A thin film panel is provided, which includes a first signal line and a second signal line crossing the first signal line and formed on a different layer from the first signal line. The second signal line includes an expansion having an enlarged area and at least one cutout, and is disposed adjacent to a crossing region where the second signal line crosses the first signal line.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film panel and a method of manufacturing the same.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A thin film panel is the most widely used panel type for flat panel displays such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, because of its light weight and thinness.
The thin film panel provides a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, and the image display of the panel is accomplished by applying individual voltages to the respective pixel electrodes. For the application of the individual voltages, a plurality of three-terminal thin film transistors (TFTs) are connected to the respective pixel electrodes. Signals are provided using a plurality of gate lines to transmit signals to control the TFTs and a plurality of data lines to transmit voltages to be applied to the pixel electrodes. The gate lines and the data lines are provided on the panel.
OLED displays are devices that display characters or images by applying an electrode current to an organic emitting diode, at which the pixel electrode is disposed. LCDs are devices that display images by applying an electric field to a liquid crystal layer disposed between two panels and thus by regulating the strength of the electric field to adjust the transmittance of light passing through the liquid crystal layer.
When the display signal lines are disconnected in the process of manufacturing the display device, the disconnection is detected via predetermined tests. Such tests include an array test, a visual inspection (VI) test, a gross test, a module test, and so on.
The array test is used to detect the disconnection of the display signal lines by applying predetermined voltages and sensing whether output voltages are generated or not, and is performed before a mother glass is divided into separate cells. The VI test is used to detect the disconnection of the display signal lines by applying predetermined voltages and then viewing the panels, and is performed after the mother glass is divided into separate cells. The gross test is used to determine the image quality and connection status of the display signal lines by applying predetermined voltages and viewing display states of a screen, and is performed before mounting driving circuits thereon. Typically, the predetermined voltages are applied after combining a lower panel and an upper panel of the flat panel display. The module test is used to determine the optimum operation of the driving circuits, and is performed after mounting the driving circuits thereon.
However, when the predetermined voltage is applied for the array test, if disconnections of signal lines such as the data lines, the gate lines, and the test lines are generated due to the manufacturing method, the array test is abnormally executed. Accordingly, the resulting array test may not be sufficiently stable and reliable. In some cases, the resistance of certain structures may be increased due to undercuts, and application of the predetermined voltage may lead to signal line disconnection due to excessive resistive heating. When the test lines disconnect during the array test due to melting or other heat-related damage, the results of the array test are unreliable.
A motivation of the present invention is to provide a thin film transistor array and a method for manufacturing the same to achieve stable and reliable array testing.

Thin film panel and method of manufacturing the same


Provided is an optical space transmitter and an optical space transmission method, for wavelength-multiplexed light, capable of obtaining a wavelength-multiplexed signal by multiplexing optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths with a simple configuration and without requiring highly precise adjustment for optical axes and enhancing safety for a human body. The transmitter has a configuration for which light sources for outputting signal lights having wavelengths different from each other are arranged so as to irradiate an approximately identical portion of a diffusion plate, a diffuse light outputted from the diffusion plate is converted, by a radiation lens, into a light traveling with an angle suitable for transmission in a free space, and the converted light is passed out to the free space.

An optical space transmission system for transmitting an optical signal between an optical transmitter and an optical receiver via a free space has been in practical use. However, there is a gradual trend of increasing the capacity of a signal and such a signal is to be transmitted with high speed, and thus, a high speed transmission and large capacity are also required for an optical space transmission system. Signals to be transmitted include data, image, and sound, and, in some cases, these different signals are simultaneously transmitted. In order to adapt the requests for high-speed transmission, large capacity, and simultaneous transmission of a plurality of signals, a space transmission system for wavelength-multiplexed light has been proposed; the space transmission system being for wavelength multiplexing optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths and for transmitting the wavelength-multiplexed optical signal.
There exists a conventional wavelength multiplexing optical space transmission system in which optical signals having wavelengths different from each other are multiplexed by using a plurality of dichroic mirrors in an optical transmitter of the system (for example, see Patent Document 1). FIG. 19 shows a configuration of a conventional wavelength multiplexing optical space transmitter described in Patent Document 1.
In FIG. 19, light emitting elements 52a to 52d send out optical signals having wavelengths different from each other. A dichroic mirror section 54a has characteristics of allowing to pass through a light having wavelength λ1 and reflecting a light having wavelength λ2 by a reflection surface placed in the middle thereof. Accordingly, the light having wavelength λ1 sent from the light emitting element 52a and the light having wavelength λ2 sent from the light emitting element 52b are thereby multiplexed. Also, a dichroic mirror section 54b has characteristics of allowing to pass through a light having wavelength λ1 or λ2 and reflecting a light having wavelength λ3 by a reflection surface placed in the middle thereof. Accordingly, the light having wavelength λ1 and the light having wavelengths λ2 respectively sent from the light emitting elements 52a and 52b and the light having wavelength λ3 sent from the light emitting element 52c are thereby multiplexed. Through sequentially multiplexing light as described above, a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal whose optical axes therein are aligned is generated.
On the other hand, there exists a conventional optical space transmitter in which safety of a transmission light is enhanced by using a diffusion plate (for example, see Patent Document 2). FIG. 20 shows a conventional optical space transmitter described in Patent Document 2.
In the apparatus shown in FIG. 20, a transmission light sent from a light source 61 is converted into a non-convergent type diffuse light by a reflective diffusion plate 64, thereby enhancing safety when a human body, especially the eyes, are exposed to an optical signal transmitted via a free space.                [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 63-151230 (pages 6 to 8, FIG. 1)        [Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 62-58938 (page 1, FIG. 2)
However, in the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 19, it is necessary to have a plurality of dichroic mirror sections 54a to 54c having different characteristics, leading to an increase in types and the number of constituent parts, which in turn causes difficulties in downsizing and cost reduction. Also, a reflection direction of light changes according to an incident angle thereof for each of the dichroic mirror sections 54a to 54c. Therefore, when directions of light entering the dichroic mirror sections 54a to 54c differ from each other or orientations of the dichroic mirror sections 54a to 54c differ from each other, optical axes in a signal obtained after multiplexing are displaced out of alignment. Accordingly, a highly precise angle adjustment for optical axes is required to align optical axes of a plurality of optical signals, causing problems of an increase in man-hours for manufacture and cost.
The conventional configuration shown in FIG. 20 is for enhancing safety in a case where a human body, especially the eyes, are exposed to an optical signal transmitted via a free space, and not intended to achieve a high speed transmission in the optical space transmission system by wavelength multiplexing. Also, in order to enhance safety in the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 19, it is necessary to further include a configuration such as shown in FIG. 20.
The present invention is made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical space transmitter and an optical space transmission method, for multiplexed optical light, capable of obtaining a wavelength-multiplexed signal by multiplexing optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths with a simple configuration and without requiring highly precise angle adjustment for optical axes, and for enhancing safety for a human body including, e.g., the eyes.

Optical space transmitter and optical space transmission method for wavelength-multiplexed light


A non-volatile memory transistor with a nanocrystal-containing floating gate formed by nanowires is disclosed. The nanocrystals are formed by the growth of short nanowires over a crystalline program oxide. As a result, the nanocrystals are single-crystals of uniform size and single-crystal orientation.

When compared with conventional floating-gate memories, floating-gate memories that are based on nanocrystals have the following advantages: (1) They are less susceptible to defects in the program oxide since the charge is stored on isolated nanocrystal sites. (2) They can store two bits per cell by reversing the role of the source and drain since the charge is localized at the injection point. (3) They have potentially lower voltage operation and higher retention.
In previous reports, see, for example, S. Tiwari, et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 68, p. 1377 (1996) and M. L. Ostraat, et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 79, 433 (2003), the nanocrystals were typically formed by spontaneous decomposition during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or aerosol deposition. This led to a wide spread in the nanoparticles size and position. More recently, Guarini, et al. IEDM 2003 p. 541 (2003) have demonstrated a nanocrystal-based floating-gate memory where the nanocrystals were defined by a self-assembled polymer mask and conventional reactive ion etching (RIE).
The technique described by Guarini, et al. improved the nanocrystals uniformity, but has the following drawbacks: First, the nanocrystals are cut out of a continuous film of amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon and hence the nanocrystals may be comprised of several single-crystal grains that are lumped together. Therefore, charge storage in each of the lumped nanocrystals is likely to depend on grain boundaries and the surface of the nanocrystals, which properties are difficult to control. Second, the size of the nanocrystals is defined by the pores size in the polymer mask, which is dependent on the spacing between pores. Thus, independent control over the size of the nanocrystals and the spacing between nanocrystals is not possible. Third, the nanocrystals cannot be formed directly with the polymer mask since the mask defines the negative image of the nanocrystals (i.e., pores). As a result, a two step reactive-ion etch (RIE) process is required. Additionally, RIE damage may be another factor for charge trapping on the nanocrystal surface. Fourth, passivation of the nanocrystal surface is very limited since the nanocrystals are formed by filling cavities in an oxide hard mask.
In view of the drawbacks mentioned above, there is still a need for providing nanocrystal-based floating-gate non-volatile memories in which the nanocrystals are fabricated by techniques which avoid the problems of prior art fabrication techniques.

Nanowire based non-volatile floating-gate memory

International Business Machines Corporation


Actuators are used to adjust a contact pressure exerted by a roller on an adjacent rotating body in a roller strip, or for arranging the roller on the rotating body or for separating the roller from the adjacent rotating body. The roller has ends that are mounted in a roller lock which includes several of these actuators. The actuators are supplied with a fluid under pressure, with a pressure level that can be controlled. The actuators, and preferably also the roller lock, have an identification characteristic such that for a selected roller lock, the contact pressure of a control unit, which can be actuated remotely, and which is exerted by the roller on the adjacent rotating body, can be adjusted by the actuators in response to the pressure level supplied to these actuators.

Devices that are used to adjust rollers in a printing machine are known from DE 102 44 043 A1. Each end of a roller, that exerts contact pressure on an adjacent rotational body, is seated in a support bearing having a roller mount that is capable of radial travel. Each support bearing is being equipped with multiple actuators that act on the roller and which can be pressurized with a pressure medium. A roller that can be displaced in this manner is also engaged, for example, against a forme cylinder.
From DE 38 25 517 A1, a device for engaging and for disengaging rollers, and for adjusting inking unit and dampening unit rollers in a printing machine is known. A stored-program controller automatically regulates the positioning of an inking or a dampening roller relative to a fixed distribution roller by the use of an input, preset adjustment pressure. The stored-program controller issues a positioning command to an electrically activated actuator, and the actuator, which is configured as a direct current motor, transmits the positioning command to the positioning element, wherein that positioning element is responsible for mechanically adjusting the inking roller or the dampening roller. The electrically activated actuator, and the positioning element are arranged in a roller lock of the adjustable inking or dampening unit roller. With the device known from DE 38 25 517 A1, a remote adjustment of the inking or the dampening rollers is possible. Beginning with an initial position for the adjustable inking or dampening rollers, for different production types, adjustment values for other positions can be stored in the stored-program controller. Thus, the adjustment values for the inking or the dampening rollers are based upon the selected production type, with pre-set adjustment values for the different positions being determined based upon specific production types by the stored-program controller, by the use of a program.
WO 03/049946 A2 and the subsequently published WO 2004/028810 A1 disclose methods for operating an inking unit or dampening unit of a printing machine. In the inking unit or in the dampening unit, at least three rollers or cylinders are provided, which can be placed against one another, thereby forming at least two adjacent roller strips. At least one of the rollers is seated in a machine frame such that it can be displaced relative to the other rollers. The displaceably seated roller is pressed into the gap between the adjacent rollers, with a degree of force that is adjustable in terms of its magnitude and its direction, in order to allow the variable adjustment of the respective contact pressure in the two roller strips.

Devices for adjusting contact pressure exerted on an adjacent rotating body by a roller in a roller strip and/or for arranging the roller on the rotational body and/or for disconnecting the cylinder from the rotating body


A silicon crystallization mask of the present invention includes; a main exposure portion including a plurality of complete light transmission regions which completely transmit light therethrough, and a preliminary exposure portion including a plurality of incomplete light transmission regions, which each partially transmit light therethrough, wherein at least two of the incomplete light transmission regions have different magnitudes of light transmittance from each other.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mask for silicon crystallization, and a method for forming a polysilicon thin film using the same.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A silicon thin film that is deposited to form a thin film transistor ("TFT"), which may be used as a switching element in an active liquid crystal display or organic light emitting device, is formed by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition ("PECVD") process. Advantages to PECVD processing are that the resulting silicon layer has substantial uniformity and the deposition may be rapidly accomplished. Elements having high electron mobility are required for products such as a system on glass ("SOG") in which an amorphous silicon layer is formed by PECVD and crystallized into polysilicon by a laser, and then a low temperature polycrystalline silicon ("LTPS") for manufacturing a thin film transistor using the polysilicon.
However, the amorphous silicon layer formed through the PECVD includes a large amount of hydrogen due to SiH4 or Si2H6 used as a source gas and H2 as a carrier gas in the deposition process, and the large amount of hydrogen temporarily absorbs the laser having high energy under the laser crystallization such that it is vaporized and explosively out-gassed. Accordingly, the amorphous silicon is crystallized and simultaneously many voids are produced, such that a dehydrogenation process is inevitably required through heat treatment before crystallization to avoid the explosive out-gassing. Therefore, an additional apparatus is required and the process time is increased, such that they are many difficulties in the producing process of LTPS.

Mask for silicon crystallization, method of forming poly-silicon thin film, and manufacturing method of thin film transistor


A watchwinder adapted for home use or in a retail store environment includes a horizontal dovetail groove or channel on the top, bottom and side surfaces of the watchwinder housing which cooperates with a removable interlocking bar or rail of mating dovetail shape to selectively and detachably interconnect adjacent watchwinders arranged in a vertical or side-by-side relation. The grooves preferably extend across the horizontal dimension of the watchwinder to a point short of the front of the housing for concealment purposes, and are made relatively wide in relation to the dimensions of the housing to improve rigidity of an interlocked grouping of watchwinders and to simplify assembly. Preferably, the channels are of equal size and shape and spaced equidistantly apart. An array of interlocked watchwinders can be built up to varying size and shape, and one or more of the watchwinders can be selectively removed from anywhere within the array without disturbing the others.

Self-winding watches have been available for many years and are known to have mechanisms for keeping the watch wound while it is being worn by a user. The automatic winding mechanism of a self-winding watch typically includes a rotary pendulum or similar mechanism that is connected through gears to the mainspring which drives the watch. When the watch is worn, the random movements of the wearer cause the pendulum to oscillate back and forth, or to spin completely about its axis, thereby winding the mainspring of the watch movement. When completely wound, the mainspring will generally have sufficient energy to run to the watch for up to 12 to 48 hours, depending on the particular type of watch.
However, it will be appreciated that when the watch is not being worn for a sufficiently long period of time, the energy in the mainspring will tend to run down or completely dissipate. Once the spring is unwound, a self-winding watch generally cannot be fully rewound in a few seconds. The task of rewinding a self-winding watch can be a major inconvenience, as it may include resetting the time, dates and numerous other functions, or "complications," each time the spring runs down. The task becomes even more cumbersome when multiple watches are involved.
Various automatic watchwinders for keeping self-winding watches wound when not in use are currently available. A typical watchwinder, or so-called watch rotator, includes a motor-driven spindle, drum or other structure adapted to hold and rotate a watch about an axis. During rotation about an axis perpendicular to the watch face, for example, the pendulum of the watch will hang downwardly under gravity, and the watch will rotate about the stationary pendulum, causing the mainspring to stay wound.
Advanced watchwinders generally include some form of programmable microprocessor and electronic circuitry for controlling the drive motor. These units typically have user controls which interact with the circuitry and allow the user to select and control a number of operational parameters, such as rotation time, number of rotations, delay time between the start of rotation or between rotation cycles, and rotation direction. Some also have a display which indicates the particular program parameters currently selected by the user.
Existing watchwinders generally are available in single rotator or multiple rotator form. Single rotator watchwinders generally include a single watch rotating mechanism permanently mounted within a housing. While compact, unobtrusive and easy to move and store, these single rotator watchwinders are limited to use with one watch at a time.
Multiple rotator watchwinders, on the other hand, generally include a plurality of watch-winding mechanisms permanently mounted within a common housing. While capable of storing and winding multiple watches simultaneously, these watch-winding mechanisms are in a permanently fixed and immoveable relationship to one another within the housing. The end user lacks flexibility to change the pre-arranged configuration of rotators within the housing or to selectively remove one or more rotators from the housing for independent use. Moreover, the additional size and weight of these multiple rotator watchwinders makes them more difficult to move or store.
For private collectors with small and stable collections of watches, these multi-rotator watchwinders are often satisfactory because they allow the collector to purchase a single unit for storing all his watches in one convenient location and for keeping those watches in a constantly wound and functional condition over an extended period of time. However, these systems are not convenient for the collector or user who has an ever-growing collection of watches (and thus constantly finds himself with a shortage of rotator capacity). They also are not convenient for the collector or user who has a need for both a single rotator watchwinder and a multiple rotator watchwinder or multiple rotator watchwinders of different size or capacity at different times. For example, these systems are not convenient for the collector or user who travels frequently for extended periods of time and wishes to bring several different watches along on the trip. If these watches are removed from the large in-home multiple rotator for any length of time, there is a risk that the mainsprings will run down while the owner is on the road, making the watches unusable until they are reset and rewound. The rotator itself is usually too large or cumbersome to pack for the trip, and even if it could be taken along, the user must choose whether to bring all his watches along with the rotator, or to leave some at home without a rotator, again running the risk of having them wind down during his absence. Travel-sized single rotator watchwinders are available, but that, of course, necessitates the purchase and maintenance of additional units, and the inconvenience of juggling and keeping track of multiple separate watchwinders on the road.
The existing multi-rotator watchwinders also are not convenient for vendors in the retail trade. A retailer who wishes to sell watchwinders to his customers currently is required to stock both single rotator watchwinders and multiple rotator watchwinders of different size and capacity in inventory to satisfy customers with different needs and tastes. The resulting inventory costs and storage space requirements can become considerable, and the retailer always is at risk of having unsold inventory in stock for long periods of time if he has misjudged consumer demands in his particular market. It would be desirable for retailers to be able to stock one design that could be used to satisfy customers looking for watchwinders with a capacity of one through a large number.
Thus, a need exists in both the home and in the retail trade for an improved watchwinder system which is capable of use as either a single rotator watchwinder or a multiple rotator watchwinder combining features and advantages of both, which in addition may be easily reconfigured by the user to vary the size or shape. of the configuration or the number of rotators used, and that may permit one or more of the rotators to be selectively removed from the unit for travel or other reasons. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.


A system and method are disclosed for facilitating removal of a defect from a substrate. A charge is applied at the surface of substrate, such as in the form of an ionized gas, to weaken attractive forces between the defect and the substrate. As a result of weakening the attractive forces, a suitable defect removal system may be employed to remove the defect.

The present invention generally relates to semiconductor processing and, more particularly, to a system and method for facilitating removal of defects from a substrate.
The tendency of semiconductor devices such as integrated circuits (IC) and large scale integrated circuits (LSIC) toward minuteness has rapidly progressed, and higher accuracy has been required of apparatuses for manufacturing such semiconductor devices. In particular, such requirements are demanded from exposure devices in which a circuit pattern of a mask or a reticle is superposedly transferred onto a circuit pattern formed on a semiconductor substrate. It is desired that the circuit pattern of the mask and the circuit pattern of the substrate be superposed one upon the other with accuracies of, for example, less than 0.1 xcexcm.
In order to remain competitive, semiconductor manufacturers continually strive to reduce costs associated with manufacturing semiconductor chips while at the same time improving yield in the manufacturing process. However, substrate defects typically result in a decreased yield and, in turn, provide associated increases in the manufacturing cost. Some defects exist, for example, on blank substrates as purchased. Other defects might be caused during manufacturing, such as by a process tool utilized during fabrication of the substrate. One particular type of defect is in the form of a contaminant particle that may adhere to the substrate during processing. Therefore, particle removal is a major issue in substrate surface preparation.
One factor to consider in the development of any cleaning method is to effectively overcome the forces in play between the substrate and the different foreign materials present on the surface of the substrate. Other relevant factors include mitigating deposition and redeposition of contaminants, mitigating damage to the substrate, and mitigating safety and environmental hazards.
Various methodologies exist for removing defects on substrate surfaces. Such methodologies are generally divided into two categories: wet-cleaning methods and dry-cleaning methods. Examples of wet-cleaning methods include: dissolving the foreign material in a solvent or aqueous solution; immersing the substrate in a solvent or aqueous solution to reduce Van der Waals forces; and providing a fluid flow across the substrate to provide a drag force on the particle, causing it to slide or roll off. Examples of dry-cleaning methods include: etching the substrate surface to dislodge the foreign material; using a vibration action to cause particle removal by liftoff; electrostatic attraction of charge particles to cause liftoff; and spinning the substrate to provide a centrifugal force that causes the particle to slide or roll off.
However, a substrate surface may be further contaminated by the cleaning method and the equipment used. This is possible by exposing the surface to contaminants in the chemicals, equipment, and environment used for cleaning or by making the surface highly susceptible to mechanisms by which redeposition is promoted after cleaning. Such redeposition may occur by failing to eliminate electrostatic and ionic charges on the surface.
As it becomes more and more difficult to adequately clean the substrate, cleaning methodologies are becoming more aggressive. For example, cleaning methods such as etching, chemical attacks, and mechanical force are being employed, which may damage a substrate during cleaning.
Wet-cleaning methods are conventionally employed more frequently than dry-cleaning methods. Also, wet-cleaning methods are easily applicable to the removal of particles and contamination above 1 xcexcm in size. However, as cleaning specifications become tighter, and the other factors such as deposition/redeposition, safety, and environmental requirements become more important, wet-cleaning becomes less advantageous. Further, water rinsing and the subsequent problems with drying, which are common to the liquid phase cleaning methods, are not encountered when employing dry-cleaning methods. In addition, as device densities continue to increase, it becomes more desirable to remove submicron and contaminants, which is difficult with wet-cleaning methods.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The present invention provides a system and method to facilitate the removal of substrate defects, such as contaminant particles. One aspect of the present invention utilizes a charge to loosen a defect relative to the substrates so that a defect removal system, such as a pump system, may be employed to remove the defect from the substrate. According to a particular aspect, an ionized gas is applied to the surface of the substrate to weaken the attractive forces between the defect and the substrate. As a result, the present invention is able to help produce a substrate of increased quality (e.g., fewer defects, less damage to the surface, etc.) comparable to situations when the present invention is not employed.
One aspect of the present invention provides a system for facilitating defect removal. The system includes a processing environment in which a substrate may be supported for processing. A source is operable to apply a charge toward a surface of the substrate for loosening at least one defect relative to the substrate. A defect removal system associated with the processing environment, in turn, removes the defect relative to the substrate.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of facilitating removal of a defect relative to a substrate. The method includes applying a charge to loosen the defect relative to the substrate and removing the defect relative to the substrate. According to one particular aspect, the charge may be applied via an ionized gas directed to a surface of a substrate as a beam.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

System and method to facilitate removal of defects from a substrate


An image forming apparatus includes an illuminating device for illuminating a projection image. The illuminating device includes a light source having of a collector-mirror-incorporated lamp, an adapter lens capable of being mounted in or dismounted out of an optical path, and a field lens capable of moving on the optical axis. A projection lens projects the projection image under illumination of the illuminating device onto a projection surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and, more particularly, to an image forming apparatus suitably applicable with microfilm readers or microfilm reader-printers. The image forming apparatus is arranged to observe an enlarged image projected onto a screen surface by a projection lens from a reduced projection image of microfilm or the like and to project and record the enlarged projection image on a surface of a recording medium (a light-receiving medium) such as a line sensor (CCD) or a photosensitive member.
2. Related Background Art
The normal image forming apparatus including the microfilm readers have an observation system for enlarging and projecting the projection image (image information) of a microfilm or the like, which includes a record reduced images, onto the screen surface by the projection lens and a recording system (or a reading system) for projecting and recording the projection image on the surface of line sensor or photosensitive member by the projection lens.
Projection magnifications of the conventional microfilm reader-printers and the like as the image forming apparatus of this type range from 7 times to 50 times and the screen-side NA (numerical aperture) of the projection lens are set to be identical so as to maintain brightness constant on the screen regardless of the projection magnifications. Therefore, the film-side NA are small at low projection magnifications, whereas the film-side NA are large at high projection magnifications.
Many illumination optical systems of such microfilm reader-printers and the like use a collector-lamp-incorporated mirror (a lamp with a collector mirror) as a light source in order to increase the efficiency of light source. This collector-mirror-incorporated lamp was arranged so that a hole was provided at the center of the collector mirror to set the lamp therein. Therefore, the light near the optical axis was not used and the illumination efficiency was lowered by the decrease of illumination of that light.
A variety of proposals have been made heretofore, for example in the bulletin of Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2-244134, the bulletin of Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 3-25744, and so on, as to the image forming apparatus (the illumination systems) for relieving the influence of the hole at the center of this collector mirror. The illumination systems proposed in these bulletins were arranged to move a small-size lens of a condenser lens system against movement of the pupil position of the projection lens.
In recent years, the image forming apparatus of microfilm reader-printers and the like are required to permit digital reading with a recording medium (solid state image sensing device) such as a line sensor (CCD), for example, so as to take in an image as data of personal computer. Since this line sensor has narrow latitude of quantity-of-light sensitivity, for example different from the photosensitive drum, it has a problem that the line sensor reads even small quantity-of-light unevenness. It is possible to correct the sensitivity of quantity-of-light unevenness for each pixel of line sensor, but, for example with use of a rotation prism (an image-inverting prism), there are problems that rotation of the rotation prism changes the direction of the quantity-of-light unevenness and that it is difficult to handle fine quantity-of-light unevenness practically because of limitations of capacity of memory devices for storing sensitivity correction values or the like. Therefore, the quantity-of-light unevenness and change of absolute quantity of light are desirably as little as possible.


A device configured to form a sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end and an elongate body portion having an axial lumen therebetween. The body portion is dimensioned to accommodate a length of hose within its axial lumen. The proximal end of the device has a wrench portion adapted to matingly engage at least a portion of the outer surface of a female threaded coupling fixture mounted on a terminal end of the hose. The distal end of the device may or may not be flared outwardly to prevent the hose from kinking when the female coupling fixture mounted on the hose is attached to a supply source such as a water tap. The body portion and distal end of the device is adapted to rotate freely about a length of hose housed therewithin. In one embodiment, the proximal end of the device has a stop operable for preventing the device from sliding away from the female coupling fixture mounted on the hose. The body portion of the device is adapted to prevent the length of hose housed therewithin from kinking along its length. Between the device's proximal end, which in operation overlies at least a portion of the female coupling fixture, and its distal end, the device provides grasping means operable for applying torque to the female coupling fixture enabling a person to comfortably and easily rotate the rotatable female coupling fixture on the hose to facilitate threaded attachment to or removal from a mating fixture or supply source.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to hoses, such as those commonly used to supply water to gardens, and, more particularly, to a reinforcement sleeve and wrench device for attaching a hose to a water tap. The device, in operation, provides anti-kinking support for a hose as well as providing means for a user to grasp and twist a hose connector for attachment to or removal from a supply source, spigot or mating fixture.
2. Prior Art
Reinforcing devices for use with a water hose are well known in the art. Some examples for such devices are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,316,348, 5,246,254, and 5,333,650. In addition, various mail-order catalogs offer such anti-kinking devices either preattached to a hose or sold separately as a hose attachment. In the latter instance, the devices are designed to slide onto a hose.
Particular attention is drawn to U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,348 to Franklin et al. (the '348 device). The '438 device comprises a sleeve having a cylindrical central bore dimensioned to slide over a garden hose. The leading (proximal) end of the sleeve is formed into a wrench which matingly engages the outer surface of the threaded coupling fixture rotatably mounted at the supply terminus of the garden hose. The outer surface of the sleeve includes struts along the length thereof which provide a non-slip surface for grasping the sleeve with the hand which facilitates twisting the device to apply torque to the hose coupling fixture and for strengthening the terminal end of the hose to prevent kinking at or near the water supply fixture. A difficulty arises when using this device as the design requires that the device be slid over the delivery end of the hose and advanced along the length of the hose to the water supply terminus to a position adjacent to the supply end where it is adapted to be used. Further, the device, once in position, is free to slide away from the spigot and along the hose, thereby losing its ability to reduce kinking at the portion of the hose adjacent to the supply coupling fixture.
Notwithstanding the plethora of devices provided for preventing kinking in the supply end of a garden hose, there remains a need for a device which can be simply fitted onto the supply end of a hose without the need for threading the device over the delivery end and sliding the device over the entire length of the hose to overlie the supply end where it is necessarily positioned to accomplish its intended use. There remains a need for a device which is useful for preventing kinking at the supply end of a garden hose, and which may be removably or permanently installed directly at the supply end without sliding the device over the entire length of a hose. Further, the device should be able to be manually rotated (twisted) to apply torque to the hose coupling fixture for attachment and release from a threaded spigot or similar water supply fixture.


An interactive multi media performance assessment system and process for use by students for creating multi media presentations based upon the task assignments generated by a teacher and utilizing any combination of text, audio and visual input sources. A series of workfolders are created by the student to view the issued task assignments and provide a vehicle for creating the multi media presentations. Resources such as Internet based connection and various audio visual items may be utilized with the system for assisting in the creation of the presentations and both the teachers and students may provide feedback in the form of text, audio or video. Additionally, administrators can provide feedback to teachers which in turn can be utilized for evaluation and suggested improvements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to educational assistance tools and processes and, more specifically, to an interactive multimedia performance assessment system and process for use by students, educators and administrators for facilitating individualized performance and assessment of a student's academic development by permitting the student to prepare multi-media presentations which are demonstrative of classroom learning as well as providing a motivating vehicle for assisting the student in academic and educational development.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is well documented with various different types of systems and methods for facilitating the educational development of students. As is well known, the most traditional style of educating involves the use of grades and standardized test scores for representing each student's performance to parents, universities and potential employers. The basis for such teaching systems remains the teacher or professor who lectures to a group of students in conjunction with text material. Homework is assigned to reinforce the lessons taught in class and traditionally has been administered to measure a student's aptitude and ability to retain material.
In an attempt to improve upon the underlying concept of standardized teaching methods, certain interactive computer aided systems have been employed to assist the teacher in minimizing the repetitive tasks of preparing daily lectures, preparing and grading homework and documenting the individualized progress of each student. Example of such systems are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,267,865 and 5,441,415, both issued to Lee et al., which disclose educational methods and systems employing multimedia technology and including a plurality of student workstations which are connected, via a common LAN interface to a teacher's workstation. The teacher has the capability of selecting courseware specific to a given subject which is then transmitted to the individual student workstations and which is then responded to by having the students key enter answers to questions which are posed in the presentation and which may be graded and evaluated in a more efficient manner.
While disclosing useful interactive systems, the systems of Lee et al. are intended to only improve upon the efficiency of existing teaching methods and to theoretically reduce the effort necessary by the teacher in administering to larger groups of students. A major shortcoming of the traditional educational system, not addressed by the interactive systems of Lee et al., is that it does not do a very good job of subjectively and effectively analyzing a student's actual performance apart from traditional grading and standardized test scoring. A large part of this shortcoming is the inability of such standardized teaching methods and systems to permit the student to demonstrate his or her knowledge obtained in the course of classroom learning in some form of useful and creative outlet. The traditional methods of education, improved upon by Lee, rather are directed to more or less evaluating a given student within an overall group and without effectively examining and analyzing their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Interactive multimedia performance assessment system and process for use by students, educators and administrators


A device for dosing medicinal fluids, in particular a feeding solution for enteral alimentation, has a pump unit (2) with a displacement element (15) and a drive unit (3) for the displacement element. The pump unit (2) can be separated from the drive unit (3) and is realized in the form of a non-reusable, disposable item. After the device has been used, the pump unit is simply replaced with a new pump unit, so that it is unnecessary to clean the parts of the dosing device that carry the fluid.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a device for dosing medicinal fluids, in particular a nutrient solution for enteral alimentation. The invention further relates to a system for enteral alimentation using such a device for dosing the nutrient solution.
2. Description of Related Art
A device for the dosed dispensing of a medicinal fluid, for example a medication, is described in WO 93/14797. The medication pump has a two-part housing, the two elements of which are held together by threaded fasteners and hold a collapsible container filled with the medicinal fluid. In the housing, pressure is applied to the fluid bag by a spring-loaded plate, as a result of which the fluid is discharged from the container via a hose or similar flexible line.
According to the prior art, patients suffering from malnutrition are treated by administration of a nutrient solution from a container via a hose and a stomach tube that has been inserted in the patient's gastrointestinal tract. For long-term patients, mobile feeding systems are used, with which the patient can essentially move around freely, except for the fact that he has to take all the equipment required for mobile feeding with him. This equipment includes the container that contains the nutrient solution, which has a connector for the delivery system for the nutrient solution, the delivery device, and a peristaltic pump to continuously deliver the nutrient solution at a specified rate, into which the feeding tube of the delivery unit is inserted. The advantage of the hose pump is that the medicinal fluid does not come into contact with the components of the pump.
The feeding systems of the prior art have proven successful in praxis, but one disadvantage of these systems is that, on account of their size and the relatively heavy weight of the equipment required, the patients find them difficult to use during ambulatory treatment. Moreover, the hose pump is relatively expensive to manufacture.


An air removal device for use with a flexible liner baby nursing bottle, having slots in the shell body that extend along the sides of the shell body, a disc inside the shell body with tabs that extend through the shell body, and a ring on the outside of the shell body that connects to the disc's tabs such that the movement of the ring/disc combination exerts pressure on the flexible liner and expels the air from the flexible liner.

The present invention is a device for expelling air out of a flexible liner baby nursing bottle, the general type, having an open end shell body. A common problem with baby bottles is air in the bottle which can be ingested by the baby during feeding, and this can be the cause of gastric disturbances. It was believed that the introduction of plastic bag lined baby bottles would eliminate air problems. As the baby sucked down fluid the bag would collapse. This is true, however when the bottle is placed at rest, the weight of the remaining fluid causes the bag to sag and draw air into the bag. The most common method of removing air prior to administering it to the baby was to push on the plastic liner either with a long narrow object or your fingers. Some inventors came up with inventions that try to make this process more convenient:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor ______________________________________ 3,955,698 Hammer 3,998,348 Sammaritano 4,979,698 Askerneese ______________________________________
plus many more. They, however, fail to make their device mechaically and economically practical. Therefore it is the object of this invention to provide a device that is removes the air from the plastic bag, and a few other things, that is inexpensive and easy to use.

Air removal device for use with a nursing bottle


The present invention is an apparatus for identifying dental x-ray films that allows a health practitioner or staff member to permanently emboss indentifying indicia directly on to a patient's x-ray films. The device is portable and lightweight. Constructed from a plastic or PVC material, it is impervious to x-ray film fixer or developer, as well as the emulsion used on x-ray film. The device is unique in that it neither etches nor destroys the emulsion on the x-ray film.

This invention relates to improvements in devices used to used to label radiographs (otherwise known as x-rays), and more particularly, to an embosser which may be used to permanently label dental radiographs.
Numerous methods and devices have been employed in an attempt to label x-ray film with specific information. These methods include labeling the films with an ink or other permanent dye, utilizing lead letters and numbers placed on to the film during exposure, and etching directly on to the remaining emulsion on the x-ray film. These methods not only tend to be cumbersome, but also take more time and skill than is necessary.
In dentistry, in particular, the use of small (mouth size) radiographic film is essential. The general dentist may expose up to twenty films on any given patient, thereafter placing the films in a radiographic holder and labeling them. However, due to the fact that more than one office personnel often handles the films, they are sometimes either misplaced or attached to the wrong chart. These radiographs are later discovered in different charts or in the dark room hours, and sometimes, days after the patient has left the office. Although these x-ray films are not technically lost, they are no longer of diagnostic value because of the difficulty in correctly matching them to their corresponding patients.
Endodontics, a specific branch of dentistry concerned with diseases of the tooth pulp, depends on radiographs for significant amounts of information during the course of therapy. Many times, two sets of radiographs are exposed so that the referring dentist as well as the endodontist can each keep a copy of the x-rays for his or her own records. Again, the radiographs may be handled by several personnel in each dental office before reaching their destination in the patient's chart.
The loss of developed x-ray films, as well as the inability to correctly identify the same, usually results in additional and unnecessary patient radiographic exposure. This is due to the fact that, when old x-rays are lost or misplaced, new x-rays are generally taken in order to provide the practitioner with the complete information that he or she needs in order to treat his or her patients.


Optical communication networks often incorporate fiber rings or fiber mesh topologies for interconnecting its nodes. Both of these topologies can contain closed optical loops at one or more wavelengths within the optical spectrum. In amplified optical systems, the inherent loss of these optical loops is counteracted by the amplifier gain. Thus, the optical loop may have a net loss that is too low to prevent excessive noise buildup resulting in a lasing fiber loop. The noise that builds up within such amplified systems is dominated by the Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) noise resulting in ASE loops. Such loops can have a serious impact on all wavelengths carried by the fiber and lead to a partial or complete loss of end to end communication due to a severe degradation in signal to noise ratio. This invention provides an effective method and system for avoiding ASE loops in optical communication networks. The method deploys optical seams as well as a unique signature for a wavelength instance for achieving an effective solution that is resilient to errors and failures that may occur on the system both during service creation and normal operation.

An optical communication network consists of multiple nodes each of which is controlled by a Network Element (NE). Most optical communication networks incorporate fiber rings or fiber mesh topologies for interconnecting its nodes, both of which can contain closed optical loops at one or more wavelengths within the optical spectrum. In amplified optical systems, the inherent loss of these optical loops is counteracted by the amplifier gain, such that the optical loop may have a net loss that is too low to prevent excessive noise buildup, or a net gain, resulting in a lasing fiber loop. The noise that builds up within such amplified systems is dominated by the Amplified Spontaneous Emission noise resulting in ASE loops.
These low loss loops, or gain loops, can have significant impact on all wavelengths within the fiber, causing partial or complete loss of end-to-end communication due to degraded Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). Consequently, these loops need to be prevented by deploying appropriate techniques at the NEs. Moreover, if an optical network is susceptible to ASE loop occurrence, due to failures of network devices or elements for instance, the ASE loop susceptibility needs to be identified and eliminated. This is especially problematic in reconfigurable Optical Add Drop Multiplexer (OADM) and Wavelength Selectable Cross Connect (WSXC) environments. Thus, without some prevention mechanism, wavelength rings can be created as a result of simple mis-provisioning events or device failures within reconfigurable OADM and WSXC environments.
Different techniques have been deployed in prior art for avoiding ASE loops. The protection system deployed by one such technique described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,941 by Srivastava A. K. et al. issued Feb. 15, 2000 entitled "Stable Wavelength Division Multiplex Ring Network" changes the optical transmission characteristics of the transmission bandwidth of the network in such a way that the loop gain for any wavelength is smaller the network loop loss. Another way to prevent ASE gain loops is to impose one or more optical seams for a wavelength instance. Such a seam prevents the wavelength instance to continue in unspecified directions. For example, an optical seam created by the NE that adds a wavelength instance does not allow the wavelength instance to reach the preceding node. Similarly, an optical seam created by the NE that drops the wavelength instance does not allow the wavelength instance to continue beyond this node. Typically, a detailed network walk is required to ascertain the absence of a loop for a given wavelength instance. These methods either need altering the hardware or deploy a complex algorithm at NEs for loop identification at service creation time. ASE loops can also occur after service creation due to mis-provisioning or device failures. Preferably, the network itself is to be adaptive to events and should not only prevent ASE gain loops under normal operations but can also recognize when the system is susceptible to ASE gain loops under fault conditions. The prior arts discussed earlier do not address the scenario in which a fault has occurred in the system.
Thus there is a need in the field for the development of improved methods and system for avoiding ASE loops in an optical communication network.

Method and system for avoiding amplified spontaneous emission loops in an optical network


This patent application describes the use of molecular imprinting as a means for preparation of anti-idiotypic imprint matrices. With this technique, imprints of artificial or natural molecules including their recognition sites, such as of molecularly imprinted polymers or biological receptors, antibodies or enzymes, can be prepared. In the former case, using the original imprints as casts or molds in a subsequent polymerisation step, utilising preferentially functionally complementary monomers, the formation of imprint materials containing recognition sites complementary in shape and functionality with the original imprint can be obtained but being of different composition. Alternatively, imprints or images of the artificial or biological species can be obtained directly. The so formed preparations can be used in a vast variety of applications, e.g. as new drugs, inhibitors or new affinity materials.

The present invention concerns the preparation and application of artificial anti-idiotypic antibodies obtained by molecular imprinting.
It is known from Nature that antibodies can in their turn give rise to anti-antibodies. Such anti-antibodies or anti-idiotypic antibodies have been investigated widely [1]. The combining site of an anti-idiotypic antibody may display structural features which may be the xe2x80x9cinternal imagexe2x80x9d of the original antigen (the previous antibody). Attempts have also been described lately of producing monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies being functional internal images of enzyme active sites leading in one case to the formation of a catalytic antibody with cholinesterase activity [2]. This was carried out by allowing an antibody raised against an enzyme, i.e. cholinesterase, to be injected resulting in the aforementioned anti-anti-bodies.
A more presently developed technique, that of molecular imprinting, is a major element for the here described invention [3, 4]. It is the name given to a process for preparing polymers that are selective for a particular compound (the print molecule). The technique involves: (1) prearranging the print molecule and the monomers and allowing complementary interactions (non-covalent or reversible covalent) to develop; (2) polymerising around the print molecule-monomer complex; and (3) removing the print molecule from the polymer by extraction (FIG. 1). Polymerisation thus preserves the complementarity to the print molecule and the polymer will selectively adsorb the print molecule subsequently. The technique has also been referred to as xe2x80x9chost-guestxe2x80x9d polymerisation or template polymerisation.

Preparation and application of artificial anti-idiotypic imprints


The rotor cover (2) of an open-end spinning machine possesses a projecting cover cap (3) with a side recess (4), which, on its end remote from the rotor cover is bordered by a collar (40). This possesses both in the partial zone of its circumferential area containing the collar (40), and in the remaining circumferential zone, essentially the same outer contour. The recess (4) begins, relative to the direction of rotation (f) of the spin rotor 1, between 30xc2x0 and 130xc2x0 after the discharge opening (50) of the fiber feed conduit (5) and ends at a section of the of the wall (51) protruding from the radial surface (20) of the rotor cover (2). The recess (4) extends to a radial surface (20) of the rotor cover (2) which radial surface (20) covers the open side of the spin rotor.

The present invention concerns an open-end spinning apparatus in accord with the generic concept of claim 1 as well as a rotor cover in accord with the generic concept of claim 2.
DE 24 19 670 A1 has disclosed, that a thin space for a sealing element can be provided between the spin rotor and the rotor cover, in that area in which the fiber feed conduit discharges, while in the remaining area, a relatively greater separating distance remains untouched. However, experience has shown, that such utilization of space for sealing leads to disadvantageous results in consideration of the quality of the produced thread.
Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to create an open-end spinning apparatus, which avoids these disadvantages and with the aid of the invented open-end spinning apparatus, a positive effect is achieved regarding the thread quality, in particular where the tensile strength of said thread is concerned.
This purpose is achieved in accord with the invention by means of the features of the claim 1 or 2. Experience has surprisingly demonstrated, that by means of a recess in the cover cap of the rotor cover, located at that side thereof proximal to the free end of the said cover cap, the thread quality can be improved, especially in regard to the tensile strength and the uniformity of the thread.
Advantageously, the circumferential area of the cover cap which carries a collar, is designed in accord with claim 3 throughout its entire circumference. This is of advantage, both in regard to manufacture and in regard to the thread yield.
Advantageously, the invented recess is developed in accord with one or more of the claims 4 to 9, because such a design of the object of the invention, surprisingly, leads to especially fortunate thread results.
The object of the invention leads to better thread results, especially where the tensile strength of the thread is concerned, as well in regard to the uniformity of the thread. Moreover, the invented apparatus is simple to produce and can, upon need, even be made suitable for retrofit by an exchange of the rotor cover in an open-end spinning machine.

Open-end spinning apparatus and a rotor cover


A cable laying structure for a robot, which does not interfere with external devices in a periphery of a forearm. Camera and hand control cables and motor control cables are drawn into a robot mechanism through a connection panel of a base of a robot main body. While allowing the motor control cables to sequentially diverge, the control cables are arranged in a robot arm along an upper arm portion and guided to the forearm. The control cables are introduced into the forearm with a shield and a sheath removed. After reaching an end effector-mounting face, the control cables are connected to a camera and a hand. The forearm is formed of conductive material and grounded on the base of the robot main body to have the same electric potential as the base by using an earth cable, and therefore the forearm is utilized in replacement of the shield.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cable laying structure for an industrial robot and in particular to a cable laying structure for connection with an analogue camera, a digital camera or a force sensor, which is attached to a wrist of an industrial robot of a horizontal or vertical articulated type.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, it has been more and more common to equip a robot with a visual or force sensor in order to make the robot intelligent. In case that the robot is equipped with a visual or force sensor, it is required to attach camera cables for controlling a visual sensor or force-sensor cables for controlling a force sensor to the robot. For instance, JP 2001-145634A discloses a cable laying structure for an endoscope (camera) attached to a robot.
A camera utilized for a visual sensor is generally an analogue or digital camera. Analogue camera cables include a coaxial cable for transmitting a signal and a camera power cable, whereas digital camera cables include a signal cable for transmitting a digital picture signal and a camera power cable. On the other hand, utilized for the force-sensor cables are a signal cable for transmitting a detection signal of a strain gauge in a force sensor and a force-sensor power cable.
A cable structure usually employed is the one in which the whole cables are covered with a shield member and a sheath so that the picture signal of the camera and the detection signal of strain gauge of the force sensor are not affected by noise from without and so that noise does not leak outside. Therefore, the sheath and shield of the camera and force-sensor cables are indispensable. Consequently, as for a robot with a forearm portion having a wrist shaft movable in a wide range, the cables are managed while being supported by an external supporting member in consideration of the life of the cables as in the mode in which the cables are hung outside the forearm by a hanger.
FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate the above arrangement. In the vicinity of the wrist of the robot 1, there is mounted an analogue camera, or digital camera, or force sensor C/S alongside of the hand 5. The cables CB connected to the camera or force sensor C/S are introduced into the inside of robot mechanism from the connection panel 3 with a connector, that is fixed to a base 2 of a robot 1, and drawn out of the robot mechanism in the immediate vicinity of the forearm 4. The cables CB that have been drawn out of the robot main body are hung by the hanger 9 mounted closely to the forearm 4 and pass the outside of the forearm 4 to reach the camera or force sensor C/S.
In a conventional cable laying structure, as described above, the camera cables that control the visual sensor (analogue or digital camera) mounted closely to the tip end of the robot wrist or the force-sensor cables that control the force sensor are embedded in the robot arm up to the immediate vicinity of the forearm. From the forearm portion to the tip end of the wrist, however, the cables are hung by the hanger or the like, that is attached on the outside of the robot arm, to be managed as far as the tip end of the robot wrist.
For this reason, when the robot system is actually utilized, the cables are liable to interfere with peripheral devices, which often becomes a problem in the field.


A motion-coupled visual environment prevents, reduces and/or treats motion sickness by sensing inertial motion and providing a corresponding evocative image for a subject to view. Inertial sensors may include accelerometers, gyroscopes or a variety of other different sensor types. A cross-coupling algorithm may be used to cross couple different sensed inertial motions. A variety of mapping schemes may be used to map sensed inertial motion to corresponding motion within the evocative scene displayed on the display. Driver-centric, passenger-centric and simulation surround systems are possible. Applications include reducing motion sickness on passenger vehicles such as airplanes, trains and cars; on military vehicles such as ships, airplanes, helicopters and the like; and reducing “cybersickness” in the context of simulations on moving platforms.

Countless trips and vacations have been spoiled by motion sickness. Motion sickness symptoms range from the distracting, such as eyestrain and blurred vision, to the debilitating, such as nausea, depression and apathy. Moreover, motion sickness generally does not go away immediately upon removal of the stimulus making the person sick, but rather takes some time to subside These symptoms often cause inconvenience and discomfort, and may in some instances cause more serious issues. Imagine for example a motion-sick soldier who must function effectively in combat immediately after being transported by airplane, ship or helicopter.
Motion sickness most notably occurs in automobiles, trucks, military vehicles, ships, airplanes, and other motion sources. Some people get motion-sickness every time they ride in a car, on a plane or in a ship. But interestingly, motion sickness is not limited to situations where there is actual motion. For example, one may get motion sickness while stationary if exposed to large format immersive displays such as commonly employed by simulators, virtual environments (VE), high-definition television, military displays and other display systems. Motion sickness due to simulator and virtual-environment exposure is commonly referred to as "cybersickness." One may also suffer motion sickness if exposed to a large format display that, itself is on a moving platform. This can occur for example with a training simulation on a ship, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operator control station on an aircraft, or possibly even under some circumstances while watching an immersive television display in a moving car, plane or train.
Cybersickness occurs in a high percentage of individuals receiving virtual training. Given sufficient stimulation, motion sickness can be induced in all individuals with intact senses of balance. Virtual-environment exposure aftereffects include eyestrain, dizziness, and nausea, which can last more than an hour after a training session. In a significant percentage of the population, symptoms can persist for more than six hours post session. Prolonged exposure to virtual-environment simulations can lead to distinct physiological changes, such as in the resting point of accommodation or recalibration of perception-action couplings.
Common approaches for reducing or relieving motion sickness consist primarily of medications and alternative health products. Examples include Dramamine, Scopolamine, herbal remedies, and pressure bands worn on the wrist. Most medications for motion sickness have undesirable side effects such as drowsiness, and the efficacy of alternative health products has not been proven in clinical trials. Additionally, to be effective, medications such as Dramamine usually require ingesting before the onset of motion-sickness. This may not help a passenger who unexpectedly gets motion-sickness.
Discord of spatial information from the principal spatial senses (vestibular system, eyes, and non-vestibular proprioceptors) has been shown to be among the primary causes of motion sickness. This condition of sensory discordance, where one's spatial sensors are in conflict) is commonly experienced when the inertial environment is not correctly reflected by the visual environment. The visual stimuli do not match the proprioceptive receptors, including the vestibular system—or in simpler terms, the motion the body senses does not match the motion seen by the eyes.
The discontinuity between actual motion and perceived motion in a virtual environment has also been shown to be among the contributing factors to cybersickness. This decoupling can arise from a mismatch between visually presented scene motion and physically experienced motion. New research indicates that an environment that has a display on an independent motion platform is even more provocative in causing motion sickness.
Some in the past have tried to use a sensor and a display to reduce motion sickness.
One approach uses an "artificial labyrinth" displayed on a head-mounted display in conjunction with motion sensors mounted to the head and body to alleviate motion sickness. In this approach, motion sensors or a video recorder are mounted the user's head to provide body, head and inertial environment motion signals indicating the user's true orientation and motion correspond to the user's proprioceptive senses. A series of visual cues, such as lines that behave similar to attitude indicators found in airplanes, are presented to the user in the form of "artificial labyrinth" visual stimuli displayed on the head-mounted display (HMD). For example, the user is presented with a line that relates to the orientation of his or her head and body and also to the inertial platform on which the user is stationed. Another approach presents a stabilized image to the user in place of the actual image one would normally perceive. This similar to how motion picture cameras works. The motion sensor data or video images are averaged to provide a smooth stabilized cue or image, but the stabilized image is not aligned to the actual inertial environment. Thus the presented image is stabilized but it is unrelated to motion in the physical world. Such a stabilized but uncoupled image may actually abet the onset of motion sickness rather than abating it. Exposure to an uncoupled visual environment and inertial environment may in some cases produce significantly more severe sickness than exposure to just the virtual environment or just the motion platform.
Another approach uses a sensor and a sensor converter to translate inertial motions into perceptual indications, namely:
1) audible tones of varying frequency and volume,
2) mechanical vibrations or forces along different parts of the body, or
3) visual shapes of different color and size.
With this approach, one will often find the sensors are head mounted, object mounted, or in the case of a virtual environment, information is extracted directly from the simulation. Based on this sensed motion, the user would receive audio and/or mechanical and/or visual stimulation.
For audio feedback, the user would receive a different frequency tone that would vary in spectral emphasis based on the motion sensed. However, we have found no human subject research in the open, scientific literature that supports this approach for alleviating motion sickness. The working theory, apparently, is that one may introduce different audible tones and volumes that counteract mechanisms in the vestibular system that lead to motion sickness. It is unclear what these mechanisms may be or how they would be controlled.
For mechanical feedback, the prior approach envisions a device such as a wristband that would vibrate in response to sensed inertial motion. Again, it is not clear how this would resolve the discordance in sensory information between visual and proprioceptive receptors.
For the visual feedback of this prior approach, the display may consist of different shapes, size and colors that vary in some manner based on the inertial frame of reference. For instance, the color of a square could become darker or lighter depending on the sensed pitch. In addition, these elements could be displayed in columns or rows which could be made to appear to be moving with respect to a sensed motion. Once again, it is unclear how such a display would function or whether it would succeed in reducing motion sickness.
Another feedback approach consists of sensing the motion of an individual and then processing the signal to correspond to the actual motion that the vestibular system experiences. Based on these processed signals, an independent visual background (IVB) would be presented to the user. Generally, the independent visual background would consist of visual cues such as an array of vertical and horizontal lines. Since motion of the individual is be sensed, the device appears to be limited to simulators and virtual environments in stationary environments.
This prior approach envisions the user seeing an independent visual background superimposed upon the image. In the case of a virtual environment or non-moving simulator, the independent visual background would consist of a pattern of stationary lines. So while the scene may include motion, the visual cues that make up the independent visual background would correspond to the vestibular system and show no motion. It is well known in the field of virtual environments that less immersive environments tend to generate less motion sickness. By interrupting the scene with a clearly visible grid pattern superimposed upon the virtual sky or walls, the immersive effect of the virtual environment is curtailed, thus reducing the level of motion sickness.
The inverse of this would be when one is experiencing motion but the visual cues present none, such as when one is in the interior of the ship without windows. In this case, the independent visual background would be a pattern of lines that would move in such a way as to correspond to the motion felt by the vestibular system. This independent visual background could be displayed via projector, head mounted display, or other method.
One drawback of this approach is that a grid of lines may be insufficient to cause the visual system to orient to the grid as opposed to the environment in the room. What the user will see will be a grid pattern moving along a wall. This is similar to the artificial labyrinth approach discussed earlier. In both cases, however, it seems unlikely that users will perceive the line patterns as representing a visual environment with which to orient themselves. If the presented visual stimuli do not "draw the user in," then efficacy is in question.
Another potential drawback of this prior approach is that these cues could interfere with whatever tasks one is performing. This would especially be true for the independent visual background, which overlays a grid of lines on what is visually perceived.
Thus, while much work has been done in the past, no one has yet developed a truly effective display-based technology for reducing, eliminating or alleviating motion sickness. Such technology would be very desirable for use in a wide range of applications including for example military vehicles, passenger vehicles, and stationary and moving simulation platforms.
The exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations solve these problems by providing a new kind of motion coupled visual environment that can be used to prevent, reduce and treat motion sickness. One preferred exemplary illustrative implementation couples physically indicated motion of the inertial environment to motion of a visually presented scene. This coupling alleviates the discord of spatial information from the principal spatial senses such as visual, vestibular and other proprioceptive receptors.
One possible illustrative arrangement, for example, is to display the cockpit view of an aircraft moving over terrain on a computer display. This display is presented on a motion platform that is independent of the display such as a ship at sea, an automobile in motion or many other platforms. Inertial and other types of sensors record motion information, and aspects of this information are fed back into the computer display. For example, a sensed heave (vertical motion) may be shown as a slight pitch or a roll of ten degrees may be shown as a roll of two degrees. Various algorithms may be used to map motion into display information are possible. The user then simply views the display, which will prevent, reduce or at least delay onset of motion sickness for healthy individuals and will even relieve motion sickness for users that are already symptomatic.
A motion coupled visual environment reduces the incidence and severity of motion sickness as compared with exposure to an inertial environment alone. This reduction in motion sickness may be significant. One example illustrative implementation of a motion-coupled visual environment generator includes four components:
an inertial sensor,
a visual display,
software for processing the sensor information, and
software for modifying the visual display.
The exemplary illustrative arrangement works by sensing the inertial environment and relaying this information to an evocative visual scene. For example, one non-limiting example of an evocative scene is a ship moving over a textured water surface with a highly textured mountainous background surrounding the water. Many other scenes are possible. In example arrangements, the scene is modified to coincide fully or partially with the inertial environment, or the visual environment may map onto the inertial environment in a more complex manner. Coupling the visual and inertial environments with a one-to-one mapping of as little as 10% (where the visually represented pitch, for example, is only 10% the magnitude of the actual pitch) may still produce statistically significant beneficial results, although many other successful mapping schemes are possible. In addition, it is possible but not necessary to match the direction of all inertial motions. For example, presenting a visual heave and pitch is generally more effective than presenting a visual heave alone even though the inertial stimuli may include only heave motion.
Generally, we have found that a visual scene is most effective in alleviating or treating motion sickness if it serves to visually entrain the user. While cues may tell the user what is occurring in the inertial environment, they generally do not alleviate the discord perceived by the spatial senses. For example, the presence of an attitude indicator in the cockpit of an aircraft does not prevent a pilot from becoming motion sick. Simply knowing one's position relative to the Earth's frame of reference is generally insufficient information to recouple discordant visual and proprioceptive environments. The user preferably visually tracks stimuli that indicate some correspondence with the inertial frame of reference. Such a stimulus may be produced for example via a virtual scene such as a ship moving over the water; alternatively, it could simply be a window of text moving relative to the desktop or any other type of visual display.
In one preferred illustrative implementation, the presented scene creates apparent motion. Since motion sickness is caused by the discordance between visual stimuli and inertial stimuli as sensed by proprioceptive receptors, among other causes. The visual scene is preferably sufficiently evocative to overcome the perceived discordance. In general, the more realistic and believable the visual scene, the more evocative it becomes, but there are exceptions to this general rule. Effective visual scenes are generally those that can impart a sense of motion to the viewer. Examples include a realistic scene such as those generated by a simulation or virtual environment, or a visual flow field such as that of a "star field" that is moving towards the user. Current technologies for presenting visual information include cathode ray tubes (CRT), flat panel displays, head mounted displays (HMDs), holographic displays and other technologies.
Motion coupled virtual environments can be placed on independent motion environments such as a car, ship, airplane or other motion platform. Motion sickness induction on these platforms is generally greatest when visual access to the inertial environment is limited either physically or perceptually. Physical restrictions could, for example, include a car at night, the rear of aircraft with no windows, or the bowels of a ship with no portals. Perceptual restrictions could include, for example, reading an electronic book in a car, watching a video in an aircraft, or operating an instrument aboard a ship. Here, the outside scene may be available, but the user's attention is diverted to operations within the interior.
Motion sickness can also occur even if the user has good visibility of the external environment and is not distracted from viewing it. Proprioceptive receptors are oftentimes poor at judging the true motion of the inertial environment. Thus, a visual scene that corresponds with the inertial environment may still disagree with the proprioceptive receptors. Another method for motion sickness to occur even with good visual contact with the environment is when the viewpoint is far removed from the most readily apparent visual cue. This may happen in an aircraft, for example; the aircraft may heave in the vertical direction by many feet at a rate that is highly evocative, and yet if the aircraft is at a great enough altitude, the visually presented scene can only barely be perceived to move. Another example would be of an aircraft moving over terrain at low altitude. Suppose a passenger is able to view the terrain through a portal in the floor. He or she would see the terrain moving past the portal at great speed, but the body of the passenger would feel at rest within the stable aircraft. This can create a dissonant visual and inertial environment and thus motion sickness. There are many more examples of this type. In all of these cases, it would be better for those within the motion environment to train their attention on an appropriate motion-coupled visual environment display or displays in order to relieve the onset of motion sickness.
A further preferred exemplary implementation provides a method for alleviating motion sickness caused by a motion environment and by a visual environment operating within an uncoupled inertial environment, such as one would find with a training simulator used aboard a ship and in many other situations. In one exemplary instantiation, through the use of inertial sensors and visual scene data, the visually presented motion and the physically indicated motion of the individual is sensed. These signals are then processed and conditioned to better correlate with the proprioceptive senses, and an evocative environment is presented to the individual that harmonizes the visual and proprioceptive senses associated with motion.
Example non-limiting advantageous features and advantages provided by an illustrative exemplary implementation include:                senses the inertial environment and couples selected aspects of this environment into an evocative visual scene that, when viewed, reduces the onset and severity of motion sickness.        senses the inertial environment and couples selected aspects of this environment into an evocative visual scene that, when viewed, treats motion sickness by reducing the discordance between the visual and inertial environments.        may be used with a virtual environment or simulation whose primary purpose is not the reduction of motion sickness. In this case, the arrangement senses the inertial environment and couples selected aspects of this environment into the visual scene within the virtual environment or simulation that, when viewed, reduces the onset and severity of motion sickness, simulator sickness, cybersickness or any combination of these and other related illnesses.        may be used with a display of video information such as a radar screen display, a commercial television display, a window of text such as in a work processor or electronic book, static or motion graphics or any other type of electronic display and information that may be shown on such a display. In this case, the arrangement senses the inertial environment and couples selected aspects of this environment to move either the entire display image or some window within the display such that, when viewed, it reduces the onset and severity of motion sickness.        may be calibrated to match inaccurate tendencies in a subject's proprioceptive receptors using motion tests prior to use, thus making it even more effective in reducing or alleviating motion sickness.        may permit the user to calibrate on-the-fly the degree and extent of coupling between the sensed inertial environment and the presented visual environment, thus increasing is effectiveness in reducing or alleviating motion sickness.        will permit physiological and other data from the user to be recorded that give independent indications of motion sickness, and these data will be used to calibrate the degree and extent of coupling between the inertial environment and presented visual scene, thus increasing the device's effectiveness in reducing or alleviating motion sickness.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Motion-coupled visual environment for prevention or reduction of motion sickness and simulator/virtual environment sickness