Protector accommodating pocket established by a sheet of dielectric material which is folded upon itself. Includes locking flap having an accurately located entry hole for spade type terminal. Locking shoulder is established by the flap to securely lock a protector in the pocket. A solid segment, interrupted only by a lanced portion provides maximum strength against inadvertant release of the terminal. The assembled member preferably is ultrasonically spot welded and may include a reinforcing member.

The present invention relates to a holder for thermoresponsive means; and more particularly, to a fabricated member adapted to be disposed in intimate relationship with windings of a dynamoelectric machine, and to dynamoelectric machines including a fabricated member that is especially adapted to accommodate devices of the type generally referred to as motor overload protectors.
Extensive work has been done heretofore in connection with providing dynamoelectric machine mounting arrangements for thermoresponsive devices such as overload protectors. For example, Dubberley U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,719 illustrates an approach wherein a metal strip or fin is in heat exchange contact with the casing of motor protective means such as a thermally responsive switch. The metal strip or fin of Dubberley preferably is placed between overlapping or adjacent portions of first and second motor windings. This same Dubberley patent teaches that insulation in the form of paper or other suitable thin dielectric sheet material may be provided between the metal strip or fin and winding portions adjacent thereto.
Pleiss, Jr., et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,322 (which issued Apr. 28, 1964) illustrates still another approach for disposing overload protector means in heat transfer relationship to the end turns of a motor winding. With this approach, an overload protector is accommodated in a pocket formed by a V-shaped piece of metal foil. The metal foil in turn, is disposed between adjacent winding portions, with a V-shaped insulator (formed e.g., of cellulose acetate, or MYLAR material), separating the metal foil and the winding portions adjacent thereto.
With subsequent development of the motor protector mounting art, it has been suggested that economies in the manufacture of motor stators could be accomplished by eliminating the metal foil pocket members used before, and rely instead upon dielectric sheet material to establish a pocket for a motor protector. In order to eliminate the requirement that the motor protector be tied in place in the pocket established therefore; it has also been suggested to provide a dielectric material that could be used to lock against a spade type terminal of such protector. This tab then could be relied upon to hold the protector in place.
One variation from the above is to include a dielectric material flap that is folded and positioned to establish a layer of dielectric material between the stator winding and the interconnected portions of windings and external conductors. This dielectric material flap is now of a size and shape to permit it to be folded back over such interconnected portions. Cord or twine may then be tied about the folded over flap. With this arrangement, the flap then also provides extra protection against pulling the lead wires loose from the stator windings.
Heretofore, means such as lacing or tying cord have been relied upon to hold external lead wires in a desired position relative to the winding turns and separate sheets of dielectric material have been used to provide the desired insulation between conductor connections and winding end turns.
I have found that the various approaches suggested by others as described above have certain shortcomings. Accordingly, I have devised a new and improved arrangement that is economical to manufacture, and yet is believed to be extremely reliable in practice. For example, in other approaches, the insulating material seems to easily crack or break at the corners of holes formed therein that receive a protector.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved structural means whereby improved protection against tearing of such pockets is provided.
Locking tabs provided previously have not always securely locked a protector in place and, in at least some instances, the location of entry and or locking apertures have not always been precisely located so as to properly lock a protector in place. Accordingly, another object is to provide an improved protector receptacle having an improved locking flap arrangement so that the advantages of quick assembly may be obtained and yet maximum locking strength also be established and maintained.
Still another object is to provide a uniquely contoured surface that establishes an entry hole for a fabricated, dielectric material protector holder; and yet protects against breaking of the dielectric material at the corners while providing and maintaining a snug fit of a protector disposed in such hole.
Still other objects are to provide closing tabs, and reinforcing means, in a fabricated, dielectric material, protector holder.


Disclosed is an X-ray image display apparatus with improved depth resolution, the display apparatus including a storage storing a plurality of X-ray frame data about a subject, an image processor reconstructing a first X-ray image by using a first group of X-ray frame data constituted by at least a portion of the plurality of X-ray frame data and reconstructing a second X-ray image by using a second group of X-ray frame data constituted by at least a portion of the plurality of X-ray frame data, a display configured to provide a screen, and a viewer module displaying a background image display part and a partial image display part disposed at a portion of the background image display part on the screen, displaying the first X-ray image on the background image display part, and displaying a portion of the second X-ray image corresponding to the first X-ray image on the partial image display part.

In the medical field, an X-ray apparatus refers to a device that transmits a predetermined amount of X-rays to a body part to be imaged, detects the transmitted X-rays with an X-ray sensor, and constructs an X-ray image based on detected electrical signals. The X-rays are attenuated and transmitted at different attenuation rates depending on the material on the traveling path, and when they reach the X-ray sensor, they are converted into electrical signals by photoelectric effect. The X-ray apparatus provides information about the inside of a subject as an X-ray image by using electrical signals with the cumulative amount of attenuation along the X-ray path being reflected in the image.
A computed tomographic (CT) image provides a three-dimensional X-ray image of the subject by reconstructing X-ray image data imaged at different angles while the X-ray generator that irradiates X-rays and the X-ray sensor that receives the X-rays are rotated around the subject.
A panoramic X-ray image is shown along an image layer as an arbitrary tomogram in the dental arch by superimposing a plurality of X-ray image data imaged by sections of the subject's dental arch through a so-called shift-and-add method, which is a tomography technique. The panoramic X-ray image is widely used particularly in the dental field.
The conventional panoramic X-ray image is problematic in that when a focusing area of the imaging apparatus, i.e., a reference image layer (predetermined image layer) determined by an imaging locus of the imaging apparatus is out of the actual dental arch locus of the subject, i.e., an interest area within the dental arch, the image of that part is not clear.
To solve the problem, there have been disclosed a technique for reconstructing a panoramic X-ray image of a plurality of image layers with a plurality of X-ray image data obtained through one imaging sequence (see Korean Patent No. 10-0917679), and a technique for providing a panoramic X-ray image that approximates the dental arch locus over the entire section of the panoramic X-ray image by choosing and combining the sharpest panoramic X-ray image that is closest to the dental arch locus through comparing panoramic X-ray images of a plurality of image layers by sections (see Korean Patent No. 10-1094180). There have been further disclosed a technique where after sizes of the images reconstructed along the image layers or sizes of the images used for reconstruction are scaled to be equal to the size of a reference image, all or a part of an image that clearly shows a predetermined interest area among the scaled images is selected, and the scaled images are divided into a plurality of blocks and the sharp images are selected from the divided block images, and a panoramic X-ray image is provided by using the selected images (see Korean Patent No. 10-1389841), and a technique where in the state where image data of a plurality of image layers is stored, a reference image layer is determined from a plurality of image layers, and a block corresponding to at least one block specified in the reference image layer is found in another image layer, after the clearest image is selected by comparing image data of the corresponding blocks, when the selected block is not the block specified in the reference image layer, the reference image layer is reconstructed and displayed by replacing the specified block of the reference image layer with the selected block of another image layer (see Korean Patent No. 10-1664166).
The panoramic X-ray image has the depth resolution, that is, the spatial resolution in the depth direction according to the X-ray irradiation direction, due to the characteristics of tomography technology. Here, the depth resolution of the panoramic X-ray image is inversely proportional to the depth of the image layer according to the X-ray irradiation direction, i.e., the thickness of the image layer. However, the conventional panoramic X-ray image is insufficient in the aspect of a depth resolution compared with computed tomography. For example, at the present level of panoramic X-ray image, it is difficult to distinguish the depth difference between the inner dental root and the outer dental root from a single image in one molar. Accordingly, some diseases such as periodontitis may not be found in panoramic X-ray images depending on where they occur.
A cephalometric X-ray image is a two-dimensional X-ray image of a head portion, which is divided into two methods: one-shot method for reconstructing a two-dimensional X-ray image of the imaging area with one directional X-ray image data transmitted through the entire imaging area; and scan method for reconstructing reconstructs a two-dimensional X-ray image of the imaging area with a plurality of X-ray image data obtained by scanning an X-ray passing through a part of the imaging area in the width direction. The cephalometric X-ray image is mainly used in the dental or ENT fields and is classified into LAT (lateral), AP (anteroposterior), PA (posteroanterior), SMV (submento vertex), and W/V (water's view) depending on the imaging direction.
However, since the cephalometric X-ray image is a two-dimensional X-ray image without depth resolution, that is, spatial resolution in the depth direction according to the X-ray irradiation direction, it is impossible to distinguish the desired, and as a result, to identify the section at a specific depth in a cephalometric X-ray image, computed tomography of the entire head must be performed, which causes unnecessary overexposure as well as economic burden on the subjects and hospitals.

X-ray image display apparatus and method for X-ray image display


The present invention provides a matrix address generator for generating horizontal and vertical addresses in various patterns in the case where a memory table matrix provided in gradation data storage means is specified by the horizontal and vertical addresses. The matrix address generator comprises a dot counting portion, a line counting portion, an address exchanging portion, a boundary exchanging portion, matrix boundary counting portions, and adding portions. Addresses counted by the dot counting portion are exchanged by the address exchanging portion if necessary. The addresses and adding addresses counted by the matrix boundary counting portion are added together so that addresses having various patterns can be obtained.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a multivalue gradation processor for images provided in an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to the improvement of an address generator which generates an address for specifying the memory table of a dither matrix memory in the case where a multivalue gradation processing for images is carried out by using the dither matrix memory.
2. Background of Art
There has been used a method for reproducing half-tone images in the image forming apparatus such as a dither method, a density pattern method or an area gradation method using them together (hereinafter referred to as "a multivalue dither method"). Various digital image forming apparatuses such as a digital copying apparatus, a digital facsimile apparatus, a digital printer and the like have variously been devised in order to reproduce a good half-tone image by utilizing the above-mentioned methods.

Matrix address generator and multivalue gradation processor having the same


A semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate, a semiconductor laminate having a base semiconductor layer, a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer sequentially formed on the substrate and divided by an isolation region to provide a plurality of light emitting cells, an intermediate separation layer interposed between the base semiconductor layer and the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a plurality of first and second electrodes connected to the first and second conductivity-type semiconductor layers, respectively, of the plurality of light emitting cells, and a wiring unit connecting the first and second electrodes of different light emitting cells.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor light emitting device and, more particularly, to a semiconductor light emitting device having a structure in which a plurality of light emitting cells are arranged, and a light emitting module and an illumination apparatus including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a semiconductor light emitting device, having advantages as a light source in terms of output, efficiency and reliability, has been actively studied and developed as a high output, high efficiency light source that may be used in a backlight of a display device or in various illumination apparatuses.
In order to use an LED as an illuminating light source commercially, an LED may be required to have a high degree of luminance efficiency and incur low manufacturing costs, while providing a desired high level of output. However, if a rated current is increased to thereby obtain a high degree of luminous flux in an LED chip having the same area as a high output LED, current density may also be increased to degrade luminance efficiency, and heating of the device may accelerate the luminance efficiency thereof (i.e., luminance efficiency may be degraded due to an increase in current density and a degradation of luminance efficiency may be accelerated due to heating of the device).
Meanwhile, in order to alleviate the problem of current density, a method of increasing the area of an LED chip may be considered, but in this case, it may be difficult to implement a uniform current density across the entire area of the chip and a high production yield may be difficult to obtain.
Thus, as a solution to this problem, a method of implementing an epitaxial layer, for an LED grown on a single substrate, to form a plurality of LED cells through an isolation process and connecting the plurality of LED cells may be taken into consideration. Here, during the isolation process, slopes of surfaces of the respective LED cells are required to be sufficiently gentle to allow a metal for connecting the plurality of LED cells to be easily deposited thereon. In this case, however, since a large amount of the epitaxial layer may be removed during the isolation process, an effective light emitting area (i.e., the area of an active layer) may be drastically reduced.

Semiconductor light emitting device, light emitting module, and illumination apparatus


A disc player comprises an optical scanning device (13) with a turntable (17), which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (17a) and which has a supporting surface (17b) for supporting an information disc, and with a disc-shaped disc carrier (15), which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (15a) and which has carrying surfaces (51) for information discs. The disc player has a driving device comprising a command element (63) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (63a) and which has first means for cooperation with guide means to guide the turntable between a play position and a rest position and second means for cooperation with the disc carrier to rotate the disc carrier between well-defined disc-carrier positions.

The invention relates to a disc player comprising a stationary frame, a scanning device for scanning information discs, in particular optical or magneto-optical disc-shaped record carriers, disc carrier, and a driving mechanism. The scanning device comprises a turntable which is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and which has a supporting surface for supporting an information disc. The disc carrier is disc-shaped and is rotatable about an axis and has carrying surfaces for information discs. The mechanism comprises driving a command element which is rotatable about a second axis of rotation and has a first device for cooperation with a guide structure for guiding the turntable between a first position, in which the supporting surface of the turntable extends at one side of the plane defined by all the carrying surfaces of the disc carrier, and a second position, in which the supporting surface extends at the other side of the plane defined by all the carrying surfaces; and a second device for cooperation with the disc carrier to rotate the disc carrier between two well-defined (that is, accurately defined) disc-carrier positions.
Such a disc player is known from GB-A 2,187,877 (herewith incorporated by reference). The known disc player has a housing with a drawer which is supported in a frame and can be slid into and out of the housing. The drawer has a disc carrier adapted to receive five optical discs. The drawer carries an electric motor for rotating the disc carrier and holding it in well-defined positions, microswitches being provided for the detection of these positions. The scanning device, which comprises an optical scanning element and a turntable, is secured in an element which is movable relative to the frame. The drawer is slid in and out by means of an electric motor which is arranged in the housing and is coupled to a toothed command disc. The command disc has a toothed ring for cooperation with a toothed rack of the drawer and further has a spiral groove which is engaged by a pin of the slide carrying said element. After the drawer has been slid into the housing the command disc is rotated to bring the turntable from a rest position to a play position.
A disc player of the type defined above requires a proper coordination between the rotary movements and positions of the disc carrier and the movements and positions of the turntable.
A disadvantage of the known disc player is that for rotating the disc carrier and moving the turntable two separate drives are needed. The presence of two drives with associated electric motors and transmission mechanisms requires additional space, which is often scarce in modem compact equipment. Moreover, dedicated electronic controls are needed for actuating one drive relative to the other drive at the correct instants in order to guarantee the appropriate positions of the disc carrier and the turntable relative to one another. Obtaining short access times is difficult as a result of the presence of two drives.

Disc changer with common command element for turntable and disc carrier


A plunger 20 which moves in and out relative to an illuminated panel 10 to operate a switch 18 is assembled from the front of the panel by pushing a shaft 24 with radial extensions 28 through a socket. The extensions yield to allow the shaft to pass through the socket and spring out once the shaft has passed through. A compressible gasket 32 is positioned between a shoulder 34 on the knob and the front face of the panel 10, to prevent light leaking from behind the panel, and to provide a restoring force to return the plunger to its start position after operation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an instrument panel with a reciprocable plunger for mounting through an aperture in a (preferably illuminated) instrument panel. The plunger can for example be used to re-set a function on the instrument panel, (e.g., the trip counter) but is not limited to any particular application.
2. Disclosure Information
It is known to mount a re-set knob behind the front face of an instrument panel with a return spring acting between a part of the knob and another fixed structure. This construction has to be assembled from behind the panel, which is disadvantageous. Also, it is difficult to prevent light leakage with such a construction.
It would be desireable to provide a reciprocable plunger that is easy to assemble and reduces light leakage when the plunger passes through an illuminated instrument panel.

Instrument panel with a reciprocable plunger


A muscle-relaxing therapeutic reclining chair including a framework and an inclined body-receiving cushioned portion comprising a plurality of chamber-defining portions carrying liquid under controllable pressure therein and which in one preferred form can be heated in a controlled manner and with the entire device being capable of being selectively and controllably oscillated by a vibrator means whereby to not only provide a soft fluid support equivalent to that provided by a water bed, but to provide the application of a desired amount of relaxing heat to a user's body while at the same time applying a desired amount of vibratory movement to the user's body whereby to be conducive toward complete muscle relaxation with all of the inherent therapeutic effects alleged to flow therefrom.

The field of the invention is generally that of chairs and, more particularly, the field of reclining chairs of the type sometimes referred to as contoured chairs, or the like, which are curved and upwardly and rearwardly generally inclined so that a person lies back on one in a semi-reclining or a near-reclining position for the purpose of achieving the maximum degree of relaxation without actually going to bed. Such reclining chairs are considered to be advantageous because almost all stress and strain is removed from the voluntary muscle system of the human body because of the full and complete semi-reclining support provided by such a chair, plus the fact that it places the body in a condition minimizing circulatory overload. In fact, in some cases, such contoured chairs have been referred to as heart chairs, meaning that a minimal load is placed on the heart when one is resting in such a reclining chair. This type of chair is in some cases superior to bed rest particularly for persons afflicted with respiratory problems of one sort or another such as emphysema, or even congestive heart disease, asthma or the like--in fact any situation where fluid may tend to accumulate in the lungs and such a slightly elevated position above the flat horizontal level of a true reclining supine position minimizes breathing difficulties. However, it is clear that if, in addition to the above advantages, such a reclining chair could facilitate or tend to increase blood circulation while maintaining a very relaxed condition of the muscles, such as is provided when one is passively massaged by another, this would be an advantageous type of construction. This is precisely what is provided by and in the novel muscle-relaxing therapeutic reclining chair of the present invention, and it has advantages completely overcoming various prior art disadvantages and limitations of conventional chairs, and all of which advantages flow from and occur by reason of the specific features of the invention pointed out hereinafter.


This device has an optical pickup section, a first rack portion provided on the optical pickup section, a slide member having an opening/closing portion for opening/closing a facing surface of the objective lens to the optical disc and a second rack portion provided to be slidable on the first rack portion, and a driving mechanism having a driving gear which meshes with the first rack portion and the second rack portion. In this device, when the optical pickup section is moved to a predetermined position, the meshing state of the first rack portion with the driving gear is canceled and the second rack portion is driven by the driving gear to move the slide member, thereby moving the opening/closing portion from a position for opening the facing surface side of the objective lens to a position for closing the facing surface side.

An optical pickup device which reproduces information from an optical disc such as a CD (compact disc) as an optical disc is known. The optical pickup device of this type has an optical pickup 111 for reproducing information from an optical disc, a moving mechanism 112 for moving the optical pickup 111 in the radial direction of the optical disc, and a chassis 113 for movably supporting the optical pickup 111 and also supporting the moving mechanism 112, as shown in FIG. 1.
The optical pickup 111 is provided movably in the directions of arrows b1 and b2 in FIG. 1, in an aperture 116 for movement provided in the chassis 113, as shown in FIG. 1. The optical pickup 111 has an optical system (not shown) having an objective lens 118, a driving portion (not shown) for driving and displacing the objective lens 118 in the direction of the optical axis of the objective lens 118 and in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis, and a cover member 120 for covering the driving portion.
The optical pickup 111 has a light source such as a laser diode for emitting a laser beam, a group of lenses constituting the optical system, and a light receiving section for receiving a reflected light from the optical disc, though not shown in the drawing. The driving section provided in the optical pickup 111 has a lens holder for holding the objective lens 118, a supporting mechanism for supporting the lens holder displaceably in the direction of the optical axis of the objective lens 118 and in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis, and an electromagnetic circuit section for driving the lens holder by an electromagnetic force. The cover member 120 is made of, for example, a resin material formed in a substantially box-like shape, and has a substantially elliptic aperture 121 provided therein for exposing the objective lens 118 to the optical disc, as shown in FIG. 1.
The moving mechanism 112 has a supporting base 123 for supporting the optical pickup 111, a supporting shaft 124 for supporting the supporting base 123 movably in the radial direction of the optical disc, a guide portion 125 for movably guiding the supporting base 123, a slide member 126 for moving the supporting base 123, a compression coil spring 127 for energizing the slide member 126 in the axial direction of the supporting shaft 124 with respect to the supporting base 123, a driving gear 128 for driving the slide member 126, and a driving motor (not shown) for rotationally driving the driving gear 128, as shown in FIG. 1.
The optical pickup 111 is arranged on the major surface of the supporting base 123, and the supporting base 123 has bearing portions 131, 131 through which the supporting shaft 124 is movably inserted and a guide recess portion 132 which is movably engaged with the guide portion 125, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. At one end of the supporting base 123, a rack portion 133 which is meshed and moved with the driving gear 128 is integrally formed.
This rack portion 133 is formed parallel to the axial direction of the supporting shaft 124, as shown in FIG. 1. The rack portion 133 has engagement pawls 135, 135 which are engaged with the slide member 126, and a retaining piece 136 for retaining one end of the compression coil spring 127.
As shown in FIG. 1, the axial direction of the supporting shaft 124 is arranged parallel to the radial direction of the optical disc, across the aperture 116 for movement of the chassis 113, and both ends of the supporting shaft 124 are fixed on the chassis 113 by fixing portions, not shown.
The guide portion 125 is linearly formed by using a resin material and is formed parallel to the axial direction of the supporting shaft 124 along one lateral edge of the aperture 116 for movement of the chassis 113, as shown in FIG. 1. With this guide portion 125, the guide recess portion 132 of the supporting base 123 is movably engaged, as shown in FIG. 2.
The slide member 126 has a rack portion 138 formed parallel to the axial direction of the supporting shaft 124, and this rack portion 138 is shifted by approximately a half cog thickness from he rack portion 133 of the supporting case 123, as shown in FIG. 3. In the slide member 126, engagement holes 140, 140 are formed which are engaged with the engagement pawls 135, 135 of the rack portion 133 of the supporting base 123, as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, an aperture 141 in which the compression coil spring 127 is arranged is provided substantially at the center of the major surface of the slide member 126, and a retaining piece 142 for retaining the other end of the compression coil spring 127 is formed at one end of the aperture 141.
As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the compression coil spring 127 is retained by the retaining piece 136 of the rack portion 133 of the supporting base 123, and the other end of the compression coil spring 127 is retained by the retaining piece 142 of the slide member 126. Therefore, the compression coil spring 127 energizes, by its elastic force, the slide member 126 in the direction of an arrow b3 parallel to the axial direction of the supporting shaft 124 with respect to the rack portion 133 of the supporting base 123.
In the optical pickup device, in order to prevent attachment of dust and particles to the facing surface of objective lens 118 of the optical pickup 111 which faces the optical disc due to an air current within the device in the reproduction standby state or the like, an opening/closing mechanism 145 is provided which has an opening/closing member 146 provided movably between a closing position for covering the facing surface of the objective lens 118 and an opening position for opening and exposing the facing surface of the objective lens 118 to the optical disc, as shown in FIG. 1.
The opening/closing mechanism 145 has the opening member 146 for opening/closing the facing surface of the objective lens 118, a rotary shaft 147 for rotatably supporting the opening/closing member 146, and a tension coil spring 148 for energizing the opening/closing member 146 to the closing position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
As shown in FIG. 1, the opening/closing member 146 has an opening/closing portion 151 for opening/closing the aperture 121 of the cover member 120 of the optical pickup 111, a bearing portion 152 for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft 147, a guide portion 153 slidably engaged with the cover member 120 for guiding the opening/closing portion 151, and an operating portion 154 for rotating the opening/closing portion 151 in the directions of arrows c1 and c2 in FIG. 1.
The opening/closing portion 151 is formed in a substantially flat plate-like shape and slides on the upper surface of the cover member 120, thus opening/closing the aperture 121 of the cover member 120. \ The bearing portion 152 is integrally formed at one end of the opening/closing portion 151 and has a shaft hole in which the rotary shaft 147 is rotatably inserted. The guide portion 153 is formed to have a cross section of a substantially U-shape fallen sideways, and is slidably engaged with a substantially arc-shaped guide piece 155 which is integrally formed to protrude on the outer circumferential portion of the cover member 120. The operating portion 154 is formed at a position where it is exposed to an operating protrusion 156 provided on the chassis 113, on the outer circumferential portion of the bearing portion 152, as shown in FIG. 1. When the optical pickup 111 is moved to the innermost part of the recording area of the optical disc, the operating portion 154 is abutted against the operating protrusion 156 and rotates the bearing portion 152 in the direction of rotation of the rotary shaft 147.
The rotary shaft 147 is provided upright on the supporting base 123 and is rotatably inserted in the shaft hole of the bearing portion 152 of the opening/closing member 146. The tension coil spring 148 has its one end retained by a retaining piece 158 provided on the supporting base 123 and has its other end retained by a retaining piece 159 situated near the bearing portion 152 of the opening/closing member 146, as shown in FIG. 1. The tension coil spring 148 energizes the rack portion 133 of the supporting base 123 and the rack portion 138 of the slide member 126 in the direction for offsetting the backlash with respect to the driving gear 128, and is precisely moved to the supporting base 123 and the slide member 126 by the driving gear 128. That is, in the optical pickup device, since the rack portion 133 of the supporting base 123 and the rack portion 138 of the slide member 126 are energized by the compression coil spring 127 and thus meshed with the driving gear 128, the optical pickup 111 can be moved with high precision.
On the chassis 113, a disc rotational driving mechanism for rotationally driving the optical disc is provided. The disc rotational driving mechanism has a disc table 160 on which the optical disc is set, and a spindle motor (not shown) for rotationally driving the disc table 160, as shown in FIG. 4.
In the optical pickup device constituted as described above, when reproducing information from the optical disc, the supporting base 123 is moved along the supporting shaft 124 and the guide portion 125 by the moving mechanism 112, and the optical pickup 111 is moved in the radial direction of the optical disc.
In the optical pickup device, as shown in FIG. 5, when the optical pickup 111 is moved in the radial direction of the optical disc to the innermost part of the recording area of the optical disc, the operating portion 154 of the opening/closing member 146 is abutted against the operating portion 156 on the chassis 113 and the optical pickup 111 is moved further by a predetermined quantity, thus rotating the opening/closing member 146 in the direction of an arrow c2 against the energizing force of the tension coil spring 148. In the optical pickup device, when the optical pickup 111 is moved to the innermost circle of the optical disc, the opening/closing member 146 is rotated to the closing position to close the aperture 121 of the cover member 120, thus preventing attachment of dust and particles to the facing surface of the objective lens 118, as shown in FIG. 5.
In the optical pickup device, when the optical pickup 111 is moved into a TOC (table of contents) area on the inner side of the recording area, the opening/closing member 146 is rotated to the opening position and the facing surface of the objective lens 118 of the optical pickup 111 is exposed to the optical disc, thus enabling reproduction of information from the optical disc. The optical pickup 111 reproduces information from the optical disc while the opening/closing member 146 is situated to the opening position, as shown in FIG. 4.
Since the opening/closing mechanism 145 for causing the opening/closing member 146 to carry out the opening/closing operation has the rotary shaft 147 and the tension coil spring 148, the above-described conventional optical pickup device has problems that the manufacturing cost is high, that the assembly work is troublesome, and that assembly failure tends to occur.
In the conventional optical pickup device, since the opening/closing member 146 is rotatably provided via the rotary shaft 147, the lever ratio is related to the quantity of rotation near the bearing portion 152 and the quantity of rotation of the opening/closing portion 151.
In the conventional optical pickup device, since the ratio of the quantity of movement of the optical pickup 111 moved when rotating the opening/closing member 146 to the quantity of rotation of the opening/closing member 146 is large, it is difficult to control the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member 146 in accordance with the movement of the optical pickup 111 by a control circuit or the like.
Therefore, the conventional optical pickup device has a problem that the irregularity of the rotating position of the opening/closing member 146 prevents complete closure of the aperture 121 of the cover member 120. To restrain the irregularity of the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member 146, the opening/closing mechanism 145 must increase the precision of each of its component parts and therefore the manufacturing cost must be increased.
In the conventional optical pickup device, the unevenness in the assembly precision or the like of the opening/closing mechanism 145 causes slight unevenness in the slide resistance between the guide portion 153 of the opening/closing member 146 and the guide piece 155 of the cover member 120. Since the slide resistance is amplified by the lever ratio, the opening/closing member 146 cannot carry out the opening/closing operation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Optical pickup device and recording and/or reproducing device


A dental adhesive set is disclosed, comprising (I) a tooth surface conditioning agent and (II) a bonding material, wherein the tooth surface conditioning agent (I) is an acid aqueous solution, and the bonding material (II) comprises a mixture of: (a) a fluoroalumino silicate glass powder, (b) one or two or more unsaturated organic compounds selected from polymerizable unsaturated organic compounds having at least one CH.sub.2.dbd.CR.sub.1 --COO--, wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3, and not having an acid group; (c) an acid; (d) water; and (e) a photopolymerization catalyst. According to the dental adhesive set of the present invention, the dental restoration and the dentin can be firmly and surely adhered to each other in a clinically simple operation, and by imparting properties for continuously releasing a fluoride ion not only the dentinal restoration but also the reinforcement of tooth structure and the inhibition of secondary caries can be expected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dental adhesive set comprising a tooth surface conditioning agent and a bonding material, which is used for adhering a dental composite resin to a tooth structure. More particularly, it relates to a dental adhesive set for continuously releasing a fluoride ion which is considered to be effective for reinforcing a tooth structure when a dental restorative material such as a dental composite resin is adhered to an enamel/dentin.
2. Description of the Related Art
A dental composite resin as a dental restorative material is superior in esthetics and has superior in mechanical properties and handling. For these reasons, the dental composite resin is now widely used as a dental restorative material. However, the composite resin itself has no adhesive properties to a tooth structure. For this reason, in order that the dental composite resin is adhered to a tooth structure, it is considered to be necessary to use an exclusive adhesive having strong adhesive properties, which is simple in handling and safe and reliable. Dental adhesives which have hitherto been used are composed mainly of an unsaturated organic compound and a polymerization catalyst for polymerizing it for curing and optionally, an adhesive monomer, etc. The dental adhesive is used upon application when the dental composite resin is filled. However, since when only the dental adhesive is used, a sufficient adhesive strength is not obtained, it is necessary to subject a cavity to tooth surface conditioning or priming in advance.
In a representative adhesion handling method are employed a series of handlings in which tooth surface conditioning of a tooth structure with an acid solution such as phosphoric acid or citric acid, water washing, drying, priming, drying, application of a bonding material, polymerization, and filling of a composite resin are carried out in this order. Also, there has been known a method in which tooth surface conditioning using a self-etching primer composed of, as a cavity conditioner, an adhesive monomer containing a hydrophilic group such as a phosphoric acid group or a carboxyl group, water, a solvent, a polymerization catalyst, etc., drying, application of a bonding material, polymerization, and filling of a composite resin are carried out in this order.
In recent years, in the preventive dentistry field, expecting a reinforcement of tooth structure and inhibition of a secondary caries by a fluoride ion are used many dental products containing fluoride, such as a fluoride application agent, a fluoride-containing toothpaste, and a fluoride-containing pit and fissure sealant. In addition, in dental restorative materials, a glass ionomer cement is drawing the attention as a material having properties for continuously releasing a fluoride ion and has widely been used for various applications such as a filling material, a luting material, a lining material, a pit and fissure sealant, and an adhesive. However, the glass ionomer is required to mix a fluoride-containing fluoroalumino silicate glass powder and a carboxylic acid aqueous solution at the time of use and therefore, involves a defect that the handling is complicated.
On the other hand, though the dental composite resin which is clinically used frequently every day because the handling as a restorative is simple and is superior in mechanical properties, esthetics, and handling, it does not have properties for releasing a fluoride ion. Further, the dental adhesive which is used together with the restorative composite resin does not have properties for releasing a fluoride ion. Accordingly, it can not be said that the restoration by the composite resin and the adhesive expects the reinforcement of tooth structure or inhibition of secondary caries.
In recent years, products in which a fluoride is contained in a composite resin or a dentinal adhesive are being developed. However, since the fluoride compound used in these products is soluble in water, when it comes into contact with a saliva in the oral cavity, a fluoride ion is released from the material within a short period of time so that an effective reinforcement of tooth structure can not be expected. Also, this causes lowering of the mechanical properties of the material itself.


A digital phase comparator, to be used in a phase locked loop, for example, comprises a first and second input signal terminals receiving a first and second input signals, respectively, the phases of which are to be compared, and a pair of first and second delay flip-flops. The first input signal terminal is connected to a clock terminal of the first delay flip-flop and a reset or set terminal of the second delay flip-flop. The second input terminal is connected to a set or reset terminal of the first delay flip-flop and a clock terminal of the second delay flip-flop. An inverted or non-inverted output terminal of the first delay flip-flop is connected to a data terminal of the second delay flip-flop. An inverted or non-inverted output terminal of the second delay flip-flop is connected to a data terminal of the first delay flip-flop. An output signal associated with the phase difference between the first and second input signals is obtained from the output terminals of the first and second delay flip-flops.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital phase comparing apparatus, and more specifically to a digital phase comparing apparatus for use in, for example, a digital frequency synthesizer having a phase locked loop employed in a citizen band transceiver, a television receiver, a radio receiver and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently radio receivers employing a so-called digital frequency synthesizer using a phase locked loop as a local oscillator have been proposed and put in practical use. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of such a radio receiver employing a digital frequency synthesizer as a local oscillator. Referring to FIG. 1, a tuning and detecting circuit 2 is connected to receive a high frequency signal received by an antenna 1 and to provide an audio signal output. The tuning and detecting circuit 2 is structured to comprise a voltage controlled oscillator 3 as a local oscillator. The output signal from the tuning and detecting circuit 2 is applied to an audio amplifier 4, where the signal is amplified. The output of the audio amplifier 4 is applied to a speaker 5. As well known, in a digital frequency synthesizer radio receiver, a local oscillator is implemented by a voltage controlled oscillator, which is connected to constitute a phase locked loop such that the oscillation frequency is controlled by the phase locked loop.
The phase locked loop shown in FIG. 1 comprises a phase comparator 7 structured to compare the phase of the output of a frequency divider 8 the frequency of which is f1 and the phase of the output of a programmable frequency divider 6 the frequency of which is f2. The frequency divider 8 is structured to frequency divide at a frequency division ratio 1/n the output of a reference oscillator 9 to provide a frequency signal of the frequency f1. The programmable frequency divider 6 is structured to frequency divide at a variable frequency division ratio 1/N the output of the above described voltage controlled oscillator 3 included in the tuning and detecting circuit 2 to provide a frequency signal of the frequency f2. The phase comparator serves to provide a voltage signal proportional to the phase difference between the above described two frequency signals f1 and f2 to a charge pump 10. The output of the charge pump 10 is fed back through a low-pass filter 11 to the above described voltage controlled oscillator 3 as a control voltage. The programmable frequency divider is provided such that the local oscillation frequency, i.e. the oscillation frequency of the voltage controlled oscillator 3 is variable in association with a channel selected by a channel selector 13. More specifically, the data concerning the broadcasting frequencies of various broadcasting stations is in advance stored in a memory 12 and the data corresponding to the broadcasting frequency of a desired broadcasting station is selectively read from the memory 12 responsive to selection of a desired channel by means of the channel selector 13. The data read from the memory 12 is set in the programmable frequency divider 6 as a frequency division ratio. The channel thus selected by the channel selector 13 may be displayed by means of a display 14, as necessary.
The present invention relates to a phase comparator for use in such a digital frequency synthesizer. Various circuit configurations have been heretofore proposed as such a phase comparator. A prior art phase comparator of interest to the present invention is seen, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,954, issued Oct. 5, 1971 to Ronald L. Treadway, entitled "PHASE COMPARATOR USING LOGIC GATES" and U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,463, issued Jan. 30, 1973 to Jon M. Laune, entitled "DIGITAL FREQUENCY AND/OR PHASE DETECTOR CHARGE PUMP". A counterpart British patent corresponding to the above described U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,954 has been granted as British Pat. No. 1,328,031.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a prior art phase comparator disclosed in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,954. As seen from FIG. 2, the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,954 comprises a circuit configuration, wherein for the purpose of signal detection one signal is applied to a NAND gate 74 through a NAND gate 71 while the other signal is applied to a NAND gate 74 through NAND gates 71' and 75. Thus, according to the prior art phase comparator as shown in FIG. 2, a disadvantage is encountered that a connection path for signal detection becomes long and hence stray capacitance becomes large. Furthermore, since the prior art phase comparator shown employs multiple input gates such as the NAND gates 74, 74' and 75, the input capacitance becomes accordingly large. Because of the above described large stray capacitance and input capacitance, a signal is so much delayed that a small phase difference can be hardly detected. Accordingly a so-called spike phenomenon is liable to occur wherein a p-channel MOS transistor 104 and an n-channel MOS transistor 105 of the charge pump 10 becomes simultaneously conductive. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the charge pump 10 are typically implemented by CMOS field-effect transistors; however, employment of CMOS field-effect transistors in the charge pump 10 necessitates employment of an inverter 106 between the NAND gate 74' and the gate of the n-channel MOS transistor. The reason is that a circuit configuration concerning the NAND gate 74 and the circuit configuration concerning the NAND gate 74' are structured in a symmetrical manner. Furthermore, if and when the charge pump 10 is implemented by CMOS field-effect transistors, as shown in FIG. 2, then a small signal corresponding to a small frequency difference does not exceed an input threshold voltage of the inverter 106, inasmuch as such input threshold voltage is approximately 1/2 V.sub.DD. Accordingly, the charge pump 10 becomes irresponsive to an input signal, which makes it impossible to detect a small phase difference. Thus, according to a conventional phase comparator as shown in FIG. 2, the sensitivity of phase detection becomes low and it follows that a carrier to noise ratio of the phase locked loop and thus a signal to noise ratio of a radio receiver is degraded. Furthermore, assuming that such a conventional phase comparator as shown in FIG. 2 is implemented by way of large scale integration, the circuit pattern becomes complicated, inasmuch as the prior art shown is of a random gate type. The problem of complicated circuit pattern is aggravated by an increased number of devices in the circuit.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the prior art phase comparator disclosed in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,463. The phase comparator shown in FIG. 3 comprises two flip-flops 76 and 76' and three NOR gates 77, 78 and 78'. Since the FIG. 3 phase comparator is structured such that coincidence or non-coincidence of the outputs of two J-K flip-flops 76 and 76' is detected and is fed back, a coincidence gate, i.e. the NOR gate 77, is necessarily required. The prior art phase comparator shown in FIG. 3 still requires a larger number of devices, which makes the signal detection path long and accordingly is liable to cause a loss of the signal.


Low-cost, light weight portable cervical traction or spinal decompression devices for home use by a patient. A carriage is slidable along a portion of a support structure parallel to a longitudinal axis. The carriage includes a restraining mechanism adapted to releasably restrain a portion of a patient's body to the carriage. The pneumatic traction force generating apparatus is operatively coupled to move the carriage relative to the support structure when in a pressurized state. The pneumatic traction force generating apparatus is adapted to maintain a generally static traction force during a treatment period when in the pressurized state without additional pressurized air being supplied. A hand pump operated by the patient is fluidly connected to the pneumatic traction force generating apparatus to inject pressurized air. A pressure relief mechanism operated by the patient is adapted to release pressure from the pneumatic traction force generating apparatus.

Traction, also referred to as spinal decompression, is widely used to relieve pressure on inflamed or enlarged nerves. While traction is applicable to any part of the body, cervical and lumbar or spinal traction are the most common. When correctly performed, spinal traction can cause distraction or separation of the vertebral bodies, a combination of distraction and gliding of the facet joints, tensing of the ligamentous structures of the spinal segment, widening of the intervertebral foramen, straightening of spinal curvature and stretching of the spinal musculature. Depending on the injury being treated, the traction component of physical therapy may require multiple sessions per week for a prolonged period of time.
Cervical traction requires a traction force up to approximately 222 N (50 lbs.). Lumbar traction typically requires force equal to half of the patient's bodyweight, or about 333-667 N (75-150 lbs.). The equipment necessary for performing traction, however, has typically been expensive and thus only available to a patient in a therapist's office.
Attempts to create a sufficiently low cost portable traction device for home use have thus far produced unsatisfactory results. A number of portable traction devices utilize pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders to create the traction force. Hydraulic cylinders have the disadvantage of the weight of the hydraulic fluid. Pneumatic cylinders with low pressure inputs typically can not maintain an adequate traction force for a sufficient period of time to be effective in a traction device. In an attempt to overcome this deficiency, some of these devices utilize an automatic pumping device triggered by a pressure sensing device to supply additional compressed air so that a constant level of traction force is maintained. These pump and sensor configurations add cost, weight and complexity to the traction device.
The air input pumps used on some traction devices also exhibit a number of shortcomings. For example, bulb-type air pumps produce relatively small input pressures. A small female patient can generate only about 483 kPa (7 psi) of pressure using a bulb-type pump. Consequently, small input pressure devices require large diameter cylinders to generate the necessary output traction forces. Larger diameter cylinders, when used with low pressure input devices, are more prone to leak, thereby further complicating the problem of maintaining a constant traction force for a prolonged period of time.
Therefore, what is needed is a low cost, light weight portable traction device utilizing a pneumatic traction force generating apparatus that can maintain a traction force of an adequate magnitude for a prolonged period of time.


In a method for performing a touch determination with a capacitive sensor, a self capacitance measurement of a capacitive sensor is initiated, wherein at the same time a mutual capacitance measurement including the capacitive sensor is performed. Such a method can be performed such that the self capacitance measurement and the mutual capacitance measurement differentially cancel with ungrounded conductive objects approaching or touching the capacitive sensor and additively combine for grounded objects approaching or touching the capacitive sensor.

Capacitive touch surface need to be free from contamination to work properly. Capacitive touch sensing in certain environments, however, exposes the touch surface to liquids or other materials that contaminate the surface and have a negative effect on the sensing characteristics. Hence, there is a need for capacitive touch sensing that is not influenced by contamination of the touch surface, in particular water on the touch surface.
Existing solutions for water resistance in capacitive sensing use mutual capacitance only and cause a negative shift on the signal when water is introduced to the system, and a positive shift when a finger is introduced. When water is removed from the system, a false trigger can occur if removing the negative shift causes too large of a positive shift.
Other solutions to this problem use a software pattern-matching algorithm to detect the difference in behavior between water and a finger. This leads to large overhead and the possibility that not all patterns of behavior have been considered.

Analog elimination of ungrounded conductive objects in capacitive sensing


An anti-acne lotion, a method of manufacturing same, and a method of treating skin. The lotion includes zinc oxide, a sodium borate, vinegar, oils, cucumber juice, and hydroxybenzenes.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to an anti-acne lotion. More specifically, this invention provides an anti-acne lotion, a method of manufacturing same, and a method of treating human skin with the anti-acne lotion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The following United Statespatents are related to the field of anti-acne lotion: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,036,991; 2,898,269; 1,593,959; 1,492,823; 3,164,523, and 3,277,616. None of these patents disclose an anti-acne lotion that provide the same benefits as my novel anti-acne lotion.


A piezoelectric device is provided and includes a substrate, a first electrode film, a piezoelectric film, and a second electrode film. The first electrode film is formed on the substrate. The piezoelectric film is represented by Pb1+X(ZrYTi1−Y)O3+X(0≦X≦0.3, 0≦Y≦0.55) and a peak intensity of a pyrochlore phase measured by an X-ray diffraction method is 10% or less with respect to a sum of peak intensities of a (100) plane orientation, a (001) plane orientation, a (110) plane orientation, a (101) plane orientation, and a (111) plane orientation of a perovskite phase, the piezoelectric film being formed on the first electrode film with a film thickness of 400 nm or more and 1,000 nm or less. The second electrode film is laminated on the piezoelectric film.

The present disclosure relates to a piezoelectric device such as an angular velocity sensor, a piezoelectric actuator, and a pyroelectric infrared ray sensor, a production method thereof, and an electronic apparatus equipped with the piezoelectric device.
In the past, lead zirconium titanate (hereinafter, referred to as PZT) is used for a piezoelectric film used in a piezoelectric device such as an angular velocity sensor. Various techniques are proposed for improving piezoelectric characteristics, ferroelectric characteristics, pyroelectric characteristics, and the like of the PZT.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 06-350154 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a PZT thin film whose crystalline structure is rhombohedral, in which, when lead zirconium titanate is represented by Pb1−Y(ZrXTi1−X)O3+Y, a PbO excessive composition ratio Y is within a range of 0≦Y≦0.5, and a Zr composition ratio X is within a range of 0≦X≦0.55.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-5689 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 2) discloses a piezoelectric element constituted of a first electrode film, a second electrode film, and a piezoelectric thin film sandwiched between the first electrode film and the second electrode film. The piezoelectric thin film is constituted of an oxide piezoelectric thin film having an oxygen loss larger than 0% and equal to or smaller than 10% with respect to a stoichiometric composition. Moreover, the piezoelectric element equipped with a piezoelectric thin film having such an oxygen loss has stronger piezoelectric characteristics than an oxide piezoelectric thin film having a stoichiometric composition.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-116091 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 3) discloses a piezoelectric body including a first ferroelectric substance crystal that has a crystal orientation when not applied with an electric field, the piezoelectric body being provided with characteristics with which, due to an application of an electric field of a predetermined electric field intensity or more, at least a part of the first ferroelectric substance crystal undergoes a phase transition to a second ferroelectric substance crystal having a different crystal system from the first ferroelectric substance crystal. According to this piezoelectric body, a large distortion displacement amount can stably be obtained.
Incidentally, when heated, a piezoelectric material is known to deteriorate in piezoelectric performance, which is called depolarization. However, because a heat treatment by solder reflow and the like is generally carried out in a process of mounting electronic components on a wiring substrate, there is a problem that the piezoelectric performance of the piezoelectric material deteriorates due to the heat.
Particularly in recent years, a solder reflow temperature is increasing due to lead-free soldering in consideration of environmental problems, and heat caused by the solder reflow causes the piezoelectric performance of the piezoelectric material to deteriorate, which is problematic. However, Patent Documents 1 to 3 above give no consideration to the effect of heat.
In view of the circumstances as described above, there is a need for a piezoelectric device having excellent heat resistance, an angular velocity sensor, an electronic apparatus, and a production method of a piezoelectric device.

Piezoelectric device, angular velocity sensor, electronic apparatus, and production method of a piezoelectric device


An apparatus is provided for precharging a conductor within a bus containing a plurality of conductors. The apparatus comprises a precharge driver which precharges alternating pairs of conductors to opposite rail voltages. By precharging pairs of conductors to alternating rails, the present apparatus can minimize the speed degradation problems associated with a transitioning target conductor within the bus. Precharging alternating pairs of conductors also minimizes crosstalk noise from transitioning neighbor conductors to a non-transitioning target conductor. The improved dynamic bus thereby demonstrates improvements in speed degradation and crosstalk noise as seen by a transitioning target conductor or non-transitioning target conductor, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a multi-conductor bus and more particularly to a plurality of precharge drivers which precharge alternating pairs of conductors within the bus to opposite high and low logic levels.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
A bus is generally defined as a set of interconnect lines (or conductors) which serve to electrically connect two or more components within a system. A collection of voltage levels are forwarded across the bus to allow proper operation of the components. For example, a microprocessor is connected to memories and input/output devices by certain bus structures. There are numerous types of buses which are classified according to their operation. Examples of well known types of buses include address buses, data buses and control buses.
Conductors within a bus generally extend parallel to each other across a semiconductor topography. The conductors are isolated from each other and from underlying conductive elements by a dielectric, a suitable dielectric being, for example, silicon dioxide. FIG. 1 illustrates, in cross section, a series of conductors 10 dielectrically spaced over a semiconductor substrate 12. Conductors 10 are made from a conductive material, a suitable material includes Al, Ti, Ta, W, Mo, polysilicon, or a combination thereof. Substrate 12 includes any type of material which can retain dopant ions and the isolated conductivity regions brought about by those ions. Typically, substrate 12 is a silicon-based material which receives p-type or n-type ions. A channel region interposed between p-type source and drain regions comprise a PMOS device, while a channel region between n-type source and drain regions comprise an NMOS device.
The partial cross-section shown in FIG. 1 indicates a dielectric thickness T.sub.d between conductors 10 and substrate 12. As follows, thickness T.sub.d is partially determinative of the conductor-to-substrate capacitance C.sub.LS. EQU C.sub.LS =eW.sub.L L/T.sub.d (Eq. 1)
where e is the permittivity of the dielectric material, W.sub.L is the conductor width, and L is the conductor length. Resistance of the conductor is calculated as follows: EQU R=(rL)/W.sub.L T.sub.i (Eq. 2)
where r represents resistivity of the conductor material, and T.sub.I is the interconnect thickness. A product of equations 1 and 2 indicates the propagation delay of conductor 10 as follows: EQU RC.sub.LS =reL.sup.2 /T.sub.I T.sub.d
Propagation delay is an important characteristic of an integrated circuit since it limits the speed (frequency) at which the circuit or circuits can operate. The shorter the propagation delay, the higher the speed of the circuit or circuits. It is therefore important that propagation delay be minimized as much as possible given the geometric constraints of the semiconductor topography.
Propagation delay is not merely a function of the line-substrate capacitance. RC delay can also be attributed to the capacitance between conductors 10. Accordingly, propagation delay is determined by parasitic capacitance values between conductors (C.sub.LL), and the parasitic capacitance values between each conductor and substrate (C.sub.LS). As circuit density increases, spacing (W.sub.S) between conductors 10 decrease and capacitance C.sub.LL becomes predominant relative to C.sub.LS. In other words, line-to-line capacitance C.sub.LL increases with decreasing spacing W.sub.S between conductors 10. FIG. 2 illustrates the effect of W.sub.S on C.sub.LL. As W.sub.S decreases, C.sub.LL is shown to increase dramatically as compared to C.sub.LS. Modern integrated circuits employing close interconnect spacing (e.g., below 1.5 microns) thereby define C.sub.LL as the primary parasitic capacitance rather than C.sub.LS.
Increases in C.sub.LL pose two major problems. First, an increase in C.sub.LL generally causes an increase in the time at which a transition on the one end of the conductor occurs at the other end. Increase in transition time (i.e., increase in speed degradation) thereby requires a longer drive period. If the conductor is a critical path, speed degradation on that line will jeopardize functionality of the overall circuit. Second, a larger C.sub.LL causes an increase in crosstalk noise. A conductor which does not transition, nonetheless receives crosstalk noise from neighboring lines which do.
Speed degradation poses problems primarily during times when a target line transitions opposite the transition of neighboring lines. Speed degradation occurs primarily in statically driven bus conductors. As defined herein, a static bus is one having one or more conductors which can transition from one rail to the other or vice versa. Crosstalk noise, however, poses problems primarily during times when the target line does not transition and the neighboring lines do. Crosstalk is particularly severe in bus conductors which are dynamically driven. As defined herein, a dynamic bus is one having one or more conductors which are precharged during one phase of a clock signal, and driven to a desired logic level during another phase of that clock signal. A dynamic bus thereby requires two separate drive states, a precharge drive state and a logic drive state. The precharge state, arising from a precharge driver, forces each conductor to a precharged value of either VDD or ground. If the dynamic bus utilizes a logic high precharge (i.e., conductors precharged to VDD), it is said to be VDD-precharged. Conversely, a dynamic bus, depending upon its application, can be precharged to ground. Subsequent to precharge, a logic driver circuit causes the precharged conductor to either maintain its precharged value or be driven to the opposing rail. If, for example, a conductor is VDD-precharged, it can thereafter be conditionally discharged during the logic drive state if the desired logic value is zero. Conversely, if the desired logic value is logic high or "1", then the precharged line will not be discharged during the subsequent logic drive state.
FIG. 4 illustrates one of a plurality of conductors 10 within a dynamic bus structure 14. Conductor 10 is precharged by precharge driver 16 during phase 1 (ph1) of a clocking signal, or specifically, a logic inverse of phase 1 (xph1). During subsequent phase 2 (ph2) of the clocking signal, an x logic input is driven onto conductor 10 by logic driver 18. For example, if conductor 10 is VDD-precharged, then a high logic input x can cause discharge of conductor 10 during ph2.
An important advantage in using a dynamic bus, such as that shown by reference 14, is that logic driver 18 causes transition only in one direction. For example, a VDD-precharged conductor 10 can only be conditionally discharged to ground by logic driver 18. Since conductors 10 of dynamic bus 14 can only conditionally transition in one direction during the logic drive state, charge transferal or capacitive coupling between neighboring conductors 10 is roughly one half that of a static bus. Capacitive coupling therefore has less of an effect on speed degradation for a dynamic bus than it has for a static bus. Speed degradation and crosstalk noise are a function of line-to-line capacitive coupling. If charge transfers quickly from one line to a neighboring line, then several problems can occur in a dynamic bus structure. For example a VDD-precharged line may source charge to neighboring lines which transition to ground during a subsequent logic drive state. The precharged line may lose enough voltage to cause a receiving circuit to transition to an undesired state. Crosstalk noise from transitioning neighboring lines can therefore deleteriously affect the proper precharged value of the target line interposed between the neighboring lines.
In addition to or in lieu of dynamic buses, many circuit designs employ a static bus. Instead of precharging a conductor to VDD or ground during a precharge state, thereafter followed by a logic drive state, a static bus simply drives the conductor to the desired logic value without requiring a precharged state. A static bus 20 having one of a plurality of conductors 10 is shown in FIG. 3. Whenever a logic high value is to be driven on conductor 10, PMOS device 22 transitions on while NMOS device 24 transitions off. Conversely, if a logic low value is to be driven on conductor 10, PMOS device 22 is off while NMOS device 24 is on. During times in which the input value x is at an intermediary voltage between VDD minus PMOS threshold and ground plus NMOS threshold, both NMOS device 24 and PMOS device 22 are active on. Accordingly, static bus 20 can consume significant amount of power during the intermediate switching periods. Dynamic bus 14, however, ensures that PMOS device 16 is always off during times in which NMOS devices 18a and 18b are on, and vice versa. A dynamic bus driver add less capacitance to a bus since it does not require the full NMOS and PMOS pair, and is therefore faster. Dynamic busses consume more power than static busses since they are forced to fully charge each cycle.
FIG. 5 illustrates a conventional static bus having a plurality of conductors 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, etc. Each conductor 10 can be driven to either power supply (i.e., VDD) or ground by a respective inverter circuit 28 and a clock enabled input signal X0, X1, X2, X3, etc. X input signal is forwarded to a respective inverter by a clocked transmission gate 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, etc. For example, a high logic value at input X0 is forwarded during a clock high transition to inverter 28a by transmission gate 30a. Inverter 28a receives the high level input and drives a low level output upon conductor 10a. The low level output is substantially at or near ground voltage. A neighboring conductor 10b, for example, can be driven to a VDD high logic level by a low voltage level of X1. A major limitation of static bus 20 involves the effective line-to-line capacitance, C.sub.LL between conductors 10. If one conductor is switching while its neighbor remains at the same level, then the effective C.sub.LL between those conductors is 1C.sub.LL. However, if one conductor is switching toward one rail (e.g., VDD) while its neighbor is switching toward the opposite rail (e.g., ground), the effective C.sub.LL experienced between those conductors is 2C.sub.LL. A worst case switching scenario for a static bus, using the exemplary conductor configuration shown in FIG. 5, can be expressed in the following Table I.
TABLE I ______________________________________ Conductor 10a Conductor 10b Conductor 10c ______________________________________ Initial State VDD GRN VDD Final State GRN VDD GRN ______________________________________
As seen in Table I, the total effective capacitance seen by transitioning conductor 10b is proportional to 4 dV/dt. Accordingly, conductor 10b sees an effective C.sub.LL of 4C.sub.LL since the neighboring lines 10a and 10b are transitioning in an opposite direction to the direction in which the target conductor 10b is transitioning.
Turning now to FIG. 6, a conventional dynamic bus 14 is shown. Dynamic bus 14 includes a plurality of conductors 10a', 10b', 10c', 10d', etc. Precharged driver 16a, etc. precharges a respective conductor, while logic driver 18 subsequently drives the precharged voltage to an appropriate logic state. Drivers 18a', 18b', 18c', 18d', etc. drive a desired logic state upon respective conductors based upon the logic value of respective inputs X0, X1, X2, X3, etc. An enable circuit 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, etc., a suitable circuit being an AND gate, can be used to enable logic driver 18 during clock phase ph2.
As described above, a dynamic bus can generally transition during the logic drive state faster than a typical static bus. However, it is important that the precharged value of a non-transitioning conductor be retained even during times when neighboring conductors transition opposite the voltage value upon the non-transitioning conductor. Any crosstalk noise caused by line-to-line capacitance from transitioning neighboring lines can deleteriously affect the desired precharged value and unfortunately cause improper switching of a receiver load device. A worst case scenario for crosstalk noise occurs when neighboring conductors transition to a rail opposite the rail in which the non-transitioning target conductor resides. Table II indicates within a conventional dynamic bus shown in FIG. 6, a worst case scenario of crosstalk noise occurring when neighboring conductors transition opposite the rail in which the non-transitioning target conductor resides.
TABLE II ______________________________________ Conductor 10a' Conductor 10b' Conductor 10c' ______________________________________ Initial State VDD VDD VDD Desired Final GRN VDD GRN State Actual Final GRN LOW GRN State ______________________________________
Table II illustrates non-transitioning target conductor 10b' attempting to maintain its VDD state but, in actuality, coupling noise from transitioning neighboring lines 10a' and 10c' may cause the target conductor 10b' to incorrectly discharge to a lower voltage level. Crosstalk noise seen by conductor 10b' is directly related to the line-to-line capacitive coupling in which conductor 10b' sees two opposite-rail transitions, or an effective line-to-line capacitance of 2C.sub.LL.
While it would be desirable to utilize a fast dynamic bus architecture, it would be advantageous to be able to reduce the crosstalk noise problems associated with such an architecture. The improved dynamic bus must operate at a faster speed than a static bus. This implies that a transitioning target conductor within the improved dynamic bus must have a lower effective C.sub.LL than that seen by a transitioning target conductor within a conventional static bus. Further, a non-transitioning, target conductor within the improved dynamic bus must have lower effective C.sub.LL than a non-transitioning target conductor within a conventional dynamic bus.

Apparatus and method for precharging bus conductors to minimize both drive delay and crosstalk within the bus


A fuel-cell system 1 includes: a fuel cell 13 configured to generate electricity through reaction between hydrogen gas and air; a compressor 12 configured to supply air as a scavenging gas to a reactant gas path 13a of the fuel cell 13; a control part 18 configured to control an amount of air supplied from the compressor 12 to the fuel cell 13 to perform scavenging of the fuel cell 13; and pressure sensors P1 and P2 configured to monitor a pressure drop in the reactant gas path 13a of the fuel cell 13. The control part 18 controls an amount of supplied air so as to keep the pressure drop in the reactant gas path 13a substantially constant when the fuel cell 13 is scavenged. With this configuration, residual water can be suitably purged from the fuel cell while energy consumption is suppressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel-cell system for purging residual water from a fuel cell and a method for scavenging a fuel cell.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a fuel cell includes a cathode zone and an anode zone, between which a proton-conducting solid polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) is sandwiched. The cathode and the anode are supplied with air and hydrogen, respectively, and electricity is generated by electrochemical reaction between oxygen in air and hydrogen. In such a fuel cell, water is also generated as a result of electrochemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen. During a cold season or in cold districts, if an operation of the fuel cell is terminated with the generated water remaining in the fuel cell and the fuel cell is not operated for a log period of time, the water may be frozen. In order to solve this problem, a method for scavenging a fuel cell has been known in which dry air is supplied to a fuel cell when an operation of the fuel cell is terminated, to thereby purge residual water from a fuel cell (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Kokai No. 2004-265684A, paragraphs 0030-0034 and FIG. 1).
According to this method, by scavenging an interior atmosphere of the fuel cell with dry air, residual water in the fuel cell can be suitably purged. In this method, an initial amount of the residual water is large, and the amount decreases as the purging proceeds. In response to the change in the amount of the residual water, it is considered to be desirable that a front-back differential pressure of the fuel cell (a difference in pressure between the inlet side and the outlet side, or a pressure drop) be controlled in such manner that the differential pressure initially becomes high and is gradually decreased, as shown in FIG. 4. Especially in this method, it is proposed that a flow rate of air supplied to the fuel cell be kept constant by controlling a compressor, in order to efficiently purge the residual water.
In the case of such a control in which an air flow rate is kept constant, a pressure drop becomes larger when an amount of residual water in the fuel cell becomes larger, leading to an increase in energy consumption in the compressor. There is a disadvantage in that the residual water is not efficiently purged, considering the increase in the energy consumption.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a fuel-cell system and a method for scavenging a fuel cell, in which residual water can be suitably purged from the fuel cell while energy consumption is suppressed.

Fuel-cell system and method for scavenging fuel cell


A touch sensor integrated display device is provided comprising gate lines and data lines formed on a substrate to be intersected with each other, a plurality of pixel electrodes formed at intersections between the gate lines and the data lines, and a common electrode formed to overlap the plurality of pixel electrodes through an insulating film disposed between the common electrode and the plurality of pixel electrodes, wherein the common electrode includes at least two touch electrodes, each of which is connected to at least one of signal lines arranged in one of a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction.

1. Field
This document relates to a display device, and more specifically to a touch sensor integrated display device.
2. Related Art
A touch sensor is a kind of input unit which is mounted on a video display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a field emission display (FED), a plasma display panel (PDP), an electroluminescence device (ELD), electrophoresis display (EPD), and so forth. While an image is displayed by the video display device, a user may contact, by pressing or touching, a touch panel on the video display device to input predetermined optional information through the touch sensor mounted in the video display device.
Touch sensors used for display devices as described above may be largely divided into an add-on type, an on-cell type, and an integrated type, according to structures thereof. In the case of an add-on type touch sensor, after a display device and the touch sensor have been manufactured in separate processes, respectively, the manufactured touch sensor is attached on the top plate of the display device. In the case of an on-cell type touch sensor, component parts constituting the touch sensor are directly formed on a surface of a top glass substrate on a display device. In the case of an integrated type touch sensor, the touch sensor is built in a display device to attain a thinner display device and improve durability.
The add-on type touch sensors, however, have some disadvantages in that display devices having the touch sensors become thick because the touch sensors are disposed on the display devices in the form of completely-finished products and in that the brightness of the display devices tend to be lowered, which deteriorates Visibility of the display devices. Further, display devices having the on-cell type touch sensors are relatively thinner than display devices having the add-on type touch sensors because separate touch sensors are formed on top surface of the display device. The display devices having the on-cell type touch sensors, however, have some disadvantages in that the entire thickness of the display devices becomes thicker and in that not only the number of processes but also manufacturing costs of the display devices are relatively higher because of driving electrode layers and sensing electrode layers constituting the touch sensors, and insulating films for insulating those electrode layers.
On the other hand, the integrated type touch sensors have some advantages in that they can realize substantially thinner display devices and improve durability, and thus, overcome the disadvantages of the display devices having the add-on type and the on-cell type touch sensors. Integrated type touch sensors include optical types, electrostatic capacity types, and so forth.
In the case of the optical type touch sensors, an optical sensing layer is formed on thin transistor substrate arrays of a display device. An object touching the optical sensing layer can be recognized through light reflected on the object by using light from a back light unit or infrared ray light. The optical type touch sensors can be normally and safely operated under dark surroundings, and surrounding light can act as a noise when the surrounding light is brighter than the reflected light from the object. For example, light reflected from the object has very low brightness so that even under slightly bright surroundings, touch recognition errors can occur. Especially, under very bright sun light, touch recognition by the optical type touch sensor may not operate normally.
The electrostatic capacity type touch sensors include a self capacitance type and a mutual capacitance type. In the case of the mutual capacitance type, a common electrode for display is divided into a driving electrode area and a sensing electrode area, and a mutual capacitance is formed between the driving electrode area and the sending electrode area so that a variation in mutual capacitance generated on touching can be measured to recognize the touching operation based on the measured values.
The mutual capacitance type touch sensors, however, have some disadvantages in that it is difficult to exactly recognize touched spots because the mutual capacitance generated on touching recognition is very small while parasitic capacitance between gate lines and data lines is relatively very large. The gate lines and the data lines are constitutional elements of the display device.
Furthermore, the mutual capacitance type touch sensors require very complex circuit wiring structures because many touch driving lines for touch driving and many touch sensing lines for touch sensing should be formed on the common electrode to obtain multi-touch recognition.
Accordingly, there exists a demand for a new type of touch sensor integrated display device for solving the problems of the above-mentioned prior art touch sensors.


In one embodiment, a two-dimensional to stereoscopic conversion method, comprising: estimating a local motion region in a first image relative to one or more second images, the first and the one or more second images comprising two-dimensional images; generating a color model based on the local motion region; calculating a similarity value for each of at least one image pixel selected from the first image based on the color model; and assigning a depth value for each of the at least one image pixel selected from the first image based on the calculated similarity value to generate a stereoscopic image, the method performed by one or more processors.

Recently, 2D to 3D (e.g., stereoscopic) image conversion has become a popular technology in video playback. To generate a pair of stereo images from one single image, a common approach is to obtain a depth map by analyzing the image content. The depth map identifies the relative position of each pixel in the three-dimensional (3D) domain. With the depth map and the original two-dimensional (2D) image, 3D image conversion can be performed.

Two-dimensional to stereoscopic conversion systems and methods


A high latent cooling control assembly for a compression-expansion air conditioning system employs a subcooler coil disposed in the leaving air side of the indoor air evaporator coil. A liquid line branch supplies condensed liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the subcooler coil, and a flow restrictor, which can be a TXV, drops the sub-cooled liquid pressure before the refrigerant reaches the expansion device associated with the evaporator coil. A bypass line connects the condenser to the expansion device, and has a liquid line solenoid valve that is humidistat actuated. When dehumidification is called for, the solenoid is closed and refrigerant flows through the subcooler coil. When the humidistat is satisfied, the solenoid opens and the refrigerant path bypasses the subcooler coil. The high latent subcooler assembly can be field-installed or retrofitted onto an existing air conditioner.

This invention relates to compression/expansion refrigeration, and is particularly concerned with air conditioning systems wherein a sub-cooler is employed to reduce the relative humidity, that is, to increase the amount of latent cooling in the air leaving the indoor air evaporator.
Single-fluid two-phase air conditioning and refrigeration systems typically employ a compressor that receives the two-phase working fluid as a low temperature, low-pressure vapor and discharges it as a high temperature, high-pressure vapor. The working fluid is then passed to an outdoor condenser coil or heat exchanger, where the heat of compression is discharged from the working fluid to the outside air, condensing the working fluid from vapor to liquid. This high-pressure liquid is then supplied through an expansion device, e.g., a fixed or adjustable expansion valve or a pressure-reducing orifice, and then enters an indoor evaporator coil at low pressure. At this stage, the working fluid is a bi-phase fluid (containing both liquid and vapor phases), and absorbs heat from the indoor, comfort-zone air, so that the liquid phase is converted to vapor. This completes the cycle, and the vapor returns to the suction side of the compressor.
When warm indoor air passes through the evaporator coil, its temperature is lowered as it loses heat to the cold evaporator coil. As the air temperature is reduced to or below the dewpoint, moisture condenses on the evaporator coil and is removed from the indoor air. The actual temperature of the leaving air is reduced (i.e., sensible cooling), and the air is also dehumidified (i.e., latent cooling). The amount of latent cooling, or dehumidification, depends on whether the moisture in the indoor air will leave the air and condense on the evaporator coil.
Condensation of water vapor in the indoor air will take place only if the evaporator coil temperature is below the dewpoint of the air passing through, dewpoint being understood to be the temperature at which the water condenses in air.
Current standards on indoor air quality stress the need for controlled humidity in occupied spaces. High humidity has been identified as a major contributory factor in the growth of pathogenic or allergenic organisms. Preferably, the relative humidity in an occupied space should be maintained at 30% to 60%. In addition to adverse effects on human comfort and human health, high humidity can contribute to poor product quality in many manufacturing processes, and can render many refrigeration systems inefficient, such as open freezers in supermarkets. Also high humidity can destroy valuable works of art, library books, or archival documents.
In very, warm, humid conditions, a conventional air conditioner as just described can use up most of its cooling capacity to cool the air to the dewpoint (sensible cooling), and will have little remaining capacity for dehumidification (latent cooling).
The conventional approach to this problem of removing large mounts of humidity in a hot, humid environment has been to operate the air conditioner longer, by lowering the thermostat setpoint and over-cooling the air. This of course means that the air conditioner has to operate longer and will consume more energy. In addition, this practice results in blowing uncomfortably cold air onto persons in the indoor comfort space. In essence, overcooling lowers the temperature of the evaporator coil to allow more condensation on the coil. However, this makes the supply air too cold for human comfort. In order to restore the indoor air to a comfortable temperature, it is sometimes the practice to reheat the leaving supply air before it is returned to the comfort space. The indoor air temperature is raised to a comfortable level using either a heating element or a coil carrying the hot compressed vapor from the compressor, to raise the temperature (and reduce the relative humidity) of the overcooled air. In the case of either the heating element or the hot vapor coil, more energy is required.
One recent proposal for increasing the latent cooling of an air conditioning system, at low energy cost, has been a heat pipe. A heat pipe is a simple, passive arrangement of interconnected heat exchanger coils that contain a heat transfer agent (usually a refrigerant such as R-22). A heat pipe system can increase the dehumidification capacity of an air conditioning system, and reduce the energy consumption relative to the overcooling/reheating practice described just above. The heat pipe system is attractive because it can transfer heat from one point to another without the need for energy input. One heat exchanger of the heat pipe is placed in the warm air entering the evaporator, and the other heat exchanger is placed in the cold air leaving the evaporator. The entering air warms the refrigerant in the entering side heat exchanger of the heat pipe system, and the refrigerant vapor moves to the leaving side heat exchanger, where it transfers its heat to the leaving air and condenses. Then the condensed refrigerant recirculates, by gravity or capillary action, back to the entering side heat exchanger, and the cycle continues.
The heat pipe system built into an air conditioner can increase the amount of latent cooling while maintaining the sensible cooling at the preferred comfortable thermostat setpoint. In circumstances where the need for moisture removal is high, or where it is critical to keep the relative humidity below some point, the standard air conditioning system may not be able to deal effectively with high temperature and high humidity cooling loads. However, a heat-pipe enhanced air conditioning system cools the entering air before it reaches the air conditioner's evaporator coil. The entering side heat pipe heat exchanger pre-cools the entering air, so that less sensible cooling is required for the evaporator coil, leaving a greater capacity for latent cooling or dehumidification. The indoor supply air leaving the evaporator, being colder than the desired temperature, condenses the vapor in the leaving side heat pipe heat exchanger, which brings the supply air temperature back to the desired comfort temperature.
While the heat pipe arrangement does have certain advantages, such as passivity and simplicity, it has disadvantages as well. For example, the heat pipe is always in circuit, and cannot be simply turned off, even when increased sensible cooling without dehumidification is called for. In addition, because there are two heat-pipe heat exchanger coils in the indoor air path in addition to the evaporator coil, the indoor air flow can be significantly restricted. Also, it can be difficult to retrofit an existing air conditioner to accommodate the two additional coils in the same cabinet as the evaporator, and quite often a considerable amount of equipment has to be repositioned, and the cabinet enlarged, to accommodate the heat pipe.

High latent refrigerant control circuit for air conditioning system