A multiple-optical scanner includes an optical source that produces a plurality of optical beams such that the plurality of optical beams cross each other substantially at a location of a rotary polygonal mirror when viewed in a direction of a rotational axis of the rotary polygonal mirror.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to optical recording of information and more particularly to a multiple-beam optical recording system for recording information by means of a plurality of optical beams.
2. Discussion of Background
Optical scanners are used extensively for recording images in image recording apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, scanners, and the like. Further, optical scanners are usable for various measuring purposes as well as for display devices. In order to improve the efficiency of scanning, multiple-beam optical scanners are proposed in which a plurality of optical beams are used for scanning an image formation surface simultaneously.
In a typical multiple-beam optical scanner, a plurality of optical beams each produced by an optical source such as a laser diode, are assembled with each other with minute mutual inclination angles for respective optical paths in a vertical scanning direction, such that an array of optical dots aligned in the vertical scanning direction is formed on a recording surface, after deflection and focusing of the optical beams by an optical deflector. The optical dots thus formed scan the recording surface simultaneously in a horizontal scanning direction in response to the deflection of the optical beams.
Such conventional multiple-beam optical scanners are, while capable of scanning the recording surface efficiently, have various problems associated with the use of two or more optical beams.
An example of such a multiple-beam optical scanner is known according to the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication 7-209596 corresponding to the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/174,197, which describes a system in which two laser diodes disposed with a mutual separation of 25 .mu.m in the vertical scanning direction are used for the optical source. Hereinafter, the foregoing prior art will be designated as "first prior art."
In the first prior art, the optical beams produced by the laser diodes are then deflected by the same mirror surface of a rotary polygonal mirror and are exited parallel in the vertical scanning direction. Thereby, the two optical beams are in a telecentric relationship in the vertical scanning direction, and the two optical beams scan the recording surface simultaneously over a length of 302.8 mm in the horizontal scanning direction with a mutual separation of 127 .mu.m in the vertical scanning direction. As the two optical beams are telecentric in the vertical scanning direction, the "differential scan line bow" between two scanning lines formed simultaneously by the foregoing two optical beams, is suppressed within a limit of 3-5 .mu.m. The differential scan line bow will be explained in more detail in later.
Further, the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication 5-127111, designated hereinafter as "second prior art," describes another multiple-beam optical scanner in which a rotary deflector carrying polygonal facets is disposed before a location where the multiple optical beams cross each other, for reducing the size of the polygonal mirror facets. The optical beams deflected by the rotary deflector are then focused upon a recording surface.
In such multiple-beam optical scanners applied to an image recording apparatus for recording images as a result of scanning of the optical beams over a recording surface, there occurs a problem of distortion of the recorded image on the recording surface when the optical beams are deviated in position on the recording surface in the horizontal scanning direction. Such a distortion occurs when there is an error in the shape, composition or alignment of the optical components in the image recording apparatus. Further, such a distortion occurs also as a result of change of the environmental temperature.
Thus, in order to eliminate the problem of image distortion, conventional image recording apparatuses generally use optical sensors for detecting the timing of scanning of the optical beams in the horizontal scanning direction. Such optical sensors are disposed in the vicinity of the image recording surface, and the recording of image by the optical beams is carried out in synchronization with the output of the optical sensors for avoiding the distortion of the images.
In the foregoing multiple-beam scanner of the first prior art, it should be noted that the optical beams are caused to scan over the recording surface in the horizontal scanning direction such that the optical beams, while being separated from each other in the vertical scanning direction by a distance of about 127 .mu.m, hit the respective scanning points having the same location as measured in the horizontal scanning direction. In other words, the optical beam spots formed on the recording surface by the optical beams are aligned in the vertical scanning direction in the first prior art. As the optical beams are separated only by the distance of 127 .mu.m, the multiple-beam optical scanner of the first prior art is difficult to use different optical sensors for detecting the timing of scanning of the optical beams separately.
On the other hand, there is a proposal to set the path of the optical beams to be offset from each other also in the horizontal scanning direction for facilitating the timing detection of the optical beams by using separate optical sensors as proposed in the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication 56-67277, which will be designated as "third prior art."
According to the third prior art, a laser diode array including a plurality of laser diodes forming a monolithic optical integrated circuit is used as the optical source, wherein the laser diode array is set with a tilting such that the laser diodes in the array are aligned in an oblique direction with respect to a rotational axis of the rotary polygonal deflector. Thereby, the optical beam spots formed on the recording surface are aligned obliquely to the horizontal scanning direction, and the optical beam spots are separated from each other on the recording surface in the horizontal scanning direction by a distance of 3.75 mm. Thus, the third prior art allows the separate detection of the timing of the optical beams by using separate optical sensors.
In the multiple-beam optical scanner of the second prior art and the third prior art, in which the optical beams are offset in the horizontal scanning direction, it should be noted that the optical beams reach the scanning points on the recording surface along respective optical paths that pass different locations of the optical elements disposed between the rotary deflector and the recording surface.
In an optical image recording apparatus that uses a finely focused optical beam for scanning over an image recording surface one-dimensionally in the horizontal scanning direction, each location of an optical element forming the image recording apparatus corresponds to a scanning point on the image recording surface. In other words, a ray forming a part of the finely focused optical beam reaches a predetermined scanning point on the image recording surface after passing through respective locations of the optical elements corresponding to the scanning point. Thus, the optical elements of such optical image recording apparatuses are optimized with respect to the shape, position, and the like, such that the ray forming the horizontally scanning optical beam reaches the predetermined scanning points consecutively and exactly.
When the multiple-beam optical scanner of the foregoing second or third prior art is applied to such an image recording apparatus, in which the optical beams pass respective paths offset in the horizontal as well as vertical scanning directions, the reflection or refraction caused by the optical elements may be different between the different optical beams. Such a difference in the optical path of the horizontally scanning optical beams causes the problem of the foregoing differential scan line bow.
Hereinafter, the foregoing problem of differential scan line bow will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 1 showing an optical system used in an optical image recording apparatus disclosed for example in a Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication 6-123844. It should be noted that the optical system of FIG. 1 itself is designed for recording an image on a recording surface by means of a single optical beam.
Referring to the drawings, the optical system includes a laser diode 1 acting as an optical source for producing an optical beam, wherein the optical beam is caused to pass through a collimator lens 2 and a cylindrical lens 3 and hits a rotary polygonal deflector 4. The rotary polygonal deflector 4 causes a deflection of the optical beam incident thereto, and the optical beam produced as a result of the deflection reaches a recording surface 7 after reflection by a focusing mirror 5 and refraction by a cylindrical lens 8. As a result of the rotation of the polygonal deflector 4, the optical beam scans over the recording surface in the horizontal scanning direction coincident to the direction indicated by a Y-axis in FIG. 1. It should be noted that the vertical scanning direction is coincident to the X-direction on the recording surface 7.
When the multiple-beam optical scanner of the foregoing second or third prior art is applied to the optical system of FIG. 1, two optical beams C1 and C2 scan over the recording surface 7 in the horizontal scanning direction as indicated in FIG. 2, wherein it should be noted that FIG. 2 shows the optical beams C1 and C2 at respective different instances chosen such that the optical beam C2 hits the same horizontal scanning position or Y-coordinate which is previously reached by the optical beam C1. When the optical beams C1 and C2 are compared at the same instance, the horizontal scanning position of the optical beam C1 is different from the horizontal scanning position of the optical beam C2 on the recording surface 7, and the separate detection of timing of the optical beams C1 and C2 is achieved easily by using separate optical sensors.
On the other hand, the relationship of FIG. 2 clearly indicates that the angle of incidence of the optical beam C2 to the rotary polygonal deflector 4 is different from the angle of incidence of the optical beam C1 at the moment or instance when the optical beam C2 hits the same scanning point which is hit previously by the beam C1. It should be noted that there is formed a cross angle 2.DELTA..alpha. between the optical beam C1 and the optical beam C2. Thus, the optical beam C2 reaching the same scanning point on the recording surface 7 hit previously by the optical beam C1 travels along a path different from the path of the optical beam C1. This means that the optical beam C2 passes the focusing mirror 5 as well as the cylindrical lens 8 at a location different from the location which the optical beam C1 has passed. As a result of such a different in the optical path between the optical beams C1 and C2, there appears a differential scan line bow as indicated in FIG. 3.
Referring to FIG. 3 showing the scanning lines formed by the optical beams C1 and C2, it will be noted that each of the scanning lines has an undulated shape in the vertical scanning direction or Z-direction, wherein the shape for the scanning line C1 is not exactly analogous to the shape of the scanning line C2. In other words, the scanning line drawn by the optical beam C2 is not a mere translation of the scanning line drawn by the optical beam C1. This net difference between the two scanning lines.
The reason of such a differential scan line bow is attributed to the fact that the focusing mirror 5 is slightly curled about an axis parallel to the horizontal scanning direction or the Y-direction. Further, the optical beams C1 and C2 are directed so as to hit the mirror 5 at respective points that are offset with each other in the vertical scanning direction or the z-direction, in order to secure a sufficient separation in the vertical scanning direction on the recording surface 7.
FIG. 4A shows the scanning of the optical beams C1 and C2 over the mirror 5, wherein the point designated by "1" designates the beam spot formed by the beam C1 while the point designated by "2" designates the beam spot formed by the beam C2. Both of the spots "1" and "2" form respective, mutually parallel arcuate paths on the mirror 5, wherein it should be noted that the timing of the scanning is slightly different between the optical beam C1 and the optical beam C2. It should be noted that FIG. 4A shows the spot "1" and the associated spot "2" at a common instance, contrary to the representation of FIG. 2 that shows the beams C1 and C2 at different instances. In FIG. 2, the set of the spot "1" and the spot "2" moves in the Y-direction with time as the time increases from t.sub.1 to t.sub.7.
Referring to FIG. 4A, it should be noted that the separation between the beam spot "1" and the beam spot "2" in the vertical scanning direction changes with time due to the difference in the timing of the beam spots "1" and "2" on the mirror surface 5. As a result, the vertical separation between the beam spots "1" and "2" changes with the progress of scanning as indicated in FIG. 4B. Such a differential scan line bow can reach as much as 30 .mu.m, while this value of the differential scan line bow is substantial in view of the pitch of 63.5 .mu.m of the horizontal scanning lines formed by the optical beams C1 and C2.
The foregoing problem of the differential scan line bow can be eliminated by a construction proposal in the Japanese Patent Publication 64-10805 that uses use a laser diode array including laser diode elements aligned in the horizontal scanning direction, for the optical source as indicated in FIG. 5. The reference will be designated hereinafter as "fourth prior art."
Referring to FIG. 5, the optical system of the fourth prior art includes a laser diode array 51 including a plurality of laser diode elements disposed with a mutual pitch of about 100 .mu.m in the plane parallel to the plane of scanning of the optical beams. Further, the laser diode elements may be disposed with a slight mutual offset in the vertical scanning direction. The optical beams thus produced are then passed through an afocal collimating lens 52 and focused upon the recording surface 58 via a cylindrical lens 57 after deflection by a rotary polygonal deflector 56 that carries thereon mirror facets 56a.
The optical system of the fourth prior art further includes an optical system 55 between the lens 52 and the deflector 56, such that an exit pupil 54 of the lens 52 becomes conjugate to the mirror facet 56a of the rotary polygonal mirror 56 within the plane parallel to the horizontal scanning caused by the optical beams c1 and c2. The optical system 55 thereby acts as a demagnifying optical system.
It should be noted that the foregoing forth prior art merely intends to use the optical system 55 so as to reduce the diameter of the polygonal mirror that forms the optical deflector 56. On the other hand, the construction of FIG. 5 unintentionally realizes an arrangement of the optical elements such that the optical beams produced by the laser diode array 51 pass, after deflection by the deflector 56, through substantially the same optical path when the optical beams are directed to the same horizontal scanning position of the recording surface 58. Thus, the construction of FIG. 5 can successfully minimize the foregoing problem of the differential scan line bow.
On the other hand, the construction of FIG. 5 requires the optical system 55 between the afocal collimating optical system 52 and the deflector 56 as noted already, while use of such an optical system 55 requires a substantial space in the image recording apparatus. Further, use of such an optical system inevitably increases the cost of the image recording apparatus.

Multiple-beam optical recording apparatus


A word line driving circuit includes a read voltage generator and a word line driver. The read voltage generator precharges a clamp capacitor with a power supply voltage to stably generate a read voltage in response to a read command. A capacitance of the clamp capacitor is varied to compensate for a fluctuation of a power supply voltage level. The word line driver distributes electric charges precharged in the clamp capacitor to a word line in response to a word line selecting signal. Therefore, the word line driving circuit reduces unnecessary power consumption in a standby mode by operating the word line rapidly with charge sharing in a read mode.

1. Field of the Invention
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a circuit and a method of driving a word line, and more particularly to a circuit and a method of driving a word line in a read mode of a nonvolatile memory device embedded on a System-on-Chip (SoC).
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, it is desirable for a portable device, for example, a mobile terminal, to be light, small and relatively simple. Thus, a System-on-Chip (SoC) technique, which may implement a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a memory, etc. on one chip, has been adapted for use in conventional portable devices, for example, mobile terminals. The memory implemented on a SoC generally includes a nonvolatile memory, for example, a flash memory, as well as volatile memory, for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM). A flash memory may used to safely store data, for example, identification code values, that are encoded and/or decoded for communication security even when a power supply is deactivated due to, for example, an exhausted battery, etc.
In conventional devices, a NOR-type flash memory having a high speed is generally used as the flash memory implemented on a SoC.
Such a flash memory may have three operation modes, e.g., an erase mode, a program mode and a read mode. Voltage levels applied into a cell may differ depending on the operation mode of the flash memory. Thus, a word line voltage, which may be applied into each cell, may be varied depending on the operation mode.
A constant read voltage (for example, about 2.6 V), which may maximize a difference between an on-cell current and an off-cell current, may be used and/or required for a flash memory to accurately detect an on-cell and an off-cell during a read operation.
A read voltage should maintain a substantially constant voltage level that is relatively insensitive to fluctuations of an external power source, temperature fluctuations and process variations; because a fluctuation of the read voltage may cause an incorrect reading of the on-cell and the off-cell. Thus, generally, the read voltage is generated from an internal read voltage generator, which may be relatively unaffected by fluctuations of an external power source, temperature fluctuations and process variations.
A conventional read voltage generator may compare a reference voltage and a read voltage by a constant resistance ratio to maintain a substantially constant level of voltages. However, due to characteristics of circuit operations, a setting time greater than about 200 ns may be required. Thus, in a case where the read voltage is generated after a read command, a conventional read voltage generator may not satisfy a flash memory access time, which may be about 50 ns.
Therefore, a conventional read voltage generator is typically operated during a standby mode and may generate a prescribed read voltage in advance. However, this conventional process may result in increased power consumption during the standby mode.

Circuit and method of driving a word line by changing the capacitance of a clamp capacitor to compensate for a fluctuation of a power supply voltage level


A tool for extracting headed nails includes pliers having a handle, a locking lever and first and second pivotally connected jaws each with distal ends, the pliers having an open position wherein the handle and locking lever are disposed apart from each other and the distal ends of the jaws are disposed apart from each other and having a grasping position wherein the handle and the locking lever are disposed toward each other and the distal ends of the jaws are disposed adjacent each other; a slide hammer mechanism including a rod having first and second ends and a hammer member mounted to slide along the rod; and wherein the rod is connected at the first end with the pliers and has a stop at the second end; and, wherein the jaws each define a face at their distal ends and the faces each define a centrally disposed semi-circular cut-out for receiving the shank of a nail therein.

A variety of structures such as pole barns are constructed using corrugated steel or fiberglass as the roofing and/or siding material. In a number of these structures, the corrugated material is affixed to the underlying wood frame with roofing nails. Over time, the once firmly seated nails loosen, creating a gap between the nail and the corrugated material significant to allow water to seep through. As a result, the wood frame close to the loosened nail can rot and weaken. In severe cases, an active drip occurs.
To correct this problem, caulking is sometimes applied around the exterior of the nail, but such action is usually only temporary. The loosened nail may be pounded back into place, but its loosening is usually with respect to the underlying wood frame and, once loosened, the nail will soon unseat itself again and allow the leakage to reoccur. More typically, the nails are removed and replaced with a longer nail or a nail with a rubber gasket or seal. In other instances, the loosened nail is replaced with a screw, with or without a gasket, which is much less likely to later loosen and permit a leak.
In each of these cases, the loosened nail must first be removed, and such removal is typically done with a conventional tool such as a claw hammer, small wrecking bar, tack puller or pliers. In some instances, each of these tools may pull the problem nail without difficulty. On many occasions, however, any one or all of these tools will fail to adequately grip the nail, the head of which may then bend or break off, leaving a deformed nail that is now even more difficult to remove. On still other occasions, the underlying corrugated material has become somewhat brittle, especially after years of exposure to extreme weather conditions. As a result, use of one of these conventional tools will often crack or deform the corrugated material, thus creating a bigger hole or worse leak than before.
What is needed is a device for facilitating the extraction of roofing nails and the like from a material, particularly corrugated steel or fiberglass, which minimizes the risk of damage to such material.


The motor driving device includes a first function of supplying power to a motor so that the motor generates a driving force to drive a driven member, a second function of detecting a current flowing through the motor, a third function of performing a power supply control in order that a value of the current detected by the second function is maintained within a target range, a fourth function of performing a power supply operation in which the motor is supplied with power for a predetermined time period which is short enough to avoid the driven member from being driven by the motor, before the third function performs the power supply control, and a fifth function of making a judgment on a state of each of the first to third functions on the basis of the value of the current detected by the second function during the predetermined time period.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor driving device for controlling a driving state of a motor used in a fail-safe designed system, and to a method of judging a state of the motor driving device.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known to design a system in fail-safe structure so that the system always operates on the safe side when there occurs any fault in the components constituting the system. As such a system (may be referred to as "fatal system" hereinafter), there are a pre-crash safety system, and an electric power steering system, for example.
Each of the pre-crash safety system and the electric power steering system includes a motor to drive a certain member, and a motor driving device which controls a driving state of the motor. Generally, the motor driving device includes a driver circuit to supply power to the motor, a current detecting circuit to detect a value of a current flowing through the motor, an over-current detecting circuit to detect an over-current in the motor and output a stop signal when an over-current is detected, and a microcomputer to control the driver circuit in accordance with output signals from the current detecting circuit and the over-current detecting circuit.
Such a motor driving device, which is required to have high reliability because it is used in a fatal system, is configured to perform a state inspection to make a judgment whether or not there is any fault therein when it starts to operate. It is desirable that the state inspection is performed while the motor is actually driving a driven member in terms of accuracy of the state inspection. However, in this case, since the driven member moves at a timing which is not anticipated by the user of the system, the user may have a feeling of concern.
Accordingly, there has been developed a motor driving device which includes an additional circuit (or additional signal path) for enabling the microcomputer thereof to apply false signals to the driver circuit and the over-current detecting circuit thereof in order to bring them in the same state as the starting state of the motor without actually driving the motor. In this motor driving device provided with the additional circuit, each of its components such as the driver circuit and the current detecting circuit is subjected to the state inspection individually one by one. For more details, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 11-314573, for example.
However, this motor driving device has problems in that its manufacturing cost and size are large because of the provision of the additional circuit, and that even when there occurs a fault only in the additional circuit, it is judged that there is a fault in at least one of the components of the motor driving device.

Motor driving device and method for making judgment on state of motor driving device


The present invention relates to a biodegradable composition for the preparation of table-ware, mulching film and package, which comprises: 2-6% by weight of starch; 35-45% by weight of plant powders; 20-30% by weight of calcium carbonate; 2-7% by weight of sorbitol; 7-13% by weight of polypropylene; 2-5% by weight of polyethylene; 2-6% by weight of coupling agent; 1-2% by weight of defoamer; 2-5% by weight of stearic acid; 2-6% by weight of stearate; 3-6% by weight of glycerine or epoxidized soybean oil; and 60-100 ppm photosensitizer. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the composition, which comprises: treating a plant waste with a diluent acid, drying and pulverizing, then mixing it with starch, polypropylene, and polyethylene, sorbitol, defoamer, coupling agent, stearic acid, stearate, glycerine and photosensitizer homogeneously; and blending the mixture obtained in a double-screw extruder at a temperature of 160-180° C. to obtain the composition of the present invention.

With the development of modern industry, especially the rapid development of petroleum chemical engineering, many synthetic resins and plastic articles with good properties and low costs have been provided for industrial and agricultural production. The use of plastic film, foamed plastic articles (for example, package materials, etc) and plastic sheets in many fields has greatly promoted industrial and agricultural production and has enriched people's daily lives. However, after use, this plastic waste is usually abandoned and discarded on the ground, in rivers, in mountains, in the streets and in parks. This seriously pollutes the environment, producing one of the most harmful types of environmental pollution: "white pollution." In recent years, many countries have made laws to restrict the use of plastic films and foamed plastics in order to reduce "white pollution." In addition, great efforts have been made to develop various kinds of degradable resins and plastic articles.
With today's fast-paced lifestyle, many people favor the convenience of snack foods more and more. These snack foods require a lot of tableware and drink containers, which, in the past, have been made of foamed plastics that are harmful to human body and the environment at high temperatures. These foamed plastics are now prohibited, and people have tried producing tableware and drink containers using other, less harmful materials. People have tried producing paper tableware and paper drink containers as an alternative to foamed plastics, but these paper containers have complex production procedures and high costs. People have also tried to use plastics material and modified starch (instead of foamed plastic) to produce the tableware and drink containers for snack foods, but the plastics material and modified starch have low biodegradability, high costs and possible secondary pollution.
Similarly, plastic films, foamed plastic articles (for example, package materials, etc) and plastic sheets (extruded sheet products) have the same problems as the tableware and drink containers made from paper and plastics material and modified starch.

Biodegradable composition for the preparation of tableware, drink container, mulching film and package and method for preparing the same


Method and apparatus for monitoring health as related to immune system function, and for measuring the effects of toxins and other stresses. A method for pre-screening drugs for the pharmaceutical pipeline. A method for using an Immunogram as a research tool. A method for preparing compounds or drugs for treatment, therapy, or cure of diseases.

The immune and oxygen system is a vital part of the body's functions and defense mechanism against illness and disease for animals and humans. Really any living thing, including plants and microorganisms utilize an internal system for combating stress and adversity. This system's ability to respond to disease, supply energy to tissues, detoxify the body against pollution and drugs, conduct neuromuscular signaling, etc., varies from individual to individual and from day to day within the same individual. This system will be briefly referred to herein as "the immune system."
For example, a patient suffering from Hepatitis C, cancer, other disease, or even a physical or psychological stress, may have a taxed immune system. Certain immunotherapy drugs designed to boost or modulate the immune system, such as Interferon for Hepatitis C, or cytokines and/or activated T-cells for cancer, help the individual's immune system to fight a given disease. Interferon, for example, can help an individual fight Hepatitis C. However, not all individuals respond to the same extent to immunotherapy.
The distinction among responses to immunotherapy was shown in a clinical study for evaluating Hepatitis C patients on Interferon treatment, as approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. In summary of this study, the existence of non-responders to Interferon treatment of Hepatitis C patients is well known. A review is provided by Dr. William M. Lee at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Lee and colleagues at nine other institutions worked on the HALT-C study from 2002-2007. This study points out that there are 50-60% of non-responders to Interferon plus ribavirin treatment. These non-responders are furthermore non-responsive to long-term Interferon maintenance strategies in the sense that there is no significant difference in the rate of progression of liver disease between non-responders on Interferon and non-responders not on Interferon maintenance. The question that arises from this work is: Why is there a difference between responders and non-responders?
Hinshaw, Sofer, and coworkers (Am. J. Physiol Heart Cir. Phys: H742-750 (1980)) found when studying an extracorporeal blood recirculation system in canine endotoxic shock models, that the shear stress generated by the extracorporeal pump circulation system led to autoanticoagulation. That is, stressed blood would not clot, in the absence of external anticoagulants such as heparin, even in a vigorously agitated blood circulation system. They further isolated from stressed blood, HLF, a heparin-like factor (please see reference to bNOS below), which was shown to prevent clotting. Hinshaw and coworkers (Circ. Shock 1979; 6(3)261-9) also noted that such stressed blood in canines led to a 'cure' in the dogs, the autoanticoagulated dogs, were resistant to shock when injected with bacterial endotoxin.
The inventor here, Sofer, pursued this problem as a New Jersey State Sponsored Research Professor of Biotechnology, and discovered MOPs, or molecular oxygen peaks (not radical oxygen species) emanating from blood that were generated from stressed blood (Comparative Haematology International (1999) 9:68-71). Other published works based on thousands of runs by Sofer's NJIT Biotechnology group reinforce the presence of oxygen peaks generated by many other types of stress: chemical, thermal, pH, etc. The questions that arise here are: Where does the oxygen from the MOPs come from, in view of the fact that the MOPs are generated from blood at zero oxygen concentration, where the hemoglobin equilibrium oxygen content is zero? Why does stress release this oxygen? Why does stress strengthen the immune system against bacterial endotoxin attack? These questions were not clarified by these researchers.
While Sofer's group acknowledged the possibility that the probe they used for oxygen measurements may also read Nitric Oxide or H2S or other compounds, they did not consider the combined action of oxygen with these compounds, nor did they postulate the existence of NO- or other-reservoirs.
In a thorough review of the literature of NO, Pieper (Hypertension. 1998; 31:1047-1060.) Galen M. Pieper, Review of Alterations in Endothelial Nitric Oxide Production in Diabetes) does not teach that oxygen or NO or others are present in reservoirs, nor does he propose their combined actions. Furthermore, this review fails to consider the rates of change of the concentrations of these materials as a function of time, i.e., the slopes of curves relating to rates of reaction. He points out the inconclusiveness of NO science with respect to many of the major diseases.
Maltepe and Sougstad (Maltepe, Emin; Saugstad, Ola Didrik, Oxygen in Health and Disease: Regulation of Oxygen Homeostasis-Clinical Implications Pediatric Research: March 2009—Volume 65—Issue 3—pp 261-268) offer a detailed review of the role of oxygen in health and disease. They do not consider oxygen or NO or other reservoirs, or their combined actions. Any of the foregoing references cited in the background are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
Thus there is a need for a way to assess or quantify the ability of an individual's immune system to ward off disease and to respond to immune system-boosting drugs such as Interferon.

Immune and oxygen system measuring and drug screening method and apparatus


Topical search engines can add contextual keywords to an input query to bias results toward a particular topic or domain. In one instance, query context models can be constructed to facilitate topical search. Upon receipt of one or more topic-relevant sites, a plurality of topical queries can identified automatically. Contextual keywords can be identified with respect to the plurality of topical queries as a function of lexical generality, among other things. Subsequently, a query context model, comprising the identified topical queries and related contextual keywords, can be employed to restrict query results to a particular topic.

Search engines are utilized to maximize the likelihood of locating relevant information amongst an abundance of data. For instance, search engines are often employed over the World Wide Web (a.k.a. web) to facilitate locating and accessing websites of interest as a function of a search query comprising one or more keywords and operators. Upon receipt of a query, the search engine retrieves a list of websites that match the query, generates a snippet of text associated with the websites, and displays the websites and text, typically ranked based on relevance. The user can thereafter scroll through a plurality of returned websites in an attempt to identify information of interest. However, this can be an extremely time-consuming and frustrating process since search engines can return a substantial amount of content that often is irrelevant to a user's intent.
One way to address the substantial amount of content returned by search engines is to restrict search to a set of relevant websites, which can be accomplished in a variety of ways including site search and custom search engines (CSE). Site search is typically realized using custom search engines by restricting web search results to one or more sites. This behavior is often harnessed by using a "site" query operator on a search engine. For example, the query "flash site:abc.com" returns web pages from "abc.com" that match the query term "flash." Further, some custom search engines permit users to manually specify a set of relevant websites and filter result sets to return only pages from these sites, and also allow for fixed keywords to be added to query terms before a search is issued.

Topical search engines and query context models


A method for determining an individual's intensity of focused attention, comprising the steps of: obtaining a representative frontal lobe brainwave signal from at least one first sensor in an electrically connective relation to the individual's frontal lobe; obtaining a representative reference signal from at least one second sensor in an electrically connective relation to a more electrically-neutral location; subtracting the representative reference signal from the representative frontal lobe brainwave signal to produce a difference frontal lobe brainwave signal, and processing the difference frontal lobe brainwave signal to produce an Attention Indicator signal indicative of the individual's intensity of focused attention, where the Attention Indicator signal is inversely proportional to any mathematical transformation of an amplitude measure of the difference frontal lobe brainwave signal; inputting the Attention Indicator signal to a device; and, repeating these steps, as desired. The mathematical transformation can relate to amplitude, power or any linear, logarithmic or exponential transformation thereof.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for determining an individual's intensity of focused attention, concentration and/or interest by measuring at least one signal emitted from the individual's body, such as, for example, from the individual's head, and generally from the frontal lobe of the brain. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for determining an individual's intensity of focused attention by measuring at least one signal emitted from the individual's body wherein the signal emitted therefrom is processed and integrated as an attention indicator into a computer program, such as a video game, so that additional input is provided thereby. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a new method for detecting a user's concentration, interest, and/or single-pointed focus of attention.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The brain produces electrical signals from at least 0-40 Hertz ("Hz"), which are measurable from the scalp. These signals constitute the EEG or electroencephalogram. All the previous patents and inventions related to EEG have been based upon an intellectual framework that specified that signals from about 0-4 Hz often indicate a deep sleep state (the so-called, "delta" range); signals from about 4-8 Hz indicate a reverie or daydreaming state (the so-called, "theta" range); signals from about 8-13 Hz indicate an alert, but less mentally busy state (the so-called, "alpha" range); and, signals above 13 Hz indicate a vigilant state (the so-called, "beta" range).
While this may be true of signals measured from a majority of the cortex, this invention is based on the first applicant's research, which indicates that an additional phenomenon can be reliably demonstrated in the frontal and fronto-central midline portions of the brain surrounding the sites labeled FCz, Fz, AFz and FPz by electroencephalogrophers. In these areas, which overlie portions of the Executive Attention Network, attention focused on an object causes all of these organized brainwave patterns to diminish in intensity. They are presumably replaced by a higher frequency, very random cortical activation pattern that would be very difficult to measure with a traditional EEG instrument, since they are attenuated by the skull. The present invention monitors focused attention, concentration, and interest by measuring the decrease of organized EEG output from 0-40 Hz at one or more of these sites. The largest decrease in amplitude or power while focusing generally takes place between 0-11 Hz. To Applicants' knowledge, no prior teaching has set forth a method in which the inhibition of frontal lobe EEG signals has been used to provide an attention indicator.
It is desirable to provide a method to detect this decrease in brainwave output and to integrate the signal into a computer program, such as a video game.
It is even further desirable to provide a method to detect a signal produced from an individual's brain and to derive therefrom a measure of the individual's intensity of focused attention, level of concentration or interest in a particular experience.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,057 to Ayers teaches an apparatus and method for selecting prearranged sequences of visual images in response to a bioelectrical signal emitted from a portion of a user's body, such as, for example, from the user's head. However, it is also desirable to provide a method to detect a signal produced by an individual's brain and to integrate the signal detected thereby into a computer program, such as a video game, with or without images, such that the additional input provided thereby affects, influences, adjusts and modifies operation of the computer program, such as a video game, in a complex and customizable fashion.
For example, European Patent Application No. 177,075 to Ugo, et al., sketchily teaches an electronic system for use with an electronic game, wherein existing manual controls manipulable by a user's hands are entirely replaced with equivalent controls manipulable directly by signals emitted from the user's brain. However, it is further desirable to provide a method to detect signals produced by an individual's brain, preferably with a single EEG sensor placed in the midline location described above, and to process these signals by a method that responds and/or adapts to the user's degree of concentration, interest, and/or one-pointed focus of attention. It is furthermore desirable to provide a method of processing and integrating the signal detected thereby into a computer program, such as a video game, wherein the manual control, such as, for example, by a joystick, keyboard, mouse or other similar input device, of the computer program, such as a video game, is enabled or supplemented, but not totally replaced, by complex control inputs derived from the signal detected thereby. Furthermore, based on the attention indicator of the user, the logic driving the game can be modified.

Method for determining an individual's intensity of focused attention and integrating same into computer program

7341 Saint Andrews Church Rd., Apartment 6


A semiconductor package includes a substrate for mounting and fixing a semiconductor chip thereon and a connecting pattern. The substrate is provided with an elongate opening formed therein. The semiconductor chip is fixed with its surface being mounted on the substrate and with its electrode being aligned within the elongate opening. The electrode of the semiconductor chip is electrically connected to the connecting pattern via wires through the elongate opening. The elongate opening and the wires are sealed with resin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a small size semiconductor package, and more particularly, to a semiconductor package of substantially the same size as a semiconductor chip referred to as a chip size package, a semiconductor device using the semiconductor device, and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
These days, various apparatus including semiconductor devices, particularly portable apparatus and movable apparatus are being miniaturized and lightened. Semiconductor devices for use in these apparatus are thus desired to be miniaturized and lightened accordingly.
In order to meet the demands, a package of substantially the same size as a semiconductor chip referred to as a chip size package (hereinafter referred to as CSP) has recently been proposed, and some semiconductor devices using such a chip size package are implemented as products.
As a semiconductor device formed with a semiconductor chip mounted on a CSP, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, one in which a semiconductor chip 3 is mounted and fixed via bumps 2 on a semiconductor package 1 is known. In this semiconductor device, the semiconductor package 1 comprises a substrate 4, a conductive connecting pattern 5 formed on one side of the substrate 4, a conductive connecting pattern 6 formed on the other side of the substrate 4, and a wiring material 7 formed so as to pierce the substrate 4 for the purpose of making the connecting pattern 5 electrically connected to the connecting pattern 6. As the material of the substrate 4, ceramics are mainly used for the purpose of making smaller the difference of the coefficient of thermal expansion between the semiconductor chip 3 and the substrate 4 and thus making smaller the thermal stress to be applied to the bumps 2 and the semiconductor element 3.
The semiconductor chip 3 is fixed to the substrate 4 of the semiconductor package 1 thus structured with the conductive connecting pattern 5 formed on the one side of the substrate 4 being electrically connected thereto via the bumps 2 provided on a surface 3a where the element is formed. External connecting terminals 8 such as solder balls for bonding the conductive connecting pattern 6 to a mother board (not shown) are fixed to the conductive connecting pattern 6 formed on the other side of the substrate 4. By this, the bumps 2 of the semiconductor chip 3 are electrically connected to the external connecting terminals 8 via the connecting pattern 5, the wiring material 7, and the connecting pattern 6.
The semiconductor element chip 3 thus mounted on the semiconductor package 1 is integrally fixed to the semiconductor package 1 by sealing the whole periphery of the junction between the substrate and the semiconductor chip 3 with resin 9 referred to as underfile. It is to be noted that the resin 9 referred to as underfile also performs a function to disperse the above-mentioned thermal stress due to the difference of the coefficient of thermal expansion between the substrate 4 and the semiconductor chip 3.
FIG. 9 illustrates another example of a semiconductor device formed with a semiconductor element mounted on a CSP. In FIG. 9, a semiconductor device 10 is generally referred to as a chip on board (COP). The semiconductor device 10 is formed by mounting and fixing a semiconductor chip 13 via adhesive 12 or the like on a semiconductor package 11.
The semiconductor package 11 comprises a substrate 14 the material of which is glass epoxy resin or the like, a conductive connecting pattern 15 formed on one side of the substrate 14, a conductive connecting pattern 16 formed on the other side of the substrate 14, and a wiring material 17 formed so as to pierce the substrate 14 for the purpose of making the connecting pattern 15 electrically connected to the connecting pattern 16.
A surface opposite to a surface 13a where the element is formed of the semiconductor chip 13 is fixed with the adhesive 12 to one side of the substrate 14 of the semiconductor package 11 thus structured. Further, an electrode (not shown) formed on the surface 13a where the element is formed of the semiconductor chip 13 is electrically connected to the connecting pattern 15 of the semiconductor package 11 via wires 18. External connecting terminals 19 such as solder balls for bonding the conductive connecting pattern 16 to a mother board (not shown) are fixed to the conductive connecting pattern 16 formed on the other side of the substrate 14. By this, the electrodes of the semiconductor chip 13 are electrically connected to the external connecting terminals 19 via the connecting pattern 15, the wiring material 17, and the connecting pattern 16. The semiconductor package 11 with the semiconductor chip 13 thus mounted thereon is further provided with resin 20 covering the one side of the substrate 14 and the semiconductor chip 13 for the purpose of protecting the surface 13a where the element is formed and the wires 18. By this, the semiconductor chip 13 and the wires 18 are sealed with the resin 20.
However, with the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 8, in order to decrease the thermal stress between the substrate 4 and the semiconductor chip 3, ceramics, which are expensive, have to be used as the material of the substrate 4, leading to high cost as a whole, which is a problem to be solved.
Further, with the semiconductor device 10 shown in FIG. 9, although, since the thermal stress between the substrate 14 and the semiconductor chip 13 can be absorbed by the wires 18, glass epoxy resin, which is inexpensive, can be used as the material of the substrate 14, since the wires 18 are disposed so as to go around to the outer peripheral side of the semiconductor chip 13 in this structure, the size of the semiconductor device 10 as a whole with respect to the semiconductor chip 13 is large, and thus, the semiconductor device 10 can not sufficiently meet the demands for miniaturizing and thinning the semiconductor device.

Semiconductor device, semiconductor package for use therein, and manufacturing method thereof


An exhaust-gas purifying apparatus includes a mantle, a support, and a catalytic layer. The support is disposed in the mantle, and is formed as at least one shape selected from the group consisting of cylinder shapes and corrugated shapes. The catalytic layer is loaded on at least one of the surfaces of the support. Moreover, the support includes at least two support elements disposed in the axial direction of the mantle, and the two support elements neighboring in the axial direction of the mantle are disposed out of phase with each other in the peripheral direction of the mantle. The exhaust-gas purifying apparatus shows not only an enhanced exhaust-gas purifying ability but also high misfire resistance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exhaust-gas purifying apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to purify exhaust gases emitted from automobiles and motorcycles, exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses have been used. There are many types of exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses such as thermal reactor-system, lean burning-system, engine modification-system, and catalyst-system exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses. Among them, catalyst-system exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses have been used extensively.
Catalyst-system exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses purify exhaust gases by using catalytic precious metals such as Pt, Rh and Pd. In catalyst-system exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses, exhaust-gas purifying catalysts are used which are made in the following manner. A catalytic layer is formed on a surface of a catalyst support with activated alumina such as γ-alumina. Then, one or more catalytic precious metals are loaded on the catalytic layer.
As for the materials of catalyst supports, heat-resistant materials are used because catalyst supports are exposed to high-temperature exhaust gases. As such materials, it is possible to name ceramics, such as cordierite, heat-resistant metals, such as stainless steels.
Catalyst supports made of ceramics suffer from such disadvantages that they are susceptible to mechanical shocks and exhibit large emission resistance. Accordingly, catalyst supports made of metals have come to be used due to the reasons that the pressure loss of exhaust systems should be reduced or the heat resistance of catalyst supports should be improved.
An exhaust-gas purifying apparatus provided with a metallic catalyst support can be manufactured in the following manner, for example. A steel stock is rolled as a foil-shaped or sheet-shaped workpiece. The steel stock can be SUS304 (as per Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), i.e., 18Cr-8Ni austenic stainless steel), or SUS430 (as per JIS, i.e., 16Cr ferritic stainless steel). The resulting foil-shaped or sheet-shaped workpiece is processed into a metallic catalyst support. Then, a catalytic layer is formed on a surface of the resultant metallic catalyst support. Finally, one or more catalytic precious metals are loaded on the catalytic layer. Thus, an exhaust-gas purifying apparatus provided with a metallic catalyst support is completed.
Depending on the shapes of catalyst supports, exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses can be divided into monolithic, granular, honeycomb-shaped and pipe-shaped exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses.
In honeycomb-shaped exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses, there is a problem in that metallic catalyst supports might be melted by misfires which are transmitted from internal combustion engines. Specifically, when metallic catalyst supports are melted, the effective loading amount of catalytic precious metals might be decreased, or honeycomb-shaped cells might be clogged to lower the exhaust-gas purifying ability of honeycomb-shaped exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses.
Moreover, in pipe-shaped exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses, the axial length should be prolonged in order to secure a desirable exhaust-gas purifying ability. Accordingly, the boardability problem might associate with pipe-shaped exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses. In addition, when the axial length of pipe-shaped exhaust-purifying apparatuses is prolonged, the exhaust-gas temperature might be dropped to lower the exhaust-gas purifying ability of pipe-shaped exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses.
Consequently, pipe-shaped exhaust-gas purifying apparatuses have been developed whose axial length is shortened. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 9-228,832 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 9-317,452 propose such a pipe-shaped exhaust-gas purifying apparatus.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 9-228,832 discloses a catalytic converter in which a metallic support, manufactured by winding a corrugated metallic plate, is fitted into a mantle.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 9-317,452 discloses an exhaust-gas purifying apparatus in which a plurality of minor-diameter pipes are disposed in a major-diameter pipe.
However, the catalyst converter and exhaust-gas purifying apparatus disclosed in the publications have a problem in that exhaust gases passing through the mantle and major-diameter pipe do not fully contact with the metallic support and minor-diameter pipes. Specifically, their exhaust-gas purifying abilities are insufficient. To be more precise, since the metallic support and minor-diameter pipes are disposed along the flow of exhaust gases, exhaust gases are less like to contact with the catalyst loaded on the metallic support and minor-diameter pipes when they pass through the inside of the mantle and major-diameter pipe.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The invention relates to a gripper for raising and lowering loads and having the following configuration:—it comprises a coupling part and a connecting part,—the connecting part is guided on the coupling part for movement along a movement axis between a first end position and a second end position, wherein those ends of the aforementioned parts which are oriented away from one another are further apart from one another in the first end position than in the second end position,—at least two catch elements are present on the coupling part and can be moved between a gripping position, in which they use a rear-engagement surface to engage behind a mating element of the load, and a release position, in which they release the mating element,—the connecting part is connected to the at least two catch elements via at least one gear mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a gripper for raising and lowering loads.
2. Background and Relevant Art
Under normal conditions, the load and the gripper are visible to an operator, such that the operation of the gripper, that is to say coupling to a load and uncoupling or releasing the load when the latter has reached its intended position in which it is placed on a surface, presents no particular problems. This is different if local conditions make it impossible to observe the coupling or uncoupling procedure. Such situations are frequently encountered in the context of transport tasks in nuclear power stations, if for example a load in a fuel element storage pool, which is up to 12 m tall and filled with water, is to be transported, i.e. lowered and/or raised. If in addition restricted spatial conditions are present, visual operation is excluded. Such a situation exists for example if cracks in the wall of a fuel element storage pool are to be sealed and fuel elements contained in storage racks are positioned in front of this wall, such that only a narrow gap exists between these frames and the wall.


A protective shroud for a swing arm includes a housing made of two shroud sections that are snapped together around the base of a fixed seating arrangement. The assembled shroud includes two rectangular openings on its sides configured to allow the swing arms of the fixed seating arrangement to pivot on their axes within the shroud. The rectangular openings also include grooves on their upper and lower edges configured to receive a slidable rectangular shield member with a circular opening in its center. The rectangular shields fit over the opposed swing arms and slide within the grooves in the shroud halves as the swing arms pivot, thereby restricting access to the pinch points of the swing arms.

This invention relates to fixed seating arrangements, and more particularly to a swing arm shroud with a sliding shield member for restricting access to pinch points on a swing arm assembly of a fixed seating arrangement.
Fixed seating arrangements incorporating cantilevered swing arms are a well known alternative to traditional seating arrangements. Fixed seating arrangements utilizing swing arm assemblies are commonly found in lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, and restaurants. Examples of such fixed seating arrangements are illustrated in Protzman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,999, Barecki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,790, Ostertag, U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,555, and Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,065, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Each of the noted patents discloses common design features incorporated into fixed seating arrangements utilizing swing arm assemblies. Many of these seating arrangements typically include an elongated table or counter supported by an upwardly extending pedestal. The pedestal is permanently secured to the floor via a base member. Attached to the pedestal near the base member is typically at least one laterally extending chair support arm. The support arm is attached to the pedestal, for example, by a tubular support sleeve. A pivotal connection is interposed between the sleeve and the chair support arm. The pivotal connection allows the chair to be pivoted on the cantilevered support arm within a predetermined range between a sitting position near the table and an entry or exit position away from the table. The pivotal connection, however, while beneficial in providing ease of entry and exit from a chair, creates potentially hazardous pinch points.
In response to this problem, the prior art has demonstrated numerous possible solutions. For example, Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,065, discloses a journal box and cover configured to shield portions of the connection of the cantilevered support arm and the pedestal. The journal box, however, does not completely restrict access to the pinch point and is limited to support arms that hang from a pedestal. Furthermore, the journal box does not provide an easy means to remove the box if maintenance on the assembly is required.
Protzman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,000, Barecki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,790 and others do not provide any additional shield members. Instead, these assemblies have attempted to alleviate the problem by providing a tight fit within the joint structure formed between the annular housing and the support flanges. This approach is unsatisfactory because, even when the fixed seating arrangement is initially installed and the joint is tightly arranged, there still exist thin pinch points capable of snagging loose clothing or paper. As the assembly undergoes additional use in the lecture hall or other area, the materials begin to wear, the joints loosen and the pinch points become more defined, thereby creating a hazard for fingers as well as clothing, books and papers. Furthermore, because the area remains exposed, it becomes prone to accumulation of dust, dirt and grease and other contaminants.
It can thus be appreciated that there is a need for an improved protective member for the pivotal connection of cantilevered swing arm seating arrangements. In view of the foregoing, it is one object to provide a shroud that restricts access to pinch points associated with swing arm assemblies while maintaining a desired maximum operative range and avoiding the problems associated with prior art fixed seating arrangements.
It is another object of the subject invention to provide a shield assembly that may be utilized in connection with any variety of fixed seating components and swing arm arrangements, and is not limited to any preferred swing arm arrangement.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a protective shroud with a sliding shield member which does not require significant modifications to existing fixed seating arrangements. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a shroud which is effective but is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
Consistent with the foregoing objects, the present invention contemplates a protective shroud, a shield assembly with a sliding shield member configured to restrict access to the pinch points in a swing arm assembly, and a method of restricting access to pinch points in a swing arm assembly, which are disclosed in suitable detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a shield assembly includes a housing unit defining a base receiving region. The housing includes an opening in an upper wall, which is configured to allow a table support pedestal to extend therethrough. The housing further includes a side wall opening configured to allow lateral movement of a pivotable chair swing arm, and a shield member having edge areas that extend beyond the edges of the side wall opening. That is, the shield member is longer and wider than the side wall opening. The shield member is slidably connected to the housing, and is configured to fit around the pivotable swing arm, to restrict access into the base receiving region of the housing. The shield assembly includes upper and lower interior grooves located near the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the housing side wall opening, and which slidably retain and receive the shield member. The housing may be formed of two halves configured to attach to one another via a snap fit arrangement including opposed attachment tabs and tab receiving recesses. The shield member includes a circular opening configured to receive the pivotable swing arm therethrough, and a slot extending from the opening to allow the shield member to be positioned on the pivotable swing arm.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of restricting access to the pinch points of a swing arm assembly includes the steps of providing a shield member for a fixed seating assembly that includes a housing unit defining a table base receiving region, and an opening in an upper wall of the housing unit configured to allow a table support pedestal to extend therethrough. The housing includes a side wall opening configured to allow lateral movement of a pivotable chair support arm connected to the pedestal, and a shield member that is both longer and wider than the side wall opening, and which is configured to fit around the pivotable chair support arm. The method further includes the steps of placing the shield member over the chair support arm and placing the housing around a table base, such that the shield member engages the housing.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a protective shroud for a swing arm assembly includes a housing with at least one side opening for accommodating pivotable movement of a swing arm. The housing is configured to be placed over the swing arm adjacent its inner end, and includes a slidably attached shield member configured to fit around the swing arm. The shield member is configured to move within the housing when the swing arm is moved relative to the housing, and restricts access into the housing interior region from the side opening.
These, and other, aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such changes and modifications.

Method of shielding a swing arm in a seating arrangement having a movable seat


An adjustable in-ear earphone can be worn in two positions. The earphone includes an acoustic part comprising an electroacoustic transducer and a sound opening for outputting sound from the transducer, a wire, electrically connected with the transducer, a mechanical part, connected with the acoustic part through a cylindrical hinge and having a rotatable shaft, a resilient element, connected to one end of the shaft, a guide wire connected to the opposite end of the shaft. The resilient member and the guide are located at a larger end of the acoustic part in the same plane with the axis of rotation of the shaft and oriented substantially in opposite directions from the axis of rotation of the shaft. The sound opening is located at the other end of the acoustic part. The cylindrical hinge permits rotation of the shaft by 70+ degrees.

Earphones placed inside the ear, according to the type of embodiment are divided into two types:                earbuds or plug-in earphones;        in-ear-canalphones or IEMs (In-Ear-Monitors).
Earbuds (inserted)—earphones are inserted into the ear and held there by the resilience force. Earphones of this type do not completely plug the external auditory canal and are placed next to it, directing the sound waves in the direction of the external auditory canal. The disadvantages of this type of earphone may include:                poor sound insulation from ambient noise;        due to the fact that they do not completely cover the external auditory canal, audio quality is significantly degraded;        weakly bound inside the ear if not provided with additional devices to hold it in place.
But earbuds have certain advantages: they do not irritate the pressure-sensitive surface of the membranous-cartilaginous (front) of the external auditory canal and allow hearing surrounding sounds.
In-ear-canalphones (in various sources, also called vacuum earphones, plugs, ear monitors, in English sources as IEMs)—are worn completely plug the ear canal, providing good insulation against ambient noise.
Compared with earbuds they have a number of tangible advantages:                provide high-quality sound;        in-ear-canalphones—IEM stay in the ear relatively well, since they quite tightly and deeply enter into the external auditory canal.
The disadvantages of this type of earphones include:                unpleasant and painful sensations during long-term wear, since they strongly pressure on the most sensitive area of the outer ear—the front part of the membranous-cartilaginous portion of the external auditory canal;        ear opening is earphone-plugged, and consequently, it is difficult to outflow from the sebaceous and sulfur glands located in the membranous-cartilaginous portion of the external auditory canal;        due to the relatively good passive noise-isolation, hearing of ambient sounds is difficult;        increases the load on the hearing aid during prolonged listening at high volume levels that can cause hearing loss.
In some constructive solutions, earbuds are supplied with directed-into-the ear canal pin with soft sealing ear cushion. This increases the useful volume of the earphones through the use of internal volume of the ear, not just the ear canal. However, such earphones have all the disadvantages of in-ear-canalphones.
A known custom headset for placement in the ear (US Application Publication No. 2011/0135120 A1), consists of a housing containing a near and remote part, where a remote part has a built-in speaker, and is formed for accommodation in the ear canal of the user. Also, a remote part includes a projection for its seal in the ear canal. This headset has no moving parts, and thus does not give an opportunity to adjust the earpiece in the ear of the user, and does not combine the features of in-ear-canalphones and earbuds.
A known earphone (U.S. Pat. No. 8,265,328) consists of an ear hook, a shaft attached to the end of the ear hook, a housing for an electro-acoustic transducer, a tube allowing the body to move along the shaft, and also includes a cable connected to the electroacoustic transducer and extending inside the ear hook, shaft and housing. This earphone design allows for a minor adjustment of the position of the earphone inside the ear, but only earbuds can be used. Despite the fact that the sliding of the shaft is provided in the tube attached to the earpiece, movement is only possible in the longitudinal axis direction, without rotation. This earphone is rather cumbersome and hook-shaped, which may lead to the engagement of the clothes or wire during an inoperative state. It complicates the use of the earphones in conjunction with other equipment, such as goggles, helmets etc.
A known ear loop for earphone (U.S. Pat. No. 8,320,603) like the previously considered earphones, has a shaft inserted in the ear hook tube that enables adjustment of the earphone inside the ear. This design has the same disadvantages as the previous earphone, and is itself a plug-in with some characteristics of a particular type of earphone, which excludes its transformation into an intra-canal earphone.
A known earphone adapter (U.S. Pat. No. 8,472,660) is intended for earbuds. It comprises a BTE (Behind The Ear) earhook with the option of movable placement of earphone on it, allowing adjustment of earphone. The disadvantages of this adapter is the fact that only earbuds can be used, since the mobility of the earphone on the earhook axis doesn't allow placement of the earphone in an intra-cannel position, i.e., to transform earphone from the earbud into in-ear-canalphones. In addition, when wearing the earhook covers the ear from the outside almost completely, due to which the entire structure is large and has a pronounced hook shape. This adapter has the inherent disadvantages of the two previously considered devices.
A known earbud type of earphone having auricular fastening (U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,615) has the rod rigidly attached to the earphone acoustic elements, where the rod enters into the bushing, a continuation of which is a BTE earhook of earphone. The acoustic element can be rotated relative to the bushing-earhook and vertically lifted or lowered by sliding the rod inside the bushing. The disadvantage is a limited number of adjustments intended for selecting only one relatively comfortable position with the acoustic element in the auricle when using earphones for different people with different anthropometric data. Moreover, an integral fixture of this type of earphone is a massive BTE earhook, increasing the size, complicating form and increasing the number of clinging hook-shaped members in the earphone.
A known a device of the earphones with a stabilizer (U.S. Pat. No. 8,374,375) comprises a housing and a flexible member to stabilize the earphone when wearing it by abutting the wall of the ear. The flexible element has two stable positions relative to the housing and respectively earphone can have two positions in the auricle. But in this device change in position of earphone in the ear does not lead to the possibility of its transformation from earbud into in-ear-canalphones.
A known acoustic device with the adaptation for placement in a human ear (U.S. Pat. No. 7,068,803) is an earphone with a spring in the form of a flexible rod, which holds the earphone in the ear of the user, located in a bent state along the wall of the ear. This device provides secure fit of the earphone in the auricle in the only possible position, not allowing adjustment of the earphone or its transformation.
A known hearing aid with a flexible elongate member (U.S. Pat. No. 8,374,367) is made in the form of earbuds, containing a microphone, processor, headset, battery and a flexible elongated portion, one end of which is attached to the housing, and the other is free. When the flexible elongate portion is placed in the user is auricle, the free end is located inside the auricle and outside the ear canal. As with the previous device, a hearing aid is retained in the auricle due to the resilience of the elongated member that enables to secure the unit in the only position.
A known retaining element for micro-earphone for use in hearing aids (U.S. Pat. No. 7,590,255) has in-ear-canalphones provided with elongate resilient member for support on the internal parts of the auricle, where the aggregate resilience of the tissues of the auricle and the elongate member promotes fixation of the earbud in the ear canal, preventing its loss during wear. This element is designed only for hearing aids and also provides for the use of earphone in a simple position, eliminating the possibility of transformation earphone from in-ear-canalphones into earbuds.
A known universal hearing aid (U.S. Pat. No. 7,899,200) also comprises an elongated resilient part to fix the earphone in the user auricle. This unit has the inherent disadvantages of the two previously considered devices.
The general disadvantage of most of the considered earphone devices can also be attributed use of design solutions with ear cushions made of soft material (rubber, foam, rubber foam) for adaptation and fitting of earphone in the ear canal of the user. But soft materials become easily contaminated with dust or earwax, are poorly cleanable and therefore can easily become unhygienic.
Thus, to date there are no in the ear earphones that allow full use of the benefits of design solutions for earbuds and in-ear-canalphones—IEM (In Ear Monitor), depending on current requirements of the user when worn.
Justification of the Proposed Structural Embodiment of Earphones.
When wearing earbuds, a user may experience some difficulties when they are loosely inserted into the auditory canal, as earphones spontaneously fall out of the ear. Some manufacturers try to solve this by placing on the earpiece extra soft and flexible stops (soft springs), abutting against the antihelix or lower leg of the antihelix. In order that the devices not irritate or pressure sensitive parts of the ear, it is required to select the least sensitive parts of the ear which will be pressured by resilient elements of the earphone and distribute the pressure over a larger area. As an example, consider two options of chuckles of the glasses—the so-called "children's" glasses with semi-rounded spring temples resiliently covering the conchae from outside and the rear. This option is present in cheaper models of glasses, and long wearing often causes discomfort, as the conchae is very sensitive in these points of contact with temples, on the inside or on the outside (although with short-term use, discomfort could not be even noticed). Expensive glasses are held with minimal discomfort without squeezing the ear only because temples resiliently semi-cover the human skull, as places of semi-coverage on the skull having much less tactile sensitivity.
When designing earphones for permanent (long-term) use, structure, innervation and blood supply to the concha of human ear should be considered, so as not to cause long-term irritation and oppressive effects on the most sensitive areas of the ear.
Blood supply to the ear is carried out through the posterior auricular artery, the superficial temporal artery and branches of the internal maxillary artery. Blood from the auricle enters the superficial temporal and posterior auricular veins that usually go along with the arteries.
Innervation of the auricle is carried out by a great auricular nerve, small occipital nerve, trigeminal nerve, nerve endings mixed branches of the vagus, glossopharyngeal and facial nerves.
Thus, a detailed study of schematics of nerves and blood vessels with a high degree of probability, the least sensitive to prolonged tactile mechanical stress is a portion the auricle at the junction of the ear cavity to the back side of anti-tragus. It is in the lower part of the ear cavity where the main body weight of the earphone should be placed in the auricle with a negligible impact on the tragus—lower part of the antihelix (front-back), and the inside of the anti-tragus—ear cavity (laterally).
The second support point (from which comes out the earphone wire) may be the edge of the temporal bone, slightly above and over the tragus hump, already outside the auricle. This place is the least sensitive because it is no longer the auricle, here there is an extensive insensitive connective tissue zone—ligamentum auriculare anterius (ligament of the auricle front), and all the nerves and arteries pass under this ligament, and, therefore, the surface of the ligamentum auriculare anterius is insensitive to the prolonged pressure.
Accordingly, a solution to these problems is desired.

In-the-ear earphone, its variations and methods of wearing the earphone


The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the running speed of a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic motor employable for a construction machine such as a power shovel or the like as a driving power source is constructed such that its rotational speed can be changed to assume either a high speed (low torque) or a low speed (high torque) so as to cope with differences in the running state of the construction machine. The apparatus of the subject invention assures that the running state of the construction machine is determined by not only the running load of a hydraulic motor but also its rotational speed, whereby the construction machine can run smoothly at all times.

Variable displacement type hydraulic motors have been hitherto practically used as a driving power source for running a construction machine such as a power shovel or the like. Each hydraulic motor of the foregoing kind is constructed such that its rotational speed can variably be changed by way of two steps to assume either of a high speed (low torque) and a low speed (high torque) so as to properly cope with variation of the running state of the construction machine. In some case, a speed changing operation to be performed by way of two steps is manually accomplished. For example, when the construction machine runs on a flat road surface, a swash plate angle of each hydraulic motor is shifted to the position corresponding to a high speed (low torque) by operator's actuation. In addition, in a case where the construction machine is required to run at a low speed or when a high torque is required so as to allow the construction machine to run on the road surface having a certain gradient, the swash plate angle is shifted to the position corresponding to a low speed (high torque) by operator's actuation so as to allow the construction machine to run while changing its running speed by way of two steps. According to the prior inventions disclosed in official gazettes of Japanese Utility Model Application NO. 61-148732 and Japanese Patent Application NO. 62-19768, a swash plate variable cylinder corresponding to a high speed and a swash plate variable cylinder corresponding to a low speed are arranged separately for a high rotational speed and a low rotational speed of each hydraulic motor so as to vary a swash plate angle of each hydraulic motor, and moreover, a solenoid valve is arranged for selectively supplying a pressurized oil to either of the swash plate variable cylinder for a high speed and the swash plate variable cylinder for a low speed so as to properly perform an automatic speed changing operation in conformity with the present running state of a vehicle by detecting the present pressure of the pressurized oil discharged from a hydraulic pump rotationally driven by an engine and then properly controlling the solenoid valves based on the result derived from the pressure detection.
With respect to the conventional automatic speed changing technology as mentioned above, it has been found that there arise the following malfunctions while a vehicle runs in a transitional state.
Specifically, while a swash plate angle of each hydraulic motor is set to the position corresponding to a low speed before a vehicle such as a construction machine or the like starts to run, there does not appear any particular problem. On the contrary, in a case where a swash plate angle of each hydraulic motor is set to the position corresponding to a high speed, there arises a malfunction that a speed changing operation can not be correctly controlled.
For example, in a case where a vehicle runs at a very slow speed while an engine is driven at a low rotational speed or in a case where the vehicle starts to run with a small quantity of actuation of each actuation lever for running the vehicle, i.e., at a reduced flow rate of a pressurized oil for driving the vehicle, there is no need of running the vehicle at a high speed. However, in a case where the vehicle runs on the ground surface having a certain gradient or turns on the road surface while performing a controlling operation for changing the present speed to a high speed or a low speed as a load pressure exerted on each hydraulic motor is detected on the assumption that a swash plate angle is set to the position corresponding to a low speed, there arises another malfunction that the vehicle undesirably runs in a hunting state.
In addition, in a case where the vehicle runs on the ground surface having a certain gradient while a swash plate angle is set to the position corresponding to a high speed, when an actuating lever starts to be actuated, no torque is generated with each hydraulic motor having its swash plate angle set to the position corresponding to a high speed. Subsequently, as an actuation lever is actuated, a hydraulic pressure is raised up, causing the swash plate angle to be shifted to the position corresponding to a low speed. As a result, a certain torque is rapidly generated with each hydraulic motor. Thus, the vehicle is brought in such a very dangerous state that the vehicle starts to run abruptly.
The present invention has been made with the foregoing background in mind and its object resides in providing an apparatus for variably controlling a running speed of each hydraulic motor wherein the present running state of a vehicle is determined in consideration not only of a running load of each hydraulic motor but also of other factors, the rotational speed of each hydraulic motor set by an operator is corrected based on the results derived from a series of determinations, and moreover, the running speed of each hydraulic motor is variably controlled so as to obtain the corrected rotational speed, whereby the vehicle can smoothly run at all times.

Speed change controller of running hydraulic motor