a focusing lens group. However, this invention is applicable also to lens barrels of different arrangements, for example, such as the one disclosed in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. HEI 3-27011.
In the case of the prior art described above, a DC motor having a gear head is employed as a zoom actuator. However, a stepping motor may be employed like the actuator of the focusing lens group (the fourth lens group). In that case, the absolute position of the variator lens group (the second lens group) is preferably detected by means of counting the number of input pulses indicating a reference reset position in the same manner as the means employed for the focusing lens group, instead of the use of a volume encoder mentioned in the foregoing.
In the prior art example described above, the zooming intention of the operator is imparted by an operation on the zoom switch 157 shown in FIG. 17. In a case where a zooming speed is to be changed, the speed may be changed by detecting, for example, an amount to which the zoom switch 157 is pushed (pushing amount).
In most cases, a zoom switch, such as the above-stated one, is preferably disposed within an easy reach of an operating finger. Therefore, in the case of a relatively compact video camera adapted for use by general consumers, the zoom switch is disposed on the side of the camera body, for example, as shown in FIG. 21.
If a zooming operation is to be controlled solely by means of the zoom switch 157, the variator lens group (the second lens group) cannot be moved directly by the operator. Therefore, in the case of the optical system described above, the CPU 154 must be arranged to act to control the second and fourth lens groups in such a way as to cause the fourth lens group to move adequately in relation to the movement of the second lens group.
In order to have the variator lens group not moved directly by the operator, on the other hand, there is a limit in respect of the zooming speed. In a case where a stepping motor is used as the second lens group driving means (the zoom motor) 145 while a stepping motor is also used for the fourth lens group driving means (focusing motor) 137, at least a period of time of 2 to 3 seconds has been necessary in general in moving the lens groups from the telephoto end to the wide-angle end, depending on the magnifying rate of zooming, the characteristic of each of the motors, a lead pitch, etc.
The zooming operation of the inner-focus type zoom lens composed of four lens groups and generally employed at present is as described above.
A front-lens focusing type zoom lens which is arranged to use the first lens group for focusing is next described. FIG. 22 shows a manner generally employed in arranging a front-lens focusing type zoom lens.
Referring to FIG. 22, the zoom lens is composed of a first lens group 2101 which is a focusing lens group, a variator lens group 2102, a compensator lens group 2103 and a relay lens group 2104. The zooming lens includes a fixed lens tube 2105, a female helicoid tube 2106, a front lens tube 2107, a relay holder 2108, a relay lens tube 2109, an iris blade unit 2110, an iris motor 2111, a zoom motor body 2112, a zoom motor gear head part 2113, a focus motor body 2114, a focus motor gear head part 2115, a focus motor output gear 2117, a gear part 2118 formed integrally with the female helicoid tube 2106, a zoom ring 2119, a gear part 2120 formed on the zoom ring 2119 integrally therewith, a projection 2121 provided for transmitting the rotation of the zoom ring 2119 to a cam ring 2122, the cam ring 2122, a cam groove 2123 provided in the cam ring 2122 for the variator lens group, a cam groove 2124 provided in the cam ring 2122 for the compensator lens group 2103, a variator moving ring 2125, a compensator moving ring 2126, a cam follower part 2127 formed integrally with the variator moving ring 2125, a cam follower part 2128 formed integrally with the compensator moving ring 2126, guide rods 2129 and 2130 which are provided for the moving rings 2125 and 2126, a focus motor slip unit 2131, and a zoom motor slip unit 2132.
During focusing in the front-lens focus type zoom lens, the focusing lens group 2101 is moved in the direction of an optical axis. For this purpose, the focusing lens group 210 (the first lens group) 2101 is secured to the front lens tube 2107. The outside diameter of the front lens tube 2107 is arranged to be fitted into the inner diameter of the female helicoid tube 2106 without play and to be fixed in place with an adhesive after adjusting its position in the direction of the optical axis. The female helicoid tube 2106 engages the fixed lens tube 2105 through its helicoid screw. Therefore, the focusing lens group 2101 can be moved in the direction of the optical axis by rotating the female helicoid tube 2106.
In the case of the front-lens focus type zoom lens, the focusing lens group is arranged in front of the variator lens group (the second lens group) and the compensator lens group (the third lens group). The lens arrangement enables the operator to directly move the variator lens group for zooming at any suitable speed without causing any change in focus.
The operations of zoom lenses of two different types, i.e., the inner focus type and the front-lens focus type, have been described above. The inner focus type generally permits more reduction in size than the front-lens focus type to permit reduction in cost and energy. Further, with regard to the lens barrel mechanism, the front-lens focus type requires use of many parts of complex shapes which makes it difficult to ensure an adequate degree of precision for such parts.
In view of these advantages, a lens barrel of the inner focus type has variously been arranged to increase a maximum lens group moving speed by using a linear actuator for a high speed zooming and also for removal of noises and vibrations caused by a stepping motor. FIGS. 23(A) and 23(B) show one example of such an arrangement. In the case of FIGS. 23(A) and 23(B), a voice coil motor of the moving coil type is employed as the linear actuator. FIG. 23(B) is a longitudinal section taken on a line B--B of FIG. 23(A). Referring to FIGS. 23(A) and 23(B), a yoke 1117a and a coil 1116 which is wound around a bobbin 1119 are arranged on the outer circumferential side of a lens holding frame 1111 which is arranged to hold lenses 1101b1 to 1101b3. To the yoke 1117a is opposed a yoke 1117b which is located outside of the coil 1116. A magnet 1115 is bonded to the yoke 1117b. The yokes 1117a and 1117b and the magnet 1115 are mounted on a fixed tube 1102. The lens holding frame 1111 is carried by two parallel guide rods 1103a and 1103b to be movable in the direction of an optical axis 1105.
The magnet 1115 is magnetized as shown in FIG. 23(B). Therefore, a magnetic field is formed between the yokes 1117a and 1117b in the radial direction. The coil 1116 is located between the yokes 1117a and 1117b and is wound in the circumferential direction. When a current is allowed to flow through the coil 1116, a driving force is generated for driving in the direction of the optical axis. The lens holding frame 1111 and the lens groups 1101b1 to 1101b3 which are arranged integrally with the bobbin 1119 are then driven in the direction of the optical axis. The voice coil type actuator which has been described may be differently arranged in various manners. Further, it is also conceivable to use a motor operating on some different principle, such as an ultrasonic motor.
While various zooming lens arrangements have been described in detail above, there has been known a method of attaining a zooming effect called "electronic zoom". According to the "electronic zoom" method, while the size of an image formed on an image forming plane remains unchanged, an image range to be actually recorded or outputted can be caused to gradually vary on the image forming plane.
The electronic zoom method corresponds to the conventional enlargement photography whereby an image is enlarged by trimming. The electronic zoom method thus has a disadvantage in that the quality of picture deteriorates to a greater degree accordingly as the image position is located closer to the telephoto end (accordingly as the cutting range becomes narrower). The electronic zoom is, therefore, inferior to optical zooming. However, the advancement of various methods for interpolating video signals has come to enable electronic zooming to enlarge images up to about two magnifications in a state acceptable for practical applications.
For example, assuming that a video camera for general consumers, shown in FIG. 21, has a zoom lens of 12 magnifications and an electronic zooming power of two magnifications, a zooming effect of 24 magnifications is obtainable in all. In such a case, when the zoom switch 157 is operated to zoom from the wide-angle end toward the telephoto end, a zooming action is carried out by combining the electronic zoom with the optical zoom after the variator lens group arrives at the telephoto end position of the optical zoom, as shown in FIGS. 8(A) to 8(C).
In FIG. 8(A), the abscissa axis shows a period of time for which the zoom switch 157 is being pushed, while the ordinate axis shows the magnifying rate. After arrival of the variator lens group at the telephoto end position as shown in FIG. 8(B), the electronic zoom comes to cause the magnifying rate to continuously increase. The magnifying rate of the optical zoom varies in a manner as shown in FIG. 8(C).
While FIGS. 8(A) to 8(C) show changes in position on the assumption that all the positional changes linearly take place, the changes do not have to linearly take place. Further, the point of change-over from the optical zoom to the electronic zoom is arranged to be one point at the telephoto end. However, it is conceivable to arrange the optical zoom and the electronic zoom to have some overlapping area.
It is known to arrange a camera to interchange with each other the lenses of the varied kinds described.
FIG. 24 shows in a block diagram the arrangement of a system for interchangeable lenses. In the case shown, a zoom lens which is composed of four lens groups is used. These lens groups are arranged in a manner most popularly employed for a video camera to have refracting powers in the order of positive, positive, positive and positive refracting powers. The zoom lens is, however, not limited to this lens arrangement.
Light from an object comes through a first lens group 111 which is fixed, a variator lens group 112 which is a second lens group arranged to perform a magnification varying action, an iris 136, a third lens group 113 which is fixed and a focusing lens group 114 which is a fourth lens group arranged to perform a focus adjusting function and also a compensating function for correcting any shift of a focal plane resulting from the changes taking place during variation of magnification. The three primary color components, i.e., red, green and blue components, of the light passing through these lens groups are imaged respectively on image sensors 303 to 305 which are composed of CCDs or the like.
The images formed on the image sensors 303, 304 and 305 are photo-electrically converted and amplified to an optimum level by amplifiers 405, 406 and 407. Each of the amplified images is inputted to a camera signal processing circuit 152. The image is then converted into a standard television signal and, at the same time, is read out in the form of data by a microcomputer 409 (camera microcomputer) disposed in a camera body 419 as information on automatic focusing and automatic exposure adjustment.
The information (or data) read out by the camera microcomputer 409 is transmitted together with information on the state of operation switches of varied kinds such as a zoom switch, etc., disposed on the side of the camera body 419 to a lens microcomputer 410 through a contact 307 disposed on the side of the camera body 419 and a contact 318 disposed on the side of a lens unit 418. The lens microcomputer 410 carries out a motor control program on the basis of the information of varied kinds sent from the camera microcomputer 409 for automatic focusing (focus adjustment). The focusing lens group 114 is moved in the direction of an optical axis for focusing by driving a focus motor 137 through a motor driver 162.
Further, in a case where information on the state of the zoom switch sent from the camera microcomputer 409 calls for an action to keep a focal plane in place while zooming is in process, the lens microcomputer 410 carries out the focal plane keeping action by giving signals to a zoom motor driver 161 and the focus motor driver 162 on the basis of data of positions which is stored within the lens microcomputer 410 as data necessary for maintaining an in-focus state according to each of various object distances.
In accordance with the signals from the lens microcomputer 410, the zoom motor driver 161 and the focus motor driver 162 respectively drive the zoom motor 145 and the focus motor 137. The variator lens group 112 and the focusing lens group 114 are thus moved in the direction of the optical axis, so that a zooming action can be carried out without changing a focus position.
Further, the lens microcomputer 410 is arranged to give a signal for an apposite exposure to an iris driver 414 on the basis of information on the exposure adjustment coming from the camera microcomputer 409 and information from an encoder 163 which is provided for detecting the aperture state of the iris 136. Then, in accordance with the signal from the lens microcomputer 410, the iris driver 414 drives an actuator 413 to stop down the aperture of the iris 136 for an apposite exposure.
The contacts 307 and 318 are arranged both on the camera body side and on the lens side to be detachably interconnected to permit communication between the camera microcomputer 409 and the lens microcomputer 410. The lens unit 418 thus can be detachably mounted on the camera body 419. The arrangement enables the camera to carry out all actions for automatic focusing, automatic exposure adjustment and zooming without any problem in the same manner as an ordinary video camera for which a lens and a camera body are arranged in one body.
In the camera system of such an interchangeable lens type, a communication route is formed through the contact of the contacts provided for the lens and camera microcomputers 410 and 409. The details of this are as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. FIG. 25 shows in a sectional view the lens barrel in a state of being mounted on the side of the camera shown as an optical apparatus. FIG. 26 shows an end face of the lens barrel as viewed before it is mounted on the camera. The camera is assumed to be a so-called 3 CCD video camera arranged to have three prisms for obtaining an image by color-separating the image into three colors of R (red), Green (G) and blue (B). However, the camera may be of some other different type.
The camera is provided with a color separation prism 302, a base member 301 which is arranged to carry the color separation prism 302, and a mount member 306 (which is assumed to be a bayonet mount in this case but may be some other tightening mount) for interchangeable lenses. The camera is provided also with the CCDs 303, 304 and 305 and the electrical contact 307. The electrical contact 307 is arranged to permit communication between the camera microcomputer 409 and the lens microcomputer 410 for automatic-focusing and automatic-iris-control functions.
On the side of the lens unit 418, four movable lens groups 311 to 314 are arranged in the rearmost part of the lens unit 418. These lens groups are movable in the direction of the optical axis and are integrally secured to a moving tube 315. The moving tube 315 has a sleeve part 316 and is arranged to be movable in the direction of the optical axis, for example, with the sleeve part 316 being positioned by a metal pole member 400. Although they are not shown, various actuators described by way of example in the foregoing description of the conventional arrangement example are arranged to move the lens groups in the direction of the optical axis.
The movable lens groups 311 to 314 are arranged within a fixed tube which is not shown. A mount part 308 is arranged at the rear end of the fixed tube to form a bayonet mount on the lens side. Further, the mount part 308 is arranged to have the lens correctly positioned in mounting it in conjunction with the mount part 306 which is disposed on the side of the camera body 419. A contact 318 is arranged on the lens side to be in contact with the contact 307 of the camera body for communication between the lens unit 418 and the camera body 419 when the lens unit 418 is mounted on the camera body 419.
A glass holder 309 having a flat glass plate 310 is secured from behind to the lens side mount part 308 by means of a claw part 317. When the lens unit 418 is removed from the camera body 419, the operator may touch the flat glass plate 310 but the movable lens groups are effectively prevented from being touched by the operator.
A zooming action of an inner-focus type zoom lens, a zooming action of a front-lens focusing type zoom lens, an electronic zoom action, and a method for interlocking the optical zoom with the electronic zoom, an interchangeable lens system, and the arrangement of contact parts for mounting an interchangeable lens, in an optical apparatus such as a video camera, a still camera, a surveillance camera or the like, have been described in detail above.
According to the arrangement of the inner focus type zoom lens described above, it is hardly possible with the zoom switch 157 shown in FIG. 21 to finely and quickly set the angle of view even if the lens is arranged to permit zooming at a high speed. Therefore, it has been desired to arrange the inner focus type zoom lens to permit a zooming operation by rotating a ring around the optical axis of the lens in the same manner as in the case of the front-lens focusing type zoom lens.
Further, in the case of an interchangeable lens system having the electronic zoom function on the side of the camera body, the lens has presented the following problem.
A method for zooming, particularly, a method for interlocking the electronic zoom with the optical zoom, when (i) a photo-taking lens of the kind enabling the operator to directly move the variator lens group or (ii) a photo-taking lens of a kind other than the kind (i) is mounted on the camera, has not been clearly disclosed. As a result, the second lens group (the variator lens group) of the lens might be moved toward the wide-angle end while the electronic zoom still remains in an on-state. Under such a condition, a shooting operation would be carried on with the electronic zoom left in the on-state, which deteriorates the picture quality, although the shooting could be carried on to obtain a better picture quality at the same angle of view by using some other combination of the magnifying rate of the optical zoom and the magnifying rate of the electronic zoom.


A wireless communication network and a mobile device may support Circuit Switched (CS) and Packet Switched (PS) services. Some types of communication services (e.g. voice, text, data, etc.) may be supported using a CS service or using a PS service. In some embodiments, the PS service is an IMS service using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to provide a “CS-like” communication service such as voice or text message. According to the disclosure, a mobile device may detect that it is process data for the PS service. For example, a SIP component that supports the PS service may become inoperable. In response, the mobile device attempts to support the communication service using the CS service.

A wireless communication network may support Packet Switched (PS) services and/or Circuit Switched (CS) services. Network equipment for a wireless communication network can be divided into access network equipment and core network equipment. An access network and a core network are connected. A single core network can be supported by multiple different access networks. An example of a core network that supports PS services is the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). An example of a core network that supports CS services is the Network Switching Subsystem (NSS) or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) core network.
Examples of access networks are: GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN); Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN); Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) based access networks, including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 networks. GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN are examples of 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access networks. WLAN-based access networks (including IEEE 802.11) and 1X CDMA are examples of non-3GPP access networks. Some, but not all, access networks support CS services. Some, but not all, access networks support PS services. E-UTRAN is an example of a 3GPP access network that supports PS services, such as Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia core network Subsystem (IMS) voice. WLAN networks are examples of non-3GPP access networks that may provide PS services, such as Voice over IP (VoIP) services. GERAN, UTRAN, and 1XCDMA are examples of 3GPP access networks that support CS services. The E-UTRAN and the EPC make up the Evolved Packet System (EPS). The EPS is an evolution of the 3G UMTS characterized by higher-data-rate, lower-latency, packet optimized system that supports multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs).
The wireless communication network may support one or more communication services for a mobile communication device. Examples of communication services are voice service, text message service, data service, and video service. Examples of these communication services as implemented in a CS domain and delivered to a user by the mobile device are CS voice service, Short Message Service (SMS) and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD). A communication service may also be supported or realized using a PS service. For example, a same or similar functionality of a CS service (such as a voice service) may be supported using a PS service (such as IMS PS voice or VoIP). Thus, for a given type of communication service (e.g. voice, text, data, etc.) the service may be supported using a "PS-version" or a "CS-version" of the service. IMS PS services may be provided by a 3GPP network. VoIP services may be provided by a WLAN network. IMS and VoIP may utilize the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
The mobile device collaborates with the network equipment to support PS and CS services. The mobile device may, for example, utilize SIP components forming part of the mobile device to support PS services provided by the network. A mobile device terminating the SIP protocol can receive and transmit SIP messages configured to support the PS service. Certain SIP request messages request creation of a dialog. For example, a SIP INVITE message is a request for a dialog. When a dialog is created, media may be exchanged between both ends of the dialog. A SIP user agent (UA) terminates a dialog. Voice is an example of media. A SIP dialog that includes voice media can be thought of as a voice call.

Method and apparatus for supporting a communication service


A kit that may include a locking unit and an external portion of a motor housing; wherein the locking unit comprises a threaded opening and first securing elements; wherein the external element comprises an opening and second securing elements; wherein the threaded opening is shaped and positioned to mesh, in a coaxial manner, with a thread that is mechanically coupled to an axis of a motor; wherein the first securing elements and the second securing elements are shaped and positioned to mesh with each other and prevent a rotational movement between the first securing elements and the second securing elements.

Pool cleaning robots include various motors such as a pump motor and a drive motor. The pump motor may rotate an impeller for controlling the flow of fluid within the pool cleaning robot (for example during a filtering process) and/or even the flow of fluid outside the pool cleaning robot (for example—as a part of a fluid propulsion process). The drive motor may indirectly rotate wheels and/or tracks that are used to move the pool cleaning robot.
The drive motor may rotate a motor axis. A gear may be connected to the motor axis and be rotated by the motor.
These is a growing need to prevent the motor unit from moving due to the rotation of the motor axis.
There is a further need to streamline production, reduce costs and avoid use of aggressive chemicals in production settings.

Pool cleaning robot motor securing mechanism


A spa jet assembly includes an orifice, a coverhead and a rotor mounted within the orifice and the coverhead. The orifice includes an axial port for water to enter into the spa jet assembly. The orifice also includes a radial port to allow air to enter into the spa jet assembly. The rotor is rotated by the flow of air and water through the spa jet assembly. The exiting air and water mixture from the spa jet assembly creates a pulsation effect. In a second embodiment, an orifice is rotatably connected to a control cylinder. A jet head is rotatably connected to the control cylinder about a pin shaft that is fixed at a common longitudinal axis to the orifice. The jet head is movable axially to a limited extent with respect to the control cylinder. The jet head can rotate freely with respect to the control cylinder in a first axial position. The jet head rotates with the control cylinder by an amount less than 360.degree. in the second position to vary the fluid flow rate in the apparatus. A cross-sectional opening of an air inlet and a water inlet are both simultaneously varied so that the identical proportions of water and air are maintained in the jet spa assembly in the various flow rates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spa jet and, in particular, to a spa jet which is self rotating and can easily control the flow rate through the spa jet.
2. Background Information
Most spa jets are typically made to be adjustable both in the direction in which the water is discharged and in the rate of flow of the water. However, most techniques have proven to be unsatisfactory to some degree based on the complex mechanisms that have previously been required to produce a spa jet.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,372 issued to Thrasher et al discloses a rather complex spa jet that can independently control the speed of rotation and the flow rate. To accomplish this, a brake washer 68 is installed adjacent to the nozzle rotor 50 and a compression spring 70 applies a controllable breaking force to the rotor to control its rotationable speed. This complex mechanism includes a detent arm 72 that is integrally connected to a retainer cage 52. The detent arm 72 engages with a series of concave depressions 76 formed on the inside surface of the sleeve 48 to vary the speed of rotation of the rotor 50. If the detent arm 72 were to break off from the retainer 52, then the bather could easily inadvertently disassemble the entire spa jet assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,665 issued to Spinnett discloses a cross bar that is positioned in front of the rotor to intermittently block the fluid exiting the rotor to thereby create a pulsation effect.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing that there is still a need for a spa jet assembly with water driven rotational capability that is built as a one piece assembly and is maintenance free. The present invention meets this requirement and has the advantage that, in one embodiment, the flow rate may still be varied.


A garment hanger suitable for hanging garments in an automobile. The hanger has a generally triangular open loop body and is adapted to be mounted on a window or an exit handle of an automobile. The garment hanger preferably has a plurality of dividers for supporting one or more garment hangers between adjacent dividers.

1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to a hanger designed to hang garments in automobiles. More specifically, the hanger has a triangular shape and an opening at one corner thereof that allows the hanger to be mounted onto a window or exit handle of an automobile.
2. Description of Related Information
It is desirable when traveling in an automobile to hang in a vertical orientation garments such as suit coats, overcoats, shirts, blouses, skirts and pants to prevent them from becoming wrinkled or crumpled.
Many automobiles include a hook attached to the ceiling of the automobile and at the rear door or doors from which a hanger may be hung. Other automobiles do not include such a hook but include an exit handle which may be used by a passenger riding in the back seat to assist themselves when exiting the automobile. Sometimes the exit handle will incorporate a small hook for supporting a hanger. In either case the conventional hooks and handles are difficult to use and usually accommodate only one hanger.
There is a need in the art for an automobile garment hanger that is easy to use and can be installed on the exit handle or window of an automobile which will greatly increase the number of garments which can be hung therefrom and which will facilitate the hanging process.


The invention relates to a mounted optical component and also a method for the production of mounted optical components. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of mounted optical components.

The invention relates to a mounted optical component and also a method for the production of mounted optical components. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of mounted optical components.
In a standard manner, optical components are mounted or clamped by means of a form-fit and frictional fit. Alternatively and of particular interest for small or very sensitive components, integral methods, predominantly glueing, can be used. If polymer-based adhesives require to be replaced by inorganic joining media because of particular conditions of use, soft solder alloys are possible.
In order that soft solder alloys can be applied as joining medium, it is necessary to produce wettable metallisations, e.g. by vacuum coating or sputtering on the joining geometries of the components and the mounting. The wettable layer can be provided at the same time with the solder material as thin-film system, alternatively solder is applied as a discrete volume. The melting is effected by means of laser since the energy input must be effected locally and temporally discretely in order not to destroy sensitive optical components. Melting of the solder by standard reflow processes is ruled out because of the cleanliness requirements of the lens system and also because of the generally greatly differing thermal coefficients of expansion of component and mounting, which would lead to impermissible thermomechanical stresses during global heating of the assembly to be joined.
In the past, the greatly differing heat conductivity of the two partners to be joined, optical component and mounting, has proved to be critical for the laser soldering process. Because of the high temperature gradient in the mounting material which generally has a high to very high thermal conductivity, the process must take place in general with high laser powers in order to enable local heating and hence wetting. This is at variance with the requirement to keep the laser power as low as possible in order not to damage the poorly heat-conducting, optical component. Correspondingly, joining places of lens systems to mountings made of metal or ceramic have to date been very difficult to control when using solder as joining medium and the laser as energy source for the melting.
The underlying object is the joining of optical components, i.e. lenses, mirrors, prisms etc., made of a generally glass-like, poorly heat-conducting material, in a mounting (optomechanical component, generally made of readily heat-conducting material, such as metal or ceramic, for incorporation of the optical component in the overall system) by means of the integral joining method, "soldering".
This object is achieved by the mounted optical component having the features of claim 1. Claim 11 relates to a method for the production of a mounted optical component and claim 14 to the use of mounted optical components. The further dependent claims reveal advantageous developments.

Mounted optical component, method for the production thereof and use of same

FRAUHNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.


Novel calibration solutions are provided which are useful, for example, with sensor assemblies used for analysis of CO.sub.2, especially in combination infusion fluid delivery/blood chemistry analysis systems which include a sensor assembly with each of the assembly electrodes mounted in an electrode cavity in the assembly. The analysis system used in the practice of the present invention typically includes provision for delivering infusion fluid and measuring blood chemistry during reinfusion of the physiological fluid at approximately the same flow rates. The invention calibration solutions are useful for calibrating an array of sensors capable of simultaneously measuring a number of blood chemistry parameters, including the partial pressures (tensions) of carbon dioxide and oxygen, pH (hydrogen ion), sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, ionized magnesium, chloride, glucose, lactate and hematocrit, in body fluids. More particularly, this invention relates to the use of an infusible intravenous solution to facilitate calibration on a regular basis for every individual sensor in a sensor assembly, which is in constant fluid communication with the body regardless of whether the sensors are ex vivo or in vivo.

Low-cost, disposable, electrochemical electrode assemblies have special utility as part of infusion fluid delivery systems commonly used in hospital patient care. Such systems infuse nutrients, medications, and the like directly into the patient at a controlled rate and in precise quantities for maximum effectiveness. Infusion fluid delivery systems are connected to a patient at an intravenous (IV) port, in which a hollow needle/catheter combination is inserted into a blood vessel of the patient and thereafter an infusion fluid is introduced into the vessel at a controlled rate, typically using a peristaltic pump. Blood chemistry monitoring systems that are combined with infusion delivery systems of this kind use the IV port to periodically withdraw a blood sample, perform measurements of blood ion concentrations and the like, and then discard the blood or reinfuse it into the patient. The system then resumes delivery of the infusion fluid.
Such combined infusion fluid delivery and blood chemistry monitoring systems include an infusion line and catheter through which the infusion fluid is provided to the patient and blood samples are withdrawn. The infusion line incorporates an electrode assembly having electrochemical sensors that are periodically exposed to the blood samples and thereby provide electrical signals to an analyzer for conversion into corresponding blood chemistry data. A control unit periodically halts delivery of the infusion fluid for a brief interval, during which time a blood sample is withdrawn from the patient into the infusion line and routed to the electrode assembly, which then generates the electrical signals. After the electrical signals have been received by the analyzer, the control unit disposes of the blood or reinfuses the blood sample into the patient, and the flow of infusion fluid is resumed.
The electrode assembly typically, among other types of electrochemical sensors, includes a reference electrode and a plurality of sensing electrodes (sensors) that are each sensitive to a particular ion or species of interest. All of the electrodes are typically embedded in the base of the electrode assembly. For example, ion-sensitive electrodes (ISE) generate electrical signals only in response to contact with the particular ion to which they are sensitive, and therefore provide selective measurement of the amount of that ion in the blood. This type of sensing electrode can be provided to measure, for example, blood calcium, hydrogen ion, chloride, potassium, and sodium. In a differential measurement system, the reference electrode might be another ion-selective electrode (e.g., a chloride or sodium electrode) that is continuously exposed to a calibration or reference fluid. Alternatively, in a non-differential measurement system, a conventional reference electrode (which maintains a fixed potential when exposed either to reference fluid or to analyte) is required.
In a differential measurement system, during the delivery of calibration fluid, the calibration fluid flows past both the reference electrode and the sensing electrodes, and the electrical potential between the reference electrode and each sensing electrode is measured. This provides a calibration measurement of the electrode assembly. During a subsequent blood chemistry measurement, a blood sample is drawn into the electrode assembly, where it comes into contact with the sensing electrodes, but not the reference electrode. The electrical potential between the reference electrode and each sensing electrode is measured again and compared with the earlier calibration measurement to provide an indication of the ion concentration in the blood of the particular ion to which the sensing electrode is sensitive. After measurement is completed, the blood sample is discarded or reinfused from the electrode assembly back into the patient, and delivery of infusion fluid is resumed.
Presently employed electrochemical sensors for clinical diagnostic applications can be divided into three categories: potentiometric, amperometric and ac impedance. For example, hematocrit (Hct), which is defined as the volume percent of red cells in the blood, can be determined by measuring the ac impedance of the blood with a pair of metal electrodes, typically at 1 kilohertz (kHz).
An amperometric sensor correlates the concentration of a specific component of interest to a current output. Typically, oxygen tension (pO.sub.2) and glucose (Glu) are determined with amperometric sensors. An oxygen sensor assembly usually consists of a noble metal (e.g., platinum or gold) working electrode and a suitable counter electrode (e.g., silver/silver chloride). An oxygen permeable, but liquid impermeable, membrane is usually mounted over the sensor assembly to separate the sample from the internal electrolyte to avoid contamination. The sensor measures the limiting current of oxygen reduction at the working electrode according to the following equation: EQU O.sub.2 +2H.sub.2 O+4e.sup.- .fwdarw.4OH.sup.-
This is accomplished by applying a bias voltage of approximately 700 mV between the working (negative) electrode and the counter (positive) electrode. This is also known as a Clark electrode. The current passing between these two electrodes is proportional to the pO.sub.2 level in the sample.
The glucose sensor is very similar in construction to an oxygen sensor. The difference is that a hydrophilic membrane with immobilized glucose oxidase is used instead of the hydrophobic oxygen membrane. In the presence of glucose oxidase (GOD), the following reaction takes place: EQU Glucose+O.sub.2 .fwdarw.Gluconic Acid+H.sub.2 O.sub.2
In this case, glucose concentration can be determined by either polarizing the working electrode anodically or cathodically by approximately 700 mV to measure the rate of hydrogen peroxide oxidation or oxygen reduction, respectively.
A potentiometric sensor provides a voltage change which is related to the species of interest. Ionic species, such as hydrogen ion (H.sup.+), sodium (Na.sup.+), potassium (K.sup.+), ionized calcium (Ca.sup.++) and chloride (Cl.sup.-), are commonly measured by ion selective electrodes (ISE), a typical class of potentiometric sensors. The commonly used CO.sub.2 sensor, better known as the Severinghaus electrode, is also a potentiometric sensor (and is, in fact, essentially a modified pH sensor). Typically, it consists of a pH electrode and a reference electrode with both covered by a hydrophobic (gas permeable-liquid impermeable) membrane such as silicone. There is a thin layer of weakly buffered internal electrolyte (e.g., 0.001 M NaHCO.sub.3) between the hydrophobic membrane and the pH sensing membrane. Carbon dioxide in the sample eventually reaches equilibrium with the internal electrolyte and produces a pH shift as a result of the following equation: EQU CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.H.sup.+ +HCO.sub.3.sup.-
The resulting pH shift is then measured by the pH electrode. Therefore, there is a direct relationship between pCO.sub.2 in a sample and the pH thereof.
The accuracy of measurement obtained with any of the above-described sensors can be adversely affected by drift, particularly after exposure to biological fluids such as whole blood. Therefore, frequent calibration is required. This is particularly true for gases such as pO.sub.2 and pCO.sub.2 because any change in the gas transport properties of the membrane may affect the sensor output. To this end, a number of calibration fluids are usually needed. This is because at least two different calibrant concentration levels are usually required to characterize a sensor. For a multi-parameter system, it is sometimes not possible to use the same two solutions to calibrate all sensors due to concerns such as chemical incompatibility and long term stability. Moreover, since it is technically very difficult to maintain CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 concentrations constant at desired calibration levels, most conventional blood chemistry analyzers carry two gas cylinders and several bottles of reagents just to fulfill the calibration requirements. This makes the system bulky and cumbersome to use.
An attempt was made to fill pre-tonometered liquid calibrants sealed into aluminum foil pouches under partial vacuum as calibrants, as described by Burleigh (U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,184). This approach substantially reduced the size, and improved the portability of blood chemistry analyzers. However, the contents of the pouch have a limited life once the pouch is opened.
The current trend is to move away from bench top analyzers towards the use of bedside analytical systems. Moreover, instead of taking samples from the patients, sensors are either miniaturized and inserted into a blood vessel (in vivo) or constructed as part of a flow cell connected to the patient end of an existing vascular access port (ex vivo) to provide continuous monitoring of blood chemistry.
The in vivo approach is conceptually more attractive because it provides continuous results without intervention. However, it is much more difficult to implement in practice. The major hurdle is, of course, the blood clotting problem. Blood compatibility has always been a challenging issue. Even with a short term solution in hand, once sensors are placed in the blood stream, repeated calibration becomes very difficult.
The ex vivo approach, originally described by Parker (U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,968), employs a control unit to periodically withdraw a small amount of blood to come in contact with sensors (which are incorporated into an in-line flow cell) when a reading is desired. After a measurement is taken, the control unit resumes delivering physiological saline into the blood vessel. As a result, the blood drawn is effectively flushed back into the patient and the sensors are washed clean. Kater (in U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,786) discloses a method to use an infusible intravenous (I.V.) saline solution to calibrate ionic species in the biological fluid. However, Kater does not address the calibration of species such as glucose, pO.sub.2, and pCO.sub.2, as contemplated by the present invention.
As previously indicated, all blood chemistry sensors require frequent calibration in order to maintain the accuracy of measurement. In a multi-parameter bench top analyzer system, it often requires more than one calibration fluid (and/or gas) to accomplish this task. In an ex vivo blood chemistry monitor, it is much more desirable to use a single calibration solution for all the sensors, and to flush the sensors clean. In a multi-parameter ex vivo system, such as the VIA 1-01 Blood Chemistry Monitor (available from Via Medical Corporation, San Diego, Calif.), i.e., a system that measures one or more of Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Ca.sup.++, Mg.sup.++, pH, pCO.sub.2, pO.sub.2, glucose, lactate and hematocrit, this requirement becomes very demanding.
In particular, the calibration of pH and pCO.sub.2 remains a challenge. In an aqueous solution, these two parameters are inter-related by the following equation: EQU CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.H.sup.+ +HCO.sub.3.sup.-
At 37.degree. C., the pH in a simple bicarbonate-containing solution is equal to EQU 6.10+log {[HCO.sub.3.sup.- ]/0.0301 pCO.sub.2 }
Since the normal pCO.sub.2 in arterial blood is approximately 40 mmHg, while the atmosphere contains 0.2-0.5 mmHg of CO.sub.2, atmospheric CO.sub.2 levels are not only too low, but they are also too variable to serve as a calibration point. Hence, an external CO.sub.2 source is required. Normally, the approach used in the art is to tonometer the solution with a known CO.sub.2 -containing gas, and then package the gas-equilibrated solution in a sealed container. This is not only costly but also requires considerable effort to demonstrate its safety as an infusible solution.
Although U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,748 (Nakamura) suggests that simultaneous calibration for Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Ca.sup.++, glucose and hematocrit, can be carried out with Ringer's Lactate having glucose added thereto, such a solution could not possibly be used for pH and pCO.sub.2 calibration because the solution has no well defined pH value and contains essentially no CO.sub.2. Furthermore, since the amount of oxygen dissolved in Lactated Ringer's solution is not fixed (being a function of temperature and barometric pressure--parameters which Nakamura does not contemplate monitoring), the reference does not teach how to use Lactated Ringer's solution as an oxygen calibrant. In addition, Nakamura does not address measurement of hematocrit levels at all.
From the discussion above, it should be apparent that there is a need for calibration solutions useful, for example, in combined infusion fluid delivery and blood chemistry measurement systems that allow accurate, reliable measurements of blood chemistry, that avoid the need for multiple calibration and/or reference solutions, and that are relatively easy to prepare by mixing injectable media that are readily available for patient use as "off-the-shelf" items. The present invention satisfies these needs.

Calibration solutions useful for analyses of biological fluids and methods employing same


An endometrial polyp stem cell is disclosed in the present invention. The endometrial polyp stem cell is isolated from an endometrial polyp tissue, expresses vimentin, CD13, CD29, CD44, and CD90, and has no expression of CD1q, CD3, CD34, and CD45.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stem cell, and more particularly, to an endometrial polyp stem cell.
2. Description of Related Art
The human endometrium contains substantial vascularized stroma and regenerates regularly with each menstrual cycle. Previous studies identified stem/progenitor cells residing in the human endometrium (Gargett, 2006). Regeneration initiated by cells in the basalis layer replace cells shed during menstruation. Additionally, colony-forming stem cells were identified in the human endometrium (Schwab and Gargett, 2007).
Stromal or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are self-renewing cells that can differentiate into mesodermally derived tissues and have been identified in several stroma-containing tissues such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, the cord matrix, and skeletal muscle (Ding et al., 2007a). The scientific community has recognized the remarkable developmental/differentiation plasticity of MSCs (Grove et al., 2004), which have garnered considerable attention.
In a culture, MSCs are plastic-adherent, spindle-shaped cells that express a panel of surface markers, including CD105 (endoglin, SH2), CD73 (ecto-50 nucleotidase, SH3, and SH4), CD166 (ALCAM), CD29 (b1-integrin), CD44 (H-CAM), CD90 (Thy-1), and STRO-1. In contrast to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), MSCs are negative for CD45, CD34, and CD133 (Jones et al., 2002).
Endometrial polyps are localized hyperplastic overgrowths of endometrial glands and stroma around a vascular core that form a sessile or pedunculated projection from the endometrial surface. Endometrial polyps cause intermenstrual bleeding, irregular bleeding, and menorrhagia (Hillard, 2006).
In the present invention, stem cells have been isolated from endometrial polyps and characterized as MSCs.

Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation


This invention concerns an acousto-optic imaging method comprising a step which consists in engraving in a dynamic holographic material a complex index array resulting from the interference of the acousto-optic component of the signal wave and a pump wave of frequency equal to the frequency of the acousto-optic component.

More particularly, the invention relates to an acousto-optic imaging method.
In this type of method, an object to be imaged is illuminated with a laser-type light source. Moreover, acoustic waves are propagated in the object by an ultrasound source. Information is obtained for an area of the object to be imaged by detecting a signal linked to the coupling properties between the light wave and the ultrasound wave which specifically makes the concerned area vibrate. In practice, when an ultrasound wave, of acoustic frequency fa passes through a scattering medium (such as, for example, a biological tissue, or other), it provokes a periodic shaking of the scatterers and a periodic modulation of the refraction index of the medium. If a laser wave, of incident frequency fI, is scattered by the medium, the movement of the scatterers and the modulation of the index of the medium generate a signal wave comprising on the one hand a carrier component (at the frequency fI) and on the other hand, an acousto-optic component scattered on one or other of the acoustic side-bands (of frequency fAO=fa±fI). Acousto-optic imaging consists in determining the weight of this component at the frequency fAO according to the focal position of the acoustic wave in the diffusing medium.
Historically, detection was initially performed using a single-pixel detector. However, this technique offers poor sensibility.
In practice, the detection is achieved by measuring the interferences between two components of the signal wave: the carrier component, at the frequency fI, and the acousto-optic component, at the frequency fAO. Since these two frequencies differ from each other roughly by the value of the acoustic frequency fa of the ultrasound wave, the detection is heterodyne. Such a detection is effective only for a very small geometric expanse, such that most of the signal is lost.
Also, because of the presence of diffusers in the medium, the carrier and acousto-optic components of the signal wave are two random speckle fields, such that the relevant information is obtained only by spatially and/or temporally averaging the detected signal.
A major improvement was provided by the ESPCI (see in particular "Ultrasonic tagging of photon paths in scattering media: parallel speckle modulation", Levêque et al., published in Optic Letters 24: 181, 1999). In this device, the single-pixel detector is replaced by a multiple-pixel detector such as a CCD camera. There is, however, a problem in that such a camera is too slow to detect an interference signal between the carrier and acousto-optic components of the signal wave, which has a high frequency, of the order of that of the acoustic wave (a few MHz, typically). To detect a signal, the ESPCI no longer detects the interferences of the acousto-optic component with the carrier component, but with a reference component passing through the medium and obtained by amplitude modulation of the incident wave at a frequency close to that of the acousto-optic component (typically, to within a few Hz). There is thus obtained an interference between the reference component and the acousto-optic component which is slow enough to be detected for each pixel of the camera. To obtain the information relating to the vibrating area, the detected signal must be summed over all the pixels of the camera.
This technique is not, however, the best possible because, on the one hand, the measured signal includes a significant noise component due to the photons that are simply scattered having passed through an area of the object to be imaged that is not vibrating, and on the other hand, the reference component is relatively weak, because it passes through the scattering medium.
Furthermore, each of the signals carries a so-called "speckle decorrelation" noise. The light, scattered by the medium, is emitted in the form of a speckle wave, made up of grains. From one speckle grain to the next, the amplitude and the phase of the signal wave vary randomly. If, over time, the scattering medium is modified (such is in particular the case for living tissues), the scatterers change position. This modifies the position, the intensity and the phase of the speckle grains (the speckle is said to be decorrelated).
In acousto-optic imaging, the overall intensity of the acousto-optic component of the signal wave is to be measured. The latter is much weaker than that corresponding to the acoustically unmarked component (the carrier component or the reference component, depending on the used technique), which is also seen by the detector. If a continuous part associated with the acoustically unmarked component can easily be eliminated during the detection, the amplitude and phase variations of the signal wave, which are reflected by the decorrelation of the speckle, often lead to a false signal called "speckle decorrelation noise".
Living biological tissues, for which the acousto-optic imaging technique is required to be used, for example in screening for breast cancer, or other purposes, lead to a major speckle decorrelation noise. It is therefore preferable to be able to perform rapid measurements, for which the use of multiple-pixel detectors, which are rather slow is not well suited. There is therefore a lack of a method that can guarantee a good measurement sensitivity for biological tissues.

Method and installation for acousto-optic imaging

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Universite Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI)


The present invention provides a biosensor comprising means (5) for accommodating a fluid sample having a sensor surface at its bottom and means for detecting particles accumulated at and/or proximate the sensor surface. The biosensor further comprises a quadrupole magnetic unit (1, 2, 3, 4) adapted to provide a magnetic field gradient at the sensor surface, wherein the unit is arranged below the sensor surface.

The demand for biosensors is increasingly growing these days. Usually, biosensors allow for the detection of a given specific molecule within an analyte, wherein the amount of said molecule is typically small. For example, one may measure the amount of drugs or cardiac markers within saliva or blood. Therefore, target particles, for example super-paramagnetic label beads, are used which bind to a specific binding site or spot only, if the molecule to be detected is present within the analyte. One known technique to detect these label particles bound to the binding spot is frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR). Therein, light is coupled into the sample at an angle of total internal reflection. If no particles are present close to the sample surface, the light is completely reflected. If, however, label particles are bound to said surface, the condition of total internal reflection is violated, a portion of the light is scattered into the sample and thus the amount of light reflected by the surface is decreased. By measuring the intensity of the reflected light with an optical detector, it is possible to estimate the amount of particles bound to the surface. This allows for an estimate of the amount of the specific molecules of interest present within the analyte or sample.
This technique as well as other magnetic-label sensors, in particular biosensors, critically depend on the magnetic attraction of the beads or magnetic labels, also referred to as actuation. Magnetic actuation is in particular essential in order to increase the performance (speed) of the biosensor for point-of-care applications. The direction of the magnetic actuation can be either towards the surface or sensor area where the actual measurement is carried out or away from this sensor surface. In the first case, magnetic actuation allows for the enhancement of concentration of magnetic particles near the sensor surface, thus speeding up the binding process of the magnetic particles to the sensor area. In the second case, particles are removed from the surface which is called magnetic washing. Magnetic washing can replace the traditional wet washing step. It is more accurate and reduces the number of operating steps.
In more complex applications, several binding spots may be provided on a tiny surface. It may then be necessary to first accumulate the particles or labels at a first binding site and after a washing step to drive the magnetic labels towards another binding site. Such applications afford a large amount of control of the magnetic field generated in order to provide precise and predetermined forces onto the magnetic label particles.

Biosensor with quadrupole magnetic actuation system


An ethylene oxide adsorption recovery system includes a tower body defining a gas channel extending longitudinally therein. A sidewall of the tower body further comprises a plurality of mounting holes disposed longitudinally along the side wall and in communication with the gas channel. A bottom portion of the tower body includes a first pipe in communication with the gas channel, and a top portion of the tower body includes a second pipe in communication with the gas channel. A plurality of adsorption panels is coupled to the tower body through corresponding respective mounting holes of the plurality of mounting holes, each of the plurality of adsorption panels extends into the gas channel. A sealing door is movably coupled to the sidewall of the tower body and configured to selectively fix each of the plurality of adsorption panels to a respective mounting hole of the plurality of mounting hole.

Ethylene oxide ("EO") is a broad-spectrum, high-efficiency sterilization agent with excellent sterilization performance. The ethylene oxide has strong penetrating power, can kill various microorganisms at normal temperature, and does not damage the sterilized items during sterilization. Currently, the ethylene oxide gas sterilization method is one of the most important low-temperature sterilization methods, and especially is most commonly used in hospitals.
After sterilization with the ethylene oxide gas, the gas used for sterilization must be exhausted (referred to as the "sterilization exhaust gas"). However, the ethylene oxide itself is toxic and flammable and explosive. Thus, the sterilization exhaust gas generated in the sterilizer is typically subject to decontamination treatment before discharge. Conventional treatments of ethylene oxide sterilization exhaust gas include the following. (1) A catalytic combustion method, in which the sterilization exhaust gas is converted to a non-toxic substance by catalytic combustion. However, because ethylene oxide is flammable and explosive, this treatment method has poses significant safety hazards during the treatment process. (2) An adsorption method, wherein the sterilization exhaust gas generates ethylene glycol by acid catalysis. This method is suitable for the processing of high-concentration ethylene oxide exhaust gas. However, this process is prone to error and may result in secondary pollution. (3) A low temperature recovery method, wherein the sterilization exhaust gas is condensed at −29° C. to recover the ethylene oxide. However, this method has high energy consumption and very high equipment requirements.
Accordingly, tools and techniques for the improved treatment and recovery of ethylene oxide from sterilization exhaust gas are provided.

Ethylene oxide adsorption tower and recovery system, and method for recovering ethylene oxide