The noise in the photo information extracted from an active pixel sensor cell is reduced by resetting the voltage on the photodiode of the cell to the power supply voltage, and by reading the cell immediately before and after the cell is reset. The voltage on the photodiode is reset to the power supply voltage by applying a reset voltage to the gate of the reset transistor conventionally used to reset the photodiode where the reset voltage is sufficiently larger than the power supply voltage to cause the voltage on the photodiode to be pulled up to the power supply voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for operating an active pixel sensor cell and, more particularly, to a method that reduces noise in the photo information extracted from the cell.
2. Description of the Related Art
Charge-coupled devices (CCDs) have been the mainstay of conventional imaging circuits for converting a pixel of light energy into an electrical signal that represents the intensity of the light energy. In general, CCDs utilize a photogate to convert the light energy into an electrical charge, and a series of electrodes to transfer the charge collected at the photogate to an output sense node.
Although CCDs have many strengths, which include a high sensitivity and fill-factor, CCDs also suffer from a number of weaknesses. Most notable among these weaknesses, which include limited readout rates and dynamic range limitations, is the difficulty in integrating CCDs with CMOS-based microprocessors.
To overcome the limitations of CCD-based imaging circuits, more recent imaging circuits use active pixel sensor cells to convert a pixel of light energy into an electrical signal. With active pixel sensor cells, a conventional photodiode is typically combined with a number of active transistors which, in addition to forming an electrical signal, provide amplification, readout control, and reset control.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional CMOS active pixel sensor cell 10. As shown in FIG. 1, cell 10 includes a photodiode 12 connected to a first intermediate node N.sub.IM1, and a reset transistor 14 that has a drain connected to a power supply node N.sub.PS, a source connected to node N.sub.IM1, and a gate connected to a first input node N.sub.IN1.
Cell 10 further includes a buffer transistor 16 and a row-select transistor 18. Buffer transistor 16 has a drain connected to node N.sub.PS, a source connected to a second intermediate node N.sub.IM2, and a gate connected to node N.sub.IM1, while row-select transistor 18 has a drain connected to node N.sub.IM2, a source connected to a third intermediate node N.sub.IM3, and a gate connected to a second input node N.sub.IN2. In addition, a detection and calculation circuit 20 is connected to the third intermediate node N.sub.IM3.
FIGS. 2A-2C show timing diagrams that illustrate the operation of cell 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C, the operation of cell 10 begins by briefly pulsing the gate of reset transistor 14 with a reset voltage V.sub.RESET at time t.sub.1. The reset voltage V.sub.RESET, which is equal to Vcc (+5V), resets the voltage on photodiode 12 to an initial integration voltage to begin an image collection cycle.
At this point, the initial integration voltage on photodiode 12 (the first intermediate node N.sub.IM1) is defined by the equation V.sub.RESET -V.sub.T14 -V.sub.CLOCK, where V.sub.T14 represents the threshold voltage of reset transistor 14, and V.sub.CLOCK represents reset noise from the pulsed reset voltage (assumed to be constant). Similarly, the initial integration voltage on the second intermediate node N.sub.IM2 is defined by the equation V.sub.RESET -V.sub.T14 -V.sub.CLOCK -V.sub.T16, where V.sub.T16 represents the threshold voltage of buffer transistor 16 (functioning as a source follower).
After the reset voltage V.sub.RESET has been pulsed and the voltage on photodiode 12 (the first intermediate node N.sub.IM1) has been reset, a row-select voltage V.sub.RS is applied to the second input node N.sub.IN2 at a time t.sub.2 which immediately follows the falling edge of the reset pulse V.sub.RESET. The row select voltage V.sub.RS causes the voltage on the second intermediate node N.sub.IM2, which represents the initial integration voltage of the cycle, to appear on the third intermediate node N.sub.IM3. Detection and calculation circuit 20 then amplifies, digitizes, and stores the value of the initial integration voltage as it appears on the third intermediate node N.sub.IM3.
Next, from time t.sub.2, which represents the beginning of the image collection cycle, to a time t.sub.3, which represents the end of the image collection cycle, light energy, in the form of photons, strikes photodiode 12, thereby creating a number of electron-hole pairs. Photodiode 12 is designed to limit recombination between the newly formed electron-hole pairs.
As a result, the photogenerated holes are attracted to the ground terminal of photodiode 12, while the photogenerated electrons are attracted to the positive terminal of photodiode 12 where each additional electron reduces the voltage on photodiode 12 (the first intermediate node N.sub.IM1) . Thus, at the end of the image collection cycle, a final integration voltage will be present on photodiode 12 (the first intermediate node N.sub.IM1).
At this point (time t.sub.3) , the final integration voltage on photodiode 12 (the first intermediate node N.sub.IM1) is defined by the equation V.sub.RESET -V.sub.T14 -V.sub.CLOCK -V.sub.S, where V.sub.S represents the change in voltage due to the absorbed photons. Similarly, the final integration voltage on the second intermediate node N.sub.IM2 is defined by the equation V.sub.RESET -V.sub.T14 -V.sub.CLOCK -V.sub.T16 -V.sub.S.
At the end of the image collection cycle (time t.sub.3), the row-select voltage V.sub.RS is again applied to the second input node N.sub.IN2. The row select voltage V.sub.RS causes the voltage on the second intermediate node N.sub.IM2, which represents the final integration voltage of the cycle, to appear on the third intermediate node N.sub.IM3. Detection and calculation circuit 20 then amplifies and digitizes the value of the final integration voltage as it appears on the third intermediate node N.sub.IM3.
Following this, detection and calculation circuit 20 determines the number of photons that have been collected during the integration cycle by calculating the difference in voltage between the digitized final integration voltage taken at time t.sub.3 and the digitized stored initial integration voltage taken at time t.sub.2. At this point, the difference is voltage is defined by the equation (V.sub.RESET -V.sub.T14 -V.sub.CLOCK -V.sub.T16)-(V.sub.RESET -V.sub.T14 -V.sub.CLOCK -V.sub.T16 -V.sub.S), thereby yielding the value V.sub.S.
Once the final integration voltage has been digitized by detection and calculation circuit 20, the reset voltage V.sub.RESET is again applied to the first input node N.sub.IN1 at time t.sub.4, which immediately follows the rising edge of the row select voltage V.sub.RS at time t.sub.3. The reset voltage V.sub.RESET again resets the voltage on photodiode 12 to begin another image collection cycle.
One of the problems with active pixel sensor cell 10, however, is that the reset voltage V.sub.RESET and the row-select voltage V.sub.RS have periods, both of which are approximately 30 mS, which are sufficiently long enough to introduce a substantial amount of 1/f noise into the cell. 1/f noise, which results from the trapping and de-trapping of surface charges, can be accurately modeled as variations in the threshold voltages of the reset and buffer transistors 14 and 16.
As a result, the number of photons which are absorbed by photodiode 12 during an image collection period is more properly defined by the equation (V.sub.RESET -V.sub.T14 -V.sub.CLOCK -V.sub.T16)-(V.sub.RESET -V.sub.T14 -V.sub.CLOCK -V.sub.T16 -V.sub.S -V.sub..alpha.), where V.sub..alpha. represents the variations in the threshold voltages of transistors 14 and 16 due to 1/f noise.
Thus, the variations in the threshold voltages of the reset and buffer transistors 14 and 16 add an error term V.sub..alpha. which erroneously yields V.sub.S +V.sub..alpha. as the number of absorbed photons, thereby limiting the accuracy of the cell.
Thus, to reduce the introduction of errors, there is a need for a method for operating an active pixel sensor cell that reduces 1/f-noise variations in the threshold voltages of the reset and buffer transistors.

Method for operating an active pixel sensor cell that reduces noise in the photo information extracted from the cell


Method for detecting faults in a device comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of performance parameters, applying the plurality of performance parameters to a first model to produce a plurality of estimated performance parameters, applying the plurality of performance parameters to a second model to produce a plurality of estimated device parameters, computing a plurality of residuals from the plurality of estimated device parameters, computing a plurality of distance measuring from the plurality of residuals, detecting at least one parameter deviation using the plurality of residuals and the plurality of estimated performance parameters, and setting at least one detection flag if the detected at least one parameter deviation is persistent.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system, and method for utilizing such a system, for detecting and isolating faults in the operation of a device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system, and method for utilizing such a system, for detecting faults in engines, such as gas turbine engines.
(2) Description of Related Art
A pivotal requirement for achieving accurate performance tracking of a gas turbine engine, in real time during flight operation, is the application of high fidelity models that impose low computational burdens. Although high fidelity physics based models of a gas turbine engine can be developed, they tend to become too computationally demanding to meet the accuracy requirements necessary to assemble a Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) system. Likewise, empirical models suffer from a similar problem in that they typically require excessive memory and computational burden. A practical solution to this problem is to employ a mixture of modeling methodologies thereby creating a hybrid engine model that incorporates both physics-based and empirical components.
Hybrid systems have been developed for the purpose of tracking performance deterioration (such as changes in engine module efficiency and flow parameters) in individually monitored gas turbine engines. Such systems employ a physics-based component and use an empirical element to model the difference between the physics model and the monitored engine. Hybrid (engine) models and attendant performance estimation algorithms have been developed for tracking module performance shifts (deltas) in a real-time environment for use in such systems.
What is needed is an extension of the principle used in prior art systems to include the detection and isolation of engine faults other than, and in addition to, Module performance shifts. These include faults in measurement instrumentation (measurement error) as well as engine system faults such as variable geometry actuation faults, cooling flow faults, engine bleed valve faults, or any fault resulting in non-nominal engine operation.

Hybrid model based fault detection and isolation system


A projection exposure apparatus is equipped with an illumination system, a reticle, a projection objective and an image plane. Interstitial spaces between the individual elements of the apparatus are open to the ambient space. A gas purge device which carries a stream of noble gas or nitrogen is arranged in at least one of the interstitial spaces. The gas purge device is of a shape and size so that one or more interstitial spaces are at least to a large extent sealed off from the ambient space surrounding the projection apparatus.

A device of this type has been disclosed in EP 0 886 184, wherein a vacuum-operated device is described which is arranged between a wafer and an optical element. The device has an illumination field opening at its center, leaving a minimal upper gap to a lens surface and a further minimal gap to a wafer surface. The gas flow is introduced above and below the device and exits again within the device through slot-shaped openings. As a result, contaminations, specifically dust grains, are removed from the lens surface.
The task that has been set for the present invention is to provide a device which can be arranged in the critical areas of the projection apparatus but dues not absorb a large portion of, nor interfere with, the radiation that is present in those areas.

Device for sealing a projection exposure apparatus


A rotary electric machine includes: a stator around which a coil is wound; a frame which fixes the stator; a rotor which faces the stator via a slight air gap; a shaft which is fixed to the rotor and is rotatably and removably supported via a bearing; and a bracket which supports the bearing inside a bearing box. The rotary electric machine includes: an insulating member which is mounted inside the bearing box of the bracket; a metal holder which is mounted inside the insulating member with a predetermined clearance with respect to an outer ring of the bearing, and supports the bearing; and a pressing body which is mounted between the side surface of the metal holder and the side surface of the outer ring of the bearing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary electric machine for use in, for example, for an electric vehicle (EV) or for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and, more particularly, relates to the retaining structure of a bearing.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a conventional rotary electric machine for use in for an electric vehicle (EV) or for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), in the case where the carrier frequency of an inverter is set to be high in the case of operating the inverter, voltage (axis voltage) generated in a shaft of an alternating-current motor on the basis of high-frequency induction increases, a potential difference present between an inner ring and an outer ring of a bearing that supports a shaft increases, and an electric current flows in the bearing.
A problem exists in that the current flowing in the bearing causes corrosion referred to as electrolytic corrosion on both inner ring and outer ring tracks and on the rolling surfaces of rolling elements, and accordingly durability of a rolling bearing deteriorates.
Furthermore, a preload is applied on the bearing by a wave washer or a coned disc spring in the rotary electric machine; and thus, an axial backlash is closed to raise rigidity of the bearing and noise due to vibration is prevented.
As the conventional rotary electric machine, for example, there is one as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 41b denotes a rotary electric machine of a fan driving electric motor; and the rotary electric machine has a motor case 42 and a shaft 44 rotatably supported inside the motor case 42 via a pair of bearings 43, 43. The motor case 42 is composed of a cylindrical case body (frame) 45, a front cover 46 which covers a front end opening of the case body 45, and a rear cover 47 which covers a rear end opening of the case body 45. 51 denotes an outer ring of the bearing 43; 52 denotes an inner ring of the bearing 43; and 53 denotes rolling elements provided in plural numbers for each between an outer ring track of the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 51 and an inner ring track of the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring 52. 54 denotes a corrugated plate spring which is held in sandwiched relation between the side surface of the bracket 49 and the end surface of the outer ring 51 of the bearing 43 to press the outer ring 51 toward the other outer ring 51. 55 denotes a rotor; and 56 denotes a stator. 60b denotes an insulating member mounted between the outer ring 51 of the bearing 43 and the bearing box 61b of each of the brackets 48, 49.
FIG. 11 shows details of a bearing portion. The insulating member 60b is fitted inside the bearing box 61b of the bracket 48; and the bearing 43 is supported via the insulating member 60b and thus electrolytic corrosion is prevented. Furthermore, the preload spring 54 such as a wave washer or a coned disc spring is located between the side surface of the outer ring 51 of the bearing 43 and the side surface of the insulating member 60b.


Various aspects of the invention relate to techniques to facilitate autofocus techniques for a test object by means of an angle-variable illumination. Here, image datasets are captured at a multiplicity of angle-variable illumination geometries. The captured image datsets are evaluated in order to determine the Z-position.

Angle-variable illumination of a test object is used in various applications within the scope of microscopy imaging. Here, angle-variable illumination geometries are used for illuminating the test object, said illumination geometries having a luminous intensity that varies with the angle of incidence. By way of example, the test object can be illuminated from one or more selected illumination angles or illumination directions. The angle-variable illumination is sometimes also referred to as angle-selective illumination or illumination that is structured as a function of the angle.
In principle, the angle-variable illumination can be combined with very different use cases. A typical use case is the Z-positioning of a specimen stage, for example in order to focus a test object arranged on the specimen stage. Such a method is known from, for instance, DE 10 2014 109 687 A1.
However, a restricted reliability and/or accuracy was often observed in conjunction with such autofocus techniques. This is often due to interference structures that are reproduced by the captured image datasets in addition to the test object. Moreover, this may be a specimen with a weak contrast, having little absorption and little phase angle deviation. In this way, the signal that is obtainable from the specimen is restricted. Then, there often is no separation, or only insufficient separation, between the reproduction of the test object on the one hand and the interference structures on the other hand; this makes the determination of an object shift in the image datasets as a basis for setting the Z-position impossible or wrong or only possible with insufficient accuracy. Then, autofocusing may fail or be imprecise.

Autofocus with an angle-variable illumination


A medical device is disclosed and may have a spiral shape structure that can function as a stent, such as a flow diversion stent to treat aneurysms. The medical device may have a spiral shape structure that can function as an occlusive device, for instance to occlude aneurysms. The medical device may include a shape setting structure to selectively adjust the shape of the medical device.

Aneurysms are bulges along a blood vessel wall caused by, for example, a weakening of an arterial region. Left untreated, aneurysms can rupture over time leading to complications such as stroke. Intracranial aneurysm rupture translates into hemorrhagic stroke that either proves fatal or results in permanent neurological impairment in patients.
Aneurysms are traditionally treated utilizing clipping or occlusion. Occlusion involves filling the aneurysm with an occlusive device, such as coils, to occlude flow to the aneurysm and cut off blood supply to the aneurysm over time.
Recent techniques in aneurysm treatment have utilized the use of flow diversion stents, which are braided tubular devices placed across the neck of an aneurysm. The flow diversion stents (also known as flow diverters) utilize a low porosity interface to limit blood flow into the aneurysm, inducing flow stagnation within the aneurysm and thereby helping cut off blood supply into the aneurysm over time to reduce the probability of rupture and encouraging endothelial growth over the stent to seal off the aneurysm over time.
Traditional flow diverters utilize a fixed tubular or cylindrical stent structure with a consistent low porosity profile over an entire length of the stent. However, this design can cause complications. For instance, due to its fixed tubular shape, the typical flow diversion stent is stiff, making deployment troublesome in particular circumstances—such as a scenario where an aneurysm is located along a tortuous section of the anatomy. Furthermore, traditional flow diversion stents are not repositionable after a certain point during the deployment process. Typically, there is a mechanical linkage between a delivery pusher and the stent, and once the stent loses engagement with this linkage (e.g., when the stent expands upon delivery), the stent is no longer connected to the delivery pusher and can no longer be re-positioned.
Traditional flow diverters have a fixed size, where a physician would need to size a blood vessel prior to a procedure and then utilize a particularly sized flow diverter to fit the particular target location. Complications can result if the stent does not properly expand (e.g., due to pressure from the vessel wall, or deployment across a tortuous bend) or if the stent is incorrectly sized causing complications with the flow diversion characteristics of the stent. For instance, if the stent is too small then the stent may not sit flush across the neck of the aneurysm thereby hindering the flow diversion effect of the stent. If the stent is too large relative to the vessel, then the stent may not deploy properly from the delivery catheter or assume the correct shape after deployment.
There is a need for a flow diverting stent that addresses at least these issues.
In certain scenarios, occlusion, rather than flow diversion, may be deemed a better treatment option to treat aneurysms. A newer class of occlusion devices are known as intrasaccular devices and tend to focus on flow disruption at the neck of an aneurysm to help prevent blood flow into the aneurysm. These intrasaccular devices utilize a structure such as a mesh to occupy the space within the aneurysm to provide occlusion and prevent blood flow into the aneurysm, while also providing a barrier along the neck of the aneurysm. Often, these devices are highly conformable to adjust to the size and dimensions of the aneurysm. However, it can be difficult to design an intrasaccular device that sufficiently occludes an aneurysm while also enabling good coverage of the neck of the aneurysm, to help prevent blood flow into the aneurysm. Generally, this is since the occlusion device (including an intrasaccular device) has a fixed shape and structure.
There is a need for an occlusion device that addresses at least these issues.
Traditional medical devices (e.g., stents or occlusive devices) have a particular fixed size and are often heat set into an expansion state which the device adopts upon deployment from a delivery catheter. Therefore, there is a fixed smaller profile delivery state when the device is within a catheter, and a fixed heat set expanded state when the device is outside of the catheter. However, there is no way to adjust the size or shape of the device after deployment, where the ability of an implant to adopt an alternative shape can help augment treatment of a particular target area.
There is a need for a medical device, such as a stent or occlusion device, that addresses at least these issues.

Medical device with enhanced shape characteristics


A rowing machine for use indoors or outdoors, consisting of a rowing attachment with a sliding seat arrangement equipped with oars, which rowing attachment is mounted between two parallel, generally oblong water-filled tanks. Flow diverters are provided in the tanks to enhance water circulation and to simulate outdoor rowing conditions, including a longitudinal ducted assembly dividing the tank into two parallel sections to provide a circular flow path and having transverse passages for short circuitry of the circular flow of water. An enhanced diverting assembly is also provided at each end of the tank.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rower's training apparatus which simulates the actual water resistance encountered by a rower as if rowing on a river or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The invention relates to a rowing machine of the type in which a pair of generally oblong water-filled tanks straddle a tank in which the oarsman sits and manipulates the oars. Such a device is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,961 dated Feb. 27, 1990. Briefly, the apparatus comprises a trio of parallel aligned oblong tanks; the rower sitting in the middle tank and operating the oars in each of the straddling tanks. In each of the side tanks, flow diverting means is employed comprising a plurality of horizontally oriented flow plates supported at each end of each tank, and a dividing wall extending along the longitudinal center line of the oblong tank. As the rower rows, the water circulates within the respective tanks. This relatively simple construction exhibits improved simulated water-resistance and wave motion over the then known prior art, and provides the rower with a realistic sense of movement. As a result, the apparatus is most useful for indoor training, particularly in foul weather.
While my previous apparatus was highly effective in providing the rower with an efficient training device and sufficient simulation of water flow to stimulate the rower's sense of movement, it provided water resistance that was significantly larger than would be found by the rower in the river or lake. Further, the diverting means a each end of the tank and the solid center wall tended to produce water cavitation as well as whirlpool and eddy effects as the speed and strength of the rower increased.
Therefore, there still exists a need for training apparatus which exhibits still further improved simulation of water resistance and wave motion such as would, in reality, be encountered in a river or a lake. The present invention fulfills this need.


Systems and methods for generating event templates for requested event types are described herein. In an embodiment, a server computer receives transactional data describing transactions between a plurality of computing devices. The server computer uses the transactional data to identify a plurality of instances of a particular event type by determining, for each instance, that a plurality of transactions associated with a particular computing device relate to an event of the particular event type. The server computer uses the transactional data related to the plurality of instances of the particular event type to determine a plurality of items for the particular event type. When the server computer receives a request from a client computing device to generate an event, the server computer generates and displays an event template which identifies the plurality of items.

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
Many software packages provide interfaces for facilitating transactions between computing devices. The transactions often include data identifying the computing devices involved in the transaction, a goal of the transaction, and transaction parameters.
In some cases, the transactions may not be optimized for specific computing devices. For example, a first computing device may not have access to data indicating which computing devices are capable of performing the transaction, which computing devices will provide the best benefit when performing transactions, or which transaction parameters to set for initiating transactions or transaction events. Additionally, when a computing device initiates an event, the computing device may lack data as to what transactions need to be incorporated into the event.
While a server computer facilitating the transactions through the software platform stores data relating to past transactions and past events, the data is often not uniform in the way computing devices are identified, events are identified, or items of transactions are identified. For example, different computing devices may perform a similar type of event with similar transactions, but refer to the items and events using different identifiers.
Thus, there is a need for a system that can facilitate transactions by identifying computing devices capable of performing the requested transactions. Additionally, there is a need for a system which can generate templates for building optimal software events with a plurality of computing devices for different event types based on prior transaction data.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems for using transaction data to generate optimized event templates based on a requested event type


A screen assembly for a work vehicle is disclosed. The screen assembly may generally include a screen defining a plurality of screen openings for receiving an airflow therethrough. In addition, the screen may define a flap opening. The screen assembly may also include a flap pivotally coupled to the screen at the flap opening. The flap may be configured to be moved to a closed position when the airflow through the screen is in a first direction and to an opened position when the airflow through the screen is in a second direction.

Current cooling systems for work vehicles, such as tractors, generally include one or more heat exchangers and a fan configured to pull air through the heat exchanger(s) from a location outside the work vehicle. Typically, these cooling systems are only designed to work in one direction, whereby the fan generates an airflow that is directed into the work vehicle through its front grille or screen and is exhausted from the work vehicle at its rear. However, as is generally understood, work vehicles often operate in fields and other harvesting environments in which the ambient air contains large amounts of dust, plant material and other debris. As a result, the front screen can often become blocked or clogged with debris, thereby preventing air from flowing into the work vehicle and through the heat exchanger(s).
To address this issue, cooling systems have been designed with reversible fans that are capable of generating an airflow that is directed back through the heat exchanger(s) and out the front screen, thereby knocking loose or otherwise clearing out any debris stuck in the screen. Unfortunately, any debris contained within the cooling package (e.g., any debris sucked up under the hood during operation) remains trapped within the work vehicle.
Accordingly, a work vehicle having one-way vented screen assemblies that allow for debris contained under the hood to be expelled from the vehicle would be welcomed in the technology.

One-way vented screen assembly for a work vehicle


The present technology calculates a value of future adherence (VFA) score which is a patient-level, predicted, expected cost of conversion from non-adherence to adherence over a specified time-frame. The score consists of three general components: (1) probability of being non-adherent, (2) cost reduction associated with being adherent, and (3) probability of converting from non-adherent to adherent. These values can be combined to create an overall VFA score. A user interface is then provided which shows at least a list of patients and information related to the VFA score.

The health care profession is rapidly changing. We now live in a time where health care has become a daily discussion for most media outlets. It is now more important than ever for health care providers, health insurance companies, and health care facilities to understand the costs associated with each patient and the patient's adherence (or non-adherence) to a treatment program.
Health care has become an increasingly popular topic these days, especially in light of recent legislation enabling the public greater access to health care. Certain technology has enabled health care providers the ability to monitor the adherence level for each patient to a particular health care therapy (e.g., adherence to a drug regimen), and use such data to advance the practice of the particular health care provider. Certain techniques are described in related U.S. application Ser. Nos. 13/729,817 and 14/319,450, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Conventional technology related to monitoring adherence to a particular health care regimen is helpful in that it can convey how involved a patient is when participating in a particular therapy. However, such technology does not necessarily convey to a health care provider the actual value associated with potential future adherence to a particular therapy. In particular, such technology does not create a metric for conveying to a health care provider the probability related a patient for the adherence (or non-adherence) to a therapy taking into account the probability of the patient converting to being adherent (e.g., from being non-adherent) and the potential cost reduction associated with becoming adherent.


A microfibrous fuel cell structure of elongated form with a longitudinal axis. Such microfibrous fuel cell includes electrocatalyst layers supported by a fiber network formed of unidirectional or substantially unidirectional conductive fibers. The conductive fibers of such fiber network are oriented parallelly or substantially parallelly to the longitudinal axis of the fuel cell, therefore allowing such fiber network to conform to the curvature of the microfibrous fuel cell along the radial direction but without causing overbending of the individual fibers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fuel cell assemblies comprising one or more microfibrous fuel cell elements containing fiber-supported electrocatalyst layers, and methods of making same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The recently developed microfibrous electrochemical cells, as disclosed by Ray R. Eshraghi in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,916,514; 5,928,808; 5,989,300; 6,004,691; 6,338,913; 6,399,232; 6,403,248; 6,403,517; 6,444,339; and 6,495,281, are advantageously characterized by reduced sizes (outer diameters usually within the range of from about 10 microns to about 10 millimeters) and increased active surface areas, which have demonstrated increased volumetric power density (i.e., unit volume power output) in comparison with conventional flat sheet or flat panel electrochemical cells. Further, such microfibrous electrochemical cells can be easily packed and assembled together. Therefore, by assembling multiple serially-connected and/or parallelly-connected microfibrous cells into a compact multi-cell unit, one can effectively modulate the voltage and/or current output of such multi-cell unit according to specific system requirements. The microfibrous electrochemical cells disclosed by the above-listed U.S. patents thus represent an important advancement in the field of power generation.
Among various microfibrous electrochemical cells, microfibrous fuel cells offer especially attractive features as energy conversion devices, including high energy efficiency and low level gaseous/solid emission, in comparison with traditional combustion-based energy sources. There are therefore particular interests in developing high quality power sources for use in hand-held or mobile electrical devices, electrically powered vehicles, as well as in distributed power generation applications, based on such microfibrous fuel cells.
A generalized microfibrous fuel cell, as described in the above-listed Eshraghi patents, comprises an inner current collector, an inner electrocatalyst layer, a microfibrous hollow membrane separator, an outer electrocatalyst layer, and an outer current collector. Additional components, such as humidifying tubes, heat-exchanging tubes and additional membrane layers, can be further configured and incorporated into the microfibrous fuel cell to improve the cell performance.
The inner and outer electrocatalyst layers of such microfibrous fuel cells are formed of electrocatalyst particles, which are coated onto or impregnated into the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow fibrous membrane separator. Although the catalyst/membrane bond is strong, the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) may expand and contract during cyclic operation of the fuel cell. This is due to the fact that the ion-exchange polymer membranes used in fuel cells swell or shrink depending on the state of the membrane hydration. The expansion and contraction of the membrane may have a deleterious effect on the MEA structure and long-term performance of the fuel cell.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved microfibrous fuel cell element, which comprises electrocatalytical structures characterized by high mechanical strength and robustness that provide good adhesion to the membrane separator even in consideration of the dimensional changes of such membrane separator during operation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide improved microfibrous fuel cells that can be manufactured by continuous extrusion on an automated production line, which enables commercial production of such microfibrous fuel cells, enhancing cell uniformity and consistency, and reducing the associated manufacturing costs.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell assembly comprising multiple improved microfibrous fuel cells connected in series and/or parallel for reliable and consistent power generation.
Other objects of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

Microfibrous fuel cell assemblies comprising fiber-supported electrocatalyst layers, and methods of making same


A hernia repair method includes the step of identifying a hernia defect in a patient, the hernia defect having a size, a location, and a shape. The method involves positioning a dispensing instrument laparoscopically into the patient adjacent the hernia defect. According to one step, the method includes dispensing one or more light pipes from the dispensing instrument at predetermined locations. The method also involves advancing the one or more light pipes through the patient's skin. Another step includes coupling a light source to the one or more light pipes. The method also involves generating a pattern of light that indicates one or more of the size, the location, and the shape of the hernia defect. One step includes positioning a surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect in accordance with the pattern of light.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to hernia repair methods. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for positioning a surgical patch to a tissue site of a hernia using light.
2. Description of Related Art
A hernia is a protrusion of a tissue, structure, or part of an organ through injured muscle tissue or an injured membrane by which the tissue, structure, or organ is normally contained. Some examples of hernias include: abdominal hernias, diaphragmatic hernias and hiatal hernias (for example, para-esophageal hernia of the stomach), pelvic hernias, for example, obturator hernia, anal hernias, hernias of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs, intracranial hernias, and Spigelian hernias.
Hernias may be surgically repaired, and are principally repaired by pushing back, or "reducing", the herniated tissue, and then reinforcing the defect in injured muscle tissue (an operation called herniorrhaphy). Modern muscle reinforcement techniques involve placement of a surgical patch, such as a surgical mesh, near the injured tissue or defect to support the defect. The surgical patch is either placed over the defect (anterior repair) or under the defect (posterior repair).
A variety of different fixation devices are used to anchor the surgical patch to the tissue. For example, a needled suture may be passed through or around the tissue near the defect to hold the surgical patch in a position which spans the injured tissue. In other examples, staples, tacks, clips and pins are also known to be passed through or around the tissue near the defect to anchor the surgical patch in a position which spans the injured tissue.
When applying a surgical patch during minimally invasive surgery, it is imperative that the surgeon know the precise location, size and shape of the hernia defect in order to properly place the surgical patch. However, since the bounds of the hernia defect are generally internal, visibility is often limited and placement of the surgical patch can be cumbersome. Thus, a continuing need still exits to provide a means for facilitating the effectiveness of the placement of surgical patches used to surgically repair hernias.

Methods of using light to repair hernia defects


There is provided an external stereo microphone device that enables further enhancement of operational feeling achieved when microphones are reoriented.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to an external stereo microphone device attached to; for instance, a mobile electronic device a cellular phone.
Related Art
Multifunctional mobile electronic devices, like cellular phones, tablet terminals, and PDAs, have recently become widespread. There are cases where such a mobile electronic device is used in audio and video recoding applications. However, since many of the mobile electronic devices are not designed solely for audio (video) recording purposes, they are not equipped with microphones suitable for audio recording. Against the backdrop, several stereo microphone devices that can be attached to the mobile electronic devices as appropriate have hitherto been proposed.
The stereo microphone device attached to the mobile electronic device is required to enable reorientation of microphones over a wide range. A cellular phone, in particular, often has cameras on both front and rear sides thereof. When a moving image is recorded by use of the front camera of the cellular phone, it is desired that the microphone be oriented forwardly. In contrast to this, when a moving image is recorded by use of the rear camera, it is desirable to orient the microphone backwardly. For this reason, the microphone must be reoriented through about 180 degrees. As mentioned above, when the microphones are reoriented, operational feeling achieved during reorientation naturally becomes important. In particular, when operational load imposed during reorientation of a microphone is too small, actual feeling of operation hardly occurs in the user, which will in turn cause the user to feel uneasy and insufficiency. However, no external stereo microphone devices taking into account such operational feeling have heretofore been available.
Some of the stereo microphone devices built in recorders enable appropriate reorientation of microphones. Recorders that enable reorientation of microphones are disclosed in; for instance, JP 2009-171355 A and JP 4072679 B and JP 4753978 B. However, none of the techniques described in connection with JP 2009-171355 A and JP 4072679 B and JP 4753978 B take into account operational feeling achieved during reorientation of microphones.
Accordingly, the present invention is intended for providing an external stereo microphone device that makes it possible to enhance operational feeling when microphones are reoriented.

Abstract: An external microphone attached to a mobile electronic device includes a pair of symmetrically-positioned microphones 60, a holder unit 40 having a pair of holders 46 symmetrically positioned so as to accommodate the pair of microphones 60 respectively and a joint 48 for joining the pair of holders 46 together, a case 14 having a substantially-cylindrical portion 20 that rotatably supports the holder unit 40 and a body 18 that accommodates a circuit board 22, and a roller 56 that revolves over an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 20 in association with rotation of the holder unit 40.


The present invention relates to a novel liquid preparation for the topical treatment for itching and inflammation associated with psoriasis and other common skin maladies wherein a layered mass of organic and inorganic material comprising: 1) Fruits, vegetable by-products, and paper scraps; 2) Grit comprising a blend of crushed volcanic rock; and, 3) A microbial soil enhancer is composted by a population of selected earthworms. The composting mass is misted daily to achieve a uniformly moist consistency. For the first two weeks, any worm tea (runoff) exiting the composting mass after each daily misting is recycled into the next day's misting fluid. A fraction of the worm tea produced during the third through twelfth weeks is harvested, pH adjusted, and treated with surfactant to form the liquid preparation.

Psoriasis is a chronic, genetically predisposed disease of the skin that affects 2-3% of the world's population. There is no cure, but a number of treatments both topical and systemic are known to control many of the symptoms. The disease is chronic, although in many cases it tends to be a recurring disease with flares interspersed with periods of relative dormancy.
The most common form of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis. Topical treatments range from moisturizers and mineral oil through topical corticosteroids through various vitamin D3 analogs through retinol. Phototherapy has been used for years and generally comprises some form of ultraviolet (UV) treatment in conjunction with a topical treatment. Many systemic agents are used, the main ones of which are methotrexate, cyclosporine and various retinoids. More recently, various biologic agents have been developed. Biologic agents are proteins that affect the immune response that gives rise to psoriasis.
Alternative therapies have been suggested including changes in lifestyle and diet. Fasting, low energy diets, and vegetarianism have shown promise in some studies in the treatment of psoriasis while diets rich in fish oil are also thought to be helpful. One such alternative therapy known in the prior art deals with "worm tea"—the liquid containing dissolved worm castings recovered from earthworm beds. Organic farmers have for decades asserted that worm tea aids in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis. Indeed, products are commercially available that use worm tea as an active ingredient for the treatment of such disorders. Recently however, it has been discovered that worm tea produced in a composting environment rich in fruits, vegetables, raw paper, and volcanic grit that is admixed with a microbial soil enhancer and subsequently pH adjusted and treated with a plant surfactant exhibits heighted therapeutic effect. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved worm tea derived topical preparation that demonstrates heightened efficacy when used to treat the itching and inflammation associated with psoriasis.
Moreover, given the similarities between the immune system response associated with psoriasis and many other inflammatory conditions of the skin, the improved worm tea of the present invention offers measurably significant levels of effectiveness when used to treat the itching and inflammation associated with a variety of skin maladies including, but not limited to, common skin rash, eczema, various fungal infections, rosacea, sunburn, insect bites, gangrenous pyoderma, keloids, and keratosis.

Preparation for the treatment of itching and inflammation associated with psoriasis and other topical skin maladies


A planar parallel mechanism having a platform movable in a plane along three degrees of freedom is described Existing technology fails to provide a manipulator with three degrees of freedom, wherein the mechanisms for moving the manipulator move in a decoupled fashion A manipulator and method of supporting and displacing an object which provides a solution to this problem comprises a base (1) and a moving portion (2) and articulated support legs (A1,A2,A3) between the moving portion (2) and the base (1) The articulated support legs (A1,A2,A3) are connected to the base (1) by a first translational joint, and jointly restrict movement of the moving portion to displacements in a plane in two translational degrees of freedom and one rotational degree of freedom A decoupled displacement of the moving portion (2) along a first of the two translational degrees of freedom and a decoupled displacement of the moving portion (2) along the rotational degree of freedom both result from actuation of at most two of the first translational joints Actuators (3,3a,3b,6,7) are operatively connected to a different one of the first translational joints so as to selectively control the displacements of the moving portion (2) in the three degrees of freedom of the moving portion (2).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to planar parallel mechanisms (i.e., planar parallel manipulator) and, more particularly, to a planar parallel mechanism having a platform movable in a plane along three degrees of freedom (x, y, θ).
2. Background Art
Different precision table units have been provided for displacing and positioning a moving platform in a plane. Precision table units are found in various uses, for instance, for the precise positioning of specimens, as in a microscope stage, or for precise fiber alignment, as in an alignment stage.
Most such table units are based on a serial architecture, but some have parallel architectures. In a typical table unit based on a serial mechanism, a rotary stage is mounted on top of a single-axis translation stage, which in turn is mounted on another single-axis translation stage. Such a stack-up configuration has three degrees of freedom, being two translations along X and Y axes and a rotation about Z axis.
Such a serial mechanism has the advantage of great simplicity in its control of motion. If the table unit is to be rotated, only the rotary stage is set in motion. If the table unit is to be displaced along the X axis, only the translation stage whose axis is parallel to the X axis is put in motion. Such a property is called decoupling. The relationship between the inputs, which are the positions of the actuators, and the output, which is the position and orientation of the moving platform, of such a mechanism is decoupled.
Decoupling is advantageous because of the simplicity of motion control, and also because it ensures that the table unit has a constant output resolution at any position and orientation. A major drawback is that serial mechanisms are self-supportive, whereby a ground-based actuator must support the weight of other actuators, in addition to the load. Therefore, for some movements, some of the relatively heavy actuators are displaced together with the moving platform, and therefore these table units are relatively sluggish.
Parallel mechanisms have a plurality of supporting members called legs, each separated from one another (i.e., in parallel). Consequently, a load supported by the moving platform is split into smaller loads for each leg. Parallel mechanisms are also advantageous in allowing the actuators of the legs to be base-mounted. Consequently, for a same object to be moved, parallel mechanisms involve substantially smaller loads set in motion than would require a serial mechanism.
One major disadvantage of most parallel mechanisms is that the relationship between the input motion from the actuators and the output motion of the moving platform is highly coupled and nonlinear. An input-output relationship is said to be coupled, in the case of a three-degree-of-freedom planar parallel mechanism, when for a motion of the moving platform along X or Y axis, or about Z axis, more than one actuator are to be driven at different rates. An input-output relationship is said to be nonlinear when, for a given position and orientation of the moving platform, there exist several possibilities for the positions of the actuators, or when for given positions of the actuators, there exist several possibilities for the location of the moving platform.
Various so-called planar parallel mechanisms whose moving platforms undergo a planar three-degree-of-freedom controllable motion have been provided in prior art and some have found application in industry.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,586, issued Sep. 23, 2003 to Scheidegger et al., entitled "Positioning Device," discloses a three-degree-of-freedom planar parallel mechanism whose moving platform has three linear guides arranged in a symmetrical Y-shape and whose actuators drive three pins along a common circular path, each pin restrained to move along one of the three guides of the moving platform. This design has the advantages of an unlimited rotational capability and relatively simple input-output relationship. However, this relationship is highly coupled.
The publication "PRP Planar Parallel Mechanism in Configurations Improving Displacement Resolution," by Stéphane Ronchi et al. (proceedings of the First International Conference on Positioning Technology, Hamamatsu, Japan, Jun. 9-11, 2004), discloses a similar three-degree-of-freedom planar parallel mechanism for precision positioning whose moving platform has three linear guides arranged in a symmetrical Y-shape and whose linear actuators drive three pins along the sides of an equilateral triangle, each pin restrained to move along one of the three guides of the moving platform. This design, too, has the advantage of a relatively simple input-output relationship. However, this relationship is still highly coupled.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,651, issued on Nov. 17, 1992 to Matsumoto, entitled "Movable Table," discloses a positioning device based on a three-degree-of-freedom planar parallel mechanism. The moving platform of this mechanism has three linear guides arranged in a T-shape, for which base-mounted linear actuators drive three pins along the sides of a Π-shape, each pin restrained to move along one of the three guides of the moving platform. This mechanism has a relatively simple input-output relationship, which is, however, completely coupled.
The publication "Singularity Analysis of 3-DOF Planar Parallel Mechanisms via Screw Theory," by Ilian A. Bonev et al. (Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 125, September 2003), presents kinematic analyses of all general three-degree-of-freedom planar parallel mechanisms with three identical legs. In this reference, it is shown that most planar parallel architectures have complex input-output relationships that are flawed by singularities near which the output precision is significantly deteriorated. Conditions for simplifying some designs are given but no new specific examples are shown.
The publication "Fully-Isotropic Over-Constrained Planar Parallel Manipulators," by Grigore Gogu [proceedings of 2004 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2004), Sendai, Japan], discloses all possible designs of theoretically perfect planar parallel mechanisms with three legs. The kinematic model of these parallel mechanisms is the same as or nearly the same as that of a serial mechanism. However, these parallel mechanisms are not suitable for precision positioning devices because they have too many joints and offer little support to the moving platform.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,138, issued on Mar. 6, 2001 to Sakai et al., entitled "Movable Table Unit," provides a three-degree-of-freedom planar parallel mechanism that basically consists of a translation stage on which a two-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanism is mounted. In the latter, three points of a moving platform are constrained to move along three linear guides that are normal to the axis of the translation stage. Two of the points are displaced along the linear guides through actuators. The proposed mechanism therefore has a simple input-output relationship. The linear stage controls directly the motion along an X axis, the other two linear actuators control directly the motion along a Y axis when moved in the same direction, while when these two linear actuators are moved in opposite directions, they control the rotation about a Z axis. However, the mechanism of U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,138 is not truly parallel and has the same disadvantage as a serial mechanism, in that the last two actuators are not base-mounted.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,635,887, issued on Oct. 21, 2003 to Kwan et al., entitled "Positioning System for Use in Lithographic Apparatus," discloses a three-degree-of-freedom planar parallel mechanism that consists of a translational stage which is transversely mounted onto two other parallel translational stages through flexure joints. When the two base-mounted actuators move in the same direction and at the same rates, the moving platform uniquely translates along an axis parallel to the directions of the two base-mounted actuators. When the two base-mounted actuators move in opposite directions and at some specially prescribed rates, the moving platform uniquely rotates. Finally, when, the third actuator is displaced, the moving platform is displaced solely along the direction of the third actuator. This mechanism has the disadvantage of not having all of its actuators mounted on the base. Furthermore, the range of rotations of this mechanism is severely limited due to the flexure joints.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,941, issued on Jun. 4, 1996 to Burton et al., entitled "X-Y-Theta Positioning Mechanism," discloses a three-degree-of-freedom planar parallel mechanism that is driven by three base-mounted linear actuators that push the moving platform through rollers. While the input-output relationship may be approximated as simple for small rotations of the moving platform, it becomes extremely complex for larger rotations.


An acoustic wave device includes: a substrate; a lower electrode that is located on the substrate; a piezoelectric film that is located on the lower electrode and made of aluminum nitride of which a ratio of a lattice constant in a c-axis direction to a lattice constant in an a-axis direction is smaller than 1.6; and an upper electrode that is located on the piezoelectric film and faces the lower electrode across the piezoelectric film.

In recent years, communication devices such as mobile phones become widely used. There is a case where acoustic wave devices using an acoustic wave are used as filters of communication devices, duplexers and the like. As examples of acoustic wave devices, there are devices using Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW), devices using Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) and the like. Piezoelectric thin film resonators are devices which use BAW, and include an FBAR (Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator), an SMR (Solidly Mounted Resonator) and the like. In addition, there are devices using a Lamb Wave. When the electromechanical coupling factor of the piezoelectric film becomes large, frequency characteristics of the acoustic wave device are improved, and the bandwidth widening becomes possible.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-344279 discloses a technique that improves characteristics of a piezoelectric thin film resonator by using the piezoelectric thin film including an alkali earth metal and a rare-earth metal. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-10926 discloses a technique that improves characteristics of the piezoelectric thin film resonator by using a piezoelectric thin film including scandium. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS AND FREQUENCY CONTROL, vol.47, p.292, 2000 discloses a technique that increases the electromechanical coupling factor of the piezoelectric thin film resonator by controlling the orientation of the piezoelectric thin film made of aluminum nitride (AlN).
However, there may be a case that it is difficult to obtain the high-enough electromechanical coupling by conventional techniques.


The arrangement is for coupling optional additional equipment to terminal equipment of private branch exchanges via an additional equipment interface, particularly according to the ETSI standard. The terminal equipment has an option bus via which arbitrary additional equipment can be connected. An additional equipment driver specific to the additional equipment and that represents the additional equipment interface is provided in the private branch exchange. The terminal equipment provides a communication channel between the additional equipment and the additional equipment driver in the private branch exchange via which the additional equipment and the additional equipment driver communicate according to a protocol specific to the additional equipment.

The present invention is directed to an arrangement for coupling optional auxiliary devices to terminal equipment of private branch exchanges, particularly via an auxiliary device interface defined according to ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute).
The auxiliary device interface ("AEI"; "Additional Equipment Interface") defined according to ETSI is increasingly gaining in significance with the area-covering introduction of Euro-ISDN (DSS1). Such an interface is defined in "ETSI DRAFT pr I-ERTS 300 245-4", Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN), Technical characteristic of telephony terminals, Part 4: Additional Equipment Interface (AEI), June 1993. The AEI specification according to ETSI defines a combination of four interfaces, whereby the terminal equipment can support one interface or a combination of interfaces. These interfaces are: an analog 4-wire interface (X); a digital 4-wire signalling interface (Y); an analog 2-wire interface (Z.sub.A); an ON/OFF or: IN/OUT! signal interface (Z.sub.B)
This interface defined according to ETSI is an additional equipment interface that sequences the communication between Euro-ISDN terminal equipment and additional equipment (such as, for example, a name key console or a selection aid interface for a personal computer) with functional messages. Euro-ISDN terminal equipment are based on the protocols Q.921 and Q.931/932 according to the CCITT Standard. The exchange and the terminal equipment are thereby automatic status devices.
The functional AEI unit is locally arranged in the terminals equipment and requires a local DSS1 and AEI automatic status device. These local demands represent a considerable added outlay for a Euro-ISDN terminal equipment when activating the AEI unit. Due to the function distribution, each performance feature of the AEI is completely and mandatorily defined in the signalling. A modification or expansion of the performance features in the AEI therefore requires a software modification in the Euro-ISDN terminal equipment.
It can also be necessary to activate an AEI unit for system terminal equipment such as, for example, of the type Symphony of Siemens that have a stimulus function division and that do not employ DSS1 as a signalling protocol. In stimulus terminal equipment, the function distribution is such that only the exchange is an automatic status device, whereas the terminal equipment is a pure input/output device. This requires a smaller processor and less program memory space. Such proprietary stimulus terminal equipment are therefore the only present possibility for manufacturing what are referred to as absolute low-cost terminal equipment, since the functional Euro-ISDN terminal equipment require component parts and software that do not allow the prices of the stimulus terminal equipment to be achieved. However, the local utilization of an AEI unit also leads to a considerable outlay in the terminal equipment given stimulus terminal equipment and, correspondingly, is economically and technologically unfeasible.

Arrangement for coupling optional auxiliary devices to terminal equipment of private branch exchanges


Apparatus for determining camera user's preference in reproduced images includes a display of a series of images with varying color balance characteristic and means to record color balance preference data associated with a user-selected image. The data is stored and transferred, along with camera film bearing images of scenes taken by the camera user, to the photofinisher for use in controlling reproduction of the image prints in accordance with the image preference data. The data may be stored on a storage medium, such as a memory card, for direct transfer to the photofinisher or it may be stored in a camera internal memory for recording on the film medium, the latter approach assuring the preference data is available at the printer for use in the image reproduction process.

In photographic systems, a camera user captures the scene on a photosensitive film strip that is subsequently processed to create a stable record of the image, a "negative". This negative is then exposed in a photographic printing process onto a positive print paper to produce a positive image for normal, direct viewing. The quality of the resultant print depends on many variables involved in this technology; namely, light density and hue of the image, sensitivity of the emulsions and user preferences in color balance and density characteristics. Typically, these variables are dealt with in the printing stage by selectively controlling the duration of exposure for each of a plurality of colors of the light exposing the print paper. These controls may be inputted manually by the operator of photographic printer or they may be determined automatically using specially designed computer algorithms for the purpose.
Testing has shown that when a series of scenes are shown to a variety of viewers, the viewers express different preferences on color balance and exposure characteristics of the print. Some individuals prefer a color mix that is biased more toward the longer wave lengths in the red spectral wavelength region to produce a "warmer" image. Others may prefer a color bias toward shorter wavelengths in the blue spectral region. Normally, however, photographic printing processes, including the associated color balance control algorithms, when used, are set to generate prints that are based on a derived average preference of a wide variety of users.
It would be of benefit to camera users if their personal preferences as to color balance characteristics in reproduced image characteristics could be determined individually and the preference applied to the printing process to control the exposure of the prints.

System and apparatus for accomodating user preferences in reproduced images


An apparatus and method for controlling a fuel cell which has an anode and a cathode includes first and second circuitry which are utilized, to selectively short the anode to the cathode and further is useful in measuring the rate of voltage recovery following shorting, and which can be utilized as a predictor of appropriate fuel cell hydration and can be further utilized to adjust the operational conditions of the fuel cell.

The prior art is replete with numerous examples of fuel cells which are employed for various end uses. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device which reacts a fuel and an oxidant to produce electricity and a byproduct which is typically water. A typical fuel supply for a fuel cell is hydrogen, and the typical oxidant supplied to the fuel cell is oxygen (or more commonly ambient air). Other fuels and oxidants can be employed depending upon operational conditions. Various fuel cell designs have been proposed through the years including fuel cells in various stack-like arrangements. Yet further, fuel cells such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,030,718 and 6,468,682 have been commercially introduced and have avoided many of the shortcomings associated with stack-like designs and arrangements. The teachings of each of these patents are incorporated by reference herein.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,449 to Fuglevand et al., the inventors disclosed a shunt controller which is electrically coupled with a fuel cell and which at times shunts electrical current between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell to achieve various benefits including boosting the electrical power output of same. It is speculated that this repeated, and periodic shorting causes each of the fuel cell membranes to be "conditioned", that is, such shorting is believed to cause an increase in the amount of water that is made available to the membrane electrode diffusion assembly (MEDA) of the fuel cell thereby increasing that assembly's performance. Additionally, it is also conceivable that the shorting provides, at least in part, a short term increase in heat output that is sufficient to evaporate excess water from associated diffusion layers that are mounted on or made integral with the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,538, and which is incorporated by reference herein, a fuel cell power system was described and which included circuitry which was configured to measure the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the fuel cell in timed relation to the shorting as described in the earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,449. This equivalent series resistance (ESR) was then employed to adjust the operation of the fuel cell in order to optimize the hydration, and other operational characteristics of the fuel cell.
While the assorted fuel cells and other methodology which has been described, above, have worked with a great deal of success, further research has been conducted in order to develop other measures which are still further more accurate indicators of the operational hydration of a functioning fuel cell.
Therefore, a method and apparatus for controlling a fuel cell which avoids the shortcomings attendant with the prior art devices and practices utilized heretofore is the subject matter of the present application.

Apparatus and method for controlling a fuel cell using the rate of voltage recovery


A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus, including a nozzle body having a nozzle melt channel for receiving a melt stream from a manifold melt channel, and a collar mounted on the nozzle body. One of the nozzle body and the collar has a shoulder formed therein and the other of the nozzle body and collar has a radially disposed protrusion for engaging the shoulder to act against separation of the collar from the nozzle body.

Nozzles used in injection molding apparatus will often have a flange or collar located at a head or upstream end of the nozzle in order to align the nozzle with the gate and/or align the nozzle channel with the manifold melt channel.
There is a need for a nozzle having a flange mounted thereto in a durable, reliable, efficient and/or cost effective manner.

Snap on flange for injection molding nozzle


A vermin barrier comprises a vertically extending support member having a substantially planar exterior surface adapted for receipt adjacent a parallel surface. A shield member extends from the planar member such that the shield member and the planar member together define an interior region. A pesticide is disposed within said interior region such that a route of travel barrier and vapor head are created for deterring vermin from entering the interior region.

This invention pertains to the art of controlling a route of travel of crawling pests or vermin such as arthropods and rodents. It finds significant usefulness in controlling the route of travel of pests including mice, rats, chipmunks, squirrels, cockroaches, spiders and ants, including red imported fire ants.
The invention is particularly applicable to the control or repellency of vermin crawling along vertically situated surfaces and will be described with reference thereto. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention has broader application, such as in connection with preventing crawling vermin from passing along non-vertical surfaces. The invention may also be advantageously employed in other environments and applications.
Arthropod pests including roaches, spiders and ants are attracted to electrical and electromagnetic fields. They are known to invade the inner workings of telephone cable boxes, televisions, computers, traffic control apparatus, microwaves and other equipment. They often find their way into electrical equipment housings and nest in these dark spaces. This leads to a buildup of excrement, arthropod carcasses, webs and other items such as dirt and sand particles brought in by these pests (e.g. during colonization). Eventually, the presence of these undesirable elements causes primary electrical systems to short out and fail. Also, repair of electrical equipment requires removal of the undesirable material and often leads to bites or stings by the unwelcome vermin residing in the housing.
Underground telephone cable access housings are situated on the ground, or partially below the surface of the earth. These housings are easily and often invaded by spiders, ants, roaches and other pests which find access to the interior region of the housing by burrowing through the ground. The low level electrical fields within the housing attract the arthropods.
In addition to being attracted to electrical fields, cockroaches specifically find the dark area inside the housing a harborage, and take up residence therein. They subsist on, among other things, arthropod carcasses. Once the arthropods die, their corpses produce an ammonia gas which oxidizes and damages telephone wires and diminishes the decibel level on the phone lines. Spiders also form webs in the housings. The webs absorb moisture which causes shorts across electrical circuitry.
Another particularly undesirable creature to inhabit the electrical fields and, in particular, telephone cable access housings is the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA). Over the years, these red fire ants have become a problem and pose a health hazard in warm climates and are rapidly spreading with alarm. As with other pests, the fire ants are likewise attracted to electrical fields and as such are often found in electrical equipment. They often pack themselves around relays and connectors, causing serious damage to the equipment and the surrounding environment. The presence of such ants in electrical equipment creates a health hazard for persons working in the immediate area and often causes electrical shorts and corrosion.
In addition, farrow ants and fire ants have been known to crawl up vertical structures, such as table legs and the like, and have become a severe threat in hospitals, nursing homes and even in research laboratories which house research animals in cages on tables. The ants are able to approach and bite a human or animal, thus causing serious allergic reaction as well as spreading infection and disease. In many instances, this can be dangerous to the comfort and health of all involved by creating unsanitary and offensive work environments and causing job loss, labor delays, and loss of productivity to workers and industry.
It would be desirable to develop an environmentally safe device for eliminating arthropod pests from gaining access to electrical equipment or in areas where they create a nuisance or do not belong. The device should act as a deterrent, sending the undesirable crawling pests back into the ground or to the place from which they emanate.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved vermin barrier which overcomes all of the above referenced problems and others and provides a means for control against crawling vermin which is simple to use, economical to manufacture, efficacious and environmentally safe.


A smoking material is provided that is useful to alleviate the symptoms of the tobacco withdrawal syndrome comprising an amount of continine or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof in combination with a non-toxic vegetable material, which amount is effective to reduce or eliminate at least one of the symptoms of tobacco withdrawal syndrome in a human when the smoking material is smoked by a human.

Cigarette smoking continues to be the major preventable cause of death in the United States resulting in nearly 400,000 deaths per year due to cancer and heart disease. Despite the potential adverse health effects, grave consequences, the vast majority of cigarette smokers are unable to cease smoking.
The lack of smoking cessation success is thought to be related to the tobacco withdrawal syndrome or tobacco abstinence syndrome that most smoker experience during their attempts to quit. See, Office of Smoking and Health, The Health Consequences of Smoking: Nicotine Addiction. A Report to the Surgeon General, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., Washington, D.C., DHHS Pub. No. (CDC) 88-8406 (1988). The most common effects are similar to those in almost all abstinence syndromes, and include decreased heart rate, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, impatience, irritability and restlessness. See, American Psychiatric Assoc., Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Washington D.C. (3rd ed. 1980) at pages 159-160, 176-178. Most withdrawal effects occur within 24 hours, peak in the first 1-2 weeks and significantly decrease at one month. It is widely believed that the effects of abstinence from tobacco are due to nicotine deprivation, and that abstinence effects from smoking prevent smokers from stopping. See, J. R. Hughes et al., in Research and Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems, Vol., 10, L. T. Kozlowski et al., eds., Plenum Pub. Corp. (1990) at pages 317-398.
Of the pharmacological approaches to aiding cessation of smoking, nicotine replacement, e.g., via transdermal nicotine patches or nicotine gum is the most widely used. Nicotine gum decreases abstinence discomfort, especially anxiety, decreased memory and irritability. On the other hand, nicotine gum does not reliably decrease weight gain or craving. Also, discontinuing use of nicotine gum leads to some of the same symptoms as the cigarette withdrawal syndrome. Furthermore, nicotine is toxic, and the availability of nicotine gum or patches poses a risk of poisoning to children and pets.
Other studies have demonstrated that alpha-2 agonists, such as clonidine, decrease postcessation anxiety, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Decreased sympathetic activity has been postulated to be the mechanism by which these drugs decrease abstinence effects. Although tobacco abstinence has some effects that could be attributed to sympathetic activity, it lacks the typical signs and symptoms of sympathetic overactivity, such as tachycardia, diaphoresis and hypertension. Thus, the mechanism by which alpha-2 agonists exert their effects is unclear. While a number of other pharmacological treatments, such as use of doxepin, ACTH, and corticotrophins, for abstinence symptoms have been tested, none of the studies reported baseline and postcessation values for abstinence symptoms. See, for example, S. J. Bourne (U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,074).
Therefore, a continuing need exists for pharmacological treatments that will facilitate smoking cessation, e.g., by blocking or relieving tobacco withdrawal syndrome, or reducing the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.


An information processing apparatus that is capable of controlling electric energy consumption with sufficient accuracy. An execution unit executes a job. A calculation unit calculates electric energy consumption in a period from a start of execution of the job by the execution unit to an end except a period from interruption of execution of the job by the execution unit to restarting, as electric energy consumption at the time of job execution.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium storing a control program therefor, which control electric energy consumption in an electronic apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to reduce electric energy consumption in electronic apparatuses, such as a printer, a multifunctional peripheral device, etc., it is required for enabling a user to recognize the electric energy consumption of an electronic apparatus (what is called "visualization"). In order to urge a user to act to reduce electric energy consumption, it is necessary to monitor and to control the electric energy consumption accurately for each process (a print, a copy, etc. for example) executed by each user and to enable the "visualization".
There is a known technique that image forming apparatuses, which can measure electric energy consumption, transmit data about electric energy consumption measured in response to requests by a control apparatus in a system where the image forming apparatus and the control apparatus are connected via a network (for example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2003-335026 (JP 2003-335026A)).
However, since the electric energy consumption measurement method disclosed in JP 2003-335026A does not assume an exceptional process, measurement of the electric energy consumption of the apparatus may be mistaken and lower control accuracy for electric energy consumption when a job is interrupted during execution of the job, for example.
Thus, the conventional technique has a problem that electric energy consumption of an electronic apparatus device cannot be controlled with sufficient accuracy.

Information processing apparatus for controlling electric power consumption, information processing method, and storage medium storing control program therefor


A refrigerator is provided which selectively opens or closes an inner cover according to the closing or opening of an auxiliary door. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator door to open or close a refrigerator storage chamber, a door storage space provided at an inner side of the door, an access opening formed through the door to allow a user to take out items stored in the door storage space from the outside, the auxiliary door mounted at an outer side of the door to open or close the access opening, an inner cover mounted at the inner side of the door in an openable manner to separate the door storage space from the storage chamber, and an inner cover opening/closing device to close the inner cover when the auxiliary door is opened and to open the inner cover when the auxiliary door is closed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator that enables a smooth supply of cold air into a door storage space inside an auxiliary door.
2. Description of the Related Art
A refrigerator, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,347, includes an access opening formed through a refrigerator door to allow a user to take out items stored in a storage space inside the door without opening the door, and an auxiliary door to open or close the access opening.
The auxiliary door is pivotally mounted at the bottom of the access opening formed through the refrigerator door to open or close the access opening through a vertical pivoting movement thereof. In the refrigerator of the type employing the auxiliary door, an intermediate storage space is provided inside the door to store certain food stuffs, such as beverages, to be taken out via the access opening. The intermediate storage space inside the door is separated from a storage chamber of the refrigerator by means of a separate inner cover to prevent cold refrigerated air of the storage chamber from leaking to the outside via the access opening when a user opens the auxiliary door. The inner cover is pivotally mounted at the top thereof to an inner side of the door. The inner cover is normally closed by gravity, and can be opened only when a user raises it by pivoting at the inner side of the door.
As a result of keeping the inner cover in a closed state when a user opens the auxiliary door, the above described refrigerator has the effect of preventing the cold refrigerated air within the storage chamber from leaking to the outside via the access opening. However, the inner cover is normally closed to separate the intermediate storage space from the storage chamber, and thus tends to hinder a smooth flow of the cold refrigerated air from the storage chamber into the intermediate storage space inside the door, thereby deteriorating a cooling efficiency of the intermediate storage space inside the door (i.e. a space inside the access opening).


A child's highchair for receiving a child in a seated orientation includes a supporting frame, a seat supported by the frame, and a back connected to the frame wherein the back is movable between a substantially vertical orientation and a rearwardly tilted or reclining orientation. A release mechanism is integrated into the highchair and includes a release handle, a pair of cable arrangements and securing pins that are movable between a locked position and a released position by manipulation of the release mechanism. With the securing pins in a locked position, the back is fixed in position in a substantially vertical orientation. With the securing pins retracted, the back is able to be moved manually to a reclining position so as to enlarge the included angle between the back and the seat, making it easier to place a child in the highchair.

The present invention relates in general to highchairs for children, typically toddlers, that include a seat portion and a back portion, typically at or near a right angle relative to the seat portion. While minor variations might be seen, the seat is generally horizontal relative to the floor or surface that the highchair is placed upon. The back portion is generally vertical relative to the seat, but there can be a very slight rearward incline or contouring. In order to secure and protect the child, a guard rail extends around the sides and the front of the seat portion at an elevated position above the seat portion. A support post of some type or partitioning strap extends between the seat portion and the guard rail and is normally used at the front of the seat portion. This particular construction results in the creation of two leg holes, one on each side of the center support post or strap. As the child is placed in the highchair, it is necessary to slide one leg into one leg hole and the other leg into the other leg hole, typically at the same time, while lowering the child, facing forward, onto the seat portion.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a release mechanism incorporated into the back portion and the sides of the highchair in order to permit or enable the back portion to recline more rearwardly. The release mechanism is manipulated manually and, once operated, the back portion is able to be manually pivoted rearwardly. While various release mechanisms might be possible to enable the back portion to recline, the preferred embodiment of the present invention allows the release mechanism to be operated with one hand. The other hand can be used to hold the child. This rearward pivot results in reclining the back portion such that its included angle between the back portion and the seat portion can be increased. With the back portion oriented in a substantially vertical position for use, the included angle between the back portion and the seat portion is approximately 90 degrees and could be slightly higher if a slight incline is introduced into the back portion. By operating the release mechanism so that the back portion can be pivoted to a reclining position, the included angle between the back portion and the seat portion is increased to at least between 140 degrees and 150 degrees. Additionally, the construction results in also moving the pivot point rearwardly so as to increase the spacing between the back portion and the guard rail. With the back portion reclined in this manner, it is easier to guide the child and the child's legs into the seat and into the leg holes, respectively. Once the child is properly positioned, the back portion is manually returned to its more upright orientation and locked in position to then be able to support the child. If the back portion is left in the reclining position the child can use the highchair for a nap.
While the present invention is illustrated and described with respect to one style of highchair, it should be understood that the release mechanism and the reclining back portion can be added or integrated into virtually any highchair. Whatever minor design modifications might be required due to the specific sizes, dimensions, and geometries, these are all modifications that a highchair designer should be able to accomplish based on the teachings of the present invention.


The present invention relates to a method for selectively detecting and/or measuring gaseous SO2 at a temperature of at least 500° C., the method involving: (i) providing a SO2-detecting device including an oxygen ion-conducting substrate having on its surface at least three electrodes comprising a first, second, and third electrode; (ii) driving a starting current of specified magnitude and temporal variation between the first and second electrodes; (iii) contacting the SO2-detecting device with the SO2-containing sample while maintaining the magnitude and any temporal variation of the starting current, wherein said SO2-containing sample causes a change in the electrical conductance of said device; and (iv) detecting the change in electrical conductance of the device based on measuring an electrical property related to or indicative of the conductance of the device between the first and third electrodes, or between the second and third electrodes, and detecting SO2 in the SO2-containing sample based on the measured change in electrical conductance.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an unwanted by-product of many combustion processes. SO2 is harmful to the environment as it produces acid rain when mixed with the water and oxygen present in the earth's atmosphere. Some of the most widespread sources of SO2 include emissions from diesel engines and electrical power plants run by fossil fuels. Accordingly, there is increasing pressure to regulate and control the levels of SO2 emanating from such sources, therefore monitoring of SO2 levels is required.
All of the commonly-used devices for detecting SO2 are limited to operating at maximum temperatures no more than about 40° C. An example of such a detector is the SO2-AF sensor from Alphasense Ltd. This sensor requires operation within the temperature range of −30 to 40° C. Other types of detectors used in the art include, for example, the electrolytic conductivity detector, mass spectrometer, and gas chromatography detector. Other popular detection methods are based on, for example, thermal conductivity and flame ionization. All of these detection methods are designed to operate more preferably at or near room temperature.
This upper limit on the operating temperature necessitates cooling of the combustion exhaust before measurement of the SO2 level can take place. Cooling of the sample, and typically other pretreatment steps (such as scrubbing of hydrocarbons), can alter the sample by, for example, contamination, dilution or loss of sample species, or conversion of the SO2 into sulfur trioxide (SO3). In addition, the time required before the sample can be measured increases the chances that active species can decompose or react with other species. Furthermore, cooling of the sample causes condensation. The condensation is problematic because it interferes with the measurement process.
In addition to the difficulties caused by cooling, some of the devices currently used to measure SO2 are not real-time in nature. For example, the electrolytic conductivity detector requires a gas sample to be absorbed by a Liquid electrolyte. These detectors operate by measuring the difference in electrical conductivity of the electrolyte material before and after the gas sample is absorbed by the electrolyte. The difference in electrical conductivity of the electrolyte indicates the type and/or concentration of the gas. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,726.
The absorption step required by the electrolytic conductivity detector has the disadvantage of increasing the measurement time. The long sample preparation time is particularly problematic in situations where SO2 is needed to be monitored over time, continuously or in intervals. In such cases, extrapolation of a result back in time is required. The extrapolation can contribute to inaccuracy of the results as well as to an uncertainty of when a certain SO2 level occurred.
There remains a need in the art for a simple and accurate method for directly measuring the level of SO2 emanating from a combustion source. To improve the accuracy and usefulness of the measurement, there remains a particular need for a method that can determine in a real-time fashion the levels of SO2 at the high temperatures encountered near combustion events.

Device and method for detecting sulfur dioxide at high temperatures


A liquid crystal projector having a light source device which comprises a first reflective mirror surrounding a light source; a second reflective mirror which is disposed before the first mirror in the light emission direction and has a convergent shape with respect to the light source; a lamp house surrounding the light source, the first and second mirrors, and having an opening for cooling the light source positioned behind the first mirror; a first lamp shade disposed behind the light source and the first mirror, and having an area of an appropriate transverse cross section of a phantom cone or pyramid which is defined by a series of phantom linear lines connecting the light source and the contour of the opening for cooling the light source; and a second lamp shade disposed outside a curved wall of the first mirror and before the light source.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal projector for projecting on a screen with a magnified output image from a personal computer, CD, video, or the like, especially to a structure thereof for preventing leakage of a light from a light source, improving a cooling efficiency of a light source region and reducing an air current noise from a cooling fan.
There has been used a liquid crystal projector in which an optical image signal formed on a light bulb is radiated by a lighting means and projected onto a screen as a magnified image by means of a projector. There have been proposed also a number of light bulbs with utilization of a liquid crystal display element. A known twisted nematic (TN) type of one of liquid crystal display elements comprises a pair of transparent substrates which have transparent electrode film coats and between which a liquid crystal is filled. At a front and a back sides of the liquid crystal display element, two polarizers are disposed, respectively, in such a manner that the polarizers differ in polarizing direction from each other by an angle of 90 degrees. In such liquid crystal display element, a permeated light quantity of an incident light is controlled to display an image information by combining an action of rotating a polarizing face by an electro-optical effect of the liquid crystal and an action of selecting a polarizing component of the polarizers.
A presentation is made using an image display device by disposing a liquid crystal projector in front of listeners (or audience). In this case, light leakage from a light source deteriorates a quality of image or a contrast on a screen, or a light is flashed directly upon eyes of the listeners uncomfortably. Also, heat generated from the light source not only shortens a life of the light source but gives an adverse influence onto components of the liquid crystal projector. To solve the problem, as disclosed in JP-A-64-84290, a louver as a shade is associated with a lamp house or a housing of the light source to intercept a leak light while a cooling air current can pass through openings of the louver.
In detail, a light source consists of a light emitting portion and a reflective mirror which radiates a light emitted from the light source onto an irradiation face as a target. The reflective mirror is subjected to a dichroic treatment so that unnecessary lights like as an extreme infrared light and a ultraviolet light other than a visible light permeated through the reflective mirror without being reflected by the reflective mirror. Because such unnecessary lights exchange heat in a liquid crystal panel, a polarizing plate and other optical components, and influence the components. The dichroric reflective mirror allows not only unnecessary lights but also a visible light to permeate therethrough. The light which is emitted from the light source and permeates through the reflective mirror leaks and causes problems.
On the other hand, regarding the cooling of the light source region, because of a large output, it is designed to obtain an increased cooling effect by providing the cooling fan in the vicinity of the light source. In this case, a cooling air current path needs to be narrowed for the light leakage. Therefore, when the cooling fan is operated, an eddy airflow arises around the louver and a noise is generated when the cooling air current passes through the louver.
In the presentation mentioned above, the output of the light source tends to be increased such that the presentation can be effected in a lighted hall. This causes problems of the overheating of the light source device and the cooling air current noise and amplifys the light leakage problem mentioned above. In the conventional method using the louver, the light leakage and the cooling efficiency contradict each other. In order to intercept the leak light, a dimension of an opening area of the louver needs to be reduced. However, when a passage area of the cooling air current is reduced, the cooling efficiency of the light source device becomes lower and a noise is increased. There has been tried a structural modification of the louver, and proposed a way of overlapping louver fins. However, such known ways are unsatisfactory.

Light source device of liquid crystal projector

Hitachi Video & Information System, Inc.