The present invention relates to a device for displaying current status during order processing in a production plant, with an inter-face (1) to a data processing system (5), from which up-to-date in-formation is obtained about order processing in the production plant, a processing unit (2) for processing the up-to-date information from the data processing system (5) relating to at least one process selected by an operator in graphic form, whereby processing in graphic form includes the graphic display of the allocation of material supply areas for the source process, the allocation of production areas for the make process and essential information for packaging and delivery for the deliver process, and an output unit (3) to output up-to-date information relating to the selected process in the graphic display on one or a plurality of monitors (4). The present device allows employees to have a fast and clear overview of the current status of order processing without additional training.

It is very important for a logistics department in a company to display the logistics processes for source, make and deliver in a transparent and clear manner for all its employees, to simplify their work. This relates in particular to information about order planning, requisition of production materials, supply of production materials with location data, allocation of production areas, past and present process malfunctions, delivery of finished parts to packaging with type of packaging and loading date and arrival date with the customer. The information should be accessible to all employees at all times and should be easy to request and easy to understand.
Different planning tools have been available on the market to date, which can be used for resource planning, but the inventors do not know of any device, which displays important information for employees in a clear and easily understandable manner.
U.S. 2002/0010519 A1 relates to a device for displaying the current status during order processing in a production plant, with which the information is displayed to employees on a large-scale display. This is to ensure that all the employees working in an area can obtain the information they re-quire, which may also contain instructions for subsequent activities, at any time. This information is thereby displayed as a function of the respective area in which the display is located. A tabular overview of information relating to the current status of order processing is displayed on the monitor with this device. The device also offers th e option of specifically requesting a graphic overview in the form of a line or bar chart, providing an up-to-date summary of production status.

Device for displaying a current status during order processing in a production plant


A nonaqueous ink composition comprised of a vehicle, colorant, and a hydrophobic gelling component.

The present invention is directed to phase change or hot-melt ink compositions containing a colorant, a vehicle and a gelling agent component, and, more specifically, the present invention relates to hot melt inks with for example, a melting point of between about 25.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C., and preferably from about 30.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C., and which inks are especially useful for acoustic ink printing processes and apparatuses, reference, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,141, U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,220, U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,726, U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,531, the disclosures of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, including especially acoustic ink processes as illustrated in a number of the aforementioned copending applications and patents, such as an acoustic ink printer for printing images on a record medium.
More specifically, the phase change inks of the present invention are comprised of a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a vehicle such as a liquid, a solid hydrocarbon or wax, or mixture of a liquid and solid vehicle, and other known vehicles, and a gelling agent as illustrated herein, which primarily causes the ink to gel at a temperature of for example, from about 20.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., and more specifically about 40.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C. (about to about includes all values in between throughout). The gelling agent of the present invention can cause gelling of for example, hydrophobic or non-polar liquids such as toluene, hexane, pentane, octane, Isopar, Magiesol available from Magie Brothers, and more specifically, the gelling agent, or component is useful for the gellation of inks. With the inks of the present invention there can be generated excellent developed images on plain and coated papers with acceptable image permanence, excellent projection efficiency on transparencies without needing a post fusing step, and excellent crease resistance, and wherein the inks possess acceptable, and in embodiments superior lightfastness, and superior waterfastness. Moreover, in embodiments of the present invention there is enabled the elimination, or minimization of undesirable paper curl since water need not be present in the invention inks, and it is preferred that there be an absence of water, and since water is preferably not present in the inks a dryer can be avoided thereby minimizing the cost of the acoustic ink jet apparatus and process. Furthermore, with the present invention in embodiments there is enabled inks with a low viscosity, for example from about 1 centipoise to about 10 centipoise at a temperature of for example, from about 40.degree. C. to about 125.degree. C., and preferably from about 40.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C. as measured by Carrim-Med CSL -100 rheometer TA Instrument, and which inks can be utilized at low jetting temperatures with an acoustic printing device, for example low temperatures of less than about 130 degrees Centigrade, and more specifically from about 50.degree. C. to about 125.degree. C.


The present invention relates to apparatuses for use in performing a quantitative analysis of a turbid pharmaceutical sample, e.g. a tablet, a capsule or a similar sample forming a pharmaceutical dose. A pharmaceutical, turbid sample (24, 57, 67) is irradiated with an excitation beam (20, 53, 64) of radiation, e.g. near infrared radiation. The intensity of emitted radiation (30) from the sample (24, 57, 67) is detected as function of both the wavelength of the emitted radiation and the photon propagation time through said sample (24, 57, 67). Optionally, the intensity of the emitted radiation (30) from the sample (24, 57, 67) is also detected in a spatially resolved manner.

Non-invasive, non-destructible analysis of whole tablets can be carried out by means of near-infrared (NIR) or Raman spectrometry. Today, NIR spectroscopy is a recognised technique for performing a fast analysis of compounds. The common feature of both these techniques is that they utilise light in the NIR wavelength region (700-2500 nm, specifically 700-1500 nm) where pharmaceutical tablets are relatively transparent (low molar absorptivity). That is, light can in this region penetrate compressed powders several mm:s why information in the content can be obtained emanating from the bulk of the tablet and not only from the surface. A practical advantage of using NIR radiation in that diode lasers can be used.
One example of such an analysis is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,399, assigned to Foss NIR systems Inc. This document discloses an instrument of performing a NIR spectrographic transmission measurement of a pharmaceutical tablet. This instrument is, however, capable of providing only limited information as to the content of a sample, typically the quantity of a particular component in a sample. This prior-art instrument cannot provide detailed information of, for example, the three-dimensional distribution of one or more components in a sample. The technical background on which this limitation is based will be further discussed in connection with the description of the present invention.
The prior art also includes a significant amount of methods for optical imaging of human tissues, in particular for detecting disturbances of homogeneity, such as the presence of a tumour in human tissue. These methods are generally qualitative measurements, not quantitative, in the sense that they primarily focus on determining the presence and the location of an inhomogeneity. There prior-art methods are not suitable for performing a quantitative analysis on pharmaceutical, turbid samples, such as tablets and capsules, in order to determine e.g. content and structural parameters.


Methods and apparatus for acoustic fluid valve calibration are disclosed herein. An example method involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a plurality of positions along a valve stroke, obtaining acoustic emission signals generated by a fluid passing through the valve using a sensor when the closure member is in the positions, and identifying, using a processor, a zero position of the closure member based on the acoustic emission signals.

Fluid control valves, such as ball valves, typically include a closure member that may be rotated to an open or closed position with respect to a valve seal to permit or restrict the passage of fluid flow through the valve. A fluid control valve that does not have a properly positioned closure member in the closed position can leak process fluid, thereby resulting in an ineffective sealing of the valve.


A fixed-focus lens adapted to be disposed between a primary image side and a second image side is provided. The fixed-focus lens includes a second lens group, a first lens group, and a curved reflector arranged in sequence from the primary image side to the second image side. The second lens group includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens arranged in sequence from the primary image side to the second image side. The first lens and the third lens have positive refractive powers and each of the first lens, the second lens, and the third lens is a spherical lens.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to a lens, and more particularly, to a fixed-focus lens.
2. Description of Related Art
A fixed-focus lens is generally used in an optical system. The fixed-focus lens is widely applied therein, such as a monitoring camera, an automotive camera, a rear projection TV, a projector, etc. Along with development of optoelectronic technology, projectors having high quality have become more and more popular in recent years. In order to reduce the distance from the projector to the screen where images are projected and obtain great projected images, a fixed-focus lens having wide field of view is usually adopted therein. However, the images projected thereby may have aberration, such as distortion, field curvature, and astigmatism. Accordingly, in related arts, in order to improve aberration of the projected images, a plurality of aspheric lenses are utilized, or the number of lenses used therein and an overall length thereof are increased.
Moreover, in order to reduce the overall length thereof while improving aberration, a reflector may be added into the fixed-focus lens. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,765, sixteen lenses and one reflector are used to reduce the overall length thereof while improving aberration. Furthermore, in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0233394, eighteen lenses and two reflectors are used to achieve the above-described objective. Moreover, a plurality of reflectors are used to reduce the distance form the projector to the screen where images are projected in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,394; 6,994,442; 6,989,936; 6,690,517; or 6,984,044. However, it may enhance difficulty of manufacturing and fabricating the lens to increase the number of lenses used therein and to add the plurality of reflectors thereinto for reducing the overall length thereof while improving aberration, and cost of the projector is increased.


An apparatus for measuring the viscosity and temperature of a fluid, for example an engine oil, comprises a transducer, which is arranged to vibrate when provided with a drive signal to produce an ultrasonic shear wave; an impedance matching layer that is inserted into the fluid and which couples at least a portion of the ultrasonic waves produced by the transducer into the fluid and from which at least a portion of the wave is reflected back to the transducer; a detector which is adapted to detect a measurement signal produced by the transducer when the reflected wave is incident upon the transducer; a control circuit which varies the frequency of the drive signal applied to the transducer and hence the frequency of the ultrasound signal; a processing means which determines the optimum frequency of the drive signal at which the measurement signal output from the transducer has its minimum amplitude; and a temperature determining means which estimates the temperature of the fluid as a function of the optimum frequency.

This invention relates to improvements in fluid condition monitoring apparatus and methods of monitoring the condition of a fluid. It is especially, but not exclusively, suited to the measurement of the condition of engine oil such as its shear impedance (or viscosity/density) and temperature and the detection of changes in oil condition as the oil ages over time.
The condition of the oil in an engine, for example an engine of a motor vehicle, is important for the reliable operation of the engine. With recent trends in vehicle servicing causing the number of operating hours of the engine between services to increase, the oil in an engine remains in the engine for longer periods of time than ever before. Over this time the oil may deteriorate due to, for example, sooting or other particulate contamination, fuel dilution, oxidation or shear thinning. Clearly the rate at which the oil deteriorates will depend on the age of the engine and the way in which the engine is operated between services. Attempts have been made by many vehicle manufacturers to monitor the operation of the engine allowing variable service intervals to be employed.
A key property of an engine oil is its viscosity—essentially its ability to resist shear forces. This is an essential property of an oil when protecting the component parts of an engine from premature wear. When an oil acts as a lubricant between two bearing surfaces operating at high frequency the shear rates are high and so it is also logical to measure the shear viscosity of the oil at high rates of shear. This can be measured in a variety of ways. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,874 teaches the use of a transducer which oscillates at high frequency to send ultrasonic shear waves into the fluid through a wave guide. A portion of the wave will be reflected back onto the transducer at the interface between the guide and the fluid. When this reflected wave is incident upon the transducer it produces an output signal. A measurement of the amplitude of this output signal gives an indication of the shear rate (or more correctly the product of viscosity and density). Whilst this offers a useful measurement of viscosity it does not provide any information, which would enable the cause of the change to be determined. Effects such as sooting, oil dilution, oxidation and shear thinning all alter the viscosity of an oil in different ways. The applicant has appreciated that it would be advantageous to be able to distinguish between the different effects as well as measuring simple changes in viscosity. This would provide valuable information about the overall condition of an engine and not just its oil, perhaps allowing a warning to be raised of any wear or engine damage.


A bicycle hub includes a wheel securing structure having a retaining arrangement disposed with respect to the hub axle and a wheel securing shaft member. The retaining arrangement overrideably prevents the shaft member from being axially removed from the hub axle when in a predetermined position within the through bore of the hub axle. In other words, the retaining arrangement is arranged to releasably restrict relative axial movement between the shaft member and the hub axle when the shaft member is disposed in the through bore of the hub axle in a predetermined position so that unintended displacement of the wheel securing shaft structure from the hub axle is prevented during use of the wheel securing shaft structure.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a bicycle wheel securing structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle wheel securing structure, which utilizes a retaining arrangement that overrideably prevents unintended displacement of the wheel securing shaft from the hub axle during use.
2. Background Information
Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle. One component that has been extensively redesigned is the bicycle hub attachment mechanism.
In the past various bicycle parts have been attached using nut and bolt arrangements. However, while certain bicycle parts are designed to be permanently attached to the bicycle, other bicycle parts such as bicycle wheels need to be loosened and removed relatively often. For example, bicycle wheels need to be removed from the frame whenever there is a flat tire. Moreover, bicycle wheels often need to be removed in order to transport a bicycle in an automobile.
Due to the need to remove and reinstall bicycle wheels, bicycle wheel hubs have been provided with wheel securing mechanisms in order to facilitate easier removal and reinstallation of the wheels. A typical wheel securing device includes a skewer with a threaded end having a wheel securing member mounted at the other end. The wheel securing member includes a base with a lever and a cam structure. A nut is detachably threaded onto the threaded end of the skewer after the skewer is inserted through the hub body. The fork flanges of the frame are arranged adjacent the base of the wheel securing member and the hub body and between the nut and the hub body, respectively. Thus, the hub can be attached to the frame by clamping the fork flanges using the wheel securing lever. While these typical wheel securing mechanisms generally work well, a tighter connection between the hub and frame has been in demand for some riders.
Thus, bicycle hubs have been designed with an axle that threadedly attaches directly to the bicycle frame. With this type of hub, a knob is provided on the end of the hub axle opposite the threaded end. The knob is used to rotate the axle during installation to threadedly attach one end of the axle to the frame and to clamp one fork flange between the knob and the hub. With this type of hub, a tighter connection between the hub and the frame is possible as compared to typical wheel securing hubs. However, it can be difficult for some individuals to tighten such a knob. Specifically, with this type of hub, the tightness of the connection between the hub and the frame at least partially depends on the individual installing the hub (i.e., the strength of the individual). Individuals that have difficulty tightening the knob to the desired tightness level may need a tool in order to achieve the desired level of tightness. In any case, while these hubs provide a very tight connection, these types of hubs can be relatively heavier than desired by some riders.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved bicycle wheel securing structure. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.


Support rollers suspending an endless belt are arranged so that a distance between each support roller and a fixing roller is smaller than a height of a belt regulating member provided on each side of the support roller in moving the support rollers to the second position which allows the endless belt to be in contact with the fixing roller so that a contact area therebetween is smaller than in the first position. As a result, in a fixing apparatus which includes the regulating member for regulating a position of an external heating belt in a rotational axis direction so that a contact area size between the external heating belt and the fixing member is variable, it is possible to appropriately vary the contact area between the belt and the fixing material.

Generally, as a fixing apparatus used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and the like, a heat roller type fixing apparatus is frequently used. The heat roller type fixing apparatus includes a fixing roller and a pressing roller which are pressed against each other, wherein heating means constituted of a halogen lamp (halogen heater) disposed in the fixing roller or halogen lamps (halogen heaters) disposed in both the rollers heats the pair of rollers at a predetermined temperature (fixing temperature), and a recording paper on which an unfixed toner image is formed is fed to a pressing section (fixing nip section) of the pair of rollers, and the recording paper is allowed to pass through the pressing section so as to fix the toner image by heat and pressure.
In a fixing apparatus provided in a color image forming apparatus, it is general to use an elastic roller having an elastic layer which is made of silicon rubber or the like and which is provided on a fixing roller surface layer.
The elastic roller is used as the fixing roller, so that the fixing roller surface is elastically deformed corresponding to an uneven surface of the unfixed toner image and is in contact with the toner image so as to cover the toner image. This allows the color unfixed toner image whose toner amount is larger than that of monochrome to be favorably heated and fixed. Further, due to strain release of the elastic layer which occurs in the fixing nip section, it is possible to improve a releasing property with respect to color toner which is more likely to be offset than monochrome toner. Further, a nip shape of the fixing nip section has a concave upward (on the side of the fixing roller) (that is, the nip shape is a so-called inverse nip shape), so that it is possible to more favorably strip paper. As a result, it is possible to strip paper without using any stripping means such as a stripping protrusion (self stripping), so that it is possible to prevent insufficient image formation which is caused by the stripping means.
Note that, an image forming apparatus using monochrome toner is also arranged so that the elastic layer is provided only on the pressing roller without being provided on the fixing roller so as to secure the fixing nip.
Incidentally, the fixing roller or the pressing roller which includes the elastic layer raises the following problem. In the fixing roller having the elastic layer, the elastic layer cannot sufficiently conducts heat. Thus, in case where the heating means is provided in the fixing roller, heat is less efficiently conducted, so that it takes longer time to warm up. In case of allowing sheets to sequentially pass at high speed, the temperature of the fixing roller drops.
As a method for solving these problems, a technique in which external heating means is brought into contact with the fixing roller surface so that the fixing roller is heated from the outside (external heat fixing process) is known.
For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 198659/2004 (Tokukai 2004-198659) (Publication date: Jul. 15, 2004)) proposes a technique (an external belt heat fixing process) using an external heating belt (endless belt), suspended by belt suspending rollers, as external heating means. In this technique, the external heating belt is used as the external heating means, so that a contact area between the external heating means and the fixing roller increases, thereby promoting supply of heat from the external heating means to the fixing roller.
Further, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 154529/2001 (Tokukai 2001-154529) (Publication date: Jun. 8, 2001)) discloses a technique in which: a roller (external heating roller) is used as the external heating member so as to change surface temperature of the external heating member and/or the fixing roller, a type of a transfer medium, and a timing at which the external heating member is brought into contact with the fixing roller surface in accordance with an image forming mode, thereby controlling the surface temperature of the fixing roller into a most suitable value.
However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the external heating belt is heated by heating the belt suspending rollers and heat is supplied to the fixing member via the external heating belt, so that it is necessary to set temperature of each of the belt suspending rollers and the external heating belt to be higher than the surface temperature of the fixing roller. Thus, also after stopping the heating of the belt suspending rollers, each belt suspending roller has higher temperature than the surface temperature of the fixing roller for a while. As a result, when the rotation of the fixing roller is stopped at the time of fixing-standby after finishing the fixing, a contact portion between the fixing roller and the external heating belt (particularly, a portion being in contact with the belt suspending roller via the external heating belt) is locally heated, so that the surface of the fixing roller has uneven temperature, which results in uneven gloss of an image. Note that, Patent Document 1 describes an arrangement in which the external heating belt can be brought into contact with and can be separated from the fixing roller, but this arrangement is made in order to separate the external heating belt so that a jam process or belt cleaning can be carried out. Thus, separation carried out in order to control the temperature of the fixing roller is not described in Patent Document 1 at all.
Further, the fixing apparatus of Patent Document 2 is arranged so that the external heating roller can be separated from and can be brought into contact with the fixing roller. Thus, it is possible to separate the external heating roller from the fixing roller at the time of fixing-standby. However, in the technique of Patent Document 2, the roller is used as the external heating means, so that a contact area between the external heating means and the fixing roller is small, which results in such a problem that it is impossible to sufficiently supply heat to the fixing roller.
Thus, the fixing apparatus adopting the heat fixing method may be arranged so that the external heating belt can be separated from the fixing roller so as to control the surface temperature of the fixing roller. However, in the fixing apparatus adopting the heat fixing method, it is necessary to provide a regulating member for regulating side positions of the external heating belt (positions of both sides of the external heating belt which are in a rotational axis direction of the belt suspending roller) so as to stably rotate the external heating belt within a predetermined range with respect to an axis direction of the belt suspending roller.
However, it is general that the regulating member is provided so as to be integrally rotatable and movable with the belt suspending roller in order to prevent the external heating belt from receiving excessive stress caused by sliding against the regulating member. Further, each of the external heating belt and the belt suspending roller thermally extends and shrinks depending on temperature change at the time of fixing operation and at the time of fixing operation stoppage, so that the length of the belt suspending roller changes in its axis direction. Thus, the arrangement in which the external heating belt can be separated from the fixing roller in order to control the surface temperature of the fixing roller raises such a problem that: the regulating member moves to a position being contact with a peripheral surface of the fixing roller, so that it is impossible to suitably control relative positions of the fixing roller and the belt thereafter.
This problem is further detailed as follows. FIG. 10(a) illustrates an arrangement of an external heating device 100 in which a regulating member for regulating a side position of the belt is provided on the belt suspending roller so that the side position of the external heating belt is regulated. The external heating device 100 is arranged so that: an external heating belt 103 is suspended by two belt suspending rollers 101 and 102, and the external heating belt 103 is brought into contact with the fixing roller 109. On each side of the belt suspending roller 101, a belt regulating member 104 is provided. On each side of the belt suspending roller 102, a belt regulating member 105 is provided. Thus, when the external heating belt 103 moves in a rotational axis direction of each of the belt suspending rollers 101 and 102, sides of the external heating belt 103 are respectively brought into contact with the belt regulating members 104 and 105, so that movement of the external heating belt 103 is regulated.
In the external heating device 100, in case where the external heating belt 103 is separated from the fixing roller 109 as illustrated in FIG. 10(b), when a distance between each of the belt suspending rollers 101 and 102 and (ii) the fixing roller 109 is large, rotation of the external heating belt 103 causes the belt suspending rollers 101 and 102 to move in the rotational axis directions of both the rollers as illustrated in FIG. 10(c), which may cause the belt regulating members 104 and 105 to move to positions being contact with the peripheral surface of the fixing roller 109. In this case, even in case of trying to bring the belt suspending rollers 101 and 102 into contact with the fixing roller 109, the belt regulating member 104 intervenes between the belt suspending roller 101 and the fixing roller 109, and the belt regulating member 105 intervenes between the belt suspending roller 102 and the fixing roller 109, so that it is impossible to bring the external heating belt 103 into contact with the fixing roller 109. As a result, it is impossible to supply heat from the external heating belt 103 to the fixing roller 109.
Note that, in order to prevent such a problem, it may be so arranged that a distance between the belt regulating member 104 and the fixing member 109 is increased and a distance between the belt regulating member 105 and the fixing member 109 is increased as illustrated in FIG. 10(d). However, in this case, it is necessary to increase the width of the external heating belt 103 in the axis direction in order to stably rotate the external heating belt 103 within a predetermined range with respect to the axis directions of the belt suspending rollers 101 and 102. Thus, the external heating belt 103 has a wider area, which is not in contact with the fixing roller 109, in its each side. Further, the area does not allow heat to be conducted from the external heating belt 103 to the fixing roller 109, so that the area has extremely high temperature. As a result, thermal deterioration of the external heating belt 103 is accelerated, so that its durability drops. If the thermally deteriorated area comes into contact with each of the belt regulating members 104 and 105, the area is broken.
Further, when the external heating belt 103 is separated from the fixing roller 109 in an arrangement in which a center distance between the belt suspending roller 101 and 102 is fixed, a less tension is exerted to the external heating belt 103 as illustrated in FIG. 10(b), so that the suspended belt greatly deviates from a common tangent L of the belt suspending rollers 101 and 102 (the external heating belt 103 becomes loose). While, the external heating belt 102 is rotated by the fixing roller 109 while shifting from a contact state to a separation state, so that the external heating belt 103 is rotated in a loose state. As a result, the external heating belt 103 is likely to run upon the regulating members 104 and 105. If the external heating belt 103 run upon the regulating members 104 and 105, left tension and right tension of the external heating belt 103 (tension distribution of the belt suspending rollers 101 and 102 in the rotational axis direction) are uneven, so that a great deviation force in the axis direction is exerted to the external heating belt 103. As a result, the external heating belt 103 is broken.
Note that, in order to prevent the external heating belt 103 from being loose even in case where the external heating belt 103 is separated from the fixing roller 109, it may be so arranged that: the belt suspending roller 102 is used as a tension roller, and the center distance between the belt suspending rollers 101 and 102 is made variable so as to continuously exert a tension to the external heating belt 103. However, in this case, it is necessary to move the belt suspending roller 102 (tension roller) in separating the external heating belt 103, and it is necessary also to provide a mechanism for pressing the belt suspending roller 102. This results in a larger size of the fixing apparatus and in a more complicate structure of the apparatus.
Further, in order to solve the problems, it may be so arranged that the belt regulating member (snaking prevention rib) is provided on an internal peripheral surface of the external heating belt 103. However, in this case, it is necessary that the temperature of the external heating belt 103 is equal to or higher than the surface temperature of the fixing roller 109 in order to supply heat to the fixing roller 109, so that the snaking prevention rib is exposed to the high temperature. As a result, it is difficult to keep the adhesive strength for an extended period of time.

Image forming apparatus having fixing device with external heater


A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of bus lines, normal memory cell arrays, data amplifiers for amplifying data read from the normal memory cell arrays, redundancy memory cell arrays, and redundancy data amplifiers for amplifying data read from the redundancy memory cell arrays. First bus selectors selectively connect the normal data amplifiers to the bus lines and second bus selectors selectively connect the redundancy data amplifiers to the bus lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device incorporating redundancy memory cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a prior art semiconductor memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device or a static random access memory device (SRAM) device, a plurality of redundancy memory cells are incorporated thereinto. As a result, even if two or more defective memory cells are found, the device can be relieved by replacing such defective memory cells with the redundancy memory cells.
Generally, the prior art semiconductor memory device is constructed by aplurality of bus lines, a plurality of normal memory cell arrays, a plurality of normal data amplifiers for amplifying data read from the normal memory cell arrays, a plurality of redundancy memory cell arrays, a plurality of redundancy data amplifiers for amplifying data read from the redundancy memory cell arrays and a plurality of bus selectors are connected to the redundancy data amplifiers and the bus lines, so as to selectively connect the redundancy data amplifiers to the bus lines. That is, the normal data amplifiers are always directly connected to the respective bus lines. This will be explained later in detail.
In the above-described prior art semiconductor memory device, however, since the large area of the bus selectors is provided only on the side of the redundancy memory cell arrays, the layout is not uniform so that the layout design becomes complex. In addition, since there is no bus selector on the side of the normal memory cell arrays, the speed of the read operation from the normal memory cell arrays is different from the speed of the read operation from the redundancy memory arrays.

Semiconductor memory device incorporating redundancy memory cells having uniform layout


One aspect of the disclosure includes a respiratory valve apparatus. The respiratory valve apparatus may include: a housing having an inner chamber, an endotracheal tube connection port, a ventilator connection port, and a resuscitation bag connection port; and a piston assembly positioned within the inner chamber and including a piston having a first passageway and a second passageway through the piston, wherein the first passageway provides a first flow pathway between the endotracheal tube connection port and the ventilator or connection port when the piston is in a first position, and wherein the second passageway provides a second flow pathway between the endotracheal tube connection port and the resuscitation bag connection port when in a second position.

Respiratory support systems are commonly used to support the respiratory system of a critically ill patient for maintaining optimal blood oxygen levels, as well as optimal carbon dioxide levels and acid base balance. Typically, a prior art respiratory support system includes a tracheal tube, positioned either directly through the nose or mouth into the trachea of a patient. A multi-ported manifold is connected to the endotracheal tube at one port position, and a source of breathable gas is connected at a second port. The respiratory support system assists the patient in maintaining adequate blood oxygenation levels without overtaxing the patient's heart and lungs.
While a patient is attached to the respiratory support system, it is periodically necessary to aspirate fluids and or secretions from the patient's trachea and lungs. In the past, in order to accomplish aspiration and positive pressure ventilation, it was necessary to disassemble part of the respiratory support system, either by removing the ventilator manifold or by opening a port thereof and inserting a small diameter suction tube down the tracheal tube and into the patient's trachea and lungs. The fluid was then suctioned from the patient and the suction catheter was removed and the respiratory support system reassembled. However, due to the interruption of respiratory support during this procedure, a patient's blood oxygen can often drop and the carbon dioxide can change to unacceptable levels. Disassembly of the respiratory support system for suctioning and other noninvasive procedures, such as bronchoscopy, can expose the patient's lungs to possible contaminants in the environment thereby increasing the chances of acquiring ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Additionally, unless a sufficient positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) level is maintained, then the lungs might collapse. This creates a dangerous condition for the patient because the lungs can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to reinflate.
Patients may have fluid drawn from their lungs as often as six times a day and sometimes more, possibly over long periods of time. As such, a benefit can be achieved with a respiratory device that can minimize patient discomfort while allowing various procedures (e.g., bronchoscopies) and lung measurements to be taken, such as before weaning a patient off a ventilator. In addition, such a device could be widely used in treating pediatric patients, especially premature infants, as well as adults, who are subject to respiratory problems and may need frequent aspirations. As a result of the extremely large number of aspirations necessary on various patients in any period, it is important that the price of the respiratory device be as low as possible since vast numbers will be used. It is also important that the device be sufficiently inexpensive so that it may be discarded after a single use. Hence, it is desirable to simplify such devices and reduce the number of parts in order to reduce costs and increase reliability.

Respiratory valve apparatus and related method


A method for the production of crack-free Group III-Nitride layers is disclosed. The method proceeds by growing a crack-free first layer of Group III-Nitride on a starting substrate. A partial to complete loss of coherency is then achieved between a lattice of the first layer and a lattice of the starting substrate. A second layer is grown to form a composite layer that includes the first layer and the second layer such that the first layer is between the second layer and the substrate. The starting substrate may then be completely separated from the composite layer to produce the freestanding crack-free Group III-Nitride layer.

The invention relates to a method for the production of a high quality free-standing layer of Gallium Nitride or similar material by heteroepitaxial deposition and subsequent removal from a transparent substrate.
Gallium Nitride (GaN) has been recognized as having great potential as a technological material. For example, GaN is used in the manufacture of blue light emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers, and other opto-electronic devices, as well as in the fabrication of high-temperature electronics devices.
One of the greatest challenges for the large-scale production of GaN-based devices is the lack of a suitable native GaN substrate. GaN is not found in nature; it cannot be melted and pulled from a boule like silicon, gallium arsenide, sapphire, etc., because at reasonable pressures its theoretical melting temperature exceeds its dissociation temperature. However, the fabrication of very high crystal quality, thin layers of GaN, and its related alloys, for use in electronic devices, requires that they be deposited homoepitaxially onto an existing GaN surface. Such high quality device layers cannot be directly grown heteroepitaxially, for reasons that are outside the scope of this invention.
The techniques currently in use for the fabrication of high quality GaN and related layers involve the heteroepitaxial deposition of a GaN device layer onto a suitable but non-ideal substrate. Currently such substrates include (but are not limited to) materials such as sapphire, silicon, silicon carbide, gallium arsenide, lithium gallate, lithium aluminate, and lithium aluminum gallate. All heteroepitaxial substrates present challenges to the high-quality deposition of GaN, in the form of lattice and thermal mismatch. Lattice mismatch is caused by the difference in interatomic spacing of atoms in dissimilar crystals. Thermal mismatch is caused by differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between joined dissimilar materials, as the temperature is raised or lowered.
For the purpose of clarity, heteroepitaxial growth is defined herein as a process whereby the atomic lattices of two dissimilar materials are intimately joined together by atomic bonds across their common interface. When the cross-linking bonds are made in a regular and orderly array displaying long-range order, the interface is said to be coherent. When the cross-linking bonds are broken, bent, twisted, or otherwise distorted such that there is no long-range order, the interface is said to have lost coherency. Coherent interfaces are much stronger than incoherent interfaces, due to the greater number of cross-linking bonds between the materials. The loss of coherency may be partial; if only a percentage of cross-linking bonds are broken or distorted in an interface, the interface is partially coherent. The percentage (by area) of broken or distorted bonds represents the level of incoherency or loss of coherency for that interface.
The most commonly used heteroepitaxial substrate for GaN deposition is sapphire (Al2O3), which has both a large thermal mismatch and a large lattice mismatch compared to GaN. In addition, the sapphire substrate is not electrically conductive, and has poor thermal conductivity, limiting its heat sinking capabilities, further reducing device performance and complicating device processing. For reasons unrelated to the scope of this invention, sapphire otherwise possesses superior properties as a hetero-substrate. However, the large lattice mismatch results in films that have very high defect densities, specifically in the form of dislocations, which are especially undesirable from a device fabrication point of view. (The formation of dislocations at regular intervals along the interface does not affect its coherency, as defined for the purposes of this application, for the dislocations themselves exhibit a type of long-range order in their distribution.) As with other epitaxial crystal growth processes, it is necessary to grow a buffer layer of GaN on the sapphire surface prior to the formation of device-quality layers. The buffer layer will vary, depending on device tolerance to dislocations, whether or not special growth techniques (such as growth through a mask pattern, use of low temperature buffer layers, etc.) are employed, as well as other factors. Typically, this GaN buffer thickness is less than one micron to tens of microns thick. Defect densities, however, predominantly in the form of dislocations, remain high (xcx9c1010 cmxe2x88x922) resulting in diminished device quality. In addition to the conventional buffer layer, a low temperature GaN buffer layer is nearly always used. This layer is the first layer deposited on the sapphire. The buffer layer is initially amorphous and typically is 30-50 nm thick; it is recrystallized at the growth temperature.
Besides dislocations and lattice mismatch problems, thermal mismatch is also a consideration. Typically the GaN is deposited onto sapphire at a temperature of between 1000-1100xc2x0 C.; as the sample cools to room temperature, the difference in thermal expansion (contraction) rates gives rise to high levels of stress at the interface between the two materials. Sapphire has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than does GaN. As the sapphire substrate and GaN layer cool, the mismatch at the interface puts the GaN under compression and the sapphire under tension. Up to a point, the amount of stress is directly related to the thickness of the deposited GaN, such that the thicker the film, the greater the stress. Above a film thickness of approximately 10 microns, the stress levels exceed the fracture limits of the GaN, and cracking and peeling of the film may result. Cracks in this layer are much less desirable than high dislocation densities, and should be avoided because of the risk of their catastrophic propagation into the device layer during subsequent processing steps.
One method to prevent such thermal stress-related problems involves separating the sapphire substrate from the deposited film. This may be done by physically removing the substrate (lapping and polishing), or by focusing a very high-intensity light source (such as from a laser) from the substrate side of the sample. The light source emits photons having an emission energy that is not absorbed by the sapphire. This second technique utilizes the difference in absorption between the two materials: GaN has a room temperature electron bandgap of approximately 3.45 eV, whereas sapphire has a bandgap of 9.9 eV. Photons with an energy greater than approximately 3.45 eV and less than 9.9 eV (corresponding to vacuum wavelengths less than 359 nm but greater than 125 nm) are able to pass through the back side of a sapphire wafer, where they are absorbed in various amounts, depending on energy, by the GaN at the interface. Once absorbed, the photons are converted to heat, which locally disrupts the Gaxe2x80x94N bonds. If the incident radiation is intense enough, large-scale local disruption results in a complete loss of coherency between the lattice of the sapphire substrate and the GaN. At lower radiation levels, the loss of coherency may only be partial and incomplete, resulting in a film that is still attached to the sapphire substrate, but is no longer completely bonded to it.
Both aforementioned techniques have limitations. A free-standing film must be sufficiently thick to have the required mechanical strength necessary for subsequent device processing. Typically, this requires a minimum thickness on the order of 50-100 microns. Deposition of a crack-free film with this thickness onto sapphire is feasible if done carefully, however thermal stresses will cause severe bowing in the wafer as it cools to room temperature. Conventional lapping and polishing processes are not effective at removing a concave substrate; alternatively, use of a laser to remove the GaN from the sapphire can create unstable localized regions of stress in the partially-removed film, leading to layer fracture during the lift-off process.
Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1(a)-1(b) schematically illustrate the prior art when deposition of a thick layer of GaN onto sapphire is desired. In FIG. 1(a), sapphire substrate 101 has a thick (greater than 10 microns) film of GaN 102 deposited onto it, at the growth temperature, which may be in the range of 1000-1100xc2x0 C. The actual method of deposition is not relevant to this invention. Because the film of GaN nucleates onto the substrate at this temperature, there is no thermal stress present. FIG. 1(b) shows the effects of the large temperature change as the sample cools to room temperature. In this figure, sapphire substrate 101 is now under compressive stress and is bent concave with respect to the deposited film. If the stresses are great enough, cracks 103 may form in the substrate. The epitaxial GaN 102 is under tensile stress, and is cracked, and may also peel away from or otherwise degrade the interface with substrate 101.
FIG. 2 schematically represents a series of steps involved in the conventional method for making a thick layer on a thermally and/or lattice mismatched substrate. Step 201 calls for the provision of a prepared substrate. This prepared substrate may be, for example, plain sapphire, chemically cleaned prior to use. Step 202 is the setting of process parameters and growth conditions for the growth of the thick, flat, high quality layer. Typically these conditions are growth temperature, growth rate, flow rates for precursor compounds, and relative ratios of gas flows in the reactor. Step 203 calls for the deposition of the thick layer 102 onto the prepared substrate. The thickness of this layer is preferentially in the range of 10-400 microns. In step 204, the sample is cooled down to room temperature where it is removed, intact, from the reactor. The wafer is bowed due to the residual stress caused by the thermal mismatch between the epitaxial layer and the substrate. This stress also leads to the formation of many cracks 103 in the thick layer and the substrate.
FIGS. 3(a)-3(d) schematically illustrate the prior art technique of using laser lift-off (LLO) to release a deposited GaN film from the sapphire substrate. In FIG. 3(a), sapphire substrate 301 has had a film of GaN 302 deposited onto it, at the growth temperature, and has subsequently been cooled to room temperature. Film 302 is deposited in such a manner that cracks do not form during the cooling down stage. In FIG. 3(b), laser beam 303 impinges upon the back side of the sapphire substrate. The laser is of an energy such that its photons are strongly absorbed by the GaN layer, while passing through the sapphire largely unabsorbed. Typically the energy range of such photons is above 3.45 eV, corresponding to a wavelength (in vacuum) of less than 359 nm but greater than 125 nm. The source of these photons is typically a pulsed ultraviolet laser, such as a tripled YAG or excimer laser; however the characteristics that are important for this process are not laser-specific. Any highly intense light source that can be focused down to a spot will suffice. Because the beam impinges from the sapphire side of the wafer, the GaN at the sapphire/GaN interface 304 absorbs the photons very strongly, resulting in localized heating. This localized heating is sufficient to disrupt the Gaxe2x80x94N bonds, breaking the strained but coherent interface between the lattice of the substrate 301 and the film 302. Typically, the laser beam is swept across the backside of the wafer to gradually release the epitaxial film from the substrate. If the beam is sufficiently intense, all bonds will be broken, isolating the two lattices. A less intense beam may be used to partially disrupt the interface, breaking as few as 5% of the bonds, if such an effect is desired. In FIG. 3(c) the process has continued. If the laser beam is too intense or not swept properly, localized hot areas can develop where the pressure from liberated nitrogen gas beneath the epitaxial film can build up and cause a rupture in the surface of the film, 305. Additionally, residual thermal stresses in the as-yet unreleased areas can cause cracks 306 to develop in the film, especially as the stress profile changes during the debonding process. Both of these effects are undesirable and must be avoided, typically by careful modulation of the impinging laser power and scan rate, choosing a laser with a short pulse length, and/or using a beam homogenizer to form an illuminated spot with uniform intensity, among other techniques. Even with such precautions, cracking of the released epitaxial film may still occur, preventing the lift-off and removal of a whole layer to be used as a free-standing substrate.
FIG. 4 schematically represents a series of steps involved in the conventional method for laser lift-off of a GaN film from a sapphire substrate. In step 401 a prepared substrate is provided. This prepared substrate may be, for example, plain sapphire, chemically cleaned prior to use. In step 402, the substrate has a layer of GaN 302 deposited onto it at an elevated growth temperature. In step 403 the substrate with GaN epitaxy is allowed to cool to the ambient temperature and is unloaded from the growth apparatus. In step 404 the grown wafer is placed into the LLO apparatus, which typically consists of a laser, laser power regulator, a wafer holder, and a beam steering mechanism to allow the beam 303 to impinge over the entire backside surface of the wafer. The beam then impinges over the backside of the wafer, gradually debonding the epitaxial film from the sapphire. In step 405, the debonding is complete, the debonded epitaxial film is removed from the sapphire by heating the wafer above 30xc2x0 C. (the melting point of gallium metal) and the layers are gently pulled apart. Often, the debonded layer is cleaned in an acid solution to dissolve any remaining gallium from its backside surface. Although free-standing epitaxial GaN films may be produced by LLO, the high stress between the sapphire substrate and the GaN layer often leads to cracking, fractures and other failures in the GaN layer. Thus the yield of usable free-standing epitaxial GaN films is often unacceptably low.
Because of the problems encountered with growing thick layers of GaN on sapphire, and of the problems encountered in attempting to remove GaN from the sapphire substrate using a conventional LLO technique, a need exists for a method for the laser lift-off and removal of GaN films from sapphire substrates for the creation of high quality free-standing substrates.
The present invention provides a method for the production of crack-free Group III-Nitride layers. The method proceeds by growing a crack-free first layer of Group III-Nitride on a starting substrate. A partial to complete loss of coherency is then achieved between a lattice of the first layer and a lattice of the starting substrate. A second layer is grown to form a composite layer that includes the first layer and the second layer such that the first layer is between the second layer and the substrate.
The present invention also provides a method for the production of arbitrarily thick, crack-free, freestanding layers of GaN or similar material for subsequent use as substrates. This method proceeds by growing a crack-free first layer of Group III-Nitride on a starting substrate. A partial to complete loss of coherency between a lattice of the first layer and a lattice of the starting substrate is then achieved. A second layer is grown to form a composite layer that includes the first layer and the second layer, and where the first layer is between the second layer and the substrate. The starting substrate is then completely separated from the composite layer to produce the freestanding substrate. In both methods, an intense light source may be used to partially disrupt the interface between this layer and the underlying starting substrate, making said interface partially incoherent.
In both methods a crack-free second layer may be grown on top of a crack-free first layer that has a partially incoherent interface with respect to the underlying starting substrate.
Furthermore, a crack-free second layer may be grown on top of a crack-free first layer (which has a partially incoherent interface with respect to the underlying starting substrate), in-situ, without necessitating a further cooling-down step.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following, or may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Free standing substrates by laser-induced decoherency and regrowth


An apparatus for measuring a bio signal including a bio signal measurement unit, which is insertable into an ear to be in close contact with an internal surface of the ear, the bio signal measurement unit having a photo plethysmography (PPG) measurement module for radiating light of different wavelengths onto the internal surface of the ear, detecting light transmitted through the ear, and outputting a PPG signal including bio information, a control unit having a PPG signal processor for generating the bio information using the PPG signal measured by the PPG measurement module, and an output unit for displaying the bio information generated from the control unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ear type apparatus for measuring a bio signal and a measuring method therefor. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ear type apparatus for measuring a bio signal, such as temperature, respiration, pulse, and oxygen saturation, which can minimize a motion artifact caused by a subject's motion, and a measuring method therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a human body is in an abnormal state, various changes may occur such as an increase in blood pressure, an increase in pulse rate, an increase in body temperature, or a change in an electric potential occurring during a heartbeat, which may be measured by an electrocardiogram. Among these changes, the increase in body temperature is the most representative sign of an abnormal state of a human body and is thus generally measured during a patient diagnosis in hospitals or general medical institutions. Conventionally, body temperature is measured using a mercury thermometer. Recently, various ear type thermometers for measuring a body temperature, i.e., inner body temperature without influence from external temperature, have been developed. In operation, such an ear type thermometer detects an amount of infrared rays emitted from an eardrum at an internal body temperature and converts the detected amount of infrared rays into a temperature value. The ear type thermometer is advantageous in that a measurement time is short and the body temperature can be conveniently measured by inserting the ear type thermometer into an ear.
A pulse indicates a dynamic extension of an artery that can be felt by a finger. Since the dynamic extension of an artery is due to a contraction of the heart, a heart rate, i.e., a heart's contraction rate, can be inferred from a pulse rate. When a human body is infected by a disease, the pulse rate, rhythm, or strength changes even when the human body is in a stable status. Accordingly, a person's state of health can be checked by measuring the pulse rate, rhythm, or strength.
Further, oxygen saturation indicates an amount of arterial blood (SpO2) in which oxygen is saturated. Oxygen saturation is measured to test a pulmonary function, estimate a concentration of oxygen in blood during oxygen therapy at home, or diagnose asthma and pulmonary emphysema. Human respiration is a process of discharging waste gas, i.e., carbonic acid gas, from a human body and providing oxygen to the human body. A human lung accommodates air coming from outside, emits carbonic acid gas, and absorbs oxygen. A pulmonary artery discharges carbonic acid gas collected throughout the human body through pulmonary alveoli using a difference in air pressure during exhalation. Conversely, blood in a pulmonary vein absorbs oxygen from inhaled air and then circulates to the heart. When respiration is unstable, a supply of oxygen is interrupted, which deteriorates the functions of a body's organs. In particular, oxygen saturation directly relates to an amount of oxygen supplied to the organs and thus provides very useful information regarding metabolism.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional ear type thermometer for measuring body temperature. The ear type thermometer shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing 150 having a probe 110 through which infrared rays pass, a light receiver 120 that receives infrared rays emitted from at least one area from among a human eardrum and peripheral areas of the eardrum through the probe 110, a signal processor 130 that calculates a temperature from an output of the light receiver 120, and a display/sound unit 140 that displays the temperature.
The light receiver 120 includes a condenser device, which condenses infrared rays passing through the probe 110, and an infrared receiver device, which is disposed to receive the infrared rays condensed by the condenser device to receive infrared rays emitted from at least one area from among the eardrum and the peripheral areas of the eardrum.
Disadvantageously, the conventional ear type thermometer shown in FIG. 1 is a separate device that has to be additionally carried by a user. Moreover, a tip of the probe 110 of the thermometer needs to be in close contact with an internal surface of a subject's ear in order to accurately measure the subject's body temperature. However, when another person measures a subject's body temperature, the contact between the thermometer and the internal surface of the ear cannot be adjusted effectively. Although the subject can directly adjust the contact when measuring his own body temperature, the subject must remove the thermometer from the ear to view the display unit to check a measured value and verify whether the measurement has been accurately performed. Accordingly, this thermometer is not appropriate for self-diagnosis and is thus usually used when another person measures a subject's body temperature.
In order to apply such a conventional ear type thermometer to a remote medical treatment, since a measured value needs to be transmitted via a separate transmission apparatus, an interface is required. Accordingly, it is difficult to monitor results of the measurement frequently or for an extended period of time.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a conventional mobile apparatus that is capable of measuring a bio signal. The exemplary mobile apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a portable communication terminal, which allows a function of a heart to be diagnosed or obesity to be tested based on a heart rate and a body fat rate, which are detected from a user's body. This apparatus eliminates an inconvenience of carrying a separate apparatus solely for measuring bio information. Electrodes 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are attached to an outer surface of a mobile communication terminal in order to measure a user's bio information.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the conventional mobile apparatus shown in FIG. 2. A portable communication terminal 300 includes a communication terminal module 320 and a bio-information measurement module 310 to provide dual functionality of voice communication and bio information measurement. The communication terminal module 320 includes a transceiver 326 as a user interface unit, a display unit 321, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), allowing communication of character information, and an input unit 322 such as a keypad. The input unit 322 is used by a user to operate or control the portable communication terminal 300. Communication of information can be implemented by wireless transmission and reception of data via a wireless communication unit 323. A memory unit 324 stores information regarding the user of the portable communication terminal 300 and data necessary for the operation of the central controller 325.
The bio-information measurement module 310 includes a body fat measurer 311 and a heart rate measurer 312. An interface unit 313 performs data interface between the portable communication terminal 300 and an external electronic apparatus, for example, a removable bio-information measurement module.
FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the heart rate measurer 312. The heart rate measurer 312 includes a voltage generator 401, electrodes 402, an amplifier 403, a pulse shaper 404, a pulse counter 405, and an interface unit 406. When the electrodes 402 of the voltage generator 401, which are attached to a main body of the portable communication terminal 300, are in close contact with a part of a subject's body, for example, right and left hands, a voltage change signal due to the heart's beat is detected. The voltage change signal is amplified by the amplifier 403, for example, a differential amplifier. The amplified voltage change signal is converted to a pulse signal by the pulse shaper 404. The pulse signal is counted by the pulse counter 405 to obtain a heart rate. An output signal of the pulse counter 405 is a digital signal and is input to the interface unit 406. The central controller (325 of FIG. 3) displays the heart rate on the display unit 321 and transmits it through the wireless communication unit 323. Voltage measurement electrodes used to measure body fat in the body fat measurer 311 are also used as the electrodes 402.
Disadvantageously, such a conventional portable communication terminal for measuring bio information using electrodes is influenced by a motion artifact caused by a force pressing the electrodes and is sensitive to contamination of the electrodes or the skin since the electrodes directly contact the skin. When the electrodes are exposed outside the communication terminal, they are easily damaged or contaminated.
To obtain bio information, such as oxygen saturation, a component in blood needs to be detected. Accordingly, a method of applying signals showing different characteristics according to concentrations of oxidized hemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin and obtaining the bio information using a difference between the signals is usually used. In conventional methods, however, since one electrode cannot apply different types of signals, bio information beyond a pulse rate cannot be appropriately measured.

Ear type apparatus for measuring a bio signal and measuring method therefor


The method operates in the remote communication unit, the remote communication unit responsive to a first wireless communication system and to a second wireless communication system, and the method includes receiving a time delay parameter from the first wireless communication system; storing the time delay parameter; and based on the time delay parameter, accessing the second wireless communication system.

Wireless communication systems are known to employ registration methods in which a remote unit (such as a cellular subscriber) is registered with the communication system. In particular, when a remote unit initially accesses a communication system, the remote unit transmits a registration message via a reverse control channel. The registration message contains the remote unit's electronic serial number (ESN) and is utilized for notifying the infrastructure equipment of the location of the remote unit.
Because remote unit registration requires messages to be transmitted over a reverse control channel, simultaneous registration by multiple remote units can easily overload a communication system's reverse control channel. For example, during a cell outage, remote units that were in communication with the cell will simultaneously attempt to register with any underlying communication system, potentially causing an overload of the reverse control channel.
Thus a need exists for a method and apparatus for registering a remote unit in a communication system that overcomes the deficiencies described above.

Method and apparatus for registering a remote unit in a communication system


An image reading apparatus, having RGB photoreceptors comprising a CCD line sensor, reduces influence of color mixture due to intrapixel transfer in which electric charges from a photoreceptor are transferred via another photoreceptor. The RGB photoreceptors are provided close to each other in parallel, between CCD shift units corresponding to the photoreceptors. The electric charges generated at the G photoreceptor and the B photoreceptor are directly transferred to the CCD shift units. The electric charges generated at the R photoreceptor are transferred to the CCD shift units via the B photoreceptor. That is, the electric charges generated at a photoreceptor having a larger electric charge-generating characteristic are transferred via a photoreceptor having a smaller electric charge-generating characteristic. Further, a transfer direction in which the electric charges are transferred and a subscanning direction in which an original is conveyed upon reading by the photoreceptors are in the same direction. Thus the amount of color mixture can be reduced.

Present invention relates to an image sensing device using e.g. a CCD sensor and an image reading apparatus using the image sensing device.
FIG. 3 shows the construction of a conventional CCD linear image sensor 201 used in a conventional color image reading apparatus.
In FIG. 3, reference numerals 301 to 303 denote photoreceptors having R, G and B color filters. The photoreceptors 301 to 303 have diodes for converting a light quantum into electric charges for each pixel. The electric charges generated by photoreception for a predetermined period are respectively transferred to CCD shift units 304, 306 and 308 for odd-numbered pixels and CCD shift units 305, 307 and 309 for even-numbered pixels. While the CCD photoreceptors 301 to 303 perform photoreception for the next line and accumulating the received light quanta, the electric charges transferred to the CCD shift units 304 to 309 are sequentially shifted in a fixed direction within the shift units, and converted into electric signals by amplifiers 310 and to 316 and outputted.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the conventional color linear image sensor, the CCD shift units for shifting electric charges from the R, G and B photoreceptors in a fixed direction are provided between the R and G photoreceptors and between the G and B photoreceptors. For this arrangement, the spacing between the R and G photoreceptors and that between the G and B photoreceptors must be wide.
In a case where signal processing such as masking calculation is performed on R, G and B signals read by this CCD sensor, corrections of difference among respective RGB reading positions are required. As spacing between the R and G photoreceptors and that between the G and B photoreceptors become wider, necessary memory capacity becomes large.
Considering the above drawback, a recent proposal is a construction where the photoreceptors are not alternatively provided with the CCD shift units, but photoreceptors are provided, as a set of photoreceptors, between CCD shift units. In this arrangement, the spacing among the R, G and B photoreceptors can be smaller than that in a conventional CCD sensor, and memory capacity for correcting difference among respective RGB reading positions can be reduced.
However, in this arrangement, at least one photoreceptors transfers electric charges to its corresponding CCD shift unit via another photoreceptor (pixel) that receives light of another color. This is called "intrapixel transfer". In this case, while the electric charges pass through the relay photoreceptor, the photoreceptor is exposed to light. As a result, a slight amount of color mixture occurs due to electric charges generated at the relay photoreceptor.

Image sensing device and image reading apparatus using the same that reduces the influence of color mixture due to intrapixel transfer


An information signal reproducing apparatus for reproducing information signals from a recording medium in which a pilot signal component having a predetermined frequency is superimposed on the information signals at every other track of a plurality of parallel tracks. A tracking error signal is formed from pilot signal crosstalk from tracks in which the pilot signal component is not superimposed. The tracking error signal is modified using the signal on which the pilot signal component is superimposed. To facilitate such a modification, no pilot signal is superimposed in a second area of the track in which the pilot signal component is superimposed in a first area thereof, and the pilot signal is superimposed in the second area of the track in which no pilot signal component is superimposed in the first area thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information signal recording apparatus and an information signal reproducing apparatus for recording information signals on or reproducing information signals from a recording medium in which a number of tracks are formed in parallel to each other. Particularly, the present invention pertains to tracking control for such an apparatus. Concretely, the present invention relates to tracking control employed in, for example, a VTR for reproducing video signals from slant tracks formed on a magnetic tape by means of a rotary head.
2. Description of the Related Art
Reproduction tracking methods for VTRs for household use have been proposed and put into practical use. An example of such s reproduction tracking method is the method (CTL method) in which a vertical synchronizing signal separated from a recording signal during recording is recorded in a dedicated control track formed in a longitudinal direction of a tape by means of a fixed magnetic head provided at part of a tape path. Another example of such a method is the method (4fATF method) in which recording pilot signals having four types of relatively low frequencies are recorded in turn on tracks on which main signals, such as video signals and audio signals, are to be recorded in such a manner that the pilot signals are superimposed on the main signals by means of a rotary head for recording and reproducing main signals and in which a tracking error signal (ATF error signal) is obtained by comparing the crosstalk components reproduced from the tracks adjoining the reproduction track during reproduction.
However, the CTL method requires a space for installing the fixed head, and is disadvantageous in terms of the size of the apparatus. The 4fATF method is advantageous in terms of reducing the size of the apparatus but has disadvantages in that the circuit configuration is relatively complicated because 4 types of pilot signals are required and because many analog circuit elements are thus required, and in that digital signals become less reliable when the pilot signals are superimposed thereon.
Recently, there has been a trend toward developing digital VTRs for household use exhibiting an increased image quality. Such VTRs require recording and reproduction of a relatively large amount of information. Therefore, it has been proposed to divide and record an image signal of a single field over a plurality of tracks, and a new tracking method employed in such a VTR has been examined. In this new tracking method, when a digital signal to be recorded is modulated, a recording signal is recorded in such a manner that a frequency component corresponding to a particular pilot signal is contained in a modulated signal, whereby a tracking controlling pilot signal is superimposed on a digital information signal.
Concretely, it has been proposed to superimpose the pilot signals in the manner shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 41 denotes a magnetic tape. FIG. 1 illustrates a recording pattern on the tape 41. In this example, two types of pilot signals having frequencies f1 and f2 are used to obtain a tracking error signal. These pilot signals are superimposed on the main signals at every other track in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The pilot signals are recorded in a regular order: no pilot signal is superimposed in tracks whose head azimuth is (+), and f1 and f2 are alternately superimposed in tracks whose head azimuth is (-). In the recording pattern shown in FIG. 1, a signal of a single frame is divided and recorded in 10 tracks, and (1) through (10) denote track Nos. which record that signal of the single frame.
What reference numerals ch1, ch2, ch3, ch4 and ch1.sub.1, ch1.sub.2, ch1.sub.3, ch1.sub.4 in FIG. 1 refer to will be described later in the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments.
However, the above-described new tracking method produces a tracking error signal (ATF error signal) shown in FIG. 2, and thus has the following problems.
Firstly, in addition to the normal tracking error locked position A where the level of the ATF signal becomes zero, the heads correctly trace desired tracks and desired information signals are reproduced by predetermined respective heads at an expected timing, there are positions D and E where the level of the ATF signal also becomes zero, the heads trace undesired tracks.
As is generally known, tracking control cannot quickly work nearby these positions. Such condition is called pseudo-stable condition. Therefore, it takes a long time for tracking control to make heads track the desired tracks. Such positions are called back locked positions.
In the tracking control, when the ATF error signal is plus, the tape is moved in a direction indicated by an arrow B. Consequently, when the ATF error signal is plus at position D, the tape is moved two tracks in the direction indicated by the arrow B so that it is locked at position A. When the ATF error signal is minus, similar control is performed in the direction indicated by an arrow C. However, since the tape is moved by an amount corresponding to the magnitude of the ATF error signal, it takes time for the track at position A to be moved, during which time the screen may be disturbed.
Secondly, the reproduction output level may vary due to a difference between the reproduction level of f1 and that of f2 (a difference in the reproduction level due to the reproduction frequency characteristics) or due to the performance of the tape used, thus varying the servo characteristics of the tracking control loop. In addition, the flutter of a capstan easily occurs at a cycle in which four tracks are reproduced, because the level of the reproduced pilot signals is varied at the cycle mentioned above. In the conventional 4fATF method, these problems are solved by performing automatic gain control (AGC) of a reproduced pilot signal by detecting the level of the pilot signal reproduced from a track from which the main signals are being reproduced. However, in the above-described new tracking method, since no pilot signal is recorded on a track from which the main signals are being reproduced by a head which is reproducing the main signals, the same structure as that obtained in 4fATF cannot be accomplished.
Thirdly, in the tracking control performed only by using the adjacent crosstalk obtained from a certain head, when a relative deviation in the mounting position of the respective heads is generated during the assembly of a rotary drum, the output level of the signal reproduced from the other head is reduced. Conventionally, this is overcome by improving the mounting accuracy. However, this increases production costs.

Reproducing apparatus using pilot signal crosstalk for tracking control and using pilot signals to eliminate a back lock condition


Disclosed is a product cushioning device for supporting a shock sensitive product during shipping, said product cushioning structure being made of a moldable resilient plastics material. The device comprises a plurality of device surfaces suitably shaped and sized to accommodate the shock sensitive product, one of the plurality of device surfaces including a product supporting region at least partially surrounded by product contacting walls, and having a product supporting platform in the lower region thereof; and a three-dimensional structural feature formed into a least one of the plurality of device surfaces; wherein the three-dimensional structural feature serves to control the amount and rate of deflection in the event of impact. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional structural feature comprises a plurality of lines of weakness in a projecting part protruding from at least one device surface being formed of a male mold, wherein in use a top portion of the projecting part rests against the product. In another embodiment, the three-dimensional structural feature comprises at least one donut shaped cavity in the product receiving cavity. Also disclosed is a method of making a product cushioning device in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

The use of product cushioning devices for shock sensitive products has been known for many years. Such devices are used for protecting the shock sensitive products in the event that they are dropped or mishandled during shipping. Some examples of product cushioning devices include tissue paper, shredded paper, bubble-pack and molded foamed polystyrene pellets.
As the requirement for better packaging and cushioning became more demanding, for example with the introduction to the market of complicated and expensive electronics such as hard drives, printed circuit boards, and the like, the requirement arose for more sophisticated and better shock absorbing cushioning devices.
Cost, of course, plays a role in the manufacture of such cushioning devices as well. It is in a manufacturer's best interest to keep costs as low as possible. Typically, molding techniques producing a unitary cushioning device may be more efficient and thus less expensive. Molding techniques allow one to create devices formed of a resilient plastics material in a variety of different shapes and sizes as may be desired depending on the application and use of the finished device.
However, present molding techniques, such as thermoforming, give rise to some problems during manufacture of the device. A typical thermo-forming machine has a male or female die or mold. The use of these basic molds permits shaping of the plastics sheet into various desirable shapes and sizes (depending on the product to be packaged and the outer packaging container). There will also be a choice regarding the material used as well as the thickness of the plastic material used. The decision is determined based on the end purpose to which the unitary product cushioning device will be put. These design parameters will produce product cushioning devices of various forms, each with some inherited differences. These differences create fundamental characteristics of various parts of the final product, some of these characteristics being advantageous, but some being quite disadvantageous.
In particular, the compression strength of the molded unitary device, and thereby its ability to withstand shock forces may vary as a function of these design parameters. For example, an uneven distribution of material resulting in a device with thin sides is especially problematic if the packaged product is subjected to impact, such as impact that can occur during shipping. Such impact can have a detrimental effect on the shock sensitive product, resulting in damage or breakage of the product.
Thus is it desirable to provide a unitary product cushioning device for protecting shock sensitive products during shipping that can be molded from a resilient plastics material.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Product cushioning device for packaging shock sensitive products


An optical scanner for scanning a document includes a housing, a glass platform, an optical scanning module and a heat dissipating member. The glass platform is disposed on the housing for placing thereon the document to be scanned. The optical scanning module is disposed inside the housing for scanning the document. The heat dissipating member is disposed inside the housing and in contact with a first lateral edge of the glass platform for conducting the heat generated from the optical scanning module to the glass platform such that the heat is then radiated from the glass platform to the outside of the housing.

With increasing development of image processing technologies, flatbed image scanners become essential electronic devices for scanning documents. The images of the scanned documents are converted into image files, which can be stored in a computer or further processed by the computer.
Referring to FIG. 1(a), a schematic view of a flatbed image scanner is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the flatbed image scanner 1 comprises a glass platform 11 and an optical scanning module 13. The glass platform 11 is used for placing thereon a document 12 to be scanned. The optical scanning module 13 is the main component of the flatbed image scanner 1. After the document 12 is placed on the glass platform 11, the optical scanning module 13 is moved along the scanning direction so as to scan the document 12.
Please refer to FIG. 1(b), which is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the internal components of the optical scanning module 13. In the housing 130 of the optical scanning module 13, a light source 131, a reflective mirror set 132, an optical lens 133 and an optical sensor 134 are included. A light-transmissible window 135 is arranged in the top surface of the housing 130. The process for performing a scanning operation will be illustrated as follows. Firstly, the light emitted by the light source 131 is projected onto the document 12 to be scanned. The light reflected from the opaque object 14 is then transmitted into the optical scanning module 13 through the light-transmissible window 135, which is arranged in the top surface of the housing 130. After passing through the light-transmissible window 135, the light is successively reflected by the plural reflective mirrors of the reflective mirror set 132, and then focused by the optical lens 133. The focused light is then imaged onto the optical sensor 134 to convert the optical signals reflected from the scanned document 12 into corresponding image signals.
As known, heat is generated during the optical scanning module 12 performs the scanning operation on the document 12. On the other hand, in a case a flatbed image scanner having relatively large volume and ordinary resolution, the electronic components included in the optical scanning module 13, for example the optical sensor, are not evidently and adversely influenced by the heat generation.
Since the image scanner is developed toward increased resolution and slim volume, the heat generated from the optical scanning module 13 may impair the scanning quality of the flatbed image scanner. Therefore, it is desired to remove the heat generated from the optical scanning module 13.
A heat-dissipating mechanism for use with a light source assembly of an optical scanner described in Taiwanese Patent Gazette No. 461657, and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. A schematic cross-sectional view of the light source assembly as disclosed in Taiwanese Patent No. 461657 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the light source assembly 2 comprises a lamp tube 20, a lamp holder 21 and a rubber body 22. The lamp tube 20 is sheathed by the rubber body 22 and fixed on the lamp holder 21 via the rubber body 22. In accordance with the main feature of this reference, a plurality of heat sink fins 23 are integrally formed on the surface of the lamp tube 20. During scanning operation, the heat generated from the lamp tube 20 is conducted to the heat sink fins 23 and then radiated from the heat sink fins 23 to the ambient air so as to achieve the object of heat dissipation. For increasing the heat-dissipating efficiency, an addition fan assembly (not shown) is provided. Since the heat sink fins 23 and the fan occupy much space inside the optical scanning module, the flatbed image scanner fails to be made in a slim type.
In views of the above-described disadvantages of the prior art, the applicant keeps on carving unflaggingly to develop an improved optical scanner according to the present invention through wholehearted experience and research.


A device and method of treatment to manage or alleviate pain in an individual operates such that, from any specific complaint point on the body, a series of specific, related points can be found such that treatment of those points, either singly or in some combination, will alleviate or reduce the degree of soreness of the original complaint point. Correlation is provided between the feet, torso, head, arms and legs.

Pain management has become a significant struggle in the lives of many people today. Often pain is attempted to be controlled through medication, both through prescription and over the counter forms, with varying degrees of success. Other pain management techniques are also employed, including homeopathic remedies, chiropractic treatments, and acupuncture, to name a few. The efficacy of any type of pain management technique is determined by the skill of the practitioner, whether it be a medical doctor or acupuncturist, for example, and by the receptiveness of the patient to the treatment.
Additionally, most types of pain management or control techniques work by treating the symptoms, or apparent source, of the pain. Massage therapy, for example, is directed to relieving soreness or tightness of particular muscles, and often causes increased discomfort or pain before improvement is felt. What is needed is a process, technique, or device that relieves pain without forcing a patient to feel worse before they feel better. The present disclosure is directed to just such techniques and associated devices.

Method and apparatus for therapeutic treatment


The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, methods, systems, computer-readable storage medium. A method can include receiving, by a processing device, image data including one or more image frames indicative of a current state of a meal preparation area. The processing device determines a first quantity of a first ingredient disposed within a first container based on the image data. The processing device determines a meal preparation procedure associated with the first ingredient based on the first quantity. The processing device causes a notification indicative of the meal preparation procedure to be displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI).

Restaurants, or eateries, are businesses that prepare and serve meals (e.g., food and/or drinks) to customers. Meals can be served and eaten on-site of a restaurant, however some restaurants offer a take-out (e.g., such as by implementing a drive-thru) and/or food delivery services. Restaurant food preparation can involve developing systems for taking orders, cooking, and/or serving a collection of items typically organized on a menu. Some food preparation systems involve preparing some ingredients in advance (e.g., cooking sauces and/or chopping vegetables), and completing the final steps when a customer orders an item (e.g., assembly of an order). Menu items are often associated with a series of preparation steps that involve ingredients and actions to be performed in association with those ingredients (e.g., cook a hamburger or apply salt to the French fries). Food preparation systems can depend on knowing precisely how long it takes to prepare each menu item and planning tasks so that the menu items are prepared efficiently and accurately.

Image-based kitchen tracking system with anticipatory preparation management


A ramp signal generator may include a ramp signal generation unit suitable for generating a ramp signal and a gain amplification control signal, an overlap voltage generation unit suitable for generating an overlap voltage to be overlapped with the ramp signal, and a voltage overlapping unit suitable for controlling a voltage gain by amplifying the ramp signal according to the gain amplification control signal, and overlapping the overlap voltage with the ramp signal.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and, more particularly, to a ramp signal generator having a voltage overlapping function and noise cancellation in a CMOS image sensor.
In the embodiments of the present invention, as an example, replica noise that copies pixel power noise will be discussed. Power noise is one of main contributors to the horizontal noise generated in a CMOS image sensor. In the embodiments, replica noise copying the power noise of a pixel is overlapped with a ramp signal through a voltage overlapping function. However, the applications of the present invention are not limited to this example.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the typical column parallel structure of a CMOS image sensor, noise may be generated due by the supply voltage the read-out circuit comparators, which operate in differential mode, and may be effectively removed through operations in a common mode.
However, since power noise generated from a pixel may be contained in a pixel signal and then applied to the read-out circuit, the power noise may not be removed through the read-out circuit, but may be contained in the outputted pixel data.
The power noise of the pixel may include supply power noise or ground power noise. Furthermore, the power noise may include supply power noise and ground power noise, which are overlapped through a specific circuit. In addition, the power noise may include all types of power noises generated from a pixel array.
Since power noise generated from a pixel array is a main contributor of overall noise, the power noise needs to be removed or suppressed as much as possible.

Ramp signal generator and CMOS image sensor having the same


An optical lens includes a lens portion having an optical axis, and an exterior portion connected to an outer periphery of the lens portion. The exterior portion has first and second surfaces that are disposed along a direction parallel to the optical axis and spaced apart from each other, a first annular surface that extends from a periphery of the second surface parallelly with respect to the optical axis, and a second annular surface that interconnects the first annular surface and the first surface. The second annular surface extends obliquely with respect to the first annular surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an optical lens, a mold set for manufacturing the optical lens, and a method of manufacturing the optical lens.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, in general, a mold set 80 is used to manufacture a lens 90 by injecting a molten lens material into the mold set 80, followed by cooling to solidify the lens material, and opening the mold set 80 to eject the lens 90 from the mold set 80. The phantom lines in FIG. 1 illustrate the lens 90 ejected from the mold set 80.
However, during the ejecting step, the lens 90 may deform due to friction between the mold set 80 and side walls 901, which receive normal force from the mold set 80. As a result, shape precision of the lens 90 may vary, resulting in adverse effects in the yield rate and productivity.

Optical lens, mold set for manufacturing the optical lens, and method of manufacturing the optical lens