The invention is directed to a heatable appliance for personal use, in particular a hair-care appliance, including a device for the flameless combustion of a fuel/air mixture and an associated activation device for initiating its flameless combustion, wherein the device includes a stable carrier structure 28 of a mass m.sub.T and a density s.sub.T. The carrier structure 28 is provided with a coating having a specific surface area O.sub.B (according to the BET method) and a mass m.sub.B, the coating carrying a catalytically active material of a mass m.sub.K. In order to ensure a high mechanical stability, a satisfactory activation ability and at the same time a high resistance to poisoning of the catalyst, the ratio ##EQU1## is set at values in the following range: EQU 0.3.times.10.sup.6 .ltoreq.delta.ltoreq.30.times.10.sup.6.

This invention relates to a heatable appliance for personal use, in particular a hair-care appliance, including a device for the flameless combustion of a fuel/air mixture and an associated activation device for initiating its flameless combustion.
An appliance of this type is already known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,133. The device for flameless combustion is comprised of catalytically coated quartz wool which, for reasons of mechanical stability and a sufficiently accurate locating ability, is arranged between two spiral springs serving a supporting function for the quartz wool. The catalytically effective quartz wool serves for the flameless combustion of a fuel/air mixture supplied, the combustion heat being utilized for heating an appliance for personal use as, for example, for heating a gas-powered curling iron. However, the catalytic combustion action of the fuel/air mixture does not start until the catalytically active material has reached a specific activation temperature (LOT=light-off temperature). The energy required to obtain the activation temperature of the catalyst is supplied to the catalyst by means of an associated activation device. This activation device ignites a fuel/air mixture fed to a combustion chamber of the appliance after the fuel supply is started, the ignition being accomplished by means of one or several sparks or a flame introduced from outside, with the ignited fuel/air mixture becoming extinguished automatically within a fraction of one or several seconds. The energy released by this ignition is, however, sufficient to heat at least isolated zones of the catalyst to the activation temperature and to set off the catalytic, that is, the flameless combustion within the catalyst.
Whilst this appliance, sold in quantities in the million range in the past years, is well-established in practice, experience has shown that in single aspects the device for flameless combustion is still capable of improvement. First, the mechanical instability of the quartz wool and the resultant need to locate it in position by means of a mechanically stable supporting structure have given rise to problems. In the use of an appliance equipped with a catalyst of the type referred to above, it may happen that isolated fibers of the quartz wool fall out of their mechanical supporting structure which may adversely affect the passage of fuel by causing (partial) clogging of the fuel metering nozzle. Furthermore, loss of fiber may result in a deterioration of the activation action of the appliance, in particular where a piezoelectric igniter is used. Finally, the quartz wool is not in a position to ensure a consistent flow resistance at all times, so that hot spots may occur in partial areas of the catalyst. This impairs the service life of the catalyst materially.
On the other hand, it is precisely in the use of the known catalyst in hair-care appliances that the following problems occur: Specific user groups of such hair-care appliances heated by flameless combustion tend to apply hair-care products such as setting foams, hair spray, shampoo or the like prior to or while treating their hair. As a result, the air around the hair-care appliance is enriched with these hair-care substances or portions thereof to a greater or lesser degree. Some of this ambient air is aspirated by the fuel-heated hair-care appliance for producing a suitable fuel/air mixture. As comprehensive examinations have revealed, these hair-care products involve great disadvantages in respect of the useful life of the catalyst, particularly if they contain silicone-containing substances. If air enriched with hair-care agent is supplied to the catalyst for flameless combustion of the fuel, the tests performed and described in greater detail in the following reveal that a deposit of as little as 5 grams of hair-care agent accumulating on the catalyst is already sufficient to deteriorate the properties of the catalyst to a degree reducing the activation ability to intolerable values or to cause the degree of catalytic conversion of the fuel/air mixture to drop below a lower threshold. Therefore, appliances in which a deposit of more than 5 grams of hair-care agent accumulates on the catalyst are, as a rule, no longer usable, presenting a case for customer service.


Subscriber units (14) can roam from zone (A) to zone (B) and accurately compile fragments of a message that includes fragments transmitted from both zones. Preferably, a subscriber unit (14) assigns different markers to fragments received from different zones. When the subscriber unit senses that a received message includes fragments from different zones, it correlates a number of characters of a fragment received from one zone (A) to a similar number of characters in a fragment received from a different zone (B). If a complete match is not found, the fragments are combined as part of a message. If a match is found, a further comparison looks for additional matches between fragments and, finding such additional matches, erases one copy of duplicate characters.

In a typical RF (Radio Frequency) messaging system, messages are transmitted to one or more selective call receivers (or transceivers) that are subscribed to the system. These subscribing selective call receivers (or transceivers) are referred to herein as SU's (Subscriber Units).
When a long message is to be transmitted to a SU, the message is divided into numbered fragments before it is transmitted. The fragments are then transmitted sequentially, and the addressed SU appends each received fragment to an immediately preceding fragment to compile a complete message for the user of the SU.
A SU is typically permitted to roam, i.e., to move from one coverage zone to another zone. When the SU is in a first zone, it receives messages on a first channel; when the SU moves to a different zone, the SU receives messages on a different channel. A potential problem arises when the SU receives one or more fragments of a long message while it is in the first zone, and then moves to a second zone before receiving the complete message. If the communication system is aware of which fragments were received by the SU while it was in the first zone, the system can instruct a base station transmitter in the second zone to send the remaining fragments of the message. In this manner, no fragments are missed by the SU, and no duplicate fragments are transmitted.
In a two-way messaging system where the SU can receive and transmit information, the SU transmits an acknowledgment (ACK) each time it receives a complete fragment. Thus, the messaging system knows which fragments have or have not been received by the SU. When this SU roams to a different zone, the remaining fragments can be sent to the SU as described above.
The problem of roaming is not so easily cured in a one-way messaging system. In a one-way system, the SU only receives; it does not transmit. The system provides coverage for multiple zones by placing a base station transmitter in each zone, with the transmitters simulcasting on different channels. That is, the same message (identified by the same message number) is transmitted by each base station transmitter on its own channel, but these transmissions are not synchronized with each other. The message may be transmitted in one zone seconds or minutes later than the same message is transmitted in another zone.
Fragment size can also vary from zone to zone. Even though infrastructure equipment in each zone divides the message to be simulcast into similarly numbered fragments, fragment size can vary from zone to zone, depending on the message traffic in a zone.
Considering the above-mentioned differences that occur from zone to zone, and the fact that the one-way messaging system cannot know which fragments were actually received by an addressed SU, one can appreciate that there can be no assurance that a roaming SU will receive a complete message, and similarly, no assurance that the roaming SU has not received some duplicate information.
What is needed therefore, is a method for a SU to receive multiple fragments of a message transmitted from different zones and assemble those fragments into a complete message without duplication of information.

Method for a subscriber unit to compile message fragments transmitted from different zones


A method is provided for producing fine-bubble water by resonance foaming and vacuum cavitation, and a device for manufacturing each of ultra-fine-bubble water of hydrogen gas having a reducing radical function, ultra-fine-bubble water of air and oxygen gas having an oxidizing radical function, ozone ultra-fine-bubble water having a sterilization function enabled by ozone, and fine-bubble water of nitrogen/carbon dioxide gas for increasing the ability to preserve the freshness of raw agricultural products, livestock products, and marine products.

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for and a manufacturing apparatus of ultra-fine bubbled water (water including bubbles) that contains oxidizing radicals or reductive radicals. The invention employs vacuum cavitation originated from a vacuum generated by the difference between the liquid supply capability of a pump and the liquid sucking capability of the other pump, in which the two pumps sandwich a resonance ejector and a resonance bubble-forming device.
The study on microbubbles and nanobubbles has just started 25 to 30 years ago. In EXPO 2005 Aichi, Mr. Masayoshi Takahashi of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology demonstrated that sea bream, which is saltwater fish, and carp, which is freshwater fish, can cohabit in the same fish tank filled with the water containing microbubbles, which aroused the global interest in microbubbles.
In the early 2000s, the applicant of the present invention also studied microbubbles of hydrogen, and obtained patents of reductive hydrogen water for the first time internationally. In the reports on international standardization promotion activities for microbubbles and nanobubbles technologies in fiscal 2012, which was sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, microbubbles and nanobubbles are provisionally defined based on the bubble size such that the air bubble having the size of 0.8 mm-1 mm or more is called a bubble, the air bubble having the size of 0.05 mm-0.1 mm or more and smaller than the "bubble" is called a submillimeter bubble, the air bubble having the size of 20 μm-1 μm and smaller than the "submillimeter bubble" is called a microbubble, and the air bubble having the size of 20 μm-1 μm or less is called a ultra-fine bubble.
The methods for manufacturing microbubbles include the following: a simple ejector method, a venturi tube method, an SPG membrane pass method, a pressurization-depressurization method, an ultrasonic vibration method, a gas-liquid swirling two-phase method, and a cavitation method (including the cavitation generated in the back of a screw).
Among the above-mentioned methods, the pressurization-depressurization method, the ultrasonic vibration method, the gas-liquid swirling two-phase method, and the cavitation method are considered to be capable of generating nano-sized ultra-fine bubbles.
Because the nanobubbles of air or oxygen promote the growth of a living body, they are effective in use for the cultivation of crops, farming fishery, poultry raising, pig farming, fattening of cattle, and other uses. The growth of the living body is fast, and accordingly the amount of feed supplied to the living body is reduced, whereby large economic effects are realized.
Also, ultra-fine bubbles in oxidative conditions increase the oxygen concentration in a water system, which causes to promote the growth of organisms useful for purification of the water system.
Ultra-fine hydrogen-bubbled water (water including bubbles of hydrogen gas) has an anti-oxidizing function that is active in a living body, which is believed to be effective in exerting an anti-aging effect, in preventing lifestyle-related diseases, and in preventing cancer.
Recent studies show that the ultra-fine bubble hydrogen water is effective in cancer treatment, whereby water containing hydrogen has been widely sold under the names of hydrogen water, active hydrogen water, and nanobubble hydrogen water.
Also, a study made by the applicant of the present invention has confirmed that providing magnetizing treatment to the process in generating hydrogen microbubbles can produce free-radical scavenging microbubbled water.
A lot of patent applications regarding microbubbles and hydrogen water have been filed to date. The applicant has selected representative patent documents describing manufacturing methods of fine bubbles, and will explain the difference between each invention described in those documents and this application's invention.
Comparison Between Each Invention in the Prior-Art Documents and the Present Invention
Patent Document 1 is titled "Swirling fine-bubble generator" and the first invention disclosed a manufacturing method of microbubbles. The generator is provided with a container unit including a conical space or a bottle-like space, a liquid inlet provided in a tangential direction on a part of the circumferential surface of the inner wall of the space, a gas introducing hole provided on the bottom of the space, and a swirling gas-liquid outlet arranged at the top of the space.
The present invention generates fine bubbles by resonance bubble-forming and vacuum cavitation. The present invention fundamentally differs in the manufacturing method of the fine bubbles from the Patent Document 1.
Patent Document 2 discloses an invention relating to generation of fine bubbles using ultrasonic waves. The title of the invention is "Method of forming nanobubbles." This document has introduced quite new insights regarding the physicochemical characteristic of fine bubbles by showing, for example, that freshwater fish and saltwater fish can be grown in the same tank. The present invention relates to a method of generating fine bubbles by resonance bubble-forming and vacuum cavitation. The manufacturing method of the fine bubbles of the present invention fundamentally differs from that of Patent Document 2.
Patent Document 3 discloses an invention relating to generation of fine oxygen-bubbles using ultrasonic wave. The title of the invention is "Nano oxygen-bubbled water and production method therefore." The present invention generates fine bubbles by resonance bubble-forming and vacuum cavitation. The manufacturing method of the fine bubbles of the present invention fundamentally differs from that of Patent Document 3.
Patent Document 4 discloses an invention relating to the manufacturing method of microbubbles. The title of the invention is "Whirling type fine bubble formation apparatus." Provided is a high efficiency whirling-type fine-bubble formation apparatus, in which a large quantity of fine bubbles can be formed while preventing occurrence of cavitation erosion. The apparatus is provided with a gas-liquid whirling chamber being a space which is formed inside a cylindrical casing and in which gas and liquid can whirl, a liquid introducing port for introducing liquid into the gas-liquid whirling chamber, a gas introducing port which is disposed in a center of one of end part wall surface of the casing and which introduces gas into the gas-liquid whirling chamber, and a gas-liquid discharge port which is disposed in the center of the end part wall surface of the casing facing the gas introduction port. The gas-liquid whirling chamber is provided with a main whirling part in which the liquid introduced from the liquid introducing port is brought in contact with the gas introduced from the gas introducing port. The present invention generates fine bubbles by resonance bubble-forming and vacuum cavitation. The manufacturing method of the fine bubbles of the present invention fundamentally differs from that of Patent Document 4.
Patent Document 5 discloses an invention, whose title is the name of "Fine bubble generating system." The apparatus of this invention generates fine bubbles by a Venturi tube, cavitation by a pump, and orifice plates. Paragraph 0054 in the document states that when liquid pass through a bubble break-up part 5, which is an orifice O, bubbles break up and fine bubbles are generated. Further, Paragraph 0055 states that if the bubble break-up part 5 includes the orifice O, the pressure fluctuation of the liquid L that passes through the through hole of the orifice O generates bubbles B without cavitation. However, although this method can break up bubbles, it is not possible for this method to make uniform bubbles throughout the liquid like the bubbles generated by resonance bubble-forming. Also, this invention has the feature that the water containing fine bubbles discharged from the Venturi tube is subjected to a reduced pressure so as to break up the bubbles. Since the Venturi tube is pipe-shaped, even if water is transferred under a reduced pressure state, a light reduced pressured state is maintained, but a vacuum state is not created. In the present invention, a resonance ejector functions as a weir and more than a certain level of water supply cannot be not made, generating a vacuum. This feature differentiates the present invention from the invention of Patent Document 5.
Patent Document 6 discloses an invention whose title is "Fine bubble generator." The device is provided with a gas suction port, an orifice and a guide at a gas suction port of a pump, and bubbles are crushed by cavitation. Specifically, the fine-bubble generation device, which functions as a pump, generates cavitation by a revolving impeller, which makes the bubbles finer. However, although it is possible to generate fine bubbles by using an orifice and cavitation generated by the impeller, this simple method is not capable of generating uniform-sized microbubbles, and fails to make the generated fine bubbles spread throughout the liquid by resonance bubble-forming.
Patent Document 7 discloses an invention whose title is "Ultra-fine bubble production device." This device makes the sucked air finer in water by cavitation generated by the impeller of a turbo fan. In this method, because water continuously flows into the device, an appropriate reduced pressure state cannot be created, and vacuum cavitation is not brought out. This device also does not generate uniform-sized fine bubbles by resonance bubble-forming, buts focuses on accumulating fine bubbles through crushing bubbles in the process of circulation of water. The present invention provides the technique by which ultra-fine bubbles are generated in a moment by resonance bubble-forming and vacuum cavitation, which differs from the technique disclosed in Patent Document 7.
Patent Document 8 discloses an invention whose title is "Apparatus for and method of manufacturing nanobubble-containing liquid." This apparatus generates fine bubbles in each of the first to third air shearing sections of a submerged-pump-type microbubble generation part in the first tank using the air sent from an electric needle valve, transfers the liquid to the second tank using a circulation pump, and in a water stream generation pipe provided to the second tank, the liquid is mixed with gas sent from a blower, and is stirred and circulated in a submerged agitator. This apparatus uses shearing method to make fine bubbles, and uses the electric needle valve to introduce gas into the liquid, but does not use the resonance bubble-forming technology of the present invention. The electric needle valve is not used as a resonance bubble-forming adjusting valve, but used as an electromagnetic switching device. Also, the method for generating fine bubbles in Patent Document 7 differs from the resonance bubble-forming technology and vacuum cavitation of the present invention.
Patent Document 9 discloses an invention whose title is "Nanobubble-containing liquid producing apparatus and nanobubble-containing liquid producing method." This is a huge apparatus consisting of uses of four tanks to manufacture nanobubbles. The first tank stores raw water, and the raw water is transferred from the first tank to the second tank using the first transfer pump. In the second tank, air is sent to a microbubble generator from a small blower through a needle valve to generate bubble-liquid flow. The water that has overflowed the second tank is sent to the third tank, and in the third tank, water is circulated through a micro-nanobubble generator to generate micro nanobubbles. The micro nanobubbles in the third tank are sent to the fourth tank, and in the fourth tank, water is circulated through a nanobubble generator to generate nanobubbles.
This invention intends to generate nanobubbles using multistage treatment of liquid, which is similar to the present invention, but this invention differs from the present invention in that the configuration is large compared with that of the present invention because a liquid storage container is included. When liquid is sucked from the container by a pump, realized pressure reduction is lower than that of the present invention because the size of the container is large, and liquid is supplied from a liquid supply device and a microbubble generation device. Furthers, it is not possible to move this device easily. The present invention provides a light weight, movable apparatus, and provides a technique using resonance bubble-forming and vacuum cavitation, which completely differentiates the present invention from the invention of Patent Document 9.
Patent Document 10 discloses an invention whose title is "Drinking water, using method of drinking water, refining method of drinking water and drinking water generating device." Water supplied from outside is mixed with gas in a pipe, the mixed gas is made into fine bubbles by the Venturi tube method, and the fine bubbles are crushed and made into nano-sized bubbles by external forces such as the change of pressures, the change of temperatures, shocks and ultrasonic waves.
The gases used include ozone, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon. The technique used by this invention is completely different from the technique of resonance bubble-forming and vacuum cavitation used by the present invention.
Patent Document 11 discloses an invention whose title is "Method for generating microbubbles and microbubble generator." The device is a circulation-type microbubble manufacturing device. The device uses a technique to concentrate and accumulate microbubbles in such a way that water is sucked from a microbubble storage water tank 5 by a pump 7, the passage of the water is changed by opening or closing of flowing water control valves, fine bubbles are generated in a microbubble generation device that has an aspirator function, the water containing microbubbles is introduced to a liquid container 2 where microbubbles are stored temporarily, and the water is circulated between the microbubble storage water tank 5 and the liquid container 2, the flowing water direction being controlled by opening or closing of flowing-water control valves. The configuration that a secondary pump 22 is provided between the liquid container 2 and the microbubble storage water tank 5 is similar to that of the present invention.
This configuration is provided to supply water and to circulate the liquid within the treatment system, in which the pump is operated to supply the liquid from the liquid container 2 to the storage water tank 5, and is not operated to generate a reduced pressure state. This invention does not assume that a vacuum is necessary to spread bubbles. In the present invention, a resonance ejector functions as a weir and more than a certain level of water is not supplied, which generates a vacuum. Also, the method for generating fine bubbles disclosed in Patent Document 11 is different from the method for manufacturing fine bubbles by resonance bubble-forming and vacuum cavitation disclosed by the present application.
Patent Document 12 is an invention titled "Reductive hydrogen water for food or the like, its production and producing apparatus" by this application's inventor, and the first granted patent relating to "hydrogen water" in Japan. In this method, hydrogen gas is blown into water so as to manufacture hydrogen water having reductive properties.
Patent Document 13 is titled "Electrolytic hydrogen dissolved water and method and apparatus of production thereof" and the first granted a patent relating to manufacturing of alkali reduced water (electrolytically reduced water) in Japan. The method disclosed is as follows. Purified water is obtained from tap water. NaCl is added to the purified water so that the conductivity thereof is at least 100 μS/cm. Then, electrolysis is applied. The obtained cathode water is output and neutralized. The obtained cathode water includes dissolved hydrogen (H+, H., H2) of at least 0.1 ppm. This dissolved hydrogen prevents or suppresses DNA damage.
Patent Document 14 is titled "Automatic oxidization-reduction treatment system using a colloidal solution of hydrogen gas or oxygen gas produced under a reduced pressure and a high pressure" by this application's inventor, and is the first granted patent relating to manufacturing of functional hydrogen water using fine bubbles in Japan. In this invention, gas is added to water under reduced pressure, the water is stirred by a pump, which causes cavitation, and fine bubbles are generated by pressurization. However, this method does not employ vacuum cavitation. In this method, if oxidation is required to meet the end use, oxygen or air is added to the water. If reduction is required, hydrogen is added to the water. However, this method does not employ vacuum cavitation.
Patent Document 15 titled "Production system and production method for reduced water with hydrogen radical pressure-dissolved therein" by this application's inventor, and is the first granted patent relating to manufacturing of hydrogen water having free radical scavenging properties in Japan. This invention provides a device, in which hydrogen gas is mixed with water in a magnetic field, and antioxidative hydrogen water is manufactured by cavitation.
Patent Document 16 discloses an invention relating to manufacturing of nanobubbles of hydrogen. The title of the invention is "Method and system for producing nanobubbles fucoidan water." In this method, water is subjected to reduced pressure, and hydrogen supplied from multiple supply ports is added to the water. Hydrogen is added from a number of hydrogen-supply-holes into the water in a reduced pressure to build up multiple bubble-crushing walls and generates nanobubbles of hydrogen by the resulting cavitation. The mechanism disclosed in this document is basically similar to those disclosed in Patent Document 14 or Patent Document 15, but this method does not employ vacuum cavitation.
Prior-Art Patent Documents Concerning Microbubbles and Nanobubbles
    Patent Document 1: JP-A-2000-447    Patent Document 2: JP-A-2005-245817    Patent Document 3: JP-A-2005-246294    Patent Document 4: JP-A-2006-142300    Patent Document 5: JP-A-2007-209953    Patent Document 6: JP-A-2008-142592    Patent Document 7: JP-A-2009-039600    Patent Document 8: JP-A-2009-195887    Patent Document 9: JP-A-2010-089055    Patent Document 10: JP-A-2011-062669    Patent Document 11: JP-A-2011-078858Prior-Art Patent Documents Concerning Hydrogen Water    Patent Document 12: JP-A-H08-056632    Patent Document 13: JP-A-H10-118653    Patent Document 14: JP-A-2004-344859    Patent Document 15: JP-A-2009-011999    Patent Document 16: JP-A-2011-230055

Method for manufacturing ultra-fine bubbles having oxidizing radical or reducing radical by resonance foaming and vacuum cavitation, and ultra-fine bubble water manufacturing device


An illumination lamp including a projection lens 12 and primary and secondary light source units 14, 16 are disposed rearwards of a projection lens 12 disposed on an optical axis Ax, which extends in a longitudinal direction of a lamp. The primary light source unit 14 includes a primary reflector 34 and an upwardly oriented reflecting surface 36a which extends rearwards from the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12. The secondary light source unit 16 includes a secondary reflector 44 that reflects light upwards so as to be caused to substantially converge on a location lying near the rear focal point F on a downwardly oriented reflecting surface 46a, which extends obliquely downwards from a front end edge of the upwardly oriented reflecting surface 36a towards a rear of the lamp.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicular illumination lamp which utilizes a light emitting device as a light source.
2. Related Art
In recent years, vehicular illumination lamps, which utilizes light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes as light sources, have been proposed for use as headlamps or the like.
For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-317513 ("JP '513") describes a so-called projector type vehicular illumination lamp, which includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis that extends in a longitudinal direction of the lamp and a light source unit disposed rearwards of the projection lens. The light source unit described in JP '513 is configured so as to include a light emitting device disposed near the optical axis at a position situated further rearwards than a rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector disposed in such a manner as to cover the light emitting device from thereabove so as to reflect light from the light emitting device towards a front of the lamp while causing the light to get closer to the optical axis, and a mirror member having an upwardly oriented reflecting surface, which extends rearwards substantially along the optical axis from near the rear focal point so as to reflect part of reflected light from the reflector upwards. Then, a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line as an inversely projected image of a front end edge of the upwardly oriented reflecting surface at an upper end thereof is formed when the light source unit is turned on.
When using a lamp configuration such as that described in the aforesaid JP '513, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern having a clear cut-off line at an upper end portion thereof while enhancing the utilization factor of a bundle of rays of light from a light emitting device.
In such a lamp configuration, however, since only a light distribution having a cut-off line can be formed, the lamp configuration is only suitable for a lamp for forming a lower beam light distribution pattern of a headlamp. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide another separate vehicular illumination lamp in order to form a upper beam light distribution pattern for the headlamp.
In addition, if a vehicular illumination lamp that which utilizes a light emitting device as a light source, is used as a headlamp, it is preferable to use a plurality of such vehicular illumination lamps in order to provide a predetermined brightness. However, in the event that the vehicular illumination lamps so used have different lamp configurations for lower beam and upper beam, there is a problem that many vehicular illumination lamps are needed to meet the requirements.
The invention was made in the light of these situations, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicular illumination lamp utilizing a light emitting device as a light source which can form a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at an upper end portion thereof and another light distribution pattern which spreads on an upper side of the cut-off line while enhancing the utilization factor of a bundle of rays of light from the light emitting device.

Vehicular illumination lamp with primary and secondary light sources


A method for transmitting uplink control information. The method according to an embodiment includes identifying a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest—Acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK)(0) and a HARQ-ACK(1), and transmitting b(0)b(1) using a PUCCH resource among a plurality of PUCCH resources based on the HARQ-ACK(0) and the HARQ-ACK(1). a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) on the primary cell.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and, more particularly, to a method for transmitting control information and an apparatus therefore.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Wireless communication systems are widely developed to provide various communication services such as voice or data services. In general, wireless communication systems are multiple access systems capable of sharing available system resources (bandwidths, transmission power, etc.) to support communication with multiple users. Examples of multiple access systems include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access), etc.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for transmitting control information and apparatus therefor


A new Nandina domestica plant particularly distinguished by having narrow leaves with fine texture, immature leaves having a deep burgundy color, and a compact growth habit, is disclosed.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Nandina, botanically known as Nandina domestica and hereinafter referred to by the variety name 'Sunset in Paradise'. 'Sunset in Paradise' was discovered as a naturally occurring whole plant mutation in a planting of an un-named Nandina domestica plant (unpatented) in June 2010 in Waddinxveen, The Netherlands.
In February 2011, 'Sunset in Paradise' was first asexually propagated by cuttings and tissue culture in Waddinxveen, The Netherlands. 'Sunset in Paradise' was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via cuttings and tissue culture in Waddinxveen, The Netherlands.


An adhesive composition of between 10-70% by weight of a latex emulsion, between 30-80% by weight of an acrylic, between 0.05-5% by weight of a surfactant, and between 1-50% by weight of water, and an adhesive application system for applying the adhesive composition having the adhesive, a propellant, a pressure container for containing the adhesive and the propellant under pressure, and a valve system to regulate the flow of the adhesive and propellant out of the pressure container.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to the field of water-based adhesives and more specifically relates to the field of high solids content, with no or minimal volatile organic compounds (VOC), adhesives suitable for packaging in pressurized containers to be later sprayed. The present invention further generally relates to the field of adhesive application systems and more specifically relates to the field of adhesive application systems comprising a pressurized container containing the adhesive and a propellant.
2. Prior Art
Traditional adhesive systems for packaging into a pressurized container such as an aerosol can or propane type cylinder, have been solvent-based compounds because of good solubility, low cost, solvency in standard pressure propellant systems such as propane, butane, and isobutene compounds and blends thereof, and in some cases high pressure propellant systems such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The majority of these traditional systems usually contain at least some VOCs or some level of flammability. Solvent-based systems also usually carry with them a number of undesirable health hazards, environmental concerns, or even the possibility of being explosive in nature. As local, state and national governmental regulations have been tightening the requirements for adhesives and other chemical-based products to contain less VOCs and to be more environmentally friendly, it has become almost necessary to research more environmentally friendly alternatives to adhesives.
Pressurized adhesive systems also have been developed using compressed air to atomize and spray the adhesive. These compressed air systems necessitate additional expense for spraying equipment, are bulky, and can be difficult to transport or clean up. Water-based systems also have been developed that incorporate traditional adhesive and propellant properties. However, incompatibility issues have arisen between the adhesive and the propellant system necessitating the need to use additional high-pressure propellants, which add a greater degree of danger, to obtain proper spray patterns or to get the adhesive to properly and completely spray out of the container. Coverage of these spray systems is only slightly better than the existing system of spreading the adhesive on the flooring surface with a trowel or other such device. Furthermore, these self-contained pressurized systems only can be packaged in a propane type cylinder that is designed for pressures up to 220-250 psi. Because of these high-pressure requirements, that type of system cannot be packaged into a traditional aerosol container.
Typical water-based latex emulsions also are used, but with limited success in a self-contained sprayable system. Also, the typical non-sprayable, and in some cases sprayable with non self-contained systems, adhesive market generally has been divided into two major categories. The first category comprises water-based emulsions based upon styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) latex for adhering materials such as general floor covering to wood, fiberglass or concrete surfaces and other like applications, and are less costly than other systems. These SBR-based systems are more common. The second category comprises acrylic-based formulas for mostly pressure sensitive applications. These acrylic-based systems typically are more costly.
Thus, it can be seen that there exists a need for an adhesive that can be applied to a surface using a low- or medium-pressure delivery system. There exists a further need for an adhesive that has a high solids content for superior adhesion qualities. There exists another need for an adhesive that has better water resistance when dry and a greater immunity to high alkalinity. There exists an additional need for an adhesive that contain no or minimal VOCs. It is to these exemplary needs, as well as other needs, that the present invention is directed.


To provide a printing apparatus capable of preventing a extraordinary rising of temperature from happening even if a cooling ability is lowered with respect to objects to be cooled.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which performs image forming form image data; for example, a printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, an image processing apparatus with image presenting section etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
An example of image forming apparatus is a printer. A printer performs printing the image data on a paper. There are various kinds of printers such as printers of electro-photography, thermal transcribing, wire dotting etc.
FIG. 11 shows a configuration of a conventional printer adopting electro-photography.
As shown in FIG. 11, a host device 1 is connected via interface 2 to system bus 3. And, processor 4, program ROM 5, working memory 6, font ROM 7, image memory 8, print engine interface 9 are connected to the system bus 3. Further, a print engine as image forming section 20 is connected to the print engine interface 9.
An image processing section 10 is made up of elements from the interface 2 to the print engine interface 9. The image forming section 20 comprises controlling unit 21 and print mechanism 22. Moreover, fan 23 is equipped to the print mechanism 22.
The host device 1 is what makes up data for printing, such as computer, word processor, image reader etc. And, the interface 2 is a circuit which comprises RS232C interface or parallel interface etc. The processor 4 performs the overall control of the printer as an image forming apparatus. The control program which is executed in the processor 4 is installed in the program ROM 5.
Moreover, the working memory 6 is a memory for memorizing and managing data which is received or sending via the interface 2. And, the font ROM 7 is a memory which is used for transforming character code or other code received via the interface 2, into bitmap font data for printing.
Moreover, the image memory 8 comprises random access memory for containing for example one page of printing data which is an image data edited by the processor 4. The print engine 20 is a device which performs printing on papers according to the printing data contained in the image memory 8. It comprises paper carrier or electro-photographic process device etc.
The print engine interface 9 is an interface circuit for reading out printing data 9a from image memory 8 according to the indication of processor 4 to transfer it to print engine 20, or receiving print control signal 9b put out from print engine 20 to send it to processor 4 etc.
In the printer mentioned above, control command or character code, graphic code, bitmap image data etc. are temporarily contained in working memory 6 if necessary. And, it is transformed into image data for printing according to the control of processor 4, to be compiled on image memory 8.
As mentioned above, when characters are printed, the bitmap font contained in font memory 7 is used. But, in the occasion when the bitmap data corresponding to the character to be printed is not contained in font memory 7, the bitmap data is obtained from DLL (Down Line Loading) font of the host device 1. And, this data is registered in a certain area of DLL memory 6a in working memory 6.
Moreover, in the occasion when high resolution printing is performed the image memory 8 needs large capacity fit for the high resolution. Therefore, a method for realizing high resolution with comparatively small capacity of memory at low cost is offered by the applicant of the present invention (JP 63-146764, 1988).
FIG. 12 shows an example of the side view of the printer as image forming apparatus in FIG. 11.
In FIG. 12, charging roller 101 supplies electric charge to the surface of photo-sensitive drum 102 which turns to the direction indicated by an arrow shown in the drawing. The photo-sensitive drum 102 comprises a cylinder made of metal such as aluminum etc. with photo-sensitive material painted on its surface. And, it is supplied with electric charge uniformly over its surface by the charging roller 101. Then, its surface is partially lighted by exposer 103 comprised of an array of LED etc. And, only electric charge on the lighted part of surface is taken away, so as to form image to be printed.
On the other hand, toner feeding roller 105 feeds the developing roller 106 with the charged toner preserved in toner tank 104. And, the charged toner is transferred from the surface of developing roller 106 to non-charged part of the surface of photo-sensitive drum 102, by the pulling force of static electricity caused by the difference of electric potential between toner and photo-sensitive drum 102.
And, transfer roller 107 is given a certain electric potential which is able to attract the charged toner from the photo-sensitive drum 102 to transfer roller 107. Meanwhile, paper feeding roller 108 feeds a paper between the photo-sensitive drum 102 and transfer roller 107. The paper feeding roller 108 confronts backup roller 110, so as to put a paper between them. The paper feeding roller 108 is driven by a motor not shown in the drawings. And, the paper is carried from right hand side to left hand side in the drawings as the paper feeding roller turns.
Thus, the paper is carried to be put between photo-sensitive drum 102 and transfer roller 107. Then, the charged toner is transferred from the surface of photo-sensitive drum 102 to the surface of paper by the attraction force of static electricity caused from the electric potential of transfer roller 107. Here, the toner is not fixed to the paper.
And, the paper is carried to be put between fixing roller 111 and fixing backup roller 112. Then, the plastic material in toner is momentarily melted by the fixing roller 111 which is heated up to high temperature, so as to fix toner to the paper.
By the way, there are, for example, two heat emitting elements in the printer housing. One is the fixing roller 111 which fixes toner on papers with proper heat. The other is the processor 4 which processes making up of image data to be printed.
As for a printer, in general, cooling means like fan 23 is necessary to control heat for fixing toner. On the other hand, such cooling means is also necessary to control temperature of processor 4, because the processor 4 operates at proper temperature. And, effective cooling means is needed to keep the proper temperature, as process speed increases because printing speed becomes faster and resolution becomes higher in today's printer. Therefore, it is important to cool both of the two heat emitting elements sufficiently.
Meanwhile, the same cooling means for control fixing toner is used for controlling data processing, because it costs much to equip another cooling means. Therefore, two or three routes for leading wind are formed in the printer housing from the same cooling means to each of heat emitting elements.
However, there is a problem to be solved in this occasion. That is, the routes for wind can change according to the state of printer housing, for example, opening of the cover of housing or jamming of paper in the housing. Therefore, either of heat emitting elements cannot be cooled sufficiently.
And, not only printer but also other image forming apparatus such as image recording apparatus including facsimile, copying machine etc. or image presenting apparatus including display etc. has the same problem.

Image forming apparatus with extraordinary state detection

Abstract: In the printing apparatus, a host device 1 is connected with a system bus 3 via an interface 2, in a system bus 3, a processor 4, a program ROM 5, a working memory 6, a font ROM 7, an image memory 8 and a print engine interface 9 are connected, on the print engine interface 9, a print engine 20 is connected, further, the processor 4 has a function to change into a low consumption electricity mode, and has a low consumption electricity changing register 41.


A voltage monitor circuit for biasing a well region of a CMOS circuit includes a self-biased comparator which compares first (INP) and second (INN) input signals. The comparator includes first (MN1) and second (MN2) N-channel transistors with grounded sources, a drain of the first N-channel transistor and a gate of the second N-channel transistor being coupled to a first output (OUTN), and a drain of the second N-channel transistor and a gate of the first N-channel transistor being coupled to a second output (OUTP). First (MP1) and second (MP2) P-channel transistors are operated to couple the second or first input signal to the second or first output, respectively, by controlling the gate-to-source voltage of the first or second P-channel transistor according to the polarity of a voltage difference between the first and second input signals.

The present invention relates generally to supply voltage monitoring circuits for use in detecting that of two supply voltages is higher in an integrated circuit containing circuitry which otherwise can be damaged if the two supply voltages are increased or "powered up" in the wrong sequence. More particularly, the invention relates to monitoring and switching circuitry that automatically connects the N-type well regions of P-channel transistors to the higher of the two or more supply voltages.
In a mixed-signal system, i.e., a system including both digital signals and analog signals, it is common for the associated digital circuitry and analog circuitry to be powered by separate power supply voltage sources having different voltage levels, for example 5 volts for the analog circuitry and 3.3 volts for the digital circuitry. However, often the digital circuitry that interfaces with the mixed-signal system is powered by a 5 volt supply voltage. The 3.3 volt digital input/output circuitry of the mixed-signal system must be "tolerant" to the 5 volt digital signals received from the above-mentioned external digital circuitry. That is, the 5 volt digital signals must not damage the 3.3 volt digital input/output circuitry. Translation buffer circuits can be used that translate the 5 volt output signals produced by such digital circuitry to the 3.3 volt level required by the digital circuitry in the mixed-signal system. However, use of such translation buffer circuits involves additional cost. In order to accomplish this, the 3.3 volt digital circuitry in the mixed-signal system must be powered by a 5 volt supply.
FIG. 1A shows a schematic view of a typical 3.3V I/O cell 10 which is connected to a generalized I/O cell control circuit. In I/O (input/output) cell 10 the bulk terminal BP and the source terminal SP of a P-channel output driver transistor 13 are connected to a 3.3V digital power supply voltage DVDD. The drain terminal DP of transistor 13 is coupled to a static protection device and to an I/O pad and also to the drain terminal DN of an N-channel transistor 14, the bulk terminal BN and source terminal SN of which are connected to ground.
FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of I/O cell 10 formed in a P-type substrate 12. N-channel transistor 14 has its source and drain comprised of two N-type regions NP formed in substrate 12, the gate of transistor 14 being designated by GN. Electrical contact to P-type substrate 12 is accomplished through heavily doped contact region PP designated by reference numeral 12A. An N-type "well" region 11 is formed in substrate 12, and P-channel transistor 13 is formed by two P-type regions PP formed in well region 11. N-type well region 11 constitutes the bulk terminal of P-channel transistor 13. Electrical contact to well region 11 is accomplished by a heavily doped N-type region NP designated by reference numeral 11A. PN junctions that are formed by the P-type source and drain regions PP of transistor 13 and the N-type well region 11 constitute the two parasitic PN junction diodes D1 and D2, respectively.
I/O cell 10 is not tolerant to a 5 volt input signal applied to the I/O pad because the parasitic diode D1 will become forward-biased every time the I/O pad voltage rises above the DVDD level of 3.3 volts. The forward-biasing of parasitic junction diode D1 will not only conduct a large amount of current through it but it may also cause latch-up and/or permanent damage to the I/O cell. As is well-known to those skilled in the art, integrated circuit structures often include parasitic bipolar transistors that interact in a regenerative fashion to switch a parasitic latch circuit into a high-current mode as a result of forward-biasing of a parasitic PN junction. The resulting high current may damage the integrated circuit. In any case, the parasitic latch device can be switched off so as to eliminate the high current only by removing power from the circuit before turning the power back on to continue operation of the circuit.
Referring to FIG. 1C and the corresponding integrated circuit sectional view in FIG. 1D, in order to make the 3.3V I/O cell 10A tolerant to a 5 volt input, N-type well 11 must be at the 5 volt supply level AVDD to avoid forward biasing parasitic diode D1, and this can be accomplished by simply connecting the bulk terminal BP of transistor 13 to the 5 volt analog power supply AVDD. However, this connection requires the user to turn on the analog supply voltage AVDD before the digital supply voltage DVDD during the power-up sequence, and also to turn off the digital supply DVDD before the analog supply AVDD during the power-down sequence. If the foregoing power-up and power-down sequences are not observed, parasitic junction diode D2 will become forward-biased, causing it to conduct a large amount of current through the diode D2, and may also cause latch-up and/or permanent damage to I/O cell 10. The foregoing restriction on the power-up sequence and power-down sequence of the analog and digital power supply voltages limits the convenience of using the dual supply mixed-signal system of FIG. 1C. In a system wherein the sequence of activating power supply voltages cannot be readily controlled, the usefulness of the circuit shown in FIG. 1C is limited. To remove this restriction, it is necessary to have a circuit to keep N-type well 11 at the higher of the two power supply voltages at all times.
FIG. 1E shows a 3.3 volt I/O cell 10B with the bulk terminal BP of the P-channel output driver transistor 13 connected to a monitor circuit 15 which monitors both the 3.3 volt digital supply DVDD and the 5 volt analog supply AVDD and outputs the higher of the two supply voltages to the bulk terminal BP of transistor 13. In I/O cell 10B the parasitic PN junction diodes D1 and D2 can never become forward-biased. I/O cell 10B therefore is "5 volt tolerant" and imposes no restriction on the AVDD and DVDD power-up and power-down sequences
A prior art implementation of monitor circuit 15 of FIGS. 1E and 1F for keeping the N-type well region 11 at the higher of two power supply voltages VA and VB is shown in FIG. 2. The circuit includes cross-coupled P-channel transistors MP1 and MP2 having their drains connected to VABMAX conductor 15A. The gate of transistor MP1 and the source of transistor MP2 are connected to VB, and the gate of transistor MP2 and the source of transistor MP1 are connected to VA. In this circuit, if VA is larger than VB by at least one threshold voltage VTP of the transistor MP1 then VABMAX will be connected to VA through transistor MP1 and similarly, if VB is greater than VA by at least VTP, then VABMAX will be connected to VB through MP2. By connecting the N-type well region(s) 15 of the P-channel transistors in the input/output circuitry of a mixed-signal integrated circuit, the N-type well region 11 will be maintained at the higher of VA and VB. Unfortunately, the circuit of FIG. 2 exhibits a "dead-zone" of VTP volts and does not function effectively if one of the two supply voltages VA and VB is not greater than the other by at least VTP volts.
FIG. 3 shows another prior art implementation of supply voltage monitor circuit 15 of FIGS. 1E and 1F for maintaining the N-type well region 11 at the higher of VA and VB. Supply voltage monitor circuit 15 includes a conventional comparator 20, outputs of which are connected to gates of P-channel transistors MPD1 and MPD2, the drains and bulk electrodes of which are connected to conductor 15A. The sources of transistors MPD1 and MPD2 are connected to VA and VB, respectively. In the circuit of FIG. 3, if the supply voltage VA is turned on first to a voltage level that is high enough for the bias current generator to function properly, then the output voltage VABMAX on conductor 15A will select the higher of the VA and VB supply voltages without exhibiting a dead-zone such as that in the circuit of FIG. 2. However, the supply voltage monitor circuit of FIG. 3 has the disadvantage that the supply voltage VA must be turned on first before the comparator circuitry therein can function properly, because if VB is turned on first, the comparator 20 does not function and the circuit operation is equivalent to that of the circuit of FIG. 2.
Thus, there is an unmet need for a power supply voltage monitoring/control circuit that automatically connects an N-type well region of a CMOS integrated circuit to the highest of a plurality of supply voltages provided in the integrated circuit.
There is another unmet need for a power supply voltage monitoring/control circuit that automatically connects an N-type region or substrate of an integrated circuit to the highest of a plurality of supply voltages provided in the integrated circuit with minimum restriction on the magnitudes of the power supply voltages and the sequences in which the various power supply voltages must be turned on and off.
There is another unmet need for a power supply voltage monitoring/control circuit that continuously automatically connects an N-type well region of a CMOS integrated circuit to the highest of a plurality of supply voltages provided in the integrated circuit.
There is another unmet need for a power supply voltage monitoring/control circuit that avoids producing a "dead zone" in which the higher of a plurality of supply voltages is not reliably connected to an N-type well region of a CMOS integrated circuit.
There is another unmet need for a power supply voltage monitoring/control circuit that avoids the need users predetermined sequences to power up and power down multiple supply voltages applied to an integrated circuit.
There is another unmet need for a power supply voltage monitoring/control circuit that operates reliably irrespective of the magnitude of voltage differences between various supply voltages utilized in an integrated circuit including the monitoring/control circuit.

Self-biased comparator with hysteresis control for power supply monitoring and method


A switching device is disclosed. In an embodiment a switching device includes at least one stationary contact and a movable contact in a switching chamber configured to contain a gas containing H2, wherein the movable contact is movable by a magnetic armature with a shaft, wherein the shaft projects through an opening in a yoke which is part of a magnetic circuit, and wherein a liner composed of a plastic is arranged in the opening of the yoke, the liner configured to guide the shaft.

The switching device is embodied, in particular, as a remotely operated, electromagnetically acting switch which can be operated by electrically conductive current. The switching device can be activated via an electrical control circuit and can switch an electrical load circuit. In particular, the switching device can be designed as a relay or as a contactor, in particular as a power contactor. The switching device may particularly preferably be designed as a gas-filled power contactor.
One possible application for switching devices of this kind, in particular power contactors, is opening and isolating electrical battery circuits, for example in motor vehicles such as electrically or partially electrically driven motor vehicles. These may be, for example, purely battery-operated vehicles (BEV: "battery electric vehicle"), hybrid electric vehicles which can be charged via a power outlet or charging station (PHEV: "plug-in hybrid electric vehicle") and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). In general here, both the positive and the negative contact of the battery are isolated using a power contactor. This disconnection is performed in normal operation for example when the vehicle is at a standstill and also in the event of a disturbance such as an accident or the like. The main task of the power contactor here is to switch the vehicle to a de-energized state and to interrupt the flow of current.
A core feature of contactors of this kind is the expected service life, expressed in switching operations, that is to say switch-on and switch-off processes. Current requirements are greater than 1 million switching operations. It is therefore important to select suitable materials, in particular for the moving components in the interior, in order to reduce or to avoid abrasion effects which shorten the service life. In the case of gas-filled contactors, the gas atmosphere places particular demands on the usable materials since not all materials are suitable for being introduced into, for example, atmospheres containing large amounts of hydrogen. Furthermore, it is desirable to not hamper gas exchange or the movement of gas during assembly and during operation, in particular in order that the movable core is not broken during operation.
Known gas-filled contactors which are based on ceramic switching chambers use metal/metal sliding bearings for guiding the moving components. A widely used material mixture is stainless steel as shaft material against pure iron as yoke and core material. However, the friction between these two material partners produces abraded metal, which can clog the mechanical system, after a few 100,000 switching operations. This is also the reason why conventional contactors usually have only service lives of 200,000 switching operations.
A further problem in guiding the moving system with metal/metal bearings are the required very tight fits. These tight fits adversely affect gas exchange during assembly since a small pump cross section leads to a prolonged filling time, and during operation since gas through the small pump cross section, owing to the tight fit, cannot follow the movement of the mechanical system and leads to delaying of the switching process.


A golf iron brush designed to clean all golf club irons of loose and embedded debris is provided. The device comprises a housing with top and bottom openings and a front slot extending from top to bottom. The housing has interior opposing brushes which define a central gap through which a golf club iron head is swiped. The housing allows the club head to be passed through, in horizontal alignment of the club shaft, in the direction of the control grooves on the face of the club. This allows the brushes to clean within the grooves for a thorough cleaning.

Golf, one of the oldest sports in our country, is played on courses all over the world with very little equipment or rule differences from country to country. There are two types of driving golf clubs, namely irons and woods. The irons, approximately 8-10 per golf set, are the focus of this invention. The typical golfer will utilize his irons whenever he or she needs to move the ball from an area where a golf tee cannot be used, such as on the rough or the fairway. The tee, of course, supports the golf ball and allows a clean ball and club impact without the club head touching the ground. A wood club is typically used for tee shots. With iron shots, where a tee is generally not used, the club head is forced into the grass, soil or sand to contact the ball.
Golf club irons, being numbered in consecutively ascending order up to nine, with an additional wedge, have control grooves disposed on their ball striking face. These grooves, sometimes designed as V-shaped, U-shaped and/or square grooves, play a major roll in ball control. As the club face strikes the ball, these grooves help in grasping, controlling and spinning the ball. Unfortunately, when a good shot is made, a divot (a piece of turf, grass and/or dirt) is often dislodged from the ground by the club, leaving dirt, grass and/or sand in these grooves. If a player continues to play the game without cleaning these grooves and the club face, each and every subsequent shot will be effected by this foreign material. As debris gathers and fills the control grooves on the club, control is soon lost and distance and accuracy will be adversely effected.
Therefore, it is essential that the club head, especially the face and control grooves therein, be cleaned after each shot. In addressing this problem, there have been a number of devices incorporating cleaning brushes to be used on the club heads. Such devices include housings containing brush elements disposed therein which are applied against the club face, or, alternatively, the club head is inserted into the housing and moved back and forth in engagement with the interior brushes. Oftentimes, such housings also contain a cleaning solution which surrounds the brush elements to aid in the cleaning action.
While such devices are relatively effective, they suffer a certain limitation in that the brushing action is typically applied in a transverse direction to the orientation of the control grooves. That is, these types of housings only allow the golf club to be inserted vertically, with the shaft of the club oriented perpendicularly to the plane defining the opening of the housing. The transverse action of the brushes is inadequate to completely remove all debris particles from the innermost corner regions of the control grooves. A parallel brushing action is the only effective way to fully remove the tiny particles from these regions of the control grooves. However, the construction of the prior art housings do not allow for the insertion of the golf club so that the club face will move across the brushes in a parallel direction.


The measurement of the voltage over the welding point in order to supervise the welding quality takes place by means of voltage taps on the wire electrodes. As a result, the additional parasitic resistances during measurement by means of conventional voltage taps on the roller head or the roller head mounting are completely eliminated, which improves the measuring accuracy.

The invention relates to a method of measuring the voltage over the welding seam in a roller head welding machine or spot welding machine with wire electrodes. The invention furthermore relates to a device for carrying out the process.
It is known to monitor the quality of electrical welds, in which connection reference may be made to European Patent Application No. 373 422. Such a device in particular requires measurement of the voltage over the welding seam in order to control the energy input to the welding seam.
As is well known (DE-PS 38 22 908), voltage measurement takes place on the roller head mount or on the roller head. This necessitates a costly compensation of the parasitic resistances measured at the same time, which arise from contamination of the roller head, from the bearings and from the means for transmitting welding current to the roller heads.

Method of voltage measurement over the welding seam in a roller head welding machine and device for performing the method


Immunoassay process for the detection of an antigen in a sample of blood, serum, urine and other liquids employing a test apparatus comprising a reaction chamber and a support element in the reaction chamber comprising a blend of from about 5 to 95 percent cellulose organic ester fibrets and from about 95 to 5 percent by weight of a dispersible cut fibers where a predetermined amount of an antibody capable of extracting an antigen from the sample is bound to the support element, the process comprising depositing the sample on the upper surface of the support element and detecting the amount of antigen in the sample.

Various immunoassay test methods and apparatus are known in the art. Typical test apparatus such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,901, use a multilayer construction to perform varying functions, for example, a first layer serves to entrap particles such as the antibody specific to the immunoassay technique, a second layer controls the flow of the liquid through the test apparatus and a third layer provides an absorbent for the liquid sample at the bottom of the kit. This multilayer construction, however, increases the number of steps of the process, increases the size of the kit and also increases the number of manufacturing steps required to assemble the kit.
These multilayers are typically made of fibers of nylon, glass, polyester, polyolefins and cellulose acetate. Fibrets of cellulose organic esters, however, heretofore have not been combined with dispersible cut fibers to form filter materials in general, and specifically have not been combined to form a support element used in an immunoassay process. Fibrets of cellulose organic esters and particularly cellulose acetate have been used for lightweight paper products such as those adaptable for uses as tobacco smoke filters, industrial air filters and filters for organic compounds.

Immunoassay process utilizing a cellulose organic ester fibret support element


A collapsible lens barrel is provided, including a mechanism capable of reliably inhibiting rotation of a rotational barrel even if any impact is applied thereto, for example, due to a fall with the barrel being extended. When the rotational barrel is pressed upon a fixed member due to impact in defiance of the biasing force of a wave spring, a first engagement portion provided at a camera body-side end of the rotational barrel engages with second engagement portions provided on a subject-side surface of the fixed member, which locks rotation of the rotational barrel, thereby making it possible to prevent gears from being damaged, for example.

Widespread use of the digital still camera and the video movie camera that use the solid-state image sensor results in a strong demand for smaller imaging devices. In order to satisfy such a demand for smaller imaging devices and to further improve portability, the so-called "collapsible lens barrel", which retracts into a camera body when performing no image shooting, has been widely used. The length of the collapsible lens barrel is changed by a motor rotating a rotational barrel to move an optical imaging system in the optical axis direction.
As for conventional collapsible lens barrels, if any impact is applied thereto, for example, due to a fall with the barrel being extended, any force acting on cam pins is converted to a force that rotates the rotational barrel, so that the rotational barrel might be rotated. Where only the rotational barrel is rotated with the motor for rotating the rotational barrel being stopped, load is applied to a mechanism used for extension, including gear trains, for example, so that in some cases, gears might be damaged.
There have been proposed some structures for locking rotation of the rotational barrel, for example, in order to prevent the gears from being damaged when any impact is applied to the lens barrel. For example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-279827, cam grooves are each shaped to have a planar portion perpendicular to the optical axis in such a manner as to cause no force to be generated in the direction of rotating the rotational barrel, thereby inhibiting rotation of the rotational barrel. However, in the case of the structure as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-279827, the effect of inhibiting the rotation of the rotational barrel is limited, and there are large gaps between the cam grooves and the cam pins, resulting in a problem where image blur might occur.


The disclosure discloses a method for audio-video re-matching of TV programs on a mobile terminal, including that: when a mobile terminal receives from a user a request to perform re-matching on a current program, the mobile terminal determines whether the user requires to re-match the current program with a new audio; when the mobile terminal determines that the user requires to re-match the current program with a new audio, the mobile terminal stops playing an audio of the current program, acquires target information called for by the user, and outputs a target audio included in the target information and a video of the current program respectively to a corresponding local playing module so as to be played. The disclosure further discloses a corresponding mobile terminal. With the present disclosure, a user can flexibly re-match a program currently being played with a video or an audio, and form a custom program by mixing an audio of a program with a video of another program, thereby obtaining maximal amount of information.

With the development of science and technology, a television (TV) service has been extensively applied in various electronic products. In recent years, a television service on a mobile terminal, such as China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting (CMMB), Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H), Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (S-DMB), has become a new selling point of the mobile terminal gradually. The popularity of the television service on a mobile terminal mainly comes from the fact that a user may be freed from various restrictions of a traditional television by watching a television program such as one on sports, entertainment, news, and the like conveniently with a mobile terminal.
When a user watches a television program on a mobile terminal, a network platform will provide complete information on an audio and a video of the TV program. However, sometimes the user desires to receive only information on the video (or audio) of one program, and to receive at the same time information on the audio (or video) of another program. For example, when watching a sports program, the user may desire to watch only scenes of a great game, and at the same time to listen to an audio from a music channel. With existing techniques, a program can only be muted, and can not be matched with any other audio by incorporating an audio from another program.
The existing techniques also provide a solution of embedded displaying, wherein complete information on the audio and video of a program is presented in a primary displaying area of a mobile terminal, and the video of another program is shown in a secondary displaying area; although the solution may provide multiple programs for a user at the same time, it cannot re-match a current program with a new audio/video. In addition, the solution requires use of two modulators and two demodulators, and applies only to a mobile terminal with a large screen, thereby causing a problem such as high cost, difficulty in popularization.

Method for audio-video re-matching of TV programs on mobile terminal, and mobile terminal


A transmission monitoring and controlling apparatus is provided between a first system and a second system. The transmission monitoring and controlling apparatus monitors information transmitted through a Fibre Channel. Then, a back controller analyzes the monitored information and stores the information in a controlling memory based on the analysis. For example, when the first system writes data on the second system, the back controller stores the data in the controlling memory. Therefore, even if a failure has occurred in the second system, the transmission monitoring and controlling apparatus is able to read the data from the controlling memory and send the data to the first system instead of to the second system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to monitoring and controlling operations in a network. Particularly, this invention relates to a transmission monitoring and controlling apparatus which monitors information in a network connecting a first system and a second system, analyzes the monitored information, and controls at least one of the operation of the first system and the operation of the second system based on the analysis. This invention also relates to a transmission monitoring and controlling method.
2. Description of the Related Art
According to the related art, a transmission monitor, which monitors information in a network connecting a first system and a second system, monitors conditions of the network, the first system and the second system. When one of the network, the first system and the second system is in an abnormal condition. the transmission monitor reports the abnormal condition.
FIG. 18 is a configuration chart of a network to which the transmission monitor according to the related art is connected.
In FIG. 18, a first system 100, which is a host computer (or a server), is connected to second systems 103-107, which are clients 1-5, via a network 102.
Further, a transmission monitor 101 is connected to the network 102 which connects the first system 100 and the second systems 103-107. The transmission monitor 101 includes a display panel 101a and a buzzer 101b which report an abnormal condition.
The transmission monitor 101 monitors information which is transmitted in the network 102, and monitors conditions of the first system 100, the second systems 103-107, and the network 102. When the transmission monitor 101 detects information indicating an abnormal condition, the transmission monitor 101 displays the location of the abnormal condition on the display panel 101a, and alerts an operator, who monitors the network with the buzzer 101b.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 18, when a failure has occurred in the network 102 connecting the second system 104, i.e., client 2, the transmission monitor 101 displays a network configuration chart on the display panel 101a, and turns a light on and off at the location of the failure. At the same time, the transmission monitor 101 sounds the buzzer 101b. When the operator hears the buzzer, the operator recognizes that a failure has occurred. Then, the operator recognizes the location of the failure by referring to the display panel 101a, and takes some action to recover from the failure.
As stated, the transmission monitor according to the related art monitors the first system, the second system, and the network. When an abnormal condition has occurred in the first system, the second system, or the network, the transmission monitor only reports the abnormal condition to an operator, and the transmission monitor does not take any measures to recover from the abnormal condition.
Therefore, when the transmission monitor according to the related art is used in a system, an operator has to be constantly working to perform a recovery operation in case of a failure.
Besides, measures to lighten the load of the network are not provided in the transmission monitor according to the related art.

Transmission monitoring and controlling apparatus and a transmission monitoring and controlling method


A method for injection of an imaging contrast into a patient, includes: a. in a first phase, injecting a fluid having a first concentration of contrast agent for a first period of time; and b. in a second phase, injecting a fluid having a second concentration of contrast agent for a second period of time. The osmolarity of the second phase is higher than the osmolarity of the first phase. The method can further include: c. in a third phase, subsequent to the second phase, injecting a fluid having a third concentration of contrast agent for a third period of time. The osmolarity of the third phase is lower than the osmolarity of the second phase. In embodiments in which the composition of the contrast agent of the third phase is the same as the composition of the contrast agent of the second phase, the third concentration can be lower than the second concentration.

The present invention relates to systems and methods of delivering fluids to a patient of varying concentration and, particularly to the delivery of contrast media used in contrast enhanced imaging procedures in varying concentrations to provide improved concentration or enhancement profiles.
The following information is provided to assist the reader to understand the invention disclosed below and the environment in which it will typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwise in this document. References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the present invention or the background of the present invention. The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference.
To enhance the contrast of tissue or vessels in radiodiagnostics, particularly in X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT), contrast media are used, which are characterized by the fact that they absorb or scatter X-rays more significantly than does normal tissue. For parenteral administration, there are a multiplicity of tri-iodinated aromatic compounds available, which are characterized by the fact that the introduced hydrophilic residues (side groups) lead to a high tolerance. Even at high concentrations these molecules show almost no chemotoxicity. See, for example, Sovak M. Contrast Media: A journey almost sentimental. Invest Radiol 1994; 29 Supplement1: S4-S14; Speck U. Principles and aims of preclinical testing. Invest Radiol 1994; 29 Supplement 1: S15-S20.
In addition to the use of iodine (I) as an X-ray-absorbing element, gadolinium (Gd) containing MR contrast media have been investigated with respect to X-ray CT in off label-like and/or animal studies. See Gierada D S, Bae K T Gadolinium as a CT Contrast Agent: Assessment in a Porcine Model. Radiology 1999; 210: 829-834.
A distinction is made between ionic and non-ionic contrast media, each of which can be classified further according to monomers or dimers. Generally speaking, ionic contrast media do show adverse reactions more frequently than non-ionic contrast media, which can be partly attributed to the higher osmotic pressure of ionic contrast media as compared to non-ionic contrast media. Ionic contrast media also have a net charge (electronegative) that can lead to side effects, allergic reactions etc. Non-ionic and dimeric iodine containing contrast can be manufactured to be virtually iso-osmolar (that is, having the same osmotic pressure as blood plasma) even at diagnostically relevant concentrations. However, these solutions are highly viscous. In addition the discussion regarding delayed reactions of dimeric X-ray contrast media has not yet been concluded. See for example. S K Morcos, H S Thomsen. Adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media. Eur Radiol 2001; 11: 1267-1275.
A representative list of iodine (I) containing X-ray contrast media and gadolinium (Gd) containing MRI contrast agents are set forth in Table 1. The list is not complete, but sets forth many commonly used contrast media.
TABLE 1Representative X-ray and MRI contrast media.INNIodine containingIonicAcetrizoatemonomersAmidotrizoateDiatrizoateIodamideIoglicic AcidIothalamateIoxitalamis AcidMetrizoateNon-IonicIohexolIomeprolIopamidolIopentolIopromidIoversolIoxilanMetrizamideIodine containingIonicIoxaglatedimersNon-IonicIodixanolIosimenolIotrolanGd containingIonicGadobenatemonomersGadopentetateGadoterateGadoversetamideGadoxetateNon-IonicGadobutrolGadodiamideGadoteridolGd containingIonic—di- and oligomersNon-Ionic—
A number of X-ray-physical parameters of the imaging system or scanner affect the resultant image (for example, X-ray tube: anode material, high voltage, X-ray filter, mAs-product, detector: number of slices and material). X-ray density is an important parameter for the representation of vessels. Typically, high X-ray density is desirable during the period of examination. Not only is the maximum X-ray density important, but a sufficient contrast concentration in the surrounding tissue should be achieved. Further, the concentration should be maintained locally for the X-ray density to attain a desired or optimal (value) beyond the detection period. However, simply increasing the concentration of the contrasting element does not automatically result in an optimal structuring of local and temporal X-ray contrast. In that regard, an increase of the concentration often accompanies a distinct increase in the solutions' viscosity and osmolarity/osmolality. An increased viscosity can limit the rate of administration, and an increased osmolarity/osmolality can limit the tolerability. The correlation between contrast medium concentration and viscosity has been investigated in model studies with respect to the limitation of the application velocity by high contrast media concentrations or viscosities. See F Knollmann, K Schimpf, R Felix. Jodeinbringungsgeschwindigkeit verschieden konzentrierter Röntgen-Kontrastmittel bei schneller venöser Injektion. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2004; 176: 880-884. It has been shown for Iopromide that a higher iodine flux rate of 2400 mg I/s as compared to 2220 mg I/s could be reached for a 300 mg I/ml solution with respect to the higher concentrated 370 mg I/ml solution as a result of an increase of the application flow rate from 6 to 8 ml/s, respectively. These results can be explained on the basis of the Hagen-Poiseuille law for laminar flows, where for constant pressure ΔP the volume flux rate w within vessels of radius r and length l is indirectly proportional to the viscosity η according to w=π/8 r4 ΔP/(1η).
Along with the initial concentration of the stock contrast medium solution, the type of administration plays an important role. A test bolus can be used to correlate administration time with image recording time, to prevent an unnecessary radiation-dose burden, to achieve an appropriate scan timing with respect to a contrast bolus and/or to avoid suboptimal image quality. Further, Bae et al. varied the administration rate in such a manner in attempting to optimize a bolus in the target tissue. Bae K T, Tran H Q, Heiken, J P. Uniform vascular contrast enhancement and reduced contrast medium volume achieved by using exponentially decelerated contrast material injection method. Radiology 2004; 231: 732-736. Using a stock solution with high iodine content and high viscosity, as well as a high osmolarity/osmolality, the rate of administration was selectively reduced. Another administration possibility is to administer additionally a physiologically adjusted saline solution after administering the stock solution, which contains the contrasting element. Aside from the "rinsing effect" of the delivery system and the infusion vein, the advantages of bolus formation and a reduction of contrast medium volume are also being discussed. See Schoellnast H, Tillich M, Deutschmann H A, Deutschmann M J, Fritz G A, Stessel U, Schaffler G J, Uggowitzer M M. Abdominal multidetector row computed tomography: reduction of cost and contrast material dose using saline flush. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2003; 27: 847-53.
In both cases, profile shaping by deceleration and by use of saline flushes, one is left with the administration of the stock solutions with a high concentration of contrast medium. There is a clear indication that an increased radiographic contrast is always related to the administration of a contrast medium containing, for example, a high iodine concentration, so that strongly increased iodine concentrations will also have to be expected in the infusion vein, up to the vena cava and the right heart. The previous procedure of choice was to increase the radiographic contrast in the target area by always increasing the concentration of the stock solution or by selecting a high rate of administration for this stock solution, resulting automatically in high concentrations all the way up to the right heart along with the concomitant adverse reactions.
It remains desirable to develop improved systems and method for delivering pharmaceuticals such as contrast media to a patient.

Systems and method of delivering fluids to a patient of varying concentration


A process of determining the three-dimensional location of a pacemaker lead in the heart of a subject is provided. The process includes the steps of acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional images of the lead; calculating the imaging geometry; identifying the two-dimensional position of the lead in each of the images; temporally interpolating the identified two-dimensional positions to identify a two-dimensional position of image at a single time; and calculating the three dimensional location of the lead from the two-dimensional position at that time.

An estimated one million people in the United States have pacemaker implants. Although pacemakers are being placed in younger populations, little is known about the longevity of the leads in the pacemakers. The long term reliability of lead components is, at best, uncertain. The uncertainty can be life threatening. Several lead models using polyurethane have exhibited degradation of the insulation, resulting from environmental stress cracking. A predisposition to such insulation failure may not be recognized prior to market release. Other leads have a small metal J shape retention located beneath the outer insulation. These metal components may fracture and erode through the insulation. The protruding metal fragment can puncture the heart and has been associated with the death of two patients and pericardial tamponade in at least five others. Approximately 21,000 of these lead models have been implanted in the United States, and approximately 42,000 world wide.
Detection of the fractures is problematic: pacing and sensing may be normal, and fractures are difficult to visualize even with fluoroscopy in a cardiac catherization lab. In one study of 156 patients, 35 (22.4%) had a definite fracture. In five patients who had a irregularity in the lead contour on the initial evaluation and who underwent repeat fluoroscopy approximately one month after the initial fluoroscopy, three were identified as having a definite fracture. Neither the age of the patients, the time since lead implant, nor the site of the fracture correlated with the incidence of retention wire failure. Although fractures involving portions of the retention wire extending beyond the insulation were easy to diagnose, fractures still enclosed in the insulation were found to be extremely subtle. The ability to visualize such fractures depends on the orientation of the lead in a given view. Even with the most sensitive method available, i.e., visual evaluation fluoroscopic images obtained at high frame rates, one in eight normal leads was shown to have a fracture on follow-up. Moreover, implantable devices can develop time dependent failure modes that simply cannot be modeled in the laboratory.
Pacemaker leads exhibit relatively smooth and continuous motion. Abnormalities in the lead, such as occult fractures and perhaps insulation degradation, will likely result in distortions in the motion, which could be revealed by 3D motion analysis. In addition, if the 3D motion analysis is coupled with stress analysis, it provides an even more sensitive evaluation of the status of the lead. Because patients are being followed with frequent imaging, the monitoring and quantitation of changes in 3D motion over time may thus facilitate detection of fractures and may be useful as an indicator of the possibility of future fractures.
There are other benefits to the development, in vitro testing, and in vivo evaluations of implants. New approaches are required to advance knowledge for accelerated testing for durability and reliability of physical components. This applies to design robustness of implants to include failure modes, patient variability, biological stability, computer aided design and manufacturing. New models are needed to reduce manufacturing empiricism (trial and error) as well as to enable in vitro performance. More biostability data are needed, especially relating to the performance of implant materials under dynamic situations and addressing the severity of the biologic environment in both short and long-term use scenarios.
There is dearth of information on long-term effects of implants in humans. Thus, the scientific community is faced with two related but separate problems. One, individuals with pacemakers need to be monitored and the status of their leads need to be evaluated accurately. Two, methods need to be developed by which to develop and evaluate new models in vitro and in vivo. The essential first step toward addressing both of these problems is the development of methods for determination of the 3D motion of pacemaker leads in vivo. A determination of the 3D motion of leads in populations of patients followed over time may provide useful information regarding progression of fractures. Further, the patient data could be combined (e.g., by parameterization) so as to lead to a greater understanding of the motions in the patient population and the development of in vitro modeling that truly mimics the in vivo lead motion. The techniques used to determine the motion of the pacemaker leads can also be used to evaluate the motions generated by the testing devices.
Tomographic techniques, such as CT, MRI, or ultrasound, yield only a single slice at a given point in time, and cannot provide instantaneous 3D positions of the entire lead. With the current technology, the only means to obtain accurate 3D motion throughout the heart cycle is to use biplane image acquisition techniques. To date, only Harrigan et al. have even mentioned a technique for pacemaker lead assessment in vivo (T. Harrigan, R. Kirkeeide, S. Jalal, T. Berveridge, B. D. Montgomery, H. B. Shih: Assessment of pacing lead curvature and strain with three dimensional reconstruction of biplane cineangiographic images in vivo. JACC 27:345A, 1996). The Harrigan disclosure is only an abstract and does not teach details about how to perform such a technique. Of more relevance to the present disclosure is the fact that Harrigan makes no mention of the problem of non-synchronous image generation.
The problems associated with the effects of non-synchronous acquisitions can be minimized to some extent by limiting image generation to the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle where cardiac motion is at a minimum. However, such limited measurements during diastole of a little consequence to studies designed to evaluate the effects of stress on the pacemaker components, which stress is likely greatest during systole. There remains a need in the art, therefore, for an accurate and precise means of determining the location and movement of pacemaker components throughout the entire cardiac cycle.

Process of determining the three-dimensional location of a pacemaker leads in the heart of a subject