Patent Publication Number: US-2012033246-A1

Title: Apparatus, method, and program for size detection

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus, a method, and a program for size detection. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conventional technique will be described. Conventionally, a technique for detecting a size of an original  103  placed on a contact glass  102  (which is discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-167536) is known. In this technique, the size of the original  103  is detected when a pressing plate  101  is closed, using a transmissive sensor  104 . 
     To describe a specific detection method, a state as illustrated  FIG. 1  is assumed. Specifically, the original  103  is placed on the contact glass  102 , and the pressing plate  101  is sufficiently opened (e.g., with a clearance of about 60°). 
     In this state, a strong external light will enter into transmissive sensor  104  arranged under the contact glass  102 . The transmissive sensor  104  is used to detect a size of the original  103  placed on the contact glass  102  by emitting an infrared light that is invisible to human eyes and receiving a reflected light thereof. However, in a state where the pressing plate  101  is sufficiently opened in this way, accurate size detection cannot be carried out due to an influence of the strong external light. 
     On the other hand, a state where the pressing plate  101  is completely closed (e.g., with a clearance of about 0°), or a state where the pressing plate  101  is opened just a little (e.g., with a clearance of about 3°) is assumed. In such a case, since there is no influence of the external light, accurate size detection can be possibly performed. However, when the transmissive sensor  104  emits the infrared light under such a state, the infrared light not only strikes the original  103  and returns to the transmissive sensor  104 , but also strikes the pressing plate  101  and returns to the transmissive sensor  104 . Both cannot be distinguished from each other, and the transmissive sensor  104  may be unable to detect a size of the original. 
     Finally, a state where the pressing plate  101  is opened (e.g., with a clearance of about 45°) is assumed. In such a case, out of the infrared light emitted by the transmissive sensor  104 , a light which has struck the pressing plate  101 , escapes toward the outside (clearance between the pressing plate  101  and the contact glass  102 ). On the other hand, a light which has struck the original  103 , will return toward the transmissive sensor  104 . As a result, the transmissive sensor can receive only the reflected light from the original  103 , and accordingly it will be able to detect a size of the original. In the state where such the pressing plate  101  is opened, the external light will enter into the transmissive sensor  104 , but an amount of the light will become relatively small. In other words, the amount of the external light become smaller in comparison with the reflected light and it can be neglected. The reflected light is a returned light after the light emitted by the transmissive sensor  104  has struck the original  103 . 
     Hereinbefore, original size detecting technique has been briefly described, but such a technique has been conventionally known. There is also discussion in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-167536 set forth below. 
     However, even with such original size detecting technique, outputs of incorrect original sizes may occur from time to time. For example, the following situation may occur. A user places a first original on a contact glass, closes a pressing plate and instructs an output (e.g., copy output or mail transmission). Assuming everything is done properly, detection of correct original size may be performed, and correct output may be produced. 
     Thereafter, suppose the user opens the pressing plate just a little (e.g., with a clearance of about 3°) and removes the first original. Then, suppose the same user or another user places a second original different from the first original on the contact glass by utilizing a bare clearance thereof, closes the pressing plate and instructs an output. 
     Then, an output of incorrect original size may be produced. This may be because, when the pressing plate is opened only slightly, the size of the first original is still stored, and a size of the second original may not be detected. As a result, the size of the first original may be used as the size of the second original. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One disclosed aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is directed to providing a configuration for producing an output with a correct size of an original. 
     According to a disclosed aspect of one embodiment, an apparatus includes a size detector configured to detect a size of an original on a contact glass when an angle of a pressing plate is within a predetermined range, a storage element configured to store information of the detected size of the original, a reader configured to read the original on the contact glass, using the information of the stored size of the original, after a log-on, and a storage updater configured to update the stored size of original, along with a log-off. 
     Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a view for explaining a configuration in the conventional technique. 
         FIG. 2  is a system block diagram as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a configuration view for original size detection. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of original size detection. 
         FIG. 5  is a processing flowchart as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a configuration view of an operation unit. 
         FIG. 7  is a table for explaining an algorithm for original detection. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a state of the storage region on a memory of detected original size before original detection. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a state of the storage region on the memory when A4 original is detected by way of an example. 
         FIG. 8C  illustrates a state of the storage region on the memory when B4 original is detected by way of an example. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a state of the storage region on the memory of authentication information as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a registration screen of a division ID as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11A  illustrates a log-in screen as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  illustrates a copy screen when an original size is not being detected as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11C  illustrates a copy screen when an original size is being detected as A4 as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11D  illustrates an original size selection screen during copying operation as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a scanner control unit as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 
     One disclosed feature of the embodiments may be described as a process which is usually depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed. A process may correspond to a method, a program, a procedure, a method of manufacturing or fabrication, a sequence of operations performed by an apparatus, a machine, or a logic circuit, etc. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a system block diagram of an exemplary embodiment. An image forming apparatus or system includes a system control unit  201 , a scanner unit  202 , a printer unit  204 , an input/output (I/O), control unit  205 , a liquid crystal display (LCD) controller  206 , and an operation unit  207 . The image forming apparatus may include more or less than the above components. The system control unit  201  performs various control functions on the scanner unit  202 , the printer unit  204 , the I/O control unit  205 , and other components in the system. The scanner unit  201  performs scanning function including sensing and detecting sizes of originals. The scanner unit  201  includes a scanner control unit  203  that performs scan control functions and interfaces with the system control unit  201 , as will be described in the following. The printer unit  204  performs printing function under the control of the system control unit  201 . The I/O control unit  205  performs various I/O control functions including interacting with the LCD controller  206  and the operation unit  207 . The LCD controller  206  performs control functions on a LCD panel such as displaying menu items for user selection. The operation unit  207  provides operational control functions such as mode setting, authentication, user interface, etc. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a configuration of a scanner unit  202 . The scanner unit  202  includes a contact glass  301 , an index mark  302 , a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor  303 , a transmissive sensor unit A  304  having a sensor that detects a reflection of the infrared light, a transmissive sensor unit B  305 , and a pressing plate  306 . In addition to these components, the scanner unit  202  is equipped with the scanner control unit  203  that detects states of the CCD sensor  303 , the transmissive sensor unit A  309 , and the transmissive sensor unit B  305  and an opening/closing angle of the pressing plate  306 . Further, each of the transmissive sensor units is also equipped with light emitting elements that emit the infrared light, and accordingly each can not only receive but also emit the infrared light. 
     Hereinbelow, a method for detecting a size of the original placed on the contact glass  301  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . The original may be any article or object that is being scanned or copied, such as a sheet of paper, a book, a document, a picture, etc. The method includes an original size detection operation S 401 . In operation S 402 , the scanner control unit  203  monitors opening/closing action of the pressing plate by monitoring an angle of the pressing plate  306 . In operation S 403 , when the opening/closing action of the pressing plate  306  is performed, the scanner control unit  203  detects this action. Then, in operation S 905 , if the scanner control  203  unit determines that an angle of the pressing plate  306  is larger than or equal to an upper angle threshold or a first threshold (e.g., an angle value of 45°) (YES in operation S 405 ), the processing proceeds to operation S 404 . Then in operation S 404 , the scanner control unit  203  performs notification to the system control unit  201 . Thereupon, the system control unit  201  updates (e.g., clears) or causes to update the size of the original which is registered, or stored, at the completion of operation S 404 ). In other words, the system control unit  201  changes or causes to change a storage state so that the original size becomes “Unknown”. If no sizes of originals registered within the system control unit  201  at this time are present, no state change may be performed in operation S 404 . 
     On the other hand, if the scanner control unit  203  determines that an angle of the pressing plate  306  is less than the upper angle threshold but larger than or equal to a lower angle threshold or a second threshold (e.g., an angle value of)25° (YES in operation S 406 ), then in operation S 407 , the scanner control unit  203  performs original size detecting operation. More specifically, first, the scanner control unit  203  reads an end of the original only a little using the CCD sensor  303 , and receives the read image from the CCD sensor  303 . The scanner control unit  203  calculates a height of the original using this received image (the height may be sometimes referred to a length detected by CCD) (act  1 ). In addition, the scanner control unit  203  performs command to the transmissive sensor unit A  304 , and causes it to emit the infrared light invisible to human eyes. If a sensor of the transmissive sensor unit A  304  detects the reflected light, a notification that the reflected light has been detected is sent out to the scanner control unit  203  (act  2 ). Similarly, if the transmissive sensor unit B  305  detects an emission of the infrared light and a reflection of the emitted infrared light, a notification of the detection is sent out to the scanner control unit  203  (act  3 ). 
     In light of these pieces of information obtained in act  1 , act  2 , and act  3 , the scanner control unit  203  identifies a size of the original further using a table in  FIG. 7 . For example, when an A4 size original is placed on the contact glass  301 , the scanner control unit  203  calculates a length detected by CCD as 297.0 mm. On the other hand, the transmissive sensor unit A and the transmissive sensor unit B are arranged at offset location from the A4 original, and accordingly, even if they would emit an infrared light, they would not detect a reflection of the infrared light. As a result, the scanner control unit  203  searches boxes having 297.0 mm as a length detected by CCD  701  and having neither a detection of transmissive sensor unit A  702 , nor a detection of transmissive sensor unit B  703  (boxes with no ∘ marks) from the table in  FIG. 7 . Then, the scanner control unit  203  determines a detected original size  704  as A4. In addition, if a detected result does not fall under any box of the table in  FIG. 7  (e.g., if the transmissive sensor unit B detects an infrared light, it does not fall under any box), the scanner control unit  203  determines that the original size is “Unknown”. Then, the scanner control unit  203  informs the determination result to the system control unit  201 . Then, the system control unit  201  stores these determination results (original sizes). 
     The reason why, even when an opening/closing angle of the pressing plate  306  is equal to or close to the lower angle threshold (e.g., 25°), original size detection is performed in this way is because that has a higher accuracy (less affected by the external light). On the other hand, the reason why the original size detection is performed even at equal to or close to the upper angle threshold (e.g., 45°) is because, when the original is a thick article or object such as a dictionary or a book, an opening/closing angle of the pressing plate  306  may exceed 25°. The angles of 25° and 45° are only examples of the predetermined thresholds. In summary, the operations S 407  and S 408  may be performed when the angle θ of the pressing plate  306  with respect to the contact glass is within a predetermined range, such as θ 2 &lt;θ&lt;θ 1 , where θ 1  and θ 2  represent the upper and lower angle thresholds, respectively. 
     The original size on the contact glass  301  thus detected by the scanner control unit  203  is notified from the scanner control unit  203  to the system control unit  201 . Then, the system control unit  201  stores the detected original size on the contact glass  301 , in a memory arrangement as illustrated in  FIG. 8B  or  8 C in the memory of the system control unit  201  on the basis of the notified information. 
     Next, an operation the image forming apparatus when an authentication operation is performed, will be described. In order for the user to use the image forming apparatus, the authentication operation may be performed. When the user performs authentication operation (when a division ID and password information are input) using the operation unit  207  (e.g., using keys  601  to  613 ) in  FIG. 6 , the operation unit  207  sends the information to the system control unit  201  via the I/O control unit  205 . Then, the system control unit  201  compares the received result with data for authentication (e.g., data registered in advance) illustrated in  FIG. 9 . If matching of both of a division identification (ID)  901  and password information  902  has been confirmed, the image forming apparatus goes into an authentication ON (log-on) state. In other words, the system control unit  201  will store the information of authentication ON. If the matching has not been confirmed, the image forming apparatus remains in an authentication OFF state. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment as described above, an authentication using a division ID has been performed, but an authentication using a user ID may be performed. In addition, there are some cases where password information is not necessary, depending on an installation location where the image forming apparatus is installed. In addition, an operation of passing ID card in place of input of ID, or, inserting fee into a fee insertion portion may be performed. As it will be understood that, an operation indicating that a certain user begins to use the image formation apparatus is being performed. In the present specification, such an operation is referred to as an authentication operation. As will be described in the following, the authentication operation may be carried out by an authenticator as part of the system control unit  201  or the scanning control unit  203 . 
     Hereinbelow, the flowchart in  FIG. 5  will be described. In operation S 501 , authentication is turned ON. At this time, the image forming apparatus goes into a standby state, and waits for an authentication operation by the user. When the authentication operation is performed, and authentication is turned ON, then the processing proceeds to operation S 507 . 
     When the user places the original  300  on the contact glass  301  in the standby state, and performs opening/closing of the pressing plate  306  (YES in operation S 403 ), then the scanner control unit  203  performs original size detection as described above, and notifies the system control unit  201  of the detected information. Then, in operation S 408 , the system control unit  201  stores the detected original size (see  FIGS. 8B and 8C ). At this time, the system control unit  201  sends a display screen as illustrated in  FIG. 11B  to a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel  604 , via the I/O control unit  205  and the LCD controller  206 . Then, the LCD panel  604  performs display of the display screen.  FIG. 11B  illustrates the display screen when the original is detected as A4 size. 
     Thereafter, when the user performs settings of a mode from the operation unit  207 , the system control unit  201  receives the settings via the I/O control unit  205  or the LCD controller  206  (YES in operation S 508 ). The settings include a magnification ratio and a number of copies. The system control unit  201 , which has received the settings, changes the settings of default mode stored in advance in the system control unit  201  to the received settings in operation S 509 . 
     If the user presses a start key  609  within the operation unit  207 , the information will be notified to the system control unit  201  via the I/O control unit  205 . If the information has been notified (YES in operation S 510 ), the processing proceeds to operation S 511 . 
     If the original size is not stored (NO in operation S 511 ) in the system control unit  201  (original size is UNKNOWN), then in operation S 512 , the system control unit  201  sends the screen for allowing the user to input the original size on the LCD panel  604 , via the I/O control unit  205  and the LCD controller  206 . Then, the LCD panel  604  will display the screen, and an example of the screen is illustrated in  FIG. 11D . When the above processing is completed, the image forming apparatus goes into a state of waiting for original size input. 
     In this process, when the user selects a size of the original being placed the contact glass  301 , from  FIG. 11D  displayed on the LCD panel  604 , the system control unit  201  receives its size via the LCD controller  206  and the I/O control unit  205 . Then, in operation S 514 , the system control unit  201  stores information such as the one in  FIG. 8B  or  8 C on the memory, then in operation S 507 , again goes into the user&#39;s operation standby state. 
     As it can be seen from the fact that  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 4  are separate flowcharts, both represent independent operations. Therefore, for example, even before proceeding to operation S 501  in  FIG. 5  (state of authentication ON), or even in a state in operation S 507 , an opening/closing of the pressing plate  306  is being accepted. When the opening/closing of the pressing plate  306  is performed, a size of the original will be stored. For this reason, when the opening/closing of the pressing plate  306  is performed, for example, in a state where a size of the original is stored in operation S 514 , the size which the user has input in operation S 512  is once updated (e.g., cleared), and a size of the detected original will be stored. 
     If the scanner control unit  203  determines that the size of original is stored (YES in operation S 511 ), the processing proceeds to operation S 515 , where copying or printing is performed. Specifically, a sheet with the same size as the original size being stored is pulled out, and image data obtained by scanning (e.g., reading) the original is printed on the sheet. In printing, the system control unit  201  causes the scanner unit  202  to scan or read the original, and causes the printer unit  204  to print the image data obtained by the scanning operation. The above descriptions cover a case where a magnification ratio is 100%. If a copy ratio is not 100%, pull-out of sheet is performed depending on both of the magnification ratio and the stored original size, and printing will be performed on the sheet. The printer unit  204  executes pull-out and printing of the sheet. Output modes other, than printing, such as FAX output, the Internet FAX output, E-mail transmission, may be used. 
     Thereafter, in operation S 516 , if the system control unit  201  detects that the “Log-Out” button at a lower right corner in  FIG. 11B  or  FIG. 11C  displayed on the LCD panel  604  has been pressed via the LCD controller  206  and the I/O control unit  205  (YES in operation S 516 ), then in operation S 517 , the system control unit  201  turns the authentication state OFF. In other words, the system control unit  201  goes into a log-off state, which means that the system control unit  201  changes the authentication state from ON to OFF. The log-off state may be referred to as a release state. In addition, even when the log-out button is not pressed, the system control unit  201  may automatically shift to the log-off state when a fixed time has elapsed since the system control unit  201  went into the log-on state. Alternatively, when a fixed time has elapsed since the operation was lastly performed from the user in the log-on state, the system control unit  201  may automatically shift to the log-off state. 
     In operation S 517 , when the process become the log-off state in this way, the system control unit  201  displays the screen in  FIG. 11A  on the LCD panel  604 , via the I/O control unit  205  and the LCD controller  206 . In addition, the system control unit  201  changes the detected original size stored in such a memory arrangement in  FIG. 8B  or  FIG. 8C  on the memory of the system control unit  201 , to “Unknown” state as illustrated in  FIG. 8A , and returns again to a state of waiting for acceptance of user authentication operation (operation S 507 ). 
     In the above-described exemplary embodiments, description of shift to log-off state→change original size to “Unknown” state has been given, but these states may occur simultaneously, or may occur in order of change original size to “Unknown” state→shift to log-off state. In either case, it is only necessary that the log-off state and the change occur in the course of a relatively short time (1), or even if not in a short time, it is only necessary that these continuously occur as a control (2). As a concept which includes the both cases, there is an expression of “along with”. If it is expressed as change an original size to “Unknown” state, along with the log-off, the above two cases will be included. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the scanner control unit  203  as an exemplary embodiment. The scanner control unit  203  may include an authenticator  1210 , a plate detector  1220 , a size detector  1230 , a storage element  1240 , a storage updater  1250 , and a reader  1260 . The scanner control unit  203  may include or more less than the above components. In addition, some of the above components may be optional and/or located outside the scanner control unit  203 . For example, the authenticator  1210  may be located in the system control unit  201  and the reader  1260  may be part of the scanner unit  202 . 
     The authenticator  1210  may be configured to authenticate usage of the image forming apparatus by generating a log-on when the usage is authenticated and generating a log-off when the usage is not authenticated. When the usage is authenticated, the authentication is in an ON state and when the usage is not authenticated, the authentication is in an OFF state, as described in the authentication operation above. The authenticator  1210  may be implemented in the scanner control unit  203  or in the system control unit  201 . 
     The plate detector  1220  may be configured to detect an opening or closing action of the pressing plate  306  and to determine the angle θ of the pressing plate  306  with respect to the contact glass  301 . 
     The size detector  1230  may be configured to detect a size of an original on the contact glass  301  when the angle of the pressing plate  306  is within a predetermined range, such as when θ 2 &lt;θ&lt;θ 1 , where θ 1  and θ 2  are upper and lower angle thresholds, respectively. 
     The storage element  1240  may be configured to store information of the detected size of the original. When the size detector  1230  obtains the size of the original, it writes or stores the size information into the storage element  1240 . The storage element  1240  may be a location on a memory device. 
     The storage updater  1250  may be configured to update the stored size of original, along with the log-off. The update may include operations such as clearing (e.g., resetting to some initial value such as zero), initializing, resetting, or setting to a pre-determined value or symbol (e.g., Unknown). The storage updater  1250  may receive commands, control signals, control codes, or instructions from the authenticator  1210  or the plate detector  1220  to update the storage element  1240 . The reader  1260  may be configured to read the original on the contact glass  301 , using the information of the stored size of the original from the storage element  1240 , after the log-on. The reader  1260  may include elements of the scanner unit  202  such as the CCD sensor  303  or control circuit or module that controls the CCD sensor  303 . 
     Other Embodiments 
     Aspects of various exemplary embodiments may also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus, or devices such as a central processing unit (CPU) or main processor unit/microprocessor unit (MPU) that reads out and executes a program or instructions recorded/stored on a memory device or a non-transitory storage medium to perform the operations or functions of the above-described embodiments, and by a method, the operations of which are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a program recorded/stored on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiments. The method may be a computerized method to perform the operations with the use of a computer, a processor, or a programmable device. The operations in the method involve physical objects or entities (e.g., an original, contact glass, pressing plate) representing a machine or a particular apparatus (e.g., image formation machine, copier, printer). In addition, the operations in the method transform the elements or parts in the image formation apparatus from one state to another state. For example, a size of an original representing a physical entity is transformed (e.g., detected, stored, and updated) into a stored size. For this purpose, the program/instructions is/are provided to the computer for example via a network or from a recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (e.g., computer-readable medium). In such a case, the system or apparatus, and the recording medium where the program is stored, are included as being within the scope of the present invention. 
     In addition, elements of one embodiment may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof. The term hardware generally refers to an element having a physical structure such as electronic, electromagnetic, optical, electro-optical, mechanical, electro-mechanical parts, etc. A hardware implementation may include analog or digital circuits, devices, processors, applications specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or any optical, electromechanical, electromagnetic, or electronic devices. The term software generally refers to a logical structure, a method, a procedure, a program, a routine, a process, an algorithm, a formula, a function, an expression, etc. A software implementation typically includes realizing the above elements (e.g., logical structure, method, procedure, program) as instruction codes and/or data elements embedded in one or more storage devices and executable and/or accessible by a processor, a CPU/MPU, or a programmable device as discussed above. The term firmware generally refers to a logical structure, a method, a procedure, a program, a routine, a process, an algorithm, a formula, a function, an expression, etc., that is implemented or embodied in a hardware structure (e.g., flash memory). Examples of firmware may include microcode, writable control store, micro-programmed structure. When implemented in software or firmware, the elements of an embodiment may be the code segments to perform the necessary tasks. The software/firmware may include the actual code to carry out the operations described in one embodiment, or code that emulates or simulates the operations. 
     All or part of an embodiment may be implemented by various means depending on applications according to particular features, functions. These means may include hardware, software, or firmware, or any combination thereof. A hardware, software, or firmware element may have several modules or units coupled to one another. A hardware module/unit is coupled to another module/unit by mechanical, electrical, optical, electromagnetic or any physical connections. A software module/unit is coupled to another module by a function, procedure, method, subprogram, or subroutine call, a jump, a link, a parameter, variable, and argument passing, a function return, etc. A software module/unit is coupled to another module/unit to receive variables, parameters, arguments, pointers, etc. and/or to generate or pass results, updated variables, pointers, etc. A firmware module/unit is coupled to another module/unit by any combination of hardware and software coupling methods above. A hardware, software, or firmware module/unit may be coupled to any one of another hardware, software, or firmware module/unit. A module/unit may also be a software driver or interface to interact with the operating system running on the platform. A module/unit may also be a hardware driver to configure, set up, initialize, send and receive data to and from a hardware device. An apparatus may include any combination of hardware, software, and firmware modules/units. 
     While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to illustrations, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions. 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-175540 filed Aug. 4, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.