Abstract: An air freshener and combination container and lid for forming an air freshener. The air freshener includes a scented wax solid, a container, a lid, and an attachment for attaching the container to a surface. The container is manufactured of a thermally conductive material and has a bottom and at least one sidewall defining an interior, an exterior, and an open top. The interior of the container is dimensioned such that scented wax solid fits within the interior. The lid is removably attached to the open top of the container and includes a seal and a plurality of vent openings disposed therethrough. The air freshener prevents liquid wax from escaping through the vent openings when the container is moved in a direction parallel to the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A mist generating apparatus comprises a case, having a chamber, an inlet and an opening, an auxiliary vibrating element, mounted in said opening of said case and having a central hole and a periphery, a vibrating element, connected with said vibrating element at said periphery thereof and having an electrode and a connecting wire, and a spraying plate, having a plurality of spraying holes, set on said central hole of said auxiliary vibrating element, wherein said vibrating element generates vibrations which are transmitted to said auxiliary vibrating element, being enhanced by a projecting part thereof, then further transmitted to said spraying plate, so that liquid in said chamber is pressed through said spraying holes and mist is generated, while manufacturing cost is reduced, spraying effectivity is enhanced, noise is reduced, and lifetime is enhanced.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for an internal combustion engine includes a nozzle body provided with a bore within which a valve needle is movable along a primary valve needle axis (A-A), the valve needle being engageable with a valve seating defined by the bore to control fuel delivery through an injection nozzle outlet. The nozzle includes a first valve region, a second valve region and a seating region located between the first and second valve regions which seats against the valve seating when the nozzle is in a non-injecting state. A diffusion volume is defined between the valve needle and the bore downstream of the valve seating and into which fuel flows once it has flowed past the valve seating when the valve needle is lifted from the valve seating into an injecting state. The valve needle is provided with a diffusion region of part-spheroidal or part-spherical form to define a smooth transition for a diverging fuel flow into the diffusion volume, thereby to minimise turbulence within the diffusion volume.

Abstract: A sprinkler stand for holding an oscillating sprinkler in an elevated and generally vertical orientation to provide a desired sprinkler coverage pattern, wherein a sprinkler holder holds a sprinkler, a frame elevates and supports the sprinkler holder, and a base supports the frame. Preferably, the sprinkler holder includes two tracks for engaging base members of a sprinkler, wherein the tracks allow for the repositioning of the sprinkler so as to vary the sprinkler elevation, the height of the sprinkler holder is adjustable by moving the holder along the frame, or by adding a frame extender to the frame, and the sprinkler holder may be rotated, or the frame rotatably or angularly adjusted to achieve a desired sprinkler orientation.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a guard apparatus for impeding a motion of an actuator of a sprayer for spraying fluids, the guard comprising: at least one lateral portion having a front and a back; a front portion connected to the front of said at least one lateral portion; and a rear portion connected to the rear of said at least one lateral portion, wherein the guard is capable of engaging with the sprayer to substantially impede a motion of the actuator to prevent a substantial amount of fluid flow from the sprayer. In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a fastener for fastening the guard to the sprayer. In an embodiment, said fastener further comprises at least one of: a screw, and a bolt. In an embodiment, said rear portion further comprises a fastening hole for accommodating said fastener. In an embodiment, the sprayer further includes a fastening hole for receiving said fastener.

Abstract: A pump-dispensing atomizer includes a dispensing pump with a closure to engage with a container. The dispensing pump includes a pressing button with a booster chamber formed inside, a nozzle with one end extending from the pressing button and a probe formed with at least one section. An interior of the nozzle is formed with a guide chamber, and one end of the guide chamber is connected to the booster chamber. The guide chamber has at least one expanding sub-chamber. After the probe is disposed in the guide chamber, a boosting channel is formed between the expanding sub-chamber and the stepped section. Moreover, the pressure accumulator is mounted on the other end of the nozzle, which is formed with a spraying opening communicated to outer environment. As such, the pressure of liquid flowing in the nozzle will be increased effectively so that liquid is sprayed out with a higher pressure to increase the spraying speed of the liquid.

Abstract: A device for producing a foam material, comprising a gas supply line which is connectable at a first end to a gas source, a material supply line which is connectable at a first end to a material supply source, a material transporting device which is connected to a second end of the material supply line, and a mixing device into which material and gas may be introduced and in which they may be mixed together, and from which a homogeneous mixed foam is deliverable from an output orifice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a discharge device for a cleaning fluid or treatment fluid, in particular to a lance for a high-pressure cleaner, comprising a pivotable head piece and an elongate holder which carries the head piece at its one end and is made at its other end for holding and for remotely controlled pivoting of the head piece, wherein the holder includes a carrier for the holding of the head piece and an actuation member adjustable relative to the carrier for the pivoting of the head piece relative to the carrier, and wherein the carrier and the actuation member extend up to the head piece in an at least approximately axially parallel arrangement, and in particular coaxial arrangement, with the carrier extending inside the actuation member.

Abstract: A pressure washer wand having first and second valves that can be opened in a predetermined or user-adjustable manner through movement of a trigger. In one form, the first and second valves are opened sequentially in response to movement of a trigger to transition from a no-flow condition to a relatively low pressure flow and thereafter to a relatively high pressure flow. In another form, the sequencing of the valves can be changed such that only the first valve, which provides a relatively low pressure flow, is opened in response to movement of the trigger. A pressure washing system having the pressure washer wand is also provided.

Abstract: A film forming apparatus includes an aerosol generating section which generates an aerosol; a jetting nozzle having an internal passage formed therein and through which the aerosol flows, the internal passage having one end serving as a supply port of the aerosol and having other end serving as a jetting port of the aerosol; a narrowed channel which is provided in the internal passage and which has a channel area narrower than a channel area on an upstream of the narrowed channel; and a collision portion which is provided in the internal passage on a downstream of the narrowed channel, and against which a flow of the aerosol passed through the narrowed channel collides. Since the aggregated particles are crushed and supplied from the jetting nozzle in the form of fine particles, a thin and uniform film can be formed on the process-objective material.

Abstract: A grinder for grinding a material. The grinder may include a number of first rollers for grinding the material to a grind of substantially a first predetermined particle size and a number of adjustable second rollers for grinding a portion of the grind of the first predetermined particle size to a grind of substantially a second predetermined particle size.

Abstract: A rock crusher including a bowl and cone mounted to define a determined but fluctuating spacing in which rocks are received and crushed. A relief mechanism provides a resistive force and permits opening of the determined spacing when the crushing forces are sufficiently large to overcome that resistive force. A programmable proximity sensor detects the opening of the determined spacing and discriminately signals the occurrence of said opening. The programmable proximity sensor enables the setting of a specified opening beyond which a change in state occurs, both when the specified opening is exceeded and when said specified opening is reestablished.

Abstract: This application describes a compact grinder that allows scooping particulate material to be ground (such as coffee beans), grinding the material to a controlled and consistent size, while concurrently emitting the stream of grinds directly into a receptacle, such as a coffee filter or the receptacle for an automatic coffee maker. The scoop portion of the grinder is sized to fit into the standard bags used for whole bean packaging, eliminating the need for a separate storage vessel or the need to pour the beans from their bag into the grinder. It has calibrated markings within the scoop, eliminating the need for a separate measuring device.

Abstract: A projection is provided in a flange of a resin spool, and a concave portion is provided in a yoke in a position facing the projection. The movement of the spool in the radial direction of the spool is restricted by inserting the projection into the concave portion. Because the inner circumferential surface of the concave portion and the outer circumferential surface of the projection are brought into contact, the movement of the spool in the axial direction of the spool is inhibited by frictional resistance at the points of contact.

Abstract: The disclosed seatbelt retractor and seat belt apparatus may comprise a spool for retracting a seatbelt, a torsion bar arranged radially inside of the spool, a pretensioner for generating a rotational drive force for rotating the spool in a seatbelt retracting direction during a state of emergency; and a relay locking mechanism. The relay locking mechanism may be configured for locking the spool so as to restrict the rotation of the spool in the seatbelt withdrawing direction in the normal state and configured for unlocking the spool while locking an axial side of the torsion bar so as to restrict the rotation of the torsion bar in the seatbelt withdrawing direction in the state of emergency.

Abstract: In a motorized retractor, due to an ECU and a driver switching a speed of rotation of an output shaft of a motor to a first speed or a second speed, a transfer path of rotational force from the motor to a spool is switched to a first driving force transferring section (a path through a meshing clutch and a slip mechanism) or a second driving force transferring section (a path through an overload mechanism and a centrifugal clutch). Accordingly, there is no need for a complex switching mechanism including a solenoid which is employed in conventional motorized retractors. A device can thereby be made more compact.

Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment is a combination of a personal device with a tether that connects the personal device with items of interest, especially security cards or identity badges, credit cards, lunch cards, library cards, keys, group identifiers, mottos, motivational or inspirational messages, pictures, colorful indicia, designs, pill containers, money clips, pouches, cases, purses, envelopes, pocket protectors, pens, pencils, pictures, loyalty cards, note paper, games, lotions, glasses, business cards or any other object that may be desirable to have on the user's person. In another embodiment, the invention includes the combination of a pedometer with other personal devices. One embodiment of the invention includes a method of using a pedometer-tether combination as part of a health promotion program.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining a plurality of printing material webs to form a multi-layer strand is disclosed. In an apparatus for combining a plurality of printing material webs to form a multi-layer strand, having a wire guide formed by deflection rolls assigned to the individual printing material webs, it is possible to achieve reliable tensioning of the former and top webs and to ensure high accuracy in that the two deflection rolls forming the outlet from the wire guide can be driven.

Abstract: A machine and a winding process receiving a continuous flow of flat and flexible elements (10) aligned along a longitudinal axis and partially overlapping, to form a spool (6) by rolling these elements into a spiral around a drum (8), with insertion between the turns of a flexible central strip (26), one end of which is fixed onto the drum and the other end of which unwinds from a hub (60) on which the strip has previously been wound, characterised in that the machine also includes a motor-driven resource (54) to regulate the transverse position of the hub (60) so as to perform lateral movement in relation to the spool (6) in order to maintain a constant alignment of the strip (26) during the winding process.

Abstract: A reel comprises a hub onto which recording tape is wound and a flange that is disposed on an end portion of the hub and retains a width-direction end portion of the recording tape, wherein plural cutout portions that locally divide the hub and the flange are formed in the flange. The cross section of the hub in plan view has a substantially equilateral triangular shape and positions where constricting force resulting from the tape reaches a maximum are caused to protrude in advance.

Abstract: A transmission system that is used in conjunction with a microturbine engine for propelling an aircraft body, such as a propeller-based fixed-wing aircraft or a rotor-based vertical lift aircraft, or for a wide variety of other applications. The output shaft of the microturbine engine preferably operates at a rotational speed in a range between 72,000 RPM and 150,000 RPM with an output power between 150 HP and 5 HP (and most preferably operates in an extended range between 50,000 RPM and 200,000 RPM with an output power between 200 HP and 5 HP). The two reduction stages provide a reduction ratio preferably having a value of at least 19, and most preferably greater than 24. The transmission system is of small-size preferably having a maximum diameter less than twelve inches.

Abstract: A relatively small, lightweight actuator includes a plurality of motors, an actuation element, a translation member, and a plurality of position sensors. The motors each supply a drive force to the actuation member, causing it to rotate. The translation member is configured, upon rotation of the actuator, to translate to a position. The position sensors sense the translational position of the translation member and the rotational position of each motor. The actuator is relatively small, lightweight, and can withstand the relatively severe environmental conditions and relatively significant levels of vibration and shock associated with many aerospace applications.

Abstract: Self-leveling legs are used to accommodate landing a ducted fan hovercraft on a sloped surface such as a roof-top. These legs move to accommodate a variation of slope within their range of motion irrespective to the azimuth of the vehicle body. The configuration and operation of the landing legs allow the hovercraft to land in a stable fashion with the hovercraft vehicle body maintained in a vertical orientation. The basic kinematics of the present invention is the displacement of one landing leg upwards is connected by a horizontal member to the opposite leg and displaces it downwards, and visa-versa. Planar surface contact is accomplished by the unique curvature of the legs and the splay of the legs from the vehicle body.

Abstract: A UAV capture system is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the UAV capture system is coupled to the deck of a sea-faring vessel. The UAV capture system includes a single arresting line that is supported by a stanchion. In the illustrative embodiment, the stanchion is disposed on a rotatable boom.

Abstract: An energy absorber system for aircraft survivability. The energy absorber system includes energy absorbers providing energy absorption in a plurality of occupant weight ranges, said system providing a controlled range of dynamic response index (DRI) and of lumbar load level in one of said occupant weight ranges and greater energy absorption stroke distance in one of said occupant weight ranges as the occupant weight increases toward its maximum value for the weight range.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an aerospace wing side-of-body joint assembly is provided comprising at least one chord element, having an internal reduced clearance region, and at least one skin element. At least one cylindrical bolt assembly passes through the chord element and the skin element and secures them together. The cylindrical bolt assembly is comprised of a cylindrical stud having a threaded tail section and a threaded head section protruding into the internal reduced clearance region. A threaded head fastener inserted into the internal reduced clearance region engages the threaded head section. A nut element engages the threaded tail section and is used to introduce a torque without rotating the cylindrical stud.

Abstract: An aircraft servicing system (10) includes a tarmac-servicing system (500). The tarmac-servicing system (500) includes an aircraft-mating element (510) that is mounted and extendible from within an area of a tarmac (502) to couple with an aircraft (504). The tarmac-servicing system (500) supplies primary services to the aircraft (504), such as fuel, air, electrical power, water, coolant, potable water, and gray water. A method of servicing the aircraft (504) includes aligning a primary servicing port (512) of the aircraft (504) over a primary servicing area of a tarmac (502). A tarmac-servicing element (510) is extended out from the tarmac (502) to the aircraft (504). The tarmac-servicing element (510) is aligned and connected to the primary servicing port (512). Primary services are supplied and removed to and from the aircraft (504) in response to the tarmac-servicing element connection with the primary servicing port (512).

Abstract: A personal flying apparatus has a substantially horizontal element having a lower surface adapted to acted on by a wind upwardly so as to produce a wind-generated lifting force, and an inflatable element connected with the substantially horizontal element and filled with gas which is lighter than air so as to produce a gas-generated lifting force, so that both the wind-generating lifting force and the gas-generating lifting force jointly lift the flying apparatus to allow it to fly.

Abstract: A propellant depot (40, 150) includes a utility box (42, 42?) that has space flight equipment. A propellant cartridge adaptor (95) is coupled to the utility box (42, 42?) and to an exchangeable propellant cartridge system (41). The propellant depot (40, 150) also includes a docking adaptor (44) for coupling to an approaching spacecraft (24). A controller (66) controls the transfer of propellant from within the exchangeable propellant cartridge system (41) to the spacecraft (24). A method of providing propellant to a spacecraft in space includes launching an orbital propellant depot (40, 150) into space. The spacecraft is docked to the orbital propellant depot (40, 150) in space. Propellant is transferred to the spacecraft. The spacecraft is separated from the orbital propellant depot (40, 150).

Abstract: A system and method for generating lift provided by a multi-element aircraft wing are provided. The system includes a main wing element, a slat interconnected to the main wing element, and a flap interconnected to the main wing element. The system also includes at least one port defined in at least one of the slat, main wing element, and flap. In addition, the system includes at least one fluidic device operable to regulate fluid flow into and out of the at least one port to control boundary layer flow over at least one of the slat, main wing element, and flap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rail-guided system for transporting persons and material in underground mining and tunnel construction. The rail-guided transport system comprises a railroad network and transport vehicles that are guided in the railroad network. In the transport system, both the forward end and the opposite end of the respective transport vehicle are equipped with sensors (1-6) for detecting optical, acoustic, thermal, and acceleration data, “forward” being relative to the direction of travel. The sensors (1-6) are connected to a control computer that is disposed inside the transport vehicle while interacting with active and passive transducers located within the railroad network.

Abstract: A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad.

Abstract: A stand for a hanging item, such as a hanging chair, includes a base leg extending in a substantially two dimensional pattern defining an interior space. A support arm is secured to an end of the base leg and extends upwardly from the base leg with an end portion extending over the interior space defined by the base leg and terminating in a support end positioned over the interior space to suspend the item to be hung over the interior space. The stand may be conveniently formed from a plurality of component pieces, at least one end of each component piece being secured to an abutting end of another component piece to assemble the stand. Respective abutting ends may be scalloped to mate together in a limited number of orientations with respect to one another to aid assembly. Curved scallops can make the connections between pieces harder to see.

Abstract: In a suction base for the support of an apparatus, comprising a housing consisting of a hard plastic material and having an opening surrounded by a housing support edge and a suction membrane of PVC disposed in the housing so as to extend across the housing opening and being movable between a release position and an operating position in which the suction membrane is pulled into the housing and a vacuum is generated between the membrane and a support surface such that the support base is firmly pressed into contact with the support surface via the circumferential edge area of the membrane, a separating element is disposed between the housing and the suction membrane to prevent sticking of the membrane to the housing edge upon exposure of the suction base to heat and the release of plasticizer from the suction membrane.

Abstract: A one-piece bracket is provided for mounting a tubular housing of a steering gear tube assembly to a vehicle member. At least one folded portion forming at least one receiving member is adapted for receiving a fastening member therethrough that couples the bracket to the vehicle member. A first leg portion is integral with and extends from the first folded portion. The first leg portion is contoured for being adapted to be coupled to the tubular housing. A second leg portion is integral with and extends from the first folded portion. The second leg portion is contoured for being adapted to be coupled to the tubular housing. The first and second leg portions are spaced apart a predetermined distance defining an opening therebetween for receiving the tubular housing.

Abstract: A wall-mounting structure allowing an object to be supported such as furniture or an electrical appliance to freely move on the wall surface and capable of preventing the aesthetic appearance of the wall surface from being impaired, including a mounting plate to which the object to be supported is fixed and slide support members for movably supporting the mounting plate on the wall surface, in which each of the slide support members is composed of a track rail which has a substantially rectangular section and ball rolling surfaces on the both side surfaces thereof, and moving blocks assembled with the track rail through a large number of balls.

Abstract: A mount for mounting a component within an opening of a substantially planar body includes a front bracket having at least one attachment wing that attaches to a first surface of the body. The attachment wing is substantially coplanar with the plane of the body. The mount also includes a back plate secured to the component, and at least one connector connecting the front bracket to the back plate. A component-and-frame combination includes a component having a perimeter edge and at least one protrusion on the perimeter edge, and a frame has an inside surface facing a center of a framed space. The frame has at least one indentation of the inside surface corresponding in position to the protrusion. The protrusion and the indentation are shaped to allow the component to be inserted into the frame from only a first side of the frame, and to allow the component to be removed from the frame from only a second side of the frame.

Abstract: A system for supporting a bond jig comprises a plurality of planar panels including at least one mounting hole for fasteners in each panel, wherein a first panel is arranged in a non-orthogonal position to a second panel. The system further comprises a coupling element for coupling panels, comprising a first and second planar portion, a hinge element connecting the first and second planar portion, wherein the first planar portion and the second planar portion rotate around the hinge element to form an angle, and at least one mounting hole for fasteners in the first and second planar portion. The system further comprises at least one fastener for fastening the first planar portion to the first panel via a mounting hole in the first planar portion and a mounting hole in the first panel and at least one fastener for fastening the second planar portion to the second panel via the mounting hole in the second planar portion and the mounting hole in the second panel.

Abstract: A cost effective, durable, safe, and washable placemat that remains in place during use, contain spills that arise during meal time, and collects food and other debris before it falls on the floor is disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, the reusable placemat has a substantially planar eating surface that is encircled by a spill retention rim with a food retention gutter detachably secured thereto. A resilient strip of material preferably encircles the lower side of the placemat thereby defining a non-slip foot. The planar eating surface may be substantially transparent, thereby allowing one or more activity cards to be displayed therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) building technology, offering an enhancement to existing practices by presenting a structure and method that enables concrete to be placed and shaped at any angle. In addition, the present invention provides a structure and method that offers aesthetic alternatives to flat surfaces characteristic of existing concrete forming building techniques.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mold and a method for manufacturing the mold. The mold includes a mold matrix having a molding surface, and a protective layer formed on the molding surface. The protective layer is made of a material chosen from the group consisting of iridium-rhenium alloy with a chromium nitride added therein and iridium-ruthenium alloy with a chromium nitride added therein. The method mainly includes the steps of: providing a mold matrix having a molding surface in a vacuum sputtering chamber, the vacuum sputtering chamber comprising a first target, the first target being comprised of a material chosen from the group consisting of iridium-rhenium alloy with a chromium nitride added therein and iridium-ruthenium alloy with a chromium nitride added therein; and forming a protective layer on the molding surface of the mold matrix by sputtering a target.

Abstract: The invention provides a form member for use in forming concrete panels comprising a pair of upright walls connected by a plurality of ribs. Each of the ribs includes an aperture for allowing a fastener through. The fastener passes through each of the ribs into a casting floor to fix the form member to the floor. A plurality of form members can be arranged to define enclosures, concrete is then poured into the enclosures to the level of the upright walls, smoothed and allowed to cure to form concrete panels. The form members of the present invention allow a number of panels to be formed at the same time, with some form members common to more than one concrete panel. The invention provides easy of use and savings in space, time and labour.

Abstract: Forged bank notes are no longer reliably distinguishable from bank note originals (BN) on the basis of their luminescent fibers. According to the invention, the excitation of the fibers to luminesce is effected by means of excitation radiation (S) from the restricted wavelength range from 600 to 640 nm or from 520 to 550 nm, since the forgeries do not luminesce in this range but the originals luminesce red. Detection is therefore effected in the wavelength range from 640 to 700 nm.

Abstract: A scanning microscope (1), having a light source (5) for generating an illumination light beam (7), having at least one objective (19) that focuses the illumination light beam onto and/or into a sample (21), having a beam deflection apparatus (11) that guides the focus of the illumination light beam over and/or through the sample, and having a detection device (29) that receives detected light emanating from the sample, is disclosed. The scanning microscope is characterized in that a means for generating a manipulation illumination pattern (37) is provided; and that imaging means image the manipulation illumination pattern onto and/or into the sample.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus and an information recording and reproducing apparatus are provided. When a focused state is obtained on a first light receiving portion corresponding to a first laser beam, a relative position of a sensor lens to the first light receiving portion is regulated so that a first FES becomes zero, and light receiving regions of a second light receiving portion that receives light reflected from an optical recording medium corresponding to a second laser beam are defined so that a second FES outputted from the second light receiving portion becomes zero. Consequently, when the first FES outputted from the first light receiving portion becomes zero, the second FES outputted from the second light receiving portion can also become zero. Consequently, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a focus offset with respect to both one oscillation wavelength and the other oscillation wavelength.

Abstract: A method for generating positional information of an object is carried out by providing a reflector in the object and by providing a personal device containing a light generator and an imager. The personal device is mounted on a person holding the object at a mounting location that is identified to provide a first unobstructed line-of-sight between the light generator and the object and a second unobstructed line-of-sight between the imager and the object.

Abstract: A network sensor system and protocol is provided. The network sensor system includes a sensor node that has a sensor for collecting high-resolution data, and a radio for transmitting that data to a central hub. The sensor node communicates to the hub with a wireless data link, and operators solely from a battery. Accordingly, the sensor node is autonomous, and has no wire connections, so may be discreetly and simply installed. The sensor node is normally operated in a power-saving sleep mode, and is minimally activated only for required periods of time. The sensor node may be activated responsive to a low power timer, or from another locally generated interrupt. The sensor node also implements power-saving transfer protocols to further reduce power needs. Many sensor nodes may be associated with a single central hub, and larger networked sensor systems may be arranged.

Abstract: An optical system (10) operatively associated with incident light (50) is provided. The incident light is essentially comprised of a first part (52) and a second part (54). The optical system includes: a photo catalytic reactor (30) comprising a photo catalyst (36) operatively associated with the first part of the incident light, an optical device (20) operatively associated with the second part of the incident light, and a beam splitter (40) for separating the incident light into the first part which is directed to the photo catalyst and the second part which is directed to the optical device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid state imaging device having a photo-electric conversion portion array and a transfer electrode array, these arrays being provided in parallel to each other, upper surfaces and side wall surfaces of the transfer electrode array being covered with a light-shielding layer, and a transparent layer showing an oxidizing property at the time of film formation, the transparent layer being formed on the photo-electric conversion parts and the light-shielding layer.

Abstract: A structure and a method for operating the same. The method comprises providing a resistive/reflective region on a substrate, wherein the resistive/reflective region comprises a material having a characteristic of changing the material's reflectance due to the material absorbing heat; sending an electric current through the resistive/reflective region so as to cause a reflectance change in the resistive/reflective region from a first reflectance value to a second reflectance value different from the first reflectance value; and optically reading the reflectance change in the resistive/reflective region.