The hand truck for appliances is a device for moving a water heater and other appliances. The hand truck includes a main frame having a pair of wheels mounted on a lower end rearward of the main frame, and a support plate also mounted on the lower end and projecting forward from the main frame. The support plate has a front edge and a rear edge, with the rear edge being contoured to be received within a water heater drain pan, with the rear edge being positioned adjacent and contiguous to the inner wall of the water heater drain pan. This allows the water heater to be carried on the hand truck for appliances, supported by the support plate, in order to be placed directly into the water heater drain pan.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to appliance moving devices, and particularly to a hand truck for appliances that is particularly useful as a dolly for transporting a water heater to a water heater drain pan.
2. Description of the Related Art
Water heaters are common appliances in homes and in commercial businesses. Even when empty and ready to be installed, water heaters are very heavy and, due to their size and weight, cannot be easily transported. Thus, it is necessary to utilize a hand truck, cart, dolly or the like in order to install a water heater.
Typically, a water heater is loaded onto such a cart or dolly, transported to the installation site, lifted off the cart or dolly, and then manually lifted into the water heater drain pan. Typical carts and dollies are not configured so that the water heater can simply be inserted into the drain pan. The water heater must first be unloaded, and then multiple people must manually lift and transport the water heater into the drain pan. It would be far more efficient to provide a moving device that could not only transport the water heater to the drain pan, but also deposit and position the water heater in the drain pan, thus saving the time and energy required to unload the water heater and then manually lift and position the water heater into the drain pan. Thus, a hand truck for appliances solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A radar system for monitoring a premises in a home or building. The radar system includes transmitter and receiver antennae and a signal processor that processes a reflected signal. Doppler analysis of the reflected signal determines the activity and location of a subject's upper torso, and the subject's presence within the monitored premises.

The present invention has broad application in situations including, but not limited to, the following topics.
People who are elderly, infirm, chronically ill, confused, or are otherwise unable to care for themselves and very often fall with resulting medical distress, often reside in a nursing home or similar type institution. Similarly, others who find that living alone is unacceptably difficult or risky may elect to reside in an assisted living facility, or the like, that assists their residents in the performance of certain daily living tasks (such as, for example, bathing and dressing). Both such institutional facilities—nursing homes and assisted living facilities (and the like)—monitor their residents' health and safety, and respond to requests for emergency assistance. In a typical assisted living or nursing home, a limited number of staff members are available to monitor a relatively large number of residents (or patients).
Alternatively, such care and monitoring services are generally available for those who wish to reside in a home setting, and require assistance with, for example, toileting, cooking, cleaning and performing routine house chores or. In a home setting, one or more attendants provide care and monitoring for, typically, one or two residents.
In the settings described above, there may be an urgent need by one of the residents for a rapid response as a result of a fall. Often, that need arises when the resident falls, for example, while trying to get out of bed. In such a situation, the required rapid response might not be timely, due to the unavailability of an attendant. In such a case, the resident would have to remain lying on the floor until the aide returns. In the absence of the required rapid response, serious injury, or even death, may occur.
This risk is compounded when an attendant is not witness to, or present during, the urgent event. Attendants may be unavailable for several reasons, including, but not limited to: attendants are busy tending to other patients; attendants are performing part of their service at a remote location (shopping, for example); or the resident's contracted level or privacy precludes continuous personal attention.
Additionally, people who are able to care for themselves in their homes, but wish to mitigate the risks associated with falls, such as being helpless and/or injured as the result of the fall, employ automatic monitoring and emergency call services.
According to the New England Journal of medicine, over 10M Americans over 65 live alone. Of these, over 25% (2.5M) of these subjects fall once per year, and for 50% of these falls, the subject can't get up. Studies further show that 38% of survivors found helpless do not return to independent living. For those subjects that are down without assistance for greater than 72 hours, the mortality rate is 67%. For those that are down less 1 one hour without assistance, the mortality rate is 12%. Thus, there is a substantial need for solutions that mitigate falls, especially for persons living alone at home. Currently available solutions have not fulfilled this need.
Note that phrases, such as, but not limited to, care-givers, staff, staff member, monitoring personnel, attendant, attending personnel, etc., refer to a person located on or off the premises (facility or home) where the individual (subject) is being monitored, and may include, for example, an emergency call service or a neighbor of the monitored individual.
While falling (from a bed, standing position, etc.) is a major cause of injury for patients, the present invention applies directly to any other situation for potentially dangerous or risky changes in elevation.
Generally, animals (such as dogs or horses) may be the subject of care and monitoring, similar to the situation described above for people.
More specifically, animals, such as horses, often represent a significant investment that owners wish to preserve. Some animals, such as horses, maintain a predictable posture (for example, standing), such that a deviation from that posture may be regarded as abnormal and requiring immediate attention. Such a situation may exist when the animal is either in good health or is infirm.
For both home and the institutional settings, apparatus are available to summon (call) aid. Such call systems employ both active and passive invocation methods, where an active method requires activation (typically conscious) by the patient, and passive means that the system automatically makes the call, in response to some automatic invocation. An example of call system is the "call bell" used in hospitals.
The majority of currently available solutions require the subject to wear some kind of device. An additional problem associated with such devices is what can be termed the "pride factor". Many people find that the requirement to wear a visible device essentially marks them as a person who is challenged, and as a result there are many instances of people who have fallen and been on the floor for extended periods because they "forgot" to wear the device. A passive solution which does not require the user to wear any form of device has a significant advantage in this regard.
The purposeful combination and integration of monitoring system and call system satisfies the need of the caregiver to detect and report potentially dangerous situations such as falls.

Method and apparatus for a body position monitor using radar


The invention provides in one embodiment a method for treating vascular trauma. The method can include administering to an individual undergoing vascular trauma an effective amount of a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist or an RAR inhibitor. The methods can be used to lower serum triglycerides in a patient undergoing an invasive vascular procedure such as vascular surgery.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of medicine and, more specifically, to the field of treating cardiovascular disease.
2. Background Information
Coronary artery disease is the most common, serious, chronic, life-threatening illness in the United States, causing more deaths, disability and econonomic loss than many other illnesses. Atherosclerosis is a major cause of myocardial ischemia, which results in a lack of oxygen due to an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand.
Atherosclerosis is responsible for the majority of cases of myocardial and cerebral infarction and thus represents the principal cause of death in the United States and western Europe. Atherosclerosis refers to the thickened and hardened lesions of the medium and large muscular and elastic arteries. Atherosclerosis is characterized by lipid-rich lesions that occur within the innermost layer of the artery, the intima. The lesions are usually eccentric and, if they become sufficiently large, can occlude the artery and thus the vascular supply to a tissue or organ, resulting in ischemia or necrosis. If this occurs, it often leads to the characteristic clinical sequelae of myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, gangrene of the extremities, or sudden cardiac death.
The two principal forms of atherosclerosis are the early lesion, or fatty streak, and the advanced lesion, or fibrous plaque, which can become an advanced complicated lesion. The fatty streak is the most common and ubiquitous lesion of atherosclerosis. The lesions of atherosclerosis are confined principally to the intima. Initially, the fatty streak appears to contain two cell types, foam cells that consist of macrophages filled with lipids, and T lymphocytes. The macrophages are derived from blood-borne monocytes that are chemotactically attracted into the artery wall, where they develop into foam cells.
The fibrous plaque is also located in the intima and characteristically leads to the eccentric thickening of the artery that often results in an occluded lumen. The fibrous plaque is typically covered at its luminal aspect by a thickened cap of dense connective tissue containing a special form of flattened, pancake-shaped smooth muscle cell that has formed the dense collagenous matrix in which it is embedded. Beneath this cap, the lesion is highly cellular and contains large numbers of smooth muscle cells, some of which are full of lipid droplets. It also contains numerous macrphages, many of which take the form of foam cells, together with variable numbers of T lymphocytes. These collections of cells usually overlie a deeper area of necrotic foam cells and debris. This necrotic area sometimes becomes calcified and often contains cholesterol crystals.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, obesity, as well as other factors. Atherosclerotic disease can be treated by life-style changes such as modified diet, exercise and stopping cigarette smoking. A variety of drug regimens can also be used, for example, to reduce cholesterol levels or blood pressure.
Despite the availability of drug and life-style interventions that modify risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis, a large number of individuals develop ischemic heart disease. Many patients who develop ischemic heart disease are improved by coronary revascularization procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting or angioplasty. In the case of coronary artery bypass grafting, the method is effective in relieving symptoms, can achieve complete revascularization and is widely applicable. Disadvantages of coronary bypass surgery include high cost, increased risk of the need to repeat the procedure due to late graft closure, and morbidity.
Angioplasty provides the advantage of being less invasive, requiring a shorter hospital stay, having lower initial costs, and being effective in relieving symptoms. Disadvantages of angioplasty include restenosis, high incidence of incomplete revascularization, and uncertain long-term outcome. Restenosis occurs in about 30–45% of cases within 6 months of the angioplastic procedure.
More than 400,000 angioplastic procedures are performed in the United States each year. Therefore, the high recurrence of stenosis (restenosis) means that a significant number of patients must undergo follow up procedures, including repeated angioplasty.
Thus, there exists a need to improve the outcome of invasive vascular procedures such as angioplasty. The present invention satisfies this need, and provides related advantages as well.

Methods of treatment during vascular procedures


An electronic module (10) includes a processor (12), having a set of contacts (26) coupled to a set of metallized areas (24) on a first device carrier (16), and a programmable memory device (14), having a set of contacts (40) coupled to each of a set of conductive members (46) depending from a second device carrier (33) stacked above the first carrier. Interposed between the two device carriers is an interposer layer (48), a routing layer (60) and a conduction layer (70) which collectively provide a path between a separate first metallized area (24) on the first device carrier and a conductive member (46) on the second device carrier to couple the processor to the memory. At least one clip (72) releasably secures the second device carrier to the first device carrier to allow the second device carrier to be separated so that the programmable memory device can be programmed off-line.

The advent of miniaturization in the field of electronics has led to the development of programmable processors, such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, which are now commonplace within a wide variety of electronic systems. Each processor typically has an associated a Read-Only Memory (ROM) for storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform one or more functions. Advances in the design and fabrication of such processors now allow them to be fabricated with an internal ROM, thereby avoiding the need for an external ROM for program storage as was required in the past.
Usually, the internal ROM contained in today's processors is mask-programmed. In other words, the ROM within the processor is programmed by appropriately arranging the transmissive and non-transmissive portions of one or more masks which are employed to photolithographically define each layer of the processor during fabrication. Since the programming of the internal ROM is an integral part of the fabrication of the processor, modifying or altering the program requires that a new processor be fabricated. Often, the lead time required to obtain a new processor with a differently mask-programmed ROM is relatively long.
When developing an electronic system incorporating a processor, there is often a need during development to reprogram the ROM associated with the processor. Indeed, the program contained within the ROM may undergo a large number of alterations or modifications before a final "production" version of the electronic system is created. For this reason, an external ROM is often employed for program storage in place of the internal ROM during development to facilitate such frequent reprogramming.
However, in some instances, it may not be possible to employ an external ROM because of space requirements. With many products, the amount of space available for mounting components is limited, with little extra room for an external ROM that will be used only during system development. Without the ability to employ an external ROM, a designer may be forced to utilize the internal processor ROM, thus incurring long lead times when the program in the ROM must be changed.
This, there is a need for an electronic module which occupies the same area (i.e., "footprint") as a processor, but contains both the programmable processor and a reprogrammable ROM, the latter being separable from the processor to facilitate off-line reprogramming thereof.

Electronic module including a programmable memory


A high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) test system including an HDMI test device that includes a display, a microcontroller, first and second input ports, an output port, a first cable connector, a second cable connector, and a third cable connector. The HDMI test device couples to an external device and receives an HDMI signal from the external device via the first cable connector. The microcontroller receives the HDMI signal from the first input port and converts the signal to a video signal, wherein the display displays an image associated with the video signal. The microcontroller transmits a test HDMI signal to the third cable connector, receives the test signal from the second cable connector and compares the test signal transmitted to the third cable connector and the test signal received from the second cable connector to determine continuity of an HDMI cable coupled with the second and third cable connectors.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) test system that includes an HDMI test device that displays video signals and performs HDMI continuity testing. Specifically, at least one embodiment of the invention receives an HDMI signal from an external device, converts the signal to a video signal and displays at least one image associated with the video signal so that an installer may set up a set top installation without a television on hand, and in addition, also provides HDMI cable continuity testing for the HDMI cables on a line-by-line basis for example.
Description of the Related Art
Technicians who install and troubleshoot television network connections, set-top boxes, and other audiovisual systems have a need for test equipment to verify and diagnose connections. One technique for verifying a connection is to attach a television and confirm that it displays video and sound correctly. However, this method is not always possible since an installing technician may install a network connection before a customer's television is available. There is no known test equipment that can verify a video and audio signal using a convenient, portable device, in lieu of using a television and that also provides for continuity testing of the HDMI cables so that the installer can be confident that after leaving, a user may connect a television to an HDMI cable and set top box and have a high degree of confidence that the television will work. This also lowers the number of trips to each installation in the case of no television present and/or a bad cable for example.
For example, if a video or audio signal is not received correctly by a television or by testing equipment, the problem may be with either the source of the signal (such as set-top box) or with the cable connecting the source to the television or equipment. Therefore, there is a need for a cable tester to also determine whether the connecting cable is functioning correctly. In particular, since television connections are often made using HDMI cables, there is also a need for an HDMI cable tester. HDMI cable testers known in the art are generally analog continuity testers, e.g., with lights that show whether there is a conducting path. There are no known HDMI cable testers integrated with video displays, and for example that generate a digital HDMI signal and verify that it is transmitted correctly through the cable.
For at least the limitations described above there is a need for an HDMI test system that receives and displays video signals, and that tests transmission through an HDMI cable.

High definition multimedia interface test system


A lighting device for a motor vehicle has a laser light source from the light of which light radiation is generated into the area around the motor vehicle during operation of the lighting device. In the lighting device, a plurality of optical channels is associated with the laser light source, and the light of the laser light source can be guided via each optical channel in order to generate a separate light spread associated with the optical channel from the guided light in the area around the motor vehicle. An optical element, which can be switched by a control device into different switching states, is provided between the laser light source and the plurality of optical channels. A different switching state is associated with each optical channel. In each respective switching state, light from the laser light source is fed only into the optical channel with which the respective switching state is associated, by means of the optical element.

The invention relates to a lighting apparatus for a motor vehicle and to a corresponding motor vehicle.
Nowadays, laser light sources, which make it possible to generate light distributions in the area outside a motor vehicle with a very high brightness, are increasingly being used in lighting apparatuses for motor vehicles. For example, lighting apparatuses with laser light sources are used to generate high-beam light (for example anti-glare high-beam light) and low-beam light. A plurality of laser light sources are often installed in motor vehicle lighting apparatuses, with which laser light sources a respective separate optical channel is associated in order to generate a specific light distribution or to realize a specific light function using each combination of laser light source and optical channel. The use of a plurality of laser light sources and optical channels leads to a large installation space of the lighting apparatus.
It is the object of the invention to provide a lighting apparatus for a motor vehicle based on laser light, which makes it possible to generate a plurality of light distributions with a low installation space at the same time.
This object is achieved by way of the lighting apparatus in accordance with the claimed invention.
The lighting apparatus according to the invention is provided for a motor vehicle, such as for example a passenger motor vehicle and where appropriate also a truck. The lighting apparatus may represent for example a headlight and/or a taillight or parts thereof. The lighting apparatus comprises a laser light source, from the light of which light radiation is generated into the area around the motor vehicle during the operation of the lighting apparatus.
If, in the text that follows and in particular in the patent claims, interactions between the lighting apparatus and the motor vehicle or components of the motor vehicle are described, this is always intended to be understood to mean that the interaction occurs when the lighting apparatus is arranged or installed in the motor vehicle. The components of the lighting apparatus that are in corresponding interaction with the motor vehicle or components of the motor vehicle are therefore designed in such a way that the interaction is caused when the lighting apparatus is arranged or installed in the motor vehicle.
The lighting apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that a plurality of optical channels are associated with the laser light source, wherein the light of the laser light source can be guided via each optical channel in order to generate in the area around the motor vehicle a separate light distribution associated with the optical channel from the guided light. The term separate light distribution is to be understood here in such a way that the individual light distributions differ in at least one feature, in particular in the position and/or shape and/or the wave range of the light and/or the brightness of the light. The separate light distributions preferably represent different light functions of the motor vehicle, such as for example a flashing light, a daytime running light, a turning light and the like. Further light functions are specified further below.
In the lighting apparatus according to the invention, an optical element, which can be switched by way of a control device to different switching states, is provided between the laser light source and the plurality of optical channels, wherein a separate (that is to say a different) switching state is associated with each optical channel and, in a respective switching state, light of the laser light source is fed only into the optical channel with which the respective switching state is associated, by means of the optical element. In other words, in a respective switching state, the light to be fed into the optical channels is fed only to one of the optical channels. All of the light of the laser light source is preferably fed into the corresponding optical channel. Where appropriate, however, not all of the light of the laser light source can also be fed to an optical channel, wherein, however, it is to be ensured that light is fed only into one of the optical channels. Furthermore, the lighting apparatus according to the invention can also contain multiples of the combination of a laser light source, an optical element and a plurality of optical channels that has just been described.
The lighting apparatus according to the invention has the advantage that, owing to the use of an optical element in the manner of an optical switch, the light of a single laser light source can be fed into a plurality of optical channels, as a result of which a plurality of different light distributions can be generated using just one laser light source and the dimensions of the lighting apparatus are kept low as a result thereof.
In a further preferred configuration of the lighting apparatus according to the invention, the laser light source comprises a single laser diode, as a result of which the laser light source can be realized as a very compact component.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the lighting apparatus according to the invention, a separate optical unit belongs to each optical channel, to which separate optical unit guided light is led in the respective optical channel in order to generate the light distribution associated with the respective optical channel with the aid of the optical unit. Said optical unit is also often referred to as a secondary optical unit and is a constituent part of the respective optical channel.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus is provided for generating light in the range visible to the human eye. The separate light distributions in this case preferably comprise one or more of the following light functions or parts thereof:                a flashing light, a daytime running light, a turning light, a parking light, a reverse light, a brake light, imagery in the surroundings of the motor vehicle, a low-beam light, a high-beam light.
The function of the imagery relates here to the generation of any symbols in the surroundings of the motor vehicle, for example on the ground in the surroundings of the motor vehicle.
Where appropriate, the lighting apparatus according to the invention can also be provided for generating light in the range not visible to the human eye, wherein in this case the light is preferably used for one or more driver assistance functions in the motor vehicle, for example in order to identify the distance to other road users by means of travel time measurement of the light. In particular, the lighting apparatus can in this case assume the light transmission function of a Lidar sensor.
In a further preferred embodiment, the control device of the lighting apparatus according to the invention can be operated in such a way that it cyclically switches over between at least two different, and, where applicable, also all, switching states of the optical element, with the result that in one cycle the light of the laser light source is fed into at least two, or all, optical channels. In this way, it is possible to achieve a situation in which a plurality of different light distributions are generated in parallel by way of the lighting apparatus according to the invention.
The repetition frequency of the cycles is preferably between 50 Hz and 2000 Hz, in particular between 500 Hz and 2000 Hz. Given such repetition frequencies, the switchover between the optical channels is no longer perceivable to the human eye, with the result that it is not possible for the observer to identify that different light distributions are generated at the same time using just one laser light source.
In a further preferred configuration, the optical element comprises a movable and in particular tiltable mirror, which can be moved into different switching positions corresponding to the switching states through actuation by means of the control device. Such mirrors are known per se from the prior art. In this case, the mirror is preferably realized as a microcomponent whose maximum extent in plan view on the mirror is 2 mm and below.
In a further embodiment, the optical element comprises a component with a variable refractive index, wherein the refractive index can be changed by means of the control unit through variation of a voltage fed to the component and the different switching states are effected by means of the change in the refractive index. Such components are known per se from the prior art and can also be realized as microcomponents with very low dimensions in the range of a few millimeters. In particular, the element with a variable refractive index can comprise an LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) component.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the optical element is what is known as a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) component. In this case, it is a very compact electronic component whose functionality is realized on a single semiconductor chip.
In a further preferred embodiment, each optical channel comprises an optical waveguide and in particular a single optical fiber, wherein light originating from the respective laser light source is led in the optical waveguide. The diameter of the optical waveguide is preferably between 50 μm and 200 μm.
In a further variant, at least some of the optical channels comprise one or more conversion elements in order to convert the light of the laser light source from one wavelength range to another wavelength range. Such conversion elements are known per se from the prior art and consist for example of a doped phosphor. A light distribution of a specific color or a white light distribution can be generated by means of such conversion elements in a simple manner. For example, using a conversion element, the light of a blue laser light source can be converted to white light. Where appropriate, a conversion element can be provided in each optical channel. By way of appropriately designed conversion elements, for example both a flashing light in a yellow color and a taillight in a red color or a low-beam light or high-beam light in a white color can be generated using a single laser light source.
In a further preferred configuration, the lighting apparatus comprises a light sensor system for detecting the light intensity in each optical channel, for example at the input or at the output of the optical channel. The control device is designed in this case in such a way that it evaluates the sensed light intensity.
In a preferred variant of the above embodiment, the control device is designed in such a way that it adjusts the switching states of the optical element with feedback to the light intensity detected by the light sensor system so that in the respective switching state the light intensity in the optical channel in which light of the laser light source is fed in exceeds a predetermined threshold. In this way, the optical element is suitably readjusted during the operation of the lighting apparatus.
As an alternative or in addition, the control device is designed in such a way that it detects a fault when the deviation (in terms of magnitude) between the light intensity, which is sensed by the light sensor system, in the optical channel in which light of the laser light source is fed in and a prescribed setpoint light intensity exceeds a predetermined threshold value, wherein the prescribed setpoint light intensity preferably depends on the operating state of the lighting apparatus, in particular on the operating power or energization of the laser light source. When a fault is detected, a fault message is preferably output in the motor vehicle via a user interface and/or a fault is logged in a fault memory of the motor vehicle. The operation of the lighting apparatus is monitored using the embodiment that has just been described.
The invention further relates to a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle comprises one or more of the lighting apparatuses according to the invention or one or more preferred variants of the lighting apparatus according to the invention.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A short-nosed wheeled walking aid has (a) a substantially horizontal base member having a front perimeter, a rear perimeter, a right perimeter and a left perimeter; (b) a front wheel assembly mounted to and supporting the base member adjacent the front perimeter, (c) a rear wheel assembly mounted to and supporting the base member adjacent the rear perimeter, (d) at least three upright right panels mounted on the base member, (e) a hand grip spaced behind and substantially parallel to the upright rear panel having a ground height (height off the ground, measured from the plane on which the wheels rest) of from about thirty to about forty inches, and (f) a seat assembly mounted to the exterior side of the rear panel, the seat assembly including a seat member translatable from a substantially vertical posture substantially parallel to the rear panel to a substantially horizontal posture substantially normal to the rear panel.

The present invention relates to walking aids, which are generally known as walkers or ambulatory aids.
Standard or conventional non-wheeled four-legged invalid walkers typically are comprised of a pair of opposed, tubular inverted—and somewhat splayed U-shaped side frames or supports joined by one or more front crossbars. The user is normally positioned at least somewhat between the opposed side frames, and grips the forward sections of the upper horizontal bars of the side members, using the walker for side-to-side balance and support. Commonly the user rests his or her forearms on the upper horizontal bars for support. Such standard walkers require manual lifting and forward-positioning by the user for forward step-by-step walking purposes. As noted, the user is so positioned regarding the walker that the walker acts as a surround, partially encircling the user, while the user is poised in a forwardly-bent or hunched position, substantially or at least partially flanked by the side frames and their upper horizontal bars.
Wheeled walkers are also known. A wheeled walker typically has a frame mounted on four wheels and a pair of rearwardly extending handle bars which the user can grip for support while walking. The user positions himself or herself between the handle bars behind the core frame and pushes the walker forward. A wheeled walker eliminates the manual lifting required of a standard four-legged walker. The handle bars of a typical wheeled walker overlay the wheel base, or in other words, the rearmost extent of the handle bars is short of the rearmost extent of the rear wheels. A user, standing between the handle bars and gripping the handle bars, is still provided with a surround, the wheeled walker partially encircling the user and providing side-to-side balance assistance and weight support.
Some invalid walkers with carrier baskets and with seating platforms are also known.
Known outside of the invalid-walker field are personal shopping carts. Such carts typically have two opposed wheels and a transverse or crossways handle or hand grip. Such carts are conventionally used by dragging them behind the user, tilted up on the wheels, gripped by one hand of the user.
Known outside of the invalid-walker field are retail-store shopping carts, which are typically large baskets mounted on a four-wheeled frame with a following transverse or crossways hand grip. Such shopping carts are pushed along in front of the user.
Some people would benefit from a walling aid that does not require them to hunch over while advancing step-by-step or rolling along. Some people would benefit from the use of a walking aid that does not encircle them to any degree. Some people would benefit from a walking aid that does not carry the invalid stigma of a conventional walker. Some people would benefit from a walking aid that functions as a personal shopping cart, without dragging a cart behind them. Some people would benefit from walking aid equipped with a seat without obstructing its other functions.
It is an object of the invention to provide a walking aid that does not require the user to hunch over it use. It is an object of the invention to provide a walking aid that does not encircle the user to any degree. It is an object of the invention to provide a walking aid that does not carry the invalid stigma of a conventional walker. It is an object of the invention to provide a walking aid that functions as a personal shopping cart, but is pushed ahead of the user rather than dragged behind the user. It is an object of the invention to provide a walking aid that equipped with a seat which does not obstruct the other functions of the walking aid.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be seen and described below.

Wire short-nosed walking aid with seat and method

Abstract: A method of assisting the ambulation of a person employs the wheeled walking aid. The method comprises the steps of (1) with the seat assembly in the upright posture, grasping the walking aid at the hand grip and walking forward while pushing the walking aid ahead in forward motion, (2) then halting the forward walking while continuing to grasp the hand grip to arrest the forward motion of the walking aid, (3) then translating the seat member to from the substantially upright posture to the substantially horizontal posture substantially normal to the basket body, (4) then resting by sitting on the seat member; and (5) then translating the seat member to from the substantially horizontal posture back to the substantially upright posture, and grasping the walking aid at the hand grip with the two hands and walking forward while pushing the walking aid ahead in forward motion.


A nose cone formed from a shape memory alloy (SMA) having a recoverable strain of at least 2% collapses about the dome for storage, deploys at launch to protect the sensor dome and reduce drag during atmospheric flight and is shed to allow sensing for terminal maneuvers. The SMA is shape-set at elevated temperatures in its Austenite phase with a memorized shape having a radius of curvature greater than that of the sensor dome to reduce aerodynamic drag. The temperature is reduced and the SMA collapsed to conform to the curvature of the sensor dome within the recoverable strain for storage. A first mechanism is configured to return the collapsed SMA to its memorized shape at launch or prior to going supersonic. In one embodiment, the SMA is stored below its Martensite finish temperature in a temperature-induced Martensite phase in which case the mechanism heats the SMA above the Austenite finish temperature to return the material to its memorized shape. In another embodiment, the SMA is stored above its Austenite finish temperature in which case collapsing the SMA places the material in a strain-induced Martensite phase. The mechanism holds the collapsed SMA in place and the releases the stored energy allowing the SMA to return to the memorized shape.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to air vehicle nose cones that are collapsible for storage, deploy at launch to protect the vehicle's dome and reduce drag and release to allow the vehicle seeker to image the scene during terminal flight maneuvers. The nose cones are particularly applicable to supersonic missiles and smart projectiles to protect the seeker dome and reduce drag.
2. Description of the Related Art
Air vehicles such as missiles and more recently some smart projectiles include seekers that guide them to their target. These seekers typically include IR sensors and may also include visible sensors or RF antennas. These sensor components are protected from the atmosphere by a dome. In order to allow electromagnetic radiation of the desired wavelength to pass through the dome, the dome must be constructed of certain materials and with a certain blunt shape (e.g. hemispheric). These dome materials are susceptible to damage during normal pre-flight handling. Furthermore, the optical properties of these dome materials tend to degrade during flight through the atmosphere. In addition, the blunt nose of the dome produces considerable aerodynamic drag particularly at supersonic speeds.
To protect the vehicle 'pre-flight', a conformal hard cover is placed over the dome and the vehicle is placed inside a tube for ground, sea or air-based launch. At launch, meaning just prior to to just after launch, the cover is blown off of the vehicle using pyro charges. One design uses an expanding mandrel that pushes the cover off shearing rivets that hold the cover to the vehicle. In another design, a squib is fired that opens the cover like a clam shell allowing the two halves to split apart starting at the tip and fall away from the vehicle. This approach provides no protection of the dome during atmospheric flight or reduction in drag from launch to the point where the seeker activates to image the scene.
In certain space-based applications such as Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) and Standard Missile 3, sensor packages are provided for space-based imaging. Because sensing is only performed in space a dome is not required to protect the sensor, hence is not included. The Standard Missile 3 and the carrier vehicle for the EKV include a pointed nose cone that protects the sensor packages during atmospheric flight and reduces drag. Once in space, the nose cone is jettisoned to allow the sensor packages to operate.

Collapsible shape memory alloy (SMA) nose cones for air vehicles, method of manufacture and use


Proposed are a storage apparatus and its control method capable of restoring data of a virtual page to an appropriate device hierarchy according to its data value. This storage apparatus stores, in a backup-destination storage medium, data stored in the respective physical pages allocated with the virtual volume and management information of the virtual volume including information concerning the device hierarchy to which the respective physical pages belong according to a backup command of the virtual volume, and allocates a physical page of the same device hierarchy as the device hierarchy of the physical page that was allocated before the backup to each of the restoration-target virtual pages of the virtual volume, respectively, and writes corresponding data, which was read from the storage medium, into each of the allocated physical pages according to a restoration command of the virtual volume and based on the management information of the virtual volume stored in the storage medium.

A storage system is configured by comprising at least one or more storage apparatuses referred to, for example, as disk array subsystems. With this type of storage apparatus, disk drives such as hard disk drives and semiconductor memory drives are arranged in an array to provide storage areas that are operated in RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Inexpensive Disks) format. A host computer (this is hereinafter referred to as the "host") accesses the storage areas provided by the storage apparatus and thereby performs the reading and writing of data.
Incidentally, the amount of data that is being managed in organizations such as corporations, local governments, educational institutions, financial institutions and public offices is of an annually increasing trend, and storage apparatuses are being added or replaced pursuant to the increase in the amount of data. In light of the increase in the amount of data and the complication in the configuration of the storage system, PTL 1 discloses technology of arranging, in order to improve the utilization efficiency of the storage system, data to be used by various application programs such as email management software and database management software at an appropriate location according to the value of such data, defining a plurality of different device hierarchies in the storage apparatus, and rearranging the data in the storage apparatus among the device hierarchies (this is hereinafter referred to as "data migration" or "hierarchy control").
Meanwhile, although the storage capacity of a logical volume is generally fixed, PTL 2 discloses technology of automatically expanding the storage capacity of a virtual volume by allocating a partial page of a physical resource (this is hereinafter referred to as the "physical page") to that virtual volume according to an access request from a host computer in order to increase the utilization efficiency of the storage areas. In the ensuing explanation, a partial page in the virtual volume corresponding to the physical page is hereinafter referred to as a "virtual page."
The virtual volume is a hypothetical logical volume. The storage apparatus is able to show the host (more precisely, the application that is executed by that host) a virtual storage capacity (this is hereinafter referred to as the "virtual capacity") which is different from the total storage capacity (this is hereinafter referred to as the "real capacity") of one or more physical pages that are actually allocated to the virtual volume.
As a result of a physical page being allocated to a virtual volume, the real capacity of the virtual volume will be expanded in the amount of the storage capacity of that physical page. Thus, the virtual volume can also be referred to as a "capacity-expanded volume." In addition, since the virtual volume is also a logical volume that can be provided based on the Thin Provisioning technology, it can also be referred to as a "Thin Provisioning volume."
The logical volumes in a storage apparatus are sometimes backed up in order to prepare for data loss and the like caused by the malfunction of a disk drive. PTL 3 discloses technology of copying only a virtual page corresponding to a physical page that was allocated to a virtual volume to a tape in a tape library device upon backing up a virtual volume in a tape library device, and copying only the virtual page in the copied tape to a storage apparatus upon restoring data from the tape library device.

Storage apparatus and its control method


The present invention is a two-compartment syringe which may contain a medical substance, such as a freeze-dried powder, and a solvent separately. When used, the medical substance and solvent are mixed for injection. A silicone coating is used inside the syringe barrel. The syringe is further provided with finger hooks to enable use of the syringe with one hand.

There are various dosage forms for medicines. In the case of aqueous preparations such as injections, it is desirable to put them in the form of solution, which is a final form, at a time of preparation. However, not a few medical substances are unstable in dissolved state. Therefore, such medical substances are generally dissolved at a time of use and applied, that is a dissolving method in use. Further, some medical substances cannot be obtained in crystals or are highly hygroscopic. In such cases, the medical substances are often practically used in the form of freeze-dried powder. In the case of injections, for example, a method is generally used in which freeze-dried powder is placed in a vial bottle or the like, dissolved by putting a solvent thereinto, and drawn up through an injection needle. However, it is more convenient to contain the solvent and freeze-dried powder in a syringe from the beginning. For use in a surgical operation, it is necessary to take maintenance of sterilized condition into consideration particularly.
Methods have been proposed in which a medical substance and solvent are contained in a syringe from the beginning, and dissolution is effected within the syringe immediately before use. Specifically, in such methods, a medical substance in the form of freeze-dried powder or the like is placed in the bottom of a syringe adjacent an injection needle connecting portion, and a solvent for the medical substance is placed in a plunger rod attaching portion of the syringe. The medical substance containing chamber and solvent containing chamber are partitioned in an appropriate way. The solvent and medical substance are mixed in an appropriate way for dissolution at a time of use (Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-4992, Japanese Patent Publication Kokai No. 60-72561, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-14465).
However, freeze-dried powder tends to be charged with static electricity and often is in a trace quantity. Therefore, it is not easy to place the powder in the syringe accurately. In order to improve such drawbacks, it is conceivable to carry out freeze-drying in the syringe. Usually the syringe has an inner wall coated with a silicone oil solution having a concentration of 1-5% (W/V) in order to enable smooth movement of gaskets and a plunger rod in use. A solution of medicine becomes turbid when freeze-dried after placement in a silicone-coated syringe in the above concentration and then redissolved as a freeze-dried powder in a solvent. The product is then not suitable as a medicine.
On the other hand, in a known form of such a two-compartment syringe, gaskets are used to partition between the powder containing chamber and solvent containing chamber and between the solvent containing chamber and ambient air, respectively, as in the publications noted above. However, there is a risk that expansion of interior air in the powder containing chamber is caused by an increase of temperature, and pushes up the gaskets, whereby the gaskets fall off. A syringe is also known which includes a flange-like finger hook formed integral with an outer peripheral surface thereof for pushing in the plunger rod to mix the powder and solvent and to push the solution out of the syringe.
However, a two-step operation is necessary with a two-compartment syringe, and there has been a problem in securely supporting the syringe to give an injection to an affected organ exactly.
The objects of the present invention are to provide a two-compartment syringe capable of suppressing turbidity occurring when freeze-dried powder is dissolved in a solvent to a degree not obstructive to use while maintaining movement of the gaskets and plunger rod in a smooth condition with silicone coating applied to the inner wall of the syringe. A further object of the present invention is to provide a two-compartment syringe having excellent operability and devised to be capable of preventing the gaskets from falling off caused by air expansion in the powder containing chamber and capable of mixing the powder and solvent. Another object is to provide a syringe for injecting the resulting liquid mixture easily and accurately.


A tie for bundling a plurality of elongated objects is formed in a generally arcuate configuration from a material having shape retaining memory properties. Complemental teeth on two opposed surface lock the two surfaces together to form a closed loop.

This invention relates generally to restraining devices and, more particularly to a tie for securing one or more same diameter objects such as cables or wires in a bundle or to another object.
Existing cable ties take several forms. The most elementary example is a wile which is either bare or is coated with insulation and which is twisted around one or more cables which it is desired to bundle together. A more popular cable tie which is now used is a preformed plastic strip which has teeth which pass through a catch box where the teeth engage a complemental restraint which locks the end of the tie in place.
The disadvantages of the prior art devices described above are several. First and foremost, with many types of cable, especially low voltage computer cables, the cable is sensitive to binding and it is frequently the case that the cable tie is tightened too tightly so that it adversely affects the performance of the equipment being fed by the cable. If an uncoated wire is utilized as the tie, significant damage to the cable or cables being secured may result.
Another disadvantage of the prior art, even when utilizing the more popular plastic cable ties described above, is that there is no way to judge when the tie is properly secured and since there is no margin for error, the tie may be too tight and adversely affect performance without the knowledge of the installer who applied the tie.
Another disadvantage of the prior art ties is that for the most part, once they are tightened, they cannot be released except with a cutting tool which destroys the tie.
Another disadvantage of the prior art ties is that even when installed properly so as not to bind the cable during normal use, if the cable is bent around a corner there is the possibility of the cable being pinched and adversely affected even though this was not the case when the cable was laid out in a straight line.
Still another disadvantage of the prior art constructions is that for the most part they require two hands to bring the cable tie around the cable and secure it either to other cables in the bundle or another object.


An image forming apparatus calculates a speed correction amount obtained by correcting a gain and a phase of a speed fluctuation component by a gain phase correction unit and a correction speed calculation unit so as to cancel this speed fluctuation component and controls a rotation speed of a rotator by using the calculated speed correction amount.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system, a photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer belt (hereinafter, will be referred to as "ITB") on which a toner image is borne are preferably driven such that a surface speed is set to be at a constant speed.
A reason therefor is that, when the surface speed of the photosensitive drum is fluctuated, a position to be exposed with light is shifted from a position on the photosensitive drum which is originally supposed to be exposed with light.
Another reason therefor is that also in a process for a primary transfer of a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum onto the ITB, in a case where an alternating current-like speed difference exists in the surface speed of the photosensitive drum and the ITB, a position of the toner image transferred onto the ITB is shifted from a position that is originally supposed to be transferred.
As a result, an image defect such as a color misregistration corresponding to positional misregistrations among respective colors or a banding corresponding to a periodic positional misregistration occurs on an image drawn on a recording paper.
For that reason, the speed of the photosensitive drum and the ITB is highly accurately controlled by controlling a speed of a motor functioning as a drive source for the photosensitive drum and the ITB by using a speed detection sensor.
A brushless direct-current motor (hereinafter will be referred to as "BLDC motor") is used as the motor in many cases since the BLDC motor is inexpensive, silent, and highly effective. In addition, a hybrid stepping motor is also adopted since a speed fluctuation hardly occurs by a disturbance.
A method of controlling a rotation speed of the photosensitive drum or the ITB to be constant by using the stepping motor includes a feed forward control (hereinafter, will be referred to as "FF control"). A periodic rotation fluctuation component generated by an eccentricity of shafts of a motor gear and a reduction gear is measured. Subsequently, a profile is created on the basis of the measurement result.
In the FF control, a speed fluctuation component extracted from the profile is extracted, and a speed correction value for cancelling the speed fluctuation component is generated, so that the generated speed correction value is added to a target speed instruction value.
A plurality of speed fluctuation components exist in the driving of the photosensitive drum or the ITB. In the FF control in the related art, the plurality of speed fluctuation components are not highly accurately controlled. In view of the above, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-278620 proposes a method of gradually decreasing the speed fluctuation by repeatedly performing the FF control.
According to the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-278620, the FF control is to be repeatedly performed until the speed fluctuation falls within a target speed fluctuation amount, and a problem occurs that this repetition takes long time.


The present invention provides a virtual-haptic environment that can be used to advantage to simulate and teach surgical procedures. Computer haptics simulates human sense of touch is provides with visual stereoscopy that simulates our natural depth perception and feeling of touch. Integration of these two senses enhances sense of realism. Thus by coupling force-feedback (or haptic) devices with a stereoscopic display, results in the illusion of being “inside” a virtual world, by being able to “see” and “touch and feel” 3D virtual environment. The computer based (on a PC using NT operating system) present invention provides an inexpensive, easy-to-use technique for generating a stereoscopic-haptic environment that provides a realistic virtual touch and see environment and dynamically adding haptic characteristics.

The present invention relates to apparatus and software cooperatively integrating haptic or touching and stereoscopic or three dimensional visual computer interfaces, and is more particularly associated with such apparatuses and software as applied to surgical simulations. The integration in computer generated virtual environments of interfacing of physically felt force-feedback devices (haptic interface devices) that provide the touch or feel sensation and stereoscopic visual interfaces that provide visual three dimensional (3D) objects have not been extensively developed. Those that exist use expensive complex and often ad hoc hardware and software that are difficult to implement and more difficult to service and/or modify. High end, expensive graphic workstations, e.g. Sun Microsystems with specialized hardware and/or software have been so used, but are not amendable to routine use due to the complexity and the expense.
Before proceeding some definitions will be helpful in understanding the invention.
Haptics: Haptics refers to touch. Human sense of touch, human haptics, differs fundamentally from other human sensory modalities in that it is bilateral in nature: to touch an object, the object must "push" back. In computer generated haptics, a computer interface device is used that provides a physical touch to the human that corresponds to the real three-dimensional sense of touch that allows one to feel textures and shapes of objects, modulate objects and even deform objects.
Two major components of computer haptics are collision detection of virtual objects with the haptic interface device, and the determination and application of a force feedback to the user via the haptic interface device. Prior art data structures and algorithms applied to haptic rendering have been adopted from non-pliable surface-based (two dimensional) graphic systems. These prior art techniques and systems are inappropriate and limited due to the different characteristics required for haptic rendering of three dimensional or volumetric soft bodies.
Stereoscopic Display: Stereoscopic herein refers to true 3D viewing of objects. In many prior art systems 3D images are rendered for viewing in a 2D format (e.g., on a flat monitor). True 3D viewing provides the user with the appearance of true depth.
When viewing an object in 3D, both eyes see the object from a slightly different perspective. Each eye perceives a slightly different image, with the brain naturally fusing these two images into one by matching up the similarities and adding in the small difference. The result is the illusion of depth. This process of stereopsis can be simulated by 1) generating the two dimensional image for each eye, and 2) presenting the left eye image only to the left eye and the right eye image only to the right eye. This brief review suffices since stereoscopy is well understood in the art.
Such prior art devices are even more limited if applied to teaching the complex skills associated with medical surgery. Surgery skills are taught on live patients or animals. A computer system that provides true touch and corresponding 3D vision for volumetric soft bodies is needed in the art.
It is an object of the present invention to generate a stereoscopic-haptic computer interface suitable for providing virtual environment.
It is another object of the present invention to result in the illusion of being able to "see" and "touch and feel" 3D virtual environment, for example, a surgeon operating on a virtual patient, but with true-to-life touching and seeing.
It is yet another object of the present invention to produce cost-effective, real-time, interactive, stereoscopic haptic virtual environment with minimal hardware.
It is yet another object of the present invention to transform the virtual environment from a flat, formless 2D experience to a more realistic and solid 3D experience.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide 3D organ models for study by and training of students.

Development of stereoscopic-haptic virtual environments


The invention provides a process for production of 2,3,4-trifluoro-5-(iodo or bromo)benzoic acid, the process comprising a halogenation step in which direct iodination or bromination of 2,3,4-trifluorobenzoic acid is performed with an iodinating agent or brominating agent in a reaction solvent in the presence of an oxidizing agent. According to the invention, there is provided a process for convenient production of 2,3,4-trifluoro-5-(iodo or bromo)benzoic acid in high yield and high purity in a highly regioselective manner.

2,3,4-Trifluoro-5-(iodo or bromo)benzoic acid is useful as a synthetic intermediate of drugs, agricultural chemicals and the like, and it is used as, for example, an important intermediate for production of the diphenylamines described in Patent document 1, which are particularly useful as anticancer agents.
2,3,4-Trifluoro-5-bromobenzoic acid is useful as, for example, a raw material for production of 5-bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methylphenylamino)benzoic acid, an important intermediate, and it can be converted to 5-bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methylphenylamino)benzoic acid by coupling with 2-amino-5-iodotoluene by reference to the method described in Patent document 1. 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methylphenylamino)benzoic acid can be converted to a phenylaminobenzhydroxamic acid derivative that is an anticancer agent by reference to the method described in Patent document 1.
On the other hand, 2,3,4-trifluoro-5-iodobenzoic acid is also useful as a raw material for production of 2,3,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid, which is an important intermediate in the synthesis of quinolone carboxylic acids that are useful as antimicrobial agents or antiviral agents. 2,3,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid can be converted to a quinolone carboxylic acid with a 6-trifluoromethyl group by reference to the method described in, for example, Patent document 2 or Patent document 3.
Examples of known processes for obtaining 2,3,4-trifluoro-5-iodobenzoic acid include: (i) a process in which a 2,3,4-trifluorobenzoic acid is used as a starting material and subjected to a multistep reaction (for example, 2,3,4-trifluorobenzoic acid is used as a raw material and subjected to the following three steps: nitration; reduction of the nitro groups to amino groups; and iodination by Sandmeyer reaction (Patent document 4)); and (ii) a process in which 2,3,4-trifluoro-1,5-diiodobenzene is treated with LDA and then reacted with carbon dioxide (Non-patent document 1).
An example of a known process for obtaining 2,3,4-trifluoro-5-bromobenzoic acid is: (iii) a process in which 1-bromo-2,3,4-trifluorobenzene is used as a starting material and subjected to reaction with carbon dioxide at −78° C. in the presence of base for carboxylation (Patent document 1).
Patent document 1: International Patent Publication No. WO 99/01426
Patent document 2: International Patent Publication No. WO 96/02512
Patent document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open SHO 64-66180
Patent document 4: Japanese Patent Publication No. 3573249
Non-patent document 1: Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2001, 2771-2777

Process for production of 2,3,4-trifluoro-5-(iodo or bromo)-benzoic acid


The present invention relates to a lamp structure. The lamp structure is mainly installed inside a cabinet, and by opening the cabinet door will enable the electrical circuit of the lamp structure to be a close circuit; vise versa, closing the cabinet door will result in the open circuit of the electrical circuit of the lamp structure. When the electrical circuit is a close circuit, the light emitting part of the lamp structure will generate light to illuminate the internal space of the cabinet so as clearly view the objects location in the cabinet.

Our everyday lives have become more and more convenient by each day, where we can see significant improvements to what we eat, what we wear, where we live, or how we travel; even still, the limitless human desire will not be easily satiated and we will continue take note of every single inconveniences in our lives in search of quick and easy solutions; as such, cabinets commonly present in homes or offices are usually available for storing things and objects, and are occasionally placed at locations low in visible light; these cabinets usually do not feature lighting equipment and the cabinets that are installed with lighting equipments are usually higher in cost, and some even require external power sockets to be able to utilize the lighting equipments, therefore these cabinets are not practical in reality; in light of this, the inventor after various modifications and research has created the innovative lamp structure.


A method for measuring displacement of a large-range moving platform, comprising: arranging multiple beams of first measuring light parallel to one another and generated by an optical path distribution device and a position sensitive detector array in a certain manner, to ensure that at least one beam of first measuring light is detected by the position sensitive detector array when a moving platform is at any position of a moving area; a detection head array capable of determining whether a light beam is shaded being used for auxiliary measurement of a position of the moving platform; and determining a position of the moving platform that corresponds to the first measuring light measured by the position sensitive detector array, to calculate displacement of the moving platform. The method effectively enlarges a measurement range of the position sensitive detector array, and implements measurement of long range displacement of the moving platform.

A position sensitive detector (PSD: Position Sensitive Detector) is a PIN-type photodiode sensitive to the position of a light spot from the light incident to a photosensitive surface, which photo sensitive detector is consisted of a P layer, an I layer and a N layer by a planar diffusion manufacturing process and is sensitive to an incident light in the two directions perpendicular to the plane of the detector. It is widely used in a non-contact laser displacement detecting system owing to its advantages of a high resolution, good applicability, quick response speed and simple circuit structure in the subsequent processes.
The PSD and CCD are widely used in motion control systems with preciseness of micrometers, and by each of the PSD and CCD, a six-degree-of-freedom displacement of the moving platform is calculated with multiple measurements. They both have advantages and disadvantages. In contrast, the PSD has the advantages of a high resolution, simple circuit structure in the subsequent process, quick response speed and no dead zone, and the disadvantages of poor linearity and limited measurement range. Regarding accuracy and real-time performance, the PSD is more promising.
The range of a moving platform is limited due to the limited measurement range of PSD. Therefore, in a large-range moving system, other displacement sensors (electric eddy current sensors and grating ruler, etc.) are cooperatively used for measurement to improve the measurement range of the PSD measuring system and increase the moving range of the moving platform. However, different types of measuring elements may increase the difficulties of signal communicating and processing.

Method for measuring displacement of large-range moving platform


A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device comprises a multiplicity of droplets of a birefringent, functionally nematic liquid crystal material dispersed in a matrix comprising the reaction product of ultraviolet radiation polymerizable materials. The device specularly transmits incident light as a function of the magnitude of an electric field applied across the device. The difference between a first applied voltage corresponding to a first percentage of the total incident light transmitted by the device as specular light and a second applied voltage corresponding to a second percentage of the total incident light transmitted by the device as specular light is greater than or equal to 15 volts. As a result, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device according to the invention displays a variable grey scale which has a uniform optical transmission. A method for preparing a PDLC device in general is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device (hereinafter referred to as a "PDLC device") and, more particularly, to a PDLC device which is based on an ultraviolet polymerizable matrix. Devices according to the invention display a selectively adjustable, variable transmission of specular light as a function of applied voltage. This invention also relates to a method for preparing PDLC devices generally.
2. Description of the Related Art
PDLC devices generally comprise droplets of a biaxially birefringent, nematic liquid crystal material dispersed in a transparent polymeric matrix. PDLC devices are of interest because they can be electrically controlled or switched between relatively translucent (i.e. light scattering) and relatively transparent (i.e. light transmitting) states. This occurs because the liquid crystal droplets exhibit birefringence. As a result, the droplets strongly scatter light when they are randomly oriented in the matrix and the PDLC devices appear translucent. However, upon the application of either an electric field or a magnetic field, the droplets become aligned along the direction of the electric/magnetic field vector and more directly transmit light. Alternatively, the droplets can be thermally stressed to induce alignment.
If the refractive indices of the liquid crystal material and the polymeric matrix are closely matched while in the field-induced, aligned state, the devices appear transparent. Thus, upon the application of an electric field, a magnetic field, or a thermal stress, PDLC devices switch from a state in which they appear translucent to a state in which they appear transparent. Upon removal of the electric field, the magnetic field, or the thermal stress, the devices revert to a translucent state.
PDLC devices are sometimes described as being switchable between opaque and transparent states. Strictly interpreted, the description of PDLC devices in the "field-off" state as "opaque" is not correct. However, the terms "opaque" and "translucent" have apparently been used synonymously and there seems to be no significant misunderstanding regarding the functional appearance of the devices. More accurately, PDLC devices in the field-off, nonaligned state transmit light, but the light is dispersed to the extent that images viewed through the devices appear cloudy or diffuse. That is, the PDLC devices are translucent. Truly "opaque" devices do not transmit light.
PDLC devices have found use as light valves, filters and shutters. The devices have also been used in information display arrangements where it is desirable to have a sharp, rapidly achieved contrast between the translucent and transparent states for addressing purposes such as is required for multiplexing. By "sharp" it is meant that the devices experience a substantial change in the percentage of light incident upon the device which can be specularly transmitted therethrough for a correspondingly small change in the amount of applied voltage. That is, a small change in the voltage (e.g., a change of less than 10 volts) applied to the device causes the device to switch between the transparent and translucent conditions. By "rapid" it is meant that the time required for the device to switch between the transparent and translucent states is very short (on the order of milliseconds).
It is an objective of most presently known PDLC devices to exist in only one of two extreme states (either translucent-off or transparent-on). These devices do not provide a uniform, variable optical transmission or variable grey scale. Furthermore, these PDLC devices cannot be varied and selectively adjusted from, at one extreme, a translucent off-state (corresponding to about 0% relative transmission) to, at another extreme, a transparent on-state (corresponding to about 100% relative transmission) with an infinite number of intermediate, preferably uniform, specular light transmission levels in between. This inability to provide an infinite number of intermediate light transmission levels is believed to be due, in part, to the objective that the devices switch sharply (i.e., over a small change in voltage) between the translucent and transparent conditions. Thus, the devices tend to exist only in these extreme states.
Variable grey scale PDLC devices would be useful in numerous applications. If provided in the form of thin, flexible sheets, the devices could be applied to motor vehicle sunroofs or side windows so that occupants of the motor vehicle could adjust the PDLC device to regulate the amount of specular light passed therethrough. Similarly, the devices could be applied to architectural windows, sloped glazings, skylights, interior glass partitions and the like to provide glare and/or privacy control for occupants of the building.
PDLC devices and methods for preparing them have been described both in the scientific and patent literature. For example, a device which suggests a variable grey scale is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,261 to McLaughlin et al. and assigned to Taliq Corporation. This patent discloses a shatterproof liquid crystal panel which comprises a pair of transparent boundary surfaces formed of glass or plastic with nematic curvilinearly aligned phase ("NCAP") liquid crystal material disposed therebetween. The NCAP liquid crystal material comprises plural volumes of an optically transparent liquid crystal formed in an optically transparent containment medium such as a polyvinyl alcohol or a latex. The volumes of liquid crystal material may be separate from one another, may be interconnected to one or more volumes, or may include both separate and interconnected volumes. The liquid crystal material may be prepared as an emulsion of liquid crystal and containment medium, the emulsion being subsequently dried (i.e., cured). Alternatively, the liquid crystal material may comprise a plurality of individually formed capsules of liquid crystal in a containment medium. The panel further includes a pair of electrodes and a variable element which can adjust the magnitude of an electric field applied to the liquid crystal material. Reportedly, by varying the magnitude of the electric field applied across the liquid crystal material, the extent to which light is transmitted through the panel may be varied.
The NCAP liquid crystal materials of the McLaughlin et al. patent are made by an emulsion or encapsulation technique which is described more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,047 to Fergason. Emulsion or encapsulation typically involves emulsifying a liquid crystal material with an aqueous phase containing the encapsulating medium, spreading the emulsion onto a substrate, and allowing the aqueous phase to evaporate. Such systems are sensitive to moisture degradation and demand the use of relatively thick, spacer-separated substrates which can be easily coated. For example, FIG. 4 describes a liquid crystal display device which includes a substrate having a thickness of about 10 mils, (including an approximately 200 angstrom thick first electrode), a liquid crystal/encapsulating medium layer approximately 1 mil thick, and an approximately 0.5 mil thick second electrode. Because a water soluble polymer or a polymer emulsified and dispersed in water is employed, the structure presumably has limited water resistance.
The moisture sensitivity of such devices is considered in U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,201 to Pearlman which proposes, as a solution to this problem, that the liquid crystal material be dispersed in a latex medium, the latex medium being obtained by drying a suspension of natural rubbers, synthetic polymers or synthetic copolymers. The liquid crystal/latex blend may be coated onto a substrate and dried.
On the other hand, PDLC devices, such as those disclosed herein involve polymerization-induced phase separation, a technique which offers certain advantages over the emulsion or encapsulation process. Polymerization-induced phase separation is a solvent-free approach which results in the formation of structures which are less moisture-sensitive. Also, polymerization-induced phase separation allows for the production of higher molecular weight matrices which have enhanced structural properties so as to impart certain desired characteristics to the matrix.
In polymerization-induced phase separation, liquid crystal microdroplets spontaneously form in a polymer matrix upon the separation of the liquid crystal and matrix phases. Phase separation is induced by causing the uncured matrix material to polymerize. A polymerization induced-phase separation in which the uncured matrix material polymerizes upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is particularly desirable because these systems are easily handled, do not require two-part formulations (as do epoxy-based systems), and because the phase separation kinetics can be readily controlled by adjusting the process parameters.
An early report of polymerization-induced phase separation is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,337 to Taylor. More recently, U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,547 to Vaz et al. disclosed an optically responsive film comprising liquid crystals dispersed in an UV-curable polymer matrix. Liquid crystal/matrix material was applied between a pair of 20 micron (.mu.) silica microsphere-separated glass plates and then exposed to UV radiation. UV-curable polymer matrices include those based on thiol-ene chemistry. FIG. 1 of the Vaz et al. patent suggests that within the polymer matrix, a uniform distribution of equally sized liquid crystal microdroplets is desirable. Reportedly, the liquid crystal microdroplets should be about 0.1 to 10.mu., preferably 0.5 to 1.mu. in diameter. High intensity UV radiation was used to cure the liquid crystal/matrix system (6 seconds of exposure 3 to 4 inches from a 300 Watt/inch mercury discharge lamp). The film may be used for information displays, light shutters and the like, applications for which a variable grey scale would be undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,509 to Gunjima et al. discloses an optical device in which liquid crystal material is uniformly dispersed in a vinyl group-containing matrix that may be polymerized with UV energy. The liquid crystal/matrix blend is disposed between a pair of electrode-bearing substrates. The patent suggests that mechanical spacers (e.g., glass, plastic or ceramic particles) may be desirably employed to carefully control the distance between the substrate electrodes thereby minimizing irregularities in light transmission due to coating thickness. The devices are useful as large area displays, light controllers and light shutters, applications for which a variable grey scale would be undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,900 to Doane et al. and assigned to Kent State University discloses a light modulating material comprising liquid crystal droplets dispersed in an epoxy or a polyurethane matrix. The light modulating material is disposed intermediate a pair of substrates. The matrix is cured in a phase separation process either thermally, upon exposure to UV light energy, or with a chemical promoter. Relatively thick structures in which the boundary layers (substrates) are separated by spacers and in which equally sized spherical liquid crystal droplets are uniformly dispersed in the matrix are provided.
Thermally-cured epoxy-based polymer matrices are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,673,255 and 4,685,771, each to West et al. and each assigned to Kent State University. None of the aforementioned patents assigned to Kent State University is known to exhibit a uniform, selectively adjustable, variable grey scale but rather are useful in information displays, light shutters, and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,576 to Lacker et al. discloses a PDLC device in which microdroplets of a liquid crystal material are dispersed within a photopolymerizable matrix material. The liquid crystal/matrix blend was applied between a pair of spacer-separated, electrode-coated substrates and cured with UV radiation. An electric field, a magnetic field or a mechanical stress is applied during photopolymerization to partially align the liquid crystal microdroplets. As a result of this partial alignment, the PDLC device performs similarly to known devices but with lower threshold and operating voltages. Lower threshold and operating voltages are typically associated with a sharp transition between the translucent and transparent states which is supported by the failure of FIG. 4 (graphical plots of % transmission v. 100 Hz Signal, rms volts (i.e., voltage)) to describe a variable grey scale PLDC device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,568 to Margerum et al. discloses various PDLC devices comprising microdroplets of a liquid crystal material dispersed in a photopolymerizable matrix and applied between a pair of electrode-coated, spacer-separated substrates. By controlling the conditions of photopolymerization, Margerum et al. can create a variation in the size of the liquid crystal microdroplets. Reportedly, several different types of PDLC films may be obtained by spatially varying the conditions of polymerization over the film so that the sizes of the liquid crystal droplets are also spatially varied. In one approach, the exposure intensity is spatially varied by exposing the film through a mask which has a spatial variation in transmissivity. The mask may be at least partially transmissive over its entire area, thereby enabling substantially the entire film to polymerize at about the same time, but at spatially varying polymerization rates corresponding to the spatial variation in mask transmissivity. Alternatively, polymerization may take place in a two-step process by an exposure with the mask in one step, and an exposure without the mask at a different exposure intensity in another step. This technique is based on the observation by Margerum et al. that liquid crystal droplet size may be reduced by increasing the intensity of the UV radiation.
A representative structure is shown in FIG. 3 which illustrates alternating bands of "large" and "small" liquid crystal droplets which repeat from one edge of the PDLC film to the opposite edge. An alternative structure is shown in FIG. 5 which schematically illustrates a variation in liquid crystal droplet size through a PDLC film from one major planar surface to the other. The resulting PDLC devices have reduced operating voltages relative to those previously known. A reduction in operating voltage is typically associated with a sharp transition between the transparent on-state and the translucent off-state. Consequently, this patent does not disclose a PDLC device which exhibits a variable grey scale.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,495 to Beni et al discloses a refractive index switchable display cell, the opacity of which may be varied by changing the amplitude of an electric field applied across the device. The cell comprises a preformed, commercial porous filter imbibed with a liquid crystal material. (A similar device is disclosed in "New display based on electrically induced index matching in an inhomogeneous medium") Appl. Phys. Lett. 40(1), Jan. 1, 1982 (pp. 22-24) by H. G. Craighead et al. The preformed filter serves as a spacer and the device is described as "providing a gray scale.")
Interest in PDLC devices has spawned a spate of technical and academic articles. For example, "Response Times and Voltages for PDLC Light Shutters," Liquid Crystals, 1989, Vol. 5, No. 5, pp. 1453-65 by B.-G. Wu et al. notes that the type of polymer matrix can dramatically influence the switching voltage (the applied voltage differential required to transition the PDLC device between the translucent off-state and the transparent on-state). A PDLC device employing a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix may have a switching voltage of about 200 volts (V), while an identical device reportedly having the same droplet size and shape but using an epoxy matrix may have a switching voltage of 20 V. These observations were based on a system using a liquid crystal material and poly(methyl methacrylate) in a 1:2 ratio by weight. The mixture was applied between a pair of spacer-separated, electrode-coated substrates.
"Droplet Size Control in Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films," SPIE, Vol. 1080, Liquid Crystal Chemistry, Physics and Applications (1989), pp. 53-61 by A. M. Lackner et al. teaches the formation of PDLC devices comprising liquid crystal droplets dispersed in an UV-curable thiol-ene matrix, the liquid crystal/matrix system being applied between a pair of spacer-separated, electrode-coated substrates. Liquid crystal droplet size was reduced by increasing the intensity of the UV radiation. At an intensity of approximately 13 milliwatts/sq. cm (mW/cm.sup.2), a droplet diameter of about 1.0.mu. was achieved. The PDLC devices are not reported as exhibiting a variable grey scale.
"A Light Control Film Composed of Liquid Crystal Droplets Dispersed in an UV-Curable Polymer," Liquid Crystal, 1987, Vol. 146, pp. 1-15 by N. A. Vaz et al. discloses a PDLC device comprising submicron size liquid crystal droplets uniformly dispersed in an UV-curable matrix. The photomicrograph of FIG. 1 appears to show liquid crystal droplets of substantially equal size. The liquid crystal/uncured matrix material is disposed between a pair of spacer-separated, electrode-coated substrates and cured by exposure to UV radiation of 85 mW/cm.sup.2 intensity (50% uncertainty). PDLC film thickness was typically 27 to 30.mu.. The devices are useful for displays and light shutters but do not otherwise exhibit a variable grey scale. The discussion on pages 6 and 7 of the article suggests that the performance of the device illustrated in FIG. 2 has not been optimized and that it would be desirable to have a sharper transition (i.e., the transition between the translucent off-state and the transparent on-state should occur over a smaller voltage range).
"Morphological control in polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film matrices" by F. G. Yamagishi et al., SPIE Vol. 1080, Liquid Crystal Chemistry, Physics and Applications (1989), pp. 24-28 discloses the preparation of a PDLC device comprising liquid crystal droplets dispersed in a polymerizable matrix. The liquid crystal/uncured matrix blend was applied between a pair of electrode-coated, spacer-separated substrates and cured using UV radiation in the range of 60 mW/cm.sup.2. Some of the devices obtained by Yamagishi et al. displayed a "polymer ball" morphology in which domains of a polymeric material are understood to be dispersed in a continuous liquid crystal phase. There is no indication that any of the resulting devices which comprise liquid crystal droplets dispersed in a polymer matrix exhibit a variable grey scale.
It is desirable in certain applications to have PDLC devices which display a variable grey scale. Presently known PDLC devices which suggest the possible objective of a variable grey scale employ emulsion/encapsulation formation techniques; however, these techniques suffer from certain undesirable limitations. The formation of PDLC devices using phase separation and an UV-polymerizable matrix is advantageous. However, presently known PDLC devices which make use of such techniques do not exhibit a variable grey scale. Consequently, there is a need for a PDLC device which exhibits a variable grey scale and which employs an UV-polymerizable matrix.
Moreover, in the presently known methods for producing PDLC devices based on an UV-polymerizable matrix material, the matrix material is typically cured (polymerized) by exposing the uncured matrix material to relatively high intensity UV radiation sources, for example, medium or high pressure mercury or mercury/xenon lamps. Such radiation sources can become quite hot during operation, necessitating the use of elaborate and expensive cooling and temperature control systems. Such radiation sources have also been associated with certain maintenance problems. Accordingly, it would be desirable if PDLC devices could be produced in a method which utilizes relatively low intensity UV radiation to cure the uncured polymer matrix material.

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device having an ultraviolet-polymerizable matrix and a variable optical transmission and a method for preparing same

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


An age sensor including a transfer gate formed on a substrate, a photoelectric conversion region formed on a side of the transfer gate, a floating diffusion region with a trench formed on another side of the transfer gate, a barrier layer which covers a bottom of the trench and a conducting layer, which is gap-filled in the trench.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a semiconductor design technology, and more particularly, to an image sensor and a method for fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image sensor is a semiconductor element which changes a photonic image into an electrical signal. Image sensors generally include a plurality of pixels that are arranged in the shape of a two-dimensional matrix. Each of the pixels contains a photoelectric conversion region that generates a photo-charge in response to incident light and uses the photo-charge outputs to output a pixel signal.
However, conventional image sensors generate unwanted photo-charges in regions other than the photoelectric conversion region. The unwanted photo-charges cause noise in the pixel signal resulting in an increased signal to noise ratio and deteriorated image sensor characteristics.

Image sensor and method for fabricating the same


An automatic charge hearth access door assembly for a melting furnace includes an access door movable between a closed position for covering a furnace opening located on a face of the furnace and an opened position for providing access to the furnace opening. A latch mechanism is configured to automatically secure the access door to the face of the furnace in the closed position. An open-and-close drive assembly includes a motor and arm operably connected to the motor. The open-and-close drive assembly is configured to automatically move the access door relative to the face of the furnace between the closed position and opened position and simultaneously move the access door relative to the arm.

Melting furnaces in die cast are used to melt aluminum to produce engine block and head castings. The furnaces have a front door and back access doors to clean the refractory and remove impurities from the aluminum. The front door typically has an automatic lift hoist to open and close the door, but the rear access doors are generally opened, closed, clamped and unclamped manually. The normal push/pull force, as designed by the furnace manufacturer, is about 60 pounds per door based on performed measurements. There is also pushing and pull forces attributed to the manual locking clamps. However, the typical operator cannot assert enough force to hold the door tightly closed resulting in heat loss and damage of the rear plate. Further, for safety concerns, there is a need to prevent the operator from physically contacting the door to open it and to prevent the operator from being in the general area of the furnace while the rear access doors are opening.

Automatic charge hearth access door assembly


In order to provide scales, comprising a weighed-product receiving region and a terminal positioned at a vertical spacing from the weighed-product receiving region, that are easy to operate, it is proposed that at least one camera with a field of view towards the weighed-product receiving region is disposed on the terminal.

The invention relates to scales, comprising a weighed-product receiving region and a terminal positioned at a vertical spacing from the weighed-product receiving region.
Such scales are used in particular as shop scales for operation by a salesperson or as self-service scales.
Shop scales, which comprise a support base having a weighing apparatus as well as a terminal having a display device and disposed on a pillar at a vertical spacing from the support base, is known from DE 102 42 147 A1.