It is an objective of the present invention to identify SPARC protein-derived peptides that are able to induce human killer T cells and helper T cells having cytotoxic activity to tumors, and to provide a means for carrying out a tumor immunotherapy of patients with various types of cancers overexpressing SPARC. The present invention provides a peptide of any of the following:    (A) a peptide which consists of the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3; or    (B) a peptide which consists of an amino acid sequence comprising a substitution or addition of one or several amino acids with respect to the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3, and which has capacity to induce cytotoxic (killer) T cells.

When compared with Western countries, the morbidity of stomach cancer is high in Asian countries such as Japan and China. As a result of diffusion of medical check-ups, the widespread use of digestive endoscopes, and the development of inspection techniques, it has become possible to detect stomach cancer at an early stage, and thus the number of patients suffering from this cancer has been decreasing. Nevertheless, stomach cancer is still the second cause of death due to malignant neoplasm in the Japanese population. Thus, stomach cancer is still a main cause of death. Among several types of stomach cancers, diffuse (scirrhous) stomach cancer occurs in young people when compared with another type of stomach cancer (adenocarcinoma). Such diffuse (scirrhous) stomach cancer tends to make rapid progress, and distant metastasis or peritoneal metastasis frequently occurs, thereby resulting in poor prognosis. In many cases of scirrhous stomach cancer, it has already become impossible to carry out surgical excision at the time of diagnosis. Even if it is still possible to excise the tumor, the cancer often recurs after the treatment. Accordingly, it is highly desired to establish a novel treatment method.
The death toll from pancreatic cancer tends to increase in Japan. 21,148 people died due to pancreatic cancer in 2003. At present, such pancreatic cancer makes up 6.8% of the cancers that cause death in Japan. That is, pancreatic cancer ranks fifth cause of death after lung cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer. The world demographic data was analyzed, and the age-adjusted mortality rate, which is used for comparison among the mortality rates of populations with different age structures, was calculated. As a result, in 2000, in the case of 100,000 males, 8.6 people died due to pancreatic cancer in Japan, whereas 7.3 people died in the United States and 6.3 to 7.0 people died in the United Kingdom due to the same type of cancer. In the case of 100,000 females, 4.9 people died due to pancreatic cancer in Japan, whereas 5.3 people died in the United States and 4.8 to 5.1 people died in the United Kingdom due to the same type of cancer. Thus, the mortality rate due to pancreatic cancer in Japan has become the same level as those of Western countries.
Taking into consideration the age-adjusted rate in 2000 (100,000 people of the world's population), in the case of males, 8.6 people died due to pancreatic cancer in Japan, whereas 7.3 people died in the United States and 6.3 to 7.0 people died in the United Kingdom due to the same type of cancer. In addition, in the case of females, 4.9 people died due to pancreatic cancer in Japan, whereas 5.3 people died in the United States and 4.8 to 5.1 people died in the United Kingdom due to the same type of cancer. Thus, the mortality rate due to pancreatic cancer in Japan has become the same level as those of Western countries. In spite of the development of diagnostic imaging, at present, approximately 40% of the total Japanese patients with pancreatic cancer suffer from progressive pancreatic cancer involving distant metastasis, and further, there are also many cases where the cancer is discovered after it has reached a locally-advanced cancer stage, at which tumor cannot be excised. The 5-year relative survival rate of total patients with pancreatic cancer is 4.3% in the diagnosis cases in 1996. Although this rate tends to be higher than the conventional survival rate (2% to 3%), it is still low. Regarding factors of developing pancreatic cancer, it has been suggested that various factors including life habit such as smoking, adiposis, meals, alcohol drinking, and coffee use, as well as chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, genetic factor, etc. are involved in the onset of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer does not have specific symptoms, and thus, in many cases, the cancer has already progressed when certain symptoms appear. As a result, the 5-year survival rate of total patients is 5% or less, and prognosis after the diagnosis is extremely low. Due to difficulty in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, the rate of this cancer as a causative disease of cancer death is gradually increased particularly in advanced countries. Currently, multidisciplinary therapy including a surgical excision as a main treatment, a radiotherapy, and a chemotherapy, has been carried out. However, no drastic improvement of therapeutic effects can be obtained, and thus, the establishment of a novel therapeutic strategy is urgently necessary.
Melanoma is one type of skin cancer, which is often called malignant melanoma. Among several types of skin cancers, melanoma is highly likely to become infiltrative and metastatic and has the highest grade of malignancy, and thus it is greatly feared. Among cells that constitute skin, several cells generate melanin pigment. Such cells are called melanocytes. When such melanocytes become cancerous, melanoma occurs. In addition, the frequency of occurrence of melanoma has been increasing, particularly among Caucasians, as a result of an increase in exposure to ultraviolet rays due to a reduction in the ozone layer in the atmosphere caused by environmental destruction.
In Japan, the incidence of melanoma varies from 1.5 to 2 people in 100,000 in the general population. Thus, it is estimated that approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people develop melanoma per year. On the other hand, in the Western countries, more than a dozen of people develop melanoma in 100,000 in the general population. In particular, in Australia, twenty or more people develop such melanoma in 100,000 in the general population, and thus it is known that the incidence of melanoma in Australia is the highest in the world. Under such circumstances, people who live in Europe, the United States, and Australia are interested in melanoma, and they pay attention to the occurrence of melanoma. Furthermore, surprisingly, the occurrence of melanoma tends to be increasing year after year in Japan as well as in foreign countries. According to recent studies, the annual death toll from melanoma is approximately 450 in Japan. Melanoma develops regardless of age. However, the incidence of this disease increases for those over 40, and it is the highest for those in their 60's and 70's. The onset of this disease in childhood is extremely rare, but this does not mean that the disease never develops in childhood. Recently, the occurrence of melanoma tends to be increasing in young patients in their 20's and 30's. Melanoma develops regardless of sex, and both male and female patients suffer from this disease. In the case of Japanese patients, the site at which melanoma is most likely to develop is the sole (the sole of the foot), and it accounts for 30% of all instances of melanoma. As characteristics of Japanese patients, melanoma also develops in the foot and the nail portions of the fingers. In addition, as in the case of Western patients, melanoma develops in all parts of the skin, such as the body, hand, foot, face, and head.
At present, methods that can be applied to treat melanoma include a surgical therapy, a chemotherapy, and a radiotherapy. However, as a therapy for alleviating the symptoms of metastatic cancer or intractable cancer, to which the aforementioned therapy cannot be applied, an immunotherapy for enhancing the immunity of a cancer patient to cancer so as to suppress the growth of the cancer has become a focus of attention. Such an immunotherapy is actually effective for some patients.
On the other hand, with the development of molecular biology and tumor immunology in recent years, it has been revealed that cytotoxic (killer) T cells and helper T cells recognize peptides generated by degradation of proteins highly and specifically expressed in cancer cells, which are presented on the surfaces of the cancer cells or antigen-presenting cells via HLA molecules, and that they exhibit an immune reaction for destroying such cancer cells. Moreover, a large number of tumor antigenic proteins and peptides derived from them, which stimulate such an immune reaction for attacking cancers, have been identified, and clinical application of an antigen-specific tumor immunotherapy has been advanced.
HLA class I molecules are expressed on the surfaces of all nucleated cells in a body. Proteins generated in cytoplasms and nuclei provide peptides generated as a result of being degraded in cells, and they are expressed on the surfaces of such cells. On the surfaces of normal cells, peptides derived from normal autologous proteins bind to HLA class I molecules, and T cells of the immune system neither recognize nor destroy such peptides bound to HLA class I molecules. On the other hand, in a process in which cancer cells are converted to a cancer, such cancer cells may express large amounts of proteins, which are hardly expressed or are only expressed in small amounts on normal cells. If a peptide generated by degradation in the cytoplasm of such a protein that is highly expressed specifically in a cancer cell binds to an HLA class I molecule and is expressed on the surface of such a cancer cell, a killer T cell recognizes the peptide and destroys only the cancer cell. In addition, by immunizing such a cancer-specific antigen or peptide to an individual body, it is possible to destroy cancer cells and suppress the growth of a cancer, without impairing normal cells. This is referred to as cancer immunotherapy using a cancer-specific antigen. Moreover, an HLA class II molecule is mainly expressed on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell. Such an HLA class II molecule binds peptides derived from a cancer-specific antigen generated by incorporating the cancer-specific antigen from outside the cell and degrating it in the cell, and it is expressed on the surface of the cell. A helper T cell, which has recognized the peptides bound to HLA class II molecule, is activated to generate various cytokines that activate other immunocompetent cells, so as to induce or reinforce an immune reaction against a tumor.
Thus, if an immunotherapy targeting an antigen specifically expressing at a high level in such a cancer can be developed, it can provide a therapeutic method effectively eliminating the cancer alone, without impairing normal autologous organs. Moreover, it is anticipated that such an immunotherapy can provide a therapeutic method applicable to patients suffering from a terminal-stage cancer, for whom no other treatments can be implemented. Furthermore, if a cancer-specific antigen and peptide are administered in the form of a vaccine to a human having a high risk of developing such a cancer, there is a possibility that the onset of the cancer can be prevented.
First, the present inventors have performed a genome-wide gene expression analysis. They have analyzed 23,040 types of genes in stomach cancer tissues and normal tissues utilizing a cDNA microarray. As a result, in 11 out of 20 cases of patients with diffuse infiltrative stomach cancer, the inventors have identified Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), which is a gene highly expressed in stomach cancer tissues, and the expression level of which is 5 or more times higher than that of normal tissues (130,000 times higher on average) (FIG. 1). The SPARC gene is expressed at a low level also in normal adipose tissues, mammary gland, ovary, spinal cord, testis, uterus, placenta, etc. However, the expression level of the SPARC gene in any of the aforementioned organs is lower than that of normal gastric mucous membrane by a factor of 5 times or less (FIG. 2).
Other researchers had already reported that SPARC is not only highly expressed in diffuse infiltrative stomach cancer but it is also expressed in pancreatic cancer and melanoma. Moreover, the present inventors have found that SPARC is secreted in the serum of melanoma patients, and that SPARC can be a useful tumor marker particularly for the early detection of melanoma (Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-303688; and Clinical Cancer Research 11: 8079-8088, 2005).
SPARC is a 43-KD acidic secretory protein consisting of 286 amino acids. This protein is rich in cysteine, and it moves to the nucleus during the cell division phase. In addition, SPARC controls the interaction between an extracellular matrix protein and a cell, so that it can be also associated with the control of cell growth. Since SPARC is expressed in osteoblasts, thrombocytes, and wound areas, it is considered that this protein is associated with the repair and reconstruction of tissues. Furthermore, it has also reported that SPARC is highly expressed also in cancers such as melanoma or osteosarcoma and in the interstitial cells of tumors, and that the expression of SPARC correlates with the prognosis, infiltration or metastasis of tumors.    [Non-Patent Document 1] Ikuta Y et al., Clinical Cancer Research 11: 8079-8088, 2005.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-303688

SPARC-derived tumor rejection antigenic peptides and medicaments comprising the same


A method for generating voice dictionary is disclosed which makes it possible to improve the accuracy of speaker identification. A method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: acquiring voices of a plurality of unspecified speakers; acquiring noise in a predetermined place; superimposing the noise onto the voices of the plurality of unspecified speakers; and generating, on the basis of the features of the voices of the plurality of unspecified speakers, unspecified speaker voice dictionary that is used for generating personal voice dictionary for identifying a target speaker.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a method for, an apparatus for, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program for generating unspecified speaker voice dictionary that is used in generating personal voice dictionary for identifying a speaker to be identified.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, it has been difficult for a speaker identification apparatus that identifies a speaker to correctly identify a speaker in a case where noise is contained in an inputted voice of the speaker. To address this problem, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-143094 discloses a neural network-based speaker recognition system intended to achieve a higher recognition rate by superimposing noise onto learning patterns and increasing the number of simulated patterns.
However, since the conventional speaker recognition system of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-143094 generates simulated learning patterns by superimposing noise onto voices of a speaker to be identified and uses the simulated learning patterns thus generated for learning of a neural network, the system needs to acquire voices of the speaker to be identified in advance, and in a case where the speaker to be identified speaks little, insufficiency in amount of data results and makes it impossible to create an optimum neural network by learning, thus undesirably reducing the accuracy with which the speaker is identified.

Method for generating unspecified speaker voice dictionary that is used in generating personal voice dictionary for identifying speaker to be identified

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA


A slide gate plate comprising a burned refractory that is impregnated with tar and baked, said refractory made from a composition comprising about 70 to 95 wt. % alumina, 1 to 10 wt. % reactive alumina, 1 to 5 wt. % volatilized silica, and, 3 to 15 wt. % silicon carbide and the method of increasing the service life of such slide gate plate by forming the same from the above-noted composition.

The present invention relates to slide gate plates and to the method of increasing the service life of burned alumina refractory slide gate plates which have been tar impregnated and baked.
Slide gate assemblies are well known devices utilized with metal working vessels and usually comprise at least one stationary refractory plate with a passage therethrough and at least one sliding refractory plate with a passage therethrough suitably engaged with the stationary plate. The sliding refractory plate is moved by suitable means in order to align the respective passages to permit discharge of molten metal from the metal working vessel. One of the major problems with such plates is that the portions thereof that are exposed to the molten metal are very susceptible to wear. Efforts to increase their wear resistance and, hence, the service life of the slide gate plates has been an ongoing concern. The high temperature and corrosive action of the molten metal passing through the passages in the slide gate plates tends to limit their service life.
A number of different types of refractory materials, including those based on magnesite and alumina, have been utilized as the refractory for such gates and it has been found that under most conditions the most suitable refractories are the alumina based refractories. In an effort to increase the wear resistance, both burned and unburned alumina refractories, which have also been tar impregnated and baked have been utilized and it has been found that most suitably the refractory slide gate plate once formed is preferably impregnated with tar. While such tar impregnated plates are superior to unimpregnated high alumina slide gates, further improvements in service life are desired.
One of the problems noted is that under the high temperature conditions to which the slide gates are employed there is rapid oxidation of the carbon derived from tar or pitch used to impregnate the plate, and this oxidation shortens the service life of the slide gate plate.


In a data read operation, a selected memory cell and a reference memory cell are connected to complementary first and second data lines via complementary first and second bit lines, respectively. A differential amplifier supplies passing currents of the memory cell and the reference cell to complementary first and second data buses, and amplifies a passing current difference between the first and second data buses occurring corresponding to an electric resistance difference between the memory cell and reference cell to produce a voltage difference of a polarity corresponding to the level of the stored data of the selected memory cell between first and second nodes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film magnetic memory device, and particularly to a thin film magnetic memory device provided with memory cells having MTJs (magnetic tunnel junctions)
2. Description of the Background Art
Attention is being given to an MRAM device as a memory device, which can nonvolatilely store data with low power consumption. The MRAM device is a memory device, in which a plurality of thin film magnetic members are formed in a semiconductor integrated circuit for nonvolatilely storing data, and random access to each thin film magnetic member is allowed.
Particularly, in recent years, it has been announced that a performance of the MRAM device can be dramatically improved by using the thin film magnetic members, which utilize the magnetic tunnel junctions, as memory cells. The MRAM device with memory cells having the magnetic tunnel junctions has been disclosed in technical references such as xe2x80x9cA 10 ns Read and Write Non-Volatile Memory Array Using a Magnetic Tunnel Junction and FET Switch in Each Cellxe2x80x9d, ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, TA7.2, February 2000, xe2x80x9cNonvolatile RAM based on Magnetic Tunnel Junction Elementsxe2x80x9d, ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, TA7.3, February 2000, and xe2x80x9cA 256 kb 3.0V 1T1MTJ Nonvolatile Magnetoresistive RAMxe2x80x9d, ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, TA7.6, February 2001.
FIG. 15 conceptually shows a structure of a memory cell, which has a magnetic tunneling junction, and may be merely referred to as an xe2x80x9cMTJ memory cellxe2x80x9d hereinafter.
Referring to FIG. 15, a MTJ memory cell includes a tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR having an electric resistance, which is variable in accordance with a data level of magnetically written storage data, and an access transistor ATR. Access transistor ATR is located between a bit line BL and a source line SRL, and is connected in series to tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR. Typically, access transistor ATR is formed of a field-effect transistor arranged on a semiconductor substrate.
For the MTJ memory cell, the device includes bit line BL and a digit line DL for carrying a data write current in different directions during a data write operation, respectively, a word line WL for instructing data reading, and source line SRL for puling down tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR to a ground voltage Vss during a data read operation. In the data read operation, tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR is electrically coupled between source line SRL carrying ground voltage Vss and bit line BL in response to turn-on of access transistor ATR.
FIG. 16 conceptually shows an operation of writing data in the MTJ memory cell.
Referring to FIG. 16, tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR has a ferromagnetic material layer FL, which has a fixed and uniform magnetization direction, and may be merely referred to as a xe2x80x9cfixed magnetic layerxe2x80x9d hereinafter, and a ferromagnetic material layer VL, which is magnetized in a direction depending on an externally applied magnetic field, and may be merely referred to as a xe2x80x9cfree magnetic layerxe2x80x9d hereinafter. A tunneling barrier (tunneling film) TB formed of an insulator film is disposed between fixed magnetic layer FL and free magnetic layer VL. Free magnetic layer VL is magnetized in the same direction as fixed magnetic layer FL or in the opposite direction in accordance with the level of the storage data to be written. Fixed magnetic layer FL, tunneling barrier TB and free magnetic layer VL form a magnetic tunnel junction.
Tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR has an electric resistance, which is variable depending on a correlation in magnetization direction between fixed magnetic layer FL and free magnetic layer VL. More specifically, the electric resistance value of tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR takes a minimum value Rmin when the magnetization directions of fixed magnetic layer FL and free magnetic layer VL are parallel to each other. When the magnetization directions of them are opposite (anti-parallel) to each other, the above electric resistance value takes a maximum value Rmax.
In the data write operation, word line WL is inactive, and access transistor ATR is off. In this state, the data write currents for magnetizing free magnetic layer VL are supplied to bit line BL and digit line DL in directions depending on the level of write data, respectively.
FIG. 17 conceptually shows a relationship between the data write current and the magnetization direction of the tunneling magneto-resistance element in the data write operation.
Referring to FIG. 17, an abscissa H(EA) gives a magnetic field, which is applied in an easy axis (EA) to free magnetic layer VL of tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR. An ordinate H(HA) indicates a magnetic field acting in a hard axis (HA) on free magnetic layer VL. Magnetic fields H(EA) and H(HA) correspond to two magnetic fields produced by currents flowing through bit line BL and digit line DL, respectively.
In the MTJ memory cell, the fixed magnetization direction of fixed magnetic layer FL is parallel to the easy axis of free magnetic layer VL, and free magnetic layer VL is magnetized in the easy axis direction, and particularly in the same parallel direction, which is the same direction as fixed magnetic layer FL, or in the anti-parallel direction, which is opposite to the above direction, depending on the level (xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d) of the storage data. The MTJ memory cell can selectively store data (xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d) of one bit corresponding to the two magnetization directions of free magnetic layer VL.
The magnetization direction of free magnetic layer VL can be rewritten only when a sum of applied magnetic fields H(EA) and H(HA) falls within a region outside an asteroid characteristic line shown in FIG. 17. Therefore, the magnetization direction of free magnetic layer VL does not switch when the data write magnetic fields applied thereto have intensities corresponding to a region inside the asteroid characteristic line.
As can be seen from the asteroid characteristic line, the magnetization threshold required for switching the magnetization direction along the easy axis can be lowered by applying the magnetic field in the direction of the hard axis to free magnetic layer VL.
When the operation point in the data write operation is designed, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, the data write magnetic field in the MTJ cell selected as a data write target is designed such that the data write magnetic field in the direction of the easy axis has an intensity of HWR. Thus, the data write current flowing through bit line BL or digit line DL is designed to take a value, which can provide the data write magnetic field of HWR. In general, data write magnetic field HWR is represented by a sum of a switching magnetic field HSW required for switching the magnetization direction and a margin xcex94H. Thus, it is represented by an expression of HWR=HSW+xcex94H.
For rewriting the storage data of the MTJ memory cell, i.e., the magnetization direction of tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR, it is necessary to pass the data write currents at a predetermined level or higher through digit line DL and bit line BL. Thereby, free magnetic layer VL in tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR is magnetized in the parallel direction as fixed magnetic layer FL or anti-parallel direction in accordance with the direction of the data write magnetic field along the easy axis (EA). The magnetization direction, which was once written into tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR, and thus the storage data of MTJ memory cell is held nonvolatilely until next data writing is executed.
FIG. 18 conceptually shows an operation of reading data from the MTJ memory cell.
Referring to FIG. 18, access transistor ATR is turned on in response to activation of word line WL in the data read operation. Thereby, tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR is electrically coupled to bit line BL while being pulled down with ground voltage GND.
In this state, bit line BL is pulled up with a predetermined voltage, whereby a current path including bit line BL and tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR carries a memory cell current Icell corresponding to storage data of the MTJ memory cell. For example, this memory cell current Icell is compared with a predetermined reference current, whereby storage data can be read out from the MTJ memory cell.
As described above, the electric resistance of tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR is variable in accordance with the magnetization direction, which is rewritable by the data write magnetic field applied thereto. Therefore, nonvolatile data storage can be executed by establishing a correlation of electric resistances Rmax of Rmin of tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR with respect to levels (xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d) of the storage data.
As described above, the MRAM device executes the data storage by utilizing a difference xcex94R (=Rmaxxe2x88x92Rmin) in junction resistance of tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR corresponding to a difference between storage data levels. Thus, the data read operation is executed based on the detection of passing current Icell of the selected memory cell.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,073B 1 (which will be merely referred to as a xe2x80x9cprior artxe2x80x9d hereinafter) has disclosed a structure for taking out a memory cell passing current by a current conveyor.
FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing a structure of a data read circuit according to the prior art.
Referring to FIG. 19, when data reading is to be performed, access transistor ATR in a selected memory cell 501 is turned on in accordance with activation of word line WL. Further, tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR (electric resistance Rmtj) of selected memory cell 501 is connected between a data readout line 503 and ground voltage Vss via a transistor switch 502, which is turned on by a column decoder.
The data read circuit according to the prior art includes current conveyors 505 and 510, which are arranged in two positions or stages with respect to data readout line 503, respectively.
Current conveyor 505 is arranged between data readout line 503 and a junction 508, and has a sense amplifier 506 and a transistor 507. Transistor 507 is connected between data readout line 503 and junction 508. Sense amplifier 506 amplifies a voltage difference between a predetermined bias voltage Vb1 and data readout line 503, and applies the amplified difference to a gate of transistor 507. Junction 508 is supplied with a constant current Is from a current source 509.
Current conveyor 510 is arranged between junction 508 and ground voltage Vss, and has a sense amplifier 511 and a transistor 512. Transistor 512 is connected between junction 508 and ground voltage Vss. Sense amplifier 511 amplifies a voltage difference between a predetermined bias voltage Vb2 and junction 508, and applies it to an output node 513. Output node 513 is connected to a gate of transistor 512.
By negative feedback operations, current conveyors 505 and 510 clamp the voltages on data readout line 503 and junction 508 at first and second bias voltages Vb1 and Vb2, respectively, and can produce a voltage Vo corresponding to passing current Icell of selected memory cell 501 on output node 513. Thus, passing current Icell of selected memory cell 501 can be detected while clamping a voltage applied to tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR at bias voltage Vb1, and thereby keeping stable electric resistance characteristics in tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR.
However, the data read circuit according to the prior art requires sense amplifiers 506 and 511, and a relatively large number of circuit elements are arranged in the circuit. Practically, the data reading is performed based on complementary comparing operations so that two data read circuit systems of the same structures are required, which further increases the number of circuit elements. Accordingly, variations in characteristics between circuit elements, which occur in a manufacturing process, may adversely affect data read accuracy.
Further, the circuit structure shown in FIG. 19 does not provide sufficiently high output voltage Vo on output node 513. Therefore, it is necessary to detect output voltage Vo with high accuracy.
Further, the negative feedback circuit causes unstable operations immediately after the power-on so that sense amplifiers 506 and 511 must be always supplied with operation currents. This increases a standby current of the data read circuit, and thus increases power consumption.
Further, output voltage Vo obtained on node No is affected by variations in resistance value (Rmtj) of tunneling magneto-resistance element TMR caused by variations in manufacturing of the MTJ memory cells. For increasing the accuracy of data reading, it is necessary to give consideration to a structure, which can compensate for lowering of the data read accuracy in accordance with variations caused in electric resistance characteristics of the MTJ memory cells due to variations in manufacturing process.
An object of the invention is to provide a structure of a thin film magnetic memory device, which can execute accurate data reading by a simple circuit structure.
In summary, a thin film magnetic memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, first and second data lines complementary to each other, and a differential amplifier portion. Each of the plurality of memory cells has an electric resistance according to magnetically written storage data. The differential amplifier portion performs data reading according to a difference between passing currents of the first and second data lines. In a data read operation, the first and second data lines are electrically coupled to a fixed voltage via a selected memory cell among the plurality of memory cells and a reference cell provided as a comparison target of the selected memory cell, respectively. The differential amplifier portion includes a current supply circuit arranged between a power supply voltage and first and second nodes for supplying the same operation current to the first and second nodes at least in the data read operation, and a current amplifier circuit for electrically coupling the first and second nodes to the first and second data lines, respectively, and converting a passing current difference occurring between the first and second data lines into a voltage difference between the first and second nodes so that each of the first and second data lines may be clamped at a predetermined voltage not exceeding a reference voltage.
Preferably, the differential amplifier portion further includes a current supply transistor electrically coupled between the power supply voltage and an internal node, and being turned on to supply the operation current in the data read operation. The current supply circuit has first and second transistors electrically coupled between the internal node and the first and second nodes, respectively, and each having a gate connected to the first node. The current amplifier circuit has a third transistor electrically coupled between the first node and the first data line with receiving the reference voltage on its gate, and a fourth transistor electrically coupled between the second node and the second data line with receiving the reference voltage on its gate.
According to a major advantage of the invention, therefore, the operation current of the differential amplifier portion is used as the passing currents of the selected memory cell and the reference cell so that the circuit elements of a data read circuit system can be reduced in number. Further, the passing current difference between the selected memory cell and the reference memory cell is amplified and converted into the voltage difference. Therefore, data reading can be performed with high accuracy.
Preferably, the current supply circuit has a first current mirror circuit for supplying the same current to the first and third nodes, and a second current mirror circuit for supplying the same current to the second and fourth nodes. The current amplifier circuit has a first converting circuit provided between the first and fourth node and the first data line, and for producing on the first node a voltage corresponding to the passing current of the first data line, and a second converting circuit provided between the second and third nodes and the second data line, and for producing on the second node a voltage corresponding to the passing current of the second data line.
According to the above structure, the differential amplifier portion formed of two complementary current mirror circuits can keep a balance between load capacities of the first and second nodes when performing differential amplification. Therefore, a data read time can be constant independently of the level of the read data. Further, a DC gain in the differential amplifying operation is large so that the data read operation can be stable.
According to another aspect of the invention, a thin film magnetic memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, a reference cell, a first data line and a data read circuit. Each of the plurality of memory cells has one of first and second electric resistances according to magnetically written storage data. The reference cell has an electric resistance intermediate between the first and second electric resistances, and is electrically coupled between first and second voltages at least in a data read operation. The first data line is electrically coupled between the first and second voltages via a selected memory cell corresponding to a selected address in the data read operation. The data read circuit is provided for performing data reading according to a difference between passing currents of the selected memory cell and the reference cell, and includes a data line voltage clamping portion. The data line voltage clamping portion clamps the first data line at a predetermined voltage based on the passing current of the reference cell in the data read operation.
The thin film magnetic memory device described above can clamp the voltage on the data line connected to the selected memory cell when executing the data read operation. Therefore, the data reading can be performed fast without charging and discharging the above data line having a relatively large parasitic capacity. Further, the clamping of the data line voltage can be performed based on the passing current of the reference cell, i.e., an actual electric resistance so that the data read accuracy can be ensured by following variations in electric resistance characteristics due to variations in manufacturing process.
Preferably, the data line voltage clamping portion clamps the first data line at the predetermined voltage prior to the data reading.
Even before the data reading, the data line is clamped at the predetermined voltage similar to that in the data read operation. Therefore, charging and discharging of the data line are not required even before the start of data reading. Consequently, the data read operation can be performed further fast.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Thin film magnetic memory device with high-accuracy data read structure having a reduced number of circuit elements


Apparatus is provided which controls humidity in a gas. The apparatus employs a porous interface that is preferably a manifolded array of stainless steel tubes through whose porous surface water vapor can pass. One side of the porous interface is in contact with water and the opposing side is in contact with gas whose humidity is being controlled. Water vapor is emitted from the porous surface of the tubing into the gas when the gas is being humidified, and water vapor is removed from the gas through the porous surfaces when the gas is being dehumidified. The temperature of the porous interface relative to the gas temperature determines whether humidification or dehumidification is being carried out. The humidity in the gas is sensed and compared to the set point humidity. The water temperature, and consequently the porous interface temperature, are automatically controlled in response to changes in the gas humidity level above or below the set point. Any deviation from the set point humidity is thus corrected.

In a project at the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics (WCSAR), it was attempted to employ porous stainless steel tubes through which an aqueous nutrient solution was moved by capillary action into the larger pores of an artificial rooting medium. The tubes were buried in the artificial rooting medium and the larger pores of the medium remained substantially filled with air. Pressure sensors and flow meters monitored the controlled operation. The capillary movement of water into and out of the rooting medium was demonstrated. See "21st Century Gardener", Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 43-48 (May 1989).
In a related project (same citation), the ability to humidify or dehumidify air in a temperature and pressure regulated chamber was evaluated using a single porous tube through which water was circulated. The temperature of the circulating water in the tube was manually regulated to adjust the temperature of the tube wall relative to the dew point temperature of the air in the chamber. Above the dew point, water evaporated through the tube walls while, below the dew point, moisture condensed from the chamber air on the exterior surfaces of the tube and moved into the tube through the tube walls. The capacity to change the humidity of the chamber air was demonstrated.
The apparatus and methods used in those projects were suitable only for showing the general feasibility of using a porous tube wall as a water or water vapor transport medium. Practical apparatus and methods are necessary to permit actual usage of a porous tube for humidification and dehumidification.
The present invention is directed to such practical apparatus and methods.

Apparatus and methods for humidity control


A self-operated nasal humidifier comprising a container adapted to hold liquid heated and a lid detachably secured to the container by means of cooperating threads or other means. The lid houses a venturi and air passage means between the venturi and the lid bottom. The venturi has at its opposite ends inlet and outlet means detachably secured to air receiving and evacuation conduits, respectively. The means for delivering heated humidified air to the nasal cavity involves exhalation by the user into the receiving conduit and through the venturi where vapor above the heated liquid mixes with the exhaled air stream for issue at a controlled temperature.

Various forms of apparatus are known for supplying heated and humidified air to patient for inhalation therapy. Examples of such apparatus are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,449,853 to Karp, U.S. Pat. No. 3,526,226 to Stem, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,630 to Noir et al.
The prior an apparatuses mentioned hereinabove are generally intended to supply air only for inhalation purposes in response to a breathing-in action by a patient and are not designed to provide a flow of warm humidified air to the nasal mucosa. In none of the prior art apparatus is there a teaching or suggestion that the stream of vapor reaches the nasal mucosa of the patient without requiring inhalation by the patient.
Applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,369,777 and 4,401,114 to Lwoff et al., in which a stream of heated and humidified air is supplied to the nasal mucosa, but said inventions do not provide humidified air by active participation of the patient in the form of exhalation. Furthermore, the former of the two Lwoff et al. apparatuses is not hand-held, but is instead awkward and cumbersome comprising a heating and combining apparatus located in an outlet member which is remotely connected to the remainder of the apparatus via an air conduit and water conduit. Both Lwoff et al. apparatuses are complex in design and significantly more expensive than the present invention.
Applicant is also aware of the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,589 to Krauser which houses a fan or blower and temperature control heating elements to warm the air. Here again, the prior art does not show the user of the device orally providing the air pressure which ultimately forces the air/water vapor mixture into the nasal passages. The Krauser apparatus is also complex in design and expensive relative to the present invention.
Some effort has been directed in the art toward achieving a portable, lightweight and inexpensive gas humidifier as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,917 to Lunsford. However, this device does not provide for repeated or extended therapy as it relies on heat producing chemical substances which, once reacted, are no longer useful. The unit is intended to be disposable and primarily for emergency use only.


Method and device for providing, in an engine-driven goods vehicle, at least two driving wheels (9, 10, 51, 52) and at least one differential (5, 6, 45, 46, 47) arranged between the driving wheels (9, 10, 51, 52). The device includes an engine control unit (3), at least one differential lock (7, 8, 48, 49, 50) for locking or braking the differential (5, 6, 45, 46, 47), the differential lock (7, 8, 48, 49, 50) being arranged between the driving wheels (9, 10, 51, 52). An operating element (4, 44) for activating each of the differential locks (7, 8, 48, 49, 50). The engine control unit (3) being configured to read-off the position of the operating element (4, 44) and to limit positive or negative output torques of the engine (1) when activating at least one of the differential locks (7, 8, 48, 49, 50) and as a function of the transmission ratio prevailing in the transmission (2, 42).

The function of a differential in a vehicle is to adjust (accommodate) for different speeds between driven wheels, and also to maintain total motive force; that is, ensure an even (or otherwise desired) torque distribution over all driven wheels. This is necessary because when cornering in a vehicle, the outer wheels have a greater distance to travel compared to the inner wheels. Driving rear axles for goods vehicles are normally equipped with a differential lock that allows the vehicle drive shafts to be coupled together. When the differential lock is engaged thereby causing a blocking of the action of the differential between the driving wheels, the driving wheels are controlled to rotate at the same speed; that is to say, without equal torque distribution and producing a condition that increases wheel (tire) adhesion when the underlying surface is smooth and slippery. The differential between two driving wheels (in a pair of driving wheels) will henceforward be referred to as the wheel differential.
On vehicles equipped with two or more driving wheel pairs (that is to say four-wheel drive, six-wheel drive, and the like), differentials with differential locks may be arranged between such paired driving wheels. The differential between a two driving wheel pair will henceforward be referred to as the axle differential.
When one or more differential locks are activated for axle or wheel differentials, there is a risk of an unequal distribution of the torque between the drive shafts in a driving wheel pair or between respective driving wheel pairs. In the event of high positive or negative torques from the engine of the vehicle and high transmission ratios between the engine and the driving wheels (that is to say, when low gear is selected), drive shafts, differentials and their constituent components may be overloaded if the torque distribution is too unequal. Many drivers of goods vehicles know that it is necessary to exercise caution when increasing the torque in certain situations. Inexperienced drivers, however, run the risk of expensive damage to axle and differential components.
Known solutions include driver training courses and the use of driver manuals which both have as a goal to assure that driver can handle the vehicle correctly. Another solution is to equip these certain prone vehicles with an over-dimensioned shafts and/or differentials which can be quite expensive.
There is therefore a need to eliminate the risk of damage to the vehicle drive train (for example, rear axles, differentials, propshafts, wheel suspension etc.) when activating differential locks. This is the prime object of the invention described below.


A light field camera capturing one or more light field frames including intensity and angle information of received light. The light field camera includes an array of pixels, a liquid crystal layer overlaying the array of pixels, and a controller. The controller controls, at each time instant, one or more voltages applied to the liquid crystal layer. The controller adjusts, based on the one or more voltages, the liquid crystal layer to control amounts of light at one or more angles transmitted through the liquid crystal layer and captured by the array of pixels as a light field frame. The controller can determine depth information based on the captured one or more light field frames.

The present disclosure generally relates to capturing devices or cameras used in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) systems, and specifically relates to implementation of light field cameras using an angle sensitive pixel array that includes a liquid crystal layer.
A light field camera captures information about a light field emanating from a scene, i.e., the light field camera captures information about intensity of light reflected from the scene and information about angles of light rays reflected from the scene. In contrast, a conventional camera captures only light intensity. Light field cameras can be used in VR, AR and MR systems for, for example, three-dimensional (3D) or depth estimation of objects in a scene, and for eye tracking. Typically, a light field camera employs an array of micro-lenses placed in front of a conventional image sensor or pixel array for sensing intensity, color and directional (angle) information. However, implementation of a light field camera based on an array of micro-lenses does not provide flexibility in controlling an amount of light that propagates the array of micro-lenses at a given angle. This is because an array of micro-lenses passes light having particular angular direction(s), wherein light rays that propagate in other angular directions are not passed through the array of micro-lenses and information about these angular directions is lost. In addition, flexibility in controlling amounts of light that reach a pixel array of a light field camera at different angles require micro-lens arrays of different orientations to overlay the pixel array. Therefore, it is desirable to achieve more flexible implementation of a light field camera.

Angle sensitive pixel array including a liquid crystal layer


A memory system includes a first volatile semiconductor memory, a second nonvolatile semiconductor memory that includes a plurality of blocks, and a controller configured to store management information in the first semiconductor memory in which identification information of the blocks and corresponding numbers of valid clusters of the blocks are stored and respectively associated with each other. The controller includes a block management unit configured to generate an update instruction to update the number of valid clusters associated with a block in which data is to be written, according to a write request received from a host, and a first memory controller configured to read, from the first semiconductor memory, the number of valid clusters corresponding to the update instruction, update the read number of valid clusters by an update amount corresponding to the update instruction, and write the updated number of valid clusters back to the first semiconductor memory.

A memory system such as a solid state drive (SSD) may include a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, such as a NAND type flash memory, as a storage area. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory has multiple blocks, and each block includes multiple clusters. In the memory system, when data is rewritten to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory, an efficiency of use might decrease due to invalid clusters in some blocks. Thus, garbage collection (compaction) is executed in a manner wherein, by referring to management information of the number of valid clusters of each block, from a block in which the number of valid clusters is lower than a threshold, data of valid clusters is collected from the block and rewritten to one or more free blocks, and the data in the original block is erased.


The invention refers to a method for producing a latent electric charge pattern of electric signals and development thereof on an information carrier by means of pigment particles. The information carrier (3) is brought in electric cooperation with at least one screen- or lattice-shaped matrix, preferably an electrode matrix (4, 5, 6) which by way of control opens and closes passages through the matrix in accordance with the configuration of the desired pattern, by means of galvanic connection thereof to at least one voltage source, and that through the passages thus opened is exposed an electric field for attraction of the pigment particles against the information carrier. The invention also relates to a device for performing the method.

When printing from computers or when copying entire digitalized pages with high resolution on so called page printers, there are created latent invisible electrostatically charged dots on a surface intended for the purpose, which dots together form a pattern, which shall correspond to the text or image intended to be printed.
During the subsequent step of the process this surface with its electrostatic screen pattern commonly is conveyed in front of adjacent charged particles, e.g. toner. By causing a sufficient potential difference between the screen dots, which shall remain non-blackened and the screen dots intended to be blackened by toner, it is effected that the charged particles jump over from a conveyor device, hereinafter referred to as the developer, to the surface charged in screen shape and form desired pattern. This part of the process hereinafter is named development.
This method earlier has been realized by using the technique now current in copying apparatuses--xerography, or similar variants of this process. Common for most page printers available on the market today is that they use an intermediate storing medium, often in form of a conductive roller, which is charged to a desired charge pattern, coated with carbon powder and which is finally brought to give off a carbon pattern to a paper or the like.
The most common method hereby is to use a photo-conductice roller, which is designed as a light sensitive surface layer, e.g. amorphous selenium or amorphous silicon. This roller is exposed dot-by-dot, often with monochromatic light, e.g. from a laser, as it rotates in front of the shutter of the light source. Another less frequent method is to deposit ions from a device down onto a drum coated with a surface layer suitable for the purpose.
Further another commercially unusual method is to use a particular paper coated with a conductive surface layer, e.g. zinc oxide, and to allow this to constitute the intermediary layer for the latent electrostatic image. The paper hereby passes a matrix of electrodes arranged orthogonally to the plane of the paper, which electrodes charge the surface layer of the paper to the desired screen image.
Common to all hitherto used methods are the high complexity of the equipment, a time consuming process and high service and maintenance requirements. A typical demand for resolution on the market today is 300 dots per inch. This demand for performance puts high requirements on tolerance and optical performance. Due to the short life span of conductive coatings and the comprehensive mechanism required for creating a xerographic process the above decribed methods result in high investment and operation costs for the user.
This becomes still more stressed for printers with high speed and resolution performances, where the requirements on the charging process of the drum increases the costs for the manufacturers. The method to use intermediate storing medium, in form of a conductive drum, for the electrostatic charges, also implies that a certain amount of toner will stick to the drum after the transfer to the paper was intended to take place. Such a device thus must also incorporate equipment for cleaning the drum after every single printing operation. This means more components and increased contamination with residual toner.
In order finally to create a good and permanent attraction power between the transferred particles and the paper, the paper usually passes a heating press intended for the purpose and consisting of two heated rollers being capable to melt the plastic layer on the particles. This equipment of course also increases the cost for the manufacture and reduces the accessibility of the machine.
The xerographic process furthermore involves a number of limitations regarding the quality of the print. Such a limitation is constituted by the unability of the intermediate storing medium to store high potential differences between white and black areas in a surface with a lower degree of blackening and a lower focusing as result. Another limitation is constituted by difficulties to control the individual size of the screen dots. This property causes inconvenience at reproduction of so called half-tone originals, where the size of every seprate screen dot represents a certain monochrome scale. For this purpose it has hereby been necessary to reserve a suitable number of adjacent screen dots at the printer for every new separate screen dot in the half-tone image. In this manner it is thereby possible to activate a suitable number of the printer screen dots for the purpose of varying the visual impression of the size of the screen dots of the half-tone image. This method reduces the resolution of the half-tone image as compared to the original performance of the printer.
It is earlier known, e.g. from U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,615 (Nelson, et al.), that many of those shortcomings are entirely or partly eliminated by letting a number of so called needle electrodes, which are orthogonal to the information carrier, be in electrostatic cooperation with the development process. As earlier known devices use needle electrodes, which can be individually activated, these always are arranged in one row or in a small number of rows, which rows often are of the same length as the width of the paper web, which is movable relative to the rows of needle electrodes which can be activated individually and are grouped in matrices on heads that are movable relative to the paper web. These methods incorporate a number of controllable screen dots for the entire printed page. As the electrostatic forces act upon a surface which during every moment of the development process, is bigger than the overall electrode size at these methods, the methods also must rely upon a conductive storing possibility for the adjacent screen dots, which risk to be blackened, as they are not in electrostatic cooperation with the electrodes. These methods therefore can not quite solve the above problems.
It furthermore has been established that non-permanent data representation from computers via viewing screens causes the operator inconveniences such as impaired readability and in certain cases radiation problems. Due to the requirements for speed in this information exchange the task has earlier been solved with aid of electron beam tubes, liquid crystals or plasma screens. A common characteristic for these methods is however the reduced readability.

Method for producing a latent electric charge pattern and a device for performing the method


An electronic-discovery system and method, wherein content items and hold anchors are stored in a repository, tracking objects and representational anchor objects are stored in a database system, and the tracking objects represent the content items and the representational anchor objects represent the hold anchors. A first hold anchor is used for placing a hold on the content items for a first defined period of time, and a first representational anchor object and one or more of the tracking objects are used for representing and tracking the holds for the first defined period of time. When the first defined period of time expires, a second hold anchor is used for placing the hold on the content items for a second defined period of time, and a second representational anchor object and the tracking objects are used for representing and tracking the holds for the second defined period of time.

Electronic discovery (e-discovery) is a procedure by which parties in a legal matter preserve, collect, review, and exchange electronically stored information (ESI). There are many different types of ESI that may be sought in e-discovery, such as email and word processing documents, as well as databases and other data stores.
Typically, the e-discovery process is set in motion as soon as litigation is reasonably foreseeable, which triggers the legal duty to preserve potentially relevant ESI. Attorneys from both sides determine the scope of e-discovery, identify and preserve the relevant ESI, and make e-discovery requests and challenges.
After relevant ESI is identified, it needs to be protected from "spoliation," i.e., any destruction or alteration of evidence. While there are different ways to preserve ESI, the most common is through a legal hold process. A legal hold is a formal communication sent to relevant custodians instructing them not to delete ESI (or paper documents) that may be relevant to the legal matter.
One common preservation method is a collect-to-preserve approach that collects relevant data by copying it from a data source to a repository. The collect-to-preserve approach is often recommended for highly relevant ESI or ESI at a high risk of deletion.
Another preservation method is a preserve-in-place approach that maintains ESI at the data source. A preservation application either inhibits any attempts by custodians to delete ESI or maintains backup copies of ESI at the repository to prevent any loss of data.
In many ways, preservation may be the most difficult portion of the e-discovery process. It involves taking steps to ensure that potentially relevant data is not destroyed or altered during the pendency of the legal matter. Preservation failures can result in a variety of sanctions.
Thus, there is a need in the art for improvements in e-discovery systems, for example, recovery from failures, as well as optimization of holds and releases. The present invention satisfies this need.

System and method to optimally apply local retention in a remote repository

International Business Machines Corporation


A surface plasmon resonance sensing system and method thereof are disclosed. The system comprises an incident light source, a sensing element, a noble metal nanoparticle layer, a sample loading unit, and a light detector. The noble metal nanoparticle layer is composed of one of noble metal nanoballs, noble metal nanorods and noble metal nanoshells. The noble metal nanoparticle layer is disposed on the sensing element. The sample loading unit is used to allow a sample to be contacted with the noble metal nanoparticle layer. The light detector is used to detect an emergent light of the sensing element.

Surface plasmon resonance phenomenon is that when a light source illuminates a metal surface at a fixed incident angle, the reflection intensity detected by a light detector would be near zero, which means the reflectivity of the metal film is near zero. The light which is not reflected will propagate along interface direction at a certain velocity to resonantly excite the surface plasmon of the metal. The method of measuring the reflected light is known as Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR).
A surface plasmon resonance sensing system uses a sensing system made by surface plasmon resonance phenomenon. Because the surface plasmon resonance sensor has high sensitivity, is label-free for detecting molecules, and can analyze the interaction between molecules at real-time. Other advantages include short analysis time and capability of simultaneous parallel detection. The system is therefore in widespread use on detecting biomolecules.
Recently, the development of nanomaterials is applied to optoelectronics, communication and medical equipment. Nanomaterials may provide specific characteristics which completely differ from traditional materials. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) associated with gold nanoparticles is utilized to replace propagating surface plasmon resonance (PSPR) associated with traditional gold thin film. The sensitivity of the sensor is still good and other features such as pixel size and simplicity in construction of the sensor are then improved. The approach of synthesizing nanoparticles has chemical and physical ways. The physical way includes metal vapor deposition, laser ablation, and sputtering, wherein the metal vapor deposition is frequently used. The chemical way includes reduction method and electrolysis method. The reduction method is frequently used, and is also the most important way. However, when the technology is increasingly developed, the sensitivity of the sensor needs to be further improved.
To further improve the sensitivity of the sensing system, the inventor of the present invention based on years of experience to conduct extensive researches and experiments invents a surface plasmon resonance sensing system and method thereof, as a method or a basis for achieving the aforementioned object.

Surface plasmon resonance sensing system and method thereof


An ignition apparatus is provided with an ignition plug (101) including a first electrode (101a) that generates a high voltage by means of energy supplied by an ignition coil device (102), a second electrode (101b) that faces the first electrode (101a) through a first gap and causes in the first gap a spark discharge for igniting a fuel, and a third electrode (101c) that faces the first electrode through a second gap that is smaller than the first gap, and is connected with the second electrode (101b) by way of an electric conductor (302) having a predetermined resistance value; a control apparatus drives the ignition coil device (102) twice or more times in a single ignition process so that the ignition plug causes a spark discharge.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ignition apparatus that is utilized mainly in an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the issues such as environment preservation and fuel depletion have been raised; measures for these issues are urgently required also in the automobile industry. The measures include, as an example, operation of an internal combustion engine through stratified lean combustion, which is ultra-lean combustion that utilizes a stratified air-fuel mixture. In the stratified lean combustion, the distribution of inflammable fuel-air mixtures may vary; therefore, an ignition apparatus capable of absorbing this variation is required.
A conventional ignition apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with an ignition plug that produces a spark discharge in a combustion chamber and a microwave generation apparatus that supplies energy to the spark discharge produced in the ignition plug. It is alleged that because the conventional ignition apparatus makes it possible to form larger discharge plasma, a great number of spatial igniting opportunities can be provided, the variation in the distribution of fuel-air mixtures can be absorbed, and the foregoing requirement on stratified lean combustion is satisfied.


A water filtration and aeration system fastened to an aquarium to let gas (CO2, O.sub.2) be admitted in minute bubbles into water and then to let treated water be guided back to the aquarium. The system includes a gas diffusing unit, a flow guide assembly connected to the gas diffusing unit by a coupler, and an extension cylinder coupled to the flow guide assembly at the bottom. Gas and aquarium water are guided downwards to a mixing chamber in the coupler where they are mixed by a motor-driven vane, then treated water is guided by the flow guide assembly to flow out of the extension cylinder to the aquarium again.

The present invention relates to a water filtration system which can be conveniently fastened to an aquarium and controlled to let gas be admitted in minute bubbles into water and then to let treated water flow downwards to the aquarium again.
Various water filtration and aeration systems are known, and widely used in aquariums. These water filtration and aeration systems are commonly fastened to the bottom of the aquarium for letting gas be admitted in minute bubbles into water. As gas is released upwards, it escapes out of water rapidly. Therefore, much gas is wasted.

Water filtration and aeration system for aquariums


An interceptor system and method for dispensing of multiple kill vehicles, including, a carrier vehicle having a central carrier vehicle axis and axial propulsion integrated into the carrier vehicle, a payload adapter associated with the carrier vehicle for connecting a payload to a boost vehicle, the payload adapter being located aft of the carrier vehicle, and multiple kill vehicles mounted to the carrier vehicle radially around a circumference of the carrier vehicle.

1. Field
An interceptor system and method are disclosed, such as a system which can be used for mid-course/spaceborne missile defense, and a method which can control such system.
2. Background Information
Missile defense systems are known which include space-based mid-course, hit-to-kill weapons using a single kill vehicle capability. As referenced herein, a kill vehicle is an spaceborne weapon device which can be dispensed in multiple quantities for engaging a threat after having been transported into a vicinity of the threat by a booster propulsion. Known systems include one or more separate and distinct booster stages, with a single payload attached with multiple kill vehicles. The payload is delivered to a destination (e.g., threat intercept location) using ground control and a separate booster stack.
Known ground-based missile defense systems have been developed for short, medium and long-range missile defense. A class of interceptors known as mid-course, kinetic interceptors provide payloads with aggressive flight profiles to counter current and future threats An integrated axial payload was developed for application in all phases of mid-course flight (early/mid/late) and across these weapon interceptors (kinetic energy interceptor (KEI)/Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (ABMD).
The payload possesses propulsion resources in both "delta-V" and axial acceleration. The delta-V represents a maximum change that the propulsion system can impart on a velocity for increased range of the payload to engage a threat, while the axial acceleration can aid in cross-range/reach (lateral movement) for the payload.
Targeting of a threat is performed with a combination of ground radars and on-board payload infrared (IR) sensors. Because known systems are directed to use of a single kill vehicle, any space-based communication capability is destroyed during engagement with a threat. That is, communication is only maintained up to the point in time where the payload is expected to encounter a threat, where the kill vehicles physically hit-to-kill the threat objects.

System and method for dispensing of multiple kill vehicles using an integrated multiple kill vehicle payload


A power generating device includes a power generating part, a sliding member, first, second and third elastic parts, and a connecting member. When the sliding member is caused to move to a first storage completion position by an operation that causes the connecting member to rotate, the connecting member and the sliding member are disconnected so that the sliding member is caused to move in a first direction by an elastic force stored in the second elastic part. The connecting member is caused to rotate by an elastic force stored in the third elastic part. When the sliding member is caused to move to a second storage completion position by the third elastic part, the connecting member and the sliding member are disconnected so that the sliding member is caused to move in a second direction by an elastic force stored in the first elastic part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a power generating device and a switch, and more particularly to a power generating device that is caused to generate electric power by an operation of a switch lever and to a switch using the power generating device.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, a wireless switch is known as a switch that turns on and off an electrical apparatus such as a lighting apparatus. The wireless switch, which may be placed at hand, is convenient compared with a stationary switch fixed to a wall or the like.
A dry cell may be used as the power supply of the wireless switch. In the case of a dry cell, however, it is troublesome to replace the dry cell, thus reducing the usability of the wireless switch. Therefore, it has been proposed to improve the usability of a wireless switch by providing a power generating device in the wireless switch. (See Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2003-534704.)
Further, in order for the conventional wireless switch to generate the outputs of two switch operations (for example, the output of a turn-on operation and the output of a turn-off operation), the two switch operations have to be separately performed, so that it is necessary to operate the operation knob of the wireless switch twice.


Approaches provide for mandatory access controls and account identification masking controls in an electronic environment. For example, a customer can configure a client device to access an API gateway which acts as a proxy for a resource in a resource provider environment. Requests for resources or services can be redirected to the API gateway. A registered function may be triggered when the request is received and may filter the request. After filtering, the request can be forwarded on to the actual API endpoint to access the requested resource. From the client's perspective, the resource is being accessed directly, and from the resource's perspective, it is being accessed by the proxy. This layer of indirection enables data to be protected preemptively, rather than waiting for an undesirable condition to exist and then reactively attending to the issue. Additionally, log data may be redacted and/or masked automatically as it is created, protecting sensitive data before it is accessible to administrators or other users.

Users are increasingly performing tasks using remote computing resources, which may be offered through a shared-resource environment. This has many advantages, as users do not have to purchase and maintain dedicated hardware and software, and instead can pay for only those resources that are utilized at any given time, where those resources typically will be managed by a resource provider. Users can perform tasks such as storing data or executing applications using various types of resources offered by the resource provider. In some environments, a user's account in a resource provider environment may include a root user, having access to, and control over, the entire account. For some security-sensitive users, such a user profile which may be enabled to override most controls on the system can present a security risk. Additionally, rules may be utilized to determine if a particular action has resulted in an unwanted condition and generate an alert. However, such rules are reactive to the unwanted condition existing. This only allows for corrective effort after a potential security or customer compliance breach has occurred.

Request filtering and data redaction for access control


A connector to join the backrest frames and the handle grip of a stroller includes a first and a second tubular member, a toothed wheel, a coil spring, a circular plate and a fastening device. The toothed wheel has a pair of shallow grooves and a pair of tapered grooves formed within its inner wall. The first tubular member has first annularly spaced teeth formed in its inner wall, which are adapted to accomodate the toothed wheel. The diameter of one end of the tubular member is smaller that that of the other end. The second tubular member has a closed end with a through hole and an open end. Second annularly spaced teeth are formed within its inner wall, which are aligned with the first annular teeth, so that the toothed wheel can slide axially within the confines of the first and the second tubular member when they are engaged. The circular plate has a pair of engaging members adapted to engage the pairs of grooves.

The present invention relates to a connector more particularly to a connector suited for connecting two backrest frames and two free ends of a U-shape handle grip of a stroller.
A baby stroller of prior art consists two backrest frames 1, a seat mounted to said frames, a U-shaped handle grip 2 with two free ends and two connector 3 joining said two backrest frames to said free ends, as shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector 3 of the stroller shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, it includes a first tubular member 31 connected to one end of the handle grip, first annularly spaced teeth 311 being formed on its inner wall; a projection 312 having a through-bore formed in the first tubular member; three engaging slots 313 (only one is shown in FIG. 2) also formed on the inner wall of the tubular member; a toothed wheel 33 having a through hole 331 and being adapted to fit through the first annularly spaced teeth, said projection 312 passing through the through hole 331; a locking member 32 having three resilient ribs 321, each of which has a hooked tip, said locking member being adapted to engage the first tubular member and lock said engaging slots by means of the hooked tips of the resilient ribs of the same; a second tubular member 11 connected to one of the backrest frames 1, having a closed end and an open end, said closed end having a through hole therein; second annularly spaced teeth 111 having a thickness greater than that of the first annularly spaced teeth so as to fully engage the toothed wheel, being formed within its inner wall, the second annularly spaced teeth being aligned with the first annularly spaced teeth; a spring retainer 112 having a through hole therein, is integrally formed with the second tubular member; a coil spring 113 disposed around the spring retainer in the second tubular member; and a bolt 41 passing through the holes in the projection 312 of the first tubular member, the toothed wheel, the spring retainer of the second tubular member to be secured by a nut 42.
FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the first tubular member 31 is locked by the locking member 32. The coil spring 113 is disposed around the spring retainer 112 and abutting the toothed wheel 33 to lay between the first and the second toothed grooves and engages them. Therefore the first tubular member 31 can not be rotated to adjust the angle of the U-shaped handle grip, as shown in FIG. 3. When one wishes to adjust the angle of the handle grip, he has to press the locking member 32 so as to press the toothed wheel 33 into the second annularly spaced teeth 111 whereby the first annularly spaced teeth are disengaged and therefore the first tubular member 31 can be rotated, see in FIG. 4. Pressing the locking member and simutaneously turning the first tubular member is not very convenient for the user. An easier way to accomplish the effect would be far better.


A method for locating partial discharges occurring at a discharge site (2) in an electric apparatus (3) with elongate geometry and generating corresponding electric pulses (4) propagating in opposite directions along the apparatus (3) from the discharge site (2) comprises the steps of detecting (11) the electric pulses (4) picked up by a first and a second sensor (5, 7), operatively connected to the apparatus (3) and spaced out along it, and generating corresponding electric signals representative of the waveform of the pulses (4), selecting (12) at least one pair of signals, detected in the consecutive sensors (5, 7), and representative of a pair of homologous pulses (4), relating to the same partial discharge and propagating in opposite directions along the apparatus, deriving, for the signals of the selected pair of homologous pulses (4), at least one attenuation parameter, correlated with a quantity that is variable depending on the distance travelled by the pulses (4), calculating (13) the distance between the discharge site (2) and the sensors, based on processing the values of the attenuation parameter for the signals of the selected pair of homologous pulses (4).

It should be noted that a partial discharge is an electric discharge limited to a portion of the insulation of an electrical system and does not therefore cause immediate failure of the system but its gradual degradation. By their very nature, therefore, partial discharges are substantially limited in extent to a defect in the insulating system.
In light of this, diagnostic methods based on the detection and interpretation of partial discharges are among the most promising and widely studied in the context of scientific research since processing the signals relating to partial discharges makes it possible to investigate the nature of defects in the insulating system where the discharges occur and locate the position of the defects in the insulating system.
More specifically, this invention relates to the diagnostics of electrical apparatuses with elongate geometry constituting a line for the transmission of the discharge pulses, that is to say, forming a path along which the pulses propagate; for example, apparatuses of this kind include electrical cables for medium and high voltages, autotransformers or GILs (gas insulated lines).
In this type of apparatus, it is important to identify any defects that might lead to cable failure, such as, for example, defects in the joints or terminations or even in the cable insulation. These defects are usually the site of partial discharges; generally speaking, therefore, the object is to identify the defects by detecting the corresponding partial discharges using suitable sensors coupled to the cable being checked.
Several methods are known for locating a discharge site along a cable.
One of these, known as reflectometric method, involves acquiring the signals at a detecting station located at one end of the cable and measuring the time interval that elapses between one signal and the signal reflected back by that signal from the opposite end of the cable. The distance of the source of that signal from the detection point is then calculated on the basis of the speed at which the signals propagate in that cable.
This method is not very reliable for long cables since the signals travelling the cable are attenuated to such an extent that there is the risk of not being able to detect them at all at the detecting station.
Another method involves coupling to the cable a plurality of sensors (at least 2, and usually 3) at different positions along the cable (thereby forming a plurality of detecting stations). When the signal at one of the sensors exceeds a predetermined level, the signals from the different sensors are acquired synchronously; the acquisition time window must be long enough to allow measurement of the same pulse in transit through the different sensors. Comparing the times at which the same signal reaches each of the sensors makes it possible to locate the source of the signals along the cable.
This method is more accurate than the reflectometric method but poses some problems.
A first problem is that of identifying a pair of homologous pulses, that is to say, pulses assignable to the same partial discharge and propagating in opposite directions.
It should be noted that the presence of a pair of homologous pulses detected at two different sensors spaced from each other along the apparatus means that the site where the discharge that generated these pulses took place is located between the two sensors.
In light of this, the prior art solutions (for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,537 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,095) teach synchronizing the signals detected at the different sensors through an absolute time reference, for example a GPS.
These prior art devices comprise:                a first and a second sensor connected to the apparatus in a first and a second detecting station and spaced out along the apparatus, for detecting electric signals;        a processing unit connected to the sensors for receiving the signals and having a module for selecting at least one pair of signals, detected in the first and second sensors and representative of a pair of homologous pulses (that is to say, pulses relating to the same partial discharge and propagating in opposite directions along the apparatus), and a module for calculating the distance between the discharge site and the detecting stations based on the selected pair of homologous pulses.
In the prior art solutions, the calculation module processes the following information: an estimate of the speed of pulse propagation in the cable, the distance between the detecting stations and the time that elapses between the instants the pulses of the pair considered are detected.
From the time that elapses between the instants the pulses of the pair considered are detected is derived the quantity by which the discharge site is displaced along the cable in the direction of one of the detecting stations relative to the other. In light of this, if the signals of the pair are detected simultaneously, it means the discharge site is equidistant from the detecting stations.
Based on this information and on the distance between the detecting stations, the calculation module finds the distance of the discharge site from the detecting stations.
These systems have two drawbacks, however.
A first drawback is due to the difficulty of reliably identifying the partial discharges to be examined. That is to say, the fact that two signals are detected by respective sensors in a sufficiently short interval of time (compatibly with the estimated speed of pulse propagation in the apparatus and the distance between the sensors) does not guarantee that those signals are from partial discharges, and in particular from the same partial discharge.
In fact, numerous signals may be coupled to the sensors other than the target signals corresponding to the partial discharges to be identified; these unwanted signals may consist of background noise or disturbances of another nature, or even other partial discharges (occurring at another discharge site or outside the cable).
All these signals substantially accompany the target signals generated by the partial discharges to be detected and often prevent the latter from being identified (especially if their amplitude is greater than that of the target signals to be detected).
To overcome this drawback, the prior art methods teach the use of suitable adjusted filtering sensors and systems in an attempt to detect the partial discharge signals without detecting the noise signals.
These systems do not, however, make it possible to determine whether the signals detected are due to the same partial discharge activity.
Moreover, these methods have inherent shortcomings.
Indeed, it is impossible to provide sensors optimized for each and every circumstance and the filtering systems are often ineffective. Also, since the frequency of the target discharge signals to be detected is not known beforehand, there is the risk of filtering out those very signals.
Lastly, when the signals generated by target partial discharge activities to be detected are accompanied by other signals generated by partial discharges to be ignored (for example because they are outside the cable), there is the risk that these signals cannot be selectively processed with filtering systems currently in use (consisting, for example, of analog passband filters).
A second shortcoming of known locating systems relates to the accuracy with which the target is located from the selected pair of homologous pulses.
The above mentioned prior art solutions involve processing the time phase shift between the signals in the pair of homologous pulses. This time phase shift allows calculation of the distance of the sensors from the discharge site, based on an estimation of the pulse propagation speed when the distance between the sensors is known.
This time domain comparison of the signals implies identifying corresponding reference points in the two signals (since the two pulses are not ideal but have each its own far from negligible development in time).
Typically, the first peak (or the highest peak) of the pulse is used as the reference for processing the time phase shift of the pulses.
This may lead to serious processing errors since the pulses, during their propagation in the apparatus, are deformed in proportion to the space travelled.
Also, there is a limit to the precision with which a time phase shift can be sensed by the instruments (even on the absurd assumption that the reference points for the pulses to be compared match perfectly). For example, a time precision of 100 ns, assuming that the pulses propagate at the speed of light, translates to a precision of 30 m.
Thus, the difficulties and shortcomings of the prior art as regards the accuracy of locating the signals detected are added to those regarding the identification of the signals actually associated with the discharge activities and in particular with the same partial discharge.
In light of this, the prior art methods do not guarantee reliable results and are often ineffective.

Device and method for locating partial discharges


This invention concerns sockets for a discharge lamp ideal for use in a low-temperature atmosphere, particularly to sockets for a discharge lamp which allow easy replacement of an exhausted discharge lamp with a new supply. In each of the sockets, the socket proper is made to be retained on the discharge lamp by base pins being inserted into insertion holes having a diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the base pins. The base pins are then made to be connected to an external power source through the medium of power supply electrodes by an electrification adapter being inserted into an electrification adapter retaining part formed in the socket proper. Owing to the construction described above, the replacement of an exhausted discharge lamp with a new supply can be effected easily by one hand.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to sockets ideal for use with a discharge lamp to be operated in a low-temperature atmosphere and more particularly to sockets for a discharge lamp so constructed as to permit easy replacement of a discharge lamp.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The discharge lamps, especially fluorescent discharge lamps, have been extensively used for general-purpose illumination because they are characterized by enjoying relatively rich luminous energy for small power consumption as compared with incandescent lamps.
The fluorescent discharge lamps which are in popular use are retained in place by having base pins thereof applied fast to the electrodes in the sockets disposed one each at the opposite ends of the lamps. The electric power is supplied via these electrodes to the fluorescent discharge lamps.
When these fluorescent discharge lamps are used in a low-temperature atmosphere, however, they do not produce the desirable illumination which is obtained when they are used under usual conditions. When they are inevitably used in such an adverse atmosphere as described above, therefore, they are usually covered with a pipe capable of keeping them in a warmed state and consequently enabling them to produce the desirable illumination. To be specific, in the covered fluorescent discharge lamps, the heat evolved by the lamps themselves lends itself to elevating the temperature inside the pipes. When a fluorescent discharge lamp is covered with a pipe of this nature, the sockets now in popular use render extremely irksome the replacement of this lamp with a new supply. This is because the replacement requires the fluorescent discharge lamp to be removed simultaneously with the pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, conceived with the objective of overcoming the problems of the prior art mentioned above, aims to provide sockets for a fluorescent discharge lamp which, when the fluorescent discharge lamp is in need of replacement with a new supply, permit the replacement to be carried out easily.
To accomplish the object described above, the sockets for a discharge lamp according to this invention each comprise a base-admitting part for admitting a base of the discharge lamp, a pipe-setting part formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base-admitting part and adapted to allow insertion therein of a pipe for keeping the discharge lamp in a warmed state and protecting it against impacts, and electrode pin inserting parts formed on a flat surface wall of the base-admitting part and adapted to permit insertion therein of electrode pins protruding from the base of the discharge lamp and simultaneously allow penetration of the electrode pins in the outer side of the flat wall of the base-admitting part.
The electrode pin-inserting parts are insertion mouths having apertures formed therein in a diameter smaller than or equal to the diameter of the electrode pins protruding from the base of the discharge lamp. To be more specific, the electrode pin-inserting parts each comprise an insertion mouth having a hole or aperture formed therein of a diameter smaller than or equal to the diameter of the electrode pins protruding from the base of the discharge lamp and diameter-enlarging notches extended radially from the insertion mouths and adapted to facilitate enlargement of the diameters of the insertion mouths.
Further, the sockets for a fluorescent discharge lamp according with the present invention each have a socket proper comprising a base-admitting part for admitting a base of the discharge lamp, a pipe-setting part formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base-admitting part and adapted to allow insertion therein of a pipe for keeping the discharged lamp in a warmed state and protecting it against impacts, electrode pin-inserting parts formed on a flat surface wall of the base-admitting part and adapted to permit insertion therein of electrode pins protruding from the base of the discharge lamp and simultaneously allow penetration of the electrode pins in the outer side of the flat surface wall of the base-admitting part, and a current-carrying adapter-retaining part formed outside the flat surface wall and intended to retain in place a current-carrying adapter serving to supply to the discharge lamp the electric power from an external power source via the electrode pins protruding outwardly from the flat surface wall, the current-carrying adapter being provided with power supply electrodes for electrically connecting the external power source to the electrode pins when the current-carrying adapter is retained in place by the current-carrying adapter retaining part of the socket proper, and the current-carrying adapter-retaining part being provided with electrode pressing members serving to press the power supply electrodes against the electrode pins when the current-carrying adapter is retained by the current-carrying adapter-retaining part.
Since the electrode pin-inserting parts, for allowing insertion therein of the electrode pins protruding from the base of the discharge lamp when the discharge lamp is admitted in the base-admitting part, are formed in the flat surface wall of the base-admitting part of the socket proper, the insertion of the electrode pins into the electrode pin-inserting parts causes the socket proper to be retained by the discharge lamp. When the current-carrying adapter is inserted into the current-carrying adapter-retaining part of the socket proper in the ensuant state thereof, the power supply electrodes provided for the current-carrying adapter are pressed against the electrode pins by the electrode-pressing members provided for the current-carrying adapter-retaining part. As a result, the power supply to the discharge lamp by the external power source can be accomplished. The method for attachment of the socket proper in a case such as a show window will be omitted from the following description.