A security device for attachment to an article to deter theft of the article has a housing containing an alarm system including an audible alarm and an LED. A cable has one end attached to the housing and a second end attached to a plug which is selectively inserted into and locked to the housing. The cable includes a conductor electrically connected to the alarm system when in the locked position. The audible alarm is activated if the integrity of the cable is compromised. An EAS tag located in the housing will actuate an alarm at a security gate and can actuate the audible alarm of the security device when the device is in proximity to a security gate. The LED is positioned in the housing to be visible from both sides of the housing. A magnetically attractable lock mechanism releasably secures the cable plug in the locked position.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to theft deterrent devices, and particularly to an EAS tag carrying device that is secured to an item to deter theft thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to such a security device that is connected to an item of merchandise by a cable which is locked thereon by a magnetically attractable locking mechanism, and which has an internal alarm which is actuated if the integrity of the cable is compromised and upon the secured item approaching a security gate sensor.
2. Background Information
Various retail establishments use theft deterrent systems and devices to discourage shoplifting. Many of these theft deterrent devices use electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags attached to the item of merchandise. The tags are configured to activate an alarm of a security gate that is located at the exit of the retail establishment. Securing the EAS tag to merchandise is a problem faced by many retail establishments. The tags must be connected in a secure manner that prevents unauthorized removal while not damaging the items of merchandise. Also, the tags must be readily removable by authorized personnel so that the tags do not unduly delay checkout and inadvertently actuate the security gate alarm.
The prior art is replete with EAS tag carriers designed to secure the tags to merchandise. Various types are known in which frames extend around the items, pins pierce the items, and cables wrap around the items. The present invention relates to the type of security devices that use cables to wrap around or through a portion of the merchandise.
Many of these types of cable devices are large and bulky and require complicated mechanical mechanisms to lock and unlock the cable from the device for subsequent removal from the item of merchandise. Furthermore, the alarms contained in some of the prior art devices are actuated only if the cable is severed and/or broken away from the device, but will not sound the alarm if the merchandise having the security item attached thereto is removed in its entirety. Even though the EAS tag could actuate a different alarm at a security gate upon passing through the gate, this does not always prove satisfactory due to the sensitivity of the gate which must be tuned to numerous security devices used throughout the store. Also once the stolen item of merchandise having the security device still attached thereto leaves the store premises, the thief can easily disappear in a crowd or parking lot and the store alarm only alerts the store personnel that an item of merchandise has been stolen.
The subject invention solves many of these problems by providing a device which is of a relatively inexpensive construction, yet is easily applied and removed from the protected item of merchandise, and which provides a versatile alarm system contained within the housing.


A gravity flow chemigation system (10) is disclosed which generally consists of chemical supply tank (37), in which chemical (29) is contained, a supply line (37) connected to the bottom of chemical supply tank (36), and a low-level shutoff valve (11) suspended across an irrigation ditch (39) and partially below the surface of irrigation water (38). Chemical enters the valve (11) from supply line (37) through air vent tube (21) and inlet (18). The chemical (29) within supply line (37) will continue to flow through valve (11), out outlet (15) and through outlet screen (28) to mix with irrigation water (38) as long as the level of irrigation water (38) remains at a level above converging valve seat (16) of lower float valve (13). Once the level of irrigation water (38) falls below valve seat (16), lower float (17) will engage the lower converging valve seat (16) and close off the valve which will not reactivate until manually reset, even if the irrigation water level rises.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to control mechanisms for gravity flow irrigation systems and more particularly, this invention relates to a one-shot irrigation valve which is normally open in the presence of irrigation water, but which will close in response to an absence of water and remain closed even after a renewed presence of water.
2. Background Art
Recently, the State of Idaho Department of Agriculture implemented regulations which require fertigators and chemigators to employ a "positive shut off valve" in any chemigation employing surface irrigation, an open ditch and a fertilizer gravity flow tank. At the time of the implementation of the regulation and up until the date of the present invention, there was no such device. The State of Idaho delayed the enforcement of the regulation and encouraged development of a device which would satisfy the following criteria:
1. After installation, the positive shutoff valve would be open when the ditch is full.
2. If there is a loss of flow in the ditch, the shutoff valve would close interrupting the flow from the fertilizer tank.
3. If the ditch flow stops and then resumes, the positive shutoff valve stays closed. If siphon tubes are used, the siphon tubes would need to be reset before the nutrient flow could continue. The shutoff valve would stay closed until the siphon tubes are reset preventing fertilizer from passing down the ditch to an off target area potentially resulting in an environmental hazard. After the irrigation system is ready to receive fertilizer, the shutoff valve can be reset.
4. This valve must be corrosion resistant and function with fertilizers which are corrosive products.

Gravity flow chemigation system and low level shutoff valve


The present invention provides a reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease, which contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of a group of substances having a specific affinity for a protein (or a gene thereof) whose expression is potentiated in a lesion-specific manner, such as a substance having a specific affinity for PP6 regulated by IL-2 (or a gene thereof), a substance having a specific affinity for TNIK (or a gene thereof), a substance having a specific affinity for FLIP (or a gene thereof), a substance having a specific affinity for GRxcex1 (or a gene thereof) and the like. By taking note of a gene whose expression is potentiated in a lesion-specific manner, and examining the behavior thereof by the use of this diagnostic reagent, the disease can be diagnosed easily and quickly.

The present invention relates to a diagnostic reagent and a method for diagnosing Crohn""s disease.
Autoimmune diseases refer to a phenomenon wherein a biological defense system (immune system) attacks the cells of its own. Antibodies and lymphocytes reactive with the autoantigen are derived, which in turn develops tissue disorders and lesions. The autoimmune diseases are generally divided into two groups: those without organ specificity and those with organ specificity. The mechanism of the onset of the autoimmune diseases is mostly unclear, though involvement of autoimmunity is suggested. There are many problems to be solved such as diagnosis method and the like, which include the mechanism of the onset of autoimmune diseases.
The autoimmune diseases include Crohn""s disease, as one of the diseases whose etiology has not been elucidated, in which an immune reaction against autoantigen and allergy are considered to be involved. This disease is an inflammatory bowel disease associated with inflammatory changes throughout the full thickness of the wall of the digestive tract, discontinuous deep ulcer and histologically noncaseating granuloma. The skipping of the lesion also characterizes this disease. The definite diagnosis of Crohn""s disease is based on a comprehensive observation of the disease state, X rays, endoscopy and tissue images. However, since the diagnosis is possible only after the progress of the disease, earlier diagnosis is desired. In addition, differential diagnosis from other inflammatory bowel diseases, such as acute or chronic appendicitis, tuberculosis of the intestine, ulcerative colitis, ischemic enteritis and the like, is required.
There are reports documenting that the genes of membrane proteins such as interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor, transferrin receptor, E-selectin (also referred to as ELAM-1, endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1), VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), L-selectin, CD11, OX40, OX40 ligand and the like, and cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin 1xcex2 (IL-1xcex2), IL-2, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 15 (IL-15), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-xcex1), interleukin 18 (IL-18), interleukin 8 (IL-8), MCP-1, ENA-78 and the like are up-regulated in Crohn""s disease, from a molecular biological approach taking note of the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules. However, most of these genes in the reports showed the up-regulation due to a non-specific immune response associated with the inflammation observed in Crohn""s disease, and the up-regulation is not specific to Crohn""s disease.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method useful for diagnosing Crohn""s disease and a reagent for the diagnosis.
In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies of the expression profiles at the gene level of Crohn""s disease, in an attempt to enable early diagnosis of Crohn""s disease and differential diagnosis from other diseases. Since a lesion and a non-lesion part can be clearly distinguished visually in Crohn""s disease, a differential display method (Liang, P., and Pardee, A. B. Science 257:967-971 (1992), Liang, P., and Pardee, A. B. Curr. Opin. Immunol. 7:274-280 (1995)), wherein the genes expressed in the lesion and the non-lesion part in the same individual can be compared, was employed to compare gene expression profiles in the lesion and the non-lesion part. As a result, the expression of a certain kind of gene in the lesion was found to have been specifically potentiated and the gene could be identified, which resulted in the completion of the present invention.
Accordingly, the present invention provides the following.
(1) A reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease, which contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) a substance having a specific affinity for a gene of a type 6 protein phosphatase regulated by interleukin 2 (type 6 protein phosphatase regulated by IL-2; hereinafter to be also referred to as PP6 regulated by IL-2), (ii) a substance having a specific affinity for a gene of a Traf 2 and Nck interacting kinase (hereinafter to be also referred to as TNIK), (iii) a substance having a specific affinity for a gene of a FLICE inhibitory protein (hereinafter to be also referred to as FLIP), and (iv) a substance having a specific affinity for a gene of a glucocorticoid receptor xcex1 (hereinafter to be also referred to as GRxcex1).
(2) The reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the above-mentioned mentioned (1), which further contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of (v) a substance having a specific affinity for a cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene and (vi) a substance having a specific affinity for a cytochrome b gene.
(3) The reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the above-mentioned (1) or (2), wherein the substance having a specific affinity is an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide probe, or an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide primer pair.
(4) A reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease, which contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) a substance having a specific affinity for PP6 regulated by IL-2, (ii) a substance having a specific affinity for TNIK, (iii) a substance having a specific affinity for FLIP, and (iv) a substance having a specific affinity for GRxcex1.
(5) The reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the above-mentioned (4), which further contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of (v) a substance having a specific affinity for a cytochrome oxidase subunit I and (vi) a substance having a specific affinity for cytochrome b.
(6) The reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the above-mentioned (4) or (5), wherein the substance having a specific affinity is an antibody or a fragment thereof.
(7) A method for diagnosing Crohn""s disease, which comprises the steps of
(a) taking a biological sample from an animal that developed or is associated with a risk of developing Crohn""s disease, and
(b) analyzing the expression of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of a gene of PP6 regulated by IL-2, a TNIK gene, a FLIP gene and a GRxcex1 gene, in a biological sample thereof.
(8) The method for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the above-mentioned (7), which further includes analyzing the expression of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of a cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene and a cytochrome b gene.
(9) A method for diagnosing Crohn""s disease, which comprises the steps of
(a) taking a biological sample from an animal that developed or is associated with a risk of developing Crohn""s disease, and
(b) analyzing the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of PP6 regulated by IL-2, TNIK, FLIP and GRxcex1, in a biological sample thereof.
(10) The method for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the above-mentioned (9), which further includes analyzing the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of cytochrome oxidase subunit I and cytochrome b.
(11) The method for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to any of the above-mentioned (7) to (10), wherein the biological sample is an ileum tissue or colon tissue derived from the animal.
The gene in the present invention may be of any form unless otherwise particularly specified. For example, complementary DNA (cDNA) prepared from mRNA and the like are included besides mRNA.
The respective elements that may be contained in the diagnostic reagent according to the present invention are explained in detail in the following.
(i) PP6 Regulated by IL-2 [Type 6 Protein Phosphatase Regulated by IL-2; Protein (36 kDa) described in Filali, M., et al., J. Cell. Biochem. 73:153-163 (1999)]
The PP6 regulated by IL-2 is a phosphoprotein having a 98% homology to human PP6 at the amino acid level, and its expression is derived by IL-2 in the peripheral T cell. Its precise function has not been elucidated but involvement in the cell proliferation is suggested (Filali, M., et al., (1999) ibid.).
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for the gene of PP6 regulated by IL-2, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease of the present invention, include an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide probe (hereinafter to be conveniently referred to simply as a probe) having a specific affinity for the gene, and an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide primer pair (hereinafter to be conveniently referred to simply as a primer pair), wherein the specific affinity for the gene means the ability to specifically hybridize only to the objective gene. Therefore, the probe and the primer pair may be completely complementary to the entire gene or a part thereof, or may include one to several mismatches as long as they have the above-mentioned property. The probe and the primer pair are not subject to any particular limitation as long as they have specific affinity for the gene. Examples thereof include the entire nucleotide sequence of the gene or a part thereof, an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide containing a sequence complementary thereto, and the like, which may be selected as appropriate depending on the form of the gene to be detected. When PCR and the like are conducted as mentioned later using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention, the oligonucleotides depicted in SEQ ID NO. 1 and SEQ ID NO. 2 can be used as primer pairs. The origins of oligonucleotide and polynucleotide are not subject to any particular limitation as long as they have specific affinity for the gene. They may be synthesized or obtained by cleaving out the necessary portion from the gene, and purifying it according to a typical method. These oligonucleotide and polynucleotide may be labeled with a fluorescent substance, enzyme, radioisotope and the like.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for PP6 regulated by IL-2, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease of the present invention, include an antibody having a specific affinity for the protein and a fragment thereof, wherein the specific affinity means the ability to specifically recognize the protein by an antigen-antibody reaction and to bind therewith. Such antibody and the fragment thereof are not subject to any particular limitation as long as they can specifically bind with the protein, and may be a polyclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody or an operable fragment thereof. These antibodies and operable fragments thereof can be produced by a method generally employed in the pertinent field. When a polyclonal antibody is used, for example, an animal such as mouse and rabbit is immunized by injecting the protein subcutaneously to the back, intraperitoneally or into the vein and the like, and antiserum is harvested after increase in the antibody titer. When a monoclonal antibody is used, a hybridoma is prepared by a conventional method and a secretion thereby is taken. The antibody fragment is often produced by the expression, by a microorganism and the like, of a cloned gene fragment of an antibody. The purity of the antibody, antibody fragment and the like is not subject to any particular limitation as long as they can maintain the specific affinity for the protein. These antibodies and fragments thereof may be labeled with a fluorescent substance, enzyme, radioisotope and the like.
Furthermore, these may be obtained from the market.
(ii) TNIK [Traf2 and Nck Interacting Kinase; GCK Family Kinase described in Fu, C. A., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274:30729-30737 (1999)]
The TNIK is a kinase that interacts with both Traf2 and Nck, and has been recently identified as a molecule that activates JNK.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for the TNIK gene, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include a probe and a primer pair having a specific affinity for the gene, wherein specific affinity for the gene means as mentioned above. The probe and the primer pair can be designed and modified based on the nucleotide sequence of the gene, as explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2. When PCR and the like are conducted using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention, the oligonucleotides depicted in SEQ ID NO. 3 and SEQ ID NO. 4 can be used as primer pairs.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for TNIK, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include an antibody having a specific affinity for the protein and a fragment thereof, wherein the specific affinity for the protein means as mentioned above. These antibodies and operable fragments thereof can be produced by a method similar to the general method explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2.
(iii) FLIP [FLICE inhibitory protein; described in Irmler, M., et al., Nature 388:190-195 (1997), Human FLIPL: GenBank Accession No. U97074, human FLIPS: GenBank Accession No. U97075]
The FLIP is a structural analog of FLICE, which is reported to suppress apoptosis by inhibiting association of FADD and FLICE (Irmler, M., et al., (1997) ibid., Hu, S., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272:17255-17257 (1997)). It includes a long form (FLIPL) and a short form (FLIPs).
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for the FLIP gene, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include a probe and a primer pair having a specific affinity for the gene, wherein the specific affinity for the gene means as mentioned above. The probe and the primer pair can be designed and modified based on the nucleotide sequence of the gene, as explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2. When PCR and the like are conducted using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention, the oligonucleotides depicted in SEQ ID NO. 5 and SEQ ID NO. 6 can be used as primer pairs for FLIPL, and those depicted in SEQ ID NO. 7 and SEQ ID NO. 8 for FLIPs.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for FLIP, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include an antibody having a specific affinity for the protein and a fragment thereof, wherein the specific affinity for the protein means as mentioned above. These antibodies and operable fragments thereof can be produced by a method similar to the general method explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2.
(iv) GRxcex1 [Glucocorticoid Receptor xcex1; Protein (94 kDa) described in Hollenberg, S. M., et al., Nature 318:635-641 (1985)]
The GRxcex1 is a receptor belonging to a nuclear receptor superfamily, wherein ligand is glucocorticoid, and is a transcriptional regulatory factor that promotes transcription of the target gene in a ligand-dependent manner.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for the GRxcex1 gene, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include a probe and a primer pair having a specific affinity for the gene, wherein the specific affinity for the gene means as mentioned above. The probe and the primer pair can be designed and modified based on the nucleotide sequence of the gene, as explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2. When PCR and the like are conducted using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention, the oligonucleotides depicted in SEQ ID NO. 9 and SEQ ID NO. 10 can be used as primer pairs.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for GRxcex1, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include an antibody having a specific affinity for the protein and a fragment thereof, wherein the specific affinity for the protein means as mentioned above. These antibodies and operable fragments thereof can be produced by a method similar to the general method explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2.
(v) Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I [described in Sanger, F., et al., J. Mol. Biol. 143(2), 161-178 (1980), Anderson, S., et al., Nature 290 (5806), 457-465 (1981)]
The cytochrome oxidase is a terminal oxidase of an electron transfer system present in the mitochondrial inner membrane, and consists of 7 to 13 subunits. This enzyme is essential for synthesizing ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphorus. The NO produced in the inflamed area is known to bind with the cytochrome oxidase subunit I competitively with an oxygen molecule.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include a probe and a primer pair having a specific affinity for the gene, wherein the specific affinity for the gene means as mentioned above. The probe and the primer pair can be designed and modified based on the nucleotide sequence of the gene, as explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2. When PCR and the like are conducted using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention, the oligonucleotides depicted in SEQ ID NO. 11 and SEQ ID NO. 12 can be used as primer pairs.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for cytochrome oxidase subunit I, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include an antibody having a specific affinity for the protein and a fragment thereof, wherein the specific affinity for the protein means as mentioned above. These antibodies and operable fragments thereof can be produced by a method similar to the general method explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2.
(vi) Cytochrome b [described in Anderson, S., et al., Nature 290 (5806), 457-465 (1981)]
The cytochrome refers to a group of heme protiens responsible for the electron transfer. The cytochrome b is present in a mitochondrial inner membrane along with c1, a3 and the like, and constitutes an electron transfer system.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for the cytochrome b gene, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include a probe and a primer pair having a specific affinity for the gene, wherein the specific affinity for the gene means as mentioned above. The probe and the primer pair can be designed and modified based on the nucleotide sequence of the gene, as explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2. When PCR and the like are conducted using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention, the oligonucleotides depicted in SEQ ID NO. 13 and SEQ ID NO. 14 can be used as primer pairs.
Examples of the substance having a specific affinity for cytochrome b, which is contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, include an antibody having a specific affinity for the protein and a fragment thereof, wherein the specific affinity for the protein means as mentioned above. These antibodies and operable fragments thereof can be produced by a method similar to the general method explained in the section for the above-mentioned PP6 regulated by IL-2.
The respective elements (the above-mentioned (i)-(vi)), which are contained in the reagent for diagnosing Crohn""s disease according to the present invention, can be used alone. Preferably, the reagent contains at least one of or all of the above-mentioned (i) to (iv) having higher specificity to Crohn""s disease, i.e., a substance having a specific affinity for PP6 regulated by IL-2 and a gene of PP6 regulated by IL-2, a substance having a specific affinity for TNIK and its gene, a substance having a specific affinity for FLIP and its gene, and a substance having a specific affinity for GRxcex1 and its gene. Where desired, it may contain at least one of the above-mentioned (v) and (vi), i.e., a substance having a specific affinity for cytochrome oxidase subunit I and its gene and a substance having a specific affinity for cytochrome b and its gene. When plural substances are used, they may be admixed and used as one reagent or may be used as separate reagents. Even when plural substances are admixed and used as one reagent, it can easily distinguish each expression, based on the molecular weight of the objective protein or the length of the objective gene. However, particularly when the gene expression profiles of Crohn""s disease (diagnostic subjects) show interindividual differences, and when a quick and easy diagnosis of Crohn""s disease is desired, respective substances are preferably admixed and used as a single reagent. When a diagnosis including a detailed future treatment policy is desired, a diagnostic reagent containing one of the elements is preferably used.
The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing Crohn""s disease. The diagnostic method of the present invention is preferably applied using the aforementioned diagnostic reagent for Crohn""s disease. To be specific, a biological sample is first taken from an animal to be a diagnosis target. In this specification, by the xe2x80x9canimalxe2x80x9d is meant various mammals inclusive of human and birds. Examples thereof include human, monkey, dog, cat, cow, horse, pig, mouse, rabbit, chicken and the like. The biological sample is not subject to any particular limitation as long as it affords observation of noticeable changes in the expression of the above-mentioned various genes and proteins. Examples thereof include cell, tissue, urine, blood and the like taken from a body. Preferable biological samples are a tissue from ileum or colon, that permits confirmation of marked potentiation of the expression, more preferably a tissue from colon. Then, an mRNA or a protein is extracted from the sample. When an mRNA is extracted, an expression thereof is examined using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention which contains a probe, according to a method generally employed in the pertinent field, such as northern blot and the like. It is also possible to conduct RT-PCR and the like using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention which contains a primer pair. When a protein is extracted, an expression thereof is examined using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention which contains an antibody or a fragment thereof, according to a method generally employed in the pertinent field, such as immunoblot, western blot and the like.
Moreover, the presence or otherwise of the lesion observed in Crohn""s disease can be known or the lesion can be identified by preparing a tissue sample from a tissue obtained from a diagnosis target and subjecting the sample to tissue staining using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention which contains a probe or an antibody.
When the expression of the gene or protein examined as mentioned above is high, the animal is diagnosed as having developed Crohn""s disease or having a high likelihood of developing Crohn""s disease. When an accurate judgment is desired, comparison with the expression at the site (e.g., small intestine) expected to show no potentiation of the expression of the above series of genes or proteins, which are characteristic of Crohn""s disease, is desirable.
According to the present invention, the aforementioned diagnostic reagent of the present invention and other reagents necessary for various methods using the inventive reagent, and the like are preferably packaged in combination to give a kit. For example, when the expression at the gene level is to be analyzed, a reagent for isolating the gene from a biological sample, such as surfactant, protease etc., buffer and the like may be contained in the kit. When the expression at the protein level is to be analyzed, for example, a reagent for extracting the protein from a biological sample, buffer and the like, and where necessary, a secondary antibody, a color developer reagent and the like may be contained in the kit.
It is also possible to construct a screening system of a pharmaceutical agent useful for Crohn""s disease using the diagnostic reagent of the present invention and the principle of the diagnostic method of the present invention.
For this screening system, any cell population can be used as long as it can be treated with a pharmaceutical agent and it affords observation of changes in the expression of the aforementioned gene or protein specific to Crohn""s disease. Specifically, a tissue derived from a target animal, animal other than human (mouse, rabbit and the like), cells of various primary cultures or established cell lines and the like are used. This tissue is appropriately determined depending on the main expression site of the target gene. A tissue is obtained or prepared from a given animal, treated with a given pharmaceutical agent for screening, and expression of at least one or all of PP6 regulated by IL-2, its gene, TNIK, its gene, FLIP, its gene, GRxcex1, its gene, cytochrome oxidase subunit I, its gene, cytochrome b and its gene in the tissue is analyzed. The expression at the protein level and that at the gene level can be determined in parallel, whereby the action mechanism of the pharmaceutical agent for the screening can be postulated.
The present invention is explained in detail by referring to examples. The present invention is not limited by these examples in any way.

Method for diagnosis of crohn""s disease


The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, such as microelectromechanical (MEMS) devices, with improved resilience during manufacturing. In one embodiment, a MEMS device includes a MEMS structure; a substrate situated parallel to the MEMS structure and positioned a first distance from the MEMS structure; and a bump stop structure formed on the substrate between the substrate and the MEMS structure, wherein the bump stop structure substantially traces a perimeter of the substrate, wherein the bump stop structure extends from the substrate to a second distance from the MEMS structure, and wherein the second distance is greater than zero and less than the first distance.

Micromechanical devices, such as microelectromechanical (MEMS) devices, can be vulnerable to capillary pull-in and stiction during manufacturing. For instance, during wet cleaning steps of a manufacturing process, suspended structures can be surrounded by a liquid such as water. When the liquid begins to dry, a meniscus can form on the edge of the structure, exerting a surface tension force that can pull the structure into the substrate. If this pull-in occurs, molecular forces (e.g., van der Waals forces) can prevent the structure from releasing again when the liquid fully dries.

Semiconductor device with patterned contact area


Program code on mobile computing devices and a server computer receive information about mobile computing devices within a defined area. The program code selects an announcement, from a database based on the information received, having audio that is in a language determined as being utilized within the defined area, wherein the language is assigned a first highest ranking, and wherein the first highest ranking indicates that the language is spoken by a majority of persons within the defined area. The program code selects a transcription of the audio from the database, wherein the transcription is in a language determined as being utilized within the defined area, and wherein the language is assigned a second highest ranking. The program code instructs a television within the defined area to output the audio, and to output the transcription of the audio on a display screen of the television.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to content filtering of media, and more particularly to a media content filtering program for customizing language and content of media for an announcement.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile computing technology has dramatically increased the frequency and the amount of media being delivered to the public at any given point in time. Thus, even in public venues people with mobile computing devices are continuously bombarded with media throughout their daily life. Various computer software systems exist for delivering media for an announcement in a public venue. However, the computer software systems that exist for automated delivery of media for an announcement in a public venue are insufficient. In particular, existing computer software systems are insufficient, because the computer software systems may not adequately customize the language and content for members of the public to view.

Customizing language and content of media for an announcement

International Business Machines Corporation


A coaxial starter comprising an electric motor having an armature shaft which is a tubular shaft, an output rotary shaft slidable in the axial direction thereof extends at one end of the motor so that the torque of the armature shaft is transmitted to the output rotary shaft through a driving power transmission means. A pinion is provided on the output rotary shaft at the end of the coaxial starter. An electromagnetic switch provided at the other end of the motor has an actuator rod extending into the internal opening of the armature shaft through the opening of the wall of the motor so that the rod is moved in the axial direction of the motor at the time of electric energizing of the switch. This slides the output rotary shaft in the axial direction of the motor. The coaxial starter further comprises a bearing fitted in the opening of the wall and supporting the armature shaft and the rod.

The present invention relates to a coaxial starter, particularly to a coaxial starter for starting the engine of a vehicle.
FIG. 3 shows a conventional starter 1 for starting the engine of a vehicle. The starter 1 comprises a DC motor 2; an overrunning clutch 4 slidably fitted on an output rotary shaft 3; a planet gear mechanism 5 for transmitting the torque of the armature shaft 2a of the DC motor to the outer member 4a of the overrunning clutch through the output rotary shaft so that the rotation speed of the outer member is lower than that of the armature shaft; and a shift lever 8 which is engaged at one end thereof with the actuation rod of an electromagnetic switch 6 provided at the peripheral portion of the DC motor in order to slide the overrunning clutch on the output rotary shaft and is engaged at the other end thereof with an annular member 7 attached to the overrunning clutch. Since the electromagnetic switch 6 for applying electric power to the DC motor 2 is disposed at the peripheral portion of the motor, the starter 1 is of the two-axis type. For that reason, the layout of the engine in the vehicle is greatly restricted. This is a problem.
In order to solve the problem, a starter having an electromagnetic switch disposed at one end of a DC motor to shape the starter as a simple slender cylinder, was proposed. The armature shaft of the DC motor is hollow. The actuation rod of the electromagnetic switch, which would actuate the shift lever in the starter shown in FIG 3, is moved toward an output rotary shaft through the internal opening of the armature shaft. Since the actuation rod is coaxial to the armature shaft, the starter is called a coaxial starter. Although the coaxial starter is shaped as the simple slender cylinder, the actuation rod extending from the body of the electromagnetic switch into the internal opening of the armature shaft is likely to incline so that the end of the rod moved toward the output rotary shaft does not horizontally push the output rotary shaft at the end thereof through the action of a ball but causes the output rotary shaft to fail to properly slide. This is a problem. Since the electromagnetic switch is disposed behind the DC motor and the actuation rod extends from the body of the switch into the internal opening of the armature shaft through the opening of the wall of the motor, dust or chips generated as a result of the wear of the brushes of the motor are likely to enter into the contact chamber of the switch to cause the contacts thereof to fail to come into proper touch with each other. This is another problem.


A recorder control apparatus which controls execution of broadcast program recording in a plurality of recorders connected thereto, comprises an acceptance unit configured to accept a request to execute broadcast program recording, an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from each recorder, reservation information related to reserved program recording to be executed by the recorder after a point at which the execution request is accepted, a selection unit configured to select, from the plurality of recorders, a recorder capable of executing broadcast program recording corresponding to the execution request for a longest duration, based on the reservation information, and a request unit configured to request the recorder selected by the selection unit to execute broadcast program recording corresponding to the execution request.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recorder control apparatus (television receiver) that controls one or more recorders.
2. Description of the Related Art
There exist methods of immediately recording a program that is being broadcast (hereinafter, to be referred to as "immediate recording"). Immediate recording is often used when the user is temporarily called away while watching a program, for instance. Consequently, being able to perform one-touch recording on an external recorder or built-in recorder using the television receiver's remote controller (or an equally simple method) is convenient and desirable. In fact, there exist systems composed of a television receiver and a recorder that realize such a one-touch immediate recording method.
There are systems in which the television receiver and the recorder are connected with an HDMI cable, and transmission and reception of device attribute information and control signals is realized using DDC and CEC. Note that HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, DDC stands for Display Data Channel, and CEC stands for Consumer Electronics Control. With such systems, the television receiver activates the connected recorder when the user instructs immediate recording using the television receiver's remote controller, enabling the content of a broadcast program or the like to be recorded.
There are methods of immediate recording where a recording period is designated in minute units or program units and recording is performed for the designated period, and methods where recording is performed without providing a period. The former method may result in a portion of program content not being recorded (hereinafter, referred to as "unrecorded content"), since recording stops when the designated period elapses. The latter method is superior to the former method in terms of reducing unrecorded content.
In recent years, more high-definition programs are being produced and television screens are increasing in size, leading to an increase the amount of recording done at a high data rate. Given this situation, immediate recording may be forcibly terminated due to restrictions such as insufficient storage capacity in the recorder, giving rise again to the possibility of unrecorded content existing even cases where a recording period is not designated.
Television receivers provided with a plurality of HDMI terminals are now appearing, making it likely that we will see more cases of television receivers with a plurality of recorders connected thereto in the future. This system allows the occurrence of unrecorded content due to insufficient storage capacity to be eliminated, depending on the recording destination selected when performing immediate recording. That is, the possibility of unrecorded content arising can be reduced by being able to appropriately select a recorder capable of recording for the longest period from the plurality of connected recorders.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-54022 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-339696 are given as examples of conventional technology that relates to this. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-54022 proposes a method in a system constituted by a plurality of recorders and a television receiver, whereby a recorder to perform reserved recording is selected based on priorities set for the recorders by the user and state information acquired from each recorder. Note that state information refers to information such as whether or not recording is currently being performed, whether or not a storage medium is attached thereto, and the storage capacity of the storage medium. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-339696 proposes a recording method in a system constituted by a plurality of recorders and a television receiver, whereby the program is divided and then recorded in the case where none of the recorders are capable of independently recording the desired program.
However, these proposed recording methods assume reserved recording with a definite recording period, and do not take into consideration an optimal recording method for immediate recording performed without providing a recording period.

Recorder control apparatus and control method


A spool braking device brakes the rotation of a spool rotatably supported by a reel body. The spool, which is a conductor that is rotated in conjunction with the spool. The magnet includes an N-pole and an S-pole on a surface that faces the rotating surface of the spool. The retaining member, the support ring, and the engagement member form a magnetic flux change rate variable mechanism. The magnetic flux change rate variable mechanism varies the change rate of the flux in the rotational circumferential direction that is affected by the magnet, at a prescribed rotating surface of the spool having a prescribed unit width in the rotational axis direction, with the rotation of the spool.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spool braking device for applying a braking force to a spool that is rotatably supported by a reel body, along with a fishing reel that comprises this device.
Background Information
In a fishing reel, when a spool wound with fishing line is rotated to unreel the fishing line, there are cases in which backlash, which is when the rotational speed of the spool becomes faster than the line delivering speed during casting, occurs. When backlash occurs, so-called line slack, in which the fishing line sags causing the fishing line become tangled, occurs. Thus, a braking device that applies a braking force to the rotating reel to prevent backlash is provided. There are, in general, roughly two types of braking devices. One uses centrifugal force to apply a frictional force to the freely rotating spool, and the other applies a magnetic force to the freely rotating spool.
A braking device that applies a braking force to a freely rotating spool by applying a magnetic force comprises, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1998-262518, a conductor provided to either the spool or the reel body; a magnet provided to the other of the spool or the reel body, which stops the rotation of the spool by applying a magnetic force to the conductor, a spool rotational speed controlling means that increases/decreases the magnetic force applied to the conductor by the magnet in response to the increase/decrease of the rotational speed of the spool and that controls the rotational speed of the spool; and a control effect adjustment means for adjusting the magnitude of the control effect that the spool rotational speed controlling means produces based on the increase/decrease of the rotational speed. A fishing reel in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1998-262518 controls the rotational speed of the spool by relatively moving either the conductor or the magnet with respect to the other according to the increase/decrease of the rotational speed of the spool, thereby increasing/decreasing the magnetic force that the magnet applies to the conductor according to the rotational speed of the spool. Consequently, decreasing the magnetic force that acts on the conductor is possible, and reducing the braking force with respect to the spool, until the rotational speed of the spool becomes relatively high in the initial stage immediately after the beginning of casting, is possible; therefore, eliminating an unnecessary load of the braking force with respect to the spool is possible. As a result, improving the flight distance of the tackle while increasing the release speed of the fishing line from the spool is possible.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2013-236606 discloses a spool braking device comprising a conductor that rotates in conjunction with the spool, a magnet that is movable in the axial direction with respect to the reel body and that opposes the conductor in the radial direction, and a braking force adjustment means for stopping the rotation of the spool. The braking force adjustment means changes the range of opposition at which the conductor and the magnet are opposed in the radial direction and varies the amount of magnetic flux of the magnet that acts on the conductor according to changes in the opposing range by moving the magnet in the axial direction with respect to the reel body, based on the magnetic force of the magnet that acts on the conductor, when the conductor is rotated in a state in which the magnet and the conductor are opposing each other in the radial direction. The spool braking device of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2013-236606 is configured to adjust the braking force within a wide range and to appropriately apply to the spool a braking force corresponding to the rotation of the spool.


A hidden-line removal method is provided which is executed in an image processing apparatus. The method includes the steps of extracting portions of the polygons contained in each of the divided areas on a two-dimensional plane using the projected three-dimensional model and calculating memory consumption for each of the areas using the extracted polygons. The method includes the steps of determining the optimized division style based on the calculated memory consumption and executing the hidden-line removal based on the optimized division style.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to so-called "hidden-line removal" for erasing hidden lines when a three-dimensional model including a plurality of polygons is projected onto a two-dimensional plane, and more particularly to a hidden-line removal method in which processes are executed with memory consumption optimized.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a three-dimensional shape created by computer graphics is printed on a paper sheet or displayed on a display, an image is produced by extracting the ridge lines and outlines and projecting them onto a two-dimensional plane. In this case, when the three-dimensional shape is looked at from a viewpoint, so-called "hidden-line removal" and "hidden-face removal" are executed, in which ridge lines and outlines that can not be looked at actually due to the figures obscuring them are erased or those lines are represented by dotted lines.
As hidden-line (face) removal, when the three-dimensional shape is constituted as an aggregate of polygons, Z-sort method in which the depth value (Z value) is calculated for each polygon and an image is drawn sorting the polygons in the order of their Z values, and Z-buffer method in which a figure having a smaller Z value (the closest figure) is drawn into a frame buffer for each pixel, are known. In addition, methods that have been proposed include a method in which production of an image for which hidden faces have been removed is arranged to be executed at a high speed by dividing the screen into rectangular blocks and repeating production of a block image for which hidden faces have been removed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 1997-179999), a method in which a high accuracy drawing process is realized by dividing the shape into a plurality of blocks according to their Z values and executing sorting of the blocks as well as executing sorting within each block (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 1998-134204), a method in which determination of the order of the depth and hidden-face removal are executed at a high-speed by dividing the spatial area into rectangular parallelepipeds, dividing further each rectangular parallelepiped into tetrahedrons and obtaining equivalent function value curved surface using approximation (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 1995-92838) and a method in which data are processed at a high accuracy by solving mathematically the decision of crossing of ridge lines and outlines over polygons.


A battery pack for power tool includes a battery, a monitoring circuit, and a sleep mode switching unit. The battery includes at least one battery cell. The monitoring circuit is operated by receiving power supply from the battery. The sleep mode switching unit switches the battery pack to a sleep mode by stopping at least a part or all of operations of the monitoring circuit when the monitoring circuit detects a discharge end state where a discharge current from the battery is equal to or lower than a predetermined set current value, and the monitoring circuit further detects at least one of a voltage stable state where a voltage change amount in the battery cell is within a predetermined stable range of voltage change amount and a temperature stable state where a temperature change amount in the battery is within a predetermined stable range of temperature change amount.

The present invention relates to a battery pack for power tool which includes a rechargeable battery which is repeatedly rechargeable, and a power tool to which the battery pack for power tool is attached and which is operated by receiving power supply from the battery pack for power tool.
In a battery pack for power tool using a battery which includes a lithium-ion rechargeable battery (hereinafter also referred to as "a battery pack"), there is generally provided a monitoring circuit. The monitoring circuit is operated using the battery as a power source. The monitoring circuit is provided because it is necessary to always monitor a status of the battery while being charged or while discharging to the power tool which is an object to be supplied with power from the battery. Items to be monitored by the monitoring circuit includes, for example, a voltage of each battery cell composing the battery, a temperature of each battery cell (or a temperature of the entire battery), a charge/discharge current to/from the battery, and the like. A voltage of the entire battery based on a total sum of the voltage of each battery cell may also be one of the items to be monitored.
When the monitoring circuit, which is always in operation, is provided in the battery pack as above, it is inevitable that electric power of the battery is always consumed by the monitoring circuit although in a small amount. Consequently, even if the battery is not supplying electric power to the power tool, a remaining battery capacity gradually decreases to zero in a comparatively short period of time.
Meanwhile, in view of an object of the monitoring circuit, when the battery is neither being charged nor discharging to the power tool, that is, when not in use, the battery is generally in a stable state and is not necessarily required to be monitored. Therefore, a technique is conventionally known in which operations of the monitoring circuit are stopped by switching the battery pack to a sleep mode when the battery is not in use.
A timing to switch the battery pack to the sleep mode has been suggested. One example thereof is disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-264008. In that publication, it is suggested that when a load is disconnected from an accumulator battery, immediately or subsequently thereafter, a supply of a load-dispatching energy to a circuit inside the accumulator battery is stopped. Another example is disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-280043. In that publication, it is suggested that, once operations of a trigger switch in a power tool are released, power supply to a control unit inside a battery pack is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined period of time.
In the above-described method, while the battery is discharging (e.g., when the power tool is in use), a battery voltage is decreased and a battery temperature is increased by the discharge current and an internal resistance inside the battery. Then, when the discharge is finished, the battery voltage is increased to return to an original open voltage value, and the battery temperature drops to return close to ambient temperature, whereby the battery goes into a stable state.
Due to properties of the battery, however, the decreased battery voltage and the increased battery temperature as a result of the discharge do not recover immediately after the discharge is finished, but require a certain period of time to return to an original state. In other words, the battery gradually returns from an immediate state after the discharge and, conversely, the battery cannot be considered to be chemically stable while gradually returning to its original state. And while the battery is in such an unstable state, an abnormality may occur in the battery due to a certain cause.
Examples of such an abnormality in the battery occurring in the unstable state immediately after the discharge include a slight short circuit in battery cells composing the battery. The slight short circuit is a phenomenon in which interelectrode portion inside the battery cell is short-circuited due to a certain cause.
When the interelectrode portion inside the battery cell is short-circuited to cause the slight short circuit, the short-circuited portion is promptly fused by the short-circuit current (i.e., a momentary short circuit). The battery in which the slight short circuit has occurred appears to be normal for the moment. However, even such a momentary short circuit remains an abnormality which has occurred inside the battery cell. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a process which can detect the occurrence of the slight short circuit and make the battery unusable after the detection.
However, if the operation of the monitoring circuit is stopped by switching the battery pack to the sleep mode immediately after the discharge is finished in order to reduce electric power consumption of the battery, the abnormality such as the above slight short circuit cannot be detected. That is because the monitoring circuit is not in operation for some period of time after the discharge is finished, when the unstable state continues in which the abnormality such as the slight short circuit is highly likely to occur as described above.
Instead of switching the battery pack to the sleep mode immediately after the discharge, it is possible for the monitoring circuit to be in operation at least until the battery goes into a stable state if the battery pack is switched to the sleep mode after a predetermined period of time as described in the above patent document.
However, it is extremely difficult to accurately determine the time period required until the battery goes into a stable state after the discharge because such a time period is greatly influenced by the current and temperature during the discharge, a level of deterioration of the battery cell, and the like. Consequently, the time period cannot help but be set comparatively long, so that the monitoring circuit is steadily in operation until the battery goes into a stable state, even in a case where it takes the longest time for the battery to go into a stable state.
When the time period soon after the discharge until the battery pack is switched to the sleep mode is predetermined to a relatively long time, it is highly assumed (or rather it is often the case) that the battery goes into a stable state before the predetermined time elapses. Therefore, it is difficult to effectively reduce the electric power consumption of the battery.
Such a problem may occur in various battery packs which include a monitoring circuit for monitoring a state of a battery, as well as in the battery pack including lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.

Battery pack for power tool, and power tool


A fuel injection system having an injection valve, a line supplying fuel at high pressure to the injection valve a control valve controlling the pressure in a control chamber communicating with the line. The control valve has a movable valve part is actuatable by an actuator via a hydraulic coupler having two pistons cooperating with a booster chamber of the coupler. A seat of the movable valve part has an inside cross-sectional area f3, with means for filling the booster chamber via guide gaps of the pistons with fuel under pressure. The pistons are located parallel to and inside one another and a booster chamber is located on the ends of the pistons toward the actuator. In the interior of the outer piston defines a filling chamber which communicates with the line and one of the pistons has a cross-sectional area f4 is mechanically coupled to the actuator via a rod having a cross-sectional area f5. The other piston which has a piston area f2, actuates the control valve via a rod having a cross-sectional area that is smaller than f2 and the direction of the closing motion of the movable valve part matches the direction of fuel flowing out of the control chamber so that the control valve is at least partially force-balanced because of the pressure acting on the further piston in the booster chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to an improved fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A common rail injector (hereinafter. CR stands for "common rail") with a piezoelectric actuator (or piezoelectric controller) and with boosting by hydraulic couplers is known. Integrated couplers with pistons disposed coaxially inside one another are also known. One known device uses an outward-opening valve as a control valve. This valve can be embodied with only a relatively small diameter, since otherwise the forces on the valve become too high, so that it cannot be actuated by a piezoelectric actuator.


An image forming apparatus includes a receiver to receive image information from an external device, a movable intermediate transfer member, a plurality of latent image bearing members on which a latent image is formed based on the image information, a plurality of developing devices, each of which disposed in proximity to the latent image baring member, to develop the latent image on the latent image bearing member with toner to form a toner image thereon, a transfer bias application mechanism to apply a transfer bias to the intermediate transfer member and halt temporarily and periodically application of the transfer bias in a continuous output mode in which a plurality of images are continuously formed on different recording media sheets based on the image information of the plurality of images received continuously by the receiver, and a secondary transfer member to transfer the superimposed toner image onto a recording medium.

1. Field of the Invention
Exemplary aspects of the present invention generally relate to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a tandem-type image forming apparatus that forms toner images on a plurality of latent image bearing members, transfers the toner images onto an intermediate transfer member on one another, and transfers the superimposed toner image onto a recording medium.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, there is known a tandem-type image forming apparatus equipped with an endlessly rotatable intermediate transfer belt that is wound around a plurality of rollers, process cartridges for colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black arranged in a direction of movement of the intermediate transfer belt, and so forth.
Each of the process cartridges includes, for example, a photoreceptor serving as a latent image bearing member and a developing device. In such a process cartridge, the surface of the photoreceptor is illuminated with light so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on its surface. Then, the developing device develops the electrostatic latent image with a respective color of toner, thereby forming a visible image, known as a toner image.
The toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black formed on the respective photoreceptor are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt. Accordingly, a multi-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt. Lastly, the multi-color toner image is secondarily transferred onto a recording medium.
In such a tandem-type image forming apparatus, a problem, known as reverse transfer, may occur in all the process cartridges except for the process cartridge disposed substantially at the initial part, or upstream end, of the transfer process. For example, if the toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are sequentially superimposed, in that order, on the intermediate transfer belt, the process cartridge for yellow corresponds to the process cartridge disposed at the upstream end of the transfer process.
Except for the process cartridge for yellow, in the rest of the process cartridges, that is, the process cartridges for magenta, cyan, and black, the toner images transferred on the intermediate transfer belt upstream therefrom may be undesirably transferred back onto the photoreceptors again. This phenomenon is the so-called reverse transfer phenomenon (hereinafter simply "reverse transfer"). Such reverse transfer results in an abnormal multi-color image.
Various print experiments performed by the present inventor using a test machine similar to the known tandem-type image forming apparatuses showed that reverse transfer tended to occur when images were continuously formed on a relatively large number of recording media sheets when the image forming apparatus was operating in a continuous output mode.
Specifically, it was found that an electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt of the test machine increased gradually during the continuous output mode in which 500 sheets were output over a relatively long period of time, such that, when the potential of the intermediate transfer belt reached a certain level, electric discharge occurred in a space between the intermediate transfer belt and a device such as a process cartridge casing disposed opposite the belt, thereby degrading adhesion between the toner and the intermediate transfer belt.
As a result, the toner was reversely transferred from the intermediate transfer belt to the photoreceptors in the process cartridges disposed further downstream in the transfer process. Thereafter, the potential of the intermediate transfer belt continued rising until application of the transfer bias to the intermediate transfer belt stopped.
The present inventor also discovered that if application of the transfer bias relative to the intermediate transfer belt was temporarily halted, for example, for one minute, the belt potential returned to a normal level even after rising a certain amount due to the continuous output.

Image forming apparatus and image forming method


Disclosed are an inverter, a NAND gate, and a NOR gate. The inverter includes: a pull-up unit constituted by a second thin film transistor outputting a first power voltage to an output terminal according to a voltage applied to a gate; a pull-down unit constituted by a fifth thin film transistor outputting a ground voltage to the output terminal according to an input signal applied to a gate; and a pull-up driver applying a second power voltage or the ground voltage to the gate of the second thin film transistor according to the input signal.

In recent years, a liquid crystal display incorporates various circuits constituted by a thin film transistor (hereinafter, referred to as "TFT") in order to improve display performance and reduce power consumption. An existing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuit is used to easily configure various circuits, but a manufacturing process is complicated, such that manufacturing cost increases.
Therefore, a technology in which a circuit such as a scan driver is constituted by only one of N-type and P-type TFTs has been primarily reported. However, the circuit which can be constituted by only the N-type or P-type TFT has been very limited up to now. In particular, a method for effectively configuring the inverter, the NAND gate, and the NOR gate which are basic components constituting a digital circuit has not ever been reported.
FIG. 1 shows an existing inverter circuit constituted by only the N-type TFT.
Referring to FIG. 1, since a pull-up transistor M2 is turned on regardless of an input signal at all times, an output voltage cannot decrease to 0 V and when a pull-down transistor M1 is turned on, current flows between a power voltage VDD and a ground voltage GND, such that power consumption is very high.

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

KONKUK UNIVERSITY INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION CORP.


A controller for a liquid discharging device generates a correction chart including a reference pattern and a correction part, using a liquid discharged from a liquid discharge head, the liquid discharge head having a plurality of nozzles that are arranged to form a nozzle array. The controller drives a predetermined number of the plurality of nozzles to form the reference pattern on the recording sheet along a direction of the nozzle array, the predetermined number being a number equal to or less than a total number of the plurality of nozzles of the nozzle array, and drives a number of the plurality of nozzles that is different than the predetermined number of nozzles driven in forming the reference pattern, to form the correction pattern on the recording sheet along the direction of the nozzle array.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to a liquid discharging device, a correction chart generating method, and a non-transitory recording medium.
Description of the Related Art
Liquid discharging devices such as inkjet recording devices and the like discharge droplets through nozzles by increasing a pressure in a liquid chamber in which a liquid such as ink is stored. The liquid discharging device is provided with a liquid discharge head having a plurality of nozzles.
The plurality of nozzles of the liquid discharge head is arranged adjacent to each other. When a time for discharging the liquid from one nozzle, and a time for discharging the liquid from the nozzle adjacent to that nozzle becomes the same, a discharge amount and a discharge speed of that nozzle changes. That is, characteristics of operation for driving to discharge the liquid for one nozzle changes due to operation of discharging the other nozzle near that nozzle. This phenomenon is known as "crosstalk".
If the crosstalk occurs, density unevenness and streak may be caused by the ink droplets on the recording medium, resulting in lowering image quality.

Liquid discharging device, correction chart generating method, and recording medium


A separator for separating particles entrained in a fluid is disclosed. The separator includes a sleeve adapted to be mounted over a rotatable shaft for forming a cavity therebetween, an inlet to the cavity, an outlet to the cavity and means for imparting a centrifugal force on fluid within the cavity. The means for imparting the centrifugal force is operatively connected to the shaft so that, in use, spinning of the shaft creates the centrifugal force. In use, a slurry of fluid and particles enters the cavity through the inlet, the particles are caused to separate from the fluid by action of the centrifugal force, and the separated particles and fluid leave the cavity via the outlet with the particles tending to be closer to the sleeve than the shaft.

The present invention relates to a separate for separating particles from a fluid.
In many marine craft, a propeller at the end of a drive shaft extends away from the craft""s stem by out rigging via a bearing. The bearing is usually cooled and lubricated by water flowing through channels or grooves which extend through the bearing. When the marine vessel passes through water where sand or grit has been disturbed, the sand/grit particles can find their way into the lubricating grooves of the bearing. These particles are highly abrasive to the bearing, and result in the bearing quickly becoming worn.
There is therefore a need to minimise the amount of sand or other abrasive particles from entering the lubricating grooves of the bearing.
An object of the present invention is to provide a separator for separating particles entrained in a fluid.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a separator for separating particles entrained in a fluid, said separator including:
a sleeve adapted to be mounted over a rotatable shaft for forming a cavity therebetween;
an inlet to the cavity;
an outlet to the cavity opposite the inlet; and
means for imparting a centrifugal force on fluid within the cavity, said means operatively connected to the shaft so that, in use, spinning of the shaft creates the centrifugal force,
wherein, in use, a slurry of fluid and particles enters of the cavity through the inlet, the particles are caused to separate from the fluid by action of the centrifugal force, the separated particles and fluid leave the cavity via the outlet with the particles tending to be closer to the sleeve than the shaft.
Preferably, the cavity increases in cross-sectional area along its length from the length towards the outlet.
In a first embodiment, the sleeve is frustoconical in shape with the narrow end of the cone at the inlet and the wide end at the outlet, whereby the size of the cavity increases along its length from the inlet to the outlet, which causes the movement of the slurry through the cavity to slow the further it progresses along the length of the separator, thereby increasing the centrifugal action on the fluid as it moves along the length of the separator.
In the first embodiment, the means for imparting a centrifugal force is in the form of one or more paddles projecting from the shaft into the cavity, the paddles causing the fluid to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft as the shaft spins.
In a second embodiment, the cavity is of a helical shape. The helix shaped cavity, acting as said means so that as it is rotated, the centrifugal force is imparted on the fluid in the cavity. Preferably, the helical shape assists in moving fluid through the cavity from the inlet to the outlet. More preferably, there is a plurality of helical shaped cavities. Preferably, there is provided a first raceway between the inlet and the helical cavities.
Preferably, the inlet is of a smaller area than the outlet and thereby limiting the amount of fluid that enters the cavity.
Preferably, the outlet includes a parting means arranged to portion an inner layer of fluid substantially devoid of the particles from an outer layer of the fluid carrying the particles. More preferably, the parting means is in the form of a blade closely encircling the shaft. Preferably, the outlet includes a chamber at the outlet end of the cavity between the sleeve and the shaft, the chamber arranged to receive a parting means for portioning an inner layer of fluid substantially devoid of the particles from an outer layer of fluid carrying the particles.
Preferably, the sleeve is arranged to rotate about its axis relative to the parting means.
Preferably, the outer layer is ejected from a first exist of the outlet. Preferably, the parting means includes a turbulence means for slowing the exit of the fluid carrying the particles from the outlet.
Preferably, the parting means is arranged to be fixed to a bearing.
Preferably, the parting means includes a scoop means for scooping the inner layer of fluid away from the blade to a second exit of the outlet.
Preferably, the scoop means is in the form of a plurality of curved channels. Preferably, the scoop means is provided with a second raceway between the curved channels and the second exit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a separator and parting means combination, the separating means as defined above and the parting means is arranged to partition an inner layer of fluid substantially devoid at particles from an outer layer of fluid carrying the particles.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a separator, parting means and a bearing combination, the separator and parting means as defined above, the bearing arranged to receive the inner layer of fluid from the parting means.

Environmental Separation Technologies PTY LTD


A can cover having an inner cover comprising a circular groove in which an upper sealing portion of said can is inserted. An inner O-ring is tightly attached to said upper sealing portion of said can. Said inner O-ring is inserted into said circular groove of said inner cover. Also included is an outer coupling ring having a plurality of coupling protrusions inserted into a plurality of coupling grooves formed in an outer circumferential portion of said inner cover. A clearance is formed between said coupling grooves such that when said outer coupling ring is separated from said inner cover, said clearance spreads and separates said inner cover from said upper sealing portion of said can.

In general, as shown in a prior art beverage can as illustrated in FIG. 1A, a closure 2 is formed by a scored line 1 which has a deepness smaller than the thickness of an upper portion of a beverage can at one side of the upper surface of the can. A lever 3 is fixed to an upper central portion of the can. In this case, the scored line is not formed near the portion where the lever 3 is installed (that is, a portion near the upper central portion of the can at the circumference of the closure 2) so that one side of the closure 2 is not separated from the upper surface of the can. In addition, a tip of the lever 3 extends from one side of the closure 2 and is fixed to the one side of the closure 2.
Therefore, when a user holds a rear end of the lever 3 and then lifts up the lever 3, the tip of the lever 3 presses an upper surface of the closure 2 downward. As a result, the circumference of the closure 2 is cut out from the upper surface of the can along the scored line 1 and bent downward to form a discharge port (shown, for example, in FIG. 2A).
In the beverage cans having the above structure, the closure 2 is connected to the upper surface of the beverage can and is not separated from the upper surface of the beverage can even though the beverage can is opened. As a result, the beverage cans may be easily recycled and widely used.
However, once the closure 2 of such beverage can is opened, the opening cannot be closed and the beverage cannot be securely preserved. Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, an auxiliary closure for a beverage can, which has a quadruple sealing structure, is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-1199690 titled "Spare stopper with quadruple air tight structure for beverage can" filed on May 17, 2012.
FIG. 1B illustrates a bottom perspective view illustrating an auxiliary closure for a beverage can, according to the prior art.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to the prior art, the auxiliary closure for the beverage can in which the closure 2 is formed by a scored line at one side of an upper surface of the beverage can. The lever 3 is fixed onto the upper central portion, and an extending portion 4 having a narrowed diameter portion formed on an outer circumferential surface extends upward from an upper circumferential surface, and a concave groove 5 having a concave ring shape is formed downward so as to be positioned in the extending portion 4 such that when the closure 2 is pushed downward by using the lever 3, the circumferential surface of the closure 2 is cut out from the upper surface of the can to form a discharge port. The beverage can includes a support portion 6 having a wide circular plate shape, an outer extending end tube 7 (which extends downward from a lower circumferential surface of the support portion 6), a catching project 7a (which is caught by the narrowed diameter portion at an inner circumferential surface thereof), an inner extending end tube 8 (which has a smaller diameter than the outer extending end tube 7) extends downward to be concentric with the outer extending end tube 8 and has a lower end inserted into the concave groove 5, and a sealing member 9 (which is made of an elastic material) fixed at a lower side of a support portion 41 and seals the discharge port by being tightly attached to an upper surface around the discharge port.
However, the auxiliary closure in the prior art is configured to cover the upper surface of the beverage can so that the member 9 blocks the discharge port 2a. But only when the sealing member 9 is inserted between the lever 3 and the upper surface of the can, the discharge port may be securely blocked. In addition, when the upper surface of the can is covered without checking that the sealing member 9 is inserted between the lever 3 and the upper surface of the beverage can, a beverage leaks through the discharge port 2a.
Further, according to the prior art in Korean Patent No. 10-1199690, a spiral groove is formed on an outer surface of the outer extending end tube (an inner cap) and a sealed cover (an outer cap) is formed having a ring shape at the outside of the outer extending end tube. For example, when the outer cap (similar to a male spiral screw) slide down on the inner cap (similar to a female spiral screw), forces are exerted towards inner direction for squeezing the inner cap in order to air-tightly seal the upper side of the can. However, significant manual work is required for the spiral groove, and as a result, productivity is decreased. Thus, there remains a need for a beverage can with a new structure.

Quadruple sealing structure for can cover


A portable handheld traffic control device includes a lamp, a housing that encloses the lamp, and a handle. The handle attaches to a proximal (back) side of the housing and includes a control panel operable by a thumb of a hand grasping the handle. In a first (vehicle) mode, the lamp emits light on a distal (front) side of the housing in one of four colors: red, yellow, green, or white, when a respective button for the corresponding color is pressed. In a second (pedestrian) mode, pressing the red button causes the lamp to display a steady red upraised hand, pressing the yellow button causes the lamp to display a flashing red upraised hand, and pressing the green button causes the lamp to display a steady white walking person figure. A battery powers the lamp. The device includes a secondary display visible on the proximal (back) side of the device.

Various devices, systems, and methods for controlling vehicle traffic are known. Various devices, systems, and methods for controlling pedestrian traffic are likewise known. In particular, vehicle and pedestrian traffic control signals (e.g., traffic lights and crosswalk signals) are known. For example, various standards, definitions, and specifications for such signals include those set forth in the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD) of the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. Other standards, definitions, and specifications include those set forth in the various publications of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), such as the "Vehicle Traffic Control Signal Heads" (VTCSH) standard, the "ITE LED Circular Signal Supplement" specification, the "VTCSH—Part 3: Light Emitting Diode (LED) Vehicle Arrow Signal Modules" specification, the "Pedestrian Traffic Control Signal Indications" (PTCSI) standard, and the "Pedestrian Traffic Control Signal Indicators-Light Emitting Diode (LED) Signal Modules" specification.
Dangerous conditions may arise when a traffic signal ceases to operate, such as may occur during a power outage. This may be especially so during inclement weather or at nighttime. In other situations, traffic signals are intentionally deactivated, such as during maintenance or during large-scale events (e.g., sporting events) to permit unusually large volumes of vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic to be accommodated. In these situations, and others, it may be desirable to have an alternative to permanently installed traffic signals.

Traffic control devices, systems, and methods


The present invention consists of a cosmetic or dermatological composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium:

The present invention relates to cosmetic or dermatological compositions comprising at least one alkynyl carbamate and at least one polyol; to the use of these compositions in cosmetics; and to the use, for the preparation of a cosmetic or dermatological composition, of an alkynyl carbamate and a polyol for treating inflammatory and/or desquamating skin disorders associated with Malassezia spp.
Desquamating disorders of the scalp such as dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis are associated with the presence of a characteristic yeast known as Malassezia ovalis, which was previously known as Pityrosporum (P. ovale and P. orbiculare).
Moreover, it is known that this yeast is capable of changing its shape and metabolism. In particular, it can change into a filamentous form (Malassezia furfur) which is responsible for the inflammatory and pigmentary disorder known as Pityriasis versicolor.
The usual treatment for all these complaints involves using antifungal agents in a medium, such as a shampoo, a gel or a lotion, which is suitable for distributing these agents and depositing them on teguments.
The antifungal activity of these agents is limited; furthermore, the persistence of the antifungal activity is low. Thus, treatments using these antifungal agents are of very moderate or even low efficacy.
The Applicant has thus sought to solve these problems and to obtain more effective treatments.
It has discovered, surprisingly, that by combining an alkynyl carbamate with certain polyols, it is possible to obtain treatments that are much more effective than those of the prior art. Specifically, the Applicant has discovered, surprisingly, that these combinations have strong and long-lasting antifungal activity directed against Malassezia spp.
It has been noted in particular that combinations of these compounds as doses at which each of their individual activities is lost, remain effective and have reinforced antifungal activity.
It has also been found that the combinations of the invention have good solubility and stability in the media usually used for applying antifungal compositions, as well as good skin tolerance.
A subject of the present invention is thus a cosmetic or dermatological composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one alkynyl carbamate and at least one polyol.
Another subject of the invention relates to the use of these compositions as antifungal or antidandruff cosmetic compositions.
Another subject of the invention is also the use of an alkynyl carbamate and a polyol to prepare an antidandruff or antifungal dermatological composition.
Another subject of the invention consists of a cosmetic treatment process for eliminating dandruff from the hair and the scalp using these compositions.
Other subjects of the invention will become apparent in the light of the description and the examples which follow.
A subject of the present invention is essentially a cosmetic or dermatological composition, characterized in that it comprises, in a physiologically acceptable medium:
at least one alkynyl carbamate of formula (I) below:
in which:
X denotes a halogen atom
R denotes a hydrogen atom,
an alkyl group,
a hydroxyalkyl group,
and at least one polyol chosen from non-etherified polyols, C1-C10 (poly)alkyl or C2-C20 (poly)alkenyl polyol ethers and glycosyl polyol ethers; the polyol being saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic, bearing or not bearing a hetero atom, and bearing or not bearing additional chemical functions chosen from carbonyl and carboxyl functions.
In the context of the present invention:
the term xe2x80x9chalogen atomxe2x80x9d denotes a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom and preferably an iodine atom.
The term xe2x80x9calkyl groupxe2x80x9d denotes linear or branched groups containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as, for example, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl or pentadecyl groups. The term xe2x80x9calkyl groupxe2x80x9d preferably denotes lower alkyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in a linear or branched chain, such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, butyl, n-butyl or tert-butyl groups.
The compositions of the invention preferably contain compounds of formula (I) in which X denotes an iodine atom and R denotes a lower alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
Even more preferably, they contain at least 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate.
According to the invention, the polyols represent saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic compounds bearing or not bearing a hetero atom, and bearing or not bearing additional chemical functions chosen from carbonyl and carboxyl functions.
Among these compounds, mention may be made of erythritol, arabitol, adonitol, sorbitol, dulcitol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 2,4-pentanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, 2-ethyl-2-butyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 2,2-dihydroxymethyl-1-butanol, tetramethylolmethane (pentaerythritol), glyceryl xcex1-monomethyl ether, glyceryl xcex1-mono-n-butyl ether and 2-O-xcex1-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid.
The polyol preferably used is 3-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,2-propanediol (C11H24O3).
The alkynyl carbamate and the polyol can be simultaneously present in individual proportions or between 0.001% and 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition and preferably in proportions of between 0.01% and 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
The weight ratio of the alkynyl carbamate and of the polyol can range from 0.01 to 100 and preferably from 0.05 to 5.
The compositions of the invention can have a pH of between 2 and 12.
The physiologically acceptable medium generally consists of water or of mixture of water and at least one organic solvent which is physiologically acceptable for the purpose of topical application. Among the solvents which may be mentioned are C1-C4 lower alcohols such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, alkylene glycols such as propylene glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol mono(or di)ethyl(or methyl) ether. When they are present, these solvents preferably represent from 1 to 80% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
The compositions according to the invention can be in the form of lotions, shampoos, mousses, creams, gels, sticks, sprays, balms, powders or solid or liquid soaps.
The compositions in accordance with the invention can optionally also contain various additives other than those defined above, which do not adversely affect the properties of the compositions of the invention, such as anionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic or nonionic surfactants, suspending agents, anionic, nonionic, cationic or amphoteric polymers, proteins, silicone oils, waxes, resins and/or gums, acidifying or basifying agents, preserving agents, fragrances or other adjuvants commonly used in cosmetics or dermatology.
The compositions according to the invention can also contain other antibacterial agents such as those described above, for instance chloramine T, Irgasan DP 300, chloramine B, 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 3-bromo-1-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin or N-chlorosuccinimide.
They can also contain antifungal agents such as, for example, selenium sulphide, zinc pyrindinethione or octopyrox.
A subject of the invention is thus the use of a composition as defined above for the cosmetic treatment of the hair and the scalp.
A subject of the invention is also the use of a composition as defined above, as an antifungal cosmetic composition.
More particularly, the compositions of the invention are preferably used as antidandruff cosmetic compositions.
The invention also relates to the use of alkynyl carbamate as defined above and of at least one polyol as defined above for the preparation of an antifungal dermatological composition or for the preparation of a dermatological composition intended for the treatment of inflammatory and/or desquamating skin disorders associated with Malassezia spp. and more particularly antidandruff treatment.
A subject of the present invention is also a cosmetic treatment process in which the cosmetic compositions according to the invention are used to eliminate dandruff from the hair and the scalp, and they are applied, in this case, to wet or dry hair; these applications optionally being followed by a rinsing operation.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the compositions according to the invention are used as shampoos for washing and treating the hair and the scalp.
In this case, they are applied to wet or dry hair in amounts which are effective for washing them, this application being followed by a rinsing operation.
The examples which follow illustrate the present invention without, however, being limiting in nature.
In the examples which follow, the following definitions apply:
Compound A: 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate, and
Compound B: 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,2-propanediol

Cosmetic or dermatological composition comprising at least one alkynyl carbamate and at least one polyol

Abstract: xe2x80x83in which:

Abstract: A denotes a halogen atom

Abstract: R denotes a hydrogen atom,

Abstract: an alkyl group,

Abstract: a hydroxyalkyl group,

Abstract: and at least one polyol chosen from non-etherified polyols, and (poly)alkyl or (poly)alkenyl polyol ethers; these polyols containing from 4 to 28 carbon atoms and from 2 to 6 hydroxyl functions, with the proviso that at least two of these hydroxyl functions are free;

Abstract: uses of these compositions and a cosmetic treatment process using these compositions.


The present disclosure relates to a method for autonomously controlling a vehicle performed by a vehicle control system, the vehicle control system comprising a zone control system, a collision prediction system and a braking control system, the method comprising the steps of:                defining in the zone control system at least a first zone and a second zone relative to a vehicle position,        predicting a collision with an obstacle with the prediction system,        autonomously braking the vehicle with the braking control system in a first braking mode if the collision is predicted to occur in the first zone and braking the vehicle with the braking control system in a second braking mode if the collision is predicted to occur in the second zone.

Autonomously controlled vehicles, such as autonomously controlled dumper trucks, may use a predefined trajectory to move from a start position to an end position. The vehicle control system may identify its current position and control the vehicle along the predefined trajectory.
The vehicle control system may comprise a detection system for detecting obstacles, such as hitherto unknown stationary obstacles or moving objects such as vehicles or personnel. Such obstacles may not be taken into account when planning the trajectory for lack of information, or in the case of dynamic obstacles, because their position has changed, such that the vehicle control system needs methods for dealing with the detection of an obstacle in order to avoid a collision.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for autonomously controlling a vehicle performed by a vehicle control system and a vehicle control system for autonomously controlling a vehicle having improved collision avoidance capabilities, such as improved capabilities to avoid collisions with obstacles.
This and other objects may be solved by embodiments of the present disclosure.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, obstacle avoidance concepts include real time calculation of zones based on present conditions of speed, grade, adhesion, and weight. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a combination of electric retarding and service brake augmentation is used to maintain prescribed distance margins. Some concepts minimize risk of collision, prioritize the use of the electric retarder, and minimize the use of service brakes where possible. In an aspect of the present disclosure, proactive obstacle avoidance where a vehicle control system re-plans around stationary and in-motion obstacles is used.
In a first embodiment, a method for autonomously controlling a vehicle performed by a vehicle control system is provided, the vehicle control system comprising a zone control system, a collision prediction system and a braking control system, the method comprising the steps of:                defining in the zone control system at least a first zone and a second zone relative to a vehicle,        predicting a collision with an obstacle with the prediction system,        autonomously braking the vehicle with the braking control system in a first braking mode if the collision is predicted to occur in the first zone and braking the vehicle with the braking control system in a second braking mode if the collision is predicted to occur in the second zone.
In a second embodiment, a method for autonomously controlling a vehicle performed by a vehicle control system is provided, the vehicle control system comprising a zone control system, a collision prediction system and a collision avoidance system, the method comprising the steps of:                defining in the zone control system zone at least a first and a third zone relative to a vehicle,        predicting a collision with an obstacle with the prediction system,        autonomously operating the vehicle with the collision avoidance system in a first collision avoidance mode if the collision is predicted to occur in the first zone and autonomously operating the vehicle with the collision avoidance system in a third collision avoidance mode if the collision is predicted to occur in the third zone.
In a third embodiment, a vehicle control system for autonomously controlling a vehicle is provided, the vehicle control system comprising a zone control system, a collision prediction system and a collision avoidance system, the vehicle control system being configured for performing a method comprising the steps of:                defining in the zone control system zone at least a first and a third zone relative to a vehicle,        predicting a collision with an obstacle with the prediction system,        autonomously operating the vehicle with the collision avoidance system in a first collision avoidance mode if the collision is predicted to occur in the first zone and autonomously operating the vehicle with the collision avoidance system in a third collision avoidance mode if the collision is predicted to occur in the third zone.

Method for autonomously controlling a vehicle

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