1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a plurality of pixels, each having an electromagnetic wave detecting element configured to detect an electromagnetic wave;
a switch configured to read out a signal from the plurality of pixels;
a signal generating unit configured to generate a signal having a predetermined period and to supply the signal via a transmission line to each of the plurality of pixels, wherein
each of the plurality of pixels is further connected to a scanning line for reading out the signal through the switch, and
each of the plurality of pixels has a frequency converting element configured to convert a frequency of a detection signal of the electromagnetic wave detecting element, using the signal having the predetermined period.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frequency converting element is a mixer.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pixel has a low-pass filter inputting the signal of which frequency is converted.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal generating unit generates the signal having the predetermined period containing a frequency of 10 kHz-200 MHz as a Fourier component.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission line is provided with a phase shifter to compensate a phase difference between signals having the predetermined period of the pixels.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pixel is connected to another transmission line for supplying to the pixel another signal having another predetermined period different from the predetermined period, and
the pixel further has another converting element different from the frequency converting element.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pixel is provided with a plurality of frequency converting elements of a \u03c02 radian phase shifted type.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wave detecting element has a rectifying type detector, a transistor or a quantum type detector.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frequency converting element has a passive mixer.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wave contain terahertz wave.
11. An imaging system comprising:
an irradiating apparatus configured to irradiate an object with an electromagnetic wave; and an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising:
a pixel having an electromagnetic wave detecting element configured to detect an electromagnetic wave;
a switch configured to read out a signal from the pixel; and
a signal generating unit configured to generate a signal having a predetermined period, wherein
the pixel is connected to a transmission line for supplying to the pixel the signal having the predetermined period, and to a scanning line for reading out the signal from the pixel through the switch, and
the pixel has a frequency converting element configured to convert a frequency of a detection signal of the electromagnetic wave detecting element using the signal having the predetermined period.
12. The imaging system according to claim 11, wherein the irradiating apparatus includes a modulating unit configured to modulate a frequency or an amplitude of the electromagnetic wave.
13. The imaging system according to claim 12, wherein the irradiating apparatus includes a management unit configured to manage information as to a modulation frequency of the modulating unit, and
the image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to control the frequency of the signal generated by the signal generating unit based on the information as to the modulation frequency of the modulating unit.
14. The imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the irradiating apparatus includes a management unit configured to manage information as to a phase of the modulating unit, and
the image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to control the phase of the signal generated by the signal generating unit based on the information as to the phase of the modulating unit.
15. The imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the control unit receives through an RF the information as to at least one of the modulation frequency or the phase of the modulasting unit.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A reusable aseptic connector comprising:
a first part, and
a second part,
the first part defining an inner volume, the inner volume having a first end and a second end, the first part comprising a ball valve, the ball valve having an initial position that seals the first end of the inner volume, the ball valve defining a channel, the first part comprising a first bayonet mounting member, and
the second part comprising a resilient member and a sliding tube, the sliding tube defining an inner volume, the sliding tube having a first end and second end, the first end of the sliding tube defining a first opening, the second end of the sliding tube defining a second opening, the resilient member providing an aseptic seal of the first opening of the sliding tube when the sliding tube is in an initial position, the second part comprising a second bayonet mounting member,
the first bayonet mounting member of the first part forming an aseptic seal with the second bayonet mounting member when joined together,
the ball valve configured to be rotated from its initial position so that the channel defined by the ball valve is positioned coaxially with the sliding tube of the second part,
the sliding tube configured to move from the initial position to an operative position when the sliding tube is moved in a direction toward the first part so that the first end of the sliding tube penetrates the resilient member and then enters the channel defined by the ball valve.
2. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein the first part is a dispenser part configured to be connected to an inlet of a beverage dispenser at the second end of the inner volume, and the second part is a container part configured to be connected to an outlet of a beverage container at the second end of the sliding tube.
3. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein first part is a container part configured to be connected to an outlet of a beverage container at the second end of the sliding tube, and the second part is a dispenser part configured to be connected to an inlet of a beverage dispenser at the second end of the inner volume.
4. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein the first bayonet mount comprises a least one lip and the second bayonet mount comprises at least one lip, the at least one lip of the first bayonet mount and the at least one lip of the second bayonet mount forming an interlocking aseptic seal.
5. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein the resilient member has a circular cross-section.
6. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 5, wherein the resilient member comprises a plurality of semi-perforated cuts configured to facilitate penetrating of the sliding tube through the resilient member, the plurality of semi-perforated cuts meeting at the center of the circular cross-section.
7. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein the resilient member comprises a plurality of semi-perforated cuts configured to facilitate penetrating of the sliding tube through the resilient member.
8. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein the second part further comprises a bushing, the bushing providing a support for the resilient member, the bushing comprising a first mating member.
9. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 8, wherein the second part further comprises a second mating member, the second mating member located at the second end of the sliding tube, the second mating member and the first mating member forming an interlocking fit when joined together after the sliding tube penetrates the resilient member and the channel defined by the ball valve.
10. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 9, further comprising a corrugation, the corrugation extending between the first mating member and the second mating member, the corrugation insulating an interface between the bushing and the sliding tube.
11. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein the sliding tube is configured to return to its initial position by retracting the first end of the sliding tube from the channel of the ball valve, back through the resilient member, and back into the second part, the resilient member providing an aseptic seal at the first opening defined by the first end of the sliding tube.
12. An apparatus comprising:
a housing, and
a reusable aseptic connector, the connector housed in the housing, the connector comprising:
a first part, the first part defining an inner volume, the inner volume having a first end and a second end, the first part comprising a ball valve, the ball valve defining a channel, the ball valve having a closed position when the ball valve seals the first end of the inner volume, and
a second part, the second part comprising a resilient member and a sliding tube, the sliding tube defining an inner volume, the sliding tube having a first end and second end, the first end of the sliding tube defining a first opening, the second end of the sliding tube defining a second opening, the resilient member providing an aseptic seal of the first opening of the sliding tube when the sliding tube is in an initial position,
the ball valve configured to be rotated from its closed position to an open position, the open position of the ball valve being when the channel defined by the ball valve is positioned coaxially with the sliding tube of the second part,
the sliding tube configured to move from an initial position to an operative position when the sliding tube is moved in a direction toward the first part so that the first end of the sliding tube penetrates the resilient member and the enters the channel defined by the ball valve,
a first lever having a first end and a second end, the first lever configured to switch the ball valve from its closed position to its open position when the first end of the first lever is rotated towards the container part.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first part is a dispenser part configured to be connected to an inlet of a beverage dispenser at the second end of the inner volume, and the second part is a container part configured to be connected to an outlet of a beverage container at the second end of the sliding tube.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein first part is a container part configured to be connected to an outlet of a beverage container at the second end of the sliding tube, and the second part is a dispenser part configured to be connected to an inlet of a beverage dispenser at the second end of the inner volume.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first lever is connected to a first shaft, the first shaft connected to the ball valve and configured to impart a rotational movement of the ball valve.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second end of the first lever is connected to a first sleeve by a second shaft, the first lever rotatable relative to the first sleeve and configured to impart to the first sleeve a translational motion along a guide of a third shaft.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a first spring, the first spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first spring attached to the first lever in proximity to where the first lever is connected to the first sleeve, the second end of the first spring attached to an enclosure placement member, the first spring fixing a terminal position of switching of the first lever.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second part is positioned between a first bracket and a second bracket, the first bracket connected with a plate, the plate connected to a second sleeve, the plate movable by the guide of the third shaft, the third shaft attached to the housing by a third bracket and a fourth bracket.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a second lever, the second lever having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second lever secured to the plate by a fourth shaft, the second lever attached to a second sleeve by a fifth shaft, the second lever rotatable in relation to the plate and configured to impart to the second sleeve a translational motion along a guide of a third shaft, wherein when the second end of the second lever is rotated towards the first part the sliding tube is moved from its initial position to its operative position.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a second spring, the second spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second spring attached to the second lever, the second end of the second spring connected to the plate, the second spring fixing a terminal position of switching of the second lever.
21. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising at least one decontamination device configured to deliver decontamination treatment to an external surface of the first part and an external surface of the second part prior to connecting the first part and the second part.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one decontamination device is configured to deliver decontamination treatment to the external surface of the first part and the external surface of the second part automatically.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one decontamination device is an ultraviolet lamp, and the decontamination treatment is ultraviolet radiation.
24. A reusable aseptic connector between a beverage storage container and a beverage dispenser, the connector comprising:
an first assembly, the first assembly comprising a ball valve and a sliding tube, the ball valve defining a channel, the sliding tube defining an inner volume, the sliding tube having a first end and second end, the first end of the sliding tube defining a first opening, the second end of the sliding tube defining a second opening, the ball valve providing an aseptic seal of the first opening of the sliding tube when the ball valve is in an initial position, the first assembly further comprising a first bayonet mounting member, and
a second assembly, the second assembly comprising a resilient member and a second bayonet mounting member,
the first bayonet mounting member of the first assembly forming an aseptic seal with the second bayonet mounting member of the second assembly when joined together,
the ball valve configured to be rotated from its initial position so that the channel defined by the ball valve is positioned coaxially with the sliding tube,
the sliding tube configured to move from an initial position to an operative position when the sliding tube is moved in a direction toward the second assembly so that the first end of the sliding tube enters the channel defined by the ball valve and penetrates the resilient member.
25. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 24, wherein the first assembly is a dispenser assembly configured to be connected to an inlet of a beverage dispenser, and the second assembly is a container assembly configured to be connected to an outlet of a beverage container.
26. The reusable aseptic connector of claim 24, wherein first assembly is a container assembly configured to be connected to an outlet of a beverage container, and the second assembly is a dispenser assembly configured to be connected to an inlet of a beverage dispenser.
27. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising at least one decontamination device configured to deliver decontamination treatment to an external surface of the first assembly and an external surface of the second assembly prior to connecting the first assembly and the second assembly.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one decontamination device is configured to deliver decontamination treatment to the external surface of the first assembly and the external surface of the second assembly automatically.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one decontamination device is an ultraviolet lamp, and the decontamination treatment is ultraviolet radiation.