A process for polymerizing oxepanes, dioxolanes, trioxanes, and tetrahydrofurans to their respective polymers by contacting them with a selected metal compound and an accelerator which is a selected vinyl ester or a selected phosphorous compound.

Cyclic ethers are polymerized by various means to give products of widespread utility. For instance, ethylene oxide is polymerized to polyethylene oxide which is useful, in lower molecular weight grades, for ceramics (as a binder), cosmetics, lubricants, polyurethanes; and in higher molecular weight grades, for packaging film, denture adhesives, lubricants, flocculation and for other articles and products. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is polymerized to poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol which is useful in the preparation of Spandex fibers; polyurethane resins which are useful in elastomeric parts; and thermoplastic elastomers which are useful for molding various mechanical parts. Therefore, improved methods of making these polymers are sought.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,019 describes the polymerization of oxiranes and other small ring compounds by a presumed cationic mechanism, using as the catalyst the decomposition products of metal perfluoroalkylsulfonates. These catalysts are described as "latent", that is no reaction occurs until the metal salt is decomposed. The reactions reported are relatively slow, even at elevated temperatures.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,084,586 and 5,124,417 describe the cationic polymerization of various monomers, including cyclic ethers, using onium cations, whose corresponding anions are fluororalkylsulfatometallates. Onium ion catalyzed cationic polymerizations are known, and there is no mention in these patents of the use of metal salts not containing onium ions, such as metal triflates, as catalysts for the polymerization of cyclic ethers.
J. S. Hrkach, et al., Macromolecules, vol. 23, p. 4042-4046 (1990) describe the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran using trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as the initiator. No mention is made of any other triflates as catalysts for this polymerization.
G. A. Olah, et al., J. Appl. Polym. Sci., Vol. 45, 1355-1360 (1992) describe the use of boron, aluminum and gallium tristriflate to catalyze the polymerization of THF.
S. L. Borkowsky, et al., Organometal., Vol. 10, p. 1268-1274 (1991) report that certain zirconium complexes can initiate the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran. No mention is made of zirconium perfluoroalkylsulfonates, or of copolymers.
I. Yamashita, et al., Kogyo Kagaku Zasshi, vol. 71, p. 1061-1064 (1968) describes the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran using a catalyst system consisting of a Lewis acid such as ferric chloride and a phosphorous compound such as triphenyl phosphite. The use of metal perfluoroalkylsulfonates is not mentioned.

Polymerization of cyclic ethers using selected metal compound catalysts


An insulated gate transistor comprising a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region includes plural portions, a third semiconductor region, a fourth semiconductor region, a first insulation layer, control electrodes, a first main electrode, and a second main electrode, wherein a metallic wiring layer is provided on the first main surface plane via an insulating layer, plural regions insulated from the first main electrode are provided through said first main electrode, and the metallic wiring layer is connected electrically to the control electrode through the insulating layer via the region insulated from the main electrode.

The present invention relates to an insulated gate transistor, and more particularly, to an insulated gate transistor which is superior in preventing the latch-up phenomenon or current concentration of the transistor.
Currently, and insulated gate bipolar transistor (hereinafter abbreviated as IGBT) having a fast operation and a low on-resistance is used as a power switching device. The IGBT has a structure, wherein: a p-type base region extending from a main surface to its inner portion and a n-type emitter region extending from the base region to its inner portion are formed on one side of a main surface of a n-type semiconductor substrate, which operates as a drift region; a p-type collector region is formed on another side of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate separate from the base region; emitter electrodes are provided on the emitter region and the base region; and a collector electrode is provided on the collector region. The IGBT has the following feature. When a voltage, which makes the collector electrode have a positive potential relative to the emitter electrode, is applied to the collector electrode, and a positive voltage is applied to the gate electrode, electrons in the emitter region reach the collector region through channels and a drift region. The electrons, which reach the collector region, enhance injection of positive holes from the collector region. Accordingly, the drift region having a high resistance is conductivity-modulated to be a low resistance region, and an on-resistance lower than a MOSFET, the collector region of which is changed to a n-type drain region having no function to inject positive holes, is realized with approximately the same structure as a MOSFET.
When an IC is realized by combining the IGBT with other circuit elements, a lateral structure, wherein the emitter electrode, the collector electrode, and the gate electrode are provided on a same surface of the semiconductor substrate, is desirable in order to facilitate connection among the electrodes. An example of this structure is disclosed, for instance, in JP-A-5-29614 (1993).
On the other hand, in the IGBT, the conventional current which can be passed through a unit composed of a pair of collector-emitter electrodes is restricted. Therefore, a desired current capacity is realized by integrating a large number of unit IGBTS in the semiconductor substrate.
The IGBT disclosed in JP-A-5-29614 (1993) has a structure wherein the emitter region, the base region, and the collector region have a comb shape, respectively, and respective teeth portions of the emitter region and the base region are engaged with the collector region. Gate electrodes are provided on the base region, a drift region in the vicinity of the base region, and the emitter region via an insulating film. The emitter electrode and the collector electrode are provided on each of the emitter region and the base region, respectively. Both the emitter electrode and the collector electrode have a comb shape, and teeth portions of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode are engaged with each other.
Conventionally, polycrystalline silicon is used as the material of the gate electrode. However, in lateral IGBT having a conventional structure, a non-uniformity of the gate resistance is created due to the longitudinal resistance of the gate electrode, and the turn-off action is delayed at the portion having a large gate resistance in a turn-off operation.
Most of the load of the inverter device generally comprises an inductive loads. Therefore, at that time, a current concentration is generated at the portion where the turn-off action is delayed, in addition to the effect of maintaining the flow of the large current due to an inductance. As a result, a latch-up phenomenon is caused at that portion. Accordingly, there has been a problem in that the current which is controllable by the IGBT is restricted to a lower level than a designed value.
In order to decrease the delay of the operation time in the element, technology to decrease the resistance of the gate electrode has been disclosed in JP-A-10-173176 (1998) and other publications. However, the technology relates to the structure of a vertical IGBT, and any idea to integrate an IGBT and a driving circuit for composing an integrated circuit has not been considered.
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an insulated gate transistor having an improved latch-up preventing performance by decreasing the resistance of the gate electrode.
The feature of the insulated gate transistor for achieving the above object by the present invention is in providing a metallic wiring layer on the emitter electrode via an insulating layer; providing plural regions insulated from a first main electrode in the first main electrode; and connecting the metallic wiring layer electrically with the gate electrode through the plural regions insulated from the first main electrode.

Insulated gate bipolar transistor decreasing the gate resistance


The optical testing method of the invention permits the reliable elimination of discontinuities, i.e., the determination of the integer values of modulo 2.pi. phase differences, even when the measured data includes seriously noisy signals. The intensity signals from a two-dimensional raster of camera image points are used to compute differences in phase values between adjacent image points in lines, as well as between adjacent image points in columns. The phase differences are summed along a closed path around each of a plurality of partial fields which are delineated by a predetermined set of adjacent image points. A filter (21) searches the vector field of these phase differences; and those partial fields where vortexes exist, i.e., each field for which the sign-correct sum along its closed path is not zero, are masked, thereby creating holes in the image pattern. Additional closed paths are summed around these holes and, by masking further image points between these holes, the masked partial fields are combined until the path integral around each of these combined holes disappears. The final phase value data used for display of a phase map of the sample is calculated by path integration of the unmasked image points; and inconsistent measured values, e.g., due to noisy signals, do not corrupt the phase map.

There are many different known methods for optical testing of samples. Interferometry is one of the better known methods.
In interferometric surface testing, a lightwave reflected by the surface of an object and a lightwave reflected by a reference surface are superimposed in an interferometric manner. The resulting pattern of varying light intensities contains information as to the deviations of the object surface from the reference surface. This brightness pattern is usually recorded by a camera.
Interferometric testing may similarly be carried out by using transmitted light. A light beam is split into a measuring beam portion and a reference beam portion, and the measuring beam is passed through a transparent sample. Then both optical paths are superimposed in an interferometric manner to generate a brightness pattern which is recorded by a camera.
The image of the brightness pattern is used to calculate phase values--associated with the brightness of each point (pixel) of the camera image--which are combined to form a phase image. Various methods are known for the calculation of these phase values. Some of these methods, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, have been discussed in a well-known thesis by B. Dorband, University of Stuttgart (1986).
Due to the periodicity of the interference equation, the phase value belonging to a particular level of brightness can, however, only be calculated up to an integral multiple of the number 2.pi., i.e. in modulo 2.pi.. If this unknown integral multiple is set equal to zero, even the phase images for objects whose surfaces are continuous will exhibit so-called "discontinuities". At these discontinuities, the difference between the calculated phase values of adjacent points has an absolute value greater than the number .pi.. To generate a phase map of the contours of the sample surface or of the deviations of the sample from a reference element, the proper integer multiple of 2.pi. must be determined for the phase values, i.e., the elimination of discontinuities is necessary.
In Applied Optics, Vol. 21, No. 14, Page 2470 (1982), K. Itoh has described a method for the elimination of discontinuities in a measuring system in which the camera records the image of the pattern along only one line: initially only the differences between the phase values of adjacent points of the camera image are calculated. Based on the sampling theorem, these differences must have an absolute value smaller than .pi. in order to be able to identify unambiguously those discontinuities in which the difference has an absolute value greater than .pi.. Therefore, where such discontinuities occur, the number 2.pi. is added to or subtracted from these differences so that the corrected differences between the phase values are between -.pi. and +.pi.. In this manner, these differences are expressed in terms of modulo 2.pi.. By integrating these phase difference values over the entire phase image, a phase map without discontinuities is ultimately obtained. In such a phase map, the integral multiple of the number 2.pi. of the phase values is determined, and the deviations of the object surface from the reference surface can be calculated in an unambiguous manner.
An extension of this Itoh method to two-dimensional camera images has been described by D. C. Ghiglia et al., Journal of the Optical Society of America, Vol. 4, No. 1, Page 267 (1987). As explained in that paper, the differences between the phase values of adjacent data points in lines, as well as in columns, are calculated; and these differences are expressed in modulo 2.pi.. A final phase map is obtained by path integration via the differences between the phase values or by iterative integration by means of cellular automatic systems; the latter process, however, is considerably slower than path integration.
If the output signals of the camera are noisy, inconsistencies, i.e., wrongly identified discontinuities, may occur. The difference between the phase values of adjacent data points may, for example, have an absolute value greater than .pi., even though there is no discontinuity. If the phase-value integration includes these inconsistencies, the calculation of integral-multiple phase differences would depend upon the particular path of integration. That is, the use of a few data points exhibiting inconsistencies caused by noisy measured values can result in a global corruption of the final phase map.
In order to suppress part of the inconsistent measured values, the authors (Ghiglia et al.) calculate the sign-correct sum of the modulo 2.pi. differences between the phase values along a closed path around partial fields consisting of each set of four adjacent data points throughout the entire data field. If the sum does not equal zero, all four data points are masked and are no longer considered during further evaluation. In mathematical terms, the vector field of the modulo 2.pi. differences between the phase values must not exhibit local vortexes. The inconsistent measured values for the masked data points are not considered in the phase-value integration. This prevents global corruption of the phase map by these inconsistent measured values. However, this method identifies only a part of the inconsistent measured values; and, while these are omitted from the final integration, the authors of this paper have conceded that global corruption of the phase map may still result from the remaining inconsistent measured values.
Numerous other publications, among others German Patent No. DE OS 36 00 672 and European Patent No. EP OS 0 262 089, have disclosed the projection of a bar pattern on the surface of an object and the recording of said bar pattern by a camera. The contours of the object surface cause deformations of the bar pattern recorded by the camera, and the evaluation of the camera image is analogous to the evaluation of interferometrically generated brightness patterns. Namely, a phase value of the bar pattern is first calculated from the brightness of each point (pixel) of the camera image, and then the calculated phase values are combined to form a phase image. This phase image also has discontinuities, because the phase values can be calculated only up to an integer multiple of the number 2.pi.; and in these methods the discontinuities can also be identified erroneously when the measured phase values are noisy.


An antenna structure includes a radiation element, a grounding element, a feeding point, and a connection element. The radiation element includes a first radiator and a second radiator. The second radiator includes a first end close to a first end of the first radiator. The grounding element is coupled to the first end of the second radiator. The feeding point is coupled to the first end of the first radiator and is close to the first end of the second radiator. The connection element is coupled between the feeding point and the grounding element. The radiation element, the grounding element, the feeding point, and the connection element are constructed by metal wire.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna structure, and more particularly, to an antenna structure constructed by metal wire.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As wireless telecommunication develops with the trend of micro-sized mobile communication products, the location and the space available for implementing antennas is becoming increasingly limited. Therefore, some built-in micro antennas have been developed. Currently, some micro antennas such as a chip antenna, a planar antenna and so on are commonly used. All these antennas have the feature of occupying small volume. Additionally, planar antennas have also been designed in many forms such as micro-strip antennas, printed antennas and planar inverted F antennas. These antennas are widespread, being applied to GSM, DCS, UMTS, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.
Thus a variety of reformed antennas and wireless communication products appear for various market requirements. Reducing the size of the antennas, improving antenna efficiency, and improving impedance matching become important topics of the field.


A hand tool for gripping an article in locking relation generally consisting of a pair of elongated members connected together for pivotal movement about a first axis, providing a pair of jaw portions at one set of ends thereof cooperable to engage the article therebetween and a pair of handle portions adapted to be grasped by a hand of the user thereof; one of the handle portion including a segment having an arcuate surface disposed coaxially with the first axis; and a lever member connected to the other of the elongated members for pivotal movement about a second axis, having a first end engageable by at least one finger of the user""s hand grasping the handle portions of the elongated members when the jaw portions thereof engage the article therebetween, for angularly displacing the lever member about the second axis, and a second end engageable with the arcuate surface in wedging relation to lock the article between the jaw portions of the elongated members.

This invention relates to a self adjusting mechanism incorporated into a pliers that enables the user to grip and lock the pliers using only one hand during the operation.
Pliers are used in a variety of situations to grip a bolt, nut, wire, or other items. The general design uses the leverage of two elongated pieces having a handle portion at one end and a jaw piece at the other end. Both pieces are connected together at a pivot pin. When the handle portions are squeezed together, the jaws of the pliers grab the object desired. The length of the handle portions determines the amount of gripping power of the jaws.
Various locking mechanisms are on the market, such as the popular vise grips. These locking mechanisms use a series of hinges to lock the jaws of the pliers together. However, while a first hand grips the handles of the pliers, the other hand is used to turn a screw to adjust the locking mechanism. This means that the items to be gripped must be placed into the jaws snugly prior to the adjustment of the locking mechanism. Thus, such a mechanism requires the use of two hands in order to effectively grip and adjust the locking mechanism to lock an item with the vise grips.
An object this invention is to overcome the problem of using both hands to lock the pliers. This allows the user to perform other tasks with a free hand prior to and during the gripping and locking of the pliers. The invention overcomes this problem and others by providing pliers that allow for a single hand to hold and lock pliers. The locking mechanism comprises an arc shaped surface connected to one handle, and a hinged pressure contact on the other handle. The user uses a free finger on the hand gripping the pliers to pull a lever on the pressure contract to engage the pressure contact with the arc shaped surface. The contact transfers pressure to the jaws of the pliers to better hold an item in the jaws, while friction at the contact point keeps the handle with the pressure contact from moving with respect to the arc surface.


A compensation table for compensating interference signal obtained by OCT measurement is generated easily. When a reflection body interference signal is obtained by OCT measurement, the reflection body interference signal is compensated by a compensation table (Formula (1)) to obtain an evaluation output signal. Then, a spectrum of the evaluation output signal is calculated to obtain an evaluation value of the spectrum. Thereafter, a model coefficient is updated such that the evaluation value becomes small.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compensation table generation method, apparatus and computer program product for generating a compensation table used when generating an optical tomography image by OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) measurement. The invention also relates to a tomography image processing apparatus using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of optical tomography image obtaining systems employing OCT measurement is proposed when obtaining optical tomography images of living tissues. Such systems are applied to the observation of various regions ranging from fundus or anterior chamber of an eye, or skin to the observation of an artery wall using a fiber probe or of a digestive organ using a fiber probe inserted through the forceps channel of an endoscope. In the optical tomography image obtaining system, low coherence light emitted from a light source is split into measuring light and reference light, then reflection light or backscattered light from a measuring object when the measuring light is irradiated on the measuring object is combined with the reference light, and an optical tomography image is obtained based on the intensity of interference light between the reflection light and the reference light. Hereinafter, reflection light and backscattered light from a measuring object are collectively referred to as the "reflection light".
The OCT measurement is largely grouped into TD-OCT (Time Domain OCT) measurement and FD (Fourier Domain)-OCT measurement. The TD-OCT measurement is a method for obtaining a reflection light intensity distribution corresponding to a position in the depth direction (depth position) of a measuring object by measuring interference light intensity while changing the optical path length of the reference light.
The FD-OCT measurement is a method for obtaining a reflection light intensity distribution corresponding to a depth position of a measuring object by measuring interference light intensity with respect to each spectral component of the light without changing the optical path length of the reference light, and performing frequency analysis, typically a Fourier transform, on the obtained spectral interference intensity signals using a computer. The FD-OCT does not require the mechanical scanning used in TD-OCT, so that it has been drawing wide attention as a method that allows high speed measurement. Typical systems that use FD-OCT measurement are SD-OCT (Spectral Domain OCT) system and SS-OCT (Swept Source OCT) system as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,355 (Patent Document 1), and a non-patent document "Three-dimensional and high-speed swept-source optical coherence tomography for in vivo investigation of human anterior eye segments" by Yoshiaki Yasuno et al., OPTICS EXPRESS, Vol. 13, No. 26, pp. 10652-10664, 2005 (Non-Patent Document 1).
Here, in the FD-OCT measurement, a detected interference signal represents interference intensity with respect to wavelength, while an interference signal representing interference intensity with respect to wave number is required in the frequency analysis for obtaining tomography information from the interference signal. Consequently, in the Non-Patent Document 1, wavelength sweep characteristic is calculated from an interference signal obtained with a mirror as the sample, and the interference signal obtained as interference intensity with respect to each wavelength is converted to an interference signal representing interference intensity with respect to each wave number based on the calculated wavelength sweep characteristic. In the Patent Document 1, information of wavelength sweep characteristic of the light source with respect to time is obtained in advance. Then, based on the timing when an interference signal is observed and the wavelength sweep characteristic, the interference signal is converted to an interference signal with respect to wave number, which is further converted such that the interference intensities are evenly spaced apart with respect to a wave number k.
Provision of a conversion table by measuring wavelength sweep characteristic of light in advance, as in the Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1, however, causes a problem that it takes time and effort. Consequently, it has been anticipated that the conversion table be created more easily.
In view of the circumstances described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compensation table generation method, apparatus and computer program product capable of generating a compensation table used for data conversion of an interference signal obtained by OCT measurement more easily. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tomography image processing apparatus using the same.

Compensation table generation method, apparatus and computer program product, and tomography image processing apparatus using the same


An electrical connector assembly includes a pair of electrical connectors, each having a housing and a plurality of gender-neutral electrical contacts supported by the housing. The gender-neutral contacts of each connector are configured to mate with the gender-neutral contacts of the other connector, such that insertion forces associated with mating the contacts provide tactile feedback as the contacts are mated.

The present invention generally relates to electrical contacts of electrical connectors, and in particular relates to gender-neutral electrical contacts.
Electrical connector assemblies include electrical connectors that can attach to provide signal connections between electronic devices. In particular, each electrical connector includes electrical signal contacts that are provided as male that receive complementary female contacts, or female contacts that are inserted into complementary male contacts. The gender-specific contacts can require specialized connectors that are configured to connect with a mating connector. Furthermore, the connectors need to be precisely aligned for connection.
Hermaphroditic, or gender-neutral, electrical connectors have been introduced that allow for general interchangeability between connectors of a connector assembly. Conventional gender-neutral electrical contacts extend out from a housing, and have an offset region, such that the offset regions of contacts to be mated are aligned. Thus, when the connectors are mated, the offset regions of the electrical cam over each other, thereby causing resistance to insertion, and requiring an insertion force in order to mate the connectors. Unfortunately, the insertion force increases as the connectors are brought toward each other to their fully mated positions, which can lead to significant wear of the contacts.
What is therefore desired is an electrical connector having gender-neutral contacts that reduce the insertion forces with respect to conventional electrical connectors.


A pill count sensor (10) comprises an electromagnetic energy emitting array (40) and an electromagnetic energy receiving array (42), with a pill detection zone (44) defined therebetween; a sensor amplifier (28); a control board (30) interfaced with a computing device (24); and interconnecting cabling (34, 36, 38). The electromagnetic energy emitting and receiving arrays (40,42) emit and receive, respectively, beams of electromagnetic energy (46) across the zone (44) such that any pill (50) entering the zone (44) is detected by a resulting disruption in received electromagnetic energy at the receiving array (42). The sensor amplifier (28) is operable to automatically self-calibrate in order to compensate for detected electromagnetic energy levels, and to generate a pill sense signal in response to a detected pill (50). The control board (30) is operable to increment a pill count.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sensors using electromagnetic energy to detect objects within a detection zone. More particularly, the invention relates to a pill count sensor for use with an automatic medicament dispensing machine, wherein the sensor uses visible red light to detect and count pills and other medicaments such as, tablets and capsules as the pills pass through a pill detection zone. The sensor is further operable to automatically self-calibrate in order to compensate for changing light or other operating conditions.
2. Description of Prior Art
In an effort to improve efficiency, accuracy, and profitability, pharmacies increasingly use automatic medicament dispensing machines to fill prescriptions. Such dispensing machines typically use diffuse reflective infrared photoelectric (DRIP) sensors to count pills, tablets, capsules, or other countable medicaments as each prescription is being filled. Unfortunately, DRIP sensors suffer from several distinct disadvantages, including maintenance problems and inaccuracy. Additionally, DRIP sensors must be cleaned daily to remove foreign matter that might otherwise adversely affect performance.
Maintenance problems arise during initial installation and periodic calibration. DRIP sensors must be modified during initial installation to make them suitable for use with automatic medicament dispensing machines. DRIP sensors are photoelectric-type sensors that function by detecting reflected light, and each broadly comprises an infrared energy emitting lens and an infrared energy receiving lens. In order to increase calibration accuracy, a DRIP sensor must be permanently modified by installing a blocking slit plate on its emitting lens to adjust its sensitivity. However, due to manufacturing variations, the sensor is occasionally rendered insufficiently sensitive by installation of the slit plate. The resulting flawed sensor cannot be returned to the provider for replacement because of the permanent modification, yet cannot be used to count pills, and is thus discarded, thereby increasing overall production cost of the automatic medicament dispensing machine.
DRIP sensors must also be periodically calibrated in order to assure peak performance. Such periodic calibration may be required due to a number of factors, including component aging; temperature variations; power supply voltage fluctuations; and potentiometer drift. Drip sensors are calibrated by mechanical potentiometers. If a DRIP sensor is not calibrated accurately, count inaccuracy or erratic behavior can result; therefore, such calibrations must be performed by a qualified maintenance technician.
Inaccuracy is another disadvantage encountered when using DRIP sensors. As mentioned, DRIP sensors are diffuse reflective-type sensors that operate by detecting reflected energy. The sensors cannot distinguish between energy reflected from pills of interest and energy reflected from other reflective surfaces within the sensor""s sensing range. It is therefore often necessary to add matte black material, such as tape or labels, to the dispensing machine to prevent background reflection problems. In addition to adding such material, it is often necessary to calibrate the sensors to operate at a lower sensitivity to prevent sensing and locking onto energy reflected from extraneous background objects or surfaces. When calibrated to operate at a lower sensitivity, the sensors are sometimes unable to accurately count some small pills.
As stated above, DRIP sensors function by emitting infrared energy and measuring any such energy reflected from pills. Unfortunately, some pills are of a color or a texture or have other physical characteristics such that they do not sufficiently reflect infrared or other electromagnetic energy, often resulting in inaccurate counts.
Another disadvantage of DRIP sensors is their tendency to generate false readings in the presence of electric fields, such as the fields encountered during European Electro Magnetic Compliance testing.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved pill count sensor for use with an automatic medicament dispensing machine that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.
The present invention overcomes the above-identified problems and disadvantages and provides a distinct advance in the art of pill counting sensors. More particularly, the present invention provides a pill count sensor for use with an automatic medicament dispensing machine, wherein the sensor uses electromagnetic energy, preferably visible red light, to detect and count pills and other medicaments such as, tablets and capsules as the pills pass through a pill detection zone. The sensor is further operable to automatically self-calibrate in order to compensate for changing light or other operating conditions so as to ensure continued accuracy. The preferred sensor is carried on a vial gripping mechanism and broadly comprises a light emitting array and a light receiving array, with a pill detection zone defined therebetween; a sensor amplifier; a control board interfaced with a computing device; and interconnecting cabling. The light emitting and receiving arrays emit and receive, respectively, visible red light across the pill detection zone such that any pill entering the pill detection zone is detected by a resulting disruption in received light at the receiving array. The sensor amplifier is operable to automatically self-calibrate in order to compensate for detected light levels, and to generate a pill sense signal in response to a detected pill. The control board is operable to increment a pill counter, and is interfaced with a computing device operable to report the pill count as determined by the pill counter. The pill counter may be located internally or externally to the control board. The interconnecting cabling operatively interconnects all components using fiber optic and electrical cabling.
In use, when the automatic medicament dispensing machine receives a prescription corresponding to a quantity of pills, the receiving array is moved into position by operation of the vial gripping mechanism. The sensor amplifier automatically calibrates itself to the light level the receiving array receives, with no pill in the pill detection zone. As a pill passes through the pill detection zone, the emitted light is briefly blocked, causing the receiving array to generate a lower light level signal to the sensor amplifier. The sensor amplifier detects the lower light level signal and generates a pill sense signal to the control board. The control board increments the pill counter and so informs the computing device. This process is continued until the proper amount of pills have been dispensed and counted.
These and other important features of the present invention are more fully described in the section titled DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT, below.

Pill count sensor for automatic medicament dispensing machine


A method for testing multifocal intraocular lenses and intraocular lenses having designed-in optical aberrations. The method includes the providing of a nullifying lens having an optical zone configured such that light passing through the optical zone and through the intraocular lens is focused at a single plane if the intraocular lens does not contain any fabrication flaws. The invention further includes a nullifying lens constructed such that light passing through the nullifying lens and through an intraocular lens is focused at a single plane if the intraocular lens does not contain any fabrication flaws.

The present invention relates to a method for testing intraocular lenses for the purpose of determining the quality thereof. In particular, the method of the present invention is directed to the use of a nullifying lens in the testing of multifocal intraocular lenses and in the testing of intraocular lenses having designed-in optical aberrations. The invention is further directed to a nullifying lens configured such that light passing through an intraocular lens and through the nullifying lens is focused at a single plane, thereby facilitating an analysis of the optical characteristics of the intraocular lens.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,701 to Lanzilloti discloses a method and apparatus for testing intraocular lenses. In particular, Lanzilloti discloses an apparatus constructed for use in determining the dioptric power, resolving power, and astigmatic power of an intraocular lens. U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,133 to Cole also discloses a method for determining the dioptric power of an intraocular lens. However, neither Lanzilloti nor Cole addresses the issue of quality testing of multifocal intraocular lenses and intraocular lenses having designed-in optical aberrations.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all multifocal intraocular lenses be subjected to a series of qualitative and quantitative analyses for the purpose of determining whether each lens meets the requisite optical standards. These qualitative analyses include a determination of the lens' resolution, resolution efficiency, and modulation transfer function (MTF).
Due to the presence of multiple optical zones or designed-in aberrations in certain intraocular lenses, it can be difficult to fulfill the above-referenced FDA testing requirements. For example, multifocal intraocular lenses include a plurality of zones having different optical characteristics, including different focal lengths. Thus, light directed through these multifocal intraocular lenses will have a plurality of focal points. Although it is possible to conduct separate analyses of the multifocal intraocular lens at each of these focal points, such a testing procedure is time-consuming and does not provide sensitive results. The lack of sensitivity associated with such testing procedures is caused by the fact that light focused by one optical zone of the multifocal lens will tend to be blurred by light refracted by other zones of the lens which are not designed to focus an image at the same plane, thereby making an accurate analysis difficult or impossible. As a result, the detection of fabrication defects in multifocal intraocular lenses using standard testing techniques is not particularly practical using known testing procedures. The same problem also exists with respect to intraocular lenses having designed-in optical aberrations.

Nullifying lens and test method for quality control of intraocular lenses


A method of construction includes positioning at least one support member (2) in the ground, forming a foundation (4) substantially adjacent the at least one support member, excavating ground beneath the foundation to a prescribed depth below the surface (5) temporarily forming cavities or voids (8) and supporting bridges (10) beneath the foundations, excavating the supporting bridges and dropping the formed foundation to the prescribed depth. Structures such as walls (12) may be constructed on the foundations prior to dropping the foundations and bracing members (22) may be used to prevent deflection of the walls.

Conventionally, foundations for buildings are often constructed by excavating a site to a required depth, at which, settable material, such as concrete is laid. The foundations may take various forms depending on the composition of the ground on which the building is to be constructed, the design and function of the building and the height to which the building will extend.
In the case of large buildings such as office complexes, skyscrapers and the like, often foundation piles are driven deep into the ground using a variety of known methods and a variety of pile designs, the particular method depending on at least some of the above factors. For example, some piling methods utilise prefabricated pile shafts screwed into the bearing ground layer, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,734 assigned to Beheersmaatschappij Verstraeten B. V.
On sites where the ground is soft and/or there are problems with the presence of water in the area being excavated or where foundation piles are being driven, such as on many coastal sites or sites located near rivers or other bodies of water, piles sometimes have to be driven to incredible depths, and/or very deep excavations made, before a suitable bearing ground layer is reached. This is not only highly inefficient because of the time and expense associated with the need to excavate such huge volumes of material and/or to pile to such depths, but it is also potentially very dangerous for those working on the site. Furthermore, the stability of neighbouring sites and buildings are put at risk because of the inordinately deep excavations and/or piling.
Hence, there is clearly a need for a construction method that addresses or at least ameliorates some, if not all, of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art construction methods and/or provides a viable commercial alternative to the prior art methods.


A FLASH EPROM cell in accordance with the present invention is disclosed in which the erasure is accomplished under a constant electric field. The FLASH EPROM cell includes a semiconductor device including a source, a drain and a gate and a constant current circuit coupled to the source. The constant current circuit ensures that a constant field is applied to the tunneling oxide of the FLASH EPROM cell during erasure thereof. In so doing, the FLASH EPROM cell can be erased with a minimum of stress to the device. In addition, the FLASH EPROM cell of the present invention can be used with various power supplies without affecting the characteristics thereof. Finally, through the FLASH EPROM cell of the present invention, the short channel effect associated with smaller device sizes can be substantially reduced.

The data in a FLASH EPROM device is conventionally erased by providing a constant voltage to the source of the device. It is very important that the electric field across the tunneling oxide generated thereby remain constant as nearly as possible during erasure so as not to put undue stress on the tunneling oxide. It is known that if a voltage potential is applied directly to the source of the FLASH EPROM, that an unacceptable amount of stress is exerted on the oxide because the very high peak field generated at the beginning of the erasure.
When a load resistance is placed between the voltage supply and the source of the FLASH EPROM the electric field generated thereby generates less stress than when no load resistor is provided. However, even when utilizing this arrangement, stress is still present because the electric field generated thereby is still not a constant value.
In addition, as the size of the device decreases, another problem, known as short channel effect also becomes significant. That is, it is known that hot carriers are generated due to a lateral electrical field in the channel between the source and the drain of the device. At the larger device sizes, i.e., when the channel between the source and drain is long, the transient electrical field generated is very small during that charging period, i.e., the period when the voltage is applied to the source. However, as the channel becomes shorter, then these hot spots can be created more easily. The prior art constant voltage supply arrangement for the FLASH EPROM cell becomes harmful in this aspect due to the high field generated at the beginning of the erasure.
A third problem associated with known FLASH EPROM devices when erased is that they are not easily able to be adjusted to various voltage supplies. Hence, if the power supply that is provided to the device is a five volt power supply, but in fact, the device itself is a three volt device, complicated circuitry is required to bring the voltage down to a level which can be properly utilized with the three volt device. Accordingly, known systems require complicated circuitry to either ramp up or lower the voltage of the device to provide a constant electric field.
In addition, it is known that the endurance of EPROM devices is affected by electron trapping in the tunneling oxide. This becomes a bigger problem as the device sizes become smaller.
Finally, it is important as power requirements are reduced on semiconductor devices to provide ways to reduce the peak field necessary for erasure.
What is needed, therefore, is a circuit that would allow for a constant field to be provided during erasure of a FLASH EPROM device while at the same time would overcome the above-identified problems associated with short channel effect and varying voltage supplies. The present invention addresses such a need.

System for constant field erasure in a flash EPROM


A band limiter comprises an optical filter, which has first and second filter sections, and a filter moving mechanism for moving the optical filter to place the first or second filter section in a light path of blue light. A passband where transmittance of the first filter section is greater than or equal to half a peak value thereof is defined as a first transmission band. The first transmission band includes a peak wavelength, at which an absorption coefficient of hemoglobin is at its peak. A passband where transmittance of the second filter section is greater than or equal to half a peak value thereof is defined as a second transmission band. The second transmission band does not include an isosbestic wavelength (in the order of 450 nm), at which an absorption coefficient of oxyhemoglobin equals or crosses an absorption coefficient of deoxyhemoglobin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source device for an endoscope and an endoscope system.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
In medical fields, diagnoses using endoscope systems are widely performed. The endoscope system comprises a light source device for an endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as the light source device), an endoscope, and a processor device. The light source device generates illumination light with which an object of interest (hereinafter simply referred to as the object, e.g. mucosa or the like in a body cavity) is to be irradiated. The endoscope system is provided with a normal mode and an oxygen saturation mode. In the normal mode, normal observation using normal illumination light (white light) is performed. In the oxygen saturation mode, various types of observation using special illumination light are performed. The observation of oxygen saturation levels (hereinafter referred to as the oxygen saturation observation) is one of them.
The oxygen saturation observation is a method of observation in which oxygen saturation levels that indicate how much oxygen is contained in blood in blood vessels are calculated and an image representing the oxygen saturation levels is displayed. The oxygen saturation observation is performed by using light (measurement light) whose wavelength range is limited to 450 to 500 nm, in which a difference between the absorption coefficient of oxyhemoglobin and the absorption coefficient of deoxyhemoglobin (in blood vessels) is large (see US2012/0157768 (corresponding to Japanese Pat. No. 5303012)).
In the normal observation, the reduction in contrast (hereinafter referred to as the blood vessel contrast) between the mucosal surface and the blood vessels is prevented by reducing the intensity of a light component in the wavelength range of 460 to 500 nm of normal light (white light) (see US2011/0288387 (corresponding to Japanese Pat. No. 5306447)). This is based on the fact that a difference in reflectance between the blood vessel and the mucosa surrounding the blood vessel is small in the wavelength range greater than or equal to 460 nm. Thereby, the blood vessel contrast in the image is increased.
A broadband light source such as a xenon lamp, a white LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like is used as the light source device. Recently, a combination of semiconductor light sources of different colors (e.g. a blue LED, a green LED, and a red LED) has been used. With regard to a blue light source, a blue LED having a peak wavelength around 450 to 460 nm is used.
As described in the US2012/0157768 and the US2011/0288387, the illumination light having the wavelength range of 450 to 500 nm is used for the oxygen saturation observation. With regard to the illumination light for the normal observation using an image in which the blood vessel contrast is increased, the intensity of the illumination light in the wavelength range of 460 to 500 nm is reduced. In other words, the blue illumination light for the normal observation differs in wavelength from that for the oxygen saturation observation. For this reason, it is necessary to use different light sources for the normal observation and the oxygen saturation observation, respectively. The two types of observation cannot be performed by using a single endoscope system.

Light source device for endoscope and endoscope system


The wheel comprises a central portion, or rim provided with blades at its peripheral portion and is made of a single piece of composite material formed by a fibrous reinforcement densified by a matrix. The fibrous reinforcement is formed from a helical fabric with radially oriented fibers and circumferentially oriented fibers. The density of fibers in a radial direction and the density of fibers in a circumferential direction varies along a radius of the wheel as a function of the variations of the radial stresses and circumferential stresses that are exerted on the wheel when it is in operation. At least part of the circumferentially oriented fibers in the rim are made of a material having high mechanical resistance, while at least part of circumferentially oriented fibers in the blades and at least part of the axially oriented fibers are made of a material having good resistance to high temperatures and chemical attacks.

The present invention relates to a composite material wheel intended for high-speed operation, in particular for use in an aeronautical engine. Here, the term high-speed is understood to mean linear peripheral speeds in excess of 500 m/s.
It has already been proposed, e.g. in document FR-A-2,476 766, to produce a one-piece composite turbine wheel comprising a central portion, or rim, fitted with peripheral blades. The composite material consists of a fibrous reinforcement densified by a matrix, with the orientation of the reinforcing fibers determined as a function of the stresses exerted on the wheel when in operation.


An improved water purification system for production of USP purified water and/or USP water for injection include backwashable, chlorine tolerant microfilter or ultrafilter for initial filtration of the feed water (10). The filtrate from the filter (18) is provided to a dechlorinator (18) prior to being subjected to an optional, reverse osmosis membrane unit (60) and then to a still (66) which discharges purified water at USP standards for purified water or water for injection.

The pharmaceutical industry requires considerable quantities of water of high purity such as USP purified water and USP water for injection. The standards for each are well known but in general, USP purified water must be obtained from water which meets Environmental Protection Agency "drinking water" standards or comparable standards of the European Union or Japan. It must not contain any added substances and must be obtained by a suitable process and meet certain requirements relating to electrical conductivity as the electrical conductivity of water increases with the increasing presence of ions of various sorts, indicating impurities.
USP water for injection must meet all of the requirements of USP purified water. Further, it must be obtained by distillation or reverse osmosis and meet the requirements of the Bacterial Endotoxin test and contain no more than 0.25 Endotoxin units per milliliter. It must be prepared by a suitable method and apparatus so as to minimize microbial growth.
Systems utilized heretofore to produce such water are relatively complex, have a high microbial load and a relatively low purified water recovery rate. Many are approved only for USP purified water production and not approved for the production of water for injection. Depending upon the system, organic and microbial bioburden may be present throughout until the water to be purified is subject to heating in a distilling step. This can result in a high organic load and bioburden on the distillation apparatus. Where it is desired to reduce the bioburden on the distilling apparatus one may use a reverse osmosis purification step prior to the distilling step. While this may produce some improvement, the reverse osmosis membrane is subject to biofouling.
The systems also typically employ cartridge filters, multimedia filters and/or carbon filters. Multimedia filters typically remove suspended matter down to only about 20-30 microns and carbon filters having a high bio-growth rate and require regular sanitization which increases system maintenance costs.
Consequently, there is a real need for a simplified water purification capable of providing purified water to USP purified water or USP water for injection standards, and specifically a system that is relatively simple in construction and operation and which avoids high organic load and bioburden when distilling and which minimizes the potential for high biogrowth rates at various points in the system.

Apparatus for producing USP or WFI purified water


Apparatus and method for specific gravity measurement of an object having a known geometry and weight is provided which is particularly adaptable for determining the specific gravity of a gemstone. The apparatus includes a fluid circuit and a pump therefor with the fluid circuit having an adjustable fluid flow rate. The fluid circuit also includes a test chamber element for receiving the object and a flow measuring element for determining fluid flow rate. Preferably, the test chamber is vertically oriented and has zones of decreasing fluid velocity from its lower to upper ends for a constant fluid flow rate through the circuit. The method of measurement is made in one of two modes. In one mode, the flow rate is held constant so that the vertical position of the object of unknown specific gravity in the test chamber yields data allowing calculation of its specific gravity. In the second mode, the fluid flow rate is adjusted so that the object attains an equilibrium position at a pre-selected location in the test chamber and the fluid velocity at that point is then determined by measuring the flow rate through the fluid circuit and the specific gravity is thereby calculated.

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining the specific gravity of materials and more specifically to a method and apparatus for measuring the specific gravity of gemstones and the like.
An important aspect of the trade of a jeweler or a gemologist resides in the ability to determine the identity and value of a gemstone. While numerous parameters require analysis in the determination of a stone's identity, such as, the color, weight, flaw characteristics, and the like, one of the more important physical characteristics used in evaluating a gemstone is its specific gravity. This particular measurement is important because specific gravities of the major gemstones seldom overlap. Hence, this measurement provides a useful tool in distinguishing among differing types of gemstones and identifying counterfeit or synthetic gemstones.
While several techniques to measure specific gravity of gemstones have been developed in the past, most importantly, the use of heavy liquids and the hydrostatic process, jewelers and other persons desiring to measure specific gravity have thus far not been able to apply these methods in a sufficiently accurate fashion to make the specific gravity an accurate tool for analyzing the gemstone. Problems such as expense, difficulty in performing the measurements, and inaccuracy have made these techniques prohibitive for normal use at the retail level. A description of these heavy liquid and hydrostatic techniques may be found in R. Webster, Gems 566-82 (3ed. 1975), and the review of this material demonstrates the difficulties a jeweler would encounter in attempting to measure specific gravity of a gemstone according to these processes.
While the hydrostatic method typically yields a measurement having a greater accuracy than the heavy liquid method, this method needs a very sensitive balance, substantial calculation and substantial time in performance. A drawback of the hydrostatic method is that it is not effective in measuring the specific gravity of smaller specimens. The reason for this drawback is that the drag factor caused by the surface tension of the water can introduce substantial error in the measurement of specific gravity, particularly where the gemstone weighs less than five carats. This weight category includes a large majority of all gemstones. A quicker, though less accurate measurement for smaller gemstones can be made using a heavy liquid floatation method. However, due to the high density of the liquids required for this approach, a disadvantage is introduced since many of the high density liquids are poisonous and expensive. In addition, the heavy liquid method yields only a specific gravity range and not an exact value for the gemstone tested.
As a result of the difficulties referred to above, there is a need for an inexpensive yet accurate apparatus and method for determining the specific gravity of a gemstone with this apparatus being of a nature susceptible to utilization by a person untrained in sophisticated techniques for specific gravity measurement.


A means and method for encapsulating a mechanically spliced belt, used in agricultural machinery, are disclosed. The encapsulating material protects the mechanical splice from exposure to environmental and operational conditions. The encapsulating material increases the cross-sectional modulus of the mechanical splice while maintaining geometric integrity of the fastening system, thereby increasing the operational life of the spliced belt.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to mechanically fastened belt splices for agricultural machinery belts. The invention more particularly concerns mechanical splices which help to prolong the operational lives of the belts, and to methods of making such splices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Belting is used today in many types of agricultural machinery, e.g., hay balers. A popular type of hay baler which is marketed today employs a plurality of belts which are used to form the hay into round bales. This type of baler is known as a round hay baler. The belts which are used on the round hay balers are typically in the order of 40 feet long and of the type described in commonly assigned patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,580 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,609, which are incorporated herein by reference.
There are several factors which must be taken into consideration when designing belting for hay balers. One factor is that when a hay baler is making bales, the belts are subjected to heavy loads. These loads cause the belts to stretch, and the amount that a belt stretches under the load must remain within a certain tolerance; otherwise, the bale it is making will become too large, thereby interfering with proper baler operation.
Manufacturers of hay balers have continued to increase the specification for the density of bales which a baler can produce. The amount of loading to which the belts of a baler are thereby subjected is increased, and hence the likelihood that a belt will stretch beyond tolerable limits for proper operation is increased. When a belt stretches beyond tolerable limits, the belt is generally removed and shortened. Shortening the belt is typically accomplished by trial and error techniques, especially in the fields. Such trial and error techniques are time consuming and can produce unsatisfactory results.
The two most common splices are vulcanized splices and mechanical splices. The underlying principle in vulcanized splicing is the establishment of adhesion between the components of the two belt ends being joined together in the splices. The goal is to develop adhesion in the splices equal to that in the original belt. In mechanical splices, the ends of the belt are connected by a mechanical device such as the "clipper splice" that is illustrated in FIG. 2.
Another factor to be considered in the design of belt splices is the ability of the belt to flex in operation without damaging the splice. In that regard, a typical round hay baler employs a plurality of rollers on which the belts are installed. The position of the rollers is such that the belts are subjected to a substantial amount of flexing in traveling around the rollers. Moreover, some of the rollers are positioned such that the belts must travel in an S-shape during operation. If a belt fails due to the flexing stress, the belt must be replaced to obtain proper operation of the baler. The typical failure point, particularly when mechanical splices are used, is at the point of splice.
Other factors when considering the type of splice to employ are cost and ease of installation. Although vulcanized splices are generally more durable than mechanical splices, they typically cost at least twice as much and they are much more difficult to install, particularly in the field.
Belts used in agricultural applications are most commonly fastened with mechanical splices. The mechanical splices, however, tend to deteriorate rapidly in operation and require substantial maintenance.
Belt slippage and mistracking are caused by a number of factors. In dry and dusty conditions, the dry crop and soil residue are deposited on the belt surfaces and roller surfaces. The residue acts as a lubricant causing both slippage and mistracking. In wet and slippery conditions, such as when baling wet hay or chopped silage, excess moisture also acts as a lubricant causing slippage and mistracking. Also, some crops, such as silage, leave a sticky residue on the belts which causes crop material to adhere to the belt surface. This causes the belts to react unevenly at the rollers, again causing slippage and mistracking. During slippage and mistracking, the belts may contact fixed guides, the belts may roll over, and adjacent belts may rub together. These occurrences damage the belt edges and the ends of the mechanical fasteners.
Mechanical methods have been employed in an effort to overcome the slippage and crop material collection problems, but with minimal success and often to the detriment of the mechanical fastening system. One such method has been to weld metal flighting, such as auger flighting, in a spiral configuration axially along a steel roller surface. The intent is for the flighting to scrape off crop material collecting on the belt surface. While the flighting does scrape the belt surface, it also scrapes the mechanical fastener. Many times the fastener is scraped from the belt.
Rigid and stationary belt dividers and guides are also employed to prevent mistracking. However, as the lateral edges of the belts contact the guides, the ends of the mechanical fasteners become damaged.
The combination of crop conditions, built-in metal or rubber rollers, belt guides and other components that physically scrape the belt all result in increased stresses and strains at the fastened area of the joined belt ends. Mechanical fasteners transfer these stresses and strains to the belt reinforcing fibers through the area of belt carcass penetration and by the member of the fastener that actually penetrates the belt carcass. There is a constant variable of stress and strain from one point to another point along the cross-sectional plane of the belt and the fastener area. There is also a belt-to-belt difference in multiple belted systems where the multiple belts are supported by the same long rollers. This is the case in the round hay baler.
The continuous high frequency oscillations of the stress/strain loads on the belt in operation are transferred to the points of the belt carcass penetrated by the mechanical fastener. Also, as the belt and the joined belt ends flex about the roller surfaces in a serpentine manner, this movement concentrates considerable stress/strain loads on the joined belt ends through the mechanical fastener due to the differences in belt surface elongations under dynamic loading. This makes it inevitable that the fastened cross-sectional plane of the belt ends can experience uneven stress/strain loads.

Means and method of encapsulating mechanically fastened belt splice for agricultural belt


The present invention provides a battery module assembly including: a module array body including two or more unit modules, each including a plurality of battery cells, the unit modules being arranged while sides thereof are closely attached to each other; and a combination-type module housing that includes a first space set by combining a plurality of plate members, and a second space set in the first space while a fixing bracket is additionally combined to one of the plurality of plate members.

Recently, as technology development and demand for mobile devices grow, demands for a rechargeable battery that can be charged/discharged have been rapidly increased as an energy source. Accordingly, various researches and studies with respect to a rechargeable battery that can fulfill various needs have been carried out. In addition, the rechargeable battery is also attracting attention as a power source of an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (Plug-In HEV), and the like, which have been suggested as a solution for solving air pollution caused by conventional gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles using fossil fuels.
Thus, an electric vehicle (EV) that can be driven only by a rechargeable battery, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that uses a battery and an existing engine together, and the like have been developed, and some of them have been commercially available. As a rechargeable battery of a power source of the EV, the HEV, and the like, a nickel hydrogen metal (Ni-MH) rechargeable battery has been mainly used, but, recently, a lithium rechargeable battery having high energy density, a high discharge voltage, and high output stability has been actively studied, and some are in the commercially available step.
When the rechargeable battery (or a battery cell) is used as a power source of a vehicle, the rechargeable battery is used in the form of a module having a structure in which a plurality of rechargeable batteries are connected because high power and high capacity are essential.
For example, a plurality of rechargeable batteries are electrically connected such that a single unit module is formed, and a plurality of unit cells may be manufactured as a high capacity and high output power source having an electrical connection structure by being connected in parallel, series, or a combination of parallel and series to modularize the unit modules. The structure in which the unit modules are assembled may be called a battery module in a broad sense.
Meanwhile, in order to use the battery module as a power source of, for example, a vehicle, which is a device or a system exposed to various environments, the battery module needs to maintain structural stability with respect to external impact according to various environments and needs to assure safety in various levels of humidity and temperature.
Thus, the battery module has a general structure where external members such as a case and a housing are assembled to protect the module structure and support the same, and the structure where the external members are assembled may be called a battery module assembly in a broad sense.
However, such a large-capacity battery module assembly has a significantly large volume so that a plurality of combining members, for example, extension bolts, brackets, combining bars, and the like are needed to combine the unit modules and the external members while maintaining capacity to be relatively high compared to the volume of the assembly. Accordingly, the structure becomes complicated and assembling may not be easy.
In particular, the combining members such as the extension bolts and the combining bars not only cause an increase of the number of parts for assembling, thereby increasing complexity in a manufacturing process of the battery module assembly, but also require additional space for engagement of the combining members, thereby causing an increase of the size of the space required for the battery module assembly.
Due to such factors, there is a problem with the battery module assembly in that it is difficult to have a simple structure in which constituent elements are simply combined while maintaining a small size, that is, a compact structure.
Accordingly, the need for a method for minimizing the entire volume of the assembly while having a structure in which the constituent elements are stably combined is high.

Battery module assembly having stable fixing means for unit module


A write precompensation circuit includes a plurality of current-controlled delay buffers connected to form a delay line having selectable output taps. The precise delay of each delay buffer is controllable by a secondary control current derived from a master control current such that the precise delay is a precise percent of an oscillator period. The master control current is also used to control the period of a master write clock generated by a current-controlled ring oscillator of delay buffers. A write precompensation method includes steps of controlling current in delay buffers in a current-controlled ring oscillator used to generate a master write clock and current in delay buffers in a current-controlled delay line to maintain delays through delay buffers of the oscillator and the delay line in predetermined proportions to each other.

The magnetic recording art has long known that narrow pulses in certain patterns of digital data signals experience pulse compression and other nonlinear pulse-edge displacement effects when stored magnetically on a disk drive or tape drive magnetic storage device (MSD). The resulting data read back from the MSD may have as much as a hundred times higher error rate than expected due to noise alone because the nonlinear pulse-edge displacement effects reduce the data detection system's margin for timing error. If pattern-dependent pulse-edge displacements can be ascertained for a particular medium used in a particular MSD, then it is possible to preshift the write data pulse edges by an amount equal, and opposite in direction to, that in which the medium will shift them, so that data with pulse-edge displacements reduced or eliminated will be read back from the MSD. Write precompensation, as selectively preshifting write data pulses or their edges is known, can decrease error rates enough to allow substantial MSD capacity gains. Particular algorithms for determining which pulse edges to shift are well known, and do not form a part of the present invention.
The capacity improvement obtainable for any algorithm depends strongly upon the accuracy of the time shifts delivered by the write precompensation circuit. The timing of write data pulse edges derives from a master clock. The write precompensation time shifts are typically small relative to the period of the master clock. Furthermore, the write precompensation time shifts should consistently be a specified percentage of the master clock period, which may itself vary due to environmental, process or other causes.
One conventional technique for obtaining time shifts and delays for this purpose is to use resistor-capacitor (RC) timing networks or other analog timing circuits. The performance achievable using this technique is severely limited by component tolerances and environmental factors such as temperature.
Another technique relies upon propagation delays provided by logic gates to determine time intervals of pulse edge shifts. However, logic-gate delays are inherently highly variable with environmental factors and process variations.
The above two techniques also suffer from not being closely tied to the period of the master clock. Therefore, the precompensation produced is one or more fixed time delays, rather than a delay which is a fixed percentage of the master clock, as would be more desirable.
A third method is to synchronize all signals to a write precompensation clock operating at a frequency high enough to allow all precompensation intervals to be specified in integral numbers of cycles of the precompensation clock. The precompensation clock could itself be synchronized with the master clock, for example using frequency synthesis techniques. However, at current disk-drive speeds, the precompensation clock would have to operate at 1 GHz or more. The logic gates, wiring, and shielding necessary for this frequency make this method currently impractical. Although circuit technology might advance to such speeds, advances in recording technology have historically and again in the future will undoubtedly raise the speed requirement at a comparable pace.

All-MOS precision differential delay line with delay a programmable fraction of a master clock period


A composite specimen for conducting transverse tension strength testing may include a solid cylinder comprising parallel opposing ends, a cylindrical surface extending between and around the parallel opposing ends, and only parallel planar plies extending between and perpendicular to the parallel opposing ends. The parallel planar plies may comprise fibers extending within the parallel planar plies.

It is often necessary to measure the transverse tension strength of composite specimens at various temperatures. Many of the conventional apparatus and methods utilize specimens that require grips for applying tension load to the specimen. For instance, one such conventional apparatus utilizes a dog-bone-shaped specimen having a narrower central portion and wider end portions which allow an appropriate device to grip the specimen. However, using a gripped specimen, and the machinery required for testing such a gripped specimen, may increase the time required for manufacturing the specimen, may increase the time required for conducting the testing, may increase cost, and/or may require complex testing equipment and methods of testing, especially at cryogenic and elevated temperatures. Other conventional apparatus and methods for measuring the transverse tension strength of a specimen may experience one or more additional types of problems.
An apparatus and method is needed which may solve one or more problems of one or more of the conventional apparatus and methods for measuring the transverse tension strength of a specimen.

Apparatus and method for transverse tensile strength testing of materials at extreme temperatures


The invention is a system and method for training and organizing on-site event professionals in the hospitality and tourism industry. The system has at least one server computer having a processor, an area of main memory for executing program code under the direction of the processor, a storage device for storing data and program code and a bus connecting the processor and the storage device, at least one relational database stored on the storage device, a data communications device connected to the bus for connecting the server computer to the Internet and Web-based training for on-site event professionals computer program code stored in the storage device and executing in the main memory under the direction of the processor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for training and organizing on-site event professionals. More specifically, the present invention is a method and system for training and organizing professionals in the hospitality and tourism industry.
2. Description of Related Art
Hospitality and tourism is the third largest revenue producing industry in the United States. Demand for qualified people is high in this industry, especially in large cites such as New York, London, Paris and Washington D.C. These cities depend on the billions of dollars in revenue generated as a result of hospitality and tourism. The related art includes many system and business methods involving hospitality and tourism.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,016 issued to Steadham, Jr. et al., outlines a computer integrated event management system that coordinates the entire process of event planning and implementation, using specialized software combined with a microcomputer network, which includes a network file server. CAD/DATA stations and DATA stations are used by facility personnel to efficiently plan and implement events. The system includes a fully relational database and CAD module which are connected together using a third module such that, whenever a piece of information is changed in one place, it is automatically changed everywhere it is stored in the database.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,454 issued to Jafri et al., outlines a reservation program providing for greater speed and ease of use than has been possible with existing systems. In a typical implementation, the reservation software is run on a personal computer connected to a server node through a dial up line. The server node is in turn connected to a computer reservation system such as SystemOne, Apollo or Sabre.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,075 issued to Kanemitsu, outlines a system which is capable of planning a tour time schedule using simple facility information entered by a traveler, and then easily and quickly preparing a complete itinerary for implementing a comfortable tour. When the traveler inputs desired facilities and destinations, departure dates and times, a departure location and a return destination, a schedule preparation section calculates the basic route by searching databases and basic stay time previously set with regard to the entered facilities from the basic stay time storage section, thereby preparing an itinerary.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,803 issued to Kanemitsu, outlines an itinerary making system for preparing an itinerary according to the facilities that can be used timely, by a simple inputting operation. When a traveler enters desired facility information and visiting purposes through an input unit, a plan preparing unit retrieves from a database, recommended visiting times for using the facilities, according to each visiting purpose.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,679 issued to Acebo et al., outlines a method and system for effecting the instantaneous data transmission to a locally operated computer system upon an occurrence in the computer reservation system. Specifically, a method for automatically generating pre-ticketed travel information is disclosed, in which booked reservation information and traveler information is automatically transmitted to a locally operated computer system, as soon as the booking of the reservation is complete.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,093 issued to Maruyama et al., outlines a job scheduling system for solving scheduling problems such as a production programming, and in particular, to a scheduling system for generating restriction violating conditions or restriction satisfying conditions and properly using these conditions, in later processes, so as to effectively set out a schedule.
Although each of these patents describe useful systems and business methods, what is really needed is a training and organizing system and method for the hospitality and tourism industry. Such a training and organizing system and method can address the marketplace's demand for qualified professionals in the hospitality and tourism industry.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

Method and system for training and organizing on-site event professionals


A chip-like electronic component series retains a plurality of chip-like electronic components (2) distributed along a longitudinal direction of a tape (1). The tape (1) is formed with a plurality of cavities (5) distributed in its longitudinal direction, so that the chip-like electronic components are received in respective ones of the cavities. In order to retain the chip-like electronic components in the cavities, the cavities are covered by a cover sheet (3). Each of the cavities comprises a relatively flat receiving portion (7) having a bottom surface (6) extending along the longitudinal direction of the tape and a projecting receiving portion (8) projecting from a part of the bottom surface of the flat receiving portion. With such configuration, the cavities can retain at least two types of chip-like electronic components of different geometry or retain the chip-like electronic components at least in two types of conditions.

The present invention relates to a chip-like electronic component series retaining chip-like electronic components which are to be distributed by a tape along the longitudinal direction of the tape.
A chip-like electronic component series enables efficient supply of chip-like electronic components retained therein, to be mounted on a printed circuit board or the like. A tape is fed along its longitudinal direction so that the chip-like electronic components distributed along the tape are successively transferred therewith, whereby the respective chip-like electronic components are brought to prescribed positions. Therefore, the chip-like electronic components can efficiently be taken out from the prescribed positions to be supplied to predetermined positions of the print circuit board etc.
A chip-like electronic component series according to the prior art of interest for the present invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,120 issued on Nov. 3, 1981, granted to Kaneko et al. The patent discloses a tape formed with a plurality of cavities distributed in the longitudinal direction for receiving chip-like electronic components in respective ones of the said cavities, which are covered by cover means for retaining the electronic components in the cavities.
In such a conventional chip-like electronic component series, the geometry of the cavities formed in the tape is determined by that of the chip-like electronic components to be retained therein and desired retaining conditions thereof, whereby the electronic components are substantially prevented from being loose in the cavities. Further, a step of inserting the chip-like electronic components respectively in a plurality of cavities formed in the tape is generally performed by utilizing an automatic apparatus in which a desired tape is set to be fed for bringing the cavities to prescribed positions, thereby to insert the chip-like electronic components in the cavities.
However, in the aforementioned conventional chip-like electronic component series, the cavities are formed in conformity with the chip-like electronic components to be received therein, and hence exclusive tapes are required respectively for various types of electronic components. Thus, it is necessary to prepare various types of tapes in a corresponding number to the types of the chip-like electronic components to be in series. Even in case of electronic components of the same type, tapes having different-shaped cavities must be prepared when the electronic components are to be retained in different positions. Such increase in the number of types of tapes to be prepared prevents the cost reductions that would be expected to flow from mass production of the tapes. Further, manufacturers of the chip-like electronic components are usually required to store various types of tapes for quickly supplying demands of the users, and hence management of warehouses is complicated by the aforementioned disadvantage. In addition, when the types of the electronic components and retaining conditions or positions thereof in the tape are changed in a step for inserting the chip-like electronic components in the cavities of the tape by the automatic apparatus, the tape theretofore set in the apparatus must be replaced by a new appropriate tape. Such replacement of the tape decreases efficiency in operation for manufacturing the chip-like electronic component series.


Method and apparatus for stabilization of pulse energies produced by a continuously pumped, Q-switched, solid-state or gas laser, through control of the optical power delivered by an optical pump to the laser, in order to limit the energy emitted in any single laser pulse as a result of Q-switching. The laser pump is driven at full strength for a selected initial refresh time t.sub.r. If a Q-switch trigger signal is received by the laser before the elapsed time .DELTA.t has reached the refresh time t.sub.r, the laser emits a pulse with the reduced energy stored in the laser at that time. If the elapsed time reaches or exceeds the refresh time t.sub.r, the optical pump power subsequently delivered to the laser is reduced to a lower level, which may be time-dependent, that is sufficient to maintain the net energy stored in the laser at a predetermined value so that the energy in a subsequently emitted laser pulse does not exceed a selected limit. Numerous techniques for controlling the optical pump power delivered are disclosed.

A technique referred to as "Q-switching" generates short laser pulses by placing an optical switch in the laser cavity. Q-switching is described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,613,024 and 3,928,815, issued to Geusic and to Hellwarth, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference. In Q-switched lasers, an energy source supplies electrical or optical excitation to or "pumps" the laser medium. A user triggers the optical switch from a high loss condition to a low loss or "high Q" condition, allowing a laser pulse to build up and issue from the optical cavity. During the period of pumping, energy is simultaneously absorbed from pumping and dissipated through spontaneous emission and non-radiative transfer. Energy dissipation from the upper laser level occurs at a rate approximately proportional to the upper laser level population, and inversely proportional to a material-dependent parameter, the effective decay lifetime. This decay lifetime is affected by many physical parameters of the material; to name a few, the material composition, the pressure, the temperature, and the density of other atoms, ions, or molecules in different quantum states that can interact with the upper level population. The energy in each laser pulse depends on the pumping rate, the time between pulses, and the population density distribution of the laser medium after the last pulse, if one occurred.
A laser's pumping can be either continuous (cw) or pulsed. Here, "cw pumping" refers to pumping by a source that may be, but need not be, operated at constant power over time. The cw pump may be modulated to different levels, as distinguished from pulsed pumping which exclusively operates in brief, discrete time intervals. A cw-pumped Q-switched laser can generally operate either with pulsed output, or with cw output, if the Q-switch is suitably driven. A feature of cw pumping is that the user can Q-switch the laser at nearly any time and the laser emits a pulse, provided there is sufficient time to absorb pump energy; there is no need to wait for a burst of pump energy. However, with continuous pumping, the performance parameters of a particular pulse vary depending upon the time duration of laser pumping between pulses.
As described by Wagner and Lengyel, Jour. Appl. Phys., vol. 34 (1963) 2040- 2046, the stored energy and gain in the laser, along with the length of the laser optical cavity, determine the minimum attainable pulse width. Increasing the gain allows reduced pulse widths, and the gain is proportional to the stored energy. According to Chesler, Karr and Geusic, Proc. I.E.E.E., vol. 58 (1970) pp. 1899-1914, with continuous pumping the stored energy, E.sub.s, varies approximately according to EQU E.sub.S =E.sub.0 [1-exp (-t.sub.S /T)], (1)
where t.sub.s is the duration of energy storage, T is the fluorescence decay lifetime of the laser material, and E.sub.0 is the maximum energy stored. Repetition rates much greater than 1/T are considered "high" in this context, and repetition rates much less than 1/T are "low". At low pulse repetition rates, the stored energy, E.sub.s, approaches the laser's maximum storable energy, E.sub.0, and the pulse width approaches its corresponding minimum. Consequently, the peak pulse power asymptotically approaches a maximum as the pulse repetition rate is reduced. If a burst of many pulses at high repetition rate is emitted, the laser generates the first pulse of the burst after an extended energy storage time, and the first pulse is therefore more energetic than the subsequent pulses. The energy delivered by this first pulse can be large enough to be catastrophic in many applications, from medical to microelectronic micromachining.
Three desirable characteristics of a pulsed laser are that: (1) it is stable over time; (2) it has a similar pulse energy regardless of the time duration between pulses; and (3) it is not subject to optical damage. In laser design, these characteristics are balanced against other desires, such as high energy pulses in some applications. Furthermore, for some applications, such as high repetition rate materials processing or high data rate optical probing, the laser must work reliably at multi-kilohertz repetition rates. The laser need not have increased pulse energy or reduced pulse width at lower repetition rates. In fact, it is often desirable that performance remain unchanged from an application-determined, multi-kilohertz rate down to lower rates. It is generally unacceptable if the laser cannot perform reliably at low repetition rates or, worse yet, if the more energetic laser pulses at low repetition rates damage one or more laser optical components.
A particular area where it is advantageous to maintain an upper limit on the pulse energy at low repetition rates is with lasers optimized for short pulses at high repetition rate operation. Often it is desirable to maintain nearly constant pulse energy, pulse width, pulse power, and pulse timing delay as the repetition rate is varied from 0 Hz to many kilohertz. For those lasers operating on relatively low gain transitions, such as the 1.3 .mu.m lines of neodymium-doped solid-state lasers Nd:YAG and Nd:YLF, restricting the power of pulses at low repetition rates could prevent optical damage. Because the 1.3 .mu.m wavelength is near a dispersion minimum in optical fiber materials, lasers that emit at 1.3 .mu.m are of technological importance and are important sources for fiber optic sensors and communications. Lasers of wavelength 1.3 .mu.m have been operated successfully with pulse widths shorter than 10 nsec at 10 kHz. Users may run these lasers at lower repetition rates as well. Unfortunately, the low stimulated emission cross-section of these lines means that high intra-cavity fluences are required to efficiently extract energy. Low repetition rate operation can cause single-pulse optical damage to intra-cavity elements if the energetic pulses are allowed to develop. If the Q-switch in the laser system cannot produce enough loss to prevent laser emission at low repetition rates, although the laser may not be damaged, its performance at low repetition rates will be irregular and useless for many applications.
Many control systems can help equalize the energy of pulses from a laser. One solution is a closed loop control system that measures a parameter of each pulse, such as energy, and corrects the pumping level accordingly to stabilize that parameter at a fixed level for subsequent pulses. Such a system bases its feedback signals on the pulse history and cannot look ahead. If the repetition rate changes rapidly, there are transitional periods of poor output control that can produce catastrophic optical damage. An example of such a transition in repetition rates is the initial power-up of a laser: The laser goes from 0 Hz to an operational frequency of possibly tens of kilohertz, and the first pulse issued will be very large. Similarly, if the user triggers pulses at random intervals, difficulties will arise.
The first energetic pulse can be suppressed if the pump source is extinguished at the start of a pulse burst. This technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,442, issued to Mauck for a laser pulse modulation system, where energy variation in pulses is reduced. However, this is done by elimination of pulses, and the remaining issued pulses are unavoidably delayed from the trigger signal that initiates the pulse burst. Another limitation of the technique in certain applications is that, if the user desires a single pulse, the system may simply eliminate it, believing it to be the first pulse of a burst.
Another potentially useful pulse control method requires a time delay between the arrival of a trigger signal and the emission of a pulse. Then the laser control system knows the time that will be allotted for pumping, and can anticipate the required pump level to produce a desired pulse energy. This approach introduces long delays between trigger and each issued pulse, which is unacceptable in some applications. Yet another approach is to monitor spontaneous emission fluorescence from the laser medium as a measure of stored energy. A feedback system controls the pump power in order to equalize fluorescence level for all pulses. Laser fluorescence can be a useful measure of stored energy in some applications, but it is not a perfect predictor of the laser gain and pulse widths because the fluorescence is not restricted to the excited population strictly within the mode volume of the laser. Another approach intentionally uses a Q-switch with inadequate Q spoiling, preventing sufficient energy build-up so that powerful damaging pulses do not occur. However, at low repetition rates, a laser with an inadequate Q-switch will emit light in a periodically interrupted cw output, and the pulse energy stability will be generally poor.
Feedback mechanisms and the like have been used from time to time to control some aspect of laser Q-switching or other excitation. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,596, issued to Green, a pulse frequency-modulated injection laser is disclosed in which the repetition rate of a voltage-controlled current switching device is controlled to allow sufficient time for a laser diode switch to recover to generate a new switching signal.
Fenner, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,478,280, discloses pulse-width-modulated laser switching of a semiconductor laser by adjustment of the turn-on delay of the laser. From one perspective, control of the current amplitude applied to the laser allows control of the time required to fill or saturate the photon traps present in the laser material. This, in turn, controllably delays the time at which photon build-up occurs before a laser pulse is emitted. This effect is more significant at room temperature than at lower temperatures. This approach is not directly applicable to Q-switched lasers.
A laser feedback circuit for controlling relaxation oscillation pulses in a solid-state laser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,124, issued to Danielmeyer. The phase difference between a stable periodic perturbation of a laser pump source and the laser output pulse is externally detected, and a feedback signal is used to restore this phase difference to a desired level. Here, the goal is to produce peak output pulse intensities that are as much as 20 times the average laser power, not to limit the output intensity to a given range for all pulses including start-up.
Paoli et al disclose apparatus for narrowing the pulse width and stabilizing the repetition rate in semiconductor lasers with self-induced pulsing, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,459. A small portion of the laser output signal is split off, and the present pulse repetition rate is determined. A portion of the laser output signal is reflected by an external mirror and returned to the active region of the laser to perturb the laser output signals. Pulse narrowing and rep rate stability are achieved when the speed of light, divided by the product of pulse rep rate (frequency) times optical path length from laser end face to mirror, is a ratio of two integers. Repetition rate for laser self-pulsing apparently approaches and stabilizes at a value that produces one of these ratios. This approach does not attempt to limit the amplitudes of the output pulses to a given range.
Method and apparatus for stabilizing the amplitude, pulse width and repetition rate of a Q-switched laser output signal is disclosed by Koechner et al in U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,019. The laser output beam is linearly polarized, and all light above a predetermined amplitude level is removed to provide a sequence of intermediate pulses of approximately uniform amplitude. A central part of each pulse of a sequence of pulses is then passed, using one or more Pockels cells as a shutter, to control the pulse amplitude and pulse width of a sequence of output pulses finally issued by the apparatus. No control of initial excitation of the laser medium or the intra-cavity pulse is exercised here. Consequently, large, potentially damaging pulses may be generated within the laser cavity.
What is needed is a control system for cw-pumped, Q-switched lasers to restrain the pulse energy at low repetition rates, while permitting full energy performance at high repetition rates, without requiring advance information on the arrival times of future trigger signals. Preferably, a laser driven by this control system should be stable over time as the pump components age and/or the pump parameters drift with time, and laser excitation input energy should be controlled in order to improve laser operating efficiency.

Laser pump control for output power stabilization