Author: claimsbot

1. A removable orthodontic appliance for repositioning teeth of one of an upper jaw and a lower jaw of a patient, comprising:
a trough shaped arch tray, said arch tray defining an interstitial space between a labial side and a lingual side of said arch tray for accommodating said teeth of one of said upper jaw and said lower jaw, wherein said arch tray is positioned to form fit over said teeth from a first molar region through a second molar region, and wherein said arch tray extends down said teeth on a lingual surface and a labial surface of said teeth to gingival areas on one of said upper jaw and said lower jaw; and
one or more arch wires infused and rigidly anchored within said lingual side of said arch tray, said arch wires made of a rigid material, wherein each of said arch wires comprises a surface pre-infused with a polymeric material for rigidly bonding each of said arch wires to said lingual side of said arch tray;
whereby said infused arch wires in said arch tray produce one or more predetermined pressures on said teeth of one of said upper jaw and said lower jaw for repositioning said teeth.
2. The removable orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein said arch tray form fits over contours of said teeth of one of said upper jaw and said lower jaw and gingival areas of said teeth, and engages gingival ridges of one of said upper jaw and said lower jaw.
3. The removable orthodontic appliance of claim 1, further comprising one or more mini brackets, each of said one or more mini brackets comprising a clamping slot to rigidly secure said one or more arch wires to said one more mini brackets to form an arch wire-mini bracket arrangement, wherein said arch wire-mini bracket arrangement is pre-infused with said polymeric material and infused within said lingual side of said arch tray.
4. The removable orthodontic appliance of claim 3, wherein each of said one or more mini brackets defines a frame and said clamping slot protruding from said frame, wherein said frame comprises one or more windows spaced apart from each other, wherein said pre-infused polymeric material permeates said one or more windows.
5. The removable orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein said one or more arch wires are sand blasted to obtain a predefined surface texture for retention of said pre-infused polymeric material over said arch wires.
6. The removable orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein said arch tray is molded from a thermoplastic elastomeric material using a model of said teeth of said patient.
7. The removable orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein said arch tray is molded for different sizes and shapes of said upper jaw and said lower jaw.
8. The removable orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein each of said arch wires has one of a circular cross-section and a rectangular cross-section.
9. A method for repositioning teeth of one of an upper jaw and a lower jaw of a patient, comprising:
providing one or more removable orthodontic appliances, wherein each of said one or more removable orthodontic appliances progressively reposition said teeth from a first position to one or more intermediate positions andor to a final position, wherein each of said one or more removable orthodontic appliances comprises:
a trough shaped arch tray, said arch tray defining an interstitial space between a labial side and a lingual side of said arch tray for accommodating said teeth of one of said upper jaw and said lower jaw, wherein said arch tray is positioned to form fit over said teeth from a first molar region through a second molar region, and wherein said arch tray extends down said teeth on a lingual surface and a labial surface of said teeth to gingival areas on one of said upper jaw and said lower jaw; and
one or more arch wires infused and rigidly anchored within said lingual side of said arch tray, said arch wires made of a rigid material, wherein each of said arch wires comprises a surface pre-infused with a polymeric material for rigidly bonding each of said arch wires to said lingual side of said arch tray;

fitting a first of said one or more removable orthodontic appliances over said teeth with said form fitting arch tray, wherein a geometry of said first removable orthodontic appliance is selected to reposition said teeth from said first position to one of said intermediate positions and said final position by one or more predetermined pressures produced by said rigidly bonded arch wires, wherein said geometry of said first removable orthodontic appliance is selected based on a model of said teeth in said first position;
replacing said first removable orthodontic appliance with another one of said one or more removable orthodontic appliances over said teeth, wherein a geometry of each of said removable orthodontic appliances is selected to progressively reposition said teeth through said intermediate positions by said one or more predetermined pressures produced by said rigidly bonded arch wires, wherein said geometry of each of said removable orthodontic appliances is selected based on a model of said teeth in one of said intermediate positions; and
fitting a final one of said removable orthodontic appliances over said teeth with said form fitting arch tray, wherein a geometry of said final removable orthodontic appliance is selected to reposition said teeth from one of said intermediate positions to said final position by said one or more predetermined pressures produced by said rigidly bonded arch wires, wherein said geometry of said final removable orthodontic appliance is selected based on a model of said teeth in one of said intermediate positions.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising retaining said final removable orthodontic appliance over said teeth as a retainer.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein a material of each of said removable orthodontic appliances is more rigid than a material of a previous one of said removable orthodontic appliances.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein said arch tray form fits over contours of said teeth of one of said upper jaw and said lower jaw and gingival areas of said teeth, and engages gingival ridges of one of said upper jaw and said lower jaw.
13. The method of claim 9, further comprising infusing one or more tooth colored arch wires within said labial side of said arch tray, if said tooth colored arch wires are prescribed by an orthodontist.
14. The method of claim 9, further comprising securing said one or more arch wires to one more mini brackets to form an arch wire-bracket arrangement, wherein each of said one or more mini brackets comprises a clamping slot to rigidly secure said one or more arch wires to said one or more mini brackets, wherein said arch wire-mini bracket arrangement is pre-infused with said polymeric material and infused within said lingual side of said arch tray.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising recharging said one or more removable orthodontic appliances by placing said one or more removable orthodontic appliances on said teeth model for a predetermined period of time depending on type of said one or more arch wires infused within said lingual side of said arch tray.
16. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing functional and occlusal components on one of said labial side and said lingual side of said arch tray, wherein said functional and occlusal components comprise occlusal and incisal ramps.
17. A method of manufacturing a removable orthodontic appliance for repositioning teeth of one of an upper jaw and a lower jaw, comprising:
obtaining a model of said teeth, wherein said teeth model comprises a labial surface and a lingual surface;
selecting one or more arch wires based on a treatment plan, wherein said selected arch wires are bent to align with said lingual surface of said teeth model along a midline of said lingual surface;
obtaining a predefined surface texture for said selected one or more arch wires by subjecting said selected one or more arch wires to sand blasting;
infusing said one or more arch wires with said polymeric material by submerging said one or more arch wires under a molten polymeric material for a predetermined period of time;
setting said infused one or more arch wires on said teeth model along said lingual surface of said teeth model, wherein said one or more arch wires firmly sits on said lingual surface of said teeth model when said molten polymeric material around said infused one or more arch wires hardens; and
molding a resilient thermoplastic material around said teeth model with said seated one or more arch wires by heating a sheet of said resilient thermoplastic material to a predetermined temperature to form around said teeth model and applying a vacuum, whereby said seated one or more arch wires is infused within said resilient thermoplastic material when said resilient thermoplastic material hardens to form said removable orthodontic appliance.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching said one or more arch wires to one or more mini brackets using clamping slots on mini brackets to form an arch wire-bracket arrangement.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said arch wire-bracket arrangement is submerged under said molten polymeric material for said predetermined period of time for infusing said arch wire-bracket arrangement with said polymeric material.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing functional and occlusal components on one of said labial side and said lingual side of said arch tray, wherein said functional and occlusal components comprise occlusal and incisal ramps.

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. An image processing system comprising a plurality of apparatus groups each consisting of a plurality of image formation apparatuses,
at least one image formation apparatus of said plurality of image formation apparatuses including
a printer which can carry out printing based on a print job,
a memory which stores the print job transferred from another apparatus and associated with user information, and
a controller,

said controller being configured to obtain a selected print job from an image formation apparatus which has stored the print job,
each said apparatus group including
a first image formation apparatus which can relay an inquiry of an image formation apparatus belonging to another apparatus group about whether the print job associated with a log-in user has been stored in said memory, and
a second image formation apparatus which can manage the print job stored in each image formation apparatus belonging to the apparatus group,

the controller of said second image formation apparatus being further configured to
obtain specifying information which is information specifying said print job by inquiring of another image formation apparatus whether the print job associated with the log-in user has been stored in said memory, and
present in a selectable manner, the print job stored in said image formation apparatus within the image processing system and associated with said log-in user, based on said specifying information, and

said controller of said first image formation apparatus being further configured to specify a corresponding image formation apparatus and answer to said inquiry by inquiring of said second image formation apparatus about the image formation apparatus which has stored the print job associated with the user designated in said inquiry when said inquiry from the image formation apparatus in another apparatus group is accepted.
2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein
said first image formation apparatus saves in advance access destination information of an image formation apparatus which belongs to another apparatus group and can relay said inquiry,
each of said plurality of image formation apparatuses saves in advance access destination information of said first image formation apparatus and said second image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which each of said plurality of image formation apparatuses belongs, and
said controller of each of said plurality of image formation apparatuses is further configured to
give a notification of said specifying information of said print job and identification information of each of said plurality of image formation apparatuses itself based on the access destination information of said second image formation apparatus when the print job is stored in said memory, and
inquire of said first image formation apparatus about said print job directed to the image formation apparatus belonging to another group based on the access destination information of said first image formation apparatus when a request for the print job stored in the memory of the image formation apparatus belonging to said another apparatus group is made.
3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein
said controller of said image formation apparatus is further configured to notify said second image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which the image formation apparatus itself belongs of the specifying information of the print job stored in said memory.
4. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein
said controller of said image formation apparatus is further configured to request the first image formation apparatus in the apparatus group to which the image formation apparatus itself belongs to make an inquiry about the image formation apparatus belonging to another apparatus group, and
to obtain said specifying information includes obtaining the specifying information of said print job by requesting of the image formation apparatus which has stored the print job specified by said answer from said first image formation apparatus for the specifying information of said print job.
5. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein
said controller of said first image formation apparatus is further configured to
request the first image formation apparatus in said another apparatus group to inquire of the image formation apparatus in said another apparatus group about said print job, when the inquiry about the print job associated with the log-in user is accepted from the image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which the first image formation apparatus itself belongs, and
inquire of said second image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which the first image formation apparatus itself belongs about the image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which said first image formation apparatus itself belongs, which has stored the print job associated with said log-in user, when a request for said inquiry is made by the first image formation apparatus in another group.
6. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein
said controller of said first image formation apparatus is further configured to determine whether the number of connections to other image formation apparatuses has reached a threshold value defined in advance, and
to inquire includes refraining for a certain period of time from making one or more said inquiries directed to said second image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which said first image formation apparatus belongs, and saving said one or more inquires, when the number of connections has reached said threshold value, and after lapse of said certain period of time, making saved said one or more inquiries as combined into one inquiry to said second image formation apparatus.
7. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein
said controller of said first image formation apparatus is further configured to
determine whether the number of connections to other image formation apparatuses has reached a threshold value defined in advance,
analyze contents of connections with other image formation apparatuses within the apparatus group to which said first image formation apparatus belongs and specify an order of precedence based on a priority of the contents of connections saved in advance, when the number of connections has reached said threshold value, and
cut off connection to another image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which said first image formation apparatus belongs in accordance with said order of precedence until the number of connections is within said threshold value.
8. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein
said controller of said first image formation apparatus is further configured to request of said another image formation apparatus for re-connection after cut-off when connection to said another image formation apparatus is cut off.
9. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein
said request includes a stand-by time period from said cut-off until said re-connection.
10. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein
cut-off of connection to said another image formation apparatus further includes cut-off of connection to said another image formation apparatus also based on a condition of load of said first image formation apparatus.
11. An image formation apparatus included in an image processing system including a plurality of apparatus groups each consisting of a plurality of image formation apparatuses, comprising:
a memory which stores a print job associated with user information;
a printer which carries out printing based on a print job; and
a controller,
said controller being configured to
request of a predetermined image formation apparatus belonging to another apparatus group different from the apparatus group to which the image formation apparatus belongs for an inquiry about said print job when an inquiry about the print job associated with a log-in user is received from an image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which the image formation apparatus belongs, and
inquire of a management image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which the image formation apparatus belongs, which can manage the print job stored in each image formation apparatus within the apparatus group, about the image formation apparatus within the apparatus group which has stored the print job associated with said log-in user, when a request for said inquiry is made from an image formation apparatus in another apparatus group different from the apparatus group to which the image formation apparatus belongs.
12. The image formation apparatus according to claim 11, which has saved in advance access destination information of an image formation apparatus which belongs to another apparatus group and can relay said inquiry, wherein
to request includes accessing the image formation apparatus which belongs to said another apparatus group and can relay said inquiry, based on said access destination information, and making a request for said inquiry.
13. The image formation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
said controller is further configured to
determine whether the number of connections to other image formation apparatuses has reached a threshold value defined in advance,
analyze contents of connections with other image formation apparatuses within the apparatus group to which the image formation apparatus belongs and specify an order of precedence based on a priority of the contents of connections saved in advance, when the number of connections has reached said threshold value, and
cut off connection to another image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which the image formation apparatus belongs in accordance with said order of precedence until the number of connections is within said threshold value.
14. The image formation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
said controller is further configured to request of said another image formation apparatus for re-connection after cut-off when connection to said another image formation apparatus is cut off.
15. The image formation apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
said request includes a notification of a stand-by time period from said cut-off until said re-connection.
16. The image formation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
cut-off of connection to said another image formation apparatus further includes cut-off of connection to said another image formation apparatus also based on a condition of load of the image formation apparatus.
17. The image formation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
said controller is further configured to determine whether the number of connections to other image formation apparatuses has reached a threshold value defined in advance, and
to inquire includes refraining for a certain period of time from making one or more said inquiries directed to said management image formation apparatus within the apparatus group to which said image formation apparatus belongs, and saving the one or more inquires, when the number of connections has reached said threshold value, and after lapse of said certain period of time, making said one or more inquiries as combined into one inquiry to said management image formation apparatus.
18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling a computer mounted on an image formation apparatus, said image formation apparatus being included in an image processing system including a plurality of apparatus groups each consisting of a plurality of image formation apparatuses, said program causing said computer to:
accept a request for an inquiry about an image formation apparatus which has stored a print job associated with a designated user, from another image formation apparatus;
in response to said request, request of a predetermined image formation apparatus which belongs to another apparatus group different from an apparatus group to which said image formation apparatus belongs for an inquiry about said print job, when said another image formation apparatus is an image formation apparatus within an apparatus group to which said image formation apparatus belongs; and
inquire, in response to said request, of a management image formation apparatus which is an image formation apparatus within an apparatus group to which said image formation apparatus belongs and can manage the print job stored in each image formation apparatus within the apparatus group about the image formation apparatus within said apparatus group which has stored the print job associated with said user, when said another image formation apparatus is an image formation apparatus in another apparatus group different from the apparatus group to which said image formation apparatus belongs.

What is claimed is:

1. A current detector utilizing the Hall-effect for detection or measurement of electric current, comprising:
(a) a current-path conductor for carrying current to be detected or measured;
(b) a Hall generator disposed in prescribed positional relationship to the current-path conductor for generating a Hall voltage proportional to the strength of a magnetic field due to the current flowing through the current-path conductor; and
(c) a magnetic overlay in the form of a sheet or film of magnetic material covering part of the current-path conductor for a higher sensitivity of current detection through enhancement of flux density acting on the Hall generator.
2. The current detector of claim 1 wherein the current-path conductor is formed to include a pair of opposite terminal portions and a midsection therebetween, wherein the Hall generator is so positioned relative to the current-path conductor as to be acted upon by a magnetic field due to the current flowing through the midsection of the current-path conductor, and wherein the magnetic overlay covers at least part of the midsection of the current-path conductor.
3. The current detector of claim 2 wherein the midsection of the current-path conductor extends around the Hall generator in a plane not containing the Hall generator, wherein the midsection of the current-path conductor is rectangular in cross sectional shape, having a first major surface directed toward the Hall generator, a second major surface directed away from the Hall generator, an inside surface directed toward the Hall generator, and an outside surface directed away from the Hall generator, and wherein the magnetic overlay covers the second major surface of the current-path conductor.
4. The current detector of claim 2 wherein the midsection of the current-path conductor extends around the Hall generator in a plane not containing the Hall generator, wherein the midsection of the current-path conductor is rectangular in cross sectional shape, having a first major surface directed toward the Hall generator, a second major surface directed away from the Hall generator, an inside surface directed toward the Hall generator, and an outside surface directed away from the Hall generator, and wherein the magnetic overlay covers the outside surface of the current-path conductor.
5. The current detector of claim 2 wherein the midsection of the current-path conductor extends around the Hall generator in a plane not containing the Hall generator, wherein the midsection of the current-path conductor is rectangular in cross sectional shape, having a first major surface directed toward the Hall generator, a second major surface directed away from the Hall generator, an inside surface directed toward the Hall generator, and an outside surface directed away from the Hall generator, and wherein the magnetic overlay covers both second major surface and outside surface of the current-path conductor.
6. The current detector of claim 2 wherein the Hall generator is formed in a semiconductor substrate having a first major surface directed toward the current-path conductor, and a second major surface directed away from the current-path conductor, and wherein the current detector has a second magnetic overlay held against the second major surface of the semiconductor substrate.
7. The current detector of claim 1 further comprising:
(a) a casing of electrically insulating material enveloping the Hall generator and at least part of the current-path conductor with the magnetic overlay thereon; and
(b) a second magnetic overlay covering part of the casing.
8. The current detector of claim 1 wherein the magnetic overlay is of Permalloy.
9. A current detector utilizing the Hall-effect for detection or measurement of electric current, comprising:
(a) a current-path conductor in the form of a piece of sheet metal having a slit cut therein for providing a U-shaped path for the flow of current to be detected or measured, the sheet-metal current-path conductor having a pair of opposite major surfaces, an inside surface contiguous to the slit, and an outside surface facing away from the slit;
(b) a Hall generator for generating a Hall voltage proportional to the strength of an applied magnetic field;
(c) an encapsulation of electrically insulating material integrally enveloping the Hall generator and held against one of the major surfaces of the current-path conductor, with the Hall generator positioned inside the slit therein, as seen in a direction normal to the sheet-metal current-path conductor, for generating a Hall voltage indicative of the magnitude of the current flowing through the U-shaped current path; and
(d) a magnetic overlay in the form of a sheet or film of magnetic material covering at least either of the other major surface and outside surface of the current-path conductor for a higher sensitivity of current detection through enhancement of flux density acting on the Hall generator.
10. The current detector of claim 9 wherein the Hall generator is formed in a semiconductor substrate overlying a baseplate, and wherein the current detector further comprises a second magnetic overlay formed on the baseplate.
11. The current detector of claim 9 further comprising
(a) a casing of electrically insulating material enveloping the encapsulation, together with the Hall generator therein, and at least part of the current-path conductor together with the magnetic overlay thereon; and
(b) a second magnetic overlay covering at least part of the casing.
12. A current detector utilizing the Hall-effect for detection or measurement of electric current, comprising:
(a) a pair of current-path conductors each in the form of an elongate piece of sheet metal for carrying current to be detected or measured, the pair of current-path conductors extending in parallel spaced, coplanar relationship to each other, each sheet-metal current-path conductor having a pair of opposite major surfaces, an inside surface directed toward the other current-path conductor, and an outside surface directed away from the other current-path conductor;
(b) a Hall generator for generating a Hall voltage proportional to a difference between the magnitudes of currents flowing through the respective current-path conductors;
(c) a casing of electrically insulating material holding the Hall generator opposite the pair of current-path conductors and inside the space therebetween, as seen in a direction normal to the plane of the sheet-metal current-path conductors, the Hall generator being directed toward one of the major surfaces of each current-path conductor; and
(d) a magnetic overlay in the form of a sheet or film of magnetic material covering at least either of the other major surface and outside surface of each current-path conductor for a higher sensitivity of current detection through enhancement of flux density acting on the Hall generator.

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 device, comprising:
an electronic circuit that includes a support to which are attached at least two circuit portions, each including at least one integrated circuit chip;
a wafer of a semiconductor material spaced apart from the support;
a conductive layer arranged parallel to the support and covering a surface of the wafer that faces the support; and
conductive pillars connecting the wafer to the support and extending from the conductive layer to the support, the conductive pillars being distributed around each circuit portion and in contact with the conductive layer.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein several adjacent conductive pillars are spaced apart, the device further comprising an insulating region arranged at least between the wafer and the support and covering each circuit portion.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises:
a planar insulating portion;
first conductive tracks arranged on a first surface of the planar insulating portion, the first conductive tracks being connected to at least some of the conductive pillars;
second conductive tracks arranged on a second surface of the planar insulating portion opposite to the first surface, the second conductive tracks being for connection to a reference voltage; and
means, contained in the planar insulating portion, for connecting the first conductive tracks to the second conductive tracks.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive pillars have a spherical shape.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive pillars have an at least partly cylindrical shape.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein at least two adjacent conductive pillars are in contact.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the support is a ball grid array package.
8. A method for manufacturing electronic circuits, comprising the steps of:
providing a planar support;
attaching circuit portions on a surface of the support, each circuit portion containing at least one integrated circuit chip; and
attaching wafer portions of a semiconductor material to the support, the wafer portions being spaced apart from and parallel to said surface of the support, each wafer portion: covering a respective one of the circuit portions, having a side facing the circuit portions being covered with a conductive layer, and being connected to the support by conductive pillars distributed around each of said circuit portions and extending between the conductive layer and the support.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein at least several adjacent conductive pillars are spaced apart and the delimiting step is preceded by introducing an insulating material between spaced apart portions of the conductive pillars and under each wafer portion to cover said at least two adjacent circuit portions.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the wafer portions are obtained by sawing of a wafer on which the conductive pillars are distributed.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the conductive pillars are formed by spreading welding paste through a mask on to the conductive layer.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the conductive pillars are formed by forming an insulating layer on the conductive layer, etching the insulating layer to form openings, and forming the conductive pillars in the openings.
13. A protected electronic device, comprising:
a support;
first and second circuit portions positioned on the support, each circuit portion including at least one integrated circuit chip;
a wafer spaced apart from the support;
a conductive layer arranged parallel to the support and covering a surface of the wafer that faces the support; and
conductive pillars connecting the wafer to the support and extending from the conductive layer to the support, the conductive pillars being distributed around each circuit portion and in contact with the conductive layer,
wherein the wafer is of a semiconductor material.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein several adjacent conductive pillars are spaced apart, the device further comprising an insulating region arranged at least between the wafer and the support and covering each circuit portion.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the support comprises:
a planar insulating portion;
first conductive tracks arranged on a first surface of the planar insulating portion, the first conductive tracks being connected to at least some of the conductive pillars;
second conductive tracks arranged on a second surface of the planar insulating portion opposite to the first surface, the second conductive tracks being for connection to a reference voltage; and
conductive vias extending through the planar insulating portion and connecting the first conductive tracks to the second conductive tracks.
16. The device of claim 13, wherein the conductive pillars have a spherical shape.
17. The device of claim 13, wherein the conductive pillars have an at least partly cylindrical shape.
18. The device of claim 13, wherein at least two adjacent conductive pillars are in contact.
19. The device of claim 13, wherein the conductive pillars are distributed around four sides of each of the circuit portions.