The present invention is directed to a method for controlling and adjusting the permeability of a cigarette wrapping paper. Permeability is controlled in the paper by adding different sized filler particles in different proportionate amounts. Permeability of the paper is altered without having to change the total amount of filler in the paper. By selectively controlling the permeability of the paper, various characteristics and properties of a cigarette made with the paper can be likewise modified as desired. In one embodiment of the present invention, the permeability of a cigarette wrapper can be automatically maintained or adjusted as the paper is being made.

Cigarettes are conventionally made by wrapping a column of tobacco in a white wrapping paper. Cigarettes also usually include a filter joined to one end of the tobacco column by a tipping paper. Wrapping papers and tipping papers are typically made from flax or other cellulosic fibers and contain a filler, such as calcium carbonate.
Besides being used to hold the cigarette together and to provide the cigarette with an aesthetic appearance, cigarette wrapping papers also contribute to or control many physical properties and characteristics of the cigarette. For instance, cigarette wrapping paper can be used to control the rate in which the cigarette burns, the number of puffs per cigarette, and the total tar delivery per puff. Cigarette paper can also be used to limit the amount of smoke that emanates from the lit end of the cigarette when it is left burning. Further, cigarette paper is even used to reduce the tendency of cigarettes to ignite surfaces which come in contact with the cigarette and to cause the cigarette to self-extinguish when left unattended.
Perhaps the most important property of cigarette wrapping paper that is used to control the above-described characteristics of a cigarette is permeability. By increasing or decreasing the permeability of a wrapping paper, many changes occur in a cigarette made from the paper, including most importantly the overall taste of the cigarette.
In the past, many of those skilled in the art have devised various methods for controlling and adjusting the permeability of cigarette wrapping paper. For instance, one method of altering the permeability of wrapping paper is to vary the fiber furnish that is used to make the paper.
Another method of controlling permeability of a wrapping paper is to either increase or decrease the refining of the fiber furnish. Generally speaking, refining the fiber furnish to a greater extent causes a reduction in permeability. More particularly, refining the cellulosic material that is used to make the paper down into smaller sizes creates more surface area, which reduces permeability and leads to better formation.
A third way in which the permeability of cigarette paper is controlled is to change the amount of filler added to the paper. Increasing or decreasing the filler loading of the paper causes an increase or decrease in permeability respectively. As more filler is added to the paper, the filler tends to interfere with the hydrogen bonding between fibers creating the increase in permeability.
Of the above three methods, increasing or decreasing the filler level is perhaps the simplest method for adjusting permeability. Unfortunately, however, altering filler levels in cigarette paper also affects the burn rate of the cigarette independently of permeability. As burn rate changes, so does puff count and total tar delivery.
Other problems are also experienced when filler levels are altered. For instance, as filler content is increased, the strength of the paper is compromised. Conversely, when not enough filler is incorporated into the paper, the opacity of the paper significantly decreases, adversely affecting the appearance of the cigarette. Therefore, there is increasing pressure to keep filler levels in cigarette paper constant or at least within a preset range, thereby leaving the amount of refining and the selection of furnish as the only tools for permeability adjustments.
Thus, a need exists for a simple method of adjusting the permeability of a cigarette paper without adversely affecting various characteristics of the paper and without having to significantly alter the amount of filler contained within the paper. A need also exists for a method of controlling the permeability of cigarette paper that can be used in conjunction with refining adjustments and furnish selection. Further, there is also a need for a system that will automatically maintain or adjust the permeability of a paper as the paper is being made.

Method for controlling the permeability of a paper


A policy server and a charging server authorize and authenticate data traffic bypassing a mobile network. The policy server stores subscriber records, each containing one a mobile subscriber identifier corresponding to a communication device. The policy server receives a control session request from a gateway server in a fixed broadband network, including a broadband subscriber identifier and a first network address. Responsive to receiving the request, the policy server creates and stores a control session record including the broadband subscriber identifier and the first network address. The policy server receives an access session request from an application server in a multimedia network, including a mobile subscriber identifier and a second network address. The policy server determines whether the first network address matches the second network address; and when the determination is affirmative, updates the control session record to insert the mobile subscriber identifier.

Non-seamless WLAN offload (NSWO) is a known set of technologies permitting mobile computing devices such as smart phones to direct certain data traffic over wide area networks, bypassing mobile networks that would otherwise be used for such traffic. However, the bypass traffic may still terminate at a network element associated with the mobile network, and thus it may remain desirable for elements of the mobile network to track the traffic for authorization and authentication purposes.
In some instances, interworking between wide area networks and mobile networks is possible, for example according to the principles set out in the Broadband Forum specifications. In other instances, however, such interworking may be difficult or impossible, such as when the broadband and mobile networks use distinct identifiers for communication devices.

Method, system and apparatus for policy based authorization and authentication of data traffic bypassing mobile network


A work bench including a frame and a table surface connected to the frame. The table surface includes first and second table surface members. The first table surface member is movably coupled with the frame and has first and second ends. The work bench also includes a first user-actuatable drive member for moving the first end of the first table surface member, a second user-actuatable drive member for moving the second end of the first table surface member and a third user-actuatable drive member for moving the first end and the second end of the first table surface member concurrently.

Carpenters, woodworkers and handymen who work with wood as well as other materials, often need a work bench or table which may be utilized to hold workpieces. Ordinarily, these work benches include a frame and a table surface connected to the frame, the table surface including at least two substantially flat members. One of the members is movably coupled with said frame in order to enable clamping of a workpiece between said members. These tables may be versatile, may provide for secure clamping, and may be compact and adjustable.
Such work benches ordinarily includes two vise screws with handles on each one. The vise screws, via the handles, may be operated by the user with the user using both hands. Both handles must be rotated in order to clamp a workpiece between the clamping table members. A transmission belt or chain connecting the two screws may be provided, such that both of the screws may be cranked using only one hand. One handed cranking of the vise to clamp the workpiece allows the user to hold the workpiece in place with his other hand.
However, such mechanisms can be difficult to operate or stiff to turn, since the turning force for both screws must be applied via one handle. It is also desirable to increase the ease and convenience of the clamping operation.


A method for assessing and responding to a level of awareness of a flight crew member onboard an aircraft is provided. The method assesses an eye-scanning behavior of the flight crew member to determine whether the flight crew member is aware of a system-initiated change to a flight parameter; and when the flight crew member is not aware of the system-initiated change, orients the flight crew member to the system-initiated change.

Flight crew members of modern, highly-automated aircraft are tasked with maintaining awareness of many flight critical parameters and auto-flight modes. While there are many safety sub-systems that will alert pilots to unsafe operation conditions, these are designed to be "the last line of defense", and often come very late in an evolving unsafe situation. As a result, they often induce a startle response in the pilot during a flight critical phase, such as final approach, where pilot workload and stress are already high. Unfortunately, these alerts can occur too late for a pilot to orient themselves to the situation and execute the correct recovery action.
The operating assumption is that if information is presented via a flight display element in the aircraft, a flight crew member is aware of it. This assumption is countered by substantial research and multitudes of accidents and incidents where flight crew members were unaware of even the most salient and incessant visual and/or audio alerts. While flight crew members are trained to conduct stereotypic, regular scans of instruments, research also indicates that most flight crew members, and even flight instructors, do not do so. This scan is designed to insure that flight crew members regularly sample the state of flight critical parameters, such as airspeed, altitude, auto-flight mode, engine state, and vertical speed. However, if flight crew members do not adequately review some flight deck display element, they may not comprehend the import of a change. In some cases, a flight crew member could briefly look at a display element without registering the mission impact (e.g., "looking but not seeing"). This is particularly important in single pilot operations where the pilot flying does not have a pilot monitor whose primary responsibility is to monitor for such changes.
Another exacerbating factor is that auto-flight systems have authority to transition automated modes without requiring flight crew acknowledgment, which is often only indicated by a subtle change on a mode annunciation display. During heavy task loads, flight crew members are frequently unaware of these changes or the communication of the change somehow fails despite using commonly accepted crew resource management (CRM) practices.
Accordingly, it is desirable to assess awareness of changes, especially flight mode changes, to ensure that a flight crew member is, in fact, aware of the airplane state to support decision making and intervention if necessary. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Methods and apparatus for determining pilot awareness of a system-initiated change based on scanning behavior


A thin semiconductor device (50) can be cost effectively manufactured using conventional wire bonding technology and stamped leadframes. A flagless leadframe (12) is utilized in one embodiment. A support tape (14) having a die support surface (20) is attached transversely to a plurality of leads (18) of the leadframe. A semiconductor die (16) is attached on its active surface to the die support surface such that the active surface is coplanar with the leadframe. Low loop wire bonds (24) electrically connect the die to the leadframe. A resin encapsulant package body (52) is molded around the active surface of the die, the wire bonds, and a portion of the leads. An inactive surface of the die is exposed for enhanced thermal dissipation in addition to enabling a thin package body. External lead configuration of the semiconductor device is not limited.

Semiconductor devices are widely used in various types of electronic products, consumer products, portable equipment, integrated circuit cards, and the like. One feature of semiconductor devices which is important in many of these applications is the thickness of a semiconductor device. It is desirable to keep the profile of the device as thin as possible in certain applications and/or products where a slim and lightweight design is preferable.
In addition to establishing a thin profile semiconductor device, manufacturers are also driven to maintain a low manufacturing cost. A significant material cost in manufacturing a semiconductor device other than the semiconductor die is the leadframe. The cost of a leadframe can be reduced significantly if the production level is high enough such that the leadframe can be stamped instead of etched.
Tape automated bonding (TAB) can be used to manufacture thin profile semiconductor devices. However, TAB is complex assembly process as compared to traditional plastic assembly of semiconductor devices using conventional processing equipment and methods. Furthermore, TAB tape, which is composed of patterned metal on polymer tape such as copper on polyimide, is costly because the metal pattern has to be etched. Additionally, in order to electrically connect a semiconductor die to the metallized TAB tape, either the die or the tape has to be gold bumped which is more costly and more complex than conventional wire bonding. A need exists for an easily manufacturable thin profile semiconductor device which is cost effective.

Semiconductor device having thin package body and method for making the same


A device for emitting electromagnetic radiation, in particular UV radiation, including at least one radiating unit that only emits radiation at visible wavelengths. The device further includes a unit for detecting a functional error of the radiating unit. In practice, the radiating unit is provided for emitting only UV radiation and/or IR radiation and is formed by a light diode. The detection unit is designed to continuously monitor the radiating unit for functional errors, and the device includes an open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit which is provided to automatically switch off the radiating unit and/or display the functional error, upon detection of the functional error by the detection unit.

The invention pertains to a device for emitting electromagnetic radiation, in particular UV radiation, which comprises at least one radiating means which emits radiation only at invisible wavelengths.
Lamps which comprise ultra-violet radiation-emitting LEDs are known from DE 10 2004 043 295 B4, EP 1 623 213 B1, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,722 B2. They are used for visual inspections of workpiece surfaces, in particular for the detection of contaminants, for dye penetrant inspection, and for fluorescent magnetic powder inspection.
In the case of visual inspection, in particular for the inspection of workpiece surfaces by the fluorescent dye penetrant method, defects on workpiece surfaces are made visible by exposing a fluorescent agent to ultraviolet radiation. The inspection is usually carried out in the dark, e.g., at an ambient illumination intensity of less than 20 Lux, because, in terms of visual perception, the sensitivity of the human eye to contrast is increased under mesopic viewing conditions (twilight vision) and scotopic viewing (night vision); thus more effective testing can be carried out when there is high contrast between the surface to be studied and the stimulated fluorescence.

Device for emitting electromagnetic radiation, in particular UV radiation


The present invention provides a method of inputting light into a core layer of a multimode optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes an under-cladding layer; and the core layer formed so that at least a part of the core layer is adjacent to the under-cladding layer. The method includes inputting the light into the core layer so that a spot of the light at an input port-side end surface of the multimode optical waveguide completely includes an input port of the core layer; a spot area of the light at the input port-side end surface of the multimode optical waveguide is twice or more of an area of the input port of the core layer; and an angle of input range of the light at an input port end surface of the core layer is from 10° to 30°.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of inputting light into an optical waveguide.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, as a small high-sensitivity sensor, a sensor has been proposed which includes a planar polymer optical waveguide, and optionally includes a sensing film reacting with a predetermined substance, a metal thin-film, and the like, for performing various chemical analyses and/or biochemical analyses through use of an evanescent wave generated on a surface of the polymer optical waveguide (for example, International Patent WO2008/75578 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 2000-19100 and 2007-263736).
However, there is an increasing demand for detection of a minute change and/or a trace amount of a component with a small sample amount, and thus further enhancement of detection sensitivity is also being demanded in analysis using the above-mentioned sensor. In particular, from a viewpoint of a signal/noise (S/N) ratio, it is important to enhance a signal.

Method of inputting light into optical waveguide


The invention is a fishing net system which is selective for catching one or more species and for excluding one or more species. It includes a fishing net having webbing of adequate size to catch one or more desired species a sound transmitting unit and one or more underwater speakers. The sound transmitting unit is at a remote location, e.g. on a boat, and the speakers are located, within close proximity to the fishing net. The speakers emit sounds which offend one or more species and frighten them away from the net without offending other species.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a novel fishing net system and more specifically to a combination conventional fishing net and a means for selective species capture, by exclusion or inclusion of desired species. The means utilized is species selective sonic deterrent means.
2. Prior Art Statement
Fishing net systems have been around for centuries and are even referenced in the Bible. Until recently, commercial fishing had not changed very much and is an important industry for nearly all nations. Recent developments have included net redesign to maximize the catch and some netting arrangements have been made to selectively include or exclude certain species.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,654, to Trekel, et al, describes tandem dragnets to overcome physical load problems of conventional nets and briefly describes other prior art patents therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,084 describes a fishing net with photoconductive cables to create a plurality of fiber optics light sources which influence fish by attaching them into a net and then by discouraging them from exiting the net.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,335, issued to West, et al, covers a sorting device for trawl nets which utilizes a particular net arrangement with a funnel to frighten finfish away but to sort shellfish therethrough.
Notwithstanding the prior art, none teach or suggest the use of sonic deterrents to selectively exclude one or more species away from a fishing net, as in the present invention.


A light incident into a wedge type light scattering conducting element from a light incident surface of the light scattering conducting element is converted into a light flux having a directionality and is output from a light output surface. The output light is input to a wedge type emitting direction characteristic adjusting element arranged with a positional relationship complementary to the light scattering conducting element. A prism shaped irregularity for adjusting a propagating directionality of the light in longitudinal/transverse directions is formed on a light input surface/light output surface of the wedge type emitting direction characteristic adjusting element. The wedge type emitting direction characteristic adjusting element has a weakened scattering power depending on requirements, thereby a degree of directionality sharpness of the light emitted from a surface light source device is adjusted. Various modifications are provided for the light scattering conducting elements, and regions having different scattering powers are combined for various patterns. The device is useful for A backlight source.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a surface light source device. In more detail, the invention relates to a surface light source device using an optical element (hereinafter referred to as "a scattering light conducting element") having a function to conduct an incident light while scattering in a volume region. The invention can be adapted to an optional application requiring a high uniform emitting light flux, and in particular, effectively utilized as a display backlight source means of a liquid crystal display device, etc.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, heretofore known are various kinds of surface light source devices of the type capable of emitting the light in a desired direction using the scattering phenomenon, those of which are used for a backlight source of the liquid crystal display devices or the like.
One similar type of such known surface light source devices, includes a light emitting panel in which a light incident means is provided on a lateral side of a light conducting element made of a plate shaped transparent material, a reflection element is provided on a back surface-side, and a light scattering property is given adjacent a front surface-side surface to produce a light emitting surface, and which is used as a backlight of the liquid crystal display device and the like.
Such devices are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Opens Sho-62-235905 in 1987, Sho-63-63083 in 1988, Hei-2-13925 in 1990, and Hei-2-245787 in 1990.
Those surface light source devices, spreading in the light emitting direction are produced by irregular reflection or mirror reflection adjacent to the light conducting element or on reflection elements, and the light scattering is not generated in a volume shape from inside of the light conducting means, Therefore, it is theoretically difficult to sufficiently raise a rate of scattering light outputted from the scattering light conducting device.
In the surface light source device, to obtain a uniform irradiation degree, a tilt depending on distance from the light incident means must be given to reflectivity of the reflection element as shown in the known disclosures above. This introduces a complicated larger type structure together with a higher manufacturing cost.
When the surface light source device is used for the backlight of the liquid crystal display devices and the like, there must be sacrificed some of requirements such as brightness, uniformity of irradiation degree, a thinner construction, and economy and the like.
As a second similar type of the known surface light source devices there is used a light diffusing plate in which particle substances having a different refractive index from an extended plate shaped transparent material are diffused into the inside of the transparent material.
The similar types of those are disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration Patent Application Laid Open Sho-51-89888 in 1976, Japanese Patent Application Laid Opens Hei-1-172801 in 1989, Hei-1236257 in 1989, Hei-1-269901 in 1989, Hei-2-221925 in 1990, and Hei-4-145485 in 1992.
Japanese Patent Application Laid Opens Hei-2221925 in 1990 and Hei-4-145485 disclose that a light is incident from lateral side of the plate shaped light scattering conducting element, where a reflection element is arranged on surface side of one-side, the other side surface is made a light emitting surface, and this forms a backlight source of the liquid crystal display device and the like.
In these arrangements, a light scattering arises in a volume shaped manner due to irregularity of the refractive index produced by the particle substances scattered and mixed into the inside of the transparent element.
However, various counter measures to uniform illuminance as a surface light source in those surface light source device are employed; namely, to give a gradient to a diffusing concentration of the particle substance which is diffused into the scattering light conducting element; to provide a scattering enforcement means such as mesh shape or dot shape by using light dispersing ink and the like on the back-side of the light scattering conducting element; or in some cases to give a gradient on a density of the mesh shape or the dot shape.
Conventionally, there has been employed a method comprising the step of, raising at most the light scattering power where a scattering power is lowered at a part adjacent to a light source together with the decrease of the scattering power at a portion adjacent to the light source, or raising the light scattering power at most including an enforcement layer of a mesh shape or a dot shape on the backside at a position apart from the light source.
In the background where conventionally the method as described above has been employed, in fact it is an advantage that, to avoid deterioration of illuminance apart from the light source, there must be provided a gradient of the light scattering power in any form depending on a distance from the light source in the case where the light scattering conducting light element is formed by dispersing particles having a different refractive index into the matrix, in addition to a history where it has been considered that generally a scattering enforcement means of a back surface region of the scattering light conducting element is indispensable for maintaining the required amount of scattering light, in the ordinary sized scattering light conducting element.
For another form of technique of the second similar type, it is proposed that a shape of the light scattering conducting element is made a wedge shape or a triangle roof shape, and without providing gradient to a different refractive index substance diffusion density itself within one light scattering conducting element.
For example, Japanese patent Laid Open Hei-4-140783 in 1992 disclosed the surface light source device using a plate shaped member combined by a relationship in that a light scattering conducting element (an opalescent substrate) having a mountain (L character) shaped sectional view is arranged apart from an object to be illuminated, and a transparent substrate having a complementary shape thereto is arranged in the vicinity of a side of the object to be illuminated. A light source is disposed on a lateral side of the plate shaped member. In the surface light source device, a light emitted from the light source travels mainly through the transparent substrate to be incident on the opalescent substrate, where the scattered light travels again through the transparent substrate to be emitted from a surface adjacent a side of the object to be illuminated. As a result, passing two times through a boundary surface between the opalescent substrate and the transparent substrate, this then produces a larger light loss disadvantageously.
A surface light source device has been proposed in which, using the so called injection type polymerization, the light scattering conducting element is formed into one sheet of plate shape by combining two wedge type light scattering conducting elements having different scattering powers which have allowed different refractive index substances to uniformly disperse into each polymer matrix, and thus, a light is incident from the lateral direction (see "PCT/JP92/01230", "Polymer Reprints, Japan Vol. 41, No. 3; 1992", p802, and "Polymer Reprints, Japan Vol. 41, No. 7; 1992", p2945 to 2947).
In the prior art, it is difficult to raise an efficiency for light utilization of the surface light source device in that the light is incident from a lateral direction of a transparent materiel of an extending plate shape and a reflecting element is arranged on one-side surface and a light diffusion property is given adjacent to the other-side front surface. If a rise of illuminance of the light emitting surface is intended, the various enforcement means are more required with the increase of a thickness of the device, producing a disadvantage economically.
In the type using such transparent plate, in the case where a mesh or dot shaped enforcement layer is provided on a backside surface of the transparent plate for enforcing a scattering power and unifying a illuminance distribution, then a drawback arises where the mesh of enforcement layer or the pattern of dots is transparently seen on observing the light scattering conducting element from the light emitting surface-side. In order to prevent this, a light scattering powered film or the like is arranged also on the light emitting surface-side. However, such additional structure causes absorption of the light and produces deterioration of the efficiency for light utilization. Moreover, manufacturing cost is raised with a complicated structure of the device.
On the other hand, combining the-light scattering conducting element with the light source element on which a light is incident from its lateral direction, thereby to produce a surface light source device, and even when employing a means of providing a gradient to a diffusion concentration itself of the particle substance diffused into the light scattering conducting element or of providing the light scattering enforcement layer of the mesh shape or dot shape or the like by using the light diffusion property ink and the like on a back surface-side of the light scattering conducting element, it is impossible to avoid disadvantages, such as the complicated structure of the devices, complicated manufacturing processes, and high grade of the devices and manufacturing processes respectively following the additional technical means.
For a scattering power gradient providing means, in the case of employing a procedure of forming the enforcement layer of mesh shape and dot shape on the light scattering conducting element back surface portion or providing a gradient on the scattering power of the enforcement layer, then a predetermined gradient is required for a distribution density of the mesh or dot patterns, the manufacturing process becomes more complicated, therefore this apparently introduces more disadvantages than the case of forming the simple scattering enforcement layer in view of the manufacturing cost.
In the case where a uniform brightness is intended for the surface light source device by giving a gradient to the diffusion density of a substance having a different refractive index diffused into the polymer matrix, then it is not always easy for industrial technique to manufacture in a rapid and stable manner the light scattering conducting element having a diffusion density gradient as intended, where such is not considered as a technique suitable for mass production.
The technique, which has been proposed by the present inventors, is of a high efficiency of scattering and is capable of relatively freely setting an average scattering power and a scattering gradient.
However as in the Laid Opens and specifications, there arises the same problem as above where the gradient is given to the different refractive index diffusion density of the light scattering conducting element in view of mass production since the product is manufactured by the injection type (casting) polymerization as a wedge shaped light scattering conducting element.
In the surface light source device of the type using the conventional light scattering conducting element, a light amount for emitting from a light output surface is to be secured through making a traveling direction of the light to be random by a light scattering operation given to the inside of the light scattering conducting element, and not rendering a prior condition of the technical problem for allowing the emitting light from the surface light source device to have a particular directionality. Therefore, it is difficult to adjust distribution of a propagation direction of the emitting light from the scattering, light conducting element.
In those circumstances, it is proposed that a directionality of the emitting light of the surface light source device be adjusted by additionally arranging a light emitting direction correction element on a light emitting surface of the light scattering conducting element. However because the light emitting direction correcting element used therein is not a wedge type, the following problems arise.
(1) When combining with the light scattering conducting element of the wedge type, it is difficult to form a whole thereof into a uniform thickness because of a thickness difference between the light incident surface-side and the end portion. PA1 (2) A technical means for adjusting an intensity of the directionality of the light emitted from the surface light source device. There has not yet been proposed an idea in that an intensity of a directionality of the light emitted from the surface light source device is adjusted through an intensity of a scattering power given to the light emitting direction correcting element. PA1 (3) In the case where the known thin sheet shaped light emitting direction correcting element is used for suppressing a thickness of the surface light source device, the manufacture thereof by a simple emitting forming method is difficult. This must be prepared as separated parts by another manufacturing method from the light scattering conducting element. Therefore, it is not advantageous in view of manufacturing cost. PA1 (4) To obtain a light emitting direction correcting function (hereinafter referred to simply as "transverse direction") as viewed from a light incident surface-side of the light scattering conducting element, two sheets of light emitting direction correcting elements are required to be arranged orthogonally with each other. This introduces an increase of the number of parts and a more complicated manufacturing process.


The instant disclosure relates to a camera angle adjustable device. The camera angle adjustable device includes a base, a camera module, a reflective mirror structure and a driver. The base has a first surface, a second surface, a front side and a back side. The camera module is disposed on one side perpendicular to the front side and the back side of the first surface. The reflective mirror structure includes a frame and a mirror body, wherein the frame is pivotally connected to the first surface, the mirror body is mounted on the frame, and the mirror body selectively corresponds to one of the front side and the back side. The driver is mounted on the second surface and connected to the reflective mirror structure in order to drive the reflective mirror structure. A method for adjustable the camera angle is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant disclosure relates to a camera angle adjustable device and a method for adjusting a camera angle; in particular, to a camera angle adjustable device and a method for adjusting a camera angle for a portable electronic device.
2. Description of Related Art
As modern science and technology develops, the demand for photographic capabilities in portable electronic devices, such as tablet computers and mobile phones, significantly increases. Moreover, front facing and rear facing photographic shooting has been further developed, such that users can shoot in front of or behind the electronic device.
Conventional portable electronic device may include a two-directional system which uses two different lens modules to provide the forward and rearward shooting. Users can switch between the two lens modules via software control to achieve two-directional shooting.
Although the conventional technique allows users to shoot in two directions, since two independent lens modules and power supply systems are required, production costs increase, the volume occupied by the electronic devices increase, and the complexity of the circuit design directly or indirectly increase. In addition, forward and rearward photographic modules typically display different resolutions in which one resolution typically suffers. In general, the resolution of the rearward photographic module is much poorer than the forward photographic module, thus, the image quality in many photographic modules on portable electronic devices for capturing an image with a self-timer, is generally poor.
To address the above issues, the inventor strives via associated experience and research to present the instant disclosure, which can effectively improve the limitation described above.

Camera angle adjustable device and the method of handling the article


A device for tamper protecting and authenticating a liquid product distributor including a container with a cylindrical neck with a seal engaged therein, further including an indicator element with a collar which is elastically inwardly collapsible and whose largest diameter is greater that the neck internal diameter and which is removably disposed on the lower part of the seal and is trapped in the container after a forced penetration through the neck. The indicator element includes a sleeve in which the lower part of the seal is radially clamped.

Such a dispenser generally comprises a liquid reservoir provided with a cylindrical neck into which closure or stopper means are engaged.
More precisely, the invention relates to a device that enables the consumer to determine easily whether a dispenser and the packaged liquid that it contains are authentic and to check that the dispenser has not been tampered with, degraded, or recycled.
Devices of this type already exist whose function is to serve as media for electronic systems (chips, transmitters, etc.) that guarantee the traceability of the dispenser and/or of the liquid.
Unfortunately, those devices are held stationary by being fastened permanently to one of the component elements of the dispenser.
In addition, those devices do not make it possible to see directly the presence of damaged portions or marks resulting from an attempt to break open the dispenser, and that is detrimental to the consumer or to the vendor.
An object of the present invention is to solve those technical problems satisfactorily.

Device for tamper protecting and authenticating a liquid product distributor


A spiral staircase includes a shaft pole for the staircase, a plurality of arms spirally connected to the outer periphery of the shaft pole, treads fixed to the upper surface of each arm, a plurality of balusters fixed to the outside end portion of a plurality of arms in parallel with the shaft pole, and a plurality of handrails mounted and connected between the balusters pillars, wherein each of the arms is connected to the shaft pole by an arm connecting metal, each baluster is connected to each arm by a baluster connecting metal, and the baluster and the handrails are connected by a handrail connecting metal. Since the connecting metals are used for the connection between the shaft pole and the arms, between the arms and the balusters and between the balusters and the handrails, connection and assembly of the spiral staircase can be carried out easily, reliably and firmly without requiring skilled labor, and the cost of the production and high operation efficiency can be accomplished.

A staircase in a wooden building is normally assembled and installed using a conventionally traditional method of construction.
Various methods of construction are used in the installation of a staircase in a wooden building. Among them, the most complicated method for construction relates to the assembly of a spiral staircase, which can only be implemented with the aid of the techniques of a carpenter.
Specifically, a spiral staircase installed in a wooden building includes a complicated framework, and a number of wooden members, joints, and the like, which require assembly. Specific methods for processing and working are required for such a complicated assembly of a spiral staircase, resulting in the problems of inefficiency in operation, a prolonged construction period, high costs, and the like, because the techniques of a professional carpenter are needed for such operations.
This invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the prior art and has an object of providing a spiral staircase and a connecting metal for the spiral staircase. The staircase can be connected and assembled simply, with certainty, and firmly without special carpenters techniques by using metals for connecting a shaft pole with the arm which is a tread of the spiral staircase, connection of the arm with a baluster, and connection of the baluster with a handrail, whereby low costs and high efficiency in operation can be achieved.

Spiral staircase and connecting metals for spiral staircase


The present invention relates to solid compositions of polymers or copolymers of unsaturated carboxylic acids partially or completely neutralized, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof as thickening agents.

The thickening agents based on polymers or copolymers of unsaturated carboxylic acids, mainly acrylic acid and the copolymers thereof have been known for a long time. They are used, generally in neutralized form, in a variety of industrial fields, for example to thicken cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations, paints, inks, detergents, pastes for textile printing and the like.
The commercial products are in the form of powders or liquid formulations or pastes consisting of the thickening agent, generally in the neutralized form, dispersed in a water/oil phase of hydrocarbon type.
The powdered products in the acid form have the advantage of providing the thickening agent in the pure state, and are suitable when no undesired substances are to be introduced. However they are difficult to use since they are exceedingly pulverulent and moreover a time-consuming dispersion thereof in a solvent (generally water) and a subsequent neutralization are necessary.
Powdered products in the neutralized form are already commercially available, but they suffer from a problem of being highly pulverulent.
The liquid or paste formulations, on the contrary, are easy to use in the already neutralized form. The use thereof is widespread in the textile field for the preparation of printing pastes not only since they are easy to use, but also above all because they provide high quality prints as far as colour yield, uniformity and contour sharpness are concerned.
However, the use of liquid or paste formulations necessarily involves the introduction in the printing pastes of high amounts of volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.), which are released in the air during the production. Therefore, the presence of V.O.C. involves problems of safety and environmental pollution.
For these reasons, the market of the thickening agents for textile printing tends to employ easy-to-use formulations with a reduced V.O.C. content or even free from V.O.C..
Liquid formulations of thickening agents free from V.O.C. consisting of emulsion polymers (latexes) are also on the market. However, said products have a very low viscosimetric yield, and therefore they have to be used in large amounts when a high viscosity is required.
According to this trend, Canadian Patent 2,085,481 discloses the preparation of solid thickening agents already neutralized and free from volatile powders, and of course from V.O.C.
Said products are acrylic acid polymers or copolymers, optionally cross-linked, obtained with techniques of inverse emulsion polymerization of acrylic acid salts and/or copolymers thereof. The preparation is carried out in the presence of polyalkylene glycols. The products are recovered by filtration after azeotropically removing the water from the system. The thickening agents obtained according to this process are substantially free from V.O.C. and dust-free. Their main use is the thickening of pastes for textile printing.
On the other hand, the compositions obtained according to this Patent involve some problems connected with the inverse emulsion preparation process. In particular, thickened gels of high transmittance, which is a paramount feature of many cosmetics in which the appearance is one of the more significant characteristics, cannot be prepared due to the presence of some synthesis additives which are water-insoluble, such as surfactants or the low HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) polymeric adjuvants necessary to prepare the inverse emulsion. Moreover, the resulting products are not very versatile, in fact they cannot be further formulated adding other ingredients conventionally used for textile printing pastes, to obtain ready-to-use formulations. As a matter of fact, the addition of other components during the polymerization step can negatively affect the process or the inverse emulsion destabilizing it, or make definitely more complex the process itself.


A light-emitting device includes a plurality of LED chips arranged in series and each including a chip substrate and a crystal layer including a light-emitting layer. One of the plurality of LED chips is configured such that the chip substrate thereof includes a side surface facing another adjacent LED chip of the plurality of LED chips. The side surface has a highest cleavability among all side surfaces of the chip substrate of the one of the plurality of LED chips.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a light-emitting device.
2. Related Art
A light-emitting device is known that a light-shielding film is formed on side surfaces of an LED chip (See, e.g., JP-A-2006-086191). The light-shielding film is formed by laminating e.g., SiO2 film and aluminum film so as to substantially eliminate light emitted through the side surfaces of the LED chip.


A lopper includes a slender rod and a pruning means mounted on a top of the rod. The slender rod includes an inner tube and an outer tube telescoped mutually such that the inner tube is shiftable in the outer tube for changing the length it jutting out from the outer tube. An extension-control unit is provided at the border region between the inner tube and the outer tube for positioning the inner tube. A fist actuating unit and a second actuating unit are provided at the outer surface of the outer tube. The fist and second actuating units are connected with the pruning means through a first rope, a second rope and a third rope so that when a user pulls the first or second actuating unit, a shear assembly of the pruning means can be closed to cut branches and leaves of plants.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to gardening tools, and more particularly, to a lopper for pruning tree branches and leaves lying high.
2. Description of Related Art
A lopper is typically implemented to prune tree branches and leaves lying high, which is composed of a slender rod and a pair of shears mounted on the top of the rod. One general objective of loppers is to facilitate effort-saving operation. To achieve this objective, various mechanisms employing linkages and levers are applied to loppers, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,178,644 and 4,649,646. However, as the conventional lopper has the complexly structured and bulky shears mounted on the top of the rod, it would be difficult for a user to maintain the balance of the lopper while holding and operating the same. Besides, the heavy weight of the shears of the conventional lopper substantially burdens the user. Moreover, the intricate linkages and ropes settled around the shears are liable to get tangled with luxuriant branches and leaves where a user tries to stretch the shears through, therefore resulting in retarded efficiency of pruning.
One solution for the aforementioned conventional loppers has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,315. It is obvious that the shears of lopper of '315 Patent are more simplified and efficient as compared with those of the aforementioned conventional loppers. Nevertheless, linkage efficiency is not perfectly performed in '315 Patent because the distance between the point where the chain exerts a force on the blade and the pivot point is not long enough for facilitating effort-saving pruning. Therefore, the inventor of the present invention further enhances the keenness of the blades with the attempt to compensate for the short of effort-saving efficiency. Furthermore, as the rod of the '315 lopper has a fixed length which is not extendable, if a user wants to prune branches and leaves at a relatively higher location, a ladder has to be implemented to lift the user and this may disadvantageously render inconvenience and danger to the user.


A device may include a number of optical waveguides, each of which being spaced from one another. The optical waveguides may each include at least one curved section and widths of the curved sections of the optical waveguides may be selected to reduce polarization conversion of light traversing the birefringent optical waveguides.

Conventional optical communication systems are known in which light having a single wavelength is modulated in accordance with an information stream and transmitted along an optical communication path, such as an optical fiber. In order to increase the information carrying capacity of such systems, so-called wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical communication systems have been developed. In a WDM optical communication system, multiple modulated optical signals, each having a different wavelength, are transmitted on the optical communication path. WDM optical communication systems often include optical transmitters, which output the optical signals, and an optical combiner, which combines the optical signals into a WDM optical signal that is supplied to one end of an optical communication path. At the receive end of the optical communication path, the optical signals may be de-multiplexed and supplied to corresponding optical receivers.
In order to further increase the capacity of WDM optical communications systems, optical signals having different polarizations, but the same wavelength, are modulated independently of each other and combined or polarization multiplexed onto the optical communication path. Thus, optical signals, at each wavelength, can have first light with a first polarization and second light with a second polarization, and the first and second light may be modulated to carry separate information streams. As generally understood, the first polarization component may have a transverse electrical (TE) polarization and the second polarization component may have a transverse magnetic (TM) polarization, such that the TE polarization is oriented in an orthogonal direction relative to the TM polarization.
WDM optical communication systems may be assembled from discrete components, wherein, for example, the transmitters and combiners are housed separately from one another or provided or mounted on a board or card. Alternatively, photonic integrated circuits (PICs) have been developed in which these components, as well as others, are integrated on a common semiconductor substrate. In order to realize further capacity increases, modulated optical signals generated by a PIC may be polarization multiplexed, as noted above.
In particular, each of the optical transmitters on the PIC may include a laser, and portions of the light output from the laser may be separately modulated to provide first and second modulated optical signals having the same wavelength. Since, as generally understood, the laser typically outputs light having a TE polarization, the polarization of one of the first and second modulated optical signals may be rotated by a polarization rotator to have TM polarization while the other modulated optical signal is not rotated and remains at a TE polarization. The first and second modulated optical signals (also referred to herein as TE and TM modulated optical signals, respectively) may then be combined in a polarization beam combiner provided either on the PIC or off the PIC.
In one example, the PIC includes one or more waveguides which direct the TE polarized light portions supplied by the laser from one component on the PIC to another prior to rotation and polarization multiplexing. For example, a waveguide may be provided that routes or directs lght from the laser to the combiner. A modulator may be provided between the laser and combiner, which may also include waveguides. In addition, known combiners, such as arrayed waveguide gratings may further include waveguides.
The waveguides on a PIC may include both straight and bent or curved portions in order to conform to a device layout, for example. The straight and curved portions of the waveguide have different radii of curvature ("ROC"), such that there is an abrupt change in the ROC (i.e., a discontinuity) where a straight section joins a curved section, for example. Many such ROC discontinuities may occur over the length of a waveguide. If this "ROC profile" contains large enough abrupt changes or discontinuities in ROC, it can induce polarization scattering from the desired TE light to undesirable TM light. The scattered light from the multiple scattering events can add up as light propagates down the length of the waveguide. Because the scattered light remains coherent (trapped in the TM mode of the waveguide), how the various components add up will depend on their phase relationships.
U.S. Patent Application Publication 2012/0002920, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes adjusting the phase relationships of the various scattered TM light components to destructively interfere with each other, thereby minimizing the combined scattering to TM light. In short, the previously described method involves adjusting the physical lengths of the various arcs in the waveguide to be an integer multiple of the so-called "TE-TM beat length" of the waveguide.
The TE-TM beat length of the waveguide is simply λ/ΔN, where λ is the free-space wavelength of light propagating in the waveguide, and ΔN is the difference between the effective refractive index (neff) of the fundamental TE and TM modes of the waveguide (i.e. ΔN=neffTE−neffTM). ΔN is known in the art as the "birefringence" of the waveguide. High birefringence means the TE and TM fundamental modes travel at very different speeds. Low birefringence means the TE and TM modes travel at very similar speeds. The beat length physically represents the length of waveguide required to reproduce the phase relationship between TE and TM light. In other words, if TE and TM light in the fundamental modes of the guide have a given phase relationship at one location, as they propagate down the waveguide, the phase relationship will drift due to the light propagating at different speeds in the guide. At one beat length down the guide, the phase drift will equal 2π radians, and hence, the phase relationship will be the same as it was one beat length earlier.
A curved section that is an integer multiple of beat lengths is like having no curved section at all, thereby eliminating scattering to TM light. Physically, if the curved section arc length is an integer multiple of beat lengths, the TM light scattering at the entrance and exit of the curved section will add destructively, cancelling out or minimizing the combined TM light scattering. Likewise, if the curved section is an odd integer multiple of half a beat length, the entrance and exit scattered TM light components will add constructively leading to "resonant TM polarization scattering."
In the US Patent Application Publication noted above, arc lengths are set to integer multiples of the beat length to minimize TM light scattering, and avoid the undesirable resonant TM polarization scattering condition. However, it is often the case that the geometry of the waveguide circuit is constrained to specific dimensions. In such cases, the arc may not be set to the desired length. One example of such a constrained arc length scenario is multiple parallel waveguides that bend together, where the inner and outer arc lengths are necessarily different from each other. In this case, it is not possible to individually optimize the arc length of each waveguide. Therefore, there is a need to optimize curved sections to avoid the resonant TM polarization scattering condition without adjusting the arc lengths.

Suppression of resonant polarization conversion in photonic integrated circuits


This invention relates to an apparatus for writing or drawing that is characterized by an enclosed case having a front side and a back side and in which the front side consists of a transparent screen. Disposed within a substantially rectangular case is a slightly adhesive powder which adheres to the undersurface of the transparent screen so as to render it opaque. A first and second stylus is mounted within the case for producing relatively thick and relatively thin lines by movement along the undersurface of the transparent screen in a manner for removing the adhesive powder and to thus produce lines. The first and second stylus are both moved in the X and Y coordinates through the use of external horizontal and vertical line control knobs which are internally coupled to the multiple stylus by first and second transverse rods, each being supported on and attached to a separate cable loop system. The multiple stylus may be fixedly withdrawn from the screen by actuation of the retraction thus enabling the operator to use both hands for moving the stylus to a second horizontal and/or vertical position on the screen without production of a line from the first to the second writing or drawing.

1. Field of the Invention:
This invention discloses a drawing and sketching device enabling one to draw a plurality of separate and distinct non-continuous sketches on a transparent screen rendered opaque by a slightly adhesive powder. The powder may be erased instantaneously by gentle shaking of the sketching device to thus enable re-use of the screen many times Lines or sketches are made on the screen through the use of a multiple stylus means mounted within the device and which are mechanically connected in the X and Y coordinates for movement to external line control knobs. A retraction means having a separate locking means enables the operator to create a plurality of separate and distinct non-continuous lines, words, or drawings on the screen while continuing to operate the external line control knobs. The device is shown to be substantially rectangular in overall configuration and is characterized by a substantially rectangular screen as dictated by the rectangular X and Y coordinate configuration of the stylus means.
2. Prior Art:
Drawing and sketching devices of this general type are well known.
Prior art include the Grandjean, Stubbman, Gresset and Aer et al. patents having registration numbers 3,055,113; 3,061,948; 4,135,303; and 4,856,197, respectively.
The Grandjean patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,055,113) is an educational game comprising a closed casing with a transparent screen, packed with powdered material and a tracing mechanism with a tracing stylus of singular action.
The Stubbman patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,948) creates a writing toy with engaging writing stylus in an enclosed casing with a "magic" pad which instantaneously erases the writing when the upper and lower members forming the pad are separated, and wherein the upper member is a translucent rigid member while the lower member is a pliable dark-colored opaque member. The latter is adhesively pressure sensitive and is juxtaposed under the upper rigid member. Markings are made on this pressure sensitive surface via a rolling ball stylus interconnected by a telekinetic linkage and a remote handle which is manipulated by pulling upward to make markings on the pad.
The Gresset patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,303) contemplates a toy consisting of a box wherein a tracing stylus can create various indicia on the tracing screen previously coated with an opaque pulverulent powder. The device appears to be similar to the Grandjean patent with the exception that the stylus may be manipulated to skip lines.
The patent to Auer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,197) presents an apparatus again similar to the Gresset and Grandjean patents with respect to the stylus means. However, it differs in its provision for interrupting the lines drawn on the underside of the screen. The Auer patent teaches a mechanism to produce sketches and drawings having discrete elements. However, the manually operated interrupter mechanism requires constant manual depression by the operator, thus precluding free simultaneous use of both hands to manipulate the horizontal and vertical controls, that is, to continue the drawing effort.
Other prior art patents are referenced in the Auer patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,197), all of which are incorporated herein.


A first additional reflector 34 is provided between a light source bulb 22 and a shade 32 and used for reflecting light from a light source 22a to an area in front in the direction of inserting the bulb on the reflective surface 24a of a reflector 24. Further, the area in front in the direction of inserting the bulb on the reflective surface 24a of the reflector 24 is formed as a second additional reflector 36 for reflecting the light reflected from the first additional reflector 34 forward and closer to an optical axis Ax. Thus, direct light from the light source 22a which is to be shielded by the shade 32 is caused to be incident on a projection lens 28 by using the first and second additional reflectors 34 and 36, whereby the direct light can effectively be utilized as forward irradiation light.

The present invention relates to a so-called projector type vehicle headlamp, and more particularly, the invention relates to a vehicle headlamp so configured as to form a low-beam luminous distribution pattern.
A projector type vehicle headlamp is normally equipped with a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle and a light source disposed behind the rear-side focal point, so that light from the light source is reflected by a reflector toward the optical axis.
In JP-U-02-047704, a so-called side-inserted type lighting device is described with reference to a projector type vehicle headlamp of the sort mentioned above, the lighting device being configured such that a light source bulb is fixedly inserted into a reflector from the lateral side of an optical axis.
The adoption of such a side-inserted type lighting device as described in JP-U-02-047704 makes it possible to render the lighting device compact by decreasing its longitudinal length.
However, as described in JP-U-02-047704, since many light source bulbs are formed to have line light sources extended in the axial direction of the bulbs, the following problems develop when the side-inserted type lighting device is employed.
More specifically, the light distribution of the line light source has such luminous intensity distribution that the luminous intensity is greatest in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bulb and it is lowest in the axial direction of the bulb. Consequently, when the side-inserted type lighting device is employed, the problem is that as the quantity of light incident on an area in the forward direction in which the bulb is inserted on the reflective surface of the reflector becomes extremely small, it is difficult to secure sufficient brightness of the luminous distribution pattern formed by the light irradiated from the vehicle headlamp.
When the low-beam luminous distribution pattern is formed in particular, another problem is that as a predetermined cutoff line is formed by shading part of the light reflected from the reflector with a shade disposed in the vicinity of the rear-side focal point of a projection lens, formation of a bright luminous distribution pattern tends to become more difficult.


A video endoscope that includes a handle with a housing and an interface portion rotatably mounted relative to the housing, and an elongate shaft with one or more electronic image sensors, wherein a proximal end section of the shaft is detachably connected to the interface portion of the handle, where the interface portion includes a first connector element electrically connected to an electric transmission element of the interface portion and the shaft includes a second connector element electrically connected to the one or more electronic image sensors, the first and second connector elements co-operating to form a detachable electrical connection, and where the handle includes an electrical connection assembly arranged at an exterior of the interface portion forming an electrical connection to at least one stationary electric and/or electronic component of the handle in a multiplicity of rotational positions of the interface portion relative to the housing.

Endoscopes typically comprise an elongate shaft and a handle, the shaft being configured for being inserted into an internal cavity of a human or animal body or another object to be viewed endoscopically. The elongate shaft may be rigid or flexible. The handle is designed for being held by a user during an endoscopic procedure and may have control elements for controlling various functions of the endoscope, the handle remaining outside the cavity. The endoscope comprises an optical system for generating an image of an object field in the cavity of the body or object. In video endoscopes the generated image is picked up by an electronic image sensor and displayed on a monitor. According to a widespread type of video endoscopes, the electronic image sensor is arranged in a distal (i.e. distant from the user) end section of the shaft, and an image signal generated by the image sensor is transmitted electrically towards a proximal (i.e. close to the user) end section of the endoscope for the endoscopic image to be displayed on a monitor.
During endoscopic procedures it is frequently required to change a rotational orientation of the endoscope. For example, oblique-view endoscopes are known which have a viewing direction that deviates from a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and which permit observing different object fields within the body cavity by adjusting a rotational orientation of the shaft. As it may be preferable, for example for ergonomic reasons, to keep an orientation of the handle unchanged during rotation of the shaft, the endoscope may be configured such that the shaft is rotatable with respect to the handle, and while the viewing direction of the oblique view endoscope will change, the image orientation is unaffected by the rotation of the shaft in an endoscope having a traditional rod lens system, wherein the image is detected by a non-rotating image sensor located in the handle.
In a video endoscope having the electronic image sensor fixedly mounted in the shaft, the image sensor will rotate when the shaft is rotated, and thus a rotation of the shaft will cause a rotation of the image displayed on the monitor. The rotating image shown on the monitor makes navigation by the user inside the cavity more difficult, which may lead to a prolongation of the endoscopic procedure and may increase a risk involved in a medical endoscopic intervention. Therefore, it is known to provide an image processing unit configured for erecting the image displayed on the monitor to be viewed by the user.
In US 2010/0125166 A1 a sideways looking video endoscope is disclosed that has a rigid endoscope tube and an image sensor provided on a distal end of the endoscope shaft. By rotating a wheel arranged on a proximal end of the shaft, the image can be rotated.
According to EP 2 428 155 B1 relating to a wireless camera coupling with rotatable coupling, a system is provided including an endoscope and a detachable camera head. The endoscope is provided with a transponder/transceiver and the detachable camera head is provided with a corresponding transponder/transceiver such that electrical power is transmitted from the camera head to the endoscope. Further, image data generated by the endoscope via a CCD or CMOS device may also be wirelessly transmitted from the endoscope to the detachable camera head.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,187,171 B2, a video endoscope comprises an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, and a handpiece at the proximal end of the shaft, a distal end of the shaft being provided with an electronic image sensor. The image sensor is connected, via an electrical connection extending along the shaft, to an electrical connector piece arranged on the handpiece. The image sensor and the connector piece can rotate relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The electrical connection comprises at least one flexible, elongate circuit board, which is able to twist about its longitudinal direction and has at least one conductor track.
In U.S. Pat. No. 9,907,457 B2 an endoscope is described that has a pannable camera at the distal end of its insertion shaft, the pannable camera assembly being pivotable to provide a range of a field of view that can be equal to or greater than 180 degrees. A distal section of the endoscope handle may be rotatable relative to a proximal hand-held section of the endoscope handle, a rotary encoder being provided to convert the rotational position of the insertion shaft relative to the handle into a signal for the purpose of image orientation correction by an electronic processor.
In known video endoscopes of the type mentioned above, transmission of electric energy and/or signals between the electronic image sensor and the handle has proven disadvantageous, in particular in terms of efficiency and reliability. Further, handling of the video endoscope before, during and/or after an endoscopic intervention, as well as image erection in order to ease navigation have shown to be not always optimal. Moreover, such endoscopes usually are not suitable for being subjected to high-pressure steam and thus, in particular, are not autoclavable.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a video endoscope which alleviates at least one of the above-mentioned problems. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a video endoscope that permits improved handling and orientation for a user, frequently in a manner to which the user has become accustomed, while at the same time ensuring a high level of operational safety and durability. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a handle for a video endoscope.

Rotatable and detachable electrical coupling point


A fuel filling apparatus is provided. The fuel filling apparatus comprises an overfilling protective valve arranged in a fuel gas supply path for supplying a fuel gas to an automobile. The overfilling protective valve further comprises a fuel gas path, a valve unit for opening and closing the fuel gas path by a valve body, a valve body displacement means for displacing the valve body according to a filling pressure of the fuel gas, and a temperature modulating unit for modulating a temperature of the valve body displacement means. Even though a difference between the temperature of the fuel gas and the operation temperature of the overfilling protective valve is large, the temperature of the valve body displacement means can be maintained within the preset temperature range by the temperature modulating unit and the overfilling protective valve can be exactly operated under the preset pressure.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to an apparatus and a method for filling fuel. Hydrogen gas or compressed nature gas is filled as a fuel gas into an automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a next generation automobile, compressed nature gas automobiles using compressed nature gas as the fuel gas and hydrogen gas automobiles using hydrogen gas as the fuel gas are developed. These automobiles are characterized in that discharge amount of carbon dioxide gas, nitrogen oxide (NOx), and oxysulfide (SOx), etc. is very little.
For refueling, these automobiles are the same as the gasoline automobile. These automobiles arrive at a supply base having a fuel filling apparatus (dispenser) for filling their fuel, i.e., the compressed nature gas or the hydrogen gas, and the compressed nature gas or the hydrogen gas are supplied from the fuel filling apparatus (for example, referring to non-patent document 1). In addition, the compressed nature gas and the hydrogen gas are generally referred to a fuel gas.
The conventional fuel Filling apparatus for the automobile, for example, comprises a fuel gas supplying path, a flow modulating valve, an integrating flowmeter, a shut-off valve, and an overfilling protective valve. The fuel gas supplying path is connected to a pressure accumulator that is used as a source for supplying a high-pressure fuel gas. The flow modulating valve modulates a supply amount of the fuel gas provided from the pressure accumulator. The integrating flowmeter is used to measure and integrate the flow of the fuel gas. The shut-off valve stops supplying the fuel gas when filling of the fuel gas is completed. The overfilling protective valve will shut off the supply path when the pressure of the fuel gas exceeds a preset pressure.
FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a conventional overfilling protective valve. The overfilling protective valve 120 includes a fuel gas path 121, a valve unit for opening and closing the fuel gas path 121 by a valve body 130, and a valve displacement means 123 for displacing the valve 130 based on a filling pressure of the fuel gas, referring to non-patent document 2.
In addition, the valve displacement means 123, in the conventional example, is a spring, and thus the following description is made by referring to the spring 123.
The fuel gas path 121 is connected to a fuel gas supply path 3. The valve unit 122 includes a valve rod 131 having the valve body and a valve box 131 with a sliding hole 132 where the valve rod 131 is slidably received therein. The sliding hole 132 is connected to the fuel gas path 121. The valve body 130 is formed at a location that is equivalent to a valve chest 134 formed in the sliding hole 132.
The spring 123 is received in a spring receiving unit 140, and the spring 123 obtains a repulsive force from the interior of the spring receiving 140 to provide a resilient force in the direction of the valve unit 122 to a piston 142 through a ball 141.
The piston 142 is received in a piston receiving unit 143.
The piston 142 is fixed on one end of the valve rod 131, so that the piston 142 and the valve rod move together. A branch path 144, which branches from the fuel gas supply path 3 at the secondary side of the overfilling protective valve 120, is connected to the piston receiving unit 143. The fuel gas within the fuel gas supply path 3 at the secondary side passes through the branch path 144, and then is supplied to between the valve unit 122 and the piston 142 in the piston receiving unit 143.
The overfilling protective valve 120 operates in the following manner.
When the pressure of the fuel gas flowing from the fuel gas supply path 3 at the secondary side to the lower side of the piston 142 in the piston receiving unit 143, i.e., the gas pressure at the secondary side, is lower than the preset pressure, the valve rod 131 moves downwards with respect to FIG. 4 due to the resilient force generated by the spring 123, and therefore, a gap is created between the valve body 130 and the inner wall of the fuel gas path 121. In this manner, the fuel gas path 121 is open, and then the fuel gas flows from the fuel gas supply path 3 at the primary side to the fuel gas supply path 3 at the secondary side.
As the gas pressure at the secondary side becomes the preset pressure, the piston 142 is moved by the gas pressure to press and compress the spring 123. Then, the fuel gas path 121 is closed by that the valve body 130 is in contact with the inner wall of the fuel gas path 121. In this manner, the fuel gas is stopped flowing from the fuel gas supply path 3 at the primary side to the fuel gas supply path 3 at the secondary side.
As described above, the overfilling protective valve 120 is constructed to switch the fuel gas path 121 on or off according to a balance between the gas pressure at the secondary side and the resilient force of the spring 123. In other words, the preset pressure for that the overfilling protective valve 120 is switched on or off is determined by the resilient force of the spring 123.
A fuel filling apparatus for the compressed nature gas is disclosed in the non-patent document 1. That document disclosed a fuel filling apparatus (a dispenser unit) having an overfilling protective device that is a valve for modulating a supply amount of nature gas.
Non-patent document 1: "TECHNICAL GUIDELINE OF STANDARD AND SAFETY FOR COMPRESSED NATURE GAS", incorporated juridical body Japanese Gas Association, pp. 11, April.
Non-patent document 2: "HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR", IPROS Co. Ltd., Jun. 2, 1996.
However, the ordinary gas possesses a property that the gas temperature varies due to the Joule Thomson effect when the gas passes through a thin path, such as a valve. Specifically, similar to the other high pressure gas (such as inert gas, oxygen gas, etc.), the temperature of the compressed nature gas decreases obviously when the compressed nature gas expands adiabatically from its compressed status (for example, under a pressure of 20 MPa). In addition, the hydrogen gas, which is different from the ordinary gas, possesses property that the gas temperature rises due to the Joule Thomson effect. Therefore, the temperature of the hydrogen gas rises when the hydrogen gas passes through a valve, etc.
When the overfilling protective valve 120 is heated or cooled by the fuel gas that passes through the overfilling protective valve 120, the spring 123 is thus heated or cooled, so that the elastic coefficient of the spring changes. As a result, there will be a problem that the overfilling protective valve 120 fails to operate by the correct set pressure.
As a fuel tank for the automobile, a container made of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) for light weight is used. An upper limit of the temperature for using the FRP container is restricted in consideration its durability, and the upper limit is generally about 85° C.
As described above, similar to the other high pressure gas (such as inert gas, oxygen gas, etc.), the temperature of the compressed nature gas decreases due to the Joule Thomson effect when the compressed nature gas expands adiabatically from its compressed status (for example, under a pressure of 35 MPa). In consequence, the temperature of the compressed nature gas reduces when the compressed nature gas passes through a machine with thin holes or slits, such as a mechanical valve, a check valve, or a coupler.
Therefore, when the nature gas is filled into the fuel tank, since the gas temperature is very difficult to rise, the gas can be easily filled within a short time without managing the tank temperature.
On the other hand, the hydrogen gas, which is different from the ordinary gas, possesses a property that the gas temperature will rise due to the Joule Thomson effect. Therefore, the temperature of the hydrogen gas rises when the hydrogen gas passes through a machine, for example, a valve. Furthermore, when filling the hydrogen gas into the fuel tank, the temperature also rises due to the adiabatic compression, and therefore, the gas temperature rises easily to a very high value. Since the fuel tank made of FRP has an upper limit for the temperature, a serious temperature management is required during filling the hydrogen gas. Additionally, it is very difficult to increase the filling speed.
For the hydrogen gas automobile, for a purpose that the temperature of the fuel tank does not exceed a designed temperature, a method is disclosed to directly measure the temperature of the fuel tank while the gas is filled into the fuel tank.
More specifically, a method is provided that a temperature terminal (a temperature sensor) is set in the fuel tank of the automobile, wherein a fuel filling pipe is connected to the fuel tank of the automobile and wires for measuring the temperature are connected to the temperature terminal, so that the gas supply amount is modulated and the fuel is filled according to the detected tank temperature.
However, in the above method, it requires to connect an additional wire for measuring the temperature with the pipe for filling the fuel to the automobile, causing a problem of taking a lot of time in operation.
In addition, since a lower explosion concentration in the air is 4 vol % and the upper explosion concentration is 75 vol % for the hydrogen gas, it is very dangerous if the hydrogen gas leaks. Therefore, in general, parts used in the fuel filling apparatus for the hydrogen gas has to include a pressure-resistance and explosion-proof structure specified by JIS C 0931. Accordingly, it is quite expensive to make or maintain the management of the fuel filling apparatus for the hydrogen gas, so that there are problems of high price and large volume of the apparatus.


Provided is a technology that makes it possible for billing and balance management in the form of units that are difficult to understand for a user, to be expressed and managed in the form of units that are easy to understand from the viewpoint of the actual purpose of use. The network connection communication system is provided with means for expressing the unit price of network usage in terms of units that a user can understand more intuitively in the light of the purpose for which the network is used. For instance, the number of connection minutes (time), the number of books purchased and downloaded over the network, or the number of connections to a communicating partner can be used depending on the purpose of use of a service.

When a user, as the owner of an information terminal, obtained information from a server via a network, the information terminal was connected physically to a fixed communication network, or to a mobile wireless network, and the information terminal accessed a server via a network such as the internet. In this case, communication speed and communication costs were different if the plurality of networks involved respectively different communication schemes. The user could respectively conclude connection service agreements with individual service providers that provide services over the networks having the separate communication schemes. In the service of providing a plurality of kinds of network connection, a connection time was purchased beforehand for a time-limited use charging. In addition, connection services have been provided that are billed on a monthly flat rate basis or on pay-as-you-go basis depending on data volume.
Prior art examples of the above are given below.
Japanese Patent No. 2939723 (Patent document 1) discloses a time- limited use charging system for internet wherein a terminal having client software installed therein is connected to the internet through dial-up to a port of an internet connection service provider, via a telephone line, such that connection is allowed until a connection frequency, set beforehand for each client and which denotes the time of available use, reaches 0 (zero) through subtraction.
Japanese Patent No. 3434271 (Patent document 2) discloses a network connection system, a connection fee calculation method in a network connection service, and a billing system in a network connection service, wherein a fee-charging classification pattern is recorded beforehand for each user, in cases where the line utilization fee is different depending on, for instance, the site of user access, and the person that pays the line utilization fee may be a sender or a recipient, and cases where billing companies that bill for the network connection service fee and for the line utilization fee are different entities, as a result of which, a billing address and sum for the line utilization fee are calculated referring to the charging pattern, and billing data is generated by totaling the service utilization fees.
Non-patent document 1 discloses a product "b mobile HOURS" (combination of PHS communication and public wireless LAN), in which there is provided an internet connection service through purchase beforehand of the number of hours, such that communication is enabled by selecting either PHS communication or public wireless LAN. If a public-line LAN is used, the service is such that usage is unlimited one day at a time, and five hours are subtracted from the time balance of the user, out of the purchased time.
Non-patent document 2 discloses a press release by Japan Communications Inc. on Mar. 10, 2009, of a product "b mobile 3G DOCCICA", being a service in which the user buys beforehand usage time of use of a WCDMA network, and connection is available until the balance time is used up, such that communication is enabled by selecting either WCDMA communication (3G data communication) or public wireless LAN communication (WiFi). If a public line LAN is used, the service is such that usage is unlimited one day at a time, and 30 minutes are subtracted from the time balance.
Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2939723
Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 3434271
Non-patent document 1 (Japan Communications Inc. press release of Mar. 15, 2005, "Japan Communications Inc. launches new b-mobile hours for casual-mobile internet"; internet <URL:1268273886156_0.html>
Non-patent document 2 (Japan Communications Inc. press release of Mar. 10, 2009, "Japan Communications Inc. introduces new charging scheme "Doccica", by which wireless LAN can be used in Shinkansen and 3G 3G+WiFi can be easily used at the destination"; internet <URL:1268273886156_1.html>
Conventionally, fees have been determined based on the transmitted bit count or number of packets, in environments where communication takes place through connection to a server upon selection of an arbitrary network from among a plurality of networks. However, these data volumes depend on the web site and so forth, and on the expression of the information that is obtained via the network. Also, the data volume is often not definite beforehand at the time of accessing the information. Therefore, pay-as-you-go billing depending on packet volume was hard to understand for the user in that the volume of data for communication was difficult to predict. In a case where the service is provided under a monthly flat rate, for instance, the user paid a flat fee also for a month in which the service had hardly been used, which impressed the user as wasteful.
Network communication fees must be paid for each scheme when the communication network that the system can use spans a plurality of communication schemes. Also, depending on the communication network, the billing schemes may be based on amount of data used, flat rates or time rates, and are confusing for the user. In the case for instance of electronic mail, the volume of data that utilizes the network increases whenever an external mail arrives, even if the user is not particularly operating the terminal. In web browsing, by contrast, the data volume I consumed varies depending on the purpose for which the network is used, such as network communication only at the time where the web is actually accessed for referring to information sites or the like. However, the billing system is often based exclusively on communication time or data communication volume, and it was thus hard for the user to feel intuitively that the communication fees are correctly priced.
A problem arose in that it was thus hard for the user to understand a time subtracting process depending on the network to be used in a case of a service such that one network out of a plurality thereof is selected for connection to the internet, and such that, for instance, the usage of the service is allowed until there are exhausted the number of connection hours, being the number of usage units, purchased in advance by the user, as the number of hours that the service can utilize any of the networks.


An endoscopic drill guide for locating the proper position of a graft tunnel for endosteal fixation of a substitute ligament or graft between two bones, such as a tibia and a femur. The drill guide includes a shaft with an offset hook. The drill guide is inserted through a graft tunnel drilled in the tibia, and the offset hook is positioned so that it engages the posterior aspect of the femoral notch. A guide pin is inserted through the drill guide and driven into the femur to properly position drilling of a graft tunnel in the femur.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endoscopic drill guide and, more specifically, to an endoscopic drill guide having an offset hook for properly locating the position to drill a tunnel for endosteal fixation of a substitute ligament or graft.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a ligament or tendon becomes detached from the bone, surgery is usually required to re-secure the ligament or tendon. Often, a substitute ligament or graft is attached to the bone to facilitate regrowth and permanent attachment. The reattachment procedure involves drilling of a graft tunnel between two bones, for example, the tibia and the femur.
To achieve optimal results, it is important that the graft tunnel be drilled at a particular angle and location through the tibia and femur. Ordinarily, an incision is made to access the proper area for drilling a tunnel through the tibia. A guide pin is placed through the incision and driven into the tibia. A drill is then placed over and guided by the guide pin during the drilling of the graft tunnel through the tibia.
A problem arises in locating the proper position for drilling the graft tunnel in the femur. The ideal location for the graft tunnel is 7 mm in front of the posterior aspect of the femoral notch. Ordinarily, the location for drilling the graft tunnel in the femur is determined in one of two ways.
The first method is to insert the guide pin through the incision and the graft tunnel in the tibia and into the femur. The drill is then placed over and guided by the guide pin during drilling of the graft tunnel in the femur. The problem with this method is that the femur is difficult to see through the graft tunnel in the tibia. Thus, determining the proper location for the graft tunnel in the femur must often be accomplished by guesswork.
The second method is to drill the graft tunnel in the femur in the opposite direction from the outside. Although this method is more accurate, it involves making a second incision which results in unnecessary fluid loss and an additional scar.
A further disadvantage of the above two methods is that neither permits testing of graft isometry or notch impingement prior to attachment of the graft. Such testing enables a more secure graft attachment, resulting in rapid healing and stronger regrowth.


A tapered fiber bundle is formed by first etching the end portions of each fiber within the group so as to remove a selected amount of outer cladding material from each fiber. The assembled, etched fibers are then fused together in conventional fashion to form a fiber bundle. By first etching the fibers to form a “tapered” structure, the core diameter of the tapered fiber bundle remains intact; in the prior art, the tapering process of drawing down the fused collection of fibers would reduce the core diameter. Preferably, the outer cladding of the central single mode fiber is modified to exhibit the same etch rate as the outer cladding layer of the remaining fibers.

Fiber optic bundles are used in a wide variety of optical applications, including optical fiber amplifiers, couplers, splitters and cladding-pumped lasers. In an exemplary application, a fiber bundle is used to couple light from a multiplicity of laser diode light sources to the inner cladding of a double-clad fiber device. The fiber bundle is typically made by fusing together the individual fibers. The bundle may then be tapered, again using a heat treatment, to provide increased light intensity.
To date, the conventional tapered fiber bundles formed using the "fuse and taper" process have at least one serious drawback: the act of tapering decreases the diameter of the central core fiber. As a result, it creates a mismatch in core diameters between the central core of the fiber bundle and the core of the communication fiber (e.g., fiber amplifier) in the device to which the bundle is coupled.
In some cases, when using standard single mode fibers, this problem may be addressed by SMT-type fibers as the central fiber of the tapered fiber bundle. In particular, an SMT fiber comprises a core sitting on a pedestal, where the geometries of the core and pedestal are configured so that when such a fiber is tapered down to a certain diameter, the mode field becomes the same as for an untapered fiber. Alternatively, various types of in-line lensing arrangements may be inserted between the fiber bundle and the communication fiber to improve the coupling efficiency. However, this coupling comes at the cost of requiring additional components, cost and assembly, as well as introducing losses/reflections at the various interfaces between components.
Thus, a need remains in the art for an arrangement utilizing tapered fiber bundles that allows for a conventional core-to-core coupling between the core of the fiber bundle and the core of the communication fiber.

Etched tapered fiber bundle and method of making the same